Pensacola, FL June 2024

What Makes a Good Man?

Welcome to the Men's issue!

In this edition, we are proud to feature some remarkable men from our community who have served our country and are outstanding fathers. We wish we could feature all the great men in our community, but we have given you an excellent sample of men who work every day to be better versions of themselves.

What makes a good man? A good man is someone you can count on when you need him. He is loyal to his family and friends, and he shows his support by being there for them. He is true to his word, and he treats everyone with kindness and respect. He is confident, yet humble, and he always stands up for what is right. A good man takes responsibility for his actions and decisions. He is not afraid to admit his mistakes and takes steps to make things right. He knows that he is not perfect, and he is always willing to learn and grow. He shows his vulnerability, especially when he loves someone. A good man does not rely on stereotypes or gender roles. He knows that everyone has strengths and weaknesses, and he is comfortable with his own. He values diversity and treats everyone equally, regardless of their gender, race or beliefs.

Let’s not forget to wish all our Dads a Happy Father’s Day! I leave you with one of my favorite quotes about what it means to be a Dad: A Dad is a son's first hero and a daughter's first love.

We hope this issue inspires you to be the best man you can be and make a positive impact on the world around you.

June 2024

PUBLISHER

Suzanne Pope | suzanne.pope@citylifestyle.com

EDITORIAL COORDINATOR

Adina Preston | adina.preston@citylifestyle.com

ACCOUNT MANAGER

Melanie Williams | melanie.williams@citylifestyle.com

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Alex Boykin, Adina Preston

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER

Adina Preston

Corporate Team

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Steven Schowengerdt

CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Matthew Perry

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF HR Janeane Thompson

AD DESIGNER Rachel Collins

LAYOUT DESIGNER Antanette Ray

Ready to Find Your Perfect Home?

Setting the standard of excellence since 1982, Connell & Company Realty Inc. is your trusted local real estate partner! As a family-owned and operated business, we take pride in connecting you with the perfect place to call home in our community.

Locally Owned & Operated: We’re not just a business; we’re a part of the community. Our roots run deep, and our commitment to serving our neighbors is unwavering

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city scene

WHERE NEIGHBORS CAN SEE AND BE SEEN

1: The Art of Fashion Parisian Escape 2024 by Covenant Care Foundation. 2: The event took place downtown Pensacola on the beautiful Museum Plaza grounds. 3: It also showcased more than 80 models on the runway, featuring apparel from numerous well-known local boutiques! 4: The event exemplified style and elegance. 5: Last year, Studio 54-themed runway event in downtown Pensacola attracted over 1,000 attendees. 6: A fashion soiree for a cause that features local boutiques and familiar model faces. 7: It was genuinely a party with a purpose, dedicated to raising funds for Children’s Support Programs. Photography by Adina Preston

business monthly

TAB Emerald Coast

For over 30 years, The Alternative Board (TAB) has equipped small to medium-sized business owners, CEOs, presidents, and managing partners with the valuable resource of peer advisory. TAB offers a confidential environment where non-competing leaders can enhance their leadership skills, realize their personal and professional visions, and invigorate their organizations. Members benefit from personalized coaching, proprietary business tools, and positive accountability. thealternativeboard.com

Big Jerk Soda Co.

Big Jerk Soda Co. is a craft soda company based in Pensacola, FL, specializing in carbonated beverages made from real fruit juices and natural extracts. Our products are free from artificial colors, dyes, preservatives and caffeine.  bigjerksodacompany.com

Big Rhino Screen Printing

Since 1992, we have offered custom screen printing, embroidery and promotional services in Pensacola, Florida. With over thirty years of expertise in the industry, we bring extensive knowledge and experience to every project. You can rely on our seasoned skills for your next project. bigrhino.com

MEN’S MENTAL HEALTH:

A Community in Need, and What The Campfire Fund of Florida is Doing About it

It was the day before Thanksgiving in 2021 when a group of friends and family gathered to not only mourn the loss of, but to celebrate the life of one of their own. “An amazingly talented singer and songwriter. A great friend. Always there to help us out or cheer us up.”  This is how Ryan Goldberg remembers Elijah Stepherson – who, just 9 days prior, had taken his own life. This Thanksgiving Eve, like so many other nights at Goldberg’s house, was filled with family and friends partaking in the usual cooking, storytelling, and music. “It was extra crowded. There were quite a few people in town because the next day was supposed to be Elijah’s wedding.”

