Reflecting and Feeling Extremely Grateful
Hello Pensacola! It’s finally here. The season where everyone begins to resurface from their air conditioned lairs after a blazing hot summer and warm fall season start. It’s a time for reflection as we begin the steady wrap up of 2024. I think it’s my favorite portion of the year. We can be gracious and grateful for the triumphs and the lessons learned. We can celebrate the things and people that add positively to our lives. And when we are feel ing particularly down and out, we can always search for that silver lining.
Our cover story this month is a direct reflection of one of the most powerful attributes of American culture. That of our armed forces and the servicemen and women who have selflessly given of themselves to serve. Veteran’s Memorial Park is a poignant acknowledgment of those who gave the ultimate sacrifice. This month we celebrate the dedication of each of the individuals who have chosen to serve and protect the ideals of our great country. We salute you, and we thank you.
One of the more appealing characteristics of Pensacola is its sense of service to the community. We have many great groups and foundations doing important work here, not just during this season, but 365 days a year. In the spotlight this month we have Gulf Coast Kids House and Truth for Youth. Each providing a powerful and much needed presence in the community and serving those struggling to achieve balance and harmony in their everyday lives. The Pensacola community is better because they are in it.
Taking a step away from the usual local haunts, we can venture a short drive west and experience different vibes and flavors. There are many fine establishments to experience between here and New Orleans, and we hope to share some of them with you as we embark on monthly Day Trip Destinations.
As we celebrate and give thanks for the season, as we travel around the country to be with our loved ones, as we share a bottle of wine over stories and shared times, as we dust off old family recipes and pull out heirloom china, take pause and reflect. Focus on those things and people that fill your heart and home. Think about where you’ve been and where you are headed. Then, with grace and profound appreciation, give it an Amen!
BIANCA BAIN VILLEGAS, PUBLICATION DIRECTOR @PENSACOLACITYLIFESTYLE
November 2024
PUBLISHER
Suzanne Pope | suzanne.pope@citylifestyle.com
PUBLISHER DIRECTOR
Bianca Bain Villegas
bianca.bainvillegas@citylifestyle.com
SOCIAL MEDIA COORDINATOR
Kairym Lisch | kairym.lisch@citylifestyle.com
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Alex Boykin, Jahna Jacobson, Liesl Lemire, Bianca Bain Villegas
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
Ryan Fitzgerald, B Media
Corporate Team
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Steven Schowengerdt
CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Matthew Perry
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF HR Janeane Thompson
AD DESIGNER Josh Govero
LAYOUT DESIGNER Antanette Ray
city scene
WHERE NEIGHBORS CAN SEE AND BE SEEN
1: Impact 100 announcement of the 15 nonprofit grant recipients on September 18th. 2: Suicide Prevention Awareness Walk 3: September Slow Ride with Bike Pensacola. 4: Leading artists at Ballet Pensacola with a Bolero choreography by Hannah Holtsclaw at Gallery Night. 5:Pensacola City Lifestyle supporting the October Issue Cover feature: Ballet Pensacola at Gallery Night. 6: Night vibes with friends at The Burrow. 7: A Man For All Seasons. One of a great line up of shows this season.
business monthly
Freedom's Found Coffee
We believe that everyone is made in the image of God, and that alone makes you quality people. We brew quality coffee for quality people. Freedom’s Found Coffee is driven by a call to serve active and former military and first responders, upheld by a team with a unique understanding of the issues veterans face, applying Christian humility to the task of serving those who have served. Now providing biblically-based mental health support and healing.
Ray Jones & Co. Wines Of Italy
Local distributor supplying some of Italy's finest selections from six regions including: Veneto, Tuscany, Piedmont, Sicily, Puglia, and EmiliaRomagna. Offering Amarone, Barolo, Chianti, Valpolicella, Pinot Grigio, and Langhe Rosso amongst others. Also providing five prosecco options from the La Tordera family of wines from the hills of Valdobbiadene, the heart of the Valdobbiadene Superiore DOCG production area. We currently supply several local restaurants and wine dealers, bringing a carefully curated taste of Italy to Pensacola. (850)449-1315
Ladder To The Stars
It's never too late to start putting yourself first so that you can show up for your people. Sound like a good fit? Contact us to schedule and follow our social media for updates! laddertothestars.blog (850) 359-1519
Want to be featured?
