One of the best parts of living in a small island town is the incredible sense of community. People really do love to come out and help each other. This sense of giving is readily apparent after a disaster, but it never goes away. There is a lot of need in our community, and the approaching holidays bring that need to the front and center.
And that’s where this town shines. There are a lot of really cool and fun things happening around the Middle Keys, and each one will get you more in the holiday spirit as well as giving us all a chance to help out. Let’s get started with some stuff happening this weekend.
Friday, Oct. 28: Boo Bash Costume Contest at Havana Jack’s for Presents In Paradise. Come in your best costume for your chance to win some awesome prizes at the Middle Keys’ best Halloween bash! The Boo Bash has proven to be an incredibly fun family event and has really grown over the years. Havana Jack’s will have some tasty drink specials and great food, and a panel of celebrity judges will decide who has the best costumes. How celebrity? How about Sheriff Rick Ramsay, County Commissioner Michelle Coldiron, Marathon City Councilman Luis Gonzalez, Key Colony Beach Commissioner Beth Ramsay-Vickrey and Weekly Newspaper editor Alex Rickert? These are some local heavy-hitters! The Lady A Band will provide the tunes, and funds raised will go to help Presents In Paradise make Christmas possible for local working families just struggling to get by. The fun starts at 7 p.m., with the contest kicking off at 8 p.m.
Sunday, Oct. 30: Marathon High School Interact Club’s Coco Plum Beach Cleanup. Come with your own gloves and take a walk on Coco Plum Beach, and while you’re at it, take a bag and pick up some trash! The Interact Club’s regular cleanups have helped keep this beach in good condition, but they can use the community’s help. Sponsored by the Rotary Club of Marathon, the Interact Club can be found volunteering for many local events. Interact Club members don’t ask for much, so any help you can give them is truly appreciated. Besides, it’s a fun walk on a beautiful beach. The cleanup starts at 10 a.m.
Saturday, Nov. 5: Spaghetti dinner at the Elks Lodge for Presents In Paradise. Marathon Elks’ spaghetti dinners are legendary. Presents In Paradise is grateful to the Elks for hosting their big fundraiser dinner event. In addition to the tasty pasta, there will be a silent auction and a 50/50 raffle to benefit Presents. There will be some rockin’ live music from the amazing 79th Street Band and yours truly, plus a cash bar and a whole lot more fun and prizes. Your $20 donation includes the spaghetti dinner and the live music. Discount advance tickets are available at www.eventbrite.com/e/442828059647. The dinner and silent auction start at 5 p.m.
And Bobby, Sergeant-At-Arms at American Legion Post 154, let me know that the Legion is still collecting relief supplies to take to the hurricane-ravaged areas in Southwest Florida in the aftermath of Ian. So many lost everything, and this recovery will take years. Outside of cash donations, talk to them to discover what they truly need at the current moment.
These are but a few of the reasons why I love living here. Sure, it’s a tropical island Paradise… but it’s also a place where people care about each other and will go out of their way to help their neighbor. Thanks for reading, and help out when and where you can. You just might have a really good time at the same time!
– John Bartus is a singer/songwriter and the Mayor of the City of Marathon. Catch John each Monday at Boondocks, Tuesdays and Wednesdays at the Key Colony Inn, and Thursdays at Sparky’s Landing. Find his music anywhere you download or stream your music. www.johnbartus.com
