OUT & ABOUT
• Jukebox Gala
• Ribbons of Hope
• Keeping Abreast Luncheon
Live BOLDLY
Bold women, classy style, courageous leadership: Emily Ley and the women redefining what it means to lead
more than homes.
H o m e i s t h e f o u n d a t i o n o n w h i c h w e b u i l d o u r l i v e s a n d o u r c o m m u n i t i e s .
H a b i t a t f o r H u m a n i t y i s a m o v e m e n t o f p e o p l e h e r e i n o u r l o c a l a r e a
a n d a r o u n d t h e w o r l d w o r k i n g t o g e t h e r t o c r e a t e p r o s p e r o u s , h e a l t h y
c o m m u n i t i e s b y e n s u r i n g e v e r y o n e h a s a s a f e , a f f o r d a b l e p l a c e t o c a l l
h o m e
S i n c e 1 9 8 1 , P e n s a c o l a H a b i t a t f o r H u m a n i t y h a s h e l p e d m o r e t h a n 1 , 7 0 0
f a m i l i e s a n d i n d i v i d u a l s a c h i e v e s a f e , a f f o r d a b le h o u s i n g a n d t h e s t a b i l i t y
i t b r i n g s T h e i r w o r k g o e s b e y o n d c o n s t r u c t i o n t h e y p a r t n e r w i t h
h o m e o w n e r s t o b u i l d , r e p a i r , a n d f i n a n c e h o m e s , d e v e l o p i n n o v a t i v e
w a y s t o m a k e h o u s i n g m o r e a t t a i n a b l e , a n d a d v o c a t e f o r p o l i c i e s t h a t
r e m o v e b a r r i e r s t o h o m e o w n e r s h i p T h e y ’ r e a l s o c o m m i t t e d t o h e l p i n g
o u r m o s t v u l n e r a b l e n e i g h b o r s b y p r o v i d i n g c r i t i c a l r e p a i r s f o r s e n i o r s ,
i n d i v i d u a l s w i t h d i s a b i l i t i e s , a n d t h o s e i m p a c t e d b y d i s a s t e r s W h e t h e r
t h r o u g h n e w b u i l d s , e s s e n t i a l r e p a i r s , o r g u i d a n c e a l o n g t h e p a t h t o
o w n e r s h i p , P e n s a c o l a H a b i t a t c r e a t e s l a s t i n g h o u s i n g s o l u t i o n s t h a t
e m p o w e r p e o p l e t o t h r i v e
E v e r y s a f e , a f f o r d a b l e h o m e s p a r k s b r o a d e r c h a n g e — l e a d i n g t o
b e t t e r h e a l t h , s t r o n g e r e d u c a t i o n , i m p r o v e d w e l l - b e i n g , e c o n o m i c
g r o w t h , a n d r e d u c e d p o v e r t y m a k i n g t h e g r e a t e r P e n s a c o l a a r e a a
b e t t e r p l a c e to l i v e f o r e v e r y o n e !
d o n a t e
Y o u r g e n e r o s i t y h e l p s u s b u i l d s a f e , a f f o r d a b l e h o m e s f o r
f a m i l i e s r i g h t h e r e i n o u r c o m m u n i t y .
p e n s a c o l a h a b i t a t o r g / d o n a t e
v o l u n t e e r
N o e x p e r i e n c e n e e d e d j u s t a h e a r t f o r s e r v i c e ! J o i n u s o n a
b u i l d s i t e , i n o u r R e S t o r e , o r a t c o m m u n i t y e v e n t s
p e n s a c o l a h a b i t a t . o r g / v o l u n t e e r
a d v o c a t e
H e l p s p r e a d t h e w o r d , j o i n o u r s p e c i a l b u i l d s , o r p a r t n e r w i t h u s
a s a s p o n s o r t o m a ke a n e v e n g r e a t e r i m p a c t
from the editor
I’m an autumn kind of person. I like the cooler temperatures for sure, but more than that, it’s the layers I love. See, I’m in the minority here in Florida — I’m not a summer lover. Oh, don’t get me wrong; I do adore the gorgeous water and salt air. I just don’t like the globs of sunscreen and sweat that go with it. And I definitely don’t enjoy the bare-all nature of summer attire.
My husband says I’m a “Diane Keaton” — turtlenecks and sweaters and trousers and loafers make me very happy. I’m more at home when I’m covered, and I always have been. While my mother will still joyfully prance around the house naked in her 80s (not in front of company, of course), I’m the type of person who sleeps in long-sleeved, full-pant pajamas year-round. This was true of me even in my 20s. I like cozy and comfy. Gimme a hot chai, a cardigan and a good book all year long.
I appreciate the women who can rock miniskirts and spaghetti straps and high heels, and I applaud both their balance and their bravery. But I’m over here scrolling for the cute, trendy, comfortable sneakers the celebrities are wearing while trying to figure out how to pull off a great dressy pantsuit for a wedding in June in Florida. Seriously, I need a stylist who can help me be comfortable and cute at the same time!
You know the poster for the movie “When Harry Met Sally,” where Meg Ryan and Billy Crystal are facing each other with the backdrop of the autumn leaves in the city, and she’s wearing a blazer and gloves and a scarf? And looks casual and happy? #GOALS. I’ll have what she’s having.
Enjoy your Florida fall, y’all. I’m going to be ignoring the stillwarm days and manifesting cooler weather in a wardrobe probably better suited to the Mid-Atlantic. I’ll call that my version of “living boldly.”
For better examples than me and my fashion rebellion, though, I think you’ll really enjoy reading about the bold women in this issue: an entrepreneur, a poet, a bodybuilder, a commodore and more. They are sure to inspire you.
— Lisa Player
Do you enjoy Bella? Would you like to share your thoughts? Feel free to reach out to me anytime at lisa@bellamagazine.com.
PUBLISHER / Kelly MacLeod
EDITOR / Lisa Player
ART DIRECTOR / Elizabeth Meyer
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Liz Biggs, Sharla Gorder, Allison McCrory, Kelly MacCleod, Chelsea Owens, Leslie Peck, Lisa Player, Justine Williams Roper, Magi Thomley Williams
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
Toni Sparks, Kate Treick
SEND EDITORIAL INQUIRIES AND STORY IDEAS TO KELLY@BELLAMAGAZINE.COM
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Bella is published the last week of each month and distributed free throughout Escambia and Santa Rosa counties in Florida. No portion of this magazine may be reproduced in any form without written permission from the editor.
Talk About It Tuesday on
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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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.
