Key West Weekly 23-0302

$25

One of our most popular annual events, the Artist Studio Tours takes you to the neighborhoods of Key West with a carefully curated collection of creative work spaces.

TOUR STOPS

water, tea, soda

TOUR STOPS

Meggi Siegert, painter

*BUY DAY-OF TIX HERE!

Stop #1 - 718 Olivia Street

5 Brothers con leches, sandwiches Chevron gas station

Stop #2 - 816 Johnson Avenue

Meggi Siegert, painter

*BUY DAY-OF TIX HERE!

Stop #1 - 718 Olivia Street e Turtle House, Susan Sugar, painter

Stop #2 - 816 Johnson Avenue

Stop #3 - 9 Gerome Avenue

Scott Gruppé, painter

e Turtle House, Susan Sugar, painter

Stop #4 - 625 Grinnell Street

Stop #3 - 9 Gerome Avenue

Rosalind Brackenbury, writer

Scott Gruppé, painter

Rebecca Bennett, painter

Jessica Argyle, writer

Stop #4 - 625 Grinnell Street

Stop #5 - 509 Margaret Street

Rosalind Brackenbury, writer

Rebecca Bennett, painter

Mimi Hein, visual artist

Jessica Argyle, writer

Stop #5 - 509 Margaret Street

Mimi Hein, visual artist

$30/$25

ADVANCE TIX: TSKW.ORG

DAY-OF: STOP #1 (718 OLIVIA)

sponsored by Jane Gardner Interiors Susan Sugar photo by Lena Perkins

This eyebrow home is located in Key West's sought-after Meadows neighborhood. This historic (c. 1889) gems been renovated to the highest standards. Attention has been paid to every detail while maintaining the authentic charm of old Key West. Quiet and private, the beautifully landscaped large corner lot has lush tropical native Keys landscaping, a 30'X10' saltwater pool, and multiple places for outdoor entertaining. The property includes off-street parking in a carport equipped with an electric vehicle charging station. This home, which captures the true magic and romance of Key West, has too many features to mention. It will satisfy the most discerning buyer!

KEY WEST | $3,775,000 | Listing ID: 604115

| 305.294.1117

5450 MacDonald Ave. No.5 Key West, FL 33040 Office: 305.453.6928 www.keysweekly.com

Publisher Britt Myers britt@keysweekly.com

Publishing Partner Jason Koler jason@keysweekly.com

Editor Mandy Miles mandy@keysweekly.com

Director of Sales

Manuela Carrillo Mobley manuela@keysweekly.com

Account Executive

Stephanie Mitchell stephanie@keysweekly.com

Staff Writers

Jim McCarthy jim@keysweekly.com

Alex Rickert alex@keysweekly.com

Copy Editor Mike Howie mike@keysweekly.com

Production Manager

Anneke Patterson anneke@keysweekly.com

Executive Administrator

Charlotte Hruska char@keysweekly.com

Design / Pre-Press

Irene de Bruijn irene@keysweekly.com

Javier Reyes javier@keysweekly.com

Design / Web Master

Travis Cready travis@keysweekly.com

Classifieds

Anneke Patterson anneke@keysweekly.com

305.743.0844

Se habla español

THE KEY WEST WEEKLY (ISSN 1944-0812) IS PUBLISHED WEEKLY FOR $125 PER YEAR BY WEEKLY NEWSPAPERS, INC., 9709 OVERSEAS HIGHWAY, MARATHON FL 33050.

APPLICATION TO MAIL AT PERIODICALS POSTAGE RATES IS PENDING AT FORT LAUDERDALE FL AND ADDITIONAL MAILING OFFICES.

All stories, photos, and graphics are copyrighted materials.

Postmaster SEND ADDRESS CHANGES TO THE KEYS WEEKLY, 9709 OVERSEAS HIGHWAY, MARATHON FL 33050

News Deadline Monday Noon

Advertising Deadline Tuesday 2 p.m.

Student loan forgiveness of up to $20,000 is at stake for some 40 million Americans. On Feb. 28, the U.S. Supreme Court began to hear two cases challenging President Joe Biden’s student loan forgiveness plan that he announced last August. Those earning less than $125,000 would get up to $10,000 in federal student loan debt canceled, while households making less than $250,000 would receive up to $20,000 in debt relief.

‘MAN OUR SHIP AND BRING HER TO LIFE’

NAVY DESTROYER WILL BE COMMISSIONED IN KEY WEST

mandy@keysweekly.com

This is a big deal.

The Navy’s newest guided missile destroyer, the USS Lenah Sutcliffe Higbee, will be commissioned in Key West on May 13.

“If you’ve never seen a ship commissioning, you’re in for a treat. It’s by far one of the military’s most impressive traditions,” said Eddie Kertis, a member of the Key West Navy League who’s working with the local Commissioning Committee to raise funds for a week of events.

“The crew of the Higbee voted 9 to 1 to hold their commissioning in Key West, and we’re so excited to welcome them.”

The USS Lenah Higbee was christened and launched in 2021 in Pascagoula, Mississippi, but won’t become an official part of the U.S. Navy until it’s commissioned here. The Navy’s commissioning traditions date back to 1775.

The 510-foot Higbee has been at sea for more than a year as its crew tests and masters all its state-of-theart systems before entering official service. The ship’s namesake, Lenah Higbee, was a Navy nurse pioneer. She was the first woman to receive the Navy Cross for her exemplary work as superintendent of the newly formed U.S. Navy Nurse Corps during World War I.

“During the commissioning ceremony, orders are given to hoist the colors (flag) and the commissioning pennant,” states the Navy website. “At the moment the commissioning pennant is broken at the masthead, the ship becomes a Navy command in her own right, and a member of the Navy fleet.

“The most iconic part of the ceremony occurs when the ship’s sponsor gives the order, ‘Officers and crew of the USS Lenah Sutcliffe Higbee, man our ship and bring her to life.’ Crew members run aboard the ship and man the rails side by side as the ship’s systems come online.”

Before the commissioning…

In the weeks leading up to the May 13 commissioning, the Key West Navy League, Military Affairs Committee and other organizations are working tirelessly to involve the Key West community and raise money for commissioning-week events.

Local elementary school students are taking part in a coloring contest featuring an outline of the ship.

The Girls Night Out organization’s monthly happy hour event will benefit the Commissioning Committee on Tuesday, March 7 at the Hemingway Rum Co. from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

“Girls Night Out Ladies will be treated to a welcome rum cocktail,

live music, a multi-prize raffle, munchies and desserts, and a cash bar with special pricing. An entry donation of $5 gets you your first raffle ticket. Additional tickets may be purchased,” states a press release.

The Navy League will be hosting many events in the coming months to raise money and awareness of the importance of such a major military event happening in Key West.

The commissioning ceremony, the culmination of a week of events for the crew of 350, their families, and as many as 5,000 visitors, will be open to all, with free tickets available.

For more information on the Higbee commissioning and the Navy League, Key West Council visit higbeecommissioning.org or navyleaguekeywest.org.

MANDY MILES

The Navy’s new 510-foot guided missile destroyer, Lenah Higbee, will be commissioned in Key West on May 13 with a week of special events for the crew and their families. CONTRIBUTED

The Lenah Higbee, the Navy’s newest guided missile destroyer, will be commissioned in Key West on May 13. MICHAEL DUHE/Contributed

SPRING SOCIAL SPRING SOCIAL

FRIDAY, MARCH 3, 2023

COFFEE BUTLER AMPHITHEATER

5:30PM VIP CHAMPAGNE RECEPTION & APPETIZERS

6:30PM DOORS OPEN FOR GENERAL ADMISSION

» RUDE GIRL ¶ GWEN FILOSA MUSIC BY TONY BALTIMORE ¶ THE WILDE AWAKE

COMPLIMENTARY BEER ¶ WINE, CASH LIQUOR BAR

SILENT AUCTION LIVE AUCTION ¶ ‚µ‚ RAFFLE¡

DINNER BY OUTBACK STEAKHOUSE AND OCEAN GRILL ¶ BAR

Presented by

$55 General Admission

$125 VIP Preferred Dinner Seating

$800 VIP Table (seats 8)

APPLICATIONS OPEN FOR BUSINESS PLACARD EARLY REENTRY PROGRAM

NEW GALLERY HAS FUN WITH FINE ART

ARTIST COUPLE FEATURES THEIR OWN ORIGINAL WORKS

Color-coded and barcoded windshield reentry stickers allow Monroe County residents to return to their homes after a hurricane. Businesses may also apply for a 2023 placard to allow essential workers to return and help restore community lifelines quickly after a storm. CONTRIBUTED

The application period for Monroe County Emergency Management’s 2023 business placard early reentry program is open March 1 through Friday, April 28, at 5 p.m. There will be no exceptions after this time to apply for the 2023 business placard. The program allows essential businesses and nonprofits based in Monroe County timely access into the Florida Keys to assist in restoring community lifelines in an efficient and timely manner.

Placards are only valid in the year they are issued. There is only one application form to fill out each year. Do not apply until you have read and compiled the required documentation described on the placard web page. The application and program details are at monroecountyem.com/placardprogram. Applications will be reviewed within 21 working days.

Each registered business is allowed to bring in only their essential personnel; it does not include friends and family of those workers. Entering the county under a state of emergency using a placard grants access to an area that has not

been deemed safe. Basic life support resources may not be available after a major event, and those entering with a placard must be self-sufficient for 14 days with shelter, food and water.

“Disaster response takes the effort of an entire community,” said Emergency Management Director Shannon Weiner. “Sharing your business’s skills and resources when needed most contributes to a swift recovery for all.”

Residents who wish to obtain or renew an early reentry placard for 2023 may do so through the Monroe County Emergency Reserve Corps at www.mercorps.org. Hurricane recovery courses are required for residents to receive the placard.

Also, reentry windshield stickers for residents can be picked up at Monroe County Tax Collector offices throughout the Florida Keys with proof of residency and vehicle registration. More information and locations to obtain stickers are at monroecountyem.com/ reentrystickers.

Hurricane season begins June 1. Be prepared.

— Contributed

As owners of a fine art gallery, Lisa and D. Arthur Wilson refuse to take themselves — or life itself — too seriously.

The artistic couple opened Wilson Signature Collection Fine Art Gallery, 407 Front St., Suite D, to feature their own bodies of collected paintings, bronze sculptures, fine art photography and books.

D. Arthur Wilson defines his style as “wild expressionism.” His works feature a menagerie of wildlife, as well a “heavy metal collection” of paintings that capture the power of human progress — locomotives, sailing ships and even a VW bus.

One of the animal characters in his painted collection has taken on a life of its own and is now a beloved feature in dozens of collections worldwide. Rhupert the Ostrich is a bright-eyed ostrich whose peering face pokes itself into paintings as if just popping by for a quick visit.

Through Rhupert, Wilson reminds viewers of the message he lives on a daily basis: “Be yourself,” and in the words of Oscar Wilde, “Life is too Important to be taken seriously.”

“Rhupert … reminds us to simply be ourselves, because quite frankly, everyone else is already taken,” Wilson says, adding, “One of the most challenging undertakings a person can face, is to find out who you are, be who you are and then share who you are.”

He and his wife, Lisa, an abstract expressionist, are now sharing exactly who they are with the Key West community.

Lisa Wilson’s work is more introspective and open to interpretation, but equally engaging and inviting.

Her textured works are rendered in oil, acrylic and sculpting and a multitude of colors. With passionate relief, its topography unveils itself and reaches out to the viewer who finds whatever they seek in its waves, lines, swirls and soothing strokes.

Artists Lisa and D. Arthur Wilson will host a Meet the Artists event MARCH 4 AND 5 at their Wilson Signature Collection Fine Art Gallery, 407 Front St., Suite D.

Left: D. Arthur Wilson’s self-described ‘wild expressionism’ style gave birth to a recurring and beloved character, Rhupert the Ostrich, who is found in collections worldwide. Right: Lisa Wilson’s painting ‘Timeless’ epitomizes her abstract expressionism style. CONTRIBUTED

KEYS SEEK CARVEOUT FOR PREMIUM HIKES, FLOOD INSURANCE REQUIREMENT

FIRM ON WINDSTORM RELIEF

JIM McCARTHY jim@keysweekly.com

Two special sessions of the Florida Legislature in 2022 confronted the state’s crumbling property insurance industry with reforms that targeted litigation and attorney fees, as well as hundreds of millions in funding to help companies on the verge of collapse.

None of the actions by legislators resulted in direct decreases in premiums for policyholders throughout the state and the Florida Keys, but an upcoming 60-day session in Tallahassee beginning March 7 brings another opportunity. Mel Montagne, president of Fair Insurance Rates of Monroe (FIRM), is already advocating for several fixes to provide some relief to local windstorm policyholders — one being a carveout for Monroe County related to Citizens’ premium rate increase schedule. FIRM was created to ensure fair insurance rates for the Florida Keys and bring insurance inequities to the attention of state officials, and Montagne said there are several.

More than 18,000 wind policies in Monroe County are through the statebacked Citizens Property Insurance Corporation. Considered an insurer of last resort, Citizens provides insurance to property owners who are in good faith and can’t obtain coverage through the private market. Citizens is funded by policyholder premiums, which continue to increase by the year. A property insurance market remained volatile in 2022, as a number of insurance companies went insolvent. That left policyholders scrambling to find coverage elsewhere, and many were left with no choice but to go with Citizens.

Policies through Citizens are well over 1 million, up from 474,000 policies insured through Citizens in June 2020. Growing numbers of policies and pre-

mium increases, from 11% in 2022 to 15% in 2026, are causing concerns for local policyholders and FIRM.

Added to the list of concerns was legislation passed in a December special session that aims to move policyholders off Citizens if a private insurer offers them a premium that’s within 20% of their Citizens premium. Montagne said it was a slap to the face of Monroe County.

“The genesis of Citizens goes back 51 years to Florida Windstorm Underwriting Association; it was created as a vehicle to insure property for windstorm in Monroe County because insurance companies as far back as 51 years didn’t want to insure that peril,” he said. “To tell us today that, ‘yeah we’re going to impose all of these things’ to deflect folks to go Citizens, we don’t have a choice.”

Montagne refers to the lack of private insurance carriers providing service in Monroe County, which is why a majority of property owners have Citizens. Residential and commercial wind insurance rates in Monroe County are the highest throughout Florida and 175% higher than the median coastal rate. Montagne said Monroe County has some of the most rigorous building standards in Florida, yet Citizens’ rate calculations don’t reflect that.

“Monroe County is unique in its building code and in the way people mitigate their homes for protection against hurricanes,” Montagne said. “A lot of that, in our opinion, is not taken into account on these models that generate base rates for insurance rates.”

During the 2021 legislative session, lawmakers upped the annual cap for Citizens premiums for the ensuing five years. Montagne said FIRM is seeking a carveout in the law that exempts Monroe County from rate increases to 15% by 2026.

Montagne said FIRM is also asking legislators to provide a carveout as it relates to a new flood insurance requirement for all Citizens policyholders. Homeowners with a mortgage already have flood insurance since it’s required. But properties affected include condos, homes elevated above base flood elevation and nonmortgaged properties. Montagne said forcing property owners to carry insurance that they don’t need is unreasonable and burdensome. And it could result in Monroe County residents dropping their windstorm coverage with Citizens if they don’t have a mortgage.

Montagne said he had the chance to meet with state Rep. Jim Mooney and state Sen. Ana Maria Rodriguez to discuss FIRM’s initiatives, of which they both expressed support.

“The problem is getting other legislators on board to help us in our plight,” Montagne said.

Montagne is hopeful legislators review provisions within current statute that provide such carve outs for counties,

so long as they’re an area of critical state concern and don’t have a competitive property insurance market.

“We feel quite strongly with those two provisions,” he said. “We should get a carveout for Monroe County for flood insurance requirements and the continued pummeling we receive with rate increases.”

A seat at the table is equally important to the changes FIRM is seeking this legislative session. According to Montagne, Monroe County no longer has a representative on the state’s Citizens board of governors. Upper Keys resident Bette Brown began serving on the board following her appointment by former Gov. Rick Scott in 2014. She served some seven years until 2021.

Brown told the Keys Weekly she was appointed twice by Scott before current Gov. Ron DeSantis tapped someone else for the board. Brown said she would have continued if she was selected for another term. During her time on the board, Brown said Citizens insurance was aware of the issues facing Monroe County. They even conducted a $400,000 study to determine whether hardening of structures would help insurance rates in the Keys.

“There were a lot of discussions about Monroe County,” Brown said.

Monroe County hasn’t seen a representative at the nine-person table since Brown’s departure. Currently, St. Johns County has two representatives on the Citizens board despite only having 4,800 Citizens policies. There’s also a representative from Nassau County with 1,400 policies.

The chairman of the board, Carlos Beruff, is a resident of Manatee County with roughly 15,000 policies. Board members are appointed by the governor, Senate president, House speaker or chief financial officer.

“There are five people coming up in 2023 where their terms are up, and we need a seat on that board,” Montagne said. “It’s not that one seat will make a difference, but at least our voice will be heard.”

