For the third consecutive year, Balmoral Resort Florida brought the Luck of the Irish with its annual Shamrocks and Shenanigans.
The free event invited attendees to dress all in green and celebrate their Irish heritage (or even lack thereof) with food and drink specials and live music and dance performances.
For the traditional Irish holiday, attendees could enjoy traditional Irish music and step dancing, along with several Irish-themed games and shenanigans. The event especially went wild around sundown with the Byrne Brothers performing live.
Chris Mursalski, the new Food and Drinks Director at Balmoral Resort, oversaw the event for the first time this year. He recently started his new position two weeks ago and brings with him 25 years of experience in the food and drink industry.
Mursalski has big plans for upcoming events. He jumped on board with Balmoral Resort due to its commitment to overall service.
“What makes us stand out is our guest services,” he explained. “The team here is spectacular. We are willing to do everything for the guests. And that is what it all comes down to.”
As for Shamrocks and Shenanigans, he appreciated that the event experienced an overall great turnout, and he hopes that future events will experience similar success.
“The event here is getting off to a great start,” he said. “We have a lot of people coming out with musicians, dancers, and everything all Irish. It is amazing to spectacular. I am enjoying that people are coming out.”
For more information about upcoming events at Balmoral Resort Florida, visit their Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/balmoralflorida
Downtown Bartow felt the luck of the Irish during its annual St. Patrick’s Day Un-Parade hosted at Bartow First Friday. Several dozen units from floats to golf carts decked themselves with green and shamrocks to celebrate the holiday.
Sweet Magnolias hosted a float with its participants dressed as candy and toys for their candy store-themed unit. King S.L., meanwhile, had all of its participants dressed in green from green clothes to green hair.
These sights were some of the lucky attendees in this year’s UnParade, which kicked off the St. Patrick’s Day-themed event. The remainder of the evening showcased live musical performances, vendors and food trucks, a car and jeep show, and even line and belly dancing in Downtown Bartow.
The reason why the opening festivities are called an “UnParade” is that anyone is invited to participate. So the “UnParade” can have as many as 10 to 100 units, explained Linda Holcomb, Executive Director with Main Street Bartow.
“As far as [the number of] units in the parade, we never know,” she explained. “That’s why we call it the un parade. It’s completely wacky and unorganized. There could be anywhere from 10 units to own up or less. We just never know.”
The overall turnout for both the parade and Downtown Friday Fest proved phenomenal as always, and it more than exceeded expectations, Holcomb said.
“My expectations are that I am hoping that it’s going to be bigger and wackier than ever we just want it to be fun,” she said. “I love this one because it is unorganized it’s just to show up be yourself have fun be wacky dress wacky and have a good time.”
Bartow Friday Fest is hosted on the third Friday of every month in Downtown Bartow. For more information, visit their Facebook Page at: https://www.facebook.com/bartowfridayfest/
A suspect who has been in jail since June 2022 as a result of an undercover drug trafficking investigation, 29-year-old Tevin Lindsay of Lake Wales, was recently indicted by a Polk County grand jury for first degree murder (a capital felony) and sale of fentanyl within 1,000 feet of a church (F1) in the death of a 23-year-old Ocala man who overdosed on fentanyl-laced heroin that Lindsay sold to him.
On June 14, 2022, a witness called 911 to report the victim was unresponsive and had possibly overdosed on heroin in the city of Lake Alfred. The Lake Alfred Police Department and Polk Fire Rescue personnel responded to the house, and the victim was transported to an area hospital where he was declared deceased from a suspected drug overdose.
The Lake Alfred Police Department requested PCSO to assume the investigation.
During the investigation, PCSO detectives learned the victim and witness had purchased what they thought was heroin from Lindsay. A sample of the drugs sold to the victim was found at the scene. Detectives sent the sample to the FDLE lab for testing, and the lab results confirmed that the drugs sold by Lindsay to the victim were cocaine and fentanyl.
