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LEGOLAND Florida Offers Accommodations To Special Needs Guests

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LEGOLAND Florida Offers Accommodations To Special Needs Guests

LEGOLAND Florida Offers Accommodations To Special Needs Guests

by James Coulter

LEGOLAND Florida has plenty of bright colors, loud music, and large crowds that can be expected at most other theme parks.

While such sights and sounds may be tolerable for most park guests, for other guests with Autism Spectrum Disorder, these sights and sounds could trigger a sensory overload that would make for a less than great day at the park.

One father of an 8-year-old son with Autism often experienced such problems whenever they visited Disney World, where his son would often suffer from “meltdowns, freak-outs and sensory issues to the extreme,” according to his review on Trip Advisor.

“I can tell you that my autistic son is one of the most awesome little dudes on the planet…but that’s what trips to the Disney parks mean for him,” he wrote. “But he deserves to enjoy theme parks just like any other kid does.”

When the father learned about the special accommodations provided to guests with Autism and other special needs at LEGOLAND Florida, including quiet rooms and a special pass to help skip lines, he decided to visit the park with his son, and it was by far the best decision he ever made.

“Not once did a staff member look at my son or us differently all day long,” he wrote. “It was the best two days my son has ever been able to enjoy [at a] theme park like any ‘normal’ kid.”

In honor of Autism Awareness Month in April, LEGOLAND Florida has unveiled some of their special accommodations for guests with special needs such as Autism.

These accommodations include quiet rooms located throughout the resort, especially within the louder sections of the park, where children and their parents can visit in case of a sensory overload.

These rooms offer such amenities as weighted blankets, sound-muffling earphones, and fidget toys to comfort young children and calm them down so they can return to enjoying the rest of their day at the park.

Also available for these guests are Blue Hero Passes, which will allow them to bypass long lines and get on and off the rides as quickly as possible, which is especially convenient for young guests who feel uncomfortable within such scenarios.

Parents with children with special needs are encouraged to visit the park’s website and either fill out the ADA Form on the Special Situations page, or to directly contact guest services at [email protected], to learn how their children can best enjoy the park prior to visiting.

Upon arriving at the park, further information on special accommodations can be obtained at guests services located at the front and back of the park.

Since opening in 2011, LEGOLAND Florida has been incorporating such initiatives to help accommodate families with children with special needs. According to a press release, this includes guests “with a wide range of physical and cognitive disabilities, as well as food allergies and other dietary restrictions.”

As LEGO toys have increased in popularity among young children with Autism as a comforting toy, the park has especially made accommodations to best ensure that such young guests enjoy their day at the park, explained Chloe Boehm, Public Relations Representative.

“When you come to LEGOLAND, it can sometimes be this very overwhelming sensory overload with the noise and rides and people, so as these families start to visit, they were writing into us saying that this is what we experienced,” she said.

To help provide such accommodations, the park has been collaborating with and receiving advice from autism advocacy organization, Autism Speaks, as well as seeking input from guest feedback on their website and social media. The result has been an overall better experience for young guests on the Autism Spectrum.

“They are coming to the theme park and they want to have the same kind of experience as a child that doesn’t have any of the same cognitive disabilities,” Boehm said. “So learning to accommodate them and how to interact with them and how to communicate with them and what we can offer.”

To also honor guests during Autism Awareness Month, the park has been participating in Autism Speaks’ “Light It Up Blue” campaign by lighting the two-decker Grand Carousel at the front of the park with blue bulbs, and the park will continue to do so throughout the month.

Parents with children with Autism who wish to offer them a fun time at a theme park without any hassle should consider LEGOLAND Florida for their next vacation or day trip, as many parents on Trip Advisor have.

“If you have a child with disabilities, including autism, the Hero [Pass] is fantastic!” one parent wrote on TripAdvisor. “We were treated with dignity throughout the LEGOLAND properties. This is such a refreshing change for us.”

