Tallahassee Magazine November-December 2021

CHEFS MOVE ON FROM TURKEY AND HAM

Best THE 2021

of Tallahassee AWARDS ARE IN!

Stir up some cookies, accessorize your best dress, read a novel

by David Ekrut, sing along with Rachel Hillman.

Life is good.

Cancer

Children

Emergency

The most powerful cancer program in the Big Bend region is also the longest continuously accredited comprehensive community cancer program in Florida.

Home to the region’s only Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, Children’s Emergency Center and Certified Child Life Specialists. Providing pediatric specialty care through a partnership with Wolfson Children’s Hospital.

With two ERs and the largest team of board-certified emergency medicine physicians in the region, TMH is ready for any emergency.

Heart & Vascular

Neuroscience

Orthopedic

A top complex and comprehensive cardiovascular program in the Southeast with the area’s only Structural Heart Program, Heart Rhythm Clinic and Heart Failure Program.

The Panhandle’s most advanced neurosurgery program with the only Comprehensive Stroke Center and Neurological Intensive Care Unit. Home to the region’s most comprehensive Parkinson’s & Movement Disorders Program, offering Deep Brain Stimulation.

Home to the most experienced orthopedic team in the area with custom joint replacement procedures, orthopedic trauma care and compassionate rehabilitation.

Trauma

TMH Physician Partners

Women & Babies

The only Level-II Trauma Center in the region with the area’s highest accreditations, including a Comprehensive Stroke Center and Chest Pain Center with PCI and Resuscitation.

More than 35 primary and specialty care practices available across seven counties, TMH Physician Partners is a vast network of medical providers offering exceptional patient care.

The region’s first and only accredited Baby-Friendly Hospital, focused on building better bonds between moms and babies.

Home to the area’s only high-risk Labor and Delivery and Newborn Intensive Care Units.

Learn more at TMH.ORG

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FORGOTTEN COAST

Contents

NOV/DEC 2021

FEATURES

90

PUTTING YOUR BEST FOOD FORWARD

The holidays can be a time reserved for strictly defined, long-honored traditions. Nowhere is that more true than at the dining table — for a few days expanded to include those leaves that spend months in the attic next to the Christmas tree stand. Ham and turkey reign. Even a goose is an odd duck. Fondness for convention notwithstanding, we consulted top Tallahassee chefs and asked what outof-the-box holiday meals they would prepare, assuming that their families would permit them to “go all chef” on them. Are you daring enough to spring them on your yuletide gatherings?

by ROCHELLE KOFF

102

BEST OF TALLAHASSEE

Since March 2020, a month that seems destined to live in infamy, small business owners have been put through the wringer. The ravages of the pandemic and the consequences of inconsistent public policy have had them going down and up and sort of up. Supply chains have been disrupted. Employees disappeared.

In the best and worst of times, small businesses are the biggest job generators in local economies.

And, as in all of life’s endeavors, the cream rises to the top. Again this year, Tallahassee Magazine readers participating in our Best of Tallahassee poll and identified the best of the best.

photography by JAMES STEFIUK

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November-December 2021

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Contents

NOV/DEC 2021

75 ABODES

68

45 FASHION There are

21 PERSONALITIES

times that call for restraint, and then there are the holidays.

The season brings out the best of baubles dangled from ears, worn on wrists and draped around necks.

Two dentists, who served in the U.S. Naval Dental Corps and are both products of military families, are now partners in a Tallahassee practice.

30 EDUCATION The

A Book Franklin has assembled a coterie of partners, including a hardware store and a state prison, in its efforts to get books into Franklin County homes.

8 November-December 2021

EXPRESSION

56 WHAT’S IN STORE

A pineapple ginger candle makes for a tropical experience while CBD coffee further soothes the sipper.

63 HOME COOKIN’

A caterer, a writer and Santa Claus himself have combined to recommend what they consider to be Christmas cookies for the ages. Do the Jolly Old Elf a favor, and put some of these out for him this Christmas Eve.

75 MUSIC Having found

14 16 164 170

PUBLISHER’S LETTER EDITOR’S COLUMN DINING GUIDE POSTSCRIPT

82 BOOKS In David

68 LIBATIONS The bar at

Sage is small enough to invite conversation among strangers and is the perfect place to sip on a digestif.

134

Ekrut’s epic fantasy, By the Blade, Jax Fliste, abandoned by his father and trapped in a foreign, slavetrading land, trades sudden good fortune for a way home.

EXTERIORS Fans of high-tech cookers such as the Big Green Egg long ago left behind grills of the sort you can find in the drug store next to the garden hose.

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afforded pansies break up muted winter landscapes with striking colors.

IN EVERY ISSUE

one voice, singer Rachel Hillman proceeds to find another. A loyal following is paying attention to her musical evolution.

CHEFS MOVE ON FROM TURKEY AND HAM

Best THE 2021

» THE BAR AT SAGE » HIGH-TECH BACKYARDS

36 CHAMPIONS Bring Me

GASTRO & GUSTO

50 CITIZEN OF STYLE

Nancy Stepina-Robison doesn’t fritter away a bunch of time in putting herself together. She favors styles that flow well, feel good and require only limited assembly.

140 GREEN SCENE Easily

MILLSTONE INSTITUTE

Millstone Institute for Preservation is one of Tallahassee’s best kept secrets … by design. By keeping a low profile, the Institute limits visitation to a manageable level.

Those who do stop by learn artisanal arts and tour grounds loaded with history.

Civil War artifacts.

Even guitars. Thematic groupings of these and other objects, when mounted on walls, can make for effective, conversation-starting displays.

TALLAHASSEE MAGAZINE

30

P ANACHE

125 DECOR Record albums.

of Tallahassee AWARDS ARE IN!

Stir up some cookies, accessorize your best dress, read a novel

by David Ekrut, sing along with Rachel Hillman.

Life is good.

ON THE COVER:

For businesses throughout the Capital City, a Best of Tallahassee first-place finish is a coveted distinction and a measure of its reputation among customers. This year’s winners included the Tasty Pastry Bakery, dealers in many things sweet.

Photo by Lindsey Masterson

PHOTOS BY SAIGE ROBERTS (30), DAVE BARFIELD (68), ALICIA OSBORNE (75) AND COURTESY OF BIG GREEN EGG (134)

323

Florida small business owners

Open to a new way to save?

You can now buy health plans directly from UnitedHealthcare designed to help: Make health care more affordable Make your plan easier to manage Bring your employees a better experience Change the way your small business shops for health care

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Insurance coverage provided by or through UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company or its affiliates. Health plan coverage provided by or through UnitedHealthcare of Florida, Inc. and Neighborhood Health Partnership, Inc. Administrative services provided by United HealthCare Services, Inc. or their affiliates, and UnitedHealthcare Service LLC in NY. Stop-loss insurance is underwritten by All Savers Insurance Company (except CA, MA, MN, NJ and NY), UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company in MA and MN, UnitedHealthcare Life Insurance Company in NJ, UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company of New York in NY, and All Savers Life Insurance Company of California in CA. EI21962851.0 9/21 © 2021 United HealthCare Services, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 21-723250 TALL AHASSEEMAGA ZINE.COM

November-December 2021

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Contents

NOV/DEC 2021

SPECIAL SECTIONS AND PROMOTIONS

130

PLUMBING PERFECTIONISTS

Since 1978, Keith McNeill Plumbing has been Tallahassee’s trusted provider of residential and commercial plumbing services.

34 26

FAMILY FUND The Proctor

family shares their story of building a foundation, thanks to the Community Foundation of North Florida.

58

guide has items for everyone on your list. All you’ll need to supply are the ribbons and bows.

40

←MUSIC MAKERS Lend an

SHOP & STROLL Fill your closet with the latest styles during United Way of the Big Bend’s Women United’s annual Shop & Stroll event featuring your favorite local retailers.

42

HEART & HOME Elder Care

Services believes that seniors stay healthy in mind and body when they are able to stay in their own homes.

54

→ ALL THAT SPARKLES

Every lady lights up like a Christmas tree when she sees a box from The Gem Collection in her stocking.

10 November-December 2021

HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE Our gift

80

ear as storytellers hold forth at the 13th annual 30A Songwriter Festival presented by Cultural Arts Alliance.

86

COMMUNITY SERVANTS The Junior

88

CHRISTMAS CLASSIC Emerald

League of Tallahassee is made up of over 200 women committed to improving the lives of women and children in the region.

Coast Theatre Company presents the heartwarming holiday tale Miracle on 34th Street.

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↑

132

WISHLIST WONDERS Lily’s Gift Shop at

Esposito Lawn & Garden Center is a go-to source for one-of-a-kind gifts.

142

TALLAHASSEE TRADITIONS

Stop by to see the sparkling lights and decor that adorn the grounds of Tallahassee Nurseries, and leave with a Christmas tree and poinsettias.

146

DEAL ESTATE

A stunning St. George Island home has a new owner.

147

MEDICAL PROFILES

We spotlight medical professionals who make each patient a priority.

158

CALENDAR A comprehensive

list of holiday happenings around town and the region.

PHOTOS BY SAIGE ROBERTS (132), JIM CLARK (80) AND COURTESY OF THE GEM COLLECTION (54) AND VISIT COLUMBUS GA (34)

↑ COLUMBUS COOL Columbus, Georgia, is the new “it” city because simply put, it has it all. Outdoor options abound and include whitewater rafting, biking, hiking, kayaking, ziplining and more. After the sun goes down, enjoy live music, nightlife, fine dining and entertainment.

To all the HealthCare Heroes, We see you.

You have faced a frightening virus for almost two years, and we know it hasn’t been easy.

You were there at the beginning, when we knew little about COVID-19, and you’re still there, working through exhaustion to take care of our community.

You’ve saved many lives, and you’ve held many hands.

We all owe you a debt we can never repay.

You probably don’t consider yourselves heroes, but we do.

We see your grit. We see your determination. We see your self-sacrifice, and we are so grateful.

We see you, and we will not forget.

GIVE at TMH.ORG/Hero to provide encouragement and support to healthcare heroes.

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Richard J-P Bastien, DMD Lauren A. Weir, DMD W. Harrison Miller, DMD

GIVING TALLAHASSEE A REASON TO SMILE! Family & Cosmetic Dentistry

TALLAHASSEE MAGAZINE VOL. 44, NO. 6

NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2021

PRESIDENT/PUBLISHER BRIAN E. ROWLAND ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER MCKENZIE BURLEIGH

EDITORIAL EXECUTIVE EDITOR Steve Bornhoft SENIOR STAFF WRITER Emma Witmer STAFF WRITER Hannah Burke CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Marina Brown, Rebecca Padgett Frett, Les Harrison, Lis King, Rochelle Koff, Al Krulick, Wynn Parks, Audrey Post

CREATIVE VICE PRESIDENT / PRODUCTION AND TECHNOLOGY Daniel Vitter CREATIVE DIRECTOR Jennifer Ekrut ASSOCIATE ART DIRECTOR Lindsey Masterson SENIOR PUBLICATION DESIGNERS Sarah Burger, Shruti Shah PUBLICATION DESIGNER Jordan Harrison GRAPHIC DESIGNER Sierra Thomas CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Carolyn Allen Photography, Dave Barfield, Black & Hue Photography, Brandi Roberson Photography, Jim Clark, Jennifer Ekrut, Nikki Hedrick, Scott Holstein, Kaki Kirk, Lindsey Masterson, Alicia Osborne, Jennifer Powell, Saige Roberts, James Stefiuk, Shelly Swanger, Daniel Vitter

SALES, MARKETING AND EVENTS Bastiendentalcare.com 1433 Piedmont Dr. East, Tallahassee, FL • (850)-425-1300

30 years in business

SALES MANAGER, WESTERN DIVISION Rhonda Lynn Murray SALES MANAGER, EASTERN DIVISION Lori Magee Yeaton DIRECTOR OF NEW BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT, EASTERN DIVISION Daniel Parisi DIRECTOR OF NEW BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT, WESTERN DIVISION Dan Parker ADVERTISING SERVICES SPECIALIST Tracy Mulligan ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES Julie Dorr, Darla Harrison DIRECTOR OF MARKETING Zandra Wolfgram SALES AND MARKETING WRITER Rebecca Padgett SENIOR INTEGRATED MARKETING SPECIALIST Javis Ogden ADMINISTRATIVE & CUSTOMER SERVICE SPECIALIST Renee Johnson

OPERATIONS

Blue Ribbon cleaners is committed to providing you the best dry cleaning experience, offering quality cleaning services at competitive prices.

Being locally owned and operated means Blue Ribbon provides that local connection Tallahassee has grown to trust and respect.

CUSTOM PUBLISHING MANAGER Sara Goldfarb CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE/AD SERVICE COORDINATOR Sarah Coven CUSTOM PUBLISHING EDITOR Jeff Price PRODUCTION AND DISTRIBUTION SPECIALIST Melinda Lanigan STAFF BOOKKEEPER Amber Dennard

DIGITAL SERVICES DIGITAL EDITOR Janecia Britt

TALLAHASSEE MAGAZINE tallahasseemagazine.com facebook.com/tallahasseemag twitter.com/tallahasseemag instagram.com/tallahasseemag pinterest.com/tallahasseemag youtube.com/user/tallahasseemag ROWLAND PUBLISHING rowlandpublishing.com

Come in and see us today!

Monday - Friday 7am-6pm Saturday 8am-2pm Three Convenient Locations 1660 N. Monroe . 2107 Capital Circle NE . 1102 E. Lafayette

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EDITORIAL OFFICE 1932 Miccosukee Road, Tallahassee, FL 32308. (850) 878-0554 SUBSCRIPTIONS One year (6 issues) is $30. Call (850) 878-0554 or go online to tallahasseemagazine.com.

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CUSTOMER SERVICE & SUBMISSIONS Tallahassee Magazine and Rowland Publishing, Inc. are not responsible for unsolicited manuscripts, photography or artwork. Editorial contributions are welcomed and encouraged but will not be returned. Tallahassee Magazine reserves the right to publish any letters to the editor.

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Reproduction in whole or part without written permission is prohibited.

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November-December 2021

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from the publisher

AN EXAMPLE WORTH FOLLOWING

Pause for a moment in your reading of this column and imagine suddenly being overtaken by an inability to recognize or comprehend words, preventing you from reading the contents of this magazine. Or understanding the written instructions enclosed with the lawn mower or barbecue grill you bought last weekend. Or completing an application for employment. Or reading a story to your children.

Consider the types of jobs that you would be limited to when unable to read.

For generations, people in Franklin County got by as oyster harvesters or seafood house workers or net fishermen. Many worked independently and seasonally without any prospects for upward mobility, fearful that their outboard motor might tear up any day now and dependent always on Mother Nature providing seafood in abundance. It seemed for a long while that she would never cease doing so. It wasn’t unusual for children to drop out of school in the third grade and go to work doing what their ancestors had done.

Tongers, shuckers and seine fishers didn’t know how vulnerable they were.

Starting in 1995, when Florida’s net ban went into effect, workers in those traditional industries have sustained a series of blows. Georgia increasingly siphoned off fresh water to meet its needs, and salinity levels rose in Apalachicola Bay, diminishing oyster harvests. The effects of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill and the impact of the chemical dispersants used to treat it may never fully be known or understood. As Hurricane Michael approached, the state, believing that

14 November-December 2021

the storm would destroy oysters beds, allowed oystermen to harvest at will.

That free-for-all may have been the final straw necessitating the five-year moratorium on Apalachicola Bay oystering currently in effect.

First, so-called monkey boats employed by mullet fishers were retired, and now the fleet of oyster boats has been beached.

For the displaced, and especially so for the illiterate, coming by new ways of generating income has been a struggle.

Franklin County residents Michaelin and Dave Watts, sensitive to the plight of people around them, resolved to make a difference by making people more resilient and adaptable. Literacy, they recognized, would be key. Eleven years ago, they started and funded Bring Me A Book Franklin, an effort patterned after a Bring Me A Book initiative in California.

The percentage of Franklin County third-graders reading at grade level still is not where it needs to be, but Michaelin and Dave and a growing host of allies are making a difference by getting books into the hands of children and building home libraries.

The Wattses and Bring Me A Book Franklin’s program director Karen Kessel can recall when some children in Franklin County had no relationship with books and, presented with one, would immediately discard it. Now, they hug the books they receive, knowing that they are objects of value.

The Wattses, both in their 80s and accomplished senior tennis players, are concerned about whether Bring Me A Book Franklin will survive after they die. There are reasons to think that it will. No longer is the nonprofit a two-person show. Bring Me A

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Book Franklin has brought Kessel, a retired librarian, pediatricians, the state Department of Corrections, the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office, Ace Hardware, Head Start and Early Head Start programs and others into the fold.

I invite you to learn more about Bring Me A Book Franklin by reading executive editor Steve Bornhoft’s story on page 36.

And, I encourage you to count your blessings this holiday season and find ways, big or little, to follow the Wattses’ example by helping others realize their potential and enjoy life more fully.

Happy holidays to all,

BRIAN ROWLAND PUBLISHER browland@rowlandpublishing.com

PHOTO BY SCOTT HOLSTEIN / ROWLAND PUBLISHING FILE PHOTO

Volunteer effort enriches others by giving them the gift of literacy

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TALL AHASSEEMAGA ZINE.COM

November-December 2021

15

from the editor

SCORE ONE FOR THE VILLAGE PEOPLE As of February of this year, there were 17,266 Dollar General stores in the U.S., 940 of them in Florida, but due to the combined voices of little people and thoughtful county commissioners who listened to them, one is not to be in Lanark Village.

Tim and Christina Saunders own a parcel of about six acres on U.S. 98 next to the site of the long-gone Putnal Market Station in Lanark Village, a tiny unincorporated community a few miles east of Carrabelle. They petitioned the Franklin County Commission for a residential-to-commercial zoning change to allow for the construction of a Dollar General store.

Commissioners might easily have granted the request; the viscosity of zoning maps and comprehensive plans isn’t often high. Instead, they took the time to study the matter.

“I wanted to know whether constituents wanted or needed a Dollar General store near Lanark Village,” said Franklin County District 2 Commissioner Bert Boldt Jr. “The overwhelming consensus from the constituents was absolutely not, and they had several reasons why.”

The state Department of Transportation had declined to investigate how traffic on U.S. 98 would be affected by the proposed development.

“Just shrugged their shoulders,” Boldt said. “And it wasn’t clear how trucks could make deliveries to the store without disturbing the neighborhood.”

Was there toxicity in the soil due to the proposed store site’s proximity to the old gas station? No testing had been performed, Boldt said.

He noted that the Putnal property was designated for commercial use before comprehensive plans came along, but the Putnals were unwilling to sell their land to Saunders and Saunders.

James Putnal is a lifelong resident of

16 November-December 2021

Lanark Village. So, too, were his father and grandfather. James and his wife Tonya helped lead the opposition to the planned store.

Tonya said that when Dollar General set up shop in her tiny hometown of Dexter, Georgia, the locally owned grocery store and convenience store closed, Dexter’s delicate friends-befriendingfriends economy went to pieces and a drug problem developed.

“Lanark is in a secluded area,” she said. “It hasn’t been developed since the 1950s. It’s pristine, not a lot of hustle and bustle. We like it that way.”

“We already have a Dollar General in Carrabelle,” said Boldt, who lives not far from Lanark Village at St. James Bay. “It was a duplication of service.

And, the natives told me that the Dollar General just looks retail junky. They have half of their merchandise sitting out in the parking lot.”

A Dollar General in Lanark Village would have been inconsistent with the “natural beauty of that stretch of U.S. 98, the trees and the deciduous growth,” Boldt said, stressing that the county’s comprehensive plan should not become a compromised plan without good reason and constituent support.

“The comp plan should be consulted very carefully when we start talking about what I call checkerboard spot zoning,” Boldt said.

The Saunderses and Dollar General were heavily lawyered up when the zoning change request went to a hearing in March 2020. “I had never seen so many suits,” recalled Apalachicola Times editor David Adlerstein. But suits don’t always prevail in Franklin County.

Boldt joined with the majority in a 4-1 vote to deny the requested change.

Seventeen months later, Circuit Judge Jonathan Sjostrom, ruling in a lawsuit filed by the Saunderses, upheld

TALLAHASSEEMAGA ZINE.COM

the commission’s vote, citing its consistency with the comp plan.

“I felt encouraged,” Boldt said. “I want to make sure that I carefully assess the pros and cons and the sentiment of the people I represent. The court’s decision upheld the spirit of all that.”

Boldt, who has been in business in Tallahassee for many years as a physical therapist, sees service as a public official as a “sociology ministry.”

“You provide access for people as a portal to county government,” he said.

“I call that a ministry, helping people help themselves. Franklin County is a tapestry of different environments.

In my district, we have an old North Florida character that I believe should be preserved; the Dollar General would have been out of character.”

Amen, Brother Boldt. As we move toward a new year, we can hope that other officials will adopt your governing spirit versus using their positions as opportunities to cozy up to power and as platforms for self-aggrandizement.

Happy, happy holidays,

STEVE BORNHOFT, EXECUTIVE EDITOR sbornhoft@rowlandpublishing.com

PHOTO BY SAIGE ROBERTS / ROWLAND PUBLISHING FILE PHOTO

The character of their community is worth preserving

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November-December 2021

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PROMOTION

TALLAHASSEEMAGAZINE.COM GIVEAWAY

Win Festival Tix The 30A Songwriters Festival attracts star performers from throughout the country. This 2022 festival will be held Jan. 14–17, coinciding with the Martin Luther King Jr. weekend.

Enter to win two festival passes valued at $700 at EmeraldCoastMagazine.com/ giveaways.

Tally Top Pet Voting Begins Dec. 16!

HOLIDAY HQ

The nominations are in, and now it is time to vote in the round of 16 to determine which pets will make it into the top 8.

From Dec. 16–22, head over to TallahasseeMagazine.com/tally-top-pet to vote for your favorite pets, and remember to donate to Be The Solution.

Each holiday season, Hurtis Amerson and his team of designers transform Esposito Lawn & Garden Center into Tallahassee’s largest Christmas shop where you will discover all you need to deck the halls. Find out more about what Esposito’s has to offer by visiting TallahasseeMagazine.com/ sponsored-content/homegarden-links.

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18 November-December 2021

CATCHING UP WITH THE ‘BEST OF’ TIMES If you somehow missed our salute to the 2021 Best of Tallahassee winners and runners-up on LIVE! In Tallahassee, be sure to check out our event recap at TallahasseeMagazine.com/best-of-tallahassee.

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PHOTOS BY SHELLY SWANGER (GIVEAWAY), DAVE BARFIELD (TALLY TOP PET AND ESPOSITO LAWN & GARDEN) AND COURTESY OF THE GEM COLLECTION

CELESTIAL HUES Opals are popular in rings and pendants, according to The Gem Collection co-owner Dorothy Vodicka, who finds that they are stunning when set in white gold and especially in yellow gold, which highlights its opalescent nature. Read more about the gem that captures the colors of the rainbow at TallahasseeMagazine.com/ sponsored-content/style-links.

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EDUCATION

Shining Farm on the Hill

323

|| CHAMPIONS

Building Home Libraries

NOV/DEC 2021

PROFILING THE PURSUITS, PASSIONS AND PERSONALITIES AMONG US

THE

PERSONALITIES

COMBINING FORCES ↓

Navy vets take a disciplined approach to their dental practice

By AL KRULICK

photography by SAIGE ROBERTS

TALL AHASSEEMAGA ZINE.COM

November-December 2021

21

THE

323

W

hen Tallahassee dentist Lawrence E. Weaver graduated from the Indiana University School of Dentistry in 1988, he found himself dealing with a little wanderlust.

“I grew up in Indiana and lived my whole life there,” he said. “At 26 years old, I didn’t know if I wanted to set up practice and stay in Indiana. As a dentist, once you sink your feet in, you’re not picking them up too often.”

Many members of Weaver’s family had served in the United States Marine Corps, and many of the department heads at dental school also had been in the armed services.

“I thought I could join the Navy and see if there was something else I wanted to do or somewhere else I wanted to live,” he said. “And there were a lot of positive things about it. It allowed me to serve my country, and it gave me a way to hone my skills and see if I wanted to go into a specialty. And, obviously, there’s the travel.”

His first assignment was with the 22nd Marine Expedition Unit stationed at Camp LeJeune, North Carolina, which was then deployed to the Mediterranean Sea on the USS Saipan. While patrolling the waters of the Mediterranean, Weaver visited Italy, Spain, France and the Spanish island of Mallorca.

“But then we got sidetracked to do Operation Sharp Edge, which was a humanitarian mission off the coast of Liberia,” he explained.

“They were having a civil war there, and we transported civilians from Monrovia, the capital, and sent them to the neighboring country, Sierra Leone. We did that for about three months.”

Lt. Weaver’s detour in Africa was not unusual for a commissioned

22

November-December 2021

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↘

Dr. Lawrence Weaver, left, and Dr. Alan Dransfield, both products of military families, served in the U.S. Naval Dental Corps. Today, they are partners in a Tallahassee dental practice.

photography by SAIGE ROBERTS

PHOTOS COURTESY OF LAWRENCE E. WEAVER, DMD

officer in the U.S. Navy Dental Corps, which was established by Congress in 1912. While its primary mission has been, and continues to be, treating Navy personnel and providing triage and surgical support at Marine Battle Aid and Battle Dressing Stations, navel dentists are also often called upon to provide humanitarian assistance and disaster relief in developing countries.

After Weaver’s initial six-month deployment at sea, he transferred to Kings Bay Submarine Base in St. Marys, Georgia, where he spent the final three years of his Navy career while living just across the Florida border on Amelia Island. He took the Florida boards and eventually began his private career by taking over the Tallahassee office of Dr. Joseph Hughes — another former Navy dentist. Today, that practice is a partnership between Weaver and Alan D. Dransfield, DMD, who like his older associate, is also a former Navy dentist.

Dransfield, a Tallahassee native, at first thought he wanted to be an engineer. He earned an associate’s degree in civil engineering technology from Tallahassee Community College, then switched gears and earned a bachelor’s degree in exercise science from Florida State.

“It never occurred to me to even think about dentistry,” he said.

“The idea of going to that much school was not interesting to me.”

But while doing some job shadowing, Dransfield visited dental practices.

“Looking over the shoulder of a few dentists, it became exciting to me and I thought that maybe going to school for that long wouldn’t be that bad,” he said.

After doing volunteer work at the Leon County’s Health Department’s dental facility, he

began his studies at the University of Florida’s College of Dentistry in 2008.

For Dransfield, choosing the Navy was a matter of both the heart and mind. His family and his wife’s family had long histories of military service.

“I’ve always had a desire to serve my country and do some good for a bunch of people who really are our heroes,” he said.

Plus, the Navy offered him a way to help pay for his education in return for a commitment to enlist in the Dental Corps upon graduation. So, in 2009, Dransfield enrolled in the service’s Health Services Program and began a one-year residency program called Advanced Education in General Dentistry. There, he would be honored as resident of the year.

When he completed his studies at UFCD in 2012, he received his lieutenant’s commission and began his Navy career.

Unlike Weaver, Dransfield remained stateside with stints in Fort Bragg, North Carolina, and Fort Sam Houston, Texas, before completing his four-year commitment in, oddly enough, Camp LeJeune. After returning to Tallahassee, a mutual friend introduced the two Navy veterans to one another.

While there is a 25-year age gap between them, Weaver and Dransfield agree that what they learned in the Navy has informed their practice in positive ways.

“The biggest thing is discipline,” Weaver said. “In the military, there’s a hierarchy of how you have to run things, and it gives you a very good structure for that,” one that he now uses as an owner of a practice with employees.

“It’s self-discipline and helping your team to be disciplined,” Dransfield said. “In the military, that means strictness and

↑ Dr. Lawrence Weaver, top, aboard the USS Saipan during its patrols in the Mediterranean Sea; he visited Italy, Spain, France and the Spanish island of Mallorca. Weaver, above, practices field dentistry outside Quantico, Virginia. He graduated from the Indiana School of Dentistry before developing a case of wanderlust.

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↑ Dr. Alan Dransfield, above, practicing “tent dentistry.” It is possible, he said, to learn to overlook the mud in the field.

Dransfield completed his four-year commitment to the U.S. Navy stateside with stints at Fort Sam Houston, Texas, and at Camp LeJeune and Fort Bragg in North Carolina.

protocol, which looks very rigid. So, it’s about adapting that rigidness. You want the team to have discipline, but you don’t want the patient to see rigidness; you want them to see a happy family.

“In the military, you hear ‘attention to detail’ a thousand times a day. You carry that over into your practice in a way that’s natural. There’s also the team approach. You don’t feel like you’re the only guy and the buck stops with you.”

Dransfield said he and Weaver may collaborate on important cases.

But perhaps the most important intangible that Weaver and Dransfield imported from the U.S. Navy Dental Corps is the notion that serving others is the highest of callings.

“Because of our mutual background, we have developed a good partnership with the understanding that we’re here to serve and help others obtain their goals of good health and function,” Dransfield said.

“Putting others’ needs first is really part of the bond that brought us together. It’s service to our community and to those who seek our help.” TM

PHOTOS COURTESY OF ALAN DRANSFIELD, DMD

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PHOTO COURTESY OF BRITTANY MORGAN PHOTOGRAPHY

CUSTOM CONTENT

STRONG ROOTS

hey say that strong roots produce beautiful leaves, and that has never been more apparent than in the lives of Tom and Gina Proctor. The couple met after being set up on a blind date nearly 20 years ago, and when it was time to lay down roots of their own, choosing to stay in Tallahassee was easy. After all, Tom came from a family that had called the Big Bend home for generations.

Upon starting a family of their own, Tom and Gina decided it was time to lay down different roots — creating a legacy of giving for their children to learn from and one day model.

Tom’s family set a solid example of what it means to give back to the community, so when Tom had a particularly good year in real estate in 2005, the couple decided to set up a fund at the Community Foundation of North Florida to provide a way to give back — not just for the short term but long into the future.

“Setting up a fund meant that we could get the tax benefit when we needed it while spreading out our giving over time,” explained Tom. “In 2005, the economy was booming.

That wasn’t the case three years later.

Times were tough, but thanks to our fund with the Community Foundation,

we could continue to support local charities that needed it most.”

Giving back to the community is important to the Proctors, and it’s a value they want to pass down for generations to come. “Creating a fund has laid the groundwork for us to teach our children about the importance of giving,” said Gina. “Instilling those values is one more way we can support the community we love.”

