KEY WEST, FL, June 16, 2025— The College of the Florida Keys (CFK) is holding an Academic Info Week for prospective students to learn about academic and Career Technical Education (CTE) opportunities via eight virtual events, to be held June 23-26. The events will showcase information about the credentials (certificates, associate and baccalaureate degrees) available within each program, curriculum, career opportunities, and student experiences. Attendees will hear directly from faculty, academic leaders, current students, and/or recent alumni. CFK will waive the $30 admissions application fee for participants who have not yet applied to the College. Registration for the events is required. Visit the College’s website at www.cfk.edu/events to learn more and to register.
 
Academic Info Week Schedule:
Monday, June 23:
·         5:30 p.m.- Health Sciences- Nursing, Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), Emergency Medical Services (EMS), and Paramedic
·         6:30 p.m.- Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice
Tuesday, June 24:
·         5:30 p.m.- Associate in Arts and Education
·         6:30 p.m.- Marine Engineering, Management & Seamanship and Welding
Wednesday, June 25:
·         5:30 p.m.- Engineering Technology- Renewable Energy Technician
·         6:30 p.m.- Diving and Marine Science
Thursday, June 26:
·         5:30 p.m.- Culinary Management and Hospitality & Ecotourism Management
·         6:30 p.m.- Business
CFK’s fall semester begins August 19 and the deadline to apply is August 1. For assistance with becoming a student, contact Marissa Owens, CFK Manager of Recruitment, at [email protected] or call 305-809-3207.
 

Key West, FL—On Friday, July 4, those who share a passion for pie and Florida’s most sensational citrus are invited to the sandy shore of the Southernmost Beach Café, 1405 Duval Street, where the 2025 World Famous Key Lime Pie Eating Championship is to take center stage in true tropical style.

A tart and tangy twist on New York’s classic Fourth of July hotdog-eating contest, the Key Lime pie showdown has grown into a fan-favorite tradition since its 2013 launch. Each year, up to 25 daring contestants plunge face first into an equal number of 9-inch whipped-cream topped Key Lime pies, racing against their competitors and the clock, with no hands allowed.

Last year’s champ, Hector Rodriguez of Tegucigalpa, Honduras, devoured his pie in an impressive 1 minute, 58.52 seconds. But the record to beat remains a blistering 40:57 seconds, achieved in 2018 by attorney Trey Bergman of Houston, TX, who also claimed victory in 2017 with a time of 51:92 seconds. Key West locals have seen their share of triumph too: Chris Shultz in 2022: 74 sec; David Johnson in 2019: 58.2 sec; Steve Carr in 2015: 78 sec; Tony Mantia in 2014: time not recorded and Gary Delos Santos in 2013; TNR.

“There are eating contests all over the world, but none match the mess—or the magic—of ours,” said Nadene Grossman Orr, Key Lime Festival Director/CEO of We’ve Got the Keys. It’s the Southernmost in the U.S.A. and the most spectacularly sloppy.”

Key Lime pies, declared the official state pie in 2006 by the Florida Legislature, are traditionally made with condensed milk, egg yolks and the juice of Key limes within a graham cracker crust and topped with whipped cream or meringue. Competition pies will measure 9 inches (23-centimeters); competitors may not use utensils or their hands, though goggles and dive masks are fair game.
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The World Famous Key Lime Pie Eating Championship at the Southernmost Beach Café kicks off at 1:30pm but the attractions begin at 10:00am with the opening of the Key Lime Vendor Village, and music, games and activities starting at 11:00am.
 
The World Famous Key Lime Pie Eating Championship is the centerpiece event of the Key Lime Festival, a five-day celebration of Florida’s most sensational citrus, which runs from July 2-July 6. Presented in part by the Monroe County Tourist Development Council and We’ve Got the Keys, admission to the competition is free, cost to compete is $30 with online pre-registration, $50 day-of, and is open to those aged 18 and up. For registration links and a full calendar of events, visit http://www.keylimefestival.com.

Key West, Fla. — A 20-day “Summer Solstice Celebration” embracing the pageantry, enchantment and mystical significance of the Summer Solstice continues at Key West’s waterfront Mallory Square, with high-energy live performances, nightly special attractions, and artisan demonstrations through June 20.

Highlights to date include a collaborative showcase Sunday, June 15, by “Juggling Jase” Anderson and “Reidiculous Reid” Conklin featuring comedy, whip cracking and elevated juggling. The two entertainers grew up together honing their showmanship at the famous nightly Mallory Square Sunset Celebration, where they typically perform individual acts, and also tour around the U.S. and other locales.

“Summer Solstice Celebration” attractions also include appearances by “The Loud Mime” Will Flederman, returning to Key West for a limited engagement after enthralling U.S. and international audiences with a blend of classic vaudeville, circus stunts and irreverent comedy; demonstrations of creative magic by artists and craftspeople, traditional solstice activities such as making flower crowns, and local vendors’ wares for body and spirit.
“Summer Solstice Celebration” festivities culminate June 20 in an evening honoring the powerful solstice itself — the longest day of the year when the sun’s energy is strongest.
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Coordinated by the Key West Cultural Preservation Society, organizer of the nightly, year-round Mallory Square Sunset Celebration, the “Summer Solstice Celebration” is presented in part by the Monroe County Tourist Development Council. Visit sunsetcelebration.org for more information and a schedule of nightly events.

