It was a day of days for Rory McIlroy yesterday. He finally won the Masters Golf tournament after 17 tries. The last 11 the most important. Eleven years ago, Rory had won three of the four major golf tournaments. Great in golf is winning all four. The Masters is one of the four. Only 5 golfers prior to yesterday had won all four. Referred to in golf parlance as the Grand Slam. The five Sarazan, Hogan, Player, Nicklaus and Woods.

Yesterday, Mc Ilroy’s name was placed next to the five. He achieved recognized greatness.

Mc Ilroy’s path to the fourth win  in the Masters was not easy. He just never seemed to make it in the many Masters he played. It was emotional for him.

At one point yesterday, he had a four stroke lead. Victory obviously was to be his. Turned out not to be so. He had two double bogeys and a bogey. Began yesterday with a double bogey also before going on an exemplary run which made it appear he was the obvious winner. DeChambeau faded. Others crept up towards number one. Near the end, Justin Morgan sat there. In the end, McIlroy had to struggle to tie Morgan for the number one spot.

McIlroy won the match on the first playoff hole with a birdie.

It was at this point, McIlroy’s emotions erupted. Like no golfer before him. The win was important to him. He wanted the Grand Slam and to be recognized with the previous five greats named. He fell to his knees and cried like a baby. His emotions continued to be obvious as he made the long walk to receive the Green Jacket.

You cried with him. Felt his emotion. Were happy for his achievement.

His victory brought to mind Greg Norman’s loss in the Masters in 1996. Norman had a 6 shot lead in the final round. He fell apart and lost. Nick Faldo beat him by 5 strokes.

One loses, one wins. The way the game is. Golf is extremely difficult. A player no matter how good never knows if he will screw up his next shot. And in some instances, several thereafter.

Well deserved congratulations to McIlroy!

Things we do not hear till a calamity is final.

Dominos is hurting. Closed 800 stores last year. More expected to be closed this year.

TGI Fridays in similar trouble. TGI has already closed 125 facilities this year.

Tomatoes have a strange history. Once considered a “stinking poison apple.” It was claimed tomatoes caused vomiting. The fear of eating tomatoes lasted 200 years.

In the mid 1500s, tomatoes were viewed as an aphrodisiac. Led to them being considered evil – a source of temptation.

The leaves were toxic. The tomato itself acquired the reputation and people began avoiding them. Fear grew rampant.

Obviously not true today. One of man’s favorite foods.

Bathrooms relatively modern facilities.

Bathrooms began appearing in the late 1800s. Chamber pots and outhouses were used prior thereto.

The waste product alone not the sole problem. The smell was.

Though the “complete” bathroom was found in most upper class homes by the late 1800s, they were not common in working class households till the middle 1900s. The cost of piping and construction were prohibitive.

I know. You have to be my age to recall. My first bathroom/toilet in my early years was an outhouse.

On this day in 1865, John Wilkes Booth shot Abraham Lincoln in the head at Ford’s Theatre. Lincoln died the next day.

Another early event on this day. The year 1912. The Titanic hit the iceberg.

Political Playbook makes reference to “The Trump tariff tango.” An apt description.

Some Key West items.

Square Grouper has a “Sunday Brunch” on saturdays and sundays.

Key West had a Hands Off protest on April 5 together with the rest of the country. Key West’s took place on the 1300 block of White Street in front of the National Weather Service building. Six hundred participated.

I close with mention of my good friends Theos and Dina.

Theos and Dina are residents of Greece. They visit Key West 2-3 times a year.

Their first trip this year finds them arriving later today. 

I have known them for years. They are good friends. I look forward to the time I will be spending with them.

Enjoy your day!

The anticipated increase cost factor hit me right in the face yesterday. An example of how things are going to work. I describe it as “a penny here, a dollar there.”

I was at Publix to pick up a few things. Yogurt one of the items. The same yogurt I have been purchasing for some time. Publix brand. The kind where the fruit is in the bottom and has to be mixed. Cost has been $.56. Yesterday, $.57. Only a penny. Nevertheless, an increase. I went to the bakery department to pick up a container of sliced loaf cake. A once a week purchase for me. I buy the sliced. Cost has been $5.99. Yesterday, $6.99. Up one dollar.

A penny here, a dollar there. That is the way it is going to happen. The way it is going to be.

Sucks!

Numbers count. Better if accurate. Trump keeps talking about the number of countries that want to talk. If I recall correctly, the most recent number 70. For real? The administration’s numbers re a number of things are not always correct. We are told these countries want to talk. Tell us about results, not the alleged number and a 90 day delay. Give us something to rely on.

I mentioned yesterday Garcia might be dead. Such was why no information was forthcoming to the Court. Later yesterday, the Court was advised he was in jail in El Salvador. Thank you. Something we all suspected.

He may still be dead and the information false. Give us something firmer.

Nayib Bukele is El Salvador’s Presidnet. He will be in Washington tomorrow for talks with Trump. Perhaps my cynical lawyer training is at work. Could it be that Bukele will bring Garcia with him or announce with Trump that he will be released this week? Then Trump can take, per his usual custom, credit for Garcia’s return. He succeeded where the Courts failed!

