SAM is St Augustine Magazine #8 by Old City Mag

SAM issue 8\019

ST AUGUSTINE MAGAZINE art | culture | people | living | giving

issue 8\019

Contents

32 movers 40 view | Aaron W. Towle 43 food 50 people 45 poem | Norma Sherry 47 style | Cindy Marshall 10 | 22 | 30 | 38 | 44 | 56 â&#x20AC;&#x201D; flash

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Exceeding Your Expectations

Greg Crum 904-687-4017 â&#x20AC;¢ 904-461-9066 GFCrum@gmail.com 3175-1 A1A South St. Augustine, FL 32080

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All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without permission in writing from the publisher. All material is compiled from sources believed to be reliable, published without responsibility for errors or omissions. St Augustine Magazine assumes no responsibility for unsolicited manuscripts or photos. St Augustine Magazine™ | SAM™ Text copyright © 2019 Photography © 2019 Digital © 2019 Introduction © 2015/2019

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Publisher’s Note Dear Readers, My son made a comment about the headshot I’d been using for a good four years, if not more. He’s right, the time has come to update. He snapped this shot of Nathan and grandma on their recent visit to St. Augustine. So, I guess you’ll have to get used to seeing my headshot updates because there’s nothing like a cute baby to help a grandma look good. He’s growing so fast we will need a photo every issue. I hope that you enjoy SAM as much as we enjoy putting it together for you. We are open to your comments and suggestions so keep us informed so we can grow together. Complete issues will always be free online with white-paper issue sold around the City. We are in the process of adding more retail locations. Check out the website for updates or give us a call. I ask that you please support the advertisers and share the online version with a friend. Thank you for supporting St Augustine Magazine. Peace and Blessings, Yvette Monell, Publisher & Nanthan, Grandson StAugustineMagazine.com

The

Milano Room for events to remember

The Milano Room at Amici Italian Restaurant 312 E & A1A S ~ St. Augustine, FL 32080 904-461-0102 ~ theMilanoRoom.com 5

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on the cover

â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Splendidâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; by Photogrpaher Cindy Marshall on more page 59 Cover Models: Karolina Nesmejanova & Caleb Reeves Location: The Lodge and Gardens

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I remembered

A Ten-Year Conversation

Between Friends

by Shirley

D. Jordan

IN 2002 A CHANCE MEETING TOTALLY CHANGED MY RETIREMENT. My husband Joe and I had moved from the Nation’s Oldest City to the riva’ as some say. In other words, we closed our insurance office in St. Augustine and built a tin roofed Creole style home on the St. Johns River in Welaka, Florida. I loved the beauty and tranquility of the area but missed the company of writers and artists I had enjoyed in St. Augustine. Then at a small pool party I met the person who would become my best friend and business partner in a wonderful new adventure. Sharon Cobb had moved to the Welaka area at the behest of her son and daughter who lived there. Her son was a very talented boat builder and her daughter became my attorney. But those are stories for another time. As we talked poolside that evening, we discovered how very much we had in common. I was a fairly well published author and Sharon had just received a degree in Creative Writing from Eckerd College. I told her about having my own column in a city newspaper at the age of fifteen. She told me about all her travels and starting college in her sixties. We tuned out all others and talked non-stop for two hours. By the next day we had formulated a plan to do writing workshops for other frustrated writers in the area. We also formed a chapter of NLAPW (National League of American Pen Women). Thru this organization we gained much of the talent we would later publish. We began with only poetry and published our first anthology in 2003 titled Of Sea, Sand and Citrus Groves. It was a huge success and we also did workshops for beginning writers. These writers asked if we would consider publishing short stories as well as poetry. We loved the idea and received way too many entries to put in one volume. We chose the best writers and attracted some artists along the way competing for our cover and inside illustrations. A surprise to us, was one of our accepted entries was from a professor at Flagler College. A few days after publication I received a phone call from the college asking for 64 copies of the book. Seems they wanted to use it in an American Lit class. We were delighted and began receiving entries from really fine writers for our next book titled Textures. It was a wonderful combination of poetry and stories. Along the way Sharon and I would take copies of all the entries, go to our separate corners (actually our homes) then meet the next morning to decide which ones to include. We started paying our writers and artists if they made the honors page. Two of those beginning writers have gone on to have books published and win many awards. Sharon had the degree but any-time we entered a competition I seemed to win. I told her jokingly that she always killed off the main character too early in her story. To prove this point I made her agree to allow me to choose her next entry. She handed me three stories and I made my choice. She said I chose the one she thought was weak, but she accepted my decision and she won first place. She did all our layouts and formatting while she depended on me for ideas and creativity. It was a winning combination. If we were in disagreement over what writer’s work to accept or who would make the honors page, we read aloud to one another. We spent hours talking about the work and life in general. 8

