Key West and The Florida Keys, You too Can Live in Paradise

Today in History, Key West Florida

Gary McAdams (GMAC Schwartz Property Sales) — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 07:01:40 -0500

Today in History

512 Front St - Two Friends - 1966

Wednesday, April 29, 2009

20 YEARS AGO

Publisher Stephan J. Sosonski announced that The Key West Citizen would switch to a morning publication on June 5.

The Sheriff's Department moved the patrol office for District 1 from Key West to the new substation on Cudjoe Key.

Eric's Reality won the superboat class in the Bud Light Marathon Offshore Challenge.

50 YEARS AGO

The Navy/city liaison committee met and held a constructive discussion about the city police and courts.

Mrs. Ella Graham was voted the Outstanding Citizen at a meeting of the Marathon Memorial Post 154, American Legion.

Two Friends Bar, managed by Julius Schwartzberg, was at 512 Front St.

The Collier County Bookmobile traveled the Keys over the weekend and raised an interest in a similar library service in the Keys.

100 YEARS AGO

The Rev. J.W. Roseborough, a Presbyterian minister from DeLand, conducted services in City Hall for a week in an effort to organize a Presbyterian church in the city.

Mrs. W.H. Demeritt Jr. moved to Pensacola to join her husband, who was chief engineer on the lighthouse tender Mangrove stationed there.

Today in History, Key West Florida

Gary McAdams (GMAC Schwartz Property Sales) — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 05:53:52 -0600

Today in History

1800 Atlantic Boulevard.

20 Years Ago

Key West won a precedent-setting impact fee appeal against Larry Marks, developer of 1800 Atlantic Blvd.

The former head bookkeeper of the First National Bank of the Florida Keys in Marathon was charged with defrauding the bank of about $82,000.

50 YEARS AGO

The Key West City Commission struck out 3,232 of the 3,500 names on a petition calling for a referendum on the controversial utility tax ordinance.

The State Road Department called for bids on a new bridge over the Riviera Canal on South Roosevelt Boulevard.

An ordinance exempting tax-supported bodies from taxation by the city was passed on it first reading.

Otis R. Barnett completed recruit training at the Marine Corps recruit training base at Parris Island, S.C.

100 YEARS AGO

Hotel Jefferson opened its dining room under the management of J.P. Vining. He brought the chef from the hotel in Linville, N.C., that he managed during the summer.

Ramajo Trujino was appointed superintendent of the Havana-American cigar factory.

Today in History, Key West Florida

Gary McAdams (GMAC Schwartz Property Sales) — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 05:51:28 -0600

Today in History

Sands Sewing Center was at 706 Duval Street in the 1960's. Photo from the Property Appraiser's office.

10 years ago

A Big Coppitt woman filed a complaint with Deputy Matt Dowling, sayingshe and her cat had been attacked by a marauding band of Muscovy ducks.

50 years ago

Sheriff's deputies and federal agents arrested eight men and seized $50,000 in arms and ammunition destined for Cuban rebel forces. Agents followed the boat from Marathon to Bahia Honda, where several vehicles' full of arms were parked.

Sands Sewing Center, owned by William L. Sands, was at 706 Duval St.

William B. Bradley was installed as president of the Marathon Board of Realtors in an installation banquet at the Buccaneer Lodge.

Key West Police Chief George Gomez said police were investigating the theft of $9,850 worth of jewels from a guest at the Casa Marina Hotel.

100 years ago

The U.S. court paid out about $12,000 on shares of wrecks that had been hanging fire for months, and the extra money helped to increase holiday shopping.

Today in History, Key West Florida

Gary McAdams (GMAC Schwartz Property Sales) — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 06:09:31 -0600

Today in History

Coca-Cola Bottling Company plant on simonton Street.

20 YEARS AGO

New Monroe County Sheriff J. Allison Defoor told the City Commission he would provide deputies for foot patrol on Duval Street, but that the city would have to take steps to address its own problems.

50 YEARS AGO

Sen. Homer E. Capehart of Indiana gave an informal talk at East Martello Towers titled "Russia and the U.S. Defense."

