May 8, 2023 – (KEY WEST, FL). On Saturday, May 20, join Florida Keys historian Dr. Cori Convertito as she considers the history and sinking of the USS Maine as part of the Key West Art & Historical Society’s Distinguished Speaker Series. Her talk entitled, “Remember the Maine: 125th Anniversary of the Sinking” takes place from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Tropic Cinema, 416 Eaton Street.
The USS Maine, a 6682-ton second-class battleship, was built at the New York Navy Yard and commissioned in September 1895. Her active career was spent operating along the east coast of the United States and in the Caribbean, including much time in Key West. In January 1898, she was ordered to Havana, Cuba, to protect U.S. interests during a time of local insurrection and civil disturbances. Three weeks later, on 15 February, the battleship was sunk by a massive explosion that killed the great majority of her crew. “The ship receives considerable attention as the flashpoint that initiates the Spanish-American War and is the centerpiece for yellow journalism that proliferated during that era,” says Convertito. “Interest in this battleship has endured for 125 years and has, at times, provoked controversy as to the true cause of her sinking.” The presenter, Dr. Cori Convertito, has served as the curator and historian for the Key West Art & Historical Society for the last twelve years while also acting as an adjunct instructor of American History at the College of the Florida Keys. She received her Ph.D. in maritime history from the University of Exeter. She presents regularly at the US Naval Academy, the UK’s National Maritime Museum and is a Florida Humanities “Florida Talks” scholar. To reserve your spot at the lecture; visit kwahs.org/upcoming-events - $12 for KWAHS members, $15 for non-members. This program is sponsored in part by the Florida Department of State: Division of Arts and Culture, with additional support provided by The Helmerich Trust. For more information, contact Cori Convertito, Ph.D. at 305-295-6616 x507 or cconvertito@kwahs.org. Your Museums. Your Community. It takes an Island.
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Locals and visitors alike are invited to join some of their favorite Key West Artisan Market vendors during the dog days of summer at the Southernmost VFW Post 3911 for the all new Summer Mini Market!
Sunday, May 14 celebrates mother's day at the first market of the season with a special brunch and a complimentary mimosa for mom. There will be many opportunities for mom to pick out her own gift so it will be just right. The event will open at 10 am until 2 pm. Guests may purchase fresh produce, cheeses, orchids and plants, breads and dips, desserts, locally caught seafood, Rodriquez cigars, Latitude 24 Coffee and lots of other culinary treats along with many local artists, jewelry creators, photographers, candle makers and collection curators for your shopping pleasure. The VFW's air conditioned dining room will be open for a sit down breakfast, brunch or lunch with chef Mark serving up lots of fresh made options to tempt your palate. A full bar (inside and out) will offer mimosas, bloody mary's and all your favorite libations at the best prices on the island. Parking is plentiful courtesy of the Gulf Atlantic Bank (corner of 5th and N. Roosevelt) who also offers a convenient walk up ATM. As a courtesy, guests are asked not to park in PetSmart's spots unless making a stop at their store. The every other Sunday, 10 am to 2 pm event mirrors the Artisan Market regular season with 8 dates currently to include: May 14, May 28, June 11 , June 25, July 9, July 23, August 6 and August 20. The Key West Artisan Market at Higgs Beach is scheduled to resume November 5. For many additional vendors, be sure to visit the sister show, the Truman Waterfront Farmers Market, every Thursday from 2 pm to 7 pm year-round at the Truman Waterfront Park. Email Sean@dailyplan-it.net for more information or to become a vendor. May 8, 2023 – (KEY WEST, FL). The Key West Art & Historical Society has expanded the number of summer camp sessions and is now offering six one-week summer ArtCamps! at Fort East Martello Museum, 3501 South Roosevelt Boulevard. Beginning June 5, ArtCamp! will provide full-day, in-person, week-long summer camp experiences for curious learners aged 5 to 12. Campers will experience museum exhibits, enjoy the adjacent Martello Parade Grounds, and engage in fun activities, collaborative projects, and hands-on STEAM activities.
