SUGARLOAF SHARKS SET NEW GUINNESS WORLD RECORD

887 PEOPLE PERFORMED THE ‘BABY SHARK’ SONG AND DANCE

MANDY

Miles

mandy@keysweekly.com

The Sharks at Sugarloaf School have more than a new elementary wing to celebrate. The school — and surrounding community — hold a new Guinness World Record.

On the morning of May 5, 887 people broke the record for the most people simultaneously performing the ubiquitous “Baby Shark” song and dance that has now been playing on repeat in all 887 people’s heads since the big event.

The event was organized by Ajax Builders to mark the ribboncutting of the new elementary wing and to celebrate the school’s mascot. Students, parents, teachers, school board members, sheriff’s deputies, the Key West police chief, firefighters, local military members and more filled the parking lot while wearing shark sunglasses and other chomping costumes for the festivities.

“We did it; we broke the record,” Key West Police Chief Sean

Brandenburg declared while still wearing his shark hat.

An open house and grand opening tours will be available at the new elementary wing in the coming week or so, said principal Brett Unke, who is retiring at the end of the year after 30 years with the school district.

The new elementary wing and the new world record were the perfect way to end his career, Unke said.

Sellers represented by: Paulette Thompson c. 305.923.4106 e. pthompson@oceansir.com

We are the industry’s best agents who curate with incomparable attention to style and detail. We get to know you. We get to know what that next is for you. Because, when you find it, nothing compares to it. Nothing compares to what’s next. 10055 Overseas Highway, Marathon | 305.735.4095 | oceansir.com

Each office is independently owned and operated.

LOCAL AND VETERAN OWNED

SS WRECK & GALLEY

YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD PLACE TO GO FOR FRIENDLY SERVICE, GREAT FOOD & DRINKS AND A KEYS VIBE.

OUR WEEKLY SPECIALS

MONDAY TBD

TUESDAY All you can eat peel & eat shrimp

WEDNESDAY Lobster mac & cheese

THURSDAY BBQ ribs

FRIDAY Big ass prime rib

SATURDAY Snow crab legs & all you can eat catfish

SUNDAY Macadamia encrusted mahi or catfish

GORDON LIGHTFOOT, 1938 - 2023

Legendary singer-songwriter touched so many

“Gordon Lightfoot is one of my favorite Canadian songwriters and is absolutely a national treasure.” – Robbie Robertson of The Band.

“Gordon Lightfoot has created some of the most beautiful and lasting music of our time. He is Bob Dylan’s favorite singer/songwriter — high praise from the best of us, applauded by the rest of us.” – Kris Kristofferson.

“Gordon Lightfoot is one of my favorite songwriters. Sometimes when I hear a Gordon Lightfoot song, I wish it would last forever.” – Bob Dylan These tributes to Gordon Lightfoot were made long before he passed away on May 1 at the age of 84. Lightfoot’s passing has brought out tributes from many of his fellow musicians, all inspired by the legendary balladeer. His reach — his musical aura, if you will — spread across generations during his 60-year career. His music and spirit touched so many. I’m just one of millions who are now reflecting upon how Lightfoot’s life and music touched mine.

As I got into learning how to play guitar back in the mid-1970s, Lightfoot’s music was always there. His songs were among the first I learned how to play. “If You Could Read My Mind,” “Sundown,” “Carefree Highway” — his songs taught me a lot about both strumming and fingerpicking guitar. His Summertime Dream album came out right around that time, with the epic song “Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald.” I taught myself to play a lot of songs from that album.

I became interested in writing my own songs not long after I learned my first chords on the guitar. It’s not a coincidence that the first song I ever wrote stole elements of Lightfoot’s song “Race Among the Ruins” from that album. Fortunately for all of us, I do not continue to play that overly derivative effort to this day.

Lightfoot’s music was a constant in my life. His songs were constantly well-written, his melodies were constantly musical and unforgettable, his lyrics were constantly poetic stories inspired by everything from relationships to railroads. His Lightfoot Band was a constant in his life; he recorded and played with many of the same musicians for decades.

And Lightfoot was constantly performing. He just never stopped. Even after some very serious health scares that sidelined him for periods of time, he always came back to the stage. In 2002, Gordon suffered a ruptured aortic artery in his stomach that put him in a coma for six weeks and resulted in four surgeries. He had suffered a stroke, fractured a wrist (not good for guitar players), and battled alcoholism (sober since 1982). Every time after one of these setbacks, Lightfoot always came back. A tracheotomy caused damage to his vocal cords, and even that didn’t stop him from singing.

