Marathon Weekly 22-1124

Built in 2017, this coveted waterfront property delivers everything a buyer could want. Well-kept and barely used by the current owners, this home is an ideal second home or vacation rental with an open floor plan, designer furniture, luxury plank flooring, upgraded granite countertops and backsplash, Bosch stainless steel appli ances, and an expansive balcony. A picture of paradise, this home is a premier dwell ing with four bedrooms and three bathrooms, close to the white sand beaches of Sombrero Beach, and allows 7-day rentals. This flawless Keys abode comes com plete with all the outdoor amenities, chiller and heated fiberglass pool, beautiful decking and pavers, new pool loungers and umbrellas, 60 ft of dockage, and a top-of-the-line Golden 17k boat lift. Ample underneath parking alongside a garage deep enough to park two vehicles and plenty of room left to store all your fishing and diving gear. This home comes equipped with smart features such as two Ring cam eras, one Doorbell Ring, an Ecobee thermostat, Rain Bird smart controller sprinkler system and an ADT security system. This turn-key home is a must-see, as opportu nities are endless for an immediate return on investment.

MARATHON | $2,195,000 | Listing ID: 603052

Jo Ann Cook, Managing Broker Each office is independently owned and operated.

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AAA estimates that 54.6 million Americans will travel 50 miles or more from home this Thanksgiving. Travel in Florida is forecast to be the busiest in nearly two decades (since 2005). AAA forecasts more than 2.9 million Floridians will travel 50 miles or more for Thanksgiving. That’s 50,000 more Florida travelers than last year’s holiday and nearly 22,000 more than in 2019.

ALEX RICKERT www.keysweekly.com

Thanksgiving thoughts from the mouths of babes

It’s the most thankful time of year at Stanley Switlik El ementary School. When Keys Weekly visited the little ones on Nov. 17, preparations for the holiday were well underway, with several classrooms eager to talk about their plans for the up coming vacation and show off their seasonal art projects (some were more “hand-made”than others – check out the photos). But as we all know, Thanksgiving is the holiday of gratitude, so we took some time to get to know several of the students and ask them what they were most thankful for this year – and what their dinner plans entail.

We started off in Ms. Collins’ first grade classroom with Iris, left, Penelope, Kaidence and Tristen. While Kaidence was thrilled to eat the “really good stuff” her family cooks on Thanksgiving, Penelope looked forward to spending time with her loved ones. Kaid ence also let us know she’s ready to eat the “brown thing that’s an oval with legs sticking out of it” (we’re thinking turkey), Tristen said he’s more of a chicken guy himself, and Iris and Penelope want to chow down on some mashed potatoes.

Ian, left, Kaylan and Caleb were up next. In a recurring theme, Ian wanted to thank his mom and dad. “They work so hard to provide for us,” he said. In a similar vein, Caleb thanked his parents for taking care of him for his whole life while working very hard. He was appreciative of his teacher as well, saying Ms. Dennington “tries her hardest to teach us.” Kaylan thanked his brothers for always playing with him, while appreciating his parents for making food for him.

Anthony, left, Giuliana, Jamber and Andrew were next and had plenty to be grateful for. Anthony is ready for some games of hide-and-seek with his family, while Giuliana told us she’s thankful to learn spelling and reading from her teachers. The group was eager to show off their class tadpoles and said they enjoyed learning about animals from Ms. Collins as well. Jamber told us he’s ready to break tradition and eat pizza on Thanksgiving, while Andrew was thank ful that his year so far included getting a pretty sweet hoverboard.

Our journey continued to Mr. Wiley’s art classroom, where we sat down with third graders Eulila, left, Mia and Magdiel to get their thoughts. Magdiel would like to thank his mom and dad “because I love them,” while Eulila thanked her teacher Ms. Dennington for helping her learn. Cheer enthusiast Mia thanked her Stars of the Florida Keys cheer coach Ms. Stacey for taking time out of her day to help the young athletes improve.

Photos by Alex Rickert

Stanley Switlik Elementary School artists in Mr. Shannon Paul Wiley’s classes took the wheel for this week’s cover, showing off their impeccable turkey-drawing skills as they prepared to celebrate Thanks giving. Thank you for sharing, kids!

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Name: Jameson Thankful for: “When the dino saurs were here” and camping for Bigfoot Favorite Thanksgiving food: Turkey

Ms. Woodbury’s kindergarteners with freshlycompleted“hand turkeys”were the final stop on our tour.

Ms. Woodbury’s kindergarten class shows off their ‘hand-made’ turkeys.

Name: Kaleb Thankful for: Sol diers who protect our country and fight for us Favorite food: Turkey and pumpkin pie

Name: Gabby Thankful for: Chicken and turkey Favorite food: Pumpkin pie

Name: Dominic Thankful for: The food Favorite food: Apple pie and mashed potatoes

Name: Bella Thankful for: The God who made us Favorite food: Turkey and apple pie,sometimesbecause apples make apple juice

Photos by Alex Rickert

The Holiday Rundown

Ringing in the season with events around Marathon

ALEX RICKERT www.keysweekly.com

With Thanksgiving already upon us (how is that pos sible?), Marathon is rolling full-tilt into the 2022 holiday season. Ever have trouble keeping track of it all? We’ve got you covered. Tear this page out, stick it on your fridge, and enjoy the best events of the most wonderful time of year in the Middle Keys.

MARATHON GARDEN CLUB HOLIDAY BAZAAR

When: Saturday, Nov. 26, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Where: Marathon Garden Club, 5270 Overseas Hwy.

Details: Come visit and all-day shop ping event featuring gently used Christmas decorations and holiday items. There will also be raffle items, a plant sale from the club nursery and numerous vendors offering orchids and unique holiday gifts.

SANTA CLAUS COMES TO COLDWELL BANKER SCHMITT

When: Friday, Dec. 2, 5:30 p.m. Where: 11050 Overseas Hwy.

Details: Come say hello to Santa Claus for a photo opportunity as he and Mrs. Claus visit Coldwell Banker Schmitt in Marathon. Free popcorn and gift bags are available for children.

HAVANA JACK’S CHRISTMAS TREE LIGHTING

When: Friday, Dec. 2

Where: Havana Jack’s Oceanside Restaurant, KCB

Details: Join Havana Jack’s for its inaugu ral holiday tree lighting. A giant Christmas tree will be lit under the tiki at 7 p.m. Wear your ugliest Christmas sweater and enter a contest to see who’s got the best garb. Add an ornament to the tree by making a donation to Presents in Para dise, or enter the 50/50 raffle to benefit the organization. There may even be a special appearance by Santa himself.

ANNUAL FARO BLANCO LIGHTHOUSE LIGHTING

When: Saturday, Dec. 3, 4 to 9 p.m. Where: Faro Blanco Marina, 1996 Over seas Hwy.

Details: Santa is due to arrive on the Pigeon Key train as Faro Blanco Marina celebrates its annual lighthouse lighting. Food and drink specials are available, with the big man himself set to turn on the lights shortly after sunset.

“BETHLEHEM IN THE KEYS” DINNER THEATER

When: Saturday, Dec. 3 at 7 p.m.; Sunday, Dec. 4 at 3 p.m.

Where: Marathon Community Church Details: An original production written and performed by local talent. Friday’s performance includes dinner catered by the Marathon High School culinary class. Tickets are $50 for Saturday and $30 for Sunday. Seats are limited. Call 305-4817233 to reserve your tickets. Proceeds will go to the Marathon Community Church spalling repair project.

SAN PABLO CHURCH’S CHRISTMAS LIGHTS

When: Saturday, Dec. 3 to Monday, Jan. 9 (Dusk to 9:30 p.m. each night)

Where: San Pablo Catholic Church Details: Take a stroll through the gardens of San Pablo Catholic Church and witness one of Marathon’s most iconic signs of the season with opportunities for reflec tion and prayer. All are welcome.

PATHWAYS TO CHRISTMAS LIGHTING

When: Monday, Dec. 5, dusk (Setup Monday, Nov. 28-Sunday, Dec. 4)

Where: Marathon Community Park Details: The City of Marathon is look ing for businesses or organizations to come decorate the park. The city will provide a designated space, and groups may decorate however they would like. All displays will be lit on Dec. 5, and beginning Dec. 9, visitors may cast votes online for the decora tion lighting contest. Power will be provided if needed, and groups may either make their own sign or have one provided by park staff. Email wardj@ ci.marathon.fl.us or call 305-743-6598 for more questions.

PET PHOTOS WITH THE GRINCH

When: Tuesday, Dec. 6, 5 to 7 p.m. Where: Berkshire Hathaway Home Services, 9141 Overseas Hwy. Details: Have your pet strike a pose with the Grinch and receive an ever lasting Who-tastic picture via email. The event is a donation drive for the Florida Keys SPCA; donations are ac cepted in the form of cash, pet food, toys and bedding. Please have pets leashed or in a kennel at all times.

ZONTA FESTIVAL OF TREES

When: Wednesday, Dec. 7 - Saturday, Dec. 10

Where: Marathon Garden Club Details: Come check out Mara thon’s most creative display of eclectic Christmas trees and enter to win your favorite. Viewing hours are 5 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday and Thursday, 5 to 10 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m. to p.m. Saturday. Come by on Saturday from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. for lunch with the Grinch.

TROPICAL HOLIDAY FUN FEST

When: Friday, Dec. 9, 6 p.m.

Where: Marathon Community Park Details: Come out to the community park for a night of holiday fun. Watch as Prodigy Dance Center dancers de liver their winter showcase, see Santa, and have some food and fun snacks as kids enjoy bounce houses, music, face painting and cotton candy.

BOOT KEY HARBOR

LIGHTED BOAT PARADE

When: Saturday, Dec. 10, dusk

Where: Boot Key Harbor

Details: Additional details TBA. Stay tuned!

KEY COLONY BEACH

LIGHTED BOAT PARADE

When: Sunday, Dec. 11, dusk

Where: 7th Street canal, Key Colony Beach

Details: Come see Key Colony’s annual display of the finest lighted nautical creativity in the city. Boats of all sizes and shapes are welcome to enter the parade for free, and numerous prizes are given for Best in Parade, Best in Class (Under/Over 30 feet), Brightest and Most Colorful, Most Creative and Most Spirited Crew. To sign up, contact Ted Fischer at ted.fischer1@verizon. net.

HANDEL’S MESSIAH AT ST. COLUMBA

When: Sunday, Dec. 11, 7 p.m.

Where: St. Columba Episcopal Church

Details: St. Columba’s Keyswide choir will come together with renowned local musicians to perform a Christmas masterpiece.

MARATHON COMMUNITY THEATRE’S ANNUAL HOLIDAY SHOW

When: Friday and Saturday, Dec. 1617, 8 p.m.

Where: Marathon Community Theatre

Details: MCT proudly presents its annual holiday show and sing-along concert. Enjoy a family-friendly evening filled with cheer, joy and music. The show will run for one hour and include numerous group and individual musical, vocal and dance performances.

Doors open at 7 p.m., so come early and grab an eggnog, hot cocoa or spiced wine at the concessions bar.

Tickets are $10 and available at www. marathontheater.org.

HAVANA JACK’S CHRISTMAS MARKET

When: Saturday, Dec. 17, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.

Where: Havana Jack’s Oceanside Restaurant, KCB

Details: Come for an oceanfront lunch or cocktail and shop for unique handcrafted Florida Keys Christmas gifts.

WINTER WONDERLAND

AT CRANE POINT

When: Saturday, Dec. 17, 4 to 7:30 p.m.

Where: Crane Point Museum and Nature Center

Details: Predictions of snow are in the forecast as Santa visits Crane Point to meet with kids in the center’s annual Winter Wonderland. Other attractions include reindeer ponies, a chocolate fountain, roasted chestnuts, photos by Photo Design by Natalie, adult beverages for purchase and much more.

ARE WE MISSING ANY? Let us know by emailing alex@keysweekly.com

ABIGAIL HADDOCK www.keysweekly.com

SAVED BY THE ... KEY DEER?

HOLLY EDDLESTON PENS KEYS CHRISTMAS CLASSIC

The Keys may never have a white Christmas, but 17-yearold author Holly Eddleston

written a children’s book about an island Christmas adventure in which a Key deer saves the day.

The book, aptly titled “Can a Key Deer Save Christmas,” follows the journey of Winnie McKee, a Key deer who must travel throughout the Keys to help a stranded Santa when one of his reindeer loses a magic bell. Along the way, she visits many famous and charmingly illustrated Keys land marks, and gets help from other Keys animals. Proceeds from the book are being donated to Big Pine Key’s National Key Deer Refuge, and Ed dleston’s goal is to raise $500.

Originally from Rhode Island, Eddleston began visiting the Keys with her family when she was 14. She never really thought of herself as a writer, though, until about two years ago, when she was living in Duck Key in early 2020.

“Since then, it’s been a really fun journey, figuring out what my style of writing is,” she said. “And children’s books are fun to write.”

Growing up as a fan of Junie B. Jones and Dr. Seuss books, Eddleston enjoys the upbeat, positive story tell ing of children’s books and combining writing with illustration.

“I’m not really the best artist,” said Holly about the book’s art. “We reached out to Blueberry Illustra tions to find a good illustrator who matched the style I wanted in the book. Every children’s book has a dif ferent style, and I wanted a very bub bly, happy and colorful one. It took a good five to six months for every

drawing to be done. I’m very happy about it; everything is perfect to what I imagined.”

Holly knew right away that her first book would “of course” be a Christmas story. “My family puts the Christmas tree up on Nov. 1, and I’ve always loved Christmas,” she said. “It’s been my favorite holiday since I was little, so that was an easy choice right off the bat. Christmas has always been a big deal to my family.”

For other writers who are just starting on their craft, Eddleston advised, “If you have an idea that you think works, just start writing. Write it all down. And write multiple drafts. Eventually it’ll all come together. If you think it’s good, it is probably good. It took a lot of encouragement from my family to finally get (this book) published, so I think another important thing is having people around you who support your ideas and your vision.”

With more Winnie McKee story ideas in the works, Eddleston’s vision is to continue featuring different Keys animals like manatees and sea turtles while still continuing Winnie’s journey.

For a chance to meet the artist in person, visit Eddleston at the Islamo rada Holiday Fest on Friday, Dec. 2 for a book signing. “Can a Key Deer Save Christmas?” is available online from Amazon and Barnes and Noble and has already sold more than 100 copies. It is also sold in Islamorada at Florida Keys Kayak and Ski at Rob bie’s, the Sea Turtle Gallery and Gifts, One Drunk Monkey gift shop, the Islamorada Chamber of Commerce and Tourist Center and in Duck Key at Hawks Cay Resort.

ENDANGERED CORALS DAMAGED AT TAVERNIER NURSERY

CRF says around 160 fragments affected

Adesignation by the popular Garmin marine navigation system beckons boaters to anchor near a critical in-water coral nursery managed by Coral Res toration Foundation (CRF), with recent visits resulting in extensive damage to the endangered corals cared for in the nursery.

Years ago, when a live rock aqua culture farm was established between Pickles Reef and Molasses Reef off Tavernier, NOAA labeled the loca tion as an “Obstruction/Fish Haven,” a designation for artificial structures that could impede surface navigation and foul anchors. While Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary’s (FKNMS) Restoration Blueprint proposes to protect coral restoration areas, current law does not prohibit anchoring or fishing in the area, and in recent weeks multiple incidents have occurred.

“On Saturday, Oct. 22, our team arrived on site to find a boat anchored and actively fishing,” said Jessica Levy, CRF director of restoration strategy. “After advising them of the endan gered coral species below, the anglers thanked our team for the information and began to pull anchor.”

While pulling anchor, Levy said they dislodged an entire Coral Tree from the ocean floor, a structure that held 60 fragments of critically endan gered corals. Impacting corals, even in areas where fishing is allowed, is a violation of sanctuary regulations.

A second incident on Nov. 1 af fected the genetic bank section of the coral nursery where genotypes of corals are housed long-term for use in research. CRF arrived at the nursery to find the aftermath of what appeared to be an anchor drag through multiple coral trees in the gene bank.

An

“One tree had half of a branch broken from it and about 100 coral fragments were scattered on the sea floor. Some of those corals died, and all of them lost their genetic tags. The surviving corals are now categorized as unknown genotypes and will be cared for until their genes can be sequenced, a costly and time-consuming endeav or.”