Using the art, history, and creativity of the Florida Keys as a jumping-off point, campers have the chance to engage in fun, inspired activities that will ignite their imaginations! Whether your camper enjoys piratical pursuits, creative expression with found objects, storytelling, or choosing their own adventure—or perhaps all four—the Key West Art & Historical Society offers a variety of options for summertime learning and exploration. “Due to the popularity of our other summer ArtCamp! sessions, we are delighted to add additional weeks of camp for our families,” says Kassandra Collett, education specialist for the Society. “Each week of camp explores a new art or history topic which immerses campers in exciting projects and fascinating history.” ArtCamp! will be staffed by the Key West Art & Historical Society’s experienced educators and learning experts. Five weekly sessions will be available throughout the months of June through August, beginning June 5 through August 4. The camp day will run from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The program kicks off with campers discovering what life was like for eighteenth century Caribbean pirates. There will be numerous pirate-themed activities, crafts, and codebreaking which will culminate in campers finding treasure in our local waters. Later camps include “Art in Nature,” a Wreckers Camp that will transport campers back in time to live a day in the life of a wrecking captain during Key West’s golden age, “Crafting with Beads,” “Out of this World Arts and Crafts,” and the ever-popular “Adventure Camp” in which campers are invited to work together on puzzles and projects to bring balance back to a mythical world. Summer ArtCamp! registration is currently open. The cost is $200 per week for Society members and $250 per week for non-members. Supplies for each camp are provided by the organization. Space is limited, early registration is encouraged. For additional information about ArtCamp!, visit www.kwahs.org/childrens-programs, or contact Kassandra Collett at 305-295-6616 x504, kcollett@kwahs.org. ArtCamp! is sponsored in part by the Department of State, Division of Arts and Culture, the Florida Council on Arts and Culture and the State of Florida, with additional support provided by The Helmerich Trust. Your Museums. Your Community. It takes an Island. KEY WEST, FL, May 9, 2023— The College of the Florida Keys invites prospective students, their family members, and the community to learn about CFK Academy at an information event on Thursday, May 18 at 5:30 p.m. at the new CFK Academy building on the Key West Campus. New Principal Dr. Wendy McPherson will present the academic acceleration opportunities available at the new tuition-free charter high school and provide a preview of possible class options. College representatives will answer questions and provide guidance about enrolling. Those interested in attending the event are asked to R.S.V.P. on the CFK Academy webpage at CFK.edu/CFKAcademy.
CFK Academy, which opens in August, focuses on college and career readiness with curriculum centered on science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) and Career Technical Education (CTE). Project-based learning experiences provide students with hands-on engagement in the learning process beyond the traditional classroom to develop communication, critical-thinking, and communication skills. CFK Academy students are encouraged to earn college credit through the College’s Dual Enrollment program in classes conveniently located on the same campus as the high school. Motivated students can graduate with their high school diploma as well as an associate degree, certificate, and/or industry certification. There is no cost to attend CFK Academy, including college-level classes. The application for the 2023- 24 school year can be found on the CFK website at CFK.edu/CFKAcademy. Space is limited. CFK Academy will start with grades nine through 11 in its inaugural year and will add grade 12 in the 2024- 25 school year. BIG PINE KEY, FL – The Monroe County Permitting Office on Big Pine Key that was operating from the Monroe County Public Library Big Pine Key branch will reopen at 179 Key Deer Blvd, next to the UPS Store in the Winn-Dixie Shopping Plaza on Wednesday, May 10. Office hours will be Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
For permitting information, visit www.monroecounty-fl.gov/permitting. MONROE COUNTY BICENTENNIAL SUNSET CELEBRATION TO TAKE PLACE AT THE OLD 7 MILE BRIDGE MAY 195/9/2023 MARATHON, FL – The Monroe County Board of County Commissioners cordially invites the public to its upcoming bicentennial Sunset Celebration, set to take place on the Old 7 Mile Bridge on May 19 from 6 p.m. to sunset. The event promises to be an unforgettable evening of music, food, and friends as we commemorate the 200th anniversary of our great county.
