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Sonshine’s Corner
Bella Magazine is teaming up with Sonshine’s Corner to bring you the most inspirational show on the Gulf Coast — and you’re invited!
Join us live at 9 a.m. on the first Tuesday of every month on WPAN-TV / BLAB-TV for Talk About It Tuesday — a powerful, uplifting hour featuring Bella’s finest: beautiful women, bold voices, smart conversations, and stories that empower, inspire, and uplift.
From Escambia to Santa Rosa, we’re changing the conversation and celebrating the confidence, culture, and community that make us shine. So grab your coffee, tell a friend, and tune in.
Sonshine’s Corner + Bella Magazine — where sass meets substance.
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The place to be inspired,informed & uplifted
from the publisher
As I sit down to write this column, I am just a couple of weeks away from my 52nd birthday. It’s hard to believe that just two years ago, I celebrated my 50th with a big bash thrown with the help of my dear friends. That night remains one of the most fun and memorable of my life, marking the beginning of a new period in life filled with hope and optimism.
Turning 50 felt like stepping into a significant new chapter, one brimming with promise. That year quickly took a turn, but I yet again began this year with the same spirit — hopeful and eager for what lies ahead. But life, again, threw a curveball. Just a few days ago I had to say goodbye to one of my beloved dogs, Zeus.
There’s a tender irony in this timing because my other dog is featured in this month’s cover story — Finn is a loyal companion who has been my constant source of comfort and strength and is an excellent travel buddy. As I shared in that story, he’s helped me navigate many challenges, and now he is helping me heal from the loss of his older brother, Zeus.
We adopted Zeus from a rescue shelter ten years ago, and he quickly became a part of our family with an unbreakable bond to my late husband, Michael. Zeus adored Michael — and when I say adored, I mean WORSHIPPED — and their connection makes Zeus’s passing a bit more profound. Losing Zeus feels like a moment of saying goodbye not just to a pet but to a major chapter of my life.
Yet, I am holding on to that spark of hope and optimism. Just as turning 50 marked a fresh start, navigating this loss feels like another pivotal moment — a chance to turn the page with love and grace. It’s about honoring the past while embracing the future, letting go without forgetting and continuing forward with resilience (ugh, I’m getting good at this).
Life’s new chapters don’t always begin as we expect and sometimes, they really test us. But they also bring opportunity — the chance to grow, to learn and to rediscover joy in new ways. (I’ve also been learning a lot about how to be intentional about seeking out joy, but I’ll save that for another time.)
So here I am, looking ahead with a heart full of gratitude for what’s been, and open to whatever comes next. To all of you reading this, I encourage you to face your own chapters with courage and hope. Keep moving forward, carrying love with you and remember that every ending opens the door to a new beginning.
— Kelly MacLeod
meet the team
Liz Biggs, writer/columnist
Liz Biggs is a Pensacola native and mother of four. Once upon a time, she had a high-pressure career, but now she has a pension and is a freelance writer for Bella Magazine. Liz enjoys music, dancing, tennis and travel and tries to find humor in everything.
Courtney Hays, administrator/assistant editor
Courtney Hays, a West Virginia native, made Navarre her home in 2020 after purchasing her grandmother’s house. A former English teacher for eight years, she now enjoys her work with Bella Magazine. Newly married, Courtney loves traveling, practicing yoga, listening to podcasts and hosting game nights with friends.
Kristin Holifield Cagle, advertising
Kristin Holifield Cagle is a fifth-generation Pensacola native who loves to help women and business owners alike achieve their goals. With a master’s degree from the University of West Florida, she specializes in marketing. She is the mother of two and enjoys soaking up the sun at the beach and spending time with family.
Sharla Gorder, writer/columnist
Sharla Dawn Gorder is a Pensacola Beach resident and columnist for the Island Times newspaper. She is the author of “My Vices Collide; a Celebration of Being a Little Messed Up,” and “Crayon Dawn,” a coffee table book sold in stores throughout the Pensacola area and at her website, crayondawn.com.
Jennifer Harrison, advertising
Jennifer Harrison is a Pensacola native (via the Navy). She is involved in the Pensacola community through IMPACT 100, Pensacola Navy Days, charitable food distributions, Leadership Pensacola, ECPS Foundation, Achieve Escambia, ECCPTA and more.
Allison McCrory, writer/fashion stylist
Allison McCrory is almost a Pensacola native who has worked in writing and editing since 1984 when she started with The News, an afternoon newspaper that later merged with the morning Journal. The mom of two adult kids, Allison suffers from a tennis addiction, practices yoga and loves to cook.
Elizabeth Meyer, art director
Elizabeth Meyer spent her early career as a designer and design director at newspapers across the country. She is currently an adjunct instructor and director of The McKinley Avenue Agency at Ball State University. Betsy was born in Pensacola while her father was in the U.S. Navy.
Chelsea Owens, writer
Chelsea Owens grew up in Gulf Breeze and received degrees in communications and art from the University of West Florida. She has a lifelong passion for style and art, and over 10 years of social media and marketing experience. She is also a pilates instructor who enjoys both staying busy and relaxing at the beach.
Cynthia Reeves, writer
Long-time writer Cynthia Reeves spent 25 years as a broadcast journalist in the southeast, including 10 years as a reporter at WEAR-TV in Pensacola. As a high school teacher of journalism, TV production and English, she passed her skills down to young writers. She also served as District 1 director for the Florida Scholastic Press Association.
Justine Williams Roper, writer
Justine Williams Roper is a doctor of physical therapy, personal trainer, and speaker from Pensacola. She has written women's health articles for publications like Essence and enjoys all things movement and food. She is the proud owner of InHer Physique Pelvic Floor Therapy & Wellness, where her passion for women’s health truly shines.
Leslie Peck, writer/beauty expert
Leslie Peck is a local aesthetician, makeup artist, lash artist and brow specialist. She has experience in TV, film, print and celebrity makeup in Los Angeles and 11 seasons of NYC Fashion week. Leslie was featured on the front page of the Wall Street Journal in 2007 for her work at Fashion Week.
