Tallahassee Magazine - July/August 2017

ALSO, MEET OUR TOP SINGLES FOR 2017

Pets

Our friends & protectors

$3.95

www.tallahasseemagazine.com

JUL-AUG 2017

A product of Rowland Publishing, Inc.

+ Q&A

Rocky Hanna

GRILLING

What’s Hot

SCALLOPS

Bag You Some

“

EVERYONE AT TMH WAS RIGHT, MACK IS TRULY A LIGHT WITHIN OUR LIVES. — MANDI YOUNG

”

mother of Mack, 1 year old

At Tallahassee Memorial, we know that not every page of your child’s story will be perfect, but you have the power to help direct and create happy endings. With the region’s only Newborn Intensive Care Unit, an expert outpatient facility for kids and the region’s only Child Life Specialist, we support your ever-changing role as a caregiver and lifesaver. You are a mom for life, let us be your hospital for life.

Read Mack’s story and others at TMH.ORG/MomForLife

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Our board certified plastic surgeons Providing the latest techniques and procedures since 1978

Larry L. Harper, M.D., F.A.C.S. Dr. Larry Harper joined Tallahassee Plastic Surgery Clinic in 2000. His special areas of practice include breast augmentation, abdominoplasty, liposuction and thigh lifts as well as reconstructive surgery. Dr. Harper graduated from Florida State University in 1987 and received his medical degree from the University of Florida College of Medicine. In 1996, he completed his general surgery residency at the University of South Alabama Medical Center followed by a plastic surgery residency at Vanderbilt University. Dr. Harper is board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and is a Fellow of the esteemed American College of Surgeons. Dr. Harper is also a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.

Alfredo A. Paredes, Jr., M.D. Dr. Alfredo Paredes, Jr., is a board certified plastic surgeon whose interests are cosmetic and reconstructive surgery, including breast augmentation, breast reconstruction, facial surgery, and body contouring. Dr. Paredes attended college on a merit scholarship at Emory University, where he graduated first in his class. He attended Emory School of Medicine on another merit scholarship (the prestigious Woodruff Fellowship) and graduated with honors. In 2003 he completed his plastic surgery residency at Emory University and then joined Tallahassee Plastic Surgery Clinic. Dr. Paredes is board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and is a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. He recently served as president of the Capital Medical Society and serves on other professional boards in Tallahassee.

Jeffrey M. Rawlings, M.D., F.A.C.S. Dr. Jeffrey Rawlings received an undergraduate degree from Auburn University. He earned his medical degree from the Medical College of Georgia where he stayed to complete residencies in general surgery and plastic surgery. He then accepted a position at the Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale, Arizona. He received training from internationally recognized surgeons in areas of endoscopic plastic surgery, oculoplastic surgery, breast reconstruction, cosmetic breast surgery, body contouring and microvascular surgery. He is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. He is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons and a member of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery and the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.

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Contents

JUL/AUG 2017

Kathryn Palmer and Krysta Michael stun in style as two of our 2017 Top Singles.

FEATURES

94 GRILL OUT!

Heat things up with grilling tips and tricks.

by ROSANNE DUNKELBERGER

110 RAVING REPTILES

Slithering critters make for superb pets.

by ROCHELLE KOFF

↗

114

102

A man’s best friend protects our community.

17 local men and women are ready to mingle for charity.

POLICE DOGS

by REBECCA PADGETT

Photography by LAWRENCE DAVIDSON

STARS OF SUMMER

by REBECCA PADGETT

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Contents

JUL/AUG 2017

75 130 GARDENING Much

needed mulch, and gardening chores

23 323

23 GREAT OUTDOORS Scalloping: diving for the divine.

26 CHAMPIONS

PANACHE

47 FOR HER Put your

best foot forward in summertime sandals.

Women4FSU advocates female leaders.

30 EDUCATION

Rocky Hanna rolls with the punches in education.

34 HEALTH & EXERCISE

50 CITIZEN OF STYLE

36 LOOKING BACK

Taste the nostalgia of your favorite oldtimey candies.

38 SPORTS Local

USTA tennis officials net success.

From his smile to his socks, Dr. Andrew Clark knows style.

54 FOR HIM A timeless,

time-keeping classic: the watch.

58 WHAT’S IN STORE

A roundup of retail happenings.

Ready, set, sweat with tabata training.

GASTRO & GUSTO

61 LIBATIONS Sangria makes for sweet summertime sips.

64 DINING OUT The top (hot) dogs in town.

44 CLASS OF 2017

Graduating seniors confidently answer questions about the future.

64 10

16 18 71 140 161 176 178

87 68 DINING TRENDS

84 MUSIC Darko

EXPRESSION

DESTINATIONS

Smoothies make a smooth transition into meals.

75 ART Honey Hilliard — feminine, fashion and flight.

80 BOOKS Author Adrian Fogelin puts books in the hands of children.

Butorac conducts a sweet symphony in Tallahassee.

Italian hills steeped in history

92 QUICK TRIP

Artifacts and an arsenal in Chattahoochee

ABODES

123 INTERIORS

Brighten and embolden your bathroom.

126 EXTERIORS

Tree houses present an oasis above.

Hot diggity for summertime’s favorite meal!

July–August 2017

TALLAHASSEEMAGA ZINE.COM

ALSO, MEET OUR TOP SINGLES FOR 2017

87 GETAWAY Rolling

82 STAGE FSU Theater

for Children entertains and educates.

PUBLISHER’S LETTER DIRECTOR’S COLUMN DINING GUIDE SOCIAL STUDIES THE BUZZ AGENDA POSTSCRIPT

128 DIY

Display your favorite blooms in a window box.

Pets

Our friends & protectors

+ Q&A

Rocky Hanna

GRILLING

What’s Hot

SCALLOPS

Bag You Some

ON THE COVER: Stevie, a frisky brown-eyed girl who belongs to a certain publisher who has never been able to get enough of Fleetwood Mac, offers the kind of doleful, soulful look that just makes you want to say, “Aw.” Dogs and other pets hold sway in this edition of Tallahassee Magazine, but who could say no to a face like Stevie’s?

Photo by Lawrence Davidson, Photo Styling by Jackie Burns

PHOTOS BY ALICIA OSBORNE (75), BRUCE PALMER (64), MARTIN FROYDA/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM (87) AND COURTESY UF/IFAS - TYLER JONES (23)

IN EVERY ISSUE

MAKE IT MEMORABLE MAKE IT EXHILARATING MAKE IT ROMANTIC MAKE IT fun MAKE IT YOURS!

Panama City Beach has so much family fun, heart-pounding action, eco-adventure and romance, the memories you make here will last a lifetime. Come make Panama City Beach your REAL. FUN. BEACH. Plan your fun getaway today.

VisitPanamaCityBeach.com TALL AHASSEEMAGA ZINE.COM

July–August 2017

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Contents

JUL/AUG 2017

SPECIAL SECTIONS AND PROMOTIONS

56 EYEDOPE

164

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder and everything looks beautiful in fashions by EyeDope. More than an accessory, EyeDope vision stylewear intends to make an impact, express style and brighten lives.

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132

DEAL ESTATE Find a dash of South Florida style in a recently listed North Florida home on Oak Grove Plantation Road. New owners nab a cute and quaint home in Cortona Hills. Looking for a weekend getaway right down the road? A coastal cottage is for sale on St. George Island.

↑ TALLAHASSEE MAGAZINE’S PETS & THEIR PEOPLE

Dogs, cats and miniature horses, oh my!

The 2017 Pets & Their People event, held at Proctor Subaru, was a day of pet-friendly activities, a barbecue brunch, a mimosa and bloody mary bar, puppy yoga, live music and pet adoptions from the Leon County Humane Society.

138

← CALENDAR Tallahassee and the surrounding area offer no shortage of celebrations, festivals, 5Ks, concerts and other performances. We offer you an expansive menu of things to do.

155

TMH FOUNDATION NEWSLETTER

TMH is a premier health care provider making an impact in the community through innovative research, fundraising events, constant support and continued awareness.

Next Issue

Physicians & Medical Resource Guide and Visit the Beach Travel Guide SPECIAL PROMOTION

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PHOTOS BY LAWRENCE DAVIDSON (138), SAIGE ROBERTS (164) AND COURTESY EYEDOPE (56)

↗ FORGOTTEN COAST MAP We orient you to one of the most picturesque and pristine stretches the Gulf Coast has to offer — its merchants, attractions and more.

Nothing can match a life-changing smile As Kaitlyn peered into the mirror she felt she was living a terrible nightmare. to restore her smile? For Kaitlyn, Dr. Oppenheim was the clear choice! Was it Dr. Oppenheim’s ten gold medals in international cosmetic dentistry Before

competitions, or that he is one of only 63 dentists worldwide to have achieved the elite status of Accredited Fellow, or that his patients have appeared on the cover of The Journal of Cosmetic Dentistry eight times? - Kaitlyn says, “Yes, it was!”

WWW.SIGNATURESMILES.COM

CALL US TODAY: (229) 226-1631 TALL AHASSEEMAGA ZINE.COM

July–August 2017

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TALLAHASSEE MAGAZINE

VOL. 40, NO. 4

JULY-AUGUST 2017

PRESIDENT/PUBLISHER BRIAN E. ROWLAND

EDITORIAL DIRECTOR OF EDITORIAL SERVICES/EDITOR Steve Bornhoft SENIOR STAFF WRITER Jason Dehart EDITORIAL COORDINATOR Rebecca Padgett ASSISTANT TO DIRECTOR OF EDITORIAL SERVICES Kim Harris Thacker CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Marina Brown, Rosanne Dunkelberger, Elizabeth B. Goldsmith, Rochelle Koff, Audrey Post EDITORIAL INTERN Kirstin Redfield

CREATIVE

To have and to hold

850-385-7363 blossomsflowers.com 541 N. Monroe St., Tallahassee (Walker Building)

CREATIVE DIRECTOR Lawrence Davidson DIRECTOR OF PRODUCTION AND TECHNOLOGY Daniel Vitter SENIOR ART DIRECTOR Saige Roberts DESIGN DIRECTOR Jennifer Ekrut PUBLICATION DESIGNERS Charles Bakofsky, Shruti Shah GRAPHIC DESIGNERS Meredith Brooks, Sarah Mitchell CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Lorena Torres Angelini, Steve Bornhoft, Steve Chase, Stefano Costantini, Lawrence Davidson, Rosanne Dunkelberger, Ray Faass, Perrone Ford, Alison Harte, Scott Holstein, Tyler Jones, Linda Kranert, Kary Kublin, Lee Howell Photography, Mackenzie Ligas, Dawn McKinstry, Mike Olivella, Alicia Osborne, Rebecca Padgett, Bruce Palmer, Craig Pennington, Kirstin Redfield, Saige Roberts, Steven Saccio, Phil Sears, Shems Hamilton Photography, Terri Smith, Adam Taylor, Rachel Williams, Woodland Fields Photography, Chase Yakaboski

SALES, MARKETING AND EVENTS VICE PRESIDENT/CORPORATE DEVELOPMENT McKenzie Burleigh Lohbeck DIRECTOR OF NEW BUSINESS Daniel Parisi ADVERTISING SERVICES COORDINATOR Lisa Sostre ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES Linda Powell, Sarah Scott, Brianna Webb, Lori Magee Yeaton EVENTS AND SPECIAL PROJECTS COORDINATOR Mandy Chapman INTEGRATED MARKETING COORDINATOR Bria Blossom SALES AND EVENTS ASSOCIATE Mackenzie Ligas

OPERATIONS ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES/HUMAN RESOURCE COORDINATOR Marah Rhone CORPORATE CLIENT LIAISON Sara Goldfarb CLIENT SERVICES REPRESENTATIVE/PRODUCTION SPECIALIST Melinda Lanigan STAFF ACCOUNTANT Jackie Burns ACCOUNTANT ASSISTANT Lisa Cleaves ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT Lisa Snell RECEPTIONIST Alyssa Cunningham TALLAHASSEE MAGAZINE tallahasseemagazine.com facebook.com/tallahasseemag twitter.com/tallahasseemag instagram.com/tallahasseemag pinterest.com/tallahasseemag youtube.com/user/tallahasseemag ROWLAND PUBLISHING rowlandpublishing.com

EDITORIAL OFFICE 1932 Miccosukee Road, Tallahassee, FL 32308. (850) 878-0554 SUBSCRIPTIONS One year (6 issues) is $30. Call (850) 878-0554 or go online to tallahasseemagazine.com.

Single copies are $3.95. Purchase at Barnes & Noble, Costco, Books-A-Million, Walgreens and at our Miccosukee Road office.

CUSTOMER SERVICE & SUBMISSIONS Tallahassee Magazine and Rowland Publishing, Inc. are not responsible for unsolicited manuscripts, photography or artwork. Editorial contributions are welcomed and encouraged but will not be returned. Tallahassee Magazine reserves the right to publish any letters to the editor.

Copyright July 2017 Tallahassee Magazine, Inc. All rights reserved.

Reproduction in whole or part without written permission is prohibited.

Partners of Visit Tallahassee and Member, Greater Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce.

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from the publisher

Over the past three years, 15 prominent women, all leaders in their fields of endeavor, have honored my wife, Cherie, by agreeing to participate as speakers in the “Day of Dialogue: Women of Interest” series supported by 850 Magazine, hosted by the Capital City Country Club and presented by Florida Cancer Specialists.

Collectively, these outstanding women contribute to bettering our community, furthering the interests of businesses and serving as transformational influences in the lives of individuals who are fortunate enough to get to know them. Individually, each offered takeaways as part of their Day of Dialogue presentations that I found memorable, amusing or helpful.

The Class of 2017 speakers were: ▪ Erin O’Hara O’Connor, the dean of the Florida State University Law School and a McKenzie Professor.

▪ Marion Hammer, a lobbyist and the former president of the National Rifle Assocation.

▪ Elizabeth Barbour, a business coach and much sought-after speaker.

▪ Dr. Susan Forito, the director of the new Jim Moran School of Entrepreneurship at the FSU School of Business.

▪ Carrie Englert Zimmerman, the CEO and co-founder of the Zimmerman Agency.

Erin O’Hara O’Conner impressed me when she said her upbringing prepared her to approach as an equal any man in any professional setting or circumstance. Never, she said, did she consider that she was at a disadvantage because she was a woman.

Marion Hammer may be short in stature, but she has commanded respect for many years in male-dominated arenas including the worlds of firearms politics.

I gained an appreciation for where she

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TALLAHASSEEMAGA ZINE.COM

comes from when she described the grandfather who raised her in a rural setting at a time when students routinely carried guns to school and did some plinking on the way home. I asked her at the conclusion of her remarks whether she was packing. Her reply: “Wouldn’t you like to know?”

Elizabeth Barbour has a big heart and limitless compassion for others. She was adopted as a child and would become an adoptive parent as a product, she said, of the power of “networking.” Her story about receiving a phone call and being instructed to pick up her new daughter 18 hours later was powerfully moving.

Dr. Susan Forito fascinated me when she spoke about the need to get comfortable with not knowing precisely what the future may hold. At some point, she had to recognize that she could not plot all the steps in the future of the Jim Moran Institute and the School of Entrepreneurship and would instead have to figure things out as she went along.

The best outcomes, she suggested, result from genuine collaboration and effective, honest, transparent communication.

Carrie Englert Zimmerman and her husband, Curtis, have built a global public relations and advertising firm that recently turned 30. A fierce competitor, she qualified for the 1976 Olympics as a gymnast and was the first American ever to score a perfect 10 in competition in floor exercise. There is an “F-word” she never uses. “Never say you are ‘fine,’” Zimmerman advised. “Say you are awesome and carry yourself like you are the smartest person in the room.”

For the insights they provided, the lessons they shared and the wisdom they imparted, I thank all of our Day of Dialogue speakers.

As to the business of Tallahassee Magazine and Rowland Publishing, permit me a couple of announcements.

SCOTT HOLSTEIN

WOMEN OF INFLUENCE Speakers inform and entertain

Laura Cassels is joining Rowland Publishing as our managing editor and will report to our director of editorial services, Steve Bornhoft. Laura will oversee editorial workflow while making some writing contributions of her own. Steve, who serves as executive editor of Tallahassee, 850 and Emerald Coast magazines, and Laura are well acquainted, as it happens. For a portion of Steve’s tenure as editor of the Panama City News Herald, Laura worked as the paper’s city editor.

I am pleased to announce, too, that Larry Davidson, for many years our creative director, is advancing to a new role as RPI’s chief content officer. Larry will develop content to drive business, work closely with Steve on enhancing our magazines’ content and oversee our growing digital and social media platforms. Jennifer Ekrut, who for years has helped refine the look of our magazines, is our new design director.

All of us are committed to furnishing you, the reader, with publications that are vital, engaging and looked forward to.

BRIAN ROWLAND browland@rowlandpublishing.com

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director’s column

ANOTHER PERSPECTIVE Students lead me to reassess myself

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After the class had met for a few times and I had a feel for its chemistry, I felt safe to tell a story about the time I offended the community of Wewahitchka by writing a newspaper column in which I described the scene I encountered at Wewa’s Dixie Dandy store on a Sunday morning. Among other observations, I noted a gentleman who checked out with a suitcase of Natural Lite beer, a large tray of chicken parts and 10 rolls of toilet paper. Life’s essentials, I may have written. In response, I heard from upset churchgoers, city officials and members of the Wewahitchka Fine Arts Society. (Who knew?)

By way of penance, I agreed to sit in a dunk tank at the Wewahitchka Earth Day Festival, held in April. It had been a rainy spring, the Chipola River was out of its banks and septic systems had been inundated with floodwaters. So, after volunteer firefighters went to the river to fill the dunk tank with a pumper truck, they added, unbeknownst to me, a gallon of bleach to kill any bacteria in the water.

Presently, a young man wound up and clanged the dunk-tank target. The bench beneath me gave way and I was plunged into the Clorox. My eyes would tear and sting for three days thereafter.

My story complete, I looked at a student who, like Kaizsa, is an African-American, and said, “Doug, before that episode occurred, I was a black man.”

The class hooted and hollered, and Kaizsa smiled especially broadly and nodded.

Did I then behave more like me, as I perceive myself, or me as I am perceived by students? Probably the latter. But, Arturo, I am at peace with that, prepared to go forward as a funny old hippie with smarts, one who resembles the greatest storyteller Minnesota ever produced and who is entertaining enough to be regarded by some, I believe genuinely, as their BPF. To my students, I am indebted. They encourage me not to take myself too seriously.

SAIGE ROBERTS

Kaizsa (rhymes with Asia) is a remarkable black woman who somehow simultaneously managed home, motherhood, work, internships and studies on her way to the bachelor’s degree in strategic communication that she collected in May. She is the kind of person who reminds me that I may not be as busy or burdened as I sometimes think I am.

Kaizsa was a student in the Public Relations Campaigns course I taught at Flagler College’s satellite operation on the TCC campus this spring.

She surprised me on the night the class met for the first time by exclaiming about me, “Oh my gosh, you look just like my grandfather.” The class, understandably, erupted in nervous laughter, leading Kaizsa to clarify her observation: “Of course, you’re not as dark as he is.”

Each of the 22 students in the class was remarkable in his or her way. Kaizsa’s resolve was joined by Sandra’s smoothness, Jessica’s reservedness, Angela’s determination, Christian’s sardonicism, Shelbi’s self-assuredness, Logan’s affability, Diane’s ebullience, Katelyn’s earnestness, Clinton’s modesty, Leila’s satirism, Jamon’s teddy-bearishness, Doug’s likability, Shayna’s confidence, Avery’s courage, Courtney’s mysteriousness, Tori’s free-spiritedness, Sarah’s inquisitiveness, April’s Southern-ness, Tyler’s jockishness, Shaquela’s ambitiousness and Marcus’s righteousness.

I thought back to those students when Arturo Nunez, the keynote speaker at the Big Bend Regional Small Business Awards Luncheon, held in May, called upon the members of his audience to list words or phrases that others use to describe them.

“Now,” said Nunez, a FAMU alum who has worked a career in corporate marketing and currently is employed by Apple, “List words that you use to describe yourself.” He then suggested that if the two lists differ markedly from one another, there may be implications for your “personal brand.” Anyone’s brand, he emphasized, is a collection of perceptions in the minds of others. It doesn’t so much matter what you think about yourself.

Students, in describing me, have used words including “hippie,” “crazy-smart,” “funny,” “a lot like Garrison Keillor” and “best professor ever.” (I’ll concede that they may have applied the last term in flattering ways to all of their professors.) I look upon myself as “grounded,” “experienced,” “fair,” “unconventional” and “a lifelong learner.”

Who’s right? Do the students see me more accurately than I see myself?

Be well and do good,

STEVE BORNHOFT sbornhoft@rowlandpublishing.com

“

I feel confident when I have a pretty smile, and I know I have healthy teeth.

Dana Brooks Cooper, Shareholder at Barrett, Fasig & Brooks

For Dana’s full story please visit DRRAINEY.COM/HEALTH

850.385.3700 | 221 E. 7TH AVE | DRRAINEY.COM

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SPECIAL PROMOTION

TALLAHASSEEMAGAZINE.COM WIN BIG ONLINE

WATCH THE 2017

TOP SINGLES

Enter to win TWO VIP TICKETS TO TOP SINGLES at the Donald L. Tucker Civic Center on July 29.

Value: $300+ Offer ends July 15

Want the inside scoop on the guys and gals who are the 2017 Top Singles? Go to tallahasseemagazine.com/ Top-Singles to learn about their interests, personalities and their excitement for the upcoming event!

Exclusive tickets and prize packages to Tallahassee’s best events are up for grabs! Visit TALLAHASSEEMAGAZINE.COM and look for the Top of the Town logo for your chance to enter to win!

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LAWRENCE DAVIDSON (TOP SINGLES GIVEAWAY) AND LIVE IN TALLAHASSEE (TOP SINGLES VIDEOS)

LET’S GET

F L O R I D A

S T A T E

FOOTBALL LOVE IT. LIVE IT. BUILD YOUR TICKET AND TAILGATING PLAN FOR THE 2017 SEASON. One game, 3 games, 6 games.

East & West Sideline Stadium Seats. Club level seating.

You decide!

INVEST OR INQUIRE BY Calling (850) 644-1830 or visiting NoleTickets.com

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323

JUL/AUG 2017

PROFILING THE PURSUITS, PASSIONS AND PERSONALITIES AMONG US

THE

GREAT OUTDOORS

The Scalloping Season It’s time to go overboard for a local seafood favorite

COURTESY UF/IFAS - TYLER JONES

by JASON DEHART

CHAMPIONS

Women4FSU

|| EDUCATION

Rocky Hanna

|| HEALTH & EXERCISE

Burn Baby Burn

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THE

323 ↘ Dive in for your

dinner! This diver has his eyes on the scallop prize in the waters of Steinhatchee.

things you need to know before going overboard. According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, recreational scallopers between ages 16 and 65 have to have a saltwater fishing license, and you need to post a dive flag — regardless of whether you’re using a boat or wading from the shore. You also can’t possess scallops on any water outside the harvest area. The harvest limit is two gallons of whole bay scallops in the shell, or one pint of bay scallop meat per person. There’s a maximum limit of 10 gallons of whole bay scallops in the shell, or a half-gallon of scallop meat per vessel.

The best scallop depth is between four and eight feet, so you don’t need much gear aside from a dive mask, snorkel and maybe fins. A mesh bag can be used to hold your catch, and you can either use a dip net or your bare hands to corral

BAY SCALLOP TRIVIA

them. Your quarry can be well camouflaged in the grass, so clear water conditions are a must. Also, don’t expect them to just sit still. Scallops will try to swim away from you; but the good news is they don’t go very fast or far.

Once you are satisfied with your catch, you have to keep the scallops preserved somehow until you’re ready to shuck them. If you’re on a boat, a live well works fine. But a cooler will also serve, as long as you keep them away from ice water runoff. Scallops are sensitive to temperature change, but exposure to fresh water will kill them. The optimal solution is to use a live well when on the water but to put them on ice right before shucking. Ice makes the shells easier to open. Once open, some folks use a shop vac to remove the unwanted parts, while others may do it by hand with either a knife or a spoon. TM

→

The bay scallop is a bivalve, which has two shells (valves) joined by a hinge. Like many marine animals, the bay scallop is countershaded; that is, the top shell is darker than the bottom and provides a form of camouflage. They are filter feeders and use gills to extract oxygen from the water.

A ring of striking blue eyes helps the bay scallop detect predators. It can “swim” by rapidly clapping its shells together, which produces enough thrust to propel itself away from danger.

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COURTESY UF/IFAS - DAWN MCKINSTRY

S

ummertime in North Florida usually means spending time outdoors grilling, fishing, splashing around the ol’ swimming hole and, for Big Bend residents, scooping up bay scallops.

Not only do you beat the heat diving for these tender, tasty bivalves, but you can come home with a little something for the frying pan without the fuss and muss of fishing gear.

Bay scallops are harvested only in a region that runs north of Tampa up around the bend to St. Joe Bay. There are three harvest seasons in North Florida: The 2017 season runs June 16–Sept. 10 in Taylor and Dixie counties; July 1–Sept. 24 in Jefferson, Wakulla and Franklin counties; and July 25–Sept. 10 in Gulf County/St. Joe Bay. Catching scallops is a fairly straightforward process, but there are some

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THE

323 relationships and capitalizing on differences … to effectively lead others,” she says.

Janecia Britt, who recently graduated from FSU with an English degree, recalls the time she spent at ← The W4FSU the institute: “I felt Backstage validation in my exPass cohort of periences as a woman, 2016 enjoyed the opening an African-American reception at the and a survivor of adFSU College of versity. Being surLaw rotunda. rounded by other women — taking in all of their stories and creating a bond through the obstacles of womanhood — was empowering, to say the least.”

Women as Advocates An advocate is a proponent or champion; and while Women4FSU certainly champions womanhood and women as leaders, the organization is also one of FSU’s most devoted advocates.

“It’s the ‘for’ in our name that’s key,” develop their leadership skills says Crew. “You don’t have to be a stuCHAMPIONS and embrace their unique taldent, graduate or spouse of a graduate to ents and identities. Facilitajoin us. You just have to be for FSU.” tors frequently include female In order to be “for FSU” — to advoFSU faculty and alumni. cate for any cause or organization — it’s “The Women’s Leadership important to know as much about that Institute engages everyone cause or organization as possible. That’s from artists to superwhere Women4FSU’s annual Backstage scientists, from students to Pass event comes into play.

by KIM HARRIS THACKER experts,” says Alicia Crew, “Backstage Pass allows women to get Women4FSU’s Student a glimpse ‘behind the scenes’ of some Engagement Committee chair. omen have played an important of FSU’s greatest programs,” says Sarah Allison Bowden, an upcoming senior role in Florida State University’s Coakley, a member of Women4FSU since in marketing and business analytics at heritage from the time the school its second year.

FSU, has been involved in the institute opened as a women’s college Attendees have enjoyed conversations since her sophomore year. in 1905 to today, when 55 percent of the with FSU athletes and coaches, tours “It helped me to understand that there student body is female. But it wasn’t unof the Master Craftsman Studio, choare all kinds of leaders,” she says. “It til 2008 that an organization was formed ral exercises with the School of Music, taught me to embrace who I am, yet be juggling and tightrope-walking lessons whose purpose it was to celebrate that aware of the biases and challenges I face with the FSU Circus and many more exheritage and to “cultivate women as leadas a woman and leader.” citing opportunities. ers, advocates and donors for Florida State Upcoming sophomore Kallayah HenAs a Women4FSU-sponsored event, University.” derson, a first-generation college student Backstage Pass also emphasizes the This organization is known as studying interdisciplinary social science, school’s heritage.

Women4FSU. went to the institute without re“Backstage Pass enlightened ally knowing who she was as a Women as Leaders me about the role women have leader and what she was capable Each fall, Women4FSU collaborates with played in the formation of To learn of accomplishing.

FSU’s Center for Leadership and Social the university and the role we more about “I now understand that it Change, directed by Dr. Laura Osteen, to need to take in its future,” says Women4FSU, takes a healthy self-esteem, present the Women’s Leadership Institute.

Bowden. “Learning about all of visit w4fsu.org. authenticity, the development of This dynamic institute helps students the amazing developments that ››

WOMEN4FSU

Nurturing the next generation of leaders, advocates and philanthropists

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Be the Blue #StandOutTally

↑ Sophia Danvers, an FSU College of Communication and Information triple graduate and six-time All American and ACC Track and Field Champion, spoke to the Women’s Leadership Institute about the importance of bringing their whole selves to their work.

are happening in departments throughout the university has helped me to feel a greater connection to FSU.” Backstage Pass helps women connect with the university and assists Women for FSU in accomplishing its goal of involving women in philanthropy.

Women as Donors When money is tight, as it often is for students, the idea of engaging in philanthropy can seem out of reach. But the women who are involved in Women4FSU know that there is more than one way to give.

“If a woman is in a position where she can’t give monetarily, she may be able to give in another way, such as contributing her time,” says Sherrill Ragans, immediate past chair of the organization’s executive committee. “But before she’ll make any kind of a contribution, she needs to know the cause’s backstory.”

“Women give from the heart because a story touches them, not because they’re impressed by the flashiness of a cause,” explains Marilyn Spores, another executive committee member.

This understanding, that stories help women to connect with causes and each other, is one reason why, in less than 10 years, Women4FSU’s membership has grown from a few individuals to over 1,000.

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“We are open and inclusive,” explains Cassandra Gross, chair of the executive committee. “We want to know your story. Then, if we can help you to hear the stories of other women and of programs on campus, maybe you’ll join with us in membership in Women4FSU.” “You aren’t alone in your journey as a woman,” adds Britt. “Surrounding yourself with strong women can push you further than you’ve ever imagined. Share your story. It has the power to change the course of other women’s lives.” TM

STEVE CHASE FOR FSU ALUMNI ASSOCIATION

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EDUCATION

ROCKY HANNA

The super is a strong believer in the power of teachers

by STEVE BORNHOFT

→

Like a fighter who survives 12 rounds with the champ and wins a split-decision victory, Rocky Hanna emerged last November from a race that was at turns combative, salacious and personal to win election as Leon County’s superintendent of schools by a bruising margin. In so doing, he ousted 10-year incumbent Jackie Pons and promised to make the classroom his focal point. Here, he fields a few questions from Steve Bornhoft, director of editorial services for Rowland Publishing. We leave it to you, the reader, to grade Hanna’s answers.

SB: As you think back on the foundational mentors in your life, who comes to mind first?

RH: Some of the most important figures in my life have been my father, Jimmy Hanna; my stepfather, Ted Thomas; and former Leon High School Principal Mike Conley.

SB: What do you miss most about being a school principal?

RH: I miss the day-to-day interaction with the students. When I was at Leon, Godby and Lincoln, I never viewed it as work. I thought of it as “going to school.”

SB: What is your prescription for improving test scores at underperforming schools?

RH: We begin by providing our teachers with the tools they need to succeed. One

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of my top priorities as superintendent is to push into the classroom as many resources as possible. Our greatest resource is our teachers. I believe that our schools should prepare our students to be successful both in and out of the classroom.

SB: True or False?

The emphasis placed on standardized tests is too great.

RH: True.

SB: Generally speaking, how do today’s graduates compare with graduates of your generation with regard to written communication skills?

RH: I think the quality of public education and our students’ levels of performance are much better than they were 35 years ago. Our teachers

are better prepared now than they used to be. I am, however, very interested in witnessing the impact that technology has on our students in regard to writing. We have seen the impact of “text speak” on the vernacular, so we are waiting to see if this will have a negative influence in the future.

SB: What do you view as the appropriate role for charter schools in the district?

RH: Leon County Schools is a worldclass public school system with amazing schools and outstanding teachers, staff and students. Philosophically, I have no problem with charter schools, but I am concerned that charter schools could place additional demands on the limited resources in our community. There are only so many students in Leon County. ›› Illustration by JOHN RUSSO

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With too many schools, fewer dollars are available to operate a successful institution or offer comprehensive program options for students. I believe that charter schools should exist as a grassroots option to fill perceived voids in our school system.

SB: Teachers often express that they are not afforded sufficient teaching time in the course of a school day. What is your outlook on that concern?

RH: Time is one of the hardest resources to manage for our teachers. So much is asked of them on any day of the week. The state pushes out more mandates, regular progress monitoring and numerous high-stakes tests. Recently, our board passed a recess policy requiring 20 minutes of the school day to be dedicated to recess for students. While we are proud of this outcome, these additional requirements don’t leave much time for instruction in the six-and-a-half hours teachers are given. I believe in the power of our teachers. I am committed to doing everything in my power to provide them with the resources and time they need to be successful.

SB: What was your most embarrassing moment as a student?

RH: I had a crush on a girl in world history class, and Mr. Cooper, my teacher at the time, called me out on it. I remember one day he called me a “rubber-neck.” I asked him what he meant by that and he said, “You’re either looking up at that clock or looking over at that girl. You’re a rubber neck.” My face turned red, the girl’s face turned red, and the entire class laughed at the situation. I never wished for a bell to ring more than at that point in my life.

SB: Some observers find that social media promotes unhealthy competition among young people and commands too much of their time and attention. Do you agree?

RH: After the election, I deleted my Facebook account. I understand that social media is the way the world communicates now. I think it has many positives, but there are negatives associated with any activity if it is not practiced in moderation. I hope our students, and young people in general, learn to experience the present. Too many of them miss out on experiences because they are focused on capturing a moment with their phone just to post on social media.

SB: Do you tweet?

RH: I do not tweet personally, but our district is very active on social media. You can find us on Twitter (@LeonSchools), Instagram (LeonCountySchools) and Facebook (LeonSchools). TM

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323 HEALTH & EXERCISE

BURN BABY BURN

Tabata training is the hottest (literally) workout right now

BOX JUMPS

by REBECCA PADGETT

This high-intensity movement is ideal for tabata.

E

very now and then a new term arises in the fitness realm. At one point Zumba, Pilates, keto and even quinoa were all words that caused us to enlist the help of the Google search bar.

Tabata is the latest word you should add to your fitness dictionary, as it is quickly heating up most local gyms.

Those who are spotted leaving the gym gleaming with perspiration and with the type of delirious smile that could only be summoned from a workout that has taken their all — but will reap great rewards — have likely just completed a workout consisting of Tabata training.

Tabata training is a form of High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT), composed of 20 10-second intervals, where participants exercise at their highest intensity for 20 seconds followed by 10 seconds of rest, and then repeated for eight

total rounds amounting to four minutes.

You can repeat the four-minute sequence as many times as you want, but because of the intensity of the intervals, most classes don’t last longer than 30–45 minutes.

“People’s lives are becoming more and more hectic, and finding time to squeeze a workout in is often a struggle for those who lead busy lifestyles,” said Cecily Armengol, fitness director at Sweat Therapy Fitness.

“Tabata workouts can be performed in as little as 20 minutes, and some can even be done without equipment.”

It is a common misconception that hours upon hours have to be spent at the gym in order to obtain recognizable results. Japanese scientist Dr. Izumi Tabata and a team of fitness-sports researchers set out to disprove that theory; thus, Tabata training was born. They learned that because the body is performing with

such high intensity, it has to work faster, resulting in a rise in metabolism and an elevated heart rate — two key factors in weight loss.

“Tabata training is popular because it yields powerful results in less time and is adaptable for all fitness levels,” said Tonya Smith, program and communications director at Premier Health & Fitness Center.

