Dixie Wildwood will return after this brief interlude.
Key West, the Conch Republic and southermost point of the continental USA – balmy, warm lush winds, old pastel homes with broad front porches and thick tropical gardens, ahhh. There is a great community here just beyond Duval street where the cruise liner passengers don’t venture. A couple of blocks NE of Margarittaville and Sloppy Joe’s where Harleys throb and feral roosters crow (below) and blend into the sounds of Cuban guitars and piano bars. There are foods that reflect the marine location and progressive values of the fascinating people who live (vs. visit) here.
SAM and I see all this because our host and guide, lifelong pal and college roommate, George, has thrived in Key West for almost 30 years. Everyone refers to him as “Uncle George.” He is a real celeb here. For years he ran a small guesthouse half a block off of Duval. He’s a world traveller, tour organizer and guide, teacher, theater critic, cat-lover, writer and bon vivant. A calm, relaxed guy who often attends five events a day. His salon of friends cover the dense cultural map that is Key West. UG summers with family and sails around Casco Bay and Cape Cod. He’s a genuine original in a town of originals.
One of his talented pals, a caberet singer, musician and museum curator, is Nancy 3 (not a typo) Hoffman. We caught her show at the Tennessee Williams Theater. Nancy is an “international treasure” according to one critic. She sings in many languages, and musical styles with a wink, a dollop of humor and a large helping of class. Nancy spends half of her time here and half at her home on Peaks Island off Portland Maine. It is there that she established her Umbrella Cover Museum – a celebration of the mundane. Featured on NPR and the BBC and recently as one of 10 unusual places to see in a 3/5/10 USA Today story. Thanks for a great show Nancy!
And, this just in. George, after lecturing a group of CEOs on their yacht this AM, invited me to his DUVAL mens’ club lunch. Nine mature, witty, outspoken guys who also listen. New topics at the drop of a dangling participle. The art of conversation is still alive. Thank you Lou (writer,) Joel (composer, conductor,) Harry (writer,) Shirrel (publishing executive,) Randy (minister) Ted (professor,) Jim (retired minister, ACLU volunteer,) and Uncle George (see above.) What a privilege to attend and engage.