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Saturday, October 1, 2011        9:00 – 3:00

South Kentucky Avenue (between Main and Lemon Streets)   Downtown Lakeland

Help uncover Polk County’s undiscovered talent in this festival for lovers of all things “Book”!

Here’s your chance to meet and support local authors, illustrators and publishers (just in time for the holidays!)  in a Downtown showcase. Who knows? You might even be inspired to write that book that you’ve been “meaning to get to” for years.

It’s also a great way for local authors and illustrators to come out and promote/sell their works. Deadline for participation is Friday, Sept. 16th – but, the sooner you sign up, the more pre-event promotion you get! Space is limited.

https://www.facebook.com/#!/AuthorsnIllustratorsFestival for more information.

Organized for you by Terisa & Sparky Glover of  The General Store; Ellen Simms of FastFrame, and Teresa V. Martinez, author of  “Success in Exile”.

Sponsored in part by Lakeland Downtown Development Authority

For other reminders of your guests’ trip to Lakeland, we also have Swampy’s Florida “Lakeland” coloring book, by Rob Smith Jr. (only $3 – also featuring Sparky!) as well as “Swansation” ($20) and “Lakeland” Postcard History series ($22). Lakeland postcards, new and used, start at only $0.75 and Historical Lakelnd’s Lake Mirror Story DVD is only $15. Need saltwater taffy boxed featuring a Florida map or a chocolate alligator? We have those, and they’re actually made in Florida! Local author’s books? We’ve got quite a selection of authors and subjects from sinners to saints and everything in-between! Local honey, jewelry, even bath and body products – there’s something for everyone to help remember their visit.

And, if, like us, you can only afford a stay-cation this year, you can still take a trip down memory lane with our old time candies and glass bottled sodas (like Cheerwine, Nehi, Ale-8-1, Frostie, Big Red etc.) while challenging a friend to a game of checkers or chess on our front porch. We also have a great selection of day trip planners ($8-$10) to help you discover the great family-fun opportunities in our own area.

“My name is Karin Munkacsi-Whitley and I love, love, love to BEAD! I’m a beadaholic and make beadalicious baubles for your lobes. If you are looking for earrings that will not go with anything else, or mixed media or even that boho look, I’m your artisan! Are you ever looking for some simple accessory to throw on running out the door with your hair on fire and you just don’t have anything that wouldn’t make you a “Glamour Don’t?” Glad to meet you!

After growing up in Lakeland (class of ’85 – Go ‘Naughts!) I joined the US Navy and served on active duty for 4 years as an Aviation Electrician’s Mate, Petty Officer 3rd class, working on the F/A-18 aircraft on land and aboard several different aircraft carriers. During Desert Shield & Desert Storm I served stateside for two years in the active reserves. After earning the Good Conduct Medal and National Defense Medal it was time to go home with my honorable discharge. While in the Navy I experienced several harrowing events and consequently suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). I had to find an outlet, a hobby, that would mediate my symptoms. I turned to beading and now it’s a daily part of my “diversion therapy” and management of this condition. I prefer “medically retired” rather than “disabled.”

I started beading at home with whatever junk I could get my hands on to upcycle and recycle and try and turn it into wearable art. Finding my niche was no easy task and before I knew it I had made about 100 pairs of earrings, with nowhere to wear them! My designs are quirky for your funky self! If you have anyquestions at all about a custom creation, feel free to drop me a line … and leave a casserole at the door.”

THE GENERAL STORE currently has a selection of Karin’s patriotic-themed ear baubles just in time for Independence Day! The beads used in this patriotic series include Swarovski crystals, ceramic beads, glass beads and glass faux pearls, semi-precious stones, Czech glass, wood, porcelain, plastic and all kinds of metals. Each selection is one of a kind (OK, they are earrings, each set does match!). At only $10, not only do you sport unique earbobs, but you help to support a local veteran. What’s not to love? Karin also does special requests for those hard-to-match outfits. Look for her at future First Friday events where she will be making her creations to order.

A regular visitor to The General Store, always with new ideas just waiting for the avenue to make them become reality, Boyd’s inventions are also a part of our local offerings. Beginning around November, we carry his “Jesus is the Reason for the Season” signs that he designed in 2005. In his design for getting as many signs as possible out, the double-sided coroplast signs (with stand) sell for his cost of only $3.00. Once only a locally offered item, hand delivered by Boyd, they are now available nation-wide (although, he has succombed to mail delivery!)

Available year-round, his self-trademarked Flabalsawood hiking sticks are handcrafted, surprisingly lightweight and make a great gift for those outdoorsy types, better yet, they are made from a renewable source readily available in Florida – castor bean trees/weeds! These works sell for $20-$25.

One of his best sellers at The General Store is the Nail-Saver Key Keeper. This is an item that does exactly as it’s name implies – saves fingernails from the perils of keyrings! Simple in design and use, yet highly effective. Recently I was demonstrating the Nail-Saver to a customer who told me, in her deepest Southern charm, “Dahlin’ I don’t need one of those, my husband takes care of that stuff” to which he quickly responded “I’ll take two!” Well, she was right, he did take care of it!