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 across the southeast, including 10 years as a news 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 several years 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
PROFILE
Missy Canterbury Page 28
BODY & SOUL
Lovelock Healing Arts Page 36
10 SPEND OR SAVE
12 FASHION: Have a classy, structured fall
22 BEAUTY: Cream blush
24 COVER: Living boldly with Emily Ley
32 LOCAL FARE: Bold life choices
PROFILE
Alicia L. Waters
Page 42
40 LOCAL FARE: Pensacola Beach Yacht Club
44 PROFILE: Terry Kellen’s tennis legacy
46 HOME: This bold house/The East Hill home of Liz & George Biggs
54 OUT & ABOUT: Ribbons of Hope
60 OUT & ABOUT: Keeping Abreast Foundation Luncheon
62 OUT & ABOUT: Jukebox Gala
64 HER PERSPECTIVE: The warriors within
66 HER PERSPECTIVE: F-words are my favorite
On the cover: Pensacola entrepreneur Emily Ley makes bold decisions to defend her business. Find out more on page 24.
Photo by Kate Treick Photography
BY CHELSEA
spendorsave
• Paulina rib merino wool wrap cardigan, $1,255, nordstrom.com
• Bridget knee boots, $345, sezane.com
• Empire carryall bag 34, $450, coach.com
where to shop
• Oversized wrap cardigan, $128, gap.com
• Knee-high boots, $84.99, hm.com
• Long handle satchel handbag, $30, target.com
H&M: Cordova Mall, 5100 N. Ninth Ave., Pensacola; 855-466-7467; hm.com Target: multiple area locations; target.com
OWENS / BELLAMAGAZINE.COM / PHOTOS PROVIDED
fashion
Have a classy, structured fall
Look for scarves, rich jewel tones, neutrals & bold accessories
By Allison McCrory / Photos by Kate Treick Photography
When dressing for awesome autumn, look for a wardrobe you can embrace now and layer as the season progresses.
Consider pieces in quality fabric that will be investments for years to come, recommended Shannon Evans, owner of S&K Boutique in Pace.
“New technology has now made materials more high-quality, comfortable and stylish. Instead of dozens of cheap pieces only hanging in our wardrobe closet for just a season and in a trash pile the next, we are investing in high-quality, timeless and versatile pieces,” Evans noted. “We are not moving away from fashion by any means, just embracing a sustainable wardrobe that supports a circular economy that values longevity and creativity over disposability.”
When choosing timeless staples this fall, look for pieces in warm tones.
“A base foundation of rich mochas, deep chocolate browns (cue our color of the year, Mocha Mousse) and warm creams; these beauties are the base for grounding versatile mix and match looks,” she said, adding that jewel-tone pieces make stunning accents to a neutral palette.
What’s in and what’s out?
Ultra-baggy and shapeless silhouettes are out, replaced with more tailored lines.
“Logos and heavy prints are sliding away and quality, minimalistic pieces are winning,” noted Evans. “Neons are gone, and earthy neutrals and jewel tones are in…. Chunky platforms are out in favor of more simple and streamlined looks.”
Finish off your fall look with a scarf — as a necklace, cuffed around your wrist, draped around your neck, or wrapped in your hair. Think vintage looks in purses featuring top handles.
“Jewelry is bold again,” Evans reported. “Chunky chains and bracelet stacks with layered necklaces give bold and beautiful personality. Brooches are alive and well; rummage through your mother’s or grandmother’s jewelry box and boldly accessorize your look for a pop of personality!”
Shopping list: It’s a timeless uniform ready for a personal touch — in this case, a happy scarf! Jeans by Judy Blue, $83.99, and white button-down by B.C., $46.99.
Shopping list: Monochromatic and nautical in crisp navy and white, this duo adds up to a winning look. Blue sweater with bow by Entro, $57.99; chambray button pants, $48.99.
Shopping list: This tartan plaid dress by Entro, $70.99, exudes a whimsical, festive vintage vibe. Add a jacket for crisp fall days!
Lindsy Neil
East Hill resident Lindsy Neil has never let fear stop her from embracing everything life has to offer.
“Life is short — get on the plane, rent the car, visit all the places, write the book, go to the concert, and tell everyone you love that you love them (often),” she said.
“For me, boldness has always meant making the move. I’ve said yes to new places again and again,” said Neil, a military child who always spent summers in Pensacola with her mom’s huge Italian family.
“Cousins, food, sunshine, laughter — those summers gave me roots, even while the rest of the year kept me moving. Pensacola was always the constant in my story.”
The communications director and mother of two has a formula for making bold moves: “I think of it like summer camp or the first day in a new city — that mix of thrill, comfort, peace and excitement. That’s the feeling I love. Bold choices don’t erase my fear; they just remind me how alive it feels to step into something new.”
Shopping list: This mocha satin top is elegant yet festive with a back tie bow, Glam, $51.99. Team with black satin pants by Skies Are Blue, $76.99, to create understated refinement that will shine wherever it ventures this season.
Shopping list: This versatile wine dress by Entro, $76.99, is a throwback to the A-line cuts of the ’60s. Statement gold buttons call for gold jewelry. Tie back hair with a scarf for an added retro touch.
About the locations
• 82 Magnolia Aesthetics
6867 Oak St., Milton; 850-8898982; 82Magnolia.com
• Posh Color Bar
6815 Caroline St., Milton; 850637-7674; vagaro.com
• Boomerang Pizza 5227 Willing St., Milton; 850-564-1465; boomerangpizzakitchen. hungerrush.com
Clothes compliments of S & K Boutique 4273 Woodbine Rd., Pace; 850-910-3308
Hair & makeup compliments of Gigi Singletary-Baker Posh Color Bar
6815 Caroline St., Milton; 850637-7674; vagaro.com
stylingthe shoot
Photography: Kate Treick / Fashion styling: Allison McCrory
Where to shop: S & K Boutique
Golden Stella navy connection scarf, $19.99
Fame taupe/black bracelet stack, $19 each
Fame gold teardrop earrings, $12
Golden Stella golden anchor scarf, $19.99, with LB Leather white purse, $42.99
Fame golden hoops, $19.99
LB Leather black purse, $42.99
Golden Stella rope twist bracelet, $17, and beaded bracelet, $11.
Fame camel belt, $20.99
Golden Stella linked charm necklace, $22
Stella leopard twist hoop earrings, $20
Golden Stella checkered scarf, $19.99
Golden Stella earrings, $14
Create an effortless natural glow with
CREAM BLUSH
Story by Leslie Peck / Photo by Getty Images
As we move into cooler weather, it is a good idea to shift some of your makeup products to keep your skin glowing and hydrated. One of the best ways to soothe drier skin is to replace some powder products with creamy alternatives. Maintaining a dewy finish can create a natural look with minimal effort. Adding a cream blush to your makeup stash is fun and easy, and there are so many to choose from. It is a buildable product that will go on smoothly and melt into the skin. Here are some tips to apply cream blush for the perfect pop of cheek color.
PREP THE SKIN
Always start with a moisturizer and primer when applying makeup. Maintaining the pH balance of the skin will ensure that any products applied will look their best. During the winter months, a heavier moisturizer might be needed if you notice your skin changing with the season. Apply moisturizer with fingertips in circular motions to warm
dermis. Add a layer of primer with a brush for a flawless application.
