Month: December 2017

Accolades of Pensacola – Fun Fact Friday

Pensacola – A Great Place to Live

White sandy beaches, good food, a thriving downtown – these are just some of the features that make Pensacola great. But it’s not only our personal opinion that determines whether these features are great or not. Other companies and organizations have recognized Pensacola in the form of accolades and awards as a wonderful place to live and play. From our beaches to the National Naval Aviation Museum to West Florida Hospital, Pensacola has proven it has a lot to offer.

Check out some of the accolades Pensacola has won just this year:

  • Trip Advisor – Top Ten Beaches in the US, #7 Best Beach in the World
  • Truvin Health Analytics | IBM Watson Health – Top 100 hospital (West Florida)
  • Luxury Travel Guide – The Wildlife Destination of 2017 (Perdido Key)
  • CNN Travel – Top 12 Military Museums to Visit in the World (NNAM)
  • Thrillist – #2 Most Affordable Beach Town

We may not have needed affirmation to convince us Pensacola is a great city with a lot to offer, but it’s always an honor to see Pensacola recognized! I’m personally intrigued by the “#2 Most Affordable Beach Town” award. Beach house, anyone? I know a great Realtor!

What do you love most about Pensacola? Let us know via comment! Happy Friday!

For the complete list of awards, check out the link below:

Source: Award-Winning Pensacola

Merry Christmas!

In all the hubbub of traveling, shopping, wrapping, and cooking, I have neglected to look up any interesting facts for Fun Fact Friday. However, I didn’t want this Friday to go by without at least a little something. Mainly, I wanted to wish you all a very merry Christmas.

I hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas and a happy new year. May you all be overflowing with love and joy this holiday season, and have a refreshing celebration with friends and family. May your 2018 find you healthier, happier, and more blessed than your 2017.

From the Mahoney Team to you: Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Christmas Heritage – Fun Fact Friday

A World of celebration

Christmas is just 10 days away! While I’m excited for Christmas to come, I can hardly believe December is already halfway over! Where does the time go? Anyway, because Christmas is so close, I wanted to look into some of the holiday traditions that make up our Christmas heritage.

  • Norway – You may be familiar with Christmas time being called Yuletide. This term is derived from the Norwegian tradition of the yule log. On the winter solstice, the people of Norway would light the yule log to symbolize the sun’s recurrence. Therefore, because December 21st is so close to December 25th, Christmas is called Yuletide.
  • Germany – Christmas trees hail from Germany. The Germans began decorating trees as a winter tradition before making it specifically a Christmas tradition by the 1600’s. During the 1700’s, these “Christmas trees” became popular throughout Germany. England and America eventually adopted the tradition as well in the 1800’s.
  • Mexico – The country of Mexico produces the holiday-favorite poinsettia plant. Joel R. Poinsett, for which the plant is named, brought the poinsettia over to America in the early 19th century.
  • England – The English made sending Christmas cards a common tradition with the work of such like John Calcott Horsley. The English also established the traditions of kissing under the mistletoe, Christmas caroling, and hanging stockings.

Reading over the history of our traditions, I find it fascinating that so many cultures make up our Christmas heritage. Traditions – some centuries old! – from all over the world have blended together to make Christmas how we celebrate today. Do you have any family- or culture-specific traditions that aren’t listed here? Tell us about them! We’d love to hear how you celebrate Christmas!

Source: History.com – Christmas Traditions Worldwide

Pearl Harbor Day – Fun Fact Friday

Sunday, December 7, 1941

“Yesterday, December 7th, 1941 – a date which will live in infamy – the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked…” These were the portentous opening words of President Roosevelt’s speech to Congress following the Japanese bombing of Pearl Harbor. Seventy-six years later, and on the anniversary of President Roosevelt’s speech, we remember the turning point of America’s position in World War II.

Early that Sunday morning, when many Americans were still waking up, the first Japanese bomber was spotted. Before long, over 300 Japanese bombers were flying over Pearl Harbor raining destruction. The Japanese loss was minute compared to American losses. “Some 30 planes, five midget submarines, and fewer than 100 men” were lost by the Japanese. The American loss amounted to “five of eight battleships, three destroyers, and seven other ships[,] sunk or severely damaged, and more than 200 aircraft.” By the end of the attack, over 3,600 Americans were either killed or wounded.

Such a move by the Japanese was enough to bring the United States into the war. Thus, President Roosevelt gave his famous speech asking Congress to agree to a declaration of war against Japan. They agreed by a landslide. Within a few days, Germany and Italy retaliated by declaring war on the United States, and America became fully engaged in World War II.

Although most of us alive today don’t know what it was like to wake up 76 years ago and discover the U.S. had been attacked, we can still remember those who defended our country on that day and every day since. Let us never forget those who have gone before to defend this nation and help shape it into what it is today. Never forget where we’ve come from, and we will see where we’re going.

Source: History.com

Pensacola Lighthouse – Fun Fact Friday

A Pensacola Landmark

Pensacola’s historic lighthouse has been in existence since 1859. Well, actually, there was another lighthouse that was first lit in 1824. So then why does the sign say it was established in 1859 if there has been a lighthouse in Pensacola since 1824? That’s because there were two lighthouses built. The one that we see and can tour today is the latter one. Take a look at the timeline to see the changes:

  • 1823 – The idea of building a lighthouse was brought forward for consideration.
  • 1824 – Construction was completed and the first keeper, Jeremiah Ingraham, was stationed.
  • 1850 – Grievances arose stating that the lighthouse was not adequately lit.
  • 1856 – A different location was chosen for a new lighthouse and construction began.
  • 1858 – Construction of the improved 159-foot lighthouse was completed.
  • 1859 –  On New Years day, the light was lit in the new lighthouse.

Today, tourists and locals can still visit the historic 1859 lighthouse, walk up its 177 steps, and look out over the Gulf of Mexico. If you haven’t seen the lighthouse yet or are planning to visit, this Saturday would be the perfect time to go! Saturday, December 2nd is the Pensacola Lighthouse and Museum’s Christmas Gala. From 2 – 5 P.M., enjoy free admission, refreshments, Christmas decorations, and more! Santa will even be there for the kids!

Have you been to the lighthouse yet? Did you climb all 177 steps? If you go this Saturday, let us know how it was! We’ll be getting our Christmas tree, otherwise; we’d go too.

Source: PensacolaLighthouse.org