Tallahassee Magazine • May/June 2024

Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare has been accredited as the first Center of Excellence in Neurosurgery in the United States by the Surgical Review Corporation. The high standards for this designation mean patients receive safer procedures, exceptional care, fewer complications and a better overall experience. Patients from across the region depend on our team of highly trained physicians and surgeons for all levels of advanced neurosurgical care. The best care for your brain, right here in Tallahassee. Learn what we can do for your brain at

GUM

74

LOCAL HEROES

Being an Emergency Medical Services (EMS) worker is hard. The job requires long hours, extensive medical knowledge and adaptability, among other skills. But it’s rewarding, too.

Leon Country EMS paramedic Lt. Allison Hall and 2023 EMT of the Year Michael Aries, pictured above with LCEMS Chief Chad Abrams (center), combine to provide a comprehensive overview of the job and what they love most about working in EMS.

by SARA SANTORA

FEATURES 68

AN EXPANSIVE VISION

Florida State University President Richard McCullough and his wife, Dr. Jai Vartikar, have lived and worked in several major cities — Pittsburgh, Cambridge and Baltimore, to name a few. While each of these cities is special in its own right, Tallahassee stands out as the friendliest. “I’m not sure that I’ve ever lived in a place where the people are as nice, engaging and genuine,” McCullough said. The presidential couple sat down with Tallahassee Magazine to discuss all things FSU — InSPIRE, the CARE program and more.

by STEVE BORNHOFT

80

AIMEE NICOLE SACHS AND A LIFESAVING LEGACY GIFT

Sports journalist Aimee Nicole Sachs was only 38 years old when she suffered a pair of strokes. The first was mild, but the second left her with locked-in syndrome, a disorder that produces complete paralysis of all voluntary muscles except those controlling eye movement. “When our father explained Aimee’s condition to her, she let our family know she did not want to live her life hooked up to a ventilator,” wrote Aimee’s sister Samantha. Aimee, an organ donor, passed away on May 31, 2023, but her kidneys and liver saved others’ lives. Aimee’s family recounts her life and discusses the lifesaving legacy gift that is organ donation.

by STEVE BORNHOFT

323

23 SPORTS The Ekk siblings, Bella, Ethan and Owen, have been swimming competitively at the Area Tallahassee Aquatic Club for years. Now, they’re off to compete in the 2024 Canadian Olympic Trials.

30 CHAMPIONS Driven by their “lifelong love affair with nature,” conservationists Daphne and C. Martin Wood III recently pledged $1 million to the Fish and Wildlife Foundation of Florida to help combat non-native species.

34 PERSONALITY Retired nurse anesthetist Steve Pearce’s love for motorcycles began when he was 14. Now, over 60 years later, he’s recounting some of his favorite memories from life in the fast lane.

PANACHE

41 CITIZEN OF STYLE

When artist Kabuya Pamela Bowens-Saffo looks at any object — a piece of clothing or a work of art — she demands something from it; she “interacts” with it, asking it to explain itself and its meaning.

46 FASHION One of the most controversial Y2K fashion trends has returned — low-rise jeans. But don’t fret: Gypsy Rose Boutique owner Maria Hurst has a few styling tips and tricks you can use to modernize the look.

50 WHAT’S IN STORE

Spring is in full bloom, and summer is fast approaching. Protect your eyes from the harsh sun with Krewe’s Sophia sunglasses, named after legendary actress Sophia Loren. And stay cool in Wood Ships’ Key West Cotton Crew.

GASTRO AND GUSTO

57 DINING OUT About 150 years ago, the corner of Adams and Jefferson streets bustled with horses and wagons. Now, it’s the home of Hayward House — née Andrew’s — a bustling bistro.

64 LIBATIONS Brian Higgins, owner and distiller at 1861 Distillery, says bourbon and cigars are a “match made in heaven.” But what makes bourbon and cigars so special, and how do you find the perfect pairing?

EXPRESSIONS

87 THE ARTS FSU alumna Nikki Ackerman has made a full-time business with her collegiate artwork. “FSU has to be one of the prettiest campuses in the U.S., and I always knew I wanted to capture some of the memories I made here.”

92 BOOKS In her stirring, coming-of-age memoir, Deeper Than African Soil, author Faith Eidse details her childhood as a missionary, fleeing Congo and surviving abuse at a Mennonite boarding school.

62

ABODES

105 EXTERIORS Butterflies are vital to Earth’s ecosystem, but sadly, some populations are decreasing. To help, retired FSU scientists Dean and Sally Jue provide tips for creating a bountiful butterfly garden.

116 INTERIORS Most modern furniture isn’t built to last. So, Joe Pittman, owner of Joe Pittman Refinishing, details how to restore and refinish old, solid wood pieces.

120 GREEN SCENE While multicolored foliage is perfectly normal — even welcomed — during the fall, yellow leaves could spell trouble in the spring

DINING IN Are you looking for new ways to incorporate more fruits into your diet? Rather than packing an apple or orange in your lunch bag that’ll inevitably go to waste, try adding fruit to your sandwiches.

and summer months. Take a closer look to discover what, or who, they may be hiding.

DESTINATIONS

125 GETAWAY McKenzie Burleigh didn’t know what to expect from her African adventure, but she certainly received more than she bargained for. “The trip forever changed me, led me to a new level of enlightenment and enlarged my sense of gratitude.”

ON THE COVER:

Since arriving in Tallahassee in August 2021, Florida State University President Richard McCullough and his wife Dr. Jai Vartikar have found it easy to make the campus — and the community that surrounds it and the region that embraces it — a home. Photographed at the President’s House with their dog Bodhi, the couple is committed to making FSU a transformational presence throughout Northwest Florida.

Photo by Dave Barfield

TALLAHASSEE MAGAZINE

110

↑ FANTASTIC FIFTY Mays-Munroe, Tallahassee’s only family and locally owned appliance and sleep center, is celebrating 50 years of servicing customers with the latest and greatest in home furnishings. In the age of online shopping, they provide unparalleled customer care and attention to detail.

→ GIFT GUIDE

With several upcoming holidays and the start of summer, there are countless reasons to shop for gifts from local retailers.

96

↑ BEST OF TALLAHASSEE

Show your favorite local businesses and service providers love by casting your votes in the 2024 Best of Tallahassee ballot.

122

DEAL ESTATE

Do you need a retreat from the hustle and bustle of city life? A custom-built home situated on 11 acres should do the trick.

144 CALENDAR The arts are in action. Head to

festival, then cool

performance.

SETTING IT STRAIGHT

Faith Northcutt’s last name was spelled incorrectly in the March/April Tallahassee Magazine feature “Lucky Stars.” In that same edition’s Make-A-Wish story, it was incorrectly printed that Iris swims for Florida State University. She swims for the Florida State University School.

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EDITORIAL

EDITOR, TALLAHASSEE MAGAZINE Sara Santora

EXECUTIVE EDITOR, 850 BUSINESS MAGAZINE Steve Bornhoft

EDITOR, EMERALD COAST MAGAZINE Paige Aigret

SENIOR CONTENT EDITOR Laci Swann

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Lazaro Aleman, Marina Brown, McKenzie Burleigh, Rebecca Padgett Frett, Les Harrison, Karen Murphy

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VICE PRESIDENT / PRODUCTION AND TECHNOLOGY Daniel Vitter

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SENIOR ART DIRECTOR, TALLAHASSEE MAGAZINE Saige Roberts

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SENIOR PUBLICATION DESIGNER Scott Schiller

GRAPHIC DESIGNER Sierra Thomas

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Dave Barfield, McKenzie Burleigh, Haley Jacobs, Frank Li, Godwin Magembe, Erich Martin, Max Impact Photography, Kay Meyer, Modernmade Photography, Alicia Osborne, Saige Roberts, Shems Hamilton Photography, Chandler Williams, The Workmans

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TALLAHASSEE MAGAZINE tallahasseemagazine.com facebook.com/tallahasseemag twitter.com/tallahasseemag instagram.com/tallahasseemag pinterest.com/tallahasseemag youtube.com/user/tallahasseemag

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from the publisher

TIP OF THE SPEAR

was privileged to meet FSU’s First Family

I have found that, many times, the best interviews are those that are arrived at the least easily. The most compelling subjects are often people who are habitually busy.

So, I kept at it for 18 months in which I would periodically contact Florida State University officials in an effort to arrange for a writer to sit down with FSU President Dr. Richard McCullough and his wife, Dr. Jai Vartikar.

Finally, stars and calendars aligned, and an interview was scheduled for a December afternoon during a holiday break in classes.

Our story based on that conversation appears in this edition of Tallahassee Magazine. I think you will find that President McCullough and First Lady Vartikar are the right people to steer the FSU ship as the school works to build upon its status as one of the top universities in the country and serve as an asset that will benefit all of Northwest Florida for decades to come.

President McCullough left Harvard University, where he served as vice provost for research, to come to Tallahassee. Dr. Jai, as she is known around campus, and her husband both hold doctorates in chemistry from Johns Hopkins University, where they met as graduate students. She has emerged at FSU as an enthusiastic “Ambassador for the Arts.” His interests include strengthening the relationship between FSU’s research arm and the private sector, thus improving the flow of new advancements and products to the marketplace.

I thought carefully about where best to photograph the FSU president and First Lady before settling upon the President’s House. I intended for our

project to represent both their personal and professional sides.

The decision would prove to be a good one, and the photo shoot would include an element that I hadn’t anticipated.

Photographer Dave Barfield and I arrived at the residence early to check out possible settings for a cover photo. We settled on the backyard versus the home’s formal interior in part because it would give Dave the opportunity to take advantage of natural lighting.

While inside, I noticed a dog bowl in the kitchen. When President McCullough and Dr. Jai presented themselves for the proceedings, I asked them whether we might include “Bodhi” in some shots. We opted to first take some photos without the dog and try later to add Bodhi — I was told he can be highly protective of his owners.

Bodhi, I should point out, is a Saint Berdoodle, not quite large enough to replace Renegade the Appaloosa in pregame festivities on Bobby Bowden Field, but he’s stout. When President McCullough brought him outside on a leash, Dave and I gave Bodhi plenty

of room. I think you will agree that the cover shot worked out well, and I invite you to make some discoveries about FSU’s first couple by reading our story.

Tallahassee Magazine’s new editor is Sara Santora. She replaces Steve Bornhoft, who is moving on to a new chapter in his life doing communications work for a business incubator in Panama City Beach. Sara is a Florida State graduate and completed an internship at Rowland Publishing as an FSU senior. Her employment history includes work for a national news magazine. I encourage you to look for Sara’s columns and bylined stories and to introduce yourself to her when you get the chance.

I would also like to take an opportunity to salute and acknowledge the 50th anniversary of the “Queen of Forgotten Coast Real Estate,” Alice Collins. Alice had a vision decades ago and was the first real estate company to set up an outpost on St. George Island when access was only available via ferry. Over the years, she’s built the leading real estate vacation rental service company and has been an integral part of the island’s growth and quality development plan. I have had the pleasure of knowing Alice for 20-plus years, and her passion for quality life along our developing coastline is unparalleled.

Have a great summer!

IT’S ALL IN THE PAST

Millennials and Gen Z love nostalgia, but why?

About two years ago, my friends and I attended a “One Direction night” hosted by a traveling events company called Club ’90s. We all wore our Tumblr best — red skinny jeans, striped T-shirts, sheer tights — and danced the night away to the soundtrack of our high school years. For one night, we were teenagers again, only now we didn’t have pesky curfews to abide by.

It was so much fun. I remember thinking, “How could life get any better than this?”

Nostalgia is a powerful feeling and an even more powerful marketing tool, especially for millennials and Gen Z. One Direction night proved that. But why? What makes the younger generations so nostalgic?

There are many theories, one being the “digital native factor.” Many millennials grew up with technology but still remember a time before smartphones, laptops and social media. This “dual experience,” as digital marketing manager Rheace Jones called it, makes millennials particularly susceptible to feelings of nostalgia. But other studies show it’s much deeper than that.

In a blog post for Nottingham Trent University, senior lecturer Yvonne Richardson said, “Gen Z has grown up in the backdrop of social upheaval, climate change and global health crisis.” As a result, many Gen Zers struggle with high levels of anxiety and pessimism.

Millennials, for their part, carry unprecedented amounts of debt — nearly $4 trillion as of the end of 2022 — thanks in part to “skyrocketing” student loan debt and the “rapidly increasing” cost of living, Newsweek reported.

Given all this, it’s no wonder these groups engage with nostalgia whenever possible — it’s a powerful antidote to life’s ills.

“Empirical research has shown the power of nostalgia in invoking strong feelings of security and comfort,” Richardson wrote. “So, nostalgia can help in times of uncertainty — a time machine to whisk them away from the pressures they are currently facing.”

Nostalgia certainly helps me cope with stress. What I loved most about that One Direction night was that it allowed a brief escape from the woes of adulthood. No one there wanted to talk about work or the economy. Instead, they wanted to debate the band’s cutest member (Harry Styles) and best album (Four).

And isn’t it nice to revisit your past every now and then? Artist Nikki

Ackerman thinks so. Nostalgia is a big part of her work. Her paintings of FSU’s landmarks help fellow alums recall the good old days of game weekends and early morning strolls through campus.

But nostalgia isn’t just about revisiting your past. Sometimes, it’s just about visiting the past. Why do you think low-rise jeans have become so popular among Gen Z? While the millennials who experienced the trend in the early aughts aren’t thrilled by its return, teenagers love it. Perhaps because it transports them to a time before social media and global pandemics. A time that, at least in their minds, was better than today.

While nostalgia allows us to travel to the past, it can also help us reimagine a new future. A 2015 study by Wijnand van Tilburg, Constantine Sedikides and Tim Wildschut showed that nostalgia contributes to increased creativity and, Richards wrote, “invites us to think differently and make surprising new connections.”

“It makes you more open,” said Wildschut. “It’s a springboard from which to explore the world.”

So, nostalgia is a comfort blanket and a source of inspiration. I guess this means I’ll have to join my peers at another One Direction night. Maybe there, we can finally determine the steps to achieving world peace.

SARA SANTORA, EDITOR

TMH Golden Gala attendees not only experience great entertainment — they support the programs and services of Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare. This year, gala proceeds benefited the Bixler Trauma and Emergency Center, the region’s only Level II Trauma Center. For those who may need the highest level of care at a moment’s notice, our highly skilled team of physicians, nurses, technicians and others stand ready. To those who attended the 40th anniversary TMH Golden Gala and for those who support other giving programs throughout the year, thank you for helping us save lives.

WE ARE DEEPLY GRATEFUL TO YOU!

TALLAHASSEEMAGAZINE.COM

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Enter to win by visiting TallahasseeMagazine.com/ ultimate-hilton-getaway.

ALL ABOUT BOURBON

Hosted in partnership with the Covey Film Festival, a Thomasville Community Resource Center (TCRC) fundraising organization, bourbon lovers congregated at Thomasville, Georgia’s 1861 Distillery on Feb. 1 to eat, drink and enjoy a documentary screening of Neat: The Story of Bourbon Learn more at TallahasseeMagazine.com/ all-about-bourbon.

In celebration of Father’s Day on June 16, we invite you to post a pic on Instagram of your father figure and tell us what they mean to you. Include #LoveTally, tag us at @tallahasseemag and you may be included in a feature article published on our website!

YOUR VOTE MATTERS!

Best of Tallahassee 2024 balloting is underway! Cast your vote for the businesses and services that have made a positive impression on you and have your loyalty. These businesses work hard to support you, their customers, and earn your respect. This is your opportunity to give them the chance to shine as the Best of Tallahassee.

Vote online at TallahasseeMagazine.com/ best-of-tallahassee-24ballot until 11:59 p.m. ET on May 31, 2024.

Promote your event to Tallahassee

Magazine readers. Submit your event to our online calendar for free! Check it out at TallahasseeMagazine.com/local-events

The best kind of facial recognition

is face-to-face.

The best kind of facial recognition is face-to-face.

A smiling face helps open your phone and, at Capital City Bank, it helps open lasting relationships. We’re proud of our online banking and app, yet face-to-face is how we get to know you personally and match your financial needs with the best banking solutions. ccbg.com.

A smiling face helps open your phone and, at Capital City Bank, it helps open lasting relationships. We’re proud of our online banking and app, yet face-to-face is how we get to know you personally and match your financial needs with the best banking solutions. ccbg.com.

Shelly-Ann Watson, Universal Banker

Shelly-Ann Watson, Universal Banker

STUDENTS MAKING A SPLASH

PROFILING THE PURSUITS, PASSIONS AND PERSONALITIES AMONG US

photography by

CHAMPIONS Invasive Species || PERSONALITY Steve Pearce

If you’re ever trying to locate Bella, Ethan and Owen Ekk, try a local pool, where they spend 22 hours per week. Such is the time commitment, stamina and dedication it takes to be a teenager qualifying for the Olympics.

Bella (18), Ethan (16) and Owen (15) will be competing in the 2024 Canadian Olympic trials on May 13–19. Hundreds of young adults will take to the water for one of the 10 coveted spots to compete as a junior Olympic athlete.

When asking teenagers what they’re most excited about regarding the trials, the expected answer might be an unfiltered want to win. But for the Ekks, winning isn’t everything.

“The competition is fun, but it’s just as fun outside the pool getting to meet new people and make connections,” said Owen.

Swimming has been a part of the Ekks’ lives as early as they could be in a pool. Their mother, Elizabeth Ekk, enrolled Bella in Infant Swimming Resource (ISR) lessons at 18 months. She would follow the same pattern with the two boys.

Elizabeth enrolled all three children in swim clubs for their age groups as an activity they could do together. They soon gained the attention of Terry Maul, head coach of the Area Tallahassee Aquatic Club (ATAC).

“Even from such young ages, I could tell they were talented and had very good technique,” said Maul.

Maul notes that Ethan excels in distance swims, whereas Bella and Owen are more oriented toward shorter distances and speed. Each has varied goals, but they’re receptive to feedback, eager listeners and highly focused athletes.

→ Owen, Bella and Ethan Ekk, pictured left to right, have been swimming most of their lives. In May, they’ll head to the 2024 Canadian Olympic trials to try and earn three coveted spots to compete as junior Olympic athletes.

“It’s a mentally and physically demanding sport, and our coaches push us in ways that make us better swimmers and people,” Ethan said. “What I’m proudest of myself for is seeing the ways in which I’ve listened to improve and develop throughout the years.”

What began as competition within ATAC led to state and national swim meets, all culminating in the opportunity to compete internationally. As dual citizens of the United States and Canada, based on qualifying times, the Ekks decided to attend the Canadian trials.

To participate in the Olympic trials, swimmers must have met or exceeded the qualifying swim times. Over six days, they will compete in the following events: 50 free, 100 free, 200 free, 400 free, 800 free, and slower heats, 200 back and 200 IM.

In preparation for the trials, the Ekks have had to include more long course training because the international distance is measured in long course meters.

The Ekks have nine weekly practices — three mornings from 5:30–6:30 a.m., five afternoons from 2:30–6:30 p.m., and a Saturday morning practice. Between swimming, the Ekks attend high school, Bella at Maclay High School and Ethan and Owen at Chiles High School. All maintain above 4.0 GPAs and are members of the National Society of High School Scholars.

“People don’t know just how hard it is balancing swimming and school, but doing so has taught me a lot about perseverance and time management, which will only continue to benefit me in the future,” said Bella.

Bella has a monumental May. That month, she will try out for the Olympics and graduate high school. She has committed to swimming and studying at Auburn University in the fall. Ethan is already in talks with universities to continue his swimming career.

“Swimming

has opened so many doors for them and shaped

“Even from such young ages, I could tell they were talented and had very good technique.”

Terry

—

Maul, head coach of the Area Tallahassee Aquatic Club

The Ekk children train under Area Tallahassee Aquatic Club’s Terry Maul. He previously served as the head coach for the USA National Junior Team in Montreal, Canada, in 1992 and the USA National Team in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in 1984, among other roles.

them into the people they are,” said Elizabeth. “They set their own alarms each morning and sacrifice social time because of their commitment to and love of the sport. They are selfmotivated. As their parents, we aren’t here to be coaches. We are here to support, love and cheer them on.”

To take a quick scroll through Elizabeth’s social media, you’ll witness this devotion to and awe she holds for her children — posing next to pools throughout the state with trophies and the blissful, exhausted smiles that accompany a win.

Keeping athletes fed is no small feat, especially when two are teenage boys. While eating and sleeping count among the siblings’ favorite things to do, when they do have downtime, they enjoy playing golf, surfing, traveling and teaching young children how to swim.

“We aren’t good at sitting still, and even when we participate in other sports, we are competitive but in a different way,” said Owen.

SWIMMING STATS

OWEN EKK

National Rankings

➸ Currently 1st 200 IM long course meters in 2024 for 15-year-old males (2:07.62)

➸ 1st 50 free long course meters in 2023 for 14-yearold males (23.88)

➸ 1st 100 free long course meters in 2023 for 14-yearold males (52.23)

➸ 2023 Florida High School 3A State champion on 50 and 100-yard free as a freshman

➸ Voted 14-year-old Long Course Swimmer of the Year by the Florida Swimming Association for 2023

BELLA EKK

National Rankings

➸ 14th in 200 free short course yards in 2023 for 18-year-old females (1:46.64)

➸ 17th in 200 free long course meters in 2023 for 17-yearold females (2:02.06)

➸ 2023 Florida High School 1A State 2nd place finish in the 100- and 200-yard freestyle

ETHAN EKK

National Rankings

➸ Currently 2nd 200 free long course meters in 2024 for 16-year-old males (1:50.21)

➸ 5th 400 free long course meters in 2023 for 15-yearold males (3:59.17)

➸ 4th 800 free long course meters in 2023 for 16-yearold males (8:06.22)

➸ 2023 Florida High School 3A State Champion in the 200 IM and 500-yard free as a junior

The Ekks are brimming with forward momentum, but Coach Maul reminds them, as he does all his athletes, to slow down. Each of the children expressed their own interpretations of one of Maul’s common sentiments — in a world of instant gratification, swimming presents delayed gratification.