For more information, visit their website at: https://www.legoland.com/florida/planning-your-visit/special-situations/

Polk Deputies Investigating Fatal Crash In Frostproof On Hwy 27

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Polk Deputies Investigating Fatal Crash In Frostproof On Hwy 27

Frostproof, Florida – The Polk County Sheriff’s Office responded to a fatal crash Monday evening, April 16, 2018, near Frostproof, which left one person dead, and U.S. Highway 27 closed in both directions for about four hours during the investigation. A 31-year-old Orlando woman was pronounced dead at the scene. The other  driver, 33-year-old Brandi Nicole Zarba of Frostproof, suffered only minor injuries.

The crash occurred at about 6:05 p.m., south of the intersection with U.S. 98, between a Mitsubishi sedan, driven by the decedant, and a 2018 maroon Dodge Charger, driven by Zarba.

According to the preliminary investigation, the Mitsubishi was driving northbound on Highway 27, when her left wheels left the road.  She overcorrected twice, entered the southbound lanes, and struck Zarba’s car. The impact caused Zarba to spin into the median, while Mitsubishi spun and ejected the driver through the window. Her car came to a stop next to Zarba’s.

Zarba was transported to the hospital for treatment of a broken finger and laceration.

Impairment, excessive speed, and distracted driving are not suspected on the part of Ms. Zarba. The investigation is ongoing.

A next of kin has yet to be located for the driver of the Mitsubishi.

Serious Bodily Injury Crash On Hwy 98 S & Colbert Rd

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Serious Bodily Injury Crash On Hwy 98 S & Colbert Rd

Polk County Sheriffs Office Release

Lakeland, Florida – The Polk County Sheriffs Office is Investigating a serious bodily injury crash that occurred yesterday on 98 South & Colbert Road. The crash occurred around 4:30pm.

PCSO Southwest District Deputies responded to a vehicle crash involving two vehicles.  Upon arrival, they secured the crash site and routed traffic away from the crash. Polk County Fire and EMS also responded to the scene and rendered aid to all subjects involved in the crash.

PCSO Traffic Homicide Unit responded to assume the investigation (serious bodily injury).

Preliminary investigation suggests, Ruth Tharp, 80 yrs old from Lakeland, was traveling South on Hwy 98 S in the outer most lane of travel.  As she approached the intersection of Colbert Rd, Michael Steele, 69 yrs old of Lakeland, pulled out in front of her off of Colbert Rd, violating her right of way.  Tharp T-boned Steele’s driver side causing massive intrusion into the driver’s side compartment of the vehicle.  Steele was airlifted to the Lakeland Regional Health due to his injuries. Tharp and her front passenger, Erika Solis, were transported to Lakeland Regional Health by ground due to their injuries.  No witnesses came forward during the investigation.

All parties involved were using their seatbelts at the time of the crash.  The side curtain airbags did deploy in Steele’s vehicle and both frontal airbags deployed in Tharp’s vehicle.

Steele’s injuries are considered life threating and his condition is critical.

Steele’s injuries are considered life threating and his condition is critical.

Both Tharp and Solis injuries are minor and consist of overall body soreness.

Hwy 98 S. southbound lanes were closed for approximately 4 hours during the investigation.

The crash investigation is ongoing.

18 Yr Old Man Killed In Polk County Crash Friday Night

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18 Yr Old Man Killed In Polk County Crash Friday Night

PCSO Press Release

On 4/14/18, PCSO Southwest District deputies responded to a single vehicle crash at the Streamsong Resort. Upon arrival, they closed the road and routed traffic away from the crash site.

Polk County Fire and Medic units responded to the scene and rendered aid to the driver of the vehicle, Christian Martinez.  Martinez was later taken to Bartow Regional Medical Center by ground and was pronounced deceased by medical staff. It appears to have been as a result of blunt force trauma. The Medical Examiner will determine the cause and manner of death.

Traffic Homicide Unit responded to investigate.