“Monroe County is unique in its building code and in the way people mitigate their homes for protection against hurricanes. A lot of that, in our opinion, is not taken into account on these models that generate base rates for insurance rates.”

— Mel Montagne, president of FIRM’s board of directors

Mel Montagne

GIMENEZ SWORN IN FOR 2ND TERM

CONGRESSMAN REPRESENTS KEYS AND SOUTH FLORIDA

The Monroe County Tourist Development Council has funding available to governmental entities and non-profit organizations for capital projects.

The project/facility must have the primary purpose of promoting tourism and must fall into one of the following categories:

Convention Center, Sports Stadium, Sports Arena, Coliseum, Auditorium, Aquarium, Museum, Zoological Park, Nature Center, Fishing Pier, Beach or Beach Park Facility, Channel, Estuary, or Lagoon, Public Facilities in Accordance with Conditions set forth in the Florida Statutes.

The deadline for receipt of applications is April 18, 2023 , and applications must be downloaded from Demandstar (www.monroecounty-fl.gov/bids).

For more information, please call the TDC Administrative Office at: 305-296-1552, and ask to speak with Ammie or Maxine.

U.S. Rep. Carlos Gimenez (FL-28) was sworn in to a second term in Congress on Feb. 24 at the historic San Carlos Institute in Key West. He was joined by local elected officials, students and members of the Florida Keys Community.

“I truly am so proud to represent Miami-Dade County and the Florida Keys in the Halls of Congress. From Sweetwater to Homestead to Key Largo to Islamorada and from Marathon to right at the San Carlos Institute in Key West, it has been a true honor to get to meet you all and work together on the issues that we care so deeply about,” Gimenez said.

“You see my story, like that of so many in South Florida, is deeply intertwined with the history of this community. In fact, my grandfather, a jaialai player, and my American grandmother honeymooned in Key West. They would have never, ever imagined that their grandson would one day come to represent Key West in the U.S. Congress of all places.”

Gimenez serves on the House Armed Services Committee, Homeland Security Com-

mittee, and the Select Committee on China. He represents Florida’s 28th Congressional District based in Miami-Dade County and the Florida Keys. Gimenez is the former mayor of Miami-Dade County and currently the only Cuban-born member of the 118th Congress.

— Contributed

R2023 Season

March 12 - American Brass

Maurer • Ewazen • Higdon

St. Paul’s Church• 4pm

$20 at door • all students FREE keywestimpromptu.org

U.S. Rep. Gimenez is sworn in for his second term, with his wife Lourdes by his side. CONTRIBUTED

U.S. Rep. Carlos Gimenez, right, and his wife Lourdes join Monroe County Commissioner Jim Scholl at Gimenez’s swearing-in in Key West on Feb. 24. CONTRIBUTED

mandy@keysweekly.com

KEY WEST RALLIES TO KEEP LOCAL SHIPWRECKER AFLOAT

JOE WEATHERBY RECOVERS FROM STROKE

Anyone who spent time in Key West in the early 2000s recalls the ubiquitous “Shipwrecker” bumper stickers that plastered the island, its scooters, boats, bikes, dive tanks and cars. The corresponding “Sink the Vandenberg” Tshirts were on the sunburned backs of every diver, snorkeler and ocean enthusiast who ever came in contact with a local captain named Joe Weatherby. (He’s also the namesake of the popular wreck dive, Joe’s Tug, but that’s a story best told by Joe — historically over cocktails.)

A resident of Key West for more than 30 years, Weatherby’s name has been synonymous with Key West’s saltwater surroundings — as a diver, captain, instructor and later, a shipwrecker intent on taking pressure off the natural coral reefs by sinking ships to serve as artificial reefs, marine habitats, dive sites and fishing spots. He also served for nine years on the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary’s advisory council.

On May 29, 2009, an emotional Weatherby was wiping a different type of saltwater from his eyes, as he watched the 510-foot former Navy ship Hoyt S. Vandenberg sink into the sea and embark on its final mission as an artificial reef.

He had worked tirelessly for 10 years with a dedicated group of volunteers and business supporters to “Sink the Vandenberg” as the world’s second-largest artificial reef. The project faced countless setbacks, red tape, environmental approvals and increasing costs. But Weatherby was relentless, constantly pacing while talking on his old, yellow Nokia cellphone to anyone who would listen about the importance and potential benefits of artificial reefs and habitat creation in the Florida Keys.

Days after landing upright on the ocean floor in 2009, about seven miles south of the Key West International Airport, the Vandenberg wreck became an instantly popular dive site and fishing spot, attracting all manner of marine life.

Weatherby continued to advocate for artificial reefs and habitat creation all over the U.S. and Caribbean.

KEEPING A SHIPWRECKER AFLOAT

After decades of sinking ships, Weatherby now needs help staying afloat.

He suffered a stroke earlier this year and has embarked on the frustrating journey to a full recovery.

In response to Weatherby’s struggle — and stubborn refusal to seek help — the Key West community is doing what it does best, rallying around one of its own.

Unable to work during his recovery, medical bills and daily living expenses are piling up. Friends and relatives are visiting daily, bringing healthy meals, walking with him as he complains about having to use a walker and ensuring he checks his blood sugar levels and otherwise follows medical advice.

In addition, several fundraising events are scheduled, with more in the works.

The Half Shell Raw Bar, where Weatherby worked decades ago, created a special drink in his name and donated 100% of all proceeds from the sale of those drinks to the Weatherby Recovery Fund being administered by Dan Blagriff at First State Bank of the Florida Keys.

See the information box on this page for additional upcoming fundraising events and stay tuned to keysweekly.com and the Friends of Joe Weatherby Facebook page as more events are added.

BENEFITS FOR JOE WEATHERBY

Monday, April 3: BINGO for Joe, 7 to 9 p.m. at the Green Parrot. Includes Bingo prizes, a silent auction and a raffle. Free to attend. $1 per Bingo card.

Thursday, April 6: Vibrator Races Help Joe, 6 to 9pm at Mary Ellen’s, 420 Appelrouth Lane. Tickets are $20 in advance and bring cash to place your race bets. (See Facebook events for details and the Friends of Joe Weatherby Facebook page.)

Through February & March: Shots and Giggles, 201 Ann St., is offering two specialty, Joe-inspired drinks — Joe’s Ocean Water (vodka) and Joe’s Pilar Sunset Cocktail. All proceeds from drink sales benefit Weatherby.

(The Sunset Social Drinking Club is planning an event at Shots and Giggles with time and date to be determined.) Point your phone’s camera at the QR code to go straight to the GoFundMe donation page for Joe Weatherby.

Joe Weatherby between dives aboard the old Sea Eagle, a familiar dive boat to many in Key West. CONTRIBUTED

Joe Weatherby aboard the Hoyt S. Vandenberg as it is cleaned in a shipyard in preparation for sinking.

MARK HEDDEN

... is a photographer, 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 Audubon Society.

ack in the day, you could show your chops as a birder by distinguishing between a Myrtle warbler and an Audubon’s warbler. They were very similarlooking birds. The male Myrtle warbler, which bred largely in the east, was distinguished by a white throat and two wingbars. The male Audubon’s warbler, which bred largely in the west, had a yellow throat and a white wing patch that kind of filled in the zone between what would be the wingbars on the Myrtle. The females’ came down to the throat, with the Myrtle having a white throat, and the Audubon having a yellow throat. The males were predominantly a slaty blue, and the females a watery brown — at least in summer. In winter, they all morphed into the same watery brown –females, males and juveniles, though on males you can occasionally pick up a tinge of blue. If you could parse the distinctions in the winter you were really good.

What all these birds had in common, field mark-wise, was big yellow patches under their wingpits, and a big, bright, yellow spot on their rump. Young, old, male, female, Audubon’s and Myrtle – they all had it.

Then, in 1973, it was decided that Myrtle warblers and Audubon’s warblers were more similar than different, especially as they interbred in the Canadian Rockies, and were lumped into a single species called the yellow-rumped warbler. The need to make such fine-toothed distinctions faded away. Once you saw that sunshine-hued hind end, or those saffronshaded wingpits, you could tick them off on the checklist. (The slang term for them is butter butts, because that yellow spot on their rump is a bit reminiscent of a pat of butter just dropped onto a grill.)

You will, on occasion, hear the old-timers, or the ambitious young-timers, call them out as Myrtle’s or Audubon, just to keep you on your toes. As someone who didn’t really start birding until the late 1990s, my toes often fail me in this regard.

Most winters, we get a few yellow-rumps in the Keys, but this winter, we’ve been seemingly overrun with them. They have been giving palm warblers, the most common songbird we see in the winter, a run for the ubiquity prize.

It’s been nice to have a little more variety in the birdscape, but it’s been a little frustrating. I’ve gone out a number of times around Key West trying to get a decent picture of one, and have failed over and over again.

I’d say this is the limitations of my camera, but it’s a poor carpenter who blames his tools.

BTHE CAMERA AND THE BUTTER- BUTT BUGBEAR

So I’m going to blame the yellow-rumps. They’ve been too quick moving, too deep in the bushes or too high in the trees. Or they only come out into the open in the worst backlit light, or just as the battery dies on my camera. Or as the person walking their dog and talking on their phone comes down the path behind me. I don’t know the exact biological mechanisms for how they go about conspiring against me, but I have no doubt that they, collectively, have done me wrong. It’s the only explanation for how many of them have been around and how few of them have given me a decent pose.

Kevin Christman was expressing similar sentiments about yellow-rumps a few weeks ago, but then he caught some decent frames of them coming into his bird bath. (Which is fine, if you can overlook the fact that feeder and bird bath photos are cheating.)

Why are there so many yellow-rumps in the Keys this winter, as opposed to other winters?

Most of the bird species we get here in winter are obligate migrants, meaning as a species they tend to completely abandon their breeding grounds. It’s thought this is generally motivated by a hormonal change triggered by a shifting photoperiod, a.k.a. length of day. Basically, obligate migrants migrate out of genetic habit.

Yellow-rumped warblers are considered facultative migrants, meaning they only migrate in response to environmental conditions, most often food scarcity. And they generally don’t migrate as a species, but as individuals. It just seems that this year, something drove a lot of them to make the same decision.

Seeing so many, even if I was failing at photographing them, I started to get the urge to parse them beyond species, maybe down to age and gender.

The Sibley Field Guide to Birds rarely lets me down, but on this occasion it did. Of the 15 images on the yellow-rumped warbler page,

none of them depict adult yellow-rumps in winter plumage, or how they look for the half a year they spend in Florida. I blame this on a northern bias in the content. Also on the lack of space on a page. It did note in the small print text that winter birds have an “overall brownish color.”

In order to find a good, systematic understanding of what the various types of yellowrumped warblers looked like in their winter plumage, I ended up going to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s Birds of the World website (subscription-based), which had good clear images of all the aforementioned variations. And I did come away with one further bit of clarity – that I am probably never going to be good at parsing gender, age, or Audubon’s vs. Myrtle in the field. Or at least not any time soon.

I’d kind of taken a break from going out to try and get a good shot of them, too. But when I was up on the mainland a few weeks ago, I made a stop at Audubon’s Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary, because I hadn’t been there for a while, and because it was one of the first places I fell in love with this whole birdwatching thing.

I can’t say it was a great day for birds up there, but it’s never bad. I saw some painted buntings and some pileated woodpeckers, as well as a few alligators and the rear end of a swimming otter. And there were yellow-rumps everywhere. Mostly they were high up in the canopy. But then I started noticing a few of them flitting around down low, around the cypress knees, and I managed to lift my camera and get a few decent shots of them in focus and in frame.

I’m going to keep trying to get a decent shot of a yellow-rump in the Keys, but catching those few frames was a nice way to give that itch a little scratch.

A yellow-rumped warbler seen recently at Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary. MARK HEDDEN/Keys Weekly

SOMEONE YOU SHOULD MEET...

CAROL SHAUGHNESSY SHINES A LIGHT ON PARADISE

Two days after Carol Shaughnessy arrived on the island, she called her mom and asked her to send her stuff south. The 20-year-old was never going back to Minnesota.

“The decision wasn’t reasoned or even particularly rational,” Shaughnessy says. “It came from my bones.”

She had come to thaw out those bones and warm up with her beau. Though he was a noshow, Shaughnessy swears she felt the island’s heartbeat steadily beneath her feet and knew she was home.

“Back then, Key West was a haven for adventurers, from treasure hunters seeking shipwrecked Spanish galleons to the spiritual descendants of Prohibition rumrunners,” she says. “Shrimpers in white boots ruled the waterfront and lobsters and fish were free for the taking. Living was an impromptu affair.”

That was 1976. The pace was slow; dogs drowsed directly on Duval Street. There was no traffic in sight. Though rich in spirit, Key West’s economy was poor. Efforts were beginning, but tourism had yet to kick in. Instead, the industries du jour were commercial fishing (if they could afford the fuel) and pot smuggling, with more than a few city officials who pitched in.

“Everyone seemed to know they were living at the edge of a continent, in a renegade but strangely innocent world,” she said. “It was a place where a handshake meant more than a 20-page contract and people looked out for each other — in a way that many of us still do today.”

It wasn’t long before a group of nationally known creatives looked out for the starry-eyed young writer and shared their stories with her. There was Full Moon Saloon partner Vic Latham, novelist Phil Caputo, singer/songwriters Bertie Higgins and Jimmy Buffett, and pirate Phil Clark, who looked at 40 in Buffett’s song and gave his heart to Shaughnessy.

“To a certain extent, their way of life was ending, and I think they knew it,” she says. “I think they wanted me to carry on their love for Key West by making me the receptacle of their experiences.”

My

My

Keys events:

Some of the stories she’s written and some she won’t, because “there are still people around who probably wouldn’t want to see them,” she says.

But for every story unwritten are thousands more that are. For the last 25 years, she’s worked with NewmanPR, which has been the Tourist Development Council’s public relations agency for more than 40 years. Shaughnessy serves as senior account executive, Key West and Lower Keys correspondent and deputy director of the Florida Keys News Bureau.

“My work is about sharing my life with the media, sharing the fun and intriguing and quirky and sometimes totally bizarre things that happen here,” she says. “It doesn’t get better than that.”

That live news coverage on Florida Keys’ Mission: Iconic Reefs coral restoration? That magazine article on Robert the Doll? That travel blog post on the Key Lime Pie Festival? Chances are good that Shaughnessy was behind it — writing and distributing stories and media through wire and then connecting journalists to the stories first-hand.

“One of the things I love about the work I do is there’s always something different and exciting to be a part of,” she says. “It’s also great fun to be involved in a behind-the-scenes manner and be part of what’s going on in that sense.”

She tells me about a recent flight of endangered sea turtles flown here to warm up by a group of volunteer pilots called Turtles Fly Too.

“It’s such a joy to be a small part of sharing the incredible environmental work that is being done here,” she says. “Sharing the story of how environmentally connected the Keys are and how visitors can help us maintain that is one of the things we work hard at.”

I’ve seen it — that hard work. As my former editor at Key West Magazine, she mentored me on brevity and connection, how to make space sing when needed. As a friend, I am privy to her work practices, and I am here to report that there has never been anyone so dedicated to a place and the people in it.

“Every time I take a visiting media person around and show them this incredible Keys world and welcome them into the lifestyle for a day or two days, or whatever, it just reinforces my love for this place and my love for this life that we’re lucky enough to live,” she said.

We talk about that love on mornings I stop by while walking my dog, red hibiscus blooms nearby. Her cats soak up the sun.

“I am blessed with such a rich community of friends,” she says. “I met my husband here. He was not a Key Wester until I got through with him. We had 25 good years. I can’t imagine living anywhere else.”

Carol Shaughnessy with her ubiquitous clipboard that clears the way in any Key West crowd. CRICKET DESMARAIS/Keys Weekly

Words to live by: From Bob Marley, “You never know how strong you are until being strong is your only choice.”

hero: All the women who mentored and encouraged me as I developed my writing career. Marilyn Ferguson, Wendy Tucker and my dear Ann Dickinson come to mind. Something I would like to learn: To be a really good iPhone photographer.

superpower: No personal superpowers, but the clipboard I carry when covering special events has the power to break through crowds and compel people to listen and obey (LOL).

Favorite

Hemingway Days, which I have been involved in for decades; the Old Island Days Art Festival and Key West Craft Show produced by the Key West Art Center.

MANDY MILES

drops stuff, breaks things and falls down more than any adult should. She’s married to a saintly — and handy — fisherman, and has been stringing words together in Key West since 1998.

MILES TO GO FAMILY-STYLE VACATION

“I’m tellin’ Mom.”

Three little words with the power to transport us back in time, to the ages of about 5 to 13, back to juvenile threats and childish grievances against a sibling who had so clearly wronged us.

Of course, those three words were used at least once in the past week, as my older brother Kevin, now 50, and my sister-in-law, Pam, were in town, having joined my parents for the last week of their annual three-week escape to Key West.

Kev and I had matured long ago and set aside the bickering, baiting and fighting that once prompted the parental cliches of “Don’t make me turn this car around,” and turned the middle back seat of the car into a demilitarized zone during road trips. (“He touched me.” “He’s crossing the line.” “Gross.” “Mom, he’s bothering me.” “He’s staring at me.” “He just stuck his tongue out at me.”)