Maul, who has coached hundreds of children throughout his over 50 years,

notes that the majority desire trophies and medals right away. When that doesn’t happen, they get burnt out or quit. Swimming is for those unafraid to commit to the demand, training and physical changes that occur over the years, leading ultimately to success.

“The Ekks challenge themselves and are a joy to coach,” said Maul. “Any time you’re surrounded by extreme athletes at a national competition, you begin seeing yourself in those fellow athletes. I believe no matter the outcome, the Ekks will take this experience to set even higher goals for the future.”

↑ Elizabeth Ekk is the owner and broker of Ekk Realty Group in Tallahassee. Her career no doubt keeps her busy; however, she and her husband take every opportunity to travel up and down the state to witness their children’s meets and cheer them on.

DURING A STROKE, EVERY SECOND COUNTS.

FAST.

KNOW THE SIGNS OF STROKE

BALANCE

Sudden Loss of Balance or Dizziness

EYES

Loss of or Blurred Vision

FACE

Face Drooping or Severe Headache A

RMS

Weakness or Numbness in Arm

SPEECH

Trouble Speaking or Confusion

TIME

Time is Brain

In a stroke, time isn’t just precious - it’s everything. Brain cells begin to die within minutes of suffering a stroke so it’s crucial to “BE FAST” and act immediately by calling 911. Knowing the signs of stroke and taking swift action can make all the difference.

When every minute counts, you want your brain in the best hands possible. Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare is home to the Big Bend’s only Comprehensive Stroke Center. At TMH, you’ll receive a rapid diagnosis, innovative care and a dedicated support team.

Learn about how we care for your brain at TMH.ORG/Stroke.

CHAMPIONS

A LIFELONG COMMITMENT

Monticello conservationist couple “walk the talk”

by LAZARO ALEMAN

Longtime conservationists Daphne and C. Martin Wood III recently upped their longstanding commitment to protecting the environment, pledging $1 million to the Fish & Wildlife Foundation of Florida to further its work of combating nonnative species.

Foundation President and CEO Andrew Walker called the future bequest “exceedingly generous.”

“It’s one of the very few we’ve gotten in that range,” Walker said. “It’s certainly far above the average planned gift in the nonprofit world.”

The donation — effective upon the Woods’ deaths — is intended to fight the nonnative species that threaten Florida’s ecology and annually cost millions to control, such as the Burmese python, Brazilian Peppertree and lionfish.

↖

Daphne Wood is a past chair of and a current board member of the Fish & Wildlife Foundation of Florida, and her husband, C. Martin Wood III, is an advisor to the Foundation’s Finance and Audit Committee. Advocacy and activism are core tenets of the couple, who’ve contributed to various conservation efforts and organizations.

“Marty and I have had a lifelong love affair with nature and the outdoors since childhood. And in particular with rural land and habitat.”

— Daphne Wood

L O W V I S I O N O R B L I N D ?

Lanetra Bennett's bright smile greets viewers of WCTV's Good Morning Show every weekday. This FAMU graduate has been serving her community for more than two decades. In 2023, she was recognized as Best of Tallahassee -TV Personality. WCTV celebrates Lanetra's accomplishments both on and off air!

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How exactly the gift is used is up to the foundation.

“They’re the experts,” Daphne said. “They will know the most critical need when the time comes. But reptiles, particularly poisonous nonnative reptiles, are of real concern to Marty and me.”

Prompting the gift was the Woods’ advancing ages and a desire to benefit the environment, one of their abiding passions.

“Marty and I have had a lifelong love affair with nature and the outdoors since childhood,” Daphne said. “And in particular with rural land and habitat.”

Invasives, as the two see it, pose a biodiversity threat.

Theirs is not an isolated view. According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), more than 500 nonindigenous plants and animals inhabit the state, including 64 species of reptiles and amphibians. Per the FWC, these species were introduced as exotic pets or entered via international trade and were released or escaped and found a home in the wild. Allowing that not all nonnative species

are harmful, the FWC identifies scores of them as threats to Florida’s ecology, economy or public health.

“I think many people are unaware of how horrific invasives are,” said Daphne, who serves on the foundation’s board of directors. “Invasives make kudzu seem like something you want to plant everywhere. I’ll take kudzu nine ways to Sunday over some of these horrible things that are already breeding in Florida.”

The $1 million pledge isn’t the Woods’ first foray into fighting nonindigenous species. In 2013, they provided the prize money for the FWC’s first Python

FLORIDA’S APPLE SNAIL DILEMMA

↖ The lionfish is one of many invasive species that could negatively impact Florida’s native wildlife and habitat. ↑ Each year, the FWC holds the Florida Python Challenge, a conservation effort designed to remove invasive Burmese Pythons from the Everglades. Above, FWC staff pose with a python during the 2023 challenge.

Challenge, a month-long competition to raise public awareness about invasive species that drew nearly 1,600 participants and eliminated 68 pythons.

“We wanted to make sure that there was enough of a reward for people to want to participate,” said Daphne, adding they no longer fund the annual event now that it’s well-established.

Despite being popular aquarium pets, apple snails are pests in the wild. Florida, the FWC notes, is home to five species of these large freshwater mollusks, including the native Florida apple snail, which alone is regarded as beneficial, serving as the mainstay of the Everglades kite. The others — the island, channeled, spike-topped and titan — are exotics and considered detrimental. Worrisome is their rapid increase and impact on wetlands, which comprise over 31% of Florida. The concern is that these snails’ voracious, indiscriminate consumption of rooted aquatic plants may significantly alter these ecosystems. A 2023 University of Florida study of the island apple snail, in particular, found that it decreased aboveground biomass, vegetation cover and degraded water quality. The snails, the study concluded, could impact the wetlands’ ecological benefits to humans, including plant productivity, habitat maintenance and landscape aesthetics. Of equal concern is invasive snails’ potential to displace the native species and the harm posed by the channeled and island apple snails to crops grown in natural and semi-natural wetlands, such as rice in South Florida.

CHANNELED APPLE SNAIL

Lest anyone think the Woods simply abhor slithering and crawly creatures, she notes that they’ve also helped fund research into the rare striped newt, a threatened species found only in the Southeastern United States and that today is again thriving in some areas.

The Woods also have a long history of financially supporting efforts to foster an appreciation of nature among young people. Hence, their longtime involve ment with programs such as the FWC-operated out door education centers that offer adolescents yearround opportunities to enjoy the outdoors.

If it’s not apparent, advocacy and activism are core tenets of the Woods, whose conservation minded ness informs their long participation in such organi zations as the foundation and Tall Timbers Research Center (TTRC).

Also underlying their conservation activism are concerns about the possible adverse impact of unbri dled development on their beloved Red Hills region.

“You only have to drive to other parts of the country to see how sprawl is eating up rural land everywhere,” Daphne said.

To ensure their area retains its natural pristine beauty, the Woods have put 8,850 acres of family property in North Florida and South Georgia into conservation easement, thus permanently protecting it from development. The decision makes them one of 135 landowners in the Red Hills region to commit a combined 157,223 acres to conservation, thanks to the TTRC’s efforts and Daphne’s participation on its easement committee.

“It’s wonderful knowing this much land will be protected and have many species of plants and animals living on it in perpetuity,” Daphne said. “I consider this our biggest accomplishment.”

Walker applauds the Woods’ commitment, placing them among Florida’s foremost conservationists who “walk the talk.”

“It’s very inspiring,” he said of their example. TM

↑ The Woods have helped fund research into the rare Striped newt, a threatened species found only in the Southeastern United States.

PERSONALITY

WHEN A MAN LOVES A MOTORCYCLE

Retired nurse anesthetist recounts life in the fast lane

by MARINA BROWN

Steve Pearce’s life-long romance began when he was 14 years old.

“It was a Vespa,” he said. “A beautiful powder-blue Vespa.”

There would be other motorcycles, of course, but that Vespa introduced the restless, self-styled “undersized” teenager to a world of freedom and adventure. Today, 75, Pearce looks back on the triumphs and trials of the open road.

As a child, Pearce had a tepid relationship with school. But he was fascinated with mechanical things of the two-wheeled, motored variety, and by high school, Pearce had found his tribe.

His motorcycle adventures began when the 15-year-old waved an innocent goodbye to his mother and made a motorcycle trip from Miami to Fort Meyers and back.

“Helmets were not included, but what fun,” he recounted.

Another trip in his senior year had different results. That time, Pearce collided with an erratic driver. The accident wasn’t fatal, but Pearce broke his collarbone, wrist, and knee and lost most of the skin from his back. Still, his love of motorcycles continued.

a teenager. He’s owned many over the years, Kawasakis, Hondas, etc., but after 60 years on the road, his riding days are officially behind him. He poses with pal Henry Brown’s bike.

↗ Steve Pearce fell in love with motorcycles as

He would go on to own the powder-blue Vespa, a Honda CB450, a Honda CB550, a Harley-Davidson Sportster, a Kawasaki Vulcan, two Yamaha FJ1200s and a Kawasaki KLR650. These dependable friends would take Pearce across thousands of miles of the United States and beyond for 60 years.

Eventually, despite his past ambivalence toward school, Pearce earned two associate degrees, Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees, and an R.N. licensure.

“At 30, I got a clue,” he said. “I went to Wake Forest and became a nurse anesthetist.”

He was licensed in 13 states and ran his own busy NA group, all the while using his motorbike to take road trips through the Midwest,

into Canada and to New England every chance he got.

“And then came Peru.” In 2019, traveling with fellow biker Henry Brown, another nurse anesthetist, Pearce and five others set out from Cusco south toward Bolivia by bike.

“We rented Suzuki DR650s, and for a sea-level guy, those 11,000foot Andes, the hairpin turns, the vistas filled with herds of llamas, the ancient ruins — Machu Picchu included — and the people were the thrill of a lifetime,” he said.

After Peru, with a supportive wife and now a taste for the long journey, Pearce was ready for one of the most daring motorbike challenges available to any rider — he and Brown set out on the TransAmerica Trail.

Created by Sam Correro in 1984, the TransAm Trail takes riders across the country, mostly on unpaved roads and trails, through farmland, mountain passes, forests and deserts. Suggestions are to cover 200 miles a day and take about three months to complete the journey, starting in Tellico Plains, Tennessee, and arriving on the Oregon coast.

Pearce is the first to acknowledge that the pair’s first attempt in 2022 was “a debacle.”

“From the start, it was raining and foggy, and the trail was, essentially, mud. We had gone about 13 miles when my rear tire

PHOTOS COURTESY OF STEVE PEARCE (PERU)

← Henry Brown joined Pearce on a 2019 trip to Peru and two TransAmerica Trail attempts, one in 2022 and the other in 2023. ↑ Pearce described their Peruvian adventure as the “thrill of a lifetime.”

↑ In 2023, Pearce and Brown set out on the TAT after their “debacle” of a trip in 2022, but the trip had its own challenges. At one point, Pearce wound up “taking a swim.” After three flat tires and a laundry list of other broken motorcycle parts, the pair drove home.

swung out from under me and crashed the bike into a tree. It destroyed the tire and wheel. And there would be no fixing it for the next four days.”

Pearce pushed the twisted bike miles out to a paved road, rented a U-Haul and returned to Florida to rethink and regroup. In 2023, Pearce and Brown tried again.

While they didn’t reach the West Coast that time, either, the pair rode through Tennessee, Mississippi, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas, New Mexico and Colorado, aborting only when their list of broken parts included shocks, clutches, three flat tires, and they received word of 120 inches of snow in the Ophir Pass.

Besides, after almost three weeks on a bike, “We were beat to hell,” admitted Pearce.

But when asked if traveling only a portion of the famed TransAmerica Trail was worth it, Pearce said, “Absolutely.”

“The characters we met along the way, the Midwestern people I got to know, and those Oklahoma sunsets were priceless.”

After 60 years on the road, Pearce said his riding days are behind him. He no longer owns a motorcycle; however, his love for them persists, and he looks back fondly on the memories made, the distance covered and the storms weathered.

WHEN STUDENTS SUBMIT OUR SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION, THEY WILL BE MATCHED WITH ALL AVAILABLE SCHOLARSHIPS THAT THEY QUALIFY FOR. WITH JUST ONE APPLICATION, STUDENTS ARE CONSIDERED FOR MULTIPLE SCHOLARSHIPS!

WHEN STUDENTS SUBMIT OUR SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION, THEY WILL BE MATCHED WITH ALL AVAILABLE SCHOLARSHIPS THAT THEY QUALIFY FOR. WITH JUST ONE APPLICATION, STUDENTS ARE CONSIDERED FOR MULTIPLE SCHOLARSHIPS!

LEARN MORE AND APPLY

LEARN MORE AND APPLY

The Green Heart of Florida’s Capital

It’s hard to imagine a place more “hometown” than Tallahassee. Some people were born and raised here, but most have chosen to move here to live and raise their families, just as my family did in 1989. Living and working here has shaped my view of who we are as a community and even more importantly, how we can continue to nurture those things that define our home city, Tallahassee.

I’ve attended government meetings where I’ve heard, “We are becoming another concrete city.” When I hear that, I try and imagine what those people are seeing. There’s an amazing opportunity to see exactly how we’ve grown. Take the time to ascend to the 22nd floor of the State Capitol Building. The view from the 360-degree windows tells our story. No matter which direction you look, you’ll see what separates us from the rest. It’s what you won’t see that really tells our story. You’ll see buildings lining our major roadways, as they should. But what you’ll have trouble seeing are homes. Our homes are there, but they are hidden under a blanket of trees as far as the eye can see, as they should be … a tapestry sewn together and cultivated by years of commitment to keeping our community green — building where we must but doing our best to honor our

responsibility to the lifestyle enjoyed for generations. The truth is, it would be difficult to find a place that looks less like a concrete city. Our work and shops are where they belong in a growing thriving community. But our homes, where we retreat to recharge, laugh and cry, thrive and heal, are nestled in cherished neighborhoods with places we can walk, work and play. Our city and county park programs are recognized as among the best in America. Our 763 miles of recreational trails are more than any city in the country. We are literally surrounded by livability. The Boulos Plant-a-Tree program serves as a testament and the foundation of our dedication to planting 4,000 trees within our community.

Year after year, we faithfully fulfill this commitment, ensuring a legacy for the future. This initiative, along with others, underscores our pride in cultivating sustainable communities. As stewards of our community’s environmental health, we recognize the importance of sustainable practices beyond tree planting. Initiatives such as water conservation, renewable energy adoption, and waste reduction play pivotal roles in safeguarding Tallahassee’s natural beauty and splendor. By embracing eco-friendly policies and encouraging environmentally conscious behaviors,

the Boulos Corporation strives to ensure that our city remains a beacon of environmental responsibility and resilience in the face of global challenges. Through collaborative efforts and innovative solutions with our hard-working partners at the city and the county together with our elected officials, the Boulos Corporation is committed to preserving Tallahassee’s unique charm and ecological integrity for generations to come.

Hadi Boulos

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MAY/JUN 2024

REGARDING MATTERS OF ALL THINGS STYLISH

← Printmaker and internationally known artist Kabuya Pamela Bowens-Saffo poses in front of her recent work About Face, which focuses on ideas of introspection in the state of Florida. When introspecting about her personal style, she said, “Art is really my style … But I do love a nice beret!”

THE ART OF STYLE

Kabuya Pamela Bowens-Saffo believes our clothes have something to say

by MARINA BROWN

CITIZEN OF STYLE

When Kabuya Pamela Bowens-Saffo looks at any object — a piece of clothing or a work of art — she does so from a slightly different vantage point than most. She demands something from a scarf or the objet d’art; she “interacts” with it, asking it to explain itself and its meaning. It’s in her nature.

Bowens-Saffo is a printmaker and internationally recognized artist. Currently the arts administrator and chief curator of Tallahassee’s Anderson Brickler Gallery, her work draws upon a scholarly background that has taken her to New York, Miami, Rome, Venice and, for over 15 years, into the world of academia as a professor at both FSU and FAMU.

Given her career as a visual artist, her “relationship” with the scarf in question, her primary accessory, makes sense.

“For me, the colors are telling me something,” said Bowens-Saffo of the scarf. “Yellow, for instance. Yellow, for me, says ‘Solidarity.’ It is reflective, and messages can go back and forth.”

She unwraps a multicolored piece of silk by Faith Ringold from around her neck and smooths the kaleidoscopic material. “But I also love black.

“Yellow, for me, says ‘Solidarity.’

It is reflective, and messages can go back and forth.”

↖ Bowens-Saffo wears her favorite beret — vintage Jordon Marsh-Boston — and a silk yellow scarf from the Hirshhorn Museum gift shop and exhibition Infinity Mirror Rooms by Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama. In addition to her work at the gallery, Bowens-Saffo is working on a community research project exploring Munree Cemetery’s cultural history and lost and found burial grounds of African Americans who lived and worked on Weluanee Plantation.

← During her master’s studies in printmaking at the Pratt Institute, Bowens-Saffo was a master printer at the Robert Blackburn Printmaking Workshop in New York. She printed a series of woodcuts by renowned artist Hale Woodruff for the Metropolitan Museum collection in New York. The two smaller woodcuts pictured are by Woodruff.

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“Black is anonymous,” she explained. “It is a sacred place, a place one enters carefully. It is a platform for other things as well.”

Often preferring casual tunics and black tights, Bowens-Saffo sometimes adds gold jewelry or even colorful, whimsical knee socks for fun. But the safety of black seems a staging ground and refuge.

Bowens-Saffo’s home is filled with art, both her own and that of other printmakers, such as Ken Falana and Leon Hicks. It doubles as a studio, where she produces handcrafted prints, intaglios and collagraphs on her own press, using metal engraving styluses, corrosive acids and chemicals. The resulting images contain joyful and tender messages that often refer to African American life.

Experts and scholars recognized her artistic talents early. She graduated from Howard University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts and earned her MFA from the Tyler School of Art at Temple University. She received an award from the National Endowment for the Arts and worked as a printmaker in New York before being recruited as an associate professor at Florida State University and later a visiting professor at Florida A&M University.

She recently returned from an artist-in-residence at the University of California, Berkeley. And now, she collaborates with Dr. Celeste Hart at the Anderson Brickler Gallery, one of her most passionately loved jobs.

“Black is anonymous. It is a sacred place, a place one enters carefully. It is a platform for other things as well.”

— Kabuya Pamela Bowens-Saffo

WHAT’S IN A NAME?

Bowens-Saffo said she took on the name “Kabuya” during her tenure at Howard University. She explained, “It is a Swahili word meaning, ‘a person who gives good cheer.’”

“Developing a gallery with a patron who is knowledgeable and committed has been a joy of my life.”

She’s also working on the Welaunee Memorial Museums Project, which seeks to construct museums on two different cemetery sites in town.

“So you see, art is really my style,” said BowensSaffo. “It’s the message it sends from my body. I don’t think of color as something you have to ‘match,’ rather, it’s the meaning it sends,” she laughed. “But I do love a nice beret!”

She touches an elegant black satin beret she is fond of. “I even like the little tab at the top. It’s like giving people a salute as I go by!” TM

TO RISE OR NOT TO RISE

As Gen Z falls victim to our most regretted style, this millennial asks — seriously?

by PAIGE AIGRET

As millennials, we embraced the return of the early ’90s mom jean. We enjoyed the loose fit of the long-popularized boyfriend jean. And for some, the high-rise skinny would have to be pried from their cold, dead hands. However, the return of one Y2K staple has left Gen Y feeling less than enthusiastic.

It wasn’t the butterfly clips that perturbed us. It wasn’t the baby tee or the crop top. Nor was it the Juicy Couture velour sets, surprisingly enough. No — the generational divide can only be traced to a single, unforgiving culprit: the low-rise jean.

The guilty party has become a topic commonly debated by millennial moms and Gen Z teens until the elder is blue in the face. To rise or not to rise — is this seriously a question?

I had to consult my favorite Gen Z teen for some guidance. “Please,” I asked my 14-year-old niece, Ashlynn. “Tell me it’s not true.”

“I currently think they’re in, and I think they’re pretty cute,” she informed me. She foresees the style sticking around for a while but doesn’t consider it timeless.

“They did already go out of style from the early 2000s, so it’s bound to happen again,” she said.

→ Low-rise jeans, a regretted Y2K fashion trend, are back in style, causing panic among millennials. While some, particularly Gen Z, love the trend, others don’t see the style sticking around too long. Only time will tell.

Maria Hurst, owner of Gypsy Rose Boutique, agreed.

“I don’t see low-rise jeans sticking around, and let me tell you why — the younger generation is always looking for the next trend,” she said.

There are many reasons millennials were glad to leave the low-rise behind, one being the snug, below-the-belly fit. Not to mention, the flared length of those bad boys didn’t stand a chance in the rain — you were guaranteed to be stuck with a pant leg wet up to the top of your calf and torn, tattered and mud-stained within three wears.

But the simultaneous resurgence of the platform sneaker comes in handy here,

enhancing the look and preventing wear from the elements. For tops, the low-rise pairs best, then and now, with a spaghetti strap tank or a baby tee. But if the baby tee feels too bold, Hurst recommends pairing your low-rise jeans with a button-up shirt and sweater vest.

“The look is trendy and a throwback to the ’90s, but it still has a classic vibe,” she said.

Hurst also advised those who prefer a preppier look to bust out a classic white tee and Ralph Lauren’s signature blue blazer.

“I’m drooling,” she laughed.

