Kellie Butler Farrell
Kellie Butler Farrell is a journalist who calls Islamorada home. Kellie spent two decades in television news and also taught journalism at Barry University in Miami and Zayed University in Abu Dhabi, UAE. She loves being outside, whether spending time on the water or zipping down the Old Highway on her electric bike, Kellie is always soaking up the island lifestyle. Kellie and her husband own an electric bike rental company, Keys Ebikes.
ISLAMORADA RESORT CHANGES HANDS FROM ONE FAMILY TO ANOTHER
Take a stroll through the lushly landscaped grounds of Pines and Palms Resort in Islamorada and prepare to be taken back in time. The 4-acre oceanfront resort has a relaxing Old Florida feel. Small, colorful cottages dot the meticulously raked beach overlooking Alligator Reef. Here, stress just melts away.
This...
MOSQUITO MADNESS: TROPICAL WEATHER IN JUNE CREATED A PERFECT BREEDING GROUND
Every day, mosquito control field inspector Ryan Rodriguez literally invites mosquitoes to settle down on him so he can conduct what is called a landing rate count. Rodriguez does this at six different locations in the Upper Keys, starting at 7 every morning.
"You have to shake up the bushes,...
CORAL SHORES GRADUATE TAKES PASSION & TALENT FOR DANCING TO NYC
Dancer and choreographer Jake Craig is going places. For the women who know him best, his mother and his coach, his success is not surprising.
"He's just super naturally talented and then he has the work ethic to pick up the training," said Stephanie Zlockie, Jake's dance instructor and the...
RED BULL WAKEBOARDERS UNFAZED BY TROPICAL STORM IN THE FLORIDA KEYS
As Tropical Storm Alex churned in the Gulf of Mexico, five athletes from the elite Red Bull wakeboarding team ironed out final details for their Keys waterways adventure. Unfazed by the first storm of the 2022 hurricane season, the group arrived in Key Largo for what was sure to...
LOCAL AUTHOR’S LOVE LETTER TO THE KEYS MAKES A SPLASH WITH STUDENTS
Plantation Key School fourth graders were all ears and overflowing with questions during a recent visit by author S.A. (Salli Anne) Rodriguez. "What kind of dive certified are you?" asked one student. "Our teacher's a divemaster," added another.
Rodriguez was invited into the PKS media center to read a few...
FORMER OLYMPIC SKATER SAYS IT’S ALL ABOUT WORKING WITH WHAT YOU HAVE
It's often said that in this quirky, sun-baked, fabulous island chain, you never know who could be sitting right next to you. If you happen to take a chair yoga class at Founders Park, you just might find yourself seated next to an Olympian.
"1964 was my Olympic year with...
BABY FORMULA SHORTAGE CAUSES STRESS FOR KEYS FAMILIES
Tomoe Ventura's year-old grandson Kairo has a milk protein allergy. Recently, the frustrated Marathon grandmother found herself scrambling to find baby formula.
"We didn't have it in Marathon and I called CVS in Big Pine and they didn't have it and they told me they did not have anything hypoallergenic,"...
ANNUAL SAILING REGATTA IN MEMORY OF CRIS SANDIFER BUILDS WOMEN’S CONFIDENCE
By Kellie Butler Farrell
The backdrop was stunning, the action exhilarating and the atmosphere competitive, yet festive.
On April 16, 39 women from the Upper Keys Sailing Club hoisted their sails for the 4th annual Cris Sandifer Women's Regatta. Sandifer was a local artist and an avid sailor who encouraged women...
