Polk County invites residents to two heart-awareness events this month, Winter Haven Hospital’s Heart Smart Days Festival and Lakeland Regional Medical Center’s Matters of the Heart.

Kicking off National Heart Month, Winter Haven Hospital is holding a series of events to promote heart awareness beginning with “An Affair of the Heart Ladies Luncheon” and lecture on Friday, February 3 at 12:00 p.m. Heart Smart Day will begin at 7:30 a.m. on Saturday, February 11. The festival will continue with Heart-to-Heart Cardiac Support Tuesday, February 14 at 3:00 p.m., and will come to a close the following week on Tuesday, February 21 with a community lecture at 5:00 p.m. The Heart Smart Days Festival proceeds will benefit the patients served by Winter Haven Hospital’s Bostick Heart Center.

“Matters of the Heart” is a one-day community health event Friday, February 10 at First Presbyterian Church, 175 Lake Hollingsworth Drive, in Lakeland. The health fair will take place from 1:30-2:00 p.m. and will be followed by presentations from Lakeland Regional Medical Center’s Heart Center Team: Andres Medina, MD, cardiovascular & thoracic surgeon and Rajesh Lall, MD, interventional cardiologist from 2:00-3:00 p.m. Andrea Oliver of Hall Communications will be the emcee for the afternoon. The event is free and open to the public, but reservations must be made in advance.

Be sure to take advantage of these opportunities to ensure you are living a heart-smart lifestyle!

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.

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.

The story of the Café first began with the opening of Lang Sun Country Groves in 1951, a company that has now been handed down through generations. As a result of a great response to their shipments, Lang’s became a Florida Gift Fruit Shipper and eventually opened a gift shop. A few years ago, Lang’s participated in “Strawberry Week Celebration” where a tent was set up outside of the shop. Typical to Florida, bad weather struck, so the strawberry shortcake and the celebration were moved indoors to the space typically used for bagging fruit. After moving inside, employees offered to make homemade biscuits and soup to go along with the shortcake, and essentially, this is what inspired the Taste of Florida Café.

The menu at Taste of Florida Café consists of a variety of scrumptious soups, salads, sandwiches, wraps and desserts, including their signature Grapefruit Pie and popular strawberry shortcake. Be sure to try items such as the Grapefruit Slaw Dog, Hawaii Croissant or Cordon Blue at the cafe. 

If you try something you cannot live without, just ask for the recipe! Lang’s wants their guests to feel like family too and will gladly share their recpies, including the famous Grapefruit Pie recipe.

Now is a great time to taste what the cafe has to offer and experience Lang’s southern charm since it is now open for the season. Taste of Florida Café is open from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Monday-Saturday during the months of October through May and is located on Highway 17 in Haines City.

To find out more about Lang’s visit http://www.visitcentralflorida.org/destinations/langs-taste-of-florida-caf
or hear more about Taste of Florida Cafe and view an online menu at:
http://www.langsuncountry.com/shop/taste-of-florida-cafe.php

If a quaint, picnic-style lunch is what you’re in the mood for, then plan a visit to The Back Porch Restaurant at The Barn in Lake Alfred. The Back Porch makes a great place to hold a luncheon, celebrate a special occasion or spend a day with family and friends.

When walking into the restaurant, you are greeted by friendly employees and instructed to take a paper menu with you to your table. It is your choice where to sit. Decide on one of three indoor dining areas with hand-painted tables or choose outdoor patio seating overlooking a nature pond. Once seated, choose from a selection of soups, salads, sandwiches and desserts. Make your choice from weekly specials or from the Wales’ favorite items that can always be found on the menu such as the Back Porch Vegetable Soup or the Turkey D’lite sandwich. Not to mention, the food at The Back Porch is fresh and prepared daily using the Wales’ family recipes.

If the kids are joining and are not interested in the traditional menu options, then the Teddy Bear Picnic (a peanut butter & jelly sandwich or a hot dog with chips and a cookie) is just the choice for them.

The process of ordering and delivering is unlike other restaurants. After looking over the menu, grab a pencil (found on the center of the table), and check off the menu items you have decided on. Once you mark your selections, jot down your table number along with your name on the sticky note attached to the top corner of your menu. Then, take your menu to the counter and check out.

Be sure to decide on a flavored tea or try the sample dips at the front of the restaurant while you wait for your tasty picnic-style lunch. Once your food is prepared, a server will deliver your lunch in a charming, wooden picnic basket using the information you wrote on the sticky note to locate you.

Make a day out of your visit, since The Back Porch is found at The Barn which includes shops such as The Barn Antiques, The Stable, The Seasons Gift Shop and The Back Yard Garden Shop.

Owned and operated by the Wales family for over 43 years, The Barn is the epitome of family tradition. Whether you are hunting for antiques, shopping for home accessories, searching for garden and lawn accessories or just browsing for gifts and seasonal décor, The Barn offers it all.

To check for weekly specials and other updates at The Back Porch, find them on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/pages/The-Back-Porch/98495488931

Or visit The Stable on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/pages/The-Stable-Home-Decor/114550385225034

The Wales’ family just celebrated the 43^rd opening day of The Barn which is located on Highway 557A in Lake Alfred. While the shops at The Barn are only open October-May, The Back Porch Restaurant is now open year-round.

