Florida Keys sportfishing is getting primetime broadcast attention these days — in a TV reality series now airing on The Weather Channel.

Meet the 'Reel Rivals.' From left are Scott Stanczyk, captain of the Catch 22; George McElveen, skipper of the Reel McCoy; Augie Wampler, captain of Predator, and Nick Stanczyk, skipper of the B n' M. (All photos by Andy Newman, Florida Keys News Bureau)

It’s called “Reel Rivals,” and the first episode debuted in early May. It features the daily competitiveness of a quartet of world-class Keys sportfishing captains: George McElveen, Nick Stanczyk, his uncle Scott Stanczyk and Augie Wampler.

All four base their boats at Bud N’ Mary’s Fishing Marina, an almost-70-year-old Islamorada marina steeped in Keys sportfishing history.

The now-iconic marina was established in the mid-1940s by Bud and Mary Stapleton, a New England couple who knew nothing about fishing (!). After acquiring the property, they first opened a hotel and tackle shop — and only ventured into the charter business when Captain Don Gurgiolo convinced them to let him build a small dock for his boat so he could run offshore fishing charters.

“’Reel Rivals’ is about the competition between four sportfishing captains in the sportfishing capital of the world,” explained Brad Hebert, the co-executive producer for Optomen Productions, the company that created the show for The Weather Channel. “It centers on relationships, on and off their boats.

“They’re entertaining, comical and (episodes are) full of twists and turns,” he said about the 30-minute shows.

Augie Wampler (left), captain of the Islamorada charterboat Predator, displays a nice bull dolphin fish (mahi-mahi) caught by Weather Channel meteorologist Reynolds Wolf in Keys waters.

Hebert and his video production crew focused a slew of cameras on the four skippers for almost a month. They then spent four months in post-production to create six shows for airing — with the anticipation that the series will be extended on an annual basis.

And it’s totally fitting that the angling adventures were filmed in the Florida Keys. According to the International Game Fish Association in Dania Beach, Fla., the Keys are home to more sportfishing records than any other destination in the world. In recent years, the waters surrounding the Keys have produced an astonishing annual average of nearly 15 percent of all IGFA saltwater world records.

Viewers should be forewarned, Brad Hebert advised, that “Reel Rivals” is not a typical nuts-and-bolts fishing show — although there’s plenty of sportfishing action. The natural attractions and climate of the Keys add to the show’s appeal.

“The location (Florida Keys) is beyond what is advertised in terms of beauty as well as the diversity of species,” he enthused.

Captains Scott Stanczyk (left) and Augie Wampler do a live interview from Bud N’ Mary’s on The Weather Channel to promote the "Reel Rivals" show.

In fact, Islamorada is located between three different bodies of water — Florida Bay, the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean — and close to the continental United States’ only living coral barrier reef and the Everglades.

Sailfish and dolphin (the fish, not the mammal) are two of the most popular offshore species pursued in the Keys. Flats fishing (sometimes described as hunting in shallow water) focuses on the “big three” — tarpon, bonefish and permit.

The appeal of the area is undeniable even for dignitaries, politicians and celebrities hooked on fishing. Over the years, notable Islamorada anglers have included former President George H.W. Bush, British Prime Minister Winston Churchill, “Riders of the Purple Sage” author Zane Grey, former NFL coach Jimmy Johnson and actor Paul Newman.

Want to know more about fishing in Keys waters? Click here — and don’t miss upcoming episodes of “Reel Rivals.” They’re slated to air Tuesdays at 9 p.m. ET/PT through the end of June.

Topics: Highlights, Islamorada, Local Color, On the Water, Voices Main Archive

Key West Pride events have wound down after five days packed with parties, sailing, and parades. In many of your communities, Pride festivals are just beginning — so keep your eyes open for eight-color rainbow flags in your Pride parade.

Blog author Steve Smith celebrates Key West Pride during the island city's annual parade.

If you spot one, chances are the flag you see was part of Key West’s 1.25-mile sea-to-sea flag, unfurled on Duval Street from the Gulf of Mexico to the Atlantic Ocean 10 years ago this month. Sections of the famed flag will be carried in parades in Denver, Columbus, Cincinnati, Cleveland and New York.

Living on a tiny two-mile by four-mile island, we’re never lacking for another unique event. This weekend, for example, we host the Key West Africana Festival, giving visitors an opportunity to discover the Afro-Caribbean heritage of America’s southernmost island city. There are workshops on wellness and healthy living, film screenings, tours of meaningful African and Cuban sites and museums, and presentations by award-winning authors, media commentators and our state Senator Dwight Bullard.