No matter the intensity, your workout should utilize as many muscles as possible instead of isolating a group of muscles. This will result in the burning of fat and production of muscle, even hours after you’ve hung up your gym towel. This guaranteed sweat session will have you feeling and embracing the burn. TM

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BURPEES

REST

JUMPING JACKS

REST

PUSHUPS

REST

RUN IN PLACE

REST

JUMP ROPE

REST

PULL-UPS

REST

MOUNTAIN CLIMBERS

REST

RUSSIAN TWISTS

REST

SQUATS

REST

BOX JUMPS

REST

LUNGES

REST

SIT-UPS

REST

HIGH KNEES

REST

BICEP CURLS

REST

CRUNCHES

REST

FROG JUMPS

REST

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TABATA TUTORIAL

Try it yourself! Here is an example of a 20-minute Tabata workout.

Each set is 20 seconds of movement followed by 10 seconds of rest before the next set begins. Do two sets of each (each round will last four minutes) with a one minute break between rounds.

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ROUND 4

ROUND 3

ROUND 2

ROUND 1

20 SECONDS PER SET (X2)

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→

Check out this (partial) list of candies and the decade in which they were first manufactured: 1900–1920s

➺ B aby Ruth ➺ B utterfinger ➺ C onversation

Hearts H eath Bar H ershey’s Bar L ife Savers M ilk Duds M ilky Way M r. Goodbar P ez R aisinets R eese’s Peanut Butter Cups ➺ T ootsie Rolls ➺ ➺ ➺ ➺ ➺ ➺ ➺ ➺ ➺

↗ A movie theater’s candy counter, Tallahassee 1956

LOOKING BACK

D

o you have a favorite candy? Something that sends you back in time to your childhood?

I’m nostalgic by nature, so I’ll buy anything if I have fond memories of eating it as a child. Like Junior Mints. I don’t even like them that much — the mint-to-chocolate ratio seems off, somehow — and I always, without fail, open the box on the wrong end. But because I rememCandies that make ber eating them while at the movies, I always buy them at the movies. Even if they’re $5 a box. (Get us nostalgic ’em frozen — they’re worth $5 a box, then.)

by KIM HARRIS THACKER Junior Mints, which were first made in the 1940s and were named after a Broadway play called “Junior Miss,” are just one brand of candy that has been loved by generations for years.

Almond Joy, too, had its origin in the ’40s; Milky Way bars were created in 1923, and Pixy Stix were born in the ’50s! Some of the best, most enduring candies were made in the first half of the 20th century — especially during the Great Depression and World Wars years. That says a lot about how people cope with stress, I think. TM

SWEET EMOTION

SWEET CONTROVERSY

1930s ➺ ➺ ➺ ➺ ➺ ➺ ➺

3 Musketeers 5 th Avenue K it Kat N estle Crunch P ay Day S nickers W hoppers

1940s ➺ ➺ ➺ ➺ ➺ ➺ ➺ ➺

A lmond Joy F un Dip J olly Ranchers J unior Mints M ike & Ike M &M’s (plain) S marties Y ork Peppermint Patties

1950s ➺ ➺ ➺ ➺ ➺ ➺ ➺

1 00 Grand B ig Hunk C andy Necklaces D um-Dums H ot Tamales M entos P ixy Stix

1960s ➺ ➺ ➺ ➺ ➺ ➺

L emonheads N ow and Later R olos S tarburst Chews S wedish Fish T wizzlers

1970s

➺ B ottlecaps ➺ C harms Blow Pops ➺ J elly Belly ➺ ➺ ➺ ➺ ➺

jelly beans L affy Taffy P op Rocks R eese’s Pieces S kittles T wix

1980s

➺ N erds ➺W arheads

1990s

➺ A ir Heads

Candy cigarettes were first introduced to the American market in the 1930s, and many were made to look like real cigarettes, with one red-dyed tip and a layer of powdered sugar inside the wrapper that could be blown from the cigarette to mimic smoke. Even the packaging looked like a box of cigarettes.

Back in the ’30s, people weren’t as aware as they are now of the health risks posed by smoking. But by the late ’60s, candy cigarette manufacturers began to receive some pushback from concerned citizens who worried that children who played with candy cigarettes would be more inclined to smoke later in life. Turns out, they may have been right.

In 2007, a University of Rochester study of 26,000 adults revealed that of those adults who smoked, 22 percent said they had “regularly played with candy cigarettes” as children. Among non-smokers, 14 percent had played with candy cigarettes.

Regardless of whether candy cigarettes were a tobacco industry ploy to brainwash would-be smokers, candy cigarettes fell out of favor by the 1980s — and were replaced in popularity by Big League Chew, a shredded bubble gum that looks just like the “chaw” tucked between many major league baseball players’ cheek and gum. But that’s a tale of candy controversy that can be placed back in the wrapper and saved for another time.

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PHOTOS BY KEITH HOMAN/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM (BIG LEAGUE CHEW) AND COURTESY STATE ARCHIVES OF FLORIDA, FLORIDA MEMORY (THEATER) AND CRAIG PENNINGTON/FLICKR CANDY CIGS CC BY 2.0

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SPORTS

BETWEEN THE LINES Tallahasseeans rise to top ranks of tennis officiating

by ROCHELLE KOFF

C

ome late August, the U.S. Open will begin, featuring the best tennis players on the planet, big prize money and lots of excitement.

But there are two other prime reasons you’ll want to pay attention to this toptier tournament: Maria Long and Jake Garner, homegrown stars in the world of tennis officiating. Long, a line umpire, and Garner, a gold-badge chair umpire, are residents of Tallahassee who have trotted the globe as officiators. Here’s a look at how the two umpires got where they are today.

Maria Long spends weeks away from home, watching players send fast-flying tennis balls speeding across courts. She focuses intently when the ball lands on thin, neatly painted white lines. And she knows the next move could be hers — determining whether the ball is “in” or “out” of bounds.

It’s not the most relaxing way to enjoy the game, but Long relishes her role as a tennis line umpire, officiating at matches that may feature college students or superstars. Regardless of who’s playing, she can count on her concentration, calm demeanor and resolute attention to detail.

And then there’s her understanding of the game.

“I really love the court — seeing the tennis and the players up close,” she said. “You see it differently than you do

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COURTESY MARIA LONG

← Maria Long, a line umpire, in the stadium instead of courtside at the U.S. Open in 2014. → Tallahassee resident Jake Garner sits atop his perch with the best view in the house for a goldbadge chair umpire.

on TV or in the stands, because you’re on the courts.” She added, “I love tennis. Love it, love it, love it.”

While she appreciates the opportunities to get a close look at the game, she also explained, “You cannot socialize with the players. You don’t even want to have the appearance of favoritism. I don’t even know if a player recognizes me or not.”

Karen Vogter, director of the Tallahassee Tennis Challenger for the past 14 years, agreed that being a line umpire has its challenges. “You have a ball that could be going anywhere from 90 to 150 miles per hour,” she said.

“You have to pay attention all the time, and not fiddle, and not close your eyes, and see that ball hit, and make an instant call of whether that ball is ‘in’ or ‘out.’ That’s hard.

The concentration level has got to be tremendous.”

Long said that being a tennis player, herself, has helped her umpiring skills. “To me, to be a good tennis player, one has to concentrate and focus. That’s what I do as a tennis player. I pay attention to what’s on my court. I’m not looking around to see what you’re doing on your court or thinking about my grocery list. I’m single-minded on the tennis court.” photography by PHIL SEARS

Long played a bit for Rickards High School but didn’t pick up the sport in earnest until after college, when she met her husband, Bill, a tennis enthusiast and surgeon. Now a proud grandmother, “It was thrilling 66-year-old Long has been playing doubles in the South Georgia/North Florida Women’s to be there.

League since 1974.

It’s kind of like In 2000, Long heard about training for the Olympics, umpires for college games, and she decided to give it a shot. In the past seven years, she’s with flags from branched out. Along with officiating, Long different countries has started training others to be line umpires, and big opening and she’s working as a chair umpire for college matches, which take place from January ceremonies. It through March. was really, really Long’s officiating lineup has included exciting.” —Maria Wimbledon, the U.S. Open and the Australian Long, line-umpire Open, among many other professional events.

“I really enjoyed going to Australia, and I never would have gone there if I hadn’t been working the tennis tournament,” Long said. “After I officiated, I took a week off and went to the Great Barrier Reef.” ›› TALL AHASSEEMAGA ZINE.COM

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One of her favorite events has been the Davis Cup, which gives professional tennis players a chance to play as a team, representing their country in an international competition. The Davis Cup is the men’s tournament, while the Fed Cup is the women’s.

“It was thrilling to be there,” Long said of the 2007 Davis Cup, held in Portland. “It’s kind of like the Olympics, with flags from different countries and big opening ceremonies. It was really, really exciting.”

She said that it’s one of her dreams to work the Olympics, but it’s often a “challenge” to be selected for top events. “There’s competition to get the best assignments.”

Long has seen many changes in the game, including the advance of electronic judging. She welcomes the technology, however. “I’m happy for it to be here,” she said. “To me, it’s a validation. Or if you make a mistake, it’s corrected.”

So far, she doesn’t see technology taking over. “Apparently fans like to have officials,” she said. And that works for her. “I do this for fun. And then, I’ve met so many people, and we’ve become very good friends.”

She explained that officiating also appealed to her “because I didn’t work.” She was a nurse, but she never resumed her profession once she gave birth to her son and daughter. “I was a stay-at-home mom,” she said. “Umpiring was a chance to sort of feel like I was getting out in the working world and pursuing something other than just playing tennis.”

She explains that with pay for line umpires ranging from $85 to $250 per day, depending on the event, “You wouldn’t do it for the money.”

Aside from playing tennis, Long and her husband of 42 years spend a lot of time on their farm in South Georgia. She’s an avid hunter of quail and ducks on their 400 woodsy acres of land, and she’s also a fly fisherman.

“I don’t exercise inside,” she said. “I don’t do the gym. I love to be outside.”

Jake Garner

Matt Brown

Linda Bergman

Tallahassee Branch

Opening Summer 2017 www.tcfederal.com | (850) 894-3001 40

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As a gold-badge tennis umpire, Jake Garner has traveled to more than 30 countries and officiated at some of the world’s top matches; but on a sunny afternoon in Tallahassee, he was back where it all started.

“The first event I ever officiated was here, at a satellite tournament,” said Garner, overlooking the courts at the Forestmeadows Parks & Athletic Center.

That event was in 1996, when Garner was just 16.

Garner said he had been an “average, at best” tennis player on the Marauders team at the Maclay School when he walked into Forestmeadows and noticed a flyer advertising a tennis certification school, with the prospect of officiating games for Florida State University and FAMU.

WHAT WOULD “I knew I was never going to be good enough to be a player at any significant level past high school,” said Garner, now 37. “To an extent, I always had an interest in officiating.”

Garner became certified when he was 15, but he wasn’t able to jump right into umpiring college games.

“Coaches were not entirely comfortable with having a 15- or 16-year-old trying to control the game,” said Garner, who was a high school sophomore at that time.

“College tennis is pretty intense.”

Instead, Garner said he honed his skills working junior and adult tournaments as a roving official: someone who walks around, observing multiple courts and matches “and helps as needed.”

After graduating from high school, Garner started summer classes at Tallahassee Community College, knowing he had a chance of officiating at the U.S. Open in Flushing Meadows, New York. In late August of 1997, just after his 18th birthday, Garner became a line umpire during qualifying rounds at the event. He doesn’t recall who was playing, but does remember being “very nervous.”

Garner was quickly captivated by the world of professional tennis and was recognized as a top rookie umpire in 1998, a year after his first trip to the U.S. Open.

At that time, he was given the Jr. McGovern Award, which is only presented to a worthy younger official with great potential.

The travel and the excitement were lures that kept Garner on the court instead of in the classroom. “It was going well,” he said. “I was enjoying it, and I was traveling with a great group of friends. I first thought of it as a ‘gap year.’ I never thought it would turn into this.”

“This” is a journey that has taken Garner to the top rung of the officiating ladder, as a gold-badge chair umpire. In the tennis hierarchy, umpires progress from white badges to bronze, then to silver and finally to gold.

Confident, calm and even-tempered, Garner is one of eight gold-badge chair umpires under contract with the United States Tennis Association and one of 28 current gold-badge chair umpires in the world.

In 2012, 14 years after being honored as a junior recipient, Garner again received the John T. McGovern Award, which is also given to a chair umpire or line umpire for a lifetime of dedication to and service and expertise in tennis officiating.

Garner has officiated some of the most important tennis tournaments in the past two decades, including the 2007, 2009, 2012, 2013 and 2014 U.S. Open men’s finals; the 2011 and 2015 Australian Open men’s finals; the 2010 and 2016 Wimbledon men’s final; and the 2008 Olympic Games men’s singles final. He was also the umpire for the U.S. Open women’s doubles in 2015.

“He’s one of the very best in the world, because ››

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323

that’s who gets to do that,” said Vogter, in reference to Garner’s impressive list of officiated tournaments.

Garner’s success is also a boon for local tennis fans, she said. “It’s a sort of collective ‘oh my gosh, there’s Jake Garner and he’s doing the Men’s Wimbledon final,’” she said. “Everybody was buzzing about that.”

Just don’t expect Garner to join the buzz. “It’s always a goal of an official to walk off the court or field in “You have to a sport and hope they weren’t seen be prepared for or heard,” he said. “We don’t like to be the center of attention. If someevery situation. one says they saw me on TV, I think, From the time ‘Uh oh, what went wrong?’” you walk on the Garner lost his anonymity in a much-publicized match between court 15 minutes Roger Federer and Juan Martin Del before the match Potro in the U.S. Open in 2009. until the time the Federer was fined $1,500 for swearing at Garner during his final defeat to match is over, Del Potro, using a profanity that was everything that picked up by microphones on the court happens on that for the live broadcast of the match.

“These are matches being played court is your at the highest level with the highresponsibility. … est intensity,” said Garner, who was There needs to quick to explain that he can’t discuss specific incidents or players. “Some be some level of are going to be upset with the umnerves leading pire’s decisions. … We know that the up to any match, personalities will be a little different from time to time, but it doesn’t just to have a change how we officiate or the decilittle of that edge sions we make. We’re still officiating to make sure the way we need to officiate, making decisions we need to make no matter you’re as sharp who’s playing, no matter the match, as possible.” no matter the situation.”

— Jake Garner,a goldIt all comes with the territory of badge chair umpire sitting in that “hot seat,” overseeing all that happens in the game. Chair umpires “are the guardians of the Rules of Tennis,” according to the International Tennis Federation.

“You have to be prepared for every situation,” said Garner. Even at this stage, he still feels the pressure of umpiring the huge events with superstar players.

“From the time you walk on the court 15 minutes before the match until the time the match is over, everything that happens on that court is your responsibility. … There needs to be some level of nerves leading up to any match, just to have a little of that edge to make sure you’re as sharp as possible.”

That’s the case even when it’s an epic tennis battle like the one Garner officiated (continued on page 174)

The Tallahassee Tennis Challenger Tallahassee tennis fans don’t have to travel far to see some remarkable tennis matches featuring budding or re-emerging American and international players: Every April, the eight-day Tallahassee Tennis Challenger takes place at the Forestmeadows Parks & Athletic Center, bringing the world of professional tennis to the community. The Challenger marked its 18th year in 2017.

“It’s one of our marquee events for the city of Tallahassee,” said Glen Howe, the city’s tennis superintendent. “You’re talking about players who are in the top 250 of the entire planet. You never know who you’re going to see out there.”

In fact, the tournament’s catch phrase is, “Catch a Rising Star Today.”

The Challenger has drawn “a number of players who have risen to the top 10 in the world,” said Howe, citing prominent athletes such as John Isner and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, plus Donald Young, who is ranked No. 45.

The Challenger is a “gateway” to professional tennis for juniors, up-and-comers and experienced players (continued on page 175)

MIKE OLIVELLA

→

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga

TALL AHASSEEMAGA ZINE.COM

July–August 2017

43

THE

323 CLASS OF ’17

SENIOR SPECIAL A rising generation ventures onward

by KIRSTIN REDFIELD

Tallahassee Magazine sat down with nine 2017 graduates of Tallahassee high schools to learn about their accomplishments thus far, the role models that shaped their lives and the impacts they intend to make in the future.

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panache JUL/AUG 2017

REGARDING MATTERS OF ALL THINGS STYLISH

↘ Slip on these metallic stunners, then lace them up your leg, tying together summer’s hottest trends. L*Space

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by KIRSTIN REDFIELD

CITIZEN OF STYLE photography by SAIGE ROBERTS

Head to Toe, He’s Got Style

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July–August 2017

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panache ↙ Neutral tone sandals pair perfectly with a peppy pedicure.

Cocobelle brown Palermo sandals, $150 at Elle Market.

NAIL

THE LOOK

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July–August 2017

with a rope sole. Traditional espadrilles also cover the toes. If you’re longing for a sturdier sandal, espadrilles are definitely a go-to shoe for breezy occasions.

If you’re feeling bold, slip on some neutral-colored sandals that feature bright and vibrant pom-poms, tassels or fringes at the toes or ankles (or both!).

From a breezy sundress to a simple top with cut-off jean shorts, the boldness of this type of sandal will add just the right amount of “pop” to your outfit.

Carrie McNeill, owner of Elle Market, has noticed quite a few shoe trends that stand out as new or reemerging that are quickly gaining popularity. According to McNeill, sandals are even coming adorned with snakeskin patterns, bows, feathers, ruffles and ribbons.

“We are seeing everything from suede fringe, pearls and applique embellishments to simple and classic styles, such as nautical stripes,” said Juli Downs, owner of Narcissus.

But if your summer outfit calls for something a bit fancier than a flat sandal and

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more casual than a high heel, McNeill suggests trying out a sandal with a kitten heel, which is a type of heel that is thin and low.

Downs shares that the “flatform,” which combines comfort and height in a flat sandal with a platform ledge, is on trend.

From breathable footwear featuring laces and cutouts, to strappy, ankle-tie sandals, there’s a sandal for everyone this summer. TM

With eye-catching sandals on your feet, it’s imperative that your pedicure is on point. With each season comes new polish colors to ogle. This summer sizzles with a palette of electric blue (Essie: Butler Please), red coral (OPI: Living on the Bula-Vard!), peachy pink (Chanel Les Vernis: Tulle) and muted metallic (Sally Hansen: Glow with the Flow). The cheery nature of summer makes for the ideal time to experiment with nail art, such as a playful pineapple or a smiling sunshine.

TALLAHASSEEMAGA ZINE.COM

photography by SAIGE ROBERTS

ANDERSPHOTO/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM (BOLD COLOR SANDAL)

S

ummer is in full, humid swing, which means it’s time to slap on some fresh toenail polish and show off your feet. While sandals, as a style, will never die, there are, in fact, a few sandals that are to die for. So toss out the flip-flops and fill your closet with a few new pairs of fun, sunny sandals.

Do you remember when Birkenstocks were “the thing” back in the ’60s? Well, they’re back and better than ever. The slip-on cork-and-rubber sandals are perfect for a day out shopping, running errands or at the beach. What would make this sandal better? Anthony Castro, from Tallahassee’s Pink Shoe Bag, loves anything metallic. Perched on display in Pink Shoe Bag is a Birkenstock lookalike sandal with metallic straps instead of black or brown — perfect for brightening up your summer.

Another blast from the past that is making a footwear comeback is the comfortable, yet trendy, espadrille. First made fashionable in the 1300s, espadrilles are breezy sandals made from cotton fabric

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49

panache CITIZEN OF STYLE

Head to Toe, He’s Got Style

Orthodontist Andrew Clark exudes friendly professionalism

by KIM HARRIS THACKER

Dr. Clark’s Favorite Duds ➺ F aherty flannel shirt Available at Nic’s Toggery

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← Tag Heuer Carrera Calibre 5 Automatic Watch, $2,400, tagheuer.com; Faherty Brushed Beach Flannel in Faded Green Plaid, $128, fahertybrand.com; Timberland Boot Company Bardstown Plain Toe Oxford Shoes in Brown Full-Grain, $285, timberland.com photography by ALICIA OSBORNE

PHOTOS COURTESY BARDSTOWN, FAHERTY AND TAG HEUER

S

even years of wearing scrubs. That’s over 2,500 days of cotton-polyester drawstring pants and coordinating V-neck tops — 2,500 days of looking the same as every other dental school student or orthodontics resident in the room. It’s enough to make a fashion-conscious man do something drastic.

Like wear crazy socks.

Dr. Andrew Clark, a Tallahassee orthodontist who ended his 2,500 days in scrubs five years ago, lifts one pant leg to reveal a vibrant teal ankle and calf. “It all started in dental school,” he says. “I needed something different in my wardrobe, but there was only so much I could change. So I started wearing fun socks.”

Clark’s sock collection has grown since his school days, as has his purpose for wearing wild socks.

“When I got out of dental school and into the professional world, I decided I wanted to dress up a little — wear a nice shirt and tie every day,” he says. “When I take the time to dress well, it helps my patients feel confident in me and feel that I can help them to look their best, too. But I work with kids a lot, so I also need to balance out the professionalism with the fun. Wearing crazy socks is a great way to do that. It helps me to connect with my patients, and it puts them at ease.” ››

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panache Today, the 30-something orthodontist is a member of a sock-of-the-month club (his mother-in-law signed him up), and he often receives socks as gifts from patients.

But don’t make the mistake of thinking that just because Clark’s socks give his patients as much cause to grin as the results of his dental expertise, the rest of his attire must be crazy, too. He’s actually very fashionable — he just knows how to have fun with his attire.

“I have 60 or 70 ties,” he says, “and I let my daughters, Leighton, 5, and Emerson, 3, pick out my tie every day.

Then I match my socks to my tie.” He’s a big fan of Lilly Pulitzer ties, which tend to be bright with tropical patterns — perfect for wearing at his beach-themed office on Thomasville Road.

“If my girls pick out a bright or heavily patterned tie, I’ll pair it with a solid-colored dress shirt. If the tie is plain, I’ll wear a shirt with a very small pattern, like a gingham check. I also like to go beyond your basic khaki pants and wear something “Smiling is with some color.”

Clark’s favorite clothing comes scientifically from Bonobos, which caters to young shown to make professionals who like the dressyyou appear more casual look. The brand’s characteristic modern, slender cut fits well on attractive to others.

Clark’s athletic frame.

But smiling also “I’m 6-4, so it can be hard for me makes you feel to find pants that fit right,” he says.

“I love Bonobos clothing, because great. It brings they have a nice cut and never seem down barriers to need tailoring. Well-fitting clothes between people make a big difference in how you look and how you feel about yourself. If and makes a something doesn’t fit right, it doesn’t person seem more matter how expensive it was; it won’t competent. It look good, and you won’t feel good.”

Clark knows that there’s more to even raises selflooking good than simply dressing esteem.” well. “Smiling is scientifically shown —Dr. Andrew Clark to make you appear more attractive to others,” he says. “But smiling also makes you feel great. It brings down barriers between people and makes a person seem more competent. It even raises self-esteem.”

If smiling with your teeth makes you feel uncomfortable, keep in mind that it’s never too late to do something to improve your smile. “There are a lot of invisible options for straightening teeth out there, and it can be much easier to do than you think,” Clark says. “No matter how perfect your teeth are or aren’t, smiling is the best feature you can add to your style.”

So the next time you get dressed, remember these words from the movie-musical, “Annie,” which came out a year before Clark was born: “You’re never fully dressed without a smile.” TM TALL AHASSEEMAGA ZINE.COM

July–August 2017

53

panache ↘ The Longines Heritage 1969, 36MM Automatic is an Old-World, vintage classic composed of stainless steel with yellow gold details and an alligator band. $2,050

KEEPING TIME A watch is still the ultimate accessory

by KIRSTIN REDFIELD

C

ell phones may act as the most consistent clock in a person’s life, but wristwatches are still heavy on the market. From fitness watches that display how many steps you’ve taken in one day to watches suited for a fine-dining evening-on-the-town, there is always a watch to fit the occasion.

But for now, toss aside the flashy, gold watch, because casual bands are making their way through town. From brown, black and gray leather bands to knitted nylon bands, the watchstrap is taking it down a few notches.

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July–August 2017

Tallahassee’s Gem Collection keeps you from going too far to find the right watch. Of particular attractiveness is the Longines Heritage 1969.

“This black, leather-strap watch is a very nice dress watch,” says sales associate Nicole Collins. “It is also very sophisticated.”

For those who crave the glamor of sparkling, link-band watches, Gem Collection has multiple options to choose from. The Rolex Submariner has a timeless quality that qualifies it as the perfect timepiece.

“This particular Rolex is a stainless steel model with black dial and bezel,” says Collins. “We love this watch because it is a classic look and the most recognized watch in the world.”

It’s also very versatile. Submariners can feel free to toss this accessory on with a suit or with blue jeans.

Another stainless steel watch offered at Gem Collection is the Longines HydroConquest.

“You can dive in this watch, it has an automatic movement and it is very sleek and affordable,” says

TALLAHASSEEMAGA ZINE.COM

Collins. And the blue dial looks great with the stainless steel band.

Having been in Tallahassee for 30 years, Bert Reidel Watchmaker, Inc. is a long-time local business that advertises by word of mouth.

Owner and watchmaker Bert Reidel receives watches that are in need of a little TLC from all around the Southeast.

Reidel is more focused on the inner workings of watches than he is on fashion trends, but he mentions that men’s watches tend to show a little more wear and tear on the band than women’s watches. This is good news for watch wearers who want to stay on trend: A leather-band watch will defeat a link watch in the durability competition.

Reidel recommends that you get your watch serviced every four to five years, especially if you own a mechanical watch. Mechanical watches work off of springs to power the watch, where quartz watches run off of a battery. Like anything else, a watch requires maintenance and can hold onto a ton of its value if it is treated properly. TM

A TIMELESS TIMEKEEPING ICON — THE SUBMARINER For watch aficionados, the Rolex Submariner is the epitome of a quality timepiece.

The original model launched in 1953 as the archetype of the diver’s watch, exuding functionality and a sleek design. The latest styles feature a subtly redesigned Oyster case, a distinctive dial with luminescent hour markers and a solidlink Oyster bracelet.

Pictured here: Rolex Oyster Perpetual Submariner 40MM, steel, $7,500.

PHOTOS COURTESY LONGINES AND ROLEX

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July–August 2017

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panache SUMMER STYLES

SIP & SERVE

Summer’s sips tend to be iced, with a sweet, inviting taste. Let COTON COLORS keep your sweet tea, lemon water or whatever secret concoction you’ve created for your summer evenings crisp and cold in their Tervis Tumblers. The brightly colored cups are adorned with seahorses, bumblebees, owls and more.

If you’re staying home for the summer, host a dinner party or two with COTON COLORS Restored Retro dinnerware, serveware, linens and décor. The plates, cups, bowls, napkins and more all grab the attention of those near and far with their bright colors. Painted with vivid hues of blues, greens, oranges and reds, you’re sure to have the table setting of the summer.

dates, notes, thoughts and to-do lists. Life never stops, but make sure to stop by THE GREY FOX and check out their stacks of agendas and planners — specifically the Simplified Planner.

Designed by Emily Ley, this planner helps to minimalize your dayto-day routine in a basic and organized way.

 WHAT’S IN STORE? A roundup of retail happenings throughout Tallahassee

by KIRSTIN REDFIELD

Shake off the beach sand with Walter Green Boutique’s round towels. Toss aside your regular ol’ beach towel and grab one that’s larger in size and cuter than ever.

The Vagabond brand towels come in a variety of colors, but if you’re feeling patriotic, take a look at the American flag lookalike towel — perfect for a beach-style 4th of July celebration.

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July–August 2017

TALLAHASSEEMAGA ZINE.COM

For all the Tallahassee gentlemen trying to beat the heat, NIC’S TOGGERY has you covered. In both Southern Tide and Mizzen+Main brands, performance-wear collared, plaid shirts are waiting to be purchased.

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gastro&gusto JUL/AUG 2017

FROM THE SIMPLY IRRESISTIBLE TO THE PIÈCE DE RÉSISTANCE

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SWEET SANGRIA

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gastro & gusto

↙

A variation on a classic — Blackberry and blood orange sangria. Start with the basics and add your favorite seasonal fruit.

↑ Classic Spanish Sangria INGREDIENTS ➸ 1 lemon ➸ 1 lime ➸ 1 orange ➸ 1 1/2 cups rum ➸ 1/2 cup white

sugar

➸ 1 (750 milliliter)

bottle dry red wine ➸ 1 cup orange juice

T

here’s nothing like the refreshing, sweet flavor of a fruity sangria on a hot summer evening. The great thing about it is you don’t need to go to bartender school to enjoy it. You can either buy Spanish sangria off the shelf any place where wine is sold, or you can simply buy a red wine (or white) and create your own from scratch.

There are undoubtedly many different recipes for sangria, but I like to keep things simple. It’s easy enough to snatch up a bottle of your favorite sangria at Publix while shopping for supper.

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Even though it may be good as-is, you’ll probably want to swing by the produce department for some oranges, tangerines, lemons and limes to add to the mix.

Slice the fruit into wedges or rounds, pour the wine, and mix. Let it soak in the fridge for a little while, long enough to chill and for the fruit to soak. Soaking overnight is better, but who wants to wait that long? Either way, you have a relaxing beverage bursting with fruit flavors. When the wine is gone, you can gobble the “drunk” fruit for dessert. You can kick your sangria up a notch with the

TALLAHASSEEMAGA ZINE.COM

addition of brandy or, in the case of the recipe above, rum.

I like to mix this libation up in a quartsized ceramic Columbia Restaurant sangria pitcher bought during a visit to St. Augustine. Of course, you could just use some non-descript glass carafe for this purpose, but the colorful, handmade Columbia pitcher is iconic and full of spirit (no pun intended). It’s also appropriate considering it was made in Spain, where the beverage itself originated hundreds of years ago. You can order them online at columbiarestaurant.com. TM photography by SAIGE ROBERTS

ARINA P HABICH / SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

Chill the fruit, rum, wine and orange juice. Slice the lemon, lime and orange into thin rounds and place in a large glass pitcher. Add the rum and sugar. Chill in refrigerator for two hours to develop the flavors. When ready to serve, crush the fruit lightly with a wooden spoon and stir in the wine and orange juice. Adjust sweetness to taste. (allrecipes.com)

Focus on what is important.

Check out vision health tips, videos and interactive tools from our online Healthwise® Knowledgebase at www.capitalhealth.com.

www.capitalhealth.com/sales SM

An Independent Licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association

www.capitalhealth.com Capital Health Plan complies with applicable Federal civil rights laws and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, or sex. ATENCIÓN: si habla español, tiene a su disposición servicios gratuitos de asistencia lingüística. Llame al 1-877-247-6512 (TTY: 1-877-870-8943). ATANSYON: Si w pale Kreyòl Ayisyen, gen sèvis èd pou lang ki disponib gratis pou ou. Rele 1-877-247-6512 (TTY: 1-877-870-8943).

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DINING OUT

Hot Diggity!

Whether you like them plain or fancy, Tallahassee eateries have the perfect hot dog for you

by ROSANNE DUNKELBERGER

They’re not exactly farm-to-table fare, but some days the smoky goodness of a hot dog (or two) is what will hit the spot. Hot dogs are most often found on the kiddie menu, but there are a variety of local restaurants that put the lowly tube steak in the menu spotlight. If you’re in a hot dog state of mind, here are several places you’ll want to try.

MICKEY’S LAKESIDE CAFÉ

↖

Mickey’s “Real” Chicago Dog is topped with mustard, onion, relish, tomato, hot peppers and celery salt.

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Mickey’s has a limited menu of sandwiches, soups and salads for lunch, and it includes a few hot dog options, all featuring Boar’s Head beef wieners.

For something a little different, try the fresh-tasting “Real” Chicago Dog that’s topped with mustard, onion, relish, tomato, hot peppers and celery salt. The Chili Cheese Dog is another tasty option. Both are $4.50 and come with a side of chips or house-made coleslaw.

There’s indoor seating, but nothing beats enjoying your dogs on the patio (live dogs are welcome, too) while you watch the constant activity around Lake Ella.

Open for lunch, Tuesday–Saturday.

1611 Monroe St., facebook.com/ mickeyslakesidecafe

VOODOO DOG

You can get a plain hot dog at this funky shack in the All Saints District, but when you’ve got 15 crazy-good options on the menu, let your freak flag fly! By far the most popular dog is the Jefferson — a baconwrapped, fried dog topped with house-made mac and cheese ($4.25) — but there’s also the Reubenlike Fat Katz ($4.25) and the Asian-inspired Hari Kari ($3.75), topped with pineapple, teriyaki and sesame seeds. There are burgers on the menu as well as tasty fries you can douse with curry ketchup, malt vinegar or a special house mix of vinegar and peppers (it tastes better than it looks). While you’re working your way through a dog or two, enjoy the décor, which includes a pair of vintage arcade games and memorabilia best described as “retro ’80s kitsch.” Open daily. 805 S. Macomb St., facebook. com/eatVD ››

photography by BRUCE PALMER

SWING BY MONDAY-FRIDAY FROM 5-7 P.M. for $5 appetizers and 2-4-1 on select wines, draft beers, and liquors like Tanqueray, Stoli, Buffalo Trace, and Corazon Tequila.

TheBluHalo.com I /TheBluHalo 3431 Bannerman Road, #102, Tallahassee, FL

WE’RE THE BEST PLACE FOR ALL YOUR SEAFOOD NEEDS. 1415 TIMBERL ANE ROAD(IN MARKET SQUARE) | 850.893.7301 | SOUTHERNSEAFOODMARKET.COM TALL AHASSEEMAGA ZINE.COM

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AD HOME OF THE

Killearn Shopping Center • Ocala Corners WWW.KIKUFUSION.COM

S e r v in g B re ak fa s t, Br unch & Lu n c h

AD The Egg Cafe & Eatery 3740 Austin Davis Ave. T – Sun 7 am – 2 pm (850) 765-0703 The Egg Express (R.A. Gray Building) 500 South Bronough, Room G-22 M - F 7:30 am - 3 pm | Sat 10 am - 3 pm (850) 907-EGGS (3447) Lite Breakfast Fare

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Great Food Great Friends g Warm & Invitin Atmosphere Upscale Tastes ices at Affordable Pr

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YOSTIES CHILI PARLOR The handwritten signs and running commentary from the owner are lighthearted, but this guy is dead serious about his chili dogs. Yostie (it’s his nickname) brags that his dogs are grilled, his buns are steamed and he’s been making his dogtopping chili “since the ’70s.” It’s a saucy, Coney Island-style chili with tiny bits of meat in it, and it somehow sticks onto the dog, even when you turn it upside down. The ATW (All the Way) costs $2.50 and comes with mustard, onions and mild or spicy chili. There are all sorts of lunch specials and quantity discounts at this eatery in the Gaines Street district.

Eat six at one sitting and you’ll be immortalized on “Yostie’s Wall of Fame.”

Open Monday–Saturday.

915 Railroad Ave., yosties.com BRADLEY’S COUNTRY STORE Bradley’s is locally famous for its sausage, and you can get a Bradley’s sausage dog on any given weekend in front of your local hardware store. But to get the full

experience, take a drive way, way out Centerville Road to the circa-1927 Bradley’s Country Store.

Head to the back to get your six-inch mild or hot sausage dog ($3.95, $5.25 with chips and a drink) or foot-long smoked sausage ($5.88). Toppings include the regulars, plus sauerkraut, barbecue sauce and a tasty jalapeno honey mustard. It truly is a country store, with penny (OK, quarter) candy, bottled Nehi sodas and a freezer full of speckled butter beans, purple hull peas and yam patties.

Grab a rocking chair on the front porch to enjoy your dog or sit at picnic tables under the huge Live Oak tree. Open daily.

