Sunny Central Florida » Bartow http://sunnycentralflorida.com Fri, 03 Feb 2012 13:34:30 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 en hourly 1 Local Favorites Highlights the Stanford Inn and Tea Room http://sunnycentralflorida.com/2011/12/20/local-favorites-highlights-the-stanford-inn-tea-room/ http://sunnycentralflorida.com/2011/12/20/local-favorites-highlights-the-stanford-inn-tea-room/#comments Tue, 20 Dec 2011 16:13:28 +0000 Rebecca http://sunnycentralflorida.com/?p=1503

When pulling up to East Stanford Street in Bartow’s Historic District, you will spot a quaint yellow house with blue trim and a spacious front porch at the entryway. This 1906 Victorian house that is situated on a cozy neighborhood lot has now become the picturesque setting of The Stanford Inn & Tea Room. This bed and breakfast may also be recognized as the home in the 1991 film “My Girl” starring Dan Aykroyd, Jamie Lee Curtis, Anna Chlumsky and Macaulay Culkin.

For guests looking to stay overnight at the bed and breakfast, The Stanford Inn offers six rooms with features that include: a fireplace, queen bed, private full bath, cable television and wireless Internet access, along with a three-course, gourmet breakfast local fresh fruits, vegetables and eggs.

Aside from a delicious breakfast and special room features, guests will notice one-of-a-kind antiques, artwork and furnishings throughout the inn, along with an outdoor pool surrounded by tropical gardens. Bed and breakfast guests can unwind in the pool or on one of the many rocking chairs on the expansive front porch.

Visitors dining at the Stanford Inn will can also enjoy the pleasant atmosphere as the Inn transforms into a tea room at lunch. Guests can sit inside the historical house or out on the porch, which could be the perfect decision on a nice afternoon. Choose from lunch, tea or Sunday brunch at the Tea Room or opt for dinner at 555. The Tea Room features traditional English high tea and light lunches of soups, salads and sandwiches.

The Monte Cristo at the Tea Room is a must-try. This lunchtime favorite is stacked with layers of turkey, ham and cheese and comes with a side of raspberry jam to complete the overall taste of the sandwich. Other options include the Chicken Salad Croissant, Roast Beef & Havarti or the Turkey sandwich. Try the signature Roasted Red Pepper & Tomato Bisque soup or the Soup du Jour along with the Spinach and Fruit Salad or the pasta salad as well. 

It is no surprise that there are numerous flavors of tea options to try at this tea room. The Stanford Inn Strawberry-Orange Blend, composed of strawberries and oranges along with kiwi, rosehips and a bit of dried apple, is the signature tea. Other teas include Rose White, Duchess Grey and Apricot tea, to name just a few. Be sure to choose your favorite flavor to complement your meal.

For dinner, 555 features five options in each of the three categories (appetizers, sides and entrees), and the chef specials change each evening.

The Stanford Inn also hosts weddings and special occasions such as birthdays, anniversaries, reunions and getaways and celebrates numerous events throughout the year including the upcoming Christmas Eve Dinner on Saturday, December 24. More events at The Stanford Inn can be found on our Events Calendar .

The Stanford Inn offers a charming experience for an overnight stay, an afternoon meal or a special occasion and hopes you will visit this “beautiful place for beautiful memories”.

Stay up-to-date with what’s happening at the Inn, be sure to follow them on Facebook and Twitter.

]]> http://sunnycentralflorida.com/2011/12/20/local-favorites-highlights-the-stanford-inn-tea-room/feed/ 0 Local Favorites Highlights The Cookie Jar Bakeshop http://sunnycentralflorida.com/2011/11/15/local-favorites-highlights-the-cookie-jar-bakeshop-2/ http://sunnycentralflorida.com/2011/11/15/local-favorites-highlights-the-cookie-jar-bakeshop-2/#comments Tue, 15 Nov 2011 17:32:18 +0000 Rebecca http://sunnycentralflorida.com/?p=1438

If you can dream it, they can whip it up at the Cookie Jar Bakeshop in Bartow. This is not just any custom cake and cookie bakery; everything is made fresh and baked in-house using the owner’s very own recipes. Unlike other bakeries, the Cookie Jar is also a place where customers can dine while ordering breakfast, lunch and specialty beverages.

