Upper Keys Weekly 23-1207

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‘December 7, 1941 — a date which will live in infamy…’

December 7, 2023

CHRISTMAS CHEER Scenes from Islamorada’s Holiday Fest | P. 16

HARROWING RESCUE Captain recognized for saving man on the water | P. 12 KEYS AUTHOR DIES Tim Dorsey passes away at 62 | P. 11 Scan this on your phone to connect directly with Two trusted names.

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UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / DECEMBER 7, 2023

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UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / DECEMBER 7, 2023

YOUR DREAM COULD BE WHAT’S NEXT

Bask in the original elements of the Florida Keys way of life at Kids Cay. Now being offered for the very first time, this one of a kind legacy property boasts three charming homes; a timeless four bedroom main house, an expansive four bedroom guest house and a lovely two bedroom caretaker's cottage. Fall in love at first sight as you step into this natural beauty with over a quarter mile of pristine white sand beach that kisses the edge of the Atlantic Ocean. This tropical and tranquil estate has nearly 8.5 acres of upland plus 7.98 acres of ocean bottom plus ample and protected concrete dockage (104 feet and 34 feet) and oceanfront observation pier. Extra wide and spacious porches adorn every corner of the classic homes and are a seamless blend of indoor and outdoor living maximizing the infinite open water views and constant ocean breezes. Enjoy complete privacy lounging by the resort-style pool or stroll barefoot along your private beach, and nature preserve; a sanctuary for plethoras of beautiful native birds. This estate is the epitome of true island living and serenity and beautifully lends itself to photo shoots, movies, weddings and luxury weekly rentals.

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81888 Overseas Highway, Islamorada | 305.712.8888 | oceansir.com Each office is independently owned and operated.

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UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / DECEMBER 7, 2023

KEYS

NEWSPAPERS

91760 Overseas Hwy. Tavernier, FL 33070 Office: 305.363.2957 www.keysweekly.com Publisher / Jason Koler jason@keysweekly.com Publishing Partner / Britt Myers britt@keysweekly.com Editor / Jim McCarthy jim@keysweekly.com Digital Editor / Gwen Filosa gwen@keysweekly.com Director of Sales Manuela Carrillo Mobley manuela@keysweekly.com

2,403

On Dec. 7, 1941, 2,403 service members and civilians perished during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor.

In 1994, Congress designated Dec. 7 as National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day. Events are held every year at the Pearl Harbor National Memorial.

Brianna and Ted Jorgensen watch as their 7-month-old son, Teddy, meets Santa for the first time at Islamorada’s Holiday Fest on Dec. 1. DOUG FINGER/Keys Weekly

DEVELOPMENT DECISION LOOMS IN TAVERNIER

Business Development Jill Miranda Baker jill@keysweekly.com Staff Writers Alex Rickert alex@keysweekly.com Mandy Miles mandy@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 Diana Striker www.keysweekly.com Javier Reyes javier@keysweekly.com Irene de Bruijn irene@keysweekly.com Web Master / Travis Cready travis@keysweekly.com Classifieds / Anneke Patterson anneke@keysweekly.com 305.743.0844 Se habla español THE UPPER KEYS WEEKLY (ISSN 1944-0812) IS PUBLISHED WEEKLY FOR $125 PER YEAR

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An aerial view of property proposed for development into a Publix, liquor store and 86 workforce housing units at MM 92.5, oceanside, in Tavernier. KEYS WEEKLY FILE PHOTO

County officials to consider request that could clear way for a supermarket JIM McCARTHY jim@keysweekly.com

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onroe County commissioners convening Wednesday, Dec. 13 in Key Largo face a decision over a proposed Publix project in the historic, quaint Tavernier community.

An ordinance is up for a vote to allow for a building much larger than what’s currently allowed on the property at MM 92.5, oceanside.

For the second time in recent months, developers with Blackstone Group-Tavernier 925 LLC reduced the building size in hopes of appeasing residents who’ve voiced their concerns for more than a year-and-a-half.

An amended application sent to the county planning department on Nov.

21 states that the creation of a Tavernier Key Overlay District would allow for up to 49,990 square feet of nonresidential space. Developers are now seeking to construct a 49,340-squarefoot supermarket and liquor store, which is down from their original proposal in April 2022 that detailed a 64,000-square-foot grocery store.

Developers previously reduced the size to 58,646 square feet.

“Permitting the overlay furthers the objectives of the code as it encourages the orderly development and construction of commercial structures or buildings that fit with the architectural design and community character of the Tavernier community,” reads an application by Smith Hawks PL and attorney Bart Smith.

Current regulations permit up to 10,000 square feet of nonresidential space per structure on the property at MM 92.5, which is owned by Singletary Concrete Products and Cemex Construction Materials Florida LLC. The sale of the land to Blackstone Group depends on approval from commis-

sioners for an overlay and a subsequent major conditional use approval from the county planning commission.

County commissioners were originally scheduled to consider the developers’ requests at a June meeting. A postponement came after Mayor Craig Cates and Commissioner David Rice were absent, leaving only three commissioners at the June 21 meeting in Key Largo. Commissioners were set to consider the overlay at a September meeting. The matter was pushed yet again, this time to a December meeting in Key Largo. Joe Hurwitz, developer with Blackstone Group, said they needed more time.

Hurwitz told residents at a Sept. 7 community meeting that he’s developed 400 projects through the Midwest. Blackstone Group - Tavernier 925 LLC is also composed of Andrew, Richard and John Toppino, Louis Perez and Mary Hurwitz.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 8

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UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / DECEMBER 7, 2023

SENATE SEEKS ANSWERS FROM CITIZENS INSURANCE CORP. Lawmakers fear severe hurricane could require federal bailout

By Alex Rickert and Jim McCarthy

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aments about the state-backed Citizens Property Insurance Corp., with exorbitant rising rates in an island chain that functions as a “donor county” for the rest of the state, are nothing new.

But according to questions recently asked by federal legislators, even skyrocketing rates aren’t enough to assuage concerns that a “worst-case scenario” natural disaster in Florida could leave the corporation seeking a bailout from other Florida policyholders – or the federal government. Now, Congress wants a closer look.

In a Nov. 30 letter addressed to Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, Florida Insurance Commissioner Michael Yaworsky and Citizens President and CEO Tim Cerio, Senate budget committee chairman Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) requested “information and documents concerning Citizens Property Insurance Corporation’s plans to address increased underwriting losses from climate-related extreme weather events and other disasters.”

The letter goes on to detail “increasing concern(s) about the potential economic consequences of an eventual widescale decline in property values caused by increasing exposure to climate risks and the attendant increase in insurance premiums and decrease in insurance availability.”

The letter calls Florida’s insurance landscape “particularly dire,” referencing, among other items, that some Florida premiums have expected increases of more than 40% this year, while at least three quarters of the insurance policies in every Florida county are at risk of non-renewal or a rate increase.

It references a report by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association that through less than nine months in 2023, the U.S. experienced “23 extreme weather disasters … with costs of $1 billion or more, the most in recorded history.”

When these factors are combined with Citizens’ “rapidly expanding market share” – now nearly 20%, more than double its 2020 figure – White-

Federal lawmakers say they’re concerned a ‘worst case scenario’ storm in Florida could leave Citizens Property Insurance Corp. asking for a federal bailout. NOAA/ Contributed

house wrote that there is legitimate concern a major disaster could leave state leaders turning to the federal government for a bailout if the corporation can’t shell out billions in claims, “put(ting) the federal government (and by extension, all American taxpayers) at substantial risk.” He cited a 2018 University of Cambridge report that a major hurricane strike to the Miami area and panhandle could carry a projected cost of $1.35 trillion in damages.

Last March, DeSantis acknowledged that Citizens would likely be unable to pay out claims if the state faced another large hurricane.

“I think most people know Citizens has not been solvent,” he said at a press conference in Fort Myers, which took the brunt of Hurricane Ian in September 2022. “If you did have a major hurricane hit with a lot of Citizens property holders, it would not have a lot to pay out.”

Though Citizens is supposed to be Florida’s insurer of last resort, the corporation’s June 30 company overview, the most recent available on its website, showed a total of 1,345,400 policies, insured for a total value of more than $561 billion. And what some policyholders may not realize is that according to state law, if the company’s claims after a disaster exceed its ability to pay, it may collect “assessments” from other policyholders around Florida – regardless of whether or not they are Citizens customers.

