Call the Midwives
The Impact of Early Learning
+ +
OWA: Fun Comes to Foley Protecting Your Child From Cyber Bullies
Adventures in
Summer SPECIAL BUSINESS CLIMATE SECTION INSIDE
Camp MAy 2017 • PENSACOLAMAGAZINE.COM
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Editor’s Note my two cents on the subject
Kelly Oden Executive Editor Ten years ago, I was newly pregnant with my now nine-year-old daughter and I had just been promoted to Executive Director at Ballinger Publishing. My very first issue in that role was our annual Parenting issue of Pensacola Magazine, so the edition holds a special place in my heart for a number of reasons. It marks two incredible milestones in my life and it’s been a fantastic vehicle for my own exploration of parenthood. I’ve been able to delve into topics that interest me and grow my own knowledge about kids and parenting—all while bringing valuable information to our community of readers. I feel like this issue is also a good measure of our growth as a publication and a company. Looking back on some of the earlier issues and comparing them to what we are doing now shows a visible timeline of our editorial and design growth. That’s important because, well, we are still here and we are stronger than ever. For a print publication and a company that specializes in print to be able to say that in 2017 is remarkable. What’s also remarkable is our longevity—both Pensacola Magazine and Downtown Crowd have been in publication for nearly forty years! We owe our staying power to our loyal readers, our advertisers and the many variations of talented staff members we’ve had along the way—each contributing fresh ideas that have aided our growth and success. Thanks to all of you and here’s to another 40 years! On to the issue at hand—as always, we’ve gathered up the best options for artistic, educational and just plain fun summer camps in the Pensacola area. From every price range to every interest, there is truly something for everyone in this year’s summer offerings. We hope it helps you find what you—and your kids—are looking for. Speaking of summer fun, be on the lookout for OWA, opening soon in Foley, Ala. Owned and operated by the
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Poarch Band of Creek Indians, the first phase plans to offer an amusement park and multiple shopping and entertainment districts. With much more planned in future phases, OWA promises to be the go-to destination for family fun later this summer and beyond. We’ve also tackled the topic of early childhood education and brought you news on what two local organizations are doing to make Pensacola an Early Learning City. Kudos to the good work of the people at the Early Learning Coalition and the Studer Community Institute for putting our children first and working to grow the mind power of the youngest among us. The internet can be a scary place—especially for parents of tweens and teens. The Escambia County Sheriff ’s office gives readers an overview of the types of cyber bullying and cyber stalking cases they are seeing locally as well as helpful tips for parents to keep their kids safe online. Also in this issue, we profile two local midwives and learn about the midwifery model of medical care and the various home birth options available to expecting mothers. We also bring readers information on the wonderful work that FavorHouse does for victims of domestic abuse and we highlight their upcoming White Rose Luncheon, which will feature domestic abuse survivor and advocate Susan Still. Finally, take a sneak peek inside Beré Jeweler’s new store on 12th Avenue. This bigger and better location promises something for everyone, including interactive stations, a kid’s area and much more. As always, I hope you enjoy this issue of Pensacola Magazine. Thanks for your loyal readership!
Subscription Expiration Date is printed on the address label. Renew your subscription now online at www.ballingerpublishing.com: One year $14.95 and two years $22.75.
contents
31
34 Features
Diamonds are Forever 16
The new 7,350 square-foot Beré Jewelers store is full of gorgeous gems and plenty of surprises.
FavorHouse Luncheon 18 Helps Victims of Domestic Violence
Each year, the FavorHouse White Rose Luncheon celebrates survivors of domestic violence and recognizes survivors who have exhibited exemplary bravery and strength of spirit.
Call the Midwives
20
Local midwives, Kerry Pham and Tina Babinski have opened Stand and Deliver, a women’s well-care and birthing services practice.
The Impact of Early Learning
23
Research conducted in the last 10 years shows reading and singing to children from birth through toddler years is one of the most important and helpful things a parent can do for their developing baby’s brain.
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27
20
Protecting Your Child 27 From Cyber Bullies
In Every Issue Editor’s Letter
6
The Escambia County Sheriff ’s office gives readers an overview of the types of cyber bullying and cyber stalking cases they are seeing locally as well as helpful tips for parents to keep their kids safe online.
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10
Pensacola Scene
12
OWA: Fun Comes to Foley
31
Play/Live/Give 43
Adventures in Summer Camp
34
The Gulf Coast gets its very own major theme park with OWA in Foley, Ala. - including restaurants, shopping, and a full theme park featuring the steel coaster Rollin’ Thunder.
Get your kids excited for Summer fun!
Our Storied Past
48
MAGAZINE
MAY 2017 Owners
Malcolm & Glenys Ballinger
Publisher
Malcolm Ballinger malcolm@ballingerpublishing.com
Executive Editor
Kelly Oden kelly@ballingerpublishing.com
Art Director
Guy Stevens guy@ballingerpublishing.com
Graphic Designer/Ad Coordinator Anna Hitchcock anna@ballingerpublishing.com
Editor
Hana Frenette hana@ballingerpublishing.com
Assistant Editor
Tanner Yea tanner@ballingerpublishing.com
Editorial Intern
Haley Weaver haley@ballingerpublishing.com
Sales & Marketing Paula Rode, Account Executive ext. 28 paula@ballingerpublishing.com Geneva Strange, Account Executive ext. 21 geneva@ballingerpublishing.com
314 N. Spring St. | Pensacola, FL 32501 850.433.1166 | fax: 850.435.9174 ballingerpublishing.com Published by Ballinger Publishing:
magazine
Proud member of the
NW Florida’s Business Climate Magazine and Pensacola Magazine is locally owned and operated. All Rights Reserved. Reproduction or use of the contents herein is prohibited without written permission from the publisher. Comments and opinions expressed in this magazine represent the personal views of the individuals to whom they are attributed and/or the person identified as the author of the article, and they are not necessarily those of the publisher. This magazine accepts no responsibility for these opinions. The publisher reserves the right to edit all manuscripts. All advertising information is the responsibility of the individual advertiser. Appearance in this magazine does not necessarily reflect endorsement of any products or services by Ballinger Publishing. Š 2017
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Page10 with DeeDee Davis
Is there any relationship more special, more loving, or more challenging than that of a mother and a daughter? The role of a mother in the life of her daughter has changed a lot through the years. Our mothers considered it their responsibility to teach us to cook, to sew and to know where babies come from. This timeless information has been handed down through the generations and is still important, but additional lessons need to be taught to the daughters of today. Personal safety, responsible sex, and financial independence are critical for the well being of our girls. Daddy isn’t going to be there to take care of them forever, if at all, and while we hope they are happily married to one man til' death do they part, the odds are against it. It is wonderful to have a grown daughter that I like so well. She kids me a lot about the fact that years ago someone said that your mother becomes your best friend and she was doubtful. Not your mother! But it is true. Several years ago I stood with my mother and young daughter as we buried my grandmother. It didn’t matter that my mother was a grown woman with grandchildren of her own; the pain of a daughter losing a mother has nothing to
Matt Dannheisser + Ed Ranelli
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do with age. The ties that bind mothers and daughters know no generational lines. If you have a mother or a daughter, or, if you are really fortunate, both, remember to cherish every second you have with them. Don’t suddenly find yourself standing graveside and wish you had done things differently. Happy Mother’s Day to all moms whether they are still here or whether they live in our hearts.
“Power List” reception at Palafox Place, honoring those who work hard to make a difference in this community. The very deserving Rishy Studer was named Number One on the list. Look around and you see evidence of the way she and her husband Quint continue to give back to make this a better place to live. Congratulations to every single person on the list!
We have had much to celebrate lately. The Independent News hosted their annual
One of the most beautiful dinners ever held took place earlier in April on a perfect
Johnny Stallworth
Eric + Peg Nickelson
Joe Buehler + Sandy Sansing
Flash Gordon, Martha Saunders + Corbett Davis
Page10 spring evening under the stars, trees and twinkle lights of Palafox Street. Modeled after events in other cities, the Downtown Improvement Board sponsored Repast, a joyous occasion of food, wine, fellowship and community. The farm-to-table dinner featured local food by our incredible chefs and Spanish wines in honor of a part of Pensacola’s heritage. A classical string quartet provided the background music throughout the evening as 200 guests were served at the first, but not last, Repast gathering. Lissa Dees and Curt Morse coordinated the event. Rumor has it that there may be an October dinner in the works. Tickets go fast, so watch for news. More than 60 friends and family members gathered for a cocktail buffet at the stunning home of Jim and Ann Neal to surprise Lou Ray for his 75th birthday. Lou’s wife Sandy conspired with the hosts to pull off the challenge of a real surprise. Bo and Gay Carter, Roger and Raisa Webb, Ron and Jan Miller, Malcolm and Glenys Ballinger, and Bob and Ann Hart were among the guests. Tina Tortomase and Stephen Simpson hosted the sponsor party for the 2017 Operazzi on the Nile Ball at their Port Royal home. Scott and Lois Benson; Dan and Betsy Thomas; Barbara Jackson; and Nan Einhart were in attendance. The Ball was then held at New World Landing where many of the guests dressed in Egyptian themed attire. Though the
Jan + Ron Miller
elegant evening included many traditional event components (live auction, silent auction, live music, dinner) the highlight was the special performance by the 2017 Artists in Residence Brent Hetherington and Evelyn Saavedra with Maestro Jerome Shannon on the piano. They entertained the crowd with music from Man of La Mancha and Madama Butterfly and the Met in New York could not have been better. If you have never been to a performance by the Pensacola Opera, GO!! World-class right here. Congratulations to opera president Lois Benson and chairs David and Carolyn Dear on such a nice event. Others attending included Barry Beroset and Laura Keene, Sean Twitty and Teri Levin, Steve Gracik and Charlene Sanders, Robert and Clair Montgomery, Eric and Marilyn Gleaton, and Drs. Jim and Nell Potter. Covenant Care hosted yet another sold out Art of Fashion at New World Landing as local models took to the runway to show off clothes by Don Alan’s, Bridal Loft, Chico’s and Lee Tracey. The luncheon always draws a huge crowd and raises plenty of money for the critical services of Covenant Care. There to support the cause were Sheilah Bowman, Linda Liberis, Lauren Hayward, Mark Lee and Gary Michaels, and Delories Richerson.
spotlighted the newly unveiled BMW 5 Series. What’s not to love about new cars? Guests stopping by included Clyde and Debra Patroni, Joe Buehler, Randy Richards, and Tom and Lori Simpson. It was a great day for the community and for the University of West Florida as Dr. Martha Saunders was inaugurated as the sixth President of the University. The festivities began at the Barkley House in Downtown Pensacola where more than 150 guests were on hand to toast the new President. UWF has a strong presence in the historical district and is currently partnering with the city to build an outdoor museum behind T.T. Wentworth. The celebration continued the next day with the actual swearing in at the Center for Fine and Performing Arts, located on the campus. Dr. Saunders’ career in higher education began at UWF and she has finally come home, seceding Dr. Judy Bense. The guests turned out in huge numbers to be a part of the change in guard. Attending were Eric and Peg Nicholsen, Mort O’Sullivan, “Flash” Gordon Sprague, Carol Carlan, Ken Ellzey and Mona Amodeo, Councilman Brian Spencer, Ed Ranelli, Gulf Breeze Mayor Matt Dannheiser, Lori Storey and Keith Hoskins.