To Enjoy Wine
MAKING A GATHERING FEEL SPECIAL WITH PEOPLE AND WINE
ARTICLE BY ALEX BOYKIN | PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED
It may surprise some reading this article to not find any specific wine recommendations for Thanksgiving. There are some great wines that one could suggest for the holiday feast, but that is not what we are going to discuss today. Instead, let us dive a little deeper into not just wine, but the idea of bringing people together, and how the two are intertwined.
Traveling the world one can ascertain the importance of tradition from culture to culture. During those travels, you meet people, and most importantly you meet the locals. They invite you to their homes and their family gatherings. Often there is a toast made, words and memories shared, and the clink of wine glasses. It gives new insight into life, just as any time spent away from home gives you some perspective. Those thoughts often revolve around visiting family and friends, the similarities are immediate, and once at those gatherings, a common theme is often wine. The people plus the wine always make the gatherings feel special, each one a small celebration. This rings true in many cultures.
Wine seems to always hold that special occasion feeling. From ancient to modern times, every event is often celebrated with some wine; birthdays, baptisms, weddings, homecomings, and even during the ritual of picking the grapes themselves. The blessing of gatherings - to drink high-quality wine. Quality being the key word. Some bottles can be pricey, but most are not, and that is when you learn of the most important aspects of wine: you do not need expensive wine to bring people together. Nor does it necessarily have to be expensive
to be good. Great people, even with "average" wine can equal a great experience!
Yet why does wine seem to be the preferred drink for special occasions? One does not typically go out to a nice dinner and order a beer. Wine, in ancient times, was considered pure and viewed as something to be enjoyed by everyone. Most Christian religions agree with the special, and serious, aspect of wine, holding that the Sacrament, the blood of a god, is wine! Well, why not beer, or, another favorite, a wheated bourbon?
Many vintners will tell you the answer is the grape itself. The grape is the perfect foundation for a celebratory drink. Nature has done most of the work giving us one single ingredient that has both enough sugar (the most sugar of any fruit) and acid to create the ideal level of alcohol and a combination of flavors that make up the spectrum of wines of which no single person can fully consume. Wine sits as the penultimate celebration drink because, at its core, it brings people together.
This holiday, go out to a tasting with friends. Buy an experimental bottle or two from a couple of regions of your choice to share with your family for Thanksgiving. Choose a more expensive and a less expensive option and see which you prefer. Have fun with wine, and do it with those you care about. See if the company you are with makes it taste better. The experience will be enduring. Near or far away from those we love, we remember how thankful we are to make it back home and to be able to enjoy a glass of wine with those we care about most. Cheers to a great Thanksgiving!
“Wine does not need to be serious. When you realize that even someone new to wine can enjoy even the most prestigious bottle, the sky becomes the limit.”
ARTICLE BY BIANCA BAIN VILLEGAS | PHOTOGRAPHY
BUILDING BACK BETTER ONE BRICK AT A TIME
TRUTH FOR YOUTH
BY B MEDIA
It depends on who you ask as to what they know, or how they have participated. Pensacola is a philanthropic town and if you are not a part of the gift that is giving of yourself, time, or money then you may need to reconsider.
We are so thankful for the many resources provided here in our town. It takes many to care for our village. “Money is just paper. It’s no good if you can’t use it. What’s more important than money? Friendships!” according to Reverend Powell. It’s through those friendships that he began his service to the children of our community so many years ago, and was the precursor to what we now call Truth For Youth.
Reverend Powell has spent the better part of 30+ years providing a space for the underserved youth of the Pensacola community. Moving to Pensacola in the early 1960s from Birmingham, Alabama he learned quickly what the world was like and what that meant for him. He knew of the Civil Rights movement from back home but had never experienced the segregation that existed, and better understood the need for it after several encounters in his new town. He eventually left Pensacola and proudly served in the Marine Corps.
Truth is, Rev. Powell was born to serve — Serve his country and his community, something he continues to do even today. He is a man of faith with the purpose of walking in the way of the Lord, gracious and grateful for what he has and always wanting to share it with those who might not have the same moral compass, support, and love that he had.