A concerted effort by Florida lawmakers throughout the last year to move policies away from Citizens saw the passage of Senate Bill 2A in December 2022, which requires the corporation’s customers to accept offers from other private insurers if offered a rate within 20% of their Citizens premium. The months since have seen several insurers submit proposals to regulators to assume Citizens policies, including a late-July approval by Yaworksy that could see up to 184,000 policies move to Slide Insurance Co., Safepoint Insurance Co., Southern Oak Insurance Co., Florida Peninsula Insurance Co. and Monarch National Insurance Co. Florida policyholders, meanwhile, continue to blast rate increases by Citizens, and in August, Yaworksy ordered the corporation to go back to the drawing board with its proposed hikes. As originally submitted, Citizens’ rate proposal saw increases of 12% for “multi-peril” policies on primary residences – the maximum allowed in a single year, per state law.

Rate increases for Monroe County were eventually announced at 10.8% for wind-only policies on primary homes, 48.2% for wind-only policies on non-primary homes, 5% for windonly on primary residence condos and 14.9% for wind-only on non-primary condos.

Insurance rate watchdog FIRM (Fair Insurance Rates in Monroe) has listed a 10% cap for insurance premium increases as its top priority for Florida’s 2024 state legislative session, along with an increase from $1 million to $1.5 million for Citizens’ eligibility cap with rising statewide reconstruction values.

According to FIRM, from 20032021, premium payments to Citizens in Monroe County exceeded total claim payouts by $865 million. These numbers, the nonprofit said, “are not commensurate with Monroe’s risk, because they don’t take into account Monroe’s strict building codes and are founded on inaccurate modeling.”

FIRM president Mel Montagne noted the state has been helping property owners with insurance coverage for some 50 years, well before Citizens was created. In 1972, the Florida Windstorm Underwriting Association was formed as an insurer of last resort to provide wind-only coverage in Monroe County.

Through time, coverage expanded to include other coastal regions. He noted that the ability to surcharge every policyholder “assures the state won’t have to go to the federal government for help.”

Montagne said he finds it interesting that the Senate’s investigation is coming to light just now amid DeSantis’ presidential run.

“I can’t help but think it’s politically motivated,” he said. “I’m not red or blue. Call a spade a spade.”

Whitehouse’s letter establishes a Dec. 21 deadline for a response to seven groupings of questions. Requested items include: • Information on modeling and analysis to show estimated total exposure to Citizens in various worst-case hurricane scenarios.

• Modeling and analysis to estimate Citizens’ market share for insurance policies over the next 10 years.

• Modeling and analysis to determine Citizens’ ability to fully pay out claims in various loss scenarios.

• The corporation’s current assets, as well as the maximum total claims it would be able to pay out without levying assessments on Florida policyholders.

• Communications between Citizens and DeSantis, Yaworsky and other state officials regarding the corporation’s current and future solvency, including what Citizens or the state of Florida would do if Citizens was unable to cover its losses from a disaster scenario.

• Communication between Citizens and these same officials regarding the possibility of a federal bailout if Citizens could not cover its losses.

Read the full letter from Sen. Whitehouse here:

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UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / DECEMBER 7, 2023

500 RUNNERS SCALE A KEYS BRIDGE

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Marathon racer takes top spot in annual 5k

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ome 500 runners and walkers between the ages of 4 and 76 successfully scaled Key Largo’s Jewfish Creek Bridge — the Florida Keys’ gateway — during the annual Key Largo Bridge Run on Dec. 2. The 5k run and walk over the 65-foot high bridge, located at the southern portion of the 18-Mile Stretch, welcomed runners from various states, including New York, Michigan and Rhode Island. Marathon’s Anthony Kelhower, 36, won the race with a time of 18 minutes and 38 seconds. Tavernier’s Jessica Hanley, 26, took first place in the women’s division with a time of 22 minutes and 48 seconds. Key Largo resident Allen Jones, 49, won the men’s masters division with a time just under 22 minutes. Women’s masters winner Jenny Flynn, 48, also from Key Largo, posted a time of 25 and 39 seconds. Key Largo runner Rex Zimmerman, 27, ran the entire race barefoot, placing first in the male 25-29 age division with a time of 20 minutes and 42 seconds.

— Keys Weekly staff report

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1. Runners trek the northbound side of the 18Mile Stretch. 2. Key Largo’s Rex Zimmerman runs barefoot. 3. A young boy enjoys a run on Jewfish Creek Bridge. 4. Racers take in views of the water as the sun rises. 5. A large American flag waves from a Key Largo Fire Rescue truck as runners set out on the course.

Photos by DOUG FINGER/Keys Weekly Full gallery at keysweekly.com

UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / DECEMBER 7, 2023

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UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / DECEMBER 7, 2023

FIERY CRASH KILLS TRUCK DRIVER ON U.S. 1

PUBLIX FROM PAGE 4

Sheriff says he warned FDOT a month ago about unsafe, unlit lane shift & barricade

Drone footage of the deadly crash on U.S. 1 shows the wreckage of a truck that hit a concrete construction barrier, which Sheriff Rick Ramsay had warned was improperly marked and poorly lit. MONROE COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE/Contributed

MANDY MILES mandy@keysweekly.com

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hen Lower Keys and Key West residents awoke Tuesday to the warming silence of a power outage shortly after 4:30 a.m., they were unaware of the fiery and fatal scene 21 miles up the road on U.S. 1.

A southbound semi-trailer hit an unmarked and poorly lit concrete construction barricade while traveling south at MM 21, near the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office substation, Sheriff Rick Ramsay told the Keys Weekly on Tuesday afternoon.

The truck exploded on impact and killed the driver, whose name has not been released.

It was an accident Ramsay predicted more than a month ago, when he warned Florida Department of Transportation officials about the unlit, unmarked and unsafe lane shift in the southbound lane at mile marker 21. The road work being done by FDOT and its contractors involves the replacement of underground communication lines for AT&T, the sheriff said.

“A couple months ago, I was on the radio talking about the FDOT’s improper signage for construction in that area and the unsafe lighting that didn’t light up the concrete barrier they had installed,” Ramsay said, adding that he had also called FDOT officials in Miami with the same warnings. “They never put up proper signage warning of the lane shift. They never installed proper lighting, and they didn’t implement a reduced-speed zone that is typical in construction areas.”

Ramsay said the orange roadside signs that should have been installed

a half mile or so before the work site to warn of the impending traffic shift were seen piled on the side of road “200 to 300 feet before the scene of the fatal accident.”

“I complained to FDOT. I said someone is going to get hurt or killed, and now who’s going to be held accountable for this deadly accident that was predicted and preventable?”

Ramsay said.

“Who monitors these work sites to ensure the traffic management plan that must be approved ahead of time is actually being followed? On top of all that, once the crews installed the new barrier and shifted the lane with no warnings, lights or signage, they walked away and have done no work in the area for a month or so,” Ramsay added. “It makes you wonder why they’re doing a major traffic shift with no one working at the site during our heavy traffic season?

“Now this morning, a man loses his life in a horrible crash, the road is shut down for hours, the power is out and the whole county is impacted. But FDOT doesn’t seem to care. They seem indifferent.”

The Keys Weekly has asked for comment from FDOT’s Miami office.

The accident and subsequent explosion knocked out the electrical transmission line that brings power from the mainland down the Florida Keys, prompting a power outage from Big Pine to Key West, said Julio Torrado, spokesman for Keys Energy Services.

“The outage affected all KEYS’ customers south of Big Pine Key, approximately 27,400 homes and businesses,” Torrado said, adding that power was restored to everyone 47 minutes later at 5:17 a.m.

The only road through the Florida Keys was closed for several hours on Dec. 5 as crews from Monroe Fire Rescue extinguished the fire and the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office and Florida Highway Patrol investigated the crash and cleared the road of profound wreckage.

The accident and road closure also canceled garbage and recycling collection on Tuesday from MM 21 to the Seven Mile Bridge. Trash service was expected to take place on Dec. 6, while Wednesday yard waste pickup would resume on Dec. 13, according to Monroe County spokeswoman Kristen Livengood.

Structures remain on the defunct concrete property in Tavernier. KEYS WEEKLY FILE PHOTO

“It will be a project that has good community character and is appropriately sized for this parcel,” Hurwitz said.

Blackstone Group and Publix Super Markets Inc. have reached a lease agreement for property, per documents sent to the county. The initial lease term is 20 years.