Sandy Sansing hosted a cocktail reception at his Airport Boulevard showroom with hor d’oeuvres by Mike DeSorbo as he
Clay + Debbie Roush
Lauren Hayward + Beverly Zimmern
Charlene Sanders + Delories Richerson
Brian Spencer + Keith Hoskins
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pensacolascene Lou Ray's Surprise birthday party at the home of jim + Ann Neal Dr. Ed + Kitty Meadows
"Flash" Gordon + Betty Sprague
(Rear) Louis Ray, John Ray, Lou Ray (Front) Barnes Ray (John's son)
Richard McAlpin, Lou Ray, Bo Carter, Roger Webb + Malcolm Ballinger
Raisa Webb, Gay Carter, Glenys Ballinger, Jeri McAlpin + Sandy Ray
Governor rick scott visits Navy federal campus
Jim + Ann Neal
NEW HORIZONS CREDIT UNION GRAND OPENING
President Lisa Corvo 12 | pensacola magazine
Roger + Raisa Webb
Color Me Cabaret
@ Pensacola Little Theater April 1 Gappy G
Molly McCort + Susan Waters
Kaitlyn Brown, Tarra Sarrah, Katin Davis + Lollie Campbell
Shane Cooper + Mitchell Bell
Wayne Reeves
members of the media taste the spring menu at jackson's steak house
Josh Gilmore + Janie Hayes
The ARC Gateway 63rd Annual Meeting
MaryAnn Bickerstaff, Director of Children's Services, Tea Clark, recipient of the Pearl Nelson Advocacy Award, and Missy Rogers, CEO
Alesia Andry, wife of Vincent Andry, Michael Andry, son of Vincent Andry and Missy Rogers, CEO
Dondie Roper, Director of the Program for Adult Learning and Support (PALS), William "Zach" Schraer, recipient of the "I Believe" Self Advocate Award, and Missy Rogers, CEO
pensacolascene Pensacola Opera's OPERAZZI ON THE NILE BALL
Mary + Michael Riesberg
Jerry Shannon, Beverly Dejacnette + Richard Cannon
Mark + Madrina Ciano
Kristen Wisniewski
Operazzi Sponsor Party
Stephen Simpson, Tina Tortomase, Dr. Carolyn + David Dear
Elodie Cardon + Larry Work
Betty Roberts, Ann + Herb Woll
WHAT ARE YOU MADE OF? Teens have the power to create impact beyond themselves. What will you discover in the process? Visit MYCHAINREACTION.ORG
RYAN [16] PSC KIDS COLLEGE SUMMER CAMP
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Diamonds are Forever by Jenn Cole
Diamonds and emeralds and rubies—oh my! Draft beer and merlot and champagne—oh my! Beré Jewelers new flagship store offers an amazing assortment of baubles and bubbles all under one roof. The goal: take the intimidation out of jewelry shopping. At Beré's new location, you’ll find big screen TV’s, a children’s room filled with toys, and an interactive zone to find out exactly where and how your diamond came out of the Earth. The new 7,350 square foot store is full of gorgeous gems and plenty of surprises. Walk through the doors and you’ll instantly feel the ease of a coastal-casual experience. Look to the left and you’ll see the military zone, where an aviation theme is the backdrop for the giant selection of watches—everything from the exclusive Breitlings to more affordable, but equally exquisite, timepieces. This is where you’ll also find beer on tap and a big screen TV, where owners Barry and Laura Cole promise to hold Saturday game days. Yep, football and beer and watches and diamonds—plenty of sparkling diamonds. Speaking of diamonds, look right as you enter the store and you’ll find the first interactive Forevermark zone in North America. Forevermark is DeBeer’s high-end diamond collection. The interactive display resembles a chess board— choose a piece that says, “Responsible Sourcing” and instantly you’ll see a short video on how the diamonds you are buying were mined. Or choose 16 | pensacola magazine
“We Give Back” and see how the company is planting trees in mining areas. There are also electron microscopes through which clients can view the unique serial number and Forevermark logo on each Forevermark diamond. Other surprises include a relaxing lounge area, the children’s room, and a community table with iPads where customers can do their own credit applications in private. Financing then becomes easier and less intimidating. The whole store is centered around giving customers an experience, not just offering fine gemstones. Barry and Laura Cole say opening the new store was, “meant to be.” For years, the couple enjoyed dinner at Bonefish Grill on 12th Avenue. They’d park at the furniture store next door, looking in the windows, talking about how the space would make the perfect jewelry store. Then, they started making plans to build a new home, but fate took a turn— the furniture store, Luxe Interiors, closed and the space went up for sale. The Coles immediately put
photos by Shawn Sandusky
a halt to their house plans and dove into plans for the flagship Beré store. They hired a designer and architect. They wanted to think outside the jewelry box, so to speak. Don’t get me wrong, you’ll still find everything that makes a jewelry store a jewelry store. Experienced jewelers can create a custom piece for you or reset your grandma’s favorite ring. You can get your jewelry repaired, polished, and appraised. You can have your watch batteries replaced and your necklace clasps changed to make them easier to put on. Experienced staff can guide you in your selections. One salesperson has been with Beré since she was 16, while others started with the original store three decades ago. Beré boasts a 31-year history in Pensacola. It all started with a teenager looking for a part-time job. Barry Cole walked into Cordova Mall and began filling out applications. Ray Jones, a manager at Zales, took the young man under his wing. As a natural salesman with a love of people, Cole found his passion. Within a few years, Barry and Ray each saved up $10,000. They found a local banker to loan them another $25,000 and the dream began. But a huge question remained: the pair struggled with what to name their fledgling store. After throwing around ideas, they settled on a combination of their names—Barry and Ray. Beré Jewelers became a reality and thousands of local folks now have their own Beré stories—
engagement rings, graduation gifts, Mother’s Day show-stoppers, the list goes on and on. In 2005, Jones passed away and the Coles bought his share of the business. The Beré story also includes decades of giving back. From Autism Pensacola to Covenant Care to the Gulf Coast Kids’ House, Barry says giving back is “the right thing to do.” If you make your way to local charity events, you’ll often find a donated piece of Beré jewelry—an auction piece, given out of love to help raise money for a wide range of local charities. “It started with local schools. We found when we supported the kids, the parents supported us.” The new store offers brand new ways to give back. “Look to the community table,” says Laura Cole. “It’s the perfect location to host events, wine or bourbon tastings, trunk shows, private parties,” she said, noting that part of the money raised goes right back into the community. “Kids tug at our hearts” say the Coles. The Cole’s two boys were raised here and the oldest plans to join the family business after college. You’ll find Beré Jewelers at 5033 N 12th Avenue. It’s next to Bonefish Grill and still a stone’s throw from Cordova Mall, where 31 years ago two men met and the idea of Beré Jewelers was born. Today, it’s a place where everyone is welcomed and where customers can help shape a store to fit their own needs. pensacola magazine | 17
White Rose Luncheon FavorHouse Helps Victims of Domestic Violence Each year, the FavorHouse White Rose Luncheon celebrates survivors of domestic violence and recognizes survivors who have exhibited exemplary bravery and strength of spirit. FavorHouse of Northwest Florida will host its annual White Rose Luncheon Thursday, May 18, at 11 am at Sanders BeachCorrine Jones Community Center. This year’s keynote speaker for the White Rose Luncheon is Susan Still, a survivor of domestic abuse whose husband was sentenced to 36 years in prison for verbally, emotionally, financially and physically abusing her. Her powerful story, and clips from the video of abuse that her husband forced their 13-year-old son to tape, will be part of her presentation. According to The National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, nearly 20 people per minute are physically abused by an intimate partner in the United States. During one year, this equates to more than 10 million women and men. Additionally, 1 in 3 women and 1 in 4 men have been victims of some form of physical violence by an intimate partner within their lifetime. Experts estimate that only 50 percent of domestic violence incidents are reported, so those numbers are likely to be much higher. Enter FavorHouse, the certified domestic violence center for Escambia and Santa Rosa counties. FavorHouse provides emergency and transitional housing, counseling for both victims and offenders, and a 24-hour crisis hotline. FavorHouse shelter program is a “bridge to a new beginning” for hundreds of domestic violence victims in Escambia and Santa Rosa Counties. During 2016, 459 women and children received 10,471 nights of safe, emergency shelter at FavorHouse and 1,000 victims called the crisis line for immediate intervention and help. The goal is to save and to change the lives of victims in our community. For sponsorship 18 | pensacola magazine
information and tickets to the White Rose Luncheon, call 434-1177 or visit favorhouse.org
Domestic Violence Facts and Statistics from the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence WHAT IS DOMESTIC VIOLENCE? Domestic violence is the willful intimidation, physical assault, battery, sexual assault, and/or other abusive behavior as part of a systematic pattern of power and control perpetrated by one intimate partner against another. It includes physical violence, sexual violence, threats, and emotional or psychological abuse. The frequency and severity of domestic violence varies dramatically. DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND ITS EFFECTS: • Every 9 seconds in the US a woman is assaulted or beaten. • In the United States, an average of 20 people are physically abused by intimate partners every minute. This equates to more than 10 million abuse victims annually. • 1 in 3 women and 1 in 4 men have been physically abused by an intimate partner. • 1 in 5 women and 1 in 7 men have been severely physically abused by an intimate partner. • 1 in 7 women and 1 in 18 men have been stalked. Stalking causes the target to fear she/he or someone close to her/him will be harmed or killed. • On a typical day, domestic violence hotlines nationwide receive approximately 20,800 calls. • The presence of a gun in a domestic violence situation increases the risk of homicide by 500 percent. • Domestic violence accounts for 15 percent of all violent crime. • Domestic violence is most common among women between the ages of 18-24. • 19 percent of domestic violence involves a weapon.
This year’s keynote speaker for the White Rose Luncheon, Susan Still.
• Domestic victimization is correlated with a higher rate of depression and suicidal behavior. • Only 34 percent of people who are injured by intimate partners receive medical care for their injuries. WHY IT MATTERS: Domestic violence is prevalent in every community and affects all people regardless of age, socioeconomic status, sexual orientation, gender, race, religion, or nationality. Physical violence is often accompanied by emotionally abusive and controlling behavior as part of a much larger, systematic pattern of dominance and control. Domestic violence can result in physical injury, psychological trauma, and even death. The devastating consequences of domestic violence can cross generations and last a lifetime. Get Help If you or someone you know is suffering from domestic violence, FavorHouse can help. FavorHouse shelters and crisis lines are staffed 24 hours a day, year round. Victims, their families and those who are assisting them may call for help at any time. Call (850) 995-3560 for help.
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Call The Midwives T by Kelly Oden
he practice of midwifery has been around since ancient times. From biblical references to the ancient Greeks and from the middle ages to modern times, women have guided other women through their pregnancies and assisted in the labor and delivery of their children. As technology and medical advancements grew, the model of childbirth in America also grew and changed. After World War II, the hospital became the primary choice for most women giving birth. While hospital births serve a vital purpose for many women, Kerry Pham and Tina Babinski believe women should know that they do have other options. In 2016, the pair opened Stand and Deliver, a women’s well-care and birthing services practice.
Stand and Deliver offers traditional birthing services—prenatal care and home births, newborn assessments, lactation support, postpartum visits and more. Both Pham and Babinski are certified nurse practitioners with a specialty in midwifery, so they can also offer women’s well-care services such as routine screenings (PAP, breast exams, etc.), contraception, primary care (yearly physical exam, screenings, etc.), and treatment of minor illnesses (UTI, sinus infections, dermatological conditions, strep throat, etc.). With over twenty years combined in nursing, the two met while working on a high-risk delivery as nurses in a hospital setting. They struck up an immediate friendship and found they both had an interest in midwifery. After attending a graduate program in nursing with a specialty in midwifery, which included more 20 | pensacola magazine
Midwives Kerry Pham and Tina Babinski
than 675 clinical hours, Pham and Babinski each earned their masters degrees and became certified nurse midwives. Midwifery means “with women,” and Babinski sees midwifery as the practice of caring for women throughout their lifespan. “It’s not just about pregnancy and birth. We can do well-women care and we can be their primary care provider as well,” she says. Pham and Babinski believe that pregnancy and birth are sacred, beautiful, and normal physiological processes that typically occur without complication. They do not see them as medical emergencies or cause for fear. Rather, they are natural and profound experiences that will transform a woman’s past, present, and future. Their mission is to empower and inspire women to trust in the process and their own bodies. Most women contact them as soon as they become pregnant and after an initial meeting they have their first medical appointment at 10 weeks. In a healthy pregnancy, the midwife typically replaces the obstetrician. “It’s really two different models of care,” says Babinski. “There’s the midwifery model of care and the medical model of care—two
different specialties. Our specialty is in normal pregnancy and normal childbirth whereas an obstetrician is more for anything that deviates from the normal. In other countries that have better maternal, fetal outcomes than we do—like the UK—all women see a midwife unless their pregnancy was to stray outside of the normal. At that point they would go see an obstetrician. We don’t see women with chronic medical problems or anything that would make the pregnancy high risk.” Another way in which the midwife model differentiates from the traditional medical model is in the inclusion of the father or partner as much as possible. “The dad or the partner is extremely involved,” says Pham. “When we are doing a home birth we try to be in the background. We want it to be a family experience. We want the mother and partner to be bonding and for the partner to assist in labor and be a main support. We step in as doula to encourage or provide massage if needed. If mother and partner are doing a fine job on their own, we don’t interrupt that. We let mom do her thing and let her body do what it is meant to do. In the hospital setting, the partner is there in the room, but they are kind of pushed
“When we are doing a home birth we try to be in the background. We want it to be a family experience. We want the mother and partner to be bonding and for the partner to assist in labor and be a main support. We step in as doula to encourage or provide massage if needed."
Photo by Rosie Ward
you wait 30 or 40 minutes and then you see the doctor for maybe five or 10 minutes. Our typical appointment is an hour. A small portion of that is spent checking vitals and all of medical needs, but a lot of time is spent talking—how’s the pregnancy, what’s going on? It’s a lot of emotional support as well. By the time that nine months of pregnancy is through, they know us and they are very comfortable with us. When you are dealing with a very intimate part of a women’s body and a very intimate part of healthcare, I think that comfort needs to be there.” Pham agrees, saying, “A lot of women choose this method of birth because they are seeking a certain type of experience. We feel like we are partners Photo by Rosie Ward in your healthcare. Yes, we have a certain level of education, but it’s our job to tell you what the evidence-based to the side and the focus is on the woman, the medicine is and what the risks and benefits are. nurses, and the doctor. It shouldn’t be that way. It’s your job to choose and our job to support that It should be about them and their family. We are choice.” Pham and Babinski keep their patient just there to make sure they are safe throughout count low so they do not sacrifice the time and the process and to recognize anything that may commitment necessary to build relationships with deviate from normal in order to keep them safe their patients. And something expectant mothers and provide timely and appropriate transfer to love—they are available 24 hours a day via phone a hospital if necessary. We are not there to be or text. the star of the show. This is their birth and their Pham and Babinski are also trained to take experience that they are going to remember care of newborns, which they do for the first forever.” 72 hours after delivery. Once the baby is born, Personal, in-depth care is another hallmark they do a full newborn assessment and they stay of the midwifery model. “A lot of women who with mom for 6 hours after delivery to monitor seek us out want a relationship with their care them both and to make sure the baby is nursing provider,” says Babinski. “They don’t want to be and everything is going well. They come back a number. They don’t want to be Mrs. Brown or 18 hours after that to check on mom and baby Mrs. Jones. They want to be Tina or Kerry. In a again—to weigh the baby, to check for jaundice typical obstetrician appointment, you go in and
or other issues, and to schedule an appointment with the pediatrician. They also help with lactation support. “Breast feeding is an extremely critical part of home birth because it allows the uterus to contract down and stop the bleeding,” says Pham. “We definitely stay in the home until that is well established.” Stand and Deliver also offers home water births in a medical grade birthing tub. “A lot of women choose this option,” says Babinski. “The water helps with pain because of buoyancy and the counter pressure from the water.” Pham adds that, “The warm water also increases circulation to the uterus, which decreases pain and increases oxygen to the baby. It’s a very gentle birth. Babies sometimes don’t even realize they’ve been born. We keep the temperature of the water the exact same as the mother’s internal temperature.” Statistically, home births are relatively safe, but they put an emergency plan in place at 36 weeks, just in case. If a deviation from normal does arise, the two do not hesitate to call an ambulance. They both worked in a high-risk unit and have seen many types of complications and are well-versed in spotting potential issues. They are certified in neonatal resuscitation and they bring all necessary emergency equipment and medication. Although Pham and Babinski are advocates of home birth and the midwifery model, they also want women to have the ability to make the right choice for them. “We want women to know they have different options,” says Babinski. “We are not anti-hospital. For some women, that is where they need to be and that’s great. We just want women to know that this option is here. Women never forget their birth story. So it’s important that they make the right choice for their birth experience—make it an experience that they want to remember.” For more information, visit standanddelivermidwifery.com
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The Impact of Early Learning Read, sing, read, repeat It turns out the sweet nursery rhyme or song your grandma might have hummed to you as baby left behind more than an emotional memory. It likely helped you to form early recognitions of human emotion and language. Research conducted in the last 10 years show reading and singing to children from birth through toddler years is one of the most important and helpful things a parent can do for their developing baby’s brain. One study from the Center for Early Literacy Learning showed that while the babies don’t understand the actual words yet, they are able to pick up on inflection, tone of voice and emotion through the spoken language, which can help them form important cognitive skills as they develop. Vicki Pugh, director at the Early Learning Coalition of Escambia County, said she couldn’t stress enough to parents that they are their children’s first teachers.
by Hana Frenette
“We encourage all parents and caregivers to read, read, read, talk, talk, talk—we need more conversations and reading and singing—and less time in front of electronics,” she said. The Early Learning Coalition of Escambia County (ELC) has several programs and partnerships geared toward building strong brain connections in children below the age of four. Their mission statement is to identify and meet the needs of children and families to lay the foundation for lifetime success by maximizing each child’s potential, preparing children to enter school ready to learn, and helping families achieve economic selfsufficiency. Pugh noted that while smartphone usage is skyrocketing, it’s important to turn screens off and lessen the exposure of electronics to children under the age of four. “The first three or four years, they just really love to hear the voices of the people that
surround them,” Pugh noted. “They’ll have plenty of time for TV shows and video games when they’re older.” ELC helps facilitate the voluntary PreKindergarten program, a federally funded program which helps prepare four-yearolds for kindergarten, while building the foundation for their educational success. “Kindergarten teachers say they can tell a difference in a child, if that child has been enrolled in VPK, from a social and emotional side, how the child communicates, if the child is able to sit still and how they get along with others,” Pugh said. As one of their recent projects, ELC partnered with Studer Community Institute to launch LENA Grow in 2016, an infant-toddler initiative that measures the amount of talking inside a classroom between caregiver and child. Fifteen childcare centers throughout Escambia County partnered with ELC as part of the pilot program. pensacola magazine | 23
The Impact of Early Learning SCI was looking for a way to get that knowledge into the hands of new parents as soon as possible, so they’d be able to have the most immediate effect on the development of their child’s brain, which research shows is 85% developed by the age of three.
