Pensacola April 2016

Pensacola

APRIL 2016

PensacolaLifestylePubs.com

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Locally Grown HIVE TO TABLE

GARDEN TO GLASS MARKET-FRESH FARE HOME ON THE (SHOOTING) RANGE

O PEN I N G E A RLY 2016 NOW TAKING RESERVATIONS

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Regardless of how you spend your time - you will always feel at home at Summer Vista.

We also offer a specialized, home-like environment for residents with Alzheimer’s and other related dementias.

Summer Vista is currently under construction. With only 89 apartments available, we expect to sell out quickly.

Our goal is to let you move in early 2016.

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Beautifully Landscaped Courtyards Nature Trail Bistro Assistance with Medications Beauty Salon and Spa Life Enrichment Programs Physical, Occupational, & Speech Therapies Healthcare Monitoring & Management 24-Hour Emergency Response System Scheduled Chauffeured Transportation Nature Trail Fitness Center Restaurant Style Dining

Call Tammy Hutcheson for more information.

(850) 434-3232

www.SummerVista.com

3450 Wimbledon Drive Pensacola, Florida

Guest Stay Apartments For a complete list of benefits visit: SummerVista.com

ALF License Pending

Aislinn Kate Photography

Lifestyle Letter

Homegrown Heaven I

APRIL 2016 publisher

have many fond memories of visiting my grandparents in Raceland, Louisiana. Grandma (“Mama”) always served home-cooked meals, and many of their ingredients came from a huge vegetable garden my grandpa (“Papa”) tended to. Tomatoes, cucumbers, okra and green beans—you name it, he grew it.

Papa always tried to enlist the help of my brother, cousins and me in the garden. We didn’t necessarily enjoy it, but Papa appreciated our being with him. Of course, like most kids, we goofed off more than we worked.

My brother and my cousins were masters at concocting plans to escape our duties. One by one, we’d run away as fast as we could, laughing the whole time. We could hear Papa calling after us to get back to work, but we always made sure to hide where he couldn’t find us.

Something we did enjoy, however, was loading the truck with vegetables and selling them under the LA 1 Bridge. There, we’d work up an appetite. When we'd pull back into my grandparents’ driveway at the end of the day, we'd smell our delicious reward coming from Mama’s kitchen. Fresh and home-canned vegetables were highlights of every meal.

In Pensacola, we are fortunate to have access to seasonal, fresh, homegrown local produce on Saturdays at Palafox Market downtown. Going there is a great way to relive some of my fondest childhood memories—no time machine or drive to Louisiana necessary!

We appreciate your reading Pensacola Lifestyle and hope you enjoy this “Locally Grown” issue.

When patronizing our advertisers, please mention that you saw them in our publication.

Sharmane Adams | Sharmane.Adams@LifestylePubs.com editor

Sloane Stephens Cox | Sloane.Cox@LifestylePubs.com contributing writers

Rebecca Ross, Sean Smith contributing photographers

Aislinn Kate Photography, Jeff Schad, Katherine Quarles Graphic Studio and Pensacola Sports

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PensacolaLifestylePubs.com ON THE COVER East Hill Honey Company PHOTOGRAPHY BY Aislinn Kate Photography

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Pensacola Lifestyle | April 2016

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P.O. Box 12608 Overland Park, KS 66282-3214 Proverbs 3:5-6 Pensacola Lifestyle™ is published monthly by Lifestyle Publications LLC. It is distributed via the US Postal Service to some of Pensacola’s most affluent neighborhoods. Articles and advertisements do not necessarily reflect Lifestyle Publications’ opinions. No portion of this magazine may be reproduced in any form without written consent. Lifestyle Publications does not assume responsibility for statements made by advertisers or editorial contributors.

Information in Pensacola Lifestyle™ is gathered from sources considered to be reliable, but the accuracy of all information cannot be guaranteed.

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850.912.8683 | 128 Palafox Place | Pensacola, FL www.UrbanObjects.net | www.facebook.com/urbanobjectspensacola

Doug Falkinburg and Monica Sherman from Hancock Bank’s Wealth Banking team bring a comprehensive team approach to Wealth Management in Pensacola. They offer customized banking and financial planning solutions that satisfy both your immediate and long-term needs. Together, they’re committed to our community and to helping you achieve your financial goals and dreams.

Call 850-435-6739 Click hancockbank.com Come in to one of our six convenient locations

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April 2016 | Pensacola Lifestyle

5

April 2016

20

Departments 8

Good Times

10

Around Town

14

Locally Owned

26

Local's Choice

28

Lifestyle Calendar

34

Parting Thoughts

16 Start “Petaling!”

Feast your eyes on these elegant edible-flower treats

20 East Hill's Liquid Gold

This Pensacola family is enjoying the sweet life

14

16

26

Lifestyle Publications Arizona | California | Colorado | Florida | Georgia | Idaho | Illinois | Kansas | Missouri | Montana | Ohio | Oklahoma | Tennessee | Texas | Utah

April 2016 | Pensacola Lifestyle

7

Good Times

No Sweating the Scenic Views at Double Bridge Run

Thousands of runners tackled two bridges, racing 15K from downtown Pensacola to Pensacola Beach in February. The Pensacola Sports event, presented by Publix, also featured a 5K. A party and an awards ceremony followed at the Quietwater Beach Boardwalk. PHOTOGRAPHY KATHERINE QUARLES GRAPHIC STUDIO AND PENSACOLA SPORTS

More than 3,000 runners participated in the 15K event, and about 1,300 ran the 5K. 8

Pensacola Lifestyle | April 2016

This is the fourth year in a row that the event sold out.

Global Gastronomy Meets Good Health at Dinner Event Guests enjoyed international cuisine while learning healthful habits. Hosted by Baptist Health Care, this February event at New World Landing was part of Baptist’s Blue Zone series, which emphasizes nutrition, physical activity, stress management and spirituality. Blue Zone’s Tony Buettner was the speaker. PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED BY BAPTIST HEALTH CARE

Meghan McCarthy, director of Community Health and Will Patino, M.O.; Jessica Evans; and Rachel Blue Zone's Tony Buettner, speaker Wellness for Baptist Health Care's Healthy Lives program Miller, R.N.

