Hello Winter Haven! Hope your coffee tastes especially good this morning. In today’s bring-the-kiddos edition: Free summer meal sites, a cattle drive celebration, and Little Sprouts Story Time + excuses to get the fam out and about this week.
Your insurance won't cover a $12,000 HVAC bill: If your furnace quits before it warms up, your homeowners insurance will tell you it's a "maintenance issue" and wish you luck. Insurance covers sudden disasters. It doesn't cover the systems that wear out over time, and those are the expensive ones. A home warranty is built for exactly this. HVAC, water heater, appliances, plumbing, electrical... all covered for less than $1/day with no age restrictions on what's covered. You call, they send a tech, you pay a service fee. They handle the rest. This one's 50% off right now.* |
01 — Worth knowing In the newsThree local stories this week, plus a few worth your money.
Major corridor taking shape: Florida's Turnpike Enterprise is expanding Central Polk Parkway with a 4-lane toll road from S.R. 540 to U.S. 17. Construction continues, with completion expected in mid to late 2027 -- read the full story.
Helping local families stretch meals: Polk County expands free Summer BreakSpot meal sites for kids 18 and under, no adult needed. In Lake Wales, Boys & Girls Clubs serve 2,000 meals a day -- learn more about the expansion.
A heritage celebration: Circle B Bar Reserve will host a free cattle drive and Cow Camp rededication July 1 at 9 a.m., with Mason Gravley’s live podcast and Nature Fun Day activities -- see what's planned.
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.*
The bill all retirees should double check: Car insurance. If you’ve been on the same plan for years, you might be paying way more than you need to. It’s an easy one to forget about, but switching could save you up to $600 this year. Case in point: I shopped around and ended up cutting my premium in half -- this free comparison tool makes it easy.*
You've traveled abroad without being able to speak the local language. You can change that in just 10 minutes a day. Most people are holding real conversations within three weeks. In fact, 92% of users improved their proficiency in just two months, with 25 million subscriptions sold -- take 55% off.* Highlights this week: |
02 — From our sponsor Your insurance won't cover a $12,000 HVAC billIf your furnace quits before it warms up, your homeowners insurance will tell you it's a "maintenance issue" and wish you luck. Insurance covers sudden disasters. It doesn't cover the systems that wear out over time, and those are the expensive ones. A home warranty is built for exactly this. HVAC, water heater, appliances, plumbing, electrical... all covered for less than $1/day with no age restrictions on what's covered. You call, they send a tech, you pay a service fee. They handle the rest. This one's 50% off right now.* |
03 — On our radar
Local business spotlightNearby spots we'd actually send a friend to.
Where to find rare greens: Whether your Winter Haven yard needs a little shade, a lot of wow, or something that survives August without drama, Cypress Gardens Nursery is a boutique grower with hard-to-find palms, flowering trees, and tropical accents grown nearby. Local pickup and Central Florida plant-sale pop ups make it incredibly easy.
Retro comfort, zero fuss: Lucille's American Cafe nails the nostalgia without feeling stuck in time, serving scratch-made hits like Tomato Bleu Cheese Soup, Chicken Pot Pie, and that Macadamia Chicken locals rave about. Slide into a cozy booth downtown, trade stories, and let dessert be a decision for Future You.
Downtown splash-and-play: Whether you need a quick after-work energy burn or a Saturday sanity saver, Trailhead Park Playground brings a big kid friendly setup plus a legit splash pad in the heart of town. Pack a towel, let them loose, then treat yourself to a nearby iced coffee on the stroll home.
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04 — Our recommendations
We got your backA handful of products and services we think are worth a look.