Contact the Community Foundation of North Florida to learn more about how they can assist you in achieving your charitable giving goals while benefitting from the greatest tax advantages allowed by law.

COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF NORTH FLORIDA 3600 MACLAY BLVD. S., SUITE 200 | (850) 222-2899 | CFNF.ORG

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PHOTO COURTESY OF BRITTANY MORGAN PHOTOGRAPHY

T

with the Community Foundation of North Florida

OCTOBER 9–SEPTEMBER 18, 2021

Organized by the Reading Public Museum, Reading, PA

Women Artists: Four Centuries of Creativity presents works of art by some of the most important women artists of the last four centuries, all from the collection of the Reading Public Museum. Included in the exhibition are historical works by celebrated women artists Rosa Bonheur, Sonia Delaunay, Joan Mitchell, Louise Nevelson, and dozens more, chronicling the emergence of women as professionals in the field of art.

A Celebration of Women Artists Celebrate five exhibitions of work by women artists, with programs presented in partnership with the National Museum of Women in the Arts (NMWA), Art Bridges, Reading Public Museum, and Florida Humanities.

Violet Oakley (American, 1874 – 1961), For the Preservation of Italy, Guardian of the World’s Most Precious Heritage of Beauty, 1918, ink on paper, Gift, Captain Roswell C. Williams Jr. Reading Public Museum, Reading, Pennsylvania.

Just 20 miles from Tallahassee!

INFORMATION 850.875.4866

www.gadsdenarts.org 13 N. Madison Street, Quincy, FL

Calynne & Lou Hill

THE EXHIBITIONS • Women Artists: Four Centuries of Creativity • Senga Nengudi: A.C.Q. – Cross Eyed; A.C.Q. – Cross Ban; A.C.Q. – Cross Waves, on loan from Art Bridges • Dawn McMillan: Captured Moments • Renee Lewis: mixed media • Women from the Gadsden Arts Permanent Collection ART TALKS LIVE! Enjoy exciting live online conversations with guest curators and scholars from our partner organizations, and exhibiting artists. Information www.gadsdenarts.org GUIDED TOURS • Guided Tours for children and adults at Gadsden Arts • Live Virtual Tours brought into school classrooms!

• Teacher and Student Learning Guides free of charge Information and reservations 850.627.5023 MADE POSSIBLE BY THE IMPACT FUND. Presenting Sponsors: Centennial Bank, Fasig Brooks Law Offices, Calynne and Lou Hill, and Tallahassee Community College Contributing Sponsors: Altrua Global Solutions and Black Fig

Women Artists: Four Centuries of Creativity is organized by the Reading Public Museum, Reading, Pennsylvania. Generous support for this project provided by Art Bridges.

Sponsored in part by the State of Florida, Department of State, Division of Arts and Culture, and the Florida Council on Arts and Culture. Funding for this program was provided through a grant from the Florida Humanities with funds from the National Endowment for the Humanities. Any views, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this exhibition do not necessarily represent those of Florida Humanities or the National Endowment for the Humanities Women Artists_TM Full Page.indd 1

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November–December 2021 27 8/20/21 2:09 PM

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Left to right: Dr. Amanda Stephens, Dr. Jay Allard, Dr. Christine Fitzsimmo

Left to right: Dr. Amanda Stephens, Dr. Jay Allard, Dr. Christine Fitzsimmons TALL AHASSEEMAGA ZINE.COM

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The plantation-style main house at the Millstone Institute for Preservation sits atop a hill amid 100 acres owned by a public nonprofit. It is the site of events and classes in artisanal arts.

EDUCATION

SHINING FARM ON THE HILL

Visionary perpetuated the magic of Millstone

by MARINA BROWN

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S

o you say you want to shear a sheep or shoe your own horse? And really, who hasn’t had such desires?

Perhaps you are into gourd carving, or chain mail creating? How about openfire cooking … or art? Or if nothing else, you simply want to smell the aroma of a goat and stare out at a sylvan landscape that hasn’t changed much in the last 160 years. Where can you get all that around here and be home for dinner?

Luckily there exists within the Tallahassee city limits a pristine 100+ acre farm that — thanks to its far-sighted last owner — has been a public nonprofit for the last six years. And it’s there that all of

TALLAHASSEEMAGA ZINE.COM

those rural, artistic, old-time classes and activities occur.

The Millstone Institute for Preservation sits atop what may be a “sacred hill” that was known to North Florida indigenous peoples of long ago. It overlooks tranquil Lake McBride and is surrounded by forests and former farmland that director Majken Peterzén says once totaled nearly 2,000 acres.

Today, that land and the 1940s plantation-style home with a spectacular view have become the site of events, reunions and dozens of on-site courses that adhere to the wishes of the woman who left Millstone to the public, photography by SAIGE ROBERTS

↓ FARM TOUR

Annually, the Millstone Institute for Preservation conducts a tour of farms in North Central Florida and South Central Georgia as a thank you to food producers. The 14th annual tour was held in October and included more than 40 stops. The tour invites participants to explore farms, ranches, orchards and gardens; sample foods; pet a goat; go on hayrides; attend workshops; patronize vendors; taste local wines and play horseshoes.

Mrs. Jessie Conrad. She intended that generations learn about conservation, wilderness protection, sustainability and a variety of artisan techniques.

One of the most visible events for which Millstone Institute has taken the lead is its annual Farm Tour. Serving as a kind of hub for the dozens of participating farms and gardens, Millstone itself welcomes guests to pet llamas, goats, sheep and horses.

Those animals, along with a barn cat or two, remind grown-ups and children what rural life was like in another age. Spreading a picnic blanket beneath a shady tree and gazing as little ones roll down hills and turn cartwheels seems like stepping back into a turn-of-the-last-century painting, which many may not want to leave.

And that may be how Mrs. Conrad and her husband felt the first time they saw the Millstone property in 1930. According to Peterzén, the Conrads, visiting from North Carolina, first saw Lake McBride from atop the hill during a moonlight carriage ride.

“She said to Fred, “We’re buying it.” And they did.

↑ Majken Peterzén, executive director at the Millstone Institute for Preservation, extends a hand to a donkey named Noelle. The donkey shares the grounds at the institute with a horse, Mahala. Llamas, goats and sheep also inhabit the property.

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← The 1930s vintage boathouse on Lake McBride is a favorite hangout for visitors to the Millstone Institute for Preservation — some manage to sneak in a little fishing. ↑ Sparky, above, as one might expect, is a cantankerous and obnoxious old goat.

Peterzén believes that Millstone may have once been part of the Tall Timbers and Red Hills plantations. However, Millstone was not turned into a ritzy, quail-hunting getaway for wealthy Northerners like many plantations.

Instead, from the ’30s on, the Conrads farmed the property, growing indigo, raising cattle and making use of the mill that gave the property its name.

In addition to raising three sons and moving from the 1860s bungalow they’d

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lived in for 10 years, the Conrads built a stately home in which their last son Jack lived until his death. The institute today is Jessie Conrad’s legacy and her vision.

Its offerings, from medicinal gardening to blacksmithy, wildlife sustainability to jewelry making, and a place where you can folk dance at the Full Moon Festival, or go from “shearing to shawl” in three days, reflect her desire to preserve all that was wholesome about American life.

TALLAHASSEEMAGA ZINE.COM

Peterzén, a former gallery owner and a cellist, a sailor and a visionary in her own right, marvels at the “spell” Millstone seems to cast over people.

“According to state archeologists who have examined the property, humans have occupied these hills for the last 10–12,000 years,” she said. “There are a variety of discovered shards and artifacts, but many were not from our area. The scholars believe the hill overlooking Lake McBride may have been a sacred meeting ground for distant tribes, a protected place.” And she has seen that “sacred” legacy in action.

“During a drumming circle on the hill not so long ago,” Peterzén said, “several people wept they were so overcome with the spiritual nature of the moment and the place.”

This year, like last, the Millstone Institute will need to accommodate the COVID exigencies, but the classes and conservation opportunities won’t stop.

Besides, a new herd of sheep is arriving.

The medicinal garden has been laid in.

And during Christmas at Millstone, well, magic will be in the air. TM photography by SAIGE ROBERTS

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CUSTOM CONTENT

The Columbus Connection

Columbus, Georgia, embraces the nature of the region body, only the freshest and finest fare is offered, including farm-to-table and diet-conscious dining.

Columbus is bordered on the west by the Chattahoochee River. The RiverWalk is part of the Dragonfly trail system (over 60 miles of trails) that runs alongside the river, ideal for hiking, biking and taking in the sites. The river itself is home to the longest urban whitewater course in the world. Watch rafters and kayakers take on the rapids below while zip lining from one side of the river to the other. Outdoor lovers can also enjoy kayaking, paddleboarding, fishing, birding, swimming, skating and more.

Further embracing the great outdoors, many restaurants emphasize farm-to-table and local organic menus. These menus tend to change with the season, making it a new experience with each visit.

Weekends welcome a variety of events and attractions. Staples include Market Days, part farmers market and craft fair, the Columbus Botanical Garden,

multiple art museums and performing arts venues, and more.

“Our advertising campaign emphasizes that visitors can GoAllOut, and the message behind that is, regardless of your interests or physical prowess, you can completely immerse yourself in a variety of activities,” said Peter Bowden, president and CEO of VisitColumbusGA. “We have a spectrum of experiences that highlight the richness of our environment allowing visitors to enjoy connectivity in a simpler way.”

V I S I T CO LU M B U S G E O R G I A V I S I T C O LU M B U S G A .C O M | ( 8 0 0 ) 9 9 9 - 1 6 1 3

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PHOTO BY VISIT COLUMBUS GA

T

he Chattahoochee River flows through Columbus, Georgia, much like a vein pumping life into the city. The heartbeat is steady and relaxed as you stroll through Market Days or sip a craft brew. It accelerates when whitewater rafting or taking in a theatre performance. Just follow the river and find your pace.

Columbus is a city that knows who it is and what it can offer you. It’s a laidback city; one of the few true places of Southern hospitality. But it also offers the adventure and entertainment of a metropolitan area without the highdensity hustle.

In a world with people who want to reconnect with one another and nature in a holistic way, Columbus is in tune with health and wellness. For physical and mental clarity, there are outdoor options for every preference and ability.

For the heart, you are encouraged to unplug and unwind with friends and family, whether visiting museums or listening to local live music. For the

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BUILDING HOME LIBRARIES Bring Me A Book Franklin combats illiteracy

J

ust 34 percent of third-graders in Franklin County are reading at grade level, and that percentage is declining, according to the latest data available at the Florida Scorecard, a collection of metrics compiled by the Florida Chamber Foundation.

Michaelin Reamy Watts and Dave Watts and others involved at Bring Me A Book Franklin, a nonprofit founded by the couple in 2009, are trying to reverse that trend. The effort has engendered considerable community support, and there is evidence, anecdotal at least, that it is generating hoped-for results.

“Our mission,” said Michaelin Watts, “is to ignite the passion to read in children

from birth. We’re trying to get them excited about books and ensure that they have wonderful, cozy experiences reading them. Research shows that children who are read to, learn to read readily. Reading leads to success in school and success in life, and access to books is key.”

In its first years, Michaelin and Dave Watts funded Bring Me A Book Franklin entirely out of their own pockets. Now, they cover about 30 percent of its budget.

A marked improvement certainly, but “I live in constant worry,” Michaelin said. “I fear that if something happens to us, the organization may die. It has to be made sustainable on its own.”

Michaelin and Dave are both 83 years

↑ Karen Kessel, program coordinator for Bring Me A Book Franklin, reads a book aloud to attentive children. Activities managed by Kessel have worked to foster literacy among both children and adults. “I love my job,” Kessel says. “We are trying to make an important difference.”

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old. She serves as the organization’s president; he is the secretary/treasurer.

The Wattses have a good friend in California, Judy Koch, who founded the Bring Me A Book Foundation in the early 2000s and supplied much of the inspiration for the Franklin County effort.

“When my husband and I got interested in having a literacy program here, Judy wanted us to use their name,” Watts said. “We share ideas. When they successfully pursued a Library of Congress Best Practices Literacy Award, they incorporated what we are doing and our name in the application.”

Some of the practices employed by Koch in Silicon Valley translate to Franklin County, but the Wattses by and large have had to blaze their own literacy trail.

“Many parents here are illiterate because they are from families that have been involved for generations in seafood harvesting and processing — work that doesn’t require the ability to read,” Watts said. “We tried working with parents as our primary focus and soon realized we had to get other people involved.”

The Wattses called upon doctors, asking that they give books to children at wellness checks. That initiative began at a pediatrician’s office in neighboring Gulf County and now includes seven doctor’s offices and a health clinic. Each office receives a fresh supply of 50–60 books

PHOTOS BY SAIGE ROBERTS / RPI FILE PHOTO AND COURTESY OF BRING ME A BOOK FRANKLIN (KESSEL)

by STEVE BORNHOFT

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323 quarterly, said Karen Kessel, Bring Me A Book Franklin’s program coordinator.

Through recent years, Bring Me A Book Franklin has greatly expanded the list of events, locations and programs such as Head Start that serve as book distribution points.

“Before I got started, I would give a book to a child, and he would just let it drop to the floor,” Watts said. “He did not see it as something of value. Now, children eagerly gather for read-aloud sessions.”

Yes, the outlook on books is changing.

“I gave a book to a child, and he hugged it like it was a teddy bear,” said Kessel, who has been with Bring Me A Book Franklin for six years. “He could not believe that he was being allowed to take it home. I was in the Piggly Wiggly, and a grandmother approached me and said she had seen me on TV talking about the importance of reading. ‘Now, I’m reading,’ she told me.”

It can seem that wherever people assemble in Apalachicola and Eastpoint, Bring Me A Book Franklin is there: Christmas parades, Easter egg hunts, pumpkin patches, an annual festival conducted by the Hillside Coalition of Laborers, cookouts held by the Sheriff’s Office for hungry families.

Some 45 “community bookcases” built by prisoners at the Franklin County Correctional Institute have been sprinkled about Apalachicola and elsewhere. Ace Hardware in Apalachicola has supplied materials for that project. Adult volunteers read books to children at the Franklin County School and the Apalachicola Bay Charter School. As part of a “Reading with Buddies” program, older students read stories to younger kids.

Bring Me A Book Franklin coordinates “read-alouds” held at the Apalachicola Margaret Key Library. The charity joins with the Sheriff’s Office and

↑ Michaelin Watts, second from left, and Dave Watts, at right, founded Bring Me A Book Franklin in an effort to promote literacy and get books in Franklin County households. The nonprofit has placed 45 bookcases like the one pictured here in Apalachicola and elsewhere.

Marie Marshall, at left, has helped Bring Me A Book Franklin establish community ties.

churches in back-to-school events, passing out children’s books dealing with first-day jitters.

The charity’s summer reading program, funded by a grant from Dollar General stores, combines reading with art and crafts projects. Ever think about what you might do with a colander and a supply of pipe cleaners?

Duke Energy has made grant awards to Bring Me A Book Franklin.

Large contributions have arrived from California. A one-day fundraiser held locally generated $25,000 to create a new learning center at the old high school building in Apalachicola.

And, Bring Me A Book Franklin has worked to keep publicly funded programs related to early education alive.

“In 2017, the Head Start program was closed in Franklin County,” Watts said. “I read about the closing in the newspaper.

The Capital Area Community Action Agency (CACAA) had the Head Start

GET INVOLVED

grant for Franklin County. Their board was convinced that people weren’t interested in education here.”

The Wattses and Bring Me A Book Franklin led an effort to ensure that Head Start services were not curtailed.

Personnel with the Department of Health and Human Services in Atlanta lent them a sympathetic ear, but said they would have to make their case with CACAA themselves.

They did, and they succeeded.

At the new learning center, Bring Me A Book Franklin will be located right next to Head Start to facilitate a continuing partnership.

Nothing encourages progress like progress. And, the literacy effort is becoming all the more urgent as traditional livelihoods in Franklin County dry up.

“I love my job,” Kessel said. “I love the community of Franklin County. We are trying to make an important difference.” TM

In its efforts to dramatically improve literacy rates and scholastic success, Bring Me A Book Franklin relies on a growing cadre of volunteers. Volunteers read books aloud to children in prekindergarten and kindergarten classes and at Early Head Start, Head Start and day care centers. They also stock community bookcases, label gift books for infants and children, deliver books to pediatricians’ offices and health centers and help with special events. Anyone with an interest in volunteering is encouraged to contact the nonprofit via email at bringmeabookfranklin@fairpoint.net.

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PHOTOS COURTESY OF BRING ME A BOOK FRANKLIN (KESSEL)

THE

PRESENTING THE 2021

LEON COUNTY ANNUAL REPORT

LeonCountyFL.gov/AnnualReport

Leon County Board of County Commissioners

In 2021, Leon County continued to make great progress and serve our citizens. We answered challenges like rising delta variant cases by leading efforts to vaccinate vulnerable communities. While nationwide evictions and business closures soared, we provided tens of millions in direct assistance to households, businesses and nonprofit partners. When wellpaying jobs were needed most, we recruited Amazon to create the largest private sector job opportunity in our history. We answered these challenges all while producing results and delivering on our bold goals.

Watch the Annual Report Video LeonCountyFL.gov/Driven Vincent S. Long, County Administrator

Throughout the pandemic, our employees continued to set the standard in EMS, Public Works and Parks, libraries, and many other essential services. We became the nation’s first local government to require vaccines to protect our employees and to ensure operational readiness. Leon County was also recognized as the number one county in Florida at distributing emergency relief during the pandemic, leveraging $138 million in federal funding to address the community’s urgent needs.

Through the vision and leadership provided by the Board of County Commissioners and the hard work of our dedicated County employees, I am proud to report that throughout this crisis we at Leon County will remain committed to listening to the people we serve, addressing the challenges we face together, and striving every day to be a healthy, safe community, where people thrive.

Please learn more about all of Leon County’s efforts this year on behalf of and alongside our community in the 2021 Leon County Annual Report.

PEOPLE FOCUSED. PERFORMANCE DRIVEN. TALL AHASSEEMAGA ZINE.COM

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CUSTOM CONTENT

Shop, Save and Support

Women United’s Shop & Stroll features spring fashions for a cause

G

ather your best gals for a night of shopping, sipping and strolling all for a great cause while stepping into spring in style. Each March, Women United hosts their spring fundraiser Shop & Stroll presented by Capital City Bank, where attendees can shop from over 25 local businesses.

Tickets are $25, which includes discounts from vendors and entry into raffles. For $35, the spring savings box includes additional deals and coupons from retailers both in and outside of the Market District. Throughout the night, attendees can purchase flutes of champagne for a chance to win a diamond valued at $3,000 from Tallahassee Diamond Center.

All ticket purchases will support Women United’s mission of supporting women and

children in need within the community.

The event will occur outdoors on Market Street, allowing for plenty of personal space, and health precautions will be in place.

“This event is the perfect trifecta — it’s a fun night out, it supports local businesses and it spreads the word about and raises money for Women United,” said Molly Lord, vice president of resource development with United Way of the Big Bend.

Women of all ages are encouraged to attend, and there will be opportunities to learn about Women United and get to know local businesses on a more personal level.

“Shop & Stroll is a great way for local businesses, mostly women-owned, to get together and create a cool shopping vibe with food, gifts and beverages,” said Robin Lewis, CEO of Simply Entertaining. “It

also allows us time to see what each other’s businesses are about and make connections and relationships that might not have happened otherwise.”

Last year’s event featured Skin Science Aesthetics, Tallahassee Diamond Center, Bedfellows, Smashing Olive, Narcissus, Pink Narcissus, Coton Colors, Weezy’s Cottage, My Favorite Things, Simply Entertaining, J. McLaughlin, Tallulah CBD, Hearth & Soul, Gypsy Rose Boutique, Salon IQ, The Wine House, Market Square Liquors, Midtown Reader, Premier Gym, Chicken Salad Chick, Andrew’s Catering, Jeri’s Midtown Café, SoDough and Rebels’ Boutique.

For updates on the event visit UWBB.org/shopstroll.

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CUSTOM CONTENT

Home Is Where the Heart Is

Elder Care Services Inc. promotes aging in place

H

ome is a place of comfort and joy. Home is where you’ve celebrated holidays, birthdays and all of life’s most precious moments. Home is a space you invested in and created all your own. For senior citizens, especially, home holds a wealth of memories both large and small.

These are the aspects of life that Elder Care Services Inc. intends to preserve through their services that allow seniors to age in place. Elder Care Services improves the quality of life for seniors and caregivers through programs that help people age in place while reducing social isolation.

“Countless studies report that seniors are happier, have better health outcomes and lower mortality rates when they are able to age in the familiarity of their own home,” said Jocelyne Fliger, CEO/president of Elder Care Services.

In-home services are tailored to the client and can include light housekeeping, companionship, bathing and grooming, transportation, counseling, caregiver relief and more. Through the kindness of volunteers, Elder Care Services is able to provide hot lunches Monday through Friday via their Meals on Wheels program.

Elder Day Stay provides a supervised space for seniors to spend the day. Elder Care is the only facility in Tallahassee that provides adult day care. Elder Day Stay includes socialization, activities, nutritious lunches, exercise, mobility assistance and medication management. This is ideal for caretakers who work during the day but desire a safe and friendly place for their senior to spend the day.

With seniors becoming the fastest growing population not only in Leon County but in the country, Elder Care Services programs have become more vital than ever.

“Seniors should be treated with as much dignity as everyone else,” says Fliger, “which is why we promote ways for them to safely age while keeping them woven into the fabric of our community.”

ELDER CARE SERVICES, INC. 2518 W. TENNESSEE ST., TALLAHASSEE | (850) 245-5945 | E L D E R C A R E B I G B E N D.O R G

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W E D R E A M O F A D AY W H E N

Every Pet is Wanted Every Pet is Wanted Every Pet is Wanted Every Pet is Wanted Every Pet is Wanted R EOAFMAODFAY A D W E DW REE ADM WAY H EW N HEN W E D R E A M O F A D AY W H E N

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panache NOV/DEC 2021

REGARDING MATTERS OF ALL THINGS STYLISH

FASHION

HOLIDAY BAUBLES Decorate yourself with jewelry that shines bright

PHOTO COURTESY OF LELE SADOUGHI / NARCISSUS

by REBECCA PADGETT FRETT

FASHION Making Her Looks Easy || WHAT’S IN STORE Retail Roundup TALL AHASSEEMAGA ZINE.COM

November–December 2021

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→

T

insel tantalizes, gleaming ornaments glint, sequins shine and colored confetti calls for celebration. The holiday months naturally encourage a boldness, a bit of pizzazz and pop to close out the year.

With holiday parties bringing together family, friends and coworkers, it seems we are always attempting to outshine our Christmas trees with the dazzling jewelry we select to wear.

Those who stick to simple studs and a rotation of the same necklaces most of the calendar year select their best and brightest from the back of the jewelry box during the holidays. While your candy-cane earrings are a trusty go-to, it’s likely time to update your baubles to the latest in bling trends.

Where fashion fixes come and go, diamonds really are forever. Any jeweler

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will agree that whether wearing or gifting, diamonds are always the way to wow and woo.

Dorothy Vodicka, co-owner of The Gem Collection, suggests a pair of diamond hoops because they “dress any outfit up and can go from office to party with no need for transition.”

Much like a little black dress, there are items that Vodicka thinks every woman should consider for her jewelry box — one-carat diamond earrings, two-carat diamond hoops and a diamond line bracelet. For those just beginning their collection, she recommends gold hoop earrings, yellow gold bracelets and a long link chain.

Yellow gold is back and more popular than ever. For the 2021 holiday season, Vodicka predicts that all that glitters will be gold. Holiday partygoers will

TALLAHASSEEMAGA ZINE.COM

↑ Ocean Reflections earrings from the Chelsea Collection include green amethyst, aquamarine and 14K gold fill. The large amethyst gemstones are concave pan-faceted cut and shine brilliantly. The earrings are handcrafted at Tracy Arrington Studios and are available at The Gem Collection.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF LELE SADOUGHI / NARCISSUS (TOP) AND TRACY ARRINGTON STUDIOS / THE GEM COLLECTION (BOTTOM)

SHINING EAR TO EAR Baubles created by Lele Sandoughi and available at Narcissus include Santa Fe petal-framed button earrings. Models are also seen wearing teddy knotted headbands and toting an ivy saddlebag, left, and ivy clutch.

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↖

don large gold hoops, yellow gold ear cuffs and wide yellow gold bracelets, including charm bracelets and Cuban link chains for both men and women.

Sarah Villella, manager and buyer at Narcissus adds pearls to the list of classics. She also recommends vintage or vintage-inspired chandelier pieces such as intricate drop earrings of bright gemstones. Favorite brands that elevate any outfit and are ideal for holiday wear include Verdier, Freida Rothman, Jenny Bird and With Love Darling.

Holiday jewelry is all about catching the eye. Think pearls but with an edge — the ones that wouldn’t be worn by your grandmother — on a chunky gold chain, against a plaid headband or on a leather cuff. Incorporate holiday colors such as ruby red drop earrings, an emerald pendant, or alternating silver and gold bangles.

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Vodicka and Villella agree that jewelry should either center around a statement piece or be a tasteful layering of smaller, delicate jewelry. The days of stacking large, bold jewelry are gone.

“Leave the ornaments for the tree, make sure your accessories complement you and don’t overshadow your presence,” said Villella. “Our styling tip: If your jewelry is the focal point, keep the clothing simple.”

Sequins and velvet are top contenders for holiday parties, and because these are already vivid choices, a pair of diamond studs or a gold bracelet would be fitting companions. If your ensemble is a solid color, infuse it with the vibrance of gemstones.

The holidays are a time where we all gravitate toward whimsy and wonder.

The baubles we wear reflect our spirits, radiant and shiny. TM

TALLAHASSEEMAGA ZINE.COM

↖ Yellow Gold Diamond Huggie Hoops, The Gem Collection ↙ Twisted Rope Oval Link Bracelet

by Gabriel & Co. The Gem Collection

PHOTOS COURTESY TRACY ARRINGTON STUDIOS (TOP) AND THE GEM COLLECTION (BOTTOM)

“Not Your Grandmother’s Pearls” from the Madison Collection include sterling silver, 14K gold fill, black rhodium, labradorites and natural freshwater pearls.

They are produced by Terry Arrington Studios and are carried by The Gem Collection.

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– Mandy Bianchi, executive director of Ability1st 3135 ELIZA ROAD, TALLAHASSEE, FL 32308 | 850-671-6663 MANDY BIANCHI TALL AHASSEEMAGA ZINE.COM

November–December 2021

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CITIZEN OF STYLE

MAKING HER LOOKS EASY Nancy Stepina-Robison doesn’t belabor anything

by AUDREY POST

I

f, as the old saying goes, “clothes make the man,” then Nancy Stepina-Robison’s twist on that adage could be “clothes make the woman feel good.”

“Clothes are a window to your personality, and they send a lot of messages,” she said. “I always focus on looking happy, and I have a sense of what makes me feel good and makes me happy.”

Stepina-Robison is one of those people who commands attention. Tall and confident, she strides into a room impeccably groomed, stylishly accessorized, a force of nature yet friendly and approachable, diverting our attention from whatever else we were doing to hear what she has to say.

“Nancy makes it look easy to be stylish,” said her longtime friend Susan Fiorito, dean of Florida State University’s College of Entrepreneurship. “Even though she’s retired, she always looks great and always looks appropriate, no matter what she’s doing.”

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Giving back in chic comfort The former vice chancellor for government relations for the Florida University System and later a partner at MGT Consulting, Stepina-Robison now focuses primarily on community and civic leadership. She brings her skills as a powerhouse lobbyist and management consultant to all her endeavors, including serving as the current president of the Rotary Club of Tallahassee and on several Rotary boards and committees, on FSU’s Library Advancement Board and the FSU Undergraduate Development Council. She and her late husband, Jeff Robison, established the Jeff and Nancy Robison Scholarship fund in FSU’s College of Health and Human Sciences.

While her work history makes her a natural fit for upper echelon positions on various charitable boards, her warm heart and genuine desire to help others leads her to volunteer in more hands-on ways as well. She is a HOPE House meal server, photography by SAIGE ROBERTS

↙ GOOD AS GOLD Nancy Stepina-Robison is at ease in a washable, non-wrinkle polyester jumpsuit from She + Sky. Her shawl, received as a gift, is from O’Rama’s Clothing and Accessories in Massachusetts. She has accessorized with a Tiffany bracelet and Cartier trinity necklace.

Nancy’s Couture DRESSES ARE HER WARDROBE’S BACKBONE. “It’s basically a one-stop shop. With pants and skirts, you have all these other questions to answer: Should the blouse be tucked in or out?

Do I need a belt?

I love belts, and I hate belts,” StepinaRobison said. “I traveled a lot in my jobs, and I could roll up five dresses and tuck them in my suitcase.”

—Nancy Stepina-Robison

↓ STEPINAROBISON IS ALSO FOND OF SCARVES AND SHAWLS. “In summer especially, when you’re going from heat to airconditioning and back constantly, wearing a dress and shawl lets you adapt easily,” she said.

—Nancy Stepina-Robison

↑ Stepina-Robison paired a machine washable, polyester/ spandex jumpsuit with a Kandinsky print scarf from the MoMA Design Store.

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A machine washable polyester/spandex Calvin Klein dress from Dillard’s is topped with an Ann Taylor nylon-rayon blend blazer.

a Salvation Army bell ringer, helps collect backpacks for the Second Harvest of the Big Bend’s backpack program and has been a “reading pal” at John G. Riley Elementary School.

Giving back obviously is important to her. Being comfortable while doing it is also important. It doesn’t hurt to be chic, too.

“Over the years, you start to select things to wear that go with your skin tone, your eyes, your hair,” she said. “It

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doesn’t preclude the fact they might also be trendy.”

Dresses are her wardrobe’s backbone.

“It’s basically a one-stop shop. With pants and skirts, you have all these other questions to answer: Should the blouse be tucked in or out? Do I need a belt? I love belts, and I hate belts,” Stepina-Robison said. “I traveled a lot in my jobs, and I could roll up five dresses and tuck them in my suitcase.”

TALLAHASSEEMAGA ZINE.COM

Fiorito agreed that Stepina-Robison “travels light.”

“Nancy and I go way back; she was my maid of honor when I got married 39 years ago,” Fiorito said. “She throws on a dress and accessorizes with earrings and a necklace, and she’s gorgeous.

