Full Service Real Estate Team – Cheryl Brewer has a property available for sale in Winter Haven! Details: Price Improvement! Great location! Near LEGOLAND. Easy access to shopping, restaurants, doctor offices and hospital. Pool Home with oversized lot-.40 acres. 3 bedrooms/2 baths in established sought after neighborhood. No HOA! Open floor plan for hosting family and friends. Plenty of storage! Large living room has vaulted ceilings and sliding glass doors that allow easy access to the 16, 000 gallon screened in pool. Eat-in kitchen has granite countertops, smooth top stove, mounted microwave and backsplash. Walk-in pantry area. Master bath has dual sinks. Large Master bedroom has sliding glass doors to the pool. Garage has area for a workshop with storage, work bench, cabinets and attic storage. Home is located on a cul de sac. Call today to view! Contact Cheryl Brewer at Full Service Real Estate Team today!
Patricia Curtis Starr, 69, of Winter Haven, Florida passed away December 18, 2023 at Winter Haven Hospital, Winter Haven, Florida. She was born on January 11, 1954 in Natick, Massachusetts to Daniel and Barbara Curtis.
Patricia is survived by: her husband of 40 years Russell Starr, son Daniel (Elizabeth) Starr, daughter Stephanie (Thomas) Turner, grandson’s John Russell Starr, Barrett Glenn Turner, sisters Peggy (Scott) Fleckenstein, Barbara (Curtis) Chandley, Beth (David) Collins, Ann (Victor) Story and Jeannie Takas, step-mom Lois Curtis and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by: her Parents and sister Paula (Bill) Morley.
Patricia was a retired teacher/ administrator for the Polk County School System for 39 years and she was a member of St. Matthew Catholic Church.
Services will be held at St. Matthew Catholic Church in Winter Haven, FL:
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to the Moffitt Cancer Center Foundation. Donations can be made by mailing a check to Moffitt Cancer Center Foundation, MBC-FOU, 12902 Magnolia Drive, Tampa, FL 33612; online at Moffitt.org/Donate; or by calling 1-800-456-3434 ext. 1403
On 12/12/23 a retail theft occurred at Walmart located at 2120 Highway 92 West, Auburndale. An unknown Hispanic Male entered the Walmart store and collected items from the grocery, and from the clothing area, then proceeded to the self-checkout registers. The unknown suspect started scanning the items while they were in the shopping cart with the handheld scanner. After a few scans he was moved to a different register due to register malfunction.
He then starts scanning the items in the cart again with the handheld scanner, failing to scan a total of 12 items which he never had any intention of paying for. The unknown suspect pays for the scanned items and then bagged all items paid and unpaid. He gathered his receipt and made his way out the grocery entrance. When approached by loss prevention he took off from the store leaving the items behind. Total stolen merchandise is $71.25.
The unknown suspect was seen getting into a four door, possibly a gold sedan vehicle with black rims.
The suspect is identified as a Hispanic male with a slim build, long hair brownish/red dreads, with minimal facial hair. He was last seen wearing a black shirt, black and white checked coat with a white symbol on the back, red/black pajama pants, brown slip-on shoes, and a black and white knit beanie with “FALCONS” across the top in black.
The suspect also has tattoos on both hands and is wearing a gold band on his left hand.
If you have any information, please contact Officer Rieger at 863-965-5555 or by email [email protected]
Albert F. Cook, age 71, of Winter Haven, FL passed away unexpectedly on December 19, 2023, at Winter Haven Hospital.
His Celebration of Life will be held on Thursday, December 28, 2023, at 5 PM at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 1958 9th St., Southeast, Winter Haven, Fl. Everyone is invited for a light dinner after the service.
Albert is the son of the late Herbert Cook and Twila (Hart) Cook. He is survived by his wife Dorothy (Page) Cook of 51 years and two deceased sons Francis and Matthew.
He is survived by daughter-in-law Kelly (Matt) Cook, and three grandchildren Kaleb, Alyssa, and Caitlyn Cook. Sister Brenda (Norm) Brinck, sisters-in-law Barb Cook, Mary Cook and brothers-in-law Burdette Hall and Ralph Thomas, several nieces, nephews, aunts, and uncles.
He is predeceased by siblings: Herbert Cook, Jr., Shirley Thomas, Larry Cook, Nancy (Ron) Gates, Mary Hall, and Sharon (Donnie)Ellis.
