Tallahassee Magazine September-October 2022

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Anthony R. Vara, MD

Medical School: Georgetown University School of Medicine, Washington, DC Residency: University of California, Irvine Medical Center, Orange, CA

Board Certified: American Board of Urology

James Farrell, DO Medical School: New York College of Osteopathic Medicine, Old Westbury, NY Residency: Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda, MD Internship: Walter Reed Army Medical Center, General Surgery, Bethesda, MD Board Certified: American Board of Urology

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Medical School: Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC Residency: Duke University Hospital, Durham, NC Board Certified: American Board of Urology

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Contents

SCHMOE FARM

Christian Schmoe and Drew Schmoe quit their jobs with a large public relations firm in New York on a mission that involved chicken relations. At their farm near Quitman, Georgia, the Schmoes — of course, they have a dog named Joe — employ ethical and humane practices in raising yard birds, gathering eggs and fattening hogs.

by ETHAN TETREAULT

FEATURES

70 SMALL PLOT FARMING

At its demonstration farm in Crawfordville, the Wakulla Environmental Institute, with its Urban Farming and Entrepreneurship program, teaches students how to coax enough food from a small plot of ground to feed a family of four for a year. The program offers instruction on cultivation, canning and marketing excess produce.

by STEVE BORNHOFT

74

WWOOF

Abby Rolf was a budding organic farmer with a lot to learn. In recent years, as an itinerant volunteer with the Worldwide Opportunities for Organic Farming program (WWOOF), she has grown her knowledge of organic farming practices and gotten to know places far from her native Minnesota, including the Ayavalla Land Co. farm in Tallahassee.

by EMMA WITMER

photography by DAVE BARFIELD

323

23 MILESTONE Rising off Thomasville Road on Papillion Way, a dramatic, 29,000-square-foot Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Temple appears to glow atop a tree-dotted 46foot hill.

28 CHAMPIONS For Mark Baldino, experiences provided young people by the Boy Scouts of America are as relevant and valuable as ever. His son, John Howard, is a Scouting success story.

36 PERSONALITY Sharon Ames-Dennard, a 50-something entrepreneur, is also a psychologist, visionary, emotional healer, business owner and educator. She inspires people of all stripes.

PANACHE

41 CITIZEN OF STYLE

Bryan MItchell recognizes that, as a drama teacher, he can fairly be expected to dress up for any occasion. He meets those expectations with aplomb.

46 FASHION Leather is surging in popularity well beyond motorcycle circles, especially given the development of vegan leathers not derived from animals.

50 WHAT’S IN STORE

As summer recedes, it’s time to stock up on candles and go shopping for a new favorite pair of jeans.

GASTRO & GUSTO

53 LIBATIONS Smitty’s Taphouse & Grill specializes in pairings — not white wines and

fish dishes, so much, more like a jalapeno burger and a dark beer.

56 DINING OUT The Black Radish restaurant is prepared to prove that all good things come from the garden and that meatless doesn’t mean flavorless.

62 DINING IN The fall of the year is often associated with orange orbs. Who doesn’t look forward to those seasonal pumpkin lattes? But lots of folks save room for apple pie.

79 MUSIC Luthier Gary Hudson loves guitars. He loves their sound, their versatility and the very idea of a guitar — and he is rarely without one.

88 BOOKS David Powell, who has written a book about Cuban exiles, likens journalism and legal practice. They both involve storytelling, he says.

ABODES

141 INTERIORS Fall brings out colors earthy and rich; natural ingredients make for an easy way to convert a home’s interior to reflect the harvest season.

ART Elton Burgest, a graphic designer at Tallahassee Community College and an emerging Christian artist, works from photographs, infusing them with added power and emotion.

146 EXTERIORS Lighting, plantings and house colors all can play a role in enhancing an abode’s curb appeal. But central to such consideration is the front door.

152 GREEN SCENE

Milkweed plantings benefit endangered monarch butterflies. Just don’t let them interfere with the tiny flyers’ migrations.

ON THE COVER: As a model for other agricultural producers, Christian Schmoe and Drew Schmoe, of New York, have established a farm near Quitman, Georgia, that is organic, ethical, sustainable and largely self-contained. There are new urbanists, yes, and they might be new ruralists. Their pasture-raised chickens and forest-raised hogs lead stress-free lives, foraging as nature intended.

PHOTOS BY ALICIA OSBORNE (41), DAVE BARFIELD (84) AND PABLO GABES COURTESY OF BLACK RADISH (56) AND CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS (23)

Photo by Alicia Osborne

NOTABLE KEYNOTER Lauren Bush

Lauren, a global business leader and philanthropist, will address the sixth annual Women’s Leadership Breakfast hosted by Women United and the United Way of the Big Bend.

91 ↑ HIGHLIGHTING SENIORS

A new title, Tallahassee Senior Living, profiles remarkable senior citizens and discusses resources and programs for folks working on their second bottle of Tabasco sauce.

ROBUST LEGACY Coldwell

Banker Hartung includes secondand third-generation real estate agents. Its strong sense of family strengthens team relationships and appeals to clients.

DEAL ESTATE Just sold: A fourbedroom, three-bath home is perfect for entertaining and features a cozy living area with fireplace, a spacious sunroom and large deck. On the market is a five-bedroom, three-bath stunner in Mission San Miguel.

↑ BEACH BOUND Our Visit Northwest Florida Beaches section will inspire you to visit the coastal communities of our region at a time when crowds and the humidity are not as intense as they are in summer.

WATERFRONT EATS

From a romantic date night to a fun gathering of family and friends, Walton County offers a multitude of dining options.

SIP, SWILL, SNACK

CALENDAR Fall features a lineup of outdoor events, beer and food festivals, theatrical performances and the muchanticipated Best of Tallahassee awards.

The Harvest Wine & Food Festival presented by the Destin Charity Wine Auction Foundation provides attendees the chance to sample fine wines and refined culinary creations from kitchens throughout the Southeast.

CASCADE CONDOS

Coast and city meet in a newly announced development, The Cascade, featuring 24 stories of luxury condos inside the Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort’s gates.

ART FOR ALL Mattie

Kelly Arts Foundation presents its 27th annual Festival of the Arts featuring the works of artists from throughout the U.S., special performances, food vendors and more.

PHOTOS

TALLAHASSEE MAGAZINE

PRESIDENT/PUBLISHER BRIAN E. ROWLAND

ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER MCKENZIE BURLEIGH

EDITORIAL

EXECUTIVE EDITOR Steve Bornhoft MANAGING EDITOR Emilee Mae Struss SENIOR STAFF WRITER Emma Witmer STAFF WRITER Hannah Burke

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Marina Brown, Don J. Derosier, Sandra Halvorson, Ph.D., Les Harrison, Rochelle Koff, Lis King, Thomas Monigan, Rebecca Padgett Frett, Liesel Schmidt, Ethan Tetreault, Ashley Thesier

CREATIVE

VICE PRESIDENT / PRODUCTION AND TECHNOLOGY Daniel Vitter

CREATIVE DIRECTOR Jennifer Ekrut

SENIOR PUBLICATION DESIGNERS Sarah Burger, Saige Roberts, Shruti Shah GRAPHIC DESIGNER Sierra Thomas

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Jonah Allen, Dave Barfield, Wade Bishop, Michael Booini, Lou Columbus, Don J. Derosier, Mike Fender, Pablo Gabes, Laurey W. Glenn, Shems Hamilton, Will Hepburn, Haley Jacobs, Land Air Sea Productions, Lindsey Masterson, Kansas Lea Photography & Design Studio, Kay Meyer, Sean Murphy, Alicia Osborne, Saige Roberts, Shelly Swanger Photography, James Stefiuk, Morgan Summers, Zandra Wolfgram, The Workmans

SALES, MARKETING AND EVENTS

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

SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE Julie Dorr

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES Michelle Daugherty, Darla Harrison MARKETING MANAGER Javis Ogden

INTEGRATED CONTENT MANAGER Don J. Derosier SALES AND MARKETING WRITER Rebecca Padgett Frett ADMINISTRATIVE & CUSTOMER SERVICE SPECIALIST Renee Johnson

OPERATIONS

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

DIGITAL SERVICES

DIGITAL EDITOR Alix Black

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LIVE WELL; AGE WELL

I enjoyed life in college so much as an undergraduate that when I earned my bachelor’s degree in microbiology, I was reluctant to leave the ivory tower.

Newly established at the University of South Florida was a degree program in gerontology, the science of aging. Upon my acceptance to that program, I spent two years studying various aspects of growing old and the processes of death and dying.

Too, I had the opportunity and privilege to serve as a caregiver for people in the final stages of their lives. I was at their bedsides as they passed. While the experience was a stressful challenge, it provided me with great insight into the art of living.

About 18 months ago, I was approached by an entrepreneur who wanted to publish a senior living magazine for Tallahassee and engaged Rowland Publishing to provide services related to readying the publication for the press. Unfortunately, this person’s vision did not come to fruition.

Rowland Publishing assumed ownership of its title, Tallahassee Senior Living, and now, within the pages of this issue of Tallahassee Magazine, we are debuting the product. Our intent is to grow this publication, enlarge its distribution model and become a go-to resource for senior Tallahassee residents and people looking at our town as a possible retirement destination.

Tallahassee has much to offer people of all ages; its quality of life makes it an outstanding place to call home. Its attractive features include a three-season climate; a highly educated populace of a reasonable size; highly ranked institutions of higher learning; a thriving arts and culture community that includes a symphony and a ballet; affordable housing and a growing number of neighborhoods reserved for the 55-plus crowd; world-class health care; enviable green spaces, parks and trails; and a well-connected, continuously improving airport where the lines are never long.

I could go on and on about what makes Tallahassee a great place to live, play … and age.

In years to come, Tallahassee Senior Living will strive to educate, inform and entertain its readers. We will showcase businesses and programs that serve seniors as a resource, and we will address the challenges faced by caregivers.

In the meantime, enjoy Vol. 1, No. 1, as the latest addition to our lineup embarks on a mission of being current, quotable and well-read.

Enjoy each day,

BRIAN ROWLAND PUBLISHER

PHOTO BY THE WORKMANS / RPI FILE PHOTO

Tallahassee’s appeal extends to all ages

The

GLORY DAYS

Via a series of connections — you would have thought that an insurmountable number of degrees of separation would have made any meeting of the two of us impossible — I met a man, Gary, whom I have come to regard as a profile in resiliency.

We left out of Overstreet in Gulf County and spent an evening on East Bay aboard a 43-year-old shrimp boat owned and captained by his double cousin Fred. Gary served as the mate; I was there as a documentarian/ observer. Gary was no stranger to the Miss Bennie; he worked on it when the boat was new, and Fred was running it for his father.

Gary starred in football in high school, picked out the girl he wanted and married as a teenager. He was a father well before he reached the age of majority. For a long while, he got by on a combination of cocksureness, physical strength and practical skill. He never put much money aside because he knew he could make more tomorrow. And that was true — until the real estate bubble burst in 2008.

Gary had been working as a framer, assembling trusses and prefabricated walls. Propped up by an artificial economy and stated income loans and other such craziness, business was booming. And then, the party quite suddenly was over.

In quick succession, Gary lost his job, his home, his wife. He had a conversation with himself in which he asked what he might do to make himself less vulnerable to the vagaries of the economy and political winds.

What might he do to achieve a greater degree of economic independence?

Homebuilding has rebounded, and Gary is back framing, working as a subcontractor. He is remarried to a former school principal who is now a real estate broker and homebuilder. Meanwhile, he is working to build a business that he hopes will be recession-proof and will serve him as a source of retirement income far more reliable than a 401k.

Gary has entered upon the bee business. He thought about traveling the country with a pollinating service, but he has chosen to stay home and trust that the tupelo trees will keep blossoming. He markets Blue-Eyed Girl honey online and in a few retail stores, including the Shell Shack in Mexico Beach.

He is setting aside money made framing to build up the business. At present, he has 120 hives on his way, he hopes, to 1,000. If he achieves that goal, he said, he believes he will be able to gross $1 million a year in sales. Along the way, he will have to keep his capacity to extract, bottle and distribute honey aligned with production. He doesn’t want to get ahead of himself.

At his side in all of this is one of his grandchildren, an 8-year-old, blueeyed girl.

Ironically, Gary and his wife, builders of homes that would not fit on a single lot, live in a tiny house on the Chipola River. But Gary has one large outbuilding and plans for another that will house a basketball court, a pool table and a bar. Very

much alive within him is that smalltown, high school football star.

He is a fan of the Atlanta Braves and the Miami Dolphins, and he is an autograph hound who has learned to camp out with Sharpie in hand at Tampa’s Raymond James Stadium where players exit the locker room and proceed along a narrow red carpet framed by barriers of the sort that were expected to keep insurrectionists from the Capitol. He grew excited as he told me about how he plans to decorate the top of the bar he has in mind with autographed photos and pictures of his grandchildren.

In recent years, Gary has developed something he lacked for most of his 54 years — caution. But he would never stand in the way of anyone with a desire to exercise the child within. Boys just wanna have fun.

Treat yourself to a good time,

STEVE BORNHOFT, EXECUTIVE EDITOR

PHOTO BY MICHAEL BOOINI / RPI FILE PHOTO

For the young at heart, they live within

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GIVEAWAYS Win a Trip to this Year’s Baytowne Wharf Beer Festival!

Our prize package includes two tickets to the festival’s Grand Tasting event on Saturday, Oct. 8, and hotel accommodations courtesy of Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort.

A winner will be selected Friday, Sept. 23. Enter today here: TallahasseeMagazine.com/baytownewharf-beer-festival-giveaway-2

REWIND BEER MEETS BOOZE

We toast

Find

TallahasseeMagazine.com/

FARM LIFE

The 15th annual farm tour hosted by Millstone is a wonderful way to experience a

as Rebecca Padgett Frett writes in an exclusive digital story found here: TallahasseeMagazine.com/travel-and-outdoors.

NOMINATE YOUR BEST PET EVER

Nominations are now being accepted for the 2023 Tally Top Pet photo contest. In 2022, Surf Dog, seen for years to wander about Wakulla County before settling down, captured the coveted title. Who will emerge as Surf Dog’s successor? The contest benefits Be The Solution, a provider of free spay and neuter services in Leon and nearby counties. To enter your pet, visit TallahasseeMagazine.com/tally-top-pet

PHOTOS BY DAVE BARFIELD (TALLY TOP PET), ALICIA OSBORNE (EXCLUSIVE) AND COURTESY OF PROOF BREWING COMPANY (REWIND) AND SANDESTIN GOLF AND BEACH RESORT (BEER FESTIVAL)

SEPT/OCT 2022

PROFILING THE PURSUITS, PASSIONS AND PERSONALITIES AMONG US

BUILDING A TEMPLE OF CELESTIAL PROPORTIONS

A dramatic house of worship on a hill takes shape

by MARINA BROWN

There is something faith-filled developing on north Thomasville Road in Tallahassee. Certainly, the many houses of worship — including the massive St. Peter’s Anglican Cathedral, completed in 2014, and now, on the horizon, the soaring Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) — are reasons to draw faith-seekers to that side of town. ↓

Rising off the thoroughfare on Papillion Way, the newest edifice, the dramatic Latterday Saints Temple is a 29,000-square-foot tower that, with its six tiers that some architects refer to as a “wedding cake” or “ziggurat” design, already appears to glow atop a tree-skirted 46-foot hill.

David Fierro, a spokesperson for the Tallahassee Stake of the Church, says that not only local LDS members are thrilled to have a temple constructed in Tallahassee, but the city’s selection as one of 265 planned, under construction or operational temples worldwide is a great honor. The Tallahassee temple will be the third of four Florida LDS temples serving “stakes” — much like dioceses — stretching from Pensacola to Georgia and comprising thousands of worshipers.

Today, the exterior of the ivory-colored temple on Thomasville Road with its massive spire, elegantly stepped retaining walls and delicate stone-like tracery appears nearly completed. The general contractor for the structure is Parkway Construction, which has contracted with local builders for construction. Architects include the Tallahassee firm of Barnett, Fronczak, Barlowe & Shuler. “This building will be built to the very highest standards,” says one of the designers. Faced with pale precast concrete and supported by 211 16inch concrete pilings set 40 feet deep, he says, “The structure is built to last.”

The interior of the temple, which will have a public open house before it is consecrated likely in 2024, will look much different than a typical “sanctuary-style”

To grasp what such a building means to LDS members, it is helpful to understand what they believe. Here is a brief overview:

ON GOD AND JESUS: It is believed that both had a premortal form. Jesus was the firstborn of God. Like other Christian denominations, members of the LDS church believe that Jesus died on the cross as atonement for the sins of man, and they believe that by following the ordinances of the church, mankind may be saved.

ON MARRIAGE: LDS members believe that a “sealing” of a marriage is one of the very special “ordinances” of the church that must take place within a temple — though both of the partners must be members in good standing within the church. With the sealing or binding, the marriage becomes “celestial” — one that will last even beyond death into eternity. Children may also be “sealed” to their parents for eternity within the temple. Plural marriage is not accepted today in the LDS church.

ON BAPTISM: It is done by total immersion within the temple. It, along with marriage, is a requirement before an LDS member can become “exalted,” meaning reach the highest evolving of their spirit in eternity. If someone died before being baptized, LDS members believe that they may have a proxy baptism with a living person standing in for them.

ON TITHING: Members of the LDS church see tithing as a part of their faith. A tithe is 10% of one’s income. Members also donate the equivalent of two days’ food per month toward feeding the poor. Providing assistance and welfare to the needy, even outside the church, is an important part of a member’s mission.

ON TEMPLES: Unlike the many meeting houses, which are chapels where smaller congregations gather, temples are considered the holiest sites of the church. They are considered places to commune with God, seek His aid, understand His will and receive personal revelation.

↙ Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Tallahassee region are looking forward with great anticipation to the completion in 2023 of a 29,000-square-foot temple currently under construction on Thomasville Road.

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↑ Spokesman David Fierro says the church has enjoyed including construction workers in its “outreach of understanding,” even as it is enforcing site standards that prohibit cursing and music. house of worship, says the LDS site manager. Comprised of a series of large rooms where marriages, sealings, baptisms and quiet places of deep spirituality are found, each room will be richly furnished and illuminated. The baptistry, like those in all temples, will contain a large, elevated pool supported by 12 carved oxen representing the 12 tribes of Israel.

Fierro says that the church has also enjoyed including the workers on the construction site in its outreach of understanding. “About 100 persons are building the temple at any given time. And while we do have site standards asking for respect with ‘no cursing, no graffiti, no music,’ we also all join in prayer each morning — offered by members of different faiths. In a small information center nearby, workers can see videos of other temples and envision what they’re creating. On Wednesdays, women of the church provide a cookie for each construction worker with a handwritten note of thanks in Spanish and English.”

As a young member, Audrey Shuler said, “I am so happy that now to participate in the ordinances of the church, a temple will be only minutes away, instead of hours.” And Elder James Martino, an area leader, has reminded the faithful that not only are there hundreds of temples going up around the world but that, “God really wants temples built inside each of us.”

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SCOUTING MARCHES ON

Movement fuels passions and builds confidence

by EMILEE MAE STRUSS

Asingle act of kindness in England has, over time, touched millions of boys and girls across the United States.

In 1907, William Boyce was lost on a foggy street in London. A child came to his aid, guided him to his destination and refused Boyce’s offer of money, explaining that he was merely doing his duty as a Boy Scout.

Boyce tracked down the founder of the Boy Scouts, Robert Baden-Powell, and the two men worked to bring the Boy Scouts to America, a goal they accomplished in 1910.

Since then, generations of children have recited the Scout Oath, adhered to Scout Laws and acquired leadership skills.

“I was introduced to the Cub Scouts in second grade,” said Terry Whitaker, the Scout executive and CEO for the Suwannee River Area Council (SRAC). “After college, I realized that I could work for the Boy Scouts.”

Whitaker has been involved in what has been known since 2019 as Scouts BSA for 18 years, three of them in his current role. The SRAC covers 13 counties in South Georgia and North Florida. Whitaker’s two sons are currently

↘

Terry Whitaker, the Scout executive and CEO for the Suwannee River Area Council, was introduced to Scouting while a second-grader. After college, he decided to make Scouting a career. Whitaker has secured grants in support of a partnership with Leon County Schools aimed at making Scouting more widely available.

participating in Scouting, as are other council members’ children.

John Wood and Tim Hunt are past presidents of the SRAC. Hunt is the immediate past scout master of Troop 109, one of 54 units that make up SRAC. Three generations in the men’s families have produced 24 Eagle Scouts.

“Most of us go through the Scouting program and continue on with our lives but come back at some point to be involved whether with our own children or in the council,” Wood said.

The story of Susan and Mark Baldino and their son John Howard is emblematic of the

CAMP SONOKYAHOLEE

The first summer camp in the Tallahassee area was located on Lake Bradford and was established in 1920. As the Scouting movement grew, Herman C. Fleitman, who divided his time between Leon County and New York, donated 10 acres of land on Orchard Pond, as well as $10,000 toward new buildings. A camp was at the pond, located 12 miles north of Tallahassee, from 1928–1947 until the need for even more space prompted officials to move to Wallwood Boy Scout Reservation in the Apalachicola National Forest, which encompasses over 500 acres.

impact that Scouting can have on young people. Mark became a Scout after his older brother joined Troop 71 in Ocean Township, New Jersey. The brothers camped at Forestburg Scout Reservation in New York. Mark’s son, John Howard, joined Troop 109 in 2005 as the result of a suggestion made by his speech pathologist and her scoutmaster husband.

“John Howard had serious complications when he was born that resulted in a traumatic brain injury,” Susan Baldino said.

“The hospital asked if we wanted a priest or minister to aid us because he faced imminent death,” Mark Baldino recalled. “But when Susan was wheeled into the NICU to see John Howard, she touched him, and that caused his vital signs to pick up. He survived his Life Flight to Shands Hospital in Gainesville, and they connected

him to extracorporeal support that added oxygen to his blood.”

Five days later, John Howard was breathing on his own.

Due to the complications and trauma, John Howard was later diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, ADHD and other disabilities.

John Howard fought to overcome those obstacles, so much so that Wood never noticed the devastating impact of his brain trauma.

“I remember him being such an enthusiastic, social and helpful kid,” Wood said. “He was a great Scout and added so much positivity to the group.”

John Howard eventually became an Eagle Scout, which is the highest rank one can achieve in Scouts BSA. Since then, he has gone on to work at an equine therapy facility in Thomasville, inspired by how Scouting helped him.

↑→ John Howard Baldino, above, tends to chores at Hands & Hearts for Horses, an equine therapy facility in Thomasville, Georgia. At right, he comforts a rider. John Howard overcame a traumatic brain injury sustained at birth in becoming an Eagle Scout.

He is one of only two Scouts from Troop 109 to earn the “Triple Crown,” a distinction held by Scouts who complete three High Adventure Camps. John Howard successfully took on the Northern Tier in Ontario, Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico and Florida National High Adventure Sea Base in Islamorada. The High Adventure Camps are exceptionally rugged and include multiple days of survival and orienteering trails in remote locations.

Little St. George Island, an uninhabited barrier island owned by the state and located off Franklin County’s coast, provides a nearby place where SRAC Scouts can practice primitive camping.

“The first night we arrived on our very first island trek, we walked to the end of the dock, laid down, observed

and identified the stars,” Mark Baldino said, recalling a trip he made with John Howard. “The next day we took note of the critters on the island and bay, harvested oysters and grilled them that night. It was a true Swiss Family Robinson island fantasy.”

Mark Baldino shared, too, a story from a High Adventure Camp.

“On one of those grueling switchback trails at Philmont, a much smaller Scout was struggling with his backpack, and without being prompted, John Howard took his backpack and the added weight, to ensure the Scout was able to make it to our next campsite.”

Whitaker, Wood, Hunt and Mark Baldino agree that Scouting in SRAC’s service area will continue to grow.

“Just like any organization,” Wood said, “the Boy Scouts of America has

gone through its challenges, and we’ve had to change over time, but the future is looking bright — especially since Terry (Whitaker) took on the director role.”

During Whitaker’s tenure, SRAC has successfully secured grants and contributions in support of a new program in partnership with Leon County Schools. It is designed to help BSA fulfill a commitment to ensuring that all children have an opportunity to

← At left, Mark and Susan Baldino with their son, John Howard. Above, John Howard on the job at Hands & Hearts for Horses, which provides therapeutic services for individuals with special needs arising from autism spectrum disorder, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, traumatic brain injuries and other conditions.

join Scouting, regardless of their circumstances, neighborhood or ethnic background.

“We want to remove those barriers, and while the program is new and we’re just getting it started, our target is to have 200 youth join from that specific grant-funded program,” Whitaker said.

EXPLORE SCOUTING

To learn more about the SRAC and Troop 109 or to get involved, visit SuwanneeRiver.net or bsatroop109. scoutlander.com.