She doesn’t belabor anything.”

Stepina-Robison is also fond of scarves and shawls.

“In summer especially, when you’re going from heat to air-conditioning and back constantly, wearing a dress and shawl lets you adapt easily,” she said.

A uniform childhood Growing up in Schenectady, New York, Stepina-Robison didn’t have much opportunity to develop her fashion style.

She went to Catholic school until she transferred to a public magnet program at the beginning of ninth grade. At both schools, uniforms were required.

“In grade school, it was a white blouse with a Peter Pan collar and a blue jumper over it, a blue clip-on tie and a beanie,” she recalled, laughing. “It was a huge, delightful experience to discover color and fun clothes.”

She earned her undergraduate degree in business at Binghamton University in upstate New York and a master’s degree at the University of Illinois in labor and management relations. It was a joint program with the law school, but a job in Chicago with Standard Oil of Indiana, now Amoco/BP, was too lucrative to pass up, so she skipped the law degree part.

“And I was back in a uniform,” she said.

“Dark suits, the ties women wore back then. A lot of my colleagues were lawyers, and we all dressed the part.”

Even then, her sense of style came through.

“Her friendly personality shines through in everything she does. It’s not only what she wears, but it’s her smile, her confidence, her elegance,” Fiorito said. “Being tall and slender, she is the epitome of grace and style. TM photography by SAIGE ROBERTS

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PROMOTION

THE GEM COLLECTION’S GUIDE TO

HAPPY GIFT GIVING

1

What gift did you give your favorite lady in the whole world last December?

Do you remember? Does she?

Here is our guide to beautiful gifts she will remember forever.

3 2

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4

TALLAHASSEEMAGA ZINE.COM

PROMOTION

1. CLASSIC NOSTALGIA These diamond drop earrings by Designer Beverly K are sure to please. They are .64 carats of fine diamonds set in 14-karat white gold. $2,390

5

2. SEA STARS A little bit of summer presented mid-winter? This 18-karat white gold starfish by designer Mark Henry is studded with rare natural alexandrite. As rare and beautiful as she is, these stones have subtle color changes in various lights. $1,950

3. HOOP-LA! A classic earring every

6

woman needs. These 14-karat yellow gold mid-size hoop earrings pair well with every outfit. $169

4. FEELING LUCKY? Because she will when she opens your gift of four-leaf clover 2.26-carat fine emerald earrings in 14-karat yellow gold with diamond accents. $2,990 5. RING IN THE NEW YEAR

7

Every angel deserves a halo diamond ring, and every lady will remember this gift for the rest of her life. A .70 carat fine oval cut diamond surrounded by a halo of smaller diamonds in this 14-karat white gold engagement ring. $5,790

6. GREEN WITH ENVY Green is the color of life, hope and energy … we might also say love, as she is guaranteed to love these. Fine, .80-carat total weight emerald- and diamond-accent drop earrings in 14-karat white gold. $1,550

8

7. FINE FEATHERED FRIEND

An angel feather or a symbol of nature?

This sweet, 14-karat feather pendant on a dainty chain evokes happiness, joy and being present in the moment — things we all need to remember to bring into our lives in 2022. $255

8. THE SHAPE OF THINGS TO COME Classic earrings with a little flare, these 14-karat yellow gold diamond-shaped drops can go casual with a tee and jeans or add a little drama to that little black dress. $255

GO

➺ The Gem Collection 3501 Thomasville Road | (850) 893-4171 | GemCollection.com

All items shown are available at The Gem Collection or gemcollection.com

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Gypsy Rose Apparel

➸ JULIE VOS JEWELRY is an exquisite new line

sure to make any woman on your holiday shopping list smile. The versatility of the line from delicate, jewel-toned layered necklaces to chunky statement pieces matches any lady’s style. Vos’ pieces are a reflection of destinations from around the world; the architecture and colors of her favorite cities inspired her to create keepsake jewelry.

➸ THE ARCHIPELAGO PINEAPPLE GINGER CANDLE is a great gift for a hostess or homebody.

The intoxicating scent, laced with ginger and pineapple that is not too sweet, transports you to the shores of Maui. It is the top-selling candle at Gypsy Rose’s Bannerman location.

↓ What’s In Store?

A roundup of retail happenings throughout Tallahassee

by REBECCA PADGETT FRETT

TALLULAH CBD

Coton Colors ➸ To make serious treatment appointments feel less scary, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital transports their little patients in classic red wagons through the hospital. In honor of this simple but loving gesture, Coton Colors designed the LIMITED EDITION 2019 ST. JUDE RED WAGON GLASS ORNAMENT. With every ornament sold, Coton Colors will donate $6 to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

At the holidays, we all need and deserve a bit of pampering and relaxation. Put together a gift basket of CBD products for yourself or a loved one. A ROSE CBD FACE MASK contains spa-quality ingredients and 50 milligrams of CBD to elevate any skincare routine. CBD GUMMIES WITH TURMERIC AND SPIRULINA provide the health-boosting one-two punch of “superfoods” with beneficial antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. SLEEP WELL CBD GUMMIES are specifically formulated for a better night’s sleep with a unique blend of CBN, CBD, melatonin and elderberry extract to support the immune system. UNCLE BUD’S CBD PAIN PATCH is a fastacting, medical-grade hydrogel patch that allows a more efficient delivery of CBD to the body. VANILLA CBD GROUND COFFEE is an awardwinning, artisanal CBD coffee that soothes and energizes with each sip.

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PHOTOS COURTESY OF COTON COLORS AND GYPSY ROSE APPAREL

With holiday traditions come new additions to Coton Color’s Christmas line that soon become valued collectibles. The Christmas Village collection invites nostalgia for the 1950s and ’60s with a quintessential take on the most wonderful time of the year. The collection features bright and whimsical detailed illustrations of a holiday village.

THOMASVILLEGA.COM

SHOPS · DINING · MAGIC

THOMASVILLE, GA Thursday & Friday - December 9th & 10th Visit charming Downtown Thomasville this season for an unparalleled holiday experience.

Join us for Victorian Christmas and many other seasonal festivities happening all December long.

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PROMOTION

Whether you want to deck yourself out for date night, thank a coworker or find a unique gift for someone on your nice list, our handy Holiday Gift Guide will make your shopping spree in Tallahassee a breeze. With fabulous finds ranging from upscale designer duds to treat-yourself gifts, sensational seasonal shopping is simply in the bag! Now that’s the spirit!

Give the gift of beauty with Aveda products.

The botanical repair line shampoo and masque strengthens and repairs hair from the inside out with the power of plants.

This holiday season, pamper yourself or a loved one at Tallahassee’s premier full-service spa.

1817 Thomasville Road, Suite 230 (850) 224-2222 MillenniumAtMidtown.com

HORIZONS BAR & GRILLE

Celebrate the holidays at Horizons Bar & Grille with family, or give a gift card to a friend. It is also a great place to stop in to take a break from hustle and bustle of shopping! Classic, house-made American cuisine. Full bar with a variety of refreshing signature drinks. Dinner, Sunday brunch and happy hour with 20 TVs for the games.

3427 Bannerman Road, Suite #104 (850) 329-2371 | HorizonsBarAndGrille.com

YOGA POWER TALLAHASSEE

Give the gift of healing, growth, movement and community. With over 20 classes a week and many exciting workshops every month, we offer something to fit everyone’s busy schedule. Gift certificates available for the holidays.

2030 Thomasville Road, Suite 5 (850) 597-8998 | YogaPowerTallahassee.com

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PHOTOS BY LINDSEY MASTERSON (MILLENNIUM AT MIDTOWN NAIL & DAY SPA AND TALLAHASSEE PLASTIC SURGERY) AND JENNIFER POWELL (YOGA POWER TALLAHASSEE)

Holiday GIFT GUIDE

MILLENNIUM AT MIDTOWN NAIL & DAY SPA

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gastro&gusto NOV/DEC 2021

FROM THE SIMPLY IRRESISTIBLE TO THE PIÉCE DE RÉSISTANCE

↘

Scottish shortbread cookies, a traditional holiday treat, are the product of three simple ingredients: butter, powdered sugar and flour. They are easily enhanced by dipping them in chocolate and adding green and red sprinkles.

HOME COOKIN’

Neither Santa nor you can eat only one

↓

PHOTO BY TAVAN AMONRATANASAREEGUL / ISTOCK / GETTY IMAGES PLUS

CAN’T-MISS CHRISTMAS COOKIES

by AUDREY POST

LIBATIONS

An Intimate Drinking Experience

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Ah, Christmas cookies, those holiday essentials that delight the senses and pack on the pounds. We all have our favorites, even if we don’t want to admit it for fear of offending the cooks we love.

Here, Tallahassee Magazine shares the three very best Christmas cookie recipes.

You’ll probably recognize them, and we invite you to add your own touches. These recommendations come from three sources who really know Christmas cookies: a local chef and caterer, Santa and this writer. Happy holidays!

At first, Chef Jessica Bright McMillan didn’t “get” the magic of shortbread’s buttery flavor.

“Obviously it was complex,” she said. “Why else would we pay for wrapped packages of the delicate cookies to cross the ocean, rather than making them ourselves? My grandparents would routinely gift a tin of the stuff, which I joyfully dipped in my tea every Christmas. … I looked forward to it all year long.”

A friend who never cooked solved the mystery, proudly disclosing that she learned how to make shortbread from her Scottish immigrant grandfather. Grandpa Stobo’s Scottish Shortbread became a Christmas tradition for McMillan, too.

“This simple combination of three ingredients magically melts in your mouth,” she said. “The recipe couldn’t be easier and is perfect to make in bulk and gift to your friends.”

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↑ Scottish Shortbread Cookies INGREDIENTS

➸ 1 cup softened salted butter (2 sticks) ➸ ¾ cup powdered sugar ➸ 2 cups flour

In a large mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar.

With the mixer running, gradually add the flour to form dough. Place dough onto baking sheet lined with parchment paper and shape into a large circle ¾ inch thick. Prick with fork, then score into wedges and place in refrigerator for 30 minutes. Preheat oven to 375°F. Bake for five minutes, then reduce oven to 300°F and bake for 45 additional minutes until pale gold. Don’t let it brown. Cut into wedges along scored lines before it cools completely.

Optional additions: Add a half-teaspoon of fresh minced rosemary, dried lavender or fresh ground black pepper for an unexpected burst of flavor. You can also dip in chocolate and decorate with holiday sprinkles.

PHOTO BY TAVAN AMONRATANASAREEGUL / ISTOCK / GETTY IMAGES PLUS

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Santa’s Sugar Cookies Santa insisted we include this disclaimer: He never met a Christmas cookie he didn’t love. Anyone who takes the time to create a treat to sustain him on his long Christmas Eve rounds infuses so much love that it wipes out the occasional undercooking, overcooking or accidental misapplication of seasonings.

That said, his favorite sugar cookie recipe is another of Chef Jessica’s creations.

Santa said they taste just like the ones Grandma Claus used to make.

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↙ Sugar Cookies INGREDIENTS

➸ 2 teaspoons ➸ ½ cup butter (see Chef’s note below) baking powder ➸ 1 cup sugar ➸ 2 cups flour ➸ 1 egg ➸ ½ teaspoon vanilla or almond extract ➸ ½ teaspoon salt

Preheat oven to 400°F. In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar together. Add egg and vanilla, mix. In a separate bowl whisk together remaining ingredients, then gradually add to creamed mixture while mixing. When evenly mixed, remove dough from bowl and roll out, then cut as desired with cookie cutters. Place shapes on a sheet pan lined with parchment paper, with 1 inch between cookies. Chill cookies for about 10 minutes in refrigerator before baking to help the dough hold its shape. Bake cookies until slightly golden, about 7–10 minutes, depending on the size of cookie.

Chef’s note: If you have a powerful mixer, you can cream the butter with the sugar straight from the refrigerator and start rolling dough right away. However, if you’re using a standard kitchen mixer, we recommend using roomtemperature butter, then chilling the dough after mixing (before rolling) so it can hold its shape better.

An adaptable Southern classic Pecan Tassies have always been a double winner because they’re both tasty and easy to make. Now there’s one more reason to love them: They can be made gluten-free.

It’s worth buying a tart tamper, which makes shaping the shells a snap.

Royal Icing INGREDIENTS

➸ ½ cup cold water or 4 egg whites ➸ ¼ cup meringue powder

➸ 1 teaspoon lemon juice ➸ Pinch of salt ➸ 4 cups powdered sugar

PHOTOS BY WWW.SUGARSALTMAGIC.COM (PECAN TASSIES) AND ISTOCK / GETTY IMAGES PLUS: SOLPHOTO AND HUEPHOTOGRAPHY

Beat meringue powder into cold water or egg whites until soft peaks form, then beat in lemon juice and salt. Beat until stiff peaks form, and gradually incorporate confectioner’s sugar until desired consistency. Add more sugar for stiffer icing. Divide icing into bowls and color as desired, then pipe or spread icing on cookies. Allow cookies to air dry.

Chef’s notes: Meringue powder is also called powdered egg whites and is available online, at stores that sell cake-decorating supplies and seasonally at well-stocked supermarkets.

If you don’t have a piping bag, you can create an effective substitute by putting the icing in a plastic zip-top bag and cutting a small hole in one of the bottom corners.

↑ Tart Shells

Filling

INGREDIENTS

INGREDIENTS

➸½ cup butter (1 stick), softened ➸ 3 ounces cream cheese, softened ➸ 1 cup gluten-free baking flour, plus extra for the tamper

➸ 2 tablespoons butter, melted ➸ ½ cup firmly packed brown sugar ➸ 1 large egg ➸ 1 teaspoon vanilla ➸ 1 cup chopped pecan halves ➸ Powdered sugar (optional)

Preheat oven to 350°F. Beat the butter and cream cheese until well blended. Mix in flour to form a soft dough.

Shape dough into 1-inch balls. Place dough balls in ungreased cups of a mini-muffin pan. Dip tart tamper lightly in flour, then press tamper into the dough until edges rise slightly above the pan’s rim.

Pour melted butter into bowl. Stir in brown sugar, egg and vanilla.

Add pecans and mix well.

Place a couple of teaspoons of filling in each shell; do not overfill.

Bake 20–25 minutes or until light golden brown. Let the cookies cool in pan for 3 minutes, then remove to a wire cooling rack and let cool completely. Sprinkle with powdered sugar, if desired.

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LIBATIONS

AN INTIMATE DRINKING EXPERIENCE At Sage’s bar, people care if you show up

by ROCHELLE KOFF

B

ooter and Lynn Imhof were sitting at the bar at Sage on a summer’s night, savoring a glass of Cabernet Sauvignon, chatting with fellow patrons. It’s a routine they’ve enjoyed for more than four years.

“It’s a great little bar,” said Lynn Imhof.

“We enjoy the atmosphere and the people.

We’ve made friends here.”

Two of those friends are M.J. Bethel and her husband Bill Thompson. Like the Imhofs, they’re longtime regulars at Sage’s 10-seat bar in Northeast Tallahassee.

“We catch up every Friday,” noted Thompson. “We’ve met a number of people there.”

People come and go during the day and evening, most staying a couple of hours.

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“Even if you don’t know anyone, after a while you start talking,” said Booter Imhof. “It’s a friendly bar. We love the bartenders, and the owners are very, very nice, too.”

The bar itself helps foster friendships and familiarity, patrons said.

“The bar is smaller, and it creates more intimacy than longer bars. You can easily talk to people across the way,” said Bethel.

One couple sitting across the way, Joe and Pam Brannon, usually come to Sage about 4:30 to 5 p.m. on Fridays.

“This is my favorite bar in town,” said Joe Brannon. “It feels like family. It’s what you want in a bar.”

Brannon paid the bar the ultimate compliment.

TALLAHASSEEMAGA ZINE.COM

↖

Bar manager Ben Sutton, upper left, prepares a cocktail. The bar at Sage is shorter than many, adding to an intimate feel and facilitating interaction among customers. There’s no place to hide.

photography by DAVE BARFIELD

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“It’s like Cheers,” he said.

Cheers, the mythical TV bar on the beloved 1980s sitcom, continues to be the gold standard for coziness and camaraderie. It’s the epitome of the kind of bar many of us love, populated by a cast of characters — people who care if we show up. The quintessential neighborhood watering hole.

Sage is a more refined rendition, of course. It’s soothing and subtle, made of wood and stone, offset by pillars and surrounded by bar tables.

“It’s very grounded and comfortable,” said Craig Richardson, co-owner with chef Terry White of Sage and the downtown Italian steakhouse, Il Lusso. “We wanted it to be a little more casual than the rest of the dining room.

There are electrical outlets if people want to work.”

The bar menu, however, reflects the fine dining choices Sage is known for, with dishes like ovenbaked escargot, smoked salmon and deviled crab crusted redfish.

As for the beverages, “We’ve turned it into a bourbon-centric bar, but we go very deep with all of the spirits,” said Richardson.

Sage features beer from local breweries, including Deep, Proof and Oyster City and spirits like gin, vodka and rum from Ology.

“We’re happy that Ology now has its own distillery,” said Richardson. “It’s nice to have all these options locally that we couldn’t have before.”

Sage expanded in 2018, adding a second bar when there’s an overflow crowd, generally on weekend evenings.

Wherever patrons sit, the bartenders are a star attraction.

“Bartenders know you, they take care of you,” said Brannon.

“Sage always has good bartenders who know how to make a good drink.”

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Bartenders Woody Miner and Matthew Schnell were working on a Friday evening when I stopped by, and it was indeed mesmerizing to watch them create classic and contemporary cocktails, mixing and shaking, adding decorative touches of fresh herbs. They are constantly moving.

Miner came to work at Sage nearly three years ago after bartending in Atlanta, Destin and other spots in Tallahassee for nearly a dozen years before starting his current job.

“I had heard of Sage and knew its reputation,” said Miner. “It’s a great spot, and it’s always winning awards for food. I wanted to be more focused on wine and fine dining.”

Schnell, also an experienced bartender, had been in training at Sage for about a week when the pandemic shut down businesses.

In April 2020, he wrote on Facebook that he was “a brand new employee in a brand new city. I was almost certain that this newfound ‘home’ would have no other choice but to terminate my employment. They didn’t.”

When the pandemic hit, Sage had to furlough all hourly employees, but managers worked when the restaurant was doing

TALLAHASSEEMAGA ZINE.COM

↖ A craft cocktail, the St. George Blues, upper left, combines citrus vodka with blueberry and lavender shrub, Cocchi Americano, lemon juice and simple syrup; Ben Sutton offers service with a smirk; diners including, from left, Dionte Gavin, Kay Meyer and Caitlin Yancy Moore often pause at the bar on their way out of Sage. photography by DAVE BARFIELD

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↑ Bartender Woody Miner arrived at Sage after working in Atlanta, Destin and at other businesses in Tallahassee. He was attracted to Sage, he said, by its stellar reputation as an award-winning restaurant.

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takeout, said co-owner Terry White, but Danny Renninger, director of operations for Sage and Il Lusso, had an idea.

“The community really came out and was so gracious, tipping extra and writing checks to help us make ends meet,” said White.

So all the managers pooled extra money in a fund for hourly staff, about 80 people at both restaurants, to help pay their bills for things like cell phones, rent and car payments.

“It made a difference,” said bartender Miner. “They helped out with our bills to keep collectors off our backs.”

His colleague Schnell wrote that Sage “looked out for me as if I had been a part of the team for a decade.

Not only have I received phone calls just to check up but also some financial backing in this time of need. I cannot fully express my gratitude and amazement for these people and the community that supports them.”

Once Sage began receiving Paycheck Protection Program loans, the restaurant started bringing employees back and giving them work. The cocktailsto-go program kept bartenders busy making batch cocktails, which they still do.

But regulars said they missed actually hanging out at the bar. They were especially cheerful to be back.

“It’s a wonderful, wonderful experience,” said Pam Brannon.

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KEEPING TABS ON ALL THAT MUSES INSPIRE

EXPRESSION

MUSICAL MATURATION

Rachel Hillman’s meanderings are adding up to something good

by WYNN PARKS

BOOKS All Aboard the Monotooth photography by ALICIA OSBORNE

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expression

↙

Musician Rachel Hillman views herself as a work in progress with a voice that continues to evolve, but she’s having fun along the way.

A

s a song, Rachel Hillman would have to be “The Fool On The Hill.” And that’s not bad, at all! As a vocalist, musician and songwriter, she is an inspired, happy wanderer, a fool who “sees the world spinning ’round,” defined by words such as beginnings, spontaneity, originality.

Hillman’s musical stops take her schlepping mostly throughout the top half of Florida — Pensacola, Gainesville, Jacksonville and points in between — with her boodle over her shoulder on a stick. Once, during a brief residence in

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↑ Rachel Hillman INFLUENCES An album that focuses on the importance of simple pleasures like dining with friends.

Nashville, she continued to trek all the way back to the Panhandle for engagements.

It’s a lifestyle she refers to with mild irony, as “gigging,” part of the advanced, musical journeywoman’s dues. But, if she keeps going the way she is, Hillman’s ever-deepening talents are certain to move her from gigging to touring before long.

Her Euterpean blessings can sneak up on you. Her best arrangements are evocative, sometimes subtle, sometimes in your face and often hooked up to lyrics with the understated intensity of haiku. So far, she’s put out three albums — Bonfire (2017), Roadie (2018) and Influences (2019) — plus two singles, together representing progress across a spectrum of musical genres from ingénue pop, with a pert and perky faith in soul mates and first kisses, to the Nashville bluesy-soulsy discovery that life ain’t never promised you no rose garden.

Her most recent album, Influences, goes a long way to reconciling the two previous albums in a quirky and sometimes wry, Maria Muldaur-jazz style. She lightheartedly vocalizes in “A Place Where We All Can Eat” about a pathway to felicity through simple things and pleasures like sharing a meal with friends and family. It’s a progression, she reflects, that “hopefully” signals the approach of her musical maturation.

Hillman puts it right up front that her childhood upbringing was a case of “split parenting.”

“My father is English and my mother Bolivian.

I was born in Tallahassee, lived for a while in Fort Lauderdale with my mom, and have since moved back to Tallahassee where my father still lives,” she explained.

Starting at age 12, Hillman threw herself into choir classes and in the course of her high school years was a member of seven different choir groups, ultimately earning the title of “student director.” She was among Carla Connors’ students and dreamed of a career in opera like Tallahassee’s classic soprano diva.

Hillman came away from high school with a scholarship to FSU and swan-dived into the academics of her passion. But after three years, she experienced a growing sense of alienation, possibly a conflict between the passionate and the academic in her life. Expressly, it was discomfort with the pretensions of the school’s rarified opera culture.

Disillusioned, she dropped out of academia and sought refuge in opera’s polar opposite.

After six, prodigal, eye-opening months in Nashville, Hillman “hitched on back to FSU.” photography by ALICIA OSBORNE

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“Neither my parents nor even college could have prepared me culturally for the Nashville scene,” she said. “The majority of musicians I ran into there were all trying to fit into one of the industry pigeon holes, and with my English and Bolivian background, I didn’t have a clue about how to be a simple country girl.”

Nevertheless, her sojourn in Nashville must have turned Hillman’s focus to New World music because, back in school, her passion seemed to click into sync with her recently matriculated classes in jazz history and theory.

“I love the way there’s a flow between jazz musicians, the ability to start out with a common theme, then spontaneously respond, each to the others’ variations,” Hillman said. “And it’s American-made music! Ella Fitzgerald, Anita O’Day, Rachel Price, Gossiping Butterflies!

They’re great!”

Recently, a colleague described Hillman as probably the hardest working musician in North Florida. Either solo or with the Tallahassee Swing Band, Hillman’s venues in Florida’s capital city include The Moon, the HiFi Jazz Cafe, Bowery Station and an American Legion post.

“I’m still learning,” she said. “I’m working on my voice, on my writing, on my lead guitar playing. I’m learning Spanish so that I can speak to my grandmother in her native language.”

Yet, as self-deprecating as she is about her unique talents in the efflorescent Panhandle music scene, Rachel’s online Reverbnation page contains more than one message like the one from an admirer who wrote, “I would love to make a song with you. I’m a singer!”

Hillman, the happy wanderer, laughs and looks about herself. Something dawns on her.

“Oh, and here’s something,” she enthused. “I’ve just recently discovered Led Zeppelin!” TM

POST TIME 78

↘ Rachel Hillman performs downstairs at OverUnder in Tallahassee where the ground floor is reserved for grounding music.

Rachel Hillman performs “Tallahassee Swing” music on Tuesdays from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. at American Legion Post #13, 229 Lake Ella Drive. She is scheduled to be at Tallahassee Nurseries for a show on Saturday, Nov. 6.

November–December 2021

TALLAHASSEEMAGA ZINE.COM

photography by ALICIA OSBORNE

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CUSTOM CONTENT

Music to Your Ears

THE 30A SONGWRITERS FESTIVAL RETURNS FOR ITS 13TH YEAR

M

usic is the great uniter. A song can be sensory and full of memory. Songs tell stories for those who gather and listen. For 13 years, listening ears have been summoned by the songs of more than 200 songwriters at the 30A Songwriters Festival.

In intimate coffee houses, restaurants, theatres and a mainstage with room for 6,000 attendees, songwriters take the stage in more than 30 different venues throughout the Scenic 30A area. It’s possible you’ll recognize the faces of local talent, be introduced to the music of up-and-comers and hear chart-topping songs from Nashville writers and major industry names, all during the fourday celebration Jan. 14–17, 2022.

After the cancellation of last year’s event, the Cultural Arts Alliance of Walton County Inc. is even more anticipatory of music’s return to the region. The 30A Songwriters Festival is the largest and most profitable fundraiser for the organization.

While it raises necessary funds for the nonprofit, it also acts as a community-building event.

“Our mission is for the community to be enriched, to economically grow and for general quality of life to be improved through the arts,” says Jennifer Steele, executive director of the Cultural Arts Alliance of Walton County Inc. “We hope this event makes it apparent that art in communities has the power to bring change and have long-term economic, emotional and physical benefits.”

Since its inception, the festival, which is co-produced by Russell Carter Artist Management, has grown exponentially, attracting both patrons and musicians from throughout the United States.

Notable acts in 2022 will include Mavis Staples, Emmylou Harris, Brothers of a Feather (Chris & Rich Robinson of The Black Crowes), Dawes, Jenny Lewis and Rickie Lee Jones.

With an increase in interest each year, the success of the event would not be possible without the hundreds of volunteers that ensure the safety of listeners and artists alongside the most pleasant of festival experiences.

“What sets this festival apart is its scope and diversity,” says Steele. “We hope attendees are exposed to new songwriters who they become fans of and get to experience artists they’ve long admired, all representative of a variety of musical genres.”

CULTURAL ARTS ALLIANCE 105 HOGTOWN BAYOU LANE, SANTA ROSA BEACH | (850) 622-5970 | CULTURALARTSALLIANCE.COM

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expression

BOOKS

ALL ABOARD THE MONOTOOTH David Ekrut’s novel grabs readers like a hand on a hilt

by STEVE BORNHOFT

J

himself looking over his own shoulder at turns, fearful that an aggressor wielding dirks or a dagger or a drawn bow may be right behind him.

It surely helps that Ekrut has a lot of experiences to draw upon. A product of small-town Arkansas, he has been many things — a thespian, a wanderer, an engineer, a cancer researcher, a martial arts instructor. He holds a doctorate in biomedical mathematics from Florida State University. He can

bench press 350 pounds, so give him no grief about the berets, appropriately medieval in aspect, that he likes to wear.

There is much hand fighting in Blade. Characters get cut and sustain gruesome wounds. (Ekrut, it is clear, knows something about taking people down.) Kalicodon is a harsh desert environment of contrasts — riches and sand. There, the slow-footed beasts of burden are monotooths, rhinocerosskinned with pearly white horns.

PHOTO BY JENNIFER EKRUT (BOOKS)

axton Fliste is a stranger in a strange land. He is an outlander, an Alcoan in a place called Kalicodon that is governed by a rulebook, which while portable, details seemingly countless ways in which one might dishonor Virasti, a mythological god of the sun who is believed to mete out punishments for infractions — most especially sins of pride — and prescriptions for restitution and restoration of standing.

Adherence to code translates to worthiness and reward. Departures are dealt with harshly. Fortunes may turn on a dime.

Fliste, or Jax, is the chief protagonist in By the Blade, a novel described by its author, Dr. David Ekrut of Tallahassee, as a blending of Raiders of the Lost Ark and classical epic poetry. Indiana Jones, meet Aeneas. Too, there is an element of L. Frank Baum. Jax is a principled warrior, but he is also Dorothy, traveling nervously about on foot and trying to find a way home. Virasti, an invention of mere mortals, is Oz-like enough.

Journalists choose from among the information, observations and utterances at their disposal and compile stories they may view as objective. Publication editors determine which stories the consumers of magazines and newspapers get to read. Heady stuff.

Plausibility is a concern for most writers of fiction, but the fantasy writer is free to create new worlds. What matters most is whether the story works.

Ekrut is a fine storyteller. His writing is vivid, well paced and often scary. A reader of By the Blade finds

READ MORE

Books in David Ekrut’s series, the Elwin Escari Chronicles, are available at Amazon in audio, print and digital formats. The engaging, well-paced tales combine elements of adventure, humor and intrigue and remind us that no system of rules, no matter how rigid, can eliminate human weaknesses and character flaws. It’s hard to read people. Their intentions may not be clear. Are they clever, mad or both? Ekrut holds a doctorate in biomedical mathematics from Florida State University. He resides in Tallahassee and is an occasional contributor to Rowland Publishing Inc. magazines.

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photography by SAIGE ROBERTS

All billfishing in Guatemala is catch and release

April 19–23, 2022 Total Cost: $5,300 ■

Lodging per double occupancy 5 days/4 nights

■

Greeting at airport and all transfers; return to airport

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3 full days of fishing with captain and mate

■

4 anglers per boat with all equipment

■

A Guy Harvey gift package to include shirt and other items from their store

■

A Pacific Fins gift package upon arrival to room

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Subscription to Guy Harvey Magazine

■

Open bar private dinners (full a-la-carte menu) each night by Pacific Fins chef with Dr. Guy Harvey

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Breakfast, hot lunch and snacks prepared fresh on board by Pacific Fins crew with soft drink/water beverages

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During stay, Dr. Guy Harvey will paint an original piece of art to be auctioned off on the last night

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Personalized signed print of Guy Harvey art

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Sightseeing afternoon upon arrival and lunch at La Casa Del Ron (Service tips not included)

For available expedition dates, contact browland@GuyHarvey.com TALL AHASSEEMAGA ZINE.COM

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Jax is physically and philosophically attractive. He stands opposed to slavery, which is fundamental to life in Kalicodon. He is clever and cunning and given to an almost reckless sense of humor with which he mostly amuses himself — and Ekrut’s readers.