LENA is Language Environmental Analysis device the size of a pager—a “talk pedometer”—that a child wears one day a week (recording day) and it captures the conversational turns between adult and child in the classroom. The responsiveness of the adult helps build those neurons in the child’s brain. Coaches work with the caregiver to extend the amount of conversations every hour, Pugh noted. Since it’s launch last fall, Pugh said the coalition has already seen positive results from the LENA device and the ability to track, modify and increase teacher/toddler interaction through coaching, An Early Learning City The team at the Studer Community Institute (SCI) knows how important it is for parents to talk and read to their newborns. SCI was looking for a way to get that knowledge into the hands of new parents as soon as possible, so they’d be able to have the most immediate effect on the development of their child’s brain, which research shows is 85% developed by the age of three. SCI attended an early learning summit in 2015 and they learned about a nonprofit organization in Martin and St. Lucie counties that found a way to encourage new parents
know about the importance of reading to their baby from day one—a BRAIN Bag. The BRAIN-Building Readiness Amount Infants Now- Bags offer parents tools, tips and resources to understand the importance of early reading and to help them implement those tools into their daily lives. “We thought this was such an interesting idea—a concrete idea and tangible thing to give new moms, that helps show how important language and talking is, from the very first minute of their life,” said SCI Project Manager, Shannon Nickinson. SCI adopted the BRAIN Bag idea and received a grant from IMPACT 100 in order to bring the bags to life in Escambia County. The bags contain a binder—with information from Healthy Start on safe sleep, information from the Text for Baby organization, material from the 5201 Campaign—which suggests five fruits a day, two hours or less of screen time, 1 hour of physical activity, and zero sugary drinks, and web-based lists of where you can find more information on recommended programing from PBS, and a copy of the book, “30 Million Words,” by Dana Suskind, professor at The University of Chicago Medicine. Suskind is the founder and director of the Thirty Million Words Initiative, an
Studer Community Institute's BRAIN Bags
organization striving to improve early education for children around the world. Her book, “30 Million Words,” stresses three important factors to parents—tune in, talk more, take turns. In the fall of 2016, Suskind partnered with SCI to launch a yearlong project—the distribution of BRAIN Bags to all three birthing hospitals in Escambia County-Sacred Heart Hospital, Baptist Hospital, and West Florida Hospital. This project ensures that any new mom, regardless of race, age or income, will receive the tools they need to jumpstart
5-2-1-0 is a campaign to promote healthy eating and active living for all Northwest Florida residents using four key behaviors. 5-2-1-0 uses key strategies promote their message of a healthier lifestyle for kids. They teach children 5-21-0 behaviors in schools through health education activities and also deliver training to childcare directors and staff that emphasize age-appropriate physical activities targeting children from birth to 5 years of age. 24 | pensacola magazine
their baby’s brain development. The distribution of the BRAIN Bags is managed by Baby Steps, a subset of the agency Helping People Succeed, which manages and coordinates the distribution of several children’s services in central Florida. “They (partner hospitals) were so excited throughout this whole process,” Nickinson said. “I knew that to pitch this to them was more work for them, but no member of the staff ever viewed it as more work—they know how important it is and they see the benefit of it every day.” Research from a study conducted by the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development in partnership with The University of Melbourne found that reading to children was an early-life intervention that became beneficial for the children over the course of the rest of their lives. SCI is also working on partnerships with Upward Intuition, a local group spearheading the development of a skate park and community area underneath the 110 interstate ramp downtown, and the City of Pensacola, in order to create early learning signage in and around community parks, and to develop special early learning parks that are easily accessible. These partnerships and initiatives will help facilitate the growth of Pensacola into an early learning city—a community ingrained with the knowledge of how important those first years of life are, and the tools to enact that knowledge. “What feeds the brain are words and interactions—words from a screen don’t make as much of an impact—the way we learn is through human interaction, “Nickinson said. “All of this knowledge is only effective if it helps the parents and the children interact in a more meaningful way—that’s the secret sauce.”
pensacola magazine | 25
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Protecting Your Child from Cyber Bullies by Kelly Oden
Bullying and name calling amongst children and teens is nothing new. If you weren’t the victim of schoolyard ridicule as a kid, there is a good chance you were the instigator. In the past, these issues involved name calling, rumors or physical abuse and were usually resolved through conversations with school officials and the parents of the children involved. It’s not so simple anymore. The way in which kids are bullied has intensified with the rise of the internet and many of these behaviors are classified as crimes when carried out online. Kids and parents need to be aware of the potential consequences, both legal and emotional, of cyber bullying. Cyber bullying, much like real world bullying, is behavior that includes tormenting, threatening, harassing, etc., but cyber bullying takes place through the internet and cell phones. This form of bullying can include threats or hurtful messages sent via email or text message; sending false rumors through text message, online boards or social networking sites; leaving hurtful, harassing or threatening messages on
web pages or social networking sites; impersonating someone else online to harass or hurt another person; and taking or obtaining unflattering or sexually suggestive pictures of another person and spreading them online or via text. After seeing an uptick in crimes related to cell phones, internet stalking and pornography, The Escambia County Sheriff ’s Office (ECSO) developed
a program called Informed Parent. The workshop is held in Escambia County schools with the goal of informing parents about what could be going on with their kids and the internet. “We were finding that most parents didn’t even know that their kid had an AOL account or Facebook page or a cell phone for that matter. Parents are unaware of what their kids are doing away from home. Kids will go to their friend’s houses and get online there if they can’t access it from home. Once they get on the internet, there are a lot of bad things that can happen out there. We wanted to educate the parents about these dangers,” says Lieutenant Ken Simmons, who heads the program. Kids begin their online life in elementary school or sooner playing games, doing research, watching YouTube videos and creating presentations. According to Simmons,
bullying and the sharing of inappropriate materials are being seen as young as elementary school. “We are seeing more and more cell phone usage and we are seeing more and more pornography in the elementary setting, believe it or not. For the most part these kids are not yet getting stalked online in terms of bullying or predators. There are predators who target younger kids, but we are not seeing a lot of that in our area. What we are seeing is pornography being passed between juveniles in elementary school,” says Simmons. Simmons says middle school is where the more dangerous types of cyber bullying typically begin. For these digital natives born into an immersive world of technology, the internet has all but replaced the mall as the go to place to hang out and talk with friends. One of the biggest issues in middle » pensacola magazine | 27
Protecting Your Child from Cyber Bullies
“If you think your kids might be going online, they probably are. If you don’t think your kids are going online, they probably are. It’s up to the parents to monitor and protect them. If you learn that your child is being bullied, don’t hesitate to call law enforcement immediately.” • Check with your kid’s friends and your family members. Do they have access to the internet in other homes? Be sure to set rules with friends and family as well. and high school is what he calls ‘sextortion,’ which involves the threat of or the actual sending of sexually explicit images via the internet or cell phones. “As we go up in age into the middle school ages, we throw in the important dynamic of relationships between boyfriends and girlfriends. What we see is the boyfriend asks the girlfriend to send an inappropriate photo or vice versa. You and I both know that these young puppylove relationships hardly ever last. When relationships end, these photos are often distributed out of spite or jealousy by the ex or by the new boyfriend or girlfriend. Once they start distributing these photographs, you have, by statutory definition, transmission of child pornography. The kids are subject to criminal charges at that point. We are seeing a lot of that in middle and high school situations,” says Simmons. In high school situations, Simmons says they start to see kids stalked by outside predators more often. “The predators are very smooth. They look at the teens Facebook and learn all about them to get an in, which opens the door to stalking, sextortion and worse. This is why it is so important to monitor your kids’ social media accounts,” says Simmons. 28 | pensacola magazine
So, what can parents do? Simmons has the following suggestions: • First and foremost, purchase the appropriate parental software that will block inappropriate sites and log sites visited. Many software options will also send an email alert if inappropriate material is accessed. • Educate your kids on the appropriate use of the internet. Make sure they know not to post anything online or send any picture that they would be ashamed of the public seeing. That goes for comments as well. • Be the boss—their phone belongs to you. Make sure they know that you can check their phone at any time, day or night. They should have no expectation of privacy. Make a regular habit of checking the phones whether you suspect something or not. • Know all of their passwords. They should not have unfettered access to the internet. • If your child is not allowed to have a cell phone, check their room, drawers, and bags to make sure they are not hiding one.
Where Cyberbullying takes place Instagram:
23.4%
Facebook:
84.2%
Snapchat:
13.5%
Cyberbullying by Gender Have been cyberbullies 17.5% Male 21.3% Female Have been cyberbullied 16.6% Male 25.1% Female
Cyberbullying Statistics
52%
of students have reported being cyber bullied Sources: Bureau of Justice Statistics, US Department of Health and Human Services, Cyberbullying Research Center
• Get on the internet and see if your child has a Facebook account. Also, Google them and see what comes up. You may be surprised by what you find. • Pay attention and listen to your kid. An open dialogue is critical for your child to feel safe coming to you with an issue. The internet can be an extremely useful tool for schoolwork, social interaction, music and more. Unfortunately, the internet has also become the go-to arena for bullying and stalking among kids. Rumors, nasty memes and inappropriate photos can spread like wildfire online and can have a devastating effect on a victim’s selfesteem as well as potential criminal charges for the perpetrator. The bottom line, says Simmons, “If you think your kids might be going online, they probably are. If you don’t think your kids are going online, they probably are. It’s up to the parents to monitor and protect them. If you learn that your child is being bullied, don’t hesitate to call law enforcement immediately.”
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OWA
Fun comes to foley
The Gulf Coast has always been known as a vacation destination, and part of that reputation comes from the small water and amusement parks that run up and down along the coast. However, the closest large-scale amusement parks require a weekend trip to central Florida or further west to Louisiana or Texas in order to enjoy the spills, thrills and chills. That will all change in mid-summer 2017, as OWA finally opens to the public. Located in Foley, Ala. and owned and operated by the Creek Indian Enterprises Development Authority, or CIEDA, in conjunction with the city of Foley, OWA is designed to further cement Foley as a vacation destination across the Southeast. “We are taking a great deal of pride turning this vision of OWA into a reality,” said Kristin Hellmich, OWA’s Marketing and Public Relations Director. “It could not be possible without the efforts by our exceptional construction and design teams as well as local and state governmental agencies.” OWA is derived from a Muscogee word meaning ‘big water,’ an appropriate name as a majority of the entertainment
complex is built around a 14-acre lake. Since the groundbreaking in 2016, CIEDA has been working with PGAV Destinations of St. Louis for much of the park’s design – they have previously worked on theme parks such as Busch Gardens, SeaWorld and Universal Studios. They have also contracted STOA Architects in Pensacola for other design needs and the actual construction of the facility.
by Tanner Yea
“We knew that over 6.2 million people visit the beaches and Tanger outlets yearly, so we wanted to make it into a destination,” said Veronica Bishop, the Public Relations Coordinator for OWA. OWA is set to be divided into three themed areas, each with its own feel and purpose. The first is called the Warehouse District – modeled after turn-of-the-century cotton mills and processing plants. Being mostly retail space, these large buildings are meant to evoke a time of industry and progress. The Warehouse District will also contain a new Marriot TownePlace Suite, containing 150 rooms and designed to fit the feel of the industrial area. Next is the Downtown District, which emulates the style of a Southern main street, with its intimate shops and broad avenues. “We modeled it after our Baldwin County heritage,” said Bishop. “We went to Baldwin and used elements of downtown streets from cities like Atmore, Foley and Fairhope.” The final area is the Amusement Park, and it may be the most anticipated portion of OWA. The Park Contains over 20 rides designed and constructed pensacola magazine | 31
OWA Fun comes to foley
"All Hands are on deck to ensure OWA's opening exceeds the expectations of visitors and residents alike" by Italy-based ride manufacturer, Zamperla. The rides range from swinging chairs to tea cups and beyond. The highlight of the amusement park will be a brand new steel rollercoaster called Rollin’ Thunder. With around 681 meters of track, four inversions and a top speed of 56 miles per hour, USA Today has called the ride one of the most anticipated coasters of 2017. “The only other type of its kind is in Coney Island,” said Bishop. In addition to the parks, OWA will contain a 90,000 square foot event center, 44,000 square feet of initial retail space, a 400-seat amphitheater and a two-acre island in the middle of the 14-acre lake. This entire phase of construction is set to cost $260 million, and is nearing completion.
32 | pensacola magazine
This is not the end of the line for OWA, however. After the initial opening, work will begin on Phase Two of the construction. This will consist of a second hotel, a full water park, condominiums and an RV park. Though construction on Phase Two hasn’t yet started, plans are underway. “The whole theme of this destination is one of ‘Southern Hospitality’,” said Bishop. “We wanted to keep it very authentic, but reinvent the ideas and modernize it.” Luckily, OWA will be low cost to enjoy. Admission is free to the OWA property and parking will be complimentary, but the Amusement Park will have a general admission that allows access to all the rides and fun within. There will be other charges for activities like boat rentals
and similar events, but park organizes ensure the cost will be light on your wallet. Bishop said OWA is designed to be an extension to what Foley already has to offer. For example, the event center is set to open adjacent to the Foley Sports Tourism Complex – an existing structure that houses 16 state-of-the-art, multi-use sports fields, including TV-ready lighting and a 1,000-seat stadium. “All hands are on deck to ensure OWA’s opening exceeds the expectations of visitors and residents of coastal Alabama alike,” said Hellmich. “And it’s all orchestrated by CIEDA, an authority of Poarch Band of Creek Indians.” OWA is set to open Phase One in midsummer of 2017. Phase Two is expected to follow soon. For more information on OWA, including its features, construction progress and employment opportunities, visit visitowa.com or call 251-923-2111.
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Arts
Ballet Pensacola
Get your kids excited for summer fun! by Haley Weaver
The transition from spring to summer, from taking the kids to school to the kids being back in the house every day, can be hectic and tiresome, especially for working parents in need of a caretaker. Summer should be a time for the kids to explore, spend time with friends, and have fun. They can get a bit restless cooped up in their rooms all day. Luckily, there are some awesome summer camps to remedy the summer insanity. There are day programs, weekly intensives, even out-of-state, overnight adventure camps, with themes and activities to spark the interest of every child, whether it’s art, science, horseback riding, gymnastics, dance, or nature. Check out these local options for your kids to have fun, make friends, and maybe even give you a minute’s peace of mind.
Dates: June 5-8; June 12-15; Aug. 7-10 Times: 9 am - noon for 3-4 year olds/1 pm - 4 pm for 5-6 year olds Ages: 3-6 Where: Pensacola Cultural Center, 400 S. Jefferson St. Cost: $125/one-week, $325/three-week, $450/four-week session (nonrefundable deposit of $25/session due by May 8) Info: balletpensacola.com Ballet Pensacola is offering a summer children’s program with two sessions per day with students grouped together according to age—there will be one session for three and four-year-olds, and another session for five and six-year-olds. Young performers will learn instruction in individual and group dances, character acting, as well as in crafts and mime work. There is a Beginning Session for students who have already completed one year of Pre-Ballet, as well as a Children’s Session for students just starting ballet. This year, students enrolled in the Children’s Session will learn dance in their choice of one of the following productions: Peter Pan, Aladdin, and Angelina Ballerina. Classes are Monday through Thursday, but sessions run from 9 am to noon for three and four-year-olds, and from 1 to 4 pm for five and six-year-olds. Students are asked to bring a healthy snack for each day, and to wear uniforms of solid black leotards, pale pinkfooted tights, as well as full-soled, pink ballet slippers.
