A Community Worth Celebrating
In this issue, we celebrate life’s many flavors from the artistry of food and wine to the deeper ways they bring us together as a community.
At the center of this celebration is Chef Laura Piovesana of The Italian Wooden Spoon, whose journey takes us from her nonna’s kitchen in Italy to the heart of Pensacola. Through handmade pastas, cherished family recipes, and her immersive culinary tours, Laura reminds us that food is never just about what’s on the plate. It’s about connection, tradition, and hospitality that lingers long after the last glass of wine is poured.
We also raise a glass to the timeless pleasures of wine and olive oil — two treasures that carry with them stories of terroir, history, and artistry. From Spain’s ancient groves to our own tables, they remind us that simplicity, perfected, becomes luxury.
This past month, we also celebrated in grand style with the opening of Engel & Völkers on Jefferson Street. Their extraordinary street party brought a New York energy to downtown Pensacola, with pipe and draping, chandeliers suspended over the street, and a celebration worthy of the great contributions this business is making to our community. I am proud to share that through Pensacola City Lifestyle’s event planning, I had the privilege of delivering this unforgettable experience for my client.
October also carries a more personal reflection as we recognize Breast Cancer Awareness Month. In this issue, we share the story of Tena Wright, a woman whose career in healthcare led her to a calling in mammography. Through courage, faith, and innovation, she is serving this community with advanced technology that is saving lives. Her work is a reminder that living well is not only about indulgence but also about compassion, resilience, and service to others.
This issue is a reminder that lifestyle is about balancing the joy of travel, the richness of wine, the beauty of culinary traditions, and the courage of those who uplift others. Together, they show us that to live well is to embrace both indulgence and intention, leisure and purpose.
Here’s to savoring it all,
October 2025
PUBLISHER
Suzanne Pope | Suzanne.Pope@CityLifestyle.com
PUBLICATION DIRECTOR
Bianca Bain Villegas
Bianca.BainVillegas@CityLifestyle.com
PUBLICATION MANAGER
Sydney Steffen | Sydney.Steffen@CityLifestyle.com
SENIOR ACCOUNT MANAGER
Emily Bowers | Emily.Bowers@CityLifestyle.com
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Alex Boykin, Stephania Streit, Anna Wall, Suzanne Pope, Bianca Bain Villegas
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
Addie J Photography, BMedia, Dana Hof
Corporate Team
CEO Steven Schowengerdt
COO Matthew Perry
CRO Jamie Pentz
VP OF OPERATIONS Janeane Thompson
VP OF SALES Andrew Leaders
AD DESIGNER Jenna Crawford
LAYOUT DESIGNER Kathy Nguyen
QUALITY CONTROL SPECIALIST Brandy Thomas
SUZANNE POPE, PUBLISHER @PENSACOLACITYLIFESTYLE
October 26, 2025
Portofino Island Resort
Presented by Sandy Sansing Dealerships, this premier fundraiser supports Gulf Coast Kid’s House and its mission to provide hope and healing to child victims of abuse and neglect.
Brunch & Bubbles is one of the most highly anticipated events of the season, where elegance meets impact.
Don’t miss your chance to be part of something truly meaningful. Join us as we raise our glasses—and critical funds— for the children who need us most.
Scan to reserve your seats or become a sponsor!
Spain’s Enduring Olive Oil Legacy
Chef Laura Bernardi Piovesana
From Prosecco Hills to Pensacola
Harking
Tena
Laura Bernardi Piovesana, better known as The Italian Wooden Spoon, is
ADDIE J PHOTOGRAPHY
B.MEDIA
B.MEDIA
Proudly Celebrating Over 40 Years!
Pensacola has a distinguished and proud heritage dating back over 450 years. At Connell & Company Realty, Inc., we are equally as proud of the historical significance of the area and take pride in presenting these communities to our customers.
By setting the standard for excellence, Connell & Company Realty has become among the largest independently owned real estate companies in Northwest Florida. We are a multi-million dollar corporation of more than 50 Realtor Professionals and staff. We don’t compete with each other; we work as a team with over 2,000 years combined real estate experience – committed to offering you the best possible real estate experience!