10655 Centerville Rd., bradleyscountrystore.com

↑ DOG ET AL

It’s all dogs, all the time at this wiener emporium.

Dog et Al offers five sizes of all-beef hot dogs, dressed to your specifications.

(Try topping one with chili and cheese or sautéed onions and peppers.) They also serve corn dogs and “Uppity Dogs”: turkey and veggie dogs, brats and a variety of sausages. Take out or take a seat in this no-frills, friendly Southside shop. Dogs start at $2.75 or $7.50 for a combo meal that includes house-made French fries, chips or onion rings, a drink and a fried apple pie. Open Monday– Saturday. 1456 S. Monroe St., dogetal.com TM

PHOTO BY ROSANNE DUNKELBERGER

COSTCO Don’t judge. The food court at the warehouse store offers a quarterpound-plus, all-beef Kirkland Signature hot dog and a soda for $1.50.

At nine inches long, it’s a tasty behemoth and would probably be infinitely better if it were grilled rather than boiled. Granted, the concrete floors and plastic tables (it’s pretty much a clean-it-yourself deal) make the place a bit short on atmosphere, but remember: It’s a buck-fifty!

Sources there tell us they sell upwards of 1,800 a week to members, who know a good deal when they eat one. Open daily to members. 4067 Lagniappe Way, costco.com

SERVING ECLECTIC BRUNCH ALL DAY EVERY DAY. Catering for all occasions Locally owned for 34 years

Uptown Cafe, Where families gather 1325 Miccosukee Road, across from TMH (850) 219-9800 | uptowncafeandcatering.com Monday - Saturday 7 a.m.-3 p.m.

Sunday 8 a.m.-2 p.m.

2-4-1 DRINKS SEVEN DAYS A WEEK SouthWood, 727-0094

Capital Circle NE, 385-9992

North Monroe, 878-0800

Kerry Forest, 668-1002

Crawfordville, 926-4329

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→

DINING TRENDS

SMOOTHIE SAILING

Cool down and drink your meal

by ROCHELLE KOFF

A

fter an intense workout or just a short time in the summer heat, you may find yourself craving the cool, sweet taste of a simple smoothie — except, the popular drinks aren’t so simple anymore. Today, there are enough smoothie options available to make your head spin faster than a blender.

Kale, beets, avocado, peanut butter … All types of ingredients are showing up in smoothies these days. You can also “boost” your beverage with add-ons, like vitamins, protein powder, exotic spices, probiotics and bee pollen.

Robeks Fresh Juices and Smoothies on Mahan Drive has a menu of more than two dozen smoothies and an elaborate list of boosts that includes fiber sources (such as cellulose fiber, psyllium husk fiber, oat fiber and rice bran), energizing seeds and roots (like the Guarana Seed Extract and Eleuthero Root) and soy and whey proteins.

At Axios Salt Spa & Juice Bar in Midtown, customers frequently

↗ Mango-Mint Green Smoothie (courtesy of Whole Foods)

Here’s a smoothie recipe that combines both the sweet taste of fruit and healthy greens, refreshed by lime juice and mint.

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TALLAHASSEE SMOOTHIE HOT-SPOTS AXIOS SALT SPA & JUICE BAR 1122 Thomasville Road (850) 765-5064

stand before the large menu board weighing all their choices. Do they want an energy boost or mental clarity? Antioxidants or anti-stress?

“We have a big smoothie menu with a lot of options,” said Axios’ co-owner, Chantelle Yandow. The menu offers nearly twenty 16-ounce drinks, plus three types of protein, five “shots” (ginger, turmeric, wheatgrass, etc.) and 14 boosts (ginseng, matcha — the concentrated green tea powder — assorted seeds, cacao powder).

The most popular smoothie is the Chanty Panty, with spinach, strawberries, banana, raw cacao powder, almond butter and a date — but no added sugar or honey. “It has a chocolaty flavor, and it’s very filling,” said Yandow.

Smoothies can pack in as much nutrition as a meal, but they can also be sugar bombs; so don’t overdo the fruit shakes, and be wary of too much added sugar, said Mary Russ, marketing team leader for Whole Foods. “You want to have a balance of vegetables as well as fruits.”

INGREDIENTS ➸ 2 cups baby

spinach or roughly chopped spinach leaves (about 2 ounces) ➸ 1 ½ cups ice cubes ➸ 1 cup unsweetened almond milk

TALLAHASSEEMAGA ZINE.COM

NEW LEAF MARKET CO-OP 1235 Apalachee Pkwy.

(850) 942-2557

MANGOMINT GREEN SMOOTHIE

Whole Foods adds greens — spinach or kale or both — to most of its eight smoothies. The veggies have become nearly as popular as bananas and strawberries as desired ingredients.

“Smoothies have gone green,” said Danny Carpenter, owner of the Tropical Smoothie Cafe in Midtown.

Two years ago, Tropical Smoothie introduced its Island Green smoothie for a promotion, and, as Carpenter explains, “It was so popular, people got angry when the promotion was over and it wasn’t available. We had to get it back.”

While smoothie baristas are touting more nutritional drinks, not all combinations are going to be successful. Kale is a popular ingredient, but its slightly bitter taste can dominate a smoothie. But if you’re not a kale fan, don’t worry: Yandow said that spinach “blends up nicely and you can’t taste it at all.” Smoothies are more versatile than ever, from sweet treat to workout staple to meal replacement. TM

➸ ½ cup lightly packed

fresh mint leaves

➸ ¼ cup lime juice ➸ 1 large or 2 small

ripe, juicy mangoes, roughly chopped ➸ 1 small banana (optional)

6668-0 Thomasville Road (850) 894-5151 ROBEKS FRESH JUICES & SMOOTHIES 3122 Mahan Drive (850) 765-0735 SMOOTHIE KING 1603 W. Tennessee St. (850) 597-9780 SWEET SHOP CAFE & LOUNGE 701 W. Jefferson St. (850) 329-6466 TROPICAL SMOOTHIE CAFÉ 904 Thomasville Road (850) 224-3600 209 N. Magnolia Drive (850) 412-9100 1415 Timberlane Road (850) 894-4980 679 W. Tennessee St. (850) 561-8888 3111 Mahan Drive (850) 878-3777 WHOLE FOODS 1817 Thomasville Road (850) 513-4200

DIRECTIONS Purée all ingredients, except for the banana, in a blender, until smooth. Taste and add banana for extra sweetness, if desired. Serve immediately.

NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION Per serving: 150 calories (20 from fat), 2.5 grams total fat, 140 mg sodium, 33 grams carbohydrates (6 grams dietary fiber, 23 grams sugar), 3 grams protein

photography by SAIGE ROBERTS

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Sat Noon–10:30 p.m. | Sun Noon–10:00 p.m.

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dining guide AMERICAN ANDREW’S CAPITAL GRILL AND BAR

After 40 years, Andrew’s is still an energetic, casual, see-and-be-seen spot.

House favorites include a popular lunch buffet, hamburgers, sandwiches, salads and pasta dishes. Downtown delivery.

Mon-Thurs 11:30 am-10 pm, Fri-Sat 11:30 am-11 pm, Sun 10:30 am-9 pm.

228 S. Adams St. (850) 222-3444/Fax, (850) 222-2433. $$ B L D

AVENUE EAT & DRINK

This downtown restaurant offers a melting pot of flavors fresh from the South, served in scrumptious dining presentations. Sunday brunch is a not-to-be-missed treat. Mon-Fri 11 am-10 pm, Sat 9:30 am-10 pm, Sun 9:30 am-9 pm. 115 E. Park Ave. (850) 224-0115. $$$ B L D

BURGERFI

BurgerFi uses all-natural, free-range beef and is dedicated to sustainable practices. Tallahassee Magazine’s Best of 2015 winner among hamburger joints, their menu is packed full of tasty, savory and creative hamburger and hotdog creations as well as fresh-cut french fries and gigantic onion rings.

Vegetarian options, frozen custard, beer and wine are also available. Sun-

Thurs 11 am-10 pm, Fri-Sat 11 am-11 pm.

1817 Thomasville Rd., #7. (850) 629‑4333. $L D

CHICKEN SALAD CHICK

Chicken Salad Chick exceeds expectations with 15 different chicken salads to choose from, served in a bright setting. There are also deli sandwiches, side items and soups, and a cookie of the day. Multiple locations. Hours vary.

(850) 894-2502. $$ L D

CYPRESS RESTAURANT ★

To make a special evening a cut above the rest, bring the celebration to Cypress. Known for its sophisticated take on Southern cuisine, this restaurant won readers’ votes in 2014, 2015 and 2016 as Best Celebration/ Special Occasion and Best Fine Dining restaurant. Mon-Thurs 5-9:30 pm, Fri-Sat 5-10 pm, Sun Closed. 320 E. Tennessee St. (850) 513-1100. $$$ D

DOG ET AL ★

For the ultimate in comfort food, Dog Et Al offers hand-held deliciousness for the “down to earth” and “uppity” dogs in us all. Foot-long and veggie entrees alike grace this award-winning menu. If the entire family is down for the dog, be sure to ask about their incredibly valued family packs. Mon-Fri 10 am-7 pm, Sat

10 am-6 pm, Sun Closed. 1456 S. Monroe St. (850) 222-4099. $ L D

THE EDISON

A Tallahassee relaxed fine dining establishment, The Edison is so much more than just a pretty face. Equipped with a beer garden, wine cellar, casual café, open-air alternatives and a gorgeous view, this historic building and restaurant has quickly become a Tallahassee favorite.

Mon-Thurs 11 am-11 pm, Fri 11 ammidnight, Sat 10 am-midnight, Sun 10 am-11 pm. 470 Suwannee St. (850) 684-2117. $$/$$$

FOOD GLORIOUS FOOD ★

The name says it all! This restaurant boasts a palate-pleasing combination of personalized service, eclectic ambiance and award-winning cuisine and is the Best Desserts winner for 2016.

Tues-Thurs 11 am-2:30 pm, 5:30-9 pm; Fri-Sat 11 am-2:30 pm, 5:30-9:30 pm; Sun 10 am-2:30 pm, 5:30-9 pm. 1950 Thomasville Rd. (850) 224-9974. $$ L D

JOIN US 4PM - 6:30PM DAILY • $5 COCKTAILS & $6 BAR BITES 3491 THOMASVILLE RD • TALLAHASSEE, FL • (850) 297-0460

MENTION THIS AD when purchasing one regular hotdog and get one FREE until 8/31/17

HOPKINS’ EATERY ★

Hopkins’, a Best of 2016 winner, provides more than just your average sandwich. Favorites such as the Ultimate Turkey and the Linda Special, and a variety of salad meals keep customers coming back for more. And the food is healthy, too! Multiple locations. Hours vary. hopkinseatery.com $ L

SINCE 1984

1456 S. MONROE ST. | 850.222.4099

ISLAND WING COMPANY

Get baked! Island Wing Company won’t serve you up greasy, fried wings; instead, they bake them and prepare them fresh. They don’t stop at wings, either: Try the mac ‘n cheese, burgers and tacos paired with a cold beer.

Mon-Thurs 11 am-12 am, Fri-Sat 11 am-2 am, Sun 11 am-12 am. 1370 Market St. (850) 692-3116. $/$$ L D

JUICY BLUE

Located in the Four Points by Sheraton Downtown, this cool lobby restaurant offers breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Unique dishes include tapas with a twist, such as the Georgia peaches with caramel. Sandwiches, salads and a nice variety of seafood, pasta and chicken dishes round out the menu. Mon-Fri 7 am-11 pm, Sat-Sun 7 am-midnight.

316 W. Tennessee St. (850) 422-0071.

$B

O ECK CH

UT OUR ALL NEW M EN

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L D

KOOL BEANZ ★

Eclectic and edgy, both in menu and atmosphere, Kool Beanz delights in art present both on the walls and your plates.

This offbeat alternative won Best Casual Dining in Tallahassee. Dinner Mon-Sat 5:30-10 pm, lunch Mon-Fri 11 am-2:30 pm, brunch Sun 10:30 am2 pm. 921 Thomasville Rd. (850) 224-2466.

$$

L D

MADISON SOCIAL ★

Whether it’s for a social cocktail, a quick lunch or a place for alumni to

Authentic Southern coastal cuisine, scratch kitchen Locally sourced oysters, seafood and produce HAPPY HOUR MONDAY-FRIDAY 3–7P.M. | HALF OFF APPS AND OYSTERS 8 5 0 . 3 2 9 . 2 1 0 5 | 1 9 2 6 C A P I TA L C I R C L E N E | S A LT WAT E R S E A F O O D C O M PA N Y. C O M

THE KEY ★2016 Best

of Tallahassee Winner

The restaurants that appear in this guide are included as a service to readers and not as recommendations of the Tallahassee Magazine editorial department, except where noted.

B L D

Breakfast/ Brunch Lunch Dinner

Outdoor Dining Live Music Bar/Lounge $ Inexpensive

$$ Moderately

Expensive

$$$ Expensive

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gather before home football games, Madison Social offers something for everyone. Madison Social earned Best Happy Hour honors in 2016. Mon-Fri 11:30 am-2 am, Sat-Sun 10 am-2 am.

College Town, 705 S. Woodward Ave. (850) 894‑6276. $$ L D

PAISLEY CAFÉ

Guilt-free lunch has never been easier now that Paisley serves up food fresh from the bakery and a garden full of wholesome treats. Mon-Fri 11 am-3 pm, Sat-Sun 10 am-3 pm.

1123 Thomasville Rd. (850) 385‑7268.

$$ L

SAGE RESTAURANT

Sage’s menu masterfully melds regional influences, including Southern and French. The setting is gorgeous but cozy, and the outdoor patio sets a charming, romantic tone for a relaxed evening. Mon Closed; Tues-Sat 11 am3 pm, 6-10 pm; Sun 11 am-2:30 pm.

3534 Maclay Blvd. (850) 270-9396.

$$$ B

Vertigo is home to some of the juiciest, funkiest burgers in town. The modern building provides a no-frills setting to enjoy such favorites as the Vertigo Burger — a beef patty served with a fried egg, applewood bacon, grilled jalapeños, sharp cheddar and Vertigo sauce. Mon-Sat 11 am-9 pm, Sun

11 am-6 pm. 1395 E. Lafayette St. (850) 878‑2020. $$ L D

THE WINE HOUSE

Dedicated to providing the best selection of wines and craft beers, the knowledgeable Wine House staff serves by the glass, allowing you to sample before you purchase in the retail outlet.

The loft bar is tastefully decorated and available for events. Mon-Sat 10 am-7 pm. 1355 Market St., #A1.

(850) 893-2254. $$

THE WINE LOFT WINE BAR ★

Chosen as a Best of winner in 2016, Midtown’s Wine Loft offers a superb wine list, creative cocktails, quality beer and tasty tapas. Mon-Thurs 5 pm-2 am,

Fri-Sat 4 pm-2 am, Sun Closed. 1240 Thomasville Rd., #100. (850) 222-9914. $$ D

ASIAN JASMINE CAFÉ

In the heart of downtown, you can enjoy artfully crafted sushi rolls, authentic stir-fry, specialty salads, shareable appetizers and a well-stocked wine, craft beer and saki bar, all with a view of bustling and beautiful Tallahassee. Eat, drink, hang out and just roll with it. Mon-Fri 11 am10 pm, Sat 12-10 pm. 109 E. College Ave. (850) 681-6868. $$ L D

KIKU JAPANESE FUSION ★

A Fresh Take on Pan-Asian Cuisine and Sushi Join us for Lunch & Dinner Featuring a Full Bar with an Extensive Selection of Wine, Beer & Sake Voted Tallahassee’s Best Sushi & Best Asian Restaurant since 2009

1650 N. Monroe St. | (850) 727-4183 | masatallahasee.com

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Rated Best Hibachi for 2016, Osaka provides dinner and a show, with the chefs seasoning and preparing your meal right in front of you. It’s a meal that’s sure to leave you satisfied as well as entertained. Sun-Thurs 11 am-10:15 pm, Fri-Sat 11 am10:45 pm. 1690 Raymond Diehl Rd. (850) 531-0222. $$$ D

SIAM SUSHI

Thai one on at this fine eatery and you will be left wanton more. An expansive menu includes starters, soups, salads, fried rice, noodles and a host of signature dishes — some ducky, some not — ranging from “Rock the Wok” to Chirashi Sumocombo, a substantial, edible work of art. Mon-Fri 11 am10 pm, Sat-Sun 12-10 pm. 1700 N. Monroe St. (850) 391-9021. $$$ L D

L D

VERTIGO BURGERS AND FRIES ★

EAST MEETS WEST, NOW A FEW BLOCKS NORTH

OSAKA JAPANESE STEAKHOUSE AND SUSHI BAR ★

From tempura to teriyaki and from sushi to sashimi, Kiku Japanese Fusion fuses vibrant flavors with fresh ingredients. There’s a reason Kiku was voted Best Sushi in 2016. Mon-Sat 11 am-1 pm, Sun 12-11 pm. 800 Ocala Rd. (850) 575-5458. $$ L D

BBQ SONNY’S REAL PIT BAR-B-Q ★

Nothing satisfies a rumblin’ stomach quite like a plateful of hot, savory barbeque; and if you’re looking for the tastiest grilled dishes, 2016 Best Barbecue winner Sonny’s has them in spades. Hours vary. Multiple locations. $ L D

BREAKFAST/ BRUNCH/BAKERY THE EGG CAFÉ AND EATERY ★

When you’re looking for breakfast favorites, even if it’s lunchtime, The Egg is the place to be. Their made-to-order items use the finest ingredients, and they were voted Tallahassee’s best 15 times, including the 2016 award for Best Breakfast. Light breakfast fare is available at The Egg Express, a second downtown location in the R.A. Gray building. Tues-Sun 7 am2 pm. In Evening Rose at 3740 Austin Davis Ave. (850) 907-3447. $$ B L

TASTY PASTRY BAKERY ★

The owners of Tasty Pastry have an extensive background in baking and take pride in being Tallahassee's oldest bakery. Working with the finest quality ingredients and using their own family recipes, they excel in making the best cakes, cookies, breads, pies, pastries and casseroles in Tallahassee. Mon-Sat 6:45 am-6 pm. Sun Closed. 1355 Market St., #A5. (850) 893-3752. $

CAJUN COOSH’S BAYOU ROUGE ★

This Best Cajun Restaurant winner for 2016 brings the best of the Bayou State right to your table. The menu is jam-packed with Louisiana-style dishes, including favorites like jambalaya, crawfish etouffee, po’boys and seafood gumbo. Not in a Cajun mood? Coosh’s also offers classic hamburgers, salads and chicken wings. Mon-Tues 11 am-10 pm, Wed-Fri 7 am-10 pm, Sat 8 am-10 pm, Sun 8 am-9 pm.

6267 Old Water Oak Rd. (850) 894‑4110.

$$ B

L D

MASA ★

In 2016, Masa earned the title of Best Asian in town — and with good reason.

Their menu offers a creative blend of Eastern and Western cuisines. Mon-Fri

11 am-3 pm, 4:30-9:30 pm; Sat-Sun 123 pm, 4:30-9:30 pm. 1001 N. Monroe St. (850) 847-0003. $/$$ L D

CATERING BLACK FIG ★

Black Fig proved itself as the premier catering company in Tallahassee by serving up the Best Catering in 2016. Gourmet

fare for any gathering or occasion presented creatively and professionally. 1400 Village Square Blvd., #7. (850) 727-0016.

KLASSIC KATERING

The culinary masterminds behind Klassic Katering know how to transform an event from drab to fab. With a ton of flavor and a pinch of panache, they will cater to all of your foodie needs. MonFri 9 am-5 pm, Sat-Sun Closed. 6753 Thomasville Rd., #108. (850) 894-0423.

GREEK SAHARA GREEK & LEBANESE CAFÉ

Sahara’s fusion of Greek and Lebanese cuisines is unmatched in the area. A large menu and friendly staff cater to all tastes. And don’t forget to order the falafel! Mon-Wed 11 am-9 pm, Thurs-Fri 11 am-10 pm, Sat 12-10 pm, Sun Closed.

1241 E. Lafayette St. (850) 656‑1800. $$

INDIAN SAMRAT INDIAN RESTAURANT ★

You can smell the fragrant and warm spices as you approach the restaurant, assuring you of an exotic and ethnic experience. Samrat was voted Best Ethnic for their preparation and presentation of delicious, authentic Indian cuisine.

Mon-Sun 11:30 am-2:30 pm, 5-10 pm. 2529 Apalachee Pkwy. (850) 942-1993. $$ L D

ITALIAN/PIZZA BELLA BELLA ★

Take your taste buds to Italy with a trip to Bella Bella, voted Best Italian in 2015 and 2016. This locally owned and operated restaurant has a cozy atmosphere and serves all the classics to satisfy your pasta cravings. Mon-Fri 11 am-10 pm, Sat 4-10 pm,

Sun Closed. 123 E. 5th Ave. (850) 412-1114.

$$ L

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MOMO’S ★

After devouring a slice “as big as your head” at this 2016 Best Pizza winner, chain pizza simply is not gonna cut it. From the black-and-white photos to the bathrooms decorated in album covers, the restaurant has an unmistakable and enjoyable “hole in the wall” vibe. Multiple locations. Hours vary. (850) 224‑9808. $ L D

TIFEO ITALIAN TAVERN

Crisp toppings. Freshly prepared pizza dough. A traditional, Tuscan woodfired oven. What more could you ask for? Formerly Joe Mama’s, Tifeo offers quintessential casual Italian dining.

5-10 pm. 1307 N. Monroe St. (850) 577-1231.

$L

D

MEXICAN EL JALISCO ★

In the mood for sizzling enchiladas and frozen margaritas? Make your way to the 2016 Best Mexican/Latin American Restaurant, El Jalisco, where they do Mexican cuisine to perfection. Multiple locations. Hours vary. $ L D

TACO REPUBLIK

An authentic taqueria, Taco Republik specializes in creating tacos and burritos in abstract and delicious ways. Located in the heart of Midtown, this restaurant is beloved for its bold flavor combinations

and wallet-friendly prices. Mon-Thurs 11 am-9 pm, Fri-Sat 11 am-10 pm, Sun Closed. 1122-8 Thomasville Rd. (850) 559‑5464. $ L D

THE BEST LITTLE STEAKHOUSE IN TALLAHASSEE

SEAFOOD/STEAK THE BLU HALO

Blue Halo is a high-end culinary experience featuring dry-aged steaks and fresh seafood along with fine wines and a martini bar. The gourmet farm-to-table menu selections include a wide variety of small-plate appetizers and high-end chops.

A private dining room for up to 20 guests is available. Mon-Thurs 4-10 pm; Fri 4 pm-close; Sat 8 am-2 pm, 4 pm-close; Sun 8 am-2 pm, 4-10 pm. 3431 Bannerman Rd., #2 (850) 792-7884. $$$ L D

CHOP HOUSE ON THE BRICKS

This family-owned, upscale restaurant serves local organic and sustainable meats, seafood, poultry and produce.

Craft beers, fine wines and specialty drinks complement dishes such as the Bone-In Ribeye, Plantation Quail and Chop House Burger. Their Knob Creek Bourbon Bread Pudding is a dessert favorite. Tues-Sat 5-9:30 pm, Sun-Mon Closed. 123 N. Broad St., Thomasville, Ga. (229) 236-2467. $$ D

GEORGIO’S

If George Koikos is in the house, you can count on a visit from him to your table during your meal. His hands-on commitment to quality, food, service and a personal touch have kept his restaurants in business for more than 50 years. Mon-Sat 4-10 pm, Sun Closed.

2971 Apalachee Pkwy. (850) 877-3211.

$$$ D

MARIE LIVINGSTON’S STEAKHOUSE ★

Dining at Marie Livingston’s is upscale yet comfortable and always a special treat. Not just a restaurant that serves up savory cuts of prime rib or marbled steaks, this 2016 Best Steakhouse winner is a Tallahassee tradition, and newcomers owe it to themselves to make it a priority to visit. Mon-Fri 11 am-2 pm, 5-9 pm; Sat 5-9 pm; Sun Closed. 2705 Apalachee Pkwy. (850) 562-2525. $$ L D

SALTWATER SEAFOOD COMPANY

Celebrate the spirit of historic Apalachicola Bay coastal lifestyle with fresh-caught seafood and a sensational, handmade cocktail all in the refined setting of Saltwater Seafood Company. They promise the fare doesn’t get fresher unless you catch it yourself. Mon – Sat 11 am – 10 pm, Sun 11am – 9 pm. 1926 Capital Circle NE. (850) 402-3014. $$ L D

SHULA’S 347

The legendary Miami Dolphins’ head coach brings the quest for perfection to the dining table at his namesake restaurant, located in Hotel Duval.

Keep it light and casual with a premium Black Angus beef burger or a gourmet salad, or opt for one of their signature entrées — a “Shula Cut” steak. Reservations are suggested. SunThurs 5-10 pm, Fri-Sat 5-11 pm. 415 N. Monroe St. (850) 224-6005. $$$ L D

SOUTHERN SEAFOOD ★

Whether you’re looking for fish, shrimp, oysters, scallops, crab or lobster, these guys have you covered.

The 2016 Best Seafood Market winner brings the ocean’s freshest choices to Tallahassee’s front door. Mon-Fri 10 am-7 pm, Sat 10 am-6 pm, Sun 12-6 pm.

1415 Timberlane Rd. (850) 668‑2203.

Visit our comprehensive, searchable dining guide online at tallahasseemagazine.com/Restaurants.

Join us for lunch and dinner at our beautiful location on Apalachee Parkway.

Our steaks are not only the best in Tallahassee, but USDA choice Midwestern corn-fed beef, specially selected, aged to our specifications and cut daily. We also serve fresh jumbo shrimp and fish — grilled, blackened or fried.

So please join us for lunch and dinner or just meet up for drinks at our fully stocked bar.

F

MARIE LIVINGSTON’S STEAK HOUSE

2705 Apalachee Parkway | Tallahassee, FL (850) 270-9506

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JUL/AUG 2017

KEEPING TABS ON ALL THAT MUSES INSPIRE

←

Free willed, fashionable and feminine, the women depicted in Hilliard’s work exude confidence.

A BIT OF HONEY

SYDA PRODUCTIONS / SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

ART

Honey Hilliard’s artwork takes flight



by REBECCA PADGETT

BOOKS photography by ALICIA OSBORNE

Stories that Fly

|| STAGE

Theater for One and All!

|| MUSIC

Out of the Darko

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peckled with a warm amber color, Honey Hilliard’s eyes match her name. For that matter, so do her hair and her sweet disposition. Hilliard is one of those rare people you feel at peace with instantly — so much so, that my interview with her turns into a three-hour conversation in which I end up driving to her house, touring her studio and meeting her husband and two-year-old daughter.

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Our meeting begins at Bella Bella, where a large collection of Hilliard’s paintings is currently housed. Directly behind the hostess’s stand hangs a Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission poster that depicts birds found throughout Florida, drawn with science-textbook accuracy. This poster is a staple in classrooms and wildlife centers across the state.

It is also Hilliard’s first claim to fame.

After graduating from Florida State University with a degree in art, Hilliard pursued a job with the conservation commission as an artist; but she now works for herself, showcasing her art throughout Tallahassee.

As we proceed through the various rooms of the restaurant, it becomes obvious to me that her art has evolved since the time when she first began drawing for the conservation commission: Her work is no longer as measured, precise or rigid.

“After having such ← When she a controlled portfolio, was younger with wildlife and mediHilliard was cal illustrations, it’s nice afraid to share her art; now to let loose and not have she proudly control — though birds showcases it, have become a constant here, in Bella Bella. Hilliard in my art, along with began her other winged creatures: career as an dragonflies, bees and artist at the age of 5 with especially butterflies,” encouragement Hilliard says. from her A series of portraits mother. at Bella Bella that holds my particular interest features notable women, often the obvious victims of tragedies, posed alongside symbolic birds and poisonous flowers.

“I like my paintings to tell a story, and I have a lot of fun coming up with the stories,” Hilliard says.

On the wall opposite the portrait series hangs two paintings in complete juxtaposition with one another: Marilyn Monroe and The Virgin Mary.

One night Hilliard dreamed she needed to paint the iconic blonde; she woke up and did it, only to find out later that it was Monroe’s birthday. As for Mary, Hilliard was toting her toddler through the grocery store checkout when she noticed that surrounding them were magazine covers depicting celebrities in various scenes of turmoil.

Hilliard remembers thinking she wanted her daughter to be influenced by a positive figure, so she went home and painted Mary surrounded by glittering gold stars.

The female form is a constant in Hilliard’s work, whether bedecked in fashionable clothing or nude. The paintings of the nudes at Bella Bella fit with the style she experimented with during her six weeks of living in France in 2013 and are reminiscent of Degas and Monet — pastoral French scenes with expressive brush strokes and warm palettes. ›› photography by ALICIA OSBORNE

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SUMMER HAPPENS

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But any expectations I might have about Hilliard’s work vanish when she leads me to her display of colorful skulls on pine backgrounds that line the wall behind the bar. The skulls are textured, layered, bejeweled, flowered and often smiling.

I’m learning that Hilliard’s art is rife with symbolism, and after viewing her work at Bella Bella, I feel that it’s essential for me to know the space in which she creates. I’m happy to say that she invites me to her studio, and I don’t even have to ask.

It’s beginning to rain when we walk up to the front door. Stella, Hilliard’s youngest daughter, is immersed in various toys, meaningfully scattered before her. In an instant, she is wrapped around her mother, telling her about her day.

The house is quaint, charming and expressively decorated. The studio is much like a sunroom with large windows throughout, giving way to tranquil views of trees. The rain drips from the leaves outside, and I can see how it would be easy to create in this space.

A long table stands in the center of the room. At this table, Hilliard teaches art classes to teens and adults with various levels of artistic talent.

“I like to teach how to tap into your inspirations and listen to those creative voices and to act on them in order to satisfy that urge to create,” explains Hilliard.

“I think that’s a calling for most of us. I think we are all creators.”

Hilliard shows me her coloring book, “Looking for Butterflies.”

Published before coloring books for adults were trending, “Looking for Butterflies” is based on a ↑ Hilliard loves creating day Hilliard spent with her oldest stories through her art daughter, Autumn, at St. Marks.

— so much so that she After a pause, Hilliard decides created her own book. to tell me about her brother who passed away many years before and her mother, who died more recently. Both were influential in Hilliard’s life, beliefs and artwork. She explains that in many cultures, butterflies are viewed as resurrections of our souls.

Throughout Hilliard’s life, she has had many encounters with butterflies. TM

PHOTOS BY ALICIA OSBORNE

↑ From a lounging bird-lady to Marilyn Monroe to the Virgin Mary to winged creatures and skulls, the symbolism in each piece is rich.

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5/18/2017 1:37:03 July–August 2017PM79

expression BOOKS

STORIES THAT FLY Author Adrian Fogelin brings hope — and stories that kids can relate to — to her Tallahassee neighborhood

by ROCHELLE KOFF

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Crossing Jordan (2002) My Brother’s Hero (2005) The Big Nothing (2006)

TALLAHASSEEMAGA ZINE.COM

↑ These towering stacks are just a glimpse at the over 3,000 books awaiting eager readers at The Front Porch Library, co-founded by Adrian Fogelin.

Like an Author” creative writing program for fourth graders.

“The students love it because she uses real life items — shoes, rocks, photos — to spark the creative process,” said Meg Gibson, media specialist at Gilchrist Elementary. “They also love her. She is enthusiastic, gentle, supportive and kind. The children love her books (because) they are mostly set right here in Tallahassee, and the characters are their age and deal with many of the same issues they are dealing with.”

A number of those issues, which include racism, poverty, fitting in and acceptance, are captured in Fogelin’s acclaimed, six-book “Neighborhood” series, of which “Crossing Jordan” is the first installment.

Family is important to Fogelin, whose mother, Maria Bontempi Fogelin, was a prolific novelist.

“My mother was really the model for many things in my life,” Fogelin said. “She wrote stories so people could fly. I take after my mother. I write stories like hers.” TM

The Sorta Sisters (2011) Anna Casey’s Place in the World (2014) The Real Question (2014)

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popular duo, Hot Tamale), educator and co-founder of the innovative Front Porch Library.

The Front Porch Library was created in 2009 in the winter home of Fogelin’s late father.

What began as a collection of books placed on the front porch for neighborhood kids to read has evolved into a much-valued neighborhood resource with a collection of over 3,000 books.

Seminole Manor youngsters can get a library card and check out four books at a time, with no due date.

“The Front Porch Library means access to books for kids whose families don’t have many — or any — books,” said Kary Kublin, a Tallahassee educator and the other co-founder of the Front Porch Library.

Every Sunday afternoon, anywhere from a handful to 15 or more neighborhood kids stop by the Front Porch to participate in games or activities, organized by Fogelin and volunteers, that involve science, history, nature, music or storytelling.

“We bring the world into the library,” Fogelin said. “This is really where my heart is.”

Although Fogelin adores her neighborhood, she does venture outside of it — particularly willingly when she visits Tallahassee schools to present her “Think

ADRIAN FOGELIN Adrian Fogelin was born in Pearl River, New York and studied sculpture at the Rhode Island School of Design. She met her husband, Ray Faass, while working as an illustrator at the Baltimore Zoo. They have one daughter, Josie Faass, and a grandson, Matt.

The author of nine published books, Fogelin lives, writes and jams (she’s one-half of the band, Hot Tamale, with Craig Reeder) in Tallahassee.

For more information on Fogelin, visit adrianfogelin.com. To learn more about her music, visit hottamale. weebly.com. To find out all about her neighborhood project, the Front Porch Library, visit thefrontporchlibrary.com.

Sister Spider Knows All (2014) Summer on the Moon (2014) Some Kind of Magic (2015)

PHOTOS BY RAY FAASS (FOGELIN) AND KARY KUBLIN (BOOK DONATIONS) AND COURTESY PEACHTREE PUBLISHERS (BOOKS)

T

allahassee author Adrian Fogelin doesn’t have to travel to exotic places to dream up ideas for her novels; she just steps outside her home of 20 years in Seminole Manor to talk to her young neighbors, whose lives are filled with hopes, challenges and dreams.

In spending time with the kids in her area, Fogelin, an awardwinning writer of middle grade and young adult fiction, has come to realize that her young neighbors are “exposed to reality very, very early.” The issues that they face can be troubling, but the way in which they face them can often be inspiring. Both ideas are reflected in Fogelin’s novels, which feature ordinary kids and address universal coming-of-age themes with honesty and optimism. Her characters experience struggles and triumphs that help them to learn about who they are and find their place in the world — even if it’s just the world of Tallahassee.

Although she is the author of nine published books, several of which have been translated into multiple languages, Fogelin is, admittedly, “not a business person.”

Instead, her skills lie in other areas: Aside from being a writer, she is a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, artist, gardener, freelance book editor, musician (half of the

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it’s also a musical play that was presented by FSU’s School of Theatre as part of their Theatre for Young Audiences program.

The play’s exciting The cast of “How I Became a Pirate,” plot, charming characthe FSU School of ters and heartwarming Theatre’s November message are ideal for 2015 Theatre for Young Audiences production, elementary school-aged included Alexandra boys and girls. This Thomas as Jeremy year’s production, “The Jacob and Michael Bradley as Captain Cat in the Hat,” is sure Braidbeard. to be a hit, too.

“When we choose a play, we acknowledge that a kind of balance has to happen,” says Cameron Jackson, executive director of the School of Theatre. “The story and characters have to entertain, but the story has to have value and substance, too.”