Albert was born on June 1, 1952, in Elmira, NY. He graduated from Elmira Free Academy. He was a football player, was in Chef’s club and Chess Club. He lived in NY, California, N. C., and Florida. He was the owner of four A & M Vacuum and Sewing Centers. He retired in 2011 and became a snowbird living part time in NY and Florida. He enjoyed boating, camping, fishing, Yankees baseball games, cross country skiing, roller skating, bowling, playing pool, cards, and games, shuffleboard, travel, carpentry, sewing, square dancing, and volunteering at our retirement community. He was a foster parent for five years. He loved watching his sons and grandchildren in their sports. He loved being involved with his sons in Boys Scouts. He was outgoing and fun, a jokester especially doing his magic thumb trick and making everyone laugh or smile, but also had a spiritual side.
He was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served in many capacities and volunteered in three temples in Toronto, Palmyra, and Orlando and a church pageant.
He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, foster parent, relative and friend, and will be greatly missed.
The Winter Haven Police Department is currently conducting an investigation into the body of a male found inside of a vehicle parked in the back area of Dukes Brewhouse. According to Jamie Brown, Public Information Officer for WHPD, officers were notified at approximately 4:50 am and cordoned off the area.
This investigation is ongoing, but at this time foul play does not appear to have occurred. We will update this article if additional information is released.
I always love this time of year because I can get crafty with my kids and help them create holiday themed artwork that I will forever cherish. There are a TON of ideas for kid holiday crafts. I will highlight a few I have done with my children this year.
Hand Painted Ornaments
Ornaments are so fun. My favorite thing is to get our box of ornaments out every year and sort through them. About half of all my ornaments are handmade ones or hand painted ones from my kids. I love looking at them because it brings back all the great memories of making them. My oldest daughter has been making holiday crafts with me for the past few years, and I also have a baby who started up the tradition with us this year.
This year, my daughters each painted two Christmas ornaments. My older daughter painted with regular paint and a paintbrush and my baby created her masterpieces with children’s fingerpaint. She tends to get a little messy and sometimes wants to eat it, but that is all part of the fun. Their ornaments turned out so cute and are hanging on the Christmas tree.
Washable paint for the babies! Hand Painted Christmas Ornament
Handprints& Footprints
Handprint and footprint art from your kids is just the best. Personally, it is my favorite type. I have so many pieces of artwork from my girls over the years. This year, my baby did a Christmas tree handprint. (again- for the baby I used washable paint).
Handprint Christmas Tree
My older daughter created fingerprint penguins on a little canvas. She used black paint to create the bottom layer of thumbprints, then once it dried, the used one of her smaller fingers (pinky) to do a white fingerprint overtop.
Penguin Thumbprint Art
There are so many other ideas you can find online for Christmas handprints and footprints. Another craft my older daughter made this December is a handprint Christmas wreath. This was a fun one – well they all are fun.
Handprint Holiday Wreath
She painted the wreath with green sparkle paint by using her hands, then once that dried, she did two red handprints to make a bow. She finished her masterpiece by painting her name at the bottom.
I love to get these precious pieces of artwork out every year and admire them. What I do to remember how old they were when they created each piece is write on the back their names, age & when they made them. Example: name, age, Dec ’23.
We would love to see any holiday crafts your kids, grandkids, friends, etc have made this year or in the past. Please share with us!
Simple holiday treats for Christmas – that is exactly what these Christmas pretzels are. Only a few ingredients needed and they look great!
Image source: Love From The Oven
Ingredients :
Pretzels
Hershey kisses
M&Ms
Holiday sprinkles
Parchment paper
Directions:
First preheat your oven to 200 degrees. Tear off a sheet of parchment paper and lay it across a pan or cookie sheet. Next, place your pretzels on top of the parchment paper. On top of each pretzel, place a hersey kiss.
After you do this, bake them in the oven for a short period – only about 4 to 6 minutes. The goal is to get the hersey kisses to melt slightly so that they are soft. *The key is soft, not completely melted. Remove pan or sheet from oven.
Place an m&m (red or green for Christmas) on top of each soft hersey kiss Add holiday sprinkles. Allow a few mintues for the hersey kisses to cool, then place them in the freezer for about 20 minutes.
Bam! You are done. Enjoy!
