Community Corner
🌱 Patch AM: How a once-reluctant swimmer became Polk County’s fastest in the pool
Also check out Country Connections Line Dancers on the Lakeland Patch calendar
What's up Lakeland! Let's start this morning right by getting caught up on what's going on around town. Keep reading to stay in the loop. ☕️️
In today's newsletter:
- How a once-reluctant swimmer became Polk County’s fastest in the pool
- How did a Lakeland university make PragerU courses credit-worthy?
Today's riddle: What two things can you never eat for breakfast? . 🤔 (Answer below!)
Find out what's happening in Lakelandfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
- Monday: Mostly sunny and delightful, with a high of 78 and low of 43 degrees.
- Tuesday: Cooler with periods of sun, temps: high: 60, low: 36.
- Wednesday: Cool with plenty of sunshine, with a high of 61 and low of 42 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
• Love of winning has fueled Cabrera's rise as county's top boys swimmer (theledger.com) — Polk County’s top boys swimmer, Lake Wales junior Marcos Cabrera, has turned an early dislike of the pool into record-breaking performances and a state medal. His rise comes amid a strong county running scene that includes Lakeland Christian standout Wilkinson, recognized as Polk’s top girls runner. 
Find out what's happening in Lakelandfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
• Walters-backed PragerU says it's now connected with a real university (oklahoman.com) — A new partnership puts Lakeland’s own Southeastern University in the national spotlight, as it begins offering college credit for a PragerU-based American history course. The deal ties a local private campus to a conservative media nonprofit long promoted by Oklahoma education chief Ryan Walters, raising fresh questions about politics, curriculum, and what counts as “credit-worthy” coursework.
📸 Around Lakeland
Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!
📣 Lakeland 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
- Country Connections Line Dancers
Bartow, FL Calendar , 2250 S. Floral Ave. , Bartow
9:00 am - Honeybee Storytime at the Library [Ages 0-4]
Lake Alfred, FL Calendar , 245 N Seminole Avenue , Lake Alfred
10:30 am - Seniors on the Move
Bartow, FL Calendar Bartow, FL 33830
2:00 pm - Community Free Food Pantry
The Greater Plant City Chamber of Commerce , 402 West English St. , Plant City
6:00 pm - Yarn Over Broadway
Bartow, FL Calendar , 2150 S Broadway Ave. , Bartow
6:00 pm - Blast Off to the Holidays Camp
Bartow, FL Calendar , 520 S Herbert Dixon Blvd. , Bartow
7:30 am - Get Moving!
Bartow, FL Calendar , 2150 S Broadway Ave. , Bartow
9:30 am - Dance Fit
Bartow, FL Calendar , 520 S Herbert Dixon Blvd. , Bartow
12:30 pm - Afternoon Craft at the Library [ ages 5+]
Lake Alfred, FL Calendar Lake Alfred, FL 33850
4:00 pm - Game Night
Bartow, FL Calendar , 2150 S Broadway Ave. , Bartow
4:30 pm - Business Builders Roundtable Networking
OnPoint CoWork Solutions , 1805 James L Redman Pkwy , Plant City
8:15 am - Hong Kong Mahjong at the Library [ages 12+]
Lake Alfred Public Library , 245 N Seminole Ave , Lake Alfred
1:30 pm
Monday December 29
Tuesday December 30
Wednesday December 31
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
Thank you 👏👏👏 to the local businesses for making Lakeland PatchAM possible:
- Mindsee.it — (646) 663-8317
Teach your kids they can achieve the impossible!
Click here to show your appreciation! 💚
Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.
💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- Posting this for a friend!!
We need this sweet baby found!! Her name is Honey and she is a very sweet yet timid yellow lab!! Mulberry area!! (Nextdoor S Dossey Rd) - I’m gonna be the one to say it:
Every year we know we have fireworks coming up. They’re probably already going on now. We all know those that have dogs that have anxiety that hate… (Nextdoor Fairfax)
- Boyd Group Services Inc posted a job opening for Porter in Lakeland. Apply here.
- HCAOA posted a job opening for Deep Cleaner in Lakeland. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Lakeland here.
🗞 Nearby News
Auburndale
- Meet The Ledger's 2025 All-County Boys Swimming and Diving Team (theledger.com)
- Wife Killed Over NFL Game $1M Powerball Ticket: FL News (patch.com)
Polk City
- Man posted eerie message about Satan targeting his wife on social media, what happened hours later is every family's nightmare (attackofthefanboy.com)
Ok Lakeland! 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: Lunch and dinner. (From Norine S.)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!
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