“The fentanyl crisis in this country is real and it is killing thousands of people. When we investigate deaths caused by a drug overdose, we do everything within our power to hold those who peddle poison responsible. Thanks to the hard work of my detectives and State Attorney Brian Haas and his prosecutors, this murderer should be in prison for the rest of his life.” – Grady Judd, Sheriff
During the autopsy and toxicological analysis of the victim’s blood, an elevated concentration of fentanyl, that was too high for a human to survive, was present. The Medical Examiner’s opinion is that the victim died as a result of “multiple drug toxicity.”
On October 24, 2022, Lindsay confessed to selling heroin to the victim and witness during the early morning hours of June 14.
Tevin Lindsay has been in the Polk County Jail since June 16, 2022, on the following charges:
· Sale of fentanyl within 1,000 feet of a church (F1)
· Trafficking in heroin (F1)
· Trafficking in cocaine (F1)
· Trafficking in ecstasy (F1)
· Trafficking in amphetamine (F1)
· Possession of fentanyl with intent to sell (F2) (2 counts)
· Use of a firearm during a felony (F2)
· Possession of a structure to traffic drugs (F3)
· Possession of ecstasy (F3)
· Unlawful use of a two-way device (F3)
· Possession of marijuana over 20 grams (F3)
· Possession of drug paraphernalia (M1) (3 counts)
· Driving with a suspended license (M2)
After the grand jury indictment, PCSO detectives additionally charged Lindsay with capital first degree murder and sale of fentanyl within 1,000 feet of a church.
Lindsay’s previous criminal history includes 17 felonies and 4 misdemeanors for charges of armed robbery, aggravated assault, aggravated battery, resisting arrest, violation of probation, trespassing, and loitering.
Update 1pm Monday from PCSO: this is an update to the search ongoing for Mr. Ortiz and Mr. Marrero on Lake Eloise in Winter Haven:
We continue to search the lake, with four PCSO watercraft and sonar equipment, two FWC watercraft and sonar equipment, and a Seminole County Sheriff’s Office watercraft and their underwater drone. We will not leave this lake until both men are found.
The lake is still closed to the public. All other lakes on the chain are open. However, anyone launching a boat onto Lake Summit will not be allowed through the canal leading into Lake Eloise – boats being launched at Lake Summit will have to remain on Lake Summit until further notice. The other canals leading into Lake Eloise are also blocked.
Update 1:25pm Sunday: At 4:12 p.m. on Saturday, March 18, 2023, the 10-year-old daughter of Jeffrey Marrero from Auburndale called 911 to report that she and her 8-year-old sister were alone on a boat on Lake Eloise. The boat, a 16-foot Tahoe ski boat, had been rented by Marrero’s friends, 38-year-old Velcky Velasquez and her boyfriend, 32-year-old Orlando Ortiz, both of Winter Haven, to celebrate their one-year anniversary of being together.
Central District deputies Glenda Eichholtz and Jonathan Munoz heard the 911 call via the Live 911 system, and self-dispatched to the Lake Summit boat ramp, knowing that there is no public access to Lake Eloise. When they arrived at the boat ramp, they saw a man who was just putting his boat into the water. They asked for his assistance, and he immediately agreed to transport them from Lake Summit and through the canal to the adjacent lake, which is Lake Eloise.
The deputies and Good Samaritan found the boat with the two little girls in it. Deputy Munoz got onto that boat and drove them to the nearby Legoland dock. The deputies then found Ms. Velasquez treading water a distance away from the boat. She told the deputies that she had jumped into the water with the anchor in order to secure the anchor to the boat, but due to the wind and heavy chop to the water, the boat began floating away. The two men jumped into the water to help her. They are not strong swimmers and ended up going underwater.
The PCSO Marine Unit and FWC using side scan sonar, and Seminole County deputies using their underwater drone, will be searching Lake Eloise 24/7 until both men are found. The lake will be closed to the public until they are found.