The annual Golden Eagle Dinner is the largest fundraising event held in support of Scouting in Leon and 12 surrounding counties. In 2022, the dinner paid tribute to U.S. Rep. Al Lawson and Beth and Lawton Langford for their contributions to Scouting. The event set a record by raising $280,000 that will benefit SRAC, Scout troops and efforts to make programs successful.

TM

Six

Saves the Tiniest Babies

Three families share their stories

by Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare

Parents spend months planning their baby’s arrival. They prepare a birth plan, paint the nursery and imagine the day they’ll bring their little one home.

But there are some things you can’t plan for. One in 10 babies need care in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Some babies are born at full term but need extra care before they’re ready to go home. Others are born as early as 23 weeks, weigh less than 2 pounds and need advanced care from a Level III NICU. No matter what, Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare (TMH) is prepared to care for them.

TMH is home to both a Level II NICU and the region’s only Level III NICU, providing intermediate and critical care for sick and premature babies.

Over the past 35 years, TMH has helped tens of thousands of babies get the best start to life. Three local families shared their touching, personal experiences with the care TMH provided their NICU babies.

While in the NICU, she was diagnosed with acute retinopathy of prematurity (AROP), which can lead to blindness. She received successful laser eye surgery right in the unit.

After months of living at home without her baby, all Erica wanted for Christmas was to take Kayleigh home. She got her wish on Dec. 19, 2021, just in time for the holiday.

Kayleigh Jenkins now 13 months old

Erica Jenkins and her husband John tried to get pregnant for four years. They endured three miscarriages before they were blessed with their rainbow baby.

“Everything was perfect,” Erica said. But then, when she was 19 weeks and six days along, her water broke. Her daughter Kayleigh could not survive outside the womb until 23 weeks.

“We just prayed and prayed, because that’s all I knew to do,” Erica said. Erica’s doctor sent her home to be on bedrest until she could be admitted at 23 weeks.

At 24 weeks, on Aug. 1, 2021, baby Kayleigh was born, weighing just 14 ounces. She spent the next four months in the NICU, continuing to grow and develop under the care of TMH’s team of experienced nurses and doctors, until she was ready to go home.

Kayleigh is now 13 months old and continues to grow and bring her parents joy. “You would never know how much she has been through just looking at her,” Erica said of her daughter. “I am so thankful to TMH’s NICU team for everything they’ve done for our family.”

Kayleigh Jenkins, pictured at 10 months old

Kayleigh Jenkins in TMH’s NICU

Boone Clayton now 3 years old

Nineteen is Boone Clayton’s lucky number. He was born Feb. 19, 2019, in room 219 at TMH. Because he was born early, he spent 19 days in the NICU. It was there he learned to suck, breathe, swallow and eat on his own: skills full-term babies typically have time to develop in the womb.

Boone was born at 33 weeks gestation after his mom had complications leading to an emergency cesarean delivery.

“It was heartbreaking,” Boone’s mother Jessica said about returning home without her son. “We were just relieved we were in a place that could give him the care he needed.”

The Clayton family will never forget their experience in the NICU. They were inspired to start an annual donation drive to benefit babies in the unit — collecting clothing, sleepers, swaddle blankets and sleep sacks over the past three years.

Boone is now 3 years old, has a big personality and a huge heart. “He is always looking to smile at someone,” his parents said. “He loves trains and his baby sister, Becca.”

His parents talk to him about the NICU and how he is a “very special baby.”

“He doesn’t really understand what it all means yet, but this year [during the donation drive], he knew he was opening packages to take to ‘the babies in the hospital.’”

Michael Gallon now 11 years old

Junelle Gallon has been in awe of her son Michael since he was born on Feb. 12, 2011.

She got to meet him early after she went into labor seven weeks before her due date. When Michael was born, he weighed just 4 pounds, 13 ounces.

Michael spent eight days in TMH’s NICU. Junelle visited multiple times every day.

“I can’t say enough about the NICU and the nurses and doctors there,” she said. “They take care of every child like their own.”

Reflecting on how far her now 5-foot-1-inch 11-year-old has come, Michael’s mother said he is very smart. He aspires to become a pilot when he grows up.

“He always impresses everybody he meets,” she said.

Last June, for Lemonade Day Tallahassee, Michael set up a stand at Tallahassee’s Downtown Market. Serving his own fresh-squeezed lemonade with fruit toppings, he learned about being an entrepreneur. On his own accord, he chose to donate 10% of his profits to the TMH Foundation and NICU. He visited and donated $31.32.

“He’s such a little light,” Junelle said.

To learn more about how TMH helps babies get the best start to life, visit TMH.ORG/WeDeliver.

Boone Clayton with his parents Russell and Jessica

Michael Gallon, now 11 years old

Boone Clayton in TMH’s NICU

SHINING ONWARD

by MARINA BROWN

Sharon Ames-Dennard is a woman whose title is tough to nail down. The 50-something entrepreneur is a psychologist, visionary, emotional healer, business owner and educator.

Similar to the sparks of fireworks, one never knows the inspiration that will flow from a chat with Dennard.

Between sips of coffee, an idea for a school could commence, and any dream could burst forth and drip down into her community. Dennard carries a joyful anticipation that the “universe is moving in the right direction,” and she is helping it get there.

Dennard’s energy and abundance of ideas arose from an unlikely place, she says. “I was born in Cheapside, Virginia,” Dennard said during an interview. “My father was a waterman, pulling fish, crabs and lobster. Mother worked in a ketchup factory.” There was no indoor plumbing or running water where she grew up. “Our town was a small, African American place of working farms,” Dennard added. “From age 5 through high school, like tenant farmers, we spent hours in the fields planting and harvesting vegetables.”

And yet, her father reminded Dennard and her siblings, “I’ll always help you go forward, but I won’t help you stand still or go back.” Education was important to her family. And though Dennard was bullied by popular girls in school, by graduation, it was she who was awarded a scholarship to Virginia Commonwealth University. “I think that’s why I’ve always identified with the downtrodden,” said Dennard. “I know how it feels.”

But soon, she was soaring. Switching from pre-med to psychology, even as she held down outside jobs, Dennard set her sights on a career in helping others. She finished her master’s and doctorate at Florida State University and capped off another dream by marrying Dana Dennard, also a psychologist whose sen sibilities for outreach matched her own.

Dana Dennard’s family was also education-minded. His family-owned bookstores featured works by Black authors and subjects of interest to that demographic. And even as Sharon and Dana started their professional careers in counseling, they began the first of their entrepreneurial “fireworks” display that has been bursting forth ever since.

“We rented a space in a strip mall with our own bookstore in the front and our clinical practice in the back,” Dennard said. It was a ‘Black-interest’ bookstore, and still, other ideas were sparking forth. A Blackinterest bookstore was an innovation for Tallahassee at the time. But other ideas were simmering,” says Dennard.

At about the same time, the couple came upon a vacant building in what is now the Railroad Square area. With its purchase, they were able to combine their bookstore with a school. A school! It was 2010, and Dennard and her husband had discussed what their community needed, and they landed on a place to celebrate its youth and enhance its talents. For over 17 years, even as they continued their counseling practice, the pair would run the school, educating hundreds of children from preschool through eighth grade. “There is nothing like seeing the light in a child’s eyes when understanding occurs,” Dennard said. In

addition, they had added an internet cafe and an art gallery for the community to expand its possibilities.

But Sharon Dennard was far from “played out” when she eventually decided to close the school. In the same space, she opened the “ethno-spansive” restaurant, Nefetari’s, which served Ethiopian injera, fresh seafood, glorious cheesecake, and featured music and poetry readings, all in an atmosphere conjured from a pharaoh’s

PERSONALITY

Psychologist Sharon Ames-Dennard sparkles with entrepreneurism and Ethiopian style

↗ Sharon Ames-Dennard’s sources of inspiration are many, and she inspires many people as a counselor, healer and educator. Her beginnings were humble and shaped her perspective. She grew up on a farm without running water.

throne room. In addition, Dennard was doing morning cooking shows on WCTV and making culinary videos of her favorite recipes. Today, Nefetari’s caters special events, even as Sharon Dennard sculpts new plans.

Continuing their psychology practice, the couple’s newest ventures include podcasts and a micro-financial support program for entrepreneurs. And wait, there’s still more to come.

Years before, the Dennards had purchased 10 rural acres. With a coy smile and a twinkle in her eye, Sharon says, “With its ponds and trees, it’s the perfect place for…” and then she pauses, searches the ceiling and seems to imagine her to-be revealed project, yet leaves it unspoken.

The rest of us can only wait, holding our breath, and get ready to applaud following the reveal of the next firework display by Sharon Dennard.

TM

↑ Sharon Ames-Dennard is familiar to WCTV viewers, having made appearances on cooking shows. At one time, she operated Nefetari’s, a restaurant in Railroad Square.

FEED Your Mind

breakfast welcomes Lauren Bush Lauren

The sixth annual Women’s Leadership Breakfast, a project of Women United and United Way of the Big Bend, brings community members together for a morning of inspira tion and motivation.

The keynote speaker for this year’s breakfast is Lauren Bush Lauren, Founder and Chief Brand Officer of FEED, a social business and impact-driven lifestyle brand.

The event, scheduled for Nov. 16 at 8:30 a.m. at the Dunlap Champions Club, welcomes all but is focused on women and the contributions they do and can make to communities.

“Women United brings this event to leading women in business and philanthropy in hopes that the message speaks to them and carries them into the community to be agents for change,” said Berneice Cox, CEO of United Way of the Big Bend.

As a global business leader and philanthropist, Lauren Bush Lauren is an ideal candidate to deliver such a message.

In 2004, Lauren was named the honorary student spokesperson for the United Nations World Food Programme, a role that carried her to countries throughout the world where she learned about and witnessed wide-scale hunger and poverty.

Those experiences prompted Lauren to act. She designed a tote bag emblazoned with “FEED” and, in 2007, founded FEED Projects, which has provided more than 120 million meals around the world. Proceeds from the sale of each bag are enough to feed a child for a school year.

Lauren has earned numerous humani tarian awards and has been named to Fortune magazine’s 30 Under 30 list and Inc. magazine’s rankings of the most pow erful women entrepreneurs.

Lauren routinely speaks at global conferences that focus on business, philanthropy and the issues of hunger and poverty.

“Lauren intends to present a message threaded with the needs of our community and ways to make a difference both as individuals and as a group,” said Angie Sipple, Women United Chair.

The breakfast also provides an opportu nity to learn about Women United, an ini tiative of the United Way of the Big Bend that addresses the region’s most critical needs with the aim to lift women, children, and families out of poverty.

To learn more about this year’s Women’s Leadership Breakfast, including ticket and sponsorship information, visit uwbb.org/ women-united.

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DRESSING THE PART

CITIZEN OF STYLE

Bryan Mitchell is a caring teacher with flair by EMMA WITMER

OF

2022

→ As part of his efforts to connect with students at the Apalachee Tapestry Magnet School, drama teacher Bryan Mitchell is prepared to dress down, clown around and provide kids with lessons on how to be themselves.

photography by ALICIA OSBORNE

Bryan Mitchell can style a Winnie the Pooh tie, but he recognizes that there is a time and place for animated neckwear.

“You have to match your audience,” he said. “I would never wear that to one of my shows.”

As a part-time actor, budding director and full-time drama teacher at Apalachee Tapestry Magnet School of the Arts, Mitchell knows the power of presentation. He has become a theatrical mainstay in the Red Hills since moving to the area from Miami as a college student. He has performed with Theatre Tallahassee, the Quincy Music Theatre, and Thomasville On Stage & Co. His company, Essential Theatrical Associates, strives to give

a voice to the black, indigenous and people of color communities.

Mitchell the performer knows that his students and fellow teachers expect him to show out for school spirit weeks or Halloween.

“When I started teaching theater, I always put pressure on myself because if anyone is going to dress up for spirit week or whatever, it has to be me,” he said.

Halloween 2021 was no exception. Mitchell burst into the classroom sporting a head-to-toe Willie Wonka costume, a nod to the school’s upcoming production of the classic tale, complete with round, white sunglasses, a top hat, long purple blazer, vibrant gold vest, dark green slacks, cobalt tie and cane. Each piece

↑ Drama teacher Bryan Mitchell sports a casual look (above and inset): a Polo T-shirt purchased in Miami; Levi’s 501 jeans from Dillard’s; and Nike Air Max 90 shoes from Champs.

Professional Look

➺ For a more professional look, Mitchell pairs a crisp vest or sports coat with a patterned button-up. Florals, paisleys and stripes are among his favorites. Boat shoes or Timberlands polish off the look.

Casual Look

➺ Mitchell couples graphic T-shirts with army fatigues or vibrant shorts and coordinating shirts and shoes for a cohesive look.

of the look had been individually sourced for an authentic feel.

“You know those costumes where it’s all one piece — pants, shirt, jacket — with a zipper up the back?” Mitchell said. “I hate those.”

Looking back, however, Mitchell has not always had such a keen eye for fashion.

“I have clothes from high school that are still big on me, and mind you I weigh about 100 pounds more now, so I don’t know what I was thinking,” he said.

Mitchell’s theatrical adventures started in elementary school, where he participated in his public school’s music and theater magnet programs. In high school, he studied music the ory, learned to play multiple instru ments and traveled to Scotland to perform as a representa tive of the Florida High School Fringe Festival. He then went on to study theater at FAMU, and Tallahassee got its first taste of Mitchell’s acting talent in produc tions of “Black Nativity” and “The Color Purple.”

While at FAMU, Mitchell became interested in joining a fraternity.

“I had to tweak my style up a little to get in,” Mitchell laughed. “Then it kind of grew on me.”

Outside of his more performative looks, Mitchell has about three go-to styles: dress-up, casual and club.

At premieres and fraternity alumni meetings, Mitchell’s colorful flair bleeds through his more traditional attire. For a more professional look, Mitchell pairs a crisp vest or sports coat with a patterned button-up. Florals, paisleys and stripes are among his favorites. Boat shoes or Timberlands polish off the look.

“Normally, I go really basic when it comes to shoes,” Mitchell said, showing off his Nike Air Max 90s. “I really had to break down to buy these.”

→ TAKING IT UP A NOTCH Favoring an untucked look, Bryan Mitchell goes styling in a Murano shirt, Levi’s XX chinos and Steve Madden shoes.

↑ Mitchell challenges his student, Christopher Beard, to keep up with him in a game of Zip Zap Zop. At rear of photo are students Seth Brown, Bryce Simpson, Kerstin Williams and Aubrie Howard.

Mitchell’s more casual ensembles equate to an adult take on street style, coupling graphic T-shirts with army fatigues or vibrant shorts and coordinating shirts and shoes for a cohesive look.

Said Mitchell, “Now that I am a teacher, I think about the teachers when I was younger, especially the male teachers and how they presented themselves, so I want to make sure the kids see that you can look nice and take pride in yourself.”

For Mitchell, teaching theater to young students is about more than the big end-of-semester show, particularly in a Title 1 school where children from low-income families make up at least 40 percent of enrollees.

“I am training good audience members,” Mitchell said. “I am shaping theater people. Not just performers or technical people, but people who can appreciate the work and the art. I don’t back down to things that people expect me to — I’m not budging because you’re 11.”

Don’t let Mitchell’s bad-cop routine fool you. When the call sheet goes up, and the students rush over to see if they got a part, Mitchell either heads straight home, or ducks into his office with the blinds closed. It’s the kids’ tears that get him.

“A lot of people choose to be around children but don’t have the heart to tell them no,” he said. “I guess I’m old school in the sense that I think competitiveness and not accepting mediocrity are important. Your performance may have been a little weak, but you can always make it stronger.”

↑ HIGH FIVE Bryan Mitchell greets a student in the courtyard at Apalachee Tapestry Magnet School. He makes it his mission to encourage students to be competitive, not to accept mediocrity and to turn failures into successes.

The largest indoor antique, artisan and vintage market in the Big Bend with over 100 curated vendors Home Decor, Furnishings, Collectables, Clothing, Art Supplies and more

LEATHER PLEASURE

by REBECCA PADGETT FRETT

Idistinctly remember when my love affair with leather began. The summer before sixth grade, I became obsessed with the movie Grease. Sandy’s transformation from sweet sock hop gal to bombshell babe decked out in head-to-toe leather transfixed me. She was the epitome of cool, daring to make a masculine look decidedly feminine with fire engine lips and high heels to match.

Reading Hunter S. Thompson’s Hell’s Angels, watching Sons of Anarchy and ingesting any form of media with the “bad boy” archetype, I noted all had a uniform in common — leather.

While a Harley Davidson doesn’t have to be your preferred method of transportation to be a leather wearer, it does require a certain level of rebellion, of confidence and of being undoubtedly cool. If you wouldn’t define yourself as having these characteristics but wish to, put on some leather.

The rise in wearing leather aligns with rock and roll as stars ranging from Guns N’ Roses to Jimi Hendrix to Joan Jett sported the look. Yet, leather has been worn since the Stone Age when hunters set out to use every part of the animal possible, including its skin as clothing and shoes.

Nowadays, our ancestors would be perplexed to find that the “leather” most worn is not derived from animals.

“With new technology making vegan/ faux leather better and more accessible than ever before, we are seeing it used for more than just jackets,” said Sarah Villella, manager and buyer at Narcissus Tallahassee. “From wide-leg pants to draped dresses, in

hues that are vibrant or more traditional, pleather is not what you remember; it’s soft and comfortable.”

Villella does note that few closet staples are more lasting and iconic than a genuine leather jacket for women or men.

“I think the leather jacket has a stronghold as the No. 1 most worn leather clothing item,” said Kathryn Stewart, owner of Wonsaponatime Vintage. “In my opinion, a leather jacket can be worn with just about anything because it instantly updates and modernizes your look.”

Leather is not just for rockstars as anyone can rock the look

←↓ The coupling of a leather jacket with a T-shirt makes for a classic look made famous by James Dean and other rebels. But leather can be paired, as well, with a dress, making for a complicated but

↘ NOT JUST FOR BIKERS While synonymous with motorcycle culture, leather is also fashion forward. Still, it speaks ruggedness, cool and confidence.

(TOP), GUASOR (MIDDLE) AND

(BOTTOM)

← “Now you can get just about any piece you want in leather; leather dresses, shorts, skirts and pants have become popular lately,” says Lauren Seymour, co-owner of Lobo’s Boutique.

For either gender, Stewart styles leather jackets with a classic white tee or tank and jeans and even with athleisure wear. Her unexpected favorite is with a sundress.

“Seeing leather worn over a sundress forever changed the way I view leather attire,” Stewart said. “I love the juxtaposition of the hard look of a leather motorcycle jacket and a flowy, floral dress. It doesn’t sound right, but then I see it on someone, and it totally makes sense.”

Much like the little black dress, the black leather jacket is a staple piece. Additions and upgrades are seen in embellishments such as studs, rhinestones, pearls, fringe and colored leather.

“Now you can get just about any piece you want in leather; leather dresses, shorts, skirts and pants have become popular lately,” said Lauren Seymour, co-owner of Lobo’s Boutique. “I love that the leather trend has expanded because it gives the consumer more room for creativity when styling. Leather has become a timeless textile, but it’s nice to see it evolving.”

For men or women wishing to ease into the leather look, try a leather jacket or leather blazer paired with a basic, neutral-colored top and your favorite jeans. For men, a leather jacket works well with a classic straight leg or skinny jeans with tops ranging from a band T-shirt to a crisp button-down. While leather pants are less common, I always encourage letting loose your inner rockstar.

For a ladies’ office look, pair leather trousers with a silk blouse or structured blazer. A leather mini skirt amps up your favorite fall sweater; complete the look with knee-high boots. For a casual look — leather leggings, a slouchy T-shirt and stylish sneakers. Tuck a white button-down into a pair of leather shorts for that transition between seasons. For date night, top a sundress or silk slip dress with leather outerwear. Accessories need not include bandanas or chains, just a dash of confidence to achieve the bold and beloved leather look.

TM

WILLIAM T. BALDOCK, JR., DMD, MS

What’s In Store?

roundup of offerings at local businesses

by REBECCA PADGETT FRETT

Hand poured in Tallahassee at The Southern Pines Goods, the Wonder+Wall candle is made entirely of soy wax and essential oils. It mixes notes of amber, black currant and blackberry and recalls an era when rock ‘n’ roll was new and the boys across the pond were taking over the airwaves with their hit songs.

GO-TO BOUTIQUE

The Southern Pines Goods

➸ RED WING HERITAGE has long been known for its premium leather goods that reflect an enduring commitment to superior American craftsmanship. Sales of boots spike in the fall and winter — invest in a pair of Red Wings, and you’re buying a product with a proud history.

➸ Founded by Travis Weaver and officially launched in September 2020, BBQ RUBDOWN is a premium spice and rub company based out of Houston, Texas. Mix and match, or buy the entire gift set of seasonings. Your tailgate just got tastier with flavors such as Sweet Heat and Big Bold Beef Rub.

➸ Jeans are fall’s favorite closet item. The ARIANA JEANS feature minimal distressing at the kneecap and can be dressed up with a silk top and booties or down with a longsleeved tee and sneakers.

Tally and Fin

➸ The ATHENA NECKLACE is a slinky chain that will become your go-to item this fall, especially when layered with other gold necklaces. It’s water-resistant and tarnish-free, making it ideal for Florida’s climate.

➸ Step into fall in style with chunky platform sandals. Great transitional footwear, the MIDORI SANDAL comes in black and white.

➸ A unique take on this quintessential handbag, the BELIZE BAG features two removable straps that can be altered in length to conform to any occasion. Gold accents catch the eye and complement gold jewelry pieces. You would never know that this bag is not from a top designer.

Panacea is now home to a trendy boutique and beach store. GYPSY ROSE BOUTIQUE has opened its third location at 82 Coastal Highway in Panacea and can outfit you for occasions ranging from a beach brunch to a sunset cruise — and anything in between. The shop offers sunglasses, tops, cover-ups, flip flops, sand toys and more. The Panacea location joins established Gypsy Rose stores in Tallahassee at Market Street and Bannerman Crossings.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE SOUTHERN

On the field, court, trail, or track, TCC offers its studentathletes life -learning lessons they will carry into all aspects of personal and professional life. The Raising Our Game campaign for TCC Athletics will invest in two major areas-facility enhancements and endowed scholarships for student-athletes. The philanthropic investments our donors make in our student-athletes are vitally important to empowering them to be successful in the game and in the classroom.

by

Smitty’s Taphouse & Grill has managed the art of good relationships — albeit those between craft beers and complementary foods.

The restaurant, located at 6265 Old Water Oak Road in the Persimmon Hill neighborhood just off Thomasville Road, opened in July 2021 and is owned and operated by Jason Smith and his family. Their mouth-watering menu offers 25 dishes from soups and salads to cheesesteaks, burgers, sandwiches and more.

“The Munich roasted chicken and the rib eye sand wich are my top two favorites, and our special blend pub burger (ground chuck, brisket and short rib) is a close third.”

Smitty’s beer menu is extensive and diverse with 70 offerings, 19 of them on tap. Their tap list includes cask ales, made by locally owned DEEP Brewing and served at 55 degrees from a specially designed pullman’s tap. Smitty’s menu advises customers to “ask for a sample before ordering a full pint.”

Smitty’s also has a full bar, including specialty cock tails made with their own unique recipes.

↘ Smitty’s owner Jason Smith, center; his son, Jared Smith, left; and his nephew, Erik Wheeler excel at marrying up craft beers with eats that are so much better than typical bar food.

“The Porch Punch and Peach Palmer are very popular,” Smith said. “They’re all very refreshing and sweet enough so that there’s no overpowering flavor of alcohol, and they’re easy to drink.”

Smith first learned about beer when he worked for Tri-Eagle Sales, a local distributor, managing their craft portfolio.

“When I got that job, I thought I knew a lot about beer,” Smith said, “but when I got into the position, I learned that I didn’t know anything about beer.” He sampled each of the craft beers and discovered a whole new spectrum of flavors.

“Now I deal with six different beer distributors, and I get their inventory lists every week,” Smith added, “and I just look to see if there’s something we don’t get very much in this area. If there are different styles I may not have heard of or seen before, we try them, and we’ve had pretty good success.”

There’s plenty of seating at Smitty’s, with 148 seats in the dining room and bar combined, and another 60 seats outside the front door.

“We have numerous events through out the week and month,” Smith said. “Monday is family night where kids eat free, Thursday is general knowl edge trivia night and Friday is live mu sic on our patio, which we call Music Under the Stars.”

Monthly events include Harry Potter trivia on the first Tuesday of ev ery month and Cars & Cold Ones on the second Saturday of every month.

“We have also been hosting Tap Takeover events once a month,” Smith said, “which is where we bring in up to six kegs from a local brewery, and their sales rep offers samples to our custom ers along with free swag.”

Smitty’s is proud to be family owned and operated. Jason’s son, Connor Smith, is the kitchen manager, and his other son, Jared Smith, is a server and bartender. His nephew, Erik Wheeler, is the front-of-the-house manager, server and kitchen manager fill-in. Stacy Smith, Jason’s wife, is Smitty’s PR specialist and fills in as a server when needed.

