‘EVERYBODY’S TALKIN’

Summerland Key has colorful history

Weird things happen in the Florida Keys. Some of these odd occurrences can occasionally appear to have a paranormal connection, which makes sense considering that Key West is said to be one of the most haunted cities in the United States.

Grabbing onto the idea that Key West, occasionally referred to as Key Weird, is not the only island in the chain where unusual events occur, the following potential weirdness is offered.

If you have ever driven along the Overseas Highway and across Summerland Key, near MM 25, and that classic 1960s folk song “Everybody’s Talkin” pops into your head, there may be a good reason.

The song was written by New York folk singer Fred Neil in 1966 and was released the same year. “Everybody’s Talkin” was famously featured in the Jon Voight and Dustin Hoffman classic “Midnight Cowboy.” Though scores of singers have recorded the song, perhaps the most famous version was done by Harry Nilsson. It is Nilsson’s version that is featured in the movie. Nilsson was a favorite of the Beatles and was once considered the “American Beatle.” While his voice might echo in your mind, he is not the reason the song popped into your head.

That reason would be Fred Neil, who wrote the song while recording his second album, the self-titled Fred Neil, in a Los Angeles studio. Anxious to return home to Florida and one track short for his album, Neil’s producer told him that if they recorded one more song, he could leave. According to the story about that moment, Neil went into a bathroom and created the song in 10 minutes. When he stepped back into the studio, he recorded it in one take and flew home to Coconut Grove.

Neil spent his final years living on Summerland Key, where he died in his home on July 7, 2001. When the police arrived, a reported $13 was found in his wallet, and a will was discovered on a nightstand by his bed. Though he was being treated for skin cancer, “natural causes” was noted on his death certificate after the autopsy. Perhaps, though Fred Neil left the physical plane, his spirit is still connected to the Florida Keys and that is the reason an old classic like “Everybody’s Talkin” might seep into your brain as if it had been delivered by the island breezes blowing across Summerland Key.

The island is home to another little mystery that presents a bit of a local puzzle. First, it should be noted that there has been more than one Summerland Key. There is the Summerland Key where Neil died at his home, and 10 miles east, after crossing Ramrod, Little Torch, and Big Pine Keys, there is West Summerland Key – identified in the U.S. Coast & Geodetic Survey chart No. 168, “Florida Reefs Long Key to Newfound Harbor Keys,” as Summerland Key in 1863.

The modern Summerland Key east of West Summerland Key is the larger of the two islands and vastly more developed. Around the turn of the century, it was home to the homestead of the Niles family, which is why the bridge connecting Summerland Key to Cudjoe Key is called the Niles Channel Bridge. When the Niles family owned a large part of the island, they had a chicken farm that also had livestock. In the 1940s, the Niles homestead was bought by Henry Hudgins, who developed the island into the residential community it is today.

When discussing the Summerland Keys, everybody talks about why the name West Summerland Key was chosen when the island is so clearly east of Summerland Key. The answer may be linked to Henry Flagler. As it turns out, before the Key West Extension of the Florida East Coast Railway came thundering down the Florida Keys, West Summerland Key, found in the area of MM 35, was one of three islands. As a group, they were once called the Spanish Harbor Keys. Individually they were known as West Summerland Key, Middle Summerland Key, and the easternmost island of the bunch that appears to have gone officially unnamed. During the Flagler era, fill was used to create the singular West Summerland Key.

An author, speaker, Florida Keys historian and Honorary Conch. His latest book, “Florida Keys History with Brad Bertelli, Volume 1,” shares fascinating glimpses into the rich and sometimes surprising histories of the Florida Keys.

While it is certainly odd that West Summerland Key was east of Summerland Key, the “west” designation was not referencing Summerland Key but the three Spanish Harbor Keys. It was the westernmost of those three islands and had no real connection to the larger Summerland Key.

West Summerland Key was once home to several Indian mounds and some buildings left over from the days when Henry Flagler’s men were building his railroad. They were also used for housing, as can be seen in the accompanying photograph. The island has since been renamed Scout Key and is home to the nine-acre oceanfront property called Camp Jackson Sawyer Boy Scout camp.

A classic folk song might not be drifting on the Atlantic breeze while crossing West Summerland Key, across Scout Key, but don’t be surprised if “Everybody’s Talkin” suddenly crawls into your head like an earworm while driving over Summerland Key.

Railroad structures on West Summerland. MONROE COUNTY LIBRARY COLLECTION/Contributed

T H E B E A C H B A R

HOUDINI

3-year-old female mixed breed.

Looking for: A friend. I love people!

Turnoffs: Cages and kennels. How do you think I got my name?

