ISLA BELLA HELPS SAVE-A-TURTLE

Save-A-Turtle of the Florida Keys, a local nonprofit organization dedicated to helping sea turtles in the Florida Keys, just received a donation of $8,000 from Marathon’s Isla Bella Beach Resort. On numerous occasions, Isla Bella’s management, employees, their families and volunteers have assisted with SaveA-Turtle’s beach management program, helping with dune restoration, seagrass planting and beach cleanups. Restoring the natural habitats on Keys beaches helps nesting sea turtles and shore birds. This donation is earmarked for continued beach restoration projects in the Keys. Pictured, from left: Justin Nels, managing director, Isla Bella Beach Resort; Harry Appel, president, Save-A-Turtle of the Florida Keys; Gianny Darias, F&B director, Isla Bella Beach Resort; Brenda Hinton, rooms director, Isla Bella Beach Resort. CONTRIBUTED

Obituary

DONALD SCOTTEN JR. 1944-2022

Donald Root Scotten Jr., born on Nov. 4, 1944 in New Castle, Indiana, passed away on Dec. 25, 2022 at the age of 78.

Don was the fourth of five children born to Donald Root Scotten and Mary Lucille McLeod Scotten. He was preceded in death by his wife, Dorothy D. Scotten; his parents; his siblings; and his daughter Michelle. He is survived by his daughters Dani Crowley, Darla Jividen and Deonda Scott. He also leaves behind eight grandchildren and seven greatgrandchildren.

Prior to moving to the Florida Keys, Don served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam conflict. Don had a great love for this country and its people.

Don discovered his true home and purpose once he moved to the Keys. He was an active member of many clubs. These include the Masons, Shriners, Elks, Moose, American Legion and VFW. He loved this community and enjoyed helping however he could.

There is so much more that could be said about Don and the life he led. He was a man of many talents and many interests, and he lived his life to the fullest.

A random quote sums it up best: “Many men have left footsteps on this earth, but there are some who leave a path for others to follow.” Don was truly one of these men.

A celebration of life will be held at the Elks Lodge in Marathon on Saturday, Feb. 4 at 5 p.m. In lieu of flowers, please donate to one of Marathon’s local charities.

What: “Leviathan Wakes” by James S.A. Corey

Why: One of the better sci-fi TV shows of recent years is “The Expanse.” Even better is its source material, a series of novels by James S.A. Corey (a pen name for a pair of writers). “Leviathan Wakes” is the first in the series, and it’s a series you should read in order. These books are good old-fashioned space operas with life-threatening interplanetary peril at every turn, even as the characters are coping with basic human questions. One of the writers formerly worked as an assistant to George R.R. Martin; like A Song of Ice And Fire, the books are built on chapters from alternating characters’ point of view. Unlike Martin, these guys managed to turn around their books in a timely manner – even after TV took an interest! – so you won’t be left hanging as we are in (book-version) “Westeros.”

Where: This is available as an eBook 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 online to get one. Questions? info@ keyslibraries.org

Recommended by: Nancy Klingener, community affairs manager, Monroe County Public Library