On Saturday, Oct. 25, the Marathon Grill and Ale House will host a heartfelt tribute and fundraiser in honor of “Salty” John Johnson, a local legend at the bar remembered for his eccentric appearance and big-hearted generosity.
The benefit, which runs from 11 a.m. until closing, is organized by Ale House bar manager Andy Sharf. The community is invited to enjoy a Carolina-style pork barbecue plate for $20 and purchase raffle tickets to win a $5,000 golf cart. All proceeds will support Shriners Children’s Pediatric Hospital.
“When I first met Salty, I honestly thought, ‘Who is this guy?’” Sharf recalled. “But the classic cliché held true: He was a great guy, and you really can’t judge a book by its cover.
“He’d sit outside the bar I used to work at every day drinking his PBRs, and anytime someone walked past the Shriners’ bucket, he’d challenge them, saying, ‘I’ll match whatever you want to put in.’ Ultimately, he became the number one individual money-raiser for the Shriners’ buckets in all of Florida, which is a truly remarkable feat.”
Salty’s lighthearted approach to fundraising had real results, once shocking the Shriners when they discovered $2,000 in their donation bucket. Salty passed away in June 2022, but the memory of his enthusiasm and generosity remains strong. Sharf was inspired to organize the barbecue benefit to channel that same spirit of giving.
Shriners Children’s Hospital is the philanthropic arm of Shriners International, a global men’s fraternity built on the principles of freemasonry and known for its distinctive red fez. The health care system provides specialized pediatric care for children with orthopedic conditions, burn injuries, spinal cord injuries, and cleft lips and palates, giving all services regardless of a family’s ability to pay.
“The money raised will be donated to the Shriners Hospitals for Children and will be used to help children in need of surgeries and for transportation to the hospital,” said Joe Stickney, vice president of the Marathon Shrine Club. “This is an organization that really does what they say they are going to do, which is rare in this day and age.”
The fundraiser is built around the food, the golf cart raffle and to honor Salty John.
“I’ve got 30 pork butts that are going to be smoked Carolina-style with all the fixings,” said Sharf. “Every dollar, from the barbecue plates to the raffle tickets for the golf cart, is going directly to the Shriners.”
A unique element of the event is the story behind a painting of Salty, created by local artist Jessica Teel.
“I took a picture of Salty on a boat trip we were on in the middle of a scary storm because his eyes were filled with such resolved sadness,” Teel told the Weekly. “My dad insisted I paint it, and two years later, I did. When John saw the portrait, he declared, ‘That painting is going to make me infamous.’ I’m so proud to say I think he was right.”
The painting was almost lost during a change in restaurant ownership, but has since found a new home at Castaway, another cherished local venue and one of Salty’s favorites.
“John Mirabella, the owner of Castaway, was very ecstatic to take possession of it,” says Sharf. “He has it hung up real high, and nobody loves it more.”
For more information about the Oct. 25 event or to purchase raffle tickets, community members are encouraged to visit the Marathon Grill and Ale House or check out their Facebook page. Sharf said he hopes the benefit will serve as a true celebration of community, generosity and the enduring legacy of “Salty John,” a man who proved that sometimes the most unassuming people can make the biggest difference.