Update 8am Sunday: to search and recovery investigation on Lake Eloise in Winter Haven:
Sheriff Grady Judd will brief the media at 10:30 a.m. this morning at the Lake Summit boat ramp located on West Lake Summit Drive (cross street Cypress Gardens Blvd near Overlook Drive) with an update to the investigation. The missing boaters – two adult males – have not yet been recovered. The FWC and Seminole County Sheriff’s Office are assisting.
This is the 16’ Tahoe ski boat that was rented yesterday by a woman and her boyfriend, along with a friend of theirs and his two children in #WinterHaven.
———
Original post
In response to your inquiries, the PCSO Marine Unit, assisted by the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is conducting a search and recovery mission on Lake Eloise in Winter Haven regarding two adults who are believed to have drowned. We received calls just before 5:00 p.m. this afternoon (Saturday, March 18, 2023).
We are asking the public to avoid the Lake Summit boat ramp and Lake Summit and Lake Eloise until further notice.
A local developer is defending against continued taxpayer funded litigation by the Lake Wales City Commission, Lake Wales Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) and particularly the Vice Mayor (Vice Mayor Robin Gibson is the Chairman of the CRA) over alleged attempts to stymie his progress in renovating the Dixie WalesbiltHotel.
Ray Brown, a local developer who had purchased the hotel from the city to renovate the hotel nearly a decade ago, has defended against another lawsuit. He argues Gibson and the city had allegedly interfered with his renovation efforts in an alleged scheme to piggyback on his hard work and that of other developers and place the hotel under the city’s ownership. He claims a letter by Gibson submitted to the city on his letterhead, proves this alleged conspiracy true.
Developer Ray Brown ( Photo from Walesbilt Hotel Facebook Page)
“I have been stymied by Robin Gibson for ten years now,” Brown said. “Based on all the evidence, I don’t think his intentions was ever good since day one.”
Vice Mayor Robin Gibson (photo City of Lake Wales)
In a letter addressed to then City Manager Ken Fields on Dec. 8, 2014, Gibson mentions a “third option” to renovate the hotel that “should have been utilized with Ray Brown at the beginning but wasn’t.”
Gibson explains how Brown and his renovations fit into this “artful” plan:
“What will in all likelihood happen is that the entrepreneur will be unable to meet the requirement because reality overtakes optimism and he runs out of money, just like Ray Brown and the others before him.
But the reason it will eventually work is because the contract sets up the required expenditures in such a way that the improvements are necessary, useful, and are really in the building, and become the starting point for the next entrepreneur who builds on the shoulders of the predecessors. The more guaranteed expenditures are in the building the greater chance the succeeding entrepreneurs have of actually making it work.
In my view, Brown is the first step of the strategy. He has defaulted on his promises to the City, needs to move on, and leave his improvements behind.
The next guy will get the benefit of whatever Brown has really done and thereby have that much better and opportunity to make a go of it. In all, it may take two to three of these entrepreneurs before it eventually works.”
During a separate public meeting, Gibson was asked if the city would be able to take the hotel out of “private hands” and gain control of it to move forward with the remaining renovations.
Gibson answered that while the hotel is under “private hands”, that developer is subject to a building permit. That permit expires this month, and the city has the option to renew that permit for another six months. Gibson stated his intentions for the city not to renew, which Brown asserts is an allegedviolation of state building code.
“The City Commission will have to make the decision as to whether to extend that building permit. They may make the decision that they’ve waited long enough and to bring to bear the influence of the entire community to say do not extend that building permit,” Gibson said.
When asked what would happen afterward, Gibson replied, “Enforce the code violations and city take ownership.” And when prompted that the process could take two to three years, he responded that the city would “then move on with another developer. And that potential also builds a fire under the present developer [to] get things done.”
Complete copy of the letter:
Page 1Page 2
Brown claims Gibson has attempted six legal maneuvers against him, and that the current legal maneuver is also taxpayer funded. Those alleged maneuvers included stop work orders filed against him on June 15, 2018, and alleged code violations brought against him on May 31, 2018.