For a casual breakfast, lunch or break, guests can visit the Bakeshop’s café and choose from indoor or outdoor seating. The café offers choices of sandwiches, pastries, bagels, muffins or donuts for breakfast. For lunch, select options of chicken, tuna or egg salad sandwiches, along with options of soup, salad or quiche. If in the mood for sweet treats, choose from an array of desserts including: specialty cookies, homemade pies, cakes, cupcakes and platters such as Peanut Butter Balls, Brownie Bites and Ooey Gooey Bars.

There is no shortage of cookies at the Cookie Jar Bakeshop, but while fresh-baked cookies are the staple, custom cakes are the specialty. The bakers guarantee they can create your dream cake no matter the size, shape, flavor or design. They will also create custom-decorated cupcakes in jumbo or standard sizes, just the way you order them.

From corporate, community and sporting events to anniversaries, baby showers and business meetings, Owner Maura Galbraith guarantees the staff will produce exceptional cookies, cakes and more.

Stop in for a bite to eat and a homemade treat or order your custom cakes for your special occasion Monday-Friday from 7 a.m.-5 p.m. Whichever you choose, you are sure to find something tasty at the Cookie Jar Bakeshop.

For more information visit:
www.visitcentralflorida.org/destinations/cookie-jar-bakeshop
or find the Cookie Jar Bakeshop on Facebook at www.facebook.com/CookieJarBakeshop.

]]> http://sunnycentralflorida.com/2011/11/15/local-favorites-highlights-the-cookie-jar-bakeshop-2/feed/ 2 Oct 21-23: This Weekend in Florida’s Heart of the Arts http://sunnycentralflorida.com/2011/10/21/oct-21-23-this-weekend-in-floridas-heart-of-the-arts/ http://sunnycentralflorida.com/2011/10/21/oct-21-23-this-weekend-in-floridas-heart-of-the-arts/#comments Fri, 21 Oct 2011 13:11:30 +0000 Bev http://sunnycentralflorida.com/?p=1378

October is National Arts & Humanities Month and Polk County is celebrating in a big way with more than 100 arts and cultural activities happening in the Heart of the Arts during the month.

Friday, October 21st

Oct 21 Ghosts of Bartow Walking Tours, 9 to 11 pm at Polk County Historical Museum, Bartow. $25.00 includes a light reception, Polk Proud T-shirt and commemorative photograph. Not recommended for ages 10 & under.Tickets must be purchased in advance at the Museum prior to the day of the event.

Oct 21: Ask a Gardener from 10 to noon.  Get advice from gardening experts. Included with admission to Bok Tower Gardens, Lake Wales. Subject to change pending weather. (General: $12/Ages 5-12: $3)

Oct 21: ISO Fall Pops Concert FREE Orchestra concert at 7:30 p.m. in Munn Park. This concert kicks off the Hispanic Festival with an all Latin program.  Pre-concert activities begin at 6:00pm.

Oct 21: Red, White & the Blues 2011 | 6:30pm – 11pm. The Museum’s 10th annual wine tasting and blues concert featuring veteran bluesman Joe Louis Walker, Tampa Bay blues artist Selwyn Birchwood, great food, wine and craft beers. Tickets: $75 and $30

Oct 21: Florida Dance Dinner Fundraiser. Food served: 5-7pm at Lake Mirror Promenade. Dinner is Hamburger or Hotdog, Baked Beans & Chips, sponsored by Woodmen of the World. Presale tickets at FDT are $4. Tickets are $6 at event. Pics on the Promenade: “Beauty & the Beast” begins at dusk.

Friday & Saturday, October 21 & 22

Oct 21-22: The Sanatorium Haunted House Experience… The Carnival is Back in Town.  Open from 7-11pm. Lakeland Community Theatre at the Lake Mirror Center. Not recommended for children under 12.  Entry: $5

Saturday, October 22

Oct 22: History Highlights Polk Proud 150 at 2pm. Special guided tour on the history of the region at 2pm. Included with general admission to Bok Tower Gardens, Lake Wales. (General: $12/Ages 5-12: $3)

Oct 22: The Winner’s Invitational Opening Reception, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Ridge Art Associations Winner’s Invitation Exhibit is open to the public from October 24 to November 14 in the Ridge Art Gallery. FREE!

