Upper Keys Weekly 20-0730

1¢

Happy 9th birthday, Zane!

‘IT’S REAL’ BOY BATTLING SYNDROME LINKED TO COVID-19 | P. 10

SCHOOL REOPENING?

DISTRICT GOES VIRTUAL | P. 12

WINDLEY A WIN

AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROJECT PROGRESSING | P. 33

Eight-year-old Zane Wampler with mother, Leah. Zane is currently battling multisystem inflammatory syndrome. Contributed

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KEY WEST / MARATHON / UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / JULY 30, 2020

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KEY WEST / MARATHON / UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / JULY 30, 2020

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STORM SEASON

KEY WEST / MARATHON / UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / JULY 30, 2020

NUMBER OF THE WEEK

18,051 9709 Overseas Hwy. Marathon, FL 33050 Office: 305.743.0844 www.keysweekly.com

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The number of ballots for the August election that have been mailed by the Monroe County Supervisor of Elections, a new record. According to the office, 5,609 have already been returned as of July 28, equal to a 10.27% turnout. The office said it has also received 19,579 requests for mail ballots for the November election.

FOR UPDATES, WATCH THE WEB Events related to the coronavirus are changing rapidly as national, state and local governments make decisions aimed at controlling the spread of the virus. For updated information, please see keysweekly.com.

WINDY WEATHER EXPECTED THIS WEEKEND

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On July 29, the storm track shifted west and the cone shows it coming over the Keys. NHC/Contributed

OFFICIALS: NO SIGN STORM WILL UNDERGO RAPID INTENSIFICATION

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t’s going to be a windy weekend. According to the National Hurricane Center, winds from the Tropical Cyclone 9, which could develop into Tropical Storm Isaias, will most likely arrive in the Florida Keys on Friday evening, July 31.

Although the cyclone has wind speeds that would qualify it to become a named tropical storm (45 mph as of the morning of July 29), it doesn’t have the organization required to be labeled as such.

“It doesn’t have a closed circulation center yet,” said Jon Rizzo, weather warning coordinator for the National Weather Service in Key West. “Right now, it’s more like a tropical wave with turbo.”

Rizzo noted that it’s a large storm and too early to predict its effects in the Keys because of its current situation. “We don’t know if and where the storm might concentrate,” he said.

On July 29, storm officials shifted the cone to the westward and current maps show it coming across the Keys. Again, officials are expecting tropical storm wind speeds, but not a monster storm because the factors needed for rapid intensification are not there, Rizzo said: 1. It’s not a well organized storm with a defined center of circulation.

2. It’s likely to take a path over Hispaniola; the mountainous region is famous for knocking down storms.

3. There is an increasing chance of wind shear as the storm moves through the Florida Straits toward Florida.

Scattered showers and thunderstorms are predicted for the last day of mini-season on Thursday, July 30. Winds are expected to freshen, or pick up, on Friday. The main dangers will be rough waters and power outages.

Visitors who are leaving the Keys with trailered boats should also use caution, especially on bridges.

Rizzo says that in the coming days the office will be calculating rainfall estimates for the Keys.

With the approach of a tropical storm, Keys residents are advised to secure loose objects in the yard, take down patio umbrellas. Park the cars and trailered boats out of the way of falling limbs. And, as always, stay tuned to local weather reports and reliable media sources. See keysweekly.com or the Facebook page “The Weekly Newspapers.”

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KEY WEST / MARATHON / UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / JULY 30, 2020

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CORONAVIRUS

KEY WEST / MARATHON / UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / JULY 30, 2020

MANDY MILES mandy@keysweekly.com

LOCAL DOCTOR CALLS FAUCI A ‘FRAUD’

DR. BRUCE BOROS CREATES SOCIAL MEDIA FRENZY WITH COVID POST

A

retired cardiologist, and one of the Keys’ most recognized doctors, touched off a Category 5 social media storm on July 28 with a Facebook post that called Dr. Anthony Fauci a “fraud” and accused “Big Pharma” of a “major cover up.”

The post promptly went viral and garnered more than 1,000 comments in the first 13 hours, with Facebook users accusing Boros of parroting the conservative rhetoric of “America’s Frontline Doctors,” a controversial doctors group that minimizes the importance of face masks and encouraged the use of an anti-malarial drug called hydroxychloroquine to fight COVID-19 despite concerns from clinical trials about the drug’s effectiveness and possible side effects.

Boros’ post also garnered hundreds of supportive comments from users who congratulated him for pursuing any and all treatments for COVID patients and thanking him for his continued support of Key West residents.

Dr. Luis E. Augsten, a Marathon cardiologist, told Keys Weekly, “I do not agree with using hydroxychloroquine in the general population without strict controls and an electrocardiogram, along with a warning that they are at risk for sudden cardiac death syndrome.”

Many comments following Boros’s post also pointed out that one of the doctors associated with America’s Frontline Doctors has claimed people’s dreams about demons and witches affect their health, and said that “alien DNA” was used in clinical trials. The group’s website was taken down

by July 29 and a video they circulated was removed by Facebook and Twitter.

Keys Weekly spoke at length with Boros on July 29 and asked him to explain his statements about Big Pharma and Fauci, who has headed the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases

since 1984 and has become the nation’s authority on the COVID-19 pandemic.

Boros, who was incensed by the vitriol of comments posted by former patients, neighbors and friends, repeated his accusation that Fauci is a fraud “because his NIAID is taking money from groups like Gilead Sciences, a drug company that makes remdesivir,” which, Boros said, is the only drug Fauci has endorsed by name.

“He’s never mentioned any other drugs that doctors in other countries are finding success with, including Ivermectin, which has been around for 40 years, only costs $4 a pill and is used to treat pinworms, lice and scabies in children, because there’s no money in Ivermectin for Big Pharma,” Boros told Keys Weekly. “But I’m getting raked over the coals for wanting to try alternative medications that have been shown to work in people in other countries.”

“It breaks my heart that a town like this has made something so political and hateful,” Boros said. “What’s wrong with people?

I just want to help patients and keep them from dying.”

He added that he gave a seriously ill COVID patient from Key West ivermectin and “within six hours he was talking without coughing.”

Boros also emphasized that unlike America’s Frontline Doctors, he is not anti-mask and told the Key West City Commission last week that masks are critical.

Another respected Key West doctor, Dr Mehmet Atilla, spoke with Keys Weekly and acknowledged there were promising lab results with Ivermectin, but no clinical trials as yet in its treatment of COVID-19.

“There is no question that Ivermectin was very effective in lab testing, but whether that will translate into benefit is questionable,” Attila said. “The question is, as a physician, whether you can recommend any medication to a person with COVID-19

infection without proven clinical benefit even if the medicine has reasonably few side effects. In my opinion, the answer is no, because patients are not test subjects, and medicine must be based on science. Any other way would open the doors to unproven treatments based on personal belief that can harm the patient.”

Attila agrees with Boros that, “We should never allow the politicization of medicine and science, as it will cause irreparable damage to science.”

But Atilla and Augsten disagree passionately with Boros’ statements about Fauci.

“Dr. Fauci is highly respected and a great doctor who has been working on these types of problems for many years and is recognized by every credible source in not only America, but the world,” Augsten said. “He is an expert and to call him a fraud is horrible, just horrible.”

Attila added that Fauci is the main editor of “one of the best comprehensive medical books ever written, ‘Harrison’s Internal Medicine,’ also known as ‘the Bible of medicine.’ At age 79, he is genuinely trying to help the nation to get COVID-19 under control. He is helping pharmaceutical companies to facilitate the production of an effective vaccine and treatments.

“The claims that he is an extension of pharmaceutical companies are disgraceful statements that are political and very insulting to the medical and scientific community.

“I hope we will find great therapeutics and a vaccine to this disaster that stole a portion of our lives from us as a world. I genuinely hope that Ivermectin will be proven to be effective clinically. it will be a great option for the treatment of thousands who suffered from this illness. Until then, we must rely on science for the safety of our patients.”

An assortment of Facebook users criticize Dr. Boros for his statements about Dr. Anthony Fauci and pharmaceutical companies. FACEBOOK

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KEY WEST / MARATHON / UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / JULY 30, 2020

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KEY WEST / MARATHON / UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / JULY 30, 2020

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KEY WEST / MARATHON / UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / JULY 30, 2020

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CORONAVIRUS

KEY WEST / MARATHON / UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / JULY 30, 2020

JIM McCARTHY

jim@keysweekly.com

‘IT’S REAL AND IT’S VERY SCARY’

YOUNG BOY BATTLING RARE SYNDROME LINKED TO COVID-19

E tive.

ight-year-old Zane Wampler never expressed symptoms associated with COVID-19. Three coronavirus tests performed on him came back nega-

A positive antibodies test, though, led doctors to believe young Zane had a syndrome found in children that medical experts say is linked to COVID-19. Those diagnosed with multisystem inflammatory syndrome, or MIS-C, eventually get better with medical care. Some get worse, as was the case for Zane, who remains hospitalized but slowly improving at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital in Miami.

Leah Wampler knew something was seriously wrong when her 8-year-old son recently developed a 105-degree fever. He was taken to the hospital and sent home with what was believed to be a virus, Wampler said.

A day later, Zane was back in the hospital with a 105-degree fever. He was again sent home, Wampler said.

Eight-year-old Zane Wampler was recently admitted to the hospital after developing a high fever.

Doctors say Zane has multisystem inflammatory syndrome, or MIS-C. CONTRIBUTED

“I knew as a parent that there was something very seriously wrong,” she said during a July 25 interview with the Weekly. “He was shaking and convulsing. We had to put cold wash cloths all over his body to get the temperature down.”

Zane ultimately was taken, via ambulance by the request of his local doctors, to the children’s hospital in Miami where he remains. Between 20 and 30 doctors are seeing Zane as they all work together to combat the syndrome. He was moved from ICU to a regular room on July 28, his mom posting, “We are over the moon excited that we are moving in the right direction.”

“The nurses and doctors here are amazing,” she said. “They’ll talk with the doctor and they’ll talk with their team and go from there how we combat this. It’s a symptomby-symptom approach because there is nothing they can just give him.”

According to the Mayo Clinic’s website, MIS-C is a serious condition in which parts of the body, such as the heart, blood vessels,

“I knew as a parent that there was something very seriously wrong.”

— Leah Wampler

kidneys, digestive system, brain, skin or eyes, become inflamed. It typically includes swelling, often with redness and pain.

“They said they’ve seen five children with MIS-C, but they said Zane’s symptoms are by far the worst,” Wampler said, adding they don’t believe his symptoms are associated with dengue since the antibodies test came back positive. Zane received a dengue test last week and awaiting results from the health department.

CORONAVIRUS

KEY WEST / MARATHON / UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / JULY 30, 2020

11

From left, Zack, dad; Saylor, Zane’s sister; Leah, mom; and Zane. CONTRIBUTED

Zane is an active kid who’s involved in baseball, basketball, soccer, wrestling and swimming. CONTRIBUTED

Wampler said doctors all agree that if anyone who was around him was to get the same virus, they would have already had symptoms. She also said they don’t know how he got it.

Many, but not all, children with MIS-C test negative for a current infection with the virus that causes COVID-19, according to the Mayo Clinic. Evidence, however, indicates that many of these children were infected with the COVID-19 virus in the past, as shown by positive antibody test results.

Positive results from an antibody test show that the child’s immune system developed blood proteins (antibodies) that fought the COVID-19 virus. The Mayo Clinic says this blood test is the only indication that the child was ever infected — meaning the child may have fought the infection without ever having shown signs or symptoms of COVID-19.

Still, some children with MIS-C are currently infected with the coronavirus, usually confirmed by detection of the virus on a swab taken from the nose or throat. Children with MIS-C need to be treated in a hospital and some in a pediatric intensive care unit.

Dr. Stan Zuba, local pediatrician who’s seen Zane, said MIS-C has some relationship to the signs and symptoms associated with Kawasaki disease. It usually causes inflammation in the walls of blood vessels, particularly those that supply blood to the heart muscle (coronary arteries). Researchers are working to figure out if the two conditions are related or not.

“This (MIS-C) is all brand new and no one knows what the long-term consequences are,” he said.

“There’s still so much information we don’t know.”

Wampler said the experience has been a roller coaster ride. Last Saturday, she said, he was waking up more and becoming more responsive. But the symptoms change fast, she said. According to the Mayo Clinic, some signs and symptoms include fever that lasts 24 hours or longer, skin rash, red eyes, redness or swelling of the lips and tongue and feeling unusually tired.

“His face will swell up, his eyes will close, his lips get huge and then it’ll go away,” she said. “This morning (July 25), we were talking to him and he was up a little bit, but not out of his bed. And then all of sudden he looked at us and said ‘I’m tired’ and his whole face broke out super red and his eyes started swelling.

“He’s got stripes on his left hip,” she continued.

“The other day he was screaming that something was wrong and we couldn’t see anything.”

Wampler said her son is an active kid who plays baseball, basketball, soccer, wrestling and swimming.

He’s set to enter the fourth grade at Plantation Key School, and he’s turning 9 years old on Aug. 2.

“I’ve been sitting here staring at my 8-year-old son with my husband for eight days,” she told the Weekly during the July 25 interview. “If someone would have

Zane with dad, Zack. CONTRIBUTED

asked me two weeks ago about school, I would have said ‘absolutely.’ And I would have also said that this would never happen to us, especially down in the Keys in our tight little family.”

Wampler says she’s overwhelmed by the amount of support she’s received from not only the Keys community, but also people in different parts of the country and world.

Zane’s story has gone national as Wampler has appeared on “World News Tonight with David Muir” on ABC. “Our Keys family, it makes me emotional,” she said.

“They’ve all rallied behind us. We’ve had people offer to help care for our daughter, Saylor. We’ve had people contact us from all over who I don’t even know … other parents in other parts of the U.S. and elsewhere who’ve had similar symptoms contacting me to get information.”

Wampler said she hopes sharing Zane’s story will spread awareness on just how important it is to take precautions. Wampler continues to share occasional updates on Zane via her Facebook page. On July 27, Zane was going through some pain as doctors said he has encephalopathy, which can cause erratic behavior and hallucinations.

On a positive note, Wampler said he’s having more happy moments each day. As of the afternoon of July 27, he was sitting upright and acting all right.

On July 28, Wampler said, Zane was able to play Legos with his dad. His fevers are also going down.

“Everyone says it’s not going to happen to children, and that the kids are almost invincible to this. It’s very real and it’s very scary,” she said.

Zuba said schools should be thinking twice about reopening schools, as it could put more people at risk for COVID-19.

“I don’t think there’s an urgent need to open schools yet,” he said. “Let’s get the cases down first and slow things down. We don’t want more kids getting sick. They could spread it to their parents and grandparents.”

HOSPITALS SAY THEY ARE PREPARED FOR PEDIATRIC PATIENTS

G

iven Zane Wampler’s situation, the Keys Weekly reached out to local hospitals to ask about the type of pediatric care it can deliver to Keys patients.

• Baptist Health South Florida: “Mariners Hospital and Fishermen’s Community Hospital have the emergency medical staff and equipment necessary to care for all ages. Pediatric patients, who require inpatient care, are transferred to a hospital on the mainland.”

• Lower Keys Medical Center: “Lower Keys Medical Center has pediatric nurses on staff and pediatricians on the medical staff. We would be able to care for a pediatric COVID patient with acute care needs.

The hospital does not have a pediatric ICU. If a pediatric patient required that level of care, he or she would be stabilized and transferred to a children’s hospital.”

— Weekly staff report

12

KEYS SCHOOLS

KEY WEST / MARATHON / UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / JULY 30, 2020

By Sara Matthis and Mandy Miles

Board decides on virtual instruction, at least until Sept. 11 Monroe County students will not return to physical classrooms for at least the first four weeks of school, and the start of the school year may be delayed by a week or so, perhaps until Aug. 17. An announcement of the official start date will be made this week, officials said during the July 28 virtual school board meeting.

“We will initiate virtual instruction for the first four weeks through Sept. 11,” incoming Superintendent Terri Axford announced during the meeting.

Officials will re-evaluate the community’s COVID situation the week of Sept. 7-11, Axford said, adding that the school district will follow the health department’s advice and aim for two weeks with no new cases and a 10% or lower positivity rate.

She also told Keys Weekly on July 29 that “virtual instruction will be much more rigorous this fall, with more accountability for students and teachers, and added interaction between both groups, which was somewhat missing this spring.”

Axford said she spoke with all principals on Tuesday and found that each school “has fewer than five teachers who are uncomfortable returning to a school building to teach virtually from the building.”

“Students won’t be in the school buildings for at least the first four weeks, but we need to get teachers back in their classrooms and excited to start this school year,” said Axford, who officially takes the reins of the school district as superintendent on Saturday, Aug. 1. “I think any reluctance to return will diminish once they get back in and get excited to teach again. We need them in their classrooms and we need to get kids back in school when it’s safe to do so. It’s heartbreaking to hear from parents who truly don’t know how they’re going to work and be home with their kids during the days.”

“The few teachers who are uncomfortable returning to the classroom are working with our human resources department,”

Younger students in elementary school will be assigned to a particular teacher, as they normally would. They will connect using an online learning platform and will see their teacher on a computer screen, along with their classmates. In this environment, they will have the opportunity to get to know their teacher and classmates. CONTRIBUTED.

Axford said. “We may have small groups of students scheduled by appointment to meet with teachers for academic assistance, but it will all be done by appointment and in very small groups.”

Further details about virtual teaching from Terri Axford will school buildings and take the helm as small-group instruction the first female by appointment will be superintendent of Monroe County finalized this week during School District on discussions with the teachSaturday, Aug. 1, ers union, Axford said. following the rePrior to the July 28 tirement of Mark announcement, the board Porter. heard from more than a dozen parents and teachers who implored officials not to return to physical classrooms for the start of school and thereby potentially endanger students,

teachers and staff during the unprecedented pandemic.

“Too many adults are not following or taking health guidelines seriously, but we expect all students to all of a sudden follow all these new expectations?” Key Largo School teacher Nicole Blanche told the school board before the announcement was made.

“Some teachers, like me, are considering leave and resigning as their options.”

School board member John Dick thanked everyone for their comments, but said he found it “troubling that people would think this board and this school district would consider sending students back to physical schools given the community’s current COVID situation.

“It’s unfortunate that some people are making this political,” Dick said.

Prior to Tuesday’s board meeting, the Monroe County School District had devised a three-pronged plan for starting the 202021 school year. The first scenario envisioned

KEYS SCHOOLS

KEY WEST / MARATHON / UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / JULY 30, 2020

face-to-face instruction in brick-andmortar classrooms and the second involved a split schedule with half the students attending on alternate days. Due to the amount of COVID-19 community spread, the district elected to adopt the third scenario — virtual schooling administered by local teachers.

Keys students do have two other options, however. They may withdraw from the Monroe County School District and attend Florida Virtual School, which functions as its own school district. Or they can enroll in the Monroe County Virtual School, which last year had about 300 students enrolled either full- or part-time. Monroe County Virtual School is mainly taught by teachers dedicated to Keys students; however, some may live out-of-county, and students may continue to participate in sports and clubs in the district.

Keys parents consider options Meghan Richardson’s sons, Owen and Jonathan Pitchford, are seniors at Marathon High School. Richardson said she’s unsure whether or not to enroll

the kids in Monroe Virtual School or keep them in MHS’ version of online schooling.

“If they go into Monroe Virtual School, I don’t think they will graduate with the rest of the class from Marathon High School. The boys are fine at online schooling, but they will be missing all the pomp and circumstance of their senior year. They’re almost 18, though, so they will be making their own decisions.”

Mac Childress is the head football coach at MHS and a teacher. He and his wife are concerned by a number of issues, among them the health of their elementary-age daughter who was hospitalized with a serious illness a few years ago.

The start date for school is not yet firm — it will be either Thursday, Aug. 13 or Monday, Aug. 17. Negotiations with United Teachers of Monroe labor union are going forward and this is one of the issues being discussed.

“I don’t know. Will we have to homeschool her? My wife works, too.

Maybe she will go to grandma some days,” Childress said. “All I know is that we have to be sensitive to each other’s needs; it’s not going to be a one-sizefits-all approach.”

He also added that he hopes the school is able to have “some kind of” a football season. “I’m trying to keep a positive outlook. Any season is better than no season,” he said. “We need to get kids off their PlayStations and out of the house for their own mental health, even if they’re not playing football.”

Yusleidi Diaz is mom to a 9-yearold boy entering fourth grade at Stanley Switlik Elementary. She said, in Spanish, that she doesn’t know what she’ll do at the start of the school year.