Lightfoot played his last concert in October. He had scheduled a tour of the United States that was supposed to have begun this past March; that tour was canceled a few weeks back. Still, how many other 84-yearold musicians are out there planning their next shows? Lightfoot was one of those. As he himself put it, “If I’m still pickin’, I’m still kickin’!”

I did get to see Gordon in concert in 2017. He didn’t look like the rugged Marlboro Man image he carried back in the 1970s. His voice was thinner and raspier. But he walked on stage and delivered a great show, full of his amazing songs and backed by his amazing band.

To the end, he didn’t quit. Gordon Lightfoot was a huge influence on my chosen career path, and the world is certainly a better place because of his music and spirit. A couple of months ago at my Sparky’s Landing gig, a young brother and sister from Orilia, Ontario (Lightfoot’s hometown) stopped in and requested some Lightfoot. I ended up playing just Lightfoot songs for the entire last set. Afterward, we shared a cocktail and celebrated the music of a legend. I can think of no better tribute than to have Gordon Lightfoot’s music live forever.

— 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

FUNCTIONALLY CAFFEINATED WELLNESS Surviving the Keys 100 (and other endurance races)

The Keys 100 is an annual ultramarathon from Key Largo to Key West that tests the physical and mental limits of runners. This year the event falls on Saturday, May 20. For those unfamiliar with the event, the race can be done as an individual or as a team, and the 100-mile course must be completed in 32 hours. Like any race, this ultramarathon requires extensive preparation and training. Proper nutrition, hydration and recovery protocols are critical elements of preparing and performing the Keys 100, as well as other extreme endurance races.

Nutrition

Nutrition is essential for providing the fuel necessary to sustain the body throughout the run. It’s highly recommended that runners consume a diet rich in carbohydrates, protein and healthy fats in the weeks leading up to the race. Carbohydrates are particularly important as they provide the body with glycogen, which is stored in the muscles and liver and used for energy during exercise. Runners should aim to consume three to five grams of carbohydrates per pound of body weight each day leading up to the race. Examples of carbohydrate-rich foods include fruits, vegetables, whole grains and legumes.

Protein helps repair and rebuild muscle tissue. Runners should aim to consume 0.8 to 1 gram of protein per pound of body weight each day. Examples of protein-rich foods include lean meats, fish, dairy products and plant-based sources such as tofu, tempeh and legumes.

Healthy fats provide sustained energy and aid in the absorption of vitamins and minerals. Runners should aim to consume 20 to 30 percent of their daily calories from healthy fats, found in foods such as nuts, seeds, avocados and fatty fish.

Nutrition is also important for recovery. Runners should aim to consume a meal or snack that contains both carbohydrates and protein within 30 minutes of finishing a long training run. This can help to replenish glycogen stores and aid in muscle recovery. Examples include a smoothie with fruit and Greek yogurt, a turkey sandwich on whole grain bread or a bowl of oatmeal with nuts and berries.

Hydration

Proper hydration is crucial. Runners should aim to consume, at a minimum, 18 to 20 ounces of water or sports drink every hour during the race, but it’s also important to hydrate in the days prior. Many experts

JENNIFER BOLTZ HARVEY

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

recommend that everyone – runner or non-runner –should try to consume at least half of their body weight in ounces of water each day. For example, a 150-pound person should aim for 75 ounces. However, if you are training in the Keys or another humid, hot and sunny climate, the goal should be closer to three fourths of your body weight. In addition to water, runners will benefit from consuming sports drinks during the race. Sports drinks contain electrolytes such as sodium and potassium, which are lost through sweat during exercise. These electrolytes are critical for maintaining proper fluid balance and preventing dehydration. Runners should also consider incorporating foods that are high in water content such as watermelon, cucumber and grapes into their diet leading up to the race and on race day.

Recovery Protocols

Recovery is a critical component of preparing for any endurance race. After long training runs, it is important to allow the body time to rest and recover. This includes getting adequate sleep, which is essential for repairing and rebuilding muscle tissue. Runners should aim to get seven to nine hours of sleep per night in the weeks leading up to the race.

Foam rolling and stretching are important for preventing muscle soreness and maintaining flexibility. Runners should aim to stretch and foam roll regularly, particularly after long training runs.

Cooling the body is essential on training days and race day. Make sure you are prepared with cooling packs, and if you start to feel overheated with dizziness, spotty vision, nausea or a headache, make sure you STOP. Heat stroke is nothing to take lightly. In addition to cooling the body, wear appropriate clothing. Dry-fit and wicking material in light colors will help keep your body cool, along with sunscreen, hats or other protective gear. Runners should incorporate rest days into their training. During rest days, runners should focus on lowimpact activities such as yoga or swimming.