More than 1,500 American citizens had returned to Key West from Cuba by ship and plane, according to estimates.

The Coca-Cola Bottling Co. was at 101 Simonton St.

Mrs. Georges Lemay, who disappeared seven years earlier while fishing on the Tom's Harbor bridge, remained on the books as a missing person, as no trace of her ever was found.

100 YEARS AGO

Dr. J.V. Harris, the retiring supervisor of public instruction, was appointed to fill a vacancy on the Monroe County School Board caused by the resignation of Lawrence Higgs.

The old lighthouse tender Laurel, which had been stationed in Key West for years, was condemned and sold.

Today in History, Key West Florida

Gary McAdams (GMAC Schwartz Property Sales) — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 06:59:29 -0600

Today in History

The Cuban Presidential Yacht in Key West.

20 YEARS AGO

The Monroe County Commission agreed to purchase the Truman School for office spaces for $937,000.

Richard Lischer was elected president of the Key West Council of the Arts. The other officers were: Petronelia Collins, vice president, and Dr. Elwood Bear, secretary-treasurer.

50 YEARS AGO

The auto-passenger ferry City of Havana made a special round trip to Havana to evacuate American citizens trapped in Cuba by the Castro Revolution.

Among the Cuban refugee boats arriving in Key West was the former president's private yacht, the Martha III.

100 YEARS AGO

Manuel Lopez & Co., a cigar manufacturer of New York, signed a contract with Key West Realty Co. for a tract of land to build a factory. The company also signed a contract with Ferguson and Ward to build a three-story factory that could hold 260 workers.

The U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey party that had worked for the past two winters in Key West arrived to continue surveying the channels leading into the harbor.

Today in History, Key West Florida

Gary McAdams (GMAC Schwartz Property Sales) — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 07:47:01 -0600

Today in History

The Naval Station with the Presidential Gates on the right.

20 YEARS AGO

Monroe County deputies flying over Upper Sugarloaf Key spotted marijuana growing in pots, and deputies on the ground confiscated 144 of the potted plants.

50 YEARS AGO

President Fulgencio Batista gave up the fight with Fidel Castro and fled Cuba for the Dominican Republic. Carlos Piedra was named provisional president.

Backers of Batista began arriving in Key West by boat and plane. Among those landing in Key West was former Cuban President Carlos Prio Socarras.

Sandra Jean Brown, born at the Navy Hospital at 12:58 a.m., was Monroe County's first baby of 1959.

100 YEARS AGO

Southern Bell Telephone Co. announced that J.W. Atkins had been appointed commercial and traffic manager, and Mr. Andrews was named plant manager.

Emil Arner, who had been store manager for National Biscuit Co., resigned and opened a store to sell goods from an independent bakery.

The ladies of the Naval Station held a New Year's reception and a large number of people called during the afternoon. The 9th Artillery Band played during the reception.

Today in History, Key West Florida

Gary McAdams (GMAC Schwartz Property Sales) — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 05:56:26 -0600

Today in History The Bamboo Room on Smith Lane in the 1960's. Photo from the Property Appraiser's office.

10 YEARS AGO

New Year's partying started early and the crowd was building at Sloppy Joe's to watch the conch shell mark the beginning of 1999.

50 years ago

During the night, Cuban President Fulgencio Batistaand his top government officials left Cuba for the Dominican Republic and the United States, leaving Fidel Castro victor in the two-year civil war.

The Navy announced that submarine tender Howard W. Gilmore and nine submarines would be moved from Key West to Charleston, S.C., by Aug. 1, 1959.

The Bamboo Room on Smith Lane had a gala New Year's Eve party with Alan Scottand the Characters, with no cover and no admission and a large bottle of champagne for $7.50.

100 years ago

Happy New Year to all, from the Hambrights.

Today in History, Key West Florida

Gary McAdams (GMAC Schwartz Property Sales) — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 06:07:41 -0600

Today in History

Fat Albert on Cudjoe Key.