Henry Flagler’s Old 7 Mile Bridge is an iconic and historic landmark that spans from Marathon to Pigeon Key and is the perfect setting for this momentous occasion. Guests can enjoy a beautiful Florida Keys sunset while listening to live music by the 79th Street Band, dancing on the bridge, and savoring delicious locally inspired appetizers from Marathon High School’s culinary class and beverages from locally grown produce from Grimal Grove. The U.S. Navy will also host a flyover at 7 p.m. across the bridge. The Navy is also celebrating 200 Years in Monroe County this year. Beer and wine will be available for a charge through the Marathon Rotary. As the sun sets at 8:05 p.m., a celebratory toast will be made to honor our past and present County commissioners for their tireless dedication to making Monroe County a great place to live, work, and play. Monroe County was the 6th county admitted into the Florida territory and used to span from Lake Okeechobee to Key West. Today, it encompasses the entire Florida Keys island chain and a mostly uninhabited region of Everglades National Park and Big Cypress National Preserve on the mainland. “We are excited to celebrate 200 years of Monroe County with our community through events like this taking place throughout the Florida Keys,” said Monroe County Commissioner Michelle Lincoln. “The sunset celebration will be a wonderful opportunity for residents and visitors to come together and enjoy an evening of fun and festivity in the Middle Keys.” This event is open and free to the public. There will be free parking for the event with Pigeon Key’s trolley available from the City of Marathon 7 Mile Bridge Marina (the old Salty’s) and Monroe County Transit from 33rd Street Stanley Switlik school parking area. There will be no parking available at the bridge. The unofficial afterparty will take place at Overseas Pub and Grill in Marathon following sunset. For more information, please visit www.monroecounty-fl.gov/flkeys200. Other upcoming events to celebrate 200 years of Monroe County include the Islamorada Chamber of Commerce Sea-to-Table event on Saturday, June 10 at 6:30 p.m. (islamoradachamber.com), a free Patriotic Family Picnic taking place at Rowell’s Park on Saturday, June 17 from noon to 3 p.m., culminating in the 200 Year Firework and Laser Light Show in conjunction with Lower Keys Rotary on Monday, July 3 at 5 p.m. at Big Pine Key Community Park, when the county will attempt to regain its rightful title of having the world’s largest Key Lime Pie. KEY LARGO, FL – Monroe County Mayor Pro Tem Holly Merrill Raschein visited the first week of the Keys Kids Swim program for Key Largo School kindergarteners provided through collaboration between Jacobs Aquatic Center in Key Largo, Monroe County School District, and Monroe County Parks and Beaches. Monroe County’s Parks and Beaches Director John Allen, Recreation Team Leader Kirrin Peart, and Maintenance Worker John Frank went through American Red Cross training to teach the kindergarteners how to swim. The two other instructors are Kim Musumeci and founder Tana Carson.
“As we speak, every Key Largo School kindergartener is being offered the opportunity to learn how to swim, and I couldn’t be prouder of this effort,” said Merrill Raschein, who has been a proponent of starting the swim classes for years. “This is a culmination of the right people at the right time with a common goal to better our community and make our children safer.” Keys Kids Swim is a water safety and swim lesson program that provides FREE swim lessons to students in kindergarten. For the Key Largo School students, swimming lessons and water safety training is being provided 5 days a week for 45 minutes a day for two weeks, with the first graduation being May 12. “We had 67 students on the first day, and there were quite a few who it was their first time in a pool and many others who will benefit from working on their swimming skills,” said Allen. “Living here in the Florida Keys surrounded by pools, canals, beaches, and open water, this is one of the most important lessons for a child to have.” The development of this pilot program was spearheaded by Florida Keys Kids and is supported by First Horizon Bank, Keys Children’s Foundation, Monroe County Board of County Commissioners, Monroe County School District, Jim “Doc” Bolini and Doc’s Diner, Quiescence Diving Services, Regan Roth Insurance, and Kenny and Stephanie Channels. The program directors hope to add additional Monroe County school kindergarteners to the program in the near future. Swim lessons will also be made available to Key Largo School students in first through eighth grade as needed from June 1 through August 30 at Jacobs Aquatic Center. If your student is in first to eighth grade at Key Largo School and needs swimming lessons this summer, email Peart-Kirrin@monroecounty-fl.gov for more information. Water safety tips from the Florida Dept. of Health in Monroe County
May 8, 2023 – (KEY WEST, FL). Visitors to the Key West Museum of Art & History have just a few more days to visit the exhibition “Bahama Village: Relics of a Fading Community” that features a collection of objects related to Key West’s historically Black neighborhood. The exhibition in the museum’s Bryan Gallery runs through Sunday, May 21.
