Downtown Crowd, October 2020

OCTOBER '20 Find your Great Pumpkin

Laughter is the Best Medicine

HALLOWEEN’S NOT QUITE

DEAD Pensacon Resurrects Spooky Season

Also in this Issue:

Military Matters

an Armed Forces News Section

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downtowncrowd.com

Your health and safety remain our TOP priority. At Bodacious, all cooking classes are demonstration style (hands off) at this time. Food and beverage staff are practicing the highest safety standards with daily temperature readings and wearing medical-grade face masks and gloves at all times. Guests will remain at recommended distances while enjoying a gourmet meal, a delicious glass of wine and a fresh Bodacious cooking experience. Due to limited product availability during COVID, our Chef may have to make menu substitutions based on the availability.

Festive Feasts for Fall OCTOBER

Beef Wellington

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Monday, Oct 5 6 PM $65

Jean-Francois Christini Wine Social at 5eleven Palafox

Wednesday, Oct 28 6 PM $65

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Thursday, Oct 22 6PM $55

Join us as our chef demonstrates how to add your heat to your kitchen!

Oktoberfest – A German Feast

Enjoy multiple courses of delicious hors d’eourves with expertly paired wines from Jean Francois winery!

Friday, Oct 9 6 PM $89

Friday, Oct 30 Noon $25

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Harry Potter Inspired Demo Wednesday, Oct 14 6pm $65 Learn how to master this delicious dish at home!

Cast Iron Filet & Shrimp

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Jean-Francois Christini Wine Dinner Friday, Oct 23 6 PM $89 Enjoy a decadent multiple course dinner with expertly paired specialty wines from Jean Francois winery!

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44 th Annual Fashion Show October 29, 2020 6 p.m. Virtual Program, Silent Auction and Fashion Show Fashions provided by Bluetique, Jennie Barrow Independent cabi Stylist, The Market & Mainly Shoes and The South Outfitters Proceeds from this year’s event will support Baptist Health Care’s COVID-19 Response Fund. Your gift will allow us to provide emergency funding to support the highest-priority COVID-19 response efforts.

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DOWNTOWN CROWD OCTOBER 2020 Publisher Malcolm Ballinger Owners Malcolm & Glenys Ballinger Executive Editor Kelly Oden Editor Gina Castro Art Director Guy Stevens Graphic Designer Garrett Hallbauer Editorial Assistant Dakota Parks Editorial Intern Abigail Denney Advertising Account Executives Paula Rode Paula@ballingerpublishing.com Geneva Strange Geneva@ballingerpublishing.com Becky Hildebrand becky@ballingerpublishing.com For advertising rates or news tips contact Phone: 433-1166 · Fax: 435-9174 DOWNTOWN CROWD is published by Ballinger Publishing.

Offices located at 314 N Spring St., Ste. A, Pensacola Florida 32501 Published by Ballinger Publishing

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Editor’s Letter Gina Castro, Editor

2020 has been a challenging year to say the least. I have been alternating between feeling powerless and incredibly blessed.

Pensacola, a city I’ve always been proud to call home, has been devastated by Hurricane Sally.

People who were already struggling financially due to the pandemic were affected the most by Sally. Many people’s homes were destroyed by trees and flood waters. Thousands of people went days without power. I was fortunate to go only a few days without power. Wedgewood, a predominantly black neighborhood, gained national attention. It’s a low lying area that was virtually defenseless to the flood waters due to several nearby landfills.

Residents of Warrington Village Apartments were forced to vacate their flooded apartments without any place to go. There is so much heartbreak here. It’s hard to believe that all of us will get through this, but we can if we help one another.

Central Gulf Coast People’s Council is working to help Village residents and others who were affected by Sally in the community.

If you are interested in volunteering, email hello@thecgcpc.org.

To make a donation, visit the Go Fund Me link gf.me/u/yzcwvj.

This month’s issue includes plenty of activities to look forward to. For one, Halloween isn’t canceled this year! Pensacon is hosting a free Halloween event where children can trick or treat safely. You can read all about this spooktacular event straight from the witch’s mouth.

CONTENTS

7

After how insane this year has been, I think we could all use a laugh. Luckily for us, REX Comedy Theatre is having its grand opening this month. Follow us on social media @DowntownCrowd for a chance to win tickets to the opening night. Until then, you can read all about how the comedy club came together.

There are events to look forward to this month. The annual First City Art Center Pumpkin Patch is this month at a new spacious outdoor venue. You can read about this event in this issue, too.

9

You won’t want to miss Carter J. Gaston’s art collection at Open Books. It’ll be on display for the month of October. Dakota Parks did an excellent job capturing Gaston’s career as a local artist.

15

This month’s Military Matters features Commanding Officer Capt.

John Bryan “JB” McKamey’s moving story. McKamey served in the military for 37 years, and for nearly eight years, he was a prisoner of war in Vietnam. Although McKamey passed away, his memory lives on through his fellow servicemembers, friends and family.

16

From all of us at Downtown Crowd, we hope you have a witchin’ Halloween!

7 5 Questions with Creatives

15 Welcome Great Pumpkin!

9 Halloween's Not Quite Dead

16 The Art of Staying Free

12 Laughter is the Best Medicine

18 Events Calendar 19 Military Matters

ON THE COVER – Photo by Guy Stevens

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5 QUES TIONS WITH

CREATIVES G I L A RAYBERG

BY ABIG A IL DEN N EY

Gila Rayberg is a local artist who creates mosaics and shares her passion all over the world through teaching workshops wherever she goes. In 1989, Rayberg graduated from Arizona State University with a master’s degree in music. Rayberg found herself at a newly established University in Borneo, East Malaysia, where she taught music for many years, before returning to the states.

