SAM #4

SAM

ST AUGUSTINE MAGAZINE

TM

art | culture | shopping | dining | people | living | giving

$9

art | culture | shopping | dining | people | living | giving

issue 4\015

contents

04 Publisher—Yvette Monell 06 Editor—Zach Seymour 06 Contributors 08 people—Emma Voigt 10 life—Kerry McCarthy 12 kids—Tommy Bledsoe 14 flash—Obelisk Preview 15 drive—Adam Johnson 17 fashion—Cindy Marshall 22 on the cover 23 giving—Ginny Dozier

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24 helping—Sheila Veatch 26 foodie—Chef Andrea Rosenblatt 28 art—Megan McCusker 30 flash—St. Augustine Youth Chorus 32 fishing—Adam Johnson 32 wine—Jeanne Maron 33 table talk— Leigh Cort 35 workout—The Bill & Jen Series 36 sound —Tim Pribisco 37 Cindy Marshall’s Click 38 scene—Richard Lepre

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TO B E N E F I T T H E K I WA N I S C L U B O F S T A U G U S T I N E Tickets can be purchased with cash or check at the following locations: Beaver Toyota 2995 US Hwy 1 South

Nettles Fine Jewelry 1811 US Hwy 1

Murabella Animal Hospital 3625 Pacetti Road

Tickets can be purchased by debit or credit card

RED RIVER BAND

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MECHANICAL BULL

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Olde Carriage Realty Historic Downtown 92 Charlotte St.

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VIRTUAL SHOOTING RANGE

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w w w. bo o t s an d b li n g s t aug . co m Be sure to Like us on Facebook

u Kiwanis Club of St Augustine, Florida

SILENT AUCTION

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from the Publisher

by Yvette Monell

Oh well, the party is over but what a great time!

I hope that all enjoyed the festivities of the 450th.

Kudos to the old city and all the event organizers who dedicated the time and creativity for putting it all together. It will be exciting to see what they have in store for the next big event. My hope is that all the local businesses prospered and the city’s recognition will continue.

Peace and Blessings, Yvette Monell, Publisher

FAMILY MATTERS Divorces and breakups are often turbulent and very stressful.

Attorney Elizabeth Gonzalez will offer a fast, fair and amicable family mediation. She provides mediation services to help resolve marital issues, relationship problems, custody disputes, extended family disputes and much more.

There are numerous advantages associated with mediation and the decision to participate in the mediation process. With over 2 million dollars in settlement proceeds for her clients, Ms. Gonzalez has worked tirelessly to bring her personal attention, expertise and experience to the cases she litigates. She takes great pride in her firm’s success through its goal of complete client satisfaction and personalized legal attention to the needs of each and every client.

Elizabeth Gonzalez Divorce - Personal Injury/Accident - Litigator & Mediator of Family Law 10175 Fortune Parkway, Suite 203, Jacksonville, Florida 32256 P: 904-545-8521 / F: 904-363-6003 / Email: Egonzalezlaw@gmail.com Website: Gonzalezlawyers.com 04 StAugustineMagazine.com issue 4\015

Victoria Golden, Fine Art Appraiser, Archeologist and Explorer Club member has two delightful galleries side by side.

Lost Art Gallery featuring antiquities to contemporary art and Sea Spirits Gallery specializing in paintings, sculptures, artisan jewelry and special treasures inspired by the sea.

904 827-9800 210 St. George Street, Suite C-1 Saint Augustine, FL 32084

LOSTARTGALLERY.COM

904 679-3811 210 St. George Street, Suite C-2 Saint Augustine, FL 32084

Letter from the Editor

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Marketing Director

Zach Seymour

THIS INSTALLMENT OF SAM HAS SEVERAL STORIES THAT highlight community and what it means to be a positive influence to those around you. When we look at all the areas we could improve, both in ourselves and society as a whole, it can be daunting to even try to figure out where to start. As is the case with many things in life when we are faced with a complex challenge, sometimes the sheer size and scope of the obstacle can stop us before we even get started – classic paralysis from analysis.

I hope the articles in this magazine serve as inspiration to our readers.

An inspiration to be better members of our community, better friends and better family members. We all know that every journey starts with a single step, and starting with small, consistent changes often leads to bigger accomplishments.

In honor of our little city’s big birthday, I want to challenge our readers to try to make an effort to simply affect someone in a positive way over the coming weeks. The celebration is going to bring a lot of attention to St. Augustine, and there will certainly be challenges and difficulties with an event of this magnitude. We need to come together as a community and do what we can to make people feel welcome if they’re visiting and support our fellow residents.

If we all do our part to treat one another with dignity and kindness, it will only mean great things for the place we call home. There are many ills and tragedies in this world, and if we choose to focus on those things, they can consume us. Small gestures of decency and togetherness will always serve as a reminder of the wonderful parts of our lives and serve to put the scarier ones into perspective.

People from all walks of life typically want the same basic things. They want to be accepted, they want to feel fulfilled and they want to be heard. The more you interact with people and learn about their personal stories, the more you realize that there are many more similarities than differences between us. We are all on this crazy journey together, and the big secret is that almost all of us are a little scared and making it up as we go. Anytime you can make someone else’s road a little easier, you’ll be the better for it. zach@staugustinemagazine.com

Vanessa Lenoir Vanessa relocated to St. Augustine in Sept of 2006, and is the mother of a beautiful daughter. She was proud to have been part of the team in building the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Flagler Hospital in St. Augustine (NICU). Through her career as a NICU nurse, she found a passion for bettering the lives of children. Since leaving Flagler Hosptial in 2013, I became involved in volunteer work primarily with the Kiwanis Club of St Augustine, whose goal is to help children of the world starting with those in our own community. Currently the Vice President of the Kiwanis Club & Fundraising Chair, Vanessa loves living in St Augustine and plans to share the best of our city and my story through SAM. vanessa@staugustinemagazine.com

Andrea Rosenblatt

Nate Parks

Chef Andrea Rosenblatt has been teaching home cooks culinary fundamentals since 2004. She and her husband, Michael, opened A. Chef’s Cooking Studio in 2007, where cooking classes for all ages and skill levels are offered by Chef Andrea and many talented local chefs as well! Information at achefs.com

Instant human, just add coffee. Nate specializes in fine art and commercial photography as well as graphic design and other multimedia production. noeticcreations@gmail.com

Food Contributor

Creative & Technical Guru

staugustinemagazine.com 904.679.5433 | 904.501.1313 info@staugustinemagazine.com

Adam Johnson

St Augustine Magazine™ | SAM™ The magazine for the Old City way of living.™ Mailing Address: St Augustine Magazine P.O. Box 3484 Saint Augustine Florida 32085 USA

Meg McCusker

Street Address: St. Augustine Magazine 233 West King Street, A Saint Augustine Florida 32084

Writer

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.

Text copyright © 2015 Photography © 2015 Digital © 2015 Introduction © 2015

For information on retailing St Augustine Magazine in your store please call 904.679.5433 Bulk issue rates for special events are available.

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St Augustine Magazine is published 10 times per year Subscriptions are $19 for 10 Issues | Single Issues $9

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Meg McCusker is a Flagler College grad with her B.A. in Business Administration and Art History. She Moved to St. Augustine in 2006 and found her favorite place on earth.

Meg enjoys writing poetry,essays and run-on sentences about people she meets and places she goes. She has lived in North Carolina, Boston and Hawaii, but St. Augustine always serves as her home port.

A Florida State University graduate, with a degree in Creative Writing/Sociology, Adam has enjoyed living in St. Johns County nearly his entire life. He recently moved back home to reintroduce himself to the best part of Florida and the most historically treasured coast in the state. He is more than proud to be adding an automotive review, local fresh fish article and a recreational piece to such a rich, locally cultivated publication, full of amazing talent. Adam looks forward to growing old with the city and its local inhabitants.

contributors

Tommy Bledsoe

Cindy Marshall Photographer

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Leigh Cort

Jeanne Maron

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Maron has been the owner/operator of The Gifted Cork & Gourmet for the past six years. Her 29 years in retail in Jacksonville and St. Augustine have kept her busy, but she never sees a dull moment. Wine is her passion.

She is Vice President of La Chaine de Rottiseur in Jacksonville (an international wine and food organization out of France), a past President and member of Women Business Owners of North FL, Children’s Home Society of FL, a member of the St. Johns County Chamber, Jacksonville Women’s Network & Leadership Jacksonville, Class of ‘04. Jeanne has her BS from UF in Journalism, specializing in Public Relations and is married to Howard Caplan. She has three sons.

Single mom to three beautiful girls, Cindy has lived in St. Augustine for 15 years. Before that, she lived in St. Petersburg Florida, where she was born and raised.

Cindy got into photography a few years ago after being a stay at home mom for so long and fell in love with it. She started working under Rick Wilson, the Jaguars head photographer, and from there began working for 904 happy hour and shooting events and concerts for them. Cindy also continued work with sports for both 904 and the associated press covering TPC and March Madness. bluebirdphotog@aol.com 904.540.9215

Tommy Bledsoe is the Arts Program Specialist for the St. Johns County School District, where he supports teachers and develops arts education programs and curriculum.

He also manages the Community Education program for the district.

Tommy is past president and current Board member of the St. Johns County Cultural Council, the Local Arts Agency for St. Johns County.

He is a regular performer in St. Augustine Ballet’s production of The Nutcracker. He is a native of the Appalachian mountains of Virginia, where he learned storytelling and music. Tommy specializes in traditional songs, stories and acoustic string instruments, including banjo, fiddle, guitar, mandolin, and bass.

He is married to Joy D’Elia and has three daughters.

With a passion for travel, food and celebrities, Cort’s interests take her to barrier islands, chef ’s tables, world-class resorts and acclaimed historic inns. Her public relations company, LeighCortPublicity.com, specializes in creative PR campaigns and integrated marketing, as she represents restaurants, historic hotels and bed & breakfast inns, private islands, celeb chefs and specialty foods. Whether she’s promoting St. Augustine, Eagle Island, GA, Savannah, St. Simons Island, GA, Peachtree City or Spring Lake NJ, there is always a touch of ‘show business’ associated with her clients and projects.