LIQUID GOLD
ARTICLE BY BIANCA BAIN VILLEGAS | PHOTOGRAPHY BY B.MEDIA Spain’s Enduring Olive Oil Legacy
For centuries, Spain has held the undisputed crown as the world’s foremost producer of olive oil, supplying approximately 45% of the global market and, in some years, more than half. This extraordinary dominance is not a recent achievement but the result of a cultural legacy rooted in the land itself. Across millions of hectares and over 300 million olive trees, Spain cultivates a product that is at once agricultural cornerstone, economic engine, and culinary treasure.
At the heart of this production lies Andalusia, where the province of Jaén has become synonymous with olive oil. Here, groves stretch across undulating hills in a landscape that seems painted in shades of silver and green. Olive oil sustains rural communities, creating livelihoods and preserving traditions that trace back through generations. Though exported worldwide, often as the silent star behind global blends, it is in Spain that the soul of olive oil is most deeply felt.
Advanced Construction Services was founded by David and Tonya Del Gallo in 1999.
A proud East Hill resident for 68 years, David continues to call the neighborhood home alongside his wife Tonya , a native Pensacolian. Beyond leading a trusted local business, David has long been dedicated to the restoration and preservation of Pensacola’s historic homes, bringing craftsmanship, care, and a deep respect for the city
architectural legacy to
reflects
More than two centuries ago, in Ronda, one of Andalusia’s most storied and breathtaking cities, a community of nuns began to craft olive oil from the fruit of ancient trees. Their work was humble yet profound, demonstrating the devotion and artistry that still define Spanish olive oil today. In this sacred setting, olive oil was never merely an ingredient, it was an expression of heritage, care, and reverence for the land.
This devotion endures in contemporary projects like LA Organic Experience, a pioneering estate near Ronda dedicated to organic agriculture and the future of sustainable olive oil. Spanning 26 hectares of pristine countryside, the farm offers guests guided tours where nature, gastronomy, and art converge. Sculptures rise from the groves, walking paths open onto breathtaking vistas, and the journey culminates in tastings that reveal the nuanced beauty of organic extra virgin olive oil.
Visitors are invited to linger with a picnic among the trees or partake in “From the Garden to the Table,” savoring organic products grown on the estate. From October to January, the harvest becomes an immersive experience, guests beat the trees, gather olives, and even produce their own oil at the mill under expert guidance. It is both an education in ecological farming and a celebration of the timeless rhythms of the land.
If olive oil embodies Spain’s agricultural heart, design elevates it to an art form. In a remarkable collaboration, the world’s first olive oil museum, created by visionary designer Philippe Starck, offers a space where history and innovation intertwine. This avant-garde museum fuses oil production with art, architecture, and gastronomy, creating a sensory journey unlike any other. Here, visitors witness the transformation of humble fruit into liquid gold, while simultaneously engaging with contemporary artistic installations that honor olive oil as cultural heritage and culinary muse.
To taste Spanish olive oil is to taste centuries of resilience, devotion, and artistry. It is liquid history pressed from ancient groves, yet it continues to reinvent itself through sustainability and innovation. From the sacred beginnings in Ronda to the ecological frontiers of LA Organic Experience and the visionary museum of Philippe Starck, olive oil remains more than an essential ingredient, it is Spain’s enduring gift to the world, a golden thread weaving together land, tradition, art, and cuisine.
CHEF LAURA
Bernardi Piovesana
From Prosecco Hills to Pensacola
ARTICLE BY SUZANNE POPE | PHOTOGRAPHY BY ADDIE J PHOTOGRAPHY
In the rolling hills north of Venice, in the small town of Conegliano, “the Land of Prosecco,” the world’s most celebrated sparkling wine flows as abundantly as the stories that come from it. This is where Laura Bernardi Piovesana’s story begins, long before Pensacola came to know her as the Italian chef who brings people together around a table, whether that table is in a Gulf Coast kitchen or a family farmhouse in Veneto.