Oct 22: Arts on the Alley at Arts on the Park. 6:30 until 10:30pm. Live music by Billy Needs a Beard, food and beverages, live and silent auction, attendee art activity. $35 per person.

Oct 22: Jazz in the Park. The Harrison Jazz Band performs in Winter Haven’s Central Park at 7:30pm.  Concert presented for the Symphony Guild of Winter Haven. FREE!

Saturday & Sunday, October 22 & 23

Oct 22-23: The Over 55 Show Band performs in the Winter Haven Fine Arts Theatre at Polk State College on Saturday and Sunday, from 2-4pm. Tickets: $8/person.

]]> http://sunnycentralflorida.com/2011/10/21/oct-21-23-this-weekend-in-floridas-heart-of-the-arts/feed/ 1 Oct 7-9: This Weekend in the Heart of the Arts http://sunnycentralflorida.com/2011/10/06/oct-3-7-this-weekend-in-the-heart-of-the-arts/ http://sunnycentralflorida.com/2011/10/06/oct-3-7-this-weekend-in-the-heart-of-the-arts/#comments Thu, 06 Oct 2011 15:04:19 +0000 Bev http://sunnycentralflorida.com/?p=1322 It’s National Arts & Humanities Month and we are celebrating in the Heart of the Arts in a big way.  There are more than 100 arts and cultural activities taking place during October.

Attend arts activities this month and register for a chance to win awesome “ARTS” prizes! The rules are easy. Look for the Heart of the Arts Logo at participating arts and cultural events in Polk County.  Provide your contact information one time at each activity, so we can contact you if you are a winner. The more activities you experience, the more opportunities you have to win. Drawings take place in early November.

This weekend in the Heart of the Arts (Oct 7-9):

Oct 6-9: The Full Monty at Theatre Winter Haven

Oct 7: View & Review – Critiquing Emerging Artists (Photography) at Polk Museum of Art.

Oct 7: Ask a Gardener at Bok Tower Gardens

Oct 7: People’s Choice at Arts on the Park

Oct 7: Half Price Admission to Explorations V from 6-8pm

Oct 7: Cracker Storytelling Festival Ghost Stories at Polk County Historical Museum

Oct 7-8: THE EDGE Stage Read Series – “Hot L Baltimore” LCT at Lake Mirror Theatre

Oct 8: Opening Reception for Student Exhibition at Polk Museum of Art

Oct 8: History Highlights Polk Proud 150 at 2pm at Bok Tower Gardens

Oct 8: Underground at the Polk at the Historic Polk Theatre

Oct 9: Edward W. Bok Birthday Carillon Concerts at Bok Tower Gardens

View the complete EVENT CALENDAR.

Visit our listing with links to Polk’s arts & cultural organizations.

]]> http://sunnycentralflorida.com/2011/10/06/oct-3-7-this-weekend-in-the-heart-of-the-arts/feed/ 0 Kickoff Celebration for Polk County 150th Year http://sunnycentralflorida.com/2011/01/20/kickoff-celebration-for-polk-county-150th-year/ http://sunnycentralflorida.com/2011/01/20/kickoff-celebration-for-polk-county-150th-year/#comments Thu, 20 Jan 2011 21:55:16 +0000 Bev http://sunnycentralflorida.com/?p=965 Polk Proud 150 logoThe Board of County Commissioners invites you to join in celebrating Polk Proud 150, the 150th year of Polk County, with a special event on Saturday, February 12, 2011. We hope you will be a part of this once-in-a-generation opportunity to display our heritage and our civic pride.  The celebration begins 9am to 2pm at the Polk County Historical Museum.

The program features a Sesquicentennial proclamation, color guard, Polk School choir, Polk Cattlemen and Frontiersmen, a local history book sale and signing, cake cutting, and PGTV recording your memories of Polk County. For more information visit the official Polk Sesquicentennial web site PolkProud150.com.