10 years ago

Tourists were back and took over downtown and grabbed any available plot of sand on Smathers Beach.

50 YEARS AGO

About 50 Fidel Castro sympathizers staged a protest at the post office on Simonton Street over an alleged plot by Nicaragua and the Dominican Republic to help Fulgencio Batista forces in Cuba.

The U.S. Air Force was planning a missile tracking site on Cudjoe Key, where the Fat Albert blimp is based. The site was an adjunct of the Eglin Air Force Base near Panama City, Fla.

The Florida Board of Conservation conditionally approved a request from Gulf Oil Corp. to conduct seismographic tests north of Key West in search of oil.

A Cuban Army colonel for Batista's forces defected to Key West and applied for asylum.

Ralph Sierra, a Key West native, was appointed to a civil service post in Hawaii.

100 YEARS AGO

The new schedule for the P. & O. Steamship Line called for four steamers a week from Tampa and six a week from Knights Key.

Under water cameras at Bahia Honda

Gary McAdams (GMAC Schwartz Property Sales) — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 06:00:56 -0600

The waters below the Bahia Honda Bridge are one of the Florida Keys' more under-utilized dive spots.

The channel is home to sharks, Goliath groupers and other large species of snapper year-round. In the summer, pods of hundreds of large migrating tarpon take up residence, moving in and out of the bridge pylons.

The currents make the dive challenging. However, those not holding advanced diving certificates now have a front-row seat to the action. Students, teachers and scientists have installed two high-tech Web cameras at the base of the bridge, and live feeds are available on the Internet and on a screen at the Bahia Honda State Park visitor center.

A group of high school students from Colorado and the Keys partnered with some of the country's leading marine biologists and conservation groups to install and maintain the cameras. The cameras, which were installed this month, are powered by the sun and can be operated remotely by students across the country. In underwater housings and fitted with microphones, they stream live sound and video across the Internet.

"I could not be more delighted that the equipment has finally been deployed," said Trevor Mendelow, a science teacher with Kent Denver School in Colorado. "It will be so exciting to get school kids involved in marine science, and we hope to do more projects like this one in the future."

The project was proposed by Teens4Oceans, a nonprofit group of students, teachers and scientists whose mission is to increase students' understanding of oceans. Organizers want to expand the program to as many schools as they can, they said.

"It is so important to put kids in front of the world they live in, and they will develop a love for their natural heritage," Mendelow said. "It is an irrefutable fact that our marine ecosystems are in peril, but everyday people can do their part and make a huge difference to preserve nearshore habitats."

Teens4Oceans' goal is to empower teens and students to become good stewards for oceans through science research and philanthropic initiatives. Students at Kent Denver School raised about $34,000 for the high-tech camera and lighting equipment.

The students and organizers had to work with the Florida Department of Transportation for permits to put solar panels on the bridge and fit the cameras to the pylons.

"The kids really have picked up the ball and are running with it," said Rich Andrews, a board member with the conservation group Billfish Foundation. "Every single obstacle that was put in front of them, they got around. The way everyone pulled together to make this happen was really great."

The live feeds from the Web cameras can be viewed on the Web at http://teens4oceans.org.

Today in History, Key West Florida

Gary McAdams (GMAC Schwartz Property Sales) — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 05:55:32 -0600

Today in History

The West Key Package Store and Bar was at 506 Fleming Street. Photo by Property Appraiser's office.

10 years ago

The Conch Republic bid farewell to King Mel Fisher and celebrated his life of adventure. The service was held at the Mel Fisher Maritime Museum.

50 YEARS AGO

A climax in Cuba's two-year-old civil war appeared to be near as Fidel Castro's rebels smashed government forces in Eastern Cuba and Batista's army waged a fierce offense against the insurgents.

The West Key Package Store and Bar, managed by Blas Zarate, was at 506 Fleming St.

Some 220 unexpected passengers arrived at Key West International Airport when four large passenger planes were forced to land due to fog at the Miami International Airport.

The board of directors of the Marathon Chamber of Commerce praised the County Commission for its part in planning and constructing the Boot Key Bridge.