Would not surprise me. A typical Trump ploy.

Whatever, let’s get Garcia home!

I enjoyed a pleasant afternoon yesterday watching the Masters. Today will be even more exciting. McIlroy and DeChambeau will go at it for the Championship, though others have a shot at winning also. McIlroy leads the tournament by two strokes.

One of my pleasures in life was traveling to watch major golf tournaments. I have seen many.

One specially came to mind Thursday when the Masters began. Tradition plays a huge role in the Masters. Certain former Masters winners tee off to begin the tournament. Old timers who no longer play. One of those Thursday was Jack Nicklaus. I have not seen him personally or on TV in years. As I have, he got old. Walked a bit wobbly, his physique a bit on the heavier side, his face wrinkled. His humor still there, however.

The greats merely hit a drive to begin the tournament.

Nicklaus quipped as he went to tee up to the effect he hoped he could get the ball on the tee, etc. 

He did and drove the ball well. 

Brought to mind a tournament I saw many years ago in which Nicklaus played. I forget which tournament and which hole. However, I was there on a particular hole standing off to the side when Nicklaus hit again. The ball landed about 10 feet on the fairway from me. Nicklaus next shot was a toughie. The hole was about 70 yards away. However between Nicklaus and the hole was a tree. Not the tallest nor the shortest. High enough however to make it impossible to hit the ball over and onto the green.

The distance between the ball and the tree was about 10 yards. An impossible shot.

Nicklaus stood behind the ball like forever and seemed in deep thought. He then walked up to the tree and looked directly up for a few seconds. Again, in deep thought. Returned to his ball and stood behind it again merely starring.

Nicklaus was meditating. He was thinking his shot.

He hit the ball up and over the tree and it landed one foot from the pin. The man had thought the shot through. He mentally made a hell of a shot. An impossible one.

A thrill to have watched!

Never made Mamma Mia at the Key West High School last night. Went to buy a ticket in advance at noon. Door locked. No one selling tickets at the time. The show scheduled to begin at 7. That meant the door to seats would open at 6. Ticket sales beginning at 5 or 5:30. The last thing I wanted was to have to stand to buy a ticket and then stand to get a seat. I am back to the cane.

So I spent a pleasant evening at home. Enjoyed two movies.

The first was The Man in the Gray Flannel Suit. A 1956 winner starring Gregory Peck and Jennifer Jones. Excellent! It had been years since I saw the movie. I recall having read the book before the movie. The book by Sloan Wilson had been published a year before in 1955 and was an instant hit. I could not wait to see the movie when it came out.

It was early so I decided there was still time to do a Mamma Mia night. I watched Mamma Mia starring Meryl Streep. I probably have seen the movie a dozen times. Love it! Great story base surrounded by outstanding music.

Enjoy your Sunday!

The courts should stop screwing with the Kilmar Abrego Garcia case.  No more! Call federal officials as witnesses. Put them under oath.

My fear is Garcia is dead. Has been dead and the federal government does not know how to explain it.

The District Court Judge has been tough. Could have been tougher. Call witnesses to the stand!

The Supreme Court sounded as if it sided with Garcia. Could have been tougher. Its meager statement (not a decision) weak. Should have pounded the nails in where they belonged. Trump is making a fool of the Supreme Court.

June 14th may turn out to be a day of days. It is a day of national celebration. Flag Day as always. Also the birthday of the U.S. Army. This year of special significance as it is the Army’s 250th anniversary.

Turns out it is also Donald Trump’s birthday. His 79th. He was born June 14, 1946.

Rumor has it Donald wants a big European military parade. The type the U.S. does not do. Not part of our nature. The type Hitler did. The type that Russia, North Korea and China do today. As well as France. Europeans love military show off events.

Trump has frequently commented how he likes them also. He went crazy once during his first term while in France and seated next to Macron at one. Returned home and in due course suggested one for his birthday which also fell on Flag Day. His idea went over like a lead balloon when it was discovered the event would cost $91 million.

Things must have changed since Trump’s first term. Money must abound, be all over the place. Can waste what would probably cost more than $100 million today. At a time when Medicaid is being cut and Social Security is under attack. At a time when Trump’s Tariff War is increasing prices and inflation.

Trump denies he wants or is pushing such a military parade. Should we believe him? In his present autocratic nature, anything is possible. The military parade probable.

Trump loves to threaten war. Now, it’s Iran. Iranian nuclear weapons the issue. Negotiations beginning. Trump says if negotiations fail, war possible. Some day someone is going to take Donald seriously and such will occur. This could be the time. Or, perhaps China.

Appreciate a war would involve destruction on our shores also. Missiles, bombs and ground troops. The ocean a meaningless barrier today. If it is Iran, such a war would involve other Middle East nations also.

Trump will not have to worry about Donald Jr. and Eric going off to war as they are too old. However, Barron is not. He is at the exact age to fight.