Then, June 22, be sure to bring out your finest fairy and tropical attire and gather under the stars for the seventh annual Midsummer’s Night Dream & Spectacle. This magical evening unfolds in, and benefits, the Key West Tropical Forest and Botanical Garden. Bring lots of fairy dust, glitter, wings and halos … and prepare for an unforgettable experience. 

Blossoms, glitter and fairy dust are the recommended accessories for the lavish and lovely Midsummer's Night Dream. (Photo by Carol Tedesco)

“Midsummer’s Night celebrates the summer solstice,” says event creator Michael Shields. “It’s a time when the veil between this world and the next is thin, and powerful forces are abroad. On Midsummer’s, legends hold that one can gain the powers of a bard — or on the downside, end up utterly mad, demented, or whisked away by spirit faeries. Romances flourish, affairs are begun, mystery and mischief abound. It all begins with a dream.”

Enjoy the creations of local musicians, poets, painters and sculptors; marvel at aerial artistry, fire dancing, theatrical antics and storytellers; and vie for the titles of festival King and Queen. Where else can you join fairies, stars, and starlets on a tropical island under the full moon while sipping tropical beverages and tasting local foods? No glitter is too bright, no wings too large (just be careful when flying through the forest!).

Though the Keys have designated themselves the independent Conch Republic, we do acknowledge July 4 as Independence Day for those who live in the “neighboring” United States. This year, my friend and noted writer David Sloan adds to the holiday festivities by staging the first Key Lime Festival. 

Offbeat author David Sloan, who penned "The Ultimate Key Lime Pie Cookbook" and created the Key Lime Festival, decorates a pie. (Photo by Rob O'Neal)

David penned “The Ultimate Key Lime Pie Cookbook,” celebrating the popularity of the tart, creamy dessert identified with the Florida Keys. Important note: if you have ever been served green key lime pie, you were cheated. Our tasty Key lime pie is yellow and often nestled on crisp graham cracker crumbs toasted in real butter. Some serve it with chopped nuts in the crust, although my favorite sits atop crushed chocolate wafers, drenched in butter and browned just before the sweet yellow curd is ladled and topped with unsweetened whipped cream. I’m getting carried away …

Join David and his team July 4 at the Key Lime Piestravaganza in front of Key West’s Old City Hall as they attempt to make the world’s largest Key lime pie — expected to be bigger than 15 feet in diameter. You can even savor a slice of the historic pie for one buck, which benefits the Key West Firehouse Museum. It doesn’t get much better than this!

I’ll tell you more about our July 4 celebrations next time. Right now, I need to find a slice of tangy Key lime pie and get ready for tonight’s NBA game.  

Topics: Arts, Events, Festivals, Food, History, Key West, LGBT, Local Color

In the 1970s and early 80s, Key West was an end-of-the-world seaport outpost — much like a Wild West town, but with palm trees and an ocean. Unsurprisingly, its residents were the outlaw kind: independent, irreverent, and possessed of a fierce integrity. The kind, in other words, that fit right into such an environment.

Vic Latham, co-founder of Key West's legendary Full Moon Saloon, is shown here in 1973 during the island's infamous renegade era. (Photo courtesy of the Latham Family)

Much has been written about Key West in those days — days when one island mayor water-skied to Cuba just to prove he could do it, when many local government employees were under indictment or investigation for one thing or another, when smuggling pot was considered more of a mom-and-pop hobby than a crime, and when the island seceded from the Union and became the Conch Republic to protest an unjust government roadblock.

It was also a time of enormous creative and experiential promise. Every evening as the sun went down, the sense of excitement and expectation was strong enough to be nearly visible. You just knew something outrageous was about to happen around the next corner, and you simply had to be there to watch it unfold.

It was into that offbeat atmosphere that the Full Moon Saloon was born in the spring of 1977.

Its founders and guiding spirits were Vic Latham and Sid Snelgrove, a pair of big men with lived-in faces who took turns playing straight man for each other. Both had drawling Carolina voices that seemed made to deliver the wry quip or sly anecdote; both were seasoned Key Westers and bartending pros when they opened the Moon.

"Roy's Dead Now," painted by Key West artist Martin Laessig, hung in a place of honor at the Full Moon.

Very quickly, it became the hideout and hangout of seemingly half the Key West population. Entertainers, bartenders and restaurant servers, fishermen, local political notables and people in less regular professions adopted it as their home away from home — and so did some surprising literary stars.