Developers are also seeking to construct 86 workforce housing units on the property in collaboration with the Jacksonville-based firm Vestcor.

County code requires 24 workforce housing units to go along with the project, but Hurwitz said they’re planning for 86. Uncertainties remain over how developers plan to obtain the needed ROGO (rate of growth ordinance) units for the housing.

Hurwitz acknowledged the supermarket won’t be built if they can’t construct the necessary workforce housing units.

“There are a lot more ROGOs than 86 in Monroe County at various municipalities,” Hurwitz said during the September community meeting. “Our position today is that the Publix and workforce housing is tied together. That’s the commitment the Toppinos and our family have made to the county.”

Requests need a supermajority vote from the county commission in order to pass. That’s because enough signatures were secured from neighboring property owners to force four affirmative votes instead of three.

COUNTY: PLAN INCONSISTENT WITH ‘LIVEABLE COMMUNIKEYS’ Devin Tolpin, county planner, noted that the proposal is inconsistent with the Tavernier Liveable CommuniKeys Plan, which covers the area from Tavernier Creek to MM 97. The plan prohibits designation of new commercial land use districts beyond that contained in the master plan in order to protect the existing availability of the U.S. 1

corridor area and community center.

A county staff report on the proposal states that no amendment shall be approved “which will result in an adverse community change to the planning area in which the proposed development is located.”

Bart Smith, who represents the developers, told the planning commission last April that the property’s suburban commercial zoning already allows for such uses as commercial retail, offices and restaurants.

Smith also acknowledged that concessions made by the applicant would limit the 20-acre, 600,000 square-foot property, which has potential for 152,000 square feet of nonresidential development and 216 workforce housing units PLANNING COMMISSION RECOMMENDED DENIAL IN APRIL During an April 28 meeting, Monroe County Planning Commission voted 3-2 to recommend county commissioners deny the developers’ original proposal to create an overlay district to allow for a 64,000-squarefoot supermarket and liquor store.

The five-person board makes recommendations to the board of county commissioners (BOCC) as it relates to land development code changes.

Roughly two-and-a-half hours of presentations, comments and rebuttals were seen inside the Murray Nelson Government Center. Commissioner members David Ritz and George Neugent voted against the motion to recommend denial.

CONCERNS REMAIN OVER TRAFFIC PROJECT WOULD GENERATE A traffic impact analysis by CBP Consulting in November 2022 stated the development would generate some 5,279 new daily vehicle trips — although further on, it says the trips generated by the development are “significantly overestimated.” Conclusions from the analysis state that U.S. 1 in Tavernier has adequate capacity to accommodate the vehicles. Local residents such as Chris Mattson think otherwise.

Mattson lives on Garden Street next to the property proposed for development. He said it’s impossible to turn left to travel south at 4 p.m. on a weekday when hospitality and other workers head back to Homestead and school buses drop off students. A light at Burton Drive hasn’t made the traffic situation any better, he said.

“To facilitate a Publix being in there and to get in and out is really bad,” he said.

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UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / DECEMBER 7, 2023

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UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / DECEMBER 7, 2023

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UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / DECEMBER 7, 2023

NOVELIST TIM DORSEY PASSES AWAY Author made memorable appearances in the Keys, lived in Islamorada CHARLOTTE TWINE www.keysweekly.com

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ew York Times best-selling author and Islamorada resident Tim Dorsey, who passed away on Nov. 26 at age 62, never met a dive bar or a rundown motel that he didn’t like. In fact, on road trips — he famously hated to fly — he carried around a toolkit in his car to fix Motel 6 air conditioners that were on the fritz.

According to his friend Suz Orchard, a co-owner of Key West Island Books, he had taught himself how to repair the AC by watching a hotel staff member dig into the guts of his room’s control unit.

“He prided himself on being able to bring any hotel room’s temperature down to 60 degrees,” she told me, laughing. “He was gonna get one over on Motel 6 for the rest of his life and skirt the system.”

This made perfect sense. During my time as an assistant at Monroe County Public Libraries, I watched him tell similar anecdotes at his standingroom-only annual speaking engagements, including one at Marathon library to publicize his 2017 book “Clownfish Blues.” With his audience in stitches, he proudly declared his love for the types of Florida eccentrics who populate his comically absurd crime capers, and he revealed that he often got story ideas from the shenanigans of fans at his talks.

For example, he once noticed a woman who was so intensely focused on her knitting in the front row of an

event that he paused his talk to ask about her project. She replied, “I am knitting a straitjacket.”

The Marathon audience collapsed in laughter.

“That can only happen at one of Tim’s signings,” Orchard said. “They could turn into an engaging and hilarious show.”

Like clockwork, Dorsey wrote books and released them every year around February. Monroe County library patrons knew this, and every January they would ask excitedly when Dorsey was coming.

Susan McKee is a former longtime staffer at Islamorada library, where Dorsey held a few of his talks. She expressed sadness upon hearing about his death.

“He was so nice. And no more Serge,” she said sadly, referring to his most famous character, Serge A. Storms. “He was great — a savior of women and hero of the nice guy.”

Storms was also a mentally ill — and morally absolute — killer who concocted bizarre ways to get rid of those he deemed deserving of punishment.

Over the years, Storms developed a large cult following. With fans getting tattoos of the violent yet lovable character, Dorsey started to express concern.

“He was scared that his fans were emulating Storms,” said Orchard.

“Some of these people were scary.”

Dorsey is mentioned in the same breath as renowned Florida writers Dave Barry and Carl Hiaasen, who also

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wrote books and worked at newspapers. Born in Indiana, Dorsey started reporting in Alabama, then covered the crime beat at the Tampa Tribune, which provided a treasure trove of story ideas. He finally left his day job in 1999 to write his first novel, “Florida Roadkill.”

Orchard met Dorsey 15 years ago at her store’s book signing, and they became friends in the course of organizing his annual events.

“He was the big brother who wanted his little sister’s opinion,” she said, explaining that he would call her for feedback on comedic bits for his books. “He wanted to see if it was funny, then just hang up.”

He was also intensely private.

Around 2020, he confided to Orchard that he was ill but didn’t provide details. (No cause of death has been released by his family.)

“I never asked, I never pushed it,” she said. “I would never betray that trust. … I found myself not wanting to bug him, yet wanting to make sure he was okay.”

Throughout 2021 and 2022, despite somehow still publishing books,

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Dorsey got slower and slower about returning her phone calls, first due to surgery, and then after entering assisted care.

“In 2023, he would answer sometimes, but then he didn’t answer my calls past July,” Orchard said.

A friend of a friend called to inform her of his passing.

“He said, ‘I didn’t want you to hear from the internet.’ I said, ‘Oh, my God, Tim,’ and I started crying,” she said.

Perhaps Dorsey was so private about his illness in order to preserve his verdant legacy — 26 Serge A. Storms books and a string of raucously energetic speaking engagements to promote them.

But Dorsey could also be shy and reserved. He confessed to Orchard that he got nervous before book signings. He would sometimes need time to warm up. In those cases, he kept his head down and signed book after book, with nary a pause.

Inevitably, a fan would say something intriguing. Or downright odd.

“Then he’d look up and see his people,” said Orchard.

And the fun would begin.

3 1. Tim Dorsey held a special place in his heart for Key West Island Books, site of his first-ever book signing. Here he is with co-owners Paul (far left) and Suz Orchard. 2. Dorsey poses with an audience member who randomly showed up in an elf costume in honor of Dorsey’s 2011 book ‘When Elves Attack.’ 3. Tim Dorsey at a 2019 event at Marathon library to publicize his book ‘No Sunscreen for the Dead.’ CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS

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UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / DECEMBER 7, 2023

TowBoatU.S. owners Ilene Perez and Capt. Carlos Galindo hold up the Association for Rescue at Sea Award. KELLIE BUTLER FARRELL/Keys Weekly

ISLAMORADA TOWBOATU.S. CAPTAIN HONORED FOR SAVING ANGLER AT SEA Freak accident almost claimed a man’s life KELLIE BUTLER FARRELL www.keysweekly.com

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hat started out as an all-too-familiar day on the ocean for snowbirds Tony and Shawna Polkoski ended with a freak accident that quickly spiraled into a life-ordeath struggle.

“We just started fishing and that’s when it happened,” recalled Tony.