This time there will be no bone spurs. Americans will accept no excuses. Melania will suffer the pain all mothers do.

Two giants in a tariff war. Crazy. One money. The other an actual shooting war.

What is Trump up to? You don’t fuck with China. It looks like Trump wants a shooting war. God forbid!

We are pushing towards a recession. Prices and inflation will be up.

Thank you, Donald. Me thinks you have made an error in judgment.

The bond market a fearful sign. The strength of the U.S. economy measured by it. Now in a crisis mode. The U.S. will have to pay buyers a higher interest rate on a shorter term bond.

Credit always a concern. Governments no different than people when it comes to credit. Napoleon worried about credit even as he was conquering Europe. Lincoln tracked the price of Union bonds as intensely as the movement of Union troops. Even in 1939 as World War II was beginning, the bond markets signaled that the U.S., Britain and France were stronger than Germany, Japan and the Soviet Union. Which proved true in the final analysis.

As expected, RFK Jr. is going to make a mess of things. Beware!

I am ashamed of the major law firms that are capitulating to Trump. They are bending the knee for economic reasons. Sad because they are one of the two last U.S. bastions of freedom. Lawyers always stood firm in defending rights and respecting people. The trend is contrary now.

The other guardian of our rights are the people themselves. The protests speak well that a growing number of Americans do not support Trump’s tactics in general.

Education is under attack. Getting rid of federal oversight of public education is one thing. Even worse is Trump’s attack on colleges and universities. Thinking minds mut be left free to think. Simply stated. My college years did more to develop my mind than anything else. Many bugs of thought planted during college and university years become the ways our society will live tomorrow. Education at the highest levels must not be managed, controlled or dictated.

I was contemplating a European trip in a few months. No more. The world too uncertain.

Would you believe, the U.S. once banned sliced bread? Yes, during World War II.

We banned it January 18, 1943. The reason was to preserve the nation’s supply of alloyed steel which was used to build slicing machines and wax paper which was required in a thicker wrapper in order to preserve bread.

American mothers, who had given up their sons and everything else to help the war effort, said “No way!”

God bless mothers!

The Civil War began this day in 1861 when the Confederates opened fire on Union held Fort Sumter in South Carolina’s Charleston Harbor. The bombing lasted 34 hours, involved 50 Confederate guns and mortars which launched more than  4,000 rounds on the Fort.

At the end, the American flag remained flying. However, the Civil War had begun.

I close with my last night.

Enjoyed Corolla, dinner and watching the Masters at Brady’s Irish Pub. Plus a number of friends I had not seen in a while.

Tonight, I plan on watching Mamma Mia at the Key West High School. Hope I make it!

Enjoy your day!

Missed a few days of blogs. Sorry. My age continues to catch up with me. One problem after another.

Anyhow, said screw it and went out last night. It was Boys’ Night Out. Last one of the season. Did not want to miss it. Had a ball!

Boys’ Night Out is the brain child of Fred Klein. He put it together about 4 years ago and has kept it going. The men meet once a month during season. All successful in their respective fields. Some retired, some still going. At 89, I was the oldest. The youngest 44. Most in their mid 60s to 70s.

Topics covered…..Everything! Sports, sex, politics, Truman, Hiroshima and Nagasaki, among others last night. 

We met at the restaurant 915. Had a private room upstairs. Heather the manager and Anna our waitress took good care of us. The food was outstanding. We enjoyed appetizers for the table and each a main course. I had the fish special. Not sure what it was, but can attest it was delicious.

The booze flowed. Wine by the bottle. Hard liquor otherwise. I have had to stop drinking because of my heart and liver. Went for it last night, however. First drink in more than a year. Enjoyed two gins on the rocks. 

The men involved each a success in their respective fields. Contributed to the quality of the discussions. Each dinner meeting the best I have ever been a part of.

Fred Klein is in his early 80s. A retired New York labor lawyer.

Dave Berger a retired anesthesiologist who also can write. I published a few of his works three years ago. I continue motivating him to write more. The man has talent.

Lou Celi. I had coffee at his home a couple of weeks ago. An economist and publisher. His Trump observations professional.

Mike Keenan. A major professional sports figure. Hockey his game. Coached the New York Rangers to the Stanley Cup in 1994. The team’s first in 50 years. A successful author in his senior years. The book “Iron Mike.” He has also coached in Russia and China. A Putin acquaintance.

Scott Beauprie. Hope I spelled his name correctly. Retired. He was a first time visitor to Boys’ Night Our. I’m confident he will return.

Nate Gubin. The youngster in the group at 44. A carpenter for 20 years. Now a successful author.

Reiley McDonald. The horse man’s person. The professional’s professional in horse racing.. Advises, buys and sells, and assists in developing racing horses. He maintains offices in many locations. Maintains a large farm in Louisville, also. His horses have successfully won in all of the Triple Crown races. 

Last but not least, me.

A special night. A night of nights. Most snowbirds and returning home. We will not meet again till next January. I hope I am still around.

