REAL Exclusive Magazine

REAL Magazine Anniversary Edition – A Year to Remember

By Tracy Eisnaugle

To celebrate the wonderful success of REAL Magazine and my overwhelming gratitude to Ed Bertha for his faith in me to provide a monthly editorial column, as well as to write articles for both the website and the magazine, I would like to use this inaugural edition to look back on the wonderful experiences I have had with REAL over the past twelve months.

Writing the feature home article for each edition’s cover has been an incredible experience. Meeting exceptional real estate agents and taking personal tours of some the Suncoast’s most exquisite residences has been both memorable and intriguing. I have had the opportunity to visit outstanding homes spanning from Palmetto and Lakewood Ranch as far south as Casey Key and Osprey and everyplace in between.

Being a local girl who has lived in Sarasota since the age of seven, I was honored to also be able to contribute the community/charity piece each month for REAL magazine. Highlighting our community’s vast charities and impactful organizations has given me the opportunity to get reacquainted and to learn more about our precious organizations.

Along the way I was able to get behind the scenes of some of our areas newest and oldest attractions. Ed and I had the rare opportunity to jump aboard John and Mable Ringling’s Wisconsin railcar to take an educational ride through history. We revisited the Ringling’s impact on our community as we glimpsed into the future for an exciting tour of the Ringling School of Art & Design campus to experience their new “green” state-of-the-art buildings.

I was able to discover the great work being done by many local charities including the United Way Realtors for Kids program, where we held a REAL Magazine golf tournament to benefit their passionate cause. Keeping with the ever so important task of helping our youth we recognized the amazing work being done by The Heart Gallery of Sarasota, there heartfelt goal is to place foster children with forever families. And last but not least we were able to reveal the enchanting plans for the Children’s Rainforest at Selby Gardens.

Catering to those who share my love for animals we highlighted some of our local animal organizations. I found myself in awe of Kay Rosaire and her exotic family at the Big Cat Habitat and Gulf Coast Sanctuary. Just as inspiring was our trip to Southeastern Guide Dogs where we were able to see firsthand the love and dedication that goes into training these hardworking canine heroes. While touring the remarkable South Florida Museum it was wonderful to get reacquainted with my old school pal Snooty, who by the way spell checks as Snotty which is very dangerous in my field of work.

Taking my passion for food a step farther we shared with our readers the incredible contributions made by the All Faith’s Food Bank. I also had the great pleasure to write a piece on my mentor, past employer and great philanthropist Lee Wetherington. I was touched when we decided to showcase SPARCC a remarkable local agency that works tirelessly to put an end to domestic and sexual violence. We completed the year with a visit to the Sarasota National Cemetery where our veterans are given an eternal memorial for their honorable sacrifice.

I have opened myself and my home to REAL readers, giving you a glimpse into my personal life through my monthly editorial column. Sharing a wide range of subjects from my “green/ Recessionista” lifestyle, marking tips, garden planning, color trends, model home tips and tricks, and interesting new items from the builders conference.
 
Working with the REAL team has made this past year both entertaining and memorable. I hope you have enjoyed your first year of REAL Magazine as much as I have enjoyed contributing.

Tracy L. Eisnaugle has practiced interior design in Sarasota since 1997 and is currently self employed providing design consultation services in the area. She is a graduate from Florida State University with a Bachelor of Science in Interior Design and continues her education by attending annual conferences. Her past experience includes, Design Center Manager for Lee Wetherington Homes, high-end residential design and model merchandising. Tracy may be reached at 941.232.3358 or by e-mail at tleisnaugle@msn.com.