Now for the fun part…You can adjust the simple recipe and make them how YOU want them. You may want to use regular m&ms or you might want to try a diffent m&m for the center, such as a caramel m&m or dark chocolate m&m. The sky is the limit.
Not a fan of sprinkles? No problem. They taste great without too. It is just all personal preference.
To make them look super “Christmas-y” use red and green m&ms only and red & green sprinkles.
Winter Haven, Florida- On December 19th Winter Haven Police responded to a stabbing that took place in a Winter Haven home. The suspect, Asok Varghese allegedly stabbed the victim in the stomach then began hitting her with a golf club. Around the same time as this incident, the suspect allegedly paid for oral sex from the victim as well. According to law enforcement records, Varghese has been charged with one count Aggravated Battery – Person Uses a Deadly Weapon and one count Soliciting for Prostitution. Below is excerpt of the arrest affidavit:
It should be noted that this is an unedited report of facts by the Winter Haven Police Department. These facts are up for question and everyone is entitled to question the validity of facts by law enforcement in a court of law. Winter Haven Daily does not rewrite these facts as some meanings or interpretations could be in error and change context. We hope readers appreciate being able to read the information and come to your own conclusion.
Defendant Asok Varghese
On Tuesday December 19, 2023 at 1952 hours a Stabbing occurred at REDACTED. Prior to my investigation, it was learned that the Victim, REDACTED, was stabbed one time in the right lower stomach and then hit multiple times all over her body with a golf club by the Defendant, Asok Varghese (IM DOB: 11/02/1973). The incident occurred inside the Victim’s residence located at REDACTED. The Victim had a small laceration to her right lower stomach, which only required a clean-up. The Victim had non-life threatening injuries. No obvious bruising or swelling could be seen at the time of the Victim’s interview. The Victim provided a sworn recorded interview and stated that she met the Defendant through a friend of hers, and that she has known the Defendant for approximately six to seven months. The Victim stated that she was sitting on the front porch talking on her cellphone, when the Defendant entered her residence and was sitting on her bed. The Victim stated that she ended the phone call and went inside the bedroom where the Defendant was. The Victim stated that she and the Defendant began talking about the Defendant’s mother and all of a sudden the Defendant struck her in the stomach and then began hitting her with a golf club. The Victim stated that she did not realize the Defendant stabbed her until after the fact. The Victim stated that the Defendant went to stab her again and she grabbed the knife to stop the Defendant. The Victim stated that she threw the knife away from them so the Defendant could not use it again. The Victim stated that she attempted to leave the room, but the door was locked earlier by the Defendant. The Victim stated that as she was asking for help and attempting to run out of the bedroom; two neighbors REDACTED and REDACTED showed up near her bedroom. The Victim later stated that she gave the Defendant oral sex between 1800 hours and 2000 hours, after the Defendant pointed at his penis and said: “suck on it.” The Victim stated that she said “okay” and performed oral sex. The Victim stated at no point did she threaten or hurt the Defendant to make him stab her and hit her. The Victim was shown a single image photograph from DAVID (Driver and Vehicle Information Database) where the Victim stated that was the person who stabbed her and hit her. The photograph was that of the Defendant, Asok Varghese (IM DOB: 11/02/1973). Witness 1, REDACTED, provided a sworn recorded statement and stated that he has known the Victim for approximately six years; however, he does not know the Defendant. Witness 1 stated that he does not know what time the Defendant arrived to the Victim’s residence. Witness 1 stated that he heard commotion occurring and observed the Defendant striking the Victim with a golf club. Witness 1 stated that he pushed the Defendant away from the Victim. Witness 2, REDACTED, provided a sworn recorded statement and stated that he called 911 after heard the Victim cry for help, and after observing the Defendant striking the Victim with a golf club. Witness 2 stated that as he was going to the bathroom he could hear the Victim say: “get off me, he’s stabbing me, he’s hitting me.” Witness 2 stated that he did not see the initial fight and after hearing the Victim asking for help he went to a side window located on the Northeast side of the residence and broke the bedroom window in attempts to enter to help the Victim. Witness 2 stated that he has seen the Defendant multiple times but does not know his name, and does not know what time the Defendant came to the residence. Witness 3, REDACTED, provided a sworn recorded statement and stated that he observed the Defendant “smash” the Victim