It was Sunday, March 19 at about 9:40 in the morning. The Polkoskis were about 15 miles offshore, fishing from a Freedom Boat Club vessel in an area known as the Islamorada Humps, when Tony decided to set up his portable outriggers.

For easy transport, the outriggers were held together with zip ties.

Having lost his Leatherman tool the week before, Tony reached for his new knife. Little did he know, the new knife was razor-sharp.

As the boat bobbed up and down in 2 to 3 foot seas, Tony attempted to cut the zip ties. What happened next is the stuff nightmares are made of.

“It cut it (the zip ties) so easily,” explained Tony. The knife contin-

ued, slicing through Tony’s left arm, severing an artery. “The blood was just absolutely squirting all over the place.”

“I was driving the boat,” said Shawna, Tony’s wife of 23 years. “I turn and I almost go into panic mode.

We get on the phone and call 911, but we’re so far offshore,” she said of the harrowing ordeal.

As blood gushed from the open artery in Tony’s arm, the couple begged for help.

“We gave the coordinates the best that we could but Tony was losing blood so fast that he was starting to get weak,” said Shawna.

The 911 operator told Shawna to keep pressure on the wound. She did her best, but the blood just kept flowing.

“We didn’t have a tourniquet or anything on the boat; we actually tried a rope and that wasn’t tight enough,” said Shawna, who by this point was in a complete panic.

“Blood was all over the place, I tried to use one hand and wipe the

blood off so I could see the coordinates on my little handheld GPS, but blood was all over the place. I could have given them the wrong coordinates,” recalled Tony.

Listening to the drama unfold from her office in Islamorada was Ilene Perez, co-owner of Islamorada TowBoatU.S. “I was upstairs listening to the radios and I hear ‘Medical emergency. Mayday! Bleeding!’” said Perez.

“You could tell in her voice, she was so nervous, so freaking out,” recalled Perez of that haunting mayday call.

Perez quickly dispatched TowBoatU.S. co-owner and Navy veteran Capt. Carlos Galindo.

“I could hear the Coast Guard on the radio trying to find them,” recalled Galindo.

Galindo remembered hearing the engines running in the background of the emergency call. He made a split-second decision that, without a doubt, saved Tony’s life.

CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE

13

UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / DECEMBER 7, 2023

Tony and Shawna Polkoski have been visiting the Florida Keys for 24 years. CONTRIBUTED. Inset: TowBoatU.S. Capt. Carlos Galindo shows a tourniquet similar to the one he used to save Tony Polkoski’s life. KELLIE BUTLER FARRELL/Keys Weekly.

“Right about five miles from the Islamorada Humps, I turned and I started heading south,” said Galindo.

His gut instinct coupled with local knowledge paid off.

“I could see the 24-Cobia, just sitting there,” said Galindo. “I throttle as fast as I could to them and as I’m getting close, I see a lady on the bow holding a person and waving with one hand to me,” said Galindo.

“The only thing I remember is Shawna saying TowBoat guy is here. He was the first one there,” said Tony.

“He gave the coordinates to the Coast Guard,” recalled Shawna.

Galindo couldn’t believe his eyes.

“It looked like a murder scene, blood everywhere.” At first, he did not think there would be a happy ending to this story.

“I didn’t think he was going to make it. His color was changing,” Galindo said. Galindo sprung into rescue mode, not even taking time to put on gloves.

“He didn’t even think about himself. He was caring about the life,” Perez said.

Fortunately for Tony and Shawna, Galindo happened to have the one piece of first aid equipment that would save Tony’s life.

“I remember that a few years ago, Heidi Hungling with the Islamorada Fire Rescue Department gave me a tourni-

quet and I put it in my boat. This was about three years ago. I put it in my boat and thought, ‘I’m never going to use this. I’ll just have it here,’” Galindo said.

“I pulled the tourniquet out. I jumped on the boat. The blood was coming out like if you opened a water hose, just pouring blood,” Galindo said.

“I put the tourniquet on and turned it and turned it until I couldn’t no more and got another towel and put it on there and just kept trying to keep the guy awake until finally I look back and here comes the Coast Guard,” Galindo said.

Tony was rushed by the Coast Guard to shore and then taken to Mariners Hospital where the plumber from Wisconsin learned just how close he came to death.

“The doc said you have six units of blood in you and they had to put three back into me, so I lost half of my blood.

Ten more minutes and I wouldn’t be here.”

Capt. Galindo’s heroic acts did not go unnoticed. In November, during the annual Conference of Professional Operators for Response Towing ceremony, the Association for Rescue at Sea gave Galindo the Lifesaving Award.

The U.S. Coast Guard handed out the honor.

“I’m so proud of him,” Perez said.

“He can’t even get an injection or have blood drawn,” she said with a laugh, explaining how Galindo gets squeamish at the sight of blood.

A few months after the horrific accident, a fully recovered Tony, along with his wife Shawna, showed up at Perez and Galindo’s home.

“He said, ‘We would really like to see you before we leave.’ And when he got here he gave Carlos a hug, he was almost in tears,” recalled Perez.

“We’re just very grateful and thankful,” said Shawna. “What a nice couple, holy cow,” added Tony.

Tony says he cannot stress enough the role his wife Shawna also played in saving his life.

“All the folks helped a lot but I really wouldn’t be here if not for her,” Tony said.

In February, Tony and Shawna will return to the Keys; they’ve been vacationing here for 24 years. They fully plan to get together with Tony’s lifesavers and new friends, Carlos and Ilene.

Tony says he has no intention of hanging up his fishing gear, but after his freak accident, he has updated his first aid kit and recommends others do the same.

“Not only should you have a tourniquet in your boat, you should have one at home.”

14

UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / DECEMBER 7, 2023

FLORIDA KEYS BOARD OF REALTORS ® presents our annual

Join us for fun, frivolity and BINGO:

Thursday, December 7 Doors Open 5:30pm • Play from 6-8pm FLORIDA KEYS BREWERY’S “BEER GARDEN” Corner of Old Hwy and Morada Way 81611 Old Hwy., Islamorada

$20 donation includes: 3 cards & dauber $5 for 3 additional cards Serving light hors d'oeuvres / Cash Bar

GRAND PRIZES FOR WINNING CARDS Come in costume as your favorite Christmas/Holiday movie character BEST COSTUME PRIZE awarded at 8pm ALL PROCEEDS BENEFIT

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for more info: 305-852-9294

UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / DECEMBER 7, 2023

$30,000 in Donations

15

MADE SUPPORTING LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS IN THE COMMUNITY

Habitat for Humanity Voices for Florida Keys Children MARR-Velous Pet Rescues Florida Keys Children Shelter Upper Keys YMCA Program Surfrider Foundation | Florida Keys Lighted Bike Ride

Mark Sorenson Youth Sailing Program United Way of Collier and the Keys The Conch Scramble Key Largo Sunset Rotary Coral Isles Church Burton Memorial United Methodist Church

Claire Johnson, 2023 President Deb Bennett, President-Elect Jennifer Miller, Immedialte Past President

Treasure Village Montessori Islamorada Wesley House Family Services Whiskers and Paws Forever Monroe County Education Scholarships to Local Students

Karen Williams deCastro, Secretary / Treasurer

Erin Kiel, Director

Amy Bruggeman, Director

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UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / DECEMBER 7, 2023

THE MOST Wonderful TIME OF THE YEAR 1

Parade and snow among the Holiday Fest happenings

H 2

oliday cheer filled Islamorada’s Founders Park during the 19th annual Holiday Fest on Dec. 1, presented by the Islamorada Chamber of Commerce. Children and families enjoyed a towering Christmas tree that blew snow. Others waited in line to see Santa, and kids flocked to the snow mountain. Other activities included an ornament auction, a bustling holiday bazaar and a glowing parade around the great lawn. Capt. Skip Bradeen served as grand marshal, leading a procession which featured more than 40 floats, boats, cars and trucks adhering to the theme “Happy Holidays and Best Fishes.”

The esteemed accolade of “Best Holiday Parade Float” was awarded to TowBoat US Islamorada, with the Village of Islamorada securing second place and Ocean Studies Charter School claiming third place.

— Jim McCarthy

17

UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / DECEMBER 7, 2023

3

5

1. Bob Bradley collects soap suds, or ‘fake snow,’ alongside his wife, Julie, and two grandchildren Bradley, 5, and Andi Mullen, 4. 2. Young parade participants wave to spectators. 3. Chocolatecovered marshmallows and caramel apples at Santa’s Sweet Shoppe. 4. Dancers with On Your Toes Dance Studio perform at the ICE Amphitheater. 5.

