Innehållsförteckning för December 2020 från Naples Illustrated

There I was, brand-new to Naples and my job as editor in chief of Naples Illustrated, attending my first in-person event representing the magazine. It was a blazing hot summer day, and I was glad to be inside the AC at Kunjani Craft Coffee while getting a much-needed caffeine jolt. The event was hosted by Vera Jaye of Jaye Design, and in an effort to help us mix and mingle, in a socially distanced way, Vera had us make our own name tags. I went the extra mile and wrote my name plus “New Editor of Naples Illustrated,” hoping to spark some conversations. One of the first gals who came up to me was wearing “Teresa Mayor” on hers, which I assumed was her first and last name, so I…

The idea that the outdoors are ready to explore at any age is the premise behind a new kids’ book from Naples author Susan Sachs Levine. Jenny’s First Catch: An Adventure with Florida’s Wading Birds (Mascot Books, 2020) follows a spunky protagonist who learns to fish, while the author eaves in fun facts through the wildlife she encounters. As Jenny learns more from each new bird, including a snowy egret, white ibis, wood stork, and great blue heron, she also discovers how to persevere when the going gets tough. A window into the beautiful plumes and scenery in Naples, this book gives parents and grandparents the opportunity to get their little ones excited about the outdoors and birding. (susanlevinebooks.com)…

Think of Hinckley’s iconic Picnic Boats—celebrating 25 years in build—and it’s hard to picture them without a pair of beefy diesels gushing out water, Hoover Dam–style, through Hamilton jet drives. But for the legendary Maine boatbuilder’s gorgeous new Hinckley 35 model debuting this summer, those twin diesels and water jets are being jettisoned in favor of twin outboards. It makes sense. Outboards are easier to maintain and are more efficient too. In the case of the supercharged, 300-horsepower Mercury Verado motors that’ll come standard, they’re also quieter and more refined. For speed demons, outboard power will get the new 35 to that out-of-the-way beach quicker than diesel. With optional twin 350-hp Verados, top speed should be around 42 knots, as opposed to 38 for the current Yanmar-powered 34 Picnic. Then…

The prestige and charm of Wisconsin’s Door Peninsula hinges on snow and tinsel-laden locales like the Tannenbaum Holiday Shop, an old church turned retail mecca with original stainedglass windows still intact. It’s a serene region, which long has been a respite for city travelers from Chicago, Milwaukee, Madison, and Minneapolis/Saint Paul. It’s also a nature lovers’ paradise and social distancing safe haven. “What we’re seeing in the Midwest is that more rural destinations with a lot of outdoor activities are faring better than places that are more indoor oriented,” says Jon Jarosh, director of communications and public relations at the Door County Visitor Bureau. “So, in a sense, as far as the pandemic, you might say that we’ve been preparing for it for over a century.” Bucolic, sprawling, and hospitable—and…

Some drink their tea, while others chew it. The masticators prefer something called boba tea (also known as bubble tea, pearl milk tea, or bubble milk tea), which has a reputation for being deliciously addictive. Boba tea originated in Taiwan in the 1980s. Milk tea was already popular on the island, as were tapioca balls and shaved, fla ored ice. According to legend, a food stall proprietor came up with the idea of combining the ingredients, thus creating a creamy, fruity, caffeinated drink with chewy tapioca at the bottom. It spread to California on a wave of Asian immigration, and quickly became a sensation in America. “We wanted to introduce people here to boba tea,” says Kannika Bessent, owner of Tako Boba Tea and Sushi Café on Tamiami Trail. “It’s…

Janice Johnson is an evangelist for butter and garlic. She’s also a believer that you can accomplish anything you want in life, if you have a little help. Johnson—aka The Garlic Boss—and her Sassy Sauce exploded onto the local culinary scene in 2019. A hairdresser by trade, she was driven to find career alternatives after a combination of health issues and the COVID-19 pandemic forced her out of the salon. With the help of volunteers from Legal Aid of Collier County, her “supercharged garlic butter sauce” became a business and a reality. “I was always making the sauce for my family,” she says, “but I never expected the public would take it as seriously as they have. I started with one pot and a few dozen crabs, and I borrowed…

Beachgoers and outdoor devotees are well acquainted with aloe vera’s cooling powers on sunburnt and stressed skin. The gel from the ubiquitous succulent takes on a new life as a hydrating, plumping, and soothing mainstay in products meant to refresh and moisturize tresses and enliven the complexion: D’Isolana Skincare Aloe Vera Calming Elixir with soothing thermal water ($70, disolana.com); M-61 Hydraboost Serum 2.0 ($82, Bluemercury); Soleil Toujours Organic Aloe Antioxidant Calming Mist ($26, soleiltou jours.com); AVegan Beauty Balance Toner ($38, aveganbeauty.com); IT Cosmetics Your Skin But Better Setting Spray with hydrating hyaluronic acid, coconut water, and aloe vera extract ($28, Sephora); and Christophe Robin Hydrating Melting Mask ($37, Bluemercury).…