100 YEARS AGO

Work resumed on the Northwest Channel jetty when the steamship Wilhelmina arrived with 2,600 tons of stone. Approximately 8,300 tons of stone were being shipped from the quarries in Massachusetts.

Today in History, Key West Florida

Gary McAdams (GMAC Schwartz Property Sales) — Sun, 28 Dec 2008 08:47:28 -0600

Today in History

Betty Ann Stationers was at 600 Fleming Street in the 1960's. Photo by Property Appraiser's office.

10 years ago

A man getting an early start on New Year's stole a $40 bottle of Moet champagne from a Duval Street convenience store but did not go far, as he was sitting across the street drinking it when police arrived.

50 YEARS AGO

The U.S. Public Health Service reported that 45.8 percent of all deaths in Monroe County were caused by diseases of the cardiovascular system, the leading cause of death nationwide. The county was lower than the national average of 53 percent.

Betty-Ann Stationers, Betty L. Roberts owner, was at 600 Fleming St.

Johnny Bigler was the winner of the annual Teenage Road-a-o sponsored by the Junior Chamber of Commerce at the Naval Air Station.

Vance C. Stirrup was elected president of the Key West Shrine Club for 1959.

Army Spc. 4 Roderick Rolle was with the 84th Artillery in Germany. He was a 1955 graduate of Douglass High School.

100 YEARS AGO

Theodore Sweeting won the cribbage tournament at the Banyan Club after a nine-game playoff with Lt. Boyist.

Today in History, Key West Florida

Gary McAdams (GMAC Schwartz Property Sales) — Fri, 26 Dec 2008 05:53:15 -0600

Today in History

Sands Sewing Center was at 706 Duval Street in the 1960's. Photo from the Property Appraiser's office.

10 years ago

A Big Coppitt woman filed a complaint with Deputy Matt Dowling, sayingshe and her cat had been attacked by a marauding band of Muscovy ducks.

50 years ago

Sands Sewing Center, owned by William L. Sands, was at 706 Duval St.

William B. Bradley was installed as president of the Marathon Board of Realtors in an installation banquet at the Buccaneer Lodge.

Key West Police Chief George Gomez said police were investigating the theft of $9,850 worth of jewels from a guest at the Casa Marina Hotel.

100 years ago

The U.S. court paid out about $12,000 on shares of wrecks that had been hanging fire for months, and the extra money helped to increase holiday shopping.

Today in History, Key WEst Florida

Gary McAdams (GMAC Schwartz Property Sales) — Thu, 25 Dec 2008 07:30:46 -0600

Today in History

Cornish Memorial AME zion Church at 704 Witehead Street.

10 years ago

The Pier House Restaurant was offering a Festive Christmas Dinner Buffet from 3 to 10 p.m. for $34.95 per person.

50 YEARS AGO

St. Paul's Episcopal Church started Christmas Day with a Solemn Procession and Midnight Mass at 12:01 a.m.

Raul's, Key West's Smartest Supper Club, was offering a complete Christmas dinner for $2.35.

The Cornish Memorial AME Zion Church, the Rev. Andrew F. Hooper, held Christmas services.

Joseph Jurczynski, of 914 Eaton St., had something different with his upside-down Christmas tree.

100 YEARS AGO

Midnight services were held at a number of churches and all the churches held services Christmas Day. The Knights Templar headed by the Ninth Artillery Band made a parade to and from St. Paul's church, where they conducted their Christmas Observance.

Today in History, Key West Florida

Gary McAdams (GMAC Schwartz Property Sales) — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 05:52:15 -0600

Today in History

Sands Sewing Center was at 706 Duval Street in the 1960's. Photo from the Property Appraiser's office.

10 years ago

A Big Coppitt woman filed a complaint with Deputy Matt Dowling, sayingshe and her cat had been attacked by a marauding band of Muscovy ducks.

50 years ago

Sands Sewing Center, owned by William L. Sands, was at 706 Duval St.