When arriving in the states, she landed in New Orleans where she met her partner, Mark. Rayberg played the trombone for Deacon John & the Ivories until hurricane Katrina hit in 2005. While she was evacuating, she decided to quit music and start creating mosaic art full-time.

Rayberg hosts art exhibits regularly throughout the United States and has won numerous awards for her mosaic art. Due to COVID-19, she stopped traveling in March, but offers 2 online workshops on her website. Her work is also published in multiple art books. To see more of Rayberg’s art, follow her on Instagram @GilaRayberg_Mosaics.

What convinced you to quit music and start creating mosaics full-time?

I’ve always had it in my head, even whenever I was teaching overseas. It was like a daydream, a recurring thought, that one day I was going to settle down somewhere and mosaic everything.

That didn’t actually happen until 25 years later.

I remember when Mark and I spent his birthday for the first

time as a couple, I wanted to do something special. He needed a table for his patio, so I made a mosaic table for his birthday.

It was the first time in 20 years that I made a mosaic, and I completely forgot everything my sister had taught me. A year later it totally fell apart. That was in 2000 and we were still doing music full-time.

When hurricane Katrina happened in 2005, we evacuated

here to Perdido Key. One of Mark’s friends lived in Perdido, and we used to visit him all the time and would go to the beach every chance we got. After Katrina hit, we decided to move to Perdido Key because we knew we didn’t need to live in New Orleans anymore. While I was evacuated during hurricane Katrina, I decided to quit music fulltime and started making mosaic art full-time. That was 15 years ago, and I’ve been doing mosaics ever since.

I saw that you went to Italy and met Paldo, a dog that sparked your interest. Do you travel to get inspiration or is it just for fun?

I travel for work, educational reasons, while having fun and getting inspiration from a different place. I was actually invited to Italy for an international symposium run by a mosaic master, Giulio Menossi. I was one of the nine artists from around the world invited to participate in the 3rd Contemporary Mosaic Art Symposium in Ploaghe Sardinia.

For me to be one of them was an incredible honor. I was like “How does he even know who I am?”

We were all women, and we had 13 working days to complete a 3x2 ft project. We worked from 8 am to 5 pm every day, and it was open to the public, so people came and watched us, especially toward the end. That’s how I met Paldo because he would hang out with us every day.

Where do you get the inspiration for all the portraits you make?

When I ask for specific details about the person, it helps me make it more special and personable for the family, friend or whoever requests the mosaic. I really focus on bringing out the emotion instead of focusing on the realistic aspect of the image, since I use bright colors and different patterns for the material.

When I’m not creating a portrait for someone else, I get my subject from a group I’m in with other artists. I’m a part of an international group called Julia Kay’s Portrait Party. It’s a community of artists involved in a collaborative project of mutual portraiture.

When you become a member, you send a photo of your face in the group that way other artists can use it for portraits through whatever medium they use.

Is there a specific piece that is close and dear to your heart?

What’s the deciding factor on selling a piece or not?

I mean I think they are all pretty close and dear to my heart. I did a mosaic of my niece’s kids from a picture that she sent to me, and I didn’t have to plan it out like I usually do. It was just like it came out of me and created itself.

Everything I create is mostly for sale. Sometimes when I do a piece Mark and I save it for our personal collection, but that doesn’t happen a lot.

I actually just finished a mosaic for our 20-year anniversary coming up. So, I probably won’t sell that one since it’s of us.

You’ve mentioned your process a few times. How do you begin a mosaic?

The prep is longer than the actual act of doing the mosaic. With choosing material, drawing the design, accumulating the supplies, and building the base that it goes on, it takes more time than actually doing the mosaic itself. Collecting all of the supplies I need is time consuming because I use natural materials like stone and slate, or I buy dishes from thrift stores that I like and some local artists give me their extra material to use. When I travel, I like to collect materials wherever I am. When I went to Italy, I came back with Italian concrete that I use for material.

I run out of materials all the time because I might have one dish to work from or scraps from another artist, so it’s all based on the materials I have at the time.

When I run out, I add different materials that I think goes well with the piece or the colorways and incorporate it in somehow.

I just think of how I’m going to transition into different material.

I’ll usually spread out the pieces that way it doesn’t look like I just ran out of that material, and just try to make it work.

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Halloween’s Not Quite Dead !

E V I L It’s A

Pensacon Hosts First Ever HalloweenFest

T

here are three telltale signs that spooky season has arrived. Number one, suddenly all products from coffee creamer to deodorant are available in pumpkin spice. Two, Hobby Lobby starts playing strictly Christmas music (what’s that about?). And three, you really start to think that Hogwarts letter might come in the mail.

Whether you are aware of these signs or not, Halloween is just a few weeks away. For a while there, many people thought that Halloween would be another event canceled by COVID-19.

Fortunately, Pensacon had other plans.

Pensacon is throwing a spooktacular event: Pensacon HalloweenFest. This outdoor, convention-style event is sure to send chills down your spine this Halloween.

"We wanted to host a fun, free and most importantly, safe event that hopefully can bring a little joy to everyone this Halloween,” Mike Ensley, founder and CEO of Pensacon, said. “We appreciate the support of our fans, and this is just another way of giving back to our community."

by Gina Castro photo by Guy Stevens

HalloweenFest is a combination of Pensacon and an arts festival. It will feature 30 vendors selling a variety of nerdy wares, panels and food trucks. There will also be live performances from the Emerald Coast Honors Orchestra, Nik Flagstar, Three Bean Soup and more. continued › DOWNTOWNCROWD.COM | 9

“

So many people are wondering whether they can even take their kids trick or treating, so we’re offering a safe trick or treating opportunity along with a variety of other fun.”

As for adults, Pensacon wants you to come in your store-bought costume or cosplay best, too. Adults can also compete for prizes in the adult costume contest for a nominal fee.