Another legendary insiders’ hangout during the hard-living 70s and 80s was the Chart Room, a hole-in-the-wall drinking emporium at Key West’s Pier House Resort.

The Chart Room has defied coherent description for decades. With just a handful of barstools, it was a haven for high-rollers and city officials, celebrities seeking a good cocktail, and Key West’s savviest locals. In fact, whoever compared the Chart Room to the famed fictional watering hole in the “Star Wars” films wasn’t far wrong.

Recently Key West lost a man who, in many ways, embodied the spirit of the renegade era. Vic Latham, co-founder of the legendary Moon, passed away on Easter Sunday in Lockport, Illinois, his home after he left the island.

Passionate about good music and good books, Vic socialized with musicians and authors who helped shape Key West’s creative renaissance of the 1970s and early 80s — among them Jimmy Buffett, Phil Caputo, Jim Harrison, Hunter Thompson, Thomas Sanchez and Tom Corcoran. For all of his Key West cohorts, who survived the unruly and unforgettable “Full Moon era,” the world won’t be quite the same without him. 

This classic Jimmy Buffett album cover captures the Key West waterfront in the 1970s.

Today, the Chart Room still stands — and offers a particularly warm welcome to those who know what it stands FOR. But the Moon is gone, and some might think Key West is a long way from the outlaw era of the 70s and 80s.

However, that’s not really true. In lively Duval Street watering holes, cocktails are served by bartenders who learned their craft at the Moon. Some of today’s leading citizens are yesterday’s irreverent free-thinkers, and their eyes still gleam if someone mentions “the old days.”

Beneath Key West’s modern-day facade, a renegade heart still beats — and that’s one of the major reasons for the island’s enduring appeal. The essence of the era that spawned the Full Moon Saloon, and the early Chart Room, remains alive in everyone who remembers and honors it.

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

The Florida Keys & Key West are internationally renowned as a laidback subtropical getaway, yet they’re also rich in fascinating history. Since 2013 marks the 500th anniversary of Juan Ponce de Leon setting foot on Florida’s east coast, it’s a perfect time to discover them.

Journey into history down one of the old roads on Indian Key. (Photo courtesy of Florida State Parks)

Of course, you can explore elements of the Keys’ natural and cultural history at attractions and sites throughout the islands — but a trio of intriguing highlights is chronicled here.

INDIAN KEY

Located less than a mile from Lower Matecumbe Key, Indian Key is just 11 acres in size. But it was the site of one of the Keys’ most dramatic (and chilling) incidents.

In the early 19th century, the tiny island boasted a thriving shipwreck salvage (also called wrecking) community. It had the largest population between St. Augustine and Key West — and in 1836, it was declared the first county seat of Dade County (FYI, the Keys now lie in Monroe County and Dade County’s focal point is Miami).

Just four years later, in 1840 during what was called the Second Seminole War, an Indian Key wrecking captain named Jacob Housman offered to remove the Seminoles from the area.

That proved to be a fatal mistake. A group of them paddled to the island, where they killed settlers and set structures ablaze in a horrific inferno. 

The Museum of Natural History at Crane Point spotlights the remarkable early history of the Florida Keys. (Photo courtesy of Crane Point)

Indian Key never regained its population or its prominence. In 1971 it was purchased by the Florida Park Service, and the following year became a National Historic Site.

Today Indian Key Historic State Park, located offshore at mile marker 78.5, is accessible only by boat. Rent a boat or kayak from Robbie’s Marina in Islamorada, and spend a few hours at the park swimming, sunning, and hiking the acres where the thriving community once stood.

CRANE POINT

The 63.5-acre Crane Point is one of the Keys’ most sensitive environmental and archaeological sites — and fortunately, it has been preserved by the Florida Keys Land and Sea Trust as a nature sanctuary and education center.

A one-of-a-kind living record of Keys history, the property at MM 50.5 in Marathon contains evidence of prehistoric Indian artifacts. It was once the site of a Bahamian village, and artifacts dating from the 19th century have been found there as well.

The flora and fauna of the Keys form the basis of many Crane Point exhibits. (Photo courtesy of Crane Point)

But that’s only the beginning. Crane Point is home to a wide range of tropical vegetation, including 10 endangered plant and animal species. It also features the Museum of Natural History, the Marathon Wild Bird Center and the historic Adderley House.

Visiting the fascinating place, you’ll discover more than 10 major exhibits covering the geography, plant and animal life of the Keys — and the 5,000-year history of man’s habitation in the area. 