NOAA’s Restoration Blueprint proposes the protection of in-water nurseries along with active restoration sites, but that is a long-term solution. “We are appealing to anglers and boaters to be vigilant about where they drop anchor and fishing line,” said FKNMS Superintendent Sarah Fang man. “Raising baby corals in the open ocean is a critical component of reef restoration to ensure viable fish popu lations in the future.”

Given the frequency of these recent incidents, the sanctuary is also considering the use of its emergency capacity to create a no-anchoring buf fer around the area.

The fish haven designation, which is expressed on maps as “Obstn Fish Haven,” does not indicate whether fishing is allowed or not. Many fish havens were created to support and encourage recreational fishing, while others have been created specifi cally to protect fish and fishing may be restricted in these areas. Anglers should check with appropriate authori ties before dropping a line within a fish haven to learn what restrictions, if any, may apply.

in-water Coral Tree recently lost an en tire branch — most likely the result of an anchor line wrapping around it and break ing it off. CORAL RESTORATION FOUNDA TION/Contributed

Teen author Holly Eddleston shows off her latest release, ‘Can a Key Deer Save Christmas?’ Proceeds from the children’s book will go to support the National Key Deer Refuge in Big Pine Key. CONTRIBUTED

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FLORIDA KEYS COMMUNITY GIVES THANKS

In the Florida Keys, life gets busy, money gets tight and hurricanes form off Africa. But as the first cool breezes cross the island chain in November, the locals in this tourist destination seem to breathe a sigh of relief and a smile of welcome to our returning snowbirds and visitors.

The Keys Weekly tracked down several Florida Keys officials, business owners and community activists to see what makes them grateful this week. From our fami lies to yours, Happy Thanksgiving!

KEY WEST CITY ATTORNEY SHAWN SMITH

“I’m extremely thankful for my supportive family, excellent friends, great Key West softball and the stellar water provided by the Florida Keys Aqueduct Author ity.”

DOMESTIC ABUSE SHELTER BOARD PRESIDENT JENNIFER POWELL

“Many years ago I wrote a purpose statement for my life: To live a life of adventure; to be courageous and help others find their courage; to be a light for others to find their way. I am thankful for the physical, emotional and mental health to live my life on purpose.”

of birth and their whole life and worldly possessions and achieve ments behind them and come to an uncertain destiny in a new land, culture and language. I have a debt of love and honor that can never ever be repaid or forgotten.”

“I’m thankful for family, friends, colleagues, our military service members on watch around the world and being here in the Florida Keys.”

KEY WEST RESTAURATEUR BOBBY MONGELLI

“My family, my wife, my life and so many memories.”

MARATHON ROTARY PRESIDENT “MR. MARATHON” MIKE PUTO

MONROE COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER SUE WOLTANSKI

“On Nov. 15, I was sworn in to my second term on the Monroe County School Board. I am grateful for the opportunity to continue to serve the children of Monroe. I am constantly grateful for the tremen dous support our community has for our schools. This Thanksgiv ing, my daughter will be home from college and I am thankful for the time our family can spend together. We are blessed to live in the beautiful Florida Keys. Wish ing everyone a safe and happy Thanksgiving.”

COUNTY COMMISSIONER MICHELLE LINCOLN

“This year, I am especially thankful to serve the residents of the Keys with this amazing team of commis sioners. We are not afraid to hold hands and jump into the deep end of the water together!”

“I’ve been blessed and lucky. It’s very humbling to hold so many positions in the organizations I’ve been involved in, and there’s no body I can’t call for help in this city. I’m thankful to be a part of Habitat for Humanity’s huge project on 79th Street, and I cherish being able to come into Rotary and have some fun. I love being a go-to guy when someone needs to get something done.”

SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS

THERESA AXFORD

“I’m grateful that our referendum to support teacher salaries and school resource officers passed with 74.27% voter approval. It’s very energizing to know we have community support for our teach ers and schools.”

MARATHON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE CEO DANIEL SAMESS

“I am most thankful for my amaz ing family (Liz, Ava and Emily) and friends! Wishing everyone a great Thanksgiving holiday.”

KEY LARGO CHAMBER OF COMMERCE PRESIDENT ROBERTO ALONSO

“This Thanksgiving dinner I will be at the table surrounded by the people I love most in this world. I will be offering thanks to the Al mighty for my parents’ life-altering decision to leave their country

FLORIDA KEYS CHILDREN’S SHELTER CEO BEN KEMMER

“This year in considering what I am thankful for, I have to acknowledge the people in my life that have motivated and inspired me to live my life. This starts with my parents and the examples they set for me throughout my life. I only hope that my actions have inspired my own kids for a lifetime.”

COUNTY COMMISSIONER JIM SCHOLL

On Nov. 19, adoptive families past and present gathered at Florida Keys Aquarium Encounters to celebrate as four children officially became part of three new families on National Adoption Day. With Judge Sharon Hamilton presiding, attendees enjoyed a day of family celebration as they took in the sights of the aquarium. The day was made possible through a partnership with Wesley House Family Services, a Keys not-for-profit organization dedicated to promoting and enhancing the safety, well-being and development of children by educating, supporting and meeting the needs of families.

— Alex Rickert

1. From left, Bonnie Waldron, Terence Waldron, David Morales and Teri Christian. CONTRIBUTED

2. Wesley House director Tiffany DaSilva, left, presents Aquarium Encounters’ Kirsten Marques with an appreciation plaque.

3. Judge Sharon Hamilton, right, signs the paperwork to make one of the four adoptions official.

4. From left, Dennis Diage, Judge Sharon Hamilton, James Diage and Gretchen Diage.

5. From left, Aliana Uribazo Hernandez, Maritza Hernandez Luperon, Judge Sharon Hamilton, Analia Uribazo Hernandez and Jorge Uribazo.

Every new idea feeds a will to keep learning and growing. That’s why First Horizon is proud to support the countless ways the Florida Keys is invested in enlightening and inspiring the next generation of leaders – and lifelong learners.

LIVING SOUTH OF THE SQUIRREL LINE & THE TURKEY LINE

Ithink a lot about the Squirrel Line, which is some thing I made up, but is absolutely real, though I am unsure of where its precise longitude lies.

Squirrels are one of the most common mam mals in North America. The eastern gray squirrel has a range that spreads from Central Texas north in a squiggly line all the way up to North Dakota, and then everywhere east. In most places it’s pretty difficult not to see them.

... is a photogra pher, writer, and semi-professional birdwatcher. He has lived in Key West for more than 25 years and may no longer be employable in the real world. He is also executive director of the Florida Keys Audu bon Society.

They are common in Florida all the way down to Key Largo. But they peter out somewhere between there and the Seven Mile Bridge. I’m not really sure why. They are said to be very fond of oaks and hicko ries and we don’t have a lot of those in these parts, so maybe that’s it.

The only squirrel I’ve ever seen in Key West was one that ran out of a semi-truck trailer filled with Christmas trees that we were helping unload at the MARC House one year, and I don’t think it lasted long.

I didn’t think much about squirrels growing up in the Northeast, despite the fact that I am descended from a long line of squirrel haters. (My forebears’ dis like of squirrels is a whole other column.)

But living with their absence for so long here, I get kind of excited when I go up north and see them, though it’s an excitement no one else seems to share.

In a similar vein, blue jays occupy a near-identical range map in the U.S. Thanks to eBird, it is possible to have a more precise idea of where the Blue Jay Line might be, and that is just north of the Seven Mile Bridge. They may not be what birders would call common in the Middle Keys, but they are reported somewhat regularly.

For similar reasons, I think I’m one of the few birders in the eastern half of the country who also gets excited when they see a blue jay.

I bring all this up because it’s Thanksgiving week and, well, turkeys.

I did a pretty long road trip this summer, driving from Massa chusetts all the way south to Key West, and one of the things that surprised me was how many wild turkeys there were in the world. They were everywhere, generally in small groups of females, fol lowed by young poults. No doubt the males were around some where.

I don’t remember ever seeing a wild turkey when I lived up north. Not sure if I ever saw a turkey of any sort in real life that did not come from a grocer’s freezer. Maybe at a petting zoo or some thing. That may partially be the result of a callow and disinterest ed-in-wildlife youth. But I spent a lot of time running and cycling on the backroads of southern New Jersey and wild turkeys would have been hard to miss.

Partly, though, it had to do with the fact that, no matter how callow my youth, there just weren’t that many turkeys to be seen. Their numbers had been near-catastrophically reduced through out most of their range due to centuries of unregulated hunting The population across the U.S. has come back in recent years, largely due to one of the most intensive and successful wildlife management and reintroduction programs ever.

Last summer, while staying at some friends’ place in the Pine Barrens of South Jersey, we saw wild turkeys nearly every time we walked out the front door.

For a long time I thought the turkeys we ate at Thanksgiving had been domesticated by the Pilgrims after realizing how tasty they were, especially with stuffing. But my presumption that Eu ropeans had domesticated turkeys was no doubt the result of the

post-colonial bias inherent in the American education system, as well as that one episode of “The Brady Bunch.”

The ancestry of the turkeys we traditionally serve at Thanksgiv ing is a lot more interesting and complex than that.

There are six subspecies of wild turkey in the world, all in North and Central America. Two of those populations have been domes ticated. The first was domesticated by those who used to be called the Anasazi, but are now called the Ancient Pueblo (due to the fact that “Anasazi” means “ancient enemy,” and many modern Pueblo thought the name was a lousy way to show respect to your ances tors.)

Those birds have largely disappeared, though, and are only known through their fossilized remains.

The Aztecs and their predecessors in Central Mexico were the other peoples that domesticated the wild turkey. And after Span ish contact, a number of these birds were brought back to Europe. From there they spread as barnyard poultry across the continent

Early English settlers brought the domesticated turkeys to New England, and those are the progenitors of the birds we eat today – though you have to figure, with fences being low and birds being able to fly, at some point some of the wild genetic stock has been mixed in.

On the east coast there are two subspecies of wild turkey – the silvestris subspecies, which occurs from Ontario down to northern Florida, and the osceola subspecies, which occurs only within the Florida peninsula. The birds have some superficial differences in plumage and size, but no fundamental genetic differences, mean ing either there is a lot of gene flow between the population, or the Florida population only relatively recently became geographically isolated from the northern population.

I can only recall seeing wild turkeys on the northern end of Lake Okeechobee. Looking at eBird data, there are records for them in Monroe County, but those are few and only within the boundaries of Everglades National Park – with a total of two sight ings in or near Flamingo. There have never been any records in the Keys proper.

So the Turkey Line is out there. It’s somewhere north of the Squirrel Line and the Blue Jay Line – but it’s out there.

Ms. Carmen Martinez with a domesticated turkey in Key West in 1979. FLORIDA KEYS HISTORY CENTER/Monroe County Public Library

MARK HEDDEN

The lobby of Faro Blanco Resort became a bus tling holiday bazaar as Marathon’s Business and Professional Women’s annual Sip & Shop filled the halls with more than 23 unique local vendors. For three hours, dozens of visitors enjoyed food and drinks as they perused and checked off their holiday shopping lists, raising more than $2,000 for the organi zation in the process.

Established in 1956, the BPW Foundation’s mission is to em power working women to achieve their full potential while partner ing with employers to build suc cessful workplaces through educa tion, research, knowledge and policy. Learn more at facebook. com/bpwmarathon.

— Alex Rickert

Event chairs Stephanie Zajac, left, and Mallory Pinto.

Liz Dixon’s Fish Hooks offers handmade aquatic hook racks.

Robyn Still lays out the Tackle Box’s spread of Vera Bradley acces sories.

Seaside Roasting Company’s Maggie Sayer, left, and Ginger Sayer have the perfect coffee grounds for the cold(ish) months ahead. 5. Kayla D’Ascanio’s Pineapple Smiles Graphics has a smorgasbord of custom wood trays and children’s art sets. 6. Amber Whiteman’s Wicked Island Creations stacks the custom drink ware with plenty of sparkle.

Onboard Band-It’s JP McCabe has all the hats for a long day on the water.

Photos by ALEX RICKERT/Keys Weekly

VESSEL SPOTTED CARRYING HAITIANS IN KEY LARGO RUNS AGROUND OFF ISLAMORADA

BABIES AMONG THOSE ON BOARD

JIM McCARTHY jim@keysweekly.com

An overloaded vessel initially sighted in Key Largo carrying a large number of Haitian migrants on rough waters ran aground at the sandbar south of Whale Harbor in Islamorada around 6:45 p.m. on Nov. 21. Eighteen people were found in the water as multiple agencies rescued them from dan gerous ocean currents.

The vessel carrying the mi grants was spotted off the shores of Key Largo during the early morn ing hours of Nov. 21. The rescue ef fort started after a good samaritan contacted Sector Key West around 5 a.m.

Around 22 people were suc cessfully rescued from the sailboat off Rodriguez Key during the morn ing hours. Efforts by the U.S. Coast Guard to rescue those remaining on the vessel was a day-long effort, according to Matt James, Coast Guard Station Islamorada com mander.

“We’ve transferred dozens of folks from the overloaded vessel to Coast Guard cutters on scene. There are still a lot more onboard,” he said.

The vessel kept going, however, until it landed on a sandbar not far from Whale Harbor.

The Coast Guard said more than 100 people were rescued be fore the vessel hit the sandbar. U.S Customs & Border Patrol, Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation, Is lamorada Fire Rescue and Monroe County Sheriff’s Office were among the responding agencies.

As for rescue operations on the

water, Coast Guard crews battled high seas and 25 mph winds to safely remove the people from the vessel throughout the day.

“They were reporting 8- to 10foot seas. Seaside it increased from 10 feet to 10 to 14 (foot seas). We paused the effort until we could get better seas. Right now they’re doing it in 6- to 8-foot seas,” James told the Keys Weekly late afternoon on Nov. 21.

The Keys continue to see a steady flow of Cuban migrants ar riving on chugs, but it’s been several months since the island chain has dealt with a large vessel carry ing Haitians. On Aug. 6, a sailboat with more than 300 Haitian men, women and children grounded near North Key Largo’s Ocean Reef Club. A total of 113 migrants hopped off the vessel and made it to land at the exclusive Ocean Reef Club. But 220 migrants remained on the boat. A swift rescue ensued by the U.S. Coast Guard, as many migrants were in the water without life jackets.

Just two days later, the Florida Keys experienced another large migrant landing, this time a sailboat carrying 123 Haitian migrants ran aground offshore in the area of 79th Street Ocean in Marathon.

On March 6, multiple federal, state and local agencies responded to a massive migrant landing just off Ocean Reef in North Key Largo. According to the U.S. Coast Guard and Customs and Border Protec tion, some 356 Haitian migrants were on an overloaded wooden vessel. Eight days later, a landing in Summerland Key saw roughly 120 Haitians coming to shore.

THANKFUL TO BE BACK HOME

Two rehabilitated juvenile sea turtles, ‘Luna’ and ‘Sonny,’ made their way back to the sea as Marathon’s Turtle Hospital celebrated a double release on Nov. 16 to a cheering crowd at Sombrero Beach. Luna, rescued in February, was found extremely emaciated and covered in a heavy load of fibropapilloma tumors. Luna’s treatments included a whole blood trans fusion (donated by one of the hospital’s non-releasable residents), tumor removal surgeries, broad spectrum antibiotics, IV nutrition, vitamins and a healthy diet of mixed seafood and greens. Sonny was rescued in April due to a predator attack to the rear end of her shell and a heavy load of fibropapilloma tumors. Her treatments included critical wound care, tumor removal surgeries, broad spectrum antibiotics, fluid treatments, vitamins and a healthy diet of mixed seafood and greens. CONTRIBUTED.

Left: The U.S. Coast Guard intercepts a sailing vessel carrying Haitian migrants near Rodriguez Key on the morning of Nov. 21. Right: A U.S. Coast Guard member feeds a young migrant who was rescued from the overloaded sailboat. U.S. COAST GUARD/Contributed

THE SCOREBOARD

Team Sport Opponent

Date Result

Marathon Girls Basketball @Carrollton 11/14 L, 60-18

Coral Shores Girls Basketball @Divine Savior 11/14 W, 41-33

Key West Girls Soccer Keys Gate 11/15 W, 8-0

Coral Shores Boys Soccer @St. Brendan 11/15 L, 6-0

Key West Boys Soccer Keys Gate 11/15 W, 3-1

Marathon Girls Soccer @Silver Palms 11/15 L, 9-3

Marathon Girls Basketball @Gulliver Prep 11/16 L, 45-39

Marathon Girls Soccer @Everglades Prep 11/16 Postponed

Coral Shores Boys Soccer @Florida Christian 11/16 Canceled

Marathon Girls Basketball SoHo 11/17 L, 40-44

Coral Shores Girls Soccer St. Brendan 11/17 L, 6-0

Key West Girls Basketball @Barron Collier 11/18 Canceled

Key West Girls Soccer @Port Charlotte 11/18 Canceled

Key West Boys Soccer @Dade Christian 11/18 W, 10-0

Marathon Boys Soccer Palmer 11/18 L, 8-0

Key West Girls Basketball @Golden Gate 11/19 Canceled

Key West Girls Soccer @Lemon Bay 11/19 W, 4-2

THIS WEEK IN KEYS SPORTS

Date School Sport Opponent Time

11/28

Coral Shores

West

BROOKE MANDOZZI

Bay

Raton

p.m.

