Marathon Weekly 20-0220

It’s National Margarita Day | P.43

1¢

BLACK HISTORY St. Paul’s AME more than 100 years old | P.29

UP: MOBILE HOMES County: three feet is not enough | P.5 DRAMA in NYC Students travel to study theater | P.30

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MARATHON WEEKLY / FEBRUARY 20, 2020

Peter L. Rosasco, CPA

Recognized by the AICPA Peer

Rita A. Couch, CPA

Review Program for Quality

Linda K. Johnson, CPA

Control and Professional

Donna M. Hoffman, CPA

Standards for Accounting and

Dennis M. Bishop, CPA (ret)

Auditing Practices 8085 Overseas Hwy, Marathon, FL 33050 (305) 743-6586

Bishop, Rosasco & Co, Certified Public Accountants provides tax, financial advisory, audit and assurance, management consulting, accounting and, bookkeeping services to over 800 individuals, small businesses, non-profit organizations, governments and have been doing so in Monroe County for over 40 years.

Our professional staff includes four fully licensed CPAs as well as trained professional support staff and bookkeepers.

Recent tax law changes offer many potential windfalls to individuals and businesses. There are also many pitfalls with substantial penalties for mistakes, intentional or otherwise.

There are individuals that represent themselves as tax professionals but, in actuality hold no professional training or actual designation that allow them to represent clients before the IRS. The initials “PA”, stand for “Professional Association” and do not reflect anything more than a form of doing business in the state of Florida. The initials “PA” holds no meaning as to actual credentials: they do not stand for “Public Accountant” in the State of Florida or reflect any professional competence or licensing that allows them to practice before the IRS. Bottom line is only a CPA, Attorney or an Enrolled Agent can represent a client before the IRS—please don’t be misled—ask to see proof that appropriate licensing exists before you engage a tax professional.

We are happy to announce our new Elder Care Accounting Services for you, your loved one, or your elderly neighbor, friend, or client.

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• We work with local attorneys who are providing Estate Planning, Legal and Trustee services to elderly clients.

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MARATHON WEEKLY / FEBRUARY 20, 2020

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4

COMMUNITY NEWS

MARATHON WEEKLY / FEBRUARY 20, 2020

NUMBER OF THE WEEK

54,175 9709 Overseas Hwy. Marathon, FL 33050 Office: 305.743.0844 www.keysweekly.com

Publisher

Jason Koler jason@keysweekly.com

Publishing Partner

Britt Myers britt@keysweekly.com

Editor

Sara Matthis sara@keysweekly.com

Copy Editor

Mike Howie mike@keysweekly.com

Account Executives

Lesley Aaron lesley@keysweekly.com Christina Valdes christina@keysweekly.com Patti Childress patti@keysweekly.com

Staff Writers

Jim McCarthy jim@keysweekly.com Tiffany Duong tiffany@keysweekly.com Mandy Miles mandy@keysweekly.com

Production Manager

Anneke Patterson anneke@keysweekly.com

Office/Circulation Manager Charlotte Hruska char@keysweekly.com

Design / Pre-Press

Javier Reyes javier@keysweekly.com Irene de Bruijn irene@keysweekly.com

Design / Web Master

Travis Cready travis@keysweekly.com

Classifieds

Anneke Patterson anneke@keysweekly.com 305.743.0844

Se habla español

THE MARATHON WEEKLY (ISSN 1944-0812) IS PUBLISHED WEEKLY FOR $125 PER YEAR

BY WEEKLY NEWSPAPERS, INC., 9709 OVERSEAS HIGHWAY, MARATHON FL 33050. APPLICATION TO MAIL AT PERIODICALS POSTAGE RATES IS PENDING AT FORT LAUDERDALE FL AND ADDITIONAL MAILING OFFICES. All stories, photos, and graphics are copyrighted materials.

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News Deadline

Tuesday Noon

Advertising Deadline Tuesday 2 p.m.

That’s the number of active voters in Monroe County as of Feb. 14, per the Monroe County Supervisor of Elections Office. Of that number, 17,859 are registered Democrats, 21,501 are Republican and 13,952 have no political affiliation. A total of 863 belong to other parties. As for inactive voters, there are 7,172 in the county.

HURLEY TO SIT ON FEMA WORKING GROUP

M

onroe County Assistant County Administrator Christine Hurley was appointed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to sit on its hazard mitigation assistance external stakeholder working group. The group of 12 people from across the country will work to streamline mitigation grants, study obstacles, make recommendations and give their perspectives on ways to improve community abilities to leverage grant funds to rebuild their structures and infrastructure to be more resilient when storms affect the physical environment.

Hurley is the only Florida representative.

The hazard mitigation assistance programs provide pre- and post-disaster funding in communities across the country. Examples include elevations or reconstruction of structures below the minimum required flood elevations or rebuilding critical facilities and infrastructure to withstand future wind Christine Hurley, and flood impacts.

Monroe County “This is an excellent assistant county opportunity to make administrator.

CONTRIBUTED sure the programs available to our county can be more efficient and effective”, said Hurley. “Monroe County has a unique insight on these matters, especially with us facing sea level rise and increased severe weather events, and I know this appointment will allow us to delve deep into issues that will affect the County.”

The group was created to increase engagement and transparency between FEMA and stakeholderss at the federal, state, territory, local, and tribal levels by gathering local information to improve use of these funding opportunities and increasing visibility of priorities and policies.

More information is at www.fema.gov/ hazard-mitigation-assistance-externalstakeholder-working-group.

— Contributed

ON THE COVER Pastor Larry White talks about St. Paul AME’s history in Marathon and how it has evolved.

See story, page 29. SARA MATTHIS/Keys Weekly

BRIEFLY Sheriff’s warning: No texting in school zones The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office will be targeting motorists in school zones next week who are violating a law that went into effect in July banning motorists from using cell phones, tablets, laptops, two-way messaging devices, electronic games or any other electronic device used in handheld manner.

State law allows law enforcement to stop vehicles and issue tickets to motorists who are texting and driving. A person may not operate a motor vehicle while manually typing or entering multiple letters, numbers or symbols into a wireless communications device to text, email or instant message.

The same law prohibits the use of wireless communications devices in a handheld manner in a school and work zone. A person may not operate a motor vehicle while using a wireless communications device in a handheld manner in a designated school crossing, school zone or active work zone area. Active work zone,according to state law, means that construction personnel are present or are operating equipment on the road or immediately adjacent to the work zone area.

Watercolorist holds workshop in Marathon in March Florida watercolorist Charles Passarelli will hold his eighth annual workshop in Marathon on Thursday and Friday, March 12-13 at San Pablo Church’s parish hall.

It runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day, with an hour break for lunch.

The workshop’s composition is an underwater scene. The cost is $175 and refreshments are included. All skill levels are welcome. For more information, contact the workshop coordinator Julie Joyce at 305-7313046 or juliejoyce2@yahoo.com.

CFFK accepting applications for local grants The Community Foundation of the Florida Keys (CFFK) is accepting applications for its 2020 grant program to support projects and services to benefit residents and visitors throughout the Florida Keys. The deadline to apply is Tuesday, March 10 and applications are available at cffk.org.

The foundation will award grants, up to $10,000 each, to 501(c)(3) charitable nonprofits in Monroe County for programs in all areas.

Spread the word: 2020 census starts soon

By April 1, Monroe County households will receive an invitation to participate in the 2020 Census and residents will have three options to respond – online, by phone or by mail.

Residents are required by law to participate in the 2020 count. All responses are confidential.

The census determines how many seats Monroe County and Florida have in Congress. (The U.S. Constitution requires that electoral districts be periodically adjusted or redrawn to account for population shifts.) Recovery organizations like FEMA rely heavily on data collected by the census to help guide recovery efforts and plan for future emergencies.

MONROE COUNTY

MARATHON WEEKLY / FEBRUARY 20, 2020

TYING UP LOOSE ENDS BOCC VOTES TO REMOVE OLD PROVISION ALLOWING SOME LOWER ELEVATIONS TIFFANY DUONG

I

tiffany@keysweekly.com

n January, the BOCC took the last required step to upgrade to a Community Rating System (CRS) Class 4 designation -- or so they thought.

The Community Rating System (CRS) recognizes communities that manage their floodplain risk which, in turn, earns the entire community a flood insurance discount off their premium. The upgrade from a Class 5 to a Class 4 will save flood insurance policyholders an additional $1 million annually.

During reviews for the upgrade, an old provision in the Land Development Code was discovered allowing manufactured and mobile homes to rebuild on 36-inch piers rather than elevating completely to minimum base flood elevations, said Assistant County Administrator Christine Hurley.

“This is considered by ISO (Insurance Services Office Inc., which works with FEMA and insurance companies to review CRS applications) and FEMA to be not 100% in compliance with having regulations that eliminate flood risk,” said Hurley. “Therefore, if we do not eliminate this allowance, we will likely not be classified into a Class 4.”

Staff were surprised by this “holdover from decades ago,” when mobile homes were given special exceptions as affordable housing, said Hurley.

“They’re still affordable housing, but we all know how they survived Irma. They did not, and allowing them to be built on 36-inch piers is not in the best interest of public safety,” she said.

Commissioner Craig Cates agreed. He said, “At 36 inches above grade and with no height requirement for grade to be set, this could be just 2 feet above sea level. That’s dangerous.” He added, “I don’t know how this passed years ago, but it’s time we change it.”

Commissioner David Rice incredulously said, “As is, we’re taking the most vulnerable in Monroe County and putting them in the most vulnerable place. We can’t do that.”

Hurley requested moving forward with a code amendment to eliminate the exception for these mobile home parks. In order to achieve a CRS Class 4 rating manufactured and mobile homes must be compliant with everyone else. She noted that any code changes would be open for public input and would come back to the BOCC for final approval.

Mayor Heather Carruthers was quick to point out that the change would only apply for new repairs or replacements and would not require current homes to be retrofitted.

“This only applies when a mobile home is damaged beyond 50% of its value or if someone wants to voluntarily change,” said Carruthers. Commissioner Michelle Coldiron added, “Yes, they don’t have to do anything today. It’s only if they’re under repair or if they choose to change.”

The commission voted unanimously for the amendment. Coldiron said, “This will impact our mobile home parks in the county. What it will do, though, is make them flood-proof.”

Coldiron acknowledged that some might be upset by the decision, which could make it harder for an elderly person to climb up steps to their unit. “It gets offset, though, when the first flooding happens, and they’re high and dry and can move back in right away.”

Assistant County Administrator Christine Hurley briefs the BOCC on the code holdover impeding a CRS Class 4 upgrade. TIFFANY DUONG/Keys Weekly

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COMMUNITY NEWS SAVE THE DATE

Thursday, Feb. 20 • Key West airport disaster exercise, all day.

• Alzheimer’s seminar at 12:30 p.m. at Marathon Senior Center, 33rd Street.

• Easy yoga at 10 a.m. at Marathon library.

• Duplicate bridge at 1 p.m. at Marathon Senior Center.

• Friends of the Marathon Library speaker Frank Greenman speaks at 2 p.m. St. Columba, Marathon.

Feb. 21-22 • Hemp and Arts Festival at Marathon Community Park.

• “Queen of Bingo” reading at 8 p.m. at Marathon Community Theatre.

Friday, Feb. 21 • Alzheimer’s seminar at 10:30 a.m. at Big Pine Senior Center, Big Pine Key. • Arts and Crafts for Preschoolers at 10:30 a.m.; Art with Sylvia at 4 p.m.; Abdul Mateen of Maasai performs at 6 p.m. at Marathon library.

• Pizza! At the Dolphin Bistro from 4 to 8 p.m., $20.

• Mardi Gras fundraiser to benefit FIRM from 4:30 p.m. at Waterfront Brewery, Key West.

Feb. 22 - 23 • Upper Keys Rotary Club Gigantic Nautical Flea Market, Founders Park, MM 87.

Saturday, Feb. 22 • Tween Time: Arts & Crafts, Maker Projects games and more at 10:30 a.m. at Marathon library.

• Second annual Native Taxi Classic Golf Tournament at noon (register at 10:30 a.m.) at Florida Keys Country Club. Call 305-434-2433.

Sunday, Feb. 23 • Nature, bird and history walk at 12:15 p.m. at Crane Point Museum.

• KCBCA concert featuring 4 Sheets to the Wind at 4 p.m. at Sunset Park, Key Colony Beach.

• Arts & Crafts Bazaar from noon to 5 p.m. at Banana Bay Resort, Marathon.

Monday, Feb. 24 • Easy yoga at 10 a.m. at Marathon library.

• Learn to Play Chess (all ages) at 4 p.m. at Marathon library.

Tuesday, Feb. 25 • Art with Sylvia at 10 a.m. at Marathon library.

• Duplicate bridge at 1 p.m. at Marathon Senior Center.

MARATHON WEEKLY / FEBRUARY 20, 2020

PERSONAL HISTORY KEYS HISTORY BRAD BERTELLI

www.keysweekly.com

W

hen I packed up my backpack and left Southern California, this is not exactly how I pictured my life developing. For $100, I bought a one-way ticket from Los Angeles to Miami from the classified section of the Los Angeles Times. I had to borrow the $100 from a friend as the budget for my big plan was razor-thin. When I landed at Miami International Airport in October 1989, I had about $300 in my wallet, no credit card, no job and no place to go.

That first night, I slept in the airport, on the floor, using my backpack as a pillow. The next morning, I brushed my teeth in the airport bathroom, found my way to the Greyhound bus terminal, and bought a ticket to Fort Myers. From there, I hitchhiked out to Captiva Island and the rest is, as they say, history.

Since I was 16, the only things I ever wanted were to drive a Jeep, live on an island and write. Back in 1989, I was a fiction writer, writing short stories and submitting them to magazines and journals. Rejection letters were routinely delivered to my mailbox. For those trying to get published, rejection is a constant reality for writers. But, I did manage to buy my first Jeep in 1992.

Unhappy with my performance as a writer, I packed up the Jeep in 1993 and moved back to Southern California where I enrolled at California State University, Long Beach. I earned my bachelor’s degree in English and graduated in 1996. After, I packed up the Jeep again, drove back across the country to South Florida, and continued my pursuit of the writing life. This time, I was living in Fort Myers and waiting tables out on Sanibel Island.

I continued to write fiction, crafting short stories, submitting them to magazines and being rejected. Now, some of the rejection letters were notated with positive comments from editors. One day, I received an acceptance letter that had a check with a $5 payment inside. I was a paid writer. I never cashed the check and still have it in a small box filled with special things.

But, because I wanted to make sure I was doing everything I could to be successful, I applied to graduate school.

The University of Miami accepted me

and I was awarded a James A. Michener Fellowship. I earned my master’s in creative writing, graduated in 2001, and moved to Plantation Key. I continued to write every day, working on short stories and several versions of a novel. In 2004, I met my future wife, the beautiful Michelle Bertelli, hair stylist extraordinaire and one of the top bridal specialists in the Florida Keys. I also bought my second Jeep. In 2007, I won the Key West Writers Guild award for a novel-in-progress. Shortly thereafter, I stopped writing fiction. The metaphoric road down which I had been traveling forked and I ventured down my current historic path.

Beyond the occasional late night dabble in the world of fiction, I have not played with those kinds of words in more than a decade. My world has been drawn around the history of the Florida Keys in general and the Upper Keys in particular, which I study and write about nearly every single day. In addition to my current gig, I have published several books and have been writing a history column in the local newspapers since 2012.

After working in the hospitality industry for 25 years, waiting on tables and bartending, I was able to hang up my apron in 2014. I was afforded the opportunity to curate the Keys History & Discovery Center, to build a museum about Florida Keys history from scratch. Working at the Discovery Center is a lot like writing a big book of Florida Keys history, but one where I get to incorporate images, artifacts, interactive features and the coolest model of Indian Key ever made.

At the end of the day, at the end of every day, I live on an island, in a house we bought on Plantation Key in 2013, and make my living writing. In 2017, I bought my third Jeep. Last year, we celebrated our 10th anniversary with a vacation at the place I had hitchhiked out to 30 years prior with nothing but a backpack, $300, and a dream – Captiva Island. No, the life I set off to find more than three decades ago is not exactly the life I uncovered, but it simply could not have turned out better.

Brad Bertelli is curator of the Keys History & Discovery Center.

BRIEFLY

Upper Keys event to affect U.S. 1 traffic Motorists on U.S. 1 should give themselves extra time to get through Islamorada this weekend as the Nautical Flea Market at Founders Park will affect traffic on U.S. 1. The event is scheduled to run 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 22 and from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 23. Weekend traffic through Islamorada is typically heavy and this weekend should be even more so near MM 87 and the park. Deputies will be assisting with the flow of traffic.

Mark the calendar for Home & Garden Tour The Marathon Garden Club will host the annual House and Garden Tour on Saturday, March 7 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Five unique homes and gardens, and an additional exceptional garden, will be on display. Tickets are $30 and may be purchased at the garden club, 5270 Overseas Highway, MM50, as well as DK Beach Boutique, or from the Marathon Chamber of Commerce. Call the garden club at 305-743-4971 for more information or visit www.marathongardenclub.org.

Learn more about Alzheimer’s care Monroe County Social Services is hosting four free Alzheimer’s Association educational programs throughout the Keys. Each hour-long program is open to the public.

“Anyone interested in learning more about Alzheimer’s disease or who may be concerned about themselves or a loved one should definitely attend,” said Sheryl Graham, Monroe County Director of Social Services.

• Thursday, Feb. 20 at 9 a.m. at Monroe County Social Services, Tradewinds Plaza, 101491 Overseas Hwy., Suite 4, Key Largo.

• Thursday, Feb. 20 at 12:30 p.m. at Marathon Senior Center, 535 33rd Street.

• Thursday, Feb. 20 at 6 p.m. at St. Mary Star of the Sea Klaus Murphy Center, 1010 Windsor Lane, Key West.

• Friday, Feb. 21 at 10:30 a.m. at Big Pine Key Senior Center, 380 Key Deer Blvd.

To RSVP or for more information, please call 800-272-3900.

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LAW ENFORCEMENT

MARATHON WEEKLY / FEBRUARY 20, 2020 Monroe County Sheriff Rick Ramsay speaks to community leaders in Key Largo during a Chamber of Commerce luncheon. JIM McCARTHY/Keys Weekly

CLEAN COMMUNITIES Sheriff reports crime reduction JIM McCARTHY

jim@keysweekly.com

B

etter, safer, cleaner streets.

Better, safer, cleaner neighborhoods. Those were Monroe County Sheriff Rick Ramsay’s words as he reported a 13.6% reduction in crime for 2019 to community leaders in Key Largo recently.

In the past two years alone, Ramsay said, crime went down 30 percent.

“This is the safest it’s ever been,” he said. “Crime still exists. But overall, this is one of the safest places to live, work and play.”

Ramsay attributes the downtick in crime to several factors, including the community policing approach among the men and women who patrol the streets and neighborhoods. Throughout the year, deputies will take part in community cleanups, interact with youth at local schools and volunteer at events.

“First off, there’s got to be a vision from the CEO of where you want to go and what your goals and objectives are,” he said. “Those goals and objectives focus on community policing and reducing crime.”

“Another factor is we have some of the best men and women in law enforcement in Monroe County,” he continued. “We are so blessed. You know a lot of our staff from the captains to the lieutenants. These people are your friends, and that’s part of our community policing program — to be involved in the community.”

On the investigations side, Ramsay reported an all-time high in solving major index crime, or felonies. The state averages around 25% to 26% in solving the worst crimes. In 2019, Ramsay said the sheriff’s office had a 43 % solvability rate — up from 38.3% the year before.

“We’re evaluated by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement about our effectiveness. They evaluate police departments and sheriff’s offices across the state to see how effective you are,” he said. “The things we’re doing to work hard to focus on you — the quality of life — and focus on proactive policing versus reactive. A lot of agencies are reactive. They wait for the call. We try to prevent and ensure and focus to try to stop it before it happens. If it does happen, we stay aggressive to solve it.”