Jason gained experience working for his mother, Charlie Cziraky, and her husband, Anton, when they owned a restaurant known as Sal A. Manders in Bradenton in the 1990s.

“Jason has this business in his blood,” Cziarky said. “He knows how to run a restaurant from front to back. He has never been afraid of making his own way. People who work with him have followed him to every restaurant he has been involved in.”

Added Cziraky, “Jason is a thoughtful and generous person with a great sense of humor that the customers love.”

TM

↑ At top, the “It’s on Fire!” burger with homemade jalapeno cream cheese. In the lower photo, taphouse owner Jason Smith raises a half-liter of a cask ale, Electromagnetic ESB, crafted by Deep Brewing.

FOOD Smitty’s Taphouse & Grill is open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sundays and Mondays, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Tuesdays through Thursdays and 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays.

beer

food

smittystaphouse.com.

by LIESEL SCHMIDT

There’s something incredibly earthy, wholesome and slightly intriguing about the name “Black Radish.” As for the restaurant operating under this simple moniker, those attributes are some of the very things that bring people through their doors. The other factors filling the seats in their dining room are, of course, the most important ones: quality of food, service and — above all — taste. Even for non-vegans and dedicated meat lovers, Black Radish has menu items that can make you believe that all good things come from the garden, proving that meatless does not mean flavorless.

Since their opening in May of 2022, Black Radish is, admittedly, a new face on the Tallahassee food scene. But the track record of its owners, Matt Swezey and Jesse Edmunds in partnership with Seven Hills Hospitality, coupled with the unique concept of offering vegetable-focused sharable dishes and handmade pasta has

captured the interest of local foodies. And whether they have a strict vegan diet or simply want to explore the wonders of a meat-free meal, diners have been captivated by the menu offered.

Signature dishes include vegan options like bubble potatoes with vegan smoked paprika aioli and chives and bucatini with lemon cashew cream sauce, peas, garlic crumb and pea tendrils. Popular vegetarian items include spinach tortelloni with ricotta herb filling, blistered grape tomatoes, garlic oil and Parmigiano Reggiano. And, as no great meal is complete without the perfect dessert, their chocolate peanut butter pie offers a delicious finish.

What makes the restaurant such a gem is, first and foremost, its commitment to a vegetable-centric menu. And with that comes a need to up the game when creating flavor profiles and working with the nuances of the ingredients. To that end, there must be a particular skill set in the kitchen, and

GABES COURTESY OF BLACK

↗ Dishes from top: Miso grit cake with blistered snap peas (in bowl); bubble potatoes; bucatini with lemon cashew cream sauce.

executive chef/co-owner Matt Swezey possesses those skills as well as a strict view on quality. “With the small exception for one dried pasta, everything is made in-house using as many ingredients from local farms and purveyors as possible,” Swezey said, who has worked with Seven Hills Hospitality for nearly five years at Liberty Bar & Restaurant, The Hawthorn Bistro & Bakery, and as the catering chef for the company after working for six years at FSU/Aramark.

“We also source our bread and desserts from our sister restaurant, The Hawthorn Bistro & Bakery, so the quality of all of our menu items is maintained at the level we demand.”

As dedicated to the concept of vegetable-based eating as they are, however, Black Radish does

↑ Clockwise from left: Executive chef/coowner Matt Swezey with whole chicken roulade, grilled spring onion, chili garlic crunch, cilantro jasmine rice, bok choy, grilled carrots, cucumber salad; the Black Radish’s dining area; bar serves natural wines, low-intervention cocktails, local craft beers, house-made low- and zero-alcohol beverages; corn ribs.

recognize that not everyone can be swayed to the meat-free side. For these diners, they offer a few sharable meat-based selections to satisfy the desire for a more traditional menu or dinner experience. “While the restaurant is not completely vegan or vegetarian, a large majority of the dishes are,” Swezey said. “We’re also the only full-service restaurant in Tallahassee with a natural wine-focused bar program.”

For anyone not familiar with the term, natural wines are created from organically or biodynamically farmed grapes grown without pesticides, herbicides or other chemicals. It’s decidedly in keeping with the ethos at Black Radish, as is the bar menu that includes low-intervention draft cocktails, local beer, and a vari ety of house-made low- and zero-ABV beverages.

PHOTOS BY PABLO GABES COURTESY OF BLACK RADISH

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↑ Bar manager Mitchel Rosborough bones up on natural wines while sitting opposite a few. The designation applies to wines that are produced with organically or biodynamically farmed grapes grown without the use of pesticides, herbicides or other chemicals.

Since its inception, Black Radish has been a project designed, built and finished as a collaboration between Jesse Edmunds, Matthew Swezey and Seven Hills. As such, it is a deeply personal undertaking for the two men. They love the work they are doing, and the restaurant they’ve created shows that. “Being able to work in an open kitchen with our kitchen team while also getting to interact with customers at the chef’s counter is such an incredible aspect of Black Radish and the way we designed things,” Swezey said. “We are a restaurant that can fit all needs: We’re perfect for a date night, a celebration with family and friends, an after-work hangout for a snack and a glass of wine, or even somewhere to come and sit up at the chef’s counter to talk to the chefs.”

Swezey expressed their team is fun and energetic. The bar area is perfect for small plates and a glass of wine, and the porch is the ideal escape for a date night under the stars or a more relaxed setting.

“We want guests to feel comfortable to come to Black Radish by themselves, with friends or a large group to eat, drink and have fun,” Swezey said. TM

APPLE PIE PERFECTION

Delectable dessert wafts us away

by ROCHELLE KOFF

Some people prefer their apple pie with a slice of cheddar. Others like a dash of cardamon or a shot of brandy. Many insist the premier pies are served à la mode.

No matter how you slice it, apple pie is a delectable dessert. Despite all sorts of fancier flavors emerging from ovens nowadays, the apple pie is still the favorite in the United States, according to a Harris Poll (and others).

“Apple pie has been a part of our history for so long,” said chef Jessica Bright McMullen, owner of KitchenAble Cooking School and Catering in Tallahassee. “I remember my grandmother used to say that apple pie without cheese is like a hug without a squeeze.”

We’ve all heard the expression, “As American as apple pie.”

Turns out that our beloved “American” apple pie didn’t come from America. No surprise that so many of our fruits and vegetables originated in Asia and Europe. Jamestown settlers brought apple cuttings and seeds because the only apples the early settlers found in the United States were crab apples.

“The first recorded recipe for apple pie was written in England in 1381 and

Drunk Apple Pie

called for figs, raisins, pears, saffron and spices,” said Tallahassee chef and cooking teacher Millie Kelsey-Smith, who is from Northampton, England. Apples and apple pies made their way into the hearts of Americans as advertisers embraced the dessert in the early 1900s. The pie’s place in our culinary world was wellestablished in the 1940s when fighting “for mom and apple pie” became a common refrain among World War II soldiers.

Over the years, Americans have made the dessert their own creation. Here are some suggestions from local bakers to make the best pie around:

■ “Adding a tiny bit of cardamom gives apple pie a little something extra,” said Tallahassee home baker Jennifer Marshall. “It works wonders in blueberry cobbler, too.”

■ “Apple brandy gives a deeper, bolder and richer flavor to the filling of the apple pie,” said Tallahassee baker Marina Utecht. “A good portion of the alcohol cooks out, but I wouldn’t give it to kids or delicate palates.”

■ Maria Streety, baker and owner of Artistic Confections in Tallahassee, prefers a crumble

topping on her apple pies, with a caramel sauce on the side. Some cooks like a streusel topping or lattice strips.

Despite the recipe, a key factor is what apples to use.

Most recipes generally call for tart apples, but “the No. 1 priority is to use apples that have good flavor,” McMullen said. “No matter the variety, you need an apple that’s delicious from the get-go.”

Streety tends to use Honeycrisp or Granny Smith for her pies. “They stand up best to the baking process,” she said.

“The best apple to use is Bramley apples, which you cannot get here in the U.S., but can be substituted with Granny Smith apples,” said Kelsey-Smith.

She and her husband Trevor used to own a Havana cafe called The English Rose. It’s also the name of her culinary operation. She and her husband sell her scones, jams, Indian spices and shortbreads at the Tallahassee Farmers Market. Her favorite recipe for apple pie comes from the Norfolk region of England, where she was born and raised.

However you like your pie, one thing is certain, said Maria Streety, “It’s the ultimate comfort food.” TM

INGREDIENTS

➸ Standard pie crust (purchased or homemade)

➸ 8 tart apples, preferably MacIntosh, cut into thick wedges

➸ ¼ cup to ½ cup dark brown sugar

➸ 2 tablespoons cornstarch

➸ 1 tablespoon Vietnamese cinnamon (if not available, regular cinnamon will do)

➸ ½ to ¾ cup apple brandy

INSTRUCTIONS

Put the apples, brown sugar, cinnamon and cornstarch in a pot, and stir until incorporated. Add brandy. Heat, constantly stirring, until slightly thickened, but not until apples are cooked through. Pour the filling into the crust. Top with another crust or crumb topping. If you have a top crust, bake for about 50 to 60 minutes at 350 F. If it’s a crumble top, bake for 30 to 40 minutes at 350 F.

Norfolk (U.K.) Apple Tart

FOR FILLING

4 or 5 large, organic Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored. Slice each apple into 16 pieces.

Juice half a fresh lemon

3 tablespoons sugar

3 to 4 tablespoons of orange marmalade

1 cup of all-purpose flour for coating the apples (you may need more if your apples are extra juicy)

egg slightly beaten to brush the pie crust

Heavy whipping cream or hot British custard, to serve

More sugar to sprinkle on top

PREPARING THE APPLES

Preheat the oven to 400 F. Use a deep 9-inch pie dish. Peel and slice the apples. Don’t cook them. Just keep them in cold water and lemon juice to keep them from browning until it’s time to assemble the pie. Then drain the apples and coat them with sugar and flour. The juices of the apples will mingle with the sugar and flour as the pie bakes. Together, they will thicken and make the juicy filling that surrounds the apples in the pie.

MAKING THE PASTRY AND ASSEMBLING THE PIE

1. Put the flour and salt into a processor with the butter and process until the mixture looks like breadcrumbs, then add a little ice water, 2 tablespoons at a time, until it comes together into a ball.

2. If you do not have a food processor, cut the butter into the flour with two knives, then use your hands to rub it in at the end, and stir in the water with a wooden spoon.

3. Turn the pastry out on a floured board and smooth into a flattish ball, cut out a third and put aside.

4. Now roll out the remaining pastry on a floured work surface until it is large enough to accommodate the pie dish. (I hold the dish over the pastry and make sure it extends about 2 inches all around.)

5. Gently roll the pastry onto the rolling pin and then lay it onto the pie dish.

6. Don’t worry if there are some cracks; just wet your finger and rub some water into the crack and join the pieces together.

7. Gently add the apples and then the marmalade to the lined pie dish.

8. Roll out the rest of the pastry to make a lid, and wet the rim of the bottom half of the pastry with the egg mixture to make a seal. With a knife, trim the pastry all along the side of the dish and decorate the rim as you wish, either with a fork or crimping the pastry together with your fingers.

9. Make a ½-inch hole with a knife in the center of the pie crust.

10. You can use any leftover pastry to cut out leaf shapes.

11. Brush the entire crust with the beaten egg, which will ensure a lovely golden color.

INSTRUCTIONS

Bake dough in the oven for about 30 to 40 minutes or until the crust is a golden-brown color. Ovens vary significantly, so place the pie on the lower rack for about 20 minutes, then move it to the center rack so that the bottom crust cooks well. However, adjust your placement and baking time according to your own oven. When ready, remove the pie from the oven and immediately dust with baker’s (extra fine) sugar (caster sugar in the U.K.) and let cool slightly before serving. Pour the heavy cream or the hot custard over the pie before eating.

Drew Schmoe, standing, and Christian Schmoe, with bird in hand, employ easily moved hoop coops as part of their commitment to sustainable agriculture. Moving the hoops ensures that manure is spread across pasture lands resulting in fresh forage. Chickens also disturb the soil, making for better grass roots. Better root systems lead to more abundant green growth, which means cattle are provided more food in the same space. The robust root systems also effectively sequester carbon.

GREAT TASTE

Schmoe Farm produces poultry and pork, ethically

STORY BY ETHAN TETREAULT // PHOTOGRAPHY BY ALICIA OSBORNE

Christian Schmoe was going on 30 and living in his New York apartment when he acquired a distaste for certain foods.

He had read about factory farming practices and the additives that corporations introduce to meat products, and he was so disgusted that he almost gave up meat for good.

Schmoe, however, loved meat and didn’t want to quit eating it if he could conscientiously avoid doing so. He decided that if he couldn’t obtain meat up to his standards, he would usher in the change he wished to see. He committed the next two years of his life to learn about farming with a focus on ethical and humane practices.

His homework complete, Schmoe, along with his husband, Drew Schmoe, quit their jobs with a global public relations firm and moved back to his family farm located just north of the Florida-Georgia line off U.S. Highway 221 near Quitman, Georgia.

Six years later, Schmoe has arrived at a new approach to eating, and he’s well on his way to changing the diets of others, too. Schmoe Farm was founded more than five years ago with the aim of setting a standard for good farming practices, and it’s becoming increasingly popular every day as people grow more conscious about their consumption.

Schmoe’s primary focus from the outset has been the ethical farming of chickens and eggs. Travel the road to his farm, and you can expect to be greeted by a flock of chicks that he sources from a local hatchery. These baby birds will spend just a short time maturing before they are classified either as meat birds or hens.

Broiler chicks congregate in a brooder where they are kept until they feather out to the point where they can withstand the elements and flourish out on the pasture. They are meat birds of the Cornish Cross variety.

If they are to become meat birds, Schmoe moves them to a wide-open pasture near his house. He gives them no artificial growth hormone or ge netically modified foods. Instead, the birds’ diet consists of natural grain and the essential nutrients in grass. They may mature slower than the chickens

on factory farms, but this doesn’t matter to Schmoe. He intends that his flock grow naturally and happily. The end result is not only an unstressed bird, but a better product for his customers.

The hens live a similarly comfortable life on Schmoe Farm. They are kept in a grassy area separate from the meat birds. Multiple fences and two guardian dogs prevent predation. These birds are not fed any thing treated with herbi cides, pesticides or GMOs, and they are kept outside so that their immune systems develop naturally.

Perhaps the most striking sight in the hen enclosure is the coop: It’s on wheels! Schmoe hatched the mobile pen idea after noticing that hens were eating the grass in their area faster than it could grow back. As a solution, he

Christian Schmoe and dog Joe Schmoe are surrounded by chickens at Schmoe Farms’ Eggmobile. Hens roost in the Eggmobile at night and lay eggs in nest boxes during the day.

Christian and Drew Schmoe with their livestock guardian dogs Joe and Dolly. The dogs, which are Great Pyranese, are nocturnal. They sleep all day next to the laying flock where their presence deters aerial predators. At night, the dogs bark at and chase away predators as an effective brooder patrol.

built a coop which he can simply move to a new, grassier spot whenever his hens exhaust an area.

Schmoe’s ethical practices yield an egg that is ex traordinarily rich in nutrients and flavor.

The farm also raises pork, following the same ethical and green principles that guide chicken production. Pigs are kept far away from the birds in a heavily wood ed area. The breeding and nurturing of the animals is confined to the farm where they will spend up to a year growing and maturing, compared to an average of six months on most commercial farms. Like the chickens, they receive no chemicals or hormones to accelerate their growth, in stead living on non-GMO feed and plants in their enclosure.

To ensure that the pigs always have adequate grass and other vegetation to feed on, Schmoe moves their enclosure periodically. This has the additional benefit of giving the forest time to recover, which the hogs will pick through again later in their lives. Sustainability and harmony are core tenets at the farm.

When Christian and Drew abandoned a megalopolis to become chicken farmers, they determined that their products would be environmentally friendly, ethically raised, economical and most of all, flavorful.

These requirements make up the four pillars of Schmoe Farm, guideposts to which Schmoe has closely adhered.

Schmoe Farm pastured eggs and forestraised pork may be ordered at schmoefarm.com. Purchases may be picked up at the farm, which also offers a local delivery service and ships regionally. Schmoe Farm will participate in the Preservation Farm Tour, conducted by the Millstone Institute of Preservation and scheduled for Oct. 15–16.

Broiler chickens live their lives on pasture, consuming a healthy natural diet of grass and bugs. Their well-being translates ultimately to better food for humans. Emphasize Drew and Christian Schmoe, “We are what we eat.”

Christian Schmoe gets hands-on with a hog named Woody. Regular back massages make for the most tender of pork tenderloins.

“Woody is my grandfather's name,” said Drew Schmoe. “He used to raise pigs in the woods before pigs as an industry were moved inside to cruel cages and concrete environments.”

FROM THE GROUND UP

From the institute’s gardening program yields success

STORY BY STEVE BORNHOFT // PHOTOGRAPHY BY DAVE BARFIELD

Nineteen hens and a rooster roam about the Wakulla Environmental Institute’s demonstra tion small-plot farm in Crawfordville. They are adept, said WEI execu tive director Bob Ballard, at catching grasshoppers, an activity that obviates the need for pesticides and provides the birds with a food source rich in protein.

So it is that there are grass-fed beef cows and grasshopper-fed chickens.

“We used to have a problem with grasshoppers; we don’t anymore,” Ballard said.

Over time, WEI’s Urban Farming and Entrepreneurship program, known more familiarly as the OneAcre Eden class, is becoming more self-sufficient — a “closed loop,” as WEI associate director Albert Wynn likes to think of it.

“Everything at WEI is about sustainability,” Ballard said.

The two-year-old Urban Farming program was intended in the first place to explore whether a family of four could derive sufficient food from one acre.

“On top of that,” Ballard said, “so many people these days don’t know where food comes from. We wanted to change that, and we wanted people to derive income from a hobby that they could do in their backyards.”

As it began to think about teaching students how to grow food, WEI, which is part of Tallahassee Community College, anticipated that it might get a program started as of fall 2022. The City of Tallahassee caused the institute to substantially advance that schedule.

“We were working on soil preparation and didn’t even have a fence erected when the city called,” Ballard said. “Orchard planting hadn’t occurred. Greenhouses had yet to be built. But the city want ed to go right now, and we accommodated them. It’s been fun, it’s been an interesting ride, but we did not expect to arrive at the success that we’ve had this quickly.”

WEI project specialist Alexis Howard inspects one of the 100 fruit trees in the orchard at the institute’s demonstration farm. Students of the Urban Farming and Entrepreneurship Program learn to can what they produce and to market surplus fruits and vegetables

The urgency resulted from the city’s receipt of grant funding for the creation of an urban farming program.

WEI project specialist Alexis Howard explained that the city was interested in partnering with the institute as a way to achieve grant objectives. In addition, she said, the city provides funding that makes it possible for incomeeligible Leon County residents to complete the Urban Farming program free of charge. The program also attracts Wakulla County students, who pay tuition. Courses are capped at 30 students.

WEI executive director Bob Ballard has discovered that chickens are adept at catching grasshoppers, an activity that eliminates the need for pesticides and provides the birds with a food source rich in protein.

“The course is a combination of farm tours, workdays and entrepreneurship training,” Howard said. “We are partnered with small farms in Jackson, Leon and Wakulla counties. Those farmers provide instruction on a particular topic.”

“We used to have a problem with grasshoppers,” Ballard said.

Nineteen hens and one rooster later, he doesn’t anymore.

Students visit a farm, listen to a presentation and then tour the farm. Lessons cover subjects including fertilizing, crop rotation, succession planting and insects beneficial and not.

Workdays at the WEI demonstration farm consist of a range of activities: bed preparation, seed germination, composting, pruning, weeding and more. The entrepreneurship program teaches students how to take harvests to market. The partnership with the city provides that students, upon completing the class, are assigned an internship at a participating farm.

Students have included farmers and others with no growing experience. The new initiates, Howard has found, “don’t know how hard gardening is until we get to our workdays.”

“This morning, Alexis and I were out on the farm,” Ballard said. “She was running the mower to run down the last crop, and I was on my hands and knees pulling weeds, and we were pouring sweat. But, you gotta keep up with it, or it will get out of hand in a hurry. It’s rewarding, but it’s a lot of work, and not everyone is cut out for it.”

Students learn, then, that summertime weeding is best accomplished when the sun is low. Fundamentally, too, they learn that growth requires nutrients.

“Especially in Wakulla County, the soil is sand,” Wynn said. “It’s like planting on a beach. There is great drainage, but we don’t have the nutrients we need.”

Students, Wynn said, are introduced to “things we can add to the soil to make it wonderful, things you can get for free.” Chicken excrement, for example. And compost. WEI is building a bat house at its farm. There are

gardeners who swear by bat guano as a superior fertilizer.

Also coming soon, a catfish pond and a system for capturing fish waste for use as fertilizer. That system, Wynn explained, involves a waterfall, holding tanks, thousands of 3M cleaning pads, good bacteria and bad bacteria.

When the fish waste is introduced to gardens, Wynn said, “It’s the most

amazing thing; you can almost see the plants grow.”

Truth is, an acre can produce far more food than a family of four can eat.

“Half of our acre is an or chard with 100 fruit trees,” Ballard said. “When they fruit out and you get apples and peaches, you have too much to consume in a short period of time. So we teach students how to can what they have produced. At the end of our last class, we made strawberry and blue berry jelly.”

Succession planning, too, makes yields more manageable.

“You don’t want to plant all of your cucumbers at the

same time,” Ballard said. “Plant them in stages so that you have cucumbers — or radishes or peppers — coming up at different times and they are not all ready to harvest at once.”

Ballard meets with TCC president Jim Murdaugh

every two weeks, and as often as he does, he brings good stuff from the garden.

“I always give him produce not because he asks for it, but because I want to show him what is being harvested at any point in time — eggs, strawberries, blueberries, squash, cucumbers, onions, garlic,” Ballard said. “And I bring a couple of bushels for staff at the college. It’s like locusts. Within a few minutes, it’s all gone. People really enjoy having produce that was picked that day. It just tastes better.”

Ballard also said that urban farming students, including many with modest incomes, are allowed to take food from the demonstration garden home. Howard noted that the program had donated baskets of cucumbers and squash to the TCC Food Bank.

To raise a village, it takes a farm.

Ballard offered a favorite farm story.

“We were working to build a hoop house (a greenhouse that looks something like a miniature, transparent Quonset hut), and I was walking with one of the students after class. He turned around and took a picture of the hoop house with his phone. He told me that nobody at home would believe he had built a hoop house unless they saw a picture of it.

“This was such a big deal to this student. It warmed my heart that he was so invested in it.”

WEI project specialist Alexis Howard, executive director Bob Ballard and associate director Albert Wynn combine to lead students through an Urban Farming and Entrepreneurship Program, after which they are assigned an internship at a participating area farm.

Brooke Gregory picks a butternut squash ready for harvest. Shaded trellises at the rear of photo are used to support tomato plants that are pinned to strings with plastic clips. Branches are pruned so that plants devote more energy to producing fruit.

WHAT IS WWOOF?

Tallahassee’s Ayavalla Land Company shares its eco-friendly expertise with volunteers from around the world

STORY BY EMMA WITMER // PHOTOGRAPHY BY DAVE BARFIELD

When Abby Rolf first stepped through the thick live oak tree line that surrounds Ayavalla Land Company, she dubbed it a place for dreamers.

Rolf, a 35-year-old organic farmer and Minnesotan, now makes annual pilgrimages to Ayavalla as part of the Worldwide Opportunities on Organic Farms (WWOOF). This global organization pairs volunteers from around the world with partnering farms that are pioneering a shift toward sustainable

agricultural practices. In exchange for room, board and an educational experience, WWOOFers commit to an average of 20 hours of hands-on labor during the course of their stay at the farm.

Were it not for a smattering of documentaries and a since-ended relationship, however, Rolf might have never stumbled across the sprawling Tallahassee farm that she now considers a second home.

“I was exposed by documentaries to the importance of self-sufficiency,” Rolf said. “I was living in the metro of Minneapolis/ St. Paul, and I started to just feel emotionally taxed. I began to reframe and look at my life and realized that the rural roots were calling to me. It started as an interest in selfsufficiency and the skills around that, the know-how to survive.”

Roughly six years ago, she fled the city with reckless abandon and found work at a nearby organic farm. Solace could be found in the soil there. Consumerism could be pruned like citrus trees. Still, Rolf found herself hungry to know more. At that time, Rolf’s

Volunteer Ezekiel LaRosa displays a freshly harvested sweet green pepper at the Ayavalla Land Company, which adheres to WWOOF sustainability standards.

partner worked for Worldwide Opportunities on Organic Farms, vetting participating WWOOF farms to ensure they were meeting WWOOF’s standards for sustainability and sufficient accommodations. Together, the two visited every WWOOF farm in Florida, and as her partner inspected the facilities, Rolf took some notes of her own.

