Keys Woman Spring / Summer 2025 by Keys Weekly Newspapers

KEYS WOMAN

FOR KEYS WOMEN BY KEYS WOMEN

When women support each other, incredible things happen.

Every woman at Ocean Sotheby's International Realty possesses a distinct narrative. We honor the intelligent, industrious, and altruistic women within our organization.Our bond extends beyond the exquisite real estate we represent; it is also evident in our relationships.

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Keys Woman Distraction Issue

Hi there and welcome back!

So … quite a bit has happened since we last met. Taylor’s Eras tour concluded. Sydney Sweeney bought a home in the Keys. The WNBA is beginning to be taken seriously within the sports arena. BRAT summer came & went. Parker Posey is back on the scene and as zany as ever. Beyonce won a Grammy for Best Country Album. Miley won her first Grammy. Paige broke up with Craig and she’s absolutely killing it solo(ish). Sabrina Carpenter’s rise to fame continues. Chappell Roan got us grooving to Pink Pony Club. TikTok went away, then returned within a matter of days. Season 3 of “White Lotus” got everyone talking. Jennifer Tilly joined the cast of RHOBH; Zendaya continues her reign as fashion trendsetter and icon.

Oh and all anyone wants to talk about these days is politics. Which brings us to the theme of this edition of Keys Woman — the Distraction Issue.

Fortunately, we live in our own beautiful distraction called the Florida Keys.

As you peruse the following pages, may we offer you a selection of songs to get your headspace right and provide a much-deserved break from reality?

As always, thank you for reading and we hope you enjoy this issue as much as we did creating it.

— Stephanie Mitchell, creative director

Publisher

Jason Koler

jason@keysweekly.com

Managing Partner

Britt Myers britt@keysweekly.com

Creative Director

Stephanie Mitchell stephanie@keysweekly.com

Art/Design

Irene de Bruijn irene@keysweekly.com

Editors

Mandy Miles mandy@keysweekly.com

Jim McCarthy jim@keysweekly.com

Alex Rickert alex@keysweekly.com

Copy Editor

Mike Howie mike@keysweekly.com

Account Executives

Stephanie Mitchell stephanie@keysweekly.com

Patti Childress patti@keysweekly.com

Jill Miranda Baker jill@keysweekly.com

Production Manager

Anneke Patterson anneke@keysweekly.com

Art/Design

Javier Reyes javier@keysweekly.com

Jordan Baylis jordan@overseasmediagroup.com

Web Master

Travis Cready travis@keysweekly.com

Executive Administrator Char Hruska char@keysweekly.com

Contributors

Erin Stover, Nancy Klingener

Kirby Myers, Chris McNulty

Raffie Baker, Karen Newfield

Jill Miranda Baker, Doug Finger Natalie Danko

Cover photo

Ksu&Eli Studio/pexels.com

Digital Support Overseas Media Group

Key

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305.363.2957

keysweekly.com

Saturday & Sunday

NIGHTLY SPECIALS

MONDAY: Closed

TUESDAY:

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY:

SELF-HELP

IS SO NOT ME

Have you heard about the latest self-help trend circulating on social media — the Let Them Theory — about letting people live their own miserable existence without letting it affect us?

OK, I’m paraphrasing a bit. I’m fairly certain motivational speaker and podcaster Mel Robbins, who wrote a whole book on the Let Them Theory, never uses the term “miserable existence,” but you get the idea.

To be clear, I haven’t read the book. Self-help isn’t exactly my genre, not because I believe I’m an ideal human, but because I can’t stomach all that best-self bullshit from “certified life coaches.” Really? Who accredits THAT curriculum?

I have a serious problem with any advice that tells poor, hard-working people that if they can just dream it, they can achieve it. Please.

Apparently, I just have to tell a Key West Realtor and a mortgage broker how hard I’ve been dreaming about that walled estate on Washington Street. I’m sure they’ll get the paperwork started right away.

But back to the Let Them Theory. It aims to help people realize, as Robbins writes, “Adults are allowed to think whatever they want. So are you.” Other people’s thoughts, beliefs and actions rarely affect us as much as we like to think they do, and she advises, as a technique, to “let them” do what they will, and then “let me” decide how I respond. We can’t control other people, but we can control our responses to them.

Someone doesn’t like me? That’s on them. My response? “They’re dead to me.” My life is pretty full and fulfilling without them.

Remember the famous “Seinfeld” episode from season 5, when Jerry’s new girlfriend doesn’t like George Costanza?

“What difference does it make? Who cares if she doesn’t like you? Does everybody in the world have to like you?” George’s date asks.

“YES. Yes, everybody has to like me,” he declares. “I must be liked.”

Me? Not so much. I’m OK with people not liking me. And there’s plenty of people I don’t like. In fact, I have a list. My

good friend Rob O’Neal and I have been curating, editing and updating our list since 1998. Just a month or two ago, I texted Rob: “I’m at an event. Remind me why we can’t stand so-andso.”

When neither of us could recall the details of the decades-old dispute, we agreed to remove that name from our list. (We’re nothing if not diplomatic. Just call us fair and balanced.)

Someone believes the Earth is flat and vaccines are poison? Let them. I’m already vaccinated; no skin off my back — and I’ve been on boats that have voyaged far beyond the three-mile distance to the horizon. I’ll watch your crazy from afar, ya freak.

All that said, there was an incident recently.

It happened in the McDonald’s drive-through line, six minutes before the rigid 10:30 a.m. breakfast cutoff.

For the uninitiated, our McDonald’s has two drive-through lanes that merge into one. The merge is always cordial and conflict-free — because normal people know to pull forward as soon as our business at the speaker is concluded. The fact that the driver in the other lane had reached her speaker first is irrelevant. Having pre-ordered my breakfast on the mobile app, she was still shouting about hashbrowns while I started to ease toward the window.

