He stands only three feet tall, but Robert the Doll looms large as a Key West celebrity. He’s internationally acclaimed for his mischievous deeds, receives letters and e-mails from all over the United States and has more than a thousand Facebook friends.

Eerie icon Robert the Doll is interviewed by Jorge Estevez for South Florida’s CBS News 4. Claudia Pennington (right) interprets Robert's wishes. (Photo courtesy of the Key West Art & Historical Society)

Despite being a bit older than the average celeb, Robert has made television appearances on the Travel Channel, Discovery Channel, numerous regional stations and more.

Some might scoff at such attention being paid to a straw-stuffed doll — but Robert, who has been dubbed a “paranormal pop star,” is no ordinary doll.

Robert’s career began in 1904 when he was given to a Key West boy named Robert “Gene” Otto — some say by a voodoo-practicing nanny or family maid.

Young Gene gave the doll his own first name and, throughout his childhood, blamed Robert for naughty deeds and bad behavior. Even when Gene grew up and married, the doll remained his alter ego.

Robert appears suitably spooky during the CBS News filming. Could that shadowy black-clad woman be his paranormal publicist? (Photo courtesy of the Key West Art & Historical Society)

While Gene gained renown as an artist, Robert (living in his own room in the Otto family home, despite strenuous objections from Gene’s wife Anne) gained renown of a far more unsettling sort. Children passing by glimpsed him leering from the windows of the home’s turret room and, according to local lore, a workman heard the doll giggling at him.

In 1974, Gene Otto died. Anne sold the house and quickly departed, leaving Robert behind for the new owners to find. Eventually, the disturbing doll was donated to the Key West Art & Historical Society.

Today, Robert’s “home” is a handsome glass case at Fort East Martello Museum, a massive brick Civil War–era fort reborn as a popular Key West historic attraction. The Art & Historical Society’s executive director, Claudia Pennington, acts as his guardian (and unofficial paranormal publicist).

A doll of few words, Robert is a master of nonverbal communication. He particularly delights in creating “special effects” on museum visitors’ photographs. They often appear inexplicably ruined unless he’s asked beforehand if he minds having his photo snapped.

In 2000, when Claudia “met” Robert, he was part of a “Key West Oddities” exhibition in a poorly lit glass case. Subsequently, she realized he was not just another artifact.

Robert greets his many fans from a handsome glass case at Fort East Martello. (Photo by Kathy Koontz)

“As the years passed, I became aware of how many people, after visiting Robert in the museum, wrote to him about their problems with photographs,” said Claudia. “We decided that these unsolicited letters were part of Robert’s story, and in 2004 we moved Robert into his own gallery with a large space dedicated to cards and letters from his fans.”

Since then, Robert has become an eerie icon. During one month recently, his website got nearly 90,000 hits. He’s also been a “guest star” at a convention of the Atlantic Paranormal Society in Clearwater, Fla. (Like other celebrities, he was under constant surveillance by a high-level security team throughout his road trip.)

Despite his fame, Robert remains basically unchanged. Just as he did when he and Gene Otto were inseparable, he seems to enjoy playing tricks.

In fact, he even surprised radio host and paranormal expert Joshua Warren when Joshua investigated him at Fort East Martello. Two rolls of Joshua’s special 3D film mysteriously failed to record Robert’s image, even though he’d never experienced such problems before.

“I do not think of Robert as a ’possessed‘ or wicked doll — he is a mischievous spirit who seems to love pulling a few pranks,” said Claudia. “We love our Robert and are pleased that he continues to bewitch new audiences.”

Topics: Highlights, History, Key West, Local Color, Profiles, Quirks, Voices Main Archive

One year during Key West’s Fantasy Fest celebration, a local chiropractor friend of mine went crazy. Renowned for healing people in pain, Dr. Steve Stevens (not his real name, for reasons that should become clear almost immediately) shaved the fur off his dog Tabasco (not HIS real name either) and painted his own skin to match the dog’s.

The fur flies when party animals take center stage at Fantasy Fest's Pet Masquerade. (Photo by Rob O'Neal, Florida Keys News Bureau)

Then he donned a brief Speedo and pranced across a stage in front of 4,000 spectators, leading the understandably bewildered Tabasco.