This wouldn’t be a Pensacon event without celebrity guests in attendance. Among the celebrity guests scheduled to appear is actor Corin Nemec, known for his roles in Stargate SG-1, The Stand and Parker Lewis Can’t Lose. HalloweenFest guests will have the opportunity to mingle with the celebrities. Photos and signatures are available for a fee.

Many parents and children worried that trick or treating would be cancelled this year, but Pensacon has a plan for that, too.

“We all look forward to Halloween every year, and with so many events throughout this year being canceled by COVID, we wanted to provide something fun for families to do that we believe can be executed with the utmost in safety,” Julio Diaz, Pensacon Marketing and Media Director, explained. “So many people are wondering whether they can even take their kids trick or treating, so we're offering a safe trick or treating opportunity along with a variety of other fun.”

Children, who are in costumes, will receive a free Halloween bag and are encouraged to trick-or-treat with the vendors set up across the plaza. Kids will have an opportunity to win prizes during the children costume contest. So knock ‘em dead!

10 | DOWNTOWNCROWD.COM

Pensacon is aware of just how frightful this celebration can be, especially with the added factor of COVID-19. Although Pensacon can’t promise you’ll be safe from HalloweenFest’s horrors, they do promise to take COVID-19 safety regulations seriously. Masks will be required at all times in the Museum Plaza, associated venues and activities. Vendors will be spaced out across the plaza to encourage social distancing. A plethora of hand sanitizing stations will be made available at the event. Attendees are encouraged to stay with their groups and maintain six feet of distance from other groups.

“We know that with the cooperation of our attendees, we can have an event that will be even safer than a run to the grocery store,” Diaz said.

“Being outdoors is obviously a help, but we will follow all directives to keep everyone safe and healthy, and more details on these policies can be found on our Facebook page and on pensacon.com. We are expecting to have many of the same policies in place for Pensacon in February, as well, so this will be a good opportunity for people to learn what to expect.”

Diaz also confirmed that attendees will not be allowed on grounds without the proper face mask covering both their noses and mouths. If anyone is spotted without proper face covering, they will be asked to cover up or leave the grounds.

HalloweenFest will take place at the spacious Museum Plaza, located at the corner of Church and Tarragona streets in downtown Pensacola. There will be a designated area for seating and unmasked eating, but only guests who are actively eating are allowed to be in that area without wearing masks. HalloweenFest is Oct. 31 from 10 am to 6 pm. For more information about this event, go to Pensacon.com.

Pensacon is already hard at work on planning their annual convention, which is set for Feb. 26–28, 2021. This event will feature similar COVID-19 precautions to HalloweenFest, and it’ll be even bigger than last year’s.

“Our footprint will be expanding significantly this year, so expect new venues, new parties and even more to see and do,” Diaz said. “We work on the show year-round to bring Pensacola the most fun possible, and we're all really excited about what we are planning for 2021.”

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THE SWITZER FAMILY

LAUGHTER IS THE BEST

MEDICINE

by Gina Castro

REX Comedy Theatre Opens This Month So you’ve survived a global pandemic, grappled with hurricane season and wore a face mask in 90 degree weather—normally, I would suggest a strong drink, but if your quarantine was anything like mine, I get the feeling that probably lost its effect on you. So, Pensacola, we think you could use a laugh.

You know what they say, “Laughter is the best medicine.” The REX Comedy Theatre’s grand opening is this month. Follow us on social media @DowntownCrowd for a chance to win two tickets to the comedy club’s grand opening.

The grand opening night is Oct. 23 at 8 pm. The comic lineup is top secret, but we’ll keep you posted on social media.

Each weekend, the historic REX Theatre will host a variety of live entertainment shows from stand-up comedians to magic shows. Tom Coverly The Illusionist is the Booking Promoter for the comedy club.

“We’ve all heard that laughter is the best medicine, right? We’ve all been through hard times this year and times where we’ve been ready to give up and throw in the towel,” Coverly said.

“When you think of businesses who are just struggling during this and the people in our city who are financially hurting—laughter is something that just has a way of healing emotional pain, or, at the very least, give us a night where we can take that off of our minds for a bit. That’s why we believe now’s the time, more than ever to open.”

12 | DOWNTOWNCROWD.COM

When Coverly moved to Pensacola in 2018, he looked for the local comedy scene and was disappointed when he discovered that there weren’t any permanent comedy venues in Pensacola. There are occasional comedy nights at Seville and other places downtown. Chizuko, which recently announced it’s permanently closed, featured performances by local comedians.

“We have a great local comedy scene, but nothing on the national scale. Right now, there are comics who do shows in New Orleans and then they skip over us and go to Tampa, or Jacksonville,” Coverly. “We just want to be a dumping ground for big name comedians.”

So when Generation Church, the owners of REX Theatre, reached out to Coverly about using the space for entertainment on the weekends, he instantly thought to create a comedy club.

“

Laughter is something that just has a way of healing emotional pain, or, at the very least, give us a night where we can take that off of our minds for a bit.”

Coverly is a magician, comedian and motivational speaker who has performed all over the nation and several countries. He and his wife Tiffany Coverly run the nonprofit One Goal Productions, which focuses on bullying and suicide prevention. Usually they are on the road, but due to COVID-19, they had to cancel their U.S and Australia tours.

Coverly’s experience has connected him with talent from America’s Got Talent and nationally known comics. He hopes to use this space to feature an assortment of

local talent, national talent, adult humor as well as shows for the family.

“I’m going to do a family oriented show most weekends, and on the opposite night, we’re going to have nationally known stand-up comedians come into our city, so we’re excited about that,” Coverly said. “Just because it’s owned by the church, it doesn’t mean we won’t have adult rated shows, too.

