My Sanford Seminole Magazine - Spring 2023

5TH ANNUAL REGIONAL HEALT

AW�RDS

HISPANIC

OF COMMERCE

Power Of Connection

The Volusia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce is a powerful tool for connecting businesses and entrepreneurs to a wider network of professionals, potential customers, and resources. Through networking events, resources, community involvement, and other programs, you can form valuable connections and partnerships that can help you succeed in today's competitive business world.

We are more than a network, we are familia! JblJIL

5TH ANNUAL REGIONAL HEALTHCARE AWARDS

Hono ring our Community He althcare Heroes

March 30th, 2023 at 5:30pm

The Center at Deltona

� Visit our website to buy your tickets.

VOLUSIA • SEMINOLE • FLAGLER

THE VOLUSIA

THE VOLUSIA HISPANIC CHAMBER

Seagulls by Dale Rogers

PETE WILSON PHOTOGRAPHY

THE REAL ESTATE & LENDING KINGS

BY MY SANFORD STAFF

Matthew Malloy is the owner and founder of Lend Florida, which is a lending company that prides itself on creating custom solutions for each client they serve when it comes to buying or refinancing a home. Matt has worked in the mortgage and real estate market in Central Florida for over 20 years and has endured the ebbs and flows of the market. He and his team will bring this expertise to you when helping you find the right loan. Lend Florida is a family-owned company that is focused on providing the best possible results for each of its clients.

The mortgage financing experts at Lend Florida are the key members of the operation and have worked together for over 15 years. Lend Florida is a full-service mortgage brokerage. They advocate for their clients and work hard to make sure they receive the best possible terms. They act as fiduciaries for their clients and handle all types of real estate loans: conventional, FHA, VA, first-time homebuyers, land loans, damaged-credit loans, and jumbo loans.

Matthew Malloy, Owner and Founder of Lend Florida

Our staff member, Scotty Boutin, focuses on a program called the Florida Hometown Heroes, which helps our frontline community workers. It is geared towards helping law enforcement, firefighters, educators, healthcare professionals, childcare workers, active military, and veterans become homeowners.

Lend Florida works with the top real estate agents in all markets here in Florida as well as many other referral partners. They work with agents who offer special incentives to their clients whether they are buying or selling.

Prior to getting into real estate, Matt worked at the Ritz Carlton Hotel Company. He says, “We strive to bring the Ritz Carlton experience to all our clients and referral partners.” Matt has been recognized by his peers as one of the top 1% of loan originators in the entire country.

There are no “banker hours” at Lend Florida because they are open 7 days a week and always accessible.  If you are in the market to purchase, refinance or need a great real estate agent, Lend Florida is here to make that happen. Let them help you achieve the American Dream! n

LEND FLORIDA

110 W 1st,  Unit# 250 • Sanford, FL 32771 954-675-0216 • www.lendflorida.com  Lend FL Company NLMS-1746745

Matthew Malloy NLMS-173295

MEET THE TEAM

Scott Boutin, Area Manager; Homes for Hero’s Lending Expert [NLMS- 2361762]

I am a native Floridian and have lived in Sanford since 1992. I was originally licensed as a mortgage loan officer in 2005. I then obtained my insurance license in 2010. I am currently working at Lend Florida as a mortgage loan officer with one goal for everyone that I talk to, find a solution for every financial situation. Being a Homes for Heroes affiliate, I focus on helping our first responders and frontline workers save money with discounted lending fees and real estate costs when they buy, sell, or refinance a home.

Jamie Malloy, Loan and Office Assistant [NLMS- 173195]

I am the office and loan assistant. I am a senior at Seminole High School and a member of the National Honor Society. I plan to study nursing at FAU in Boca Raton, Florida. My hobbies include music, concerts, and hanging out with my friends.

Michael Collier, Chief Marketing Officer

I am an EXP ICON agent, and my 12-year career with Disney allowed me to see the business world differently. I begin by asking my clients better questions such as, how can a company consistently generate high affinity the way Disney does? The answer is in high-level communications, building a strong community, and consistency. These ideals are what propel everything from my social media presence to my client and agent communication.

