CONCH REPUBLIC PILOT DIES

William Gordon died yesterday. He was flying a World War II vintage P-41 at a New York city air show. his plane crashed into the Hudson river.

Gordon was 56.

Gordon was no stranger to Key West. Earlier this year, he participated in gthe Naval Air Show at Boca chica. He also flew a bi-plane on behalf of the Conch Republic Air Force in the Conch Republic Days Bloody Battle recently.

He was no stranger to Key west. in recent years he has visitied many times. Friends indicate it was his intention to permanently reside here at some point.

May he rest in peace.

Sloppy Joe’s grand opening recently passed. I forgot to mention it. I refer nogt to the four years Sloppy Joe’s wass located at what is now Captain Tony’s on greene Street. TRather to the corner of Duval and Greene opening on May 5, 1937.

The grand opening was at 9 in the evening. Free dancing. First time i was aware dancing was a pay event in Key West then or now.

Sloppy Joe’s has remained openb for 79 years. The place the mosrt popular in bar in Key West. It provides a unique Key West flaor. It will be in th dsame place doing the same business 79 years from now.

Screwy afternoon yesterday. Lunched at 5 Guys. no food at home. Intended to grocery shop after lunch.

5 Guiys’ parking lot empty. It was 1 pm. thought the place waqs closed. Not so. i walked in and the employees all standig around. Not a customer present.

I placed my oder and waited. cionmtinued to wait. was taking forever to get fed. and I was the only one prfesent!

the problem appeared to be everything had been closed down to some extent. The cooking arfea had to be heated. Fresh French fries had toi be made.

Finally, my number was called. 84. I looked agt the employee who called my number. i had a strange look on my face. he suddenly understood and bust owut laughing. I did, also. I was the only customer in the place. Sitting right in front of where he was.

Then to Publix. Parking lot half full. where were the other shoppers on the saturday of Memorial Day Weekend?

I went inside. Very few.

I asked the gent behind the cold cuts counter where were all thje peeople. He said they had come in in droves in the morning. it had been quiet since.

Spent a couple of hours rfeasearching this week’s KONK Life column. Four different subjects. None turned me on. None I thought would be of interest to readers.

Here it si sunday morning and I still do not have a topic. Bad!!! My column  has to be to the Publisher by 5.

Dinner time! Wanted to try something different. Did. ended up at the Half Shell Raw Bar. I had not b een therre in at least 15 years.

Enjoyed! A dozen fresh oysters and a crab stuffed lobster. To die for!

Today is Bob Hope’s

 

MISS KEY WEST 1940

Another magnificent morning! The beauty shines as bright as the sun. Blue sky, blue waters. Mangoes and palm trees reflecting the sun.

Who could ask for anything more?

There has to be one happy woman this morning in Key West. Ninety year old Gloria June Suarez White. She grew up at 617 Grinnell St. In 1940, at the age of 15, she was Miss Key West 1940. This morning’s Key West Citizen has a picture of the lovely 1940 beauty queen. I wish they had run a picture of Gloria in her 90 year old glory, also.

I spent yesterday afternoon writing this week’s KONK Life column. It publishes wednesday. The Selling of America. The story of how political contributions rule America. Guaranteed enjoyable reading.

Tavern ‘n Town for dinner in the evening. Interesting reading and interesting people.

I was glancing through the Key West Weekly. A couple of great lines/thoughts. Like Trump…..It’s his hair! Another …..You might be a Bubba if…..You’ve been kicked out of Don’s Place for a dress code violation.

I had the good fortune to sit next to James “Jim” Wallis and friend Arlene. The conversation was interesting. Jim lives on Torch Key. He works at Little Palm Island. A great place to be employed!

Jim once ran for President. President of the United States. I could not understand how. Write in, whatever. He got two votes. Good for him! He is probably the only living former Presidential candidate living in the Keys.

Yesterday was Battle of the Bars. A local charity fundraiser. In its 22nd year. Bartenders do all kinds of crazy competitive things. Like racing each other with a tray of drinks. Cannot lose a drink!

Battle of the Bars is a Schooner Wharf centered event. The best place for it! Last year’s winners both of the event and the bragging rights that go with it was the Half Shell Raw Bar.

Unfortunately, I missed the event yesterday. I did not plan my time properly. Getting this week’s KONK Life column out took precedence.

Monroe County is considering using tax money for affordable housing. As I consistently hold, Key West businesses should pay higher wages. You can’t pay a mortgage on $10 or $12 an hour. The hotel and tourist businesses have had five consecutive good years. Spread the wealth a bit! Leave tax dollars out of the equation.

Those who have been here a while can remember. The Copa Nightclub. Burned down in a fire this day in 1995. Rebuilt, though not as the Copa of old. A similar business has never made it in the same location. The magic went down with the fire.

Hemingway finished writing A Farewell To Arms while living in Key West. I enjoy old movies. During the night, I had difficulty sleeping. Flipped on the TV set. There was A Farewell To Arms staring Rock Hudson and Jennifer Jones.

Hemingway and his A Farewell To Arms characters spent much time at Lake Maggiore. Lake Maggiore sits between Italy and Switzerland. The row boat escape took place on Lake Maggiore.

I have been fortunate to have visited Lake Maggiore several times. Beautiful old Italian towns. Obviously once a high end place to vacation. Still is. The hotels are old, though well kept. I drank in Hemingway’s favorite hotel/bar. Like going to Church!

Enjoy your day!