SAN CARLOS INSTITUTE

Though it’s more than 150 miles from Miami, Key West lies just 90 miles from Cuba — and the island city’s culture reflects that geographic closeness. In fact, an important Cuban heritage center can be found at 516 Duval St. in the heart of Key West’s historic district.

The San Carlos Institute was established in 1871 to preserve Cuban culture and promote the freedom of Cuba, which at the time was ruled by Spain. In 1892, famed Cuban revolutionary leader José Martí launched his drive for Cuba’s independence in a pivotal speech from the balcony of the San Carlos.

The majestic San Carlos is a leading Cuban heritage site. (Photo courtesy of the San Carlos Institute)

Marti loved the San Carlos so much that he called it “La Casa Cuba.” The landmark institute now serves as a museum, library, art gallery, theater and school (and hosts many of Key West’s leading special events each year).

Its museum exhibits focus on Cuba’s history and the history of the Cuban-American community in Florida — including an inspiring collection of photographs and documents relating to José Martí. 

Want to know more about Florida Keys history and unique sites to visit? Click here to begin your exploration.

Topics: Environment, History, Islamorada, Key West, Local Color, Marathon, Voices Main Archive

My husband and I got married in a Florida Keys park beside the Atlantic Ocean, less than half a mile from the home we still share.

Was it the bride or the groom that the passing angler was trying to rescue from matrimony? We'll never know. (Photo by Richard Watherwax)

We wanted a simple wedding, one that reflected the easygoing way we live. We had no idea that our ceremony would be serendipitously blessed by a pod of dolphins frolicking just offshore, or that our golden retriever “flower dog” would unexpectedly abandon his duties and take off, tail wagging, for the nearby beach — followed by our startled four-year-old flower girl.

And we certainly didn’t expect that a sport fishing boat would motor by and one of its anglers would offer us a wedding-day message.

Spotting the celebratory crowd, and a man and woman obviously about to tie the knot, he cupped his hands around his mouth and hollered across the water, “It’s not too late — JUMP! We’ll pick you up!”

Was he trying to rescue my husband-to-be from the perils of matrimony? Or me? We’ve laughed about the incident many times since that day, but we’ll never know.

Actually, we’ve laughed about a number of offbeat wedding occurrences (including the wandering flower dog). Though we could have held our ceremony practically anywhere in the U.S. or Caribbean, we know our beloved Keys were the perfect spot.

Couples in love can have a dolphin for their "best man" at Islamorada's Theater of the Sea. (Photo courtesy of Theater of the Sea)

We’re far from alone; the Florida Keys are one of the country’s top wedding destinations.

Why? For one thing, the attitude is very easygoing and informal — which means much of the stress of typical wedding planning simply doesn’t happen. Terrific planners can be found from Key Largo to Key West to handle every detail.

Plus, a visit to the Keys is generally regarded as a lighthearted vacation occasion for the entire wedding group — so the experience of the wedding becomes a unique, eagerly anticipated occasion for everyone involved.

And once the wedding party and guests arrive, they’ll be happily entertained. So many activities can be arranged for family and friends — from deep-sea fishing to tall ship sailing excursions to salon services — that the bride and groom don’t need to worry about taking care of their guests. Instead, they can focus on the deepening of their relationship and their lives together.

Another plus is that, while the Keys certainly host formal weddings, many are delightfully informal. The “tux and unflattering bridesmaids’ dress” cliché simply doesn’t have to apply.

What could be more romantic than a horse-drawn carriage as your wedding transportation? (Photo courtesy of Island Horse Drawn Carriage, Inc.)

Shorts or khakis for men and pretty sundresses for women are popular wedding attire, making the wedding a more laid-back and comfortable experience for the whole group (and eliminating the cost of an item that’s worn only once).

And the food options couldn’t be better — whether gourmet or waterfront casual. Many Keys restaurants overlook marinas, beaches or world-class sunset spots, and can easily accommodate groups.

Imagine a reception menu of fresh local seafood: sweet Key West pink shrimp and stone crab claws, conch fritters and chowder, Key lime pie and dishes with a Caribbean or Cuban flair.

Naturally, more traditional cuisine is also available — and trust me, Keys caterers are happy to provide full onsite service at wedding hotspots like Key West’s Ernest Hemingway Home & Museum.