Paul Benfield, Mortgage Loan Officer/ Area Manager [NLMS- 2004125]

I am a second-generation Floridian, and I am the owner/broker of Design or List It. I am also a mortgage loan officer with Lend Florida. Design or List It is a full-service real estate, interior design, and home-staging company located in the city limits of Seminole and Volusia County.

Design or List It came about as our clientele in the interior design sector began to transcend to the next phase of their life. Whether it be investing in their home with renovations or preparing to sell, this longevity and confidence comes from raising my beautiful family and enjoying all Central Florida has to offer. In my off time, I serve our community via VFW Post 8093 2022 as the auxiliary president and trustee of local civic organizations.

Sanford’s premier mortgage and real estate team have partnered to bring home buyers unprecedented value. Savvy buyers are looking to find the most bang for their buck in today’s current market. President Matt Malloy of Lend Florida and Broker Paul Benfield of Design or List It are answering the call by providing paid closing costs of up to $5000.00 when you package their lending and realtor service together. You can reach Paul Benfield at 407-242-3933.

L-R:Paul Benfield, Jamie Malloy, Matthew Malloy, Scott Boutin, and Michael Collier

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

Dear readers and friends,

Last year we successfully celebrated our 8th anniversary and in the interest of continuing to grow, My Sanford Magazine is being revitalized and expanding to include other cities in Seminole County.

ESTABLISHED 2014

VOLUME 9, ISSUE 1

SPRING 2023 | QUARTERLY

BILINGUAL MAGAZINE www.MySanfordMagazine.com

This Issue was published by MY SANFORD MAGAZINE LLC, with project management by:

Editor in Chief & Founder

Perla B. Crosby

Associate Editor

Samantha Montgomery

Managing Editor

Jennifer Luce

Art Director

Renée Blair

Photographers

Jessica Carvajal

Photography

Andrew van Tilborgh

Daniella Hume, Mastropieces Productions @Mastropiecesproductions

Cover Photography

Daniella Hume, Mastropieces Productions @Mastropiecesproductions

Digital Marketing Director

Brian R. Ambrosini

Social Media & Marketing Specialist

Daniella Hume

Contributors

Amber Clore

Sarah Clore

Mary Boza Crimmins

Leon Konieczny

Samantha Montgomery

Our statistics and audience research reveal that we have a large readership in Seminole County, and we want them to be a part of our brand.

Our interest is not to compete but to collaborate with options and better opportunities for our communities. For this reason, on behalf of my staff, I want to welcome each one of you, and I invite you to contact me directly to be part of our community magazine.

I wish you a beautiful spring and stay tuned because there is much more to come.

Love,

TABLE

ON THE COVER

Team at Lend Florida.

Photo:

Daniella Hume, Mastropieces Productions @Mastropiecesproductions

Pete Wilson Photography

My Sanford Magazine disclaims all liability for any and all advertisements, promotions, articles, and other affiliated content contained within this publication. The opinions of the authors are those alone. We do not accept any liability for information or advice provided by any advertiser, sponsor, or associated business provided in this magazine.

PROUD PARTNER OF:

Allison van Tilborgh WRITE

FOLLOW US:

ADVERTISING: 407-801-3432 • editor@mysanfordmagazine.com

JESSICA CARVAJAL PHOTOGRAPHY

SEMINOLE COUNTY'S FINESTWedding Venues

BY ALLISON VAN TILBORGH

Tuscawilla Country Club

Winter Spring’s hidden gem, Tuscawilla Country Club, is your neighborhood wedding venue with Southern charm. Soak in the golden hour in their rustic wrap-around veranda with towering windows that give Tuscawilla their claim to fame. Tuscawilla’s friendly staff will make your romantic event a day you will never forget, with a family atmosphere and venue-provided tables, linens, catering, a bar, and their full staff that will take care of setting up and cleaning up for you, so you don’t need to stress on such a special day!