He hadn’t lost his marbles, Dr. Steve later reassured patients who questioned his peculiar action. He was simply trying to win first prize in the pet/owner lookalike category of the Fantasy Fest Pet Masquerade.

With that explanation, it all made sense — because the Pet Masquerade can affect people that way. The annual costume contest for animals and their humans is one of the most eagerly anticipated events of Fantasy Fest, Key West’s internationally famed ten-day masking and costuming festival.

In fact, the Pet Masquerade draws dozens of entrants each year to perform onstage antics on the oceanside lawn of an elegant local resort. These “party animals” generally range from dogs and cats to potbellied pigs, snakes, exotic birds and even a duck that became a regular competitor.

Many entrants put on far more elaborate shows than Dr. Steve and Tabasco did. One year, for example, featured a rescued racing greyhound whose owners dressed her as Tina Turner. The dog stood stoically while her eight-member human “back-up band” proceeded to mangle a Turner classic.

Okay, so they're not pets. But these engaging creatures were favorites at Fantasy Fest 2009 anyway. (Photo by Andy Newman, Florida Keys News Bureau)

The “animal house” benefits the Lower Keys Friends of Animals, but entry isn’t limited to local people or pets. A few years back, Jeff Hrizuk brought his Australian cattle dog, K.C., from Georgia to participate after attending two previous Fantasy Fests.

Dressed as a black widow spider to complement Jeff’s gauzy spiderweb outfit, K.C. seemed completely comfortable in his costume — which included six spider legs made of felt-wrapped wire.

“It took two weeks to train him to wear the costume,” Jeff reported. “The first time we put it on him, he was afraid of it. Then we started giving him a steak, putting the costume on, and giving him another steak afterwards. Pretty soon he was really eager to put it on.”

Pet Masquerade, however, is far from Fantasy Fest’s wildest event. Scheduled for Oct. 22-31, the 2010 festival is themed “Habitat for Insanity,” and it includes more than three dozen masquerade balls, marches, costume competitions, and late-night soirees guaranteed to sizzle.

These "ladies" look ready to indulge a fantasy or two during Key West's wild and wonderful festival. (Photo by Andy Newman, Florida Keys News Bureau)

The unquestioned festival highlight is the Captain Morgan Fantasy Fest Parade in Key West’s historic downtown. This year set for Saturday, Oct. 30, it’s expected to draw as many as 70,000 spectators to Whitehead and Duval streets.

Glitzy, glamorous and unabashedly excessive, the annual parade features brilliant floats whose riders toss beads and baubles to the near-hysterical crowds. Floats are interspersed with Caribbean-style bands, dancing groups in lavish robes and headdresses, and assorted characters whose dress (or undress, since many wear little more than body paint) can elicit gasps of awe.

Speaking of body paint, two of the most engaging painted parade spectators I ever met were Jim and Judy Thorson from Omaha. Both in their 60s, they wore matching fish-printed sarong skirts and bright green sequined headdresses, their torsos adorned only with aquatic-inspired body art.

“I lost my pasties — I didn’t have adequate pasty glue,” confessed Jim Thorson, who was a professor at the University of Nebraska. “When you prepare for Fantasy Fest, you should bring one more bottle of glue than you need.”

Topics: Animal Ambassadors, Districts, Events, Festivals, Highlights, Key West, Local Color, Quirks, Voices Main Archive

Sitting today in a hotel room overlooking a Florida theme park, I read an e-mail from someone I met at Atlanta Pride. It was a thank-you for providing information before their trip to the Keys with their family. They visited over the weekend and took their parents to our drag shows. Yep, their dad was up on the stage with one of the queens laughing, as they wrote, like he’d not done in a long time. I think that speaks well for our “one human family” atmosphere where everyone is welcomed on the island of Key West.

Participants at Key West's National Coming Out Day rally unfurl a large rainbow flag. (Photo by Rob O'Neal, Florida Keys News Bureau)

National Coming Out Day and the 10th anniversary of Key West’s “One Human Family” initiative were celebrated jointly this year with an invitation to young gay men and women who live in places where they are hopelessly unaccepted. Our Gay and Lesbian Community Center leaders offered a safe place for them to visit and see that there’s a place in the world for them, thus giving them the strength to return home and proudly be the individuals they truly are.

