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Feature Writing
Polk Gears Up for Youth Fair
Published in Central Florida Ag News, January 2022
The Polk County Youth Fair is quickly approaching, and it’s sure to be bigger and better than ever this year. The 2022 event is set to run from Jan. 22-28 at its home at the Agriculture Complex in Bartow. This year’s fair features a new event, some events brought back from cuts last year, and is sure to be full of special memories. This year marks the 75th annual year the fair has been celebrated. The fair continues to grow each year, and holds a relatively rare title as one of the few remaining fairs to focus on youth without supplementing with entertainment or a midway and without charging an admissions fee. Over 1,100 entries in the livestock division will be competing for titles and auctions, in addition to entries in horticulture, family and consumer sciences, and special activities divisions. Events range from the popular market hog auctions to showings of breeding goats, archery, vegetables, and the chili cook off. Last year due to health and safety restrictions, rabbit and poultry showings, as well as the dog show, were cut. This year the rabbit and poultry showings are back in play, along with a newcomer to the field: the market lamb show. President of the Youth Fair’s board, Paul Webb, said they strive to adjust the fair to account for the needs of the youth. When an interest was presented for a market lamb show, something that hadn’t been in the fair in around 30 years, they were quick to oblige. “We always try to bring in things that we feel are marketable and helpful for the kids,” Webb said. There are currently 19 entries in the market lamb show. Webb said the board is thrilled to be doing the fair again this year, saying they encountered many hard decisions when cutting and modifying events for the 2021 fair (the 2020 fair occurred pre-pandemic). “We’re all excited about bringing everything back,” he said, and mentioned that he’s thrilled with the progress made to bring new and improved changes to the fair. One of those ideas from last year that will be making a recurrence is the hybrid market hog auction. The auction will happen in person, providing well-deserved funds to the youth who have spent time raising the hogs, but will also happen online through a seller platform, allowing people from all over to participate in support. Webb recollects that they had a purchaser of a few hogs from several states away last year. The local television station PGTV will be live broadcasting the fair throughout the week on their channel again this year too. This is a great option for those at greater health and safety risk, those looking to take extra precaution, community members who don’t want to add to the crowds at the complex, or supporting family and friends from far away. Once the schedule is finalized with the station, livestream links will be available on the Polk County Youth Fair website as well as on their Facebook page. Webb encourages viewers to watch online to help lower the crowds. Extra cleaning routines were implemented last year and will be continuing this year. For example, the hog show was divided into divisions, which will be kept this year, and the ring was cleaned and cleared between divisions. While the extra cleaning precautions will be welcomed, the groups also enjoyed the extra time to set up between divisions, as it helped clear the crowd and provide a short break to the organizers. One change from last year that will not be sticking around is the location change for the whip popping event. The competition was moved outside last year to promote social distancing, but since whip popping doesn’t sound the same without good acoustics, it is being moved back inside the complex this year. Attendees this year can expect to see kids excited to be back, Webb said. “Raising a project, no matter what it is, they have to devote the time and energy to it,” he said, adding that the experience makes them more responsible. “It gives them a sense of accomplishment.” For more information, visit pcfy.net or the Polk County Youth Fair page on Facebook.