APPLY LIQUID FOUNDATION
Replace any powder foundations with liquid when using cream blush. Apply concealer and foundation as needed, and do not set with powder yet. Creamy products work best together so they don’t move and shift. They will melt into the skin to create a seamless, natural look.
ADD CREAM BLUSH
Application can vary depending on your preference. Fingertips or brushes can be used when applying cream blush. Try both to determine which one works best for you. Start with a small amount of product on the apple of the cheeks. Blend in circular, stippling motions out and upward to create a lifting effect. Add more blush for bolder color and minimal amounts for a natural look. Try different shades to find the ones that work best with your skin tone. It is always good to have a pink and a peach tone to go with different makeup looks.
FINISH
It is not always necessary to use a setting powder over cream blush, but you may find it extends the staying power of your products. A finishing spray is a must, but try it with and without a light setting powder to see which works best with your skin.
Jane Iredale Colorluxe Liquid Blush, $34. Find it at Result Medical Aesthetics and Permanent Makeup.
(Photo by Leslie Peck)
cover story
boldly Living with Emily Ley
By Kelly MacLeod
Emily Ley, entrepreneur and author, is an example of what it means to live boldly. Known for her Simplified planner brand — creating planners and paper goods for busy women — Ley’s journey transcends business success. Her story is one of courage, values-driven leadership and finding voice in challenging times.
SIMPLICITY WITH INTENTION
Emily Ley’s Simplified brand is often described as a planner company, but as she explains, it’s much more.
“We make planners and paper goods for busy women,” she said, but the heart behind the brand includes a passionate team that allows her to focus on her first love: writing. Ley’s writing spans lighthearted topics like “finding the best most comfortable jeans” to weightier issues such as public policy and women’s rights.
Photos by Kate Treick Photography
This blend of simplicity and depth reflects Ley’s approach to life and business: Focus on what matters and don’t lose sight of your values even amid complexity. Simplified itself is expanding, reintroducing wholesale and retail partnerships and diversifying product offerings. Yet, Ley remains grounded in living boldly by prioritizing purpose over ease.
COURAGE IN ACTION
Ley’s boldness became nationally visible when she and her company challenged tariffs that had a heavy impact on Simplified. It was a move that invited intense media scrutiny, political assumptions and personal risk. But Ley tried to approach it with a steadfast resolve grounded in facts, not feelings.
“I just kept seeing so much misinformation on the internet; I was seeing a lot of misinformation, people not understanding what tariffs were, or who was paying them,” she said. “And so I decided to share the facts of here’s our experience owning a business and paying tariffs.”
Unexpectedly, that post on social media went viral. Ley said there were
overwhelmingly positive responses and people truly wanted to understand the information. She was not being political; she was simply sharing the impact on her business and her team.
“This isn’t red or blue. This isn’t Democrat or Republican, this is about the Constitution,” Ley said. “There are so many American dreams that are going to be lost because of this.”
When a constitutional law nonprofit invited her to sue the administration pro bono, Ley explains the gravity of this decision: “If we do this, this is going to be a before and after moment … making a social media post is one thing, deciding to sue the President is another thing.”
Still, Ley leaned into the fear.
“I talked to my team, my husband, and everybody was really supportive, and then it was just kind of a no brainer — of course, yes.” Her children watching her, she said, added urgency and meaning. “You have this unbelievable opportunity to stand up for what’s right. Are you going to do it?”
The lawsuit — which is currently on hold since another similar case is already at the Supreme Court — has brought some national attention and
some backlash, but overall, Ley said the response has been positive.
“This is because we believe in the Constitution, and we believe in the law, and the negatives have been few and far between. I’ve had so many people reach out in the most positive, encouraging way from both sides of the aisle.”
LIVING BOLDLY AS A WHOLE PERSON
Ley does not hesitate to live “out loud,” embracing both the joyful and the difficult realities of life. She has written several books and is enjoying focusing more on writing.
“Getting older and having a little more experience and wisdom under my belt, it’s been really fun to explore that writing-wise,” she said.
Balancing a demanding business and family life is another area where Ley practices bold living with grace. She rejects the myth of perfect work-life balance — describing it instead like riding a bike: “You’re constantly shifting your weight from left to right … if you lean too far one way too long, you’ll crash and burn. So you keep doing that back and forth and you’ll be all right.”
Where
LIVING BOLDLY AND OVERCOMING FEAR
One of the most popular contemporary authors who writes about bravery is Brené Brown. In her 2021 best-seller “Atlas of the Heart,” Brown explores how to live boldly despite fear and uncertainty. The book is a profound roadmap for understanding and navigating feelings, empowering readers to face vulnerability as the foundation of bravery.
Living boldly, Brown argued, is not the absence of fear but the willingness to move forward in spite of it.
“Vulnerability is not winning or losing; it’s having the courage to show up and be seen when we have no control over the outcome,” she wrote.
Brown’s extensive research highlights how fear often masquerades as safety, leading people to build walls that isolate rather than protect. To live boldly, she encourages developing emotional literacy — the ability to name and understand your feelings.
“Connection is why we’re here; it is what gives purpose and meaning to our lives,” she wrote. Risking vulnerability to form deep connections is a hallmark of living boldly.
Overcoming fear requires confronting discomfort head-on. Brown acknowledges that “leaning into the discomfort of vulnerability is where the magic happens.” It is through accepting imperfection and uncertainty that individuals discover strength, creativity and freedom.
The lessons in “Atlas of the Heart” resonate in today’s fast-paced, often disconnected world, reminding us that courage is a daily practice. By cultivating self-awareness, empathy and courage, readers can transform fear into fuel for meaningful action.
In essence, Brown offers this message: Living boldly isn’t about having no fear, but about showing up with an open heart and embracing vulnerability.
Emily Ley’s life and leadership offer a vivid example of what it means to live boldly: with clarity, courage and authenticity. Her journey is a reminder that bold living is both a choice and a practice, involving moments of fear, growth and resilience. As she continues to expand her work and her voice — whether through new product lines, writing or legal advocacy — Ley inspires boldly living with intention.
“I talked to my team, my husband, and everybody was really supportive, and then it was just kind of a no brainer — of course, yes. You have this unbelievable opportunity to stand up for what’s right. Are you going to do it?”
— Emily Ley
CUSTOM ROLLER SHADES, BLINDS, PLANTATION SHUTTERS, WOVEN GRASS,
DRAPERY
profile
Bold and beautiful POWERFUL & STRONG
Missy Canterbury’s journey from gym newbie to champion bodybuilder is a testament to patience, consistency, and unshakable self-belief
By Cynthia Reeves / Photos by Kate Treick Photography and provided
The first time Missy Canterbury lifted a dumbbell in her hand, she felt a powerful connection.