We’ll have a variety of entertainers in there.”

Coverly also plans to keep ticket prices affordable so that everyone can enjoy the show. He will be using sponsorships from local businesses to keep prices affordable.

A portion of the funds from sponsorships will go toward One Goal Productions.

“I speak in schools about bullying and suicide prevention, but I want to be able to do it here at home.

So when a school calls here in Pensacola, I want to be able to say, ‘Man, because of the REX Theatre and the generous businesses in this area, we’re coming for free,’” Coverly said. “So a portion of those sponsorships are going to go toward being able to provide bullying and suicide prevention assemblies in schools in our area. That’s our purpose. We want to make a difference.”

To make sure that guests are able to practice social distancing, the REX Comedy Theatre will be at 50 percent capacity, so only 200 guests per event and face masks are required. They also are considering doing temperature checks at the door.

“We want to take every precaution, but we also realize we need laughter badly in this city. It’s been a rough six months for a lot of people,” Coverly said.

The club is recruiting national acts now. Performers with booking inquiries can contact Coverly at booking@onegoalproductions.org.

To keep up with REX Comedy Theatre, follow them on social media @REXPensacola.

DOWNTOWNCROWD.COM | 13

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Welcome great Pumpkin!

2020 has been a strange year, but some normalcy is heading our way. The First City Art Center’s (FCAC) Annual Pumpkin Patch is one of the few events that is still happening this year. The 14th Annual Pumpkin Patch will be at the Blue Wahoo Stadium to make room for plenty of social distancing. With the extra space, FCAC will be able to display thousands of one-of-a kind handmade glass and ceramic pumpkins from more than 40 local artists, provide extra parking and more outdoor space.

“We are very excited to be at the Blue Wahoos Stadium this year,” Kelly Leitermann, FCAC Events Coordinator, said. “Not only does it allow us more

First City Art Center Hosts 14th Annual Pumpkin Patch

by Gina Castro

room to socially distance and be safe with everything that’s going on, but it also allows us to reach a whole new demographic of people that might not have known about us before.”

The Pumpkin Patch is FCAC’s largest fundraising event. COVID-19 caused a financial crisis across the board, which especially affected nonprofit organizations like FCAC. The art center shutdown for a while and recently reopened with classes at half capacity and face masks required. “We’re doing our best to come back and do so as safely as we can with our community,” Leitermann said.

All staff at the Pumpkin Patch event are required to wear face masks and there will be hand sanitizer stations dispersed throughout the stadium.

Although not required, FCAC strongly encourages guests to wear face masks.

The funding from this event goes toward FCAC’s arts education for children and adults who can’t always afford it. Proceeds will also go toward scholarship funds for the youth art program and teen program.

The event is on Oct. 17 and free admission is from 2 pm to 7 pm. These unique hand-made pumpkins are created by members of First City Art Center’s glass and pottery guilds. All shapes, colors and sizes imaginable will be there, so show up early to get your great pumpkin! Prices for pumpkins begin at $20. For more information about FCAC, visit firstcityart.org.

DOWNTOWNCROWD.COM | 15

THE ART OF

STAYING FREE

K

story and photos by Dakota Parks

nown by many as a creative pillar in the Brownsville neighborhood determined to help uplift and empower others through art, Carter J. Gaston first started drawing in the timeout corner as a child. His mother, an avid reader and supporter of his art, kept a notepad and pencil in every room of the house that he would use to practice spelling words and doodling cartoons. Gaston grew up in Atlanta, GA, where his art interests shifted from performing arts, staring in theater performances, a few movies and commercials to drawing on train cars and painting portraits for traveling money to challenging himself to complete a new exhibit or art show once a year.

When he moved to Pensacola six years ago, Gaston started making a name for himself and networking by painting and drawing portraits at Pensacola Beach and Gallery Night downtown.

Now, his art can be seen throughout the entire city, including dozens of murals, food trucks, children’s book illustrations, art classes and even the new Brownsville community sign on W. and Cervantes Street that he helped design in collaboration with the Renaissance Man. COVID-19 has not slowed down the creative juices flowing out of Gaston’s art studio on V Street. In August, he released his newest untitled collection as the first exhibit on display at the recently opened Gordon Community Art Center located at 306 N DeVilliers Street. The collection features 14 acrylic painted portraits covered in a polyurethane clear gloss.

“Community is really important to me,” Gaston said. “You can see black history and culture in a lot of my murals. There is a lot happening in 16 | DOWNTOWNCROWD.COM

Belmont-DeVilliers, and I just wanted to capture the power of that community in my art. Gentrification is a tough topic, but I think we have to be a part of the change. We can’t just watch it happen. We have to use our gifts, skills and voices, which the community needs in order to grow.”

As Gaston explained, he was eager to finish the collection for the Gordon and even posted on social media asking which influential figures he should paint next. He received over 200 responses. The subjects of the portraits include both famous influential figures like Malcolm X, Kobe Bryant, Prince, Black Thought, Pop Smoke and Robin Williams, as well as people from the community that have inspired him like Scott Satterwhite, Geraldine Vaurigaud, Teníadé Broughton and his own girlfriend, Cat.

“

His painting process starts with his phone in his left hand and a pencil in the right hand. “I roughly sketch out a portrait, then start painting eyes, nose, mouth, chin then hair. I spend a lot of time mixing colors for skin tone and background,” Gaston said. “The paint splatters that overlay this collection were just another way for me to try something new and mix colors.”

The overlay paint shapes prison bars across canvases, spells out words like “be kind, be nice” and works to tie color pallets together. Below the pink swirls on the Robin Williams portrait, you can see Gaston’s life motto painted onto his shirt: Stay Free. For Gaston, the motto is a spiritual reminder to stay free from all forms of oppression, suppression and depression.