“Ayavalla was my No. 1 most favorite,” Rolf said. “I will be going back for my fourth season this winter. The 12,000 acres of land are just magical. There are bass fishing ponds out there, and I am addicted to the sport of fishing.”

It wasn’t all about the scenery or the fishing, though. Rolf came to work and to learn. Despite her own years working on organic farms, she still considers herself a novice, and Ayavalla proved to be fertile ground for her continued education. While Ayavalla’s market garden, Pathways Garden, is not certified organic, Farm Manager Laura Phipps and the rest of the Ayavalla team take a chemical-free approach to everything from their produce to their large, grass-fed cattle herd.

“Laura is a great educator,” Rolf said. “She cares. She wants you to be enriched by this experience as well. I think that speaks a lot to Ayavalla and the Phipps family. It’s a very powerful place.”

In place of chemical-rich fertilizers and pesticides, Ayavalla employs strategies of biodynamic farming and permaculture, or the development of a self-sufficient ecosystem, through practices like re generative grazing, companion plant ing, hügelkultur and environmentdetermined plant ing schedules.

“Like anything else, you learn as much as you teach,” Phipps said. “You get so many different people from different places who have different backgrounds. It’s

Southpoll cattle, above, do well with Southern grasses. Abby Rolf, inset, hoists a largemouth bass taken from an Ayavalla pond. They don’t grow ’em that big in her home state of Minnesota.

collaborative. There are some you learn more from than others, but it’s all good. I’ve had people who were really good at composting or really good at tomatoes.”

Not all WWOOF farms are alike, Phipps explained. She almost exclusively works with WWOOFers who are prepared for a longterm commitment of about three months, but other farms will accept volunteers for as little as a week.

“I try to pick the volunteers that have some background in farming because, honestly, farming in the South is hot and humid and nasty,” Phipps said. “They may have this

Brooke Gregory and Ezekiel LaRosa head out to collect mulch that will be spread along garden paths and around plants to suppress weeds, retain moisture and discourage erosion.

PHOTO COURTESY OF ABBY ROLF (SELF)

idea of gardening, but they just can’t hold up, so I try to get people who have farmed or gardened before. I have a couple from Canada, a lot of people from the North. They come from Europe; they come from everywhere. I’ve got a medical doctor who recently applied, searching for a break from his professional practice.”

As Rolf describes it, there is a nomadic culture and spirituality associated with the WWOOF program — venturing out, sometimes

months at a time, to a strange and beautiful land to connect with nature and enjoy the fruits of labor.

“I think everybody learns something, but a lot of people consider it a vacation, too,” Phipps said. “It’s a pretty place to be. Some of them are writers, some are artists, and it’s nice not having to pay your bills, but you have to put in the hours.”

Ayavalla typically takes on multiple WWOOFers at a given time, and Rolf has found the experience of

connecting with people from different walks of life to be one of the most valuable and unexpected aspects of the program.

“One of the most attractive memories is being in the church, i.e., cafeteria or chow hall, and being with such a variety of people from all walks of life breaking bread together: Spanish speakers, different cultures, folks from different countries, this communal energy surrounding a meal and talking about our lives, our goals. That was very impactful to me. Truly, that cafeteria is a big, big draw.”

Every Sunday night, Rolf said, the WWOOFers get together and play volleyball outside the church, sometimes late into the night. And her newfound community stretches beyond the farm into Tallahassee and down to the coast.

“Tally is a great community,” Rolf said. “I love its art scene, the music and the parks — the Apalachicola Forest and being so close to the Gulf. I’m a social person, so I have developed a little community down there. I go down the St. Marks trail once a week with my retired friends, and we bike the whole thing. I have made friends in Panacea that work on oyster boats who will take me out on the water with them. I like to experience the farmers markets there and check out that live music. Some weekends, Laura will even take us canoeing on the Wacissa River. I’m really active in the community there. I just love Tally.”

Volunteer Christopher Carlislle spreads mulch near butternut squash vines. Greenhouses in the background are used for starting plants and growing tomatoes in winter. Inset: some fine cucumbers.

Judge Tiffany Baker-Carper Autumn Beck Blackledge Helen Costa Kelli Godwin Allison Hill

Anna Johnson-Riedel Diane McCain Cristina L. Paredes Maria Toledo Karen Vogter

2022

TURNBULL AWARD Jessica Proffitt Bracken

POSTHUMOUS AWARD Iris Pittman Fellows McMillan

ROCHELLE

photography by ALICIA OSBORNE

expression

At various times in his life, Gary Hudson has delivered food, sung in bands, played guitar, given music lessons, taught Sunday school, preached as a Baptist minister, worked as a caregiver, recorded CDs, written a book and evolved into an experienced luthier.

Whatever his role at the time, his passion for the guitar has provided the soundtrack of Hudson’s life.

“I love the guitar,” Hudson said. “I love the sound of it. It’s the most versatile instrument ever made, and it’s compact — you can take it with you anywhere.”

In a Northeast Tallahassee workshop, Hudson runs a business called Folkstone Guitars, where he’s a skilled craftsman tackling stringed instruments, primarily acoustic, electric and bass guitars, but also cellos, violins, bass guitars and double bass.

He’s worked on more than 6,000 guitars alone since he started his business in 2011. There have been cases when he’s been called in an emergency when an instrument has been damaged before a concert or something goes wrong in a studio. If you’re recording a song on a Friday night and your guitar starts buzzing, fret not.

“I get my tackle box and tools and go out there,” Hudson said.

He breezily rattles off details about frets, necks, setups, strings, nuts, saddles, pickups — the vocabulary of a luthier. It’s a centuries-old tradition, but he’s up to date on modern technology.

Hudson has customers from Maine to Washington State, even Switzerland, who mail him guitars to adjust or fix. Other clients travel hours to reach his neatly organized shop.

“I’m happy I found him,” Jack Graham said, a professional musician who drives from Panama City Beach to Tallahassee to bring Hudson his guitars.

“I moved to Panama City from Pittsburgh, and I was unable to find a qualified luthier,” he said. “I would drive to Atlanta.”

When Graham located Hudson, he brought him a couple of guitars for basic setups. “He far surpassed what I was

looking for,” Graham said. “He’s done some more advanced work for me, and he’s very meticulous and detail oriented, which is exactly what I want.

“I’ve had him build me two guitars,” Graham said. “I just picked one up yesterday, and it’s an amazing instrument. Gary’s a very talented man.”

Hudson has built guitars from scratch, but he now prefers customers to pick out the parts they want and puts them all together.

“If I have to do it myself, it winds up being a $3,000 or $4,000 guitar,” Hudson said. “It saves the customer money if they buy the parts they want. I tell them where to get everything.

“I give them their dream guitar.”

Hudson has put together 23 different Stratocaster models and a dozen different Telecaster models. “They’re my favorite to build,” he said.

“I have 10 guitars because I wanted 10 voices. I have one bass, three acoustic

photography by ALICIA OSBORNE

guitars and the rest are electric, and they all have a different voice. These are my personal guitars. Some I rebuilt, and others are completely overhauled.”

They include a Chet Super Axe — Chet Atkins is his favorite guitar player — and a 12-string electric guitar he built as a tribute to The Beatles, his favorite band.

Hudson is so detail oriented that his third CD, called Let Guitars Sing, features pictures of all his guitars and notes which ones were used for each song. Like “Don’t Be Cruel” incorporates Guitar #3 (Hudsonia Jag) and Guitar #1 (Taylor 414). The CD features all instrumental guitar music, lovingly performed with favorites like “I Heard It Thru the Grapevine” and “It’s Only Love.” Not a note is out of place.

Hudson’s love of guitars began when he was a kid in Jacksonville.

“When I was 5 or 6, I wanted a guitar. My mom bought me one of those plastic guitars with nylon strings. On my ninth birthday, she bought me an acoustic guitar. It was probably about $35, and I had so many callouses. I thought it was going to kill me.”

Hudson didn’t know how to play or even how to tune the instrument.

But a boy named Casey Howell changed all that.

“We became best friends,” Howell said. “My mom started taking me to a music shop in Jacksonville, then she drove me to Gary’s, and I showed him what I learned on my dad’s guitar. He latched right on to it.”

Hudson is still grateful that his friend would let him play and borrow the 1939 Gibson Super 400 that had belonged to his dad, who had suddenly died of a heart attack at age 48.

When the teens turned 18, Howell left Jacksonville to join the U.S. Coast Guard.

Hudson kept playing and learned about fixing guitars from the tech who worked at the American Music Store in Jacksonville. He hit the jackpot because the guy was Gary Smalley, who was the road tech for the Lynyrd Skynyrd Band.

“A lot of people are reluctant or scared of working on guitars,” Hudson said. “Smalley taught me there was nothing to be afraid of. He said, ‘All they are is wood and wire.’”

After years of going their own way, Hudson and Howell, who now lives in North Carolina, reconnected on Facebook in 2010. They met again in

Tallahassee when Hudson was living on Folkstone Road.

“I saw the neighborhood on a map and noticed that Folkstone was shaped like an acoustic guitar,” said Howell. So, Hudson adapted Folkstone as the name of his luthier business, and he also began teaching now-retired Howell how to repair guitars so he could start his own company.

“Gary’s bread and butter is doing refrets on guitars, and he uses stainless steel unless someone asks for nickel,” Howell said. “Stainless steel frets last forever.

“Gary is really one of the most careful and caring people to work on a guitar that you’d find,” Howell said.

Hudson went through several transformations before becoming a fulltime luthier.

As a young man, he was largely on his own and worked odd jobs. Then he discovered religion and attended a Bible college, where he earned a bachelor’s degree. For 25 years, he was a pastor at three Baptist churches and finished getting his master’s.

Then, after doing more intense Bible studies, Hudson began to have issues with parts of the New Testament. He left the ministry in 2008 and published a book called Surrender to Reason to talk about his journey.

Hudson, who was married, again began piecing together a livelihood, giving guitar lessons, performing and doing odd jobs in 2009 when his friend Chuck Taylor called from Tallahassee.

“Chuck Taylor had been paralyzed since 1974,” Hudson said. “He was 18, had graduated from high school, and he was riding in a car with friends when someone shot into the car. The bullet hit Taylor, and he became a quadriplegic.

“Chuck asked if I could come and help him out,” Hudson said. “His wife, his only caregiver, had died, and he had no one to help him. He would have been put in a nursing home for the rest of his life.”

Hudson and his wife moved to their friend’s house on Folkstone Road in Killearn Lakes. Hudson cared for his friend for six years before his death in 2015.

Along with being a caregiver for Taylor, Hudson began playing at

← Luthier Gary Hudson, opposite page, prepares a Martin D-35 guitar for fret dressing by taping the fretboard. ↑ Above, he sets to work restringing a Telecaster guitar.

CREATING A

You New

Tallahassee restaurants, including Z. Bardhi’s Italian Cuisine, where he was the Friday night guitarist for four years, and Chez Pierre (now Table 23) where he played a few nights a week. In 2011, he performed 22 gigs in one month.

Then Hudson caught the flu, lost his voice and couldn’t perform for a few months. He started doing more guitar repair work and, in 2013, decided to make the switch to a full-time luthier business.

When Taylor died, he left Hudson his home. He has since remarried and moved to a different street in the Northeast, but it hasn’t taken long for neighbors to realize that Hudson is someone you can count on. During our interview, a woman across the street called in desperation because her husband had fallen. Hudson dashed over to lift the man.

Then he’s right back to his music. In the background, Pink Floyd’s Another Brick in the Wall is playing. Hudson is in his realm.

“There are enough problems in this life — disap pointments, hardships, heartaches, heartbreaks, sad ness,” he said. “Music gets our minds off this world. It helps us to meditate. It brings joy and merriment. It gets us to dance.

“Guitars are for us,” Hudson said. “Because mu sic is what we need.”

↑ Gary Hudson admiringly inspects a violin. By nature, he is given to a helpful outlook and is known to his neighbors as someone who is always willing to lend a hand. Along his way, he is helped by music — “It’s what we need,” he says.

PHOTO BY ALICIA OSBORNE

ART

IRREPRESSIBLE TALENT

Elton Burgest adheres to his true calling

BY SANDRA HALVORSON, PH.D.

At age 2, Elton Burgest drew a rough interpretation of Pikachu, a yellow, squirrel-like Pokemon character, on the kitchen wall at his family’s house in Marathon, Florida.

His grandmother promptly rubbed out his creation. There would, however, be no erasing his artistic bent and talents.

Today, Burgest is the lead graphic designer at Tallahassee Community College and a leading Christian artist who expresses himself by “taking a picture and making it better.”

His blossoming as an artist who is quick-witted and self-assured occurred in stages. Burgest learned life lessons at the C.K. Steele-Leroy Collins Middle School in Tallahassee. He was excited to find that the school had a uniform dress code that reminded him of the Japanese computer-generated anime characters he grew up watching as a child.

At Godby High School as a student in the Academy of Information and Technology, he embarked upon his studies of design, which would extend to TCC and Florida State University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in fine arts.

There were times when Burgest questioned whether he should pursue a career as an artist and considered instead medicine or architecture. But those doubts dissipated when he saw a picture of Jean-Michel Basquiat, a Black artist who collaborated with Andy Warhol in the mid-1980s. It was

at that moment he realized there were successful Black artists in the world, and he resolved to join their ranks.

Burgest specializes in taking photographs of scenes and people and employing those images as the basis for his paintings.

“I always enjoy using my friends as models for my artwork because it’s a reminder of our friendship and how they helped me when I needed help, and it sort of solidifies the bond between us,” Burgest said.

A group of friends posed for a photograph that led to a painting, Conclusions, which represents to the artist “the curiosity, the apprehension, the insecurity and the stoic feeling of truth being whatever you want.”

↑ As one might expect, artist Elton Burgest’s traveling studio — his laptop — is festooned with logos, messages and characters that reflect his interest in contemporary graphic arts.

→ Elton Burgest, the lead graphic designer at Tallahassee Community College and an accomplished Christian artist, takes a stroll with Disbelief, a painting that depicts two women distressed by their discovery of a fallen young man.

photography by DAVE BARFIELD

expression

Religious symbolism figures in Burgest’s creations. In Temple, a young woman holds one end of a white sheet that is held at its opposite end by a pair of hands extending from behind a red curtain. The sheet, Burgest said, represents “the struggle of being an individual and also a Christian.”

His works have been displayed at the Armstrong Gallery at Georgia Southern University, the Thomasville Center for the Arts, the Museum of Fine Arts at FSU, the South of Soho Gallery and the 621 Gallery in Railroad Square. And, Burgest has posted many of his creations to his Instagram account.

In Disbelief, two Black women lean over a supine Black man who is splattered with red paint. The piece, Burgest said, was inspired by a painting, Judith Beheading Holofernes,

a work by the 16th-century Italian painter Caravaggio that depicts the slaying of an Assyrian general. Burgest said his piece speaks to the “emotional burden that Black women take on when the men in their lives are murdered.”

Burgest relaxes after working 9 to 5 at TCC by working on his comic book, Hallelujah, about a “poor girl’s journey of forgiveness and friendship.” He loves to design graphic streetwear and especially athletic footwear. He created a display of famous footwear for the FSU Museum of Fine Arts that he called KICKS OFF.

Burgest said many women who had faith in his artwork did much to lead him to success. His grandmother, who wiped out his first creation, has become one of his biggest fans.

out Elton Burgest’s comic book, Hallelujah, at WEBTOON.com. Many of his paintings can be found at EltonBurgest.com.

↑ Clockwise from left: Elton Burgest’s painting, East of Eden, from 2020; the artist displays Disbelief, created in 2019; Burgest models a shirt printed with his piece, Conclusion, from 2021.

photography by DAVE BARFIELD

ARTWORK COURTESY OF ELTON BURGEST (EAST OF EDEN)

STORIES OF THE 600,000

by REBECCA PADGETT FRETT

Oral histories have long been the thread that unifies the larger, more vivid tapestry of communities. Throughout the telling of these histories, there is always a scribe, a careful and empathetic listener entrusted to pass along these accounts.

In his book, Ninety Miles and a Lifetime Away: Memories of Early Cuban Exiles, David Powell shares the stories of 54 Cuban refugees who left Cuba when Fidel Castro took control of the country in 1959 to the 1962 Missile Crisis, as well as those who embarked on the Freedom Flights in the late 1960s and early 1970s.

Long before being entrusted with the tragedies and triumphs of these interview subjects, Powell considered himself a storyteller.

Upon graduating from the University of Texas at Austin and the Columbia Journalism School, Powell began as a reporter for the Associated Press in New York City. His role as a journalist took him to Florida to tell the stories of Miami residents, and in 1976, he was transferred to Tallahassee, where he decided to stay.

His experience as a reporter resulted in an interest in law — he soon after switched direction and pursued a law degree from Florida State University. Powell represented clients in the planning and entitlement of complex real estate negotiations. Through his work and the civic organizations he was involved in, he found himself in the company of many Cuban Americans. As a man who knows the value of listening, he was privy to stories that moved him.

In 2016, he decided to conduct a few interviews with those whom he had met, which eventually put him in touch with friends of friends who wished to sit and share their histories.

“In journalism and in law, the essence of the work is being a storyteller,” said Powell. “Storytellers are advocates. Storytelling is the heart of this book.”

On average, the interviews lasted two hours with the questions stemming from an eight-page outline that he provided the narrators in advance. Each recording was transcribed, audited and edited before being sent to the narrator for any changes or corrections. Few asked for any.

Eighty percent of the book is direct interviews, and the other 20 percent comes from Powell’s perspective as derived from over 100 books and

scholarly articles he read on the subject matter to create a backdrop and introduction to the testimonials.

“In many ways, writing a work of nonfiction is like organizing material to go to trial,” said Powell. “Each chapter is akin to writing a brief, conveying what is most essential to provide a shared understanding.”

The result is an overwhelming representation of the experiences of 600,000 Cubans seeking refuge in America. Powell states that as of 2022, 1.4 million people in the United States were born in Cuba, and another 1 million are descendants of Cuban exiles. Of that 2.4 million, 66 percent of Cubans live in Florida.

David Powell tells the stories of Cubans who fled the Castro regime

→ Reporter, attorney, author and accomplished listener David Powell finds that writing a book is a lot like preparing for a trial — except the writer gets to dictate the ending.

“To me, the most moving accounts were when people talked of changes so drastically imposed by Castro that the families knew they had to leave even when it meant forfeiting their homes, their belongings, family members, their livelihoods and their entire identities.” — David Powell

Among those Powell interviewed were fellow lawyers, educators, legislators, artists, musicians, doctors, engineers and more, most of which did not begin their journeys in the United States in comparable roles.

Powell recounts that many of his narrators and their family members led upper middle-class lives in Cuba, but upon arriving in the United States, they were living hand-to-mouth. A particular narrator shared that his father was a prominent lawyer in Cuba who had to resort to selling smoked fish at markets in Miami to make ends meet.

“To me, the most moving accounts were when people talked of changes so drastically imposed by Castro that the families knew they had to leave even when it meant forfeiting their homes, their belong ings, family members, their livelihoods and their en tire identities,” said Powell.

In 2021, the University of Miami acquired Powell’s recordings and transcripts to include in the United States largest repository of Cuban artifacts, The Cuban Heritage Collection.

Powell’s words merge the visceral imagery of a bygone era, yet the urgency of his words proves this is not solely history, but an examination of our present and a questioning of our future.

“My hope is readers understand this reflects America at its best, not perfect, but the land of refuge and opportunity that it’s always been for oppressed people from around the world,” Powell said, “a land that it still is today.”

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SIGNING OFF

Sports broadcaster Gene Deckerhoff looks back on storied career

STORY BY EMMA WITMER PHOTOS BY ALICIA OSBORNE

Gene Deckerhoff could move about Tallahassee unrecognized — if only he’d learn to keep his mouth shut. His voice gives him away.

For generations, Deckerhoff has been synonymous with Florida State University sports. Earlier this year, he announced that he was retiring as the Seminoles play-by-play man after 48 years.

That’s 48, not 43. Deckerhoff is quick to clarify that number. While most associate the 77-year-old with his 43-year tenure with FSU football, Deckerhoff got his start broadcasting Seminole basketball five years earlier. Deckerhoff has also been the voice of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for 34 years and plans to retire following the 2022 season.

“To me, the basketball years are a big part of my career at Florida State,” Deckerhoff said. “I’m a basketball Jones. I played basketball and scored 32 points against Lake City High School. It got me a college scholarship to play junior college basketball.”

Even after a beloved career filled with awards and recognition, Deckerhoff holds his record-breaking high school game as one of his most noteworthy achievements. He’s proud of the other achievements, too. Deckerhoff

was inducted into the Florida Sports Hall of Fame in 2000, Florida State University Athletics Hall of Fame in 2002 and Florida Community College Activities Association Hall of Fame in 2004. In 2013, he received the National Football Foundation’s “Chris Schenkel Award” and has been named Florida Sportscaster of the Year 14 times by the National Sportscasters & Sportswriters Association. The list goes on.

“Coach Bowden used to tell me, ‘Gene, if you’re in halls of fame, that means you’re getting old,’” Deckerhoff laughed.

Despite his age, Deckerhoff exudes the same youthful, excitable energy that has kept fans on the edge of their seats for decades. One might suspect Deckerhoff’s characteristic announcer voice is an affectation. If so, it is a tough one to shake. In casual conversation, his voice is more relaxed, but even still, it maintains a certain grandeur. Listening to him recount an endless stream of game-time highlights and behind-themic stories, one cannot help but hang on every word.

When asked where he was first bitten by the broadcasting bug, Deckerhoff had no clear answer. Despite an encyclopedic knowledge of every FSU football and basketball game to occur in the last half-century, he has some trouble pinning down this pivotal moment.

It may have started in high school when Deckerhoff manned the PA system at his brother’s football games, or it could have been in the summer of 1962, when he and a friend rode his motor scooter some 22 miles to the 95.1 WAPE Jacksonville radio station to represent his high school as student council president. Whatever the exact moment, there is no debate as to when his career began in earnest.

After his freshman basketball season at St. Johns River State College,

Deckerhoff was approached by the program director and play-by-play sports announcer for WWPF – Palatka, John Tilghman.

Gene, I know you’re on the debate team, so I know you can talk. Have you ever thought about getting into the radio business?

Deckerhoff never hit the court his sophomore year. Instead, his parttime summer gig at the radio station became a full-time job. From then on, Deckerhoff was a radio man, covering sports from Palatka to Gainesville, and eventually, Tallahassee and Tampa.

Back in ’74, when Deckerhoff first took the mic for Seminole basketball, there was no Donald L. Tucker Civic Center. The team played in Tully Gym, a much smaller court with a crow’s nest big enough for Deckerhoff and his co-host Ed Littler, but apparently not big enough for air conditioning. Those early years hold a special place in Deckerhoff’s heart.

“It was hot in that old crow’s nest, but those were great times,” Deckerhoff said. “In 1980, I saw a guy by the name of Les Henson throw up a shot after a missed free-throw for Virginia Tech from 93 feet away and make a basket. A couple of weeks later, the Memphis State head coach got upset with the officiating and walked off the floor. The official told him that if he didn’t come back, he would be forfeiting the game, and he said, ‘Do what you have to do.’

“I’ll never forget the late Bill McGrotha from the Tallahassee Democrat who wrote that they should never tear down Tully Gym. They should take it apart piece by piece and send it to the Smithsonian Museum in Washington, D.C.”

During his tenure with the Seminoles, Deckerhoff witnessed, and announced, some of the most iconic moments in Florida State history. He was there in

’78 for the first year of Renegade and Osceola. In ’79, he announced Bobby Bowden’s first 11–0 regular season with binoculars in one hand and the mic in the other. He brought Burt Reynolds, a former FSU footballer himself, into the box for many half-time announcements. Reynolds’ star power proved to be quite a spectacle for FSU fans who, according to Deckerhoff, lost all interest in the halftime show when Burt was in the box.

Over the years, a friendship grew between Reynolds and Deckerhoff, so Deckerhoff went out on a limb.

“I sent him a note saying, ‘I had an idea that you could help coach Bowden’s television show,’” Deckerhoff said. “Burt sent me a letter back, I wish I knew what happened to it, but it was on Bandit stationery, and he said, ‘Whatever Coach Bowden needs, you just let me know, and I’ll do it.’ ”

For the next 26 years, Reynolds made annual appearances on Bowden’s show. Bowden and Deckerhoff would meet him in Atlanta, Jupiter, Hollywood or wherever his next movie was filming.