“Right now my son is in day care.

Maybe they can help him with his school work? I’m a single mom and I worry what will happen to his education and worry what will happen to us if I can’t pay the bills,” said Diaz.

Middle and high school students will have more flexibility as they move through their various classes: attend a class live, as it is being taught by their teacher, or watch a recorded video of the class later in the day. They will have classwork and assigned homework with clear due dates. The district said students will always have live online time with each of their teachers. CONTRIBUTED

13

14

KEY WEST / MARATHON / UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / JULY 30, 2020

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KEY WEST / MARATHON / UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / JULY 30, 2020

15

16

SEEN AROUND TOWN

KEY WEST / MARATHON / UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / JULY 30, 2020

MINI-SEASON SCENES

MIDDLE KEYS HUNTERS GET THEIR BUGS

I

1 2

3

t’s quiet. Too quiet. These photos from the afternoon of July 29, taken near the 7 Mile Bridge, may mean everyone has already caught their limit and is at home heating up the grill. Still, there were plenty of bug hunters taking part in the annual mini-lobster season in the Florida Keys.

— Weekly staff report BARRY GAUKEL/Keys Weekly 1. Oceanside of 7 Mile Bridge looking west, it looks like there is plenty of room for lobster hunters to spead out on July 29, the first day of the sport season..

4

2. The Budnick family from Palm City went out with Captain Travis of Two Conchs for a great day of lobstering.

From left, Michelle, Brenden, Eliot and Brielle.

3. A group of friends traveled down from Orlando to catch a limit of bugs.

4. A nice catch headed to the grill.

FRIDAY CABARET AT THE GARDENS HOTEL 5-7PM 526 ANGELA ST.• KEY WEST 305.294.2661

FEATURING

CLASSICAL GUITAR

17

KEY WEST / MARATHON / UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / JULY 30, 2020 600 E 63rd St. Ocean

Congratulations to the seller of this multi-family home!

Ready to buy or sell in Paradise?

Let an experienced Realtor® help you find your perfect home.

Call David today!

David Grego

CHARTER FISHING RETAIL REPAIR & MORE

Florida Keys

www.IslandBreezeRealty.com

T S JU OLD S

AMY & TERI JUST SOLD THIS BEAUTIFUL KEYS HOME

6

481 109TH ST. MARATHON

Thinking of selling your property? Contact me and let’s work together to price it properly in today’s market and get it sold in the time frame you want!

305.289.0540 Best Realtor

Teri Hiller, Realtor terihiller@cbschmitt.com 305.481.0361

11050 Overseas Hwy. Marathon, FL 33050

1901 OVERSEAS HWY, MARATHON WWW.THETACKLEBOX.COM

Amy Puto, Realtor amyputo@gmail.com 305.766.1745

Facebook: The Tackle Box Marathon Fla Keys Instagram@thetackleboxmarathonflakeys

IMPROVING LIVES ONE SMILE AT A TIME! From left to right: Dr. Hector Guzman D.D.S, Dr. David McDonald D.M.D Dr. Natalia Vazquez-Marrero D.M.D and Dr. Oscar Rodriguez D.M.D

Located at 2758 N. Roosevelt Blvd. (in the Overseas Market) • Key West, FL 33040 Phone 305.294.9914 • Fax 305.295.9691 • doc@docguzman.com • www.docguzman.com

18

COMMUNITY NEWS

KEY WEST / MARATHON / UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / JULY 30, 2020

TIFFANY DUONG

I

tiffany@keysweekly.com

MAKE NO EXCUSES

TRAINEE COMPLETES HALF-IRONMAN ALONE IN KEYS AFTER INTERNATIONAL EVENT IS CANCELED 1 2

t takes a lot to train for, and complete, an Ironman. It takes even more to do it alone.

24-year-old Tamás Lakatos committed to the 2020 Ironman Triathlon North American Championship back in April 2019, long before face masks and quarantine were a thing. The race, which consists of a 2.4-mile swim, a 112-mile bicycle ride and a 26.22-mile marathon run, raced in that order, was scheduled for April 25. Like everything else this year, it was canceled.

Lakatos, egged on by the 12-year-old he takes care of, decided to do it anyway.

Lakatos is originally from Hungary and works as an au pair or “manny” for the Wing family, with four boys, aged 9 (Charlie), 10 (Jake), 12 (Henry) and 14 (Patrick). He helps with school and afternoon activities, plays sports and drives them to birthday parties.

When he decided to sign on for a second year helping the family, the dad, Brian, a repeat Ironman participant himself, suggested Lakatos “do something epic, something awesome,” that he had never thought of before. He wanted Lakatos to do an Ironman.

“We were out to dinner, and I just ate two full pizzas, and wasn’t feeling any of the running and biking,” Lakatos said.

He changed his mind when he picked up Henry, the 12-year-old, who said, “Nah, I don’t think you can finish it. It’s just too hard for you.”

In that moment, Lakatos went all in.

“I was just like, ‘Okay, I’m doing one,’” he said. “When that 12-year-old kid who’s supposed to look up to me, because that’s my job, said, ‘You can’t do it,’ I decided, ‘Well, okay, I’m doing one. You’ll see.’”

Lakatos quickly “realized it was going to be a disaster” because he didn’t like running or biking and was a terrible swimmer.

He and Brian made a training plan anyway, where Lakatos would swim, bike or run in the mornings or while the kids were in school.

Lakatos signed up for the April 2020 Ironman in the Woodlands in Texas. Staying on track and not letting himself off the hook for training was difficult, Lakatos said. With his regular responsibilities to the family and four kids going to four different events every afternoon, there’s a lot going on that can derail training plans.

“It was a lot of early morning workouts, a lot of back-to-back workouts, and it’s not fun at all,” Lakatos said. “But, I realized that if I’m going to do this and keep myself on track, I have to do it this way.”

He trained more than he could’ve imagined, ate 24/7 to keep functioning and logged more than 4,000 miles of training over the year.

Then, Ironman canceled his event.

“I was bothered by the cancellation because I’d been training for so long,” Lakatos told the Keys Weekly. “How could the event I paid for and trained for be canceled?,” he thought.

Lakatos decided to do a half-Ironman anyway by himself in the Keys on April 25, the original scheduled date of his canceled event. He swam 1.2 miles off the family’s property, rode his bike 56 miles along Overseas Highway and ran through Islamorada.

“I was in extreme pain for the whole thing ‒ six hours and some minutes of heat and humidity. I was really not ready for a race like that, especially doing it myself,” Lakatos said.

Those six hours showed Lakatos how difficult an Ironman really is, especially doing it alone.

“It really is between you and your mind,” he said. “If your mind gives up, you give up. That was the biggest thing for me, to overcome the quitting mind, by myself, in the rain and humidity and all that.”

Lakatos ended up finishing the race, but came back to the family house with 2.4 miles of the run still left to complete.

“I wanted the kids to run the last little bit with me, to give them a chance to be a part of it,” he said. “I wanted to challenge them.”

The four boys and Lakatos crossed the “finish line” together, in a moment the latter won’t forget any time soon.

“Honestly, it was one of the best days of my life,” he said. “It changed something in my brain. Once you say you’ll do something and devote so much time, effort and suffering into it, you just have to find a way to do it, no matter what.”

It’s a resilient, champion’s mentality that the parents have, which they’ve now instilled into Lakatos and which he’s now taught to the kids.

“They looked at me like a superhero, because that’s how a 12-year-old looks at someone who says they’re going to do something, and everything goes opposite, but they still do it,” Lakatos said. “I get goosebumps just talking about it. I made the most out of a really bad situation in the world, and it was such a good day to prove you can always do that — to myself, to other people and to the kids looking up to me. It’s just awesome.”

3 1. When coronavirus canceled the April 25 Ironman that Tamás Lakatos had been training for for over a year, he decided to complete a half race anyway. He swam off the Wing property in Islamorada to start. CONTRIBUTED 2. The Wing family, who Tamás Lakatos works for as an au pair, drove along Overseas Highway cheering Lakatos on as he completed his half-Ironman alone. The boys crossed the finish line with Lakatos, in a moment he won’t forget.

3. Tamás Lakatos crosses the “finish line” of his solo half-Ironman with the four Wing kids — Henry, 12, Charlie, 9, Jake, 10, and Patrick 14.

19

KEY WEST / MARATHON / UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / JULY 30, 2020

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

Karen represented the Buyers & Sellers of: 11240 3rd Avenue Gulf, Marathon, FL 33050 A member of the franchise system of BHH Affiliates, LLC

Karen Raspe, PA | 305.393.9010 | karenraspe@bellsouth.net

"Never forget two fish and five loaves.

God can take your little and make it much."

We are streaming our Daily Devotions at 8am, Compline at 9pm and Sunday Prayers at 9am on our Facebook page. @stcolumbamarathonfl May the Peace of the Lord be always with you WE OFFER A COMMUNITY OF PEACE, LOVE AND UNDERSTANDING.

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

125 CORTEZ DRIVE

LISTED & SOLD BY

KEITH ALLEN

Each Office is Individually Owned and Operated

305-481-5544 realkeys@bellsouth.net www.TheRealKeys.com

ADVERTISEMENT FOR RE BIDS of TILT WALL SUBCONTRACTORS THE COLLEGE OF THE FLORIDA KEYS UPPER KEYS CENTER 106004 Overseas Highway Key Largo, Florida 33037 Thornton Construction Company, Inc requests subcontractor sealed bid proposals for the mentioned project Upper Keys Center for The College of The Florida Keys. The project is the development of a new 42,461 Gross Square Feet Twostory Tilt-up Construction Building and Full Site Development, for a Higher Education Facility.

Thornton Construction Company, Inc. requests all interested bidders to prequalify with Thornton Construction for participation in the bid process. All interested parties shall complete the prequalification form located at https://thornton-inc.com/subcontractors. The information you will provide will be analyzed to confirm that the company has experience with this type of construction as well as experience with projects of a similar size.

Bid Documents – All documents will be available through the Building Connected Plan via invitation only. For documents request, please contact Floyd Smiley at 305-649-1995x2019 or email floyd@thornton-inc.com Prebid Meeting & Site Walkthrough: Based on the CDC Social Distancing Guidelines, we don’t foresee having a Pre-Bid Meeting or Site Walkthrough, recent photos from the job site and its surroundings are posted on Building Connected Plan.

Sealed Bid Due: August 10th, 2020 2PM. Proposals to be delivered to Thornton Construction Main Office at 13290 NW 42 Avenue, Opa-Locka FL 33054, no later than August 10th, 2020 2PM. Bids will be opened on August 11th, 2020 2PM., via Zoom.

MBE Utilization: The College encourages MBE firms to compete for College contracts, and also encourages all vendors and contractors to use MBE firms as subcontractors. Contractors, and vendors should take all necessary and reasonable steps to ensure that minority businesses have the opportunity to compete for and perform contract work for The College in a nondiscriminatory environment. The contractor/vendor will be asked to submit quarterly reports showing actual expenditures with MBE subcontractors used. This project will be in compliance with the MBE Provisions for Monroe County, Florida. Goals for minority participation for each trade is 30.4% and goals for female participation for each trade is 6.9%.

Buy America Act: This project will utilize to the greatest extent practicable purchase of American made equipment and products with funding provided under this EDA financial assistance awarded projects.

Davis Bacon Wages Rate: Applies to all work scopes for this project that utilizes labor, and must be included in bid proposals provided for this project 5% Bid Bond and 100% Payment & Performance Bond will be required for work scopes $150,000 and greater.

Additional Requirements: This project is partially funded by the Economic Development Administration (EDA) financial assistance awards, EDA Award No. 04-79-07372.

All Applicants/Bidders shall familiarize themselves with all applicable contract provisions pertaining to this project, in the following reference documents U.S. Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration Standard Terms and Conditions for Construction Projects, EDA Contracting Provisions for Construction Projects, the Summary of EDA Construction Standards, and all applicable C.F.R. provisions.

20

COMMUNITY NEWS

KEY WEST / MARATHON / UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / JULY 30, 2020

JIM McCARTHY jim@keysweekly.com

VILLAGE OFFICIALS TO DISCUSS FENCING AT FILLS

NO BOTTLENECK

MARATHON HIRES PRIVATE FIRM TO POLICE 33RD STREET RAMP

Indian Key Boat ramp: A sign reads boat ramp only on Indian Key in Islamorada on June 27. The ramp and the Fills are currently closed. JIM McCARTHY/Keys Weekly

W

ith a sublease agreement in place with the state, Islamorada village officials are set to discuss a conceptual plan to gain better control of a popular hangout spot known as the Fills.

Comprising three small islands connecting Lower Matecumbe and Upper Matecumbe Keys, the Fills remain closed to vehicles, trailers and picnicking through Aug. 19. The move by the village on July 21 was made to match Monroe County’s effort to reduce the community spread of COVID-19.

Village council’s July 30 meeting will see discussion by Public Works Director A.J Engelmeyer regarding fencing options for the Fills, which span MM 77.5 to 79.8. Three options for barriers, with pros and cons for each, will be presented to the council for consideration. The first option details a cable barrier for an estimated cost of $322,000. Per council communication, benefits with cable fencing are its low cost and maintenance. While cable is less visible and intrusive, it requires more deflection if used as a barrier.

Option two outlines timber with rope, which is aesthetically pleasing and estimated at around $476,000.

Such a barrier would require more posts, 5-foot spacing, and it could be easily damaged and vandalized, per council communication. Option three details guardrail at a cost around $644,000. A safer, more protective barrier, costs and maintenance would be higher than the other two options. It also wouldn’t be as aesthetically pleasing, per the council communication.

The Fills were closed from midMarch to June, when they reopened to visitors along with the rest of the Keys.

And with a reopening of the area came increased activity, illegal parking, citations and complaints. That led village officials to add more staffing, signs and portable restrooms.

Activity on the Fills remained quiet during the Fourth of July weekend due to the full closure as a COVID-19 protective measure before the holiday.

The area reopened to the public on July 7, but at lower capacity, after Islamorada council members agreed to cut the number of parking spots in half, to 40, at a July 1 special meeting. Engelmeyer told the council that the Fills, when open, are anywhere from 75% to 100% full during the week, and at capacity by 9 a.m. on weekends.

In April, village council approved a five-year sublease with FDOT to maintain the Fills. The 2019-20 budget includes $47,600 in the public works department for a full-time Fills facility attendant and an additional $30,000 for rental of portable toilets and other operating supplies.

For now, the Fills remain closed.

Councilman Jim Mooney noted during the July 1 meeting that “We have to take control of this now.

“The Fills have been a pain in the rear end for 20 years. It’s time to end this nonsense with the Fills.”

Council will also consider a resolution to approve a new lease with the Florida Department of Transportation for right-of-way property located at MM 84, bayside. A subaward and grant agreement between the village and Florida Division of Emergency Management for reimbursement of COVID-19 expenses will also be taken up, as well as approval of work authorization for water quality monitoring of the canal 132 restoration (Plantation Lake Estates) project.

The July 30 meeting takes place at 5:30 p.m. on Zoom. The meeting may be viewed live on Comcast (within Islamorada only) on the Comcast local government channel 77; streamed live on the Village website; or by Zoom webinar at https://zoom. us/j/91106564166.

A City of Marathon truck blocks access to the boat ramp on Harbor Drive.

SARA MATTHIS

O

sara@keysweekly.com

n July 26, orange cones lined 33rd Street from Overseas Highway to the public boat ramp behind the Marathon Yacht Club. A private security officer verified local identification as trucks and trailers lined up. Two Border Patrol vehicles were parked behind the kiosk, the officers chatting in their cars.

“I’ve only been on shift since noon,” said Gregory Todd, an employee of security firm Precise Protection Research at about 2 p.m. “I think I’ve turned away two people.”

In a special meeting on July 24, the Marathon City Council voted 3-2 to close both the Quay boat ramp and Harbor Drive boat ramp in Marathon from Tuesday to Thursday, July 28-30. Only the boat ramp at 33rd Street is open, but just for Marathon locals or guests with a current, valid vacation rental contract or hotel receipt. Commissioners Dan Zieg and Steve Cook dissented, while Commissioners Luis Gonzalez, John Bartus and Mark Senmartin supported the resolution.

To some, the main concern of the boat ramp closure was getting notice out to visitors intending to launch at the height of lobster miniseason.

A retired firefighter from Jacksonville, who owns property in Marathon, made it through the checkpoint. He said the verification wasn’t inconvenient, and that he learned about the rules on Facebook, and so was able to show up with the proper documentation.

Another couple, from Central Florida, were eating from the back of their pickup truck parked next to Coconut Cay. They knew nothing about the closed boat ramps, as they intended to check in and launch their jon boat at the hotel’s ramp just as soon as the room was ready.

At the nearby Harbor Drive boat ramp, a city vehicle was parked across the ramp and a sign tucked into the window read, “Boat ramp closed by order of the City Council of Marathon, effective July 28th through July 30th.”

Marathon’s order did not grant local access to Key Colony Beach residents or guests.

The council heard from many residents, most who wanted the ramps closed for fear of pushing day trippers further into the Keys to Marathon, and some who cautioned about the effects on Marathon’s reputation as a travel destination.

A private security firm was in place on July 28 to oversee launches at the 33rd Street boat ramp.

According to Marathon City Manager Chuck Lindsey, the cost will be somewhere between $10,000 to $12,000.

At the Marathon meeting, law enforcement officers questioned the notice of the closures and worried that the force would be spread too thin.

“The FWC is already short staffed. Also, if officers are on land dealing with traffic, then they are not on the water looking for violations,” said FWC Capt. Dave Dipre.

21

KEY WEST / MARATHON / UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / JULY 30, 2020

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

WILLS, TRUSTS BENEFICIARY DESIGNATIONS ASSET TITLES

Jody & Lynn represented the Sellers of: 2020 Yellowtail Ave, Marathon, FL 33050

POWERS OF ATTORNEY

A member of the franchise system of BHH Affiliates, LLC

Jody Owen 305.923.1902 jodyowen@me.com

www.KeysRealEstate.com

Lynn B. Lucas 305.393.0559 lynn@keyshomehunter.com

ASSET PROTECTION PLANNING MEDICAID PLANNING

KATHLEEN HENDRICKSON ATTORNEY AT LAW LLM ESTATE PLANNING

5701 Overseas Hwy Suite 12, Marathon RSVP 305 393 2598

Covering All The Keys From Key Largo To Key West Upper Keys Weekly 91760 O/S Hwy, Ste 3 Tavernier, FL 33070 305.363.2957

Marathon Weekly 9709 O/S Hwy Marathon, FL 33050 305.743.0844

Key West Weekly 5450 MacDonald Ave, Ste 5 Key West, FL 33040 305.453.6928

Due to the Covid 19 outbreak I am offering a

FREE CONSULTATION in lieu of seminars. We require masks in the office.

Open 7 Days a Week 5 pm-10 pm Tapas | Cocktails | Live Music 15% Locals Discount Dinner also available at our new waterfront eatery, Chicken Walk www.TavernNTown.com | 305.296.8100 Located at the Key West Marriott Beachside Hotel 3841 N Roosevelt Blvd | Key West

22

MLKAR

KEY WEST / MARATHON / UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / JULY 30, 2020

- KEYS

Karen

TO THE KEY REAL ESTATE (SINCE 1990)

Bill

THIS WEEK’S SPECIALS !!

NEED DEEP WATER ACCESS TO OCEAN OR GULF?

2 bedrooms and 1 1/2 baths each side DUPLEX. Fully furnished. Breezy verandas to relax on. Four 50' deep-water boat slips on a protected basin. Minutes to the ocean or Gulf.

Vacation rental license in place with excellent rental record. $775,000 ML 589586

LIVE IN ONE, RENT THE OTHER Don’t pay rent anymore! 2 bedrooms, 1 bath 900 sq ft unit each side. Convenient to everything. Affordable living or a great investment.

REDUCED $238,000 each.

BUILD TODAY Waterfront lot with dock and 200 amp service.

Has building right for immediate building.

Minutes to the ocean. $175,000 ML588862

INVESTORS...PAY ATTENTION 2 two bedroom units and 1 three bedroom unit.

New roof. Great rental investment property.

Gross rent $5,175.00.

REDUCED $475,000 ML588359

(305) 743-2300

Karen Farley-Wilkinson, Bill Wilkinson

• TAX TALK • TAG TALK •

AUGUST

FIRM LOOKING FOR GOLF TOURNEY SPONSORS

M

arathon and Lower Keys Association of Realtors is planning a charity golf tournament on Oct. 25, 2020 to benefit FIRM (Fair Insurance Rates in Monroe). The format is a four-person scramble. MLKAR is seeking sponsors, as well as collecting gifts and gift certificates for the raffle. Proceeds raised from the tournament are donated to FIRM so it can continue to lobby to keep insurance rates low, as well as participate in the review of the new FEMA flood maps.

