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Members of
A papal conclave at the Vatican elected Cardinal Robert Prevost as the next pope on May 8. He’s the first U.S.-born pontiff, and he will be known as Pope Leo XIV. The 69-yearold from Chicago is the 267th leader of Catholics worldwide.
Crystal Ruffo, volunteer coordinator of the Florida Keys SPCA, plays the cute card when persuading Keys residents to consider temporarily fostering kittens and puppies for the animal shelter. MANDY MILES/Keys Weekly
NO MORE PAID LEAVE FOR KEY WEST BUILDING CHIEF
Raj Ramsingh is on ‘indefinite suspension for criminal act’
MANDY MILES mandy@keysweekly.com
Three weeks of paid administrative leave for Key West’s three-times-indicted chief building official ended after an administrative hearing at city hall on Thursday, May 8.
City Manager Brian L. Barroso placed Ramsingh, who has been indicted on nine felony counts, on unpaid, indefinite suspension for a criminal act.
Ramsingh has been indicted on a first-degree felony charge of “organized fraud,” which carries a maximum prison sentence of 30 years if convicted. He also faces eight felony counts of fraud stemming from the alleged alteration or falsification of city building permits and one count of obstructing justice by allegedly deleting text messages that were requested as part of a criminal investigation.
“As a result of your multiple felony indictments, and the evidence that appears to represent a violation of the numerous city policies and procedures described herein, the city cannot take the risk of allowing you to operate in any capacity as its chief building official,” Barroso writes. “Your indefinite suspension without pay will remain in effect until the city’s administrative investigation has concluded and/or a decision has been reached concerning the appropriate action to be taken.”
Raj Ramsingh did not attend the employment hearing at city hall, but his attorney provided a written statement on his behalf, according to the six-page letter that city
manager Brian L. Barroso sent to Ramsingh via certified mail following the hearing on May 8 and notifying him of the unpaid indefinite suspension.
“I have reviewed the information and claims presented in the letter from your attorney,” Barroso writes. “One of the claims is that if the city moves forward with terminating your employment, it will represent unlawful retaliation in response to some type of discrimination complaint(s) that you claim to have made with the city prior to your initial arrest on April 15, 2025. The city asked you to provide documentation in support of your claim, but you failed to respond or provide the requested documentation. Contrary to your claim, there is no evidence that you ever submitted or made any type of discrimination complaint with the city during the course of your employment as the chief building official. Accordingly, any employment action taken by the city against you in connection with the issues described in this letter, including termination, would be lawful, legitimate and non-discriminatory. …
“This decision (to place Ramsingh on unpaid, indefinite suspension for a criminal act) is based on the evidence that you may have engaged in egregious misconduct,” the letter states. It goes on to detail the charges in each of Ramsingh’s three indictments, and match those to the specific city policies those acts violate.
The letter points to discovery documents released by the state attorney’s office that shows that
Key West’s indicted former chief building official Raj Ramsingh has been suspended without pay pending the results of an internal investigation at the city into several alleged violations of city policy. CONTRIBUTED
Ramsingh allegedly owned and operated his own construction company, Stryker-Avery Homes, while also working as the city’s chief building official. In addition, the evidence alleges that Ramsingh used his city position to bypass the city’s permitting and review processes for his own gain and for that of his friends, clients and other influential people in town.
Raj Ramsingh’s unpaid suspension comes nearly two weeks after a Key West city commission vote to terminate the employment of his brother, former city attorney Ron Ramsingh, without cause. The “without cause” specification entitled Ron Ramsingh to a $221,000 payout.
Ron Ramsingh has been twice indicted on felony charges of obstructing justice by deleting text messages being sought in a criminal investigation and official misconduct for allegedly “interfering with the reporting of a felony committed by his brother,” the indictment states.
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LOWER KEYS MEDICAL CENTER HONORS NURSE
Nurse April Bruggermann & ICU team receive Daisy Award
Lower Keys Medical Center hosted a reception during Nurses Week, honoring the intensive care unit team members and registered nurse April Bruggemann, with the Daisy Award for Extraordinary Nurses. The award recognizes nursing professionals for excellence in clinical care and for exceptional compassion.
The nurses were nominated and selected for the award for creating a personalized environment of care for a patient. The patient was admitted to the intensive care unit through the emergency department, having traveled to Key West to fulfill his dream of seeing the beautiful waters of the Keys. During report to the ICU, the ER staff shared his wishes. Taking this
KEY WEST COMMISSIONERS HEAR AN EARFUL FROM RESIDENTS
Lawmakers promote interim city attorney until permanent one is hired
MANDY MILES mandy@keysweekly.com
With city hall steeped in investigations, indictments and terminations, Key West officials heard an earful from some residents at their meeting on May 6.
city — for everyone, not just for those who were born here.”
Former Key West planning board member Greg Lloyd told the commission of the promotion of Hardin, “Her primary quality seems to be that she’s willing and is a team player. That’s like putting a novice captain at the helm of a leaking sailboat in a Category 5 hurricane. We’re facing a storm of legal challenges. As we’ve become painfully aware, the city attorney position is perhaps the most powerful and influential in the city government.”
April Bruggermann and the ICU team at Lower Keys Medical Center were honored with a Daisy Award for taking extraordinary care of a patient. CONTRIBUTED
to heart, the ICU team fulfilled the patient’s desire, moving his hospital bed every day to a window with a water view, while helping him get stronger. Quality coordinator April Bruggemann also saw the patient’s wishes written in progress notes and coordinated with the ICU to have a water view painting hung in his room during his stay.
Lower Keys Medical Center chief executive officer Drew Bigby said, “The Daisy Award recipients are skilled nursing professionals and, beyond that, are deeply caring and kind individuals.”
The award recipients were presented with hand-carved Healer’s Touch sculptures, Daisy certificates and signature bouquets of daisies. Key West Mayor Dee Dee Henriquez presented a proclamation in honor of National Nurses Week during the reception.
The Daisy Foundation is a notfor-profit organization that was established in memory of J. Patrick Barnes, who died in 1999 from complications of an autoimmune disease. His family was inspired to create the foundation to honor nurses who make a profound difference in the lives of their patients and families.
— Contributed
The meeting kicked off with some members of the public urging the commission to choose an interim city attorney who is independent of city hall, such as Dirk Smits and his associated lawyers at the firm Vernis & Bowling, who were proposed by commissioner Sam Kaufman until the commission hires a new city attorney. Former city attorney Ron Ramsingh was terminated without cause last month, another decision that frustrated many residents, who had urged that Ramsingh’s contract be terminated for cause, which would have saved the city $112,000 in severance pay.
Instead, the commission voted 5-2 on May 6 to promote assistant city attorney Kendal Hardin to the interim position, despite her not meeting all of the criteria needed for the job.
The commission also decided to empanel an advisory committee to evaluate applications for the next city attorney, voting down a suggestion by Kaufman that the city enlist the help of a search committee run by the Florida Association of County Attorneys, which would have guided the search for $5,000.
“We have major issues,” resident Jeff Siegel told the commissioners. “There appears to be a toxic environment in this building. These are not normal times, and unfortunately, decisions seem to be made for loyalty over competence. This meeting now is where you have the opportunity to fix things and start to rebuild public trust. The proposed interim city attorney misses nearly all requirements for the job. History is watching and so are the voters. Do what’s best for the
Business owner Joe Walsh spoke in support of Hardin, pointing out that she’s been doing the job and is familiar with the issues and players.