“I was like, Wow! This is really cool. That dumbbell, the barbells! That was the end.”
Actually, it was a beginning.
A friend had taken her to a gym in her native Louisiana. Photos of women bodybuilders lined the walls. Canterbury began seeing herself as a potential competitor. Maybe one day.
“I thought they were gorgeous,” she said. “I was like: I want to do that.”
A move to Gulf Breeze and a gym membership at Acceleration Fitness Center off Highway 98 launched her into the next phase. There, she was introduced by friends to Alicia Smith, who now coaches her through a team called “Missfit Physiques.”
“I made the decision that I was mentally ready, so I just hit the gym.”
— Missy Canterbury
After three years of relentless training, rigid diets and hours practicing poses, Canterbury stepped on the stage in March for the Panhandle Showdown in Destin. Wearing a tiny, shimmering baby-blue bikini and fired up with determination and confidence, Canterbury placed first in the master’s 50-plus Open Class A Bikini Division.
Years of training boiled down to a few seconds on stage.
It was a self-confidence boost, for sure — a show of strength and courage.
She says the bikinis have gotten smaller over the years in these competitions, but she understands why. “It’s not meant to be sexualized. You’re pretty much showing with the hard work that you put in the building your glutes and hammies,” Canterbury explained.
PHYSICAL AND MENTAL GROWTH
The 52-year-old admits that taking on bodybuilding as a sport in your 50s may seem impossible to some, but age, size or circumstances never wavered her desire. She believes consistency is the key. Too many people give up on bodybuilding when they don’t see results right away.
“The key is patience,” she said.
The sport has helped Canterbury physically and mentally. Her first show was in June 2023. She’s made gains each year until her most recent accomplishment.
compete this year because she was going through a stressful divorce, but she entered the competition anyway.
“I made the decision that I was mentally ready, so I just hit the gym.”
While her mental muscle has improved, so has her body strength. When she first started lifting, the best she could bench press was about 30 pounds. At a weightlifting competition at Acceleration Gym on August 2, she cleared 115 pounds.
“I was surprised!” she said.
DIET AND EXERCISE
When she started training in 2022, Canterbury says she was a little overweight for her petite frame. She stands a little over 5 feet tall, and she did not have much muscle tone. She also suffered from body dysmorphia. In the past, she was afraid to eat certain foods, such as carbs, for fear of gaining too much weight.
During the weeks and months of building muscle mass, her coach had her eating 1,500 to 1,600 calories a day and working out six days a week. She usually trains for about two hours each day, working on a progressive overload of weights. Canterbury depends on the advice from her coach.
“She tells me what to eat. She might be like: chicken and rice, and green beans, or lean turkey, or sometimes the extra lean ground beef.”
About three weeks before the competition, she began consuming fewer than 1,000 calories a day.
“It’s not something you want to do consistently, but you do it for a show,” Canterbury said. “That way, on stage, the muscles pop out.”
Her normal weight is now about 111 pounds; for competition, she got down to 97 pounds, but she said her coach never focuses on the scale. There’s never a weight goal; it’s all about building, growing and gaining.
FUTURE PLANS
Canterbury has qualified in the past for the move on to a national competition, but didn’t feel ready. It is an idea she has not completely ruled out, but right now she is giving her body a much-needed rest.
She now works at Acceleration Fitness full-time. You will often find her lifting weights and working out in the morning before her shift. Her goal is to provide excellent customer service and to inspire others to find a level of fitness and training that makes them feel empowered.
local fare
Bold life CHOICES
This month, we asked Bella readers to share a time they made a bold life choice and what the outcome of the choice was. Do you remember a time you made a bold move? We would love to hear about your experiences. Tell us about your decision to live boldly at Facebook/Pensacola Bella or Instagram/Pensacola Bella.
My life is riddled and honored by bold life choices, and I have no regrets! I have moved around the country with little to no notice for professional opportunities. They ended up teaching me more about myself and what I want both personally and professionally than any formal education could. I say, “Take the bold leaps and make the bold decisions because you never know what you are incredibly capable of until you leave your bubble.”
— Julie Duvall, executive assistant to Lucy Buffett
Bold decisions have defined my life since I was a child. They still do. As a ballerina at the age of 5, I auditioned for the role of the villain because playing Snow White would have been boring. At 17, I applied for and was accepted into the Honors Engineering Program at the University of Texas in a predominantly smart-boy field. After graduating, I was hired by the FAA as an Air Traffic Controller, another smartboy field. I took early retirement from the FAA, bought three rental houses in two months and was my own project manager for the remodels, which were rented in two weeks. My bold decisions have been very rewarding!
— Delayna Blankenship, community volunteer
Living boldly means stepping out in faith when everything in you wants to stay comfortable. For me, that meant packing up my children, leaving behind everything I had ever known, and trusting God with our future. I had no job waiting, no home lined up, and only $8,000 to my name — but I had faith. And that faith gave me the courage to move forward when fear tried to hold me back. Bold living isn’t about knowing the outcome; it’s about trusting the One who already does. With God, forward is always the only option.
— Rehlinda
McJenkin, advisor concierge, Engel & Volkers, Pensacola
— Compiled by Magi Thomley Williams / Illustration by Getty Images
Bella Magazine celebrates the women of our community. Bella is seen as not only the place for women to find supporting, uplifting inspiration, but also a place for women to be honored for their contributions to our community.
“You can expect everything from Hatha yoga, which is a really gentle, beginner flow, all the way to Ashtanga, which is a quicker flow.”
— Crystal Locklock
body & soul
Lovelock Healing Arts
Living boldly through community & healing
By Justine Roper
Photos by Kate Treick Photography
When Crystal Lovelock moved from Scottsdale, Arizona, with her husband, Dan, to Pensacola just four years ago, she wasn’t planning to open a wellness studio within six months of being here. In fact, she and her husband were simply looking for a space for his massage practice. Yet, fate and opportunity had other plans.
The start of Lovelock Healing Arts was unique.
“It spoke to us,” Lovelock recalled. “It had a small boutique studio in the front, and right away I said, ‘I’m going to teach again.’ We put yoga classes on the schedule and decided this would be more than just a massage practice; it would be a wellness space.”
Building a wellness hub in a city still learning, yet open to embracing holistic health and wellness practices, may seem bold to some. Yet, the Lovelock vision was clear. It was simply a labor of love to the Lovelocks to create a safe, inclusive space for movement, healing and community connection right in the heart of downtown Pensacola.
IT’S ALL IN THE NAME
“Our last name is actually my husband Dan’s musician stage name. Dan adopted this name legally after being inspired by a gentleman named James Lovelock, who deeply believed that everything we need is already within us. We don’t need anything outside of us to heal,” Lovelock explained.
