SCENES FROM BEST OF UPPER KEYS

Christi Franchini, owner and instructor at Pilates in Paradise, and Jeanette Silvestri, real estate agent with Coldwell Banker Schmitt Real Estate Co. celebrate after Franchini won Best Overall Business and The Silvestri Team won Best Realtor.

The inaugural Best of Upper Keys welcomed nearly 200 guests to Whale Harbor Events for some awards, comical skits, food, drinks and more.

Some members of the Keys Weekly Newspapers and Overseas Media Group, as well as Monroe County Sheriff’s Capt. Jon Crane and Islamorada Councilman Buddy Pinder, gather for a photo. With three offices throughout the Keys, the locally owned and operated media company had team members from Key West and Marathon at the event.
Dr. Stan Zuba is congratulated by Whale Harbor’s Howard Brody after winning Best Medical Professional.
Roughly 200 attendees at the inaugural Best of Upper Keys raise a glass to remember the late Mike Forster. The former county commissioner was a key player in bringing the idea of the event forward before his passing in September 2021.
Keys rapper and finalist for Best Musician Kevin Henry, AKA LaHatchet.
Ben Kemmer, Florida Keys Children’s Center executive director, tells the crowd about the various programs they provide for at-risk youth. Kemmer also expressed gratitude over the funds raised for the shelter during the event.

DOUG FINGER/Keys Weekly