Enjoy your day!

Amazing! It is turning into 1929 again. Many experts feel a recession may be imminent. No one suggesting a depression yet.

The last two days have been amazing. Actually, the past two weeks the way the market has dropped. Thursday was 1,679 points. Friday could not be worse. It was. The stock market closed 2,231 points down.

What will monday hold? More of the bad I suspect.

Yesterday marked the first time ever that the stock market closed down more than 1,500 points on back to back days.

Congratulations Donald! You are doing one hell of a job. You warned there would be some pain. Sounded like a little pain. This pain is horrendous. Will be horrible if it continues for very long.

Americans are concerned. No, worried! Your Liberation Day is turning rapidly into a disaster. Take it back! We want no more of this type gift.

Even those who supported you in the last election are starting to shit their pants! Donald, you have wrought an Apocalypse on them!

While most Americans were cringing watching the market drop yesterday, our esteemed President could be seen riding a golf cart in Florida. He is trying to work a deal where the two major golf leagues merge and play many, if not most of their tournaments, on his golf courses world wide. Donald was in Florida trying to maneuver things favorably for himself and his Saudi Arabian friends.

Son Eric announced this week that he had moved much of the Trump business into crypto some time ago. Makes me even more uncomfortable.

Donald says no deals. The tariff numbers will stick. Yet this morning’s news announces Trump and Great Britain are talking. a deal may be around the corner. Of course, the Great Britain tariff was a mere 10 percent.

One of the Trump males, Eric or Donald Jr., said this week those who pursued negotiations first would get the best deals. Those who wait till the end will be hurt. How does this tie in with the President’s words of no deals for anyone?

Millionaires don’t count anymore. One has to be a billionaire to be of concern.  What the President is attempting economically will help billionaires. How many even have 401(k)s? Many millionaires still do. The name of the game is to make it possible for the government to cut a huge tax cut for the very rich. Screw everyone else!

There is presently pending a bill before Congress to give the very rich that tax cut Donald promised. One that sounds like it will benefit everyone, but in reality only the very rich. The people got bullshitted again.

At my age and with diminishing funds and who knows what is going to happen to Social Security, I have to consider going into a business again. History a great teacher. I am going to arrange to obtain bushels of apples on a regular basis. Then began selling them on street corners. Like back in the 1930s. A nickel, dime, or quarter a piece? Probably a quarter. I have to eat, to survive.

In a few weeks, Donald has destroyed 80 years of good will and economic success. Other countries must stand up to the U.S. and say no more. They will make deals of all kinds with other nations. It will take years, if at  all, for the U.S. to return to the position of power it experienced since the end of World War II.

Is there still time to salvage things? I don’t know. 

I will not close with my usual “Enjoy your day!” Rather, it is with TRY to enjoy your day! Significant worry now a part of our everyday mentality.

And yet there are still things to celebrate.

My beloved friends from Buffalo and frequent Key West visitors Fran and Tom Dixon. Today one of major celebration for them. A big party!

It is their 50th Wedding Anniversary. Congratulations!

They are having a major party to celebrate some other significant happenings in their lives. Like their daughter Frances Jo’s promotion to full bird Colonel in the USAF. A biggie! And Grandson William’s birthday.

Enjoy! Sorry I will not be with you.

Yesterday’s 1600 plus stock market drop speaks for itself. Trump said his plan was going to be a “boom.” It was.

Trump’s tariff plan took on most of the world. Appeared to be all, but was not. He even took into account an island or two only inhabited by penguins. However his plan failed to include Russia and North Korea. Why?

What will today bring? I suspect another negative stock market reading. Hopefully no where as bad as yesterday’s.

To the good things in life.

My MRI came out good. A relief! Still don’t know why my liver reading is off. Another blood test monday morning.

An enjoyable wednesday evening. Brady’s Irish Pub. Two biggies. Carolla and lasagna.

Carolla takes good care of me. Brought me Irish scones she had baked that day. With the add ons this time. Irish butter, English double cream and jelly. Took them home to enjoy. Two wednesday night and two yesterday. Delicious!

It has been more than a year since Brady’s served lasagna. It used to be a wednesday special. Am Irish pub specializing in an Italian dish! 

The lasagna was outstanding!  Try it. A winner. Even the Caesar salad and bread that accompanied it.

Ran into Bob Cerkleski that I had met the week before. He owns the art and and antique store on Fleming Street next to Fausto’s.

Met Bill and Hanna from Cape May, New Jersey. We were sitting next to each other at the bar. Retired folks, they own a condo in Key West. They were returning home yesterday as Hanna had grandmother duties to perform on monday.

Bill is retired from law enforcement. He was a prison chief. Hanna a retired administrator from the Department of Corrections. She and Bill met years ago when both were involved in police work.

They have been doing Key West for 13 years. Now their retirement home. They have two grown children and three grandchildren.

I am confident I will run into them when they return in the Fall. At Brady’s, of course.