Historic Venue 1902

Located in the stunning Historic District of Downtown Sanford, Historic Venue 1902 has century-old brick streets, lush landscaping, and sweeping oaks to provide a picture-perfect backdrop for weddings. This former schoolhouse has been converted into a 10,000-square-foot event space with a capacity for 175 guests. Historic Venue 1902 offers beautifully restored interiors, featuring indoor and outdoor garden-ceremony sites, indoor and outdoor garden cocktail-hour spaces, bridal suites for getting ready preceremony, a stunning large ballroom, and exclusive spaces like the lounge and the library.

Tuscawilla Country Club

Tuscawilla Country Club

Lake Mary Events Center

Lake Mary Events Center is a sophisticated wedding venue located just minutes from Downtown Lake Mary. Celebrate your nuptials against the outdoor scenic waters of West Crystal Lake or take the party inside their majestic Old Florida rotunda with wall-to-wall and floor-to-ceiling windows. The Lake Mary Events Center has several rooms to meet your party's needs, from spaces for 80 to as large as 300, making this venue a great option for those with larger groups.

The Place Weddings and Events

Are you a bride on a budget? Look no further than the family-owned venue The Place Weddings and Events at the Oviedo Mall. Fully decorated in a romantic courtyard, The Place takes the stress out of wedding planning with venue-provided tables, chairs, tablecloths, chargers, a bridal sweetheart table set against a beautiful flower wall, and a fully lighted dance floor with a Bluetooth-ready sound system. The Place is completely ready for brides to come in and enjoy their day without extra work! You can select the preferred vendor from The Place’s list, or you can use your own. If you have a family who like to cook, they may bring in the food! The Place prides itself on full transparency with no hidden charges.

Luxmore Grande Estate

A converted lakefront private residence, Luxmore Grande Estate is an eye-popping 20,543-square-foot event venue sitting on five acres of land. This one-of-a-kind full-service reception facility touts elegant Brazilian wood floors, Austrian crystal chandeliers, and Southern touches throughout its luxurious grounds. Luxmore also features a large ballroom, a parlor with an attached library, a large garden attached to a massive patio, and a VIP suite–sure to make your event memorable for all guests. n

520 on the Water

Be whisked away by the lakeside breeze at 520 on the Water, Downtown Sanford’s only waterfront wedding venue. This rustic, charming event space provides you with an exquisite view of Lake Monroe through huge windows and a screened-in porch. One great advantage to working with 520 on the Water is that they give wedding planners total flexibility; you can arrange your own caterer, alcohol, and other vendors without going through the venue. 520 on the Water will provide servers, bartenders, decor, and linens. 520 on the Water is family-owned and family-operated.

Allison van Tilborgh is an executive at Four Rivers Media, headquartered in Sanford, FL. She writes extensively on business, religion, and food through her writings on Medium, The Sanford Vegan, Inspire Magazine, AVAIL Journal, Thrive Today Journal, Historic Downtown Sanford, and My Sanford Magazine. She is the founder of The Sanford Vegan and Interfaith Now.

The Place Weddings and Events

Left and above: 520 on the Water

BY AMBER CLORE, ASID, CAPS

1 2 3

PICKING FRESH FLOWERS

A floral touch brings the outdoors in and brightens the home with a fresh new look. This style can be accomplished by using neutral or pastel vases filled with flowers like tulips, marigolds, and Lilies.

REARRANGING THE FURNITURE

The easiest way to improve the overall flow and functionality of living spaces is to switch things up. Changing the placement of furniture can make the space feel new without having to purchase new items.

ADDING NEW ART AND DÉCOR

Adding fresh spring-themed décor throughout the space will add pops of color and emphasize a fresh new beginning. Adding new items can add a fresh take on any space.

4

ORGANIZING KITCHEN CABINETS

Place labels on the shelves so each item has a permanent place, adding separation containers will assist in the overall functionality of the kitchen which makes life cleaner and easier.

5 6 7

CHANGING THE AIR FILTER

One of the most important aspects of feeling good in a space, but is an element that is often overlooked, is the indoor air quality (IAQ). A perfect time to accomplish this task is during spring cleaning.

CLEANING THE WINDOW AREAS

We overlook this chore throughout the year, but a spring clean is a perfect time to give this area some attention. Removing dust, dirt, and mold from windows will also help improve home health.

