I knew as soon as I put the last column to bed that I must have missed people who deserved recognition — it was a big day for a couple of really good causes, and so many gave so much of their time and efforts to make it happen. This week, I’ll get a chance to thank those people I missed last week and show our love back to all who helped us out.
Who could forget our Master of Ceremonies at the Big Reception? In one of his last acts as Mayor of Marathon, Luis Gonzalez ran the stage and kept things moving. Sarah and I are grateful for your and Jackie’s friendship throughout the years, as well as your record of service to our community.
There are so many really good photographers in Marathon, and it was tough to decide who would document our wedding. Yeni Matie, of Matie Photography, was amazing, kind, gentle, and flowed with the twists and turns of our day. She captured so many wonderful moments, and we truly appreciate her kindness and her beautiful images.
If you’re looking for some keepsake decorated glassware, check out Kim Crouthamel and Starfish Designs. Kim provided a pair of beautiful hand-painted bride and groom champagne flutes — needless to say, we have toasted our nuptials a few times since the big day!
I mentioned Chris Still and his savory pork sliders in my last column — they were so good! I failed to mention his wife, Robyn, who provided our Interact Club volunteers with their custom Interact T-shirts. She can easily handle small lot orders of custom T-shirts and embroidered items (like my Perpetual Island Tour ballcaps).
I know I wrote about our Take Stock in Children students, Synthia and Dakota, who stood up for us at our wedding. If you’ve ever considered becoming a Take Stock mentor, the program is in need of at least a dozen, especially for male students. It takes an hour a week, and I can attest from personal experience that it’s at least as rewarding for the mentor as it is for the student.
The Take Stock program is rather incredible: students sign a contract at the outset and must keep up good grades and stay out of trouble. If they manage that, then they’ll earn a complete four-year college education upon graduation from high school. If you’d like to find out more, please contact Katrina Wiatt at 305-289-2480, ext. 55418.
Sarah would especially thank our Presents In Paradise volunteers and board members Kristina Helms and Erika Goodman. Their assistance, especially during the Big Reception, was truly appreciated. Presents is looking for angels — if you’d like to sponsor a child this Christmas, please email us at presentsinparadise@gmail.com. And finally, we’d like to thank our friends Sam and Mindy Kaufman, who have been in our corner since day one and are always there for us.
Save another mention of our special flower girl Mike Puto, I think we got everyone covered. I’d personally like to thank all who came out and donated for our charities, Presents In Paradise and the Rotary Club of Marathon’s scholarship fund. One of my favorite things about living in the Keys is that sense of community. We always come together to help out, and there is no better investment of our time and resources than to ensure the next generation gets a good start. Thank you everyone!
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Thanksgiving is upon us, and we would like to wish you a very happy Thanksgiving. While it wasn’t recognized as a national holiday until President Lincoln made it official, Thanksgiving has been celebrated since the early days of the “European Invasion” of North America. In that holiday spirit of gratitude, here are a few Thanksgiving trivia nuggets.
• The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade did not feature those large inflatable balloons when it debuted in the 1920s. Santa was there, however — as was a collection of live animals from the Central Park Zoo.
• 46 million turkeys and 50 million pumpkin pies are prepared each Thanksgiving.
• The Butterball Turkey Talk Line fields 100,000 calls from inquisitive and frustrated turkey cooks each Thanksgiving season.
• And finally, we typically have the best Thanksgiving weather in the world. Happy Thanksgiving!