“I grew up with food the way some people grow up with music,” Laura recalls. “It was just there every day, part of life. My mother and grandmother never sat me down and said, ‘Now I will teach you to cook.’ I learned the way you learn a language by being immersed in it.”
That immersion shaped everything to come. After earning a business degree in Milan, Laura built a marketing career with Disney and Warner Bros., mastering the art of storytelling from two of the most influential entertainment brands in the world. But life, and love, had other plans.
Her high school sweetheart, Giovanni, a medical student with a passion for heart surgery, was accepted for training in the United States. “He came to Harvard for a residency rotation, loved it, and wanted to move,” she says. “I said, ‘Perfect. Let’s go.’”
What followed was a journey that would take them from Milan to Galveston, Texas; Gainesville, Florida; rural Albany, Georgia; and finally to Pensacola. Along the way, Laura transformed her own life’s script from corporate marketing executive to celebrated personal chef, avid sailor, and culinary tour leader.
It started simply. In Galveston, she began bringing homemade lasagna and tiramisu to friends’ dinners. “For me, this food was normal. But people were amazed. They had never tasted authentic lasagna before,” Laura remembers. When a group of local women suggested she start teaching cooking classes, Laura laughed and then said yes. Soon, what began as casual gatherings grew into a thriving business of private dinners and interactive lessons.
CONTINUED >
Photo provided by Dana Hof
Photo provided by Dana Hof
CONEGLIANO
Wherever she and Giovanni moved, she brought the same formula: authenticity, connection, and stories told through food. In Albany, she became such a local celebrity that hospital staff began referring to her husband, the heart surgeon, as “Chef Laura’s husband.”
In Pensacola, she has woven herself into the cultural fabric, not just as a chef but as a community leader serving on the Ballet Pensacola Board, the Board of the PYC Satori Foundation, supporting Junior Sailing at the Pensacola Yacht Club, and serving on the board of the Rotary Club of Pensacola Downtown. She regularly donates private dinners for charity auctions. But her proudest work, she says, isn’t on a plate, it’s at the table with her family.
“I’m a wife, I’m a mother, and then I’m a chef in that order,” she says. “I’m a big advocate for families sitting down together for dinner. Cooking together, eating together, it’s how values are passed on.” Her twins, now eleven, can both cook and set a proper table, lessons learned from a childhood steeped in tradition.
Laura’s commitment to authenticity is her signature. “I do authentic Italian food exactly the way mamma and nonna taught me, no twists, just simple, healthy, traditional dishes. Some food has been Americanized over time, but I prefer to stay with the authentic versions I grew up with.”
Set in the heart of Italy’s Veneto region, Conegliano is a jewel of timeless elegance and the storied gateway to Prosecco country. Winding medieval streets, Renaissance masterpieces, and a hilltop castle converge with its celebrated viticulture, creating a destination where history, artistry, and refined taste are savored in equal measure.
Chiesa di Sant'Orsola Italien Conegliano
Conegliano, Veneto, Italy
“The table is more than a place to eat, it’s where families grow stronger, friendships deepen, and life tastes better.”
Her quest for authenticity extends across the Atlantic. Each summer, she leads small-group culinary tours to Italy that sell out in days. Guests stay in her hometown, cook in her parents’ farmhouse, and share meals with her family and their friends. “It’s not a tour,” she says. “It’s an experience. You see the Italy nobody else sees.”
One highlight: her mother inviting local friends, all retirees with time to spare and a love for food, to join the cooking classes. “It became the event of the town,” Laura says. “The Americans are coming! They sing, they laugh, they make pesto with basil from my parents’ greenhouse. People leave with tears in their eyes.”
Sailing is another part of Laura’s story and her heart. “My husband and I used to compete together in regattas in the Mediterranean Sea. Now, living in Pensacola by the water is perfect for us. We still spend as much time as we can on the water.”