The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office holds five professional accreditation certifications, including both national and Florida state law enforcement accreditations. By being accredited, Ramsay said the office lives by the best standards and practices in the industry.

“We take a lot of pride in that, and we think you should too,” he said.

“These are our efforts to make sure you have the best law enforcement agency anywhere, and you feel confident about this agency and where we’re headed.”

With effective policing and top accreditations, the sheriff also takes his fiscal responsibility seriously. Last year, Ramsay gave back $5.7 million to the county commission. It’s due in part to programs like Trauma Star, which flies 1,000 missions and saves many lives each year. The flights generated $1 million to the county.

Space at the Stock Island Corrections Facility is rented to jail federal inmates. As a result, the jail made $2.2 million last year.

“This year, we negotiated with the feds, and we’re expected to make about $3 million, which I give back to the county,” he said.

9

Sgt. Joshua Brady, left, Sheriff Rick Ramsay and Sgt. Ben Elmore celebrate the two men’s promotion within the Monroe County Sheriff's Office. SARA MATTHIS/Keys Weekly

2 PROMOTED TO SGT. Elmore, Brady move up in the MCSO ranks

Both Elmore and Brady say they are eager to mentor the next generation of law enforcement officers.

“I get to be supportive of SARA MATTHIS their goals, just like others sara@keysweekly.com were for me,” Elmore said.

“I’m looking forward to the mentorship aspect,” Brady ormerly a detective said. assigned to the Key Brady started his career as Largo district, Ben a corrections officer. Ramsay Elmore will be taking said he remembers when the over as patrol sergeant in young man was working at the Marathon district. Sgt. Domino’s Pizza, and would Joshua Brady, who was a declare that one day he would detective with major crimes, be an officer, just like his dad, will be overseeing the Key Largo district. Both men have Sgt. Jake Brady. He was present at the ceremony, and gave his a combined 22 years on the son his own chevron insignia.

Monroe County Sheriff OfElmore started in dispatch. fice’s force.

“He was a great friend to “It’s always tough to the officers on the other side choose who will be recogof the radio,” said Ramsay. nized, get promoted,” said Sheriff Rick Ramsay, “but these men have distinguished themselves.”

F

Joshua Brady followed his father Jake into law enforcement. Both men are sergeants now.

10

COMMUNITY NEWS

MARATHON WEEKLY / FEBRUARY 20, 2020

This is the second graduating class of the Monroe County Hot Shots program. KRISTEN LIVENGOOD/Monroe County

Program trains firefighters free in exchange for work

T

he second graduating class of the Monroe County “Hot Shots” training program at the county’s Joe London Fire Training Academy wrapped up on Jan. 17 with 27 new graduates successfully completing the 456 hours of intensive classroom and rigorous practical training over the past 3-1/2 months.

This program – approved and funded by the Monroe County Board of

SECOND ‘HOT SHOTS’ CLASS GRADUATES County Commissioners – provides free firefighting and first responder training for qualified Monroe County residents in exchange for a commitment to work or volunteer as a firefighter anywhere in the Florida Keys for three years.

The program waived the $2,200 curriculum fee for qualified local residents – 18 and older with a minimum of a high school diploma or GED – to take the Firefighter I and II courses at the county’s Joe London Training Facility on Grassy Key. The students successfully completed 17 performance objectives of the firefighter program and are now prepared to take the state Firefighter I and II examination. To be hired at Monroe County Fire Rescue, a candidate must also complete EMT training.

“I would like to thank this group of individuals who came together as one and chased the dream of becoming a firefighter,” said Charlie

M

Leslie Firestone, left, and Sandra VanDusen are the queens of the bingo hall at Marathon Community Theatre. ALEX RICKERT/Keys Weekly

ALEX RICKERT

www.keysweekly.com

B-I-N-G-O

‘The Queen of Bingo’ brings a live game night to Marathon Community Theatre

ost shows at Marathon Community Theatre feature more than a few laughs. Very few, if any, offer a chance to pick up a quick game of bingo at intermission. Except, of course, for “The Queen of Bingo,” MCT’s newest gallery reading on stage for one weekend only.

“The Queen of Bingo” follows the lives of sisters Babe (Sandra VanDusen) and Sis (Leslie Firestone) as they visit St. Joseph’s to play, you guessed it, bingo. Firestone portrays Sis as the “elegant older one;” she’s a widow, but comfortable in her current state, and plays Bingo every night “because it makes her happy.” Babe, meanwhile, is described by VanDusen as the more “brash” of the pair. Left by her husband at the age of 42, Babe now constantly struggles with her weight. Realizing that it’s not so easy to play bingo all night and over-eat at the same time, she decides to try Sis’ advice and take up the new hobby as well. Through the eyes of the two sisters, the audience “meets” (translation: hears gossip about) many other members of the community. Larry Garrison completes the cast in a dual role as both Father Mac and “the caller.” “We’re having fun,” said Firestone. “We seem to play off each other pretty well.”

Mather, Monroe County Fire Rescue training chief. “I have challenged you and pushed you this entire program and I have one more challenge for you: I challenge you to be the best you can be.”

The purpose of the program is to lower the high turnover rate of firefighters, which is costly and disruptive. Due to the high cost of living, Monroe County Fire Rescue routinely hires firefighters who live on the mainland and commute to their assigned stations throughout the Keys.

Of the graduating class, 25 were from Monroe County and had their class fees waived. More information on upcoming classes or about the program is at www.monroecountyfl.gov or Bourassa-caitlin@monroecounty-fl.gov. There are no new classes scheduled at this time.

— Contributed

In selecting the show, director Diane Dashevsky said she called upon her own experiences playing bingo.

“I used to play all the time, so when I read the play it just tickled my funny bone,” she said. According to her, the show’s depiction of a bingo hall may be slightly exaggerated, but not by much.

“If you go to a VFW or a fire house up in Jersey, you hear women talking like this all night long. They’re swearing, gossiping and yelling at the caller.”

Although the show exclusively features newcomers to MCT’s stage, Dashevsky said she can’t help but be impressed by what she has seen so far from her cast. “They got into their characters right away, and they’re just so dedicated. Even though it’s a reading and they don’t have to memorize their lines, I can tell they look at their scripts between rehearsals.” She had particular praise for the dynamic between Firestone and VanDusen. “They seem to genuinely feed off of each other.

They could really be sisters. When you have that kind of chemistry between your main characters, the rest is gravy.”

“The Queen of Bingo” runs on Friday and Saturday, Feb. 21-22 at 8 p.m.

Apart from a bit of mild language, it is appropriate for most ages. Tickets are available at www.marathontheater.org, at the box office, or by calling 305-7430994.

11

MARATHON WEEKLY / FEBRUARY 20, 2020

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12

MARATHON

SARA MATTHIS

sara@keysweekly.com

The Feb. 18 workshop generated ideas for passive and active parks.

SARA MATTHIS/Keys Weekly

MARATHON WEEKLY / FEBRUARY 20, 2020

PARK PLAN Quay activity generates ideas

E

veryone can agree that both decorative lighthouses need to be restored on the bayside property at the entrance to Marathon, formerly the site of the Quay restaurant. Everyone agrees that trailered boat traffic needs to be managed. The rest of the ideas floating around the city-hosted workshop on Feb. 18 were not as decisive. Some want a passive park, others do not.

“The next step is to gather up all these ideas and present them to the council,” said Brian Shea, Marathon’s senior planner.

About 20 citizens plus councilmen and city staff were at the workshop, presided over by Marathon Planning Councilmen Lynn Landry, Eugene Gilson, and Mike Leonard (Mike Cinque and Matt Sexton were absent). The participants were divided into five groups of four to five members each. During the first round, they evaluated ideas that have already been presented and added new ones. Then each group nominated a spokesperson to describe the scope of their preferences. During the second round, they drew out their plan on an enlarged site map.

For the final round, participants walked around with colored stickers -- blue for the favorite presentation, orange for the second, and yellow to denote important ideas.

Three of the groups presented a plan that would involve some sort of leased concession -- whether it be to allow food trucks or food vendors, sell sodas, artists selling wares, or rent kayaks and fishing poles.

“We imagine a type of welcome center where people can rent fishing poles or kayaks,” said Gilson. Two of the groups designed passive parks with pavilions and a boardwalk.

“We think the most important need to address is boat trailer parking,” said Leonard, of his group’s vision. “And no playground equipment, but maybe a small splash pad, nothing big but something that is aesthetically pleasing.”

Landry’s group advocated for off-site parking for boat trailers and designed fishing piers to extend beyond the rip-rap off the poured cement pad. Many were in favor of a beach, kayak launch, and a boardwalk to surround the park. Most agreed that the center of the park should be enhanced with landscaping, but left as an open green space. Most also agreed the site needed restrooms, seating and shade.

The Marathon City Council will consider the suggestions at a future meeting. The land was purchased in 2018 for $2.1 million. The property has stood idle since 2005 when Hurricane Wilma wiped out a popular restaurant and retail complex. It passed into the estate of Gus Boulis, a South Florida businessman.

The Quay extends from where the city-owned boat ramp is at MM 53.5 bayside north to where the land protrudes into the water.

Over the course of four public input periods, the city has compiled a list of submitted suggestions: • Fix the lighthouses • Space for vendors • Space for food trucks • Add beach sand • Fishing pier • Playground • Shade structures • Seating • More boat trailer parking • Parking

• Restrooms • Kids go karts • Splash pad • Roller rink • Exercise equipment • Welcome center • Welcome sign to Marathon • Educational information (water life, plant life) • Pavilion for wedding, photo shoots • Sell the property • Beer garden • Statues and art

13

MARATHON WEEKLY / FEBRUARY 20, 2020

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KEY COLONY BEACH

MARATHON WEEKLY / FEBRUARY 20, 2020

SHINY AND NEW KCB’s New City Hall

TIFFANY DUONG

tiffany@keysweekly.com

The latest design for the new Key Colony Beach City Hall incorporates elements from both preliminary designs presented at the KCB February Town Hall. LIVS ASSOCIATES, LLC/Contributed

K

ey Colony Beach (KCB) is preparing for the future with new hires and a new city hall. Keys Weekly has an exclusive look at the latest design for the building that will replace Marble Hall and the post

office.

Tony Rosabal, the architect behind the project, presented two initial designs at a KCB February town hall.

“Neither was accepted, and we’re going to create a hybrid that incorporates the comments from the meeting,” shares Rosabal. City administrator Chris Moonis noted the “hearty discussion” between everyone present — city commission, staff, the public and the architects — which resulted in more elements to include in the next design.

Rosabal’s firm, LIVS Associates, incorporated the suggestions to create a new scheme, which is being shared

publicly here for the first time.

While the hybrid is still preliminary, Rosabal confirmed that the new facility will house all city administration offices as well as the building department, police department and post office. The current Marble Hall will be the new building’s anchor, where commission meetings will be held as well as community events with over 200 people.

The new scheme is between 11,000 and 12,000 square feet in size, but the final area has not been determined.

The update includes parking for 50 vehicles as well as service and delivery access. Outdoor common green space will be an important part of the master plan for community events, said Rosabal.

Rosabal and Moonis expect to present a version of this hybrid sometime mid-March at a town hall.

BRIEFLY Free sunset concerts back at Key Colony Beach The Key Colony Beach Community Association is the sponsor of a series of concerts held in Sunset Park, at the end of West Ocean Drive in Key Colony Beach, on Sundays from 4 to 6 p.m.

Bring a lawn chair or blanket. Parking is limited. All concerts are free and subject to the weather. The remaining schedule for this season: • Feb. 23: 4 Sheets to the Wind • March 1: Music by Mike • March 15: Abstract Radio • March 22: Michael J and Friends • March 29: 4 Sheets to the Wind • April 5: Lady A Band.

Key West airport holds emergency exercise Key West International Airport and Monroe County Fire Rescue will be

conducting a full-scale disaster exercise to review the Airport Emergency Plan on Thursday, Feb. 20 from 6 to 11 p.m. The airport will remain open throughout the event and there will be no interruptions to scheduled flights or the community. The community should be aware there will be activity going on near the airport entrance on South Roosevelt Boulevard. The exercise is not open to the public. Monroe County Fire Rescue’s Airport Station 7 will lead the full-scale exercise. Other participating agencies will include Monroe County Emergency Management, Florida Highway Patrol, City of Key West Police and Fire Rescue, Trauma Star, Naval Air Station Key West Emergency Services, Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, Lower Keys Medical Center, Monroe County Health Department and other critical emergency agencies.

FIRM holds Mardi Gras fundraiser Fair Insurance Rates in Monroe (FIRM) is holding a Mardi Gras fundraiser on Friday, Feb. 21 from 4:30 to 7 p.m. on the upstairs deck of Waterfront Brewery, 201 William St. in Key West. FIRM is raising money to help with research and outreach in anticipation of the FEMA flood map changes.

The event is open to the public.

US1 Radio’s Steve Miller is the master of ceremonies, and he’s bringing along Erika to play the tunes. In addition to flood map information, the event will feature Cajun cuisine, a silent auction, hurricane drink specials, and the Southernmost Ice Luge Beverage Delivery System. FIRM is pre-selling 100 cupcakes at $100 each for a grandprize of 4-night accommodations for four in New Orleans. The winning cup-

cake holds the traditional Mardi Gras King Cake baby. Contact FIRM or visit FIRMKeys.org to purchase a cupcake.

Party and parade people, sign up now for 2 events Anyone interested in marching in the 63rd annual Key Colony Beach Day Parade on Sunday, March 8 starting at 11 a.m., or the St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Tuesday, March 17, are urged to reach out to organizers now.

To participate in the KCB Day parade, email ted.fischer1@verizon.net or call 302-841-9812. To get involved with the St. Patrick’s Day parade, email jackcrowley401@gmail.com or call 402984-3888.

15

MARATHON WEEKLY / FEBRUARY 20, 2020

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Join Miss Libby as we meet “The Grouchy Ladybug”.

This ladybug is in quite a mood as she picks on insects and animals of every size that she meets for an entire day. At the end of this program we will be releasing Some happy ladybugs in the Butterfly Garden.

ALLISON GARCIA EIGHTH GRADE

The Marathon Weekly is proud to partner with Marathon Middle High School faculty and students in choosing “The Student of the Week.” Recipients are chosen on qualifications including academic standing, athletics, outstanding achievements, community involvement, individuality and moral fortitude.

We thank our future leaders and MMHS for allowing us to share in a weekly dose of “Fin Pride,” and for giving us a glimpse into their world.

What is something most people don’t know about you? Most people don’t know that I want to be a neurosurgeon.

Who is your all-time favorite teacher and why? My all-time favorite teacher would be Mrs. Maresma because I can always go talk to her about anything and she will listen and care.

Come and find out just what happens and enjoy Learning about time, size and good manners through some fun activities. Free for ages 3-5 and\begins at 10am on Wednesday, February 26th.

For more information call Education Department at 305-743-8889 Meet at the Event gate for free admission to the program at the Cracker House. For more information, contact Miss Libby at education@cranepoint.net or 305-743-8889.

I am really involved with sports and I like to help out in the community.

What are your plans after high school? I would like to go to college and become a doctor.

What do you hope to be remembered for at MHS? I want to be remembered as Allison, not Chloe or Ryleigh’s sister.

What does “a good education” mean to you? A good education means to me that I will be prepared for college and in my future career.

What is one favorite way to spend your spare time? To go out on my boat and just hang out with friends and family.

What is something you know now that you didn’t know when you were a freshman? I’m not a freshman yet, but as a junior high student I know that friends will come and go.

Will you make the Keys your permanent home? I will not make the Keys my permanent home because I want to move where I will be close to a hospital so I can be closer to the place I want to work.

What organizations and activities are you involved with at MHS and why are they important to you?

The activities that I’m involved in at MHS are middle school volleyball and varsity softball and in Z-club.

These are important to me because

What three things would you like to accomplish before your 10-year reunion? I would like to go to college and have my own family and to be working in a hospital.

17

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MARATHON WEEKLY / FEBRUARY 20, 2020

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19

20

MHS SPORTS

MARATHON WEEKLY / FEBRUARY 20, 2020 CLARE MERRYMAN

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK

www.keysweekly.com

THIS WEEK (FEB. 17-22)

— The boys varsity baseball team will travel away to Miami on Thursday, Feb. 20 for a 6 p.m. game; Friday, Feb. 21 against Somerset Soho at home beginning at 6 p.m.; Saturday, Feb. 22 against Alonzo Mourning (time TBD).

— The tennis team will travel to Miami on Thursday, Feb. 20 to play against Cushman at 2 p.m.

— Girls varsity softball will play Friday, Feb. 21 at home against Horeb Christian at 7 p.m.

WEIGHTLIFTING BOYS Total weight lifted denotes combination of clean and jerk and bench press.

— Weight Class 139: Marcelino Acosta, total: 290 lbs.

— Weight Class 154: CJ Taylor, total: 340 lbs.

— Weight Class 169: Jimmy Gimeranez, total: 270 lbs.; Ryland Sifford, total: 285 lbs.; Kevin Mercado, total: 350 lbs.

BASEBALL

NEXT WEEK (FEB. 24-29)

RYAN YABLON 9th grade

1. What do you enjoy about baseball? I enjoy having fun with my team while still winning the game.

— Boys weightlifting: Monday, Feb. 24 at Coral Shores in Tavernier for a 3:30 p.m. meet.

— Girls varsity softball: Monday, Feb. 24 away against Terra at 4 p.m.

— Track & field: Tuesday, Feb. 25 away at Coral Shores in Tavernier beginning at3:30 p.m.

— Tennis: Tuesday, Feb. 25 away in Miami against Palmer Trinity at 3:30 p.m.

— Boys varsity baseball: Wednesday, Feb. 26 away in Homestead against Everglades Prep beginning at 3:30 p.m.; Friday, Feb. 28 against Miami County Day at home starting at 6 p.m.; Saturday, Feb. 29 at home against Miami Senior High at 11 a.m.

BOYS VARSITY The boys’ varsity baseball team won both of its preseason games this past weekend on MHS’ new field. Friday the score was 6-5 in the 7th inning, and Saturday it was 17-3 in the 5th inning. The boys hope to continue their (2-0) record this weekend when the season officially starts.

PHOTO OF THE WEEK

2. How long have you been playing baseball? I have been playing baseball for 11 years now. I joined the MHS team in sixth grade and I have been playing with the varsity team since eighth grade.

3. Describe one of your best moments in athletics. I had the best moments in seventh grade. Our team went undefeated all season. It was so memorable because that was the first time in MHS baseball history to go undefeated.

4. Coach Gonzalez says … “Stop messing around.” This is just always a good reminder to me for why I am on the field. I am there to play some baseball.

Sophomore Cole McDaniel comes up to bat. KYLIE McDANIEL/ Contributed. To have your sports photos in the paper submit to: Claremerryman@gmail.com.

MHS SPORTS

MARATHON WEEKLY / FEBRUARY 20, 2020

1

2 3

4 5

21

FIRST GAME, NEW FIELD

Two wins for MHS baseball team

M

arathon High’s baseball team played its first game on the new field Feb. 14, winning a close 6-5 game against Everglades Prep. The Fins returned to the diamond Saturday to beat Miami Central, 17-3. “I am very proud of the resilience the boys showed tonight to never give up, even when their backs were against the wall,” said head coach Luis Gonzalez Jr. “Being able to score 4 runs in the bottom of the 7th inning to walk off with the win, on the opening night of our new field, in front of one of the bigger crowds we have ever seen for a Marathon High School baseball game is something I will not forget for a long time to come.”

Marathon returns to the diamond Friday, Feb. 21 to play Summerset Soho.

