Hello Thursday. April 25 2024 |
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After years of planning, designing, seminars, and anticipation, the unveiling of Platform Art and Art Research Enterprises Inc.’s “Friends of Freedom” memorial is scheduled for Sat., Nov. 12 at 10 a.m. in Veterans’ Memorial Park on Lake Beulah Drive.
The 7-ft bronze statue will commemorate The Buffalo Soldiers, an all-Black regiment of the Spanish War known for camping on the shores of Lake Wire. Now that our calendars are marked, we’re taking a moment to look deeper into the regiment's history + presence in Lakeland.
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The Buffalo Soldiers preparing to leave the corral, ca. 1898 | Photo via Florida Memory |
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Who were The Buffalo Soldiers?
Following the Civil War, six all-Black cavalry + infantry regiments were established when Congress passed the Army Organization Act in 1866, and they came to be called The Buffalo Soldiers. Eventually, the six were consolidated into four: the 9th U.S. Cavalry, 10th U.S. Cavalry, 24th U.S. Infantry, and 25th U.S. Infantry.
In 1898, the 10th cavalry was awaiting transport to Cuba at the start of the Spanish American War. Their campsite may be more familiar than you’d expect: The shores of Lakeland’s own Lake Wire. Pro tip: You can find a plaque marking the regiment’s campsite on the north side of the lake.
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The “Friends of Freedom” monument design | Image via Platform Art and Art Research Enterprises Inc. |
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Atop the pedestal, seven cavalrymen and their horses stand shoulder to shoulder. The bronze pedestal will feature scenes designed by Polk County art students from Lake Region High School and Santa Fe Catholic High School.
Now that you know the history, attend the official unveiling of the “Friends of Freedom” memorial over Veterans Day weekend. Once installed, “Friends of Freedom” will be one of the country’s only monuments of the Spanish-American war. Even fewer exist commemorating The Buffalo Soldiers. |
Share this with your fellow Lakeland history buff using an icon below. |
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Today - Access Art: Special Needs | Thurs., Aug. 4 | 2-3:30 p.m. | Polk Museum of Art | Free | Create + discuss art during this guided program for individuals with special needs and varying exceptionalities. 🎨
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Catapult Demo Day | Thu., Aug. 4 | 5:30-8 p.m. | Catapult Lakeland, 502 E. Main St. | Free | Stay in the loop and hear from innovative + high-growth startups as they share what they’re building in our city at this public, pitch-style event.*
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Flying Tigers | Thurs., Aug. 4 | 6:30 p.m. | Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium, 2301 Lakeland Hills Blvd. | $6+ | Cheer on the Lakeland Flying Tigers in this game against the Blue Jays. ⚾
Friday - TGI Fry-Day | Fri., Aug. 5 | 3 p.m.-12 a.m. | Cob & Pen | Free | Celebrate Fry-Day with $2 fries + an extra hour of happy hour, starting at 3 p.m. 🍟
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First Friday | Fri., Aug. 5 | 6-9 p.m. | Downtown Lakeland | Free | Head downtown to enjoy vendors, music, and food with the family.
Saturday -
Winter Haven Farmers Market | Sat., Aug. 6 | 8:30-11:30 a.m. | 302 Third St. SW, Winter Haven | Free | Support local businesses + grab a bite to eat at this outdoor farmers market.
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Chasm Deep with Legacy Craft BBQ | Sat., Aug. 6 | 2-5 p.m. | Swan Brewing | Free | Rock on with live music from singer-songwriter Chasm Deep and feast on barbecue ribs or sandwiches from Legacy Craft BBQ. 🍖
Sunday
- Back to School Bash and Blessing | Sun., Aug. 7 | 10 a.m. | Liberty Southern Baptist Church, 2505 W. Granfield Ave., Plant City | Free | All students, education staff, and teachers are invited for a new school year blessing — followed by a cookout + water slide fun.