Resident Robert Jensen then laid into the commission, pointing out that on April 1, the commissioners had approved their own performance evaluations of attorney Ron Ramsingh.
“Fourteen days later he was indicted and arrested,” Jensen said, adding that Mayor Dee Dee Henriquez and commissioners Donie Lee, Lissette Carey and Aaron Castillo all gave Ramsingh marks of 4s and 5s, meaning he exceeded job standards on their evaluations of him. Commissioner Mary Lou Hoover and Monica Haskell’s evaluations were slightly less glowing, but didn’t indicate shortcomings.
“Commissioner Kaufman gave unsatisfactory marks in several areas,” Jensen acknowledged. “But some of you had already been interviewed by the state attorney’s office and/or FBI prior to completing your evaluations. All of you were or should have been aware of the problems mentioned in the Corradino Report. So when you signed these evaluations of the city attorney, did you believe the issues being investigated didn’t warrant comment on an evaluation? Or did you just perjure yourselves in interviews and testimony before the grand jury, FBI or state attorney’s office? These investigations are far from over. It’s reasonable to expect further indictments and possibly arrests of some former city commissioners, or some of you. When the investigations are over, I think you’ll be deemed a criminal enterprise.”
SCHOOL BOARD SELECTS ED TIERNEY AS SUPERINTENDENT
Palm Beach County Schools leader chosen over 2 local finalists
mandy@keysweekly.com
The school board’s five-month search for its next superintendent ended this week, with the selection of Ed Tierney for the school district’s top job.
The board voted to hire Tierney, deputy superintendent of Palm Beach County Schools, over two local finalists — deputy superintendent Amber Archer Acevedo and Coral Shores High School principal Laura Lietaert.
Board member Yvette MiraTalbott spoke earnestly in support of Acevedo, but ultimately joined the other four members in making the vote for Tierney unanimous.
“He was very, very prepared,” board member John Dick said of Tierney after making a motion to hire him. “And I think the district is best served by a new person coming in.”
“The thing that touched me the most during Mr. Tierney’s board interview was when we asked him about the things he had done, he always credited the teachers, and that, I think, speaks volumes about what’s important to him,” board member Sue Woltanski said.
Horan said he watched “everything I could find on him on YouTube. And at our board interview, he commanded that room. You knew that he knew the answers. You only get that when you’ve led a team that instills their trust in you, and you could tell he has a support system that believes in him.”
Mira-Talbott said she agreed with the others’ assessments of Tierney, but added, “We also have a local candidate that’s amazing. When you have a top candidate who meets all the criteria and has given 40 years of service to this district, dedicated to Monroe County’s school children and teachers, and then the top job becomes available, and you’re not a consideration, that’s a problem. I don’t want any teacher to think they can dedicate their entire life to this district, but because they haven’t left Monroe County, or led an extremely large district, that at the end of
TAKE STOCK IN CHILDREN CELEBRATES 81 SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS
Grads represent 12% of the Class of 2025 in Monroe County
the day, they’ll never be able to be elevated to the top position.”
Board chair Mindy Conn and the others acknowledged the commitment of Acevedo and Lietaert.
“I think (superintendent Teresa) Axford is a prime example of the board not being afraid to have somebody who’s worked here for a very long time have the top job,” Conn said. “The selection today is not a comment on whether you can move up in this organization.”
Conn said she was impressed by Tierney’s experience as an exceptional student education (ESE) teacher, as well as a principal, chief of staff and deputy superintendent of a large, A-rated school district.
“The thing I liked most was he didn’t need to look at notes. His answers were felt by him. There was nothing to read from, and nothing he needed to think about. He knows what he needs to do. His 90-day plan was very impressive. What I saw is someone who wants to know every school, every principal, every staff member. It was clear to me that he was gonna be traveling up and down the Keys and has a dedication to know the Upper Keys as well as he knows the Middle and Upper Keys and that means a lot to me.”
After the vote, Conn called Tierney with the news.
“I’m so grateful for the support in that community and we look forward to coming down and joining the talented team in Monroe County. I feel so honored,” Tierney told the board.
Take Stock in Children of Monroe County announces the graduation of its 25th class of scholarship recipients, marking a milestone in the program’s history. This year, 81 students from four county high schools are set to graduate, representing 12% of the Class of 2025 in Monroe County. With a collective achievement of over $2 million in awarded scholarships, this cohort has exemplified dedication and perseverance, boasting an average GPA of 3.65. Throughout their time in the Take Stock in Children program, students have met weekly with their volunteer mentors and engaged in rigorous academic pursuits, successfully completing 221 Advanced Placement courses and earning 256 dual enrollment credits.
Twenty-eight percent of these students have earned the Bright Futures scholarship. The students also have collectively completed 182 college applications, resulting in 131 college admissions. Approximately 42.5% of the class will enroll in a college or technical school, while 55% will pursue higher education at a university.
“We are so very proud of this group of students,” said Chuck Licis-Masson, executive director of Take Stock in Children - Monroe. “While in the Take Stock in Children program, these students have faced challenges, dismantled obstacles and worked hard to begin their post-secondary educational career. We thank their parents for their support and their mentors who have guided them along the way. Our students have earned their scholarships and are prepared for continued success in college and career.”
The graduation ceremony will take place on Saturday, May 17 at 11 a.m. in the Performing Arts Center at Marathon Middle High School. The public is invited.
Take Stock in Children of Monroe County is the flagship program of the Monroe County Education Foundation, a local nonprofit organization dedicated to providing scholarships and mentorship to low-income students in Monroe County and ensuring that they have the opportunity to pursue higher education.
More information is available from Licis-Masson at chuck. licis@monroecountyedfound.com or 305-293-1546. — Contributed
Take Stock in Children scholars from Coral Shores High School’s Class of 2024. Eighty-one students will graduate from the scholarship program this month. CONTRIBUTED
MANDY MILES
Ed Tierney, in Key West on May 2 with his wife, Lori, was selected as the school district’s next superintendent at the school board’s May 13 meeting. MANDY MILES/ Keys Weekly
KEY WEST COUPLE DONATES $5K TO STUDENT ENRICHMENT FUND
Katie Packer Beeson and Rich Beeson will also match donations
Reach For Greatness, a nonprofit organization founded to fund bold ambitions and creative dreams for students in the Florida Keys, recently announced a $5,000 donation from longtime supporters Katie Packer Beeson and Rich Beeson. In a show of commitment, the couple also pledged to match up to an additional $5,000 in donations made to the organization — doubling the opportunity for others to make a difference.
Katie Packer Beeson has also stepped into the role of president of the board of directors for Reach for Greatness, bringing decades of leadership, public service and advocacy to the mission.
Founded by Key West High School sophomore Violet Jangraw, Reach For Greatness was born out of a struggle to find funding for a prestigious summer program at Columbia University. Today, the organization supports students of all ages who are reaching beyond traditional paths to achieve their dreams by providing scholarships for summer programs, leadership retreats, creative endeavors and other formative experiences that often fall outside the scope of conventional financial aid.