To this day, Deckerhoff maintains that his longtime friend and head coach of the Florida State Seminoles football team, the late Bobby Bowden, was one of the finest people he has ever known. In many ironic and, at times, confounding ways, Deckerhoff and Bowden’s careers seemed to mirror each other. When Deckerhoff and his

wife Ann moved into their first Tallahassee home, a next-door neighbor mentioned that the house’s original owner, Robert Bowden, was coaching football up in West Virginia. The two worked in tandem to produce Coach Bowden’s television show, and when the Buccaneers reached out to Deckerhoff about announcing their games, Bowden

Call him a homer, if you wish. That tag will scarcely bother Gene Deckerhoff, whose decades-long relationship with Florida State coaches, athletes and athletic directors has been grounded in mutual respect and fondness. In the lower photo, Deckerhoff poses a question to FSU men’s basketball coach Leonard Hamilton.

agreed to shoot the show in the middle of the night, giving Deckerhoff time to hop on a plane to wherever the Buccaneers would play next.

“He was the most incredible human being I have ever been around,” Deckerhoff said. “I look around, and almost everything I have here in my office has something to do with Coach Bowden. I have every one of his books, I have the movie they did and I got to live that experience, you know? It’s the highlight of my career.”

Needless to say, Deckerhoff hasn’t had a fall weekend off in nearly 50 years. He and Ann spend their weekends jet-setting around the country and beyond balancing their time between the ACC and the pros. Between the flights, drives, games, television shows and countless hours of preparation, Deckerhoff has given the best years of his life to the fans. Now, it’s time for a few vacations.

“People kept asking when I was going to retire,” Gene said.

Not long ago, Gene ran into Morris McComb at an FSU basketball reunion. McComb was the assistant coach to Hugh Durham when Deckerhoff first started broadcasting basketball for FSU and could not believe he was still taking the airwaves.

“I always just say, ‘You know, God is going to tell me when it is time to hang it up,’” Deckerhoff said. “It’s not like I’m shuffling my feet right now, but I’m not running sprints anymore either. It was a tough call, but it was time.”

With his schedule opening up postretirement, Deckerhoff says he hopes to make some longtime dreams come true with his wife — like watching the leaves change in the mountains — and it’s about time, he says, they make that trip. ◆

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HEALTH AND WELLNESS

STORY BY EMMA WITMER PHOTOS BY DAVE BARFIELD

In the early ’80s, the entirety of the Tallahassee Senior Center’s programming was held in the dining room of a three-story building located at 1400 N. Monroe St. Today, the center not only encompasses the whole building, but it is also bursting at the seams.

“We actually have about 14 outreach sites where we do programming,” said Ruth Nickens, the health and wellness program coordinator for the center. “Some of them are in the city limits like Southside and Optimist Park, but we go out to the most rural parts of the community. We go out to Miccosukee and Chaires. We use commu nity centers, sometimes churches or occa sionally a school — whatever space we can find that will part ner with us to cre ate and facilitate programs in those communities.”

In fact, the center has grown so large in its more than 40 years of operation, that they are in the process of designing an entirely new facility, not to replace the Monroe Street location, but to expand its services.

The Tallahassee Senior Center hosts a wide breadth of courses, classes, excursions, clubs and games that promote social engagement as well as physical and mental fitness. Currently, the senior center offers more than 20 fitness classes across 10 different locations, not counting access to pingpong tables, pickleball, billiards and

bridge clubs at the center itself. There are dance classes offering instruction on everything from swing to square dancing, a multifaceted arts program taught by professional artists, and classes, seminars and expos devoted to health education and lifelong learning.

“We are starting to expand our outdoor fitness arena because it seems to be very popular and certainly a thing that the adults of today, the baby boomers, are asking for,” Nickens said. “That has been really fun, not only to get people outside

“We are starting to expand our outdoor fitness arena … That has been really fun, not only to get people outside and exercising, but there are so many benefits that come from being outdoors in nature: lower blood pressure, sense of awe, community building.” — Ruth Nickens, Health and Wellness Program Coordinator for the Center

The Tallahassee Senior Center builds community and connection for Tallahassee seniors

Participants follow along in an exercise class led by Pomeroy Brinkley whose sessions emphasize aerobic activity, flexibility and mobility and incorporate range-of-motion, endurance, resistance and seated exercises.

and exercising, but there are so many benefits that come from being outdoors in nature: lower blood pressure, sense of awe, community building.”

Unlike most senior centers around the country, the Tallahassee Senior Center operates as a part of the city government and as a nonprofit, the Tallahassee Senior Center Foundation. Hella Spellman, the director of programs and services for the center, said this unique structure has allowed her and her staff to expand beyond the typical services and culture afforded by a municipal budget.

“Every senior center that we have gone to that is strictly run by the municipality just does not have that dynamic, that culture,” Spellman said. “I think we are fortunate here in Tallahassee because a lot of municipalities will not let them have that nonprofit leg. The city letting us have that nonprofit leg and such a strong partnership has helped because the municipal-run places are run by the people at the top, whereas we are driven by what the participants want.”

The curriculum is constantly growing and evolving based on the needs and desires of the roughly 10,000 seniors that take advantage of

its services every year. Spellman and Nickens take great pride in the center’s participantdriven approach to its programming and are often surprised by what services attract a crowd and which fall flat.

“We used to have a pretty robust bingo program on Friday mornings,” Nickens said. “For most senior centers across the country, bingo is huge, but a couple of years ago, ours was starting to fizzle. Then we had the pandemic. Now we are back, but they aren’t really asking for bingo anymore. To not have a bingo program is, like, sacrilegious for a senior center.”

One program that has gained popularity in recent years is UPSLIDE. Nickens and Spellman began to see a need for the program, which stands for “utilizing and promoting social engagement in loneliness, isolation and depression in the elderly,” about five years ago. They realized that many who were participating in the center’s programs still lacked the foundational support and meaningful relationships needed to live a meaningful, healthy life.

“We started out with a few people, but by about halfway through the series, we had 22

people in the class,” Nickens said. “We just thought that was mind-blowing because there is this stigma to being lonely. People think something is wrong with you if you are lonely. This was evidence that so many people were feeling that way, so from that, we grew.”

“We experience a great deal of loss in later life, but I think a lot of the loss isn’t just people, it’s a sense of purpose and meaning,” Spellman added. “Sometimes you find people who might have friends, but they’re still very lonely just because of that. That program has done a great job with all types of loneliness.”

Together with the staff at the Tallahassee Senior Center, Spellman and Nickens are breaking stereotypes and building a supportive community for Tallahassee’s seniors regardless of their background.

“We are very diverse here, culturally and socioeconomically,” Spellman said. “That is something we are all very proud of. You can go into pingpong one day, and you’ll see a homeless person playing with one of the most affluent people in Tallahassee. When you have a culture like that, word spreads.” ◆

Wendy Devarieux, standing in photo at left, teaches Tuesday morning art classes at the Tallahassee Senior Center. Participants apply lessons in technique, composition and color in creating pastel landscapes.

Supporting Family Caregivers is Vital in Our Community

By Chris Turner

AARP is fighting to support America’s nearly 48 million family caregivers who help make it possible for older Americans and other loved ones to live independently at home—where they want to be. Every day, millions of caregivers help their parents, spouses and other loved ones remain at home. Family caregivers help with medications and medical care, meals, bathing and dressing, chores and much more. Many do it all while also working full- or part-time jobs. Being able to stay at home keeps our loved ones out of nursing homes and may prevent unnecessary and costly hospitalizations. With ongoing struggles and stresses related to the pandemic, supporting our family caregivers has never been more important. You may know someone, a friend or family member, who is a caregiver. The

challenges they face, and the care they provide, takes a significant toll on their wellbeing. Caring for older loved ones can be expensive, stressful, and isolating— often caregivers put their own health and wellbeing second, third or fourth.

AARP offers many caregiver resources for you or someone you may know, including Care Guides designed to take the stress out of family caregiving. The Care Guides are tailored based on your situation or experience, including firsttime caregivers, conflict in caregiving, caring for a loved one at home, longdistance caregiving, as well as those caring for cancer patients and loved ones with dementia.

AARP Florida has been working to actively engage not only our members, but caregivers as well. Throughout the pandemic, we transitioned to virtual events and experiences to maintain

safety and allow everyone to engage with others. AARP Florida staff worked with partners in our community to provide opportunities, such as yoga classes, art classes, book clubs, and even live music performances featuring the Tallahassee Symphony Orchestra. Our goal is to support mental and physical stimulation and relaxation to all during these times.

Family caregivers are vital in our community, and AARP will continue fighting to support these courageous individuals who perform unpaid care valued at $470 billion a year, helping their older loved ones stay at home. For more information on caregiving, you can visit www.aarp.org/caregiving.

CHRISTOPHER C. TURNER, ASSOCIATE STATE DIRECTOR - COMMUNITY OUTREACH AND ENGAGEMENT AARP FLORIDA

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E x p a n s i v e a n d w e l l a p p o i n t e d c o m m o n a r e a s , f e a t u r i n g a s p a & s a l o n , a r t s t u d i o , m u l t i p l e l o u n g e s , l i b r a r y a n d a t h e a t e r r o o m f o r m o v i e s a n d e v e n t s L a r g e a p a r t m e n t s h o m e s w i t h k i t c h e n s , h i g h e n d f i n i s h e s , s t a i n l e s s s t e e l f u l l s i z e r e f r i g e r a t o r s , w a s h e r & d r y e r s , t i e s h o w e r s , s t o n e c o u n t e r t o p s , a n d d e c o r a t i v e c a b i n e t s R e s t a u r a n t s t y l e d i n i n g a v a i l a b l e i n c l u d i n g a b i s t r o & b a r a n d m a i n d i n i n g r o o m T h r e e c h e f p r e p a r e d , g o u r m e t m e a l s s e r v e d d a i l y w i t h t a b l e s i d e s e r v i c e i n a n e l e g a n t d i n i n g r o o m W e e k l y h o u s e k e e p i n g a n d p e r s o n a l a u n d r y s e r v i c e s C o m p l i m e n t a r y s c h e d u l e d t r a n s p o r t a t i o n A f u l l c a l e n d a r o f s o c i a , e n g a g e m e n t a n d r e c r e a t i o n a l a c t i v i t i e s B e a u t i f u l p r e s e r v e g r o u n d s i n c l u d i n g a c r o q u e t l a w n , o u t d o o r f i r e p l a c e , m u l t i p l e p a t i o s , r a i s e d b e d g a r d e n s , c o u r t y a r d s , a n d l o u n g e a r e a s L a v i s h s p a & s a l o n , m a s s a g e r o o m a n d t h e r a p y & r e h a b s t u d i o

TIME TRAVELS

STORY BY EMMA WITMER PHOTOS BY THE WORKMANS

Ann Bannerman Camp is a time traveler. In one moment, the 92-year-old walks gingerly around her historic Tallahassee home. Her eyesight and hearing are in decline, so each step risks a broken bone. The next moment, she is three years old unwrapping a refurbished tricycle, the gift her parents weren’t sure they could afford amid the Great Depression.

It started about two years ago by Camp’s estimation, long-forgotten memories flooding in with vivid detail. She found a scientific article, though she cannot remember from where, that said this was not an uncommon occurrence. As the future becomes shorter, our brains have more time for the past. Still, it felt like more. It felt like an imperative, a challenge, so she began to write the memories down.

In February of 2022, Camp reached out to a friend whose writing she admired, David Campbell. Together, with some advice from Big Bend Poet Laureate and longtime friend Mary Jane Ryals, Camp and Campbell collect the memories. Camp doesn’t worry about punctuation, capitalization or telling the same story twice. She just gets the memories down on her large-font iPad and sends them to Campbell. What to do next is up to him.

“I don’t keep up with what he’s doing with it,” Camp said with a matter-of-fact tone. “I don’t feel that it’s anything I need to worry about. He knows that he has the freedom to change things without the original intent being lost. I have no interest in telling him what to do. None whatsoever.”

“We are hoping, of course, that it will be published,” Campbell said. “Ann will be 93 this year, however, and this is her last big project. She is in remarkable health for someone her age, but as she tells me every day, ‘I could go to bed tonight and not wake up,’ and she’s right. She’s got a bee in her bonnet, as we say, about getting this done fast. So, we’ve set a sort of deadline. One year to get it all down.”

Ann remembers her father losing his job as a civil engineer, drawing Hitler with horns during World War II and her grandmother’s garden. She remembers other things too, such as racial segregation, things that dumbfounded her even then. But of the horrors and injustices she remembers from that era, certain memories cut deeper than others.

She cries when she tells the story about the young Black girl, Anise, who

Memoirist Ann Camp is cursed with kindness

Ann Camp, 92, has given herself a year in which to record her lifetime of memories. Throughout her life, she has been intolerant of suffering and willing to adopt the perspective of others.

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went on vacation with her family to help cook and look after the children so many years ago. “I probably didn’t pay her what she was worth, I can admit that,” Camp said. Anise ate with the family, played with the children and, when she didn’t feel like cooking, traded turns with Camp. It was no different than any other family trip to St. Teresa Beach.

Until it was time to go home.

On their route through Carrabelle, Camp and the kids stopped at a soda fountain for Coke floats. While Camp milled about the store, Anise sat at the counter with the kids.

“I began to notice that the man behind the counter was getting a little unsettled,” Camp remembered. “After we finished, I asked for a Coke, and he excused himself and went into the back room. He came back out with another man, and the man looked at me and said, ‘Ma’am, we can serve them and you, but we can’t serve her.’ That broke my heart, and my children didn’t understand.”

Camp told the men that she and her family would not be back. She took Anise by the hand and asked her

to sit next to her the rest of the way home. The drive was silent, Camp remembers, apart from Anise’s sobs.

Despite, or perhaps because of Camp’s emotional response to the memory, she was reluctant to share it with Campbell.

“I don’t want to be preachy,” Camp said again and again.

But some stories cannot be sepa rated from their emotional toll, and I asked Camp how she, a Southern girl from a prominent family of one-time slaveholders, knew that racism was wrong. We decided that it came down to empathy. You cannot identify with people that you are unwilling to know. You must expose yourself to their pain and personhood.

“I have always had incredible ad miration and respect for her forwardthinking approach, particularly in the 1940s to the 1960s when Tallahassee was still a very provincial, Southern town steeped in all the ugliness of seg regation,” Campbell said. “Ann’s path was never the most popular.”

As we spoke, Camp’s daughter, Carden Alexandre, floated in and out of the warm living room where we sat.

“I was just telling Emma how you said I put a curse on you,” Camp chuckled.

Cursed with kindness, it seems. The mother and daughter laughed for some time about their inability to watch any creature’s suffering.

“I go out every night with the skimmer and get these beetles that are dying out of my pool because I can’t stand to see them dying!” Alexandre said.

It reminded me of something Camp had mentioned earlier in our conversation.

“All my long life, I have been motivated to shelter,” Camp said. “How we all need shelter, all creatures. If you are going to make someone happy or some creature, they have to have shelter. I began to put all the things that I have been fascinated with — nature, bird seasons, architecture — but I think the underlying theme of my whole life project has been making things better for something or someone.”

Before establishing her interior design firm, Camp said she wanted to be an architect. In her youth, Camp built clubhouses in the bushes around her home. As a student, she worked on a project to design stylish interiors for Section 8 housing on a meager budget. She has kept a dozen or so bird houses and feeders right outside her kitchen windows for decades.

“I could write a book if I wanted to act like I had the answers to everything. I don’t have the answers to any of it,” Camp said. “With what I am writing about, I would like to think that I would leave every bit of the thought about what it means to the reader.” ◆

Ann Camp has entrusted David Campbell, a friend whose writing she admires, to edit her draft of personal history. She leaves the little stuff — punctuation and capitalization and such — to him, and she remains focused on downloading memories.

GARNET AND GOLDEN YEARS

STORY BY EMMA WITMER // PHOTOS BY THE WORKMANS

Have you ever wondered what happened to the once thriving shade tobacco in dustry in the Red Hills region? Or how your favorite movies were made? Maybe you are curious about quantum reality and our place in the universe?

There is a wealth of knowledge out there that — whether due to work, personal struggles or the simple desire to graduate college as quickly as possible — we never get around to learning. Thanks to the dedicated staff, instructors and volunteers at the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute, Tallahassee seniors have a second chance to broaden their horizons and form

meaningful relationships with their peers in the community.

The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute, or OLLI, as it’s known around town, is a membership-based program that offers dozens of classes, unique excursions, engaging club activities and international travel geared toward people ages 50 and up. OLLI Program Coordinator Terry Aaronson states that there are no age restrictions on membership.

“The average age of our members is around 70, but we have people in their 40s and younger,” Aaronson said. “On our previous study abroad trip to

OLLI members complete a guided tour of the demonstration gardens at the UF/IFAS Leon County Extension Office. Beds within the garden have differing light and water requirements. Students note the approach taken to the bed that most closely mirrors the conditions at their homes.

Greece, we had a 30-year-old. People love intergenerational interaction. We’ve had classes where graduates and undergraduates participated.”

Annual membership fees for OLLI are $95, while a semester membership costs $60. In-person OLLI classes are held either on Florida State University’s (FSU) campus at the Claude Pepper Center or at off-campus facilities like Westminster Oaks, Red Hills Village Retirement Resort and Allegro. According to OLLI Executive Director Debra Herman, history, science and the arts are among the most popular topics selected by the member-run curriculum board, but ultimately, the course catalog is as diverse as the members themselves.

These courses are taught by subject matter experts, retired deans and professors from FSU, Tallahassee Community College

Osher Lifelong Learning Institute proves that curiosity never retires

and Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University, among others. With the advent of virtual classes during the COVID-19 pandemic, the OLLI curriculum board has had the opportunity to involve international instructors from England’s Cambridge University, as well.

Much like a typical college schedule, OLLI courses are broken up into fall, spring and summer semesters. Unlike a typical university experience, OLLI classes have no home work, no tests and no grades,

“We had one member who said that OLLI saved her life. It really means so much to know you helped someone go on if they lost their husband and didn’t know what to do or retired, and then they found OLLI and made all new friends. That’s what amazes me. Their whole friendship circle is people they meet here.” — Terry Aaronson, OLLI Program Coordinator

allowing members to engross themselves in the material that is of interest to them without the stress of a red pen.

“Still, (the members) love it when the professor gives them a booklist,” Herman said. “They get the books and read them and ask all kinds of questions. The professors often say, ‘This is why I chose the teaching profession. These are people who really are interested.’ They aren’t on their phones. They want to be in class.”

Herman often says, “They come for the classes but stay for the friendship.” OLLI’s various clubs and social events are an opportunity to make friends and stay active, something that can become increasingly difficult with age.

“We send out evaluations at the end of every semester,” Aaronson said. “We had one member who said that OLLI saved her life. It really means so much to know you helped someone go on if they lost their husband and didn’t know what to do or retired, and then they found OLLI and made all new friends. That’s what amazes me. Their whole friendship circle is people they meet here.”

While COVID-19 and the transition to online learning led to a minor drop in enrollment, Herman said, virtual classes have allowed members from outlying communities to participate like never before. Before the pandemic, there were about 1,200 members enrolled in the OLLI program. Today, that number sits around 850, but now that in-person classes are up and running again, Herman and Aaronson are seeing a resurgence in participation.

“We have a lot of benefits of membership,” Herman said. “It’s not just paying a fee and taking classes. You can join in all these field trips. Some have a cost; some don’t. They just need to sign up online. Same with the socials. People really find their comfort zone with the book club, for instance, and then they meet on the outside and do things and have birthday parties. It just blossoms.”

This is not the first time OLLI has worked to grow its membership. Today, the program is run through an endowment from the Osher Foundation, a national organization that supports 124 membership-driven senior education programs around the country. At its inception in 1992, the program consisted of just nine founding members and a vision.

“When we started, there was no Osher,” Aaronson said. “We were low, low on any kind of FSU radar. We were just a small little program.”

Over time, the program grew. By 2011, membership reached its goal of 500, enough to qualify for the Osher Foundation’s $1 million grant, but they did not stop there. Five years later, membership had doubled to 1,000, and OLLI accepted a second $1 million grant to continue its vision.

“Word of mouth is everything,” Aaronson continued. “When I first started, people would have no idea what OLLI was. There is still some of that, but now when I go places and say I work for OLLI, so many people will say, ‘Oh, I love OLLI!’ It has really gotten around.” ◆

A MORE RESILIENT TOMORROW

STORY BY EMMA WITMER // PHOTOS BY DAVE BARFIELD

Florida State University’s (FSU) Claude Pepper Institute on Aging and Public Policy houses some of the na tion’s premier voices on aging who, through research and policy efforts, are working to better understand and address the issues facing America’s ever-growing el derly population.

The Claude Pepper Institute on Aging and Public Policy has two branches: the Pepper Center, which seeks to influence public policy, and the Pepper Institute,

which conducts research. Though tech nically separate entities, the Center and Institute inform one another, and now more than ever, they work in lockstep thanks to the recent appointments of Pepper Center Director Dawn Carr and Pepper Institute Director Miles Taylor.

Taylor, who assumed her current position in 2021, and Carr, who took office in 2022, have a longstanding collegial relationship and friendship. In addition to the women’s fascination with the process of aging and

Claude Pepper Institute creates a better future for senior adults

Pepper Institute director Miles Taylor and Pepper Center director Dawn Carr share a fascination with factors that influence the later years of life. Both spent years as caregivers for family members.

factors related to later life, Taylor and Carr share a personal connection with their sub ject matter, a kinship that has guided their efforts through an experiential lens as much as an academic one.

“I grew up with my grandmother, so ag ing and older adults have been a part of my life forever,” Taylor said. “I started working on topics related to how to keep older folks as independent, especially functionally in dependent, as long as possible.”

Like Taylor, Carr spent much of her for mative years as a caregiver. Before pursu ing her interdisciplinary studies in social gerontology, Carr attended Arizona State University as an orchestral trumpet player. While there, she was largely responsible for her elderly grandmothers and eventually her ailing mother, who lost her battle with cancer while Carr was still in her early 20s.

“The end-of-life story was really intense in my early 20s,” Carr said. “My whole life was just surrounded by elderly people. I spent more time around the elderly than people my age, even in college, which is unusual. Usually when you are in college, you’re around young people and partying. I was doing none of that. I was caregiving. Caregiving and playing bridge with people in their 70s and 80s.”

This experience, coupled with an injury that halted Carr’s budding musical career, led her to the University of Miami, where her academic deep dive into later life began. In the years, fellowships and degrees that followed, Carr and Taylor formed a bond, eventually leading Carr to leave her position at the Stanford Center on Longevity to join Taylor as a researcher at the Pepper Institute.

Here, the two have explored a wide range of research topics from the challenges mil lennial caregivers face to equitable distribu tion of services across demographic lines, to cognitive impairment and delayed or phased retirement because of increased lon gevity and economic imperative.

In her new role as a champion for public policy on aging, Carr is working to estab lish better, more clear channels to commu nicate with legislators than have existed in the past. She sees opportunities to leverage this research to increase financial assistance to combat poverty, intervene in early life to

promote positive overall life trajectory and reimagine the modern work environment in ways that could benefit an aging workforce. Carr’s research and policy efforts around the “new retirement” is particularly rele vant during the nation’s ongoing (and much reported) workforce shortage.

“You talk to someone hiring, and they will say, ‘I want someone who is young and hungry,’ but there are people who are hun gry at every age,” Carr said.

“There are all these benefits of hav ing new models for work that won’t just help older people but help people who are younger. Not everyone wants to work full time. There are a lot of people who are mo tivated to have a part-time job, but there is no structure for that. For some odd reason, we set this bar for what number of hours is associated with being able to qualify for benefits. That policy alone could change all kinds of things.”

In recent years, Taylor and Carr’s re search has, in large part, been centered around the concept of resilience. Rather than studying resilience in the traditional sense, by simply measuring outcomes in the face of hardship, researchers at the Pepper Institute have developed a first-of-its-kind data set to study resilience as what Taylor and Carr call an “internalized resource.”

“This has been one of the most robust predictors of health that we have seen,”

Taylor said. “We know that you cannot change a lot about a person once they have reached a certain age. You cannot change that someone has been a smoker their whole life. You can’t change whether they got a college degree or have a lot of financial re sources. But internalized resilience is some thing that there is potential for boosting.”

Resilience, research shows, is supported by interpersonal and financial resources, but these factors do not create resilience. That, Taylor said, is the million-dollar question.

“It turns out that older adults are experts on resilience,” Taylor said. “They have had life experiences, challenges and hopefully a lifetime to develop the things we know protect us and give us these resilience re sources: spirituality, relationships with each other, a sense of purpose in life, family — things that give us meaning.

“You can’t be in a resource-deprived place and be expected to adapt and bounce back,” Taylor later added. “When you think about issues facing older adults, things like Medicare, social security and financial sol vency, these things are extremely important as a baseline necessity.”

Taylor, Carr and the team of researchers at their backs have not cracked the code on resilience just yet, but they are not deterred. Each study brings them one step closer to understanding how to bolster our society and ready us for an uncertain future.

Exhibits at the Pepper Center depict scenes from the life of Claude Pepper, who represented Florida in the U.S. Senate and later served as a congressman. As chairman of the House Committee on Aging, he championed reforms to Medicare and Social Security. He was born in Chambers County, Alabama, and spent his early years on a farm.

