Thankful
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Always Thankful!
In this season of gratitude, we often find ourselves reflecting on the many blessings in our lives. Thanksgiving encourages us to slow down, embrace the present, and appreciate the people and moments that bring us joy.
This month, I’ve been especially grateful for the things money cannot buy. My health, the children I love so very much, the great circle of friends that I call on for the hard moments and the moments we laugh till our bellies hurt. Friends who have become family. Friends I would have never met had I not gone out and started networking in my great city. Connection is a great part of the Thanksgiving table. Connection through food as well as through great conversations.
This issue I wanted to dedicate an opportunity to highlight some of the great business owners and community leaders who give not only financially, but their time and talents. They give quietly but generously without expecting a thank you. They’re not just leaders and residents, but they have also become my friends. I am grateful to be surrounded by so many people who are genuinely wonderful human beings.
We’re endlessly thankful for our advertising partners, whose support allows us to bring inspiring stories to your doorstep each month, and for the readers who make it all worthwhile. As we prepare to gather with loved ones, let’s take a moment to reflect on what truly brings meaning to our lives. This holiday season, may we find contentment not in possessions or accolades but in the connections we nurture and the good we do for others.
Wishing you and your family a wonderful Thanksgiving.
May you have the chance to tell them what you are grateful for!
Cheers!
AMY
WALTERS, PUBLISHER
November 2025
PUBLISHER
Amy Walters | amy.walters@citylifestyle.com
MANAGING EDITOR
JoAnn Chang | joann.chang@citylifestyle.com
PUBLICATION DIRECTOR
Michelle Numann | michelle.numann@citylifestyle.com
SOCIAL MEDIA COORDINATOR
Sunflower Socials | rose@sunflowersocials.com
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
JoAnn Chang, Michelle Numann, Chef Brandi Smith, Cristin Jackson
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
Magical Memories Photography, Naomi Wipert, YMCA of the Suncoast
Corporate Team
CEO Steven Schowengerdt
President Matthew Perry
COO David Stetler
CRO Jamie Pentz
CoS Janeane Thompson
AD DESIGNER Jenna Crawford
LAYOUT DESIGNER Adam Finley
QUALITY CONTROL SPECIALIST Megan Cagle
Showing Thanks
A Touch of Comfort Downtown
Main Munchery is a cozy, femaleowned café in Downtown New Port Richey serving breakfast, lunch, coffee, and fresh-baked treats. Inspired by my love of entertaining at home, I’ve created a warm, welcoming space where everyone feels like family. The menu features locally sourced ingredients, artisanal sandwiches, daily soups, and scratch-made baked goods, with keto, vegetarian, and gluten-free options. Your go-to spot for genuine hospitality and a touch of comfort in every bite.
Business is Blooming
De Coffee Bloom is such a charming little spot near Trinity where the warmth of coffee meets the beauty of fresh flowers. The moment you walk in, you’re greeted with the aroma of espresso and the vibrant colors of floral arrangements that brighten the space. It’s cozy, welcoming, and perfect for catching up with friends, hosting a networking event or getting work done, or just enjoying a pastry and latte in a beautiful atmosphere.
Photography by De Coffee Bloom
Photography by Amy Faulkner
the CITY LIST
We have such amazing, innovative business leaders in our community who are proud to serve you, our residents, with class and quality. We’ve compiled some of our top company picks for the services that might be on your mind this month in an effort to make your lives a little easier.
Photographer
Magical Memories Photography www.magicalmemoriesphotography.bigcartel.com | 727.808.8664
Reflections Photography www.reflections-photography.com | 727.271.1287
Lux Content Co. www.luxcontentco.com | 813.603.6966
Captured Chaos Photography www.capturedchaos.mypixieset.com | 727.484.0090
Suzie Lopes Photography www.suzielopesphotography.com | 860.803.0257
Specialty Shops
MADE - Artisan Hall www.madeartisanhall.com | 727.486.1026
Octopus Garden www.octopusgardenfl.com | 727.741.1386
The Main Ingredient www.themainingredient.org | 813.388.6472
Want to suggest a monthly pick?
White Heron Tea & Gifts www.thewhiteheronfl.com | 727.203.3504
The Turtles Nest www.yelp.com/biz/the-turtles-nest-new-port-richey | 727.376.1040
WIN G THA N K S
As the holidays arrive, our already crowded schedules explode with more demands on our time. When you own a business, balancing those commitments can be even more of a challenge. With all the holidays demand, it’s important to take time to slow down and show those around you how much they mean to you. From friends and family to neighbors and customers – there is much to be thankful for - and many in our community can use an extra blessing. For these local leaders, taking time to give back to the community at the holidays isn’t optional – it’s an essential way to show thanks to the community for their support.
