Longtime Lakeland Business and Resident Receive Beautification Awards

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The month’s residential beautification award winner, John Tankson, has spent five decades tending the lush, Florida-friendly landscape at his home at 1003 W. 13th St.

Horticulturist Stacy Smith said a small ribbon of grass winds through islands of plants, including crotons, copper plants, bromeliads and other tropical species.

“Most of the things you planted, I can’t even pronounce,” Mayor Bill Mutz quipped.

John Tankson (center) receives the October 2025 residential beautification award from Mayor Bill Mutz (left) and horticulturalist Stacy Smith. | Cindy Glover, LkldNow

Tankson, a Vietnam veteran, was overcome with emotion while accepting the award.

“I always try to do for Lakeland, because Lakeland is a beautiful place. It’s been good to me,” he said. “I raised my family here for 50 years, and I may have tears in my eyes, but I can’t help it sometimes … I’ve been through so much, but I appreciate Lakeland, Florida. God knows, I do.”

Commercial award

The commercial beautification award for October went to The Ruthvens (JPRI Holdings LLC) for its simple, but well-maintained warehouse at 3950 Anchuca Drive, near the city’s southwest limit.

“You can tell that someone cares about the landscape,” Smith said.