Chef Gus Silivos prepared the feast at New World Landing.

Mark Faulkner, president and CEO of Baptist Health Care; Tony Buettner; and Marcus Paul, D.M.D., chairman of Baptist's Board of Directors

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April 2016 | Pensacola Lifestyle

9

Around Town

AROUND TOWN DESIGNER DISCOUNT BOUTIQUE OPENS DOWNTOWN Dress like a red-carpet celebrity—without going “into the red.”

A

new

women’s

by-appointment-only boutique

is

“If you let us know what you might want, and if the boutique has it or if the item can be acquired, Sarah’s will ship it to you promptly on approval,” she says.

Details: 850.291.4616.

YOUNG LOCAL ACTRESS APPEARS ON NATIONAL TV One pretty Pensacola preteen is lighting up the small screen.

Simone Lockhart, 11, costars in a new music video for country singer Corey Smith’s “Blow Me Away.” Also, she appears in the national Hasbro FurReal commercial that is airing now.

The video debuted on CMT in February. In it, Lockhart plays the love interest of 11-year-old Grant Weaver from Newnan, Georgia. He lip syncs Smith’s song to Lockhart, and the two dance together on a stage. The song is from the album While the Gettin' is Good.

offering

Lockhart and her family traveled to Augusta, Georgia, for three

high-end timeless classics at

days at the end of last year for filming. It is airing on Cox station

prices that are well below retail.

361, CMT Pure/VH1 Country. Hodges Usry from Augusta, Georgia,

The merchandise, which ranges

directed the video.

from casual to cocktail, is from

Lockhart is a home-

top designers’ warehouses and signature stores.

schooled

fifth

grader

The shop, called Sarah’s, is located at 427 W. Garden St.

whose

This name might sound familiar to chic area shoppers: A boutique

include singing, danc-

by the same name was a swish shopping destination on Palafox Street for years until it was destroyed by Hurricane Ivan in 2004.

Sarah Brown, owner of the former boutique, is also owner and namesake of the new store. One of her former longtime sales assistants, Alexis Gup, is her business partner.

Gup, who has worked in one of the top boutiques in Atlanta for about 20 years, was “perhaps the most productive fashion salesperson in the entire Atlanta metropolitan area,” according to Brown.

photo courtesy of video director Hodges Usry

ing

and

other

talents

playing

the

drums. Her parents are Rob and Michelle.

ENJOY A WEIGHTLESS WORKOUT Flip, fly and have fun—without even realizing the workout you’re getting.

Sky Zone is a 30,000-square-foot indoor trampoline park for kids

Brown says their goal is to “combine their experience and energy” to

and adults, and it’s scheduled to open in Pensacola in April or May.

provide customers with a “quiet, private atmosphere.” They are open to

The facility offers a foam-cube pit and numerous activities, including

apparel requests from ladies who are too busy to make appointments.

3D dodge-ball games and SkySlam, which allows participants to fly

DECORATIVE CONCRETE New Concrete - Colored Concrete - Stamped Concrete Splatter Texture - Reflector Floors - Acid Stains Industrial Epoxy Flooring - Sealers - Thin Stamp Overlays

Brian Robbins, Owner 850.696.2838 - 850.304.5383 - EliteCreteGulfCoast.com 10

Pensacola Lifestyle | April 2016

3 YEARS IN A ROW

10 feet into the air to experience

annual awards were based on traveler reviews and ratings on the

NBA-style slam dunks.

website. Last year, the beach ranked No. 5.

Book the venue for birthday

• For the second year in a row, the Florida Department of Health

parties, group events and other

recognized Pensacola as a community that’s focused on battling

activities and programs.

obesity. The submission criteria are based on local governments’ will-

“Sky Zone is awesome, healthy

ingness to implement a variety of policies that are shown to increase

fun for the whole family,” says

physical activity and to improve nutrition for residents. Details:

president and owner of ActiveLA

HealthiestWeightFlorida.com/Recognition.html.

LLC, which operates three Sky Zone franchises in Louisiana, as well as the one in Pensacola. “The fitness benefits are a bonus. People like Sky Zone for our ‘wow’ guest experience.”

Sky Zone has numerous national and international locations.

The Pensacola Sky Zone will be located at 5007 N. Davis Hwy. Details: 850.462.9800 and SkyZone.com/Pensacola.

LOCAL HAIRSTYLIST AND COLORIST SPOTLIGHTED FOR UNDERLIGHTS

CHAMBER HONORS REGION’S BUSINESS AND COMMUNITY LEADERS Local business and community leaders whose talents, enthusiasm and spirit have contributed to the area’s economic progress were recognized at the Greater Pensacola Chamber’s 56th Annual PACE Awards. The event took place in February at the Hilton Pensacola Beach Gulf Front.

The winners were Patrick Elebash, president of Elebash’s Jewelers and a Leadership Pensacola graduate; Stacey Kostevicki, executive director

Local hairstylist and colorist Heidi Grether was recognized by two top

of Gulf Coast Kid’s House; Susan Davis, Ed.D, RN, Sacred Heart Health

style and trendspotter websites, PopSugar and BuzzFeed, for her abilities

System’s chief executive officer; Sue Martin, founder of the Cordova Mall

to execute the latest international hair trend: underlights. The websites

Ball; Chef Joe Abston—owner of Hopjacks Pizza Kitchen & Taproom,

reposted photos of Grether’s work that Grether had posted on Instagram.

The Tin Cow, and Edible Invaders, and overseer of culinary direction at

The trend involves streaking the under layer of hair with bold, wild

Pot Roast & Pinot; Mort O’Sullivan, III, CPA; and the late Molly Martin,

streaks of color so that the colors subtly peek out. You don’t have to

who along with her husband, McGuire, founded numerous restaurants,

be punk rock to sport the trend: even the relatively conservative Good

including McGuire’s Irish Pub and Flounder’s Chowder House.

Housekeeping magazine recently published an article about how you can wear the trend to work.

Grether’s private studio is located in the Next Level Salon, 700 Bayfront Pkwy.

Details: 850.393.4939 and HeidiGretherHairstylist-Colorist.com.

PENSACOLA RECEIVES ACCOLADES

LOCAL CAR DEALERSHIP WINS TOP AWARDS Pensacola’s automotive dealership Allen Turner Hyundai has been named the top Hyundai dealership in the nation and also in the state for 2016.