KEY WEST, Fl – JUNE 13, 2025 – Lower Keys Medical Center and Keys Medical Group recognized the first recipient of the Keys Medical Group O.A.R. award – Jessica Phelps, RN, Keys Medical Group Orthopedics. The Outstanding Achievement and Recognition program celebrates employees who demonstrate exceptional commitment to patients and co-workers.
 
Director of Keys Medical Group, Brad Lutz, said, “Congratulations to Jessica. She has been recognized by her peers for her strong work ethic, teamwork, and compassionate approach to patient care. Patients want to feel that they are being heard. Jessica makes sure they know we are listening.”
 
About Lower Keys Medical Center
Lower Keys Medical Center is an acute care community hospital offering 24 hour emergency department services. Accreditations include The Joint Commission Acute Care Hospital Program and Primary Stroke Center, and American College of Cardiology Chest Pain Center.

​Ed Simon has been selected as the Executive Vice President and Chief Sales Officer for Visit Florida Keys & Key West. With more than three decades of expertise in travel and tourism and a deep and powerful network of industry relationships, Simon is poised to further position the Florida Keys & Key West as a premier global travel destination.
 
As Executive Vice President and Chief Sales Officer, Simon will drive the strategic direction of both sales and business development efforts, with a keen focus on leisure sales, group meetings, events, and long-term partnerships — all to benefit the Florida Keys community.
 
Simon’s extensive background in leading sales initiatives and motivating teams includes roles as Executive Vice President for Visit Lauderdale (the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau) where he led the sales, sports business development, and destination services divisions. His efforts played a pivotal role in growing the nationwide sales team, preparing them for the expansion of the Broward County Convention Center. In recognition of his contributions, he was named the 2019 South Florida Hospitality Sales & Marketing Professional of the Year by the Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International (HSMAI).
 
Simon also served as Vice President of Sales for Destination Hotels, and Regional Vice President of Sales & Marketing with Remington Hotels. He began his career with Associated Luxury Hotels, where he spent 17 years building a stellar reputation in the industry. In 2016, Simon launched the Association Meeting Buyer’s Collective, an innovative cooperative marketplace serving associations and their hotel partners. It’s this spirit of innovation and ingenuity that makes him the ideal candidate for this pivotal role.
 
“Ed’s strategic vision, innovative mindset and deep industry expertise will be instrumental as we amplify our sales initiatives and broaden our reach in key global markets,” said Kara Franker, President and CEO for Visit Florida Keys. “His track record of driving growth and leading high-performing teams speaks for itself, and we feel extremely fortunate to welcome him.”
 
Simon earned his Bachelor of Science in Hotel, Restaurant & Institutional Management from Penn State University, which led him to begin his hospitality journey in food and beverage with Hyatt Hotels. He has been a dedicated member and leader in several industry associations, including American Society of Association Executives (ASAE), the Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA), Meeting Planners International (MPI), and the Association Management Company (AMC) Institute.

​Virtual events for career training programs on June 25 & 26

On Wednesday, June 18th, the History of Diving Museum will host CW4 Michael Carr (Retired) for Diving and Salvage Operations at 7 p.m. In this presentation, Michael will take you through the underwater salvage operations he was involved in.
 
Michael Carr is a retired US military officer and a US Navy trained Ship Salvage Diving Officer (SSDO). He served as officer in charge of the Coast Guard's National Strike Force Dive Team in the 1980s, participating in numerous diving, salvage, and rescue operations. After service in the US Coast Guard, he served as a Marine Warrant Officer in the Army watercraft community, deploying to combat operations in Iraq as part of Operation New Dawn.
 
Join Michael as he takes us through the diving and salvage operations in response to the Air Florida FLT 90 crash in the Potomac River, as well as the sinking of the SS Marine Electric off the coast of Virginia. This presentation will focus on the disasters themselves as well as both the physical and emotional challenges faced by salvage divers.
 
The Museum will have extended hours on Immerse Yourself night, with the exhibits open until 6:45 PM. Be sure to come see the Celebrating 20 Years! Featured Exhibit, which explores what it took to create the world’s largest collection of diving equipment on public display, as well as how diving has evolved since the Museum’s opening.
 
If you are interested in attending the Immerse Yourself lecture either in-person or online via Zoom, visit divingmuseum.org to register. This session will also be recorded and posted to the HDM YouTube channel. The History of Diving Museum would like to thank this month’s Immerse Yourself sponsors: Iron Mike Member Retired Navy Admiral Kurt Tidd, and Horizon Divers.
 
The History of Diving Museum is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit located in Islamorada (MM83). Divers and non-divers alike are amazed by over 4,000 years of “the quest to explore under the sea.” The Museum has 14 core exhibits plus two annual limited-time Featured Exhibits as well as a Museum Store with unique gifts. Check out DivingMuseum.org for more details, to become a member or shop online.