That’s when it all fell apart. The woman lost her mind and lurched her car around the bend to get in front of me, spitting “I was here FIRST,” through her open window.

“That’s not how it works,” I said, shaking my head, then yelling, “I hope you get the wrong food.”

I slid into line behind her, then watched delightedly as she was told to go park in a designated spot to WAIT for someone to bring out her food. It was perfect. And while I’m not proud of this next part, I even circled the parking lot to drive past her parked car and wave my completed order triumphantly.

I could have jumped out of my car like a lunatic when she cut me off. I could have lost my mind. But instead, I sat back and, well, let her lose hers.

But don’t get me wrong. She’s of course dead to me.

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NO

SPEND

T R E N D

For a multitude of reasons, Americans are reevaluating financial decisions and reviewing their own, personal expense reports. While last year saw the rise of the loud budgeting trend on social media, this year has introduced its demure cousin – the no-spend trend. This cultural shift toward greater financial literacy gained major traction at the start of the new year and has been attributed to a reaction to inflation, compounded initially by post-holiday spending remorse. Recent personal finance movements have also seen a rise in popularity due to their prevalence on social media and on forum-style websites (aka Reddit).

Also known as a financial detox, the no-spend trend first found broad appeal as a set of challenges, like no-buy and low-buy January – a month during which participants try to spend as little as possible, with a particular eye toward trimming unnecessary purchases. As an act, it’s not absolute, but does seem to provide a step in the right direction. The rules are straightforward, but easily tailored to the individuals taking on the challenge. One simple and strong example assigns stop/ slow/go designations to various categories:

DOUBLE GREEN: no-cost items and experiences

GREEN: groceries, gas, toiletries, healthcare, utilities

YELLOW: dining out, donations and gifts, non-essential transportation

RED: clothing, home décor, gear for hobbies (or whatever your object weakness may be)

Eric Roberge, writing for Forbes, suggests that most individuals see greater success when they develop and use rules-based systems to manage money. One example he gives is the rule of 50/30/20. For bonuses and gains, he offers that 50% should be placed in low-term investments, 30% may be spent now and 20% should be put toward shorter-term goals. The standard non-investment version of the same rule states that 50% of income should cover needs, 30% toward wants and 20% toward savings.

DON’T ADD TO CART

Roberge concedes that the actual metrics need to be informed by the individual’s financial status and needs. As with any personal finance rule, the percentages and their direction can be adapted, but the structure is what matters most.

Other tactics include recording all purchases not made. Assigning value and tallying each time you didn’t drive through Starbucks for a little treat allows you to see a fairly accurate estimation of how much can be saved in a set period of time. A friend of mine has been posting her monthly progress on social media and it’s a consistently impressive report, with regular savings of hundreds of dollars. Her most impressive month came in February when she showed a gain of nearly $3,000. In a revelation that made me feel better about my life choice, though, that uptick turned out to be the consequence of a major outlier — she sold her Super Bowl tickets and canceled her travel plans after her beloved Buffalo Bills didn’t make the cut. It was a blow for her football fandom, but a lucky break for her finances.

DON’T SHOP NOW

I’ve personally internalized this shift in a soft way, trying to cut back, while not necessarily holding myself to hard and fast rules. Even that casual approach has brought some success, and I’m sure there’s room for improvement.

With my curiosity piqued as to how much I landed in the red and yellow areas over the past month, I flipped through my recent online purchases. On the spectrum of basic human impulse, I can say with confidence that my spending habits didn’t yield anything too shameful when presented in black and white. My most recent acquisitions were dog food, iron supplements, underwear and shampoo. Arguably, all needs (though I admittedly like expensive shampoo). If I scroll a bit deeper though, I’m reminded that last month, my haul included a hair clip shaped like a whale, a pair of Nike slides, a hoodie (despite living in Key West), and a set of condiment dishes. Arguably, not needs. And while I may not get a lot of wear out of my new heavyweight sweatshirt, I’m comfortable knowing those purchases brought me little zaps of joy for what was ultimately a small tally (far less than 30% of my income).

Anecdotally, it seems people who are engaging with the no-spend trend are seeing success. Most report feeling less stress, having the ability to pay down debt, and seeing a realignment of their spending habits. Experts suggest that sustainable long-term success comes from having the right perspective and setting realistic expectations. As with so many aspects of managing our own little lives, the secret seems to be intention and balance. Intention comes in setting rules to which we can adhere and then holding ourselves accountable. Balance is important in allowing for, and forgiving, the inevitable missteps. Much like sticking to a healthy diet, financial well-being comes from the secure knowledge that you should eat more vegetables, but a cookie won’t kill you.

DON’T CONTINUE SHOPPING

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HEAD IN THE STARS WHILE STANDING YOUR GROUND

RESISTANCE STYLES OF THE ZODIAC

Astrology isn’t just a party trick or a morning mantra. It’s a map of how we move through the world, especially when the world gets heavy. Each sign has its own way of saying “enough,” of drawing the line, of turning stillness into strength or friction into fire. Resistance doesn’t come in one flavor, and it definitely doesn’t have one face. It shows up loud or soft, planned or spontaneous, public or private. It shows up in your megaphone and your boundaries. Some people shout. Some people strategize. Some people make soup and listen for hours. Sometimes it’s a glittering protest sign. Sometimes it’s just getting out of bed when the odds feel impossible. All of it counts. We each have something vital to offer. So whether you’re a street-marcher, a strategy-builder, a dream-weaver or a don’t-mess-with-me minimalist — there’s a resistance style suited to your sun sign. Here’s how each sign resists:

TAURUS April 20 - May 20

Taurus resists by refusing to budge. But don’t mistake Taurus’ calm for complacency. They hold the line, dig in and nourish change at a slow, sustainable pace. Taurus plants seeds that turn into revolutions. Their protest may look like comfort or care, but don’t be fooled. There’s nothing soft about a bull who’s decided this is the hill to defend. Taurus resists by turning scarcity into sufficiency, and burnout into boundaries. They build gardens in places no one thought life could grow.

