What exactly is the Ultimate Fishing Town? The World Fishing Network has opened a contest for voters to select their pick for the town they feel is most passionate about fishing and a great destination for outdoor enthusiasts, and Lakeland, Lake Wales and Winter Haven are among the nominees.

Aside from the “Ultimate Fishing Town” title and honors, the town receiving the most votes will earn $25,000 to be donated to a cause benefiting local anglers. In addition to the contribution, the World Fishing Network will produce a television feature about the region, which will be broadcast on-air and online throughout the year. Second and third place winners will also receive community donations with $5,000 being awarded to second place and $2,500 to third.

The voting has already begun, so don’t wait to participate and help your community win! Cast your votes at World Fishing Network or click: Lakeland, Lake Wales or Winter Haven. The contest opened on Tuesday, May 1 and will close Thursday, May 31. The three winning cities will be announced around June 6.
Vote up to a maximum of four times per day per email address, with one vote every six hours.

Voting is limited to one vote cast during each of the following blocks:

Voting Block One 12:01 a.m. to 6:00 a.m.
Voting Block Two 6:01 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. ET
Voting Block Three 12:01 p.m. ET to 6:00 p.m. ET
Voting Block Four 6:01 p.m.ET to 12:00 a.m. ET

You can also earn up to eight additional votes by referring friends, adding local business listings or sharing your vote on Facebook or Twitter.

Don’t wait to help your county win! Recognized as the Largemouth Bass Capital of the World, it seems only fitting for Polk County to be the home of the “Ultimate Fishing Town”.

Located next to the Winter Haven Public Library, Richard’s offers guests a hometown feel in a tranquil setting. Flavorful origins and blends along with fresh scents and aromas are some of the things you can experience, here, while gazing out at the scenery of the sculptures and fountains of Central Park.

This local coffee shop has its own flair and a flavor to suit your every mood, taste or craving. Don’t believe us? Test it out for yourself while choosing from the many origins, blends and flavors. Prefer a tangy aroma and a smooth rich flavor? Select the Costa Rica Reserve SHB origin. Desiring a smokier taste? The Guatemala Antigua SHB origin may be just what you’re looking for. What about a craving for chocolate? Then the Java “Dutch Estate” is a must-try. Feel free to add your own twist by mixing in flavors to create an entirely new taste suited just to your liking.

While coffee is the obvious specialty, it isn’t the only thing you will find here. Tasty pastries, sweets, sandwiches, salads and specialty beverages such as espresso, frozen coolers, teas, smoothies and ciders are also on the menu at Richard’s.

Guests who stop into the coffee shop will have access to free WiFi along with Richard’s loyalty program, saving both time and money. If you don’t have the time to stay awhile, but still need a coffee fix, just call ahead to create your own flavor or take advantage of the café’s online ordering.

With café hours seven days a week, this fine coffee shop makes a great place to break up your monotonous schedule and getaway from life for a bit.

A pre-event party will be hosted on Friday April 20, 2012, 6:00 p.m. at the home of Zack and Nikki Morgan on Lake Eloise. Individual tickets will cost $25.00 and events proceeds will allow the Ridge Art Association to continue their efforts to complete the move to their new downtown Winter Haven location. The Ridge Art Association is the area’s oldest art organization and provides exhibits and programs, and contributes to the growth of our local cultural community. Come out and help to keep the arts and cultural community alive here in Polk County. is a great way to relax and help out an important part of the local community.

Chain of Lakes Golf Splash

Note: The Golf Splash has been rescheduled for Saturday, August 25.

The weather may be cooling off but the bite is red hot. The water level is still a little low but better than its been in a long time. On full day shiner trips we have averaged 30-40 fish with most being around 2-3 lbs. Bigger fish up to 9 lbs are starting to show up more frequently as well. Full day artificial bait trips have been producing 15-30 fish on average. Jerkbaits, rattlebaits, spinnerbaits, and deep diving crankbaits have all been productive.
 Submerged eelgrass or hydrilla beds are holding the highest concentrations of fish but some of the bigger bass are still relating to offshore structure such as ledges or shell beds. In green water lakes try slow rolling white or chartreuse spinnerbaits over and through the grassbeds from 4-8 ft. Ripping a rattlebait through the grass can be deadly also. Deeper cattails, reeds, and kissimmee grass are worth a shot as well with a flippin stick.
 In the clear lakes fish a little deeper. Grassbeds growing from 7-12 ft have been holding good numbers of fish. Work these areas with shad colored jerkbaits or deep diving crankbaits. Also keep an eye out and a rod ready for schooling bass. Junebug, redbug, and watermelon colored soft plastics on Texas/Carolina rigs will produce in these areas too.

