This is a great time of year in Lakeland. There are so many reasons to get out of the house right now. One of many exciting upcoming events is Platform Art Party #19- Art in AgriCulture. Art Party #19 is April 28, 7-11 p.m....

Those of you who follow me on Twitter have already seen this, but since it’s been far too long since my last Lakeland Local post, I thought I’d write something about the FHSAA State Wrestling Finals that were...

Until this year, I had never purchased a desk for myself. They always were dumpy, particle board hand-me-downs. When I met Tom Monaco of The Fourth Wall a couple of years ago and saw the magnificent work that he does, I...

Don’t go to the Seattle area without making time for a visit to Mount Rainier. What an incredible site. We figured we’d drive there and do a self-guided tour of sorts, but changed our minds at the last minute and went...

Another must-see when in Seattle is the Pike Street Place Market- the largest public market in the country. If the Downtown Lakeland’s Farmers Curb Market grew to even a third of the size of the Pike Street Place Market,...

Bullying is all over the media these days. Here are some mind-boggling facts about bullying: • About 160,000 kids miss school every day out of fear of being bullied. • About 282,000 students are reportedly attacked...

Editor’s Note: With today’s article by Lorrie Delk Walker, we’re debuting a new feature on Lakeland Local. Sporadically, Lakelanders will remind readers what they love and miss about Lakeland through...

When I saw him perform at the recent Platform Art Party, I was blown away. Jimi Hendrix’s “Foxy Lady” blared as artist Tony Corbitt Jr. took off his shirt and gyrated around his easel, pausing every now and...

If you ever get the pleasure of meeting Benny Tew, it’s likely he will tell you that he’s a heck of a nice guy. He won’t be lying. I had the pleasure of spending a couple of hours with Benny on a recent hot April...

The west wall of The Studebaker Building is looking a bit refreshed these days, thanks to a new coat of paint and the refurbishment of its trademark sign. Working downtown and walking by the building to get to my office each...

The public is invited to a ribbon cutting ceremony and open house to celebrate the grand opening of the Tennessee Carriage Lofts in Downtown Lakeland on Friday, 4-6:30 p.m. The ribbon cutting will kick off the festivities at...

Last week, Chuck Welch wrote about a “Catalytic Project” that could come to Downtown Lakeland. I highly recommend reading Chuck’s post, but in a nutshell, this project could bring more residential elements...

Recently The Ledger invited me to write an article on Barbara Mee and her book about the working relationship she had with the late Sen. Ted Stevens from Alaska titled “Sen. Ted and Mee.” As is almost always the...

After nearly four years in business for myself, I recently moved my business out of my spare bedroom and into an office downtown. I wrote about it recently on my company website. One of the most enjoyable parts of moving...

I like to find places that are off the beaten path when I travel, and a recent trip out west revealed one of my best finds to date- the Swetsville Zoo in Fort Collins, Colorado. None of the animals are alive at the...

Every time I learn about another crazed idiot shooting up a place or taking innocent lives, I cringe- for multiple reasons. Obviously, I am deeply saddened to hear about innocent lives being taken. But secondary to that, I...

The time has come to dust off those cowboy hats and boots and prepare to party ‘til the cows come home. The American Cancer Society Polk County Unit’s 10th Birthday of the Polk County Cattle Baron’s Ball is scheduled...

Recently I alluded to the Lakeland Area Chamber of Commerce’s Tuesday Leads Group and noted I’d write more about it later. Well, here you go… The Chamber’s leads group is all about growing your...

I attended a Lakeland Chamber of Commerce Leads Group meeting this week (more on that in another post), and learned an interesting tidbit of information. After 42 years as a Holiday Inn franchise, HI Development (the owners...

The “grueling” search to replace former Southeastern University President Dr. Mark Rutland has come to an end. The private, Christian university announced today that Dr. Kent Ingle will serve as the next...

If you’re going to dash through snow in Lakeland, it’s likely going to be man-made. Nonetheless, that’s what is happening on Dec. 4 at 7:30 a.m. when Talbot House Ministries hosts the Dashing Through The...

There are several organizations and churches in our community that serve a Thanksgiving meal to the homeless and needy every year. I recently learned of a place where people can go to get a free breakfast on Thanksgiving...

Never let it be said that I’m not willing to try new things. While at a recent event, my friends encouraged me to enter a drawing to receive a free fitness class. The winner got to invite five friends. “You have to...

Editor’s Note: In late October 2009, Anthony Gilpin passed away unexpectedly. His friend, Lorrie Delk Walker, wrote the commentary below. During our week of redesign and reflection at Lakeland Local, I wanted to repost...

In honor of the Hair for Hope event at the Lakeland hair salon of Michael Rose Hair Designs, Michael Rose cut my hair today and even gave me some color for good measure. I wrote recently about wimping out at last...