Sheila Veatch

Larry Dozier

Ginny Dozier

Richard Lepre

Sheila Veatch is a wife, mother, educator and third generation Floridian.

She and her husband, Devan, lived and taught internationally for over 15 years, including three years in Papua New Guinea and 13 years in Kenya, East Africa before returning to Florida in 2006. Currently serving as the Coordinator for K-12 Literacy in the St Johns County School District, Sheila loves that her vocation allows her to work with teachers and students from Hastings to Fruit Cove and every area in-between. Mother of three sons (and mother-in-law to one amazing woman), Sheila and her family now reside on Vilano Beach and feel incredibly blessed to live in the middle of so much beauty.

Larry spent most of his life in Ohio working in industrial sales engineering after returning from a tour of duty in Vietnam. When he wore out his snow shovel, he decided it was time to move to a place where the shovel wouldn’t need to be replaced. It was love at first sight with St. Augustine. He and his wife Virginia both love this lovely area and enjoying the Florida life style.

Larry become a realtor and sold real estate for the last 12 years. He has a son and a daughter and four grandkids. Photography has been a hobby and it also has been very useful in many endeavors.

Now retired from an extensive history of Consumer Research, Business Administration & Management, and Marketing, Ginny has used her skill set to help not-for-profit organizations accomplish their goals over her past 40 years of community service. Her current passion is providing hands-on assistance to local agencies working with the homeless and with children, especially the Kiwanis Club of St. Augustine, The Early Learning Coalition and the Alpha Omega Miracle Home.

She is also a member of the RSVP Advisory Council. Ginny served on the board of St. Francis House for 5 years, worked in women’s ministry at the county jail and women’s ministry at Anastasia Baptist Church, where she heads up the women’s prayer chain.

Richard is an aspiring writer, monarch, rapper and sometimes comdedian. For the past three years, Richard has been pretending to write a book about self-growth but cannot finish that kind of book until he grows. Richard has a promising rap career as ‘Puddled.’ Check out his EP ‘I’m the best rapper alive’ on bandcamp. As a one time philosophy major, Richard is on a never-ending (hopefully ending) quest for purpose. Currently he finds meaning meeting new people and experiencing new things and writing about it. Richard is nothing without his friends, who formed whatweare collective with him, an art and music collective that is designed for communal artistic growth. Richard likes to write about his feelings.

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Photographer

Additional contributors to this issue include:

Donna Moody Gray Kerry McCarthy Tucker Joenz Tim Pribisco

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E people

by Emma Voigt

Role Model EMMA VOIGT IS A 15-YEAR-OLD 10TH GRADE student at Pedro Menendez High School who lives in St. Augustine. She appeared on the cover of Issue 3 of SAM. Her photo shoot was held just two days before her mission trip to Guatemala. Here is her experience: I learned of a non-profit organization called Hearts In Motion where they send doctors over to Guatemala to do work on the people who live there.

Through them, they created another non-profit organization called Sports in Motion, where they send young athletes over to help build soccer fields and teach and play soccer with the kids of Guatemala.

I went for 10 days in July and had the most amazing experience I could ever ask for.

I worked in the nutrition center and played with the babies and kids. It’s also an orphanage where kids live when their families can’t take care of them.

I personally fell in love with a two-year-old girl named Gladis. I texted my mom nightly to ask if we could please adopt her, and leaving her left me in tears. I still cry thinking about her.

They weigh their blessings so differently than the kids and families in America do. They will have one piece of food and split it into 10 different portions, and for that, they feel blessed.

It was a trip of a lifetime, and it will humble you and cause you to appreciate everyday things we all take for granted. What makes our generation happy and fulfilled here is not what brings them joy. They feel blessed just to have food in their mouths and good health.

I plan to go back next July. I’m hoping to see Gladis again and continue mission trips and doing God’s work.

For me, I discovered my blessings were to be there, to change lives, to make an impact. I’m forever changed and a better person for those kids over there. They touched my life more than they will ever know.

Barbed wire, concrete and iron gates hold back children who wait for food

The mission of Hearts In Motion is to provide care and medical treatment for children, families, and communities through its programs and sponsorships in the U.S., and Central and South America. An additional goal is to provide opportunities for individuals to participate in short-term mission experiences. The impact of the trip experience on each team member is at least as great as the impact on the lives of the people we touch. Many lives are changed.

Hearts In Motion works to complement resources already in place while respecting the culture of those whose lives it touches. Hearts In Motion accomplishes this with compassionate volunteers who unite their efforts and talents.

For more information: heartsinmotion.org | (219) 924-3668

Your subscription matters.

Help us to feature those who make a difference in our community and the world.

St Augustine Magazine, P.O. Box 3484, St. Augustine, FL 32085 StAugustineMagazine.com/subscribe 08 StAugustineMagazine.com issue 4\015

The Team at Flagler Hospital has a New Look!

Patients and their family members can now quickly identify staff roles, such as RNs, Patient Care Technicians, Paramedics, Transporters, Respiratory Therapists, Cardiovascular Technicians and Rehab Therapists by the color of their new, advanced-technology uniforms.

The new uniforms are made of an advanced anti-microbial fabric called VESTEXŽ which is highly repellent to bodily fluids, water, oil and dirt. The uniforms serve a dual role in supporting infection prevention while also helping patients and their families quickly recognize the roles of our team members – even from a distance.

www.FlaglerHospital.org

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A life

by Kerry McCarthy

AS THE 450TH ANNIVERSARY OF St. Augustine, Florida’s founding is commemorated, thoughts flood back to those of us who were alive for the 400th Quadricentennial in 1965.

Those memories, once they begin flowing, are hard to shut down. In my case, they intertwine with childhood joys and startling glimpses of what would become life-altering realities.

As the decade of the 60’s began, St. Augustine was an idyllic community for children like me. The store owners all knew the local families. Downtown and the Plaza formed a safe haven of crossing paths with waves, smiles, and greetings. From the 5 and 10 cent stores to Rexall’s and McCartney and the Matanzas Theatre to the Atlantic Bank and the Post Office (in the building now referred to as Government House), we lived a southern life of safety and stability.

We shopped at Amavons, Altoosians, Akras, Moeller Jewelry, Mrs. Burker’s Florist, the JR Department, Pearrows, Kixies and so many others.

We knew the stories of the old Genovar Opera House and the Cigar Factory. We knew not to bother anybody at the Courthouse or the Firehouse. Rarely did a day go by that you didn’t hear the phrase, “Tell your folks I said hey.” You were identified by your family, your school, your church, and your neighborhood. The Spanish Calle Real or St. George Street had two way traffic, it wasn’t a walking mall, it was a guide post from the Old City Gates to the north, or south past Trinity Episcopal and St. Joseph’s Academy and on to Lake Maria Sanchez and the old Flagler Hospital.

We rode our bikes from ‘The Island’ (Davis Shores) to the mission across from the Murphy Family orange groves on San Marco. We flourished at the beach watching the mullet fishing and buggy races or getting crushes on the life guards and learning to surf. We joined the swimming and diving teams at the Ponce Hotel of the YMCA on Valencia. We stopped at the bank and brazenly walked through the lobby toward the vault to help ourselves to fresh iced orange juice spinning in a large glass globe, and once refreshed, we continued our trek in a city with Spanish named streets and European Architecture, guarded by the magnificent Fortress that carried many names; Fort San Marcos, the Castillo, or the old fort. We maneuvered the Bridge of Lions along the sidewalks on foot or slowing downhill on our bikes. We were forbidden to attempt a try with our skateboards.

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LEGACY Our childhood brought us pageantry as well. From St. Ambroses Church Festivals in Elkton, famous for its Shrimp pilau to The Cathedral and its outdoors processions, guided by the nuns, overseen by our parents and grandparents, and led the by the priests. We counted down the days for the Easter Parade with its floats, bands, decorated horses and carriages and its pageants on the Fort Green.

In the spring, we couldn’t wait for Fiesta, more recently called the Days of Spain. The 4th of July meant the beach for footraces, fishing tournaments, Miss St. Augustine contests, and fireworks over the bay at night.

In short, St. Augustine’s families, ‘the locals,’ lived a life of hard work, faith and family.

When news of the 400th Quadricentennial broke, we swelled with pride! Commerative medals were struck. Our own State Play was commissioned. Our city fathers began making plans, and in my own family, we were called upon to enrich the experience.

My grandmother, Loretta Kennedy Connelly, was asked

by State Representative John Versaggi, Senator Verle Pope, and the members of the city commission to speak to President John F. Kennedy, her nephew and godson, about getting federal assistance for the 400th Celebration.

In January of 1961, a large contingent from St. Augustine had attended the Inaugural festivities for JFK and LBJ. Talk had already begun that our 400th could be important if the President would support it. Even then, city leaders knew the revenue produced by tourism had an impact on our city, and they knew the handsome young president could increase it tenfold!

My parents and grandparents were heavily lobbied on the flights to and from Washington, DC. My grandparents, George and Loretta

Connelly, moved to St. Augustine in the 1940s with their daughter Mary Louise and loved the city as their adopted home. My mother, Marylou, graduated from St. Joseph’s Academy, and following college, was married to Matthew McCarthy in the Cathedral. My brother Kevin and I arrived into our city as the 3rd generation of our family to call St. Augustine home.

Various members of the Kennedy family, their friends and staff all visited the Ancient City to see Loretta, so it was no surprise to my cousin Jack when his Aunt Loretta asked him to assist her beloved town. The President loved history and had close friendships with Florida’s Governor, Ferris Bryant, and loved his aunt and godmother. He said yes!

