FSC Historic Minute Snippet

The Florida Southern College campus is home to 13 Frank Lloyd Wright structures, including six unique structures of Wright’s 70 year career. Although Wright never graduated high school, he was an intelligent man whose architecture career was inspired by his fascination with the beauty of nature.

Watch the video below for a one-minute historic snippet from FSC’s Director of Tourism Mark Tlachac. 

Concord Comes to Lakeland

A new coffee shop opened up in Lakeland and locals are buzzing with reviews of their experience. Reporter Ashley Buckley went out into the field to see what sets Concord Coffee apart from other coffee shops.

 

1. Concord Coffee is a new coffee shop that opened in Lakeland. The word concord means an agreement or harmony between people.

T-shirts, hats, and other merchandise are sold at Concord.

Concord also sells a variety of healthy snacks and indulgements.

Concord has a very minimalist/”hipster” style.

Many gathered for the grand opening and enjoyed this new spot in historic Dixieland.

Customers can choose from a variety of tea leaves and flavors, which are brewed right in front of them.

The tea leaves get covered in boiling water, and the tea filters through into the cup.

Concord has coffee beans from all over the U.S. and different countries. “We roast on site,” said Manager Naida Lindberg.

The employees work together on their first shifts and teach each other new coffee making skills.

An employee levels off ground coffee beans.

The Lakelandia is one of the signature drinks. Believe it or not, there’s no coffee in it.

“The pastries and donuts are really good. Best donut I had in my life,” FSC student Kenzie McMullen said.

And to top it off, you can take your coffee on the go and still have the pretty leaf design on top.

 

Concord: Hit or Miss?

Concord Coffee in Historic Dixieland opened its doors to the public. Lakelanders have been buzzing about this new coffee shop through Instagram and Facebook posts. However, there have been some mixed reviews.

Senior Kenzie McMullen made a Facebook post about how she was disappointed with Concord. McMullen says she expected something else.

 

“There weren’t many choices. I thought I was getting an iced mocha, and there were pieces of chocolate in the bottom of my drink,” McMullen said.

Senior Dion Spires considers himself a coffee enthusiast and decided to check out Concord with McMullen. Spires did not like the small menu.

“They didn’t have size choices, and everything was overpriced,” Spires said.

Spires also attested that the mocha drink was not well prepared.

“It felt like it didn’t taste like anything,” Spires said.

McMullen and Spires also had an unpleasant experience with an employee. Both stated that the employee was being very rude and not friendly toward customers.

“I told him I didn’t like coffee too much and he said, ‘I can make you chocolate milk, I guess.’ I didn’t realize he was making fun of me,” McMullen said.

However, Concord did receive some great feedback from others. FSC Alum Maggie Ross visited and had some tips for fellow coffee-goers.

“If you are a coffee lover, order the Brazil pour over. The rich caramel flavor noted with nutty molasses undertones is delicious,” Ross said.

Ross also believes Concord is a place where you don’t go “to go.” You come and enjoy watching the craft pour overs and latte art.

Junior Lauren Miley also enjoyed her experience and said she would love to go back every week.

“It’s unlike any coffee I’ve ever had. It’s very natural, smooth and delicious,” Miley said.

Concord opened its doors on March 28 and has had a room full of customers since. Only time will tell how and if this business will flourish.

 

Related Stories:

New Coffee Shop Coming Early 2015

Living the Coffee Shop Dream

What Are the Perks of Owning a Small Business?

One Cup At A Time

 

 

History meets present day cinema

The Polk Theatre is a very prominent sign that many drive past every day while going through Lakeland. Few take advantage of the cheap ticket and concession prices that improve the cinematic experience. With four showings every weekend comprising of classic american films, there’s a show for fans of every genre.

Polk Theatre is located on North Florida Avenue in downtown Lakeland.

Polk Theatre combines the tradition of old theaters with present day cinema.

Outside the theatre there are stars celebrating sponsors of the Theatre.

Polk Theatre joins the Silver Moon Drive-In as the second historic landmark in Lakeland to show movies.

Tickets for a movie at the Polk Theatre is seven dollars per adult and four per kid.

The theatre shows four movies every weekend, with two showings on Saturdays.

Unlike most movie theaters, the Polk Theatre’s concession prices are around half the price of the larger theaters.