To donate, please email or call Wayne Carter at ceo@mlkar.com or 305743-2485.

MIDDLE KEYS RESIDENTIAL Total Active Key/Island 2019

New Listings

2020

%

2019

2020

Number Sold %

2019 2020

Average Sale Price %

2019

2020

%

Residential: Marathon

257

265

3

39

45

15

27

16

-40

590,389

699,062

18

Key Colony

81

78

-3

5

12

140

10

5

-50

811,050

707,858

-12 -3

Duck Key

55

60

9

5

10

100

5

3

-40

690,000

666,333

Conch Key

7

4

-42

2

0

-

0

1

+

0

390,000

+

Long Key

16

13

-18

9

0

-

0

3

+

0

475,000

+

Big Pine

102

100

-1

10

19

90

13

20

53

541,192

451,557

-16

TOTALS

518

520

1

70

86

22

55

48

-12

658,158

564,968

-14

LOWER KEYS RESIDENTIAL

• The second tax installment for 2020 will be mailed out on August 31, 2020.

• Local Business Taxes may be renewed July 1, 2020. The 2020 Business tax expires September 30, 2020 and becomes delinquent on October 1, 2020.

• Transient Rental Fraud HOTLINE # 1-855-422-4540 “Remain Anonymous” • Reminder must WEAR MASK when entering our Offices and Practice Social Distancing.

• MUST make appointments for Driving Test in our Key West, Marathon and Key Largo offices, and Concealed Weapon Permits in Key West & Key Largo Offices.

Total Active Key/Island 2019

New Listings

2020

%

2019

2020

Number Sold %

2019 2020

Average Sale Price %

2019

2020

%

Residential: No Name

3

2

-33

0

0

0

1

0

-

555,000

0

-

Big Torch

5

6

20

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

4

4

0

6

3

-50

432,333

548,333

26

Middle Torch

1

0

Little Torch

30

34

13

Ramrod Key

30

19

-36

6

5

-16

1

5 400

539,000

554,500

2

Summerland

41

46

12

5

8

60

4

4

0

1,170,000

584,963

-50

Cudjoe Key

83

69

-16

13

14

7

2

7 250

569,000

668,929

17

Sugarloaf

38

42

10

8

5

-37

8

5

-37

935,938

825,056

-11

Big Coppitt

32

33

3

1

2

100

6

2

-66

405,583

207,500

-48

TOTALS

263

251

-5

37

38

3

28

26

-7

658,122

564,880

-13

SPACER

COMMUNITY NEWS

KEY WEST / MARATHON / UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / JULY 30, 2020

23

BRIEFLY

TO LEARN ABOUT THIS INCREDIBLE VOLUNTEER AND HOW YOU CAN HELP THE KEYS, VISIT CFFK.ORG

The Scottish band Albannach performs at the 2019 Florida Keys Celtic Festival.

KEYS WEEKLY FILE PHOTO

Virus brings cancellation of Florida Keys Celtic Festival The 2021 Florida Keys Celtic Festival, scheduled for Jan. 9-10, 2021 in Marathon, has been canceled because of concerns over the coronavirus.

“After careful consideration for the safety of our community and all who attend our festival, we have decided to cancel the 2021 Florida Keys Celtic Festival,” said organizers on the festival’s Facebook page.

“Our hope is to provide a high quality entertaining festival and safety is always a priority. At this time we do not feel we can ensure the safety of our community in a large setting without compromising the quality of our festival.

“We will miss our Celtic celebration but the Scots and the Irish are a hardy bunch and we will continue to keep our Celtic heritage alive!”

The popular event, which brings musicians and performers from Scotland and Ireland as well as the U.S., is scheduled to return on Jan. 8-9, 2022. It benefits St. Columba Episcopal Church’s Hammock House, which offers camps and after-school activities for children.

Mark Hedden

Michel Delgado

Hedden and Delgado win prestigious awards Two Monroe County artists have been named as recipients of the 2020 South Florida Cultural Consortium Visual and Media Artists Awards. Mark Hedden of Key West, and Michel Delgado, also of Key West, were selected to receive this five-county artist award.

Each artist will receive an award of $7,500 and be included in an exhibit this spring featuring all winners.

The consortium, an alliance of the arts councils of Broward, Martin, Miami-Dade, Monroe and Palm Beach counties, has recognized seven individuals from Miami-Dade County, three from Broward County, one from Palm Beach County, and two from Monroe County. The awards are conferred at either the $15,000 or $7,500 level and are among the largest such honors accorded by local arts agencies to visual and media artists in the United States. Celebrating 32 years in 2020, the SFCC has awarded over $4 million in grants to more than 300 artists. In addition to receiving the grant, the artists take part in an exhibition hosted and organized by a visual arts institution in one of the five counties.

Delgado grew up in Senegal, on the west coast of Africa, where life and art shared the same space.

They were indistinguishable. As a young boy in Dakar, he learned that art is the tool for a direct and honest conversation with his own heart. Art always has been his rescuer, his liberator – creatively, emotionally and spiritually. He is a self-taught painter, able to create in any medium, always painting work that is straightforward and personal, work coming from a place within that is constantly loud and growing.

Hedden is a writer, photographer and birding guide. He writes narrative nonfiction, primarily ornithology-oriented natural history, which most people refer to as “stuff about birds.” He has also written about necro voyeurism, his love of the Tour de France, his aversion to pirates, his hatred of clowns, the inappropriate use of firearms during photo shoots, and music. His work has been published in the Bone Island Sun, the Key West Citizen, Solares Hill newspaper, the Miami Herald, Tropic magazine, Miami Metro magazine, the Washington Post, and the secret of salt. He has lived in Key West all his adult life.

R E E T N U L O V OF THE WEEK JUDGE RITA EATON KEY WEST WOMAN'S CLUB

SPONSORED

BY CFFK, KEYS WEEKLY, ISLAND RADIO 106.9FM AND OCEAN WELLNESS SPA

THIS WEEK’S ENTERTAINMENT FRIDAY, JULY 31

HAYWIRE 8PM

SATURDAY, AUG 1

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KEY WEST

KEY WEST / MARATHON / UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / JULY 30, 2020

MANDY MILES

mandy@keysweekly.com

DON’T PLANT YOUR ‘CHINA SEEDS’

KEY WEST CAPTAIN GETS MYSTERY PACKAGE

I

t’s not every day a reporter tells her colleagues, “I’m going to take a photo of this guy’s seed package.”’

But that’s what happened on July 28, when Keys Weekly got word that Capt. Gary Stanyer, owner of Dolphin Safari Charters in Key West, had received in that day’s mail one of the strange packages from China 1 containing what some national media outlets had dubbed “mystery seeds.”

As of July 29, agriculture officials in 31 states had warned people not to touch or plant the seeds, as they were of unknown origin.

Stanyer, who’s originally from Zimbabwe and wears a bracelet made from crocodile skin, said he initially thought the small, gray shipping envelope was empty.

“It didn’t feel as if anything was inside,” he said. “ When Stanyer saw the Chinese writing on the envelope, he initially thought it was something he had ordered months earlier from a Chinese website and then forgotten.

“You know those websites that take three months to get here and by the time it arrives, you’ve forgotten you ordered it,” he said. “I thought it was something like that.”

But when he opened the waterproof envelope, he found only a packet with a small amount of black or dark brown powder-looking material.

“It almost looks like gunpowder,” Stanyer said, although he hasn’t opened the small baggie containing the powder. As requested by state agriculture officials, Stanyer mailed the package to them the next day.

MYSTERY SOLVED? The mystery seed packages began showing up in randomly selected American mailboxes earlier this month. By this week, people in all 50 states had received such a package and agriculture officials were warning against handling the seeds or planting what could be invasive species that are detrimental to ecosystems. The seeds have varied in size, color and overall appearance.

The packages appear to have been shipped by China’s stateowned postal company and contained Chinese lettering on the exterior, advertising products ranging from jewelry to toys, states a CBS News report.

2

Federal investigators with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Services (APHIS) have said they believe the packages are part of a “brushing” scam in which online vendors send out unsolicited packages to help boost their product ratings.

According to the technology website Fast Company, there are a few variations of the scam, “but one version is that sellers create fake customer accounts, buy their own products — usually very cheap or worthless versions of products — and send them to people’s homes in other countries. The online customer accounts might be fake, but the addresses are real, and the sellers can then use those accounts to register real deliveries, post glowing reviews of the products, and improve their rankings on e-commerce sites like Amazon or eBay.” Stanyer promised to keep Keys Weekly about any response he gets from the USDA. And we thank him for letting us photograph his package.

1. Capt. Gary Stanyer of Key West holds the package of mystery seeds he received from China on July 28. MANDY MILES/Keys Weekly 2. The package Capt. Gary Stanyer received originated in China and contains a fine dark brown or black powder.

25

KEY WEST / MARATHON / UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / JULY 30, 2020

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KEY WEST / MARATHON / UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / JULY 30, 2020

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OBITUARIES

KEY WEST / MARATHON / UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / JULY 30, 2020

JOHN ELY

J

ohn S. Ely of North Brunswick, New Jersey and Marathon, Florida entered into eternal rest on July 17, 2020 at the age of 79.

He was born on July 30, 1940 to the late Dorothy McCourt.

John is survived by his loving wife, Maria Arvelo Ely, of Marathon, Florida. He is also survived by his cherished daughters, Allison Ely of Point Pleasant Beach, Danielle Lozito of East Brunswick and Stephanie (David) Salardino of East Brunswick, as well as two stepsons, Louis (Malissa) Arvelo of Boca Raton, Florida and Anthony Martinez of Boca Raton, Florida. John leaves behind 9 grandchildren who adored him – Alyssa Schatzman, Martina Schatzman, Matthew Schatzman, Joanna Lozito, Nina Lozito, Carlo Salardino, Milly Salardino, Louis Arvelo Jr. and Isaiah Arvelo. John is also survived by two sisters, Arlene Grushewsky of Monroe Township and Mary Edmondson of Johnson City, Tennessee. He is preceded in death by his wife of 40 years, JoAnne Ely (nee DiCaro).

How do you even begin to describe someone who is simply larger than life and left a lasting impression upon everyone he encountered? Everyone who knew John sincerely loved him.

He welcomed all and changed so many people’s lives for the better. He truly inspired you to dream big and always, always shoot for the moon. We’d like to share some quotes from our friends regarding our Dad’s passing.

“He was a great man that I looked up to, I admired him very much especially the way he was with his family! He would do anything for his girls.”

“I’ve always been very fond of your father. He made a big impression on me.”

“I feel like I knew your dad through you, and was in awe of his energy, fearlessness and love for you all.”

“He was one of the most generous men I have ever been around. When it came to work and life, he was like a bull but then at home with his girls he was a loving teddy bear.”

“Your Dad was always such a nice and generous man. The world is less bright without him.”

27

MICHELLE BUCKLEY LEE

B

“I consider myself fortunate to have met and interacted with

him as little as I did.”

John grew up as a very humble, hard-working man and became very successful. He really seemed to have the Midas touch, but always remained gracious. He started out owning a cabinet shop in New Brunswick.

He began to design and build homes in the New Jersey area as well as purchase real estate for investments.

In the late ’80s, he was in Key Biscayne with his family and ventured to the Florida Keys one day; he instantly fell in love with the pristine aqua water and low-key Keys lifestyle. Within a month, he purchased a home for his family and then began to purchase additional real estate in the Marathon and Key Colony Beach areas to build homes.

In the late ’90s, he decided to try his hand as a restaurateur, which was a completely new venture for him. He started the Florida Keys Steak & Lobster House in Marathon, Florida; he loved owning a restaurant and creating new entrees to add to the menus as well as greeting the locals who adored him. John was loved by so many ranging from family and friends to employees and acquaintances who had become family to him.

Two memorials are scheduled for John on July 30, which would have been his 80th birthday. Due to the current restrictions and circumstances, the memorials will be private. We promise we will celebrate his life, as it was a life very well lived, at a later date once it is safe for all.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to No Kid Hungry, as children across the country are being affected by COVID-19 and schools are not in session. Our family would like to thank the ICU staff at Cleveland Clinic in Weston, Florida for taking care of John during this difficult time and their dedication to the patients. Please feel free to also send meals to the ICU staff in lieu of flowers. If you would like to do so, please contact Mary at 954-487-3600 to coordinate.

orn on Dec. 20, 1964, Michelle Buckley Lee passed away on July 23, 2020. She is survived by her husband Tommy Lee from Marathon, Florida; siblings Jim Buckley, June Demek, Mary Ann Britton, Paul

Buckley, Susan Buckley, Beth Macklin, David Buckley; and best friend Amanda Eiginger, also from Marathon. Shelley had a deep love for music, nature and water. She will always be loved and remembered by many family and friends.

WILLIAM McCOLE

W

illiam McCole, 84, passed away on July 21, 2020.

He was born in Malin, County Donegal, Ireland on March 17, 1936 to Richard and Mary (nee McLaughlin) McCole.

When William was a child he moved to Scotland to be a shepherd. He would eventually move to the United States at the age of 17 and he held down two fulltime jobs. He went to an Irish dance and saw his future bride Jeanine (nee Lavelle) and said, “I’m going to marry her,” and he had not even met her yet. He and Jeanine just celebrated their 61st wedding anniversary. William went on to start his own construction business until his retirement. He and Jeanine would spend their winters in the Florida Keys for 30-plus years. William loved to be around people

and when he was with them he always made them feel special.

William is survived by his loving wife of 61 years, Jeanine; his daughter Catherine McCole; granddaughter Jessica Boettcher; his loving siblings Mary Rose (Jack) Ballie and Charles McCole; sisters in-law Carol McCole, Elizabeth McCole and Sarah McCole; many adoring nieces and nephews and most of all his beloved dog Tibbie. William was preceded in death by his parents and siblings Celia Douglas, Edward, John, Bernard, Richard, Patrick, Margaret McSheffrey, Phillip and James.

A private family burial will take place at Forest Home Cemetery, Forest Park, Illinois. Memorial contributions may be sent to Paws, 1997 Clybourne Ave., Chicago, IL 60614 or 773-935-7297 in loving memory of William McCole.

BUDDY S. KLEIN

O

n Tuesday, June 30, 2020, Buddy S. Klein, a man who truly lived life on his own terms, passed away at the age of 88 after an extended illness.

Born in Miami on July 12, 1931, Buddy grew up in and around the water.

He would later share stories of fishing in Biscayne Bay when it was a pristine paradise. Buddy joined the Navy at 17, after fudging his birth date, where he served as an underwater photographer.

After leaving the service, he went to the Bahamas and Turks and Caicos where he was a professional lobster diver.

Upon returning to Miami, Buddy started Delta Painting Corp. He steadily grew his business, painting most of the great hotels on Miami Beach as well as commercial buildings and industrial plants throughout south Florida. Buddy branched out into the asbestos removal business in the 1970s, eventually expanding to become one of the largest environmental contractors in the Southeast.

After building a second home in the Florida Keys in 1985, and retiring there in

1995, Buddy spent most of his days fishing and diving.

He was an avid backcountry fisherman and looked forward every year to lobster mini-season. A diving aficionado, he was able to return to his favorite dive rocks far offshore by dead reckoning alone.

Buddy was probably most known and loved for his amazing sense of humor.

Buddy was preceded in death by his parents, Harry and Meta; brother, Marvin (Bobby); sister, Marilyn; and grandson, John (Will). He is survived by his daughter, Dawn (Paul) McGuire; granddaughter Mary Rose McGuire; great-grandchildren Magnolia and Cal McGuire. His three sisters, Joan (Mickey), Patricia, and Marjorie (Margie), survive Buddy, as well as numerous nieces and nephews, grand-nieces and nephews, and many, many friends.

There will be a memorial for Buddy on the water for family and close friends in the near future.

28

COMMUNITY NEWS LETTER TO THE EDITOR

GOODBYE TO MARK PORTER

KEY WEST / MARATHON / UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / JULY 30, 2020

SNAKES BE GONE 5,000 PYTHONS REMOVED FROM EVERGLADES

T

his is the week when we say goodbye to Mark Porter, our superintendent of schools.

As president of the Monroe Education Foundation that operates the Take Stock in Children program and trustee of the Golden Fleece Foundation, I have been privileged to have had the opportunity of working with Mark during his eight-year tenure.

His management style has encouraged and nurtured success and built a framework of excellence that has resulted in much higher high school completion rates, acceleration of digital education and increased completion of national computer science certificates, and a focus on pre-K and kindergarten readiness including the introduction of Waterford learning systems, in school and online.

As a member of the Monroe Education Foundation Board, he has always supported the Take Stock program, ensuring that the Monroe County School District continues as a reliable and dependable partner. Together, we have provided the resources and funding to improve college access for low income students, and he encouraged us to achieve record levels of Keys’ students participating in international immersive education in partnership with the Experiment in International Living.

Mark leaves us having attained an A rating for our district for the last two years while Take Stock has achieved record high school graduation, college enrollment and college graduation rates.

We wish him and his wife Jane — a Take Stock mentor — much happiness and good health in the next chapter of their lives. We all owe them a terrific debt of gratitude.

Bryan Green, president Monroe County Education Foundation

5,000 invasive Burmese pythons have been removed from the Everglades in South Florida. CONTRIBUTED

T

he Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and the South Florida Water Management District, recently announced the removal of 5,000 invasive Burmese pythons from South Florida’s Everglades ecosystem.

“We’ve learned through the Python Challenge that experience counts when finding and removing Burmese pythons,” said FWC Commissioner Rodney Barreto. “We can’t win the battle alone. It’s one team, one mission.

We need the support of these experienced python hunters as well as the partnership with the South Florida Water Management District and the ongoing support of Gov. Ron DeSantis.”

“Another win for the Everglades. This is what agencies like the South Florida Water Management District and the FWC, focused and working together, can accomplish,” said SFWMD governing board member “Alligator Ron” Bergeron. “Every snake counts. Each invasive python eliminated represents hundreds of native Florida wildlife saved. With Gov. DeSantis’ continued leadership, Florida is doing more than it ever has to remove pythons from the Everglades and protect this ecosystem for generations to come.”

The public can help control invasive wildlife by reporting sightings to the FWC’s Exotic Species Hotline at 888-IveGot1 (888-483-4681), online at IveGot1.org or by using the free smartphone app IVEGOT1. If possible, take a picture and note the exact location of the sighting. Python Action Team and Python Elimination Program members respond to reports of large constrictors and other priority species to remove these harmful invaders from the wild.

Burmese pythons became established in Florida as a result of escaped or released pets. It is illegal to release nonnative species into the wild and can hurt Florida’s native wildlife and habitat. The FWC’s Exotic Pet Amnesty Program allows pet owners to surrender nonnative or exotic pets without penalty. Visit MyFWC.com/ PetAmnesty for more information.

More information about the FWC’s Python Action Team and the SFWMD’s Python Elimination Program is at MyFWC.com/Python and SFWMD.gov/Python.

— Contributed

KENSLEY JANINE KELLER

K

ensley Janine Keller was born on July 16, 2020 at Lower Keys Medical Center in Key West to Mackenzie Keller, who works at Keys Fisheries in Marathon.

The six-pound, 13-ounce baby was welcomed by mom and grandparents Janine and Joshua Mothner of Marathon and Patrick Keller of Staten Island, New York.

29

KEY WEST / MARATHON / UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / JULY 30, 2020

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KEY WEST / MARATHON / UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / JULY 30, 2020

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KEY WEST / MARATHON / UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / JULY 30, 2020

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32

COMMUNITY NEWS

Key Largo principal joins Community Foundation board

T

he Community Foundation of the Florida Keys (CFFK) has appointed Key Largo School principal Laura Lietaert to its board of governors. Lietart Key Largo Princiis CFFK’s first board pal Laura Lietart was recently member from Key appointed to Largo and joins the nonprofit’s govern- the Community Foundation of ing board for a the Florida Keys’ three-year term. board of gover“Laura brings nors. numerous skills and CONTRIBUTED a deep knowledge of the community to our board,” said CFFK chair Dr. Susanne Woods. “Her experience in planning and fundraising will be big assets as we continue to develop CFFK’s ability to serve the Keys. Laura also offers crucial leadership in our ongoing efforts to broaden outreach and philanthropy in the Upper Keys.”

Lietart has spent her career in education. Starting at Key Largo School as a teacher in 1994, she has been the principal of the K-8 school for the past five years. She was named Monroe County School District “Principal of the Year” two years ago.