BEATING OUT THE RUGS

This task can help bring a dingy rug back to life, from collecting all the dirt and foot traffic throughout the home. Rotating a patterned rug may also add new design interest to the room.

8

TAKING IT A STEP FURTHER

Although washing sheets is a weekly task, removing the bed skirt and pad for cleaning doesn’t happen as often as it should. Time to clean items of the home that often get overlooked otherwise.

Spring is the perfect time to simplify and declutter the home. It is more important than ever to create an environment that promotes healthy living for all the members using a space. Here's a checklist to keep your family on track!

SANFORD'S

BY PAMELA LYNCH CITY OF SANFORD ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Today’s Sanford is a 30-year “overnight” success. Although the City is almost 150 years old, the downtown area has seen a true renaissance and reinvention over the past 30 years. Private-sector investment has been spurred on by the work of the Downtown Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA), which will complete its 30-year lifespan in 2025. Of course, the locals play a big part in this success, but it’s good to note that the love for “Sanfording” draws visitors from over the bridge, as well as other areas of Central Florida and beyond. They say if you build it, they will come. We say, if it’s built right, they will come and continue to come again. The wonderful thing about downtown, besides the efficient and timeless grid pattern, is its ability to adapt to ever-changing tastes, preferences, and times. Some longstanding, over 100-year-old vacant buildings, are about to get new life. From a co-working facility, to multi-family housing, to even a restaurant offering dragon-fire feasting, Downtown Sanford provides character and charm, coupled with unique, edgy places to dine, shop, and have a great time.

Much activity is occurring at the Sanford Airport, and both aviation and non-aviation businesses flourish there. In addition to Allegiant flying to over seventy destinations from Sanford, international flights to Canada are growing. There is a sizable amount of available land at the airport. What could this mean for Sanford? Interest from aviation companies, cargo carriers, and others means more jobs and economic output for the City. The Sanford Airport is in the driver seat, or shall we say pilot seat, with readily available land and a new land-use development plan that will help navigate the airport to an even higher altitude.

Like all shopping malls throughout the country, the Seminole Towne Mall area has also felt the A&P (Amazon and Pandemic) punch. Elev8 is utilizing the full Sears space and discussions with various developers to bring multi-family, hotel, or other retail uses that will give new energy to the mall area. The mall locality is somewhat of a chameleon that will flourish with new colors shortly. The very close proximity to Interstate 4 and State Road 417, partnered

with nearby solidified establishments, will put this area on a new growth path going forward.

Sanford has space, and we are ready to bring manufacturing and industry here. Take a drive down St. Johns Parkway, situated in our Westside Industry & Commerce (WIC) area, and you will find brand-new logistics and warehouse space with availability from 15,000 to over 200,000 square feet, which proves that if it’s built right, they will come. Sanford may be a 30-year “overnight” success, but we are just getting started! n

Annual Sanford Porchfest Music Festival

Seminole County boasts quite a few great mom-and-pop restaurants. In the food and beverage business, places can come and go quickly, but the good ones stay around for a long, long time. There is a reason for that: quality food, friendly and efficient service, and decent prices—you get a good bang for your buck.

Now, while Seminole County’s greatest concentration of superior mom-and-pop restaurants is in the Downtown Sanford District (DTS), there are other great locally owned restaurants scattered around Seminole County, well worth your time if you like good food, service, and value.

My top pick for Seminole County, Lonnie’s in Lake Mary, unfortunately closed recently, but only because of leasing issues. I sure hope Lonnie’s returns because it was the very best. Come back, Chef Lonnie!

Lake Mary boasts other fine restaurants, well worth your time if you want to venture out of DTS. A top pick for me is Terramia Brick Oven Pizza & Trattoria. You know the food is good when there is almost always a wait, so plan ahead and go early. While they have great, authentic Italian food, I’d argue that their pizza is the best I’ve ever had, bar none. Seminole County boasts a second fine Italian restaurant with the Terramia name—Terramia Ristorante in Altamonte Springs.