We have to use our gifts, skills and voices, which the community needs in order to grow.”

“

Most of all, I want people to feel represented and seen in my art—especially kids.”

Gaston has painted several murals in schools and around the city that follow the same message of empowerment. At the Camelot Academy, he painted a mural featuring landmarks from the Belmont-DeVilliers neighborhood, figures like General Daniel “Chappie” James Jr. and Pensacola-born professional boxer Roy Jones Jr., as well as children enamored in reading, learning and lending a helping hand to one another. His mural “Paying it Forward” at the Neighborhood Ice Cream Parlor was inspired by the artist Ernie Barnes and shows figures dancing as each one passes money forward in line to the front. Another recent project he just finished for a school classroom was painting individual ceiling tiles to look like front book covers of black authors and poets to inspire children looking up.

“Most of all, I want people to feel represented and seen in my art—especially kids,” Gaston said. “They’re the ones that need to see images of leaders, historical figures and people that look like themselves so they can feel empowered. We need to be lifting each other up. I love seeing the kids in my neighborhood. I go up to them, high five them and ask them what they drew today, just to keep reminding them that they can create

and that there’s power in that. I want that message to permeate throughout communities.”

Gaston has worked as an art teacher at a local school, teaches private painting lessons and regularly hosts community paint parties. He’s a firm believer in networking and building good relationships in the community. When he’s not commissioned to work on murals and projects, he loves painting his girlfriend and family members. His collection of portraits will be on display for the public at Open Books through the month of October. You can keep up with him on social media @smarterj.

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2020 CALENDAR

200 South Outdoor Market October 1, 2020–February 1, 2021 Join us for our first ever outdoor market in the 200 South parking lot between World of Beer and Graffiti Pizza. We’ll have local artists and vendors selling their home-made wares from 2pm-8pm. We’ll be selling food and drinks at our outside tent so you can eat, drink and walk around.

At 200 South our local community and downtown area is very important to us. This year has brought a lot of unexpected changes for our community as a whole. Unfortunately, we have lost a lot of great traditions and events that typically bring our community together weekly and monthly.

We want to support our local entrepreneurs, artists and creatives that bring so much joy to our community.

We will practice social distancing and ask that although masks are not required outside that when you approach a tent to buy or speak with the vendor that you do put on a mask.

Palafox Market Returns!

October 3 onwards (Every Saturday 9am to 2pm at MLK Jr. Plaza) The iconic farmers market has been closed for several months in response to the City’s moratorium on public events due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In a carefully planned, phased reopening, Palafox Market will launch with about half its regular vendors, showcasing food, farm produce and products geared towards safety and sanitation such as handmade soaps and face masks.

Organizers are working hard to ensure that shoppers and vendors can enjoy the market safely. There will be increased physical space between vendors, face coverings required by all in attendance, no vendor samples unless individually packaged and security will monitor crowd control for proper social distancing.

Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s October 4 The Pensacola Walk to End Alzheimer’s at Vince J. Whibbs Sr. Community Maritime Park attracts thousands each year to raise awareness and funds to fight Alzheimer’s disease will look different this year. Instead of hosting a large gathering, the Alzheimer’s Association is encouraging participants to walk as individuals or in small groups on sidewalks, tracks 18 | DOWNTOWNCROWD.COM

and trails across Pensacola. On Walk day, an Opening Ceremony will feature local speakers and a presentation of Promise Flowers to honor the personal reasons participants join together to fight Alzheimer’s and all other dementia, all delivered to participants’ smartphones, tablets and computers.

Pensacola Opera Presents: The Mezzanine – Online Digital Performances & Programming October 4 & 18 Sundays on the Mezzanine comes to you online every other Sunday at 3:00 PM for a series of full-length concerts premiered live so you can chat along and ask questions throughout the performance.

Russian Ballet Theatre presents Swan Lake October 7 Join the Pensacola Saenger Theater for a must-see Russian Ballet Theatre’s new production of Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s timeless classic! Choreographer Nadezhda Kalinina (Mariinsky Theatre, Teatro Lirico, Omsk State Music Theatre) lovingly retouches the oldest St. Petersburg version of the ballet and adds her vision and something more, that undoubtedly will leave audiences flushed with emotion.

First City Art Center: Art Lab — Ages 9–14 October 13–November 5 YAP ART LAB is a hands-on art-making class for age 9-14 home-school, public, and private school students.

Art Lab is offered as a 4, or 8 week program. Participants have the option to attend Tuesday and/or Thursday.

Elements and principles of design are incorporated through various media and projects. Students have the option of being individually guided through personal projects, as well as being encouraged to participate in a variety of group activities.

Vinyl Music Hall: An Evening with Stephen Marley October 15 The second son of Bob and Rita Marley, eight time Grammy winning musician and producer Stephen was born on April 20, 1972; he began his career as a precocious six-year old singing, dancing and playing percussion with his siblings in the group The Melody Makers whose first single “Children Playing in The Streets” was produced by their father in 1979 and released on Tuff Gong, the label founded by Bob in the late 60s. All Ages * Additional $5 Cash Surcharge At The Door For Under 21 * General Admission- Seated And Standing Room Only * Seated Tickets Will Be On A Strictly First Come/ First Serve Basis With The Exception Of Front Row Ticket Holders *

onstration that focuses on the art of preparing a Charcuterie tray and serving it to guests. Each person will create their own cheese tray and customize with various gourmet cheeses from different regions around the world, artisan cured meats, and assorted accouterments. Not to mention, we will include a glass of your favorite wine to pair perfectly with your custom tray!

