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As seen on “Chevy Insider Fishing Report”
Wrap your favorite reels with your own logo, boat name or image! We also sell customizable koozies, shirts, and other good stuff. Wrap your favorite reels with your own logo, boat name or image! We also sell customizable koozies, shirts, and other good stuff.
CUSTOM REEL COVERS FOR EVERY TYPE OF ANGLER... REEL COVERS • APPAREL ACCESSORIES • KOOZIES BOOTH #125
Dive into something new By Sara Matthis Everything (and everyone) you love and care about is still there. But, each year, organizers of the Original Marathon Seafood Festival trot out some new features. Here they are for 2020:
BLOODY MARY BAR In 2019, organizers added a fantastically popular feature — the frozen drink drinks tent. Now, the offerings will also include all the “fixins.” That means you can get a Bloody Mary and dress it up with celery, pickles and special spices. The booth also serves margaritas on the rocks and rum runners. It’s also the place to get your wine. All the mixed drinks are wine-based and guests can order an extra shot for $4.
TOBACCO RD BAND This is the first time these young men from West and North Florida have played the Florida Keys, and the first time most of them have ever visited the islands. They play some hard-rockin’ country music and have the chops to back it up — Eric Durrance is a Country Music Television star and co-wrote Jake Owen’s hit “Eight Second Ride.” Listen for “I Wanna Hear Some Steel” and “Stiff Drink.”
CUSTOM ARTWORK AT AUCTION For the first time, the Marathon Weekly Newspaper is featuring an original piece of artwork, specifically created for the cover of this magazine, in honor of the festival. Artist Tomas Flores created a 36-by-48 inch airbrushed painting of Keys sea life ... with a twist. Viewed with 3D glasses, the fish pop off the page. The original will be on display in the Keys Weekly booth, located next to the entrance of the park. Interested parties can put in a bid. The proceeds will benefit the Big Kahuna fundraising efforts of Upper Keys Weekly editor Jimmy McCarthy to support the Good Health Clinic.
PROTECTING PETS IN PARADISE
JOIN US FOR YAPPY HOUR AT THE LIGHTHOUSE GRILL THURSDAY MARCH 19, 5-7PM! DOGS WELCOME & 15% OFF ALL SALES BENEFIT THE FKSPCA!
OPEN FOR LUNCH, HAPPY HOUR & DINNER 7 DAYS A WEEK! 11AM – 10PM DAILY OUR DOCKS ARE OPEN! COME BY BOAT, BIKE, FOOT OR CAR!
VOTED BEST HAPPY HOUR 11 YEARS IN A ROW! ALSO VOTED BEST MARGARITA!
COME CHECK US OUT FOR THE BEST HAPPY HOUR IN MARATHON OR LISTEN TO SOME GREAT LIVE MUSIC AFTER THE SEAFOOD FESTIVAL!
SATURDAY & SUNDAY Regular Menu Available and BRUNCH items including Chorizo Breakfast Burrito, Guava, French Toast, Crab Benedict and BOGO Mimosas and Glasses of Champagne 11am - 4pm SUNDAY NIGHT! Spaghetti and Meatballs DAILY SPECIALS Happy Hour 4-6 Fried Green Tomato BLT Wood-Fired Pizzas LIVE MUSIC
WE ARE SHOWING ALL COLLEGE BASKETBALL GAMES!
KEY WEST CAMPUS 5711 College Rd | Key West | 305.294.4857
MARATHON CAMPUS 10550 Aviation Blvd | Marathon | 305.743.4800
www.fkspca.org www.facebook.com/fkspca
WE WILL COOK YOUR CATCH! FISH or LOBSTER!
www.sparkyslanding.com 305-363-2959 MM 53.5 Overseas Highway, Marathon, Florida Waterfront Location Adjacent To Holiday Inn Express
Scholarships Seafood & By Holly Houser
Proceeds from the Marathon Seafood Festival serve a very important purpose — funding scholarships for local kids. Both the Marathon Chamber of Commerce and the Marathon chapter of the Organized Fishermen of Florida select graduating Marathon High School seniors and award them grants to pursue higher education. The Keys Weekly checked in with some of the students to see how they are faring:
“I love it, it’s definitely rewarding,” he said. “I’ve already been able to buy a house and become really stable. Without the scholarship I received, I wouldn’t have been able to go to the school I wanted. And without that school on my resume, I probably wouldn’t have made it to the place I am now.”