“Towards the end of the evening, I asked my musician friends if they would be willing to play music if we had a larger memorial, where Elijah’s fans, friends, and fellow musicians could come together to honor him and remember the amazing human he was” remarks Goldberg. “We started planning just before the New Year when an old friend offered us a great venue on the west side of town.”

Little did the group know that they were in the beginning phases of a new non-profit. By February the event had picked up quite a bit of momentum, and with these friends once again sitting around his kitchen Goldberg wondered if they could turn the event into a fundraiser of some sort. His friend Brett Benton quickly jumped on the idea and the discussion led to the goal of raising money for mental health

counseling – particularly for men, and particularly for those who cannot afford it.

Benton brought up the point that aside from men’s mental health being a largely unaddressed problem, it was severe in the Pensacola community. “I told Ryan that this could be the start of something bigger than us, and something that is definitely needed. I’m tired of losing friends,” recalls Benton. And just like, that The Campfire Fund of Florida was born. Four weeks later they were organized, had purchased websites, started social media pages, enlisted a graphic designer, and started receiving raffle item donations from local vendors.

On Sunday April 14th 2022, Goldberg, Benton & Co - supported by other local musicians, along with Chef Rusty Strain and his team at the Rusty Spoon food truck - welcomed over 600 people to Emerald Republic Brewing for the 1st Annual Elijah Stepherson Men’s Health Concert.  “I knew we could throw a party. I was pretty sure people would come, but I had no idea it would be that big,” claims Goldberg. They were already working with two local therapists from Thrive Therapy Service in Pensacola passing business cards out at the event for anyone who wanted one. Benton says he remembers “guys coming up to me and saying ‘thank you’, flashing the therapists’ cards from their pockets.” By the end of the evening, they had raised enough

“EVEN IF THEY ARE NOT READY FOR THERAPY, JUST BEING AROUND A POSITIVE VIBE, AND HEARING OTHERS TALK ABOUT THEIR OWN EXPERIENCES SEEMS TO HELP PEOPLE OPEN UP ABOUT THEIR STRUGGLES” SAYS GOLDBERG.

money to start putting folks into therapy and the very next day they did just that. On the Monday morning following the event, Goldberg began receiving social media messages from local men in need of mental health counseling.

Over the past two years, The Campfire Fund of Florida has steadily grown. They have expanded into other fundraising events like Beard & Mustache competitions, Corn Hole Championships and more – all while encompassing the tradition of food and local music that started at Goldberg’s house. They are also rapidly becoming the charity of choice for other Gulf Coast fundraising events. “We try and plan events that will draw local supporters and those that need the services we offer. Even if they are not ready for therapy, just being around a positive vibe, and hearing

THE CAMPFIRE FUND OF FLORIDA

If you need help, are looking to support a local charity that is doing really meaningful work, or if you would like to attend an event, check out The Campfire Fund of Florida.mThe Campfire Fund of Florida is a registered 501C3 charitable organization. To get in touch, visit thecampfirefund.org

others talk about their own experiences seems to help people open up about their struggles” says Goldberg.

To date, The Campfire Fund of Florida has funded mental health counseling sessions for about 45 men, boys, and couples in need. “We usually start off funding 6 sessions, then the therapist will let us know if more sessions are needed. We have some who have been attending sessions monthly for almost 2 years, and we have some who do six sessions and feel they have made enough progress to move on. The door is always open, and as long as we have funds we will be here to provide for the community.”

Goldberg says that even though their charter is to provide mental health resources for men in the community, they will approve funding for anyone in need.