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Fiesta Children’s Treasure Hunt October 24 Join us Saturday, October 24th for the Annual Fiesta Children’s Treasure Hunt, presented by Zaxby’s! We are excited to announce our NEW LOCATION in Downtown Pensacola - Museum Plaza, located behind the T.T. Wentworth Museum. FREE Registration & Lunch: Begins at 11:00AM Treasure Hunt, Games & Face Painting (Ages: 2-10 years old), throughout the afternoon Grand Prize Giveaway: 1:30PM FREE ACCESS to the T.T. Wentworth’s Museum, The Pensacola Children’s Museum AND UWF’s Historic Village Prizes include: Bicycles, tricycles, art easels, summer camps, weekend beach stays and SO MUCH MORE!

PBR’S Elite Unleash the Beast October 24–25 The concept is simple enough: match the world’s best bull riding athletes against the toughest animal athletes on the planet in an 8-second man versus beast duel. Of course, it’s only simple until you strap a tough and determined 159-pound cowboy to the back of a temperamental 2,000-pound bull. The result is unparalleled action where danger, drama and heroic accomplishments are just a part of the game. All fans as well as staff and competitors will be required to wear face masks inside the Pensacola Bay Center. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to organizations supporting those impacted by hurricane Sally.

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Pensacola Little Theatre Presents: Steel Magnolias October 9–25 Set in a Louisiana hair salon, six women share about their families, their feelings, their pasts, their futures, their hopes, and their dreams.

“Delicate as magnolias, but tough as steel”. The much-beloved and quoted play. Come join Truvy, Annelle, ‘Ouiser, Miss Clairee, M’Lynn, and Shelby for an evening at the beauty salon. Written by Robert Harling and directed by Kathy Holsworth. Tickets are $15-$31 Seating is limited and masks are required in the theatre.

Oktoberfest Cooking Class!

October 9 Celebrate Oktoberfest! Come and join the chefs of Bodacious as we celebrate Oktoberfest with a few of the classic dishes that revolve around this iconic holiday. From different beers to classic schnitzel, you will leave with the skills and abilities to celebrate this holiday in true German fashion. Strap on your lederhosen and come learn how to celebrate Oktoberfest!

Blush and Bashful Makeover Giveaway October 17 Donate today for your chance to win the ultimate makeover experience!

Between now and October 17th donate to the Pensacola Little Theatre here, and one lucky winner will experience a luxurious afternoon at Volume One Salon before dinner and a show. You and a guest of your choice will be treated to a blowout and a face full of professional makeup.

Before you leave the salon, a professional photographer will snap a few photos of your new look, and you might get a surprise visit from Truvy herself! Then dinner is on us at Restaurant Iron before you catch a performance of Steel Magnolias with a complimentary bottle of champagne that night. $30 per entry or get more bang(s) for your buck with two entries for $50.

Ladies Night Charcuterie October 21 Come and join the Bodacious team as we demonstrate how to create the perfect cheese board! Enjoy a dem-

Seville Quarter’s Tuesday Trivia Night!

October 27 Are you any good at Jeopardy? Do you remember “Let’s Make A Deal”?

Can you play “Name That Tune”?

Then Seville Quarter’s new “GAME ON” Digital Trivia Night is right for you!

Every Tuesday night, Seville Quarter is hosting a Digital Trivia Night, with a Smartphone twist. 21st Century revolutionary Smartphone Trivia has taken over the Pensacola Trivia Scene.

GAME ON is a friendly competition with Great Food and Cold Craft Beers.

Don’t forget to bring your cell phone and a group of friends, or just play solo with like-minded Trivia Gamers.

GAME ON is free to play; please be considerate to the other players. The event will start at 7:30pm every Tuesday night in Apple Annie’s, but feel free to come before and grab a bite to eat and a cold drink!

The Haunting of De Luna October 24 Come out to DeLuna Winery for a Frightful Night with the Haunting of De Luna!! This is an Indoor/Outdoor event at 50 percent capacity with spooky sounds from your Host DJ Poseidon!! Guests are welcome to come explore our haunted attractions at your own risk and are encouraged to wear costumes and masks. Horror infused music and dancing!Food truck will be on premise if you would like to purchase food. 6-9pm is ALL AGES; 9pm-1am is 21 and Over. Tickets $20.

Whiskey and War Stories October 29, 2020 Join us at the Fish House for a night of whiskey and war stories; a four course whiskey and food event. The men of ODA 595 have been making their own Whiskey for several years now under the brand Horse Soldiers Bourbon Whiskey. We are fortunate to have Capt. Summers, the founder of the brand who now resides in Navarre, as our speaker for the event. He will be on hand to share whiskey and war stories for the evening. The brand is steeped in the rich history of the special forces. Their bottles having been cast in steel from the Ground Zero wreckage and their logo is the statue placed at Ground Zero commemorating the “America’s Response” to the attacks of 9/11. Their team has been involved in every major conflict since the Vietnam War. Their next mission is to serve Horse Soldier bourbon, their legacy in a bottle. Event cost is $65 per person (plus tax and gratuity).

Pensacola Little Theatre Presents: Switzerland October 30–31 and November 5–7 Somewhere in the Swiss Alps, grande dame of crime literature Patricia Highsmith lives with an impressive collection of books, and a somewhat sinister collection of guns and knives. She finds solace in her solitude, her cats, and cigarettes. But when a mysterious international visitor arrives at her perfectly secluded home, her love of fictional murders becomes a dangerous reality.

Written by Joanna Murray-Smith. Directed by Billy Buff. *Tickets will go on sale October 5, 2020.

MILITARYMATTERS

MILITARYMATTERS

AN ARMED FORCES NEWS SECTION

A HERO’S LIFE REMEMBERED: THE STORY OF J.B. MCKAMEY

by Jason Bortz

Quite a few of our country’s heroes have significant history at Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola, “The Cradle of Naval Aviation,” but none of them have a story quite like former Commanding Officer Capt. John Bryan (JB) McKamey.