Arthur Oakey, 4, of Fort Lauderdale, shops for air plants. 6. A nautical-themed float by the village of Islamorada staff parades around Founders Park. 7.

Michelle Pope and Gail Kennedy-McManus tend to the gingerbread house station. 8. Cousin Eddie from ‘National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation’ makes an appearance during the parade. 9. A mountain of cold snow was a popular attraction.

Photos by DOUG FINGER/Keys Weekly Full gallery of photos at keysweekly.com.

4

6

7

8

9

Houston, We have a Rocket Air Problem.

• Big corporations are buying up local familyowned Keys businesses and bussing their employees in from the mainland • Rex Air is a local family-owned business that provides local affordable housing for its employees Rex Houston, Owner

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UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / DECEMBER 7, 2023

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UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / DECEMBER 7, 2023

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20

UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / DECEMBER 7, 2023

INJURED HAWKS FLY FREE

Erin Allison, FKWBC executive director, talks to Key Largo School students before the hawk’s release. CONTRIBUTED

Keys bird rehabbers hold release at Key Largo School

T

he Florida Keys Wild Bird Center (FKWBC) released two redshouldered hawks with Key Largo School’s kindergarten and first grade classes on Nov. 27. The release was coordinated by Erin Allison, executive director, and Wendi Sullivan, elementary teacher.

Both juvenile red-shouldered hawks were found in Key Largo. Students were able to learn about red-shouldered hawks, wildlife rehabilitation and what the wild bird center does through a presentation by Allison. After the release, students asked more questions during a question-and-answer session. It was a special opportunity for students to connect with wildlife through a unique experience.

The first red-shouldered hawk was admitted on Nov.13 with a drooping head, severely dehydrated and very thin. No other wounds and injuries were noted other than head trauma due to a suspected collision with a car. Rehabilitators at FKWBC provided fluid therapy, supportive care and anti-inflammatories.

The juvenile hawk recovered quickly, began eating on its own and was only in the center’s care for two weeks.

A red-shouldered hawk is released by Florida Keys Wild Bird Center’s Erin Allison at Key Largo School on Nov. 27.

The second juvenile red-shouldered hawk was admitted on Nov. 18 and was extremely lethargic and dehydrated. Rehab staff suspect it was toxicity, typically from rodenticides which are often ingested second-hand from a deceased rodent.

The hawk was put on medications and supportive care and was deemed releasable after 11 days.

This program is a part of the FKWBC’s new “Flying Free” initiative, which was started to celebrate the center’s mission of releasing birds back into the wild through community-based events.

Businesses may host and/or sponsor a wild bird release. More information is available from erin@keepthemflying.org.

— Contributed

Florida Keys bird rehabbers assess a red-shouldered hawk.

21

UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / DECEMBER 7, 2023

BESTSELLERS • CHILDREN'S SECTION LOCAL AUTHORS • GIFTS & GIFT CARDS

81681 OLD HIGHWAY, MORADA WAY, ISLAMORADA 305-735-4945 WWW.SANDBARBOOKSTORE.COM F SANDBAR BOOKS dv @SANDBARBOOKS

MEMBER SPOTLIGHT A long established business, Key Largo Flowers & Gifts is under new ownership as of June 2023. Partners Shari Carlquist and Dawn Drake aim to bring spectacular floral and gift options to the Keys.

They offer flowers and gifts for all occasions, wedding and event decorations, home goods, candles, jewelry and more. In addition, shoppers will find charcuterie boards, serving trays and pickleball equipment.

"It is our priority to provide good customer service and ensure that we keep new and fresh items in stock so there is always something new to see," said Dawn. "We pride ourselves on being reliable and reasonable. We carry items locals tell us they love and we happily make deliveries from Ocean Reef through Islamorada."

The shop is open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.; Sunday closed.

99551 Overseas Highway (on the side of the Bank of America building) 305.451-3702 keyargoflowersandgifts@gmail.com

WWW.KEYLARGOFLORIST.COM LEGENDARY KEY LARGO CHAMBER OF COMMERCE & FLORIDA KEYS VISITOR CENTER info@keylargochamber.org 106000 Overseas Highway, Key Largo, FL 33037

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Islamorada Village of Islands Meeting Schedule December 2023 Unless otherwise noted, meetings are held at the Founders Park Community Center, 87000 Overseas Hwy., Islamorada Monday, Dec. 4, 5 p.m.

Workforce/Affordable Housing Citizens Advisory Committee Islamorada Administrative Center and Public Safety Headquarters, 86800 Overseas Highway, Third Floor Conference Room Monday, Dec. 11, 5:30 p.m.

Local Planning Agency Tuesday, Dec. 12, 2 p.m.

Code Compliance Hearing Islamorada Administrative Center and Public Safety Headquarters, 86800 Overseas Highway, Third Floor Conference Room Tuesday, Dec. 12, 5:30 p.m.

Regular Village Council Meeting Wednesday, Dec. 13, Historic Preservation Commission Islamorada Administrative Center and Public Safety Headquarters, 86800 Overseas Highway, Third Floor Conference Room Thursday, Dec. 14, Regular and Special Call Land Use Village Council Meetings Two or more members from the Village Council and members from various Village Committees may be present at meetings. These meetings are open to the public. In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, all persons who are disabled and who need special accommodations to participate in this meeting because of that disability should contact the ADA Coordinator at ADA@Islamorada.fl.us or by phone at 305-664-6448 at least 48 hours before the scheduled meeting.

To participate via Zoom, please scan code to the Village Calendar and refer to the Public Notice for specific meeting log-in information.

22

UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / DECEMBER 7, 2023

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UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / DECEMBER 7, 2023

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FRI Dec. 8 Brothers of Others 5-9 p.m.

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24

UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / DECEMBER 7, 2023

USE POLICE SHERIFF’S OFFICE ANNOUNCES CITIZENS BUILDINGS FOR SAFE POLICE ACADEMIES CASH TRANSACTIONS Classes offer in-depth look at law enforcement operations

MCSO’s annual Citizens Police Academy will offer a look into all aspects of the Sheriff’s Office operations. KEYS WEEKLY FILE PHOTO

T

he Monroe County Sheriff’s Office will be holding its next Citizens Police Academies starting in April 2024, and the agency is looking for people who are interested in learning more about law enforcement and the Sheriff’s Office.

Classes will begin the week of April 2, 2024, and will continue through graduation the week of May 21, 2024.

There will be three separate academies — one each in the Lower, Middle, and Upper Keys.

Attendees will be asked to commit to spending one night a week between 6 and 9 p.m. in addition to the graduation ceremony in Marathon.

Classes will be held in the individual district holding the academy and will include about 15 attendees: • In the Upper Keys, classes will meet on Tuesdays at the Roth Building on Plantation Key. • In the Middle Keys, classes will meet on Wednesdays at the Sheriff’s Office aviation hangar in Marathon.

• In the Lower Keys, classes will meet on Thursdays at the Sheriff’s Office headquarters building on Stock Island.

Classes will include: • An orientation and introduction to patrol procedures.

• A tour of jail facilities.

• Introduction to weapons: Simunitions and Taser.

• Traffic/felony stops.

• Crime scene investigations, including a hands-on mock crime scene.

• Building searches.

• Introduction to specialty units: bomb, dive, SWAT, major crimes and special investigations.

Space is limited, so anyone interested should contact the captain in the area where they wish to attend. Applications are due by March 2, 2024.

• Lower Keys: Capt. David Smith, 305-745-3184 or desmith@keysso.net • Middle Keys: Lt. Lissette Quintero, 305-289-2430 or lquintero@keysso.net • Upper Keys: Capt. Spenser Bryan, 305-853-3211 or sbryan@keysso.net; or Capt. Derek Paul, 305-664-6480 or dpaul@keysso.net – Contributed

Buying a used jet ski from a stranger? Meet them at police or sheriff’s locations

T

he holiday shopping season is in full swing and Monroe County Sheriff Rick Ramsay reminds the community they may use the lobbies of the sheriff’s office substations and headquarters building as safe zones for those making purchases/transactions in person.

The sheriff’s office is offering this service in conjunction with the Key West Police Department, which is also offering the assistance at its headquarters on North Roosevelt Boulevard.