Leah Seacrest, writer/fitness expert
Leah Seacrest, a seasoned fitness industry veteran with over 30 years, experience in group fitness and personal training, co-owns REGYMEN Fitness Pensacola and is the SVP of REGYMEN Fitness overseeing operations and franchise growth. She is a mother of three and loves spending time outdoors.
Sonshine, writer
Sonshine is a Northwest Florida media personality, currenting hosting “Sonshine’s Corner” on BLAB TV. She is a business consultant, author, motivational speaker and fitness consultant. Sonshinemoorer@gmail.com.
Toni Sparks, photographer
Toni Sparks is a proud Pensacola native. As the visionary behind Short Story Studios, Toni is dedicated to creating magazine-quality images with elegance and style. Her experiences infuse her photography with a unique perspective that celebrates and elevates every moment.
Kate Treick, photographer
Kate Treick is a professional photographer, writer, speaker and publisher who has called Pensacola home since 2012. She and her husband, Joel, have two teenaged kids and two funny little dogs. Kate loves spending time with friends, leading music at her church, reading and traveling. kate@katetreickphotography.com
Magi Thomley Williams, advertising/writer
Magi Thomley Williams, ACB, ALB is a business and nonprofit consultant, writer, trainer and speaker. Dedicated to improving her community by helping nonprofits build their boards, improve their media presence and attract donor funding, Magi enjoys writing about impactful nonprofits, thriving businesses and the women who lead them. Magi@ThomleyConsulting.com.
Teresa Torres Zwierzchowski, social media
Teresa Zwierzchowski has more than 20 years’ experience in communications, including more than 15 working for the Pensacola News Journal. She is a lover of all things communication including brand, culture, social media as well as community and public relations.
inside this issue
COVER STORY
Puppy Love Page 26
GIRLS NIGHT OUT
Matilda Love Page 40
10 SPEND OR SAVE
12 FASHION: Soulful, winter style
22 BEAUTY: Grandma was right
24 TRENDS: Bridal season must-haves
34 GIFT GUIDE
44 PROFILE: Joy Powell
PROFILE
Grace Resendez McCaffery Page 48
50 OUT & ABOUT: Christmas at the Clinic Gala
58 OUT & ABOUT: Wreaths of Joy
64 HER PERSPECTIVE: Double red flags
66 HER PERSPECTIVE: Building a mystery, not!
On the cover: Joy Powell, speaker, advocate, connector. Find out how she leads with compassion, equity and faith on page 44.
Photo by Kate Treick Photography
BY
spendorsave
• Heart Tag Toggle Necklace in silver, $1,125, tiffany.com
• Women’s Original Tall Rain Boots, $190, hunterboots.com
• Long pleated chiffon skirt, $2,495, dolcegabbana.com
where
to shop
• Millie Bubble Heart Necklace, $48, baublebar.com
• Women’s River Tall Rain Boots, $45, target.com
•Pleated chiffon skirt, $39.99, hm.com
H&M: Cordova Mall, 5100 N. Ninth Ave., Pensacola; 855-466-7467; hm.com
Target: multiple store locations; target.com
CHELSEA OWENS / BELLAMAGAZINE.COM / PHOTOS PROVIDED
5-Star Skilled Nursing Care
Soulful Winter Style
Wide legs, vibrant colors, bold patterns
By Allison McCrory / Photos by Kate Treick Photography
February fashion offers something for everyone!
“Colors are vibrant and patterns are bold,” reported Di McLaughlin of Lee Tracy, adding that animal prints remain a classic staple and feminine florals are abundant.
Speaking of feminine, “flowy, feminine silhouettes” are trending and lace is frequently incorporated into fabrics this winter and spring.
Amid a mostly vibrant palette, Pantone named “Cloud Dancer”, a creamy off-white, as the 2026 Color of the Year. The ethereal tone evokes a sense of respite and calm.
Softer shoulders, midi-length skirts and dresses, woven tops, and collars with character are having a moment.
“Wide-leg pants continue to show up across the board in all fabrics, whether denim work pants or silky dress,” McLaughlin noted.
Shopping list: Who doesn’t love a pop of hot pink to chase away the winter blues? Try this everyday poncho, $48, with cropped Liverpool jeans, $109, and a versatile three-quarter-sleeve tee, $72, also by Liverpool.
Shopping list: Classy. Timeless. Elegant. This classic black Sunwoo cardigan, $105, is always on point when paired with the brand’s palazzo pant, $88, and a crisp white button-down by Lissy, $128.
Shopping list: Turn on Valentine’s drama with this red Clara Sunwoo dress, $165. Layer pearlescent necklaces and a matching ring — there’s strength in numbers!
Babette Crowder
Babette Crowder channels her hometown’s name, The Big Easy, by embracing a tranquil life in retirement.
“I grew up in New Orleans, surrounded by incredible food, music and culture. My partner and I moved to Inlet Beach from Houston when we retired, wanting to be closer to the water and to enjoy a more relaxed coastal rhythm. He and I both appreciate a quieter pace, and it’s been the perfect place to settle in, enjoy the outdoors and build a life that feels peaceful and intentional,” she said.
“Mental health is important to me as well. My family has experienced tragedy, and it taught me how essential it is to slow down, protect your well-being and take care of the parts of life that aren’t always visible. Sharing life with someone who understands the importance of that has made this chapter even more meaningful.”
In earlier seasons of life, Crowder filled various roles, including mom, teacher and stylist.
With a graduate degree under her belt, Crowder taught for years before shifting into the beauty industry, working as a makeup artist for print and film for 31 years.
“I’m a licensed esthetician, and skincare has remained a steady passion throughout my professional life,” said Crowder. “I feel passionate about encouraging women to embrace themselves at every stage, especially in a culture that places so much value on youth. There is so much beauty, confidence and depth that comes with age, and I love reminding women of that.”
A nod to her New Orleans roots, discovering new restaurants is one of Crowder’s favorite simple pleasures — along with discovering new countries.