— Weekly staff report

BARRY GAUKEL/Keys Weekly For more game photos visit Shadypalmphotography.com

6

1. Fin pitcher Ryan Yablon (7) works the mound.

2. Marathon’s Jacob Hankins (22) flies onto third base and beats the ball.

3. The Marathon team celebrates its come-from-behind, last-inning win.

4. Catcher Cole McDaniel (16) protects the plate for Marathon with a tagout on a Everglades baserunner.

5. The top three home run derby contestants are Marathon’s Diosvaldo Rojas, left, contest winner Gabriel Rodriguez of Palmer Trinity and Addiel Gil of Everglades Prep.

6. The Marathon Elks club presents a check to the baseball program for $2,000.

22

EDUCATION

MARATHON WEEKLY / FEBRUARY 20, 2020

MARINE LIFE LESSONS COLLEGE OFFERS NEW BACHELOR’S DEGREE

MANDY MILES

I

mandy@keysweekly.com

n its continuing effort to expand its education offerings, while shedding the label of “community college,” the College of the Florida Keys recently announced the coming addition this August of its third bachelor’s degree program, in marine resource management.

The degree is the first of its kind in the nation, with a curriculum that emphasizes the development of technical skills required for a career in marine resource management.

“Field experience in marine settings will enable students to integrate theory with practice,” said Amber Ernst-Leonard, spokeswoman for the college. “Students in the hands-on program will acquire specialized skills in restoration and conservation biology/ecology, extensive practical skills in data collection techniques and technology, and an understanding of best management practices and policies for both biological and submerged cultural resources.”

The college will hold an information session for prospective students interested in applying to the new program at 5:45 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 25 at the Tennessee Williams Theatre on the college’s Key West campus.

Attendees will receive a code to apply to the program at no charge, a $30 savings. More information about the marine resource management program can be found on the college’s website at fkcc.edu/marinescience.

The school worked with its marine science advisory board, along with other partners that include: Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, NOAA Fisheries, National Park Service, Mote Marine Lab, Rising Tide Conservation, Reef Relief, Coral Restoration Foundation, Key West Aquarium, and the American Academy of Underwater Sciences.

College of the Florida Keys students help with the replanting of staghorn coral in Florida Keys waters.

COLLEGE OF THE FLORIDA KEYS/Contributed

The newest bachelor’s program is the third now offered through the College of the Florida Keys. A bachelor of applied science in supervision and management launched in 2017 and a bachelor of science in nursing began in 2019.

Beyond Key West The new marine resource management bachelor’s program will not be exclusive to the Key West campus, College President Jonathan Gueverra said in September 2019, as plans for a new Upper Keys campus were being finalized.

The new Upper Keys facility is slated to open in summer 2021.

The new bachelor’s program is one of several new and emerging programs in the works for both Key West and the Upper Keys campuses, including construction technologies and a pharmacy technician program.

The new facility will replace the college’s increasingly limited space at Coral Shores High School and allow the college to double its capacity, to serve more than 300 students annually.

The 2.12 acres will be home to a twostory, 38,000-square-foot facility that’ll accommodate community education, as well as workforce and apprenticeship training programs.

“We’ll be able for the first time to offer programs in Key West in our Upper Keys facility and not have it cost us a whole lot more in time and effort and resources, because we should be able to attract people who want to go to school who aren’t from the Keys,” Gueverra said. “They might move from any other part from the state of Florida and move to Key Largo to attend classes. It’ll be a small enough campus that they’ll have the same sense of being that a student here has, where it’s small and we get to know who they are.”

Prospective students can apply online at fkcc.edu/apply-now/. Scholarships and payment plans are available. Fall classes begin Aug. 19. For more information about any of the college’s programs, contact Marissa Owens, director of recruitment, at 305-809-3207 or recruiter@fkcc.edu.

23

MARATHON WEEKLY / FEBRUARY 20, 2020

Sea You at the

Upper Keys Rotary Club

25th Annual Gigantic

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FEB. 22 & 23 2020

Sat. 8am - 5pm • Sun. 9am - 3pm

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TEACHER OF THE YEAR

MARATHON WEEKLY / FEBRUARY 20, 2020

TIFFANY DUONG

tiffany@keysweekly.com

CSHS BIOLOGY TEACHER WINS COUNTY TEACHER OF THE YEAR

J

acob Poelma is changing the game for students in Monroe County. Through critical mentorship, personalized teaching, and innovative technology, the biology teacher is improving how students learn.

In his fourth year at Coral Shores High School, his efforts have earned him the Teacher of the Year award from Monroe County School District.

The Mississippi native recalls a letter he received his first year as a teacher. “It was after school, and I was questioning why I chose to be a teacher,” he said, “then this student gave me the letter, and it said, ‘Thank you for letting me be happy at school because I can’t be happy at home.’”

The memory still hits home, and Poelma tells the Weekly, “That became the seed in me that we’re teaching people. We’re not just teaching stats and numbers; these kids are people.”

It was then that the science teacher realized there’s more to kids than their good test scores, data produced or what they turn in. He works hard to honor this individuality, fostering a sense of community and a safe haven in his classroom for students. “They see me as an adult who’s not a parent that they can talk to. I really value that,” he said.

His focus on each students’ unique life and needs also informs how he teaches. “I focus on what a student can learn, rather than on what the teacher can teach,” he says.

“Every student deserves the chance to fall in love with school. School shouldn’t be a burden. It should be a doorway to a brighter future.”

— Jacob Poelma, Monroe County School District Teacher of the Year

This is Jacob Poelma’s fourth year teaching at CSHS. ‘I’ll be heartbroken this year: my freshman will be seniors this year,’ he says. ‘All the doodles on this board are from Sophie Kubida, who I taught as a freshman, and every day she comes to add a doodle. When she leaves, my art wall will be missing.’

TIFFANY DUONG/Keys Weekly

Poelma uses a lighthearted teaching style and personal examples to engage his students. From using student’s own creations as lecture examples to pulling in what’s going on around school, he keeps students engaged with the material.

“When they see me not as a scary adult but someone trying to have fun with science, they also want to have fun with it,” he says.

“It helps the material stick.”

Poelma has even revolutionized the classroom, casting real-time language translations of his lectures to student laptops and cell phones. “I can have it in Spanish for you, and Islandic for her, while teaching in English. It makes a big difference for ELL students to learn in their language, so when their English language skills pick up, they actually understand the material.”

This innovation is just one example of Poelma’s attention to the individual needs of each of his students, and one he hopes to implement in classrooms around the county.

True to his values, Poelma mentors students both in and out of the classroom, announcing home football games, sponsoring the Gaming Club, hosting the talent

show and volunteering for extracurricular activities every chance he can. He loves it, saying, “There’s a lot of kids that when you see them and what they do, that they aren’t just doing it for volunteer hours on their sheets, you have hope.”

The Teacher of the Year is chosen from individual winners at every school in the district. Candidates are judged on instruction, data, school/community involvement, recommendation letters, as well as rigorous critique of a video of a lesson.

“The committee had a difficult time selecting from such a talented group of extraordinary teachers,” said selection committee chairperson Amber Acevedo.

“In the end, Jacob’s passion for education and ability to build student relationships set him apart.”

Poelma concludes, “I still have that letter from my first year. It’s a big reminder of why I am who I am and why I love this job.”

25

MARATHON WEEKLY / FEBRUARY 20, 2020

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MARATHON WEEKLY / FEBRUARY 20, 2020

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MARATHON WEEKLY / FEBRUARY 20, 2020

TURTLE RELEASE Terri, a juvenile green sea turtle returned to her ocean home recently off Sombrero Beach, cheered on by a crowd of more than 500 people. Terri was rescued last June during the InWater Florida Keys Sea Turtle Health Study off the lower Keys. Turtle Hospital staff was joined by Force Blue, scientists from Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute, InWater Research Group and a very special guest, Terri, the turtle’s namesake and the donor who made the in-water scientific study possible. The Florida Keys Sea Turtle Health Study’s mission is to find where green sea turtles live and feed in the Keys waters, measure the incidence of fibropapillomatosis and the turtles’ general health. The study is a collaboration among the Florida Keys-based Turtle Hospital, Force Blue, Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute, and InWater Research Group. The scientists will be back on the water in the Keys to continue this study in June. LARRY BENVENUTI/ Contributed

CROC SPOTTED A big crocodile — maybe five or six feet long — made an appearance in the Middle Keys over Valentine’s Day weekend. It was spotted oceanside, in mid-town Marathon, over the course of a few days by Dave and Trish Addison, as well as his son Scott and Scott’s wife, Ping, of Atlanta. The American crocodile is an endangered species success story. According to the FWC, since 1975 their numbers have increased from fewer than 300 to more than 1,500 adults. Today, they are classified as a threatened species. DAVE ADDISON/Contributed

WILDLIFE

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28

BOOKS

MARATHON WEEKLY / FEBRUARY 20, 2020

READ IN HONOR OF BLACK HISTORY MONTH Three inspiring books written by outstanding black female authors

KAREN NEWFIELD .. a reader and a now a writer, has hundreds of book reviews at: www.readingandeating.com. For questions and comments, email karen@newfield. org.

READERGIRL TIP: Ready to do some spring cleaning?

The Little Free Library at 103 Coco Plum Drive is accepting your book donations for redistribution. Bulk donations are collected daily!

THE GIRL WITH THE LOUDING VOICE

by Abi Daré

EXTRAORDINARY, ORDINARY PEOPLE: A MEMOIR OF FAMILY

by Condoleezza Rice

Adunni is a 14-year-old girl living in a small village in Nigeria. There is nothing she loves more than going to school. She dreams of becoming a teacher and helping all the village children learn how to read and write. When her mama unexpectedly passes away, Adunni’s life changes dramatically. Her father arranges a marriage as third wife to the old man who drives taxis. School is no longer an option and Adunni sees her future slipping away. Surviving verbal and physical abuse, Adunni finds herself escaping to the big city of Lagos where she becomes a housemaid. It is while scrubbing floors with a toothbrush that Adunni realizes a slave does not always wear chains. Adunni is desperate to be heard, right the wrongs young women suffer and speak for those who cannot. Adunni will make you smile. Written in an easy to follow broken English, this debut novel is a deeply moving story of resilience and hope.

Extraordinary woman is an understatement; ordinary is not in her vocabulary. Condoleezza Rice was raised by mild-mannered, loving, supportive parents. Her early life focused on faith, education and community. Rice grew up with the all-too-familiar sentiment "you need to be twice as good" - and she was, always. This inspiring memoir takes the reader through her early years as an exceptional student and pianist in Birmingham, Alabama, through her college career at the University of Denver and later professorship at Stanford University. She followed in her father’s footsteps focusing on educational advocacy and later played an important role as the first black woman ever to serve as secretary of state. This brilliant, talented and genuinely caring person has used her gifts to help others throughout her entire life.

She has flourished working with and for some of the most dynamic, industrious leaders of our time.

Rice is a remarkable role model for women everywhere.

AN AMERICAN MARRIAGE

by Tayari Jones Celestial and Roy are newlyweds and deeply in love. Raised in two very different worlds, they are both intelligent, passionate young adults, both on the edge of success. Roy encourages Celestial’s art exhibits while he climbs the executive corporate ladder. One weekend they leave their lovely Atlanta home for a short visit to Roy’s parents in a small town in the deep South.

They opt to stay at a motel and this is when the nightmare begins. The police barge into their room and falsely accuse Roy of a crime he did not commit. He is railroaded and sentenced to 12 years in prison. While their relationship is painfully disintegrating, all of their dreams are placed on hold. This story of marriage, family and racism is undeniably beautiful and tragic at the same time. Fighting for love and truth, knowing in the end there will be a price to pay.

This novel wastes no words.

COMMUNITY NEWS

MARATHON WEEKLY / FEBRUARY 20, 2020

STILL STANDING

SARA MATTHIS

sara@keysweekly.com

ST. PAUL AME MORE THAN 100 YEARS OLD

I

Pastor Larry White has been leading the flock at St. Paul AME since 2010. It’s his second “tour” at the historic church in Marathon. SARA MATTHIS/Keys Weekly

t’s hard to find pictures of the first version of the St. Paul AME Church in Marathon. It was wooden, and stood where the concrete version stands now. Suffice it to say, though, that the church’s history is long: first organized in 1916 under the direction of Rev. Nathaniel Clark with the Rt. Rev. John Hurst, presiding bishop.

In 1954, the wooden version was replaced with the concrete church that still stands. Half the land, donated by Brother W.A. Parrish, was sold to raise the construction funds.

Miss Charlotte Robbins, a parishioner, remembers walking to church with her grandmother, Grace Jones. (The same pioneer who started what is now the Grace Jones Day Care Center.)

“She was just a Christian woman — loving and giving,” Charlotte said.

The congregation at St. Paul AME tends to be generational; i.e., generations of the same family attending for years.

The Hawkins family, the Hobbs family, and many others have filled the pews for years on end. Charlotte and a friend were at the church on a recent Monday morning to help Pastor Larry White with the yardwork.

“I do it all here,” he said, his voice lilting, yet quiet and powerful. His calling is singular, but his duties are varied — preaching, visiting the sick, odds-and-ends handiwork around the church, mowing the lawn, raising funds.

“This is the future of our church, this is what I dream about,” White said, holding up a rendering of an expansion of the church. “A parish hall would allow us to engage the community in a much bigger way. I thought of it one day as I was passing Jesse Hobbs park. A young woman was having a birthday party there for her child. I thought, ‘I would love to do that, I wish I had a place to serve the people.’”

What he envisions: a two-story over parking building, about 1,600 square feet, built in the church’s backyard.

This is White’s second “tour” at St. Paul AME. He served the parish from 1986 to 1994 and then came back in 201o at the behest of the bishop. He has been a pastor for AME (African Methodist Episcopal) church since 1979. He didn’t attend seminary, though. “Now, it’s mandatory; but I was grandfathered in after 17 years,” he said, smiling.

St. Paul AME’s congregation, he said, has dwindled. At some points in history, the 60 seats of the tiny church were filled every weekend. There was a full choir. White said there are fewer African Americans living in Marathon; many have moved away because of the cost of living.

“That’s why I am trying to do, pull this community back together,” he said. “But everyone is welcome here. My congregation is multicultural.”

What sets AME apart is its focus on social justice and equality. The AME church was founded by Richard Allen in 1787. During that time, blacks weren’t allowed to sit in the front pews and had limits on how long they could pray. Allen and others transformed their mutual aid society into an African congregation. In 1807 he sued the Pennsylvania courts, and in 1815 was awarded the right for his congregation to exist as an independent institution..

St. Paul has services every Sunday.

Bible class begins at 10:30 a.m. and the service is at 11:30 a.m. White regularly schedules functions like the Black History Month celebration on Saturday, Feb. 22 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. There will be a voter registration booth, information about fighting drug addiction, food and a bounce house. Outreach, White said, is everything.

“I want to do more events — a Saturday morning breakfast and afternoon fish fries,” he said.

He never misses an opportunity to speak or preach, whether it’s at a city council meeting or an Easter sunrise service. He and others get together every year to carry a cross from one end of town to the other. Outreach is the only way to not only grow the congregation, but also serve the community. One of White’s biggest efforts is also the most paradoxical. For four years, he has preached every Sunday morning at 9 a.m. at Outdoor Resorts on Long Key, to a crowd of about 80 people during high season.

“What I love about this — nobody but God could have done this — is that it’s an all-white congregation!”

To donate toward the construction of the Parish Hall, call 786-808-2311 or visit https://give.church/gh1u20o/give

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30

EDUCATION

MARATHON WEEKLY / FEBRUARY 20, 2020

TRAVEL & LEARN

Drama Club to NYC

S

2 3 1 4

5 6

7

ixteen kids, with the generous support of the community, went to New York City this past week to participate in a special theater workshop, and have a chance to explore the arts and cultural scene.

During the day, they attended Broadway Student Summit and learned about singing, acting and movement, dancing and more. At night, the kids split into groups with chaperones to see various shows: “Little Shop of Horrors,” “BeetleJuice,” “Book of Mormon,” the New York City Ballet and more.

“I think they really appreciated the ability to interact with Broadway actors,” said Lynn Cox, the Drama Club coach. They met dancer Max Clayton of “Moulin Rouge” and had the opportunity to see the same show as a group. The next day, they had the opportunity to meet with actors Ashley Loren, Aaron Finley and Jeigh Madjus — two of whom they had just seen perform on stage — about their career paths.

“It was a ‘talk back’ where they could listen and ask questions,” said Cox. The students also saw the sights — they were audience members of the “Good Morning America” show and toured the NYC Library, went to Grand Central Station, saw the Chrysler Building, St. Patrick's Cathedral, Rockefeller Plaza, went to the "Top of the Rock," and visited Radio City Music Hall.

The club did its own fundraising and had the support of the City of Marathon, Marathon Rotary, Marathon Church of God, Publix and many others.

1. All 16 of the MHS students attended “Moulin Rouge” on their trip to New York City. CONTRIBUTED 2. During the day, they attended workshops covering various elements of theater.

3. The students’ trip “off the rock” included many culinary treats not available in Marathon.

4. Jessica and Paige Richard attended the ballet to see “Swan Lake.”

5. The MHS drama club learns dance and movement from Broadway professionals.

6. “Good Morning America” contributor Tory Johnson poses with MHS Drama Club members.

7. Dante Senmartin, left, Leo Volchek, Kayleigh Reed and Sawyer Bisson explore New York City.

31

MARATHON WEEKLY / FEBRUARY 20, 2020

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32

ANIMALS

MARATHON WEEKLY / FEBRUARY 20, 2020

SARA MATTHIS

sara@keysweekly.com

SHELTER OFFERS WELLNESS FKSPCA OFFERING BASIC SERVICES TO PUBLIC’S PETS local man faces eviction if his cat isn’t immediately vaccinated and spayed. He has no money … and this is his “baby.”

A couple of weeks ago, this was an untenable position for many pet owners in the Florida Keys. Now, the Florida Keys SPCA has an alternative: The Dogwood Wellness Clinic at 5711 College Rd., Key West, where members of the public can bring in their own animals to be treated for basic issues — a rabies vaccination ($15 for a dog), or a feline leukemia vaccination ($25 for a cat) or even a simple nail trim ($15).

“Now that we have the larger clinic in the new building, we can offer these affordable wellness services,” said Tammy Fox, executive director of the FKSPCA. “Some pet owners want to be able to make sure their animals shots are up to date, or have them tested for heartworm, but they just can’t afford that cost.”

Fox said the FKSPCA has been raising money diligently to underwrite the new clinic, securing grants and soliciting private donations.

Initially, the clinic will be open Thursdays and Fridays from 10 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4 p.m. beginning next week, Feb. 27-28.

The animals and humans will be seen on a first-come, first-serve basis. The situation is fluid, though, as shelter staff gauges demand.

“This is a soft opening,” said FKSPCA board chairman Jeff Johnson. “We may expand to offer appointments or extra days.

So far, everything is working well in the trial runs.”

The FKSPCA has been offering low-cost and free spay and neuter services for more than 20 years in the Florida Keys and will continue to do so. But before the new Key West building was completed in 2019, the space was cramped and the shelter had difficulty keeping up with the community’s demand for those services.

NICK DOLL/Contributed

“And we needed better clinic facilities for the shelter animals. For example, cases where an animal was hit by a car or an animal arrives with a sudden, catastrophic illness, we can provide those services on the premises now,” Johnson said. And with a professionally staffed and stocked clinic, the shelter has the ability to offer extra services to members of the public and their pets.

Veterinarian Debbie Marks has come out of a semi-retirement to head the Dogwood Wellness Clinic. She is a board-certified vet who has worked in Florida, Iowa and overseas. Johnson said her specialty, dental care for animals, is crucial.

“Dental problems can be the primary cause of all sorts of diseases, particularly heart disease,” said Johnson.