For the past two years in a row, Allen Turner has won Florida Dealer

• Pensacola Beach ranked No. 7 in this year’s top beaches in the

of the Year Award, this year beating out more than 800 other dealers

United States, according to popular travel website TripAdvisor. The

CONTINUED >

W W W.GR E AT SOU T HE R N R E STAU R AN T S . COM April 2016 | Pensacola Lifestyle

11

Around Town Allen Turner

(C ON TI N U ED)

across the U.S. This is the first time the dealer-

Urgent care for minor illnesses and injuries will be a key service there, and also the facility will offer clinical laboratory and imaging services.

ship has won the national award.

The DealerRater Dealer of the Year Awards

Baptist Health Care operates three hospitals, two medical

program was created to acknowledge prom-

parks, the Andrews Institute for Orthopaedic & Sports Medicine,

inent

the Lakeview Center, Baptist Medical Group and Baptist Heart &

automotive

dealerships

that

have

demonstrated outstanding sales and customer

Vascular Institute.

service. Allen Turner Hyundai consistently

The new facility will be located at 5100 North 12th Ave.

received exceptional reviews and 100-percent

Details: eBatistHealthCare.org.

recommendations on DealerRater.com, an online review site.

The site bases the awards on PowerScore™ ratings, algorithms that compare the dealerships’ average ratings on the site with the total number of reviews written about the dealership during the

BROOKS FOOT AND ANKLE ASSOCIATES WELCOMES NEW DOCTOR Eric M. Larsen, D.P.M, joined Brooks Foot and Ankle Associates, which provides the latest technology in foot and ankle care in Pensacola.

Larsen completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Utah. He attended podiatry school at Des Moines University in Iowa,

previous calendar year.

BAPTIST HEALTH CARE’S NEW MEDICAL PARK UNDER CONSTRUCTION A new $6 million medical park is under construction near the

and he completed a podiatric medicine and surgery residency with reconstructive rearfoot and ankle certification at the Baltimore VA Medical Center in Baltimore, Maryland. He trained at the world-famous institutions Walter Reed National Military Medical Center and

entrance of the Pensacola International Airport. Baptist Health

the Rubin Institute of Advanced Orthopedics—International Center

Care—Airport is a 24,360-square-foot complex that is expected to

for Limb Lengthening.

open in early 2007.

Larsen’s expertise includes reconstructive foot and ankle surgery.

The facility will include services from the Andrews Institute for

He has a passion for teaching

Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine, the Baptist Heart & Vascular Institute,

patients,

and

his

specialties

and Baptist Medical Group’s primary and specialty physicians.

include

deformity

correction,

Eric M. Larsen, D.P.M.

sports medicine, healing wounds

Artistic rendering

quickly, and “making his patients’ feet happy so they can enjoy life.”

Larsen and his wife, Kristelle, recently had their first child and are eager to begin a new chapter in their lives in Florida.

Details: 850.479.6250 and FeetAreNeat.com.

One Agency, More Choices

Pace

4642 Woodbine Rd. 994-9520

Bobby Emmons Owner/Agent

12

Pensacola Lifestyle | April 2016

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www.facebook.com/grayhorseinteriors32501/ April 2016 | Pensacola Lifestyle

13

Locally Owned

GET UP!

Barry Kelly, pictured left, is the general manager and a sporting-clay instructor at Santa Rosa Shooting Center.

Take aim at the most popular shooting sport: shooting clay targets on a course ARTICLE SLOANE STEPHENS COX PHOTOGRAPHY AISLINN KATE PHOTOGRAPHY

T

rade your nine-iron for a 12-gauge and hit the forest instead of the fairway.

Sporting-clay courses, often nicknamed “golf courses with guns,” are perfect places for camaraderie and friendly competition in the great outdoors.

And one pretty public course is only a short drive from downtown Pensacola.

Santa Rosa Shooting Center in Pace features two fully-automated selections: a 15-station course and a brand-new 14-station course on 160 acres of land. Surrounded by natural cover and overlooking a pond, the scenic setting and challenging courses are ideal for charity fundraisers, birthday parties, corporate events, team-building opportunities and other social happenings. But as few as two people can enjoy a day at the courses.

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Pensacola Lifestyle | April 2016

Clay targets ("birds") loaded in a trap machine

ABOUT SPORTING-CLAY COURSES

As with golf, participants in this shooting sport traverse the course by walking or even riding in golf carts. But that’s where the similarities to golf end. Don’t expect a drink caddy to serve alcoholic beverages, and slamming your gun into a tree when you miss a shot is a big no-no!

Firing a shotgun at clay targets ("birds") on an open course is a unique experience.

Unlike most physical sports, this one involves hand-eye coordination rather than physical strength, so men and women can compete on an equal playing field. Sporting clays are one of America’s fastest-growing sports, and females are increasingly picking up the game.

Avid hunters like the fact that targets are launched in unpredictable ways, mimicking birds and other animals in the field. One target might come toward you, while another might come from behind and over the station, simulating a bird flying out of a tree.

But the laid-back, sociable atmosphere can put even first-time shooters at ease.

Unlike hunting, sporting-clay courses can be enjoyed year-round, and spring is a great time to sharpen your shooting skills and to fill the void after football and hunting seasons end.

Firing a gun on a regular basis can enhance muscle memory, reflexes and accuracy.

No gun? No problem! The shooting center in Pace rents shotguns and sells ammunition.

M

ost courses have 10 to 15 stations, which are played in the order in which they are numbered. Machines on the courses incorporate the same clay

targets that are used on skeet and trap ranges, where targets are launched at predictable speeds and on predictable paths.

On the shooting-clay courses, however, targets more closely mimic the flights of gamebirds, rabbits and squirrels; so the courses test skill rather than memory.

Here is how it works: After the designated shooter yells, “Pull!” another person in the group pushes a button on what looks like a small corded remote control. One of two trap machines at the station hurls an inanimate target, like fast-moving Frisbee, into the air. If the shotgun shell hits any part of the target, it is considered a kill.

The size of targets—some of which are as small as jelly-jar lids—vary at each station, and each machine fires the targets at different angles, at different speeds and in different directions.

