WOMEN DRINKING HARD STUFF

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Regarding people in their 60s, I read that women generally are drinking hard stuff and men wine. A change in drinking choice. Proof once again that women are the stronger sex.

Did some research yesterday afternoon for my tuesday evening podcast show. I have been waiting till tuesday to prepare the past couple of weeks. Made for long tuesdays.

Donna and Terri celebrated their anniversary this past week. Not from the day they married. From the day they first met. Eight years now. The right is theirs to determine from what date.

They were to be my guests last night to celebrate the event. Donna called mid afternoon to say Terri was a bit under the weather and they had to cancel.

So, I did Berlin’s alone.

Gage and Shaun bartending.

A couple to my left were eating 2 pound lobsters. I was tempted. Thought it would be too much for me last night. Instead, I enjoyed Berlin’s filet mignon special. A small piece of meat. To die for! Great cooking at Berlin’s!

Bria entertaining. A voice! She was singing 40s, 50s and 60s tunes while I was there. I sat a while after dinner to continue enjoying her.

Bria is a big woman. Not fat. Large. Very sultry. Innocently exudes sex.

Key West is supposedly studying the use of bicycle sharing to help reduce auto traffic. I say supposedly because I question whether Key West is taking it seriously.

China is. Successfully. If it is working for China, it will work here.

Bike sharing is escalating in China. Beijing has 5.6 million automobiles. Two companies in the business. Ofo and Mobike. Their bikes located all over Beijing. The customer locates one, books the bike using a cell phone, and rides away.

Ofo is the cheaper of the two companies. Its market college students. The rental cost is $. 07 American money per hour. With a $13 deposit for the bike. Returned when trip completed.

What blew me out was the cost of a new bicycle. Ofo pays $30 for a new bike. A used one cannot be purchased for that money in Key West. Not even close.

Hangzhou has the largest public bicycle program. The largest number of bicycles in any city world wide. Eighty four thousand bikes!

Key West City Commission, pay attention to China. It does not hurt to study a city where a bicycle program has proven successful. A smaller community such as Key West provides an easier opportunity for success.

We are into the voting season. Secret ballot. No one’s business who a person actually votes for.

Was not always so. There was a time when a voter’s choice was made publicly. Before an audience of friends and neighbors. A public act.

The setting was generally a platform in a public square. The voter went up, openly enunciated who he was voting for. A clerk recorded his vote. This was done in front of huge crowds. Some in the crowds heckling, drinking and/or brawling.

Thus was the method of voting in the U.S. from colonial times to the 1880s. Washington, Jefferson and Lincoln were elected this way.

Key West busy again this weekend. Not as many visitors as for Fantasy Fest. Large enough, however.

Parrotheads. Jimmy Buffett fans. This weekend their annual convention.

People come from all over the U.S. to enjoy the Parrothead convention, as people do for Fantasy Fest. Parrothead partiers significantly subdued in comparison to those that attend Fantasy Fest.

Some Fantasy Fest women from Iowa and Nebraska for example proudly exhibit their breasts. Grandmothers, teachers, etc. Good persons all. The Parrothead women on the other hand keep their clothes on. Limit their fun/foolishness to wearing crazy hats. The international sign of a parrothead.

Different strokes for different folks.

Key West Rotary history continues. This is installment 6.

The time continues to be 1925.

In November 1925, a Rotary meeting was held in St. Paul’s Parish Hall. A distinguished speaker.  Frank W. Lovering. A building contractor and former managing editor of the Boston Herald. His speech described as stirring.

The subject was Key West’s need for a planning board.

Problems discussed by Lovering are the same today in many respects. Parking, wider streets to accommodate increased traffic, better school facilities, a modern waterfront.

Key West has been successful re school facilities and a modern waterfront. A failure as to parking and more driveable streets.

He recommended the City plan for the pipeline recently authorized by the State legislature. Also, plan for the additional cars that would be coming to Key West down the Overseas Highway.