Admission to the Polk County Historical Museum is free. The museum is located at 100 East Main Street, Bartow. For more information, call Myrtice Young at (863) 534-4386. Visit Polk County on the web, www.polk-county.net.

]]> http://sunnycentralflorida.com/2011/01/20/kickoff-celebration-for-polk-county-150th-year/feed/ 2 Arts are in Bloom This Weekend in Bartow http://sunnycentralflorida.com/2009/03/04/arts-are-in-bloom-this-weekend-in-bartow/ http://sunnycentralflorida.com/2009/03/04/arts-are-in-bloom-this-weekend-in-bartow/#comments Wed, 04 Mar 2009 19:56:12 +0000 kris http://sunnycentralflorida.com/?p=369 Dogwoods, azaleas and art are blooming in Bartow this weekend. It is time for the Bloomin’ Arts Festival, a two day celebration of  entertainment, a wide variety of food, a children’s section, quilt show, flower show, car show (Saturday only), and festival party that will provide an exciting atmosphere for all visitors. This is the 34th Annual festival, so it must be pretty good because large crowds keep coming back for more year after year! Make sure you get out there this weekend and enjoy the great weather and good fun in Bartow. The festival will run Saturday and Sunday from 10am-5pm.

]]> http://sunnycentralflorida.com/2009/03/04/arts-are-in-bloom-this-weekend-in-bartow/feed/ 1 Who is L.B. Brown? Find Out Next Weekend http://sunnycentralflorida.com/2009/02/05/who-is-lb-brown-find-out-next-weekend/ http://sunnycentralflorida.com/2009/02/05/who-is-lb-brown-find-out-next-weekend/#comments Thu, 05 Feb 2009 15:58:52 +0000 kris http://sunnycentralflorida.com/?p=327 I have to start this post with a confession. I have lived in Polk County my whole life and I did not know who L.B. Brown was until recently. Now that I do know, I wish I would have found out more about him earlier in my life because he was a fascinating person and a great American. His house still stands in Bartow and is the centerpiece of the festival that bares his name. If you are like me and don’t know Brown’s great story, you should definitely check out the 9th Annual L.B. Brown Festival in Bartow February 13-15. It is a weekend full of music, speakers and history that you won’t want to miss. This year’s theme is “Our Caribbean Connection” and there will be a a Buffalo Soldier presentation by re-enactor Lee Coffee Jr., a presentation on the history of the Caribbean Islands, a fashion show that includes hair fashions and elephant rides for the kids.

The Ledger has a great article today detailing all that will go on next weekend and you can also visit the official website for all the information and photos of past events. If you get the chance to experience the festival next weekend, be sure to let us know what you thought.

]]> http://sunnycentralflorida.com/2009/02/05/who-is-lb-brown-find-out-next-weekend/feed/ 1 New Exhibit Set to Open at Polk Historical Museum http://sunnycentralflorida.com/2009/01/21/new-exhibit-set-to-open-at-polk-historical-museum/ http://sunnycentralflorida.com/2009/01/21/new-exhibit-set-to-open-at-polk-historical-museum/#comments Wed, 21 Jan 2009 22:34:52 +0000 kris http://sunnycentralflorida.com/?p=297 Are you ready for some football? The Polk County Historical Museum is as they prepare to open a new exhibit highlighting “Polk’s Pigskin Past”. Sure, we all know about the recent successes of Polk County athletes on the college and NFL level, but this exhibit will stretch back into the past and highlight all the football stars from Polk County’s past. Here is some information about the event straight from the Historical Museum:

Join us for the grand opening of the new exhibit, Polk’s Pigskin Past!

This Saturday, January 24, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., the museum welcomes the Super Bowl with this look into Polk’s football history. A tailgate party, with free hot dogs and hamburgers, kicks off from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. The entire museum will be open to the public during usual business hours (9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.). Come enjoy this peek into Central Florida’s past, along with kid’s activities and football-themed movies. For more information, please contact the Historical Museum at (863) 534 – 4386.

It certainly sounds like a good time. Plus, who can pass up a FREE tailgate party?