In the plaza just across the road you can find the Vineyard Wine Company, great fine dining in Lake Mary. A nice atmosphere and great

SEMINOLE COUNTY : A Sanford Foodie’s HAVEN

BY LEON KONIECZNY

service will have you lingering and trying a glass of wine (or two) along with your meal. Start with an appetizer, their selection is the best! They have a great wine selection, too, so you can enjoy a glass or two with your entrée. Just down nearby Rinehart Road a piece, you’ll find Giovanni’s Italian Restaurant & Pizzeria in the Timucuan Plaza. While Giovanni’s has a few other locations in Central Florida, the Lake Mary location is always busy, with good reason. My favorite there is the pizza, but they also have a decent selection of great Italian food, and their garlic knots are legendary— you can smell them all over the parking lot.

Now with several locations, the original in Sanford and a second in Longwood, Chianti’s Ristorante Italiano has been a favorite of mine since the day it opened well over ten years ago. I used to live nearby and was there way too often—the waitstaff knew me by name. It’s a great place to take out-of-town visitors. The service there is outstanding, and the food is excellent. They have great lunch specials—my favorite is the personal pizza and a soft drink, and it’s a bargain. And if you’re in for dinner, try the Chicken Parm or the Chicken Marsala—but anything you choose is a good choice. Chianti’s also has a restaurant in the Sanford Airport.

There are some great restaurants close to Downtown Sanford as well. Jimotti’s Restaurant has been around for quite a few years now and boasts excellent, authentic Japanese food. Chef Junichi, with over 20 years of Japanese cooking experience, has special fish flown in all the time, just for his restaurant. Don’t forget to try the delicious Ramen special on Wednesday.

If you have a taste for Mexican food, try Alebrije Mexican Restaurant in the Winn-Dixie

Shopping Plaza. You won’t be disappointed with their authentic Mexican offerings. My favorite is the Enchiladas Supremas with the Verde and Polbanas (mole) sauces. I recommend a margarita with your meal.

A relative new kid on the block, La Famiglia Italiana has been getting rave reviews and my experience jives with that. The executive chef has many years of experience in Italian food prep, and oversees the kitchen, but you’ll often find him visiting with the guests, getting their feedback, and ensuring that their meal is topnotch. My favorite is the Chicken Gorgonzola how can you go wrong with all that cheese? While I’ve not yet tried their pizza (there are too many other great items on the menu), friends tell me that it, too, is top-notch.

Yes, I live in Downtown Sanford and almost always eat in one of the many great restaurants here, but I do slip out occasionally into the surrounding area. You should give it a try, too; you might be amazed at all the great dining “Florida’s Natural Choice” (aka Seminole County) has to offer. Don’t forget to make reservations—great places are always busy, so call ahead and enjoy your good eats! n

Leon Konieczny is a local Central Florida foodie and food blogger who’s been writing about Sanford and Seminole County area “good eats” restaurants for the past twelve years. He’s big into eating at local mom ‘n’ pop shops where high-quality ingredients, love, and a dose of home cooking make all the difference. While he occasionally eats at the big chains, he claims it’s only to remind him where a real quality dining experience lurks — in the small restaurants which are the heart and soul of every neighborhood and community.

The Old Jailhouse

Enjoy our large open air taproom with a view into the brew house. Savor handcrafted beers, meads, ciders and specialty sodas. Taste the fresh, locally sourced ingredients, made to order. Relish the sounds of our performing musicians. Soak in the quintessential southern hospitality, make new friends, discover history. Sit outside, enjoy the beautiful Florida weather with your furry friends. Bring you kids for mac ‘n cheese while you sip our handcrafted beer.

BUSTER 'S BISTRO

Welcomes New Owner, Robbie Kennerney

BY ALLISON VAN TILBORGH

Dublin transplant Robbie Kennerney (and his three-legged pooch, Murphy) are now the official owners of Buster’s Bistro on Sanford Ave. After over a decade of strong Belgian leadership, Robert pays homage to the deep Flemish roots of one of Sanford’s most beloved bars and expands its offerings into a new, more inclusive European atmosphere.