Golden retrievers make excellent "flower dogs" for Keys weddings -- unless they wander off! (Photo courtesy of Crystal Ruffo)

Looking for a setting for intriguing wedding photos? Try the water’s edge with a famed Keys sunset as the backdrop, a historic Civil War-era fort, the Southernmost Point that marks the southernmost spot of land in the continental U.S., or the tiny island of Pigeon Key beneath the Old Seven Mile Bridge near Marathon.

Or pose in a horse-drawn carriage on an Islamorada beach, or cruising on Key Largo’s restored African Queen (yes, the actual boat used in the classic Bogart film).

In fact, if you’re making wedding plans of any kind, consider saying your “I Dos” in the Keys. Just remember to avoid wandering anglers — and keep an eye on your flower dog!

Topics: Big Pine Key & Lower Keys, Highlights, Islamorada, Key Largo, Key West, Local Color, Marathon, Voices Main Archive

“Today’s the day!” That was the cry of Mel Fisher every day as he and his dedicated crew searched for the shipwreck of the Spanish galleon Nuestra Señora de Atocha, sunk in the waters of the Gulf of Mexico in 1622.

Adventurer Mel Fisher, discoverer of the shipwrecked Spanish galleon Atocha, proved that the American dream is thriving -- at least in the Keys. (Photo provided by Mel Fisher's Treasures)

Key West has become known as a locale where age discrimination is non-existent. And well it might — what with residents of all ages owning businesses, chartering fishing boats, and taking part in virtually all the activities of the island. One of the most adventurous seniors ever to live and work in Key West was Mel Fisher.

Mel and his crew had been searching in Keys waters for the Atocha without success until, in 1971 they found a Spanish anchor. The search continued with limited but encouraging results — until 1975, when Mel’s son Kane found a silver bar whose numbers identified it with the manifest of the Spanish galleon. They knew they were on the right track to discover the fabled shipwreck and the treasures and artifacts it held.

And discover it they did, after ten more years of searching. On July 20, 1985, when Mel Fisher was 63 years old, his crew uncovered a reef of silver bars. They had found the Atocha at last!

Recovering the treasures and artifacts, and performing painstaking underwater archaeology on the site, went on for many years. In fact, Mel himself continued diving until the age of 76. Riches beyond anyone’s expectations, and historic artifacts that were equally important, were discovered at the wrecksite of the Spanish galleon.

Mel and Deo Fisher were early SCUBA pioneers before they became shipwreck seekers. (Photo provided by Mel Fisher's Treasures)

Mel Fisher was born in Hobart, Indiana — an unlikely place to spawn an expert deep-sea diver. Some claim he was influenced by Robert Louis Stevenson’s “Treasure Island.” In any event, he was fascinated by the brand-new sport of diving and became one of its pioneers.

After a stint as a chicken farmer in California, Mel became enamored with diving rivers and turned his focus to the dive business. He and wife Deo opened a dive shop, and Mel expanded his efforts to dive on shipwrecks.

He developed a fascination with shipwreck salvage, which eventually led him to Florida and the Keys. The rest is history.

The Mel Fisher Maritime Museum in Key West is the resting place for many of the priceless objects Mel found. There visitors can learn more about the discovery of the Atocha and the Santa Margarita, another galleon from Spain’s 1622 fleet, and view treasure ranging from gold bars to contraband emeralds. Located at 200 Greene St., the museum is open 365 days a year.

A diver examines gold bars and chains on the site of the Nuestra Se–nora de Atocha shipwreck about 35 miles off Key West. (Photo by Pat Clyne/Mel Fisher Maritime Museum)

In honor of the illustrious Mel Fisher, who died in 1998, a festival called Mel Fisher Days is held each year to celebrate his historic discovery. This year’s celebration is scheduled for July 11-14 with events including a costume contest, block party, “treasure brunch” and a meet-and-greet with crewmembers who helped salvage the legendary shipwreck.

Ever the dreamer, the optimist, and a model of perseverance, the late Mel Fisher is an inspiration to seniors. His motto of “Today’s the Day!” is a valuable reminder that each day can bring excitement, promise, and treasure — as long as you have the vision to look for it.  

Topics: Highlights, History, Key West, Local Color, On the Water, Profiles, Senior Adventures, Voices Main Archive

Career paths are rarely preordained. Instead, they might develop around hobbies, interests and learned skills until an opportunity appears that’s a perfect fit. That’s what happened for Rick Hederstrom.

Rick Hederstrom has found a fulfilling career as the ethnobotanist at Key Largo's beautiful Kona Kai Resort, Gallery and Botanic Gardens. (Photos courtesy of Rick Hederstrom)

Rick started out as a young golf-pro-hopeful and detoured into drafting car designs.