Katie Packer Beeson is the founding partner of Burning Glass Consulting, an all-female firm specializing in public relations, political
consulting and issue advocacy. With over three decades of experience managing campaigns from local to presidential levels, including as deputy campaign manager for Mitt Romney’s 2012 presidential campaign, Katie brings strategic insight and a dedication to mentorship and opportunity-building.
Her background also includes key roles in the Michigan State Senate, the administration of Michigan Gov. John Engler, and the U.S. Department of Energy under President George W. Bush. She is a former political commentator for MSNBC, NPR, CNN and Fox News and served as an adjunct professor at George Washington University.
“Katie and Rich’s generosity is not only financial; it’s transformational,” said Heather Jangraw, secretary of Reach For Greatness. “Their gift and matching challenge will help unlock life-changing opportunities for students whose dreams are bigger than their resources. And with Katie’s leadership, we are excited to take this mission to the next level.”
Katie and Rich Beeson split their time between Grand Lake, Colorado and Key West, and are passionate about giving back to communities and causes that inspire bold futures.
More information is at reachforgreatness.org. — Contributed
Katie Packer Beeson and Rich Beeson donate $5,000 and pledge to match other donations to Reach for Greatness, which funds scholarships and enrichment programs for students. CONTRIBUTED
DOLLARS AND CENTS IN THE AIR
State leaders can’t come to an agreement on budget, tax relief plan
JIM McCARTHY jim@keysweekly.com
Aproposal backed by the Florida House to divert a large portion of tourism dollars for property-tax relief didn’t garner support from their counterparts in the Senate as the 60th day of legislative session came to an end earlier in the month.
Sending 75% of a county’s tourist development tax revenue, which is paid by visitors who book overnight lodging, to reduce the property tax levy in 2026 isn’t completely off the table, as discussions on the budget and tax matters aren’t over. If the Senate’s unwillingness to take up the House proposal is any indication, though, use of TDTs for its original purpose of marketing and promotion, as well as funding improvements for tourism-related businesses and events, could stay intact for another year.
Two bills passing through the House not only aimed to redistribute the tourism tax money for property tax relief, but they also proposed to eliminate county tourist development councils beginning July 1. House Bill 7033 proposed to revise provisions relating to taxation, including use and distribution of tax revenue, while House Bill 1221 sought to change provisions related to local option taxes, including tourist development tax. Neither of those bills gained traction in the Senate as the 60th day of session concluded on May 2.
Members of the Florida House returned to Tallahassee on May 13 after House Speaker Daniel Perez sent fellow members home the week of May 5-9. Perez was hoping to continue discussions based on the budget framework Perez and Senate President Ben Albritton developed before the end of session on May 2. Intertwined in those discussions were proposals to provide tax relief.
Speaking before the full House on May 13, Perez said Albritton blew up the deal. A May 9 memo by Albritton to fellow Senators states that the governor expressed
concern regarding the tax relief framework announced May 2 –specifically, that the proposal for an across-the-board sales tax cut of .75% to make it 5.25% would unduly benefit tourists and foreigners and is, “dead on arrival.”
Despite the development, Perez said, it wouldn’t stop the House from continuing to back a fiscally-constrained spending plan. Since taking the gavel as speaker this year, Perez has made it known that the state government has “too much money and excess cash has led us to spend recklessly.” He’s attributed the growth in sales tax collections to more spending at the state level.
The recent budget framework collapse between the House and Senate is another example of the growing division between the chambers. There’s also been heated words between the House speaker and Gov. Ron DeSantis over tax relief plans. But Perez said the conversation around reducing state revenue, such as reducing sales tax, has nothing to do with the issue of local property taxes.
As for immediate property tax relief, Perez alluded to the House proposal to use tourist development tax revenue.
“TDT reform is one of the few options in our direct control as tourist development taxes are authorized by state statute,” Perez said. “All other property tax reform ideas would require an amendment to the Florida Constitution, which would not be on the ballot until 2026.”
Despite the uncertainty, Kara Franker, president and CEO of Visit Florida Keys and Monroe County Tourist Development Council, said she’s hoping state leaders come to some sort of resolution that doesn’t put the TDC on the chopping block or redirect tourism funds away from marketing and programs like coral restoration.
“Visitors spend $3.5 billion per year in Monroe County,” she said. “And there’s the $35 million in tourist development taxes that are going directly to workforce housing in the Florida Keys.”
KEY WEST DRUG TRAFFICKER GETS 7 YEARS IN STATE PRISON
Rollins Warden, 56, was arrested with 5 ounces of cocaine & 5 ounces of meth
State Attorney Dennis Ward announced on May 13 that Rollins E. Warden, 56, of Key West, was sentenced to seven years in Florida State Prison without the possibility of early release. He was arrested in February 2023 with traffickinglevel quantities of cocaine and methamphetamine. Warden was arrested again in February 2025 with significant amounts of drugs. Warden pleaded no contest and was adjudicated guilty on all charges as part of a negotiated plea agreement accepted by the court, states a press release from the state attorney’s office.
The initial arrest took place on Feb. 28, 2023, when Key West Police caught Warden speeding on South Roosevelt Boulevard. During the traffic stop, K-9 Jigsaw alerted police to the presence of drugs in Warden’s vehicle. A search revealed 144 grams of cocaine, 143 grams of methamphetamine, 1.6 grams of marijuana, and multiple items of drug paraphernalia. Warden admitted to officers at the scene that he had recently been smoking crack cocaine.
He was found guilty on the following charges:
• Trafficking in cocaine (28 grams to under 150 kilograms), a first-degree felony
• Sale or possession of methamphetamine (14 grams or more), a first-degree felony
• Possession of not more than 20 grams of marijuana, a misdemeanor
• Possession and/or use of drug paraphernalia, a misdemeanor
Rollins Warden, 56, pleaded no contest to drug trafficking charges and was sentenced to seven years in state prison. CONTRIBUTED
In addition to his prison sentence, Warden was ordered to pay $158,000 in fines and court costs, and his driver’s license was suspended.
“This was a serious and dangerous case involving trafficking-level quantities of drugs that destroy lives and communities,” said State Attorney Dennis Ward. “I want to commend the Key West Police Department for their outstanding work and attention to detail,” citing Detectives Andrew Hudson and Christopher Bozzetti, Sergeant Jay Conaty, Sergeant David Kouri, K-9 Jigsaw, and Officers Thomas Anglin and Stephen Adorno. “I also thank Assistant State Attorney Jon Byrne for his thorough handling of the case and for negotiating a resolution that protects the residents of Monroe County.”
The plea and sentencing were accepted by Judge Mark Jones.
Chief Assistant State Attorney Joseph Mansfield added, “The no-contest plea and full adjudication in this case reflect the strength of the evidence and the excellent coordination between law enforcement and our prosecution team. This was a clear message that large-scale drug trafficking will not be tolerated in our community.”
— Contributed
FURRY FRIENDS NEED FOSTER FAMILIES, TOO
Heartbreaking situations become heartwarming with loving volunteers
MANDY MILES mandy@keysweekly.com
The Florida Keys SPCA’s foster program turns heartbreaking situations into heartwarming success stories.
Orphaned kittens, barely clinging to life in the absence of their mother’s protection and nourishment, have a small chance of survival. That’s heartbreaking.