When asked what she hopes to leave behind as a chef, a mother, and a citizen of two cultures, Laura doesn’t hesitate: “I want my kids to carry the values I’ve given them. No matter where you live, if you have strong values, you can be happy.”
It’s a philosophy as enduring as the meals she serves: simple, honest, rooted in tradition, and shared with love. In Conegliano or Pensacola, that’s what brings people to the table and keeps them coming back.
El Botín
The Oldest Running Restaurant in the World
Botín in Madrid is more than a restaurant, it is a living monument to endurance and excellence. Officially recognized by Guinness World Records as the oldest restaurant in the world, it has welcomed guests since 1725, enchanting royalty, statesmen, travelers, and literary icons alike. Ernest Hemingway wrote of its charms in The Sun Also Rises, while Spain’s beloved painter Francisco Goya once toiled in its kitchen as a dishwasher. Here, tradition reigns supreme: its original cast-iron, wood-fired oven still turns out the signature dishes of succulent suckling pig and tender baby lamb, roasted to perfection with crisp skin and yielding interiors. To dine at Botín is to savor not just a meal, but nearly three centuries of unbroken culinary heritage and a true taste of Spain’s soul.
In contrast, today’s dining scene is defined by relentless change. Trend-driven restaurants ignite excitement, command attention, and then, all too often, vanish as swiftly as they appear. Even among the most lauded Michelin-starred establishments, few achieve the quiet, steadfast devotion that keeps guests returning for generations. Botín’s enduring presence is a reminder that while culinary fashions evolve, there is incomparable beauty, and comfort, in the
constancy of a restaurant that delivers, day after day, century after century.
COCHINILLO ASADO/ROAST SUCKLING PIG
Ingredients
• 1 (4kg) suckling pig
• 25 g lard
• Water
• Salt and pepper to taste
Directions
Preheat the oven to 375 ° F. Put salt and pepper to taste in the suckling pig. Spread it with the lard; this will give it a crunchy texture.
Put the suckling pig, ribs down, on a large tray large enough for the pig and any juices it might release.
Cook for 90 minutes with the steam function to make it more tender. If your oven doesn’t have this, put the suckling pig on top in your oven and put a deep tray with water on the bottom; when the water boils, it will steam and give it the desired effect.
After that time, turn the suckling pig roast over and let it cook for an extra 40 minutes. Never increase the temperature. Serve warm.
“Ernest
Hemingway wrote of its charms in The Sun Also Rises.”
WhyWine?
ARTICLE BY ALEX BOYKIN OF GULFCOAST WINE
PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED
Do you enjoy wine? Well, this article is actually for the folks who DO NOT enjoy wine, but don’t worry wine lovers, I will need your participation! I know people who do not enjoy wine. I have asked many of them why and their reasons vary from “I can’t taste the difference from one wine to the next,” to “wine is just for snobs.” I have found that a major reason people are not into wine is from a bad experience. Maybe a bad wine, OR wine with bad company. Both of which can turn someone off of wine. Does that sound like you? Well, I want to tell you why wine might be something you give a second chance, and I want to do it through good food and fun people!
For the wine lovers reading this I want you to think about how, and when, you got into wine. Very few of us grew up around grapes, so what was it that opened your door to wine? I would wager that for the vast majority of wine lovers it was when you had a glass of wine with good food! Perhaps at a dinner, maybe at a nice restaurant, or your family’s or friends’ house, who were great chefs in their own right. Additionally, you probably tried that wine while eating. Not only was it probably with food, it was presumably with people that you cared about; family, friends, significant other. And when you tried it, a spark was struck, leaving you thinking “man, that was good!” It was an experience! It is this experience that those of you who don’t enjoy wine potentially have missed.
