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October 2026
Lucy's Inspired Creations
Bring your celebration to life! From stunning balloon arches and garlands to custom backdrops and creative balloon art. Every design is made to turn special moments into unforgettable memories!
Scan & Follow
Email for info: lucyinspiredcreation@gmail.com 02 Island Vibe // October 2026 // www.IslandVibeMagazine.com
contents Lucy’s Inspired Creations Ad
02 Island Spotlight 04 Breast 05 Cancer Page 07 Island Market 10 Fast Signs Ad 14 Hidden Gem
October Events Koop's BBQ Ad
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www.IslandVibeMagazine.com // October 2026 // Island Vibe 03
S P O T L I G H T What does being a breast cancer survivor mean to you today?
Being a breast cancer survivor means to me. Well everything, it means everything to me. It is a testimony that I can overcome anything and everything with God on my side. It reminds me that no matter what I have faced, I am still here. It’s me and God against whoever and whatever comes against me. The enemy has tried me, tried me, and tried me again, but he has not succeeded yet. I am still standing, still fighting, still believing, and still walking in purpose. Being a survivor means I am living proof of God’s grace, strength, and faithfulness. And oh it’s so Sufficient!
What was one lesson your journey with breast cancer taught you about life? One of the biggest lessons breast cancer taught me is that people are not always who they say they are. Sometimes, during your most traumatic and vulnerable moments, the people you thought would be there for you will leave you high and dry. That experience taught me to keep my circle closer and to pour into the people who pour into me. It also taught me that life is short, so I have to get back on my feet, pursue my purpose, and become everything God has called me to be. I am determined to become a successful Black woman entrepreneur in Texas and to use my voice and experiences to advocate for change in the State of Texas by helping change said laws that affect people like me. Young Beautiful Women!
What message would you share with someone currently going through their own cancer journey? My message to anyone going through cancer is simple: Jesus. Follow Jesus. Follow God. Trust Him. Trust Him no matter what it looks like, no matter what it feels like, and no matter what you hear. Trust Him beyond the doctor’s report, beyond the paperwork, beyond the diagnosis, and beyond what you can see with your own eyes. I know how difficult the journey can be, but God is bigger than the diagnosis, bigger than the fear, and bigger than the situation. Hold on to your faith. Keep believing. Keep praying. Keep fighting. Trust God, because He is bigger, He is better, and He is everything. 04 Island Vibe // October 2026 // www.IslandVibeMagazine.com
She fought. She survived. She shines. This page is dedicated to the incredible women of our community who have battled breast cancer, overcome the odds, and continue to shine. Your strength is your story, and your story deserves to be celebrated. We honor every survivor, remember those we’ve lost, and celebrate the power of resilience.
Alma Lopez
There is hope, even on the days when you don't feel it. My journey wasn't easy, but God carried me through every step. There were moments when I was afraid, exhausted, and unsure of what would happen next. Yet somehow, I kept going. If you are still in the middle of your journey, please don't give up. Take it one day at a time and keep holding on to hope. Your diagnosis is a part of your story, but it does not have to be the end of your story. There is life after cancer. Your story isn't over.
Joanna Peralez
"When fear knocks, let faith answer the door" Evangeline Mullins Laura B. Rodriguez www.IslandVibeMagazine.com // October 2026 // Island Vibe 05
A LITTLE COASTAL, A LOT OF VIBE!
Looking for a spot that brings good food and good vibes together? Sugar & Rye serves up Gulf seafood, Southern favorites, creative cocktails, mocktails and weekend brunch in a colorful Palm Beach inspired setting. Whether it’s date night, brunch with the crew, or celebrating something special, this Galveston gem brings plenty of flavor to the table.
2401 Church St., Galveston • (409) 424-1422 06 Island Vibe // October 2026 // www.IslandVibeMagazine.com
BOOK YOUR NEXT EVENT WITH ME!