Those who are worried about giving strangers their home address — or meeting with strangers in general — to make transactions can do so at a safe place. Both the buyer’s and seller’s privacy is protected in this way.

Note: Be wary of online scammers.

Don’t share personal or financial information over an unsecured network. Be leery of deals that sound too good to be true or implore you to act immediately. Be cautious of links that are provided in emails and online advertising.

Keep valuables out of view and locked securely in your vehicle.

Residents who wish to use one of the sheriff’s office lobbies can do so Monday through Friday from 8 a.m.

to 5 p.m. The following sheriff’s office buildings are available, along with the Key West Police Department on North Roosevelt Boulevard.

• Administration Headquarters 5525 College Road Key West 305-292-7000 • Freeman Substation 20950 Overseas Highway Cudjoe Key 305-745-3184 • Marathon Substation 3103 Overseas Highway Marathon 305-289-2430 • Islamorada Substation 86800 Overseas Highway Islamorada 305-664-6480 • Roth Building 50 High Point Road Tavernier 305-853-3211 – Contributed

25

UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / DECEMBER 7, 2023

BRIEFLY Lecture series brings Kirsten Hines The Florida Keys History & Discovery Center’s fall lecture series welcomes Kirsten Hines, writer, photographer and conservationist on Wednesday, Dec. 13 at 6 p.m. The lecture can be attended in person or virtually. Join Hines for a visual and descriptive journey from the temperate Florida Panhandle through the state’s myriad habitats all the way to the tropical islands of Dry Tortugas National Park, deep into Florida’s wilds to explore its impressive array of animals as captured in her latest book “Wild Florida: An Animal Odyssey.” Visit keysdiscovery.com to learn more and sign up.

Card Sound Road to get rumble strips A road resurfacing project on Card Sound Road also includes the installation of rumble strips in the centerline and outside edges of the lanes to reduce lane departure accidents. The installation uses large equipment that will extend into both lanes of traffic. To complete the work safely, Card Sound Road will be closed from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 13 and Thursday, Dec. 14, from the intersection of County Road 905 at the south/ east end to just west of the Monroe County Card Sound Bridge toll on the north/west end near the Monroe County line. The closures will not affect the Miami-Dade side of the road.

AAA: Gas prices decrease again Florida gas prices are declining again after an abrupt increase last week. After setting a new 2023 low of $3.01 per gallon on Nov. 27, the state average jumped to $3.17 by Nov. 30.

“Florida gas prices seem to be moving down again almost as quickly as they shot up,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA - The Auto Club Group. “There isn’t any clear explanation for last week’s sudden increase, as oil and gasoline futures logged their sixth consecutive weekly loss.

Regardless, drivers in many cities are beginning to find gas prices close to the same levels where they were last week.

Visit GasPrices.AAA.com to view state and local average gas prices.

Man cited for undersized stone crab claws A 62-year-old Boca Raton man was given a mandatory notice to appear in court on Dec. 1 for allegedly possessing undersized stone crab claws.

Islamorada Marine Deputy Nelson Sanchez was patrolling bayside waters near MM 75 at about 3 p.m. when he saw occupants of a vessel harvesting stone crab claws. An inspection revealed three undersized claws. The boat operator, Frederick Kaub, was cited.

For information on wildlife regulations go to www.myfwc.com Fleeing motorist arrested for DUI A 49-year-old Burlison, Tennessee man was arrested on Nov. 30 after he fled from sheriff’s deputies.

Andrew Robert Downs was charged with DUI and fleeing and eluding.

The sheriff’s office was notified at about 10:30 p.m. of an intoxicated male who caused a scene at Hog Heaven Sports Bar and Grill in Islamorada after he was refused service. The suspect, later identified as Downs, left the business at a high speed in a Chevrolet pickup truck.

The pickup truck was seen traveling in a manner that caused other U.S. 1 motorists to veer onto the shoulder or slow down to avoid a collision. Downs failed to stop for the sheriff’s office before turning onto Treasure Harbor Road — a dead-end street — where he stopped. Downs was taken into custody without further incident.

Alleged shoplifter arrested on U.S. 1 A 46-year-old Homestead man who reportedly stole items from an Upper Keys grocery store was arrested on Nov. 28. Sean Michael Stacey was charged with theft.

The sheriff’s office was called to Winn-Dixie in the Tavernier Towne Shopping Center at about 4 p.m. regarding the theft of items worth some $371. Several suspects, Stacey among them, left before the sheriff’s office arrived.

The suspect vehicle was observed northbound on U.S. 1 near MM 99. It appeared to stop but then drove off before being found abandoned at a nearby hotel. Stacey was found at a nearby pharmacy and admitted to the theft. He had a felony warrant for his arrest regarding an unrelated probation violation. The investigation is ongoing and more arrests may follow.

WHEN LOCAL BUSINESSES ADVERTISE THEY WORK WITH LOCAL FACES

Upper Keys Weekly JILL MIRANDA BAKER 305.304.0052

Marathon Weekly PATTI CHILDRESS 305.731.9628

Key West Weekly STEPHANIE MITCHELL 305.304.5778

CELEBRATING 20 YEARS OF LOCAL MEDIA

FACTS FROM THE TAX COLLECTOR

Sam Steele

monroetaxcollector.com 305.295.5000

DECEMBER • The Tax Collector will be hosting our quarterly community blood drive at the Harvey Government Center in Key West on Wednesday, December 13.

• Mobile home registrations expire on December 31.

• Save money on your property taxes by paying in December and receive a 3% discount.

• As of December 5, 2023, the tax roll is 69% collected, or $292,593,069.19.

Follow us on

• The third property tax installment payment for 2023 is due by December 31.

• In observance of Christmas, our offices will close at 12:00pm on Friday, December 22 through December 26.

• Your friends at the Tax Collector’s Office would like to wish everyone and their families a very Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

for more important tax information.

26

UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / DECEMBER 7, 2023

2

GAMES GALORE Pinfish Entertainment brings a new

3

1

kind of family fun JIM McCARTHY

A

jim@keysweekly.com

new kind of family activity arrived in the Upper Keys several months ago at Tavernier Towne Center. With duckpin bowling, ax throwing and arcade games, Pinfish Entertainment brought a new indoor entertainment venue long sought by families and children.

Owner Matt Struhs quietly opened the new business Aug. 27.

He’s lived in the Keys with his family since 2018. Having spent a career in the military, Struhs said he wanted to find a way to not leave the area and pursue a new endeavor. Struhs teamed up with his dad, Mark, who has a background in arcades, to bring the new activities center to life.

“It’s been amazing to see the amount of interest from the community,” Struhs said. “It has been nothing but positive vibes, smiles and laughter.”

Bringing something for every-

body ages 8 to 80 was the intent behind Pinfish Entertainment, Struhs said. A variety of arcade games await challengers, everything from skeeball and air hockey to virtual reality King Kong and car racing. Patrons receive a game card to accrue points for all sorts of goodies and items at the prize counter.

With the game of bowling a tried and true attraction, Struhs decided to install a series of smaller duckpin lanes to the back of the facility. With smaller lanes, balls and pins, duckpin bowling has been a big attraction for families and adults. Duckpin bowling has gained so much interest that more than 40 bowlers participated in fall leagues.

Struhs also wanted to bring a trendy and edgy game, so he decided to put in three lanes of axthrowing. Struhs said ax throwing has that wow factor that’s intrigued patrons. The game is for those ages 13 and up.

“With 6,000 square feet of space,

Jan.14 &15 10

$

Admission is good for both days

we wanted to fit as much as we possibly could,” Struhs said. “We really thought of every bit of space and maximized it for the fun and enjoyment of everyone.”

In addition to the games, adults can try one of 16 craft beers and four wines on tap. Pinfish Entertainment also serves pretzels, flatbread pizza, chips and salsa and hot dogs.

Pinfish Entertainment has received rave reviews from area families who long awaited some fun away from the sun. Pinfish was also a big winner at this year’s Best of Upper Keys, having won Best New Business and Best Place to Take the Kids.

With leagues for adults and games and prizes for the kids, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Pinfish Entertainment is open Monday and Thursday from 3 to 9 p.m., Friday from 3 to 10 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from noon to 10 p.m.

Visit pinfishentertainment.com to book an event and learn more.