Learning Commons
Melds Tutoring, Collaboration
Published in Webber View Magazine, April 2021
Students coming to campus in fall 2020 were welcomed with a newly-renovated space: the Learning Commons. The Student Union, which was formerly home to some office space, pool tables and televisions was transformed into an immersive learning environment and study space. The reconfiguration moved the student entertainment to the newly-renovated cafeteria, kept the food options and the bookstore, and added a modern library, tutoring space and computer lab. The Learning Commons at Webber University was created in part by Merrie Beth Lake. She spent her early career in an elementary education career path, switching over to higher education when she received her masters in library and information sciences. She served as the dean of Keiser University in Lakeland until last year, when she tried to retire. She knew that wouldn’t last long though, and was tapped by a colleague at Webber University. They were looking to create a learning commons and thought of her. Her background in library science made her perfect for the job. Merrie Beth is passionate about creating a good learning environment for the students. The learning commons serves a big role in that. A collaborative space, it’s designed with several different zones that can serve many purposes. There’s a quiet study area with individual desks, places for group collaboration, large glass boards with markers for brainstorming, and a computer lab. The concept of a learning commons is relatively new to higher education, about 10-15 years old, Merrie Beth said. The design embraces the more contemporary educational concepts of collaboration and critical thinking, which improve student learning and grades. Without collaboration in study, students won’t learn as well. “You can’t do that in silence,” she said, referencing older designs of libraries that only feature quiet areas. Though this space is intended to aid the students in their study patterns, there’s a focus behind it as well: retention. As the leader of the initiative, Merrie Beth is working with faculty and sending out marketing materials to the campus to reach the students most in need. She taps freshmen, students on academic probation, and those who are falling behind in attendance for extra help. The learning commons is flexible and open. When students in need come here, Merrie Beth wants them to be welcomed by a kind, warm environment. They can sit down with her to develop an action plan, which could include supervised tutoring, specific study plans, and help identifying their learning style. No matter why they visit the learning commons that day though, Merrie Beth said the atmosphere is critical for student reception. “We make sure we’re very welcoming,” she said. “It’s not about judgment.” The space and programs have grown leaps and bounds since the center’s opening in the fall semester. Already they’ve seen expansion to the computer lab, added touchscreen computers for classroom technology enhancement, and now have the ability to offer writing tutoring with the help of one of Webber’s English faculty. For an initiative that’s six months old, “We’re making significant strides already,” Merrie Beth said. Merrie Beth has big dreams for the learning commons. While she’d love more space to keep up with a campus growing in population, she has other ideas too. They plan to add a pergola and outdoor meeting space area for group work. Sometime next year, the library will merge with the learning commons, creating a one stop shop for students. Change can be hard to adjust to, especially for the older students. However, Merrie Beth said the reception from students has been good, and has just gotten better over time. She’s working directly with 44 freshmen in need this semester, and meets with an average of 50 students a week. Familiar faces pop in now just to tell her they’re doing well or to do some individual study work in the space. She’s getting quicker returns on emails from professors too. “It’s about collaboration and communication,” she said. “We’re here for the students.” Reception from visitors and alumni has been positive too. Merrie Beth said they remark, “‘Oh this is so needed.’ It’s a quiet little revolution,” she said, “and we’ve only just begun.”
Game On! Polk Senior Games Return This Year with Outdoor Activities
On a Mission: Florida Beef Ambassador Hopes to Get More Youth Involved in Industry
Published in Central Florida Health News, February 2022
This year marks the 29th annual year of the Polk Senior Games, the largest of the 20 local senior games held in Florida. Participants who are turning at least 50-years-old in 2022 can participate in a variety of games in an Olympic style. Groups are divided by five year age increments and by gender. The top finishers of each event will receive medals, just like in the Olympics. All participants go home with a commemorative t-shirt and the pride in knowing they’ve challenged their bodies and minds to do something great. Last year’s event had to be canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic, and some modifications have been made in order to bring back this year’s event. The board of directors in charge of planning the Polk Senior Games is placed in a difficult position having to make decisions six months before the games are set to take place, Duane Hopkins, the board’s first vice president, said. While the events normally offered span from fishing to cribbage to sudoku tournaments, this year’s Polk Senior Games will stick to the outdoor events only. The board aimed to express an abundance of safety and concern for the participants and volunteers involved with the games in making this decision, Hopkins said. Though the indoor events aren’t being offered this year, Hopkins emphasized this as an opportunity to try something new. If the participant is able, this could be a great way to experience a new or different sport. The board hopes to be able to offer a full range of events in the 2023 games. The Polk Senior Games, even in a smaller capacity, is a great way for seniors to exercise their minds and bodies and interact socially with their community, something that’s especially important as they age. While the event typically sees around 2,500 participants, this year they hope to get about half those numbers. So many seniors were disappointed last year when the games had to be canceled, Hopkins said. The organization works to provide the games in an effort to help the community. “We offer events that are designed to satisfy the needs of seniors to get out…and be active physically and mentally,” Hopkins said. With the registration rate proceeding as it is, it’s clear that many are thrilled for the games to be making a return. Presenting the event is no small task, and on a usual year takes over 700 volunteers. “We’re just as concerned about their health as those who participate,” Hopkins said. Along with the volunteers, the games also couldn’t happen without the board of directors and the many gracious sponsors from all over the area. “It really becomes a community event,” he said, saying it brings the community together. “We have a lot of support to make the games happen.” The games looks to include as many participants as possible, so entry fees are low and there is no Polk County residency requirement. This allows travelers to participate, as well as residents from all over Florida and those who may just be here for the winter. They regularly have participants from all over the state, and have even had a traveler from Europe! The absence of a residency requirement also increases diversity and helps foster community and friendship. “I’ve met some wonderful tennis partners,” Hopkins said with a chuckle. As far as events go, golf tends to be a popular choice. Pickleball is quickly becoming a crowd favorite, though. Hopkins mentioned he will be participating in the tennis event this year, as he has done for several years. While the more physically-demanding events might seem like they’d tend toward the younger ages, Hopkins said he is continually amazed by the many 90-year-olds that participate in the games. Two years ago, a 103-year-old participant competed in bowling, swimming and several indoor activities. The event is free to attend as a guest. “Come and have some fun,” Hopkins said, urging those in attendance to protect themselves and spread out, wearing masks if they’re close to participants and volunteers. The Polk Senior Games is something special to celebrate. It provides a way for seniors to get out and exercise physically, mentally and socially, Hopkins said. “I’m proud to be part of the games.” “To me, what makes Polk Senior Games so special is the people committed to supporting each other and that is now more important than ever,” Frank Collins, president of the organization, said in this year’s rule book. Seniors and the community eagerly look forward to the upcoming game days.