In my previous life I studied warfare and culture, specializing in counter insurgency and counter terrorism. While that might not seem applicable here, I will tell you that the core is all about people and how people come together. I have previously talked about how I grew up around grapes and wine making, but it wasn’t those aspects that were the major contributors to my enjoyment of wine. It was the food and the people. Every time my family came together to celebrate there was always food (great food) and wine. I was blessed to drink some high-quality wine at those gatherings. “Quality” being the key word, not “Price.” You never heard anyone talk
Tuscany, Italy
about the price of a wine; it was a total faux pas... making it the opposite of “snobby.” That is when I learned one of the most important aspects of wine, and I have mentioned this before: you don’t need expensive wine to bring people together. Good food plus great people can make even an “average” wine into a great experience!
If you do not enjoy wine and are still not convinced that maybe you should give it a second chance then maybe science can help win you over. Give the following some thought: How often do you see “Beer Dinner” or “Whisky Dinner” advertised? They do exist, but they are rare, and there is a reason for that. Beer, on one end, and Spirits (Whisky, Rum, Tequila etc.) on the other just do not pair with most foods. Wine does, and the right wine with the right food is just plain fantastic! Beer and Spirits are great, and have their place, but that place just isn’t with food, and chemistry backs me up here. The level of alcohol, acid, and taste compounds (such as tannins) make wine the “goldilocks” of the alcoholic world for food pairing, just right. Beer and Spirits are either “too cold or too hot” on the alcohol scale to work consistently.
I often get asked what got me into wine. After I tell them my story of how I grew up I frequently get the response “Of course you are into wine!”, but, that’s not the whole story. Yes, I think wine is amazing. The best wines that I have tasted have blown away the best rums and bourbons that I have had, and I really do enjoy a nice rum and wheated bourbon. I also love
but for me, the most important aspect is the people. The social aspect of wine is truly a healing force! Wine is special because, at its core, it brings people together. Wine is better when it is not snobby, and when you get together with fun people, people you care about, wine just makes the gatherings feel special, the true antidote of seriousness! So, no matter if you can’t taste the difference from one wine to the next, plan a tasty dinner with some friends and try a wine or two with it. You just might find the wine doesn’t matter as much as the experience itself!
“Breast cancer awareness is not just about prevention, it ’s about
“Breast cancer awareness reminds us that caring for ourselves is the most refined expression of living well . ”
“In every season of life, awareness is the most timeless accessory. By embracing breast cancer awareness, we not only invest in our health, we invest in the future, in family, and in the moments that matter most . ”
Savor The Lifestyle: Leisure
Ainsley Durose, a young pastry chef from the US living in Paris, France, beautifully depicts the classical concept of leisure in her short online travel videos filmed just outside of Paris. In one video, she begins her journey with her beautiful, flowing summer dress, swaying softly back and forth in a rhythmic rock while comfortably draping her slight frame, as she boards the train on this day’s outing in the French countryside. As you follow her through the quaint village of Vernon, you realize she is shopping for an al fresco lunch, a picnic. Her first stop is the charcuterie for ham, full of local, fresh meats. Then onto the boulangerie, brimming with fresh baked bread in baskets and on shelves, to purchase a baguette and finally, the pièce de résistance, the fromagerie - a cheese shop with dozens and dozens of local artisan cheeses to crown her ham and baguette with a deliciously soft cheese to complete her meal.
After a short walk over a picturesque bridge, she gracefully billows a small blanket on which to sit for her picnic lunch, assembling her delectable items into a simple sandwich while she gazes peacefully over the meandering river as she enjoys the tastes of France. Upon finishing her lunch, she takes a bus ride to visit the next village, La Roche Guyon, and explores a magnificent, hillside chateau built in the 12th century and renovated in the 18th century. After touring the grand interior, she climbs a hidden passageway of stone stairs to
ARTICLE BY STEPHANIA STREIT
PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED
the rooftop, being rewarded with a spectacular view of the Seine River. Her parting comment to her audience is “France is so much more than Paris,” implying that leisure is much more than just amusement or recreation. It is to be a deliberate, intentional time of personal growth and development away from daily work duties to derive genuine fulfillment through the virtue of human agency.
