Bay Magazine Feb. 2023

FEEL THE LOVE

BEACH PARK

415 South Royal Palm Way

5 Bed | 7/1 Bath | 9,269 SF | $10,500,000

Anne Mullis, Cindy Richards & Greg Szewcyzk 813.624.5739

CLEARWATER - DAN’S ISLAND PENTHOUSE

1660 Gulf Boulevard #PH-7

2 Bed | 2 Bath | 1,610 SF | $1,250,000 Jacquelyn Reina 813.230.7526

ART HOUSE ST PETE

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1103 Gulf Way

5 Bed | 5/1 Bath | 4,950 SF | $8,500,000 Melinda Pletcher 727.455.6633

HARBOUR ISLAND WATERFRONT 1143 Abbeys Way

4 Bed | 4 Bath | 3,839 SF | $3,495,000 Traci Burns 813.833.7510

PENDRY RESIDENCES TAMPA

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400 BEACH DR NE

2BR | 2BA | DEN + 1,759 SF

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Enjoy all the city of St Pete has to offer from your 2nd floor balcony – nearly 400 sq ft of covered outdoor living overlooking all the activities on Beach Drive. Enjoy the temperate Florida weather and cool breezes off Tampa Bay just across the park from your new home! Excellent open floor plan, this unit offers 2 bedrooms + DEN, 2 baths, storage & 2 garage/covered and secure parking spaces. First-class amenities in the complex include resort-style pool and spa, outdoor lounging areas with fire pits, gas grills and eating area, fully equipped fitness room and sauna.

Julie Jones | realtorjuliejones@gmail.com | 727.452.8663

JUNGLE PRADA

4BR | 3.5BA | 3,300 SF

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Mid-century modern tri-level home with open water and westernfacing sunset views This 4 bed, 3.5 bath plus office home boasts over 3,300 heated sq.ft., not including porches, patios, carports and storage rooms! Spacious family room with cathedral ceilings, exposed rafter beams and a beautiful gas fireplace.

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Jane McCroary 727.348.3888

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Al Bennati 813.309.2400

Estelia Mesimer 727.686.2859

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Ned Hands 727.239.5650

FEBRUARY ISSUE

THE SWEETEST DAY OF THE YEAR

February was always a special month for me because my mother was born on the 14th — Valentine’s Day. But it was also special for a very selfish reason.

While I was growing up, I was the only kid whose home never contained anything sweet to eat. No cakes, no cookies, no pastries, no doughnuts, not even sugared cereal. This apparently had something to do with a health issue I had as a baby, although no one ever really explained it. The sole exception to the ban on sweets was my mother’s birthday, the one day of the year she would allow a cake in our apartment. And not just any cake, but a divine mocha-flavored cake from a French bakery a few blocks away. She would also permit my father to bring her a box of chocolate-covered cherries, her favorite.

With our suppressed sweet teeth, my father and I looked forward to Valentine’s Day even more than my mother did. If her birthday fell on a weekday, I would pick up the cake on my way home from school. After leaving work in lower Manhattan, my mother would stop by the Fulton Fish Market. That night we would feast on Maine lobster, with my father and I gorging ourselves on cake and candy knowing that was the last we would see of anything sweet until the next year.

To this day, there are few things I love more than lobster, chocolate-covered cherries and mocha- flavored anything. I’ve been thrilled by the proliferation of Tampa Bay restaurants selling lobster rolls and other lobstery dishes. Chocolate-covered cherries are easily available, but I’ve never found a cake as delicious as those from the long-defunct Sutter’s French Bakery in Greenwich Village. If you know where to find one, please let me know. In the meantime, have a happy Valentine’s Day!

Contact

Susan Taylor Martin at smartin@tampabay.com.

36 FASHION

We

28 DAY OUT

Head to Tarpon Springs for culture and a variety of cuisines and activities.

50 FACES ▲

Meet Mike and Beth Vivio, whose company brings fitness to the office.

12 SHOPPING ▲

Shower your special someone with Valentine’s Day gifts from the heart.

20 FOOD ▲

Meliora in Sarasota tops the list of best new restaurants of 2022.

56 HOMES

A North Pinellas house surrounded by a preserve offers ultimate privacy.

64 SOCIAL

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EDITOR

Susan Taylor Martin smartin@tampabay.com

CREATIVE DIRECTOR Nikki Life nlife@tampabay.com

COPY EDITOR Dawn Cate

FASHION PHOTOGRAPHER

Brian James, brian@brianjamesgallery.com

TO VIEW THE MAGAZINE ONLINE, VISIT TAMPABAY.COM/BAY.

Bay is published eight times a year by Times Publishing Co. and delivered to Tampa Bay Times subscribers in select neighborhoods in Pinellas, Hillsborough and Pasco counties.

Copyright 2023. Vol. 16, No. 1.

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Kolter Urban, the developers of ONE , Saltaire, and Art House in St Petersburg, The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Sarasota, and Hyde Park House in Tampa, are delighted to introduce a new standard of residential excellence in downtown Tampa.

tokens OF AFFECTION

Slip a pair of plane tickets into a lovely book on London. Sip Champagne from iridescent coupes as earrings and a heart-shaped necklace sparkle in candlelight. These and other gifts will make for a memorable Valentine’s Day.

— Connie Humburg, photos by Dirk Shadd

Lauren McIntosh Amour jar candle, $38. You Drive Me Wild dish towel, $20. Anthropologie, 705 S Dakota Ave., Tampa. anthropologie.com.

Louis Sherry 12-piece chocolate truffle collection in Bower of Roses designer tin, $40. Love Letters 3.5-by-12-inch glass tray, $90. “London in Bloom,” $25. Oxford Exchange, 420 W Kennedy Blvd., Tampa. oxfordexchange.com.

Gilded coupe glasses, $26. ZaZoo’d, 631 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. zazood.com.

Sterling silver rose gold-plated blue and champagne diamond heart necklace, $200. Goldplated Uruguayan bronze amethyst slice drop earrings, $40. Rock Shop Jewelry, 531 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. rockshopjewelry.com.