The wide-leg cargo is another improvement to the style, and according to Hurst, “it’s everywhere.” As the baggy fit à la Billie Eilish takes the spotlight, this jean fit offers style, versatility and comfort and works for a slouchy-chic look as much as it pairs with the classic baby tee. My Gen Z niece

Low-rise jeans are versatile and come in various cuts. ↖ You can wear a fitted pair with a white tee and blazer for a more tailored look. → Or, go slouchychic with a wide-leg or cargo style.

gave this look her stamp of approval and predicts it will outlast the low-rise flare.

As for timeless trends, Hurst encourages women “to be their own trendsetters.”

“I think you should wear whatever look you identify with,” she said. “Some women are boho chic and like everything oversized. Some women like everything tailored. I think it’s super important to take whatever makes you feel comfortable and add a modern twist.”

As for young ingenue Ashlynn, comfort is less of a concern for now.

“I get dressed up for any event, even going to the grocery store,” Ashlynn said. “I just love to get dressed up.” It’s true. I’ve waited endless hours for her for a bank trip. TM

Sara Santora contributed to this article.

Cotton’s Blue Jeans Go Green™ denim recycling program collects denim (made from cotton) so that it can be recycled back to its original fiber state and transformed into something new.

MAIL YOUR

FOR FREE THANKS TO ZAPPOS FOR GOOD BOX IT UP Make sure it’s at least 90% cotton and doesn’t have any hangers, tags, stickers or plastic attached. PRINT A LABEL Create or log in to your Zappos account, and print a shipping label to include with your denim. DROP IT OFF Take your box to your local UPS store, and they’ll take care of the rest. Go to bluejeansgogreen.org for more details.

What’s In Store?

A roundup of retail happenings

by REBECCA PADGETT FRETT

↓

Monkee’s of Tallahassee

Naghedi’s signature handwoven neoprene St. Barths tote has the perfect petite portions that allow you to carry your things day to night. This woven bag epitomizes the essence of the vacation town it’s named after. For ease and access, a crossbody strap and zippered pouch are included.

➸ Step into a secret garden created by the HARLEM VINTAGE GARDEN LUXURY CANDLE. Lighting this candle will transport you to a Renaissance garden through notes of Italian mandarin, wild berries, rose, strawberry musk and birchwood.

Gypsy Rose Boutique

➸ WOODEN SHIPS collection specializes in the comfiest, coziest sweaters. Each piece is made to order and composed of a knit material that is ethically sourced and wasteconscious. The KEY WEST COTTON CREW is casual, chic and easy breezy for spring and summer.

➸ ENEWTON presents quality and stylish jewelry you can shower, sweat, swim and sleep in. The bracelets, necklaces, earrings and rings come in gold and silver with gemstone and pearl options.

➸ VOLCANO CANDLES have become iconic for their sugared citrus scent. The candles are made with soy wax and added paraffin wax to provide an extended burn time and to create a more powerful, longer-lasting fragrance.

➸ BOBI specializes in closet staples inspired by the effortless nature of California living. Bobi has designed its signature casual-luxe fabrics to cater to luxurious comfort, flattering fits and an elevated aesthetic.

The Pink Pineapple

➸ Organize your daily essentials in this stylish, unique, 100% COTTON BREEZY ZIPPER POUCH. Pair it with the matching tote to take from work to the plane.

➸ Always be prepared for a celebration with the CHEERS MY DEAR CHAMPAGNE KIT BY PINCH PROVISIONS. Perfectly packaged in a bow box, this kit includes two mini stemless champagne glasses, a bottle stopper, confetti, coasters, swizzle sticks, edible gold glitter, a champagne cocktail recipe booklet and a “ring for champagne” bell. All you have to do is add the bubbly.

➸ Matching sets are all the rage. THE PROMISING SMILE ROUND NECKLINE TOP and VENICE TRAVELS WIDE LEG PANTS are a cozy combination that can be styled up or down, transitioning from the office to vacation mode.

➸ THE METAL CROSS PENDANT GLASS BEADED BRACELET is a Pink Pineapple bestseller. The bracelet, which features a hammered metal cross with beautiful glass beads, is available in multiple colors to stack and style as you wish.

PHOTOS

➸ Monikered after the legendary actress Sophia Loren, the SOPHIA SUNGLASSES IN POPPY BY KREWE feature oversized octagon proportions and rounded lenses. The lenses feature a whimsical, colorful splatter print.

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Gift Guide

This season supplies many holidays and events for gifting. Whether it’s a special occasion or a just because, the local retailers featured in our Gift Guide offer unique, memorable and often luxurious gift ideas. Select from wearable, tasty, fragrant and indulgent items for anyone on your list.

EARTH REMEDIES

LUXURY MED & DAY SPA

Crème Biofixine products belong to the latest generation of anti-aging creams. Crème Biofixine refines the skin’s texture by relaxing the facial muscles revealing a fresh, youthfullooking complexion. Shop the full range of skin care products at Earth Remedies.

THE OTHER SIDE VINTAGE

Embrace your funky side at The Other Side Vintage. Discover unique, quirky, retro and fun finds from fashion to home decor, gifts and more.

607 Railroad Square (850) 224-6666

TheOtherSideVintage

MONKEE’S OF TALLAHASSEE

Ellie Vail is function meets fashion. This is high-quality jewelry that endures as you shower, swim and workout while wearing it.

1817 Thomasville Road, Suite 430 (850) 597-9676 | ShopMonkees.com

310 E. Bradford Road (850) 727-5377 EarthRemediesSpa.com

TALLULAH

Give a buzz-worthy chocolate treat that blends mushroom extracts into microdose amounts, offered in flavors such as chocolate milk, churro and cookies and cream.

6 Locations (850) 727-5708

TallahasseeCBD.com

Reconnect with nature, replenish your energy, and renew your spirit. Immerse yourself in the rare opportunity to spend your time in various ways that bring you back to your center. The intuitive therapists provide all specialty experiences at Earth Remedies Spa in the privacy of your own treatment suite. Earth Remedies Spa’s customized treatments and peaceful ambiance leave you with a renewed sense of wellness.

Bespoke Facial By Biologique Recherché

Relax and find your center with a luxurious treatment designed to address your unique skin care needs. Based on your skin analysis, a selection of customized professional formulas will be used featuring high concentrations of clean, clinical-strength botanical and marine extracts that deeply cleanse, tone, professionally exfoliate, brighten, hydrate and rebalance your skin. Includes a unique bioreflex facial massage with the highly concentrated active ingredients of Biologique Recherché skincare products, customized facial mask, prescriptive treatment, finishing serums and intensive protective finishing creams.

This facial addresses all skin concerns and skin types including acne, rosacea, hyper-pigmentation, sun damage, aging, and pre- and post-treatment.

• Feeding and water

• Litter box scooping

• Medication administration

• Mail retrieval

• Trash cans to curb

• Lights adjusted • Watering of plants

• Lots of love and playtime

TALLAHASSEE’S BEST CHOICE IN ACTIVE SENIOR LIVING

TALLAHASSEE’S BEST CHOICE IN ACTIVE SENIOR LIVING

Call (850) 813-0978 today to learn more.

Call (850) 813-0978 today to learn more.

www.WestminsterOaksFL.org

Enjoy an active lifestyle emphasizing wellness and lifelong learning opportunities at our Life Plan Community on 140 acres of rolling hills in Tallahassee. At Westminster Oaks, every residence is maintenance-free, so you can take a wellness class in the fitness center, savor a chef-prepared meal, or enjoy the many walking and biking paths nearby instead of keeping up with your home. You’ll love the wide variety of spacious residences available, all with great services and amenities to enhance your lifestyle, like housekeeping, scheduled transportation and 24-hour security. Best of all, you’ll find safety and security for the future with our full continuum of healthcare services, including Assisted Living, Nursing Care, Memory Care and more, should your needs change. 4449

www.WestminsterOaksFL.org

Enjoy an active lifestyle emphasizing wellness and lifelong learning opportunities at our Life Plan Community on 140 acres of rolling hills in Tallahassee. At Westminster Oaks, every residence is maintenance-free, so you can take a wellness class in the fitness center, savor a chef-prepared meal, or enjoy the many walking and biking paths nearby instead of keeping up with your home. You’ll love the wide variety of spacious residences available, all with great services and amenities to enhance your lifestyle, like housekeeping, scheduled transportation and 24-hour security. Best of all, you’ll find safety and security for the future with our full continuum of healthcare services, including Assisted Living, Nursing Care, Memory Care and more, should your needs change. 4449

INDEPENDENT LIVING

INDEPENDENT

TALLAHASSEE

TALLAHASSEE

gastro&gusto

MAY/JUN 2024

DINING OUT

A NEW LEGACY

Hayward House honors the past but keeps an eye on the future

by KAREN MURPHY

STEAK FRITES

IN Fruity Sandwiches

photography by DAVE BARFIELD

12-ounce New York Strip with Béarnaise Sauce and House Fries

↑ For decades, the corner of Adams and Jefferson has been a hub for commerce and politics. During the Andrew’s years, politicians and lobbyists gathered to make deals and develop policies while reporters vied for the day’s biggest scoop. Today, Hayward House is drawing the same type of crowd.

About 150 years ago, the corner of Adams and Jefferson streets bustled with horses and wagons, pulling into what was then known as Rascal Yard. There, people haggled, traded goods and exchanged news in the shadow of the then-new Capitol of Florida.

In the 1920s, the area remained a hub for commerce and politics. Dr. Thomas Hayward, who owned a home on that corner, could look across the commotion and watch the state’s distinguished representatives greeting each other

← Ashley Chaney worked at Andrew’s for 12 years before taking over as its proprietor and turning it into Hayward House.

“I really feel such a privilege to be able to honor Andy’s legacy and to honor the legacy of this corner.”

and conversing as they ventured inside the Capitol.

About 50 years ago, a young restaurateur, Andy Reiss, recognized the value of that still-bustling epicenter of life in Tallahassee. He turned the building on the corner of Adams and Jefferson into an iconic restaurant that has operated under several different names, including “Andrew’s Downtown” and “Andrew’s Capital Grill & Bar.” Locals and regulars just called it “Andrew’s.”

With a warm hug, a few tears and an “I’m proud of you, kid,” Reiss passed the Andrew’s legacy to another young restaurateur, who, with an appreciative nod to the history of this site, will shepherd the establishment into the future.

“The fact that Andrew’s had been here for 50 years, there was really no shying away from that,” said Ashley Chaney, the new

proprietor. “I really wanted to lean into the history of the corner. And so, that led me down a rabbit hole of looking and learning about the history of Adams Street and of this corner, specifically, which is just so rich.”

Through her research, she learned the site was the former residence of Dr. Hayward and eventually settled on “Hayward House” as the new name for the restaurant.

She has renovated the restaurant and created a sophisticated and muted atmosphere for the space, which is intimate without being intimidating. The walls are a deep green, with custom millwork and wainscoting, highlighted with soft lighting and brass hardware.

“But we’re not trying to be a white tablecloth place. At the end of the day, it’s a bistro, right? It’s loud. It’s fun. It’s just good, clean food

Masa

Little Masa

619 S. Woodward Ave., #105 (850)727-8909

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served within a welcoming environment. That’s who we are,” Chaney explained.

Walking through the restaurant, Chaney rubs her hand along the back of a green velvet reupholstered booth seat. “These are the original booths,” she said. “If these booths could talk, huh?”

During the Andrew’s years, those booths held politicians and lobbyists making deals and developing policies, reporters vying for the day’s biggest scoop and others wanting to see and be seen.

Today, Hayward House is drawing the same type of crowd. During Florida’s latest legislative session, lobbyists, representatives and their staff wandered in after a busy day at the Capitol. Reporters perched on stools around the centered bar, watching for who came in with whom.

Chaney said, “On a perfect night, there’s an electricity that happens, and there’s nothing like it in the world. The patio is full. The restaurant is full, and the music’s playing. You have people talking, sharing stories, making deals.

“But the best part about it is the Tallahassee community as a whole. It’s not just the legislature — it’s really Tallahassee. The community support has been tremendous, and that is what’s going to sustain us long-term.”

Chaney said Hayward House hosted its first wedding on New Year’s Eve.

“It was such an honor. It got me all choked up, seeing her walk through here with her wedding dress on. It was really, really special.”

She hopes people feel like they’re coming home when they walk through the doors.

“We’re going to remember your name. We’ll remember what your favorite cocktail is,” Chaney promised. “Hopefully, we’ll be here for the next 50 years and will have the opportunity to be a part of people’s celebrations and their birthdays and baby showers.”

Chaney has worked for over 20 years in the hospitality industry at some of the best restaurants in the state. A large chunk of that experience, 12 years, was at Andrew’s. She said Reiss taught her a lot, and she uses his lessons every day.

“I spent a lot of years working in this building. So, I really feel such a privilege to be able to honor Andy’s legacy and to honor the legacy of this corner. It’s truly, just truly, a privilege.” TM

HAYWARD HOUSE

↑ Chaney renovated the space to create a sophisticated but muted atmosphere; however, she kept the original booths from Andrew’s.

↓ The menu contains “good, clean food,” including Redfish on the Halfshell featuring skin-on filet, cajun seasoning and chargrilled broccolini (top), and Chicken & Waffles (bottom).

SEED TO SANDWICH

Fruits add exciting new flavors — and nutrients — to your everyday lunch

by REBECCA PADGETT FRETT

Many are seeking ways to include fresh fruits and vegetables in their diet. With produce at its peak in spring and summer, now is the perfect time to try something new.

Rather than packing an apple or orange in your lunch bag that’ll inevitably go to waste, put fruit directly on your sandwich. The balance between savory and sweet — but not too sweet — is a satisfying way to check off multiple layers of the food pyramid in one meal.

It’s not a novel concept. For decades, Southerners have enjoyed ham and jam on a fluffy biscuit or tomato (a fruit and a vegetable) with mayonnaise on white bread.

The Japanese culture serves fruit sandwiches, too — a marzipan cloud of whipped cream with strawberries, oranges and kiwi served on pillowy milk bread makes for an ideal snack or dessert.

With the rise of cooking shows and social media videos, we’ve become more adventurous and inventive with fruit. Think mozzarella and fig, melon wrapped in prosciutto, apricot jelly on pork, mango/pineapple salsa on grilled chicken or lamb with pomegranate sauce.

But when it comes to pairing fruit and protein, it’s hard to beat the basics. Fruit sandwiches offer the perfect combination of savory meat, sweet fruit and dependable carbs. TM

GOAT CHEESE AND STRAWBERRY BRUSCHETTA

Batch this and serve it at your next party or gathering. Everyone will beg for the recipe.

➸ ½ cup of olive oil

➸ 1 sprig of chopped fresh thyme

➸ 1 sprig of chopped fresh basil

➸ 1 pinch of sea salt

➸ ¼ cup balsamic glaze

➸ 1 package of goat cheese, crumbled

➸ 1 pint of chopped strawberries

DIRECTIONS

In a bowl, combine and toss the olive oil, thyme, basil, sea salt, balsamic glaze, goat cheese and strawberries. Refrigerate for at least one hour before serving. Layer between slices of bread for a sandwich or serve on bitesized bread rounds or crackers as an appetizer.

by SAIGE ROBERTS

PEACH AND PROSCIUTTO BAGUETTE

A quick, on-the-go option that will elevate your lunch with a European flair.

CHICKEN SALAD WITH GRAPES AND CRANBERRIES

What’s more Southern than a signature chicken salad recipe? Not much.

↓

➸ 1 large peach, sliced

➸ 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar

➸ 1 tablespoon honey or hot honey

➸ Pinch of salt

➸ 1 small baguette, sliced

➸ 3 ounces cheddar slices

➸ 3 ounces prosciutto slices

➸ 2 sprigs of fresh basil

DIRECTIONS

In a bowl, toss peaches, vinegar, honey and a pinch of salt. Layer the cheese and prosciutto on the baguette and top with peach mixture and basil.

➸ 1 pound of cooked chicken shredded or cubed

➸ ¾ cup of your preferred mayonnaise

➸ ⅓ cup chopped celery

➸ ½ cup of your preferred chopped nuts: walnuts, pecans, almonds

➸ 1 cup of sliced red grapes

➸ ¼ cups of dried cranberries

➸ Salt and pepper for seasoning

DIRECTIONS

In a large bowl, toss all ingredients until combined. Refrigerate for at least one hour before serving. Tastes best on croissants, seeded whole grain or honey wheat bread.

PRESSED TURKEY, APPLE, BRIE SANDWICH

Warm, gooey, crisp and toasty. Possibly the perfect sandwich.

➸ 2 slices of bread — sourdough or honey wheat are best

➸ 2 teaspoons of Dijon mustard

➸ ½ ounce of baby arugula or baby spinach

➸ 2–3 ounces of sliced turkey

➸ 1 ounce of sliced brie cheese

➸ 3–4 thin slices of Granny Smith or Gala apples

➸ Additional toppings could include bacon, avocado or hot pepper jelly

DIRECTIONS

Spread Dijon mustard on the two slices of bread. Layer with arugula/spinach, turkey, brie and apples, plus any other desired toppings. Press the sandwich until the bread is crisp and the brie is melty.

A Blend of Perfection

To many, bourbon and cigars are a ‘match made in heaven’

by SARA SANTORA

Some things just go together. Peanut butter and jelly, for example, has become so ubiquitous it’s hard to think of one without the other.

Other pairings have become so infamous they’ve inspired their own cultures and communities. People have authored entire books, articles and blog posts exploring such complementing complexities. Think wine and cheese. Or, better yet, bourbon and cigars.

“Bourbon and cigars are a match made in heaven,” said Brian Higgins, owner, brewer and master distiller at Thomasville’s 1861 Distillery. “The rich, complex flavors of bourbon — which can include notes of caramel, vanilla, oak and spice — often complement the robust flavors of cigars. Also, the sweetness of bourbon can balance the bold and sometimes bitter notes in cigars, creating a harmonious combination.”

Aboud Jaber, co-owner of Cigars of Tally, agreed, adding: “They’re both luxury products. A lot of diligence, thought and methodology goes into the blend of a cigar or bourbon — how they’re aged, cured and cared for after production.”

Higgins and Jaber love what they do. Higgins, an enthusiast turned distiller, said he appreciates the craftsmanship and historical significance of bourbon. Jaber, who developed his affection for cigars after joining the industry, said he loves the community surrounding cigars.

Expert-Approved Pairing

NEAT BOURBON + PERDOMO DOUBLE AGED 12-YEAR VINTAGE CONNECTICUT CIGAR:

➸ According to Jaber, because it’s aged in bourbon barrels, this PERDOMO cigar’s flavor profile contains the same notes commonly found in a bourbon’s aroma.

←

“They’re luxury products,” Aboud Jaber, co-owner of Cigars of Tally, said of bourbon and cigars. “A lot of diligence, thought and methodology goes into the blend of a cigar or bourbon — how they’re aged, cured and cared for after production.”

MODEL: TRAYLOR ROBERTS

“It’s phenomenal,” Jaber said of the cigar industry. “You always havesomething to talk about — cigars you smoked, places you visited, shops you love … we’ve built relationships with a lot of folks, and that’s kept me passionate.”

Not all bourbons and cigars pair well together, as not all bourbons and cigars are created equal.

For a whiskey to be considered a bourbon, it must be American-made, aged in new, charred oak barrels and contain at least 51% corn. However, factors including a bourbon’s mash bill and age affect the spirit’s flavor and strength. Some

Expert-Approved Pairing SWEET BOURBON ON THE ROCKS + DREW ESTATE ISLA DEL SOL or DREW ESTATE ACID KUBA KUBA:

➸ Both cigars are flavored and lean toward the sweeter side. “The Kuba Kuba has a floral, vanilla taste, and the Isla Del Sol has more of a honey sweetness,” Jaber said.

er smokers to opt for a cigar with a lighter wrapper — “the lighter the cigar, the lighter the smoke,” he says — or try something flavored.

“With cigars, if you go too strong too fast, you may get lightheaded or a sour stomach,” Jaber warned. “Nicotine cuts your blood sugar down. So, the best thing for beginners is to keep a packet of sugar or a soda nearby, and if they do feel queasy, just take that packet of sugar and put it underneath their tongue and let it sit, or have a soda.”

Given all the work that goes into creating bourbon and cigars, you don’t want to ruin their respective tastes — or your evening — by smoking the wrong cigar with the wrong bourbon. To find the perfect match, Higgins recommends pairing by strength.

“A full-bodied cigar may overpower a delicate bourbon, while a strong bourbon can complement a robust cigar,” he explained. “Explore a balance between contrasting and complementary flavors. Some prefer flavors that complement each other, while others enjoy the contrast between a sweet bourbon and a spicy cigar.

have notes of stone fruit, while others are citrusy. Some are sweet, others are smoky. Some are bold enough to hold their own in a cocktail, whereas others are best alone.

To find the best bourbon for you, “start by tasting bourbon neat to learn and appreciate its flavors,” Higgins advised. “Gradually explore different mash bills, ages and brands to develop a nuanced palate for bourbon.”

Cigars also vary in flavor and strength. Wrapper color, size and various other factors determine the overall smoking experience. Jaber advises new-

“Everyone’s palate is unique,” Higgins continued. “Consider your taste preferences and adjust the pairing accordingly.”

Biscuits and gravy; bacon and eggs; a porch and the perfect sunset; you, a glass of bourbon in one hand, a cigar in the other — all just a few classic pairings that will never go out of style. TM

EDITOR’S NOTE: On March 31, a fire destroyed Cigars of Tally’s Midtown location on N. Monroe Street; the store will remain closed until further notice. In the meantime, the Jabers encourage everyone to visit the Market Street location for all their cigar needs. For more information, visit facebook.com/Cigarsoftally.

story by STEVE BORNHOFT

photography by DAVE BARFIELD

FSU is becoming a TRANSFORMATIVE REGIONAL PRESENCE

Expansive Vision An

Florida State University President Richard McCullough had arrived in DeFuniak Springs with time to spare and set about looking for coffee.

He wandered into the historic Hotel DeFuniak but left after not seeing anyone right away. He got the attention of a man in a pickup truck.

