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.

May 2023

Owner Malcolm Ballinger strange spring. The novel in our so far been it from print with time, Escambia Santa quickly once

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.

Passion and Joy 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 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

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.

/pensacolamagazine 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! incredible special-needs pets and 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.

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.

As we were putting together this issue of the weather in Pensacola was typically unpredictable—blazing hot sunshine one day, chilly mornings the next and insane thunderstorms the day after that. That’s springtime here along the Gulf Coast for you. Before you know it, the blistering heat of summer will be upon us — just in time for our kids to be home from school and bored out of their minds. What’s a parent to do? Summer camp, of course! For this month’s issue, we have brought back our annual roundup of local summer camps to help keep parents sane and the kids occupied with enriching activities all summer long.

Publisher Malcolm Ballinger malcolm@ballingerpublishing.com

Executive Editor Kelly Oden kelly@ballingerpublishing.com

Art Director Ian Lett ian@ballingerpublishing.com

Kelly Oden Executive Editor

Graphic Designer/Ad Coordinator Garrett Hallbauer advertise@ballingerpublishing.com

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.

This parenting-focused issue also highlights the incredible work being done by animal sanctuaries in our area. These sanctuaries provide a safe haven for animals that have been neglected or abused, and we are honored to highlight their efforts in our pages. These sanctuaries also offer the opportunity for families to visit and engage with the animals and their caretakers.

Procrastination

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.

Editor Morgan Cole morgan@ballingerpublishing.com

We also bring parents and older teens some helpful tips for navigating the popular Hangout Music Festival, so you can make the most of your festival experience.

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 of the clutter and unnecessary junk that fills it. It’s time to make room for something new.

Assistant Editor Nicole Willis nicole@ballingerpublishing.com

Editorial Intern Gillian Rabold

With a recent law that requires financial literacy classes in Florida high schools set to kick in next school year, we thought we’d give parents a head start with some tips and tricks for helping teens navigate the complex world of finances, so they can make informed decisions about their money and prepare for a successful financial future.

Contributing Writers DeeDee Davis

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.

In addition to this month’s feature stories, we also dive into the world of pollinator gardens and explore how we can create spaces that are welcoming to bees, butterflies and other essential pollinators.

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

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

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!

We hope you enjoy reading this issue as much as we enjoyed putting it together.

Kelly

Kelly

Oden Executive Editor

Oden Executive

Editor

Kelly Oden Executive Editor

@pensacola_magazine

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

Published by Ballinger Publishing:

/pensacolamagazine @pensacola_magazine

Renew your subscription now online at www.ballingerpublishing.com: One year $14.95 and two years $22.75.

/pensacolamagazine @pensacola_magazine subscription now online at www.ballingerpublishing.com: One year $14.95 and two years $22.75. your subscription now online at www.ballingerpublishing.com: One year $14.95 and two years $22.75.

Proud member of the author of the article, and they are not necessarily those of the publisher. 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. © 2023

“

Tabitha helped us sell our home AND simultaneously buy our new one! We built new and it was an absolute breeze! She made all transitions and paperwork as smooth as possible for us. Our home sold in UNDER 8 days!”

Benjamin R.

“Tabitha is a great agent! She represented us, and our interests, from across the country. When we couldn’t be there, in the immortal words of Michael Jackson, she said “I’ll be there!” And she was. Even after closing escrow she has been there for us, helping get the right contractors and checking the status of various matters when we couldn’t. I just can’t express in words how much we appreciate her and how great she is. Don’t hesitate to work with her if you are in need of a realtor!

Jess S.

We are approaching the season of graduations and weddings, both requiring the right gift. Everyday, life experiences hold the secret to choosing memorable gifts.