Apparently, though, that maturity evaporates a bit during a week of family togetherness.

Only the topics of our tattle-telling have changed. This time, the threat to “tell Mom” was against my dad, as Mom had placed us all under a gag order with regard to political discussions. Dad tried to break that rule, and was sternly warned that his wife of 53 years would be informed of his attempted provocation.

In our house, growing up, tattling was nearly as serious an offense as whatever perceived crime had been committed.

“Whoever tattles gets the same punishment as whoever committed the crime,” our

parents would say. (It worked most of the time and at least kept their kids from becoming despised schoolyard snitches.)

There were other rules of our childhood that worked their way through a generation and were later used by Kevin and Pam on my nephews, Jack and Andrew, now 21 and 18.

For instance, in the event that two siblings have to split the last piece of cake, the last donut or the last of anything, then one splits the item and the other gets to choose their half. You would have thought Kevin and I, at the ages of 5 and 8, were tiny engineers given our exactitude. I kept waiting for my brother to bust out a slide rule and protractor whenever he was doing the cutting. But hey, it worked, and we each got exactly half.

That rule, however, never worked when it came time for Kevin and me to break the Thanksgiving wishbone. I always lost and I still, to this day, claim he cheated, maneuvering his bigger fingers above mine to gain the upper hand in the snap. But that’s water under the bridge (sort of – I’m still a little bitter).

But I can happily report that after nearly a full week together in Key West, all is well. Better than well, in fact. We’ve been to the beach. We’ve had drinks at the pool and some fantastic meals in our favorite spots. We’ve been on a sunset cruise and watched a play at the Truman LIttle White House.

I’ve been reminded over and over again in the past few weeks that my family simply rocks and I’m the luckiest girl in the world to have the one that I do. And I wouldn’t have it any other way.

No matter what my mom thinks when I still roll my eyes like an angst-ridden teenager.

Thursday, March 2

• The Studios of Key West hosts an opening preview of artworks being sold in the 28th annual Anne McKee Fine Art Auction from 6 to 8 p.m., 533 Eaton St. This year’s auction will be held on Sunday, March 12 at The Studios of Key West.

Friday, March 3

• The Department of Health in Monroe County offers a free “Health To You” community event from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Bernstein Park, Stock Island. All attendees will receive a $10 food gift card while supplies last. Doctors, nurses and staff members will offer free health screenings, vaccines, blood pressure checks, free bike helmets, free condoms, nicotine patches and Narcan. No health insurance or appointment required.

Saturday, March 4

• The Friends of the Key West Library will hold an outdoor book sale in the library’s Palm Garden, 700 Fleming St. from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. In case of heavy wind or rain, the sale will be postponed. Please check the Key West library’s Facebook page for details.

• 20th annual Garden Fest at Key West Tropical Forest & Botanical Garden features an exhibition and sale of rare plants, fine arts and crafts. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. 5210 College Road, Stock Island. Admission is free.

• Key West Preschool Co-op presents its 33rd annual Spring Fair, from 1 to 4 p.m. at the preschool, 2610 Flagler Ave. The event features bounce houses, inflatable obstacle courses, a dunk tank, live entertainment, belly dancers, silent auction and a vendor village. (To nominate a notable Key West person for the dunk tank, email KWPCspringfairchair@gmail.com.)

Wednesday, March 8

• Author R. Kevin Mallison discusses his nonfiction book, “Alarm in the Firehouse: A Memoir of America’s First Openly Gay Professional Firefighter,” at 6 p.m, at the Key West Library, 700 Fleming St. Admission is free. Seating is limited.

Tuesday, March 7

• Girls’ Night Out happy hour event will benefit the Key West Navy League’s Higbee Commissioning Committee, which is raising money for the May commissioning of the new Navy destroyer. The event takes place at and is sponsored by Hemingway Rum Company, makers of Papa’s Pilar Rum, 201 Simonton St.

Sunday, March 12

• Anne McKee Artists Fund Fine Art Auction at The Studios of Key West features fine artwork, gourmet hors d’oeuvres and champagne. Doors open at 6:15 and the auction begins at 7 p.m. Tickets are $30 per person and $60 for VIP seating and can be purchased at mckeefund. org.

Monday, March 13

• The Friends of the Key West Library’s speaker series presents Gaelin Rosenwaks, a marine scientist, explorer, photographer and filmmaker at 6 p.m., 700 Fleming St. Lectures are free and open to all, but you must register to receive a ticket at friendsofthekeywestlibrary.org.

RED BARN THEATER BRINGS BACK OLD HOLLYWOOD

M c KEEVER’S ‘THE CODE’ OPENS MARCH 7

The more things change, the more they stay the same. Or, in today’s Florida, it might be more relevant to say that despite the strides we’ve made over the years, there’s always someone who prefers the old ways.

Playwright Michael McKeever may not have set out to write a play that resonates so vibrantly with what many in our community are struggling against today. But his latest play, “The Code,” running March 7-25 at Red Barn Theatre, does just that.

Written about Hollywood in the 1950s, it is most certainly germane to the LGBTQ issues that have arisen in today’s Sunshine State.

The play is set in the stylish home of Billy Haines, a silent-film megastar who left the film business for personal reasons that become apparent as the story unfolds. Now a successful interior designer, Haines has invited a few friends for cocktails before they head out to a dinner party at famed director George Cukor’s house.

Those friends include the glamorous and unfiltered film star Tallulah Bankhead; the oily and unpleasant agent, Henry Willson; and Willson’s latest find (and love interest) – aspiring young actor Chad Manford.

As the evening unfolds, it becomes clear that the “code,” which quickly dominates the conversation, refers to the surreptitious rules that Hollywood has imposed to govern the way any LBGTQ person has to behave in order to have a career in Tinseltown. It’s a 1950s version of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” seasoned with some “never admit” and a lot of “deny who you are and live a lie or go home.”

To be gay in an industry policed by the Legion of Decency, the Hays Code and the House Un-American Activities Committee, can not only get you labeled a deviant and a subversive, but it’s without doubt a death knell for a career on the silver screen.

SOUTH FLORIDA SYMPHONY CELEBRATES 25TH YEAR

ROBERTA DePIERO/Contributed

McKeever’s skill with witty, very funny banter mixes perfectly with his ability to look at history from a different perspective. He channels Bankhead’s famous cutting wit, and nails the blackhearted Svengali that a compromised agent can be. The play elicits its full share of laugh-out-loud moments in the way it looks at Old Hollywood and its foibles; but in the era of Florida’s so-called “Don’t Say Gay” bill and attempts to marginalize the LGBTQ community, it has serious moments of resonance to modern times.

The play stars South Florida favorite Tom Wahl as Haines, Key West favorites Mary Falconer as Bankhead and David Black as Willson, and showcases newcomer Carlos Ortega Amorin as Manford. It will be directed by Christopher Renshaw, the accomplished British director who helmed the world premiere of the play last year. Renshaw has a Tony nomination and a couple of Drama Desk Awards for his play direction, and will be directing a new play based on the life of Louis Armstrong next year on Broadway.

— Contributed

For tickets to ‘The Code,’ visit redbarntheatre.com or call 305-296-9911.

Ticketholders for March 7 are invited to remain after the show for the Opening Night party, where they can mingle with the cast and crew and enjoy a light nosh.

GRAMMY- WINNING CELLIST PERFORMS MARCH 25 IN KEY WEST

The South Florida Symphony Orchestra is coming full circle for its 25th year. The symphony, founded and conducted by Key West native Sebrina Alfonso 25 years ago, will present an evening of Dvořák Masterworks featuring Symphony No. 9 in E minor: “From the New World” as well as Cello Concerto in B minor, performed by Grammy Award-winning artist Zuill Bailey.

Bailey appeared during the symphony’s inaugural concert 25 years ago.

Led by Alfonso, the concert will take place at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 25 at Tennessee Williams Theatre at the College of the Florida Keys in Key West. Tickets are on sale now.

“Twenty-five years ago, my dream of bringing the music I love to my community in Key West came to be,” Alfonso said. “As we celebrate our silver anniversary, bringing these works to our expanded audiences throughout South Florida is an absolute thrill. And what an even greater joy it is to have my friend and acclaimed cellist, Zuill Bailey, back with us to mark this momentous occasion. ‘From the New World’ may be Dvořák’s love letter to America, but this program is our love letter to you, the many supporters who have journeyed with us, helping us to become the region’s preeminent orchestra. It takes a village, and we are grateful to have you with us.”

Alfonso and Bailey have known each other since their days at Peabody Conservatory. Over the years, he has been a frequent SFSO guest artist and a favorite among audiences. He is widely considered one of the premier cellists in the world and is an internationally renowned soloist, artistic direc-

tor and teacher. His recording career consists of over 20 titles. He also won a Grammy Award for Best Solo Performance for his live recording of “Tales of Hemingway” by composer Michael Daugherty.

In 1892, Antonín Dvořák was recruited to be the director for the National Conservatory of Music in New York City, which opened in 1888 to make music education available to talented students from every background, including marginalized communities. In his quest to bring the sounds of America into European classical music, his most famous work was born, the four-movement Symphony No. 9 in E Minor, better known as “New World Symphony.” In the lead-up to its 1893 premiere by the New York Philharmonic at Carnegie Hall, Dvořák commented that he thought the core of an American sound could be found in Native American communities and African American spirituals, which you can hear in the composition. Upon its premiere, a reporter for the New York Herald observed that the new symphony was “a noble composition … of heroic proportions.”

Cello Concerto in B minor, the most widely regarded and also the last solo concerto by Dvořák, will be performed by Bailey. Written in 1894, it premiered in London in 1896 by the English cellist Leo Stern. Dvořák wrote the concerto while in New York City for his third term as the director of the National Conservatory.

Tickets and more information are available at southfloridasymphony.org, 954-522-8445 or via email to info@ southfloridasymphony.org.

The cast of ‘The Code,’ which premieres at Red Barn Theater on March 7. From left are Tom Wahl, Mary Falconer, David Black and Carlos Ortega Amorin.

Sebrina María Alfonso will lead the South Florida Symphony Orchestra during its 25th anniversary performances in Fort Lauderdale, Miami Beach and Key West. STEVEN SHIRES/Contributed

COME WORSHI WITH US

‘‘The churches of Christ greet you.’’ Romans 16:16 NKJV

ENGLISH SERVICE

Sunday Bible Study 10am (on site)

Service 11am (on site) & Service 6pm (on site)

Wednesday Bible Study 7:30pm (on site)

Evangelist Rodrigue Aleandre Cell 305.296.3331

KREYOL SEVIS

Dimanch Klas Biblik 7:30pm (on site)

Adorasyon 8:30pm (on site)

Madi Klas Biblik 7:30pm (on site)

Minis Rodrigue Aleandre Cell 305.296.3331

SERVICIO ESPAÑOL

Servicio de adoración dominical a las 5pm (en el sitio)

Estudio bíblico del jueves a las 7pm (en el sitio)

Ministro Pedro Ruiz Celda 347.430.2263

1700 VON PHISTER ST, KEY WEST

‘‘Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.’’

I Corinthians 15:58 NKJV

SPORTS & MORE

MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL IS CHANGING THE GAME

PLAY BALL

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

f you’re a new Major League Baseball fan, you may not recognize how different the new season looks. If you’re a veteran fan, you may breathe a sigh of relief and say “thank goodness” — or something stronger.

Yes, the people who run baseball have done away with several recent unpopular changes.

One rule they haven’t changed is the man on second base added for extra innings. I don’t mind that so much, as it does help speed up games that are tied after nine innings.

The big change that I do like is splitting the infielders. Now, there must be two infielders on each side of second base. Of recent vintage, managers were putting infielders all over the infield and even the outfield. Of course, now, managers could pull in an outfielder to make it a five-man infield.

The one change that puzzles me is enlarging the bases from 15 inches square to 18 inches square, even though the league has an explanation: “The primary reason why the bases are bigger is safety, giving fielders and runners more room to operate without colliding,” says mlb.com. “But the slightly decreased distance between bases could help runners on stolen-base attempts and bang-bang plays.”

The pitchers and batters have not been left out of the changes, which commissioner Rob Manfred says are needed to get young people interested in the game. We’ll have to see how many young people are added to ballpark attendance figures.

There now will be a clock for pitchers and batters. With no runners on base, the pitcher will have 15 seconds to release his pitch. With a runner or runners on base, he’ll have 20 seconds. The pitcher will be allowed two pickoff attempts or steps off the rubber per plate appearance.

The catcher must be in position when the pitcher has nine seconds left, while the batter must be focused on the pitcher at the

Ieight-second mark. Penalties are as you might suspect: One ball against the pitcher; one strike against the batter.

The new rules could cause some excitement and/or speed up the games. Or maybe cause controversy. Any of those would probably be welcome by management.

San Diego third baseman Manny Machado said players will be frustrated with umpires by how these rules are enforced.

“You’re going to have some players who are going to be freakin’ angry and pissed off,” he told Bob Nightengale of USA Today Sports.

“You’re going to have players pissed off at the umpires who are just following the rules. We’re going to be seeing some crazy (expletive) for sure.”

Baseball changed its rules by first experimenting in the minor leagues.

As we speak, pro football is probably contemplating some rule changes as well.

Football could do the same by testing the changes in the XFL, the winter minor league that is aired on several TV networks.

Pro basketball, the NBA, doesn’t need any suggestions from me or any other outsiders. It has good leadership that probably already has its changes in line for next season.

THIS SEEMS TO BE NCAA hunting season. Last week, it sanctioned the University of Miami women’s basketball program for the recruitment of twins Haley and Hanna Cavinder. The NCAA and the school announced that a four-month investigation revealed that coach Katie Meier facilitated a meeting between the twins and a very rich booster before the Cavinders had transferred from Fresno State.

LAST WEEK, THE GENESIS GOLF TOURNAMENT drew 18 of the top 20 golfers. This week, as the golfers moved from California to Florida and The Honda Classic, only two of the top 20 were in attendance. At the midway point, Justin Suh had the lead.

THE MIAMI HEAT have added a pair of players, Kevin Love and Cody Zeller, who should be major assets as they drive for a high league standing position, but more importantly, the postseason tournament.

KEY WEST LITTLE CONCH BASEBALL LAUNCHES SEASON

Abrand new baseball season started at brand new fields last weekend when Key West Little Conch Baseball celebrated opening day of the 2023 season.

Kids aged 5 to 12, starting with the smallest tee-ball players, donned their team shirts, all sponsored by local businesses, met their coaches and teammates and explored the newly refurbished fields on Kennedy Drive.

Nothing brings the Key West community together like baseball, and this season is a particularly emotional one, as the players, parents and coaches dedicated the season to Garrett Hughes, the 20-year-old Key West High School graduate who was killed last month in a tragic shooting.

— Mandy Miles

1. Randy Sterling throws the first pitch to his daughter, a high school softball player, at the new Clayton Sterling Complex. ANNIE BRIENING/ Overseas Media Group

2. Keystar’s 8 and under team played Barracuda Builders on opening day.

3. Some of the league’s littlest players from Key West Aviation take the field.

4. Ramona’s Conch Creations’ team of players 8 and under played the Certified Appliance team.

By: Tracy and Sean McDonald

THE SCOREBOARD GABRIELA AGUERO

THIS WEEK IN KEYS SPORTS

Sophomore, Key West Tennis

In four matches this season, Key West’s Gabriela Aguero remains undefeated against both Marathon and Coral Shores, making her the undeniable Queen of the Keys Courts. In addition to her unblemished record, Aguero has won the admiration of her teammates and coach, Elliot Manton.

“Gabriela works hard to improve her skill set,” said Manton. “She is always working for ways to have an advantage over her opponent.”

The sophomore sensation is also half of the Conchs’ top doubles team which has chalked up victories Keys-wide. For her drive to be her best, sportsmanship and on-court savvy, Gabriela Aguero is this week’s Keys Weekly Athlete of the Week.

Key West sophomore Gabriela Aguero. TRACY MCDONALD/Keys Weekly

“Not only does she have talent and hard work, but she is a team player and is someone the whole team gets along with.”

— Elliot Manton, Key West tennis coach

By: Tracy and Sean McDonald

PREP SOFTBALL SEASON OFFICIALLY OPENS IN KEYS

Coral Shores and Key West Victorious in Season Openers

Lady Conchs fastpitch started their season off with a 6-1 win against the Academy for Innovative Education on Feb. 25. Juniors Scarlet Niles and Alexandra Rodriguez had a pair of hits apiece to lead the hitting for Key West. Madelyn Perusse, Miesha Hernandez, Skye Sterling and Alexa Condella each added a hit to their season stats. Nevaeh Arnold earned the win for the Conchs on the mound, striking out 5 in 7 innings of pitching.

Coral Shores fans had a lot to be excited about after their home opener against Somerset South Homestead on Feb. 24. Senior Kailee Reinoso made the switch from shortstop to pitcher this season and made the most of her debut in the circle. Reinoso faced just 12 batters in the mercy-rule win, striking out 5.