In both his Nicomachean Ethics and Politics, Aristotle wrote extensively on the importance of leisure to the growth and development of one’s self. He argued that living well means the quality of our leisure matters more than our work. He stressed that people tend to waste their leisure time if they have not been educated on how to spend it constructively. His example of Sparta, known for its military prowess and disciplined society, illustrated how it fell drastically short as a nation in times of peace because it only knew how to flourish in times of war. The Spartans were well trained for combat but not educated on how to live in “idleness”.
To further explain the importance of leisure to the human condition, Aristotle delineates its practice into 3 separate categories: amusement, recreation and contemplation. The purpose of leisure is to help one find a life of “flourishing happiness”. Aristotle asserts that all 3 have their place, when used properly, but only the practice of contemplation can help one achieve “eudaimonia”, a state of happiness realized only through the consistent exercise of virtue and the pursuit of a meaningful life.
Amusement is to be used the least as a “recovery from work” moment of leisure such as stopping for a beer or glass of wine with a friend after work to relax. Recreation is active recovery through activities, like fishing or golf, and utilizes leisure differently that can be enjoyed with or without others. In contrast, contemplation is a deliberate, thought-provoking internal process to cultivate a life of meaning and purpose. A time to look forward while reflecting on where you have been. It is a time to develop character and reason, to further your intellect in order to make sound judgments and better choices. It is how we become rational, thoughtful and wise by reading, learning new skills to enhance creativity, building patience, experiencing new sights, sounds, smells and tastes to broaden and heighten our sensory experience of the world around us.
Since Aristotle, other philosophers over the centuries have echoed his passionate quest for living the best life-We must be deliberate and intentional with all of our time. From Nietzsche to Goethe’s Faust, all recognize and understand that the active striving and engagement with the world, even with its imperfections and temptations, are essential for human fulfillment. Laziness has no place in a fulfilling life. Even in our own Declaration of Independence, the founding fathers enshrined our inalienable right to “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness”.
So, how do we as Americans learn to appropriately leisure? To begin, we can follow the European's example. In Spain, they practice “sobremesa”, the art of talking for hours after eating. To the average American, leisure is usually considered more of a recovery time from work. Work is the epicenter of our lives; therefore, we must educate ourselves, to redefine who we are and can be.
In the 2006 film, The Pursuit of Happiness, Will Smith’s character recognized that work was only a means to an end and not his identity when he said, “The world is your oyster. It’s up to you to find the pearls”. What pearls of wisdom are you seeking and practicing to live your best life? Like Ainsley Durose, when you explore, you may find so much more.
Welcome to Scenic Hills Country Club
Where tradition meets southern charm. Our semi-private club boasts superb facilities and a warm, welcoming membership family. Our 18-hole, Championship Caliber golf course caters to all levels of golfing ability, ensuring every round is a memorable experience.
For over 60 years, Scenic Hills has been a cornerstone of community and family recreation. Our elegant ballroom, versatile meeting rooms, luxurious locker rooms, and diverse dining options—from casual to upscale—offer something for everyone.
At Scenic Hills, we blend class with casual southern hospitality. Our dedicated management staff and talented employees are committed to providing professional, top-notch service, creating an environment where families and the community can thrive. Join us and be part of our rich legacy!
Membership at Scenic Hills Country Club truly comes with benefits! Discounted privileges to course and cart, choice tee times, advanced use of the full facilities, and exclusive event access are just a small sampling of what you receive as a member of Florida’s only course that has hosted a USGA Open.
Food for your skin, preserved with cold.
A Calling to Care: The Story of Tena Wright
A WOMAN WITH A CALLING, WILLING TO SACRIFICE EVERYTHING
ARTICLE BY SUZANNE POPE
PHOTOGRAPHY BY ADDIE J PHOTOGRAPHY
For Tena Wright, caring for others has always come naturally. Raised between Arkansas and Memphis in a large, close-knit family, she was surrounded by aunts, uncles, cousins, and grandparents. “We were always together,” she recalls. “That’s where I learned to care — not just for people, but about them.”
Her greatest influence was her grandmother, a petite powerhouse who raised eight children while keeping the family anchored. “She was a little spitfire,” Tena says. “She took care of everyone.”