It all began at a Mini Master’s event that Robert, who also owns Murphy's Arcade further down Sanford Ave., was attending with the previous owners of Buster’s Bistro. They were looking to wrap up their time at the bar and felt that Robert would be a good fit. As a fellow European with experience in running bars in New York City, it was a natural transition. In January, they worked together to transfer ownership, and in February, Robert began to operate on his own (with the help of Murphy, of course).

Some planned changes will be: a new logo, beautiful new glass entrance doors, new lines of beer, increased liquor selection, and even a new expanded menu, with larger options for vegetarians, vegans, and those who eat gluten-free (don’t worry, favorites like their frites and chicken sandwich are not going anywhere).

Robert is looking forward to hosting Buster’s loyal clientele as well as newbies. He sees this as an opportunity to take Buster’s Bistro to the next level—a natural step in its evolution and growth! n

VISIT BUSTER’S BISTRO WEDNESDAY–SUNDAY 300 S. Sanford Avenue • Sanford, FL 32771 (407) 732-4316 • www.bustersbistro.com

Master Gardener Kirsch Lives a Life of Growth

As you wander through the whimsical Restoration Cottage Garden, you experience a colorful array of plants lovingly tended to by master gardener Barry Kirsch. You may also encounter fairy robots and natural predators that transform the grounds into a unique refuge in Sanford’s Historic Downtown.

Personal Transformation

Barry’s and his wife Debbie had the vision to transform their home into an English garden cottage. A natural storyteller, creative artist, and lifetime learner, Barry decided to complete the 50-hour University of Florida Master Gardener Program. His physics major didn’t prepare him for the program’s required botany course. “It was the hardest class I’ve ever taken,” Barry states, “but I applied what I learned, and it works.”

BY MARY BOZA CRIMMINS Estela Testa

While native plants will prosper here, other plants, like roses are harder to grow. The scientist in Barry prompted him to overcome this problem through experimentation. He shares

his gardening knowledge in his book The Fairy Robots of Restoration Garden.

Garden Tour

You can visit the garden on May 6 when the Sanford Cultural Guild hosts its tour. As you wander through Restoration’s wonderland, you first come upon the Bicycle Garden in the front yard. Depending on the time of year, you may enjoy the majesty of a Queen Elizabeth rose. Moving to the back, a volcano bush branches out with fountain-like grace in the Master Garden. Native to Japan, Barry purchased the bush for one dollar.

In the pollinator garden, monarch butterflies feast on milkweed plants. A Mexican sunflower plant had grown to almost seven feet tall. Despite being toppled by Hurricane Ian, hundreds of sunflowers have emerged. Sweet onions, leaks, edible lavender, and other herbs are grown in the summer, and tomatoes and kale in the winter.

Co-Existing

The fairy robots who farm in the gardens have

no natural enemies. Some insects, like beetles that chew up the insides of roses, are the garden’s enemies. This is why Barry welcomes natural predators. A black snake lives in a brush pile that looks like an “unruly mess,” but it's important because it provides a home for the snake and other insects that feast on unwanted garden pests. Wasps use Barry’s hat as a launching pad, waiting to swoop down to eat worms harmful to the plants. Lizards circle, patiently waiting for a bug to be unearthed.

“Once we stopped using chemical pest controls,” Barry explains, “and invited natural predators to live in our garden, the pest issue all but evaporated.” Other benefits are “not polluting the environment and saving money on solutions that in the end did not work.”

Walking through the garden always offers a new way to appreciate nature's and humanity's interconnectedness. n

A New Non-Profit Joins the Ranks: Introducing the Sanford Cultural Guild

BY SARAH CLORE

Beds of brightly colored annuals, new buds on rose bushes, and butterflies puttering around pollinator gardens are all early signs that spring is beginning to bloom in Sanford. Visitors will soon have the opportunity to meander the brick-lined streets of the Historic District and into residents' private gardens at the Sanford Historic Garden Tour. The May 6 event will feature an artisan vendor market, local gardening and wildlife educators, plein air artists, and a tea lunch. It is the inaugural event of the newly formed nonprofit, the Sanford Cultural Guild.

