Our November highlights (excluding pie)

Before we shift the pumpkin puree to the back of the pantry and start jingling all the way, we’re taking a moment to pause and pay homage to November and all its glory — based entirely on the content you loved this month.

Check out the top stories, most clicked links + our favorite comments that gave us all something to talk about this turkey stuffin’ season.

🏆 Top conversations:

Play “Would You Rather” with us, Lakeland

With this conversation starting off our top three, we’re glad to discover you’re all nostalgic like us. Over 800 of you had a bit of fun picking which aspect of Lakeland we would rather do, eat, experience, etc. If you ask us, we would rather see Elvis, too.

Volunteering in Lakeland, FL for the 2021 holiday

It’s no secret you all love to give back, which is why this conversation made the top three with 1,120 of you tuning in. Here, we detailed 28 ways you can volunteer across Lakeland and give back to your neighbors.

“The Squeeze” launches this month in Lakeland, FL

In first place, coincidentally, is The Squeeze, which launched yesterday in Lakeland. Over 1,200 of you read all about it when we dropped the news a few weeks back. The Squeeze is a new form of transportation downtown via open-air, multi-row golf carts. The pilot program will span one year with operation during the lunch hour + on weekends.

🖱️ Top clicked links

Turkey, potatoes, and gravy, oh my. You loved this link, uncovering all of the spots across town where you can grab a plate for dine-in or carry-out Thanksgiving dinner. Did you actually enjoy one of these options? Tell us about it.

Would you rather strikes again. Along with being a top-performing conversation, our “Would you Rather” poll was a hit with almost 500 clicks on each poll.

‘Tis the season to be cooped up with family, are we right? This link, detailing all of the things you can do in Lakeland with company, was one of our highest clicked, so we take it you all are prepared to host.

📱 Top comments

On this photo of a gator at Circle B: “That’s a big ol’ dinosaur 🦖 “ — @joshdunc

When we asked you what makes you grateful to be a Swan City resident: “The ever-abundant creativity in the Lakeland community 💜”

December, here we come. 👀

EVENTS

Today

Live Trivia | Tues., Nov. 30 | 6:30-9 p.m. | The Brass Tap | Free | Show off your trivia knowledge to try and win the $70 prize + enjoy any of the beers on tap.

Wednesday

Winter Haven Happy Hour Tour | Wed., Dec. 1 | 4:30-7 p.m. | 220 Ave. A. NW | $69+ | Tour downtown Winter Haven to visit family-owned restaurants and bars that host Happy Hour on weekdays. 🍸

Thursday

Festival of Lights Paws & Claws Night | Thurs., Dec. 2 | 6-10 p.m. | Hillsborough County Fairgrounds, 215 Sydney Washer Rd. | $25 | Bring Fido + the whole family to see this drive-through display, ending with a walk through Santa’s village — don’t forget a pet picture with Santa. 🎅

Friday

It’s a Wonderful Life | Fri., Dec. 3 | 7:30-10:30 p.m. | Lakeland Community Theatre | $17+ | See the story of George Bailey come to life through a 1940s radio broadcast and ensemble cast.

Saturday

Mistletoe Market | Sat., Dec. 4 | 10 a.m.-4 p.m. | Downtown Bartow | Free | Shop for holiday gifts from local vendors, enjoy music and food, and see Santa.

Sunday

Carol Symphony | Sun., Dec. 5 | 2-3:15 p.m. | Polk Theatre | $21+ | Hear the Lakeland Symphony Orchestra perform several holiday classics. 🎻

Monday

Intro To Data Analytics: Tableau Basics | Mon., Dec. 6 | 12-1:30 | Virtual | Free | Expand your resume and learn the basics of the data analysis software Tableu — must register in advance. 📊
31st Annual Chamber Golf Scramble Presented by Two Men & a Truck | Mon., Dec. 6 | 8 a.m.-2 p.m. | 800 Lone Palm Dr. | $200/person or $1,200/team of six players | The team golf scramble will feature contests, food, drinks + entertainment at one of Central Florida’s premier golf courses. ⛳*

Tuesday

Fall Baking | Tues., Dec. 7 | 6 p.m. | Publix Aprons Cooking School | $50 | Learn to make freshly baked fall treats including oatmeal baked apples, pumpkin cinnamon rolls, apple cheesecake, and hot chocolate cake rolls. 🍂

Plan Ahead

The Nutcracker Ball | Sat., Dec. 11 | 6:30-10 p.m. | 525 Lake Crago Dr. | $45 | Guests can learn about the Florida Dance Theatre while enjoying a short performance — attendance includes one signature cocktail, hors d'oeuvres + a raffle ticket.*

We have a monthly guide filled with events + activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.

PLAN YOUR WEEK HERE

NEWS NOTES

Weather

71º | Sunny | 10% chance of rain

Coming Soon

In case you missed it, there’s a new nerf gun slingin’ sheriff coming to town. Dart World Gaming Arena will host nerf gun + virtual reality games at its new venue, located on the corner of Main Street and Tennessee Avenue This will be Lakeland’s first nerf gun arena.

Try This

Registration is open for Emily Rogers Consulting + Coaching’s 2022 Mastering Leadership Program for Women. This 14-week virtual professional development course trains women in positions of leadership, or preparing for career advancement, to sharpen soft skills, develop their leadership, and have an executive presence. Registration for the program is $2,450.

Feel Good

Is a train running beneath your tree? Local John Davidson found his passion for trains there at eight years old, and now has two buildings filled with hundreds of trains. In addition to carousels and buildings, John’s trains circumvent miniature Lakeland staples, including the cake topped-Publix bakery + Hollis Gardens. 🚂 (The Ledger)

Show

Union Hall has seven shows lined-up for December and January, starting with Runaway Gin on Fri., Dec. 3. Check here for more show dates for artists including Caleb Lee Hutchinson and Steeln’ Peaches. 🎤

Shop

Mark your calendars for Sun., Dec 12, because the Buena Navidad Market takes place from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. at The Joinery. Enjoy craft cocktails, views of Lake Mirror, and local vendors including Orange Blossom Poems. Shop (small) till you drop. 🍊

DYK

That the world’s largest electronic Hanukkah menorah is located in Miami? The 300-ft display will operate through Dec. 6. Locally, the Winter Haven Menorah Parade + lighting takes place Dec. 1 at Virginia Miller Park. 🕎
One of the coolest features of Catapult’s coworking space is their telephone booths. If you need to make a quick call, you can hop in one of these sound-proof pods to chat. 📲*

Regional

Lake Wales, home of Bok Tower Gardens, is the center hub of Florida, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Based on census data that was collected in 2020, Lake Wales was designated the population center of the state. The 2010 population center was also in Polk County. (The Ledger)

Number

$2 million. That’s how much Reed Bowman, a world-renowned ornithologist, received in funding from Philadelphia-based philanthropist K. Lisa Yang. The funds will support Reed’s research + conservation efforts for scrub jays, a rare bird found only in Florida, at the Archibald Biological Station. (The Ledger)

The Buy

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Here is the unique referral link for you: ⤵️

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THE WRAP

Editor's Pick: Yesterday, we asked you what Bonnet Springs Park's new fern’s name should be. Some of the most popular responses were Liz, Lizzie, Fern, Fran, Bonnie, and Feliz.

Missed yesterday's newsletter? We shared the story of Liz + Danny’s Staghorn fern, (mentioned above) finding a new home at Bonnet Springs Park, and you can read it here.