Jax’s attitude, always nearing disrespect, gives his rival Aerumod confidence that the outlander will mess up.

He assures Jax, “It’s only a matter of time before you defile the Virastian code, master. When the time comes, I will perform my duty and restore my own name. Your very rejection of my property and slavas (slaves) walks a fine line of dishonor. If you were not an outsider, I would call your disdain for my home pompous. But you are an outsider, and you do not belong here.”

Quite suddenly, Aerumod’s palatial home has become Jax’s. Aerumod, the leader of a legion of huntsmen, challenges Jax to a duel, saying, “Before these witnesses, I, Aerumod of the Ironclad, challenge your honor to uphold the Virastian code.”

Jax, smarmy and sure, replies, “And I challenge your ability to speak in sentences that make sense.” Aerumod grips the hilt of his saber and lunges. It’s on.

There is, sure enough, a woman to blame, sort of.

Yena is betrothed to Aerumod, but she has fallen in love and in bed with one of her husband’s guards, Daren, with whose child she is pregnant (or so Daren wants to believe). Along with getting the “abyss” out of Kalicodon, Jax is resolved to free the imprisoned Daren and Yena, whom Aerumod is hauling around by a chain fastened to a collar when our hero encounters him, so that they might live peacefully together.

Jax prevails at the duel and, to him, go all the spoils.

He is now Aerumod’s master and the owner of all that he owned. Aerumod rationalizes that Virasti caused him to lose the fight because he had become too prideful, and Jax is convinced that his new subordinate is slave to all this code stuff.

“A man must know his worth, but he should never revel in it,” Aerumod says in defeat.

There are two world views at play in the book: one in which a man or woman may achieve rank by his deeds or be condemned to slavery by his code violations; and another, the case in Alcoa, where — in Yena’s estimation — people are born into privilege and lord over others who are more worthy. Both approaches need work.

Despite his victory over Aerumod, much separates Jax from his goals: palace intrigue, the need to dance around a slave master, an uncomfortable alliance with a bounty hunter and a loyalty undisclosed until the book’s end.

Ekrut provides a wild ride. Engrossed, we are trapped aboard a rogue monotooth, but when finally it comes to rest, we are ready for the next installment in his Elwin Escari Chronicles to arrive. TM

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CUSTOM CONTENT

Called to Serve and Strive

T

The Junior League of Tallahassee is committed to cultivating a community of betterment

o look at the women who compose the Junior League of Tallahassee (JTL) is much like looking at the city itself. The women vary in background but have all found themselves drawn to the close-knit nature of the organization, united by their ever-expanding aspirations for their community.

The Junior League of Tallahassee has 200 active and 200 sustaining members, totaling 400 women who promote the League’s mission of improving the lives of children and families through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers.

“We are professional, efficient women of diverse populations, ranging in ages from 23 to 93, who consistently show up for our community when they need us, in whatever capacity that may be,” said Katie Britt Williams, president of the JLT. Through diversity, equity and inclusion training that occurs throughout each year, members are fully equipped to carry out the League’s mission. What sets this nonprofit apart is that members are trained volunteers that partner with other nonprofits to enact the most effective and direct change.

On a rolling basis of two years, the League seeks out two new community partners through the Jill Pope Community Partnership, which honors the passing of one of the League’s passionate volunteers.

Currently, the partners are the Big Bend Homeless Coalition’s HOPE Community and Capital City Youth Services. HOPE Community provides emergency shelter to families and works to end homelessness.

CCYS provides guidance, shelter and support to youth.

The JLT gives their time and funds through shifts that revolve around children’s programming, renovations, events, serving

meals and more. Past partnerships have included Pace, Girls on the Run, Boys Town of North Florida, Big Brothers and Big Sisters and Oasis Center for Girls.

Amongst many service projects throughout the year, the JLT has two signature projects: Kids’ Boutique and Mighty Meals.

Celebrating 25 years in 2021, Kids’ Boutique impacted the lives of a record 171 children from Leon County schools. In collaboration with guidance counselors, the JLT was able to provide new clothing and backpacks full of school supplies to students in need.

Mighty Meals was launched in 2020 as a means of combating childhood hunger and food insecurity. In partnership with Second Harvest of the Big Bend, they distribute enough food to serve three daily meals for a family of four during the seven days of spring break.

The League’s ability to impact the community is largely dependent upon their largest fundraiser, the Little Black Dress Initiative. Members wear the same black dress or outfit for five consecutive days to raise awareness of local issues like homelessness, poverty and food insecurity to ensure we can support our neighbors in need of basic necessities.

“We want to ensure we are fulfilling basic needs and providing support to those on the fringes by impacting more lives each year,” said Britt Williams. “Ultimately, we would love to completely alleviate those needs and expand to include mental health and the personal health of women and children.”

The women of the JLT sit on every community board; they are CEOs, policymakers, mothers, activists and much more. Most vitally, they are advocates for our community and the leaders of our children’s futures.

JUNIOR LEAGUE OF TALLAHASSEE 404 E. 6TH AVE. | (850) 224-9161 | JLTALLAHASSEE.ORG

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Similar to It’s a Wonderful Life (2018) ECTC’s Miracle on 34th Street will be staged as a 1940s radio play with a live Foley artist.

Similar to It’s a Wonderful Life (2018) ECTC’s Miracle on 34th Street will be staged as a 1940s radio play with a live Foley artist.

D

Marci Marci Duncan Duncan is is aa ‘miracle’ ‘miracle’ worker worker

o you believe? In these o you believe?

In Coast these challenging times, Emerald challenging times, Emerald Coast Theatre Company is certain of Theatre is certain of one thingCompany — the beloved classic one thing — the beloved classic holiday tale Miracle on 34th Street will surely holiday on 34th Street will surely put you tale and Miracle your family in the spirit. putJust youtoand your family in the spirit. be sure, they’ve called in the Just to be to sure, called holiday in the perfect talent stagethey’ve this season’s perfect talent to stage this season’s holiday show: Marci Duncan. show: Marci Duncan. Duncan is an Tallahassee-born, Tallahassee-born, Duncan an accomplished stage, screen and filmisactress accomplished stage, screen and film actress (she starred in ECTC’s one-woman show, (she starred ECTC’s one-woman Florida Girls,in last season), directorshow, (for Florida Girls, last season), director (for ECTC, she staged The Wind in the Willows ECTC, she staged The Wind in the Willows in 2019 and A Midsummer Night’s Dream in in 2019and andprofessor A Midsummer Night’s Dream 2021) (she teaches acting in at 2021) and professor (she teaches acting the University of West Florida). She’s alsoata the University West Florida).

She’s also a passionate artsofleader (she is the auditions passionate arts leader (she is the auditions chair for the Southeastern Theatre chair for and theonSoutheastern Conference the board of theTheatre Florida Conference and on the board the Florida Theatre Conference) and of entrepreneur Theatre Conference) andwhich entrepreneur (she founded Artists at Play, provides (she founded Artists at Play, which acting coaching to adult actors). provides acting coaching to adult actors).

“What drew me to Miracle was that this “Whatisdrew meastoa Miracle was thatradio this version staged live 1940s-era version is staged as a live 1940s-era radio broadcast. How sound effects and music broadcast. sound effects and music are mixed How into the storytelling makes for are mixed into the storytelling makes for an extremely fun experience not normally an extremely fun experience not normally done in a theatrical way,” she says sipping done a theatrical sheonsays coffeeinsnuggled in a way,” sweater hersipping sofa in coffee snuggled in a sweater on her sofa in Spanish Fort, Alabama.

Spanish Alabama.the heartwarming You Fort, remember You remember the heartwarming story. When a department store Santa story.

When a department storehisSanta claims he’s the real Kris Kringle, case claims he’s the real Kris Kringle, case goes all the way to the Supremehis Court. goes all the way to the Supreme Court.

Audiences watch the miracle unfold Audiences thegirl miracle as the beliefwatch of a little makes unfold all the as the belief of a little girl difference in many ways. makes all the difference manythe ways.

Adaptedinfrom 1947 Lux Radio Adapted from the 1947 Lux version Radio Hour Broadcast, this entertaining Hour Broadcast, this entertaining version of Lance Arthur Smith’s play is staged of Smith’sand playa isscore staged withLance live Arthur Foley effects of with live Foley effects and a score of holiday carols. holiday carols.

“I’m thinking retro classic late 1940s/ “I’m1950s,” thinking retro says, classic 1940s/ early Duncan herlate dark eyes early 1950s,” Duncan says, her dark eyes dancing. “It’s one of my favorite periods dancing. “It’s one of my favorite periods

for fashion. So picture beautiful clothes, for fashion.

So picture beautiful imagine a warm cup of cocoa andclothes, a plate imagine a warm cup of cocoa and a plate of fresh-baked Christmas cookies and of cookies the fresh-baked scent of pineChristmas in the air. That sets and the the scentstage of pine air. That sets the mental withinathe nostalgic Christmas mental stage with a nostalgic Christmas story that everybody should be in the story that everybody should be in the mood for right now.” mood for right now.”

The message of this classic show is perfect The message ofDuncan. this classic show is perfect timing, if you ask timing, if you ask Duncan.

“If we keep our eyes on what we see “If we keep eyes on what we see currently, we robour ourselves of the possibility currently, we rob ourselves of the possibility of a better tomorrow. One of the play’s of a betteris tomorrow.

One matter of the where play’s messages that it doesn’t messages is that it doesn’t matter where you start. There’s always an opportunity to you start. always an opportunity accept theThere’s light, the brighter side, and letto it accept the light, the brighter side,and andhope let it in. That child-like ability to look in. child-like look and more hope for That the magic of ability anotherto brighter, for the magic of another brighter, more beautiful day is just a wonderful sentiment beautiful just a wonderful that I planday on is bringing home.” sentiment that I plan on bringing home.”

Miracle on 34th Street Miracle on 34th Street A LIVE MUSICAL RADIO PLAY A LIVE MUSICAL December 9–19 RADIO PLAY December 9–19

EMERALD COAST THEATRE COMPANY 560 GRAND BLVD., SUITE 200, MIRAMAR BEACH | (850) 684-0323 | EMERALDCOASTTHEATRE.ORG EMERALD COAST THEATRE COMPANY 560 GRAND BLVD., SUITE 200, MIRAMAR BEACH | (850) 684-0323 | EMERALDCOASTTHEATRE.ORG

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Departing from

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Over-baked New Orleans

BBQ Shrimp

TALLAHASSEE CHEFS SUGGEST NEW ADDITIONS TO HOLIDAY FARE story by ROCHELLE KOFF photography by JAMES STEFIUK

oliday meals are generally pretty predictable. There’s usually turkey or ham, maybe a duck or goose, with all the fixins’, served generation after generation. Without a doubt, these traditions bring a certain comfort.

But sometimes it’s fun to shake things up, just a little. Or maybe a lot.

Holiday meals have changed in our household as our family, and cultural influences, have expanded. Bok choy has become a staple thanks to my daughter-in-law’s dad, while my husband prepares his Mississippi-style cornbread stuffing. We have matzoh ball soup and a spiral ham plus marshmallow-topped sweet potatoes, green bean casserole, pumpkin pie and Christmas cookies.

We love our eclectic holiday meals, but you don’t have to upend the whole shebang in your household. There might be a revolt if Aunt Maggie doesn’t make her pecan pie or Uncle Bill, his cranberry sauce.

It’s possible to keep the favorites but add a few twists, said William Lawson, executive chef-owner of Mimi’s Table.

“Normally we do traditional foods, but occasionally we’ll do a theme,” said Lawson.

“One year, it was a New Orleans theme, another year Italian. We keep the cooking relatively simple, have a theme and recipes and get the whole family involved. The year we did Italian, everyone in the family was rolling ravioli.”

David Gwynn, owner of Grove Market Cafe, Vertigo and the former Cypress, said doing something different can add excitement to the dinner, but relatives may not want too big a seismic shift in the holiday meal.

One year, he made a turkey porchetta with deep-fried crisp skin. “The family all enjoyed it, but my mom teased him, ‘Don’t chef things up on the holiday.’”

If you think adding an expert’s touch can brighten your holiday table, here are recommendations for some tasteful tweaking from five of Tallahassee’s most notable chefs.

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Over-baked New Orleans

BBQ Shrimp INGREDIENTS » 1 ½ sticks (¾ cup) butter » ¼ cup olive oil » ¼ cup Worcestershire sauce » 6 cloves garlic, minced » 2 bay leaves » 1 tablespoon Tony Chachere’s Creole seasoning » 1 teaspoon chopped rosemary » 1 ½ teaspoons paprika » ½ teaspoon black pepper » ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper » 3 green onions, sliced » 2 tablespoons lemon juice » 1 lemon, sliced » 2 pounds medium to large fresh shrimp, unpeeled » French bread

BRIAN KNEPPER

Executive Chef Savour 92

November–December 2021

Brian Knepper has been a chef at many of Tallahassee’s most notable dining destinations: Cypress Restaurant, Governor’s Club, Black Fig Catering, Table 23 and now, the upscale downtown restaurant Savour.

Yet after living with relatives and working in New Orleans as a sous chef in the landmark Commander’s Palace, Knepper retains a love of Cajun/Creole fare.

“My aunt would make this Jezebel sauce made with apple and pineapple jellies mixed with horseradish over cream cheese and Ritz crackers,” said Knepper, and you can hear the smile in his voice.

TALLAHASSEEMAGA ZINE.COM

DIRECTIONS 1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2. Combine all ingredients except shrimp in a medium saucepan and bring to a simmer.

3. Remove from heat.

Taste mixture and add a little salt if needed.

4. Place shrimp in a 9-by-13-inch baking dish.

5. Pour butter mixture over shrimp.

6. Bake 15 to 20 minutes, stirring once. Serve with French bread to mop up the liquid.

Knepper came to Commander’s Palace after graduating from Johnson & Wales University in Providence, Rhode Island.

“I started at the low end of their sous chef team,” he said of his time working at the New Orleans institution. “I made salads and prep and dressings. I worked my way through different stations. I wouldn’t trade it for the world. I worked with extremely talented people.”

At Savour, Knepper puts a spin on sophisticated, Southern-style dishes

whether it’s honey and bourbon beef “burnt ends,” Gulf Coast bouillabaisse, miso-glazed redfish or a popular herb chicken with mashed potatoes, peas and carrots and truffle butter.

At the holidays, especially Christmas, Knepper and his wife, whom he describes as a phenomenal cook, incorporate dishes from family members who hail from different parts of the country.

“We try to put together food that’s good but simple because we like

to spend time with each other and family,” said Knepper. “To me, food is a big part of a holiday, but the family is the most important.”

For Christmas, their go-to dishes have been seafood, turkey, ham and Knepper’s New Orleans BBQ shrimp, which he has agreed to share. “People love it,” he said.

Savour, 115 E. Park Ave. (850) 765-6966

Crispy Artichoke Hearts

with Lemon Garlic Aioli recipe on next page

WILLIAM LAWSON

PHOTOS BY ALICIA OSBORNE (KNEPPER) AND COURTESY OF MIMI’S TABLE (LAWSON)

Executive Chef/Owner Mimi’s Table

When he’s thinking about ideas for holiday meals, William Lawson often turns to the family cookbook his niece gave to him in 2014.

“It’s something we have done together as a family,” said Lawson.

“It’s a neat thing to have.”

To make it a true family affair, it’s a good idea to assign tasks to people — whether it’s shopping, decorating or cooking, he said.

There are some traditional items his family will have each year. His brother-in-law, for instance, always brings pork or beef tenderloin and a smoked salmon dish.

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with Lemon Garlic Aioli INGREDIENTS For artichoke hearts » 1 2 ounces frozen or fresh artichoke hearts, thawed and patted dry cup flour, (he prefers »½ Wondra flour) seasoned with salt and pepper cup canola oil or »¼ vegetable oil for frying » 1 bunch fresh Italian flat-leaf parsley DIRECTIONS 1. Heat the oil in a medium skillet.

2. T oss artichokes in the seasoned flour, shake off excess flour and fry in oil.

3. C ook until golden on each side, about 2–3 minutes. Drain on a paper towel.

4. Pick leaves from parsley, and fry for 30 seconds. The parsley will pop in the fryer. Don’t be alarmed; this is normal. Drain on a paper towel.

Ingredients for lemon garlic aioli cup mayonnaise »½ » 2 –3 tablespoons lemon juice » 1 mashed roasted garlic clove or 1 peeled and minced fresh garlic clove » S alt and pepper to taste DIRECTIONS 1. Combine ingredients in a small mixing bowl. Serve as a dip and condiment to artichoke hearts.

2. P lace artichoke hearts in a bowl, sprinkle fried parsley on top and serve with aioli.

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HERVÉ ALCESILAS Executive Chef/Owner Little Paris

“My main philosophy is that any meal can be a special occasion when it’s eaten with the people you love and who love you,” said Hervé Alcesilas, executive chef-owner of Little Paris. “The food could be very simple, but sharing it with those friends makes the moment special.”

Alcesilas learned that lesson as a child growing up in Picardy in the north of France.

“We never had a special meal during the year as we grew up in

Lawson was later trained in classic French and Italian cuisine.

Originally from Lexington, Kentucky, he worked at several fine restaurants and private clubs in the South and was director of Franklin, Tennessee’s Viking Cooking School. He was the executive chef at the Capital City Country Club before opening Mimi’s in 2018.

Here’s a recipe for Crispy Artichoke Hearts with Lemon Garlic Aioli, one of the stars on his Italianthemed holiday menu.

Mimi’s Table, 1311 Miccosukee Road (850) 999-8406

a poor family and often ate the same things,” he said. “I have fond memories of visiting my grandparents and preparing a special meal with the rabbits raised by my grandfather or a maroilles (cheese) pie.”

Alcesilas launched his culinary career as an apprentice working in the Ardennes in Southeast Belgium.

“I started cooking after my brother got me a job in the restaurant where he was working at the time,” Alcesilas said. “I really enjoyed cooking and decided to make it my career. I worked my way through several regions of France, including working for 10 winters in the Alps at The Savoy.”

He came to Tallahassee when he learned on Facebook that the former owner of Little Paris was getting ready to sell the business.

He initially became the executive chef and purchased half the business. Then, in November 2020 he became the sole owner.

PHOTO COURTESY OF LITTLE PARIS (ALCESILAS)

Crispy Artichoke Hearts

“We don’t want to exclude anyone if their favorite is a green bean casserole for the holidays,” said Lawson. “But we try to mix it up and do something different.”

Lawson’s love of cooking and learning new dishes goes back to childhood.

“I grew up in the South, and every summer, I’d spend two or three months with my grandmother, who was a great cook, in Tupelo, Mississippi,” said the chef. “I was an only child, so I spent a lot of time in the kitchen and around adults.

Every summer, my grandmother would make fried peach pies, biscuits and chicken-fried steak. It sparked my interest in cooking.”

Lapin a la Moutarde (Rabbit with Mustard)

recipe on next page

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(Rabbit with Mustard)

INGREDIENTS » 1 rabbit in pieces or 4 rabbit legs (can be found in area meat markets or ordered online) hole grain mustard for brushing »W rabbit, reserving one tablespoon to mix with the sauce » 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard live oil for cooking »O » 1 clove of garlic » Shallots » 300 ml (10.14 ounces) of white wine (a standard wine bottle is 750 ml) » Garnish bouquet (1 bay leaf plus 1 bunch of thyme) » 250 ml (1 cup) crème fraîche » Salt, pepper DIRECTIONS 1. B rush the pieces of rabbit with whole-grain mustard. Chop the shallots and garlic.

2. Heat a little olive oil in a sauté pan, then brown the rabbit pieces over medium heat (without burning them), until they are golden.

3. Remove the pieces and keep them warm. In this same sauté pan, add the garlic and the chopped shallots then brown them until they are translucent.

4. A dd the white wine, a glass of water, the bouquet garni and bring to a boil for 1 minute. (This will drive out the alcohol.)

5. Reduce heat to low, put the pieces of rabbit back, then cover. Simmer for ¾ of an hour (the more it simmers, the better). Uncover and leave on the heat for another quarter of an hour to evaporate the excess water from the sauce.

6. A few minutes before serving, mix the cream with the Dijon and whole grain mustard and a little pepper in a bowl. Add this cream to the dish, and mix it with your sauce.

7. Salt to your taste.

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Another bonus: His brother Loic has joined him as co-executive chef. “He was the whole reason I got into the cooking business,” said Hervé. “He took me under his wing.”

At Little Paris, the Alcesilas brothers serve authentic French fare like escargot with persillade butter, beef Burgundy, moules marinière and canard à l’orange.

Little Paris also offers don’t-miss croissants (you can order these for takeout, too) and on occasion, foie gras.

Alcesilas is sharing his recipe for Lapin a la Moutarde (Rabbit with Mustard). Fried potatoes and fresh pasta go well with the dish, he said. “In season, for something lighter, I like to accompany it with parsnip puree or parsnip cakes.”

Little Paris, 1355 Market St. (850) 765-7457

DAVID GWYNN Co-owner Grove Market Cafe, Vertigo

Chef and restaurateur David Gwynn has long been known for his creative, bold cuisine at his former fine dining destination, Cypress, and his two current venues, Grove Market Cafe and Vertigo, all run with wife and dessert specialist, Elizabeth.

Yet, when it comes to the holidays, especially Thanksgiving, Gwynn is all about traditional childhood favorites.

“As the holidays draw near, you start feeling like you want to eat the things you

PHOTO BY SAIGE ROBERTS (GWYNN)

Lapin a la Moutarde

Sweet Potato Gnocchi (gluten-free)

recipe on next page

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(gluten-free)

INGREDIENTS » 1 ½ pounds roasted sweet potato purée (2 medium-size sweet potatoes) » 1 pound gluten-free flour ounces almond meal/flour, »4 finely ground » 1 tablespoon salt » 1 teaspoon black pepper » 2 ounces olive oil DIRECTIONS 1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2. Rinse the sweet potatoes and place on a sheet pan. Bake in a preheated oven until an inserted knife pierces without resistance, about an hour.

3. Remove potatoes from the oven and let sit until cool enough to handle.

4. Peel sweet potatoes and blend until smooth in a food processor. You may use a potato ricer alternatively.

5. Place puréed sweet potatoes in the bowl of an electric mixer. Add gluten-free flour, almond meal, salt, pepper and olive oil.

Using the dough hook, mix on medium speed until a dough is formed. If no electric mixer, then combine all and knead by hand until a dough forms.

6. Divide the dough into four pieces. Lightly dust the surface with gluten-free flour and using the palms of both hands, roll each chunk into a ¾-inch-thick, rope-like shape. Cut into 1-inch-long pieces.

7. C ook gnocchi in boiling, salted water until they begin to rise to the surface, about 2 minutes. Drain and cool.

8. To serve, lightly brown in a hot sauté pan with clarified butter or olive oil. s a holiday side dish, Gwynn suggests this A option: Brown the sweet potato gnocchi with garlic, chopped fresh sage and thyme then add chopped cooked bacon and roasted Brussels sprouts to finish. Serve with a light pinch of nutmeg and grated ParmigianoReggiano cheese. He notes that his recipe yields six or so dozen gnocchi so he would use roughly ½ teaspoon each garlic, thyme and fresh sage per dozen gnocchi.

grew up with,” said Gwynn. “We still do Southern — turkey and dressing.

I love sweet potato casserole. I love all that stuff. But I’d be willing to try something different.”

The Gwynns, both Tallahassee natives, enjoy a mix of dishes on Christmas. His mom would often serve a hearty beef and vegetable soup, oysters, corn muffins, oysters, coconut cake and fruity ambrosia salad, a favorite of his granddaddy’s.

“We have a lot of different things to choose from on Christmas night,” he said.

At Cypress, Gwynn created a repertoire of high-end Southern and regional-style fare, utilizing local produce and seafood. Favorites included oysters and biscuits, shiitake mushroom soup, sugar cane-mopped ribeye, Southern pecan turnovers and house-made ice cream.

After 21 years, the Gwynns closed Cypress Restaurant this past summer. The Tallahassee icon was such a frequent winner of Florida Trend’s Golden Spoon Awards that the space was named to the Golden Spoon Hall of Fame.

SAM BURGESS Owner Pineappétit

But there have been challenges.

The Gwynns had to pivot during the pandemic, doing takeout, adding small plates and to-go cocktails, but the restaurant held strong.

“We didn’t close because of COVID or lack of business,” Gwynn said. Still, there were staff shortages to deal with and the loss of a lead line cook. “It was taking a toll on us.

“We’re enjoying time off to spend time at other restaurants,” said Gwynn. “We definitely miss the interaction with our customers and our staff, but we’re happy we can reconnect with Grove and Vertigo, seeing our staff and customers there.”

Gwynn is sharing his recipe for the sweet potato gnocchi that he served at Cypress with a mix of mushrooms, Brussels sprouts and brown butter. It was a hit in the restaurant, and it’s bound to be a winner at your holiday meal.

Grove Market Cafe, 1370 Market St., (850) 894-5060 Vertigo, 1395 E. Lafayette St. (850) 878-2020

Sam Burgess grew up cooking in Cleveland, Ohio, but he’s known for the “Caribbean Soul” menu he created at his Tallahassee restaurant and food truck, both named Pineappétit. He was featured in the September/October edition of Tallahassee Magazine.

In recent years, he’s been catering at the holidays, but he is hoping that this year will be different. “I might get to spend the holidays with my family for the first time in a long time, and my mom wants me to make seafood lasagna.”

You can make it, too. Here’s the seafood lasagna recipe from Burgess.

Pineappétit, 2037 W. Pensacola St. (850) 454-5404

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PHOTO BY DAVE BARFIELD (BURGESS)

Sweet Potato Gnocchi

Other ingredients » 1 egg » Alfredo sauce (either your own recipe from scratch or from the jar) » 9 lasagna noodles » ¼ cup Cajun seasoning » ¼ teaspoon pepper » ½ teaspoon salt » 2 tablespoons Italian seasoning » 4 cups shredded Italian six-cheese blend (with mozzarella) » ½ cup Parmesan cheese, grated » 1 container ricotta cheese

Seafood Lasagna

INGREDIENTS Seafood » 2 packages (4 ounces each) cooked shrimp » 1 jar jumbo lump crab » Three 6-ounce salmon fillets

Produce » 2 cloves garlic » 1 onion, medium size, finely chopped (½ cup) » ½ cup parsley, fresh, finely chopped » ½ jar sun-dried tomatoes » 1 cup mushrooms » 1 cup spinach

DIRECTIONS 1. Heat oven to 350 degrees.

Cook noodles as directed on the package.

2. In a sauté pan, cook sun-dried tomatoes, mushrooms and spinach, then set aside.

3. Prepare your favorite Alfredo sauce or use a commercial brand and heat in a pan with your choice of spices to taste. Burgess prefers a mix of Cajun seasonings, black pepper and garlic.

4. In a medium bowl, mix egg, Parmesan cheese, ricotta cheese and ¼ cup of the parsley and set aside.

5. Drain noodles. In an ungreased, 9-by-13-inch (3-quart) glass baking dish, spread ¾ cup of the sauce. Top with 3 lasagna noodles.

6. Spread ¾ cup of sauce atop the noodles, then layer a portion of the ricotta-Parm mixture to cover, half the seafood mixture, half the vegetables and a cup of shredded Italian cheeses.

7. Top with 3 more noodles and repeat layers used in Step 6.

8. The third and last layer, top with 3 noodles. Then spread sauce and sprinkle remaining shredded cheese.

9. B ake for 40 to 45 minutes or until the cheese is a light golden brown.

10. L et stand 15 minutes before cutting. Sprinkle with parsley.

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GET BAKED! ...We never use fryers

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Thank you for voting for us in the 2021 Best of Tallahassee Awards in 3 categories!

• • • •

40+ TV’s including our 19’ Jumbotron screen Large indoor/outdoor spaces with 2 separate bars Firepit lounges and soft seating areas Live music and events every week

Dine-in · Curbside pickup · Delivery NE Tallahassee Near I-10 1370 Market Street (850) 692-3116 islandwing.com Follow us on Facebook for all the details

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BEST OF TALLAHASSEE We salute the winners and runners-up of our annual readers’ poll — businesses that have earned the respect and support of their customers.

COMPILED BY STEVE BORNHOFT, HANNAH BURKE, MELINDA LANIGAN AND REBECCA PADGETT FRETT // PHOTO BY LINDSEY MASTERSON

T

allahassee is known primarily as a center of government and higher education, but it is the private sector that comprises most of the local economy. Small businesses, especially, get to know their customers and strive continuously to burnish their reputations by delivering outstanding products, experiences and services that exceed expectations. Those who succeed that way take their places among the winners in the Best of Tallahassee readers’ poll conducted annually by Tallahassee Magazine and Rowland Publishing. Finishing atop one of the many categories that make up the competition is no small feat.

Tallahassee attracts chefs, artisans, artists, entertainers, retailers, business professionals and service providers from around the country, effectively making Best of Tallahassee much more than a local competition.

Take a bow, winners. Congratulations! —Steve Bornhoft

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Best of Tallahassee 2021 benefits the Junior League of Tallahassee and is made possible by presenting sponsor Ox Bottom Animal Hospital with support from John Gandy Events, Redwire, University Center Club, and with media support from Adams Radio Group, The Greg Tish Show and Live! In Tallahassee.

Show your support of the Junior League of Tallahassee by donating online at jltallahassee.org/support-us/donations.

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BEST BAKERY

TASTY PASTRY BAKERY

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Food & Beverage Backwoods Crossing Start the meal off right with tiny tastes of Tallahassee, such as the Mahan Mozz Logs or the Blairestone Basil Buttons.

BEST BAKERY

Tasty Pastry Bakery Tasty Pastry Bakery has served the city of Tallahassee since 1963, opening first near Florida State University’s campus on West Tennessee Street. The bakery has been a fixture on Market Street since 1987, where the second generation of the Cross family owns and operates the business. Siblings Debbie and Mark are Master Bakers certified by the Retail Bakers of America. Working with quality ingredients and family recipes, their goal is to make the finest breads and sweet treats in town.