Brown states his intentions since day one has been to restore the historic building to its former glory. He made a commitment to the city, and he wants to meet that commitment without interference.
“My plans and intentions have always been the same: to restore the hotel and make it an important function of downtown. Robin Gibson wants to stop that,” he said. “The people of Lake Wales are very supportive of the building. They are very supportive of me. I have a very good following on Facebook. And for the most part, the city officials have been very helpful with the exception of Robin Gibson using his position as a fiefdom.”
Mr. Brown contends that he has financing to move forward, but cannot due to litigation.
The Daily Ridge had contacted Mr. Gibson to comment on the litigation. He has yet to respond to our inquiries.
* Editors note: Mr. Brown advised the Daily Ridge should look into Vice Mayor Gibson’s recent business dealings in downtown Lake Wales. And whether is ethical or appropriate for Vice Mayor Gibson to be on CRA Board. We are looking into them and we will cover those in a future article.
Welcome, World Travelers! Quantumania is Quantum-Meh-nia!
by James Coulter
I’m going to be perfectly honest: I’m getting tired of these Marvel movies. Have you heard of “Marvel fatigue”? Because I’ve been feeling it. Once upon a time, I loved the MCU, but the franchise undoubtedly peaked with Avengers: Endgame. Ever since then, the movies have been average at best and boring at worst. (I’m looking at you, Eternals!)
Last year was when I fell out of love with these films. Don’t get me wrong. They’re still entertaining. But after seeing three of them in a row with Multiverse of Madness, Love and Thunder, and Wakanda Forever, the formulaic nature of these movies became evidently clear. And no more is the formula clearer than in the latest movie: Ant Man and the Wasp: Quantumania.
Following the events of Endgame, Scott Lang, the alias of the Ant-Man, is living his best life being hailed as a hero. He hosts his own podcast. He published his own book. He even gets recognized on the street. They only aspect of his life which isn’tfine is with his daughter, Cassie, who’s grown estranged ever since his disappearance during the Blip, and who’s become vigilante in an effort to be a hero like her father.
Cassie reveals she has been working on a device that can communicate with the Quantum Realm. Shenanigans ensure when its signal is intercepted and Scott and his allies are transported into the microscopic world where an old foe awaits them. Who is this enigmatic enemy who has conquered the Quantum Realm, and what threat does he pose the real world if he escapes?
It’s Kang the Conqueror.
Does that count as a spoiler? We’ve all seen Loki on Disney Plus. We all heard the news that Jonathan Majors was going to play the character in this movie. We all know he’s playing the big bad villian in this Multiverse Saga. We all know the next big Avengers event will be The Kang Dynasty. The movie may be playing up the reveal as a big twist, but knowing all of this information beforehand sort of deflates it.
Sorry. I hate to be cynical, but it’s hard not to be after being inundated with mostly mediocre Marvel content, both in theaters and on Disney Plus. Honestly, the last time a Marvel project truly excited me was with Spider Man: No Way Home, and that had Tobey McGuire and Andrew Garfield making epic cameo appearances. The only future Marvel movie that even entices me is Guardians of the Galaxy: Vol. 3, and that’s only because it’spart of my favorite franchise.
Okay. I’ll play nice. Let’s list some positives.
The best thing I can say about the Ant-Man movies is that they can get really creative. This movie takes place in the Quantum Realm, a subatomic world filled with bizarre lifeforms and landscapes. The (overworked) VFX artists clearly went above and beyond to bring this world to life. And aside from some creative creatures, we also get a surprise cameo from a popular actor (who I dare not spoil, but I promise will make you gasp in laughter when they appear.)
Also, Ant-Man’s main power, aside from communicating with ants, is being able to grow small and large. The films take real advantage of these superpowers, with the epic fight on the Thomas the Tank Engine toy set in the first movie and Ant-Man skateboarding on a truck in the second.
This movie is no exception. No spoilers, but there’s a moment where Ant-Man shrinks down to such a subatomic level that he enters what is called the Probability Storm, which plays off the quantum principle of superposition in which objects can exist in multiple states simultaneously. The end result is many different Ant-Mans playing off each other, and it is glorious.