For over 10 years now, the former base commanding officer has rested among the tens of thousands buried in NAS Pensacola’s Barrancas National Cemetery. His gravesite represents 37 years of federal service, nearly eight of which were spent as a Prisoner of War (POW) in North Vietnam’s infamous “Hanoi Hilton.” His life and service to the nation are remembered by former colleagues and held in high reverence to this day.

“JB McKamey was and always will be a great American hero,” said Art Giberson, a retired chief petty officer, Vietnam Veteran, and former colleague of McKamey’s at NAS Pensacola.

Giberson’s admiration for McKamey is evident by having interviewed him about his unimaginable time as a POW for a chapter in his book, War Stories.

“Like most Vietnam Veterans he was a little hesitant to talk about it with just anyone, but when he got to know you, particularly if you were also a Vietnam Veteran, he would go into great detail and you could see the emotion in his eyes when he discussed the mental suffering and pain,” he said.

On June 2, 1965, Lt. J.B. McKamey was flying combat missions with his wingman over North Vietnam from the USS Midway (CVA-41) in an A-4E Skyhawk. During an “uneventful” routine reconnaissance flight, they started to head back to the ship when the jets crossed over a river and he saw something that resembled a construction site. He told his wingman that he wanted to take a closer look at it, so he turned around and flew at low-altitude to see what it was.

“Suddenly I heard a sharp ‘thump, thump!’ — not unlike a knock on a door— on the side of the aircraft and I immediately lost all electrical power,” McKamey told Giberson.

“I put the plane into a climb and reached for the generator. I jerked the handle and it came off in my hand. That’s when I began to reDOWNTOWNCROWD.COM | 19

MILITARYMATTERS In the Clark AB hospital, released Prisoner of War, U.S. Navy Cmdr.

John Bryan McKamey (captured June 2, 1965) and his escort officer, Lt. Cmdr. Gary Stieger share a laugh during the packing of McKamey’s suitcase.

McKamey was in the first group of POWs released

by North Vietnam at Hanoi on February 12, 1973.

alize that I was probably in more trouble than I realized.”

With his cockpit filling with smoke and his jet engulfed in flames, he ejected and parachuted towards Earth. Landing in an open area, he quickly saw armed Vietnamese running towards him and was immediately apprehended.

“I was taken prisoner and after walking for about five hours, put in a small prison near Hue,” he told Giberson. “I was confined there for about 10 days while awaiting transportation to Hanoi.”

Once at Hanoi, McKamey was subjected to brutal interrogation tactics at the hands of the North

20 | DOWNTOWNCROWD.COM

Vietnamese, only res p o n d i n g i n a c c o rdance with the Code of Conduct by giving his name, date of birth and service number. He was forced to endure increasing amounts of pain when he refused to answer any other questions, to the point of blacking out.

“The pain was so bad that I lost all track of time,’’ he told Giberson. “It may have only been a few minutes, but it seemed like hours.

I really don’t know.

McKamey was quoted to say that food deprivation and sheer boredom were the worst things that he and his fellow POWs had to contend with in his seven years as a POW in Hanoi.

“There was absolutely nothing to do. We just sat in our cells day in, day out,” he said.

In January 1972, all of the POWs were told they were to be gradually

released in the order of their capture. On Feb. 12, 1973, McKamey returned home. It had been 2,813 days since he was launched from the deck of the USS Midway.

Some people would have been incapable of maintaining a functional life after such a harrowing experience, understandably, but not J.B. McKamey. His career was far from over.

After being briefly hospitalized to recover from his injuries, he returned to active duty and served in numerous billets until 1982 when he assumed command at NAS Pensacola until 1984. He retired from the Navy as a Captain after 31 years of active duty service on June 1, 1986, and was among the first Vietnam POWs to receive the POW Medal when the medal was authorized in 1989.

His service to his country was still far from over, as he later returned to NAS Pensacola and served as the public affairs officer (PAO) for an additional seven years until he retired for the final time.

During his years as PAO, he hired Harry White to be his community relations specialist, who eventually became McKamey’s replacement upon his final retirement in 1996. White subsequently served as the NAS Pensacola PAO until 2014, and fondly remembers the years he spent as a colleague of McKamey.

“He was a mentor and a friend,” said White. “One of the most evenkeeled people I have ever known.

I never saw him rattled or angry, and everyone gave their very best because nobody wanted to disappoint JB.”

Young naval aviator John B. McKamey standing on the wing of a Douglas A-1 Skyraider in 1951. McKamey was shot down over Vietnam in 1965 and spent nearly eight years as a Prisoner of War.

MILITARYMATTERS When asked about his character, White further echoed Giberson’s strong sentiment of respect and admiration.

tions speaking about it when it was brought up.

“He was a man of tremendous character and courage, and was extremely smart,” he said. “He was also very kind and caring -- always available if you needed someone to talk to. I think JB was always concerned about every member of his staff having an opportunity to be successful, and he worked hard to provide those opportunities.”

“JB could make one come to tears through laughter and then through sorrow with his stories of being a POW,” said White. “He had a wonderful way of describing his capture. I remember questioning a decision he made in the heat of an emergency and his response was ‘What are they going to do, send me to Vietnam and make me a POW?’ I never again questioned his wisdom.”

White says that McKamey never brought up his time as a POW unless it was at a speaking engagement, but had no reserva-

Once he was finally finished with federal service, McKamey spent his retired years in Florida with his family. On the morning of Febru-

ary 9, 2010, he passed away peacefully at his home at the age of 74.

A memorial service was held at NAS Pensacola, and his coffin was draped with a U.S. flag, and a black-and-white POW/MIA flag next to it. Six of the eight pallbearers at the service were also former POWs, who observed as he was lowered into his final resting place at Barrancas National Cemetery.