“I am thrilled to join the board of the Community Foundation,” Lietart said. “This community is my passion and I’m excited to help build awareness and philanthropy in the Upper Keys.”

In addition to her work in education, Lietart is a dedicated Upper Keys civic leader. She currently serves as board president of the Rotary Club of Key Largo and was named “Rotarian of the Year” in 2017. She is active in the Upper Keys Business and Professional Women, Key Largo Chamber of Commerce, Islamorada Chamber of Commerce, and is a former board member of Kids Come First. She has reviewed grants for United Way of the Florida Keys and recently served on a special grants committee for the Landau Family COVID-19 Food Fund for the Upper Keys at CFFK. She has a bachelor’s degree from Florida International University and master’s from the American College of Education.

— Contributed

KEY WEST / MARATHON / UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / JULY 30, 2020

More funds to support moving water south

The Central Everglades Planning Project, South phase, will move more water south to Everglades National Park. CONTRIBUTED

T

he South Florida Water Management District’s Governing Board and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers entered into an agreement on July 27 to fund the Central Everglades Planning Project (CEPP), South phase, which will move more water south to Everglades National Park.

"Moving water south is critical to saving America’s Everglades and reducing the harmful discharges from Lake Okeechobee to the estuaries," said SFWMD governing board chairman Chauncey Goss. "With the leadership of Gov. (Ron) DeSantis and our federal partners, we are advancing critical projects to restore the River of Grass and send water south into Everglades National Park.”

The Project Partnership Agreement (PPA) governs cost-sharing between the two agencies to fund components of the CEPP South,

one of three suites of projects that are part of the CEPP aimed at restoring the natural flow of water south from Lake Okeechobee to the Central and Southern Everglades. The CEPP South components include the construction of a pump station, the installation of culverts and spillways and the removal of a road and levees that will all help increase the flow of clean water south from Water Conservation Area 3A to Everglades National Park.

Under the PPA, the project construction costs are estimated to be $483 million, of which the SFWMD will fund about $241 million. The two agencies will share the estimated $7.4 million cost of maintaining and operating the components once they are built.

— Contributed

KEY WEST / MARATHON / UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / JULY 30, 2020

COMMUNITY NEWS

33

A WIN-WIN ON WINDLEY

Affordable housing project progressing JIM McCARTHY

jim@keysweekly.com

W

hile the pandemic might have slowed the building down, Habitat for Humanity of the Upper Keys’ housing project on Windley Key is still progressing. Completion is expected this fall with families and individuals moving into their units around October.

Jack Niedbalski can’t wait for that day when the keys are turned over to new homeowners and renters at Windley Key. The Habitat for Humanity’s executive director emeritus, Niedbalski has seen the project go from concept to reality.

Located at 84771 Overseas Highway, across from the OV and north of Theater of the Sea, the project features a 12-unit building and a four-unit building.

In total, there are eight units for homeownership and eight for rental.

“Obviously, our timeline was put on delay because of what happened with what’s going on in the world. It certainly affected us and impacted our ability to get our volunteers to come and do their work, which affects

everything because it affects the other subcontractors to come and finish their work. We were hoping to be done

by May or June.”

Some 3 feet of fill has been placed with the concrete laid and structures up. Underground electrical wire was laid and windows were installed. Niedbalski said more infrastructure work commenced on July 27 as the project moves along. Units are two-bedroom, two-and-a-half bath townhomes with parking underneath, concrete floors, walls, metal roof, solid wood cabinets impact doors and windows.

“There’s still things we have to do like hook up air conditioners. The places are going to have electricity in two to three weeks,” Niedbalski said.

“We’re probably 80% finished inside the 12-unit building and we’re 65% complete on the four-unit building.”

Families have already been selected for the ownership units. Now, they’re working through the Habitat process of putting in sweat equity and ensuring their financials are up to date.

As for the eight rentals, Niedbalski said they’re still taking applications for anyone interested and needing an affordable place to live.

“Right off the bat, there’s 16 more affordable housing opportunities for 16 more couples, families and individuals that weren’t there before, especially in an area like Islamorada where it’s not often that you get that many opportunities to fall in line under the affordable housing guidelines,” Niedbalski said. “These units are pretty nice.

This is not just ‘let’s build real cheaply and make it an affordable housing project.’

“If you work in Islamorada or the

The Windley Key affordable housing project in Islamorada progresses.

JIM McCARTHY/Keys Weekly

“Right off the bat, there’s 16 more affordable housing opportunities for 16 more couples, families and individuals that weren’t there before, especially in an area like Islamorada where it’s not often that you get that many opportunities to fall in line under the affordable housing guidelines,”

Upper Keys, you know what it costs to live here,” he continued. “Real estate is unbelievably red hot right now, which is driving pricing up and making it more expensive to live here. People who are moving into these units are going to feel really good locking into a rate much lower than they ever could have.”

Those applying for homeownership are evaluated based on their percent of monthly income spent on housing. Niedbalski said those spending 30% or more of their income on housing will be considered, as will those whose personal or family total annual income is at or below 80% of the median income for the Upper Keys area.

Several players were integral in getting the project off the ground, including Monroe County and the village of Islamorada. The village owns the land, which Habitat for Humanity is leasing for 99 years. It’s also deedrestricted to ensure it always remains affordable housing.

“The village council was huge,” Niedbalski said.

Building a 16-unit affordable townhome-style complex has been no easy undertaking. It’s been a rather enormous learning curve for Niedbalski, but all in all, a worthwhile endeavor to assist everyday workers who reside in the Keys and need an affordable place to live.

“We’re an affiliate that builds a couple homes a year usually,” he said.

“And now, we’re building 16 there at Windley, we broke ground on four more in Key Heights and we’ve got two or three other deals we’re working on where we have active permits. We went from building two homes a year to where we’re looking at 22 to 23 homes in the next two to three years. It’s a huge adjustment for us.”

More information about Habitat for the Upper Keys is at habitatupperkeys.org.

34

KEY WEST / MARATHON / UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / JULY 30, 2020

CELEBRATING

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35

KEY WEST / MARATHON / UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / JULY 30, 2020

HOME Is More Important Than Ever

BOTH LOCATIONS NOW OPEN TUESDAY - SATURDAY AT 5 P.M. RESERVATIONS RECOMMENDED

Please remember to bring your masks (per City of Key West mandate)

DOWNTOWN | 524 DUVAL ST | 305.296.1075 OCEANSIDE | 3593 S. ROOSEVELT BLVD | 305.295.6789

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Whether searching for that perfect piece of furniture, ready to remodel or looking to design your dream home— D’Asign Source knows what it takes to design, build, finish and furnish your space. Inside and out.

It’s time to get back to the basics of good recycling 1

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Purchase one from your local hardware stores, then call the 800 number to set up a pickup.

ROLLOFF CONTAINERS and PORTABLE TOILETS available.

Call us at 305.296.8297.

Recyclables go directly into the cart.

36

KEY WEST / MARATHON / UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / JULY 30, 2020

PRIVACY & LUXURY

FRESH NEW MENU

&

281 Trumbo Rd 205 - Key West Steamplant Luxury Steamplant Condo in Old Town Key West. Upscale safe haven with it's own private elevator. Rare opportunity to own a 3 BR 3.5 Bath luxury residence and 2 deeded parking spaces in the prestigious Key West Steamplant Condominiums. The Unit's large personal elevator, located next to your parking, will take you from the gated parking garage to all living areas; and on up to your expansive rooftop terrace with dipping pool. The ultimate in privacy and luxury. $2,345,000

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Build your own home design or developer can assist in building one of 7 home plans. If buyer chooses the ROGO approved plan assigned to the lot construction can begin almost immediately, and the home completed in approximately 6-8 months.

PRICES START AT $549,000 www.keyhavenestates.com

GRILLED ON THE POOL DECK • Complimentary Lobster Grilling Services • World Famous Cheeseburgers • Caramelized Onion Bacon Guacamole • Pepper Jack Burger • BBQ Bacon Wrapped Lobster • Bacon Wrapped Scallops • Bacon Wrapped BBQ Shrimp • Blackened Dolphin Sandwiches • Grilled Ribeye Sandwiches • Grilled Bratwurst • BBQ Baby Back Ribs • Chili Cheese Dogs

WE WILL GRILL YOUR LOBSTER CATCH FOR FREE AT THE POOLSIDE GRILL BETWEEN 1 AND 5 PM TO MARK THE BEGINNING OF LOBSTER SEASON IN THE FLORIDA KEYS WATCH ALL THE MLB GAMES ON 16 HDTVS INCLUDING OUR 18’ POOLSIDE HD SCREEN— LARGEST IN THE FLORIDA KEYS!

DRINK SPECIALS • $2 Coors Light • $5 Mango Painkillers • $5 Raspberry Daiquiris • $2 Jello Shots Presented by: Location 3 Real Estate of Key West, Inc.

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KEY WEST / MARATHON / UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / JULY 30, 2020

BRIEFLY Key West schedules virtual meeting for Aug. 4 The Key West City Commission is holding a special virtual meeting at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, August 4th. The agenda is available on the city’s website at www.cityofkeywest-fl.gov.

The community can participate in the meeting in several ways: 1. Listen to the meeting via phone: You may listen to the audio only from your phone by dialing 1-646-558 8656 and when the meeting ID is requested, enter 950 463 489 and then press the # key.

2. To participate via Zoom on your computer enter https://zoom.us/j/95493852494 2. Tune in live to Key West Comcast channel 77 or AT&T channel 99.

3. Watch the meeting online: You may access Key West City TV live by visiting: cityofkeywest-fl.gov, click on meetings/ live TV then click on “watch Key West City TV Live.” Click on the play button to view. Note: You may have to adjust your browser settings for optimal streaming. Not all browsers support flash.

Shirlee’s off the hook; suit against Rip-Off dropped The lawyer who filed a lawsuit against 14 local consumer advocates on behalf of the unlicensed cosmetics shop Oro Gold, formerly at 518 Duval St., asked a local judge to allow him to withdraw as counsel for the business. Now the case has been dismissed.

Miami attorney Antonio G. Hernandez stated in a Motion to Withdraw as Counsel that “Requiring the undersigned to remain on the case would impose an unreasonable financial burden on the undersigned and would adversely affect Plaintiff’s ability to prosecute his case.”

The business had 30 days to retain new counsel but failed to do so and Circuit Judge Timothy J. Keonig signed an order dismissing the case today.

The business had named supporters of the Key West RipOff Rapid Response Team as defendants in a lawsuit claiming libel and tortious interfer-

ence of business. The litigation asked for $250,000 in compensation for damages allegedly caused by the group’s sidewalk protests in front of the Duval Street business.

Among those named in the lawsuit was 93-year-old longtime Key West resident Shirlee Ezmirly. A U.S. Navy veteran and local consumer advocate, Shirlee has been picketing unlicensed cosmetic shops in Key West for the last three years. Learning of the news, Shirlee said, “I’m glad that happened; that makes me feel very happy.”

Asked if she was ever scared about being sued, Shirlee responded, “No, because I’ve always followed the law, and in 93 years, I’ve never been to jail.”

Rip-Off Team spokesperson Bruce Mitchell dismissed the lawsuit as, “a legal bologna sandwich designed to scare protesters and infringe on their legal rights. We are looking at possible legal action against the company, it’s owners and their attorney. There is legal recourse against this type of frivolous lawsuit, and we are exploring all our options.”

Local attorney Darren Horan represents the Rip-Off team.

The Rip-Off Team can be reached at keywestrrt@gmail. com or on Facebook page Key West Rip Off Rapid Response Team.

Gardeners’ class to be held online The UF/IFAS Extension, Monroe County Extension Service will be hosting a virtual preview session for the upcoming Monroe County Master Gardener Course, set to begin Sept. 17. Participants will learn about course details, volunteer requirements and opportunities for Monroe County Master Gardeners. Pre-registration is required. Once registered for the meeting, participants will receive the 2020 Monroe County Master Gardener packet to review prior to the meeting. Call 305-292-4501 or email Monroe@ifas.ufl.edu for more information.

WE ARE COMMUNITY NEWS

37

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38

BUSINESS

KEY WEST / MARATHON / UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / JULY 30, 2020

MANDY MILES

mandy@keysweekly.com

STAGING SELLS — AND RENTS

BUSINESS AIMS TO MAKE HOMES LOOK THEIR BEST Before

Michelle Howerton

H

After

A Key West Golf Course home gets a makeover by Somewhere South Staging.

ow many photos do you click through when browsing online for a hotel room, vacation rental or even a house to buy?

Michelle Howerton knows, and has recently launched Somewhere South Staging, a business dedicated to making properties look their best in online listings.

“In today’s world, 99% of people are looking online at homes to buy or rentals in a vacation destination.

If they’re not hooked by the third or fourth photo, they’re moving on to the next listing. But if they do what I advise them, the house will sell, or the property will rent.”

Bold words, right? But Howerton has the education and experience to back up her claims.

The Cudjoe Key resident has a degree in interior design, is an active real estate agent and owned a home decor store.

“I’ve been in the trenches with real estate agents trying to sell a home, and with property managers trying to rent a property,” she said. “I know what buyers are looking for.”

Perhaps more importantly, Howerton knows what buyers aren’t looking for.

“The more neutral a property is, the better it sells,” she said, adding that although a seller may have raised their family in a home for 40 years, a buyer doesn’t care about their family photos and refrigerator art. “I work with homeowners, real estate listing agents and rental property managers to get a place looking as it should to sell. I’ve personally owned four homes in my life, and each of them sold the first day

on the market with a full-price offer because I knew what they should look like to potential buyers. I can’t tell you how many clients I’ve told to just paint their front door and lay down some fresh mulch for better curb appeal. And it always works,” Howerton said.

And without asking her to give away all of her advice for free, Keys Weekly asked her the top three things sellers can do to make their house more attractive to buyers.

“Paint, add lamps and lighting fixtures and declutter.” she said.

In addition to staging a home for a listing agent trying to sell it, Howerton can make a vacant property fully ready for rental use, including kitchen items and bed linens.

“And I offer a variety of services that range from staging a home using the existing furniture to providing temporary furnishings that can also be negotiated in the sale,” she said. “I have an entire trailer with inventory in various styles, because a modern condo on Front Street will need a different look than a historic Conch cottage on Elizabeth Street. I don’t just go in with a Wayfair catalog and make everything look the same. And I’m very good at working with what people already have.”

Howerton also supports local Keys artists, making the artwork she places in a home available for sale as well.

Somewhere South Staging can be reached at 305849-8794.

After Before

A previously vacant home on Geiger Key looks more attractive to buyers when properly staged for sale. Contributed

BRIEFLY College offers free, rapid credential programs The College of the Florida Keys (CFK) is offering seven Rapid Credential programs at no cost to students starting this fall, which begins Aug. 19. The opportunities are part of a statewide initiative to help individuals, particularly those negatively impacted by the pandemic, quickly train for a career. The programs are funded by the Governor’s Emergency Education Relief (GEER) Fund under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act Fund.

Costs covered in CFK’s Rapid Credential programs include: tuition, course fees, text books, and testing costs. There are no financial need requirements for students; however, they must complete the prescribed courses in the set time-frame. Program lengths range from one semester to two-and-a-half semesters.

Some coursework will be online and some in person, depending on the program. All classes and activities on campus will follow CDC guidelines and local safety ordinances.

Rapid Credential programs starting fall 2020: • Entrepreneurship (12 credits): Classes online • Business Specialist (12 credits): Classes online & Key West Campus • Business Operations (18 credits): Classes online & Key West Campus • Fundamentals of Professional Diving (17 credits): Key West Campus • Professional Dive Instructor (15 credits): Key West Campus • Professional Dive Instructor College Credit Certificate AND Fundamentals of Professional Diving (32 credits): Key West Campus • Emergency Medical Technician (12 credits): Key West Campus or Key Largo Prospective students can learn more at the Rapid Credential Virtual Information Session on Tuesday, Aug. 4 at 5:30 p.m.

Attendees will receive a code to waive the $30 application fee. Registration for the event is required. More information is at FKCC.edu/rapid-credential, or from Marissa Owens, CFK director of recruitment, at recruiter@fkcc. edu or 305-809-3207.

39

KEY WEST / MARATHON / UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / JULY 30, 2020

PUT A SPARK IN YOUR VACATION. GO 100% ELECTRIC. 200% FUN. RENT YOUR FUV TODAY! The newest and coolest way to explore Key West!

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!

Spaghetti & Meatballs

DAILY SPECIALS

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

Happy Hour 4-6pm

e We haCvrab! e n o t S

ArcimotoKeyWest.com 305.600.3342 Visit the Arcimoto Key West Shop at 6991 Shrimp Road.

We w cook yoilul r catch and lob, sfitsh er.

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www.sparkyslanding.com 305-363-2959 MM 53.5 Overseas Highway, Marathon, Florida Waterfront Location Adjacent To Holiday Inn Express

40

Due to safety issues we're running at 50% capacity and have raised our prices $10 per person.

Morning trip 9:30am-1:30pm Night trip 6:30pm-midnight

KEY WEST / MARATHON / UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / JULY 30, 2020

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

305.743.5580

Sharing the Water with Sea Turtles • Watch out for sea turtles on the surface • Avoid trap ropes that may be floating • Stay alert and obey speed limits

Marathon Lady • 73’ Party Boat Please make sure to call ahead for reservations and face coverings are required. Thank you!

www.MARATHONLADY.net

If you see a Sea Turtle in Distress: Call our 24 hr Hotline 305-481-7669 or Call FWC 888-404-FWCC or Radio Coast Guard VHF Ch. 16

www.turtlehospital.org

MILITARY SPOTLIGHT

KEY WEST / MARATHON / UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / JULY 30, 2020

41

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

W

e at Keys Weekly want to honor the men and women serving in our local military installations. With help and advice from our community members in the armed forces, we’re proud to present our Military Spotlight.

JOEL WASHBOND

BOATSWAIN’S MATE/U.S. COAST GUARD CUTTER RAYMOND EVANS Hometown and Coast Guard: Growing up in the Pacific Northwest, I saw a lot of the Coast Guard, from large cutters going in and out of port in Puget Sound to Cape Disappointment, which is one of the most treacherous river bar entrances. I vividly remember seeing Coast Guard boats start ferry escorts after 9/11 and was intrigued by the variety of missions I saw the Coast Guard doing.

Why did you join the military? I joined the Coast Guard to make a positive impact within the service and to protect those in need. A lot of my high school friends actually joined the Coast Guard right after school while I went to college.

When I decided to join, the Coast Guard didn’t need more recruits. I drove an hour and a half countless times to meet with a recruiter to request assignment. I got my shot in January 2010.

Prior to Key West, what was your most memorable assignment?

The extreme opposite of Key West: ice rescue out of Milwaukee on Lake Michigan.

family. I came to this job in Key West for a few reasons. I had been at search and rescue stations, I wanted to go to a Coast Guard Fast Response Cutter and do the type of missions we do down here.

Sandy & Lynn represented the Sellers of: 17126 Wahoo Lane, Sugarloaf Key, FL 33042 A member of the franchise system of BHH Affiliates, LLC

Sandy Tuttle 305.923.9161 talktotuttle@live.com

www.KeysRealEstate.com

Lynn B. Lucas 305.393.0559 lynn@keyshomehunter.com

COMMERCE CORNER

What were your first thoughts upon hearing you were coming to the Keys? I need to get a boat!

Everything I had seen and heard was how getting out on the water is a big part of seeing and experiencing everything the Keys have to offer.

Hobbies/favorite things to do?

My hobbies include boating, grilling various foods, exercising, and chilling at the local sandbars with my family. There’s so much more of the Keys to see by boat. I enjoyed helping with my daughter’s softball team of girls 6 to 8 years old.

What do you like most about the Keys? I like the laid-back attitudes, chill vibes and access to outdoor activities, and I love how much my family loves it here.

Had you ever been to Florida Keys before your current assignment? Yes. I was invited on a trip to Ramrod Key with friends and loved it. Visiting this area definitely left a big impression on me and I jumped at the chance to come back.

What do you like most about your assignment? I like that my assignment allows me to interact with local boaters and anglers and be a positive influence on the community. The Keys are so full of visitors, I have the opportunity to be someone’s first impression of the Coast Guard every day.

Did you choose Key West or were you assigned here? Key West was high on my list. We have family who live north of Fort Lauderdale so being here we’re fairly close to

What would you change about living here in Key West if you had the power to do so? I would add a disk golf course and a Cracker Barrel.

Established in 2000, All About Doors & Windows offers impact-rated doors and windows for residential and commercial properties.