GEMINI May 21 - June 20

Gemini resists with a raised eyebrow and a well-timed group text. They wield language like a sword and know how to spread information like wildfire. Their strength lies in their ability to pivot, to charm and to turn ideas into action. Give a Gemini a mic and a Wi-Fi signal, and they’ll change the temperature of the room, maybe even the whole town. Their power lies in making complex issues click. And making people laugh, think and rethink in the same breath.

CANCER June 21 - July 22

Cancer resists by protecting their people.

Their resistance is rooted in love, but it isn’t simply sentimentality. Their resistance is sacred rage wrapped in home-cooked meals and late-night check-ins. Cancer doesn’t fight for glory. They fight for belonging. They know that collective care is a political act. You’ll find them organizing rides, hosting healing circles and crying at the protest, but crying because they care, not because they’re fragile. If you underestimate them, you might find out just how strong a crab’s claws can be.

LEO

July 23 - Aug. 22

Leo resists by showing up, bold, brilliant and impossible to ignore. When injustice tries to dim the lights, Leo turns up the brightness. Their power lies in visibility, in pride, in modeling what it looks like to live loudly and love fiercely. They remind others that joy is resistance, too. Leo’s strength is in the stage, the self-expression, the sense of “I deserve to be here.” They’ll wear the crown, carry the megaphone and help others see their own spotlight.

VIRGO Aug. 23 - Sept. 22

Virgo resists by organizing the chaos. They make spreadsheets, action plans and signs

with legible fonts. While others are ranting, Virgo is proofreading the policy proposal. Their resistance is methodical, intentional, sincere and rooted in an unshakable belief that we can do better. They don’t just dream of a better world, they format it, footnote it and get it passed through committee. Virgo doesn’t just clean up the mess. They prevent it from happening in the first place.

LIBRA

Sept. 23 - Oct. 23

Libra resists by refusing to accept imbalance as normal. They protest with beauty, speak with poise and fight for justice like it’s a love language. Their power comes from helping others see what’s not fair, then rallying people together to change it. Libra knows aesthetics can move hearts, that diplomacy can dismantle systems and that grace and grit don’t cancel each other out. They’ll find the right words, the right people, the right moment. Then they create change.

SCORPIO Oct. 23 - Nov. 21

Scorpio resists from the shadows. They’re the whistleblowers, the deep researchers, the ones holding the receipts. Their resistance is strategic, silent until it needs to strike and fueled by a deep desire to expose the truth. If Scorpio is quiet, pay attention, because they’re probably 10 steps ahead, digging up what everyone else missed. They don’t seek credit; they seek transformation. This is the sign that will tear down the system from the inside, eyes focused, files encrypted and emotions locked tight until the job is done. Don’t mess with Scorpio unless you’re ready for a complete overhaul, whether spiritual or systemic.

BY CHRIS McNULTY

SAGITTARIUS

Nov. 22 - Dec. 21

Sagittarius resists by refusing to shrink. They’ll cross borders, real or imaginary, to speak their truth. Their protest is philosophical, theatrical, sometimes even joyful. They question everything: laws, leaders, belief systems, the location of the protest’s afterparty. They teach people how to resist ignorance through wisdom, and fear through faith in possibility. They might show up to the march with a hand-painted banner and a quickly written manifesto. But somehow, they’ll make it work and make you believe, too.

CAPRICORN

Dec. 22 - Jan. 19

Capricorn resists by building new systems to replace the broken ones. Their strategy? Outlast the nonsense. They resist not with noise, but with structure, vision and with a 10-year plan. Their power is in persistence, and their protest often happens in boardrooms, policy meetings and long nights no one else sees.

Capricorn knows power is a tool, and they’ve come to reclaim it, redistribute it and make it work for the people. Where others burn out, Capricorn builds on.

AQUARIUS

Jan. 20 - Feb. 18

Aquarius resists through disruption. They aren’t here for business-as-usual, they’re here for better. Whether they’re coding a mutual aid app or organizing a dance party with a purpose, their rebellion is inventive, collaborative and a little weird (in the best way). They’re the ones shouting “What if?” when the rest of us are stuck in “What now?”

Aquarius reminds us that protest is also invention, and that the future is worth fighting for, even if it hasn’t been imagined yet.

PISCES Feb. 19 - March 20

Pisces resists by dreaming, praying and feeling in a world that wants us numb. Their superpower is radical compassion. They

in believing things can still get better. In a world built with hard edges, Pisces resists by staying tender.

ARIES

March 21 - April 19

Aries resists by charging forward. When injustice rises, they don’t just speak up, they roar. Their resistance is headfirst and unapologetic, fueled by the need to protect the vulnerable and break down barriers. Aries doesn’t wait for permission or perfect timing. They act because it’s right, not because it’s easy. Their activism is kinetic, sometimes chaotic, but always courageous. If Aries is in your corner, you’re in good hands. If Aries isn’t in your corner, you’ll know. They may not stay long enough for the debrief, but they’ll light the spark no one else could.

Resistance doesn’t come in one flavor, and it definitely doesn’t have one face. It shows up loud and soft, planned and spontaneous, public and private. It shows up in your megaphone and your boundaries. Some people shout. Some people strategize. Some people make soup and listen for hours. All of it counts. We each have something vital to offer.

