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Happy weekend, Haines City!
In today’s happening-today edition: Art museum names new director, 1876 Cow Camp, Elite Warriors championship, and more. + events worth checking out today & tomorrow.
From today’s sponsor, FinanceBuzz: Many Florida drivers end up paying higher auto insurance premiums because they don’t shop around enough. The same driver with the same car can get wildly different quotes from different insurers, so it truly pays to compare. Their free tool makes it easy.*
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📰 In the news
Expansion sparks fresh momentum: In February, Florida Southern College named Daryl Ward executive director of The Ashley Gibson Barnett Museum of Art after a search. He is known for strengthening arts in Polk County — read the full story.
Changes on Florida court benches: On March 3, Gov. Ron DeSantis appointed four judges for Polk and Alachua counties, including posts in the Tenth and Eighth judicial circuits and Polk County Court, serving Haines City — see who was appointed.
Longtime attorney charts new course: After passing Polk State College’s general counsel torch, Don Wilson is focusing on real estate, estate planning, and probate, and plans more time for photography, continuing his Bartow-rooted legal legacy — explore his career journey.
Nothing prepares you for a pet emergency: I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache. As soon as we got home, I signed up for Spot. It’s super affordable – and reimburses up to 90% of the bill.*
Gold & silver are hot: Last year was gold’s best year since 1979. Silver did even better, climbing nearly 150%… and analysts expect the momentum to continue. Curious about precious metal investing? GoldCo has a helpful guide that covers everything you need to know. It’s free — and definitely worth a read.*
Highlights this week:
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💎 Local business spotlight
Fries worth a craving: At Seafood & Wings Restaurant, fries hit that golden, salty-satisfying zone, served straight-up, cheese-smothered, or fully loaded if you’re feeling bold. Pair a basket with a Philly or wings, or just call it a vegetable and enjoy every crunchy, seasoned bite.
Glow-up without the fuss: Elegance by Dr. A offers physician-led injectables, laser hair removal, microneedling RF, and IV boosts, shaping plans that feel personalized, not pressured. If “fresh, but still me” is your north star, expect a low-drama approach to skin and body care that keeps you confidently you.
Swap chains for greens: Whether you’re packing every driver or chasing a laid-back loop, Southern Dunes Golf & Country Club serves up rolling fairways, rare Florida elevation, and a strategic routing that rewards ball control and banter with friends, turning each round into a smart, satisfying walk.
These aren’t ads or sponsored placements, just some cool nearby spots we think are worth a visit.
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🫶 We got your back
Thinning hair? Don’t treat the wrong thing: When my ponytail started thinning, I tried the usual stuff (biotin, shampoo, sprays, etc.) and not one of them lasted. Turns out, most products target the strand, not the follicle… and that’s the whole problem. Once follicles go dormant, they need targeted help to come back. The good news? You can get treatment that actually works with no office visits or trips to the pharmacy. Learn about my favorites here →
Last call for the CVS Epic Beauty Sale: Today’s your last chance to save on all sorts of self-care products at CVS, including makeup, beauty tools, skin care, hair masks, moisturizers, and more from all your favorite brands. *Shop the sale before it ends →
Paying full price is officially optional: Blu Dot just marked down dozens of their best sofas, beds, dining tables, outdoor pieces, and lighting by as much as 60%. Not because something’s wrong with them, but because every great design eventually has to make room for the next one. The deals change daily, so it’s always a new adventure. *See what’s on sale today →
Most people have no idea what’s happening inside their body: Not because the data doesn’t exist, but because no one’s collecting it. Routine annual checkups miss things like body composition, biological age, and the biomarkers that can help predict long-term patterns. The good news? HumeHealth offers tools to help you track all of that at home for less than the cost of a specialist visit. *Use code NEW20 to save 20% →
Something in your house is about to break: It might be your AC, your water heater, your fridge… doesn’t matter. Every major appliance has an expiration date, and when it goes, you’ll be staring down a repair bill that can climb into the thousands fast. An AHS home warranty covers these types of surprises + *select plans are $150 off right now →
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📆 Around town today & tomorrow
Have an event to share? BaseLocal Verified Businesses can submit them for free! Learn more about how to submit an event here →
All events are subject to change without notice. Always check official event pages for the most up to date information.