The Garden Tour is familiar to many residents of Sanford, who remember when it was introduced, some 20 years ago, by native Sanford resident, Sarah Miller. Robin Theisen remembers the excitement around the tour and has been dreaming up its return for years. Garden tours are featured in many well-known historic residential districts, showcasing numerous design styles, and providing inspiration for sustainable landscapes that often incorporate native plants. But even if you’re not a gardener, a stroll in gorgeous outdoor spaces is just good for the soul. Alongside Caroline Garcia and Sarah Clore, the trio has led the tour, hosted by the Sanford Historic Trust, for the past 2 years. The project always had grand plans to root itself in community beautification projects, hence its realignment with their new non-profit.

The ladies of the Sanford Cultural Guild hope to lead projects that celebrate the cultural significance of Sanford’s natural beauty, including installing pollinator gardens, leading alleyway-beautification efforts, highlighting native plants, and providing arborist support for historic trees. By far one of their biggest goals is to begin funding a botanical garden addition to the Sanford Museum, where Henry

Sanford’s agricultural contributions will have the opportunity to come to life.

The Garden Tour is just the beginning of The Sanford Cultural Guild’s story, and more exciting events are in the works. To learn more about their nonprofit and the tour, check out their Facebook and Instagram accounts. Tickets to the tour are $15 and are available for purchase through Eventbrite and on the day of the event at Bettye D. Smith Cultural Arts Center. n

Unfurl Collective

L-R: Sarah Clore, Robin Theisen, and Caroline Garcia

WELCOME TO GOLDSBORO:

A DIVERSE HISTORICAL COMMUNITY

BY ALLISON VAN TILBORGH

The Goldsboro Museum. The Florida Emancipation Day Bike Ride. The Goldsboro Heritage & History Tour. Anyone who has ears to hear has noticed that, once again, Goldsboro is a growing, thriving city. Some are calling these shifts an economic boom, others a renaissance. Much of this transformation is directly related to locals becoming empowered through their history, which is now more accessible than ever through the Goldsboro Museum. I sat down with “Golds boro Princess” Pasha Baker to engage in a conversation about Goldsboro’s history, its many cultural sites, and its promising future.

Pasha Baker, CEO of the Goldsboro West Side Community Historical Association Inc., shared with me that “more black businesses, more pride, more positivity, and knowing our history all led to the renaissance in Goldsboro.” The Goldsboro revitalization movement began around 2010 when Pasha’s aunt, Francis ColemanOliver, was visiting a local museum. She asked where she could learn more about the history of Goldsboro. After being told by the curator that “she had no history,” Coleman-Oliver defiantly invested her retirement funds into the first Goldsboro Museum, which showcased pieces she had collected over the course of 45 years. To this day, the museum has not been able to secure local tax dollars to fund the project.

At the time, her niece, Pasha, was enjoying the rewards of her business career in the big leagues of JP Morgan Chase and Verizon and even starting her own company. Pasha reflected warmly on her childhood in Goldsboro, sharing that she always felt a balance between her education, familial support, and hanging out with friends. “Just a really good childhood,” she told me, “full of amazing memories.” Seasoned with experience, Pasha later returned home to lead the Goldsboro West Side Community Historical Association Inc. with a growth business mindset.

She discovered that her background in government work and business was similar to grant writing and property acquisition. The Association quickly began accumulating more properties, which included the Goldsboro Art Square and Cemetery. Although by her calculations, she was by no means a natural, she fiercely believed (and still does) that mastery comes to those who put in the time. If Malcolm Gladwell is correct in his assertion that 10,000 hours toward a skill will make anyone a master, then Pasha has undoubtedly come to know mastery. Pasha shares that her strategic business decision to grow the association was driven by “always needing to expand, upgrade, and move forward.”

That shimmering vision for Goldsboro is still alive and becoming more and more real. Founded by William Clark in 1891, the Goldsboro Township became the second incorporated black city in the United States just after slavery was abolished. Here, black mayors, tax collectors, lawyers, and construction workers disproved stereotypes that freed slaves could

not read or write, let alone operate entire self-sufficient cities. They had not only a vision for what they could do alone but also what they could accomplish when they worked together.

