Sports + Recreation

Driving Impact

The James P. Gills Family YMCA recently hosted its annual Golf Tournament, bringing together community members, local businesses and supporters for an afternoon of friendly competition and purpose-driven fun on the green. Proceeds from the tournament directly benefit the Y’s financial assistance and community outreach programs, ensuring everyone has access to vital YMCA programs, regardless of their financial circumstances.While many know the Y for our gyms, pools and youth programs, events like...

Local Services

Showing Thanks

The holidays aren’t business as usual for these local leaders. Article by JoAnn Chang | Photography by Magical Memories Photography 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...

Food + Beverage

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...

Education

Spreading Hope & Love

Love Generously is keeping local kids fed outside of school. Article by JoAnn Chang | Photography by Naomi Wipert 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...

Local Services

The Spirit of Giving

Lifting up the community during the annual Season of Giving. Article by Cristin Jackson | Photography by YMCA of the Suncoast 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...

Health + Wellness

Where Community Becomes Family

Hi, my name is Michael Whitten, and I have the honor of serving as the Executive Director of the James P. Gills Family YMCA. I’ve been a part of this branch for five years, nearly two of them in my current role, and in that time, the Y has truly become like a second home to me.Beyond my work here, I’m also a husband and father to two young children, which gives me a unique perspective on the Y’s impact. I’ve experienced it both as a leader and as a parent watching my kids grow and thrive through...

Food + Beverage

Unforgettable Nights

Where memorable nights begin. Article by Michelle Numann | Photography by Rose Purvee Step through the doors of Havana Nights, and it’s as if the clock rewinds. The air is warm with the scent of cigars, the lighting is low and golden, and the quiet strains of jazz drift through the room. It’s a setting that could easily belong to a classic black-and-white film—a place where conversation lingers and the pace of life feels unhurried. For Rob Khalil, owner of Havana Nights Cigar Lounge, the...

Health + Wellness

The Spirits Among Us

Learn when the time is right to take a pause. Article by Andrew J. Hewitt, PMHNP-BC | Photography by Lux Content Co. Managing a healthy relationship with alcohol doesn’t have to feel like an exorcism. In fact, it starts with something quite grounded, really: self-awareness. While a glass of wine at dinner or a celebratory cocktail may feel harmless, it’s important to notice when alcohol shifts from occasional indulgence to a daily coping tool. Many of us use alcohol to unwind, connect...

Arts + Culture

Celebrating Strength

A celebration of resilience, compassion, and the power of community. Article by Amy Walters | Photography by J. David Every community has moments that bring people together in ways that matter far beyond a single night. For Pasco County, Paint the Night Blue Gala is one of those moments. It’s not just a fundraiser—it’s a celebration of resilience, compassion, and the power of a community determined to protect its most vulnerable members, at-risk children. The gala benefits Pasco Kids First, a...

Food + Beverage

Saucy Ceasar Salad

Nothing beats a flavorful Caesar salad—and this takes the classic to the next level. Article by SaucyQueen aka Michele Northrup Bursting with bold flavors from Garlic Goodness and a tangy hit of tarragon vinegar, this dressing blends creamy decadence with a hint of peppery perfection.   INGREDIENTS 1/3 cup tarragon vinegar 1 egg 2 tbs *Garlic Goodness Sauce or 3 cloves garlic  1 tbs good quality ground Dijon mustard 1oz anchovy paste (1/2 tube) 1/2 cup parmesan 1 tbs fresh...