The market opens in less than an hour. I expect my 401(k) to take another beating. Is my Social Security next? These are uncomfortable times. The loss already pisses me off. I, as all of you, worked hard to accumulate a savings. Bugs me that a third party is screwing it up. The person who supposedly is there to protect us and ours.

Enjoy your day!

Key West’s mainstay are its people. Many new people now make up Key West. The composition has changed dramatically in the past five years. Time, age, death, COVID, economics and whatever else are responsible for the change.

The new breed, so to speak, are unaware of what has made Key West what it is. Most are aware of Jimmy Buffett. Few are aware of David Wolkowsky who undoubtedly can be best described as the father of modern Key West. Even to being the man who gave Jimmy Buffett his start.

David died September 23, 2018 at the age of 99. Unfortunately I only got to know him the last six or seven years of his life. We became close. I enjoyed the relationship. I wish I had met him many years before.

Over those few years, I wrote about him several times. One of the blogs was simply titled “David Wolkowsky.” I wrote it January 16, 2017. I republish it today to educate those who may never have heard of him to learn of the great man.

The “David Wolkowsky” blog of January 16, 2017…..

“How would you like to be 96 years old, look around your home town and say…..I am responsible for all this!

Only one person. David Wolkowsky. Without him, the Key West of today would not have been.

He is the father of modern Key West.

Mentioned merely at this point to show a part of David’s contribution. The Pier House and Jimmy Buffett.

David was born in Key West. A for real Conch. His grandfather Albert Wolkowsky settled in Key West in the late 1800s. Opened a fine clothing store on Duval Street.

David grew up in Key West and Miami. Attended the University of Pennsylvania Remained in Philadelphia after graduation. He began restoring buildings. He is credited with the rejuvenation of Society Hill and Rittenhouse Square.

His successful efforts in Philadelphia made him a millionaire.

David returned to Key West in the early 1960s following the death of his father Issac Wolkowsky. He was 40 at the time. Already financially secure.

David was not one to sit still. He was driven. He had to be busy.

The Wolkowsky family owned several properties in old town. He renovated them.

The original Sloppy Joe’s on Greene Street had been condemned. He bought the building and restored it. Today known as Captain Tony’s.

He developed property on Duval and Front Streets. The properties included Pirate’s Alley and the Original Cigar Factory.

Key West in the early 1960s was nowhere like it is today. Not even close. The island was neither Paradise nor a paradise setting.

David was a man of vision. He saw where others could not.

The Gulf end of Duval Street a mess. Dirty and sloppy. No beach in sight.

David saw possibilities for the area. He purchased the old Cuban Ferry Dock for $106,000. A steal.

The Porterhouse Steamship office was located on the property. He removed it from its foundation and transported it 300 feet. Set the building on pilings in 40 feet of water. Turned it into Tony’s Fish Market. A cocktail lounge and restaurant. A successful undertaking. Guests able to watch shrimp boats moving along on the water.

David wanted to transform Key West into a funky tourist destination. Unconventional, he sought the offbeat.

In 1967, David began construction on a 50 room motel. It was constructed around Tony’s Fish Market. When the 50 rooms were completed, he quickly added 50 more. These facing the ocean. Demand was that good.

David called the motel the Pier House Resort Motel. From which today’s Pier House grew.

The hotel had a bar called the Chart Room. Still there today. Never renovated since constructed. People drink and raise hell in the same atmosphere as when built.

David sold the Pier House in the late 1970s.

Jimmy Buffett came to town in 1971. Knew very few people. An unknown. Best described, he was a young man with a guitar who enjoyed his cocktails. His last stop prior to Key West was Austin, Texas. The Austin Buffett sat on his front porch drinking and singing tunes he had composed.

One of his Austin hangouts was Lung’s Cocina del Sar. A bar. Where Buffett met up with Margaritas. The beginning of his search for a casual new place with a who cares attitude. A tropical climate was required. A beach resort place.

Buffet and David met. David was taken by him. Permitted Buffett to play in the Chart Room for tips. Later, for pay. Buffett says David was the first to pay him.

The relationship continues to today. The two close friends and occasional business partners.

Buffett was searching for his Shangri-la when first he came to Key West. He called it Margaritaville. He found it in Key West.

Bob Marley also got his start via David at the Pier House Motel.

The Pier House became a magnate for celebrities. David’s personality attracted them.

One was Truman Capote. He came to Key West to spend the winter. At David’s Pier House Motel.

David was living next to the Pier House in a 45 foot 2 bedroom trailer. Ten feet from the water. While having a drink with David in his luxurious trailer, Capote said he wanted to rent the trailer. David acquiesced after some back and forth banter. David moved to a suite in the Motel. Capote into the trailer.

During his three month stay, Capote wrote Answered Prayers.

Capote described the Pier House as “elegant inefficiency.”

The Pier House motel was the beginning of the new Key West. David is credited with putting Key West on the road to becoming a major tourist destination.

Along the way, David built the Reach Resort on the Atlantic side of Key West.