THE HOLIDAYS AREN’T BUSINESS AS USUAL FOR THESE LOCAL LEADERS.
ARTICLE BY JOANN CHANG PHOTOGRAPHY BY MAGICAL MEMORIES PHOTOGRAPHY
AMANDA HART AUSTIN BURKETT
Amanda Heart and the Nature Coast Roofing Solutions team spend endless hours throughout the year helping customers protect their largest investment – their home. When her team isn’t replacing or repairing roofs, they’re excited to give back to the community they call home. “I grew up in New Port Richey, this is where our roots are. It’s important to us to give back to the community that supports us,” shared Hart.
For Amanda, it isn’t about the size of the gesture, it’s more important to jump in and give back, “Pick an event that’s important to you and get involved, even if it’s volunteering. It’s not always about writing a check!”
This season Amanda has several holiday projects planned, including supporting school bus drivers by stuffing their break room.
Austin Burkett, owner of Burkett ACE Hardware and Burkett ACE Handyman Services, spends the year providing products and services that help people turn their house into a home. The community that surrounds them is their lifeblood, and they support it in kind. “We are a community business, we live here, we shop here. Giving back to the community that supports us only feels right,” explained Burkett.
Austin looks for organizations that are actively doing good in the community and can show the results of their efforts. They recently donated to PACE School for Girls in Pasco when they were in need of food for their participants. “Find a cause that you feel strongly about, meet with them and see if you can build a relationship,” shared Burkett.
LINDSAY WILLIAMS ANDREW HEWITT
Lindsay Williams is always the life of the party! She and the team at SWAG Party Rentals and SWAG Marketing spend their days making life fun for the community. When they aren’t setting up parties for others, they’re bringing blessings to their community.
While Lindsay and Team SWAG give back to the community in innumerable ways, their most rewarding efforts are through supporting youth-based organizations. “Giving back is at the heart of our beliefs. We give because we think it is important for creating a true community, but we have found that when you give, it comes back tenfold,” shared Williams.
Their holiday efforts this year will be focused on holiday food bags for kids in the One Community Now Pack-a-Sack program through their non-profit, Love Generously.
Andrew Hewitt and his wife Jenny, owners of Caliper Wellness, focus on the mental health and wellness of others all year long. They are always looking for ways to lift up others in their community, knowing that working together for the greater good makes everyone stronger. “It helps those in need while keeping us grounded,” shared Hewitt.
The Caliper team supports a number of organizations that support its core values. They have partnered with the West Pasco Business Association (WPBA) for 10 years, supporting their Bowling for Boobs fundraiser annually that supports those in our community impacted by cancer. For the holidays, they will be supporting the How the Grinch Saved Christmas event to benefit local families who have faced hardships through no fault of their own.
STEPHANIE WOODS WILLIAM (BILLY) MAJOR
Stephanie Woods is always cool, calm and collected. And not just because she owns Airheads HVAC. She rests easy knowing the good she brings to our community, whether through affordable HVAC repairs and replacement or the many ways the Airheads team lift up those in need. “It’s so important to give back to the community that has supported us from the beginning. We will never be able to repay this community,” shared Woods.
Stephanie supports many community efforts, including Metropolitan Ministries, Children’s Cancer Center, HubLife Charities, Trinity Chat Charity, Grace’s Food Pantry and Portico Housing, among others. “Give back because you want to. If you do it for the right reasons, you benefit in more ways than the charity. It’s the most rewarding thing we do,” shared Woods.
For Billy Major, his focus is always on collaboration in his role as Social Service Liaison at Pasco County Sherrif’s Office. “Our deputies see Pasco citizens at their worst moments. The Sheriff has graciously given me an opportunity to serve in a unique capacity that bridges law enforcement with community engagement,” shared Major.
When serving the community, Billy lets his personal faith be his guide, “St. Paul beautifully wrote (and certainly lived out), ‘For though I am free from all men, yet I’ve made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more.’ ”
While Billy and the Pasco County Sherrif’s Office support a number of community initiatives, Major is particularly honored to collaborate with the Veterans Administration and support the many veteran-based organizations in our community.
Side Bet
SIDES THAT TAKE CENTER STAGE THIS HOLIDAY SEASON.