President John F Kennedy appointed a National Commission composed of men such as Henry Ford, II and leaders from all walks of American life to assist with the celebration. The State of Florida also established a permanent State Commitment and Commission to undertake restoration of the colonial city.

As JFK dealt with the Bay of Pigs, our advisors in Vietnam, the Cuban Missile Crisis, and other issues such as the Cold War, and Nuclear Test Ban Treaties, our nation also faced an internal upheaval in the form of the struggle for civil rights. St. Augustine soon was in the center of the country’s examination of racial inequality. It was a painful, fearful necessity.There was good to come from that time, including the Voting Rights Act. However, for all that lived through that period of time, young or old, black or white, there are scars that remain. St. Augustine civil rights struggles soon frightened many. The national and local branches of the NAACP began lobbying Congress and the President to back away from St. Augustine’s 400th. Dr. M L King did not.

Members of Congress, the State Legislature, the National Chamber of Commerce and others of prominence soon began to distance themselves.

I was a child but well aware of the angst.

In my life, the wonderful women of color who helped raise us and surrounded us with love and safety were appreciated. Irene, Julia, Josie and others still evoke in me a sense of friendship and gratitude.

The story of this time period is just one more example of St. Augustine’s endurance.

The city that welcomed runaway slaves under the Spanish Governor was a hotbed in the 1960’s. St. Augustine, burnt by Sir Francis

Drake in 1568, sacked by Pirate John Davis in 1668, threatened by Olgethorpe, to name a few traumas, has always had a way of surviving, regrouping, embracing all cultures and maintaining its own dignity.

The oldest established settlement in the The United States of America has endured nature, other nations, growing pains and its own complicated history. I think it is only fitting that we celebrate ourselves and the Ancient City every 50 years. To the Spanish government, who continues its alliance with us, to the people who loved this city, to those who visit, to all who came before us, and those who will follow, it is only right that we view ourselves with pride and dignity, for survival is a most honorable quality in the human spirit.

I have had a marvelous life, but I often wonder if I learned as much in adulthood as I did in my childhood because it was filled with life lessons.

My parents were teachers and encouraged education. They taught my brother and me that we ought to learn constantly. They emphasized that recognition of experience is a life well lived. I know my brother’s childhood experiences influenced him because like his parents and cousin before him, he loves history.

He has spent his life and career in the National Park Service. For over 30 years, he has interpreted history, bringing it to life for others. Retiring this year after serving all over our country, he finished his career with the NPS having served his last years at the Castillo de San Marcos and Fort Matanzas, living history in his own hometown.

I chose other family interests, using traits I inherited working for years in politics, government and media. So now after many years following the 400th Quadricentennial, I see the 450th loom large on the horizon. I know I have learned things change, but basic belief remains. I love this city. I’ve lived elsewhere, but I always have returned. Just as in my youth, I cherish the waves, the smiles, the greetings, the sense of belonging because my family and every other family that has arrived here in the 450 years knows St. Augustine’s embrace is one of culture and possibility.

We will not achieve all that we wanted for the 450th. Just as I know that we have still not achieved all that John F. Kennedy wanted for St. Augustine in the 400th. He envisioned that by 1966, at the end of the year-long celebration, the conclusion would result in “an outstanding Hispanic Center” being established.

As he said, “When I recall how Colonial Williamsburg has served so effectively as a symbol of the bond between English – speaking to people on both sides of the Atlantic, I can see how valuable it will be to have a similar symbol of the cultural heritage, which came to us from Hispanic American sources. This can be a most important symbolic bond with our Latin-American neighbors to the south, as well as to Spain across the ocean.”

I feel he’d be proud of his and our commitment to this treasure of history. He’d be equally proud that members of his family still live here and have left their mark on the Oldest City.

Happy Birthday St. Augustine. n

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issue 4\015 StAugustineMagazine.com 11

kids

by Tommy Bledsoe

Rolling it out, squishing it between their palms, pinching, shaping, and adding details to give the aquatic creatures their playful personalities...

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M.K. Rawlings Elementary Murals Highlight Marine Life

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WHEN M. K. RAWLINGS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL ART TEACHER Barbara Stroer approached Principal Kathleen Furness about a mural project in 2013, neither anticipated that it would turn into a two-year endeavor of epic proportions. “I knew it wouldn’t happen overnight,” Ms. Stroer recounted, “but I didn’t know just how big it would eventually become.” And it did become big, evolving into four recently installed murals, a lamp and a legacy for the children of the school.

Ms. Stroer’s proposal was for a clay mural, inspired by “Over in the Ocean In a Coral Reef,” a book by Marianne Berker, illustrated in polymer clay by Jeanette Canyon. Ms. Stroer frequently ties art lessons to literature and this was a natural fit, since the school is located in Ponte Vedra Beach, just across the highway from the Atlantic Ocean. By designing a mural made of clay pieces, Ms. Stroer could have different grade levels create various components of the mural, to be assembled at a later date. With Ms. Furness’ wholehearted support, the project began in September 2013.

The school’s mascot is the sea turtle, so it became the focus of the mural.

After Ms. Stroer drew the turtle and segmented it into workable pieces, the students in her art and mural clubs rolled out the clay and cut the pieces.

Because of the time and number of pieces required, all the regular art classes joined in the manufacturing process. The 5th grade students began making fish and were soon followed by other grade levels making crabs, octopuses, manta rays, sea horses, coral, sea plants, mermaids and just about anything aquatic, real or imagined. The teachers and adult staff at the school also got involved, giving everyone ownership of the project.

Even so, the project continued to expand. Ms. Stroer knew she would need “filler” items to create the water, sand and sky elements. Students in all grades made thousands of “swirlies” and “marshmallows,” which are coils of clay and truncated clay cylinders of various sizes, to fill in the mural. Glazing and firing the pieces took an enormous amount of time and required many

Barbara Stroer & Kathleen Furness

young hands. Firing the kiln became a daily task for Ms. Stroer and her students, who helped place the pieces on kiln shelves for firing and sorted them in boxes after they cooled.

There was little doubt that the project would be successful. Every student in the school, which houses grades 3-5, takes art on a regular rotation. What young child doesn’t enjoy working with clay? Rolling it out, squishing it between their palms, pinching, shaping, and adding details to give the aquatic creatures their playful personalities - sometimes it was a challenge getting them to leave class.

Although class periods are only 40 minutes on normal days and after school clubs only meet once a week for an hour, the project captured the attention of the students, who made the most of every moment. Some students returned from middle school to help on the mural they had begun as 5th graders.

Of course, Ms. Stroer’s students had other art instruction as well, learning the Florida Next Generation Sunshine State Standards well enough to achieve over 90% proficiency on the new district art assessment. Ms. Stroer gives a lot of credit to Ms. Furness. “I couldn’t have done this without Ms. Furness’ support, “she said. “Any time I asked for anything, she was there to make sure I had what I needed.” When asked how many pounds of clay and gallons of glaze, she could not even guess, but a video on the school’s website says they used 50 tubes of industrial strength glue to mount the pieces.

Although this phase of the project will culminate with a dedication ceremony in September, it may not be the end. “We still have lots of pieces left over,” said Ms. Stroer, “I’ve had a lot of interest in the lamps.” She was referring to a lamp she created using the extra pieces. It has become a conversation piece in the reception area of the school. “We even glued it down,” Ms. Furness said with a grin, “so it wouldn’t walk off.”

If you want to find out more about the project, visit the school website pvmkr.stjohns.k12.fl.us/ and watch the video. Or better yet, visit the school during open house and see all four completed murals. n issue 4\015 StAugustineMagazine.com 13

Compassionate Saint Augustine Obelisk Art OA450 Preview & Reception

Thursday August 20, 2015 held at the Crisp-Ellert Art Museum at Flagler College

view more images from this event at StAugustineMagazine.com

2 drive

A New Old City Landmark

by Adam Johnson

2016 Lincoln MKX Price: base price $38,100 ($47,400 as tested) Available packages: Premiere, Reserve, Select, Black Label.

Engine: 2.7L twin turbo V6 eco-boost, premium unleaded 17-26 EPA est. mpg, 3.7L V6 automatic regular unleaded 17-26 EPA est. mpg; FWD, AWD. Exterior: Beginning at the hood, the array of LED lights gives the front-end the distinction of a hightech, high-performance powerhouse. The grill pays homage to the Lincolns before it, capturing the old Lincoln’s elegance with the new Lincoln’s lines and sophisticated command of the road.

Walking around this crossover, the styling does not disappoint, as the sides and rear-end maintain the sleek contour and smooth styling.

Interior: Like most 21st century vehicles, the interior creature comforts and electronic features have become commonplace and old-hat.

Lincoln, however, has comfortably remained ahead of the pack. As you walk towards the vehicle, with possession of your key, the exterior/ interior lights begin to glow and with one touch of your hand on the inside of any door handle, the car unlocks. You can start the vehicle outside of the car as well.

Operating this vehicle is a pleasure. One new feature exclusive to the 2016 MKX is the push-button transmission, appropriately located on the right side of the steering wheel. No more rolling up your sleeves to negotiate a clunky shifter/gearbox. In addition, it comes standard with paddle shifters if you feel the need to navigate through the gears as you see fit. The onboard entertainment, navigation, climate and phone pairing options and capabilities are endless, effortless and enjoyably functional.

The audio system in the MKX may deserve a separate article entirely. The Revel sound system, created by Harman and only used in Lincoln automobiles, is phenomenal. The sound quality and clarity are truly amazing. FM radio has never sounded so defined. It feels like you have the power and precision of an IMAX theater sound system on wheels.

Comfort: Upon entering the cabin, Lincoln’s (standard) leather seats are plush and inviting.

As your eyes shift around the interior, the real wood accents represent the quality and craftsmanship that goes into every detail of the Lincoln MKX. The doors blend into the cabin cleanly and keep the cabin as it should be: spacious and refined.