At one challenging station, targets even roll quickly from right to left, hitting a dip in the ground and bouncing multiple feet into the air.

Targets are thrown as singles or in pairs. Any shotgun capable of firing two shots may be used, as long as it is in safe working condition. The most popular shotguns are 12 and 20 gauges.

Groups of two to six people are ideal, and participants can keep score or just play for fun.

Non-alcoholic beverages and snacks are also available on site.

The closest sporting-clay courses are in Crestview and in Perdido, Alabama. Santa Rosa Shooting Center has about two to three times more stations than either of those locations.

The shooting center is an all-inclusive shooting-sports complex that also features a large pistol and rifle range, separate skeet and trap fields, and a five-stand, where shooters positioned in an elevated spot overlooking a field can shoot clay targets in a wide variety of patterns.

Certified instructors are available to teach all levels of students, from first-timers (including children) to master-level shooters; and a certified range-safety officer is on the premises.

The shooting center, located at 6950 Quintette Rd. in Pace, offers an event pavilion and can arrange catering for events on site.

Details and prices: 850.995.9377 and

SantaRosaShootingCenter.com.

April 2016 | Pensacola Lifestyle

15

Pretty and palatable Have Fun with Edible Flowers

D

on’t rake these glamorous garnishes to the side of your salad plate!

Edible flowers can be the focus of other fancy fares. Here, we show how beautiful blooms can brighten up spring and summer staples, from stylish sweets to sophisticated swills.

Picks

ARTICLE SLOANE STEPHENS COX PHOTOGRAPHY AISLINN KATE PHOTOGRAPHY

Pops of Color How many licks does it take to reach the flower?

Look chic counting!

Quick, easy recipes for homemade hard-candy lollipops are available at many websites, including LorAnnOils.com. LorAnn makes flavorings that can be used in the recipe.

Special thanks to Coldwater

Tip: Less is more in regard to food coloring. The

Gardens in Milton for supplying an

lighter the hard-candy concoction, the more likely

assortment of edible flowers for this

the flowers are to stand out.

photoshoot. Varieties in this spread include Viola, Nasturtium, Calendula and Oxalis. DETAILS: 850.426.1300 and ColdwaterGardens.com.

16

Pensacola Lifestyle | April 2016

STRIKE A POSY Show off these dapper desserts at your next soiree.

Tip: The bigger the flower, the better these treats look—but not necessarily taste! Flowers in this recipe are simply for show (unless frozen lettuce is your favorite dish).

Recipe: Pour lemonade or juice into Popsicle molds in small increments, allowing the liquid to freeze the flowers in place before adding more liquid. Add more flowers and pedals in layers so that they appear evenly distributed in the Popsicles.

chills with frills

Flower Power The best way to predict a flower’s taste?

Simply smell it.

Impress your guests with couture cubes that resemble upscale soaps. Ice has never looked

Edible flowers can range from grassy

so cool!

to peppery. The subtle sweetness of violas

Recipe: Simply pour water into the ice tray

makes them popular picks for desserts.

until it is about one-third full. Add flowers or petals and then let them freeze. Gradually add more

Note: Poisonous flowers can be mistaken

water, continuing to let the water freeze before

for edible ones, so never consume any

adding more. That will set the flowers in place to

flower unless you are certain it is safe to eat.

prevent them from floating to the top.

Also, steer clear of edible flowers treated with toxic pesticides. Petals are usually safe to eat, but edible flowers can have parts that are not safe for consumption.

Stamens and stems can be bitter, so some flowers and parts of flowers are better off used as garnishes. Also, sample a small amount of a flower before you dig in; your digestive system may be sensitive to it. People with certain health conditions should not eat edible flowers. For example, people suffering from gout, rheumatism and kidney stones should avoid Oxalis.

CONTINUED >

April 2016 | Pensacola Lifestyle

17

PRETTY AND PALATABLE (CON TI N U ED)

Edible Arrangements Pictured in this Article Nasturtiums: These golden gems have a peppery flavor. The entire plant is edible, and they often appear in salads, though they can be crystalized or even used as trendy toppings (for example, on crostini drizzled with oil).

Violas: Sweet and floral in taste, they are often used for decorating desserts and drinks. Other uses include baking them, crystalizing them or using them in syrups and salads.

Calendulas: The petals are bitter, making these flowers ideal for garnishes rather than for grub.

Oxalis: Named for its oxalic-acid content, “Oxalis” means “sour.” Their tangy taste has been likened to a lemon. Spinach and broccoli are two vegetables that also contain oxalis acid. Often featured in salads, Oxalis can be made into a drink similar to lemonade. Also, it can be cooked or used as a seasoning.

Cleaning and Storing Edible Flowers 1. Gently rinse flowers to remove any dirt.

2. Carefully pat down excess water with a soft towel and let them air dry on a towel.

3. Use immediately, if possible. Otherwise, store in an airtight container that is lined with damp paper towels. Place in the refrigerator for 3 to 5 days.

18

Pensacola Lifestyle | April 2016

garden to glass Glam up any glass by trimming it with edible flowers.

Here is a pretty pick-me-up. The recipe is courtesy of Campbell Esquerre, the principal bartender at Restaurant IRON, 22 N. Palafox St., 850.476.7776 and RestaurantIron.com.

•

1 1/2 oz toasted green cardamom syrup

•

1 oz fresh lemon

•

A couple dashes of glycerin-based orange bitters (can be purchased at most local supermarkets)

•

Splash of soda water to top drink

•

Ice

DIRECTIONS: To make the syrup, toast 15 grams of

green cardamom in the oven for 10 minutes at 350 degrees. Place toasted cardamom in a grinder. Blend 15 grams of cardamom with 550 grams of sugar and 550 grams of water that has almost reached the boiling point. Let stand to cool and then push through your finest strainer. Makes enough for about 50 drinks.

Tip: Store the syrup in a sealed container in the refrigerator for as long as a month. Throw it away if it begins to look cloudy.

April 2016 | Pensacola Lifestyle

19

WHAT’S THE

buzz?

Sample this Sweet Spot in East Hill ARTICLE REBECCA ROSS | PHOTOGRAPHY AISLINN KATE PHOTOGRAPHY

20

Pensacola Lifestyle | April 2016

D

ays are getting longer; the weather, warmer; and Tommy Van Horn is as busy as a bee.