But a box of tiny kittens, in a safe house or apartment, where human hands provide sustenance and love until the kittens are old enough to stay at the shelter and sweep a forever family off their feet? That’s heartwarming.
The Florida Keys SPCA in both Key West and Marathon needs foster volunteers throughout the year, for orphaned kittens and puppies until they’re old enough for the shelter. But foster homes become even more critical during the summer months, when hurricanes threaten the island chain and evacuations are possible.
“Our Key West shelter is built to withstand a Category 5 storm, and some staff members typically volunteer to stay here at the shelter with our animals during a storm,” said executive director Tammy Fox. “But if the approaching storm is looking dangerous, no one wants to stay in the Keys, and that means our animals need to evacuate as well. We won’t leave any of them here without staff members.”
Fox added that the Marathon animal shelter is not designed for a strong storm, so all resident animals there must evacuate with foster families or be brought to Key West.
Aside from the summer storm season, foster volunteers are needed to care temporarily for animals that need short-term special care.
Perhaps a dog recently had surgery and is in the dreaded cone. Or an animal may be being treated for heartworms and needs to be kept away from other animals.
“Everyone heals better in a home environment than in a shelter or kennel,” Fox said. “Animals recuperate and respond to treatment faster and better than they would in a kennel. And our foster volunteers are amazing human beings.”
Fostered animals typically spend three to six weeks in a home, depending on their needs.
“And the SPCA pays for all food, medical supplies, blankets, anything that’s needed,” said Fox, who last week welcomed a “coneheaded dog” named Perry (he’d been abandoned in a local hotel room) into her office so she could make sure he didn’t slip the cone and irritate a cyst on his front paw that was being treated.
“Perry would be a perfect fit for a foster home,” she said as Crystal Ruffo, the shelter’s volunteer and education coordinator, walked into the office cradling a pint-sized, blue-eyed, 6-week-old kitten. (Both are available for adoption, by the way.)
ARTIFICIAL REEFS ARE THE REAL DEAL FOR MARINE LIFE
County’s grant-funded sunken power poles are teeming with fish
Monroe County’s first artificial reef in its new, 100% grantfunded program is now complete, and sea life can already be found in abundance in the area.
Earlier this month, the rest of the donated concrete power poles were delivered and set on the bottom at the Gulfside 10-Mile Artificial Reef site, 10 miles off Key West in federal waters. This completes the power pole artificial reef project, which started in November 2024 with the deployment of nine poles to Patch Reef #1, 21 poles to Patch Reef #2, and the last 20 poles to Patch Reef #3.
At each patch reef, the concrete poles – 35 to 55 feet long –were stacked in perpendicular layers to maximize vertical relief and create various habitat spaces for marine life. The reefs range from 6 to 12 feet high, are about 65 feet in diameter, and are at a depth of about 40 to 45 feet. The poles were obtained from the Florida Keys Electric Co-op’s Sea Oats Beach project in Islamorada and the Monroe County Land Steward.
This will be part of a network of artificial reef sites in this area. The “Gulfside Network” will provide new fishing and diving opportunities, waypoints for migrating marine life and, long-term, marine habitat. It may also help reduce pressure on natural reefs. Site surveys and permit applications are underway for the other sites in the network. Multiple patches and sites
will help disperse fishing pressure and reduce human user conflicts.
“I was thrilled to see the great diversity and abundance of marine life using these structures,” said Hanna Koch, director of artificial reefs for Monroe County, who surveyed the sites with state wildlife scientists recently. They reported dozens of fish species, including a variety of snappers and groupers, thousands of fish ranging in size from a few inches to several feet, nurse sharks, sea turtles, dozens of invertebrate species and numerous large egg masses. “You could clearly see how the different organisms were using the variety of spaces in the reef, whether it was a large shark resting under a ledge, small fish schooling in the shallow cracks between the layers, or medium-sized fish hiding in cavities,” she said.
Koch will monitor these patches and the rest of the sites once they are completed to understand how humans and marine life are using them. She asks divers to relate their experiences at these reefs, at koch-hanna@monroecounty-fl.gov or via voicemail at 786847-5443.
The coordinates for each patch reef:
• Patch Reef 1: 24° 53.1945’ N, 81° 42.20448’ W
• Patch Reef 2: 24° 53.1174’ N, 81° 42.1362’ W
• Patch Reef 3: 24° 53.058’ N, 81°42.062’ W
— Contributed
MANDY MILES/Keys Weekly.
A nurse shark makes itself at home at the new sunken power poles that were deployed off Key West as part of Monroe County’s new artificial reef program. HANNA KOCH/Contributed
“Sean
WOODCARVING EXPLORES
‘THE
WAY IT WAS’ IN KEY WEST
The Studios hosts exhibition by Isaac & Danay Valdes through May 29
‘Behind a risque club stood a quieter bar. Husbands slipped in to avoid being caught, acting as if they’d been there all along.’
Experience the historical charm and vibrant culture of Old Key West through intricate wood carvings.
Before ice makers and mini-marts, the ice man made his rounds by buggy, offering cool relief to all who heard his cart coming.
‘The Way It Was’ exhibition by Isaac and Danay Valdes captures the essence of Key West’s bygone days, depicting its architecture, lush landscapes and colorful local life. Stop in and see the works Tuesday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at The Studios of Key West, 533 Eaton St.
— Contributed
WHAT’S COOKING, KEY WEST?
Key West history in a glass
CAROL SHAUGHNESSY www.keysweekly.com
Since its settlement 200 years ago, Key West has been the richest city per capita in the United States, a center for rum smuggling during the 1920-1933 Prohibition era, the site of President Harry Truman’s “vacation White House,” and home to some of the most influential writers of the 20th century.
While many books and online sources chronicle these historic highlights, it’s also possible — and enjoyable — to learn about them through the craft cocktails at Bar 1, located inside the Key West Cooking School.
Both in its décor and offerings, the new emporium salutes Key West’s colorful heritage. Patrons are surrounded by island city memorabilia: vintage fishing gear for deep-sea adventures, century-old “demijohn” bottles used for shipping contraband liquor, and other tangible reminders of the past.
“Spirited” reminders include a cocktail menu that highlights Key West history in a glass. Three cocktails in particular honor people and elements that helped shape the island’s contemporary character.
First there’s the Curry Old Fashioned, commemorating the 19th-century wrecking industry that brought tremendous wealth to the seafaring city. While wreckers rescued survivors and cargoes from ships sinking on the reef, William Curry bought warehouses and rented them for the storage of salvaged goods.
Subsequently, Curry rented his warehouses to owners of the island’s Cuban cigar factories for storing and drying tobacco leaves. Thanks to his business skill, he became known as Florida’s first self-made millionaire.
The cocktail named for Curry features the rum favored by seafarers, Bar 1’s own cherry syrup, and tobacco bitters and torched orange zest that recognize his cigar-industry connection.
During Prohibition, when the U.S. government banned alcohol, Key West was home to a less lawful industry: rum-running. Scores of islanders piloted boats to Cuba and the Caribbean, dodging the authorities and bringing back rum and other liquid contraband.
Bar 1 features the rum runner as a nod to those smugglers. Bold and vibrant, the cocktail has several conflicting origin stories. But instead of debating them, just enjoy Bar 1’s drink made of two rums, banana and blackberry liqueurs, house-crafted cherry syrup and fruit juices.