The River Arts District of Asheville holds the Radical Hotel, a vibrant boutique stay for a lively group of ladies. Their rooftop bar is the main attraction, boasting stunning mountain views. If you’re traveling with a big group, check out a rental property through AirBnB or VRBO to accommodate all guests.

WHAT TO EAT

Asheville is home to comforting southern cuisine as well as fresh fine dining to satisfy everyone’s preferences. Start your day at Biscuit Head with the most buttery, sweet biscuits you’ll ever eat. Whether you enjoy those biscuits with gravy, as a breakfast sandwich or top it with fruit and other sweets, like syrup, cinnamon, powdered sugar and butter, it will all melt in your mouth. While you’re exploring the Biltmore estate, stop at Cedric’s Tavern for lunch for excellent pub fare and Biltmore bourbon cocktails. Check out the River Arts District Brewery for an afternoon beer and snack surrounded by the cul-

ture of the neighborhood. Conclude your day with a fine dining experience at Chestnut in the heart of town. Their locally sourced and housemade menu options make for an authentically Asheville meal.

WHAT TO DO

With all the things to do in Asheville, everyone in your group could choose an activity for the day and there would still be a lengthy to-do list. The Biltmore Estate brings in the most visitors to Asheville and it is absolutely worth the tour. The house itself is filled with history and artwork, while the grounds make you feel as if you’re exploring an enchanted forest. The Amherst at Deerpark Exhibition Center is

presenting “Tutankhamun: His Tomb and His Treasures” until January 2026. Downtown, hop on a purple trolley for ghost, comedy or beer tours with LaZoom. Go shopping at Grove Arcade open-air market with local artisans in a 1920s style structure designed by the same architect as the Omni Grove Park Inn.

Then, get out of town and head for the hills. The Blue Ridge Mountains offer the ideal backdrop for a scenic drive along the parkway. Stop for photos and embark on a quick, 2.5-mile hike up Mount Pisgah Trail until you reach the peak you’ve been seeing from downtown.

Taking an easy flight from our hurricane-prone home to another, inexperienced storm victim, gives back to this community that was so badly damaged by Helene. As we know how much tourism boosts our economy, Asheville runs on the same wavelength.

Top to bottom: Blue Ridge Parkway (blueridgeparkway.org), The Inn on Biltmore Estate (biltmore.com), Chestnut (chestnutasheville.com)

Dianne Alice Norma

Dianne Zolotow was about the same age as my mom, but from the time I met her, she treated me as a junior colleague. She had been a reporter for the local Key West paper as a young woman and an editor in her later career, before coming back to Key West and running Lucky Street Gallery, which was her occupation when I met her. Lucky Street was off Duval but at the center of the local art scene. She and her husband David were effortlessly cool without trying to be hip. Like me, she loved books and baseball (specifically the Red Sox) and she loved the island where she’d grown up and then returned – without getting bitter about the many ways it had changed.

I met Alice Allen when I was putting together a series of oral histories for the Miami Herald in the mid-’90s. She had come to the Keys as a kid when her father, Robert Porter Allen, was sent by the Audubon Society to see what was happening to the birds in Florida Bay. He made his name studying roseate spoonbills, sandhill cranes, flamingos and other beautiful birds. Alice, like her mom before her, taught piano to generations of Keys kids and fought for the preservation of her historic Tavernier neighborhood. Like Dianne, she still loved her island home even as it was unrecognizable from the place she first knew. And she was a living link to some of the first people to recognize and fight for the importance of Florida Bay as habitat for magnificent birds and the endpoint of the Everglades ecosystem.

I probably gravitated toward learning from these women because I grew up in an all-female household, including my grandmother, a retired library director.

I’ve always felt at home in libraries, whether it’s in a school, a public library – or, now, my workplace. In the 1990s, when the Monroe County Commission met in Key Largo, we all crammed into the Key Largo library’s community room. I was covering those meetings – using a TRS-80 powered by AA batteries.

Norma Kula was the Key Largo library branch manager and she allowed me to use one of the phone lines in the library break room to connect to Miami and file my stories for the Herald. The alternative would have been using acoustic couplers (ask your grandparents, kids!) in a grimy phone booth (again, ask your grandparents!) in a (usually stinking hot) Key Largo parking lot. It’s hard to describe in our currently hyperconnected world how much Norma’s kindness improved my life. Later, she brought much-needed stability to our county’s library system, stepping up as the director after a lot of turmoil and turnover. In 2009, as I was exploring whether libraries were part of my future career path, she hired me. She was a kind woman of the librarian old school, and her work improved the lives of countless people who probably never realized it.

I did realize it – but I wish I had let her know.

Contributed

JOHN HOWE /Contributed

Did you know that before the modern era, many societies recognized the unique power and significance of menstruation and its link to life? In some Native American traditions, women would live in a separate lodge during menstruation, not because the community viewed it as a sign of impurity, but rather because they believed women were considered more creative and in tune with the spirit world. Women were encouraged to rest and connect with each other.

Rest and connect — ha! Last week my son’s 10th birthday coincided with the first day of my flow and I found myself clinging to a banana boat for dear life in between going backwards down the boat ladder and slipping into the “loo” to change my tampon four damn times. (Clearly, I should have tried the sport box.)

Approaching 40, I’ve become more vocal about everything, including my monthly monster. As someone who likes control, I’ve learned I have to accept that I feel completely out of control during my cycle. It used to cause major blow-ups every month with my husband. I would become a complete and total bitch over something pretty unworthy. For a long time, I was incapable of admitting out loud that it was affecting me as much as it does. It’s a bizarre thing to feel like a stranger within yourself.