“Know anywhere I can get a cup of coffee?”

The man advised the stranger that if he were to walk to the back of the hotel, there was a pot brewing there.

“How about a coffee shop? I’d like to sit down someplace.”

The man suggested that the stranger try the Perla Baking Company, located across Baldwin Avenue from the curiously

round Lake DeFuniak. Perla is short for “perfect lake.”

“It was a really cool coffee shop,” McCullough would recall a month later. “Nice people.”

The coffee was good and his day was off to a pleasant start, but McCullough had not departed Tallahassee last November intending to rediscover mainstreet America. (DeFuniak Springs’ population is 14% of FSU’s student population.) Rather, he was among 15 representatives of FSU who were about to attend one of the most pivotal and progressive meetings in the school’s 173-year history.

McCullough proceeded to the Walton County Commission chambers, where Triumph Gulf Coast board chairman David Bear gaveled the gathering to order.

Since arriving in the big little city of Tallahassee in August 2021, McCullough and his wife, Dr. Jai Vartikar, had become accustomed to a small-town vibe.

“We’ve lived in a number of places — Pittsburgh, Cambridge (Massachusetts), Baltimore, New York, Dallas, and one of the things that sets Tallahassee apart is that the people are incredibly friendly and welcoming,” McCullough said. “I’m not sure that I’ve ever lived in a place where the people are as nice, engaging and genuine.”

Vartikar, known affectionately as Dr. Jai (pronounced Jay), agreed and added, “The family atmosphere at Florida State is genuine. It’s more than just collegial. People have your back, and we have felt like members of a very large family from Day 1. We had never felt that before, and we’ve been to some wonderful places.”

Members of the FSU family, McCullough said, have a remarkably strong attachment to the school.

“People love FSU like no other university we have been associated with,” he said. “That’s infectious, and it goes beyond athletics. When you talk to trustees and alumni, their dedication and fondness for FSU is like nothing I’ve ever seen.”

McCullough recognizes that he landed at FSU at a great time.

“The foundation for student success had been built,” he said. “A lot of work had gone into taking FSU from the 44th-ranked university in the country to 18th. And we’ve continued to improve in every category of student success since I arrived. Our retention rate is at a record 96%. Our six-year graduation rate is 85%. Our four-year graduation rate is 75%.

“And even as we are improving in those areas, we are focused on building our research funding in ways that will benefit all of Northwest Florida.”

FSU President Richard McCullough and First Lady Jai Vartikar were delighted by the reception they enjoyed when they moved to Tallahassee and have been impressed by the strength and loyalty of the FSU community.

From Pensacola to Tallahassee. From DeFuniak Springs to Wakulla Springs.

One agenda item on the Triumph board’s Walton County meeting agenda had everything to do with that regional ambition. The board was set to act on an application from FSU seeking $100 million for an Institute for Strategic Partnerships, Innovation, Research and Education (InSPIRE) to be located in Bay County.

FSU dadgum near got what it asked for.

The board supported the proposal with the largest grant award in its history, $98.4 million. InSPIRE will focus on aerospace, advanced materials for aerospace and hypersonic research, areas of concentration that McCullough finds highly consistent with assets and expertise already present in the region.

“The support of Chairman Bear and the board was phenomenal,” McCullough said. “We will build a couple of large facilities near the (Northwest Florida Beaches) airport and hire faculty who will live in the area. We will be involved in everything from basic research to classified research. We expect the workforce development, which is an important aspect of InSPIRE, will attract the attention of major employers.

“Northwest

“People love FSU like no other university we have been associated with. That’s infectious, and it goes beyond athletics. When you talk to trustees and alumni, their dedication and fondness for FSU is like nothing I’ve ever seen.”

— Florida State University President Richard McCullough

Florida is our backyard,

we are very excited about the project.”

and

Clockwise from top: Dr. Richard McCullough and his wife, Dr. Jai Vartikar, gather with family on the occasion of his inauguration as FSU president; President McCullough and First Lady Vartikar meet with James Frazier, dean of the FSU College of Fine Arts; the president and first lady on game day; McCullough and Vartikar are surrounded by Marching Chiefs; Vartikar sits in at a sound board at the FSU Film School; the couple visits the FSU Florence Study Center in Italy.

So, too, is Randy Hanna, the dean of Florida State’s Panama City campus, which hosted a February meeting where the term sheet for the InSPIRE grant was approved by the Triumph board.

“InSPIRE will be transformational and have generational impacts,” Hanna told that meeting. “At FSU PC, we look forward to partnering with the project.”

The man in the truck didn’t recognize McCullough the day that he and his team came visiting, but the region will experience their influence soon enough.

In Tallahassee and beyond, McCullough said, FSU’s Vice President for Research Stacey Patterson and its Associate Vice President for Strategic Partnerships and Innovation Valerie McDevitt are building an innovation ecosystem.

“Their efforts,” he said, “will help us increase the number of startup companies and licenses and patents that we are generating at the university.”

McCullough is an entrepreneur himself, having started two companies in Pittsburgh, one that produced materials for OLED televisions and another that is in business today and specializes in inks for printable electronics.

When McCullough starts to rattle off initiatives underway at FSU, it seems that he may not stop: expanded biomedical and life science research capabilities; quantum science and engineering initiatives; new discoveries in physics that promise to transform data storage; new magnetic materials; and government/civic initiatives. The list goes on.

Potentially the biggest of these initiatives centers on the Florida Panhandle. McCullough aims to address the region’s most pressing health needs and

the FSU Music Therapy Program in a meeting with director Valerie Williams and coordinator Ciele Gutierrez.

Clockwise from top: FSU First Lady Jai Vartikar meets with Center for Academic Retention and Enhancement program students; FSU President Richard McCullough and Vartikar inspect student projects during FSU Discovery Days; McCullough and Vartikar congratulate FSU's NCAA championship winning women's soccer team from 2022; Vartikar familiarizes herself with

challenges by launching a new health care ecosystem stretching from Tallahassee to Pensacola. FSU Health will serve millions by leveraging the expertise and resources of Florida State’s programs in medicine, nursing, social work and public health, as well as its many research centers and community partners.

The first two new FSU Health facilities are under construction. Thanks to a $125 million appropriation from the Florida Legislature, a state-of-the-art research and medical facility being built at Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare (TMH) in Tallahassee will attract world-class physician-scientists doing “bench to bedside” research to discover new diagnostics and therapeutics for clinical use. To the west, Florida State and TMH are partnering with The St. Joe Company to build a new FSU Health TMH medical campus in Panama City Beach.

“It’s a great time to be at FSU,” McCullough said in summary. “There is so much opportunity here.”

Prior to becoming an FSU Seminole, McCullough had served as vice provost for research and a professor of materials science and engineering at Harvard University for nine years. He led the Office of Foundation and Corporate Engagement and assisted in the oversight of more than 25 interdisciplinary institutes, centers and initiatives.

He developed the Harvard Data Science Initiative, a collaboration among 12 of the university’s schools and more than 120 faculty, which led to the creation of three master’s programs and many undergraduate courses.

Previously, McCullough spent 22 years at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh as a professor of chemistry, department head, dean of the Mellon College of Science and finally, vice president for research.

Prior to coming to FSU, Vartikar served as the associate director of the Harvard Medical School Initiative for RNA Medicine. During her tenure, the number of faculty members involved in the project nearly doubled.

Vartikar and McCullough enjoy spending time with their son Jason; daughter-in-law, Sarah Christian; son Dylan; and two granddaughters, Gladys and Archer.

As FSU’s First Lady, Dr. Jai has emerged as an ambassador for the arts and is jazzed about a legislative appropriation that will pay for planning for an arts district, a concept that has been talked about, she said, for about 15 years.

“I meet a lot of people who are interested in the arts, but don’t know everything that is going on here,” Vartikar said. “At FSU, we need to identify ways to better let the world know how great we are. I’m doing that with the arts, specifically.”

She has met with arts faculty and students and familiarized herself with programs and facilities. She has found that the arts intersect with many aspects of the university.

“We have a music therapy program that is one of the top programs in the nation,” Vartikar said. “We have an art therapy program. Our film school rivals the big names like NYU and USC — New York City and Hollywood, basically — in placing our students in the motion picture industry.”

Vartikar also has grown close to FSU’s Center for Academic Retention and Enhancement (CARE), which focuses on firstgeneration students.

“A college education is so important to social mobility. I am not a firstgeneration student, but my husband is.”

McCullough grew up in Mesquite, Texas, and attended Eastfield Community College before earning a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from the University of Texas at Dallas in 1982 and a doctorate in organic chemistry from Johns Hopkins University in 1988. He spent two years as a postdoctoral fellow at Columbia University in New York.

— Florida State University Dr. Jai Vartikar

Vartikar, too, earned a doctorate in chemistry from Johns Hopkins, where she met her husband when both were graduate students there.

Born in India, she moved to Pennsylvania as a child and graduated as valedictorian of her class at Waynesburg Central High School. She received a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from the University of Pennsylvania.

“One of the first things I did in my role was to visit the CARE program,” she said. “I had a roundtable discussion with several of the students and left incredibly impressed and proud. I fell in love with everyone and everything there. We’re the leader in programs like it. I have heard students say that there is nowhere else they could have gone and been as successful.”

FSU was recognized with the nation’s top student success award from the Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities.

“A college education is so important to social mobility,” Vartikar said. “I am not a first-generation student, but my husband is.”

CARE supplies its students with coaches who help them navigate classes, the campus environment and practical matters like personal finances. Some CARE students are homeless. Nonetheless, CARE students graduate at the same high rate as FSU’s general population, McCullough pointed out.

“At FSU, it doesn’t matter where you come from,” Vartikar said. “What matters is that you’re here.” TM

LOCAL HEROES

LEON COUNTY EMS WORKERS ARE THERE WHEN YOU NEED THEM

BY SARA SANTORA

Being an Emergency Medical Services (EMS) worker is hard. The job requires long hours, extensive medical knowledge and adaptability, among other skills. It’s also unpredictable. But it’s not always as gruesome as the movies make it seem.

“The stuff everybody sees on TV — all the gory stuff — is only about 5% of what we do,” said Leon County EMT Michael Aries. “People look to us for help but not necessarily life-threatening help … we go to Meemaw’s house and help Meemaw off the floor or help somebody with abdominal pain.”

Leon County EMS medics working together to transport a patient.

Aries has been a Leon County Emergency Medical Services (LCEMS) EMT since 2004. He’s also a dispatcher and an active member of the LCEMS PEER Support Team, which helps fellow responders cope with the challenges of the job.

“I’ve always had a huge passion for helping people,” Aries said of his decision to become an EMT. “I could not see myself doing anything else.”

In 2023, the Florida Department of Health named Aries EMT of the Year and dubbed LCEMS the EMS Provider of the Year.

“Receiving not one but two statewide awards this year speaks volumes of the professionalism, compassion and leadership exhibited by Leon County EMS staff each and every day,” said Leon County EMS Chief Chad Abrams. “Their dedication extends beyond the call of duty and reflects their passion for serving the entire community.”

Aries and his colleague, LCEMS paramedic Lt. Allison Hall, said the most common emergencies their teams respond to are chest pains, cardiac arrests, strokes, falls and car accidents. Aries added that, in addition to fielding calls from elderly folks, LCEMS responders see a lot of college students with stomach pains, the common cold … you name it.

“College kids will call us because they’re away from their parents and don’t know what’s happening,” he said. “They’re scared.”

But fear isn’t exclusive to students — Aries said many people rely on emergency responders as an “inbetween” because they don’t have primary care physicians and are worried that their ailments, such as chest or stomach pains, may be symptoms of life-threatening problems. While some may advise you not to act on fear, Aries and

← In 2023, the Florida Department of Health named Leon County EMT Michael Aries EMT of the Year and dubbed LCEMS the EMS Provider of the Year.

Receiving not one but two statewide awards this year speaks volumes of the professionalism, compassion and leadership exhibited by Leon County EMS staff each and every day. Their dedication extends beyond the call of duty and reflects their passion for serving the entire community.” — Leon County EMS Chief Chad Abrams

Hall recommend calling 911 if you think something’s wrong.

“It’s better to call us and it be nothing than not call us and it be bad,” Aries said. “At least we can troubleshoot the situation.”

Speaking specifically about chest pains, Hall added: “There’s no harm in having us check you out … You don’t want to delay time and find out later it was a heart attack—

once your heart muscle starts dying, it doesn’t come back.”

Hall has worked in EMS for over 20 years. She served as an EMT in Gadsden County for three years before moving to Leon County and becoming a paramedic in 2004. In 2016, she was named Paramedic of the Year by the Florida Department of Health, “because of her excellence in areas such as quality assurance/

PHOTOS BY THE WORKMANS

Sometimes you have an emergency that’s off the wall that you don’t have training for, but you have to adapt and overcome.”

— LCEMS paramedic Lt. Allison Hall

improvement, patient care, medical control, disaster preparedness and public training,” Leon County said at the time.

Like Aries, Hall enjoys helping people. She also likes working in an environment that forces her to act fast.

“You’re out there, and you have to make decisions for yourself, and you have to know what you’re doing at all times, and you don’t have anyone else to rely on,” she said. “Sometimes you have an emergency that’s off the wall that you don’t have training for, but you have to adapt and overcome.”

→ Leon County EMS Paramedics gather for training on new ultrasound technology. ↘ Leon County EMS Paramedics learn how to use new portable, wireless ultrasound devices to quickly identify, treat and potentially reverse life-threatening injuries they normally would not be able to see.

To become an EMT or paramedic, you must receive the proper education, perform clinicals and pass a national test. But your education doesn’t stop once you’ve landed the job — EMS workers receive continual, on-the-job training to learn new systems, technologies and procedures.

“You have to be okay with changing and thinking and growing and learning new things and new ways to do things,” Hall said. “Medicine is evolving, and you must evolve with it.”

For example, Hall shared that it was once common practice to put all chest pain patients on high-flow oxygen. But over time, “we learned that’s not really good to do,” she said. Now, EMS workers use pulse oximeters, which measure oxygen saturation in red blood cells and ultimately signal whether or not a patient needs oxygen.

“If a patient’s pulse is a little low, you need to give them a little bit of oxygen, not necessarily a full face mask,” she said.

Good people skills are also necessary to do the job well. Regardless of life-threatening circumstances, patients are often afraid. A mindful approach from responders can help.

“You’re helping people in a crisis through what they think is the worst thing that’s ever happened to them, and you have to be able to calm them down,” Aries said. “If I come into a house or a situation and I’m acting like it’s not a big thing, everybody else calms down.”

Each week, LCEMS’s ambulances respond to hundreds of incidents and transport hundreds of patients. When asked to share any general advice based on the emergencies frequently witnessed, Hall implored that people wear their seatbelts, stop texting and driving, secure their children in car seats

appropriate for their size, not their age, and always err on the side of caution regarding their health.

As for Aries, he encourages everyone to live each day like it’s their last.

“You’re not guaranteed tomorrow,” he said. “Don’t take anything for granted.” TM

PHOTOS

the spring of 2008, Ron Sachs and his daughter Aimee attended the Governor’s Baseball Dinner at Tropicana Field in Tampa.

Charlie Crist was governor, and Aimee, a graduate like her father of the University of Florida School of Journalism, had embarked on a career in sportswriting. The banquet attracted baseball managers, front office types and stars, both active and legendary. Aimee collected a bunch of autographs and met comedian/actor Bill Murray, who had an interest in a minor league team, the St. Paul Saints, at the time.

As they went to depart the stadium, Ron asked Aimee to hold up for a minute while he used the restroom. But when he exited, Aimee wasn’t ready to go. She was a Miami Marlins fan at the time and had spotted a team executive and moved to get a word with him. She was upset that the Marlins had dealt pitcher Dontrelle Willis and slugger Miguel Cabrera, the last two members of Miami’s 2003 World Series team, to the Detroit Tigers for a six-pack of prospects.

“She went up to him fearlessly — very politely but pushy,” Ron recalled. “She said, ‘My name is Aimee Sachs, I’m a Marlins fan and I want to ask you why you traded Willis and Cabrera to the Detroit Tigers. They were our best players and they were helping to build a fanbase.’ The executive was kind of stunned, but he was impressed by her question, and he spoke to her for two or three minutes.”

PHOTOS COURTESY OF RON SACHS

It was Aimee’s toughness and confidence that made her a great journalist, her father said. “She was a great interviewer, a great reporter and a great writer.”

Life required toughness of Aimee from the start. She was born prematurely and spent long weeks in an intensive care unit, slowly gaining weight and strength until she was able to go home. Hospitalized, her parents knew, she cried at times without being held.

“We hated that, but I think it helped make her fierce and independent,” Ron said.

That independence would manifest itself in various ways.

Upon scraping her knee as a 10-year-old — her father had thrown her a wild pitch and she dove for it, falling to the ground — Aimee refused assistance from Dad. She would take care of it herself.

As a contract writer for MLB.com covering the Atlanta Braves, which had become her favorite team, Aimee, who stood all of 4 feet, 10 inches tall and weighed 100 pounds, confidently took her place in the otherwise all-male bastion that was the press box.

After suffering a mild stroke on May 20 of 2023, she was resolved to regain the ability to walk without assistance as quickly as possible.

“She was a great interviewer, a great reporter and a great writer.”

—RON SACHS

“She looked forward to visits from the physical therapist,” said Aimee’s big sister Samantha. “She would constantly ask when he was going to come and help her to get out of bed. She was able to take some steps, assisted by the therapist, and she was constantly trying to move her legs in the bed, trying to exercise. She was frustrated, but she was very determined to gain control of her body again.”

And, in her final hours, Aimee declined to go forward as an irreversibly paralyzed woman.

Eight days after her first stroke, Aimee suffered a second, almost totally debilitating one. It left her with locked-in syndrome, a disorder that produces complete paralysis of all voluntary muscles except for the ones that control movement of the eyes.

On May 30, Ron, a master communicator and the founder and chairman of Sachs Media in Tallahassee, had the most difficult conversation he had ever had in his life. Responding to questions from her father by blinking, Aimee chose to die and donate organs to others so that they might live.

A day later, she passed from this life at age 38.

Far left: Aimee and Ron at the Heart Ball in Tallahassee in 2017. Clockwise from left: Aimee and sister Julie at a Yankees game in 2016, Aimee playing catch with Dad at home circa 1995, Aimee with baby sister Julie in 1988, Aimee and Ron at a Braves game circa 2018, Aimee covering high school prep sports for the Lakeland Ledger in 2014.

Along with journalism and baseball, Aimee loved music. Bedridden following her first stroke, she lip-synched Michael Jackson’s Man in the Mirror, pointing to herself at a point where the King of Pop sings, “If you wanna make the world a better place, take a look at yourself and then make a change.”

Spontaneously, Samantha thought to film Aimee’s performance.

At this writing, that video is being made part of a public-service announcement that will promote support for a “Donate Life” car tag. Proceeds from the sale of those tags will benefit efforts that encourage organ donation.

The LifeQuest organization has notified the Sachs family that organs harvested from Aimee were received by three people in lifesaving operations.

Too, Aimee lives on in the form of the Aimee Sachs Memorial Scholarship for Sports Journalism at the University of Florida. As of March, that scholarship

fund stood at $111,000, on the strength of gifts from more than 300 individuals.

“Even when she was little, she taught me how to be a better dad,” Ron said, choking back tears. “As a parent, you make mistakes. And your kids help correct you when you’re off course.”

Ron noted plans for a special trip to the ballpark.

“Samantha and I, Aimee’s younger sister Julie, Julie’s husband Pope and two of Aimee’s friends, one from Atlanta and one from here, are going to go to a Braves game. We’re going to put a little bit of Aimee’s ashes at the foot of the Hank Aaron statue at Truist Park. We just miss her. I feel that when she left us, she took a piece of our hearts with her.” TM

Above: During a hospital stay following her first stroke, Aimee’s sister, Samantha, recorded a video of Aimee lip-synching Man in the Mirror. Below: Aimee’s father, Ron, said he and a group close to Aimee planned to put some of Aimee’s ashes at the foot of the Hank Aaron statue at Truist Park, home of the Atlanta Braves.

A Lifesaving Legacy Gift

CONSIDER REGISTERING AS AN ORGAN DONOR

by SAMANTHA SACHS // Illustration by LINDSEY MASTERSON

MY SISTER AIMEE WAS 38 YEARS OLD when she entered the hospital on May 20 with pain and discomfort — symptoms that were the forerunner of a small stroke. Aimee’s unwavering determination to recover from this medical setback was an incredible thing to witness.

But then, eight days later, I was with Aimee when she suffered a second stroke, this one massive. The doctors told our family that it was unlikely she would ever wake up, but she did.

When her sedation was lifted, our family and her doctors were horrified to learn that Aimee was left in a tragic permanent condition known as “locked-in syndrome.” She was completely paralyzed, trapped in her own body. She couldn’t move or speak but could think and feel emotions. The only way for her to communicate was by blinking her eyes.

When our father explained Aimee’s condition to her, she let our family know she did not want to live her life hooked up to a ventilator, unable to walk, talk, move or feed herself.

When asked to close her eyes if she wanted to be an organ donor, she did so immediately.

Aimee’s decision would ultimately save the lives of three people she would never meet.

Aimee died on May 31. Our dad and I were at her side in the operating room. She was asleep, but I held her hand while Dad stroked her hair.

Days later, we would learn that Aimee’s kidneys and liver were received by a 20-year-old man, a 24-year-old man and a 42-year-old woman. Aimee’s gift has enabled them to continue their journeys, creating a ripple effect of hope, renewal and second chances.

Beyond Aimee’s personal narrative lies a broader crisis faced by many across the United States. Over 100,000 people are currently waiting for an organ transplant. Every nine minutes, someone joins the long queue of individuals waiting for a lifesaving organ, and tragically, not all will survive the wait.