“We take care of your project from start-to-finish by offering the product, permit, and installation,” said Robert Sanchez. “Our key to success is our customer service. At All About Doors & Windows, your project is not considered complete until you are 100% satisfied.

Sanchez said the business if family owned and operated and offers quality products for every budget. Installation is guaranteed for up to five years and the company also offers financing options.

Location: 2797 Overseas Hwy, Marathon, FL Phone: 305-225-8010 Website: allaboutdoorsthekeys.com Email: allaboutdoorsthekeys@gmail.com

42

COOL STUFF

Mainstreaming

KEY WEST / MARATHON / UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / JULY 30, 2020

A look at what they're doing on the mainland

NOW TRENDING

2020 HEADLINE GENERATOR Many have said that 2020 has not only defied expectations, but also all semblance of reality. We offer here, to our readers, a 2020 headline maker based on the month of your birth and the first letter of your last and first names. ‘Cuz … you just gotta laugh.

— Microscopic gynecologists re-enact the JFK assassination (Sara Matthis)

LISTEN | SCREAMING ORPHANS If you’re saddened by the cancellation of the 2021 Florida Keys Celtic Festival in Marathon, this could bring you a bit of solace: The Screaming Orphans, the four Irish sisters who rock the festival every year, will stream a concert live on Facebook starting at 5 p.m. EDT on Saturday, Aug. 1.

BUY | PORTABLE A/C It looks like it’s about the size of an overstuffed lunch box.

The newest portable air conditioning unit can also double as an air filter and humidifier. The device is rechargeable, but can run on battery for a few hours.

The compact device fits in small spaces — on top of a desk or inside a tent (i.e., it won’t cool a whole bedroom). The Bluax model costs about $90 and comes with a cool LED feature.

READ | THE LAST FLIGHT The Keys Weekly’s very own book columnist Karen Newfield calls “The Last Flight” by Julie Clarke a five-star thriller standout.

The protagonist, Claire, is married to a powerful man, a politician through and through. Although it began as a whirlwind romance a decade ago, their marriage is now a sham. Rory’s words slowly turned cruel and over the years became physical. And then one day, Claire finds herself at the airport switching places and tickets with a complete stranger, a woman named Eva. Freedom lies just up ahead; the question is … for whom.

FIRST LETTER OF LAST NAME A: are unionizing the professional drunks.

B: have taken Winn-Dixie.

C: just destroyed Mallory Square.

D: have created a new virus.

E: started an autonomous zone in Layton.

F: are occupying the Gato building.

G: set to rule the tri-county area on the mainland.

H: take over the 104.1 U.S.1 FIRST LETTER radio station.

OF FIRST NAME I: assemble the iguanas.

A: Key deer J: dismantle the patriarchy B: Pacifists of Rotary Clubs.

C: Chimpanzees K: steal the original Honorary D: Hammerhead sharks Conch certificate.

E: Elderly citizens L: commit (lobster stamp) tax evaF: Corporations sion.

G: Egyptian gods M: reenact the Conch Revolution.

H: Boating enthusiasts N: kill 99% of germs.

I: Men over the age of 31 O: repeal all vacation rental laws.

J: Teenage girls P: release a typo-free mask rant.

K: Antidilsestablishmentarianists Q: release the Karens.

L: Spartan warriors R: assemble the Kraken.

M: Vampires S: successfully watch an entire N: Werewolves Marathon city council meeting.

O: Zombies T: do something reasonable for P: Robots once.

Q: Glass blowers U: marry Jimmy Buffett.

R: Craft beer makers V: found on the ocean floor.

S: Gynecologists W: are granted emergency COT: Nickelback fans VID19 powers.

U: Elvis impersonators X: renewed for 12 more seasons.

V: eSport gamers Y: open up a DIY permitting office.

W: Necromancers Z: destroy entire Keys’ inventory of X: Used car salesmen manatee mailboxes.

Y: Russians Z: Hippies BIRTH MONTH January: Giant February: Zombie March: Murderous April: Unstoppable May: Robotic June: Dozens of July: Evil August: COVID infested September: Self aware October: Microscopic November: Super December: Immortal

KEYS DISEASE

KEY WEST / MARATHON / UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / JULY 30, 2020

HEY, MR. TAMBOURINE GIRL Play a song for me…

M

ost of the people who visit the Keys are wonderful people with a real appreciation for our islands, our environment and our way of life.

Sometimes, however, a true jackass can set relations between locals and visitors back several years. Add copious amounts of alcohol, and the behavior gets exponentially worse.

I’ve had the privilege of running into more than a few of these wellsoaked people at my gigs. This is a story of one such gig from several years back. There was a particular woman who had shown herself to be a burrito short of a combination plate throughout the evening. She decided to show off for her dance partner by attempting her old cheerleader split maneuver, then picked up the tambourine I use for percussion loops.

I looked at her and shook my head, and she put the tambourine down.

No problem.

A little later, a friend of mine came by and picked up the tambourine, and because he wasn’t abusing it (and because the song was nearly over), I just let him play it. Well, one would have thought that I had just stolen Christmas from the orphanage.

The shipfaced splitter came up while I was talking with my friend and said, “How come you let him play the tambourine and not me?” She continued to parrot this same question in the exact same annoying tone of voice until I looked at her and said, “We can continue to talk and jabberjaw about this, or I can get back to playing a song. What will it be?”

When she asked the tambourine question one more time, I just said, “Thank you, good night,” into the microphone and put down my guitar.

Thinking I had ended the situation, I had no idea what sinister wheels I had actually set into motion.

My friend, who also had a few cocktails by this point, thought I was blaming him for the incident. I tried to reassure him that it was really the blotto tambourine babe that caused me to quit. I asked him if it would be better if I went back up and did my last song so we could all end the night on a happy note, and he agreed. I took the stage, picked up the guitar, and launched into “Suite: Judy Blue Eyes” — not your typical three-minute song.

Enter the drunken dimbulb onto the scene yet again, this time accompanied by her faithful Best Female Friend. I was paying them no atten-

tion, just getting through the song, and offering them no satisfaction by not acknowledging their presence.

Personas non grata.

I found out after the fact that TamJOHN bourine Babe was BARTUS flipping me off and dropping F-bombs. is a City of MaraAt one point, she thon councileven cleared her man. He also is throat loudly so I’d a musician who performs around look her way, but nothing doing on town. For more my part. see johnbartus. com Another of my friends came over and sat near the offensive out-of-towners. At some point (although I wasn’t watching), my friend (we’ll call him “Steve”) “accidentally” spilled his drink in the general direction of the women.

A shouting match ensued, and “Steve” expressed his opinion of the situation to the polluted percussionist and her little friend. All this time, the two “men” who belonged to the toasted twosome just sat back and watched as the tableau unfolded in front of their eyes.

As our combatants were led off the battlefield, I tried to find out what exactly had happened. Just then, the psychotic tambourine beauty approached me. She told me that she had left a “big tip” in my tip jar, and — I swear I’m not making this up — asked for it back. I asked her how much her “big tip” was, and she told me.

Five dollars.

I reached into my jar and handed her a five-dollar bill. She then actually said, and again I’m not making this up, “That wasn’t the bill I put in the jar.”

I told her, “It’s five dollars. Have a great night.” I turned and walked away.

When the owner of the establishment went over to talk to them, our tipsy tambourine wannabe lost the Miss Congeniality Award by actually bawling her eyes out and lying, telling him she didn’t take money out of my tip jar.

If there’s anything to be learned from all of this, perhaps it’s that as the blood alcohol level increases, the intelligence quotient decreases … exponentially. Bottoms up!

— Catch John Wednesdays at Herbie’s, Thursdays at Sparky’s Landing, this Friday at his Social Distancing Concert on Facebook Live, broadcast live from Boondocks on Ramrod Key. www.facebook. com/john.bartus

A Touch of Grey and a Ton of Music

www.thegratefulguitar.com Open Monday – Saturday, 11:00 AM 7:00 PM. Closed Sunday 512 Eaton Street • (305) 453-6413

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44

ELECTION 2020

KEY WEST / MARATHON / UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / JULY 30, 2020 MANDY MILES

mandy@keysweekly.com

THREE SEEK MAYOR’S SEAT Haskins, Rossi challenge incumbent Johnston Three candidates — Rick Haskins, Teri Johnston and Mark Rossi — want the center seat on the Key West City Commission. If one of them gets a one-vote majority in August, the chair is theirs, and the nonpartisan mayor’s race will be decided in the Republican primary.

I

f no one gets one vote more than 50%, the top two candidates will head to a November runoff.

Rossi and Haskins want to unseat the incumbent Johnston, who was elected 20 months ago in 2018.

Haskins, a Key West native, recently retired as principal broker of Vacasa vacation rental business. Johnston is co-owner of Affiliated Design and Construction Managers, and Rossi owns Rick’s/Durty Harry’s, one of the largest bar and entertainment complexes on Duval Street, and previously spent a decade as a city commissioner.

“In all my years in Key West I have never seen the island so divided,” Haskins said. “Key West needs a leader that can unite us over issues to tackle challenges with resolve instead of with fear.”

“I understand the value of responsible tourism and the military’s contribution,” Rossi said. “I will not waste money on poorly planned projects like Mall on Duval and will offer common sense solutions.”

Johnston has championed a strategic planning process for Key West, worked to establish the Mall on Duval weekly pedestrian plaza and has implemented strict health and safety requirements during the COVID-19 pandemic. “Your personal safety has been my priority since the COVID-19 pandemic. To guarantee Key West’s economic safety, I have focused on revitalizing our downtown corridor for the first time in 44 years.”

Keys Weekly asked each candidate (answers are as submitted): 1.) At last count, there were more than 35 shuttered storefronts on Duval Street and dozens of commercial property listings for lease in Key West.

How do you envision Key West's economic struggle and recovery over the next two to four years?

2.) If voters approve the cruise ship referendums in November, how concerned are you about the city's liability and the cost of potential lawsuits from business and property owners?

3.) A group of small business owners recently formed Mom & Pop Key West, seeking a voice in the city they say they haven't had before. What can the city do to support small businesses in these economically devastating times while facing its own budget shortfalls?

RICK HASKINS Age: 47 Current job: Real Estate Broker/Owner How many years have you lived in Key West: All of my life and my family 5 generations 1. As long as the administration changes on Aug. 18, our economic recovery can begin very rapidly as we safely emerge from this disaster. It is important to encourage the business community to bring back and reschedule festivals and events that were canceled and get them back on as we do after natural disasters.

We will find out how to get to yes instead of acting from a place of fear and saying no. The 4th of July was a perfect example of an opportunity that the city had to find a way to adapt. It will not be sustainable if the city continues to close and cancel while waiting for a vaccine to come to the rescue.

2.) Voters will not approve the referenda if they are acting from knowledge.

I will support whatever the voters decide but it is important voters are informed on the facts and not voting based on arguments intended on playing on emotion.

I believe that voters will agree that we should encourage ships with the best environmental record and not limit the ships and passengers to arbitrary numbers that have nothing to do with the actual safety of the ships. I think it is reasonable to say that limitations should be based on justification. It is apparent that cruise ships are not coming back any time soon and face their own set of challenges to even get passengers back.

3.) I believe that this falls in line with the priorities of my platform which operates on a model that intends to engage the community, work towards solutions that represent all of the residents, and take action. This would do a better job of listening to the entire community as a whole. Key West has always boasted pride in our local Mom and Pop shops. It is time that we allow them to operate as stakeholders by involving all businesses in our advertising and promoting of Key West.

Who better to help solve the issues that the individuals who face them every day?

ELECTION 2020

KEY WEST / MARATHON / UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / JULY 30, 2020

TERI JOHNSTON Age: 69 Current job: Mayor of Key West How many years have you lived in Key West: 21 1.) It will depend on the flexibility of our businesses in the post-COVID economic environment.

We could see a significant change in tourism tendencies away from large, mass tourism events and moving towards smaller, more intimate gatherings with an emphasis placed on guest safety. We are well positioned to react to changing tourism needs because Key West offers such a wide variety of visitor experiences from nightlife, fine restaurants, museums, eco-tours, water sports, sunken ships, historic architectural tours, visual and performing arts, live music and literary events; all while being surrounded by pristine waters and beautiful sunsets.

2.) That question would be better directed to our legal department. Our City Commission is going to convene, in closed session, on Aug. 4, to discuss the action brought against the City by the (4) bar pilots. I should be able to answer this question more directly following our closed session discussion with our legal department, Senior City staff, and our Commission.

3.) First, we must recognize that 90% of our small businesses are not members of either the Chamber or the Guild, so we have to find an avenue to give them a voice. The formation of the Mom and Pops is a great start.

To support small businesses, we will be convening an interdisciplinary task force to address the challenges of our local economy/small businesses led by our Strategic Planning consultant, Elisa Levy.

Second, we have to get healthy as a community so that small businesses can stay open.

Also, we have brought forward a balanced budget with no shortfalls.

MARK ROSSI Age: 59 Current job: Owner/operator of Dirty Harry’s/Rick’s Entertainment Complex How many years have you lived in Key West: 40 1.) I see a tough and difficult recovery. I will unify various groups in the community to achieve the goal of full recovery.

2.) I am extremely concerned.

Takings cases could be in the tens of millions of dollars. As Mayor, I will work with business and property owners that are most affected to minimize the potential financial losses that might occur.

3.) As a business leader in the community I will work extremely hard to support the momand-pop businesses, making sure they will have a voice that is heard.

I started as a small business, so I both understand and empathize with these businesses in these devastating times.

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‘THE URGENCY IS NOW’ – LT. GOVERNOR JEANETTE NUÑEZ AND COUNTY OFFICIALS DISCUSS CENSUS CHALLENGES TIFFANY DUONG tiffany@keysweekly.com

L

t. Governor Jeanette Nuñez and Monroe County officials met virtually Friday to discuss the 2020 Census and the need for outreach to residents who may not have completed the survey already.

In order for the most accurate count of community data, the Census deadline has been extended for an additional three months through the end of October due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Nuñez is spearheading the Census drive statewide and also spoke during a Small County Coalition meeting earlier in the week regarding response rates.

“When people ask me the deadline, I say it’s today, right now. The urgency is now,” Nuñez told county officials including Commissioner Michelle Coldiron, Administrator Roman Gastesi, Legislative Affairs Director Lisa Tennyson and Director of Strategic Planning Kimberly Matthews. Matthews is driving the Census locally. State Rep. Holly Raschein was also on the call, and exchanged ideas about how to increase outreach in Monroe County.

For the first time ever, the form can be filled out online in any of 13 languages, or traditionally through the mail or by a phone call. COVID-19 has disrupted in-person Census taking, but the Census Bureau still plans on door-to-door communication as the October deadline approaches.

Census response rates have been low, with Florida at 59 percent compared to the nationwide response rate of 62 percent. State and local officials are stressing the importance for residents to fill out the Census because it dictates how $675 billion in federal funds is distributed to the state, county and municipalities.

“There is a benefit to responding to the Census, because it brings more money for education, public health, and even things like highways and other infrastructure,” Tennyson said.

“Some people may not know how important it is for this reason alone.”

Complete the Census at www.2020census.gov. Only one person should respond from each home. That person must be at least 15 years old and should live in the place of residence and know general information about each person living there.

English and Spanish language hours of operation: customer service representatives are available every day from 7 a.m. to 2 a.m. Eastern time on the following phone lines: English (for 50 states and Washington, D.C.): 844-330-2020 Spanish (for 50 states and Washington, D.C.): 844-468-2020 English (for Puerto Rico residents): 844-418-2020 Spanish (for Puerto Rico residents): 844-426-2020 TDD (Telephone Display Device): 844-467-2020

46

COMMUNITY NEWS

KEY WEST / MARATHON / UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / JULY 30, 2020 TIFFANY DUONG tiffany@keysweekly.com

1

2

LABOR DAY HURRICANE: 85 YEARS LATER ACCLAIMED JOURNALIST DETAILS ‘STORM OF THE CENTURY’

A

ward-winning author and journalist Willie Drye is both fascinated and frightened by hurricanes.

On Saturday, Aug. 1, Drye will compare the infamous Labor Day Hurricane, the “monster storm” that blasted the 3 Keys in 1935, to Hurricane Donna in 1960 and Hurricane Irma in 2017. The talk will be hosted on Zoom through Islamorada Library.

In 1954, Drye witnessed firsthand the aftermath of Hurricane Hazel, which ripped through his native North Carolina.

“It blew my 5-year-old mind,” he said. “It didn’t freak me out; I thought it was kinda neat.”

Fast forward to 1992, when Drye covered Hurricane Andrew’s impact on South Florida and was truly scared by what he saw — ­ total devastation.

“I decided that if I was going to live in a part of the country where Andrew could strike, the only way I could do that and stay sane was to learn everything possible about hurricanes that I could,” he said.

When he came across the Labor Day Hurricane of 1935, Drye couldn’t believe it was more powerful than Andrew had been. A magazine article assignment about the “storm of the century” gave Drye a reason to delve even further into the stories of the hurricane.

While the plot of most hurricane stories is the same, Drye said, with a storm forming, coming ashore, doing damage and possibly killing some, followed by survivors coming together, the Labor Day Hurricane was different.

“It had all these layers of complexity, from the sheer intensity of the hurricane and its occurrence during the Great Depression, to the fact that poor World War I vets were, through no fault of their own, put in harm’s way because the government was trying to help people by sending them to the Keys to work,” Drye said.

He is referring to the hundreds of World War I veterans killed by the hurricane’s 200-mph winds and 22-foot storm surge. They were working on a New Deal construction project in the Upper Keys meant to help turn the island chain into a tourist destination. They got stuck here when the storm hit.

The most compelling story Drye encountered is of Bernard Russell, whose family settled in Islamorada in 1850. Russell was 16 when the hurricane ripped through, Drye recounted. His family rode out the storm in a lime packing house doubling as a storm shelter. The shelter, despite being “as solid as you can make a house without making it out of concrete, which wasn’t available then,” was destroyed by the hurricane, and only 12 of 53 members of the Russell family survived.

“Bernard was one of them,” Drye said. “He was caught on top of a pile of rubble with storm surge coming in, and the only way he was able to breathe was to hold his breath when crests of waves went over him and to stick his head above the water and gulp a breath during the troughs. He doesn’t know how long he did that, but somehow he survived.”

Drye and Russell became “pretty good friends,” and the journalist described the storm survivor as the “living link” to a past long gone.

“The Keys were changed that night,” Drye explained. “After the Labor Day Hurricane, the old Florida Keys were gone.”

Russell lived in Islamorada until he died in 2003. His nephew still lives there.

This story and more appear in Drye’s book, “Storm of the Century: The Labor Day Hurricane of 1935.” He has now updated that classic to include a detailed chapter about Hurricane Irma, as well as discussions of other devastating hurricanes.

Drye will discuss the many stories and nuances of the three big storms to hit the Keys in his talk, as well as his biggest takeaway from years of researching hurricanes: “Don’t ever allow yourself to believe that things will work out how you want. That’s where people get themselves in trouble.”

The presentation will take place virtually at 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 1. Email caria-charlotte@monroecounty-fl.gov for the Zoom invitation.

1. Bernard Russell in November 1997, sitting on the foundation of the building that housed the Islamorada Post Office and his family’s small cafe. WILLIE DRYE/Contributed 2. National Guardsmen sit on the porch of the ruins of a building that had housed the Islamorada Post Office and a small cafe operated by the Russell family before the 1935 hurricane. Bernard Russell’s father, John Russell, was postmaster. JERRY WILKINSON COLLECTION/ Florida Keys History and Discovery Center 3. Willie Drye is the author of a seminal text on the Labor Day Hurricane. He will speak virtually for the Islamorada Library about his updated text on Saturday, Aug. 1. DOWARD JONES/Contributed

47

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KEY WEST / MARATHON / UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / JULY 30, 2020

You’re Invited!

FKMCD - Oxitec Public Educational Webinars Overview: Following the success of an earlier FKMCD-Oxitec public educational webinar, FKMCD and Oxitec will host a series of four webinars during the next four weeks.

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Webinar 3: Developing Partnerships with Communities Tuesday, August 4th, 5:00 – 6:00 p.m. ET

Webinar 5: Assessment, Oversight, and Validation Monday, August 17th, 5:00 – 6:00 p.m. ET

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HISTORY

KEY WEST / MARATHON / UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / JULY 30, 2020 The Philadelphia Inquirer (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) https://www.newspapers.com/image/168143608

51

· Sat, Jun 26, 1897 · Page 1 Downloaded on Jun 13, 2020

2

1 The Beatles fought racism from a Key West motel. (You can read more about that at keysweekly. com.) You can also fight racism.