Patrons can also sample a libation that recalls Key West’s most eminent repeat visitor: President Harry S. Truman, who spent 11 working vacations during his 1945-1952 administration in the residence dubbed the Little White House (Florida’s only presidential home). While he relaxed by taking long walks, fishing and playing poker, Truman also ran the country from Key West.
In his honor, the bar menu features the Truman Old Fashioned, a blend of Old Grand-Dad bourbon whiskey, house-made simple syrup, and Angostura bitters that offer a spicy herbal kick.
Local history in liquid form is available at Bar 1 from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, upstairs at 291 Front St. at the Key West Cooking School — and bartenders are happy to share tales and cocktails that celebrate Key West’s unique past.
LAST CALL
Drink of the month: Harry’s Breakfast (also called “Harry’s Heart Starter”). Reputedly, Truman began his days with a beverage that provided both Vitamin C and a “spirited” wakeup call: a glass of fresh orange juice and Old Grand-Dad. It’s not just for breakfast at Bar 1.
Helpful bar hack: When crafting cocktails like the Curry Old Fashioned, stir the iced ingredients with a bar spoon to provide a gentle yet thorough dilution. Generally 30 to 35 revolutions will ensure proper blending and chilling.
Thirsty for more? Visit keywestcookingschool.com.
The rum runner salutes Key West’s Prohibition-era smugglers of spirits. KEY WEST COOKING SCHOOL/Contributed
A tribute to Jimmy, known for mixing the best mojitos in town. In the background, the legendary Dominique, the Cat Man, performs his iconic sunset show. CONTRIBUTED
Key West Cooking School
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
Dinnertainment Cooking Classes
All meals are served with housemade plaintain chips
Conch Fritters Mojo Roast Pork with Black Beans and Rice Key Lime Pie
Garbanzo Soup Jerk Chicken with Rice and Peas Guava Bread Pudding
Tostones with Cuban Chimichurri Ropa Vieja with Yellow Rice
Tia’s Flan
Caldo Gallego Picadillo with Black Beans and Rice Key Lime Pie
Garbanzo Soup Lobster Enchilados with Rice
Guava Bread Pudding
THURSDAY Bollos Grits-n-Grunts Key Lime Pie
FRIDAY
SATURDAY
Conch Fritters Mariscado with White Rice Guava Bread Pudding
Caldo Gallego Key West Seafood Rissotto Tia’s Flan
Mariscado Swordfish Picatta with Rice and Broccolini Tia’s Flan
Avocado Salad Cuban Mix Tia’s Flan
Tostones with Cuban Chimichurri Picadillo with Black Beans and Rice Tia’s Flan
Ceviche Mojo Roast Pork with Black Beans and Rice Key Lime Pie
SONS & DAUGHTERS OF ITALY CELEBRATE 46 YEARS IN KEY WEST
Local lodge hosts fundraiser
May 21 at Grand Vin
Julie Kushel, buyer and manager of Grand Vin Wine Bar in Key West, will host an anniversary event and fundraiser for the Sons & Daughters of Italy, Key West Lodge 2436, on Wednesday, May 21. CAROL TEDESCO/Contributed
The Sons and Daughters of Italy, Key West Lodge 2436, will celebrate its 46th birthday with an Italian wine and antipasto tasting, Wednesday May 21 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Grand Vin Wine Bar, 1107 Duval St.
A $25 donation benefits the lodge’s high school scholarship fund and local charities, and entitles attendees to wine and antipasto tastings, birthday cake and live music by Al Romano, aka “Sinatra in the Keys,” along with chances to win door prizes and drawings for bottles of Italian wine, homemade limoncello and gift certificates from Key West businesses.
An integral part of Key West for nearly 46 years, including initiating the Key West Bocce program, Lodge 2436 was founded on May 7, 1979.
The Sons and Daughters of Italy, Key West Lodge is for people of any gender, age, religion and profession. Whether you are of Italian heritage or simply have a love for all things Italian, the lodge welcomes all as members.
Listen to great Italian music, taste Italian wines and food and enjoy an evening Italian-style. More information is available via email to sonsanddaughterskeywest@gmail. com.
— Contributed
COMFORT & CONNECTION
Healing Den to help victims of sexual violence through new partnership
Hi friends! Reef the Fox here with your weekly “Reef’s Report.”
Today, I’m reporting from a place of real pride. I, Reef the fox, am here to tell you about something big. Pawsitive Beginnings has officially partnered with Christina’s Courage, an incredible organization in Monroe County that supports survivors of sexual violence. Their work is rooted in trauma-informed advocacy, forensic services and community education.
These are the humans who show up when others don’t, and they make sure survivors are heard, believed and empowered. Sound familiar? Yeah, our missions were destined to align.
Beginning June 1, the therapist at Christina’s Courage will be using our Human-Animal Alliance Healing Den, the quiet, safe space where humans can exhale, reconnect and feel something good again. And Nicole Navarro (my human) will also be heading down to Key West on a monthly basis to meet survivors right where they are. That’s what healing looks like: flexibility, community and connection.
“This collaboration brings the powerful benefits of animal-assisted therapy to our clients, offering comfort, connection and emotional healing in a safe and nurturing environment,” said Anne Elliott, mental health counselor at Christina’s Courage. “Beginning in June,
we will work closely with Pawsitive Beginnings founder Nicole Navarro and her foxes on a monthly basis, creating meaningful opportunities for survivors to experience therapeutic interactions that support their recovery journeys.”
Here’s what I know: when someone who’s been through hell walks into a space and locks eyes with a creature who’s also lived through trauma, they both get it. No words needed. That’s the kind of unspoken truth that makes this partnership so powerful.
At Pawsitive Beginnings, we’ve always said healing can come from the most unlikely of places — foxes. Now we’re proud to say it’s also got more backup, from some of the most compassionate and dedicated humans we’ve ever met.
So yeah, maybe I’m not being snarky today. Maybe I’m just … proud of us, Christina’s Courage and survivors who show up even when it’s hard. This is more than therapy. It’s transformational, and we’re honored to be part of it.
That’s all for this week. Until next time, Reef, over and out!
Reef is a red fox that was saved from a fur farm. He now lives in Key Largo with his human, Nicole Navarro.
REEF THE FOX
... 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. MARK HEDDEN
What was ideal was heavy rain that happened the night before, the kind of inclement weather that tends to encourage migrating birds to maybe take a break and ride things out down here, among the lowly terrestrials, at least until the storms move out of the way.
What was not ideal was it being the second week in May, kind of late in the migration, when most birds had already passed over and through and on up into North America.
It seemed worth the two-mile trip to Fort Zach, though, to see if there was any fallout.
The last time I’d been in the park, a week-and-a-half before, I’d sat at the edge of the moat with my friend Ellen Westbrook, and then my friend Lisa Morehouse, and watched as a steady parade of warblers came in to bathe on the low twigs that dipped into the water.
Warblers tend to be the bulk and the color guard of the migration. We’ve recorded close to 40 species of them in the Keys. And they are pretty fun birds to see, small things, often brightly colored, sometimes just interestingly colored, slightly larger than winged baby carrots, that spin and flit through the trees.
So I went back to the same spot, sat down in the dirt and hoped for a repeat, which is never the right hope in birdwatching.