William B. Bradley was installed as president of the Marathon Board of Realtors in an installation banquet at the Buccaneer Lodge.

Key West Police Chief George Gomez said police were investigating the theft of $9,850 worth of jewels from a guest at the Casa Marina Hotel.

100 years ago

The U.S. court paid out about $12,000 on shares of wrecks that had been hanging fire for months, and the extra money helped to increase holiday shopping.

Today in History, Key West Florida

Gary McAdams (GMAC Schwartz Property Sales) — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 06:01:02 -0600

Today in History

Sands Sewing Center was at 706 Duval Street in the 1960's. Photo from the Property Appraiser's office.

10 years ago

A Big Coppitt woman filed a complaint with Deputy Matt Dowling, sayingshe and her cat had been attacked by a marauding band of Muscovy ducks.

50 years ago

Sands Sewing Center, owned by William L. Sands, was at 706 Duval St.

William B. Bradley was installed as president of the Marathon Board of Realtors in an installation banquet at the Buccaneer Lodge.

Key West Police Chief George Gomez said police were investigating the theft of $9,850 worth of jewels from a guest at the Casa Marina Hotel.

100 years ago

The U.S. court paid out about $12,000 on shares of wrecks that had been hanging fire for months, and the extra money helped to increase holiday shopping.

Today in History, Key West Florida

Gary McAdams (GMAC Schwartz Property Sales) — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 05:58:48 -0600

Today in History

Sands Sewing Center was at 706 Duval Street in the 1960's. Photo from the Property Appraiser's office.

10 years ago

A Big Coppitt woman filed a complaint with Deputy Matt Dowling, sayingshe and her cat had been attacked by a marauding band of Muscovy ducks.

50 years ago

Sands Sewing Center, owned by William L. Sands, was at 706 Duval St.

William B. Bradley was installed as president of the Marathon Board of Realtors in an installation banquet at the Buccaneer Lodge.

Key West Police Chief George Gomez said police were investigating the theft of $9,850 worth of jewels from a guest at the Casa Marina Hotel.

100 years ago

The U.S. court paid out about $12,000 on shares of wrecks that had been hanging fire for months, and the extra money helped to increase holiday shopping.

Today in History, Key West Florida

Gary McAdams (GMAC Schwartz Property Sales) — Sun, 21 Dec 2008 08:36:56 -0600

Today in History

The Beauty Box at 701 1/2 Simonton Street in the 1960's. Photo from Property Appraiser's office.

10 years ago

A German company was filming a TV movie titled "Dance of the Dolphins" at Dolphins Plus at Mile Marker 102.

50 years ago

John Demeritt, center on the Key West High School football teams of 1951, '52, '53 and '54, was entering Auburn University on a football scholarship in January after his discharge from the Air Force.

The average Key West household's income for the fiscal year ending in July 1958 was $6,715, which was above the national average of $5,983.

The Beauty Box, Mrs. Blanche. M. Ponce owner, was at 701 ½ Simonton St.

The production of headless shrimp from the Tortugas grounds for Dec. 8 to 14 was 275,164 pounds.

Capt. Edward Brumby threw the switch to start the Naval Station's new 2,500 kilowatt generator.

100 years ago

The holiday trade in the businesses of the city was good, with the streets full of people shopping and happy.

Today in History, Key West Florida

Gary McAdams (GMAC Schwartz Property Sales) — Sat, 20 Dec 2008 08:07:59 -0600

Today in History

The Ruth Hargrove School.

10 years ago

People were getting connected for Christmas, as there were seven Keys-based companies offering toll-free dial-up access to the Internet.

50 years ago

The Order of DeMolay changed its name to Fernando W. Camus Chapter. The late Fernando W. Camus was one of the charter members of the local chapter, founded in 1923.

American Air Taxi began three flights daily between Marathon and Miami.

Frank Tynes Jr. was named Worshipful Master of the Dr. Felix Varela Lodge No. 84 Free and Accepted Masons.

Charles B. Sands was installed as worshipful Master of the Union Lodge No. 47 Free and Accepted Masons.