“Solo travel is my favorite hobby. It’s given me confidence, perspective and a real sense of freedom. I’ve visited 23 countries in the past five years, and I love the independence of exploring on my own and the way it reminds you that you’re capable of more than you think.
“Getting older has brought a kind of confidence I never expected. If sharing my journey encourages another woman to grow, evolve or feel more at ease with herself, that feels meaningful to me.”
Shopping list: Feeling artsy with a bit of boho flair? This comfortable and cool pairing is at home in almost any setting. Inoah multicolored top, $98, and sage mineral-washed pants by Easel, $78.
Shopping list: Pantone has deemed “Cloud Dancer” the color of the year for 2026. The elevated off-white hue represents a clean slate, encouraging reflection and simplicity. This set by B.yu channels that serene vibe. Pants, $178; top, $158.
About the location
5eleven Palafox
511 S. Palafox St., Pensacola 850-977-0180; 5elevenpalafox.com
Clothes compliments of Lee Tracy
701 E. Gregory St., Pensacola 850-912-8639; leetracypensacola.com
Model compliments of Izon Models & Talent LLC
301 N. Barcelona St., Suite E, Pensacola 850-433-2099; izonmodels.com
stylingthe shoot
Photography: Kate Treick / Fashion styling: Allison McCrory
Where to shop: Lee Tracy
OTBT black sneakers, Alstead, $140
SS assorted necklaces, $70-$95
SS assorted necklaces, $70-$95
SS assorted stacking bracelets, $35-$55
Bed | Stu handbag, black Rockababy, $295
SS earrings, $35
LDP hematite loafers, $235
Comfy luxe cheetah print tote, $68
Assorted Jennifer Ponson bracelets, $50-$75
Jennifer Ponson crystal drop earrings, $50
JV crystal ring, $185
Jennifer Ponson pearl drop earrings, $50
L’Amour Des Pieds champagne shoes, $235
Jennifer Ponson turquoise ring, $150
Jennifer Ponson large pearl necklace, $200
Julie Voss gold and pearl bangles, $95
Julie Voss gold hoop earrings, $110
beauty
Grandma was right
Simple, tried and true beauty tips that have worked for decades
By Leslie Peck / Illustrations by Getty Images
When I think back to my grandma’s beauty routine, it was very simple yet effective. No over-the-top frills, definitely not timeconsuming and it stayed the same as far back as I can remember. I spent a lot of time with my grandparents growing up. My grandma had a beauty shop (The Beauty Bar) next door to their house that she owned and operated for 57 years. I spent many days after school and on the weekends watching her shampoo, set, perm and color heads of hair while listening to the shop chatter. It was a fascinating world where women told stories, swapped recipes, laughed, cried and solved the world’s problems under the hum of a hooded hair dryer. Their daily routines were curated from generations of women maintaining beauty one day at a time.
EAT A BALANCED MEAL
My favorite place in the world growing up was my grandparents’ table. There was always a home-cooked meal that had some sort of protein, vegetables, potatoes and, of course, bread and butter. Real butter. We definitely knew we had to eat our veggies to stay healthy and grow.
RUBBER GLOVES WORK WONDERS
My grandma and my mother-in-law both advocate using rubber gloves while cleaning and doing dishes. It really does help keep your hands soft and hydrated. I’ve always rebelled against this, and then I end up with dry hands and cuticles from bleach, dish soap and other cleaning solutions.
STAY HYDRATED
I grew up living in southeast Arizona. It was extremely dry, hot as all get out in the summer and windy and cold in the winter. Needless to say, the daily goal was to keep yourself hydrated inside and out. My grandma always had a daily water glass sitting by the sink. Each time she would pass through the kitchen, she took a few sips of water. She was constantly reminding me to “go get a swig of water” too. I also saw her apply hand and body lotion regularly. Hand lotion lived in every nook of the house, in the car and in her purse. She was a huge believer in triple lanolin. The smell of it takes me back to childhood every time.
NO HEAT OR LOW-HEAT HAIR DOS
That generation didn’t apply direct heat to their hair. Sleeping in curlers, using hot rollers or sitting under the dryer with curlers or pin curls created all the curl they needed. My daughters have recently brought back the art of heatless curls via YouTube. I am fascinated how they can use the sash of my bathrobe to wind their hair around in such a way and wake up looking like they just stepped out of the salon.
DIY TEETH WHITENING
Dental health and a bright smile are a must in your beauty routine. There was always a little container of baking soda to add in with toothpaste to help whiten teeth at my grandparents’ house. A little goes a long way to help remove stains on teeth.
DRESS UP TO GO OUT
My grandma was very casual and she made all of her own clothes. She did however have her “house clothes” and her “clothes to go to town.” Any time she needed to run errands, she would change her clothes, freshen up a bit, fix her hair, put on a little lipstick and fill in her eyebrows. A little effort goes a long way.
NEVER GO TO BED WITH MAKEUP ON
Never ever, I mean ever, go to bed without washing your face. She was very big on washing with a wash rag (pronounced warsh rag) and always scrubbing ears inside and out.
TAKE A BATH BEFORE BED
This was a ritual that I thought was so magical. Every single night I spent at my grandparents’ house, my grandma always cooked dinner and my grandad cleaned up supper and did the dishes. While he cleaned, I would hear the water running and smell her lavender bubble bath as the tub filled. Caress soap, a wash rag and a shower brush to get her back was all she needed. She had a jar of lavender powder with a puff that she would dab on after her bath. The smell filled the house and made for a good night’s sleep.
HAVE A SIGNATURE LIP COLOR
My grandma wasn’t a big makeup wearer. Just the basics. She did have a favorite lipstick, though. It was fairly neutral in color but it was just right for her. There’s something about being a woman and putting on a lip. A little lip definitely goes a long way.
BEAUTY REST
My grandma woke up early, sewed, crocheted, cooked, cleaned and worked long days at The Beauty Bar. However, she always made time for a quick nap somewhere in the day. When we came in the house and saw her in the recliner with a homemade afghan, we knew if we woke her up, we would be in big trouble. She believed in the midday nap, early to bed and early to rise.