The FKSPCA intends to work handin-hand with other animal care providers in the Florida Keys. Johnson said he canvassed about 40 nonprofit shelters around the country to ask about the services they provide.

“What we found is that incidences of common diseases went down when these low-cost clinics started operating,” he said.

“When the shelter or nonprofit finds a serious problem, the owners and pets are referred to a local vet for treatment in a timely manner. It’s a win-win.”

Debbie Marks said, “We are so lucky to live in such a supportive community to give help to those who need it — human or animal.”

For more information about the Dogwood Wellness Center, or for pricing, visit fkspca.org and click on the “clinic services” tab or call 305-294-4857.

Save the date: The FKSPCA is having its 13TH ANNUAL SPRING SOCIAL on Friday, March 20 at the Key West Golf Course. Purchase tickets at keystix.com.

DARE I SAY IT

MARATHON WEEKLY / FEBRUARY 20, 2020

EYE ON THE PRIZE MARKETING MAVEN CREATES VISION BOARDS TO TURN DREAMS INTO REALITY

E

TIFFANY DUONG is a self-made mermaid who loves all things cheesy (romantic and dairy) and thrives in the 3 am hour. She believes in leaving it all on the field and has never met a (mis) adventure she didn’t love.

arlier this year, I made my first vision board. It sits at my writing desk immediately behind my laptop screen, and any time I look up — tired, frustrated, stuck or otherwise — it’s there. It’s also the first thing I see after I finish something I’m proud of.

It reminds me — with its colorful yogis in headstands and directives to “wear confidence” and “align myself” — what I’m working toward. In those quiet moments of pause, my vision board is working its magic.

A vision board is a physical collage of pictures, affirmations and things that represent your goals. It can express what you want to do, have, learn, be and feel. The creation process results in a physical “sacred space” that visually displays what you want your life to look and feel like. And, when you look at that board every day, it helps realign your choices — big and small — toward that goal life.

Marketing maven Nikki Bussard has been making vision boards for 15 years and leading workshops like the one I attended for 12 years. Bussard uses her vision boards as the marketing arm for her brand strategy business, Marketing Bodega, and helps others create boards that turn their dreams into reality.

“Vision boards allow you to keep your eye constantly on the prize, so you don’t just write down your goals and put them away,” says Bussard. “It keeps them in front of you when you set your intentions every day and keeps you accountable to meet those goals.”

Vision boards work through the interplay of visualization and manifestation. Every time you look at your board, you’re doing a short visualization exercise.

For decades, Olympic athletes and powerhouse CEOs alike have used visualization to activate brain patterns that improve performance. Psychology Today reported that similar brain patterns are activated when weightlifters lift heavy weights and when they just imagine doing so. The visualizations are “mental rehearsals” which affect many cognitive processes in our brains, like motor control, attention, perception, planning and memory.

Because of that, they can also affect the outcomes of some actions. Consciously and subconsciously, when you look at your vision board often, you realign your decisions and actions with what you see. You begin working toward your dreams instead of just working, transforming the theoretical pictures into your real life.

“Most business people are into it because they understand the power of manifesting and creating goals. People who are passive about goal setting and intentions might think it’s woo woo, but you can’t just sit around and wait for your goals to come true,” says Bussard.

“That never works, for anyone!”

Bussard’s past clients and workshop participants include Realtors, doctors, small businesses, financiers and even her own kids. Some make separate personal and business boards or layout strategies for an account they want and sales targets. It’s a tool for anyone who wants to see things come to fruition, she said.

Bussard also notes, “You can add stuff, take away stuff, and change what’s on your board any time, as what you think you want changes — because we change and so do our aspirations.”

Amazingly, everyone Bussard knows who uses vision boards has had things come true. Rapunzel Maurice, one of Bussard’s workshop participants, cut out a beautiful island house on her board, knowing nothing about it. Maurice’s husband was transferred to the Bahamas, and to her shock and joy, that exact house was up for sale. Bussard smiles, “They bought it! Rapunzel came back into the office screaming and telling everyone that her vision board had come true.”

In Bussard’s own life, she’s manifested her first book. She wrote the manuscript in 201415, put on her vision board this year that it would be a New York Times bestseller and had it accepted by the first publisher she sent it to in October 2019. It comes out this spring.

“We have the ability to create our own destiny through how we think,” explains Bussard. “When you define what you want for yourself, the vision board becomes a path to help you get there. You have the ability to change your life and create a life that you want.”

Bussard runs vision board workshops for professional organizations, businesses and even groups of interested friends. She can be reached at 305-894-0958 or info@marketingbodega.com. More business information is available at marketingbodega.com.

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34

MARATHON WEEKLY / FEBRUARY 20, 2020

Thank You! 2020 Florida Keys Day sponsors

Rep. Holly Raschein also gives special thanks to Audra Hill Wallace, Erin Muir, Jason Koler, Bob Stoky, Kate DeLoach, Mike Forster & John Bartus.

35

MARATHON WEEKLY / FEBRUARY 20, 2020

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MARATHON WEEKLY / FEBRUARY 20, 2020 Upper Keys Republican Club Presents

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COMMUNITY NEWS

MARATHON WEEKLY / FEBRUARY 20, 2020 The first code-compliant tiny home in Monroe County’s tiny home pilot project will be delivered in midMarch. Sitework has begun at the Key Largo property. CORNERSTONE TINY HOMES/Contributed

The code-compliant tiny home is a little less than 400 square feet, one bedroom and one bathroom and can withstand winds up to 180 miles per hour. This is the inside of a recently completed home by Cornerstone Tiny Homes. CORNERSTONE TINY HOMES/Contributed

NO SMALL THING

Code-compliant tiny home breaks ground

T

he first Monroe County-approved tiny home received a permit this week in Key Largo.

The pilot project is one of two planned homes the Monroe County Board of County Commissioners approved in December 2018 to serve as code-compliant models for residents who are rebuilding after losing their homes during Hurricane Irma. The commissioners wanted to be creative and find products that are wind- and flood-resistant that homeowners can consider as replacements after Irma.

The home will be delivered to Jenny Lane in Key Largo in about

three weeks and will be open to the public to view and tour after it is hooked up to utilities and inspections are finalized. This home is one bedroom and one bathroom, a little less than 400 square feet, code compliant, and starts at $85,000.

“I am very excited about this project,” said Monroe County Assistant County Administrator Christine Hurley. “More than 4,000 homes throughout the Keys were destroyed or majorly damaged by Hurricane Irma, and these tiny home prototypes are code compliant, more resilient alternatives to mobile homes.”

The county solicited proposals to design and build different resilient code-compliant prototype tiny homes on county-owned land. Cornerstone Tiny Homes owners Kim and Brett Hiltbrand had a vision to create safe, smallfootprint homes that would be a viable option for those struggling to own or rebuild their home. They provide their clients several floorplan options, which all meet Florida’s building code and can withstand winds up to 180 mph. John Gallant, broker at Engel & Völkers Islamorada, helped with permitting.

“The officials in Monroe County are forward thinking and we appreciate how proactively they’re working to solve the affordable housing dilemma,” said Kim Hiltbrand. “The Cornerstone team is honored to place one of their homes in Key Largo and hopefully many others once the tiny home pilot program in Monroe County proves successful.”

RAS Engineering also developed plans and is in the permitting stage for an elevated storage container-type tiny home on Big Pine Key. The homes will be used as affordable housing after being opened to the public for viewing. The county may reissue a solicitation to build another tiny home project later this year.

— Contributed

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38

ART

MARATHON WEEKLY / FEBRUARY 20, 2020

COMMERCE CORNER MAKING CONNECTIONS O.R. Painting Inc. has a track record of 25 years of professional commercial and residential painting, and pressure washing.

“It is our mission to educate the consumer on industry best practices in order to provide our clients with peace of mind when they contract with us. As members of the internationally recognized Painting Contractors Association (PCA), we provide quality services that are aligned with industry standards and our company values. We specialize in fine paint and custom stain finishes,” said owner Alexis Rodriguez.

Rodriguez said her company is known for its professionalism and dependability and customers take comfort knowing their most valuable investment is protected.

New customers can mention this advertisement to save $100 in services.

Location: Marathon Phone: 786-327-6630 Website: https://orpaintingfl.com Email: mail@orpaintingfl.com

Coming together for the arts

The Connections Project brings people together from across the Keys by literally weaving their works together into a mosaic of paintings representing life in the Keys. Paintings are contributed by professional and aspiring artists, and a $50 donation gets you a tile chosen at random and delivered in May. Money raised pays for scholarships and grants for art education in the Keys.

The project will be displayed in the Upper Keys before moving to Marathon on Friday, March 6 for an opening reception at Shady Palm Art Gallery. On Thursday, March 19 it moves to Royal Furniture in Marathon where it will be on display until the beginning of April. The exhibit will also be shown in Big Pine Key and Key West. More information, including how to donate and a list of display locations, is at keysarts.com.

— Contributed

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MARATHON WEEKLY / FEBRUARY 20, 2020

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KEYS DISEASE

MARATHON WEEKLY / FEBRUARY 20, 2020

FACEBOOK BLUES Re-tweets, and other bad politics

I

t’s political season, and with it comes the barrage of misinformation and outright lies all over social media. Most of this garbage comes from people and interests that are better served if Americans hate each other based upon partially true, contrived, or totally mendacious reasons. While some social media platforms have banned posts that are completely false, Facebook has no such filter.

From the Associated Press: “Facebook reaffirmed its freewheeling policy on political ads Thursday, saying it won’t ban them, won’t fact-check them, and won’t limit how they can be targeted to specific groups of people.” Feel free to post and share the BS. A recent post came up in my Facebook news feed, posted by someone who really should know better. It featured a photo of Osama Bin Laden with a lot of incendiary allegations that Democrats helped him “win.” Some of the allegations are real doozies. Like this one: “You teach Islam in your public schools.”

Or this one: You allow Sharia Law in your cities.” The post also stated, “You had a president who promoted Islam.” The post goes on to assert, “You are banned from ‘offending’ my followers,” and “You are banned from criticizing my ideology.” It concludes with the statement, “With the help of your Democratic Party, I WON!” Got bigotry? This post was so bigoted against Islam. I realize there are a lot of people who believe that every Muslim is a jihadist and terrorist. It’s the same thing as asserting that every practicing Christian wants to bomb abortion clinics, or that every young Southern male drives a pickup with a gun rack and a Confederate battle flag.

As well as chock full of hatred and lies, this post is offensive to so many veterans and war heroes who also happen to be Democrats.

Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) is one. Here’s her story, from Wikipedia: “A combat veteran of the Iraq War, Duckworth served as a U.S. Army helicopter pilot and suffered severe combat wounds, which caused her to lose both of her legs and some mobility in her right arm.

She was the first female double amputee from the war.[3]Despite her grievous injuries, she sought and obtained a medical waiver which al-

lowed her to continue serving as a lieutenant colonel in the Illinois Army National Guard along with her husband Major Bryan W. Bowlsbey, a sigJOHN nal officer and BARTUS fellow Iraq War veteran.” is a City of MaraShe’s not the thon councilonly veteran who man. He also is a musician who also happens to performs around be a Democrat. town. For more And I’m sure see johnbartus. none of them — com or even many of their Republican counterparts — appreciate the lies that make up this post. Patriotism, honor and duty are not the sole property of one political party — no matter how many Facebook posts and memes claim otherwise.

If you believe that only Republicans are patriots and that Democrats conspire with terrorists to plot the downfall of America, then you are ignorant beyond belief. You are part of the problem. Quit getting your news from social media and pay attention to everything that’s going on.

And if you know differently, yet still post and share this crap anyway, then shame on you for making the divide between Americans deeper and more hateful. In times of crisis, we somehow remember that we’re all Americans first. Our nation after 9/11 was united like it hadn’t been since World War II. Locally, after Irma, nobody cared who anyone voted for in the last election. We need to understand that we still have far more in common than we do that divides us.

Former Florida Governor Jeb Bush called for a return to civility in politics. He told a Presidents’ Day audience that there is a need for leaders to place principle over personal preferences. I could not agree more.

When you do spend time online in the virtual world, consider the source of any controversial Facebook post. The ones that seem the most outrageous are usually the most suspect.

Catch John Thursdays at Sparky’s Landing, Fridays at the Lighthouse Grill and Saturdays at the Key Colony Inn. www.facebook.com/john.bartus

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To our BUYERS and SELLERS. We hope you enjoy your new homes.

Karen represented the Sellers of: 650 9th Street Key Colony Beach, FL 33051

A member of the franchise system of BHH Affiliates, LLC •

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KARL REUTLING and HISTORIC FLORIDA KEYS FOUNDATION The Foundation promotes historic preservation in the Keys through education, advocacy, collaboration and stewardship.

Karl works tirelessly as a volunteer researcher and tour guide at the Historic Key West Cemetery.

Keys Weekly, Ocean Wellness Spa, and CFFK.

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42

ENTERTAINMENT

MARATHON WEEKLY / FEBRUARY 20, 2020

MANDY MILES

mandy@keysweekly.com

KEY WESTERS EXPLORE BERMUDA TRIANGLE TALES

LOOKING FOR MYSTERIES A

one-legged boat captain, firearms instructor, author, motivational speaker and former Iraq security contractor boards a boat with three other Key Westers and heads for the Bermuda Triangle. It sounds like either the opening of a Clive Cussler novel, or the start of a joke, and Capt. Chuck Meier would be right at home in either.

But in this case, Meier is joined on the boat by another Key West captain, a former Army rescue diver and an engineer. Those four are the Key West-based cast of characters who star in the new Discovery Science television show, “The Curse of the Bermuda Triangle,” which airs at 10 p.m.

Sundays. The premiere episode aired Feb. 9, with seven more still to come.

The four castmates — Capt. Chuck Meier, who lost his leg while working as a private security contractor in Iraq, Capt. Paul “Moe” Mottice, rescue diver Dave Cziko and first mate/engineer Mike Still — spent two months filming, diving, researching and investigating inexplicable phenomena that occurred in and around the area of the ocean known as the Bermuda Triangle.

“The Bermuda Triangle is home to some of the most fascinating unsolved mysteries on Earth,” states the show’s synopsis. ”This remote territory in the Atlantic Ocean has been the subject of notoriety and legend as countless ships, planes and human lives have been lost in its waters. Its reputation for odd disappearances and bizarre incidents has spawned decades of conspiracy theories as experts search for any understanding. Now, a team of savvy boat captains and experienced divers seeks to unravel

some of the biggest secrets surrounding the Bermuda Triangle in an all new Science Channel series.

“With dozens of years of experience at sea among them, the members of the Triangle Research and Investigation Group, or TRIG team, are led by long time captain and former Coast Guardsman Paul ‘Moe’ Mottice. By his side is first mate engineer Mike Still, who has logged thousands of hours in the Triangle, and worked side by side with Captain Moe for years. They are joined by former Navy rescue diver, sheriff’s deputy and military

1

coincidence or if there’s an explanation for it, either scientific or supernatural.

In upcoming episodes, the TRIG team investigates an assortment of alleged UFO activity within the Bermuda Triangle, the disappearance of the 23-foot “unsinkable” luxury yacht, The Witchcraft, and its two passengers in 1967, and an unusually high concentration of USO (underwater submerged object) sightings that point to yet another theory about the Lost City of Atlantis.

The show airs at 10 p.m. Sundays on Discovery Science.

2

contractor Chuck Meier, who takes the lead in the investigations on ground and underwater; and expert rescue diver and former Army cavalry scout Dave Cziko, who together explore the depths of the ocean floor for clues and evidence.”

In each episode, the team investigates a particular mystery and attempts to determine whether the stories are pure

1. ‘Capt. Moe’ Mottice stands at the helm of the team’s research vessel. SCIENCE CHANNEL/Contributed 2. ‘Capt. Moe’ Mottice, Mike Still, Dave Cziko and Chuck Meier investigate in the Bahamas.

COOL STUFF

MARATHON WEEKLY / FEBRUARY 20, 2020

Mainstreaming

43

WHAT TO DO THIS WEEK

NOW TRENDING

IN CELEBRATION OF NATIONAL MARGARITA DAY, TOP 10 ALCOHOLFUELED STATEMENTS THAT SPELL DISASTER: 10. "You can't even taste the alcohol."

9. "It's OK, my boss never looks at Facebook."

8. "Let me give it a shot; I used to be great at gymnastics in high school.”

7. "I never realized how cool fanny packs look on me."

6. "Don’t worry, one of my best buddies is an attorney.”

5. "I just gave that stripper my credit card.”

4. “I didn’t really ask what was in it before I smoked it.”

3. “Seriously, what’s the worst that could happen?”

2. “Like I always say, condoms are for suckers.”

1. “I don’t care how big that dude is, if I land the first punch, he’s going down.”

LISTEN “MAYBE YOU SHOULD TALK TO SOMEONE” This fictional book about real-life therapy is voyeurishly good. It’s written by Lori Gottlieb (real-life author of self-help books) and read by Brittany Pressley and it’s a memoir … of sorts. The main character offers therapy to her patients, seeks it herself, and reveals some common ground we all share. Listen to it on Audible.

WATCH THE KOMINSKY METHOD This Netflix series features Oscar winners Michael Douglas and Alan Arkin (a match made in heaven!), two old friends — a duo of an aging acting coach and his agent. The two navigate their way through the very young Hollywood, and the curveballs that come their way. The series was created by multiple Emmy winner Chuck Lorre (“Two and a Half Men” and “Big Bang Theory.”)

READ THE SILENT PATIENT An artist shoots her fashion photographer husband dead. Really dead. And then refuses to speak about it. This is the premise of 2019’s biggest thriller’s by firsttime author Alex Michaelides.

Enter the therapist, who gets way too close, trying to unravel the mystery in the asylum. It ends with a half-gainer and a twist. Buy it on Amazon.

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GIVING

MARATHON WEEKLY / FEBRUARY 20, 2020

WHO’LL BE THE BIG KAHUNA? Fundraising competition underway for Good Health Clinic

T

he Good Health Clinic is excited to announce this year’s 2020 Big Kahuna contestants. Every year, the clinic selects exceptional individuals from a pool of nominees in Monroe County to compete and raise funds while spreading the word about Good Health Clinic services.

“Through these individuals’ amazing efTHE CONTESTANTS DEREK PAPP Orthopedic surgeon, Mariners Hospital Dr. Derek Papp moved to Key Largo after Hurricane Irma and immediately fell in love with the community. He’s an orthopedic surgeon who attended Johns Hopkins for medical school and residency, and completed a sports medicine fellowship with his current partners at Doctors Hospital in Coral Gables.

He also works as a team physician/consultant for the Baltimore Orioles and spends much of his free time helping the team out wherever asked — and he traveled to Korea and Mexico as a MLB physician during the World Baseball Classic. Papp recently organized an international conference for orthopedic surgeons in Antarctica.

"The Good Health Clinic provides an important and amazing service to the Keys community,” Papp said. “They’re easily some of my favorite and most thankful patients. It’s an honor to be asked to help this year and it was very easy to say ‘yes!’”

DANISE “DEEDEE” HENRIQUEZ Monroe County Tax Collector Henriquez has been at the tax collector’s office serving Monroe County for 31 years, and 20 years as Monroe County tax collector. She has seven offices throughout the Keys. She has been married for 37 years and has two adult children, Ralph and Ashley.

“I am running to be crowned as the next ‘Big Kahuna’ because the Good Health Clinic provides health services to low-income and uninsured residents in the Keys, and this is a charity that greatly benefits our community,” she said. “I am honored to be asked to be a part of this event.”

HENRY MENENDEZ HNO Productions

Menendez and his wife are proud residents of Key Largo.

Henry is an active member of the Keys community. He is known for his exceptional work coordinating the the Key Largo Bridge Run and as an active and generous member of the Key

forts, the clinic is able to raise needed funding and spread the word about our services so Keys residents know we’re here to help them,” said Kate Banick, the clinic’s executive director.