There are three main organist for the Polk Theatre, one for every day of the weekend. Here Sandy Hobbis plays before a showing of Toy Story.

The organ is played before every showing in place of advertisements or movie trailers.

The Polk Theatre is based off of atmospheric theaters that were popular in the early 1920s.

In addition to watching the movie on ground level, audience members can enjoy the showing from a balcony.

Since 1928 the Polk Theatre has been entertaining audiences from all over the country.

A Champion Experience

The Moc’s number one fans gathered in support of the Men’s basketball team as they competed for the Division II National Championship title. The watch party for students and alumni showed that sometimes it’s not just the team that wins, but the fans too.

A Behind-the-Scenes Look: Former Moccasin Baseball Player’s Journey Back to Lakeland

FSC’s class of 2014 baseball team included a few professional hopefuls that began spring training for Major League Baseball this season. Keith Curcio was drafted in the sixth round by the Atlanta Braves, and Trey Vavra was drafted in the 33rd round by the Minnesota Twins. However, one former Moccasin player, the closer Nate Carter was nowhere to be found on MLB draft boards.

Carter remained optimistic following the MLB draft and tried out for an independent professional baseball team in the Frontier League. “They said I didn’t have the arm strength,” Carter said.

Nate Carter won 2nd Team All-SSC honors as a Senior for the Mocs last season. (Photo courtesy of FSC athletic dept.)

In an attempt to continue honing his craft he began work with Cuban MLB prospect and now Red Sox $72.5 million-dollar Center-fielder Rusney Castillo with 1-on-1 live pitching sessions. It was during a showcase for Castillo that Carter was able to showcase his talents as well.

“[Before working with Castillo] I had called several teams for weeks asking them to come watch a showcase of mine but no one had answered,” Carter said. “During Castillo’s workout there were lots of scouts watching him, and I knew that they’d also be watching me. I felt like it was an answered prayer.”

Scouts from the Detroit Tigers saw Carter pitch well against Castillo and offered him a spot on their Mini-Camp Roster following the showcase. Now Carter is back in Lakeland, Fla. working with the Tigers Florida Operations and he couldn’t be happier.

The cafeteria is also used as a presentation area for coaches to teach the players about how to handle their 401k’s, as well as how to talk to the media.

“It’s kinda like college again but I don’t have to worry about classes or tests,” Carter said. “I wake up and I’m thinking about baseball, I go to bed and I’m thinking about baseball. I like it.”

Carter gave me a tour of the facilities which included the minor league dormitories. The army-style barracks that once housed World War II pilots-in-training before being used for both players as well as interns for the organization.

Carter shares a room with a fellow minor-leager. “It reminds me a lot of how Hollis [Hall] used to be at Florida Southern,” Carter said.

“It reminds me a lot of how Hollis [Hall] used to be at Florida Southern,” Carter said.

As for meals, everything before practice is regimented in terms of meal-times for the athletes. Carter said that athletes are required to start their meals 90 minutes before the start of practice at the earliest and must be done by 45 minutes before practice to allow maximum digestive time. Outside of practice and games, players are allowed to access to the cafeteria at their own discretion.

A look inside the minor-league locker room and Nate Carter’s personal locker.

The regimen seems to be working well for Carter who has done well so far this spring in limited innings. Carter has pitched two innings during minor league play for the Tigers this spring. Against both the Washington Nationals and Baltimore Orioles minor-leaguers he has recorded two strikeouts and hasn’t surrendered a run or hit in his limited action.

He credits his recent success to the perseverance he has shown since his last game as a Moccasin.

“If you try to sit and wait for things to come to you, it’s not going to happen,” Carter said. “You have to go out there and get it.

The Detroit Tigers state-of-the-art weight room includes daily work-out regiments for all players currently on the roster.

Antique Treasures in Lakeland

Lakeland has a number of antique shops in the downtown area just waiting to be discovered. If you’re looking for vintage antique treasures, 360 Unlimited and Vern’s Antique Mall are two shops that might have just what you’re looking for.

Self-sustained equestrian club does not get SGA approval

*Photo courtesy of Majorie Rodolosi

For the past few months, founders of the Equestrian Club, Majorie Rodolosi and Paige Tynan, have been attempting to make the club an official Florida Southern College organization through the Student Government Association.

