Pensacola Magazine, December 2022

GROUNDBREAKING CARE

Bringing groundbreaking care to the communities we serve is a part of who we are. And our new health campus is our latest groundbreaking advancement that will transform health care for the future. Born from a legacy of putting people first through better access, experiences and outcomes, this investment in our Mission of helping people throughout life’s journey is about much more than a physical location or a building. It represents our commitment to care for our community for generations to come.

Learn how you can be a part of this commitment by visiting BaptistHealthCareFoundation.org or call 850.469.7906.

15 CELEBRATE THE SEASON

From kid-friendly and grandma-pleasing productions to classical and campy concerts, you'll find something to love in our local holiday performances roundup.

19 GO FIGURE (SKATE)!

The Greater Pensacola Figure Skating Club (GPFSC) is helping hundreds of children and adults learn how to skate.

23 A SEASON OF GIVING

Spread cheer and give back to your community this holiday season by helping one of the numerous organizations that are providing much-needed resources and meals to those in need.

27 SEAN DIETRICH IS SEAN OF THE SOUTH

Southern writer Sean Dietrich talks with Pensacola Magazine about his life, his writing and the strange territory we often refer to as Lower Alabama.

In the spirit of celebrating locally this holiday season, we’ve compiled a list of 52 local retail stores where you can shop til’ you drop for everyone on your list—all while supporting small, local businesses.

ON THE COVER: Loryn Smith & Jessica Stone. Photo by Garrett Hallbauer.

EDITOR’S NOTE

CULTURE + LIFESTYLE

DECEMBER 2022

Owner Malcolm Ballinger

Publisher Malcolm Ballinger malcolm@ballingerpublishing.com

Executive Editor Kelly Oden kelly@ballingerpublishing.com

Art Director Ian Lett ian@ballingerpublishing.com

Editor’s Note

2021 issue survived barrage loss and entire loved ones, kept side, at least will change vaccines coronavirus, some freely What has suspect it mental time positive experiences. resolutions Instead, brought home have uncertain. my community. health is our knew it.

Kelly Oden Executive Editor

Editor’s Note

Obesity, diabetes and heart disease became death sentences for too many people battling Covid. While genetics predispose some to these illnesses, many can be managed or eradicated by lifestyle changes. I’d like to focus on making healthy choices while still enjoying the bad-for-you good stuff in moderation.

No matter how hard I try to prepare, the holidays always seem to sneak up on me—always. Perhaps it’s because I’m a procrastinator at heart or perhaps it’s because, as an editor, I work best in a deadline-induced panic. Either way, I’m never quite ready for it. Last year, I hosted a Christmas dinner potluck at my house. The meal was nearly two hours late and it was a potluck! I was responsible for the turkey and two casseroles. That’s it. As for gift buying, it sure does get harder as the kids grow older. I’m not a fan of giving gift cards, but I also know for certain that my 14-year-old doesn't want me picking out her clothing. Although, she did raid my closet recently and she was delighted to take some “vintage” 90s jeans off my hands. How I ever fit into them and why I still have them are both mysteries to me. But, I digress.

Graphic Designer/Ad Coordinator

Garrett Hallbauer advertise@ballingerpublishing.com Editor Morgan Cole morgan@ballingerpublishing.com

already? assure you equally— alone. it—the I’m over on a word: over Only suspect. pandemic the stress, distancing and many things can provide more return. Society has had fostering know that always a sweet kitty sounds check page 34. for our with some

strange spring. The novel in our so far been it from print with time, Escambia Santa quickly once The fact is, virus or be symptoms. That is community, stay possible--leaving the idea, too, rather than social via world—phone encourage tribe. We bring and something this. in our will see that community groups and safe ways difference distancing. I must outpouring amongst my toilet paper more than to make up applause for our

Passion and Joy

incredible special-needs pets and their owners and she discovered that while these precious babies may take a little more care, the love they give in return is worth every second.

We hope to make your holiday shopping a bit easier and a bit more meaningful by suggesting 52 local boutiques for your shopping pleasure. You’ve probably heard the statistics that state for every $100 spent locally, $68 stays within the community (compared to $43 spent at national chains). What that really means is that by shopping locally, you are not only keeping businesses open and adding to the tax base, you are also helping to support entrepreneurs who, in turn, create jobs for the local community. Plus, by helping small shops keep their doors open, you are helping to perpetuate the unique, eclectic and charming vibe that our historic little town is known for. So, get out there, brave shoppers, and support your locally owned small businesses. May the force be with you!

first responders and hospital workers? Thank you for putting yourselves on the front lines to keep us as safe as possible. Also, a big shout out to all the teachers out there scrambling to put together online lessons to keep our kids engaged and learning instead of worrying about things they cannot control. We appreciate you!

I don’t know about you, but 2020 offered far too little of either of these to me. I was so consumed with my mom’s illness and then with surviving the grief of her loss and the anxiety of the pandemic and the sorrow of so many national news stories that I took little time for myself. This year, I hope to explore creative and personal endeavors that help me rediscover myself and discover new outlets for personal expression.

If exotic animals are more your thing, head on over to the brand spanking new and significantly enlarged Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo. The new location features all the hands-on, up close interaction as the previous location plus added attractions, amenities and experiences that will make for a wonderful family day out.

Assistant Editor Nicole Willis nicole@ballingerpublishing.com

Contributing Writers DeeDee Davis Darien Hardy Ashley Wright

Sales & Marketing Paula Rode, Account Executive ext. 28 paula@ballingerpublishing.com

Geneva Strange, Account Executive ext. 31 geneva@ballingerpublishing.com

Procrastination

I was also thrilled to have the opportunity to speak with the witty and thoughtful Southern writer and storyteller Sean Dietrich for this issue. Affectionately known as Sean of the South, Dietrich lived in the Florida Panhandle for more than 25 years. A recent move took him to Birmingham, but he’s back for a one-night-only show benefitting Big Brothers, Big Sisters at the Imogene Theater on December 8. Read all about it and learn a little about Dietrich’s life and writing process on page 27.

On that note, I encourage you to read our COVID-19 Resource Guide, which provides resources for food, business, community and more. The ever-changing nature of this crisis necessitates that I mention that these resources may or may not be available to you by the time you read this issue. I hope it will provide a place to start, some ideas or some inspiration either way.

If you’re interested in conservation, check out Dakota Parks story on local Panhandle Rooftop Nesting Biologist, Rebekah Snyder. Through her work with Audubon Florida, Snyder helps to ensure local shorebirds have safe nesting spaces in an increasingly overpopulated region.

In addition, we have a great story on the Greater Pensacola Figure Skating Club. Learn how this group is fostering a love of ice skating in both children and adults and how their newest program, Adaptive Skating, is helping those with disabilities have access to all of the fun and learning opportunities the ice has to offer.

All of this, plus a few DIY pet treat recipes and some good news from the Florida legislature regarding protection for pets in abusive situations.

You may also notice that we have some nonpandemic related stories in this issue. We made the call to include already planned articles that might still be helpful, relevant or enjoyable for our readers. We hope you find them useful.

While many people made glorious headway on home improvement and personal projects in 2020, I did not. I did not organize anything. I did not fix anything. I did not learn a language or a new skill. Nothing. But that’s ok, too. I’m still here. That’s an accomplishment. However, in 2021, I’d like to lighten my load and empty my house of much of the clutter and unnecessary junk that fills it. It’s time to make room for something new.

Plus, we’ve rounded up a few ways that you can help give back to those in need this holiday season. Supporting your local food bank or food program helps put food on families’ tables during the season and throughout the year, so consider lending a helping hand by donating your time, talent or money during the upcoming holiday.

21 E. Garden St., Ste. 205 Pensacola, FL 32502 850.433.1166 | fax: 850.435.9174 ballingerpublishing.com

Published by Ballinger Publishing:

In this issue, we’ve covered all of these topics and more to help readers shift their own focus in 2021. We hope you enjoy. Here’s to your health!

As for us, Pensacola Magazine has been published under one title or another for more than 40 years. We have no plans on changing that. We will continue to publish and to bring you all the information we can for as long as we can. Please reach out to us with story ideas, inspiration or just a quick hello. We are all working from home and we are missing our water cooler conversations.

Finally, since the season is also about fun and festive activities, we’ve gathered up some of the best holiday performances happening throughout the month of December. For many, these performances have become holiday traditions in their own right. Why not make one of them your own new tradition?

Proud member of the

So, turn off the news, put down your phone and enjoy these heartwarming tales and adorable of photos of local animals and the folks who care for them. When you’re done, give your kitty a little catnip and throw your dog a bone. It’s these simple pleasures that will keep us all sane.

Stay safe, stay healthy and stay strong, Pensacola!

Happiest of Holidays, everyone!

Kelly Oden Executive Editor

Kelly Oden Executive Editor

Kelly Oden Executive Editor

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NW Florida’s Business Climate Magazine and Pensacola Magazine is local ly-owned and operated. All Rights Reserved. Reproduction or use of the con tents herein is prohibited without written permission from the publisher. Com ments and opinions expressed in this magazine represent the personal views of the individuals to whom they are attributed and/or the person identified as the author of the article, and they are not necessarily those of the publish er. This magazine accepts no responsibility for these opinions. The publisher reserves the right to edit all manuscripts. All advertising information is the responsibility of the individual advertiser. Appearance in this magazine does not necessarily reflect endorsement of any products or services by Ballinger Publishing. © 2022

Davis, Contributing Writer

Oh, there’s no place like home for the holidays….. How true it is, except what exactly is “home”? Norman Rockwell would probably paint it with parents piling their children and pets into station wagons as they prepared to drive for hours to get back to their own roots with mom and dad. Snow would be a requirement as well as plenty of homemade treats, familiar albums of Christmas music playing on the stereo, and a tree covered with ornaments from childhood. Mom would probably be wearing an apron when everyone arrived and Dad would most likely be in a recliner by the fire watching football. I do remember those days but, my, how things have changed.

Becoming a grown-up means taking everything life has dished out and making the very most of every precious second. No one plans on divorce, death, or year round baseball and cheerleading, but all of these things have a way

of redefining time-honored tradition. When my children were very small, we always made the annual holiday trek to north Alabama where my parents lived. I come from a large family and for the longest time, all of us miraculously were able to be together for a period of time during the holidays. It was great fun being in a crowded noisy house, passing on sacred family traditions to our own kids. My mother still hangs the same tacky, priceless pieces we made in grammar school on the tree. To this day, none of us claim the ugly angel that topped the evergreen for years and was retired only when one wing came loose. She now has her own tissue-lined box and is available for display only. Semi-gone, but never forgotten. Many years ago I opted for a more designer type tree, but I always put up a smaller one that shows off all the treasures my children so proudly brought home from school. My son’s toilet paper roll nutcracker soldier holds a permanent spot among the glittering decorations. Money can’t buy something like that.