The contest runs through April 29, and the Big Kahuna winner will be announced at the ninth annual Luau for Health fundraiser at the Islander Resort on May 2.

Largo Rotary Club and the Key Largo Chamber of Commerce, where he sits on the board.

SID VANDIVER Breakthru Beverage Group Vandiver has been living in the Keys and working in the restaurant and bar business for 24 years. About two years ago, he started working with Breakthru Beverage Group as their hotel & restaurant wine and spirits sales consultant. In his down time, he enjoys sailing and traveling with his beautiful wife and two daughters.

JIM MCCARTHY Editor, Upper Keys Weekly McCarthy serves as editor of the Upper Keys Weekly in Tavernier. He quickly became immersed in the community following his arrival to the Keys over a year and a half ago. When he catches a break from the interviewing and storytelling, he's busy serving as secretary and public relations chair of the Rotary Club of Key Largo Sunset. He's also a member of Leadership Monroe Class XXVIII. He's full of energy and enthusiasm, and he's looking forward to fundraising with the other competitors.

“I’m elated to be a Kahuna candidate and look forward to the fundraising challenge. Since Day 1, I’ve witnessed just how special this community is and the many people who step up to support the cause. I look forward to raising funds to support Good Health Clinic’s mission.”

CATHY GAHAGEN Owner, The Catch Restaurant Gahagen has called Key Largo home for 33 years with her husband, Patrick, and two children, Molly and Dane. She describes Key Largo as an incredibly compassionate, caring and giving community that never ceases to amaze.

“I am honored to run for the ‘Big Kahuna’ and take the challenge of raising money for an organization that offers so much help to those in our community who cannot afford the medical attention they desperately need. I ask that you help me in helping others and thank you all ahead of time for anything you are able to provide for The Good Health Clinic.”

JIM McCARTHY

jim@keysweekly.com

A GOOD CAUSE

W

ith care from Good Health Clinic, a housekeeper who just made ends meet was able to get the insulin she needed for her Type 2 diabetes. A boat captain received the screening and cataract surgery needed to extend his career.

Good Health Clinic is a charitable organization that provides health care to low-income, uninsured residents in the Keys. Those who meet the eligibility requirements can use the Good Health Clinic as their primary care home.

“People can come for wellness and things like annual exams and more specialized care like chronic and acute disease management,” said Kate Banick, executive director. “Many people also will register and get an annual wellness exam, and that’s great.

They’re being proactive about their health, and if they get sick, they’re already registered and there’s no delay in care.”

Banick said Good Health Clinic has an extended network, known as the volunteer provider network, that includes more than 100 doctors and medical personnel in the Keys and South Florida who donate time to patients in need. From oncologists to optometrists, Banick said, there are services for almost all the patients’ needs.

“This extensive network of people have come together and give comprehensive health care in our office because they care and see the importance of it,” Banick said.

Good Health Clinic has seen patients since 2004.

Banick said the clinic is helping many in the workforce who are just making ends meet.

“Over 65 percent of patients work full time, have jobs, but they can barely afford to pay basic living expenses in the Keys” she said. “We’re aiming to have a healthier community and support the working class in the community by providing them an option for health care.”

Last year, just over 890 adults and children received the care they needed, and nearly $5 million in donated services was provided. At the end of 2018, with support of Direct Relief International and United Way of the Florida Keys, Good Health Clinic opened a satellite clinic in Marathon to offer services to residents in the middle and lower Keys.

“Since 2004, Good Health Clinic’s mission of providing free access to primary health care, diagnostic, preventive and wellness services to the uninsured low-income resident population, has served our community well. But this service is as needed as it is expensive,” said Roberto Alonso, chairman for Good Health Clinic. “Every year, the clinic holds its biggest fundraising event, and with the receipts from the competition and Luau event we raise approximately 20% of next year’s operating budget funds, which are essential to the clinic and its mission.”

Supporters of Good Health Clinic include Baptist Health South Florida, Health Foundation of South Florida, Direct Relief International, United Way of the Florida Keys, Ocean Reef Community Foundation and countless local individuals and businesses.

More information about the annual fundraiser or supporting a 2020 Big Kahuna contestant is available from Banick at 305-619-0154 or www.keysluau.com.

More information about services provided by the clinic is at 305-853-1788, info@thegoodhealthclinic. org, or www.thegoodhealthclinic.org.

PRUDENT MARINER

MARATHON WEEKLY / FEBRUARY 20, 2020

45

What Are You Gonna Do?

I

t’s 5:00 here. Captain’s Hour is close at hand. And the phone rings.

All I did was say “hello” and some guy responded at 200 words per minute. Turns out his boat is sinking and he needs help NOW. He has a 28foot World Cat and the entire stern is under water. The only things keeping above water are the mooring lines.

CAPT. MIKE him Yes, you read that right; he is tied to BARBER the dock behind the vacation house he is renting for a few weeks. a lifelong cruiser Sinking is serious business, even and live-aboard in Boot Key at a dock. But let’s take a closer look Harbor. He writes at why he is calling me. First of all, if about all the he was underway or anywhere but a wonderful and dock, the Coast Guard would be on crazy things that their way with one of those really nice happen on boats. gas powered emergency pumps. But Check out www. he is on a dock and they responded whensday.us. to his call with “Sir, that is outside our mission statement.” He has insurance, but those policies do not cover a sinking vessel or life endangerment situations. Further, if the sun goes down the price rises on the vertical. (I don’t have to name the companies, just pick one and read the fine print.) It turns out that the local fire department said they could pump the boat in minutes, but it’s too much liability. The marina that he takes most of his business to is closed for the day.

It turns out that Captain’s hour is cherished by landlubbers as well.

So, where do you get help in a situation like this? In his case, another guy gave him my number and said “you might as well try.”

At this point he does not have any power because his battery banks are all aft and under the main deck so they are also under water. He does not have any emergency manual pump system. He does not have any 110 AC pumps that he could run from an extension cord. His twin 250 outboards are toast because he did not isolate the batteries for the few hours he would be at the dock.

I grabbed my tool bag, emergency pump, extension cord and was on my way before he knew he had talked me into it. The boat did not sink that day. We got it on a trailer and parked it in the lot. Afterward, I was guest of honor at their Captain’s hour where I took the liberty of carefully articulating the lessons that they should have learned from all this. They offered to pay me, but I simply told him that by having to ask for this kind of help, he had already paid the highest price a man can pay.

All of our boats spend more time at the dock than under way. Instinct tells us the dock should be safe, worry-free, and, you know, “all comfy and what not”. But seriously, are you prepared for fire or sinking? Most shore power connections don’t have 110 AC. What are you gonna to do?

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46

THE ARTS

MARATHON WEEKLY / FEBRUARY 20, 2020

TIFFANY DUONG

TAKING THE MYSTERY OUT OF WRITING F

or many aspiring and veteran storytellers alike, the process of writing can be daunting and frustrating. “Writer’s block” is a real enemy to the creative process, just as fear of the blank page can be too.

On Thursday, Feb. 27 at 2 p.m. at St. Columba Episcopal Church, mystery writer Michael Haskins will help us understand why this is and ways to get around it. The talk is the finale in the Friends of the Marathon Library Speaker Series.

Using his own life and the evolution of his signature character, Mad Mick Murphy, in many examples, he will discuss how he takes the madness and mystery out of his creative writing process.

“I’ve always wanted to write. I wanted to be Ernest Hemingway,” laughs Haskins.

“After discovering Hemingway and reading about him in magazines, I thought, ‘Wow, this is a great way to live.’ His life was as exciting as his novels and short stories, and it fascinated me.”

A self-described “very bad student” in high school, Haskins became enamored of Hemingway’s short stories because they were easier to read than his assigned schoolwork. From there, he got into short story writing, which evolved into his signature mysteries.

tiffany@keysweekly.com

KEY WEST WRITER TO DISSECT THE CREATIVE PROCESS

Michael Haskins in Dublin, Ireland. CONTRIBUTED

Since then, he’s chased his dream through the character he’s best known for, Mick Murphy. Like Haskins, Murphy found himself on the west coast and in Mexico, often getting into trouble. When Haskins moved to Key West in the late 1990s, he moved his character as well.

He draws on real people, places and things to add a sense of familiarity and realism to his stories. Versions of his favorite bars and restaurants sometimes make cameos in his books, but he also takes the artistic liberty of “manipulating facts.” Street names from Los Angeles, where Haskins lived for a spell, intersect with Duval Street in his Key West novels.

To his amusement, people often ask him to point out that intersection on real maps of the Southernmost City.

His talk will touch on all of this and more. He will discuss the art of writing and how it is a very personal process. “We each might do it differently, and that’s normal,” said Haskins of the creative endeavor. “There is no one way to write.”

The most important thing, he said, is to “sit your butt in a chair with an empty computer screen and just start writing.”

Haskins offers up real-life examples from his author friends to illustrate his point. “I have a friend who doesn’t write until his wife and kids are asleep at 10 p.m. He just continues all night.” Another writer shuts off the lights and writes pages and pages of extensive notes in the dark that eventually morph into a book.

As for Haskins himself, “Because of my study of Hemingway, I like to write in the morning and then rewrite in the evening. And read in the afternoon, or else the writing cuts into my drinking.”

He again emphasizes, “Don’t let the fear of a blank page stop you from starting. Lots of times when you look at that blank page, you worry, ‘Is this gonna win me a Pulitzer or will someone make a movie out of my book?’ There is nothing more intimidating than sitting there having your brain go 100 miles an hour while your fingers sit still.”

He urges again. “Just start writing, because you’ll probably throw away the first 10 pages, sometimes more. Just start, and you’ll find your own process that works for you.”

Michael Haskins with Irish thriller writer Laurence O’Bryan at Stag’s Head Bar in Dublin, Ireland. CONTRIBUTED

MARATHON WEEKLY / FEBRUARY 20, 2020

MARCH 7, 2020 A BENEFIT FOR KAIR

SombreroBeachRun.com

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MARATHON WEEKLY / FEBRUARY 20, 2020

OUR DOCKS ARE OPEN! Come by Boat, Bike, Foot or Car!

OPEN FOR LUNCH, HAPPY HOUR & DINNER 7 DAYS A WEEK! 11AM – 10PM DAILY VOTED

BEST HAPPY HOUR 11 YEARS IN A ROW! ALSO VOTED

B E S T M A R G A R I TA !

SATURDAY & SUNDAY Regular Menu Available and BRUNCH items including Chorizo Breakfast Burrito, Guava French Toast, Crab Benedict and BOGO Mimosas & Glasses of Champagne 11am - 4pm

SUNDAY NIGHT!

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NIGHTLY SPECIALS Monday: BBQ and Brews LIVE Music with Wyatt Hurts Tuesday: Jumbo Gumbo Bowls Tacos and Tequila Wednesday: Wine Time Wednesday ($15-$20 bottles) LIVE Music with Leigh Guest Thursday: Prime Rib Night LIVE Music with John Bartus Friday: LIVE Music with Abstract Radio Saturday: Mini Brunch BOGO Mimosas & Champagne Sunday: FUNDAY BRUNCH, LUNCH & BOGO Mimosas & Champagne Spaghetti & Meatballs Night

Happy Hour 4-6pm

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MARATHON WEEKLY / FEBRUARY 20, 2020

MARATHON • MM 47.3 (725 11th Street, Ocean) 305-289-0839 www.lazydayssouth.com

Enjoy Relaxing Oceanfront Dining While Feasting On Exquisite Seafood Dishes Prepared by Our Culinary Team

Reservations Recommended

Amazing Sunset Views

DON’T BE AN EASY TARGET! I hope everyone had a great holiday season and I’m happy to report that we had few reports of any serious incidents. I continue to attribute that to all of you who work alongside our Deputies in keeping our community safe. We can’t keep our neighborhoods clean and safe places to live, work and play without your help.

Though we had a positive holiday season, unfortunately, we have seen a recent spike in vehicle burglaries, mainly in the Upper Keys. Most of these cases involve unlocked vehicles. Unlocked doors make whatever is inside easy prey for thieves. In two of these vehicle burglaries, firearms were stolen.

Daily Lunch & Dinner Specials!

We Cook Your Own Catch!

PLEASE HELP THE SHERIFF’S OFFICE IN SPREADING THE WORD: LOCK YOUR VEHICLE DOORS! It’s an easy and effective way of curbing crime. I know that we can make a difference when we work together.

I know that because the proof is in the numbers.

Lunch Begins at 11 am Dinner Begins at 4 pm Happy Hour ~ 4-6 Daily (Bar Only)

I’m excited to report that overall crime was down 13.6 percent for 2019 in Monroe County, while the clearance rate of crimes in 2019 was 43 percent, up from an outstanding 38.3 percent for 2018.

? k c i r b t o g Paver Installation Cleaning & Sealing Retaining Walls Repairs

Put another way: The instances of reported crime has never been lower while our ability to solve crime has never been higher. And for perspective: The Sheriff’s Office has a clearance rate that is approximately 70 percent higher than the state average (the state average is 25.3%).

THE NUMBERS DON’T LIE! LET’S CONTINUE THE TREND!

Monroe County Sheriff, Rick Ramsay

License #SP3573

305.741.7688

paverdaveinc.com

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MARATHON WEEKLY / FEBRUARY 20, 2020

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GIGANTIC NAUTICAL FLEA MARKET

MARATHON WEEKLY / FEBRUARY 20, 2020

The 25th annual Gigantic Nautical Flea Market, held at Founders Park, goes from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday. Parking is at Coral Shores High School, MM 90. A shuttle bus will run attendees to and from the event on both days. KEYS WEEKLY FILE PHOTO

BENEFICIARY EYES PHYSICAL THERAPY PROGRAM The flea market sees thousands of shoppers over a two-day period. Behind the scenes are many Rotarians and volunteers who strive to make it an enjoyable event while working to support students in the Upper Keys. For Dallas Christmas, support from the Upper Keys Rotary Club helped her pursue a career in sports medicine.

VENDOR VILLAGE SHOP, EAT, DRINK AND ENJOY THIS WEEKEND JIM McCARTHY

I

jim@keysweekly.com

t’s the biggest shopping event of the year, and it all happens this weekend at Founders Park in Islamorada.

This year’s 25th annual Upper Keys Rotary Club Gigantic Nautical Flea Market, presented

by Richard C. Fox Plumbing, brings just over 270 vendors from around the state, as well as North Carolina, New York and Texas, for two days of shopping, eating, drinking and activities. From boats and fishing gear to artistic creations and honey, there’s something for everyone during this year’s “Boat Show with a Beach” event Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 22-23.

Rotary members will be serving up all-you-caneat breakfast for $5. Lunch is served from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday and from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday. Choose from a menu that will be sure to satisfy everyone’s hunger.

“We start off with our famous all-you-can-eat breakfast including sausage, hash browns, scrambled eggs and pancakes,” said Don Horton, Rotarian and grillmaster. “Then we transition to the best burgers in town, fried fish, conch fritters and hot

dogs. We throw in some of Eddie’s famous paella, chicken fingers, sausage and fries. Who knows?

There might be a few other surprises in the mix!”

With waves of shoppers entering the park, the annual event has raised millions in direct scholarship aid that’s helped local graduating students from Coral Shores High School and current scholars for decades. Ninety-three percent of students graduating go on to some form of higher ed, whether that be technical school, a state college or university.

“How do they afford that? One way is scholarships given out by many organizations in this community. With Upper Keys Rotary Club, we give out scholarships in the amount over the last 25 years of about $5 million to 2,000 students,” said Rotarian Frank Derfler. “Every year, we distribute $200,000 to scholars who have graduated, and the way we do that is through the Gigantic Nautical Flea Market.”

Visit Upper Keys Rotary Nautical Flea Market on Facebook for more information. Don’t forget to download the interactive map to find vendors. Visit rotarymarket.info and search the show by vendor name or by the types of products they sell.

NEW MPR SHIRTS BENEFIT RESCUES Marrvelous Pet Rescues’ new T-shirts will be on sale at the Gigantic Nautical Flea Market, with funds supporting rescues. T-shirts showcase the original artwork of the talented artist and animal advocate Maxine Trainer. MPR volunteer Michelle McCrea helped coordi-

nate it all. “As a MPR volunteer, I wanted to create T-shirts that would bring awareness to pet rescues to all generations while bringing in funds for MPR,” McCrea said. Funds from sales go to pay vet bills, incorporate training and save more lives.

“This is in celebration of rescue

animals and the amazing people who make it possible save the fur babies,” Trainer said. “I jumped at the opportunity when asked if they could use my rescue images.”

— Contributed

“Hello, My name is Dallas Ashley Christmas; I am attending Mercyhurst University in Erie, Pennsylvania. I am a freshman majoring in sports medicine with a concentration in pre-physical therapy. I also picked up a minor in exercise science.

“While at Mercyhurst, I have joined Habitat for Humanities, Public Health Club, and Anthropology Club. Also while at school, I continue my part-time job at Walgreens. During my time here in Pennsylvania, I have volunteered in many diverse activities from soup kitchens to raffle ticket sales to 5K runs or anything I can get my hands on to make a difference.

“I am working toward my bachelor’s of science so when I graduate from Mercyhurst I can attend a three-year doctoral of physical therapy program at Baylor University in Texas. Once I get my license to practice PT, I aspire to work for a professional football or baseball team as their sports physical therapist. Another route I am considering is to attend Army-Baylor University for my DPT program, so then I can work with military personnel on active or reserve duty.

“I am so grateful for the scholarship I received from Rotary because it allowed me to cut down my cost of attendance to Mercyhurst University and allowed me to pursue my career in sports medicine so I can help people and make a difference in the world.”

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THE ARTS

MARATHON WEEKLY / FEBRUARY 20, 2020

Artists and musicians in the Keys are all too familiar with the uncomfortable combination of large equipment and small spaces. Thanks to Vision Resource Center, the Keys’ newest community arts center, that difficulty can be avoided.

Located at 28575 Overseas Highway on Little Torch Key, the growing project is spearheaded by a three-man team of Mike Nusser, Matt McJunkin, and Scott Harkness. Nusser formerly owned two art galleries in Louisville, Kentucky, but came to the Keys to work for Little Torch Cottages when he found himself “burned out” on the Kentucky art scene. Shortly after Hurricane Irma, his employer purchased the adjacent property, a former Jehovah’s Witness church, with the intention of eventually tearing down the existing building and replacing it with vacation rentals.

Knowing that this would take some time, Nusser decided to act before the demolition took place.

ALEX RICKERT He explained his vision for a multiwww.keysweekly.com faceted community arts center to his bosses. “I used to own galleries, but the problem with galleries is that you’re always trying to sell work. I wanted a place for people to DO work.”

Although the Keys are filled with talented artists, the trio know that financial pressures and small spaces can limit their creative expression. “Most artists are in the workforce and just don’t have room for their art. They make money playing in bars, but most of the time they’re restricted to entertaining tourists. They don’t get to play their own personal songs that they write,” explained McJunkin. “I play bluesy depressing music,” added Nusser. “It’s cool, but not in a bar. We wanted to have gatherings where artists can get up and sing their own songs with no limits.”

With the support of his company, Nusser received permission in September 2019 to use the church as a home for his vision. Intent on creating a deadline for himself in order to motivate his work, Nusser originally

ROOM TO CREATE Center provides space for artists ‘to do work’

Mike Nusser, left, Scott Harkness and Matt McJunkin are the masterminds behind Vision Resource Center. ALEX RICKERT/Keys Weekly

dubbed the venture the “One Year Project” and recruited McJunkin and Harkness. “We knew that if it was successful, hopefully it could be incorporated into what Little Torch Cottages will do in the future. We wanted to see what we could do in one year, and go from there.” As the group explains, the project was buoyed by large potential with minimal risk to either party.

