IN PICTURES: SANTA CLAUS VISITS ISLAMORADA

Santa Claus and his Carolers make their 29th and final stop visiting Islamorada neighborhoods and children on Bee Street Sunday, December 11, 2022. U.S. Marines collected new and unwrapped toys to be donated to Toys For Tots during the event sponsored by the Islamorada Firefighters Benevolent Association and Islamorada Fire Rescue. Photo by Doug Finger

Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus hopped on the sleigh for the annual ride through Islamorada neighborhoods on Dec. 11. The sleigh, hauled by Chief Terry Abel’s truck, began on Lower Matecumbe. It headed north through various streets where kids and families eagerly awaited Santa’s arrival. Families had the chance to meet with Mrs. Claus and get pictures with Santa. Residents also donated unwrapped toys as part of the annual U.S. Marines Toys for Tots drive. The annual Santa ride is sponsored by the Islamorada Firefighters Benevolent Association and Islamorada Fire Rescue. 

Jim McCarthy
Jim McCarthy is one of the many Western New Yorkers who escaped the snow and frigid temperatures for warm living by the water. A former crime & court reporter and city editor for two Western New York newspapers, Jim has been honing his craft since he graduated from St. Bonaventure University in 2014. In his 4-plus years in the Keys, Jim has enjoyed connecting with the community. “One of my college professors would always preach to be curious,” he said. “Behind every person is a story that’s unique to them, and one worth telling. As writers, we are the ones who paint the pictures in the readers minds of the emotions, the struggles and the triumphs.” Jim is past president of the Key Largo Sunset Rotary Club, which is composed of energetic members who serve the community’s youth and older populations. Jim is a sports fanatic who loves to watch football, hockey, mixed martial arts and golf. He also enjoys time with family and his new baby boy, Lucas, who arrived Oct. 4, 2022.