STRETCH AND MOVE
I always find it funny how today we pay for yard maintenance, for our house to be cleaned and for gym memberships. Our grandparents cleaned their house, did their yard work and didn’t go to the gym. They got so much exercise in their daily tasks, and they were always fit.
Bridal season MUST-HAVES
Your bridal destination is here. From necklaces to earrings and so much more, discover pieces crafted with care and intention. These modern heirlooms are sure to reflect the heart and soul of your story.
WHERE TO SHOP
• Beré Jewelers 850-477-6818; berejewelers.com
Photos by Kate Treick Photography
Cushion
Halo Ring
Earrings MSRP $22,000
3.80CTW
4.90CTW Diamond Bar Necklace MSRP $32,000
3.95CTW
9.85TCW
MSRP $33,000
14k
2.68CTW Lab Grown 3-Stone Diamond Ring MSRP $4,500
3.02CTW
18k Yellow Gold
Diamond Bar Drop Earrings MSRP $20,000
18k Yellow Gold
14k White Gold
Lab Grown Oval Diamond 3-Stone Engagement Ring With Lab Grown Pear Sides MSRP $6,750
18k White Gold
Emerald Cut and Round Diamond Tennis Necklace
Yellow Gold
18k Yellow Gold
Heart, Emerald Cut & Pear Diamond Bezel Drop Earrings MSRP $15,640
PUPPYlove
For Stephanie Harrington, Kelly MacLeod and Melanie Kirk, their dogs are far more than companions — they are confidants, comfort and constants through life’s most demanding moments. Whether navigating the fast pace of a real estate career, finding solace after profound loss or weathering the uncertainty of military deployments, these three women have discovered that the steadiest form of love often comes on four paws. Their stories remind us that in a world of constant change, the bond between a woman and her dog offers something irreplaceable: unconditional presence, unwavering loyalty and the simple gift of being understood without words.
By
Magi Thomley Williams / Photos by Kate Treick Photography
Stephanie Harrington, managing broker and licensed partner at Engel & Völkers Pensacola, with Murphy, her 13-week-old goldendoodle who has become a fixture at the office.
There is a unique kind of magic that enters a home on four paws. It’s a quiet comfort that settles in the soul, a wagging tail that greets the morning and a loyal presence that makes the hardest days feel manageable. For these local women, their dogs are far more than just pets, they are the very center of their busy worlds.
STEPHANIE AND MURPHY, A DYNAMIC DUO
For Stephanie Harrington, managing broker and licensed partner at Engel & Völkers Pensacola, life is full of business meetings and bustling energy. It’s only fitting that her newest addition, a 13-weekold goldendoodle named Murphy, matches her pace. “Murphy can go from zero to 90 in less than three seconds,” Harrington laughed, noting the mirror to her own spirited personality.
Found through a trusted breeder in Oklahoma, Murphy has become a fixture at the office, navigating elevators and city streets with ease. “Murphy grounds me when everything else feels demanding. He offers unconditional love, reads me without words and provides a steady reassurance that’s difficult to articulate. He is a quiet support system and a daily reminder that slowing down and allowing yourself to be cared for is not only acceptable, but necessary,” Harrington said.
While Murphy is the high-energy newcomer, he shares his home with Guinness, a 9-year-old black goldendoodle. Though Guinness is the “ruler of the land” and prefers watching the bike path to puppy play, a sweet bond is forming. For Harrington, the presence of her dogs is essential to her daily rhythm. “I just love having them around and with me at all times,” Harrington said. “Murphy is a perfect fit for our family. In the way he celebrates the ordinary moments with me — the routines, the quiet pauses, the simple togetherness — he reminds me that those are often the moments that matter most.”
KELLY AND A LIFELINE NAMED FINN
For Kelly MacLeod, the arrival of Finn, a blond-and-white rescue pup, was a moment of pure serendipity. After losing two long-lived Jack Russell terriers, MacLeod found herself searching for a committed companion she could call “hers.” When she saw Finn’s face on a rescue page, she knew. “The most precious little face in the world popped up... he spoke to me,” MacLeod
Kelly MacLeod with Finn, her rescue pup and constant travel companion who became her emotional anchor following the loss of her husband, Michael.
AT RIGHT: Melanie Kirk and Echo, the pup the Kirk’s knew was meant to join their family.
BELOW: Josh Kirk with Goose, a rock and best friend.
recalled.
Finn, named after the happy-go-lucky and playful Huckleberry Finn, became much more than a pet during a season of profound grief. Following the loss of her husband, Michael, Finn became her constant travel partner and emotional anchor. Together, they have trekked through Nantucket, Cape Cod and Boston, even flying to Canada multiple times. MacLeod emphasizes the importance of professional training for puppies traveling with their owners. Finn is protective and loves to play with other dogs, but his attitude is “don’t mess with mama,” so bustling airports can sometimes be a challenge.
“When Michael died, I wouldn’t have made it through without him,” MacLeod said softly. Every night, the duo shares a playful routine of “chase the hand” and “zoomies” on the bed. “He helps me to go to bed every night laughing,” MacLeod adds. “He’s my buddy.”
MELANIE AND CONSTANTS THROUGH UNCERTAINTY — GOOSE AND ECHO
Melanie Kirk’s life with her Australian shepherds, Goose and Echo, is evidence of the stability dogs provide in the face of change. When Kirk moved to South Dakota to support her husband Josh’s career as a B-1 pilot, Goose, a mini Australian shepherd was the “rock” she leaned on during long, lonely deployments, finding him to be one of the most grounding parts of her life.
When Josh was deployed with little notice and Melanie didn’t know where he would be going or for how long, she turned to Goose for support. “Goose was the dog I never knew I needed,” Kirk said. “On certain occasions, I would find out [Josh] was leaving just a couple days before; Goose was my rock on a lot of those really hard nights.” With no family nearby, Goose became one of her best friends.