Tutti-Frutti 500-piece puzzle, $40. Nordic glass candle holder, $30. Brushed brass finish filigree flask, $18. “The Couple’s Cookbook,” $30. Hostess, 2635 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. toastthehostess.com.

“It started out as a normal outing. My wife and I had to run to the grocery store. We were driving down the road casually going over our shopping list when the car ahead of me started to slow down anticipating the yellow light. I started to move my foot from the gas to the brake as any normal person would do when they see brake lights in front of them but I couldn’t. I couldn’t feel my foot. The car kept moving forward and I just couldn’t get my foot on the brake. CRU NCH! I finally came to a stop when I hit the car in front of me.”

This story was shared with us by John S, a Tampa Bay area resident who has peripheral neuropathy While no one was hurt in this accident, John had suffered almost every day of his life with tingling and burning in his feet until numbness set in and he could no longer feel even the brake pedal beneath his foot.

“Typically, the first stage is pain,” shares Dr Rebecca Gibbons of AAIM (Achieve Acupuncture & Integrative Medicine). “You feel burning, tingling, sharp pains, or you feel like you’re walking on tacks or marbles. This pain eventually subsides and the numbness sets in. Unfortunately, the numbness brings

with it a whole other host of problems.” It is terribly common that peripheral neuropathy and its debilitating symptoms interfere with a person’s ability to live their life.

John was now reliant on his wife to drive him around. What is even more common, John’s general practitioner and several specialists told him there was nothing they could do other than prescribe him pills that would ease the pain of his neuropathy

That ’s where Dr Gibbons and her staff at AAIM come in “About 75% of our current patients come to us suffering from the same condition as John,” says Dr Gibbons. “They’re in constant pain from neuropathy and it prevents them from not only living their life, but more importantly, it prevents them from enjoying it. Depending on the severity of their nerve damage, we typically see tremendous progress in 3-4 months of treatment. I like to say we’re in the business of making your golden years golden.”

“I can’t lie,” admits John “I was skeptical at first, but I had run out of options. Nothing else was helping but after about 3 months into treatment, I was confidently able to drive myself to Publix and to my appointments. Dr Gibbons gave me my life back.”

“She gave me my life back.”

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culinary EXCELLENCE

BY HELEN FREUND • PHOTOS BY LUIS SANTANA

Sarasota stunner Meliora, which emerged as the region’s best new restaurant of 2022, offers a memorable dining experience that’s well worth the drive.

A raw scallop dish at Sarasota restaurant

Meliora is warmed by a hot scallop cream, left. At right is the bubbly Merriweather.

A

when I put together the best new restaurants of 2022 list for the Tampa Bay Times, Meliora rose to the top. What made the Sarasota spot the best new restaurant of 2022? Let’s start with the name.

The restaurant, which opened in March in Southside Village, is a reference to a Latin adjective meaning “better.” And that appears to be the underlying theme here: Better service, better food and an overall better dining experience. It’s a concept owners Bruce Pike and Drew Adams clearly take to heart.

The duo, longtime friends who moved to Sarasota from Washington, D.C., during the pandemic, wanted to bring something bigger, something exceptional to the local dining scene. At the Southside Village space (formerly Hillview Grill), they saw an opportunity to open a restaurant that felt casual enough for a weeknight dinner but with an elevated menu that

hinted at the kitchen’s fine-dining prowess.

Pulling heavily from their own experiences in the hospitality industry (Pike formerly ran an event production company) and a passion for the culinary arts (Adams worked in several Michelinstarred restaurants, including the celebrated Rose’s Luxury in Washington, D.C.), the two set upon opening one of the region’s most ambitious newcomers.

In a year where fast-casual concepts still dominated the Tampa Bay dining landscape, Meliora stood out. And yes, it’s completely worth the drive.

Here’s the thing about restaurants of this caliber — they don’t just attract diners, they attract talent. I first dined at Meliora after a chef from an esteemed Tampa restaurant told me they had recently started cooking there. And they weren’t the only ones:

dish of goat milk ricotta is topped with dill pollen and served with crudites.

Adams’ team includes chefs with highly regarded restaurants like Tampa’s Rocca and St. Petersburg’s Lingr on their resumes, a trend I’m sure will continue.

What makes Meliora so attractive to diners and chefs? Maybe it’s the quality of service and the incredibly well-versed staff, who help guide guests past the many twists and turns on the menu throughout the course of an evening. Maybe it’s the fine-tuned attention to detail, and the ever-evolving, envelope-pushing menu. Maybe it’s just that the food is very good.

Here’s what Meliora is not: Meliora is not a fine-dining restaurant (though to be clear, cooking of this quality doesn’t come cheap). It’s not a farm-to-table concept, either, though Adams and his team source locally and seasonally whenever they can. And it’s not a restaurant that hinges on spectacle or drama, yet showmanship and theater each have parts to play as an evening unfolds.

Take, for instance, a raw scallop dish ($19), which arrives tucked inside a tiny glass dome while a server pours an aromatic scallop cream tableside. The hot cream, punchy with garlic and chives, gently cooks the scallop, steaming the edges of the glass so that the effect is like taking bites out of a tiny terrarium. It’s creative,

Artwork by Kelly Towles livens up a hallway at Meliora.

Artist Linda Heath’s “fish rub” rice paper prints hang in the dining room.

Make-your-own bao buns feature roasted Rohan duck with pear slices, fermented turnips, scallions and hoisin sauce.

Fish hang in a cooler at the Sarasota restaurant.

fun and unforgettable — and quite possibly the best thing I ate all year.

The element of nostalgia is central to Adams’ menu, and several items on the small and shared plates list (divided into “hot” and “cold”) are iterations of signature dishes honed throughout his career. But a big part of what makes dining here so remarkable is that the menu is constantly changing: During a four-month period, Adams estimates he experimented with roughly 100 different dishes.

Meals are punctuated by plates that not only pair texture and flavor, but also pop with color, from a starter of charcoal-hued Japanese milk bread served with ramp salt and cultured butter ($8) to a bright bouquet of crudites ($15), which arrive nestled in a creamy goat’s milk ricotta sprinkled with dill pollen.

