People say that the older you get, the faster time flies. They know exactly what they’re talking about because, just like that, Christmas has passed, and Jan. 1 is nearly upon us. The days are passing like blinks of an eye, and before any more time slips away, I need to finish what I started last week.
While I usually wait until the last column of the year to reflect on reasons I’m grateful, I started a week early. Moving forward, I’ll get the ball rolling with some feelings about the Keys Weekly. To them, I could not be more thankful for the space to tell these stories.
I’m not the first to write about this stuff and not even the only one currently exploring the local history, but I might be having the most fun. It’s hard to believe that my first history column appeared in the canceled Reporter more than a decade ago. I’ll confess that after writing a few hundred of these, figuring out what to write next can be challenging.
Taking that into consideration, I’ve decided to go into 2025 with a plan. It’s not a 52-week plan, but stranger things have happened. Without coaxing the cat out too far, starting Jan. 2, I’ll take a historic (and sometimes not so historic) trek down the Overseas Highway. It won’t be the only thing I’ll be writing about. At some point in the not-too-distant future, I’ll be talking about the release of Volume 3 of my “Florida Keys History with Brad Bertelli” series.
The books came to life because three years ago, in the evening hours of Dec. 23, 2021, I launched my Facebook group Florida Keys History with Brad Bertelli. Because of its popularity, I decided to, as chef Emeril Lagasse would say, “kick it up a notch.” I love writing these columns, but only so much can be said in under 1,000 words. With the books, I am able to tell bigger, better stories.
While looking forward to getting Volume 3 out to the public, I’m more excited to start working on Volume 4. The tentative title is “The Indian Key Chronicles.” I don’t know if that is the name that will stick, but it’s the one helping me shape how the stories are told. While the page count has increased with every volume, I won’t be surprised if Indian Key morphs into two volumes. For one, it is my favorite. Also, I have more to say about Indian Key than any other island in the chain. Whatever the case, it is highly unlikely that Volume 4 will come to fruition in 2025.
One of the little things I look forward to every year is the unexpected surprise. There is no way to account for it; instead, it shows up unannounced in a meeting, email or phone call, sending a little chill down my spine. For 2024, it was the invitation to speak at the Ernest Hemingway Seminar and to film for a television show’s pilot/teaser.
As 2025 unfolds, I’ll do what I love and sit here, tap-tap-tapping on the computer keyboard. Every day, I’ll post a picture and some historical nuggets on my Facebook group, answer questions from the members, and work to keep the spammers away. I’ll write my column and work on Volume 4. Because those efforts have not created a lucrative enterprise, I’ll pick up freelance work when it comes around and mix up mojitos and rumrunners at Robbie’s of Islamorada to help make ends meet.
Speaking of being thankful, I could not be more grateful to be working at Robbie’s. When it became apparent that I was going to have to dip my toes back into the hospitality pond, there were concerns in the Bertelli household. Way back when, more than a decade ago, when I was working at Lazy Days, I would come home miserable. I’d leave for work miserable, too.
In my miserable state, I could be unpleasant. When I stepped back into the industry, there was a concern that I would step back into a miserable state, too. I chose well with Robbie’s. While it is true that I usually only work a couple of shifts a week, in two-and-a-half years, I have always walked into the house with a smile. I’m happy to be home, but I’ve never felt miserable about having to go there, either.
Robbie’s is an interesting spot as a historical location, a roadside attraction and a little community. The parking lot was once home to pre-historic freshwater wells that were deemed the most reliable in the Florida Keys. It was the site of the first permanent residents of Lower Matecumbe Key, the Starck family. Also, since the 1970s, it’s been one of the island chain’s great roadside attractions.
One of the best things about driving off down the road to clock in for one of my bar shifts is being on the property. Robbie’s is also an interesting little community, and when I go to work there, I become a part of it. It might just be me, but Robbie’s has a little magic floating around it. Sure, it doesn’t hurt that I can see Indian Key from the bar, but there is more to it than that.
Robbie’s is also home to this fascinating and wonderful group of people who are consistently positive. It feels good to be there. In fact, not only am I not miserable, but I look forward to getting there and soaking up the vibe. Also, the people-watching is exceptional. In the meantime, I’m going to wrap this up, blink, and embark on whatever adventures 2025 has in store.