VISIT NORTHWEST FLORIDA BEACHES

WELCOME

Enchanting Sands

The Gulf Coast

Grayton Beach in South Walton County forms part of a string of villages and communities, each with a quaint personality and history to

PHOTO BY KANSAS LEA PHOTOGRAPHY & DESIGN STUDIO

Jonah Allen

BY STEVE BORNHOFT

The light must be right. If it’s not, photographic artist Jonah Allen won’t bother taking his camera out of the bag. And light is just the beginning. Other elements must align if Allen is to arrive at the kind of image that he might wait months to capture: tide, wind, wave height, wave interval and patterns in sand made by water.

To all of that, add tannic outflow from a dune lake entering a crystalline Gulf, and the shot just makes Where Waters Meet, Allen’s recently published photographic coffee table book that arrived after a five-year photographic study of the 30A region.

Allen has carved out a tightly defined niche for himself in South Walton County, selling large-format prints of water in motion. Where Waters Meet, the first arrival of Allen’s three-book photographic series, presents a more accessible window into the hydrophile’s artistic vision.

I’ll put it to you this way: He photographs energy.

“I am always photographing things that are very, very ephemeral,” Allen said. “They exist for a very little bit of time, and then they are gone.”

Allen grew up in Atlanta, landlocked hours away from saltwater. But he discovered an affinity for surfing as a boy

vacationing with his family in Seaside and was, as some say, “ruint.” Never again would the city that once adopted the motto, “People Seem to Like It Here,” feel like home.

He attended the University of Georgia in Athens where he studied marketing, art and music business and worked for Red & Black, the campus newspaper, as a photographer focused on concerts.

Still, big water pulled on him, and after college, he traveled the world surfing for a year, making stops in Hawaii, Chile, Peru and Bali. Off Kauai, he was overwhelmed by a 20-foot wave that had looked manageable when he first spotted the break a half-mile off. In South America, he encountered subsistence fishermen and dramatic evidence of sea-level rise. In Indonesia, he gained an appreciation for the ancient rice-paddy irrigation system called “subak.”

All along the way, the chance that he would ever settle down away from water evaporated.

In December 2017, he moved to South Walton County from Georgia, resolved to make his living as a photographer.

“There are three ways you can learn,” Allen said. “By failing, from books and from mentors. I have a friend and mentor, David Darby, who owns a recording studio. He told me never have a fallback plan because if you do, you will fall back.”

SoWal photographer mesmerized by water

A thin ribbon of lightly vegetated sand separates the fresh water of Campbell Lake near Sandestin from the Gulf of Mexico.

BY JONAH ALLEN AND SEAN MURPHY (ALLEN IN WATER)

Allen, accepting that advice, has proceeded to make waves without an alternative plan. Allen launched his new studio/gallery, Epic Photo Co., in July of last year alongside the debut of “Jonah Allen – An Intentional Moment,” a documentary filmed by Shane Reynolds, that follows his life and creative pursuits. Where Waters Meet made its longawaited splash in early 2022.

And, his collection of keeper images, most of them from South Walton and elsewhere in the Southeast, is steadily growing.

Allen uses the “best equipment I can afford,” but even the best of equipment cannot bring about the perfect moment. He often prefers the perspective gained by shooting water from the air and, to do so, has employed drones, ladders and cranes and gone for helicopter rides. But, too, he takes photos from the shore and while in the water.

Most of his shots are taken in the first two hours after dawn. Then, the light is right, and he can hope to photograph a stretch of sand before it is marred by the first footprints of the day. To preserve such opportunities, he has cordoned off the beach in spots with ropes and pleaded with early morning walkers not to intrude upon his shot.

Allen estimates that 90 percent of the photos in his portfolio — see jonahallen.com — were taken within 15 miles of his home near Eastern Lake and within two minutes of the beach. He tends to roll out of bed at the last possible moment and then sprint or bicycle to the sand in time for first light.

Over the course of two years, Allen pursued a project to photograph every coastal dune lake in Walton County from the air. These natural phenomena, Allen said, are one of the region’s greatest assets, but they are often misunderstood by visitors. He aims to change that.

“I would hear tourists on the beach complaining about this ‘dirty water,’ and so it was almost a challenge to me,” Allen said. “How can I make this water that people think is ugly look really beautiful? How can I draw people into it? That was the catalyst to the project, but what has really drawn me to it is how dynamic they are. It’s the juncture of these two bodies of water mixing and dancing, so for me, it’s the contrast between the waters.

“They can fill up with rainwater and burst, and you have an outfall that connects them to the Gulf,” Allen said. “Where the freshwater and saltwater meet, those are my favorite places.

“The outfalls are very dynamic. They change every hour. It’s really cool to watch.”

More of that ephemeral stuff.

Allen recognized early on that he doesn’t like to take pictures for others.

“I like to take images for me that I share with other people,” he said.

In that, he has a purpose that goes beyond making a living.

“I can’t cause people to care about the water or the environment unless they experience it firsthand,” Allen said. “But if my images

inspire people to go out in the water and feel it and develop a respect for it, then they might just care about the future of it.

“We live in a very special place in Northwest Florida,” he added, and said he is concerned about the pace and planned scale of development in the region. “If I could go back and experience this place as it was 100 years ago, that’s what I’d do.”

And he’d take his camera.

Emma Witmer contributed to this story.

Jonah Allen, top, in his element. The untrodden subjects favored by the photographer, when shot from the air, can have an otherworldly appearance.

On the Waterfront: Dining with a view

While the incredible variety of local cuisine options makes dining in Walton County, Florida, a delectable experience, one distinct advantage is the stunning backdrop provided by all the diverse local waterways. Whether it’s for a date night, a casual family meal or drinks with friends, there are countless spots to celebrate with a breathtaking view.

Ready for Romance

A table for two is better with a view. And when it comes to a romantic meal with that special someone, nothing beats a sunset on the water.

At Fish Out of Water (FOOW) in WaterColor, you’ll find great views, along with a Southern twist on several madefrom-scratch dishes. From oysters and the Gulf fish sandwich to the grouper and swordfish, Chef Matt Moore serves

inspired dishes in a casual, beautiful space overlooking the Gulf of Mexico. Not to mention, FOOW has one of the best happy hours in South Walton, complete with live entertainment — perfect for date night.

At Vue on 30a, you’re set high up on a dune overlooking the pristine beach, with nothing between you and the glorious spectacle of a water-meets-sky horizon line. The breathtaking views help complement an upbeat ambiance in

Fish Out of Water (FOOW)

the dining room — perfect for special events. And a menu of updated classics — including plenty of fresh seafood — is always sure to please.

Casual Good Eats

With a bait house, fishing charter and restaurant all under one roof, Stinky’s Fish Camp sure has a big-picture understanding of seafood. They serve up some of the freshest catch on the coast with a laid-back atmosphere. Be sure to check out their Sunday brunch and famous Oyster Log. It’s a true work of art. They’re just steps from the Gulf, and plenty of outdoor seating along scenic Allen Lake also provides a different type of view.

For yet another alternative waterfront, stop by The Bay, aptly named for its location right on the banks of the beautiful Choctawhatchee Bay. Nestled in Santa Rosa Beach,

they often have live music and a festive bonfire. With a wide-ranging menu that covers both an incredible lobster roll and Vietnamese-style chicken wings, every palate will be pleased here. Family-friendly, it’s a true winner for all ages.

Also on the bay is Nick’s Seafood, a long-standing favorite of locals. They’re well-known for an array of options such as blue crabs, oysters and shrimp. The no-frills ambiance is very relaxed, with a mix of tables and seats at the bar, as well as an outdoor patio space. It has the feel of a familiar neighborhood spot. And if you time it right, you just might behold the spectacle of their annual winter bonfire — most likely the largest you’ve ever encountered.

If you’re in the mood for more of a resort-style environment without losing the relaxed vibe, bring the family over to Barefoot’s Beachside Bar & Grill at

Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa — open to the public daily. Pair a panoramic Gulf vista with some zesty fish tacos and a tropical drink. And if you’re ready for something a bit more upscale, just head downstairs for a dinner at Seagar’s, the area’s only AAA FourDiamond steakhouse.

Elevated Evenings

There’s nothing like a night on the town with friends, cocktails and a view. Fortunately, South Walton has plenty of great spots to grab a drink and a rooftop vista with your crew.

Kick the celebration off ceremoniously, with Bud & Alley’s time-honored tradition of ringing the bell to mark sunset. Right in the middle of the action in Seaside, this South Walton classic has tasty bites, a fun atmosphere and an iconic view of the beach. Meet some friends for a playful spin on your favorite refreshments (the fruitier, the better).

Pescado overlooks the Gulf from a perfect perch in Rosemary Beach. The space is sleek and sophisticated while remaining casual. Their eclectic menu ranges from small plates and a raw bar to shareable large-format dishes.

Over at The Pearl Hotel, you’ll find the Havana Beach Rooftop Lounge and its classic bar serving craft cocktails, beer and wine. This elegant oasis with vintage Cuban styling might transport you to another time and place. But there’s no time like the present to share a few contemporary, Gulf-to-table dishes.

Spreading the Flavor

South Walton cuisine is in high demand, so sometimes the taste has to travel. Being masters of their craft, some of the top chefs — including those from Stinky’s, FOOW and Hilton Sandestin — are often showcased at events outside of the area, such as Emeril Lagasse Foundation’s Boudin, Bourbon & Beer in New Orleans. While you may not be able to take in the same South Walton views, you can at least be reminded of them while savoring some of your favorite meals. These daydream dishes will help tide you over until you can return and rest your eyes on the glorious local waterways.

VISIT SOUTH WALTON VisitSouthWalton.com

Stinky’s Fish Camp

The Bay

Paint the Town

The Bay Arts Alliance brings art to the public with its ongoing mural project

BY EMMA WITMER

Morgan Summers, a lettering artist and muralist inspired by the sign painters of the ’60s, is leaving brush strokes all over Panama City Beach as part of the Bay Arts Alliance’s mural project, an ongoing push to expand the presence of public art in the city.

Perhaps the most notable of Summers’ contributions is a postcard-style mural commissioned by the alliance that lines the Bay County Chamber of Commerce. The mural, which features Summers’ characteristic limited color palette and mod lettering style, pays homage to the historic post office across the street as well as several notable landmarks throughout the city. Hidden among the letters in “Welcome to Panama City” are depictions of The Hathaway Bridge and the Martin Theater, sites that hold significance to both Panama City and Summers, herself.

“My favorite little detail is the facade of the Martin Theater,” Summers said. “It’s got

a very distinctive logo in there as an Easter egg. I used to do talent shows and dance performances there, and they have been working on restoring it since the hurricane came through, but that has taken a lot of time. The view of the bridge is from a little park that I used to go to as a kid.”

Jayson Kretzer, the executive director of the Bay Arts Alliance, floated the idea to develop a mural walk in Panama City many times over the years, but there simply were no systems in place to get the idea off the ground until late 2018. The devastation of Hurricane Michael in October of that year instigated efforts from multiple Bay County organizations to not only repair the city’s damage, but to beautify the area’s urban spaces and invest in communitysourced talent.

“In a time like that, people wanted to see color,” Kretzer said.

It was no surprise then, that Kretzer found overwhelming support from organizations like

Among the murals new to downtown Panama City is one created to mimic an old timey postcard.

“Our mission is to help creatives,” Kretzer said. “We want to make sure artists get paid for what they do; it’s really a win-win. It’s good for the business that gets the mural, it’s good for the artists and it’s a nice thing to look at when you are walking around.”

The murals are not, as Kretzer emphasized, advertisements. He and the board at the Bay Arts Alliance carefully select each artist for their unique style and personal connection with the area. The vast majority of muralists to contribute to the project have called Bay County home for more than eight years, though it did not start out that way.

“There weren’t a lot of muralists in the area at the time, so we brought in Cameron Moberg, who has been televised for his work, to paint our first mural,” Kretzer said. “Then we figured we would pay him to do a free mural workshop for our local artists to help get their chops up.”

Destination Panama City, the St. Joe Community Foundation and the Downtown Improvement Board. Grants help to cover the cost of materials and pay the artists for their work.

To learn more about Morgan Summers’ work, visit uhbeautifulmes.com.

Morgan Summers

Jayson Kretzer, the executive director of the Bay Arts Alliance in Panama City, casts his own shadow onto a mural featuring a honey bee bent on pollination.

PHOTOS BY MORGAN SUMMERS (PAINTBRUSH), MICHAEL BOOINI (JAYSON) AND LOU COLUMBUS (MORGAN)

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Summers grew up in Panama City but fled to design school in Orlando to pursue an artistic career. Once there, however, she found the city’s arts community to be uninspiring. When she heard about the mural project happening in her hometown, Summers packed her bags and moved back, starting her first mural project, Small Town Walls, a series of murals dedicated to her favorite small towns around the country. This project, which is on display in Summer’s home studio, Uh Beautiful Mes, helped to hone her skills and prepare her to work with the Bay Arts Alliance.

“It was exciting for me to see that having a creative career in a small town is possible because I was looking to get out of the city,” Summers said. “It was an absolute joy to get in on that project and work with Jayson and Bay Arts.”

Today, dozens of murals decorate Panama City and Bay County at large. Many of the works, which depict natural scenes, animals, historical figures and a few recent abstract additions, are a product of the Bay Arts Alliance’s Mural Project, but not all. The efforts of Kretzer, his board and band of artists have inspired a wider movement among the community to invest in public art.

“Public art is important,” Kretzer said. “Our vision is to put art on every corner. We want to make art accessible to everybody regardless of their socioeconomic status. You may never notice that brick wall on your commute, but put art on that wall, and it can speak. I just think that those things are important to a community. It builds pride. It brings community itself.”

Monarch butterflies dot the Center for the Arts in downtown Panama City.

Jayson Kretzer hopes to install art on every street corner in downtown Panama City. An especially imposing example is a larger-than-life hammerhead shark.

PHOTOS BY MICHAEL BOOINI

HOW TO BEST HARVEST FEST

A guide to Destin Charity Wine Auction Foundation’s Harvest Wine & Food Festival

repare your palate for the de licious experience of the sixth annual Harvest Wine & Food Festival on Oct. 13-16, 2022. The weekend of epicurean excellence merges refined wines and culinary cre ations to taste the finer things in life.

The weekend encompasses intimate wine dinners hosted in restaurants and private homes throughout South Walton. The main event, The Grand Tasting, with world-class wineries and culinary stations, concludes with a cocktail brunch on Sunday. Throughout, attendees have access to a silent auction with chances to win premier wines, staycations and luxury travel accommodations.

Produced by the Destin Charity Wine Auction Foundation, each event ticket purchased and auction item bid on benefits 17 local children’s charities

that aid with homelessness, medical care, food insecurity and more.

In the spirit of making the most out of your Harvest Fest experience, Kate MacMillan, director of marketing and communications for Destin Charity Wine Auction Foundation, suggests selecting a wine dinner to attend on Thursday or Friday, treating yourself to the VIP tent during the Grand Tasting for access to headlining wineries, and attending the cocktail brunch to round out a complete weekend.

The year 2020 changed the way that the festival proceeded, and in one specific aspect, for the better. With the arrival of smaller, intimate events came an increase in winemaker dinners and the addition of the Sunday cocktail brunch. In two years, both events have been expanded and improved upon.

In 2022, there will be four wine dinners on Thursday and another three on Friday. Thursday’s selection includes Ovid Napa Valley and Chef Fleetwood Covington at Seagar’s Prime Steaks & Seafood; a sensory experience of vinyl records and pasta with Chef Craig Richards of Atlanta and Senses Wines; a multicourse wine dinner at Ovide in Hotel Effie; and a wine-paired dinner at Vin’tij Food + Wine.

On Friday, chef Kristen Hall of The Essential Birmingham will lead a lineup of female chefs in a multicourse dinner highlighting wines from Saint Helena Winery. Mimmo’s new 30A location will host the Reynolds Family Winery with perfectly paired dishes. A wine dinner featuring Tarpon Cellars completes the lineup. Scenic Cerulean Park will be the site of the Grand Tasting boasting worldwide wines, seafood from our local shores and provision stations manned by the Southeast’s most prized chefs. The VIP tent, presented by Emerald Coast

Magazine, will serve elevated eats, boutique wine samplings, live music, a lounge and cocktail bar.

Culminate with cocktails crafted by Better Together Beverage. This year’s brunch will fea ture the hosts of the podcast Agave Road Trip who will take attendees on a journey through te quila tasting. Brunch will be concocted by Chef Phil McDonald of Black Bear Bread Company. MacMillan advises purchasing tickets and lodging swiftly, as it’s a highly popular event attracting hundreds to one of the year’s best beach weekends before fall and winter settle in.

“We work hard to create a beautiful weekend in every way — the unbeatable setting of WaterColor, the boutique wines you can’t find in stores, the celebrity chefs from throughout the Southeast and money raised for charity,” MacMillan said. “All of this combines to create an experience that guests want to keep coming back to, bringing their friends each year.”

➤ AMIKids

➤ Ascension Sacred Heart Emerald Coast

➤ Boys & Girls Clubs of the Emerald Coast

➤ Children in Crisis, Inc.

➤ Children’s Volunteer Health Network

➤ Emerald Coast Autism Center

➤ Emerald Coast Children’s Advocacy Center

➤ Ellison McCraney Ingram Foundation

➤ Food For Thought

➤ Habitat for Humanity of Walton County

➤ Mental Health Association of Okaloosa & Walton Counties

➤ Opportunity Place

➤ Point Washington Medical Clinic

➤ Shelter House of Northwest Florida

➤ The Arc of the Emerald Coast

➤ Westonwood Ranch

➤ Youth Village

To learn more and purchase tickets, visit HarvestWineandFood.com

More than $28 MILLION has been raised by DCWAF to benefit the following local children’s charities:

Sharks and Mackerel and More

BY EMMA WITMER

It had been a slow day on the docks. Helen Donaldson, seated at AJ’s Seafood & Oyster Bar on a deck overlooking the Destin Fishing Rodeo leaderboard, could have counted on her fingers the number of spectators milling about below. Such lulls in activity are not unusual at the tournament, which is like all things fishing.

News of big catches travels fast, however, and crowds can regenerate in a flash like they did when an 11-foot, 844-pound shark was brought to the scales in 2007.

“Within about 10 minutes, there were probably 1,500 people standing around the dock looking at this mako shark,” said Donaldson, the Destin Fishing Rodeo’s longtime executive director. “Something like that happens generally every rodeo. Everything will be quiet and moving along like a normal day, then a big fish is weighed in, and people just come out of the woodwork.”

The massive mako captivated both onlookers and rodeo recordkeepers — the shark bested the tournament’s previous mako record by more than 300 pounds.

John Brashears, who has been involved with the rodeo as a photographer or board member since 2008, put the record-shattering catch into perspective.

“We call Rodeo a T-shirt tournament,” Brashears said. “It’s bragging rights. It’s camaraderie. It’s not a big money tournament; it’s a fun family tournament.”

The 74-year-old Destin Fishing Rodeo keeps traditions alive

Begun in 1948, the Destin Fishing Rodeo is the longest-running fishing tournament on the Gulf coast. Brashears calls it “living history.”

Each October, the Destin Harbor Boardwalk welcomes about 35,000 anglers who participate in divisions based on age, gender, where you fish and what you fish for. Participation in the tournament is free to the public, but private vessels must be registered for a fee — $50 for a kayak or paddleboard, $200 for boats under 25 feet and 11 inches, and $300 for larger boats. Charter boat and party boat captains stay busy, hauling hopeful anglers out on big water.

King mackerel figure in a tournament within the tournament, the Big Mac Classic, which pays a $10,000 prize to the angler reeling in the biggest “smoker” and benefits the Ronald McDonald House of Northwest Florida. And the tournament helps see to the next generation of anglers by giving away some 1,500 rod-andreel combinations to junior anglers.

Even so, Donaldson said, it’s not all about the fishing.

“It really is a spectator sport,” Donaldson said. “We have a fabulous storyteller. Our weighmaster Bruce Cheves has been with the rodeo longer than I have. We have people who stay the entire month of October, and they do not fish, but they come to that rodeo every

Rodeo Awards for 1950

The following prizes were among those awarded at the third annual Destin Fishing Rodeo.

LARGEST EDIBLE FISH

One lot in Destin, donated by Tyler Calhoun. Value: $500 Abstract, title and insurance donated by Okaloosa Abstract Co. Value: $100

LARGEST TARPON

Johnson outboard motor donated by Destin Community Center. Value: $128

LARGEST GROUPER

Electric stainless-steel dishwashing machine, donated by Fort Walton Gas Co. Value: $49.50

Gas heater donated by Fowler Butane Gas Co., Pensacola. Value: $24.50

Deck chair donated by Danley Furniture Co., DeFuniak Springs. Value: $14.50

LARGEST REDFISH

6.00 x 16 automobile tire donated by Pure Oil Products, Crestview. Value: $15

Coupon donated by Dreamland Motel, DeFuniak Springs. Value: $10

Dozen cans of beer donated by Ben Thyson Distributing, Pensacola. Value: $2.50

LARGEST TRIGGERFISH

Cash donated by C.L. Kelly, Destin. Value: $25

Windshield wiper donated by Douglas Creel, DeFuniak Springs. Value: $6.25

Dozen cans of beer donated by Cook’s Beer Co., Pensacola. Value: $2.50

Longtime Destin Fishing Rodeo weighmaster Bruce Cheves is equal parts tournament official, entertainer and storyteller. The bigger the hook, the taller the tale.

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day just to listen to him tell stories, and of course, watch the fish be weighed in.

“That’s one of the things that is so cool about Bruce,” Brashears added. “He has been here so long that he knows the history. He’s a storytelling machine, and he can tell you about things way back when. I always say he’s a lot smarter than he looks because he looks like a crusty old fisherman.”

When Brashears and his family moved from Louisiana to Destin in 1986, the coastal village was still a quiet fisherman’s paradise unlike the “little Disney World” Destin has become. The Destin Fishing Rodeo is a lasting reminder of more relaxed times.

Years ago, Brashears’ son Jake met the “love of his life” at the rodeo. She was a charter boat captain’s daughter and the reigning Miss Destin, and he was smitten. This year, the couple, fittingly, is planning an October wedding.

A favorite among locals, the Destin Fishing Rodeo also draws in crowds from some 37 states and several countries, according to Donaldson. They come to fish, yes, but

as Brashears and Donaldson will tell you, Destin’s beaches, waterparks, restaurants and nightlife are all part of the draw.

“Nobody saves their money all year to go to Gary, Indiana,” Brashears laughed.

“October is a fantastic month here. It never rains. It’s 80 degrees during the day, 65 at night. People come down, and they happen upon the rodeo and give it a try. Once they give it a try, they are coming back.”

Sportfishing yachts, top, depart the Destin Harbor. With an event geared toward junior anglers, the Destin Fishing Rodeo outfits a new generation of fishers with rods and reels.

The Cascade at Sandestin

Condos with Gulf views and a big-city vibe

The Cascade at Sandestin® will present a strong upside — 24 stories worth. Located inside of the gates of the Sandestin® Golf and Beach Resort, The Cascade will feature three- and fourbedroom condos and penthouse suites, all of them examples of modern opulence.

The project will answer the desires of people seeking contemporary and luxurious spaces, enviable amenities and the ease of a beachfront, private lifestyle.

“This development is unique in this area because there are no other ultra-modern, super sexy high-rise buildings,” said Sara Becnel, Asset Manager and Vice President of Development of Sandestin® Golf and Beach Resort. “The finishes and luxurious style and amenities are more like what you’d get in a big city. We are thrilled to be able to bring this product with views of the Gulf of Mexico to our area.”

The groundbreaking, at this writing, is in the near future. Becnel said construction

will last about two years. She is confident that the project will interest both area residents and people from large inland markets such as Atlanta and Dallas.

The Cascade will feature private elevators and, inside the units, European white oak floors, kitchen islands, quartz countertops, chef’s kitchens, oversized master bedrooms and other exquisite touches.

The amenities alone are reason enough to invest. An expansive pool deck will surround a 2,030-square-foot swimming pool with a sun shelf. Plans also include a pickleball court, hot tub, barbecue grills, a fire pit, lounge area and cabanas.

Inside, a social room will nicely accommodate group activities with its catering kitchen. The Cascade will also include a game room and fitness center, work-share space and guest suites will be available for rent by owners entertaining visitors.

THE CASCADE AT SANDESTIN

MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT A SANDESTIN

CASCADE@SANDESTINREALESTATE.COM

“The Cascade will be luxe and lovely, yet still comfortable and relaxing with thoughtful design elements throughout,” Becnel said. “I am excited to bring this type of development to this area and to continue to elevate the options offered at Sandestin® Golf and Beach Resort.”