First City Arts Center Creatisphere
Dates: May 29 – August 4 Times: 9 am - 4 pm Ages: 7-14 Where: First City Arts Center, 1060 N. Guillemard St. Cost: $240/nonmember session, $200/member session Info: firstcityart.org First City Arts Center has expanded its Creatisphere summer art program for children and now offers week-long sessions for students who are grouped by age—one session for ages 7 to 10, and another for ages 11 to 14. Children will learn about pottery, sculpture, photography, glassblowing, fashion design, bookmaking, 3-D mixed media, painting, mural arts, and drawing, as well as other creative outlets. Creatisphere is open to students of all skill levels and encourages children to make art that’s “out of the box” in order to promote creative development, critical thinking and innovation. To showcase what the children have learned, Creatisphere will end with an art party and student art show, which parents and friends are invited to attend. Supply and material costs are included with the price of each session, but students are responsible for bringing snacks and lunch each day.
Pensacola Little Theatre
Dates: June 5 – July 28 Times: Varies by session Ages: 6-17 Where: Pensacola Cultural Center, 400 S. Jefferson St. Cost: Varies by session from $150 to $250 Info: pensacolalittletheatre.com/education Pensacola Little Theatre’s Education Department has a selection of summer camps lined up this year including Lights, Camera, Action!, Bravo!, Break a Leg!, and Summer Stars. Students can learn the fundamentals of film acting, or star in a full-length
include Dreams and Surrealist Art, African Art and Culture, Mixing Media, Making Mad Machines, Printmaking, Creation Space, Mad Science, Great Art, Women in Art, Making Music, and Puppets, Costumes, and Creativity. Have your children dressed in clothing they can get messy, and make sure they wear closed-toe shoes for safety.
Southeastern Teen Shakespeare Company
Dates: June 19 - 23 Times: 9 am - 4:30 pm Ages: 9-17 Where: 1010 N 12th Ave. Cost: $300 Info: setsco.org It’s a mystery of Shakespearean proportions as this year’s campers create a whodunit from the ground up using Shakespearean characters, plots, intrigue, dialogue, and combat. Each camper will get to choose a Shakespearean character to play, agree on a Shakespearean murder victim, and help write and perform an original play using Shakespearean themes. Campers will learn about the plays, acting, and stage combat in this week-long experience that culminates in a live performance. SETSCO will provide everything except underwear, shoes, and lunch. play. Young actors will also learn how to design props, sets and costumes, as well as other backstage duties, and how to perform singing and dancing numbers. Students learn through hands-on experiences in a non-competitive atmosphere – the primary purpose of which is to help our local youth by providing the opportunity to develop, practice and hone the skills needed in all aspects of the theatre arts and theatrical production.
Pensacola Opera Camp
Dates: July 11-15 for Youth Camp; July 25-29 for Teen Camp Times: 9 am - 2 pm for ages 8 - 12/9 am - 4 pm for ages 13-17 Ages: 8-17 Where: Pensacola Opera, 75 S. Tarragona St. Cost: $150 for ages 8-12, $175 for ages 13-17 Info: pensacolaopera.com/camps Each year Pensacola Opera holds summer Opera Camps in which sessions focus on vocal and dramatic coaching, audition techniques, as well as set and costume design. At the end of each session, which will be on July 15 and July 29, campers will star in a final performance for parents and friends. The youth camp will perform Man of La Mancha, and the Teen camp will perform Madama Butterfly. Campers are asked to bring a lunch each day. Snacks and drinks will be provided.
Pensacola Museum of Art
Dates: May 30 – August 4 Times: 8 am - 5 pm Ages: 5-9 (Mini Masters), 10-13 (Junior Artists) Where: Pensacola Museum of Art, 407 S. Jefferson St. Cost: $200/member session, $250/nonmember session Individual Class- one class per week $120/ member, $175/nonmember Info: pensacolamuseum.org Pensacola Museum of Art is offering up to 10 weeks of creative fun in its annual Summer Art Camp in which students are shown a variety of mediums with which to create unique works of art. Some of the camp themes
Curtain's Up Musical Theater Camp
Dates: June 26 – July 1 Times: 9 – 5 Ages: 4th – 7th grade Where: Gulf Breeze United Methodist Church, 75 Fairpoint Dr. Cost: $200 Info: friendsofthegroom.org/curtainsuppensacola Join Pensacola Children’s Chorus for an exciting and fun-filled week-long summer music and theater workshop. Campers will have a week of masterclasses from experienced instructors in dance, drama, music, and stagecraft, and at the end of the week will perform a play they’ve taken from page to stage on June 30 and July 1 at 7:30 pm. The ticket sales will benefit Encore, The Pensacola Children’s Chorus Alumni Association.
Five Flags Dance Academy
Dates: June 5 – July 21 Times: Varies by session Ages: 2 – 18 Where: 1903 E. Olive Rd. Cost: $150/week (intensive); $125/week (Princess/Diva) Info: fiveflagsdanceacademy.com Five Flags Dance Academy is offering summer sessions/intensives as well as Princess and Diva Dance Camp. Princess and Diva Dance Camp, for ages 2 to 4, 5 to 7, and 8 to 11, will commence weekly from June 5 – July 17, from 8 am to 5 pm Monday through Thursday and 8 am to 12 pm Friday. Snacks and lunch will be provided, and students are asked to wear comfortable clothes. For experienced dancers, intensive sessions will be offered 8 am to 5 pm from June 19 to June 23 and June 26 to June 30. Featured dancing styles are jazz, lyrical, tap, ballet, contemporary, musical theater, and more. Snacks and drink are provided but dancers must bring their own lunch.
pensacola magazine | 35
Adventures in Summer Camp
Education
Montessori School of Pensacola
Dates: June 5-9; June 12-16; June 19-23; June 26-30; July 3-7; July 10-14; July 17-21; July 24-28; July 31- August 4 Times: Preschooler camps vary; 8 am to 3:30 pm (elementary) Ages: 4-13 Where: MSP Campus, 1010 N. 12th Ave. (preschool camps); 4101 Montessori Dr. (elementary camps) Cost: Preschool camps vary based on times; $285 per camp Info: montessoripensacola.com/summer Montessori School of Pensacola has two summer camp sessions lined up this year—one camp for preschoolers between the ages of 4 to 6, and the other for children between the ages of 7 to 13. In addition to recreational summer fun outdoors, preschoolers will learn about different world cultures, theatre terms and production, jewelry-making, cooking safely and hygienically, science experiments and discoveries, music styles and instruments, as well as different artistic styles and mediums. Drop off is as early as 7 am and pick up is as late as 5:30 pm. Elementary-level students will have the option of three different art camps. Under the Sea Art Camp will involve combining all things nautical with methods such as sculpting, oil painting, printmaking, and bookmaking. EXTREME Art Camp is for the more serious artists, fo-
afternoon session to complete their schedule. Options will vary each week, and many camps will have a STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts and Mathematics) emphasis. Classes will include crochet, a study of Gulf Coast shells, stop motion animation, futsal fundamentals, Irish dance, World of Wizardry, themed reading camps, world religions, music making and much more. Students should bring a snack, drink and lunch each day. Although supplies are covered by the camp fee, additional items may be needed for certain activities, such as goggles and coats for the science-themed camps. Full and half day options are available for both sections of camps. Morning and after care is provided from 7 am to 8:30 am and from 4 pm to 5:30 pm. The morning and after care is complimentary with registration.
Pensacola MESS Hall Summer Camps
Dates: May 30-June 1, June 5-9, June 12-16, June 19-23, June 26- June 30, July 5-7, July 10-14, July 17-21, July 24-28, July 31-August 4 Times: Morning sessions 9 am-noon/afternoon sessions 1 pm-4 pm Ages: Grades 1-3, 4-6, and 7-9 Where: Pensacola MESS Hall, 116 N. Tarragona St. Cost: $100/member session, $125/nonmember session Info: pensacolamesshall.org This summer, the camps offered at Pensacola MESS Hall focus on building math, engineering and science skills, and students are organized according to grade levels. Themes at MESS Hall include Tinker - Explore - Create Studio; Inventor’s Workshop; Electricity/Wire It Up!; Space Explorers; Pirates! Ahoy!; Rockin’ Out; Materials Matter; Toys/Games Unplugged; Maker Studio; Robot, Set, Code; and Engineer the Story. Students will learn about the basic elements of architecture, anatomy, DNA, sailing and LEGO robotics, as well as space, earth and ocean sciences. Camp days are half-days with either morning sessions from 9 am to noon, or afternoon sessions from 1 pm to 4 pm. Students should bring snacks for all sessions.
PSC Kids College
cusing on alternative creative processes that get your children’s bodies moving at the same time. Myths and Magic Art Camp is for your Harry Potter lovers, and includes activities such as bookmaking, sculpting, painting, and printing focused on the fantastic. Each art camp runs from 8 am to 3:30 pm. Children are asked to bring their own lunch and snack.
Episcopal Day School
Dates: June 5 – July 21 Times: Full and half day options available Ages: 2-13 Where: The Hilton-Green Campus, 601 N. Palafox St. (rising kindergarten and under); South Campus, 223 N. Palafox St. (rising 1st through 8th) Cost: $195/one-week session; $125/half-day one week session Info: edssc.org Episcopal Day School is planning for eight weeks of summer fun with its annual summer camp session, stretching Monday through Friday from 8:30 am to 4 pm. For rising PreK-2 through Kindergarten students, all camps will explore the seven continents through food, music, art, language, and stories. Rising 1st through 8th graders will have the opportunity to pick a morning and 36 | pensacola magazine
Dates: May 30 – June 28 Times: Varies by session Ages: 6-12 Where: PSC Main Campus, 1000 College Blvd., Bldg. 96 Cost: Varies by session; $58 per course Info: pensacolastate.edu Pensacola State College is offering specialty camp sessions, as well as summer courses you can pick and choose for children, in the 2017 PSC Kids’ College Summer Program. The options for enrollment are practically endless and parents have the choice to register children for individual courses, or weeklong sessions that run daily from 8 am to 4:45 pm. A few of the themes for Kids’ College courses include sports, book clubs, jewelry making, learning about local and foreign cultures, computers, photography, movie making, newspaper reporting, zoology, art, ecosystems and so much more. Students must bring or purchase a lunch, and lunches are available for purchase at the oncampus Subway restaurant, for each full day of classes. Students are also encouraged to bring snacks and water, too. For a successful first day at PSC Kids’ College, make sure your child wears comfortable clothing and give your child a written list of their classes.
science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) skills, along with critical thinking, problem-solving, teamwork and communication skills. Rising seventh through twelve graders participating in the National Flight Academy’s program live aboard a multi-story facility, AMBITION CVT-11, the world’s only virtual land-locked aircraft carrier for six days. Participants eat on the mess deck, sleep in staterooms and plan missions with their squadrons in an immersive, theme-park like environment to provide a “best-in-the-world” learning environment.
Pensacola Cooks Kids Summer Camp
UWF Explore Summer Camps
Dates: June 5-9; June 12-16; June 19-23; June 26-30; July 10-14; July 1721; July 24-28; July 31-August 4 Times: Varies by session Ages: 5-17 Where: UWF Main campus (11000 University Pkwy.), Historic Pensacola campus, Gulf Breeze Elementary School, Arcadia Mill Cost: Varies by session from $125 to $360 Info: uwf.edu/explorecamps UWF Explore Summer Camps will be offering STEM, language and writing, art, and social studies camps for campers between ages 5-17. Kindergartners will have their own summer camp in which they will become ocean explorers, dinosaur experts, and adventurers who journey through the galaxy. Each STEM camp is a week-long session that encourages students to discover the world of science, technology, engineering, and math through hands-on activities. Art and writing camps will teach students how to express themselves in new, creative ways. Social studies camps will teach students about archeology and local history, and will include trips to the Arcadia Mill in Milton.
National Flight Academy Ambition & Flight Adventure Deck Summer Programs
Dates: June 5-9, June 12-16, June 19-23, June 26-30, July 10-14, July 17-21, July 24-28, July 31-August 4 (Flight Adventure Deck); June 25-30, July 2-7, July 9-14, July 16-21, July 23-28, July 30-August 4, August 6-11 (National Flight Academy) Times: National Flight Academy - 6 day overnight; Flight Adventure Deck - 9 am-1 pm Ages: 10-12 (Flight Adventure Deck), 12-18 (National Flight Academy) Where: NAS Pensacola, 1 Fetterman Way Cost: $165/one-week session for Flight Adventure Deck, $1,250/ six-day session for National Flight Academy Info: nationalflightacademy.com/ambition-program The National Flight Academy and Flight Adventure Deck Summer Camp are now launching programs for summer enrollment. The Flight Adventure Deck Summer Camp is open to rising fifth and sixth graders, who will learn how to launch their own rockets and build gliders. Other activities include watching the Blue Angels practice, experiencing Giant Screen Theater films, or using the museum’s exciting flight simulators during a week-long session. At the conclusion of the camp, students will receive their own “Flight Adventure Deck” t-shirt. The National Flight Academy focuses on building
Dates: June 5-9; June 12-16; June 19-30; June 26-30; July 10-14; July 1721; July 24-28; July 24-August 4 Times: ages 5-9/9 am - noon; ages 10-14/1 pm - 4 pm Ages: 5-14 Where: Pensacola Cooks, 3660 Barrancas Ave. Cost: $175/one-week session Info: info@pensacolacooks.com Pensacola Cooks is having its annual Youth Summer Cooking Camp starting in June. This year, the weekly themes range from Gardener Chefs, Global Breakfast Chefs, “From Scratch” Basic Baking Camp, Cave Dweller Chefs, and Jr. Master Chefs. Students will get to create dishes from cooking shows and from countries around the world. Students are asked to wear closed toed shoes and pull any long hair back in a ponytail. Food and drinks are included in class fee.
Pensacola Yacht Club
Dates: June 5-9; June 12-16; June 19-23; June 26-30; July 3-7; July 10-14; July 17-21; July 24-28; July 31-August 4; August 7-11 Times: 9 am – 3:30 pm Ages: 6-17 Where: 1897 Cypress St. Cost: $250 members/ $295 non-members Info: pensacolayachtclub.org Pensacola Yacht Club is having its annual summer sailing program stating in June. Students will learn to sail with confidence. All sessions offer lessons for beginner to advanced students. Students will learn boat rigging, boat handling, basic knots, sailing fundamentals, sportsmanship, and boat responsibility. Students are asked to bring a personal flotation device, safety whistle, sunscreen, hat, sunglasses, dry change of clothes, clothes to get wet in, closed toed shoes, water bottle, sack lunch, and snack; there is also the option to pay $35/week and PYC will supply lunch.