“At the end of the day, (Little Torch Cottages) knew that their original idea was to tear the place down anyway, so we couldn’t really ‘mess it up.’”

As it stands today, the renamed Vision Resource Center features a stage with instruments, theatrical lighting elements and a sound system; a dedicated photography area; and a budding music recording studio, all run from a control room with computers for audio mixing and recording, video and photo editing, and other technological endeavors.

Virtually all of the equipment in the building was donated, repurposed or left by fellow musicians in exchange for allowing visitors to use the equipment under supervision. From an entire theatrical lighting system donation by Marathon Community Theatre to old TV antennas removed from backyards by Harkness and hung as lighting trusses, the group’s creativity has allowed them to fill the space on a limited budget.

The large room is designed with a modular setup in order to allow for expansion along other avenues of creative expression.

As VRC moves forward, the group strives to create a community where artists can not only come to create, but also to learn from one another. McJunkin has primarily spearheaded construction projects in the building thus far, but he also is constantly looking out for knowledgeable individuals who would be willing to come in and give formal or informal classes on the latest techniques in any artistic field. The Keys can lend themselves to losing touch with technology and modern best practices, but as Nusser said, “We don’t want to be just ‘Keys good.’ There’s no center of the universe any more for music; with the internet, you can really create from anywhere. We have the artists and the talent here, but now we need somebody to help us put it together and send it off to the world. We’re all in this to learn and build a community that can help each other. No great art happens in a vacuum.”

Anyone interested in getting involved with Vision Resource Center is welcome to contact Nusser on Facebook or visit facebook.com/oldchurchstudio for updates on future events at VRC. In Nusser’s own words, “everyone keeps asking me how to get involved. I always tell them, ‘just show up.’

The biggest thing I want people to know is that everyone is welcome here.

Come with an idea, or just come with yourself. Our doors are always open.”

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MARATHON WEEKLY / FEBRUARY 20, 2020

"Then he said to them all, “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me." - Luke 9:23 Follow Jesus every Sunday at St. Columba Episcopal Church

9:00 am-Traditional Service followed by a delicious coffee hour 11:00am -Contemporary Service followed by Sunday Lunch

A-WaX Window Cleaning • Storefront • Commercial • Residential

Tuesday, February 25th Pancake Supper @ 6pm

• Licensed & Insured • Member of Marathon Chamber of Commerce

Ash Wednesday service @ Noon and 7pm

(member discounts available)

• Serving Marathon and surrounding areas • De-Ionized water-fed system not only leaves your windows spotless, it removes all salt and coral dust from your window frames.

Help us Welcome Living Compass with Dr. Scott & Holly Stoner Dinner on Friday, Feb. 28th at 6pm and Living Compass conference Saturday, Feb 29th from 10am-2pm

WE OFFER A COMMUNITY OF PEACE, LOVE AND UNDERSTANDING.

St. Columba Episcopal Church

Call 305-834-1842 for a free estimate

451 West 52nd St, Marathon Fl 305 743-6412 • www.stcolumbamarathon.org

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Lounge & Liquor

The Tradition Continues!

Lunch Specials

Monday-Friday 11am-2pm Friday & Saturday

What Happens At the monkey stays at the monkey

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Happy Hour

Mondays

7 Days 4pm-8pm

Freddie Bye

Package Store

Tuesday & Thursday

Open 7 Days

Freddie, Scott & Rich

L O U N G E O P E N 7 D AY S 1 0 a m - 4 a m 3 0 5 - 7 4 3 - 4 0 2 8 L I Q U O R S T O R E 3 0 5 - 74 3 - 5 7 3 7 2 3 4 5 5 t h S t . K - M A R T P L A Z A M M 5 0

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SEEN AROUND TOWN

MARATHON WEEKLY / FEBRUARY 20, 2020

1

WHAT A NIGHT

Bands rocked Marathon for Coral Head Music Fest

L 2

ots of folks turned out for the Coral Head Music Festival this past Saturday in Marathon at the park amphitheater. A mix of local, state and national bands took the stage and the night was capped by an epic performance by Night Ranger, famous for its “Sister Christian” rock ballad. Confederate Railroad also took the stage alongside the Taylor King Band, Southern Blood and Caffeine Carl and the Buzz. The concert was organized by the American Legion Riders of Post 154 to support a variety of local charities and veterans organizations.

— Weekly staff report

BARRY GAUKEL/Keys Weekly 1. Keri Kellli, left, Brad Gillis and Jack Blades rock the stage at Marathon Community Park.

2. Brad Gillis alternates between lead and rhythm guitar throughout the night.

3. Kelly Keagy, longtime drummer for Night Ranger, has been with the band off and on since 1979.

4. Keri Kelli has been with the band for about six years.

5. Jack Blades is an original member of the band, formed in 1979 in San Francisco.

6. Brad Gillis and Jack Blades trade licks.

SEEN AROUND TOWN

MARATHON WEEKLY / FEBRUARY 20, 2020

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MARATHON WEEKLY / FEBRUARY 20, 2020

• CLASSIFIEDS, PUBLIC && LEGAL NOTICES • • 305.743.0844 • CLASSIFIEDS, PUBLIC LEGAL NOTICES 305.743.0844 DOLPHIN RESEARCH CENTER 58901 O/S Hwy - Grassy Key, FL Teaching... Learning...Caring

The Guidance/Care Center, Inc. a division of

“Uplifting the human spirit since 1973”

THE GUIDANCE/CARE CENTER, Inc.

KEY WEST

OCEAN KEY RESORT & SPA IS HIRING! A/P Clerk- General Cashier Boutique Sales Associate Licensed Esthetician* Licensed Massage Therapist* *Must hold FL license

Apply online at:

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Apply in person at: Zero Duval St. Come see why our employees love to call Ocean Key home!

Great pay, amazing benefits, & an awesome team!

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Behavioral Health Therapist (Children) Case Manager (PT) Substance Abuse Counselor Front Desk Specialist

MARATHON

RNs and LPNs (3 shifts) (PT& FT) *Behavioral Health Technicians (3 shifts) (PT/FT) Peer Support Specialist Crisis Counselor *Assisted Living Direct Care Worker (PT) Drop In Technician Research Assistant *No experience necessary. Will train. A caring heart & helpful hands required.

$1,000 Sign-on Bonus!

• Housekeeper • Guest Services Associate

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Check out all available positions at: www.westcare.com EEOC/DFWP

SCAN FOR JOB

Please email resume to hr@spottswood.com

Both full or part time positions available at Hyatt Place at Faro Blanco Resort.

SCHOOL BUS DRIVERS NEEDED!

Line Cook, Servers, Host, Housekeepers, Night Auditor, Front Desk Agent and Food Runners.

Excellent Benefit Package

Monroe County School District

Apply in person at 1996 Overseas Highway, Marathon or email resume to hr@spottswood.com

Salary $15.80- $23.20/hour

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TO APPLY:

• Benefits

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eoe

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Background and drug screen req.

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Or Call > Andre at 305.743.9009

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In Person > The Hammocks at Marathon 1688 Overseas Highway, Gulf Side, Mile Marker 48, Marathon

JOB OPENINGS

Behavioral Health Therapist (Children) Advocate

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FULL TIME JOB OPPORTUNITIES

Dolphin Research Center currently has an exciting career opportunity for a full-time position in the Accounting Department. Reports directly to senior mgmt, position is responsible for accuracy, integrity & timeliness of organization’s financial & accounting records, reporting & disclosure. Duties include preparation of monthly & year-end financial statements & analysis, cash mgmt, budgeting/forecasting, capital budgeting/depreciation, & mgmt reporting. Position supervises a staff, is directly responsible for A/P & A/R,, Bank Reconciliations & Payroll. Successful candidate will be a hands-on self-starter able to work effectively in team-oriented environment & familiar w/all aspects of general accounting, & financial reporting & analysis. Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting & 5 - 8 yrs related exp (or equivalent exp) is required. Knowledge of MAS200 preferred. CPA and/or non-profit experience a plus. Should have experience in management with good people skills. Benefits include medical insurance, 401(k), vacation and paid holidays. Job description available at www.dolphins.org. E-mail your resume with salary requirements to drc-hr@dolphins.org. EOE

• Full Time or Flexible Part Time Hours 6 to 9 am or 1 or 2 to 5 pm Apply online: www.keysschools.com

EOE m/f/d/v

HIRING: Maintenance position with busy non-profit. FT with benefits.

Long-term position w/room for growth. Valid DL required. Must have maintenance or related experience, computer skills and relate well with people. Very physical position, heavy lifting, heat, etc.

Drug-free workplace, EOE. Please send resume and cover letter to sholt@fkoc.org. No phone calls.

Sweet Savannah’s Bake Shop

is now hiring for Afternoon & Evening Shifts.

Please Apply In Person 8919 Overseas Hwy, Marathon

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MARATHON WEEKLY / FEBRUARY 20, 2020

POTTERY • GLASS • CLAY • WORKSHOPS & COFFEE Paint Pottery, try Glass Blowing & Clay Wheel Throwing, or learn Glass Fusion & enjoy our Joyfully Brewed Coffee!

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MEET SEA TURTLES AT THE TURTLE HOSPITAL OPEN TO THE PUBLIC. CALL 305-743-2552 FOR RESERVATIONS. 2396 Overseas Highway Gulf, Marathon

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Let’s go Fishing!

MARATHON LADY DOCKS U.S.1 at Vaca Cut Bridge Mile Marker 53 Marathon, FL

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MARATHON WEEKLY / FEBRUARY 20, 2020

• CLASSIFIEDS, PUBLIC & LEGAL NOTICES •

305.743.0844

LEGAL NOTICES

LEGAL NOTICES

LEGAL NOTICES

LEGAL NOTICES

LEGAL NOTICES

LEGAL NOTICES

LEGAL NOTICES

NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETING MONROE COUNTY CONSTRUCTION BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT & APPEALS MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that on Tuesday, March 10th, 2020, the Monroe County Construction Board Adjustment & Appeals will hold a public meeting at the Marathon Government Center, 2798 Overseas Highway, Marathon, Monroe County, Florida, at 9:30 A.M., or as soon as thereafter may be heard, to consider: KEY MARINA DEVELOPMENT, LLC, AND MARK GERENGER, 97601 OVERSEAS HIGHWAY, KEY LARGO, FLORIDA 33037: A public hearing concerning an appeal, pursuant to Monroe County Code Section 6-57, by the property owner Key Marina Development, LLC, to the Monroe County Construction Board of Adjustment and Appeals, concerning a declaration that a structure constitutes an unsafe, uninhabitable, and uninhabitable non-homestead structure, by decision dated August 16, 2019, by the Building Official of Monroe County, Florida. The subject property is legally described as: Parcel I - Singleton Parcel.

Parcel 1: Lots 1 and 2, Block 4, MANDALAY, according to the Plat thereof, recorded in Plat Book 1, Page 194 among the Public Records of Monroe County, Florida; Together with a parcel of submerged lands in Sec. 6, Twp 62 South, Rge. 39 East, Key Largo, Florida, Monroe County, Florida, more particularly described as: From the intersection of the dividing line between Lots 2 and 3, Block 4 with the Southeasterly side of East Second Street, as shown on Plat of MANDALAY, recorded in Plat Book 1, Page 194, Public Records of Monroe County, Florida, run Southwesterly along said dividing line, a distance of 150 feet to the most Easterly corner of Lot 2 and the most Westerly corner of a parcel heretofore conveyed to A.F. Meade by Trustees I.I.F., Deed 22153 and the Point of Beginning of the parcel hereinafter described; thence continue Southeasterly along last described course and along the Southwesterly side of the Meade parcel, a distance of 250 feet; thence Southwesterly and parallel to the said Southeasterly side of East Second Street, a distance of 125.8 feet to the prolongation of the dividing line between Lot 1, Block 4, and Second Avenue, according to said Plat Book 1, Page 194; thence Northwesterly along said prolongation a distance of 250 feet to the most Southerly corner of said Lot 1, Block 4; thence Northeasterly along the Southeasterly side of Lots 1 and 2, a distance of 175.8 feet to the Point of Beginning. Parcel 2: Leasehold estate in favor of Canalis Holding Corp. created in that certain Lease Agreement dated November 12, 1997 between Monroe County and Canalis Holding Corp., demising the following described lands: The Easterly ten feet of Second Avenue adjacent to Lot 1, Block 4; MANDALAY, according to the Plat thereof as recorded in Plat Book 1, Page 194 of the Public Records of Monroe County, Florida. Part II Lively Parcel: A strip of land 125 feet wide and 250 feet in depth off the Southwesterly side of Block 3, said strip being 125 feet on East First Street and East Second Street, and 250 feet on Second Avenue, MANDALAY, according to the plat thereof recorded in Plat Book 1; Page 194 of the Public Records of Monroe County, Florida. Also described as: A strip of land 125 feet wide

and 25 feet in depth off the Southwesterly side of Block 3, said strip being 125 feet on East First Street on east Second and East Avenue 250 feet on Second Avenue, MANDALAY, according to the plat thereof recorded in Plat Book 1, Page 194 of the Public Records of Monroe County, Florida. AND A tract of land in Block 3 of MANDALAY, a subdivision of Key Largo, according to the Plat recorded in Plat Book 1, at Page 194 Public Records of Monroe County, Florida, said tract having a frontage of 100 feet on East First Street, according to the plat of MANDALAY, and a depth of 95 feet and further described as less Northwesterly 95 feet of the Northeasterly 100 feet of the Southwesterly 225 feet of said Block 3. AND The Northeasterly 50 feet of the Southwesterly 175 feet, and the Northeasterly 50 feet of the Southwesterly 225 feet, Block 3, MANDALAY, a subdivision of Key Largo, according to the Plat recorded in Plat Book 1, Page 194 Public Records of Monroe County, Florida, less the Northwesterly 95 feet of the Northeasterly 100 feet of the Southwesterly 225 feet thereof of said Block 3. Part III Bennett Parcel: Lots 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 30, 31, and 33, Block 2, MANDALAY, according to the Plat thereof, as recorded in Plat Book 1, Page 194 of the Public Records of Monroe County, Florida. Said subject property currently having Property Identification Number 00554420-000000.

ADA ASSISTANCE: If you are a person with a disability who needs special accommodations in order to participate in this proceeding, please contact the County Administrator’s Office, by phoning (305) 292-4441, between the hours of 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., no later than five (5) calendar days prior to the scheduled meeting; if you are hearing or voice impaired, call “711”.

Publish: February 20, 2020 The Weekly Newspapers

needs special recommendations in order to participate in this proceeding, please contact the County Administrator’s Office, by phoning (305) 292-4441, between the hours of 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., no later than five (5) calendar days prior to the scheduled meeting; if you are hearing or voice impaired, call “711”.

NOTICE: It shall be the responsibility of each Respondent or other person addressing the Board to bring an interpreter if the party is not able to understand or speak the English language.

Rick Griffin, Building Official/Board Secretary Maria Partington, Senior Coordinator – CEB Board Monroe County Building Department Publish: February 20, 2020 The Weekly Newspapers

THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE. ALL CLAIMS NOT SO FILED WILL BE FOREVER BARRED. NOTWITHSTANDING THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH ABOVE, ANY CLAIM FILED TWO (2) YEARS OR MORE AFTER THE DECEDENT’S DATE OF DEATH IS BARRED. THE DATE OF FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE IS: February 20, 2020.

Personal Representative: MARY E. BRUSHWOOD 510 Coral Lane Key Largo, FL 33037 Attorney for Personal Representative: JOHN MICHAEL LYNN, ESQ. Florida Bar No. 0147273 Turner & Lynn, PA 7 Barracuda Lane Key Largo, Florida 33037 Telephone: (305) 367-0911 turnerlynnpa@gmail.com Publish: February 20 & 27, 2020 The Weekly Newspapers

IN RE: ESTATE OF BETTY HOLLER FORD, Deceased.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS The administration of the estate of BETTY HOLLER FORD, deceased, whose date of death was October 4, 2019, is pending in the Circuit Court for Monroe County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is 50 High Point Rd, Plantation Key, FL 33070. The names and addresses of the personal representative and the personal representative’s attorney are set forth below.

All creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate on whom a copy of this notice is required to be served must file their claims with this court ON OR BEFORE THE LATER OF 3 MONTHS AFTER THE TIME OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE OR 30 DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF SERVICE OF A COPY OF THIS NOTICE ON THEM. All other creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate must file their claims with this court WITHIN 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE. ALL CLAIMS NOT FILED WITHIN THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH IN FLORIDA STATUTES SECTION 733.702 WILL BE FOREVER BARRED. NOTWITHSTANDING THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH ABOVE, ANY CLAIM FILED TWO (2) YEARS OR MORE AFTER THE DECEDENT’S DATE OF DEATH IS BARRED. The date of first publication of this notice is: February 13, 2020.

Personal Representative: Daniel Hall Ford 19 Elm Street Montrose, Colorado 81401 Attorney for Personal Representative: Robert K. Miller, Esq. Attorney Florida Bar Number: 359173 Cunningham Miller Rhyne PA 10075 Overseas Hwy PO Box 500938 Marathon, FL 33050 Telephone: (305) 743-9428 Fax: (305) 743-8800 E-mail: rmiller@ floridakeyslaw.com Secondary E-Mail: service@ floridakeyslaw.com Publish: February 13 & 20, 2020 The Weekly Newspapers

decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate must file their claims with this court WITHIN 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE. ALL CLAIMS NOT FILED WITHIN THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH IN FLORIDA STATUTES SECTION 733.702 WILL BE FOREVER BARRED. NOTWITHSTANDING THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH ABOVE, ANY CLAIM FILED TWO (2) YEARS OR MORE AFTER THE DECEDENT’S DATE OF DEATH IS BARRED. The date of first publication of this notice is: February 13, 2020.

Personal Representative: James Preston Davis 4332 Orchard Valley Drive SE Atlanta, GA 30339 Attorney for Personal Representative: Victoria Miranda, Esquire Florida Bar No. 1015363 Email: VMiranda@HLYlaw.com Russell Allen Yagel, Esquire Florida Bar No. 727090 Email: RYagel@HLYlaw.com HERSHOFF, LUPINO & YAGEL, LLP 9350 S. Dixie Highway, Suite 1470 Miami, FL 33156 Publish: February 13 & 20, 2020 The Weekly Newspapers

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE SIXTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, IN AND FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA CASE NO.: 19-CA000816-K DIVISION: Civil Beach House Condominium Association of Key West, Inc., a nonprofit corporation under the laws of the State of Florida, Plaintiff, vs.

The Estate of Anne Rawles Huske, et al.

Defendants. __________________/ AMENDED NOTICE OF ACTION AS TO COUNT(S) II AGAINST DEFENDANT, DARCINE TRIBBLE, AS POTENTIAL HEIR TO THE ESTATE OF LORETTA IRENE TRIBBLE To: DARCINE TRIBBLE, AS POTENTIAL HEIR TO THE ESTATE OF LORETTA IRENE TRIBBLE 8227 SOUTH MANISTEE CHICAGO, IL 60617 UNITED STATES OF AMERICA and all parties claiming interest by, through, under or against Defendant(s); DARCINE TRIBBLE, AS POTENTIAL HEIR TO THE ESTATE OF LORETTA IRENE TRIBBLE, and all parties having or claiming to have any right, title or interest in the property herein described; YOU ARE NOTIFIED that an action to enforce a lien on the following described property in Monroe County, Florida: Unit F22, Week 40, Beach House Condominium, a Condominium according to the Declaration of Condominium thereof recorded in Official Records Book 1510, Page 225, Public Records of Monroe County, Florida, and all exhibits attached thereto, and any amendments thereof (the “Declaration”).