During the investigation it was learned, Martinez had been drinking earlier in the evening and then went to dinner in the Lakeland area with co-workers. The returned to Streamsong Resort to retrieve several of their vehicles since they carpooled to dinner.  Martinez told his co-workers that he was fine to drive and left the parking lot of the clubhouse.   Shortly after Martinez left the clubhouse, his co-workers left the parking lot and located Martinez in the roadway severely injured.  There were no witnesses to the crash.

Roadway evidence suggests that Martinez was traveling north on Dunes Path and as he was navigating the curves in the roadway, he lost control and overcorrected in one of the curves in the roadway.  When Martinez lost control, his vehicle rolled over and he was ejected from the driver’s seat. He was not wearing a seat belt.

Both speed and impairment are believed to be factors in the crash. Next of Kin were notified.

The investigation is ongoing.

48 Yr Old Haines City Man Struck & Killed Along 17/92

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48 Yr Old Haines City Man Struck & Killed Along 17/92

Loughman, Florida – The Polk County Sheriffs Office work a pedestrian vs vehicle crash around 11pm Friday evening at 17/92 and approximately 75 Yards South of Parker Road, in Loughman, Florida. Polk County Fire/Medics, as well as PCSO Northeast District Patrol responded. Upon arrival it was determined that the pedestrian, Benjamie Robinson, was deceased. The Driver of the Vehicle, Kiara Mari Rijos-Melendez, and her passenger were not injured and remained on scene.

Interviews and evidence at the scene indicated that a 2016, Red Chevrolet Cruz sedan, was northbound on US 17/92, just south of the intersection with Parker Road. The vehicle occupants indicated that it was dark and that a dog ran from the west side of the roadway to east in front of them. As the driver was slowing, they felt a thump, which was the pedestrian, Mr. Robinson. There were no tire marks on the shoulder near the point of impact indicating the vehicle did not leave the roadway. The pedestrian was wearing dark clothing. Mr. Robinson is believed to either own a dog or care for one in the neighborhood, which he may have been trying to catch.

Evidence suggests the victim was along the east edge of the travel lane when he was hit. Excessive speed does not appear to be a factor in this crash. The driver was evaluated by a DUI unit and displayed no signs of impairment. Both occupants of the car were seat belted. The airbags in vehicle did not deploy. US 17/92 was closed in both directions for approximately 3 hours.

Art Comes “Off The Wall” At Upcoming Polk Museum Of Art at Florida Southern College Event

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Art Comes “Off The Wall” At Upcoming Polk Museum Of Art at Florida Southern College Event

Art Comes “Off The Wall” At Upcoming Polk Museum Of Art at Florida Southern College Event

by James Coulter

The art displayed at the Polk Museum of Art at Florida Southern College in Lakeland usually remains on the wall; but for one night, the art will be coming “off the wall” through live commentary and dance during a special event on April 19 at 6:30 p.m.

Through interpretative dance routines that integrate hip-hop, contemporary dance, and even acrobatics, Ferdinand DeJesus of the FrediDance Project will help bring the art at the museum to life.

These performances will be introduced by museum curator, Dr. Alex Rich, who will offer a brief description of several of the art pieces displayed within the museum’s featured exhibitions such as “Painting A Nation: Landscapes from the Hudson River School,” and “Masters of Spain: Goya and Picasso.”

DeJesus and his performers will then interpret these works of art and bring them “off the wall” through five different dance contemporary routines.

“So not only will they be entertained by dance, they will also learn about the history of these artists,” explained Lorrie Walker, Spokeswoman. “It will be a fun way to learn about art and have a good night out.”

This event is part of the museum’s Art+ series which is hosted twice a year in an effort to showcase artwork along with other media such as music, dance, and even food.

The series was created to help promote interest in the arts within the community by drawing potential visitors into the museum through such events that incorporate other forms of entertainment.

The inspiration for the Art+ events is to continue to find new ways to reach different segments of the Central Florida population that might not come to the museum just to see an exhibition,” Walker said.

As a regional museum, Polk Museum of Art, through affiliation with Florida Southern College, offers a variety of events and educational activities that are designed to attract a wide variety of interests and wide range of the population.