Offensively, Reinoso went 3-3 at the plate. Also perfect at bat were freshman Ivy Tiedemann and sopho more Abby Vogt, who both went 2-2. Alondra Apolinaro, Mackenzie Baker, Chloe Stanley and Melissa Perez also registered hits and in addition to solid baserunning, the ’Canes were good for 17 runs in the win. Defensively, sophomore Sofia Sgroi helped seal the win with an incredible play from right field, throwing out a runner on first.

Head coach Lesa Bonee was pleased with her team’s first game, especially under their unique circumstances this season.

CONCH BATS ABLAZE IN PAIR OF WINS

Key West, Marathon Remain Unbeaten

Westminster Academy made the trip to Key West to take on the Conchs at Rex Weech Field in a pair of games Feb. 24 and 25. Jacob Burnham got the start on the mound on the 24th, fanning 5 in 4 innings. Andris Barroso closed out the final 3 for the win. Jack Haggard and Wyatt Kuhn had the hot bats for the Conchs with 2 hits each. Jose Perdigon, Noah Burnham, Anthony Lariz, Michael Greenberg and Caden Pichardo registered 1 hit each to make 9 for the Conchs. The game was tied up until the fifth inning, during which Key West took advantage of several Westminster mistakes. A 9-run rally ensued, securing the 12-5 win for Key West.

Saturday night was more of the same for the Conchs. Felix Ong went 5 innings on the mound, striking out 9. Marlin Takovich finished the job for Key West, fanning 3 to end the 10-0 shutout. The Conchs collected 10 hits, led by Haggard, who went 3-4 at the plate, driving in 5 runs with a triple and 2 singles. Perdigon was 3-3 with a double and a pair of singles. JD Dowling, Lariz, Greenberg and Pichardo each added a hit to their stats in the game.

Marathon played Ransom Everglades at home on Feb. 24, winning 12-7. Gavin Leal led the team with a pair of hits and 3 RBIs for the Fins. Gabe Leal, Aidan Gonzalez, Micah Sauders and Ryan Yablon each added a hit. Dylan Ziels started on the mound for Marathon, striking out 13 over 5 innings. Ryan Yablon closed out the final 2, sealing the win for Marathon.

“Seven out of our nine starters are playing new positions and three of our starting nine have never played fastpitch softball,” she explained. “We have a lot of work ahead of us, but I am excited to see how we develop.”

Marathon lost its season opener to Lourdes Academy on the road on Feb. 23. The Bobcats outscored the Fins 11-8 despite solid hitting from the Dolphins. Elena Eubank had 3 hits, including a triple to lead the scoring effort. Sage Brown, Maeve Merryman, Sara Robinson and Madelyn Thornton each had 2 hits and Dani Perdomo had 1. Senior Allison Garcia struck out 8 batters over 6 innings in the loss.

In Upper Keys action, Coral Shores dropped a close 4-2 contest against ABF Academy on Feb. 21 before traveling to Miami to play the 7A Buccaneers of South Dade High School on Feb. 23. Steel Mientkiewicz had a double, while Andrew Putetti and Campbell Lavoie had singles for the ’Canes in a 13-1 loss.

The Coral Shores softball team’s bats came alive in their home opener, a 17-1 romp over Somerset Academy South Homestead on Feb. 24.

Photos by DOUG FINGER/Keys Weekly. See more game photos at keysweekly.com.

The Coral Shores Hurricanes battle ABF Academy on Feb. 21. The ’Canes dropped a low-scoring affair to the Bandits, 4-2. Photos by JOY SMITH/Keys Weekly. See more game photos at keysweekly.com

KEY WEST SENDS SIX TO STATES

Andre Otto Earns Regional Championship

Coach Chaz Jimenez’s trip to Kissimmee just got a bit more crowded. Three of his Lady Conchs earned a place in the brackets at the FHSAA 1A State Championships on March 2-4, and now three of his boys will join Sheyla Figueira, Ailee Briggs and Shannon Briggs following their performance at their regional wrestling championships.

Joining the inaugural girls’ team qualifiers is Ralph Riche, who entered the contest as the second seed. Riche was caught by surprise in the semis, placing him on a more difficult path to a coveted spot in the state brackets. Undeterred, Riche fought his way back, earning a third-place medal in Region 4 and a place at states. The second qualifying Conch was Abram Canet, who claimed fourth place in the region and a bid to states.

But it would be senior Andre Otto, ranked fourth heading into regionals, who stole the show. Otto wasted no time on the mats, winning four bouts in under 2 minutes in total. Otto’s wins included a forfeit and three pins, the second of which sent home the top seed in just 11 seconds.

There will not be any additional Keys wrestlers joining the Conchs at states this year, but it would be inaccurate to deem Coral Shores’ season anything but successful. Wrestling season may be over for the Hurricanes, but the young team looks promising in the coming years. The five regional-qualifying ’Canes – Sebastian McCoy, Finn McDonough, Devin Smith, Jack Hill and Jayden Angel – are all just freshmen.

LAX ACTION HEATS UP Key West Girls on Three-Game Streak

Key West’s girls lacrosse team has a perfect record so far this season. Including a win against Gulliver on Feb. 16, the Conchs are on a threegame winning streak. On Feb. 23, they toppled Westminster Christian 12-4 in The Backyard. Bella Marchiano scored 3 goals and 3 assists in the win. Marchiano also had 8 of the team’s 11 draw controls. Kaitlyn Polito scored 2 goals and an assist. Ada Van Loon and Sophia Felini added 1 goal each and Maria Chaney assisted once. Goalkeeper Courtney Grabus saved 2. Key West forced 16 turnovers against Westminster, keeping the Warriors on the defensive and sealing the victory.

The following evening, it was Palmetto at the mercy of Key West. Chaney scored 5 goals, while Felini added 2 and Van Loon and Ella Baxter each scored 1. Marchiano chalked up 3 assists and Piloto added another in the 10-4 win. Grabus was busy in goal for the Conchs, saving 11, and fellow defender Rachel Owens forced 4 turnovers.

The Lady ’Canes improved their record to 3-1 this week with a pair of wins. The first was a home victory against Coral Reef on Feb. 22. Amelia Perchalski, Shay Stober, Brook El-Koury and Makayla Hann scored in the 6-5 win. On Feb. 24, they traveled to Lourdes Academy, winning 10-8. Perchalski, ElKoury, Sofia Jans, Leyla Ochoa, Edy Kemmer and Iona Holmquist all scored.

In boys lacrosse, Key West played two of their three scheduled games last week, taking on Westminster on Feb. 21 and Coral Reef on the 23rd. A third game against Columbus was canceled. In the Westminster game, Mack Hill scored 1 goal and assisted a Brooks Pellicier goal in the 19-2 loss. Against Coral Reef, Pellicier put 1 in the net. Brody McCandless, Smith Switzer and defender Tate Garr each added 1 for the Conchs in the 8-4 defeat.

Coral Shores played one game last week, falling to Ransom Everglades 12-6. Sully McDonough had 3 of those goals for the ‘Canes plus an assist. Andrew Kumar had a goal and an assist while Matt Patterson and Dominic Gonzalez had a goal apiece. Reece Jahn did a solid job keeping the Hurricanes in the game as he registered 26 saves.

The Coral Shores Lady ’Canes duked it out with Coral Reef on Feb. 22, edging the Barracudas 6-5. Photos by DOUG FINGER/Keys Weekly. See more game photos at keysweekly.com.

Ralph Riche, left, Andre Otto and Abram Canet earned a trip to Kissimmee for the Florida state wrestling championships with their performance at their regional meet. CONTRIBUTED

By: Tracy and Sean McDonald

NEW KEY HAVEN ESTATES NEARLY COMPLETE

KEYSTAR CONSTRUCTION CELEBRATES ‘TOPPING OFF’ MILESTONE

KEY WEST LIBRARY CELEBRATES COLORS OF SPRING

HINDU HOLI CEREMONY TAKES PLACE MARCH 11

The new homes at the entrance to Key Haven just north of Key West are nearing completion.

Keystar Construction celebrated the construction milestone with a traditional “topping-off ceremony” on Feb. 24

In building construction, topping off, also known as topping out, is a builders’ rite traditionally held when the last beam (or its equivalent) is placed atop a structure during its construction. Nowadays, the ceremony is often parlayed into a media event for public relations purposes, according to Wikipedia. It has since come to mean more generally finishing the structure of the building.

— Contributed

The Key West library will once again welcome spring with a celebration of Holi, the Festival of Colors, at 2 p.m. Saturday, March 11.

The program is free and open to all ages and will take place in the Palm Garden next to the library, 700 Fleming St., Key West.

Holi is a Hindu festival of spring. It marks the coming of the spring season by spraying everyone with colorful powder or by dumping water on them. Holi helps to bring the society together and strengthens the community. This festival is also celebrated by non-Hindus, as anyone can be part of this colorful and joyous festival.

The tradition during Holi is that even enemies become friends and forget any hardships that may be present.

During Holi there is no difference between rich and poor; everyone celebrates the festival with a spirit of friendliness and brotherhood.

The timing of Holi, like other Hindu festivals, is synchronized with the moon, so the actual dates vary from year to year. Holi typically falls on the full moon day between the end of February and the middle of March, according to the Hindu lunar calendar.

Holi is a Hindu celebration that originated in ancient India, but today is celebrated all over the world by people of all nationalities, backgrounds and religions.

More information is available from Patricia Blanco at 305-292-3595, 305-809-5257 or Blanco-patricia@monroecounty-fl.gov.

— Contributed

The Hindu Festival of Colors, known as Holi, is celebrated with colorful powder and water to mark the beginning of spring and new beginnings between enemies. CONTRIBUTED

Key Haven Estates is a gated luxury community less than a mile from Key West. Homes feature estate-sized lots, private docks and heated pools. CONTRIBUTED

Chas Spottswood, left, celebrates the near-completion of Key Haven Estates with his team. ANNIE BRIENING/Overseas Media Group

Members of the Keystar Construction team celebrate the topping-off at Key Haven Estates.

The entrance to the new Key Haven Estates is just off U.S. 1 about a mile from Key West.

Keystar continued the tradition by providing lunch and Key Haven Estates T-shirts for the crew and subcontractors, including Ernest Liz, Sub Zero, Manley deBoer and Florida Keys Electric.

ORCHID CLASS IN THE GARDEN

JOIN US ON MARCH 11, 10:30 AM

AT THE HOME OF DOMINICK FORNARO AND KEVIN BARRY FOR A MORNING OF ORCHIDS, WINE AND LIGHT FARE.

Dominick Fornaro and Rochelle Eannarino of the MARC Plant store will teach you how to repot and take care of a Phalaenopsis orchid. They will cover everything that you need to know about these amazing plants. The class includes a Phalaenopsis orchid, orchid pot and potting materials as well as a 20% discount at the MARC Plant Store for additional orchid supplies.

Limited to

20 guests

$125/person

Scan for tickets

FUNDRAISER FOR MARC HOUSE

BEEZY BOGAN & RITA MACNELLY – Frozen Moments

Opening March 4th, 2023, Artist Reception 6:00 - 9:00 PM

Once again Rita MacNelly and Beezy Bogan bring their seriously funny sculptures to Gallery on Greene where painting shapes the sculpture and forms transform into humorously human subjects.

Jasmine is a waitress at Dot’s Back Inn who doesn’t want to know if you want grits but where you want them. Babs con dent and sassy has a gure the fashion designers had in mind when they invented Spandex and Dirty Herman has come to Key West to soak up hot rays, cool brews, and swiveling on bar stools is the only exercise he’ll get.

AVOID THE LONG DRIVE TO MIAMI AND HAVE ALL YOUR CHILDREN’S NEEDS MET RIGHT HERE IN THE FLORIDA KEYS.

Dr. Christina Smith DDS is now accepting new patients and is thrilled to be part of the 7-time Bubba Award-winning Doc Guzman’s o ce.

200 Years of Paradise.

Free Bicentennial Concert & Drone Show.

Saturday, March 25th | Truman Waterfront Park, Key West Gates open at 5 PM | fla-keys.com/keys200

Our Bicentennial kicks off with food, fun and a free concert featuring Nick Norman followed by trop-rock all-star Howard Livingston. We’ll then light up the skies with a Keys-centric drone show. This event was 200 years in the making. So come party like there’s no tomorrow.

Presented by the Monroe County Board of County Commissioners and the Tourist Development Council.

Family owned and operated by Damien, Cathy, Tiffany & Nikki.

KEY WEST AMP CROWD ‘GETS DOWN TONIGHT’ DEVON ALLMAN PROJECT ROCKS KEY WEST

WITH APPEARANCE BY DONAVON FRANKENREITER

KC AND THE SUNSHINE BAND RELIVE DISCO ERA

The Devon Allman Project, featuring Gregg Allman’s son, Devon, and Donavon Frankenreiter, packed the Key West Amphitheater on Feb. 23.

Devon Allman began playing music as a kid, but didn’t meet his father, Gregg Allman, until he was 16.

In 1989, Gregg invited Devon on the road with the Allman Brothers Band during the group’s Dreams tour. Devon often sat in with the Allman Brothers, often performing “Midnight Rider” alongside his father.

In 2017, Devon assembled the Devon Allman Project, starting a 2018-19 world tour with Duane Betts as a special

guest. Following that successful run, he and Betts announced the formation of the Allman Betts Band.

Donavon Frankenreiter joined the Devon Allman Project on stage. Frankenreiter is an American musician, songwriter and professional surfer.

— Mandy Miles

More than 2,000 disco-era music lovers put on their “Boogie Shoes,” to “Get Down Tonight” and “Shake that Booty,” when KC and the Sunshine Band took the stage at the Key West Amphitheater on Feb. 26.

Key West’s own DJ Sanaris opened the show, which was a highlight of a Celebrity Cruise Lines Disco Cruise that stopped in Key West with its enthusiastic passengers. The amphitheater concert welcomed cruise passengers, locals and land-lubbing visitors.

And by the end of the show, the crowd was singing, “Please Don’t Go.”

Founded in 1973, KC and the Sunshine Band is an American disco and funk band that started in Hialeah, Florida.

— Mandy Miles

The Devon Allman Project and Donavon Frankenreiter take the stage at the Key West Amphitheater on Feb. 23. LARRY BLACKBURN/Keys Weekly

KC and The Sunshine Band takes the stage at Key West Amphitheater on Feb. 26. LARRY BLACKBURN/Keys Weekly

Raise a glass

WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO BECOME A MASTER SOMMELIER?

Becoming a master sommelier is not an endeavor for the faint of heart — nor for anyone easily discouraged.

I’ve been asked many times, “How and why do you become a master sommelier?”

(Sommelier (so-mel-yeah) or Somm (sohm) for short.)

The title is recognized worldwide and serves as a passport for many doors of opportunity.

It begins when you decide to raise your service standards; to fine tune your service and selling skills to the highest level of refinement and elegance. The process begins with a healthy dose of self-discipline applied to many hours of reading, studying wine regions, memorizing soils, climates, grape varietals, vintages, producers, topography, food and wine affinities, and traveling to wine regions all over the world.

Along with that comes many hours (years, actually) working in a restaurant, preferably a fine-dining room, waiting on guests, managing a wine cellar and wine list, meeting with wine purveyors, and a hundred other details that make up a fine dining experience. Think perfectly polished wine glasses and silverware, recommending an appropriate wine, opening a wine bottle properly, correct pouring skills, and decanting wine.

Then there is all the mandatory wine tasting. The exam requires a blind tasting, which is when the wine is poured into the glass without the taster knowing anything about what was poured. There are six wines that need to be described and identified by varietal, region, vintage, producer, and food pairing in a timed setting.

There are several levels to becoming a master sommelier. First comes an intro exam, multiple choice, somewhat challenging, but with a very high pass rate. Second is a more challenging certified exam. After that comes the advanced level, which qualifies you for the master level. The exam covers all aspects of the industry, wine, beer, spirits, cocktails, service and business. The exam is in three parts, which, in keeping with my alphabet theme, I have named Brawn, Brains and Bottle.

BRAWN AKA THE PRACTICAL

The candidate is required to serve the judges, perform excellent service,

make wine recommendations, decant wine, make food and wine pairings, discuss vintages, after-dinner drinks, and generally show off grace, elegant demeanor and salesmanship skills.

BRAINS AKA THE THEORY

FROM BEHIND THE CURTAIN OF ‘KINKY BOOTS’

ELIZABETH SCHWEITZER

This is a tedious exam of questions asked live in front of a panel of judges, about every corner of the earth that grows wine, e.g., the soils of South Africa, the grapes of Uruguay, the worst vintage of Bordeaux and why, producers in the Loire Valley, on and on. It feels like hours, but actually takes 30 to 40 minutes.

Bottle aka the Blind Tasting

As I mentioned, there are six wines to identify and describe, and we have four minutes per wine or 24 minutes total. Ready, set, go!

You must train like a soldier; there is no easy way. It is not a “regular” life. It takes a lot of time (and money). It is considered the toughest exam in the world.

All the wine tasting, dining and traveling make for treasured memories. It is difficult, challenging and wrought with unforgettable experiences, like every other noble aim.

There 273 master sommeliers in the world of whom 32 are women.