Several items employ a playful, hands-on approach: A plate of cold, ground pork with fermented kohlrabi ($17) comes showered with crispy garlic chips and sesame seeds and is served with large lettuce leaves for wrapping, the extra squeeze of fresh lime or scoop of chili paste left up to the diner’s discretion.

Make-your-own bao buns ($48) present an equally thrilling choose-your-own-adventure setup, with warm, soft buns served alongside crispy-skinned pieces of tender cold-smoked and roasted Rohan duck with crisp slices of pear, fermented turnips, scallions sliced on the bias and a syrupy house hoisin sauce. It’s a dish that’s fun, messy and completely delicious.

At left, cold, ground pork with fermented kohlrabi is topped with garlic chips and sesame seeds and served with lettuce leaves for wrapping. Below, workers prep for dinner.

There are some dishes that wouldn’t feel as seasonally appropriate in the Northeast but fit in just fine here. A plate of heirloom cherry tomatoes ($14) lives on the menu yearround. Served with a thick and tangy tzatziki sauce with feta, the tomatoes taste just as lovely on a balmy November afternoon as they do in July or August.

And though Meliora isn’t a seafood-centric restaurant, there are several references to the Gulf of Mexico’s bounty, including beautiful rice paper prints of indigenous fish hanging in the dining room and an excellent tuna dish ($18), which uses local yellowfin supplied by a small fishing operation in Cortez near Anna Maria Island. The kitchen dry-ages the fish before topping it with fried ginger and nestling it in an umami-packed sauce with tamari and hot ginger oil, showered in scallions and sesame seeds.

Cocktails also enjoy a certain level of stagecraft here: The bubbly and refreshing Merriweather ($16) comes topped with one of those wobbling smoke bubbles du jour, while other quaffs incorporate live fire (the Shenandoah, $18) or emerge from underneath glass domes, cloaked in sage-scented smoke (the Smudge Stick, $15).

As with everything here, the experience feels like something to behold and to admire, then to enjoy.

Meliora is open for dinner Tuesday to Saturday from 5 to 9 p.m. 1920 Hillview St., Sarasota. 941-444-7692. meliorarestaurant.com.

Helen Freund is the Tampa Bay Times food and dining critic.

Be mine ,Valentine

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TARPON SPRINGS’ TREASURES

BY SUSAN TAYLOR MARTIN

When visitors think of Tarpon Springs, one word quickly comes to mind: Greek. The famous sponge docks are lined with Greek restaurants serving moussaka, souvlaki and flaming saganaki. (Opa!) Percentagewise, there are more Greek Americans here than in any other U.S. city. Some schools even teach Greek.

A few staples of Greek cooking are pictured next to the Anclote River along the historic Tarpon Springs Sponge Docks. Times file

But while Tarpon Springs embraces its rich Greek heritage, this charming little city in northern Pinellas County has much more to offer: museums, a lovely park, a revitalized downtown where you can dine on Creole cuisine, enjoy a craft beer and play pinball for hours. You can even throw an ax.

“It really has two different flavors,” says Diane Wood, director of the city’s Cultural & Civic Services Department. “There’s the sponge docks, and then downtown Tarpon has become very vibrant and eclectic.” That makes Tarpon Springs a fine spot for a day out.

You might start your visit at Spring Bayou, where thousands gather every Jan. 6 for a highlight of the city’s annual Epiphany celebration. Young men ages 16 to 18 dive into the water to try to retrieve a cross; the winner is said to be lucky and blessed for the entire year. Nearby is the city’s Heritage Museum, whose well-designed exhibits include one on the Golden Crescent — so called because of the bayou’s shape and the wealth once concentrated along its shores. Rich Northerners made Tarpon Springs a popular winter resort in the 1800s and built many of the striking Victorian homes that still encircle the bayou.

Behind the museum is Craig Park, whose stately oaks provide shade for a picnic. Or head downtown, a once sleepy area that now boasts an impressive array of shops, eateries and fun things to do. Try a smash

Pedestrian-friendly downtown Tarpon Springs has shops and restaurants that serve a variety of cuisines. Photo courtesy of Aaron Lockwood

An exhibit at the Tarpon Springs Heritage Museum includes vestiges of the local sponge industry. Photo courtesy of Aaron Lockwood

burger or fried calamari at Tarpon Tavern, a 1920s building with outdoor seating. Like many other restaurants it is close to the Pinellas Trail, making it a convenient stopping point for cyclists.

The Bistro offers Mediterranean and American food, while H’ours Creole Smokehouse serves up New Orleans fare like shrimp and crawfish etouffee. You can also go Italian at JoJo’s, Caribbean at Shaka or have a meal designed to your specific tastes at Quirky Fork. For dessert, stop by the Orange Cycle Creamery and get a cone with one of 24 flavors of locally made, small-batch ice cream.

Want to browse? There are antiques stores, clothing stores, a home furnishings store and cute shops in which to buy chocolates or a gift for baby. St. Nicholas Cathedral Bookstore has a large selection of religious books, CDs and icons. A must-stop for gamers is Replay Amusement Museum, which has what it says is the world’s largest pinball machine. For $14 ($8 for kids), you get a wristband that entitles you to drop in as often as you want during the day and play any of 120 arcade and electronic games, including such classics as Donkey Kong and Mortal Kombat. The museum is next to Bear Haven Land Company, which buys

and sells vintage toys and teddy bears.

A short walk away is Stumpy’s Hatchet House, part of a growing national chain. Staff will set up food and drinks while “throwing coaches” teach you how to hurl an ax at a target. (As a safety precaution sandals and open-toe shoes are not allowed.)

Of course no visit to Tarpon Springs is complete without spending time at the historic sponge docks. Locally, the industry began in the 1800s when sponges were harvested near shore. Business took off in 1905 when divers and crews were recruited from Greece to bring up sponges farther out in the Gulf of Mexico. Other Greek immigrants built the sponge boats and made the metal helmets that divers wore as they went as deep as 60 feet. Though well past its heyday, when sponges were one of Florida’s leading maritime industries, Tarpon Springs still has a small active industry.