I’ve learned to accept that I hate my period and there’s not a ton I can do about it but ride the red wave.

Maybe I’ll make myself a little white card that says, “I’m currently a sad psychopath and it’s not my fault, so please come back at a later date. Thank you, love you, bye!”

NEVER LEAVE YOUR PET WHEN EVACUATING!

STAYING IN THE KEYS DURING A CATEGORY

1 OR 2 STORM? MONROE COUNTY OFFERS

4 PET FRIENDLY SHELTERS:

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Scan the code for the FKSPCA’s Preparedness Guide and to learn details about the requirements of the pet friendly shelters. fkspca.org/humane-education-events/ hurricane-preparedness

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Furniture, Home Decor & More!

BY STEPHANIE MITCHELL

GROW UP & SLOW DOWN

The older I get, the more I can’t wait to be in my 70s and 80s. I’ve got some really big plans for myself then. But in the meantime, I’ve been looking for some grandma-style distractions to include in my daily routine, so imagine my delight when the resurgence of “Grandma Activities” started filling my feed.

In this frenetic world, just the thought of taking a minute to slow down and zone out while nourishing my mind makes me giddy.

So what is a grandma activity? Here’s AI’s definition:

“In a culture hooked on speed, screens and constant stimulation, there’s a growing desire to slow down and reconnect with simpler and more intentional ways of living.”

This is 100% me and is likely the reason some girlfriends and I chose to rent a quiet house on a river rather than our past rip-roaring, action-packed girls trips to the city.

Research shows that slowing down to focus on a repetitive task does wonders for your mental state, producing elevated levels of dopamine, which makes you happier and less stressed during these activities. Ever wonder what it feels like to anticipate waiting for a hummingbird to return to the feeder you put out? How about watching a caterpillar turn into a cocoon only to emerge weeks lat er as a butterfly?

These would all be considered “Grannie Activities” and I am all in. Birds and butterflies not your thing? Here are a few suggestions to get you moving into your Grannie Era.

Things have sped up so fast, most of us don’t realize that we’ve been swept up in the wave of technology until we take a moment away from our devices. We all know the first step is the hardest in breaking the cycle, but with a few activities that give a nod to our ancestors and a simpler time, we’re allowing our brain the break it needs to relax and unwind while providing time for our thoughts to wander. Just like kids need a mental break from devices, so do the grownups. When we stop staring and scrolling, we have time to be creative and let fresh ideas come back into our heads.

Join me, won’t you, in a mindless activity that fills your soul and maybe provides a gift or two that was made by hand with love?

“When people immerse themselves in a hobby, they often find an escape from daily pressures, creating a calming space where they can unwind and recharge,” says Patricia S. Dixon, a licensed clinical psychologist in Florida.

Sign me up.

How to be a house guest WHO’S ALWAYS WELCOMED BACK

We’re no dummies. We know where we live — and why. We also realize that we locals become pretty popular at a certain time of year. Once the rest of the world starts scraping windshields and shoveling snow, their attention invariably turns to our tropical temperatures. While they’re bundling up to ward off the biting wind, we’re basking in the sun on the deck of a boat.

So it’s no surprise when the texts and calls start coming from friends and family who want to come down and warm up. And we’re happy to offer a warm welcome and relaxing respite from winter. (It’s funny how few people seek us out in, say, September, when our humidity is 100% and the air feels thick as soup. But again, we get it.)

We’re generally thrilled to be your winter escape, but let’s be honest. Some visitors are more welcome than others. The ones who have honed the art of being a houseguest will always be warmly welcomed.

Here in the Florida Keys, life is expensive. So we work hard, play hard and savor the sanctuary of our homes, as we retreat from the tourist-laden streets. Want to be welcomed back every winter with wide-open arms? Read on for a few tips.

WOMEN ON THE

RISE

Every generation has criticized the one behind it as being soft, coddled, unaware and incapable of surviving all that their predecessors endured. Do any of these sound familiar?

“When I was your age, we didn’t have cell phones or that internet stuff.”

“We worked hard — and walked five miles to school. In the snow. Uphill both ways.”

And my personal favorite: “Kids today? Sheesh. Bunch a weenies if you ask me.”

But we’re changing the conversation. The following pages are proof that there’s reason to feel good about the future. For this edition of Keys Woman, we needed reassurance from the next generation — and we found it in spades.

Watch what happens when these young wonder women take on the world.

A FORCE FOR GOOD

THE UNSTOPPABLE SOFIA ZELEDON GIVES EVERYTHING SHE’S GOT

Plenty of high-school students have gotten straight As since kindergarten. But not many of them manage to maintain perfect grades while nursing their single mom through breast cancer surgery, then chemo treatments.

“I was 12 when my mom started fighting breast cancer. She had surgery pretty immediately, then started chemotherapy the summer before my eighth-grade year,” Sofia Zeledon said, recalling her mom’s initial surgery to remove a lump. “Her wound opened up when she got home, so she was rushed to the hospital. It looked so bad and was so scary.” Sofia learned from a nurse how to pack her mom’s wound and monitor it for any signs of infection or other problems.

Then the chemo started, with its associated hair loss and harrowing mix of bad days and better days between treatments.

Sofia’s mom, Irela Zeledon, came to Key West from Nicaragua in 1998 with her younger sister, Aronairam, who would become “tia” when Sofia was born years later.

“My mom speaks mostly Spanish, so I’m her interpreter for a lot of things,” Sofia said. “Luckily, with the cancer and chemo, there was often a nurse who spoke Spanish, so she could help.