“It’s funny,” she said. “He changed his
name so many years ago, and now here we are facilitating wellness offerings that fit perfectly with that message. Lovelock is about bringing the community together and, quite literally, locking in love.”
FROM BARRE TO A FULL WELLNESS COLLECTIVE
Lovelock’s background in barre fitness began in San Francisco, California. There, she learned from the pioneer of this exercise genre, Jill Dailey. Her classes combine the technique and precision of ballet, the strengthening component of Pilates, and the mindfulness aspect of yoga. This combination has proven to be a fan favorite among fitness and wellness enthusiasts.
But Lovelock is far more than a barre studio. It highlights a full spectrum of wellness resources.
“You can expect everything from Hatha yoga, which is a really gentle, beginner flow, all the way to Ashtanga, which is a quicker flow.” Lovelock said. “We even offer weekly sound bath meditations, which is a really unique thing to find on a consistent schedule in this area.”
Their various workshops are also worth the watch, featuring collaborations with local physicians, educators and wellness practitioners on topics ranging from prenatal care to stress relief. And in a city where finding reliable childcare can be a barrier to self-care, Lovelock offers on-site childcare included with membership.
“I never wanted to penalize parents for showing up,” Lovelock said.
Lovelock Healing Arts, a “holistic wellness collective,” includes clinic services, childcare and studio classes.
“Postpartum can be isolating, and we want to make wellness accessible.”
THE HEALING SIDE OF LOVELOCK
Lovelock Healing Arts is also home to a six-therapist clinic, offering a range of services including massage, myofascial release, craniosacral therapy, TMJ work, neurosomatic therapy and energy work. They recently launched a drop-in clinic where clients can receive 15-minute tune-ups over their lunch break, a concept Lovelock says was designed specifically for busy downtown professionals.
“It’s about meeting people where they are,” she said. “It’s an opportunity to get a quick tune-up, maybe during your lunch break or if you are popping downtown.”
In today’s culture, time and resources are limited for many. This gives the community an approachable, affordable way to prioritize their self-maintainence and well-being.
A PERSONAL JOURNEY OF BOLD LIVING
Lovelock’s commitment to wellness is more than what meets the eye
professionally; it is deeply personal.
“I had been drinking my entire adult life, but I had never experienced a place with such a strong drinking culture.”
Moving to Pensacola became the wake-up call she needed. After years of late nights, heavy social drinking and burnout from life as a musician, she and her husband made a radical change.
“I’m two years sober now,” Lovelock shared candidly.
That choice created a domino effect for the couple. After cleaning up her diet and overall consumption, Lovelock and her husband lost a combined 110 pounds and committed to living with intention.
That experience shifted her perspective.
“I realized it was not just me. So many people here are caught in that same cycle. I wanted to be a guiding light in the heart of downtown, a place where people could choose something different. There are plenty of wellness businesses scattered across the city, but being right downtown gives us the unique opportunity to reach the hospitality workers, the professionals and the regulars who are living that lifestyle and offer them another way forward.”
BARRIERS & BOLDNESS
Living boldly is not a luxury, it is… “…it is essential for our future wellbeing,” Lovelock said.
There are many things that can inhibit people, especially women, from living boldly. Lovelock focuses on two things: screentime consumption and lack of connection in the community and nature.
“Social media is a really big component of people filtering themselves. It is human nature. We don’t want to be disliked, so we’re going to filter ourselves. I found, you know, that the more time we scroll, the more time we stay complacent behind these screens, the less likely we are to follow our intuition. This is something that I’m really passionate about, especially as a parent,” she said.
Creating opportunities where others can reconnect to themselves and each other is what is driving Lovelock to continue to grow Lovelock Healing Arts. Ultimately, she wants every client to leave feeling embraced, empowered and part of something bigger than themselves.
“I want them to feel like they’ve found a community, a support system to walk this journey with them,” she said.
local fare
Waterfront celebrations
Pensacola Beach Yacht Club offers flexible and inviting event space with stunning beach views
By Kelly MacLeod / Photos by Kate Treick Photography
The Pensacola Beach Yacht Club has become a popular choice for hosting a wide range of special occasions, thanks to its spacious and versatile event space overlooking the Gulf. Open to members and non-members alike, the venue offers a picturesque setting combined with practical amenities, making it an ideal spot for celebrations ranging from baby showers to wedding receptions.
Guests do not need to be club members to rent the event space, which is designed to accommodate a variety of event types.
“We’ve done quite a few baby showers, bridal showers, engagement parties and wedding receptions,” said commodore Linda Thompson. “It’s really just a great, versatile space.”
The club has hosted numerous successful events, and Thompson said they have received great feedback. The large back kitchen area is especially appreciated by caterers for its spaciousness, allowing for an efficient setup. Another distinctive feature of the venue is the bar area within the event space. Clients can use the club’s bar or arrange for their own bar services, including hiring an outside bartender if they wish. The club remains flexible with bar options, from open tabs to cash bars, catering to various preferences and budgets.
“We’re pretty flexible as far as working with whatever the client wants,” Thompson said.
The rental package includes tables, chairs, linens and use of the sound system and stage. Event hosts can bring in live bands or use the club’s audio equipment for music and announcements. The space includes round tables for seating as well as rectangular tables ideal for food service. A unique touch is the pool table that can be converted into a buffet table before later being uncovered for entertainment.
The event space comfortably seats about 75 people indoors, and an additional outside deck area — that boasts one of the beach’s best sunsets — accommodates roughly 25 more people, offering an outdoor option that takes advantage of the waterfront location on Sabine while also boasting views of the Gulf.
The venue is available for rent any day of the week, with pricing incentives for nonprofit organizations and lower rates on weekday bookings.
The Pensacola Beach Yacht Club’s event space is also well-suited for business gatherings and special events tied to local happenings, such as Blue Angels weekend, can benefit from the club’s facilities and scenic backdrop.
Commodore Linda Thompson shows off the versatile space that could host showers, engagement parties, weddings and more. For more information or to book the Pensacola Beach Yacht Club event space, visit their website at pensacolabeachyachtclub.org or contact Janice Wilson at 850-341-1399.
profile
Alicia L.Waters
A poet and ‘lifter’ who boldly creates spaces where souls are stirred and hearts are healed
By Magi Thomley Williams
In a world that often feels heavy, Alicia L. Waters is a woman who lifts. A poet, speaker, author and selfproclaimed “lifter,” Waters’ mission is simple yet profound: to help others rise. Her story is rooted in legacy, shaped by loss and fueled by purpose.
“My mom was the queen lifter,” Waters said. “She worked at the pediatric clinic at Sacred Heart for over 40 years. That intake room was her pulpit. She encouraged young mothers while checking in their babies, and years later, they’d still come up to
her in stores, hugging her, thanking her for being a light.”