ARTICLE BY MICHELLE NUMANN/CHEF BRANDI SMITH PHOTOGRAPHY BY NAOMI WIPERT
For many, the highlight of a holiday meal isn’t the main course — it’s the side dishes. Side dishes stand out because they allow creativity and flavor to shine through. “You eat with your eyes first — the color and presentation trigger the memory. Then, of course, it has to be delicious,” shared Chef Brandi Smith. Nostalgia also plays a role, like her Mommaw’s cornbread-and-biscuit dressing. Chef Brandi Smith shares recipes for Twice-Baked Sweet Potatoes, Bacon Balsamic Brussels Sprouts, Maple Bacon-Wrapped Carrots, and a Fall Fruit Salad.
This baked sweet potato is loaded with bacon, marshmallows, and a streusel topping — the perfect balance of savory and sweet.
8 Servings
ingredients
• 10 sweet potatoes (medium-sized)
• 4 tbsp butter
• 4 tbsp brown sugar
• 1 tsp pumpkin spice
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 4 slices bacon (cooked and crumbled)
• 1 cup mini marshmallows
Oat Crumb Topping
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 cup oats
• ¼ cup crushed pecans
• 2 tsp cinnamon
• 4 tbsp butter, cold and cut into small pieces
directions
Oat Crumb Topping
1. In a small bowl, use a fork or pastry blender to cut the butter into the sugar, flour, oats, and cinnamon until small pea-shaped crumbs form. Set aside.
Sweet Potatoes
1. Preheat oven to 400°F. Prick each sweet potato a few times with a fork and place on a lined baking sheet. Bake for 45-50 minutes, or until tender.
2. When cool enough to handle, slice lengthwise and carefully scoop out the tender potato, leaving a 1/4-inch-thick border. Discard 2 of the skins and keep the remaining eight empty skins on the baking sheet.
3. Mix the sweet potatoes, butter, brown sugar, pumpkin spice, and salt by hand or with a mixer. Taste and season again to adjust with salt if needed.
4. Add half of the bacon, half of the Oat Crumbs Topping, and all the marshmallows, stirring to combine. Carefully scoop the filling back into 8 of the 10 skins. Top with the remaining Oat Crumbs Topping and bacon, distributing evenly. (See Note 1).
5. Place the sweet potatoes in a 400°F oven and bake for 20 minutes. Serve immediately.
CONTINUED >
TWICE-BAKED SWEET POTATOES
BACON BALSAMIC
8 Servings
ingredients
• 1 ½ lbs fresh Brussels sprouts, washed, trimmed, & halved
• 8 pcs thick-cut bacon
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 2 tsp garlic powder
• 2 tsp onion powder
• 1 ½ tsp seasoned salt
• Fresh cracked black pepper
• Balsamic glaze
directions
1. Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a sheet tray with parchment. Lay bacon slices flat, avoiding overlap.
2. Cook 20 minutes or until crisp. Remove, chop into chunks, and set aside. Leave bacon fat on the tray.
3. While bacon cooks, wash Brussels sprouts, trim ends, halve lengthwise. Toss in olive oil and seasonings. Spread on tray, stir into bacon fat, roast 40 minutes or until tender and golden.
4. Remove, top with bacon. Drizzle generously with balsamic glaze and serve.
4 Servings
ingredients
• 1.5 lbs. carrots
• 12 slices thin - cut bacon
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1 tsp garlic salt
• 1/3 cup maple syrup
• 2 tbsp bourbon whiskey (optional)
• Parsley
directions
1. Preheat oven to 400°F. Mix maple syrup, onion powder, garlic salt, and bourbon (if using) in a small bowl; set aside.
2. Line a rimmed baking sheet or casserole dish with parchment or a silicone mat.
3. Peel and trim carrots, leaving 1-inch stems. Wrap each with a bacon slice, place on sheet, sprinkle with pepper, and roast.
4. After 25 minutes, turn with tongs, baste with sauce, and roast 20-25 minutes more, until bacon is crispy. Remove, baste with remaining sauce, sprinkle with parsley, and serve.
5. Remove, top with bacon. Drizzle generously with balsamic glaze and serve.
This fall fruit salad contains fresh apples, blackberries, grapes, and pecans. It is drizzled with a homemade cinnamon orange dressing with tons of fall flavor!