Mom also instilled in us the

importance of a home cooked Christmas dinner; regardless of what day we dined. Since Christmas day conflicts such as sharing the kids with an ex or time required at the hunting camp create challenging schedules, we are rarely together anymore on the big day. We do, however, try to have the family feast on December 23 before everyone scatters. This change was hardest on my youngest brother who still believes there is no excuse for anything short of a total recreation of our youth. But to manage the stress level that seems to surface in December, concessions had to be made. Additionally, I have to admit that one year I took my children to a nice restaurant for the holiday dinner and if it weren’t for the guilt I feel when looking into my mother’s eyes, I would not mind that becoming a new tradition. Unfortunately, while my kids are thoroughly modern and appreciated that one unique outing, they are old fashioned enough to want green bean casserole and sweet potatoes with praline topping. Mercifully, I have a husband who loves to cook and now we gladly host the entire mob for

dinner at our home. The lesson here is that at some point we let our children take over. This is when we really learn what they are all about and what they consider worthy of passing on. To this day, when my grown daughter comes over for the holidays, she likes to nap by the fire under her baby blanket with “Christmas in Dixie” softly playing. That song is not my favorite and I long ago substituted Harry Connick Jr, Michael Buble and Diana Krall as my holiday albums of choice. But there is something so wonderful and so peaceful about seeing her curl up while her brother surfs through sports channels on a muted television that I could listen to Alabama sing for the rest of my life. You think your kids don’t care about tradition or that they even notice, and then something like this happens and you realize they have internalized the joy after all.

Holidays can get you down if you’re not careful because it is easy to get lost on memory lane as you wander through the past. Take advantage of change and make new and better traditions for yourself and for your family. And don’t forget the nap blanket.

Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah to you all!

DeeDee

Opinion piece: the views expressed in this article are solely of the writer and not representative of Pensacola Magazine

Becoming a grown-up means taking everything life has dished out and making the very most of every precious second.

" "

Susan & Rock Penfold

John Clark & Stacey Ropella

Marianne & John McMahon

Malcolm Ballinger & Lois Lepp

Cari Wilson & Emily Echevarria Ray & Val Russenberger and Flack & Kathleen Logan

CELEBRATE THE SEASON

Festive Holiday Performances & Entertainment for All

by Morgan Cole

Tis the season for carols, Sugar Plum Fairies, flying reindeer and more. Whether you’re already feeling the holiday spirit or need a little extra push to help get you into the mood, there are plenty of dazzling holiday performances and concert events occurring throughout the city to help bring out the Christmas cheer.

From kid-friendly and grandma-pleasing productions to classical and campy concerts, we have brought you details on some of our favorite local holiday entertainment events happening in and around the area.

UWF Department of Theatre presents The Great American Trailer Park Musical December 2-4 & December 9-11

This comedic production takes you to Armadillo Acres (North Florida’s premier mobile-living community) where everyone is filled with Christmas spirit and beer. When a freak bout of amnesia strikes the trailer park's resident scrooge, neighborly love is put to the test. Can the group rally to show Darlene the true meaning of Christmas? Can they take home the Mobile Homes and Gardens holiday decorating prize? It will be a cat-fightin’, chair-throwin’ good time — but with tinsel and Keg Nog. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased in person at the UWF Center for Fine and Performing Arts Box Office located in building 82, by calling (850) 857-6285 or online at uwf.edu/tickets. UWF students are admitted free with their Nautilus cards. Performances are December 2-4 and December 9-11 with shows at 7:30 pm on Friday and Saturday, and 2:30 pm on Sunday. For more information, visit uwf.edu.

The

Prophecy Show—The Music of Trans-Siberian Orchestra December 3

This powerhouse group of classically trained musicians has come together to bring you an electrifying evening of holiday rock at the Pensacola Saenger Theatre on Saturday, December 3 at 7 pm. The Prophecy Show will perform all your favorite music from the worldfamous Trans-Siberian Orchestra. With more than 10 million albums sold, the original Trans-Siberian Orchestra has inspired generations of fans to rediscover the multi-dimensional art form of the rock opera. Tickets start at $58 and can be purchased in person at the Saenger Theatre Box Office in downtown Pensacola or online at ticketmaster. com. For complete show details, visit pensacolasaenger.com.

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer Jr.

December 9 - 18

The holiday classic soars off the screen in this Broadway Junior, 60-minute musical adaptation of the beloved television special. Filled with holiday hits like Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and A Holly Jolly Christmas, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer Jr. features all of your favorite characters, including Santa and Mrs. Claus, Hermey the Elf, Bumble the Abominable Snow Monster, Clarice, Yukon Cornelius, and, of course, Rudolph. It’s an adventure that teaches us that what makes you different can also be what makes you special. Performances will be held at 7:30 pm on Fridays and 2:30 pm on Sundays at the Pensacola Little Theatre located at 400 S. Jefferson Street in downtown Pensacola. For tickets and show details, visit pensacolalittletheatre.com.

Holiday Dreams, A Spectacular Holiday Show!

December 9 - 11

If you’re looking for a new and exciting show to see this holiday season, Holiday Dreams, A Spectacular Holiday Show! is one you won’t want to miss. Created as a modern alternative to holiday shows, this fast-paced cirque-style show is sure to captivate you. The show will feature holiday music and lively performances combined with stunning visual effects. Audience members will be captivated by holograms, projection mapping, interactive lasers, BMX daredevils and more. Featuring a talented cast of awardwinning cirque performers, daredevils, comedic actors, singers and specialty acts from across the world, Holiday Dreams is nothing like a traditional cirquestyle show. Holiday Dreams delivers a totally unique spectacle with additional performances that will include elves riding scooters and catapulting themselves off of ramps, extreme rollerbladers, acrobats diving off a giant trampoline wall, comedic performances and much more. For tickets and show details, visit ticketsmaster.com or pensacolasaenger.com.

Pensacola Children’s Chorus presents Christmas on the Coast December

9 - 11

Experience the holiday magic of Christmas on the Coast as members of the Pensacola Children’s Chorus transform the Pensacola Saenger Theatre into a winter wonderland. Presented annually, this cherished production has become a holiday tradition along the Gulf Coast. This year’s production will include a musically themed celebration of Christmas around the world, along with special guests Rudolph and Santa Claus. Experience the magic of the holiday season with this festive holiday production featuring dynamic choreography, dazzling costumes and lavish set designs that are sure to entertain. Tickets start at $14 and can be purchased online at ticketmaster.com, or in person at the Saenger Theatre Box Office in downtown Pensacola. For more information, visit pensacolasings.org.

Ballet Pensacola presents The Nutcracker December 16–18

To put you in the holiday spirit, Ballet Pensacola invites you to come celebrate the magic of The Nutcracker at the Pensacola Saenger Theatre December 16-18. Set to Tchaikovsky’s beautifully timeless score, join Clara as she embarks on a magical journey through glistening snowflakes, toy soldiers, mice-filled battlefields and delicious festivities in the Land of the Sweets as she and the Nutcracker Prince defeat the evil Mouse King. This timeless holiday tale is guaranteed to delight audiences of all ages. Tickets start at $40 and can be purchased online at ticketmaster.com or in person at the Saenger Theatre Box Office. For tickets and show details, visit balletpensacola.org.

White Tie Rock Ensemble presents A White Tie Christmas! December

18

Kick off the holiday season with this family friendly holiday tribute concert featuring the White Tie Rock Ensemble on Saturday, December 18 at 8 pm at the Pensacola Bay Center in downtown Pensacola. This annual concert series will feature the beloved music of TransSiberian Orchestra, Bruce Springsteen, Paul McCartney, the Eagles and other holiday classics—all presented through the White Tie Rock Ensemble’s legendary symphonic-rock style and captivating multimedia music experience. Tickets start at $16 and can be purchased online at ticketmaster.com. The show begins at 8 pm. Follow @whitetierockensemble on Facebook for more details.

Pensacola Symphony Orchestra presents Celebrate The New Year December

31

Ring in the new year with unforgettable music from Broadway’s biggest hits, including Wicked, West Side Story, My Fair Lady, Cats, Phantom of the Opera, Les Misérables and more. Broadway vocal stars Mamie Parris, Madison Claire Parks and Bronson Norris Murphy will join Maestro Peter Rubardt and the Pensacola Symphony Orchestra for this upbeat and lively tradition. This special New Year’s Eve concert will be held December 31 at 7 pm at the Pensacola Saenger Theatre in downtown Pensacola. Audience members will enjoy this variety of lively hits from some of the greatest names in music such as Andrew Lloyd Webber, Elton John, Stephen Sondheim and George Gershwin. Tickets start at $25 and can be purchased online at ticketsmaster.com or in-person at the Saenger Theatre Box Office in downtown Pensacola. For complete performance details, visit pensacolasymphony.com.

Go Figure (Skate)!

Local Figure Skating Club is Making Moves with Adaptive Skating and More

When it comes to sports in Pensacola, many of us immediately think of football, baseball, golf or soccer. But one thing that might actually surprise you is that Pensacola also has its own figure skating club. The Greater Pensacola Figure Skating Club (GPFSC) is a volunteer-run nonprofit organization that is helping hundreds of children and adults throughout the city learn how to skate. Since its establishment in 1996, GPFSC has hosted a variety of figure skating and hockey classes on the ice at the Pensacola Bay Center. Today, the organization continues to thrive and has recently launched an all new program called Adaptive Skating to provide both children and adults the opportunity to take the ice in an all-inclusive environment.

GPFSC offers an assortment of group and private lessons for ages two and a half through adults and of every skill level from beginner to advanced.

GPFSC’s new program, Adaptive Skating, is geared toward people who historically have not had access to ice sports. Adaptive skating allows physically and intellectually challenged skaters of all ages a way to thrive while learning how to skate.

“Our mission is to make ice sports accessible to everyone in our community, regardless of any barriers or perceived barriers that have existed in the past,” GPFSC Treasurer Sharon Gaubert said.

Gaubert and other GPFSC organizers are making sure that everyone is able to be included in the ice skating fun. This year, more than 230 skaters of all ages and backgrounds have taken to the ice to participate in GPFSC classes and free skate sessions.

GPFSC coaches have taught skaters with a variety of health challenges, such as autism, cystic fibrosis and cerebral palsy, as well as kids with severe allergies and asthma that prevents them from playing outdoor sports.

“One of our skaters had a stroke as an infant, which created some developmental issues,” Gaubert explained. “We have another little girl that's in a wheelchair, and she is just the cutest thing on the ice.”

“She's a paraplegic and she has regained the use of her arms,” GPFSC State Director and Coach Kristie Albarran added. “She can actually wheel herself around. She is all smiles when she's out there just gliding around on the ice; it's amazing to see. It's just another opportunity for individuals like her to be able to participate in what everyone else gets to participate in.”

Though Adaptive Skating is a new wheelhouse, Albarran is no stranger to

skating. She was a competitive figure skater for more than a decade and has spent many years coaching the sport. This season is her sixth season with GPFSC.

Photos courtesy of Missy Frisco, GPFSC President by Nicole Willis

5-year-old Emily Martin and father Cody Martin take the ice for an Adaptive Skating session

Both she and Gaubert love the club so much that their children are now involved in the GPFSC. “I tear up almost daily, just watching the classes go on,” Albarran explained. “It's really amazing to see, and the kids are having a blast.”

The goal of the Adaptive Skating program is to provide everybody with the opportunity to be active and involved in something, no matter what challenges they may face. The program was designed by Learn to Skate USA to allow individuals with a range of physical and intellectual challenges to enjoy sports and activities.

“These kids that are in the adaptive class have such limited opportunities in any sports in the community,” Gaubert said. “Other kids may do soccer or ballet or different things. Some of them do multiple things. But for a lot of these kids [in the adaptive class], this is it.”