LearningRx Brain Camp: A Smarter Camp Experience
Dates: June 12-16; June 26-29; July 10-14; July 24-29 Time: 9 am-2 pm (Mon. - Fri.) Ages: 8-12 Where: Jubilee Academy, 5910 North “W” St. Cost: $325, includes breakfast & lunch Info: learningrx.com/pensacola LearningRx Brain Camp has four camp sessions lined up this year that will create an engaging environment in which your child can discover tools for thriving in school and life. A cognitive enrichment program for children, Brain Camp exposes kids to fun activities that work on core brain skills, including memory, attention, and logic. Brain Camp also teaches kids how to solve problems, set S.M.A.R.T. goals, harness the power of a great attitude, and use cool tricks to memorize things easily (for example, the first 20 elements of the periodic table). LearningRx, is a pioneer and a leader in cognitive training with about 80 training centers across the nation. pensacola magazine | 37
Adventures in Summer Camp
Navarre Beach Marine Science Station
Dates: June 12-16; June 19-23; June 26-30; July 24-28; July 31-August 4 Times: Vary depending on camps Ages: 4-15 Where: 8638 Blue Heron Ct., Navarre, FL Cost: $150 (Turtle Tots); $275 (Dolphin Discovery); $300 (Paddle Palooza); $350 (Guy Harvey Fishing Camp); Info: navarresciencestation.org Navarre Beach Marine Science Station will be offering an array of summer camps this summer, for all ages to engage with sea life. 4 to 5-year-olds can enjoy the Turtle Tots day camp from 8 – 11 am and learn all about life as a sea turtle. Dolphin Discovery, for children entering 3rd through 8th grade, includes a dolphin cruise and lessons on echolocation. Paddle Palooza, for children entering 3rd to 5th grade, teaches campers how to surf, kayak, canoe, and stand-up paddle board. Participants of this camp must pass a swimming test. Campers ages 9 to 14 will get their own fishing pole at the Guy Harvey Fishing Camp, where they’ll go on a deep sea expedition and learn about fish conservation and biology. Your child will need to bring sunscreen, a snack/lunch (depending on camp time), water bottle/drink, shoes that can be worn in the water, beach towel and a change of clothes.
Active
Kidz Pointe Summer Camp
Dates: May 30-August 4 Times: 7:30 am-3 pm Ages: 4-12 Where: Marcus Pointe Christian School, 6205 North “W” St. Cost: $125/week, plus activity fees are $85 for 4-5 year olds and $135 for 6-12 year olds Info: kidzpointe.com Elementary school-aged children will have a blast at Kidz Pointe. This camp features field trips to the Gulf Coast Explorium, Chuck E. Cheese, NAS Museum, and Sam’s Fun City, as well as activities and games. Weekly camp themes include Water Water Everywhere, Aargh Matey, The Final Frontier, Nerd Explosion, Superheroes, Happy Birthday America, Under the Big Top, Animal Antics, and Vacation Bible School. A snack and lunch are provided.
YAC Summer Day Camp
Dates: May 30 – August 18 Times: 6 am (6:30 for Big YAC) – 5:30 pm Ages: 2-4 (Little YAC), 5-10 (Big YAC) Where: Santa Rosa Christian Learning Center; Santa Rosa Christian School Cost: Varies by age Info: youthathleticclub.org Your child will have a blast at YAC Summer Day Camp. Activities include field trips, swimming, arts and crafts, Bible study, inflatables, wading pools, and much more. Two snacks and a lunch are included. Weekly rates for the Little YAC campers are $105 per week for two-year-olds, $100 per week for three-year-olds, and $95 per week for four-year-olds; camp is located at Santa Rosa Christian Learning Center. For Big YAC campers, the cost is $70 per child per week to stay until 3 pm, with an additional $20 charge to stay until 5:30 pm; camp is located at Santa Rosa Christian School.
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First City No Bummer Summer Gymnastics
Dates: May 30 – August 4 Times: 7:30 am-6 pm Ages: 5 and up Where: 65 E. Olive Rd. Cost: $140/ week or $35/day Info: firstcitygymnastics.com First City’s No Bummer Summer Gymnastics Camp will have an obstacle course, gymnastics, arts and crafts, trampolines, games and contests, and field trips. Camp runs weekly, but will be closed the week of July 4. Campers will get a free t-shirt upon registration, and can bring their own lunch, snack and drink, or will have the option to buy these at the gym’s snack bar. They’re asked to wear comfortable clothes, without any zippers, buttons, or snaps. If you register your child before May 12, the cost per week will drop from $140 to $98!
Junior Lifeguards
Dates: Tryouts – June 3, July 1; Sessions – June 12-23, July 10-21 Times: Tryouts – 7 am; Sessions – 9 am-3:30 pm Ages: 13-15 Where: Quietwater Beach Pavilions next to Key Sailing, Pensacola Beach Cost: $200/session Info: pensacolabeachlifeguards.com Find out what it takes to become a Guardian of the Gulf in the Junior Lifeguards program on Pensacola Beach. This camp promotes physical fitness, training in beach safety, and education on the historical, ecological, and economic significance of Pensacola Beach. Campers will get fire rescue and emergency medical training, as well as daily physical conditioning. The cost of camp does not include materials, which is a suit for boys or a suit and pair of cover-up shorts for girls. Campers bring their own lunch and snack to eat on the boardwalk, but will have access to a microwave and refrigerator.
Camp Fire WILD and Wise Nature Day Camp
Dates: May 30 – August 11 (varies by session) Times: 7 am (6:45 at PSC campus) – 5:30 pm Ages: 5-12 Where: Pensacola State College Child Development Center, Century Youth Learning Center, Milton Clubhouse Cost: Varies by session Info: campfirekidsfl.com At Camp Fire, campers will learn how to interact with nature and wildlife while having a blast. Camp activities include archery, swimming, hikes, and more outdoor adventure, as well as skits, movies, music, field trips, and games. At the Milton and PSC campuses, a lunch and two snacks are provided, but at the Century campus campers must bring their own lunch; each location requires campers to bring a change of clothes. The PSC campus costs $100/week plus fees, while Milton and Century are priced at $85 plus fees. Each camper will receive a t-shirt.
Aubrey Hill Summer Riding Camp
Dates: June 5-9, June 12-16, June 19-23, June 26-30 (advanced riders only) Times: 9 am – 2 pm Ages: 6 – 13 Where: 2729 Ten Mile Rd., Pace, FL Cost: $300/week Info: aubreyhill.com/summer-riding-camp-summer-camp Aubrey Hill Summer Riding Camp is for beginner and intermediate riders, still learning how to hold their own on a horse. There will be arts and crafts in between learning to ride and instruction on horse care. Campers must wear jeans or riding pants and a t-shirt (no tank tops) for horse riding, and have their hair pulled back. Tennis shoes or paddock boots are required at all times, no sandals allowed. Campers must bring their own lunch and drink.
PlayPensacola Summer Day Camp
Dates: May 25 – August 9 Times: Camp times varies by session Ages: 6-14 Where: Cobb Resource Center (601 East Mallory St.), Fricker Resource Center (900 North F St.), Gull Point Resource Center (7000 Spanish Trail), Woodland Heights Resource Center (111 Berkley Dr.) Cost: Varies by session Info: playpensacola.com/940/Summer-Camps PlayPensacola will host nine weeks of summer camps at each of these four resource center locations: E.S. Cobb, Fricker, Gull Point, and Woodland Heights. Field trips, swimming, arts and crafts, plus games and sports are just a few of the activities students can enjoy this summer with PlayPensacola summer camps. PlayPensacola is also offering specialty camps this year, which will include beginning and advanced fishing camps, as well as SUP, adventure, dance, teen, playground, British soccer, basketball, volleyball, tennis and junior tennis camps. Outdoor specialty camps are located at Community Maritime Park, Roger Scott Athletic Complex and Tennis Center, Malcolm Yonge Gym, and Gull Point. Camps run Monday through Friday from 7 am to 6 pm, lunch and snack provided.
UWF Argo Kids Adventure Camp
Dates: May 30-June 2; June 5-9; June 12-16; June 19-23; June 26-30; July 3-7; July 10-14; July 17-July 21; July 24-28; July 31 – August 4 Times: 7:30 am - 5: 30 pm Ages: Grades K-5 Where: UWF Campus, 11000 University Pkwy., Bldg. 72 Rm. 278 Cost: $35- $160 Info: uwf.edu/offices/recreation-and-sports-services/argo-adventure-kidscamp/camp-information/ UWF Argo Kids Adventure Camp will be using the following themes for its summer camps this year: Out of This World, Throughout the Decades, Pirates of Florida, Wizarding Week, Olympic Week, Superhero Week, Holiday Extravaganza, Toontown Week, and Best of the Best. Outdoor time will be spent on natural trails, hiking and doing rope courses, while indoor activities will include dance, swimming and rock climbing. Safety activities will also be offered to give students instruction on knot tying and self-defense, and sports activities will allow students to play softball, kickball, tennis, and much more. Every day students should bring a backpack or gym bag with sunblock, extra clothes and shoes, swimming gear, and a water bottle labeled with your child’s name.
Northeast Pensacola’s YMCA Summer Day Camp
Dates: May 30 – August 4 Times: 9:30 am-3:30 pm/Early drop off 6 am and late pick up no later than 6 pm Ages: 5-12 Where: Pensacola’s Northeast Branch, 3215 Langley Ave. Cost: $60/member session, $120/nonmember session Info: ymcanwfl.org/programs/youth-development/day-camp YMCA Summer Day Camp is hosting summer camp sessions at its Northeast Pensacola location this year. Activities include arts and crafts, sports, indoor and outdoor games, swimming, skits, singing, field trips, as well as other themed sessions. In addition to offering swimming lessons for an extra pensacola magazine | 39
Adventures in Summer Camp
$20 per session, YMCA Northeast is offering Leader in Training Programs for youths between the ages of 13 and 15. Field trip opportunities this summer for YMCA Northeast include excursions to Dreamland Skating Center, Waterville USA, Pensacola MESS Hall, Sam’s Fun City, Gulfarium Adventure Park, Bounce House Pensacola, Mobile Exploreum, and Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo. Sessions will include projects, games and events built around weekly themes such as time travel, rock the vote, tropical paradise, inventor’s workshop, challenge week, and more. Campers should bring a bag packed with a swimsuit, towel, sunscreen and a water bottle, as well as a lunch that does not require special heat or refrigeration.
Waterboyz Surf and Skate Camp
Dates: May 30-June 2; June 5-8; June 12-15; June 19-22; June 26-29; July 3-6; July 10-13; July 17-20; July 24-27; July 31-August 3 Times: 9 am-12 pm Ages: 7 and up (for swim camp, must be a good swimmer) Where: Pensacola Beach and Waterboyz Cost: $170 per session for Surf camp/ $120 per session for Skate camp Info: waterboyz.com Waterboyz is offering surf and skate camps this summer. Both camps offer lessons for beginners to advanced students. The students attending the surf camp are asked to bring sandals, sunscreen, rash guard, lunch, and a towel. The students in surf camp will learn surfing, paddle boarding, ocean awareness and safety, and wave knowledge and etiquette. In the skate camp, the students will set their own goals each week and work to achieve each trick. The students attending the skate camp are asked to bring a skateboard, and sack lunch. Both camps run from 9 am to noon, and will provide a snack and water.
Innerlight Surf Camp
Dates: May 31 - June 2; June 5, 7, 9; June 12, 14, 16; June 19, 21, 23; June 26, 28, 30; July 3, 5, 6; July 10, 12, 14; July 17, 19, 21; July 24, 26, 28; July 31, August 2, 4; August 7-9 Times: 9 am-1 pm Ages: 8 and older Where: Pensacola Beach Cost: $160 per session Info: innerlightsurf.com Innerlight Surf Shop is hosting their surf summer camp starting in June. Students will learn to surf, surfing etiquette, culture, techniques, wave knowledge, and tides and marine biology. Even if the surf is flat, the students will still have fun games and activities. Each student will receive a Surf Camp t-shirt, stickers, coupons, and other goodies. The students are asked to bring boardshorts or swimsuit, a towel, a lot of sunscreen, a rash guard, a snack/ lunch, and something to drink.
Cordova Lanes Pins and Pals Summer Camp
Dates: June 5-August 4 (no camp week of July 4) Times: 10 am-1 pm Ages: 5-18 Where: 2111 Airport Blvd Cost: $130 weekly – includes own bowling ball and lunch/ $90 weekly – without bowling ball Info: cordovalanes.com Students will begin with bowling basics and end with a greater appreciation for bowling and a comfort level that will let them enjoy bowling more – all with your very own bowling ball. Coaches are available to help you develop a killer shot, or to just show you enough to allow you to enjoy the sport. Lunch is provided each day. Reserve a seat early, because they fill up quickly. 40 | pensacola magazine
Overnight Camp Walkabout
Dates: (ages 8-10, six day/five night) June 12-17, June 19-24, July 10-15, July 17-22; (ages 11-13, thirteen day/twelve night) June 12-24, July 10-22; (ages 14-16, fourteen day/thirteen night) June 11-24, July 9-22 Ages: 8-16 Where: 171 Baylor School Rd., Chatanooga, TN Cost: (8-10) $1,145; (11-13 and 14-16) $2,295 Info: baylorschool.org/summer/overnight-camps/camp-walkabout Camp Walkabout offers an array of activities for all ages, and takes full advantage of the beautiful wilderness Tennessee offers. Younger campers ages 8 to 10, or Discoverers, will experience an introduction to the outdoors, spending one night camping and the rest in a comfy dorm. Adventurers ages 11 to 13 will be more immersed in the outdoors, splitting their camp and dorm time and learning more intense skills such as top rope climbing and rappelling. Expeditioners ages 14 to 16 will have multi-day camping trips, including a 2-3 backpacking trip on the Appalachian Trail, and will learn to belay and raft.
Riverview Camp for Girls
Dates: (1 week sessions) June 4-9, June 11-16, June 18-23, June 25-30, July 2-7, July 23-28, July 30 – August 4; (2 week session) June 11-23, June 25 – July 7, July 9-21, July 23 – August 4 Ages: 6-16 Where: 757 County Rd. 614, Mentone, AL Cost: $1950 (1 week), 3500 (2 weeks) Info: riverviewcamp.org Riverview is considered one of the South’s favorite summer camps for girls, and is located 45 minutes south of Chatanooga on top of Lookout Mountain. Girls ages 6 to 16 will have the opportunity for horseback riding, swimming, archery, gymnastics, cheerleading, dance, tennis, canooing, arts and crafts, drama and chorus, and much more. This camp is a great place to build lifelong friendships and chase adventure at the same time.
U.S. Space Camp and Aviation Challenge
Dates: Varies based on age Ages: 9-18 Where: One Tranquility Base, Huntsville, AL Cost: Varies based on age/session Info: spacecamp.com Come experience space and the sky like never before at U.S. Space Camp and Aviation Challenge. Camp sessions are year-round, for age groups 9-11, 1214, and 15-18. Each camp lasts for six days and five nights, and may include simulators, wilderness training, teambuilding and leadership exercises, flight combat training, and rocket building; there’s even a robotics camp for 12-15 year olds. The experience and knowledge gained at Space Camp is invaluable to any future astronauts and aviators. Visit the website for further details and to register your child for this incredible experience.
Learn To Sail With Confidence And Have Fun Doing It!
All Summer sessions offer Beginner to Advanced-Ages 6-17 Children learn basic knots, boat handling, sailing fundamentals, and how to be a Pirate! They will experience sailing windsurfers, catamarans, Flying Scot, 420, Laser, and prams. Register on-line at:
pensacolayachtclub.org
Sessions are weekly from June 5- August 11th.
A place for you in Pensacola
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PENSACOLA DOWNTOWN
601 East Chase Street 850-432-0202 ResidenceInnPensacolaDowntown.com
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850-932-9314 • Highpointe.com • 311 Gulf Breeze Pkwy • Gulf Breeze, FL
EMERALD COAST REVIEW IS NOW ACCEPTING SUBMISSIONS of fiction, nonfiction, poetry, photography, graphic design and art for its 14th issue, “Life in Our Time.” Complete submission guidelines are available online at www.wflf.org. Reading and submission fee $10 for four poems, up to six photos or illustrations or up to 3000 words fiction. Student entry fee $5.