Performance: In Sport Mode, this car performs like an athletic sprinter; the RPMs climb rapidly, as your body gently nestles into the ample leather safety net with the roar of the engine. A wolf in sheep’s clothing may be understating it. The standard 3.7L V6 with its 300 horsepower moves this five-seater SUV in a hurry. When pressed, the car hunches low and allows the torque to convert the power from the engine to the wheels, quickly surging forward in an excitement-provoking instant. However, this car was meant to be and will always flourish as an everyday driver. Nevertheless, in normal driving mode (D), the MKX still captivates with a responsive, agile and nimble demeanor.

Drivability: To be candid, I was pleasantly surprised with the ride quality and fun factor of cruising down A1A South on a mild, clearskied evening. The optional panoramic vista roof view ended my curiosity of what it would be like to have an infinity sunroof. The MKX is small enough to be highly maneuverable in

close quarters and large enough to feel adequate if a friend comes calling for your assistance to help move an armoire.

What’s new: This is the first year of the second generation MKX model, which began in the winter of 2006, for model year 2007. Along with the facelift and push button transmission, the MKX now offers the 2.7 Ecoboost V6 engine, boasting 335 HP and 380 ft. lb. torque.

Overall: The MKX will attract buyers who desire a luxury-based, mid-sized SUV that provides all the amenities and pampers from the inside out. Lincoln hit its mark.

Bozard Ford Lincoln of St. Augustine has been providing Ford and Lincoln owners service since 1949. Any Lincoln dealership can provide Lincoln products, but only specially designed and expertly staffed Lincoln dealers can provide a truly exceptional experience.

Currently, for a limited time, Lincoln has partnered with Michael’s Tasting Room for an opportunity to test drive a 2015 Lincoln Navigator, 2016 Lincoln MKZ, 2015 Lincoln MKC or a 2016 Lincoln MKX and dine with reserved parking at Michael’s Tasting Room. This is the all-expense paid Lincoln Date Night. Lincoln knows that complementing one of their vehicles with a night out under the street lights of the old city will make for a memorable and satisfying experience. n issue 4\015 StAugustineMagazine.com 15

by Ginny Dozier

people

Rancher Allan Roberts

S

St. Augustine native Allan Roberts is a man dedicated to his lifetime passion of raising cattle, and more recently (since 1992), he has been raising endangered “Cracker Cattle” on the Roberts Ranch. Tall and lean, with an easy smile and crystal blue eyes, rancher Roberts’ quiet demeanor belies a keen mind and a strong dedication to preserving the history and the heritage of this species.

Married to his lovely wife Camilla for 38 years and father, grandfather and more recently great-grandfather, time has not stopped this vital rancher from raising, protecting and building his herd. Roberts currently owns 150 endangered Heritage Cracker Cattle along with approximately 300 commercial beef cattle. The biggest issue he and other cattle ranchers face today is the lack of grazing land. With the constant development occurring in St. Johns County, pastureland is fast disappearing and becoming unfordable for ranchers trying to sustain and grow their herds.

Allan Roberts grew up in Millcreek and attended local schools. In 1971, he opened a Feed & Farm Supply Store in St. Augustine and ran that business for 28 years. He was elected County Commissioner for two terms and served as Chairman of the Board in 1993 - 1994. As a young man growing up, his family, including his grandmother, owned cattle. However, it was his uncle, Louis Pacetti, who taught him from an early age all about cattle and how to tend them. Cattle became his lifelong passion to the point that he recently took on a project to link cattle originally brought to St. Augustine by the first Spanish settlers to the current-day Cracker Cattle. With the help of St. Augustine 16 StAugustineMagazine.com issue 4\015

archaeologist Carl Halbirt and Dr. Jerry Taylor, Chair of Animal Genomics at the University of Missouri, he was able to establish a DNA link between cattle remains found in a local well from the early 1600s to today’s breed.

“Cracker Cattle” are different from commercial cattle, according to Allan.

“They are like comparing a Model T Ford to a current day Cadillac.” Cracker Cattle are not as good to eat as commercial cattle and they don’t grow as fast because modern cattle have been bred genetically for more flavorful taste and faster growth. However, after 450 years of living in the Florida environment, Cracker Cattle have developed a built-in immunity to insects and certain cattle diseases. Should there ever come a time when we have a true ‘disaster’ with our beef cattle, Cracker Cattle could be a valuable source to rebuild the cattle industry – and that makes them even more important to preserve them in their pure condition.”

The good news is that through cattleman Roberts’ influence, a Cracker bull has been the subject of an advanced form of germplasm collection that will cryogenically preserve his semen and cells. This process will provide an important genetic legacy for centuries to come.

Allan Roberts and his family enjoy living in St. Johns County and he “can understand why people want to move here and live.” “This is a great county – we have the best beaches, restaurants, history and people. St. Johns County offers a quality of life that is hard to find,” he said. n

Ranch Dressing

fashion

Rancher Allan Roberts invited photographer Cindy Marshall into his St. Augustine fields to shoot this issue’s fashion spread along with his herd of endangered “Cracker Cattle.” The ranch provides the perfect setting to complement this season’s bohemian style fashions from Goldfinch Boutique. These styles make the transition easy from summer to fall.

It was the Spanish conquistadors who first brought this breed of cattle to our historic city.

Featuring the cattle is another way of paying tribute to the 450th celebrations. Marking the end of summer in September, The Kiwanis Club of St. Augustine will be holding its Annual Boots & Bling Gala, Aviles Street Merchants will be hosting Fiesta de Avilés with a Running of the Bulls, and the Roberts Ranch has been blessed with the addition of a Cracker calf to help carry on the breed.

issue 4\015 StAugustineMagazine.com 17

fashion

18 StAugustineMagazine.com issue 4\015

Ranch Dressing

left Buffalo Penny Princess Coin Necklace Fringe Vest 4 Love and Lemons Cactus Dress right Carson Turquoise Stone and Arrow Chevron Necklace Denim Sleeveless Jacket Lori Rose Trim Dress in Ivory Shannon Twirl Gauze Dress All Goldfinch Boutique

issue 4/015 StAugustineMagazine.com 19

Ranch Dressing

Taylor Lace Up Romper World Coins Chain Belt Brave Face Turquoise Necklace Olivia Fringe Necklace In Gold

20 StAugustineMagazine.com issue 4\015

fashion

issue 4\015 StAugustineMagazine.com 27

On the Cover Amanda Bruce wearing: A Dev Tassel Wrap Shannon Twirl Gauze Dress World Coins Chain belt All available at Goldfinch Boutique 77 San Marco Ave #1, St Augustine, FL 32084 904.827.0749 goldfinchboutique.com Hair and makeup by Nancy Repp and Michelle Damon Salon Zellanova 1690 U.S. 1 St Augustine, FL 32084 904.819.0130 salonzellanova.com Cindy Marshall Bluebird photography 904.540.9215

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22 StAugustineMagazine.com issue 4\015

byGinny Dozier

giving

Kiwanis International

Celebrates 100th Anniversary

K

KIWANIS INTERNATIONAL WAS ESTABLISHED IN 1915 IN Detroit, Michigan, with the purpose of teaching children leadership skills, character building and the importance of community service where they live. Today, Kiwanis has clubs in 80 countries around the world. In 2015, Kiwanis celebrates its 100th anniversary and continues to be a vital source of education for every child who participates. Service is at the heart of each of these clubs and is expressed through the core values adhered to within each one.

The Kiwanis Club of St. Augustine was founded in 1923 and has exemplified this spirit of servant leadership for more than 92 years.

Our service projects run the gamut from food drives for hungry families to collecting school supplies for homeless children. We annually sponsor a Little League BBQ and a Beach Clean-up. We also partner with the Early Learning Coalition to support Ancient City Kids Day and the Toddler Fest, both of which bring hundreds of children together to experience a fun time doing crafts, learning about community service and receiving free books to read.

Our annual and upcoming Boots & Bling Gala raises money for student scholarships, early literacy and various other programs that affect youth.

We are also pleased this year to be partnering with the Kiwanis Club of Historic St. Augustine to support much-needed upgrades to the Boys & Girls Club facility in St. Augustine.

The Kiwanis Club of St. Augustine was founded in 1923

The First Board of Kiwanis

Kiwanis’ motto is “Serving the Children of the World.” To do this, in addition to our many community outreach projects, we have established student-led clubs in our schools that focus on character building, leadership skills and community service values. This year, we are proud to sponsor K-Kids Clubs at Ketterlinus, Crookshank and Osceola Elementary schools; a Builders Club at Murray Middle School; and Key Clubs at St. Augustine High School & Pedro Menendez High. Members of these clubs have participated in projects that reach out to residents of hospitals and nursing homes and people of all ages.

While service and volunteerism are at the core of the Kiwanis mission, new members can quickly make friends by joining a Kiwanis club and attending meetings and social events. The Kiwanis Club of St. Augustine has a diverse membership and provides excellent networking opportunities for professionals. We welcome new members to join us and become difference-makers in the lives of our children. Meetings are held on the second, third and fourth Tuesday each month and are open to the public at Jaybird’s Restaurant, 2600 N. Ponce de Leon Blvd. at noon. Contact Debbie Clements at 904.797.1836 to attend.

Tickets for our Boots & Bling Gala to be held on September 19, 2015 at The Armory on San Marco, can be purchased at four different locations around St. Augustine: Beaver Toyota, Olde Carriage Realty Downtown, Nettles Fine Jewelry & Murabella Animal Hospital or online at bootsandblingstaug.com. Come join us—for a night of fun that includes: music, dancing, great food, a virtual shooting range, photo booth, electronic bull riding and more! n issue 4/015 StAugustineMagazine.com 23

helping

by Sheila Veatch

F

When You Do It to the Least of These…

FLORIDA’S TAX-FREE SHOPPING DAYS ARE SIGNIFICANT EVENTS in the Veatch household. Clothing high school boys—young men who seem to grow overnight—is not a task for the faint of heart, and every opportunity is seized if it means saving a bit of money. This year’s shopping quest took place on a sweltering August morning, my upcoming high school senior, Nathan, my rising sophomore, Jack, and me. In order to meet the demands of the day, we fortified ourselves with a delicious breakfast (thank you Georgie’s Diner) before heading into the fray—the Outlet Mall.