PAGE 72 Yellow paisley lace shirt ($2,290), yellow mohair cashmere knit top ($950), yellow paisley lace skirt ($2,100), Fendi, fendi.com; mid-heel pumps in white satin fabric with grosgrain bow and crystals ($1,350), Gucci, Waterside Shops, Naples, gucci.com; turquoise earrings ($18,300), multi-stone ring ($23,000), two-stone ring ($34,200), Sylvie Corbelin, Betteridge, betteridge.com. PAGE 73 Raffia and elvet hand-embroidered silk faille cape and embroidered column gown (price upon request), Naeem Khan, naeemkhan.com; Janis In Heels black macramé sandals ($895), Christian Louboutin, christianlouboutin.com; Silvia Furmanovich earrings ($11,400), Betteridge amethyst ring ($24,000), Betteridge, betteridge.com. PAGES 74-75 Dress ($8,500), Valentino, Marissa Collections, Third Street South, Naples, valentino.com; Goshwara citrine earrings ($6,800), Betteridge lemon chrysoprase necklace ($9,800), Sylvie Corbelin sapphire ring ($70,000), Betteridge, betteridge.com. PAGE 76 Ladybeetle Fortune tulle dress ($4,800), Zimmermann, zimmermann.com; Foulard Cheville flat emb…

Vicki Baker, the founder of Naples Hidden Gems and Hidden Gem Photography in Naples, feels comfortable behind the lens. Amid raising her two daughters, ages 16 and 23, the 18-year Naples resident squeezes in time to write social media posts for her local blog and create podcasts for 239 Uncensored. Baker hails from Maine and says, “I grew up in Old Town and am a member of the Penobscot Indian Nation. I attended elementary school on our reservation and am very proud of my heritage.” A graduate of the University of South Florida, she started her career teaching, but shifted to something more creative seven years ago. “I changed my life and made it what I wanted. I volunteered doing nonprofit shoots and then landed freelance jobs. Finally, I met…

In addition to a new website, Everglades Wonder Gardens has many updates and upgrades to roll out. In September, the nonprofit wildlie attraction welcomed David Webb as its new executive director. Webb, who boasts a bachelor’s degree in environmental studies from Florida Gulf Coast University and nearly 20 years of leadership experience, will be in charge of operations, philanthropy, and management. As Webb steps into his role, he’s launching projects such as remodeling a section of the park and creating new exhibits for bald eagles, parrots, and crocodiles. He hopes to keep Everglades Wonder Gardens true to its original feel and put an emphasis on conservation. “Everglades Wonder Gardens offers a really unique opportunity for a fun, engaging experience that is also safe, outdoors, and provides plenty of social distancing,”…

Born in Sicily, Carmelo Blandino has always had an artist’s eye and an adventurer’s soul. He moved from Italy to Canada to earn his degree in illustration and design from Dawson College in Montreal. In 2005, at the urging of a Floridian friend, he packed his paintbrushes and headed south to check out Naples. Blandino was immediately smitten and made a full-time move to the Paradise Coast. He and his wife, Julie Love, a pilot for Spirit Airlines, are the doting parents to terriers Enzo, Fergus, and Nora, and turtle Leonardo. Although COVID-19 kept them from traveling to see his family in Sicily and her family in Scotland, the jet-setting couple visited Cashiers, North Carolina, instead. Next up is a long road trip in a camper to Colorado, Utah, California,…

Model: Shani Zigron, Elite Model Management, Miami Hair: Heather Blaine using Redkin, Creative Management, Miami Makeup: Gina Simone using Dior Beauty, Creative Management, Miami Photography assistant: Lucie Prsalova Fashion assistant: Roxy Rooney NI extends a special thanks to Kevin Condon for providing the location. For additional information, please visit tarpon-cove.com…

A glass of Port is a perfect ending to a holiday meal—not surprising, since it can bring almost any dining experience to a hedonistic conclusion. Despite its appeal, however, Port is widely misunderstood. The genuine article is sourced from grapes grown in Portugal’s Douro Valley and made near the city of Porto, in the suburb of Vila Nova de Gaia. Permitted grape varieties are mostly red and thick-skinned, yielding a fullbodied and tannic wine. Fermentation is halted by the addition of neutral grape spirits, resulting in a sweeter wine with an alcohol level of nearly 20 percent. The fortification process probably originated before refrigeration as a way of shipping the wine without spoiling it. There are two main types of Port: those aged in barrels and those matured in glass…

Chef Andy Hyde is the product of cultures as diverse as Ghana, Germany, and Chicago. Before coming to Naples in 2014, he worked for culinary celebrities such as Gordon Ramsay, Thomas Keller, and Grant Achatz. “I spent many years shuttling back and forth between my mom in Chicago and my foster family in Germany, and I always wanted to move here permanently,” he says. “It comes down to opportunity: If you want something badly enough in America and work for it, it will happen—provided you’re not afraid to fail.” The chef was drawn to Naples for numerous reasons. “Naples reminds me of Ghana in many ways,” he explains. “It’s tropical, with a beautiful coastal breeze that I never got in Germany.” During the holiday season, Hyde reflects on how where…