Coral Shores, Junior Basketball, Volleyball

Coral Shores’ win over Divine Savior might have ended differently if starting forward Brooke Mandozzi had not been so determined to play in the game. Mandozzi, known for her physical play, had already reopened a fresh set of stitches above one eye in the week leading up to the ’Canes’ season start.

“She’s such a tough competitor that she made it clear that the only way she would be sitting is if I benched her, so she was out there for us,” coach Jarrod Mandozzi said. In the matchup, Mandozzi scored 19 points, pulled down 11 rebounds and had 4 steals to help propel the Hurricanes to an unexpected start to their season in the win column.

For her unwavering drive to compete, intense play and her dedication to her team, Brooke Mandozzi is the Keys Weekly Athlete of the Week.

— Jarrod Mandozzi, Coral Shores basketball coach

By: Tracy and Sean McDonald

“She’s just such a team player. In any sport she plays she’s ready to do whatever the team needs her to do.”

By: Tracy and Sean McDonald

BASKETBALL BEGINS FOR MARATHON, CORAL SHORES

Boys start season with games next week

Marathon

Marathon’s record is not where the Dolphins were hoping it would be this season, but with their 0-3 start comes valuable learning experiences.

“We are starting a bit slow this season, but we know as the season goes on, we will learn from it and we will be picking it up more,” said coach Jaymie Robinson. “We are looking forward to winning a district playoff and going further on after.”

Each game has brought the team closer to a win, and with a solid returning lineup, Marathon should begin to stack some wins after the fall break. So far this season, senior Abrianna Marshall leads the team in scoring with a total of 44 points, 22 rebounds, 11 blocks and 11 steals in three games. Sophomore Elena Eubank is close behind with 32 points, 20 rebounds, six assists and 10 steals.

Coral Shores

Elena Eubank (3)

Coral Shores enjoyed a big 41-33 win over the Sharks of Divine Savior on Nov. 14. The ’Canes had concerns coming into the start of the season, given their young, inexperienced team; the loss of longtime coach Pat Meyers, who stepped down last season; and some equipment issues in their gym, which made practices challenging. Interim coach Jarrod Mandozzi steadied the team with some solid goals.

“I told the girls that our priority was to get through game one the best we could,” he said. “Run what we were able to run, sub as much as we needed or could given where everyone was at and work as hard as we could. Stay positive and focused, ideally get a win and then we’d have some more practice time to get better before our next game on the 28th.”

Mandozzi’s advice worked for the ’Canes, who hope to continue their momentum. Leading the team in scoring was Brooke Mandozzi, who shot 9 for 11 with 19 points and 11 rebounds. Grace Leffler, called “an absolute force” by coach Mandozzi, had seven blocks and 12 rebounds with seven points in the books.

KEYS SWIMMERS REPRESENT AT STATE MEETS IN STUART

After a weeklong delay due to concerns over impacts from Hurricane Nicole, the FHSAA 2022 Swimming and Diving State Championships for the 1A and 2A divisions are finally complete.

Coral Shores sent five athletes to Sailfish Splash Waterpark and Aquatics Center in Stuart to compete in 1A races on Nov. 18. The top finisher for the ’Canes was senior Corley Smith, who qualified in two individual events as well as two relays. Smith took 12th place in the 200 Freestyle event, finishing about a second off of the medal platform. She was 11th in the 500 Freestyle and just five seconds from medaling in an event in which she often beat opponents by minutes in regular season competition. Teammate Abbie Sargent qualified for the individual 100 Breaststroke event and in both of the ’Canes relay events. Sargent finished 19th in the preliminaries.

Smith and Sargent teamed up with their sisters for the 400 Freestyle Relay. The team of Corley and Layne Smith plus Abbie and Olivia Sargent came in 17th place in the race. Riley Cooper teamed up with Abbie Sargent and both Smith siblings for the 200 Freestyle Relay, but the team was disqualified for an early start.

Payton Junker (10) is ready to defend.

Coral Shores plays again on Monday, Nov. 28 in its home opener against Mater Bay at 3 p.m.

Key West

The yet-untested Lady Conchs face Pace on Tuesday, Nov. 29 in Miami. Games scheduled with Barron Collier and Immokalee were canceled earlier this week.

Boys start next week

Boys basketball action begins Tuesday, Nov. 29 for Marathon, which plays at Somerset South Homestead. The following day, Coral Shores opens at home against Mater Bay. Their first scheduled game was canceled by Everglades Prep. Key West’s boys open their season on the road against Miami Christian the same day.

While a visit to the podium was not in the cards for the Hurricanes, the team achieved their goals set by coaches Jon Olsen and Kelly Owens. Prior to their season opener, Owens said, “Jon and I are hoping to see athletes advance to regionals and hopefully states. Corley Smith and Abbie Sargent both qualified for the state competition last year. We would love to see them continue on again and see other athletes qualify as well.”

The Conchs sent one athlete to the state meet this season as Key West’s Alexander “AJ” Smith represented the southernmost swimmers at the 2A championships on Nov. 19. Smith competed in the 50 Freestyle event and finished in 10th place, just two hundredths of a second from a medal.

Abrianna Marshall (11) charges up the court against Somerset Academy South Homestead.

TRACY MCDONALD/Keys Weekly

scans the defense.

By:

Girls Boys

Key West

Key West has achieved a 3-2 record early this season. The Conchs won at home against Keys Gate on Nov. 15, then took to the road three days later, defeating Dade Christian in a single half on Nov. 18 by mercy rule. Seven different Key West players scored in the game, including two by Jonathan Gvili and Daniel Quiche and one each from Jonathan Bahri, Loubins Fleuridor, Jan Charles, Finley McKnight and Nicolas Silak. The 10th goal scored in the match was an own-goal by Dade Christian. The Conchs play again on Monday, Nov. 28 at Boca Raton.

Marathon

An 8-0 loss to Palmer Trinity School on Nov. 19 gave the Dolphins a 1-2 record to start the season. The Fins will have plenty of opportunities to add to their win column coming back from Thanksgiving break – they play four games in five days, starting with a rematch of their defeat by Coral Shores on Nov. 28.

Coral Shores

Coral Shores sits on an even 1-1 record after a 6-0 loss against St. Brendan on Nov. 15. The Sabres had the advantage of a larger division and in the second half, played with the advantage of an uneven lineup. The ’Canes had four double yellow cards handed to them, forcing them to play 7 on 11 for a good part of the second half of the match.

Coral Shores has three games the week following the break, starting with Marathon on Nov. 28 on home turf.

Key West

A victory over Lemon Bay on Nov. 19 gave the Lady Conchs a solid 3-1 start for the season heading into the fall break. Prior to their 4-2 win over Lemon Bay, Key West enjoyed an 8-0 mercy rule victory over Keys Gate on Nov. 15. Scoring for the Conchs were Kathryn Smith, Nicole Tomita and Ella Baxter with two goals each, and Maddie Kilduff and Kaitlyn Franco with one apiece. Their game against Port Charlotte was canceled just before the break, making their next game an away matchup against St. Brendan on Nov. 30.

Marathon

Heading into fall break, the Lady Fins sit at 0-1 after a loss to Somerset Silver Palms on Nov. 15. The Dolphins got off to a slow start but got things going after a second half goal from Jordan MacDonald followed by a Sara Strama goal 10 minutes later. Rain Banks’ penalty kick hit a corner late in the game, giving Marathon three on the board, but it would be too little, too late to overcome Somerset’s first half onslaught. The 9-3 loss is the team’s only game in the books until Nov. 29 when they take on Archimedean on the road, but the Fins will likely add a win by forfeit over Everglades Prep, who failed to secure referees for their game scheduled for Nov. 16.

Coral Shores

Coral Shores took on powerhouse St. Brendan at home on Nov. 17. The ’Canes held their own with the larger 2A Sabres, narrowing the margin of loss from their last meetup by two in a 6-0 defeat. Coral Shores plays next at Pace on Nov. 30.

KEYS SOCCER SQUADS ARE A MIX OF BRIGHT SPOTS, EARLY SEASON STRUGGLES

The Lady ’Canes varsity soccer team member So a Jans moves the ball upeld. DOUG FINGER/ Keys Weekly

Tracy and Sean McDonald

GIRLS SOCCER MATER BAY MARATHON NOVEMBER 30 | 3 P.M.

VS

SPORTS & MORE

SOME MEMORIES OF A JOURNALIST

RALPH MORROW

... a veteran sports columnist, says the only sport he doesn’t follow is cricket. That leaves plenty of others to fill his time.

ralphmoro1936 @gmail.com

everal months ago, I was asked to speak to the Sunrise Rotary Club about people I’ve met in my 65 years as a sports journalist. As I thought about it, I realized I’ve met a lot of noteworthy people, but not necessarily for news stories or even sports person alities.

This column is a result of that speech. If you’re a member of Sun rise Rotary, much, but not all of this, may sound familiar. I’ve divided my speech into two columns, to run this week and next.

To start, I ran into Key West legend Boog Powell at a Key West High School baseball gathering a few months ago at Rex Weech Field. I was amazed he remembered me.

In the early 1960s, I was writing for the Rochester, New York TimesUnion and Boog was playing for the Rochester Red Wings. I covered the last game of the season and did not mention him.

“I led the (International) league in batting and all you could write about was Jimmy Finnigan getting the hit that won the game. I was really upset,” recalled Boog. But we sat and talked for a long time at the Rex. It was great. And I wrote a column about it.

Back in 1958, I was walking down Sandusky Street in Delaware, Ohio, when I spotted an elderly gentleman at a crosswalk who obviously needed some help. I took him by the arm and assisted him across the street. It turned out we were headed to the same lunch event at Ohio Wesleyan University. He was a member of the board of trustees. I was invited as a student. We sat together and chat ted.

He was Branch Rickey and he talked to me about integrating Major League baseball in 1947 by sign ing Jackie Robinson to the Brooklyn Dodgers when Rickey was president and general manager of the team. How often I’ve wished I’d had pen and paper to take down all he told me.

Rickey, who was a catcher in the Major Leagues while he was a student and coach at Ohio Wesleyan, died Dec. 9, 1965, just short of 84.

SI wrote a lengthy obituary for the Dayton Daily News, where I was em ployed for 29 years, 3 months. ESPN named Rickey the most influential sports figure of the 20th century.

When I graduated from Ohio Wesleyan, I got a sports writing job at the Rochester Times-Union, thanks to Professor Verne Edwards Jr. Roch ester had just lost its pro basketball team, the Royals, to Cincinnati and as I loved basketball, I covered some games that were still being played in Rochester as well as some in Syra cuse, which had a team called the Nationals.

While covering auto racing at Watkins Glen, I interviewed the great Sterling Moss, among others.

I interviewed Jimmy Clark, who later won the Indianapolis 500. He and I talked in his trailer for a while before he apologized, telling me the BBC was on hold, waiting to interview him. It wasn’t long after that he was killed in a race.

Driver Graham Hill met the same fate, but in an airplane. I interviewed him after he won the U.S. Grand Prix at Watkins Glen and before he won at Indianapolis.

I met boxer Ingemar Johannson, who had knocked out Floyd Patterson and would be knocked out twice by Patterson in three world heavyweight champion ship fights. Fresh out of college, and shortly after I started work in Roch ester, I covered a fight involving Nino Valdes, one of Cuba’s best fighters, as he defeated Mike DeJohn by split decision.

Through Jack Twyman I came to know of Maurice Stokes, who had been a star with the Rochester Royals and had developed an ill ness that paralyzed him. With pen in mouth, Stokes had written some commentary about life, a copy of which I obtained from Twyman, who had become Stokes’ caretaker. I had promised Twyman I would not use the commentary until Stokes’ death. The day after Stokes died, I wrote an article for the Dayton Daily News that was judged nationally as the best basketball column of that year.

I have met four presidents. Jimmy Carter was coming out of a meeting with editorial types and our paths crossed at the Daily News. We chatted for a while as then-Gov. Cart er campaigned for the presidency. I shook, or at least touched the hand of, President Lyndon B. Johnson, as he concluded a speech in Day ton. Gerald Ford was vice president

when we stood next to each other in a buffet line at an outdoor dinner party in Dayton. One time, when I was a newspaper magazine editor in Dayton, I was on the telephone with Vice President George Bush, who had played baseball at Yale. All four became president.

When I was a summer intern at the Jeffersonian in Cambridge, Ohio, I went to nearby New Concord to interview Cambridge native, thenMajor John Glenn, who had just set a jet coast-to-coast speed record. He and his family had arrived early in the morning for a visit with his parents and a celebration of his new record. “Come on, help me unload my car while we talk,” he offered. We talked the rest of the morning. I took pictures of Glenn, his wife and chil dren. I wonder what happened to the prints. I know what happened to him. John Glenn became an astronaut, a four-term U.S senator, a candidate for U.S president and, at 77, took his second trip into space.

I have interviewed several Cincin nati Reds players, including Johnny Bench, with whom I lunched, and, of course, Pete Rose. When I was executive sports editor in Dayton, my staff led the reporting on Rose’s crimes that led to him being banned from the sport and imprisoned for tax evasion. Our coverage was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize. During that time, a friend asked me, “What are you doing to Pete Rose? I like him a lot.” I told her, “I like him a lot, too.”

I’ll continue my list of memorable meetings in next week’s column. In the meantime, Happy Thanksgiving

SHELF HELP

Staff from your Monroe County Public Library recommend some of their favorites from the collection.

What: “Rin Tin Tin” by Susan Orlean

Why: This book is so much more than the biography of a dog – even though he was a very famous dog who became a star in the silent film era (he report edly received the most votes for Best Actor in the first Acad emy Awards, but the Academy decided the award had to go to a person). The character lived on, in different dogs, in television shows and popular culture. But Orlean, one of the best narrative nonfiction writers working today, uses the story of Rin Tin Tin as a way into the history of early 20th century America, the film indus try and the way Americans view dogs. It’s also the story of one remarkable dog, and the man who saved him as a puppy when his kennel was bombed during World War I.

Where: This is available as a print book from the Monroe County Library system.

How: You can request books online by logging in to www. keyslibraries.org and get ebooks and e-audiobooks 24/7 at www. estuff.keyslibraries.org. If you don’t have a card, you can visit your local branch or register on line to get one. Questions? info@ keyslibraries.org

Recommended by: Nancy Klingener, community affairs manager

Writer Ralph Morrow met John Glenn shortly after he set a coast-to-coast speed record in 1957. Glenn is shown here in the cockpit of a F-106B in 1961. WIKIPEDIA/Contributed

Arnold (Arnie), 86, passed away on Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2022.

Arnie was born in Saginaw, Michigan on March 7, 1936 to George and Katherine Stein metz. He moved to Fort Lau derdale as a child and attended Fort Lauderdale High School, followed by the University of Florida, until, in Arnie’s words, “the university and I mutu ally parted company.” He then served in the United States Army, after which he moved to Marathon in 1958. He always said Hurricane Donna was what made him fall in love with Mara thon. The way that the commu nity came together and helped each other after the destruction from Donna was the moment he knew Marathon would be his home for the rest of his life.

He loved the ocean, was an avid diver, and loved to spend the first week of lobster season out in the back country on a houseboat with family and friends. He enjoyed good conversation, reading, problem solving, and proper grammar. He always had a crossword puzzle in the works and he confidently completed them in ink! He was the reigning family anagrams champion and always had a joke to tell (good and bad!). His booming laughter filled a room and you couldn’t help but laugh with him.

Arnie had a strong Christian faith, a huge heart for charity, and was a gentle giant of a man who always stood up for what was right. Over the years, he was a compass and a father figure for many. His honesty, integrity, generosity, and compassion has shaped many lives for the better.