At the event, a group of locals displayed a 100-foot section of Key West’s sea-to-sea rainbow flag (so named because the entire 1.25-mile flag, a few years back, was unfurled down Duval Street from the Atlantic Ocean to the Gulf of Mexico). The section they held had been displayed the day before in a pride parade in Orlando, Fla., and then driven down by a local couple in time for our outreach celebration.

Speaking of celebrations, sequins, feathers, glue, and rhinestones are flying around the island as we ready our outfits for the Headdress Ball and Fantasy Fest.  On Fantasy Fest Tuesday, Oct. 26, join us for the ball, themed “Assembly at the Asylum,” at the Southernmost on the Beach Hotel in a tent half a city block long. We will see a parade of headdresses sprinkled with fairy dust as entrants vie for a $1,500 grand prize.

Headdresses rule at the Key West Business Guild's fabulous Fantasy Fest event. (Photo courtesy of the Key West Business Guild and Headdress Ball)

This is the Key West Business Guild’s 28th annual Headdress Ball and will be the best ever. Look for Dean, our naked realtor, at the entrance wearing as little as legally possible, directing people to their tables; Bruce’s 80-something-year-old mom playing security; and the staff of the Southernmost serving libations.

Look for me in a gaggle of men who have been told to wear tighty whities, a jock strap, or boxers, butch black boots and false eyelashes for the bold and beautiful. The rest of our outfit will be provided Tuesday afternoon at a dressing party (I’m not sure about me on the streets in a jock strap!). But our group will make a grand entrance in limousines.

Three days later, the Masquerade March through Old Town always proves to be a potpourri of costumes, men, women, and unidentifiable creatures, merriment and revelry. If you’ve never done this march, you don’t know what you’re missing. Before it ends, there will be several thousand street marchers providing a feast for you and your camera. I too will be there, but not in whities.

RV Beaumont, shown here with me, will be deeply missed.

And just when you think the Fantasy Fest partying is over, Tea Dance on Halloween Sunday at La Te Da, from 4 p.m. until 9 p.m., will be when the “Fat Lady Sings.” See you there as we dance to the music of DJ Junior and relive what we can remember of the week.

On a more somber note, we recently lost one of our most beloved entertainers, RV Beaumont. RV, known from Provincetown to Fire Island, Key West to California and Mexico, lost her battle with cancer Oct. 13. RV raised tens of thousands of dollars for local charities and was a fun, colorful ambassador of our island. Edge Publications wrote an obituary for RV, and you can watch a variety of her videos on You Tube.

Topics: Districts, Events, Festivals, Highlights, Key West, LGBT, Local Color, Topics

Ten years ago, Key West adopted an official philosophy that told the world what life in the island city was all about: compassion, acceptance and respect for people of all kinds. Today, the message that we believe all people are members of “One Human Family” resonates around the world.

In 2000, Key West artist J.T. Thompson created the "One Human Family" message. (All photos by Rob O'Neal)

Like many big things that come out of Key West, the “One Human Family” movement began in a typically openhearted, grassroots way.

For decades, the island city had been renowned for its residents’ welcoming and accepting attitude toward all people — white, black, gay, straight, rich, poor, young, old, and probably even green with purple spots. Actually, that attitude has been part of our heritage since the island’s earliest founding. After all, early settlers ranged from Navy sailors to Bahamian fishermen to Cuban cigar-makers — and on an island that measured less than two miles by four miles, they had to accept each other and get along.

As each new group discovered Key West (among them artists, hippies, the gay community, and visitors from all over the world), they were enveloped into the fold just like previous groups had been.

Key West's City Commission quickly adopted "One Human Family" as the island city's official philosophy, issuing the proclamation that J.T. holds here.

Strong as it was, that attitude of inclusiveness remained pretty much unstated. That is, until one day in 2000, when local artist and graphic designer J.T. Thompson used his imagination and talent to state it.