What makes these movies work is Paul Rudd. Unlike other Marvel superheroes like Iron Man and Captain America, Ant-Man has a very average-man-turned-superhero vibe. He acts and reacts just like any average person would if they were suddenly granted such superpowers, with shock, awe, and heavy sarcasm. What results are very quippy one-liners and overt meta commentary that leads to some rather comedic moments. What else can you expect from a superhero who’s main powers are talking to ants and shrinking? Wagnerian melodrama?!
The worst thing I can say about this movie is that it’s yet another Marvel movie. You’ve seen one of them, you’ve seen most of them. Except for the Avengers and Guardians, there’s nothing exceptionally exceptional about them, especially in the wake of Endgame.
I say this as someone who’s been a huge fan of the MCU. I want to love these movies, but lately, they’ve been rather “mid”, as the kids these days would say. Honestly, I’m only continuing to watch them to see how they incorporate the X-Men, Fantastic Four, and Deadpool now that Disney and Marvel own those properties. Otherwise, until the next big Avengers movie (and Guardians: Vol. 3), I’m just not that excited about them.
Straighten Your Smile at Parajon Orthodontics New Location
by James Coulter
Do you want a brighter, straighter smile? Whether you require braces or aligners, Parajon Orthodontics can provide your teeth with what you need at their new Lakeland location.
Located at 1040 Breezewood Dr. Unit in Lakeland, Parajon Orthodontics offers a scenic view from their second-floor office, allowing you to relax and enjoy the scenery while their trained professional orthodontic practitioners work hard to straighten your smile.
Dr. Parajon Jorge brings with him nearly two decades’ worth of orthodontic experience. He is a member of several dental and orthodontic associations, as well as a Diplomate of the American Board of Orthodontics.
As his website states: “Dr. Parajon’s personal treatment philosophy is to emphasize the prevention of “tooth removal” to maximize the esthetic benefits of a well-balanced facial profile and the achievement of a gorgeous smile!
Being able to relocate to their new office has proven to be quite the undertaking, not only for himself, but also for his dedicated staff, without whom his orthodontic practice would not be possible, as would be their relocation over the past three months.
“It is a special moment definitely for me and my team and all of the people who have been part of this process,” he said. “I am just really grateful and humbled for today and all of the support that I received from the friends and families that we serve dailyhere.”
Dr. Parajon also thanked his wife, Amanda, for looking after their children and providing emotional support throughout the entire endeavor. He also introduced Dr. Tanya Cruz as a practicing dentist to their new office, thus expanding their services to provide dental as well as orthodontic treatment.
“Of course, the most important thing for me is that God gave us this opportunity,” Dr. Parajon said. “It was a validation. Every difficulty, every challenge, every obstacle, they provided, and I felt it would happen, there were those moments where he would open a new door and through it I went.”
Parajon Orthodontics celebrated its grand opening with a ribbon-cutting ceremony hosted by the Lakeland Chamber of Commerce. The event also included bounce houses, vendors, food trucks, and even entertainment by a children’s performer.
Faith Carr, Director of The Lakeland Convention & Visitor Bureau, commended them for the move to their new location. While she specializes in tourism, she understands that new businesses help draw people to Florida as tourists and potential new residents.
“New businesses are what we like to promote here in Lakeland,” she said. “They bring in new tourists, new business, all good things. So I would like to say that, on behalf of the Chamber and the City, congratulations on your new building. We are so excited you are here.”
Parajon Orthodontics is located at 1040 Breezewood Dr., Unit 210, Lakeland, FL 33809. For more information, visit their website at: https://parajonortho.com/
Spring Obsession Springs Back to Munn Park for 20th Anniversary
by James Coulter
The official first day of spring maybe two weeks away, but spring already sprang in Lakeland with its annual premier garden event, Spring Obsession.
