Senior Adventures

Terry Helmers: Steward of Keys Volunteerism

Terry Helmers is a Florida Keys volunteer extraordinaire. His underwater specialty, as a volunteer and as a NOAA- and national parks-authorized diver, is mooring buoys. The dedicated Helmers has logged about 800 volunteer hours with the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary and more than 2,300 at John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park.

By |2023-11-29T10:52:19-05:00November 29, 2023|

Rejoice and Celebrate Life in the Florida Keys & Key West

Every year, many thousands of visitors flock to the Florida Keys & Key West — the continental United States’ southernmost island chain — to celebrate life and its milestones. With sunrise on one side of the islands and sunset on the other, the Keys are an ideal place to romance, celebrate and share memorable moments.

By |2023-11-22T13:19:06-05:00November 22, 2023|

Saluting Diana Nyad on 10th Anniversary of Epic Swim

On Labor Day 2013, Diana Nyad walked ashore onto Key West's Smathers Beach — becoming the first person to swim from Cuba to the Florida Keys without a shark cage. Keys Voices marks the 10th anniversary of Diana’s iconic feat with a look back at the challenges and perseverance that led to its accomplishment.

By |2023-08-30T19:52:20-04:00August 30, 2023|

Gerrit Marshall’s Birthday Gift: Just Call Him ‘Papa’

Meet the newest “Papa.” White-bearded Wisconsin man Gerrit Marshall has won the 2023 Hemingway Look-Alike Contest, a highlight of Key West's Hemingway Days festivities. The retired television broadcast engineer triumphed over nearly 140 other contest entrants on his 68th birthday — just a day after the July 21 birthday of the original "Papa" Hemingway.

By |2023-08-07T12:22:14-04:00July 26, 2023|

Keys Stewards Mike Goldberg and Dave Vaughan Earn Global Honors

Mike Goldberg of Islamorada’s I.CARE and Dave Vaughan of Summerland Key’s Plant a Million Corals Foundation have recently earned global recognition for their work on coral restoration in the Florida Keys. Both men were previously recognized as Stewards of the Keys for their dedication to preserving and protecting the island chain’s undersea environment.

By |2023-05-31T10:34:34-04:00May 31, 2023|

The Day Queen Elizabeth Visited the Florida Keys

On May 18, 1991, Queen Elizabeth II paid a visit to the Florida Keys on the Royal Yacht Britannia. Thirty-one years later, as the world mourns the gracious British monarch’s death, it seems only fitting to recall that day — and Her Majesty’s encounter with the unofficial queen of the island chain, Wilhelmina Harvey.

By |2022-09-14T18:23:07-04:00September 14, 2022|

‘Papa’ 2022 Joins Bearded Brotherhood of Hemingway Look-Alikes

There’s a new “Papa” Hemingway on the island where legendary author Ernest Hemingway lived for most of the 1930s. White-bearded Floridian Jon Auvil won the 2022 Hemingway Look-Alike Contest, the highlight of Key West's annual Hemingway Days. And Nick Henke of St. Louis earned top honors in the Lorian Hemingway Short Story Competition.

By |2022-07-27T13:57:36-04:00July 27, 2022|

Hemingway’s Legacy: Papas and Prose in Key West

The bearded brotherhood of Hemingway Look-Alike Contest winners gained a new member July 25 in Key West, home of legendary author Ernest Hemingway for most of the 1930s. Zach Taylor, a 63-year-old white-bearded Georgia man, triumphed over 136 other entrants to win the contest that highlights the island city’s annual Hemingway Days celebration.

By |2021-07-28T12:04:50-04:00July 28, 2021|

Remembering Key West’s ‘Conch Ambassador’

For decades, Bishop Al Kee welcomed visitors to Key West’s Southernmost Point marker, acting as a smiling ambassador for the island. He sold fluted, pink-lined conch shells beside the iconic waterfront landmark, sliced open coconuts for those who wanted to drink the sweet coconut water inside, and cheerfully posed for innumerable visitor photos.

By |2020-09-16T16:02:43-04:00September 16, 2020|

The Unforgettable ‘Shine’

While the Florida Keys remain temporarily closed to visitors, it’s possible to stay connected by sharing Keys memories and stories of extraordinary people. People like “Shine” Forbes — a sparring partner of legendary author and 1930s Key West resident Ernest Hemingway — who was one of the island’s most unique links to the colorful author.

By |2020-04-08T18:17:26-04:00April 8, 2020|
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