From Marco Island to Bonita Springs, seasonal lights shine through palm and oak branches, and throughout shopping courtyards and gated communities. They are uplifting sights to behold on the heels of a rollercoaster year—?precisely the goal for Bill Kilgus, who started his family-run Trimmers Holiday Decor company 30 years ago. “People who look forward to holiday lighting are going to appreciate it so much this year,” says Kilgus. “The lights will make a much larger impact and be a big lift after what we’ve been through.” The thousands who attend lighting ceremonies along Third Street South and Fifth Avenue South, and residents who see Kilgus’ handiwork at The Village Shops on Venetian Bay, Pelican Bay, Olde Cypress Country Club, or Quail Creek Country Club, may not realize that the designer…

STYLE NOTES QUEEN OF HEARTS: Accessories in unexpected shapes instantly add personality. RIGHT ANGLE: Go modern by opting for geo prints and silhouettes with clean lines. COLOR BLOCK: Rich hues in contrasting combinations create a forward take on the trend.…

Vermont is on the tip of everyone’s tongue these days. True, natural splendor and minimal development have always been assets of the Green Mountain State. But the pandemic has cast a newfound spotlight on Vermont as America’s next great vacation and second-home destination. In a state where wilderness claims more than 76 percent of the land, the air is pure, the scenery is stunning, and the outdoor pursuits are endless. Nowhere is this more palpable than at The Lodge at Spruce Peak, a resort community underscored by a rusticchic, alpine lodge with simple rooms and suites, as well as more extravagant mountain cabins, private homes, and the in-progress One Spruce Peak, an exclusive collection of modernist townhomes and residences. Nestled between the base of skyscraping Spruce Peak and Vermont’s highest…

When Angela and Robert Bruckner moved to Naples from Dallas almost eight years ago, it was really more of a homecoming. Robert, now vice president of Roofcrafters Inc. in Naples, attended high school here before relocating to Texas for college. Years later, he met Angela in Dallas, and they married in Naples in 2006. Their two boys, Henry, 10, and Harrison, 13, were born in Texas, but when the timing and opportunities were right, the Bruckners loaded up their Suburban and drove to the Paradise Coast from the Lone Star State for good. Angela Bruckner, a leadership and sales coach through her business, Constant Pursuit, notes that the move came with many benefits for her young family, including being close to Robert’s mother, who lives in town. In the summers,…

One of the joys of being Italian is partici - pating in the Feast of the Seven Fishes on Christmas Eve. This year, thanks to Pazzo!, everyone is welcome to enjoy it. “I grew up in an Italian neighborhood in New Jersey,” says Skip Quillen, owner of the Culinary Concepts restaurants (Chops City Grill, Pazzo!, Yabba, and The Saloon Wood Fired Grill). “Most years, I was the only Irish guy at the table. It’s both a great tradition and a celebration of family.” The seven-course menu will be offered at Pazzo! December 20-24. The cost is $145 per person, with an additional $95 per person for the wine pairings. It is available by reservation only and must be served to the entire table. The menu with pairings, below. 1. Seared…

AMERICAN 7TH AVENUE SOCIAL Eclectic Southern fare and craft cocktails with an outdoor patio and live music. 849 Seventh Ave. S., Naples (7thavenuesocial.com) ALEXANDER’S Farm-to-table American and European cuisines commingle at this fine dining establishment. 4077 Tamiami Trail N., Naples (alexandersnaples.com) BALEEN AT LAPLAYA BEACH & GOLF RESORT Dine amid elegant tropical surrounds indoors or on the patio. 9891 Gulf Shore Drive, Naples (laplayaresort.com) THE BEVY Everything old is new again at The Bevy. 360 Twelfth Ave. S., Naples (naplesbevy.com) BISTRO 821 A long-time favorite, thanks to executive chef Jesse Housman’s “Natural Fusion” menu. 821 Fifth Ave. S., Naples (bistro821.com) BLUEBERRY’S RESTAURANT There’s something for everyone at Blueberry’s. 3350 Tamiami Trail N., Naples (blueberrys-restaurant.com) ★ BOKAMPER’S SPORTS BAR & GRILL Kim Bokamper may have retired from football, but he’s still…

Photos are vital in capturing precious holiday moments. To snap the best pictures, follow these tricks from Audrey Snow Owen, owner of Audrey Snow Photography in Naples. (audreysnow photography.com) Go for the Golden Hour: The last hour of daylight is immensely flattering as is early morning light. Avoid harsh midday sun that keeps everyone squinting. Be wary of standing in front of a sunset, too. “The phone [camera] is trying to focus on the sun and is not worried about light on faces,” says Owen. During sundown, tap the subject’s face on your phone screen to give it more light exposure. To achieve a lovely, diluted glow, the photographer should have his or her back toward the sun. You’re on Candid Camera: Owen suggests focusing a photo shoot around an…