His life was full of accomplishments, but above all else, he was most proud of his family. He loved his family with everything he had and made sure to instill in them, and everyone he cared for, to always “DO EVERYTHING WITH LOVE.”

Arnie is survived by his wife Maria (Riet) Steinmetz; sons George (Angie) Steinmetz and Erik (Kelley) Steinmetz; daughterin-law Petra Steinmetz; grandchildren Chelsea (Evan) Lyons, Alek Steinmetz, Cody Steinmetz, Kelsea Steinmetz, Esteban and Jean; great-grandchildren Avery and Alric; and sister Barbara Dekle. He was preceded in death by his late wife Jean Steinmetz.

A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, Dec. 10 from 5:307:30 p.m. at the Florida Keys Aquarium Encounters.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Arnie’s name to one of these charities: Lutheran World Relief Fund, Florida Keys Concert Association, KAIR.

Arnie was a true pillar of our island community. He opened the first dive shop in Marathon, but following his love for construction, he started Coral Construc tion Company in 1968. He built many homes and businesses, the famous “huge ramp” at the old Stanley Switlik Elementary School, helped build the Marathon Lutheran Church and the Big Pine Lord of the Seas Church, and he was the FDOT underwater bridge inspector for bridges throughout Florida.

His love for classical music eventually led him to accepting a position on the Florida Keys Concert Association's board of direc tors. Of his membership in the Marathon Community Theatre, he always said, “I decided that if I wanted to see my wife, I might as well join,” which he did, constructing sets and performing in numerous productions.

MEALS & MEMORIES

THE KEYS WEEKLY STAFF REFLECTS ON TURKEY DAY STANDOUTS

ANNIE BRIENING

So many favorite memories to name, but one of my favorites is when Shane and I went to Disney World with my family 11 years ago. My oldest sister was very preg nant with my nephew. My niece was nearly 3 and at the cutest age to watch with all the Disney characters. This trip was also when Shane asked my dad for his “blessing” to marry me and we got to tell everyone in person our exciting news together.

When it comes to food traditions in my family, there’s always “The Bobbie” Thanks giving sandwich after the main-event meal — no matter how full I am.

I don’t know if this is just a Philly thing, but “The Bobbie” is basically Thanksgiving between two slices of bread with layers of turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes and cranberry sauce. (Pro tip: Mix the cranberry sauce and some mayo and warm it in the microwave.)

STEPHANIE MITCHELL

Thanksgiving has always been my favorite holiday (not a gift in sight) so when I started dating a Canadian in 2004 my new favorite tradition began. Not one, but TWO separate Thanksgivings every year: American in November and Canadian Thanksgiving in October.

We begin Thanksgiving morning with cinnamon rolls and mimosas while we get the turkey ready for the oven with the Macy’s parade on in the background.

The Mitchells love to party, so we host a big dinner every year with a rotating cast of characters and my mashed potatoes are leg endary, for many different reasons. (If you know, you know. #mashedpotatoes).

And if you happen to be the first one to “fall asleep” on the couch you’ll wake up draped in a fur coat, just for giggles.

MIKE HOWIE

My mother grew up in the Upper Pen insula of Michigan, where men would carry pasties into the iron and copper mines of the region. Pasty rhymes with nasty, but it has nothing to do with strippers. It’s a meatand-potato pie that is easy to make and, in a mine, can be eaten without utensils. Noth ing in the world smells as good as a kitchen where pasties are baking. It was the special meal of my childhood and remains the per fect comfort food to this day.

Our kitchen in Marathon is going to smell amazing on Thanksgiving.

MANDY MILES

One of my favorite memories is the scent of my dad’s Thanksgiving stuffing cooking on the stovetop. Those perfectly seasoned little cubes of bread were the per fect snack every time I passed through the kitchen — usually to make a drink.

My favorite memories are from the giant family reunions that would fill my parents’ guest house at the South Jersey Shore for the holiday weekend, with relatives and friends in every nook and cranny of the century-old house “down the Shore.”

IRENE DE BRUIJN

Being from the Netherlands, I didn’t grow up celebrating Thanksgiving. So my first Thanksgiving wasn’t until I was in my 20s when I visited a friend in Ohio. We cel ebrated Thanksgiving with her family in the small town of East Sparta.

What a surprise that Thanksgiving “din ner” was at 1 p.m. It sounded more like a lunch to me, but I didn’t realize the meal kept on going through dinner time. My friend is from an Italian family, so our Thanksgiving dinner/lunch included the best pasta and meatballs I’ve ever had! And after that, the boxes and boxes of Christmas decorations came out to move straight into the next holiday. A big thank you to the Parianos for my first Thanksgiving!

ALEX RICKERT

Our Thanksgiving traditions are pretty fluid, but by far my most memorable turkey day was a gathering with my dad’s side of the family in Connecticut. After a big dinner, we all went for a walk to try and work out our food babies, and at one point in the walk I was shocked – putting it lightly – to turn around and find an emu following us down the road. Yes, a literal emu. As we found out the next day, it had escaped from a zoo earlier that day and was making its rounds through the town.

I’m sure my parents will want to watch the Macy’s parade in the morning this year, but after that … it’s football time.

CHAR HRUSKA

Growing up, big family Thanksgiving din ners were the best when grandparents and cousins would squeeze into our little house to have a huge dinner. Once I was older, it was all about preparing dinner for my family and having the guys all leave the house to check their tree stands for deer hunting the next day. Today, I love decorating like a kid and preparing a dinner for two. I thank God for my daily life, my children and grandchil dren and all the blessings that I have.

MANUELA CARRILLO MOBLEY

I love the holiday season. For me everything starts November 1st. There’s something in the air… It’s Thanksgiving, it’s Christmas, it’s just the season! Weather starts getting colder and the cozyness of the family gatherings kick in. My favorite part is preparing the food and sharing stories while we watch the Thanksgiving parade on TV followed by “A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving” - a must watch! Then later in the afternoon, after dinner, we all pass out on the couch from all the food.

JILL MIRANDA BAKER

My parents hosted our extended family for Thanksgiving for many years during my childhood. These gatherings could be for 40-50 people – grandparents, aunts, uncles, and so many cousins and second cousins. We’d rent tables and chairs and clear out our garage or expand from the dining room into the living room, moving out furniture. My job was to set the tables, and still today I love setting a beautiful table. And the food was endless, from the traditional American fare to the Italian family favorites.

JIM MCCARTHY

A McCarthy Thanksgiving in western New York began with a pancake breakfast my dad made during the early morning before the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Once the parade was over, we’d flip the channel to some Thanksgiving Day football. Most games weren’t that great besides the one year the Bills beat the Cowboys. The day progressed and the smells of turkey and stuffing would fill the house as my grandpa, uncle, aunt and cousins came over for the feast. By nighttime, it was video games and sleep.

Key West resident Jeremy Fogarty was one of the early pioneers experimenting with sponge propagation. He was both a sponge buyer and a sponge packer. Fogarty understood the money to be made in sponging and began experimenting with their cultivation in the Lower Keys. Commodore Ralph Munroe, who lived in a small Miami community bordering Biscayne Bay, also experimented with growing sponges. His “fields” were in the shallow waters surrounding the Northern Keys.

Munroe’s efforts demonstrated better success. His sponges had a 75% survival rate and doubled in size in six months. Both men, however, suffered from the same big problem – poachers. To thwart the sponge bandits’ efforts, Munroe and Fogarty joined forces and attempted to get an area of Biscayne Bay set aside that government agencies could protect. The bill was on its way to passing through the senate when it was discovered that the senator who introduced the bill had a financial interest in the project.

The bill failed to pass, and without government support to help keep the poachers from stealing their sponges, Munroe and Fogarty read the writing on the wall and gave up.

SOAKING IN A NEW BUSINESS

THE FLORIDA KEYS’ EARLY SPONGE FARMERS

The Feb. 23, 1913, edition of the Washington Eve ning Star reported the cultivation of sponges in the warm, shallow waters of Biscayne Bay, the waters surrounding Sugarloaf Key and Key West, and Anclote Key, located offshore of the west coast’s Tarpon Springs.

Another Key Wester, Dr. J. Vinning Harris, stepped into the shoes left empty by Fogarty and Munroe. Harris graduated from the University of Mississippi medical school in 1859. During the Civil War, Harris worked as an assistant surgeon in the Confederate Army and Navy. After the war, Harris moved to Key West, where he became a prominent citizen. He continued working as a doctor but also worked as a customs collec tor and served as the school superintendent for Monroe County.

is an author, speaker, Florida Keys historian and Honorary Conch. His latest book, “Florida Keys History with Brad Bertelli, Volume 1,” shares fasci nating glimpses into the rich and sometimes sur prising histories of the Florida Keys.

“The various methods are as follows: ‘seed’ sponges are cut into small pieces, and, after having been attached by wiring or spindle to circular or triangular cement blocks, are dropped or lowered (depending upon the depth) to rest on the ocean bottom, where they remain for a year or two, until they reach a proper size for com mercial purposes. They are then taken by the hook, when new cuttings are attached and the cement blocks let down again.”

Farming sponges and harvesting the fruits of the la bor as if they were Key limes or pineapples made perfect sense. Sponging had grown into a big business. Before 1849, the American sponge market was primarily satis fied by products harvested from the Mediterranean Sea. In 1849, however, sponges culled from local waters were taken to New York and tested on the open market. As it turned out, the sponges harvested from the Florida Keys were equal to those from overseas waters.

Back in Key West, sponges were auctioned off on the docks at 3 p.m. daily. Sponges were graded for size and quality be fore the day’s auctions began, and size made a difference. Mediumsized sponges were more desirable than those considered too big or too small. By 1890, as many as 300 sponge ships were operating out of Key West, with 2,000 men employed in the field. Before the turn of the century, the Monroe County sponge industry generated as much as $1 million annually.

The doctor also owned Sugarloaf Key — well, all of it except for what was described as its southern shore. On the island, he built a large house. In 1897, the Florida State Legislature passed a bill that Fogarty and Munroe must have envied. The bill made it possible for landowners to plant sponges in the shallow waters adjacent to their property and have those waters be eligible for government protec tion. Also, in 1897, Harris began experimenting with the propagation of sponges in the warm, shallow waters offshore of his Sugarloaf Key property. Two years later, the bill was rescinded. However, it was de termined that if protections had been afforded a sponge field while the law was still valid, those sponge fields remained protected areas.

Harris’ work attracted the attention of Dr. H. F. Moore, the head of the United States Bureau of Fisheries, who, like Harris, was interested in farm-raising sponges. Circa 1901, Harris abandoned his sponges and allowed Moore to move into his house and operate his experiments from the Sugarloaf Key property. With government support and funding, Moore spent several years developing the techniques necessary to make commercial sponge farming a feasible operation.

Moore’s technique used concrete disks with a hole in the middle that allowed the sponge to be attached by wiring. The concrete disks were prepared on Harris’ Sugarloaf Key property. The sponges, bound to the disks, were then “planted” in the shallows offshore of Sugarloaf Key and monitored.

Though slow growing, by 1908, Moore had determined, to his own satisfaction, that commercial sponge farming was possible as long as certain guidelines were followed. The sponges could not be planted where freshwater or freshwater runoff might affect them, and they should not be planted in sandy areas. Lastly, they should be protected from poachers.

Next week, part 2 will explore the rise and fall of the Sugarloaf Keys community of Chase and the Florida Keys Sponge and Fruit Company.

BRAD BERTELLI

Sponge market on the docks of Key West. FLORIDA MEMORY PROJECT/ Contributed

I SPEAK FOR THE TREES

Stanley Switlik Elementary brings “The Lorax” to life

The Stanley Switlik Drama Club had a wonderful performance of Dr. Seuss’s “The Lorax” on Nov. 17. Fortyfour cast and crew members have worked hard over the last few months creating sets, memorizing lines and working collaboratively. The play’s directors, Amelia Fernandez and Bailey Francisco, would like to thank all of the students for their dedication and hard work. They would also like to thank the families and the Marathon community for their support and commitment to the arts program at Stanley Switlik. Congratulations to all the students in the Switlik Drama Club for a job well done!

— Contributed

FIRST W IN THE BOOKS FOR MIDDLE SCHOOL SOCCER

The Marathon Middle School boys soccer team began their season with a resounding W, dishing out a 10-4 thrashing to Key Largo School in the team’s inaugural contest on Nov. 16. The boys followed up the win just a day later with a second victory, downing Basilica School 2-0 while the middle school girls team kicked off a win streak of their own with a 5-0 win.

The cast and crew of ‘The Lorax.’ CONTRIBUTED

From left, Danny Diaz, Layla Thompson, Ashlynn Parra and Trevor Gordon. The ‘humming fish’ played by Savannah Chamberlain, left, Hannah Hutchinson and Aaliyah Leatherwood.

Thing 3 (Maleeya Abraham), Thing 2 (Casen Kotch) and Thing 1 (Adrianna Dworniczak).

FLORIDA KEYS CELTIC FESTIVAL RETURNS TO MARATHON JAN. 6-8

Celtic history, culture, food and music will be celebrated at the 10th annual Florida Keys Celtic Festival, a favorite family event in the Middle Keys. The 2023 event is set for Friday through Sunday, Jan. 6-8.

Celtic rock and traditional musicians are scheduled, including Scottish band Albannach, Southwest Florida's West of Galway, Irish performers Byrne Brothers and the high-energy four-sister group The Screaming Orphans.

Friday, Jan. 6, a “Kilts in the Keys” celebration with ales, spirits, raffles and door prizes kicks off the weekend, featuring Irish music by the West of Galway duo with a guest appearance by the Police Pipe & Drum Corps of Florida. Festivities are set for 5 to 7 p.m. at Dockside Boot Key Harbor, located at 35 Sombrero Blvd.

Traditional highlights of the weekend event include the bagpipes and drums of the Police Pipe & Drum Corps, a Highland Athletics competition — including the nation’s only sanctioned women’s Scot tish Highland Games competition — sheep herding demonstrations and performances by Drake Irish Dance School. All events are open for public viewing.

Among other attractions are Celtic merchandise, offerings by local vendors, activities for kids in the Children’s Glen and booths represent ing various Scottish clans. Authentic Celtic food and beverages includ ing high tea in the Iona Tea Garden, shepherd’s pie at the Nessie Pub, and vendors offering Scottish eggs and fish and chips round out the weekend’s festivities.

The festival takes place at the Marathon Community Park, MM 49. Hours are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.

Single-day admission tickets are available in advance for Saturday or Sunday for $10 per person or $15 for a two-day pass. Tickets at the gate are $12 for a one-day ticket or $17 for a two-day pass. Children age 12 and under are admitted free with a paying adult. Parking is free. — Contributed

COMMERCE CORNER

Established in 2013, DK’s Beach Boutique excels in customer service.

“We personal shop, deliver, dress you for that special occasion and, sometimes, we are even an ear to listen,” said owners Donna Kirchner and Mia Molek. “The key to our success is treating our customers like gold. And, we consistently find fresh, unique, fashion forward clothes and accessories.”

The co-owners said they know how to style and dress women and have fun doing it.

“It shows we love what we do,” they said. “You may come in a stranger, but you leave as a friend!”

The boutique participates in a number of local causes including the Marathon campus of the SPCA. There is also the DK’s Gift hut located just a few doors down from the boutique.

Location: 303 Sadowski Causeway, Key Colony Beach Website: www.dksbeachboutique.com Email: dksstylehut@gmail.com

Albannach’s Jamesie Johnston was a force to be reckoned with on the bass drum at the 2022 Celtic festival. BARRY GAUKEL/Keys Weekly

CALEB BUCCI

1985 - 2022

Caleb “Cal” Bucci, 37, of Marathon, passed away on Nov. 14 while freediving in Indonesia.

Born in Hillsborough, New Jersey, Cal graduated from Hillsborough High School in 2004, where he developed many lifelong friends. He attended Hall's School of Diving in Marathon and proceeded to pursue his love of freediving, boating and spearfishing, establishing a charter boat business in Marathon as well as captaining for Solé Watersports in Duck Key.

The ocean became the love of Cal’s life. He was fearless and loved sharing his passion for the water with others. This extended to countless oceanic adventures with his family in the Abaco Islands in the Bahamas and with friends around the world. He was lovingly known as “Captain Cal” in the Marathon area, where his many friends and clients cherished his “crazy, fun soul,” amazing stories, genuine friendship, outstanding work ethic and incredible diving and captaining skills.

