Community Corner
🌱 How Bartow’s unbeaten hoops handed Olympia its only loss
And check out TEAM EXALT Elevate and "Raise your Bar" — CenFlo R/C on the Bartow Patch calendar
Good morning Bartow! Your connection to what's happening around town is here. Take a sip of coffee and read on. ☕️️
In today's newsletter:
- How Bartow’s unbeaten hoops handed Olympia its only loss
Also on today's calendar: Main Street Bartow's Light Up Bartow Parade and 5 more events.
Find out what's happening in Bartowfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Today's riddle: What did one tuna say to the other after getting caught stealing files from work? 🤔 (Answer below!)
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Find out what's happening in Bartowfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
- Thursday: Mostly sunny and nice, with a high of 72 and low of 45 degrees.
- Friday: Nice with plenty of sunshine, temps: high: 73, low: 50.
- Saturday: Partly sunny and nice, with a high of 79 and low of 56 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
• Zero boys basketball unbeatens; Miss Volleyball; TFA honors (orlandosentinel.com) — Bartow High’s 7-0 boys basketball squad gets a nod here as the team that handed Olympia its lone early-season loss, underscoring Bartow’s strength against top Central Florida competition. The wider piece tracks parity in Orlando-area hoops, standout volleyball honors, and strong showings in wrestling, soccer, and cross country across the region. 
📸 Around Bartow
Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!
🗓 Upcoming Events in Bartow
★ Featured events ★
- TEAM EXALT Elevate and "Raise your Bar" — CenFlo R/C
Triple Nickel RC Park, 850 Co Rd 555, Bartow
9:30 am
Friday December 12
Want to see your event featured? Click here!
Other local events
- Get Moving! Chair Yoga
Bartow, FL Calendar , 2150 S Broadway Ave. , Bartow
9:30 am - Library Closing Early
Bartow, FL Calendar , 2150 S Broadway Ave. , Bartow
1:00 pm - Main Street Bartow's Light Up Bartow Parade
Bartow Civic Center Beach Volleyball Court , 2250 S Floral Ave , Bartow
6:00 pm - Antique Fair Along Main Street
Main Street , 300 block of East Main Street , Bartow
8:00 am - Mistletoe Market
Main Street Bartow Inc , 180 S Central Ave , Bartow
10:00 am - Pokémon Club
Bartow, FL Calendar , 2150 S Broadway Ave. , Bartow
11:00 am - Teen Anime Club
Bartow, FL Calendar , 2150 S Broadway Ave. , Bartow
1:00 pm
Friday December 12
Saturday December 13
📣 Bartow Shout Outs!
Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!
🗓 Events Nearby
- Songs & Stories
Bartow Public Library , 2150 S Broadway Ave , Bartow
11:00 am - Swirly Snowman-BlackLight
Painting with a Twist , 6264 Cypress Gardens Blvd , Winter Haven
4:00 pm - Lake Wales Live: Make it Magical Holiday Jazz Concert.
Market Plaza , Lake Wales, FL 33853, USA
5:00 pm - Christmas in the Village Drive Through
Florida Flywheelers Antique Engine Club , 7000 Avon Park Cut Off Rd , Fort Meade
6:00 pm
Thursday December 11
Friday December 12
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.
💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- FOUND DOG ALERT!
is this your pet? Pet was found on December 08, 2025 near Polk County, FL For more details about this pet or to contact the finder, click here:… (Nextdoor South West Bartow) - Dan just saw a golden coyote cross Sunrise & Sailpoint Drive in Bartow.
Dan sits out front many hours daily, he has seen many wild animals. It’s 5:50 am. (Nextdoor South West Bartow)
- Tractor Supply posted a job opening for Merchandising Sales Associate in Bartow. Apply here.
- Pilot Travel Centers, LLC posted a job opening for Janitorial Maintenance in Bartow. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Bartow here.
🗞 Nearby News
Mulberry
- Which Polk County high school wrestling program has had the best moments so far? Vote (theledger.com)
- Polk County deputies bust 3 accused of giving kids counterfeit money to spend at Lakeland businesses (fox13news.com)
- Mulberry Gears Up for a Festive Night at the Annual Christmas Parade December 13 (dailyridge.com)
Winter Haven
- Winter Haven Public Safety Seeking Winter Haven Residentsto Participate in 2026 Winter Haven Public Safety Leadership Council (winterhavendaily.com)
- Winter Haven residents fume over zoning change on Thompson Nursery Road (theledger.com)
- Welcome, World Travelers! More Muppet Experiences Coming to Disney Parks and Cruises (winterhavendaily.com)
Ok Bartow! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I could get canned for this!
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!
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