Now in Florida, the Kirks have added Echo, a 14-week-old standard Australian shepherd, to the family. They are intentionally raising her to be a gentle companion for their future children. For Melanie, these dogs represent the “two of everything” dream she and Josh have shared since high school. “We just saw her and knew that she was meant to be part of the family,” Kirk said of Echo. Whether providing comfort during a deployment or preparing for a growing family, these dogs are the steady heartbeat of the Kirk home.
Local gift ideas for the ones you love!
Step into beauty at downtown Pensacola’s favorite boutique. From vintage furniture to hand-painted finds, discover curated home decor and gifts in a warm, welcoming atmosphere.
WHIMSICAL & INSPIRATIONAL
• The best kept secret in Pensacola for gifts
• Featuring local artists
Just look for the bubbles! 1208 N. 12th Ave,. Pensacola 850-435-9555 AngelsGarden angelsgardenpensacola
girls night out
Matilda LOVE
A campy Galentine’s experience
By Cynthia Reeves / Photos by Kate Treick Photography
Like the feisty and powerful children’s book character, Matilda, the retro mobile photo booth, owned and operated by Robin Day Silver, has a beautiful yet heartbreaking story of courage and hope behind it.
Three years ago, after battling breast cancer and five painful surgeries, Silver had an opportunity to purchase a classic 1954 Shasta travel trailer. It was part of a dream business idea. Silver wanted to combine her love of events, props, costuming and sisterhood to create a memorable experience for women and families.
She loves seeing women come out of their shells — having fun and being silly.
“I think this reminds people like, hey, this feels good. We need to feel this way, you know? We need to bring this joy out into our everyday life too, even when things are hard, you always have to find joy.”
and special events. For more information, visit: matilda.love; Instagram @ matildadotlove; Facebook: Matilda.Love
Robin Day Silver, owner of Matilda Love, a retro mobile photo booth featuring a 1954 Shasta travel trailer available for weddings, parties
The glamper, lovingly named “Matlida Love,” is available for weddings, birthdays, bachelorette parties, special events, pop-ups and holidays. She’s “guaranteed to be the center of fun!” She is beautiful inside and out.
Pricing varies, as opportunities with the nostalgic camper are limitless. For example, Matilda can be set up for $300 for a party with costuming, props and full use of the photo booth, or guests can stop in for single strips of fun photos for $20, which includes a digital copy.
“Generally, it is about $300 for a party with a costuming and full use of the booth. Maybe a little bit more for bigger events like a wedding.”
Silver stresses that she’s flexible and customizes pricing for whatever event a customer has in mind.
This February, Silver is focusing on a vision to create unique photo sessions and parties for Galentine’s Day and the Valentine’s Day season of love, friendship and romance.
Clients can take part in posing for photos inside Matilda — like a dress-up party complete with feather boas, furs and custom-made props. She also encourages setting up a tea party outside with vintage settees and decor. Bring some wine and cheese and mark a celebration with gal pals or family.
“Moving forward, I’m going to set up a little kind of lounge tea party vibe in front of it, so that they have a place to kind of sit and hang out.”
Silver particularly loves the idea of women connecting and developing friendships or mother-and-daughter bonding time too.
Silver says “Matilda,” the book and musical, were her inspiration for the camper’s name because, like the character, she had issues with a parent. At 16, her mother moved out and left her behind.
“I’ve always closely related to the story, with the exception of Matilda’s father, for mine was very loving. But I didn’t hear the words ‘I’m proud of you’ from my mother until my late 40s, let alone the acknowledgment of my ‘gifts.’”
Very much like Matilda, and the relationship she develops with Miss Honey in the story, Silver spent most of her adult life with a goal to align better with women. She is pleased that she “developed the types of relationships that I had always hoped for with my own mother and sister … and more importantly, the kind that I could only pray to have with my own children.”
Silver finds it inspiring that we don’t
have to sit in the pain of what happened to us in our past.
“It’s hard not to lighten up and have a good time in front of a camera in cute little camper. Right?”
Matilda is a symbol of sorts for Silver’s heart and soul. It represents strength, courage, resilience and hope.
After a double mastectomy and failed reconstruction surgery that left her in constant pain, Silver left her corporate job, purchased the camper and moved from Lake Tahoe to Pensacola in search of a fresh start.
“I was coming off of cancer. I was on disability, out of work from all the complications and everything. I have permanent damage in my upper body. I couldn’t see that I was going to be able to sit at a desk again for 10 hours a day.”
So, Matilda was born and is the setting for everything Silver reaches for in her new life.
“That’s the heart and soul of Matilda. I want people to come and spend that time with their people or meet new women and bond with new women who are either struggling or have struggled and just want to feel that connection and celebrate each other.”
Her blog states her mission:
“For anyone who has ever had to fight a battle, face a Giant, overcome fear, pain and see the beauty that comes from the bullshit… this is where we change, and share, our story. Matilda sets the stage to capture beautiful moments with the people who stand by our side and help us to see the light in the dark… and maybe even laugh a little bit along the way.”
The connection to Matila, the fictional character, is seemingly everywhere. After her daughter sent her the words to Harry Style’s song, “Matilda,” She knew the camper must carry that name. All the pieces of her life were summed up in the song including a happy ending:
“You can throw a party full of everyone you know
You can start a family who will always show you love
You don’t have to be sorry, no.”
And Silver quotes the words of Matilda herself:
“Nobody else it gonna put it right for me, nobody but me is going to change my story”.
Silver invites customers to seek her and Matilda Love out for a few hours of fantasy fun. Whether for Galantine’s or another special event, she would love to capture moments and memories that redefine us and tell our stories.
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The quiet architecture of care profile
How Joy Powell is strengthening the heartbeat of health care through equity, collaboration and trust
By Dr. Justine Williams Roper / Photos by Kate Treick Photography
Joy Powell has a way of making systems feel human.
In a role that spans boardrooms and community rooms, policy conversations and bedside realities, Powell’s work comes down to one essential question: Do people feel seen, supported, and able to choose what’s best for their health? It is a question she has been living inside for decades, long before she carried the title of chief health equity officer at Baptist Health Care.