Kissimmee Chain

The running water bite has, for the most part, came to a end. There’s still a trickle of current in some of the creeks which has a few bass hanging around the mouths and current breaks. Water has dropped a couple of feet but is still above normal pool. Surface temperature is varying from mid 60′s to low 70′s depending on weather conditions. Overall water clarity is better than it’s been in years throughout the chain due to last month’s heavy rainfall and the vast amount of water filtering hydrilla that is growing in all the lakes. The fishing remains phenomenal.
 With the abundance of water and cover available, bass can be found from shoreline areas all the way out to mid lake areas. They aren’t everywhere but once located you can really load the boat in a hurry. The fish seem to be grouped or schooled up according to size. Where ever you catch one big fish it is likely others are there as well. Full day shiner and artificial trips have been producing 20-40 fish on average up to 8 lbs. Average size has been 2-4 lbs.
 Topwaters, spinnerbaits, swimbaits, and jerkbaits have all been producing especially early in the morning in boat trails and along cover edges. Shad or shiner resembling baits have been best. During midday hours try Texas/Carolina rigged soft plastics around deeper or thicker cover. Junebug, watermelon, and black/blue colors are always good color choices. For bigger fish flip thick matted cover such as hyacinth, water lettuce, mud tussocks, and topped out hydrilla with 1-1 1/2 oz weighted Texas rigged craws or creature baits.

Central Florida is where you’ll find beautiful lakes, great bass fishing and Monte Goodman. Monte has made a career of doing what he enjoys and does best as a professional bass guide and successful tournament angler. Guiding and fishing competitively for the past 15 years has given him the experience, skill and knowledge it takes to be a great fisherman. Monte is also a vocal advocate of Florida’s habitat and conservation efforts, supports and practices “catch and release” himself and encourages others to do the same. A member of tournament trails such as FLW, FOMNTT, BFL, and B.A.S.S just to name a few. Credited with well over a hundred local tournament wins, was back to back Angler of the Year in the largest B.A.S.S. affiliated club in the world, and has won numerous Big Bass honors. Monte’s ability to adapt, his versatility and lengthy resume has earned him a reputation anyone would be proud of.

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.

Attend arts activities in October 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 only one time at each activity, so we can contact you if you are a winner, and you are done. The events are listed in Art-i-facts Magazine and on the Polk Arts website.

The more activities you experience, the more opportunities you have to win. Drawings will take place in early November.

Oct 3: Auditions for “It’s A Wonderful Life” at 7pm

Oct 3: After School Art (Ages 5 and up) at Polk Museum of Art, 4:30-5:30pm

Oct 3-7: Explorations V Children’s Daily Sessions

Oct 5: RAW TV at Southeastern University

Oct 6: NOVA – “The Incredible Journey of the Butterflies” at Bok Tower Gardens

Oct 6: FSC’s Florida Lecture Series Welcomes Frank Laumer – “Soldiers, Seminoles, and Slavery: Florida and the Second Seminole War”

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 Children’s Museum 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” at Lakeland Community Theatre

View the complete October EVENT CALENDAR>>

View the October events calendar on polkarts.org, or learn more about the inaugural Heart of the Arts Festival in the fall issue of Art-i-facts Magazine available at Polk Outpost 27, Polk Museum of Art, Theatre Winter Haven, Lake Wales Arts Center and numerous arts and cultural venues throughout Polk County.

Polk’s inaugural  Heart of the Arts Festival is sponsored in part by the Polk County Advertising Federation.

Saturday, October 1^st

7pm & 10pm: Le Cabaret de Polk at the Historic Polk Theatre inLakeland. The songs of Johnny Cash performed by some of your favorite local artists: Brian Sutherland, Craig Morby, Sarah Machinia, Kimberly Milton, and Sharon Clark. Directed by Paul Hughes. Musical director Patrick Fleitz.

2:30pm & 7:30pm: The Full Monty at Theatre Winter Haven.  At heart, a musical comedy, this is the most fun you can have when others take their clothes off. In fact, you may laugh so hard you can hardly “bare” it. Katrina Ploof directs the action with Kevin Davis choreographing.

10am – Noon: Lake Wales Arts Council hosts a Meet the Highwaymen and painting demo by Florida Highwayman Robert Lewis.  Highwaymen Al Black and Issac Knight will also be in attendance. Bob Beatty’s Florida’s Highwaymen, Legendary Landscapes books are available at the Arts Center.  This event is the perfect time to purchase a book and have it signed! Paintings by all three Highwaymen will be available for sale. There is no admission charge for this event but donations are always appreciated.

10am – 4pm (bring your own lunch): Beginning Photography – Point & Shoot at Polk Museum of Art with instructor Gregory Mills. Cost: $35 Members, $50 Non-Members (Pre-registration Required)

10:30am – Noon: Family Fun Workshop – Drawing at the Polk Museum of Art. A safe, fun environment for families to participate together in hands-on activities led by an art educator. FREE for everyone.

7:30pm: Ultimate Broadway: Memorable Movement & Musical Moments with Lakeland Community Theatre and Florida Dance Theatre.