Every day in the U.S., 17 people die waiting for an organ transplant; 6,000 people died waiting in 2021.

One organ donor can save the lives of up to eight individuals, while tissue donation has the potential to heal 75 people. Aimee’s choice to

HOW TO HELP

give in the face of her own adversity highlights the remarkable potential within each of us to become real lifesaving heroes and to add a positive final chapter to our life

It’s imperative to have conversations surrounding end-of-life wishes with our families. A person’s clear communication about his willingness to be an organ donor enables his family to honor those wishes in the event of a tragic loss.

Aimee’s courageous decision to complete her life on her own terms has left an indelible mark, showcasing that even in the darkest of moments, selflessness can illuminate a path of hope for others.

Her legacy lives on, not just in our hearts but also in the lives she saved through her final act of kindness and generosity.

Aimee’s story can and should serve as an inspiration, motivating us all to embrace the potential of making a difference. Consider expanding your legacy by becoming a registered organ donor today.

Registering as an organ donor is free, easy and can be accomplished with a few clicks, offering an opportunity to leave behind a legacy of compassion and hope. You can add yourself to the national registry at your local DMV or by simply visiting donatelifeflorida.org/register or going to registerme.org. While you’re there you can also buy a Donate Life Florida license plate. Funds raised will help Donate Florida provide donor education statewide and manage Florida’s Joshua Abbott Organ and Tissue Donor Registry.

Advice for what matters most, when you need it most

Congratulations to Wright, Robinson & Associates for being named to the Forbes “Best-in-State Wealth Management Teams” 2024 list, published on January 9, 2024. Rankings based on data as of March 31, 2023.

Merrill Lynch Wealth Management 1276 Metropolitan Boulevard Suite 201

Tallahassee, FL 32312

fa.ml.com/wrightrobinson

Wright, Robinson & Associates

Michael Robinson, CFP ®

Senior Vice President

Wealth Management Advisor

850.599.8908

michael_robinson1@ml.com

Jamie Wright, CFA®, CFP ®, CPFA™

Senior Vice President

Wealth Management Advisor

850.599.8923

jamie.wright@ml.com

2024 Forbes “Best-in-State Wealth Management Teams” list. Opinions provided by SHOOK® Research, LLC and is based on in-person, virtual and telephone due-diligence meetings and a ranking algorithm that measure best practices, client retention, industry experience, credentials, compliance records, firm nominations, assets under management and Firm-generated revenue (investment performance is not a criterion because client objectives and risk tolerance vary). SHOOK’s rankings are available for client evaluation only, are not indicative of future performance and do not represent any one client’s experience and available for investor help in evaluating the right financial advisor and not an endorsement of the advisor. Compensation was not received from anyone for the rankings study. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Details available at the SHOOK Research website. SHOOK is a registered trademark of SHOOK Research, LLC.

Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated (MLPF&S) is a registered broker-dealer, registered investment adviser, and Member SIPC. Bank of America, N.A., Member FDIC and MLPF&S are wholly owned subsidiaries of Bank of America Corporation.

The Bull Symbol and Merrill are registered trademarks of Bank of America Corporation. CFA® and Chartered Financial Analyst® are registered trademarks owned by CFA Institute. CFP Board owns the marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™, and CFP® (with plaque design) in the U.S.

© 2024 Bank of America Corporation. All rights reserved.

MAP5911614 | AD-01-24-2420 | 472538PM-0124 | 01/2024

→ Since graduating from FSU in 2019, Nikki Ackerman has found success as both an artist and a business owner. Under the monicker artxnikki, she’s fulfilling her dream of creating affordable and widespread art for fellow Noles and Tallahassee residents.

MAY/JUN 2024

KEEPING TABS ON ALL THAT MUSES INSPIRE

ECHOES OF FSU

Artist evokes nostalgia with FSU-centric paintings ↓

by SARA SANTORA

BOOKS Faith Eidse

photography by ERICH MARTIN

FSU’s Westcott

Since its construction in 1917, Westcott Fountain has become emblematic of Florida State University’s culture. Students gather at the fountain every semester for grad photos, birthday celebrations and late-night swims. It’s a sacred place for Noles, and it’s what many people visualize when they think of FSU.

Given its significance in the Florida State zeitgeist, Westcott was the first location artist Nikki Ackerman depicted when she set out to paint scenes from around campus in 2021.

“FSU has to be one of the prettiest campuses in the U.S.,” she said. “And I always knew I wanted to capture some of the memories I made here.”

Ackerman graduated from FSU in 2019 with a bachelor’s degree in studio art. Originally from a small farm town in western New York, she chose to study at FSU for two reasons: its study abroad program, which she participated in, and its proximity to the beach.

While many Floridians might not consider Tallahassee near the beach

— the closest beach is a 45-minute drive at best — Ackerman joked that it’s “closer than the seven hours it took me to get to one in New York.”

She initially enrolled in FSU’s interior design program but switched to studio art in her second semester.

“I missed painting and traditional art,” she said. “I chose interior design as a safety net because you’re pretty much promised a job after college. Art is less reassuring.”

Years later, however, she’s made art her full-time career. Under the moniker artxnikki, Ackerman sells prints, stickers, stationery and more via her online shop and brick-andmortar store in Railroad Square. She paints various things, from cowboy and Western-themed art to food and beverage-inspired pieces. But her FSU and Tallahasseecentric paintings are what propelled her career.

In 2021, Ackerman posted her now-popular Cocktails of Tallahassee painting on Instagram. It quickly went viral, collecting thousands of likes and comments and giving her a clear direction for her artistic future.

↑ Ackerman’s store contains all kinds of goodies, from stationery and art prints to pennants, buttons and stickers. ↗→ After her Cocktails of Tallahassee painting went viral online, her business expanded even further, with other local establishments like Madison Social and Picked reaching out to collaborate on special projects.

←→ Ackerman’s artistic journey began with a painting of

Fountain and grew to include other FSU-centric paraphernalia.

“Once I knew that people wanted something like that, I thought about my memories from Tallahassee and painted landmarks and those things that made me nostalgic,” she said. Landmarks

include Doak Campbell Stadium, FSU’s Unconquered Statue, Gordos, Ken’s Tavern and more.

A flood of opportunities opened for Nikki Ackerman after the

Cocktails piece went viral. In the years since, she has collaborated with local businesses like Madison Social and Picked to create specialty, limited-run merchandise. In addition to creating licensed FSU artwork — which she sells in-store and online — she painted 18 different stadiums for a company that manufactures licensed collegiate art. Last year, she partnered

NIKKI ACKERMAN’S PERFECT DAY IN TALLAHASSEE

Since graduating from FSU in 2019, local artist Nikki Ackerman and her husband have made Tallahassee their permanent home. Given her presence in the local business community and career memorializing the city through art, Tallahassee Magazine asked Ackerman to describe how she’d spend her perfect day in the Capital City. Here’s what she said:

Morning

➸ Ackerman said she’d start her day at Argonaut or Lucky Goat. “Both have amazing lattes,” she said. Then, she’d stop by Au Peche Mignon for a pastry or one of their “amazing” macarons.

Afternoon

➸ She’d dine at Jeri’s Cafe for lunch, then head to Cascades Park for a walk with her dog. Next, she’d mosey around Railroad Square and visit some of her favorite local shops — The Other Side Vintage, Rare Bird Interiors and Talquin Trading Co., to name a few.

Evening

➸ She’d follow her shopping spree with drinks at Bar 1903, catch the sunset at Doak Campbell Stadium and enjoy dinner at Lucilla. “Everything there has a Louisiana flare. It’s super dark and moody, and the floors are white and black tile. I feel like I’m not in the U.S. when I’m there.”

We’re here to help you do more.

↑

with FSU Admissions to create acceptance letters for incoming students.

“They received their letter and this poster with a QR code on the back with instructions for enrolling and the next steps,” she said. The poster featured her painting of Westcott.

“Being in the hands of baby Noles was cool because they didn’t even know what they were getting themselves into, and they already had this piece of paper full of memories shared with alums across generations.”

Ackerman admitted she took FSU’s beauty for granted as a student. But her artwork has given her a greater appreciation for the campus she once called home and allows her to contribute to the lasting memories of other alums.

CUTTING COSTS

Nikki Ackerman wants students and alums of all income levels to enjoy her art, so she’s worked hard to keep pieces affordable. She offers digital prints ranging in price from $15–$38. To shop, visit artxnikki.com or stop by her store, located at 630 Railroad Square, Unit 8.

“The ability to see things in a different light now is pretty cool,” she said. “I’m not the only one whose life was impacted by those four years at FSU … I want to keep giving back to the community that shares the same feelings I do.” TM

Ackerman paints her designs by hand with watercolors and then turns them into digital prints. This process saves time and allows her to put her art on T-shirts, mugs and more.

BOOKS

A WOMAN OF MANY CULTURES

Author Faith Eidse

finds great value in listening

by STEVE BORNHOFT

Rather out of nowhere, a mention of the Emerald Coast Zoo in Crestview occurs in Faith Eidse’s stirring, coming-of-age memoir about her childhood spent in Canada and the African nation formerly known as Congo.

Eidse was 8 years old when young militants called Jeunesse began terrorizing the countryside in Congo. They were not satisfied that promises made when their homeland gained independence from Belgium in 1960 had been fulfilled, finding instead that the country was still effectively ruled by colonialists.

As white people, Eidse, her three sisters and her Mennonite missionary parents were vulnerable to attack and made preparations to flee their home in Kamayala.

Before they departed, Eidse “heard a familiar trumpeting from the savanna” and wondered, “Were those elephants guarding us?”

Decades later, Eidse, a Tallahassee resident since 1992, heard the same trumpeting again, this time at a wedding that took place at the zoo in Crestview.

“It rose, a deep whoo-ooo from the lion’s cage just as the groom spoke his vows,” Eidse writes in Deeper than African Soil (Masthof Press, 2023). “Those had never been elephants encircling us, but lions all along.”

The passage points to two realities about Eidse’s childhood. She grew up unaware of some of the dangers in her midst. And, the greatest threats to her safety and existence were posed not by the natural world, but by humans.

The Eidse family would escape harm by the Jeunesse, whose rebellion was defeated. But Eidse would sustain physical, emotional and psychological abuse at the Mennonite hostelry/school in Leopoldville that she attended as a child and teen. There, a school parent, “Uncle Hector,” attempted to thwart every natural inclination of students to achieve an identity and express themselves.

She grew up unaware of some of the dangers in her midst. And, the greatest threats to her safety and existence were posed not by the natural world, but by humans.

Deeper than African Soil is a book about suppression, subjugation, submission and people whom Eidse refers to as “healers of the soul.”

Her parents enforced strict rules regarding skirt lengths, books, music and boys in raising Eidse and

her three sisters, Hope, Charity and Grace. Eidse was more inclined to challenge them than her siblings but found at school an environment that was even less relaxed.

Informed by Uncle Hector that he wanted to see her, Eidse racked her brain, trying to figure out the offense she may have committed.

“Let’s start with the way you dress,” Hector said as the meeting began. “You wear those jeans so tight, you turn men on when you walk. You do it on purpose. You’re a whore, a slut, a prick tease.”

When Eidse missed supper at her dorm for having (platonically) visited a boy at a nearby school, Uncle Hector notified her parents. Her father arrived and whipped her with his belt, at least in part, one suspects, to impress the school parent.

Last year, Tallahassee-based author Faith Eidse published Deeper than African Soil, a comingof-age memoir about suppression, subjugation, submission and “healers of the soul.”

Chief among Eidse’s soul healers was a woman who was hired to relieve Uncle Hector of any responsibility for supervising girls. Eidse describes Shirl as a “chestnuthaired social worker with Liza Minelli eyes who lived with us and joined us during fetid afternoon gab sessions when it was too hot to move or study. She propped her feet on the walls and never enforced rules against doing so.”

In addition to being relatively cool, she served as a buffer between Uncle Hector and girls he had abused.

Students at the hostelry passed around pirated copies of Les Girls and The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test and found ways to listen to Bob Dylan, Simon & Garfunkel, Carole King and Creedence Clearwater Revival.

Nature abhors a vacuum. Books and music abhor a barrier. Those barriers, once permeable, are sieves today.

For Eidse and her sisters, the outdoors was a source of joy and recreation. The girls knew the best swimming holes in the Kamalaya River, and Eidse recalls with fondness the time she, Hope and Charity, guided by a notorious female hunter, Mama Beya, intercepted a deer fleeing a grass fire and dispatched it with hand tools. Nor could she resist mentioning the

3-inch-long roach that dropped from a ceiling and landed in her mouth.

Eidse earned a doctorate in creative writing from FSU in 1999. She moved to Tallahassee with her husband, Philip Kuhns, a physicist, when he landed a job at FSU’s MagLab.

She regards herself as a “third culture kid,” having lived in Canada, Africa and the United States.

“I believe that there are many faiths from which to draw wisdom,” Eidse said in an interview with Tallahassee Magazine. “For sure, I am not a fundamentalist. Having grown up among various cultures, one thing I always come back to is the value of being open to and learning from people from other walks of life.

“I’m an amalgamation. I’m not one thing from one place. But my African culture claims me, and that’s cool.”

Eidse may have come by her spirit of inclusivity from her parents, Helen and Ben Eidse, their narrowness in some areas notwithstanding.

↖ Eidse has written a memoir, Deeper than African Soil, and edited a collection of memories and anecdotes titled Voices of the Apalachicola. ↑ As a child of 12, Eidse toured Europe with her family en route from Africa to Canada. She visited the Hohenzollern Castle near Stuttgart, Germany, where her dad bought her a souvenir keychain that she has cherished ever since.

asked people around him to tell him about their experiences, their stories, their cultures, their parables. He believed in the power of stories as a conduit for truth.”

Helen was a healer.

“Africans said about her that she was the one who would sit with the sick and the outcasts, the leprosy patients when no one else would,” Eidse said. “She did so in a culture made up of people who themselves would avoid sitting with those people.

DEEPER THAN AFRICAN SOIL

“He learned a lot from other people; he wasn’t didactic,” she said about her father, who was a missionary, linguist, community organizer, handyman and mechanic. “He

“I was so grateful to be able to follow my mother on her rounds and help her. It was an amazing experience to sit with leprosy patients who were weaving baskets by using their teeth.”

Eidse said she is indebted to a teacher who approved her plan to write a biology paper about the leprosarium where her mother worked.

“The experience was a great teacher,” she said. And a fine start to a writing career. TM

TALLAHASSEE

20

Tallahassee is growing and thriving while striving to only offer the best. Our quality of life is further enhanced by superior products, catered customer service and inviting atmospheres provided by our favorite businesses. These are the reasons we crave Friday night at our favorite restaurant, anticipate Saturday at local bars, plan Sundays at a scenic park, count on our barista to know our order Monday morning and entrust service providers to perform efficient work during our weekly appointments. As a way to express your gratitude to the businesses that make your life the best it can be, cast your online ballot for the 2024 Best of Tallahassee readers’ choice awards.

Cast Your Vote Online!

2024 OFFICIAL BEST OF TALLAHASSEE RULES AND CATEGORIES

RULES To preserve the integrity of the voting process, the following contest rules must be observed in order to cast a ballot and ensure it is included in the voting tabulation process. Visit TallahasseeMagazine.com/ Best-of-Tallahassee-24Ballot to vote online:

• Voting for 2024 Best of Tallahassee honors will take place online starting May 1, 2024.

• Each vote must be submitted by one verified email address. (The spirit of voting is one vote per person.)

• Obvious attempts at ballot stuffing or cheating will be disqualified.

Voting period

Online Ballot: May 1–31, 2024

Scan the QR code or visit the link below to vote TallahasseeMagazine.com/ best-of-tallahassee-24ballot

Express your appreciation for the businesses that you support and admire by casting your online ballot in the 2024 Best of Tallahassee readers’ choice awards.

• All votes must be cast for locally owned businesses in and around Tallahassee. Locally owned and operated companies are defined as the owner or managing partner living in and around the Tallahassee area or within a 30-mile radius of the Tallahassee city limits.

• Categories marked with this asterisk (*) are not required to meet the “locally owned” rule due to the number of businesses that provide this service in our community.

• No incentives, prizes, goods or services may be offered in exchange for votes.

• Ballots must be submitted by May 31, 2024, at 11:59 P.M.

• A business can win the “Best” award in no more than two categories. If a business is the leading vote-getter in more than two categories, that business will win only the “Best” award for the two categories in which it received the most votes.

• Any winning business must be in good standing with Rowland Publishing, Inc. and still in operation by the date of the results printed in the magazine to be promoted as a “Best of” winner.

Once ballots are counted, all tabulations are final.

SPONSORS

Tallahassee Magazine will recognize the results of the winners for every category in the November/December 2024 issue. Rules apply for winners.

2024 OFFICIAL BEST OF TALLAHASSEE CATEGORIES

FOOD & BEVERAGE

Appetizer

Asian

Bakery

Bar

Barbecue*

Breakfast

Brewery/Craft Beer

Brunch

Cajun Restaurant

Catering

Celebration/Special Occasion

Restaurant

Coffee Shop

Dessert

Fine Dining Restaurant

Frozen Treat

Hamburger

Happy Hour

Hibachi

Hot Dog

Italian Restaurant

Lunch

Mexican/Latin American Restaurant

Outdoor Dining Restaurant

Pizza

Seafood Market

Seafood Restaurant

Southern Cuisine/Food

Sports Bar

Steakhouse

Sushi Wings SERVICE

PROVIDERS

Air Conditioning/Heating

Alarm/Security Company*

Alterations

Alternative Medicine Facility

Assisted Living Facility*

Audiology Specialist

Automobile Dealer*

Bank*

Banquet Facility/Event Hall

Cannabis/CBD Facility

Carpet/Tile Cleaner

Child Care Provider

Chimney and Duct Cleaning

Chiropractor

Commercial Real Estate Agency

Cosmetic Surgery

Credit Union*

Customer Service

Dance Studio

Day Spa

Dental Practice

Dermatology Practice

Dry Cleaner

Electrical Company

Event/Wedding Planner

Family Physician Practice

Financial Planner

Fitness Center

Flooring (Carpet/Tile/Etc.)

Florist

Hair Salon/Studio

Hair Wax/Laser Services

Hotel*

Insurance Agency

Internet Provider

Landscaping/Lawn Services

Law Firm/Attorney Practice

Medical Spa

Moving Company

Nail Salon

Nonprofit Organization

Optometry/Ophthalmology Practice

Oral Health Care Specialty Practice

Pediatric Practice

Pest Control Service

Photographer

Plumbing Service

Printing/Copying Services

Residential Builder/Contractor

Residential Painter

Residential Real Estate Agency

Roofing Repair/Services

Sign Company

Solar Energy Contractor

Specialty Fitness Studio

(Yoga/Pilates/Group Fitness)

Tree Service

Wedding Venue

Weight Loss Center

SHOPPING

Bookstore

Furniture Store

Jewelry Store

Kids Clothing

Men’s Clothing/Accessories

Nursery/Garden Center

Specialty Retail Store

Women’s Accessories

Women’s Clothing

Women’s Shoes

ENTERTAINMENT

Band

Community Event

Golf Course

Local Podcast

Place to Take the Kids

Radio Personality

TV Personality

TALLAHASSEE

APOGEE SIGNS

BEST SIGNS

Take your brand to the next level with Apogee Signs, the pinnacle of signage excellence in Tallahassee. Your success is our mission, and we’re honored to be voted the best. Let’s create something extraordinary together!

251 FORTUNE BLVD. MIDWAY

850.224.7446 | APOGEESIGNS.COM

CAPITAL CITY BANK

BEST BANK

A special thanks to Tallahassee Magazine readers for voting us “Best of Tallahassee.” We are honored to have been chosen again. Each day we live to fulfill our brand promise of being “More than your bank. Your banker.”

11 LOCATIONS TO SERVE YOU

850.402.7500 | CCBG.COM

BIG FISH REAL ESTATE

BEST RESIDENTIAL REAL ESTATE AGENCY

At Big Fish Real Estate, we promise to always put our client’s interest first, to treat every transaction with the utmost care, and to walk you through the journey of homeownership with faith, love and integrity.

1651 N. MONROE ST.

850.339.9276 | BIGFISHFLORIDA.COM

GROWING ROOM CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTERS

BEST CHILD CARE PROVIDER

Growing Room opens the door to a secure, quality, fun and nurturing educational environment based on a balanced partnership with parents. Thank you for voting us Best Child Care Provider for multiple years. We appreciate your outpouring of love and support year after year!

850.386.GROW(4769) | 3 LOCATIONS GROWINGROOMCHILDCARE.COM

BUMBLEBEE SKIN CARE AND WAXING

BEST HAIR WAX/LASER SERVICES

359 N. MONROE ST.

We are so full of gratitude for our Best of Tallahassee multi-year awards from 2016-2023. Cheers, From The BumbleBee Team. Let’s do it again.

850.631.1868 | BUMBLEBEESKINCARE.COM

MILLER’S TREE SERVICE

BEST TREE SERVICE

We go out on a limb for you! Quality tree care for residential and commercial clients. Our staff is knowledgeable in all areas of arboriculture. By using the latest modern equipment and safety practices, Miller’s Tree Service sets the standard for tree care in Tallahassee.

4951 WOODLANE CIRCLE

850.894.8733 | MILLERSTREESERVICE.COM

LAWSON & LAWSON ELECTRICAL SERVICES, INC. | LAWSON ALARM

BEST ELECTRICAL COMPANY

BEST ALARM/SECURITY COMPANY

TALLAHASSEE

FIRST COMMERCE CREDIT UNION

BEST CREDIT UNION

First Commerce is a financial partner dedicated to empowering generations and transforming communities. With local people, close to home, we’re here to unleash The Power of You. We offer comprehensive financial services for every stage of life backed by more than 80 years of financial expertise with 13 locations across North Florida and South Georgia.