Take Me Home

Adorable furry faces are waiting for families at the Florida Keys SPCA

J o i n u s a t M a h i n a , w h e r e t h e

P a c i f i c R i m m e e t s F l o r i d a K e y s s e a f o o d , o r p u l l u p a s t o o l a n d c a t c h t h e o c e a n b r e e z e a t T h e

B e a c h B a r

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. Thanks to Luci’s Fund, adoption fees for dogs like Buddha are waived all month long.

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.

PC

6-month-old male domestic shorthair.

Looking for: I’m a former street kitten looking for a home.

Turnoffs: Nothing! I’m a happy dude.

STITCH

1-year-old female rabbit.

Looking for: Now that I’m fixed, I’d love a rabbit companion.

Turnoffs: I’m recovering from surgery, but I’m all better now.

Briefly

Author Jessica Argyle to speak at the Marathon library

Author Jessica Argyle will discuss her new historical novel, "Sidetrack Key," at 2 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 9, as part of the Marathon Library’s Coffee, Cookies & Conversation speaker series. The talk is free and open to all.

In "Sidetrack Key," after disposing of her vicious husband Billy in the Great Depression, Elle Woodman returns to No Name Key, a crumbling house and a woman who knows exactly what she did. The 1935 Labor Day hurricane ushers Elle into a new life on No Name Key, safely washing Billy’s remains out to sea where he can never hurt her again. But Blanche, who owns the lodge where Elle works, loved Billy and suspects Elle of murdering him.

The speaker series continues at 2 p.m. on Thursdays through March. Go to www.keyslibraries.org and click “events” to see upcoming speakers. For more information, stop by the library or call 305-743-5156.

Marathon Shrine Club to conduct annual charity drive

The Marathon Shrine Club wishes to thank the citizens, visitors and Shriners of the Middle Keys in advance for their continuing support of the club’s charity drive, to be held on Saturday, Feb. 18. Collected funds go to the support of Shriners Hospitals and the Transportation Fund at Mahi Temple. These funds are used exclusively to transport Keys and South Florida children to the Shrine Hospital in Tampa or to one of the other Shrine Hospitals scattered around the country. At these hospitals, children are given free state-of-the-art orthopedic care and burn treatment. The Transportation Fund ensures that the children are able to get to the hospitals for their care and follow-up treatment without any cost.

Those who know any child under the age of 18 who could benefit from orthopedic, spinal cord or burn treatment are encouraged to call the organization at 800-237-5055 and get the ball rolling.

Florida Keys Arts Council issues call to visual artists

The Monroe County Art in Public Places Committee and Florida Keys Council of the Arts has a call to visual artists to become qualified as public artists. Artists who are approved through this process become eligible for five years to apply to all calls including upcoming projects, the Key West International Airport Expansion, Monroe County Library Branch renovations and more.

The application and information are at www.keysarts.com. Application requirements include an artist statement, cur- rent resume, five to 10 images of recent artwork and a cover page.

The deadline for applications is Tuesday, Feb. 7 at 3 p.m. Artists must meet the criteria in the initial application process to become qualified. Qualified artists will then be eligible to receive the request for proposals (RFPs) issued by Monroe County for five years, as well as for the city of Key West’s Public Art Program. Please call the Florida Keys Council of the Arts at 305-295-4369 with any questions.

Florida Keys Wildlife Society announces astronomy lecture

The Florida Keys Wildlife Society will hold a lecture on Monday, Feb. 6 at 7 p.m. featuring speakers Jay and Elizabeth Elliott. The Elliotts have been sharing their knowledge and presenting numerous astronomy educational programs in the Florida Keys since 2013. Elizabeth became a NASA Solar System Ambassador volunteer in 2009 and has presented many programs specifically related to NASA missions. Their lecture will provide an explanation of what you could see and why you should see what is in the night sky. There will be a short talk followed by activities, star hopping, stories and a look through the telescopes. The free lecture will take place at the Florida Keys National Wildlife Refuge Nature Center located at 30587 Overseas Highway in Big Pine Key.

Come take a class at the Marathon Library

The Marathon Library has a wide variety of class offerings, ranging from photography to book clubs, robots, virtual reality and more. Scan the QR code here to see the schedule and get involved.

Taoist Tai Chi Society to hold introductory sessions

The Florida Keys branch of the Taoist Tai Chi Society is holding introductory sessions at St. Columba Episcopal Church's parish hall on Monday evenings at 6:30 p.m. and Thursdays at 9 a.m. All are welcome to attend. For more information call 877-398-1108 or email floridakeys@taoisttaichi.org.

New charter high school is accepting applications

CFK Academy, a tuition-free public charter high school, focuses on science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) and career technical education (CTE). CFK Academy students can access college-level courses on the Key West campus to simultaneously earn college and high school credits through the college’s dual enrollment program.