Amelia Herring.jpg

Amelia Grooms

City Editor, LALtoday

Amelia is based in Lakeland, FL. Prior to joining LALtoday, she worked in the career
services and marketing sectors. When she’s not writing about what makes Lakeland the
best city ever, she can be found reading or drinking an iced caramel macchiato from
Black and Brew.

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Culture
Lakelanders’ goals for 2025
Looking to make the most of Lakeland life in 2025? Check out the goals our readers + followers have set, plus some recommendations of our own.
December 10, 2024
 · 
Amelia Grooms
The exterior of the Catapult building in Lakeland.
Business
10 things you might not know about Catapult, Lakeland’s business incubator
In honor of Catapult’s 10-year anniversary, we’re spilling the tea on what goes on behind the scenes. How many of these facts did you know?
December 6, 2024
 · 
Amelia Grooms
A Christmas mug with a lit Christmas tree in the background
Culture
Fill in the blanks to create a Lakeland-inspired holiday film
If your holiday season isn’t complete without a cheesy Hallmark movie, then this activity is for you.
December 6, 2024
 · 
Amelia Grooms
inside shots of the bright white interior of My Doctors Live MediSpa, feat. gold and white marble furniture, pink pillows, and more.
Sponsored
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Sponsored by
Black and Brew's winter menu is on two chalkboards. Next to it is a decorated Christmas tree and a mural that says "your anytime place."
Food
Grab a cup of cheer with these holiday treats around Lakeland
From coffee to baked goods to cocktails, try these festive bevs + bites for the holiday season.
December 2, 2024
 · 
Amelia Grooms
An exterior view of small businesses on North Kentucky Avenue, including Scout & Tag, with seating and plants outside.
Celebrating Small Business Saturday in Lakeland
Lakeland is made up of so many wonderful small businesses. Here are a few our readers love in honor of Small Business Saturday.
November 26, 2024
 · 
Amelia Grooms
GVL_Thanksgiving_Parade_NOV2024
City
If Greenville had a Thanksgiving Day Parade...
We’re re-imagining this annual parade to be entirely themed after Greenville.
November 22, 2024
 · 
Amelia Grooms
A photo of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, except a swan from Lakeland is the centerpiece of the Tom Turkey float.
Culture
Our Lakeland take on the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
We’re re-imagining this annual parade to be entirely themed after the Swan City.
November 22, 2024
 · 
Amelia Grooms
A vacant car lot with three buildings and a billboard is shown.
Business
New eats on Main Street: Food truck court potentially coming to downtown Lakeland area
Learn what Lakelanders could expect in terms of the cuisine, experience, and opening timeline should the plan get approved.
November 20, 2024
 · 
Amelia Grooms
Pumpkins and plants on sidewalk outside of Scout & Tag storefront
Food
Build a Thanksgiving Day meal from your favorite Lakeland eateries
Add some Lakeland flair to your Thanksgiving spread with classic dishes from these Swan City restaurants.
November 19, 2024
 · 
David Stringer
A wintry background with snowflakes that reads "LALtoday's 2024 Gift Guide."
Culture
LALtoday’s 2024 holiday gift guide: 90+ gifts for everyone on your list
Including gifts for neighbors, foodies, significant others, homebodies, students, and gifts under $20.
November 8, 2024
 · 
Sarah Leonhardt
Exterior shot of Crispers in downtown Lakeland
Food
Come on, dish: Which Lakeland restaurant do you miss the most?
We want to know — which Lakeland restaurant or meal sparks nostalgia in your heart and belly, and why?
November 8, 2024
 · 
Amelia Grooms
Lights surrounding Lake Mirror at night time in Lakeland, FL
Culture
Embrace your inner night owl: Late night Lakeland activities
Who says there has to be sun to have fun in Swan City?
November 6, 2024
 · 
Amelia Grooms
Books
Culture
Literature with Lakelanders: Join these local book clubs and storytimes
Find a love of literature at these reading programs for all ages.
November 6, 2024