The Leap into Health Care
Health care felt right, but nursing did not. “There are some illnesses I couldn’t handle, and if I couldn’t do it well, I didn’t want to do it,” she explains. Radiology became her doorway, a way to serve with skill and compassion.
At 30 Tena returned to school. She had children at home and a mortgage to pay. The radiology program was unforgiving; one mistake in shielding a patient could mean dismissal. “It was the scariest thing I’ve ever done,” she admits. She graduated with honors at 34 and began a career with Baptist Health that now spans more than 21 years.
A New Direction
Early on, her mother’s breast cancer drew her to mammography. She saw how mammograms can miss cancers in women with dense tissue, cases later found by ultrasound after a lump was felt.
A gap remained: women were told they could not access whole-breast ultrasound for screening. “It was heartbreaking,” she recalls. “Each time I prayed for guidance, another patient needed more. God made it clear I had to act.”
That calling led her to Automated Breast Ultrasound (ABUS), which captures a 3D image of the entire breast, independent of the technologist. Unlike handheld ultrasound, ABUS images all tissue, and a fellowship-trained radiologist reviews it. Using sound waves, it can detect cancers that mammograms miss, especially in dense breasts.
A Leap of Faith
With no local hospital offering ABUS, Tena and her husband stepped out in faith and invested their savings to launch Gulf Island Medical Imaging. “I’m not a businesswoman,” she says. “I’m a servant. But when you get the call, you don’t say no.” It was a personal and financial risk, grounded in the belief that God asked them to bring this technology to Pensacola.
They built the clinic on one principle: no woman will be turned away for lack of resources. Scans are $390, with flexible payment options and the ability to self-refer without waiting for insurance authorization.
Redefining Care
At Gulf Island Medical Imaging, Tena has reimagined the experience. “I don’t even call them patients,” she says. “They’re part of our family.” The space is warm and personal, not clinical. She talks openly with every client, answers questions, and offers text communication after hours.
Her approach has built loyalty. Many women refuse to schedule their annual scans with anyone else. One, moved to tears, once asked, “Tena, what are we going to do when you retire?” Tena smiled: “Don’t worry. I’m never retiring.”
Vision for the Future
Tena’s mission is simple: accessibility. She wants every woman who needs ABUS to have it, regardless of finances. She is partnering with local charities and spreading awareness through community events. “Fifty percent of women have dense breasts, and mammograms alone miss half of early cancers in those women,” she explains. “We can change that story. We can save lives.”
Despite doubt and old habits, she presses forward, challenging what she calls “the giants” of outdated thinking. “This technology is not like a handheld ultrasound. It’s apples and oranges.”
More than a career, this is a calling. Guided by faith, supported by family, and driven by compassion, Tena Wright has built not only a clinic, but hope for women in Pensacola and beyond.
LEARN MORE: Gulf Islands Medical Imaging, is the exclusive provider of Automated Whole Breast Ultrasound (ABUS) in the greater Pensacola area. Every scan is reviewed by our dedicated, Harvard-trained breast radiologist. www.island-imaging.net
Restoring Commercial Real Estate Value
Set your schedule. Make an impact. Build a life you’re proud of.
Rolling Suds, the nation’s leading power washing franchise, dedicates its services to revitalizing and enhancing the value of commercial real estate properties. Scan for more! Tuesday - Sunday 11AM - 9PM 850.378.8475 301 S Adams St, Pensacola, FL Follow us! @Lucysinthesquare
Behind each of our 200+ City Lifestyle magazines is someone who cares deeply about their community. Someone who connects people, celebrates businesses, and shares the stories that matter most. What if that someone was you?
Or maybe it’s someone you know. If this isn’t the right time for you, but you know someone who could be the perfect fit, we’d love an intro.
