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Oct 21, 2024 | 
laltoday.6amcity.com | Amelia Herring |Sarah Leonhardt |Katelyn Lewis |Rilee Delgado
In the spirit of the Halloween season, we’re digging into the haunting side of history behind some of Polk County’s landmarks. Think you know all there is to know about these iconic spots? You’ll have to read on to find out — if you dare. This historic venue is reportedly home to three ghosts ranging from different time periods in the theater’s past. Get to know their stories, along with the many accounts of bone-chilling behavior that have occurred in the venue’s walls.
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Oct 18, 2024 | 
laltoday.6amcity.com | Katelyn Lewis |Connor A. Jacobson |Sarah Leonhardt |Amelia Herring
In 1908, in the midst of the mail-order catalog era, Sears, Roebuck and Company issued the first “Book of Modern Homes and Building Plans” in an effort to increase its sales of building materials — and many Lakelanders placed their orders. The first catalog listed 44 different styles of homes that ranged in sizes, options, and costs that readers could purchase.
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Aug 9, 2024 | 
laltoday.6amcity.com | Madison McMillen |Katelyn Lewis |Amelia Herring |Connor A. Jacobson
At LALtoday, we aim to cover local elections in a way that educates and activates our community with unbiased information to encourage individual voter participation. (I.e. vote for whoever + whatever you want to, just make sure to vote.) To learn more, check out our Editorial Ethics Policy. Election Day is just around the corner on Tuesday, Nov. 5, with Polk’s primary election on Tuesday, Aug. 20. Don’t worry, we did the Googling so you don’t have to.
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Aug 6, 2024 | 
laltoday.6amcity.com | Katelyn Lewis |Amelia Herring |Connor A. Jacobson
The Ashley Gibson Barnett Museum of Art’s multimillion-dollar expansion is nearing the finish line. In February 2022, news broke that the museum would undergo a $6 million renovation and expansion to create more exhibition space + educational experiences. The project broke ground in November 2022 and was originally slated to be complete by the summer of 2024. Now, it’s totaling $8 million and is expected to wrap up in the fall.
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Jun 18, 2024 | 
laltoday.6amcity.com | Katelyn Lewis |Connor A. Jacobson |Amelia Herring
If you’ve taken a stroll down Lemon Street, you might have noticed new sculptures dotting the promenade. The art kicks off the start of the 24th Florida Outdoor Sculpture Competition. Artists submitted over 60 sculpture designs to a local jury made up of staff from the city, Polk Museum of Art, and other art community members, who narrowed down the crop to the top 11. Applications opened in the fall of 2023 and the competition once again includes a piece on display at the Lakeland Public Library.
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Jun 13, 2024 | 
laltoday.6amcity.com | Amelia Herring |Katelyn Lewis |Connor A. Jacobson
Wednesday, June 19 is Juneteenth. Also known as Jubilee Day, Freedom Day, or Emancipation Day, this annual holiday observes the enforcement of the Emancipation Proclamation — two and a half years after it was passed. Join in on these festivities around Lakeland. | Saturday, June 15From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., head to Jackson Park (1130 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave.) for a celebration rich with live music, community dance showcases, and arts + culture exhibitions.
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May 2, 2024 | 
laltoday.6amcity.com | Amelia Herring |Connor A. Jacobson |Katelyn Lewis
Spring flowers aren’t the only thing the month of May brings. Entering into this new month also means we’re officially more than a quarter of the way through 2024. This year, the Lakeland real estate market has been a hot topic of conversation on our social media + in our inbox. So we’re breaking down the data to help you stay informed, whether you’re buying, selling, renting, or just sizing up the market.
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Apr 12, 2024 | 
laltoday.6amcity.com | Amelia Herring |Jessica Kurbatov |Connor A. Jacobson |Katelyn Lewis
We all know Lakeland is famous for (and got its name from) its 38 lakes around town — but how did those lakes get their names? According to early newspaper + historical records, lakes were often named after notable Lakeland pioneers and settlers. However, there are a few that broke this tradition. Take a figurative dive into the history behind some of Swan City’s most iconic lakes to learn how they earned their monnikers.
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Apr 10, 2024 | 
laltoday.6amcity.com | Katelyn Lewis |Amelia Herring |Connor A. Jacobson
Over the last 139 years, Lakeland has had numerous historic hotels grace its city blocks — from the Tremont House Hotel and Hotel Thelma to the New Florida Hotel. While those historic hotels have all come, gone, or been transformed, they paved the way for another historic hotel to join Lakeland’s skyline, where it continues to stay today. Purchased for $750,000 in 1923, the Terrace (historically known as The Lakeland Terrace Hotel) was built on the property where Tremont House once stood.
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Mar 14, 2024 | 
laltoday.6amcity.com | Katelyn Lewis |Rilee Delgado
Exercising doesn’t look the same for everyone — and it’s always fun to switch up your Lake Hollingsworth runs to try something new. Fortunately, Lakeland is home to many opportunities for exercise, whether you enjoy lifting weights, taking a ride in a spin class, or stretching your limits with a yoga class. Use this guide as a resource for all things fitness in Swan City. Pro tip: Not sure which to try first? Try out multiple gyms with a free trial on ClassPass.
