Catalyst Connect Series
Theresa Bender
- What is your favorite urban venue in Tallahassee? “Railroad Square.”
- What do you wish you had more time for? “Mostly cycling. It’s my passion; I used to be able to go 5 times a week, and now it’s more like 2 times a week. I love to go with people, so it’s created quite a social network and interactive environment. I used to be a solo rider, but now my social circle has gotten bigger because I’ve started riding with people.”
- Tallahassee in 1 word or phrase? “Old Florida. We are so blessed to be living here. It’s so beautiful, and I’ve lived here for thirty years and didn’t realize how amazing it was until I started riding my bike. I’m really big on preservation and maintaining that Old Florida sense. I want to keep Tallahassee’s uniqueness and stay smart with our growth, while preserving what we have.”
- What is your favorite place to bike in Tallahassee? “The lighthouse ride from the Shack in St. Marks to the lighthouse. I also like the Capitola-Baum area and going from the Buck Lake area to the county lines. I love seeing all of the beautiful springs around Tallahassee too. I just love cycling around here.”
- Why did you apply to be a catalyst for this bike project? “I have a Facebook page called Tallahassee Lassee, which I started to highlight cycling in Tallahassee. It’s a form of photographic journalism to promote safe cycling in this area. I think our greatest resource here is our outdoors. Our industry is our outdoors and what drives much of our tourism dollars.”
- Who do you root for? “I root for FSU until they play Wake Forest, where I went to law school.
Bo Courtenay
- What is your favorite urban venue in Tallahassee? “The Cascades Park area. I work out there on Saturday mornings at the amphitheater, there’s so many different venues nearby as well.”
- What do you wish you had more time for? “I wish I had more time to spend with my kids. They’re both at FSU in the Air Force ROTC. I know my time with them is limited, so I wish I could be with them more often. I’m so lucky to live in Tallahassee and be close to them.”
- Tallahassee in 1 word or phrase? “Innovative.”
- What is your favorite place to bike in Tallahassee? “I would say Cascades Park again. A close runner-up is Tom Brown Park. I’m part of the Tallahassee Ruck Crew, so we like to go to different local parks and work out with ruck sacks on our back. They’re such a friendly group and have made my wife and I feel very welcome here.
- Why did you apply to be a catalyst for this bike project? “I am retired and I started getting the feeling after 2 and a half years that I wasn’t really doing much for myself and my community. I wanted to get more involved while I’m still young and able to get outside. The idea of being creative in this type of project is something I’ve never been able to do. Being a government employee for 27 years, I was used to sticking to direct instructions from Monday-Sunday.”
- Who do you root for? “I’m always rooting for the underdog. If there’s an away team playing at a local stadium, I root for them because of everything they’re dealing with- traveling, being away from home, and missing loved ones.”
Tarsha Davis
- What is your favorite urban venue in Tallahassee? “Cascades Park.”
- What do you wish you had more time for? “I wish I had more time to go to the beach. I love Destin Beach and Pensacola Beach. I would also like to go back and rediscover St. George Island. One of the things I love about Tallahassee is being so close to the beach.”
- Tallahassee in 1 word or phrase? “Invitingly livable.”
- What is your favorite place to bike in Tallahassee? “My neighborhood in Betton Hills. Tallahassee has so many beautiful places to walk, like Cascades Park.”
- Why did you apply to be a catalyst for this bike project? “To really be more involved in the community. My husband and I have been here for almost 8 years, and we’ve spent a lot of time going back and forth between here and Albany, GA where we have family. We haven’t really established many roots in Tallahassee yet. I’m also creative by nature; KCCI has always been on my radar for the creative opportunities. I also realized after talking with Betsy that KCCI is a great way to have an impact on my community and become involved as a catalyst. I’m excited to put my best effort forward in this position.”
- Who do you root for? “I root for humanity and children. When it comes to teams, I root for the Dallas Cowboys and Los Angeles Lakers.”
Chris Edwards
- What is your favorite urban venue in Tallahassee? “I really like Goodwood. I like the mix of older styles and modern events.”
- What do you wish you had more time for? “The beach. My family loves going to relax at St. George and the Ochlocknee Bay.”
- Tallahassee in 1 word or phrase? “Home. Tallahassee is where I grew up and then chose to come back to after my wife and I lived in Atlanta for about 15 years. I wanted to raise my kids in Tallahassee, which is home to me.”
- What is your favorite place to bike in Tallahassee? “The Overstreet trails and Elinor Phipps Park. There’s a lot of different areas to explore.”
- Why did you apply to be a catalyst for this bike project? “I’m always looking for ways to get involved and make Tallahassee better. I moved back here by choice, and this is where I wanted to be. I wanted to be involved with KCCI because it’s an organization that makes this town even better and accentuates it.”
- Who do you root for? “Most of the Atlanta teams. I root for FSU because I grew up here.”
Bill Eichhoefer
- What is your favorite urban venue in Tallahassee? “Railroad Square.”
- What do you wish you had more time for? “Just hanging out and relaxing, maybe having more time to go to a beer garden or brew my own beer.”
- Tallahassee in 1 word or phrase? “Creative.”
- What is your favorite place to bike in Tallahassee? “The Overstreet trails. Torreya is also beautiful.”
- Why did you apply to be a catalyst for this bike project? “I like to make a difference and be part of solutions. It’s about placemaking and making Tallahassee a better place to live. We have a lot of history in Leon County and can draw more people here as we continue building a strong sense of place.”
- Who do you root for? “The Seminoles of course! I also root for the Rattlers.”
Richard Fetchick
- What is your favorite urban venue in Tallahassee? “I love the Wilbury.”