The morning of commerce went well. Great sales were stumbled upon, satisfactory selections were made and, except for a ‘lively’ discussion with my 15-yearold on why an $89 watch does not constitute a back-to-school purchase, the time spent together was enjoyable and peaceful. But in the grand scheme of life, shopping is, at least for me, just another chore. As we neared St. Augustine, all I could think about was getting home, pouring a glass of iced-tea, collecting my current read and beach chair, and strolling down to the water in Vilano.

As our car crossed the small bridge over the San Sebastian River, Usina Bridge just around the bend, Nathan said, “Mom, look! That man has blood pouring off of his hand.” The traffic was slow enough that I, too, could see that the man walking on the side of the road did indeed appear to be bleeding profusely. He also appeared disheveled, as he leaned on his walking stick, stopping every few feet to study his wound.

“Mom, we need to go back and help him.”

Note: There are many areas in which we have failed as parents, but one thing my husband and I hope we’ve managed to get right is raising our sons to know that the words spoken by Jesus in Matthew 25 represent intentional acts of charity, not just sweet sentiments. The words, “when you do it to the least of these” are not suggestions; they are specific examples of ways to serve others. And sometimes serving others, well, it’s just not convenient.

“Mom, really. Stop. He’s still bleeding.”

By the time we’d reached the intersection of HWY 16 and US 1, I estimated that if I turned our car into the parking lot of the local CVS, the bleeding stranger wouldn’t be too far behind. But I could think of so many reasons not to stop and help this stranger. We had no idea who he was; he could be an escaped mass murderer or a homeless man who made me a bit uncomfortable.

There were so many other people driving by; surely someone else would stop.

He was bleeding, and I had no bandages or medical supplies in the car. What if he had a disease? It was hot, as in “it-feels-like-110’” hot. I was tired from all that shopping and spending of money. And most importantly of all, there was a glass of iced tea with my name on it just a few miles down the road.

“For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink.

I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me.”

True confession: I did not want to stop. If it had not been for the fact that Nathan and Jack were also in the car, I probably would have blown by the parking lot without a second thought. But Nathan and Jack were in the car and I could think of no reason good enough to justify ignoring this person in apparent need. So I turned the car around.

24 StAugustineMagazine.com issue 4\015

I pulled into a spot as the man neared the sidewalk, close enough to hear us.

“Sir, are you okay? Do you need help?” Nathan shouted as he approached the man.

I could now see his hand up close and it was obvious that the gash was serious. The man walked through the hedge and sat on the curb.

“Well, I’m feeling kind of weak, but I really think I should walk on to the hospital.”

Even in the heat, the man’s skin appeared pale. More cuts on his feet and arms were now visible.

“I was resting by the rocks on the bridge when my walking stick fell out of my hand. When I bent down to pick it up I fell onto the sharp rocks.

Damn stupid of me.”

While Nathan walked to the CVS to buy a bottle of cold water, a young woman in scrubs approached carrying a medical bag. A nurse on her way home had stopped at CVS to buy a few things. In spite of her obvious fatigue, she took the time to speak to the man with respect and gentleness. She told him her name and asked him his. Donning surgical gloves, she then got straight to work, cleaning his wounds in order to assess their seriousness.

“You’re going to need several stitches and antibiotics. This is a severe gash.”

By this time, we’d discovered that ‘Jonathan’ was making his way back to his home in Alabama. His Semper Fidelis tattoo, now visible since the blood had been wiped away, supported his story that he was a vet experiencing hard times. He never asked for money but did ask if we would be willing to call 911, which the nurse agreed was the right thing to do.

Between the heat, the lack of water and the blood loss, he was not in any shape to keep walking.

Nathan went into the store to purchase more water and a snack. Upon his return he asked questions and listened with genuine interest as Jonathan answered. Jack sat back, taking it all in, then leaned over to me and said, “Mom, it’s so sad. I don’t know how good I’ve got it.”

I placed the 911 call and the ambulance came momentarily. The EMTs, more of St. Augustine’s finest, took over.

We knew our part was done. As the EMTs discussed various options for assistance, Jonathan looked at me and my sons and said quietly, “Thanks for stoppin’. I was feelin’ pretty weak. Means the world that y’all took the time.”

As we drove home, Jack spoke of the nurse.

“That nurse was really nice to that man. She didn’t have to stop and help him. She talked to him like he was a normal guy.”

Nathan simply said, “That hardly took any time at all, did it?”

Me? I said nothing. If I had followed my desire, I would have never stopped but headed straight home to that glass of iced tea.

Thankfully my sons’ hearts prevailed, allowing much-needed lessons to be learned. Nathan and Jack were able to relate to “a normal guy” going through hard times. Together we observed St. Augustinians—a nurse headed home, EMTs on another call—use their skills to care for another and treat someone with dignity. We witnessed mercy in action and were reminded once again that love is a verb. In the end, a good day spent shopping for the temporary was made even better by viewing the permanent. All that, and my iced tea was still there when we made it home. n

foodie

by Chef Andrea Rosenblatt

“How do you like your steak?”

Of all the food-related questions in the world, “How do you like your steak?” is the one sure to elicit the most variety of opinions. Each method will be strongly defended, and rarely does a person stray from their chosen answer. Everyone has a favorite cut, a favorite seasoning, and the debate on doneness will never die.

The basic: For the rare to medium rare steak lover, this formula works every time. Seasoning and cut of steak are up to you!

To really maintain control of the internal temperature of your steak, you will need to hand-cut or have the butcher cut your steaks 1 ½ to 3 inch thick – I tend to cut mine to 2.5 inches. I cook one steak, and split it with my husband.

H

How you like your steak is totally up to you, so stick with it! You know what you love! If you are a rare-to medium rare steak lover, home preparation is a breeze. It’s really a matter of searing the outside well and taking to the internal temperature you love.

If you like your steaks well done, seek recipes that include using thinner cuts of meat and a sauce of some kind. It will bring moisture to the final dish!

Source your steak with care. Antibiotic and hormone-free are well worth the additional price.

To keep things simple, I will just suggest three key things that make cooking steak at home a breeze: 1. Instant read thermometer – you can spend over $100 for the fancy guy, and as little as $6 for a pocket version – both are fine. But for any steak other than well done, knowing what temperature you have achieved is key 2. A good quality cast iron or stainless steel pan – no non-stick for steak cooking 3. Kosher salt and fresh ground black pepper – all other seasonings are up to you, but these two are key Here are a few recipes to try at home to suit all kinds of tastes. Enjoy!

26 StAugustineMagazine.com issue 4\015

Steak of choice, thickly cut: -Bring steak to room temperature. Really.

-Preheat oven to 200 degrees.

-Bring cast iron pan, or good quality stainless steel pan to medium high heat.

-Pat steaks dry and sprinkle 1 tablespoon of kosher salt evenly over bottom of pan.

-Place steaks in pan and let sear, without moving, for 2 minutes.

-Turn steak, and while second side is cooking, grind a generous amount of black pepper over the seared side.

-Let steak cook 2 more minutes, without moving, then move pan to 200 degree oven and let continue to cook until desired temperature (about 4 minutes for rare).

Remove steaks from pan in oven, set on a wooden cutting board and season un-peppered side with fresh ground black pepper (and a pat of butter if you like!) Let rest for 8-10 minutes. Serve. See chart below for internal temperature.

A note about filet of beef: OK, I will hear some flack on this, but here goes. This is not the best cut of beef for truly rare beef lovers. Filet served rare does not offer a very pleasing texture. Try a cut of beef that has some texture to it: Hangar Steak, NY Strip, Rib-eye. Steaks that offer marbling for flavor. If you are a true well-done steak lover, Filet is for you! It will remain tender even when really overcooked.

Buy filet of beef whole and break down yourself if you can. You can save a lot of money that way and cut the steaks into the size you love. I like to cut four thick steaks and leave about a six-inch section whole to tie and oven roast to medium rare and use all the trim for a decadent beef stew. Wrap the steaks, roast and stew meat tightly in saran wrap and freeze until ready to use.

For the medium to medium-well done steak lover –a great throw-back recipe!

This is wonderful for parties too because you will not be saddled with worrying about each and every guest getting a steak done to a specific degree- they all get the same cut, done the same way!

Classic Steak Diane Serves 4: 4 steaks (your choice, but thinly cut – about ½ inch thick) 3 Tbs. butter 1 Tbs. canola oil ¼ cup brandy or cognac ¼ cup shallots, minced ½ cup Italian parsley, chopped 2/3 cup mushrooms, sliced and stemmed 1 Tbs. Worcestershire sauce ½ tsp. Dijon mustard ¼ cup dry Madeira Salt and pepper to taste Heat butter and oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Brown steaks on both sides, very briefly, about 1 minute per side.

Remove from heat.

Pour brandy or cognac over beef and ignite with a large kitchen match. Swirl pan a bit to help move flames.

When flames die out, move steaks to a warm platter and cover.

In the same pan, add shallots, parsley, mushrooms, Worcestershire sauce, mustard and Madeira, and whisk together. Bring to a simmer over medium high heat and reduce by about 1/3 (cook for about 3 minutes).

Taste sauce and add salt and pepper as needed.

Pour over warm steaks and serve at once.

And here’s one for the frugal steak lover: use the cut that is on sale – flank or skirt work great, but I do this with London broil sometimes too.

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Grilled Chipotle Rubbed Steak Chipotle is smoked, dried jalapeno peppers. You can find it in powdered form or in a sauce form in a can. Use either here.

It’s hot, but it’s also got a great depth of flavor and smoke that is perfect for grilled steaks.