His action seemed simple: he designed a bumper sticker reading “All people are equal members of our ONE HUMAN FAMILY.” When he started printing them and giving them away, they were snapped up by friends, visitors to Key West and total strangers who spotted them and were captivated by the message they expressed.

In October 2000, the Key West City Commission unanimously adopted “One Human Family” as the island’s official philosophy.

The commission’s proclamation read, in part, “Key West is an enlightened island community that is passionate about all living together as caring, sharing neighbors … We want to share our unique perspective and simple (but true) words of hope, “ONE HUMAN FAMILY,” with our global neighbors, so others can find inspiration to grow beyond the artificial limitations of racism, nationalism, sexism, classism, monotheism, prejudice, homophobia (and every other illusion used to try to separate us from all being equal) …”

A recent rally in Key West celebrated the 10th anniversary of the city adopting "One Human Family" -- and the fact that the message of equality and inclusiveness is spreading around the world.

Almost as quickly as a YouTube video goes viral, the “One Human Family” message spread around the globe. Bumper stickers were and are available free to anyone who wants them, with their printing and distribution funded by donations from supporters.

Not long ago, Key West celebrated the 10th anniversary of the city’s proclamation with a harborfront rally supporting equality and inclusiveness. At that rally, J.T. Thompson announced an awe-inspiring fact: more than 1.25 million “One Human Family” stickers have been distributed in the past 10 years — even to places as far away as New Zealand, Tibet, Scotland and Nigeria.

“Like fingers on a hand, we’re all part of each other as ‘One Human Family’,” he said as supporters cheered and waved rainbow flags. “It’s a worldwide movement … a quiet revolution.”

May it continue to grow, until the quiet revolution that began in Key West truly changes the world.

Topics: Arts, Events, Highlights, History, Key West, LGBT, Local Color, Voices Main Archive

What discoveries about the Florida Keys delight a newcomer most? In my case, the top “find” was purely delicious: Key lime pie. Before I elaborate, however, here’s some background.

In just a few months, I went from being a Keys newbie to a Keys convert. Here I am at Key West's famed Southernmost Point marker.

Just over a year ago, I was hired to help tell the world about the Keys as part of the destination’s PR team. But I have to admit that, prior to getting hired, I hadn’t really immersed myself in the island chain.

Sure, I’ve lived in South Florida most of my life so I did get the occasional invite from a friend to spend a weekend in the Keys … once every year or two, maybe. But I wasn’t like a lot of my friends growing up, who lived on the water boating in the Keys and spending summers at their beach condos.

Lately, though, I’ve ventured away from my previously-cherished theme park vacations and spent some free time adventuring in the Keys. Doing so, I’ve discovered a world outside of animatronics, long lines and overpriced cafeteria food … and it’s changed me as a person forever.

For example, I always thought I hated seafood until I came to the Keys and ate dolphin (mahi-mahi) that I had caught fresh that morning. (Well, I didn’t exactly catch it myself; my best friend caught it as I “fed the fish” off the side of the boat, but it was delicious nonetheless.)

This luscious Key lime pie makes me smile -- and no wonder!

I realized I’d left theme park vacations behind when I went to the Fish House in Key Largo and asked what the fresh catch of the day was. The waiter replied, “It’s all fresh — we’re in the Keys!”

I used to sneer at my stepfather every time he had a craving for Key lime pie … that is, until I visited Keys Fisheries in Marathon and had a slice of the heavenly sweet and tart goodness they call Key lime pie.

Today, I’ve been dubbed my office’s resident Florida Keys Key lime pie expert. To prove it, I even have a photo of the luscious meringue-topped pie that’s served at Key West’s Blue Heaven hanging above my desk.

In the past, I’ve seen plenty of shows on vacation, from concerts to magicians’ acts. But the term “live show” takes on a whole new meaning at Dolphins Plus in Key Largo. You’re not a spectator — you’re an enthusiastic participant, sharing an experience with a grinning dolphin during their structured dolphin swim programs.

At Dolphins Plus, Bob (at left) and Jessica gave me an affectionate Keys welcome.

My dolphin’s name was Bob, and Bob was more romantic than any guy I’ve dated in quite some time. He gave me a sweet kiss on the cheek and brought me a gift. (Okay, it was a sloppy wet kiss and the gift was a piece of seaweed, but it was charming anyway.)