After two years of being hosted at Lake Cargo Park, Spring Obsession made its epic return to its home venue to celebrate its 20th anniversary last Saturday.
Several dozen vendors congregated at Lake Munn Park to sell a diverse selection of flora including flowers, trees, shrubs, and vegetables, along with outdoor garden items like signs, windchimes, and pinwheels.
Hosted by the Lakeland Rotary Club, 100 percent of the proceeds from this year’s event will go towards charitable organizations and efforts to support local schools.
Over the past 20 years, proceeds have been raised to furnish park benches in Hollis Gardens, support the construction of Bonnet Springs Park, erect artful bile racks for the local library and art museum, and provide trauma packs for local police and fire departments, according to their website.
Spring Obsession originated in Munn Park, but in the last two years had the event hosted at the new Lake Cargo Park due to pandemic recommendations requiring more space for such events to better permit social distancing.
“It was so wonderful with this being the 20th annual event to be back in Munn Park and enjoying being downtown with the Farmers Market and being back to where it all started,” said Melody Rider, event coordinator with the Rotary Club.
Each year, Spring Obsession requires nearly six months of planning and 40 to 60 volunteers. Overall, the hard work of fellow Rotarians allows the event to remain successful for 20 years strong, Rider said.
“We love working hard together as Rotarians, service before self…and enjoying ourselves. Having a great time and giving back is what it is all about,” she said. “[We owe] the support of the Lakeland Rotary, the support of Downtown Lakeland, for letting us have it here and all the Rotarians for making it happen.”
Tyler doesn’t have an easy life living in a family of success stories. His mother is a doctor. His father is a lawyer. His older brother went to college on an athletic scholarship. And his younger brother always makes the honor roll. Yet the only success Tyler ever had was with video games.
With the start of a new school year, Tyler hopes to turn his luck around. He aspires to make the team and make the grade. He even made friends with the new girl in town, Amber. Will she be able to help him achieve the same success as the rest of his family? He’ll need to overcome temptations from some real losers at school to do so.
*****
Recap:During his first day of high school, Tyler reluctantly has lunch with his former friend group. While he takes the start of the school year and his future college career seriously, his old acquaintances couldn’t care less. They’d much rather goof off than study or prepare for their future. Tyler then decides to have lunch with the new girl, Amber. While talking about how she’s adjusting to her new home and school, Tyler notices a bulletin for baseball practice. It’s then that he decides to join the team at an attempt to gain an athletic scholarship.
Chapter 4: Crossing the First Threshold
The ivory stallion galloped at full speed through the dark forest. The hero gripped his reins. His fairy friend flew alongside in a pink streak. The pitch-black night and thick fog clouded their path but did not hinder their progress.
“Hurry, brave hero!” The fairy fluttered her wings like a hummingbird to keep pace with his galloping steed. “The Dark Lord Blackgaard’s castle lies on the other side of these woods. We must make haste if we are to stop his wicked machinations.”
A sudden protrusion from the earth halted their path. The horse reared on its hind legs, tossing its rider off. Landing on his feet, the warrior drew the Sword of Heroes.
An armor-clad skeleton rose from the mound. Dirt and debris fell from its skeletal frame. It took a fighting stance and drew its weapon. A shrill cry escaped its boney maw as it struck its shield with its sword.
Other skeleton warriors arose from the ground. Each brandished their weapons and gave an ear-piercing shriek. Nevertheless, the hero remained unperturbed. His ghoulish foes charged at him with their wicked blades raised.
The hero lunged at a charging skeleton. His blade cut through its ribs and severed its spine, making it collapse into a pile of bones and armor. He wheeled around to counter his adversary charging behind him but only struck its shield. The skeleton sprang forward. The hero evaded the attack, and, in another swing, fell his foe.
He turned and swung his sword in an arc, but missed as the skeleton summersaulted away.
Landing on its feet, it ripped off its head, bouncing it in its boney grasp, and tossed the skull as it burst into flames. The hero batted away the fiery volley with his blade.
*****
Tyler’s aluminum bat missed the ball by a mere inch. It flew into the netting behind him.