Jackson explains that theater, in general, has been described as ephemeral, or “there and gone again.” But theater for children lives on because children are the audiences of the future. “That, in itself, makes theater for children viable,” says Jackson. “It’s also what makes us want to give back to the children who come STAGE to our productions.”

Brad Brock, associate director of the School of Theatre, explains that the school gives back to children in a number of ways: “When we have our ‘Plays on School Days,’ we bus in about 1,900 Leon County elementary school students for a field trip to see one of our performances,” he says. “We do four back-to-back

by KIM HARRIS THACKER shows over the course of two days. We also partner with anyt’s a pirate’s life for Jeremy Jacob. His backyard treehouse is his where from five to eight schools ship, and his sandbox is his Treasure Island. It’s one afternoon of in a fundraising program where pirate-play after another, but this seadog longs to have a real adventhey promote the show, people ture. Cue Captain Braidbeard, who arrives at Jeremy’s sandbox and buy discounted tickets and then invites him aboard his pirate ship. There, Jeremy learns how to sneer, we give half of the ticket price swab the deck and sing chanteys. But at bedtime, no one will tell him right back to the schools.” a story, because pirates don’t know any stories. And no one will tuck To date, FSU’s Theatre for him in, because pirates don’t need no tuckin’. As for goodnight kisses Young Audiences has raised … well, who wants to be kissed by a mossy-mouthed pirate? $15,000 for schools in Leon Maybe home is where one’s treasure lies after all …

County.

“How I Became a Pirate” is an award-winning children’s book; but Jackson is quick to explain



Theater for One and All! The FSU School of Theatre reaches out to schoolchildren

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that it isn’t just public elementary schools that attend the special performances; homeschool groups, private school groups and co-ops are also invited. “Our approach to theater in general is that it’s for everyone,” Jackson says.

And that “everyone” includes the actors who perform in the plays.

“Actors and their audiences are inextricably bound to each other,” says Jackson. “Theater is not fixed in time, like a painting. The way an audience responds to a play affects the actors, which makes a play a living, breathing, engaging work of art. And children are such a responsive, engaged audience. The line between what is fantasy and what is reality is so much blurrier for them than it is for adults, which means the experience can be richer for actors when they’re acting for children.

That’s part of the challenge, too — that this type of theater, in particular, isn’t fixed. Things can change in a moment, and actors have to be able to adapt.”

Adaptability is an important characteristic for actors on and off the stage. “Artists need to have a balance of vulnerability, grit and resilience,” says Jackson.

“That makes for a sustainable career, with a sustainable impact.”

But is it actually possible to have a sustainable career in the arts now, when the arts are being so obviously threatened?

The folks at the School of Theatre think so. And they’re determined to make it so, because as they see it, theater is essential to humanity.

“For centuries, theater has tackled difficult topics,” Jackson says.

“It has helped people to see their biases and fears for what they are.

It’s about community coming together. It’s about coming to know our lives through storytelling. It’s about sharing the message that there’s always hope.”

What better place to plant that message than in the heart of a child? TM

COURTESY OF FSU SCHOOL OF THEATRE / BRUCE PALMER

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↘ From Montana to our own Tallahassee, maestro Butorac conducts a sweet symphony.

MUSIC

PERRONE FORD/PTFPHOTO.COM

OUT OF THE DARKO

Tallahassee Magazine presents an interview with Tallahassee Symphony Orchestra conductor Darko Butorac

by MARINA BROWN

→

Darko Butorac’s face is as familiar to most Tallahasseans as that of a well-loved actor or, heaven-forbid, politician.

But what you get when you talk to the tall, handsome conductor of the Tallahassee Symphony Orchestra is not an act, and it isn’t political; instead, 39-year-old Darko is a hyper-verbal, intensely intelligent, youthful dynamo of creativity whose energy and booming voice seems to draw everyone near.

This magnetism was made quite evident recently, on the patio of a Lucky Goat Coffee shop, wherein he met with us to talk about his public and personal takes on music … and several Lucky Goat patrons drew up their chairs to listen.

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TM: How has the TSO changed under your direction?

DB: When I arrived, we presented, at most, six concerts a year: four Master Works and a Holiday and Youth Concert. Now, five years later, we have not only an additional Master Work concert, but two Holiday shows, three series — including one featuring jazz — and the big Halloween Concert at Cascades Park that drew almost 4,000 people. Overall, we’ve grown our attendees from 5,000 to 15,000 in a very short period.

TM: Was your appearing at the Halloween performance in a Superman cape a necessary gimmick to woo an audience?

DB: I don’t think “thematic programming” is gimmicky, but rather a way to make a connection — to build a relationship with the community. Our free Open Rehearsals on the morning of our Saturday concerts are another way to invite people, especially families, into a music hall.

No babysitter needed!

TM: When you select music for concerts, do you veer away from 20th century music — the kind audiences might find hard to listen to, or might find “inaccessible”?

Do you stick to Beethoven and the old maestros?

DB: Actually, contemporary composers have gotten savvy. If it’s too abstract, it might be tricky for an audience. But then,

even Beethoven, if heard only once, may not be love at first listening. We actually performed a piece written in 2014 that was very well received.

TM: Do you play the same concerts in your other orchestra in Missoula, Montana as you do here?

DB: No, and for two reasons: They’re different communities with different — albeit sophisticated — tastes. And also, I want to grow as a musician. In 10 years, I haven’t repeated a program, although a piece presented in Tallahassee may show up a couple of years later in Montana!

TM: How does a conductor “practice”?

DB: Ten percent of my work is the actual conducting; the other 90 percent

is study. I have to know the score inside and out, but then I begin making subjective decisions. If we played only notes, objectively, it might be perfect, but without a soul. I am a “re-interpreter” of the notes: My job is to take the audience on a journey — one filled with tension, climaxes and releases.

for inspiration, I would say nature is one avenue: being out in the air, with trees … It clears the mind.

But then, seeing any kind of art passionately created inspires me, be it poetry, great paintings, dance. In fact, I dance Argentine Tango. I love it. Passionate, beautiful music that won’t let you go.

TM: You make it sound like you are a storyteller.

DB: Exactly. I hope to make a drama in sound for the audience. My movements, in a way, model what I would like both the orchestral players and the audience to feel.

TM: You came to the United States as an immigrant from Serbia many years ago. What do you make of the current politics on immigration?

DB: I will not speak personally, but simply say that music is an international business; it crosses borders. Musicians must cross borders. For symphonies, we must prepare programs and engage soloists months to years in advance. Therefore, visa questions and backlogs impact both the musicians and the greater organization, greatly. Such uncertainty can put a season “on the line” — truly affecting the bottom line.

TM: How have you changed as a conductor over the years?

DB: “Less is more” is my mantra, as I become older.

I began conducting at age 17; now, over twenty years later, I attempt maximum efficiency with minimal effort. What I mean is, look at Yo-Yo Ma. How does he play so fast? It’s because he uses less effort in his fingers. Nothing is forced. Of course, you must prepare!

TM: Do you have time for relaxing, for home life, for becoming inspired?

DB: Ah, well, sometimes it’s hard. I’m at home (in Montana) for only 20 weeks a year … and I have a one-year-old son now, so that is often difficult. Keeping up with my other musical love, my cello — I hate to say, I only play, now, once in a blue moon. As

TM: What’s coming up in the new 2017-18 season?

DB: We actually will have an all-Beethoven program, for sure, and then something completely new! I will only say that it involves Wagner’s Ring Cycle … but reduced from the original 14 hours it took to play to only 70 minutes. It will be a totally unique multi-media presentation that I think will leave the audience thrilled. TM

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July–August 2017

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GETAWAY

Pitigliano and the Hill Towns of Italy

|| QUICK TRIP

Historical Transformation

destinations

JUL/AUG 2017

VISITING NOTEWORTHY PLACES NEAR AND FAR

↘ Perched atop craggy hillsides is the idyllic, medieval town of Pitigliano.

GETAWAY

MARTIN FROYDA/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

PITIGLIANO AND THE HILL TOWNS OF ITALY A long-ago history, yet not far away

by MARINA BROWN

TALL AHASSEEMAGA ZINE.COM

July–August 2017

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destinations

↑ Pitigliano is a small, quaint town in the region of Tuscany and province of Grosseto. It is known for its winding roads and impressive elevation, standing over 1,000 feet above sea level.

PITIGLIANO

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T

ime blurs and yesterday slides back and forth in Italy’s enigmatic hill towns, where what is lost isn’t easily found.

I hear myself sigh as I glance at the Italian words I’ve written while waxing poetic in my intermediate Italian.

Mozzafiato … radiante … affascinante: breathtaking … glowing … spellbinding. Italy has a way of making even halting speakers of this lilting tongue wish to write poems and sonnets, comment on clouds that float in impossibly blue skies or rhapsodize about the sienna-roofed villages that, like Cubist paintings, seem to tumble along each of Toscana’s colline or hills.

Despite the tragic earthquakes that have shaken Central Italy along a fault that divides the Umbrian region to the east from Tuscany to the west, the hilltop villages of Toscana … Tuscany … still conjure the romance that Byron and Shelley found so intoxicating.

TALLAHASSEEMAGA ZINE.COM

Here, layers of civilization, from the enigmatic Etruscans to the Romans and their progeny, seem only a few generations removed. Yet in this part of what often still feels like medieval Italy, the particular drama, the passionate point of view, the life that in the past violently or enthusiastically erupted from young and old alike seems in flux. There remains, of course, an Italian optimism that still pulsates from the big cities of Florence and Milan; but from these perched villages’ elderly inhabitants, it is mostly nostalgia that flows. Even from the ancient stones and iron gratings, the Gothic arches and faded frescoes, and the hundreds of empty churches that stand like hollow grottoes populated only by muscular saints in their drapings of red and blue, a new story seems to be emerging.

Over the years, I have begun to “accumulate” these hill towns, visiting one or two with each trip to Italy. Orvieto — actually in lower Umbria — Montepulciano, Arezzo, Montalcino, Volterra, San Gimignano, Cortona, Sorano,

PHOTOS BY FESUS ROBERT (TOWN), VALERIOMEI (WALL) AND FPWING (STATUE)/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

Pitigliano … all of them lie in a kind of crescent to the south and southwest of Florence and about halfway to Rome. Here, rolling hills are populated by sheep whose oddly human “baaa’s” sound like baritones and tenors rudely interrupted by their own clanging bells. This is the region where each ridgeline silhouettes a medieval walled city of spires and towers that, even as the parapets protect it, today seems vulnerable. In our century, these hill towns have slowly become underpopulated outposts of nervous dwellers clinging to their precipices, worrying now not so much about a siege from Siena or Firenze (Florence) as the economic blight that, as surely as a 13th century plague, is casting a pall over these bastions of fairy-tale beauty.

“If you are young, you do not stay in Arezzo,” says Lorenzo Sobrini. “There are better jobs in Milano or Firenze. To make a living, you must leave.” Sobrini and four other older men laugh, ruefully. But they aren’t among the ones leaving. The crew is in the midst of hoisting and positioning an Etruscan urn weighing nearly 600 pounds onto a flat space in Arezzo’s sprawling, mostly empty, central piazza. Sobrini and his team haul ancient pieces of sculpture and pottery all over Tuscany, visiting antiques fairs and shops where he hopes international buyers will pay prices he can’t obtain here. “Etruscan art never goes out of style,” he says hopefully.

Nearby, antiques seller Giovanni Romano says, “It makes me sad to see that this kind of work is dying here in Italy.” He points to an immense table that glistens with bouquets and butterflies — a “picture” made from a mosaic of inset stones called pietre dure. “Have you been to the Pitti Palazzo in Firenze? Go there! Go there, please … It is the only place the work of geniuses, artisans making masterpieces of stones, can be found, now.”

And it seems true that the past’s departure has quickened in the last 20 years. Elegant, painted pottery,

exquisite Murano glass, handmade hats and gloves are now replaced with acres of cheap, wooden Pinocchios and fans made in China. Yet there are enclaves — places infrequently visited — where you can believe the caves carved by Etruscans from the soft tufa rock or the chisel marks on the stone in your living room were made only yesterday. Places where the past refuses to be silent.

One such holdout is Pitigliano, a towering walled town with everything in it: ancient history, recent history and, TALL AHASSEEMAGA ZINE.COM

↑ This city is also referred to as, “The Little Jerusalem.”

Pitigliano is active in preserving its Jewish history. ↖ The bronzed sculpture of Villano and his Donkey depicts appreciation for hard working farmers.

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destinations

↑ Markets such as Ghiottornia are found throughout the city, specializing in the best things in life: wine, cheese and bread. → Sorano is Pitigliano’s neighbor, with the same hilly terrain, but also with stunning views of the Lente River.

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although aging, a population of cobblers, butchers, painters and poets that makes you want to stay.

And Pitigliano has a unique backstory. Known from the 16th century as La Piccola Gerusalemme, “Little Jerusalem,” Pitigliano once was nearly 30 percent Jewish — a grand departure from the other medieval cities in which Jews were either restricted to ghettos or banned altogether. The noble Orsini family, whose palace sits just inside the city’s main gate, had decided that Jewish tradesmen and bankers could revitalize their hilltop town where the majority of people were unschooled farmers and laborers who tended the surrounding fields. Jews were welcomed.

A synagogue was built. Using a warren of Etruscan caves within the city’s foundations, Jewish bakers cooked matzah TALLAHASSEEMAGA ZINE.COM

PHOTOS BY LORENA TORRES ANGELINI (GHIOTTORNIA), STEFANO COSTANTINI, CC BY-SA 2.0 (SFRATTI), TATIANA POPOVA (SORANO) AND ERMESS (THE VIE CAVE)/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

in a kosher bakery, dispatched animals in a kosher butchery and created a mikveh, a women’s ritual bath, from the soft volcanic stone. Catholicism and Judaism melded well.

But one hundred years later, the new ruling Medici dynasty decided they didn’t like that idea. Ghetto gates went up even as the Medici built a spectacular aqueduct whose arching wall still brings water to Pitigliano’s faucets today.

But the pendulum for and against Jewish inclusion didn’t stop swinging. In 1773, with an enlightened ruler and a new mentality in place, the ghetto’s walls were torn down and Jews and Christians were allowed, once more, to marry one another and to celebrate each others’ holidays, proving that differing beliefs could be respected. Until, that is, the Racial Laws enacted by the Fascists under Mussolini.

Italy’s unification in 1861 caused many Jews to move, gradually, to bigger cities; but by 1938, the ones left in Pitigliano were hunted.

Twenty citizens were rounded up and taken to concentration camps; others fled to the surrounding countryside where Italian farmers hid and protected them. The last survivor of that time, 89-year-old Elena Servi says that she and her family hid in caves for months while the newly arrived Germans searched for fugitive Jews. “The farmer would pretend to come to check his sheep … on a white horse if there was no danger or a black horse if there were.

That is how he shielded us.”

Today, although it is used only for special occasions, the synagogue is fully restored. Yet the Second World War still seems very recent, as it does in many European countries. Frederico Bronzini, one of the elderly men who makes his evening passeggiata through the tiny vicoli walkways of Pitigliano is eager to point out the corner of the central piazza, “where the American bombs were dropped. Right here. This whole square and part of the

Orsini palace were destroyed. They had to do it, though,” he says. “The Nazis had a headquarters in the palazzo!”

I wander to the parapet walls, nearly 1,000 feet above the valley, where chestnuts and jutting cedar trees are dark smudges in the evening’s afterglow — a hazy pastel in pinks and greys. I think of Florence with its shoulderto-shoulder Chinese tourists and of Milan where gentlemen are never seen without their briefcases and suits.

Near Pitigliano’s communal fountain, once used for washing clothes or watering a weary donkey, old folks in blacks and greys are quietly laughing together, sharing funny stories, reminding each other of a friend who is no longer here, perhaps remembering a good harvest or the war, yet communing in a way that seems so alien, today. And I wonder if today’s true loss is not a job, an antique urn or the art of an inlaid table; rather, we’ve lost what’s still so apparent in this community: this neighborly way of looking into a friend’s rheumy eyes and seeing one another — seeing a shared history.

And then I am approached by a boy of about 12. He has a cell phone in one hand and a pastry in the other. He is excited enough that he wants to tell a stranger what he’s found. It seems the boy and his family have just come from nearby Sorano, where he had walked along the Vie Cave — famous subterranean roads carved into stone by the long-forgotten Etruscans. He’s found their history online and wants to show someone. Then I notice what he’s eating. It’s a sfratto dei goym — one of the long, baton-shaped Jewish pastries that are still sold here — a pastry that is a symbolic and sweet representation of the sticks that were used to pound on the ghetto’s gates when a Jew was to be arrested. Something bitter to something sweet. And the boy was holding it all in his hands — 2,700 years of history.

The bitterness of losses — of a civilization, of a tortured generation, of jobs, of a way of life — I wonder if this bitterness could be turned into the sweetness of knowledge, and then into a changing of the tides — a turning toward empathy and the sharing of feelings and the telling of stories that connect one person to another. This is what the old folks did around the fountain; it’s what this child did with me, now … on an autumn evening … before a long winter, that, if we are not careful, may come to stay. TM TALL AHASSEEMAGA ZINE.COM

↓ Take a scenic stroll through The Vie Cave, which are trenches excavated from bedrock by the Etruscans during the Bronze Age. These sunken roads link several settlements in the areas of Sovana, Sorano and Pitigliano.

↑ Sfratti are tasty Italian treats composed of nuts and honey.

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destinations

↙ Construction on what



what would become the Apalachicola Arsenal began around 1832 and was completed in 1839. Although much of the original complex is gone, a surviving powder magazine now serves as a museum of the area’s history.

IF YOU GO

The Apalachicola Arsenal Museum is located within the campus of Florida State Hospital. To get there from Tallahassee, take I-10 to the Chattahoochee Exit (166).

HISTORICAL TRANSFORMATION The Apalachicola Arsenal Museum is becoming a focal point for local history

by JASON DEHART

I

t may seem that time has forgotten the tiny town of Chattahoochee, but the town hasn’t forgotten its history.

“There’s too much history to just let go,” said Linda Kranert, a grants specialist who serves as the de facto gatekeeper of the Apalachicola Arsenal Museum, a former gunpowder magazine that Kranert helped rescue from demolition and oblivion back in the early 1990s.

“I started working for (Florida State Hospital) in 1993, and when I came to this building on a tour, I fell in love with it,” Kranert recalled. “It was slated for demolition; the roof had caved in and trees were growing inside it.”

Kranert didn’t want to lose the unique old building. She was able to convince the right people that the right thing to do would be to preserve it. Thanks to her efforts, the first restoration grant was procured in 1995. Although she moved to Orlando shortly after that, a grant committee submitted half a dozen more reconstruction grants

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during her absence. When she returned to North Florida in 2013, the work had been completed. The plan now calls for transforming the renewed building into a museum of local history.

“So, out of retirement I have come back to try and help get this going,” she said.

The magazine was one of two such buildings located just outside the Apalachicola Arsenal, a federal armory built in the late 1830s during the height of the Second Seminole War. The arsenal originally featured several buildings sheltered behind a 9-foot-high, 30-inchthick perimeter wall that encircled the four-acre complex. The arsenal contained a five-story shot tower along with workshops, storage areas, barracks, officers quarters and other buildings within the wall; but two powder magazines and a sutler’s store were built outside, according to historian Dale Cox. The arsenal and its valuable stores of gunpowder, paper cartridges, muskets and cannon

TALLAHASSEEMAGA ZINE.COM

were commandeered by Florida militia troops just days before the state seceded from the Union in January 1861. After the war, the powder magazine we see today was used to house a mattress factory, morgue and wooden coffin factory.

Now, rather than store gunpowder, the new museum will store memories and artifacts that tell the history of not just the arsenal and Florida State Hospital, but the Apalachicola River, as well. One plan calls for an interactive exhibit to teach kids about the river and what fish can be caught there. Another interesting exhibit will take visitors on a virtual steamboat tour of the river.

Those are literally on the drawing board for the near future.

Right now, the museum is only open for special events, but if you want to pay a visit, give Kranert a call, and she will make arrangements for you. A historical society has been founded, and Kranert said that once it’s up and running, the museum should “start to open up more.”

“It’s baby steps,” she said. TM

Photography isn’t allowed on the grounds of FSH, generally, but you shouldn’t have a problem photographing the museum. Just ask Kranert what is permissible.

While you’re in Chattahoochee, you should also stop at River Landing Park and check out the Chattahoochee Landing Mounds, which are remnants of an agesold ceremonial complex of the Fort Walton Period. The mounds are located at a public boat ramp on River Landing Road, just off U.S. 90. Research also shows that the British built a small outpost overlooking the river there, during the War of 1812. Two historical markers tell the story.

Torreya State Park is also in the vicinity and is worth a visit, too.

PHOTO BY LINDA KRANERT

QUICK TRIP

Go right off the exit and follow it to the end of the road and turn right again. Take that to U.S. Highway 90 (you will see the Florida State Hospital entrance across from you) and turn right again. Go past Maple Street (at the blinking caution light) and turn left at Jinks Crossing Road. There is a sign that says “Arsenal.” Follow the signs from there.

For questions contact Linda Kranert at (850) 794-0197.

VISIT THE

Forgotten Coast

CRAWFORDVILLE

PLAY • SHOP • DINE • STAY

PANACEA

S

ummer on the Forgotten Coast has a lot to offer anyone wanting to escape city life for a day, a weekend or longer. Along the bays, beaches and byways there are many opportunities to slow down and take it easy. While there, we recommend visiting the following locations:

1

1 TAMARA’S CAFÉ & TAPAS BAR

2

Known for flavorful Latin dishes featuring fresh, local seafood, Tamara’s provides a distinctive atmosphere — and the tapas bar offers the best live music in the area!

(850) 653-4111, tamarascafe.com 71 Market St., Apalachicola

HOLE IN THE WALL

Seafood market and raw bar. Family owned and operated. Serving fresh locally caught seafood.

Open Tuesday through Saturday.

(850) 653-3222 23 Avenue D, Apalachicola

Apalachee Bay

BALD POINT ALLIGATOR POINT

LANARK VILLAGE CARRABELLE

DINING

2

LIVE OAK POINT

4

APALACHICOLA

3A

Apalachicola Bay San Blas Bay

Dog Island

EASTPOINT

3B St. George Island

Bob Sikes Cut Cape St. George

VACATION RENTAL 3

SUNCOAST VACATION RENTALS

ATTRACTION 4

GULF SPECIMEN AQUARIUM

We’ll save you a spot on the beach! Offering family-friendly beach vacations and romantic coastal getaways for 35+ years.

Call or visit us online!

A unique experience to get up close with sharks, sea turtles, starfish, octopus and other sea life from the Gulf of Mexico. One of the largest touch tanks exhibits in the U.S.

(800) 341-2021 uncommonflorida.com 84 Water St., Apalachicola 224 Franklin Blvd., St. George Island

(850) 984-5297 gulfspecimen.org

A Timeless Love Redef ining Engaged

Family & Cosmetic Dentistry · Same Day Crowns Latest Technology · Professional & Caring Team 2621 Mitcham Drive, Tallahassee · 850.425.1300 · BastienDentalCare.com Monday–Thursday 8am–noon and 12:30pm–4:30pm · Closed Friday

Expert design, restoration and repair Betton Place • 1950-M Thomasville Road • 422-1373 Above Food Glorious Food Tuesday–Friday 10 – 6 • Saturday 10 – 4 RobertsJewelry.net TALL AHASSEEMAGA ZINE.COM

July–August 2017

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Light Thy

Fire Get stoked for summertime barbecues

BY ROSANNE DUNKELBERGER

The Vision: Your friends are over for a cookout and, after an hour or so of adult beverages and conversation, you sit down to enjoy a bounty of tasty ribs, mouth-watering steaks and juicy hamburgers with all the fixin’s.

Never fear, the pros are here, sharing advice, tips and tools that will have you grilling like a boss this summer.

According to the Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association’s (HPBA) biennial survey taken in 2015, 75 percent of us own a grill or smoker and 37 percent planned to buy a new one in 2016. The majority (61 percent) of grill owners use their grill or smoker year-round, and 30 percent planned to grill more in 2016 than the previous year.

While a mack-daddy grill makes your cookout more impressive, easier and more versatile, it’s entirely possible to create delicious food using a basic charcoal grill, says Tallahassean Josh Cooper. By day, he’s a political strategist and researcher. By night and weekends, he’s an award-winning competitive grillmaster and food blogger (epicuriouscoop.com).

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TALLAHASSEEMAGA ZINE.COM

CHASE YAKABOSKI

The Reality: The coals don’t seem to be getting hot, but, as time goes by, your friends are. Who knew the kitchen spatula would melt on the grill? When the food finally hits the table, the ribs are chewy, the steaks that looked so perfectly brown on the outside are mooing on the inside and the hamburgers are so burnt and dried out you could use ’em as frisbees. Not to mention, the potato salad has been sitting there so long that a prudent person would give it a pass.

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BRUCE PALMER

“I would say everybody should learn how to cook on a Weber kettle grill first, because once you can cook on that thing, you can cook on anything,” he says.

The first grilling skill is heat control — and the secret to that is basic science.

“The more air, the more oxygen that hits the fire, the hotter the fire is going to be. The less oxygen that you allow to hit the fire, the lower the temperature is going to be,” Cooper says. On your basic Weber, you push those little dampers on the tops and bottoms of the grill to control the air flow. Fancier charcoal grills feature external thermometers, while others take it to the next level with thermostat-like devices that use a fan to keep the heat at a steady temperature — a lifesaver for those who want to cook “low and slow” without having to tend to the grill all day.

The other concept to understand is direct versus indirect heat.

“The idea with indirect is you’re trying to turn your grill into an oven. You’re not hitting it directly with the heat; you’re baking it, basically,” says Cooper. “If you’re cooking something indirect, you’re going to do things that take a little bit longer to cook — ribs, larger pieces of meat.

“For direct, you’re going to want to do things that cook quickly — steaks, chicken, hamburgers, pork chops, hotdogs, sausages … stuff like that, that is more of a sear than a slow cook because it’s going to be ‘hot fast,’ as they call it, rather than low and slow. It’s getting kissed directly by the heat source.”

The experts agree, a must-have grilling accessory is a meat thermometer — either an instant-read or a probe that stays in the meat. Deluxe versions will send the temperature readout to your smartphone.

“You want to know what the temperature is,” says Wayne Paul, owner of Bay Breeze Patio in Miramar Beach. “It makes a big difference. Five degrees and a chicken breast can go from tender and moist to overly dry … especially on a gas grill, (which) has a tendency to dry your food out.”

Overcooking is probably the No. 1 rookie mistake he sees. “And that means if you want 160 degrees, you don’t cook to 160. A whole turkey might go up 15 degrees (after being taken off the grill) and that’s way overdone,” he says. “With steaks, if you want a medium-rare steak at 135, you pull it off at 128, 129, 130, because it’s going to raise that last five degrees.”

Once the food is off the grill, let it rest. For how long? “That’s variable. If you’re cooking a big standing rib roast, you might let that rest for 30 minutes,” Paul says. “Chicken breast, you

BRUCE PALMER

BRUCE PALMER

BRUCE PALMER

CHASE YAKABOSKI

The first grilling skill is heat control — and the secret to that is basic science. … The other concept to understand is direct versus indirect heat.

Josh Cooper may deal in politics by day but can be found slicing, dicing and grilling to perfection by weekend. Kevin Louthain and Wayne Paul of Bay Breeze Patio love few things more than flaunting their skills at a backyard barbeque with chilled drinks in hand. They just so happen to sell the best tools in town.

TALL AHASSEEMAGA ZINE.COM

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BBQ Blend

Perfect for beef barbecues. Let the meat rest for several hours after you rub it and then slow roast. Makes about ⅓ cup. ➸ 2 tablespoons paprika ➸½ teaspoon

curry powder

➸ 1 tablespoon

chili powder

➸½ teaspoon

ground mustard

➸ 1 teaspoon ground

coriander seed

➸½ teaspoon

fresh-ground black peppercorns ➸ 1 teaspoon white sugar ➸½ teaspoon dried thyme leaves ➸ 1 teaspoon kosher salt ➸½ teaspoon ground cayenne pepper ➸ 1 teaspoon ground cumin seed Combine the ingredients.

Use about 1 tablespoon for every pound of boneless meat.

Kansas City Dry Rub

Here’s the Rub

Blackened Steak Seasoning

Juniper Seasoning

➸ 1 tablespoon paprika ➸2 teaspoons

➸ 1 teaspoon whole

This makes enough for 4 steaks or fish fillets.

➸6 whole allspice

Combine the ingredients.

Use about 1 tablespoon for every pound of boneless meat or fish.

A classic mix to rub on fish or seafood before sautéing or grilling. It can also be added to the cooking liquid for poached or boiled seafood. Makes about ¾ cup.

Montreal Steak Blend

Rub your steaks with this popular blend. Makes about ¾ cup.

This combo creates a sweet and smoky barbecue rub. Makes about 3 cups.

➸2 tablespoons paprika ➸2 tablespoons cracked

➸2 cups white sugar ➸¼ cup paprika ➸½ cup coarse

➸ 1 tablespoon

black peppercorns

➸2 tablespoons

kosher salt

granulated garlic

kosher salt ➸2 tablespoons cracked black peppercorns ➸ 1 teaspoon garlic powder ➸2 teaspoons chili powder ➸½ teaspoon ground cayenne pepper

➸ 1 tablespoon

Combine the ingredients.

Use about 3 tablespoons for every pound of boneless meat.

➸½ tablespoon dried

granulated onion

➸ 1 tablespoon cracked

coriander seed

➸ 1 tablespoon dried dill ➸ 1 tablespoon crushed

red pepper flakes

➸½ tablespoon dried

thyme leaves

rosemary needles

Combine the herbs and spices.

hile there’s a wide variety of seasonings to be found in the grocery store, Chef Jamil Bathali challenges us to create our own in his book, “Spice Mixes: Homemade Spice Blends and Seasoning Recipes.” It features an international variety of DIY combinations to spice up your food using the freshest, most aromatic ingredients with no fillers or unwanted ingredients like MSG. To keep mixes fresh, “think cool and dark when storing your spice creations,” he advises, in an airtight container at room temperature.

Here are a few recipes from Bathali’s book (order from Amazon or IronRingPublishing.com) that are suitable for use as rubs or marinades for grilling a variety of foods. ↗

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black peppercorns

kosher salt ➸ 1 teaspoon onion powder ➸ 1 teaspoon garlic powder ➸ 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper ➸ 1 teaspoon ground white pepper ➸ 1 teaspoon freshground black peppercorns ➸½ teaspoon dried thyme leaves ➸½ teaspoon dried oregano leaves

Homemade seasonings that are worth the effort

W

Add to marinades for game, fish, pork, lamb or steaks. Makes about ¼ cup.

berries

➸3 whole cloves ➸3 whole bay leaves ➸½ teaspoon

kosher salt

Grind the peppercorns, allspice, cloves, bay leaves and salt in a spice grinder or mortar and pestle.

Seafood Seasoning

➸ 1 tablespoon

ground bay leaves

➸2 ½ teaspoons

celery salt

➸ 1 ½ teaspoons

ground mustard

➸ 1 ½ teaspoons

fresh-ground black peppercorns ➸¾ teaspoon ground nutmeg ➸½ teaspoon ground cloves ➸½ teaspoon ground ginger ➸½ teaspoon paprika ➸½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes ➸¼ teaspoon ground mace ➸¼ teaspoon ground cardamom seeds Combine the herbs and spices.

OLEF / SHUTTERSTOCK.COM (RUB) AND IRONRINGPUBLISHING.COM (SPICE MIXES BOOK)

← Texas

Eggs on the Beach They’re not Dr. Seuss’s green eggs

D

BIG GREEN EGG

might let it rest five or 10 minutes to redistribute the juices.”

While most seasoned grillmasters use charcoal grills and smokers, 62 percent of households have a gas grill, according to the HBPA survey.

“People like the convenience and the ease of using gas grills,” Paul says. They heat up quickly and there are no ashes to dispose of. One of his business’s specialties is designing and installing outdoor kitchens, and there are “all sorts of side accessories,” such as power burners big enough to accommodate shrimp boils and fried turkeys. Many outdoor kitchens are designed with both gas and charcoal grills as well as an array of refrigerators, storage, warming drawers and sinks.

“At our house, I have more equipment outside than we do inside,” he says. “I have more space in our outside kitchen than our indoor kitchen. … Even if your outdoor kitchen is near the house, why keep running inside for a pair of tongs, knives and wine glasses?”

Buying a gas grill built from American 304 stainless steel can be important, especially if it will be installed along the coast. They’re more expensive, but the salt air will quickly deteriorate the lesser grade of stainless used in most grills found in big box stores.

A big trend at the HBPA trade show held in March in Atlanta was pizza. “Pizzas really are the big thing happening in grills right now. Companies are doing pizza stones to fit on your current grill (as well as) pizza ovens that run off pellets for 300 bucks, all the way up to a $15,000 Italian pizza oven,” Paul says.

About those pellets.

If you want to check out the new, new thing, consider a pellet grill. While east coast grillmasters are fond of ceramic charcoal-fired grills like the Big Green Egg, pellet grills are more of a west coast phenomenon that’s working its way east, says Paul.

So far, pellets only account for about two percent of the grill market, but several manufacturers at the HBPA show were showing new models this year, and the trade group is predicting a boost in sales.

The grills use food-grade wood pellets as fuel, combining the flavor of wood fire with the ease of use and cleanness of a gas grill.

“I think the pellet grill is probably the easiest of all grilling methods, especially if

ifferent grills have their fans, but there’s no grill with more enthusiastic devotees than the Big Green Egg. Fashioned after Asian kamado cooking vessels, the charcoal-fired ceramic grills go well beyond cooking traditional barbecue, with aficionados claiming the eggs’ 250-to-750-degree temperature range can create any meal that can be made in a traditional oven — and beyond.

The Big Green Egg website is chock full of recipes, blogs, podcasts, videos, how-tos and user forums.

“It’s a cult,” said Wayne Paul, owner of Bay Breeze Patio in Miramar Beach.

On the site, “People will be talking about it on their forum, showing photographs of what they cooked last night. Twenty-four hours a day, if you have a question about something you’re doing on the Egg, there’ll be somebody somewhere in the world to answer your question. It’s on the nutty side, but it’s a great group of people.”

As a way to thank loyal customers, the company has sponsored “EGGtoberfest” at its Atlanta headquarters since 1998 and is now attracting 4,000 participants. Local and regional “EggFests” have sprung up throughout the nation, including one now entering

its fourth year on the Emerald Coast.

The next Eggs on the Beach EggFest, sponsored by local authorized Platinum Big Green Egg dealer Bay Breeze Patio, will be held Sept. 30 at the Seascape Golf, Beach and Tennis Resort in Miramar Beach.

Last year, more than 30 teams fired up their grills to compete for top prizes — while raising more than $28,000 for local charities — and about 650 “tasters” attended. Participants at the family-friendly event are invited to enjoy a bite of what the competitors are cooking. “In a traditional barbecue contest, you’re going to have 30 of the same dish,” explains Kevin Louthian of Bay Breeze Patio. “At an EggFest, you’re going to have 30 different dishes.”

At the 2016 event, competitors cooked up and offered samples of pizzas, bacon-wrapped dates, grilled oysters, tandoori chicken, even mushroom risotto topped with duck confit.

And there are no secret recipes. “All the people that cook here are very kind and stand around telling people what they did and how they did it,” says Paul.

To register a team for the competition, or to purchase tasting tickets, visit eggsonthebeach.com.