Published in Central Florida Ag News, April 2020
For many teens, the end of high school is about prom, graduation and other senior traditions. McKettrick has a few other things on her mind. McKettrick is a senior at DeSoto County High School finishing out the last few months of her high school career. Though much of her classwork had been moved online due to COVID-19, she definitely hasn’t had a lax semester. In August 2019, McKettrick competed and won the Florida Beef Ambassador role in the senior division. This was her third time in the competition, with the previous two years being in the junior division. McKettrick was born in Kansas and moved to Alachua, Florida, when she was young. Her grandparents owned a stockyard in Arcadia and eventually McKettrick’s family relocated there, where the family has stayed since. Now her father runs the business, with help from the rest of the family, including her oldest brother Max. “Max is learning the ins and outs of the stockyard,” McKettrick said. McKettrick keeps pretty busy, involved with many activities at school, serving her role as Florida Beef Ambassador, and giving tours at the stockyard. At school, she plays volleyball, serves as president of her high school sorority and a member of the student union and Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and helps out with many of the senior events. One of her favorite clubs is Junior Leadership DeSoto, a leadership club that features members from all across the school. Each group gets the chance to tour DeSoto County and see different career opportunities for people who want to stay in the area after graduation. They had a class on public speaking, which McKettrick said helped her tremendously during her competition for Florida Beef Ambassador, and even afterward. As chair of the SWAT (Students Working Against Tobacco) team at her school, she got to speak to county commissioners in their board meeting about licensing for smoking. Getting to talk to people of power, especially at her age, about ways to keep her friends and other students safe was an important moment, one where she relied heavily on her public speaking skills. She was glad she got the opportunity to go. McKettrick is also involved in the DeSoto chapter of the Future Farmers of America (FFA). She’s been in the club since sixth grade, which is the youngest you can start, and now currently serves as president of the chapter. McKettrick mentioned that her teacher helps the students broaden their futures and careers by meeting many different people from the community. “(The chapter) has great community support,” McKettrick said. Her work with FFA and her other older brother Riley actually had a lot to do with how McKettrick picked her future career path. As part of FFA, she helped the rodeo when it was in town. “We were back behind the chutes making connections,” McKettrick said. She and her classmates volunteered at the rodeo; at the same time, their teacher helped them network with other people there, talking to leaders in the rodeo industry. “If it wasn’t for FFA and presidencies, I don’t think I’d be able to speak in public,” McKettrick said. Her brother does professional bullfighting, too, and currently competes while in college. McKettrick’s family traveled around a lot with him as he competed, another way McKettrick got exposed to rodeos. Her grandmother was also treasurer for the Southeastern Circuit of Rodeos. Now, McKettrick wants to work in TV interviews for rodeos, and will be attending Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College in Tifton, Ga. in the fall, studying Agricultural Communication and Journalism. As the Florida Beef Ambassador winner, if McKettrick completes a certain number of community events, writes articles for papers, and attends various meetings for the role, she’ll receive a $1000 scholarship for college. However, it’s not as easy as it sounds. “It’s kind of like working a job,” McKettrick said. “I do think it’s hard to keep up with…you have to make sacrifices.” Oftentimes, she’s up until 4 a.m. submitting activity reports and photos of herself at events. The sacrifices and late nights are worth it, though. One of McKettrick’s favorite activities is classroom engagement. She’s gotten to read to different classes and speak to them about the beef industry, taking the time to go and read to every classroom in the county. She said some Florida Beef Ambassadors in the past have worked hard to petition lawmakers and other industry adults, but she wanted to put her focus on the youth. “Kids at my school can vote now,” she said, so it’s important to get to them at an early age, teach them the ins and outs of the industry, and maybe spark some inspiration in them. Her hope is that they’ll think, “maybe I can be involved, too.” This current environment with COVID-19 has shaped her experience as Florida Beef Ambassador. “I would love to tell everyone to stop looking at Twitter,” McKettrick said with a laugh, encouraging those with questions about the industry, especially during this time when food supplies could be looking different than usual, to simply come ask. “Agriculture is a whole industry that people don’t understand, (but) people are now looking to farmers and agriculturalists,” she said. Many in the industry will be leading the way, and McKettrick hopes to be right there with them.