In addition to being designed by Learn to Skate USA, the Adaptive Skating program is endorsed by U.S. Figure Skating in conjunction with Special Olympics and Move United. GPFSC currently has eight adaptive skaters and prides itself on having a one on one coach to skater ratio. This one to one time allows coaches to understand the student and what will best help them progress on their skating journey.

Children in the adaptive skating program are seeing results. “I had a skater who came to the adaptive class that asked if she could be enrolled in the regular group classes,” Albarran explained. “I said, ‘of course!’ She felt confident enough to want to continue skating in our regular programs. It's really amazing that we were able to connect her with a

sport that she's fallen in love with, and that she really wouldn't have had the opportunity to get involved with, had it not been for our adaptive program.”

This season is the first year that the adaptive skating program has been available at GPFSC. With students already experiencing such great success, coaches and GPFSC officials are looking to expand the program in the near future. “The skaters are

opportunity to skate all year long.

Currently, the Bay Center serves as the only sheet of public ice in Northwest Florida, so when the ice season is over, there is nowhere for skaters to go. GPFSC believes that a year-round ice rink in Pensacola would greatly benefit the expansion and consistency of ice sports in Northwest Florida. Skaters travel from all across the region to participate in classes at the Bay Center, with skaters coming from as far away as Mobile, AL and Panama City, FL.

Ample storage is another benefit of a dedicated year-round facility. Currently, the Bay Center offers no storage for large equipment necessary to the expansion of the adaptive classes.

“If we end up purchasing anything [large equipment-wise], it'll have to be something that we all transport in our volunteer vehicles and store in our houses,” Gaubert explained. “That can be quite challenging when you've got something like a big sled or things along those lines.”

having fun and all of our coaches have actually asked to help out more with the adaptive classes,” Albarran said.

GPFSC hopes to greatly expand both its programs and its physical facility. “Our ultimate goals are to have a rink that functions as a 365 day-a-year rink with a set schedule and storage, to develop programs like our Adaptive Skating, and to develop a program for at-risk youth,” Gaubert said.

A barrier preventing GPFSC from accomplishing all of these goals is a lack of control over a year-round ice rink. The limitations of using a shared partial-year rink has made it challenging for organizers to develop new programs and allow skaters to improve. Since GPFSC courses are hosted at the Bay Center, skaters do not have the

In addition to strengthening the adaptive program, GPFSC would also like to develop new programs. A dedicated year-round ice rink would allow the organization to develop a new program for at-risk youth. The program would take place after school and be accessible to the children who need it most. In order to implement such a program, the GPFSC would need yearround ice as consistency and a set schedule are key to be able to help kids all year long. This program would serve as another way for GPFSC to support challenged youth.

As a volunteer-driven nonprofit organization, GPFSC relies on volunteers and donations to continue their programs. GPFSC is always looking for people to help carry out the mission of the organization. To learn about ways you can get involved, visit pensacolafigureskating.com. To stay updated with happenings at the Greater Pensacola Figure Skating Club, follow @GreaterPensacola.FSC on Instagram and Facebook.

"Our mission is to make ice sports accessible to everyone in our community..."

GPFSC skaters having some fun on the ice during their lesson.

The colors of dawn. The textures, shapes and images that emerge as a new day begins make morning a work of art. This also makes up the works of art you’ll nd at Blue Morning Gallery. Start your day o right and come in. Because it’s a good morning when it’s a Blue Morning.

A Season of Giving

by Ashley Wright

as the holiday season swiftly approaches, it’s easy to get swept up in the busyness of attending holiday parties, shopping for last minute gifts and creating grocery lists. Yet, for many Pensacola families, children and seniors, the approaching winter and holiday season brings about one of their biggest worries—food insecurity.

One meaningful way to help spread cheer and give back to your community this holiday season is to lend a helping hand in support of one of the numerous organizations across Northwest Florida that are providing much-needed resources and meals to those in need.

According to Kerri Smayda, Associate Executive Director at Manna Food Bank, of the 69,095 people they assisted with food last year, 66 percent of those were children.

“With a challenging 2020 when COVID first hit and now with inflation, rising food costs, rising utility costs and everything that comes along with that, we have seen an increase in

Feeding the Gulf Coast feedingthegulfcoast.org

Feeding the Gulf Coast is the area's local Feeding America-affiliated food bank. This food bank serves 24 counties from Mississippi to Alabama to the Florida Panhandle. It provides emergency food assistance programs and other support to nonprofit and faith-based organizations. Last year, the food bank distributed more than 27.5 million meals to those in need along the central Gulf Coast.

During the holidays, volunteers are needed to support the bank's numerous programs. Volunteers sort food, pack boxes offood for seniors living on fixed incomes andvolunteer at mobile pantry distributions."

“Any one person can make a difference,” Goretski said. “Whether through $1, one donated item or one hour of time.”

The food bank operates several programs to address hunger, including four child

need in recent months and we don’t expect that to go away any time soon, unfortunately,” Smayda said.

According to Feeding the Gulf Coast’s Community Engagement Coordinator, Anna Goretski, one in eight adults and one in six children in their Florida service area suffer from food insecurity. With children out of school for the holidays, they receive fewer meals from school, which equates to families having to carry the burden of extra grocery costs to make up the difference during the holiday season—a time of year that typically comes with more expenses (colder days means higher electric/gas bills, more gas due to traveling, buying presents, etc.).

This time of year, at its best, represents spreading cheer and joy. We have gathered up the details on some ways you can help give back by feeding the bellies and hearts of those in need throughout our community.

nutrition programs— a Backpack Program, School Pantry Program, After School Meals and Summer Meals Program. Those interested in getting involved, can visit feedingthegulfcoast.org for more

information or to sign up to volunteer. Feeding the Gulf Coast is connected to 130 agency partners in Northwest Florida that your donations of time or funds can assist this holiday season.

Feeding the Gulf Coast

Manna Food Pantries mannahelps.org

Coming into the month of December, Manna’s greatest need is your time and donations. This is largely due to the fact that Manna is a locally-based, grassroots organization with no national affiliation or government funding. That means they largely depend on the Pensacola community to complete their mission.

“We are volunteer supported,” Smayda said, “We need it. We can’t do what we do without volunteers.”

They are currently booking volunteer groups through the end of the year into January with groups ranging from churches and businesses to smaller friend groups or families. Volunteers can help sort and distribute food through their food pantry/warehouse or assist clients with gathering food items as they come in.

“We welcome groups of all sizes,” Smayda said. “We’ve had groups of two and then other groups of 20.”

She also said to keep an eye out around the community for ways to connect with Manna. Many faith-based organizations and local businesses host food drives that directly benefit Manna and its programs throughout the holiday season. For example, Ever’Man Cooperative Grocery and Cafe will be accepting food donations at their Pensacola locations through December 31.

One of their biggest events in December will be “Pack the Pirate Ship” on December 16th hosted by the Krewe of Lafitte from 6 am to 7 pm at the Astro Lincoln dealership located at 6350 Pensacola Blvd. and Joe Patti’s Seafood at 524 South B Street. Non-perishable food donations will be accepted.

Manna operates an emergency food assistance pantry and 17 specialty programs in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties. For more information on volunteering or the most needed donation items, visit mannahelps.org.

Waterfront Rescue Mission

Waterfrontmission.org

The Waterfront Rescue Mission serves Pensacola’s homeless community through numerous programs, including overnight shelters, meals, and resources for addiction recovery, work training and other daily needs.

During the holiday season, community members can support Waterfront Rescue Mission by volunteering to serve meals or contribute financially to the mission. They are offering a meal on Christmas Eve at 11 am at their mission on Herman Street for men, women and children who are not only homeless but may find themselves hungry and alone and would like a warm meal and holiday joy, Waterfront Rescue Mission Vice President of Public Relations Angie Ishee said.

Sometimes those who are served or serve at holiday meals include widows, widowers, or those who don’t have family here. “Sometimes it's even students who are out of town who might join us for a meal or volunteer with us,” Ishee explained.

Ishee explained that during colder winter months, which also happen to be during the holidays, the mission sees a significant increase in the needs of the homeless individuals and families they serve. “They don’t want to be alone during the holidays and certainly cold weather brings people in off the street. The numbers here increase up to 10 to 15 percent typically when we have cold weather. As those

numbers increase at the shelter and those seeking services and meals grow, the mission’s utilities increase, the food need increases…all the expenses rise,” Ishee said.

To help, community members can drop off food, can make monetary donations online or drop off cold weather items (primarily for men) including jackets, hats, and gloves. These items will also be accepted if they are gently worn. Ishee said monetary donations allow them to help in the ways that are most needed. To donate or find ways you can volunteer, visit waterfrontmission.org/ways-to-give.

Loaves and Fishes Soup Kitchen

loavesandfishesoupkitchen.com

Loaves and Fishes Soup Kitchen serves approximately 4,600 warm meals to the city's homeless each month from their soup kitchen in downtown Pensacola. The organization also serves thefamilies currently residing in their emergency family shelter. According to Executive Director Heather Pabo, most of the food that is served at the soup kitchen and shelter are supported by community donations.

The holiday season is a time when those who are facing hardships such as homelessness feel even more isolated.

“The goal of our ministry is to provide a place for the community to gather in the name of Jesus to show love to those who may not be receiving it anywhere else, and to meet their basic needs so they know someone cares,” she added.

In terms of what they need most during the holidays, donations of ham and turkey are at the top of the list. “Ham is great because if we receive an abundance, we can serve it in our breakfast meals Monday through Friday,” she said. “It will always get used in serving the public and our family shelter. It is also great when we can supply our transitional houses with meal boxes that include meat.”

Waterfront Rescue Mission

Manna Food Pantries

Other donation items needed during the holiday season are gloves, socks, and beanies and pre-made Christmas stockings. Pre-made snack bags with packaged snacks like beef jerky, peanut butter crackers, and fruit cups with utensils are also needed to hand out to the food kitchen's breakfast guests so that they have an additional meal during the day.

Currently, Loaves and Fishes has a two-week emergency family shelter for parents with minor children as well as seven transitional homes for families. They also have a home for single homeless individuals in need of affordable housing through their Simeon House Program. They offer a public breakfast served by volunteers Monday through Friday. For those interested in volunteering or donating, you can call their office at (850) 438-7616 Monday through Friday, 8 am to 12 pm to schedule donation drop offs. If you would like to volunteer, you can apply at loavesandfishesoupkitchen.com. Monetary contributions can also be made on their website, or by mail to 257 E. Lee St., Pensacola, FL 32503.

Epps Christian Center eppschristiancenter.org

Epps Christian Center is led by Pastor Sylvia E. Tisdale and each week her center serves those in the community who are hungry by giving fresh and non-perishable food items through their outreach, Ecomfort, Inc., as well as providing other services such as applying for benefits and assisting the homeless with obtaining identification. The center provides farm share food distribution to the community as well. They receive and distribute over 60,000 pounds of food a month.

This holiday season, Pastor Tisdale said that one of their greatest needs and opportunities for the community to support their work is by donating or volunteering for their Senior Citizen Christmas Gala at 6 pm on December 13.

“We’re focusing on seniors because they normally get left out during the holiday time,” she said. “We would like our seniors to get in the spirit of Christmas as well, Tisdale said”She is hoping to feed between 100 to 150 seniors.

Although Epps Christian Center may be a small ministry, they have been addressing food insecurity for years. “There is a lot of need in our community and since COVID, things have never been the same,” she explained. “There's been increase after increase in the prices for many basic needs and this year is getting harder for people, especially seniors, women and children.”