Tasty Pastry has an extensive products list ranging from coffee cakes to casseroles.

Doesn’t a Bavarian cream-filled donut sound like a great way to start your day?

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6725 Mahan Drive (850) 765-3753 backwoodscrossing.com HONORABLE MENTION

Bella Bella Italian Restaurant ASIAN

Masa Restaurant With a flair for flavor, Masa merges Eastern and Western cuisines in a union of Asian Fusion.

1650 N. Monroe St. (850) 727-4183 masatallahassee.com HONORABLE MENTION

Dao Restaurant BAKERY

Tasty Pastry Bakery Creative cookies, cakes and cupcakes; plus fresh baked breads and breakfast baked goods.

1355 Market St., #A5 (850) 893-3752 tastypastrybakery.com HONORABLE MENTION

Au Péché Mignon French Pastry Shop

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BAR

Liberty Bar & Restaurant Sip, swill and savor cocktails at the swankiest bar in town.

HONORABLE MENTION

1307 N. Monroe St., #2 (850) 354-8277 libertytlh.com

BREWERY/CRAFT BEER

TIE

BAR

OverUnder Bar + Lounge Enjoy signature cocktails, soft light and easy listening all under one roof.

1240 Thomasville Road (850) 597-7552 overunderbar.com HONORABLE MENTION

Hummingbird Wine Bar BARBECUE

Willie Jewell’s Old School BAR¯B¯Q Smoked low and slow for hours, the old school way, but with new takes on classic barbecue.

5442 Thomasville Road (850) 629-4299 williejewells.com HONORABLE MENTION

Mo-Betta BBQ BREAKFAST

Canopy Road Cafe A breakfast to behold offering sweet or savory, from fried eggs and omelets to French toast and pancakes.

Multiple locations (850) 668-6600 canopyroadcafe.com

The Egg Cafe & Eatery

Proof Brewing Co. Artisanal brews with bold, Florida-inspired flavors.

1320 S. Monroe St. (850) 577-0517 proofbrewingco.com HONORABLE MENTION

Ology Brewing Co. BRUNCH

Lofty Pursuits Working with local farmers to bring the freshest ingredients to your table. Plus, candies and ice cream that will make you melt.

1355 Market St., Ste. A11 (850) 521-0091 loftypursuits.com HONORABLE MENTION

Sage Restaurant CAJUN RESTAURANT

Coosh’s A zing of Cajun country in Tallahassee. Spice up your life with jambalaya and crawfish étouffée.

6267 Old Water Oak Road (850) 894-4110 cooshs.com HONORABLE MENTION

Harry’s Seafood Bar & Grille CATERING

Black Fig Stress-free supper with

PHOTOS BY LINDSEY MASTERSON

APPETIZER

BEST BREWERY/CRAFT BEER

Proof Brewing Co. Founded by Byron and Angela Burroughs in 2012, Proof Brewing Company prides itself on being an industry leader in unique beers. Proof Brewing produces bold, flavorful beers and is committed to true artisanal brewing methods in an evolving industry. Its craft production brewery features a 20-barrel brewhouse, refined tasting room and outdoor beer garden. The brewery has received numerous awards and recognition from Hunaphu’s Day, World Beer Cup, Best Florida Beer, Paste Magazine and Wine Enthusiast.

Always innovating, Proof Brewing has partnered with Earthly Labs in Austin, Texas, to become the first craft brewery in Florida to implement carbon capture technology to reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions.

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BEST HAMBURGER

Vertigo Burgers & Fries

When diners experience Vertigo Burgers & Fries, they may feel giddy, awestruck and even a little weak in the knees — but in a good way. The restaurant reports that a number of its fans have claimed that its burgers are life-changing — or at least habit-forming. Vertigo offers a chef-created menu of original and distinct burgers that highlights quality, unique flavor combinations and locally sourced ingredients. In addition to its award-winning beef burgers, Vertigo’s imaginative choices include chorizo, lamb, turkey, shrimp and a to-die-for buffalo fried chicken sandwich. The menu also offers vegan, vegetarian, lactose-free and gluten-free choices.

1400 Village Square Blvd., Suite 7 (850) 727-0016 blackfig.net HONORABLE MENTION

Simply Entertaining CELEBRATION/ SPECIAL OCCASION RESTAURANT

Sage Restaurant Known for their creative menu and craft cocktails, Sage ensures that you celebrate from your first bite to the last drop.

3534 Maclay Blvd. S. (850) 270-9396 sagetallahassee.com

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HONORABLE MENTION

Il Lusso Restaurant COFFEE SHOP

Lucky Goat Coffee Aromatic and enticing with their signature flavors, Lucky Goat fuels Tallahassee with steaming cups of joe, cold brew and more.

Multiple locations (850) 422-0300 luckygoatcoffee.com

to satisfy your sweet tooth with a decadent dessert.

1950 Thomasville Road, Ste. #C (850) 224-9974 foodgloriousfood.com HONORABLE MENTION

Au Péché Mignon French Pastry Shop FINE DINING RESTAURANT

HONORABLE MENTION

Il Lusso Opulent antipasto, homemade pasta and prime steaks and chops make for haute cuisine.

DESSERT

201 E. Park Ave., Ste. #100 (850) 765-8620 illussotlh.com

RedEye Coffee

Food Glorious Food The sweets menu offers 20 options, all tempting you

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HONORABLE MENTION

Sage Restaurant

FROZEN TREAT

Lofty Pursuits We all scream for ice cream, especially when there are over 30 flavors to scoop up.

1355 Market St., Ste. A11 (850) 521-0091 loftypursuits.com HONORABLE MENTION

Big Easy Snowballs HAMBURGER

Vertigo Burgers & Fries Throwing down specialty burgers, sammies, sliders and all the fries you can stomach.

1395 E. Lafayette St. (850) 878-2020 vertigoburgersandfries.com

HONORABLE MENTION

Midtown Caboose HAPPY HOUR

Hummingbird Wine Bar With a curated wine list, artisan cheeseboards and cultivated atmosphere, five o’clock can’t come soon enough.

1216-4 N. Monroe St. (850) 296-2766 hummingbird.wine HONORABLE MENTION

Table 23 HIBACHI

Osaka Japanese Hibachi Steakhouse & Sushi Bar An immersive hibachi

PHOTO BY JENNIFER EKRUT

gourmet apps, entrees and desserts.

Hummingbird is an upscale neighborhood wine bar in Midtown.

We are Tallahassee’s premier destination for wine, thoughtful small plates, entrees, and charcuterie!

And don’t miss out on Hummingbird Wine Club!

Our sommeliers hand-pick wines each month that are boutique, unique, and delicious!

Join our wine community: https://www.hummingbird.wine/wine-club

Come see what all the ‘humm’ is about!

Hummingbird.wine

Hummingbirdwinebar

Wine Education • Blind Tasting League • Taco Tuesdays • Pasta Fridays • Private Events • And Much More

1216-3C, N. Monroe St. | 850-296-2766 | www.hummingbird.wine TALL AHASSEEMAGA ZINE.COM

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YOU DESERVE THE

BEST

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experience that includes only the freshest Gulf catches, high-quality beef and local produce.

1489 Maclay Commerce Drive (850) 900-5149 osakahibachiandsushi.com HONORABLE MENTION

Nagoya Steakhouse and Sushi HOT DOG

unique flavor profiles, any cocktail on this extensive menu is sureto delight.

3431 Bannerman Road, #2 (850) 792-7884 thebluhalo.com HONORABLE MENTION

Hummingbird Wine Bar

MEXICAN/LATIN AMERICAN RESTAURANT

Dog Et Al An old-school-style restaurant specializing in an all-American favorite re-envisioned.

El Jalisco Mexican Restaurant A family-friendly space with authentic Mexican food — it’s a fiesta no matter the occasion.

1456 S. Monroe St. (850) 222-4099 dogetal.com

Multiple locations (850) 878-0080 eljalisco.com

HONORABLE MENTION

HONORABLE MENTION

Voodoo Dog Restaurant

ITALIAN RESTAURANT

Bella Bella Italian Restaurant Known for their iconic bubble bread and heaping plates of specialty pasta, Bella Bella is a tour of Italy in Tallahassee.

123 E. 5th Ave. (850) 412-1114 thebellabella.com

La Fiesta Mexican Restaurant OUTDOOR DINING RESTAURANT

Table 23 Sit among the canopy of oaks or on the spacious porches as you enjoy Southern-style hospitality and food.

1215 Thomasville Road (850) 329-2261 table23tally.com HONORABLE MENTION

HONORABLE MENTION

Z. Bardhi’s Italian Cuisine LUNCH

PHOTO BY SAIGE ROBERTS / ROWLAND FILE PHOTO

Hopkins’ Eatery This beloved lunch spot serves up sandwiches, soups, salads and sweets daily.

Multiple locations (850) 386-4258 hopkinseatery.com

Island Wing Company

Jeri’s Midtown Cafe MARTINI/COCKTAIL

The Blu Halo With whimsical names and

1415 Timberlane Road, Ste. #311 (850) 893-7301 southernseafoodmarket.com HONORABLE MENTION

Capital Seafood Market SEAFOOD RESTAURANT

Momo’s Pizza Pies or by the slice, Momo’s is the way to go with slices the size of your head.

Multiple locations (850) 224-9808 momospizza.com

Village Pizza & Pasta

SEAFOOD MARKET

Southern Seafood Market For three decades,

BEST ITALIAN RESTAURANT

The Seineyard Seafood Restaurant Evoking the seineyards of Wakulla County with each bite of fried, broiled or blackened fish.

Bella Bella Bella Bella offers authentic Italian cuisine and unmatched dining experiences. Locally owned and operated for 14 years, the restaurant is known for the freshest of homemade Italian cuisine. Owner Mark Schwartz invites you to stop by for lunch or dinner in his cozy dining room or for a glass of wine or a beer. And be sure to check out Bella Bella’s new extensive craft beer menu in the “Midtown Vino Room.”

Diners often start with soft Italian bubble bread topped with garlic spread, gorgonzola and mozzarella and then baked until bubbly.

Traditional and popular entrees include Sicilian lasagna and fettuccine Alfredo.

Multiple locations (850) 421-9191 theseineyard.com HONORABLE MENTION

Tally Fish House & Oyster Bar SOUTHERN CUISINE/FOOD

Table 23 Deviled eggs, pecan-crusted okra, shrimp and grits, bayou redfish and all your other timeless Southern favorites.

1215 Thomasville Road (850) 329-2261 table23tally.com

PIZZA

HONORABLE MENTION HONORABLE MENTION

Southern Seafood Market has provided the freshest catches from the Gulf and beyond.

HONORABLE MENTION

Backwoods Crossing SPORTS BAR

Walk¯On’s Sports Bistreaux Your team may be losing, but Walk-On’s shareable apps, handhelds and Cajun entrees hit a home run every time.

3390 Capital Circle NE (850) 597-7736 walk-ons.com

HONORABLE MENTION

Island Wing Company

handcrafted by expert chefs.

3491 Thomasville Road, Ste. 12 (850) 222-5458 kikubogo.com

STEAKHOUSE

Il Lusso Restaurant Live in luxury. Steak options include a prime 24-ounce, dry-aged “Cowboy Ribeye.”

201 E. Park Ave., Ste. 100 (850) 765-8620 illussotlh.com HONORABLE MENTION

Ted’s Montana Grill

HONORABLE MENTION

Masa Restaurant WINGS

Island Wing Company Baked, boneless or original?

Sweet, spicy or savory?

Blue cheese or ranch?

Limitless possibilities that are sure to please.

1370 Market St. (850) 692-3116 islandwing.com

SUSHI

Kiku Japanese Fusion Fresh, flavorful, fun and funky specialty rolls

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HONORABLE MENTION

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BEST CHIROPRACTOR

Smith Family Chiropractic Dr. Patrick Smith opened Smith Family Chiropractic in 2007 with a single purpose: to provide premier spinal correction techniques that ensure Tallahasseans “get well and stay well.” With a highly trained, compassionate staff, community wellness workshops and a comprehensive catalog of spinal corrective services, he’s done just that. A certified CBP (Chiropractic BioPhysics) clinic, Smith Family Chiropractic not only solves problems with proven spinal realignment techniques but also identifies sources of discomfort. Whether you have scoliosis, head and jaw tension, aberrant posture or chronic back pain, booking an appointment with Smith is the first step toward healthier, happier living.

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Service Providers AIR CONDITIONING/ HEATING

Benson’s Heating & Air Conditioning Keeping you cool and heating things up 24/7, seven days a week for 40 years.

5402 Tower Road (850) 562-3132 bensonshvac.com HONORABLE MENTION

Barineau Heating and Air-Conditioning ALTERATIONS

Sunshine Alterations Inc. Stitching and sewing together the perfect you, for everyday or for special occasions.

1998 N. Monroe St. (850) 383-1071 HONORABLE MENTION

Helga’s Tailoring and Alterations

PHOTO BY LINDSEY MASTERSON

ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE FACILITY

North Florida Spine and Wellness Calm your nerves with clinical nutrition, functional neurology and low-force chiropractic care from Dr. Matthew R. Zaideman.

1610 W. Plaza Drive (850) 877-6790 healthytallahassee.com

TIE HONORABLE MENTION

The Medical Healing Center TIE Tallahassee Chinese Medicine and Community Acupuncture TIE

ASSISTED LIVING FACILITY

Allegro Senior Living Comfort, health, wellbeing and a fulfilling lifestyle are at the heart of Allegro.

4501 Shannon Lakes Drive W. (850) 668-4004 allegroliving.com HONORABLE MENTION

Westminster Oaks AUTO/BODY SHOP

A2Z Auto Repair Exhibiting quality workmanship for your car’s repair, preventative maintenance and core service requirements.

1010 W. Tharpe St. (850) 765-7997 a2z-auto-repair.business.site HONORABLE MENTION

Capital City Collision Center AUTOMOBILE DEALER

The Proctor Dealerships Live life in the fast lane with automobile sales and services that take pride in efficiency, transparency

and exceptional customer service.

carpets, trust the experts in carpet care.

P.O. Box 230 (850) 576-5165 proctorhonda.com proctoracura.com proctorsubaru.com

P.O. Box 12174 (850) 422-2227 extremerocks.com

HONORABLE MENTION

Kraft Nissan & INFINITI of Tallahassee BANK

Prime Meridian Bank A trusted leader in business and personal banking, including loans, credits and a variety of other services.

Multiple locations (850) 907-2300 trymybank.com HONORABLE MENTION

Capital City Bank

HONORABLE MENTION

Bowden’s Carpet Cleaning & Restoration Inc. CHILD CARE PROVIDER

Growing Room Tallahassee Little learners grow and excel in a secure, nurturing and fun educational environment.

6266 Old Water Oak Road (850) 224-4769 growingroomchildcare.com HONORABLE MENTION

Scottsdale Academy CHILDREN’S AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM

Goodwood Museum & Gardens Verdant, oak-groved grounds and historic venues set the scene for your big event.

Elite Junior Tennis Providing for children personalized tennis instruction and lessons in sportsmanship, teamwork, professionalism, discipline and sacrifice.

1600 Miccosukee Road (850) 544-5730 goodwoodmuseum.org

9163 Shady Crest Lane (850) 545-9888 elitejuniortennis.com

HONORABLE MENTION

HONORABLE MENTION

BANQUET FACILITY

University Center Club

CARPET CLEANER

Extreme Carpet Care, Inc. For luxuriously soft and immaculately clean

ARTS KinderSchool, LLC TIE TIE

CHIROPRACTOR

Smith Family Chiropractic A practice that strives for

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excellence by supplying excellent patient care, education and satisfaction.

2447 Millcreek Court, Ste. 1 (850) 325-6468 smithfamilychiro.net HONORABLE MENTION

Fiorini Chiropractic Center, P.A.

COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE AGENCY

Coldwell Banker Hartung Commercial Real Estate Agency Providing your business with optimal success, starting with commercial real estate services.

3303 Thomasville Road (850) 386-6160 cbhartung.com HONORABLE MENTION

NAI TALCOR CREDIT UNION

First Commerce Credit Union Look here first for expedient and exceptional financial services, support and protection from top-quality experts.

2073 Summit Lake Drive (850) 488-0035 firstcommercecu.org HONORABLE MENTION

Envision Credit Union

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CUSTOMER SERVICE

Doug Croley Insurance Services Covering all facets of personal and commercial insurance with poise and professionalism.

HONORABLE MENTION

2814 Remington Green Circle (850) 386-1922 dougcroleyins.com

DERMATOLOGY PRACTICE

Fasig | Brooks Law Offices DANCE STUDIO

Tallahassee Dance Academy Plié and pirouette with poise at the distinguished studio that has developed dedicated dancers for over 35 years.

409 Maclay Commerce Drive (850) 893-3422 tdadance.com HONORABLE MENTION

Sharon Davis School of Dance DAY SPA

Millennium Nail & Day Spas Enhance your natural beauty through pampering and primping packages that restore and revive.

Multiple locations (850) 894-4772 millenniumnailanddayspa.com HONORABLE MENTION

BumbleBee Skincare and Wax DENTAL PRACTICE

Russell B. Rainey, DMD Boosting confidence and brightening smiles through general and cosmetic dentistry and periodontics for more than 30 years.

221 E. 7th Ave. (850) 385-3700 drrainey.com

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Dermatology Associates of Tallahassee Put your best face forward.

These skin care pros have been meeting and exceeding needs for over 30 years.

1714 Mahan Center Blvd.

(850) 205-6234 datfl.com HONORABLE MENTION

Pamela S. Kennedy, MD, PA DRY CLEANER

Shamrock Cleaners So fresh and so clean.

Shamrock Cleaners provides cleaning and fabric care for everything from your bedsheets to your wedding dress.

501 Maclay Blvd. S. (850) 893-7220 shamrocktally.com HONORABLE MENTION

Blue Ribbon Cleaners ELECTRICAL COMPANY

Joel Foy Electrical Service Inc. The experienced, responsive group of electricians have kept Tallahassee on the grid for over 20 years.

5650 Gum Road (850) 562-3691 joelfoyelectric.com HONORABLE MENTION

Lawson & Lawson Electrical Services, Inc. TALLAHASSEEMAGA ZINE.COM

BEST DAY SPA

Millennium Nail & Day Spas Self-care is important, if not essential, to our well-being. At Millennium Nail & Day Spas, helping clients look and feel their best has always been the priority. Offering a variety of hair and nail treatments, skin care services and specialty massages, the fullservice salon and spa is your passport to salubrious serenity. Professional hair stylists and body spa experts are ready to meet your needs, be it a new ’do and manicure for your special event, or a fresh wax and HydraFacial to maintain your glow. For those overwhelmed by options, custom service combination packages, which include a complimentary lunch, are available and ideal for unwinding alone or with friends.

EVENT/WEDDING PLANNER

John Gandy Events A trendsetter in the planning, design and production realm, John Gandy Events will turn any event into the memory of a lifetime.

3463 Garber Drive (850) 570-5999 johngandyevents.com

HONORABLE MENTION

Wildflower Event Design FAMILY PHYSICIAN PRACTICE

Tallahassee Primary Care Associates (TPCA) Comprehensive and

compassionate care that’s all about you. Clinical services for the whole family.

1803 Miccosukee Commons Drive (850) 297-0114 tallahasseeprimarycare.com HONORABLE MENTION

Wilson Family Medicine

PHOTO BY LINDSEY MASTERSON

HONORABLE MENTION

Chaney, Couch, Callaway, Carter & Associates, Family Dentistry

Shiloh Farm ShilohEvents.com For more information call Dent Ward 850-566-5794

MOVING JUST GOT EASIER We know moving can be stressful.

Let us take the stress off of your shoulders.

Moving Services

THANK YOU

for voting us into the top two in the Best of Tallahassee awards for Best Moving Company (850) 228-5178

GRINERMOVING.COM

3 Tallahassee Locations • 850-224-4769 LICENSES: C02LE0507, C02LE0518, C02LE0578

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Allison

Julie

Kenslee

Kristina

Summer

We are thrilled to announce Arbor Communities’ newest development, Magnolia Hill Estates, located off Buck Lake Road with half-acre+ lots coming mid-to-late 2022!

French Country and Farmhouse style homes | Half-acre lots | Oak trees Walking trails | All-brick homes | Excellent school zones and location Approx. 75 homes | Mid-to-late 2022 | Smartest Buy in Town

To reserve your lot, please contact Arbor Communities: MagnoliaHillTLH.com | LIVE@magnoliahilltlh.com | (850) 656-7667 arborcommunities

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FLOORING (CARPET/TILE/ETC.)

Brian Barnard’s Flooring America You’ll be floored by their selection of quality hardwood, carpet, laminate and tile.

2731 Capital Circle NE (850) 386-8689 barnardsflooring-america.com HONORABLE MENTION

ABC Flooring Center FLORIST

A Country Rose Florist Fresh flowers never fail in putting a smile on someone’s face, especially when they are this expertly selected and styled.

250 E. 6th Ave. (850) 877-8294 acountryrose.com HONORABLE MENTION

Missy Gunnels Flowers

GYM/HEALTH CENTER

Premier Health & Fitness Center Pursue your health and wellness prime with classes, personal training, amenities and top-of-theline equipment.

3521 Maclay Blvd.

(850) 431-2348 premiertlh.com

PHOTO BY BLACK & HUE PHOTOGRAPHY / ROWLAND FILE PHOTO

HONORABLE MENTION

Burn Boot Camp Tallahassee

HONORABLE MENTION

Chelsea Salon & Spa HAIR WAX/ LASER SERVICES

BumbleBee Skincare and Wax Beautiful brows, long lashes and skin-care solutions are just some of the specialties available at BumbleBee. 359 N. Monroe St. (850) 631-1868 bumblebeeskincare.com HONORABLE MENTION

Brazils Waxing Center INSURANCE AGENCY

McKee Insurance Agency The insurance resources and products of a national company combined with a small-town feel.

3512 Maclay Blvd. S. (850) 224-6055 mckeeagency.com HONORABLE MENTION

Doug Croley Insurance Services LANDSCAPING/ LAWN SERVICES

Hart Lawn Care, Inc. Be the envy of the neighborhood with lawn and flowerbed maintencance, care and service from a team of seasoned outdoorsman.

7000 Upland Glade St. (850) 251-4472 hartlawncare.co

HAIR SALON/STUDIO

Haute Headz Salon Show your locks some love with quality cuts, color, specialty treatments and salon-grade hair care products.

1950 Thomasville Road (850) 224-0414 hauteheadzsalon.com

HONORABLE MENTION

Tallahassee Nurseries

LAW FIRM/ATTORNEY PRACTICE

BEST PHOTOGRAPHER

Black & Hue Photography Since establishing Black & Hue in 2012, Bryan and Kelly Honhart have shot over 200 weddings across the U.S. and beyond. The husband-wife duo has worked with commercial clients including HGTV and Porsche, but their true passion lies in capturing life’s most important and memorable moments. While they enjoy documenting occasions including graduations, engagements and birthdays, the Honharts say it’s wedding photography that lets their creativity “run wild.” The more unconventional the ceremony, they say, the faster that ingenuity behind the lens takes hold. Though based in Tallahassee, the couple is willing to go the extra mile to immortalize your big day, be it a destination wedding or a simple, backyard gathering.

Fasig | Brooks Law Offices Fasig | Brooks takes pride

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in being relationshipfocused, personal injury attorneys. They care about your cause.

3522 Thomasville Road, Ste. 200 (850) 777-7777 fasigbrooks.com HONORABLE MENTION

Jansen & Davis, P.A. MEDICAL SPA

Allure Laser MediSpa State-of-the-art laser treatments, aesthetic services and hydration therapy ensures you age like a fine wine.

3427 Bannerman Road, Ste. 101 (850) 727-5088 allurelasermedispa.com HONORABLE MENTION

Aqua Medical Spa

NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION

Junior League of Tallahassee Improving the lives of local children and families through charity, community projects and trained volunteerism.

404 E. 6th Ave. (850) 224-9161 jltallahassee.org HONORABLE MENTION

Bond Community Health Center, Inc. OPTOMETRY/ OPHTHALMOLOGY PRACTICE

Eye Associates of Tallahassee Providing the highest quality of patient care from expert physicians since 1960, including exams, implants, surgeries and more.

2020 Fleischmann Road (850) 878-6161 eyeassociatesoftallahassee.com

MOVING COMPANY

3342 Garber Drive, Unit 600 (850) 505-3900 grinermoving.com HONORABLE MENTION

AMWAT Moving Warehousing Storage NAIL SALON

Millennium Nail & Day Spas Bringing out natural beauty with manicures and pedicures that are luxurious and stressrelieving.

Multiple locations (850) 894-4772 millenniumnailanddayspa.com HONORABLE MENTION

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ORAL HEALTH CARE SPECIALTY PRACTICE

Capital Periodontal | William T. Baldock, Jr. DMD, MS · William T. Baldock, DDS, MS Your go-to for oral surgery, hygiene and health services, because healthy teeth come from healthy gums.

2621 Mitcham Drive, Ste. 101 (850) 942-8111 capitalperio.com HONORABLE MENTION

Red Hills Oral and Facial Surgery: Russell Walther, DDS, MD and Marcus Joy, DDS TALLAHASSEEMAGA ZINE.COM

BEST PLUMBING SERVICE

Keith McNeill Plumbing Sometimes, it’s better to specialize than generalize. That’s why Keith McNeill Plumbing positions itself as Tallahassee’s largest “pure plumbing” service. It is devoted exclusively to residential and commercial plumbing jobs. Clogged pipe? Backflow problem? Low water pressure? Keith McNeill plumbing specialists are just a call away with their 24-hour emergency service line. Serving Tallahassee for more than 30 years, Keith McNeill Plumbing also handles septic to city sewer line conversions, natural gas services and appliance installations. For safe and sound plumbing systems in your existing or future property, McNeill will “fix it fast and get it right the first time.”

PEDIATRIC PRACTICE

North Florida Pediatrics A nurturing care provider committed to treating patients and their families with courtesy, compassion and respect.

3606 Maclay Blvd., Ste. 102 (850) 877-1162 northfloridapeds.com

HONORABLE MENTION

Tallahassee Pediatrics of TPCA

pests with Tallahassee’s most comprehensive and effective pest control.

254 E. 6th Ave. (850) 222-6808 callpauls.com

PEST CONTROL SERVICE

Paul’s Termite and Pest Control Say so long to pesky

HONORABLE MENTION

Capital City Pest Control

PHOTO BY SAIGE ROBERTS

Griner Moving Services Take a load off and let these pros handle your local, commercial and long distance moves.

THIS HOLIDAY SEASON GIVE THE GIFT OF BEAUTY IMMERSE YOURSELF IN THE SPA EXPERIENCE WITH OUR FULL RANGE OF SERVICES MASSAGE • SKIN CARE • DERMAPLANING FULL BODY WAXING • MICROBLADING BROWS EYELASH EXTENSIONS • DIP IT NAILS MANICURES • PEDICURES HAIRCUT & COLOR

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HYDRAFACIAL

3 4 27 B A N N E R M A N R D # 2 0 1

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( 8 5 0 ) 8 9 4 - 47 7 2

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M I L L E N N I U M N A I L A N D D AY S P A . C O M

3427 BANNERMAN RD #201 • (850) 894-4772 • TEXT US (850) 800-7551 •

MILLENNIUMNAILANDDAYSPA.COM

EYE ASSOCIATES OF TALLAHASSEE Ophthalmic Services • Routine Eye Care • Diabetic Retinopathy

• Pediatric • iLASIK • Cosmetic Procedures • Eyelids, Tear Duct and Orbit

• Glaucoma

• Dry Eyes

• Cornea

• LipiFlow

(850) 878-6161 · EyeAssociatesOfTallahassee.com

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Tallahassee, Perry, Quincy, Marianna. Coming Soon: Crawfordville

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Superior Painting of Tallahassee, Inc. Choose any hue when this superior, family-owned business paints your home.

(850) 297-1882 superiorpainting.net HONORABLE MENTION

Southern Paint RESIDENTIAL REAL ESTATE AGENCY

BEST SPECIALTY FITNESS STUDIO (YOGA/PILATES/GROUP FITNESS)

Drip Drop Fitness Drip drop goes your sweat as Drip Drop Fitness’ high-intensity dance and toning group fitness classes bring cardio to a new level. With classes capping at 15–25 people, Drip Drop Fitness provides an intimate but communal workout for Tallahassee women seeking strength and camaraderie. Be you a fitness freak or newcomer, an extensive class menu offers multi-level exercises taught by experienced, easy-to-follow instructors. Get in a full-body workout with “Power Hour,” which incorporates yoga, ballet and mat-based Pilates, or try “Level Up” for targeted strength training. Not sure what tickles your fancy? The New Client Special includes two weeks of unlimited classes to help you hit your stride. Whatever your workout, you’re sure to leave both drenched and energized.

Coldwell Banker Hartung Residential Real Estate Agency Experienced and personable, these real estate agents have been making dream homes come true since 1979.

3303 Thomasville Road (850) 386-6160 cbhartung.com HONORABLE MENTION

Big Fish Real Estate Services

ROOFING REPAIR/SERVICES PHOTOGRAPHER

Black & Hue Photography Documenting life’s most consequential moments with expert digital photography.

837 Stone House Road (850) 443-4796 blackandhuephotography.com HONORABLE MENTION

Woodland Fields Photography PLUMBING SERVICE

Keith McNeill Plumbing Cont. Inc. Specializing purely in residential, commercial and emergency plumbing, they fix it fast and get it right the first time.

3505 N. Monroe St. (850) 562-5504 mcneillplumbing.com

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HONORABLE MENTION

accommodates any of your print and postal needs.

White’s Plumbing, Inc.

2843 Industrial Plaza Drive (850) 671-6600 targetprintmail.com

POOL REPAIR/ SERVICE COMPANY

HONORABLE MENTION

Terry’s Pool Service Terry’s wants you to enjoy your pool; let them take care of the maintenance.

4478 Entrepot Blvd.

(850) 580-7334 terryspools.net HONORABLE MENTION

Salvo Pools PRINTING/ COPYING SERVICES

Target Print & Mail From copies to custom prints, Target

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Karmanos Printing and Graphics RESIDENTIAL BUILDER/ CONTRACTOR

Kessler Construction From the baseboards to the roof, Kessler builds healthy homes for happy families.

3375-C Capital Circle NE, Ste. 200A (850) 997-4540 kesslerconstructionllc.com

Lloyd Roofing and Construction Inc. Impeccable service, expert experience, quality products and peace of mind, all on top of your roof.