That light didn’t stop with her mother — it passed on. Waters began writing poetry at 9, shortly after her father passed. Though she put the pen down for years, it returned with power and purpose after the birth of her daughter.
“I was so sick during my pregnancy, but I knew something else was happening; purpose was churning inside me,” she recalled.
That purpose became her first book, “A Word for Your Womb: A Collection of Psalms, Prayers, Poetry and Praise.”
Following that, Waters birthed Poetic Therapy, her signature events blending conversational talks with poetry. These sessions are therapy for the soul.
“I remember feeling lifted again when I brought it back. One of the quotes I live by is, ‘We rise by lifting others.’ I had missed it.”
Waters’ work extends beyond poetry. At the Watson Firm, PLLC law offices, she helps personal injury clients navigate difficult moments with grace.
“I get to find the light,” she says. “Not just problem-solving — I get to be the light. I think for fun, and I love figuring things out.”
But even lifters have heavy days.
“Every day isn’t sunshine and rainbows,” Waters admits. “Sometimes I don’t believe in myself the way I should. But God always sends reminders — through a client, a soul session, a moment of alignment — that I’m in the right place.”
Her message to women is clear and empowering: “You have the power to give yourself permission to live boldly. You don’t need anyone to co-sign. You have the authority to be everything God desires you to be — with no limitations, no hesitations, no reservations.”
I Am the scars, the wounds, the bumps and bruises
I am the result of everything I’ve been through I am the strength that allowed me to overcome I am the process …the go through to get to I am the joy that causes smiles when I wanna cry I am the boldness to stand in my truth I am the life to my will, when my way wants to die I am a purpose driven woman, who will not be denied of the best of the best of the best… beautifully flawed perfectly imperfect
I love me just the same… although it ain’t always easy being me … I wouldn’t change a (damn) thang.
— Alicia L. Waters
Her husband, Ron, has been her rock through it all.
“He’s always supported every wild idea,” Waters laughs. “There were moments when I think he believed in me more than I did. That frustrates him, but he’s always been Ron — working at Poetic Therapy, making sure everyone’s good. I love him for that.”
With upcoming events like Poetic Therapy in November and The Power of the Pen journaling workshop in December, Waters continues to create spaces for healing and soul care.
“I want to see people lifted in every possible way,” she said. From the coloring books and puzzle books she creates, to her workshops, her mission is to quiet minds and stir hearts.
Waters says it best: “If you’re not serving somebody other than yourself, what are we doing? You need to soul shift and focus on what really matters.”
Photo by Kate Treick Photography
For more information about Waters and her events, you can visit her website at aliciawaters.com or follow her on Facebook/Alicia L. Waters.
Terry Kellen’s dream of a women’s tennis league along the Gulf Coast has impacted thousands since its inception in 1977. Kellen played until she was 90 and passed away in August at 99.
RIGHT: Hazel Whidden, Carole Cantin, and Sherry Vinson, all in their 80s, embody Kellen’s love of tennis and bold representation of the golden years.
TOP: Trailblazer
profile
Sport & strong community for thousands of women
Terry Kellen’s tennis legacy
By Allison McCrory
Photos by Kate Treick Photography and provided
On any given weekday, September through May, the courts and parking lot at Roger Scott Tennis Center in Pensacola are overflowing. Women in matched uniforms take on “frienemies” vying for rankings in doubles matches as part of the Greater Pensacola Ladies Tennis League.
Similar scenes play out at tennis centers in Gulf Breeze, Orange Beach, West Pensacola, Navarre, Gulf Shores and Fairhope — all thanks to the vision of one woman.
When Terry Kellen and her family moved to Pensacola from Decatur in 1976, she longed for a women’s tennis league like the one she co-founded in her previous home. Yet there was no such group in Pensacola. So instead of giving up on her passion, she got busy and started one, launching the Greater Pensacola Ladies Tennis League in 1977.
“She started this whole show in 1977, and we’re still going strong,” said current GPLTL president Roxanne Baker.
Currently, 995 women participate in GPLTL — competing in weekly matches and clinics. Yet the benefits of the league have touched thousands.
The regular bi-weekly proximity translates into much more than tennis. It is support in hard times and celebration in good, an escape and respite in busy seasons, and community and laughter in lonely seasons. Post-match lunches are a norm, as are team parties.
BOLD GOLDEN YEARS
Kellen, who played the sport she loved until age 90, passed away in August at 99.
A chemist by education, Kellen’s fervor for living boldly in her retirement years is alive and well in many women who love not only the sport of tennis but the camaraderie that is inherent in the league.
Retired midwife and nurse Carole Cantin, 83, says she can’t imagine life without tennis and her tennis community.
“I usually play at least three times a week. That gives me all the energy I need for all the other activities in my and my husband’s life together. I have belonged to many different
groups and activities in my life, but find my tennis community to be the most supportive and rewarding.”
When Sherry Vinson, 81, moved with her family to Cantonment in 1990, the former teacher sought out stimulating activities.
“I quickly found Pensacola had a wonderful tennis community and joined a GPLTL team that year. I have played on several teams and different levels in my years in Pensacola.”
Vinson retired a second time in 2005 and is thankful for good health that translates into a full life.
“I admit, I am lucky that so far I have good physical movement and certainly don’t act my age! Hopefully I never do since I am normally the oldest in the room!” she joked.
MAXIMIZING EACH DAY
Hazel Whidden, 82, captains a team at Roger Scott.
She dabbled in tennis after the birth of her first child. But when a second baby came along, life got busy and tennis took a back seat. However, after moving to Pensacola, a tennis lesson led to an invitation to play on a team, and the rest is history.
“I have nothing but high praise for the game of tennis and tennis in the Pensacola community, especially at Roger Scott. Through all these many years, I have played with and against so many wonderful ladies and feel fortunate to call them friends. These great friendships and social encounters have enriched my golden years on the tennis courts beyond words,” said Whidden, who was friends with Kellen.
“I don’t recall when I first met her but always found her to be a formidable opponent and a very nice person. I occasionally saw her after she no longer played, and she was still a very lovely lady. Those of us who knew her will not quickly forget her commitment to start the GPLTL and grow the game of tennis in our community. She left us a rich legacy.”
A two-time survivor of breast cancer, Whidden’s prescription for a rich life includes time with friends in sunshine on the courts.
“There’s no promise of tomorrow, so I choose to live each day to the fullest with the goal of being fair and kind in all situations and surround myself with like-minded people that make me happy.
Also, to enjoy tennis as long as I can!”
home This bold house
By Lisa Player
Photos by Kate Treick Photography
Liz and George Biggs’ house in East Hill isn’t your average greige model home. In fact, there isn’t another house like it. And it’s definitely not a forgettable neutral.
Custom-built in 1959 from plans by local architect Roger Weeks, the house has had only two owners: the original couple, who lived in it until 1995, and the Biggses, who embraced the home’s underlying design and infused it with a technicolor palette and mid-century style. Making room for their family of six that was bursting at the seams, they added an addition over the carport in 2005 that gave them a delightful master suite.