Several hundred hives’ worth, in fact. But life couldn’t be sweeter.

His business, East Hill Honey Co., is buzzing. Golden jars of pure, sticky goodness can be found at local retailers, on restaurant tables and in the hands of customers strolling through Palafox Market, downtown Pensacola’s weekly farmers’ market.

What began as a weekend hobby has become a full-time family affair.

"We started with just two hives," says Tommy Van Horn, who runs East Hill Honey Co. with his wife, Emily.

"Currently, honey is collected from 1,000 hives located throughout Pensacola and Santa Rosa and Okaloosa counties by four beekeepers, including myself."

The road to honey production wasn't exactly a beeline.

Help the Local Honeybees • Consider keeping hives. Do your research: Groups such as the Escarosa Beekeepers Association can help.

• Do not use neonicotinoids (a type of insecticide harmful to bees) or buy plants treated with them.

• Plant a diverse variety of flowers that successively bloom.

Raised in Houston, it was the weather—in the form of the meteorology program at Florida State University— that brought Van Horn to Florida.

A meteorologist for three years after graduation, he turned to non-profit work with Fraternus, a Catholic boys’ mentoring program he helped start with a friend. They launched the first chapter in 2008 in Pensacola. That same year, he met Emily, a Jacksonville school teacher.

The pair married in 2010 and bought their first home in East Hill. A flowery garden and those initial hobby hives soon followed.

It was the birth of their first child that inspired Van Horn to go with the sweeter flow.

"When my daughter was born in 2011, I desired to be home more with the family and be rooted in one place," he explains. "I also wanted to have something that Emily and I could work on as a couple."

They'd both always wanted to live on a farm, he says, and learning to raise healthy bees and to cultivate honey seemed good first steps.

CONTINUED >

April 2016 | Pensacola Lifestyle

21

WHAT’S THE BUZZ?

(CON TI N U ED)

Starting a full-time business was a leap of faith.

"Looking back, I don't know how we did it at times," Van Horn recalls. "I was transitioning out of the executive-director role with Fraternus, and we had a growing customer base with stores and at the Palafox Market. So we just decided to take the plunge. “When you have to make a living, somehow you just make it work."

A Kickstarter campaign in 2012 gave the couple the means to build a certified honey house to sell their product wholesale. It was a boost both financially, raising more than $22,000, and publicity-wise.

Today, the honey is flowing, and East Hill Honey Co. is bustling.

Tommy Van Horn serves as the primary operator and manager. He works with the bees and the beekeepers, packs honey, makes deliveries and works at the markets. Getting stung daily is just part of the job.

Emily assists with the company's brand and strategy, new-product development and marketing. She also homeschools their three

CONTINUED >

22

Pensacola Lifestyle | April 2016

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April 2016 | Pensacola Lifestyle

23

WHAT’S THE BUZZ?

(CON TI N U ED)

young children, who help out "in small ways" in the honey house and farmers’ markets.

As for the other employees, they're something special. Vital, you might say.

"Pollinators are responsible for onethird of all the food we eat," Van Horn explained. "Most fruits, nuts and veggies need them to produce. Our tables would look very different without our little fructose-loving, flying friends."

East Hill Honey Co. keeps an Italian breed of honey bees, perfectly suited to warmer climates.

"They have been hybridized to do exceptionally well in Northwest Florida, thanks to the hard work of Shelby Johnson's queen rearing," he says of one of his cooperative beekeepers. "He produces the best bees in the area."

Those busy bees produce plenty of honey.

East Hill Honey Co. offers several "raw" varieties. That means that no heat in excess of 110 degrees Farenheit is applied to the harvested honey, nor is it micro-filtered.

Each variety has a unique flavor based on what the bees consume as they forage.

"The taste is as different as a Malbec wine is to a Chardonnay," Van Horn noted.

24

Pensacola Lifestyle | April 2016

Locally, the Gallberry-comb honey is very popular, he says.

Wildflower honey is best for allergies and for baking.

Tupelo, harvested in May, is by far the rarest variety. During good crop years, the honey will have a light-greenish hue. It never granulates, or "sugars," and has a buttery undertone that Van Horn says is perfect over local strawberries and blackberries.

"I like it by the spoonful," he admits.

He isn't the only one. Northwest Florida varieties are in demand, with thousands of pounds of honey exported worldwide.

But never fear, area enthusiasts. East Hill Honey Co. knows whose sweet tooth comes first.

"We have made it our goal to produce and to give the locals the best of what we have to offer, first," Van Horn says. "From the hive to the table, all within 150 miles."

Local, Pensacola based, family owned and operated business designed to deliver tools employers and employees need to be successful

Payroll Services Workers Compensation Coverage/Risk Management Human Resources

DETAILS: EastHillHoney.com

(850) 434-6708 | 2101 N. 9th Ave., Pensacola www.allstaffpayrollservices.com April 2016 | Pensacola Lifestyle

25

Local's Choice

LOCAL’S CHOICE WHAT’S IN THE SHOPPING BASKET OF TRAVIS AND ANNIE UNSER? ARTICLE SLOANE STEPHENS COX

W

ho: The Unsers are regulars at Palafox Market, downtown Pensacola’s weekly farmers market. Travis is a Marine Corps reservist and a helicopter pilot for Petroleum Helicopters Inc. in Louisiana.

Why: “Going to Palafox Market is our Saturday ritual,” Annie says. “We enjoy walking around outside and are always impressed with the quality of the products. Getting to know the farmers and learning about their practices are important to us. Knowing what we’re buying and who is selling it to us makes us feel more of a connection with the food.”

FRESH EGGS, MEAT AND RAW MILK FROM GREEN CEDARS FARM. “We’ve tried a lot of eggs, but these are the best,” Annie says. Often, Travis wakes up at 7 a.m. to go to the market before it officially opens to buy these farm eggs because they sell out so quickly.

Their favorite meats include whole chickens, smoked ham and buttery pork chops. Travis has even driven out to Green Cedars Farm in Molino.

“He is pleased with how well the farmer takes care of his animals,” she says.