Lovering recommended that the City “…..plan for growth of that yet you may–a distasteful job. But necessary.”

Re the waterfront, “Give ocean traffic a chance in your zoning map so that proper segregation will make a modern and a practical waterfront.”

Lovering closed his address with…..”Be broad of mind and of vision.”

Enjoy your day!

 

 

PERSONAL RECOLLECTIONS

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Today brings to mind three recollections. One well known. The other two personal.

The first not so long ago. On this date in 2008, Barack Obama was elected America’s first African-American President.

A history making date.

The second involves refugees and the Hungarian Revolution. The Revolution occurred in 1956. Hungary was Russian dominated. People unhappy. Protesting in the streets. Nothing violent.

After ten days, things heated up. Rocks and beer bottles being thrown at Russian soldiers and tanks. Days 11 and 12, the beer bottles turned into bullets.

On this date in 1956, the Russians said no more. They sent in the tanks. Blazing away. The so called Revolution was over. Two thousand five hundred killed, 2oo,ooo Hungarians fleeing the country.

Those who fled were refugees. A problem the world knows today.

Where to go?

Some ended up in the United States. How many I do not know. Many were college students. The students were taken in by various American colleges. Every college did its fair share.

I was a senior at Manhattan college. All of a sudden in the middle of a semester, we had a dozen Hungarian students in our midst.

One became a friend. Gergo. He spoke excellent English. We talked evenings after diner. Generally at a bench on campus.

Gergo told the story of the Revolution in simplistic terms. He said no one wanted a revolution. Especially the college students. He said that after drinking beer in the evenings, they would throw rocks and beer bottles at the Russian soldiers and tanks. For fun.

After a while, the Russians no longer consider the throwings a fun activity. They started shooting back.

The students got some guns and returned the fire. At this point not yet a revolution in their minds. Merely tit for tat.

When the tanks came out big time firing, things got serious. One night only. That is all it took. The students retaliated with molotov cocktails. No competition for the tanks.

The students knew they were done and had to get out of Hungary quickly. Here it was two weeks after fleeing and Gergo and I were talking about what happened.

No one argued about taking refugees in at the time. Of course, the number of Hungarian refugees was significantly less than those that have come out of Syria in recent times.

Personal letters from Santa Claus a final recollection.

I came across on the internet an advertisement by Magical Xmas Letters. Send the company $17.94 and your child will receive a personally signed letter from Santa Claus and some North Pole information. The letter printed. The signature written.

Back in the 1960s, two Utica attorneys did the same thing at Xmas time. Pat Bernardi and Jim Zogby. Law partners. Both now long gone.

Pat and Jim were five years older than me. Young lawyers did not make much money in those days. They came up with the idea of sending Santa Claus letters out. Parents wrote. Pat and Jim’s operation returned a handwritten and signed letter from Santa Claus.

The cost was relatively cheap. The exact amount, I cannot recall. Two dollars sticks in my mind. A probable price some fifty years ago. I had the letters sent to my children.

Pat and Jim’s Xmas business took hold. Soon they had to rent space and hire a number of women to write the letters. Even Pat and Jim got into handwriting responses. Business boomed.

A tiring, but banner Xmas season for Pat and Jim. An experience that left them extremely tired came Xmas Eve.

Bocce last night. Don’s Place won 2-1. Not good enough. Needed all three games. Will remain in second place.

Syracuse/Clemson tomorrow. Clemson a top 10 team. Favored by 27 points.

Syracuse has played well the last two games. I see the game closer. Maybe an upset?????

Installment 5 of a Key West Rotary history.

The year 1925.

Nineteen twenty five was a busy year for the Rotary. Today only a partial report. The year will take 1 or 2 additional installments to complete.

Sloppy Joe’s was not Sloppy Joe’s in 1925. It was the Victoria Restaurant.

On October 15, a Cuban Boy Scout Troop visited Key West. The Rotary honored the group at a luncheon at Victoria’s. The Scoutmaster only spoke Spanish. His words were translated by Sebastian Cabrera.

