Happy Thanksgiving, Lakeland. 🦃
Today, we’re taking some time to reflect on all of the things we have to be thankful for. You, our readers, are at the top of our list. We’re grateful for the chance to wake up every day + talk about this wonderful city with you.
Last week, we asked what about our city you’re thankful for this year. To celebrate Turkey Day, we wanted to share some of your answers.
“I am thankful for creative minds that continually provide new ideas on how to make Lakeland a better place to live. I am thankful for compassionate hearts that eagerly help others in need across this city every day. I often witness the fruit of their generosity. I am thankful for Keystone Challenge which meticulously connects affordable housing with capable buyers by providing education and guidance making homeownership possible.” – Lakeland Mayor Bill Mutz
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Lakelanders from Combee Connection, working to help others in-need | Photo via @chriselrod
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“Lakeland neighbors have been a wonderful blessing this year! Our cul-de-sac was so tired of quarantining by March that we started a Friday night outdoor socially-distanced social. Quarantine has come and gone, but our Friday nights are still going strong!” – Reader Meredith P.
“The beautiful Circle B Bar Nature Preserve” – Reader Jesse B.
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“Really thankful for the Parks and Recreation Department and the way they create and maintain the many parks around the area. Watching families using the Lake Parker playground brings a smile to my face” – Reader Carol B.
“I am so very thankful and grateful for the produce market that goes on in downtown Lakeland every Saturday morning! Everything is so fresh and fabulous!!” – Reader A. Trombley.
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| Click below to read more of the wonderful submissions we’ve gotten in the last few days. Thank you for starting your day with us + Happy Thanksgiving. 🦃 |
| Share this list of reasons our city is so great with a friend who is considering making Lakeland their home. 🍂 |
Weather
○ 84º | Mostly Sunny | 10% chance of rain
○ Break out the Uggs + dust off your sweaters. Next week, temperatures in the Tampa Bay area will remain in the 60s, according to trends found by meteorologists. This is due to a change in the weather pattern, resulting from a jet stream dip. If the weather is predicted accurately, this means temperatures would be the coldest they’ve been since last February. 🥶 (Bay News 9)
Holiday
○ The famous Lake Morton turkey, Gary, has officially solidified his holiday home. (Q: Does this make him a Snowbird?) Lake Morton residents – Chris Woods + Mark Foster – have turned one of the neighborhood associations’ holiday swan lights into the shape of a turkey, to resemble Gary’s likeness. In the neighborly spirit of the holidays, Mark said that he "thought it might be fun to do something a little bit different and add one for Gary this year. It's kind of in the holiday spirit of trying to make some of the neighbors smile, laugh or groan." 🦃 (The Ledger)
Edu
○ A first in the US, Florida Polytechnic University has collaborated with the US Navy to create a program that offers students a chance to develop skills + earn a STEM degree to prepare them for the Navy. Benefits students can receive in being accepted into the Florida Poly Nuclear Propulsion Pipeline Program include military healthcare + life insurance benefits, a military ID, signing bonuses + more. The program launched this semester and 12 students are currently enrolled.
Biz
○ Making up a “century of experience,” six (out of 14) newsroom employees from The Ledger are leaving the media company after a voluntary buyout by Gannett – the largest newspaper chain in the US. You can read more about these local journalists + their experience and connection with the community, here. (LkldNow)
Asked
○ The holiday season is officially in full swing, and while celebrations might look a little different this year, we know some things never change. What special local traditions do you observe year after year during the holidays? Email us + share your stories now through December 10. ❄️
FeelGood
○ Polk County first responders recently worked to save the life of a local first-time mother’s premature baby. The Highland City heroes did this by delivering the 1 lb, 15oz boy, named Alexander, in their rescue truck after his mother, Ashley, experienced a breech birth. Now, at 9-months-old, Ashley says Alexander is doing very well. (Bay News 9)
Active
○ Hunters have until the end of the month to apply for a turkey hunting license to be able to practice the sport, this spring. A turkey hunter license costs $58.50.