85 0.488.0 035 | FIRSTCOMMERCECU.ORG

SUPERIOR PAINTING

BEST RESIDENTIAL PAINTER

Thank you all for voting Superior Painting as Tallahassee’s Best Residential Painting Company. We take pride in being the area’s preferred painting company, and we couldn’t do it without all of your support. Please remember to vote for us in 2024, and thanks again.

2184 WEST LAKE HALL ROAD

850.297.1882 | SUPERIORPAINTING.NET

REDEMPTION ORTHODONTICS

BEST ORAL HEALTH CARE

SPECIALTY PRACTICE

Drs. Taylor and Michael Vracar believe that everyone deserves a beautiful smile. Our goal is to give you and your family comfortable and state-of-the-art treatment that’s personalized just for you. Thank you for voting us Best in Tallahassee!

CALL/TEXT | 850.782.3232

REDEMPTIONORTHODONTICS.COM

TALLAHASSEE NURSERIES

BEST NURSERY/GARDEN CENTER

Celebrating over 85 years as Tallahassee’s largest garden center, we offer a vast selection of quality plants, gardening tools and products. Come experience our park-like setting and gift shop to see why we are voted Best of Tallahassee year after year!

2911 THOMASVILLE ROAD

850.385.2162 | TALLAHASSEENURSERIES.COM

SOUTHERN SEAFOOD

BEST SEAFOOD MARKET

Looking for that perfect Alaskan wild salmon or mahi-mahi filet to throw on the grill? Or maybe some fresh stone crabs or Gulf shrimp? Boats of local fishermen are daily unloading the freshest finfish and shellfish in town. A perennial favorite, Southern Seafood has a wide variety of fresh seafood that will satisfy the most discriminating palate.

1415 TIMBERLANE ROAD IN MARKET SQUARE 850.893.7301 | SOUTHERNSEAFOODMARKET.COM

TURNER’S FINE FURNITURE

BEST FURNITURE STORE

For Tallahassee’s best furniture and mattress selection, come to Turner’s Fine Furniture. Shop the area’s best brands with many unique looks you won’t find anywhere else. Plus, enjoy free interior design assistance and immediate delivery on in-stock items. Thanks for choosing Turner’s as your furniture destination!

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EXTERIORS

THE BUTTERFLY EFFECT

Butterfly gardening offers many benefits

by SARA SANTORA →

TRENDS FROM FLOOR TO CEILING, FRONT TO BACK MAY/JUN 2024

← A Gulf Fritillary butterfly rests on an underappreciated, Florida-native Spanish needle flower.

photography by SAIGE ROBERTS INTERIORS Furniture Refinishing || GARDENING Green Scene

When I was younger, I raised a handful of painted lady butterflies for a school science project. I couldn’t tell you why or what the purpose of my experiment was. All I can say is that they were beautiful and fun to care for. To this day, I have an affinity for these delicate creatures.

I’m not alone in my interest in butterflies, of course. For centuries, their beauty and transformative nature have captured the imaginations of religious leaders, artists and everyday people. Many cultures have mythologized them as symbols of freedom, hope and new beginnings. Some believe they contain the souls of departed loved ones, others think they bring good luck.

Thanks to scientific research, we know one thing about butterflies to be true — they’re essential to Earth’s ecosystem. Sadly, research also shows a decline in some butterfly populations. Monarchs, specifically, are vulnerable and face a reduction in breeding habitat due to several factors, including but not limited to herbicide application and land use changes, per the World Wildlife Foundation.

To help boost and maintain local butterfly populations, some experts recommend butterfly gardening.

↑

CREATING A BUTTERFLY GARDEN

Dean and Sally Jue, retired scientists from Florida State University, are the founding members and past presidents of the local Hairstreak Chapter of the North American Butterfly Association (NABA).

According to the expert duo, butterfly gardening has many benefits beyond helping sustain the natural environment. It can inspire your children to “better appreciate the wonders of nature,” provide personal enjoyment and reduce the time and maintenance costs required to keep a “perfectly manicured garden.”

A City Brimming with Butterflies

IF YOU LOVE BUTTERFLIES, YOU LIVE IN THE RIGHT PLACE.

Florida is home to nearly 200 butterfly species, a handful of which inhabit Tallahassee. From April to early May and July through August, the rare golden-banded skipper (pictured on the left) flutters around Elinor Klapp-Phipps Park. And in the fall, an array of butterflies — the highest number and diversity of butterflies in the Tallahassee area — congregate at the Apalachicola National Forest.

EASTERN TIGER SWALLOWTAIL

Lays its egg on trees such as Black Cherry in the Rose family or sweetbay in the Magnolia family.

BLACK SWALLOWTAIL

Commonly found in vegetable gardens.

BLACK SWALLOWTAIL

CATERPILLAR

Feeds on plants that are members of the carrot family (Apiaceae).

CLOUDLESS SULPHUR

Conspicuous in the Tallahassee area, its long proboscis (tongue) allows it to obtain nectar from plants such as azaleas.

GIANT

SWALLOWTAIL

One of our largest butterflies and lays its egg on plants of the Citrus family such as Hoptree.

GIANT SWALLOWTAIL

CATERPILLARS

Looks like bird dropping as camouflage from predators such as birds.

GULF FRITILLARY

The only butterfly in the Tallahassee area that has silver spots when seen from below.

LONG-TAILED SKIPPER

Lays its eggs on plants in the Pea family. Its blue body is diagnostic for identification.

MONARCH

The iconic Monarch butterfly can be attracted to your yard if you plant milkweed, the host plant for the butterfly’s caterpillar.

WHIRLABOUT

Mistaken for a moth by casual observers but is actually a member of the grass-skipper family of butterflies.

ZEBRA HELICONIAN

The state butterfly of Florida lives in the more wooded areas of Tallahassee. Its caterpillars use plants in the passionflower family.

Butterfly and caterpillar descriptions provided by Dean

AMERICAN LADY

American Lady butterfly nectaring on blazing star.

Dean and Sally Jue retired in 2016, but they continue to search for and photograph butterflies wherever they go.

and Sally Jue.

To establish a flourishing butterfly garden, you’ll need the right plants. Dean and Sally Jue recommend using native plants because they’re “adapted to the local Florida environment and evolved with the butterflies.”

↑ The plantings near the Lodge in Wakulla Springs State Park and the Waterfront Visitor Center can attract butterflies, especially during the fall.

“Host plants necessary for butterfly reproduction are specific for each butterfly species,” explained Dean and Sally Jue. “Some local butterflies, including swallowtails and emperors, use trees or shrubs as their larval food plants … the gulf fritillary and the zebra heliconian use passionflowers as their host plants. And monarchs, of course, use milkweeds.”

While butterflies are particular about their host plants, they’re less picky about where they source their nectar — they’ll visit all kinds of flowers to obtain it. Popular native nectar plants include blazing stars and Spanish needles.

As the seasons progress and your garden becomes unruly, you may find it tempting to clean things up. But Dean and Sally Jue said it’s best to leave a portion of your garden unmanicured.

“If you do a heavy pruning of your vegetation, you may remove the next generation of butterflies in the larval or pupal stages of their life cycles,” they advised. “Leaving a natural, messy area of leaves, unpruned bushes and branches in or near your butterfly garden will result in more butterflies the following spring.”

They also recommend removing invasive plants and using natural, homemade bug sprays, as pesticides will kill butterflies.

Simplified, the butterfly effect implies the flap of a butterfly’s wings in Tokyo can cause a hurricane in Brazil; i.e., small actions can have massive impacts. If true, there’s no telling what effects a butterfly garden will have, though they’ll likely be positive. TM

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Furnished Fifty for

Mays-Munroe talks years of success in serving clients

When you’re in the market for a home refresh, Mays-Munroe can outfit your home from kitchen to bedroom and every room in between as Tallahassee’s only family and locally owned appliance and sleep center.

The Mays family established the store in 1936, with the Munroe family purchasing it in 1974 and adding their name to the brand. In 2024, the Munroes mark 50 years of furnishing their neighbors’ homes with the latest and greatest appliances.

“In this day and age, a lot of people are choosing to shop online rather than at mom-and-pop shops like ours, but once they come in and experience the superior level of service, they choose to come back for their next need,” said Mike Munroe. “It’s the customers who support what we do that keep us surviving and thriving.”

COLOR POP: If you’re going through a kitchen remodel but want to keep your teal tile, Mays-Munroe can help you select and style the appliances that best match your vision.

GLITTERS GOLD:

Neutral paired with gleaming gold hardware isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. An LG stove with gold accents can pair perfectly with your cabinetry.

STACK IT:

Stackable appliances, whether in your kitchen or laundry room, built into your walls or cabinetry, allow for ease of use and saves space. The Bosch and LG lines both blend in beautifully.

In a world often bogged down by analysis paralysis, especially when searching online for appliances and furnishings, the staff at Mays-Munroe guides you through the process with professionalism.

Each highly trained staff member asks questions to determine customer wants, needs, plans and price points to direct them toward products that align with those requirements.

The exceptional service you will receive from the staff keeps the process fluid from start to finish. Not only do they assist with product selection, but they also schedule deliveries and manage installations. “When the scarcest resource we have is time, we want to make the entire process easy and seamless for customers,” said Munroe.

The visual person is in luck as the showroom provides a space to touch, see and envision any major appliance or mattress for their home. In particular, Munroe paid attention to detail in the mattress showroom, which is equipped with dimmed lighting, lavender oil diffusers and partitions to mimic a bedroom rather than a showroom with fluorescent lighting.

Where sleep is concerned, Munroe notes that many are moving away from traditional box springs and feather mattresses and embracing memory foam and adjustable bases. These technologies reduce pressure and provide better support for the body.

Technology is becoming commonly integrated into appliances, from app-controlled appliances that allow you to preheat the oven to appliances that alert you when your fridge needs to be repaired to downloadable recipes and ovens with cameras inside.

Mays-Munroe carries many brand names, such as LG, Bosch and GE, while providing access to smaller specialty brands, such as Viking, Thermador, Fisher & Paykel and Miele.

“The biggest compliment we hear is when customers say the process was easier than they thought,” said Munroe. “Our quality of customer service sets us far ahead of competitors.”

GET SOME Z’S:

Mays-Munroe sleep center wants each customer to get their best sleep every night. The highly trained staff can guide you to the right mattress for you from brands such as Stearns & Foster that specialize in exceptional support, timeless design and hand-layered luxury stitched by craftsmen.

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INTERIORS

RESTORED AND RENEWED

Joe Pittman breathes new life into old furniture

by SARA SANTORA

Some things aren’t built to last. Most modern furniture won’t survive a move, let alone remain in good enough condition to pass down from one family member to the next.

“Designers today use MDF or HDF — high-density fiberboard and medium-density fiberboard. It’s paper,” said Joe Pittman, owner and operator of Joe Pittman Refinishing. “It’s not low quality, but it’s not going to endure the ages, especially in Florida.”

According to Pittman, the particleboard material “acts as a sponge,” which doesn’t bode well in humid environments.

“From the day that furniture was made, unless it’s sitting in Tempe, Arizona, it’s sucking in moisture and slowly expanding,” he explained, adding that once it’s damaged, “it’s not worth refinishing.”

Pittman has been in the furniture repair business for over 30 years. He learned the trade from his father, who learned from his mother.

TIPS FOR DIYERS

Joe Pittman believes that, with the right mindset, anyone can learn to restore and refinish furniture. Here are a few things to consider before busting out the lacquer and chemical wood strippers.

TIP 1

➸ Before doing anything else, don your personal protective equipment.

“You’ll want gloves and paper towels, and if you’re going to do any stripping, then you’ll want to have splash goggles so you don’t get anything in your eyes,” he advised.

TIP 2

➸ Avoid restoring or refinishing anything made from MDF. Stick with solid wood.

“It’ll act as a sponge,” Pittman said. “If it’s solid wood, you can’t ruin it. You could throw it in the lake, wait 10 years, pull it out and still use it — that’s the beauty of solid wood. If it’s an MDF product, you can throw it in the lake, and it’s pretty much already gone.”

TIP 3

➸ Try to avoid wood stripping at all costs.

“A product I use to determine if a piece of furniture needs stripping is simple mineral spirits on a rag,” he said. “Wipe that on the wood — if it looks good after, you don’t need to strip it; you can clean it off with the mineral spirits, red rag it down (scrub it with steel wool or 320 sandpaper), clean it off again with your mineral spirits and then apply your color. “Wipe the color in, wipe it off, let it dry overnight and put your lacquer or polyurethane over the top.”

TIP 4

➸ See a project through to the end. “Anybody can do it,” Pittman said. “The question is: Would you have the desire to finish the job once you get into it? When I take on a job, I don’t start it and return to it in a month. You’ve got to start it and then finish it — there’s only one path to the end.”

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↑ This bench (top) may look weathered, but it’s made of real wood, meaning it can be refinished. Meanwhile, the water-damaged MDF cabinet in the bottom photo has lost its shape and isn’t suitable for refinishing.

“My father was in the upholstery business that was started in 1946 by my grandmother,” Pittman said. “Well, it was first my grandfather — he started Pittman’s Upholstery here in Tallahassee in 1946 — but he later passed, and my grandmother kept it going.”

But Pittman had no interest in upholstery; he developed a penchant for woodwork instead. In 1987, he took a class about refinishing and cabinetry at Lively Technical College via Leon High School. Now, he does antique restoration, furniture and cabinetry repair, etc.

“I’ll only do upholstery on something like dining room chairs, but I’ll have to refinish them first.”

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Throughout the years, Pittman’s noticed a decline in furniture quality. A lot of furniture claims to be “100% wood,” but it’s not solid wood — “it’s kind of a misconception,” he said. “It’s wood chips.”

As such, he says it’s worth restoring or refinishing old, solid-wood furniture, especially if you don’t plan on reselling it. An antique only loses its value if it is in good condition before being refinished. And if you plan on keeping it, its market value doesn’t matter.

“Furniture just isn’t being made like that anymore,” Pittman said of solid wood antiques. So, preserve them. TM

GREEN

AN UNWANTED VISITOR

Yellow leaves provide warning signs for home gardeners

by LES HARRISON, UF/IFAS EXTENSION AGENT EMERITUS

Yellow leaves in the home landscape during spring are likely a sign of problems. However, it will take some detective work to determine the exact problem and how to correct it.

Look on the leaf’s surface and underside to see if any insects are present. If so, you could be dealing with aphids.

These small, pear-shaped insects use piercing mouthparts to savage plants’ vascular systems and drain them of their life-sustaining fluids. Aphids also transmit viruses, so keep an eye out for them, especially in the spring when female nymphs start to hatch.

Another potential culprit behind your yellow leaves is scale insects — a diverse group of “piercing-sucking pests.” They’re small and inconspicuous and use hair-like mouthparts to remove and consume plant sap from leaves or branches.

There are several families of scale insects, but you can divide them into two main groups: soft and armored.

Armored-scale insects feed on the contents of cells just under the surface of leaves and bark. Once a female armored scale feeds on a host plant, it will stay immobile on that plant for the rest of its life.

Conversely, female soft scales are mobile during every life stage until they begin to produce eggs. Soft scales feed on plants’ phloem vascular tissue, which transports the soluble organic compounds made during photosynthesis and causes plant damage.

To eliminate these pests, experts recommend treating affected plants with organic horticultural oil sprays. You can also plant flowers to attract other insects — such as ladybugs and lacewings — that feed on aphids and scale.

There are several indicators that soil is healthy and productive, but one in particular is not visible from the surface — earthworms. These wet and wiggly creatures live in the top few inches of the soil, and while they may not be pretty to look at, they’re very beneficial. For one, they eat a variety of organic materials, both dead and alive. For example, pine straws and mulched flowerbeds from last year’s leaves serve as larders and living spaces. Earthworms also consume and convert cellulose remains into the nutrients plants need, and they eat nematodes, fungi and other potential problem microorganisms. By aerating soil, earthworms make root growth easier and help improve water retention. And, they are a food stock for other ecologically necessary creatures, such as birds, frogs and beetles.

→ Earthworms improve gardens by aerating the soil and feeding beneficial wildlife.

Leyland Cypress in the landscape

Want to add something new to the home landscape? Leyland Cypress trees can produce dense green foliage in a relatively short time.

When left alone, Leyland Cypresses will grow 50 feet tall and form oval or pyramidal outlines; however, they can handle severe pruning, meaning you can shape the trees to create formal hedges. Still, they must receive ample room to mature.

This salt-tolerant species will flourish in various soil types, including the clay soils often found in and around Tallahassee. Just be sure to plant your tree (or trees) in moderately fertile soil with adequate moisture. It’s also worth noting that they’ll need exposure to full sunlight for superior growth, but they’ll tolerate partial shade if necessary.

Also, beware of bagworms — total defoliation can occur within two weeks of infestation. So, check your cypresses regularly and take all proper precautions to keep them healthy.

Les Harrison is a retired University of Florida/Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Wakulla County extension director.

SCENE

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LISTED PRICE: $1,300,000

ADDRESS: 8007 Haylee Blair Lane

SQUARE FOOTAGE: 3,234

BEDROOMS: 4

BATHROOMS: 2.5

YEAR BUILT: 2015

FEATURES: One of the standout features of this home is the library located just off the entry, which could easily double as a fifth bedroom thanks to its closet space, offering versatility for any homeowner. The kitchen is a chef’s delight, boasting a Wolf range, exquisite custom cabinetry, a butler’s pantry and a generous holiday/ travel storage area to meet every culinary need. Multiple walk-in closets provide ample storage space for belongings, while a fully insulated walk-up attic offers the potential for even more storage or future expansion. For DIY-ers, a 20-by24-foot workshop with insulation and two overhead doors provides the perfect space to tinker and create.

APPEAL: Natural light floods the home through spacious windows, creating an airy and inviting atmosphere throughout. Overall, the appeal of this property lies in its ability to seamlessly blend luxury, comfort and practicality, providing a sanctuary where homeowners can enjoy the finer things in life and offering a truly exceptional living experience while embracing the tranquility of their surroundings. Outside, the beautifully landscaped patio and lawn boast serene views and a tranquil retreat, while a brick and iron-fenced garden adds charm and functionality to the outdoor space.

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AFRICA’S ROOFTOP

An adventurer scales Kilimanjaro and recuperates on the plains ↓

by MCKENZIE BURLEIGH

MAY/JUN 2024

VISITING NOTEWORTHY

PLACES NEAR AND FAR

↖ On Day 8 of a challenging journey, a group of American adventurers neared the top of Mount Kilimanjaro. The mountain’s highest point, Uhuru Peak, reaches an elevation of 19,341 feet.

↖ On Day 1, the group enjoyed views of the lush jungle environment, one of five biospheres across Mount Kilimanjaro.

Inever could have anticipated all that my African adventure would prove to be.

The trip forever changed me, led me to a new level of enlightenment and enlarged my sense of gratitude for my good, comfortable and fulfilling life.

From the moment I landed in Tanzania, I sensed that Africa was going to provide spectacularly new and unfamiliar experiences.

Our trip included nine days dedicated to climbing Mount Kilimanjaro. Known as the “Roof of Africa,” it is the tallest free-standing mountain in the world. In addition, we would devote five days to visiting the southern Serengeti plains and Ngorongoro Crater. Our adventures were organized by Endeavor Expeditions and safari expeditions by Wander Africa.

Mount Kilimanjaro is the most attempted — and most failed — of the worldwide Seven Summits. Though not as technically challenging as Mount Everest or Mount Aconcagua, Kilimanjaro’s elevation, cold temperatures and occasional high winds make it difficult.

We spent two days getting our bearings at the Legendary Lodge, a lush oasis located on a working coffee plantation in the foothills leading to Mount Meru. I could easily have lazed longer, but the time soon came for us to board transportation to Kilimanjaro. We would be joined by a Dream Team made up of four guides, 34 porters and two cooks.

The team members’ badly worn clothing scarcely qualified as proper hiking attire. It impressed me as no match for the weather and terrain we were about to encounter. Still, the team beamed with joy, excited to take a new group of visitors on a journey of a lifetime.

The supremely conditioned porters carry (atop their heads) three times the weight that visitors do and at three times the speed. The Dream Team set up our tents each day, prepared meals and constantly asked how they might otherwise serve us. We learned to thank them in Swahili for their kindness.

To scale the mountain, we took the Lemosho Northern Route, which covers approximately 60 miles in summiting the Uhuru Peak (19,341 feet) and descending to the Mweka gate. Among possible routes, it is the one that affords climbers the highest level of safety, an opportunity to acclimate to elevation gradually and the greatest likelihood of success. Along the way, climbers encircle the entire mountain.

The going wasn’t easy. We experienced nasty weather, altitude symptoms, and other illnesses and challenges. But we were buoyed by the Dream Team’s support and resilience, along with the leadership of Endeavor Expeditions’ co-founders Kristi “Momma Yoga” Sumpter and husband Jim Sumpter.

Jim has 25-plus years of expedition experience across four continents. In the Army, he led elite recon teams on foreign deployments. As a civilian, he’s achieved wilderness instructor certification from the Professional Association of Wilderness Guides and Instructors (PAWGI). Kristi is a 500-hour certified International Yoga instructor. I was especially

humbled to meet our lead guide, August Joseph Ngowi; our trip was his 511th to the mountaintop.

Mount Kilimanjaro is so high and vast that it creates unpredictable weather patterns. The peak is nicknamed Chameleon Kili given the rapidity with which conditions can change from heat to cold, wind, mist, rain and snow. No two days are the same as one proceeds through five biospheres: bushland/jungle, rainforest, heather/moorland, alpine desert and arctic.

Typically, Kilimanjaro has two rainy seasons, one in March through May, and the other around November. So, when the rain began to fall on Day 2 of our trek in January, we assumed it wouldn’t last long. Like a lot of assumptions, this one was bad.