two to three times in the face with a golf club. Witness 3 stated that he could hear the Victim say: “he’s trying to kill me, help, help.” Witness 3 stated that he does not know the Defendant, but has seen him. Witness 3 stated that he ran down to get Witness 1 to help them and the Victim. At the residence the following evidence was found and collected: blood samples, handless kitchen butcher knife blade, golf club, inter and exterior glass shards. The Defendant, Asok Varghese (IM DOB: 11/02/1973), provided a sworn recorded statement and stated that he met the Victim at a gas station. The Defendant stated that the Victim is known to sell “Crack Cocaine” and that he often buys from the Victim. The Defendant stated that he knows “people who smoke and sell” so that is how he knew where the Victim resided. The Defendant stated that he arrived to the Victim’s residence on Tuesday December 19, 2023 at approximately 0600 hours, where he bought “crack” from the Victim and then smoked it with her. The Defendant stated that at 1000 hours, the Victim asked him: “do you want blowjob.” The Defendant stated that he said: “okay how much money you want.” The Defendant stated that the Victim said: “$40.00,” where he agreed and paid with two twenty dollars bills. The Defendant stated that the Victim gave him oral sex (Victim’s mouth to Defendant’s penis) for approximately fifteen minutes. The Defendant stated that he and the Victim continued to hangout, the Victim would occasionally sell drugs and they both would occasionally smoke drugs until approximately 1600 hours. The Defendant stated that after 1600 hours, he was lying on the Victim’s bed and remembers being “high” from the drugs. The Defendant rambled about being watched, recorded and feeling like people were in the walls looking at him, but he could not see them physically. The Defendant later stated that he thought people were going to kill him, so he asked the Victim for water. The Defendant stated that he later grabbed a “kitchen knife” from a nearby table and stabbed the Victim in the stomach. The Defendant stated that after he stabbed her, the Victim grabbed him by the wrists to stop him. The Defendant stated that he suffered minor injuries after the knife was turned towards him when the Victim grabbed it to stop him. The Defendant stated that he then grabbed a golf club from the corner of the bedroom and began using it to push the Victim off of him. The Defendant stated that a neighbor broke the bedroom window because the Victim was yelling: “help me, help me.” Due to the Defendant stating that he grabbed a kitchen knife and utilized the kitchen knife to stab the Victim in the lower right stomach, and who was observed striking the Victim with a golf club; the Defendant is being charged with one count Aggravated Battery – Person Uses a Deadly Weapon F.S.S. 784.045(1)(A)2. Due to the Defendant stating that he paid the Victim $40.00 for oral sex, which was later performed on him; the Defendant is being charged with one count Soliciting for Prostitution F.S.S. 796.07(2)(B).
Don’t invite thieves this holiday season! The City of Winter Haven will open Holiday Recycling Locations to assist with the disposal of empty boxes from Christmas gifts. Although residents have curbside recycling, we highly recommend using the locations open from Christmas Eve through January 2 to ensure thieves don’t see what new items you have.
Trash, A Quick and Easy Holiday Treat To Share With The Whole Family
By Allison Williams
Trash….puppy chow….muddy buddies….reindeer poop….muddy munch…. I have heard it called so many different things. Let me just say, it is delicious whatever it is called! The best part? It is super easy to make. I used to make this as a kid all the time around the holidays and have carried on the tradition with my own kids.
I always grew up calling it ‘trash.’ Sounds gross, but there is a reason behind it! In order to make it, we always put all the ingredients into a big trash bag and shook it up. Once you read through the directions, you’ll understand why!
When I say it is simple, I mean it. It only takes about 10 minutes to prepare AND it is fun to make!
Photo from Allrecipes – source: My Hot Southern Mess
Ingredients needed:
Box of Chex cereal (9 cups)
Chocolate chips (1 cup)
Peanut butter (1/2 cup)
Confectioners’ sugar (1 1/2 cups)
How to make (from Allrecipes):
Melt the chocolate and peanut butter together.
Remove from the heat and stir in the cereal.
Pour the sugar into a large resealable bag. (I always use a trash bag)
Add cereal and shake until well-coated.
*This is where the trash bag part comes in! If you go this route, put the ingredients in and shake it up, or if you are like me, let your kids shake it up and make it into a fun game. That’s it! It’s done.
Personally, I think it tastes best chilled, so if you can wait for a bit to dig in, let it chill in the fridge for a while and then enjoy!
So what are you waiting for? Get the family together to make this easy sweet treat. Or you can even make it and put it in cute decorative bags and gift them to family and friends for the holidays.