The community can help with food sorting and distribution on Tuesdays and Thursdays at the center. They typically help between 200 to 400 families.

Currently, some of their biggest needs are produce items, as well as canned meat, rice and grits - but any food or monetary donation can help, Pastor Tisdale said.

To volunteer or donate, you can reach Pastor Tisdale directly at (850) 741-8567 or visit eppschristiancenter.org.

Sean Dietrich is

SEAN OF THE SOUTH

by Kelly Oden

Although he wrote a book proclaiming himself to be the “South’s Okayest Writer,” Sean Dietrich is actually a masterful storyteller in the Southern literary tradition. Known affectionately as Sean of the South, Dietrich weaves wit, heart, grit and wisdom throughout his stories about the people and places that make up the small towns and rural spaces of the American South. A prolific writer, Dietrich has written a column a day for more than ten years on his blog, Sean of the South. He also hosts his podcast of the same name, writes for a handful of national and regional publications and performs his unique blend of music and storytelling live on stage at venues throughout the South. Dietrich is also the author of 13 books with multiple new titles in various stages of development.

Dietrich expertly navigates the highs, lows and bittersweet realities of his own life experiences and the experiences and stories of the people he meets along the way, creating vignettes and stories that speak to the heart of the human experience and, in particular, the southern experience.

Sean Dietrich will perform his music and storytelling live at the Imogene Theater in Milton on December 8. The show will serve as a benefit for Big Brothers, Big Sisters, an organization close to Dietrich’s heart and one he has supported in this way for the past five years. Pensacola Magazine had the pleasure of speaking with Sean Dietrich about his life, his writing and the strange territory we often refer to as Lower Alabama.

PM: Hi Sean, tell me a little bit about your background. You’re originally from Missouri, correct?

SD: Well, I was born in Missouri. I spent time in Kansas and then in Georgia a little bit. My father was an ironworker, so we kind of moved around.

PM: What are some of the things you enjoyed doing the most as a young boy?

SD: Gosh, what did I love? I loved to read. I loved to fish. I loved music. Music is a huge part of my life. I played piano from the age of eight or nine. I played music in church and I sang in the church choir. I sang with all the old ladies because that's where my voice register was. I was just kind of a chubby child. Everything I did was funny because chubby kids are funny. I thinned out around 17 or 18 like everyone said I would, but it's rough when you're chubby in your early teens. Your self-image is just so fragile.

PM: Did you know back then that you wanted to be a writer? Were you writing as a child?

SD: You know, writing to me it's not something that you kind of choose to do. It's more or less something that chooses you. I always liked to write or tell stories orally. I like stories. I've been writing since around fifth grade. Back then they were works of fantasy and ridiculous. Lots of westerns and adventures and things like that. They were pretty awful and they stayed awful until I hit 39.

PM: I read that you didn't really imagine yourself being a writer for a living until

you went to college and you had some teachers that encouraged you.

SD: Yeah, I mean, I'd been writing, but it was only for my own entertainment. I never expected anything to happen with it. It wasn't until I was older that I realized that some people thought I should do it, which meant something to me because you can trust ‘some’ people. So, I explored it. I kept with it and tried to work at it. One of my professors told me to write how I talk, so I began doing that and I've been doing it ever since.

PM: What was the first piece you had published?

SD: It was a piece that I wrote about my mother. She was living in a trailer. I bought the trailer for her. I went to New Orleans to get it. It was kind of a humorous piece about my mother—where she lived and all that. That piece was published in The Bitter Southerner

PM: You write a lot about your mother and your father. Your father’s story weaves its way through a lot of your columns and it is the subject of your memoir, May The Circle Be Unbroken. That book chronicles the suicide of your father and then the pilgrimage to spread his ashes out west. Your writing is often deeply personal and often discusses bittersweet or even tragic events. Is it difficult to write that deeply about your own life?

SD: No. It's not hard, because I have a lot of practice. When I started, it was hard. There was a lot of anxiety and I would

have a nervous system response when I would start to write about personal events. I would feel it in my physical being—sweaty palms, increased heart rate, very visceral. Then after purging the pus—the infection of trauma—for however many years, it became a lot easier to talk about. I owned it. This is who I am. This is me. So, by the time I wrote the memoir, May The Circle Be Unbroken, I had a lot of practice. I had written, I think, 2,000 columns by that point. By that time, it was just like another day at work. It was really great because I was freed up to write in a more relaxed frame of mind, which is what I wanted for that. I did not want it to come off as this deeply heavy or unpleasant read. Even though I was going to be talking about unpleasant things, I wanted it to have a very positive, uplifting spin. So, lots of practice, to answer your question.

PM: I imagine writing so personally is probably scary, cathartic and embarrassing all at the same time.

SD: It is, and then you kind of get over it. For years I've been telling my story about dropping out of school at colleges and high schools and theaters, stuff like that. Just telling my life—the worst parts and the most embarrassing parts of my life. I recently told the story at the University of Alabama, which is Beulah Land in my mind, a place I'd always wanted to go. So finally, after all these years, I'm on the University of Alabama stage and I'm telling a story about what a failure I am. It did start out as embarrassing, but after you do it enough, you almost take pride in

it and it doesn't feel nearly as humiliating. It just feels equalizing. It equalizes you with your audience almost. It's been therapy for me. It's been good for me.

PM: Many of your stories include other people's stories and anecdotes from previous conversations. Are you a copious note taker?

SD: I don't ever take notes. I've tried that before and once I take notes, I forget everything that I've written because I'm totally disengaged from the conversation. I'm focused on taking the right note and getting it all in. When I just have a conversation, I find that I remember the important parts. If I go back to the car and I feel that I might forget some of the biographical details, I'll scribble them down. Most of the time I don't. And the reason I'm not meticulous about this is because I'm not a journalist, so I don't feel the pressure to get direct quotes verbatim. So, no, I can't take notes. If I do, I totally lose everything. My mother used to say I had a photographic memory as a child, and I'm just going to pretend that she was right. I don't believe I do have photographic memory. I do think I have a good recall for unpleasant things.

PM: Do you still do all of your writing on a typewriter?

SD: Sometimes. Not as often, only because we travel so much and I got tired of carrying my typewriter with me. But yeah, for a long time I did that and the reason wasn't because I'm just a fool, although that is true. Writing on a typewriter forces me to keep the linear thought going and not get interrupted and to accept it once it's there. And the typewriter is just how I learned to write anyway. So, I feel like it's important, especially for younger writers, to learn how to write that way—use pen and paper or a typewriter. I don't feel that a computer is conducive to linear thoughts. I feel like I can tell sometimes when I read someone's work and it's very disjointed. It's almost schizophrenic—there's a thought here and a thought there. I can almost guarantee that they copied and pasted as they were going back and forth with editing. So, anyway, I do that to force myself to write linearly. Now, I do it on the computer. I try to use the same method. I'll dim my screen until it's black sometimes. I just write. I just ignore all misspellings and I don’t edit it until I'm finished. It forces me to get a story out—to kind of perform the act of the storytelling rather than just typing on a computer.

PM: In your latest book, You Are My Sunshine, you take this really long bike trip with your wife—300 miles over 3 weeks. What were the one or two key takeaways that you learned about yourself or your marriage on that trip?

SD: That what we live in is not the real world. The real world is out there in the woods. This is all just an interruption. We have built all this to make it feel as though it's the real cycle. But when you get out there, your objective for daily life becomes very simple—don't die. And that's it. That is your only job. Just don't die. Keep living. That really focuses your priorities.

PM: You write in a very heartfelt, honest and humorous way about your wife and your marriage. You can tell that there's so much genuine love there between the two of you. What have you learned about marriage? What do you think is the secret to a happy marriage?

SD: Well, I would say that I don't know because I lucked out. None of this was my doing. I didn't really select the perfect woman—the perfect woman selected me. So, I'm just kind of living in sunshine accidentally. That's it. If left to my own devices, I would have truly screwed my life up back then. That I was stymied from my own disasters is remarkable.

PM: Let’s talk about the Florida Panhandle for a minute. I've heard you call yourself Northwest Florida white trash, and many people jokingly call the Florida Panhandle lower Alabama (LA). Do you find that to be a fair assessment?

SD: Oh, absolutely. For years, it's been hard figuring out whether I was Floridian or an Alabaman, because we lived 45 miles from the Alabama line. I'm not really sure whether we're Floridians with an Alabama accent or we're Alabamanians with Florida driver's licenses. So yes, LA is real. Growing up, I never saw FSU or University of Florida bumper stickers. It was always Auburn.

PM: If you had to make one key observation about how the Florida Panhandle differs from lower Alabama what would it be?

SD: A lot more money. And, I would say they like oysters a whole lot more in the Panhandle. That's one thing I miss. Where we live now in Birmingham, you can find good oysters, but you’ve really got to look for them. You find that not everyone around you likes oysters. Whereas, in the Panhandle, there's a consensus that oysters are great—everyone loves oysters.

Up north they're all like, "Oysters, oh my god, they taste like phlegm."

PM: You’re doing a performance on December 8 at the Imogene Theater in Milton and it's a benefit for Big Brothers, Big Sisters. I think this is your fifth year doing it. What is it that you love about Big Brothers, Big Sisters?

SD: Well, they're doing God's work, there's no doubt. Before I met my wife, she was a big sister and she is the one who first tipped me to that organization. I met the kids. I met these children who have these pretty rough home lives and yet there was this one figure in their lives who could just help them. Then I met some of the Big Brothers and Big Sisters, and listened to their stories and how they stick with these kids to adulthood. It's just powerful to me. I believe in what they're doing.

PM: What can people expect from that performance?

SD: Hopefully, a night that they will forget for the rest of their lives. There will be a lot of humor. It'll be just fine. There'll be lots of music. They'll be bluegrass and laughter, hopefully, and alcohol.

PM: You recently left Florida for the bright lights of Birmingham. What prompted the decision to move there?

SD: Well, we travel all the time, and Birmingham is central to everything. Just this past weekend, in the last few days, I've been to four different states. It's very, very nice not to have to make a drive that's at least six hours. Because from Florida it was like four to six hours no matter where you went. So, that was a big motivating factor. The other one was we've always wanted to live on our own, do our own thing and just try to just do something new because we both were very committed to our family—and especially my wife's family. So, after my wife's father passed and her mother passed, we took it as an opportunity to do what most people do during the college age but we never got to do, which is just separate from home and see some of the world. We're finally living that college kid experience only we're both middle aged now and we have pretty good health insurance.

Shop Small Spend Local 52 Stores We Love

Here at Pensacola Magazine, we get very excited about the holiday season--the holiday lights lining Palafox Street and all of the festive decorations throughout the city. We especially love Winterfest, holiday markets, seasonal performances and the all-around good cheer that the season brings. We also love shopping, and we make sure to shop local as much as possible. While online shopping has its merits, let’s not forget that it’s the small boutiques, retail stores, coffee shops and restaurants that give our town the charming, quaint and welcoming vibe we are famous for. Plus, shopping locally keeps the money local and that’s good for everyone. In the spirit of celebrating locally this holiday season, we’ve compiled a list of 52 retail shops where you can shop til’ you drop for everyone on your list—all while supporting small, local businesses. Happy shopping!