8 Servings
ingredients
• 1 orange, zested & juiced
• ¼ cup maple syrup
• 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
• 16 ounces red seedless grapes
• 12 ounces blackberries
• 1 cup chopped pecans
• 3-4 sweet apples, cored and medium diced
directions
1. Add the zest and juice of one orange to a large bowl. Add maple syrup and cinnamon, whisking to combine.
2. Add grapes, blackberries, and pecans. Cube apples into bite-sized pieces and add them to the bowl. Immediately toss the fruit to coat.
3. Serve immediately or store covered in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
notes
• Salad can be prepared up to one day ahead and stored, covered, in the refrigerator until ready to serve. Toss the salad just before serving to incorporate any dressing that may have settled in the bottom of the bowl.
• While any apple can be used in this recipe, sweet apples like Honeycrisp, Fuji, or Gala are recommended.
• Keep stored in a refrigerator in a sealed container.
• Substituting with prepared orange juice: Juice of one orange = about ¼ cup.
FALL
spreading hope & love
Love Generously is keeping local kids fed outside of school.
Bringing family and friends together to share a feast at the holidays can be exciting. But there are children in our community who don’t know where their next meal will come from. The team at Love Generously is working to spread hope and love to those struggling with food insecurity, one meal at a time.
For Anthony and Lindsay Williams, owners of SWAG Party Rentals, SWAG Marketing and creators of the non-profit Love Generously, the need to combat hunger has driven them for years, seeking opportunities to help feed hungry children in their community. “It just opened my eyes. You think about there being hungry children far away, not so close to where I live. These kids literally don’t know, from lunch at school on Friday to breakfast at school on Monday, what they’re going to eat,” shared Lindsay.
“It’s a hard thing for people to understand. These are kids. They don’t have control of the situation. We ask them to learn, but you can’t learn if you’re hungry,” shared Anthony. “We started realizing, what about those longer times they’re out, and holidays? So, we started collecting extra and asking people we knew to do bigger bags. Because for me, food insecurity for kids is a major thing. It touches close to home. I always wanted to lean into it and do as much as we can for it.”
ARTICLE BY JOANN CHANG
PHOTOGRAPHY BY NAOMI WIPERT
As their desire to serve the community in this way was growing, they started their own non-profit to expand their reach and help more families. In spring of 2022, Love Generously was created, and they partnered with One Community Now and their Pack-ASack program to help hungry children in Pasco County. According to One Community Now, over 7,000 children in Pasco County go to bed hungry every night. One Community Now pairs non-profits like Love Generously with a school with kids in need and supports them in the process. “They fund half the cost of the bags. And the other organizations fund the other half, pack them and deliver them,” explained Lindsay.
Love Generously started serving 30 kids at a school that closed earlier this year. Thanks to their recent fundraising efforts, they’ve expanded to serve 50 kids at their new partner school. Their goal is to continue to grow and serve their partner school in more ways. That starts with offering expanded bags for holidays
“Opportunity is not equally distributed. Just trying to help level the playing field, because you never know where the next genius is going to come from. All they need is a leg up.”
like Thanksgiving and Christmas. Their fundraising efforts also mean they can serve these kids during the summer too. Still, they strive to do more. “Opportunity is not equally distributed. Just trying to help level the playing field, because you never know where the next genius is going to come from. All they need is a leg up,” shared Anthony.
Love Generously needs support to expand the fight against hunger. Doners can sponsor an individual child for just $13 a month. Supporters can also select items from their registries to fill their bags. They also need sponsors and attendees for their annual Night of Love gala. Those looking to be more involved can help with the annual gala, offer logistical support throughout the year, share their mission through social media or join the monthly packing events. They encourage volunteers to bring their kids to help pack the bags and offer volunteer hours for teenagers looking for service hours.
For the Williams family and the Love Generously team, supporting their community isn’t just an occasional effort, it’s a daily commitment. Through Love Generously, they’re winning the battle against food insecurity and bringing their community along for the fight. “Think globally, act locally,” shared Anthony. “That’s the first step. Just love generously.”
FIGHTING CHILDHOOD HUNGER WITH LOVE GENEROUSLY
• Sponsor a Child
Sponsor an individual child for just $13 a month.
• Purchase From the Registry
Select items from registries to fill the weekly bags, shipped direct to Love Generously.
• Support the Gala
The Night of Love casino night gala will be February 27, 2026, from 6-10pm at the Kontos Event Center in New Port Richey. Tickets are $125 and include dinner, open bar and initial casino cash. Sponsors are also needed.
• Volunteer Volunteers are needed to help the mission all year long, including at the monthly packing events.
Learn more at lovegenerously.org.