“It was rough, but my mom kept working. She only took off work when she absolutely had to. “And now she’s been cancer-free for almost three years. We got through it together.” Sofia, now in 10th grade at the Basilica High School, is happy to turn her thoughts to better times — like this year’s spring break trip to Tallahassee for Catholic Days at the Capitol.

And before that, in January, there was a school trip to Universal Studios for a Rock the Universe Catholic concert.

Sofia worked at the Basilica School to earn money for those trips. “Mr. Wright, our principal, pays me to do jobs around the campus so I can earn money for the trips,” Sofia said. “During one break, Mr. Wright’s son and I painted the outside steps of the elementary school, and all the classroom doors.”

But school always comes first, Sofia said, rattling off the four AP classes she’s taking — and acing — AP Pre-Calculus, AP Bio, AP World History. “And AP Spanish — I better get an A in that,” she said, laughing, adding that she and her mom typically spend a month every summer in Nicaragua with her grandparents, aunts and uncles.

In addition to her course load, Sofia is on the school’s debate team and cross-country team. She’s also enrolled in the Take Stock in Children scholarship program, which provides four years of college tuition to income-eligible kids, as long as they stay in school, out of trouble and maintain a C average — piece of cake for Sofia Zeledon, who, unsurprisingly, is considering medicine or law in the future.

Journalists learn quickly that interviewing teens can be tricky. They’re taught not to ask yes/no questions, so as not to give disinterested adolescents an easy out.

Sofia Zeledon is anything but a disinterested adolescent. “She works her butt off, both Sofia and her mom,” principal Robert Wright said. “Sofia gets fantastic grades and is a potential National Merit Scholar. She also works maintenance jobs to pay for her extracurriculars while staying involved in everything service-related.”

Sofia Zeledon is a straight-A, bilingual, hardworking, compassionate super star. She’ll do big things. Just watch.

WHAT DO YOU THINK IS THE HARDEST JOB IN THE WORLD?

I think the hardest job is being a parent. Every day parents have to make sure they are raising their kids to be productive members of society by teaching them to be respectful, responsible and most of all, kind.

WHAT’S ONE THING YOU DID IN THE LAST 24 HOURS TO MAKE SOMEONE ELSE’S LIFE BETTER?

I decided to visit an older woman who lives alone to give her some flan that I had just made. She said she really appreciated it.

‘ALL THE WAY’

WHETHER IT’S DRAMA CLUB OR HELPING HER CLASS, MARATHON’S RYLEE SELIGSON GIVES NOTHING LESS THAN HER BEST

When most folks were busy at the Marathon Seafood Festival downing beers and cracking stone crab claws, Marathon High School senior Rylee Seligson was donning gloves and filling trash cans.

Along with a few of her classmates, she was busy cleaning tables – not because she had to, and not because she got paid for it. Instead, cash raised throughout the entire weekend went in a fund to pay for Grad Bash – a theme-park trip for graduating seniors – for members of her class who otherwise couldn’t afford to go.

Because if there’s anything that supports fellow students at MHS, particularly in the Class of 2025, Rylee is there.

The senior class secretary sat on the sidelines of football games for three hours last fall to get drenched with buckets of water in a “Soak a Senior” fundraiser. She’s been a part of building homecoming floats since freshman year, and you’d be hard-pressed to catch her missing a Class of 2025 event.

“She truly is dedicated to her community and class, and I think she should get recognized for that,” said sponsor Rob Driscoll, who nominated Seligson for this piece.

She’s not one to list an encyclopedia of clubs on her resume – in fact, we had to work overtime to pull all her accomplishments out of her – but Seligson embodies a quote from famed runner Steve Prefontaine: “To give anything less than your best is to sacrifice the gift.”

Her impact on her school and community is with the depth of her involvement. She’s always at the top of the cast list with the MHS Drama Club, securing a lead in the musical “Newsies” as a freshman – but she also serves as the club’s playbill designer, dance captain,

assistant choreographer and “Drama Club Mom,” looking after the younger actors in productions.

She’s the treasurer of the Thespian Honor Society, too – and did we mention she managed to pull off a critical role in a seven-woman musical at the Marathon Community Theatre at the SAME time as her school club’s 2024 performance of “Saturday Night Fever?”

“My parents have always taught me that ‘If you’re gonna do something, do it all the way, and whatever you do, we will support you,’” Seligson said.

“Their favorite way to use it is when I clean my room,” she added with a laugh. “But if I can raise $200 and someone can go to Grad Bash, I’ll do it. Sometimes it was really gross, spilling oyster water all over myself, but I kept telling myself that I’m doing it so that somebody else can have a great high school experience.”

Her influence reaches beyond her own school to the halls of Marathon Middle School and Stanley Switlik Elementary, where she volunteers as a Reading Achievement Initiative for Scholastic Excellence (RAISE) tutor.

And whether she self-promotes it or not, others are always watching.

When Switlik threw a Valentine’s Day dance for students, Seligson was there to chaperone, prompting this email from third-grade teacher Krista Dennington to MHS principal Christine Paul the next day:

“Rylee was a superstar and carried the entire dance,” Dennington wrote. “She had ‘dance battles’ with the kids and kept them moving all night long. She was amazing, a shining ball of positive energy. … It is beautiful to see our ‘babies’ that have grown into such upstanding individuals and future leaders of Marathon.”

RYLEE SELIGSON

WHAT DO YOU THINK MAKES YOUR GENERATION UNIQUE?

I’d say people in my generation are less afraid to speak their minds. There are so many protests going on, and at the forefront of it are people my age or maybe a few years older than me.

WHAT’S ONE THING YOU DID IN THE LAST 24 HOURS TO MAKE SOMEONE ELSE’S LIFE BETTER?