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We published a total of ten anthologies over a ten-year period. Sadly, as age and the cost of publishing crept up, we decided to go out of the publishing business. Sharon insisted we do one last book containing the best works we had received through the years. It was appropriately titled The Best of Friends. In April of this year I sat by Sharon’s bed holding her hand. Her health had been failing for months and I knew this would Two of those beginning most likely be my last visit. She could only whisper her words, but writers have gone on to she pointed to the shelf containing all our books. Then she asked me to read. I chose our last volume, The Best of Friends and read have books published two of our favorite short stories. She squeezed my hand and I and win many awards. asked if she wanted to hear some poetry. She smiled and I read til she drifted off into a semi-comatose state. I have had many good friends in my lifetime. I am a people person and very outgoing. But the meeting of Sharon Cobb at that poolside gathering I know was either fate or God’s plan depending on one’s belief. Our friendship was a wild and wonderful ten-year conversation! g

flash photos byYvette Monell

Beach Studio Show

The fun and spunky artist Denise Wright was the Feature Artist at the St. Augustine Beach Art Studio & Gallery. Her paintings of natural beauty welcomed guests into the foyer while nearly 100 members’ works were displayed throughout the gallery for the April show. “When the soul faculties open, creativity comes forth,” says Denise. StAugustineMagazine.com/ArtStudioStAugBeach

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T people

THE INCEPTION OF ST. AUGUSTINE BEACH ART STUDIO & GALLERY was to inspire, create and promote arts and culture in St. Augustine Beach. Backed by the St. Johns Cultural Council, it serves as a place to explore art, take classes, attend workshops and offers free workshops to children. We welcome back Paul Slava as President and member artist. SAM: You’ve been gone a bit how do you see things have changed? Paul Slava: Today is basically about the tourist, as well as local consumers. I see more people that come here that love bringing home a piece art but that’s from a special place right by the ocean. Especially if they meet the artist here. I’ve seen them on the phone. They can’t wait to tell a friend their bringing something home saying, “You won’t believe what I got at this little place by the ocean!” They’re so happy. SAM: This isn’t a gift shop it’s an art gallery. How have you been able to maintain this is a gallery?

PS: I think that now the tourist, as well as local consumers, are a lot more-savvy then we think. We’re dummying them down. The people coming to visit now want local flavor. They don’t want t-shirts and souvenirs from a t-shirt shop. If they’ve come to St. Augustine—they want St. Augustine. Like when you go to any place to visit don’t you want where the locals go? The taste of the local restaurants, they want to take away a piece of St. Augustine. What’s better than going to an original art gallery or some mixture like us, that’s St. Augustine. And I think that if the industry catches up with that, the commerce, even strategic planning of the city, etc. it lends itself to that. Helps local and local business proliferate and do What’s better than going business as they want to. No one wants to go to anothto an original art gallery McDonald’s when they visit here. They want the or some mixture that’s us. er local flavor. I think people underestimate the savviness That’s St. Augustine. of the consumer traveler coming here. SAM: What about being a nonprofit how is that working? PS: I think being a nonprofit and keeping our commission rates low translates into the artist not having to artificially inflate the cost of their artwork. We get people from the North saying, “I can’t believe the prices!” But its for to us and the artists. As long as we can keep the lights on, can pay our bills, and keep the doors open. We’re happy with that. Its for the member, by the membership, for the community, by the community, etc. It’s an all-volunteer board. No one gets paid. As a nonprofit we’re recognized and we try and get grants when we can, and we’re tax exempt for some things. But basically, where self-funded. And we’ve gotten some special conditions because we fixed up the place. We were one of the originals that saved the building and rehabbed it ourselves. But as a nonprofit I think we have special things and conditions. 12

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Paul Slava

AT THE SAINT AUGUSTINE BEACH GALLERY AND STUDIO 13

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people SAM: How do you find volunteers who’ll work here, those you can trust? PS: As a true co-op we tell people if they’re showing and selling you need to put in a couple days a year to docent and assist. Everyone just says, “Wow, you mean I have to be here all day, and talk about art, and sell my art, by the ocean?” They go, “That’s a great gig.” It attracts a lot of people. Our mission is; low cost of free classes and workshops, lower prices for the artist community. We offer what’s probably one of the lowest membership at $25 for a year. That includes basically, having this as your personal studio, during open studio hours you can work here and you can also show and sale. We’re not very judgie or snooty. Not saying that some other galleries are. But this was sort of an answer to that when I tried to get into selling. We are very open and all-inclusive. What we ask is that you put some sweat equity back in. And it’s a beautiful day at the beach. SAM: What’s the size of the membership? PS: We have about 100 members strong. I had to fit 82 pieces in this most recent show. It was a puzzle, but I think it worked and being open to it translated into great sales. It really is amazing. This represents about 40 artists all together, so people see a variety. We always do an Artist of the Month. When there’s a special artist that we celebrate in the month, they get their own show. Three walls to curate and display as many pieces as they want. We celebrate them, we put out the press releases, and advertise for them. It’s a little perk that fills up fast. But basically, we have 11 months of the year. In December we do a member’s show where it’s all of our artists. Sort of Best in Show. It’s a little prize, public, People’s Choice so it’s nice. There’s awards and prizes to our membership. On First Friday in December we have a Holiday Show and people come in and actually do a ballot vote. We have an auction as well and the public can buy some pieces basically like a lottery ticket. It’s a little feather in the cap for the artist. SAM: Isn’t what you do on First Fridays a challenge to what’s going on downtown? PS: They’re always was. But where been doing it now since 2011. We always fought to have some kind of bridge literally to liaison between the downtown and here even in the form of transportation or shuttle. This was before Uber and Lift. So, I’m really thinking about incorporating that. We are literally on the ‘map’ we are part of AGOSA. People just know that we’ve been back getting bigger, and bigger crowds. I think there should be more of a partnership but it’s coming around. Between all the galleries. We will get there as a union with downtown. SAM: So, The Studio is a member of Art Galleries of St. Augustine. Have you been witness to the changes with AGOSA? PS: Oh my God, yes! There’s a new energy, they’re more inclusive. AGOSA seems alive! The meetings are even more fun. Not to say that they were bad before, but I think the word is out and it’s not like a private club anymore. It’s really open and they are helping. They are providing the tools and the advertising, literally putting you on the map—their map. It’s strength in numbers for advertising as well. Getting us good pricing for otherwise something daunting for a single gallery to do themselves. It’s great. It’s well worth it and that’s a little membership as well. It doesn’t break the bank for even the smallest of galleries to be a part of something bigger. 14