Teddy has been happily working for Duke Energy for about a year and a half.
TEDDY VIOLISSI III 2017 Marathon High School graduate Teddy Violissi III is working his dream job and says his scholarship played a significant role in getting him to where he is today.
“Going through that scholarship program and attending the school I did are probably the only reasons I’m able to do what I am now,” said Teddy, who used his scholarship money towards a three-month Georgia trade school, Southeast Lineman Training Center, in power-line work.
Through a Southeast Lineman Training Center apprenticeship, he is now living in South Carolina working for Duke Energy.
ABIGAIL FRANCK A first-year University of Florida student, Abigail Franck has big ambitions. Studying chemical engineering with a minor in biomolecular engineering, her goal is to go into the petroleum or pharmaceutical industry and move to a big city like New York, Chicago or D.C., following graduation.
“Early in my career, I’d love to work on an oil rig because it’s two weeks on and two weeks off,” she explained. “I could just travel and cross off my bucket list before really settling down.”
Abigail’s ultimate dream job would be to work in genetically engineering cells for cancer research and treatment. The scholarship she earned from the Marathon Chamber of Commerce is one of many elements that will help her get there.
“Receiving this scholarship definitely helped me get everything I need to be successful,” she said. “I was able to buy a new computer, which I needed, and get everything for my room to help feel comfortable and settled in. It’s helped me feel like I have a place to go and people to support me. It’s helped make Gainesville home, which will allow me to find success and thrive.”
“These past three semesters, I haven’t had to pay anything in tuition and it’s because of all the scholarships the community of Marathon offers students at Marathon High School,” she said. “Thank you for being so willing to help all of us grow past our high school selves and start our future.”
ALYSSA TURNER Alyssa Turner is a Florida State University biology student on track to graduate this fall with aspirations to be a professor, do field research, or, her ultimate goal, work on the Great Barrier Reef. Alyssa believes growing up in the Keys environment with a father who is a commercial fisherman helped shape her interests.
A 2017 Marathon High School graduate, Alyssa received scholarships from both the Chamber of Commerce and Organized Fishermen of Florida. She attributes these scholarships to her ability to join clubs and begin research work at the beginning of her college career.
“Thank you to those who gave me my scholarships – they’ve really helped me explore my college interests early on,” said Alyssa. “Because of the scholarships, from the very start I could focus more on academics, join the lab, and not worry about having to get a job my first year.”
Since her freshman year, Alyssa has been a member of FSU’s WIMSE program – Women in Math, Science and Engineering – a living-learning community designed to promote support among women in STEM and help them get involved in research. ORIANA MENDEZ Oriana Mendez graduated from Marathon High School in 2019 and left shortly thereafter for her first summer semester at University of Florida. Studying business administration, Oriana is keeping her options open but says UF has a lot of programs to help students figure out their correct career path.
Oriana is very close to her family and said moving from the Keys, where she’s lived her entire life, to Gainesville was an adjustment, but through her classes and organizations, she’s found her people and her place, having created a home away from home.
In addition to involvement in her sorority, Sigma Kappa, Oriana is a part of the Heavener Leadership Development Program and a member of clubs Florida Women in Business and Global Business Society.
Oriana says the scholarship she received from the Chamber of Commerce alleviated the financial burden of buying books and tuition. BENJAMIN RYDER Marathon High School Class of 2018 salutatorian Ben Ryder is now a University of Florida sophomore studying material science engineering and minoring in chemistry.
Ben has taken complete advantage of the offerings at his school. He competes with the UF Rock Climbing Team, a hobby that takes up a good part of his time. And last year, he conducted research with an aerospace professor on material strength testing of different 3D printed materials – an experience he considers “very neat.”
Ben is also on a bladesmithing team. Over the next year, Ben and his teammates will design a blade, make it themselves, and conduct specific heat treatments and more to ultimately get the desirable properties for the blade in time for the competition deadline.
Scholarships Seafood &
Ben says he really appreciates the local scholarships and support given to Marathon high schoolers every year.
“I am in my fourth semester of college and because of my Bright Futures and local scholarships, I haven’t had to pay anything out of my own pocket,” he said. “It’s really hard to thank somebody for giving you such a valuable gift as a college education.”