What’s more Manly than Port? Can a wine be more manly than another, is there such a thing? Well, let’s start with some language. The Romance Languages in the traditional homeland of wine are Latin based, which use masculine and feminine to identify words. The word “wine” in Latin is “vinum,” French and Romanian “vin,” Portuguese “vinho,” Italian and Spanish “vino.” When using the word “wine” in any of the Romance Languages, you use that language’s grammatical masculine article in front of it, such as in French “le vin,” meaning “the wine,” “le” being the masculine article. Therefore, in the old-world Wine has always been a masculine liquid. Intriguing.

Leveraging an average alcohol content of 20%, it easily man-handles even the most prominent Napa Cab, of which barely compares at 15-16%. That makes Port wine the “strongest” of the wines! Quite manly indeed!

So, what is Port wine? A wine that can sit in your cellar for 50 years or more? Perhaps. Or that inky dark dessert wine that your rich uncle orders at the end of a fancy dinner that appears to have the consistency, and sometimes taste, of balsamic vinegar mixed with maple syrup, all while being surrounded in the aura of sophistication and class. Perhaps you tried it and what greeted your palate was… GROSS…why would you ever pay $18 for four ounces of that! Well, what a shame, you just tasted the bottom of the barrel, and on top of that the restaurant probably charged your uncle four times what it is worth! Definite fail! For most, sadly, that scenario sums up their Port experience. You can do SO MUCH better!

Port wine is easily the least understood of all wines. According to the Port Wine Institute there are two broad categories of Port, then 12 different types within the two categories, and

then 10 additional styles within those types. “What?” That’s the most common reaction I get when I teach a Port class. Can you identify how many types of Port are in the picture? No wonder it is so mis-understood, and we haven’t even touched “Port-Style” wine that is made in other parts of the wine world! So what did your uncle order? A Ruby Port of middleto-lower grade that probably cost around 9-12 Euro in Portugal. It exists. Should anyone buy it? No. I almost universally tell people to not buy Port wine at a restaurant. You are going to pay too much and probably end up with something that shouldn’t be consumed. Yet, Port represents the pinnacle of tradition, the favorite of past Kings, and also a favorite with several of our Founding Fathers, especially Franklin and Jefferson. And that’s the classic image of Port Wine; the King of Wines, an after-dinner wine, a MAN’s wine!

To get some of the best King of Wines you are going to have to spend a little more, but not much more, and in doing so, end up with a vastly better product. Go for a 20 year Tawny, an actual Vintage Port (at least ten years old, or more), or even just one of the decent Reserve Ruby’s. A quick course on Port doesn’t exist, and would take several articles to cover. In the future we will revisit how to pick a fabulous Port that you can pull out at the end of an intimate dinner and wow your guests with. I love Port . I love the intensity, the fortitude, the finish. How it can both hit your palate like a WWF wrestler jumping from the top rope with his elbow extended and then, once landing, dance with the elegance of a beautiful baroness leading to a finish that leaves even the most discerning connoisseurs speechless. Now that’s my kind of wine experience!

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BRIDGING TWO WORLDS:

A Veteran’s Journey from the Air Force to Business Leadership

Making the transition from military to civilian life is a profound change, full of challenges and opportunities. For many veterans, it's not just about changing careers but reshaping their identities and future paths. One veteran shared his journey from active duty in the Air Force to becoming a business leader, offering insights into the challenges faced and the strategies that helped navigate this significant life transition.

After his active service in the Air Force, Neal transitioned to the Air Force Reserve, seeking more family time and a new life phase. He felt he had fulfilled his duty to the Air Force and now wanted to dedicate himself to his family and personal priorities.

Neal’s career pivot to becoming a business leader began somewhat serendipitously after acquiring a real estate license to connect better with his wife, Kori, a real estate professional since 2016. As the real estate market thrived, so did his career, leading him away from potential government contractor roles and deeper into real estate. However, despite the success, a lack of passion for real estate led him to seek fulfillment elsewhere, echoing his deep-rooted passion for teaching—a role he cherished during his final years in the Air Force.

