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Hi Winter Haven, hope you’re having a great weekend!

In today’s in-case-you-missed-it edition: Galacticoaster debuts, open containers downtown, and spring garden party + the top stories from this week & a sneak peek at next week.

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.*

📰 Most-clicked stories this week

Record-setting expansion takes flight: LEGO Galaxy has opened at LEGOLAND Florida in Winter Haven, anchored by Galacticoaster, the park’s first indoor space-themed family coaster and first new coaster in 15 years, reaching 40 mph — see what’s inside the expansion.

Flat-fee drop-off window: Polk County is accepting freeze-related yard waste at the North Central Transfer Station for $10 per load through May 4, 2026, with proof of residency required and commercial haulers excluded — get all the details.

Alcohol rules may shift: Lake Wales could become Polk County’s first city to allow open containers downtown as an ACE district moves through the Florida Senate. Backers say street upgrades are drawing more visitors — read the full story.

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.*

All the crowd favorites:

• Three honky-tonk angels chase Nashville dreams
• Shop local at Winter Haven Farmers Market
• Paint, connect, and pour into you

💎 This week’s top finds

Craving a real-deal sub? The Deli Basket serves hand-crafted classics on bakery-fresh bread: Reuben, Italian, and a stacked Deli Club with a secret sauce. It’s that low-key neighborhood spot you remember at noon and quietly thank yourself for finding.

Wetlands, birds, bliss: South Lake Howard Nature Park offers boardwalks, easy loop trails, and quiet vantage points for spotting egrets, herons, and the occasional gator…a low-key reset between errands. Ideal for a friend-in-tow amble, a podcast-fueled lap, or a quick nature fix without leaving town.

Local seafood fix: Harry’s Old Place has been a Winter Haven staple since 1992, serving a generous lineup of fresh fish in a relaxed lakeside setting. Think crisp fillets, buttery sides, and that easy Florida breeze… you bring the stories, they’ll bring the seasoning and sizzle.

These aren’t ads or sponsored placements — they’re the local spots your fellow readers clicked on most this week.

🫶 We got your back

Your data is for sale right now: There are over 400 websites selling your info to marketers, political campaigns, and scammers. They’ve got your phone number, home address, relatives’ names… you name it. That’s how robocallers seem to know everything about you before you pick up. You can remove your info one site at a time, or pay a service to do it for you. Here’s what we recommend →

Why your last diet didn’t work: Sustained weight loss is nearly impossible with diet alone. Your body literally fights back by making you hungrier the moment you start restricting calories. That’s why more doctors are recommending GLP-1s. The best part? Getting them has never been easier. We compared three programs to help you find the right fit. See which ones stood out →

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 →

📆 Sneak peek at next week

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.

🎨 Weekly Craft Time @ Dundee Public Library | Monday (3/16) at 10:00 AM – Whether you’re a closet scrapbooker or just need an excuse to sit and make something that isn’t email, swing by the weekly craft table. The project changes every week, supplies are on hand, and you can drop in whenever. Low stakes, surprisingly satisfying.

🤠 Honky Tonk Angels @ Theatre Winter Haven | Friday (3/20) at 7:30 PM – Nothing beats classic country sung live while three gutsy gals chase Nashville dreams. This toe-tapping musical packs 30 hits, from Stand By Your Man, 9 to 5, and Harper Valley PTA, with jokes that land smoother than a good pour. Boots optional, singing along inevitable.

🥕 Winter Haven Farmers Market @ Magnolia Ave, Winter Haven | Saturday (3/21) at 9:00 AM – Saturday morning at Winter Haven Farmers Market means one thing. You’ll swear you’re just grabbing tomatoes, then leave with handmade pasta, a croissant, a houseplant, and a new favorite hot sauce. Farmers, food trucks, fresh produce, meat, seafood, local makers, the whole small-town show.

🌷 Spring Garden Party @ Bowen Yard | Saturday (3/21) at 10:00 AM – Bowen Yard is throwing a Spring Garden Party with free yoga, gin cocktails from Maritime, and a plant swap with The Potting Bench. Swap your leggy philodendron, shop local and vintage, then let live music carry you into evening.

🌱 Community Plant Swap @ Winter Haven Public Library | Saturday (3/21) at 10:00 AM – Nothing beats swapping cuttings in Winter Haven’s Library Sensory Garden, where you bring one, trade one, and leave feeling smugly sustainable. Meet fellow plant people, swap that unruly spider plant for something new, and give your windowsill yet another reason to brag.

🧘 Yoga & Breathing @ Yoga Haven | Saturday (3/21) at 10:30 AM – Yoga & Breathing is settling into Yoga Haven with a slow, stretchy class from Radiant Roots Yoga that remembers your lungs need attention too. Expect gentle flows, guided breathwork, and that rare post-class calm, no pretzel poses required. Registration’s through a legit, secure link.

🎨 Pour Into You: Paint and Connect @ Union Taproom & Pizza Kitchen | Sunday (3/22) at 2:00 PM – Need a Self-Care Sunday that feels like one? Head to Union Taproom in Winter Haven for a women-led paint-and-connect hangout with guided canvases, inspiring speakers, a raffle, and games, plus the kind of low-stakes creativity your calendar forgot about. Tickets are $25, seats are limited.

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

📻 Winter Haven report

Weather forecast

Today – High: 86°F – Low: 67°F – Precip: 80%

Patchy fog before 9am, then a chance of rain showers between 10am and 2pm, then showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny. High near 86, with temperatures falling to around 82 in the afternoon. South southeast wind 2 to 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible. Later: Showers and thunderstorms before 2am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 67. South wind 5 to 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%.

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Tomorrow – High: 84°F – Low: 46°F – Precip: 79%

Showers and thunderstorms after 8am. Partly sunny, with a high near 84. South southwest wind 8 to 16 mph, with gusts as high as 28 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. Later: Showers and thunderstorms before 2am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 46. West northwest wind 10 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 23 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%.

Most popular house this week

This fully renovated 3-bed, 3-bath lakefront home on Eagle Lake sits on an expansive lot with privacy. A sun-filled open layout frames panoramic water views, pairing modern finishes with thoughtful updates. The luxe primary suite adds a spa bath with freestanding tub and custom tile shower. A large patio, a new private dock, and a quiet no-HOA neighborhood elevate lake days.

Take a peek inside →