Deadline June 1st. For more information email the editor at emeraldcoastreview@gmail.com.
play/live/give Newsboys at the Pensacola Bay Center May 5
White Tie Rock Ensemble Presents: Yacht Rock MAY 12
Get transported back in time, to an era when Steely Dan, Michael McDonald, Hall & Oates, Cristopher Cross, Kenny Loggins and Toto ruled the airwaves. Join the White Tie Rock Ensemble at the REX Theatre for a night of soft rock, smooth jazz and sun-drenched tunes. The show begins at 8 pm, and tickets cost $30. For more information and to buy tickets, visit whitetiefriday.bpt.me.
Join the Newsboys on the Love Riot Tour, which sees them perform their hit songs live in more than 50 additional cities nationwide. The tour will also feature a never-seen-before, all-new theatrical experience, God’s Not Dead LIVE! Rivals. Written and produced by John and Sarah Bolin (The Thorn) and featuring original songs from Juan Otero (Born Again, Kings & Queens), Rivals brings an ensemble cast of singers, actors and dancers together to answer the question “Can God really make a difference?” and take the audience on a journey to an infamous music venue where stars are born, rivals are met and no one leaves the way they came in. Tickets range from $25 to $100, and the show begins at 7 pm. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit pensacolabaycenter.com
Pensacola Children’s Chorus Presents: Showtime May 5–7
Bands on the Beach Throughout May
Every Tuesday Pensacola Beach's popular outdoor summer concert series, Bands on the Beach, features a lineup of performers sure to please every musical taste. Located in the beautiful Gulfside Pavilion overlooking the Gulf of Mexico, the series features regional artists performing a wide variety of music. Bring your lawn chair and join us every summer for hot music, smooth grooves and a whole lot of good times. This month features CrossTown on May 2, True Blue Band on May 9, Continuum on May 16, Moderate Chop on May 23 and Deception on May 30. Shows being at 7 pm. For more information, visit visitpensacolabeach.com.
Jackson's Cinco De Mayo Dinner May 4
Jackson's Steakhouse is proud to present their third annual Cinco de Mayo dinner; a handcrafted tequila and food event. The dinner will highlight four different tequilas with Beverage Manager Josh Goldman in
attendance to shed more light on the craft of distilling tequila. Chef Irv Miller has created a delicious menu that underlines the flavors from the tequilas. The event is $75, and reservations must be made at 850-469-9898.
The Mint Jubilee May 4
Come discover the fun of citizen diplomacy at the Mint Jubilee, a pre-derby celebration highlighting volunteerism, southern hospitality, and the U.S. Department of State’s International Visitor Leadership Program. This grand evening at the Barkley House will feature southern fare, Kentucky bluegrass, and fun! The Gulf Coast Citizen Diplomacy Council is the official host of international visitors sent to northwest Florida by the U.S. Department of State. Since 2008, it has hosted over 1,500 from more than 160 countries. Ladies, wear your hats. Gentlemen, don’t forget your bow ties. There will be prizes! Located at the Barkley House at 410 S Florida Blanca, the event starts at 6 pm. Admission ranges from $50 to $100. For more information, visit gulfcoastdiplomacy.org.
From lights to sound to costumes, it takes a village to bring a performance to life. The Pensacola Children’s Chorus aims to put on a show that brings our entire community together to experience something truly entertaining. This year’s Showtime is a lively performance featuring music of the more popular genres as well as some tried and true classics. The show begins at 7:30 pm (2:30 pm on May 7), and tickets range from $25 to $41. For more information or to buy tickets, visit pensacolasaenger.com.
Metaphor as Manifestation at Pensacola Museum of Art May 5–August 27
Poetic works as a metaphor focuses on the collaborative efforts between the artists Robert Motherwell and Jasper Johns and poets Rafael Alberti and Samuel Beckett who shared their creative visions to create a bold, contrasting pairing of visual and literary art forms that aims to fashion an awareness of language while unearthing the complexities of the human mind. The opening reception is on May 18, from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm. For more information, visit pensacolamuseum.org.
pensacola magazine | 43
play/live/give Jessie and the Toy Story gang as they try and escape from the rambunctious tots of Sunnyside Daycare, in their most daring adventure ever! Plus, enter the wintery world of Arendelle with sisters Anna and Elsa and pals Olaf and Kristoff from Disney’s Frozen, as they learn the meaning of true love. From wheels to waves, icy wonderlands to infinity and beyond, your family’s favorite Disney moments come to life at Disney On Ice presents Worlds of Enchantment. Tickets start at $15. For more information, showtimes and to purchase tickets, visit pensacolabaycenter.com.
Wonder of the World at Pensacola Little Theatre May 12–14, 18–20
X – 40th Anniversary Tour MAY 17
Some of the original founders of the punk movement in the late 70s, X is back with the original lineup. Featuring vocalist Exene Cervenka, vocalist and bassist John Doe, guitarist Billy Zoom and drummer DJ Bonebrake, the band has put out seven albums and has been playing and touring ever since their brief hiatus in the 90s. Get ready to mosh and headbang with the best of them as they return you to the origins of punk. Hosted at Vinyl Music Hall and starting at 7 pm, tickets cost between $30 and $90. For more information and to buy tickets, visit vinylmusichall.com.
Pen-Sational Show at the Wright Place May 9–11
Pen Women of Pensacola, an organization for creative women, will present Pen-Sational: Our Pen Women Legacy Continues at the Wright Place May 9-June 11. Celebrating its 75th birthday, the show will feature art and poetry with a focus on its founding women, including Occie Clubbs, Florence Thiot Milner, and Lola Lee Daniell Bruington, three of Pensacola’s early- to mid-20th century educators, historians, and poets, members of the generation that began the movement towards greater roles for women in American society. The reception will be 9-11 a.m. on Mothers’ Day, May 14, with guitarist and singer Xaris Waltman performing.
Decades Rewind at the Saenger Theatre May 12
Join us for an experience unlike anything you've seen or heard before! This brand new theatrical concert features more than 60 songs blended 44 | pensacola magazine
into unique medleys from the 60s, 70s, and 80s. The most prominent decades in music history bring your memories to life with over 100 costume changes and videos that turn back time. From Aretha to Zeppelin, Decades Rewind will have you singing and dancing in the aisles. Decades Rewind. Your music. Your memories. Your life. Tickets range from $35 to $45, and the performance begins at 7:30 pm. For more information, visit pensacolasaenger.com.
Disney On Ice presents World of Enchantment May 12-14
Enter the dazzling world of Disney magic, live on ice at the Pensacola Bay Center! Rev up for non-stop fun with four of your favorite Disney stories at Disney On Ice presents Worlds of Enchantment. Be amazed as Lightning McQueen, Mater and the crew of Disney/ Pixar’s Cars perform high-speed stunts and race across the ice like you’ve never seen before! Dive into adventure with Ariel and The Little Mermaid’s undersea kingdom. The toys are back in town! Watch Buzz Lightyear, Woody,
Directed by Barbara Jacobs, Wonder of the World is a comedy romp set in the honeymoon capital of the world – Niagara Falls. Join Cass as she flees her marriage to rediscover the life she thought she missed out on. Laughs and heart are to be found, as Cass tries to complete her journey of self-discovery. Tickets range from $10 to $17, and showtime is at 7:30 pm. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit pensacolalittletheatre.com
Piece by Piece: LEGO Sculptures by Sean Kenney at Pensacola Museum of Art May 12–September 3
This visual treat from Sean Kenney, the world-renown artist whose award-winning, record-breaking, internationally acclaimed exhibits have wowed the world over, invites a mix of Sean’s unique design, style and the iconic texture and form of sculptures built with LEGO bricks. The Pensacola Museum of Art visitors will immerse themselves in a world of sculptures built entirely with LEGO bricks, including larger-than-life classic children's toys, abstract geometrics, functional pieces, transportation themes, sustainability, children's books, and more. Piece by Piece also includes 30,000 loose bricks for community involvement in this exhibition! The opening reception is on May 18, from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm. For more information, visit pensacolamuseum.org.
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play/live/give Fish House Mother’s Day Brunch May 14
Come celebrate the mom in your life at the Fish House with their delicious Mother’s Day Brunch. Located at 600 S Barrack St and serving brunch from 11 am to 3 pm, enjoy mimosas, chicken and waffles, and a special Salmon Wellington dish that will be sure to please. For more information or to make reservations, call 850-470-0003 or visit greatsouthernrestuarants.com
Mickey Newbury Gathering May 18–21
The New Malibu Lounge in Warrington and the Flora-Bama Lounge on Perdido Key, in conjunction with the Frank Brown International Songwriters Festival will be hosting the Mickey Newbury Gathering from Thursday, May 18 through Sunday, May 21, 2017. After Mickey’s passing in 2002, a number of fans decided to have an annual “gathering” to honor Mickey and his
music. Performances will take place at the New Malibu Lounge (1000 Gulf Beach Hwy) on Thursday, May 18 and Friday, May 19 beginning at 6pm, as well as on Saturday, May 20 at 7pm and Sunday, May 21 at 1pm. For more information, visit fbisf.com
Hangout Fest MAY 19–21
One of the biggest musical festivals on the Gulf Coast, Hangout Fest is back and better than ever. Located in beautiful Gulf Shores, Ala, the festival is three days long and features superstars such as Chance the Rapper, Twenty-One Pilots, Frank Ocean, MGMT, DJ Snake, Band of Horses and more! General admission for all three days is $309, though VIP packages are available for more. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit hangoutmusicfest.com.
1st Annual Camp Fire Car Show May 20
The 1st Annual Camp Fire Gulf Wind Car Show is May 20 from 8:30 am to 3 pm at the Milton in May festival on Willing Street, Milton, Fl. This will be a judged show with trophies in categories such as: Hot Rod, Domestic, Import, Modern and Antique to name a few. A people's choice will also be available.
3rd Annual Lionfish Removal & Awareness Day May 20–21
Held at Plaza De Luna at 10 am, this event is meant to raise awareness on the dangers that lionfish place on our local ecosystem. A combination of a festival and tournament – there are activities for divers, land-lovers, and the whole family! Divers removed 8,089 lionfish from Florida waters during the twoday tournament last year. Let’s see how many more lionfish we can remove across the state in one weekend. For more information, visit reefrangers.com.
Memorial Day Ceremony May 28
Come and honor our veterans this Veterans’ Day at the Veterans Memorial Park and Wall South at E Romana St. and Bayfront Parkway. Whether you’re in the service, have family serving, or know someone who has served, come and honor those who risked their lives for our country. The ceremony will begin at 11 am. For more information, visit veteransmemorialparkpensacola.com
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Our Storied Past
Photos courtesy of UWF Historic Trust
Temple Beth-El
People of the Jewish faith began moving to Pensacola during the British Period (1763–1781), appeared to have relocated when the Spanish returned after the Battle of Pensacola (1781), and returned in 1821 when Florida became a United States Territory. The Jewish community erected the first Temple Beth-El, a wooden building, in 1878 at 37 East Chase Street. Fire destroyed this building in 1895 and the congregation erected a new brick building on the site that same year. At some point, domes were added to the front of the Temple. In 1929 this building also suffered a fire and the congregation decided to relocate. Dedication services for the Temple’s new location at 800 North Palafox took place in 1931. The Chase Street location later became the Silver Dome Skating Rink. A historic marker now marks the Chase Street site.
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Catering to the community to feed those in need! Catering 4 a Cause
Call us for your next luncheon, board meeting or corporate training. A4L offers space for onsite catering for up to 60 people. Looking for a caterer for your engagement party, bridal shower, rehearsal dinner or wedding reception? let the professionals at Appetite 4 Life Catering help ensure that one of the most important days of your life is the talk of the town!
Reserve your seat for one of our tastings. Enjoy a sampling of different appetizers, entrees and pairings of meat and sauces. All served with wine. The tasting ends with a special twist on a southern favorite dessert.
Call Today 850.470.9111 Free Quote and Initial consultation
www.appetite4lifecatering.com 50 | pensacola magazine
Sample Menus
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Memorial Day Money Each year Pensacola Beach is home to one of the largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning (LGBTQ) events in the country. A recent survey takes a look at the economic impact of one of the busiest beach weekends of the year.
Photo courtesy of the UWF Historic Trust.
· OTHER STORIES ·
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Hundreds of people come together in Historic Seville Square on Memorial Day Weekend to walk for a cure for Cystic Fibrosis during the annual Great Strides 3K walk through downtown Pensacola.
Jason Jordan is revolutionizing backyard barbecues and food truck rallies with a simple solution—delivering propane to your front door! Learn about Grill Gas Express and how Jordan finds success by being his own boss.
Find out what is happening in business, government and cultural news in the greater Pensacola area and northwest Florida.
Walk for a Cure
Delivery Service Heats Up
Around the Region
nwflbusinessclimate.com | Business Climate | 51
52 | Business Climate | nwflbusinessclimate.com
Community The morning of the Great Strides Cystic Fibrosis 5K Walk is always hectic. We’ve slept maybe a few hours, and are awake and out the door before sunrise to set up tables and games and pick up the breakfast that’s been donated that year. This will be the 10th year of the Great Strides Walk for me. When we first started attending the walk, the event was held in the field by the Vietnam War Memorial Wall. As it was held in May, it was always unbearably hot and there was no tree coverage to provide relief from the sun. This year it will be held, as it has for the past several years, at Seville Square; the shade alone makes the location a blessing. My family is one of the main planners of the walk now, along with one other family who have been involved for many years. Both our families have a team we raise money and walk with, matching t-shirts and all. This year we have 11 teams signed up already, many of them families and friends of a Cystic Fibrosis (CF) patient. I have Cystic Fibrosis, too, but you’d never guess it unless you heard me cough; even then, you might just make a joke like, “Oh you too? Allergies are the worst.” It’s not great, but I could have it worse. I was diagnosed with CF when I was three and a half months old, after my aunt kissed me and noticed how salty my skin was, telling my parents that was a sign of CF. CF is commonly misdiagnosed as asthma and vice versa, as both diseases specifically affect the lungs. I’ve seen both cases occur with patients I know. CF affects your pulmonary and digestive systems, primarily. My body produces thick mucus it is unable to break down, causing it to coat my lungs and eventually infect them. For this reason, I take breathing treatments to break the mucus up. Additionally, my pancreas does not produce the enzymes needed to digest my food, so I take enzyme supplements when I eat. There are other pills, mostly vitamins my body lacks, but they’re merely minor
Walking
For a Cure
Hundreds of people come together in Historic Seville square on Memorial Day Weekend to walk for a cure for Cystic Fibrosis during the annual Great Strides 3k walk through downtown Pensacola. BY HALEY WEAVER inconveniences; I am considered an abnormally healthy CF patient. CF is not a federally-funded disease, which means that any fundraising for a cure is done by private citizens and given to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. CF Walks, like this one in Pensacola, are held across the country, and bring in a sizeable amount of the year’s contributions to the foundation’s research. I am one of 30,000 in the country, one of 70,000 in the world, to have this disease. A reality of this disease, as with any other, is the rotating cast members. I don’t remember having the same coordinator for the event two years in a row; they’d quit before planning began for the following year. During my nearly 18 years at Nemours I had several different doctors, my longest caretaker finally leaving when it became too much treating
kids like me without lasting results. I noticed each year when a CF patient came to the walk healthy, and didn’t come the next year at all. That’s the reality of CF—it’s a task to make it to adulthood, and if you do, it’s even harder to stay in good health. In fact, the life expectancy has grown to 37 in the last ten years, which is far cry from the disease’s childhood when patients were not expected to live past 16. There is no cure, but advancements are being made every year with help from fundraising events like the Great Strides Walk. In the last few years I began taking medication that targeted the gene rather than the symptom; it seemed to make a difference at first, but that isn’t the case as much now. But there are more medications coming, more progress being made every day, so when it’s time I’ll try those, too. The Square fills up quickly in the hour between registration and kickoff. The nwflbusinessclimate.com | Business Climate | 53
Community attendance varies each year, but it usually averages out at a few hundred people. Any food we have, anyone working a table, any entertainment – it all comes from donations and volunteers. In the past we’ve had family friends donate a dunking booth for an afternoon, handcrafted mugs to sell with profits going to my team’s fundraising effort, cakes for a cake walk, a fire truck for the younger kids to explore, coffee for the walkers, and a band providing live music while everyone enjoys a free lunch. The details for food and entertainment this year are still being finalized, but in the past we’ve had food and drinks donated from Bagel Heads, Olive Garden, Publix, Drowsy Poet, Chilis, and BJ’s Brewery. As long as you’ve registered to walk your meal is free, and if you raise $100 or more, you get an event t-shirt. In longstanding tradition, Great Strides will take place on the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend – this year that falls on May 27. Registration will begin at 9 am, with the walk kicking off at 10 am. It’s a ghost walk, which means that even though the full route adds up to a 5k, walkers can drop off halfway through and just hang around the Square, like I always do.