Until next time. Cheers!

LIZ’S WINE PICKS

Save a little: Baci Dolce Moscato Sweet Kiss Veneto, Italy. Delicious! Slight frizzante, peach, orange blossom, floral, softly sweet with fresh acidity. $12 to $15.

Spend a little: B. R. Cohn Olive Hill Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Sonoma, California, 2016. Sustainably farmed from their best hillsides on Olive Hill. Ripe, masculine, black fruit, espresso, cedar, firm, chewy tannins. Rich and complex with a long-lasting finish. $60 to $70.

As regular readers of this column know (and I appreciate any/all of you!), I have been fully committed to musical theater this season. I have been involved in three musicals, with “Kinky Boots” at Waterfront Playhouse being the latest. Though I have written about being in all of them, I have refrained from discussing the production itself. This one has made me reconsider that policy. (Full disclosure: I have only a small part in this production, which allows me to be as much a spectator as a participant, albeit with a great seat.)

The most important part of a production to me is the material. What are the words? What’s the story? Which characters do we dislike? Whom do we love? Does the music add to one’s enjoyment of the show?

“Kinky Boots” has enough meat on the bone to keep me interested. There is character development, there is internal struggle.There is a backstory with direct relation to the current story. Anger, love, scorn, joy, fear and redemption. And there are sequins, lace, wigs, dancing, boxing (of a sort), subtle innuendo, guys dressed as girls, workplace rebellion and an entire cast from 22 to 72 years old in 4-inch, thigh-high, shiny red boots dancing in apparently uncontainable joy.

The music (directed by Michael Fauss, and performed by a pro group of players) is played at the perfect volume and intensity and moves the show along seamlessly. I have seen “Not My Father’s Son” and “Soul of a Man” make people cry, while the finale had them dancing in the aisle.

After the material comes the performance. At the Waterfront Playhouse, director Tom Thayer shows his proclivity for picking the right people to play the right parts. So it was with the casting of Richard Quint as Lola and Courtney Dease as Charlie. These men provide exactly what I love about a great musical

performance: authenticity. I believe them. I believe Lola’s story. I believe Charlie’s turmoil. Both actors convey the emotion necessary to uncover the depth in the lyrics. Richard Quint commands the stage at every step, large in stature, and when his voice gets small, people lean in to hear. And they can hear that he means every word he sings. Courtney Dease seems to glide around the stage on roller skates. Every move seems as if it came without a thought, smoothly and naturally. His voice carries every bit of the weight it is asked to and he knows how to work the quiet moments.

Another bright moment features Talitha Jones singing a song about ex-boyfriends that has gotten longer every show because the laughter gets longer every show.

Then there are the angels. Carolyn Cooper (also an angel) has choreographed a certain ferocity that these dancers use to infuse energy into this production. Acceptance is one of the main themes of this show — needing it from a few and not needing it from the many.

The angels represent that with big costumes — several “how does that stay on?” heavy-looking wigs, dramatic entrances, and wondrous make up somehow glamorously held together while performing exhausting-looking dance routines.

That’s not to say this is a perfect show. For instance, I have seven lines that I have screwed up on two separate occasions (adding no validity to my statement about the director’s casting ability). But there is so much about this production, the cast, the music, and yes, the authenticity, that make it a great time for those who see it, and a great time for those of us in it.

... is a wine lover and expert, and is the eighth woman in the world to earn the title of Master Sommelier, the highest professional qualification in the hospitality industry.

... a professional musician, singer, actor and executive director of the Key West Music Awards, is known to sacrifice his comfort for that of his cat.

RAY WEST

LONGTIME SHERIFF’S OFFICE EMPLOYEE CELEBRATES 40 YEARS

Sheriff’s Capt. Lee Ann Holroyd recently completed her 40th year with the Sheriff’s Office — making her the longestserving full-time member with the agency.

“Capt. Holroyd is a vital member of my team and a good friend,” said Sheriff Rick Ramsay. “Her tenure with the Sheriff’s Office is a testament to her dedication to this community and I couldn’t be prouder of her.”

Ramsay and Holroyd attended the police academy together and have worked together since the beginning of their careers.

Holroyd is the inspector general and supervises the Internal Affairs Division as well as the Airport Security Division.

Holroyd began her Sheriff’s Office career in 1983 as a civilian employee and became a sworn law enforcement of-

ficer in 1987. She served on road patrol and as a school Resource Officer before beginning a long stint as a detective with the South Florida HighIntensity Drug Trafficking Area — a group of law enforcement officers who target the region’s drug-related threats. That work prepared her well for her next role as lieutenant of the Special Operations Division, which also includes narcotics investigations. She has been a captain since 2015 and serves as one of Ramsay’s command staff officers and advisors.

She is a graduate of the FBI National Academy, a national training program that augments and strengthens law enforcement officer standards and knowledge. She is also a member or board member of a litany of civic and community service groups throughout Monroe County.

— Contributed

‘BAYSIDE’ HEADS OCEANSIDE

Rescued green turtle is healthy after tumor surgeries

On Feb. 27, a crowd gathered at Sombrero Beach to celebrate another successful release with staff from Marathon’s Turtle Hospital.

“Bayside,” a juvenile green sea turtle rescued off Marathon in December of last year, was treated at the Turtle Hospital for fibropapillomatosis. Bayside’s treatment at the hospital included tumor removal surgeries, broad spectrum antibiotics, fluids, vitamins and a healthy diet of greens and mixed seafood.

Now tumor-free, she was back to good health and ready to return to her ocean home. — Contributed

1. After rehab at the Turtle Hospital, Bayside is tumor-free and ready to return to her life in the ocean.

2.

Sheriff Rick Ramsay, Capt. Lee Ann Holroyd, and Director of Professional Standards Robert Allen. MCSO/Contributed

The Turtle Hospital’s Tom Higgins, left, and Bette Zirkelbach carry Bayside to the sea.

3. The Turtle Hospital’s Tom Higgins, left, and Bette Zirkelbach release Bayside back into her ocean home.

4. Turtle Hospital manager Bette Zirkelbach watches as Bayside makes her way to the water.

Photos by LARRY

PIVOTAL MOMENTS THAT DEFINE A LIFETIME

The door opens… do you go through?

Philosophers (amateur, professional and inebriated) have debated the reasons for this thing called Life for millennia. As soon as we were aware of our existence on Earth, we began asking why we were here. Some of the proposed answers have been fairly amusing; others have been fraught with despair and horror. Try and discover as we might, there are still no conclusive answers to why we as a society and species were allowed to attain consciousness on this third rock from the sun … although I am sure there are people who dogmatically disagree.

Even in our personal journeys, things don’t always go according to plan. The career my parents were hoping I would one day have was that of an ophthalmologist or optometrist. “Eye doctors only work four days a week, and always take off Wednesdays to play golf,” I remember my mother telling me all those years ago. What a great life I could have if I became an eye doctor.

But along the way in life’s journey, we encounter pivotal moments – critical points and crucial junctures that can turn a life in a completely different direction than was originally intended. My pivotal moment came in the summer of 1976.

It was the Bicentennial year in America. (We had special quarters minted for the occasion.) It was the summer between my freshman and sophomore years in high school. My football career had ended due to a knee injury while I was in middle school. I had acted in a school play, but other than that, I had no real extracurricular interests. Although I had an ear for music and could pick out some chords and melodies on my mother’s upright piano, I certainly wasn’t any sort of musical prodigy. And for the most part, my classes bored the crap out of me. I was a spinning compass in an area without any magnetic north.

For reasons unknown to me at the time, I was selected to attend the Civitan Youth Conference in the mountains of upstate South Carolina near a little town called Cleveland. I looked at it as just a chance to get away from home and enjoy the mountains for a week, and not much more.

But life’s pivotal moments don’t usually give out any warning whatsoever.

One of my fellow campers that week was this otherwise nerdy skinny kid with a large red afro. He had

brought a couple of guitars with him. I didn’t, however, pay much attention to him until the camp’s Friday talent show. He began with an instrumental piece he played on his acoustic guitar. I was mesmerized. So were the rest of the campers and counselors. After a heartfelt ovation, he picked up his electric guitar – a Gibson S-1 – and proceeded to inform the audience that this was now an electric guitar, and that things were going to get loud.

And they did. And it was good.

He performed another instrumental composition, and it was amazing how he bent the strings, played amazing chords and wrestled the piece right out of the guitar through the amplifier and into the camp’s rec hall.

Watching everyone watch him play was my pivotal moment. The switch had been turned on, and the door was opened. And right then I knew – even though I had never picked up a guitar in my life – that my future somehow would be intertwined with carved wood and steel strings.

Coming home from camp, I informed my parents that I really had to have a guitar. My dad told me that he really needed me to get an A in algebra. If that happened, I would get a guitar for Christmas. Let me tell you how long the months between July and Christmas were for a high school sophomore in 1976. I read everything I could get my hands on about guitars and how to play them. I would try and schedule time to spend with guitars owned by my guitar-owning friends. And I got lucky enough to have coach Reid as my algebra teacher. He was the best math teacher I ever knew. I got an A, and I got my guitar. And since then, I have lived the rest of the story. I went through the door.

Although I never did become that eye doctor my parents wanted, I wouldn’t change a thing about my career direction. Playing music has always been my day job – and, more importantly, it is the reason I am here.

— Catch John each Monday at Boondocks, Tuesdays and Wednesdays at the Key Colony Inn and Thursdays at Sparky’s Landing. Find his music anywhere you download or stream your music. www.johnbartus.com

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

JOHN BARTUS

HELP KEEP KEY WEST CLEAN

JOIN A 1- HOUR CLEANUP EVERY FRIDAY MORNING

TAKE ME HOME?

FIND A FRIEND AT THE FLORIDA KEYS SPCA

The Keys Weekly family loves animals as much as our friends at the Florida Keys SPCA do, and we’re honored each week to showcase some “furever” friends that are ready, waiting and available for adoption at the organization’s Key West campus.

From cats and dogs to Guinea pigs, hamsters, rabbits, reptiles and birds, the perfect addition to your family is waiting for you. 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.

Check these pages each week for just a few of the animals waiting for a home and see them all at fkspca.org.

Another Plogging record was set to continue

the great start to 2023. Fifty volunteers showed up on Feb. 24 at First Horizon Bank for the Friday morning clean. In one hour, they collected 115 pounds of trash, 14 pounds of recycling and 3.5 gallons of cigarette butts. A guest Plogger from Panama pitched in, along with one of the original founders of Plogging the Keys, DeeDee Green. Special thanks to First Horizon Bank for the morning goodies. CONTRIBUTED

One hour a week makes a huge difference, and volunteers are welcome every Friday and some Saturday mornings, from 8 to 9 a.m., when the Key West Ploggers clean up a designated area of the island.

Gloves, pickers, buckets, vests, hand sanitizer and a parking pass are provided to all volunteers.

A troubling number of cigarette butts and plastic bags have been included in recent hauls. Please remember your reusable bags when shopping so we can keep the plastic off the streets, parking lots and, most importantly, out of the water. And dispose of cigarette butts in any receptacle rather than the street or sidewalk, as from there, they easily end up in the ocean.

The city of Key West and its residents ask everyone to do their part to help keep Key West beautiful. With simple steps like making sure you bag your trash before putting it in your Waste Management trash cans or Dumpsters, and making sure the lids on Dumpsters are closed, will keep a lot of trash from blowing into the streets. Call Waste Management at 305-296-8297 for any furniture items left on the city right of way.

Please pick up around your home or apartment complex. Every piece of trash picked up is one less that may end up in the ocean that

surrounds and sustains our island community. It is not just the large items you can see easily when you are walking, but the smaller items such as bottle caps and cigarette butts that are collected by the volunteers that make the biggest difference.

It takes committed community involvement to Keep Key West Beautiful and we are making progress with every cleanup event and every spot that’s adopted. Call Dorian Patton at 305-809-3782 to find out how your business, nonprofit or club can help.

— Contributed

Join an upcoming Friday morning cleanup from 8 to 9 a.m.

March 3: Bayview Park area (Meet near the pond next to Bayview Park.)

March 10: Virginia and Duval streets (Meet at Flamingo Crossing ice cream shop.)

March 17: North Roosevelt & Kennedy Drive (Meet at Publix in Key Plaza.)

March 24: Simonton & Greene streets (Meet in the parking lot at 0 Simonton St.)

March 31: Mallory Square (Meet in the parking lot near Dumpsters.)

Thelma is a 4½-year-old female domestic shorthair. Thelma is laid back, shy and will take some time to get to know you, but is all love after that.

Jason is a 2½-year old male domestic shorthair. He and his pal Sonny are best friends. Jason would love a home with another kitty, or just take Sonny, too.

Mozzy is a 2-year-old male large mixed breed. Mozzy is a sweet boy, loves treats, toys and would do best in the home as the only dog.

Neapolitan aka Babs is an adult female rabbit. She’s a happy bunny who loves carrot treats, running for exercise and throwing her toy keys around her home.

Kolie is a 3-year-old female domestic shorthair. She is not quick to trust, but once she does, she is your best friend, showing all the affection.

THE STRESS LOOP

PART 1 OF 2: IDENTIFYING THE BREAKABLE CYCLES

COGNITION

Stress spares no prisoners, especially in the mind and specifically with self-regulation. Stress also negatively influences problem-solving skills, planning, organizing and the ability to focus and manage your emotions.

BEHAVIORS

Stress influences eating, physical activity and sleep. All these behaviors all have their own feedback loops, too.

As the researchers state: “Lack of sleep can hinder physical activity, and lack of physical activity can disrupt sleep.”

PHYSIOLOGY

The researchers outline three ways stress might affect you physiologically:

• It increases stress hormones. This can make you want to eat more, and can also tell your body to store fat.

• Stress increases your brain’s appetite for “rewards” — feel-good chemicals such as dopamine. These can drive you to eat foods that are highly palatable (sugar and fat) or seek out alcohol or drugs.

• Stress may negatively affect your microbiome – a fancy name for the microorganisms in our digestive tracts – which could make you more susceptible to weight gain.

SHELF HELP

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

What: “One Brilliant Flame” by Joy

Castro

JENNIFER

BOLTZ HARVEY

Deadlines. Traffic. Waiting in line. Full email boxes. Politics. Kids. Money. Did I mention traffic? What do these all have in common? Stress. All of these cause stress, and not just a little – a lot.

The majority of us are suffering from chronic sleep deprivation, balancing soccer schedules and board meetings, while dodging and weaving the left lane lollygaggers as you open your banking app and transfer more savings into your checking because the price of groceries is absolutely sucking you dry.

Yeah, stress. So romantic.

BIOCHEMISTRY

Stress may also affect blood chemicals related to weight control, especially leptin, ghrelin and neuropeptide Y, which affect hunger, appetite and fat storage.

WEIGHT STIGMA

We’ve come to normalize being stressed in our society. In fact, dare I say we’ve romanticized it a little bit? You tell me: If you met someone who was completely stress-free, how would you feel about them? First, probably a little jealous, but after that, would you not be thinking, “They must not have much of a life” or “They probably grew up with a silver spoon”?

...is a Marathonbased ACSMcertified personal trainer and precision nutrition coach who owns and operates Highly Motivated Functionally Caffeinated LLC.

So now you may be wondering, “So what? It’s stress, it’s normal, what’s the big deal?” The “big deal” is what happens when the body is under chronic stress, with the biggest problem being excessive weight gain. In fact, new research from UCLA has uncovered that stress and obesity are more intertwined than experts have ever thought. Below I have broken down the research. Big thanks to Precision Nutrition for making such an awesome graphic to help make the connection crystal clear.

The premise: Stress can affect multiple “systems” that are involved in weight control.

The researchers define weight stigma as “the sum of prejudice, discrimination and negative attitudes aimed at those perceived as overweight.”

This in itself creates another feedback loop. Obesity leads to weight stigma which then creates … more stress. And on and on it goes.

It’s as if being stressed is a badge of honor, a recognition that we are killing ourselves. But it’s okay because if we weren’t, we would be labeled “lazy,” or worse (gasp) “lucky.”

Each one of these systems has a feedback loop that can affect all the others. It’s these interactions that really cause the bigger problems, and it’s a cycle that is incredibly hard to break.

In part two, I will go into detail about practical and effective ways to cope with stress and ultimately help decrease the amount of stress in daily life. In the meantime, slow down, remind yourself that stress causes quite the mess physiologically, and no matter how irritating the traffic may be, it’s far better than dealing with a stress feedback loop. Want to learn more? Scan the code to read the original research.

Why: In the 19th century, Key West was the center of Cuban enterprise, exile and intrigue. The cigar industry, and the revolt against Spanish colonial rule, combined to make nearby American territory Cuban in ways that continue to reverberate today. This novel, set between the Ten Years War and the Spanish American War, focuses on a group of young Cuban-American women who are coming of age in this turbulent era. A rich cigar maker’s daughter, a cigar maker and the daughter of a woman who runs a boarding house are an unlikely trio of friends. Their experiences and perspectives illuminate that time in Key West in a way no history book can.