“Shoot!” He kicked the dust under his feet.
Friday afternoon after school was an opportune time to practice his swing, and the batting cages at the local arcade and miniature golf course were the best place. But after nearly a dozen pitches and not a single hit, his swing had no more improved then when he first started.
“You know, it probably helps if you swing at the ball,” Paul told him from behind the netting.
The young boy otherwise sat quietly on the bench reading his book.
Tyler glared at his younger brother. “Remind me again why I dragged you along with me?”
“Mom’s still working double shift at the hospital, and Dad’s away at his lawyer’s conference,” Paul replied, casually flipping a page. “Since we’re home alone, you have to watch me until Mom gets home. Believe me, I’m not psyched about it either.”
Tyler ignored him and resumed his batter’s practice.
“I can help if you want,” Paul said without lifting his eyes from his book.
“You don’t play baseball.” Tyler missed the ball again.
“No, but I learned a formula you can do in your head while playing,” Paul replied. “You can figure out where the ball’s going by calculating the curvature and trajectory of its throw. That’ll help your swing and your math homework.”
Tyler sneered. His bat grazed the ball and launched it sideways. “I’m taking algebra, not geometry. I don’t think that’ll help me either way.”
Paul shrugged. “Just wanted to help.”
Tyler leaned on his bat. “You want to help? Take my wallet out my backpack and get me a soft drink. And while you’re at it, spend the rest of my money on whatever you want to eat and play some games.”
Paul cocked an eyebrow. “You want me to spend your allowance?”
Tyler shrugged. “If it’ll get you out of my hair until I’m done practicing.”
Paul reached into the bag and pulled out a wad of cash.
“Suit yourself,” he said as he left for the arcade building.
Tyler sighed and inserted another token. He adjusted his helmet, tapped his bat on the base, and raised it over his shoulder. He fixed his eyes on the pitching machine. The red light changed to green, the machine launched a ball. Tyler swung and—
“Yo, Tyler!” a voice yelled from behind him. “What up, my homie?”
—Missed!
Tyler grunted and craned his neck. Sitting on the bench behind him was T-Man holding a pair of drumsticks and Katie with her face hidden behind a magazine.
“Hey, T-Man.” Tyler sighed. He concentrated on the barrage of balls firing at him. “What brings you here.”
“You know me, dawg.” T-Man beat an impromptu drum solo on a trash can. “No better way to start the weekend that with a round of games at the arcade.”
Despite the new set of distractions, Tyler focused on trying to land a hit. “I’m surprised Hannah isn’t here.”
Katie lifted her eyes away from her article—or rather, its pictures. “She, like, wanted to be alone this evening. Like, it’sone of those nights where she locks herself in her room, lights a few candles and incense sticks, and prays to the never-ending darkness in her soul.”
Tyler missed another ball. “Why am I not surprised?”
T-Man ended his drum solo and put away his sticks. “You practicing for the tryouts?”
“How can you tell?” Tyler swung at the next pitch without connecting.
“Why else would you be out here at the batting cages?” T-Man shrugged. “You must really want to make the team.”
“I want to make any team, really,” Tyler replied. “Any sport will do.”
“Like, you must really want to get into one of those hoity-toity Ivy Leauge schools,” Katie hazed him, her eyes and nose fixed on her magazine.
“Of course,” Tyler said. “Who wouldn’t?”
“Well, I don’t,” Katie scoffed as she turned a page. “I don’t even care about going to a state school. I’d settle for community college. At least that would be cheaper.”
T-Man chuckled and shook his head. “I don’t even want to bother going to college, man. Once I graduate, I’m done with school. Period! I ain’t doing any more learning.”
Tyler glowered at them. “Don’t either of you care about having a good job? Making good money? You don’t want to be stuck flipping burgers at a fast-food joint, do you?”
T-Man twirled his sticks in his fingers. “Why do I care? As long as I make enough money to earn a decent living and play my music on the side.”