Contract No.: 3-5599 has been filed against you; and you are required to serve a copy of your written defenses, if any, to it on NICHOLAS A. WOO, Plaintiff’s attorney, P. O. Box 165028, Columbus, OH 43216-5028, within thirty (30) days after the first publication of this Notice and file the original with the Clerk of this Court either before service on Plaintiff’s attorney or immediately thereafter; otherwise a default will be entered against you for the relief demanded in the Complaint.

WITNESS my hand and seal of this Court on the 11th day of February, 2020.

Kevin Madok, CPA, Clerk CLERK OF THE CIRCUIT COURT MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA Civil Division By: Shonta McLeod Deputy Clerk NOTICE TO PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, if you are a person with a disability who needs any accommodation in order to participate in court proceedings you are entitled, at no cost to you, to the provision of certain assistance. Not later than five working days prior to the proceeding, please contact the Court Administrator’s office, at the Freeman Justice Center, 302 St. 2nd Floor, Key West, FL 33040. Telephone: (305) 292-3423 or via the Florida Relay Center. To make calls through the Florida Relay Center, you may dial 7-1-1 or use the following toll free access numbers: 1-800-9558771 (TTY); 1-877-955-8260 (VCO); 1-800-955-8770 (Voice); 1-800-955-1339 (ASCII); 1-877955-5334 (STS); 1-877-955-8707 (French Creole – available from 8 a.m. – 2 a.m. daily) Publish: February 20 & 27, 2020 The Weekly Newspapers

NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETING MONROE COUNTY CONTRACTORS EXAMINING BOARD MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA Notice Is Hereby Given To Whom It May Concern that on Tuesday, March 10, 2020 the Monroe County Contractors Examining Board (“CEB”) will hold their regularly scheduled meeting following the scheduled Monroe County Construction Board of Adjustment & Appeals (CBAA) public meeting at the Marathon Government Center, 2798 Overseas Highway, Second Floor, BOCC Room, Marathon, Florida commencing at 9:30 A.M. This meeting is to hear the following: any person(s) to come before the board; any reports from Monroe County Assistant Attorney; any reports from Monroe County Building Official; any reports from Staff; board review of applications for a certificate of competency license and/or testing; any old or new business to come before the board at this time.

PURSUANT TO FLORIDA STATUTE SECTION 286.0105, be advised that, if a person decides to appeal the decision made by the Contractors’ Examining Board with respect to any matter considered at today’s hearing, that person will need a record of the proceedings, and that, for such purpose, he or she may need to ensure that a verbatim record of the proceedings is made, which record includes the testimony and evidence upon which the appeal is to be based.

ADA ASSISTANCE: If you are a person with a disability who

FICTITIOUS NAME NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the undersigned desiring to engage in business under the fictitious name RUM CULT, located at 19269 BAD GEORGE ROAD, SUGARLOAF KEY, FL 33042 intends to register said name with the Florida Department of State, Tallahassee, Florida.

BY: BAD GEORGE, LLC Publish: February 20, 2020 The Weekly Newspapers FICTITIOUS NAME NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the undersigned desiring to engage in business under the fictitious name LEGAL SERVICES OF THE FLORIDA KEYS, located at 4343 WEST FLAGLER ST, SUITE 100, MIAMI, FL 33134 intends to register said name with the Division of Corporations of the Florida Department of State, Tallahassee, Florida.

BY: LEGAL SERVICES OF GREATER MIAMI, INC. Publish: February 20, 2020 The Weekly Newspapers IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA PROBATE DIVISION FILE NO.: 20-CP-000011-P IN RE: ESTATE OF ROBERT W. WILLIAMSON, Deceased.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS The administration of the estate of ROBERT W. WILLIAMSON, deceased, whose date of death was October 22, 2019; is pending in the Circuit Court for Monroe County, Florida, Probate Division; File Number 20-CP000011-P; the address of which is 88820 Overseas Highway, Tavernier, FL 33070. The names and addresses of the personal representative and the personal representative’s attorney are set forth below.

All creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate, including unmatured, contingent or unliquidated claims, and who have been served a copy of this notice, must file their claims with this court WITHIN THE LATER OF THREE (3) MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE OR THIRTY (30) DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF SERVICE OF A COPY OF THIS NOTICE ON THEM. All other creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate, including unmatured, contingent or unliquidated claims, must file their claims with this court WITHIN THREE (3) MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA PROBATE DIVISION File No.: 20-CP-000008-P IN RE: ESTATE OF REBECCA BOSWORTH HOLLEY, Deceased.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS The administration of the estate of REBECCA BOSWORTH HOLLEY, deceased, whose date of death was December 20, 2019, is pending in the Circuit Court for Monroe County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is 88820 Overseas Highway, Tavernier, Florida 33070. The names and addresses of the personal representative and the personal representative’s attorney are set forth below.

All creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate on whom a copy of this notice is required to be served must file their claims with this court ON OR BEFORE THE LATER OF 3 MONTHS AFTER THE TIME OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE OR 30 DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF SERVICE OF A COPY OF THIS NOTICE ON THEM. All other creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate must file their claims with this court WITHIN 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE. ALL CLAIMS NOT FILED WITHIN THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH IN FLORIDA STATUTES SECTION 733.702 WILL BE FOREVER BARRED. NOTWITHSTANDING THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH ABOVE, ANY CLAIM FILED TWO (2) YEARS OR MORE AFTER THE DECEDENT’S DATE OF DEATH IS BARRED. The date of first publication of this notice is: February 13, 2020.

Personal Representative: KATHLEEN MARTHA HOLLEY 9867 Finnegan Dr. Brighton, MI 48116 Attorney for Personal Representative: ALEX CUELLO Attorney for Petitioner FBN: 84778 2655 S LeJeune Road, Suite 1008 Coral Gables, FL 33134 Telephone: (305) 567-0100 Fax: (305) 567-0799 E-mail: acuello@cuellolaw.com Secondary E-Mail: cuellopa@ gmail.com Publish: February 13 & 20, 2020 The Weekly Newspapers IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA PROBATE DIVISION FILE NO.: 19-CP-000141-P

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE SIXTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA PROBATE DIVISION CASE NO.: 19-CP-000140-P IN RE: ESTATE OF JAMES CALDWELL DAVIS, Deceased.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS The administration of the estate of JAMES CALDWELL DAVIS, deceased, whose date of death was September 27, 2019, is pending in the Circuit Court for Monroe County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is 88820 Overseas Hwy., Tavernier, FL 33070. The names and addresses of the personal representative and the personal representative’s attorney are set forth below.

All creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate on whom a copy of this notice is required to be served must file their claims with this court ON OR BEFORE THE LATER OF 3 MONTHS AFTER THE TIME OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE OR 30 DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF SERVICE OF A COPY OF THIS NOTICE ON THEM. All other creditors of the

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE 16TH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, IN AND FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA Case No.: 19-DR-290-M Division: Family MARLIN RAQUEL JARA, Petitioner and YORDANY RODRIGUEZ MARMOL Respondent.

NOTICE OF ACTION FOR DISSOLUTION OF MARRIAGE TO: YORDANY RODRIGUEZ MARMOL Respondent’s last known address: Unknown YOU ARE NOTIFIED that an action for dissolution of marriage has been filed against you and that you are required to serve a copy of your written defenses, if any, to it on: Marlin Raquel Jara, P.O. Box 522437, Marathon, FL 33052, on or before March 20, 2020 and file the original with the clerk of this Court at Monroe County Clerk of Court, 3117 Overseas Highway, Marathon, FL 33050, before service on Petitioner or immediately thereafter. If you fail to do so, a default may be entered against you for the relief demanded in the petition.

Copies of all court documents in this case, including orders, are available at the Clerk of the Circuit Court’s office. You may review these documents upon request.

You must keep the Clerk of the Circuit Court’s office notified of your current address.

(You may file Designation of Current Mailing and E-Mail Address, Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.915.) Future papers in this lawsuit will be mailed or e-mailed to the address(es) on record at the clerk’s office.

WARNING: Rule 12.285, Florida Family Law Rules of Procedure, requires certain automatic disclosure of documents and information. Failure to comply can result in sanctions, including dismissal or striking of pleadings.

Dated: February 18, 2020.

Kevin Madok, CPA Clerk of the Circuit Court Monroe County, Florida By: Shakia Mitchell Deputy Clerk Publish: February 20, 27, March 5, & 12, 2020 The Weekly Newspapers

59

MARATHON WEEKLY / FEBRUARY 20, 2020

• CLASSIFIEDS, PUBLIC & LEGAL NOTICES • LEGAL NOTICES

LEGAL NOTICES

LEGAL NOTICES

LEGAL NOTICES

NONJUDICIAL PROCEEDING TO FORECLOSE CLAIM OF LIEN BY TRUSTEE FILE NO.: 19-023004 WINDWARD POINTE CONDOMINIUM ASSOCIATION OF KEY WEST, INC., A CORPORATION NOT-FORPROFIT UNDER THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF FLORIDA, Lienholder, vs.

JOHN ERNEST THOMPSON; SHERRY MURPHY THOMPSON Obligor ___________________/ TRUSTEE’S NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE PROCEEDING TO: John Ernest Thompson 116 Sevilla Avenue Royal Palm Beach, FL 33411 Sherry Murphy Thompson 116 Sevilla Avenue Royal Palm Beach, FL 33411 YOU ARE NOTIFIED that a TRUSTEE’S NON-JUDICIAL PROCEEDING to enforce a Lien has been instituted on the following Timeshare Ownership Interest at Windward Pointe Condominium described as: Unit 5413, Week 36, Annual Windward Pointe Condominium, a Leasehold Condominium (“Condominium”), according to the Declaration of Condominium thereof recorded in Official Records Book 1803, Page 844, Public Records of Monroe County, Florida, and all exhibits thereto, and any amendments thereof (the “Declaration”).

The default giving rise to these proceedings is the failure to pay condominium assessments and dues resulting in a Claim of Lien encumbering the Timeshare Ownership Interest as recorded in the Official Records of Monroe County, Florida. The Obligor has the right to object to this Trustee proceeding by serving written objection on the Trustee named below. The Obligor has the right to cure the default and any junior interest holder may redeem its interest, for a minimum period of fortyfive (45) days until the Trustee issues the Certificate of Sale. The Lien may be cured by sending certified funds to the Trustee payable to the Lienholder in the amount of $2,143.96, plus interest (calculated by multiplying $0.00) times the number of days that have elapsed since February 10, 2020), plus the costs of this proceeding. Said funds for cure or redemption must be received by the Trustee before the Certificate of Sale is issued.

Nicholas A. Woo, Esq. Valerie N. Edgecombe Brown, Esq. Cynthia David, Esq. Michael E. Carleton, Esq. as Trustee pursuant to Fla. Stat. §721.82 P. O. Box 165028 Columbus, OH 43216-5028 Telephone: 407-404-5266 Telecopier: 614-220-5613 Publish: February 20 & 27, 2020 The Weekly Newspapers

Silver Spring, MD 20906 YOU ARE NOTIFIED that a TRUSTEE’S NON-JUDICIAL PROCEEDING to enforce a Lien has been instituted on the following Timeshare Ownership Interest at Windward Pointe Condominium described as: Unit 5232, Week 29, Odd Year Biennial Windward Pointe, a Leasehold Condominium (“Condominium”), according to the Declaration of Condominium thereof recorded in Official Records Book 1803, Page 844, Public Records of Monroe County, Florida, and all exhibits thereto, and any amendments thereof (the “Declaration”).

The default giving rise to these proceedings is the failure to pay condominium assessments and dues resulting in a Claim of Lien encumbering the Timeshare Ownership Interest as recorded in the Official Records of Monroe County, Florida. The Obligor has the right to object to this Trustee proceeding by serving written objection on the Trustee named below. The Obligor has the right to cure the default and any junior interest holder may redeem its interest, for a minimum period of forty-five (45) days until the Trustee issues the Certificate of Sale. The Lien may be cured by sending certified funds to the Trustee payable to the Lienholder in the amount of $2,132.81, plus interest (calculated by multiplying $ 0.00 times the number of days that have elapsed since February 11, 2020), plus the costs of this proceeding. Said funds for cure or redemption must be received by the Trustee before the Certificate of Sale is issued.

Nicholas A. Woo, Esq. Valerie N. Edgecombe Brown, Esq. Cynthia David, Esq. Michael E. Carleton, Esq. as Trustee pursuant to Fla. Stat. §721.82 P. O. Box 165028 Columbus, OH 43216-5028 Telephone: 407-404-5266 Telecopier: 614-220-5613 Publish: February 20 & 27, 2020 The Weekly Newspapers

FORECLOSURE PROCEEDING TO: Jeffrey Loch 1208 Celebration Avenue Celebration, FL 34747 Carol Loch 1208 Celebration Avenue Celebration, FL 34747 YOU ARE NOTIFIED that a TRUSTEE’S NON-JUDICIAL PROCEEDING to enforce a Lien has been instituted on the following Timeshare Ownership Interest at Windward Pointe Condominium described as: Unit 5714, Week 35, Odd Year Biennial Windward Pointe Condominium, a Leasehold Condominium (“Condominium”), according to the Declaration of Condominium thereof recorded in Official Records Book 1803, Page 844, Public Records of Monroe County, Florida, and all exhibits thereto, and any amendments thereof (the “Declaration”).

The default giving rise to these proceedings is the failure to pay condominium assessments and dues resulting in a Claim of Lien encumbering the Timeshare Ownership Interest as recorded in the Official Records of Monroe County, Florida. The Obligor has the right to object to this Trustee proceeding by serving written objection on the Trustee named below. The Obligor has the right to cure the default and any junior interest holder may redeem its interest, for a minimum period of forty-five (45) days until the Trustee issues the Certificate of Sale. The Lien may be cured by sending certified funds to the Trustee payable to the Lienholder in the amount of $2,131.94, plus interest (calculated by multiplying $ 0.00 times the number of days that have elapsed since February 11, 2020), plus the costs of this proceeding. Said funds for cure or redemption must be received by the Trustee before the Certificate of Sale is issued.

Nicholas A. Woo, Esq. Valerie N. Edgecombe Brown, Esq. Cynthia David, Esq. Michael E. Carleton, Esq. as Trustee pursuant to Fla. Stat. §721.82 P. O. Box 165028 Columbus, OH 43216-5028 Telephone: 407-404-5266 Telecopier: 614-220-5613 Publish: February 20 & 27, 2020 The Weekly Newspapers

PROFIT UNDER THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF FLORIDA, Lienholder, vs.

ESMERALDA DORESTE Obligor ____________________/ TRUSTEE’S NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE PROCEEDING TO: Esmeralda Doreste 817 19th Street Union City, NJ 07087 YOU ARE NOTIFIED that a TRUSTEE’S NON-JUDICIAL PROCEEDING to enforce a Lien has been instituted on the following Timeshare Ownership Interest at Windward Pointe Condominium described as: Unit 5121, Week 43, Annual Windward Pointe, a Leasehold Condominium (“Condominium”), according to the Declaration of Condominium thereof recorded in Official Records Book 1803, Page 844, Public Records of Monroe County, Florida, and all exhibits thereto, and any amendments thereof (the “Declaration”).

The default giving rise to these proceedings is the failure to pay condominium assessments and dues resulting in a Claim of Lien encumbering the Timeshare Ownership Interest as recorded in the Official Records of Monroe County, Florida. The Obligor has the right to object to this Trustee proceeding by serving written objection on the Trustee named below. The Obligor has the right to cure the default and any junior interest holder may redeem its interest, for a minimum period of forty-five (45) days until the Trustee issues the Certificate of Sale. The Lien may be cured by sending certified funds to the Trustee payable to the Lienholder in the amount of $2,126.38, plus interest (calculated by multiplying $ 0.00 times the number of days that have elapsed since February 11, 2020), plus the costs of this proceeding. Said funds for cure or redemption must be received by the Trustee before the Certificate of Sale is issued.

Nicholas A. Woo, Esq. Valerie N. Edgecombe Brown, Esq. Cynthia David, Esq. Michael E. Carleton, Esq. as Trustee pursuant to Fla. Stat. §721.82 P. O. Box 165028 Columbus, OH 43216-5028 Telephone: 407-404-5266 Telecopier: 614-220-5613 Publish: February 20 & 27, 2020 The Weekly Newspapers

NONJUDICIAL PROCEEDING TO FORECLOSE CLAIM OF LIEN BY TRUSTEE FILE NO.: 19-023012 WINDWARD POINTE CONDOMINIUM ASSOCIATION OF KEY WEST, INC., A CORPORATION NOT-FORPROFIT UNDER THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF FLORIDA, Lienholder, vs.

RACHELLE RAYMOND Obligor __________________/ TRUSTEE’S NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE PROCEEDING TO: Rachelle Raymond 13200 Redspire Drive

NONJUDICIAL PROCEEDING TO FORECLOSE CLAIM OF LIEN BY TRUSTEE FILE NO.: 19-023031 WINDWARD POINTE CONDOMINIUM ASSOCIATION OF KEY WEST, INC., A CORPORATION NOT-FORPROFIT UNDER THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF FLORIDA, Lienholder, vs.

JEFFREY LOCH; CAROL LOCH Obligor ___________________/ TRUSTEE’S NOTICE OF

NONJUDICIAL PROCEEDING TO FORECLOSE CLAIM OF LIEN BY TRUSTEE FILE NO.: 19-023038 WINDWARD POINTE CONDOMINIUM ASSOCIATION OF KEY WEST, INC., A CORPORATION NOT-FOR-

Meeting Notice Monroe County Land Authority The Monroe County Land Authority Advisory Committee will meet in the Marathon Government Center located at 2798 Overseas Highway, Media Room – 1st floor, Marathon, Florida on February 26, 2020 beginning at 9:00 AM. The agenda is available online at www.monroecounty-fl.gov or by contacting the Land Authority office at 295-5180.

ADA ASSISTANCE If you are a person with a disability who needs special accommodations in order to participate in these proceedings, please contact the County Administrator's Office, by phoning (305) 292-4441, between the hours of 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., no later than five (5) calendar days prior to the scheduled meeting; if you are hearing or voice impaired, call "711".

305.743.0844

THEME: BLACK HISTORY MONTH ACROSS 1. Sell illegally 6. Crime scene evidence 9. “From California to the New York Island,” e.g.

13. Berth deck in relation to poop deck 14. Poetic over 15. Chocolate cake ingredient 16. Like Solitaire player 17. Go a-courting 18. Packing 19. *”Go Tell It on the Mountain” author 21. *South Africa’s first black president 23. Bag, ‡ Paris 24. Schooner pole 25. #1 on Billboards Chart, e.g.

28. One way to memorize 30. *Civil rights activist and Ferguson opponent 35. Single pip cards 37. Give a shot of novocaine 39. Call forth 40. Long John Silver’s walk 41. Sauna product 43. Dashing style 44. Pariah, for medical reasons 46. Back arrow key 47. As opposed to gross 48. Kane and Goldberg, TV characters 50. Georgia ____ university 52. Poseidon’s domain 53. MXN, as in currency 55. Snowman Olaf’s favorite thing 57. *2019 eponymous movie character 61. Errand runner, at court 65. Matter of debate 66. Harry Potter’s Hedwig 68. Ineffectual vomiting 69. Giblets part 70. *Famous movie director, Spike 71. Ruhr’s industrial center 72. Played at military funerals 73. Flow alternative 74. Nostradamus and such

DOWN 1. Hunk of something 2. Flavored with kola nuts 3. Absent without leave 4. Gives a helping hand 5. Antebellum 6. Pillow filler 7. ____colonial or ____classical 8. Oven emanation?

9. Lady’s man 10. Ne plus ultra 11. Famous Coward 12. Man Ray’s genre 15. Back of a saddle 20. Popular Byzantine artwork 22. Nile viper 24. Reminder of times past 25. *First African American to win Best Actress Oscar 26. More slippery 27. Allegro and lento, in music 29. *Nobel Peace Prize laureate, 1984 31. Like fair share 32. Arch and ball location, pl.