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Need cash but can't take on another monthly payment? This gets you a lump sum from your home's equity with no monthly bill and no interest, because it isn't a loan. Use the funds for anything, whether that's home improvements, paying off debt, or a large purchase, and pay it back by the end of your 30-year term. Checking your offer is easy, fully online, and won't affect your credit score. *See your cash offer →
Buy one window treatment this summer, get the second 50% off: “My fourth order over 8 years. Product reliability, consistency to values & warranty kept me returning!” See what keeps customers coming back to 3 Day Blinds. Book your free consultation and enjoy summer savings on blinds, shades, and drapery. *Claim your summer savings →
Carrying $5,000 or more on your cards? Stop the interest charges: A balance that size racks up interest fast, and at today's rates it barely budges no matter how much you pay. This card gives you 0% intro APR until 2028 on balance transfers (made in the first 60 days), with a $0 annual fee. That means almost two years to pay down what you owe with no interest charges. *See if it's a fit →
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Have an event to share? We (and our readers) can't wait to hear about it! Submit an event → |
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05 — The event calendar Fun for the famOur favorite upcoming kid and family-friendly events. All events are subject to change. Always check official event pages before heading out.
📚 Whrcc Branch: Little Sprouts Story Time @ Winter Haven Recreation and Cultural Center | Thursday (6/25) at 10:30 AM – This story time serves up songs, finger plays, and puppet shenanigans that sneak in early literacy while the kids think it is just fun. Themes change weekly, and it is for ages five and under with a grown-up who tolerates tiny chairs.
🎪 Pop-Up @ Heartland Church | Friday (6/26) at 6:00 PM – Nothing beats a summer family night where you do zero cooking. Heartland Church is hosting an easy win with a food pop-up, a solid play zone for the kids, and space to swap stories with friends, laugh a little, and actually finish a conversation.
🐄 Open Barn Friday @ Hope Equine Rescue | Friday (6/26) at 6:00 PM – Friday at the barn means cleaner stalls than your garage, curious noses, and a front row seat to second chances. Tour Hope Equine Rescue, meet the rehabbed charmers, learn how they land new homes, and RSVP so the herd, and you, keep it calm.
🎲 Free RPG Day 2026 @ Doombrowski Games & Comics | Saturday (6/27) at 1:00 PM – Patio weather isn’t required for rolling dice, telling stories, and avoiding email. Free RPG Day brings multiple tables across different systems, including one run by Jason, the guy behind the counter. Free loot all day, and a raffle if you hang around.
🍽 Free "Dinner & Movie" @ Dundee Methodist Church | Saturday (6/27) at 5:00 PM – Whether you're wrangling grandkids or just craving a low-fuss night, this free, monthly dinner and a movie at the church hits the spot. Real food, real neighbors, zero buffering, and no dishes at home. Cozy, wholesome, and surprisingly fun.
🐟 Across the Sea for Mommy & Me @ Painting with a Twist | Saturday (6/27) – Skip the tank cleanup and make a splash at this Mommy & Me paint session, where you pick your fish and experienced, enthusiastic local artists steer the strokes, step by step. Bring friends, share laughs, and leave with wall-worthy art, no aquarium filter required.
Want more? Browse our full events calendar | Submit an event |
06 — From our sponsor Heads up for pet parentsTogether with our sponsor Lemonade. Nothing prepares you for a late-night emergency at the vet. I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache. From the initial exam fee just to be seen, to x-rays, surgery, medication, and follow-up visits… the bill racks up fast (to say the least). And at that moment? You’re not thinking about your savings, you’re just saying yes to whatever keeps them thriving. As soon as we got home, I dug around online and ultimately signed up for Pet Insurance. It was too late for me, but you could save thousands on your next vet bill with *Lemonade. |
07 — The Winter Haven report Weather forecastToday — High: 93°F — Low: 74°F — Precip: 42%
A chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 93. Heat index values as high as 101. West wind 3 to 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible. Later: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms before 8pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 74. Heat index values as high as 98. West wind 1 to 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Tomorrow — High: 95°F — Low: 75°F — Precip: 42%
A chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 95. Southwest wind 1 to 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%. Later: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 2am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 75. South southwest wind 2 to 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%. This house is wildThis 4-bedroom, 2-bath Lake Hamilton retreat blends roomy everyday comfort with standout water views from both sitting areas and the dining room. A charming courtyard adds extra outdoor appeal, while the deck opens to easy lakefront relaxation. Spacious interiors make remote work and hosting simple, and shopping, dining, and Legoland are close by.
Take a peek inside → |
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