Boyd, in his true entrepeneurial spirit and hopes of getting his invention out to the public, is offering a GENERAL STORE SPECIAL for the month of June:

BUY ONE NAIL-SAVER KEY KEEPER for $2.25, GET ONE FREE!

Help a local support a local!

Beyond the Silence - A Personal Account of One Woman's Journey Back from Darkness

 THE GENERAL STORE has added SEVEN new ”word artists” to our line-up of local authors! From hobbies to mysteries, autobiographies to novels, your summer reading getaway is just down the street!

Caused & Effect by Bernie Bourdeau is a fast-paced tale of the insatiable quest for vengeance, the illusion of what we witness, and the elusive path to forgiveness.

Bipolar Disorder – Beyond the Silence by Linda M. Gibson is a personal account of one woman’s journey back from darkness. It promotes understanding, hope and encouragement to those who have the illness, their friends and family.

A Butterfly Has No Pockets by Terri Kowalski is a collection of poetic musings as the author experiences her own personal metamorphosis and freedom that comes from the transformation that the butterfly elicits.

Classic Paper Airplanes, Fold & Fly Paper Airplanes, The Benoist Flyers, DECA-The First Ten and Freaky Flyers  by Dean Mackey is a a collection of paper airplane designs that provide hours of entertainment for kids of all ages and skill levels. They make great gifts, too!

Senator Ted and Mee by Barb Mee recounts the author’s 35 year service to the late Senator Ted Stevens of Alaska. Opinionated and fast to express her thoughts, the author chronicles 50 years of Alaskan history and the movers and shakers who brought it to statehood.

The Redneck Gourmet, The New Good Ole Boys Cookbook, Encyclopedia of Oddball Recipes, Just Desserts, and Short Stories by a Fat Man by Don W. Moore, Chef Extry-Ordinary is a  collection of cookbooks designed to be easy to create and made with items you should already have in your cabinets, or easy and affordable to find.

Dutiful Daughters by Linda Wheeler is the story of young Noorah‘s coming of marrying age and the prospects of being given to a man that she doesn’t even know. The story inspired by the author’s personal experiences living and teaching in Riyadh and Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

These authors join Carl Bradfield, Iris Bloom, John Bohanan, Jeremy Brimer, Pat Eisenhauer, Alvin Futch, Rose Hall, Brittney Harvey, Allen Hooker, Jason R. Jones, James Knox, Teresa Martinez, Lorraine Mastropietro and Maggie Register in providing you with a multitude of adventures for your lazy summer!

MARK YOUR CALENDARS! The 2nd Annual Polk Authors & Illustrators Festival will be Saturday, October 1, 2011 on Kentucky Avenue between Main & Lemon Streets. Details forthcoming! Friend us at https://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/AuthorsnIllustratorsFestival

Rob Smith Jr. and Sparky premiere "their" coloring book!

The stories of the Swamp Ape roaming through the wilds of Florida go back almost 150 years. One of those critters has decided to fulfill his lifelong obsession with the great state of Florida by breaking away from his home in the Big Cypress Swamp and seeing what he has only read about and seen in photos. Swampy had so much fun he’s creating a series of coloring books of his favorite spots around Florida, starting with the City of Lakeland. In this coloring, Swampy and his friends share their experiences in historic Lakeland including adventures in Munn Park, with the Buffalo Soldiers, Frances Langford, and more. You might recognize one of Swampy’s friends as Sparky, The General Store’s CFO (Chief Fuzzy Officer).
“We’re excited about being part of Rob and Swampy’s new project and Sparky’s even more excited to be drawn with opposable thumbs. There’s no end to the mischief she can get into now!” says Terisa Glover, owner of The General Store.
Rob Smith, Jr. compiled this selection of Swampy’s favorites. Rob is a Florida native and nationally recognized, award winning cartoonist who draws editorial cartoons for national publications and a well known radio & television personality. He also has illustrated books, comic strips, caricatures, advertisements… heck, he’s penned for just about all forms of cartooning at one time or the other!

The Historic Lakeland coloring book was launched at The General Store, 125 S. Kentucky Avenue, in Downtown Lakeland where it is now for sale for only $3.00. For more information about Rob, log on to http://www.robsmithjr.com .

Yep, good old “sippin’ sodas” – the ones that take you back to a simpler time. From Boylan’s Birch Beer (think rootbeer, but a bit different) and Black Cherry to Frostop’s Orange and Creme (just like a melted Creamsicle!). We’ve even managed to harness RC Cola, Nehi Peach and Grape (Radar O’Reilly would be SO happy!) and, drumroll please ………… direct from your favorite mountain vacation…….. CHEERWINE! All are in glass bottles and most feature pure cane sugar instead of high fructose corn syrup. Come on down, grab a bottle (and Moonpie!), pull up a rocking chair out front and enjoy watching folks attempting to parallel park. Still the best entertainment deal for the money – a drink and show!

What better for book-lovers than literary works from some of Polk County’s own? LOCAL AUTHORS invite you to enjoy the stories – from Cracker Cowboys to Missionaries, War Heroes to Poets, Inspiration for Business to Inspiration for Life - and just about everything in between – there’s something for your avid reader.