 · 
Connor Jacobson
Children running towards a flagpole; an American flag waves in the wind
Culture
Observe Veterans Day at these Lakeland events
Keep reading for events that honor Lakeland’s veteran community.
November 4, 2024
 · 
Rilee Delgado
A photo of the exterior of Foster's Hollywood in Spain.
Food
Remembering Foster’s Hollywood, Lakeland’s taste of Tinseltown
While the restaurant only had a location in Lakeland for a little over a year, it made its mark on our readers + followers.
October 31, 2024
 · 
Amelia Grooms
NOOGAtoday | Fall
City
Chattanooga neighborhoods as top Halloween candies
Welcome to Chattanooga — Candy Land version.
October 30, 2024
 · 
Amelia Grooms
Glow in the dark axes and targets at Ax Caliber
Culture
Six ways to spend an hour in Lakeland
Get active, learn something, or treat yourself — here’s how you can make the most of just one hour around Lakeland.
October 29, 2024
 · 
Connor Jacobson
An exterior shot of a white house with a pink door.
New to Lakeland
Staycation in style at these Lakeland Airbnb and Vrbo rentals
Whether you’re looking for a charming bungalow or a stylish mid-century modern stay, Lakeland’s short-term rentals offer something for everyone looking for a staycation.
October 28, 2024
 · 
Jessalin Heins-Nagamoto
LAL_lakemortonpumpkins_OCT2024
City
Lakeland neighborhoods as top Halloween candies
Welcome to Lakeland — Candy Land version.
October 25, 2024
 · 
Amelia Grooms
Screen Shot 2021-10-28 at 10.22.31 AM
Culture
Our readers’ Lakeland horror dating stories
We get it — dating is scary. Share your horror dating stories from around Lakeland that still haunt you to this day.
October 23, 2024
 · 
Amelia Grooms
Annie Pfeiffer Chapel
Culture
Haunted landmarks in Polk County
If you’ve ever felt a chill in your spine when frequenting these locales around Lakeland, there’s likely a good reason.
October 21, 2024
 · 
Kaylee Holland
Screen Shot 2019-10-17 at 12.33.37 PM
Culture
Meet the three ghosts that haunt the Polk Theatre
If you’ve ever stepped foot inside the Polk Theatre, chances are you were simultaneously taking a ghost tour — and didn’t even know it.
October 17, 2024
 · 
Kaylee Holland
LAL_hurricanemilton_OCT2024
City
“Insurance village” now open to help Lakelanders after Hurricane Milton
Insurance representatives will be available to assist with filing claims daily at the RP Funding Center until further notice.
October 15, 2024
 · 
Amelia Grooms
A woman stands on the shore of Lake Morton in Lakeland, FL feeding the swans.
Sponsored
‘Greater Lakeland’ episode 2 is swan of a kind
Sponsored by
LAL_hurricanemilton_OCT2024
City
In photos: Hurricane Milton’s impact on Polk County
In the aftermath of Milton, the power is out for tens of thousands, trees are down, and lakes + canals are overflowing. Take a closer look at the storm’s impact on Lakeland and Polk County.
October 11, 2024
 · 
Amelia Grooms
A stormy sky with palm trees blowing in the wind and buildings in the background.
City
Save these numbers + resources for help after Hurricane Milton
From how to get on the debris pick-up list to where you can get clean water, keep these resources in mind for after the storm passes.
October 9, 2024
 · 
Amelia Grooms
A hurricane model showing the projected path of Hurricane Milton.
City
Polk County prepares for Hurricane Milton
The storm is expected to make landfall in Florida on Wednesday, Oct. 9.
October 8, 2024
 · 
Connor Jacobson
Lakeland entrepreneurs, startups, and small businesses pitch their big ideas at Catapult's Launch Pitch Night for the chance to win up to $10,000 in funding.
Business
Meet the finalists for Launch Pitch Night at Catapult
These five entrepreneurs will pitch their businesses for the chance to secure up to $10,000 in micro-grant funding.
October 3, 2024
 · 
Amelia Grooms
A view of Back Bay and the Boston Public Library at sunset.
Travel and Outdoors
A Lakelander’s travel guide to Boston, MA
Find out what to do and where to stay in one of the top new destinations Avelo Airlines will fly to from Lakeland.
October 1, 2024
 · 
Amelia Grooms
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