“I have been working in the intersection of faith and health for the past 30 years,” Powell expressed. As a Memphis native, she has engulfed her life’s work in the selfless work of community health. This intersection is more than a theme in her career. It is her method, her philosophy, and, in many ways, her calling.
Her first encounter with Pensacola came in 2015, when she was invited to speak about community work that required something many people never consider: permission.
However, she did not expect to return. As fate would have it, she moved to Pensacola from Memphis in October 2017. Since then, she has been helping create a culture of change that invites healing, restores trust and moves our community toward wholeness.
THE FAITH AND HEALTH CONNECTION
When Powell arrived in Pensacola, she did not arrive as chief health equity officer. She arrived as director of community health and programming, drawn to Baptist because she saw an opportunity to reach people at scale in the most trusted places in their lives.
“One of the best ways to do it is through faith-based organizations,” she said.
Powell is candid about why. For Powell, the faith and health movement is not marketing. It is infrastructure. By partnering with pastors who desired to be a more integral part of an individual’s healing process, the point was never to replace
medicine. It was to extend care into the realities that shape health after discharge. Faith networks allow systems to address what Powell called social treatment plans, the real-life supports that determine whether care plans succeed.
For Powell, the spiritual and the physical are not competitors.
“A lot of people see it as a cross, but a lot of people also see it as an intersection … to the higher power that I believe in, as well as my physical health. They go together.”
She even named a source that shaped her thinking.
“There was a book by Gary Gunderson called “Deeply Woven Roots,” and it really talks about the roots of a church and how they’re so deeply woven into the community that you almost can’t do any community work without involving the faith leaders.”
EQUITY, TRUST AND THE QUESTION OF “WHY”
Powell does not talk about equity as a slogan. She talks about it as a set of values and behaviors that she stands by. She named compassion first. “Number one is compassion,” she said. “I try to make sure that I prioritize empathy and
understanding with all individuals, so that they feel valued and cared for.”
Then integrity. “Because if people can’t trust you, they’re not gonna believe anything you say.”
And then the heart of her work.
“Equity and justice,” she said. “I believe in fairness. I also believe in and will always advocate for removing barriers that prevent people from being their best selves.” Powell is also clear that equity work requires humility and listening.
Even the way she thinks about data is deeply human.
“I do have a strong data background, and I believe that data is important. However, when you tie the story and life to the data … it evokes change.” Trust, she believes, is not mysterious. “Trust, we make it bigger than what it is,” she said. “It’s saying what you mean and meaning what you say.”
COMMUNITY CARE AND SILENT BARRIERS
For Powell, health care does not begin or end with an individual patient. It lives in the community itself. She speaks often about “community care,” a concept rooted in the reality that people are shaped by the environments they return
to after leaving a clinic or hospital.
Zip codes, transportation routes, housing stability and food access all influence whether care plans succeed or fail. Powell points to barriers that often go unnoticed but carry enormous weight, including attainable housing, unreliable transportation and what she describes as food swamps — places where food is plentiful but nutritious options are scarce.
Language, medical jargon and a lack of explanation around the “why” behind health decisions further widen gaps — especially when people feel directed rather than included. In her work, these barriers are not abstract problems to be studied from a distance. They are daily realities that require systems to listen more closely, communicate more clearly and design care that meets people where they are, not where institutions assume they should be.
MEANINGFUL SHIFTS
When I asked Powell what meaningful shifts she has witnessed over the course of her career in Pensacola, she didn’t hesitate.
“COVID taught us a lot,” she said. “Watching our health system partner with other health entities to make sure
that people were educated and they knew how to navigate. We were also advocating on the state level.”
The word that mattered most was “together.”
“Seeing all these entities come together and say, ‘Hey, we have to come up with a plan. Our community deserves a plan.’”
She also pointed to a second shift that felt like the future.
“Achieve Healthy EscaRosa is a collective impact around health,” she said. “You have all the hospital systems at the table … everybody in one place with a huge health improvement plan for our two counties.”
And she named it as rare.
“I’ve never in all of my years seen hospital systems that are competitors work together.”
HEART, SOUL AND THE RIGHT TO CHOOSE
When asked what heart and soul mean to her, Powell did not hesitate. “The heart represents compassion,” she said. “It’s the emotional core that drives me to support other individuals.” The soul, she explained, reflects purpose, identity and resilience, the spirit that gives a community its strength and
uniqueness. What unites it all is the human element behind progress, the shared values and stories that make communities whole.
Powell describes her calling with three simple verbs. “I’m called to do three things,” she said. “I’m called to educate, navigate and advocate.” For her, equity work is often translation, explaining complex systems, reducing friction and connecting people to the right support at the right moment.
It is work grounded in relationship and reinforced through structure, supported by navigators who help ensure no one has to find their way alone. At its core, her approach is about informed choice, making sure people understand their options and feel supported in deciding what is right for them.
When asked about legacy, Powell shares that she desires to be known as the “connector.”
That is the quiet architecture of care. Not a headline. Not a slogan. A bridge. A connector. A steady presence doing the unglamorous work of helping people move forward safely, with dignity, and with the right to choose.
“Weeds” by Joy Denise inspires readers to grow with purpose through reflections, declarations and journal prompts. Available now at joydenise.com and on amazon.com.
profile
Grace Resendez McCaffery Strength beneath the surface
By Magi Thomley Williams / Photos by Kate Treick Photography
With a gentle smile and a calm presence, Grace Resendez McCaffery embodies the kind of quiet resilience that inspires those around her. As the owner of Latino Media Gulf Coast, publisher of La Costa Latina newspaper and founder of the Hispanic Resource Center of Northwest Florida, McCaffery embodies the dual powers of inner strength and deep compassion. Entrenched in state and local activities, McCaffery serves as a Community Health Northwest Florida board member, Gallery Night Pensacola board member, United Way of Escambia County board member and Community Enterprise Investments, Inc. board member, to name a few. She recently received the CivicCon Transparency in Government Award.
