Locals honor who and what makes this city great

A group of people sitting at a table - Public Relations

***See the Winners Here***

The Best of Marathon awards banquet was a sell out affair at the Key Colony Beach City Hall last weekend. One hundred and fifty citizens took their seats at the tables and many more were crowded around tall cocktail tables for the event that celebrates what’s best about Marathon. All of Marathon’s councilmen attended, plus business owners, volunteers and Monroe County Sheriff Rick Ramsay.

The party-goers were dressed to the nines — Kathryn Rummery in a sea green dress and Key Colony Beach Commissioner Ryan in an all-white suit with pink accents. (That takes guts, man, guts. And you pulled it off.) Of course, Ryan was sitting at the Collectors Corners table garnished with a four-foot high trophy proclaiming it to be … the “best table.”

Marathon’s local trophy store didn’t miss the opportunity to make this ginormous “best table” tropy for self-promotion and then invite a ton of winners to sit at the table. They are back row: Lance Martin, Kent Loftus, Matt Anthony, Carolyn Anthony, Sarah Cizmas, Ann Long, Jason Long; front row: Lara Rutskin-Martin, Bridgette Loftus, Ryan Schraffenberger, and Julie Macomber. PHOTO BY MARY BETH MARTEL
Marathon’s local trophy store didn’t miss the opportunity to make this ginormous “best table” tropy for self-promotion and then invite a ton of winners to sit at the table. They are back row: Lance Martin, Kent Loftus, Matt Anthony, Carolyn Anthony, Sarah Cizmas, Ann Long, Jason Long; front row: Lara Rutskin-Martin, Bridgette Loftus, Ryan Schraffenberger, and Julie Macomber. PHOTO BY MARY BETH MARTEL

Emcees Jason Koler, Pete Chapman and Ginger Snead kept the commentary and jokes very clean. The funniest bit was some “alternate” names for the new Dynasty Marine fish aquarium such as “On Hernstadt’s Pond” and “Sharky’s Landing.” There was also a funny, fictional bit about a back-and-forth between Key Colony Beach and Marathon city councilmen discussing “demands” for the use of the facility.

The event was for a good cause. It raised almost $6,000 for a new playground at Kreative Kids. According to director Karen MacCrory, the kids’ play area is flooded every time it rains. The daycare needs to re-engineer the space and order new equipment.

“I can’t tell you how thankful I am for your support,” she said.

Last, but not least, Mike Puto was his usual gracious self, accepting plaques on behalf of those who could not attend.

The food was provided by Castaways, Key Colony Inn, Sparky’s, Cabana Breezes and The Hurricane. Desserts were provided by Sweet Savannahs, Baricci and Batterup Cupcakery. The alcohol for the event — including a raffled “cooler of cheer” — was donated by Ralph Lucignano of Marathon Liquors. The event was sponsored by The Weekly and the Rotary Club of Marathon. Major sponsors included Chapman Cardwell Capital Management, Island Breeze Realty, Collectors Corner and the Greater Marathon Chamber of Commerce. The photography was by Mary Beth Martel.

***See the Winners Here***