Yesterday morning, just as I do every day, I opened the front door after inhaling three cups of coffee and headed for the gym. Despite the early hour and promise of sunrise, I noticed something unusual on our porch. Stepping a little closer I could see that my neighbor’s cat had paid us a visit in the night with yet another gift. Lately, I have been spending a lot of hours out of doors gardening, and the cat is frequently my companion. He is a friendly little guy and interrupts my pruning and planting with his purring and need for a bit of attention. I usually cooperate and take a break to scratch his ears or rub his arched back. For this I am occasionally rewarded the following morning with his gift of love. And, while a dead rat may not be your idea of a present, I am touched. First of all, I would much rather see the rodent deceased than otherwise and, secondly, this is the way a cat expresses love, kindness and pride. I thought about this later as I shopped for a wedding gift for my nephew and realized that gift giving is truly an art. Some are so much better at it than others. Most people go through the motions when a gift is required. They hurry out, usually at the last minute, desperately searching for something appropriate. It probably gets stuffed inside a bag and might have a greeting card attached. None of this is a bad thing, but just imagine what a little planning can produce. It’s not as if you have to lurk in the bushes watching for some sign of life to pounce on and then drag the carcass to your recipient. No, it is far more complicated in the human world. Cost has absolutely nothing to do with the perfect gift but it does need to be something carefully thought out. Don’t get me wrong. When in doubt, jewelry is always the answer. But even precious gems require the right touch. Some of my favorite gifts of all times were not the expensive ones, but the little things that came from the heart.

A poem written by my small son, dinner proudly prepared by my adolescent daughter, clothing made by my mom consuming hours on her sewing machine and anything that my husband gives to me as everything he selects is thoughtful. Almost as important, is the wrapping. Whitman’s Sampler candies hit it big in 1912 when they put a tiny piece of cellophane around their sweets and saw sales increase by three times almost overnight. The custom of wrapping actually began when early shopkeepers would put brown paper around purchased goods but it was Hallmark who made a fortune by understanding this and taking it to a whole new level. Traditional wrappings can be beautiful but adding something like fresh flowers or a sprig of herbs to a plain package is fabulous. MANY years ago, a guy friend gave me 40 lottery tickets in a brown lunch bag for that milestone birthday and I have never forgotten it. Different. One of my children’s elementary school teachers had them wrap a gift in simple paper and write personal things all over it. The possibilities are endless with a little thought. By far, the most important ingredient to the entire gifting operation is gratitude. Be grateful that you have an occasion to provide an offering and, on the other side, be so humble and appreciative that someone has taken the time and trouble to give you something. Haven’t you received plenty of smelly rat equivalents in your life? I have a relative that has developed quite a reputation because she unabashedly takes back every single thing anyone has ever given her. I found a cure for this and now she has one less return to worry about. Any gift is a good gift if a cheerful giver and grateful recipient are involved. You can always love the gesture. Just keep a shovel handy. Meow. Local news is filled with headlines about philanthropists and business leaders who have given so much to this community. And they are so deserving. But think of all of the people who are part of the daily fabric of this wonderful town and whose names you will never see in the paper. Now and then, we have the good fortune in life to cross paths with someone so interesting and so under the radar that they become indelibly etched into our memory. Cebrum Watkins is such a person. In an age where it seems fewer people want to put in a full day of work, this Navy veteran came out of retirement and took a job with the City of Pensacola in facilities maintenance. He can be seen any weekday in his golf cart, taking care of the Jefferson Street parking garage and numerous other assignments downtown. I don’t know if you have seen what the garage and alley can look like early in the morning but it’s usually not pretty. By the time most people are up and about, however, Cebrum has it ready for a new day. I am not the only one who has noticed or who has stopped to chat with him. I see it all the time. And name a subject. He is up on every current event so don’t think there is anything he can’t intelligently discuss with you. I saw him recently and wished him a Happy Easter. He proceeded to give me a pretty thorough review of Biblical references to the blessed event. I did not feel worthy to add much to what he had to say. Yes, he is a rare character. He gives everything to his job and people who frequent that part of town are better for it. But, Cebrum is retiring in May. Good luck to anyone trying to find a replacement. I know I am not alone in saying I am enriched because I know Cebrum Watkins. Godspeed, Cebrum. I hope retirement suits you well this time.