All along the way, they stayed true to their original vision to create a home that is both bold and welcoming, whimsical and functional. It’s the kind of place where family members bump happily into friends, all dancing together in the bright colors of life, suffused with laughter and love.
Liz Biggs recently led a tour through her unique home, sharing some of the ways it came to be.
STYLE & COLOR
The mid-century/ Danish feel of the house
design and furniture creates a functional, yet stylish backdrop for family life.
“I think when we bought this house, we weren’t sure whether we were going to stick with just strictly mid-century modern,” Biggs said. “Someone could come in and take all this out and paint it all gray and make it very normal, I suppose. But I think we just decided, let’s just go with it. Let’s go with the vibe that we feel.”
While some pieces are newer or custommade, much of the furniture and accessories have been “gifted” from friends or found curbside in what the family lovingly calls “curb alerts.”
The bright palette of the house is more than just a style choice. It’s a family philosophy.
“I think color just gives me energy. And I don’t know if I could live in a beige house with all neutrals. I need energy,” Biggs said. “But it was also creativity. I was talking to my son in Utah. He said, ‘I loved growing up in a house painted 20 different colors.’ … I do think growing up with color and not having to have everything brand new from Target kind of gave him a sense of creative freedom.”
In fact, several paintings around the house are his.
“Art can be whatever gives you joy,” she said.
EXTERIOR
Nestled in a cool corner lot, the Biggs’ house provides a wide-angle view of bustling East Hill life.
“It’s cool to us. It’s pretty much built like a fortress. That’s good for hurricanes,” Biggs said.
KITCHEN
Liz and Geroge Biggs renovated the house in 1996 when they bought it. Liz talked about the longevity of their design choices.
“Lucky for us, we chose something more Jetsons than ’96, because everybody that renovated their kitchen in ‘96 has torn it out and redone it.”
SKIS
“My friend just gave me these. And I had them sitting out in the carport for six months. They’re great here.”
GLOBES
In almost every room, there’s a hint of travel, and there’s an eclectic collection of globes sprinkled throughout the house. Biggs made sure there were globes all over when her kids were growing up.
“I feel like children subtly need to be exposed to: There’s a big world. And also, ‘Oh! We’re talking about China. Where’s China? Oh, we’re talking about Peru. Where is Peru?’ I feel like it gave them a desire to travel.”
BLUE MASTER BATH
The tile in the master bath is from the ‘50s and was left over from a high-rise project in West Pensacola, nearly forgotten in the attic at the nowclosed Angelini Tile. The contractors who installed the tile started at floor level and worked their way up, stopping before they ran out. Like the rest of the house, the master bath is bathed in daylight: “I love all the natural light because we hardly ever have to turn on the lights,” Biggs said.
SMALLER BATHROOMS
The house’s smaller bathrooms are all original, from the tile to the shower doors.
“I do think a lot of people wonder, ‘Why don’t you rip out these bathrooms and update them?’”
But if what’s there adds to the house’s charm and is still hearty and functional, why change it?
ART: “Almost all the art was given to us or is by family. That quote up there [on the Mark Twain painting] is Panhandle Slim. He’s a famous Pensacola artist.”
MASTER CLOSET
When it came time to renovate, Biggs had specific ideas in mind.
“We could have had a bigger bedroom, but I was like, oh, no. Oh, no. I was able to draw on a piece of paper what I wanted.”
The result was an incredible closet with the perfect space for everything.
out&about
Ribbons of Hope Charity Ball
The 15th Annual Ribbons of Hope Breast Cancer Awareness Charity Ball, held on October 4 at the Pensacola Yacht Club, was a night to remember, featuring music and dancing, a live auction, and a silent auction. Tara Kamm inspired the crowd by speaking about her experience navigating her breast cancer journey and coming out the other side to support other survivors just like her.
Photos by Toni Sparks / Short Story Studios
Tonia & Doug Jones, Vera Cotton, Kristin & Matt LaMotte, Denise Myrick, Fred Gant
Gwen Vigon, Kacia Warren, Kolleen Chesley
Meka Stallworth
Jeremy Ruben, Brynn Ammon
Steve Speaks, Erin Wilmer
Kathy & Baron Smith, Brandie Belcher, Dara Smith Wilson
Justin & Crystal Duncan, Donna Bryant, Vickie Walborn
Lynda Cavaner, Maryan Maiken
Tanya Seabrook, Jeanna Fox
Kori Ann & Neil Grossheider
Tara Kamm
Sandra Winborne, Shannon Bell, Sandra Donaldson, Delores Brown, Lusharon Wiley, Sonshine Moorer, Tara Kamm, Jennifer Kughn
April & Cody Hitchcock
Shannon Addison, Leah Gioia
out&about
Keeping Abreast Foundation Luncheon
Photos by Toni Sparks / Short Story Studios
(BackRow) Pat Franklin, Sanders Anderson, Mary Hoxeng, Kate Treick, Heidi Cook, Jae Vogel, Martha Holden, Belle Bear, Mandy Bills, Ronni Nichol, Christy Rogers (Front Row) Debbie Stearns, Susan Bonsignore, Kristin Longley, Rocky Parra, Vickie Jacob, Jacqui O’Connell, Sally Bergosh, Liz Broder, Abbi Shawyer, Tori Bennett
The 2nd Annual Keeping Abreast Foundation Luncheon at Scenic Hills Country Club on September 24 was a beautiful experience. Attendees listened to survivors tell how this foundation has impacted their recovery individually and their immediate care group.
AJ Powell, Amy Barton, Cyndi Mercer, Timothy Burrell, Tracy Meador, Jamie LaPointe
Grace Rolfe, Tish Scott, Susan Ritenour
Madelyn Mayor, Jenny Gingrey
Jennifer Gingrey, Tori Bennett, Wanda Radford, Christy Rogers, Gary Holloway, Madelyn Mayor, Shelley Diviney, Mark Diana
Emily Hardin, Tara Kamm, Melanie Schopp, Martha Holden
Jae Vogel, Mandy Bills, Mikki Kelley, Sally Bergosh, Rocky Parra
out&about
Jukebox Gala
The 21st annual Jukebox Gala event on September 6 at the Pensacola Beach Hilton was the kickoff of the 2025-26 Pensacola Opera season. Guests determined the evening’s entertainment by bidding on popular selections from opera and musical theater to be performed for them table-side, course by course.