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people

SAM: You’ve been gone for a while and now your back. PS: I’ve gone through some health problems. I’m a proud survivor of an organ transplant. I had a limited time left on this earth. There is nothing like somebody giving you an expiration date to wake you up. You say, “Whoa. Wait a minute.” It was nothing less than a miracle that I was able to keep me alive and start looking inward. Looking at yourself, you think of legacy. You think of importance. Saying, “What have I done? What am I going to leave behind? What defines me? What am I? What did I bring to—what am I going to leave for this world?” So of course, family is important that got me through. My kids, I’m a single father. I know I’m all they have. They needed me to stay around. And I told the doctor, “No I can’t leave my kids!” Also, my art, my passion which are; art and music. And this, The Studio is like a child. I kind of have a little proprietorship to this. It was a baby. I’m a founding member and we built this up from scratch. Early struggles but I think it’s a success just knowing we’ve been around since 2011. Knowing it has a great future and I’d like to see it just get bigger and better. more >

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continued

SAM: It will be a busy Summer for you with the Wednesday Market, Beach Blast, First Friday’s and this beautiful weather we have here. What do you see for the future of The Studio? PS: We are very lucky to have this space. I don’t know what the future is of the building and everything else. I think we will only get better. We’re part of bringing art and culture to the community. That’s our mission statement, “Affordable, low-cost, all-inclusive.” We have free summer art camps for kids. There is one free Saturday a month that we do. Things for seniors, a wide variety of events, and anything else we can think of. In the future I’d like to see all that. But I’d really like to reach out and have more of a partnership with the municipality, with entities and governments. Knowing and being recognized, that we’re offering a good service for the art and culture to the community. And that goes along with any equation if they ever think of doing something with the building. Let’s say not just for monetary purposes, or another hotel or restaurant, but they see a need to fill. That there’s a avoid there and that we stay along to help on that journey. I think we offer something very important and I hope that it’s not just us explaining, “No were important” I hope there’s a groundswell from the community saying, “No you can’t let that go—my grandson’s art classes are there!” “My grandma is a member!” “My mom sells stuff there!” “No, we come every year and get a nice piece of art.” So that’s what I’m trying to do, and I think that’s the future. And I say we always have better parking, free so far! So far and it’s free. g beachartstudio.org

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collecting

Right here at 210 St. George Street in the Oldest City Historic District are museum quality artists such as Edgar Degas, Pierre Renoir, Rembrandt Van Rijn, Camille Pissarro and many more. Victoria Goldenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Lost Art Gallery features old world artists to contemporary masters from around the world. Their collection mirrors some of the artists that have been exhibited at The Lightner Museum Private Impressionism Exposition. This a rare opportunity to have access to these fine works of art for oneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s private collection. g lostartgallery.com