Since art museums often have the bad reputation of being “stuffy” and “intimidating” environments, Art+ attempts to lift such a stigma by attracting people to the museum who would otherwise not step inside one and show that art can be enjoyed by anyone and everyone, not just people with art degrees.

“Sometimes people will view museums as walking into a museum as being too intimidating,” Walker said. “Our expectation is to continue to show people that this is accessible and enticing them to come participate in an event at the museum.”

“Off the Wall” will be hosted on Apr. 19 from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Polk Museum of Art located at 800 E. Palmetto St. in Lakeland.

Admission is $10 for members; $15 for nonmembers. Complimentary snacks and drinks will be provided along with a cash bar.

For more information, visit their website at: https://polkmuseumofart.org/

Kathryn’s Christian Bookstore Grand Opening

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Kathryn’s Christian Bookstore Grand Opening

Kathryn’s Christian Bookstore Grand Opening

by James Coulter

Where can you enjoy freshly-brewed coffee, premium hand-blended ice cream, or vintage homemade doughnuts, all within a comfortable metropolitan setting surrounded by family-friendly, Christ-centered gifts and merchandise?

If you live within the Lake Wales area, you can do all that downtown within the new facility of Kathryn’s Christian Books.

Having recently re-located from their former location across the street in downtown Lake Wales, the new bookstore celebrated its grand opening with a ribbon cutting ceremony last Monday evening.

More than 100 guests crammed into the new two-story facility with lofty ceiling and dangling string lights, all of which was dedicated by the cutting of the ribbon by the store’s owner, Terrie Crabtree.

The new facility offers on the first floor a gift shop and indoor cafe serving coffee, Working Cow ice cream, and Vintage Donuts, while the second floor serves as a meeting area for various classes and Bible study groups.

The bookstore is run in part by the Lake Wales Care Center, which consists of several programs and services supported by up to 45 to 50 local churches, explained Care Center Program Director, Robert Quam.

Unlike the bookstore’s former location across the street, which was rented, the new location (formerly the location of the old children’s and clothing store, Toy World) was owned by the Care Center and had served as their youth coffee house for six to seven years, Quam explained.

Not only does the new location offer much more space with two floors, but can now offer new services including a cafe selling donuts, coffee, and ice cream while providing free Wi-Fi.

Being able to open their new location serves as a sign that the local economy has been improving with more opportunities for economic growth and job creation, thus allowing the local community to thrive even more, Quam said.

“We believe that a community that has a very strong economy and that is prosperous will help social ministries like ours,” he said. “This is our part to boost the economy and provide for a stronger downtown, and we are pleased to be a part of that.”

The turnout that evening revealed overwhelming support from the local community, and thus served as a pleasant and inspiring surprise for the store owner.

“We are hoping to become a tourist attraction because we had many visitors and tourists drop in,” Crabtree said. “They can expect a peaceful visit to sit and read and to enjoy the coffee and ice cream.”

Kevin Kieft, President and CEO of the Lake Wales Chamber of Commerce, also commended the store for serving not only as a potential catalyst for further economic growth within the city, but also as a community hub where people of all walks of life can come together in fellowship.

“The people that live here and work here downtown are who make downtown what it is,” he said. “It is not about the buildings, it is about the programs within the building…It is local people taking care of people.”

Mayor Eugene Fultz expressed similar sentiment, claiming that the new store serves as a “homerun” for their city and its efforts to help revitalize the downtown area, especially by incorporating and facilitating the faith of the local community.

“This is the most significant area that I can look at with the beginning of the revitalization of downtown, because whenever you put God first, you will see good things happen,” he said.

Kathryn’s Christian Books is located at 205 E. Park Avenue in Lake Wales. For more information, call 863-223-8193, or visit their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/kpachristianbookstore/

 

Top 11 Things To Do At Polk County Libraries

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Top 11 Things To Do At Polk County Libraries

Top 11 Things To Do At Polk County Libraries

by James Coulter

Having fun isn’t hard when you have a library card, as the song goes from the popular PBS children’s show Arthur. Such a song is true, especially here in Polk County with its library system offering various free resources and services.