“I speak for myself and all the patients like me when I say that without events like this, Cystic Fibrosis would be a much scarier disease.”
Important details to take into account: this is a non-smoking event. Cystic Fibrosis is a lung disease, so secondhand smoke is not our friend. Colds are also not our friend, due to our weakened immune systems, so maintaining a safe distance from CF patients if you’re feeling under the weather is appreciated. CF patients even have to maintain a distance from each other, in order to avoid crossinfection. Please join us for this event. Your support is invaluable, and the event is fun, free, and family-friendly. I speak for myself and all the patients like me when I say that without events like this, without the medicine produced and milestones hit from the fundraising of Great Strides Walks across the country, Cystic Fibrosis would be a much scarier disease. To donate to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and add tomorrows for people affected by this disease, visit cff.org/get-involved/donate. To donate to a specific team for the Great Strides Walk, or to create your own, visit fightcf.cff. org/site/TR/GreatStrides and search for your local event.
Haley Weaver and friends enjoy some down time in the grass after participating in the Great Strides 5k through downtown Pensacola, 2010. 54 | Business Climate | nwflbusinessclimate.com
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Services
As Florida’s famous summers start to loom and the days grow longer, the air fills with the smell of sizzling barbecues and the excitement of food truck rallies. But what happens when the gas begins to run low on your propane tank and your event is on the brink of fizzling out? You give Jason Jordan at Grill Gas Express a call. Jordan started his Florida business at the beginning of March, but had previously operated a Grill Gas Express business in Memphis, Tenn. and the north Mississippi area. “I had been doing it for about 6 years, and I ended up selling it and moving down here,” said Jordan. Jordan said his business started when he worked for a commercial propane company, refueling propane tanks on forklifts. “I would have people come in and say ‘Hey, can you fill up my grill tank?’ and I would,” he said. “Then I started wondering why no one else was doing it. After that, I started the company and it took off right away.” 56 | Business Climate | nwflbusinessclimate.com
The concept of Grill Gas Express is relatively simple. Whenever your propane tank runs out of gas, you order a new canister and leave the old one in an easyto-access area. Jordan himself will then arrive and swap out the container with a brand-new cylinder with a full 20lbs. of propane. You don’t have to haul them yourself, and you don’t have to leave your barbecue unattended. “A lot of places will only give you 15lbs. on a fill up, but we top it off with a full 20lbs,” said Jordan. In addition to residential propane tanks, Jordan also offers refills for commercial grills like those on food trucks, refills for patio
by Tanner Yea
photo by Anna Hitchcock
Delivery Service Heats Up
heaters and even refills for RVs and campers. So far, Jordan has been running the entire project as a one-man operation—using a small office, a fenced-in area holding empty tanks and a propane reservoir, along with a single truck. Despite the small set-up, Jordan has already gotten plenty of business and he believes the best part of the business is that he is working for himself and on his own terms. “The hardest part is getting the word out,” he said. “I try to get as involved in the community as I can—I start with residential and then work my way to commercial.” Even with these challenges, Jordan prides himself on his work; before selling his operation in Memphis, he had over 700 customers and never lost one or received bad feedback from them. His work also stays constant
throughout the year—when he’s not filling up grill tanks, he’s filling patio heaters, so there is always a demand, he adds. While still in the early stages, Jordan hopes he’ll be able to find as much success in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties as he did in the mid-south, potentially expanding with more trucks and an employee or two—or even franchising out the Grill Gas Express name. For more information, or to place an order for Grill Gas Express home services, visit fl.grillgasexpress.com or call 850619-1918.
11.4.17 7:30PM
with Tracy Silverman, electric violin
with Westwater Arts:
Symphonic Photochoreography
BARBER Overture to The School for Scandal
SAINT-SAENS Piano Concerto No. 5 “The Egyptian” R. STRAUSS Suite from Der Rosenkavalier
CURIALE Awakenings
RAVEL La Valse
Dvořák Symphony No. 9
COPLAND Suite from The Tender Land
CELEBRATE ALL YOU THE NEW NEED IS LOVE A BEATLES YEAR!
TRIBUTE with Classical Mystery Tour 2.10.18 7:30PM
with Guest composer
SILVERMAN The Kiss and the Chaos Incidental Music for Il Distratto KENJI BUNCH Cello Concerto Embrace in C Major GINASTERA Dances of Estancia BEETHOVEN Symphony No. 5
with Dee Daniels, vocalist Dee Daniels brings her swing, soul, and blues inspired program celebrating Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughn, Peggy Lee, and more to ring in the New Year with us!
4.28.18 7:30PM
Scott Kluksdahl, cello & UWF Singers
HAYDN Depiction of Chaos, from The Creation
MARQUEZ Danzon No. 2
OPTIONAL ADD-ON
BERLIOZ Roman Carnival Overture
12.31.17 7:00PM
1.13.18 7:30PM 7:30PM with
For Season Tickets Call 850.435.2533
and more to be announced
Symphony No. 100 “Military”
RUSSIAN
4.7.18 7:30PM
with Gil Shaham, violin The Classical Mystery Tour returns to perform the legendary music of the Beatles, live in concert with the Pensacola Symphony.
BERLIOZ Symphony Fantastique
Te Deum for the Empress Maria Therese
TCHAIKOVSKY Romeo and Juliet STRAVINSKY Symphony in Three Movements TCHAIKOVSKY Violin Concerto
SPECTACULAR
POPS!
with Santiago Rodriguez, piano
AWAKENINGS
MASTERWORKS
10.7.17 7:30PM
SYMPHONIE
BEETHOVEN PAPA & BLUE HAYDN JEANS 3.3.18
FANTASTIQUE
OPENING NIGHT!
SEASON SUBSCRIPTIONS AVAILABLE NOW INDIVIDUAL CONCERT TICKETS AVAILABLE SEPTEMBER 2017
www.PensacolaSymphony.com
58 | Business Climate | nwflbusinessclimate.com
Economy
Memorial Day Money
The Economics Behind One of the Busiest Beach Weekends of the Year
E
By Hana Frenette
ach year Pensacola Beach is home to one of the largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning (LGBTQ) events in the country. The event takes place on Memorial Day Weekend, in the form of a giant beach party accompanied by smaller gatherings throughout Pensacola. The infamous beach party was started in the mid 1960s by a couple named Ray and Henry Hillyer, who invited a few friends from out of town to enjoy a short vacation on the beach over Memorial Day Weekend. The Hillyers were also credited with starting a secret book club, named the Emma Jones Society, which would host LGBTQ events, including a large beach gathering, according to a research book project titled “Hot Times on the Gay Gulf Coast,” by Dr. Jay Watkins, a professor at Georgia State University. While the book club ended in 1974, the annual beach party continued to thrive. Word of the grand beach gathering continued to spread and soon, thousands of out-of-towners were pouring into Pensacola each year, eager to spend the weekend on the white sandy beaches and to spend their money. » nwflbusinessclimate.com | Business Climate | 59
Economy Visitors to the annual party were guestimated to be in the tens of thousands, but no organized survey efforts were used to quantify the crowds until 1994. Dr. Steven Philipp, a professor at the University of West Florida released a report titled “Gay and Lesbian Tourists at a Southern U.S.A. Beach Event,” in the Journal of Homosexuality, in 1999. Philipp surveyed 1,272 gay and lesbian tourists on a 5-mile section of the Gulf Islands National Seashore near Pensacola Beach on Memorial Day weekend in 1994. The data, though more than 20 years old, recorded the numbers of visitors in the 40,000 to 60,000 range, and estimated they spent several million dollars that year. It’s widely known that the LGBTQ Memorial Day Weekend events on Pensacola Beach pack a significant cultural, historical and economical punch—but the specifics of that punch have been poorly tracked over the years. The numbers have likely gone up and down over the decades, but without specific annual reports, the impact of the event has always been speculated. Every year, Visit Pensacola conducts surveys over the course of the year, for events like
Photo courtesy of the UWF Historic Trust.
In the 1960s, Pensacola Beach steadily became a top destination for the LGBTQ community to gather on Memorial Day weekend. Hayes noted there were approximately 50,000 beach visitors that weekend. Of the people Visit Pensacola surveyed, more than 75 percent of the beach party attendees were visiting from out of town. The average age came to 35, and the average annual income was approximately $62,360, Hayes said. Roughly 60 percent of visitors stayed in paid accommodations, such as hotels and condominiums. “Basically everyone we surveyed was aware
“The average spending per party was $1,467, which includes food, drinks, entertainment, gas, groceries and lodging,” Hayes explained. “Once the numbers were crunched we saw a total spending in Escambia County to be roughly $4.9 million.” Blue Angel Weekend—arguably the busiest beach weekend of the year—and Fourth of July Weekend. Last year, for the first time, they conducted a survey of Memorial Day Weekend visitors who were in town specifically for the LGBTQ events. “We had people go out and interview a random selection of 103 people,” said Steve Hayes, President of Visit Pensacola. “All the interviews were conducted on the beach, not on the boardwalk or the sound, but near Portofino.” 60 | Business Climate | nwflbusinessclimate.com
of the event prior to arriving on the beach,” Hayes said, which would suggest that they chose to come into town specifically or the event. The survey numbers showed a larger party size than normal, at 4.5, and an overwhelming positive outlook of their experience on Pensacola Beach. A little more than 94 percent of survey participants said they would like to come back to the event, 85 percent said they would gladly tell friends and family about the event, and 97
percent said they planned to return to the area for a future visit. “The average spending per party was $1,467, which includes food, drinks, entertainment, gas, groceries and lodging,” Hayes explained. “Once the numbers were crunched we saw a total spending in Escambia County to be roughly $4.9 million.” Almost five million dollars in a weekend definitely has a great impact on Escambia County, but how does it stack up to other heavy-hitting weekends like the Blue Angel Homecoming Airshow Weekend? Hayes answered that the weekends both bring a significant economic boost, but have very different allocations of spending from participants. Blue Angel Weekend doubles the number of visitors from Memorial Day Weekend, with 106,000 visitors. While the number of people on the beach that weekend is higher, only 12 percent of those people paid to stay in hotels and condos, and 79 percent reported to be residents of the area. “The average household income was roughly the same—$62,025 for Blue Angel
Memorial Day Weekend 2016 • • • • • • • • • •
fact they didn’t have to purchase lodging or as much gas for travel, with $384 per party.
According to a survey conducted by Visit Pensacola, more than 50,000 people gathered for the LGBTQ event on Pensacola Beach. Weekend, and the average party size was a little smaller—about 3.7 people per party,” Hayes said. Ninety percent of event attendees said they were aware of the event and 89 percent said they would come back again. The average spending per party was significantly lower than the parties at Memorial Day Weekend, likely due to the
• • • •
The total amount of spending in Escambia County for Blue Angel Weekend rings in at a whopping $11.8 million.
•
Hayes said both the Memorial Day Weekend event and the Blue Angels Weekend event will be surveyed again this year.
•
“I think the big thing about Memorial Day Weekend, is that so many visitors are from out of town and it gives Pensacola Beach this great visibility,” Hayes said. “And when people really enjoy a place with friends or family, and they love the atmosphere, they’ll tell other people about it. We’re really seeing that word of mouth is still one of the best ways for people to hear about Pensacola.” Although there are a limited number of surveys throughout the history of the Memorial Day Weekend LGBTQ event, each one conducted provides a clearer look into such a visibly significant, exciting and busy weekend and helps us better understand the impact of a single event on an entire community.
Roughly 50,000 attendees 75% of event attendees were visitors 25% were local or resident 50%/50% between male and female Average age 35 Average annual household income was $62, 360 Basically everyone was aware of the event before they visited 94% would come back to the event 85% residents would tell out of town family or friends to attend the event 65% that wasn’t first time, had been before Party size 4.5 97% plan to return for future visit Stayed an average 3.3 nights Over 60% stayed in paid accommodations, others just stayed with friends or came in for the day Average spending per party was $1,467 per party, everything from food and drink, groceries, gas, entertainment Total spending in Escambia County: $4.9 million
Blue Angel Weekend 2016 • • • • • • • • • • •
Roughly 106,000 attendees 79% were residents, Gender 54% male /46% female Average age 42 Household income $62,025 90% visitors were aware of event 89% would come back 63% repeat visitor Average party size 3.7 84% planned to return 12% spend the night in paid accommodations • Spending average per party: $384 • Total spending in Escambia County :$11.8 million nwflbusinessclimate.com | Business Climate | 61
A.A. Cunningham Road paving notice ... Naval Facilities Engineering Command Southeast (NavFac SE) has awarded a contract to mill and overlay A.A. Cunningham Road on NAS Pensacola. The work is scheduled to begin the week of Sept. 12 and expected to take four weeks to complete. Watch for “Road Closed” and “Detour” signs. Detour routes to facilities in the area will be Page Road to Warehouse Road and Farrar Road to Pat Bellinger Road. Drivers should observe the warning signs and proceed with caution around the work zones. The work schedule is weather dependent. For questions or more information, contact the PWD Construction Manager Bryan Moeller at 452-3131, ext. 3077.