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change

Make Summertime

by Kim

Miller

YOUR TIME

Former Athletes Get Motivated & Dare to Dream “I’M AN ATHLETE!” SHE DECLARED. “BUT YOU WOULD NEVER KNOW IT NOW.” She continues, “I did it all, but over the years what with family and career, I stopped. I stopped being that person I used to be. Lean, athletic, fun, competitive, healthy. Life just got away from me. We raised a family, I had and still have a great career, a loving spouse and I really am happy, but something is missing.” The fact is, I know what it is that is missing. It’s the athlete in me that is missing. She’s living inside me, but I can’t reach her. The thing is, I don’t know how to get that person back again. I’m 50 pounds overweight. I think I eat healthy, but I know in my heart that I don’t really make healthy eating a priority. And, I don’t make exercise and sport a priority either. I don’t even know where to start to change, because every time I try, I fail.” “Here’s my question since you said you could help me: “Why can’t I motivate myself to get healthy again? I’m only 58 years old but I feel like I might as well be 98 years old. Please tell me, what can I do to motivate myself. It seems every time I set out to eat better and exercise, I fail. Can you help me to get me motivated to get healthy, get fit, and even go back to the sports I loved and was great at—tennis, running, and swimming?” Answer: This is a great question because so many people, and not just athletes, desire to get back to the basics of athletic them again yet can’t muster the motivation. Life happens. But it’s not that we are disappointed in what we’ve been doing in the world like raising families, having careers, taking care of older parents, or giving of our time and energy to our passions and other people. It’s more that as the years unfold, we realize that we’ve forgotten about us, ourselves, who we are, and what gives us massive energy for life. We get caught up in day to day living and urgent matters of the day and before we know it, we’re not living and breathing OUR life. You said you were missing something and that you know what it is. That’s a huge step to be able to identify that what you are missing is the healthy, lean, athlete in you that you used to be. So just take a moment and credit yourself for being reflective enough to learn this bit of information about yourself. Your plan for getting fit and healthy has to begin with envisioning your future self as that athletic, lean, healthy, fit person that you used to be. Too often people say they are ready to change, but often cannot articulate the real reasons for change. If we can’t articulate the reasons why we want to change on more than just a superficial level, then it will be difficult to muster the energy needed for change. Many people think that if they lose weight and get fit, then their life will be transformed – “if I am slim and fit, all the pieces of my life will flow seamlessly together” that kind of thinking. My guess is that you are not one of those people because you have identified more fully with what is missing, is the ATHLETE in you. 18

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Jewelery Global Island Treasures - model Stephanie Cornelius

Your next step must be envisioning your future self in ALL of its totality. Part of the reason people can’t lose weight or keep it off is that in their zeal to get started on “the big weight loss/get fit plan, they forget WHY it’s important to be the fittest and healthiest they can be. You have already identified your number one reason for wanting to be lean and healthy, so you can be that athlete you used to be. Now here’s what I want you to do to increase your motivation. I want you to answer the following questions in some detail. 1. Why is it important for you to be healthy, lean, and fit again. Write 10-to-20 reasons why and make sure to include your biggest reason which is your missing piece in life bringing back the athlete in you again. 2. How will being fit, healthy, and lean bring back that missing athletic piece in your life? In other words, what positive things will open up in your life now that you have found that athlete inside of you? List 10-to-20 ideas. 3. What will you dare to dream of doing as the athlete in you comes out again. List 10-to-20 things to dream about and importantly, imagine how you will feel while doing them. 4. How will you be able to contribute more to your own life and the life of your loved one’s if you lived the life of that athlete that is inside of you. List 10-to-20 contributions. 5. Create a vision board and read it daily and when you are ready, you will know when you are ready, you willboard and feel it, “BEGIN.” Rely less on “thinking” readiness and more on that“gut” readiness. Feeling. 20

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change

Remember, this is about “REAL” change, change that begins from the heart and not from the brain. Don’t be tempted to skip this very important piece in change. Doing this step will increase your motivation and then actions will follow and you will achieve your dream, and your vision for yourself. If you do this right, you will see that you have gained the momentum to reach your dreams because you let your heart lead the way, then connected it with the right cognitive steps to get you lean, healthy, and fit again! g Kim Miller, weight loss/lifestyle/personal trainer coach is the owner of BodySmartWay and the founder of Retire Healthy, Live Healthy, and Achieve Programs. Her focus is YOU and you can contact her at kim@bodysmartinc.com, at her website www.bodysmartway.com or at the Harbour Island Tennis Centre courts most days of the week.

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flash photos byYvette Monell

Gatsby in the Gardens Guests were seen dressed in their finest and craziest 1920â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Gatsby cocktail attire while strolling through the Fountain of Youth in the moonlight. This yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s proceeds will go to support local non-profits of the St. Johns Cultural Council and STArt Now. stjohnsculture.com StAugustineMagazine.com/GatsbyGarden