David kept a low profile. He possessed a sly humor. Drove around Key West in a golf cart or his his beloved 1926 Rolls Royce. Generally seen in a Panama hat. Several pair of sunglasses on the hat, some hanging from his neck.

David also did what only David could do. He built a house on an uninhabited private island 8 miles off Key West. Built it while building the Pier House. The island called Ballast Key.

David the visionary is exhibited in the construction of the house on Ballast Key.

There was a speakeasy on stilts which also marked the entrance to the North West Channel in Key West. It had burned down. David collected drawings and photographs of the speakeasy. He wanted his Ballast Key home to look precisely like the speakeasy.

He accomplished his aim.

David had a love for Key West history. What to name his Ballast Key home? Easy. Hemingway House.

The story is David fed his guests at Ballast Key hot dogs, wine and potato chips. The laborers working on the house, chocolate pudding and souffles from the Pier House kitchen. Transported on David’s private barge.

David was known worldwide. Many came to visit David and Key West. Better stated, they came to enjoy time with David while seeing Key West. David the attraction.

David entertained at Ballast Key. Major figures. Most if not all his friends. The likes of Truman Capote, Tennessee Williams, British Prime Minister Edward Heath, Prince Michael of Greece, Gloria Estefan, Rudolph Nureyev and the Bee Gees. Last but not least, the Rockefellers, Vanderbilts, and Mellons.

Again, all were fed hot dogs, wine and potato chips.

A  Kress Five and Dime was located on Duval Street. David and a small number of friends bought the building. Three stories. David had a penthouse apartment constructed for himself on the third floor. The Parole Board was on the second floor. Kress, the first. The Kress portion later became Fast Buck Freddie’s.

David’s fame brought him some not unpleasant notoriety.

The novel License To Kill has 007 calling David to say, “David, it’s James Bond…I’ve broken into your island. I hope you don’t mind.”

Town & Country magazine carried a Man Of The Month section. In 1955, David was the March Man of the Month. Cary Grant the April Man of the Month.

Grant was in good company.

David worked diligently to preserve the best of old Key West. He is primarily responsible for the lack of high rises. He worked vigorously to prevent high rise buildings.

Charity wise, David was a giver. A concerned individual. Teachers an example. In 2000, he set up a Teacher Merit Awards Fund. Each year, $25,000 is given to one teacher and $5,000 each to nine. Recognition of the outstanding teachers of the given year. David was of the opinion that teachers had to be nurtured and protected.

David Wolkowsky. A legend in his own time. Owed so much. Asked nothing in return. His goal to create a better Key West. He did. His stamp on everything.”

Enjoy your day!

Mighty oaks from little acorns grow is a saying that befitted Key West 27 years ago this March. In March 1998, Key West’s first Symphony was conducted. A fundraiser. Followed in December 1998 by a full orchestra of 80 musicians. The group was referred to as the Key West Symphony.

Tiny Key West had given birth to a for real symphony. Operated for years in Key West. Grew and moved on to become the South Florida Symphony Orchestra which now operates out of Fort Lauderdale and today maintains concerts from Palm Beach south to Key West.

How did the impossible begin. 

Four persons met in December 1997 at Casa Antigua. Sebrina Maria Alfonso, Tom Oosterhoudt, Elena Spottswood and Teresa Smith. I knew three of the persons. I assume the meeting came about by Sebrina talking with Tom about starting a symphony and Tom suggesting Elena and Teresa. Whatever, the four met and the bomb was delivered. And a bomb it was! Key West a community of less than 30,000 to have a symphony?

Sebrina was Key West born. An educated musical talent. Her goal in life to lead a symphony. Tom who knew everyone. Elena who likewise knew many. And Teresa,

If the other three could put together a symphony, Sebrina would lead it.

Elena became the leader of the pack. In her words, “I didn’t know anything about a symphony orchestra. I was so excited I asked Sebrina if the Symphony could play ‘Didn’t I Blow Your Mind This Time,’ a song by the Delfonics.” Sebrina smiled. She did however provide a Key West touch to the first symphony by having the local group the Spectrelles open with “I Hear a Symphony.” The Spectrelles were stars at The Bull on Duval Street.

Elena was a worker. She assembled a group of her girl friends to help. They, including two men, became the first Symphony Board. The men Tom Oosterhoudt and Eric DeBoer. The ladies Rachel Oropeza, Caroline Ford, Marsha DePoo, Julia Orofino, Yvette Talbot, Virginia Wright, Pam Lockwood and Orchid Durkin.

At the same time, Elena sat with pen and paper and hand wrote letters to persons asking for contributions. They dripped in. Small amounts. Then she received a $500 one. She knew she was on her way. Some checks got even bigger.

The Symphony Orchestra was not the same unit that performed all the time. Sebrina would solicit the best musicians from across the country to come to Key West to perform. For pay, of course. The Symphony was a professional operation.

One problem was getting the musicians from Miami to Key West and back. Elena and the ladies solicited American Airlines. They spoke with a Jacques Fauchand. His voice and message gave them the impression he was a Frenchman. Turned out his real name was Juan Bachon. He was of Puerto Rican extraction. He wanted the Symphony deal and Elena and her team wanted American Airlines…..For Free!