SARAH MANDILE Marathon High School 2018 graduate Sarah Mandile considers Marathon home despite being raised in Pennsylvania.
“Marathon has a special place in my heart,” she said. “I only lived there for four years before coming to University of Florida, but it’s where I did most of my growing up.”
Now in her second year studying journalism at UF, Sarah is a metro news staff writer for the Alligator, a student-run Gainesville newspaper – something she calls an “incredible learning experience.”
Thanks to her professor, Ted Bridis, whose investigative reporting uncovered Hillary Clinton’s private email server, Sarah is inspired to pursue investigative journalism as a possible career path. Keeping her options open, she’s also considering radio and aspiring to be an editor.
She says earning her pilot’s license is additionally in her future and potentially becoming a flight instructor.
Sarah is a member of music fraternity Sigma Alpha Iota. She believes the scholarships she earned gave her the opportunity to explore extracurriculars.
“Receiving my scholarship from the Chamber of Commerce was a blessing – I was able to get this far without taking out loans,” she said. “Not having to work freshman year helped me acclimate and get involved instead of worrying about money.”
AARON TIPSWORD Graduating from Marathon High School in 2019, Aaron Tipsword is now studying aerospace engineering at Embry Riddle Aeronautical University.
Aaron says finances can significantly impact a student’s capability to attend college. For Aaron, receiving his scholarship helped relieve some of that financial burden, giving him the opportunity to attend a school that propels him one step closer to his ultimate dream of working for NASA in test flight.
“Having that peace of mind and weight off my shoulders of how I will pay for everything opens up room to focus on other important things like classes,” said Aaron, who also explained he’s been very school-focused (with a little bit of gaming) since coming to Embry Riddle last semester. Among other things, he’s enjoyed learning how to code.
Aaron’s plan following graduation involves working his way through the engineering ranks, getting to test flight, and earning his pilot’s license.
COUPON EXPIRES MAY 31, 2020 COUPON EXPIRES MAY 31, 2020 COUPON EXPIRES MAY 31, 2020
COUPON EXPIRES MAY 31, 2020
SNORKELING · JET SKI’S BOAT RENTALS · PARASAIL ROOM RENTALS
CRANE POINT HAMMOCK, NATURE CENTER. The museum features several exhibits, nature path to the gulfside shore, gift shop and a restored Conch home available for tour. It is also home to the Marathon Wild Bird Center. MM 50.5, gulfside / cranepoint.net / 305.743.9100
DOLPHIN RESEARCH CENTER. This facility offers visitors a variety of ways to enjoy dolphins. There are several exhibitions daily, plus packages to interact with the dolphins more closely. The center has about 20 dolphins, three sea lions and a splash park for kids. MM 59, gulfside / dolphins.org / 305.289.1121
FLORIDA KEYS AQUARIUM ENCOUNTERS. Guests submerge in huge, saltwater tanks with a variety of reef fish and creatures, plus feed larger fish (like sharks!) through a small opening. Sting ray and nurse shark encounters are offered, plus a lagoon swim. MM 53, gulfside / floridakeysaquariumencounters.com / 305.407.3262
HISTORIC PIGEON KEY. Once used as a camp for workers constructing the 7 Mile Bridge, the tiny island in the center of the span is now a marine science camp, research facility and historical monument. Visitors can take a ferry from Faro Blanco Resort. MM 47, oceanside / pigeonkey.net / 305.743.5999
TURTLE HOSPITAL. This Middle Keys facility does many things — it rescues injured sea turtles, rehabilitates them and returns them to the wild when possible; and educates visitors about the animal and its plight. Visitors can tour the turtle pens and the hospital to learn about sea turtles indigenous to the Florida Keys. MM 48.5, oceanside / turtlehospital.org / 305.743.2552
Local Attractions
PARKS MARATHON COMMUNITY PARK. This city-owned park features a playground, ball fields, a skate park, basketball and tennis courts. It also has an amphitheater and is the site of town festivals, such as the The Original Marathon Seafood Festival. It’s located at U.S.1 and 36th Street.
OCEANFRONT PARK. Marathon’s newest passive park features a kayak launch and oceanfront boardwalk with information panels about our native habitat and marine life. It’s a perfect spot for fishing or simply enjoying an ocean breeze, plus there’s a fenced dog park, too. It’s located behind City Hall between 98th and 99th Street Ocean.