1979 Maryland Circle (850) 728-8101 tallahasseeroofingcompany.net HONORABLE MENTION

Tadlock Roofing SIGN COMPANY

Apogee Signs An in-house design team, production facility and experienced installation crew to make your mark on the world.

251 Fortune Blvd., Midway (850) 224-7446 apogeesigns.com

SPECIALTY FITNESS STUDIO (YOGA/PILATES/ GROUP FITNESS)

Drip Drop Fitness Providing women with fun, confidence and rewarding workouts.

218 E.Third Ave. (850) 792-7333 dripdropfitness.com HONORABLE MENTION

Burn Boot Camp Tallahassee SURGICAL PRACTICE

Tallahassee Plastic Surgery Clinic Practicing the pinnacle of plastic surgery procedures for the face, breast and body with personal care and confidentiality.

2452 Mahan Drive (850) 877-2126 tlhplasticsurgery.com HONORABLE MENTION

Tallahassee Orthopedic Clinic TREE SERVICE

Miller’s Tree Service If you have tree troubles, Miller’s will go out on a limb for you.

4951 Woodlane Circle (850) 894-TREE (8733) millertreesrv.com HONORABLE MENTION

AAA Tree Experts & Landscaping WEDDING VENUE

Goodwood Museum & Gardens Southern charm, sweeping oaks and a beautiful carriage house make for a magical wedding day.

1600 Miccosukee Road (850) 877-4202 goodwoodmuseum.org HONORABLE MENTION

HONORABLE MENTION

Arbor Communities

HONORABLE MENTION

FASTSIGNS

Shiloh Farm Chapel and Barn

PHOTO BY KAKI KIRK / COURTESY OF DRIP DROP FITNESS

RESIDENTIAL PAINTER

TO FIND THE RIGHT REALTOR, JUST LOOK FOR A SIGN TA L

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Entertainment Top Shelf Band A versatile band that specializes in cranking up top tunes that get the party started and keep it going.

(816) 885-3252 topshelftallahassee.com HONORABLE MENTION

Highway 85

COMMUNITY EVENT

Springtime Tallahassee The epitome of Tallahassee events is the famed Springtime Festival featuring the Grand Parade, Jubilee in the Park and countless entertainment events.

114 E. 5th Ave., Ste. B (850) 583-9613 springtimetallahassee.com HONORABLE MENTION

LeMoyne’s Chain of Parks Art Festival BEST BAND

top Shelf Band The Top Shelf Band bills itself

as Tallahassee’s premier party band, and for three years running, Tallahassee Magazine readers participating in the Best of Tallahassee readers’ poll have agreed. The band was established by its lead vocalists, Diane and Jason Kellogg, who combine for an expansive musical range. In assembling the Top Shelf Band, they sought talented musicians who were flexible in a variety of genres: dance, pop, rock, blues and country. Today, the band comprises the Kelloggs plus Bradley Rich on lead guitar, Todd McKay on bass, Michael Smith on drums and Joshua Rivers on keyboards. All have a searing passion for music and entertaining.

GOLF COURSE

PLACE TO TAKE THE KIDS

Tallahassee Museum Soar over Tallahassee in a treeto-tree zipline course, view live exhibits of Florida wildlife, explore nature trails and seek adventure.

3945 Museum Drive (850) 575-8684 tallahasseemuseum.org HONORABLE MENTION

District 850

RADIO PERSONALITY

Greg Tish Keeping weekday mornings real with real talk, engaging guests and intelligent commentary.

2607 Callaway (850) 396-8255 realtalk93.com HONORABLE MENTION

Mornings with CASH, WOODY & ALLY

Capital City Country Club Dubbed the “Dream Course of the Southeast,” Capital City’s 250-foot elevation-changing, Tillinghastdesigned course is a hole-in-one.

1601 Golf Terrace Drive (850) 222-0419 capitalcitycc.com

TV PERSONALITY

HONORABLE MENTION

HONORABLE MENTION

Killearn Country Club

WCTV — Art Myers After 37 years of bringing us the latest in local news and weather, we’re wishing Myers the “best” retirement.

1801 Halstead Blvd.

(850) 893-6666 wctv.tv

WTXL – Casanova Nurse

BEST PLACE TO TAKE KIDS

Tallahassee Museum A popular field trip destination for Tallahassee area elementary schools, Tallahassee Museum offers hands-on, experience-driven learning and tons of fun for kids of all ages. For the little ones, Tallahassee Museum’s outdoor setting is rich with Florida wildlife enclosures, trails, play areas and an obstacle course. Adults and older kids looking for a challenge eagerly take on the Soaring Cypress zip-line course, whizzing over cypress wetlands while spying eagles, deer and the museum’s dinosaur sculptures. The museum also offers group and educational activities on its website for a guided learning experience.

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PHOTOS BY SAIGE ROBERTS (GREG TISH) AND COURTESY OF TOP SHELF BAND AND TALLAHASSEE MUSEUM

BAND

BEST RADIO PERSONALITY

Greg Tish

On weekday mornings, Greg Tish provides Tallahassee with a wakeup call from 6 to 9 a.m.

Stationed at Real Talk 93.3 and with his signature dry sense of humor, Tish is attuned to issues large and small in local news, sports, political opinion, weather and more. Tish engages guests with ease, from state legislators to community organizers and medical professionals.

It’s no wonder. This disc jockey has been honored with 10 Tally Awards and his company, GT Entertainment, received the 2010 Best of Tallahassee Award for Best DJ Company.

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Shopping COSMETIC VENDOR

BumbleBee Skincare and Wax Waxing is just the beginning of the services and products available to create beauty through positivity, collaboration and connection.

359 N. Monroe St. (850) 631-1868 bumblebeeskincare.com HONORABLE MENTION

Kanvas Boutique & Day Spa

FURNITURE STORE

JEWELRY STORE

Turner’s Fine Furniture Furniture worthy of a magazine spread, with unlimited possibilities and unbeatable prices.

Tallahassee Diamond Center A family-owned, independent jewelry store that sees your bling is priced right and ethically sourced.

2151 U.S. Highway 319 S. (850) 210-0446 turnerfurniture.com

1355 Market St., Ste. A-2 (850) 906-9213 tallahasseediamonds.com

HONORABLE MENTION

HONORABLE MENTION

Weezie’s Cottage & Home

The Gem Collection

KIDS CLOTHING

Harper Hill Kids Boutique A unique spot for trendy tots that specializes in clothing and accessories for babies and children.

1350 Market St., #105 (850) 320-6989 Instagram: harperhillkids HONORABLE MENTION

Kids Pointe Resale & Boutique MEN’S CLOTHING/ ACCESSORIES

Nic’s Toggery This family-owned business has helped generations of men find stylish suits and menswear, all expertly tailored and guaranteed to be of the highest quality.

212 S. Monroe St. (850) 222-0687 nicstoggery.com

HONORABLE MENTION

Pink Narcissus

SPORTING GOODS STORE

Kevin’s Guns and Sporting Goods Serving sport enthusiasts throughout the region with 40 years of the highest level of service and merchandise.

3350 Capital Circle NE (850) 386-5544 kevinsguns.com HONORABLE MENTION

Trail & Ski

WOMEN’S ACCESSORIES

Sparkle Tallahassee No outfit is complete without accessories. Sparkle assists in adding those finishing touches.

1240 Thomasville Road, Ste. 102 (850) 567-1805 sparkletallahassee.com

HONORABLE MENTION

The Southern Pines

HONORABLE MENTION

NURSERY/ GARDEN CENTER

WOMEN’S CLOTHING

2911 Thomasville Road (850) 385-2162 tallahasseenurseries.com HONORABLE MENTION

Esposito Lawn & Garden Center BEST NURSERY/GARDEN CENTER

Tallahassee Nurseries With sprawling acreage

of annuals, perennials, saplings, shrubs, succulents, cacti, veggies and fruits, not to mention a staggering collection of camellias that top 100 varieties and sizes, Tallahassee Nurseries has long been a go-to supplier for gardeners and landscapers. In addition to being the city’s oldest and largest garden center, Tallahassee Nurseries boasts an award-winning landscape department. It’s the kind of place where one might voluntarily get lost strolling through the greenhouse, hovering about the koi pond or simply enjoying the shade of a live oak tree.

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SPECIALTY RETAIL STORE

Cosmic Cat Comics Nerd out with new and used comics, collectibles, art and anime.

625 Industrial Drive (850) 224-5554 facebook.com/ CosmicCatComics

Narcissus Narcissism isn’t unfounded when stepping out in their chic, sleek and sophisticated apparel, shoes and accessories.

1408 Timberlane Road (850) 668-4807 narcissusstyle.com HONORABLE MENTION

Sparkle Tallahassee

WOMEN'S SHOES

Narcissus Step into style. Narcissus carries an extensive and impressive array of shoes, including a covetable collection of Tory Burch.

1408 Timberlane Road (850) 668-4807 narcissusstyle.com HONORABLE MENTION

Hearth & Soul

PHOTOS BY LINDSEY MASTERSON (SPARKLE TALLAHASSEE) AND SAIGE ROBERTS / ROWLAND FILE PHOTO (TALLAHASSEE NURSERIES)

Tallahassee Nurseries Beautifying Tallahassee since 1938 by providing expert advice, landscaping services and the most impressive garden center in the Southeast.

Pink Narcissus

BEST WOMEN’S ACCESSORIES

Sparkle Tallahassee The Sparkle storefront twinkles in pink and teal on Thomasville Road, luring in Tallahassee’s trend followers with the latest styles and ever-changing inventory. Along with Sparkle’s stock of XS to 3X clothing, the thriving small business touts an impressive collection of jewelry, hats, bags, belts, sunglasses, shoes, shapewear and hairclips for the popular Y2K look. Complete an evening look with an elegant gold Clifford Necklace, or add a bold touch with a wide-brim hat. Sparkle carries simple and statement pieces for every style.

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Tallahassee’s Christmas Your One-Stop Tree Headquart e rs Holiday Destination 300+ Trees On Display Everyday Start or Continue a Tradition

Christmas Trees | Gifts | Poinsettias | Experience

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EXTERIORS

Teching it Outside

|| GARDENING

Color in Winter

Abodes

NOV/DEC 2021

TRENDS FROM FLOOR TO CEILING, FRONT TO BACK

INTERIORS

Proceed confidently and make your visual voice heard

↓

PHOTO BY KATARZYNABIALASIEWICZ / ISTOCK / GETTY IMAGES PLUS

BRINGING WALLS TO LIFE

by MARINA BROWN

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abodes

↗ A banjo and assorted guitars provide enough continuity and contrast to make for an effective wall display.

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PHOTOS BY CAROLYN ALLEN PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF JENNIFER TAYLOR (GUITARS) AND COURTESY OF HEARTH & SOUL

↑ Collections too small for a feature wall can effectively dress up secondary spaces such as a stairwell, alcove or those above an entry table or other piece of furniture. Care should be taken that three-dimensional pieces don’t interfere with movements about a room.

T

here you are — proudly, though perhaps in a state of exhaustion, surveying the interior expanses of your new home or apartment.

The floor is still littered with boxes, though your furniture seems to have taken a stand as if it intends to stay. A few rugs remain rolled like cigars along the baseboards, and the walls — well, the walls are vast, empty rectangles and squares of abandoned space. No matter how the floors and furniture may come into focus, the walls will seem regions of doubt that few normal people relish facing.

There are just too many choices — or not enough — when one contends with walls. Unlike floor areas, where a sofa and a television seem to know exactly which space they were meant to inhabit, or where a skinny Tabriz hall rug has only one choice to make, walls are everywhere. From tiny alcoves backing a kitchen table to megalithic expanses in great rooms

to half-walls above wainscoting in the dining area, even tiny bathroom walls present all the challenges that might be involved in going on a first date. How much do you want to reveal about yourself, your interests, your proclivities, your tacky hobbies, your rogue’s gallery of relatives or an odd preoccupation with your own face?

We turned to experts in this fraught region of design, and to other authorities, to remind us that your home is, after all, your kingdom and that you are its king or queen. But no royal ever got anywhere by being shy or reticent. Instead, advice from one and all seems to be: Follow a few artistically correct guidelines in balance and scale, and then make your visual voice heard as loud as a billboard, or as subtle as a demitasse. Take another look at your walls and see a canvas, a sculpture garden, a Soho gallery or an album of Aunt Debbie’s photos of buds, but do it TALL AHASSEEMAGA ZINE.COM

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with confidence that nothing on a wall can really be wrong.

Designer Brittani Burton of Hearth & Soul in Tallahassee advises people to select a focus wall in a room.

“Not every wall needs to have a collection on it,” she said. “But what you choose to display should be something personal to you — something with a

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story behind it.” And it also depends on the size of the room and its function.

“For instance, in a hall where there is traffic, sculptural items that may catch an elbow may not be ideal.” Yet she likes the idea of a collection presented in unexpected places: in stairwells, at the top of stairs, surrounding a breakfast alcove or over an entry table.

TALLAHASSEEMAGA ZINE.COM

“Remember to have some blank space — negative space — around the items in your collection. Choose one central piece, and work out from there.”

Apartmenttherapy.com advises making paper cutouts of the frames or items you will display, then taping the paper to the wall before drilling holes or adjusting your layout. First laying out the whole design on the floor can also help you adjust the spacing.

Erin Green of Erin Green Designs of Tallahassee says that keeping contrasting levels of lights and darks is important, whether that allows for brilliant colors on a white wall, or pale, reflecting colors against a dark wall.

Both Green and Burton agree that there should be a kind of continuity in the collection as well, from similar frames to an overall color theme to subject matter that lets the parts of the whole wall resonate together.

Some examples of that kind of wall harmony may be a grouping of toys beloved by your children when they were young; your seven lovely guitars too long lost in the closet; aligned shelves holding a dozen vintage cameras; straw hats beach-worn over the years; record covers; sparkling mirrors of various sizes; jigsaw puzzles you never thought you’d solve — with maybe a piece or two missing; and even a vertical garden of green plants. All of these, and whatever other thematic treasures you’ve forgotten, can now be brought out into the light.

As long as you’re personally invested in your collection and are prepared to spend time with friends who want to know the story behind each piece, look at your walls in a new way, and get personal! TM

PHOTO BY DANIEL VITTER

← Collections in which the collector is personally involved, such as these album covers, may serve as conversation starters.

Visitors to a home will be curious to learn the stories behind the displayed items.

Here, the brightly colored albums make for a dramatic contrast against a white wall.

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PRIME PLUMBERS

lumbing is typically something that doesn’t cross your mind until you suddenly need a plumber. When this occurs, you want a service provider that is reliable and puts the quality of their work above all. For many Tallahassee residents, there’s no hesitation regarding whom they call — Keith McNeill Plumbing is tried, true and trusted.

The company was founded in 1978 by Keith McNeill, who sought to provide full-service plumbing for residential, commercial and emergency services. His business addressed everything from in-home leaks to plumbing installations in new builds.

As a family-founded business, Keith’s son Chase began working summers for his father from a young age until his college graduation. He pursued a career in new construction, and in 2005, went on to become the youngest state certified master plumber. In 2010, Chase purchased the business from his father, who still works for the company as one of the 80 plus employees.

Each plumber is licensed and insured, and Chase is a non-restricted master plumber in both Florida and Georgia. By listening to feedback to ensure admirable customer service and constantly seeking training in the best practices for quality work, they secure loyal customers.

Most often their service calls include drain clogs, leaks and water heating issues. In the many years in the business, they have witnessed odd, alarming and even comical items that have caused clogs. An expected culprit causing backed up sewer lines, that McNeill finds especially prevalent in Florida, are tree roots. In the construction realm, the company has installed plumbing in everything from hospitals to newly built Habitat for Humanity homes.

“What has set us apart all of these years is a commitment to the customer experience,” said Chase McNeill. “We have a knowledgeable staff, efficient problem solving and we stand behind the character of our work.”

MCNEILL PLUMBING N. MONROE ST. | (850) 562-5504 | MCNEILLPLUMBING.COM

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PHOTO BY DAVE BARFIELD

P

How Keith McNeill Plumbing became a community name

MAYS-MUNROE & the sleep center THE ONLY NAME YOU NEED TO KNOW!

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PROMOTION

LILY’S GIFT SHOP The one-stop shop for everyone on your holiday list

Lily’s Gift Shop at Esposito’s Garden Center is a sight to see any time of year, but it’s a true spectacle during the holiday season. The products are carefully curated to make Lily’s Gift Shop your one-stop-shop for everyone on your list. Whether she’s an entertainer, fashionista or adventurist, there’s something special for her here.

If your guy is an avid outdoorsmen or a sports fanatic, Lily’s has got him covered, too. Not sure what to give?

A gift card to Lily’s allows them to select their own gift. With inventory constantly being updated, you’ll always find something unique that will hold a special place in the heart of the gift-getter.

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PROMOTION

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1. COOLER TOTE

No matter the season, keep your beverages cool while carrying them in the coolest canvas caddy tote. From game day to the holidays, beer or soda, this versatile tote is a travel staple. $38.99

2. CHARCUTERIE

SERVERS These stunning

servers are ideal for holiday hosting. Available in gold and silver and a variety of shapes and sizes, they are an aesthetically pleasing way to serve snacks, charcuterie and hors d’oeuvres.

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44.99–$119.99

3. ELEPHANT FIGURINE

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These playful pachyderms would delight the animal lover in your life. The intricately carved elephants are composed of wood and stone.

$179.99

4. WOOD AND MARBLE BOARD Elevate your

entertaining and liven up your tablescape with this marble and wood serving board, complete with a set of three cheese knives. It’s ideal for the everyday entertainer. $89.99

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5. WINE HOLDER/

SNACK TRAY Wine and cheese meet once again on a portable tray made of natural acacia. Paired perfectly, place your snack on the tray and libation in the curated wine space. $38.99

6. JEWELRY BOX

Store all your treasures in style in this sleek wooden box with drawers, and place your best bling on top to be viewed through the windowed top.

A quality keepsake box to be passed down for generations.

$124.99

7. CELL PHONE BAG

For the fashionista who wants to make a statement on a small scale, these cell phone-sized bags are perfect. They come in a variety of colors, patterns and textures. $49.99

8. DECORATIVE

BOWL AND SPHERES

Spruce up any space with this ornately painted blueand-white bowl paired with matching ornamental spheres. A cherished gift for the home décor obsessed.

Spheres: $8.99–$12.99; Bowl: $179.99

9. INIS BODY CARE

Energy of the Sea is a fresh and invigorating scent. The Voyager travel kit includes a hand cream, body lotion, shower gel and cologne in a vibrant blue bag so you can take your favorite products wherever you go. $31.99

10. GAME SET Have games

will travel. Game night just got an upgrade with this gorgeous, foldable game set that includes everything needed for chess and backgammon. $159

PHOTOS BY SAIGE ROBERTS

10 THE CITY’S LARGEST AND MOST PROGRESSIVE GARDEN CENTER 2 7 4 3 C A P I TA L C I R C L E N E | ( 8 5 0 ) 3 8 6 - 2 1 1 4 E S P O S I T O G A R D E N C E N T E R .C O M

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EXTERIORS

TECHING IT OUTSIDE New devices, conveniences leave the house

by LIS KING

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↑ POOL BAR With ceiling fans and a heat source, this outdoor kitchen/bar/dining area is fit for year-round use. The refrigerator saves trips to the main house.

1,400-square-foot outdoor kitchen would inspire anybody to get cooking. The kitchen boasts a large Fire Magic Gas Grill, a Big Green Egg and a Memphis Pellet Grill to accommodate all sorts of menus and cooking styles. Under the granite counters, there are three True refrigerators, an ice machine and a dishwasher.

There is also a vent-free outdoor propane fireplace, a 65-inch television, and enough dining and seating areas to host a crowd. In fact, Paul and his wife Susan host charity events in this space, including Destin Charity Wine Auctions.

A GOOD EGG

SMART COOKING GEAR

Like Paul, Bobby Dollar, owner of Bobby Dollar’s Appliance Consultants in Thomasville, Georgia, is enthusiastic about technologically enhanced grills.

For him, nothing cooks a Boston butt quite like his Green Mountain pellet grill.

Available at Bobby Dollar’s Appliance Consultants in models Peak, Ledge and the smaller, but no less practical Trek, Green Mountains come equipped with digital Wi-Fi controllers, temperature probes and thermal sensors.

“With Wi-Fi enabled grills,

The Big Green Egg’s fans are fiercely loyal. For them, absolutely no other cooker will do.

Why? Its manufacturer explains, “It is a simple yet highly efficient blend of ancient tradition, modern technology and unmatched quality, making it the finest, easiest to use outdoor cooker available.” The Big Green Egg reaches perfect cooking temperature and is ready to use in just minutes. Its natural lump charcoal is made from only the best cuts of natural hardwood for superb performance and results. Lighting the charcoal is always quick and easy, as the design of the Big Green Egg allows air flow to circulate efficiently. Its rEGGulator Vent Cap controls the amount of air flowing through the cooking chamber, which retains heat and keep food moist.

It’s not every cooker that is at the center of cooking contests around the country.

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PHOTOS COURTESY OF BAY BREEZE PATIO AND BIG GREEN EGG

ith smart tech invading every corner of the house, it was only a matter of time until it spilled outside. Tempting us are all sorts of gear to help us make the most of time off in the backyard. That includes fun stuff like Wi-Fi grills, TVs that can stand up to a hurricane and speakers that will keep us dancing, as well as practical stuff like robotic mowers and watering systems that cut down on drudgery.

The tech trend could have a lot to do with the fact that 82% of homeowners now say they want to update their outdoor living spaces. Along the Emerald Coast, that means a lot of action at Bay Breeze Patio in Destin, where Wayne Paul is the hero of grill master wannabes.

Paul, who presides over an armada of grills and outdoor kitchen appliances, likes to pass on his know-how. He stages Eggs on the Beach cooking competitions, for example, an idea that stems from his own love of grilling. He grills at home almost every day, and why not? His

CONVENIENCE AND CONTROL

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Joan H. Raley, REALTOR® CRS, CDPE, SFR, e-PRO, GRI, ABR, CHMS, WCR | Home Economist, Broker/Owner

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↘ Wi-Fi enabled grills, such as this one from Green Mountain, make it possible for users to “start the fire” and track progress remotely. The griller may be at his office or a stoplight as he monitors cooking time and gets feedback from the grill on his phone.

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And then there’s the Big Green Egg, a favorite along the Emerald Coast and Big Bend. Offered at Esposito Lawn & Garden Center in Tallahassee, Eggs can slow-roast, smoke or grill your main course and serve as a wood-fired oven for pies, rolls, cookies and pizza.

Should you invest in the EGG Genius accessory, you can remotely monitor temperatures and receive real-time notifications from your smartphone, tablet or computer when your cooking is complete.

But if you wish to branch out beyond grills, you might consider a pizza oven. A wide range of pizza ovens, fired by wood or gas, are on the market. They can be pricey, costing thousands of dollars, but there are more affordable alternatives says the American Barbecue Association.

Gozney’s Roccbox pizza oven is one of those. It’s portable and operates

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using either wood or gas, pumping temperatures way up to 900 degrees Fahrenheit, producing your favorite pie in about 60 seconds.

THE BACKYARD PARTY

Want to go further than cooking? Then consider a beer dispenser to get the party going. Kegerators that will give your deck a pub flair are made by companies like GE, KitchenAid and Frigidaire. They are small fridges that hold and dispense entire kegs of beer.

And what is a party without music?

Built-in speakers controlled by a smartphone will do the trick.

You need lighting, too. Joseph ReyBarreau of the American Lighting Association recommends high-tech lighting systems controlled by apps.

“They can add any kind of lighting, from functional to romantic,” he said.

PHOTO COURTESY OF GREEN MOUNTAIN GRILLS

you can download an app to remotely start them and track progress,” he said.

“I can be watching TV or working in my office and simply check my phone to monitor the cooking time and get feedback.”

On the Green Mountain Grill smartphone application, that feedback includes adjustable grill and food temperatures, active cooking timers and food profile trackers.

Dollar frequently employs the app’s cookbook feature. Primed with stepby-step preparation processes, precise grilling techniques and suggested cooking times, you’re almost always guaranteed a smoked, braised or seared masterpiece.

“We love it because you never burn up your food,” said Dollar. “The flavor is better; the meat is juicier and doesn’t dry out nearly as much.”

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WELCOME TO YOUR NEW BATHROOM ↑ An outdoor television and a fireplace provide twin focal points at this backyard. The SunBrightTV is built to withstand outdoor elements while delivering a picture that may be three times sharper than indoor televisions.

“Think of creating special effects, such as highlighting a gorgeous tree or dialing up moonlight even on a cloudy night.”

But probably the most wanted item on the backyard list is a TV. Techies rave about the SunBriteTV, which is designed to withstand rain, dust, humidity and extreme temperatures, all while offering images that are 50 percent to three times sharper than indoor TVs.

We Focus on Your Insurance So You Can Focus on Your Business Business Insurance Specialists: Will Croley, Angie Hearl, Mary Katharine (Croley) Lawler, Doug Croley

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If taking care of a lawn isn’t your idea of weekend fun, technology is here to help. A robotic mower could be the answer. Since they are battery-powered, they’re so quiet they can work at night, and they’ll do that automatically if that’s the schedule you set. They cut the grass in random paths, but reviewers say they come close to 100% coverage.

Units that can handle a half-acre lawn run about $2,400, and if that’s too pricey, there are now Uberinspired services. You create a profile on the apps of such services as Mowz or Green Pal and schedule a mowing.

You can also get your smartphone to handle the watering of the garden. The Hydrawise irrigation system, for example, is controlled by your phone and keeps an eye on the weather. An affordable option is Edyn’s smart garden system, which monitors soil nutrients and features a plant database.

More tech is coming, of course, so keep the smartphone charged. TM

PHOTO COURTESY OF SUNBRITETV

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Thank you, Tallahassee for choosing

McNeill Plumbing

Chase McNeill, President

McNeillPlumbing.com (850) 562-5504 3505 N. Monroe St. Lic. #CFC043067 Chase McNeill, Green Certified Plumber, #CFC1427457

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Better Business Bureau A+ Rating Storm Damage Experts Metal Roofing Options

Owens Corning Platinum Contractor Licensed & Insured Residential & Commercial

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abodes Crinum and amaryllis bulbs Late autumn is the time to plant crinum and amaryllis bulbs for next summer’s bloom. Establish new Amaryllis plantings whether bulbs Bulb are purchased new or separated from existing beds.

Prepare the beds by blending peat moss with the existing soil. This adds organic matter, which improves waterholding capacity, and it helps acidify the growing bed to assure peak performance.

Bulbs should be installed with only the tip exposed to the surface. Mulch heavily with leaves and/or pine straw. Both add nutrition and organic matter to the soil and maintain the correct acidity level.

With little to no activity above the soil, the bulbs are establishing life-sustaining roots in the enriched soil. When the weather warms, the reward will be colorful blooms.

GREEN SCENE

COLOR IN WINTER

Pansies break up muted landscapes

by LES HARRISON

T

he approach of winter and cold weather offers new color possibilities for home landscapes. While garden centers offer a variety of cool-season annuals that will brighten the muted tones, one plant in particular offers a variety of striking colors and minimal maintenance requirements all at a manageable cost.

Pansies, a member of the violet family, can be planted now. These diminutive biennials are typically raised in USDA Hardiness Zone 8 (which includes Tallahassee and surrounding counties) as annuals because they will not survive local summers.

Most are installed as live plants, but they can be cultivated from seed. They grow well in soil rich in organic matter with the ability to retain moisture.

When using live plants, mulch thoroughly with leaves and/or pine straw. Space

the pansies six to 12 inches apart. They will fill in over the winter. Also, proper spacing minimizes the potential for fungal disease.

If planting seeds, cover completely so the sun will not dry the sprouts and kill them. Many gardeners start pansies in seed trays in complete shade. Seeds germinate in 10 to 14 days.

These colorful additions can handle morning and evening light, but not direct midday sun. Filtered light provided by trees and large shrubs is the best option.

When blooms wilt, remove by clipping before seeds can be produced. The plant will continue to bloom in an attempt to produce seeds.

In the cooling weather, insect pests are few, but depending on environmental factors, they may cause damage. One pest frequently encountered is the aphid.

Autumn is a good time to begin feeding residential and migratory birds.

Initially, the feeders will get little use since there are still plenty of food sources in the wild.

Early visitors to the feeders are likely scouts that assess available resources. The low temperatures of winter increase the caloric requirements needed to survive.

As the season progresses and the food supplies diminish, the stopovers by hungry avian visitors will increase dramatically.

Commercially offered seed and seed mixes are popular offerings to attract birds.

Suet and chopped fruit will work, too.

Clean water at a bird-safe location is an additional attraction. Birdbaths and waterers in open locations are best.

Lurking dangers and ambush predators can be easily avoided if the bird has enough time to react.

Les Harrison is a retired University of Florida/Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Wakulla County extension director.

Aphids are tiny, soft-bodied insects that suck juices from a variety of plants. These mini-plant vampires are most active during the warm days of late spring, summer and early autumn. They seek protective recesses under remaining foliage as the weather cools. They are good at hiding since they are vulnerable to attack by a wide variety of insects, spiders and animals.

Tender fall and winter ornamentals are especially tempting as they are one of the few actively growing plants that offer plentiful nourishment. If one is present, many more are likely close by. The injuries they cause to plant surfaces open up the opportunity for disease, especially fungal disease, and transmit the cucumber mosaic virus. Additionally, they leave “honeydew” on the plant’s leaves. This aphid waste product frequently attracts ants. Aphids are easy to control with over-the-counter insecticides, both conventional and organic. Unfortunately, they are rarely noticed until the damage is done.

MINI-VAMPIRES

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PHOTOS BY ISTOCK / GETTY IMAGES PLUS: ELENA ODAREEVA (PANSIES), ABADONIAN (APHID), GRIFFIN24 (BULB) AND MIRASWONDERLAND (BIRD SEED)

Feeding the birds

Experience Christmastime at Tallahassee Nurseries Start or Continue Your Holiday Tradition

300+ Trees On Display Delivery Available | Open 7 Days a Week Christmas Trees | Gifts | Poinsettias | Gift Cards

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Three Can’t-Miss Holiday Traditions We love this Tallahassee community we’ve called home for over 80 years, and nothing feels quite as magical as home during the holidays.