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 online to get one. Questions? info@ keyslibraries.org

Recommended by: Nancy Klingener, community affairs manager

‘GOOD AS GOLD’

BOOK DELVES INTO THE PURSUIT FOR SUNKEN TREASURE IN THE KEYS

John Christopher Fine is a busy man. He splits time between his horse farm in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, as well as Boynton Beach and the Florida Keys, where he conducts coral reef research, lectures on oceanography and teaches scuba diving.

A marine biologist and an expert in maritime affairs, he writes about the current ocean conditions. As a volunteer firefighter, he had little time for anything else, yet his friends kept reminding him that he should “write that treasure book.”

After years of delay, Fine set his plow to the soil and followed its furrows to the end. He completed the 252-page “Hunt for Gold: Sunken Galleons in the New World,” the 27th book that he authored and contributed photos.

At first glance, the manuscript appeared to be all about the late Bob “Frogfoot” Weller, one of the most successful salvors on the Sunshine State’s treasure coast. Upon further review, it is about Weller — in memory of him — but includes other accomplished treasure hunters as well. It features Margaret Ann Weller too, a crackerjack salvor in her own right and member of the Weller search team.

Frogfoot got his nickname from the style of swim fins used by the U.S. Navy Underwater Demolition Team (UDT) — forerunner of today’s SEAL teams — which he joined in one of two stints served in the Navy. Weller and his shipmates didn’t mind being called “frogmen” and he relished his “Frogfoot” nickname. The popular treasure hunter and guru to many wannabes, the frogman actually lived three lives: first in a naval career, second as an award-winning salesperson and third as the head of Crossed Anchors Salvage Company that he and Margaret started.

Weller served in the U.S. Navy in World War II and later the Korean conflict, earning a Purple Heart and Bronze Star. With his naval duty behind him, Weller was hired by the Honeywell Corporation, where he excelled in sales and marketing. Never idle, Frogfoot founded the Delaware Underwater Swim Club, which is still active today. It was here that he spawned an interest in shipwrecks and began diving on them off the Delaware coast.

In the early 1960s, yearning for warm weather, the sailor moved from Delaware to Miami, where he continued with the Honeywell Corporation and racked up a new yearly record for sales. To say 1970 was a banner year for making extraordinary discoveries would be superfluous. It was the year Frogfoot met Margaret Mathews who became Mrs. Robert Weller four years later. Both were divorced and Margaret was working in the gift shop at the Miami Serpentarium when he met her while selling replica Spanish treasure coins. Some of the coins were like those from the 1733 Spanish Plate Fleet. (“Plate” is “Plata,” meaning silver in Spanish). Fine devotes several chapters to the 1733 Fleet. Divers flocked to the Keys in the pursuit of sunken treasure. It was “finders keepers” back then when no rigid state laws were in place. It was 1935 when a fisherman showed Art McKee, a local Marathon diver, a coin he found in his nets and suggested he take a look at the site. McKee looked, found more coins and became every treasure diver’s hero. He was known as the father and pioneer diver of the Keys and gathered enough artifacts, maps and photos to open a museum in Marathon where some of the exhibits came from the fisherman’s wreck, El Rubi, the capitana or flagship of the fleet.

Most of the wrecks consisted of stone ballast piles and wooden planks that weren’t eaten by teredo worms. Scattered all along the coast in treasure trails, they are listed in the Archives of the Indies, Seville, Spain: San Pedro, Tres Puentes (Three Decks), El Populo, Chavez, San Francisco and San Ignacio, the latter sunk on Coffins Patch Reef near Marathon yielding 54,000 pesos (one peso equals one dollar).

Most of the sunken fleet was scattered about in shallow water on treasure trails that stretched for miles both north and south of Marathon. Many were just piles of ballast stones and chunks of dead coral covered with algae. These remains were similar to the ones Frogfoot would find on wrecks further north around Vero Beach, Fort Pierce and Sebastian, where the Wellers moved to enjoy their third phase of life. Frogfoot left Honeywell after 10 years to become a fulltime salvor. Mr. and Mrs. Weller went hunting and their target was the 1715 Silver Plate Fleet, another hurricane victim.

After Frogfoot bought in on Mel Fisher’s lease, both agreeing to a 50-50 split, he purchased a boat, the Pandion (from Greek mythology), and outfitted it to his needs. A 24-foot workboat similar to the oyster and crab boats on the Chesapeake Bay, it was low to the water for easy diver access. It had an inboard engine, an overhead cover and a prop wash which was called a “mailbox” for its spacious, sheet metal design. Its elbowshaped construction—actually looking like two mailboxes—covers the prop, creating a downward thrust of water that digs a hole in the sand. When the engine is cut, divers scan the excavated burrow with metal detectors to see what they’ve uncovered.

The book is available through Amazon, Books-A-Million, Barnes & Noble or at rowman.com.

— Contributed

‘Hunt for Gold’ by John Christopher Fine was released in late 2022. CONTRIBUTED

old town new folk

See the nation’s Concerts under the stars

A true storyteller with upbeat performances of vintage jazz and world beat grooves on anything from the piano to the spoons.

SCAN FOR TICKETS!

Made possible by Nick and Lorie Howley, John and Marilyn Rintamaki and Nell Smets. Series sponsored by Blue Heaven, Suzanne Moore Group, Key Smiles DDS

cabaret with Amanda McBroom

tHU Mar 9 & FrI Mar 10, 7PM

LOCALS SPECIAL 2 COURSE DINNER $39 ADD DESSERT FOR 50% OFF

CHOOSE 1 STARTER & 1 ENTREE

STARTER: Caprese Salad or Caesar Salad. ENTRÉE: Chicken Piccata, 6oz. Filet Mignon, Key West Yellow Tail or Vegetarian Pasta. DESSERT: Award Winning Key Lime Pie or Dulce de Leche Cheesecake

Wednesday - Sunday 5pm - 7pm. Reservations recommended 305-295-3255. Excludes Holidays and must present a local ID.

$75, $50 Mbrs. VIP: $400 table For FoUr

“The greatest cabaret performer of her generation.”

ZOË LEWIS Pi er House Resort & Spa 1 Duval St | Key West, FL 33040

—The New York Times McBroom came to fame when Bette Midler’s version of her song “The Rose” hit number one all over the world in 1979. sponsored by Historic Hideaways tickets at tskw.org or call 305-296-0458

SPA SPECIAL COUPLES MASSAGE

50-Minute couples massage (deep tissue or Swedish) Champagne (2 glasses) | Small spa amenity $300 per couple (plus tax and 20% gratuity)

5950 Peninsular Ave, Stock Island oceansedgekeywest.com

3PM- 6PM

12-3PM

1215 DUNCAN | 2BD | 2BA | 1,050 SQ FT | $1,600,000 | MLS #604231

Single level and Tropical Elegance can all be found in this State-of-the-Art contemporary home with open floor plan and coral tile throughout. Towering palm trees and mature jungle like landscaping offering privacy and luxury. Wolf and Sub Zero appliances with abundant custom cabinetry. Cathedral ceilings, impact doors and windows. The private primary suite with ultra modern bathroom and custom closets will welcome you to peaceful rest and organization. The 8x12 heated pool will draw you into intense relaxation or chic parties, your choice. Located in the Historic District near beaches and restaurants. Make this home your island sanctuary.

FUTURE MILITARY LEADERS VISIT KEY WEST

REPS FROM 48 COUNTRIES LEARN ABOUT LOCAL GOVERNMENT

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, TENNESSEE WILLIAMS

HISTORICAL SOCIETY HOSTS MONTH OF ART & CULTURAL EVENTS

Key West Art & Historical Society’s month-long Tennessee Williams birthday celebration, which remembers the Pulitzer-prize winning literary icon with an array of arts and cultural events, begins this week with a kickoff party and fundraiser. Williams, who first visited the island in 1941, called Key West home for over 30 years after he bought a quaint clapboard house on Duncan Street.

Events include a garden partythemed fundraiser at the home of Tennessee Williams Museum founders Dennis Beaver and Bert Whitt on March 5. Attendees will be treated to a short performance by Waterfront Playhouse actors, an open bar and heavily passed canapes. Tickets are available through www.kwahs.org/upcoming-events.

On Feb. 27, the city of Key West and Mayor Teri Johnston hosted a presentation about the island city with an elite group of students.

Fifty-one members of the Naval Command College’s Class of 2023 came to City Hall to garner insight into local government. The Naval Command College is part of the Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island, where future military leaders from all over the world learn about various aspects of American life and culture.

Johnston greeted the group, noting that sea level rise and sustainability are top priorities for the city. She outlined the island’s vulnerability and the ways in which the city is tackling these issues.

Assistant City Manager Todd Stoughton gave the group an overview of Key West’s historic significance and its interconnectedness with the military. He highlighted the fact that Key West is now an official U.S. Coast Guard City.

“Our group of international students, representing 48 different countries, is composed of senior officers, many of whom will be the chief of their country’s military,” said Naval Command College representative Ty Lemerande. “Our goal is to educate them about the United States, exposing and enlightening them to as many elements/ aspects of our culture as possible.”

At the end of the presentation, the group presented Johnston with a plaque featuring each of the class members and their nations’ flags.

— Contributed

Every Monday during March, from 6:30 p.m., the Tennessee Williams Monday Night Classic Film Series will be screened at the Tropic Cinema, 416 Eaton St. Films include “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof,” “The Loss of a Teardrop Diamond,” “This Property is Condemned” and “The Glass Menagerie.”

A free outdoor screening of “The Rose Tattoo,” which was partially filmed in Key West in the mid-1950s, will take place on March 15 on the street in front of the Tropic Cinema. Tickets are available exclusively at Tropic Cinema or tropiccinema.com.

Beaver will also host a series of curator tours at the Tennessee Williams Museum, each with a special theme. He will share highlights of the filming of “The Rose Tattoo” and “The Glass Menagerie” and provide a general overview of Williams’ life in Key West. Tickets are available through kwahs.org.

On Saturday, March 11, at 2 p.m., The Studios of Key West presents a special Rick Worth Painting Boot Camp celebrating Tennessee Williams. Worth, a renowned painting instructor, will offer a specific edition of his popular class concentrating on the methodology of Williams’ own paintings. Tickets are available through Studios or tskw.org.

Waterfront Playhouse is staging “Suddenly, Last Summer” for a twonight run on Sunday and Monday, March 12-13. Williams’ play revolves

around a young woman who, at the insistence of her wealthy aunt, is evaluated by a psychiatric doctor to receive a lobotomy after witnessing the death of her cousin Sebastian Venable while traveling with him in Spain the previous summer. Tickets are available through Waterfront Playhouse or waterfrontplayhouse.org.

Join Fringe Theater and the Key West Art & Historical Society on Thursday, March 23 from 5 to 7 p.m. for a reading of Williams’ short stories and poems concentrating on his sultrier characters in a program titled “The Smoke and Sizzle of Tennessee Williams.” Readers organized by Fringe Theater and local poet Vicki Boguszewski will share these works during a performance at The Little Jazz Room, 821 Duval St. Tickets are available through the Key West Art & Historical Society or kwahs.org.

Culminating the month-long festival, the public is invited to the Tennessee Williams Museum to celebrate what would have been Williams’ 112th birthday on March 26 from 5 to 7 p.m.

The evening, which is free to attend, will include contest award presentations, light snacks, bubbly beverages and birthday cake.

Visit kwahs.org/upcomingevents for the full schedule of events and advanced ticket purchases. You can also contact Cori Convertito at cconvertito@kwahs. org or 305-295-6616 x507. The Tennessee Williams Museum, at 513 Truman Ave., is open Thursdays to Sundays for self-guided tours from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

This historic photo shows a birthday celebration for Tennessee Williams with a cake that reads, ‘Happy Birthday, Tennessee Williams, from the Pier House.’ KEY WEST ART & HISTORICAL SOCIETY/Contributed

Future military leaders from 48 countries, all students at the U.S. Naval War College in Rhode Island, visit Key West on Feb. 24 for insight about local governments. CONTRIBUTED

MARKING THE DANGEROUS FLORIDA REEF

LIGHTSHIP CAESAR FACED HARDSHIPS AT SEA

Before the skeletal, ironpile lighthouses began to mark the Florida Reef, there were lightships. These were two-masted schooners equipped with lanterns and anchored out near the reef line to aid mariners in navigating hazardous waters.

BRAD BERTELLI

is 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.

Several lightships were employed off the coast of the Florida Keys, including those stationed at the Dry Tortugas, Sand Key and Key West. There were also two lightships anchored off of Key Largo at Carysfort Reef –though not simultaneously.

Carysfort Reef is several miles offshore of North Key Largo and quickly developed a reputation as a particularly treacherous tract of coral. The inherent danger it presented was one of the reasons it became one of the first reefs marked after the Florida Reef, the Keys, East Florida and West Florida became an official U.S. possession in 1821.

The lightship Caesar was the first two-masted schooner assigned to Carysfort Reef. The Caesar was built from the 1821 design by Henry Eckford after Congress approved $20,000 for its construction in 1824. By June 1825, the lightship had been completed, manned and was sailing for Key West, where its newly appointed captain, John Whalton, was waiting for it to arrive. The wait proved longer than expected.

The lightship sailed from New York on June 7. Two days later, it sailed into a gale and was wrecked on the Florida coast between Fort Lauderdale and Delray Beach. The captain and crew established a tent on the nearby beach where they were stranded for eight days before being rescued by Captain Churchill of the small schooner Good Intentions and delivered to Savannah, Georgia, on June 22.

Before they abandoned the ship and sailed away on the Good Intentions, the lightship’s captain left a note of “abandonment” on board the vessel and removed all of its sails. The message contained the time and date of their departure, because 12 hours after the ship was abandoned, it was salvaged by a wrecking crew from Cape Florida (Key Biscayne). The wreckers refloated the vessel and safely moored it in 24 feet of water after shifting the ballast around. The wrecker then set sail for Key West to acquire sails to refit the lightship.

When the Caesar arrived in Key West, repairs were made, a crew established and provisions loaded onto the ship. Ten months after the lightship wrecked along the Florida coast, Whalton sailed the Caesar up the Florida Keys and anchored inside of Key Largo’s Carysfort Reef at a convenient anchorage called Turtle Harbor, where the lanterns were first lit on April 15, 1826.

The future of the Caesar would not be smooth sailing or, in this case, smooth anchoring.

Ten months into their tenure at Turtle Harbor, one of Whalton’s crew decided he no longer wanted to be on the ship and staged a bit of a mutiny — or at least that is what contemporary newspaper accounts labeled his actions. When the crew member refused to follow his captain’s orders, Whalton placed him in irons. After the prisoner was secured, it was discovered that in addition to refusing to do as he was told, he was responsible for breaking the lightship’s alarm bell. The offender was placed aboard the Revenue cutter Marion, transported to Charleston and tried for his crimes.

Trouble on the lightship would not end with the arrest of the mutinous crew member during the Caesar’s relatively short career marking Carysfort Reef. A letter written by Whalton dated June 10, 1827, and delivered

to W. Pinkney, the Collector of Customs at Key West, revealed a tragedy that took the lives of two of his crew.

Apparently, casks of fresh water were not regularly delivered to the lightship or, at the very least, not reliably delivered, and it was necessary for Whalton to send his crew off to fill their empty casks. The “Boat,” crewed by Hans Hansen and Thomas VanPelt, left the Caesar to fill five 60-gallon barrels and “Beakers” on June 5.

On June 10, the “Boat” was discovered “sunk with the sails set” by Captain Loft, who salvaged the vessel and returned it to Whalton. In a letter written to Pinkney, Whalton stated: “I hope the people are not lost. But I have but little hopes of them. Capt. Loft has been good enough to deliver me the boat & articles found. I hope you will satisfy him for the trouble as the Boat was lying on the bottom in two fathoms water. I am now bad off from the wants for Boat & water casks. You will excuse the short letter as the Capt. is in haste & I have one of my fingers cut so bad that I can’t write.”

The ship would not fare much better. In only a handful of years, the Caesar, too, would be lost. In 1829, Whalton ordered the anchors brought in, employed the schooner’s sails and set a course for Key West (and not for the first time). On May 26, 1829, the Caesar arrived in Key West for repairs. After a survey of the ship, the Collector of Customs, Pinkney, remarked that the Caesar’s timbers were “an entire mass of dry rot and fungus. I must say that there never was a grosser imposition practiced than by the contractor in this instance.”

A day or two later, the Caesar was condemned. It would not be the last lightship stationed at the dangerous Carysfort Reef. Next week, we will explore the story of Caesar’s replacement, the lightship Florida.

1821 lightship design by Henry Eckford. U.S. LIGHTSHIP SOCIETY/Contributed

LEGAL NOTICES

FICTITIOUS NAME NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the undersigned, desiring to engage in business under the fictitious name of BP CLEANING SERVICES located at 102 Caribbean Ave., Monroe County in the City of Tavernier, Florida 33070, intends to register the said name with the Division of Corporations of the Florida Department of State, Tallahassee, Florida.

Dated at Tavernier, Florida this 23rd day of February, 2023.