While we celebrate Key West as “One Human Family,” we must not forget the island’s history of “un-human family” behavior, lest history repeats itself. Love Me Do is a weekly feature that invites readers to learn about the past and reflect on how their own actions and attitudes today might be viewed in the future.

LOVE ME DO

Copyright © 2020 Newspapers.com. All Rights Reserved.

DAVID SLOAN researches intriguing stories from Key West’s past to share island history people might not hear on the Conch Train.

R

acial tensions flared in Key West in 1897 when 19-year old Sylvanus Johnson, a black man, was accused of assaulting Margaret Atwell, a white woman, as she collected wild sapodilla by the salt ponds.

Citizens crowded the courtroom after Johnson’s arrest on June 24, 1897. The hearing was just underway when Col. C. B. Pendleton, a prominent white citizen and owner of a local newspaper, interrupted the proceedings by rising and asking, “Are there enough white men present to hang the negro?”

“Yes! Yes!” the group responded, and a white crowd moved in on the black prisoner.

Sheriff Knight and his deputies drew their guns and held the crowd back while other deputies whisked Johnson to jail. Outside the courtroom, a black citizen called out to lynch Pendleton, and a group of black citizens rushed the white newsman as he drew his guns. Pendleton escaped in a carriage.

Word spread there would be a second attempt to lynch Johnson, and black men surrounded the jail to protect him, promising to shoot any white men that attempted to enter.

William Gardner, a white man, was shot that night, and the Key West race riot was on.

Sheriff Knight summoned a posse of 40 men, then wired the governor and asked him to order the local militia out. He also requested that the Secretary of War in Washington send in the national troops to protect lives and property.

Governor Bloxham telegraphed President McKinley, who called a meeting with his Secretary of War. Key West was on high alert for nearly 48 hours.

Still, The Buffalo Times reported, “There was no organized disturbance during the night,

1. Headlines from 1897 newspaper stories about the Key West race riots.

2. The Key West gallows photographed during execution in 1902.

THE KEY WEST RACE WAR OF 1897

owing probably to the drastic measures taken by the Sheriff, who promptly shot down a negro in time to thoroughly awe the gang of colored men which seemed inclined to make trouble.”

The headline declared, “Sheriff shoots a negro, which makes the account even between the two races.”

Newspapers across the nation blamed Sylvanus Johnson for the riots. Only The Sun, published in New York City, spoke out against Col. Pendleton.

“Several good citizens were killed or wounded as the result of Col. Pendleton’s officious and lawless act... He should have been the most zealous man in the island city to urge the maintenance of the law and respect for the Judge on the bench. Pendleton was allowed to go at large, with the resulting riot and murder.

The troops were not asked to punish Pendleton and the white men…, but to... punish the black men who resented the conduct of Pendleton.

Pendleton and the other white men who sided with him will never get into a court of justice, but the blacks who his indiscretion provoked will be apprehended and tried and punished.”

Indeed, several black men were arrested and convicted. After a short trial on Aug. 14, it took an all-white jury just 21 minutes to declare Sylvanus Johnson guilty. The judge ordered him hanged. Newspapers reported that upon hearing the verdict, “Johnson’s effrontery gave way, and he commenced to blubber and cringe, and in a half-crying tone said: ‘If God Almighty was a (black man) and had to be tried in Key West today he would be hung.’”

Perhaps Sheriff Knight saw the injustice. On Aug. 28, the sheriff took Johnson out of jail for a drive around the city.

The New York Times reports that the couple rode around to all the points of interest, and reaching Leon’s Saloon on Front Street,

they “alighted and went in where they met a boon of companions. The Sheriff ordered drinks and cigars, and the strange spectacle was presented of a criminal under sentence engaged in the hilarity of the barroom with the highest peace officer of the county.”

Sheriff Knight took Johnson to his mother’s home next, where they socialized for an hour before returning Johnson to jail. The public was outraged and renewed their calls for the death of Johnson.

Execution orders were received, and deputies led Johnson to the gallows on Sept. 21, 1897.

As many as 5,000 people watched as he emerged from the jail singing, “Nearer, My God, to Thee.” Some reports say Johnson confessed, while others say he maintained his innocence and, in a short speech, blessed and forgave the officials, friends and enemies.

Sylvanus Johnson’s last words were, “Oh Father, I will be in thy kingdom soon. “ A black cap was adjusted over Johnson’s head, and at 11:32 a.m. Sheriff Knight sprang the trap door of the gallows. Johnson dropped 8 feet and 9 inches below the platform, but he didn’t die. The hangman bungled the noose, and the knot slipped from Johnson’s ear to his chin. He struggled violently for three minutes, then struggled again after 10 minutes had passed. At 20 minutes, Sylvanus Johnson was still alive. Sometime after 21 minutes, he died of strangulation.

Sylvanus Johnson suffered one minute on the hangman’s rope for every minute the Key West jury deliberated his fate. And though Sylvanus Johnson technically avoided the lynching called for by Col. Pendleton, make no mistake that his life still ended on a rope because of his skin color.

52

COMMUNITY NEWS

KEY WEST / MARATHON / UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / JULY 30, 2020

ELLA HALL

www.keysweekly.com

STUDENT OF THE WEEK The Key West Weekly is proud to partner with Key West High School in recognizing 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 KWHS for allowing us to share in a regular dose of “Conch Pride,” and for giving us a glimpse into their world.

The Key West Weekly also thanks our newest team member, intern Ella Hall, a sophomore at KWHS, for compiling these features and other stories.

ADRIAN HORNER Sophomore

What was the biggest challenge of online learning for you during the pandemic? The biggest challenge, for me, was not having direct access to a teacher. It made asking questions and understanding the content more challenging.

What advice would you give incoming freshmen? Don’t wait for opportunities to succeed. Success is achieved by work, effort and seeking it out instead of waiting for an opportunity.

What are your plans/goals after graduation? I plan to go to the Coast Guard Academy in New London, Connecticut. If this doesn’t work out, then I’d like to attend a college outside of Florida, preferably on the South or West Coast.

What three things would you like to have accomplished by your 10-year high school reunion? I’d like to study mechanical engineering in college, work in an environment where I can use the knowledge I gained in college, and near the far end of the 10 years, I would like to start settling down, and possibly start a family.

Clubs/athletics/community service? I am on the KWHS varsity football team and am president of the S.A.V.E. Club (Students Against Violence Everywhere).

What KWHS teacher has had the most influence on you and why? Mrs. Ledbetter. Not only was she an amazing teacher, but she was also there for me when it came to real-life issues.

What class, so far, has best prepared you for life after high school? Naval Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps, NJROTC, led

by Mr. Flanigan, has helped me develop citizenship and prepared me for my desired career in the U.S. Coast Guard.

What local, national or global issue concerns you most? The lack of national unity this country is presenting concerns me. I believe this issue could also be applied on the global scale.

Do you plan to make the Keys your permanent home after high school or college? I’ve lived here for five years, but do not plan on making the Keys my permanent home. For me, everything is too cramped down here. I’d rather be somewhere with more space, and more than one continuous season.

Who has influenced you the most in your life? My father has taught me so many lessons throughout my life.

Even though I often think I don’t need it, I’m always grateful for the effort and patience he puts towards me. I know without a doubt I’d be nowhere near who I am today without him.

DENGUE OUTBREAK IN KEYS CONTINUES, TOTAL NOW AT 22

D

engue cases in the Upper Keys continue to grow with six new cases confirmed to the Florida Health Department in Monroe County, bringing the total to 22.

One case was confirmed on July 24 and four more a day later on July 25. Another was confirmed on July 28. Health officials say all indications show these infections were locally acquired. All individuals diagnosed with dengue have received medical treatment and are expected to make a full recovery.

Surveillance and prevention efforts

by Florida Keys Mosquito Control District continue from MM 106 in Key Largo to Harry Harris Park in Tavernier. Staff continues to go door-to-door to check properties for standing water. Mosquito treatments continue to be applied.

Dengue can present as a severe flu-like illness with severe muscle aches and pain, fever and sometimes a rash. Usually, there are no respiratory symptoms. Symptoms of dengue will appear within 14 days after being bitten by an infected mosquito. Dengue fever is not contagious but is transmitted by the bite of an infected Aedes aegypti mosquito.

The emergence of these dengue cases reinforces the importance for the public to prevent insect bites and to take basic precautions to help limit exposure. These measures include intact windows and screens and the use of air conditioning, keeping the area around your residence free from containers that collect water, wearing protective clothing and the appropriate use of insect repellents.

— Weekly staff report

53

KEY WEST / MARATHON / UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / JULY 30, 2020

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

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54

ENVIRONMENT

I

n June, the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Council (SAC) seated new members and elected new leadership.

George Garrett, Middle Keys citizenat-large member and Marathon city planning director, was elected as chair. Ben Daughtry, commercial fishing – marine life/tropicals member and CEO of Dynasty Marine Associates, which operates Aquarium Encounters in Marathon, was elected as vice chair.

The Weekly asked them to share their priorities for the upcoming session. They will serve until August 2022.

In your opinion, what are the biggest threats to the sanctuary?

GG: The designation of this National Marine Sanctuary came after the grounding of three large vessels in the late 1980s. Those were immediate, finite, and locally impactful. Issues like that are well managed today.

We didn’t think then that we would see declines in the resource that we are seeing now.

I believe that we (the Keys) are still responsible for some of the direct and immediate impacts to the Sanctuary that we continue to see today – notably prop scarring. However, the Florida Keys have taken on and largely completed such massive projects as new wastewater and stormwater infrastructure throughout the Keys.

And, we are tackling the equally massive task of improving canal water quality.

So, the larger systemic and extrinsic impacts to the Sanctuary persist. We see a huge loss in coral cover and a coral disease pandemic. We are dealing with the impacts of species loss (spiny urchin) and exotic species introductions (the lionfish). We continue to look for solutions through the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP) to issues of water delivery, timing, quantity, and quality as those waters enter Florida Bay. During extremes of weather we continue to see the impacts of polluted fresh water coming out of both the Caloosahatchee and Loxahatchee Rivers. Large municipalities on both coasts continue to pump minimally treated wastewater effluent to tide.

The nutrients and potentially diseases, emanating from those outfalls pass the Keys in both directions (currents and counter currents).

Finally, we are beginning to SEE the impacts of climate change, particularly through sea level rise and changes in marine chemistry causing ocean acidification.

BD: In my view, some of the biggest threats to the sanctuary include water quality (not only from outside of the sanctuary, but potentially inside the boundaries as well), over utilization of the resource (our reefs are some of the most heavily used anywhere in the world), and the inability for the environment and its resources to recover on their own.

Which industry/sector do you represent, and what are the main concerns of that industry/sector?

GG: “Citizen at Large – Middle Keys.” I see the position as representing the broad perspective of interests in the Keys concerning the activities and mandates of National Marine Sanctu-

KEY WEST / MARATHON / UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / JULY 30, 2020

LOOKING TO THE FUTURE

New leadership at Sanctuary Advisory Council discusses priorities, challenges TIFFANY DUONG

tiffany@keysweekly.com

ary. Though naysayers exist, I believe that most people in the Keys and those that visit us want to see responsible long term protection and management of our magnificent coral reef, nearshore, and backcountry resources. Equally, they want to make sure that in that protection, they retain access to something that they may have enjoyed their entire lives. They want to ensure that the balance is maintained between resource protection and wise, non-impactful use of the Sanctuary.

BD: Commercial Marine Life - Being one of the most heavily regulated fisheries in the sanctuary, I want to make sure that our fishery remains a sustainable way to earn a living into the future.

The Sanctuary Blueprint has been very divisive in the community. How can we come together as a community for the best protection and sustainable use of the resources we have?

GG: Change is always difficult. Trust is hard won. The Sanctuary Advisory Council is part of the means to help bring the Keys’ community together. I have long-term friends on many sides of the issues surrounding management of the resources of the Florida Keys. Similarly, other SAC members know and communicate regularly with their constituency. Through all of the impassioned discussion in front of the Advisory Council or through angst or support expressed in various forms of social media, I have not seen anyone that does not have an interest in protecting the resources within the boundaries of this Sanctuary.

So, we sit and we listen. And, we talk and we communicate.

The National Marine Sanctuary program promotes wise use, adaptive management, and most importantly compatible use of the waters and resources surrounding the Keys. Through a continuing dialogue, we will make the Blueprint work. It will be a document of compromise forged through a willingness to put protection of this resource and sustainable use first.

BD: We have to listen to the science and then actively do something to fix the problems.

Everyone should be able to give up something small to make sure there are resources here for

future generations. If science shows us an area truly needs additional protections, we should come together as a community to provide those protections without putting families that have been here generations out of business.

What are your top priority items for the SAC to address during your term?

GG: The SAC was created and has been engaged to provide technical, professional, and expert advice to the Sanctuary Superintendent.

Currently, we need to focus on the smooth transition toward approval of the Restoration Blueprint. We will do this by engaging our constituencies to ensure reasonable protection of their livelihoods while providing answers to questions about how to maintain a sustainable resource. From my own perspective, the resources of the Sanctuary are in decline. We need to support the Sanctuary program in carrying out their mission. We need to quit pointing our finger at Sanctuary staff or the Program as the cause of our woes and realize that, with our help, they are the solution.

Priorities: • Support completion of the Restoration Blueprint • Support expanded efforts toward education and outreach, both for our visitors and our children from whom will come the future stewards of Sanctuary Resources • Support expansion of coral research and restoration efforts • Support efforts to limit extrinsic impacts to the resources of the Sanctuary • Completion of CERP • Enhancement of Wastewater Treatment and Stormwater Management practices • Support Canal Restoration efforts • Support restoration of full law enforcement capacity BD: I would like to see the Restoration Blueprint finalized so we can all know what changes are happening and move on. I’d like to see coral restoration become a major focus for the next 10-20 years in the FKNMS to see if we can start to turn the tide on coral loss within our sanctuary.

••••• Additionally, new and reassigned members include: Dr. Erinn Muller, Mote Marine Laboratory, research and monitoring; Ken Reda, MarineMax, boating industry from recreational fishing member; Suzy Roebling, Upper Keys citizen-at-large from alternate; and Karen Thurman, Marathon Hyatt Place, Lower Keys tourism from boating industry alternate.

New alternate members are Dr. Patrick Rice, College of the Florida Keys, research and monitoring; Billy Litmer, Honest Eco Tours, boating industry; and Dave Makepeace, Upper Keys citizen-at-large from member.

Elena Rodriguez, former dive shop owner, retained her seat as the Upper Keys diving member. Representing charter sport fishing, Steve Leopold, Leofish LLC, remains an interim member along with Richie Gomez, Captain Conch Charters, as an interim alternate.

Member and alternate seats for charter sport fishing and recreational fishing will be included in the next recruitment period in late 2020.

KEY WEST / MARATHON / UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / JULY 30, 2020

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KEY WEST / MARATHON / UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / JULY 30, 2020

• CLASSIFIEDS, PUBLIC & LEGAL NOTICES •

305.743.0844

LEGAL NOTICES

LEGAL NOTICES

LEGAL NOTICES

LEGAL NOTICES

LEGAL NOTICES

LEGAL NOTICES

NOTICE OF PUBLIC SALE U-HAUL COMPANY OF MIAMI Notice is here by given that on August 17th, 2020, Leonard Richford Jr. Storage Auctioneer, Executive Administrator for U-Haul Company of Miami, Will be offering for sale under the Judicial Lien Process, By Public Auction, the following storage units. The Terms of the sale will be cash only. U-Haul Company does reserve the right to refuse any bids. The sales will Begin at 8:00 a.m. and continue day by day until all units are sold. The names of whose units will be sold are as follows: 103530 Overseas Highway, Key Largo, FL. 33037. Names And Last Known Addresses are as Follows: William Parent Unit 1425 $1,835.22 Francis Baggott Unit 1207 $465.00 Pamela Brame Unit 1534 $1,016.00 Stacie Clatterbaugh Unit 1578 $1,726.09 Les Burke Unit 0024 $593.40 Anthony Aromandi Unit 1354 $593.40 William Parent Unit 1165 $850.36 Publish: July 30 & August 6, 2020 The Weekly Newspapers

funded by the Emergency Supplemental Historic Preservation Fund, National Park Service, Department of the Interior. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material do not constitute endorsement or necessarily reflect the views of the Department of the Interior or U.S. Government.

Publish: July 30, 2020 The Weekly Newspapers

NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETING Florida Keys Council of the Arts Notice of Upcoming Meetings The Florida Keys Council of the Arts will hold the following meetings and workshops via Communications Media Technology using a ZOOM webinar platform. The access points to view the meeting or for members of the public to provide public input will be: JOIN ZOOM via the Zoom app and use each meeting ID and password listed.

Advisor Orientation Aug 7, 2020 10:00 AM Meeting ID: 830 4686 3808 Passcode: 773364 Art of Public Art WORKSHOP Aug 10, 2020 03:00 PM Meeting ID: 838 2408 0286 Passcode: 083011 Art in Public Places Committee Meeting Aug 18, 2020 03:00 PM Meeting ID: 850 9001 4393 Passcode: 103116 Board of Directors Meeting Aug 20, 2020 05:00 PM Meeting ID: 851 5271 6752 Passcode: 033338 Meetings are open to the public and all are invited to attend.

Questions, or to RSVP, please call the Arts Council office at 305-295-4369.

Publish: July 30, 2020 The Weekly Newspapers

for submission and the selection criteria may be requested from DemandStar at www.demandstarcom OR www.monroecountybids.com In response to Covid-19, the Monroe County Purchasing Department will be implementing a new electronic process for receiving and opening sealed bids. Monroe County is committed to continuing to receive and process competitive solicitations while maintaining the health and safety of our employees and those who attend bid openings. Please do not mail or attempt to deliver in person any sealed bids. Mailed/ physically delivered bids/ proposals/responses WILL NOT be accepted.

The Monroe County Purchasing Department hereby directs that bids be submitted via email to: OMB-BIDS@monroecounty-fl. gov, no later than 3:00P.M., on August 25, 2020. Please submit your confidential financial information in a SEPARATE EMAIL from your bid and required documents.

Your subject line on both emails must read as follows: Monroe County Historic Jail Demolition and Asbestos, Lead, and Mold Abatement Monroe County, Florida 08/25/2020 Files that do not contain this subject line WILL BE REJECTED. Please note that the maximum file size that will be accepted by email is 25MB. Should your bid documents exceed 25MB, please email: ombpurchasing@monroecounty-fl. gov. The bid opening for this solicitation will be held virtually, via the internet, at 3:00 P.M., on August 25, 2020.

You may call in by phone or internet using the following: Join Zoom Meeting https://mcbocc.zoom. us/j/4509326156 Meeting ID: 4509326156 One tap mobile: +16465189805,, 4509326156 (New York) +16699006833,, 4509326156 (San Jose) Dial by your location: +1 646 518 9805 (New York) +1 669 900 6833 (San Jose) Publish: July 30, 2020 The Weekly Newspapers

a copy of this notice is served must file their claims with this Court WITHIN THE LATER OF 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE 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, including unmatured, contingent or unliquidated claims, must file their claims with this Court WITHIN 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE. ALL CLAIMS NOT SO FILED WILL BE FOREVER BARRED. The date of first publication of this Notice is July 23, 2020.

Personal Representative: Alan D. Garrett Attorney for Personal Representative: Richard J. McChesney, Esq. Florida Bar No. 100308 Spottswood, Spottswood, Spottswood & Sterling, PLLC 500 Fleming Street, Key West, FL 33040 Tel. (305)294-9556 | Fax (305)504-2696 Primary: Richard@ SpottswoodLaw.com Secondary: DClynes@ SpottswoodLaw.com Publish: July 23 & 30, 2020 The Weekly Newspapers

claims or demands against the decedent’s estate must file their claims with this court WITHIN THREE MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE. ALL CLAIMS, DEMANDS AND OBJECTIONS NOT SO FILED WILL BE FOREVER BARRED. The date of the first publication of this Notice is July 30, 2020.

Attorney for Personal Representative: JOHN CAMPBELL Florida Bar # 443972 CAMPBELL & MALAFY 10887 Overseas Highway Suite #201 Marathon, Florida 33050 305-743-2492 305-743-2432 (fax) Personal Representative: LINDA PRESZ Care of: CAMPBELL & MALAFY 10887 Overseas Highway Suite #201 Marathon, Florida 33050 305-743-2492 305-743-2432 (fax) Publish: July 30 & August 6, 2020 The Weekly Newspapers

FICTITIOUS NAME NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the undersigned, desiring to engage in business under the fictitious name of LAW OFFICE OF WAYNE DAPSER, P.A., located at 300 SOUTHARD ST., SUITE 208, KEY WEST, FL 33040, intends to register said name with the Florida Department of State, Tallahassee, Florida.