At Tallahassee Nurseries, you’ll find everything you need for the holiday season, including premier Fraser fir Christmas trees, traditional and novelty poinsettias, freshcut florals and gifts for everyone on your shopping list.

Come visit Tallahassee’s one-stop holiday destination, and begin, or continue, your holiday traditions with us.

O CHRISTMAS TREE(S)

We pride ourselves on providing the highest quality and selection of products year-round — and the holiday season is no different. Tallahassee Nurseries is Tallahassee’s Christmas Tree Headquarters.

We have an exclusive partnership with one of North Carolina’s premier Fraser fir Christmas tree farms, allowing us to provide fresh, high-quality Fraser firs so you have a wide selection to choose from, ensuring you find the perfect one to take home.

Bring the whole family to stroll through our park-like setting, and enjoy the fresh scent of Fraser firs while finding your perfect Christmas tree — family bonding time guaranteed.

POINSETTIAS IN THE (GREEN)HOUSE

Poinsettias are a holiday staple that have graced us for decades. Whether you like the traditional poinsettia with bright red petals or the novelty varieties showcasing pinks, whites and other hues, we have stunning, high-quality poinsettias in a myriad of varieties and colors awaiting you in the

largest greenhouse in town. Start a tradition of giving with one of the holiday’s most beloved plant gifts. Pair with a gift card as a thoughtful gift for a co-worker or play a game of gift and dash by placing your poinsettia of choice on the doorstep of a neighbor to spread holiday cheer throughout our community.

EXPLORE THE NURSERY IN A WHOLE NEW LIGHT

Enjoy acres of flowers and plants in the glow of holiday lighting — giving our beautiful property another level of sparkle that pairs perfectly with the magic of the holiday season. Start a date-night tradition during our after dark shopping hours by stopping in our gift cottage for a beverage and gift inspiration before entering the romantically lit grounds to enjoy the fresh, aromatic air and the beautiful sight of a sea of Christmas trees and stunning winter garden color that are sure to make your spirits bright.

No matter your tradition, we look forward to seeing you this holiday season!

TA L L A H A S S E E N U R S E R I E S 2 9 1 1 T H O M A S V I L L E R O A D | ( 8 5 0 ) 3 8 5 - 2 1 6 2 | TA L L A H A S S E E N U R S E R I E S .C O M

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Call 850-891-5112 or visit Talgov.com/Gas.

WE’LL GO OUT ON A LIMB FOR YOU! 5 CERTIFIED ARBORISTS ON STAFF | RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL TREE SERVICE ASK US ABOUT TREE FERTILIZATION AND PINE BEETLE TREATMENTS

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PROMOTION

DEAL ESTATE JUST SOLD

Beachfront Home on St. George Island Witness a little slice of paradise at this Gulf-front home that includes breathtaking views and 100 feet of pristine white sandy shoreline. This amazing home overlooks the Gulf of Mexico and is located in the exclusive community of The Plantation at St. George Island. This oasis also offers an additional bunk room that sleeps four — great for the kids or teens.

A large private master suite boasts amazing and perfect picturesque views, plus a sitting area that could also be an optional multi-functional space. Whether this is your forever home or vacation home, it’s perfect for entertaining and relaxation.

SOLD PRICE: $2,285,000 ADDRESS: 1508 Canopy Lane SQUARE FOOTAGE: 4,080 BEDROOMS: 5 BATHROOMS: 5 FEATURES: Very open spacious floor plan with granite counters, stainless steel appliances, cathedral ceilings and a 42-inch, wall-mounted electric fireplace that adds the perfect ambiance in any season. The first floor offers three bedrooms, three full baths and a massive, shaded porch where you can rest and relax. Entertaining in this home is made easy with large outdoor spaces and a wet bar. Not wanting to swim in the ocean all day? No problem. There is a community pool perfect for lounging and relaxing.

APPEAL: Located in an exclusive gated community of The Plantation at St. George Island, this beachfront home offers breath-taking views overlooking the Gulf of Mexico.

CONTACT INFORMATION: Scott Williamson, (850) 228.5512, scottwilliamsonhomes@gmail.com Coldwell Banker, Hartung

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PHOTOS BY HOME SHOT MEDIA / HALEY JACOBS COURTESY OF COLDWELL BANKER JOY BLOMELEY

YEAR BUILT: 1993

He For The Holidays

Traditions start at home. Count on Coldwell Banker Hartung to guide you there.

3303 Thomasville Road Tallahassee, Fl 32308 • 850.386.6160 • www.cbhartung.com TALL AHASSEEMAGA ZINE.COM

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SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

MEDICAL Profiles

What is important to you and your family? If you say good health, you’re not alone. In this special section, Tallahassee Magazine fills you in on dedicated health professionals, their practices and their plans for keeping you healthy. Here they discuss their specialized skills, backgrounds and how they can help you with your important health care decisions.

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MEDICAL Profiles

Meet

THE VEIN INSTITUTE

Robert S. Brumberg DO, FACOS, Medical Director

Specialists

Tallahassee’s only IAC Accredited Vein Center VENOUS DISORDERS AFFECT BOTH MEN AND WOMEN Unsightly veins may not just be cosmetic as they could be a sign of a serious underlying medical condition.

By identifying the underlying cause of your varicose veins, we can prevent and treat lifelong chronic venous disorders.

WHY A VASCULAR SURGEON IS THE RIGHT CHOICE A vascular surgeon’s sole expertise is in the diagnosis and treatment of all vascular conditions. Our training encompasses over two decades of knowledge in the continued pursuit of learning this pathology. In order to identify the best treatment plan for you, we have a superior knowledge base of the entire spectrum of vascular anatomy and the disease process to best identify and cure venous disorders. No other physician that claims to treat venous disease can compare with the decades of education and training that only a vascular surgery residency and fellowship can provide. This foundation allows our specialty to best diagnose and formulate a comprehensive and complete treatment plan individualized for each and every patient. At The Vein Institute, our team is led by the only board-certified vascular and endovascular surgery practice in Tallahassee and the Big Bend area.

WELCOME TO OUR VEIN INSTITUTE The Vein Institute of Tallahassee welcomes you to our new office located at the regional office center. The office is comfortable and spacious, featuring new patient examination

rooms, a dedicated venous ultrasound specialist, sclerotherapy and laser treatment room, and two operating suites. Recovery rooms are arranged for efficiency and patient comfort. We also have a conference room with audiovisual capability for educational presentations to patients. Because this facility is state-of-the-art and created for the best possible clinical results, our highly trained staff can accommodate any needs while providing the highest quality service.

During your first visit, you will be evaluated by one of our venous specialists.

If indicated, a comprehensive venous ultrasound examination will be performed.

The combination of the history of the clinical problem, your physical examination, the ultrasound study findings, and the visualization of veins beneath the skin surface, will provide a complete assessment of your overall venous health.

We will explain the findings and their significance, and if indicated, we will offer recommendations for treatment with any alternatives and risks of the procedures.

At The Vein Institute, we want you to be fully informed and, most importantly, be comfortable knowing that your best possible clinical result is our ultimate desire.

We are honored and excited to offer this new practice to the Tallahassee community.

We thank you for your continued support and encourage you to explore our website for the latest information on venous disorders and treatments. Our goal is to provide the highest quality of vascular care to our patients and ensure your partnership with us for your venous health for years to come.

2623 CENTENNIAL BLVD., SUITE 102 | (850) 531-VEIN | TVIFL.COM

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Megan I. March MD, RPVI, FSVS

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

Denise A. Smith MD, PhD, RPVI, FSVS

Lawrence D. Kaelin MD, FACS

Cassie Davis, APRN

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Diagnostics and Therapy ▪ D eep Vein Thrombectomy and Clot Retrieval ▪ O varian, Pelvic and Scrotal Vein Embolization ▪ I nferior and Superior Cava Filter Placement

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MEDICAL Profiles

DERMATOLOGY SPECIALISTS OF FLORIDA & AQUA MEDICAL SPA WAYNE FREILICH, M.D. BOARD CERTIFIED DERMATOLOGIST WHAT SERVICES DO YOU PROVIDE? At Dermatology Specialists of Florida, we provide the full range of dermatology services from diagnosis, treatment and prevention of skin disease to removal of skin cancer — by surgery and/or medical (non-surgical) modalities. And it’s all delivered with good old-fashioned human kindness in our modern clinical office setting.

WHAT IS THE SECRET TO YOUR SUCCESS? Being in the dermatology field for 36+ years, I believe my success can best be defined in three steps. First, describing for my patients the range of treatments available for their condition(s).

Second, carefully listening when they voice their preferences from among their various options, then arriving at the optimal treatment selected specifically for that person in the exam room at that moment. Then, third, continuously monitoring treatment progress to tailor the treatment to the individual.

WHAT SETS YOUR PRACTICE APART? We provide quick access to care with the ability to schedule patients within days, not months. Skin cancer rates are rising.

It’s well known that earlier diagnosis leads to an easier cure with better results.

HARMONY CHURCH, PA-C BOARD CERTIFIED DERMATOLOGY PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT WHY DID YOU PURSUE A CAREER IN HEALTH CARE? I decided to become a physician assistant primarily to help and serve others. I went to a private high school that integrated a work/study program, which allowed me to become a certified nursing assistant at the young age of 14. I absolutely fell in love with helping others, which led to my decision to become a physician assistant. My first job as a physician assistant was working with a plastic surgeon (7 years) and currently, as a cosmetic dermatology physician assistant (9+ years).

WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT WHAT YOU DO? I love having the ability to be creative and the fact that every day is a different adventure. With over 16 years of medical experience and working as a national cosmetic injectable trainer for both Allergan and Galderma, I have learned that communication and trust with each patient is vital in achieving the best cosmetic outcome. In an industry that is constantly evolving, my goal remains the same — making sure my patients walk out the door with increased self-esteem and confidence.

1474 MARKET STREET | MYDERMSPECIALISTS.COM | (850) 386-3376 | AQUAMEDICALSPA.COM | (850) 254-0244

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SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

CAPITAL PERIODONTAL ASSOCIATES Dr. William T. Baldock Jr. & Dr. William T. Baldock

WHAT SERVICES DO YOU PROVIDE? We are devoted to providing comprehensive periodontal and dental implant services that help patients maintain healthy teeth and gums.

We look not just at the mouth but also at overall health care to provide the most compassionate care for patients.

WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO GO INTO THIS CAREER? I have always looked forward to following in my father’s professional footsteps. He has been a periodontist for over 40 years and is a wonderful role model. I also love the scientific aspect of periodontology, because it is based in research and technology. It’s exciting and fulfilling that every day I get to perform treatments and procedures that help people maintain optimal oral health and an excellent quality of life.

WHAT SETS YOUR PRACTICE APART? The compassionate care that we provide to our patients. Our goal is to provide five-star service. We strive to develop lifelong relationships with our patients by combining the latest dental technology with a professional and caring staff. As a periodontal specialty practice, we take pride in our partnerships with our patients, general dentists and other medical professionals.

WHAT DO YOU SEE FOR THE FUTURE OF YOUR PRACTICE? The future is upon us now. There are so many exciting technological improvements occurring in the dental industry. We are performing 3D scanning, digital impressions and using 3D printers to expand into the realms of digital dentistry. Through this cutting-edge technology, we ensure each visit to our office is tailored to meet the specialized needs of our patients in an efficient, comprehensive manner.

BRANDI ROBERSON PHOTOGRAPHY

HOW DOES YOUR PRACTICE IMPACT THE COMMUNITY? Winston Churchill once said, “We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.” Capital Periodontal Associates is a practice dedicated to giving back to our community. Our team is active in many local charities and philanthropic endeavors. We are also proud supporters of Florida Mission of Mercy, which provides free dental care for underserved communities in Florida.

2621 MITCHAM DRIVE, SUITE 101 | (850) 942-8111 | CAPITALPERIO.COM

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MEDICAL Profiles

TALLAHASSEE DENTAL ASSOCIATES WHAT SERVICES DO YOU PROVIDE? We provide cosmetic, general and implant restorative dentistry — including aesthetic crowns and bridges, veneers, onlays and smile whitening.

Also, tooth-colored fillings, root canals, oral cancer screening and dentures. Implant retained restorations include single-tooth replacement, as well as full-arch tooth replacement with permanent non-removable hybrid restorations.

WHAT IS YOUR PHILOSOPHY? To always have our patient’s best interests in mind and to treat each person with the utmost respect.

HOW HAS YOUR BUSINESS EXPANDED? We utilize a digital scanner to take impressions, which avoids the use of impression materials that can be uncomfortable for some patients. We utilize digital radiography which reduces our patients’ exposure to radiation by as much as 70 percent. We employ intraoral cameras, which allow patients to see inside their own mouths. We provide metal-free, allporcelain veneers and crowns, which are the most aesthetic restorations available.

DAVE BARFIELD

HOW DO YOU MEASURE SUCCESS? By the quality of the relationships we establish with our patients. Patient satisfaction is huge. We work hard to provide the best care possible. We feel successful when the patient has had a pleasant and positive experience.

Left to right: Dr. Julie Bailey, Dr. Glenn Beck, Dr. Marci Beck, Dr. Brian Beck

WHAT SETS YOUR PRACTICE APART? Our commitment to continuing education for the doctors and staff. Each year, we take hundreds of hours of classes at the Spear Institute, the top-rated dental education center in the U.S. Also, we work with consultants to improve our teamwork, services and efficiency. Because we have four doctors, we can accommodate our patients’ needs and schedules by providing expanded hours and emergency care.

HOW DOES YOUR PRACTICE IMPACT THE COMMUNITY? Every year, we provide

the Smiles By Beck Scholarship for dental hygiene and dental assisting students who attend Tallahassee Community College.

We support many local fundraising events large or small. We guest lecture at UF, FSU and TCC. The Tallahassee Tennis Challenger Tournament, which benefits the Tallahassee Memorial Neuro Intensive Care Unit, is another event we enjoy supporting. We provide aid to the medical examiner’s office. And of course, volunteering for We Care helps us provide dentistry in our area to low-income people in need.

2929-B CAPITAL MEDICAL BLVD. | (850) 656-2636 | SMILESBYBECK.COM

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SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

DR. KISHOR MUNIYAPPA Tallahassee Gastro Health Center

WHO WE ARE: With two ears for listening, a mind for solving even the most complicated gastrointestinal problems and excellent procedural skills acquired over two decades in the field, Dr. Kishor Muniyappa is well equipped at his practice — Tallahassee Gastro Health Center. We are dedicated to partnering with you to improve your health in a professional, knowledgeable and caring manner.

WHY CHOOSE US? ▪ W e offer a friendly and wellqualified, 12-member staff in our new 6,000-square-foot office space.

▪ W e’re the only in-office procedure facility in Tallahassee with easy and upfront pricing (no facility fee billed to the patient).

▪ O ur physician boasts two decades of experience, and he believes and ensures coordination of care with primary care physicians, radiologists, pathologists and surgeons so that patients can have the best possible outcome.

▪ T his facility is independently owned and managed.

QUALIFICATIONS: Dr. Muniyappa attended one of the top medical schools in India before moving to the U.S., where he graduated with a master’s degree in public health (MPH) from Western Kentucky University before completing his internal medicine residency in Chicago. He then

SAIGE ROBERTS

WHAT WE DO: Tallahassee Gastro Health Center provides comprehensive gastrointestinal care, treats common abdominal problems and offers state-of-theart GI procedures — including colonoscopy, upper endoscopy, ERCP and endoscopic ultrasounds. A screening colonoscopy is one of the best ways to prevent colon and rectal cancer. We often find and remove polyps before they turn into cancer.

pursued dual fellowships, in nutrition and in gastroenterology, at Virginia Commonwealth University.

SECRET TO SUCCESS: Dr. Muniyappa’s good bedside manner and heartfelt care for his patients are no secret. “I want my patients to be heard,” he says. Even when he sees two patients back-to-back with similar

symptoms, he gives attention to each so that he can understand their history and situation and then come up with an individualized treatment plan.

“I joke with my patients that the less often they see me the better,” said Dr. Muniyappa.

“Our goal here is quality of care and to have each patient start feeling better the moment they walk into our facility.”

4012 KELCEY COURT, SUITE 103 | (850) 297-0351 | TALLYGASTROHEALTH.COM

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MEDICAL Profiles

DRS. WALTON & CARDMAN DENTISTRY

SAIGE ROBERTS

James Walton III, DDS & David W. Cardman, DMD

WALTON AND CARDMAN DENTISTRY, guarantees that visitors will experience more than just the typical dental practice when they visit. Each patient’s comfort and confidence comes first when matters of dentistry are concerned. Their mission is to provide the highest quality of dentistry and patient care available.

The staff maintains the highest level of accreditation and education in order to stay in tune with the latest trends in dentistry. They offer a full range of treatment options that can be personalized to meet your unique needs and expectations. Their services include preventative care, cosmetic dentistry, dental implants, teeth whitening, general dentistry and more.

1280 TIMBERLANE ROAD | (850) 893-2136 | DRSWALTONANDCARDMAN.COM

EYE ASSOCIATES OF TALLAHASSEE Viet N. Bui, MD

Jerry G. Ford, MD

Deanna Louie, MD

Paul Harman, OD

Elizabeth Strickland, OD

Since 1960, Eye Associates of Tallahassee has provided insight on eyesight. Originally established in Tallahassee, the practice has expanded to Marianna, Perry, Quincy and soon Crawfordville, with groundbreaking set for the newest location in early 2022.

Kenneth P. Kato, MD

Joshua M. Trafton, OD

Being the oldest and most expansive ophthalmology and optometry practice in the area, they offer eye exams, contacts and glasses, Lasik surgery, glaucoma treatment, cornea surgery, cataract surgery and implants,

Sarah Ko, MD

Tony A. Weaver, MD

dry-eye treatment, oculoplastic, neuroophthalmology, pediatric care and urgent eye care.

Their nine doctors are highly educated on the latest techniques and continue to broaden their training and services to fit patient needs.

The practice continuously acclimates to fit the expanding audience and to be the most convenient for patients so they are able to stay where they reside. With locations throughout Northwest Florida, Eye Associates of Tallahassee ensures patients’ eye care needs are easily accessible. For further community outreach, they actively participate in “Lunch and Learn” events at local senior centers.

Patients are assured they are in good hands as Eye Associates has won Best Optometry/Ophthalmology Practice from Tallahassee Magazine for multiple years. Patient satisfaction is always at the forefront of the practice’s vision and mission to provide personalized care while being inclusive of the needs of Tallahassee and the surrounding area.

TALLAHASSEE, PERRY, QUINCY, MARIANNA | COMING SOON: CRAWFORDVILLE (850) 878-6161 | EYEASSOCIATESOFTALLAHASSEE.COM

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TALLAHASSEE PLASTIC SURGERY CLINIC Dr. Larry Harper, Dr. Alfredo Paredes and Dr. Jeffrey Rawlings

Alfredo A. Paredes Jr., MD; Larry Harper, MD, FACS; and Jeffrey M. Rawlings, MD, FACS

Since 1978, Tallahassee Plastic Surgery Clinic has provided services to rejuvenate, revive and reconstruct patients. Being in tune and in touch with the latest techniques and desired procedures, the practice strives to exceed patient satisfaction above all.

The three board-certified physicians — Dr. Larry Harper, Dr. Alfredo Paredes and Dr. Jeffrey Rawlings — alongside the medical care staff, blend art and science to craft and customize procedures to fit each patient’s personal needs and intended results.

The practice offers cosmetic and reconstructive surgery for the face and body and non-surgical treatments, including dermal injectables such as Botox and Juvederm. The Physician’s Skin Care Clinic enlists the talents of two licensed estheticians, Sue Anne Pearce

and Mysty Billbrey, who provide skincare treatments, such as rejuvenation treatments, dermaplaning, micro-peels, SkinCeuticals products and more.

The offices are elegant and welcoming, intended to put each patient at ease. Paired with the expertise and highly acclaimed doctors and medical staff, each patient is assured they are receiving confidential, compassionate and quality care. Adjacent to the main office is the Surgery Center, a fully accredited outpatient surgery center with the mission of providing board-certified surgical procedures and outpatient care in an environment of safety, comfort and respect.

Tallahassee Plastic Surgery Clinic is honored to be one of the most highly respected and sought-after practices in the Southeast.

2452 MAHAN DRIVE, SUITE 101 | (850) 877-2126 | TLHPLASTICSURGERY.COM

IT’S YOUR

BUSINESS Tell Your Story Your Way

Rowland Publishing specializes in high-quality magazine and book production.

We offer full-service turnkey solutions and custom-built programs tailored specifically to your publishing needs. Our services include design, illustration, photography, writing, editing, and print and distribution management.

Contact us when you’re ready to discuss your next project.

BOOKS • CATALOGS • ANNUAL REPORTS • MAGAZINES

1932 Miccosukee Road | Tallahassee, FL 32308 (850) 878-0554 | RowlandPublishing.com

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Experience that Makes a Difference for the Past 21 Years!

Ben J. Kirbo, M.D. ~ Laurence Z. Rosenberg, M.D. ~ Chris DeRosier, M.D. CERTIFIED BY THE AMERICAN BOARD OF PLASTIC SURGERY

Everyone talks about personalized care, but at Southeastern Plastic Surgery, P.A. in Tallahassee, FL it is exactly the patient experience that makes all the difference. From the moment a patient enters the door, they will encounter a sense of caring that continues throughout their visit. The importance of individualized, personal treatment is at the heart of every patient experience.

As the region’s premier choice for cosmetic and reconstructive surgery, Southeastern Plastic Surgery includes board-certified general and plastic surgeons with unique complementary expertise, skin care specialists and others dedicated to provide outstanding care and service.

Dr. Chris DeRosier is board-certified by the American Board of Surgery, American Board of Plastic Surgery and the American Board of Surgery and brings unique expertise to the region in the areas of free tissue breast reconstruction know as Free TRAM and DIEP flaps. He also brings much-needed expertise in abdominal wall reconstruction and wound care to this region.

Dr. DeRosier’s leadership in these areas has resulted in Southeastern Plastic Surgery becoming a regional referral center for secondary and tertiary abdominal wall reconstruction and limb salvage reconstruction.

L-R: Dr. Rosenberg, Dr. Kirbo, Dr. DeRosier

“Patients are my number one priority,” said Dr. Ben Kirbo, board-certified plastic surgeon. “They influence the quality of staff and technology, the design of our office and the time we spend to educate our patients about the procedures and services they are considering.”

Dr. Ben Kirbo has been practicing in the North Florida and South Georgia area for more than 20 years. He is dedicated to providing unparalleled quality to every patient.

A native of Bainbridge, Georgia, Dr. Kirbo received his undergraduate degree from the University of Georgia and completed his medical degree at the University of Miami.

He completed his general surgery residency at the University of Kentucky and his plastic surgery residency at Vanderbilt University where he trained under several internationally recognized plastic surgeons.

He has a particular interest in facial cosmetic surgery, breast surgery and body contouring.

Additionally, he has interest and experience in post-bariatric weight loss surgery.

He has extensive training in melanoma/skin cancer treatment and Mohs repairs. Dr. Kirbo is known by his colleagues for his expertise in correcting undesirable plastic surgery results.

Along with Southeastern Plastic Surgery, he was selected as the only local surgical practice to participate in the Florida Melanoma Study.

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“At Southeastern Plastic Surgery, we strive to deliver excellent patient care, in a warm, compassionate setting,” said Dr. Laurence Rosenberg, board-certified plastic surgeon.

Dr. Laurence Rosenberg grew up in Albany, New York, and attended Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia, for both college and medical school, where he earned many awards and distinctions.

Board-certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, he completed both general surgery and plastic surgery residency and trained at the University of Alabama under pioneering plastic surgeon, Dr. Luis Vasconez.

As a result of his training and research, he is an editorial board member of the Annals of Plastic Surgery.

With a variety of interests and areas of specialization within cosmetic and reconstructive surgery, Dr. Rosenberg’s areas of focus include facelifts, eyelid surgery, breast reconstruction, breast augmentation and reduction, abdominoplasty, hand surgery, laser treatments of skin disorders and body contouring with particular interest in massive weight loss patients.

Dr. Rosenberg is the only board-certified physician in North Florida and South Georgia to perform a unique hair restoration procedure of surgically transplanting individual hair follicular units.

TALLAHASSEEMAGA ZINE.COM

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Recognized nationally, Dr. DeRosier offers his expertise during multiple grand rounds and lectures to many medical centers throughout the United States. He has provided leadership to Tallahassee Memorial Hospital and the medical community by serving as Chairman of the Department of Surgery, Medical Director of the Skin and Soft Tissue Center and was most recently elected to the Medical Executive Committee.

A native of Huntsville, Alabama, Dr. DeRosier is an AOA graduate of the University of Alabama (UAB) School of Medicine. He completed both his general and plastic surgery residencies at UAB prior to starting his practice at the university. In 2013 Dr. DeRosier joined Southeastern Plastic Surgery bringing academic level reconstructive surgery to the Big Bend area.

se-plasticsurgery.com

850.219.2000

2030 Fleischmann Rd. ~ Tallahassee, FL

Guy Harvey’s

at Tropic Star Lodge Nov. 14-19 2021 • May 21-26, 2022 • Sept. 24-29 2022 • Nov. 2022 (TBD) Twenty-five anglers each trip will have the opportunity to join Guy and Jessica Harvey on a 5 day/5 night VIP experience at the world-famous Tropic Star Lodge in Piñas Bay, Panama.

Total Cost: $9,800 ■

Five day/five night all-inclusive stay at Tropic Star Lodge.

■

Personalized 30-minute video of your adventure.

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Five people each day will fish with Guy Harvey.

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Breakfast/lunch and happy hour snacks.

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Lodging at Tropic Star, double occupancy.

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During the week, Guy will paint an original piece to be auctioned off on the last night.

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Two private “arrival” and “departure” cocktail parties at Tropic Star’s mountaintop Palace.

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Round trip air charter from Panama City to Piñas Bay.

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Ground transportation from airport to hotel and domestic/international airport.

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VIP greeting by Tropic Star representative as you depart your flight and personal support while going through customs. While waiting for transfer, admission to airport VIP lounge pending COVID restrictions.

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Four people each day will fish with Jessica Harvey and with a scientist from Guy Harvey Enterprises.

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Additional fishing days will be standard trips on a Tropic Star boat with captain and a mate.

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A personalized Guy Harvey print for each angler.

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Welcome bag with Guy Harvey Tropic Star clothing and souvenir items.

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Lifetime subscription to Guy Harvey Magazine.

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Private dinners each night with Guy, Jessica Harvey and a scientist from Guy Harvey Enterprises.

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Two drinks per day and wine at dinner.

For available expedition dates, contact browland@GuyHarvey.com

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PROMOTION

calendar

NOV/DEC 2021 For more events in Tallahassee, visit TallahasseeMagazine.com. compiled by JAVIS OGDEN and REBECCA PADGETT FRETT

NOV. 25

Tallahassee Turkey Trot

↓

On Thanksgiving Day, thousands of hungry but grateful runners will meet — in person again — for the 2021 Tallahassee Turkey Trot, hosted by the Gulf Winds Track Club. There’s no better way to make room for the big bird and all the fixin’s. Whether you want to run or walk, choose from four courses — a 1-mile fun run/walk, a 5k, 10k or 15k. And, don’t miss the Turkey Trot Festival on Nov. 21; it’s a fun way to register for the race while enjoying live music and fitness displays for the whole family.

Visit TallyTurkeyTrot.com for more information.

DEC. 9–19

‘MIRACLE ON 34TH STREET’

→ Staged as a 1940s live radio play, this version is the classic cup of nostalgic Christmas cheer we all look forward to during the holiday season. When a department store Santa claims he’s the real Kris Kringle, the Supreme Court takes up his case, and a little girl’s ability to believe may determine the fate of Christmas.

Purchase tickets online at EmeraldCoastTheatre.org.

SAVE THE DATE

FALL 2022

NORTHWEST FLORIDA ECONOMIC SUMMIT → The Northwest Florida Leadership Forum will present its first ever Northwest Florida Economic Summit at the Sheraton Panama City Beach Golf & Spa Resort. The event will bring together local, state and national government and industry leaders who will present the latest information on programs, contracts and funding related to work in various applications and areas.

Event postponed to fall 2022. To find out more, contact sales@northwestfloridaleadershipforum.org or visit NorthwestFloridaLeadershipForum.org.

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PHOTOS BY NIKKI HEDRICK (MIRACLE ON 34TH STREET), K&R STUDIOS COURTESY OF TURKEY TROT AND NORTHWEST FLORIDA LEADERSHIP FORUM

REGIONAL

IS YOUR PET A

TALLY TOP PET VOTE FOR TALLY’S TOP PET

Go to TallahasseeMagazine.com/Tally-Top-Pet The winner will be featured on the cover of Tallahassee Magazine’s 2022 May/June issue.

VOTING PERIODS VOTE FOR THE

TOP EIGHT Dec. 16–22, 2021 VOTE FOR THE

TOP FOUR Jan. 1–7, 2022 VOTE FOR THE

TOP TWO Feb. 22–Mar. 2, 2022 VOTE FOR THE

TALLY TOP PET

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REGIONAL

JAN. 14–17

30A Songwriters Festival

→ The 30A Songwriters Festival, co-produced by the Cultural Arts Alliance of Walton County and Russell Carter Artist Management, enters its 13th year in 2022. More than 250 artists will perform original songs at more than 30 venues and listening rooms throughout South Walton County.

For more information, visit 30ASongwritersFestival.com.

NOV. 4 For generations, Disney’s princesses have enchanted us with their courage and kindness. Their music has been the soundtrack to our lives. Now, for the first time in forever, that beloved music will be celebrated in Disney Princess – The Concert. openingnights.fsu.edu/events/disneyprincess-the-concert

NORTH FLORIDA FAIR NOV. 4–14 Dizzying rides, tasty fair food, lively entertainment, children’s attractions, agriculture projects and more will be on display at the 79th annual North Florida Fair. northfloridafair.com

FRIDAY NIGHT BLOCK PARTY – KING CALAWAY (pineland) dandelion + pine, 2021, water-based on canvas, 40"x48"

katherine sandoz, 2021 Featured Artist

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NOV. 5 The Friday Night Block Party is the official start of every FSU Football home weekend. Great

concerts, food, beverages and Seminole cheer! Live music will be performed by King Calaway. seminoles.com/block-party

FLORIDA SEAFOOD FESTIVAL NOV. 5–6 Seafood lovers delight as the historic town of Apalachicola celebrates Gulf seafood served every way they like it.