In celebration of National Library Week from April 8 to 14, here are ten things you can do at your own local library—and the only thing you need is a library card:

#1: Stream Movies And Television Shows

Hoopla is a free digital streaming service provided to library patrons, allowing them access to hundreds of e-books, audiobooks, music, movies, and television shows. Download the free app to your phone, tablet, and streaming television device such as Chromecast, Apple TV, or Roku, and sign up with your library card to access such content anywhere and anytime. Check out ten items every month. For more info, visit: https://www.hoopladigital.com/

#2: Read Comic Books And Graphic Novels

Excelsior! Whether you like Superman, Batman, or Spider-Man, your favorite big screen superheroes can be found in the pages of a comic book at your local library. That’s right, true believers! The library system has hundreds of trade paperbacks, graphic novels, and Japanese manga for you to read and check out. You can even read some of them on-line through Comics Plus: Library Edition. Download the app on your phone or tablet and use your library card to access more than 16,000 comics and graphic novels. (https://www.rbdigital.com/mulberryfl?) Don’t know where to start? Visit the following website to learn how to get started reading your favorite Marvel and DC comic book superheroes: https://wheretostartreading.com/

#3: Check Out And Play Video Games

 

Prefer picking up a controller over picking up a book? Don’t feel bad. In fact, many libraries have games you can check out and play, including some of the hottest titles such as Mario, Zelda, and Minecraft. Haines City offers games for the Nintendo Wii, Wii U, DS, and Xbox 360, while Mulberry offers the latest titles for the Xbox One and PS4. Mulberry patrons are limited two games per month. You can even meet up with fellow gamers to hang out and play games at the Winter Haven Gaming Club on the first Saturday of every month.

#4: Take A Free On-Line Course

Want to learn how to take award-winning photographs? Play the guitar? Speak Spanish? Design your own website? Or even learn the basics of business administration or criminal law? You can learn all of these things and more with hundreds of free on-line courses provided by Gale Courses through the Lake Wales Public Library. Just use your library card to create your own account and enroll in instructor-led courses that you can follow at your own pace. To learn more, visit: https://education.gale.com/l-lwpl/

#5: Watch A Free Family Movie

Couldn’t catch the latest animated feature or family flick in theaters? You could wait to buy or rent the movie when it comes out on DVD. Or you could catch a free showing of it at the library. The Winter Haven library hosts Afternoon Family Movies on the second and fourth Saturdays of every month, and the Larry R Jackson Branch Library in Lakeland offers Family Movie Nights on the third Tuesday of the month. Admission is free, and popcorn and drink are often provided.

#6: Check Out Books And Other Stuff By Mail

Want to check out the latest novel or blockbuster movie but don’t feel like driving all the way to the library? No problem. With Books By Mail, you can check out the books, movies, and other material you want using the library website and have them delivered straight to your home mailbox. Once you’re done, just drop them off at your local library or bookmobile. Best of all? No shipping and handling!

#7: Learn How To Use A Computer

If you’re reading this, you probably already know how to use a computer. But perhaps there are certain programs such as Microsoft Word or Excel that give you problems. Or maybe you still don’t know how to use G-Mail or Facebook or that new tablet you just bought. Several libraries such as Winter Haven and Lakeland offer free classes covering the basics of computers, programs, and electronics. Winter Haven even offers free tech assistance from the city’s IT Department for issues with your laptop, cell phone, or other electronic device every Thursday.

#8: Write Stories And Poems With Local Writers

Ever dreamed of publishing your own novel or writing your own poem? Several libraries offer writing classes and groups that allow local writers to meet with one another to share and critique their work. Winter Haven hosts a Creative Writing Critique Group the second and fourth Thursday of the month, along with Cameos Memoir Writing Group on the first Tuesday of every month. Lakeland hosts several classes and critique groups on poetry and prose throughout the month.