Burgeoning initiatives like the Sanford Tours and Experiences and the Goldsboro Heritage & History Tour offer the chance for individuals to visit Goldsboro and learn of its rich (and dark) history while promoting financial development. These tours spur economic opportunities for local black businesses, such as barbers, restaurants, and even specialty clothing stores, keeping critical dollars within the community. For Pasha, today’s goal is not much different: “Keep growing, keep being a self-sufficient black community/city as it was intended to be by ancestors and founders.”

This economic development has changed dayto-day life in Goldsboro for the better. Pasha shared a story of the oldest living Crooms High School graduate, well into her 90s, who recently visited the Goldsboro Museum. “Boy, it’s busy on this street,” she told Pasha. “People are alive again.”

Learn more about Goldsboro’s rich history by visiting the Goldsboro Museum and educating yourself through their plethora of proprietary documentaries hosted on their YouTube channel, and the Goldsboro Heritage & History Tour.

Estela Testa

Pasha Baker, CEO of the Goldsboro West Side Community Historical Association Inc.

IF YOU FEED THEM, THEY WILL COME

Horstmeyer Farm & Garden: Your One-Stop Feed Shop

BY ALLISON VAN TILBORGH

Co-owner Annie Horstmeyer loves making people happy. “People love their animals, and it’s a pleasure to provide them with the items they need,” she told me on my visit to her French Avenue storefront and warehouse. Annie, her husband, and two sons have been owners of Horstmeyer Farm & Garden for two decades. Their general storefront boasts hay, feed, tack, and pet items ranging from horse saddles to chicken feed to a wide array of premium dog food.

History in the Making

Horstmeyer Farm & Garden (formerly known as Tuckers’) was founded in 1972. In 2003, perhaps by fate, Annie’s son Justin began working at Tucker's. When he started to hear that the Tuckers were interested in selling, Justin introduced his parents, Annie and Doug, to them. On January 1, 2004, they held the keys to the store, then on Laurel Avenue. Justin became General Manager, joined by his brother Luke, who would become Logistics Manager. In 2021, they moved from their Laurel Avenue storefront to a massive warehouse on N. French Avenue, which allowed them to store all their product and transportation onsite.

Family at the Heart

“I owe the growth of this business to our sons,” Annie told me. Working long days and early

hours hauling hay bales for your parents is not what most consider a fun occupation. In any family business, conflict can ensue, and dysfunctionalities can run rampant. But Annie and Doug’s experience has been different. “It’s a special trust that you have when you all work together,” Annie shared. “They brought the business exponentially to the next level… It’s beyond my wildest dreams!” The mural outside their storefront is inspired by family (including pets) past and present. The three chicks represent her children (her third son, Derek, is President of Network Cabling Services), and the two sunflowers represent Annie and Doug.

“We can feed it!”

Their new, huge warehouse, which used to hold the Sanford Herald printing presses, now

regularly stores 10,000 units of premium horse forage freighted from family farms as far out as California and Toronto. This one-week stockpile will supply 30 wholesale clients and hundreds of local weekly deliveries.

In addition to their mind-boggling premium-horse-forage business, a considerable emphasis has been placed on growing the horse and small-pet sections of their store. Harnesses, saddles, stirrups, and even rider accessories, grace the walls of their ample horse section, which earned a major homage in Horstmeyer’s current logo design. Across from their steed section is a wide variety of small-pet supplies from puppy crates to indulgent dog food flavors to the likes of “pork and applesauce” and “beef frittata veg.” You can also purchase hard-to-find goods such as locally crafted cypress bat homes that can help reduce mosquito counts by hundreds of thousands (bats, apparently, can eat up to 1,000 mosquitoes an hour). From horses to dogs, chicks, and even bats, Annie tells me, “If you have an animal, we can feed it!”

Visit Horstmeyer Farm & Garden at 300 N. French Ave in Sanford for all your animal-feed needs. n

Above: Annie Horstmeyer; Bottom Far Left: Mural outside storefront represents family and pets; Bottom Left: Three generations strong, (front, l-r) co-owners Doug, Annie Lou, sons Justin and Luke (back), and grandson Nickolas (not pictured). ALLISON TILBORGH; COURTESY ANNIE HORSTMEYER (CENTER RIGHT)