BEACHES SOMBRERO BEACH. This city-owned beach is the jewel of the Middle Keys. It features a long, white beach, clear blue waters, restrooms, a playground, picnic pavilions, fishing pier and volleyball courts. Sombrero Beach Road (near MM 50).
CURRY HAMMOCK STATE PARK. This state park is more popular among kayakers and paddleboarders than sunbathers. It’s within paddling distance of several beautiful mangrove islands and a pristine white sandbar. The park features a playground, restrooms and picnic pavilions. And, it’s been discovered by kiteboarders. Crawl Key, just north of Marathon, (near MM 56).
ROTARY CHILDREN’S PARK. Kids love the Thomas the Train climbing apparatus plus all of the other multilevel climbing, swinging and sliding equipment for children of various ages and abilities. It features a shade pavilion and a restroom. It’s located on U.S. 1 between 75th and 76th streets. COCO PLUM. This oceanside beach is left almost entirely in its natural state and facilities are minimal. It’s popular among dog owners and shell collectors. It has fewer visitors than other area beaches and is often deserted. Coco Plum Drive, Marathon, (near MM 54).
Dates
• March 5: “How to Succeed in Business” opens at Marathon Community Theatre; runs through April 4.
• March 14-15: Original Marathon Seafood Festival at Marathon Community Park. • March 17: Key Colony Beach St. Patrick’s Day Parade starting at 5 p.m. from Sunset Park to First Street and East Ocean Drive.
• March 19: A Mosaic of the Keys Connection Project opening reception from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Royal Furniture, Marathon.
• March 28: Seven Mile Bridge Run.
From Key West to Key Largo
SEWER CONNECTIONS YARD, DEBRIS CLEARING DEMOLITION, REPAIR WORK
305
872-1876 NOW HIRING!
Lic## RF11067168 PC 606
FLAGLER RAILWAY MUSEUM SNORKELING (equipment not provided) PICNIC GUIDED HISTORY TOURS
Catch the ferry boat at Hyatt/Faro Blanco per person $12
SCENIC FERRY BOAT RIDE UNDER THE ICONIC 7 MILE BRIDGE
RESERVATIONS RECOMMENDED 305.743.5959 PIGEONKEY.NET
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FACTORY AUTHORIZED SERVICE:
UPPERKEYS
DISTRIBUTED KEYS - WIDE
TROPICAL LIVING MAGAZINES (over 30 magazines annually)
PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARDS THE BEST OF MARATHON THE BUBBAS - Key West People’s Choice
MARATHON SEAFOOD FESTIVAL / NAUTICAL FLEA MARKET / OCEANFEST KEY WEST SEAFOOD FESTIVAL / MONROE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS and more… PREFERRED PROGRAM PARTNER OF:
A HOMETOWN PAPER YOU CAN BE PROUD TO CALL YOUR OWN
Key West 5450 MacDonald Ave, Suite 5 305.453.6928
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DOCKS SEA WALLS BOAT LIFTS MARINAS DREDGING CONSTRUCTION
Marathon Garbage Service, Inc. Marathon Garbage Service, Inc.
305-743-5165 305-743-5165
Recycle Right in the Florida Keys Recycle Right in the Florida Keys
Recycle the following items
Plastic Bottles & Containers #s 1 - 7 Plastic lids and caps are OK! Aluminum & Metal Cans Clean foil and foil containers Glass Bottles & Jars (green, brown & clear only – no lids) Paperboard Boxes Office Paper Newspapers Magazines Catalogues Phone Books Paperback book Junk Mail Cereal Boxes Corrugated Cardboard Paper Milk, Juice and Soup Cartons (emptied and rinsed)
Pr o ud supporters of t he Orig i n a l Marathon Seafood Festival
These items
Knights Key
11th - 30th Ocean Side 12th- 52nd Gulf Side Pick-Up Day
Tuesday
Thursday
48th St Ocean - 74th St Ocean Side 60th, 61st, & 70th Gulf Side Wednesday
75th - 117th Ocean & Gulfside Behind Airport & Aviation Including Stirrup Key Friday
Sombrero Beach Road
Sombrero Blvd & Flamingo Island
Long Key - Layton Wednesday
Thursday