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wine

WINE MAKING

by Jeanne

is Trending

Maron, Owner of The Gifted Cork & Gourmet

WINE HAS BEEN BARREL-AGED FOR CENTURIES, DATING BACK TO THE Roman empire. The clay amphorae, introduced by the Greeks, was used up to that time, in aging and moving wine, however, Romans found that barrels were easier to use and that the tightly grained oak wood was waterproof and more pliable. Oak barreling made wine safer to drink than water. Also, there was an abundance of oak in the forests of continental Europe. The transition to oak was swift, and within two centuries, tens of millions of amphorae were discarded. Oak barreling allows the wine-making process to age properly, making it more complex, with a varied level of oak flavoring desired by the winemaker. Barrels come from America, France, Yugoslavia, Hungary, and elsewhere. The varying oak barrels have different flavors occurring in the wine production. For example, American oak is strong and young, leaving a presence of fresh wood and sometimes smoke. Many winemakers burn the inside of the barrel just to increase this effect. Many European oak barrels do not have a strong flavor. This can lead to a slight essence of oak which is recognized as sophistication. The time the wine is left in the barrel also can affect how strong the oak will be. Winemakers tend to use wine barrels only once or twice, whereas bourbon-makers use their barrels up to four times. The latest trend is to share barrels with liquor distilleries, leaving the flavor of bourbon in the graining. Barrels are cleaned and dried by the winemakers before using, but the flavor of liquor is still apparent. Many wineries have jumped on the bandwagon and started using old Bourbon barrels. Fetzer was one of the first. The Federalist makes a wonderful red blend, as well as an old-vine Zinfandel. Robert Mondavi uses them in some of their Private Selection wines, and Jacob’s Creek, in their Shiraz and Cabernet. Apothic Wines has joined in and there are probably plenty of others in the works. Wineries are always seeking new ways to market wine, and to have their brand stand out. For decades, distillers have aged Scotch in bourbon barrels. More recently, gin, beer and even maple syrup has joined in. Even the liquor world is catching on and reusing wine barrels for liquor aging. The “trend” actually goes back to the early 1980s when winemakers who sought French oak did not have much capital. They used old bourbon barrels they could acquire cheaply. Now, the trend is more about marketing and boosting flavors and richness to produce a different and intense set of aromas. Bourbon barrels by law need to be 100% new American oak and heavily charred. Bourbon barrel-aging flavors exhibit notes of caramel, maple, vanilla, brown sugar, sweet spice flavors, and a subtle bourbon character. They also tend to increase the alcohol level of the wine. One would think this trend would save the consumer money; however, the opposite is the norm. Wines tend to be about 10% higher in price for the perceived value of the flavor profile. American palates tend to want bigger, not necessarily better. I think this trend is only one of many we will see in the future to sell more wine. g

The latest trend is to share barrels with liquor distilleries, leaving the flavor of bourbon in the graining.

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local

E V E RY S I X T E E N TO E I G H T E E N months The St. Augustine Distillery Company and the San Sebastian Winery have an exchange program. The project is with the port finish bourbon products and port wine products. San Sebastian Winery makes their port wine in St. Augustine Distillery barrels. What they do is make the Port wine in these barrels, age it to get that great flavor from the burnt aura of a Bourbon barrel. The outcome is and exceptionally rich and fruity wine perfect for desserts. Sold under the San Sebastian brand. The Winery extracts the port wine from those barrels and then the Distillery puts their three-year Bourbon in them. It is aged for approximately 125 additional days. So, that’s why it’s called Port finished. And at 102 Proof it’s a succulent and welcome spirit to our community. g 25

Wining Neighbors staugustinedistillery.com St. Augustine Distillery Company is a working distillery in a restored circa-1907 Ice Plant offering free tours & tastings. 112 Riberia Street, St. Augustine, FL 32084 sansebastianwinery.com San Sebastian Winery is located in Henry Flagler’s East Coast Railway Building offering free tours & tastings. 157 King Street, St. Augustine, FL 32084

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artist

WE LIVE IN THE ARCHITECTURAL structures and stay in contact with the jungle of lines, surfaces and sections, not realizing that every day we observe the magical work of the past and present builders. My painting submerges in this trend, showing the city in an individual way, far from the realism and aesthetics visible to everybody. The painting is transformed in the creative process, modified and simplified. I still leave the elements of reality, recognizable fragments, unique for every city, street or building. I blend them thoughtfully between the surfaces and spots. Then comes the color creating more picturesque painting full of artistic expression, yet far from photographic transmission. An exciting challenge lays in composing the piece of a varied texture. Working on the technique, forming new sculptural areas on canvas and marking the relationship between them is the part of creation that I value most. The configuration of areas and surfaces, their harmony or contrast make up for the parallelism of the elements and this stage of the painting brings me the biggest pleasure. g

ilona

WOJCIECHOWSKA 26

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by Ilona Wojciechowska ~ this ArtBox feature artistâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s work is displayed at Cellar6 6 Aviles Street in St. Augustineâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Historic District.

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artist

by Ilona Wojciechowska

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notes

Wine is a Gift... It’s Origin and Expansion

by Walter

Bost

A GLASS OF GOOD WINE CAN BE ONE OF LIFE’S GREATEST PLEASURES. It is indeed a gift. Wine even has its own Roman god...Bacchus, the god of Wine and Revelry. But where and when did this gift first occur? The cradle of wine as we know it dates back over 8000 years to the country of Georgia, today bordered by Turkey and Armenia to the South and the Black Sea to the West. Archeologists have unearthed the earliest evidence of grape domestication to over 8000 years ago through carbon dating and the oldest known winery to a cave in Armenia 6100 years ago. This site contained a wine press, fermentation vats, jars and cups. Neolithic era wine production in Georgia occurred when wild grapes today known as Vitis Vinifera Vining Plants were crushed and the juice turned into wine when it was left buried through the winter in clay vessels allowing basic fermentation (the advent of alcohol) to occur. Then as well as today, harvested grapes are crushed releasing a free run of grape juice into containers that prompts fermentation thus changing grape juice to wine. As early as 2700 BC, a thriving wine making industry had been established in the Egyptian Nile Delta most likely due to early Bronze Age trade between Egypt and the area known today as Israel, Jordan and what was Palestine. By the Roman period these industries spread through the Roman expansion. Viticulture reached most of the Mediterranean area and Western Europe. Even earlier, the Biblical book of Genesis mentions production of wine when Noah drank wine following the Great Flood. Additionally, there are over 500 references to wine in the Bible. By the end of the 1st Century BCE, wine had become a major commercial product in and around the Mediterranean. Fast forward to today where the wine world as we know it spreads from Europe to New Zealand to South Africa, North & South America and even China. Through cloning, we have in excess of 1300 official wine grapes. g