GLUTEN-FREE COOKIES BY ANNIE’S NAKED COOKIES. “Unfortunately, we have to avoid gluten, and gluten-free cookies don’t always taste like the real thing,” she says. “But these homemade cookies are fantastic. They make us feel as if we’re not missing anything, despite our dietary restriction.”

26

Pensacola Lifestyle | April 2016

KEENS BEANS WHOLE-BEAN ORGANIC ARTESIAN COFFEE. His favorite is Champagne Roast, and hers is Full City Roast.

“We love supporting local businesses,” she says. “But, if their products don’t taste good, we won’t buy them again.

That’s not a problem with Keens Beans.

The coffee is aromatic and full of flavor.”

LUNA STELLA NATURALS FACIAL ELIXIR. “This elixir smells very fresh,” she says. “It goes on like a lotion after I wash my face, and it makes my skin feel so soft.”

BIG CREEK FARM SAUSAGE PATTIES AND ITALIAN SAUSAGE “The patties are easy to cook and are great for breakfast,” she says.

She recommends the Italian sausage not only as a side dish but also as an ingredient in soups and in other dishes.

MATT’S MOM’S MUSTARD. “Smokin’ Dixie is our favorite,” she says.

Besides slathering it on sandwiches, they use it as a marinade on red meats, such as hamburgers. They suggest adding salt, pepper and beaten eggs to the mustard and then mixing it into ground beef before grilling.

“It lends itself well to cooking because it’s so flavorful,” she says.

ORGANIC PLANTS FOR THE GARDEN FROM EAST HILL EDIBLE GARDENING. “Some of our favorites are bock choy and cilantro,” she says.

East Hill Edible Gardening also offers gardening classes.

ABOUT PALAFOX MARKET

Fresh produce, live plants, baked goods, fine art and antiques are only some of the fabulous finds at this farmers’ market in downtown Pensacola.

Hours are 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays in Martin Luther King Jr. Plaza on North Palafox Street, from Wright Street to Garden Street.

Details: 850.434.5371 and PalafoxMarket.com.

April 2016 | Pensacola Lifestyle

27

Lifestyle Calendar

April

APRIL 2 13TH ANNUAL CHOCOLATE FEST CORDOVA MALL Pile up a to-go box of mouth-watering chocolates for a good cause.

The Chocolate Fest raises funds to ensure that child victims of abuse and neglect receive timely, effective and streamlined treatment at the Gulf Coast Kid’s House. $15 per person. 1 to 3 p.m. DETAILS:

APRIL 2

850.595.5800 and PensacolaChocolateFest.com.

A “BARK” TO REMEMBER COMMUNITY MARITIME PARK

APRIL 3

Hosted by Gulf Coast Health Care, this dog-friendly event raises

BAND: THE HIT MEN, FEATURING FORMER STARS OF FRANK-

awareness for the local Alzheimer’s Association. The fun includes

IE VALLI AND THE FOUR SEASONS

a dog contest, a variety of vendors, a silent auction, entertainment,

SAENGER THEATRE

food and drinks. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Free admission and parking.

This night of mega hits spans rock-and-roll history. Original Frank-

DETAILS: 850.430.0280.

ie Valli and the Four Seasons artists—including Gerry Polci, the lead vocal on the song “Oh, What a Night”—will perform legend-

APRIL 2 & 3

ary songs, such as “Mony Mony,” “Sherry,” “Peace Train.” DETAILS: 850.595.3880 and PensacolaSaenger.com.

33RD ANNUAL PENSACOLA JAZZFEST BARTRAM PARK, SEVILLE SQUARE Celebrate America’s unique musical art form—jazz—at this free fes-

APRIL 3

tival, presented by the Jazz Society of Pensacola. Headliner Terry

BAND: THEY MIGHT BE GIANTS

Doc Handy Sextet performs both days. Arts, crafts, jazz merchan-

VINYL MUSIC HALL

dise, food and drinks will be available. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and

Formed in 1982, this two-time Grammy Award-winning alterna-

Sunday. DETAILS: 850.433.8382 and JazzPensacola.com.

tive-rock band from Brooklyn, New York, is headed for downtown Pensacola. “Phone Power,” the band’s 19th studio album, was released this year. Starts at 7 p.m. DETAILS: 850.607.6758.

APRIL 9 & 10 BLUES & BARBQ EVENT ST. JOSEPH CATHOLIC CHURCH COMPLEX Feast on barbecue while enjoying live music from the Blues Society of Northwest Florida, the Louisiana artist Pelican212 and other well-known musicians. Activities include arts and crafts, children’s activities and a silent auction. 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

PET HOSPITAL

CLINIC: 850.477.2901 HOURS: M-F 7-6

AND

Olive Branch Y O U R O T H E R FA M I LY D O C T O R

Providing Excellent Veterinary Care | 28

Pensacola Lifestyle | April 2016

PLAY N STAY LUXURY BOARDING

BOARDING: 850.436.4806 HOURS S-S 7-6

OPEN EVERYDAY OF THE YEAR, INCLUDING HOLIDAYS

OWNED AND OPERATED BY

DR. MARK SPRAYBERRY

4220 N Davis Hwy | www.olivebranchpethospital.com

APRIL 20 WORLDS OF FLAVORS, COOKING DEMONSTRATIONS WITH CHEF IRV JACKSON’S STEAKHOUSE Learn Chef Irv Miller’s scrumptious secrets. Each of two classes includes a cooking demonstration, recipe samples, wine pairings and a take-home recipe booklet. $45 per person, per class. Reservations required. 5 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. classes. DETAILS: 850.469.9898 and JacksonsRestaurant.com.

APRIL 23 TRI THE ISLAND TRIATHLON PENSACOLA BEACH This new triathlon on scenic Pensacola Beach is a USAT-sanctioned event with a 300-yard swim, a 10-mile bike ride and a 2-mile run.

Presented by the Santa Rosa Island Triathlon Inc., the event includes a post-race party and an awards ceremony. Starts at 7 a.m. DETAILS: 850.932.1500 and SantaRosaIslandTriathlon.com.