Blog Writing
How to Choose the Best Iron for Senior Golfers
Published on Country Club of Winter Haven blog, June 2022
If you’ve been golfing for years, you know that choosing the right club is a huge part of the art of golf. It’s not just about brute strength, but rather choosing the right tool for the hit and using that club to your advantage. Getting older doesn’t have to mean higher scores; in fact, with the correct clubs, golfers might see lower scores than before. Learn how to properly choose your irons in this blog, and find more golf information on our blog here. Evaluate Your Needs - What are you looking for in your irons? Do you need a bag full of hybrids, or are you looking for just a few to boost your score? Are you replacing a certain club (remember, there’s no need for a traditional 3-iron and a 3-hybrid together), or looking for a new set? There is no shame in switching to a hybrid, but you might not need a bag full of them. Get out, get active, and enjoy the game you’re playing with people you enjoy. The Sweet Spot - Hybrid irons can help players who might have a larger handicap still get the most out of their swing. Many clubs designed for seniors have a larger sweet spot to hit. While this gives you less workability in a sticky situation, it does give you more forgiveness. This helps you make consistent contact with the club every time thanks to the club’s adjusted center of gravity. Consider a Different Shaft - If you’ve been playing steel shafts, consider trying a graphite option. While steel shafts are more durable and less expensive than their graphite counterparts, many senior golfers don’t have the necessary swing speed or power to fully use the steel shaft. Trying a graphite option could lower your score, as well as help prevent injury. For assistance exploring your options, visit our Golf Shop. Golfing can get more challenging as players get older, but that doesn’t mean they have to give it up. To see our upcoming calendar for events you might enjoy, visit our website here.
Prepare Your Horse for a Hurricane
Ghostwritten for Central Florida Ag News, July 2021
Hurricane season is almost here, and it’s important to have plans in place for your family and your animals. Having a developed plan in advance of an emergency will help eliminate stress and split-second decision-making in the heat of an event. Here are some important things to remember for each part of the storm. Before the Storm These preparations should be done during hurricane off-season to maximize preparedness and minimize stress. Feel free to come back to your plans as you approach the start of hurricane season for any last-minute revisions or just to review. Emergency plans for you and your family should be updated yearly for the most effective results. Prepare your horse Ensure all vaccinations are updated in accordance with veterinarian recommendations. Make sure your horse has two forms of identification; one permanently on their body (microchip/tattoo) and a temporary, readily-visible one that can be attached in the event of a storm. Prepare yourself Get to know your neighbors and know what their emergency plans look like. Identify local resources and help one another. Have an emergency animal care first aid kit ready. Remove any debris from your property. If evacuating, leave at least 72 hours before the storm hits. Weathering the Storm Consider whether you’ll be keeping your horse in an open field or in a barn, bearing in mind power lines, barn structure, trees, and any debris that could pose a risk. If the farm is subject to flash flooding, turn the horse out so it does not become trapped in rising water. Keep two to three weeks of hay and feed in airtight containers and as high up as possible. Store clean water in advance, and have emergency supplies like flashlights ready. After the Storm When it's safe to do so, clean up any debris and damages that might have occurred during the storm. Be sure to replenish any supplies before the next hurricane.