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Public Skate at Lakeland Ice Arena | Sun., Aug. 7 | 2:30-7 p.m. | Lakeland Ice Arena, 3395 W. Memorial Blvd. | $12+ | Bring or rent your skates + bundle up for a fun time in Lakeland’s only real ice arena — book a time from 2:30-4 p.m. or 5:30-7 p.m. ⛸️
Monday - Movie Monday - Star Trek Month | Mon., Aug. 8 | 8:30-10:30 p.m. | Quinteassence Kava Bar, 839 N. Massachusetts Ave. | Free | Enjoy sipping on kava and celebrate Star Trek month with a free screening of “Insurrection.”
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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. |
For tickets to local and regional events, check out our 6AM Tickets resale marketplace.* |
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Weather - 91º | Mostly sunny | 20% chance of rain
Development -
Florida Southern College’s bandshell was demolished to make way for the Adams Athletic Performance Center, a 16,000-sqft athletic facility. Included in the plans are a 5,000-sqft weight room, a theatre-style film review room, academic center, conference room, men’s + women’s lacrosse and basketball suites, and a women’s locker room. 🏗️ (The Ledger)
Ranked -
No. 58. That’s what Polk County Public Schools ranked out of 400 on Forbes’ list of America’s Best Employers for Women. Metrics considered in the ranking included a survey of working conditions + diversity, and female respondents were asked to rate employers’ quality of parental leave offerings, discrimination, and pay equality. (Forbes)
Deal -
Lakeland Electric customers can present their utility bill at the box office for four free tickets to the Lakeland Flying Tigers’ 6 p.m. game against the Blue Jays on Sat., Aug. 6. Bring a nonperishable food item to the box office to benefit VISTE from 2:30-5 p.m. ⚾
Award -
Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd was honored for his 50+ years of service with a custom football from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Sheriff Judd started off as a dispatcher for Polk County in 1972 and since then, has held every rank from sergeant to colonel. (WFLA)
Sports -
Football season is kicking off, and this year features some big changes for Polk County. This spring, Florida high school football was split into Metro + Suburban classifications, with Polk County schools placed in the Suburban classification. This means game matchups will likely change for the fall season. 🏈 (The Ledger)
Arts -
Full STEAM ahead — with school starting again soon, students + staff at Bartow Elementary Academy will have a new mural awaiting their return. The piece, painted by art teacher Kimberly Delestang, was inspired by STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, math) education.
Feel Good -
After a Winter Haven house fire broke out Mon., Aug. 1, responding firefighters saved two cats from the burning building. Once everyone had evacuated, the rescue team noticed two cats inside the home and swiftly evacuated them through a window, saving at least one of those nine lives. 🐈 (The Ledger)
State -
If your weekend plans include dipping your toes in the gulf, skip these beaches. A “no swim” advisory has been issued for Bahia Beach, Simmons Park Beach, Bayfront Park North, Manatee Public Beach North, Coquina Beach North + Palma Sola South. Pro tip: Sarasota County’s beaches are open for swimming. (WTSP)
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Are you ready for three of our favorite words? Little. Free. Libraries. You may have seen the free-standing cabinets filled with books around town, but do you know what it’s for? The take-a-book, share-a-book style stand is exactly what it sounds like: a free collection of books, run by locals, designed to give aspiring readers 24/7 access to literature in their city.
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You can find this colorful Little Free Library at 999 Lake Hollingsworth Dr. | Photo by LALtoday |
So, where can you find one? There are nearly 40 locations between Duff Road and County Road 540A, but you can use Little Free Library’s online map or mobile app to find one nearest you. If you’re feeling inspired, you can learn more about starting your own library here.
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Editor’s pick: I’m planning on walking by my nearest little free library for my weekend poolside read. If I’m lucky, I might just find something by a Lakeland author. Tell me what locally-written titles I should keep my eyes out for.
Missed yesterday’s newsletter? We talked about Lakeland’s blast-from-the-past eateries that you’d bring back and some possible future outcomes for Munn Park, here. |
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