Lakeland Florida – A Great Place to Live

Lakeland Florida – A Great Place to Live

I have come to realize in recent months, while residing for almost 16 years here in this charming and beautiful town, that Lakeland is a great place to live. Just between Tampa and Orlando with a growing population of over 93,000 Lakeland is located in Polk County – voted in 2007 as the All-American County. Did you know that in 1883 Lakeland’s citizens were going to name their town Munnville in recognition of Abraham G. Munn, a Kentucky businessman who purchased 80 acres which the town was located? I’m so glad that he declined the honor and eventually a more adequate name was... [Click here to read more...]

Lakeland’s Sun n’ Fun Fly-in Gives You Wings!

Lakeland’s Sun n’ Fun Fly-in Gives You Wings!

Lakeland’s annual Sun n’ Fun Fly-In hosted by the City of Lakeland and the Lakeland Linder Regional Airport for the past 35 years is widely termed the Spring Break for Pilots here in the US and across the globe.  What I like most about the event is that it brings together aviation pros from all over the world, and from all facets of the aviation community to enjoy what is considered to be the best fly-in experience ever. Each year, Sun n’ Fun provides a huge economic boost to Lakeland’s economy  by bringing in an average of 160,000 visitors from around the country.  According... [Click here to read more...]

Head Out to the Old Ball Game with Lakeland’s Flying Tigers

Head Out to the Old Ball Game with Lakeland’s Flying Tigers

Florida and Spring Training.  They’re synonymous.  But when the Detroit Tigers MLB baseball club leaves for the regular season, the Lakeland Flying Tigers keep the baseball activity at Joker Marchant Stadium alive. The Lakeland Flying Tigers are a minor league baseball team located here in in Lakeland, Florida. The Flying Tigers are part of the Florida State League and have enjoyed a relationship with the Detroit Tigers as their High-A affiliate since 1967. This is a big deal, since theirs is one of the longest unbroken Major League Baseball affiliate relationships still in existence. The... [Click here to read more...]

Lakeland’s Polk Theatre – 1920s Movie Palace Tradition Still Alive Today

Lakeland’s Polk Theatre – 1920s Movie Palace Tradition Still Alive Today

Lakeland, Florida boasts many wonderful cultural opportunities for its residents, but one of the most amazing and cherished of them all has to be the historic Polk Theatre.  Located at 139 South Florida Avenue, this late 1920s era vaudeville stage and movie provides a window into America’s Golden Age of Entertainment. The Polk Theatre’s exterior really does little to prepare you for the visual treat you’re in for once you enter. Envisioned  initially by Lakeland businessman John E. Melton,the exterior was set up as a business building and retail space to provide income to help... [Click here to read more...]

In Downtown Lakeland, Florida – Munn’s The Word

In Downtown Lakeland, Florida – Munn’s The Word

If you are new to Lakeland, Florida, one of the first places you should visit is the revitalized downtown area known as the Munn Park district.  A hub of activity for shopping and dining from the late 19th century to about 1989,  the streets adjacent to and surrounding Munn Park fell silent as much of the area’s shopping and dining moved north toward the expanding area around the I-4 Interstate. Today, however, the downtown Lakeland area around Munn Park is alive and thriving.   There’s shopping, dining, and entertainment to fit nearly every taste and every budget.  If you’re... [Click here to read more...]

Frank Lloyd Wright’s Legacy is Lakeland’s Treasure

Frank Lloyd Wright’s Legacy is Lakeland’s Treasure

I love Lakeland, Florida.  I’ve lived here for years – working as a Lakeland real estate professional – and it seems that there’s something new to enjoy all the time.  Though my family and I enjoy all that the city has to offer, I think we’d all agree that Lakeland’s Florida Southern College campus is one of our very favorite parts of living here. Frank Lloyd Wright was known for generating new and innovative architectural spaces that fit seamlessly into a given area’s natural surroundings.  With Florida Southern’s campus, he did just that. Unlike... [Click here to read more...]