1) Alyssa's

From unique furniture and gifts to trendy clothing and accessories, Alyssa’s is your one-stop-shop when it comes to finding the perfect gift for everyone on your holiday shopping list. Located in Pace, their more than 210,000-square-foot campus spans across three buildings boasting an antique store, gift shop, furniture store, vendor mall and jewelry store.

4586 Chumuckla Hwy., Pace, (850) 994-9114 shopalyssas.com

2) Angel's Garden

Owned by Debby Tracey, this whimsical gift shop has been in business for more than 30 years and represents more than 100 local artisans. Inside you’ll find a variety of books, handmade jewelry, candles and other one-of-a-kind gift items. If you’re looking for some local flair, they also carry an assortment of "I Love East Hill" goods and Pensacola Christmas ornaments.

1208 N. 12th Ave., Pensacola (850) 435-9555, facebook.com/AngelsGarden

3) Asher & Bee Apothecary

At Asher and Bee, Master Herbalist Marni Woodson creates custom health remedies and self care products to help customers connect with nature while improving their health and wellbeing. From candles and incense to teas, tinctures, elixirs and more, Asher and Bee offers the perfect way to give the gift of health this season.

3014 N. 9th Ave., Pensacola (850) 565-9476, asherandbee.com

4) Atelier Alcaniz

Locally-owned and tucked away in the heart of downtown Pensacola, this contemporary women’s clothing boutique also features an art gallery and gift shop. Inside, you’ll find an eclectic mix of trendy women’s clothing, fashion jewelry, handbags and accessories as well as unique gift items and a variety of locally made pottery and art.

56 S. Alcaniz St., Pensacola (850) 433-7749, atelieralcaniz.com

5) Artesana

First established in 1967 by Marian and Ralph Kinser, it originally sold an assortment of fine and eclectic gifts, including their famous wooden plates. In 2003, the shop eventually ended up in the hands of current owner Josephine Daniels, and hasn’t stopped growing since. Inside, you’ll find a large selection of unique gifts, home and holiday decor, an adorable children’s section, jewelry and candles crafted by local artisans, Pensacolathemed merchandise and more.

242 W. Garden St., Pensacola (850) 433-4001, artesanaimports.com

6) Belle Ame Soap Bar

Belle Ame is the creation of Yvette Crooke-Avera, who established the business after following her mother’s footsteps into the hobby of soap making. After realizing that products like hers—with an intimately personal and creative touch—were exactly what the gift and personal care market was missing, Yevette decided to launch her own line of bath and body products. The shop carries everything from scrumptious smelling scrubs and bath salts to body butters, bath bombs, candles and more. Every bit of it is handmade.

911 N. 12th Ave., Pensacola (850) 912-8240, belleame.com

Belle Ame Soap Bar

Alyssa's

Angel's Garden

Asher & Bee Apothecary

7) Beré Jewelers

Owned by husband and wife duo Barry and Laura Cole, Beré has been in business for more than 37 years and offers everything from bridal and fashion jewelry. The shop carries a massive collection of carefully-curated jewelry and luxury watches by premier designers like LAGOS, OMEGA, TAG Heuer, Breitling and more. Beré also specializes in custom jewelry designs.

5033 N. 12th Ave., Pensacola (850) 477-6818, berejewelers.com

8) Black Café and Bookstore

Local entrepreneur Nicole Dixon recently opened this independent bookstore to bring books from the African diaspora to the Pensacola area. The bookstore also carries gift items and carries unique gift items and various works by local authors and artists.

3497 N. Martin Luther King Blvd., Pensacola (850) 262-9344, facebook.com/blackcafeandbooks

9) Blue Morning Gallery

Tucked away in the heart of downtown Pensacola, this local artist co-op showcases the work of 50+ local artists and encourages the development of new creative talent within the community. Today, its members cooperatively form an eclectic group of many award-winning artists with specialties in painting, photography, ceramics, sculpture, glass, jewelry, wood, tile and more.

21 S. Palafox Pl. Pensacola, (850) 429-9100, bluemorninggallery.com

10) Bluetique

This mother-daughter-owned boutique is located in the heart of downtown Pensacola on Palafox. Inside, you'll find a specially curated selection of stylish women's clothing, accessories, candles and more. Their collection boasting brands like Lilly Pulitzer, Elizabeth McKay and Grayling Jewelry, Bluetique caters to fashionistas of all ages. They also have a killer sale rack in the back.

212 S. Palafox Pl., Pensacola (850) 696-1264, bluetiquepensacola.com

11) Bodacious Bookstore and Cafe

This quaint independent bookstore and cafe is located on the ground floor of Southtowne Apartments in downtown Pensacola and offers up to the minute finds in both fiction and nonfiction books, an excellent selection of children's books, a variety of unique gifts from around the world and a simple, yet sophisticated cafe menu featuring roasted-to-order Intelligentsia Coffee.

10 E. Intendencia St., Pensacola (850) 446-6966, bodaciousbookstore.com

12) Bodacious Shops

This locally-owned downtown business features a collection of distinct shops, all under one roof boasting a cafe, a salad shop, a specialty olive oil shop, a coffee roastery and a kitchenware store equipped with a chef-style kitchen for hosting different classes and events. Each of the items offered in the shop were hand-selected by the owners to ensure only the highest quality of ingredients.

407 S. Palafox Pl., Pensacola (850) 434-6300, bodaciousshops.com

13) Celebrations

This locally-owned family shop has been in business for more than 30 years and offers everything from fresh flowers, stunning arrangements and custom wreaths to live plants, holiday and home decor, gift items and more. They also have an expansive greenhouse and outdoor courtyard area that’s filled with lush seasonal varieties and mixed Eurogardenstyle gift planters. If you’re looking to spruce up your home for the holidays, their team crafts some of the most gorgeous custom arrangements and wreaths in town.

717 N. 12th Ave., Pensacola (850) 433-2022, celebrationstheflorist.com.

Blue Morning Gallery

Beré Jewelers

Bodacious Bookstore and Cafe

14) Coastal Paddle Company

Located in the heart of Gulf Breeze, this family-owned shop offers a great selection of men’s and women’s clothing and accessories, Eno hammocks and more. Think The North Face, Patagonia, Columbia and more. hand-picked selection of coastal clothing, shoes, swimsuits, local gift items, sunglasses, outdoor gear, bikes and stand-up paddleboards. They also offer paddleboard training sessions so you can try before you buy.

848 Gulf Breeze Pkwy., Gulf Breeze (850) 916-1600, coastalpaddlecompany.com.

15) Dixie Knits

You’re sure to find something for the needle worker on your shopping list at Dixie Knits, a full service yarn shop in downtown Pensacola. Dixie Knits carries a wide variety of unique yarns, fibers, tools and accessories as well as craft kits and local gift ideas. They also offer classes and a community table to gather, share and knit.

116 W. Government St., Pensacola (850) 361-1088, dixieknits.com

16) Don Alans

Established in 2001, this sophisticated menswear store is conveniently located in the heart of downtown Pensacola and offers an extensive collection of designer men's apparel and footwear. The shop carries everything from tailored clothing and sportswear, to suits, sportcoats and other trendy accessories. Don Alans also specializes in custom clothing and offers top-notch tailoring services.

401 S. Palafox Pl., Pensacola (850) 439-1762, donalans.com

17) Duh! For Garden and Home

Mixing relaxation with elegance, Duh offers an eclectic collection of furniture, home accessories and found objects from all over the world. The designer products emphasize texture, pattern and natural design elements from a mixture of cultures and eras.

501 N. 9th Ave., Pensacola (850) 439-0640, duhpensacola.com

18) Elebash’s Jewelers

This fourth-generation family jeweler’s history can be traced back to early 20th century Selma, Alabama. Elebash’s provides customers with quality merchandise, superior service and exceptional value. Elebash’s is among the first in the Southeast to join the American Gem Society, with a membership that dates back over 65 years.

36 Palafox Pl., Pensacola (850) 432-5136, elebashs.com

19) Embellish Boutique

Local Donna Zampino opened her flagship store in Pace, but quickly outgrew her space and opened her current Embellish Boutique location, which is tucked away on Gregory St. right next to Nomadic Eats. The store offers a collection of sassy southern women’s apparel, accessories, housewares and more.

7 E. Gregory St., Pensacola (850) 247-9654, embellishboutiqueetc.com

20) Envie Boutique

Locally owned and located on Pensacola Beach, this stylish clothing and accessories boutique features both women’s and men’s fashions. You can shop for everything from trendy womens jewelry and bags to sunglasses and shoes. The shop’s collection features lines by top brands like Kendra Scott, Able, 7 For All Mankind, VIneyard Vines, Southern Tides, Tommy Bahama and more. They also carry a full line of Corkcicle and Sunbum products.

400 Quietwater Beach Rd., Ste. 7, Pensacola Beach (850) 934-7050, tonenvie.com

Don Alans

21) Fiore of Pensacola

Fiore is a full-service florist that delivers fresh flowers and plants to Pensacola and surrounding areas. Fiore’s small team of highly focused and dedicated women specialize in event design and weddings. Fiore is locally owned and operated from the heart of downtown Pensacola.

405 S. K St., Pensacola (850) 469-1930, fioreofpensacola.com

22) First City Art Center

Aside from functioning as a nonprofit community arts center, the FCAC also provides handmade wares that will make the perfect gift for a loved one. Products range from hand-blown glass ornaments, apparel, and the ever popular glass and ceramic pumpkins.

1060 N. Guillemard St., Pensacola (850) 429-1222, firstcityart.org

23) Garden Street Vintage

Longtime friends Dallas Patterson, Cody Potter and Adam Ynfante first met each other as competition as they all found an interest in thrifting vintage memorabilia and apparel. They eventually began working together to create the eclectic inventory that is Garden Street Vintage. This store provides an ever-changing collection of 90s grunge and streetwear that speaks to each of their tastes and specialties.

100 S. Jefferson St., Pensacola gardenstreetvtg.com

24) Gibson Girl

Founded in 2010, this family-owned women's boutique in Gulf Breeze offers up youthful styles for the modern woman—think dresses, shoes, accessories and home decor. They also carry HOBO handbags, fun accessories, a full line of Spanx clothing, plenty of local swag and other fun gift items.

Locations in Pensacola, Gulf Breeze & Destin (850) 932-2647, gibsongirlboutique.com

25) Gray Boutique

Veteran apparel maven Katy Nagel opened Gray Boutique as a way to bring timeless, quality go-to pieces to Pensacola fashion lovers. This trendy boutique offers a curated collection of both men’s and women’s clothing, perfumes, beauty items, fabulous accessories and more. The shop also carries high-end designer labels like CHANEL.

7 Palafox Pl., Pensacola (850) 485-3131, graypensacola.com

26) Indigeaux Denim Bar & Boutique

Owned by mother-daughter duo Kelly Rozier and Katie Bosso, Indigeaux specializes in a curated mix of trendy women's apparel and accessories—all embellished with southern charm and hospitality.

116 Palafox Pl., Pensacola (850) 607-2255, shopidb.com

27) Innerlight Surf Shop

Founded in 1969 by famed surfer Yancy Spencer, Innerlight is known as the surfers surf shop because they offer cutting edge products and superior customer service. Shop for surd, skate, paddle gear coastal apparel and more. Multiple locations, Pensacola (850) 932-5134, innerlightsurf.com

28) Intracoastal Outfitters

Family owned by local outdoor enthusiasts, Intracoastal carries all the gear and accessories you need for your outdoor adventures. From SPF shirts and cover-ups to quick dry clothing, hats, shoes and more from top retailers like Patagonia, TOMS Shoes and Costa Sunglasses. They also carry all the highend gear for everything from surfing to rock climbing and beyond.