Along with the plethora of Greek restaurants, the sponge docks are home to tourist boats offering day trips of various duration. Take home a souvenir from one of the many gift shops, including Lori’s Soap &

George Stamas of Tarpon Springs clutches the cross he retrieved in Spring Bayou during the Epiphany celebration Jan. 6. Photo by Angelica Edwards

Sponge Market. Among its popular items: soaps made with goat milk and embedded with a sponge for exfoliation.

After you leave the boisterous atmosphere of the docks, step back in time at Safford House Museum. Built in 1883, the two-story house with broad porches was the home of Anson P.K. Safford, one of Tarpon Springs’ founders. A video and docent-led tours give the history of the house, filled with period original furnishings and appropriate reproductions.

Make a final stop at the tranquil shrine to St. Michael, the healing saint.

Mary Tsalichis built it in 1941 to honor St. Michael for purportedly curing her young son of a brain tumor, and many others are said to have been healed there ever since. There is no cost to enter; the only price is for a candle to light with a prayer. Before heading home, sit a spell on a bench shaded by a flowering tree.

Father James Rousakis of St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Cathedral delivers the Divine Liturgy at Saint Michael Shrine in Tarpon Springs during the feast day celebration on Nov. 8. Photo by Douglas R. Clifford

This Victorian-style house, one of many in Tarpon Springs, was built in 1885 by Edwin H. Knapp, one of the city’s founders. shutterstock.com

Dinghies are tethered in a semicircle in Spring Bayou in 2021 in preparation for the annual Epiphany celebration. Photo by Douglas R. Clifford

Since 1955, Ward’s Seafood has provided locals & visitors with fresh seafood caught daily by our fisher man. We also source seafood from up north and around the world. Come visit us 7 days a week where it’s always fresh and friendly.

Ask about our Valentines Dinner Surf & Turf Special!

Fabulous February

A great thing about Florida style is that you can dress up or down, especially when the nights are still cool and the social season is still in full swing. These fashions, photographed in Tarpon Springs, will carry you through the season from morning to midnight.

PHOTOS BY BRIAN JAMES

Ulla Johnson Ember top, $290. Ulla Johnson Ember skirt, $450. Think Royln cross-body handbag, $148. Deborah Kent’s ivory leaf earrings, $38. Deborah Kent’s, 2120 S Dale Mabry Highway, Tampa. deborahkents.com.

Alex Perry Manor neon midi dress, $2,200. Neiman Marcus. neimanmarcus.com. Schutz Lou pointed-toe pumps, $118. Nordstrom. nordstrom.com.

ABOVE: Misa Los Angeles Stormi mock neck bodycon dress, $315. Misa Los Angeles Nicola tiered halter dress, $395. Neiman Marcus. Meredith Haws teardrop raspberry earrings, $125. Tat2 Designs vintage silver Maria Theresa curved coin ring, $172. Pelle Moda Keris pumps, $165. Deborah Kent’s. Kurt Geiger London Kensington heart cross-body purse, $185. Nordstrom.

RIGHT: Cult Gaia Akilah balloon long-sleeve cutout plisse dress, $678. Nordstrom. Deborah Kent’s embellished circle earrings, $58. Deborah Kent’s.

FROM THE COVER: Alice + Olivia floral print silk blend blouse, $440. Lulus square-neck cocktail dress, $58. TopShop trench coat, $158. Steve Madden lace-up ankle boots, $112. Nordstrom. Deborah Kent’s faux fur mini handbag, $75. Deborah Kent’s silver hoop earrings, $46. Tat2 Designs vintage silver Tuscany three-row coin ring, $196. Tat2 Designs vintage silver Tuscany bangle, $313. Deborah Kent’s.

Alice + Olivia Yona feather sleeve blazer, $895. Alice + Olivia floral vegan leather pleated skirt, $350. In the Mood for Love sequin crop top, $385. Neiman Marcus. Express satin Portofino blouse, $58. Marc Jacobs traveler tote, $375. Nordstrom. Meredith Haws teardrop raspberry earrings, $125. Deborah Kent’s. From the cover and above: Tarpon Springs mural by Emily Tayman.

Ramy Brook wrap-front peplum blouse, $365. Free People high-waist tie-hem jeans, $128. Nordstrom. INC nude mules, $65. Macy’s. macys. com. Brahmin multicolor tote, $231. brahmin.com.

CREATIVE TEAM

PHOTOGRAPHY

Brian James

IG: @brianjamesgallery brianjamesgallery.com

Rachel DeBickero, assistant

IG: @racheldebick

HAIR & MAKEUP

Monique McLaughlin

IG: @moemakeup moemakeup.com

Sophia Lazaro, assistant

IG: @sophiaa_lazaro

FASHION STYLING

Tina Jackson

IG: @Tinajstyle

Style Attic, tinajstyle.com

Naomi Jones, assistant

IG: @naomiijjones

MODEL

Sarah Andersen

IG: @sarahsextonandersen

Alexa Model & Artist Management

wh ere su ch of fer or soli cit ation cannot be ma d e. Pr ic es , availabili ty, ar tist ’s rend er in gs, dimension s, sp ec if ic ations, and fea ture s ar e subje ct to change at any tim e wi thou t noti ce

proje ct de sc ribe d herein (the “Proje ct ”) and the re sid e ntial uni ts lo ca te d within the Pr ojec t (the “Resid en tial Unit s” ) ar e not ow ne d, deve lope d, or sold by Pendr y In tellec tual Prop er ty Holding Co mp any, LLC or any of it s re sp ec ti ve af filiates (c ollec ti ve ly, “Pendry ”) , and Pendry do es no t ma ke any repres en ta tion s, warrantie s or guar antie s what soever with re sp ec t to the Re siden tial Unit s, the Projec t or any part ther eof.

TR D Ri verwalk Deve lo per LLC us es the PEND RY brand name and cert ain other Pe ndr y tr ademar ks (c olle ctively, the “Trademar ks”) in conn ec tion with th e sale s and mar ke ting of th e Re sid en tial Unit s in th e Proje ct un der a limi te d, non -exc lu sive and non -s ub li cens ab le li ce ns e from Pe ndry The fore going li ce ns e may be ter mina te d or may ex pire withou t renewal, in which ca se neither the Re sidential Unit s nor any part of the Pr ojec t will be id en tif ie d as a PEND RY-b rande d proje ct or have any right s to us e the Tr ad emar ks Ar tist ’s Conc ep tual Rend er ings Subjec t to Chang e.