By: WAYNE R. DAPSER Publish: July 30, 2020 The Weekly Newspapers FICTITIOUS NAME NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the undersigned, desiring to engage in business under the fictitious name of KEY WEST PHOTOGRAPHERS COOPERATIVE, located at 2828 STAPLES AVENUE, KEY WEST, FL 33040, intends to register said name with the Florida Department of State, Tallahassee, Florida.

By: ROBERTA DEPIERO Publish: July 30, 2020 The Weekly Newspapers PUBLIC NOTICE The Florida Keys Land & Sea Trust, Inc announces a signed agreement between the State of Florida, Department of State, Division of Historical Resources and the Florida Keys Land & Sea Trust, Inc. This grant is to preserve the historic Crane House located on Crane Point property.

This project is sponsored in part by the Department of State, Division of Historical Resources, and the State of Florida. This project will start accepting bids shortly. The historic Crane House built in 1954 will be restored is accordance with the Crane family original design of the exterior structure. Crane Point staff, board and volunteers are excited to receive this historic award which will start within a few months. Partially

PUBLIC NOTICE On July 10, 2020, Philip Von Kahle, assignee for the benefit of creditors, filed an application with the Federal Communications Commission seeking consent to assign the license of station WKEY-FM, Key West, Florida, from Philip Von Kahle to Spottswood Partners II, LTD. The General Partner of Spottswood Partners II, LTD is Spottswood Partners, Inc. The limited partners of Spottswood Partners II, LTD are: John M. Spottswood, Jr.; William B. Spottswood, FGS Dynasty Trust 1; John M. Spottswood, Jr. Dynasty Trust; Robert A. Spottswood Dynasty Trust; Florence G. Spottswood; and William B. Spottswood Dynasty Trust.

A copy of this application is available for public inspection on the FCC’s public inspection website at: https://publicfiles. fcc.gov/.

Publish: July 23 & 30, and August 6, 2020 The Weekly Newspapers DISTRICT II ADVISORY COMMITTEE (DAC II) (From the City Limits of Key West to the West End of the Seven Mile Bridge) of the MONROE COUNTY TOURIST DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL Has an opening for a TOURIST RELATED BUSINESS REPRESENTATIVE - Shall be persons involved in business which is interdependent upon the tourist industry who have demonstrated an interest in tourist development but who shall not be employed in any position within the lodging industry (motels, hotels, recreational vehicle parks and other tourist accommodations and whose business is in the tax collection district for which they are applying.

Any person wishing to participate on the District II Advisory Committee of the Monroe County Tourist Development Council within the district so noted above, may request an application from the Administrative Office by calling (305) 296-1552 and submit an application to the address shown below: Department DAC Monroe County Tourist Development Council 1201 White Street, Suite 102 Key West, FL 33040-3328 Fax #: (305) 296-0788 Deadline for receipt of application at the above address is FRIDAY August 21, 2020 at 5:00 p.m. A resume may be attached to the application.

Publish: July 30, 2020 The Weekly Newspapers

NOTICE OF REQUEST FOR COMPETITIVE SOLICITATIONS NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that DL Porter Constructors, Inc is currently seeking qualified DBE subcontractor quotes for the Garden View Apartments.

Plans and specifications are available via email (kim@ dlporter.com ). All pricing to be submitted to Kevin@ dlporter.com no later than Thursday, August 6th, 2020 @ 1:00pm.

Publish: July 16, 23 & 30, 2020 The Weekly Newspapers NOTICE OF REQUEST FOR COMPETITIVE SOLICITATIONS NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that DL Porter Constructors, Inc is currently seeking qualified DBE subcontractor quotes for the Florida Keys Marathon Airport – Terminal Building Rehab & Security Site Lighting Rehab.. Plans and specifications are available via email (kim@dlporter.com ).

All pricing to be submitted to Kevin@dlporter.com no later than Monday, August 10, 2020 @ 1:00pm.

Publish: July 16, 23, 30 & August 6, 2020 The Weekly Newspapers NOTICE OF REQUEST FOR COMPETITIVE SOLICITATIONS NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that on Tuesday, August 25, 2020, at 3:00 P.M., the Monroe County Purchasing Office will receive and open sealed responses for the following: Monroe County Historic Jail Demolition and Asbestos, Lead, and Mold Abatement Monroe County, Florida Pursuant to F.S. 50.0211(3) (a), all published competitive solicitation notices can be viewed at: www. floridapublicnotices.com, a searchable Statewide repository for all published legal notices. Requirements

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE SIXTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA PROBATE DIVISION CASE NO.: 20-CP-000097-K IN RE: THE ESTATE OF TERESA JO JOHNSON, Deceased.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS The administration of the Estate of Teresa Jo Johnson, deceased, whose date of death was February 20, 2015, File Number 20-CP-000097-K, is pending in the Sixteenth Circuit Court for Monroe County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is 500 Whitehead Street, Key West, Florida 33040. 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, on whom

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE SIXTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA PROBATE DIVISION CASE NO.: 2020-CP-040-M IN RE: ESTATE OF ROBERT O’BRIEN, Deceased.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS The administration of the Estate of ROBERT O’BRIEN, Deceased, whose date of death was May 23, 2020, File Number 2020-CP-040-M, is pending in the Monroe County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is 3117 Overseas Highway, Marathon, FL 33050. The names and addresses of the personal representative and the personal representative’s attorney are set forth below.

ALL INTERESTED PERSONS ARE NOTIFIED THAT: All persons of whom this notice is served and who have objections that challenge the validity of the will, the qualifications of the petitioner, venue, or jurisdiction of this Court are required to file their objections with this Court WITHIN THE LATER OF THREE MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE OR THIRTY DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF SERVICE OF A COPY OF THIS NOTICE ON THEM. All creditors of the decedent and any other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate on whom a copy of this notice is served within three months after the date of the first publication of this notice must file their claims with this Court WITHIN THE LATER OF THREE MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE OR THIRTY DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF SERVICE OF A COPY OF THIS NOTICE ON THEM. All other creditors of the decedent and persons having

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA PROBATE DIVISION CASE NO.: 20-CP-000050-P IN RE: THE ESTATE OF JEFFREY CHARLES VAN HUELE, Deceased.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS The administration of the estate of Jeffrey Charles Van Huele, deceased, whose date of death was April 5, 2020, 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 July 30, 2020.

Personal Representative: Peter Rosasco, CPA 8085 Overseas Highway Marathon, Florida 33050 Attorney for Personal Representative: Nicholas W. Mulick Email Address: reception@ mulicklaw.com Florida Bar No. 0337757 Nicholas W. Mulick P.A.

LEGAL NOTICES 91645 Overseas Highway Tavernier, Florida 33070 Publish: July 30 & August 6, 2020 The Weekly Newspapers IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE SIXTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, IN AND FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA CIVIL DIVISION CASE NO.: 20-CA-000410-K JUDGE: Bonnie J. Helms JOSEPH T. RESOR, III and JENNIFER RESOR Plaintiffs, vs.

ADELINE SCHONECK a/k/a MARY ADELINE SCHONECK, deceased, her unknown heirs, devisees, grantees, creditors, and all other parties claiming by, through, under or against the aforesaid parties; and all unknown natural persons, if alive, and if dead or not known be dead or alive, their several and respective unknown spouses, heirs, devisees, grantees, creditors, or other parties claiming by, through or under those unknown natural persons; and the several and respective unknown assigns, successors in interest, trustees or any other person claiming by, through, under or against any named Defendants; and all claimants, persons or parties, natural or corporate, or whose exact legal status is unknown, claiming under any of the above-named or described Defendants or parties or claiming to have any right, title or interest in and to the lands hereinafter described, Defendants.

NOTICE OF ACTION TO: ADELINE SCHONECK a/k/a MARY ADELINE SCHONECK, deceased, her unknown heirs, devisees, grantees, creditors, and all other parties claiming by, through, under or against the aforesaid parties; and all unknown natural persons, if alive, and if dead or not known be dead or alive, their several and respective unknown spouses, heirs, devisees, grantees, creditors, or other parties claiming by, through or under those unknown natural persons; and the several and respective unknown assigns, successors in interest, trustees or any other person claiming by, through, under or against any named defendant; and all claimants, persons or parties, natural or corporate, or whose exact legal status is unknown, claiming under any of the above-named or described defendants or parties or claiming to have any right, title or interest in and to the lands hereinafter described, YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED that a Complaint has been filed against you by the Plaintiff in the above-styled court for the purpose of quieting title to the following described property situate and being in Monroe County, Florida: A parcel of land on the Island of Key West and known as part of Lot Six (6), of Square Two (2), Tract Eighteen (18) according to George W. Nichols subdivision of said Tract recorded in Plat Book 1, Page 42 of the Public Records of Monroe County, Florida, said parcel being more particularly described by metes and bounds as follows: COMMENCING at the intersection of the

BUSINESS

KEY WEST / MARATHON / UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / JULY 30, 2020

PALETAS!

SARA MATTHIS

sara@keysweekly.com

New popsicle shop making us melt

B

rothers-in-law Cesar Sandoval and Oscar Islas have opened Paradise Flavors in Marathon.

Located in a brightly striped pink and white building in the center of town, the inside features a cold case filled with fruit-based ice cream or sherbert on a stick, and some incredibly flavorful “fresh water,” or agua fresca. The front window facing the highway signals the treats inside with one word — paletas!

Paletas is Spanish for ice cream on a stick, or popsicle. It’s a nationwide trend — this Latino take on all things fruit — and paleterias are opening all over the country. The key to the deliciousness is simplicity paired with real fruit — flavors that have more to do with artisan tradition rather than wild combinations of American junk food.

Sandoval owns and operates Paradise Fruit in Marathon, and Islas is a third-generation ice cream maker. In the immediate aftermath of Hurricane Irma, both were working construction.

“We were just throwing around ideas. I mentioned that we needed to do something with the overripe fruit from the produce stand,” Sandoval said.

“My father and grandfather owned paleterias in Mexico,” said Islas. “In fact, the building’s painting is the traditional look for all ice cream shops in Mexico.”

At Paradise Flavors there’s market testing going on to determine the favorites. The mango is an early leader, naturally, and Key lime, too; but so is the “dulce de leche” based on condensed milk with caramel accent. Some of the paletas will only be available when the fruit is in season.

“We’re starting with the flavors that we know,” said Islas.

The shop also carries a line of dairy-free sherbet popsicles that are also proving popular. At $1.50 to $2 each, this is a natural stop for any family.

The agua fresca is a little more — $4 a cup for a medium and $6 a cup for a large. The flavors on a recent day included horchata (a milky rice-y water flavored with cinnamon), and watermelon limeade punchy enough to ride the sugar rush. There’s also something called a “mangonado.” It’s like a giant fruit cup featuring fresh mango and frozen mango puree with a savory sauce akin to hot sauce but without the heat.

The opening weeks have shown great promise, Islas and Sandoval said. Customers are coming in and falling in love. But the duo have bigger dreams, too.

They envision a wholesale operation capable of putting the popsicles in retail outlets around the southeast United States. They also want to sell to corporations that would brand the products and sell them onsite — for example a custom flavor for a hotel chain, not unlike the check-in chocolate chip cookies at DoubleTree.

Paradise Flavors is located at 9601 Overseas Hwy., and the telephone number is 213-476-8943. It is open seven days a week from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., except Saturday and Sunday when it opens at 10:30 a.m.

Top: Oscar Islas, left, and Cesar Sandoval opened Paradise Flavors in Marathon. The storefront makes ice cream and sherbet concoctions served on a stick from fresh fruit. SARA MATTHIS/Keys Weekly

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KEY WEST / MARATHON / UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / JULY 30, 2020 JIM McCARTHY

jim@keysweekly.com

THAT’S A GOOD TREAT, SPARKY Delicious ice cream concoctions in Key Largo

S

parky always wanted a place for pets and their fellow humans to grab a tasty frozen treat together. His dreams turned reality in early June, as Sparky’s Sweet Treats opened its doors to the public and pups.

Located at the Waldorf plaza in Key Largo next to Subway, MM 99.6, oceanside, Sparky’s Sweet Treats is bringing kids and parents’ ice cream concoction imaginations to life. Tasty treats are available to dogs in the way of cookies and ice cream, which is coming soon.

For those who don’t know Sparky, he’s a chihuahua mix who was adopted by Dessiree Bennett, human owner of the ice cream shop, and her family. Rescued in Miami, he serves as an emotional support dog for Bennett’s son while in college. He’s also the inspiration behind the ice cream shop, which rebranded from Sub Zero Nitrogen Ice Cream.

“He (Sparky) wants a place where humans and pets can have really delicious treats,” Bennett said. “We have treats for our pet friends, we have a little bed in the corner of the shop and a place for water and food.”

Sparky’s menu features an array of frozen treat options that’s sure to satisfy the sweet tooth of people (there’s no going wrong with peanut butter ice cream with Reese’s cups and pieces. And top that with some hot fudge).

Running the ice cream is Rachel Machado, longtime Keys resident and 2020 graduate of Coral Shores. She’ll be attending the University of South Florida in the fall and Florida State University in the spring to study mechanical engineering and business.

“The most popular are chocolate with chocolate on top, peanut butter ice cream loaded with peanut butter,” she said. “Cotton candy or bubble gum tends to be the top seller for kids. What goes inside their ice cream is completely up to them. We really appeal to those sweet tooths.”

Peanut butter ice cream with Reese’s cups and pieces, topped with hot fudge. It’s served with a waffle cone.

The ice-cream-making process is a rather interesting one at Sparky’s Sweet Treats, Bennett said.

“We first take cream or whatever base you choose — we even have vegan ice cream. All of our ice cream is gluten free,” she said. “You put in whatever you want between flavors and then you put in some mix-ins like Oreos or Reese’s Cups.”

From there, the ice cream concoction is transformed into a tasty frozen delight using liquid nitrogen. Bennett said the tank that’s used to make the nitrogen ice cream is set at -321 degrees.

“We make the ice cream right in front of you,” she said.

Sparky’s Sweet Treats also offers Edy’s scooped ice cream, Dippin Dots, old-fashioned candies like Pop Rocks, soda and more. Enjoy the frozen treat inside an invigorating, kid-friendly atmosphere containing pool tables, games and Wifi. A doggy ice cream is in the making and will out soon (Bennett says it could be early August).

“I wanted something that has a homemade feeling, so we’re creating our own,” she said.

Bennett said Sparky’s idea of a place with delicious frozen delights and tasty treats has come true. Every now and then, he’ll make an appearance to ensure everything is running smoothly.

“We’re his human friend. We’re his human helpers,” Bennett said.

Sparky’s Sweet Treats is open from 2 to 10 p.m. on weekdays and noon to 10 p.m. on weekends. For more information, visit Sparky’s Sweet Treats’ Facebook.

Rachel Machado, manager, and Dessiree Bennett, owner, outside Sparky’s Sweet Treats in Key Largo.

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KEY WEST / MARATHON / UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / JULY 30, 2020

• CLASSIFIEDS, PUBLIC & LEGAL NOTICES • LEGAL NOTICES

LEGAL NOTICES

Southeasterly right of way line of Seminary Street with the Southwesterly right of way line of Whalton Street (aka Frances Street) and run thence Southeasterly along the Southwesterly right of way line of the said Whalton Street for a distance of 69.37 feet to the Point of Beginning; thence continue Southeasterly along the Southwesterly right of way line of the said Whalton Street for a distance of 2.63 feet to the Northerly corner of the lands described in Official Record Book 3001 at Page 2459 of the said Public Records of Monroe County, Florida; thence Southwesterly and at right angles along the Northwesterly boundary line of the said lands for a distance of 90.00 feet to the Westerly corner of said lands; thence Northwesterly and at right angles for a distance of 2.63 feet; thence Northeasterly and at right angles for a distance of 90.00 feet back to the Point of Beginning.

YOU ARE REQUIRED to serve a copy of your written defenses, if any, to it on Erica H. Sterling, Esq., Spottswood, Spottswood, Spottswood & Sterling, PLLC, Attorney for Plaintiffs, whose address is 500 Fleming Street, Key West, FL 33040, on or before the following date: September 9, 2020, and to file the original with the Clerk of the Court either before service on Plaintiffs’ 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 this 28th day of July, 2020.

Kevin Madok As Clerk of the Court Monroe County, Florida By: Tori Perez As Deputy Clerk Publish: July 30, August 6, 13 & 20, 2020 The Weekly Newspapers

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: July 28, 2020 Kevin Madok, CPA Clerk of the Circuit Court Monroe County, Florida By: Jennifer Zemmel Deputy Clerk Publish: July 30, August 6, 13 & 20, 2020 The Weekly Newspapers

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE SIXTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, IN AND FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA Case No.: 20-DR-276-P Division: Family DAVID KULKASKI, Petitioner, and GALINA KULKASKI, Respondent.

NOTICE OF ACTION FOR DISSOLUTION OF MARRIAGE TO: GALINA KULKASKI Respondent’s last known address: 260 SHADY OAK, PISCATAWAY, NJ 08854 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: DAVID KULKASKI, whose address is 311 WOODS AVENUE, TAVERNIER, FL 33070, on or before August 29, 2020 and file the original with the clerk of this Court at 88820 OVERSEAS HIGHWAY, PLANTATION KEY, FL 33070 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.

The action is asking the court to decide how the following real or personal property should be divided: None

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE SIXTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, IN AND FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA Case No.: 20-DR-452-K Division: Family GIRANNE SAINTUS, Petitioner and JEAN LEON NOEL Respondent.

NOTICE OF ACTION FOR DISSOLUTION OF MARRIAGE TO: JEAN LEON NOEL Respondent’s last known address: 6500 MALONEY AVENUE, LOT 61, KEY WEST, FL 33040 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: GIRANNE SAINTUS, whose address is B5 8TH AVENUE, KEY WEST, FL 33040, on or before August 31, 2020 and file the original with the clerk of this Court at 530 Whitehead Street, Key West FL 33040 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.

The action is asking the court to decide how the following real or personal property should be divided: None 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: July 2, 2020

LEGAL NOTICES Kevin Madok, CPA Clerk of the Circuit Court Monroe County, Florida By: Amber Dameron Deputy Clerk Publish: July 30, August 6, 13 & 20, 2020 The Weekly Newspapers IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE SIXTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA CIVIL ACTION Case No: 44-2019-CA-218-K NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE

BY CLERK OF THE CIRCUIT COURT Notice is hereby given that the undersigned, Kevin Madok, Clerk of the Circuit Court of Monroe County, Florida, will, on the 4TH day of August, 2020 at 11 o’clock a.m., at 500 Whitehead Street, Monroe County, in the City of Key West, Florida, offer for sale and sell at public outcry to the highest and best bidder for CASH the Following described property situated in Monroe County, Florida, to wit: Unit 5122, Week 6, 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”).

Pursuant to ORDER TO RESCHEDULE SALE AS TO COUNT I entered in a case pending in said Court, the 15TH day of July, 2020 Style of which is: WINDWARD POINTE CONDOMINIUM ASSOCIATION OF KEYS WEST, INC., A CORPORATION NOT-FORPROFIT UNDER THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF FLORIDA Plaintiff VS. JOAN DYSON JARVIS, et. al Defendant And the Docket Number of which is Number 44-2019-CA218-K WITNESS my hand and the Official Seal of Said Court, this 15TH day of July, 2020.

KEVIN MADOK Clerk of the Circuit Court Monroe County, Florida By: Shonta McLeod Deputy Clerk Florida Statute 45.031: Any person claiming an interest in the surplus from the sale, if any, other than the property owner as of the date of the Lis Pendens must file a claim within 60 days after the sale.

Publish: July 23 & 30, 2020 The Weekly Newspapers

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE SIXTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA CIVIL ACTION Case No: 44-2018-CA-871-K NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE

BY CLERK OF THE CIRCUIT COURT Notice is hereby given that the undersigned, Kevin Madok, Clerk of the Circuit Court of Monroe County, Florida, will, on the 4TH day of August, 2020 at 11 o’clock a.m., at 500

305.743.0844

LEGAL NOTICES

LEGAL NOTICES

AUTOS WANTED

Whitehead Street, Monroe County, in the City of Key West, Florida, offer for sale and sell at public outcry to the highest and best bidder for CASH the Following described property situated in Monroe County, Florida, to wit: Unit 5122, Week 6, 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”).