McCaffery’s mission began with a simple but profound goal: “helping our Spanish-speaking community have information so that they can make safe and healthy decisions for themselves and their families.” Her work quickly expanded beyond journalism, evolving into a lifeline for those seeking resources and assistance. “People naturally ask more questions and look for resources and assistance,” she explained, “so it’s always been an additional service.”
Her serene exterior belies the strength forged through personal tragedy. Originally from El Paso, Texas and Chihuahua, Mexico, McCaffery moved to Pensacola in 1993 with her husband and young son. Within a year, her husband was killed in a car accident, leaving her a young widow and single mother. “I moved away from home for the first time, all of 23 years old, became a mother and lost my husband, all in one year; it was quite an experience. But, as they say, what doesn’t kill us makes us stronger,” she affirmed.
McCaffery’s progress through grief was long, but it became the foundation for her strength. She recalled, “Getting past the grief took a few years but then allowed me to focus on my education or career, and that just kind of put me in a position to look around me and be able to help others who have similar experiences.” She reflected on the importance of self-discovery: “I just kind of learned that I was a lot smarter than I was raised to believe that I was and I could do a lot more than I was raised to believe that I could.”
Her empathy extends to the broader community, especially in times of crisis. McCaffery has been an outspoken advocate for immigrants, urging compassion and understanding this way: “It is very important, obviously, that we start with having some kind of compassion, because if you don’t have compassion, you don’t care about learning more about another individual.” She emphasized the need to understand, without judgement, the complexities of immigration, the complexities of a mixed family, with some family members that are undocumented, some that are naturalized or visa holders and some that are American citizens, understanding what that means when separating families.
McCaffery’s tenacity is not just personal, it’s communal. She has helped cultivate a sense of family among Pensacola’s Latino community, which includes people from 21 different countries. “We’ve managed to be pretty harmonious with all of our nationalities, proud to say, but it’s taken years and years of talking and just creating that atmosphere,” she said.
Despite the challenges, McCaffery remains hopeful and determined. “It’s going to take more than us and the advocates, the organizations, the attorneys, it’s going to take the entire nation that wants to go back to having some type of fairness and equality to find better solutions,” she shared.
Grace Resendez McCaffery’s story is a reminder that true strength often lies beneath a gentle demeanor. Through adversity, she has become a source of support for our community, proving that compassion and persistence can change lives. She is an example of the importance of humanity in troubled times.
out&about
Christmas at the Clinic Gala
On Dec. 2, the Health and Hope Clinic hosted its annual Christmas at the Clinic Gala at the Pensacola Country Club, bringing community members together for an evening of support and giving. The event benefits medical, dental, mental health and pharmacy services for uninsured patients in the Pensacola area. This year’s gala was the most successful to date, raising $310,000.
Photos by Toni Sparks / Short Story Studios
Larry Brooks, Kim Gibbons, Joy Powell, Brigette Brooks, Cheryl Howard
Judy Harrington, Jacqui O’Connell
Tanisha Pitts, Christian Oglesby, Melody Pham
Martha Holden, Jessica Duncan
Stacey Hammer, Madrina Ciano
April Bergeron, Karen Fitch
Hannah McKissick, Susan Griffioen
Sherrye Franklin, Tracy Frick, Jessica Duncan
Ben Stoddard, Sophie Stoddard, Heather Crawford, Jason Crawford
Yvonne Harmon, Alexa Harmon, Kassandra Johnson, Patti Harmon
Jennifer Harrison, Sally Bergosh, Ashlee Hofberger
Jessica Mahuron, Laura Maiberger
Melissa Campbell, Maria Barnett
Nate Cason, Hannah Cason
Meka Stallworth, Athena Durant
Delayna Blankenship, Natasha Sluder, Cindi Bear
What a Beautiful Morning!
Dance back in time to the American wild west with Oklahoma!–a classic, feel-good musical that follows the blossoming love story between farm girl Laurey and charming cowboy Curly as they navigate rival suitors and the challenges of frontier life. With unforgettable songs like “Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin’,” “People Will Say We’re in Love,” the lively “Kansas City,” and of course “Oklahoma!”, this Rodgers & Hammerstein classic captures the heartwarming spirit of a community on the brink of change.
Chandra Smiley, Stephen Rampersad, Crista Brandt
out&about
Wreaths of Joy Gala
Photos by Toni Sparks / Short Story Studios
Valerie Hutto, Dawn Grace, Tonya Rich, Carla Jones, Truli Hartley, Natalie Stackpole, Ashley Wheatley, Valerie Robbins, Melissa Wright, Marsha Thames
The Wreaths of Joy Gala was held Dec. 5, at the Brownsville Community Center in Pensacola, bringing together community members in support of The Arc Gateway. Guests enjoyed food, entertainment and auctions with proceeds benefitting children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Steve McNally, Olevia McNally, Sally Bergosh, Jeff Bergosh
Katie Cobb, Kimberly Silas, Stacy Robello, Kaipo Robello
Marty Stanovich, Jo Stanovich
Brenda Savage, Brittany Savage
Carla Jones, Valerie Robbins
Melissa Mortland
Micah Kristiansen, LaTrelle Tronu-Ard, Jennifer Pettey
Kasie Healey, Andrea Hamilton, Jeannie Hoppe
Michelle Beech, Leanne Stanley
Kathy Andrade, Tammy Ward
Alicia Tappan, Heather Harriott
Marlee Bruno, Mary Kyte, Pam Acromite, Delayna Blankenship
By Sharla Gorder
Double red flags her perspective
Double red flags are flying today.
DON’T GO IN THE GULF, they scream. IT ISN’T SAFE! It’s not a good day for boating.
Winds are gusting at over 35 mph. The surf is six to eight feet. The rip currents are sucking the shoreline out to sea.
The red flags whip and tear on their masts. The weathermen nearly hyperventilate with their warnings. DON’T GO IN THE GULF! IT ISN’T SAFE!
And yet…
Someone will drown today.
“Those red flags don’t apply to me,” they’re thinking.
They’re wrong.
My best friend was wrong.
She died drunk in the back of a taxi, her three-time-convicted-felonboyfriend, passed out beside her.