FACES: MICHAEL & BETH VIVIO

A PASSION FOR FITNESS

Michael and Beth Vivio own St. Petersburg-based Corporate Fitness Works. Photo courtesy of Beth Vivio

IN 2011, Mike and Beth Vivio moved from Austin, Texas, to St. Petersburg where he was CEO of Valpak, the big direct marketer, until its sale in 2017. Faced with what to do next, the couple bought Corporate Fitness Works. The St. Petersburg-based company is now in about 30 states and provides fitness programs for employees of dozens of clients including Lowe’s and T-Mobile. Beth, previously executive director of a Texas Girl Scout Council, is majority owner of Corporate Fitness Works and Mike is CEO. Beth also is a board member of the St. Petersburg Free Clinic, Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital and Shorecrest Preparatory School. Mike, publisher of the Austin American-Statesman before joining Valpak, is past chairperson of the St. Petersburg Economic Development Corp. The couple recently spoke with Bay. This interview has been edited for length and clarity. — Susan Taylor Martin

Going from the Girl Scouts and direct marketing to owning a fitness company is quite a leap. Why did you make it?

Mike: We spent a year researching opportunities, and corporate fitness works with that perfect sweet spot of really good fundamentals, meaning the clients are looking to drive retention of their talent and lower health care costs. We really loved that. We loved the opportunity to invest in a business focused on helping people.

Has the company changed since you took over in 2018?

Mike: The history of the company and the core business is on-site fitness centers where it’s an employee perk, often at the main corporate building, and the companies will do that for the retention and health of their employees. But post COVID we’ve pivoted to offering virtual service to all employees. In the case of Navy Federal, there were only three campuses serving about 8,000 employees but we now serve all 22,000 employees, including those who work at branches. We provide a more equitable benefit with the combination of virtual and on-site service.

Beth: We developed a couple of apps that they can use to sign on to a computer, smart TV, iPhone, and pull up their app. We also do fitness center design. Some are upwards of 20,000 square feet and that’s a huge facility on those campuses.

How many employees do you have?

Beth: A little over 300. The majority are on site but now that we have virtual offerings some do all of the classes and coaching from home. Of course we have administrative folks in the states.

What are your own fitness routines?

Beth: We certainly don’t have fitness backgrounds but we both are very active. I have a personal trainer I work with a couple of times a week and I enjoy walking along Coffee Pot Bayou multiple times a week. Sometimes I’ll also take the classes that we offer on our app.

How about you, Mike, do you work out on treadmills or ellipticals or what?

Mike: I’ve been going to an Orange Theory every other day for almost a decade. I like the variety, so with Orange Theory it’s running and strength and stretching. One of the big things Corporate Fitness Works advocates, especially in dealing with the entire population of companies, is meeting people where they are. Fitness doesn’t need to be some scary set of contraptions to be intimidated by, it’s just being active.

Beth: One of the things very popular with our program is leading stretch breaks at companies. We were in Chicago in October and one of our clients there is the Federal Reserve Bank. Every day before lunch, the whole cafeteria staff gets together to stand up and stretch and do a little bit of movement.

You came from Austin, one of the fastest growing, most dynamic cities in the country. Have you found any parallels between it and St. Petersburg?

Mike: That’s one of the reasons we settled in St. Pete. I really saw the nucleus of the Austin quality of life in St. Pete and also the commitment to the arts, the commitment to park space, the outdoor eating opportunities, the burgeoning tech scene.

Beth: We like the diversity of age, and diversity in all its forms seems well represented in St. Pete.

to call home.

Ritz-Carlton Residences, Tampa are not owned, developed or sold by The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, L. L.C. Tampa Bay Oaks Condo Ph 2, LLC uses The Ritz-Carlton marks under license from The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, L. L.C.

Oral representations cannot be relied upon as correc tly stating representations of the developer. For correc t representations, make reference to this brochure and the documents required by sec tion 718. 503, Florida statutes, to be furnished by a developer to a buyer or lessee This Condominium is developed by Tampa Bay Oaks Condo PH 2, LLC (“Developer”) and this of fering is made only by the Developer ’s Prospectus for the Condominium This of fering is not direc ted to any resident of a jurisdic tion in which this of fering is prohibited by law. Developer, pursuant to license or marketing agreements with each, has a right to use the trade names, marks, and logos of: The Related Group and of Marriott International, Inc., both of which are Licensors only and neither of which is the Developer. Consult the Prospectus for all terms, conditions, and unit specifications and to learn what is included with purchase. This condominium is not oceanfront ; the sight line of the tower depicted is conceptual and situated with frontage along S Ysabella Ave in Tampa. This ad is summar y in nature generally depicting The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Tampa and Developer’s contemplated features and amenities, all of which is subject to change or modification by Developer. The Ritz-Carlton® is the registered trademark of Marriott International, Inc. 2022© Tampa Bay Oaks Condo Phase 2, LLC with all rights reserved The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Tampa are not owned, developed or sold by The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, L. L.C. or it s af filiates (“ Ritz-Carlton”) Tampa Bay Oaks Condo Phase

marks

a license from Marriott International, Inc. which has not confirmed the accurac y of any of the statement s or representations made herein

A SPECTACULAR SPREAD

BY SUSAN TAYLOR MARTIN

As Florida’s most densely populated county, Pinellas puts a premium on residential land. Townhomes and condos are proliferating because land is so expensive; houses rarely occupy more than a single lot. That’s what makes a house in North Pinellas all the more unusual.

This home on Ranch Road in North Pinellas is almost totally surrounded by the 8,700-acre Brooker Creek Preserve.

Photo courtesy of Michael Tunnell

An impressive 4,424 square feet itself, the house sits on nearly 13 acres and is almost totally surrounded by the 8,700-acre Brooker Creek Preserve, the county’s largest natural reserve. The view in every direction is nothing but sky, trees, grass and water.