33. *On Debi Thomas’ foot when she won Olympic medal 34. Busybody, in Yiddish 36. Work detail 38. Bid, past tense 42. Coffee shop order 45. D’Artagnan’s weapon of choice 49. Get the picture 51. *Harlem Renaissance poet 54. Fur shawl 56. Canada flyers 57. Handle of #45 Down 58. Most populous continent 59. Invitation request 60. Regrets 61. Commoner 62. Diamond’s corner 63. Walkie-talkie word 64. Japanese money, pl.

67. *Du Bois

60

MARATHON WEEKLY / FEBRUARY 20, 2020

• CLASSIFIEDS, PUBLIC & LEGAL NOTICES • AUTOS WANTED

BOATS FOR SALE

ALL YEARS! Junk or Used. Cars - Vans Trucks- Running or Not. $CASH$ 305-332-0483

1997 Bayliner 19’ Center Console, 2015 150 Suzuki, 4 stroke, 207 hours, professionally maintained, 2 chart plotters, 1 fish finder, live well, 4 storage compartments. Located in Marathon. Valued $15,900 reduced to $9,950. 22’ 4-wheel trailer $500.

John 732-668-7060

BOATS FOR SALE 23’ Parker Center Console, New 11/2010, F250 4-stroke, many extras.

305-743-6557 Ask $39,900 Located in Marathon.

2007 Key West 17.2’ Center Console w/Bimini.

2007 90 Yamaha - 700 hrs. Chart plotter, GPS. Located in Marathon. $6,500 Call 607-275-7963

BOAT SLIPS FOR RENT

Commercial Boat Slip for rent - $550/month up to 40’ boat. Across from Marathon Lady. Power & H2O extra.

Call 239-849-3354 Boat Slips for rent in Marathon. Starting at $750.

For best rates call 305-3043610.

FLORIDA KEYS MOSQUITO CONTROL DISTRICT is accepting applications for the following positions:

Field Inspector (Middle Keys) A & P Mechanic (Middle Keys) P/T and On-call Helicopter Pilot For more information visit: keysmosquito.org/current-openings/

EMPLOYMENT

EMPLOYMENT

UPPER KEYS

MIDDLE KEYS

Project Manager Upper Keys. Must have ability to schedule & organize multiple people & trades. and pass background check. Send resume to a d m i n @ cbtconstruct.com 3 0 5 - 8 5 2 - 3 0 0 2 Security Guard needed Full-time in Islamorada and Marathon. Must have Driver’s License.

Keys Security, Lic# B2000155.

Call 305-684-0033.

The Advocate DUI Program is hiring for a Part time DUI Evaluator position in the Marathon office.

This position requires a Bachelors or Masters degree and experience in the field of substance abuse. Training would be provided in the provision of the the evaluations for each DUI client and the position would require generally two days of assessment appointments.

Contact Gary at 305-394-4522

305.743.0844

EMPLOYMENT

EMPLOYMENT

EMPLOYMENT

Receptionist - Full time position with established Marathon law office.

Negotiable salary and benefits. Opportunity for growth. Email resume and references to stevens@ marathonlaw.com.

No walk-ins will be considered.

Keys Fisheries hiring Night Receiving Manager, night receivers and freezer help. Apply in person at 3390 Gulfview Avenue, Marathon.

EOE/DFWP

We are looking for some Bartenders.

Apply in person at American Legion Post 0154, 4115 Overseas Highway, Marathon

Security Guard needed Full-time in Marathon and Islamorada. Must have Driver’s License.

Keys Security, Lic# B2000155.

Call 305-684-0033.

Keys Fisheries Restaurant now hiring cooks, retail cashier, and window cashier. Apply in person 3502 Gulfview Avenue, Marathon.

EOE/DFWP

SWEET SAVANNAH’S is now hiring part-time or full-time positions. Must be available for weekend shifts and have a clean driving record for event deliveries.

Position will be crossed trained for FOH, baking and deliveries. Other positions available are day-time sales clerk and part-time baker.

Please apply in person at 8919 overseas Hwy, Marathon Fl. NO CALLS.

HIDEAWAY CAFE At Rainbow Bend Resort on Grassy Key

IMMEDIATE HIRING!

Breakfast Cooks Breakfast Servers Dining Room Captain Dinner Food Runners/Bussers Breakfast & Dinner Positions Call for appointment 305-289-1554

HIRING

SERVER/BUSSER Apply at S.S. Wreck 58835 Overseas Hwy. Grassy Key Or call for appt.

305-481-3067

Experienced Diesel Technician wanted.

Tools and experience is a must. Electronic engine diagnostic experience preferred.

Opportunity for growth and training available for qualified applicants.

Florida Keys Diesel Repair, 531 107th Street, Marathon. 305-289-2070 City of Marathon - Job Openings: Wastewater Plant Operator Trainee , Fleet Mechanic, Recreational Specialist.

EOE, FULL BENEFITS www.ci.marathon.fl.us The Island Gift Shops (Marooned In Marathon 1 & 2) are looking for happy responsible employees to complement our current staff. PART TIME HOURS in a fun environment (good fit for second job and retirees are welcome!

Apply in person at Marooned In Marathon, 11528 Overseas Highway.

Key Colony Inn NOW HIRING AM/PM SERVERS. Apply in person: 700 Ocean Drive, Key Colony Beach, FL or call for details: (305) 743-0100 Experienced help only needed for all positions.

Apply in person MonFri 10-11am at Sunset Grille & Raw Bar, Knights Key Blvd.

Marathon

Immediate opening for a HVAC Service Technician Upper & Middle Keys.

Great Pay • Paid Holidays • Sick Pay • Medical Insurance • Paid Vacation

Apply in person 171 Hood Ave • MM 91.5 • Tavernier p 305-852-2960 • f 305-852-0656

LEAD ELECTRONICS TECHNICIAN Monroe County School District This is a District wide position that reports to Marathon and serves all District facilities from Key West through Key Largo. The full-time position involves maintenance, repair and expansion of existing Low Voltage systems.

Salary Range: $25.18-35.43/hour Apply Online at: www.keysschools.com

MARATHON GARBAGE SERVICE We are now hiring for the following positions:

Diesel Mechanic Truck Helpers CDL Drivers Applicants must apply in person to be considered.

4290 Overseas Hwy, Marathon

HOBBIES/COLLECT.

Luxurious Little Palm Island is hiring!

PRIVATE COLLECTOR WANTS Rolex, Dive Watches and Pilot Watches. Old Model Military Clocks & W a t c h e s .

Call 305-743-4578

HOUSING FOR RENT MIDDLE KEYS

We are looking for Housekeeping Team Members & Boat Mechanic to join our team.

Great pay, amazing benefits, paid time off, and more!

Apply online at: www.noblehousehotels.com/careers

EOE

3BR/2BA unfurn, 1850 SF, on canal with dockage, Washer/Dryer, carport. $2,200/month F/L/S 7 1 5 - 5 5 8 - 5 2 3 2 Long term rental in Key Colony Beach. 4BR/4BA2 story home with pool, on large canal w/deep dockage. Call 305-743-3338 Long term rental in Key Colony Beach.

1/2 Duplex 2BR/1BA unfurnished. No smoking.

Call or text 305-289-0094 2BR/2BA Large Apt for Rent. 10828 5th Avenue Gulf, Marathon. $1,850/ month plus utilities. F/L/S. Taking applications.

Call (305) 394-4545

61

MARATHON WEEKLY / FEBRUARY 20, 2020

• CLASSIFIEDS, PUBLIC & LEGAL NOTICES 305.743.0844 • CLASSIFIEDS, PUBLIC & LEGAL NOTICES • •305.743.0844 HOUSING FOR RENT UPPER KEYS LONG TERM RENTAL in Plantation Lake Estates, Private community, two story 3BR/3BA unfurn. concrete block home, large carport & back yard, homeowners park w/ boat ramp/dock, new A/C, W/D, screened in patio. $2,500/mo. Best to email: slgrisham@icloud. com to set up time to see the house or use WhatAp or FaceTime to call: 011.501.614.1234 2/1 FENCED HOUSE ISLAMORADA.Small Dog Okay! Water/Sewer Allowance, SS Appls. W/D, AC/Heat, Yard Maintenance, No Smoking. Yearly Lease. $2,200 305-509-0535 Key Largo Bayfront 2BR/2BA townhouse w/ spectacular views, in gated community, annual rental only. $2650/mo. F/L/S Call Lisa Karp 305-240-0066 A g e n t .

HOUSINGVACATION RENTAL Vacation Rental in Key Colony Beach. 2BR/2BA oceanfront, sandy beach, heated pool, tiki. No pets.

Max 4 ppl. Avail. Feb 28 March 17. 305-731-9856

OFFICE SPACE FOR RENT in Marathon: Office/Retail Space, 1500sf w/additional 2 covered porches incl. Open water views, US-1 frontage, $2700/month. Also small Office Space $500/month.

Wifi & Utilities included.

Onsite storage & or yard space available - prices by size. Call 305-743-7277 Small office space available for rent. Great location on U.S. 1 in Tavernier.

Conveniently located to everything. 3053 9 4 - 0 5 3 0

PETS - LOST LOST PET - $250 REWARD Help lost Casper get home.

Solid gray shorthair cat, gold eyes, camouflage collar. Last seen home Sombrero Beach Rd Marathon Tues Jan 21. 803-804-9659.

NOW HIRING

DOLPHIN RESEARCH CENTER 58901 O/S Hwy - Grassy Key, FL Teaching... Learning...Caring

Dolphin Research Center is Hiring!

Front Desk Agent

Education Program Host Facilities Maintenance Apprentice School Programs & Outreach Curriculum Specialist Visual Communications Staff Volunteer Resources Administrative Assistant

Spa Attendant

Benefits include medical, life & disability insurance, 401(k) plan, paid vacation, sick time & Holidays Full job descriptions available at

If you have a passion for guest service and hospitality, please apply

careers@bungalowskeylargo.com

Bungalows Key Largo is an EOE

www.dolphins.org/career_opportunities

Email cover letter, DRC application & resume to drc-hr@dolphins.org EOE

Marathon, Big Pine Key & Stock Island Locations $15 per hour to start FT Employees are eligible to participate in our health, dental, vision, Life Insurance. PTO and Profit Sharing is available to every member of our team (conditions apply).

HOW TO APPLY: Go to mytomthumb.com or call Cleveland (786) 295-5307.

NOW HIRING

SALES STAFF (TWO MARATHON LOCATIONS)

TOP PAY WITH FABULOUS BENEFITS FULL TIME OR PART TIME

D’Asign Source is seeking the following professionals.

Overtime and benefits are available.

For full details & additional openings, please visit DAsignSource.com/careers

We will consider training anyone looking for a secure future with a solid established company.

Technical Assistant

Apply in person SANDAL FACTORY 5195 or 4801 Overseas Highway, Marathon or email resume to dan@sandalfactory.com

Supports our Coastal Source Audio and Lighting R&D division.

Knowledge of low voltage electrical and audio. Experience in 3D Modeling. Must be well organized.

Full time benefits include: Major Medical/Hospitalization, profit sharing, 401(k), paid vacation, etc.

Project Administrator

Assists with construction project timelines, contracts, budget management & other construction administration tasks. Reports on project’s regularly to executives.

Design Administrator

Handles scheduling and deadline software for Architecture/Design Department. Runs reports for project analysis. Assists with billing, permitting and inspections document administration.

PART-TIME & FULL-TIME ASSOCIATES

Florida Keys’ Newest 4 Diamond AAA Resort Is Hiring!

We are looking for part-time & full-time associates that would like to be part of an award-winning team. Many great benefits including employee meal program, resort discounts and more.

Please apply online for our positions: islabellabeachresort.oasisrecruit.com 1 Knight’s Key Blvd (MM 47) Marathon, FL 33050

CROSSWORD SOLUTION

YARD SALES The WHOLE STREET is having a Yard Sale!!

Come to Dorsett Dr (on Grassy Key), for tools, electronics, fishing gear, household goods, sports equipment, kids stuff and MORE!!! Saturday, Feb 22nd, from 8A-12NOON.

NOW HIRING

NOW HIRING FRONT DESK, HOUSEMAN, LAUNDRY, BREAKFAST HOST, HOUSEKEEPERS STARTING AT $13/HR PART-TIME AND FULL-TIME POSITIONS AVAILABLE

Please come in and apply in person.

Hampton Inn

13351 Overseas Hwy, Marathon, Fl 33050

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MARATHON WEEKLY / FEBRUARY 20, 2020

LET’S DO BUSINESS - 305.743.0844 Licensed & Insured #SP33799

Open M-F 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

2001 O/S Hwy, Marathon

305-743-3530

sales@alkeysyamaha.com

METAL ROOFING

SPECIALIST 305-664-1010 www.roofer.pro

ALL KEYS GLASS

RESIDENTIAL & COMMERCIAL Windows • Doors

305-743-7800

Authorized Dealer

Sales & Installation • Tub & Shower Enclosures Safety & Tempered Glass • Mirror & Mirror Walls Plexi-Glass & Lexan

Sportfishing Adventures

Dolphin-Tuna-Wahoo-Billfish-Snapper-Grouper-Shark Deep Sea –Off Shore-Reef-Wrecks-Gulf

info@johnnymaddoxcharters.com

305-481-3259

Keys Fisheries Market & Marina Mile Marker 48.5, Marathon End of 35th Street Bayside

FULL SERVICE YAMAHA DEALER • Yamaha Outboard Motor Repair, Sales & Service • Certified Yamaha Technicians • Do it Yourself? Fully-stocked all Yamaha Parts & Accessories

SOLAR DONE RIGHT! CALL US FOR A FREE HOME ESTIMATE

We also service and sell: Marine A/C, Refrigeration, Watermakers, Batteries, Solar Systems, Anything Electrical!

• SINCE 1976 •

305-289-1150

Florida Solar Contractor CVC 56734

www.saltenergy.net www.saltservice.net 2992 Overseas Highway Marathon, FL 33050

Tewes Mortgage

Your local, residential lending expert!

Call 305.495.6000

Kitchen Cabinets Sales REAL Wood Cabinets at Particle Board Prices KitchenKorner/Fred's Beds 1333 O/S Hwy, MM 53.5 • 305-743-7277

for a FREE Consultation

Brian Tewes

Customer service is my strength Brian@tewesmortgage.com

NMLS# 375025 Tewes Mortgage NMLS# 1453791 NMLSConsumerAccess.org

www.TewesMortgage.com

Liz Samess Interiors

Licensed & Insured Contractor # CACO53827

Design, Decorating, Drafting, & More…

Liz Samess Interior Designer

CELL: Email:

(954) 801-7883 interiordesignbyliz@gmail.com

Let our 40+ years of experience go to work for you!

For professional, competitive travel planning Call Debbie or Lani at 305 743 7575 Business hours: MON-TUE-THU-FRI 9am to 4pm Appointments by request.

Marathon, FL 33050

Air Conditioning & Refrigeration

Residential, Commercial & Marine Ice Machine - Sales - Service Phone: (305) 743-5288

Fax: (305) 743-6887

Will Campbell

Serving Key Largo to Key West

Cell: 305-363-8330 Office: 305-735-4626 will@cecflk.com www.CECFLK.com

ARTIC TEMP, INC.

President

Floor & Wall Tiles Porcelain/Planks Marble Carpets Quartz & Granite Countertops

P.E. Lic. No: 79269 5800 Overseas Hwy. Unit 32 Marathon, FL. 33050

FRESH FLORIDA LOBSTERS FROM THE NICHOLS CREW DIRECT TO YOU

MM63 -MM74 | 305.393.1415

LIVE $10.00 A POUND TAILS $10.00 EACH

Lic#SP-3562

Only $50 Puts Your Business Card Here

We Do Installations!

Licensed & Insured

FREE ESTIMATES U.S.1 & 109th St, Marathon (Across from Beall’s Outlet)

289-3019

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MARATHON WEEKLY / FEBRUARY 20, 2020

LET’S DO BUSINESS - 305.743.0844 • WE CAN INCREASE YOUR REVENUES • SUPERIOR MAINTENANCE • TOP GOOGLE RANKED SITE

VACATION RENTALS

CALL ANGEL LEWIS AT 305-390-2315 WWW.KEYSRENTALSONLINE.COM

NEW & REPAIR

305-664-0099 www.TikiHuts.com

Karen Raspe

Realtor 305-393-9010 karenraspe@bellsouth.net

9141 Overseas Highway Marathon, FL 33050 www.karenraspe.com

STATE CERTIFIED THATCHING CONTRACTOR CYC 000002

Serving Monroe, Dade & Broward Including Airports & Ports.

SUV, Van & Limousine options available Call us for special events.

305-743-7454

fkes2011@gmail.com floridakeysexpressshuttle.com

y’s www.KeysSlidingGlassDoorRepair.com d n A Sliding Glass Door Repair Roller Maintenance Track Maintenance Door Alignment Security Pins Safety Locks Handles

Barbara Sanchez Home & Offices Expertly Cleaned Fast Dependable Service “We Clean Your Place, Like it Was Our Place”

We Also Repair & Replace Patio Door Screens

Excellent References Upon Request

305-998-8953 Insured • Professional • Reliable

305-766-0819 305-924-0179

Nails by Ivis

Manicures • Pedicures Acrylics • Gelish • Facials • Waxing

5177 Overseas Highway

When It Rains It Pours!

Need 7” Gutters? We have 6” & 7” Seamless • Copper Specialists MARATHON

305-743-0506 KEY LARGO 305-852-5356 rainsavergutters@gmail.com

(Between Office Depot & Main Post Office)

Marathon, FL 33050 305-289-1631

LICENSED CFC1427241

10700 5TH AVENUE GULF P. O. BOX 500995 MARATHON, FLORIDA KEYS 33050

www.marathonhairandnailsalon.com

WE HAVE MOVED!

Rachel Sanderson

Specializing in Color and Highlights Rachellynnes94@gmail.com 305.393.3076 Haircuts We are low located at 10075 Overseas Highway Keratin Treatments in Marathon at the 100th Street Center.

5177 Highway, Marathon, FL 33050 (nextOverseas to Ocean Sotheby’s)

SALES

DEBBIE SMITH

PROPERTY MANAGEMENT

(Between Office Depot and Main Post Office)

305-289-1631

www.marathonhairandnailsalon.com • Real Estate Closings • Title Company • Estate PlanningQUICK & RELIABLE • Probate OPEN WATER MARINE FOR A LIFESTYLE • General Practice SERVICES INSPIRED BY YOUR POTENTIAL • A.V. Preeminent by Martindale Hubbell • Member Firm Holland JARED & Knight FRANK OWNER

305.432.0992 dsmith@oceansir.com

(305) 289-1551 towboatusmarathon.com

10075 OVERSEAS HIGHWAY P.O. BOX 500938, MARATHON, FL 33050

(305) 743-9428

WWW.FLORIDAKEYSLAW.COM • ESTABLISHED 1953

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MARATHON WEEKLY / FEBRUARY 20, 2020

The Time to Invest is Now… The Florida Keys…

Invest in the Island’s TOP INCOME Producing Resort Properties FEATURING SPACIOUS WATER VIEW, WATERFRONT AND BEACH FRONT HOMES

The Hawks Cay Realty team boasts over 25 years experience in the Florida Keys Let us guide you to owning your piece of paradise | Investment property is our specialty.

Prices starting in the low 400,000’s

YOUR INVESTMENT PROPERTY SPECIALISTS Margaret E. Crowley, Broker | Lisette Cadwell, Realtor | Christopher Eversman, Realtor

WW.HAWKSCAYREALTY.COM | 305-289-4887 Margaret E. Crowley, Licensed Florida Real Estate Broker 6100 Hawks Cay Blvd, Marathon, FL 33050