400 Quietwater Beach Rd., Ste. 6, Pensacola Beach (850) 565-4210, intracoastaloutfitters.com

Joe Hobbs/First City Art Center

Garden Street Vintage

Innerlight Surf Shop

Intracoastal Outfitters

29) Jeweler’s Trade Shop

Owned and operated by the Davis family since 1956, Jewelers Trade Shop carries the finest in luxury jewelry with collections from iconic designers and retailers like Rolex, David Yurman, Tag Heuer and Mikimoto. JTS is sure to have that perfect something for the most discerning person on your gift list. 26

Palafox Pl., Pensacola (850) 432-4433, jewelerstradeshop.com

30) Just Judy’s Flowers, Local Art & Gifts

While primarily a floral shop, Just Judy’s also offers a wide variety of custom gift baskets, live plants and unique items from local artists like Nina Fritz—all in an adorable cottage atmosphere.

2509 N. 12 Ave., Pensacola (850) 436-4003, justjudysflowers.com

31) Lee Tracy

Since 1978, Lee Tracy has been a favorite among local shoppers looking for high end, fresh and distinct looks at reasonable prices. The boutique carries top designs from Joseph Ribkoff, Karlie, Escapada, Oh My Gauze, Black Swan, Uncle Frank, Dear John, Lisettle, Liverpool and more.

701 E. Gregory St., Pensacola (850) 912-8639, leetracypensacola.com

32) Lemons and Lace Boutique

Gaylan Hammock and Elizabeth Newton opened this 9-Mile Road boutique to share their love of fashion and to help women find their unique style. Specializing in modern, feminine and trendy styles, Lemons and Lace also carries gift items from local artist and artisans.

1449 W. 9 Mile Rd., Unit 15, Pensacola (812) 230-4926, lemonslaceboutique.com

33) The Market and Mainly Shoes

For nearly 40 years, this iconic, familyowned boutique has offered the most current apparel, accessories and shoe fashions from top designers like THE NINES by PAIGE, Norma Kamali, HOBO, Spanx, On Cloud and more. They specialize in wearable designs, seasonal attire, belts, handbags and other unique last-minute gifts.

700 S. Palafox St., Pensacola (850) 434-3012, ashopforwomen.com

34) Melobay

Opened by Pensacola local, Kandy McCloud, this "coastal casual" boutique in downtown Pensacola offers fun, seasonal high-quality clothing and accessories as well as kites, windmills, chimes, toys and plenty of unique gift items.

122 S. Palafox Pl., Pensacola (850) 542-0010, melobay.com

35) Millie’s Garden Boutique

This undeniably adorable little kiosk is located inside the iconic food truck court, “The Garden” on the corner of Palafox and Main. Millie’s offers an eclectic array of locally grown and beautifully potted plants as well as handcrafted gift items. They also offer workshops for those crafty people on your shopping list.

501 S. Palafox St., Pensacola (850) 366-2632, facebook.com/milliesgardenboutique/

36) Mollie’s Unique Finds & Furniture

Located just off Highway 90 in Pace, this one-of-a-kind shop offers a variety of delightful gift and home décor items made by local vendors. From new and refinished furniture to trendy home décor items and unique gifts, each item in this locally-owned shop has its own unique style. Mollie’s also recently expanded and now has an entire furniture showroom with a variety of pieces in different sizes, styles and finishes.

5054 Highway 90, Pace (850) 686-7793, molliesuniquefindsandfurniture.com

Just Judy’s Flowers, Local Art & Gifts

Lee Tracy

Melobay

Millie’s Garden Boutique

37) Oak & Ash

This warm and welcoming home boutique is beautifully decorated and offers everything for the home from lighting and furniture pieces to home decor and a variety of unique gift items that are sure to please anyone on your holiday shopping list.

1308 W. 9 Mile Rd., Pensacola (850) 332-7311, oakandashhome.com

38) J.W. Renfroe Pecan Co.

Whether you’re looking for a tasty gift option for the foodie in your life, or a sweet treat to bring to Chritsmas dinner, J.W. Renfroe Pecan Co. is the spot to shop. Renfroe Pecan Co. has a variety of gift sets and other confections such as fudges, pies, brittles, candies, and more. J.W. Renfroe Pecan Co. began in Alabama in the 1930s by J.W. Renfroe Senior and became one of the largest wholesalers of in-shell pecans in the country. J.W. Renfroe Junior moved the company to Pensacola in the 1950s. Since then, the Renfroe family has been serving the Pensacola area for more than 60 years and has expanded to now include two locations.

Location at 2400 W. Fairfield Dr. & 794 W. Main St., Pensacola (850) 432-2083, renfroepecan.com

39) Open Books

If you need a great gift for a bookworm, look no further than Open Books. Opened in 2007, Open Books carries a large assortment of books, from children’s books to adults’ and books of every genre. You can feel good about shopping at Open Books because this nonprofit, volunteer-run bookstore is also home to the “Prison Book Project” that sends about 10,000 books to Florida inmates every year.

1040 N. Guillemard St., Pensacola (850) 453-6774, openbookspcola.org

40) Pensacola Hardware Co.

Pensacola Hardware sells more than your average hardware store, with both a contractor section and a section of homeware and locally-made gifts. From cookware and cutlery, to tool kits and vacuums, Pensacola Hardware Co. has everything you need to make a homeowner’s life easier. First opened in 1851, Pensacola Hardware has a history as long as the list of items it sells. It is one of the 50 oldest businesses in the US.

20 E. Gregory St., Pensacola (850) 438-3186, pensacolahardware.com

41) Pizzaz & Sugarbabies

Pizzaz is a boutique featuring locallymade art pieces, goods and holiday decor. Pizzaz was founded over a decade ago by mother-daughter duo Viki Weir and Courtney Henderson. Attached to Pizzaz is a children’s store called Sugarbabies, also owned by Weir and Henderson. Whether you’re searching for locally made decor or a cute onesie for a loved one, Pizzaz and Sugarbabies is a one-stop shop for all your holiday needs.

832 Gulf Breeze Pkwy., Gulf Breeze (850) 934-3436, pizzazhome.com

42) Quayside Art Gallery

When shopping for an art-lover, Quayside Art Gallery is the place to go. Quayside Art Gallery is the largest co-op gallery in the Southeast. The gallery features all different types of art– from acrylic and oil paintings to ceramics, jewelry, woodwork and more. While Quayside serves as an art gallery, pieces are also available for purchase. Quayside Art Gallery was established in 1973 by Pensacola Artists, Inc. (PAI) and is still maintained by PAI today.

17 E. Zaragoza St., Pensacola (850) 438-2363, quaysidegallery.com

Quayside Art Gallery

J.W. Renfroe Pecan Co.

Pensacola Hardware Co.

43) Revolver Records

First established in 1987, this trendy record and music shop shares a space with Jitterbug Beverage Co. in Pensacola’s historic East Hill. Their wide selection of vinyl records and other music-related gifts is sure to please the music lover on your gift list. Owner Eric Jones, is always on-hand to help you find the perfect vinyl with his decades of experience in the CD and record business.

2050 N. 12th Ave, Pensacola (850) 712-6373, facebook.com/RevolverFL/

44) Rock Hard Designs

Diamonds are a girl’s best friend and Rock Hard Designs has offered some of the finest diamonds in Pensacola for over 40 years. Rock Hard Design House is run by owner and designer Carla Hard, and master jeweler and in-house metalsmith Jeff Spencer (J David Designs). Together the duo create custom fine jewelry for any gifting occasion. In addition to jewelry, Rock Hard Designs also features restored antique furniture.

16 N. Palafox St., Pensacola (850) 438-5119, rockharddesignhouse.com

45) Running Wild

Running Wild is the perfect place to pick up a pair of fresh kicks for the runner in your life. Established in 2000 by lifelong running husband and wife duo Paul and Cherie Epstein, Running Wild offers professionally fitting running shoes to help runners in their training and injury prevention. The Epsteins take health seriously; Paul is a runner and coach of 40 years and was in the Army during Desert Storm and Cherie has run competitively her whole life in college, marathons and Ironman Florida. 3012 E. Cervantes St., Pensacola (850) 435-9222, werunwild.com

46) Rusted Arrow Mercantile

This mother-daughter owned boutique specializes in coastal farmhouse decor and gifts. Owners Ruth Cornelius and Samantha Breedlove opened Rusted Arrow in 2017 to pursue Cornelius’ lifelong dream of owning a boutique. Rusted Arrow offers solutions to your holiday needs, providing an assortment of seasonal and holiday decor, as well as yearround home goods and restored vintage furniture.

130 Palafox Pl., Pensacola (850) 285-0371, rustedarrowmercantile.com

47) Scout

Scout is downtown’s contemporary women's boutique featuring styles of clothing running from casual and going out styles to office wear and formal wear. Scout was founded by fashion designer Julia Ussery in 2007. Though Ussery grew up in Pensacola, she lived in New York for many years while she studied fashion and worked for brands such as Calvin Klein. With over 20 years of experience in the fashion industry, Ussery can help customers select and style pieces. If you have a fashionista on your shopping list , be sure to stop by Scout to pick up some sleek modern pieces. 403 S. Palafox St., Pensacola (850) 607-7105, instagram.com/scout_boutique

48) SoBo Boutique

SoBo Boutique was opened in 2014 by Pensacola local Alicia Taylor-Printz, who always dreamed of opening a boutique in her hometown. Today, SoBo is supplying Pensacola with Southern Bohemian-style clothing and accessories like jewelry, wallets, sweaters and more. Whether you need a nice dress for a holiday party, or a last minute gift for a girlfriend, SoBo has you covered!

512 N. 9th Ave, Pensacola (850) 434-0258, thesoboboutique.com

Running Wild

Revolver Records

49) Sparkle – A Girl’s Boutique

Girly girls and mom’s of girly girls love this precious downtown boutique that carries assortment of handmade clothing and accessories in bold colors and patterns. Particularly loved are their custom hair bows as well as their custom embroidery options for both boys and girls. Make the little one in your life the star of any show with a custom outfit that’s sure to make them sparkle.

124 Palafox Pl., Pensacola (850) 449-3123, facebook.com/sparklepensacola

50) Still Waters Day & Medical Spa

While not a boutique, per se, Still Waters does offer full lines of some of the best skin care around including SkinMedica, Obagi, VI Derm and Skinceuticals. They also carry a house brand toner and face wash developed for their spa facials. If you’re unsure of what product line to gift, you can grab a gift card for any of their products or services.

40 N. Tarragona, Pensacola, (850) 432-6772, stillwatersmedspa.com

51) Waterboyz

Waterboyz began in the 1980s when owner and skater Sean Fell discovered a love of surfing. After getting into the sport, Fell became interested in handshaping surfboards and was joined by surfboard shaper Rick Bullock. Since then, Waterboyz has grown into what it is today– a one-stop shop with everything skate and surf, from new surfboards and skate decks to apparel. Fell and Bullock still handcraft Waterboyz surfboards today.