Instead of a parade of small songbirds, there was one very large and very dark – almost black – iguana. And above him, a small concert of noisy local red-winged blackbirds.
Somewhere high in the canopy behind me I heard a soft tuk-tuk-tuk, the contact call of a yellow-billed cuckoo. I didn’t bother to turn around and look for it because cuckoos, especially cuckoos in migration, tend to be lurkers, always three or four layers deep in foliage, always heading toward the exit before you even notice them.
I got up and began to wander.
There wasn’t the level of bird activity I’d hoped for, but I could see the occasional shadow move through the trees. More cuckoos, I suspected, but nothing distinct in color or shape.
My binoculars are a well-used, nearly 20-year-old pair of Swarovskis. (Apparently they make jewelry, too?) I accidentally dropped them in a bag from a foot or two onto our tile floor a while back, and didn’t think about it until a few days later, when I went to use them and realized the right barrel no longer focused.
As with any well-used tool that you’ve had for so long, the binoculars become like an ex-
CUCKOO SHADOWS
tension of the user. You lift them to your eyes and you find the bird, or whatever you were looking for, without thinking about it.
I didn’t realize how much being able to focus only one eye would stymie me. I’d see some movement, lift the binoculars, and the blurry side would somehow completely scramble the sharp side. When I would remember to close one eye, somehow my aim was all off. (I could fix all this if I just remembered to ship them off for repair.)
My suspicions about the yellow-billed cuckoos were confirmed without binoculars up behind the blacksmith shop at the park, when I stepped on a twig and three of them leapt out of the tree and flew off in different directions.
It was all silhouette, but cuckoos have a distinct shape. To me they always look a little hunched when they fly, curving downward, as if, while in the open air, they are conveying with their body language just how much they would like to return to some form of cover.
I did see a closely related and similarly shaped black-billed cuckoo in the park once, and the elusive mangrove cuckoo has been seen there, though not by me. But seeing a lot of cuckoos in the park made it more likely that I was encountering a wave of migrating yellow-bills.
Yellow-billed cuckoos breed in the Keys, as well as in most of the eastern half of North America. They breed in the western half of the continent, too, but their numbers there crashed heavily in the 1900s. And for some reason, in my experience, the local breeders, which will be easier to find in the coming weeks, are much less skittish than the migrants. (The photo here is from a Keys breeder.)
Most of our cultural notions about cuckoos comes from Europe, where in the mid-1600s Swiss clock makers figured out how to mimic
the sound mechanically, and make some very memorable clocks. And European cuckoos have been equated with craziness since the time of Aristophanes in the fifth century B.C.
For a long time I mistakenly thought that New World cuckoos, like a lot of New World bird names given by European immigrants, shared a name with the Old World cuckoos, though not a twig on the taxonomic tree. But I was wrong. The common cuckoo, which inspired the clocks, and the yellow-billed cuckoo (as well as the black-billed and the mangrove) are actually in the same family.
Besides being known as metaphors for madness, cuckoos in Europe are also thought to be some of nature’s more devious villains, at least in an anthropomorphic sense. This is most likely due to their habits of nest parasitism, meaning they don’t build nests of their own, but instead lay their eggs in the nests of other birds. Cuckoo chicks mature faster, allowing them to muscle in on the best food from the duped host parents, and to thrive at the expense of the actual offspring. The chicks also have a small bare patch on their rump that allows them to slow-motion twerk the eggs of their host parents up and over the side of the nest.
Yellow-billed cuckoos actually build their own nests, and both parents share near equal responsibility for the brooding and feeding of their own chicks. But they do also, on occasion, lay eggs in the nests of American robins, gray catbirds, wood thrushes and at least eight other species of North American songbirds.
This is likely why American robins, gray catbirds and wood thrushes will sometimes go after yellow-billed cuckoos when they see them. And also possibly why yellow-billed cuckoos are so likely to avoid attention and loiter in the shadows.
A yellow-billed cuckoo in the Keys. MARK HEDDEN/Keys Weekly
HELP KEEP KEY WEST CLEAN
JOIN A 1- HOUR CLEANUP FRIDAY MORNINGS
Keep Key West Beautiful and Plogging the Keys hosted two cleanups last week, starting with Keller Williams Red Day on May 8. Keller Williams closed their offices across the country and gave back to their communities. The Key West team collected food for the food pantry and did a cleanup at Smathers Beach. Forty-five volunteers spent two hours on the beach and on South Roosevelt Boulevard. They collected 168 pounds of trash, 14 pounds of recycling and 1 gallon of cigarette butts and ended with a pizza party for all the volunteers. CONTRIBUTED
The Ploggers met for the May 9 morning cleanup in the GFS plaza at the new Mt. Sinai primary care/walk-in clinic. In one hour, 47 volunteers picked up 288 pounds of trash, 17 pounds of recycling and 4 gallons of cigarette butts from the sidewalks of North Roosevelt Boulevard. The hosts at Mt. Sinai provided breakfast after the cleanup. 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 a one-hour Friday morning cleanup. All events are from 8 to 9 a.m. unless otherwise noted.
May 16: Bertha Street and Flagler Avenue. Meet in the parking lot of Brady’s Pub. Car parking is limited. Hosted by Chris Massicotte.
May 23: Lazy Way Lane and the Key West Bight area. Meet next to the Wyland Wall at the end of William Street. Hosted by Jersey Mike’s in the Overseas Market.
May 30: Between both entrances of College Road along U.S. 1. Meet along the bike path at the traffic light to Maloney Avenue. Hosted by Keys Weekly & Overseas Media Group.
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.
Mia, a 2-year-old husky. While a bit shyer than most huskies, she’s been steadily coming out of her shell. She loves people and is ready to find a family where she can feel safe and loved.
Meet Garland, a 3-year-old male tabby cat. Garland can often be found lounging in the sun, cuddled up with one of his cat friends. While he’s more into the company of other cats, he’ll happily accept a good head scratch from you. Garland’s easygoing personality makes him a great fit for someone looking for a chill companion.
Meet Cassie, a 2-month-old kitten full of personality. She’s sassy, knows exactly what she wants and isn’t afraid to make it known. Cassie isn’t a fan of other cats and prefers to be pampered on her own terms. If you’re looking for a confident and independent companion, Cassie might be the perfect fit.
be
and
Choppy, a cute little hedgehog who’s sure to steal your heart. While we’re not sure exactly how old she is, one thing’s for certain — she’s absolutely adorable. Hedgehogs are nocturnal creatures, so Choppy is most active during the evening, making her the perfect companion for someone who enjoys a quiet, low-maintenance pet.
Meet
Meet
Meet Sherbet, a 4-month-old orange boy with the sweetest personality. Sherbet might
a little shyer than most kittens, but his sweet
calm nature makes him an absolute lovebug.
THE GREAT FLORIDA KEYS ROAD TRIP: THE CRAWL KEYS
Survey finds the name developed from turtle storage
pens
According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, kraal is defined as “1) an African and especially a southern African village in which a group of dwellings surrounds a livestock enclosure; 2) an enclosure for animals, especially in southern Africa.”
Kraals were used in the Florida Keys to pen turtles. Some can still be seen at the Key West Bight, on the docks at the end of Margaret Street. When turtles were considered a kind of livestock, they were brought to Key West and kept in watery pens until they could be processed. The local cannery operated where Turtle Kraals Restaurant stands today.