• Birthdays • Holidays • Special Occasions And More
f f i T y rds b
Boa
Scan Here & Book Today
Hidden Gem Pop on over to Pop Diggity! Craving something sweet, salty, crunchy and downright addictive? Pop Diggity brings the flavor with gourmet popcorn made for snacking, sharing and taking home. Whether you're strolling downtown Galveston or looking for a tasty treat, this local popcorn stop is worth a little pop in your day!
Pop local. Snack local. Keep it poppin’! Downtown Galveston at 527 Moody Ave • 409-761-7574
www.IslandVibeMagazine.com // October 2026 // Island Vibe 07
Haunted History of the Hotel Galvez Ghost of the Queen of the Gulf
Rising majestically along Seawall Boulevard, Hotel Galvez & Spa (now often called the Grand Galvez) is more than a century‑old hotel, it’s one of Galveston’s most storied and spine tingling places. Built in 1911 as a symbol of the island’s resurgence after the catastrophic 1900 hurricane, the hotel quickly became known not just for its elegance and ocean views, but for the ghost stories that followed it through the decades.
A Historic Hotel with a Dark Side From the moment it opened, the Hotel Galvez has welcomed presidents, entertainers, and travelers, but some guests say it’s not just the living who stay here. Over the years, staff and visitors have reported unexplained phenomena: flickering lights, doors slamming on their own, water running with no one at the tap, whispering voices and children’s laughter in empty hallways. These eerie reports have helped make the hotel famous among paranormal enthusiasts. Perhaps the most enduring legend centers on Room 501, sometimes referred to as the haunt’s epicenter. According to local lore, a young woman named Audra once stayed in that room while her fiancé was at sea. Every day, she climbed to one of the hotel’s turrets to watch for his ship returning. When she was mistakenly told the ship had sunk with all hands lost, she allegedly took her own life in despair only for her fiancé to return alive days later and find her gone. Guests who visit Room 501 today often report strange activity from lights and faucets turning on or off by themselves to malfunctioning key cards, and even unusual reflections or orbs in photographs. Some claim the spirit of the lovelorn bride still lingers, eternally waiting for her beloved. The haunted lore surrounding Hotel Galvez extends far beyond the tale of Audra. Paranormal tours often recount chilling stories
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tied to the catastrophic Galveston Hurricane of 1900, when St. Mary's Orphans Asylum was destroyed and many children and nuns lost their lives along the shoreline near where the hotel now stands. According to local legend, the spirits of those children and their devoted caretaker still linger in the corridors, with guests reporting the faint sound of laughter, distant piano music, and unexplained cold spots drifting through the halls. Guests have reported seeing a young girl in period dress playing near the lobby, or hearing unseen children’s laughter sometimes near areas that once housed a soda fountain or ice cream parlor. Rather than shy away from its eerie reputation, the Hotel Galvez has embraced its haunted lore. Guided ghost tours are offered regularly, sharing stories of spirits, historical tragedies, and mysterious encounters with guests and employees alike. Whether you’re skeptical or a believer, there’s no denying that the Hotel Galvez’s haunted reputation is part of its charm. It’s a place where Galveston’s resilience, history, and legend converge and sometimes where the living and the supposed spirits share a corridor or two. It’s no wonder that visitors from around the world come not only for the beach views and historic architecture, but to see if they, too, might catch a glimpse of one of the island’s eternal guests.
Image: Courtesy of the Hotel Galvez
The Hotel Galvez’s dining room Not our maze but it was very similar! Photo Credit: Google
www.IslandVibeMagazine.com // October 2026 // Island Vibe 09
2504 BROADWAY ST.
10 Island Vibe // October 2026 // www.IslandVibeMagazine.com
HENDLEY GREEN & S
SAENGERFEST PARK
SEAWALL BLVD.