Six Interesting Facts about Concrete
Published on Tolley Concrete blog, May 2020
Everyone knows that concrete is used in many structures we use everyday, such as buildings and roads. We’ve got some interesting facts to share that you might not have heard though. Keep reading to find out more about our favorite building material, concrete! Concrete was developed in ancient Roman times. How else could they have made all those buildings? However, the concrete the Romans used is very different from the concrete used today by builders all around the world, such as Tolley Concrete. Roman concrete was made by mixing water, lime and volcanic ash from Mount Vesuvius, while today’s concrete is made by mixing water, an aggregate (like gravel or sand) and cement. Concrete is the most widely used man-made material on the planet! The Empire State Building used 62,000 cubic yards of concrete during its construction in 1930 and 1931. The building took 13 and a half months to build. American inventor Thomas Edison has 49 patents (out of his 1,093 total patents) that used concrete and cement. Some of those even included ideas for concrete houses and concrete furniture. For more info on what we can do with concrete today, visit our website. Concrete is the best material for road construction, and almost 30 percent of interstates and highways in the United States contain concrete. Though a slightly higher initial investment than asphalt, concrete is a more environmentally-friendly and cost-effective choice as it requires less maintenance than asphalt in the long run. Concrete and cement are not the same thing. It’s true! Concrete is made from aggregates, water and a small amount of cement. However, cement is one of the most important ingredients in concrete, as it acts as the glue to hold all the other pieces together. We hope you’ve enjoyed learning more about our favorite material, concrete. For more fun facts and interesting information, check out our blog at Tolley Concrete.
The Difference Between Grass-Fed and Pasture-Raised Beef
Published on Dark Hammock Legacy Ranch blog, Aug 2021
To the untrained eye, the terms “grass-fed” and “pasture-raised” can sound pretty similar, if not exactly the same. Even someone who’s been diligently purchasing organic meat for years might not know the difference between the two. Not to worry; we’re here to help. In today’s blog, we’ll sort out any confusion that might come from this terminology and help you understand how to find exactly what you’re looking for in the grocery store or farmer’s market. Check out our blogs for more information on shopping for beef. It might seem that the terms grass-fed and pasture-raised are interchangeable. While they are similar, there are some very important differences. Grass-fed refers to the food the cattle eat, while pasture-raised refers to where the cattle eat. This can get tricky, because pasture-raised cattle are eating grass while they’re in the pasture, right? While these cows in pasture might be happily getting their fill of grass, they might also be getting grain supplements from the ranch, especially during the winter or during finishing season. Pasture-raised cattle can be grass-fed cattle, but only if they’re fed a majority of grass in their lifetime. Interested in seeing our very own pastures? Schedule an agritour here. In a similar way, grass-fed cattle don’t have to be pasture-raised to earn the title; however, this is uncommon. While it’s possible for a cow to be fed entirely grass in a barn, it’s highly unlikely. When you’re making a purchasing decision for you and your family, decide what’s important to you to know what label to choose. If you’re interested in what the cow eats, choose the grass-fed steak. If you only care about where it’s eating, the pasture-raised steak could be the choice for you. At Dark Hammock Legacy Ranch, we have a variety of grass-fed, pasture-raised beef options to satisfy your table. View our offerings and contact us with any questions on our website.
Social Posts
Published on Tolley Concrete Facebook, May 2022
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Concrete isn't cold and gray; in fact, it's an incredibly adaptable material that can be used in a variety of ways in your home. In today's blog post, we show you how concrete actually adjusts with your home to save you money on your electricity bill and keep you comfortable in style. Learn all about it here: tolleyconcrete.com/concrete-floors-are-more-adaptable-than-youd-think
Published on Balmoral Bar & Grill Facebook, Feb 2022
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Today's National Margarita Day! Come on out to Balmoral Bar & Grill to celebrate with $3 margaritas all day! Enjoy $2 tacos and happy hour from 12 - 2pm and 4 - 7pm. Drink your margarita poolside or while hanging out with friends at the bar. balmoralbarandgrill.com
Published on SharpSpring Twitter, Jan 2023
Poor #usability⚙️can set your website back. Your site should be easy to use for your customer so they can find the products they need. In this article from @Intechnic, learn common UX mistakes on B2B & B2C manufacturer websites and how to fix them. https://bit.ly/3vh7cwN
Published on SharpSpring Twitter, Dec 2022
Social media is a great online selling point, and the door🚪is wide open for even more growth, especially regarding #GenZ shoppers. Find out more about how to effectively make social media Gen Z’s one-🛑-shop in @MarketingDive article below.
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