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.

Are you craving great barbeque?

Peebles Bar-B-Q has been serving up barbeque in Central Florida for over 50 years and has become something of a landmark to Polk County.

It is difficult to miss Peebles’ location on Old Dixie Highway in Auburndale with the aroma of southern barbeque lingering in the air. This savory scent greets guests’ noses from the moment they enter the parking lot to the second they step foot through the door.

Peebles offers the option of dine-in or take-out, and making that decision can be a tough one. The food is just as tasty either way, but to truly capture the complete experience and discover how good barbecue is meant to be eaten, dining in is a must. With a screened-porch dining area and an indoor smoke pit, it is easy to feel Peebles’ down-home atmosphere in its Old Florida setting.

Don’t mistake Peebles’ simplicity with lack of quality, though. With flavorful menu options of sliced beef, shredded pork, ribs and a recent addition of chicken, you can’t make a wrong decision. Add their signature barbeque sauce and try sides of coleslaw and baked beans for a tasty addition to complete the meal.

Grab it while it’s hot because Peebles is now open for the season. With weekend hours on Thursday-Saturday, it is the perfect time to make a visit to Peebles and discover some of Central Florida’s best barbeque for yourself.

Arts & Cultural Events and Exhibits this week.
Monday, September 26 – Sunday, October 2, 2011
Click the links below to learn more.

Events:

Sep 26-Nov 5: Fall Art Classes at Polk Museum of Art
Sept 26-30: Explorations V Children’s Daily Sessions
Sept 26: After School Art (Ages 5 & Up)
Sept 26 & 27: Auditions for LCT Main Stage Production of Anything Goes
Sept 27: ISO Masterworks I: “Magic of the Flute”
Sept 29: Fall Film Series – Islands in Time
Sept 29-Oct 2: The Full Monty
Sept 30 – Oct 1: Le Cabaret de Polk
Oct 1: Meet the Highwaymen & Painting Workshop
Oct 1: Beginning Photography – Point & Shoot
Oct 1: Family Fun Workshop – Drawing
Oct 1-2: Ultimate Broadway – Memorable Movement & Musical Moments
Oct 2: Final 2011 Sunday Summer Classic Film – Walk the Line
Oct 2-3: Auditions for “It’s A Wonderful Life”

Exhibitions:

Through Sept 29: Emerging Environmentalists Art Exhibit
Through Sept 30: Artists Alexis Gonzales & Evelyn Verhey
Through Oct 8: Figuration
Through Oct 9: Inspirations, The Members Exhibition
Through Oct 13: Against All Odds: The Florida Highwaymen
Open Sept 30-Oct 28: Blacklight by Al Kriston
Through Oct 31: Hispanic Heritage Gallery Exhibit
Open Oct 1-31: Artist Ronald Fields & the High School Show
Through Nov 13: The (Lost) Art Of Drawing
Open Oct 1-Dec 1: Elizabeth St. Hilaire Nelson Music & Nature Paper Painting Art Exhibit
Through Dec 10 – Jessica Lange: In Mexico
Through Dec 10 – En Plein Sight: Paintings by Lilian Garcia-Roig
Through May 1, 2012: Ridge Art Presents Third Annual Aviation Exhibition

Bok Tower Gardens Remembers at 2 p.m.
Commemorate the 10th anniversary of 9/11 during a time of quiet reflection as we honor the memory of our fallen heroes. Help plant two live oak tree dedicated to world peace during a special ceremony featuring Rob Quam, Lake Wales Care Center director. Included with admission; 863-676-1408; www.boktowergardens.org

10th Anniversary Commemorative Concert at 4 p.m.
The Bach Festival of Central Florida and Florida Southern College present a Tenth Anniversary Commemorative Concert of September 11, 2001 at FSC’s Branscomb Auditorium. The program features choruses, orchestras, bands and other music ensembles of all ages from Central Florida to remember and honor those who lost their lives that tragic morning. The featured soloist is Kimberly Milton. The music will be traditionally American. All are invited. Admission is free.

The program includes quotations from memorial words and searching questions, which were posted on churches, walls and fences surrounding Ground Zero. These were posted in the days and weeks following the smoldering holocaust and remain on the barricades of the entire area to this day.

ROTC Honor Guard Flag ceremonials will open and close the event along with the singing of the National Anthem and patriotic favorites. The intention of the concert is to be a tribute to the fallen heroes of that dreadful day when the whole world stood still.  “Lest We Forget.”

9/11 Memorial Concert at 7 p.m.
First Presbyterian Church presents a “9/11 Memorial Concert” on Sunday, Sept. 11, 2011, in the FPC Sanctuary, 175 Lake Hollingsworth Drive, Lakeland, at 7:00 p.m.  This concert is FREE and open to the public.  All are welcomed to attend and join in this remembrance!

The concert will include the haunting Fauré “Requiem” and Copland’s “Quiet City” as musical tributes to the tragic events that occurred ten years ago on 9/11.  Interspersed with the music and congregational hymns, this Memorial Concert includes poignant stories, poetry, and scripture to evoke recollections of that heartbreaking day in our history.

Lakeland’s Chandler King returns from the American Boychoir in Princeton, NJ to sing Fauré’s beloved “Pie Jesu.”

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.