By: Barbara Wong

Publish:

March 2, 2023

The Weekly Newspapers

FICTITIOUS NAME NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the undersigned, desiring to engage in business under the fictitious name of Orchid Arrangements by Yuya located at 20 Jean La Fitte Dr., Key Largo, FL 33037 intends to register said name with the Florida Department of State, Tallahassee, Florida.

By: Manatee

Publish:

March 2, 2023

Wave LLC

The Weekly Newspapers

MEETING NOTICE

QUARTERLY MEETING NOTICE:

LOCAL COORDINATING BOARD FOR THE TRANSPORTATION

DISADVANTAGED

The Monroe County Local Coordinating Board (LCB) will be holding its regularly scheduled quarterly meeting on Friday, March 3, 2022 from 10:00 am – 11:00 am at the Marathon Government Center, BOCC Room, 2798 Overseas Highway, Marathon, FL 33050.

The primary purpose of the Coordinating Board is to provide information and advice to the Community Transportation Coordinator on the coordination of services provided to the transportation disadvantaged population of Monroe County, pursuant to Chapter 427.0157, Florida Statutes. Pursuant to the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), any person requiring special accommodations at this meeting due to a disability or physical impairment, and any related questions or inquiries concerning this meeting should be directed to Tiffany Albury at the Health Council of South Florida, Inc. at (305)592-1452 ext. 121 at least 72 hours prior to the date of the meeting.

Publish:

February 16 & 23 and March 2, 2023

The Weekly Newspapers

PUBLIC MEETING NOTICE

LOCAL COORDINATING BOARD FOR THE TRANSPORTATION

DISADVANTAGED

The Monroe County Local Coordinating Board (LCB) will be hosting a public hearing on Friday, March 3, 2022 from 11:00 am – 12:00 pm at the Marathon Government Center, BOCC Room, 2798 Overseas Highway, Marathon, FL 33050.

This public hearing is open to community members who would like to present or discuss any comments related to the transportation disadvantaged. We welcome you to attend! Persons should contact the HCSF staff 48 hours in advance if they are interested in commenting.

The primary purpose of the Coordinating Board is to provide information and advice to the Community Transportation Coordinator on the coordination of services provided to the transportation disadvantaged population of Monroe County, pursuant to Chapter 427.0157, Florida Statutes. Pursuant to the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), any person requiring special accommodations at this meeting due to a disability or physical impairment.

Any related questions or inquiries concerning this meeting should be directed to Tiffany Albury at the Health Council of South Florida, Inc. at (305) 592-1452 ext. 121 at least 72 hours prior to the date of the meeting.

LEGAL NOTICES

Publish:

February 16 & 23 and March 2, 2023

The Weekly Newspapers

PUBLIC MEETING NOTICE

The Monroe County Tourist Development Council will hold their regularly-scheduled meeting on Tuesday, March 28, 2023, at 10:00 A.M., at the Doubletree Key West Resort, 3990 S. Roosevelt Boulevard, Key West, Florida 33040. The Visit Florida Keys Corporation will also convene during this meeting.

All Tourist Development Council Meetings are open to the public, and one or more County Commissioners may be in attendance.

ADA ASSISTANCE: If you are a person with a disability who needs special accommodations in order to participate in this proceeding, please contact the Monroe County Administrator’s Office, by phoning (305) 2924441, 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”.

Publish:

March 2, 2023

The Weekly Newspapers

DISTRICT I ADVISORY COMMITTEE (DAC I) (Encompasses the City Limits of Key West) of the MONROE COUNTY TOURIST DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL has an opening for an “At Large” representative - Any resident who is not directly involved in a tourism business, who shall represent the general public, and shall live or work within the tax collection district for which they are applying. (The operative word within this description is directly. This means no direct involvement by an applicant in a business or economic activity that is dependent upon tourism.)

Any person wishing to participate on the District I Advisory Committee of the Monroe County Tourist Development Council within the district so noted above may request an application by emailing sydney@fla-keys.com. Completed applications should be emailed to sydney@fla-keys. com, or may be sent via U.S. Mail to the address below:

Department DAC Monroe County Tourist Development Council 1201 White Street, Suite 102 Key West, FL 33040

Deadline for receipt of applications at the above address is Friday, March 31, 2023, at 5:00 p.m. A resume may be attached to the application.

Publish:

March 2, 2023

The Weekly Newspapers DISTRICT V ADVISORY COMMITTEE (DAC V)

(From Mile Marker 90.940 to the Dade/Monroe County Line and any Mainland portions of Monroe County) of the MONROE COUNTY TOURIST DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL has an opening for an “At Large” representative - Any resident who is not directly involved in a tourism business, who shall represent the general public, and shall live or work within the tax collection district for which they are applying.

(The operative word within this description is directly. This means no direct involvement by an applicant in a business or economic activity that is dependent upon tourism).

Any person wishing to participate on the District V Advisory Committee of the Monroe County Tourist Development Council within the district so noted above may request an application by emailing sydney@fla-keys.com.

LEGAL NOTICES

Completed applications should be emailed to sydney@fla-keys. com, or may be sent via U.S. Mail to the address below:

Department DAC Monroe County Tourist Development Council

1201 White Street, Suite 102

Key West, FL 33040

Deadline for receipt of applications at the above address is Friday, March 31, 2023, at 5:00 p.m. A resume may be attached to the application.

Publish:

March 2, 2023

The Weekly Newspapers

CITY OF KEY COLONY BEACH

NOTICE OF CODE AMENDMENT

HEARING

SECOND/FINAL READING OF ORDINANCE NO. 2023-481

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the City Commission of the City of Key Colony Beach, Florida, will hold the following Public Hearing to hear amendments to the City’s Code of Ordinances.

Location: City Hall Annex, 600 W. Ocean Drive, Key Colony Beach, FL 33051

The proposed Ordinance to be heard by the City Commission is [ORDINANCE NO. 2023-481], entitled “AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF KEY COLONY BEACH, FLORIDA, AMENDING CHAPTER

2, ARTICLE VII, SECTIONS 2-86, 2-88, AND 2-93 OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF KEY COLONY BEACH RELATED TO MEETINGS OF THE CITY COMMISSION; PROVIDING FOR THE REPEAL OF ALL ORDINANCES OR PARTS THEREOF FOUND TO BE IN CONFLICT; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY, REPEAL, AND CODIFICATION; PROVIDING FOR INCLUSION IN THE CODE OF ORDINANCES AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.”

Interested parties may appear at the meeting and be heard with respect to the proposed ordinance. Copies of the proposed Ordinance are available for inspection at the City Hall of Key Colony Beach. If any person decides to appeal any decision made by the Key Colony Beach City Commission with respect to any matter considered at the Code Amendment Hearing, that person will need a record of the proceeding and for such purpose 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.

If you are unable to attend the Public Hearing on Thursday, March 16th, 2023, but wish to comment, please direct correspondence to: City Commission, P.O. Box 510141, Key Colony Beach, FL 33051, and your comments will be entered into the record.

To be published: On or before March 6th, 2023

City Clerk City of Key Colony Beach, Florida

Publish: March 2, 2023

The Weekly Newspapers

CITY OF MARATHON

Notice of Finding of No

Significant Impact and Notice of Intent to Request a Release of Funds

NOTICE OF FINDING OF NO

SIGNFICANT IMPACT AND NOTICE OF INTENT TO REQUEST RELEASE OF FUNDS

March 1, 2023

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.

REQUEST FOR RELEASE OF FUNDS On or about March 20, 2023, the City of Marathon will submit a request to the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity for the release of Community Development

Grant

LEGAL NOTICES

under Title I of the Housing and Community Development (HCD) Act of 1974, 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. Work to be completed includes: Install Electrical Upgrades for five (5) WWTP; Install Vacuum Monitoring System for five (5) WWTP; Construction a Service Area Flood Wall for WWTP Area 6.

FINDING OF NO

IMPACT

contact the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity to verify the actual last day of the objection period.Luis Gonzalez, Mayor Publish:

March 2, 2023

The Weekly Newspapers

funds

SIGNIFICANT

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 March 20, 2023 will be considered by the City of Marathon prior to authorizing submission of a request for release of funds. Comments should specify which Notice they are addressing.

ENVIRONMENTAL CERTIFICATION

The City of Marathon certifies to Florida Department of Economic Opportunity Luis Gonzalez 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

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

Ciudad de Maratón Aviso de hallazgo de no impacto significativo y Aviso de intención de solicitar una liberación de fondos AVISO DE CONSTATACIÓN DE QUE NO HAY IMPACTO SIGNIFICATIVO Y AVISO DE INTENCIÓN DE SOLICITAR LA LIBERACIÓN DE FONDOS Marzo 1, 2023 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 Marzo de 2023, 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) Act of 1974 , 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 3 EDAR - 4095 Overseas Hwy; Área 4 EDAR - 140 Sombrero Beach Rd; Área 5 EDAR - 10685 Overseas Hwy; Área 5 Estación Vac - 7280 Overseas Hwy; Área 6 EDAR - Avenida I 100; Área 7 EDAR59255 Overseas Hwy. El trabajo a completar incluye: Instalar actualizaciones Eléctricas para cinco (5) PTAR; Instalar el sistema de Monitoreo de Vacío para cinco (5) WWTP; Construcción de un muro de inundación del área de servicio para el área 6 WWTP. HALLAZGO DE NO IMPACTO 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 Marzo 20, 2023 serán considerados por la Ciudad de Maratón antes de autorizar la presentación de una solicitud de liberación de fondos. Los comentarios deben especificar a qué Aviso se CERTIFICACIÓNdirigen.AMBIENTAL

La Ciudad de Maratón certifica al Departamento de Oportunidades Económicas de Florida a Luis Gonzalez 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 Maratón 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 Maratón 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 Maratón; (b) la Ciudad de Maratón 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: March 2, 2023

The Weekly Newspapers

NOTICE OF REQUEST FOR COMPETITIVE SOLICITATIONS

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that on Thursday, April 20, 2023, at 3:00 P.M., the Monroe County Purchasing Office will receive and open sealed responses for the following:

Installation and Maintenance of Aids to Navigation and Regulatory Markers in the Florida Keys Waters within Monroe County 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 Thursday, April 20, 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:

Installation and Maintenance of Aids to Navigation & Regulatory Markers in Florida Keys Waters within Monroe County 4-20-2023

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; 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 April 20, 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:

March 2, 2023

The Weekly Newspapers

STATE OF WISCONSIN CIRCUIT COURT

POLK COUNTY

SUMMONS (PUBLICATION)

CASE NO. 23CV14

CASE CODE: 30303

LISA MILLER and DAVID J. WING 23225 188th Street, N.W. Big Lake, MN 55309 Plaintiff, v. WEINEGER ENTERPRISES TRUST 132 North Indies Drive Marathon, FL 33050 Defendants.

THE STATE OF WISCONSIN, to each person named above as a Defendant:

You are hereby notified that the plaintiff named above has filed a lawsuit or other legal action against you.

Within 45 days after February 16, 2023, you must respond with a written demand for a copy of the complaint. The demand must be sent or delivered to the court, whose address is: Clerk of Court Polk County Courthouse 1005 W. Main Street, Suite 300 Balsam Lake, WI 54810 and to Plaintiffs’ attorney, whose address is:

Barry C. Lundeen

Mudge, Porter, Lundeen & Seguin, SC 110 Second Street Hudson, WI 54016

You may have an attorney represent you.

If you do not demand a copy of the complaint within 45 days, the court may grant judgment against you for the award of money or other legal action requested in the complaint, and you may lose your right to object to anything that is or may be incorrect in the complaint. A judgment may be enforced as provided by law. A judgment awarding money may become a lien against any real estate you own now or in the future, and may also be enforced by garnishment or seizure of property.

Dated this 10th day of February, 2023.

MUDGE, PORTER, LUNDEEN & SEGUIN, S.C.

Attorneys for Plaintiffs

By: Barry C. Lundeen

State Bar No. 1011860

Barry.lundeen@mpl-s.com

110 Second Street

P.O. Box 469 Hudson, WI 54016 (715) 386-3200

Publish:

February 16 & 23 and March 2, 2023

The Weekly Newspapers IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA

LEGAL NOTICES LEGAL NOTICES

DIVISION: MIDDLE KEYS IN RE: ESTATE OF NANCY J. MILLER

Deceased.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

The administration of the estate of Nancy J. Miller, deceased, whose date of death was November 25, 2022, is pending in the Circuit Court for MONROE County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is 3117 Overseas Highway, 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: March 2, 2023.

Personal Representative:

Carl E. Miller

305 Sombrero Blvd. Marathon, Florida 33050

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: March 2 & 9, 2023

The Weekly Newspapers

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE SIXTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA PROBATE DIVISION CASE NO.: 23-CP-52-K IN RE: THE ESTATE OF JAY SCOTT RYLANDER, Deceased.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

The administration of the estate of JAY SCOTT RYLANDER, deceased, whose date of death was January 5, 2023, Case: 23-CP-52-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 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: March 2, 2023.

Personal Representative:

MICHAEL REPPAS

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:

March 2 & 9, 2023

The Weekly Newspapers

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA PROBATE DIVISION

FILE NO.: 23-CP-000015-P

IN RE: ESTATE OF WILLIAM F. PEEL, JR.

Deceased.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

The administration of the estate of WILLIAM F. PEEL, JR., deceased, whose date of death was May 26, 2022; is pending in the Circuit Court for Monroe County, Florida, Probate Division; File Number 23-CP-000015-P, the address of which is 88820 Overseas Highway, Tavernier, FL 33070. The names and addresses of the personal representative and the personal representative’s attorney are set forth below. All creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate, including unmatured, contingent or unliquidated claims, 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 THREE (3) MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE OR THIRTY (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 the decedent’s estate, including unmatured, contingent or unliquidated claims, must file their claims with this court WITHIN THREE (3) MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE.

ALL CLAIMS NOT FILED WITHIN

THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH IN THE 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: March 2, 2023.

Personal Representative:

BARBARA K. PEEL

5 Sunset Cay Road

Key Largo, FL 33037 Attorney for Personal

Representative:

JOHN MICHAEL LYNN, ESQ. Florida Bar No. 0147273

Turner & Lynn, P.A.

7 Barracuda Lane Key Largo, Florida 33037 Telephone: (305) 367-0911 turnerlynnpa@gmail.com

Publish:

March 2 & 9, 2023

The Weekly Newspapers

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA PROBATE DIVISION

FILE NO.: 23-CP-000016-P

IN RE: ESTATE OF FREDERICK R. FREY, JR. Deceased.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

IS HIRING!

$1000 SIGNON BONUS AFTER 3 MONTHS

SUPPORTED LIVING COACH FULL TIME

Responsibilities include management of developmentally disabled clients in independent living environments, management of office and In Home Support staff. Must be available for some evenings and weekends. Bachelor’s degree in related field or year for year experience working with developmentally disabled clients in lieu of degree. Salary commensurate with experience.

Background screening, current FL driver’s license, and references required. Apply at the MARC office, 1401 Seminary Street, Key West - EOE

NOW HIRING

DIVE INSTRUCTOR TOUCH TANK ATTENDANT GUEST SERVICES MARKETING COORDINATOR PART-TIME LAWN MAINTENANCE

Please contact April at 305.407.3262 or april@floridakeysaquariumencounters.com for more information.

The administration of the estate of FREDERICK R. FREY, JR., deceased, whose date of death was January 20, 2023; is pending in the Circuit Court for Monroe County, Florida, Probate Division; File Number 23-CP-000016-P, the address of which is 88820 Overseas Highway, Tavernier, FL 33070. The names and addresses of the personal representative and the personal representative’s attorney are set forth below.

All creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate, including unmatured, contingent or unliquidated claims, 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 THREE (3) MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE OR THIRTY (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 the decedent’s estate, including unmatured, contingent or unliquidated claims, must file their claims with this court WITHIN THREE (3) MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE.

ALL CLAIMS NOT FILED WITHIN THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH IN THE 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: March 2, 2023.

Personal Representative: HENNY FREY 24 Dockside Lane, PMB 466 Key Largo, FL 33037 Attorney for Personal Representative: JOHN MICHAEL LYNN, ESQ.

LEGAL NOTICES

Florida Bar No. 0147273

Turner & Lynn, P.A.

7 Barracuda Lane

Key Largo, Florida 33037 Telephone: (305) 367-0911

turnerlynnpa@gmail.com

Publish: March 2 & 9, 2023

The Weekly Newspapers

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE SIXTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, IN AND FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA CASE NO.: 23-DR-98-K

DIVISION: FAMILY IN RE: THE MARRIAGE OF: PETAGAY MEGAN STRONG, Petitioner, and, TRAVIANCE MARQUIS STRONG, Respondent.

NOTICE OF ACTION FOR DISSOLUTION OF MARRIAGE (NO CHILD OR FINANCIAL SUPPORT)

TO: TRAVIANCE MARQUIS STRONG

LAST KNOWN ADDRESS: 2729 FLINTLOCK PLACE, EAUSTELL, GA 30106

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 PETAGAY MEGAN STRONG, whose address is 3930 S. ROOSEVELT BLVD., APT 414W, KEY WEST, FL 33040 on or before March 27, 2023, 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

Keys Energy Services, in Key West, Florida, is accepting applications for the following position in its Transmission & Distribution Department:

SUBSTATION ELECTRICIAN

Starting pay rate for this position, depending on quali cations and experience: $38.43/hr. - $43.04/hr.