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1. A variety of arcade games awaits patrons. 2. Amanda Benitez and Hector Castillo play the virtual-reality arcade game ‘King Kong.’ 3. Jill Couture celebrates her turn at duckpin bowling.Photos by DOUG FINGER/Keys Weekly

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27

UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / DECEMBER 7, 2023

1

LOGGING A STATE RECORD

Turtles nesting at record pace

2

T

his year’s sea turtle nesting numbers were record-breaking.

Statewide statistics for 2023 from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) counted 133,941 loggerhead sea turtle nests, breaking a record set SHELLY in 2016.

KRUEGER The same is true for green turtles, with 76,543 is the University of Florida, IFAS nests counted, more than Monroe County 20,000 nests above the Extension Florida previous record set in 2017.

Sea Grant Agent.

Shelly is a marine Of the seven species of sea turtles worldwide, four nest biologist and provides sciencein the Florida Keys: the logbased education gerhead, green, leatherback about coastal and hawksbill turtles. Monroe environments.

County has many critical nesting sites; you may have seen areas of the beach marked off to protect their nests. The Dry Tortugas and the Marquesas are the most productive nesting regions.

In 2022, Monroe County counted 457 loggerhead and 481 green turtle nests. The most recent leatherback nest was in 2018. The Kemp’s Ridley turtle does not nest in the Keys. A local fisherman, Richard Kemp, named this smallest sea turtle species in 1906. Kemp’s Ridley mainly nests in Mexico, although 10 nests were counted on Florida beaches this year. All of these species are on the endangered species list.

1. A sea turtle hatchling. 2. A sea turtle nest is protected with tape and stakes. Photos by UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA IFAS EXTENSION/Contributed

Female sea turtles do not nest every year.

But when they do, they typically lay two to five nests throughout the season. Frequent nesting is important because only one in 1,000 hatchlings survive. Trained and permitted volunteers walk the beaches at dawn to document nests and false crawls. A false crawl is when the female emerges from the water to nest but turns around without laying.

Sea turtle nesting season is from March 1 to Oct. 31 (Atlantic) or May 1 to Oct. 31 (Gulf). Egg incubation lasts around 60 days. If you are interested in volunteering, the FWC holds volunteer training in the spring, and many local organizations are state-permitted, like Save-A-Turtle and the Key West Turtle Club.

Sea turtles travel thousands of miles over a lifetime, and the females return to the same beaches where they were born. The Marathon Turtle Hospital frequently outfits sea turtles with satellite-tracking transmitters as part of the Tour de Turtles Race to follow their journeys after rehabilitation. A juvenile green sea turtle named

Marcia was released in July 2023 and has already traveled 170 miles. Typical of green turtles, Marcia tends to stay near shore, where she eats seagrass. Sea turtles face threats, including boat strikes, plastic debris, rising water temperatures, light pollution and habitat loss. For more information, visit the Marathon Turtle Hospital, which is open for daily tours.

The collaborative work of government agencies, conservation organizations and local communities proves that it is possible to rebuild endangered species populations. The success story of sea turtle recovery in Florida results from policies designed to protect them. Shrimp boats are mandated to use turtle excluder devices that keep turtles out of shrimp nets. Ordnances to limit light pollution during nesting season have reduced the number of disoriented nesting females and hatchlings that need a dark sky to follow the moonlight on the horizon. The green sea turtle fishery ended in 1973. Before that, thousands were caught, cooked and canned for turtle consommé. In recent decades, conservation efforts have been instrumental in ensuring the triumph of these endangered species. When there is a concerted effort to fix the conditions that cause species decline, the road to recovery can be realized.

28

UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / DECEMBER 7, 2023

COOL KEYS Boat parade among holiday happenings

TIGGER

T

his four-month-old female is seeking a permanent home. Tigger is up to date on her vaccines and spayed. She’s sweet, loves to be petted and held and enjoys the company of adults and children. Tigger gets along with other cats and doesn’t mind dogs. If you would like to make Tigger a part of your family, or to learn more about other pets available for adoption, give the Upper Keys Humane Society (UKHS) a call at 305-451-3848.

UKHS is a not-for-profit no-kill shelter that provides food, shelter, medical care and adoption services for unwanted and abandoned animals.

SAVE THE DATE A lighted boat during the 2021 Key Largo Boat Parade. KEYS WEEKLY FILE PHOTO

H

i friends!

Reef the fox here with your weekly “Reef’s Report.” It’s hard to believe the year is almost REEF THE FOX over, but what a year it has been.

So many amazing Reef is a red fox things happened. that was saved I will do my yearly from a fur farm.

He now lives in recap toward the Key Largo with end of the month his human, Nicole per usual.

Navarro.

My fox friends and I are definitely enjoying some of this cooler weather we’ve been getting.

As you know, we all have access to air conditioning 24/7, which is amazing, but there’s nothing like a fresh, cool breeze and lying outside enjoying it. We are all getting a bit fluffier as this is the time of year when our winter coats come in. They don’t get as full as our northern cousins’.

We have all naturally acclimated to the warmer climate so our fur stays much thinner.

This is also the time of year when we start to get excited about loads of new toys for the holidays. I have already seen packages start to arrive and mom may have snuck me a new toy or two already. But then Ridley stole them. How rude.

Events season is well underway in the Upper Keys, and the fun continues on Saturday, Dec. 9, at 7:30 p.m. with the annual Key Largo Boat Parade. Those wishing to watch the procession of lighted vessels can visit places like Jimmy Johnson’s Big Chill, Sundowners and Caribbean Club. Rowell’s Park will also be open to view the parade.

The boat parade is organized by Key Largo Sunset Rotary Club. The parade will be followed by fireworks, which are sponsored by Plantation Boat Mart. Maybe next year someone will partner with Pawsitive Beginnings for a fox-themed boat. I told my mom we should buy a boat but she said no. Whatever.

Anywho, that’s all for this week.

Keep up with all things fox at pawsitivebeginnings.org and until next time, Reef, over and out!

Thursday, Dec. 7 • MarrVelous Pet Rescues’ Yappy Hour at 5:30 p.m. at Buzzards Roost, Key Largo. Dogs must be well-socialized, leashed and vaccinated.

Dec. 8-9 • Residential Hazardous Household Chemical collection for Islamorada residents only from 9 a.m. to noon at the Founders Park south park entrance by the Islamorada Administrative Center.

Dec. 8-10 • Key Largo School Drama Club presents “Elf Jr.: The Musical” at Coral Shores Performing Arts Center. Tickets $5 in advance or $10 at the door.

Shows start at 7 p.m. on Dec. 8-9 and 2 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 10.

Saturday, Dec. 9 • Rotary Club of Key Largo Sunset presents the Key Largo Boat Parade at 7:30 p.m. on Blackwater Sound. A fireworks display sponsored by Plantation Boat Mart will follow the parade.

Visit keylargoboatparade.com for more information.

Dec. 9-10 • Pets & Pina Coladas from 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Keys Kritters, MM 100.6 bayside in Key Largo. A $5 donation gets participants and their dogs a picture with Santa.

Sunday, Dec. 10 • Oasis at the Keys Nursing & Rehab presents the inaugural Walk to End Alzheimer’s at 8 a.m. at Founders Park, Islamorada.

• Holiday movie showings of “Mickey’s Once Upon A Christmas” at 2 p.m. and “Arthur’s Christmas” at 4 p.m. at Florida Keys History & Discovery Center, Islamorada. Admission is free.

Tuesday, Dec. 12 • Florida Keys Toastmasters meeting at 6 p.m. at St. James the Fisherman Episcopal Church, Islamorada. Call 305923-6546 for more information.

Wednesday, Dec. 13 • Just Older Youth (JOY) Center classes from 9 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. Visit justolderyouthinc.org for a complete schedule.

• Benefit for Capt. “Kiki” Ferrer from 4 to 7 p.m. at Islamorada Fish Company.

• Lecture series welcomes Kirsten Hines, writer, photographer and conservationist, at 6 p.m. at Florida Keys History & Discovery Center, Islamorada.

Sunday, Dec. 17 • Santa Claus and carolers visit Islamorada neighborhoods. Visit Islamorada Fire Rescue on Facebook to view the scheduled stops.

29

UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / DECEMBER 7, 2023

EXPERIENCING KEYS HISTORY Parks & museums offer stories of the past

The Florida Keys History & Discovery Center is located in Islamorada. CONTRIBUTED

I

t is about that time of year when the islands become flooded with the happy feet of friends, family and tourists who afford many of us the opportunity to call these islands home.