In 2013, Cal was part of the elite team who escorted Diana Nyad on her historic swim from Cuba to Florida. Cal also performed underwater stunt double work for the TV series “Bloodline.” His diving and boating experiences took him to Alaska, Mexico, Panama, Fiji, Costa Rica and — most often — to Indonesia, where he quickly made many friends. He developed

close friendships with the locals, who had a deep affection for him, appreciating his fun personality and also his generous nature. Cal distributed the fish he caught to those in need, established a GoFundMe for a friend, and personally provided financial assistance during the difficult times brought about by the pandemic. He was a very loyal friend, and he was impossible not to love.

Out of the water, Cal enjoyed traveling with his girlfriend, Kristen. He was a lifelong, talented musician and composer, notably with guitar and drums. Cal was an individual with multiple interests including photography, videography, cooking and tropical plant propagation. He had a talent for things mechanical and enjoyed working on his numerous motorcycles and cars.

Cal had an especially tight, special bond with his family and regularly traveled the world with them. He also had a deep love of animals, providing a home to two rescue dogs, Cassidy and Buzzy.

Cal experienced more than most would in 30 lifetimes. He always said that he wanted to live his life to the fullest and there’s no questioning that he did indeed. Cal was inarguably one of a kind.

Cal is predeceased by his grandparents, John Bucci Sr. and Steven and Dorothy Michel. He is survived by his grandmother, Barbara Bucci of Doylestown, Pennsylvania; his father John Bucci and stepmother Susan of Doylestown, Pennsylvania; and his mother, Cindy Woodall and stepfather Bill of Upper Black Eddy, Pennsylvania. His brother, Benjamin Bucci, was his best friend, and at Ben’s recent marriage to Aly O’Connor, Cal served as best man. Cal’s partner of five years was Kristen Huffman. Cal leaves behind many aunts, uncles and cousins who loved him dearly.

A memorial service to celebrate Cal’s life is planned for the future.

Contributions may be made in his memory to the Florida Keys SPCA at https://fkspca.org/

CAT

2-year-old female mixed breed.

Looking for: Long walks, playtime, partnership and commitment. I like kids too!

Turnoffs: I would prefer to be the only cat, or dog, in the household.

EMILY

4.5-year old female domestic shorthair.

Looking for: To be left alone – unless, of course, I come to you.

Turnoffs: I’ve been at the shelter 3.5 years. I’m ready to get out of here!

TAKE ME HOME Adorable furry faces are waiting for families at the Florida

Keys SPCA

Keys Weekly is thrilled each week to showcase some “furever” friends that are ready, waiting and available for their perfect adoption “match” at the Florida Keys SPCA’s Marathon campus – complete with their best qualities, preferences and turnoffs to ensure the best fit.

From cats and dogs to Guinea pigs, hamsters, rabbits, reptiles and birds, the perfect addition to your family is waiting for you at one of the SPCA’s two campuses, in Key West and Marathon. The SPCA’s knowledgeable staff will help with advice and care tips while working to ensure a good fit between each pet and its people. The SPCA’s Golden Paw program also provides special assistance with vet bills and medications for special-needs and older animals that require a little extra TLC.

See all the animals waiting for a home at fkspca.org. To contact the Marathon campus, call 305-743-4800 or visit the campus at 10550 Aviation Blvd.

SKYY

3.5-year-old female domestic shorthair.

Looking for: I’m a snuggle bug. I love soft blankets and beds. Now that I’ve had all my teeth pulled, I also need wet food for life.

Turnoffs: I don’t have any! I get along great with other cats and love people.

thereafter on Decem

9805 Overseas

in an

Session, pursuant to Section 286.011(8), Florida Statutes, to discuss litigation in regard to the following cases: Cecilla Mattino, et al. v. the City of Marathon, Florida, et al; pending in the Third District Court of Appeal, State of Florida No. 3D20-1921 Lower Tribunal No. 20-032 and Folks-Friends of the Lower Keys, LLC. v. City of Marathon, Florida, Defendant; pending in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida, Case No.: 4:22-cv-100002. The session is estimated to last thirty minutes.

SOMETIMES YA JUST GOTTA GET AWAY

Quick breaks can recharge batteries

After eight years on the city council (14 in all) and a rather busy year as mayor, a quick getaway was certainly due. A bit of planning and fortuitous happenstance combined to make a three-day two-night stay on the mainland just what the doctor ordered for both Sarah and me.

Months ago, when I found out that Bonnie Raitt was playing the Broward Center for the Arts the very next night after my last city council meeting, I went to her website, joined her fan club, got in the presale and snagged front row center seats. Bonnie’s special guest on the tour was singersongwriter Marc Cohn, someone who I’ve been a fan of since “Walking In Memphis” hit the airwaves back in 1991. I had seen Marc a couple of times fairly recently and was familiar with his concert appearances. I had not, however, seen Bonnie Raitt since I had been in college, probably 1979 or 1980. She was great then, but she’d had her biggest success in the intervening years. We had a lot to catch up on, so to speak.

Before the trip, I had arranged for us to stay a couple of nights at the Mayfair House in Coconut Grove, a lush tropical hotel that is special to Sarah and me. The Mayfair had undergone a major renovation over the past year, and it is still one of the most unique properties anywhere. It’s right in the heart of the Grove, within walking distance to some amazing restaurants and shops.

Back to the concert – for now. Marc Cohn came on and played mostly piano (and a couple on guitar), accompanied by a keyboardist he shared with Bonnie Raitt’s band and a talented percussionist who played some cool instruments that he beat into rhythmic submission. His stories about the songs were insightful, and the songs themselves captivated with their incredibly musical and dynamic arrangements. If anything, Marc’s voice sounds better than it did back when “Memphis” came out. Although short, Marc’s set included great songs like “Walk Through The World,” “Listening to Levon,” “Perfect Love,” “Silver Thunderbird” and (of course) “Walking In Memphis.” The musicians knew the material from every angle and served the songs well — that’s all anyone can ask. After a quick set change, it was time for the headliner to take the stage!

Bonnie Raitt’s band has been with her for a long time — a couple of members have been veterans of her ensemble since the early 1980s. And they played like they’d been together

forever. She played a few from her new album (collection of songs to be streamed?), Just Like That, including the amazing bluesjazzy “Blame It On Me.” She noted at one point during the concert that a lot of her songs were “on the edge,” songs about relationships moving apart. One of these songs was her incredible ballad, “I Can’t Make You Love Me” by Mike Reid and Allen Shamblin. Mojo magazine declared that this was number 8 in the 100 Greatest Songs of All Time, and Bonnie kept the Broward Center audience spellbound during her rendition.

Other standouts included her own “Nick of Time” from the album of the same name, as well as her signature version of John Prine’s “Angel From Montgomery,” which she dedicated to her old friend John. Bonnie’s soulful blues rocked out on several songs that got the theater jumping, notably on the John Hiatt song “Thing Called Love” and another hit, “Something to Talk About.” No matter the song, no matter the mood, Bonnie and her band nailed it.

Bonnie brought out Marc Cohn during the encore, where they duetted on Van Morrison’s “Crazy Love.” (Bonnie introduced the song as one from another excitable redhead.) At 74 years young, Bonnie hasn’t lost a thing, her voice and slide guitar as expressive and soulful as ever. She is a national treasure, and I hope she keeps going for years to come.

The little getaway was wrapped up with a visit to the Night Gardens at Fairchild Tropical Botanical Gardens. By day, Fairchild is a 65-acre lush tropical garden. By night during the holidays, Fairchild comes alive with multi-colored lights, lasers, sculptures and mists that catch the lights as they blow through the trees and plants.

And so the short getaway ended, and the immediate future seems easier. It’s good to get away sometimes!

— John’s Perpetual Island Tour will make a couple of special stops this Friday at Boondocks and Saturday at Porky’s, and otherwise stops every Monday at Boondocks, Tuesday and Wednesday at the Key Colony Inn, and Thursdays at Sparky’s Landing. Check out John’s music anywhere you stream or download your music, or visit johnbartus.hearnow.com.

My Market Report for 10/1/2021 - 10/31/2022

MARKET REPORT: LOWER KEYS MARKET REPORT: MIDDLE KEYS

My Market Report for 10/1/2021 - 10/31/2022

John Bartus is a singer-songwriter and the former mayor of Marathon.

JOHN BARTUS

MM 1 - Inez Martin Child Care Center (C16M0012)

1100 Varela St., Key West, FL 33040 Contact: Christine Patterson • 305-809-5055 • christine.patterson@wesleyhouse.org Vacancies: 3 teachers

MM 2 - Sunbeam Christian School (C16MO0034)

1311 5th St., Key West, FL 33040 Contact: Jerlyn Matthews • 305-2946018 • sunbeam@fsbckw.org Vacancies: 3 teachers

MM 5 - Lighthouse Christian Academy (C16MO0014) 5580 MacDonald Ave, Key West, FL 33040 Jennifer Sisco • 305-292-5582 • lcaoffice@cwckw.org Vacancies: 1 floater

MM 22.9 - Banana Cabanna Academy Inc. (C16MO0054) 22673 Pieces of Eight Rd, Cudjoe Key, FL 33042 Contact: Roxanne Rosado • 305-745-1400 • banana.cabanna@att.net Vacancies: 2 teachers

MM 47 - Kreative Kids Christian Academy (X16MO0001)

4711 Overseas Hwy, Marathon, FL 33050

Contact: Maria Vaillant • 305-743-7165 Kreativekidsca@bellsouth.net • vaillantmaria@yahoo.com Vacancies: 2 teachers

MM 49 - Grace Jones Community Center, Inc. (C16MO0048) 230 41st Street Gulf, Marathon, FL 33050

Kelly Ullrich • 305-743-6064 • gjcckids@gmail.com Vacancies: 3 teachers

MM 87.5 - St. James Children’s Center (C16MO0033) 87500 Overseas Hwy, I slamorada, FL 33036

Contact: Sue Ellen Bennett • 305-852-2161 • childrenscenter@stjamesthefisherman.org Vacancies: 1 teacher

MM 92 - Burton Memorial CDC (C16MO0018) 93001 Overseas Hwy, Tavernier, FL 33070

Contact: Nilda Bernaldez • 305-852-0250 • acabar11@yahoo.com Vacancies: 2 part-time floaters

MM 99 - First Baptist Church Jack Hill Child Care (C16MO0021) 99001 Overseas Hwy, Key Largo, FL 33037

Contact: Leeanna Woods • 305-451-2125 • fbcjhccc@yahoo.com Vacancies: 1 teacher

NALOXONE KITS AVAILABLE TO KEYS RESIDENTS

Increasing access critical to combatting opioid epidemic

but it is not intended to substitute for professional medical care. Individuals should call 911 immediately when an opioid overdose is suspected, before administering Naloxone.

People requesting a kit from DOHMonroe must be 18 years old or older, individuals at risk of experiencing an opioid overdose and caregivers who may witness an opioid overdose or others likely to experience or witness an opioid overdose.

Naloxone kits can be obtained, no questions asked, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday at DOH-Monroe offices at the following locations:

Gato Building, 1100 Simonton Street, Key West, FL 33040, 305-2937500

Ruth Ivins Center, 3333 Overseas Highway, Marathon, FL 33050, 305293-7500

Roth Building, 50 High Point Road, Tavernier, FL 33070, 305-293-7500

OPEN ENROLLMENT ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE FOR

FREE TO MONROE COUNTY

RESIDENTS

Providing Naloxone through county health departments will increase support to individuals across the state dealing with substance use disorder and help prevent overdose deaths in Florida. CONTRIBUTED

The Florida Department of Health in Monroe County (DOH-Monroe) is announcing the availability of free Naloxone (Narcan) nasal spray kits. This life-saving medication could reduce thousands of substance abuse deaths across the state.

Naloxone is available to people who use drugs, people with a history of drug use, others at risk of experiencing an overdose, friends, family members and others who may witness an overdose. Kits consist of two Naloxone nasal sprays that are administered even without a health care professional present.

“Last year almost 8,000 people in Florida lost their lives to drug overdoses,” said Carla Fry, assistant county health administrator. “Addressing the opioid epidemic is a top priority for the state. DOH-Monroe is very excited to proactively address this issue locally here in Monroe County by offering Naloxone (Narcan) directly to people who may benefit from this life-saving intervention.”

Naloxone is a medication that reverses the effects of an opioid overdose, restoring breathing and consciousness within minutes of being administered to a person who has overdosed. Naloxone can be administered by a bystander (non-health care professional) before emergency medical assistance becomes available,

Naloxone kits are also available, no questions asked, at the following Guidance Care Center locations:

Upper Keys: 99198 Overseas Hwy, Suite 5, Key Largo, FL 33037, (305) 4347660

Middle Keys: 3000 41st Street, Ocean Marathon, FL 33050, (305) 4347660

Lower Keys: 1205 Fourth St., Key West, FL, 33040, (305) 434-7660

Naloxone kits are free, and no appointment is necessary. People using Naloxone will receive educational material, optional referrals and connections for substance abuse intervention.

Increasing access to Naloxone is a critical component in battling the opioid epidemic, especially in rural areas or counties with limited access to health care. Providing Naloxone through county health departments will increase support to individuals across the state dealing with substance use disorder and help prevent overdose deaths in Florida.

The Florida Department of Health is working with the Florida Department of Children and Families through the Overdose Prevention Program, or iSaveFL, which facilitates the distribution of Naloxone kits to families, friends, and caregivers of those at risk for an opioid overdose. The iSaveFL website provides information on finding Naloxone in your community and resources on treatment, overdose education, and prevention.

Free assistance with the annual Open Enrollment application process is available now to Monroe County residents who would like to shop, compare and enroll or renew their health insurance plans with coverage beginning in the 2023 plan year.

People must enroll on or before Thursday, Dec. 15, 2022 for coverage to begin on January 1, 2023. People who enroll between Dec. 16, 2022 and Jan. 15, 2023 will have coverage starting Feb. 1, 2023.

Four local organizations are able to provide free expert assistance with the process:

• Womankind (305-879-1965 or 305-294-4044)

• Health Insurance Navigation Program at Epilepsy Alliance Florida (877-553-7453)

• Community Health of South Florida (CHI) (Key West or Tavernier – 786-387-9260; Marathon –305-926-0259)

• Rural Health Network (305-5176613, ext. 517)

Carolyn Thomson is a federally certified “Health Insurance Navigator” with scheduled events throughout the Open Enrollment period to make it convenient for Monroe County residents to come see her in person to ask questions and get personalized help.

"If you need health coverage, or just have questions about health insurance, I'm here to help, and it's free!" said Thomson, ACA Health Insurance Navigator with Epilepsy Alliance Florida. "The best thing about my job is helping people understand the Market-

place, how health insurance works and the different options available to them. But my favorite thing to do is to enroll people in an affordable health plan that fits their needs."

Thomson will be available at the following locations throughout the Open Enrollment period, which ends Jan. 15, 2023:

Mondays from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.: Gato Building, 1100 Simonton St., Key West Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.: Mount Sinai/ Key West Medical Center, 2505 Flagler Ave., Key West Community Health of South Florida (CHI) will have a certified health counselor available in Marathon and Tavernier for in-person free assistance. For dates, times and locations, visit chisouthfl.org/acainsurance.

The Florida Department of Health in Monroe County encourages everyone without health insurance to take advantage of the free assistance for the following reasons:

Four out of five consumers are eligible for health coverage for $10 a month or less.

People cannot be denied health insurance due to any pre-existing conditions.

Quality health coverage is now more affordable with lower premiums.

All health plans must cover 10 essential benefits including preventative care, emergency services, maternity and more.

Health insurance provides financial assistance for medical expenses, reducing the uncertainties of the high costs of sickness and injury.

Carolyn Thomson is ready to assist with insurance enrollment in Key West. CONTRIBUTED

Keys orchestra and choir plan Christmas concerts

The Keys Chamber Orchestra and the Lower Keys Community Choir will perform Christmas cantatas on Tuesday, Dec. 6 at the Big Pine United Methodist Church, 280 Key Deer Blvd., BPK; Wednesday, Dec. 7 at San Pablo Catholic Church, 550 122nd St. Ocean, Marathon; and Thursday, Dec. 8 at Venture Out Resort, 701 Spanish Main Dr., Cudjoe Key. All concerts begin at 7:30 p.m. and last about an hour. The concerts are free, there is plenty of free parking and there will be a goodwill offering at each to help pay for next season’s music. All are welcome.