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BBQ

By far, the coolest part of the design is the bend in the handles that keeps the business end off the bench when you put the tool down. $29.95, dreamfarm.com/us/ bbq-clongs/

Tools

➸ When you’re ready to wow your friends, toss a 42-ounce Long Bone Tomahawk Steak on the grill. A Cowboy Steak with about a 12-inch bone left in, this cut of beef makes for an impressive presentation and easily serves two … or three. The USDA Prime steak is dry-aged to create a deep, rich flavor. The Steak Source is a third-generation meat purveyor offering a variety of prime cut-to-order beef as well as domestic lamb and pork chops, shipped cold-packed and never frozen. $85.50 plus shipping, thesteaksource.com

➸ When prepping and

presiding over the grill, it’s helpful to have the right turner for the job. For the big stuff, there’s an extraheavy-duty turner with a 5-inch-wide blade and a serrated edge that can be used to section ground meat for hamburgers or chop up cheese steak and onions, not to mention flipping steaks and burgers with ease. But when it comes to removing delicate fish filets off the grill without breakage, you’re well served by using a flexible, perforated server. $13.99 and $8.99, forthchef.com

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➸ Shish kebab is a practical way to cook a meal, if it weren’t for those skewers that are hard to store and unwieldy to use. The flexible Fire Wire makes the job easier. It rolls up, making it easy to marinate a shish kebab after it’s been assembled and place it on the grill. And as a bonus, each wire holds twice as much food as traditional skewers. $9.99, firewiregrilling.com

➸ Vertigo Burger & Fries Chef David Gwinn tells us making patties the same size is important for properly cooking a grill full of hamburgers. This 4½-inch diameter hamburger press creates patties quickly and consistently. The aluminum tool features an adjustable knob that allows home cooks to pick the thickness of their burger patty. $15.99, forthechef.com

➸ Everybody knows the value of a good pair of tongs in the kitchen. Now Dreamfarm has created BBQ Clongs specifically for outdoor barbecues. There’s a lot of function packed in this funky-looking tool: a flat tip to scrape the grill clean, a spike to prick sausages, a sausage skin cutter and waffle heads that make it easy to pick up even the smallest items.

➸ Wire-bristle brushes aren’t the idea way to clean a grill, according to grillmaster Josh Cooper, because the wires can break, stick to the grate and end up in your food. Consider the GrillStone cleaning block, which can be used on hot or cold grates. It’s abrasive, but safe for porcelain enamel, cast iron, stainless steel and steel grates.

Even better, the blocks are non-toxic and ecofriendly and made almost completely of “foamed” recycled glass. $4.95, earthstoneinternational. com/cleaning/grill-stone

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THE STEAK SOURCE, HARO GRILL EQUIPMENT AND FORTHECHEF.COM

And a steak built for two

you want wood flavor, because it’s sort of a ‘set it and forget it’ kind of concept,” says Kevin Louthain, whose love of barbecuing led him to leave the corporate world to join Paul at Bay Breeze Patio. “You hit the temperature that you want it to be and then you just walk away. It regulates its temperature.

Until you change it, it’s going to stay at that temperature.”

A bit boggled by all the information and choices?

Consider visiting barbecue competitions and cook-offs. Participants are often friendly and generous with their advice.

Traditional competitions feature four meats — pork butt, ribs, chicken and brisket — judged by taste, appearance and tenderness, while others feature more fanciful, but all grilled, fare.

Bay Breeze Patio has a variety of operational grills onsite, and there’s usually something cooking about four days a week.

“Part of the mystique of any grill is the confidence to work on it — and we have to show people how it works,” Paul says.

Pretty much any food you can imagine — and a few you’ve never thought of before — can be cooked on a grill, say the experts.

Cooper has made everything from Beef Wellington to cold-smoked lox. Louthian made smoked barbecued pecans. Some of the more exotic things grilled by Paul include cookies, smoked butters, smoked ice cream, even smoked water that can be frozen into cubes and used to chill whiskey.

But the joys of grilling go far beyond just cooking food or showing off one’s prowess to friends.

“I think food, more than anything else, can bring people together,” says Cooper. “I find, whether it’s around the kitchen counter or a barbecue outside, we get back to that human interaction — that social interaction — that we’ve gotten away from. Put your phones down, get off Twitter, get off social media and engage in conversation once again. In today’s society, we don’t do that enough.

“I work in politics. It’s a divisive time right now. Well, when you come to my house for a barbecue, it’s a bipartisan event,” he continues. “There’s people everywhere from all walks of life, and we’re all enjoying the same thing: a good meal and friendly conversation.” TM

SCOTT HOLSTEIN/ROWLAND PUBLISHING FILE PHOTO, AFRICA STUDIO (SALT AND PEPPER) AND ELENA ELISSEEVA (HAMBURGER PATTY) / SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

Why Settle for a Humbleburger?

Four ways to give your patties the star treatment

By DAVID GWYNN

Ground beef was created as a way to employ the trimmings from butchering. It’s perfectly OK to use generic ground beef for tacos, meat sauce, sloppy joes and other preparations where spices and sauces are the focus. But when you’re making a hamburger, the patty is the star attraction. Treat it like a steak by following the same guidelines for selecting, preparing and cooking.

1 Start with a very good quality beef

and cut of meat. The chuck shoulder is very good due to its natural percentage of meat to fat. View fat as both flavor and moisturizer. The key is to maintain an 80-20 meat-to-fat ratio with whatever you use. Other delicious cuts to use when creating a blend are brisket, short rib and sirloin. Grinding fresh is best, but don’t fret if you can’t.

2 Like a steak, you want substance, so

shoot for nicely formed, thick patties. Do not smash your burgers when forming or cooking. Hand form patties to warm the fat, which helps the meat become a homogenous mixture. This helps the patty stay together when cooking. Six ounces is a good overall weight. Loosely form a patty using a Tupperware or mayonnaise jar lid with a three-quarter to one-inch depth. It doesn’t need to be fancy, but it does need to be consistent for cooking reasons.

3

Keep it simple when seasoning. Salt and pepper. Dress it up with a flavorful sauce, but don’t adulterate the meat.

David Gwynn is the chef/creator/owner of Vertigo Burger & Fries in Tallahassee, which earned Best Hamburger honors in Tallahassee Magazine’s Best of Tallahassee 2016 reader survey. If you want a great burger, but aren’t in the mood to fire up the grill, visit Vertigo’s two locations at 1370 Market St. and 1395 Lafayette St. Gwynn also owns Cypress, which has earned several Best of Tallahassee awards over the years as a fine dining and special occasion restaurant.

4 Cooking on a charcoal or gas grill

(that has briquettes/coals) adds a smoky element that meat so deserves.

The rendering fats drip on the hot coals and turns into smoke, thus flavoring the meat. A medium-high heat is needed to get a good sear. Too high of a heat can cause flare-ups that will char the exterior without cooking the interior. Once again, do not smash the burger when cooking unless you want a dry patty. Flip once the desired sear/crust is achieved.

Use an instant-read thermometer to judge interior temperature. I prefer an internal temperature of 135 degrees, which is medium. Cooking by time can be tricky due to a number of factors, including grill temperature, fat content of the meat and patty size. Cook by temperature, sight and touch.

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Tallahassee’s 2017 Top Singles High style, high energy and high hopes are just a few adjectives to describe the 17 men and women selected to rock the Donald L. Tucker Civic Center stage on July 29.

This dynamic and philanthropic group have the goal of raising the largest amount for charity yet. Help them reach it and exceed it on the hottest night of summer!

SUE AULT (Left): High-neck halter dress ($96) from Elle Market, John Hardy SS classic chain lava link black sapphire 57mm bracelet ($1,995) from The Gem Collection, John Hardy SS women’s bamboo lava medium black sapphire hoops ($450) from The Gem Collection, SS classic chain lava black sapphire small saddle ring by John Hardy ($495) from The Gem Collection. HSIANG JONES (Center): Helena dress ($160) from Elle Market, 14k gold filled pearl circle bracelet by Tracy Arrington ($150) from The Gem Collection, 14k gold-filled pearl necklace ($145) from The Gem Collection. NIKI MCKINNELL (Right): Floral lace cutout dress ($220) from Elle Market, SS Hammered silver 0.10 ctw diamond hinged bangle by SOHO ($550) from The Gem Collection, SS enameled 0.10 ctw diamond hinged bangle by SOHO ($590) from The Gem Collection, SS silver Foliage large hoop earrings by SOHO ($390) from The Gem Collection.

HAIR & MAKEUP Fuel Salon + Store // VENUE Hotel Duval // VEHICLE Capital Eurocars 2017 Porsche Panamera, starting at $85,000 (as shown $106, 575)

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SUE AULT

Charity: City Walk Urban Mission Age: 50 Occupation: Senior cardiovascular biopharmaceutical sales professional with Sanofi Pharmaceuticals, and aerobics instructor with Premier Health and Fitness

HSIANG JONES

Charity: Girls2Divas Age: 25 Occupation: Owner and instructor with Queen of Hearts Fitness

NIKI MCKINNELL

Charity: Epilepsy Association of the Big Bend Age: 34 Occupation: Vice President of Public Affairs for Florida Ports Council

↙

Visit TALLAHASSEEMAGAZINE.COM/ TOP-SINGLES for Q&As with this year’s top singles and to find links for making donations to the charities they represent. story by REBECCA PADGETT photography by LAWRENCE DAVIDSON TALL AHASSEEMAGA ZINE.COM

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Tallahassee’s 2017 Top Singles

ELIZABETH ROSARIO

Charity: Hang Tough Foundation Age: 38 Occupation: Business manager at Jackson Properties and Financial

JAMIE VAN PELT

Charity: PACE Center for Girls Age: 27 Occupation: Community relations coordinator – Office of the Mayor

ALLYCE HEFLIN

Charity: Tallahassee Community Chorus Age: 40 Occupation: Lobbyist at Southern Strategy Group

TODD KUNTZ

Charity: American Heart Association Age: 23 Occupation: Regional Director – American Heart Association

DONOVAN BROWN Charity: Lee’s Place Age: 38 Occupation: Lawyer/lobbyist

KEVIN PRIEST

Charity: Capital City Youth Services Age: 48 Occupation: President and CEO of Capital City Youth Services

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ELY ROSARIO (Opposite Page, Left): White cross-neck dress ($168) from Elle Market, Ed Levine SS medium glimmer necklace ($320) from The Gem Collection, SS perpetual cuff bracelet ($285) from The Gem Collection, SS medium olive earrings ($150) from The Gem Collection. JAMIE VAN PELT (Opposite Page, Center): Hart Schaffner Marx worsted wool blazer ($495) from Dillard’s, Ralph Lauren purple/white shirt ($98.50) from Dillard’s, Zac flat-front classic-fit light grey pants ($69.50) from Dillard’s, Cremieux Paisley Silk Pocket Square ($29.50) from Dillard’s, Cole Haan punch Gotham penny loafer Woodbury ($200) from Dillard’s, Rolex 39mm SS Explorer smooth bezel black 3 Arabic numerals ($6,550) from The Gem Collection.

ALLYCE HEFLIN (Opposite Page, Right): Aztec jumpsuit ($90) from Elle Market, 24KY oxidized SS “Kelly” small diamond necklace by Lika Behar ($860) from The Gem Collection, 14 KY & oxidized silver diamond round & square scroll ring ($695) from The Gem Collection, 18 L & 22 k gold/oxidized silver diamond cuff by Sydney Lynch ($1,290) from The Gem Collection.

TODD KUNTZ (Above Left): Hart Schaffner Marx Chicago plaid jacket ($95) from Dillard’s, Murano Barcelona Collection blue pants ($79.50) from Dillards, Daniel Cremeiux paisley tie ($120) from Dillard’s, Gold Label Roundtree & Yorke slim fit white shirt ($49.50) from Dillard’s, Murano Silk Pocket Square ($14.50) from Dillard’s, Johnston & Murphy wingtip tan calfskin shoes ($155) from Dillard’s, Longines SS Conquest LTD RLDGRS 41mm BR grey men’s watch ($1,650) from The Gem Collection. DONOVAN BROWN (Above Center): Cremeiux regular jacket ($695) from Dillard’s, Dawson-CT Cremeiux pants ($75) from Dillard’s, Quieti blue plaid shirt ($110) from Dillard’s, Cremieux Group Plaid Bow Tie ($39.50) from Dillard’s, Magnanni Safron loafers ($325) from Dillard’s, Longines Mastcol 42mm SS alligator band watch ($2,250) from The Gem Collection. KEVIN PRIEST (Above Right): Hart Schaffner Marx Chicago worsted wool jacket ($695) from Dillard’s, Hart Schaffner Marx Chicago worsted wool blue pants ($150) from Dillard’s, Cremeiux 500 purple handkerchief ($29.50) from Dillard’s, Polo Ralph Lauren blue/aqua shirt ($98.50) from Dillard’s, 10KY/SS Lion Rampart large ring ($295) The Gem Collection, SS Norse Forge Dragon weave 8” bracelet by Keith Jack ($440) from The Gem Collection.

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Tallahassee’s 2017 Top Singles

HAROLD G. LYONS III (Above Left): Ralph by Ralph Lauren slim fit tan 3-piece suit ($495) from Dillard’s, Hart Schaffner Marx houndstooth dark navy shirt ($98.50) from Dillard’s, Ted Baker London Vero Beach Striped Bow Tie ($49.50) from Dillard’s, La Grande Classique ivory dial 36 mm watch by Longines ($1,150) from The Gem Collection. STEPHEN TAYLOR (Above Center): Cremieux

performance navy blue classic modern fit jacket & pant ($695) from Dillard’s, Ted Baker London stripe tie ($85) from Dillard’s, Polo Ralph Lauren azul/white shirt ($98.50) from Dillard’s, Cole Haan 35mm full grain veg belt ($80) from Dillard’s, 41mm stainless steel round blue & silver index/numeric markers Superluminova Dial Date Conquest watch by Longines ($1,600) from The Gem Collection. NENA HESTER (Above Right): Green clover top ($79) from Elle Market, dark-washed jeans ($168) from Elle Market, John Hardy W Bamboo bangle br 5.5 SS ($495) from The Gem Collection, SS bamboo medium hoop earrings by John Hardy ($350) from The Gem Collection, SS bamboo necklace 17” by John Hardy ($1,295) from The Gem Collection.

KATHRYN PALMER (Opposite Left): Disco mirror halter dress ($398) from Elle Market, SS women’s dot large link earrings by John Hardy ($395) from The Gem Collection, SS & 18ky two-tone bracelet by John Hardy ($650) from The Gem Collection, SS women’s dot brushed gold 10mm band ring by John Hardy ($495) from The Gem Collection. KRYSTA MICHAEL (Opposite Right): Off shoulder top ($68) from Elle Market, Watercolor floral maxi skirt ($70) from Elle Market, 925 22k Vermeil aqua pinnacle druzy pendant & chain by Nina Nguyen ($395) from The Gem Collection, 22ky Vermeil sand druzy ring by Nina Nguyen ($295) from The Gem Collection, 925 22k Vermeil blush druzy bangle by Nina Nguyen ($695) from The Gem Collection.

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HAROLD G. LYONS III

Charity: Mac Crutchfield Foundation Age: 21 Occupation: CEO of Harold’s Event Helpers and customer service representative at Hearth & Soul

STEPHEN TAYLOR Charity: Children’s Center at Tallahassee Memorial Hospital Age: 30 Occupation: Banker at PeoplesSouth Bank

NENA HESTER

Charity: Triple R Equine Rescue & Rehabilitation Ranch Age: 62 Occupation: Business owner; certified legal nurse consultant

KATHRYN PALMER

Charity: American Cancer Society Age: 23 Occupation: Executive assistant to Marsha Doll

KRYSTA MICHAEL Charity: Leon County Humane Society Age: 26 Occupation: Hair stylist at Salon6

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Tallahassee’s 2017 Top Singles

JESSICA FOWLER

Charity: Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), Northwest Florida Age: 24 Occupation: Program coordinator for the Office of Early Learning

COLETTE PODGORSKI

Charity: Big Bend Gives Back Age: 34 Occupation: Director of development at FSU

ALEX BELTRAMI

Charity: sGrayton’s Guardians Age: 43 Occupation: Madison Social and Midtown Hospitality Group

JESSICA FOWLER (Left): Green dress ($160) from Elle Market, SS rose-dyed pink chalcedony drop earrings by Elle ($120) from The Gem Collection, SS rose-dyed pink chalcedony bracelet by Elle ($110) from The Gem Collection, SS rose-dyed pink chalcedony 18” necklace by Elle ($130) from The Gem Collection.

COLETTE PODGORSKI (Center): Pink lace peplum dress ($88) from Elle Market,14k goldfilled/oxidized silver diamond & pearl necklace 18” ($225) from The Gem Collection,14k gold-filled oxidized SS chain drop pearl earrings ($125) from The Gem Collection.

ALEX BELTRAMI (Right): Hart Schaffner Marx worsted wool Chicago blazer ($495) from Dillard’s, Hart Schaffner Marx grey dds shirt ($98.50) from Dillard’s, Murano Silk Pocket Square ($14.50) from Dillard’s, Murano black belt ($45) from Dillard’s, Hart Schaffner Marx straight fit midnight pants ($125) from Dillard’s, Rolex 39mm SS Explorer Smooth bezel black 3 Arabic numerals ($6,550) from The Gem Collection.

HAIR & MAKEUP

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Thank You

A photo shoot with one subject is a lot of work, but a photo shoot with 17 subjects all of varying personalities and styles is a feat of its own. Tallahassee Magazine’s most demanding photo shoot of the year encompasses selecting clothing paired with fine jewelry, hairstyling and makeup, a beautiful location, perfect lighting and a luxury car all while keeping everyone fed, hydrated, comfortable and having fun! For these stunning images, we have an incredible team to thank…

CAPITAL EUROCARS: The photo shoot wouldn’t be complete without

the gorgeous, jet-black 2017 Porsche Panamera we borrowed thanks to the generosity of Crawford Adkins of Capital Eurocars.

DILLARD’S: The clothing experts at Dillard’s ensured that each man

PHOTOS BY BRIA BLOSSOM

looked debonair and dapper in the most stylish suits of the season. We thank you, as do our readers!

ELLE MARKET: Owner Carrie McNeil and fashionista Courtney Dunham helped each lady to feel confident and beautiful by styling them in on-trend attire. We greatly appreciate their style savvy and continued partnership.

FUEL SALON + STORE: For the eighth year in a row, this team excelled in making the Singles camera ready through hair and makeup. Owner Sherrie

Clark and stylists Laura Brewer and Mara Siets carefully selected each look to further enhance each Singles good looks.

THE GEM COLLECTION: The jewelry selection experts at The Gem

Collection provided the stunning sparklers and irresistible arm candy.

Thank you Don and Dorothy Vodicka for entrusting us with elegant diamonds and classic Rolex watches.

HOTEL DUVAL: Location, location, location! And my, does Hotel Duval provide the premier one, overlooking downtown Tallahassee as the epitome of luxury. We are grateful to the accommodating staff for displaying wonderful hospitality throughout the day. A special thank you to Pam Monnier, Director of Catering and Events, and Rachel Smith, Marketing Manager, for their expert assistance.

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Zoe Allaire is a playground for her three bearded dragons. She also owns a seven-foot boa constrictor named Rocky Balboa and a blue iguana named Beans. She likes fur as well, as the owner of a dog and a cat, but has a special affinity for scales.

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RE TALLAHASSEEMAGA ZINE.COM

RAVI NG A BOU T

PTILES

TALLAHASSEE RESIDENTS OPT FOR SCALES OVER FEATHERS AND FUR

//

PHOTOGRAPHY BY LAWRENCE DAVIDSON

→

STORY BY ROCHELLE KOFF

THREE-YEAR-OLD SELVA DAMELIO was nonchalant as her pet, Persephone, wrapped itself around her arm like a colorful piece of jewelry. Named for the Greek goddess of vegetation and the underworld, Persephone is a small, harmless corn snake that will eventually grow to four or five feet in length. “She’s smooth,” Selva said.

Her brother, Quin, 7, was equally as confident as he held Iris, his Brazilian rainbow boa. “Her forked tongue is really cool,” he said.

“For kids, snakes are a perfect pet,” said Selva and Quin’s dad, Mickey Damelio. “They don’t smell, and they have no fur. Persephone is fine if she’s held, and if she was never held again, it wouldn’t bother her.”

The Damelios are among the growing number of families raving about reptiles.

“The interest in reptiles is incredible,” said Vanessa Lane, who owns geckos and snakes and is an assistant professor of wildlife ecology and management at the Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College in Tifton, Ga. Snakes, in particular, have many fans. But that wasn’t always the case. The maligned animals have faced an image problem since time immemorial. For starters, there was that sneaky serpent that tempted Eve with an apple in the Garden of Eden.

Modern culture hasn’t always been kind, either: How can we forget the horrific basilisk in the second Harry Potter novel or Samuel L. Jackson with all those scary “Snakes on a Plane”?

Yet snakes are just one type of coldblooded creature that is getting a warmer welcome. Tortoises and lizards — particularly bearded dragons and geckos — are also in demand.

In 1996, an estimated 2.5 million U.S. households owned one or more reptiles, according to The American Pet Products Association, a not-for-profit trade group for a multibillion-dollar industry. Ten years later, in 2016, the group reported that an estimated 4.7 million households had a reptile in it.

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Bruce Means is dedicated to researching reptiles as the president of the nonprofit Coastal Plains Institute and Land Conservancy.

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Quin Damelio, like his sister Selva, is no stranger to snakes. He proudly showcases Iris, his Brazilian Rainbow boa.

Three-year-old Selva Damelio with Persephone, a small, harmless corn snake. Selva has grown up with snakes by her side.

“The market is flooded with dragons,” said Allaire, who has three of them and works for a bearded dragon breeder.

“They’re just cool animals.”

They are, literally, cool. Reptiles react to the temperature of their surroundings. When they get too warm, they go into the water or shade to cool off.

When they’re too cold, they’ll hang out in the sun. And Allaire likes to hang out with them.

“The sunlight is good for them, and I enjoy it.”

The dragons will “crawl right up to you,” added Allaire, who also owns a dog and a cat, plus a seven-foot-long boa constrictor named Rocky Balboa. “They nuzzle and do their body wiggle.”

With so much interest in the community, Damelio and other enthusiasts from the Facebook group have recently formed

TALLAHASSEEMAGA ZINE.COM

the Tallahassee Herpetological Society, which focuses on education, conservation and “the enjoyment of reptiles and amphibians.”

In many ways, the reptile world has opened up to novices, thanks to the Internet and everyday reptile enthusiasts who are willing to share their tips. At one meeting at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Leon County Extension Office, Damelio led a discussion on the “Basics of Bio-Active Keeping,” in which he spoke about some techniques for creating “living” enclosures for the animals using isopods (crustaceans), other insects, plants and soils.

“Personally, I like animals that are in functioning miniecosystems,” said Damelio. “For me, the animal is just one piece of the whole environment.”

Damelio keeps dart frogs and geckos in landscaped tanks at his office at Florida State University, where he is a faculty member in visual disabilities in the College of Education. The snakes stay at home. The Damelios also have dogs Irie and Lucy, a kitty named Aslan and an African grey parrot named Condi.

“As a kid, I grew up on five acres with dairy cows, steers, rabbits and pigs,” said Damelio.

“We’d catch snakes in the yard.

I was never afraid of them.”

Abbee Diaz, a junior studying biology at Valdosta State University who is also a member of the Facebook group, said he learned to like reptiles growing up in the wooded areas of Northeast Tallahassee. “I would see snakes, and the way they moved really fascinated me. I wanted to study more

COURTESY OF BRUCE MEANS (MEANS)

So what’s the appeal?

Reptile enthusiast Paul Hale, who is an information technology analyst at the state Department of Agriculture, has one answer: “They awaken your imagination,” he said. “As kids, we read fairy tales about dragons and things of that nature. So when you’re a five-year-old and you see a ‘dragon,’ you’re amazed.”

Hale owns several reptiles and amphibians, including various snakes, lizards, a bluetongued skink and an axolotl salamander. He’s also one of more than 800 reptile lovers who have become members of a Facebook group that Damielo started four years ago, called Tallahassee Herps and Exotics.

In this group, “You’ll find people who have everything from cute little geckos all the way to cobras and big monitor lizards,” said Damelio.

“It’s a little reptile community,” said Zoe Allaire, another enthusiast. “People are able to sell or give away reptile supplies (and) help rehome animals.”

Members also share photos revealing creatures with intricate patterns, vibrant hues and distinctive features. There are chameleons changing color, snakes shedding skin and even a turtle pursuing a bright blue ball. Bearded dragons — especially the babies — also get lots of exposure.

about them,” he said. “When I moved to college, I decided to get my first snake” — a rat snake that he received from a soldier being deployed to Afghanistan.

Diaz also has two box turtles that he rescued in South Carolina. “The turtles follow me around the apartment,” he said. “People think reptiles are dumb animals, but they’re not.”

Other members of the Facebook group also expressed that their pets are frequently underrated, misunderstood or worse — which is unfortunate when you consider that the Florida Panhandle is, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission website, “blessed or cursed with a rich diversity of snakes.”

According to Tallahassee author Bruce Means, president of the nonprofit Coastal Plains Institute and Land Conservancy, the Panhandle is a premier biodiversity hotspot, rich in a variety of animals and plants.

No area of its size in the United States or Canada has more species of frogs or snakes, and it ranks about third in the world for turtle species.

Six of Florida’s 44 snake species are venomous: the Eastern coral snake; the Southern copperhead; the cottonmouth; and the Eastern diamondback, timber and dusky pygmy rattlesnakes. However, the Wildlife Commission reports, “Most Florida snakes are harmless and beneficial and remove extra rodent populations.

Even the venomous species are not particularly dangerous unless stepped on or otherwise provoked.”

Yet “there has been an antipathy toward reptiles,” said Means, whose new book, “Diamonds in the Rough,” is about the Eastern diamondback rattlesnake. “There are people who have a lifelong fear of snakes or creeping, crawling animals. Young people are easily imprinted with fear of t h i n g s (continued on page 162)

CHOOSING THE RIGHT REPTILE Reptile fans may favor different critters, but they all agree on one thing: Do your homework before bringing any animal home.

Pros and parents alike know that while children are often mesmerized by a creature’s coolness, that fascination can fade.

That cute little lizard that looks like a baby dinosaur right now can outgrow its habitat and appeal. You have to be willing and able to take care of the animal for the long haul — which, in the case of some tortoises, that can be a human lifetime. If you’ve decided a reptile is the right pet for you, here are five types that are recommended for beginners: 1 BEARDED DRAGONS: These creatures get raves for their calm disposition and willingness to be held. Another perk is that they are awake during the day, so owners can enjoy watching them. They eat a mixed diet of vegetables, fruits and insects, generally live between 8–15 years and can grow to about 20 inches. Unless they are kept outdoors, bearded dragons need the right amount of UVB fluorescent lighting to prevent bone disease. So be sure to purchase the proper tank light before taking your bearded dragon home!

2 CORN SNAKES: If you want an animal that has a great temperament, is fun to watch and handle and extremely simple to care for, a corn snake might be the right reptile for you. These colorful snakes can live 15–20 years and grow to four feet or longer. But if you don’t like mice, you probably shouldn’t get a snake for a pet, since all snakes need to be fed rodents, although most will eat (thawed) frozen mice that have been previously euthanized.

3 LEOPARD GECKOS: These small lizards are known for their gentle demeanor and for being able to

vocalize and wash their own eyeballs with their tongues! They come in a variety of colors and patterns, can grow up to eight inches and live 10– 20 years. Because they’re nocturnal, they will spend the day sleeping, which might frustrate some owners.

Also, they eat live insects and need proper lighting and temperature.

Keep in mind that dogs or cats might see them as prey.

4 BLUE-TONGUED SKINKS: These lizards can live 10–20 years and can grow to two feet in length. They’re easy to care for and handle, and, incredibly enough, they eat dog food!

One drawback to these great reptiles is that they can be very expensive to purchase. But they’re well worth the investment!

5 RUSSIAN TORTOISES: These small, hardy tortoises love to burrow and are not aquatic, although they do need water for drinking. They’re typically 6–7 inches long and can live for 30+ years! They thrive on grasses and weeds — even the spring mix from the grocery store! Like the bearded dragon, Russian tortoises require UVB lighting when indoors. Pros recommend captive-bred tortoises as pets.

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BUSINESS PARTNERS AND BEST FRIENDS, DEPUTIES AND THEIR DOGS SHARE A UNIQUE, INTRICATE AND UNBREAKABLE BOND. Tallahassee Magazine talked (and barked) with K-9 units of the Leon County Sheriff’s Office and the Tallahassee Police Department to gain insight on the lives of these local heroes.

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A Man’s

BEST

FRIEND POLICE AND THEIR PUPS ARE PARTNERS IN CRIME (FIGHTING) story by REBECCA PADGETT // photography by LAWRENCE DAVIDSON

THEY ARE THE ENDLESS GAMES OF FETCH, THE BARK ALERTING US WHEN SOMETHING IS awry and the furry faces that are always happy to see us. They are our dogs. If you own one or ever have owned one, you know that the bond shared with a dog is irreplaceable.

Now imagine spending 24 hours, seven days a week with your dog. That bond further deepens and strengthens to become unbreakable. For the officers of the Tallahassee Police Department and the Leon County Sherriff ’s Department, this tight-knit dog-and-handler relationship is a reality.

The six canines featured spend their shifts accompanying officers on patrol, tracking scents in order to find suspects and using their keen sense of smell to detect narcotics, firearms and explosives. Once their workday is complete, they flip the switch and return home to a bowl of food, a frolic in the yard and a relaxing evening curled up next to their handler’s family. It is the mingling of characteristics such as concentration, determination, agility, even-temperedness, high-energy and sociability that combine to balance these animals’ work and home lives.

The career-span of a dog within the K-9 unit is anywhere from 7-10 years; but the bonds that are formed between dog and handler are eternal. In these dogs, the officers gain a colleague, a companion, a protector, a partner and, most importantly, a best friend.

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K-9 DEPUTY JOHN SIMPSON AND RONIN, LEON COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT

About

RONIN AGE: 18 months PARTNERS FOR: 8 months UNIQUE TRAITS: “He’s very inquisitive and a really good dog. He’s a fast learner.”

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS: “So far, just his certification. We just certified a few weeks ago, after a 16-week canine course. He has yet to have anything on his highlight reel, but he has a ton of potential.”

PET PEEVES: “My pet peeve is that when he has his toy, he is very reluctant to give it up.

His pet peeve is people approaching him too quickly. He has a very good disposition, but he wants to be able to check people out first.”

SPECIAL MOMENT: “The first two nights we had him, I slept by his kennel both nights because he had spent the 96 hours prior to that bouncing from Czechoslovakia to Germany to South Florida to North Florida. He needed stability. We were really able to bond.”

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SERGEANT DAVID BELL AND LUKE, TALLAHASSEE POLICE DEPARTMENT

About

LUKE AGE: 2 ½ PARTNERS FOR: 14 months UNIQUE TRAITS: “He’s imported from the Netherlands, so he’s Dutch. He’s about 75 pounds, and he’s what they call a ‘bi-color.’”

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS: “He has had dozens of drug alerts where we seized illegal narcotics and stolen or illegally carried firearms.”

PET PEEVES: “My pet peeve is Luke’s hair! It’s everywhere. I call them ‘hair-nadoes’ that fly around my car. He’s also a nipper. He will walk past my daughter and nip her. It doesn’t hurt her, and it isn’t mean. He just does it to get attention, then walks away like nothing happened.”

SPECIAL MOMENT: “We put so much training into them to make sure they are brave and courageous. Within the last month, he got his first apprehension. It was a guy who tried to run over some officers.

Luke grabbed hold of him, which made it so much easier for us to handcuff the suspect.

It was one of those moments comparable to when your son hits a home run. After all that training, his first time at bat, he knocked it out of the park.”

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K-9 DEPUTY JUSTIN WILMOT AND CAM, LEON COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT

About

CAM AGE: 5 years PARTNERS FOR: 4 years UNIQUE TRAITS: “His desire to work. He doesn’t seek attention or love. He does with my wife and I, but for the most part, his desire is to work.”

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS: “We found an Alzheimer’s patient 18 hours after he walked away from a bus stop. He forgot where his house was and walked into the woods. We got there and found his shoes, and then Cam tracked his scent and was able to find him. On the opposite side, he’s caught so many bad guys, as well. Cam excels at tracking them and apprehending them.

We show up and he knows exactly what he’s meant to do.”

PET PEEVES: “My pet peeve is people petting him. Because he’s so adorable, people want to pet him; but he doesn’t want it and doesn’t need it. We want people to be comfortable around the dogs, so it’s hard to tell people they can’t play with him — but he’s at work, so they can’t.”

SPECIAL MOMENT: “Seeing the progression in his behavior. He’s such a working dog, but I’ve seen his bond with me change and become more affectionate. It’s a lot like being a father.

You see the relationship develop. Now that we are so close, it’s even more gratifying when he does a good job.”

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K-9 HANDLER BRIAN GITHENS AND DIESEL, TALLAHASSEE POLICE DEPARTMENT

About

DIESEL AGE: 4 years PARTNERS FOR: 3 years UNIQUE TRAITS: “He never does anything at half speed. He’s full speed, wide open.”

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS: “He is patrol certified and narcotics certified. He has over 50 narcotics finds and nearly a dozen non-bite apprehensions.”

PET PEEVES: “My pet peeve is having to sneak around the house to get dressed prior to work.

Once he hears the rattle of my belt, he starts spinning around in circles and whining because he’s ready to get out the door and off to work. His pet peeve with me is that I make him work for his toys.”

SPECIAL MOMENT: “After a long track and finding the suspect, I feel rewarded that he did his job to protect me and the other officers.

He’s always willing to work, no matter how tired he is.”

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INVESTIGATOR BRIANNE SHAUT AND RAVEN, TALLAHASSEE POLICE DEPARTMENT

About

RAVEN AGE: 8 years PARTNERS FOR: 7 years UNIQUE TRAITS: “She’s addicted to Chick-fil-A chicken nuggets.”

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS: “She’s a narcotics detection dog, and millions of dollars in narcotics have been seized because of her. We’ve done so many cases; I can’t even pick one (to highlight over another). She’s awesome, and one of the best at her job.”

PET PEEVES: “She’s got such a great work ethic that it’s hard to pick a pet peeve. The only thing I can really think of is when we are at the office, she goes crazy

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when someone comes in quick and gets between us. She’s protective.”

SPECIAL MOMENT: “I’m so thankful for every single day we work together. When she’s alerted and has assisted local and federal officers, those are special times, because we work so hard and put in so much training. The bond she and I have, I will never have with another dog. She set the bar so high. I don’t plan on working another single-purpose dog after her, because they won’t compare. No matter the day I’m having, she always makes it better. I spend more time with her than anyone.”

K-9 DEPUTY ADAM BRAGG AND LOKI, LEON COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT

About

LOKI AGE: 5 years PARTNERS FOR: 3 years UNIQUE TRAITS: “He’s very social. They sometimes don’t look like it because they are working dogs — they look intimidating — but he’s extremely sociable, which is a good feeling for me when we do demos.”

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS: “His first apprehension was a track and a bite, which was neat to see for the first time out of training. His ability to work to the point where he can’t go any further is impressive.

He’s a tracking machine.

I call him the Hoover vacuum cleaner.”

PET PEEVES: “My pet peeve is that sometimes he’s too much in overdrive. He will pull and pull because he’s excited to work. Calming him down can be a challenge, but he’s getting better the older he gets.”

SPECIAL MOMENT: “It’s not even work related. I love to see his interactions with my daughter. She’s infatuated with him. She knows all the commands.