🎣 Fishing for Farmers Fishing Tournament @ Camp Mack Lodge, Marina & RV Resort (Lake Wales) | Saturday (3/14) at 5:00 AM – Pack the tackle box and a lie for the one that got away, because Camp Mack is hosting a friendly fishing throwdown benefiting the Lake Wales FFA. Reel in bass, raffle prizes, and bragging rights, then feel smug about supporting local kids, agriculture, and serenity.
🏃 Saturday Regular 15+ Miles @ Auburndale TECO Trail | Saturday (3/14) at 8:00 AM – Saturday’s regular 15-plus miler meets at 815 Myrtle Park Road in Auburndale, cruising at an easy, chatty pace. Whether you’re marathon bound or just here for gossip, sunrise, and coffee after, lace up, find your pack, and let the miles roll.
🧵 Spring Craft Fair @ Mt. Olive Shores North (Polk City) | Saturday (3/14) at 9:00 AM – Take a slow lap through the Spring Craft Fair, where the goods are actually handmade, the artists are your neighbors, and the vibe is gloriously unhurried. Hunt for keepers, admire the car show, then hit the food truck, and call it supporting local artists.
🏁 District Pinewood Derby @ First Presbyterian Church of Haines City | Saturday (3/14) at 10:00 AM – Think your Scout’s block of wood is ready for graphite and glory? Pinewood Derby at First Presbyterian Church Haines City, open to any Scout with a car, featuring design awards for Minecraft, Superhero, and Musical Instrument. It’s $10 per category, or $20 for both.
🐄 1876 Cow Camp @ Lake Kissimmee State Park (Lake Wales) | Saturday (3/14) at 10:00 AM – Saturday at Lake Kissimmee means stepping into 1876 Cow Camp, where Florida’s original cow hunters show off open-fire cooking, cattle work, and frontier grit. It smells like coffee and woodsmoke, not sunscreen and asphalt, and the stories beat any podcast.
👪 Bilingual Family Time/Tiempo Familiar Bilingue @ Haines City Public Library | Saturday (3/14) at 11:00 AM – Need a kid-friendly outing that doubles as Spanish practice? This family hangout serves up games, bilingual songs, rhymes, crafts, and stories, so the little ones burn energy and you remember más than hola. Low-key, wholesome, and actually fun, en serio.
🥋 Elite Warriors Open Martial Arts Championship @ Auburndale Civic Center | Saturday (3/14) at 11:00 AM – This open martial arts throwdown packs kata, kobudo, taekwondo divisions, jujutsu, point and continuous sparring, and plenty of board breaking. Think skill, control, and a little theater, minus the movie sound effects. Bring your inside voice, your outside clap, and proper respect for black belts.
Live music & entertainment:
Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →
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📻 Haines City report
Weather forecast
Today – High: 82°F – Low: 65°F – Precip: 57%
A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms between 9am and noon, then showers and thunderstorms likely. Partly sunny, with a high near 82. East northeast wind 5 to 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible. Later: Showers and thunderstorms likely before 2am, then a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 65. East wind 3 to 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible.
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Tomorrow – High: 84°F – Low: 65°F – Precip: 80%
A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms before 8am, then showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 84. Southeast wind 3 to 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. Later: Showers and thunderstorms before 2am, then a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 65. South southeast wind around 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
This house is wild
Set on a private cul-de-sac in Southern Dunes Golf & Country Club, this 4-bed, 3-bath pool home backs to the 12th fairway with sweeping views. A climate-controlled sunroom with electric fireplace overlooks a solar-heated pool and hot tub. Extras include an extra-long paver drive, upgraded kitchen, 2019 roof, generator, and access to amenities. Guard-gated community with a flood-lit driving range.
Take a peek inside →
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