Pursuant to ORDER TO RESCHEDULE SALE AS TO COUNT I entered in a case pending in said Court, the 15TH day of July, 2020 Style of which is: WINDWARD POINTE CONDOMINIUM ASSOCIATION OF KEYS WEST, INC., A CORPORATION NOT-FORPROFIT UNDER THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF FLORIDA Plaintiff VS. JOHN JOSEPH HIGGINS, et. al Defendant And the Docket Number of which is Number 44-2018-CA871-K WITNESS my hand and the Official Seal of Said Court, this 15TH day of July, 2020.

KEVIN MADOK Clerk of the Circuit Court Monroe County, Florida By: Shonta McLeod Deputy Clerk Florida Statute 45.031: Any person claiming an interest in the surplus from the sale, if any, other than the property owner as of the date of the Lis Pendens must file a claim within 60 days after the sale.

Publish: July 23 & 30, 2020 The Weekly Newspapers

LAWS OF THE STATE OF FLORIDA Plaintiff VS. THE ESTATE OF THOMAS J. GILLERAN, JR., et. al Defendant And the Docket Number of which is Number 44-2019-CA271-K WITNESS my hand and the Official Seal of Said Court, this 15TH day of July, 2020.

KEVIN MADOK Clerk of the Circuit Court Monroe County, Florida By: Shonta McLeod Deputy Clerk Florida Statute 45.031: Any person claiming an interest in the surplus from the sale, if any, other than the property owner as of the date of the Lis Pendens must file a claim within 60 days after the sale.

Publish: July 23 & 30, 2020 The Weekly Newspapers

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

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE SIXTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA CIVIL ACTION Case No: 44-2019-CA-271-K NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE

BY CLERK OF THE CIRCUIT COURT Notice is hereby given that the undersigned, Kevin Madok, Clerk of the Circuit Court of Monroe County, Florida, will, on the 4TH day of August, 2020 at 11 o’clock a.m., at 500 Whitehead Street, Monroe County, in the City of Key West, Florida, offer for sale and sell at public outcry to the highest and best bidder for CASH the Following described property situated in Monroe County, Florida, to wit: Unit 514, Week 22, Sunset Harbor Resort, Condominium according to the Declaration of Condominium thereof recorded in Official Records Book 1376, Page 1093, Public Records of Monroe County, Florida, and all exhibits thereto, and any amendments thereof (the “Declaration”).

Pursuant to ORDER TO RESCHEDULE SALE AS TO COUNT I entered in a case pending in said Court, the 15TH day of July, 2020 Style of which is: SUNSET HARBOR RESORT CONDOMINIUM ASSOCIATION, INC., A NONPROFIT CORPORATION UNDER THE

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE SIXTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA CIVIL ACTION Case No: 44-2019-CA-271-K NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE

BY CLERK OF THE CIRCUIT COURT Notice is hereby given that the undersigned, Kevin Madok, Clerk of the Circuit Court of Monroe County, Florida, will, on the 4TH day of August, 2020 at 11 o’clock a.m., at 500 Whitehead Street, Monroe County, in the City of Key West, Florida, offer for sale and sell at public outcry to the highest and best bidder for CASH the Following described property situated in Monroe County, Florida, to wit: Unit 421, Week 20, Sunset Harbor Resort, Condominium according to the Declaration of Condominium thereof recorded in Official Records Book 1376, Page 1093, Public Records of Monroe County, Florida, and all exhibits thereto, and any amendments thereof (the “Declaration”).

Pursuant to ORDER TO RESCHEDULE SALE AS TO COUNT II entered in a case pending in said Court, the 15TH day of July, 2020 Style of which is: SUNSET HARBOR RESORT CONDOMINIUM ASSOCIATION, INC., A NONPROFIT CORPORATION UNDER THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF FLORIDA Plaintiff VS. THE ESTATE OF THOMAS J. GILLERAN, JR., et. al Defendant And the Docket Number of which is Number 44-2019-CA271-K WITNESS my hand and the Official Seal of Said Court, this 15TH day of July, 2020.

KEVIN MADOK Clerk of the Circuit Court Monroe County, Florida By: Shonta McLeod Deputy Clerk Florida Statute 45.031: Any person claiming an interest in the surplus from the sale, if any, other than the property owner as of the date of the Lis Pendens must file a claim within 60 days after the sale.

Publish: July 23 & 30, 2020 The Weekly Newspapers

EMPLOYMENT Florida Keys Wild Bird Rehabilitation Center (Tavernier, FL) NOW HIRING: Nonprofit Administrative Assistant $16/hour.

Part-time.

Looking for a driven worker with a positive attitude and exceptional organizational skills. Job duties include assisting the Executive Director in filing office paperwork, donor database upkeep, data entry, scheduling meetings and programs, maintaining inventory, and collaborating on fundraising efforts.

Send a resume and cover letter to jordan@ keepthemflying.org Coastal Docks, LLC is hiring. Family owned, licensed and insured marine contractor needs your marine construction skills. We are looking for career minded laborers with experience in pile driving, deck and dock building, and seawall construction.

Work is highly physical.

Candidates must be hearty and healthy with no drugs or alcohol issues.

Bring your leadership skills and previous construction knowledge to the beautiful Florida Keys. Stop by the office at 13371 Overseas Highway, Marathon, or give us a call at 305.743.0827.

Sweet treats while you work. Sweet Savannah's is now hiring a full-time and part-time baker assistants. No experience needed, will train.

Competitive pay. Please apply in person at 8919 Overseas Hwy, Marathon or send email to kate@ sweetsavannahs.com

EMPLOYMENT hrs a John

week. Contact 239-209-7682

SERVE ON THE OCEAN FT/PT Ocean front private swim club is seeking customer service oriented server. Serve on pool deck, beach and/or bar lounge. Open year round, 10am - 7pm daily. Full time/Part time.

Small friendly staff.

Above average hourly wage plus tips. Apply in person or call April (305) 393-0631..

LINE COOK, PT, Perfect second job!

Looking to pick up some extra hours? This is a perfect second job for night time cooks. Position hours (approximately) 123pm. Our Ocean Front Swim Club is open 10am - 7pm daily. Located in Key Colony Beach, hourly $15.

Beautiful environment, small friendly staff, open year round. Apply in person, email resume or call 305 393-0631 ask for April.

Shelter Bay Marine in Marathon hiring Qualified Mechanics.

Contact Steve at 305-743-7008 City of Marathon - Job Openings: Wastewater Plant Operator Trainee , Street Maintenance, Building Permit Tech and Temporary Utilities Maintenance Worker.

EOE, FULL BENEFITS www.ci.marathon.fl.us Come Join Our Family and Have Fun At Work!

Hiring: Host, Hostess & Servers - Full &/or parttime. AM & PM Shifts.

Apply in person at Castaway Restaurant, end of 15th Street, Oceanside, Marathon or email: lobstercrawl@gmail.com.

Looking for Crew Man for Lobster boat in Marathon area.

Experience preferred. Call after 5pm 305-289-0792 and leave a message.

PLACE YOUR HELP WANTED AD HERE! Only $25/week for up to 5 lines of copy. Call 305-743-0844 to place your ad today!

Temporary Maintenance Person required for condominium on Key Colony Beach. Part-time position could become full-time. Must have valid driver’s license and a car.

Contact the manager, Karen at 305-743-7700.

EMPLOYMENT WANTED

Superior Electric Hiring Office Assistant.

Must have Quickbooks experience. Bilingual a plus . Apply in person at 7849 Overseas Highway, Marathon.

Help wanted - Big Time Bait and Tackle - competitive wages and working 15-25

Caregiver – Mary Brown.

Over 20 years experience.

Assistance with every day maintenance.

Doctor appointments, meds, bath, sitting, etc. I have transportation and references. 786-339-5811 HOBBIES/COLLECT. PRIVATE COLLECTOR WANTS Rolex, Dive Watches and Pilot Watches. Old Model Military Clocks & Watches.

Call 305-743-4578 HOUSING FOR RENT

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KEY WEST / MARATHON / UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / JULY 30, 2020

• CLASSIFIEDS, PUBLIC & LEGAL NOTICES 305.743.0844 • CLASSIFIEDS, PUBLIC & LEGAL NOTICES • •305.743.0844 HOUSING FOR RENT House in Marathon, Gated, Large 2BR/1 1/2 BA, quiet, dock avail for sep fee, drapes/blinds, $1,800/mo plus util.

F/L/S No Pets. Year lease -available Sept 1st. 3056 1 0 - 8 0 0 2 Conch House in Marathon - 600SF Studio Suite w/separate dining, walk-in closet, kitchen, quiet, dock available for sep fee. Seasonal - 6 mo furnished all incl. queen bed, $1,850/mo. Lease unfurnished $1,250/mo plus utilities. Furnished all incl util, cable, linen $1,550/mo. F/L/S No Dogs 305-610-8002 Long or short-term rental in Key Colony Beach, 4BR/4BA - 2 story home with pool, on large canal w/deep dockage.

Call 305-743-3338 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 3BR/2BA Stilt Home for rent on Duck Key. Long term. Available August 1st.

Call 305- 481-1316 A F F O R D A B L E HOUSING IN M A R A T H O N .

Rooms available for short or long term rentals. Single: $720/ month; Double: $1,150/ month; Plus tax; F/L/S. Units provide an Ideal option for temporary or long term housing.

Furnished with bunk beds, full kitchen with all utensils, tables, desks, coin operated washer & dryer. Residents share the kitchen, bathroom and dining areas. Linens, towels, consumables are not provided.

For information: Bob Brayman 305743-5929 bbrayman@ hallsdiving.com YARD SALES PLACE YOUR YARD SALE AD HERE! Only $25/week for up to 5 lines of copy.

Call 305-743-0844 to place your ad today!

Sweet treats while you work!

NOW HIRING Marina Attendant Engineers/Grounds Administrative Asst. to Engineering Staff Accountant Front Desk Agents/PBX Housekeeping Supervisor Housekeeping Line Cook –Daytime/Evening Bartender Food Runner/Busser Host/Hostess Servers Outgoing, friendly, open availability, flexible, will train, great benefits.

Apply in person Monday-Friday 9a-5p at: Postcard Inn Beach Resort & Marina 84001 Overseas Highway, Islamorada Or send your resume to: Recruitment@holidayisle.com

Sweet Savannah's is now hiring a full-time and part-time baker assistants.

No experience needed, will train. Competitive pay.

Please apply in person at 8919 Overseas Hwy, Marathon or send email to: kate@sweetsavannahs.com

SERVICE MANAGER / DIESEL MECHANIC – KEY WEST

Monroe County School District

With Upscale Casual Dining Experience, New facility on Stock Island opens in July Salary Range up to $35.43 Experience Required, Certification Preferred, Must Obtain CDL class B license with P and S endorsements Apply online: www.keysschools.com For more information call 305-293-1400 ext. 53400

DIESEL ENGINE MECHANIC NEEDED FULL TIME – KEY WEST

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

DAYCARE TEACHER Grace Jones Daycare is a well-respected day care facility in Marathon looking for additional staff. We are dedicated to providing memorable experiences, quality child care, and excellent learning opportunities. This is YOUR opportunity to join our team of energetic and friendly teachers. We are looking for a caring, qualified, and professional full time teacher to join us in creating a positive learning environment. If you are, or wish to become, a qualified and passionate early childhood teacher, call the Executive Director, Kelly Ullrich, at 305-743-6064 during normal work hours.

Monroe County School District

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

New facility on Stock Island opens in July Salary Range up to $25.63 Experience Required, Certification Preferred, Must Obtain CDL class B license with P and S endorsements Apply online: www.keysschools.com For more information call 305-293-1400 ext. 53400

SCHOOL BUS DRIVERS NEEDED! Monroe County School District

Salary $17.15 – $24.15/hour Key West, Sugarloaf, Marathon and Upper Keys (4 work locations) No Experience Required, Benefits, CDL Training Provided – work as a Bus Aide while training, Full Time or Flexible, Part Time Hours - 6 to 9 am or 1 or 2 to 5 pm Apply online: www.keysschools.com

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

4290 Overseas Hwy, Marathon

SUDOKU

SOLUTION

61

KEY WEST / MARATHON / UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / JULY 30, 2020

• CLASSIFIEDS, PUBLIC && LEGAL NOTICES • • 305.743.0844 • CLASSIFIEDS, PUBLIC LEGAL NOTICES 305.743.0844

DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM OPERATOR Salary: $19.80/hour Location: Lower Keys

The Florida Keys Aqueduct Authority is looking for a D.S.O. to perform entry-level, semi-skilled work, involving the repair and maintenance of FKAA water distribution and transmission systems. Employee must ensure safe work practices, maintain water flow, and test the water supply. Qualifications: H.S. diploma or GED; supplemented by 1 yr previous experience and/or training as a pipefitter with a public utility, construction comp, or plumbing company. Must have a valid FL CDL “A” license w/in 12 mos of hire date. Must obtain a FDEP Level 3 license w/in 18 mos of hire date.

Salary: $19.80/hr. with excellent benefits.

Location: Middle Keys. Apply online at: http://www.fkaa.com/employment.htm EEO, VPE, ADA

The Guidance/Care Center, Inc. a division of

“Uplifting the human spirit since 1973”

NOW HIRING RESTAURANT HOST SERVERS BARTENDERS FOOD RUNNER PUBLIC AREA ATTENDANT HOUSEMEN ROOM ATTENDANTS BELLMEN LINE COOK SOUS CHEF BAKER APPLY AT:

THE GUIDANCE/CARE CENTER, Inc.

IS HIRING! KEY WEST

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

MARATHON

Care Coordinator Behavioral Health Therapist (Children) RNs and LPNs (3 shifts) (PT& FT) Peer Support Specialist Drop In Technician (PT) Research Assistant *Assisted Living Night Monitor (FREE HOUSING!) *Assisted Living Direct Care Worker (PT) *Behavioral Health Technicians (3 shifts) (PT/FT)

*No experience necessary. Will train.

A caring heart & helpful hands required.

Ability to work some evening or weekend shifts a plus. If you’ve wanted to get into the medical field but don’t have the education, this is the job for you!

bungalowskeylargo.com/careers

Background and drug screen req.

GREAT BENEFITS!

Bungalows Key Largo is an EOE

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

D’Asign Source is seeking the following professionals.

Overtime and benefits are available.

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

Technical Project & Operations Administrator Assists with Coastal Source project timelines, analytics, budget management & other administration tasks. Reports on project’s regularly to management.

Construction Foreman Experience in high-end residential; finish carpentry, drywall, windows/ doors, understanding of building systems & construction techniques.

Junior Interior Designer 1+ year experience with basic interior architecture detailing.

Strong knowledge of AutoCAD, Revit, and 20/20 a plus.

NOW HIRING

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.

62

KEY WEST / MARATHON / UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / JULY 30, 2020

LET’S DO BUSINESS - 305.743-0844 Licensed & Insured #SP33799

NEW & REPAIR

305-664-0099 www.TikiHuts.com

STATE CERTIFIED THATCHING CONTRACTOR CYC 000002

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

METAL ROOFING

SPECIALIST 305-664-1010 www.roofer.pro

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 1989 •

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 for a FREE Consultation

Brian Tewes

When It Rains It Pours!

Customer service is my strength Brian@tewesmortgage.com

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

NMLS# 375025 Tewes Mortgage NMLS# 1453791 NMLSConsumerAccess.org

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

www.TewesMortgage.com

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

The Weekly Newspapers

We Also Repair & Replace Patio Door Screens

www.KeysWeekly.com

305-743-0844

305-998-8953 Insured • Professional • Reliable

Serving Key Largo to Key West

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

Licensed & Insured Contractor # CACO53827

ARTIC TEMP, INC. Air Conditioning & Refrigeration

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

Fax: (305) 743-6887

Will Campbell President

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

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

Only $50 Puts Your Business Card Here

Lic#SP-3562

Liz Samess Interiors

Design, Decorating, Drafting, & More…

Liz Samess Interior Designer

(954) 801-7883 Email: interiordesignbyliz@gmail.com CELL:

Marathon, FL 33050

We Do Installations!

Licensed & Insured

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

289-3019

DARE I SAY IT

KEY WEST / MARATHON / UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / JULY 30, 2020

63

5

STAYING SANE WHILE STAYING SAFE Pandemic changes air travel

1

O

kay, I’m ready. I think to myself. And, I look insane.

I’ve got hiking socks rolled over my leggings and oversized medical gloves tucked into my long-sleeved shirt. Oh, and a velcro-ed on face shield attached to a visor that I’m wearing over my two masks (thank you, by the way, to my Google Home for (a) listening to my conversations while I talked about how scared I was to fly right now and (b) showing me Amazon prime ads for such an eclectic safety item for $25, shipping included).

Yeah, I might be a little overboard here. The ridiculousness of my entire get-up is not lost on me, but I know I won’t feel comfortable to fly without it.

I get to the airport an hour earlier than I usually do “in case there are corona delays,” but the Fort Lauderdale Airport is pretty empty for 10 a.m. on a Sunday.

I use the extra time to wander around and see just how coronavirus and the ensuing fears have changed how we fly. The chairs are alternately decorated with stickers saying “Thank you for practicing social distancing,” encouraging visitors to stay the mandated 6-feet-away from each other. The food courts are dark, chairs on the tables, to prevent us from eating close to each other. Everyone has some variation of a face mask, buff or face shield on, and I silently thank the ones with the latter for helping me feel less … insane.

What a brave, new world we’re in.

2

3 “Wth. And aren’t you hot?” my cousin asks after I send her a selfie of me in all my absurdity.

“Better sweaty than corona,” I quip.

TIFFANY I chalk my DUONG “paranoia” up to the fact that I’ve is a self-made got weak lungs, am mermaid who pre-diabetic and loves all things personally know cheesy (romantic and dairy) and about a dozen thrives in the 3 people who have a.m. hour. She gotten coronavirus believes in leaving since it first broke it all on the field and has never met out in February/ a (mis)adventure March. One person she didn’t love. in my extended family died from it, and my eldest aunt, who is still recovering in Orlando from her infection, calls it “the Devil’s virus.”

I’m flying home to California to help my guy move a bunch of my stuff into storage, to see my 96-year-old grandpa for his birthday and to meet my cousins’ two new babies. Both under two months old, and their moms had to deliver with face masks on.

If not for so many big things happening and the ability to stack my visit to quarantine long enough to get a test and know I am safe before visiting my grandpa, I probably would’ve opted

4

TIFFANY DUONG/Keys Weekly 1. JetBlue and many other airlines have committed to blocking off middle seats from booking to encourage social distancing.

2. FLL Airport at 10 a.m. on a Sunday was emptier than usual, as was the flight from FLL to SFO. 3. JetBlue added messaging explaining the extra safety precautions they’ve taken to the rotating personal TV screens.

4. The food court at FLL Airport was closed to prevent crowds lining up and eating together.

5. On the plane, I kept my two masks and face shield on, as well as my gloves and socks rolled high. Obviously, one of my better looks. TIFFANY DUONG/Keys Weekly

to delay my trip. With cases still skyrocketing in Florida and California, it just didn’t seem wise to seal myself up in a flying air tube with complete strangers to get myself from one hot spot to the next.

I ultimately chose to go because who knows the next time I will feel 100% safe again —maybe never? Like my colleague Sara Matthis said, in corona times, the most we can wish for is to “be lucky.” Life needs to find a way to go on, and I need to go home to be with my people.

Which brings me back to my OOTD — my outfit of the day for my air travels. It allowed me to feel safe enough to risk air travel. I also booked with JetBlue because they’re blocking off middle seats to encourage social distancing, and chose a direct flight from Fort Lauderdale to San Francisco, minimizing how many airports, airplanes and different groups of people I’d be exposed to.

All that was enough to give me the piece of mind to get on the plane. And, despite taking a melatonin to sleep through the entire flight to not imagine little spiky spheres floating around the cabin, I felt as safe as one can in pandemic times.

I felt self-conscious and silly at just about every juncture of the journey, but being able to say “I’m back!” to everyone I love made it all worth it.

I’m still going to sit in my pandemic paranoia until two weeks have passed and a negative test is in hand, but at least I can do that from the comfort of my family’s house.

In these uncertain and really, really weird times, we all can give each other more grace when it comes to pandemic-inspired decisions. My coast-to-coast journey taught me that it’s just as important to give ourselves grace, too, and to do whatever makes us feel sane and safe, even if it makes us look as far away from that as possible.

64

KEY WEST / MARATHON / UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / JULY 30, 2020

MARATHON SEAWALLS & DOCKS

• Complete Marine Construction • Docks Stay • Seawalls Safe & • Vinyl Sheets Healthy • Dredging • Boulder Walls • House Foundations • IMM Boat Lifts • Augur Cast Injection Piles

305-289-9393

License #: Eng ll-300C

www.marathonseawallsanddocks.com