For more information, including job duties and required quali cations, and to apply for the job, please visit their website at www.KeysEnergy.com.

KEYS is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

KEYS promotes a Drug-Free Workplace.

Certain service members, veterans, the spouses and family members of service members and veterans, receive preference and priority in employment, and are encouraged to apply for positions being lled.

Keys Energy Services, in Key West, Florida, is accepting applications for the following position in its Transmission & Distribution Department:

SCADA/RELAY TECHNICIAN

Starting pay rate for this position, depending on quali cations and experience: $30.64/hr. - $34.32/hr.

For more information, including job duties and required quali cations, and to apply for the job, please visit their website at www.KeysEnergy.com.

KEYS is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

KEYS promotes a Drug-Free Workplace.

Certain service members, veterans, the spouses and family members of service members and veterans, receive preference and priority in employment, and are encouraged to apply for positions being lled.

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: February 15, 2023

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

By:

Marissa Lockwood

Deputy Clerk

Publish: February 23, March 2, 9 & 16, 2023

The Weekly Newspapers

AUTOS WANTED

ALL YEARS!

Cars - Vans - TrucksRunning or Not. $CASH$ 305-332-0483

AUTOS FOR SALE

2003 Mustang GT Convertible, Manual 5 Speed, Metallic Grey, 40,000 miles, Great Condition, $16,500. Located in Marathon. Call 305-481-3067

Place your AUTO FOR SALE ad here for $25.00/week for up to 5 lines of copy. Call 305-743-0844 today!

Boat Dockage for rent in Marathon. Private bay bottom, up to 40' boat, self containing, offshore water, car & dingy parking provided. $20/foot. 305-928-9057

Place your BOAT SLIP FOR RENT ad here for $25.00/week for up to 5 lines of copy. Call 305-743-0844 today!

BOATS FOR SALE

THREE (3) BOATS FOR FREE in Marathon: Regal 35', and two Bayliners 25'. FOR SALE: Pontoon 25' for $500.00 305-610-8002

Place your BOAT FOR SALE ad here for $25.00/week for up to 5 lines of copy. Call 305-743-0844 today!

EMPLOYMENT

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

Keys Energy Services, in Key West, Florida, is accepting applications for the following position in its Executive Department:

TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION (T&D) PROJECT ENGINEER

Starting pay rate for this position, depending on qualifications and experience: $103,172/annually$106,061/annually.

For more information, including job duties and required qualifications, and to apply for the job, please visit their website at www.KeysEnergy.com.

KEYS is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

KEYS promotes a Drug-Free Workplace.

Certain service members, veterans, the spouses and family members of service members and veterans, receive preference and priority in employment, and are encouraged to apply for positions being filled.

EXPERIENCED ELECTRICIANS AND HELPERS NEEDED

Experience is required. Must have a valid driver’s license. We offer 401K, medical insurance, paid holidays and paid vacation. Positions available in Key West and Marathon. 305-292-3369

EMPLOYMENT HOBBIES/COLLECT

City of Marathon

Current Job Openings: WW Operator/Controls Trainee, Utilities Maintenance, and Right of Way Technician. Full Benefits. EOE Please see City website for details www.ci.marathon.fl.us

Come Join Our Family and Have Fun At Work!

Hiring: Host, Hostess & Servers - Full &/or parttime. AM & PM Shifts. Apply in person at Castaway Restaurant, end of 15th Street, Oceanside, Marathon or email: lobstercrawl@ gmail.com

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: HCV Specialist, Maintenance Mechanic (Maintenance Worker), Med Tech, Resident Activities Coordinator, Grounds Caretaker. To apply, please contact Human Resources at: martinezm@kwha.org or 305-296-5621. Applications are available at the Administrative Office located at 1400 Kennedy Dr., Key West, FL 33040 or online at www. kwha.org - EOE & Drug Free Work Place. This opportunity is covered under Section 3 of the HUD Act of 1968.

The Cabana Club, an ocean front private swim club is seeking a Customer-Service Oriented Server for the pool deck, beach and/ or bar lounge. Open year round, 10am-7pm daily. Small friendly staff. Above average hourly wage plus tips. Apply in person at 425 E. Ocean Dr. Key Colony Beach or call 404-2193359 and ask for Dave.

The Cabana Club, an ocean front private swim club is seeking a Part-Time Line Cook. Open year round, 10am-7pm daily. Small friendly staff. Hourly pay commensurate with experience. Apply in person at 425 E. Ocean Dr. Key Colony Beach or call 404-2193359 and ask for Dave.

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

Place your EMPLOYMENT ad here for $25. 00 /week for up to 5 lines of copy. Call 305-743-0844 today!

HOBBIES/COLLECT.

BASEBALL AND SPORTS MEMORABILIA WANTED. Private collector buying sports cards, old programs, pennants, autographs, photographs, ticket stubs, bobbin’ head dolls, etc. Call Alan 503-481-0719

PRIVATE COLLECTOR WANTS Rolex, Dive Watches and Pilot Watches. Old Model Military Clocks & Watches. Call 305-743-4578

Place your HOBBIES/ COLLECTABLES ad here for $25.00/week for up to 5 lines of copy. Call 305-743-0844 today!

HOUSING FOR RENT

2 Bedroom 1 Bath in Marathon. Tile, carpet, appliances, gated property. No pets. $2500/mo. + water & sewer. Electric included. Available March. 305-610-8002

LUXURY CONDO FOR RENT IN MARATHON. 2 BR, 2 Bath, Den. 1650 sq ft plus 350 sq ft open balcony. Beautiful water view. Full gym, pool, tennis, fishing. Adults only. No pets. $4250 per month plus utilities F/L/S [first, last, and security deposit]. 800-324-6982.

HOUSING FOR RENT LONG TERM 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

Place your HOUSING FOR RENT ad here for $25.00/week for up to 5 lines of copy. Call 305-743-0844 today!

RV FOR SALE

DOLPHIN RESEARCH CENTER IS HIRING

Dolphin Research Center has Full-Time/Part-Time, Permanent/Temporary Gift Shop positions that involve direct contact with our visitors & is another opportunity to ensure they leave DRC with a happy & positive experience. Some of the duties involve; being familiar with all merchandise in the selling area, suggest specific merchandise & offer product advise. Walk around the grounds and see dolphins every day.

Job description available at www.dolphins.org. E-mail your resume and a DRC application to drc-hr@dolphins.org. EOE

58901 O/S Hwy - Grassy Key, FL Teaching... Learning... Caring

RV FOR SALE - 2017 Thor Citation RV, 24ft Mercedes V6 Diesel, 2 slides, Cummings Diesel Generator, Low Mileage, Many Upgrades, Call Richard 305-363-8021

RV SITE FOR RENT

RV Site for rent in Marathon. Up to 35', private gated property. $1.500/mo + utilities. Dockage availableinquire for price. 305-928-9057

Place your RV SITE FOR RENT ad here for $25.00/week for up to 5 lines of copy. Call 305-743-0844 today!

YARD SALES

SARA’S ESTATE SALE: 29575 Cupon Rd, Big Pine Key | Friday, March 3 & Saturday, March 4, 9am to 1pm both days | MULTIMEMBER FAMILY ESTATE SALE of lifelong Floridians with a love of travel, art, jewelry, furniture, a fine table, plus dachshunds, elephants and fish. 1000s of collectibles: preColombian artifacts, American sterling, jewelry, beer steins and rare Scandinavian and Danish modern furniture and MCM accessories. Located near SeaCamp on Oceanside of BPK. Follow signs and park with consideration. Photos: estatesales.net

Place your YARD SALE ad here for $25.00/week for up to 5 lines of copy. Call 305-743-0844 today and get your stuff sold!

OPENINGS AVAILABLE

TAVERNIER MARINERS HOSPITAL

- Cook, $5,000 Bonus

- Environmental Tech 1, $5,000 Bonus

- Exercise Assistant

- Exercise Physiologist 1

- Medical Technologist 2, $15,000 Bonus

- Monitor Technician

- Multi-Modality Imag Tech, $9,000 Bonus

- Patient Experience Advocate

- Registered Nurse, $20,000 Bonus

- Registered Respiratory Therapist 2

- Supervisor Pharmacy Operations, $5,000 Bonus

MARATHON FISHERMEN’S COMMUNITY HOSPITAL

- Cook, $5,000 Bonus

- ED Team Coordinator 1

- Environmental Tech 1, $5,000 Bonus

- Food Service Worker, $5,000 Bonus

- Lead Med Technologist, $15,000 Bonus

- Mechanic 3

- Medical Technologist 2, $15,000 Bonus

- Multi-Modality Imag Tech, $9,000 Bonus

- Patient Experience Advocate

- Registered Nurse, $20,000 Bonus

- Registered Respiratory Therapist 2

- Security Of cer

APPLY AND LEARN MORE careers.baptisthealth.net or call 786-243-8507

NOW AEI ADVENTURE ENVIRONMENTAL INC

Hiring machine operators, deckhands, general labor, mechanics & welders in the Upper Keys. 40/hrs per week. Monday-Friday.

Full time position, starting March 1. Responsible for program development, coordinating presentations, media relations and traveling exhibits. Must have excellent writing and public speaking skills.

Knowledge of graphic design programs helpful. $45K annual salary.

Keys History & Discovery Center

82100 Overseas Hwy. Located on the property of the Islander Resort. For more information, email vivian@keysdiscovery.com

Shell World Key Largo, seeking engaging, dependable, experienced person(s) to work with the team at Mile Marker 97.5, full-time opportunities available, some weekend and evening hours. Opportunities for advancement, great benefits, competitive salary and flexible hours. Please stop by and fill out application or fax resume to 305-852-9639.

EMPLOYMENT RV FOR SALE YARD SALES

Tired of your boring job?

Looking for an exciting new challenge?

If so, we are offering an opportunity to join our team in a very fast paced, exciting and dynamic role that is structured with details varying on each project.

Dynasty Marine Associates, Inc. www.dynastymarine.net

Located in the Florida Keys, is a highly-respected supplier of Caribbean marine life to public aquariums and zoos throughout the world

OFFICE ASSISTANT FULLTIME

Duties to include invoice and inventory entry, booking airline shipments, creating and filing paperwork for international shipments, scheduling inspections needed for international shipments, customer communication and tracking, creating and maintaining customer accounts and some customer service.

Must be proficient in Microsoft Word, Outlook and Excel. This position requires high attention to detail and the ability to multitask. Compensation will be dependent on experience with performance-based incentive program.

Benefits package including vacation, sick days, holidays and 401K PSP retirement plan. Please send cover letter and resume to sales@dynastymarine.net for consideration. No phone calls please.

Oceanside Safari Restaurant & Lounge in Islamorada is getting ready for a GRAND OPENING and we're looking to hire for all restaurant positions!

Open interviews Monday – Friday from 11am to 4pm at Oceanside Safari. Located at MM 73.5 right on the ocean at Caloosa Cove Marina, 73814 Overseas Highway, Islamorada.

HIRING: FOH: HOSTS, SERVERS, BARTENDERS, BUSSERS, RUNNERS. BOH: LINE COOKS, PREP COOKS, DISHWASHERS.

Great pay, benefits and perks. We offer a stable 40 hrs-per-week to our hourly employees, and more hours if you want! Part-time positions available if you are looking for a second job, or after-school job.

We also offer a $1,000 Sign-On Bonus to all new hires, and a $500 Referral Bonus for employees who help us build up our team!

No Inglés. No Problema. Lo importante es que trabajes bien. Pa gen angle. Pa gen pwoblèm. Tout sa ki enpòtan se ke ou travay byen.

We are re-opening as a brand new full-service restaurant & bar, with a full kitchen with all brand new equipment, a beautiful bar, indoor and outdoor seating, and a beachfront lounge on our own private beach. We’re currently in the final stages of renovation of the building and property, and we’re planning on opening the end of February. We need to start assembling and training our team now! Come join us!

**We are an Equal Opportunity Employer**

Oceanside Safari Restaurant & Lounge, 786-626-6124 73814 Overseas Highway, Islamorada, FL 33036

Key West Engineering Technician

Middle Keys Journeyman Electrician

Middle Keys Distribution Systems Operator D

Middle Keys Wastewater Maintenance Mechanic C

Middle Keys Wastewater Pump Technician

Duck Key Wastewater Treatment Operator

Upper Keys Temporary Distribution Systems Operator D

Benefit package and salary is extremely competitive!  See Job description, salary and on-line application at www. aa.com/employment EEO, VPE, ADA, DFWP

PART TIME MORNING DOCKHANDS

BOAT RENTAL STAFF

FLEXIBLE HOURS & COMPETITIVE WAGES

DOCKHAND DUTIES include customer service, helping customers with bait and ice and helping cashiers with restocking.

BOAT RENTAL APPLICANTS need to have experience driving boats and a working knowledge of the Islamorada area by water. Duties include taking reservations, giving captains lessons and routine boat maintenance.

Applicants can email Ma at eliteboatrentalsma @gmail.com. Please include contact information and any relevant experience.

THE FLORIDA KEYS AQUEDUCT AUTHORITY IS LOOKING TO FILL POSITIONS THROUGHOUT THE KEYS

D’Asign Source is seeking the following professionals. Overtime and benefits are available. For full details & additional openings, please visit DAsignSource.com/careers

Architects

We have openings for Intern Architects, Emerging Professionals, and Production Architects. Experience in High End Residential design is a plus.

Interior Designer Apply knowledge & creative skills to projects at our high-end design center. Must possess an interior design background and history of achievement in quality projects.

Junior Interior Designer

1+ year experience with basic interior architecture detailing. Strong knowledge of AutoCAD, Revit, and 20/20 a plus.

Jr. Interior Designer

Benefits

ARE CENTER, Inc.

IS HIRING!

GCC offers excellent benefits for full-time employment, but we realize some would prefer part-time to enjoy the Florida Keys lifestyle more. All positions can be considered for full or part-time unless notated. Apply at westcare.com and enter your availability.

KEY LARGO

Behavioral Health Counselor (Children) Crisis Counselor

KEY WEST

Behavioral Health Therapist (Child, Adult) Care Coordinator

Behavioral Health Counselor (Children)

Crisis Counselor

Case Managers (Adult, Forensic, Children)

*Advocate (PT only)

MARATHON

Prevention Specialist (or KW) Admissions Utilization Specialist Care Coordinator

Behavioral Health Therapist (Child, Adult)

RNs and LPNs - 3 shifts (also Per Diem) Maintenance Specialist

*Behavioral Health Technicians 3 shifts (also Per Diem)

*Support Worker – Assisted Living (PT only)

*No experience required for these positions. Will train. A caring heart & helpful hands required.

ONCE IN A LIFETIME

DOLPHIN RESEARCH CENTER is a fun, environmentally friendly non-profit 501(c)(3) Corporation specializing in education, research and rescue of marine mammals. We are looking to hire a full-time VICE PRESIDENT OF FINANCE & ADMINISTRATION, responsible for the company’s financial, accounting and administrative functions. Essential duties and responsibilities include the following:

• Policy development and implementation

• Liaison with Insurance agents, bankers, audit firm, 401(k) administrator, attorneys and financial management systems

• Internal and external financial reporting

• Member of Executive Steering Committee

• Management of Human Resources, Information Technology, Retail Gift Shop and Guest Services

• Facilitation and coordination of payment reimbursements for all Grants

• Oversight of all Insurance policies

• Fixed Asset Management

• Budget Administration

• Cash Management

• Recruitment and training of accounting staff and direct report department heads

The successful applicant will possess a bachelor’s degree in business or accounting and have 8-10 years of progressively responsible experience in not-for-profit finance/accounting roles. The applicant must have excellent oral, written, analytical, interpersonal, management and organizational skills coupled with the ability to meet organizational goals, handle competing priorities, take initiative, and think creatively and strategically. CPA preferred. Must live in the area.

DRC seeks to provide for the well-being of its employees by offering a competitive total compensation package. DRC currently offers a 401k retirement plan, medical benefits with the option of adding an HSA account, paid holidays, vacation, sick and an employee assistance program. DRC also provides life and disability insurance at no cost to the employee.

To apply please send your resume to Human Resources, Attention Jeanne Welever, 58901 Overseas Hwy, Grassy Key, FL 33050, fax to 305-289-8902 or email drc-hr@dolphins.org.

No visit to Key West is complete without a trip to Matt’s Stock Island, a local and tourist favorite. Enjoy an unforgettable culinary experience with unobstructed views of our state-of-the-art marina, outdoor fire pits, and your favorite cocktails

FRESH

NEW MENU

Breakfast: 8am – 11:30am

Sunday Brunch: 8am – 1pm Dinner: 5:30pm – 9pm

LIVE FROM THE LAWN

free concerts, featuring:

March 4th | 7pm Nick Norman with Special Guest, Chris Weaver

March 17th | 6pm Mike Stack & DLew with DJ Chaka, Jason Lamson, & Kaira Jayde