Markets available nationwide. Learn more at future.citylifestyle.com
ARTICLE BY ANNA WALL
PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED
As temperatures drop (slightly), the arts heat up in Pensacola. Our beloved performing arts organizations kick off their seasons with show-stopping premieres, including several bewitching nods
September 19th - October 5th
Our Top Picks for Pensacola’s Golden Season
ARTS ABUNDANCE
to Spooky Season. Much-anticipated fall festivals bring nonstop action to Downtown Pensacola, filling the streets with art installations, delicious food, and toe-tapping musical performances.
JEKYLL & HYDE
Pensacola Little Theatre
The Clark Family Cultural Center Darkness and desire collide in this epic gothic musical thriller. When the brilliant Dr. Henry Jekyll’s bold experiment unleashes his violent alter ego, Edward Hyde, a chilling game of dual identities unfolds. With a sweeping score, this classic tale of good versus evil explores the razor-thin line between man and monster.
Sunday, September 28 @ 2:30pm
PENSACOLA COMPOSERFEST XX
Pensacola State College
Ashmore Auditorium
Don’t miss this chance to hear new, original music from local and regional composers at this free one-day festival. This event brings several contemporary composers to Pensacola to debut new pieces, many of which are premiering for the first time.
Thursday, October 2nd @ 6:30pm
JAZZ PENSACOLA SUNSET CRUISE
Pensacola Bay City Ferry
Support local nonprofit, Jazz Pensacola, and set sail for an evening of classic, smooth and R&B jazz with local performer, Brynnevere. Enjoy appetizers and an eclectic live performance as you take in the sunset from beautiful Pensacola Bay.
Saturday, October 4th @ 7:30pm
OPENING NIGHT!
Pensacola Symphony Orchestra
Saenger Theatre
Kick off the Pensacola Symphony Orchestra’s 100th anniversary season with an enchanting evening of music from Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake, Maurice Ravel’s Rapsodie espagnole, and a special performance by South Korean pianist Chaeyoung Park.
Saturday, October 11th @ 7:30pm
A CHORAL SOCIETY MIXTAPE
The Choral Society of Pensacola Cokesbury Church
Celebrate the Choral Society’s 90th season with this crowd-pleasing concert. Over the spring, concertgoers voted for the pieces they wanted to hear at this special mixtape event. The results will be revealed in this varied program of classics and rare treats.
Our calendars are packed and our cups runneth over.
Here are our selections for must-see arts events this fall, and stay tuned for our upcoming picks for the holiday season.
October 15th & 22nd @ 6pm
TWILIGHT & TEMPTATIONS
Ballet Pensacola
The Clark Family Cultural Center
Get behind-the-scenes access to Ballet Pensacola’s Dracula with this haunting evening event. Sip signature cocktails, savor delectable bites, and immerse yourself in an atmosphere of mystery with a live pianist, a ghost tour, and a peek at the production’s impressive dancers during tech week rehearsal.
October 17th-19th & 24th-26th
DRACULA
Ballet Pensacola
The Clark Family Cultural Center
This thrilling re-imagination of Bram Stoker’s legendary tale features original, pulse-pounding choreography by a special Guest Choreographer. From sweeping romantic duets to explosive ensemble performances, you won’t want to miss it!
Jekyll & Hyde
Pensacola Symphony Orchestra
Choral Society
Twilight & Tempatations, A Ballet Pensacola Special Event
Ballet Pensacola Presents Dracula
Based in Pensacola, Florida, Our team of window treatment experts have over 20 years experience helping our customers select the best custom shades, shutters, or blinds for their homes and businesses. Our goal is to help you add beauty to your windows by selecting the right window treatment to express your homes personality.
We are excited to announce that Gulf Coast Shades and Blinds and Cheryl’s Design has joined forces!!
P E N S A C O L A
We offer our sincere thanks to the exceptional sponsors and esteemed guests who helped make the Engel & Völkers Pensacola Grand Opening an extraordinary success. Your partnership and presence brought energy, elegance, and meaning to a celebration that marked not just the opening of a new location, but the beginning of a bold new chapter for real estate along the Gulf Coast . We look forward to what ’s ahead, and to welcoming you into the world of Engel & Völkers.