REAL ESTATE AGENT

1-800-277-0801

Destination Apalach

BY EMMA WITMER

The quaint, disparate communities of the Forgotten Coast have long been one of North Florida’s best kept and most precious secrets. Among these charming coastal villages, tucked away among sprawling freshwater marshes, pine flat woods and oak hammocks, is Apalachicola.

Apalach, as it is lovingly known, is among the region’s oldest communities and sits less than two hours from Tallahassee. It’s a lively town filled with history and art. Dilapidated ships and pirate memorabilia give the eclectic streets of Apalachicola an old-world feel. The smells of fresh coffee and tapas mingle with the salty siren aroma wafting up from the Apalachicola Bay.

Positioned between the Apalachicola River and the bay, the historic oystering community isn’t quite an island, but according to John Solomon, the executive director of the Apalachicola Chamber of Commerce, the whole city moves on island time.

“Apalachicola brings that laid-back lifestyle,” Solomon said. “Not the hustle, not the bustle. There is no traffic. There is no waiting in line for a restaurant. You aren’t standing in line for 20 minutes to cash out at the register. It’s that relaxed atmosphere lifestyle.”

You won’t find a Costco or Dillard’s in Apalach. Rather than cede economic power to big box stores, the tight-knit city center reserves its coveted downtown storefronts for galleries, boutique shops, family restaurants and bars. It’s a walking city where visitors are encouraged to absorb the local art and architecture and find out why Apalachicola has come to be known as the “land of the friendly people.”

BUOY HOWDY Camryn Stripe photographs Nancy and Tori Schmidt of Jefferson City, Missouri, outside the Half Shell Dockside Restaurant in Apalachicola.

PHOTOS BY MIKE FENDER

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“I tell everybody, the shops here are all mom and pop,” Solomon said. “There are no major companies. Pretty much everyone that works in the stores are the owners of the stores. So, you get a personal interaction with the people who either made the stuff or bought the stuff or designed the stuff.”

Grady Market, located in the Historic Riverfront District, is a local landmark as much as it is a destination for upscale apparel and gifts. Reconstructed with reclaimed brick and heartwood pine after a fire in 1900, the waterfront structure has lived many lives as home to the French Consulate, Captain of the Port and the U.S. Customs office over the last two centuries. The gardens that surround Grady Market serve as a perfect vantage point to catch a glimpse of old shrimp boats tying off at the dock. You may be inspired to cast a line yourself.

“The fishing is awesome here in the fall,” Solomon said. “Because of where we are in North Florida, it never gets that cold. The fish are still biting and active in the bay. Most people around here put in at Battery Park. You can catch everything — redfish, trout, sheepshead, flounder. It’s really the perfect time to do it.”

Down in the heart of town, the mothership of Oyster City Brewing Company draws a crowd year-round despite a lack of air conditioning or heat. Instead, patrons make use of outdoor seating to grab a pint, soak up the sun and debate which oyster shack to patronize next.

“One of my favorite things to do in the evening times is go out and listen to music,” Solomon said. “We have High Five Dive Bar that has live music going on and Half Shell Dockside. Like I said, it’s that carefree lifestyle.”

The Water Street Hotel & Marina sits little more than a football field’s distance from Half Shell Dockside. Renovated under new ownership back in 2013, the Water Street Hotel’s massive, luxury suites are complete with a full kitchen and spacious living area

perfect for a family vacation or a no-fuss couple’s getaway. Leigh Coble, the general manager at the Water Street Hotel, is always ready with recommendations for her guests, whether it’s their first time in town or their hundredth.

“I have guests who know me on a personal level and even have my cell phone number, they’ve been coming for so long,” Coble said. “I love it. Even when we are sold out, I want to help them find a nice spot to eat and stay. All of our restaurants are locally owned and operated. I know what tours to book and who to call for the best golf cart rental. I just want our guests to love Apalach as much as I do.”

The Luke Martin Band plays at the High Five Dive Bar in Apalachicola. The city’s downtown is dominated by owner-operated small businesses that treat their customers like favorite cousins.

The Grady Market has long been a fixture in Apalachicola, a community whose economy for decades was based on oystering.

PHOTOS BY MIKE FENDER

The World is Your Oyster

BY DON J. DEROSIER

Nestled in historic downtown Pensacola is the one-of-akind, 19th-century Oyster Bay Boutique Hotel. With luxury furniture, coastal decor and each guest room inspired by the Florida coastline, the hotel is perfect for an oceanside getaway.

Upon arrival, guests are offered a complimentary charcuterie board and receive a guest card to enjoy an entree and beverage of choice each day. A 24-hour continental breakfast is available with organic fruit, bagels, granola and yogurt. Guests can also bring their pets, which is rare for downtown Pensacola. The dining room seats 24 and is serviced by Classic City Catering. Within walking distance is access to local boutique shops, highly acclaimed breweries, restaurants and all the nightlife downtown Pensacola has to offer.

The history of the Oyster Bay Boutique Hotel is intriguing, to say the least. The original Lee House dates back to 1866, built by William F. Lee, an engineer and officer who served in the Confederate Army while stationed in Pensacola during the Civil War, according to the website The Pulse, Pensacola.

A century later in the 1960s, the house was restored, but it suffered a horrible fire in 2001 and sustained significant damage from Hurricane Ivan in 2004. The original home was razed in 2005. What stands in its place today is a modern rebirth of the original home.

In 2008, The Lee House reopened for business as a bed and breakfast by Norma and Dr. Pat Murray and stayed that way until 2014, when the historic hotel was purchased by local businessmen Tosh Belsinger of Gulf Blue Group and the Merrill brothers of Great Southern Restaurants, according to the Pensacola News Journal.

“When I accepted the position here, it was The Lee House, which was a bed and breakfast at the time,” said hospitality manager Jessica Berry. The bed and breakfast was sold to the Studers, who gave the historic location a $3 million renovation. “They’ve made it into what you see today — this coastal, clean and relaxing vibe, which I love,” Berry said.

The Studers used Quinn Stinson, owner of Duh design firm in Pensacola, to redesign the entire space and reopened the hotel in 2018 as the Oyster Bay Boutique Hotel.

The remodeled boutique hotel elevates its modern charm and sophisticated elegance with eight guest rooms upstairs, a full kitchen, conference room, dining area and additional

Pensacola boutique hotel provides an eco-friendly retreat

rooms downstairs with all amenities provided. This modern wellness hotel is in another stratosphere of hospitality that most Airbnbs can’t compete with.

Berry is grateful for the new women-owned business. The mother and daughter Studer duo now focuses the hotel on corporate and wellbeing retreats.

“We have them come and take over the hotel. We do one with Reboot where it’s just three days of no coffee, no alcohol and no sugar. They just eat clean. There are different workouts set up: The Ride Society will set up a bunch of Pelotons, and a sound bath is offered at night in the courtyard with ice baths and rose petals. It’s all really cute but focused on well-being, which I love, and ecofriendly. We try to be as eco-friendly as possible. We’re a completely geothermal property. Even down to the toilet paper we buy, we try to be as conscious as we can be,” said Berry.

Being Pensacola’s No. 1 wellness and sustainability hotel is a big deal.

In the past, the hotel has hosted Makers Markets featuring local glass blowers, pottery artists and even printmakers. The hotel has a little shop where you can purchase local artisan products, including scented Oyster Bay candles.

“Mallory, the owner, even made our own Oyster Bay scented candles for guests to purchase from our little shop. They smell just like the hotel,” commented Berry.

The hotel also features a contactless experience from check-in to checkout, offering a digital mobile key. During your stay, the hotel staff communicates with you through a messaging app service if needed.

To book with the Oyster Bay Boutique Hotel, visit their website, stayoysterbay.com, and fill out their contact form. Berry or one of the employees, will follow up with you for all your accommodation needs. The hotel’s busy season begins in February and runs through the end of August, so don’t wait too long.

Jessica Berry, the hospitality manager at the Oyster Bay Boutique Hotel in downtown Pensacola, loves the property’s eco-friendliness. The intimate hotel specializes in corporate and wellness retreats.

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Things to Do, See and Experience

Fall is the festival season on the Emerald Coast! Here is a mere sampling of the food, fun and festivities going on this fall.

COMPILED BY EMMA WITMER

PENSACOLA

SEPT. 23–25

The Pensacola Seafood Festival showcases artisans from around the country and rising musicians in the area’s finest Gulfto-table eateries. More than 150 craftsmen and artisans participate in the festival each year, making the Pensacola Seafood Festival one of the region’s largest arts and crafts fairs. Entry and entertainment are free and open to the public, so come hungry and enjoy fried, grilled or blackened fish tacos and all the boiled shrimp you can eat.

PensacolaSeafoodFestival.com

DESTIN

OCT. 7–9

Miss the Pensacola party? Not a problem. The Destin Seafood Festival keeps the good times rolling with more than 100 craft and food vendors, pop-up shops and live entertainment at its yearly seafood extravaganza. Watch yachts enter and

exit the Destin Harbor and savor catches of the day. If you are looking for a bit of excitement between bites, head over to the docks at AJ’s Seafood & Oyster Bar between 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. to watch the weigh-ins for the annual Destin Fishing Rodeo, the region’s longest-running fishing tournament spanning the entire month of October. DestinSeafoodFestival.com

PANAMA CITY BEACH

OCT. 14–16

Go from the beach to Bavaria at Panama City Beach Oktoberfest, where beers and brats reign supreme. Partake in the traditional German celebration with tasty lagers, traditional fair, folk music and activities for the whole family at Aaron Bessant Park. This year, offerings like corn hole, face painting, photo booths and bouncy houses are sure to keep you and the little ones entertained, even if beer is not your cup of tea. PCBOctoberfest.com

OCT. 7–8

The Village of Baytowne Wharf is preparing to host the 14th annual Baytowne Wharf Beer Fest, an event that delights visitors with activities and programs including “Beer from Around Here,” craft beer tasting, live music and great food.

Visit BaytowneBeerFestival.com for more information.

OCT. 15

Join us for an evening of celebration at Grand Boulevard in Sandestin as we showcase the winners of Best of the Emerald Coast awards for 2022. The 23rd annual event will be a night of food, fashion and fun. Sip, savor and sample offerings from the best restaurants, shops and businesses on the coast. To get tickets, visit EmeraldCoast Magazine.com/best-ofthe-emerald-coast

OCT. 13–16

Visit Watercolor on 30A and sip world-class wines paired with some of the Emerald Coast’s finest cuisine during the Harvest Wine & Food Festival’s four festive days of epicurean excellence.

Tickets are available at HarvestWineandFood.com.

PHOTOS BY LAND AIR SEA PRODUCTIONS (BEST OF EC), SHELLY SWANGER PHOTOGRAPHY (30A SONGWRITERS FESTIVAL) AND COURTESY OF VILLAGE OF BAYTOWNE WHARF, DCWAF

FORGOTTEN COAST

OCT. 8–9

Established in 2018, Port St. Joe’s annual Forgotten Music Festival brings together musical acts from across the Southeast for two days of non-stop blues tunes and country anthems. This year, food and drink vendors will keep the party going as acts like the Cat Daddy Blues Band, John Bull Trio, the Nouveaux Honkies and Mr. Sipp take the stage. The Forgotten Music Festival will be at George Core Park, looking over the pristine waters of beautiful St. Joseph Bay. ForgottenMusicFestival.com

MIRAMAR BEACH

OCT. 22

There is more than tomato juice and vodka at the Market Shops’ 7th Annual Bloody Mary Festival.

Culinary experts and mixologists from around the Emerald Coast put on a bloody good time, pouring up handcrafted cocktails with zany toppings that run the gamut from sushi to grilled cheese. Live music, vendors, a cigar bar and EC football live streaming on the big screen keep things interesting as competitors battle it out for the title of “Best Bloody Mary on the Emerald Coast.” TheMarketShops.com/bloody-mary-festival

OCT. 15

The 30A Songwriters Festival, co-produced by the Cultural Arts Alliance of Walton County and Russell Carter Artist Management, will celebrate 14 years in 2023. Music lovers will gather in scenic South Walton as 250 artists perform original songs at more than 30 venues and dedicated listening rooms. For more information, visit 30ASongwritersFestival.com

Go explore. Go visit monuments and mountains and make the mundane magical with adventure. Go forth to find new places and spaces. Go on to travel again. Because we’re still here—ready, willing and able to get you anywhere you want to go. iflybeaches.com/escape

Art, Music, Food and Fun

MKAF Celebrates 27th Annual Festival of the Arts

How do you frame up a festive, fall weekend on the Emerald Coast?

Come take part in Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation’s 27th annual Festival of the Arts.

With new artists taking part, this year’s event, set for Saturday, Oct. 29 and Sunday, Oct. 30 at the scenic MKAF Cultural Arts Village in Destin, again promises to be a true celebration of art, music, food and fun.

One of the Southeast’s premier art festivals, the two-day signature event features exhibits of nearly 100 artists from the U.S. as well as Europe showcasing a diverse palette of artistic styles in 18 different art mediums from oil, watercolor and glass art paintings to clay pottery, ceramics, metal sculpture, mixed media, jewelry art and much more.

Art lovers of all ages can watch Plein Air artists painting the landscape live, artists demonstrating their techniques in their tented booths, browse art from doz ens of emerging new and student artists, and get hands-on in the interactive Kids ArtStop station.

Beyond the visual arts, the festival will feature two days of continuous live music and a sampling of the local culinary arts scene. Entertaining street performers, lively art drawings and the sale of colorful keepsake souvenirs — all create a familyfriendly festival.

Esteemed judges will award $10,000 in artist prizes in the juried and collaborative art categories. On Saturday, festivalgoers are invited to vote for the People’s Choice Artist Award by casting a ballot located at the main festival entrance.

One not-to-miss feature is the Collaborative Art Exhibit, which showcases the work of student and adult artists competing for the McIlroy Award.

Six sensational local and regional musicians and bands will perform live throughout the weekend on stage at the Dugas Pavilion.

The festival celebrates the art of din ing, too. Foodies will enjoy samplings of savory cuisine and sweet bites from area restaurants and caterers along with adult

beverages in the wine bar and beer garden. Gather with family and friends to enjoy your meal seated at tables al fresco while taking in the festival scene and listening to the stellar music lineup.

Festival producer Deb Nissley guarantees there will be plenty of new surprises to enjoy. As for advice on how best to enjoy the festival, she says, “Plan to spend the day, and come prepared to see a lot of great art, hear great music, enjoy the outdoors and meet talented artists.”

The festival is open to the public and runs Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Daily admis sion is free! Proceeds from MKAF cultural events help fund ArtsReach — MKAF’s arts education community outreach pro grams serving K-12 students, children and adults with special needs, and the military community along the Emerald Coast.

For more details follow MKAF on social media channels and visit MKAF.org.

THE PRIDE OF A MASTER CRAFTSMAN

When old-world craft meets new-world technology, an unprecedented level of quality is birthed. At E. F. San Juan, the quality and long-term function of our woodwork are the keys to creating elements that will transform a house into your dream home.

ARCHITECT: GEOFF CHICK & ASSOCIATES | PHOTOGRAPHY: JACK GARDNER

Fall is the perfect season to focus inward on a home’s interior. After all, family-friendly holidays are right around the corner, and it’s nice to have a cozy space prepared for gatherings.

Decorating for fall can be quite affordable because it relies on natural elements found at farmers markets or local shops. Adding a few extra accessories shouldn’t break the budget by adding a little intriguing texture and warmer colors.

Designer Jenna Ferrell of Decorating Dilemmas in Tallahassee feels that textures especially are a cost-effective design theme to focus on. “Think nubby linen, knits, wool and velvet,” Ferrell said during an interview. “Drape a lush, knitted throw over a sofa or your favorite chair. Add some pillows in warmer colors than you use during the summer months.”

Well-loved quilts or heirlooms are also fall appropriate. Draping this simple piece over a sofa or chair, or using it as a table cover can add the perfect touch of color. “It doesn’t take a lot to shift the

feeling in a space,” Ferrell said. “Your eyes and fingers will rest on these small touches and feel like ‘ahhh.’”

Also, a warmer color scheme isn’t limited to pumpkin orange. The classic colors of fall can transform into claret, cranberry and harvest gold, for example, and brighten up a neutral color scheme.

BRINGING IN NATURE

Inevitably, pumpkins pop into the center of one’s mind when envisioning fall decor. However, they shouldn’t just be limited to the porch or front steps. Pumpkins deserve their own space indoors, and there are many ways to enliven their decorative value. Andrea Manning, head of design for Michaels, tells of interior designers adorning pumpkins and gourds with paint, beads, pom poms, tinsel or glitter.

“A pumpkin might be treated to a pattern, painted solid gold or given another dimension with beads,” Manning said. “I have seen a lineup of white-painted gourds on a mantle, a magnificent gold-painted pumpkin nestled on a console table among other

keepsakes, and blue and white painted pumpkins as a centerpiece on a festive holiday table.”

This is not to ignore the decorative talents of pumpkins au naturel. Both the classic orange ones and their albino cousins are brilliantly decorative. Unexpected ways to use them include placing one in the corner of each step on a staircase, grouping different sizes on a coffee table or console, incorporating them as part of a bookcase display and topping candlesticks with mini versions. “However you choose to use them — even just some mini-sized ones in a wooden bowl — pumpkins and gourds can make an autumnal and very chic statement.”

Of course, fall doesn’t end with pumpkins. They’re only the beginning. Some designers prefer to use apples, quinces, pomegranates, figs, acorns, dried leaves and other fall-blooming flowers.

Ferrell likes to wax elegant with her fall interiors. She brings in white orchids from her own garden and likes the way they look with flocks of lit candles. “After all, this is Florida,”

← Fall is the season for throw blankets in earthy colors. Apples, quinces, pomegranates, acorns and dried leaves and flowers make for nice accent pieces, especially when illuminated by scented candles.

Beautiful Overbuilt

Ella Irene Mary Owen SummerEmily

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↑ THE NEW ORANGES Gourds, no matter their bumps and creases, can be made gorgeous when painted in stark white or metallic hues.

Ferrell said. “White and robin’s egg blue are natural colors to us, even in fall.”

When it comes to fall foliage, good choices are the Florida maple, sweet gum, sugar berry and persimmon trees. Display branches in vases or collect leaves to be dried and displayed in a bowl or made into wreaths. If collecting the real thing is a little too time-consuming, paper cuttings can add seasonal foliage to spaces in a pinch.

MAKE IT PERSONAL

Whatever your tastes, Manning and Ferrell welcome all designing for fall to infuse their own personalities into the space. There is no better time to incorporate your favorite keepsakes, such as travel mementos, art, crafts projects and homemade candles.

Ferrell proudly displays her beachy collections, including shells and jars of sea glass, while Manning shares that Michaels crafters have been known to transport homemade wooden toys, such as a toy truck, carrying acorns or mini gourds into their fall rooms.

Beyond the natural elements produced in the fall, candles are unquestionably stars in any room. Manning shares that Michaels customers love them, both store bought and homemade. The latter often display lots of creativity and can be fun in the process. Home candlemakers typically prefer oversized tapers and add elements such as crystals and floral elements to make the candles their own.

Finally, don’t forget the porch in your summer-tofall routine. Line up the pumpkins and fall flowers, bring on the throws and quilts, and set up lanterns and flocks of candles. Anything that encourages snuggling and lingering is comme il faut, perfect for crisper fall evenings.

PHOTO BY ILONA

abodes

EXTERIORS

STAY AWHILE

Simple design swaps can change the feel of a porch and perhaps a neighborhood

by LIS KING

First impressions matter, and when it comes to the entrance of a home, it’s like what a cover is to a book. It’s the first thing neighbors and visitors see, so it’s a worthwhile place to begin designing a more welcoming space.

A new color for the front door, the addi tion of shutters, a new doorknob or house numbers are all easy starters for increas ing curb appeal. Some elements, such as swapping out the mailbox, proper lighting and planters with colorful flowers on the porch, can be overlooked but add up to a major exterior upgrade.

For inspiration, do a little research by noticing eye-catching elements in the neighborhood. What houses stand out to

you and why? Study the color schemes, the accessories, the walkways, lighting and plantings. Starting with the decor already in the neighborhood can be a great way to create a semblance of uniformity.

THE FRONT DOOR

When it comes to the exterior of a home, nothing stands out quite like a unique front door.

Nick Eppes III of Eppes Decorating Center in Tallahassee says that homeown ers overwhelmingly go for white or gray front doors, but occasionally somebody will opt for something like purple or bright orange. Eppes says they’re not there to question anyone’s taste but to help

← CURB APPEAL

The use of flowers, furniture and lighting along with a feature such as a porch can make for a home that exudes warmth.

homeowners find the right paint and tools for their ideal design.

However, Sue Walden, director of color marketing at Sherwin-Williams, has lots of color advice.

She feels that her company’s Color of 2022, Evergreen Fog, is a great front door choice. Evergreen Fog is a modern hue that adds a sub tle pop of silver-green and is amazingly versa tile, says Walden. It lends itself to just about any exterior style, from contemporary to colonial.

“Besides minding your neighbors’ choices, consider the mood you want your door to evoke,” Walden said. “If you’re drawn to a

bright front door, one of my favorite colors is Oceanside, an opulent, mysterious green blue that creates a bold, welcoming statement. And, of course, red and yellow doors are always welcoming. However, consider the style, color of materials, surrounding landscape and other exterior factors.”

Meanwhile, the influential Pantone Color Institute, which combs the world looking for new color influences, has announced Peri as its 2022 Color of the Year. It’s blue with a mauve undertone, which, according to Leatrice Eiseman, the institute’s executive director, en courages courageous creativity.

Pretty Palette

PHOTOS BY LAUREY W. GLENN COURTESY OF SHERWIN WILLIAMS

The front door should be both striking and inviting. These colors should do the trick.

Peri BY PANTONE COLOR INSTITUTE

Funky Yellow BY SHERWIN WILLIAMS

Obstinate Orange BY SHERWIN WILLIAMS

Evergreen Fog BY SHERWIN WILLIAMS

Oceanside BY SHERWIN WILLIAMS

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ACCESSORIES PLUS

Finding the right hardware for your front door — doorknob, knocker, bell, wall-hung mailbox — can transform a home’s invitation. Use the same metal for all of them to maintain uniformity. Keep outdoor lighting coordinated as well. Oiled bronze goes with most traditional styles, and think chrome if your house is contemporary. Keep in mind that some hardware is designed to change appearance with wear.

Window boxes are fantastic accents. Choose cop per or iron boxes for a traditional look, and painted wood boxes work beautifully for cottage-type homes. Mix and match flowers and plants depending on the amount of sun or partial shade you get and the colors of your home.

Install garden lighting for low-voltage impact while also providing security. The addition of accent lighting to a tree or illuminating a walkway are easy changes to enhance a dull-looking front yard. For the best land scape lighting, incorporate a variety of fixtures — think solar lighting it you’re trying to avoid wiring.

Finally, if you have a front porch, be sure to take advantage of the elevated space. Welcome guests to pull up a chair and stay awhile. They’ll love the living-room feel you have created with an area rug, pillows, end tables and lanterns. Combining curbside appeal with outdoor seating can also inspire more conversation and chats among neighbors — that’s what makes a neighborhood wonderful. An inviting front porch welcomes passersby to chat and perhaps stay for a little while.

↑ Porches like this one can serve as a second living room. Often, homeowners overlook porches as places of highly usable space.

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GREEN SCENE

MILKWEED AND MONARCHS

by LES HARRISON

Fall is the time to start removing milkweed from the residential wildflower garden.

Milkweed has become a popular addition to the home landscape, and while short-lived, the plant’s blooms are striking in color and texture.

Better still, milkweed supports the monarch butterfly caterpillars. During the larval stage of life, the distinctive and threatened butterfly is totally dependent on this pasture weed with a not-so-good reputation in livestock circles.

Monarchs lay their eggs on the undersides of leaves and sometimes on the flowers of milk weeds species. There are several native and exot ic milkweeds growing wild in the area, and many

gardeners now cultivate this plant, which is toxic to mammals.

If milkweed is standing for too long, some monarchs may linger and likely be killed by the first cold snap. While the blooms are attractive to a variety of pollinators, removal promotes the butterflies’ instinctive migration behavior, which has assured the perpetuation of this colorful fly er across the millennia.

To prepare for next year’s crop of milkweed, collect seed now. Store it during the winter in a cool, dark and dry location. Desiccation packets used in some packaged products can be enclosed with the seed to discourage mold growth.

Most people who enjoy the outdoors view wasps as a chronically cranky flying insect that seeks any possible provocation for stinging anyone who comes within range. Florida is home to many wasp species. Most go unnoticed by people, possibly because there are no recorded incidents of this species stinging people. A wasp species which uses forest resources to incubate its next generation is commonly known as the stump-stabber. Megarhyssa macrurus, also known as the giant ichneumon wasp by entomologists, is a large species of about two inches in body length. A notable feature of the females is the ovipositor, which can reach four inches in length and has the intimidating appearance of an extended stinger. This wasp’s ovipositor is a combination of three filaments. The middle filament is the actual ovipositor, which is capable of drilling into wood and has a cutting edge on the tip. The stump-stabber’s eggs hatch and parasitize other insect larvae in the decaying wood. In a few weeks, they will have consumed their host and be ready to emerge.