Merlot & Cabernet Sauvignon are the most planted wine grapes worldwide

Generally accepted, there are only 40 “Noble Red & White Wine Grapes”

Wine production leaders remain France, Italy and Spain

USA is fourth in the Worldand the new kid on the block is China at #5

An 1869 vintage bottle of French wine sold at auction for $230,000 in 2010

Wine, with us since well before recorded history is truly a gift to enjoy and now you know the rest of the story. g Mr. Bost has served the Wine Industry as a Certified Wine Instructor, Wine Consultant, Wine Steward & Wine Broker. He’s visited Wine Regions throughout the World. His background includes classroom instruction of the history, expansion & growth of the Wine World to various institutions such as Kennesaw State University, Atlanta, GA, the City of Fort Lauderdale, FL Parks & Recreation Dept. & numerous other locations as part of an on-going commitment to offer diversity in educational opportunities. 954.270.5502 or wlb.tropics@yahoo.com 29 StAugustineagazine.com

flash photos byYvette Monell

Art & Film ArtBox Exhibits presented ART & FILM at The Corazon Cinema and Café for First Friday Art Walk. The event included two showings of “2051 Migrants A Journey” by award-winning Chatino filmmaker Yolanda Cruz, along with a pop-up Art Show featuring original works by a range of local artists. Artist were available to talk with patrons about their techniques, style and inspirations. StAugustineMagazine.com/ArtBox

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A movers

AVILES STREET HAS A MERCHANT ASSOCIATION THAT Maryrose Lacavera is a part of. She’s also an active member of AGOSA, the Womens Food Alliance, Romanza, and creating special events for her family owned business—Peace Pie. SAM: You are one busy lady. How did you end up in St. Augustine from New Jersey? Maryrose LaCavera: I really wanted to move to Florida. I learned about St. Augustine through Google Search. All I found on St. Augustine was art, and good food, and beauty. A mostly European feel came across in the pictures. I said, “Now—this was someplace I could hangout!” SAM: You just picked-up, moved to the Oldest City and started an ice cream shop? MR: My parents truly are Peace Pie because they started this business together— after they got divorced. Peace Pie is my family’s creation we all participated in the creation. My father was traveling down through Florida and he reached out to the property owner and he talked to him about how we really wanted to open another shop. We wanted to be downtown St. Augustine. He told him, “Whenever something comes up just let us know.” And it wasn’t even a month after that he called and said this place was about to be available on Aviles Street. My dad just happened to be driving from South Carolina through Florida, he was in Jacksonville when he got the call. He said, “I’ll be right there!” And we were on it. This is the perfect space to allow us to grow. SAM: This isn’t the only Peace Pie? MR: St. Augustine was the third. There are five shops now. SAM: Aviles Street being the oldest street in the nation, and the early home to St. Augustine’s arts district, how is an ice cream shop fitting in with history? MR: This is an up and coming place not just for tourist. It’s got such an intimate vibe, but it also has this eclecticism; the environment, the food, the art, the culture there’s just such a cool blend going on. It’s a very exciting time to be here. Events with live music, an art market where artists are selling art, we want to have as much art as we can. I have five Instagram pages, one of those is dedicated to Aviles Street. I owe my current life to Aviles Street. 32

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SAM: Your mural on the shop wall has become so recognized and now it is the face of the Art Galleries of Saint Augustine (AGOSA) organization. Bright! Have you always been a painter? MR: Actually, I’m an interior designer by trade but didn’t really enjoy that. I found other ways to be creative, ways to design. I stay vibrant. I like the look of pop but want to have a looser interpretation of it because I’m not quite as precise as some. I was able to draft my art on a computer, to draw my ideas then eventually started to draw freehand. That’s how I started drawing murals. SAM: The lion mural seems to have given this shop an identity that’s not its own, but your own. When you paint a mural do just start putting paint to the wall and let the ideas flow? MR: I came down here to sign the lease with the store and find some place to live. I didn’t look at the news a lot, so I ended up coming as everyone was evacuating for Hurricane Mathew. I signed the leases when the clouds and everything was turning grey. I took a ton of pictures and there was no one around. I got some pretty awesome shots of the lions then I just went home and prayed. I took all the pictures and cut them out in pieces and placed them on tracing paper and started to align them, figuring out where everything would go and then turn it into a transfer to project it up onto the wall. SAM: You must have put a lot of trust in your vision for an Old City future not being washed away by Mathew. MR: My life is full of experiences that were challenging, and I think that is the reason that I’m so connected to happy things like art, higher power, and being involved with the community. After you’ve been through some stuff everything has more value. I’m proud of myself for getting as far as I have. I really praise everybody that goes for it because you never know what’s going to happen. I never would have known, two years ago, that I would have been here. I know that I’m surrounded by talented people and I think that everybody should work together. I really owe it all to St. Augustine and the people here. SAM: How did the idea for Peace Pie come about?