-Steak of Choice (Flank is great this way served in warm tortillas with sour cream and shredded lettuce or any thick cut steak of choice). Make sure it’s at least 1 inch thick!

-3 teaspoons ground chipotle powder -2 tablespoons kosher salt Rub both sides with salt and chipotle. Let rest while you heat grill.

Heat grill to medium high. Place steaks on grill and cook, undisturbed, for 3 minutes. Turn and cook 3 minutes more for rare, five minutes more for medium and seven minutes more for well done (if using flank or skirt – pull at rare to medium rare).

Ronald L Dixon, DMD

St. Augustine Dental Center 2520 US 1 South, St. Augustine

Remove steaks to a cutting board and let rest uncovered for five minutes.

Slice steaks thinly and serve warm. n

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Source your steak with care.

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issue 4\015 StAugustineMagazine.com 27

art

by Megan McCusker

Mark Burdette:

S

A Salvaged Artist

STOGIES CIGAR BAR ON CHARLOTTE STREET HAS LONG BEEN an inviting cove for creative music: bongos, guitars, stand-up bass, full drum sets, tambourines, ukuleles, sitars, saxophones, flutes, trumpets. However, music is not the only flourishing art form found at Stogies. Mark Burdette, a ghost from the past, has returned reinvented to share his talents with the patrons of Stogies on hazy summer nights. Introduced by Sam Pacetti as a friend who would do a live painting during his gig one night, he has now become a staple at the bar. People greet him as though he is one of the musicians or bartenders. His style is accentuated by the uniqueness of each musician and their type of performance.

“They completely affect how I paint. With somebody like Sam, I work a little bit slower and more intently with a precise shape or movement, but when it’s a bigger band and they’re jamming out, I tend to be a little crazier and way more free,” Mark said.

Mark has worked alongside some well-known local musicians since his debut, including Sam Pacetti, Michael Jordan, Sea Floor Explosives, Ramona Quimby, The Skinny, Jim Johnston and The House Cats to name a few.

Mark is from St. Augustine but moved to Sarasota 13 years ago to pursue a career in real estate. When the economy forced him onto another path, he began building and working with salvaged wood and eventually started painting on the wood itself. A month and a half ago, he returned to St. Augustine for the third time in his life. more >

28 StAugustineMagazine.com issue 4\015

photography by Tucker Joenz

Shirts - Bag - Press - Embroider - Shirts - Towels And More Expanding and relocating to the St. Augustine Shipyard 76 Dockside Drive, Unit 110 just off of US1

“My mother was an artist, but I never went to school for it. I am self-taught and enjoy the finger painting style and working with music.” Being a former musician, he feels a connection with the music because he can understand it. Mark has experienced what many of us can relate to: a love for St. Augustine, an enchantment that cannot be explained. He has returned to a place that he knows will nurture him, a place that will help him grow in his creativity. He has visions of opening a gallery here in St. Augustine that focuses on his finger painting style and larger pieces. “I feel like I am meant to be here. St. Augustine always seems to draw me back in.”

As the night begins at Stogies, Mark sets up his paints and puts the first bare plank of wood on a music stand he uses as an easel. People wander in and get their drinks, intrigued by the scene, but unsure of what to expect. He starts with the blank wood canvas, and throughout the night, it transforms into a wave, a woman’s figure or perhaps for some, a recollection of a dream with just a few strokes of his hands. Whether they watched him start from the beginning or they come in later, people are held captive. While he waits for layers of the paint to dry, Mark can be spotted sipping on port talking and interacting with the patrons of Stogies, laughing, explaining his inspiration for a certain woman in a painting or why he drew a tree coming out of a guitar. Over the course of the night, these people, now friends, fall in love, and when he takes a finished painting off his stand, his admirers line up to see if they can take it home. After some friendly bartering, Mark parts with each one with the passion and love parallel to a parent letting a child go into the world. It is a part of him.

Mark is someone that will give you the shirt off his back and smile while doing it.

A night of passionate creativity can make the cleaning of Stogies after the door has closed more interesting. Paint splatters mingled with guitar picks, saxophone reeds and empty water bottles are a welcome mess for the experience it brings. Praised when he is here and missed when he is gone, patrons and staff love having Mark as a part of what Stogies offers. It is a place to forget about the real world for a while. Forget about your sorrows and pain, your enemies and critics. Just as the musicians use their instruments and notes to bring joy to the spectators, Mark brings it with his fingers and paint, inspired by his own pain and joys, successes and failures. He is truly his very own salvaged artist. n

We will be showcasing photographs and designs of many local artists, and can Established in 2009 as a family-­‐run business, the legacy continues even print t-shirts on location at events as Jim and Elaine Briley take ownership of Fretto Prints. They are currently located on Anastasia Island but are expanding the and functions with our portable press business and relocating to the St. Augustine Shipyard, which

is located on the former site of Luhrs, just off of US1.

The move is scheduled for late September and will increase the size of the current space. The expansion will allow Jim and Elaine to continue to screen print shirts, bags and other products, print t-­‐shirts on location at events and functions with a portable press, embroider shirts, towels and other products and showcase photographs and designs of various local artists.

The team is looking forward to helping you with your projects and can be reached at: 904-­‐687-­‐1985 | www.hellofretto.com |

jim@hellofretto.com and visit them soon at their new location: St. Augustine Shipyard, 76 Dockside Drive, Unit 110.

Our team is looking forward to helping you with your projects hellofretto.com u 904-687-1985 u jim@hellofretto.com

Family owned & operated by new owners Jim and Elaine Briley

“If you are a dreamer come in If you are a dreamer a wisher a liar A hoper a pray-er a magic-bean-buyer If you’re a pretender come sit by my fire For we have some flax golden tales to spin Come in!

Come in!”

—Shel Silverstein

issue 4\015 StAugustineMagazine.com 29

St. Augustine Youth Chorus

September 6, 2015 rehearsal for Amphitheatre program Fiesta 450! with the First Coast Opera, St. Augustine Orchestra, and Limelight Theatre. St. Augustine Youth is a community wide group for any young person who wants to sing. staugustineyouthchorus.org view more images from this event at StAugustineMagazine.com

experience excellence Schedule the service of your heart’s desire or call and let us design an hour or a day that will deliver you anew A full array of Spa, Medical and Beauty Services Exquisite Designer Lingerie Unique Jewelry Art and Collectibles

Spa and Boutique

1103 North Ponce de Leon Boulevard 904-436-5883 ~ www.NormaSherry.com issue 4\015 StAugustineMagazine.com 31

fishing

VI Slightly Submerged

by Adam Johnson

VERMILION SNAPPER, ALSO KNOWN AS BEELINERS, are one of many different types of snapper fish that are caught in the St. Augustine, Florida fishery. They are a white, light and flakey fish with unmistakable, reddish-hue scales. In many circles, these fish are simply called red snapper. This type of snapper is a local restaurant favorite and may be enjoyed at some of our local seafood eateries.

The snapper fish are divided into three weight classes: ¾-1, 1-2 and 2-4 pound fish. When filleted, vermilion snappers usually produce an approximate 50% yield. This means the filet weight or finish weight is 50% of the whole fish. Of course, fish cutting skills, like anything else, are relative and can range from cutter to cutter. The larger sizes may be prepared either skin on or skin off, depending on preference. However, the smaller the fish, the more difficult it is to fillet. To some fishermen and chefs alike, the small fish, weighing a pound or less, may be referred to as “pan fish.” However, that term’s definition can change from region to region or species to species.

Currently, the limit for local commercial fisherman catching vermilion snapper is 1,000 pounds per trip. The fisherman may not unload any more than the established limit.

This restriction is mandated in order to maintain a strong and healthy fish population while still allowing availability of fresh, local catch. Commercial and, in some circumstances, recreational fishermen are required by state and federal regulations to have proper licenses to fish, catch and keep most species of fish.

So the next time you belly up to the bar/booth in one of our city’s many seafood restaurants, think of how nice it is that you can enjoy the freshness of locally caught seafood while maintaining a healthy, sustainable fish population. n

IT DOESN’T TAKE A FESTIVAL OR SPECIAL OCCASION to enjoy the crisp bubbles of Gloria Ferrer’s Royal Cuvée, a delicious sparkling wine that’s a favorite of the King and Queen of Spain. The first vintage dates back to 1987 and has evolved to a sparkler that has touches of extra ripeness making the current Royal Cuvée, 2006, a particularly profound statement about the quality of fruit being grown on their Carneros estate.

Gloria Ferrer has been perfecting the Royal Cuvée since they served the first vintage to the King and Queen of Spain in 1987.

The wine-making process benefits from a late harvest and long hang-time for the grapes, which produce fully flavored fruit with excellent acidity. The wine is made from a predominant blend of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay and is aged in the winery’s underground caves for over eight years.

When it’s time to pop this bubbly, imbibers will enjoy the green apple, citrus, and honey notes on the nose. One sip and drinkers will enjoy all the fruits that exist in its lovely aroma, along with a little pear, Meyer lemon and black cherry. It has a slight minerality and creamy texture with a long, crisp finish.

Only 3,000 cases are produced each vintage, which makes this sparkler a little bit of a novelty. It’s priced very reasonably and will pair with most dishes.

We are featuring this wine in September with free samples (one per person while supplies last) during the festivities of St. Augustine’s 450th Anniversary celebration. Stop in The Gifted Cork to taste a bit of royalty. We are located at 64 Hypolita Street in the downtown area of St. Augustine. n

A Royal Taste of the Vine

by Jeanne Maron 32 StAugustineMagazine.com issue 4\015

wine

G

by Leigh Cort

table talk

Greek Treasures Found Near the Sea GEORGE CHRYSSAIDIS LOVES LIFE IN HISTORIC ST. AUGUSTINE, where he knows everyone, similar to his hometown of Frixa, a small Greek village with a parallel heart and soul. Local residents and visitors to the Ancient City feel as if they know George, too. He is always present at his three restaurants from early morning until the city lights begin to dim.