This search for a new career path led him to The Alternative Board, a group that helps business owners elevate their operations through peer advisory boards. The role seemed tailor-made, allowing him to merge his military training and love for teaching to assist business leaders in improving their operations. Family played a crucial role in this transition. His wife, Kori, supported him throughout, from exploring new opportunities to making decisive career moves. This partnership and mutual support were critical as he navigated his career shift.

In leading TAB Emerald Coast, Neal applied valuable skills honed in the Air Force—primarily, the art of listening. Military service taught him the importance of listening to understand people deeply, a skill that translates powerfully into business leadership. He also brought lessons in organizational structure and clear communication, crucial for teaching diverse groups ranging from new recruits to nearly promoted Colonels. However,

the transition wasn't without challenges. Balancing his reserve duties with professional responsibilities often strained family life, and adapting to a civilian business mindset required adjusting to less structured, sometimes inconsistent business practices compared to the military's regimented environment.

Today, as a leader, Neal believes in adapting military discipline to the flexibility required in business. This approach involves understanding and responding to team needs, fostering an environment where employees feel valued and understood. He envisions a future where effective leadership means embracing change while ensuring that technological and societal advancements benefit both employees and business goals.

For veterans considering a similar path, he advises embracing the civilian sector's nuances and leveraging military-honed adaptability and integrity. Recognizing that civilian roles might differ significantly from military experiences, the key to success

lies in commitment, understanding, and the ability to lead with empathy and clarity.

In his role at TAB Emerald Coast, he ensures that each member's goals align with their personal visions and values, emphasizing open, honest communication. This alignment is crucial for creating a supportive environment where business leaders can thrive and find solutions tailored to their unique challenges. Neal’s journey reflects a broader narrative shared by many veterans: the transition from military to civilian life is complex but filled with opportunities for growth and impact. By blending the best of both worlds—military discipline and civilian innovation— veterans like him are redefining leadership in the business world, proving that the skills forged in service can profoundly influence and improve the commercial landscape.  For more information, visit thealternativeboard.com/tabemeraldcoastv

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PENSACOLA, MEET T-BONE:

A faith walk with two miracles

Meet retired Marine LtCol David Trombly, better known as T-Bone, one of our military transplants and a Lawrence, Massachusetts native. T-Bone serves our Pensacola community as Chaplain to both our local Pensacola Ice Flyers and the J.R. Spears Detachment 066 of the Marine Corps League, an organization renamed for local 21-year-old Corporal Jonathan Ross “JR” Spears, who in 2005 gave the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom in Iraq.

T-Bone’s first visit to Pensacola didn’t begin his 25-year Naval Aviation career. As a LeTourneau University student needing flight hours for his FAA Commercial and

Instruments ratings, he chose to fly the university’s Cessna 150 on a route from Longview, Texas to Orlando, passing directly over Pensacola. Young Trombly and his fraternity brother co-pilot selected Pensacola Regional Airport as their fuel stop. They took the opportunity to check out the USS Lexington, a combat veteran aircraft carrier of WWII. The “Lady Lex” served from 1962 to 1991 as the Navy’s training aircraft carrier and was moored at a downtown Pensacola pier before becoming a Museum in Corpus Christi, TX, in 1992. Little did David know on that first visit in his slow-moving Cessna 150

that he would log more years serving and living with his wife Megan and their six children in Pensacola, than in any other military city.

Patriotism and flying were in T-Bone’s blood from birth. His Flying Tiger grandfather served in China, then after America joined WWII, continued serving as a U.S. Army Air Corps P-38 fighter pilot. David hoped to join the Marine Corps after graduation to follow in his hero’s footsteps. A few years later, returning to Pensacola as a young Lieutenant, he began the path to his Wings of Gold. T-Bone eventually realized his dream of honoring his grandfather’s legacy, flying the F/A-18 Hornet and deploying to Japan, Australia, and South Korea.

