Who were the monarchs that reigned over Key West's 2017 Fantasy Fest celebration? "King" Paul Murphy, "Queen" Destiny Montgomery, "Duke" Bucky Montgomery and "Duchess" Vicki Hodgson — a royal family that earned their titles by raising more than $129,000 for the Florida Keys' AIDS Help organization!
Filmmaker Jon Landau, a wildly successful producer known best for his movies “Avatar” and “Titanic,” could live anywhere in the world. Yet home is the Florida Keys, which first captivated the down-to-earth Jon in 1986 when he and wife Julie worked on the film “Making Mr. Right” in Miami. Today, both are deeply involved in their Upper Keys community.
Michael Marrero, executive director of the popular Key West Theater, is an award-winning playwright, photographer and filmmaker whose drama “Locura” was recently part of a historic Cuban-American theatrical exchange -- one of the first such exchanges between the two countries in half a century.
Meet the celebrated chef behind some of the Florida Keys' most innovative cuisine: Andy Niedenthal, who has appeared on America's top food television shows, been praised by culinary icon Julia Child, and even cooked for a former president. Now he's the executive chef at Islamorada's Islander Resort, A Guy Harvey Outpost.
Captain Samantha Zeher, owner of Islamorada's KeyZ Charters, earned her license at just 18 while still a college freshman. Today she offers sightseeing charters that include snorkeling and sunset cruises, paddleboard, eco-tours and Everglades excursions. She’s also happy to treat passengers to island trips exploring Indian Key, Lignumvitae Key and Alligator Lighthouse -- each with a history dating back to the 1800s.
Upper Keys artist BJ Royster is renowned for painting transcendent underwater marine life scenes that exude a sense of calm and vivid peace. Realistic and inviting, her images encourage viewers to "dive in" and discover the Keys' ocean realm for themselves.
Key West is well known for its residents’ welcoming and accepting attitude toward all people -- an attitude that gained formal recognition when local artist JT Thompson conceived the now global “One Human Family” concept.
Diana Nyad is known around the globe for her iconic swim of nearly 111 miles from Cuba to Key West without a shark cage. During a recent Key West visit, she talked about her life’s accomplishments and her unique connection to the island city.
Explore off-the-beaten-path Lower Keys attractions that many visitors never see -- and learn about Florida Keys history, culture and ecology -- during a fascinating Up The Keys Eco-Tour developed by enthusiastic Keys resident Kim Stamps.
Family fishing fun and concierge-level service have meant impressive success for Captain Chris and Christy Johnson’s SeaSquared Charters in Marathon. Their customized trips attract serious anglers, corporate groups and families to the heart of the Florida Keys for big game fishing, lobstering, snorkeling and exploring.