Vol. 80, No. 35
VISIT GOSPORT ONLINE: www.gosportpensacola.com
September 2, 2016
Fallen Special Tactics Airman honored at NASP By Capt. Katrina Cheesman Sibley’s unit. “This dedication 24th Special Operations Wing and memorial ruck is an important step for us as a brotherhood Air Force Special Tactics Air- to honor Forrest’s legacy of men dedicated a military freefall valor, and get a small bit of clotraining exercise into Pensacola sure.” Bay Aug. 26 to His teammates Staff Sgt. Forrest escorted the famSibley, a combat ily to Sibley’s controller from burial site, wearPensacola killed ing combat ruck in action Aug. 26, sacks weighing 2015, in Helmand more than 50 Pr o v i n c e , pounds to repreAfghanistan. It sent the deployed. was the first anOnce at the niversary of Sibcemetery, they ley’s death. completed a After free round of memoStaff Sgt. falling into the rial push-ups to Forrest Sibley waters of Sibley’s honor their fallen hometown, his teammates teammate. joined family members and Sibley, 31, had served in the friends to complete a memorial Air Force as a combat controller ruck march to his final resting since 2008. In his seven years of place at Barrancas National service, he received four Bronze Cemetery (BNC). Star Medals, once with valor for “When we lost Forrest, most heroism in combat, as well as a of his teammates were still de- Purple Heart for injuries susployed for another five months, tained in combat. and couldn’t attend any funeral “Forrest was one of our best or memorial event,” said Lt. Col. combat controllers, but he was Stewart Parker, commander of 21st Special Tactics Squadron, See Sibley on page 2
After parachuting into Pensacola Bay, members of the Air Force’s 21st Special Tactics Squadron make a memorial “ruck march,” a hike with full packs, from NAS Pensacola’s Bayou Grande Marina to Barrancas National Cemetery and the grave of teammate Staff Sgt. Forrest Sibley. Sibley was killed in action Aug. 26, 2015. He had served in the Air Force as a combat controller since 2008. Photo by Mike O’Connor For more photos, see page A4
CNATT: Make Labor Day weekend safety a priority Center for Naval Aviation Technical Training Public Affairs
The Center for Naval Aviation Technical Training (CNATT) safety manager is reminding service members, civilian employees and their families to maintain safety awareness as they prepare for what is generally viewed as the end of summer. CNATTSafety Manager Krystal Hancock said that Labor Day, a federal holi-
day designed to honor the achievements of American workers, includes an extended weekend, with service members and their families often electing to travel to see family and friends. “Whether taking a long road trip or simply jumping in the car to run a quick errand, driving is inherently risky, and traffic mishaps continue to
be a leading reason for lost time, days, and lives across our force,” she said. Hancock said the National Safety Council (NSC) predicts this could be the deadliest Labor Day weekend for drivers in eight years, estimating that more than 430 people could be killed in traffic accidents throughout the Labor Day weekend. She added that service members, often sepa-
rated from their families and travelling significant distances to visit during the long weekend, should take some simple precautions before and during their trips. “Get enough rest before heading outsleepy driving is as dangerous as impaired driving,” she said. “Alternate drivers or take frequent breaks to ensure that whoever is behind the wheel stays alert.” See Labor Day on page 2
‘Be There’ for your shipmates during Suicide Prevention Month 2016 By James Rosenfelder U.S. Navy Bureau of Medicine and Surgery public affairs
NAS Pensacola to host 9/11 commemoration ceremony ... In commemoration of the events of Sept. 11, 2001, Naval Air Station Pensacola will present a ceremony at the National Naval Aviation Museum aboard the base at 10 a.m. Sept. 9. The event will include a guest speaker and a musical rendition from the NATTC Choir, a traditional “two-bell” ceremony, honors performed by the NASP Honor Guard and a 21-gun volley. The public is invited to attend.
Navy Medicine recognizes September as National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, which began Sept. 1. The theme for Suicide Prevention Month 2016 is “Be There.” Throughout the month, Navy Medicine will highlight the power of peer support and personal wellness, encouraging Sailors and Marines to be there for their shipmates. “Action starts with prevention,” said Vice Adm. Forrest Faison, Navy surgeon general and chief, Bureau of Medicine and Surgery (BuMed). “When a Sailor needs assistance, easy access to support resources and mental health treatment is essential, as is validation of help-seeking behaviors.” Suicide prevention is a yearlong effort. Suicide Prevention Month serves as a reminder that building resilience and preventing suicide requires all
members of the Navy and Marine Corps community to work together. Every life lost to suicide is one too many. “Take action if you notice anything
out of the ordinary for a shipmate; reach out to them,” Faison said. “If you are having difficulties, seek help if See Prevention on page 2
FatAlbertis getting a facelift...Fat Albert, the Blue Angels’ C-130 cargo plane used for transporting crew and equipment to air shows around the country, is currently undergoing a chemical de-paint process at Tinker Air Force Base in Oklahoma after corrosion was found. Once the de-paint process and sheetmetal checks for any other corrosion are complete, Fat Albert will fly to Hill Air Force Base, Utah, for full programmed depot maintenance and paint. Photo by Kelly White
Published by BallingerPublishing, a private firm in no way connected with the Department of the Navy. Opinions contained herein are not official expressions of the Department of the Navy nor do the advertisements constitute Department of the Navy, NAS Pensacola or Ballinger Publishing’s endorsement of products or services advertised.
62 | Business Climate | nwflbusinessclimate.com
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Around the Region Levin Rinke Realty celebrates Levin Rinke Realty Realtor Larry Kuhn’s career milestone Levin Rinke Realty was excited to celebrate Levin Rinke Realty Realtor Larry Kuhn, and his incredible career milestone of $12 million in sales as of April 19th. The company celebrated his #1 top producing position in the entire Pensacola Association of Realtors network with a party at Hemingway’s Island Grill on Pensacola Beach on Wednesday, April 19. Larry was born and raised in Gulf Breeze Florida and has spent most of his life in Pensacola area. Larry firmly believes that the Pensacola area is the best kept secret in the south and offers unmatched southern culture surrounded by wonderful communities to raise a family in. Larry holds a superb knowledge of the area markets and is committed to serving your needs. Congratulation Larry on your incredible success! We are so excited to have you as a part of Team Levin Rinke Realty, the #1 independent real estate office in Pensacola, Gulf Breeze, and Pensacola Beach.
IMPACT 100 Announces Workshop for Non-Prof its Seeking Grants IMPACT 100 of Northwest Florida, which provides significant funding for non-profit 501(c)(3) organizations in Okaloosa and Walton counties, is holding its annual grant workshop on May 23, 2017, to assist groups who want to apply for grants from the organization. The workshop will be held from 9 am to noon in the Fellowship Hall of Grace Lutheran Church located at 4325 Commons Drive West in Destin. In its first five years of operations, IMPACT 100 has awarded $1.3 million in funding. Eleven nonprofit groups have each received grants ranging from $107,000 to $128,000. This year IMPACT 100 is seeking grant applications that focus on projects in the following areas: Arts & Culture, Education, Environment, Family and Health & Recreation.
The workshop will conclude with a panel featuring past grant recipients who will share their observations, experiences and insights. Advance registration for the event is strongly encouraged to ensure a reserved spot at the workshop. The final day to register is May 15, 2017. The registration form is available online at www.impactnwf.org. The mission of Impact 100 of Northwest Florida, Inc. is to provide financial support to non-profit organizations in Northwest Florida by empowering women as philanthropists, by bridging the geographic areas of our region, and by leveraging the talents of women to be a positive force for good in our communities.
The May 23 workshop is designed to help nonprofit groups create dynamic grant applications. Topics include grant guidelines, budget by the numbers, what to expect during the site visit.
UWF celebrates inauguration of President Martha Saunders The University of West Florida formally installed Dr. Martha Saunders as its sixth president during the inauguration ceremony held on April 21 at the UWF Center for Fine and Performing Arts.
remarkable institution,” said Mort O’Sullivan, chair of the UWF Board of Trustees. “She is the leader we need to take the University to the next level and help us grow our impact on our community, region, state and beyond.”
“The inauguration of a new president is really a celebration of the university she serves,” Saunders said.
Saunders was selected as the sixth UWF president in September 2016, following a unanimous resolution passed by the Board of Trustees and confirmation by the Board of Governors in November. She assumed the role on Jan. 1, as the University launched its 50th Anniversary milestone celebration.
Trustees, faculty, staff, students, board members, community leaders and delegates from institutions across the globe attended the celebration, which included a reception at UWF on the Emerald Coast on Tuesday, a distinguished guests reception on Thursday evening and an inauguration procession, ceremony and reception on Friday. Honored guests included Marshall Criser III, chancellor of the State University System of Florida, Madeline Pumariega, chancellor of the Florida College System, the Honorable Ashton Hayward, mayor of the City of Pensacola, Connie Crosby, representative of first UWF president Harold Crosby, past president Dr. John Cavanaugh, and Drs. Morris Marx and Judy Bense, presidents emeriti. “This is an extraordinary day for the University of West Florida and I am thrilled to install Dr. Saunders as the sixth president of this
Saunders’ career in higher education began in 1984 at UWF, where she served as an instructor in the communication arts department. She quickly rose through the ranks, taking on roles including public relations program coordinator, director of the University Honors Program and dean for the College of Arts and Sciences. Saunders also served as vice president for academic affairs at Columbus State University and as the first female chancellor for the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. She then led the University of Southern Mississippi as its first female president, before returning to UWF in 2013 as provost. In 2014, Saunders was appointed executive vice president at UWF, assuming the role as chief operating officer,
in addition to chief academic officer and vice president for the Division of Academic Affairs. Growth in enrollment, fundraising and campus structures were hallmarks of her previous leadership at the University of WisconsinWhitewater and the University of Southern Mississippi. Saunders envisions similar growth in those areas at UWF by increasing its physical presence in downtown Pensacola and Fort Walton Beach, investing in programs such as global online, cybersecurity and supply chain logistics and visiting local high schools to recruit talented students. “I foresee a future when people arriving in this area will know they are in a university town because they can see it, hear it, feel it, experience it,” Saunders said. “ Our students will come to us fully confident in their choice because we will take them where they want to be.” Saunders received a doctorate in communication theory and research from Florida State University. She earned a master’s degree in journalism from the University of Georgia and a bachelor’s degree in French from the University of Southern Mississippi. nwflbusinessclimate.com | Business Climate | 63
Around the Region
Choral Society Welcomes the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Community to a Concert Featuring ASL Interpreters For the first time, the Choral Society of Pensacola will provide American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation of works on a concert, inviting the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community to sample one of its performances. The program, entitled Meditations of the Soul, will take place on Saturday, May 6, beginning at 7:30 p.m. in First United Methodist Church (6 E. Wright St.). “We want our programs to be accessible to everyone,” says Executive Director Charlie Smoke,”and the Florida Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs, from whom we receive support, always challenges grant recipients to welcome new audiences. We realized that we had not reached out to the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community, and we began to do some research. We were encouraged by videos on YouTube providing ASL interpretation, primarily of pop songs but of opera and oratorio, as well, and we learned that a variety of musical organizations have presented concerts of vocal music and, in at least one case, of purely instrumental works, with ASL interpretation.” After consulting with several people who work with Deaf residents in the Pensacola area, the Society’s board decided to offer ASL interpretation at a concert and chose the final program of the season, because it comprises short works in a variety of styles and moods, with texts that have some inherent interest. The first rows of pews on the left side of the sanctuary will be reserved for Deaf and Hard of Hearing audience members and their companions. Interpretation will be provided by nationally certified interpreters Peter Dublin and Ora Dublin. “We were delighted to discover Peter. He’s been very encouraging about our effort to welcome the Deaf community, and he has the experience we were looking for, having interpreted songs for his church. And he introduced us to his mother, who is also a skilled interpreter,” Smoke notes. American Sign Language is a distinct and complex method of communication through gesture, movement, and facial expression, that possesses its own vocabulary, grammar, and syntax. For those interested in learning more about ASL interpretation, Mr. Dublin will discuss “glossing” lyrics to a song in an informal, free program on Sunday, April 23 at West Florida Public Library’s downtown location (239 N. Spring St.) 64 | Business Climate | nwflbusinessclimate.com
WSRE Wins Telly Award For “Forts of Pensacola Bay” Program WSRE, PBS for the Gulf Coast, has been awarded the bronze Telly Award for production of the “Forts of Pensacola Bay: Advanced Redoubt” episode of “In Your Own Backyard.” The program is part of a three-part series and focuses on the Advanced Redoubt of Fort Barrancas, which saw action during the Civil War, located at present-day Naval Air Station Pensacola. Construction began on the structure in 1845, and it was designed to help protect Fort Barrancas from land-based attacks. National Park Service Ranger Jeff Massey appears on the show, taking viewers on a guided tour which is rich in historical detail. “In Your Own Backyard,” hosted by Sherri Hemminghaus Weeks, is about unique points of interest along the Gulf Coast. Producing this
award-winning episode were WSRE’s Ted King (writer, producer, videographer and editor) and James Roy (videographer, graphic designer and colorist). Tris Weeks served as production assistant. Mike Rowan is executive producer of the series. Founded in 1978, the Telly Award honors excellence in video and television production, recognizing distinction in creative work. Telly Awards are sought-after by advertising agencies, production companies, television stations, cable operators, interactive agencies and corporate video departments around the world. The “Forts of Pensacola Bay” programs can be viewed online at wsre.org/watch.
New Study Finds National Seashore Creates $251.8 Million in Economic Benefit A new National Park Service (NPS) report shows that 4.8 million visitors to Gulf Islands National Seashore in 2016 spent $206 million in communities near the park, creating an economic benefit of $251.8 million. That spending supported 3,000 jobs in the local area. “Gulf Islands National Seashore welcomes visitors from across the country and around the world,” said Superintendent Dan Brown. “We are delighted to share the story of this place and the experiences it provides. We also feature the park as a way to introduce our visitors to this part of the country and all that it offers. National park tourism is a significant driver in the national economy, returning more than $10 for every $1 invested in the National Park Service, and it’s a big factor in our local economy as well. We appreciate the partnership and support of our neighbors and are glad to be able to give back by helping to sustain local communities.” Superintendent Brown continued, “People and business owners in communities near national parks have always known their economic value. Gulf Islands National Seashore is clean, green fuel for the engine that drives our local economy.” The annual peer-reviewed visitor spending analysis showed that nationally the 331 million visitors to national park units in 2016 contributed $18.4 billion of direct spending in communities within 60 miles of a national park system unit. This spending supported over 318,000 jobs nationally. The cumulative benefit to the U.S. economy was $34.9 billion. The peer-reviewed visitor spending analysis was conducted by economists Catherine Cullinane
Thomas of the U.S. Geological Survey and Lynne Koontz of the National Park Service. The report shows $18.4 billion of direct spending by 331 million park visitors in communities within 60 miles of a national park. This spending supported 318,000 jobs nationally; 271,544 of those jobs are found in these gateway communities. The cumulative benefit to the U.S. economy was $ 34.9 billion. According to the 2016 report, most park visitor spending was for lodging (31.2 percent) followed by food and beverages (27.2 percent), gas and oil (11.7 percent), admissions and fees (10.2 percent), souvenirs and other expenses (9.7 percent), local transportation (7.4 percent), and camping fees (2.5%). Report authors this year produced an interactive tool. Users can explore current year visitor spending, jobs, labor income, value added, and output effects by sector for national, state, and local economies. Users can also view year-by-year trend data. The interactive tool and report are available at the NPS Social Science Program webpage: go.nps.gov/vse. The report includes information for visitor spending at individual parks and by state. To learn more about national parks in Florida and Mississippi and how the National Park Service works with local communities to help preserve local history, conserve the environment, and provide outdoor recreation, go to www.nps.gov/Florida and www.nps. gov/Mississippi.
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