1995 was the start of a mission to serve the underserved youth of the community. It began with lock-ins. Anywhere the community would allow them. As often happens with positive experiences, word began to spread. The lock-in
numbers grew. Soon they had thousands coming to the Bay Center, bussed in for the night.
The police and others volunteering their time to teach the kids they mattered, self respect and respect for others. Now adults, many of those kids make sure to tell Rev. Powell how those opportunities helped them, shaped them, and how fondly they remember it all.
When he was given the chance to purchase the old bakery in Belmont-DeVilliers, as a home for Truth for Youth, Rev. Powell jumped at the opportunity. Initially, events and activities took place there. Games, tutoring, family gatherings and opportunities to collect much needed goods happened there. They were able to have a hot meal and some of that famous Rev. Powell kool-aid.
It was a safe place to gather, and a much needed refuge. However in 2015, weather and age made the building uninhabitable. Since then, efforts to raise the funds to buy the building outright have taken place. Last year, he was able to secure ownership.
Plans for restoration are well underway with the architectural plans drawn up. Clear visions of its use and hopes to educate, create opportunities to learn trades, learn how to be good citizens and stewards of the community are well established.
Now, there is one more piece to the puzzle. We need funds to finish acquiring the parking lot on Belmont St. The funds are needed immediately to make sure current events continue while the building is under construction and use of the lot can continue well into the future. It’s the same lot that patrons of Five Sisters use. It will be devastating to the neighborhood and Truth For Youth to lose it.
Join the effort and donate today!
To Donate: bricksrus.com/donorsite/ truthforyouth
Learning and engaging in stem activities, basic decorum, learning skills for life and various trades are all part of the mission of Truth For Youth. It is an important resource for our underserved children.
Remembering Sacrifice, Practicing Gratitude and Finding Peace
VETERANS MEMORIAL PARK PENSACOLA: COMMEMORATING OUR FIGHTING FORCES AND THE SACRIFICES MADE IN THE NAME OF FREEDOM.
For Butch Hansen, retired U.S. Navy captain, caring for Pensacola’s Veterans Memorial Park is a mission of honor and remembrance.
Located near the city’s downtown with beautiful waterfront views, the park commemorates veterans and the U.S. military with monuments recognizing a long history of those who served, from the Revolutionary War to the world wars to Korea, Vietnam, and the Global War on Terrorism.
“We believe the Veterans Memorial Park plays a vital role in keeping our country’s history alive for citizens and visitors of all ages,” Hansen said. “Educating the community, especially our children, about the park, its mission, and holding the sacrifice of those memorialized there as worthy of their gratitude, respect and emulation.”
Each year, an estimated 100,000 visitors travel to the Pensacola park to trace their own family histories and the history of the country through the awe-inspiring landscape of monuments. Hansen knows firsthand how meaningful that journey can be.
“Coming from the Vietnam era, the Wall South has special meaning,” said Hansen, who retired from the military 30 years ago. “Being a career submarine captain makes the Submarine Memorial have special meaning, but my family history makes the World War I memorial have the most meaning.”
“My grandfather fought in World War I, for Germany, on the Western Front for four years, and because he was captured by, and treated well by, Americans at the end of the War (his brother was not as lucky), he emigrated to America as soon as he could and became a proud American.”
When Hansen moved to Pensacola 13 years ago, he was immediately taken with the park. He soon helped establish the 13-member volunteer board to maintain the park and its tributes to the fallen and their families.
At its heart is The Wall South, a half-scale replica of Maya Lin's black granite monument erected on the National Mall, in Washington, D.C., in 1982. Erected in 1992, thanks to the determination, dedication and fund-raising efforts
ARTICLE BY JAHNA JACOBSON | PHOTOGRAPHY BY RYAN FITZGERALD
World War II Memorial
of local Vietnam veterans, the monument has become a destination for veterans and family members who come to find the names of their loved ones or compatriots etched into the black granite.
"Annual pilgrimages at Memorial Day and other military remembrance dates bring hundreds from far away to the Wall South to remember and reflect and sometimes heal old wounds," Hansen said. "It often takes years for some to decide to make the emotional journey, and we are proud to be able to provide that vehicle."