Retired Capt. James Bell who had been in Hanoi with McKamey, was quoted after the memorial service in a eulogy.

“I knew JB in Hanoi,” he said.

“We were shot down about the same time in 1965 and although

we never lived together, I knew JB well from living next door to him on several occasions, and ‘talking to each other’ by tapping on the wall. The Navy and the military have lost an exemplary warrior. It was a pleasure to serve with you, my friend.”

Capt. Bell has since passed away, bu t t h i s s e n t i m e n t s e e m i n g l y matches everyone who knew JB McKamey. NAS Pensacola’s airstrips, hallways, hangars and brief rooms are wealthy with the rich legacies of great men and women who have come before us, but it would likely be quite a challenge to find a Navy life as compelling as that of JB McKamey.

MILITARYMATTERS

PENSACOLA, FLA. NATIVE SERVES ABOARD USS HALSEY

by Petty Off icer 3rd Class Andrew Langholf A Pensacola native and Pace High School graduate is serving in the U.S. Navy aboard the guided-missile destroyer, USS Halsey.

Petty Officer 2nd Class Solon Graham is an Information Systems Technician, serving aboard USS Halsey homeported out of Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. Halsey is underway in 7th Fleet conducting operations in the Indo-Pacific while assigned to the forward deployed Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 15.

Approximately 300 men and women serve aboard the ship. Their jobs are highly specialized and keep each part of the destroyer running smoothly, according to Navy officials. Information Systems Technicians are responsible for a myriad of tasks day in and day out.

While operating in 7th Fleet their most important job is ensuring Halsey maintains all network and communication 24/7.

“Each trouble ticket we see is like a puzzle. Some issues are similar to ones you’ve solved before and others are like a 1000 piece box with 22 | DOWNTOWNCROWD.COM

some of the picture blurred out,“ said Graham. “Each puzzle comes with its own level of satisfaction but the ones that directly make a colleague’s life immediately easier are the most meaningful.”

With more than 50 percent of the world’s shipping tonnage and a third of the world’s crude oil passing through the region, the United States has historic and enduring interests in this part of the world.

Forward-deployed Sailors are crucial to the success of the global navy mission and earn high praise from their leaders.

“The experience to fully utilize the capability of our equipment while being deployed is unique,” said Graham. “There’s a lot of preparation and training that happens before we go out, but gaining the perspective of how vital to the ship your job is really doesn’t sink in until you’re in the middle of the ocean.”

dependently or as part of a larger group of ships at sea. The ship is equipped with a vertical launching system, tomahawk missiles, torpedoes, guns and Phalanx close-in weapons systems.

stability in the Indo-Pacific while assigned to Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 15, the Navy’s largest forward-deployed DESRON and the U.S. 7th Fleet’s principal surface force.

A U.S. Navy destroyer is a multimission ship that can operate in-

Halsey is underway conducting operations in support of security and

For more information on Halsey, visit facebook.com/DESRON15.

Petty Officer 2nd Class Solon Graham aloft on the super structure aboard the Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer USS Halsey (DDG 97).

MILITARYMATTERS

NATIONAL NAVAL AVIATION MUSEUM REOPENS TO ACTIVE DUTY PERSONNEL AND DEPENDENTS After a reset following Hurricane Sally, the National Naval Aviation Museum has reopened to active duty personnel and their dependent family members as part of Phase 1. Hours of operation will be Tuesday through Saturday from 10 am to 4 pm.

“The museum weathered the storm well with no major structural damage to the building or the aircraft displayed outside,” Museum Director CAPT Sterling Gilliam, USN (Ret.) said. “The torrential rain did cause a number of roof leaks in our buildings, including the spaces in which we house our small artifacts. However, our operations/maintenance and curatorial teams went into action quickly and have the situation well in hand.”

Active duty visitors and their dependents must bring their own masks and wear them at all times while inside the museum.

Visitors can expect a different look when they arrive.

There are defined paths around the aircraft and some exhibits will remain closed to ensure social distancing. The Naval Aviation Museum Foundation will operate its Giant Screen Theater at reduced capacity and there will be limited refreshments available. The popular Cubi Bar Café will not be open at this time.

The Giant Screen Theater movie schedule is as follows: 10:30 am 11:30 am 12 pm 1 pm 2 pm 2:30 pm 3:30 pm

Magic of Flight Aircraft Carrier Apollo 11: First Steps Edition Magic of Flight Aircraft Carrier Apollo 11: First Steps Edition Aircraft Carrier

The National Naval Aviation Museum features nearly 350,000 square feet of displays and is one of the world’s largest aviation museums. Located aboard Pensacola Naval Air Station, the facility boasts more than 150 beautifully restored aircraft representing Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard aviation, and is one of Florida’s most visited museums. Be sure to visit Hangar Bay One, displaying aircraft of the post-WWII era including presidential helicopter, Marine One. Among the countless things to touch, see and experience are thrilling 3D and HD flight simulators and the new Blue Angels 4D Experience. Don’t miss the drama and power of the laser powered Giant Screen digital theater. The Cubi Bar Café offers a unique dining experience, and the Flight Deck Store is the perfect place to find a souvenir that captures the spirit of Naval Aviation. Museum admission is FREE and open to the public. The National Naval Aviation Museum is open daily from 9 a.m.–5 p.m. For more information, visit www.NavalAviationMuseum.org.

These hands once trembled with fear and uncertainty.

Now, they’re holding on to brighter days.

These hands once trembled with fear and uncertainty.

Now, they’re holding on to brighter days.

We are a non-profit, faith-centered ministry offering food, addiction recovery services, housing, spiritual guidance and more to Escambia County’s most vulnerable and under-resourced residents.

850.912.8383 • BrightBridgeMinistries.org