Marathon Library swings into December

Nov. 25-26: Library closed for Thanksgiving holiday.

Saturday, Nov. 26: Easy Yoga: Adaptive yoga for those with injuries or limitations (adults) 10 a.m.; Arts and Crafts (kids) 1 p.m.; Open Lab: Robots, games and virtual reality for a family fun afternoon, 2:30 p.m.

Monday, Nov. 28: Insurance Enrollment Assistance: Get help during open enrollment, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; 3D Printing Lab, 10 a.m.; Teen Advisory Group, 3 p.m.

Tuesday, Nov. 29: Fine Art: Sketch, paint or use acrylics. Supplies included or bring your favorite tools (adults/ teens) 9:30 to 11:30 a.m.; Mahjong: Game of Tiles. 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.; Storytime: Songs, crafts, stories and rhymes, 10:30 a.m (ages newborn-5); Paradise Quilters, 1 p.m.; Sketching workshop (teens & young adults) 3 p.m.; Dungeons & Dragons (adults), 5 p.m.

Wednesday, Nov. 30: Easy Yoga (adults) 10 a.m.; Mindfulness meetup with Carolyn Sant Angelo: A free weekly course until Dec. 14. Registration required, see website and social media to register or call library for info (adults) 2 to 4 p.m.; R.E.A.D. Tutor: Improve kids’ out-loud reading with our specially trained dog (kids) 3 p.m.; Dungeons & Dragons (teens) 3 p.m.

Thursday, Dec.1: Homeschool learning activities, 10:30 a.m.; Kids D & D: Fun, imagination and kid story adventures (ages 9-12) 3:30 p.m.; Lego Maker Lab: Lego building, disassembling electronics and much more (kids) 4 p.m.

Key West flag burning marks end of hurricane season

The Conch Republic will celebrate another end to hurricane season by burning the black-and-red hurricane flag at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 30. The event takes place at Truman Waterfront Park in front of the historic Coast Guard ship Ingham. Join Conch Republic dignitaries and military forces, elected officials and civic leaders to say farewell to the 2022 hurricane season. Make a toast to the sunset and listen to live music on the deck of the Ingham at Truman Waterfront. Live music with Raven Cooper and Uncle Bob begins at 4 p.m., and the ceremony starts at 4:30 p.m. The event will include the blowing of a conch shell and presentation of the colors by the Key West Cadet Squadron U.S. Civil Air Patrol

The Conch Republic suffered only minor damage when Hurricane Ian passed and the island nation sends its prayers to the many who were not as fortunate.

Peanut Butter Challenge collects more than 200 pounds

The University of Florida, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Extension Monroe County participated in a statewide Peanut Butter Challenge that ran from Oct. 1 through October 31. Monroe County Extension Services was able to collect over 200 pounds of peanut butter that will be distributed to local food pantries throughout the Florida Keys. In addition to the community donations, the Florida Peanut Producers Association (FPPA) and Florida Peanut Federation (FPF) are going to match the community donations. The matched donated jars will be distributed to counties’ food pantries that have been affected by the recent storm. Thank you to all who participated.

DIVE SAFETY

HISTORY OF DIVING MUSEUM LECTURE DELVES INTO HYPERBARIC MEDICINE

Join the History of Diving Museum on Sunday, Dec. 4 for an in-person presentation on hyperbaric medicine, presented by Dr. David Charash, physician and diving expert. The lecture begins at 2 p.m. Understanding how decompression sickness and arterial gas embolism might occur is the first step in recognizing its symptoms. During the discussion, Charash will review things to look for and the steps to take to improve your dive safety. There will be plenty of opportunities for questions.

Dr. David Charash is board certified in emergency medicine and hyperbaric medicine. He is a NOAA dive medicine physician and a certified dive medical fitness examiner. CONTRIBUTED

Charash is a physician who has cared for the diving community for over 30 years. He is board certified in emergency medicine and hyperbaric medicine. He is a NOAA dive medicine physician and a certified dive medical fitness examiner. He recently received the Divers Alert Network (DAN)/Rolex Diver of the Year Award for 2022, and is a DAN Referral Physician and DAN Instructor.

He is founder of Dive Medicine and Hyperbaric Consultants. Charash lectures locally, nationally and internationally on all aspects of dive medicine, safety and technology. He volunteers as a researcher with DAN, and is currently involved in an investigation looking at the effects of diving and decompression sickness. He is the host on the podcast series “Fitness in Diving.”

Charash will be presenting in-person as well as over Zoom. The museum will be hosting the presentation on-site with limited seating in the Bauer Diving History Research Library as well as through a private Zoom meeting. If you are interested in attending in person, email the community outreach team at programs@divingmuseum.org or call the museum at 305-664-9737. To register for the Zoom Meeting visit DivingMuseum.org. Spaces will be limited; you must register in advance. For those unable to attend in-person or virtually, the session will be recorded and posted to the HDM YouTube channel.

LEGAL NOTICES

FICTITIOUS NAME

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the undersigned, desiring to engage in business under the fictitious name of BDM PROPERTY SERVICES located at 3312 Northside Drive, Unit 104, Key West, FL 33040 intends to register said name with the Florida Department of State, Tallahassee, Florida.

By: Awesomeness Enterprises

LLC Publish: November 24, 2022

The Weekly Newspapers

NOTICE OF PUBLIC SALE

U-HAUL COMPANY OF MIAMI

Notice is here by given that on December 12th, 2022, 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.

James Stogner Unit 1652 $865.60 Sheila Chamberlain Unit 1167 $641.50

Norma de la Torre Unit 1581 $1,434.28 Publish: November 24th & December 1st, 2022

The Weekly Newspapers

NOTICE OF INTENT TO USE

UNIFORM METHOD OF COLLECTING NON-AD VALOREM

LEGAL NOTICES

ASSESSMENTS

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN that on December 7 2022, at 9:00 a.m. or as soon thereafter as it may be heard, at the Monroe County BOCC Chambers at the Murray Nelson Government Center, 102050 Overseas Highway, Key Largo, Florida, the Monroe County Board of County Commissioners will consider adoption of the following resolution:

A RESOLUTION OF Monroe County, FLORIDA ELECTING TO USE THE UNIFORM METHOD OF COLLECTING NON-AD VALOREM SPECIAL ASSESSMENTS LEVIED WITHIN THE County FOR ROADWAY IMPROVEMENTS AND SEA LEVEL RISE IMPROVEMENTS; STATING A NEED FOR SUCH LEVY; PROVIDING FOR THE MAILING OF THIS RESOLUTION; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.

The resolution, if adopted, would indicate the County’s intent to use the uniform method of collecting non-ad valorem special assessments to be levied within the County as authorized by section 197.3632, Florida Statutes, for the cost of providing roadway improvements and sea level rise improvements for the Fiscal Year beginning on October 1, 2023 and continuing until discontinued by the County.

The proposed resolution, which contains the legal description of the real property subject to the levy and states the need for the special assessment, can be inspected by the public by viewing the agenda packet for this meeting at: http:// monroecountyfl.iqm2.com/ citizens/default.aspx

All interested persons are invited to attend, either in person or by zoom. The zoom link can be found at: http://monroecountyfl. iqm2.com/citizens/default.aspx

Pursuant to Section 286.0105, Florida Statutes, notice is given

LEGAL NOTICES

that if a person decides to appeal any decision made by the Board with respect to any matter considered at such hearings or meetings, he will need a record of the proceedings and that, for such purpose, he may need to ensure that a verbatim record of the proceedings is made, which record includes the testimony and evidence upon which the appeal is to be based.

ADA ASSISTANCE: If you are a person with a disability who needs special accommodations in order to participate in this proceeding, please contact the County Administrator’s Office, by phoning (305) 2924441, between the hours of 8:30a.m. – 5:00p.m., prior to the scheduled meeting; if you are hearing or voice-impaired, call “711”. Live Closed-Captioning is available via our web portal @ http://monroecountyfl.iqm2. com/Citizens/Default.aspx for meetings of the Monroe County Board of County Commissioners. Dated at Key West, Florida, this 1st day of November 2022.

KEVIN MADOK, Clerk of the Circuit Court and ex officio Clerk of the Board of County Commissioners of Monroe County, Florida Publish: November 10, 17, 24 and December 1, 2022

The Weekly Newspapers

NOTICE OF INTENT TO USE UNIFORM METHOD OF COLLECTING NON-AD VALOREM ASSESSMENTS

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN that on December 7, 2022, at 9:00 a.m. or as soon thereafter as it may be heard, at the Monroe County BOCC Chambers at the Murray Nelson Government Center, 102050 Overseas Highway, Key Largo, Florida, the Monroe County Board of County

Dr. Roberto Leoni, D.O. will be relocating North, and is no longer practicing at Islamorada Medical Center at the following location e ective December 13, 2022: 90130 Old High way, Tavernier, FL 33070.

Patients are encouraged to continue receiving their medical care at Islamorada Medical Center with Dr. Leoni until his last day, and after December 13th, with one of our many excellent physicians at Islamorada Medical Center including Dr. Miguel Diaz, Dr. Julio Gonzalez, Dr. Bledar Haxhiu, Dr. Kelvin Ong and Dr. Douglas Guevara.

Patients who wish to receive copies of their medical records may contact the o ce by calling 305-852-9300, or by sending an email to scheduling@islamoradamedicalcenter.com, to request a records release.

Publish: November 17 & 24, and December 1 & 8, 2022. The Weekly Newspapers.

LEGAL NOTICES

A RESOLUTION OF Monroe County, FLORIDA ANNOUNCING

NOTICE OF INTENT TO USE THE UNIFORM METHOD OF COLLECTING NON-AD VALOREM SPECIAL ASSESSMENTS LEVIED WITHIN THE County BEGINNING WITH the TAX BILL ISSUED IN NOVEMBER 2023 FOR CANAL RESTORATION PROJECTS ON CANALS 82, 83 AND 84 IN KEY LARGO; CANAL 105 IN TAVERNIER; CANALS 255, 287, 290, 295, 297 AND 315 IN BIG PINE KEY; AND CANAL 474 IN GEIGER KEY; STATING A NEED FOR SUCH LEVY; PROVIDING FOR THE MAILING OF THIS RESOLUTION; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.

The proposed resolution, which contains the legal description of the real property subject to the levy and states the need for the special assessment, can be inspected by the public by viewing the agenda packet for this meeting at: http:// monroecountyfl.iqm2.com/ citizens/default.aspx

All interested persons are invited to attend, either in person or by zoom. The zoom link can be found at: http://monroecountyfl. iqm2.com/citizens/default.aspx

Pursuant to Section 286.0105, Florida Statutes, notice is given that if a person decides to appeal any decision made by the Board with respect to any matter considered at such hearings or meetings, he will need a record of the proceedings and that, for such purpose, he may need to ensure that a verbatim record of the proceedings is made, which record includes the testimony and evidence upon which the appeal is to be based.

ADA ASSISTANCE: If you are a person with a disability who needs special accommodations in order to participate in this proceeding, please contact the County Administrator’s Office, by phoning (305) 2924441, between the hours of 8:30a.m. – 5:00p.m., prior to the scheduled meeting; if you are hearing or voice-impaired, call “711”. Live Closed-Captioning is available via our web portal @ http://monroecountyfl.iqm2. com/Citizens/Default.aspx for meetings of the Monroe County Board of County Commissioners. Dated at Key West, Florida, this 1st day of November 2022.

KEVIN MADOK, Clerk of the Circuit Court and ex officio Clerk of the Board of County Commissioners of Monroe County, Florida Publish: November 10, 17, 24 and December 1, 2022 The Weekly Newspapers

NOTICE OF INTENT TO USE UNIFORM METHOD OF COLLECTING NON-AD VALOREM ASSESSMENTS

The Board of County Commissioners of Monroe County, Florida (“the County”) hereby provides notice, pursuant to Section 197.3632(3)(a), Florida Statutes, of its intent to use the uniform method of collecting non-ad valorem special assessments, for the cost of providing certain wastewater capital improvements and connections, to be levied within the unincorporated area of Monroe County encompassing the Stock Island, Key Haven, Big Coppitt, Lower Sugarloaf through Big Pine Key, No Name Key, Long Key, Duck Key; excluding Indies Islands, and three (3) parcels on Boca Chica: RE# 122870-000000, 012288000000, and 122890-000000 for the fiscal year beginning on October 1, 2023 and continuing each year until discontinued by the County. The County will consider the adoption of a resolution electing to use the uniform method of collecting such assessments authorized by Section 197.3632, Florida Statutes, at a public hearing to be held on December 7, 2022

NOTICES

in the Commission Chambers,

E.

Technology (CMT). Such resolution will state the need for the levy and will contain a legal description of the boundaries of the real property subject to the levy. All interested persons are invited to attend.

The proposed resolution may be inspected by the public at the Monroe County website by viewing the agenda packet for the December 7 BOCC meeting which will be posted beginning on November 25, 2022 at: http://monroecountyfl.iqm2. com/citizens/default.aspx. The resolution may also be viewed at the Monroe County Attorney’s office at 1111 12th St. Ste. 408 Key West, FL 33040.

The public can participate in the December 7, 2022, meeting of the Board of County Commissioners of Monroe County, FL by attending in person or via Zoom. The Zoom link can be found in the agenda at http://monroecountyfl.iqm2. com/citizens/default.aspx.

Pursuant to section 286.0105, Florida Statutes, notice is given that if a person decides to appeal any decision made by the Board with respect to any matter considered at such hearings or meetings, he will need a record of the proceedings, and that, for such purpose, he may need to ensure that a verbatim record of the proceedings is made, which record includes the testimony and evidence upon which the appeal is to be based.

ADA ASSISTANCE: If you are a person with a disability who needs special accommodation in order to participate in these proceeding, please contact the County Administrator’s Office, by phoning (305) 292- 4441, between the hours of 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., no later than five (5) calendar days prior to the scheduled meeting; if you are hearing or voice impaired, call “711”. Live Closed-Captioning is available via our web portal @ http://monroecountyfl.iqm2. com/Citizens/Default.aspx for meetings of the Monroe County Board of County Commissioners. Dated at Key West, Florida this 2ndt day of November, 2022.

Kevin Madok, Clerk and ex officio Clerk of the Board of County Commissioners of Monroe County, Florida Publish: November 10, 17, 24 and December 1, 2022

The Weekly Newspapers

NOTICE OF INTENTION TO CONSIDER ADOPTION OF COUNTY ORDINANCE

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN that on December 7, 2022, at 9:00 A.M., or as soon thereafter as the matter may be heard, at the Murray Nelson Government Center, 102050 Overseas Hwy, Key Largo, Florida, the Board of County Commissioners of Monroe County, Florida, intends to consider adopting the following ordinance: AN ORDINANCE OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA, AMENDING CHAPTER 18, PARKS AND RECREATION, OF THE MONROE COUNTY CODE, TO RENAME LITTLE DUCK KEY PARK AS VETERANS MEMORIAL BEACH; AMENDING MONROE COUNTY CODE SECTION 1827(a) TO REFLECT THE PARK NAME CHANGE TO VETERANS MEMORIAL BEACH IN THAT SPECIFIC CODE SECTION; PROVIDING FOR PENALTIES; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; PROVIDING FOR THE REPEAL OF ALL ORDINANCES INCONSISTENT HEREWITH; PROVIDING FOR INCORPORATION INTO THE MONROE COUNTY CODE OF ORDINANCES; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE. The proposed ordinance may be inspected by the public at the Monroe County website by

viewing the agenda packet for the December 7, 2022 meeting, which will be posted beginning on November 22, 2022 at: http://monroecountyfl.iqm2. com/citizens/default.aspx. The ordinance may also be viewed at the Monroe County Attorney’s office at 1111 12th St. Ste. 408 Key West, FL 33040.

The public can participate in the December 7, 2022, meeting of the Board of County Commissioners of Monroe County, FL by attending in person or via Zoom. The Zoom link can be found in the agenda at http://monroecountyfl.iqm2. com/citizens/default.aspx.

ADA ASSISTANCE: If you are a person with a disability who needs special accommodations in order to participate in this proceeding, please contact the County Administrator’s Office, by phoning (305) 2924441, between the hours of 8:30a.m.—5:00p.m., prior to the scheduled meeting; if you are hearing or voice-impaired, call “711”. Live Closed-Captioning is available via our web portal @ http://monroecountyfl.iqm2. com/citizens/default.aspx for meetings of the Monroe County Board of County Commissioners. Dated at Key West, Florida, this 15th day of November 2022.