www.IslandVibeMagazine.com // October 2026 // Island Vibe 11
CREATIVE MIND Louisiana Roots. Galveston Flavor. A Love for Creole Cooking. For Chef Willie Jean, cooking is about more than putting a meal on the table. It’s a way to celebrate where she comes from, share her culture and bring people together through food. Born in Louisiana, Chef Willie Jean brought her love for bold flavors and Creole cooking with her when she made Galveston home. Through Chef Queen Creole Cuisines, she shares that passion with the Island, giving the community a taste of the Louisiana flavors that have been part of her story for years. Her inspiration began in the kitchen with family, especially her grandmother, whose cooking and traditions helped shape the chef she would become. Today, Chef Willie Jean honors her grandmother by carrying those cherished recipes, flavors and memories into every dish she creates. 12 Island Vibe // October 2026 // www.IslandVibeMagazine.com
For her, Creole cuisine is a celebration of culture, family and connection. It’s about bringing people to the table, creating new memories and sharing the flavors that tell a story. Now, in Galveston, Chef Willie Jean is putting her own touch on that story, blending the traditions she grew up with and the community she has come to call home.
www.IslandVibeMagazine.com // October 2026 // Island Vibe 13
MANNY'S MOBILE MECHANIC AND GARAGE
General Auto Repairs
• Diagnostics • Maintenance Services • Oil Changes, Starter or Battery Work • Service with clear explanations
Jon Hix
“I COME TO YOU” (409) 354-2470
(409)502-2474
6611 Stewart Rd unit 7, Galveston, TX
14 2026 // www.IslandVibeMagazine.com Vibe // // October November 2025 // www.IslandVibeMagazine.com 14 Island Island Vibe Vibe // April 2026 // www.IslandVibeMagazine.com
Día de los Muertos 2026 A Celebration of Life & Love
This altar is dedicated to the loved ones who may no longer walk beside us, but whose memories, laughter, stories, and love remain forever in our hearts. On Día de los Muertos, we honor those who came before us and celebrate the beautiful lives they lived.
www.IslandVibeMagazine.com // October 2026 // Island Vibe 15
October Events 29th Annual ARToberFEST Saturday & Sunday - October 17 & 18 • Historic Downtown Galveston Enjoy visual art, live music, food, the Kids Zone and hands-on activities. Check out the full festival schedule at www.artoberfest.com Don’t miss the fun!
The Mystical Parade of Boo Saturday - October 24 • Downtown Galveston Don't miss spookiest parade on Galveston Island! The parade rolls through downtown. You won't want to miss out!
ILA Local 20 TRUNK OR TREAT! Thursday - October 29 • 6 PM • 6501 Harborside Dr. Community, Costumes and Fun! Join the ILA as they come together with decorated trunks filled with candy. Food & drinks for the whole family.
6th Annual Dia de Los Muertos Fall Fiesta Saturday - October 31 • Old Galveston Courthouse 722 21ST From Noon til 9pm come on down to the courthouse for Dia de Los Muertos. There will be live music, face painting, dancing, raffles, food and merch vendors.
16 Island Vibe // October 2026 // www.IslandVibeMagazine.com
• Galveston is considered one of the most haunted cities in Texas due to its hurricane history and old Victorian homes.
• Old cemeteries have unmarked graves, some of which were victims of the 1900 hurricane.
• The ghost of a shipwrecked sailor is said to appear near the Strand.
www.IslandVibeMagazine.com // October 2026 // Island Vibe 17
Pre-order your Island Vibe shirt today! Sizes S to XL are available for immediate purchase. Extended sizes are available upon request.
Contact us now to secure yours!
18 Island Vibe // October 2026 // www.IslandVibeMagazine.com
AIRBNB IT.
“A Wave From It All” where you can get that much needed rest and relax. What’s that one thing we all look for in a hotel, condo, or vacation rental? Excellent customer service is what we can provide to you and your family. Where we aim to please and know you’ll have the time of your life! Feel free to send a message with any and all questions so we can reach back out to fulfill that escape! Registration number - GVR-05405
www.IslandVibeMagazine.com // October 2026 // Island Vibe 19
The best mouthwatering BBQ on the Island!
It will not disappoint.
From Pit to Plate, Taste the Great!