When you step into Café Alcazar you feel like you’re entering the ‘privileged’ world of 1888. White clothed tables are rare in St. Augustine for lunch except here, so George’s ‘jewel in the crown’ of his restaurant collection offers guests a stunning experience that aristocratic visitors to the city would have expected at the turn of the century.

Established in 2001, George’s first venture, Athena Restaurant, exudes the simple heritage of Greece, featuring hand-painted murals that cover three walls and depict the Greek countryside, a place where hundreds of years and generations of family culture found joy in tending their olive groves. The restaurant’s casual ambience on Cathedral Place is so comfortable that early each morning the ‘big boys of St. Augustine’ meet for breakfast and conversation, sometimes solving the city’s issues while carrying on a tradition of fellowship in ‘George’s house.’

Sip a glass of ‘Shooting Star’ Merlot or ‘Lafitte’ Sparkling Rose and linger over the menu. Glance around you and notice the towering street lamps that were moved from their original location on the famous Bridge of Lions. Large vintage Tiffany windows envelop the café, imposing stained glass gems from Otto Lightner’s home in Chicago. You can almost hear sounds from the 1932 film ‘Tarzan,’ when Johnny Weissmuller filmed scenes on a diving board high above the deep end of the pool near a grand Chickering piano that enhances the dining room today.

The early hotel was a casino, health spa and entertainment venue for elite guests that frequented the world-famous Ponce de Leon Hotel across the avenue. This massive structure housed the largest indoor swimming pool in the world, a major focal point and attraction of the city. Café Alcazar now sits proudly in the space where the pool was located more than a century ago, surrounded by shops filled with antiquities and the collection of Lightner’s treasures.

Who can resist Athena Restaurant’s authentic homemade Moussaka. It features layers of meat, eggplant, tomato and béchamel sauce baked to perfection. Classically crafted Spanikopita - freshly chopped spinach and feta cheese in a golden brown puffed pastry served with Greek salad can’t be found anywhere else in St. Augustine. Everything is prepared on site and made to order: souvlaki, warm pita bread with tzatziki sauce, open-faced gyro sandwiches and a lengthy menu of pastas, steaks, chops, kebobs, fresh seafood and luscious Baklava. It’s one of the city’s most popular breakfast spots: serving breakfast until 2 p.m., lunch until 4 p.m. and dinner until…

By 2006, George was ready for his second adventure in the city. A stylized red and silver 1950s-era diner was waiting for ‘Georgie.’ Many locals recall when the Greyhound Bus Station was headquartered on Malaga Street where Georgie’s Diner now serves old-fashioned breakfast, lunch and dinner daily.

Cozy diner booths inside and canopied seating outside keep guests happy whether stopping in for a quick bite, power lunch or late night supper. Regular patrons show up daily to order homestyle favorites like meatloaf with mashed potatoes, liver and onions, country fried steak, corned beef hash and once again, the best Greek specialties that won’t break the bank. NOTE: Every menu item requires a hearty appetite. At Georgie’s, with lots of onsite parking, you feel hidden away from the city crowds although it’s still only steps from King Street and US 1.

Keeping his eye on one of the most beautiful spots in St. Augustine for a third restaurant, George was ready to move into the grand Lightner Museum with Café Alcazar, a lovely ‘secret’ café surrounded by history. Its picturesque setting represents the ‘Gilded Age’ of America’s oldest city, which was influenced by Henry Flagler’s vision in the original Hotel Alcazar.

Lunch is the main event at Café Alcazar. Innovative cooking styles are used with the freshest ingredients to, once again, create homemade soups, paninis, salads and entrees. Here you can dine healthfully or feast royally on crepes, shrimp scampi, grilled salmon with béchamel or marvelous chef-made desserts like Tres Leche Cake drizzled with caramel sauce.

Refined service and a classical guitarist or polished pianist enhances lunch whether dining alone or with a big party.

George and his wife Paula know how to make guests feel welcome.

Their dream of running a restaurant by the ocean came true with Athena Café. “It’s in our blood; it’s what we love,” George says with pride. The Chryssaidis family has made close friends with customers, and there’s always something going on: from Greek celebrations to old-fashioned conversation around a big table. What better place to start than in St. Augustine, where visitors have journeyed for centuries to find the quality of long life, pleasure in the sunshine and being near the sea.

“My ancestors would be proud to know we’re continuing the tradition of abundance, glory and peace…the symbol of the olive tree,” George said. Visit George’s collection at thealcazarcafe.com n issue 4\015 StAugustineMagazine.com 33

workout

The Bill & Jen

B

J ENNIFER HUNT A ND BIL LY A L MAGUER

Billy has been determined and very consistent. He’s joined the early crew to get his day started.

He’s continuing to work on his endurance for running, but he’s also been impressing his coaches with his strength. He has made progress with gymnastics movements, like pull ups.

Jennifer has taken interest in Olympic lifts and has taken extra time for personal training and is seeing progress on form, movements and increased strength.

She hit several personal records (PRs) this month.

34 StAugustineMagazine.com issue 4\015

Jennifer

Billy

Neck: 12.99

Neck: 15.75

Shoulder: 37.99

Shoulder: 48.75

Chest: 36.22

Bicep: 14.75

Waist: 0.31

Chest: 42.75

Thigh: 22.44

Waist: 39.75

Calf: 13.77

Hips: 42

Bicep: 11.22

Thigh: 25

Hips: 37.99

Calf: 16.1

Weight: 116.5

Weight: 213

101: 7:37

101: 7:17

102: 5:46

102: 4:13

Series Jennifer

“Hmmm….. What have I learned over the last month?

One, I am an emotional eater. Two, getting back into shape at 41 is not quite as easy as it was at 37. Three, time is not my friend.

And four, despite all these things, I am still inching towards my goal one less Oreo at a time.

So lets just say that there is nothing quite as motivating to get you into shape as the thought of someone publishing your weight and measurements in the local magazine. In fact, I am pretty sure I have had nightmares about that. But even with that type of pressing commitment, I have still found that pursuing a healthy life style is not easy. Every day we are confronted with obstacles, jobs, family commitments, appointments, and my personal nemesis, FOOD. All of these things have a way of interfering with our fitness goals. Sometimes, it’s even our fitness goals themselves that become the stumbling block.

Life is not simple, and it sure doesn’t consider our own personal agendas, so why is it that we beat ourselves up when it gets in the way? There was a time when I would become absolutely depressed if I missed a workout, or if I didn’t get the number of training miles in that week that I needed. Suddenly, my stress outlet became my stressor. So I have learned that the best I can do is the best I can do. That may mean I am in the gym three times a week or one day a week. But it also means that when I am there, I am there for the right reason, and I am able to truly reap the benefits of the workout.

That change in attitude has had a plausible effect on my progress at DRiV. In the short time that I have been there, I have gone from being intimidated by the workouts, especially the heavy weights, to eagerly looking forward to the next lift. A huge part of this newly gained confidence comes from hiring a personal trainer (Kaylee) one day a week to go over specific lifting techniques. Knowing the technical aspect of a lift alleviates a lot of uncertainty and allows the athlete to concentrate on the task at hand. Now, instead of fearing the bar, I get upset when the coaches limit me to a lower weight. Thankfully, I have them there to keep me grounded. For some reason, as soon as I walk into the box, I mentally go from Jen the girl next door to Jen “The Master of the Universe!!” Unfortunately, my body is not quite at the “Master of the Universe level”…. But soon….

(Insert evil laugh here).

I have to say that the biggest obstacle I have to overcome is my eating habits. While I work at it constantly, I am definitely an emotional eater, and I love sweets!! Any sweets… cookies, chocolate, cakes, caramel, cookies…. did I say cookies? I am not sure how to cure this condition, but I continue to try.

So one month later, I am four pounds lighter, my jeans no longer cut off my circulation; I am lifting in some cases up to 30 plus pounds more than I started with; I feel amazing, and most importantly, I have met and continue to meet the most incredible, friendly and encouraging coaches and fellow athletes along this journey.

So I would definitely say I am winning. Now if someone could just get the Girl Scouts to call off their cookie season.”

Billy

“I am coming to terms with the fact that pull-ups are my kryptonite; in fact, my goal is to be able to do unassisted (strict) pull ups within the year. Over the past few weeks, I have found the more ‘enjoyable’ workouts are those that are faster paced (Tabata style). Call me strange, but I love sweating profusely. I am still learning technique for some of the movements, so I am learning to enjoy some of the workouts where there is an emphasis on weight and movement. They are very different from the boot camp style (core) workouts I have done over the past few years. With that said, you need to know that the coaches at DRiV have been extremely helpful in both teaching/correcting my form and with my recovery. I am still trying to find a good balance between my marathon training, crossfit, and church planting efforts. I am enjoying this season of life as much as possible. Real change takes commitment. Real life change takes a constant and steady effort. The next two months will require a lot of focus for me. I will be peaking in my marathon training, beginning regular Sunday morning services for the church plant, and continuing to chip away at strict pull-ups. You can usually find me at the gym three days a week at 5:45 a.m. I have good intentions of increasing that to four times a week but have been having difficulty balancing that with my running schedule (the heat is too brutal for evening runs this time of year). I wake up each morning at 5 a.m. with this drive to get up and do something for myself, my community and my family. My hope is that you are inspired to chase your dreams. Never forget that you are THE example for someone. Live your life with purpose.” n

Trainers: Todd Occhiuto - CrossFit Level 4 Trainer & HQ Trainer (6+ years coaching) Kaylee Davis - CrossFit Level 2 Trainer (2+ years coaching) issue 4\015 StAugustineMagazine.com 35

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sound

by Tim Pribisco

I

The Ghost of Blind Blake “I am moved, not by the singing, but with the things sung,” wrote Augustine of Hippo, the Catholic saint with whom the Ancient City shares a name. While certainly moved by the music, Saint Augustine was not the art’s first champion. Rather, these words express the inner turmoil he faced because his love for music was not shared by the church.