“The land is really gorgeous,” says Christina Paolillo, the listing agent. “It’s very unique and right in our backyard, but you’d never know it.”

Priced at $6.25 million, the house was built in 2012 with four bedrooms, 3 ½ bathrooms and a threecar garage. Natural light floods the living room with its floor-to-ceiling windows, exposed wood beams and wood-burning fireplace.

The kitchen has recessed cabinets, a six-burner Wolf stove with griddle, pot filler, built-in Miele refrigerator and freezer, two dishwashers, an This is one of four bedrooms in the home. There are 3 ½ bathrooms.

The nearly 13-acre property has a pond but no swimming pool — yet.

Photos courtesy of Michael Tunnell

instant hot faucet and walk-in pantry. An oversized island opens to the living room and dining area.

The master suite, floored in marble, features walk-in closets and a bathroom with a soaking tub, dual sinks and vanities and a glass rainfall shower. Two other bedrooms and a bathroom are opposite the master suite, with stairs leading to an expanded loft, fourth bedroom, a full bathroom and a bonus space.

Outside is a patio with fireplace and kitchenette. A seven-stall stable includes a hay room, a shavings room and a tack room.

About 15 minutes east of Tarpon Springs, the house is on Ranch Road, which runs off Keystone Road. Somewhat surprisingly for a property in this price range, there is no swimming pool. Not to worry. There’s plenty of room to put one in.

Natural light floods the living room of the 4,424-square-foot home.

The property, which is about 15 minutes east of Tarpon Springs, has a seven-stall stable that includes a hay room, a shavings room and a tack room.

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Collaborative

Master of Glassmeets MastersofCraft

January 27 -March 11,2023

Duncan McClellan collaborateswith nine finecraft artists in an exhibitionoforiginal glass and mixed media sculptures. In addition to artists pictured are Lucrezia Bieler,PamelaFox, DominiceGilbert,William Kidd, CharlieParker, andSue Shapiro. Curated by DavidRamsey.

Forover 26 years, Dr.Zimmer has provided unparalleled carein internal medicine to thousands of patients. TheZimmer Concierge Medical Membership takes the patient experience to the next level, infusing the highest-quality carewith first-rateamenities to makeyour visits comfortable, convenient, and hassle-free.

We’rebringing back the ideaof the family doctor,and creating physician-patient relationships that areauthentic and personal. As a member,you’ll benefit from our premium services while receiving careuniquely tailored to your medical needs.

Michael A. Zimmer MD,MACP

JoyceCurvin

Nneka Jones

John Mascoll

Duncan McClellan and Paul Eppling

Stuart Society of the Museum of Fine Arts, St. Petersburg Smartly Dressed Fashion Show

Champagne and shopping, what could be more chic than Smartly Dressed, the annual fashion show luncheon hosted by the Stuart Society to benefit the Museum of Fine Arts, St. Petersburg. Event co-chairpersons Elise Elsberry and Lauren

Krawczyk produced and emceed the fundraiser at the Vinoy Renaissance St. Petersburg Resort & Golf Club. The event featured members modeling holiday glitz to Florida casual, all from Dillard’s International Plaza, with the fashions displayed at the Vinoy’s Palm Court for purchase that day. The 350 guests brightened a rainy Nov. 11 by raising more than $100,000 to support the downtown museum, now exhibiting nearly 40 sculptures in “True Nature: Rodin and the Age of Impressionism,” which is on display through March 26. — Amy Scherzer

From left, Deborah Ferguson, Heidi Sherman, Bethsabé Bockman-Pedersen and Michele Dudley. Photo courtesy of Elise Elsberry

From left, Lauren Krawczyk, Dawn Sumner and Elise Elsberry. Photo courtesy of Emerson Elsberry

From left, Ann Leavine, Joy Rudnicki, Joyce Larson, Roxanna Fall, Tiffany Faykus and Laura Liebel. Photo courtesy of Elise Elsberry

You’ll lead afull life at AlturaBayshore.Twenty-three ������� �� ������������� ����������� ����� ������������ Bay in coveted South Tampa. Viewsthatare quite an ������� ������������� ��� ���������� ���������� ��� � �������� ������ ��������� ���������

You’ll lead a full life at Altura Bayshore. Twenty-three ������� �� ������������� ����������� ����� ������������ Bay in coveted South Tampa. Views that are quite an ������� ��������� ���� ��� ���������� ���������� ��� � �������� ������ ��������� ���������

Live life to the fu lles t. At Altu ra Bays hore.

Live life to the fu lles t. At Alt ura Bays hore.

Poynter Institute Bowtie Ball

Two of the nation’s finest journalists received lifetime achievement medals at the Bowtie Ball, 50 years after their Watergate reporting changed the course of history. Neil Brown, president of the Poynter Institute, which owns the Tampa Bay Times, honored the Washington Post’s Carl Bernstein and Bob Woodward “for their lasting impact on serving democracy.” VIP guests enjoyed Brown and Bernstein’s armchair Q & A before dinner at the Tampa Marriott Water Street on Nov. 12. Woodward, author of 21 books and two-time winner of the Pulitzer Prize, chatted via video due to a previous engagement. Three Tampa Bay Times reporters who shared the 2022 Pulitzer Prize for investigative journalism were introduced during dessert. The gala’s name honors the memory of bowtie-wearing Poynter founder Nelson Poynter, champion of compelling journalism and freedom of expression. — Amy

Scherzer

Sandy Rief, left, and Diane Egner.