APRIL 24 JUNIOR LEAGUE’S MARKET BASKET SHOPPING EVENT 5ELEVEN PALAFOX EVENT HOSTING Sport your Sunday best while you “shop, sip, savor.” Junior League Saturday and 1 to 6 p.m. Sunday. DETAILS: 850.932.8584 and

of Pensacola’s Market Basket fundraiser is back—and fancier than

Iradomski2000@yahoo.com.

ever. Home goods, personal accessories, and samples of area chef’s

APRIL 10 GULF COAST HALF MARATHON CASINO BEACH PARKING LOT

fare will be the focus of this intimate, upscale tasting and shopping experience. 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. DETAILS: 850.433.4421 and JuniorLeagueOfPensacola.org.

Stunning shorelines frame this 13.1-mile run, which is followed by

APRIL 29 - MAY 1

the Nearly World Famous Founder’s Post-Race Party. This is walk-

DISNEY ON ICE’S “LET’S CELEBRATE!”

er-friendly event with a 12-minute-per-mile pace cut-off time. Ten-

PENSACOLA BAY CENTER

mile course option available. Starts at 7 a.m. DETAILS: 850.435-9222

Disney characters showcase their ice-skating skills in this magical

and GulfCoastHalf.com.

medley of holidays, celebrations and festivals from around the globe.

CONTINUED >

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29

Lifestyle Calendar

(CON TI N U ED)

Tickets start at $15. 10:30 a.m. and 7 p.m.

Square. Sponsored by the Pensacola Runners Asso-

Friday, 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. Saturday, and

ciation, the race is followed by a party with free food,

2 p.m. Sunday. Tickets: 1.800.745.3000.

drinks and entertainment for participants. DETAILS:

DETAILS: PensacolaBayCenter.com.

850.433.9233 and PensacolaRunners.com.

APRIL 29 - MAY 1

APRIL 30

32ND ANNUAL PENSACOLA

TRIBUTE BAND: ZOSO—THE ULTIMATE LED

CRAWFISH FESTIVAL

ZEPPELIN EXPERIENCE

BARTRAM PARK, SEVILLE SQUARE

VINYL MUSIC HALL

Sample Louisiana’s Cajun fare—no multi-state drive necessary.

Get the Led out! ZOSO captures the essence of the iconic 1970s

Enjoy po’ boys, crawfish pies and more than 16,000 pounds of

rock-band—and better than anyone else can, according to The

boiled crawfish. Other non-Cajun favorites include gyros and

Los Angeles Times and Chicago Sun-Times. ZOSO band members portray the look and sound of their Led Zeppelin counterparts. Starts at 8 p.m. DETAILS: 850.607.6758. Photography Jeff Schad, Montauk Music

deep-fried brownies. Noon to 11 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. DETAILS: 850.433.6512 and FiestaOfFiveFlags.org.

APRIL 30 41ST ANNUAL FIESTA 10K AND 5K RUN/WALK PENSACOLA STATE COLLEGE Northwest Florida’s premiere heritage road race is back, winding through the heart of downtown Pensacola and finishing in Seville

41 Fort Pickens Road (foot of the Gulf Pier)

Pensacola Beach, FL 32561

850.932.6313 CASINOBEACHBAR.COM

30

Pensacola Lifestyle | April 2016

Coastal Moving Is Proud to “Stay Local” Residential & Commercial Services Packing & Storage

Local Moving Office Relocations

*We Can Relocate Families Across State Lines* *FREE ESTIMATES* Locally owned and operated by Jen and Jay Bradshaw

Caring for families since 1969

4321 North W St. • 850.433.8308 www.mycoastalmoving.com

April 2016 | Pensacola Lifestyle

31

business directory ART & PHOTOGRAPHY Aislinn Kate Photography (850) 912-4888 aislinnkatephotography.com

BANKING

Hancock Bank (504) 581-7191 hancockbank.com

DENTISTS & ORTHODONTICS Emerald Coast Smiles

by Design (850) 479-2525 emeraldcoastsmiles.com

EDUCATION

Coastal Moving and Storage (850) 433-8308 mycoastalmoving.com

Superior Granite (850) 941-0270 superiorgranite.com

PET CARE

HOME DESIGN & FURNISHINGS Dee McDavid Interiors (850) 470-0001 deemcdavid.com Duh (850) 439-0640 duhpensacola.com

Episcopal Day School (850) 434-6474 edscc.org

Gray Horse Interiors (850) 346-6236 grayhorseinteriorsnwfl.com

FASHION & ACCESSORIES

Urban Objects (850) 912-8683 urbanobjects.net

Bluetique (850) 696-1264 bluetiquepensacola.com Toad Hall (850) 542-7548 toadhallantiques.com

FINANCIAL SERVICES & PLANNING Warren Averett (850) 435-7400 warrenaverett.com

HEALTH & WELLNESS Pure Barre - Pensacola (850) 912-4470 purebarre.com/fl-pensacola

HOME BUILDERS & REMODELERS

Elite Crete of the Gulf Coast (850) 696-2838 elitecretegulfcoast.com

32

Kevin Russell Builders (850) 466-5946 kevinrussellhomes.com

Pensacola Lifestyle | April 2016

INSURANCE

Thompson-Walden Insurance (850) 478-0401 morechoicesins.com

LEGAL

Mary Ann Patti, LLC (850) 437-3700 maryannpattilaw.com

MEDICAL CLINICS & FACILITIES

Brooks Foot & Ankle Associates (850) 479-6250 feetareneat.com Gulf Coast Plastic Surgery (850) 476-3223 gulfcoastplasticsurgery.com

OTHER

All Staff Payroll (850) 434-6708 allstaffpayrollservices.com

Olive Branch Pet Hospital (850) 477-2901 olivebranchpethospital.com

RESTAURANTS, FOOD & BEVERAGE Casino Beach Bar and Grill (850) 932-6313 casinobeachbar.com

Great Southern Restaurants (850) 470-0003 greatsouthernrestaurants.com

SALONS & SPAS

Heidi Grether Hairstylist/Colorist (850) 393-4939 heidigretherhairstylist-colorist.com Sheryl Schwartz Image Specialist (850) 712-2987 ssis.genbook.com Still Waters Day & Medical Spa (850) 432-6772 stillwatersmedspa.com

SENIOR LIVING & SERVICES

Summer Vista Assisted Living (850) 434-3232 summervista.com

Medicine & Surgery of the Foot and Ankle Offering: MLS Laser Therapy to reduce pain and inflammation State-of-the-art robotic laser technology Non-Surgical | FDA Cleared Fast, safe and effective | Treats Acute or Chronic Pain Improve healing times

Dr. Paul D. Brooks, DPM

(850) 479-6250 |

2201 E Nine Mile Rd Pensacola, Florida 32514 |

Dr. Eric M. Larsen, DPM

feetareneat.com

Love your

Smile

HEIDI GRETHER Hairstylist/Colorist

850.479.2525 | www.emeraldcoastsmiles.com 3927 Creighton Road Pensacola, Florida 32504

(850) 393-4939 (850)393-4939 The Next Level Salon 700 Bayfront Parkway April 2016 | Pensacola Lifestyle

33

Parting Thoughts

THE RUSH OF RACING Sean snapped this "selfie" on the Pensacola Bay Bridge during the Double Bridge Run in 2014.