In October 2000, shortly after returning from his first successful overseas deployment to Iwakuni, Japan, T-Bone was diagnosed with a rare form of Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma known as a “Primary Lymphoma of Bone.” Both his military doctors in Bethesda, Maryland, and the civilian oncologists in Boston, where he sought his “second opinion,” gave him only two years to live.

Upon T-Bone’s request, his military oncologists shared that only fifty other cancer Warriors had been previously diagnosed with his cancer. (David and his wife of 33 years, Megan, refuse to refer to others battling for their lives as “cancer patients, but rather as  WARRIORS!) Of the fifty others, not one had survived five years using the conventional medical protocol. Yet doctors gave the same treatment plan to David and Megan in the early weeks of his cancer staging process. Fighter pilots must be analytical, fastly analyzing data for urgent decisions. David and Megan quickly recognized that the suggested medical treatment offered a zero percent success rate.

Not wanting to be the fifty-first to not find a cure through chemotherapy and radiation, David and Megan made the courageous decision to step out of the conventional system and their military insurance coverage onto a natural path. Taking a bold leap of faith, the young couple, with four children under eight and a deep faith in Christ, were unwavering in their belief that God was bigger than cancer! Confident that God would open doors and provide a cure, they chose a 100% natural “Battle Plan.” Megan invested countless hours into research, caregiving, and food preparation. David gives God the glory for his miracle healing but gives Megan the credit and deepest thanks for her dedication to him and for keeping the family moving forward, successfully homeschooling during the most difficult year of their lives.

Their journey initially took them to a family friend and Naturopath in Boston, then to a Biological dentist in Rhode Island, and ultimately to a clinic in Switzerland. In the biological medicine clinic in Europe, David spent a month receiving treatments not for Lymphoma but to

“David and his wife of 33 years, Megan, refuse to refer to others battling for their lives as cancer patients, but rather as  WARRIORS!”

aggressively detox and recharge his immune system to battle cancer itself. For over a year, David’s nutritional routine involved a 100% raw diet, juicing vegetables, unlimited salads, and fruit and nut smoothies following the counsel of a Canadian nutritionist. Enzymes and other supplementation supported the raw diet as recommended by a former German oncologist-turned-holistic medicine expert and counselor for cancer Warriors. Learning the horrendous toxicity of municipal water sources, their first significant investment upon returning to Pensacola after diagnosis was an in whole-house water purification, something David has helped over five hundred families take advantage of over the past two decades.

Finding his cure through nutrition and detox, T-Bone turned to his next fight to return to flight status. With God’s divine intervention and the support of key senior military leaders, T-bone became the first

cancer survivor to earn his medical clearance and be returned to “flight status” following 100% holistic methods. LtCol David “T-Bone” Trombly, USMC recently celebrated twenty-two years cancer-free! He retired from the Marine Corps in 2019 after flying his final flight in a T-6B with his oldest son and fellow Marine, 2ndLt Alex Trombly, the family’s third-generation fighter pilot flying the F-35B in Iwakuni, Japan, bringing the family’s military flying service in Asia full circle. During our interview, T-Bone shared that he has been richly blessed to return to flight status and finish his military career as a flight instructor here at NAS Whiting Field where he still serves today as a federal contractor. Though no longer in the skies, T-Bone remains grateful to be teaching in simulators and classrooms, honored to influence the next generation of America’s military leaders, aspiring young Navy, Coast Guard and Marine officers seeking to earn their Wings of Gold as Naval Aviators.

Grounded And Cured

David and Megan share details of their journey and their complete cancer battle plan in their recently published book Grounded And Cured, available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble websites. In the afternoons and evenings, this power couple spends hours at kitchen tables, computer screens and hospitals supporting other cancer Warriors. For twenty-three years while raising their six children on their 10-acre farm North of Pensacola, David and Megan have been sharing their testimony, and linking fellow cancer Warriors with biological doctors, dentists, natural products, whole-house water filtration systems, and overseas clinics that served them in their time of need. You can learn more about their testimony and ministry at groundedandcured.com , and connect with them on their contact page.

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