She’s probably a better handler than I am. When we come home at night, the first thing he does is make sure my wife and daughter are OK.”

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Abodes

JUL/AUG 2017

TRENDS FROM FLOOR TO CEILING, FRONT TO BACK

AD

INTERIORS

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The bathroom is often considered the least stylish of rooms, but with statement-making pieces like a Lyndon freestanding tub from DXV, bathrooms are enjoying their moment in the spotlight.

A BOLD NEW BATHROOM Today, the latest in fixtures clean themselves.

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EXTERIORS

Tree Houses

|| DIY

A Cottage-Style Window Box

|| GARDENING

Mulch Helps Plants

TALL AHASSEEMAGA ZINE.COM

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abodes Hate cleaning the toilet? The ActiClean Self-Cleaning Toilet

by American Standard cleans itself with the touch of a button and includes an “easy lift-off,” self-close seat at chair height, which is now the standard in new and remodeled homes. The unit requires four AA batteries and a cleaning cartridge available from Lowe’s and other home supply stores.

Consider a solid white or stone floor in the shower. For the walls, we’ve had square and horizontal subway tile for years, but what if you went vertical or herringbone? A visit to a tile store will reveal the options. ← Paired with Free-standing soaking tub or alcove tub? The whimsical answer depends on space and personal preferwallpaper, the Cade Contempo vanity ence. Most homes have alcove tubs in the main from Hardware bathroom or kids’ bathroom, but how about a Resources makes free-standing tub for the master bathroom? for a clean, contemporary look.

These showpieces make a statement with the added benefit of making the room look bigger because of the free space around it. SICIS has a line of bathtubs covered in Vetrite, which is made up of glass plates and polymer composites of metal and fabric. Their Alba tub recalls royal palaces, with mosaic tile and ancient-style details.

Couple the tub with a shower with a large showerhead and jets of water that spray from the walls. Spray settings go from strong to total relaxation. Magnetic docking allows switching between a hand held shower and Be creative in unexpected ways: the shower head.

At the sink or free-standing ➸ Showerheads with tub, faucets make a statement if remote controls they are arched. A simpler, lower ➸ Contemporary design may go better with a pedestal or underdesign vanities — soft, unobtrusive, fluid mount sink. Find cabinets that blend seamlessly or create drama with a strong color. ➸ Waterfall-effect faucets or arched faucets Deeper sink bowls minimize splashing. Kohler’s Inia Wading Pool sink features a deep basin with a ➸ High-tech, selfglass surface for easy cleaning. Try rectangular or cleaning toilet round sinks rather than conventional ovals. ➸ Strong floating shelves Don’t reserve glamour pieces for the master bathfor storage and to personalize the space room, alone. A teenage daughter may appreciate a jewel-box effect or contemporary “wow” as much as ➸ Hardware that doesn’t weigh down design her parents. TM

L

et your bathroom stand out from the rest. Be on trend with sleek comfort, convenience — and black. Yes, black paint on an accent wall or black frames on mirrors or black marble shower tiles and black-and-white floor tiles. Accent with brass, a light wood vanity and quartz countertops.

If black is too much, try mixing it with splashes of red or cobalt blue in a predominantly white bathroom. At the 2017 International Builders Show, a slab of swirled, bright blue-and-white quartz was eye-catching — perfect for a small vanity.

The overwhelming fixture favorite is still white, but look for the occasional linen or bone. For a calm appearance, have white or silver walls, driftwoodgray floors in tile or laminate, and wood accents.

Finish the look with gleaming chrome, satin nickel or brushed nickel towel bars, double robe hoods and toilet paper holders.

Tech it up with built-in char→ Say gers in the sink area. These can goodbye to be standard outlet configurations brushes and with both AC outlets and USB cleaners with ActiClean ports, or GFCI varieties or dockcartridges ing drawers with special hardware that selfthat hides cords. clean toilets.

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➸ Contrasting colors:

white and black

➸ Large patterned

wallpaper (no tiny florals)

➸ Vanity in coral or other

bright color

➸ Sinks in exciting

shapes and designs

➸ Striking mirrors and

lighting

➸ Unusual color

combinations and graphic design on towels, art and accessories

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July–August 2017

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abodes EXTERIORS

TREE HOUSES Up, up, and away

by ELIZABETH B. GOLDSMITH

I

f you’ve ever thought about building a tree house for your kids but have held off because you had no idea where to begin, know that you’re not alone.

Know, too, that Tallahassee Magazine has got you covered with these helpful design and construction tips.

The first step you’ll need to take is to find out whether or not you’ll need a special building permit. Does your neighborhood have certain covenants or codes when it comes to tree houses? Once you’ve got that figured out, you can move on to actually designing the tree house. If the idea of designing a tree house from scratch is too daunting, you can always purchase a freestanding, pre-fabricated play-set with a tree house tower. These kits are available from Home Depot, Lowe’s or Wayfair. Assembling a prefabricated tree house is much easier than building one, but the result is never as unique as a hand-built, elevated platform set among the trees.

If you’re willing to go the made-fromscratch route, consider your kids’ ages. Age will determine the size of the tree house, its height from the ground and the type of ladder or steps you — or someone else, depending on whether or not you have carpentry skills — will build to access it.

Select the tree house’s location. Most tree houses get their interior light from the sun, so choose a nice, sunny spot.

Depending on the size of the tree house and the complexity of its architecture, you may need to bring in a tree specialist to determine if the tree you’ve selected is sturdy enough to support your kids’ special hideaway.

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↗

Tallahassee is known for its many trees; therefore, it only seems natural that treehouses are part of a childhood here.

MONKEY BUSINESS IMAGES/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

LET US HELP

Think about the tree house’s design. Would you like it to blend in with the woods, or would you rather it match your home? And what about a special theme?

Maybe you’re willing to let your kids’ imaginations run wild with a pirate or lookout theme; maybe your kids want to be able to change the theme of the tree house from time to time. Get the conversation going by drawing some sketches with the kids.

Once you’ve decided on the design and theme, create a blueprint for the tree house and think about the supplies you’ll need. If you’re not confident in your carpentry skills, now may be the right time to bring in a builder. Generally, deck builders have the right materials and are willing to take on a tree house project.

As you discuss your tree house plans with the builder, make sure you talk about safety. Prevent falls with handrails, which should be at the right height for the size of your children. Find out how many kids the tree house will safely hold.

Another question to ask yourself and to discuss with your builder is whether or not you want your kids’ tree house to be a “forever structure” or a short-term one. If you’d love to see your grandkids play in the tree house someday, consider building with ipe, also known as Brazilian walnut. Ipe is a hardwood that Mark Worley, of Your Favorite Builder, uses on decks as a less expensive (although still somewhat pricey) alternative to teak. It is harvested from managed farms and delivered to the job site. You might also consider using pressure-treated lumber, which is less expensive than ipe. Home supply stores can help with lumber selection. Worley suggests having the lumber stained and treated before installation.

Rick Watson, Director of Product Information and Technical Services for Sherwin-Williams, says, “Stains often are self-priming and are applied directly to the wood, making it easier to re-coat. After priming the surface, follow manufacturers’ directions on re-coating. Some types of exotic woods, like mahogany, teak, ipe, meranti and ironwood, need special treatment.” For the tree house’s ladder, Watson recommends using a penetrating stain so the stain will soak into the wood and not leave a heavy film on top. One of his favorites is SuperDeck Log Home & Deck Stain.

The interior of your kids’ tree house is as important as the exterior. Where some children will want cupboards, shelves, a table and chairs and window curtains inside their tree house, others will want nothing more than a built-in seat or waterproof box for prized possessions.

Again, think about the theme of the tree house and the activities your kids will engage in while in their special hideaway.

A tree house is a magical place; so whatever you build or have built for your kids, keep that magic — that escape — in mind. TM

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abodes DIY

A COTTAGE-STYLE WINDOW BOX

Dress up your home with vibrant blooms

by KIM HARRIS THACKER

↖

Our arrangement includes salvia, Dusty Miller and verbena

BUILD A WINDOW BOX

Step 1: Screw the top edge of the Back piece into one of the long edges of the Shelf Lip piece, forming an upside-down-andbackwards L-shape.

Step 2: Screw the Brace into the center of the Base piece, so it’s perpendicular to the Base. The Brace should hang over one side of the Base by 1/4” on one end and should be flush with the Base on the other end.

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Step 3: Screw the Back piece into the Base, first ensuring that the Base is Brace-side up (facing the interior of the window box), and that the overhanging portion of the Brace is situated in the front of the window box.

the Sides, and then screw the bottom of the Sides into the Base.

Step 4: Move the Sides into place inside either end of the box, with the shortest side of each Side piece facing the bottom of the box. The angled side should touch the Back of the box. The sides will appear a tiny bit too large for the box on the front edge, but that’s for drainage purposes.

Screw the Back into

Step 7: Fill the base of the box with seashells, placing the largest shells over the crack that is between the base of the box and the front.

This will allow water to drain out of the box while also keeping the soil in the box.

TALLAHASSEEMAGA ZINE.COM

Step 5: Screw the Front piece to the Sides and the Brace.

Step 6: Sand and paint the window box and seal the box all over with waterproofing spray.

Step 8: Fill the window box with potting soil and plant your flowers!

→

MARK AND CUT THE PLYWOOD (SEE ILLUSTRATION FOR DIMENSIONS), AND THEN ASSEMBLE AND ADD THE FINISHING TOUCHES TO THE WINDOW BOX:

SUPPLIES

➸ Power tools: table

saw, miter saw, drill with 3/32” bit and Philips driver bit, electric sander ➸ Quarter-inch plywood, half-sheet (2’ x 4’) ➸ ¾” wood screws (#6-style), two dozen ➸ Measuring tape ➸ Exterior paint, any color ➸ Paintbrush with angled tip ➸ Clear-coat waterproofing spray ➸ Clean seashells (about 6 cups, all sizes) ➸ Potting soil ➸ Flowers or herbs

photography by SAIGE ROBERTS

ILLUSTRATION BY CHARLES BAKOFSKY

HOW TO

This do-it-yourself window box is easy to make and is the perfect container to fill with herbs or flowers, then hang from a deep windowsill or porch ledge.

For a truly eye-catching sight, paint the box a color that complements the color of your home, then fill the box with blooms of a vibrant, contrasting color. Just make sure you pay attention to how much sunlight will fall on the window box and select your flowers accordingly. For full sun, try geraniums. For partial sun, go with begonias. Impatiens do well in the shade.

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abodes Your Monthly Garden Chores

MULCH OPTIONS

GARDENING

MULCH IS A GREAT

asset for your garden and planting beds.

It holds in moisture, keeps plant roots cool, suppresses weeds, prevents soil erosion and, depending on the kind of mulch you use, it might break down and improve the texture of your soil. BY AUDREY POST, MS. GROW-IT-ALL®

Regardless of what kind of mulch you use, don’t apply it right up to the plant’s stem or tree trunk, and don’t mound.

Pine bark and wood chips come coarsely ground or finely ground; pine straw comes in bales, or in bags at the curb in residential neighborhoods.

Newspapers and cardboard are great as a bottom layer, especially if you don’t want to remove sod.

Rubber mulch lasts much longer than organic mulch, is less likely to blow or float away and is recycled from old tires. It is also expensive.

Pumice rock mulch doesn’t absorb as much heat, but it is porous, so water flows through it, not around it like other rocks.

NOT RECOMMENDED

Pebbles, gravel and rock won’t decompose and amend the soil as organic mulch will, but they absorb heat from the sun and reflect it back during the night.

They’re also better at preventing erosion.

Hay and wheat straw don’t block weeds from germinating very well, and often, they have seeds in them. Plus, they provide a nice, comfy home for small rodents.

Cypress mulch is not sustainable.

Several cities in Florida no long permit its use.

Given its high capacity for holding water, it sometimes prevents water from seeping through to the soil below.

Colored mulch can be tracked onto other surfaces, and it fades much faster than natural mulch.

➸ Remember to garden early or late in the day, to avoid the worst of the heat. Wear a hat, sunscreen and mosquito repellant, and drink lots of water.



TALLAHASSEEMAGA ZINE.COM

➸ Trim back perennials and annuals to encourage a fall flush of blooms. ➸ Give your citrus trees a final application of fertilizer for the year.

Use a formula developed specifically for citrus and follow the instructions on the bag. ➸ Remove vegetable plants that are no longer producing and add compost to the soil.

Cover the bed with mulch if you’re not going to replant right away.

The Citrus Leafminer (Phyllocnistis citrella) attacks all types of citrus trees anywhere in PESKY Florida. The adult is a small moth that lays eggs on the PESTS undersides of young, tender leaves. The eggs hatch and the larvae burrow into the leaf, creating meandering, silvery lines and causing the leaves to distort. They’re encased inside the leaf; thus, they are hard to kill. Eventually, the larvae will roll a sliver of the edge of the leaf around itself and pupate into the moth.

CITRUS A new generation is produced every three weeks. Citrus leafminer LEAFMINER affects growth only on young trees; so many people consider the problem cosmetic on mature trees and ignore the lines on the leaves. If you find the pupating larvae under the leaf curl, you can scrape it out with your fingernail and smash it. Homeowners who want to treat the problem can prune shoots that are heavily infested, reduce the level of nitrogen in fertilizer (because nitrogen encourages new growth) and spray with horticultural oil every 10–14 days until the leaves “harden off” and are no longer tender. The oil makes the leaf less inviting to the moth. Make sure you spray in the early morning, before the air temperature reaches 80 degrees. Follow the label instructions.

July–August 2017

➸ Prune hydrangeas and gardenias after they’ve finished blooming. Do NOT prune azaleas or camellias, or you’ll risk removing flower buds.

AUGUST

Leafy Larvae

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➸ You can still plant heat-loving vegetables, such as eggplant, peppers, pumpkins, cherry tomatoes and okra.

➸ Make sure your container plants — particularly hanging baskets — are getting enough water. Some need watering twice a day.

©2017 PostScript Publishing LLC, all rights reserved. Audrey Post is a certified Advanced Master Gardener volunteer with the University of Florida/ IFAS Extension in Leon County. Email her at Questions@MsGrowItAll. com or visit her website at msgrowitall.com.

Ms. Grow-It-All® is a registered trademark of PostScript Publishing.

ILLUSTRATION BY SAIGE ROBERTS (CITRUS LEAFMINER) AND PHOTOS BY TIM UR (CITRUS), ZAWAFOTO (HYDRANGEAS), HAIKOVSKIY IGOR (HAY), ZANOZARU (COLORED MULCH), JOHN PANELLA (CYPRESS), GUITAR75 (PINE STRAW), UNTASHABLE (RUBBER MULCH), GOLFX (GRAVEL), IAMSORN (PUMICE) AND BY GRAHAM CORNEY (NEWSPAPER) / SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

MULCH HELPS PLANTS

JULY

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A South Florida landscape for a North Florida home

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COURTESY HILL SPOONER & ELLIOTT REAL ESTATE INC.

FEATURES: 21-foot ceilings and gorgeous millwork throughout, flawless travertine and engineered wood floors, granite countertops, Merrilat masterpiece cabinetry, soft-close drawers, stainless steel energy star appliances, downstairs bonus room with full bar, upstairs theater, two bonus spaces, walk-in attic storage, screenedin saltwater pool and endless custom features

JUST AS YOU INVEST IN YOUR HOME, WE INVEST IN YOU. HETTIE SPOONER ~ LINDSAY ELLIOTT ~ CALYNNE HILL ~ ANNE JOLLEY THOMAS SARA NOEL PROCTOR ~ SUZANNE SOLOMON ~ BRANDI VANLEUVEN ~ JOHN CHARLES HARNETT ~ STEPHANIE BRIDGES ~ JANE LEE ~ JODI LEE ~ SUSAN ICE TOM SHINER ~ AUDREY NEDEAU ~ SUSAN MCALISTER ~ DOMINIC BOULOY PATRICK HARDY ~ CHRIS CHAVEZ ~ HETTIE SPOONER ~ LINDSAY ELLIOTT CALYNNE HILL ~ ANNE JOLLEY THOMAS ~ SARA NOEL PROCTOR ~ SUZANNE SOLOMON ~ BRANDI VANLEUVEN ~ JOHN CHARLES HARNETT ~ STEPHANIE BRIDGES ~ JANE LEE ~ JODI LEE ~ SUSAN ICE ~ TOM SHINER ~ AUDREY NEDEAU SUSAN MCALISTER ~ DOMINIC BOULOY ~ PATRICK HARDY ~ CHRIS CHAVEZ HETTIE SPOONER ~ LINDSAY ELLIOTT ~ CALYNNE HILL ~ ANNE JOLLEY THOMAS SARA NOEL PROCTOR ~ SUZANNE SOLOMON ~ BRANDI VANLEUVEN ~ JOHN CHARLES HARNETT ~ STEPHANIE BRIDGES ~ JANE LEE ~ JODI LEE ~ SUSAN ICE TOM SHINER ~ AUDREY NEDEAU ~ SUSAN MCALISTER ~ DOMINIC BOULOY PATRICK HARDY ~ CHRIS CHAVEZ ~ HETTIE SPOONER ~ LINDSAY ELLIOTT CALYNNE HILL ~ ANNE JOLLEY THOMAS ~ SARA NOEL PROCTOR ~ SUZANNE SOLOMON ~ BRANDI VANLEUVEN ~ JOHN CHARLES HARNETT ~ STEPHANIE BRIDGES ~ JANE LEE ~ JODI LEE ~ SUSAN ICE ~ TOM SHINER ~ AUDREY NEDEAU SUSAN MCALISTER ~ DOMINIC BOULOY ~ PATRICK HARDY ~ CHRIS CHAVEZ HETTIE SPOONER ~ LINDSAY ELLIOTT ~ CALYNNE HILL ~ ANNE JOLLEY THOMAS SARA NOEL PROCTOR ~ SUZANNE SOLOMON ~ BRANDI VANLEUVEN ~ JOHN CHARLES HARNETT ~ STEPHANIE BRIDGES ~ JANE LEE ~ JODI LEE ~ SUSAN ICE TOM SHINER ~ AUDREY NEDEAU ~ SUSAN MCALISTER ~ DOMINIC BOULOY PATRICK HARDY ~ CHRIS CHAVEZ ~ HETTIE SPOONER ~ LINDSAY ELLIOTT CALYNNE HILL ~ ANNE JOLLEY THOMAS `SARA NOEL PROCTOR ~ SUZANNE SOLOMON ~ BRANDI VANLEUVEN ~ JOHN CHARLES HARNETT ~ STEPHANIE BRIDGES ~ JANE LEE ~ JODI LEE ~ SUSAN ICE ~ TOM SHINER ~ AUDREY NEDEAU SUSAN MCALISTER ~ DOMINIC BOULOY ~ PATRICK HARDY ~ CHRIS CHAVEZ HETTIE SPOONER ~ LINDSAY ELLIOTT ~ CALYNNE HILL ~ ANNE JOLLEY THOMAS SARA NOEL PROCTOR ~ SUZANNE SOLOMON ~ BRANDI VANLEUVEN ~ JOHN CHARLES HARNETT ~ STEPHANIE BRIDGES ~ JANE LEE ~ JODI LEE ~ SUSAN ICE

WE are Hill Spooner & Elliott, Inc. Real Estate Since 2005, our team has invested to make our group of experienced professionals among the highest producing brokerage firms in the Tallahassee area. Our job is not to tell you what you want to hear, but what you need to know to protect and grow your real estate investment. With the goal of providing customized marketing services and finding innovative ways to incorporate targeted marketing strategies, we set the bar high for you.

EMERALD COAST

|

BIG BEND

|

FORGOTTEN COAST

HILLSPOONER.COM 850.509.4337 TALL AHASSEEMAGA ZINE.COM

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SPONSORED REPORT

DEAL ESTATE JUST SOLD

Single Story Success

Cute and quaint sells on Cortona

by KIRSTIN REDFIELD

This 2013 home has an appealing exterior, and the interior, which offers striking wood floors and modern appliances, is equally attractive. The new owners are thrilled to have taken this property off the market.

LIST PRICE: $369,000 SOLD PRICE: $363,500 ADDRESS: 6939 Cortona Hills Way SQUARE FOOTAGE: 2,206 BEDROOMS: 4 BATHROOMS: 3

REALTOR SAYS: “This beautiful home was well maintained and is perfect for young families or retirees.

The lot is .46 acres and privacy fenced … (and) was considered a premier lot in development.”

CONTACT: Deborah O. Thompson, Coldwell Banker Hartung and Noblin, Global Luxury Specialist, (850) 933-1349, DeborahThompson.realtor@ gmail.com

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COURTESY COLDWELL BANKER HARTUNG AND NOBLIN, INC.

FEATURES: Single story home, wood floors, separate formal dining room, great room with breakfast area, cherry cabinetry, granite countertops, stainless steel appliances

(850) 528-2954 • NeSmithLandscapes.com

Paver Cleaning and Repairs • Paver Patios and Walkways Paver Driveways • Landscaping • Drainage Solutions Retaining Walls • Outdoor Lighting • Irrigation

# PA V E R L I F E TALL AHASSEEMAGA ZINE.COM

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DEAL ESTATE SECOND HOME

A Coastal Cottage

Sand, shorelines and serenity

by REBECCA PADGETT

It’s no secret that Northwest Florida has the best beaches, with their powder white sands on one side of the road and ancient oaks on the other; why not enjoy the view from this charming beach cottage on quaint and scenic St. George Island? Just one look at this home and your mind is already on vacation.

LIST PRICE: $810,000 ADDRESS: 932 W. Gorrie Drive, St. George Island SQUARE FEET: 1,288 BEDROOMS: 2 BATHROOMS: 2 YEAR BUILT: 1986

REALTOR SAYS: “The perfect beach cottage! Relax on the screened porch, sit on the lower sun deck to enjoy the view and gulf breezes, stroll down the boardwalk to sit at the water’s edge and walk the uncrowded beaches.”

CONTACT: Stephen Harris, The Naumann Real Estate Group, (850) 890-1971, steve@steveisland.com

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COURTESY THE NAUMANN REAL ESTATE GROUP

FEATURES: Expansive gulf views from the living room, dining room, kitchen and master bedroom; screened porch; sun deck; nearby boardwalk; wellequipped kitchen with breakfast bar; cathedral ceilings; split bedroom design; hardwood floors and beach access.

When You See Our Logo,

Thank You, Tallahassee!

You’ve Got the

BEST

Experience what makes BENSON’S the Best

-562-3132 850 Best Heating & Air Conditioning Company

HOURS: Mon- Fri: 8am- 8pm & Sat: 8am- 4pm • Service is Always 24 Hours FL: CMC056269 | GA: CN208982

www.BensonsHVAC.com

Financing Available

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Lake Blackshear Lifestyle HOMESOFLAKEBLACKSHEAR.COM

let’s get social! @tallahasseemag | tallahasseemagazine.com

Michelle Mason Hughes

229.938.1000 | masonhughesrealty@yahoo.com

Cheryl Mason

229.406.0203 | masonhughes2@yahoo.com

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SEPT. 9, 2017

TALLAHASSEE TOP SINGLES:

FLORIDA A&M UNIVERSITY GRAPE HARVEST FESTIVAL

A MASQUERADE AFFAIR

Join the community’s most eligible bachelors and bachelorettes at the hottest event of the summer! Nominees for the coveted “Top Single” title will gather at the Donald L. Tucker Civic Center, where they will be paired with experiential packages and auctioned off to raise funds for their selected charities. Last year’s singles raised over $87,400. Can this year’s singles top that? Cocktail hour is from 6–7 p.m., with the event to follow.

This is not a singles-only event; all are invited. Come help us break our fundraising record and take part in giving back to our community. For tickets and more information, visit tallahasseemagazine.com/Top-Singles.

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PHOTOS BY LAWRENCE DAVIDSON (TOP SINGLES), ADAM TAYLOR (FAMU GRAPE HARVEST FESTIVAL), VLADIMIR SKOPCEV/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM (CHAMPAGNE) AND COURTESY SANDESTIN GOLF AND BEACH RESORT (TRIATHLON)

SPECIAL PROMOTION

JUL/AUG 2017 For more events in Tallahassee, visit TallahasseeMagazine.com. compiled by JENNIFER IRELAND and KIRSTIN REDFIELD

→ The 2017 FAMU Grape Harvest

Festival is about more than grapes; it’s about health, community and education. And having a stompin’ good time! Events will include a grapestomping competition, the annual 5K Vineyard Run and Walk-a-Thon, informational and community exhibits, grape picking, wine and grape sampling, live musical performances, a petting zoo, water slides, lots of food/beverage/snack vendors and so much more.

The festival will be held from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, September 9, at the FAMU Center for Viticulture and Small Fruit Research, located at 6361 Mahan Drive. Advanced tickets for the festival are $5 per person; onsite registration is $6 per person (children 12 and under are free). Adults (with ID) who would like to sample Florida wines and juices can do so for an additional $5 fee. For more information or to download volunteer, exhibitor and vendor forms, visit famu.edu/GHF. #purplereign

AUGUST 4

The Big Champagne Bash → Enjoy unlimited champagne and delicious food all

while benefiting the Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Big Bend. Attire for the night is “black-and-white glamour,” and the event will be held at the Hilton, 101 S. Adams Street, from 8 p.m. until midnight.

Single tickets are $74, couples’ tickets are $140 and groups of 10 are $650.

Tickets can be purchased at bigbendmentoring.org/bash.

REGIONAL SEPT. 23

SWIM. BIKE. RUN. 31ST ANNUAL SANDESTIN TRIATHLON

→ The 31st Annual Sandestin Triathlon will lure more than 700 participants for a half-mile Gulf of

Mexico swim, a 20-mile bike ride along the coast and a four-mile run through Sandestin’s beach and bayside community. Proceeds will benefit the Sandestin Foundation for Kids.

Registration is $140 for individuals and $200 for relay teams, if you register between May 1 and September 15; fees are $155/$225 individual/relay if you register between September 15 and 21. The event kicks off at 6 a.m. For details, visit SandestinTriathlon.com, email sandestintri@sandestin.com or call (877) 276-8860.

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SOCIAL STUDIES Holy Comforter Episcopal School Gala

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MAR. 4 Women doned flapper attire and men their best 1920’s inspired suits for the HCES Gala, which was speakeasy-themed. Once the password was shared for entrance, guests enjoyed dinner, dancing and auctions all under the stars on the school’s campus.

All proceeds benefitted educational programs at HCES.

PHOTOS BY STEVEN SACCIO AND COURTESY OF HOLY COMFORTER EPISCOPAL SCHOOL

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1 Speakeasy Revelry Gala Committee led by Heather Brown 2 Bobby and Leslie Thimmes 3 Back L to R: Brewser Brown, Rev. David and Carol Killeen, Diana Cureton, Mark O’Bryant with Corinna and Wayne Strayer Front L to R: Sara Brown with Megan and Steve Sgan

Maclay Silent Auction MAR. 4 The Maclay School Auction: Una Noche Cubana, was hosted at the Champions Club at the University Center.

The Cuban-themed evening was filled with dinner, dancing and an auction featuring gift baskets, student art and amazing trips and experiences. Money raised through the auction went toward special programs at the school.

PHOTOS BY ALISON HARTE

1 Stephanie Bridges, Clarice Secreast, Holly Sharkey, Bea Caballero and Jennie Norris 2 Michelle and Chase Dickson 3 Nina and Turner Davis 4 Wendy and Rob Kerr with Janene and Michael Curry

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PLANETARIUM SHOW AT CHALLENGER LEARNING CENTER JULY 1, AUG. 5, SEPT. 2

Bring the kids down to Tallahassee’s Challenger Learning Center the first Saturday of each month for a free planetarium show, put on by the Tallahassee Astronomical Society. Feast your eyes on the many constellations, galaxies, planets and more in the Downtown Digital Dome Theatre and Planetarium. FREE. Challenger Learning Center, 200 S. Duval St. 10 am. (850) 645-7827, challengertlh.com

TALLAHASSEE’S CELEBRATE AMERICA JULY 4 Get your sparklers ready for this annual, patriotic event!

Located at Tom Brown Park, this fun-filled day is perfect for the family. Snack on local cuisine, jam out with local artists and linger in the beer garden. This red, white and blue night will surely get you celebrating America. Tom Brown Park, 501 Easterwood Dr. (850) 891-3860 talgov.com/parks/july4.aspx

missionsanluis.org

IRENE C. EDMONDS YOUTH THEATRE PRODUCTION JULY 6–8

ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITE TOURS JULY 5, AUG. 2, SEPT. 6 COURTESY OF CHALLENGER LEARNING CENTER

of every month for a tour of Florida’s only National Historic Landmark. During the tour, visitors will learn about the excavations that were done there and about what was discovered on the patch of land during the 17th century.

FREE–$5. Mission San Luis, 2100 W. Tennessee St. 11 am.

(850) 245-6406

Forget the History Channel; instead, visit Mission San Luis on the first Wednesday

This special show marks the end of a five-week youth theater camp conducted through Irene C. Edmonds Youth Theatre. The actors are students, ages 7–16 years old, and the production is sure to entertain! $3–$12. FAMU

Did Fido find his own way out?

Screen and Window Repair from Miller Glass!

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO

Details of listings can change at the last minute.

Please call ahead of time to confirm.

HAVE AN EVENT YOU’D LIKE US TO CONSIDER?

Send an email to rpadgett@rowlandpublishing.com.

• Quick turnaround on residential • Screen repair & replacement insulated glass replacement • Mirrors & furniture tops • Custom shower enclosures 1961 Raymond Diehl Rd · 850.224.6030 · millerglassco.com TALL AHASSEEMAGA ZINE.COM

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SOCIAL STUDIES Derby Day at Dover

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MAR. 6 Ladies in big hats and gentlemen in bowties gathered at Dover Farm for the 3rd annual Derby Day at Dover. The event benefitted Chelsea House, a faith-based residential program for women and their children, and was an authentic, Kentucky Derby experience. Guests enjoyed lawn games, live music, a Southern-style dinner, a bourbon bar, a silent auction and, of course, the races.

Supporters of the event included: Arbonne, Cape Harbor, City Church Tallahassee, Cynergy Consulting, The Dover Family and Dover Farm, The Edison Restaurant, First Commerce Credit Union, The Hartmann Family (Kyle and Stacy Strasen Hartmann), Lamar Advertising of Tallahassee, Mako Valet, Napleton Automotive Napleton INFINITI, Rose Boulevard, The Sharkey Family, Tallahassee Magazine, TRS, Inc. and The Wine House on Market St.

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PHOTOS BY THE WORKMANS

1 Chris and Rian Meadows with Jason and Katie Pernell 2 Beth and Glen Burns 3 Jessica and Nick Lowe 4 Zach and Jamie Meredith 5 Tom and Marcia Inserra 6 Grace and Ryan Grindler 7 Jess and Mathew Tharpe 8 Kristen and Chip Williams

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JUL/AUG 2017

Charles Winter Wood Theatre, 515 Orr Dr. July 6: 10 am; July 7: 7:30 pm; July 8: 2 pm.

(850) 599-3430

Tickets for adults: $4.75–$8.

Challenger Learning Center, 200 S. Duval St. 10:30 am.

(850) 645-7827

famu.edu/index. cfm?EssentialTheatre&I.C.E.Camp

challengertlh.com

SUMMER GRADUATING ARTISTS EXHIBITION JULY 14

JULY 20, AUG. 17

FSU art students who will soon receive their MFA or BFA are given the chance to show off their work. With no restrictions or guidelines, the sky’s the limit within this exhibition. FREE. Museum of Fine Arts, 250 Fine Arts Building or 530 W. Call St. Mon.–Fri., 9 am–4 pm; Sat.– Sun., 1–4 pm. (850) 644-1299 mofa.fsu.edu/

Perfect your art skills throughout 2017 with LeMoyne Art Education. In the months of July and August, you’ll paint Joan Miro’s “The Melancholic Singer” and Edgar Degas’ “Dancer Making Points.”

Bring along some wine to celebrate your art. $35 for LeMoyne Members, $45 for Non-Members. LeMoyne Art Education, 417 E. Call St. 6–8:30 pm. (850) 222-7622

KID’S DAY AT THE CLC

lemoyne.org/2017-masters-in-the-making

JULY 15, AUG. 19

BLUEBIRD RUN

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If you can’t make the free planetarium show on the first Saturday of each month, you can head down to the Challenger Learning Center on the third Saturday of each month for Kid’s Free Day. Let your kids enjoy science demonstrations, chemistry activities and even a free IMAX show for kids 12 and under.

COURTESY OF NATIONAL HIGH MAGNETIC FIELD LABORATORY

LEMOYNE ART EDUCATION — MASTERS IN THE MAKING

SEPT. 4 “Run and walk for Brookie B.,” and raise awareness of suicide prevention on this upcoming Labor Day. Register now to run or walk a 1-mile race or a 5K. JR Alford Greenway, 2500 Pedrick Rd. 1-mile run: 8 am; 5K run: 8:30 am. bluebirdrun.com

NATIONAL HIGH MAGNETIC FIELD LABORATORY TOUR JULY 19, AUG. 16

If watching Bill Nye the Science Guy sends you into raptures, why not visit the “Mag Lab” on a public tour, offered on the third Wednesday of each month? There, you’ll learn all about different types of magnets. Closed-toe shoes are required. FREE. National High Magnetic Field Laboratory, 1800 Paul Dirac Dr. 11:30 am.

(850) 644-0311, nationalmaglab.org TALL AHASSEEMAGA ZINE.COM

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proctoracura.com Photoshoot location courtesy of Flightline Group

Escape reality in the all new 144

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2017 Honda Civic TALL AHASSEEMAGA ZINE.COM

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SOCIAL STUDIES Pets & Their People MAR. 18 Dogs, cats and miniature horses, oh my! The 2017 Pets & Their People event was a day of pet-friendly activities, a barbecue brunch, a mimosa and bloody mary bar, puppy yoga, live music and pet adoptions from the Leon County Humane Society. Vendors were on site to promote, pamper and educate about pets. A tail-wagging good time was had by all.

PHOTOS BY SAIGE ROBERTS

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1 Zack Brandt and Elyssa Finkelstein with Kingsley 2 Philip Doyle with Captain 3 Tiffany Hamilton with Prince 4 Jerry and Mary Lackey with Louie, Chloe and Captain

TMH Golden Gala

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APR. 12 Black tie attire and cowboy hats mingled at the 34th annual Golden Gala, presented by the Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare Foundation. Award-winning country singer Brad Paisley took the stage to play his top hits to an excited crowd. This night of dinner, drinks and entertainment resulted in TMH’s most charitable yearly event.

PHOTOS BY WOODLAND FIELDS PHOTOGRAPHY

3 1 Roger and Donna Champion with Brad Paisley 2 Brian and Cherie Rowland with Brad Paisley 3 Jimmy and Colleen Minor 4 Dr. AJ and Mildred Brickler with Zan and Dr. Wayne Batchelor

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SOCIAL STUDIES Boys Town North Florida Spirit of Youth Gala: ‘A Centennial Celebration’ APR. 7 Boys Town North Florida recently hosted its 14th annual Spirit of Youth Gala and celebrated the organization’s 100th anniversary.

The Gala, which was held at the University Center Club in Tallahassee, rolled out the red carpet for the supporters of Boys Town and celebrated the resilience of Boys Town children and families who have overcome hardships and have found healing and hope.