#9: Learn About Your Family Tree

Ever wanted to climb your family tree to see how far the branches reach and how far the roots grow? Ancestry.com offers you just that opportunity with more than 16 billion records to search through. And you can access it all for free by visiting your local library and accessing the website on their computers. Check it out today and discover long lost relatives you may not have even known about: https://ancestrylibrary.proquest.com/aleweb/ale/do/login

#10: Borrow Seeds To Plant In A Garden

Of course you can check out books and movies, but did you know that you can also check out seeds? You can at the Mulberry Public Library! Visit their seed bank and “borrow” seeds to plant at home and grow various fruits, vegetables, and herbs. Once your plants are fully-grown, collect some of the seeds in a bag and “return” them to the library for others to check out. It’s a free and easy way to test out your green thumb and start your own garden at home.

#11: Visit The Bookmobile

Don’t live near a library? Why not allow the library visit you? The Bookmobile travels to various places and cities in the county without a public library, allowing people in those areas access to hundreds of the latest books and movies, with most of their collection containing material no older than two years. For a schedule of stops, visit: http://www.mypclc.org/bookmobile-schedule

 

Musical About Publix Founder Hosts Second Performance At Red Carpet Gala

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Musical About Publix Founder Hosts Second Performance At Red Carpet Gala

Musical About Publix Founder Hosts Second Performance At Red Carpet Gala

by James Coulter

A young man returns home to his mother after a long day of work. He bemoans how his boss isn’t open to any new ideas.

With some encouragement from his mother, the man comes up with his own idea: create his own store.

That young man was George Jenkins, the store he created was Publix, and the story of his legacy was told through the second performance of the musical, “When You Dream”, last Saturday during a fundraiser at Harrison School of the Arts in Lakeland.

The opening scene with young George and his mother soon segues into a lively musical number featuring shopping carts, brown grocery bags, and juggling boxes.

The 30-minute performance follows a journalist interviewing Jenkins and several of his staff and associates to discover what made him and his supermarket great.

Jenkins remains humble throughout, explaining how he never created his store for the fame and money, but rather to give back to his community.

Such a sense of humility emanates throughout the musical, which, despite being described by some as a musical about Publix, serves more as a tribute to a man whose philanthropic endeavors continue to resonate within his community even today.

Dr. Daryl Ward, Principal of Harrison School of the Arts, and who also wrote the musical, mentioned how he could have easily written a musical advertisement about Publix with songs about fried chicken and pub subs, but he didn’t because that was not the focus.

“It is not about Publix,” he said. “This is about a man who had a vision for what it meant to live in a community.”

Dr. Ward wrote the musical upon the request of Janice Tedder Jones, former chairwoman of the Lakeland Chamber of Commerce, who wanted to involve Harrison School of the Arts during the Chamber’s annual meeting.

“She requested something that honors the philanthropic legacy of Mr. George…about how what he did back then continues to resonate within our communities today,” Dr. Ward said.

With this being the very first time he had ever written a musical, Dr. Ward did his research about the Life of George Jenkins and wrote the songs and script.

He then passed them onto Tyler Campbell, a Harrison alumni and teacher at Lake Wales High School, who would put music to words, transforming it into something akin to “Newsies with Publix aprons.”

“The whole show is encouraging,” Campbell said. “Being able to take his [Dr. Wards] words, which are so uplifting and inspiring in themselves and to put words into it, we hope that people leave with that sense of charge from Mr. George to go back and give back to their communities themselves.”

 

Dr. Ward then turned over the musical with words and music to two Harrison teachers, who, along with the students, turned the two-dimensional words on paper and into a three-dimensional story, he said.

The final results during the first performance more than blew him away.

“What they did with it that night, when I saw it, I was shocked, and my mouth was agape,” he said. “That was way better than how I wrote it, and that is what you will see this evening.”

The musical hosted its second performance at the school during its annual Red Carpet Gala event.

This performance proved especially significant, as it was dedicated to former student, Adam Shoemaker, who previously performed in the musical, but had been injured in a hit-and-run accident.

“When You Dream” served as the second act of the fundraiser’s performance that evening, with the first act showcasing several student acts ranging from a choir, orchestra, and even a student film.