We were equipped with only two sets of clothes and should have donned our foul-weather gear as soon as the rain started. We would learn that clothes don’t dry at altitude.

↑ Top: Expedition

group. On Day 3, the Tanzanian guides and porters joined in. The routine inspired a catchphrase when anyone caught their fall while hiking, all shouting, “Yoga!”

↑ Bottom: The skies over Mount Kilimanjaro proved unpredictable during the journey. Here, a rare clear night produced impressive views of the Milky Way.

leader Kristi offered daily yoga instruction to the

The rain would continue with few interruptions for six days. We elected to wear our clammy clothing until summit day when we were sure to experience the harshest conditions and weather of the trip.

On the evening of Day 5, several people developed nausea and diarrhea. I had skipped eating most of the day due to other gut issues I was having. Because I hadn’t become nauseous, we concluded that the meals that I passed on were to blame for others’ illness. Oops, another bad assumption.

The following morning, we began the rigorous ascent to base camp at 15,000 feet. I had a queasy feeling in my stomach and realized that food had nothing to do with it. The truth is that the meals served during our expedition — fresh produce, meat and starches — were incredible.

A guide called Lightness carried my bag while I focused on getting up the mountain baggage-free. Then Chandler Williams, a photographer on the trek, toted stuff so I could quickly get to my drinking water after taking urgent bathroom breaks. Sumpter escorted us over the final miles of the day at double speed, ensuring that we arrived at camp as quickly as possible.

The compassion and unselfishness demonstrated by everyone on the trip was inspirational. Sumpter had promised us that we would reach a personal summit

The Endeavor Expeditions group summited a snowy path up to Stella’s Point, less than two hours out from Uhuru Peak.

↑ A 40-member crew of Tanzanian workers made up the expedition’s Dream Team. Lead guide August Joseph Ngowi summited the mountain for his 511th time during the January trek.

photography by CHANDLER WILLIAMS

in addition to the literal one, and I was beginning to understand what he meant.

As we reached Kibo Camp on Day 7, the rain turned to sleet and snow. The camp resembled a moonscape and was bitterly cold, but we were warmed knowing that our push to the summit would begin in a few hours. I needed calories and struggled to eat some white bread.

At 10 p.m., I packed my gear and put on clean, dry clothes. Snow blanketed the ground, but the skies were clear. Gazing at the Milky Way, I knew the universe would provide us with everything we needed to complete our mission.

We began our assent at midnight with headlamps on. Our guides broke out in song, and chants kept us going.

Guide: “One dream!”

Group: “One team!”

Guide: “One team!”

Group: “One dream!”

Guide: “Don’t stop!”

Group: “Until the top!”

The sun was rising as we neared the first of three peaks, Gilman’s Point (18,652 feet). Now above the clouds, I was freed of all sealevel worries and felt confident that I was looked after by the spirit in my soul.

About an hour later, we reached Stella’s Point (18,885 feet), and from there it was on to the tallest peak, Uhuru, which means “freedom” in English. Once we reached it, we celebrated our monumental achievement on top of the world. We had to be brief at that altitude as we could feel our bodies breaking down, and the intensity of that feeling increased with each second. I had been so focused on my every step that I forgot that a 10–12 hour trek back to camp awaited us.

The descent was grueling. We had exhausted our adrenaline during our final ascent and were coming off an emotional high. Getting back to camp was a matter of force of will. When we arrived there, I could barely form words.

The next morning, however, I felt great. The virus was gone, I was rested and I ate my first meal in three days without an issue. Separating from the Dream Team was hard. We thanked every porter and guide by name

and gave them personal notes, tips and donations of gear. These mountain warriors had changed our lives.

In addition, an announcement was made about the formation by the Sumpters of a new nonprofit, Kids of Kilimanjaro, which is devoted to raising funds for the education of the children of porters and guides. Endeavor Expeditions’ founders believe that tourism should benefit communities as well as profoundly affect visitors.

The Kids of Kilimanjaro in Tanzania is dedicated to providing tuition assistance to students of the families of the Kilimanjaro communities who lack the financial means to pursue education.

Through fundraising efforts and community partnerships, the organization ensures that deserving students have access to quality education without financial barriers. By offering direct tuition payments, the nonprofit aims to empower Tanzanian youth with the skills and knowledge necessary for a brighter future. Through our commitment to education, we seek to uplift communities and contribute to the socio-economic development of Tanzania.

By investing in education, they envision a society where every child has the tools and resources to thrive and contribute positively to their community and beyond. Ultimately, their vision is to create a more

↑ Bodies worn and tired, arrival to Uhuru Peak on the morning of Day 8 brought adrenalinefilled joy to the hikers. A 12-hour trek back to camp awaited them.

PHOTO BY JENNIFER G PHOTOGRAPHY

equitable and prosperous Tanzania through the transformative power of education.

Dream Team members cheered and spontaneously began dancing in response to the news. I was among trekkers who pledged to sponsor one or more benefiting children. Doing so will help us maintain our connection with Africa.

Next, we set off on safari. Wander Africa provides some of the most exclusive and luxurious safari experiences available. After nine showerless days spent conquering fears and a mountain, we were ready to be pampered.

→ With help from safari organizers Wander Africa and the local Maasai people, Jim surprised then fiance Kristi with a Maasai wedding blessing held at Lake Manyara. The couple dressed in traditional ceremonial wraps for sanctioning and blessing by the tribe’s elder.

At Sanctuary Serengeti Camp in Kichakani, we did not camp. We glamped. Spacious, luxurious tents were equipped with power and running water. The service was impeccable and included wake-up calls, five-star dining and turndown service. The staff was delightful and highly knowledgeable.

Mohomed, our butler, treated us like family. Our guide Emanual taught us how to track animals while leading us to encounters with giraffes, elephants, zebras, wildebeests, lions, cheetahs, cape buffalo, hippos and more.

After three magical days in the Serengeti, we flew to Karutu, where we were greeted by Godwin, a guide who would introduce us to the Ngorongoro Crater. We stayed at the stunning Gibbs Farm, an eco-lodge that rejuvenates mind, body and soul. It sits on 45plus acres of farmland, gardens and a working coffee plantation. Fully 85% of the food we enjoyed was sourced from the lodge property.

↑ Burleigh and the group spent an afternoon visiting the Maasai people. Historically known for their reputation as fearsome warriors and cattle rustlers, the traditionally nomadic tribe is the only tribe allowed to inhabit Ngorongoro Crater National Park.

We participated in daily yoga sessions on a veranda, and one morning, I heard a chorus of roaring elephants and experienced a primal connection to Planet Earth.

At the Ngorongoro Crater, we closely approached wildlife species, many of which were caring for young. To the list of animals we saw on the Serengeti, we added black rhinos, warthogs, flamingos and serval cats. Housing as many species as it does, the crater is like a Noah’s Ark.

While visiting the crater, we had the unique opportunity to spend time immersed in a Maasai village called Boma. While being respectful of the villagers’ traditional way of life and dignity, we participated in rituals and visited their schoolhouse. Like their dirt-floor houses, it is built with branch arches covered with layers of soil, urine and cow dung. The school was filled with bright young students learning English in a class led by a child.

Much of Africa remains pristine, and people live simply. While lacking finer things, they are authentically joyful and appreciative. There is love in all that they do.

Africa captured my heart. I am already planning my next visit. TM

↑ Kristi and Jim Sumpter’s new nonprofit organization, Kids of Kilimanjaro, will benefit the children of Mount Kilimanjaro porters and guides. Pictured above, the Sumpters visited with a few of their young beneficiaries. ← After their Serengeti safari, the group rested in Karutu where they visited the Ngorongoro Crater. Once home to the Maasai people, the crater is now a protected land. Teeming with wildlife, Burleigh likens the volcanic caldera to Noah’s Ark.

WANT TO GO? OUTFITTERS/GUIDES

Endeavor Expeditions

Guided adventures with immersive and impactful experiences. endeavorexpeditions.com

Wander Africa

Explore authentic Africa through curated, luxurious and exclusive safari adventures. wanderafrica.com

CLOTHING/GEAR

ThruDark

Offers rigorously tested performance outerwear, coats and rain gear along with base layers. us.thrudark.com

GIVING BACK

Kids of Kilimanjaro Endeavor Expeditions’ founders Jim and Kristi Sumpter have established a new nonprofit, Kids of Kilimanjaro. The organization will supply scholarship funds to the children of the Mount Kilimanjaro guides and porters. The nonprofit believes that area tourism should benefit the Tanzanian people. To learn more and to pledge sponsorship, visit kidsofkili.com.

PHOTOS BY CHANDLER WILLIAMS / MODUSPHOTOGRAPHY.COM AND GODWIN MAGEMBE (CHEETAHS AND BURLEIGH WITH MAASAI TRIBE)

ELITE LAWYERS OF THE CAPITAL REGION

If you are ever in a situation where you need legal advice or representation, it’s important to seek a lawyer or law firm that is reputable, trustworthy, practiced, communicative, empathetic and brimming with integrity. The lawyers featured within this special section uphold the highest standards of the law while putting the best possible outcomes for their clients first and foremost. The Capital City is a safer, better and more just place because of them.

Fonvielle Lewis Messer & McConnaughhay

FIRM PARTNERS

Fonvielle Lewis Messer & McConnaughhay is North Florida and South Georgia’s premier personal injury law firm.

Firm partners David Fonvielle, Hal Lewis, Jim Messer, Allen McConnaughhay and Andrei Antohi represent plaintiffs in personal injury cases. Three of the five firm partners are certified by the Florida Bar as Board Certified Civil Trial Experts. Fewer than 1% of Florida lawyers are Board Certified in civil trial law. No other injury firm in this area can make this claim.

According to The Florida Bar, “Board Certified lawyers have met The Florida Bar’s highest standards for special knowledge, skills and proficiency in various areas of law and professionalism as well as ethics in the practice of law. In addition to the written examination and experience requirements, judges and other lawyers must favorably evaluate a lawyer for board certification to be awarded.”

Additionally, three of the five firm partners are admitted to practice in Georgia and Florida, which is another claim no other injury law firm in the region can make.

Fonvielle Lewis Messer & McConnaughhay has been rated as a Best Law Firm in America for Plaintiffs Personal Injury, and the named partners are rated AV Preeminent® by the MartindaleHubbell rating service. Members have been recognized by the Million Dollar Advocates Forum, Super Lawyers and Florida Legal Elite. With over 150 years of combined experience, Fonvielle Lewis Messer & McConnaughhay has recovered billions for their clients.

If you have been injured in an automobile collision or airplane crash, by a commercial truck, in a dangerous condition at a business, or a defective product because of negligent security or a bad drug, don’t settle for less. Hire Board Certified lawyers who are licensed in Florida and Georgia. At Fonvielle Lewis Messer & McConnaughhay, personal injury law is all they do.

Neil Rambana and Elizabeth Ricci

RAMBANA & RICCI, PLLC

As experts in immigration law, Elizabeth Ricci and Neil Rambana lead their practice with justice at the forefront of all decisions. They are passionate about seeing their clients reach for and achieve the American dream as dedicated employees, business owners, military members and happy families.

Rambana and Ricci is a husband-and-wife-led practice compelled to pursue immigration law due to their collective immigration experiences.

Ricci received her Bachelor of Science in International Business from Barry University and her Juris Doctor from Nova Southeastern University, where she studied immigration law under renowned immigration expert and author Ira Kurzban.

Rambana received his master’s in international affairs and bachelor’s in English and political science with a minor in public administration from Florida State University. He graduated from Nova Southeastern University’s Shepard Broad College of Law, where he met Ricci.

The two joined forces to open a full-service, multilingual practice focusing on traditional immigration, complex immigration and administrative immigration issues. The couple regularly represents clients before U.S. immigration courts and agencies around the country.

Ricci is particularly proud of her pro bono work for foreign-born veterans. Rambana specializes in cases of deportation matters.

“Practicing immigration law is difficult, but even more so, it’s rewarding and satisfying,” said Ricci. “Our clients have incredible stories and are working to make this country an even better place. We help American employers keep and gain good employees.”

In all they do, Ricci and Rambana strive to be good examples of business owners, parents and community members for their two daughters.

“In this business, action speaks louder than words,” said Ricci. “We do what we say we will, whether supporting an aspiring career woman, helping young people, representing minorities or assisting a foreignborn veteran in achieving their goals and dreams.”

PHOTO BY TI ADORO STUDIOS (RAMBANA AND RICCI) AND DAVE BARFIELD (FOSTER)

Neil Rambana

Elizabeth Ricci

Matthew K. Foster

MANAGING SHAREHOLDERBROOKS, LEBOEUF, FOSTER & GWARTNEY

Matthew Foster’s entry into personal injury law is personal. At age 12, he was riding his bike and was hit by a distracted driver. He sustained a broken back and lost 25% of his skin. As someone aware of the physical and emotional pain of an accident, Foster is committed to representing and helping victims.

With a heavy focus in personal injury, he helps victims of auto and trucking accidents and sexual abuse victims. His background in civil and criminal litigation allows him the knowledge to fight against insurance companies and corporations when they take advantage of individuals.

“I have a passion for helping people put their lives back together after tragedy happens,” said Foster. “Seeing someone at the point of giving up and then having their hopes renewed and successful outcomes is very rewarding.”

Since 2007, Foster has earned the AV Preeminent® Rating from Martindale-Hubbell®, a significant accomplishment awarded to lawyers whose peers and judges rank them at the highest level of professional excellence. Foster has also been designated as one of the top 100 civil trial lawyers in Florida by the National Trial Lawyers and awarded the Lawyer to Legacy Golden Eagle Award by the Florida Justice Association for his dedication to civil justice. This award is given to only six lawyers in the state of Florida.

Foster is dedicated to cultivating the next generation of lawyers, serving as an adjunct professor of trial advocacy for over 20 years at Florida State University College of Law. He is a member of the Florida Justice Association and the Florida Bar Association and speaks statewide on efforts to combat human trafficking.

Brooks, LeBoeuf, Foster & Gwartney is a firm that has enjoyed continued success for almost 40 years, largely because of the emphasis they place on client relationships.

“We provide the highest level of service possible, which isn’t always a priority in today’s world,” said Foster. “We want our clients to have an understanding of the legal process we take them through and provide them with the best possible network of help.”

William W. Corry

Gregory Noonan, Partner

THE CORRY LAW FIRM

Gregory M. Noonan

Growing up, Gregory Noonan liked to argue a point. He put this skill to good use, following his sister’s path and attending law school. Today, Noonan works for the betterment of the Tallahassee community, representing plaintiffs in personal injury and wrongful death cases.

Noonan spent his early life in Albany, New York, making his way to the Sunshine State via a golf scholarship from Eckerd College in St. Petersburg, Florida. He made his way to North Florida to attend Florida State University’s law school. Remaining in Tallahassee, he practiced law at firms concentrating on general civil litigation and criminal defense before joining The Corry Law Firm in 2009.

Throughout his career, Noonan has received multiple recognitions. In 2013, he received the Tallahassee Bar Association’s Tom

Ervin, Jr. Most Distinguished Young Lawyer Award. The following year, he was recognized as a National Trial Lawyer in the Top 100 Trial Lawyers for civil plaintiff work.

From 2020 to 2021, he served as president of the Tallahassee Bar Association, and he has also served as president of the Capital City Justice Association.

Noonan credits much of his success to the influence of his firm partner, William Corry. The two lead the firm with a client-first mentality.

“We treat each client the same regardless of the case type or value,” said Noonan. “Operating this way makes clients feel comfortable because they know they will receive the truth from us and that we have their best interests at heart.”

The firm largely exists because of client referrals and repeat clients, assuring the practice that they are doing right by each case.

At The Corry Law Firm, clients are not passed along to other staff members; they always meet with their lawyer, who can best address and assess their case. Although much of their work occurs in office meetings and courtrooms, their impact often continues after.

Recently, an elderly client totaled her car. Without family nearby, Noonan offered to accompany her on test drives to find her next vehicle.

Outside of cultivating relationships with his clients, his most important relationships are with his wife and two sons. He and his wife coach a boys’ soccer team, and the family enjoys running together.

“The cases we deal with are often challenging, but even more so, they are rewarding,” said Noonan. “When we put the client first, we always know we’ve made the right decision.”

Jason Vail

SHAREHOLDER, ALLEN NORTON & BLUE

Whether an entrepreneurial startup or a nationwide major corporation, the ins and outs of owning and operating a business are numerous. Jason Vail of Allen Norton & Blue aims to assist organizations in navigating the ever-changing legal landscape with an emphasis on employee relations and human resources.

Vail, a shareholder at Allen Norton & Blue’s Tallahassee office, represents employers in all areas of employment law including compliance issues and litigation under various federal, state and local employment and labor laws such as discrimination claims based on race, religion, gender, disability, national origin, pregnancy and more.

Vail is board-certified by the Florida Bar in Labor and Employment Law, a prestigious accomplishment held by fewer than 200 out of over 100,000 attorneys in the state of Florida. This impressive designation recognizes attorneys’ special knowledge, skills, and proficiency in the area of certification and acknowledges the highest levels of professionalism and ethics in their practice.

During his nearly 20-year career, Vail has had the pleasure of working with many local North Florida small businesses and nonprofits as well as handling numerous high-profile litigation cases across the state. Vail travels throughout Florida holding lectures and conducting training on employment-related matters such as human resource law, unionized workforces, management best practices and more.

“I get to travel statewide and meet so many great people, which gives me greater appreciation for the wonderful sense of community and the tight-knit business culture in Tallahassee,” said Vail.

Vail also currently serves as president on the board of directors for Big Bend Habitat for Humanity, a role he finds extremely gratifying, supporting access to affordable housing in his community. During his time off, Vail enjoys traveling with his family and watching the Noles!

“I pride myself on being available when my clients need me the most and zealously advocating on their behalf with the goal of reaching the best result for them,” said Vail. “At the end of the day, I define success not only by positive legal outcomes, but by the longstanding relationships I enjoy with my clients who have entrusted me over and over again with their livelihoods and their reputations.”

Scott Gwartney

SHAREHOLDER - BROOKS, LEBOEUF, FOSTER & GWARTNEY

Scott Gwartney has dedicated his career to protecting the community’s most vulnerable citizens. Gwartney represents the elderly and disabled, particularly those abused or neglected in long-term care, assisted living and group homes.

“These people are created in the image of God, and we must take care of them with the same dignity to which we provide fine china,” said Gwartney.

Gwartney’s caseload spans the states of Florida and Georgia, and he has helped clients reach verdicts of $1 million or more across the Southeast. Due to his expertise in long-term care and medical malpractice litigation, he

is often a guest lecturer in legal and medical settings.

Gwartney has been recognized among the nation’s top 1% by the National Association of Distinguished Counsel, as one of the top 100 trial lawyers by the National Trial Lawyers organization and among Florida Trend magazine’s Florida Legal Elite. He has also been named a Florida Super Lawyer for his work in plaintiff’s medical malpractice, an award given to the top 5% of attorneys in the state.

“The awards on the wall are nice, but what I feel most proud of are tangible results that impact the clients I represent and will continue to impact others,” said Gwartney.

He thinks back on the case where an unconscious patient rolled off a hospital gurney and broke their ribs. While the settlement wasn’t notably large, the result was. Months later, Gwartney visited the hospital to see Velcro straps had been mandated on all gurneys.

The enacted change, protection, care and smiles mean the most.

“Tallahassee is my hometown, and my clients are my friends and neighbors,” said Gwartney.

“I give them my personal number, which some people have raised an eyebrow at, but I think it’s in my best interest as a lawyer who prizes personal attention and focuses on attention to detail.”

Chris Young SENIOR

PARTNER, PERRY & YOUNGTHE INJURY FIRM

When Chris Young was 13 years old, his father underwent surgery that left him permanently paralyzed from the chest down and in a wheelchair. Witnessing his family struggle with the aftermath of the procedure fueled Chris’ desire to help others during traumatic, life-altering events.

“The moment I applied to law school, I knew I wanted to be a personal injury attorney because the experience is very near and dear to me,” said Young. “I watched my parents struggle because they were unaware of the options available to them. When a client’s world is turned upside down, I want them to know they have options and have someone fighting for them.”

Young has been working in the legal field since 1997 while working his way through college. After obtaining his bachelor’s degree in business management, he enrolled at Louisiana State University, where he obtained his Juris Doctorate in 2003.

Chris and his law partner, Larry Perry, have known each other for over 25 years. In 2008, they formed Perry & Young — The Injury Firm. The firm specializes in personal injury, wrongful death and catastrophic accidents. Each client is provided 24/7 availability to the firm, with two attorneys per case, countless staff members and a network of experts and specialized services to assist them at every step of the way.

They’ve grown from a firm of two attorneys in one office to 11 attorneys with four offices across the Florida Panhandle with offices in Tallahassee, Marianna, Panama City and Panama City Beach. Over the years, the firm has obtained hundreds of millions of dollars in settlements for clients throughout the nation and is recognized as one of the premier personal injury firms in the region.

Throughout his career, Chris has been presented with prestigious honors such as the Million Dollar Advocate Award and Top 100 Trial Lawyers. However, the greatest honor he has received is the trust of the communities he serves and the referrals from clients and friends.

“Knowing that people trust me to help them through a dark time in their life and help them put their lives back together is better than any award or honor,” said Young. “Each year, we take on thousands of clients, and each receives white glove, first-class treatment no matter the value of their case or extent of their injury.”

Big Bend Hospice SpringFling

Big Bend Hospice Spring Fling is here! “Bee” with us in the beautiful gardens of Tallahassee Nurseries for our annual Spring Fling event on Thursday, May 16, at 6 p.m. We hope to see you in May!

Thanks to community generosity, proceeds support the unfunded programs at Big Bend Hospice. Sponsorships and tickets are now available at bigbendhospice.org, or call (850) 878-5310.