The Switlik drama club came to the high school yesterday. I held the door open for them, and one little girl hugged me, and then it turned into every kid giving me a hug as they walked by. I taught them a dance, and I told them all that they were cool and that no matter what they decided to do, whether it was drama club or play baseball, whatever they did mattered.

EAGLE SOARS TO NEW HEIGHTS

CORAL SHORES’ CALISTA WITTKE ETCHES NAME INTO HISTORY, PAVES THE WAY FOR LOCAL FEMALE SCOUTS

Coral Shores’ senior Calista Wittke’s path through scouting was one of dedication and perseverance.

Her journey to Eagle Scout is forging the way for her fellow females in Scout Troop 914G in the Upper Keys.

Not only did Wittke officially become the 58th Eagle Scout in Monroe County back in March, but she also made history as the Keys’ first female Eagle Scout.

“Calista’s leadership has always been exemplary,” said Kathleen Pegues, Calista’s first scoutmaster. “She has been an inspiration to many young girls from the Florida Keys through her helpfulness, loyalty and bravery. There was never any adventure too daunting for her to tackle.”

About 6% of all Scouts earn the Eagle rank.

“Honestly, I just loved how I met so many people and stuck with it until the end,” Wittke said. “I feel so much happier and proud of myself that I did this.”

In 2018, families were able to choose Cub Scouts not only for their sons but also their daughters who were in kindergarten to fifth grade. A year later, older girls were allowed to participate in Scouts BSA. The landmark change not only gave girls the chance to participate in scouting activities, but also presented an opportunity for them to work their way up to Eagle Scout.

Wittke, who spent her younger years in Girl Scouts, eventually joined the local Scouts as girls were allowed in. She said her mom, Paula, and brother, Keegan, introduced her to scouting. Keegan worked his way up to Eagle Scout in 2022.

“I would go to the meetings and sit, so I knew how it all was going,” she said. “In Girl Scouts, it was a lot of arts and crafts. But I liked the outdoors and nature a lot more. In my first meeting (with Boy Scouts), we built a tent and a fire, with assistance. I thought to myself, ‘I love this so much more.’”

Wittke entered as Webelo, a two-year program for fourth- and fifth-graders, before progressing to eventually reach Eagle. Along the way, she earned a variety of merit badges, from cooking and communication to horsemanship, swimming, personal fitness, family life, photography, first aid, emergency preparedness and others. She obtained more than 20 merit badges, of which 14 were Eagle-required.

“When I was Webelo (in Cub Scouts) looking up to Eagles, I thought ‘This is not going to happen for a while,’” Wittke said.

In addition to the merit badges, Wittke had to complete a community project in order to be considered for Eagle Scout. Her project to plant three native blolly trees and 12 golden beach creeper plants at the Coral Shores High School courtyard took months of planning and extensive coordination. She received good grace from school administrators, including principal Laura Lietaert.

“I just felt something could be done to make the courtyard a little more enjoyable while having more people want to be around it,” she said. “At the time my mom and I talked about the project, I said I love trees, and the courtyard is a place where kids have lunch.

“There may be instances where kids are having bad days, so maybe more plants and trees could relax them,” Wittke added. “And who knows? Maybe they’ll wonder about the trees and plants and want to plant some of their own.”

Wittke originally thought the project would take two days to complete, but with help from fellow Scouts, it only took one day. By March 5, new plants and trees were planted and ready to grow.

Wittke has since turned 18, meaning she aged out of the scouting program. But she says she’s still committed to helping inspire the other girls in Scout Troop 914G to achieve the Eagle Scout rank. On top of the badges and earning Eagle Scout, Wittke said she’s also made lifelong friends.

“There are two girls I started scouting with that I’m going to inspire to get their projects done so they can become Eagles,” Wittke said. Her mom, Paula, said scouting has been a great learning and leadership opportunity for her daughter.

“Throughout the merit badges, you really have to gain a lot of knowledge and skills about so many different things that you would not necessarily be exposed to. And I just think it’s helped her grow,” she said.

Upon graduation, Wittke will be attending Sante Fe College where she will pursue an associate’s degree in interior design. After that, she’s seeking to transfer to the University of Florida.

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“There is no greater challenge and there is no greater honor than to be in public service.”

— Condoleezza Rice

THE QUEENS OF CRIME

By Marie Benedict

In 1930s London, mystery novels are all the rage but not taken seriously in literary circles. Determined to change this perception, a group of authors form a club to support their genre’s worth. Among them are Dorothy Sayers and Agatha Christie. To bring more women into their ranks, these compatriots embark on an ambitious challenge — not just writing mysteries but solving one. When the body of an English nurse, May Daniels, is found months after her disappearance, the police seem more interested in closing the case than seeking justice. Unwilling to accept this, the “Queens of Crime” launch their own investigation, using the same locked-room theories and deductive skills that made their novels famous. Inspired by the real-life Sayers, this gripping work of historical fiction weaves a tale of mystery, friendship and the relentless fight for women’s equality. Utterly engrossing, this novel brings to life the pioneering women who reshaped crime fiction.

LET’S CALL HER BARBIE

By Renée Rosen

In 1956, little girls played with baby dolls, preparing for futures as mothers and homemakers. Ruth Handler had a different vision. As she and her husband, Elliot, built Mattel into a toy empire, Ruth set out to redefine how girls saw their potential. Her brainchild, Barbie, took three years to develop — a stylish, independent career woman in doll form. Bringing Barbie to life wasn’t easy. Ruth faced resistance from boardrooms filled with men and skepticism from the public. Mothers hesitated to buy a doll so different from the norm.

But Ruth refused to take no for an answer. She fought for Barbie, now a cultural icon that has evolved with society, championing diversity and empowerment. Barbie has represented over 100 ethnicities and held more than 200 careers, from astronaut to president. This compelling glimpse at Barbie’s history and Ruth Handler’s trailblazing journey proves one thing: “Barbie always represented the fact that a woman has choices.”