380 N. 9th Ave, Pensacola (850) 433-2929, waterboyz.com

52) Weatherford’s

Since 1986, Weatherford’s has been providing the Gulf Coast with fourseason apparel including gear for snow sports and outdoor activities. If you can’t find what you need for your adventure, owner David Dodson can order it for you from a variety of exclusive vendors. In addition to their inventory, Weatherford’s also boasts a 35-foot indoor rock climbing wall and a 45-foot outdoor wall for those looking to learn the ropes of climbing.

3009 E. Cervantes St, Pensacola (850) 433-2822, weatherfords.net

Waterboyz

Still Waters Day & Medical Spa

Pensacola Ice Flyers November Schedule

November Home Games and Theme Nights at the Pensacola Bay Center. Games start at 7:05 pm. For tickets and information, visit iceflyers.com.

December 2: Huntsville Havoc vs Ice Flyers; Teddy Bear Toss

December 3: Birmingham Bulls vs Ice Flyers; Big Brothers Big Sisters Night

December 16: Huntsville Havoc vs Ice Flyers; Peanuts Night

December 23: Birmingham Bulls vs Ice Flyers; An Ice Flyers Christmas

December 27: Macon Mayhem vs Ice Flyers; Canine Companions Night

Gulf Breeze Jolly Holiday Market and Parade

December 3

Gulf Breeze’s Jolly Holiday Market and Parade will make for a day of holiday fun! The Gulf Breeze Chamber of Commerce

and the City of Gulf Breeze Parks and Recreation are teaming up to host the Jolly Holiday Market and Parade on December 3. The market will be at 800 Shoreline Drive, Gulf Breeze inside the Gulf Breeze Parks and Recreation Community Center. Shop from a variety of local vendors from 9 am to 2 pm. After the market, gear up for the 4 pm parade featuring decked-out floats, cars and bikes. The parade will start at Gulf Breeze High School and take a mile long journey to the community center. For more information, contact Tara Carlsrud at Parks and Recreation at (850)-934-5140.

Craft & Vintage Holiday Market at Odd Colony

December 4

Odd Colony Brewing Co. is hosting its Craft & Vintage Holiday Market from 12 pm to 5 pm on December 4. This market is the perfect opportunity to get some holiday shopping done while supporting local businesses. There wil be a variety of local vendors selling vintage goods, art, self-care products, handcrafted jewlery and more.

EVENT CALENDAR

In addition to these vendors, there will also be food vendors including MI SU Street Food, Craft Bakery, Maker’s Coffee Co. and Bluejay’s Bakery. Odd Colony Brewing Co. is located at 260 N Palafox Street. For more information, check out @oddcolony on Facebook.

2nd Annual Krampus 5k and PreKrampusnacht Christmas Market

December 4

On December 4, Emerald Republic Brewing is hosting its 2nd Annual Krampus 5k and Pre-Krampusnacht Christmas Market. Arrive at noon to shop from over twenty vendors in the beer garden at 1414 W. Government Street. While shopping, grab a bite to eat from A Rustyc Spoon and enjoy a brew. Drink specials include $1-off saisons, $10 champagne buckets and a variety of holiday drinks including mulled wine, coquito and special Krampusnacht cocktails. After filling up, run it all off while trying to outrun Krampus in the 5k race. The race begins at 2 pm. For more information, visit emeraldrepublicbrewing.com.

EVENT CALENDAR

Cox Pensacola Christmas Parade

December 10

Celebrating its 40th year, the 2022 Cox Pensacola Christmas Parade will take place on December 10 at 5:30 pm. This annual event draws over 50,000 people to downtown Pensacola, featuring more than 50 floats, marching bands and the nationally-renowned Blue Angels flight team. The Pensacola Runners Association has teamed up with the Cox Pensacola Christmas Parade for the annual Christmas Parade Dash, a 1.2-mile run preceding the parade. The parade will be streamed on WKRG.com and broadcast on WKRG-TV5 from 5:30 pm to 7:00 pm. For more information, visit coxpensacolachristmasparade.org.

HoHo Hustle 5k Race

December 10

Get jolly with some jogging! The HoHo Hustle is a holiday-themed 5k race perfect for the whole family. Hustle along the scenic

spreading holiday cheer. Don’t forget to attend the post-race party to take a pic with Santa and snack on some holiday treats. Whether you want to race or cheer others on, the HoHo Hustle is the perfect way to run into the holiday season. The race begins at 8 am at Running Wild (3012 E Cervantes Street). To register and to learn more, visit runpensacola.com.

Rumours - A Fleetwood Mac Tribute at Vinyl Music Hall

December 10

Relive the magical sounds of Fleetwood Mac with Rumours - A Fleetwood Mac Tribute at Vinyl Music Hall. Rumours, also known as Rumours ATL, is a Fleetwood Mac tribute band formed in 2014. The band has since taken the US by storm, performing for fans across the nation. Come experience an authentic recreation of live Fleetwood Mac shows on December 10 at 2 S Palafox Street. Doors open at 7 pm and the show begins at 8 pm. For tickets and more information, visit

3rd Annual East Hill All Vehicle Sleigh Ride

December 17

Spread holiday cheer throughout the streets of East Hill with the 3rd Annual All Vehicle Sleigh Ride! Decorate your car, golf cart, trailers, boats, and bikes for a fun nighttime holiday processional through the neighborhood. All vehicles are welcome but must be lit and able to go at least 5 mph. Line-up starts at 4:15 pm at the Bayview Community Center. The processional starts at 5:30 pm. The event is free to participate in and attend, but donations to support the Gulf Coast Kid's House are encouraged. For the parade route and more details, visit facebook.com/events/328690412445362.

Be sure to check out this month's issue of Downtown Crowd for a complete round up of local holiday markets and shopping events.

Pensacola-based photographer and entrepreneur Travis Patterson, has established a new

studio and workspace in downtown Pensacola Landmark Creative Studio.

Climate

Todd

New Photography Studio Creates Space for All

by Morgan Cole

For many part-time or even full-time photographers, studio space can be hard to come by, primarily due to costs and other factors like building maintenance and upkeep.

One local entrepreneur has been working to fill this gap, creating a space of his own, but for others to use. Pensacola-based photographer Travis Patterson has established a new type of creative workspace in downtown Pensacola, and it’s called Landmark Creative Studio.

As one of the only photography studios in the city, Landmark follows a new national business trend, essentially adopting an AirBnB format, but for photography space. The business model allows local creatives to pay a set rate to have access to the space for an allotted period of time.

Housed in a historic building located at 103 W. Intendencia Street in the heart of downtown Pensacola, Landmark officially opened its doors to the community in September of this year.

As a professional commercial and editorial photographer himself, Landmark Owner and Studio Manager Travis Patterson, knew that establishing a designated studio space for photography in Pensacola would not only benefit his business, but would serve as a valuable asset to many other photographers and creatives in our community.

“I truly believe that Pensacola was in need of a downtown creative workspace that offered both the professionalism of a studio environment and access to our beautiful business district and

vibrant Palafox Street, all within easy walking distance,” Patterson said.

Landmark offers rental space to both members and non-members, with rentals available by the hour as well as by the day. For creatives interested in utilizing the studio space on a more regular basis, Landmark currently offers three membership tiers—Basic, Pro and Combination. All rentals include access to both studio rooms, the client room and all onsite equipment. Patterson also explained that the studio can be booked 24 hours a day and that there are no designated hours of operation when it comes to renting the space.

Although creatives have full private access to the space during rentals, Patterson said that he would be available upon request for any clients wanting him to provide equipment tutorials and review how to operate everything in the space so that they can feel confident while utilizing it.

With inflation on the rise and postpandemic aftershocks affecting creatives across the country, many are quickly ditching the by-the-

Landmark Creative Owner and Studio Manager, Travis Patterson.

hour rental spaces and jumping on to more inclusive membership-based plans. For decades, competitors have been charging photographers upwards of $300 per hour to utilize similar studio spaces, discouraging emerging photographers looking to grow their portfolio.

Landmark is unique because of its accessible membership approach and central location to the downtown area. The studio comes equipped with just about anything one could need for conducting a professional photo shoot. Inside, creatives have full access to three professional lighting rigs with radio triggers designed for all major camera systems, a rack of light-shaping tools, more than a dozen backgrounds, light stands, two studio rooms, a vanity and dressing area and a client room designated for meetings, image reviews or even a waiting area for others while photographing in the main space. “I like to tell people that all they need to bring is their camera,” Patterson said.

Although Landmark primarily serves as a portrait studio, it’s really only limited by your imagination. The space can be utilized for branding and product photoshoots, as well as video productions. The studio recently hosted a crew from CNN/HLN for three days for the filming of an episode that’s part of an ongoing TV series.

“As a commercial, member-based, portrait and product photo studio, Landmark aims to attract professional photographers (and even advanced enthusiasts) in need of an open, reliable, inviting space to bring their clients and team to create impactful work,” Patterson said.

Opening a photography studio in the downtown area was a dream that Patterson had had for more than a decade, so when the opportunity to take over the location became an option, his dream quickly transformed into a reality.

“In an effort to make the opportunity of studio work space accessible to all of our local creatives, I have worked very hard to keep the most competitive pricing in the Pensacola area,” Patterson explained.

Individuals can learn more about pricing and membership tiers by reaching out to Patterson by email at landmarkcreativestudio@gmail.com or by calling (850) 610-1770.

“I am grateful to be part of our busy and growing downtown district. I hope that Landmark Creative Studio can become a central space for Pensacola creative professionals as well as photography education,” Patterson said.

For more about Landmark Creative Studio, visit landmarkcreativestudio.com or check out @LandmarkCreativeStudio on Facebook and Instagram.

Around the Region

City Announces $5.9 Million in RESTORE Funding for Bayou Texar Water Quality Improvements

The City of Pensacola is excited to announce a $5.95 million RESTORE funding award for the Bayou Texar Outfalls Project, which will help improve Bayou Texar water quality through the addition of five underground stormwater treatment units along the bayou. The underground stormwater treatment units are designed to remove pollutants and prevent them from discharging into Bayou Texar, enhancing the water quality of the bayou and connected waterways.

"This funding is monumental in the City of Pensacola's ongoing efforts to improve our waterways," Mayor Grover Robinson said. "We are so grateful to RESTORE, and to our partners at Escambia County who applied for this funding on the city's behalf. Projects like this will help us ensure that our bayous, bays, creeks and waterways can be restored and protected for generations to come."

The city has received notice from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection of their intent to award the $5.95 million to the City of Pensacola through RESTORE. The funding award is expected to be finalized following the 30-day public comment period from FDEP, which closes December 16.

The units installed through this project will collect stormwater runoff from approximately 40 acres of densely populated Bayou Texar watershed and trap sediment, trash, oils, greases, and other pollutants inside. This process will lead to cleaner water being discharged into Bayou Texar and Pensacola Bay.

RESTORE funding will include the design and construction of the stormwater treatment units, which will be added at the following locations along Bayou Texar:

• Gadsden Street

• East Gonzalez Street

• West Gonzalez Street

• Cove Road

• Hyde Park

This project will be managed by the City of Pensacola Public Works and Facilities Department. A project map with additional information is available below.

To learn more about the RESTORE Act, visit the U.S. Department of the Treasury website.

to

Amit Gupta, M.D., his wife, Shruti, and their family have made a major gift to support the new Baptist Hospital campus, which is scheduled to open fall 2023. The Foundation will name the diagnostic imaging center in honor of Dr. Gupta’s parents, Girish S. and Vimu G. Gupta. While Dr. Gupta is not an employee of Baptist Hospital, he has served as an independent member of its medical staff since 1997.