Fall Tomatoes

The hot days of late summer and early autumn are an odd time to think about gardening, but there is a task which will yield a tasty meal staple in the weeks to come.

The beginning of September is the time to start fall tomatoes for harvest in October and, if lucky, early November. There are several ways to successfully accomplish this.

Plants purchased at garden centers are the simplest way to start autumn vegetable production. Select healthy plants with no signs of disease or parasites.

Place them in a full sun location with an organically rich growing media. Be sure to water on a regular basis in the early morning as the heat of early autumn can quickly dehydrate a plant.

Monitor daily for insect and disease damage. Fungal disease can be very active in late season tomatoes, and if left uncontrolled, the pathogen can destroy the entire crop.

Aphids, stinkbugs, grasshoppers and others have built up their population over the summer. There are lots of hungry bugs that will chomp on tomato plants. Treat and control as needed.

Tomato seeds can be started this time of year. Use a rich soil in starter cups. Keep the cups in a shaded area until the seeds have sprouted and then move to larger containers or the growing site.

If skilled and lucky enough to have tomato plants that lived through the summer, the lower branches can be rooted. These “suckers” can be started much like seed, but use a rooting hormone on the sucker to improve the survivability rate.

Use a tomato fertilizer on the growing plants as the label directions recommend.

Les Harrison is a retired University of Florida/Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Wakulla County extension director.

Gardeners add to supply of plant critical to butterflies

PHOTOS BY MIKE MCCARTHY / WIKIMEDIA COMMONS (WASP) AND

GETTY

PLUS: CHENGYUZHENG (TOMATO PLANT)

(MILKWEED)

GIANT ICHNEUMON WASP

Home Hunters for Generations Coldwell Banker Hartung builds on its legacy

To Coldwell Banker Hartung managing broker, Joy Blomeley, real estate is generational. Guided by her mother, who was a real estate agent, Blomeley helps families find homes they will make memories in for decades.

Coldwell Banker Hartung is home to secondand third-generation agents on its team. The sense of family is strong and appeals to both agents and clients.

“What sets us apart, what stands the test of time is this company’s legacy,” Blomeley said. “It’s crucial that no matter whether it’s a buyer’s or seller’s market, or whatever may be happening in real estate, we don’t waver in who we are and the service we provide. We stick to our foundation and have developed a strong reputation because of that.”

Since 1979, Coldwell Banker Hartung has served clients as a full-time real estate office that deals in residential and commercial properties and corporate relocation. Whether you’re looking for a neighborhood to raise your family or an office building to support your business for years to come, their agents will help you find the space and place that feels like home.

Blomeley entered the world of real estate in 2006, just before the housing crash. While others were getting out of the business, Blomeley, encouraged by her mother, felt that people needed real estate help then more than ever.

Tested by a difficult market, Blomeley succeeded and became managing broker. Every day, she helps others solidify their futures.

“Home is our calling,” Blomeley said. “To me, a home is something I believe everyone should have, and it’s important no matter where you are in your journey — upsizing, downsizing, marriage, divorce, death or new life. We are here to make the finding of a home seamless and enjoyable.”

COLDWELL

Comfortable, Spacious, Sold

This beautiful home, located on 2.75 acres off Carr Lane, features a comfortable and spacious open floor plan; living and dining areas are separate and located off the foyer. The family room has a fireplace and opens to the kitchen with an eat-in area and bar. A cozy brickexposed sunroom overlooks the deck and a detached screened living area. A master suite with a huge closet and a guest bedroom are located on first level. Upstairs are two bedrooms and a large bonus room, which would make a great man cave, playroom or fifth bedroom. The backyard is fenced with a shed, and the three-car garage has plenty of room for storage.

$725,000

735 Carr Lane

3,137

4

2007

FEATURES: Three-car garage, ceilings are 9+ feet, brick on four sides, granite countertops, stainless appliances, honey-toned cabinets and pantry. Sunroom overlooking deck, additional detached screened in living area, fenced in backyard and shed.

APPEAL: Privacy and room to roam. Fenced yard on 2.75 acres makes for peaceful living. A cozy, brick-exposed sunroom overlooks the deck; additional detached screened living area. Master suite and guest room on first floor. The master suite has a spacious walk-in closet. Upstairs are two bedrooms and a large bonus room which could be converted into a fifth bedroom or playroom. Open floor plan plus deck space makes this home ideal for entertaining.

CONTACT INFORMATION: Yvonne Howell, (850) 933-2219 yvonnejhowell@gmail.com Coldwell Banker, Hartung

PHOTOS BY HALEY JACOBS / HOMESHOT MEDIA

Mission San Miguel Beauty

Tucked at the end of a quiet cul-de-sac along the tree-lined streets of Mission San Miguel, this five-bedroom, threebath home was custom built in 2015 and positioned on its lot to maximize space and privacy. An open floor plan makes it perfect for entertaining. The home has a gourmet kitchen, great room and large dining room. When it’s time to work, the office includes extra insulation for sound reduction. The second floor includes ample bedrooms and a large bonus room with separate crafting space. Outside are a three-car garage, extended driveway with RV hookup, storage shed, screened porch and patio. Upgrades throughout.

LISTED PRICE: $775,000

ADDRESS: 9664 La Concepcion Drive

SQUARE FOOTAGE: 3,170

BEDROOMS: 5

BATHROOMS: 3

YEAR BUILT: 2015

FEATURES: Hand-carved wood flooring with carpeting in the bedrooms. Crown molding throughout. Spacious kitchen with double ovens, gas cooktop, granite counters, stainless appliances, island and pantry. Great room with gas fireplace. Large separate dining room and office. Spare bedroom and full bath located on the first floor. Drop zone off the garage. Upstairs large master suite with lighted tray ceiling and walk-in closet. Shower, jetted tub, double vanities with extra makeup vanity in master bath. Three additional bedrooms, a spacious laundry room, and a bonus/theatre room with separate crafting area complete the second floor. Exterior amenities include a 12-by-12 foot shed with power, screened porch, patio, extended driveway with 50 amp RV hookup, whole-house generator, irrigation system and custom landscape lighting.

APPEAL: Home is situated on a private 1.23 acre lot at the end of a quiet cul-de-sac. Located in the beautiful gated community of Mission San Miguel, complete with a community pool, basketball court, tennis courts, soccer fields, walking trails, lake and high-speed fiber optic internet included in HOA dues.

CONTACT INFORMATION: Leanne Groom, Broker Associate (850) 559-4262

Leanne@NaumannGroup.com The Naumann Group Real Estate

BEST OF TALLAHASSEE

Gather with us at the Dunlap Champions Club for the 24th annual Best of Tallahassee event, presented by Ox Bottom Animal Hospital, as we celebrate the community’s best of the best. Enjoy delicious food, specialty cocktails, live music and more as we honor the businesses that make Tallahassee a great place to live. Visit 850tix.com/events/ best-of-tallahassee for more information and to purchase tickets.

SEPT. 10

AN ENCHANTED EVENING

→ Join the Tallahassee Symphony Orchestra for its 2022 23 Season Opener, An Enchanted Evening. This exciting concert will feature works by Bizet and Tchaikovsky. Violinist Stefan Jackiw will captivate the audience with his performance of the Sibelius Violin Concerto

For tickets and more information, visit TallahasseeSymphony.org

OCT. 9

Oktoberfest

→ Tis the season for Wiesn. Elder Care Services is returning to Cascades Park for its 24th annual Oktoberfest. Head to the park on Sunday, Oct. 9, for an afternoon of good food, music and the best beer you can find in Tallahassee. Prost!

For ticket and sponsorship information, visit ECSBigBend.org/oktoberfest.

SEPT. 29

Pinnacle Awards

→ For the ninth year, 12 honorees will receive a Pinnacle Award, which recognizes women who have distinguished themselves professionally and as community servants. The awards will be presented to these outstanding leaders during a luncheon at the Dunlap Champions Club in Tallahassee. Jennifer Conoley, president and CEO of Florida’s Great Northwest, will serve as keynote speaker.

Visit 850BusinessMagazine.com/pinnacleawards to learn more and purchase tickets.

OCT. 15–16

ANNUAL FARM TOUR

→ The Millstone Institute for Preservation hosts the 15th annual farm tour. Join the institute for a full weekend of outdoor activities. Each year, 40–50 farms, ranches, orchards and gardens receive visitors free of charge. Many farms offer miniworkshops with information of value to seasoned and beginning gardeners.

Visit facebook.com/Millstone-Institute-forPreservation for more information.

PHOTOS BY SAIGE ROBERTS (BEST OF TALLAHASSEE), THE WORKMANS (PINNACLE AWARDS), ZANDRA WOLFGRAM (ANNUAL FARM TOUR) AND

COURTESY OF TALLAHASSEE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA, ELDER CARE SERVICES, INC., LEADERSHIP TALLAHASSEE (DISTINGUISHED LEADERSHIP AWARDS), UNITED WAY OF THE BIG BEND (WOMEN’S LEADERSHIP BREAKFAST) AND REFUGE HOUSE (WINTERFALL)

TALLAHASSEE MAGAZINE’S TALLAHASSEE of

2022

calendar

For more events in Tallahassee, visit TallahasseeMagazine.com. compiled by JAVIS OGDEN, REBECCA PADGETT FRETT and ZANDRA WOLFGRAM

2022

OCT. 27 DISTINGUISHED LEADERSHIP AWARDS

→ Leadership Tallahassee, a program of the Greater Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce, will recognize its 2022 Lifetime Achievement Award recipient on Oct. 27 at the FSU Dunlap Champions Club. The group also will announce the recipients of three other awards — Leadership Pacesetter, Leader of the Year and Servant Leadership. Table sponsorships and tickets are available at LeadershipTallahassee.com.

WOMEN’S LEADERSHIP BREAKFAST

→ The Women United annual Women’s Leadership Breakfast is a celebration of women leading in business and philanthropy. The sixth annual Women’s Leadership Breakfast serves as a call to action for all leaders and change agents, but women in particular, to create positive change through contributions to their community. The event will be held at Florida State University’s Dunlap Champions Club.

Visit UWBB.org/women-united for more information.

DATE NOV. 17

WINTERFALL APALACHEE CHILDREN'S SERVICES BENEFIT

→ WinterFall launches the holiday season in Tallahassee. Led by a team of community volunteers, the event raises funds that benefit children and teens served by Apalachee Center Children’s Services across the Big Bend region. For the occasion, the Esposito Lawn & Garden Center becomes a winter wonderland that offers the city’s best food and wine, entertainment by the Tobacco Rd Band, a live auction and much more. Visit WinterFallEvent.com for more information, or contact co-chairs Mary Kelly, (850) 510-4148 or mkkelly@sbgtv.com, or JoAnne Adams, (850) 443-7868 or joannesadams15@gmail.com.

JURASSIC QUEST

SEPT. 2–4

See skyscraping, supersized prehistoric creatures at America’s biggest and most popular dino-related event. Jurassic Quest is an interactive adventure that’s fun for all ages.

tuckerciviccenter.com/events/ detail/jurassic-quest-1

TFP FOOD FESTIVAL

SEPT. 3

Shop local and shop small from food vendors and artists from around the region. Vendors include fare from vegan, gluten-free, barbecue, Indian, Mexican, seafood, Caribbean, Italian, Asian options and more.

visittallahassee.com/events/tfpfood-festival-shop-local-shopsmall-tallahassee-market

BLUEBIRD RUN

SEPT. 5

NAMI Tallahassee’s annual Bluebird Run & Walk for Brookie B. includes a 5K run/ walk and 1-mile fun run and walk held at the J.R. Alford Greenway. The event helps raise awareness for suicide prevention and postvention. bluebirdrun.com

JJ GREY & MOFRO

SEPT. 9

American Southern soul rockers and Jacksonville natives JJ Grey & Mofro will perform at the Capital City Amphitheater. Be prepared for bonedeep grooves and resonant lyrics. capitalcityamphitheater.com

TALLAHASSEE BEER FESTIVAL

SEPT. 10

The 4th annual Tallahassee Beer Festival will pour over 200 craft brews for sampling. There will be food for purchase, and entertainment will be provided by Adams Radio Group and Deja Blu.

tuckerciviccenter.com/events/ detail/tallahassee-beer-fest

DR. GLENN BASS GOLF TOURNAMENT

SEPT. 12

This event, hosted by Big Bend Hospice at Golden Eagle Golf & Country Club, is an opportunity to spend a day golfing while benefitting a great cause. All proceeds from the tournament go to Big Bend Hospice programs, which provide comfort and care during challenging times.

bigbendhospice.org/dr-glennbass-golf-tournament

TINY BEAUTIFUL THINGS

SEPT. 16–OCT. 2

Adapted from Cheryl Strayed’s book, Tiny Beautiful Things is brought to the stage as an exercise in empathy to be presented by Theatre Tallahassee. tallahasseearts.org/event/tinybeautiful-things

COLLECTIVE SOUL & SWITCHFOOT

SEPT. 18

Alt-rock forces combine as Collective Soul and Switchfoot take the Donald L. Tucker Civic Center stage. tuckerciviccenter.com/events/ detail/collective-soul-switchfoot

Send an email to sbornhoft@rowlandpublishing.com.

It is our mission to help parents become

health

us

EARTH, WIND & FIRE

SEPT. 21

Do you remember the 21st night of September? You surely will when hearing Earth, Wind & Fire sing their hit song September on the 21st at Capital City Amphitheater. capitalcityamphitheater.com

BEAM WITH PRIDE FEATURING DAN TAYLOR

SEPT. 29–OCT. 29

This beautiful, colorful and statement-making exhibit at LeMoyne Arts features work from artist Dan Taylor. The exhibit revolves around supporting, promoting and educating LGBTQ+ lives. visittallahassee.com/events/beam-withpride-feat-dan-taylor

SUWANNEE ROOTS FESTIVA L

OCT. 13–16

Enjoy four days in a camper or RV with family or friends, and immerse yourself in the spirit of Suwannee. This festival features live bluegrass and folk music and hosts music workshops, dancing, crafting and food. suwanneerootsrevival.com

THE FUZZY PINEAPPLE CRAFT AND ART FESTIVAL

OCT. 15

Crafters, artists and growers unite at The Fuzzy Pineapple’s Craft and Art Festival, featuring over 100 diverse and independent artists. Enjoy entertainment, interactive art, food vendors, crafting and opportunities to buy from and connect with artists. thefuzzypineapple.com/tfpfest

MISERY

OCT. 20–NOV. 6

The perfect play leading into the spooky season is Misery, based on the novel by Stephen King. tallahasseearts.org/event/misery

PAW PATROL LIVE THE GREAT PIRATE ADVENTURE

OCT. 25–26

Your favorite pets are back, this time to follow a secret

treasure map that leads them to a mysterious cavern. It’s up to the pirate pups to secure the treasure!

tuckerciviccenter.com/events/detail/ paw-patrol-live-the-great-pirateadventure-1

AN EVENING WITH RICKEY SMILEY AND FRIENDS

OCT. 28

Having made millions laugh for over 27 years in the comedy industry, Rickey Smiley will have Tallahasseeans laughing and smiling all night. The clean comedian, actor, television host and nationally syndicated radio personality is a true treat to see live. tuckerciviccenter.com/events/detail/ rickey-smiley-and-friends

NORTH FLORIDA FAIR

NOV. 3–13

Enjoy funnel cakes, farm animals, rides and entertainment galore at the region’s largest and best agricultural fair. northfloridafair.com

JAN. 28

DINING IN THE DARK

→ The 2023 Paula Bailey Dining in the Dark fundraiser will be a unique event — dinner will be served in complete darkness. Attendees temporarily experience how individuals with vision loss adapt in a sighted world. For more information, visit SeeingIndependence.org/events.

SOCIAL STUDIES

Big Bend Hospice Spring Fling

MAY 12 Another magical Spring Fling was held May 12 at Tallahassee Nurseries. Over 600 guests enjoyed musicians, cuisine and delightful company. Event proceeds are dedicated to help fund programs that bring comfort and care to families during difficult times. Big Bend Hospice thanked presenting sponsor Visiting Angels and CEO Brian Delaney and to all the sponsors and participants who made the Spring Fling a spectacular evening.

PHOTOS BY SHEMS HAMILTON

1 Front row, left to right: Bruce Duncan, Tonya Super-Duncan and Kelli Spears. Back row: Tim Hunt, Emily Hunt, Brian Delaney and Melissa Bass

2 Martha Olive-Hall, Beth Moor Desloge, Paul Brock and Connie Palmer

3 Martha Olive-Hall, Tim Hendrix, Dena Strickland, Jane Marks, Franklin McMillion and Ron Harbison

4 Front row, left to right: Roy Young, Rose Marie Young, (Conner Harris on the phone), Cheyenne Young. Back row: Scott Harris, Susan Young Harris, Shelby Harris, Hunter Harris, Katie Young, Tony Young and Isabella Young

5 Tillie Allen and Velma Matthew

6 Luke and Stephanie Clary, Kay and Scott Dick, Teresa Dennis with Carol and Chip Morrison

2

3

dining guide

AMERICAN

ANDREW’S DOWNTOWN

After 49 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. 228 S. Adams St. (850) 222-3444.

BACKWOODS CROSSING ★

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.

DISTRICT 850

Mix an on-site restaurant and a full bar with a wide range of activities, like laser tag, a ropes course, bowling and much more, and you get Tallahassee’s premier entertainment location. 2662 Fleischmann Rd. (850) 513-2114. $$ L D

DOG ET AL ★

Foot-long and veggie entrees alike grace this award-winning menu. Also ask about their incredibly valued family packs. 1456 S. Monroe St. (850) 222-4099. $ L D

THE EDISON

This relaxed, fine dining establishment is equipped with a beer garden, wine cellar, casual cafe, open-air alternatives and a gorgeous view that has become a Tallahassee favorite. 470 Suwannee St. (850) 684-2117. $$/$$$ B L D

FOOD GLORIOUS FOOD ★

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. (850) 224-9974. $$ L D

HOPKINS’ EATERY ★

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

HORIZO NS 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

HUMMINGBIRD WINE BAR ★

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

ISLAND WING COMPANY ★

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. $ L D

JUICY BLUE

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. (850) 422-0071.

LIBERTY BAR AND RESTAURANT ★

Carefully crafted unique cocktails mixed with a gourmet menu that features fresh, local produce. 1307 N. Monroe, Unit No. 2. (850) 354-8277.

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

MA’S DINER

No one does it like Ma! Ma’s Diner serves family-style food in a familyfriendly setting. Homestyle classics are served for breakfast and lunch with quick, attentive and friendly service. 6668-9 Thomasville Rd. (850) 765-1910. $ B L

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. $$

OVERUNDER BAR + LOUNGE ★

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. $$

PROOF BREWPUB

Tallahassee’s first brewery, Proof’s brewpub in downtown offers shareables, such as sliders and fried oysters, plus burgers, sandwiches and tacos to pair with their tasty craft brews. 1320 S. Monroe St. (850) 577-0517.

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.

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 S. Adams. (850) 518-0201.

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.

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 cafe include apricot-glazed smoked salmon,

one-of-a-kind omelets, banana bread French toast and flavorful sandwiches. 1325 Miccosukee Rd. (850) 219-9800. $ B L

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 jalapenos, 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-towall TVs for the big games. 3390 Capital Circle NE. (850) 597-7736. $$ L D

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

DowntownTallahassee

Catering also available. From weddings to at-home gatherings to office lunches and events.

Catering@AndrewsDowntown.com 228 S. Adams St. | (850) 815-9184 (850) 815-9124

AndrewsDowntown.com

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 ★

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. (850) 553-1867. $/$$ 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

BARBECUE

WILLIE JEWELL’S OLD SCHOOL BB Q ★

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.

BREAKFAST/ BRUNCH/BAKERY

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 Louisianastyle dishes, including favorites like jambalaya,

crawfish etouffee, po’boys and seafood gumbo. Multiple locations (850) 894 4110.

CATERING

BLACK FIG ★

Voted Best Catering in 2021, whether you’re planning an event for five or 500, Black Fig offers a bevy of dining options, including catering-to-go. 1400 Village Square Blvd, #7. (850) 727-0016.

CATERING CAPERS

Offering meals, bar services and more, Catering Capers makes entertaining and planning corporate events, weddings or private parties in Tallahassee easy. 2915 E. Park Ave., Unit 4. (850) 385-5953.

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

GAINES STREET PIES

Locally owned and open since 2012, Gaines Street offers fresh ingredients and inventive pies, such as the Metal Mike with Sriracha. 603 W. Gaines St., No. 3, (850) 765-9275; 1184 Capital Circle NE, Ste. E, (850) 329-2141; 1122 Thomasville Rd., No. 4. (850) 765-4120. $$ 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 ★

In the mood for sizzling enchiladas and frozen margaritas? Make your way to

Visit our

the 2021 Best Mexican/Latin American Restaurant, El Jalisco, where they do Mexican cuisine to perfection. locations. $ L D

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

THE IRON DAISY

Made-to-order Mexican food with a Florida flair, The Iron Daisy blends traditional cast-iron cooking with the funky vibe of the Arts District. 507 W. Gaines St. (850) 597-9997. $$

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

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

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 entrees — 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 The 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

at TallahasseeMagazine.com/restaurants.

DINING

Killearn Shopping Center (850) 222-5458

3740 Austin Davis Ave. Tues-Sun | 7am-2pm (850) 765-0703

Ocala Corners (850) 575-5458

300 S. Duval St. in Kleman Plaza Tues-Sun | 8am-2pm (850) 907-EGGS (3447)

THE LANGUAGE OF LIFE

by ASHLEY THESIER

Any attempt at living a non-violent life is not for weak constitutions. History reflects that people who have spoken out the most loudly against violence and oppression — Jesus, the Gnostics, Gandhi, Nelson Mandela, Martin Luther King, Jr. — have been met with grim fates. When one commits unwaveringly to living a nonviolent life, he must be willing to fail spectacularly.

As a lifelong yoga practitioner and professional teacher who has trained and certified hundreds of yoga instructors over the past decade, I can feel like a hypocrite when lecturing about nonviolence or what in yoga is called ahimsa. I may be an expert on the topic, but I’m still a novice at implementing some of these yoga philosophies. So it is with great humility that I cast here some of the pearls of wisdom I’ve picked up over the years on how to live a nonviolent, or at least a less angry, and more authentic life.

Violence often begins internally with negative self-talk, saying yes when we really want to say no, or denying our own needs in an effort to “not rock the boat.” We have become accustomed to subtle forms of violence, including passive aggression, sarcasm and cynicism. Even prolonged sadness or depression can be viewed as a form of self-inflicted violence. We may direct anger at ourselves if we are unable to release it in a healthy way.

What others do to make us angry is seldom about them, but it’s always about projection and one’s perceptions of self. Anger results when we feel unfulfilled as to power, status, love or even knowledge. These lacks, real or perceived, are associated with the potential for loss, which gives rise to anger. When understood

this way, anger can lead us to the underlying issues involved.

Anger always wants something, so when it is present, we can ask: What do I want?

Anger coexists with fear, so we can also ask: What am I afraid of?

Once we become clear about what is triggering our anger, we can consciously choose how to respond to life instead of unconsciously reacting to it with aggressively angry and even violent behaviors. Anger directed outwardly always imposes, judges and demands.

The late Marshall Rosenberg was the founder of a system, Nonviolent Communication, that he called “the language of life.” Rosenberg believed that people possess an innate goodness and that we are all compassionate by nature. He proclaimed that “we all share the same, basic human

needs, and all actions are a strategy to meet one or more of these needs. Violent strategies — whether verbal or physical — are learned behaviors taught and supported by the prevailing culture.”

Consider the last time you acted out of anger, and ask yourself what you were wanting or needing. Why did you not appropriately pursue that need and instead become angry?

If we want to learn how to speak “the language of life” and cultivate healthier societal norms, we must get in touch with our true feelings and learn how to relate empathically to others. Stay away from contentious language that dehumanizes others through blame, shame and attack.

“Judgments, criticisms, diagnoses and interpretations of others are all alienated expressions of our own needs and values,” Rosenberg said. “When others hear criticism, they tend to invest their energy in self-defense or counterattack. The more directly we can connect our feelings to our needs, the easier it is for others to respond compassionately.”

Reclaiming the rejected and suppressed aspects of our human experience allows for a greater connection with the whole of humanity. Once we evolve spiritually to view others as an extension of ourselves and our god, we realize that we cannot harm others without also harming ourselves.

Then, the practice of ahimsa (nonviolence) reveals itself as our true nature. Then, we are prepared to turn inwardly and do the work necessary to outwardly manifest a nonviolent life.

Ashley Thesier is the owner of the Yoga Power Tallahassee studio at 2030 Thomasville Road.

Healthy introspection can produce a gentler world

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