]]> http://sunnycentralflorida.com/2009/01/21/new-exhibit-set-to-open-at-polk-historical-museum/feed/ 0 “Git R Done” This Weekend And More http://sunnycentralflorida.com/2008/11/13/git-r-done-this-weekend-and-more/ http://sunnycentralflorida.com/2008/11/13/git-r-done-this-weekend-and-more/#comments Thu, 13 Nov 2008 16:02:47 +0000 kris http://sunnycentralflorida.com/?p=239 By the clever headline, I am sure that you guessed Larry the Cable Guy is in town this weekend. You are correct! The comedian will be performing two shows only on Friday night at The Lakeland Center’s Youkey Theater, one at 7pm and the other at 9:30pm. Believe it or not, there are some tickets ($42.50)still available, so if you want to go, get them now. Larry the Cable Guy’s Friday night appearance will kick off a great weekend around Central Florida.

Here are some other events throughout the weekend:

Friday

Saturday

Sunday

]]> http://sunnycentralflorida.com/2008/11/13/git-r-done-this-weekend-and-more/feed/ 0 Out and About: Caution! BUSY Weekend Ahead http://sunnycentralflorida.com/2008/10/30/out-and-about-caution-busy-weekend-ahead/ http://sunnycentralflorida.com/2008/10/30/out-and-about-caution-busy-weekend-ahead/#comments Thu, 30 Oct 2008 13:57:01 +0000 kris http://sunnycentralflorida.com/?p=228 There will be no shortage of things to do around Central Florida this weekend, that is for sure. With Halloween falling on a Friday this year, that certainly adds some events to the calendar, but there is a lot more going on than just Halloween events (we will list those events in a separate post later). The big event this weekend is happening at Circle B Bar Reserve in Lakeland. Water, Wings & Wild Things: Polk Naturefest 2008will celebrate nature AND the Grand Opening of the new educational center at Circle B. It is a free event and will feature lots of activities for kids and adults. There will be free air boat rides on Lake Hancock, Birdhouse Building, Kite Making and native Florida wildlife among many other workshops and activities. It will be from 10am-2pm, so get there early so you can experience it all!

Here is the rest of the long list of things to do this weekend:

Friday

  • Live Music: Snafu Band     9pm     Holiday Inn Lakeland South        Lakeland
  • Florida International Jet Rally     9am-4:30pm      Lake Wales Airport      Lake Wales
  • Imperial Symphony Orchestra Pops Concert     8pm    Lake Mirror Promenade     Lakeland
  • Florida Home Show    11am-8pm    The Lakeland Center     Lakeland
  • Theater: “Pirates of Penzance”   7:30pm    Harrison Arts Center    Lakeland
  • Fall Festival  (Open Normal Park Hours)       Cypress Gardens           Winter Haven

Saturday

  • Water, Wings & Wild Things    10am-2pm    Circle B Bar Reserve     Lakeland
  • Florida International Jet Rally    9am-4:30pm    Lake Wales Airport    Lake Wales
  • Florida Home Show    10am-8pm    The Lakeland Center     Lakeland
  • Theater: “Pirates of Penzance”   7:30pm    Harrison Arts Center    Lakeland
  • “A Night at the Opera”   7:30pm     Bush Chapel    Southeastern University    Lakeland
  • “Rockabilly US Music Show”    7pm    Youkey Theater     The Lakeland Center
  • Death by Chocolate    7pm-9pm    Polk Museum of Art    Lakeland
  • Pioneer Day    8am     Fort Meade Historical Museum     Ft. Meade
  • Downtown Farmers Curb Market     8am-2pm      Peterson Plaza     Downtown Lakeland
  • Farmers Market     8am-2pm     North Blount Park     Bartow
  • Auto Racing: Auburndale Motor Speedway     6pm     Auburndale
  • Fall Festival  (Open Normal Park Hours)       Cypress Gardens           Winter Haven

Sunday

  • Florida International Jet Rally    9am-4:30pm    Lake Wales Airport    Lake Wales
  • Florida Home Show     10am-6pm    The Lakeland Center     Lakeland
  • Theater: “Pirates of Penzance”   2pm    Harrison Arts Center    Lakeland
  • Live Music: Bartow Adult Concert Band    2:30pm    Bartow Civic Center     Bartow
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