But his life changed completely when he came across the owners of Key Largo’s Kona Kai Resort, Gallery and Botanic Gardens — and he became their first-ever resident ethnobotanist.

Rick had actually gotten his degree in ethnobotany, the study of the relationships that exist between plants and people, at prestigious Connecticut College. Through what he called divine intervention, he received enough financial grants to fully cover the staggering $43,000 yearly tuition.

Grounded in a strong Catholic faith and kinship with the outdoors and nature, Rick is fascinated with the healing qualities of plants. That led him to pursue ethnobotany, figuring it had more long-term career potential than practicing on golf greens or drawing concept cars indoors at a drafting table.

“I was initially most interested in plants’ usefulness as medicine and perhaps playing a role in developing new treatments and cures from plants,” he said.

During garden tours, Rick explains the origins and uses for many tropical plants -- including the unusual pitcher plant that's considered a carnivore.

When the chance came to study abroad in his junior year, he wound up in the Peruvian Andes and rainforest for three months — immersed in fieldwork with the people of Cuzco and the outlying lowlands, learning how they used plants in everyday life.

“For [Peruvians], the use of plants is a very serious ritual experience and forms the basis of their world view,” Rick explained. “Ayahuasca, a mixture of certain plants, is intensely spiritual, hallucinogenic and is conducive to a positive healing or state of peace.” 

The Botanic Gardens at Kona Kai strive to blend enrichment, enlightenment, education and enjoyment. Today, as the facility’s associate director, Rick offers insights to visitors into the crucial roles plants play in our survival.

Guests touring the gardens learn that each living, breathing organism has a name, a story to tell and a complexity and beauty beyond being just a lovely green object. They also can sample delicious fruits he selects from the tropical fruit garden.

“Coconut water from the coconut palms’ fruit provides a valuable source of fresh water, and can substitute as intravenous fluid for hydration,” Rick said, “because it is sterile and has the right balance of minerals and electrolytes.”

Rick skilfully mixes electronic music when he indulges his "hidden passion" for deejaying.

As well as sharing his knowledge, his job includes inventorying the gardens’ plant collections, photographing and noting their condition as well as their flowering and fruiting, and choosing new plants to be added to the collections as planning continues for the facility’s future. He also pens a blog titled “The Diary of the Botanic Gardens at Kona Kai.”

Rick spends much of his free time at home in spiritual or religious reading, prayer and meditation, or attending Mass and participating in activities at the Upper Keys’ San Pedro Catholic Church.

On another note, he admits to a whimsical desire to deejay in the Keys, mixing a variety of electronic music. But for now, he’s satisfied with motorcycle rides, exercising and spending time around the water.

“I feel great when I am outdoors, in communion with nature — God’s manifestation in its purest form,” he said.

Topics: Environment, Highlights, Key Largo, Local Color, Profiles, Voices Main Archive

Only the most senior of us senior citizens are old enough to remember Pigeon Key in its historic glory — but we all can visit the tiny island, which lies underneath the Old Seven Mile Bridge in the Middle Keys. And it’s well worth a visit, since there are very few sites as important in the history and development of the Florida Keys.

History buffs can visit the former Over-Sea Railroad work camp at Pigeon Key, lying beneath the historic Old Seven Mile Bridge. (Photo by Andy Newman, Florida Keys News Bureau)

The islet’s first claim to fame came during the construction of the Keys extension of the Florida East Coast Railroad, Henry Flagler’s ambitious undertaking that became known as the Florida Keys Over-Sea Railroad. Work on this massive project — a railroad whose track stretched nearly 100 miles “out to sea” to connect the Keys with mainland Florida and each other for the first time — began in 1905, but it was not completed until 1912.

One of the most challenging parts of Flagler’s enterprise was the construction of the Seven Mile Bridge just west and south of Marathon. For that, he needed workers and a place to house them. Pigeon Key was the ideal spot, so a construction camp was built to house several hundred workers.

When the railroad was completed, Pigeon Key became home to the maintenance workers. Its amenities included permanent homes, a school for children of married personnel and even a post office.

Pigeon Key's restored historic structures and tranquil atmosphere offer visitors a glimpse of the Over-Sea Railroad era. (Photo courtesy of the Pigeon Key Foundation)

Everything went according to plan after the railroad’s completion until the devastating hurricane of 1935. Instead of restoring the heavily damaged railroad, the powers that be decided to construct a two-lane road through the Keys to Key West. At that time, the U.S. was still in the throes of the Great Depression and the government sent hundreds of men to Pigeon Key to give them jobs building the road. 