Suffice it to say, the red flags had been whipping for months. She pretended not to notice. She died.
— as long as they’re not our own. I was mystified that my friend could not see the path her reckless drinking and relationship choices were leading her down, but I never imagined it would end in her death. I’m still a little angry at her about that.
Or maybe I’m angry at myself. I’m uncomfortable thinking about it because it makes me feel so vulnerable. I’ve ignored similar red flags, but I got to live. Maybe I have a little survivor’s guilt. My first flags were yellow — the late afternoons when the kids were little and I “deserved that glass of wine, or two.” A decade later, “I just need a glass to help me sleep.” And another few years, “Whoa, I don’t remember finishing that bottle.”
Most of us don’t have to pay the ultimate price for our heedlessness. But we do pay. In ways big and small, we suffer the consequences of going into that churning sea. It is only in retrospect, dripping and breathless, that we concede — “Maybe that wasn’t such a great idea.”
In preparation for this article, I asked a few friends to tell me about a time that they had suffered because they chose to ignore warning signs of imminent danger.
(How would you answer that question?)
It is an uncomfortable question to answer because it requires us to acknowledge regret, and in a YOLO, “no regrets” society, ruing one’s choices is often seen as self-pitying and counterproductive.
I would beg to differ. While endlessly wallowing in negative aspects of one’s past is indeed an exercise in futility, failing to acknowledge our missteps and mistakes is even more futile. We cannot change what we don’t acknowledge.
Those red flags are flapping. It’s so easy to see them
Yellow to red.
Even on the relationship front I’ve been known to ignore flags so glaringly red they’re on fire.
When I was in my 20s, I actually moved to Europe to be with a man who was so insanely jealous and possessive, he had me followed. I told that red flag — “It’s just because he loves me so darn much.” Ten months later I’m on a Pan Am flight departing London, a hardship transfer out of the country, fleeing this man who so adored me.
Do I regret ignoring those signals? Yes. If regret is defined as a negative emotional reaction to poor choices I have made, then absolutely, yes. In truth, I needed regret sooner, not later.
Do I wallow in that regret now that I have amended those destructive behaviors? No, I don’t think so. But I’d like to think I’ve used it to keep me alert to dangers I seem to be prone to — specifically compulsive behaviors and codependence.
I’d like to think I’ve gotten better with flags. They don’t have to be on fire for me to notice them. The yellow ones seem to get my attention these days. I’m watching one flutter even now.
Are you?
By Liz Biggs
Building a mystery, not! her perspective
“That’s what’s great about being a writer,” British novelist Hanif Kureishi told an interviewer a decade ago. “Every ten years you become somebody else.” I’ve only been a writer for five years, but I think maybe I’m ready to become somebody else. Listening to the great song by Matthew Sweet, “Sick of Myself,” on this dreary winter day, hmmm, who do I want to be?
I’ve never been a writer who wants to write fiction — a made-up story. No, I’ve only wanted to tell true stories. I’ve tried to be authentic and vulnerable — to spit it out raw. But my 20-year-old just gave me a lecture on oversharing. I handed her my phone and told her to delete any IG or FB posts she felt were TMI. She clicked all those fun, festive, but mostly food posts into the trash bin. And then deleted the trash (because she’s witnessed me going back to the thrift store to look for something I donated and then wanted back, LOL). “Nobody wants to know what you had for dinner, Mom.” She is right. Guilty as charged as an oversharer. Nobody needs to know if I’m craving really good hot chocolate or if I love Limoncello LeCroix. Or if I love celery but only if I have Hidden Valley Buttermilk Ranch to dip it in. No bobo ranch dressing allowed.
So maybe I need to be more mysterious. How does an extreme extrovert morph into an introvert? I will have to Google that. It won’t be easy. No Post February sounds way more difficult than Dry January or No Shave November (not that I have ever participated in a no-anything month).
A friend asked me when I’m going to stop sending Christmas cards, since we’re empty nesters now. I replied, “never.” And proceeded to put 20 pictures on the 2025 card — mostly because we didn’t have one single moment when all seven of us were together, so I had to do a collage of us all having separate adventures. But maybe I should just stop. Maybe sending Christmas cards is for young people with cute babies?
If I’m being honest, maybe I should delete all my dancing videos too. I look way more like Elaine from “Seinfeld” than
Ginger Rogers. I can’t pogo like I did at the Ramones show (at Nightown in Destin!) in 1984. I used to get like three feet of air. “Napoleon Dynamite” fans will appreciate that joke. I really did love dancing with that DJ at a wedding in Key Largo recently — wish I had a video of that to post. (No, no, you don’t, says the Liz 2.0 voice in my head.)
And how I loved doing the can-can to “Come on Eileen” with those young cousins. But maybe it’s time for me to step aside? Or just bust my Edwyn Collins “A Girl Like You” video moves alone in the kitchen. Who knows what Liz 2.0 looks like? I sure don’t. Maybe I should take some advice from Sarah McLachlan in her 1997 hit song “Building a Mystery,” — “Hold it in and choose carefully.” Or maybe I should just be my flawed, festive, oversharing self. I’m literally oversharing in this column about oversharing, so it can’t get much worse.
But maybe meaningful things can happen when you overshare. My sister, Patti, read my deeply personal January column and informed me that one of her chores on our childhood chore chart was to go find me in the neighborhood at dinnertime. “Patricia, go find your sister, dinner’s almost ready.” I never heard my mother say that, but Patti did. It brought back wonderful memories of being wild and free to roam the streets of East Hill in the 1970s. I knew every neighbor in every direction, and from the age of five I spent my days going from house to house chatting (oversharing for sure) with everyone I met (mostly old people). I’ve always been a curious cat. Silly me, I thought my sister just magically showed up because she wanted to hang out with the old people too. Now I know the truth.
Also, my 24-year-old just told me I was killing it on the dance floor to “Come on Eileen,” and those young cousins were out of breath trying to keep up. I would have never heard those words come out of his mouth unless I shared this story with him. So forget about Liz 2.0. Sharing is caring, right?
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