KEVIN MADOK, Clerk of the Circuit Court and Ex Officio Clerk of the Board of County Commissioners Of Monroe County, Florida Publish: November 24, 2022 The Weekly Newspapers

NOTICE OF FINDING OF NO SIGNFICANT IMPACT AND NOTICE OF INTENT TO REQUEST

RELEASE OF FUNDS October 14, 2022

City of Marathon 9805 Overseas Highway Marathon, FL 33050 305.743.0033

These notices shall satisfy two separate but related procedural requirements for activities to be undertaken by the City of Marathon.

ENVIRONMENTAL CERTIFICATION

The City of Marathon certifies to Florida Department of Economic Opportunity John Bartus in his capacity as Mayor consents to accept the jurisdiction of the Federal Courts if an action is brought to enforce responsibilities in relation to the environmental review process and that these responsibilities have been satisfied. Florida

Department of Economic Opportunity’s approval of the certification satisfies its responsibilities under NEPA and related laws and authorities and allows the City of Marathon to use Program funds.

OBJECTIONS TO RELEASE OF FUNDS

REQUEST

FOR RELEASE OF FUNDS

On or about November 20, 2022, the City of Marathon will submit a request to the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity for the release of Community Development Block Grant – Mitigation funds under Title I of the Housing and Community Development (HCD) Act, as amended, to undertake a project known as Infrastructure Repair Program for the purpose of hardening the City's wastewater infrastructure making it more resistant to the impacts of another hurricane such as Hurricane Irma. The locations for the project are at (5) different treatment plants in the City of Marathon. Areas 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 are included in this project with addresses as follows: Area 3 WWTP - 4095 Overseas Hwy; Area 4 WWTP - 140 Sombrero Beach Rd; Area 5 WWTP - 10685 Overseas Hwy; Area 5 Vac Station - 7280 Overseas Hwy; Area 6 WWTP - 100 Avenue I; Area 7 WWTP - 59255 Overseas Hwy.

FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT

The City of Marathon has determined that the project will have no significant impact on the human environment. Therefore, an Environmental Impact Statement under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) is not required. Additional project information is contained in the Environmental Review Record (ERR) on file at The City of Marathon 9805 Overseas Highway, Marathon, FL 33050 and may be examined or copied weekdays _9_A.M to _4_P.M PUBLIC

COMMENTS

Any individual, group, or agency may submit written comments on the ERR to the Grants Coordinator, Maria Covelli at covellim@ci.marathon. fl.us. All comments received by November 20, 2022 will be considered by the City of

The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity will accept objections to its release of fund and the City of Marathon’s certification for a period of fifteen days following the anticipated submission date or its actual receipt of the request (whichever is later) only if they are on one of the following bases: (a) the certification was not executed by the Certifying Officer of the City of Marathon; (b) the City of Marathon has omitted a step or failed to make a decision or finding required by HUD regulations at 24 CFR part 58; (c) the grant recipient or other participants in the development process have committed funds, incurred costs or undertaken activities not authorized by 24 CFR Part 58 before approval of a release of funds by the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity; or (d) another Federal agency acting pursuant to 40 CFR Part 1504 has submitted a written finding that the project is unsatisfactory from the standpoint of environmental quality. Objections must be prepared and submitted in accordance with the required procedures (24 CFR Part 58, Sec. 58.76) and shall be addressed to Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, Office of Long Term Resiliency at 107 E Madison Street, Tallahassee, FL 32399. Potential objectors should contact the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity to verify the actual last day of the objection period.

Luis Gonzalez, Mayor Publish: November 24, 2022

The Weekly Newspapers

AVISO DE CONSTATACIÓN DE QUE NO HAY IMPACTO SIGNIFICATIVO Y AVISO DE INTENCIÓN DE SOLICITAR LA LIBERACIÓN DE FONDOS Octubre 14, 2022 Ciudad de Maratón 9805 Autopista de Ultramar Maratón, FL 33050 305.743.0033

Estos avisos deberán cumplir con dos requisitos de procedimiento separados pero relacionados para las actividades que llevará a cabo la Ciudad de Maratón. SOLICITUD DE LIBERACIÓN DE FONDOS

Alrededor del 20 de Noviembre de 2022, la Ciudad de Marathon presentará una solicitud al Departamento de Oportunidades Económicas de la Florida para la liberación de la Subvención en Bloque de Desarrollo Comunitario – Fondos de mitigación bajo el Título I de la Ley de Vivienda y Desarrollo Comunitario (HCD), según enmendada, para llevar a cabo un proyecto conocido como Programa de Reparación de Infraestructura con el propósito de endurecer la infraestructura de aguas residuales de la Ciudad haciéndola más resistente a los impactos de otro huracán como el huracán. Irma. Las ubicaciones para el proyecto se encuentran en (5) diferentes plantas de tratamiento en la ciudad de Maraton. Las áreas 3, 4, 5, 6 y 7 se incluyen en este proyecto con las siguientes direcciones: Área

Commissioners will consider adoption of the following resolution:

Murray

Nelson Government Center, 102050 Overseas Highway, Key Largo, Mile Marker 102 and by Communications Media

Marathon prior to authorizing submission of a request for release of funds. Comments should specify which Notice they are addressing.

LEGAL NOTICES LEGAL NOTICES

SIGNIFICATIVO

La Ciudad de Maratón ha determinado que el proyecto no tendrá un impacto significativo en el medio ambiente humano.

Por lo tanto, no se requiere una Declaración de Impacto Ambiental bajo la Ley de Política Ambiental Nacional de 1969 (NEPA). La información adicional del proyecto está contenida en el Registro de Revisión Ambiental (ERR) en el archivo de The City of Marathon 9805 Overseas Highway, Marathon, FL 33050 y puede examinarse o copiarse de lunes a viernes de 9 A.M. a 4 P.M.

COMENTARIOS PÚBLICOS

Cualquier individuo, grupo o agencia puede enviar comentarios por escrito sobre el ERR a la Coordinadora de Subvenciones, Maria Covelli en covellim@ci.marathon.fl.us.

Todos los comentarios recibidos antes del 20 de noviembre de 2022 serán considerados por la Ciudad de Marathon antes de autorizar la presentación de una solicitud de liberación de fondos. Los comentarios deben especificar a qué Aviso se dirigen.

CERTIFICACIÓN AMBIENTAL

La Ciudad de Marathon certifica al Departamento de Oportunidades Económicas de Florida a John Bartus en su calidad de Alcalde que acepta la jurisdicción de los Tribunales Federales si se presenta una acción para hacer cumplir las responsabilidades en relación con el proceso de revisión ambiental y que estas responsabilidades se han cumplido. La aprobación de la certificación por parte del Departamento de Oportunidades Económicas de florida satisface sus responsabilidades bajo NEPA y las leyes y autoridades relacionadas y permite a la Ciudad de Marathon usar los fondos del OBJECIONESPrograma.

A LA LIBERACIÓN DE FONDOS

El Departamento de Oportunidades Económicas de la Florida aceptará objeciones a su liberación de fondos y la certificación de la Ciudad de Marathon por un período de quince días después de la fecha de presentación anticipada o su recepción real de la solicitud (lo que sea posterior) solo si se basan en una de las siguientes bases: (a) la certificación no fue ejecutada por el Oficial Certificador de la Ciudad de Marathon; (b) la Ciudad de Marathon ha omitido un paso o no ha tomado una decisión o hallazgo requerido por las regulaciones de HUD en 24 CFR parte 58; (c) el beneficiario de la subvención u otros participantes en el proceso de desarrollo han comprometido fondos, incurrido en costos o emprendido actividades no autorizadas por 24 CFR Parte 58 antes de la aprobación de una liberación de fondos por parte del Departamento de Oportunidades Económicas de la Florida; o (d) otra agencia federal que actúe de conformidad con 40 CFR Parte 1504 ha presentado una conclusión por escrito de que el proyecto no es satisfactorio desde el punto de vista de la calidad ambiental. Las objeciones deben prepararse y presentarse de acuerdo con los procedimientos requeridos (24 CFR Parte 58, Sec. 58.76) y deben dirigirse al Departamento de Oportunidades Económicas de Florida, Oficina de Resiliencia a Largo Plazo en 107 E Madison Street, Tallahassee, FL 32399. Los posibles objetores deben comunicarse con el Departamento de Oportunidades Económicas de Florida para verificar el último día real del período de objeción. Alcalde, Luis Gonzalez Publish: November 24, 2022

LEGAL NOTICES

NOTICE OF REQUEST FOR COMPETITIVE SOLICITATIONS

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that on Wednesday, January 11, 2023, at 3:00 P.M., the Monroe County Purchasing Office will receive and open sealed responses for the following:

Florida Keys Marathon International Airport Relocate Automated Surface Observation System (ASOS) 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 for submission and the selection criteria may be requested from DemandStar at www.demandstar.com OR www. monroecounty-fl.gov/bids. The Public Record is available upon request.

Monroe County Purchasing Department receives bids electronically. 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 Wednesday, January 11, 2023. 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:

Florida Keys Marathon International Airport Relocate Automated Surface Observation System (ASOS) 1-11-2023

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. Please plan accordingly to ensure that your bid is not rejected due to the file size. Should your bid documents exceed 25MB, in advance of the bid opening, please email: ombpurchasing@monroecounty-fl. gov so accommodations for delivery of your bid can be made prior to the bid opening. Please be advised that it is the bidder’s sole responsibility to ensure delivery of their bid and waiting until the bid opening to address or confirm your bid submission delivery will result in your bid being rejected.

The bid opening for this solicitation will be held virtually, via the internet, at 3:00 P.M., on Wednesday, January 11, 2023. 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# US (New York)

+16699006833,, 4509326156# US (San Jose)

Dial by your location: +1 646 518 9805 (New York)

+1 669 900 6833 (San Jose)

Publish: November 24, 2022

The Weekly Newspapers

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF FLORIDA KEY WEST DIVISION

Case Number: 22-10082-CIVMARTINEZ

IN RE: THE COMPLAINT OF LIGHTHOUSE PARASAIL, INC. AS OWNER OF A 2009 31’ OCEAN

PRO PARASAIL BOAT TITLED “AIRBORNE” BEARING THE HULL IDENTIFICATION NO. CNX00096B909

ITS ENGINES, TACKLE, APPURTENANCES, EQUIPMENT, & ETC., IN A CAUSE OF EXONERATION FROM OR LIMITATION OF LIABILITY, Petitioner.

_________________________/

ORDER APPROVING AD INTERIM STIPULATION, DIRECTING ISSUANCE OF MONITION AND INJUNCTION

A Complaint having been

filed herein on the 26th day of September 2022, by Petitioner, Lighthouse Parasail, Inc. as owner of the 2009 31’ Ocean Pro Parasail Boat "Airborne" bearing the Hull Identification No. CNX00096B909 its Engines, Tackle, Appurtenances, Equipment, etc. (the “Vessel”) for Exoneration From or Limitation of Liability as provided in 46 U.S.C. § 30501 et seq. and pursuant to Rule F of the Supplemental Rules for Certain Admiralty and Maritime Claims for the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, for any and all loss, damage, deaths, personal injuries, damage or destruction of property or other occurrences allegedly resulting from the incident that occurred on or about May 30, 2022, referred to in the Complaint;

And Petitioner having deposited with the Court as security for the benefit of Claimants, an Ad Interim Stipulation not less than or equal to the amount or value of his interest in the vessel and pending freight, if any, as required by the rules of this Court and by the law;

IT IS ORDERED AND ADJUDGED that Ad Interim Stipulation for the value of Petitioner’s interest in the Vessel for no more than the amount of $100,000 plus costs of Court and interest at the rate of six (6%) percent per annum from the date hereof and filed herein by Petitioner as an Ad Interim Stipulation for the purpose of this action, is hereby approved as to form and amount.

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED AND ADJUDGED that Petitioner and any claimant who may properly become a party hereto may contest the amount or value of Petitioner’s interest in the Vessel as fixed in the Ad Interim Stipulation, subject to such increases or decreases in its amount, together with adequate security, as the Court may from time to time order according to the rules and practices of this Court.

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED AND ADJUDGED that if the amount of the Ad Interim Stipulation is not contested by any claimant herein, the Stipulation shall stand as a Stipulation for Value and an appraisal by a Commissioner will not be required.

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED AND ADJUDGED that a monition shall be  issued by the Clerk of this Court advising and  admonishing all persons asserting claims for any and all losses, damages, injuries, deaths or destruction allegedly as a result of the occurrences and happenings recited in the Complaint, to file their respective claims with the Clerk, United States District Courthouse for the Southern District of Florida located at 301 Simonton Street, Key West, Florida 33040, and serve on or mail copies thereof to Petitioner’s attorney, Mintzer Sarowitz Zeris Ledva & Meyers, LLP, on or before December 16, 2022, or be defaulted. If any Claimant desires to contest Petitioner’s right to exoneration from or limitation of liability, Claimant(s) shall file and serve on Petitioner’s attorney an answer to the Complaint, on or before said date, unless his claim has included an answer to the Complaint so designated.  Failure to do so will result in default.

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED AND ADJUDGED that publication of the aforesaid notice in the form required by Rule F of the Supplemental Rules for Certain Admiralty Claims of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure be published in a newspaper of general circulation in the Monroe County area once a week for four successive weeks prior to the date fixed for the filing of claims.  No later than the date of the second weekly publication, a copy of said notice shall be mailed by Petitioner to every person or corporation known by the Petitioner to have a claim against Petitioner arising out of the accident set forth in the Complaint.

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED AND ADJUDGED that the commencement or further

prosecution of any action or proceeding against Petitioner, the vessel or other property of Petitioner with respect to any claims for which Petitioner seeks exoneration from or limitation of liability herein, including any claim arising out of or incident to or connected with any loss, damage, injury, death or destruction, more fully described in the Petition, be and the same is hereby STAYED and RESTRAINED until the hearing and determination of this action.

IT IS FINALLY ORDERED that the service of this order as a restraining order in this District may be made in the usual manner as in any other district of the United States by delivery by the Marshal of the United States for such district of a certified copy of this order on the person or persons to be restrained or to their respective attorneys or, alternatively, by mailing a conformed copy of it to the person or persons to be restrained or to their respective attorney.

DONE AND ORDERED in Chambers at Miami, Florida this 20 day of October, 2022.

JOSE E. MARTINEZ

UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE Publish: November 10, 17, 24 & December 1, 2022 The Weekly Newspapers

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE 16TH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA PROBATE DIVISION CASE NO.: 2022-CP-000102-M IN RE: ESTATE OF FRANKLIN EMIGDIO MEJIA, Deceased.

NOTICE OF ADMINISTRATION

The administration of the estate of FRANKLIN EMIGDIO MEJIA, deceased, is pending in the Circuit Court for Monroe County, Florida, Probate Division, Plantation Key Courthouse, the address of which is 3117 Overseas Highway, Marathon, FL 33050, file number 2022-CP000102-M. The estate is intestate. The names and addresses of the Personal Representative and the Personal Representative's attorney are set forth below. The fiduciary lawyer-client privilege in Florida Statutes Section 90.5021 applies with respect to the Personal Representative and any attorney employed by the Personal Representative. Any interested person on whom a copy of the notice of administration is served is who challenges the validity of the will or codicils, qualification of the personal representative, venue, or the jurisdiction of the court is required to file any objection with the court in the manner provided in Florida Probate Rules WITHIN THE TIME REQUIRED BY LAW, which is on or before the date that is 3 months after the date of service of a copy of the Notice of Administration on that person, or those objections are forever barred.

A petition for determination of exempt property is required to be filed by or on behalf of any person entitled to exempt property under Section 732.402, WITHIN THE TIME REQUIRED BY LAW, which is on or before the later of the date that is 4 months after the date of service of a copy of the Notice of Administration on such person or the date that is 40 days after the date of termination of any proceeding involving the construction, admission to probate, or validity of a will or involving any other matter affecting any part of the exempt property, or the right of such person to exempt property is deemed waived.

An election to take an elective share must be filed by or on behalf of the surviving spouse entitled to an elective share under Sections 732.201732.2155 WITHIN THE TIME REQUIRED BY LAW, which is on or before the earlier of the date that is 6 months after the date of service of a copy of the Notice of Administration on the surviving

spouse, or an attorney in fact or a guardian of the property of the surviving spouse, or the date that is 2 years after the date of the decedent's death. The time for filing an election to take an elective share may be extended as provided in the Florida Probate Rules.