Once completed, the highway served the Keys well. Many of the original bridges were modernized or replaced in the 1980s. I traveled the “new highway” all the way to Key West in its infancy, and I marveled at the construction miracles the workers had achieved.

Today Pigeon Key is thriving as home to the Pigeon Key Foundation, a non-profit organization founded in 1992 to preserve the cultural history of the Keys. Its Pigeon Key Marine Science Center oversees many educational programs.

The early homes have been restored, and the former home of one of the officials how houses a museum, with exhibits from the days of the former railroad and the original highway.

Educational programs are high on the list of the foundation’s projects, and daily guided tours are offered for visitors of all ages.

Pigeon Key has recently adopted solar power for its energy needs -- using today's technology to enhance the historic setting. (Photo by Andy Newman, Florida Keys News Bureau)

Believe me, touring the windswept island will make you feel like you’ve stepped back in time, becoming part of the simpler lifestyle that characterized the Keys decades ago. 

For a relaxing getaway, you can stay at the Pigeon Key guesthouse, a comfortable building that’s listed on the National List of Historic Places. The guesthouse sleeps 10, with two baths, a living room, and a kitchen. It’s a great place for a multi-generation family vacation, or for a group of friends to get together and reconnect in a tranquil, slow-paced setting.

For many years Pigeon Key could be accessed on foot across the Old Seven Mile Bridge. However, that avenue is now closed, and the only way to reach the historic island is by a short ferry ride from Knight’s Key. The ferry is an easier way for seniors to travel and is a delightful trip.

When Henry Flagler completed his railroad and realized his dream, he opened up the Florida Keys as a recreational area for people from around the United States and around the world. Those of us who love the island chain, whether as residents or eager visitors, will be forever glad he did!

Topics: Highlights, History, Local Color, Marathon, Senior Adventures, Voices Main Archive

The offbeat (and totally wonderful) island of Key West is characterized by a freewheeling exuberance and zest for life, spiced by a healthy irreverence — qualities that are mirrored in much of the visual art created in the unique spot. You can view the art, and meet the creative spirits behind it, during neighborhood art strolls held each month on the island. 

Art is ever-present in Key West -- like this large-scale gyotaku piece by Kim and Ian Workman that graces the island's airport terminal. (Photo by Rob O'Neal, Florida Keys News Bureau)

These strolls offer a vibrant visual feast — and a great chance to discover off-the-beaten-path galleries that spotlight the work of established artists and nurture the growth of talented newcomers.

Depending on the event, featured pieces might range from compelling oils and bronze sculptures to whimsical collages, handcrafted jewelry and woodwork, starkly beautiful black-and-white photographs or even the unusual fish prints called gyotaku.

Probably the best known of Key West’s neighborhood art strolls is the Walk on White. It’s held on the island city’s White Street from Southard to United streets and onto Truman Avenue on the third Thursday of each month.

The popular evening features exhibitions and receptions at galleries, shops and occasionally other venues.

Openings at The Studios of Key West are among the highlights of Key West's monthly Walk on White. (Photo courtesy of TSKW)

Highlight locations include Harrison Gallery, showcasing the elegant sculptural wood pieces of Helen Harrison and the musicianship of her husband Ben Harrison; the quirky and inviting Stone Soup Gallery, whose attractions include the vibrant paintings of Sean Callahan, and The Studios of Key West, offering regular exhibitions, performances, workshops and studio space. If you turn off White onto Truman Avenue, you’ll find fine art and functional pottery at Honest Works Island Pottery and dynamic new talents, multimedia and renegade art at Art Space Key West.

The upper end of Key West’s famed Duval Street is known for its eclectic galleries — and it comes alive with art exhibitions, receptions and culinary treats during the monthly Upper Duval Street Stroll. Explore galleries, boutiques and food and wine emporiums during the event that usually takes place on the first Friday of each month.

A monthly Upper Duval Street Stroll features inviting stops like SoDu Gallery, displaying the vibrant painted tableware of Janis Childs. (Photo courtesy of SoDu)

Featured locations include SoDu Gallery, displaying the vibrant painted tableware of Janis Childs and fine jewelry of Lainie Davia among other work; Frangipani Gallery, starring the colorful paintings of founder Fran Decker and others; Cocco and Salem Imagine Art, whose finest offerings are Jim Salem’s reverent studies of birds and the natural realm; and Gingerbread Square Gallery, showing the lush rainforest canvases of Sal Salinero and much more.