Watch
○ Looking for a little bit of Heaven? The trailer for Lance Oppenheim’s documentary about The Villages is now live. The film – expected to open in theaters + on-demand in Jan. 2021 – centers around America’s very own fountain of youth, and the people that flock to it. #FunFact: Kaylee’s mom makes a debut in the trailer. 👼
Coronavirus
○ Earlier this week, Gov. DeSantis extended his executive order, which prevents local city governments from enacting fines for mask violations. Additionally, the order disallows municipalities from unjustifiably closing down restaurants due to COVID-19. (Wesh 2 News)
○ Officials from Lake Gibson Village – an independent + assisted-living facility in Lakeland – say their planning to follow recommended guidelines from the federal government on keeping seniors safe over the holidays. Some of these guidelines include recommendations that nursing home residents don’t leave their facilities over the holidays, and if they do, suggest that residents quarantine upon returning. (WFLA News Channel 8)
○ On Wednesday, the Florida Department of Health announced 8,376 new cases of COVID-19 and 97 additional deaths in Florida. That brings the total number of cases in FL of COVID-19 to 961,676 + the total deaths to 18,254.
○ You can find more updates concerning COVID-19 case numbers on the Florida Department of Health dashboard. See Lakeland + Polk numbers here.
Celebrate
○ “Wishing a very happy birthday to 6AM City’s Operations Manager, Jessica Kurbatov. Today and everyday we are thankful to have you on our team.”
○ Do you know someone who deserves a shoutout? Purchase a celebrate listing here and make someone's morning a little bit brighter.
Click the button below for local resources regarding the coronavirus.
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Holiday
○ 2nd Annual Holiday Tree Decorating Contest | Thur., Nov. 26 | 9 a.m.-5 p.m. | RP Funding Center, 701 W. Lime St. | Free | Tis’ the season to check out some trees. 🎄
TryThis
○ Thursday Evening Putting League | Thur., Nov. 26 | 6-8:15 p.m. | LeRoy’s Bikeworks, 6935 S. Carter Rd. Ste. 2 | $5 | #ProTip: Bring snacks to share. 🏌️♀️
PlanAhead
○ Butterfly Garden Work Party | Fri., Nov. 27 | 12-2 p.m. | Friends of Colt Creek State Park, 16000 SR-471 | Free | Get your hands dirty, help create a butterfly garden, and don’t forget to bring sun protection + water. 🦋
○ Free Photos with Santa | Sat., Nov. 28 | 12-4 p.m. | Lakeside Village, 1479 Town Center Dr. | Free, RSVP | Gather family and get a memorable snapshot with Mr. and Mrs. Claus in a living room-themed set.
○ Theatre Winter Haven Outdoor Concert Series | Sun., Nov. 29 | 4-6 p.m. | Chain O’ Lakes Complex, 210 Cypress Gardens Blvd. | $18+ | Check out this holiday-themed outdoor concert + bring your own blankets and chairs. 🎶 |
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Disclaimer: It is up to readers’ discretion to determine whether they feel comfortable participating in any mentioned events based on COVID-19 protocols and precautions. If you have questions, please contact the event’s organizers directly.
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Katelyn: Today I’m thankful for – Considering how horrible 2020 has been, that I truly have a lot to be thankful for – more than I can express in 1-2 sentences. The condensed list would include my health, my family (both biological + Kaylee, yes, she's family now), and the ability to impact 25,000+ Lakelanders every single day. ❤️
Kaylee: Today I’m thankful for – My incredibly patient partner, Daniel, who has kept me sane during this tumultuous year, my lovely #WorkWife Katelyn, who continues to inspire me daily, my big, loud, family for all the laughs, and the best job in the entire world, in the most beautiful city, serving the coolest people (aka, all of you).
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Greenville, SC 29602
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