The festival features seafood vendors, oyster eating and oyster shucking contests, a parade, the 5K Redfish Run, arts and crafts, musical entertainment and more. floridaseafoodfestival.com

PATTI LABELLE NOV. 11 The soulful songbird Patti LaBelle has become synonymous with grace, style, elegance and class. Classic rhythm and blues renditions, pop standards and spiritual sonnets are all part of the uniquely versatile repertoire for which she is known and revered. openingnights.fsu.edu/events/ patti-labelle

PHOTO BY SHELLY SWANGER (30A SONGWRITERS FESTIVAL)

PANDORA PRESENTS DISNEY PRINCESS – THE CONCERT

Join us for our 17th Annual Event Saturday, January 29, 2022

Dinner & Program 6 - 9 pm | University Center Club Platinum Sponsor Doug & Elizabeth Bailey

Silver Sponsor Galban Countryman Dotson Family

'

Diamond Sponsor Tallahassee Community College

TICKETS $100 | TABLE (8) $750 | SPONSORSHIPS AVAILABLE For more information email djump@seeingindependence.org or call 850.942.3658 x220

December 4th–5th North Florida Fairgrounds Explore unique arts and crafts from premier artists from all across the country at Market Days.

Find personalized goods and handmade art for any budget and style right here in Tallahassee, Florida.

MarketDays.org Event benefits

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THE GREG TISH SHOW

2020

BEST TA L

of

NOV/DEC 2021

FRIDAY NIGHT BLOCK PARTY – PAYTON SMITH

and their own creations accompanied by a DJ and drummer.

NOV. 12

openingnights.fsu.edu/events/sonsof-mystro

S E’

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SSEE MAGAZ HA IN LA

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L A H A SSE

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REALTALK93.COM | (850) 386-TALK

@REALTALK93FM

@TLHREALTALK

@REALTALK93.3

The Friday Night Block Party is the official start of every FSU Football home weekend.

Great concerts, food, beverages and Seminole cheer! Live music will be performed by Payton Smith. seminoles.com/block-party

Thanks for voting us Tallahassee’s Best Painter for 10 years.

PLANTATION WILDLIFE ARTS FESTIVAL NOV. 13–JAN. 10 In its 25th year, the Plantation Wildlife Arts Festival is being celebrated differently.

Rather than large gatherings, the event will honor artists through private and personal tours throughout Thomasville. pwaf.org

As we celebrate our 22nd year in business, we thank all of our customers for their continued support.

LEMOYNE ARTS ANNUAL HOLIDAY SHOW NOV. 26–DEC. 24 The LeMoyne Arts Annual Holiday Show has been a tradition for over 58 years.

This year, you can see and purchase handmade works from over 80 local artists.

The 2021 theme is “Art Deco The Halls.” lemoyne.org/annual-holiday-show.html

Interior/Exterior • Pressure Washing Carpentry Wood Repair • Wallpaper Removal Father-and-Son Owned • Licensed • Insured • Worker’s Comp

(850) 297-1882 • SuperiorPainting.net

WE ARE HIRING

SEEKING A SALES ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE Media sales experience required and generous commission offered. Visit rowlandpublishing.com/careers to submit your application and upload your resume.

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MARKET DAYS DEC. 4–5 Tallahassee boasts one of the Southeast’s largest and best-juried craft shows with art from over 300 vendors.

Art, furniture, ceramics, woodwork, jewelry, clothing, photography and more fill the fairgrounds. This event is a major fundraiser for the Tallahassee Museum and provides a great opportunity to buy holiday gifts that will be cherished. tallahasseemuseum.org/marketdays/ about

SONS OF MYSTRO DEC. 9 Brothers Malcolm and Umoja use violins to blend more than 10 different genres of music. The brothers will interpret holiday hits, reggae classics, American pop songs

VICTORIAN CHRISTMAS THOMASVILLE DEC. 9–10 ’Tis the season! The 34th annual Victorian Christmas will take you back in time.

Stroll the streets and be entertained by performers, carolers and musicians.

Shop, dine and welcome the holiday season in Downtown Thomasville! thomasvillega.com/attractions/ festivals/victorian-christmas

‘A CHRISTMAS CAROL’ DEC. 10–19 This thrilling adaptation uses only five actors to bring to life some of Charles Dickens’ most beloved characters from Scrooge and Tiny Tim to Bob Cratchit and Mr. Fezziwig.

Barlow’s A Christmas Carol uses nothing more than some simple props, fresh physicality and the power of imagination to convey this timeless story of redemption. theatretallahassee.org/2021-2022season/a-christmas-carol-2021

TALLAHASEE YOUTH ORCHESTRA HOLIDAY CONCERT DEC. 12 Celebrate the holiday season with talented Tallahassee youth in concert at Ruby Diamond Concert Hall. tallahasseearts.org/event/tallahasseeyouth-orchestras-holiday-concert

TALLAHASSEE BALLET’S ‘THE NUTCRACKER’ DEC. 18–19 Sugarplum fairies will dance in your head and snow will fall as the beloved Christmas classic, The Nutcracker, twirls to life on the Ruby Diamond stage. The Tallahassee Ballet welcomes all ages to enjoy a treasured performance of beautiful ballet, a live orchestra, intricate costumes and a breathtaking set. tallahasseeballet.org

850 422 0071

Eat. Drink. Relax.

by Sheraton Tallahassee Downtown | 316 West Tennessee Street, Tallahassee FL 32301 TALL AHASSEEMAGA ZINE.COM

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dining guide AMERICAN ANDREW’S DOWNTOWN

Great Friends

3740 Austin Davis Ave. Tues-Sun | 7am-2pm (850) 765-0703

300 S. Duval St. in Kleman Plaza Tues-Sun | 8am-2pm (850) 907-EGGS (3447)

ISLAND WING COMPANY ★

BACKWOODS CROSSING ★

$L

Sit down at this 2021 Best of winner for fresh gourmet food at Tallahassee’s farm-to-table, destination concept restaurant featuring locally caught and produced soft-shell crabs, sausage, duck and blueberries. 6725 Mahan Dr.

(850) 765-3753. $$ L D

DOG ET AL ★

(850) 224-9974. $$ L D

GROVE MARKET CAFÉ

of

L A H A SSE

TA L

INDOOR DINING NOW OPEN CARRY OUT AVAILABLE Killearn Shopping Center (850) 222-5458

Ocala Corners (850) 575-5458

KIKUBOGO.COM

KIKUTOGO.COM

SAFETY & QUALITY ARE PRIORITY

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(850) 422-0071. $ B L D

(850) 354-8277. $$ D

The name says it all! This restaurant boasts a palate-pleasing combination of personalized service, eclectic ambiance and award-winning cuisine and is the Best Desserts winner for 2017–21. 1950 Thomasville Road.

Open Christmas Day

Located in the Four Points by Sheraton Downtown, this cool lobby restaurant offers breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Unique dishes include tapas with a twist, such as the Georgia peaches with caramel. 316 W. Tennessee St.

THE EDISON

(850) 222-4099. $ L D

FOOD GLORIOUS FOOD ★

BEST

JUICY BLUE

LIBERTY BAR AND RESTAURANT ★

(850) 684-2117. $$/$$$ B L D

2020

Get baked! This 2021 Best of winner for Best Wings won’t serve you up greasy, fried wings; instead Island Wing bakes them fresh. 1370 Market St. (850) 692-3116.

Foot-long and veggie entrees alike grace this award-winning menu. Also ask about their incredibly valued family packs. 1456 S. Monroe St.

This relaxed, fine dining establishment is equipped with a beer garden, wine cellar, casual café, open-air alternatives and a gorgeous view that has become a Tallahassee favorite. 470 Suwannee St.

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Hummingbird brings together great wine with house-made plates and paninis for the perfect after-work or evening get-together — or start your Sunday off right with an early brunch.

1216-4 N. Monroe St. (850) 296-2766. $$ D

After 47 years, Andrew’s is still an energetic, casual, see-and-be-seen spot.

House favorites include a popular lunch buffet, hamburgers, salads and pasta dishes. Downtown delivery.

(850) 222-3444/Fax, (850) 222-2433. $$ B L D

Great Food

HUMMINGBIRD WINE BAR ★

Carefully crafted unique cocktails mixed with a gourmet menu that features fresh, local produce. 1307 N. Monroe, Unit No. 2.

LOFTY PURSUITS ★

This old-fashioned soda fountain serves ice cream, milkshakes and candy — plus brunch dishes and a selection of vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options. 1355 Market St.,

A11. (850) 521-0091. $ B

MADISON SOCIAL

Whether it’s for a social cocktail, a quick lunch or a place to gather before home football games, Madison Social offers something for everyone.

705 S. Woodward Ave. (850) 894‑6276. $$ B L D

A full-service breakfast and lunch restaurant that features a chefcreated menu of fresh takes on classic comfort foods, from the owners of Cypress and Vertigo Burgers. 1370 Market St.(850) 894-5060. $$ B L

MIDTOWN CABOOSE

HOPKINS’ EATERY ★

OVERUNDER BAR + LOUNGE ★

A Best of 2021 winner, Hopkins’ provides favorites such as the Ultimate Turkey, the Linda Special and a variety of salads to keep customers coming back. Multiple locations. Hours vary. $ L D

HORIZONS BAR & GRILLE

Classic, homemade American cuisine along with a full bar serving premium liquors, local craft beers and wine.

3427 Bannerman Rd., Ste. 104.

(850) 329-2371. $$ B D

THE KEY ★ 2021 Best

of Tallahassee Winner

Outrageous burgers in a laid-back atmosphere — Wells Bros. lives on at this burger joint, voted Tallahassee’s best for 2020. 1406 N. Meridian Rd. (850) 521-1933. $$ L D

Two experiences under one roof, OverUnder features specialty cocktails plus curated food and drink pairings and is a 2021 Best Bar winner. 1240

Thomasville Rd. (850) 597-7552. $$

R&R EATERY

Located in Hotel Indigo, R&R Eatery is a modern American restaurant with fresh takes on classic dishes and a mix of signature craft cocktails. 826 W. Gaines St.

(850) 210-0008. $$ B D

The restaurants that appear in this guide are included as a service to readers and not as recommendations of the Tallahassee Magazine editorial department, except where noted. $$ Moderately B Breakfast/ Outdoor Dining L D

Brunch Lunch Dinner

Live Music Bar/Lounge $ Inexpensive

Expensive

$$$ Expensive

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our mission is the same as our passion: to serve the most delicious mexican cuisine at five great locations. we invite you to stop by for our world-famous fajitas.

southwood

727-0094 |

capital circle ne

385-9992 |

New Location Coming Soon 1900 Capital Circle NE Tallahassee

north monroe

878-0800 |

2226 N Monroe Street Tallahassee (850) 385-9888

kerry forest

668-1002 |

crawfordville

1241 Apalachee Parkway Tallahassee (850) 671-2722

926-4329

2499 Hwy. 77 Unit A Panama City (850) 215-3330

CraftyCrabRestaurant.com/location/tallahassee TALL AHASSEEMAGA ZINE.COM

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Restaurant Spotlight

Walk Into Fun and Flavor at Walk-On’s Sports Bistreaux At Walk-On’s Sports Bistreaux, you are meant to experience the spirit of game day every day. Whether you came to watch the game or gather with family and friends, Walk-On’s is a restaurant that encourages daily celebration.

The atmosphere embodies your favorite sports bar, then elevates it with over 81 TVs featuring local, national and global sports, all surrounded by murals of local teams like Florida State University and Florida A&M University.

“Here, over-the-top enthusiasm culture is the daily norm,” said Jonathan Jackson, general manager of Walk-On’s Sports Bistreaux in Tallahassee. “The staff promotes an infectious energy, but the real MVP is the food.”

What hits a true home run for the restaurant is its menu, which features authentic Louisiana and Cajun cuisine made from scratch. The lineup includes burgers built for two hands, fresh seafood and traditional Cajun fare like Bayou Pasta, the VooDoo Shrimp and

Grits, the Duck and Andouille Gumbo and Crawfish Etouffee.

The fusion of sports fanaticism and Cajun culture stems from founders Brandon Landry and Jack Warner, who were walk-ons for the Louisiana State University basketball team. The dream of Walk-On’s came to life on a napkin as they were flying home after a game in Knoxville, Tennessee, in 2000.

After graduation, what began as a floor plan for a school project blossomed in 2003 into the first Walk-On’s location near LSU’s Tiger Stadium. There are now over 100 locations throughout the United States, one of the newest being in Tallahassee, which employs over 150 people.

Since opening, Walk-On’s has been active in supporting and engaging with the local sports community and charitable organizations. They sponsored the Junior League of Tallahassee’s Golf Tournament and are head sponsors for Friday Night Rivals,

which promotes Tallahassee high school sports teams.

“Whether you’re here for dinner with the family, date night, cocktails with the girls or to watch a game on the big screen, we’re always happy to share our Louisiana culture with you,” said Jackson.

WALK-ON’S SPORTS BISTREAUX 3390 CAPITAL CIRCLE NE, TALLAHASSEE | (850) 597-7736 | WALK-ONS.COM

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ROOTSTOCK

With an ever-changing menu of unique flavors, Rootstock offers shareable plates, artisan cocktails and a selection of 25 wines by the glass. 228 South Adams.

(850) 518-0201. $$$ D

SAGE RESTAURANT ★

Sage’s menu masterfully melds regional influences, including Southern and French. The setting is gorgeous but cozy, and the outdoor patio sets a charming, romantic tone for a relaxing evening.

3534 Maclay Blvd. (850) 270-9396. $$$ B L D

VERTIGO BURGERS AND FRIES ★

Vertigo is home to some of the juiciest, funkiest burgers in town. The modern building provides a no-frills setting to enjoy such favorites as the Vertigo Burger — a beef patty served with a fried egg, applewood bacon, grilled jalapeños, sharp cheddar and Vertigo sauce. 1395 E. Lafayette St. (850) 878-2020. $$ L D

WALK-ON’S SPORTS BISTREAUX ★ Not your usual sports bar, this import from Louisiana offers seafood, traditional Cajun cuisine and burgers built for two hands — plus 40 beers on tap and wall-to-wall TVs for the big games. 3390 Capital Circle NE. (850) 597-7736. $$ L D

SAVOUR

Downtown fine dining with a vision for seasonally inspired, regionally sourced and creatively prepared cuisine, such as bourbon-brined pork chops, Gulf Coast bouillabaisse or miso marinated grouper.

115 E. Park Ave. (850) 765-6966. $$$ D

TABLE 23 ★

This “Southern porch, table and bar” is cozied up among oak trees on one of Tallahassee’s favorite street corners.

Lucky Goat coffee-rubbed ribeye and Schermer pecan-crusted chicken are among the regional offerings.

1215 Thomasville Rd. (850) 329-2261. $$$ L D

UPTOWN CAFÉ

Specialties at the bustling, family-run café include apricot-glazed smoked salmon, oneof-a-kind omelets, banana bread French toast and flavorful sandwiches. 1325 Miccosukee Rd.

(850) 219-9800. $ B L

ASIAN AZU LUCY HO’S

Enjoy an extensive array of classic dishes with a modern flare, including gyoza dumplings, crab rangoon, General Tso’s chicken and Szechuan beef, all in a relaxed setting. 3220 Apalachee Pkwy., Ste. 13. (850) 893-4112. L D

BORU BORU

A fast-casual eatery inspired by Japanese cuisine, featuring sushi bowls, poke bowls and sushiburritos. 1861 W. Tennessee St., #290. (850) 270-9253. $$ L D

KIKU JAPANESE FUSION ★

From tempura to teriyaki and sushi to sashimi, Kiku Japanese Fusion, voted Best Sushi in 2021, fuses vibrant flavors with fresh ingredients. 800 Ocala Rd.

(850) 575-5458, 3491 Thomasville Rd. (850) 222-5458. $$ L D

MASA ★

BREAKFAST/ BRUNCH/BAKERY

A 2021 Best Asian winner, Masa’s menu offers a creative blend of Eastern and Western cuisines. 1650 N. Monroe St. (850) 727-4183. $/$$

NAGOYA STEAKHOUSE & SUSHI

Dine in or takeout, Nagoya offers a wide variety of authentic Japanese cuisine, including hibachi, salads, sushi and sashimi.

1925 N. Monroe St. $/$$ L D

OSAKA JAPANESE STEAKHOUSE AND SUSHI BAR ★

Rated Best Hibachi for 2021, Osaka provides dinner and a show, with the chefs seasoning and preparing your meal right in front of you. 1489 Maclay Commerce Dr. (850) 900-5149.

$$$ D

ROCK N ROLL SUSHI

This American-style sushi chain born in Mobile offers fresh rolls, salads and hibachi — all with a rock-and-roll theme.

1415 Timberlane Rd., #305. (850) 999-1748. $$ L D

BBQ WILLIE JEWELL’S OLD SCHOOL BBQ ★

Platters, sandwiches or by the pound, Willie Jewell’s, the 2021 Best Barbecue winner, offers smoked brisket, pork, turkey, sausage, chicken and ribs with a bevy of Southern sides. 5442 Thomasville Rd.

(850) 629-4299. $ L D

CANOPY ROAD CAFÉ ★

Traditional breakfasts, fluffy omelets, skillets, French toast and sweet potato pancakes keep customers coming back to this 2021 Best Breakfast winner. Canopy also goes all out on lunch favorites. Multiple locations. (850) 668-6600. $ B L

THE EGG CAFÉ & EATERY

When you’re looking for breakfast favorites, even if it’s lunchtime, The Egg is the place to be. Second location now open in Kleman Plaza. Multiple locations. (850) 907-3447. $$ B L

TASTY PASTRY BAKERY ★

Tallahassee’s original cakery and 2021 Best Bakery winner features fresh breads, bagels, pies, cakes and catering. Mon–Sat 6:45 am–6 pm. 1355 Market St., No. A-5.

(850) 893-3752. $ B L D

TREVA’S PASTRIES & FINE FOODS Specializing in sweet treats, cakes, pastries and croissants, this bistro-style pastry shop and fine foods store also uses 100% natural ingredients to make savory sandwiches, salads and soups. 2766 Capital Circle NE.

(850) 765-0811. $$ L

CAJUN COOSH’S BAYOU ROUGE ★

This Best Cajun Restaurant winner for 2021 brings a menu jam-packed with Louisiana-style

WE ARE THE ORIGINAL, AMERICAN-STYLE SUSHI EXPERIENCE FOUNDED ON GREAT FOOD, TRUE LOVE, AND ROCK 'N ROLL.

Market Square Shopping Center 1415 Timberlane Rd NE Tallahassee near I-10

(850) 999-1748 rocknrollsushi.com TALL AHASSEEMAGA ZINE.COM

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Restaurant Spotlight

Osaka Japanese Hibachi Steakhouse & Sushi Bar Asian Restaurant, Best Sushi and Best Hibachi by the readers of Emerald Coast Magazine. They’ve also been voted as the Best In Destin for Asian Cuisine by VIP Destin Magazine.

Visit OsakaHibachiAndSushi.com to find out more about booking your reservation for lunch, dinner or your next special occasion. Find Osaka Japanese Hibachi Steakhouse & Sushi Bar on Facebook and Instagram to stay up to date with the current specials, events and more.

OSAKA JAPANESE HIBACHI STEAKHOUSE & SUSHI BAR 1489 MACLAY COMMERCE DRIVE, TALLAHASSEE | (850) 900-5149 (850) 531-0222 | THEOSAKASTEAKHOUSE.COM

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PHOTOS BY THE WORKMANS

The success of Osaka is due in large part to the commitment of Osaka’s employees. The head chef in Tallahassee joined the team shortly after the restaurant opened nearly three decades ago, and the head sushi chef has been with Osaka for 15 years. This type of tenure in the restaurant business is quite rare, but it speaks to the consistency and loyalty the Chous have established in the workplace, as well as a high level of job satisfaction from the employees.

Whether seated at a hibachi table or at the sushi bar, the Osaka staff makes their customers feel like family. A show in itself, the hibachi room is filled with excitement, laughter and the delightful aroma of fried rice. It’s the perfect space for all corporate events, special occasions and celebrations, with seating of up to 100. If you’re in the mood for something more intimate, step inside the sushi bar area to witness their meticulous handcrafted rolls filled with fresh caught seafood and farm-fresh ingredients. The expansive menu allows guests to try something new during each visit along with their ever-changing sushi specials.

Over the years, Osaka has won numerous awards, including Best Sushi and Best Hibachi from the readers of Tallahassee Magazine as well as Best

PHOTOS BY THE WORKMANS

After recognizing an opportunity in the Japanese-inspired dining realm, owners Michael and Annie Chou opened Osaka Japanese Hibachi Steakhouse & Sushi Bar in Tallahassee in 1998. Having previously owned a Chinese restaurant in Tallahassee, Chou’s Dynasty, Mr. Chou saw an opportunity in uncharted dining territory: hibachi. While the Japanese Steakhouse concept was new for the Chous, the cuisine was not. Mr. Chou was raised in the sovereign state of Taiwan, which was occupied by Japan for 50 years.

From the conception of the Chou’s first Osaka Japanese Hibachi Steakhouse & Sushi Bar, to the rebuild of their new Tallahassee location in 2020, the Chous have always held true to three enduring values: cleanliness, service and quality.

Over the years, they have grown into other markets and opened Osaka restaurants in both Panama City Beach at Pier Park and in the heart of Destin.

Open daily for lunch and dinner, Osaka offers hibachi, a full-service bar, Gulf-fresh sushi and sashimi from their expansive sushi bar — which is the heart of each of their locations. The exterior architecture of the buildings, surrounded by koi ponds and tranquil landscaping, evokes an authentic feeling that could only be found at a local restaurant in Osaka, Japan.

CATERING BLACK FIG ★

Whether you’re planning an event for five or 500, Black Fig offers a bevy of dining options, including catering-togo. 1400 Village Square Blvd, #7. (850) 727-0016.

SIMPLY ENTERTAINING

This 2020 Best of Tallahassee winner is ready to cater your next big event or intimate party with locally and organically grown ingredients; can accommodate vegan, gluten-free and other special dietary requests.

1355 A-10 Market St. (850) 668-1167.

ITALIAN/PIZZA BELLA BELLA ★

Voted Best Italian in 2021, this locally owned and operated restaurant has a cozy atmosphere and serves all the classics to satisfy your pasta cravings.

123 E. 5th Ave. (850) 412-1114. $$ L D

IL LUSSO ★

Homemade pasta, local seafood and a choice of prime steaks define this downtown fine dining experience.

201 E. Park Ave., Ste. 100. (850) 765-8620. $$$ D

MOMO’S ★

After devouring a slice “as big as your head” at this 2021 Best Pizza winner, chain pizza simply is not gonna cut it.

Multiple locations. (850) 224‑9808. $L D

RICCARDO’S RESTAURANT

A Tallahassee tradition since 1999, Riccardo’s features savory Italian classics, from pasta and pizza to homemade subs and calzones — plus a wide-ranging selection of wines and craft brews. 1950 Thomasville Rd. (850) 386-3988. $$

L D

MEDITERRANEAN SAHARA CAFE MEDITERRANEAN CUISINE

This 2020 Best Ethnic Restaurant winner is a family owned and operated restaurant. Sahara Cafe has been serving homemade Greek and Lebanese food to Tallahassee for 15 years. 1135 Apalachee Pkwy.

(850) 656-1800. $$ L D

MEXICAN EL JALISCO ★

EL PATRON MEXICAN GRILL & CANTINA

Find all your authentic Mexican classics such as tacos, quesadillas, fajitas and burritos, or take a sip of a yardstick margarita. 1170 Apalachee

Pkwy. (850) 656-7264. $$ L D

SEAFOOD/STEAK THE BLU HALO ★

Blu Halo is a high-end culinary experience featuring dry-aged steaks and fresh seafood along with fine wines and a martini bar. A private dining room for up to 20 guests is available. 3431 Bannerman

Rd., #2 (850) 999-1696. $$$ L D

CRAFTY CRAB

Offering the freshest seafood and most authentic recipes in the area, including crab, crawfish, calamari, lobster, oysters, mussels, scallops and more. 1241

Apalachee Pkwy. & 2226 N. Monroe St. (850) 671-2722. $$ L D

GEORGIO’S FINE FOOD & SPIRITS

George Koikos has over 50 years of experience in Tallahassee restaurants, and his hands-on commitment has made this upscale restaurant a local favorite featuring local seafood, prime steaks and banquet rooms for private parties. 2971

Apalachee Pkwy. (850) 877-3211. $$$ D

Classic, house-made American cuisine.

Full bar with a variety of refreshing signature drinks DINNER • SUNDAY BRUNCH • HAPPY HOUR

3427 Bannerman Road, Suite #104 850.329.2371 • HorizonsBarAndGrille.com

HARRY’S SEAFOOD BAR & GRILL

Serving Southern, Cajun and Creole flavors in classic and modern dishes since 1987. Full bar is available at each location. 301 S. Bronough St., in Kleman

Plaza. (850) 222-3976. $$ L D

SHULA’S 347

Two over the top experiences,

Located in Hotel Duval. Keep it light and casual with a premium Black Angus beef burger or a gourmet salad, or opt for one of their signature entrées — a “Shula Cut” steak. Reservations suggested.

415 N. Monroe St. (850) 224-6005. $$$ L D

SOUTHERN SEAFOOD ★

Whether you’re looking for fish, shrimp, oysters, scallops, crab or lobster, the 2021 Best Seafood Market winner brings the ocean’s freshest choices to Tallahassee. 1415 Timberlane Rd. (850) 668‑2203.

THE SEINEYARD ★

Fried, grilled or blackened, the area’s best and freshest seafood is found at Seineyard. Grab your basket or mix it up with a plate of grouper, catfish, shrimp, oysters, scallops and more. Multiple locations. (850) 421-9191. $$ L D

TALLY FISH HOUSE & OYSTER BAR

Locally owned seafood restaurant boasts a raw bar and a bevy of fresh seafood such as catfish, stuffed Gulf grouper, shrimp, red snapper and more. Takeout available.

6802 Thomasville Rd. (850) 900-5075. $$ L D

Visit our comprehensive, searchable dining guide online at TallahasseeMagazine.com/restaurants.

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In the mood for sizzling enchiladas and frozen margaritas? Make your way to the 2021 Best Mexican/Latin American

locations. $ L D

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Restaurant, El Jalisco, where they do Mexican cuisine to perfection. Multiple

under one roof.

dishes, including favorites like jambalaya, crawfish étouffée, po’boys and seafood gumbo. Multiple locations. (850) 894‑4110.

Live Music Specialty Cocktails

BEST

850-597-7552 OverUnderBar.com

Thank you for voting us in the top two for Best Bar 2021

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postscript

BRINGING IT ALL BACK HOME

Search for truth leads writer to her roots

by EMMA WITMER

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and power. I thought that I had to leave to find myself, and perhaps I did.

The pursuit of my craft led me to the University of Florida.

When I came home, it was to visit, never to stay. When it came time to graduate in the winter of 2019, I was all too happy to accept a position hundreds of miles away. This is not to say I didn’t love my home. I cherished my memories but felt that my story there had ended and to stay would amount to reliving the past forever. While I knew I couldn’t go home again, I wondered if I shouldn’t.

Then, like so many of us, the pandemic brought me and my pride to heel. While far from home, I was no closer to my dreams. I found love but lacked purpose and longed to be connected, once again, to the tribe that nurtured me. I feared I would lose the opportunity to find truth in myself and the members of my community.

As Wolfe wrote, “We must speak, and speak the truth, as much of it as we can see and know.”

That opportunity came in the form of an application, an interview and eventually, an offer to do what I have always loved in the place that loved me best. Now, at Rowland Publishing, I have come home — not to relive the past, but to write a new story.

My story, and yours. TM Emma Witmer has joined Rowland Publishing as its senior staff writer.

illustration by LINDSEY MASTERSON

PHOTO COURTESY OF EMMA WITMER

“Y

ou can’t go home again.”

I’ve turned that phrase over and over at every junction in my life. The adage has been adapted for movies and songs; it even served as the inspiration for an episode of Frazier some years ago. Many have provided interpretations of the sorrowful sentiment expressed by novelist Thomas Wolfe.

Published posthumously in 1940, You Can’t Go Home Again, tells the story of fictional author George Weber, who travels the world in search of meaning only to find that what he truly desires is to return to the innocence, love and passion of his youth.

“You can’t go home again.” Wolfe writes, “You can’t go home to your family, home to your childhood, home to romantic love, home to a young man’s dreams of glory and of fame, home to exile in some foreign land, home to the old forms and systems of things which once seemed everlasting, home to the escape of time and memory.”

As a writer and reader, I’m a bit ashamed to say I only just read the book in a sort of self-reflective tizzy. You see, in the eyes of the late Mr. Wolfe, I have the impossible set before me.

It is time for me to go home.

My childhood was spent not far from Tallahassee, tucked away on a farm east of the Aucilla River, west of Hixtown Swamp and south of nowhere. I cut my teeth on sour grass and my father’s James Taylor records. My feet were dirty as often as clean. I had a fondness for the lizards, frogs and snakes that lurked in the garden and at times startled my mother, causing her to scurry to the safety of her kitchen. Her tomatoes would be just as ripe tomorrow.

In my heart, I was an artist, a poet, a hopeless romantic. In many ways, I suppose I was very much like Wolfe’s expatriate, George Weber.

I set out in search of something, and like Weber, I became a writer. I pursued a bright future while my hometown remained a place frozen in time. Its empty buildings and abandoned railroad depot recalled prosperity long gone. Its residents lived deeply segregated lives, separated by markers — race, wealth

A Relaxing Place to Rest

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There’s something about a beautiful bedroom that brings a sense of tranquility. From bedroom furniture to accent pieces, accessories, artwork and rugs, our design experts can create an entire space dedicated to your rest and relaxation. Shop this bedroom or our many other styles in store or online at TurnerFurniture.com.

(850) 210-0446 | TurnerFurniture.com Mon–Fri 10am–8pm | Sat 10am–6pm | Sun 1pm–6pm 2151 US Hwy 319 (10 Minutes North of Chiles High School on Thomasville Hwy)

Urgent Care, Cold, Flu and COVID Testing 8 locations many open 8:00am – 8:00pm, 7 days a week New procedures to keep you safe while in-clinic In center lab testing to diagnose and treat you on the spot New location now open on Buck Lake Road

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