PHOTOS BY TERRI SMITH

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1 Sean and Audra Pittman with RJai and Mayor Andrew Gillum 2 Kim and Angelo Crowell holding the 1938 Oscar 3 Mavis Smith, Lori Branham and Matt Bryan 4 Bill and Mary Moor, Autumn and Emory Mayfield, Tom Proctor and Gina Proctor with Sammie Dixon 5 Steve Menton and Jane Menton, Governor Rick Scott, First Lady Ann Scott and Dena Strickland

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6 Mary Rose McCarron, Carlana Hoffman, Molly Bryan and Samantha Loebig 7 Langley and Dr. Drew Clark with Andrea and Chris Diamantis 8 Sheri Bryan, Kathy Dahl, Suzanne Cognetta, Stacy Chick and Jill Meenan 9 Lee Phillips, Jill and Tim Meenan with Sally McConnell 10 Gannon Hunt, John Tobia with Will and Abby Pichard

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Fighting Cancer is hard enough.

When you are fighting cancer, the last thing you need is a road trip.

All too often, fighting cancer turns into life on the road — traveling to this treatment or that specialist or the next procedure. Whether it’s cross-country or across the state, extra miles add extra stress when you’re looking for what works.

Florida Cancer Specialists Medical Oncologists Scott Tetreault, MD • Viralkumar Bhanderi, MD • Paresh Patel, MD

Fortunately, what works is close to home, right here in Tallahassee with two convenient locations. At Florida Cancer Specialists, the same expertise you find at national cancer centers is available locally. As a preferred clinical trial site among leading researchers, Florida Cancer Specialists stays at the forefront of effective treatment options. Our focus on patient convenience means that everything is under one roof. And we’re committed to caring in a way that makes any medicine work harder.

Life on the road is no way to start a journey you never would have chosen. Florida Cancer Specialists makes it a short trip to the best possible outcome.

1600 PHILLIPS ROAD, SUITE 300 | TALLAHASSEE, FL 32308 | (850) 877-8166 2626 CARE DRIVE, SUITE 200 | TALLAHASSEE, FL 32308 | (850) 219-5830

FLCancer.com Proud Sponsor of Florida State Athletics TALL AHASSEEMAGA ZINE.COM

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SOCIAL STUDIES Lemoyne Chain of Parks APR. 15–16 This annual arts appreciation festival draws thousands of visitors to downtown Tallahassee, where over 150 artists display and sell their original works of art. Attendees enjoyed entertainment from local musicians, cuisine from a variety of food trucks, cocktails from Aloft Hotel’s bar and arts and crafts for all ages. The funds that were raised will benefit programs at the LeMoyne Center for the Visual Arts.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF LEMOYNE CHAIN OF PARKS

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1 Taylore Maxey with Chase and TaMaryn Waters 2 Kitty Chiles, Chef Art Smith and Bud Chiles 3 Shirley Webb, Kelly Dozier and Sharon Simmons 4 Richard Greenberg, Nick Harris, Michael Conn and Leigh Ann Greenberg

USTA Tennis Challenger APR. 22–29 Tennis enthusiasts gathered at the Forestmeadows Tennis Complex to witness professionals from all over the world compete in matches during this week-long sporting event. In its 18th year, the Challenger is sponsored by Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare and benefits the Vogter Neuro-Intensive Care Unit. The 2017 champion was Blaz Rola.

PHOTOS BY LYN BAGGETT AND IDA THOMPSON

1 Front row - left to right: Mark O’Bryant, Mickey Moore, Ashley Edwards, Julie Dybendahl, Karen Vogter, Randy Fox and Whitney Snow; Back: Florida Bright Futures Scholars 2 Back row - from left to right: Betsy Scott, Dr. Ralph Zimmerman, Stephanie Pichard and Nancy Proctor; Front right: Selby Proctor, Florida Bright Futures Recipient and Alice Abbitt 3 Chris and Kellie Kraft with Brian Rowland 4 Tanya and Dr. Tony Weaver with Drs. Mark and Shera Fahey

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revitalize. renew. award-winning doctors, ben J. kirbo, M.D., Laurence Z. Rosenberg, M.D. and chris DeRosier, M.D., are dedicated to providing outstanding patient care, in a quiet, relaxing environment.

~ breast enhancement ~ facelift ~ Hair Transplants

~ Tummy Tuck ~ Liposuction ~ nasal Reshaping

Results-oriented medical spa treatments, including injectables, facials, miraDry® and laser hair removal, are also given by experienced professionals at the SPA at Southeastern Plastic Surgery. Gift cards are also available.

Ask us about Summer Breast Enhancement specials not actual patients

ben J. kirbo, M.D. ~ Laurence Z. Rosenberg, M.D. ~ chris DeRosier, M.D. ceRTifieD by THe aMeRican boaRD of PLasTic suRGeRy

850.219.2000

2030 Fleischmann Rd. ~ Tallahassee, FL

Like us on facebook!

www.se-plasticsurgery.com

Over 25 Years of Cleaning Service

Business Insurance Specialists: Will Croley, Angie Hearl, Mary Katharine (Croley) Lawler, Doug Croley

Blue Ribbon cleaners is committed to providing you the best dry cleaning experience, offering quality cleaning services at competitive prices.

Being locally owned and operated means Blue Ribbon provides that local connection Tallahassee has grown to trust and respect.

Come in and see us today!

Monday – Friday 7am–6pm Saturday 8am–2pm Thank you, Tallahassee!

We Focus on Your Insurance So You Can Focus on Your Business 2814 Remington Green Circle, Tallahassee, FL 850-386-1922 • www.dougcroleyins.com

Best Dry Cleaner

Three Convenient Locations 1660 N. Monroe . 2107 Capital Circle NE . 1102 E. Lafayette

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SOCIAL STUDIES Children’s Home Society Chef ’s Sampler APR. 23 The 32nd annual Chef’s Sampler, held on April 23, brought a crowd and more than 40 Big Bend restaurants, caterers and breweries to the Pavilion in the Centre of Tallahassee, all to benefit the Children’s Home Society of Florida. The Chef’s Sampler is known as the city’s largest and oldest foodie festival, and this year’s attendees enjoyed bite-sized samples of some of the area’s tastiest culinary creations.

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PHOTOS BY LEE HOWELL PHOTOGRAPHY

1 Anna-Kay Hutchison, Harold Lyons, Mark Friedman and Monesia Brown 2 Mark O’Bryant and Diana Cureton 3 Pablo Correa and Jennifer Massey 4 Jason and Abby Vail with Joanna and Mark Bonfanti

TSO Jazz at The Moon The Moon Nightclub was the place to be on a Saturday night in April, for here it was that Tallahassee Symphony Orchestra (TSO) Jazz hosted an evening with one of the greatest jazz vocalists of all time! Guests enjoyed hearing Deborah Brown sing such standards as “It’s a Wonderful World,” “I’ve Got My Love to Keep Me Warm,” “Devil May Care” and “Summertime.”

And, of course, the food and drinks were plentiful and delicious.

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PHOTOS BY MACKENZIE LIGAS

1 Ciara Collins and Caitlin Rivet 2 Anita Favors Thompson, Laura Bedard and Roy Bedard 3 Commissioner Bill Proctor and Sharon Ofuani 4 Mary Kelsey and Andy Peannell

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WE ARE TRINITY CATHOLIC

850-222-0444 PK3 - 8th Grade 706 E. Brevard St. in the heart of Midtown WWW.TRINITYKNIGHTS.ORG

Sending our future saints forward to do God's work

GrowingRoomChildCare.com TALL AHASSEEMAGA ZINE.COM

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SOCIAL STUDIES Big Bend Hospice Foundation Spring Fling MAY. 18 For the past 10 years, Big Bend Hospice Foundation has held its annual Spring Fling at Tallahassee Nurseries, where guests have enjoyed delicious food from area restaurants and a stroll through beautiful gardens. The relaxed atmosphere of this year’s event allowed guests to socialize while they helped to raise funds in support of Big Bend Hospice.

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PHOTOS BY SHEMS HAMILTON PHOTOGRAPHY

1 Martha Beasley, Elizabeth Beasley Smith and Jim Beasley 2 Chef Art Smith, Susan Turner and Noah Sanderson 3 Susan Turner, Chef Art Smith and Paul Brock 4 Val Draper, Lyn Baggett, Cricket Mannheimer, Fran Smith, Susan Turner, Leigh Ann Greenberg, Laura Winn, Dee Crusoe and Dee Hansen

Tallahassee’s preferred residential electrician for over 35 years ...

LAWSON & LAWSON Electrical Services, Inc. #1 in Tallahassee since 1979

INCLUDES UNLIMITED CHAMPAGNE Single tickets $75 Couples tickets $140 Group of 10 tickets $650

AUGUST 4, 2017 DOUBLETREE BY HILTON, 101 S. ADAMS STREET 8 PM TO MIDNIGHT

Pull out the top hats and tiaras, get your dancing shoes on and get ready to sip the bubbly all night long.

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Jubilant music, dancing, photos, hors d’oeuvres and FREE champagne flowing all night long.

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TALLAHASSEE MEMORIAL HEALTHCARE

FOUNDATION WHY I GIVE

If you told Chuck and Patty Mitchell 11 years ago that the dog they were adopting, Rikki, would become a nationally recognized dog whose legacy would live on long after she passed, they probably wouldn’t have believed you. But Rikki, a golden retriever who came to Tallahassee as a Hurricane Katrina rescue puppy at just a few months old, did just that.

Rikki loved her home in the swamp and especially loved running the beaches and woods with her big brother, Roscoe, and owners, Chuck and Patty Mitchell – almost as much as she loved helping people. Rikki’s true calling was as a therapy dog, and in early 2007 she became a proud member of Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare’s (TMH) Animal Therapy Program, its Reading Education Assistance Dogs™ program, and its Florida Courthouse Therapy Dogs program.

For nearly 10 years, Rikki helped patients, families, students, victims, witnesses and staff cope with the difficulties of managing through trauma and challenging situations. She made everyone feel better and inspired them to get to where they needed to be – whether through motivating rehabilitation, improving reading skills, or finding their voice so they could testify about their abuse.

Rikki’s life and work is beautifully told in “Encounters With Rikki: From Hurricane Katrina Rescue to Exceptional Therapy Dog,” by Julie Strauss Bettinger. It has received many accolades and is currently a finalist for two national book awards.

Rikki was a pioneer and groundbreaker in so many areas.

She was the first dog to receive a Caring Paws Award from TMH, the first therapy dog to work with a child victim in a deposition, the first to receive a proclamation from the Leon County Commission, the first to work with capital cases in the Florida State Hospital in Chattahoochee, and among the first Reading Education Assistance Dogs in the Tallahassee area. Her work lead directly to the passage of the first law in Florida, and the nation, that allows therapy dogs to accompany children and vulnerable adults into the courtroom. Now, most of the states have animal therapy programs assisting in their judicial proceedings.

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BRINGS MUSIC TO PATIENTS’ EARS

While Rikki unfortunately passed away this past May, her legacy lives on thanks to her owners, Chuck and Patty Mitchell, who worked with the Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare Foundation team to set up an endowment in her name – the Friends of Rikki Endowment.

“This endowment was created to provide sustainability for the TMH Animal Therapy Program. One of the difficult parts of being a volunteer with this program is finding a special animal that can pass the tests needed to become a therapy animal,” said Chuck and Patty Mitchell.

“And the hardest part is that a handler is only as good as their working partner. The animals are the true stars of the show – we’re just the magician’s assistant.”

While TMH boasts more than 150 animal therapy teams, they lose around 15 teams a year due to the animals’ naturally shorter life span. The teams they typically lose are ones who have been in the program for years, and therefore are the ones most trained and able to work with the most difficult situations. The Friends of Rikki Endowment is working to help bridge this gap and continue growing the program.

“We grow the program by attracting and retaining more volunteers, which

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involves a lot of community outreach and spreading awareness. At the same time, we need to train more instructors, trainers and evaluators to teach and test potential teams,” explained Chuck.

In addition to encouraging more people to come and try out for the program, Chuck and the entire animal therapy team at TMH are now working with Leader Dogs for the Blind – a seeing eye-dog program based in Michigan. Only about 50 percent of dogs trained to become seeing eyedogs actually make it, but for the rest who still have about $27,000 worth of training, they are anything but your ordinary dog.

The Leader Dogs for the Blind program previously partnered with police departments to have the dogs that didn’t make it continue on a different, but similar path — a career change so to speak. Because of the quality of TMH’s Animal Therapy Program, TMH is now the first hospital they will partner with, allowing the Animal Therapy Program to receive these highly-socialized and welltrained dogs.

“These dogs have the highest levels of training, even more so than police dogs, because they have to be able to overrule an owner’s command,” explained Chuck.

“Once we get the dogs, they’re matched

with a handler in our program who is in need of dog – so instead of having a handler have to start with a dog from the very beginning, they are matched with these dogs who need very little help and training.”

The funds earned from the Friends of Rikki Endowment will help to purchase these therapy dogs and continue growing the Animal Therapy Program at TMH, who has had more than 35,000 “nose to nose” interactions to date.

“We want to not only continue bringing in dogs from Leader Dogs for the Blind, but we want to raise the awareness of the benefits of animal therapy,” said Chuck. “We need more teams serving more patients in the hospital and across the community, more teams to help struggling readers in the schools, and more teams to help child victims of assault and abuse to be able to find their voices to be able to tell their stories in court.”

While Rikki held a lot of “firsts,” she more importantly paved the way for her animal therapy friends to do much more over the years to come. For more information or to make a donation to the Friends of Rikki Endowment, please visit TMH.ORG/Rikki or call 850-431-5389.

Thank You The Mays-Munroe 4th Annual Have a Heart event, in memory of Ray Munroe, Jr., raised over $22,000 benefitting the Tallahassee Memorial Heart & Vascular Center. Thank you to the Munroe family and the entire Mays-Munroe team!

Thank you Lincoln High School SGA, faculty and students for another fun filled Battle of the Bands event that raised $10,000 for the Tallahassee Memorial Heart & Vascular Center. Thank you for building up the next generation of leaders in philanthropy and heart health education.

Save the Date Electrotech, LLC presents the

12th Annual Cards for a Cure Benefiting the Tallahassee Memorial Cancer Center & Cancer Programs

In Honor of Lea Lane October 14, 2017 | 7 pm - 11 pm Donald L. Tucker Civic Center Entertainment by: Momentum Party Band Sponsor information: Janet.Borneman@TMH.ORG or 850-431-4048

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F O U N DAT I O N C O M M U N I T Y U P DAT E

Trustee Spotlight Dr. Ray Solomon

Ray Solomon, PhD, is Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare’s newest Emeritus Trustee, and one of Tallahassee’s long-standing influential members in the community. Spending more than 35 years at Florida State University, Dr. Solomon influenced both students and faculty, served as the College of Business’ longest serving dean to date, helped develop the Real Estate program, and much more.

After his retirement, Dr. Solomon continued to take on leadership roles in the community, including organizations such as the Southern Scholarship Foundation, the Goodwill Industries of the Big Bend and Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare Foundation.

On behalf of the Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare Foundation, we want to thank Dr. Solomon for his unwavering dedication, countless efforts and contributions, and tireless leadership he has shown our community.

Mark O’Bryant: “Over the years, Dr. Ray Solomon has been a critical element in the success of numerous not-for-profits, including TMH. He and Mary have been an active part of the community’s fabric, selflessly volunteering to benefit those in need. Ray’s warmth, sincerity and tenacity were evident as he accomplished tasks that many deemed impossible. It has truly been an honor to know and work with Dr. Solomon during time I have been in Tallahassee.”

Sam Lester: “I first became involved with the Foundation many years ago, working with Dr. Ray Solomon on a special program called “Everyday Heroes.” He wanted to recognize people in our community who were doing important work for the poor or atrisk children. These worthy “Everyday Heroes” worked tirelessly and did not seek any reward or recognition for themselves. Ray Solomon is this kind of hero to me. Throughout his long service with Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare and the TMH Foundation, he has been an outstanding board member, trustee, philanthropist and fundraiser. He is an inspiration to me and to everyone who has enjoyed the privilege of working alongside this great, community service-minded gentleman.”

Flecia Braswell: “When I think of the TMH Foundation, I think of Ray Solomon. He has been a tireless volunteer leader on the TMHF Board who has given freely of his time, talent and treasure for as long as I can remember. He’s passionate about TMH and it shows in everything he does.”

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Linda Alexionok: “Throughout my board service, I have been privileged to work and learn from Dr. Solomon, “Ray.” He has been a leader, friend, advocate, and unrelenting champion for the vision and mission of TMH. His service and stewardship of the board led the Foundation to many new opportunities for growth and success.

No meeting, no task, no need was ever too small, or too large. If it served a purpose for advancement of TMH, you could always count Dr. Solomon in.”

Virginia Glass: “I had the pleasure of working alongside Dr. Solomon for many years at TMH Foundation and was always impressed with his in depth knowledge of issues. He is a fine example of a servant heart and has made a positive impact on so many during his many years of volunteer service.”

Randy Guemple: “Ray Solomon is so committed to numerous charitable causes that when I moved to Tallahassee in 2000, he immediately reached out and got me involved in most of them, including TMH. His dedication is contagious and I really don’t know how to thank him enough for setting an example that we all can strive for.”

“

He’s passionate about TMH and it shows in everything he does.

”

iGIVE Colleague Society For employees like David Hamilton, the choice to give back to Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare (TMH) through the iGIVE Colleague Giving Society was an easy one to make. David, who at one point did not have the financial resources to complete his college education to become a registered nurse, called more than 20 hospitals in hopes of finding a way to pursue his dream of becoming an RN. Out of those 20, TMH was the only hospital to respond to his inquiry and offer to find a way to help through their Scholarship and Tuition Reimbursement Program – a program that David now holds near and dear to his heart.

David is one of more than 1,660 colleagues at TMH who is part of iGIVE – a society representing investment, generosity, intention, value and engagement with members who believe in the mission and vision of TMH, and who donate regularly to the TMH Foundation to support the lifechanging events that take place within the organization.

For the colleagues who decide to give back through a bi-weekly recurring payroll gift, they are able to designate their donations to any area or service

line at TMH, which provides financial resources for everything from new equipment and patient programs, to ongoing education for TMH colleagues.

“I give back to the hospital and designate my recurring gift for the Scholarship and Tuition Reimbursement Program because without it, I would not be a Registered Nurse today,” said David Hamilton, RN. “It’s my pleasure to help others achieve their educational and career goals, as that same generosity is the one reason I was able to continue my education.”

David — along with other colleagues including Danielle Zorn, a system analyst for patient accounting who designates her gift to the Cancer Center, and Melissa Salisbury, an IT operations manager who designates her gift to the TMH Physician Partners - Metabolic Health Center – recently joined the TMH Foundation team for the first annual iGIVE Meet and Greet event, held on May 10.

employees to hear their colleagues’ testimonials.

“This event provided a perfect way to connect with the many TMH colleagues who support the amazing work taking place at the hospital,” said Mickey Moore, President and Chief Advancement Officer of TMH Foundation. “The TMH Foundation looks forward to continued participation with colleagues and growing the iGIVE Colleague Society for many years to come.”

To learn more about the TMH Foundation and its giving societies, please contact us at 850-431-5389 or Foundation@TMH.ORG.

The Meet and Greet event is one way the TMH Foundation extends their appreciation and recognizes the support of the TMH colleagues who give back, and allows for other

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GIVING…THE SECRET TO? Mickey S. Moore, TMH Foundation President

Periodically, I get to finish a good book within a short period of time. When a given book is worth sharing, I just can’t help but find a forum to do so. A longtime friend and entrepreneur, Bart Ross, sent me the book “The Go-Giver,” by Bob Burg and John David Mann, several months back and I could not be more grateful.

Its impact on me has been enormous, and since we at TMH Foundation benefit so greatly from others’ gifts, I thought I’d share some of my takeaways and impressions from this wonderful short read.

“Give and you shall receive.”

Bottom line, this book states that the secret of success is giving. Surely, we all have heard the old proverb, “give and you shall receive,” and I can confirm that this book certainly breathes life into that statement.

Giving of time, talent and resources can happen in many ways, but I agree with the authors that we should all start with a defining set of values centered on a shift from getting to giving. Specifically, the book details acts of putting others’ interests first and continually adding value to their lives. Over and over, examples of unexpected returns blossomed. Would these returns happen if the focus were primarily on our own interests?

Day in and day out from my seat at TMH Foundation, I have witnessed this cycle of giving and getting in return. We are fortunate to see so many in our community that seem to give endlessly of themselves and their networks to benefit both our mission of “Transforming care, Advancing health, and Improving lives,” and other nonprofits. These same generous people, more often than not, share news of successes and goodwill that comes back to them. Personally, I like to think that good fortune has also come my way because of giving. Was it providing food, beverages and household items for a family fallen on hard times?

Or was it assisting a college student with a gift of professional clothes from Nic’s Toggery for their first internship interview? Maybe these acts and others brought me some referrals? Some trust? Some gifts to my nonprofit?

I don’t know for sure, but it really feels good to give and I do believe in helping others find success – whatever that is in their mind. Expecting something in return isn’t the catalyst for me, but it could spark a domino effect that impacts people beyond my typical reach. Maybe, just maybe, it comes back around to benefit me or something I deeply care about. Or maybe it just feeds a positive narrative in this community of being a connector, a mentor, or a “Go-Giver.” Regardless, let’s keep giving to others and adding value to others’ lives – heck, just the satisfaction of helping is receipt enough for me.

The Foundation Community Report is produced by the Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare Foundation 1331 East Sixth Avenue, Tallahassee, FL 32303 | 850-431-5389 | Foundation@TMH.ORG

To make a secure online donation, we invite you to visit TMHFoundation.ORG.

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The

Buzz

F

OR 100 YEARS, Boys Town, established by Father Edward J. Flanagan in Omaha, Nebraska, has been committed to giving at-risk children and families the strength, support and stability to overcome challenges and secure bright futures. It was in that spirit that supporters of Boys Town North Florida gathered in black ties and gowns on April 7 at the University Center at Doak Campbell Stadium on the FSU campus for a fundraising extravaganza, the Boys Town Spirit of Youth Gala: A Centennial Celebration. On hand was the “Best Actor” Oscar statuette that Spencer Tracy won in 1939 for his portrayal of Flanagan in the 1938 film, Boys Town. There were other more animated dignitaries at the gala, too: Gov. Rick Scott, who often tells the story of his own humble beginnings, and Florida’s First Lady, Ann Scott, joined in the celebration, along with Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum and his wife, R. Jai Gillum, and State Rep. Halsey Beshears. Motocross legend Ricky Carmichael took part in the festivities that included a social hour, a film depicting the history of Boys Town and a live auction conducted by Chris Diamantis and featuring items such as a Duke University basketball experience, golf at the fabled Winged Foot Golf Club, a skybox for 20 at an FSU football game, a plantation quail hunt and a trip to the Kentucky Derby’s Millionaires Row. WCTV anchor Julie Montanaro served as mistress of ceremonies. Entertainment was supplied by Boys Town alumnus Shawn Morancy. The headquarters office of Boys Town was represented by national executive director Father Steven Boes, who was introduced to gala attendees by Boys Town North Florida Executive Director Marcus Lampkin. The evening was made possible by the efforts of a host of volunteers, including gala chairs Matt and Sheri Bryan and Tim and Jill Meenan, and by the continuing work and support of the Boys Town board of directors: Rhonda Baldock, chairman; Annie Kelley, secretary; and Chris Barkas, Monesia Brown, Angelo Crowell, Bobby Dick, Gannon Hunt, Dr. Marc Inglese, Stephanie Jansen, Anne Martin, Audra Pittman, Sean Pittman, Leslie Redding, Dena Sokolow and Paul Sullivan. Event supporters included “Father Flanagan Heroes” Matt and Sheri Bryan, Jim and Kathy Dahl, Tim and Jill Meenan and Angelo and Kim Crowell, and “Centennial Circle of Champions” members Dr. Armand and Suzanne Cognetta, Bobby and Sue Dick, Chris and Andrea Diamantis, Larry and Bev Sokolow and Chris and Lauren Barnard. Tallahassee Magazine was a Centennial Champions-level media sponsor. All involved found themselves noting how far Boys Town has come since Father Flanagan borrowed from an attorney $90 with which to take over a home in downtown Omaha where he assumed custody for five boys, three sent to him by courts and two by police.

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(continued from page 113) Zoe Allaire is a playground for her three bearded dragons. She also owns a seven-foot boa constrictor named Rocky Balboa and a blue iguana named Beans. She likes fur as well, as the owner of a dog and a cat, but has a special affinity for scales.

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PHOTOGRAPHY BY LAWRENCE DAVIDSON

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STORY BY ROCHELLE KOFF

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THREE-YEAR-OLD SELVA DAMELIO was nonchalant as her pet, Persephone, wrapped itself around her arm like a colorful piece of jewelry. Named for the Greek goddess of vegetation and the underworld, Persephone is a small, harmless corn snake that will eventually grow to four or five feet in length. “She’s smooth,” Selva said.

Her brother, Quin, 7, was equally as confident as he held Iris, his Brazilian rainbow boa. “Her forked tongue is really cool,” he said.

“For kids, snakes are a perfect pet,” said Selva and Quin’s dad, Mickey Damelio. “They don’t smell, and they have no fur. Persephone is fine if she’s held, and if she was never held again, it wouldn’t bother her.”

The Damelios are among the growing number of families raving about reptiles.

“The interest in reptiles is incredible,” said Vanessa Lane, who owns geckos and snakes and is an assistant professor of wildlife ecology and management at the Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College in Tifton, Ga. Snakes, in particular, have many fans. But that wasn’t always the case. The maligned animals have faced an image problem since time immemorial. For starters, there was that sneaky serpent that tempted Eve with an apple in the Garden of Eden.

Modern culture hasn’t always been kind, either: How can we forget the horrific basilisk in the second Harry Potter novel or Samuel L. Jackson with all those scary “Snakes on a Plane”?

Yet snakes are just one type of coldblooded creature that is getting a warmer welcome. Tortoises and lizards — particularly bearded dragons and geckos — are also in demand.

In 1996, an estimated 2.5 million U.S. households owned one or more reptiles, according to The American Pet Products Association, a not-for-profit trade group for a multibillion-dollar industry. Ten years later, in 2016, the group reported that an estimated 4.7 million households had a reptile in it.

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like bugs or spiders or whatever by parents. It more or less stays with people most of their lives unless they make a special effort to get over it.”

He said that antipathy has decreased over the past few decades, as the public has become more educated and knowledgeable — especially with more televised nature shows focusing on reptiles. Still, when a cobra escapes someone’s home or headlines focus on pythons living in the Everglades, fears intensify.

In March, a two-foot-long suphan cobra escaped from the home of an Ocala man licensed to handle venomous reptiles. At the time, the snake was under the watch of an apprentice who was not yet licensed to handle them. Florida requires anyone who possesses venomous snakes to be licensed, pay a fee of $100 and meet caging requirements. They must also prove that they’ve received at least 1,000 hours of experience for each type of reptile they own and submit to yearly inspections.

Currently, there are about 300 individuals and facilities in Florida licensed by the FWC to own venomous reptiles/conditional species. Forrester Chance Gwaltney, of Wakulla County, is one of them, licensed to keep venomous snakes, including a few rattlesnakes and a four-foot cobra, all bred and raised in captivity.

Gwaltney said that most problems involving snakes “are caused by a small number of people who acquire snakes illegally and end up doing something stupid that shines a bad light on everyone else.” A former placekicker and punter for the FSU football team (1998– 2003), Gwaltney has been an advocate for reptiles since he was a child, and his dad caught and nearly killed a hognose snake. Gwaltney talked his father into letting him keep it. Its saliva can cause swelling, Gwaltney said, but it’s not toxic for humans.

Although Gwaltney loves his venomous reptiles, he never underestimates their power. “I respect them, and I know what I can do and what I shouldn’t do,” he said.

“I’ve never been bitten, and I don’t plan on it.”

While venomous snakes make up a small portion of the pet population, their impact does trickle down to all reptile owners, said Hale. “You’ve got the more dangerous realm of reptiles — venomous snakes and larger pythons — and when anything happens with them, it starts

trickling to lower realms. … There’s no danger involving harmless snakes, but there’s a perceived danger.”

Antipathy and fear can also lead to cruelty, said Mike Jones, curator of animals for the Tallahassee Museum.

“We’ve been hard on reptiles,” he said, noting that many of these animals venture onto the road and are run over.

“They don’t realize it’s a highway. We don’t seem to respect that kind of life. When you think a little box turtle can live 125 years, that deserves some recognition.”

Along the cypress-edged lake at the Tallahassee Museum, visitors can catch a glimpse of green anoles and other colorful lizards, aquatic turtles and the burrows dug by gopher tortoises. The museum also has a reptile section that includes the nonvenomous red rat snake, grey rat snake and pine snakes, plus three venomous snakes: the cottonmouth water moccasin and the EaStern diamondback and dusky pygmy rattlesnakes.

For years, an attraction to reptiles was considered a “guy thing”; but that’s not the case anymore: Female visitors to Tallahassee Museum also enjoy seeing the museum’s reptilian residents. In fact, women are some of the most passionate fans of reptiles.

“I used to catch snakes in the backyard,” said Lane, who grew up in the Catskill Mountains.

Her pets include ball pythons ranging in size from babies to about four-and-a-half feet, two Texas rat snakes, a leopard gecko and an African fat-tailed gecko. “People think owning a reptile is a weird thing, but it’s not.”

Still, ownership comes with responsibilities. “A ball python can live 20 years, so if you buy one for your kid, and that kid goes to college, it may go, too,” Lane said.

“Or are you, as a parent, willing to take care of that animal for its life?”

Nicole Wiedemann, a Tallahassee entrepreneur and the mother of an eight-year-old boy, has gradually added more reptiles to her family’s collection of pets, including a crested gecko named Ziggy, a bearded dragon named Teal’c, a yellow-bellied slider (turtle) named Morla and, in spite of her dread of feeding them their diet of mice, two corn snakes named Eric and Kilgore.

“Reptiles are easy to keep in an apartment, which is why they’re becoming more popular with students,” said Carol Hoover, owner of Carol’s Critters, which stocks rows of tanks filled with reptiles that cost anywhere from $25 to about $400. She personally owns “a bunch of snakes,” three dogs, horses and birds.

Hoover noted that landlords generally accept a reptile and won’t charge a pet fee (students should check first), as they might for a dog or cat.

“Reptiles aren’t for everybody,” Hoover said, but “they’re fun. They’re different.”

Observed Mickey Damelio, “There are just so many reasons to love and keep reptiles and amphibians. As many reasons as there are people keeping them, I’d imagine.” TM

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SPONSORED REPORT

The

Power of

Pets

On Saturday March 18, 2017, Tallahassee Magazine hosted the 13th annual “Pets & Their People” event with presenting sponsor and venue host Proctor Subaru and beneficiary Leon County Humane Society (LCHS).

PR E S E NT E D BY

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or early risers and yoga enthusiasts, the event began with a yoga class led by Sweat Therapy fitness instructors. But this wasn’t just any yoga class. The Leon County Humane Society released puppies into the room and, while they weren’t the most attentive participants — except maybe to Downward Dog — the puppies sniffed, nuzzled and even wrestled with the human participants.

These puppies, along with grown dogs, were available throughout the day for adoption. In total, 12 dogs found loving homes by the close of the event. The 13th annual “Pets & Their People” event supported the mission and efforts of LCHS, which is dedicated to matching families with homeless pets and rescues over 600 animals each year.

Newly adopted pets and longtime members of the family were all invited to have their photos taken for a chance to be featured in the pages of Tallahassee Magazine and for a downloadable keepsake. Check out page 146 for the featured furry families.

Pet-friendly vendors lined the venue with booths that provided information, samples and freebies.

Veterinary clinics and pet providers who took part were Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare – Animal Therapy; Capital Veterinary Specialists; Mahan Animal Clinic; North Florida Animal Hospital; Pet Paradise; Petagon International; Be The Solution; and Buck Lake Animal Hospital, which provided an adorable and photo-worthy Smooch Your Pooch booth.

For people for whom walking the dog isn’t quite enough exercise, Pure Barre was on site with ››

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CAPITAL VETERINARY SPECIALISTS To Dr. Kevin Drygas, the word “pet” doesn’t quite do justice to the human/animal bonds he witnesses on a daily basis. He prefers to refer to them as family members.

“The best part of our job is restoring and maintaining the human/animal bond through treating and curing diseases and injuries in our client’s furry children,” said Drygas.

As it goes, animals are much like humans as their health can expand beyond grooming or the occasional nuisance.

In order to provide the highest quality of care to your loved one, Capital Veterinary Specialists is the only specialty veterinary center in the area providing internal medicine, advanced surgery, oncology, neurology, dermatology and cardiology. They work with your family veterinarian in a team approach to medical and surgical care.

You would only entrust your family members with the most experienced doctors, and with a combined 50 years of experience in veterinary medicine, this specialty team is your go-to in Northwest Florida and Southern Georgia.

Their success is proven daily in the animals that leave happy and healed in the arms of their owners. It is further proven by the need for a new larger location on Mahan Center Boulevard, which opened in May of 2017. This office features on-site CT imaging, multiple operatory suites, ultrasound suites, chemotherapy suites, internal medicine procedures, central ICU, underwater treadmill physiotherapy, 24-hour care, dermatology, surgery and urgent care. The Urgent Care service will start mid-August and provide weekend and after hours care for patients in need of immediate attention.

“Our first responsibility is to provide answers to complex medical and surgical disease,” said Drygas. “We identify why our patients are sick and provide solutions to their illness. We maintain ourselves on the forefront of specialty medicine.”

While a new office brings about some change, what will surely remain is our specialists’ dedication to education, innovative skill sets, exceptional communication and quality patient care from those who intricately understand the irreplaceable bond you share.

(Top) Dr. Carl Jehn performs spinal decompression surgery on a paralyzed dachshund to relieve an intervertebral disc herniation allowing the pet to walk again.

(Middle) Dr. Drygas, board certified surgeon. (Bottom) Dr. Sofia Morales uses ultrasound to diagnose intestinal disease and guide therapy for her patients.

WE HAVE MOVED 1615 MAHAN CENTER BLVD. | P (850) 597-9764 CAPVETSPECIALISTS.COM

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SPONSORED REPORT

RACHEL WILLIAMS

information about their classes, and the owner’s pup gladly accepted chin scratches. Tallahassee Nurseries had plants for sale and offered insight on plants and pet safety. Southern Compass Outfitters provided style tips for those with and without fur.

Pattie Maney produced an interactive piece of art, which incorporated the paws of pets in attendance. The canvas, covered with paws of all shapes and sizes, will be auctioned off by Tallahassee Magazine.

With yoga and shopping complete, stomachs began to growl in anticipation of the hearty brunch provided by Sonny’s BBQ. Fifth & Thomas served up bloody marys and mimosas. Many sampled a Pong’s Boba Tea for the first time, and Tasty Pastry provided an array of free desserts, compliments of Proctor Subaru. Nuberri Frozen Yogurt supplied pup-cups, which dogs eagerly devoured.

Zan Frett and Mitch Register combined to provide live music. The duo had the audience singing along and, at times, gathered around to dance.

The best parts of the day, though, involved interaction between pets and their person: a pup licking barbecue sauce from its owner’s sticky fingers, a little girl cradling a baby goat as it chewed on her pigtail, tangled leashes that led to new friendships and a family making the lifechanging decision to adopt their first dog together.

If you have a pet, you understand the unbreakable bond that links us to an irreplaceable bundle of fluff or fur that brings immense joy to our lives. Pets & Their People provided a day to celebrate that bond, create new bonds and remind all just how transformative caring for a pet can be.

A special thanks to our presenting sponsor, Proctor Subaru, and the staff and volunteers at Leon County Humane Society.