Inevitably, you will be asked for suggestions about things to do.

Indeed, the island chain’s natural wonders should be heralded — one thing that makes these islands special is the water, and every effort should be made to experience the Atlantic Ocean, Florida Bay or the Gulf of Mexico. Fish the humps, reef line, shipwrecks or Florida Bay’s backcountry. Spend some time with your face in the water while snorkeling or diving.

Sit at a tiki bar, catch a sunset and hope you are lucky enough to glimpse that atmospheric phenomenon that occasionally occurs when the last of the sun dips behind the far edge of the horizon, and an emerald green flash horizontally zips and disappears — I’ve never been lucky enough to see it.

Dip spiny lobster in the melted butter, put the mallet to a stone crab claw and crack its spotted shell; sip the rum runner, nibble on a conch fritter and gently slide a fork filled with a wonderful bite of that sweet tartness that is Key lime pie between your lips. Also, promote the local history.

Because Key Largo claims to be the Dive Capital of the World, I suggest visiting Islamorada’s History of Diving Museum. Exhibits depicting the evolution of underwater exploration alone make it worth a stop. Like the diving museum, Islamorada’s Upper Matecumbe Key is home to the Florida Keys History & Discovery Center. The facility is loaded with local history.

For eight years, I worked as the curator/historian and developed the historical exhibits on the first floor. My favorite is the Indian Key model; it is the only one like it in the world and depicts the island as it looked before the southernmost attack during the second escalation of the Seminole War. In the Middle Keys, mark a trip to Pigeon Key on any suggested agenda. Pigeon Key, the island found underneath the old “Seven Mile” railroad bridges, is

home to some of the oldest and most historic buildings outside of Key West. Once the headquarters for railroad workers during the construction of the Key West Extension of Henry Flagler’s Florida East Coast Railway, Pigeon Key remains a ghost town from the railroad years. Not only are many FLORIDA of the structures built circa 1910 KEYS still standing, but one of them HISTORY contains a great little museum showing the history of the island WITH and its role during the construcBRAD BERTELLI tion of the railroad. Pigeon Key can be a grander excursion. Pack An author, a lunch, bring your snorkel gear speaker, Florida and explore the shallows around Keys historian and Honorary Conch. the island, too.

And then there is Key West, His latest book, “Florida Keys an island filled with good vibes, History with Brad multiple museums, Civil War-era Bertelli, Volume forts and walking tours curated 1,” shares fascifor the history, haunted, and nating glimpses literature crowd. If you like a little into the rich and sometimes surhaunting with your history, visit prising histories of Robert the Doll at the Fort East the Florida Keys.

Martello Museum. Not only is Robert one of the most haunted dolls in the world (and one who has its own social media following), but Fort East Martello is not just a Civil War-era fort filled with history; it is home to one of the best haunted tours Key West has to offer (ghostkeywest.com).

One of the great side trips, especially for those staying in Key West, is the trek to the Dry Tortugas.

If time and the weather cooperate, suggest a trip to Garden Key. Though never completed, it is home to the largest brick structure in the United States.

The variegated brick Fort Jefferson is perhaps most notably recognized as the place where Dr. Samuel Mudd was sent after lending aid and comfort to John Wilkes Booth after he assassinated President

Abraham Lincoln. Garden Key also offers fabulous snorkeling right off the beach and is an excellent place for those who love bird-watching.

One of the things that Florida does well is create state parks, and the Keys have some fantastic contributions. Another idea is to suggest a visit to one of the state parks. Dagny Johnson Key Largo Hammock Botanical State Park is found in North Key Largo, on County Road 905, near MM 106.

When a sprawling resort community called Port Bougainville was nearly developed here in the early 1980s, the endangered Key Largo wood rat helped save the day and this critical sub-tropical West Indian hammock habitat. The 2,421-acre park was established in 1982 and features walking trails where bird and butterfly watchers like to wander, point and stare. Bring water and bug spray to experience the native Florida Keys.

One of the things that is easy to forget is that 100,000 years ago, the islands were underwater and home to a flourishing coral reef. It is one thing to tell someone that the island chain was once a coral reef. Another thing is standing in front of an 8-foottall exposed quarry wall and seeing the fossilized corals embedded within the limestone. To see the evidence firsthand, visit the Windley Key Fossil Reef Geological State Park at MM 85.

For more adventure, paddle out to Indian Key Historic State Park. Found in the Atlantic shallows about a mile from the Overseas Highway at MM 78, the often overlooked island was once the most important island in the Florida Keys not named Key West. The island is also a bona fide ghost town.

Visiting the island, walking down the pathways and past the ruins of a 19th century village is like stepping back in time.

It is an easy paddle away from the kayak launch at Indian Key Fill, or, for those without their own kayak, the Kayak Shack at Robbie’s Marina has all the tools necessary for the adventure. If you come to Robbie’s on a Thursday between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., I’ll be there talking local history with anyone who stops by, and I hope to see some of you there.

30

UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / DECEMBER 7, 2023

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31

UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / DECEMBER 7, 2023

FLORIDA KEYS EATS

GOODNESS BY THE SIP Espresso martini is a happiness jolt

W

hen you are at a restaurant or bar with friends, everyone has their go-to order.

SAMANTHA One might order a beer DELLILO while another is a Keys native who has a passion for all gets a Manhatthings food. She runs tan or even something the local food blog, fruity like a mai “Florida Keys Eats.” tai.

However, when you go to Old Tavernier Restaurant & Lounge located oceanside at MM 90, 99% of the time everyone at the table orders the same thing: the espresso martini. If you peek behind the bar, you see the bartenders making them by the dozen.

Don’t let that fool you, though. The quality doesn’t suffer because of the quantity. I’ve had espresso martinis everywhere you can imagine and there is definitely something different about Old Tav’s.

I’m sure there’s some secret proprietary blend of coffee, liqueurs and spirits that honestly, even if it weren’t under wraps, we wouldn’t be able to fully recreate the Old Tav magic at home. I could blind taste-test 50 different espresso martinis and I will know without a doubt which is our locally famous one. When I get a text for a friendly gathering, it hardly ever says “Are you in the mood for Old Tavernier?”

It usually says “Are you in the mood

for espresso martinis?” and I know exactly where they’re talking about.

Something about the lounge brings a familiarity. It might be the furniture, the nautical decor and wood walls. It could simply be that all of us “Keys kids” have been going to Old Tavernier with our parents since we were in diapers. Either way, the homey feeling pairs flawlessly with the consistency of their No. 1-selling cocktail. For the few of you out there who haven’t tried this impeccable libation, it’s served in a chilled martini glass rimmed with cocoa powder. The cocoa powder gives you a bitter kick that is immediately followed by a sweet, ice cold, coffee-esque nectar of the gods. Other espresso martinis have this cheap flavored vodka taste that reminds me of chemicals or artificial sweeteners.

At this timeless establishment they’ve managed to balance a creamy taste without the cop out of Baileys being added. The best part is while you’re sipping, you get a symphony of clinking glasses while hearing others say cheers, and the sound of ice in the shakers as new martinis are being made. It’s a feeling of camaraderie. The Old Tavernier espresso martini has been on my list for quite some time to write about. I have been purposely putting it off to wait until December. There is something special about this martini, a sip just feeling like the holidays.

Nothing feels more December than sipping this coffee goodness and gazing at the oversized Christmas tree the lounge dons every year. If it were July, I would still get that holiday fuzzy warmth with this drink.

Old Tavernier’s espresso martini. SAMANTHA DELLILO/Keys Weekly

They’ve really accomplished something remarkable with this recipe. The funny thing is, it’s so good that even if you didn’t have dinner at Old Tavernier, you end up there from other restaurants to have the ideal nightcap. I hope the lounge and the martini never change; I love everything about it. When I’m traveling and the mood strikes for an espresso martini, it could taste great, and I still find myself measuring it against Old Tavernier. Comparisons are easily done once you’ve had a taste of perfection.

Lately, I’ve been ordering mine with bourbon instead of vodka. It really grounds the flavors and gives it a deep earthy, dark chocolate vibe.

Someone once said an espresso martini is a sophisticated jolt of happiness, the perfect blend of classy and caffeinated, and I couldn’t agree more. One last thing: don’t let the caffeinated comment scare you off; they offer an equally delicious decaf version upon request.

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UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / DECEMBER 7, 2023

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