And don’t miss Kate’s Studio, where Kate Peachey’s paintings are showcased alongside Karen Moore’s Zen jewelry.

Key West’s Caroline and Greene streets and Historic Seaport neighborhood form a lively art and design district, site of the Art and Ambiance Walks spotlighting galleries and merchants on the first Thursday of each month. 

As well as the work of Sanchez and MacNelly, Gallery on Greene features Peter Vey's vivid artistry. (Photo courtesy of Gallery on Greene)

The most delightful stops are Gallery on Greene, whose vivid artistry includes the humor-filled images of Pulitzer Prize winner Jeff MacNelly and the painted bas-relief wood carvings of iconic Cuban-American folk artist Mario Sanchez; Lucky Street Gallery, with featured artists such as renowned sculptor John Martini and painter Rick Worth, and Art@830, where collections range from fine glasswork and jewelry to colorful paintings and wood art.

In addition to these worthwhile events, periodic group art and museum events take place in the Mallory Square area. They generally include exhibits and openings at the Key West Art Center, Custom House Museum, Harry S. Truman Little White House and Audubon House & Tropical Gardens.

Want to know more about the lively galleries, inspired artists and overall cultural scene in Key West and the Florida Keys? Just click here or here for the full picture! 

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

For much of the United States, summer typically kicks off Memorial Day weekend with parties, cook-outs, bar events, and friends gathering to toast the end of winter and the advent of warm weather and lazy days.

Military re-enactors stage a sea battle between two historic tall ships in the waters off "Fort Elizabeth Taylor."

Here in Key West we do recognize Memorial Day, but we usher in our summer with the Conch Republic Independence Celebration.

In a previous blog, I mentioned that a 1982 U.S. Border Patrol roadblock at the head of the Florida Keys Overseas Highway — and the subsequent searching of all vehicles leaving the Keys — led to our secession from the United States and the formation of the Conch Republic. We mark the anniversary each year with our very own festival of independence. 

This Friday, April 19, we raise the “colors” and take over Fort Zachary Taylor, (which we refer to as Fort Elizabeth Taylor). The fort, by the way, is part of a beautiful state park that contains the locals’ favorite beach.

When you visit Fort Elizabeth Taylor, a small admission fee gives you access to the beach, the park and picnic grounds, and the historic Civil War fort. During the Civil War, Key West was a Union outpost and three forts were constructed here.  

Discover the tranquil waterfront oasis created by the Key West Garden Club on the grounds of historic Fort West Martello. (Photo courtesy of the Key West Garden Club)

One of them is Fort East Martello, now a museum operated by the Key West Art and Historical Society. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, East Martello houses the famous possessed doll, Robert. 

West Martello Tower, another pre-Civil War fort, today is the home of the Key West Garden Club.  It’s open daily, so you can stop by and tour the gardens. 

Several annual plant and orchid shows are held here. I stock up on my orchids, and bromeliads at great prices!

While they were never completed and never saw combat, the Martello Towers played a part in housing troops and signaling, and were lookout posts.

Getting back to our independence celebration, we gather for block parties, a battle in the harbor, the famous Drag Race on Saturday, April 20, and the Red Ribbon Bed Race on the following Saturday, April 27.  

For some added color, we throw in the annual Conch Cruiser Car Show, set for Sunday, April 21, at the Schooner Wharf Bar. This is not your typical classic automobile show, but a mix of creative autos, bikes, motorcycles, and vehicles with one to four wheels that make for unique photo opportunities.

Even NBC "Today" weatherman Al Roker (left) and anchor Matt Lauer are fans of the irreverent Conch Republic. (Photo by Andy Newman, Florida Keys News Bureau)

On Thursday, April 25, the so-called World’s Longest Parade steps off on Duval Street somewhere around 8 p.m. This exuberant promenade draws the Conch Republic’s militia and supporters — plus a potpourri of pirates, wenches, the Sons of Italy, and a sprinkling of our elected officials.

It’s easy to visit during the Conch Republic Independence Celebration. Flight, driving, and lodging information is available on the Florida Keys website; lodging information can also be found on the Key West Business Guild website.

If you can’t make the celebration, check the calendar for upcoming events in Key West and the Florida Keys. There’s always something fun happening on the islands that will sweep you away from reality and change your perspective on life. 

In fact, many of us here came for a visit and soon packed our stuff and relocated to the Conch Republic. Just ask people you meet; we all have great stories about how we ended up living on the continental United States’ southernmost — and most wonderful — island.

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