Photo by Amy Scherzer

Carey Gordon, left, and Lois Bradshaw. Photo by Amy Scherzer

From left, Cynthia Smoot, Carl Bernstein and Kelly Ring. Photo by Amy Scherzer

From left, Neil Brown, Paul Tash, Conan Gallaty, Dr. Margarita Cancio and Dr. John Sinnott. Photo by Amy Scherzer

Neil Brown, left, and Carl Bernstein. Photo courtesy of the Poynter Institute

Don’t Miss aMoment

Undeniably the reigning virtuoso of the violin, Perlman will join Music Director Michael Francis and the orchestra ��� �� ������������� ����� �� ��� �������� ��� ������ Sat, Mar 11, 8pm, Mahaffey Theater

HOUGH FAMILY FOUNDATION MASTERWORKS

Celebrating 150 years of the master of melody Michael Francis conducts |Featuring Joyce Yang

Piano Concerto No. 2

Asumptuous concerto that is his most popular Feb 17 -19

Piano Concerto No. 3

������ ��� ��������� �� �������� concertos

Feb 24 -26

Support

MichaelFrancis, Music Director

Tampa Museum of Art Pavilion XXXVI

Pavilion XXXVI “Humana vs. Machina” celebrated artistic inspiration and technical creativity, transforming the Tampa Museum of Art into a gala evening showcasing progress (renovated entrance, lobbies and galleries) and philanthropy. (Related Group CEO Jorge M. Pérez gifted the museum $1 million and the bronze Fernando Botero sculpture “Mujer Vestida.”) Co-chairpersons Cassie and Jake Greatens and the 325 guests saluted past-board chairperson Allison Casper Adams, her husband Robby Adams and brother Blake Casper for multigenerational family support. The $850-andup-ticket, black-tie benefit raised funds for museum exhibitions and educational programs. — Amy Scherzer, photos courtesy of Foto Boho

Jake and Cassie Greatens, left, and Allison and Robby Adams.

Jorge M. Pérez and Darlene Boytell-Pérez.

From left, McKenzie and Tate Casper.

Dr. Kenneth P. Pages.

Parc Center forDisabilitiesisaprogressive leader forchildren and adultswith intellectual and developmentaldisabilitiesinPinellas County since1953. We offer awide variety of programs and services to over500 amazing individuals

Our mission is to provide opportunitiesfor children and adultswith developmentaldisabilitiestoexercisetheir independenceand experiencelifetothe fullest.Our vision is acommunity whereALL individuals live with dignity and aretreated with respect.

Scan

Tampa BayBluesFest

April 14th-16th VinoyPark

FridayNightFiesta

May5th The JamesMuseum Golf Tournament

May6th

Countryside Country Club

Volunteersneeded for all events. Contact Maria Christiano 727-341-6962 or mchristiano@parc-fl.org

We

Help

Joshua House Bowties & Clutches

Billed as “An Evening for the Stylish You & Charity,” Bowties & Clutches exceeded its red carpet reputation for glitz and glamour. The 300-plus guests, ready to party after a two-year pandemic absence, enjoyed Candi the Violinist, vocalist Ashley Smith, the Caribbean Vibes Band and late-night dancing to DJ Silencer (Patrick Lawson) and DJ David at the Tampa Garden Club on Dec. 10.

Lacey B. Smith, chief executive producer of The Fashion Movement, created the annual see-and-be-seen event in 2012 with several partners, incorporating an art exhibit, silent auction and raffle prizes donated by local minorityowned businesses. Tampa Hospitality Management sponsored the VIP Lounge. Proceeds benefit Joshua House, a safe haven for abused, abandoned and neglected children in East Tampa. — Text and photos by Amy Scherzer

Lacey B. Smith, left, and Tanashea Mcleod.

From left, Kumari Fulbright, Will Douglas III and Kennie Nicole.

From left, Joan Emsley-Blake, Elaine Hemsley, Lemar Lindsay and Michele McCarthy.

Tampa Bay Times Cocktail & News

Donors to the Tampa Bay Times heard a firsthand account of what it is like to cover a major hurricane as they attended Cocktail & News, a party hosted by Derek and Marcy Hennecke at the “car barn” they built in Tampa to house their collection of rare cars. The 60 or so guests had a tour of the cars and heard a short presentation on covering Hurricane Ian by reporters Zack Sampson and Langston Taylor and Times Editor and Vice President Mark Katches. Student musicians from the IB program at Tampa’s King High School performed while guests enjoyed hors d’oeuvres from Lolita’s and cocktails at a bar tended by Times reporters. The event, which was in appreciation of the Times’ highest-level donors as well as other supporters of the newspaper, raised about $66,000, including $50,000 from the Hennecke Family Foundation. — Susan Taylor

Martin

From left, Julie Weintraub, Alan Bomstein and Josh Bomstein. Photo by Octavio Jones

Derek and Marcy Hennecke. Photo courtesy of SJN Photography

From left, Chibi Eaton, David Eaton and Guna Carr. Photo by Octavio Jones

From left, Bob Buckhorn, Bemetra Simmons and Conan Gallaty. Photo by Octavio Jones

Tampa Bay History Center Black-tie Gala

Call it N’awlins, NoLa, the Big Easy … by any name, New Orleans’ bon temps culture and cuisine set a festive vibe at the Tampa Bay History Center’s annual Black-tie Gala. Event chairpersons and presenting sponsors Miriam and Christopher Lykes and their four sons shared their deep Tampa-New Orleans connections, from a welcoming lavender lemonade gin cocktail to a CajunCreole seafood extravaganza created by the Columbia Cafe. The Paul Vesco Band entertained as the 400 guests enjoyed jambalaya, muffuletta, gumbo, oyster mushroom etouffee, oysters Rockefeller, crawfish ceviche and much more. The history buffs capped the Nov. 11 gala with a bourbon tasting, chicory coffee, beignets, pralines bourbon bread pudding and bananas Foster. — Amy Scherzer, photos courtesy of Joe Photo Tampa

The Lykes family, from left: Michael, Johnson, Miriam, Christopher, Joseph and Auguste.

Carl and Lyda Lindell, left, and June and Mike Annis.

Trace and Ellery Linder, left, and Wogan and Michelle Badcock.

Richard Rudolph and Rhonda Hogan.

Curtis and Katrina Stokes.