Personal Representative: Felicita Franco Lopez 1570 Overseas Hwy, Lot 64 Marathon, FL 33050

Attorney for Personal Representative: Alexandra J. Sanchez, Esq./FBN 154423

Attorney for Petitioner Heller, Zion & Sanchez, LLP 1428 Brickell Avenue, Suite 600 Miami, Florida 33131 Tel: (305) 373-8001 Publish: November 24 & December 1, 2022

The Weekly Newspapers

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE 16TH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA PROBATE DIVISION CASE NO.: 2022-CP-000102-M IN RE: ESTATE OF FRANKLIN EMIGDIO MEJIA, Deceased.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

The administration of the estate of FRANKLIN EMIGDIO MEJIA, deceased, whose date of death was January 15, 2022, is pending in the Circuit Court for 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 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 WITHIN 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 SECTION 733.702 OF THE FLORIDA PROBATE CODE 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: November 24, 2022.

Personal Representative: Felicita Franco Lopez 1570 Overseas Hwy, Lot 64 Marathon, FL 33050

Attorney for Personal Representative: Alexandra J. Sanchez, Esq./FBN 154423

Attorney for Petitioner Heller, Zion & Sanchez, LLP 1428 Brickell Avenue, Suite 600 Miami, Florida 33131 Tel: (305) 373-8001

Publish: November 24 & December 1, 2022

The Weekly Newspapers

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA PROBATE DIVISION FILE NO.: 21-CP-91-M DIVISION: MIDDLE KEYS IN RE: ESTATE OF HELEN BARBARA MUSACCHIA Deceased.

AMENDED NOTICE TO CREDITORS

The administration of the estate of HELEN BARBARA MUSACCHIA, deceased, whose date of death was November 7, 2021, is pending in the Circuit Court for MONROE County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is 3117 Overseas Highway,

LEGAL NOTICES

Marathon, Florida 33050. 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: November 24, 2022.

Personal Representative: Michele Maria Eichler 22250 County Road 44 Aguilar, Colorado 81020

Attorney for Personal Representative: Richard E. Warner

Attorney Florida Bar Number: 283134 RICHARD E. WARNER, P.A. 12221 Overseas Highway MARATHON, FL 33050 Telephone: (305) 743-6022 Fax: (305) 743-6216 E-mail: richard@rewarnerlaw.com Secondary E-Mail: pamela2@ rewarnerlaw.com Publish: November 24 and December 1, 2022

The Weekly Newspapers

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA PROBATE DIVISION FILE NO.: 2022-000311-CP-K IN RE: THE ESTATE OF CLIFFORD R. STEELE, Deceased.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

The administration of the estate of Clifford R. Steele, deceased, File Number 2022--000311-CP-K, is pending in the Circuit Court for Monroe County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is 500 Whitehead Street, Key West, FL 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 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 WITHIN THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH IN SECTION 733.702 OF THE FLORIDA PROBATE CODE WILL BE FOREVER BARRED. NOTWITHSTANDING THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH ABOVE, ANY CLAIM FILED TWO (2) YEARS OF MORE AFTER THE DECEDENT’S DATE OF DEATH IS BARRED. The date of first publication of this Notice is: November 24, 2022.

Personal Representative:

Telephone 305-448-9022

Attorney for Personal Representative: Susan Strickroot Adams, Esq. Florida Bar No. 616605

Adams & Adams, P.A. 550 Biltmore Way, Suite 1200 Coral Gables, FL 33134 E-mail: susan@adams-adams. com Publish: November 24 and December 1, 2022

The Weekly Newspapers

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA PROBATE DIVISION

FILE NO.: 22-CP-68-M

DIVISION: MIDDLE KEYS IN RE: ESTATE OF J.T. ODOM Deceased.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

The administration of the estate of J.T. Odom, deceased, whose date of death was April 20, 2022, is pending in the Circuit Court for 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 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: November 24, 2022.

Personal Representative: Jean R. Odom 11260 5th Avenue Gulf Marathon, Florida 33050

Attorney for Personal Representative: Robert K. Miller, Esq.

Attorney Florida Bar Number: 359173 Cunningham Miller Rhyne PA 10075 Overseas Hwy PO Box 500938

Marathon, FL 33050 Telephone: (305) 743-9428 Fax: (305) 743-8800

E-Mail: service@floridakeyslaw. com Secondary E-Mail: rmiller@ floridakeyslaw.com Publish: November 24 and December 1, 2022 The Weekly Newspapers

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE SIXTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA PROBATE DIVISION CASE NO.: 22-CP-287-K IN RE: THE ESTATE OF JANE FLORENCE DAWKINS, Deceased.

TO CREDITORS

NOTICE

The administration of the estate of JANE FLORENCE DAWKINS, deceased, whose date of death was August 4, 2022, Case: 22-CP287-K, is pending in the Circuit Court, Probate Division, the address of which is 500 Whitehead Street, Key West, FL 33040. The names and addresses of the personal representative and the

Mary Steele c/o Adams & Adams, P.A. 550 Biltmore Way, Suite 1200 Coral Gables, FL 33134

LEGAL NOTICES

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 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: November 17, 2022.

Personal Representative: JESSICA NEWMAN c/o Samuel J. Kaufman

Law Offices of Samuel J. Kaufman, P.A. 3130 Northside Drive Key West, Florida 33040

Attorney for Personal Representative: Samuel J. Kaufman, Esq. Florida Bar No. 0144304

Law Offices of Samuel J. Kaufman, P.A. 3130 Northside Drive Key West, Florida 33040

Email designation for service: Service.Probate@samkaufmanlaw. com Telephone: (305) 292-3926 Fax: (305) 295-7947 Publish: November 17 & 24, 2022

The Weekly Newspapers

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE SIXTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, IN AND FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA

Case No.: 2022-DR-87-M

Division: Family DAVID RODRIGUEZ, Petitioner, and KAYE RODRIGUEZ, Respondent.

NOTICE OF ACTION FOR DISSOLUTION OF MARRIAGE

TO: Kaye Rodriguez 43 Morley Close Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire LE13 0LG

United Kingdom

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 Michelle Klinger Smith, attorney for David Rodriguez, whose address is 5701 Overseas Highway, Suite 7, Marathon, FL 33050 on or before December 12, 2022, and file the original with the clerk of this Court at 3117 Overseas Highway, Marathon, FL 33050 before service on Petitioner or immediately thereafter. If you fail to do so, a default may be entered against you for the relief demanded in the petition.

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

You must keep the Clerk of the Circuit Court’s office notified of your current address. (You may file Designation of Current Mailing and E-Mail Address, Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.915.)

Future papers in this lawsuit will be mailed or e-mailed to the addresses 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 this 27TH day of October 2022.

Kevin Madok, CPA Clerk of the Circuit Court Monroe County, Florida

By: Shakia Mitchell Deputy Clerk

Publish: November 10, 17, 24 and December 1, 2022

The Weekly Newspapers

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE SIXTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, IN AND FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA CASE NO.: 22-DR-745-K

DIVISION: FAMILY IN RE: THE MARRIAGE OF: MARIO TORRES, Petitioner, and, LAURA ZURITA, Respondent.

NOTICE OF ACTION FOR DISSOLUTION OF MARRIAGE

TO: Laura Zurita

LAST KNOWN ADDRESS: Mexico

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 Mario Torres, whose address is 1019 Margaret Street, Apt. 5, Key West, FL 33040 on or before December 12, 2022, and file the original with the clerk of this Court at 500 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: November 7, 2022 Kevin Madok, CPA Clerk of the Circuit Court Monroe County, Florida

By: Riza Hall Deputy Clerk

Publish: November 10, 17, 24 & December 1, 2022 The Weekly Newspapers

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE SIXTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, IN AND FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA

CASE NO.: 22-DR-229-M

DIVISION: FAMILY

IN RE: THE MARRIAGE OF: HILARIA PARTIDA, Petitioner, and, RAUL EDUARDO JUAREZ SAC, Respondent.

NOTICE OF ACTION FOR DISSOLUTION OF MARRIAGE

TO: Raul Eduardo Juarez Sac

LAST KNOWN ADDRESS: Unknown

YOU ARE NOTIFIED that an action for dissolution of marriage has been filed against you and that you are required to serve a copy of your written defenses, if any, to it on Hilaria Partida, whose address is 1337 Ocean Breeze Avenue, #47, Marathon, FL 33050 on or before December 5, 2022, and file the original with the clerk of this Court at 3117 Overseas Highway, Marathon, FL 33050, before service on Petitioner or immediately thereafter. If you fail to do so, a default may be entered against you for the relief demanded in the petition.

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

LEGAL NOTICES

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: October 31, 2022

Kevin Madok, CPA Clerk of the Circuit Court Monroe County, Florida

By: Calvin Joseph Deputy Clerk Publish: November 3, 10, 17 & 24, 2022

The Weekly Newspapers

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE SIXTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA

CIVIL DIVISION CASE NO.: 2022-CA-000674-K JUDGE: Timothy Koenig RAYMOND J. VAZQUEZ AND MATTHEW A. NOONER, Plaintiff, Vs. NANCY MILLINGER a/k/a NANCY B. MILLINGER, 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 abovenamed 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: NANCY MILLINGER a/k/a NANCY B. MILLINGER, deceased, his 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

BOAT SLIP/TRAILER LEGAL NOTICES

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 abovenamed 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:

All that part parcel or lot of land lying and being in the County of Monroe and State of Florida, described as follows:

In the City of Key West and known on Whitehead’s plan of said city delineated in February, A.D., 1829 as part of Lot Two (2) in Square Number Sixty-three (63):

Commencing at a point one hundred and five (105) feet from Southard Street and two hundred (200) feet from Whitehead Street, and running thence in a Southeasterly direction Fifty (50) feet; thence Northeasterly Forty (40) feet; thence Northwesterly Fifty (50) feet to land adjoining the Estate of John Bullman.  The Southeasterly front of forty (40) feet being along the line of a ten foot alley.

YOU ARE REQUIRED to serve a copy of your written defenses, if any, to it on Richard J. McChesney, Esq., Spottswood, Spottswood, Spottswood, & Sterling, PLLC, Attorney for Plaintiff, whose address is 500 Fleming Street, Key West, FL 33040, on or before the following date: December 5, 2022, and to file the original with the Clerk of the Court either before service on Plaintiff’s attorney or immediately thereafter, otherwise a default will be entered against you for the relief demanded in the Complaint. WITNESS my hand and seal of this Court on 26th day of October, 2022.

KEVIN MADOK, as Clerk of the Court By: Shonta McLeod, as Deputy Clerk Publish: November 3, 10, 17 & 24, 2022 The Weekly Newspapers

EMPLOYMENT

Islamorada Mercantile, an upscale island wear & vacation essentials boutique, is seeking a friendly, customer oriented, fashion forward individual to join our team as a part time sales associate. 81900 O/S Hwy, Islamorada. Contact us today by emailing info@ islamoradamercantile.com

Join the Ocean Dayz Team! We are accepting applications for a Sales Associate in Islamorada. Must be outgoing, detail oriented and willing to work weekends. Experience a plus. Starting pay dependent upon qualifications. Apply in person at Island Dreamz, 84001 Overseas Highway, Islamorada or submit resume to: csteele@oceandayz.com

Night Monitor – FREE Private Room in exchange for overnight coverage at an Assisted Living Facility. 5 nights on, 5 nights off 10pm-8am with weekly stipend Drug and background screen required. Apply at www.westcare.com

All Keys Yamaha hiring a Technician Marine Repair specializing in Yamaha outboard engines. Hours M-F 8a-5p. Apply in person at 2001 Overseas Highway, Marathon. 305-743-3530

Boat rental company in Marathon needs an Outboard Mechanic. Some general marina work, and boat experience a plus. Call 305-481-7006

Pancho's Fuel Dock in Marathon is looking for a part-time cashier Thu/Fri/Sat. Please call 305-743-2281.

NOW HIRING - Full Time Seafood Packers/Graders and Freezer Worker. Competitive Wage. Apply in person at Keys Fisheries Fish House, 3390 Gulfview Ave, Marathon. EOE DFWP

Immediate positions at the Grassy Key Marina. Under new ownership and looking for smiling faces. Fulltime or part-time available. Pay rates are commensurate with experience but we are willing to interview those with no experience who have an interest in working in a marina environment. Please call Randall Glass to schedule an interview at 305-465-1491.

CDL Drivers needed. Must have a clean record & drug free. We are offering competitive wages. Please apply in person at Discount Rock & Sand, 10500 Aviation Blvd, Unit 2, Marathon

City of Marathon Current Job Openings: Paralegal, Utilities Maintenance, Recreation Specialist, Right of Way Technician, Part-time and Marina Tech/Pump Out Captain. Full Benefits. EOE Please see City website for details www.ci.marathon.fl.us

Immediate openings for experienced plumbers and helpers (with or without experience - we will train the right person). Must have a valid driver's

license & clean driving record. Please apply in person at 10700 5th Avenue Gulf, Marathon or email resume to: eerpinc@gmail.com

The Housing Authority of the City of Key West now hiring the following positions: Maintenance Mechanic (Maintenance Worker), Med Tech, Resident Activities Coordinator. To apply, please contact Human Resources at: martinezm@kwha.org or 305296-5621. Applications are available at the Administrative Office located at 1400 Kennedy Dr., Key West, FL 33040 or online at www.kwha.orgEOE & Drug Free Work Place. This opportunity is covered under Section 3 of the HUD Act of 1968.

NOW HIRING: Sweet Savannah's is now hiring for multiple positions: Cashier - must be 16 yrs or older, Fulltime Baker & Part-time Baker's Assistant. Stop by for an application at 8919 Overseas Highway, Marathon or email: info@sweetsavannahs.com

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

Serve/Bartend on the ocean! FT/PT Ocean front private swim club is seeking customer service oriented server/bartender. 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 at 425 E. Ocean Dr. Key Colony Beach or call 404-219-3359 and ask for Dave

FRONT OFFICE ASSISTANT- FULLTIME

Boat Trailer Spaces Available. $100 per week. Boat dockage available $100 per week. Easy access to the Atlantic and lighthouse. Boat length 32’ or less! Dockage is eighty feet long with good depth for boats. Phone 336408-8140 or 336-287-3345.

HOUSING FOR RENT

APARTMENT FOR RENTBeautiful 2 BR, Islamorada, Venetian Shores. On canal, equipped kitchen, W/D, $2,950 + $85 for utilities. 305-393-1002

Key Largo - 2BR/2BA Spacious Doublewide, 1400 sq ft modular on canal w/40’ dock, direct ocean access. Very nice community $3200/month 786-258-3127

STUDIO APT FOR RENT

- Furnished Studio Apt w/ patio, like new, W/D, off street parking. Key West. $2,300/month including util. F/L/S Owner/Agent Douglas Miller 305-747-1700

Las Brisa - 2BR/2BA Unfurnished, great view, W/D, covered parking. Tennis, Swimming Pool & BBQ on property. Across from Smather’s Beach, Key West. $3,900/month + util. F/L/S Owner/Agent Douglas Miller 305-747-1700 LOTS

FOR SALE

RV LOT FOR RENT

TEMPORARY DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM OPERATORS

LOCATION: UPPER FLORIDA KEYS

The Florida Keys Aqueduct Authority is looking for several temporary D.S.O.s to perform entry-level, semi-skilled work, involving the repair and maintenance of FKAA water distribu tion and transmission systems. This position runs through 9/30/23. Qualifications: H.S. diploma or GED. $25.00/hr. with paid holidays and enrollment into the Florida Retirement System. EEO, VPE, ADA, DFWP.

Apply online at www. aa.com/employment

WANTED TO RENT

WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT OPERATOR

LOCATION: CUDJOE KEY & DUCK KEY

Florida “C” license or higher. You will perform skilled/ technical work involving the operation and maintenance of a wastewater treatment plant. This requires technical knowledge and independent judgment to make treatment process adjustments and perform maintenance on plant equipment, machinery, and related control apparatus in accordance with established standards and procedures. Benefit package is extremely competitive! Salary Range: $54,645.98 - $98,454.90.

Apply online at www. aa.com/employment EEO, VPE, ADA, DFW

Join our team! Full and part-time Educational Program Guides/Gift Shop Sales. Public speaking & retail sales experience helpful. $16.00/hour to start. Send resume to: TurtleHospitalMarathon@gmail.com

at www.KeysEnergy.com.

is an Equal Opportunity Employer.