The modern musical manifestation of internal strife, caused by life, love, and everything in between, is referred to as “the blues.” Perhaps it’s in the name, but the city of St. Augustine has a connection to the blues that is as mysterious as many of the ghost tales shared on Hypolita Street.

Blues music is as rooted in lore as it is the Mississippi Delta. For instance, the genre’s patron saint, Robert Johnson, is believed to have traded his soul to the devil in exchange for his talents. There are no known reports of pre-war blues artist Arthur “Blind Blake,” or as Blind Willie McTell called him, “Arthur Blake,” being a party to such a sinister contract, but the findings of an international research team seeking to answer basic questions about Arthur’s life may have created more blues folklore in our area.

In an exodus similar to many other African American blues musicians living in the Jim Crow South of the 1920s and 1930s, Blind Blake made his way north to Chicago from his birthplace in Jacksonville, Florida. The Windy City provided Blind Blake with the opportunity to leave his lasting impression on the blues with his many recordings for Paramount Records from 1926-1932.

However, Blind Blake always retreated to his native Florida between recording sessions of his ragtime blues guitar picking and soulful vocals.

Considering that one of Blake’s more famous songs is entitled “Tampa Bound,” it is quite certain that quickly picked notes echoing from Blake’s hollow-body guitar filled the juke joints of St. Augustine, as he made his way around the Chitlin Circuit and other gigs. Without cities like St. Augustine, and other smaller southern towns, bluesmen during Blind Blake’s time would now be a distant memory. Fortunately, for blues enthusiasts and conspiracy theorists alike, the lore and mystery of Blind Blake’s life has been as cemented in the blues conversation as the 12-bar format of this genre. And the dive bars and juke joints along this coast are partially responsible for the existence of these treasures.

Although the research team asserts that they have answered many of the big questions surrounding Blake’s life, some contend the recent discovery of a death certificate and gravesite believed to be Blake’s have raised more questions than answers. Shortly after Blake’s final recording session in 1932, there were no solidified accounts of his whereabouts. Even his contemporaries like Blind Willie McTell and Papa Charlie Jackson speculated he had made his way up to either New York or Chicago and died in either a fistfight or train accident.

The new discovery, which led researchers on a cross-country quest from historic northeast Florida to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, seems to show Blind Blake’s birthplace as Newport News, Virginia. Those who believe the mystery has been solved say the prior misconception regarding Blake’s hometown could be attributed to a rumored upbringing at St. Augustine’s School for the Deaf and Blind and sightings of Blind Blake playing on Jacksonville’s street corners.

As with many legends, even the discovery of perceived facts can further intrigue. No matter where Blake was born or where he died, there is no doubt that he and his contemporaries saw our area as a prime location to ply their trade, pick their guitars and captivate the people.

Much like the allure of a Faustian deal, the concept of a mysterious traveling bluesman is intoxicating. Because our only memories of these performers are from brief and distorted cuts in old vinyl, our imaginations are allowed to dance and play with these legendary performers and their epic journeys through time and turmoil. n

Cindy Marshall’s Click

Rob Thomas

Plain White T

Jauagers

view more images from this event at StAugustineMagazine.com

S scene

by Richard Lepre

ST. AU G U ST I N E I S M Y H OM E . THREE years ago, I came back to school without a place to stay, and ended up sleeping in my car for a week.

It was a good week; I played guitar at the beach at night, I wrote all day, I went to all my classes. But it’s hard to sleep in a Ford Focus. My friend Max found out I was sleeping in my car and said, “Don’t ever sleep in your car again. You always have a place on my couch.” Three years later, I’m sitting on his couch writing my second publishable article. Max has said many wise things to me, but one nugget sticks out in particular to me. He told me that “friends are the family you choose.” And when I think about where I am and where I’m going, I think, “I am nothing without my family.” The reality of my life is this; I have spent the past few years sleeping on different friends couches writing and waiting for myself to find and accept purpose. I want to stop searching for purpose and just do what I want to do. I feel like my calling is to spread and experience peace. My only measurement of success is peace on Earth.

A couple weeks ago, I met a man named Noah, a local realtor at the homeless feed downtown. We talked for a while about life (what else do you talk

exchange for local residents called ‘Fun and Food Fridays.’ Their church is one of the dozens that come out and feed our community. When I interviewed Linda about her experience with The Feed, she told me a story about meeting a ‘well-dressed couple’ who just got off of work. They didn’t look homeless to her, and it made her think ‘what does homeless look like?’ The impoverished come in all shapes and sizes: people with homes, with kids, with bills, old, young, drunk, sober. The Feed was originally started by a group of Flagler students and locals participating in a group called ‘Food not Bombs.’ The group is designed to build communities united in food production instead of violent activity, like the old economic adage ‘butter over guns.’ The original feed wasn’t created just to combat homelessness but to bring people of all backgrounds together to break bread. I think when people do something wildly human together, like eating or participating in art they appreciate, it makes them closer and more relatable, which helps us grow as a community.

In Combating Homeless: Alternative Christian Approaches (a great book), Laura Strivers urges a compassionate community to remember that homeless and impoverished people are just people with plots and hopes and dreams and should be thought of that way. When we think of solutions to homelessness, I think we should think of it as a human issue with human solutions, not an economic issue with economic solutions. Strivers says that we have a duty to not just treat homelessness but combat the systems that keep it alive. The biggest system that keeps the homeless and impoverished marginalized is the systemic thinking that rationalizes one group of people as being separate from the ‘normal’ community. The community should include all people, and we should realize we have a shared suffering and need for food, shelter, purpose and community, regardless of whether or not you have money. Instead of individually trying to reach those goals, we should communally achieve those goals.

So what do I want? I want us to water the desert. I want us to create Eden on Earth. The argument for peace is always the same, always radical and always comes from a point of necessity. The Call, a tale of a one French commune’s struggle for existence, describes the modern city as a desert. Nothing grows there, and if you don’t participate in capitalism, you cannot survive. You don’t have the option to grow your food, you either have a job or you die. I am not over-dramatizing an economic system. I am describing a reality. If I have learned anything as a college dropout trying to be a writer it’s that money is important. I can be as idealistic as I want, but in the now-world without money, you can’t live or eat. What can you buy with nothing? If I didn’t have my friends and family, I would be on the street. Not everyone is so lucky. Most people are just a paycheck away from being homeless.

Like Linda Curran, I feel blessed. I have been kept alive by the grace and reality of a loving community, my friends, the people at Dining with Dignity and the people who support my art. I want to create that community for others who don’t have that support in their lives. When I go

The Feed about?) and before I left, Noah asked me if I needed prayer for anything. I said “peace.” He responded by asking “Peace for you or for everyone?’ I said, ‘I don’t think those goals are exclusive. Peace for everyone includes me. Peace is peace, and I assume if everyone is happy, then I am happy.” That is the simplicity of what I want. I want to be happy spending my time making my community happy. So I want to reach out to my community, my home, St. Augustine, and say “Hello. My name is Richard Lepre, and I am here to help. I came to serve.”

Every day at the corner of Bridge and Cordova Streets, a miracle happens. At 6 p.m., rain or shine, a church group (or the Salvation Army) serves food to the 80 or so hungry residents in the lot. The feast is always bountiful; grandma-style mac ‘n’ cheese, homemade cornbread, pulled pork sandwiches and lots of casseroles. Wednesday is chili day, and chili day rules. On some Sundays, they even have crab legs. For the past two years, ‘The Feed’ as it’s called by some, has kept me fed when I didn’t have any money. All the hypothetical grandeur of words like community and love and compassion become real when someone takes the time out of their week to give you your first meal of the day. This is where I see people ‘being God.’ This is where loving thy neighbor has meaning. When I asked Linda Curran, a member of San Sebastian Catholic Church, why she participates in Dining with Dignity, she replied, “I feel like I’ve been so blessed and want to give back.” Her church has been working The Feed for the past three or four years and also hosts a food

38 StAugustineMagazine.com issue 4\015

to The Feed and interact with people there, I wish there was something more I can do. My voice is the most I can offer right now. Just because people have a meal in them doesn’t mean they have a place to stay or the ability to relax and love and grow. Like I said, we shouldn’t think in terms of separate communities; there is only one St. Augustine with one citizenship. As we celebrate our 450th birthday, we should keep in mind some of the values we claim as a community. At every birthday, we get the chance, as individuals, to reflect on our life and think about where we’ll be on our next birthday. We are given that same opportunity as a community. How do we want to spend our next 50 years?

Fifty years ago, Martin Luther King marched through our town championing civil rights. Fifty years later, I think we should champion the civil rights of all people and the environment so that 50 years from now, there isn’t a thing to march for except exercise. As a species, we are becoming increasingly egalitarian. Eventually people will crave unity amongst all people and nations. We are either all one, all God’s children, or however else you need to rationalize oneness, or we are a bunch of things and separated. I think if we view ourselves as separated, we are not thinking correctly.

We are all one, and to waiver on that concept is to reject nature’s totality. If we keep thinking of ourselves as separate entities, we keep ourselves from loving each other as if we were one. St. Augustine, a city named after a man who loved everything, who loved a man who loved everything, should be a champion of what a loving community should look like.

I asked Stephen, a friend I met at Dining with Dignity, what being a Christian meant to him. He said, “It means living the gifts of the holy spirit.” I asked what that looked like, and he said, “love.” The community should foster love between all individuals and the environment we all share.

In my last SAM article, I said the community should be aware of every individual’s need for purpose. This is my purpose, making these arguments and standing up for what I believe in. This rhetoric isn’t from any one politique or religion, it comes from a very human place. We need to create a better world for us all, and I think this is one solution. St. Augustine could be a model community of the egalitarian future. Our town is about to have the eyes of the world upon us for our big birthday, and I think we have a duty as human beings to lead the way and act most lovingly in this spotlight. n

SAM TM

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