On top of all that, I love the fun-loving and quirky characters you meet in the Keys. It seems people are always in a good mood — willing to offer you a beer from their cooler, a ride on their jet ski or some leftover fish.

These days I’m no longer a Keys newbie, but I AM a Keys convert when it comes to choosing my vacations. After spending time in a real-life island paradise, the rest just doesn’t cut it anymore.

Topics: Food, Highlights, Key Largo, Key West, Local Color, Marathon, Restaurant Picks, Voices Main Archive

Things never seem to slow down on this two-by-four-mile island. With the upcoming coronation of the Fantasy Fest king and queen, the island is buzzing with candidates’ fundraising events — dinners, fashion shows, sunset cruises, live theater, wine tastings and more held all over the island. In case you missed my earlier mentions of the royal race, the candidates that raise the most money for AIDS Help, the Keys’ community-based AIDS service organization, earn the crowns.

Local DJ "Rude Girl" (left) introduces Fantasy Fest 2009's Queen Vicki Gordon and King Ralph Garcia. (Photo courtesy of the Key West Business Guild)

In recent years as much as $400,000 has been raised in a six-week period of intense campaigning. Some of our chosen kings have been drag queens, as have some of our queens. My first job in Key West included coordinating the candidates and presiding over the coronation ball. These days, it’s nice to be on the outside watching the candidates’ wonderful energy and knowing they compete out of love for this community and to help insure our locals are well cared for. If you can, attend one of their fundraising events and meet this year’s candidates.

Speaking of Fantasy Fest, if you’re in a creative mode, think about entering the Key West Business Guild’s 28th annual Headdress Ball, one of the undisputed highlights of the outrageous 10-day masking and costuming festival. It’s held in the largest tent ever erected on the island, and contestants in elaborate masks and headdresses are judged on what they’re wearing above their shoulders … for a top prize of $1,500.

Dressing for excess is one of the joys of Key West's outrageous annual Fantasy Fest celebration. (Photo by Andy Newman, Florida Keys News Bureau)

Off the island, I recently had the pleasure of representing the Florida Keys at Ancient City Pride in Saint Augustine and Pride Charlotte in North Carolina. Every pride festival is different and proves to be a fun experience. My parents helped me set up my booth in Saint Augustine and met a bunch of my gay and lesbian colleagues. At 91 years young, my dad was most likely one of the oldest attendees visiting a pride festival.

On October 9 and 10, I’ll be in Atlanta’s Piedmont Park at their 40th annual festival. Atlanta’s LGBT community is a fun, diverse group. Stop by and visit my space — I’m in the “yellow” section by Monroe and 10th streets with my colleague Dave Taylor of the Cypress House. We’ll be giving away a stay in Key West, so be sure to sign up for the drawing.

Monday, Oct. 11, is National Coming Out Day and the 10th anniversary of our city adopting its official philosophy: “All people are created equal members of ONE HUMAN FAMILY.”

Many Key Westers are to gather at noon that day along the Truman Waterfront to send out a message of acceptance and encouragement to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender teens in distress around the world because of intolerance where they may be living.

ONE HUMAN FAMILY was adopted 10 years ago as the official philosophy of the City of Key West. Today, the all-embracing motto can even be seen in artwork at sites around the island.

According to Mike Mongo, president of the Key West Gay & Lesbian Community Center, the message is simple and welcoming: “If you are over 18, gay, and experiencing hopeless lack of acceptance, come to Key West. You have to see what life is supposed to be like if you are gay, and in that regard Key West is a model community for the rest of the world.”

I can’t think of a nicer way to let young gay men and women know that they are okay.

With Key West’s Gay Spring Break just a few months away, our island offers a safe, diverse, and fun place for young people to spend their time away from college.

We welcome all visitors with open arms and love sharing our island magic with them.

(Steve’s current American Airlines mileage: 2,506,345 miles promoting Key West to the LGBT world. Divided by 450 miles per hour average, that means 5,569.7 hours in a can at 30,000 feet!)

Topics: Events, Festivals, Key West, LGBT, Local Color