At this year’s HOLIDAY FEST, Friday, December 10 from 6:00 – 9:00 PM, you can meet and greet local authors: Allen Hooker “My Friends and Heroes”, James Knox “Deadly Revenge” and Margaret Register “No Place for Plastic Saints – Earthquakes, Chicken Feet and Candid Confessions of a Missionary Wife”. Books will be available for sale at The General Store, or, if you already have a copy, you can still get them personalized.

A few “Basket Cases” to gift for? We have a LARGE collection of LONGABERGER baskets, from a personal collection, at a fraction of the original price. Picnic Baskets and Game Baskets, Casserole Baskets and Laundry Baskets – did I mention, we have baskets?!?!?!  Also LONGABERGER pottery!

NATURALLY PAMPERED brings locally created SOAPS, LOTIONS, OILS & LIP BALMS – all made with only natural ingredients – and no animal by-products! (they’d be GREAT to add to a BASKET!)

COUNTRY BEES HONEY FARM RAW HONEY, made by local bees, would be PERFECT for anyone looking for a more healthy lifestyle! Add a pound of YBOR CITY GOLD COFFEE and add a BASKET to complete the package!

CORPORATE LEASHES and TURTLES JEWELS feature the artwork of local bead artisans – wear those corporate badges with style (there’s probably a BASKET for them, too!)!

BOYD PRIDMORE brought some of his hand-crafted WALKING STICKS as well as his NAIL-SAVER KEY-KEEPERS down for you to see what can be made from local resources and a bit of shade tree engineering. He’s been eyeing the BASKETS to try and figure how to make some of those, too!

Searching for the elusive locally made handcrafts? We have SOCK MONKEYS, TEDDY BEARS, STICK HORSES and RUBBERBAND GUNS, and even ORNAMENTS and WREATHS!

We also feature Greeting Cards, Candies from “Back in the Day”, Some of  This and a Little of  That . . . you never know just WHAT you might find!

When you SHOP local, you SUPPORT local!

The Local Yokels Need YOU to Remain Local, too!

The Polk Authors & Illustrators Festival!

Saturday, October 2, 2010         9:00 – 3:00

South Kentucky Avenue (between Main and Lemon Streets)   Downtown Lakeland

Help uncover Polk County’s undiscovered talent in this festival for lovers of all things “Book”!

Here’s your chance to meet and support local authors, illustrators and publishers (just in time for the holidays!)  in a Downtown showcase. Who knows? You might even be inspired to write that book that you’ve been “meaning to get to” for years.

http://bit.ly/bzacSY for more information.

Organized for you by Terisa & Sparky Glover of  The General Store; Teresa V. Martinez, author of  ”Success in Exile”;  Gay Finkelman of Genie Publishing  and Ellen Simmes of FastFrame

Sponsored in part by Lakeland Downtown Development Authority

Sparky invites you to her house for “Dog Days of Summer” fun!

Join us at The General Store on First Friday, August 6 - from 6:00 – 9:00

as Sparky hosts:

GEODOGS OF SUMMER – a Geocaching Event to raise funds and awareness for Save Our Homeless Pets / Polk Co. Animal Control         geocaching.com  GC2B42X

SAVE OUR HOMELESS PETS – Lisa Moehring will be here to collect items being donated to Polk Co. Animal Control and to help spread the message of Polk’s homeless pets.

We are still accepting donations of cash, food, treats, towels, toys, collars/leashes on their behalf prior to First Friday – drop on by!

Come and sample our latest local offerings:

NATURALLY PAMPERED – handmade soaps and lotions – even foot balm and massage oils – made right here in Lakeland! Come and feel the difference between commercial and handmade bath & body products. Give yourself the gift of pampering! Amanda will be here on First Friday to introduce you to our latest partnership.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS is a true and compelling story of a courageous lady, pursuing her dream, reaching it against unbelievable odds, losing it through crushing injustice and cruel happenstance, and rejoicing that life can still be worthwhile.
Lorraine Lush is the newest local author (and a dynamic public speaker!) to be featured at The General Store – watch for book signing event coming soon! 

YBOR CITY GOLD coffee – freshly roasted and ground in Tampa by the Lamont family. 1# French Roast – $9.99, 1# Hazelnut Cream or Southern Pecan – $10.99. Come out Aug 6, from 6-9  and sample for yourself!

Help support your community – Buy Local! Other Polk County Offerings include: CHALET SUZANNE Soups, The Stayskal Family’s COUNTRY BEES Raw Honey,  Garth Pennington’s HILLBILLY KETSUP BBQ sauce,  and Locally Authored Books: “LAKELAND – PICTURING CHANGE” by Randall, Susan and Sarah MacDonald, “SUCCESS IN EXILE – FIVE DECADES OF CUBAN STORIES” by Teresa V. Martinez, “SHE SAID” by Iris Bloom and “SWANSATION - THE BIRDWATCHER’S GUIDE” published by Gus and Lisa Palas.

Watch for new authors and local offerings to be added soon!