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MR: My dad, Jerry Klause, is an entrepreneur, there is really no end to his ideas. He wasn’t a baker but now I can’t say he’s not. I don’t know how he figured out some of the stuff he did. Mad-scientist stuff. The very first one was an accident. A very happy accident. My dad was going to make a pecan pie for Thanksgiving but forgot to buy pie crust. He had already mixed all the filling. He didn’t have a shell to put it in so instead he made short bread cookie. There were these huge sheet pans of buttered short bread; he baked two of those, he then put the pie filling, then smeared vanilla ice cream all over it, another layer of cookie on top, called it a Pecan Pie Lasagna. Everybody loved it, after that it was all about the pie! SAM: And what’s does the future look like for Maryrose? MR: My time is filled with Peace Pie and Aviles Street. After being here for two and a half years I want to get to experience St. Augustine more. There are so many cool spots that I’d love to check out. My main project this winter was getting our website up. We actually ship now. I can ship now to pretty much the whole East Coast, definitely Florida. To me that was a major event because so many people would come in and were like, “Oh, I wish you were in my town.” So how could we be in everyone’s town? There is no limit. As my father says, “We will drive them to you.” g peacepieworld.com

flash photos byYvette Monell

Lightner After Hours The Lightner Museum & The St. Augustine Art Associations’ circle of friends during April’s early evening of cocktails, hors d’oeuvres and live music. It was an opportunity to watch registered plein air artists painting live-happenings at the historic mezzanine area of the museum. Museum visitors could view the Degas exhibition during the event. StAugustineMagazine.com/LightnerArtAssocFriends

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Web of Enlightenment

by Aaron

W. Towle

THERE HAVE BEEN MANY DISCUSSIONS ABOUT ENLIGHTENMENT IN recent years on various social media platforms and print magazines. Each one of us is experiencing a different set of feelings and emotions during any given moment of our day. Boredom, joy, frustration, serenity, humor... on and on the vast scope of our human condition fluctuates – but what is enlightenment? I suppose this is different for each and every being. I suppose it has to deal with your circumstances and your background, whether you are struggling with anxiety or some form of stress. Yes, we all feel it... that thin tenor of noise and distortion which disrupts our conscious view of the world. Indeed, it’s always there, hammering away like some angry construction crew, a steady jackhammer pulverizing our serenity. Work stress, family crisis, health issues, bills, debt, politicians spewing hatred and garbage, social media addiction... None of this is natural. We are not born with these issues, but we can certainly die from them. Long periods of exposure to such toxic insanity can only erode our spiritual immunity. Slowly but surely our confidence drains and our ability to resist stress is destabilized. This ultimately leads down a dark path we need not revisit. While enlightenment comes in many forms, it always seems to be necessary when the chips are down, when we have exhausted our patience over a less-than-ideal situation. Some may turn to religion. Others find enlightenment in friendship or group discussions. Many feel enlightened after exercise or while they create art. Either way, enlightenment serves as a personal revolution against our own sinister reflection. For me, dealing with tension requires solitude. I must be at peace with my soul before I can create art or write literature. I have always been relatively grounded in my perspective, but even I have to deal with a certain level of chaos on occasion. We all deal with it – every single day – and with that bottle of ulcers comes the tendency to complain. I am no different, but I have learned that bitching never gets me from point Alpha to Bravo. In fact, I have come to the realization that self-indulgent pity can only exacerbate the anxiety and depression – it’s like dousing a fire with gasoline. I suppose my overall point is that enlightenment is not very complicated. I would say it’s spiritual, but it is also an issue of physical brain chemistry, of finding a proper method in which to release endorphins. I’m not a scientist. I’m not a clinical physician or therapist. Nor am I recommending anything in the form of advice or meditation, but I am telling you that enlightenment is important. It is imperative for every soul to find that special knowledge which separates you from the dark stain erasing your stamina. Enlightenment is clearly different for everyone, but know that we all possess that special ability to change course. We all need to own our demons, to develop our own personal measures in which to release the light. For those who are hurting, all I can offer are prayers and sympathy. Just remember that kindness is free. It is the first step toward unlocking that special chemistry, that primary beam of photons which spell recovery. So what is enlightenment? You’ll have to discover that for yourself. I wish you many blessings creative universe – may you find health and joy on your spiritual journey...

