Greater Lakeland
Welcome to The GREATER Series, where we explore the heart and soul of West Central Florida by region. Featuring fascinating locals, cherished community landmarks and the rich history of our neighborhoods.
- 2024-2025
- 1 season
- WEDU / PBS
- Documentary
Welcome to The GREATER Series, where we explore the heart and soul of West Central Florida by region. Featuring fascinating locals, cherished community landmarks and the rich history of our neighborhoods.
Season 1 Episode Guide
5 Episodes 2024 - 2025
Episode 1
Frank Lloyd Wright | Child of the Sun
Thu, Sep 19, 2024
In this premiere episode of Greater Lakeland, explore the rich history of Florida Southern College's iconic campus, designed by the legendary Frank Lloyd Wright. Discover the compelling stories and personal recollections behind the construction, where students played a vital role by contributing labor in exchange for free tuition. The campus, seamlessly integrated with Lakeland's natural landscape, is the largest collection of #Wright buildings in the world.
Episode 2
The Swans of Lakeland
Thu, Oct 17, 2024
Discover the fascinating and drama-filled history of #Lakeland's beloved swans. Join librarian and #Swan historian LuAnn Mims, the ultimate authority on Lakeland's swan legacy, as she guides us through this intriguing journey. Follow "The Swan Mother," Samantha Drew, in her daily routine as she cares for the swans, including the delicate process of bringing newborn cygnets to the charming and dedicated swan veterinarian, Dr. Price Dickson.
Episode 3
The Silver Moon Drive-In Theatre
Thu, Nov 21, 2024
The Silver Moon Drive-In Theatre, Lakeland's first, lit up the night sky on April 14, 1948. Decades later, its magic endures, drawing families and film lovers under the stars. Join owner Chip Sawyer and devoted moviegoer Allen Kucera as they explore the wonder of the Silver Moon and the unforgettable impact drive-in theaters have had on Allen's life.
Episode 4
Women in Aviation
Thu, Dec 19, 2024
Dive into Lakeland's rich aviation heritage through the stories of Abigail Dowdy, a student at Central Florida's Aerospace Academy, Kerri Englert, a NOAA flight director, and Nicholas Mathes, director of The Florida Air Musuem.
Episode 5
Bonnet Springs Park
Thu, Jan 16, 2025
Through the anecdotes of volunteer Andrew Rybinski, discover the transformation of Lakeland's historic rail yards into Bonnet Springs Park. Once the heart of Florida's phosphate and agricultural transport, the rail yards shaped Lakeland's growth but left an environmental legacy after closing in the 1980s. See how 168 acres of former industrial land were reimagined into a thriving, world-class park just steps from Downtown Lakeland.