THAT LIBRARIAN

By Amanda Jones

Amanda Jones, a dedicated librarian in a small Louisiana town, always prioritized her community — church, supporting neighbors, and fostering a love of reading. With years of experience as a middle school librarian, she understands the profound impact books have on young minds. In 2022, Amanda attended a local hearing where “book content” was under discussion—a familiar euphemism for censorship. She prepared a brief statement on the importance of diverse collections and the existing processes for challenging materials. Unknown to her, an organized group— many not even local residents— infiltrated the meeting with a hidden political agenda. What followed was a vicious campaign of online harassment, slander and personal attacks. Amanda, an educator, not an activist, became a scapegoat in the fight against book banning. Part memoir, part manifesto, “That Librarian” is an eye-opening account of modern censorship and a rallying cry against intellectual oppression. As Amanda’s story proves, banning books is just another form of bullying.

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At Sea Haven Realty, we offer expert guidance in all aspects of real estate services. What sets us apart is our personalized approach tailoring our service to meet the unique needs of each client We believe in building lasting relationships through trust, communication, and local insight With the right credentials and deep local knowledge, we’re equipped to handle everything from residential sales to association management and everything in between

SUMMER SALADS TO SHARE

Summer means time with friends and family enjoying the beautiful Keys outdoors, good food and company. When it comes to cooking and eating, refreshing choices are key to success. With that in mind, the three salad recipes here mostly keep the heat out of the kitchen, with only one requiring boiling water.

Watermelon and feta cheese come together with the subtle heat of a jalapeno pepper. A vegetable-filled pasta salad is large enough to share for days, and, finally, take advantage of the homegrown bounty of mangoes that make the Keys sweet and juicy all summer long.

WATERMELON & FETA SALAD

Ingredients

• 1 garlic clove, minced

• 1 jalapeno pepper, seeds and membrane removed, minced

• ½ cup extra-virgin olive oil, preferably Graza

• 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar

• Kosher salt and ground pepper to taste

• 3 cups large diced watermelon, seeded or seedless

• 2-3 scallions, finely sliced

• ½ cup Greek feta, crumbled

Directions

• In a Mason jar, combine the garlic, pepper, olive oil, salt and pepper. Add lid and shake until combined.

• Right before serving, combine watermelon and scallions in a large bowl. Add the vinaigrette and toss gently.

• Top with feta.

PASTA SALAD WITH VEGETABLES

The recipe below is simply a guide. Other vegetable options could include squash, zucchini, peas, cauliflower and broccoli florets. Color is key!

Ingredients

• 1 each of red bell pepper, yellow bell pepper and orange bell pepper. Seeds and membranes removed, chopped.

• ½ red onion, chopped

• ½ English cucumber, sliced and quartered

• 2-3 carrots, chopped

• 1 pint cherry or grape tomatoes, halved

• 16 oz. mozzarella pearls

• 16 oz. farfalle (bowtie) pasta, tri-color preferred

For the vinaigrette

• ¼ cup balsamic vinegar

• 2 teaspoons dark brown sugar

• 2 cloves of garlic, minced

• Kosher salt and ground pepper

• ¾ cup extra-virgin olive oil, preferably Graza

Directions

• Boil water for pasta and cook as directed.

• While pasta is cooking, begin preparing vegetables and place in a large bowl.

• Drain pasta and allow it to cool for 10-15 minutes.

• In a Mason jar, combine the ingredients for the dressing, top with lid and shake.

• Add half of the dressing to the vegetables and toss.

• Add pasta, mozzarella pearls and remaining dressing.

• Toss to coat.

• Chill and serve.

MANGO & GREENS SALAD

• 2 mangos, chopped

• 10 oz. arugula or mixed greens

• 1 shallot, finely diced

• 1 jalapeno, finely diced

• 1 lime, zested and juiced

• ¼ to ½ cup extra virgin olive oil

• 2 teaspoons sugar

Directions

• Lay out the arugula on a large serving platter.

• Top with mangoes.

• Mix the remaining ingredients in a Mason jar and gently dress salad.

• Chill and serve.

These recipes are great starting points, but don’t be afraid to get creative and mix additional ingredients in to these simply refreshing summer salads.

PANTONE 17-1230

Mocha Mousse

Yes, it’s here again, the color of the year. For 2025, the Pantone Institute choose Mocha Mousse, an evocative soft brown. Some love it (grounding and comforting feeling, seeking connection with nature and embracing a more sustainable lifestyle). Others, not so much (lacks vibrancy and appeal, swamp water, uninspiring and dull).

Whatever side you’re on, you can not deny the cuteness of the pup on the left (totally on trend with his Mocha Mousse fur). Meet Blippi, an almost 3-year-old male mixed breed, that is available for adoption at the Florida Keys SPCA, Marathon campus. For more information, please visit fkspca.com.

Mocha Mousse

BY IRENE DE BRUIJN

The things we do

Ladies, if you’re like most of us, your daily schedule and constant commitments are enough to bring most of our male counterparts to their knees. And don’t get us started on all the unexpected upheavals that demand our attention immediately — sick kids, forgotten school projects, nighttime meetings and dead car batteries.

It’s no surprise most of us would relish a few quiet moments of undemanding solitude.

That got us thinking, what and how do we actually keep all the balls in the air while taking care of ourselves from time to time, too? Always happy to help, we at Keys Weekly offer a few suggestions of things we do when we just need a damn distraction from the real world.

Snuggle with your four-legged friend and binge watch a show.

2 words: Louie’s Afterdeck.