Aaron W. Towle is a Media Specialist living in Green Cove Springs. Having worked as a military journalist as well as a graphic artist, he has a wide range of publishing and editorial skills. He is also an artist with a passionate finger pressed firmly on the pulse of the industry. 40

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photography by Aaron W. Towle

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A free schedule of area happenings with links to music performances, festivals, galas, art, film. We cover charity, not-forprofit, arts & community happenings.

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food by Leigh

Cort

2018 Winning Kids ~ All the kids & judges

Why I Like to Bake for My Family

Kids Cupcake Contest

MANY CHERISHED FAMILY RECIPES AND BAKING MEMORIES ARE DISAPPEARING from tables of family and friends in America today. The Womens Food Alliance believes in nurturing young children with an appreciation for healthy delicious ingredients that combine to express their individuality and curiosity about food. Kids love to be in the kitchen and cupcakes are a great way to launch their creativity by baking something yummy for the family! The 2nd Annual “Why I Like to Bake for My Family” Kids Cupcake Contest is for children 8 years through 12 years of age. Kids can create a great cupcake and win culinary prizes that they can share with their family if they come up with a tasty and unique cupcake. Whether it’s gingerbread, caramel, chocolate, or a family favorite—baking cupcakes is about having fun in the kitchen! Deadline for entry must be received by July 1st. Send: Cupcake Recipe Name and brief story about “Why I Like to Bake for my Family” to leigh@leighcortpublicity.com along with Child’s name, Address, Telephone, Email (parent or guardian contact please). The Womens Food Alliance will select the Top 12 Finalists by judging on: Originality, Deliciousness, Cupcake Presentation, Cupcake Name and Story. Finalists will be notified by July 15, 2019. The Top 12 Finalists will be invited to attend the Official judging on Saturday, July 27, 2019 at JAX Cooking Studio, 14035 Beach Blvd., Jacksonville FL 32250 The food industry in northeast Florida and surrounding ten counties is continuing to explode with talent, creativity and passion in careers that revolve in and around food, beverage and hospitality. The Womens Food Alliance cultivates and advances networking, education, and collaboration for women in the culinary and hospitality industry. g leighcortpublicity.com/family-bake.htm 43 StAugustineMagazine.com

flash photos byYvette Monell

St. Jude Gala The Sixth Annual St. Jude Miracle on the Bayfront Gala. St. Jude is leading the way the world understands, treats and defeats childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases. This signature event presented by The White Room featured a gourmet dinner, cocktails, live entertainment, a live and silent auction and the touching story of a local St. Jude patient. stjude.org

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poem

You know me As I know you Every fiber of your being As our threads converge And intermingle Our oneness is solidified You breathe in I exhale You imagine I create You think I speak The depths of our soul are forever united We’ve coalesced Blended as one Together we’ll face the world Strengthened by our will Enlivened by our spirit Conjoined in our oneness I am you And You are me Together we are one — Norma Sherry

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style

Splendid Photographer Cindy Marshall takes us on an adventure to The Lodge and Gardens located in the middle of the Ocala National Forest. This place is a family-owned and sister-operated Florida Garden Wedding Venue. The location has a variety of incredible scenery to capture splendid pictures. Jennie Tipton and Rachel Hunter are creative sisters who bring vision to life and small details alive. Their “theme” or “vibe” is eclectic, antique, unique, and everything in between. 47

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Bride: Karolina Nesmejanova Groom: Caleb Reeves Bridesmaids: Ida Yeagley Terri-Lynn Likiak Valentina Torres Clothes: Kim Myers The Way We Were Vintage Floral by Holly Pugh Hair and make up: Kira McCarty Onsite Muse Florida lodgeandgardens.com

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The Old Home Still Stands

splendid The Morgan-Townsend House is a national historic site located at 13535 North Highway 19, Salt Springs, Florida in Marion County. The rectangular two and one-half story house was originally constructed in 1894 along the shores of Lake Kerr, several miles to the west of its present location. When builder Mr. Morgan died, Mr. Townsend purchased the spacious house as a summer residence for his family and proceeded to have it moved from the bank of Lake Kerr across the landscape to its present location, adjacent to the Springs. Moving the house was quite a feat which took almost a year to complete. It was said that to move the house, large pine trees were cut down laying them in front of the house as rollers then pulled the house with teams of oxen and cattle.

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flash photos byYvette Monell

A Taste Of Etcetera “Style is about making real connections and sharing stories.” That’s just what the ladies did at the Raintree Restaurant when Linda Hall invited friends to her informal luncheon fashion show to present the Etcetera 2019 Summer Collection. raintreerestaurant.com lindamignon.etcetera.com StAugustineMagazine.com/LindaHall

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SAM TM

photograph: Cindy Marshall

St Augustine Magazine is published 6 times per year White paper subscriptions $28 St Augustine Magazine P.O. Box 3484, St. Augustine, FL 32085

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Mich@StAugustineMagazine For information on retailing St Augustine Magazine at your business please call 828.318.9876 Bulk rates for special events are available

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