EMERALD COAST THEATRE COMPANY PRESENTS

Mary Poppins

→ Sprinkle a spoonful of sugar on your spring with the delightful and enchanting Mary Poppins! This show is “practically perfect in every way” for all ages and feels like a “jolly holiday” with friends and family. Don’t miss this supercalifragilisticexpialidocious show that will lift your spirits and leave you feeling like you want to go “fly a kite!”

Performances are slated for Friday, May 3, through Sunday, May 19. Consult EmeraldCoastTheatre.org/on-stage for showtimes.

EMERALD COAST BLUE MARLIN CLASSIC

→ Mark your calendar for the 22nd annual Emerald Coast Blue Marlin Classic on June 19–23, 2024! Dive into world-class sportfishing, stunning scenery and unforgettable moments. For more info, call (850) 267-6365.

Sewing Lessons | Fabrics & Supplies

Janome Machines | Embroidery

Sewing Machine Service | Quilting Longarm

400 Capital Circle SE, Ste. 10

Tuesday-Saturday, 10am- 5pm | (850) 765-2434

calendar TCC JAZZ BAND AT THE GROVE AT CANOPY

MAY 1

The Tallahassee Community College Jazz Band invites audiences to a free, familyfriendly jazz concert under the stars at The Grove at Canopy. visittallahassee.com/events/tcc-jazzband-at-the-grove-at-canopy-2024

INDIGO GIRLS

MAY 1

Welcome summer with the music of the multi-Grammywinning duo Emily Sailers and Amy Ray of the Indigo Girls at Ruby Diamond Concert Hall. visittallahassee.com/events/ indigo-girls

FIRST FRIDAY AT RAILROAD SQUARE ART DISTRICT

MAY 3, JUNE 7

On the first Friday of every month, support and shop local in Tallahassee’s most creative community, Railroad Square Art District. Browse open galleries, shop local stores, listen to live music, and enjoy food and beverages.  artdistrict.com/events

STOP AT THE STATION

MAY 3, JUNE 7

Stop by the visitor information center and gift shop at Domi Station on the first Friday of each month to enjoy an evening of live music, shopping, refreshments, culture and supporting local business owners.

visittallahassee.com/events/stop-atthe-station-3

GEORGE THOROGOOD AND THE DESTROYERS

“BAD ALL OVER THE WORLD – 50 YEARS OF ROCK” WITH 38 SPECIAL

MAY 4

After decades of performing and 15 million albums sold, George Thorogood & The Destroyers are celebrating their success with a world tour that stops at The Adderley Amphitheater at Cascades Park. visittallahassee.com/events/george_ thorogood_38-special

TALLAHASSEE YOUTH ORCHESTRA CONCERT

MAY 5

The Tallahassee Youth Orchestra will perform its season finale spring concert at the Ruby Diamond Concert Hall.  tallahasseeyouthorchestras.com

SOUTHERN SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL

MAY 9–12

Southern Shakespeare Company brings its annual free Shakespeare in the Park Festival to Cascades Park. This year’s featured play is The Winter’s Tale, a comedy that charts one royal family’s journey of redemption. On May 11–12, The Bardlings will present an abridged version of The Tempest, Shakespeare’s comedy about the foibles and forgiveness of courtiers set adrift on a remote, magical island. On Saturday, the Festival Faire will feature food trucks, the Shake Shoppe, vendors, Renaissance performers and more.

southernshakespearefestival.org

TALLAHASSEE BALLET’S THE SLEEPING BEAUTY

MAY 11

The Tallahassee Ballet’s spring performance brings to life a fairytale, storybook classic, The Sleeping Beauty. All audiences will delight in this fantastical tale brought to life through dance. tallahasseeballet.org/sleepingbeauty

HAVANA REGGAEFEST

MAY 17

In its 14th year, the Havana Reggae Festival will feature Alex Marley and six other bands at the 5F Farm in Havana. Authentic island cuisine and art will be available.

visittallahassee.com/events/havanareggaefest

NOISES OFF

JUNE 13–30

This play-within-a-play captures a touring theatre troupe’s production of Nothing On in three stages: dress rehearsal, the opening performance and a performance toward the end of a debilitating run.

theatretallahassee.org/2023-2024season/noises-off

■

SOCIAL STUDIES

Power Forward Speaker Series

JAN. 30

In celebration of its 10th anniversary of the Power Forward Speaker Series, First Commerce Credit Union, in partnership with the FSU Office of Research, brought TWO worldrenowned entrepreneurs from ABC’s Shark Tank to Tallahassee on Jan. 30. Real estate mogul Barbara Corcoran and cybersecurity tycoon Robert Herjavec shared personal insights about overcoming obstacles at a young age and lessons learned along their road to success.

PHOTOS BY KAY MEYER

1 Heath Miller (second from left), president of Miller’s Plumbing and Mechanical, and his family enjoyed “Swimming with the Sharks” during First Commerce’s 10th Anniversary Power Forward Speaker Series.

2 Justin Hof, Greg Adams, Kim Howes, Robert Herjavec, Cecilia Homison, Barbara Corcoran, Angela Terhune and Amy Groff

3 Valerie McDevitt, Robert Herjavec, Stacey Patterson, Barbara Corcoran, Sonja Carter and Glenn Ladwig

World-class cancer care close to

Offering a broad range of treatments and services on-site for patients with all forms of cancer and blood disorders:

• Behavioral Health Therapy

• Chemotherapy

• Clinical Trials

• DigniCap ® - Cool Cap Therapy

• Genetic Testing

• Hematology

• Imaging

• Infusion Therapy

• Laboratory

• Medical Oncology

• Non-oncology Infusions

• Nutrition Counseling

• Oncolytic Pharmacy

– Rx To Go

• Pathology Lab

• PET/CT Scan

• Radiology

• Targeted Therapy

• Telemedicine

Tien Do, MD

Viralkumar Bhanderi, MD

Paresh Patel, MD

Scott Tetreault, MD

dining guide

AMERICAN

BACKWOODS CROSSING

★

Sit down at this 2023 Best of winner for fresh gourmet food at Tallahassee’s farm-to-table, destination concept restaurant featuring locally caught and produced soft-shell crabs, sausage, duck and blueberries. 6725 Mahan Dr. (850) 765-3753. $$ L D

BAR 1903 ★

Located in the historic Walker Library, Bar 1903 honors the history of mixology while pushing the boundaries of the cocktail experience. Small plates, snacks, bar sandwiches, sweets. Intimate setting, 36-seat capacity. Voted Best Bar and Best Martini/Cocktail for 2023.

209 E. Park Ave. (850) 354-9739. $$ D

BIRD’S APHRODISIAC OYSTER SHACK ★

Tallahassee’s classiest oyster shack and Best of Tallahassee winner for 2023 in the Best Burger category. Serving burgers, veggie burgers, chicken and grouper sandwiches plus hot dogs, with sides. Full bar. Entertainment includes live music, comedy and karaoke. Close to downtown and the FSU campus. 325 N. Bronough St. (850) 222-1075.

$$ L D

CHARLIE PARK

Tallahassee’s first rooftop cocktail experience offering small plates and shareables has an innovative and exciting menu built around plates to share and experience with others. The specialty craft cocktails are inventive, and the views of Tallahassee’s downtown and beyond are spectacular.

801 S. Gadsden St. (850) 759-4300.

$$ D

DOG ET AL ★

Foot-long and veggie entrees alike grace this award-winning menu. Also ask about their incredibly valued family packs. 1456 S. Monroe St. (850) 222-4099. $ L D

THE EDISON

This relaxed, fine dining establishment is equipped with a beer garden, wine cellar, casual cafe, open-air alternatives and a gorgeous view that has become a Tallahassee favorite. 470 Suwannee St. (850) 684-2117. $$/$$$ B L D

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 2017–23. 1950 Thomasville Rd. (850) 224-9974. $$ L D

HOPKINS’ EATERY ★

A Best of 2023 winner, Hopkins’ provides favorites such as the Ultimate Turkey, the Linda Special and a variety of salads to keep customers coming back. Multiple locations. Hours vary. $ L D

ISLAND WING COMPANY ★

Get baked! This 2023 Best of winner for Best Wings won’t serve you up greasy, fried wings; instead Island Wing bakes them fresh. 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. 316 W. Tennessee St. (850) 422-0071. $ B L D

LIBERTY BAR AND RESTAURANT

Carefully crafted unique cocktails mixed with a gourmet menu that features fresh, local produce. 1307 N. Monroe, Unit No. 2. (850) 354-8277. $$ D

LOFTY PURSUITS ★

This old-fashioned soda fountain serves ice cream, milkshakes and candy — plus brunch dishes and a selection of vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options. 1355 Market St., A11. (850) 521-0091. $ B

OLOGY BREWING CO ★

Craft brewery born in a spirit of innovation. Best of Tallahassee winner for 2023 in Brewery/Craft Beer category. From IPAs to stouts and sours to barrel-aged brews, an ever-evolving tap list invites a journey of taste and exploration. Also offers shareable plates. 2910 Kerry Forest Pkwy. (Northside location). (850) 296-2809. $$

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 relaxing evening. 3534 Maclay Blvd.(850) 270-9396. $$$ B L D

TABLE 23 ★

This “Southern porch, table and bar” is cozied up among oak trees on one of Tallahassee’s favorite street corners. Lucky Goat coffee-rubbed ribeye and Schermer pecan-crusted chicken are among the regional offerings. 1215 Thomasville Rd. (850) 329-2261.

$$$ L D

THE HUNTSMAN ★

This Best of Tallahassee winner for 2023 in the Celebration/Special Occasion Restaurant category creates exceptional dining experiences focused on ethically sourced wild game, as well as field and stream to table. Also offering vegan and vegetarian fare. Five-course guided culinary expeditions require group participation. Happy-hour and latenight offerings. 320 E. Tennessee St. (850) 765-1887 $$$ D

UPTOWN CAFÉ

Specialties at the bustling, family-run cafe include apricot-glazed smoked salmon, one-of-a-kind omelets, banana bread French toast and flavorful sandwiches. 1325 Miccosukee Rd. (850) 219-9800.

$ B L

WALK-ON’S SPORTS BISTREAUX ★

Not your usual sports bar, this import from Louisiana offers seafood, traditional Cajun cuisine and burgers built for two hands — plus 40 beers on tap and wall-to-wall TVs for the big games. 3390 Capital Circle NE. (850) 597-7736 $$ L D

ASIAN

AZU LUCY HO’S

Enjoy an extensive array of classic dishes with a modern flare, including gyoza dumplings, crab rangoon, General Tso’s chicken and Szechuan beef, all in a relaxed setting. 3220 Apalachee Pkwy., Ste. 13. (850) 893-4112. $$ L D

DAO RESTAURANT ★

Asian fusion restaurant and a Best of Tallahassee 2023 winner in the Best Asian category. Indulge in lobster, blue crab, spicy prawns, Peking duck or a grouper filet with mapo tofu. 3425 Bannerman Rd. (850) 999-1482. $$ L D

JAPANICA STEAKHOUSE AND SUSHI BAR

Hibachi-cooked fare, signature sushi rolls and Japanese kitchen entrees are expertly crafted by skilled chefs using only the freshest ingredients. Bat 1.000 with the Millenium Roll: salmon, avocado, kani and spicy mayo inside with yellowtail, tuna, scallions and massago on top. 3111 Mahan Drive. (850) 656-9888. $$ L D

KIKU JAPANESE FUSION ★

From tempura to teriyaki and sushi to sashimi, Kiku Japanese Fusion, voted Best Sushi in 2023, fuses vibrant flavors with fresh ingredients 800 Ocala Rd. (850) 575-5458, 3491 Thomasville Rd. (850) 222-5458. $$ L D

MASA

Masa’s menu offers a creative blend of Eastern and Western cuisines. 1650 N. Monroe St. (850) 727-4183. $/$$

OSAKA JAPANESE STEAKHOUSE & SUSHI BAR ★

Rated Best Hibachi for 2023, Osaka provides dinner and a show, with the chefs seasoning and preparing your meal right in front of you. 1489 Maclay Commerce Dr. (850) 900-5149. $$$ D

ROCK N ROLL SUSHI

This American-style sushi chain born in Mobile offers fresh rolls, salads and hibachi — all with a rock-and-roll theme. 1415 Timberlane Rd. #305. (850) 999-1748. $$ L D

BARBECUE

THE RED SHED ★

Locally owned barbecue joint and the Best of Tallahassee winner for 2023 in Best Barbecue category. Sammies, bowls and briskets. Assorted sides. Chef Mark adds extra doses of tender loving care to his secret-rub ribs and pizzas. Pours pitchers of craft beer.3031 Crump Rd. (850) 510-3992. $$ L D

BREAKFAST/ BRUNCH/BAKERY

CANOPY ROAD CAFÉ

★

Traditional breakfasts, fluffy omelets, skillets, French toast and sweet potato pancakes keep customers coming back to this 2023 Best Breakfast winner. Canopy also goes all out on lunch favorites. Multiple locations. (850) 668-6600. $ B L

LUCKY GOAT COFFEE ★

Coffee roaster, wholesaler, distributor, online retailer and cafe serving highquality beverages. Flavored coffees include pumpkin spice and Southern pecan. Best Coffee winner as voted by the readers of Tallahassee Magazine in 2023. Multiple locations including Bannerman Crossings.(850) 727-4769.

JERI’S LOVE ON A PLATE ★

Filling bellies and hearts with love. This Best of Tallahassee winner for 2023 in the Best Brunch category offers homestyle dishes created with farm-to-table, top-quality ingredients. Brie from France, baguettes from New York and heaping portions of gouda grits and shrimp, enough to share with a fellow diner. 1370 Market St., Ste. #1. (850) 756-7660. $$ B L

MA’S DINER

No one does it like Ma! Ma’s Diner serves family-style food in a familyfriendly setting. Homestyle classics are served for breakfast and lunch with quick, attentive and friendly service. 6668-9 Thomasville Rd. (850) 765-1910.

$ B L

THE EGG CAFÉ & EATERY

When you’re looking for breakfast favorites, even if it’s lunchtime, The Egg is the place to be. Multiple locations. (850) 907-3447. $$ B L

TASTY PASTRY BAKERY ★

Tallahassee’s original cakery and 2023 Best Bakery winner features fresh breads, bagels, pies, cakes and catering. Mon–Sat 6:45 a.m.–6 p.m. 1355 Market St., Ste. A-5. (850) 893-3752. $ B L D

CAJUN

COOSH’S BAYOU ROUGE ★

This Best Cajun Restaurant winner for 2023 brings a menu jam-packed with Louisiana-style dishes, including favorites like jambalaya, crawfish etouffee, po’boys and seafood gumbo. Multiple locations (850) 894-4110.

$$ B L D

CATERING

BLACK FIG ★

Provides family-size and smaller-portion meals that are flavorful and stress-free. Best of Tallahassee winner for 2023 in Catering category. Appetizers; salads; chicken, pork, beef and seafood entrees; and desserts. Vegetarian and gluten-free options. 1400 Village Square. (850) 727-0016.

$$ L D

CATERING CAPERS

Offering meals, bar services and more, Catering Capers makes entertaining and planning corporate events, weddings or private parties in Tallahassee easy. 2915 E. Park Ave., Unit 4. (850) 385-5953.

SIMPLY ENTERTAINING

Serving as a “one-stop shop” for intimate parties. Committed to making events simple by taking care of everything. Also offering Simple Dinners on Tuesday and Thursday nights. 1355 Market St. (850) 668-1167.

ITALIAN/PIZZA

BELLA BELLA ★

Voted Best Italian in 2023, this locally owned and operated restaurant has a cozy atmosphere and serves all the classics to satisfy your pasta cravings. 123 E. Fifth Ave. (850) 412-1114. $$ L D

IL LUSSO ★

Homemade pasta, local seafood and a choice of prime steaks define this downtown fine dining experience. 201 E. Park Ave., Ste. 100. (850) 765-8620. $$ D

MOMO’S ★

After devouring a slice “as big as your head” at this 2023 Best Pizza winner, chain pizza simply is not gonna cut it. Multiple locations. (850) 224-9808. $ L D

RICCARDO’S RESTAURANT

A Tallahassee tradition since 1999, Riccardo’s features savory Italian classics, from pasta and pizza to homemade subs and calzones — plus a wide-ranging selection of wines and craft brews. 1950 Thomasville Rd. (850) 386-3988. $$ L D

MEXICAN

EL JALISCO ★

In the mood for sizzling fajitas and frozen margaritas? Make your way to

the 2023 Best Mexican/Latin American Restaurant, El Jalisco, where they do Mexican cuisine to perfection. Multiple locations. $ L D

SEAFOOD/STEAK

CRAFTY CRAB

Offering the freshest seafood and most authentic recipes in the area, including crab, crawfish, calamari, lobster, oysters, mussels, scallops and more. Multiple locations. (850) 671-2722. $$ L D

GEORGIO’S FINE FOOD & SPIRITS

George Koikos has over 50 years of experience in Tallahassee restaurants, and his hands-on commitment has made this upscale restaurant a local favorite featuring local seafood, prime steaks and banquet rooms for private parties.

2971 Apalachee Pkwy. (850) 877-3211.

$$$ D

HARRY’S SEAFOOD

BAR & GRILLE

Serving Southern, Cajun and Creole flavors in classic and modern dishes since 1987. Full bar is available at each location.

301 S. Bronough St., in Kleman Plaza. (850) 222-3976. $$ L D

SHULA’S 347

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 entrees — a “Shula Cut” steak. Reservations suggested. 415 N. Monroe St. (850) 224-6005. $$ L D

SOUTHERN SEAFOOD ★

Whether you’re looking for fish, shrimp, oysters, scallops, crab or lobster, the 2023 Best Seafood Market winner brings the ocean’s freshest choices to Tallahassee. 1415 Timberlane Rd. (850) 668-2203

TALLY FISH HOUSE

& OYSTER BAR ★

Explore four types of topped oysters, load up with stuffed grouper or opt for “turf” with a chef’s choice cut steak. Serving brunch on Saturday and Sunday. Voted Best Seafood Restaurant winner in 2023. 6802 Thomasville Rd. (850) 900-5075. $$ L D

TED’S MONTANA GRILL

Co-founders Ted Turner and George W. McKerrow imagined a restaurant that would provide friends and family with an experience founded on the ideals that made America great — simplicity, honesty and authenticity. And nothing is more authentically American than bison. 1954 Village Green Way. (850) 561-8337. $$ L D

THE SEINEYARD

Fried, grilled or blackened, the area’s best and freshest seafood is found at The Seineyard. Grab your basket or mix it up with a plate of grouper, catfish, shrimp, oysters, scallops and more. Multiple locations. (850) 421-9191. $$ L D

Visit our comprehensive, searchable dining guide online at TallahasseeMagazine.com/restaurants.

DOWN BY THE RIVER

Stories recall lives shaped by the Apalachicola

While an employee of the Northwest Florida Water Management District, Faith Eidse of Tallahassee conducted interviews with people who had lived their entire lives in the Apalachicola River and Bay basin. She compiled their timeless and valuable stories in a book, Voices of the Apalachicola, published by University Press of Florida in 2006. A sampler follows. — Steve Bornhoft

➸ Kathleen Hayes, who arrived in Apalachicola in 1930, managed the Gibson Inn with her husband, Pat, for many years. Here, she recounts a story from the Prohibition Era that was told to her by him. They had a dining room in the hotel, and for $4 a night, you could get a room and three meals. … We had quite colorful bellboys, and the most colorful was Shug Jones. He was quite a character. During Prohibition, Shug would go get the patrons moonshine. One night, he got some for a man, and the man said, “Shug, this is the worst stuff I ever drank in my life. You can have it.” Shug drank a whole glass down, and he smacked his lips and said, “Mister, that was just right. If it had been any better, you wouldn’t have given it to me and if it had been any worse, I couldn’t have drunk it.

➸ For 24 years, Woody Miley served as the director of the Apalachicola National Estuarine Research Reserve, an organization engaged in research, resources management and environmental education. Here, he recalls leading a group from FSU on a hike at Forbes Island. I was talkin’ about the connection between floods and the productivity of the bay, and every time I’d pause, the group would start talkin’ about water moccasins. There was a tree limb just a couple of inches above the water, and it had a 4-foot brown water snake on it. I grabbed it right in the middle, and she turned around and started bitin’ me. It gets pretty exciting because I’m a free bleeder, and blood is drippin’ in the water. I said, “You think this is one of them ol’ moccasins?” I threw it down in the water, and she went under. It took 30 minutes to put that class back together ’cause they scattered all over the island.

➸ Longtime Franklin County commissioner Jimmy Mosconis is the owner of Bay City Lodge and the product of a family that for generations fished for finfish and later shellfish. In the time before radar and marine radios, it was a treacherous way to make a living.

There was a storm comin’ up in the Gulf, and my Uncle Nick (and his crew) were catchin’ fish, and these guys from Panama City were catchin’ fish and neither boat would leave. The storm caught both boats out there, and my granddaddy was mad when Uncle Nick got in because he thought they had all drowned. They didn’t have radios back then; there was no communication. Their barometer was their weather station. When it dropped, they went in. Uncle Nick was a good weatherman and that was because of all his years bein’ out there with nothin’ but a compass and a barometer, and watchin’ the weather and knowin’ the time of year, and knowin’ how to figure out the weather when the wind blew a certain way for a couple of days. TM

Your Outdoor Oasis Awaits At Turner’s Fine Furniture

It’s the perfect time to get your outdoor living space ready for relaxing and entertaining. Whether it’s at home, the beach, the lake, or wherever you choose to enjoy summer, creating a top-notch outdoor oasis is easy at Turner’s Fine Furniture. From finding the right pieces and determining the most functional arrangement to completely accessorizing the look, the talented designers at Turner’s will help create a carefully curated outdoor space that’s sure to impress.

8 locations many open 8:00am – 8:00pm, 7 days a week

In center lab testing to diagnose and treat you on the spot

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