Among the other monuments are a 9/11 Memorial, a monument to Gold Star families, tributes to local service members lost in the war on terror, a memorial dedicated to those who served in the Korean War, a replica of the famous Minuteman Memorial in Concord, New Hampshire, a monument to those who have received the Purple Heart, the state’s only World War II monument, amongst others.
The Veterans Memorial Park Foundation hosts two formal ceremonies annually: Memorial Day and Veterans Day. Other local organizations also hold celebrations, including the Marine Corps League, The Daughters and Sons of the American Revolution, rotary clubs, corporate groups, veterans’ reunion groups and active-duty military groups from NAS Pensacola.
Having the monuments gathered at a single site allows visitors to see the full scope of the history and the generations of sacrifice required to defend the freedoms at the core of the country’s founding, Hansen said.
But the park is also a place where individuals can find peace, reflect and honor friends and family any day of the year, Hansen said. But the park is also where individuals can find peace, reflect, and honor friends and family any day of the year, said Hansen. He added that the importance of having places like the Veterans Memorial Park for veterans to find honor, recognition, and community cannot be overstated, he added.
“Veterans Memorial Park provides a place for healing, education, health and well-being. It provides a place for families, groups and individuals to learn, remember and reflect on the totality of what it sometimes takes to preserve our way of life.” said Hansen.
“Veterans Memorial Park provides a place for healing, education, health and well-being. It provides a place for families, groups and individuals to learn, remember and reflect on the totality of what it sometimes takes to preserve our way of life.” said Hansen.
“It’s a story about warfare and those charged with executing it that needs to be told and retold,” Hansen said . “That keeps me engaged – because our future depends on it.”
The park also serves as a source of tourism and economic development, resulting in significant financial impact. As the nation’s first settlement and the cradle of naval aviation, Pensacola has a long and rich military history, and the park visitors often make time to visit the area's other military sites of interest, such as Barrancas National Cemetery, the National Naval Aviation Museum and the Gulf Coast's many historic forts.
The park is easily accessible from both downtown and the beach, making it a popular site for military reunions, Hansen said. “Many of them have a memorial service for their lost members at the Park.”
Volunteers offer guided tours for individuals, school groups and other organizations, providing information on each memorial, the history that it represents, and those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country.
Each stone and statue tell a story, inspiring gratitude for the lives and sacrifices that built our country.
“It’s a story about warfare and those charged with executing it that needs to be told and retold,” Hansen said. “That keeps me engaged –because our future depends on it.”
To Volunteer: veteransmemorialparkpensacola.org/volunteer
To Make a donation: veteransmemorialparkpensacola.org/donations
VA Suicide Crisis Line: If you’re a Veteran in crisis or concerned about one, connect with the VA’s caring, qualified Veterans Crisis Line responders for confidential help. This service is private, free and available 24/7. Call 988 and select 1, or text 838255.
Wall South
WWII Memorial
Gulf Coast Kid’s House
Helping families in Pensacola and throughout Escambia County
Sitting down with Stacey Kostevicki, the Director of Gulf Coast Kids House, she shared insights into the organization's mission and the various year-round events that support their cause. Serving as a safe haven and children’s advocacy center, Gulf Coast Kids House brings together professionals and resources required for the intervention, investigation, and prosecution of child abuse cases, all within one child-friendly facility. Additionally, they offer mental health counseling for both child victims and their families.
At GCKH kids feel safe and heard. It is not the goal of any agency to remove the child from the home. They remove the threat of the aggressor and provide safety planning for the families. In Florida, adults are legally required to report if you suspect child abuse through the Department of Children & Families. According to Kostevicki, "hardly ever" does a child leave the center upset, as the trained staff skillfully guide them through the process using play and other supportive methods.
With its continued positive impact, GCKH has been able to expand its building, as well as create and provide mental health and prevention education programs. A recovery
ARTICLE BY BIANCA BAIN
When asked how the children respond to the services or what they have said that has stuck with her, she mentioned “A little girl was skipping through the lobby one night, and said “This is the best day of my life!””
group was also started for adults who suffered from childhood abuse and never received help. When asked how the children respond to the services or what they have said that has stuck with her, she mentioned “A little girl was skipping through the lobby one night, and said “This is the best day of my life!””