Fauchand agreed. The Symphony flew free for the first performance.

All of a sudden, American Airlines wanted payment. Elena and her team said no way! One, they did not have the money. And two, they had an agreement that the flights were to be free.

American Airlines lived up to the agreement, but only for the first performance. American Airlines fired Fauchand who was really Bachon.

American Airlines backing out on the free flights was a disaster. Elena and the Board had to up their fundraising efforts quickly to compensate

The Holiday Inn at the time sat at the intersection of North Roosevelt Drive and U.S. 1. The home of what eventually became the Marriott Beachside and today the Beachside. The General Manager was Doug Wright. He agreed that Holiday Inn would provide free rooms for the musicians. He was an honorable man and never tried to back out of the deal. For years, the Holiday Inn housed the musicians.

Note that it would have been economically impossible for the Symphony to have made it without the free American Airline flights and Holiday Inn rooms.

When the Symphony began its presentations in 1998, the Board members worked every Symphony to raise additional monies. They had tables set up in the entrance lounge to the Tennessee Williams Theater from whence the Board members sold tee shirt and hats.

Eventually Elena and the Board members realized they needed additional talent on the Board. They began adding lawyers, accountants and business persons. A smart move. However the original Board did well without such assistance. Bless them!

The first Board meetings took place at Elena’s home on Caroline Street. She served chocolate kisses and cashews.

The Symphony’s first concert was the March 1998 fundraiser held at the Tennessee Williams Theater. The house was packed. The attendees parked their pick up trucks in the lot and came attired in Key West’s usual sports attire. No black tie and tails for Key West.

Elena was the first President and continued in that capacity for years.

It is frequently said when something unusual happens in Key West…..Only in Key West! The Symphony’s success an example of the saying.

Enjoy your day!

For three years prior to my heart attack last year, I used a cane. It became a necessity. A part of my life. I welcomed it. The cane prevented me from falling when I wobbled. I would suddenly lose my balance. What I describe as wobbling. I could feel it coming on and the cane prevented me from going down.

God bless America and the cane!

Following the heart attack and three heart surgeries, I found I no longer needed the cane. Ergo since the surgeries, I have proudly walked without the cane.

The wobbling has begun returning. I sense it, feel it. So I got a new cane. I had lost the old one.

I have been using the new cane for four days. What a difference! Took care of any wobbling problems. Even better, it has affected my lower back pain which has been horrendous. Three lumbar discs out of place. Two rubbing bone on bone.

For whatever reason, the cane has dramatically limited the lower back pain. To almost non-existent. May it continue to do so. My only thought for the moment is the cane makes me walk up straight. Maybe that is doing it. Whatever, I don’t care. Just glad this added benefit has manifested itself.

Last night a most enjoyable one.

It began at 6 at the Tropic Cinema. A special live show called COVID Lockdown.

Yesterday was the first day the COVID attack on Key West and other Keys was officially recognized. It was March 27, 2020. State police barricaded the entrance to the Keys. No one admitted without a specific reason. Very few were admitted.

Last night’s show was to remind us of what occurred. Key West was suddenly and dramatically shut down. Photos and videos showed all streets deserted. The town was dead. Rarely even one living soul seen. Food became an issue. How it was dealt with shown. 

Many persons remained. However, they stayed in. Did not leave their homes. I was one of them. The shutdown lasted some 66 days till June 1. For me, it lasted 1 1/2 years. I lived in Key Haven at the time. Because of my age, I feared I would contact COVID and die. Other than doctor and hospital visits, never left my home. The hospital was on nearby Stock Island. My doctor’s office nearby U.S.1 so I never got into Key West proper to see the lack of life.

The pics and films were eerie, scary. Uncomfortable to watch.

The pics, videos and speakers nevertheless excellent. It was a good reminder of what had occurred and how people reacted (or didn’t react) at the time. May we never experience such again.

I decided to have dinner afterwards at Brady’s Irish Pub. Many a moon since I had dinner when Carola was bartending. She has been a joy for years. She has a Dad in Ireland who is 94. I suspect I have become a substitute father to her in Key West. She generally bakes Irish scones for me when she knows I am going to show up for dinner.

It was good seeing Carola last night. Her Dad still alive and kicking. She is going to Ireland for a month in July to visit him.

One of the owners and I chatted. He is a St. John’s graduate. Syracuse and St. John’s were Big East basketball opponents for many years. Rick Pitino discussed.

There was a Duke fan sitting nearby. I wished his school well in the game that was to be played later in the evening against Arizona. March Madness. The Sweet Sixteen. He said he had no problem. He had attended Duke for 2 years and Arizona for 2 also. So he was a winner in any event.

Met Bob Cerkleski for the first time. He was seated next to me at the bar. He owns Seastore which is an art and other fine items store on Fleming Street next to Fausto’s. We covered a multitude of sins.

