http://www.keysvoices.com The people, places and atmosphere that enliven the Florida Keys & Key West Thu, 02 Feb 2012 22:34:39 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en The official Florida Keys Over-Sea Railroad centennial celebration ended Jan. 23 (and it was a great joy to be part of the once-in-a-lifetime event). But even though that date has passed, you can still explore sites, exhibits and landmarks recalling the world-renowned railroad that, in 1912, connected the Keys with ... http://www.keysvoices.com/2012/02/02/over-sea-railroad-history-lives-on-beyond-centennial/ The list reads like a “Who’s Who” of significant Florida Keys artists: Jim Salem, William Welch, Jon McIntosh, Sal Salinero, Carrie Disrud, Sean Callahan, Julie Joyce, Gale Upmal, Fran Decker, Ann Irvine, Keith Bland, Anja Marais, Jimm Sherrington and more than 60 others who are equally significant. [caption id="attachment_4315" align="alignright" width="250" ... http://www.keysvoices.com/2012/01/26/explore-keys-artistry-at-jan-28-mckee-fund-auction/ Often I’m asked what there is to do in Key West. That’s a loaded question, because our little island has so many options that it’s difficult to describe — and impossible to do everything. [caption id="attachment_4347" align="alignright" width="250" caption="Ladies in early 1900s attire participate in a recent Key West parade to ... http://www.keysvoices.com/2012/01/26/what-to-do-in-key-west-%e2%80%94-where-do-we-begin/ Just about 100 years ago, a five-year-old Key West girl was chosen to present a special bouquet of flowers to Henry Flagler’s wife Mary Lily on the day that marked the completion of Flagler’s Florida Keys Over-Sea Railroad. Those plans fell through — but a century later, at 105 years old, ... http://www.keysvoices.com/2012/01/19/100-years-after-over-sea-railroad-debut-flagler-%e2%80%98flower-girl%e2%80%99-gets-bouquet/ While most kids who visit New York’s Coney Island find themselves enthralled by the rides, sights and sounds of the boardwalk, Pasta Pantaleo found himself obsessed with a large replica sailfish. [caption id="attachment_4255" align="alignleft" width="250" caption="Islamorada resident and gallery owner Pasta Pantaleo is internationally acclaimed as a gamefish artist. (All photos ... http://www.keysvoices.com/2012/01/12/pasta-pantaleo-cultivating-keys-culture/ We’re halfway through January and the weather here in Key West has been glorious. After a couple of cool days, we’re back into the 70’s — with shorts, T- shirts, and sandals the appropriate winter wear. [caption id="attachment_4282" align="alignright" width="250" caption="Even Key West canines, like "blog dog" Giulio shown here, have ... http://www.keysvoices.com/2012/01/12/a-taste-of-the-florida-keys-awaits-january-visitor/ You had to be there, and boy am I glad I was. There’s nothing — absolutely nothing — like New Year’s Eve in Key West. [caption id="attachment_4230" align="alignright" width="250" caption=""Keys Voices" author/editor Carol Shaughnessy (in shoe at left) and her friend Maria Newman try Sushi's shoe on for size. (All photos ... http://www.keysvoices.com/2012/01/05/dachshunds-and-drag-queen-starred-in-key-west%e2%80%99s-new-year%e2%80%99s-eve/ Standard Oil millionaire Henry Flagler conceived the Florida Keys Over-Sea Railroad in the early 1900s, and the first train traveled from the Florida mainland to Key West Jan. 22, 1912. Today historians credit the railroad, officially named the Key West Extension of the Florida East Coast Railway, with making possible ... http://www.keysvoices.com/2011/12/29/why-the-florida-keys-over-sea-railroad-centennial-really-matters/ The countdown is on and 2011 will soon be part of our memories of good times shared — and we’ll be looking forward to the adventures 2012 will bring us!  The Mayan prophesies might say there’s just a year left until the world’s demise, but you’d never know it, given ... http://www.keysvoices.com/2011/12/29/it%e2%80%99s-showtime-a-backstage-view-of-key-west%e2%80%99s-theater-highlights/ ‘Twas the night before Christmas and all through the Keys smiling holiday revelers savored the breeze. But in other locations, nobody was smiling as they braved freezing temperatures far from the islands. [caption id="attachment_4190" align="aligncenter" width="250" caption="A trio of canine "kids" awaits the arrival of Santa Keys. (Photo by Mary Threlkeld)"][/caption] While Keys visitors partied ... http://www.keysvoices.com/2011/12/22/4184/