For more photos check out our blog on

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REBECCA PADGETT

RACHEL WILLIAMS

Tallahasseemagazine.com

VETS AND PETS PROFILES

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

NORTH FLORIDA ANIMAL HOSPITAL

From left to right: Margaret Hankley (2013), Rebecca Barron (2017), Karis Dickey (2016), Lyndsey Steele (2014), Heather Terhune (2008) and Christy Valentine (2010).

Back row left to right: Lynn Hagood (2000), Shane Burkhead (1996), Randy Fullerton (1990) and George Simmons (1988)

It is North Florida Animal Hospital’s desire to provide the highest quality medical and surgical care to patients and offer the best possible service to clients. Our clients are our friends as well as customers, and we value every interaction.

This commitment to quality care is consistent among our 10 exceptional doctors of veterinary medicine who have a wide range of experience to work together with our dedicated employees to enhance the overall quality of your pet’s life for many years to come.

General services provided to help you keep your pet healthy and happy include high quality immunizations on an AAHA recommended schedule, nutritional counseling on pet food from companies whose manufacturing facilities many of our doctors have personally visited, pharmaceuticals for everything from flea and tick products to chemotherapy and microchipping for safety. Boarding, grooming and cremation services are also available. For more serious health concerns 2701 N. MONROE ST. | (850) 385-5141 | NFLAH.COM

we provide ultrasound, endoscopy, soft tissue surgery and orthopedic procedures as well as comprehensive oral assessment and treatment for your pet’s dental health. Many of our staff have completed 15 hours of continuing education on proper dental protocol from a renowned board certified dental specialist at our facility.

We are accredited by the American Animal Hospital Association, which certifies veterinary practices adhering to the highest standards of veterinary care, ensuring that you will feel confident leaving your pet in our care.

The staff motto says it all: “Treat every client as though they were family and every pet as if they were our own.”

11 YEARS IN A ROW!

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VETS AND PETS DIRECTORY

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

BUCK LAKE ANIMAL HOSPITAL

NORTH FLORIDA ANIMAL HOSPITAL

NUBERRI FROZEN YOGURT

Buck Lake Animal Hospital is a family owned and operated, AAHA (American Animal Hospital Association) accredited, full-service animal hospital. Owners, Dr. Carlos Varela and Dr. Blair Anderson, are committed to creating a partnership with you for your pets’ health care needs. At Buck Lake, our goal is to treat your pet as we would our own.

Thank you Tallahassee …

We love what we do at North Florida Animal Hospital, and we look forward to serving you as the “Best of Tallahassee” winner 11 years in a row!

Nuberri is Tallahassee’s favorite frozen treats shop. Two time winner of “best ice cream and frozen yogurt,” we’re here to serve the freshest custard, gelato, yogurt, sorbets and Italian ices in town! Come get a pup cup for your fury friend and something to treat yourself! Join us at any of our three Tallahassee locations and create a flavor-filled masterpiece.

2701 N. Monroe St. | ( 850) 385-5141 nflah.com

nuberri.com | check us out on Facebook, Snapchat and Instagram

3514 Mahan Drive | (850) 878-4799 bucklakeah.com

SALTWATER SEAFOOD COMPANY

ALOF T–TALLAHASSEE DOWNTOWN

KOOL BEANZ CAFE

Outdoor seating for you and your pup! Best in class authentic coastal cuisine featuring locally sourced oysters and seafood. Join us for Saturday and Sunday Brunch!

Family vacation?

Bring the whole family. Our hassle-free Arf program makes it easy for your pet to stay & play while away. Your pet will enjoy a free bed and water bowl during your visit and a doggie bag full of treats and toys. No deposit. No hassle. No limits.

Eat Where the Local “Foodies” Eat! In a vibrant setting of dark pastels and modern art, the friendly and energetic staff serve tantalizing entrees.

Outdoor seating is available for you and your pup! Make sure you stop by for lunch or dinner... it’s fun, quick and delicious. Pet friendly!

1926 Capital Circle NE | (850) 329-2105 saltwaterseafoodcompany.com

200 N. Monroe St. | ( 850) 513-0313 alofttallahasseedowntown.com

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921 Thomasville Road | (850) 224-2466 koolbeanz-cafe.com

This pup is ready to practice his downward dog as “puppy yoga” is gaining local popularity.

(We’ve also heard of kitty and even goat yoga!)

Your Pet is T

PHOTO BY REBECCA PADGETT

WELCOME HERE Get out on the town with your BFF (Best Furry Friend)

by KIM HARRIS THACKER and KIRSTIN REDFIELD

hey say that a dog is man’s best friend, but what if you’re a female and you happen to be more of a cat person? Or what if your best friend is less of the furry variety and more of the scaly or feathery kind? If you’re still allowed to be BFFs (hint: you are), then where can you and your pet go for good times in Florida’s capital city?

Fortunately, Tallahassee is very pet-friendly. One reason for this is the weather: Summer welcomes early-morning and late-evening walks, spring and fall are a literal breeze to get out in with your pet, and wintertime is, perhaps, the best time of all to head outdoors.

If you’re a dog lover, you can take Fido to any city park, as long as he’s on a leash.

But did you know that there are dozens of businesses in Tallahassee that welcome pets with open arms (and belly-rubs)? Below, you’ll find a mere sample of some of these establishments and other pet-friendly venues and special events in the region. Just do the ophidiophobes a favor and keep Slithering Sammy in your purse. ›› TALL AHASSEEMAGA ZINE.COM

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SPECIAL EVENTS Pets & Their People:

Tallahassee Magazine’s annual, springtime event, hosted by Proctor Subaru.

Bring well-behaved pets on leashes for activities and great photo ops.

FREE admission. Charge for optional brunch and/ or Bloody Mary bar. Proctor Subaru: 1707 Capital Circle N.E., Tallahassee.

(850) 702-5678. Dates and times vary. Rowland Publishing: (850) 878-0554; tallahasseemagazine.com/ Pets-and-Their-People

American Kennel Association Dog Show:

Annual dog agility, barn hunt, lure coursing and obedience trials; keep all pets on leashes; bleachers provided for spectators. $10 admission fee.

441 Paul Russell Road, Tallahassee.

Dates and times vary. orkc.com/dog-show

Leon County Humane Society Walk & Wag:

Wells Brothers:

No registration fee, but walkers are asked to raise at least $25 from sponsors. Cascades Park: 1001 S. Gadsden St., Tallahassee.

Dates and times vary. (850) 2249193; lchs.info/walkandwag

1710 W. Tharpe St. Open Sun– Thurs, 11 am–9 pm, and Fri–Sat, 11 am–10 pm. (850) 942-6665; wellsbrothersbarandgrill.com

RESTAURANTS

Sweat Therapy:

Annual, fall fundraising event.

Pets on leashes welcome at outdoor tables.

BUSINESSES Offers puppy yoga.

Madison Social:

Pets on leashes welcome at outdoor tables.

705 S. Woodward Ave. Open weekdays, 11:30 am–2 am, and weekends, 10 am–2 am. (850) 894-6276; madisonsocial.com

Canopy Road Café:

Pets on leashes welcome at outdoor tables.

Tallahassee locations: 1913 N. Monroe St., (850) 668-6600; 2202 Capital Circle N.E., (850) 893-0466; 1749 Apalachee Parkway, (850) 727-0263. All locations open M–F, 6:30 am– 2:15 pm; canopyroadcafe.com

Class fees apply. 1122 Thomasville Road, Units 5 & 10, Tallahassee. Open every day, times vary. (850) 222-1781; sweattherapyfitness.com

Kool Beanz:

Well-behaved pets on leashes allowed.

921 Thomasville Rd., Mon–Sat 5:30–10 pm, Mon–Fri 11 am–2:30 pm, Sun 10:30 am–2 pm, (850) 224-2466, koolbeanz-cafe.com.

Table 23:

Well-behaved pets on leashes allowed.

1215 Thomasville Road, Mon– Fri 11 am–2 pm, Mon–Thur 5–9 pm, Wed– Sat 5–10 pm, Sun 10 am–3 pm, (850) 329-2261, table23tally.com.

DOG WASHES Bloomingtails Pet Salon:

Bloomingtails sets the tone for pet grooming.

Fees vary. 2710 Apalachee Parkway, Tallahassee. Open Mon–Sun, 7:30 am– 6 pm, and Sat, 8:30 am– 6 pm. (850) 656-0088; petgroomingtallahasseefl.com

Awesome Pet Wash: Need we say more?

1219 N. Duval St., Apt. A, Tallahassee. Hours vary.

(850) 294-8479; facebook.com/ awesomepetwash

Water Works Car and Dog Wash:

Clean your car and your pet at the same time.

Minimum $6 fee for dog wash. 3440 Apalachee Parkway, Tallahassee. Open

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

BUCK LAKE ANIMAL HOSPITAL WHAT SERVICES DO YOU PROVIDE? Buck Lake Animal Hospital is owned and operated by a husband and wife team, Dr. Varela and Dr. Anderson. It is a full-service veterinary clinic that offers routine wellness exams, vaccinations, boarding, nutritional counseling, in-house diagnostics, digital radiography, surgical services, dental care, hospice and pain management.

WHAT DO YOU HOPE THAT PETS AND THEIR OWNER’S EXPERIENCE? We want people and their pets to feel like a valued partner in the care we provide. We want you and your pet to feel like family.

WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO CHOOSE A VET THAT BEST FITS YOU AND YOUR PET? It is critical that our customers share our mission and values. We want our clients to feel at ease and free to share opinions, discuss treatment plans, schedule appointments, ask questions and look forward to bringing pets to visit and stay at our hospital. If a pet owner is happy, the pet will be happy.

DR. Carlos Varela and Dr. Blair Anderson

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WHAT DO YOU THINK IS SO SPECIAL ABOUT THE OWNER/PET RELATIONSHIP? Pets are important for the mental, social and physical health of their owners. They are there to offer unconditional love and support during some of the toughest times with a strong bond unlike any other relationship.

WHAT IS THE BEST PART ABOUT BEING A VET? Our greatest joy is to relieve suffering and pain from an animal. There is nothing better than witnessing a pet that could not move, later trot into the clinic after arthritis management or a puppy that was too sick to eat wolf down a can of wet food.

WHAT MADE YOU WANT TO BE VETS? We share a value that animals are living things that must be cared for. As humans, society has the responsibility to cherish and value them. Dr. Anderson grew up in a household where foster animals were always around. Dr. Varela grew up on a farm. We believe our pets are members of our family.

3514 MAHAN DRIVE | P (850) 878-4799 | BUCKLAKEAH.COM

every day, all day. (850) 656-6745; waterworkscaranddogwash.com

(800) 445-8667; tallahassee. homewoodsuites.com

PET-FRIENDLY LODGING

CONCERT VENUES

Free dog treats and dog toys; rents dog beds.

Cascades Park & Capital City Amphitheatre:

Aloft Tallahassee:

No deposit, no fee. 200 N. Monroe St., Tallahassee. (850) 513-0313 or (866) 932-6282; alofttallahassee.com

Residence Inn Tallahassee North and Residence Inn Universities at the Capitol: Allows two dogs per room at both Tallahassee locations.

Non-refundable fee of $100.

Tallahassee North: 1880 Raymond Diehl Road, Tallahassee, (850) 422-0093, Marriott.com/residenceinn/travel.mi. At the Capitol: 600 W. Gaines St., (850) 329-9080 or (800) 922-3291, marriott.com/tlhdt

Pets welcome on leashes; make use of pet waste stations.

FREE. 1001 S. Gadsden St., Tallahassee. Open every day, all day. (850) 891-3866; discovercascades.com

The Junction at Monroe:

Pets welcome on leashes in porch area; located on 5 acres, so bring pets for walks.

2001 S. Monroe St., Tallahassee.

Tues–Fri, 11 am–2 pm; Weds, Sat 6 pm–midnight; Sun, 5–10 pm. (800) 272-3151; junctionatmonroe.com

Homewood Suites by Hilton: Allows medium-sized

North Florida Fairgrounds:

dogs under 50 pounds.

Well-behaved pets on leashes allowed.

Non-refundable fee of $100.

2987 Apalachee Parkway, Tallahassee. (850) 402-9400 or

FREE. 441 Paul Russell Road, Tallahassee. Days and hours vary, depending on event. (850) 878-3247

PARKS

BEACHES

San Luis Mission Dog Park:

Dog Beach at Pier Park (PCB):

Located within San Luis Mission Park; well-behaved pets on leashes allowed; also features fenced-off leash area.

Dogs on leashes allowed; limit of three dogs per visitor.

FREE. 1313 San Luis Road, Tallahassee. Open 24 hrs. (850) 891-3866; talgov.com/Uploads/ Public/Documents/parks/pdf/ sanluis_map.pdf

FREE. 16230 Front Beach Road, Panama City Beach. Open sunrise–sunset. (850) 624-3291; visitpanamacitybeach.com/ things-to-do/attractions-andentertainment/pet-friendly

Tom Brown Park:

St. George Island:

Well-behaved pets on leashes allowed in all areas; also features fenced off-leash areas.

Public beach is pet friendly and allows pets to be off-leash if responsive to voice commands.

501 Easterwood Drive, Tallahassee.

Open sunrise to sunset. (850) 891-3866; talgov.com/parks/parkstombrown.aspx

FREE. 1900 E. Gulf Beach Drive, St. George Island. Open Mon–Sun, 8 am–6:30 pm. (850) 927-2111; seestgeorgeisland.com

Greenways:

Carrabelle Beach:

FREE. Locations vary (see website). Open sunrise– sunset. (850) 606-11470; cms.leoncountyfl.gov/Home/ Departments/Office-of-ResourceStewardship/Parks-andRecreation/Greenways

FREE. 1843 U.S. Highway 98, Carrabelle. Open sunrise–sunset.

(850) 697-2638; carrabelle.org/ things-to-do/beaches/carrabellebeach/797

Pets permitted on leashes only.

Dogs allowed on leash around sunbathers and off leash if responsive to voice commands.

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

OAKWOOD AND CUMBERLAND ANIMAL HOSPITALS intimate yet relaxed, family-friendly environments where clients can always expect to be offered the highest quality medicine. We work individually with each client to customize a diagnostic and treatment plan for their budget.

(FROM LEFT TO RIGHT) DRS. LAUREN COMBS, AMBER DEESE, MATTHEW WANOUS AND CONTESSA BOWMAN

WHAT SERVICES DO YOU PROVIDE? Oakwood Animal Hospital and our sister clinic, Cumberland Animal Hospital, provide signature medical and surgical services for cats and dogs. Specific medical services include internal medicine, dermatology,

ophthalmology, oncology, cold laser therapy and many other forms of pain management. Our surgical services include soft tissue surgery and comprehensive dental procedures.

WHAT SETS YOUR OFFICE APART FROM OTHERS? Our hospitals are

WHAT TRAINING HAS YOUR STAFF HAD? Our staff is constantly in training. We always want to continue building on our previous knowledge and experience. Veterinary medicine is constantly improving and changing, so we continue to educate ourselves and our staff in order to offer our clients and patients the best standard of care.

WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO CHOOSE A VET THAT BEST FITS YOU/YOUR PET? We will make recommendations when your pet is at their healthiest and when they are down in the dumps. At both points, it is imperative that you feel comfortable with us and that you trust

VETS AND PETS PROFILES

us to recommend the right steps for taking care of your furry family member.

WHAT IS THE BEST PART ABOUT BEING A VET? Saving animals, enhancing the human-animal bond and being a voice for those who don’t have one.

HOW DO PETS MAKE THIS WORLD A BETTER PLACE? Pets love us no matter how we feel or look. They keep our minds happy and our bodies healthy and will be there for us whenever we need them.

DO YOU HAVE PETS OF YOUR OWN? IF SO, WHAT? Of course we do! We all have big loving families of dogs and cats.

Dr. Wanous has five dogs, Dr. Combs has a blue tick hound and four cats, Dr. Deese has three cats and a great dane and Dr. Bowman has cats, dogs, reptiles and fish.

2528 W. THARPE ST., TALLAHASSEE | P (850) 386-1138 | OAKWOODANIMAL.COM 5902 SHADY REST ROAD, HAVANA | P (850) 562-0531 | CUMBERLANDPET.COM

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When you retire, your money should keep STEPHEN C.working.

HUGGINS

(continued from page 42) THE

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SPORTS

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BETWEEN Senior Vice President THE LINES Financial Advisor Someday you’ll stop working, and at that 3520 Thomasville Rd, Suite 100 C 850.422.8707 point, you’ll have to depend on your retirement Tallahasseeans rise to top ranks of tennis officiating

by ROCHELLE KOFF

ome late August, the U.S. Open will begin, featuring the best tennis players on the planet, big prize money and lots of excitement. But there are two other prime reasons you’ll want to pay attention to this top-tier tournament: Maria Long and Jake Garner, homegrown stars in the world of tennis officiating. Long, a line-umpire, and Garner, a gold-badge chair-umpire, are residents of Tallahassee who have trotted the globe as officiators. Here’s a look at how the two umpires got where they are today.

Maria Long spends weeks away from home, watching players send fast-flying tennis balls speeding across courts. She focuses intently when the ball lands on thin, neatly painted white lines. And she knows the next move could be hers — determining whether the ball is “in” or “out” of bounds.

It’s not the most relaxing way to enjoy the game, but Long relishes her role as a tennis line umpire, officiating at matches that may feature college students or superstars. Regardless of who’s playing, she can count on her concentration, calm demeanor and resolute attention to detail.

And then there’s her understanding of the game.

“I really love the court — seeing the tennis and the players up close,” she said. “You see it differently than you do

© 2013 Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC.

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Member SIPC.To work toward building that income, CRC588469 (12/12) CS 7338805 MAR013A 03/13

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38

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TALLAHASSEEMAGA ZINE.COM

Long played a bit for Rickards High School but didn’t pick up the sport in earnest until after college, when she met her husband, Bill, a tennis enthusiast and surgeon. Now a proud grandmother, “It was thrilling 66-year-old Long has been playing doubles in the South Georgia/North Florida Women’s to be there.

League since 1974.

It’s kind of like In 2000, Long heard about training for the Olympics, umpires for college games, and she decided to give it a shot. In the past seven years, she’s with flags from branched out, as well: Along with officiating, different countries Long has started training others to be line umand big opening pires, and she’s working as a chair umpire for college matches, which take place from Januceremonies. It ary through March. was really, really Long’s officiating lineup has included Wimexciting.” —Maria bledon, the U.S. Open and the Australian Long, line-umpire Open, among many other professional events.

“I really enjoyed going to Australia, and I never would have gone there if I hadn’t been working the tennis tournament,” Long said. “After I officiated, I took a week off and went to the Great Barrier Reef.” ›› TALLAHASSEEMAGA ZINE.COM

July–August 2017

39

With more than 26 ofrdexperience, I 1379years timberlane g

Senior Vice President in s at r brushandpalettestudio.com br yea ! le ss help info@brushandpalettestudio.com you create a strategy Financial Advisor Ce r 40 ican ne e s ov bu in

July–August 2017

on TV or in the stands, because you’re on the courts.” She added, “I love tennis. Love it, love it, love it.”

While she appreciates the opportunities to get a close look at the game, she also explained, “You cannot socialize with the players. You don’t even want to have the appearance of favoritism. I don’t even know if a player recognizes me or not.”

Karen Vogter, director of the Tallahassee Tennis Challenger for the past 14 years, agreed that being a line umpire has its challenges. “You have a ball that could be going anywhere from 90 to 150 miles per hour,” she said. “You have to pay attention all the time, and not fiddle, and not close your eyes, and see that ball hit, and make an instant call of whether that ball is ‘in’ or ‘out.’ That’s hard. The concentration level has got to be tremendous.”

Long said that being a tennis player, herself, has helped her umpiring skills. “To me, to be a good tennis player, one has to concentrate and focus. That’s what I do as a tennis player. I pay attention to what’s on my court. I’m not looking around to see what you’re doing on your court or thinking about my grocery list. I’m single-minded on the tennis court.”

for goals like between Rafael Nadal and Fernando Verdasco in 2009,

the superstars played for five hours and 14 min893-1960 retirement, estate planning and leaving a when legacy. utes at the Australian Open Semi-Final (Nadal won).

Let’s put your money to work. Call me today “Itto was just a fantastic match,” said Garner, who

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finds that the atmosphere and the “feelings around the match and not necessarily the match itself,” can make an event memorable.

During the past two decades, Garner, like Long, has witnessed a lot of memorable changes in the Accepting children who have completed Kindergarten-age 15. collage mixed media sport itself. “Players are pushing their limits,” he Offering full and half-day camps. said. “They’re such great athletes, and they’re so wellsculpture printmaking See website for full camp listings. trained, and everything’s thought out: their diet, fitness — all that stuff.”

Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC, its affiliates and Morgan Stanley Financial Advisors do not provide tax or legal advice. Clients should consult their tax advisor for matters involving taxation and tax It all leads to “the best tennis,” he added.

Aside from its superstar champions, the sport gets planning and their attorney for matters involving trust and estate planning and other legal matters. more media coverage than it used to, particularly with © 2013 Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC. Member SIPC. CRC588469 (12/12) CS 7338805 03/13 “It used to be you’d see tennis on theMAR013A Tennis Channel. weekends,” Garner said, “and now there’s live streaming” — including streaming of the Tallahassee Challenger. “True fans can follow their favorite players and events all year, and that leads to the sport being TMH Federal Credit Union an even bigger deal.”

One downside to umpiring is the time spent away 850.402.5301 • www.tmhfcu.org from his family: Kelley, Garner’s wife of 13 years, who works as a medical insurance company claims manager, and their two daughters, ages 9 and 4.

Garner has cut back some traveling, although he’ll be away about 20 weeks during 2017. When he’s home, he’s “a full-time, stay-at-home dad.”

He’s also an achiever — so he returned to school online, through Tallahassee Community College, and then through the University of Florida, earning a degree in business administration.

Those who haven’t seen Garner in years will also discover that there’s less of him to see: He dropped is our priority and our pleasure.

75 pounds by walking and counting calories over an eight-month period. “I’d walk for hours, but I could YOUR Healthcare Credit Union never get my head around running,” he said.

Serving Tallahassee’s Medical Community for over 55 years!

After 20 years, Garner’s head is still in the world of Membership Eligible to All Healthcare Employees tennis officiating. “It’s great,” he said. “It’s the type of In Leon and Surrounding Counties job where nothing’s ever the same. It’s always chalYour savings federally insured to at least $250,000 and backed by full faith and credit of the United States Government, National Credit Union Administration, a U.S. Government Agency. lenging, and it always keeps you on your toes.” TM We do Business in Accordance with the Federal Housing Law and the Equal Credit Opportunity Act.

set up an appointment.

Work in healthcare?

You can join!

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→

The Tallahassee Tennis Challenger (continued from page 43)

who are coming back after injuries, said Jacob Stuckey, tournament press aide.

Players competed for $75,000 in prize money at the Tallahassee tournament this year, up from the $50,000 paid in previous years.

The tournament is one of three events in which American players competed for points to win a spot in the French Open tournament in Paris.

The tournament helps to fund the Maria Yealdhall Challenger Tennis Fund at the Friends of Our Parks Foundation. It also benefits the D. Mark Vogter Memorial Endowment for the Neuro Intensive Care Unit at Tallahassee Memorial Hospital. In the past 18 years, the tournament has contributed more than $700,000 to this particular endowment.

D. Mark Vogter was the late husband of Karen. They were both avid tennis fans who started housing players in the tournament’s early days. Today, Tallahassee residents remain generous about opening their homes to players, said Lyn Baggett, the Challenger’s chairman of player housing.

“We had about 20 homes for players to stay this year,” she said.

Latvian player Mikelis Libietis, who stayed with the Baggetts during the Challenger, said that tournament home-stays “are huge. It’s one of the reasons I keep coming to the U.S. We travel so much and all we see is hotels.

Here, we get to meet new people who care about tennis.”

And there are, apparently, plenty of people who care about tennis in the city. “Tallahassee is pretty much a hotbed for tennis in North Florida,” said Howe. “With a population of 170,000, Tallahassee has 5,000 to 6,000 tennis players participating on 55 of the city courts.”

The city also hosts another major tennis event, the North Florida Jr. Designated, which takes place from July 14–16 and features 350 of the best juniors in Florida, said Howe. It’s played on five sites, including Forestmeadows.

The event is a $300,000 boon to Tallahassee, said Howe. “It has a huge economic impact.”

For more information about the Challenger, email KVogter@tallahasseechallenger.com. For more info on tennis in Tallahassee, email glen.

Howe@talgov.com, or call (850) 891-4979.

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agenda ▪ Nic’s Toggery was recently presented with the Governor’s Business Ambassador Award. Nic’s Toggery is a Tallahasseebased menswear specialty store established by Nic Gavalas in 1950. The family business now has three locations in Tallahassee and has 15 employees.

▪ Leon County recently received four “Project of the Year” awards recognizing outstanding public works projects. Each year, the American Public Works Association spotlights special projects in the community that have achieved certain goals within budget while exceeding public expectations.

▪ Retired Florida Supreme Court Justice Major Harding received the 2017 Faith and Profession Award from Tallahassee Christian College Harding and Training Center.

Harding has been a shareholder with the law firm Ausley McMullen since he retired from the court in 2002 and today is a member of St. Peter’s Anglican Church.

▪ Broker Bert Pope, founder and owner of Bert Pope & Associates LLC, recently marked a 28-year milestone selling the largest homes in Tallahassee. He has sold more than a dozen million-dollar homes.

▪ Tallahassee City Commissioner Gil Ziffer recently received the 2016 Silver Medal Award at the American Advertising Federation Tallahassee’s American Advertising Awards ceremony in February.

This annual event recognizes the best and the brightest in the industry.

▪ André J. Thomas, Owen F. Sellers Professor of Music in the FSU College of Music, recently received a high honor when he was named the 2017 Robert Shaw Choral Award winner at the American Choral Directors Association National Conference this spring.

▪ CRN, a brand of The Channel Company, has placed Aegis Business Technologies on its 2017 Tech Elite 250 list. This annual listing honors an exclusive group of North American IT solution providers that have earned the highest number of advanced technical certifications from leading technology vendors, scaled to their company size.

▪ Hancock and Whitney Bank has earned an impressive 18 national and regional 2016 Greenwich Excellence Awards for small business banking and middle market banking. The banking organization, which does business under the Hancock Bank and Whitney Bank brands, has won a total of 115 Greenwich

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Award designations — eight Best Brand Awards since 2013 and 107 Excellence Awards since 2005.

NEW & NOTABLE ▪ Petty Officer 3rd Class Darryl Garland, a Tallahassee native and Rickards High School graduate, is currently a yeoman at Naval Air Station Lemoore, California.

Garland is assigned to the Commander Strike Fighter Wing, U.S. Pacific Fleet, and is responsible for correspondence, unit mail and greeting incoming sailors.

▪ BumbleBee Waxing and More recently celebrated the grand opening of its ultramodern day spa in downtown Tallahassee.

The newly finished spa blends unique services with a healing atmosphere, creating a new flavor of indulgence.

▪ Local CPA firm James D.A. Holley & Co. has merged with top 25 CPA and advisory firm Carr, Riggs & Ingram, LLC. All James D.A. Holley & Co. personnel will now operate under the CRI name, and the team will also relocate to CRI’s new Tallahassee office on Centennial Boulevard.

▪ Fuzzy’s Taco Shop will open this summer in Tallahassee at 1600 W. Call Street. This will be the first Fuzzy’s built in the Capitol City. It will be owned and operated by franchisees Torry Brand and Brian Watson.

▪ Wendover Housing Partners, a privately held real estate development, investment and management company, recently announced the opening of its senior apartment community, Kenwood Place. Kenwood Place provides senior residents with an active, stress-free community to call home. According to a market brief from American Seniors Housing Association, the demand for senior housing will grow from 1.4 million units in 2015 to 3.2 million units by the year 2040.

▪ Jason Zaborske, founder of Capital Events, Inc. has joined Legal Services of North Florida as the organization’s new resource developer.

For nearly 20 years, Zaborske has planned and executed events as well as raised funds for various area non-profits including Capital City Youth Services, United Way, Children’s Week and FICPA Education Foundation. His new duties will include fundraising, sponsorships and facilitating special events.

▪ Bill Moore has been named president of Tallahassee State Bank. Moore is a Leon County native and has been with Moore Tallahassee State Bank for more than 20 years. He most recently served as executive vice president and commercial banking manager.

▪ Tallahassee banking veteran Matt Brown has been hired by Thomas County Federal to help expand the Brown Thomasville bank into Tallahassee as the Tallahassee market president.

▪ Tallahassee native and Maclay graduate Dr. John Ratowski has joined the staff of Chaney, Couch & Associates Family Dentistry.

Focaracci

ADDITIONS & PROMOTIONS

Medina

▪ John Medina has been promoted to senior vice president/ chief experience officer at First Commerce Credit Union. Medina will provide leadership

to First Commerce’s operations teams and member delivery channels.

▪ Hillary Haythorn has been named trust officer at Capital City Trust Company.

TALLAHASSEEMAGA ZINE.COM

Haythorn

Gilpin

▪ Phil Focaracci of Thomas Howell Ferguson P.A. recently passed all four parts of the CPA exam and received his CPA license. Focaracci is a member of the Florida Institute of Certified Public Accountants.

Nick Gilpin, a senior in the tax services department, also passed all four parts of the CPA exam and received his CPA license.

▪ Steven Lohbeck has been promoted to senior vice president, commercial banking manager, at Ameris Bank. He will be in Lohbeck charge of oversight of the commercial banking team in the Tallahassee market along with his duties as a commercial loan officer.

APPOINTMENTS ▪ Gov. Rick Scott recently appointed four prominent Tallahassee individuals to the Florida Constitution Revision Commission. These are Timothy Cerio, an accomplished attorney who had previously served as general counsel to the governor and in 2013 was appointed to the Judicial Nominating Commission for the First District Court of Appeal; Emery Gainey, a member of the attorney general’s senior executive management team and currently the director of law enforcement; Brecht Heuchan, founder and CEO of ContributionLink, LLC, a leading political intelligence, data analytics and fundraising company; and Florida Department of Education Commissioner Pam Stewart, who has served as an educator and administrator for 37 years. The 37–member Commission convenes every 20 years to review Florida’s Constitution and propose potential changes to be approved by Florida voters.

▪ Megan Fay has been appointed director of policy by Gov. Scott. She has worked in the governor’s office since 2013 and has served as a chief analyst in the office of policy and budget, deputy director of cabinet affairs and, most recently, as deputy director of legislative affairs. Fay fills the position left vacant by Jeff Woodburn, who is now the executive director of the Florida Constitution Revision Commission.

▪ Patti Ketcham has been appointed to the Florida Real Estate Commission.

Ketcham, of Tallahassee, owns Ketcham Realty Group, Inc. She Ketcham succeeds Darla Furst and is appointed for a term beginning March 20, 2017, and ending October 31, 2020.

▪ Gov. Scott recently appointed four Marianna citizens to the Jackson County Hospital District. John Milton is a local business owner and real estate investor.

He succeeds William Floyd and is appointed for a term beginning March 23, 2017 and ending September 5, 2019.

Shareta Wright is the director of The Wright Foundation. She fills a vacant seat and is appointed for a term beginning March 23, 2017 and ending July 31, 2020.

Kelly Connolly is the vice president of finance for Tri State Automotive Warehouse. She succeeds Sandra Helms and is appointed for a term beginning March 23, 2017 and ending July 20, 2020.

Dr. Robert “Bob” Hoff is a retired family practitioner. He succeeds David Carrel and is appointed for a term beginning March 23, 2017 and ending July 19, 2018.

— COMPILED BY JASON DEHART

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postscript shared with me her photo as it appears on the WFSU web← site. While I anticipated Radio journalist a Lamontish woman, Sascha Cordner’s on-air Cordner is, instead, voice differs markedly from the voice she uses in slight and oh so casual conversation, almost young looking. One as if she were channeling day, I resolved, I would someone — and maybe she is. do a story on her.

Cordner is a first-generation American whose parents are from Trinidad and Tobago. She is among those people who knew early on what she wanted to do. She attended the University of Florida and majored in broadcast journalism. In Gainesville, she volunteered at commercial and public radio stations before choosing the latter track.

When she accepted a job at WFSU as a reporter and the host of “All Things Considered,” she considered that she had joined public radio’s big leagues. She arrived in the middle of a legislative session, and the capitol was, for her, like a disorienting airport terminal.

“You can get lost in there,” she said in a No one extends a diphthong quite like voice that is but a distant cousin to her onMs. Cordner. air one.

When I was a kid, my parents’ radio, in the Cordner would find her way and soon car and in the kitchen, always was trained to commence winning Florida Associated WCCO, whose signal was the largest in the Press Broadcasters awards, including for a Land of Sky Blue Waters. Few women held feature on “Male Breast Cancer: Lost in a on-air positions, so Joyce Lamont stood out Sea of Pink.” for me. I saw her as slender and attractive, this “I try to find the human in all of the stodespite the niche she occupied at the station.

Lamont shared recipes with listeners, inries I do and to ask myself why the listener formation about community events and, late should care,” Cordner said. “Rather than just in her career, tips about travel. Nonetheless, reporting what legislators are saying, I try to Lamont was hugely popular and received, in capture the feelings of people who stand to the days before electronic mail, as many as be affected by what they are debating.”

10,000 letters a month, according to a story Presuming that she has been intimidatpublished on the occasion of her death at age ed from time to time, I ask her who is the 98 in 2014. Back in the day, a fellow broadcastmost challenging source she has met. I see a er would tease her by playing stripper music to name leap to her mind immediately, but she introduce her segments. A different era, then. is reluctant to share until, cajoled, she offers When first I laid eyes on Lamont, I wasn’t up “Marion Hammer,” the National Rifle sure whether to believe them. She resembled Association lobbyist and past NRA president. not the woman I had pictured, but she was “She knows her stuff, and with her, you’ve instead, well, blocky — the kind of woman got to be totally prepared; but, if you are, she who might exhibit a heifer or enter the pies is very respectful,” Cordner said. competition at the state fair. In fact, that To you, Sascha, I say: Stand your ground. is where I encountered her, at WCCO’s Never abandon your search for the human. remote, glassed-in broadcast booth at the And, by the way, I have figured out whom Minnesota State Fair. you’re channeling. It’s Joyce Lamont and all I listened to Cordner for years and develthose pioneers who helped create for you oped a Cordner impression before a colleague your place on the air. TM

LADY AT THE MIC

by STEVE BORNHOFT

F

rom televisions comes the voice of FBI director James Comey, testifying before the House Intelligence Committee and responding to questions with, mostly, “I can’t answer that question.” Here, in offices that lie beyond a lobby replete with antique radios, are reporters’ desks unseen beneath sheaves of notes and news releases and foam clamshells that contained quick lunches.

And there is Tom Flanigan, in the midst of a day in which he will write stories about an organizational meeting of the Florida Constitutional Revision Commission; Senate president Tom Negron’s reservoir proposal, said to be taking on water; and a demonstration in Frenchtown organized by opponents of a student housing project.

Regan McCarthy cradles a phone with her shoulder and puts pen to yellow legal pad.

This is where Sascha Cordner, a woman I had long been curious about, works. Her intriguing on-air voice frequently is my drivetime music. It sounds, says WFSU news director Lynn Hatter, like it comes from a “woman who is 40 and white.” But Cordner is assuredly neither. For me, that voice is a fascinating decision. It is genuine, not affected, but I think she may be channeling someone, maybe an ancestor. It commands attention and is authoritative, but smooooth.

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PHOTO BY STEVE BORNHOFT

I’ll never see her voice in the same way again

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