There are a total of 10 universities in Florida that have an official equestrian team.

Currently, the club on campus consists of approximately 30 members.

Although the members do not pay dues, they do pay for their riding lessons. Each lesson is 30 dollars. The members take lessons at English Oaks in Lakeland.

Majorie Rodolosi attends riding lessons at English Oaks in Lakeland as a part of the Equestrian Club. *Photo courtesy of Majorie Rodolosi

Members range from no experience to advanced. One member in particular is allergic to horses and instead of riding horses he just helps with fundraising for the club.

Since the club is not an official organization, they are not allowed to fundraise on campus.

“We are going to do a bake sale, hopefully, and also just little fundraisers at the barn like cleaning tack for people,” Tynan said.

Since the club is self-sustained on campus, why are they still not an official club?

“The proposed club does not need to reserve campus spaces for events and would predominantly be using SGA funds for their own purposes,” Student Government Association President Jheryl Cabey said. “SGA provides a framework in which organizations can operate independently and efficiently, it should not be the sole purpose of finances.”

The founders of the club received a similar message a few weeks ago in the mail.

“A couple weeks ago they sent us a message that it was due to finances and that it would not affect a large number of people on campus,” Rodolosi said.“We were labeled as a functioning organization, but not an official club.”

In addition, Article VI in the SGA bylaws states that there was must be a two-thirds vote by the Presidents’ Circle for an organization to be officially recognized.

Rodolosi and Tynan still hope to make the Equestrian Club an official organization to represent Florida Southern College at future competitions.

There are no requirements to be in the Equestrian Club. To be a part of the club one just needs to request to join the group on Facebook, Potential FSC Equestrian Team, or contact Rodolosi or Tynan directly.

Related Links:

Best colleges for equestrian clubs and teams

Equestrian scholarships

Equestrian shows in Florida 

2013 statistics for equine sports in schools

FSC Faculty Member Raises Awareness

People gathered to support and raise awareness for an organization called “Friends Together” this past week. Some current and past FSC staff members were at the events helping Assistant Dean of Wellness, Kelly Andrews, raise funds for her upcoming trip to Tanzania.

Drum, Dance, Chill was the first event of the day raising awareness for a trip to Africa.

Many different drums were around the room for the drumming and chanting that happened earlier that day.

The drums around the room are examples of the drums you can find in African culture.

Yoga mats and equipment were placed around the room for a chill yoga session.

“A Night in Africa” was the second event that day, focusing on a silent auction, music and presentation.

Cathy Robinson and Kelly Andrews pose together holding examples of textbooks and school supplies they are bringing to Tanzania, Africa.

“There are 1,000 students and one building, but they don’t have enough textbooks,” Robinson said.

Ali Smith, a local yoga instructor, offered to sell some of her clothing line items, Transformed By Ali, for half price that night. “I ask people to donate them and make it one of a kind…I’ll cut them or tie dye them, and make them their own thing,” Smith said.

The Climb for a Cause cups are biodegradable cups that were for sale. Fun fact: you can boil an egg in them!

Guests looked at items to bid on at the silent auction, such as necklaces, gift certificates to local stores, and many different handmade items.

Kelly Andrews, Assistant Dean of Wellness at Florida Southern, hosted this event to raise money for her trip to Tanzania, in order for her to deliver medical supplies, textbooks, and climb Mount Kilimanjaro. Andrews even has support from a young admirer.

Tom Norman, an FSC Counselor, performed with his friend at the event and sang a few familiar songs.

A guest poses with Kelly after winning a prize from the silent auction.

A couple won both a tea and coffee set. The profits from the silent auction are going toward Andrew’s trip to Tanzania.

Cathy Robinson is a widower, breast cancer survivor, and HIV/AIDS positive.

A guest gets emotional after Robinson’s heartbreaking speech.

“Steve came home one day and said, ‘So we’re going to Tanzania, and we’re climbing Mount Kilimanjaro,’” Robinson said. Her son, Garrett, was 14 when he climbed the mountain in honor of Steve Pickett.

Steve Pickett is the inspiration behind Friends Together, and has been the one to motivate Cathy to go back to Tanzania.

Unique Stops in Lakeland

There are a variety of businesses in Lakeland, but two in particular have little known about them. Southern News Reporter Ashley Buckley visited these locations to find out more.