Earlier that evening, as guests inspected the fruit floating in their non-alcoholic cocktails and wasabi dangling on their sushi, among the many other hordierves, they could also inspect several items up for bid at a silent auction.

With the fundraiser being the school’s one and only fundraiser, all proceeds for that evening of course went back into the various departments of the school.

Punam Saxena, President of the Harrison Parents Association, understands the importance of such charity, and thus considered it fitting that their fundraiser that evening included a tribute to one man’s own philanthropic endeavors.

“Since I have been in Lakeland, I realized that Mr. George has changed the way we believe in our community,” she said. “His philanthropic efforts continues to this day. And you, with your patronage, are continuing his legacy.”

Joe Garrison Helps the Community Through His Florida Family-Owned Businesses

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Joe Garrison Helps the Community Through His Florida Family-Owned Businesses

Joe Garrison Helps the Community Through His Florida Family-Owned Businesses

By Allison Williams

Photos Provided by Joe Garrison

Joe Garrison, owner of Garrison Land Management Inc. and Garrison Property Services, LLC, works hard every day to attend to the needs of the community and to provide for his family. Exceptional customer service and treating others well are top priorities for Garrison’s businesses.

“I work for my kids to give them a future,” Garrison said. “I work for my employees to give them a job. I work so that I am able to help the needy.”

Garrison Land Management Inc.

For 31 years, Garrison has owned Garrison Land Management, a landscape design and maintenance company. With many companies like Garrison’s, what makes his stand out? Garrison’s company is a Florida family-owned business that relies on quality service as well as environmental enhancement. Keeping a lasting family business attitude is the driving force behind the company’s continual success.

Garrison Land Management has a ton to offer. Landscaping, irrigation, lawn maintenance, wells, pest control, lawn and shrub spraying, sod installation. You name it.

Call today for a free estimate.

Phone number:

863-439-6550

Fax Number:

863-292-0846

Garrison Land Management is located at 28609 Hwy 27 North, Dundee, Florida 33838.

Website:

http://www.garrisonland.com/#

Garrison Property Services, LLC

For the past 10 years, Garrison has also owned Garrison Property Services, a full-service property management company for the Homeowner and Condominium Association. The company is aimed at serving all properties, big and small.

Much of the success of the company comes from Garrison’s staff. He has a team of passionate and dedicated individuals who put communicating with homeowners as a priority.

He also credits the success to having a good name, good brand and good product.

Garrison believes the best way to assess a property is by getting out to the property and assessing hands-on. Separating each client and finding a plan suitable to his/her needs is the key to property management success. Garrison Property Services offers various management and accounting options.

Just to name a few, Garrison Property Services offers full-service accounting, excellent customer service, qualified and licensed managers, financial planning and regular property inspections.

“We are very honest and straightforward, especially when we are managing it,” Garrison said. “We just have a good foundation in what we do.”

Garrison Property Services is also located at 28609 Hwy 27 North, Dundee, Florida 33838.

Phone number:

863-439-6550

Fax Number:

863-292-0846

Website:

http://www.garrisonpropertyservices.com

Not only does Garrison manage these two large companies, he is also active with the Dundee Volunteer Fire Department, grows citrus lemons commercially, is an elected official of the Polk Soil and Water Conservation Board and member of the Winter Haven Rotary Club.

“I enjoy being busy,” Garrison said. He has been hard at work for many years.

“I was 17 years old when I saw the Dundee Fire Department on the side of the road fighting a brush fire,” Garrison said. “I pulled over and probably watched them for 45 minutes.” It was then that he realized then he wanted to be a fire fighter. Garrison has been the assistant chief at the Dundee Fire Department for around 12 years now.

Helping the community is important to Garrison, just as family is. His parents were a part of the citrus grove industry while he was growing up.

“I’ve always had a love for citruses,” Garrison said. “Citruses are very important to Florida. I know I’m a minnow in a big pond of citrus growers but I believe that every little bit helps.”

Everything that Garrison does links back to helping others and the community.

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