Katie glanced up long enough to cast a wry smirk. “Yeah, and I’m, like, going to Hollywood to be an actor or a model. You don’t need to know much to be either of those things. As long as I can read a script and balance my bank account, I know enough already.”
Tyler shook his head and scoffed. “You know, sometimes I envy you two. Neither of you have any real ambitions, and both of you are happy enough.”
“You know—” T-Man rose from his seat “—if you really want to make the team, maybe I can help.”
Tyler glanced at T-Man. “You don’t play baseball.”
“Nah!” T-Man clutched the netting and leaned against it. “But I know some guys on the team. And I know a guy that helps them with their game. I think he can help you, too.”
Tyler raised an eyebrow. “What is he? Some sort of coach or tutor?”
T-Man shook his head. “Nah! But he does fix them up with something that helps them out real good.”
Tyler dropped his bat, a ball flying past him, as he cast a perplexed expression. “You don’t mean steroids?”
“Shhh!” T-Man raised his fingers to his lips, his eyes darting back and forth. “You don’t want everyone to hear about it. But, yeah, I know a guy, Tiny, who gives the players some juice. If you bought it from him, it’d be at full price. But I can get it for you at a discount.”
Tyler shook his head and waved his hand. “Uh-uh! No way. I’mnot taking steroids. And I refuse to believe anyone on the team is taking them either. There’s no way the coach would let them.”
“Why not?” T-Man shrugged. “The coach doesn’t bother testing them. That’s above his pay grade. What nobody knows won’thurt them. Besides, you want to make the team like the others. Why not do what they do?”
Tyler picked up his bat and inserted another token. “Because that would be cheating and it wouldn’t be fair.” He lifted the bat over his shoulder. “If I’m making the team, I’m doing it fair and square. Thanks, but no thanks.”
“Suit yourself, dawg!” T-Man shrugged and turned to walk away. Katie followed him, still reading as she walked.
Tyler swung. His bat sent the ball flying clear to the other side. Finally!
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“Tyler’s Journey” is a side-story to the fantasy novel, “The Light Prince Grail.” The story follows Tyler’s life before he and Amber ventured into the fantastical world of Arden. It details his many personal struggles and how they influenced his decisions in the novel. His story will help readers learn more about themselves as they do about him.
“The Light Prince: Grail” and “Tyler’s Journey” are available in paperback and e-book on Amazon. For more information, visit the author’s website at: jcalexandre.com
From Winter Haven to Lake Wales, to Lakeland and Davenport, every city in Polk County loves its barbecue. Mulberry is no exception, as the city celebrated its fourth event last weekend.
More than 31 teams traveled to American Legion Post 72 for two days of preparing their best barbecue and competing in the city’s annual BBQ competition sanctioned by the Florida BBQ Association.
Attendees could not only enjoy good old-fashioned homemade barbecue, but they could also relax and listen to live musical performances by local bands and allow their children to play and frolic within bounce houses.
Proceeds from this year’s event went towards Operation BBQ Relief, a national non-profit organization that assists with natural disasters by, according to its website, delivering “the healing power of BBQ in times of need, feeding first responders and communities affected by natural disasters along with year-round efforts to fight hunger.”
Pigapalooza hosted its inaugural event in the second week of March 2020. The event was created to replace the city’s previous barbecue competition, “Fine Swine on the Pit,” explained event coordinator Chelsea Young.
“The City of Mulberry staff felt it was important to bring that flavor back to Mulberry,” she said. “We wanted to make sure we could give a quality event to build it into something that Mulberry could be proud of…It continues to grow, we love seeing that.”
Except for some rain on Friday evening, the event experienced beautiful weather that drew in a great turnout. Each year proves bigger and better, and they owe that success to the support of their local community, Young said.
“We are happy to be out of the pandemic where we can enjoy a day of live music, barbecue, and fun,” she said. “The entire city staff and community throw their support behind it, including our sponsors and volunteers. It takes a bunch of hands to make it happen, and it is a labor of love for sure.”