For 2025, GCKH hopes to have broken ground on their Therapy Garden. There is also an effort to champion mental
VILLEGAS
PHOTOGRAPHY
health here. A mental health task force operates to separate adults and children within the Baker Act. Pensacola Police Department has also been actively training their officers over time to better handle mental health incidents.
April is child abuse prevention month. In observance of it and in celebration of its 20th anniversary, GCKH had a Roaring 20s event and have something similar is in the works for the coming year. There is also the Brunch & Bubbles event every year at Portofino that just occurred in October, as well as a Dragon Boat Race and Steak Cook Off, both in partnership with local groups.
When asked about how the community can be more involved, Stacey provided a quick list:
• Take the free training at knowchildabuse.org It’s 40 minutes and good for adults and high school age kids.
• GCKH takes new and gently used clothing items. Clear out closets with your child and put things aside for the organization.
• Lemonade stands with the littlest of kids with proceeds supporting GCKH.
• If you see bullying at school, be an upstander, not a bystander.
For more information on how you can help: gulfcoastkidshouse.org Report Abuse: 1-800-96ABUSE
ARTICLE BY BIANCA BAIN VILLEGAS | PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED
Giving Thanks to our First Responders
SEND LETTERS OF GRATITUDE THIS MONTH TO OUR LOCAL HEROES
Pensacola Police Department
SEND YOUR THANKS TO:
711 N Hayne Street Pensacola, FL 32501 (850)435-1900
Call ahead and find out what sweet treats they may like. Donuts & coffee anyone?!
Escambia County Sheriff’s Department
SEND YOUR THANKS TO: 1700 W Leonard Street Pensacola, FL 32501 (850)436-9620
See what Chief Simmons is up to this month and if you can help!
Pensacola Fire Department HQ
SEND YOUR THANKS TO:
475 E Strong Street Pensacola, FL 32501 (850)436-5200
See if you can sponsor a dinner for your neighborhood station!
SEND YOUR THANKS TO: 1714, 6575 N W Street Pensacola, FL 32505 (850)471-6400
Consider making some snack bags to accompany your letter!
Escambia County EMS BRACE
SEND YOUR INQUIRIES TO: 150 W Maxwell Street Pensacola, FL 3250 1 (850)739-3981
Call and find out how you can get certified to help the community with disaster preparedness.
DELIGHTING IN EXPERTLY CURATED DELICACIES & FLAVORS
Day Trip Destinations: Café Viola
ARTICLE BY LIESL LEMIRE | PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED
What
was it, that brought
this French Creole Restaurant and Tea Room concept to
life?
It is desiring a shift from the mundane, that leads us to try something new. We might even travel a little farther, if we suspect we might find something special. It can touch our souls, provide beauty to the mundane, and gratitude to our hearts. Revealed in a variety of ways, like adding flowers to a table setting, little touches make a difference. For those desiring something a little different, just a short drive west on I-10 in picturesque downtown Fairhope, Alabama, is Café Viola, a French Creole Restaurant and Tea Room.
In a small city known for its variety of restaurants, boutiques, coffee shops, and bayfront sunset views, Café Viola, named for the owner’s mother, brings a unique concept to the downtown area.
Owners Joe Rider and Pastry Chef, Maddie Rees, are a father/daughter team working alongside General Manager, Dillon Rees, and Executive Chef Trey Embring, to bring not only delicious French creole cuisine and French pastries served on vintage antique dishes, but also an atmosphere that is friendly, inviting and intimate.
What was it, that brought this French Creole Restaurant and Tea Room concept to life? The restaurant business has always been part of their family life according to Maddie, whose early years were spent in the Tulsa, Oklahoma area where they also owned restaurants before moving to Alabama when she was 15. “I just kind of grew up cooking and then went off to college and changed my major every couple of months... Then I saw a Netflix documentary called ‘Kings of Pastry.’ about a French Chef who was going back to France to become an MOF.”