H O P E
with YOU
The holidays have a way of calling us back to what matters most—faith, family, compassion, and the quiet but powerful act of giving. As lights go up and calendars fill, there are still many who sit in silence, carrying burdens too heavy to bear alone. But what if this season, you could be the spark that changes everything for someone else?
The founders of City Lifestyle, through their private foundation, are once again launching its annual Christmas Giving Campaign—a heartfelt effort to seek out and support individuals and families who have quietly fallen through the cracks. The mission is simple: to bring light, dignity, and hope to those who need it most.
Since its beginning just four years ago, this initiative has grown from a humble idea into a life-changing movement. Last Christmas alone, more than 200 families across the country received unexpected support—financial relief, but also something even more powerful.
“We don’t just send checks,” says Steven Schowengerdt, CEO and founder of City Lifestyle. “We send a message: You are seen. You are loved. And you are not forgotten.”
Together with City Lifestyle President Matthew Perry, Steven has helped shape this into a tradition that goes far beyond charity. “This is about community,” Matthew adds. “We believe we’ve been blessed, so now we get to be a blessing.”
Every story begins with a nomination. Often, it’s a neighbor, coworker, friend, or teacher—someone who’s been quietly carrying too much for too long. One past recipient, after receiving unexpected support during a time of deep personal struggle, wrote:
SCAN TO NOMINATE
“We send a message: You are seen. You are loved. And you are not forgotten.”
“Beyond the very practical solution of receiving funds to fix my car, this thing you guys worked together to do is bigger than that. I carry the Christmas card you sent in my purse. When things get really hard, I pull it out and remember what it felt like to be seen. That card represents hope— that change for the better is possible. I’m not sure how many people get to carry hope around in their purse. But I do.”
Another wrote in after her husband was diagnosed with aggressive brain cancer and unable to work:
“This support has blessed our family not only financially, but emotionally and spiritually as we trust God to meet our needs throughout this difficult time. Thank you to our anonymous friend and to your foundation. What a joy and gift to be part of God’s family!”
Each year brings countless stories like these—real lives touched by simple acts of kindness. Some use the funds to pay overdue bills, others to afford groceries, medication, or repairs. But no matter the circumstance, the impact is the same: hope is restored.
This season, you have the opportunity to be part of that. The campaign is now open to nominations—completely confidential and prayerfully considered. Whether it’s someone battling illness, facing unemployment, or just in need of a helping hand, you can bring them a moment of grace that will ripple far beyond Christmas morning.
“Knowing my mom was chosen filled my heart with indescribable joy,” said another past recipient. “Your generosity doesn’t just brighten her life; it inspires hope and faith in all of us. It enables her to stay in her home and get back on her feet.”
Nominations are open from November 1st to December 5th, 2025. To submit someone you know, simply scan the QR code or visit @CityLifestyle on Instagram, where you’ll find the nomination form in the bio.
This holiday season, let’s give more than gifts. Let’s give each other the gift of being seen. Because sometimes, the smallest gesture becomes someone’s greatest miracle.
To nominate someone in need, visit: KingdomBuildingFoundation.org or scan the QR code.
THE Spirit OF GIVING
This holiday season, the James P. Gills YMCA’s will again bring the community together for its annual Season of Giving. The celebration will begin in November and conclude on December 13th with the branch’s Breakfast with Santa.
The Togetherhood Committee, a group of dedicated YMCA volunteers and staff, focuses on uniting the Y with the community. Each year, they partner with local schools and families receiving YMCA Financial Assistance to identify children in need. Families from schools in the area as well as YMCA families on financial assistance will experience the joy of opening Christmas gifts, including a mix of “wish list” items and essentials like toiletries and clothing thanks to donations from our community. This year, the Y expects to serve over 100 families and more than 300 children across the West Pasco community.
Y members and neighbors are invited to participate by donating gifts, gift cards, or monetary support to ensure every family is served.
“This event is one of my favorites. It’s the perfect way to bring families together and spread joy,” shares Executive Director Michael Whitten. Learn how you can support the Gills YMCA at suncoastymca.org/gills.
SEASON OF GIVING AT GILLS YMCA
From early November through December 13, the James P. Gills YMCA will provide holiday gifts for more than 300 children in need. The celebration concludes at the beloved Breakfast with Santa, bringing families together and spreading joy throughout the West Pasco community.
ARTICLE BY CRISTIN JACKSON PHOTOGRAPHY BY YMCA OF THE SUNCOAST
Lifting up the community during the annual Season of Giving.