“The people at Baptist are fabulous – the nurses and the technologists, they’re amazing people,” Dr. Gupta said. “We help so many people. It’s been very rewarding to me. Baptist has afforded me to work with these patients, and we felt like it was time to give back. Being in that new location is going to help us take care of even more people.”

The Guptas’ compassion and desire to help others stems from their Indian culture and strong family values. Growing up they learned that giving back is essential and said they are grateful to their parents for teaching them the value of selflessness. They hope their gift inspires others to give.

“We are extremely grateful for the generosity of Dr. Gupta and his family, as well as for their shared vision to serve our community,” Baptist Health Care President and CEO Mark Faulkner said. “We are blessed with Dr. Gupta’s leadership as a physician and now for this transformational family gift.”

For more information, visit baptisthealthcarefoundation.org. The

Dr. Amit and Shruti Gupta Donate to Baptist Health Care Foundation

Name New Diagnostic Imaging Center

The National Association of Professional Employer Organizations (NAPEO) announced today that Britt Landrum III, president and CEO of Pensacola, FL-based LandrumHR, has been elected to the association’s Board of Directors during its annual member meeting on September 13.

Landrum is among nine new industry leaders elected to serve as directors on the association’s board for the 2022-23 term. NAPEO membership elected the new slate of candidates on September 13, 2022, at NAPEO’s Annual Conference & Marketplace in Palm Springs, California.

Landrum is an experienced PEO executive and well-known industry leader. He previously served on the NAPEO Board from 2013 to 2017 and has maintained an active role on several NAPEO committees. He also served as chairman of the Employer Services Assurance Corporation (ESAC), the official accreditation and financial assurance organization for the PEO industry. LandrumHR is a professional employer organization (PEO) offering a range of services to its clients including payroll, benefits, HR, tax administration, and regulatory compliance assistance.

“I am honored that NAPEO membership has elected me to the Board of Directors for the second time,” said Landrum. “It’s been interesting to see our industry evolve over the years, and I can’t wait to see where we go from here.”

International Paper’s Pensacola Mill Awards $20,000 Grant in Support of the University of West Florida Community Garden

International Paper Pensacola Mill has awarded the University of West Florida a $20,000 capital grant from the International Paper Foundation. The grant funding will be used to support the UWF Community Garden master plan in extending pathway lighting throughout the garden and into the gazebo.

“Together, International Paper and UWF are living up to our shared values of sustainability and community engagement,” Dr. Greg Tomso, vice president for the Division of Academic Engagement and Student Affairs, faculty garden director and garden founder said. “Through our ongoing partnership, we are building a legacy that will be enjoyed by our community for generations to come. We are very grateful for International Paper's generosity and stewardship in making this project so successful.”

Bringing light to the garden at night will make the garden safe for visitors during evening events and allow use of the garden for evening classes, community meetings, concerts and other events that require a safe, welllit environment.

“The University of West Florida continues to work toward building a sustainable and health conscious community and we appreciate the opportunity to contribute to UWF’s involvement in Pensacola,” Scott Taylor, International Paper Pensacola Mill Manager said.

International Paper Foundation has supported University of West Florida Community Garden and their Edible Campus initiatives with more than $70,000 in grant funding since 2016.

With the help of International Paper, UWF staff, students and volunteers have transformed the UWF campus into a hub of sustainable food production and native plant habitats and accomplished the follow major goals:

• Completed our main vegetable growing areas at the community garden

• Planted hundreds of new fruit trees and edible plants on campus

• Completed construction and installation of our grape arbor

• Installed a new tea garden

• Replenished our growing beds several times with organic mushroom compost

• Expanded irrigation to many areas of the garden “Investing in our community is part of the IP Way, which is doing the right things, in the right ways, for the right reasons, all of the time,” Whitney Fike, International Paper Communications Manager said. “We are proud to support the University of West Florida as they make a positive impact within our community through International Paper signature causes of education, hunger, and health and wellness.”

Northwest Florida Guardian ad Litem Foundation, Inc.

Hours: Mon–Fri, 9am–5pm nwfgal.org

19 Iowa Dr NE, Ft Walton Beach, FL 32548 (850) 595-3728

“

I understand how it feels as my belongings were placed in large trash bags, this happened to me while I was in foster care. I join Northwest Florida Guardian ad Litem Foundation in their goal to eliminate trash bags as an acceptable form of luggage for foster children.

Cases for Kids will provide hope for children just entering foster care. We want them to know that someone loves them and can relate to what they are going through.

- KATIE

ANDERSON Advocate for Foster Children

1800 St Mary Ave #3, Pensacola, FL 32501

BY THE NUMBERS

A Look at October’s Market Highlights

Market Highlights

October total monthly sales were down 9% compared to September and down 19% compared to the same month last year.

At $314,900, the median sale price (both property types combined) remained virtually unchanged from September.

The average DOM for residential and condos combined inched-up three days from September’s 28 DOM.

New listings for both residential and condo listings fell in October, with residential listings falling by 54% compared to September.

At 230, October pending sales were the lowest reported since December 2019.

Data courtesy of the Pensacola Association of REALTORS ®

New Ways to Display Poinsettias  This Holiday Season

by Melinda Meyers

Nothing says the holidays like a poinsettia. This year, try some new ways to dis play this festive plant. Poinsettias are available in a variety of colors including white, pink, hot pink, yellow, peach, marbled and speckled. These colorful parts of the plant, often referred to as flowers, are actually modified leaves called bracts. The real flowers are small, yel low and appear at the tip of the stem surrounded by the bract.

Look for new places to display your poinsettia. Place a plant on a side or serving table. Remove the foil and set the plant in a decorative container. Try a hot pink poinsettia in a white pot or several different colors set in a serving tray, basket, or unique container. Add a table runner, candle stick, bowl of colorful fruit or other decorative touches.

Dress up individual or a group of poin settias. White poinsettias donned with colorful berries, Chinese lan tern pods and bobbles may be all you need for an eye-catching dis play. Use poinsettias as a center piece for your holiday meals. Place several potted poinsettias in the mid dle of the table. Cover the plastic pots with greens. Then add some colorful pepper berries, cranberries, apples, or ornaments. Compact poinsettias like the Princettia® poinsettia with its

abundant vibrant flowers work well for this application.  Your guests will be able to see across the table as they visit over dinner, enjoying the holiday ambience created by these beautiful plants.

Dress up each place setting with a cut poinsettia bloom. Simply cut the flowers off a potted poinsettia plant to the desired length. Place it in a floral water pick, the water-filled tubes used for cut flowers. Tuck the bloom into a napkin, set it in a small bud vase or add a ribbon to dress it up. They make great party favors for your guests.

Look for other ways to include these in your holiday décor.  Even one cut poinsettia flower set among a bowl of silver, gold or white orna ments adds a nice holiday touch. Set a few cut flowers aside to use as unique package adornments. Just secure the flower, floral pick and all, with a colorful ribbon to the gift. Use cut poinsettia flowers in a vase like you would other blooms.  Even one of these large blossoms puts on quite the display and is sure to bright en even the smallest of rooms. Combine your poinsettia with a few greens and other flowers. Quickly sear the cut end of the poinset tia stems to prevent the sticky sap from leaking into the water. Dress up

your arrangement by filling the vase with cranberries, small ornaments, or other colorful adornments.

While enjoying your holidays, a dis cussion on the proper pronunciation of the plant’s name may arise. Some say Poinsett-a and don’t pronounce the second “I.” Others include it and say Poinsett-e-a? You will find both pronunciations in various dictio naries. In other words, either one is considered correct, so no one loses this debate.

These colorful plants are sure to brighten your spirits throughout the holiday season, so be sure to make some space for a few poinsettia dis plays.

About the Author:

Melinda Myers has written more than 20 gardening books, including the recently released Midwest Gar dener’s Handbook, 2nd Edition and Small Space Gardening. She hosts The Great Courses “How to Grow Anything” DVD and instant video se ries and the nationally-syndicat ed Melinda’s Garden Moment TV & radio program. Myers is a columnist and contributing editor for Birds & Blooms magazine and was commis sioned by Corona Tools for her exper tise to write this article. Myers’ web site is www.MelindaMyers.com.

A holiday display with pink and red Princettia® Euphorbia poinsettias.

Photo courtesy of Suntory Flowers

How To Make Elevated Design Choices: The Delight is in the Details

Whether you're a DIYer wanting to transform your home or a professional designer, each decision you make about the quality of finishes impacts the overall look of a room. From thoughtfully selected color palettes to carefully curated textures, each finish decision you make can bring a room from ordinary to extraordinary - so it's worth the effort to be intentional about these design choices. The good news is, there are modern design collections available today that are specially created to work together for maximum visual impact, making it easier to find options that make sense both separately and together to turn the rooms of your home into elegant, sophisticated spaces.

Mid-Century Modern Meets Scandinavian Design

Certain design aesthetics go very well together, and that's certainly the case with mid-century modern and Scandinavian design. You may have heard that less is more, and that's certainly the case with these design aesthetics, which both favor clean, simple lines, preferring curves over straight edges, along with a tendency toward visual minimalism. One difference between the two? While Scandinavian design usually incorporates more natural materials like wood, mid-century modern embraces the use of metals and glass.

Combining these complementary aesthetics together and bring ing them into the contemporary era, Kohler Lighting's Tone Col lection draws inspiration from designers such as Finnish-Amer ican architect Eero Saarinen - who used natural elegance and sculped simplicity - together with bold visual statements and use of glass and metals for a fresh take on mid-century modern style. Within the collection, you can find a variety of stylish and refined lighting options including chandeliers, pendants and ceiling mount designs to illuminate and enhance any room in your home. Blending minimalism, warmth and thoughtful functionality, these lighting fixtures are versatile enough to improve the visual appeal

of any space in your home. Even better, these contemporary piec es were created to complement the Kohler Tone faucet collection for a cohesive overall home design.

The Beauty of Mixed Metals

To add depth to a space as well as more visual interest and sophistication, today's designers draw on techniques such as combining mixed-metal finishes to provide pleasing contrasts and a sense of varied textures.

For example, the Tone One-Light Sconce is a beautiful example of the collection's interplay of materials and finish: Their softly curved backplate supports a sleek T-arm topped by a flared finial and suspends a stylized tulip clear glass shade, its exaggerated size contrasted by an overall minimalist design. This sconce is available in Polished Chrome, Brushed Nickel, Brushed Moderne Brass, Matte Black, Matte Black and Polished Chrome, or Matte Black and Brushed Moderne Brass.

You can also choose the versatile, solution-driven design of a Tone Two-Light Sconce, with unique creativity that adds to its overall elegance and charm. A single rounded backplate rais es slightly from the wall, extending a sleek T-style metal arm support upon which two individual metal and stylized tulip glass shades are suspended, each topped with a flared finial, com pleting the design. This sconce is available in Polished Chrome, Brushed Nickel, Brushed Moderne Brass, Matte Black, Matte Black and Polished Chrome, or Matte Black and Brushed Mod erne Brass.

Another benefit of choosing from this collection is that each light fixture is quality tested to ensure that it will remain beautiful for years to come. The fixtures also offer easy installation, with col or-matched finishes and diffusers for soft, ambient light that will suit almost any lifestyle and room design.

Before you begin your next home design project, explore the exciting new possibilities for lighting at Kohler.com.