Dr. J. Y. Porter, Sr. was a Key West charter Rotarian, local physician, and the first public health doctor for the State of Florida. A week after the Cuban boy scout event, Dr. Porter was 78 years old. The Rotary threw him a birthday party. Talk, singing, and birthday cake with 78 candles. Porter blew them all out!

Judge Jefferson B. Browne recalled how Dr. Porter had been instrumental in stemming the spread of yellow fever in Jacksonville.

Dr. Porter had returned to Key West after his State service to take charge of the Chamber of Commerce.

Captain Jack Maher was commander of the Key West Army Barracks. At the party, he sang When You Were Young Maggie and The Sunshine of Your Smile. The latter being Dr. Porter’s favorite tune.

The Key West Rotary was conservation minded. Late in October, the Club endorsed a proposal to ban the shooting and trapping of birds and protecting Key deer.

Time does not change some things. We are still protecting Key deer. Dr. Porter spoke in support of protecting birds. He viewed birds as eating disease carrying mosquitoes and insects.

More 1925 to follow tomorrow.

Enjoy your day!

 

LUNCHED AT NAVIGATOR

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Wes is a relatively new friend. We met through this blog. Wes a retired U.S. Navy Captain. An Annapolis graduate. He and his wife snowbirds. There Key West home at 1800. Home other times is Annapolis.

I was Wes’ guest at lunch yesterday. At the Navigator on Boca Chica. Boca Chica is a Naval Air Station. Wes was stationed at Boca Chica early in his career for submarine duty. Returned in later years in another capacity.

Wes loved his Key West time. He lived in Key West during his high school years. When the Navy stationed him at Boca, it was going home time for him.

Boca Chica is a huge facility. Never appreciated the size. I had only been on base two times previously. For bowling parties.

The Navigator is a bar/restaurant facility at one of the far ends of the base. Sits on open water. Could see and hear the planes flying over low to land.

Boca Chica sits four miles up U.S. 1. A state of the art training facility for air to air combat. Homeland Security on the base. Drug interdiction offices also. In addition to other governmental stations.

A U.S. Naval presence has existed at Boca Chica since 1814. The pirates Blackbeard and Captain William Kidd were raising havoc with commercial shipping. The U.S. stationed Navy vessels at Boca Chica to ward the pirates off.

The base was technically opened December 15, 1940. A busy place during World War II. A huge German submarine presence existed off the Florida shores.

Another major time in the base’s existence was the Cuban Missile Crisis.

Boca Chica is not in full use today. Appears desolate. Activity minimal. I closed my eyes and could envision the base when fully operational. Had to be exciting!

Spent my afternoon yesterday doing some further research re Wright Langley. Author of the History of the Rotary Club of Key West. I plan on doing installments re the work. I will deviate on occasion to write about matters connected to Rotary, but outside the purview of Langley’s work itself.

Guaranteed. Will be interesting!

The author Wright Langley a person of consequence. I have been fortunate to make connection with his wife Joan and son Mark in preparation for the Langley portion.

In recent years, I have generally avoided Fantasy Fest. Parking the major problem. My car was towed three times. Plus, Fantasy Fest does not excite me as it once did..

With one exception. I love seeing the bare breasted and otherwise nude women. The pleasure has never left me.

I got a fill last night.

On my way to Berlin’s and then back home, I had to pass through 3-4 blocks of party goers. It was all there for me. Breasts and bodies. One problem. The lighting was not good. I was lucky not to have run into someone.

Shaun bartending at Berlin’s. Met a number of interesting people.

Cecci and John from Naples. Plus, a lady visitor from England with them. Cecci and John looking to buy a home in the Keys. Interested in Cudjoe.

Two guys sat next to me at the bar to eat. From the Morristown area in New Jersey. Their tenth Fantasy Fest. Staying at the Pier House. Never been to the Chart Room. Sent them over to see John.