H

ow can you drink beer at 9 a.m.?

And why would people pay to enter a race when they can just throw on their running shoes and hit the road for free?

These are questions I often hear from folks who’ve never tried the almost-weekly runs in Pensacola.

I recall a photo taken of me at the Pensacola Double Bridge Run in 2014. With a giddy grin, I’m pointing a GoPro camera at the crowd as I plod to the finish line.

I look a bit goofy, but that photo captured two powerful emotions: joy and relief.

Months before the race, I participated in training runs with friends and compatriots from the Fixed on Fitness boot-camp group in Pensacola. I was apprehensive. Would my hamstring hold up? Would the weather be miserable?

Weeks in advance, I googled long-range forecasts and scoped out meteorologists’ nerdy message boards. I tracked El Nino.

And, on the eve of the run, I pined over other concerns. That little plastic microchip they gave us to tie to our laces—would it hold up for the journey and track the run? Worse, would it lure a test missile from nearby Eglin?

But, on race day, the weather smiled, and I found myself in a joyful gallop. About 3,000 runners spanned the 9.3-mile route, which wound its way along Pensacola’s waterfront, across the 3.6-mile Pensacola Bay Bridge, through Gulf Breeze and over the impossibly steep Bob Sikes Bridge. And there was

34

Pensacola Lifestyle | April 2016

EXERCISE IS ONLY ONE ASPECT OF THE SPORT ARTICLE SEAN M.J. SMITH

a bonus “bridge”—a Gulf Breeze overpass, with a steep bank, that didn’t appear in the route in the run’s brochure.

The final dash to the electronic finish pads passed in a blur. A DJ blurted out names as music pumped through loudspeakers. Folks were yelling, clapping and hugging.

Even the chip, fabricated in a far-off place and connected to my shoes by a thin piece of plastic, functioned as designed. The only thing that wasn’t working was the GoPro. Its battery failed somewhere in Gulf Breeze.

The photo captured the moment I realized all of my fears had been allayed. A shiny medal and an ice-cold beer followed.

In 2015, I had the confidence to run again, and I had set my sights on this year until I picked up a nasty bout of plantar fasciitis. It’s a runner’s ailment that makes you feel as if you’re running with Lego’s stuffed in your shoes.

But I wanted to see what I was missing this year, so I headed out to the finish line to watch the end of the race and to hit the after-party. I watched some of the runners dancing as they conquered that difficult final span. I saw many of the same faces, full of joy and relief—reminding me of myself in that goofy photo.

I was invited to join the groups in the after-race celebration, but it didn’t feel right. I hadn’t earned a beer this time.

Before completing that race this year, my friend Doris Mink of Gulf Breeze posted a photo of her laced-up shoes. The caption read, “Run, walk … just get me there!”

Doris gets it. It’s not about the speed: It’s about the journey, from the training sessions and running groups to the long final course.

Her husband built her a rack to showcase all her medals from 15Ks, half marathons and other races. Each medal tracks a journey–and evokes a memory.

Running is not just a resolution or a means to fitness. It’s a way of life, a social connection, a solitary escape. It’s a chance to download, a time to decompress.

If someone asks you why you run and if you can actually drink a beer at 9 a.m., tell ’em this: “Try it. You just might like it!

Everything is better after you’ve finished a run.

A FEW PENSACOLA BAY AREA RUNS IN APRIL

•

April 9: The Navy Federal 5K in downtown Pensacola. (Be sure to register for the one here, not the one in Vienna, Virginia.) Details: NavyFederal.org/5k.

April 10: The Gulf Coast Half

•

Marathon and 10-Miler on Pensacola

Beach.

Details:

GulfCoastHalf.com.

April 29: The 41st Annual Fiesta

•

10K & 5K Run/Walk. A one-way dash from Pensacola State College to Seville Square in downtown Pensacola.

DETAILS: FiestaOfFiveFlags.org/

FiestaRun.

GETTING STARTED

T

here are many reasons to run and ways to train.

The World of Beer sponsors a Tap

it and Run club on Wednesdays.

The Cap’n Fun Runners launch from Pensacola Beach. Running Wild and the Pensacola Runners Association hold free running groups and clinics.

DETAILS: PensacolaRunners.com.

Join us for our next EDUCATION NIGHT

Getting Your “ Body Ready for the Beach ” Thursday, April 7th at 6pm

Presented by Gulf Coast Plastic Surgery at the Hilton Garden Inn on Airport Blvd Join Drs. Ben Brown, Jocelyn Leveque & Pete Butler for a fun & informal evening where they answer your questions about plastic surgery, surgical & non-surgical techniques to get your body ready for the beach.

NEW EDUCATION NIGHT LOCATION! Hilton Garden Inn 1144 Airport Boulevard, Pensacola

ENJOY REFRESHMENTS, PRIZES & SPECIALS Gift Bags for the first 100 guests, Wine & Hors d’oeuvres, Door Prizes & One-Night Only Specials

RESERVE YOUR SEAT RSVP at 476.3223 or at www.GulfCoastPlasticSurgery.com No cost, but seating is limited

FREE CONSULTATION

GulfCoastPlasticSurgery.com

476.3223

543 Fontaine St.,Pensacola, Florida 32503

All Education Night guests will receive a certificate for a complimentary private consultation with one of our surgeons. ($150 value)