- What do you wish you had more time for? “I try and maintain a pretty good work-life balance. I tend to not feel like I need more time; I actively fight the rush to relax.”
- Tallahassee in 1 word or phrase? “Special.”
- What is your favorite place to bike in Tallahassee? “I bike every day, I like riding around the hills in our downtown area. Especially on the weekend when it feels like your own free ranging bike course.”
- Why did you apply to be a catalyst for this bike project? “I have loved and admired placemaking through Project for Public Spaces. I try to be an active community maker.”
- Who do you root for? “The Spurs basketball team.”
Suzannah Grasel
- What is your favorite urban venue in Tallahassee? “Railroad Square.”
- What do you wish you had more time for? “Reading and traveling.”
- Tallahassee in 1 word or phrase? “Sassy.”
- What is your favorite place to bike in Tallahassee? “Definitely the St. Marks Trail.”
- Why did you apply to be a catalyst for this bike project? “I see a lot of potential in my hometown and am beyond excited to contribute to a new public space!”
- Who do you root for? “The good guys.”
Eric Katz
- What is your favorite urban venue in Tallahassee? “Cascades Park. I also love Railroad Square.”
- What do you wish you had more time for? “Reading. There’s so much to learn. My favorite book is The Alchemist.”
- Tallahassee in 1 word or phrase? “Pleasant.”
- What is your favorite place to bike in Tallahassee? “The Lafayette Greenway or Miccosukee Greenway.”
- Why did you apply to be a catalyst for this bike project? “I’m extremely passionate about building walkable communities. I moved here from Miami to do a statewide bike work project. I’m not just passionate about regional planning, I’m also interested in community planning. Since I’m new here, I want to set my tone and give something back to Tallahassee.”
- Who do you root for? “Miami heat. Locally, the Tallahassee Soccer Club.”
Molly Lord
- What is your favorite urban venue in Tallahassee? “Cascades Park.”
- What do you wish you had more time for? “I wish I had more time for reading and truly relaxing.”
- Tallahassee in 1 word or phrase? “Canopy roads. The trees are such a beauty here.”
- What is your favorite place to bike in Tallahassee? “Lately, it’s been Cascades because the paths are wide. I grew up in Orlando and did a lot of roller blading because it was flat. When I came to Tallahassee, I found I couldn’t do much of that anymore because of all the hills. I like to roller blade and bike at Cascades though.”
- Why did you apply to be a catalyst for this bike project? “I participated in Opportunity of Tallahassee when I was new in the working profession after college. Mayor John Dailey spoke to us about Cascades and the upcoming splash areas and park amenities like bike paths. I enjoyed hearing about a new community asset that I had first-hand knowledge of. Being part of this project helps me give back to the community in another way and create an actual space where people can enjoy.”
- Who do you root for? “Certainly the Noles. I also always root for the underdog, whether it’s fighting for a better tomorrow for low income families, or our local businesses.”
Patrick O’Bryant
- What is your favorite urban venue in Tallahassee? “Township.”
- What do you wish you had more time for? “A lot of things but I mostly wish I had more time to learn about the world and read books.”
- Tallahassee in 1 word or phrase? “Home.”
- What is your favorite place to bike in Tallahassee? “Cascades Park.”
- Why did you apply to be a catalyst for this bike project? “The idea of being a catalyst and helping to make the community a better place stuck out to me. I’m from Tallahassee and love it here. I came back after going away for law school and want to help make it a place where other people want to stay or come back to.”
- Who do you root for? “Florida State always.”
Jamiron Richardson (Miron)
- What is your favorite urban venue in Tallahassee? “The Capitol building.”
- What do you wish you had more time for? “I wish I had more time to spend with my family outside of Florida.”
- Tallahassee in 1 word or phrase? “New home.”
- What is your favorite place to bike in Tallahassee? “Anywhere near Cascades.”
- Why did you apply to be a catalyst for this bike project? “I am interested in learning more about the cycling culture here. Being new to the community and getting out there to contribute to a Bike Park appealed to me. I want to impart some of myself into a project that makes others feel more welcome while making it feel like home for me.”
- Who do you root for? “Anybody who is battling cancer, and their family experiencing the battle.”
Jessica Sorenson
- What is your favorite urban venue in Tallahassee? “Cascades Park.”
- What do you wish you had more time for? “Creating a women’s cycling club or team in Tallahassee. I feel like I don’t have enough women to bike with who are involved with those teams.”
- Tallahassee in 1 word or phrase? “Leave things better than you found them.”
- What is your favorite place to bike in Tallahassee? “Munson Hills. It’s accessible by the St. Marks Trail but it feels like a secret terrain. It’s also such a different view of Tallahassee with the long-leaf pine ecosystem.”
- Why did you apply to be a catalyst for this bike project? “I’m a big supporter of traveling sustainably and promoting bicycle safety. I think a lot of people are intimidated of getting on a bike and don’t quite understand that compared to walking, it’s the most energy efficient form of transportation. Riding with people gets you to places in a fun way. I want to get young people interested in a Bike Park and biking for transportation.”
- Who do you root for? “Community.”
Callie Watson
- What is your favorite urban venue in Tallahassee? “Cascades Park.”
- What do you wish you had more time for? “Crafts and creative outlets.”
- Tallahassee in 1 word or phrase? “Creativity.”
- What is your favorite place to bike in Tallahassee? “I really like walking at Miccosukee Greenway but the St. Marks Trail is great for biking and walking.
- Why did you apply to be a catalyst for this bike project? “I have an interest in bike culture and safety. I’ve never explored it and have always wanted to be in a KCCI class, so it was a good joining of the two.”
- Who do you root for? “Future generations.”