100 years

The railroad plans called for 1,000 workers south of Knights Key in 30 days.

The public schools and Ruth Hargrove School were closed for the holidays. The public schools were to reopen on Jan. 4.

Today in History, Key West Florida

Gary McAdams (GMAC Schwartz Property Sales) — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 05:57:48 -0600

Today in History

Mel Fisher on the right.

10 years ago

Mel Fisher, American's greatest treasure hunter -- whose name was synonymous with Key West -- died at home at the age of 76.

50 years ago

Sheriff John M. Spottswood was reappointed as a member of the Florida Sheriff's Bureau. The bureau coordinated law enforcement activities throughout the state.

Mrs. Harold C. Campbell was installed as president of the women of the First Presbyterian Church.

The Key West Havana ferry announced that the ship would sail from Key West on Tuesday and Friday until the end of January.

100 years ago

The railroad loaded 14,000 barrels of cement on barges and shipped them to camps on Pigeon Key and Summerland Key.

Today in History, Key West Florida

Gary McAdams (GMAC Schwartz Property Sales) — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 05:54:25 -0600

Today in History

The Little Char;les Hotel at 713 Whitmarsh Lane,

10 years ago

The Key West City Commission was being asked to require commercial boats that had leases at the bight to use sewage pump-out stations.

50 years ago

The state road department voted to transfer title to the Marathon airport to Monroe County. The airport was leased to National Airlines but Marathon residents had complained it was not being properly maintained.

The Little Charles Hotel, John C. Ramsey manager, was at 713 Whitemarsh Lane.

The Marathon Junior Chamber of Commerce was holding its second annual Christmas Ball at the Buccaneer Lodge.

The new officers of the Marathon Kiwanis were: H.O. Williams, president; Norman Martin-Vegue, first vice president; Chester P. Sadowski, second vice president; Robert F. Fuller, treasurer; and William T. Hill, secretary.

Sam Silberman, a Key West businessman, was elected president of the Key West Golf Club. Jimmy Mira was voted in as entertainment chairman.

100 years ago

The Key West and Havana baseball teams played two games on two days before large crowds. The Havana team won both games.

Today in History, Key West Florida

Gary McAdams (GMAC Schwartz Property Sales) — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 06:00:06 -0600

Today in History

The Little Char;les Hotel at 713 Whitmarsh Lane,

10 years ago

The Key West City Commission was being asked to require commercial boats that had leases at the bight to use sewage pump-out stations.

50 years ago

The Little Charles Hotel, John C. Ramsey manager, was at 713 Whitemarsh Lane.

The Marathon Junior Chamber of Commerce was holding its second annual Christmas Ball at the Buccaneer Lodge.

Sam Silberman, a Key West businessman, was elected president of the Key West Golf Club. Jimmy Mira was voted in as entertainment chairman.

100 years ago

The Key West and Havana baseball teams played two games on two days before large crowds. The Havana team won both games.

Today in History, Key West Florida

Gary McAdams (GMAC Schwartz Property Sales) — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 05:57:01 -0600

Today in History

The Cave Inn Bar was at 724 Duval Street and the Two Brothers Cafe at 722 Duval Street in the 1960's. Photo from the Porperty Appraiser's office.

10 years ago

Monroe County shut down the hurricane-debris burning sites on Rockland and Ramrod keys at the urging of the Department of Environmental Protection.

50 years ago

The fifth annual gift to the community, the Key West High School Christmas Show was given in the stadium free of charge.

The Cave Inn Bar, managed by Georgina Sosin, was at 724 Duval St.

Department of Commerce officials were in town to meet with county officials to plan the 1960 census.

The University of Miami was offering rewards for the return of recaptured tagged shrimp.

An evaluation of Key West High School by the Department of Education was planned for the spring.

100 years ago

The Rev. E.F. Gates, who was the second pastor of Spark's chapel 40 years before, passed through the city and visited with some old friends.