Turtle pens were not isolated to Key West. Once upon a time, they were found up and down the island chain. In the Middle Keys, there are a couple of islands that were, allegedly, named for them. They fall under the Marathon umbrella which, like Islamorada, is not a single place but a collection of islands that includes Grassy Key, Crawl Key, Little Crawl Key, Long Pine Key, Fat Deer Key, Deer Key, the East and West Sister’s Islands, Stirrup Key, Key Vaca, Hog Key, Knights Key and Boot Key. Unlike Islamorada, when you drive through the collection of islands under the Marathon umbrella, it is often difficult to distinguish where one island ends and the next begins. Surprisingly, they are bereft of bridges and of the green and white road signs that declare each and every island along the rest of the drive.
Grassy Key is an interesting exception. The Tom’s Harbor Channel Bridge almost reaches it, but comes up short. Railroad fill connects the bridge to the island, where a green and white sign announces Grassy Key — technically, the sign marks the fill before the road reaches the island.
Traveling down the Overseas Highway and through Marathon, the distinction between Grassy Key and the next island is difficult to ascertain. One minute you are driving on Grassy Key, and the next you are not. The linking element is a line of railroad fill constructed by the men building the right-of-way for the Key West Extension of Henry Flagler’s train that has since been taken over and disguised by mangroves and other flora.
Crawl Key is the next island, going south/west. Charles Smith’s 1872 official government survey identified it as Kraal Key. Decades later, in a field report written for the U.S. Coast & Geodetic Survey 1935-6, the following can be found: “The name [Crawl Key] is well established and in general use. Authority I (Charles L. Pinder of Key West) gives the spelling as Kraal. Local information states that the name developed from the turtle crawls (storage pens) that were early established here. The name is recommended.” There will not be a sign announcing the island’s presence. The first real marker is Banana Boulevard. If you take the turn to the oceanside and drive a short distance down the boulevard, you will arrive at Valhalla Island, the future site of Bass Pro’s Johnny Morris’ nature resort. Continue down the highway, and an unmarked road will be on the gulfside. Take it and you will end up at the Monroe County Medical Examiner’s building and no one wants to end up there.
Just ahead is Little Crawl Key. The 1935-6 U.S. Coast & Geodetic Survey offered: “Local authorities sometimes refer to this island as Little Crawl Key or Crawl Key Mangrove as there is little navigation in the area. There is probably no established name and the (first) name is recommended as being as good as any.”
Little Crawl Key is home to Curry Hammock State Park, the largest undeveloped parcel of land between Key Largo and Big Pine Key — thanks to the Curry family. Alfred Bates Curry was born circa 1867 in Spanish Wells, Eleuthera. Like many Bahamians, he left the islands and, in 1885, arrived at the harbor in Key West. The young man worked hard, married, had a single child and grew up to be a significant landowner in the Florida Keys. One of the properties he owned was a large section of Little Crawl Key. Upon his death, his property holdings were left to his only child, Lamar Louise Curry.
In 1991, the state of Florida acquired 1,112.5 acres from Miss Curry. The land was used for the state park that was named in her honor. She lived a long life and passed away on Dec. 3, 2012, just eight days before her 106th birthday. The park offers camping, hiking, fishing, snorkeling, kayaking and small beaches. When the wind is blowing, it is a popular spot for kiteboarders.
Too often, people are in a hurry to get to Key West or some other destination and miss out on so much of the natural beauty of the Florida Keys. If you have a little time, visit the park and let the ocean breezes brush against your skin.
Just beyond the entrance to the park is Burnt Point Road. It is on the gulfside and marks the location of another one of Marathon’s unmarked islands, Long Point Key. The island was unnamed on the Charles Smith 1872 survey. The 1935-6 U.S. Coast & Geodetic Report stated: “Authority I (Charles L. Pinder of Key West) gives the name Long Point Key and some local authorities call it Burnt Point Key.” Burnt Point Road ends at a remarkable, though private, estate.
Continuing down the Overseas Highway, the road travels over Long Point Key until it reaches, again with no fanfare, Fat Deer Key. Fat Deer Key signals the beginning of what most people visualize when talking about Marathon. When the Great Florida Keys Road Trip returns to Marathon, it will begin at Fat Deer Key, talk a little bit about the coco plum, and then we’ll let the tires roll down Coco Plum Drive.
Valhalla property on Crawl Key, 1955. WRIGHT LANGLEY COLLECTION/Florida Keys History Center
Brad is a local historian, author, speaker and Honorary Conch who loves sharing the history of the Florida Keys.
GETTING TRASHY
Net collections from I.CARE Trash Derby smash previous record “I
t takes a village,” said I.CARE Co-Founder Mike Goldberg of the effort necessary to keep the Keys clean.
A village spanning the length of the Keys responded in force for the third annual I.CARE Trash Derby. New faces, healthy competition and better organization made the annual event, which took place the first weekend of May, an unexpected and smashing success.
In two days of Keyswide cleanups, 898 participants removed a whopping 36,459 pounds of marine debris from our waters, mangroves and coastlines. This surpassed last year’s record of 14,000 pounds.
“There was so much (trash), we didn’t know where to put it. We filled nine 20 yarders (Dumpsters), and we could have filled 20,” said Goldberg.
What made a difference
Trying to explain the huge jump in impact, he cited several factors:
• More enthusiasm and healthy competition among locals groups and dive shops.
• Scouting for debris by dive shops for weeks in advance.
• More land cleanups available so people could find and join more easily.
• Better event organization and communication, so people could jump on multiple cleanups.
Cortney Benson, the marine debris removal stewardship coordinator for National Marine Sanctuary Foundation, credited Keys nonprofits already engaged in cleaning up our slice of paradise with a lion’s share of the difference.
For example, Conch Republic Marine Army (CRMA) is a boat-based nonprofit that regularly brings locals and visitors to mangrove islands to remove hard-to-reach trash and storm remnants — for free. This was their first year participating in the derby, and they ended up winning the private boat division for most overall trash collected: 8,866 pounds.
“We had an absolute blast and we cleaned a lot of stuff out of the mangroves,” said CRMA executive director Carla Burns. “My favorite part was a big snotball of rope. Literally, a thousand pounds in one knot that took six guys to get out of the water, onto the boat and to the side where we cut it up in pieces.”
“Groups like CRMA, Surfrider, Reef Relief made all the difference — we leveraged their expertise, their knowledge, their ability and their infrastructure,” Goldberg added.
Whatever it takes
Many people went above and beyond. The twoman team of Bob Murray and Terry Helmers won the land division by removing 2,258 pounds, including a
concrete dock that was “definitely an Irma casualty.” They sledgehammered it into pieces, smashed it up and carried it out in 5 gallon buckets that weighed around 35 pounds each. Then, they had to cross mangrove roots and coral rock to a boat anchored offshore.
“It was kind of like a crossfit thing,” Murray joked. “We wanted to get a ton, and we did.”
Benson, like others, participated in numerous cleanups throughout the weekend. She started with two dives with Captain’s Corner in Key West, followed by a land and snorkel cleanup along the seawall by the Key West Airport. Day two, she went out with Captain Hook’s Big Pine for two more dives, followed by a land-based cleanup on Indian Key Fill. Goldberg gave a nod to the Florida Keys Tourism Development Council for their partnership and support.