He once worked at Mel Fisher with my son in law Corey. He was not aware Core had moved onto being the Monroe County Librarian. I enjoyed my time chatting with him.

Trump does not know when it is easier to own up to a “mistake” rather than tough it through with lies. I refer specifically to the mess with SIGNAL and the in effect open line for outsiders to listen in on what I sense to have been secretive information. Admit an error  was made, promise to correct it, and move on. Trump’s not a winner on this one. Nor has he been much of a winner since he took office some 2 months ago.

Trump signed another Executive Order yesterday. Probably more than one. He has signed so many I fear he he is going to develop an ulnar nerve injury and require surgery.

The Executive Order I am concerned with has to do with his elimination of “anti-American ideology” from Smithsonian Institutions and Museums and at the same time replacing the monuments removed since 2020.

The Smithsonian consists of many buildings. Each a specialty, so to speak. I have spent considerable time in four. When is Trump going to learn to leave well enough alone?

American history is fraught with screw ups. Yet we survived. As hopefully we will survive those we are undergoing with Trump. Screw ups are part of our history, whether good, bad or indifferent. They represent truth and should be left alone. Trump must not be permitted to rewrite our history.

I can see replacing monuments, etc. removed since 2020. I was opposed to their removal for the same reason I do not want Trump screwing with Smithsonian today. History is history and should not be rewritten.

Screw with Social Security and invite a street revolution. Whether Republican or Democrat, people will not tolerate significant Social Security changes. It is their money being returned to them in pittance form. Many need it to survive.  Americans do not live in a Mar-a-Lago like Trump, play golf almost daily and can spend money willy nilly. They respect and need the few Social Security dollars they receive every month.

Trump and Musk are already playing games with Social Security. Staff has been cut back significantly. People are having difficulty communicating to resolve their needs. The next step will be delays in payments. Then watch out!

Trump wants Greenland to become part of the U.S. in some fashion. Denmark that owns Greenland and Greenland itself do not want such. Greenlanders would enjoy more business relations with the U.S., however. They have many minerals U.S. businesses could use. Security is the Trump claimed issue. Actually, it is the minerals.

This Vance, wife and child visit a bullshit one. The wife and child visiting first purportedly to watch a snow race. Greenland people were not happy with it. A sneaky way apparently from their perspective to make it look like the U.S. was sucking up to the Greenish people to make it look like we should be friends. The Greenies viewed it as part of an attempted “takeover.” It was then announced Vance would be joining his wife and child and the visit would be only to an isolated U.S. base on Greenland. It was obvious Greenland did not welcome the visit.

Vance and family might as well stay home. Greenland appears not to want them at the present time.

My hedonistic nature will be satisfied later this morning. A manicure and pedicure with Tammy. I have been doing such for 50 years. With Tammy the last 20 years. I am good for a manicure every two weeks and a pedicure every three.

Try it. You’ll love it.

Enjoy your day!

Major screw ups re U.S. attack on Yemen? Did top Trump administration officials discuss sensitive secret information improperly?

A major faux pas, if so.

Could warrant criminal investigation.

Trump officials who testified  before a Senate Committee yesterday re the issue were evasive and danced around the problem. Weak overall.

Trump’s Executive Orders have reached the point of being more than excessive. A most recent one requiring persons to provide documentation proving they are citizens when they register to vote appears to go a step too far. Such could prevent millions from voting.

Trump cried fraud in the past re the 2016 and 2020 elections to no avail. Examination revealed no widespread corruption.

Trump says he is considering a “compensation fund” for the January 6 rioters he pardoned.

As stupid and wrong as the pardons themselves!

A long discredited researcher and vaccine doubter has been retained to conduct  a government study on whether vaccines cause autism. He is David Geier. He and his father have written papers on the issue. An issue which has been studied for decades and essentially debunked.

David was disciplined by Maryland more than a decade ago for practicing medicine without a license.

Paul Weiss is one of the nation and world’s outstanding law firms. Instead of standing up to Trump re Trump’s recent onslaught against the courts and law firms, they kneeled to him. Even promising $40 million in pro bono work to organizations Trump recommends.

Disgusting! Shameful! It is up to attorneys and courts to save U.S. democracy. Paul Weiss has failed the nation and their profession.

The deportation flights carrying alleged Venezuela gang members to San Salvador a hot case that could end with amazing results. Surprisingly so. Including perjury by top Trump administration officers.

The moral of the story: Do not lie to a Federal District Court Judge. Chief Judge James Boasberg not one to be screwed with.

I am uneasy with what is occurring with Social Security. Trump and his cohorts are step by step taking down the Agency. Wrongly so.

The American people will not stand for it. Especially those 65 and older.

Social Security a Humpy Dumpty story in the making. Trump could fall and will not be able to be returned to his position on the wall.

I close with the weather.

Key West weather has been strange the past two days. Temperatures in the low 80’s and heavy humidity.

National forecasters advise summer type temperatures will sway across the country over the next two weeks. Humidity will be heavy. It will be June weather in March. Rare severe thunderstorms expected in certain areas also.

Enjoy your day!