“The response to the Bahama Village exhibit has been extraordinary, and it’s only been possible thanks to our incredible visitors, supporters, donors, and partners,” said Key West Art & Historical Society curator and historian Cori Convertito. “Living with the artifacts, images, and stories of Bahama Village in the museum gallery, one cannot help but be both moved and stirred by the influences and impacts of our own Black community.” Never-before-on-view objects include a football helmet and shoulder pads from Frederick Douglass School, musical instruments from the estate of William McKinzie, a nineteenth century Sanchez family bible, and a suit once belonging to illustrious local musician Coffee Butler. These items, along with several others, tell the inspiring history, culture, and roles of the Black residents. “While the exhibition was intended to be a temporary installation, we are hopeful that the narrative and many of the objects will ultimately find a permanent home in Bahama Village,” says Convertito. “In the interim, we are exploring ways to make the exhibition and educational resources available on the internet. These online resources will be a superb asset for researchers wanting to discover more about Key West and the contributions of its Black population.” The Key West Museum of Art & History is located at 281 Front Street and is open every day from 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. “Bahama Village: Relics of a Fading Community” is made possible by a select group of sponsors and supporters: the Florida Humanities, the Florida Department of State: Division of Arts and Culture, and the Helmerich Trust. For more information, contact Cori Convertito, Ph.D. at 305-295-6616 x507 or cconvertito@kwahs.org. Your Museums. Your Community. It takes an Island. Dr. John Bratton, Ph.D. featured speaker on Cuban Chugs at Key West Botanical Garden Speaker Series5/5/2023 KEY WEST, Florida Keys, FL, - The Key West Botanical Garden Society presents Dr. John Bratton, Ph.D., Professor and Chair, Department of Anthropology, University of West Florida on Saturday, May 20, 2023 at 1 pm in the Toppino Nature Chapel at the Key West Tropical Forest & Botanical Garden. Dr Bratton will be speaking on the Cuban Chug Conservation and Restoration Project, “Documenting Hope and Resolve”. This project will restore and protect the Garden’s existing Chug Exhibit of homemade migrant boats (Chugs). The Chug Exhibit is the only known collection of this size anywhere. Dr. Bratton will also discuss artifact conservation and maritime archaeology tracking the decades of history in relations between the Florida Keys and Cuba. Cubans have helped to build Key West for the last 200 years and their story is entrenched in the history of the City.
In 1980, 125,000 Cubans seeking refuge legally journeyed to Florida in boats from Mariel Harbor. The “Wet Foot/Dry foot” policy (1995-1917) allowed migrants to stay in the U.S. if they reached land. The Cuban Chub Exhibit was established 15 years ago and represents many decades of history. It is the only known collection of this size anywhere. The 10 boats tell a visual story of desperate migrants seeking freedom. The Garden is located at 5210 College Road on Stock Island, Key West. Admission is free for members and $10 for non-members. The event will also be recorded and available after this date on the Garden’s website. For more information go to www.keywest.garden or call 305-296-1504. KEY WEST, Florida Keys – Tomatoes are Ready! The native plant Nursery at the Key West Tropical Forest & Botanical Garden will be holding its monthly native plant sale from 9am to noon Saturday, May 20, 2023. Master Gardeners will be on site to answer any plant questions and plants that are available for sale are listed on the Garden’s website.
The Nursery contains 160 species of native plants available including Native & Cuban palms, Tomato and Pepper plants. The total nursery inventory totals more than 2,000 plants which attract birds, butterflies and other pollinators in 1-gallon to 15-gallon pots. Key West Botanical Garden members receive a 15% discount. The Garden is a 501 (c) 3 non-profit corporation and all proceeds directly benefit the Garden’s conservation program. The Garden is located at 5210 College Road on Stock Island. For more information call 305-296-1504 or visit www.keywest.garden. |
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