Photos by Toni Sparks / Short Story Studios
Evelyn Saavedra, Philomena Madden
Madrina Ciano, Stacy Robello
Lindi Kessler, Nan Harper, Sue-Sue Harris
Gabrielle Carley, Curtis Bannister
Jo Stanovich
Karen Emmons, Donna Emmons
Nan Einhart, Beej Davis
Sharron Ellison, Charlotte Bergman
By Sharla Gorder
The warriors within her perspective
Humble Warrior is not the easiest pose in yoga. Nor is it anyone’s favorite. We tend to like Exalted Warrior a lot more. It’s more fun and flamboyant. I cue Exalted Warrior in almost every class I teach, right after Warrior II. It feels good to reach up and arch back, opening our hearts to the sky. It feels victorious. Conversely, Humble Warrior is a deep bow toward the ground with hands clasped awkwardly behind us. It is a posture of humility.
It’s not surprising that we tend to enjoy reaching up more than bowing down. Society, especially in this age of social media influence, rewards us with “likes” and nods of approval for touting our victories, advertising our successes and celebrating our awesome awesomeness ad nauseam.
We’re really good at Exalted Warrior. We suck at Humble Warrior.
And yet both are essential to the practice of yoga and of life.
I recently reread a fascinating book by columnist/author David Brooks, entitled “The Road to Character.” He portrays the struggling warriors within us as Adam I and Adam II, implying that the confrontation is as old as humanity itself.
one’s baser instincts, one must be aware that they exist. You can’t fight an enemy you don’t acknowledge. This requires humility, a bowing down that is often uncomfortable. It involves admitting that you are a messy mortal. We all are.
“We are all stumblers,” Brooks says, “and the beauty and meaning of life are in the stumbling — in recognizing the stumbling and trying to become more graceful as the years go by.”
According to Brooks, Adam I is the career-oriented, ambitious side of our nature. His virtues and talents look great on a résumé. Adam I achieves worldly success — often in competition with others — by winning victories (or amassing “likes”).
Adam II represents the deeper “eulogy virtues.” These are qualities like kindness, courage and faithfulness — the characteristics that might be talked about at our funeral.
According to Brooks, “Adam II is the internal Adam. Adam II wants to embody certain moral qualities. Adam II wants to have a serene inner character, a quiet but solid sense of right and wrong, not only to do good, but to be good.” Adam II achieves “success” not by besting others, but by besting himself, by winning victories over his intrinsic weaknesses.
Adam II is a humble warrior. In order to wage war against
Adam II’s work is never done. While Adam I may be able to rest on his laurels for a while once that dream job or millionth “like” is attained, Adam II strives to continually grow and mature, “not by being better than other people at something,” but by being better than he used to be. Brooks argues, and I agree, that in today’s society, the scales are woefully imbalanced. We are urged to hone our résumé virtues often to the exclusion of our eulogy virtues. We are encouraged to boldly advertise our strengths and hide or deny our weaknesses. Social media makes it seem like everyone is “exalted” and living their best lives, while we seem to just be stumbling along. We are shy about sharing our struggles. The modest voice of Adam II is drowned out in the ticker-tape parade of Adam I.
I want to change that — if only in my small circle of family and friends. I get together every month with women that I cherish — one at a time. As we sit together over a meal, I’ve been asking them two questions: What is bringing you joy or contentment these days? And, what is challenging you right now?
In the privacy and intimacy of these quiet get-togethers, the answers to both questions almost always come from the heart of Adam II. I share my current joys and struggles as well, and together we help each other stumble along.
We are warriors, both exalted and humble. We are exalted — lifted up by one another in friendship. We are humble — bowing down before one another in reciprocal empathy.
We are in this together — beautiful, messy mortals.
By Liz Biggs
F-words are my favorite her perspective
If I had to choose a ride or die letter, I would choose F. All the best words begin with F. Fall (my favorite season), football, family, friendship, fun, frivolity, freedom, fearless, fabulous, fire, French fries, fandango, float, funk, female, fascinating, ferocious, fly, fertile, fragrant, fantastic, foolish, fanfare, fickle, frolic, fudge, feckless, flower, festive, feelings, fussbudget, flit, flutter, fetish, forget-me-not, fellatio, flaccid, frantic, fast, feign, fashion, France (my favorite foreign country), finery, fluid, frenzy, flurry, footwork, fleabag, flabbergasted, funicular, flow, fastidious, forthcoming, faithful, fidelity, fluid, finger, fluorescent, Friday (my favorite day), fortuitous, funny, fumble, free-falling, fellowship, Festivus, and forever are a few that come to mind.
It is no wonder that when George Lucas created Star Wars, the Force was the mysterious metaphysical (M is my second favorite letter) power in his fiction franchise. To maintain my cosmic balance and energy, I always try to stay on the light side of the Force. Stay away from the dark side, or you will have a futile future.
Sprite?” (No, because that’s your college money going down the drain.) My youngest would come home from a friend’s house and say, “Why is everything in our house so old? Why can’t we buy all new stuff? We let her paint her room a pale neutral color and get a new rug and dresser, but the rest of the house is furnished like a groovy ’60s vintage museum sprinkled with a few fantastic curb-alert finds. They don’t like to admit it, but my frugality has rubbed off on a few of my children, and they have saved enough to buy their first homes. So give this F-word some respect. What is my absolute favorite F-word, you ask? Well, of course, it’s the one that can’t be printed here. The OG F-word. The GOAT of F words. The one you holler loudly when you drop a can of peas on your foot, but can be romantic if you whisper it softly in your lover’s ear. What other word is a quintessential curse word but also a verbal aphrodisiac? Certainly not the SH-word, although I have yelped that one when dropping a can of peas on my foot.
Frugal is the Rodney Dangerfield of F-words — “it don’t get no respect.” I was raised to be frugal by a mother born in 1929. It is painful for me to spend money. I’ve shopped online, but more often than not, I fret at the checkout/pay button, so everything just stays in the cart. The good news is I hate owing money, so my sister knows to book the trips when we travel — I struggle to click the button to book anything, but will gladly pay what I owe. Frugal people don’t like debt.
My children haven’t always appreciated my frugality. So many times they asked, “Why can’t we order a beverage besides water when we go out? Please can we have a
I love the versatility of my favorite F-word. F’n bril (brilliant) is British slang for something extraordinary. Richard Roxburgh, the Australian actor who plays barrister Cleaver Greene in “Rake,” made the phrase f-me famous. And there are so many variations: f-you, f-off, f-yeah, f’d up, WTF, for f’s sake, f’it, zero f’s given, stfu, stop f’ing around, f’d over, and abso-f-ing-lutely. It feels as if this word has undergone a metamorphosis — once upon a time, it was a rarely said bad word, but now it is a welcome member of our current culture and lexicon. Kind of like tattoos.
Here’s wishing everyone a fantastic, festive, fun Thanksgiving holiday. I’m thankful for the letter F. Maybe next month I’ll write about M.
From late-night sets to symphonic swells, Foo Foo Fest has something for everyone. With 12 days of unforgettable arts and culture in Pensacola, FL, there’s only one thing you need to do: Plan nothing. Discover everything.