LAMPLighters 33rd Silver Coffee

The sweet voices caroling jolly Christmas songs at the LAMPLighters Silver Coffee came from some of the homeless children sheltered at Metropolitan Ministries, continuing a heartwarming tradition at the annual benefit to help the agency serve less fortunate families and individuals, as well as abused, neglected and abandoned children in the foster system being cared for at Joshua House. Host Lori Kosloske welcomed more than 250 women to her Avila home in North Tampa on a sunny Dec. 9, where a buffet brimmed with savories and treats made, as always, by the LAMPLighters themselves. CEO Tim Marks expressed Metropolitan Ministries’ deep appreciation for the volunteer homeroom moms program at the Sullivan Partnership School and financial support of more than $2 million since 1986. The event raised $35,000. — Text and photos by Amy Scherzer

From left, Heather Wakefield, Lori Kosloske and Lisa Wolf.

From left, Tina Dumar, Tim Marks, Dede Grundel and Amy Hull.

Calendar

Contact Amy Scherzer at AmyScherzersDiary@gmail.com.

Feb. 5: Annual President’s Dinner, with guest speaker Dr. Daniel Gordis. Benefits the Tampa Jewish Federation. $218, $90 for 35 and younger. 5:30 p.m. Bryan Glazer Family JCC, Tampa. 813-2649000.

Feb. 9: Philanthropic Women of St. Joseph’s Speaker Luncheon, with guest speaker broadcaster-author Deborah Norville. $125. 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Tampa Yacht & Country Club. sjhfoundation@ baycare.org or 813-872-0979.

Feb. 10: Go Red for Women, which benefits the American Heart Association. 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Armature Works, Tampa. For information on tickets or sponsorship opportunities, contact tampabay@heart.org.

Feb. 11: A Night to Remember, the Stuart Society’s 60th anniversary diamond gala. $650 and up. 7 p.m. Museum of Fine Arts, St. Petersburg. stuartsociety.org.

Feb. 11: Evening of Dreams gala, which benefits Academy Prep of St. Petersburg. $300. 6 p.m. The James Museum of Western & Wildlife Art, St. Petersburg. bit.ly/APEOD2023.

Feb. 11: Roaring into the Twenties gala, which benefits the YMCA of Greater St. Petersburg. $250. 6 p.m. Vinoy Renaissance St. Petersburg Resort & Golf Club. stpeteymca.org/gala.

Feb. 18: USF Alumni Association Green & Gold Gala. $100, alumni 35 and younger $85. 7 p.m. Florida Aquarium, 701 Channelside Drive, Tampa. usfalumni. org/2023g3.

Feb. 18: Carnevale: Opera Tampa Grand

Gala. $450. 6 p.m. David A. Straz Jr. Center for the Performing Arts, Tampa. operatampa.org or 813-222-1275.

Feb. 21: Schaarai Zedek Star Event, featuring actor and author Jennifer Grey. $50 and up. 5:30 p.m. Tampa Theatre. zedek.org/starevent.

Feb. 25: 64th Queen of Hearts Ball, which benefits SPCA Tampa Bay and Suncoast Voices for Children. $150. 6 p.m. Hilton St. Pete Carillon Hotel. queenofheartsball.org.

March 4: CITY: Fashion+Art+Culture, which benefits the Tampa Museum of Art. Features designer Naeem Khan. VIP members $275 (nonmembers $300) at 6 p.m., general members $150 (nonmembers $175) at 7 p.m. tampamuseum.org/city.

March 4: Raymond James Gasparilla Festival of the Arts Showcase. $75. 7:30 p.m. River Center at Julian B. Lane Riverfront Park, Tampa. gasparillaarts. com/the-showcase.

March 8: 8th annual Spring Soiree, Hospice Women of Philanthropy, with guest speaker Suleika Jaouad. $85. 11:30 a.m. University of Tampa Vaughn Center. foundation4lphgroup@chaptershealth. org or 813-877-2200.

March 10: Women of Distinction/ Woman of Promise luncheon, with guest speaker Telva McGruder. Benefits Girl Scouts of West Central Florida. $75. Noon. Armature Works, Tampa. gswcf. org/wod or 813-262-1688.

March 10: The Chiselers Market Minaret Mixer shopping preview party, which benefits The Chiselers. $75. 6-8 p.m. Plant

Hall, University of Tampa. thechiselers. com or 813-254-2530.

March 11: The Chiselers Market. Free admission. 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Plant Hall, University of Tampa.

March 10-11: “Forrest Grape,” Tampa Theatre WineFest. March 10: 7 p.m. premium tasting $125 ($115 members), 8 p.m. grand tasting $95 ($85 members).

March 11: 7 p.m. wine pairing $400 or $750/two. tampatheatre.org/winefest.

March 12: Hollywood Awards Night, which benefits Tampa Theatre. $150 VIP on-stage lounge, $55 mezzanine, $25 balcony. Red Carpet Reception at 6:30 p.m., live Academy Awards telecast at 8 p.m. Tampa Theatre. tampatheatre.org/ hollywood-awards-night.

March 30: Longest Table, which benefits WUSF Public Media. 5:30 p.m. check-in. Downtown St. Petersburg on Bayshore Drive NE from the Museum of Fine Arts to the Vinoy. wusflongesttable.org.

April 1: Karamu black-tie gala, which benefits ZooTampa at Lowry Park. $1,000 and up. 6:30 p.m. 1101 W Sligh Ave., Tampa. zootampa.org/events/karamu/.

April 1: Fostering Hope Black Tie Gala, which benefits A Kid’s Place of Tampa Bay. Tickets $300 and up, sponsorships $500 and up. 5 p.m. Tampa Marriott Water Street. akidsplacetb.org or 813381-3839.

April 1: TASTE at The Straz. $95 general, $175 VIP, $2,000 for a 10-guest table. 6 p.m. VIP, 7 p.m. general admission. David A. Straz Jr. Center for the Performing Arts, Tampa. strazcenter.org or 813-229-7827.

OFFERED AT $1,799,800

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Luxur y custom-built beauty with no expense spared! Finished in 2017 with indulgent upgrades in ever y corner This home has 5 bedrooms and 4.5 baths in 3,800 sq.ft of absolutely fabulous. Designer opulence and remarkable craftsmanship throughout

Welcome home to eclectic Cr ystal Beach! Stunning sunsets await in this fabulous 2-bedroom, 2-bath totally renovated cottage! Fully modernized while maintaining its character and charm! Luxurious finishes and upgrades. An absolute must see!