MOF, an acronym for Meilleur Ouvrier de France, is a prestigious title for which pastry chefs compete, complete with a decorated collar for their uniforms; a collar held in such high esteem in the culinary industry, that one can be arrested for wearing it, if not legitimately certified. In the documentary, Maddie observed that one of the competitors co-founded a school in Chicago for chefs. She decided she “might just look into that opportunity and take the leap.” That leap led to certification as a French Pastry Chef, and that road eventually led back to Fairhope. Meanwhile, influenced by her sister who happens to love tea rooms for afternoon tea, Maddie discussed the lack of tea rooms in the area with her father, and the concept for Café Viola was born.
Specializing in French-style Creole cuisine and gourmet desserts that are as delightful to look at as they are to eat, a sneak peek at their menu includes options such as Crispy Goat Cheese Maison salad, or Crawfish Gravy served on Cheddar and Scallion Biscuits for brunch/lunch. Dinner entrees include Braised Beef Cheeks with garlic mashed potatoes and creole roasted carrots, among others. And the piece de resistance, beautifully and thoughtfully crafted pasties like Fruit of the Forest (Blackberry/Dark Chocolate).
Whether a mother/daughter getaway for afternoon tea, a bridal luncheon for that special bride, or even just a personal, self-pampering pick me up that feels fancy, Café Viola brings all the style with beautifully set tables, soft jazz café music for lunch and afternoon tea, or live music in the evenings for a romantic date night.
cafeviolafairhope.com | (251)279-9648
events
A SELECTION OF UPCOMING LOCAL EVENTS
OCTOBER 31ST
FOO FOO Festival
Downtown Pensacola | 12:00 PM
From October 31st through November 11th - Foo Foo Fest is a 12-day celebration of existing and new culturally creative happenings, events and moments under one banner, attracting visitors to Pensacola. Foo Foo Fest is big fun, with events of high artistic and cultural caliber, delivered with a hefty dose of Southern sophistication.
NOVEMBER 1ST
Great Gulfcoast Arts Festival
Seville Square | 9:00 AM
The Festival runs from November 1st - 3rd. 9-5 on Friday and Saturday, 9-4 on Sunday Children's Festival Hours: Saturday & Sunday 10-4. Admission to the festival is free. The annual Great Gulfcoast Arts Festival a three-day, juried art show draws 200+ of the nation's best artists and is one of the best-regarded arts festivals in the United States.
NOVEMBER 1ST
Blue Angels Homecoming Air Show
NAS Pensacola | 9:30 AM
The NAS Pensacola Blue Angels Homecoming Air Show will be held on November 1 & 2, 2024. Gates open at 8AM, and the show begins at 9:30AM. The Blue Angels close the season at Pensacola Beach with aerobatic and stunt pilots performing. General admission to the air show is free. Check the website for event schedule and tickets: blueangels.navy.mil/show/.
NOVEMBER 6TH Winterfest
Downtown Pensacola | 5:00 PM
Pensacola Winterfest events in 2024: November 6,15, 22–24, 29–30; December 1, 6–8, 13, 15, 20–24. Performances of free pre-shows, and visits with Santa and the Grinch each night of the event. Take a ride on the Polar Express or celebrate with the Whos on the Grinch's Merry Match and Christmas Tree Heist. Tickets for sale online.
NOVEMBER 7TH
Carmen The Traveler: World Premiere
Seville Quarter | 5:30 PM
Pensacola Opera presents the world premiere of Carmen: The Traveler, a newly adapted, abridged, and re-orchestrated version of Bizet’s monumental masterpiece. Carmen: The Traveler transports the action from its original 19th century setting to the pre-war tension of 1930s Seville. A versatile cast of singer-instrumentalists will perform their roles while accompanying themselves on instruments including guitars, mandolins, and accordions.
NOVEMBER 10TH
Pensacola Eggfest presented by KIA Autosport
Hadji Shrine Temple 800 W 9 Mile Road | 12:00 PM
The event hosts BBQ teams and backyard cooks from all over the United States who share two things: a love of cooking and the joy of giving back to their communities. Since 2013, over $780,000 has been donated to local charities from this little BBQ party. Come join us to taste all the good food!
Refresh your view
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