“The TDC agreeing to fund a program like this — picking up trash — as a ‘tourism’ event is not what they’d normally consider, but they saw through that and supported us financially. That allowed the dive operators to be a part of it and offer free diving to visitors and locals.”
With all diving for the event completely sponsored, dive boats were fully booked months in advance. This also brought an unexpected boon to our islands: of the 534 divers, 81.5% were from out of county, and many stayed at local hotels, ate at area restaurants and contributed to this communitywide effort.
Empowering people
Benson explained why, generally, trash cleanups and debris dives work. “Marine debris is such a big and daunting topic and problem, I think lots of people feel helpless about it. But people feel more empowered when … they can come and physically remove the debris with their own hands and … can be a part of the local solution.”
“There are so many things you do in life that you don’t feel like have an impact. Here, you can see what you’ve done and the impact,” added Burns. “You feel so good.”
There’s already buzz about the 2026 derby, with second-placers rethinking their strategies, winners enjoying their bragging rights and the community feeling really connected and positive about the power of many to create real change.
Murray said, “I couldn’t be more enthusiastic about it. I am going to vote for it as the best event in the Best of Upper Keys.”
He decided to donate his half of the winnings ($1,000) back to I.CARE, and Helmers will donate his half to the Friends of John Pennekamp. Helmers has also found another dock, and the two already have plans to try to remove it.
“There will be something else,” Murray said. “Sadly, there is no shortage of stuff to clear out. But, that’s why we’re not stopping. It’s all of our responsibility.”
1. Mangrove ecosystems are littered with derelict trap lines brought in by storms. Conch Republic Marine Army removes much of it. 2. The Conch Republic Marine Army uses floating boards to help bring gear out from deep in the mangroves. 3. Winners of the land division, Terry Helmers and Bob Murray, cleaned up ‘a literal ton’ of debris — 2,258 pounds with just the two of them — focusing on debris left over from Hurricane Irma in 2017. Photos by CONCH REPUBLIC MARINE ARMY and BARBARA OVERTON
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Voted BEST LOCAL RETAILER by the Key West People’s Choice Awards 2023 & 2024. And mentioned in Forbes magazine!
Kirby is wearing the Carina dress by our exclusive retail line Dress the Population
Alan M. Nieder, MD
Nicholas Smith, MD
Founded by Betty Debnam
Have you ever been to Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia? Just outside Washington, D.C., Arlington is the final resting place for more than 300,000 service members and their family members.
Military men and women from every American war are buried there. But Arlington is not the only cemetery where American soldiers, airmen and sailors lie at rest. In fact, all across the world, American cemeteries, memorials, monuments and markers honor military members who have fought for their country.
In advance of Memorial Day on May 26, The Mini Page explores some of these faraway tributes.
MEXICAN-AMERICAN WAR
• Mexico City National Cemetery
In 1847, as Mexico and the United States fought over territory, American forces moved toward Mexico City. Finally, Mexico surrendered, and the war ended. The United States won the territories of New Mexico and Alta California.
The remains of 750 unidentified Americans are buried together together there.
ARLINGTON, BELGIUM, CEMETERY, COLONIAL, CRYPT, FLAGS, FOLD, FRANCE, GRAVES, MEMORIAL, MEXICO, MILITARY, OVERSEAS, POOL, SERVICE, SOLDIER, SOUTH KOREA, VAULT.
Honoring the Fallen
The remains of 813 Americans who served in the Mexican-American War and the Spanish-American War are also buried in wall crypts, or vaults, in the cemetery.
WORLD WAR I
• Flanders Field in Belgium
In 1918, just before World War I ended, the U.S. 91st Division fought a battle where Flanders Field American Cemetery is now. With 368 service members buried there, it is the only American cemetery in Belgium.
The famous poem “In Flanders Fields” was written by John McCrae in 1915 after an earlier battle there.
WORLD WAR II
• Normandy American Cemetery in France
A complicated plan to invade German-occupied parts of France in 1944 was called Operation Overlord. It involved U.S., British and Canadian paratroopers dropping from planes during the night to conquer and secure as many areas as possible. Then, at dawn, soldiers stormed five different beaches along the coast of Normandy, France. On the first day alone, at least 10,000 Allied troops were lost.
The cemetery contains the graves of more than 9,000 military dead.
Words that remind us of military cemeteries are hidden in this puzzle. Some words are hidden backward or diagonally, and some letters are used twice. See if you can find:
KOREAN WAR
• U.S. Monument at U.N. Memorial Cemetery in South Korea
The United Nations Memorial Cemetery in South Korea contains the graves of 2,300 service members from 11 countries. Thirty-six Americans are buried there. The U.S. monument reads: “Honor, Freedom, Peace.”
FOLDED FLAGS
An Army officer presents a folded flag to the widow of a fallen soldier.
Why do we fold flags for military funerals? The U.S. flag is folded in this special way at ceremonial occasions.
As the flag is folded, the red and white stripes are covered by the star-covered blue field. This represents the light of day disappearing into the darkness of night.
The shape, similar to a Colonial hat, reminds us of the soldiers and sailors who served during the Revolutionary War.
On the Web:
youtu.be/B7yMakv5Dwg
youtu.be/JqNy91cJgEw
At the library: • “Arlington National Cemetery” by Barbara M. Linde
The U.K.’s endangered turtle dove population is making a remarkable recovery, thanks in large part to a recent hunting ban. The Guardian reports that after declining by 98% since the 1990s, the population grew by 25% across Western Europe since a 2021 ban on shooting the birds in key countries along their migration routes, such as France, Spain and Portugal. Conservation efforts in the U.K., including habitat support from over 400 landowners, have also been key to the recovery.
Mini Fact: At Arlington National Cemetery, a soldier places flags on graves for Memorial Day.
photo by Elizabeth Fraser,
U.S. Army
Burial vaults at the Mexico City National Cemetery.
The Reflecting Pool at Normandy American Cemetery in France.
photo courtesy U.S. DOD
Be Storm Ready NOW
Keeping you and your family safe during a weather emegency
Storm Preparedness Checklist
Non-perishable food and water (one gallon per person, per day) for 7 days.
Manual can opener.
30-day supply of medications.
Infant formula, preferably ready-to-eat.
Stay Safe
Battery-powered or crank weather radio.
Pet supplies, including: Food, water, and medications.
First aid kit.
• NEVER use a gas-powered generator indoors, in a garage, or within 20 feet of windows or a window air conditioner.
• Use a battery powered carbon monoxide alarm to prevent CO poisoning.
• Protect yourself from insects when outside by covering your skin (long-sleeved shirt and pants), and use insect repellant containing DEET, picaridin, or oil of lemon eucalyptus.
• Drain any standing water to prevent mosquitoes from breeding.
Special Needs Shelters
The Florida Department of Health in Monroe County, in partnership with Monroe County Emergency Management, provides shelter to those with special medical needs during an evacuation.
• This shelter should only be used as a last resort.
• To see if you qualify or to pre-register for the special needs shelter, visit MonroeCountyEM.com/SpecialNeeds.
For more information, call 305-293-7500 or visit Monroe.FLhealth.gov.