Sunday, October 2^nd

2:30pm: The Full Monty at Theatre Winter Haven.  Last chance is Oct 6-9.

2:00pm: Last chance to see Ultimate Broadway: Memorable Movement & Musical Moments with Lakeland Community Theatre and Florida Dance Theatre.

2:00pm: Sunday Classic Film Walk the Line at Historic Polk Theatre.

2:00pm: Auditions for It’s A Wonderful Life at Theatre Winter Haven.

Learn more about what’s going on in Central Florida’s Heart of the Arts by viewing the October events calendar on polkarts.org, picking up the fall issue of Art-i-facts Magazine available at Polk Outpost 27, Polk Museum of Art, Theatre Winter Haven, Lake Wales Arts Center and numerous arts and cultural venues throughout Polk County, or at visitcentralflorida.org.

Sept 19-23, 10:30am-12:00pm
Daily Sessions at Explorations V Children’s Museum

Magical Monday, Sept 19           Where the Wild Things Are       Literacy
Terrific Tuesday, Sept 20           Fall Leaf Match                              School Readiness
Wacky Wednesday, Sept 21       Cracker Toppers                           Cup Cooking”
Thrilling Thursday, Sept 22       Traffic Sign Shapes                      Science/Math
Fun Friday, Sept 23                      Sunflower Garden                        Creative Activities

All sessions are included with admission, which is $7 per person. Senior Citizens age 65 and over and military are $3.50. Children under two are free. Additional information can be obtained by calling 863.687.3869 or via email to info@explorationsv.com.  Visit us on the web at www.explorationsv.com.

Sept 20, 5:45-7:00pm
Tea & Symphony: Magic of the Flute
The Lake Hunter Room at The Lakeland Center

The first event of the Imperial Symphony Orchestra’s 2011-2012 Season. Enjoy light hors d’oeuvres, tea or a glass of wine with other music lovers and learn about the life and music of the composers featured on the upcoming Masterworks Concert on the following Tuesday (Sept 27). These fascinating lecture/demonstrations are facilitated by Music Director Mark Thielen. Admission is $15 at the door. Phone: 863.688.3743.

Sept 21, 7:00pm and 9:00pm
RAW TV: Live Shows in Bolin Studio

Southeastern University’s RAW TV, is a live, student-produced, television talk show that targets young adults. The mission of RAW TV, whose acronym stands for “Real And Willing,” is to openly discuss relevant issues and topics with its guests. In September 2007, the show began appearing nationwide on National Religious Broadcasters (NRB) Network via satellite television. Learn more about RAW TV on the Southeastern University website or by phone 863.667.5119.

Sept 15-18: The Full Monty presented by Theatre Winter Haven at the Chain of Lakes Complex. Thu-Sat, Sept 15-17, 7:30pm; Sun, Sept 18, 2:30pm.  Adults $22/Students $19. Can’t make it this week? You are in luck. The show runs through October 9th. Tickets: 863-294-7469.

Sept 16-18: The Wind in the Willows, a “Theatre for Youth” production of Lakeland Community Theatre at the Lake Mirror Theatre. This weekend only! Fri, Sat 7:30pm and Sat, Sun 2pm. $10 Adults /$8 Children 12 & Under. Tickets: 863-603-7529.

Sept 16-18: The Tale of Snow White, a children’s theatre production of Lake Wales Little Theatre. Fri-Sat, Sept 16-17, 7:30pm; Sun, Sept 18 2:00pm. The show also runs next weekend (Sept 23-25). Adults $10 /18 & Under $7. Call the voice-mail ticket line at 863-679-8587.

Saturday, Sept 17, 2011. Family Day: World on a Plate.  11am to 3pm. Polk Museum of Art in Lakeland’s FREE annual open house and art carnival for the entire family! Information: 863-688-5423.

Saturday, September 17. Opening Reception for Inspirations: The Member’s Exhibition at Ridge Art Association in the Chain of Lake Complex, Winter Haven. 6:30 to 8:30pm.  Check out the FREE exhibition before you go see The Full Monty right across the lobby. Phone 863-291-5661 for more information.

September 18:  Hidden Garden Melodies from noon to 4pm. Guitarist Joe Gavin performs in the East Glade of Bok Tower Gardens. Included with general admission of Adults $10 / Children $3. Phone 863-676-1408 for more information.

Sunday, September 18th from 2-4pm enjoy the Over 55 Show Band in the Winter Haven Fine Arts Theatre at Polk State College. Tickets $8/person. Phone: (863)297-1050.

Sunday, September 18th. Enjoy a Mel Brooks Double Feature for only $5/person at the historic Polk Theatre in Lakeland. Blazing Saddles begins at 2pm. Young Frankenstein begins at 4pm.

View the Polk Arts Alliance event calendar to learn more about these events and other arts and cultural events happening throughout Polk County.