Monroe County Receives Grant for Day Care

Gary McAdams (GMAC Schwartz Property Sales) — Sun, 14 Dec 2008 07:05:13 -0600

There's a long line of families willing to put their children in Monroe County's school readiness program, but the funding has fallen short. For the parents of 122 children, the "extra money" needed to get them into the program won't come too soon.

That's why the news of a $279,000 contribution from Miami-Dade's Early Learning Coalition to the cash-strapped program in Monroe County is such good news, especially to Wesley House Family Services, which runs the program in the Florida Keys.

The program, a day-care and after-school program for newborns to 5-year-olds, prepares children for elementary school through "age-appropriate" curriculum.

"This is additional funding for the Monroe County school readiness program," said Doug Blomberg, executive director of Wesley House. "We work with child-care providers and give families financial assistance to help them pay for the child care. We already have used up all the money we had with child-care assistance, about $2.6 million."

Groups such as Wesley House, with its Inez Martin Child Development Center; the Key West Boys & Girls Clubs, church-based child-care centers and others provide the curriculum that prepares young children for school.

The Lower Keys, at least, until recent months has had a shortage of spots to place children in day care, but that's changed with the reopening of a remodeled Inez Martin and other private facilities.

"The parents choose the day care they want for their children," Blomberg said. "Wesley House is a big provider, but we provide a list of day-care centers for parents; but it's their choice -- they choose where their child will go."

The Miami-Dade coalition's board of directors approved the money for Monroe County on Dec. 1.

"Considering there are more than 8,000 children on the Miami-Dade wait list, the decision to move the dollars was difficult, but we understand the unique issues that Monroe County faces so we wanted to do whatever we could to help," the board wrote in its announcement.

To qualify for child-care money, all adults in the household must work a minimum of 20 hours per week and have a gross household income that is no higher than 150 percent of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. It breaks down thusly: two parents, maximum income of $20,000; three people, $25,755; four people, $30,975; five people; $36,195.

For child-care referrals, call Wesley House at 877-595-5437.

Today in History, Key West Florida

Gary McAdams (GMAC Schwartz Property Sales) — Sun, 14 Dec 2008 07:02:41 -0600

Today in History

An aerial of Key Haven and Stock Island taken from the east Circa 1980. From the Dale McDonald Collection.

10 years ago

The MARC House unveiled its Southernmost Christmas Tree, topped with a Conch Republic Flag, at the corner of Whitehead and South streets.

50 years ago

Capt. Henry Russell of the Salvation Army was elected president of the newly organized United Fund of Monroe County. The other officers were: Bob Brown, first vice president; Neil Knowles, second vice president; Thelma Ward, secretary; and Joe Pinder, treasurer.

Sam Holland, Key West High School senior, was named to the 1958 Gold Coast Conference All-Star football team.

Florida Keys Broadcasting Corp. announced plans to begin broadcasting from the new station WKIZ on Jan. 1.

Joe Pearlman announced that the Key Haven development was officially open. Every lot was 60-by-100 feet with canal frontage for $3,000.

100 years ago

The Revs. A.M. Daiger of the Stone Church and W.F. Allen of Spark's Chapel left for Miami to attend the Methodist conference held there.

Today in History, Key West, Florida

Gary McAdams (GMAC Schwartz Property Sales) — Sat, 13 Dec 2008 07:43:02 -0600

Today in History Tropical News Stand at 918 Duval Street in the 1960's. Photo taken by the Porperty Appraiser's office.

10 years ago

The Unitarian/Universalist Fellowship of Key West formally dedicated its new home at 801 Georgia St.

50 years ago

The Mobile Homes Manufactures Association named Mrs. William R. Charette of Stadium Mobile Home Park as "Mrs. Mobile Homemaker of 1959."

Tropical News Stand and Cigar Factory, Amando Bermudiz owner, was at 918 Duval St.

The students of Douglass School's shop class were repairing the home of Reynold Mingo at 208 Petronia St.

Charles L. Major, 10th division commander, installed John Williams as commander of Post No. 247 American Legion in Marathon.

100 years ago

H.H. Hunt, district manager of the Stone & Webster streetcar line, was visiting the Key West Electric Co.