I was not that hungry. A wedge salad and bowl of lobster bisque. The bisque to die for!

Tonight, the parade! A big event! About 40 floats this year. The lighting will be good. The scanty clothed women on the floats easy to see.

The floats themselves magnificent.

I will not be there for the same reasons I have not been attending other Fantasy Fest events.

Liz is watching the parade. She purchased tickets for seating in front of St. Paul’s Church. Invited me to join here. I begged off.

Watched about five innings of the Cleveland/Chicago game last night. Great pitching. Either team could have won.

Enjoy your day!

FULL DAY AND NIGHT

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Busy day yesterday. One thing after another. All fun.

Syracuse played Boston College at noon. I figured I could watch till 1:15 before getting ready for Joseph Lyles retirement party at Hot Tin Roof. Got hooked on the game. Stayed till half time. Syracuse ahead 14-13.

Obviously got to Joseph’s party late. People were streaming out as I arrived. Joseph the last to leave. I was able to apologize, hug him and wish him well.

The party was moving over to the Pier House Beach Bar. Walked over with Joseph and Methias.

One end of the bar packed with party persons. Sat and chatted with Jean Thornton awhile. A lovely person.

Only one drink. A bloody Mary. Following which I was off and running. Home to find out how Syracuse did and watch some Alabama/Texas Tech football before leaving for bocce.

Syracuse won 28-20. A good victory. Any victory a good one. Syracuse now 4-4.

Bocce was a make up game with Hell’s Rangers. It had rained the night scheduled.

I would have been better off keeping my date with Jenna Stauffer. Don’s Place lost all three games. A beating! Lost the middle game 16-0.

Prior to last night, Hell’s Rangers had lost 5 out of its last 6 games. They were out for blood. They played very well and we were simply not with it. One of those nights.

The cheeseburgers, hot dogs and salads were delicious. Compensated for the defeat.

The temperature by day yesterday was 82. Last night 75. A very cold 75. The breeze off the ocean makes it feel cold. I was in a sports shirt and shorts. Froze the whole time! When I got home, I turned off the air conditioning, had a hot cup of tea with honey and buried myself under the covers. I did not kick the cold feeling till 3 this morning.

Big night tonight! Jenna! Love her! We have known each other close to 10 years. Early on she produced my TV show for three years. We are having dinner at Berlin’s.

I will not be doing Fantasy Fest every evening. After all the years attending, I now pick and choose. Probably will not return till Thursday night. Toga Party! I go to watch, not participate. It is the voyeur in me.

Fantasy Fest’s King and Queen were crowned Friday night at the Coronation Ball. King Christopher Rounds and Queen Jane Rohrschneider. I know Chris. have never met Jane.

King and Queen are determined by the number of dollars each candidate raises for AIDS Help. Chris and Jane raised the most ever. $368,000.

Chris is much younger than me. He grew up in the Boonville, New York area. Some 15 miles from my home town Utica.

I first met Chris when he bought Antonia’s. Sold it several years later and purchased La Te Da. Three years ago he did a complete renovation of La Te Da.

At all times, La Te Da’s food and entertainment the best. Conversation great. People friendly. La Te Da’ is a gay/straight venue which I believe contributes to its ambiance.

Diana Millikan sent me a site to read. The History of the Rotary Club of Key West. Authored by a Wright Langley in 1935. Covers the years 1915-1971.

Boring but interesting. Every now and then a happening that surprises. New knowledge.

When the William Hackley saga began appearing in the Key West Citizen, I thought it was a waste. I quickly became hooked on it, however.

I think the Rotary history  might result in a similar experience for my readers.

The History is lengthy. I plan on breaking it down into segments based on years. Everything will not be reported. Really boring. I will be picking and choosing. The result will be a history of Key West during the years in question as well as a Rotary history.

Tomorrow will be installment #1: 1915-1919.

Hope it tickles your fancy.

Enjoy your Sunday!