Monday, November 16, 2009

Thanks to the chamber for honoring teachers

I was recently selected as the "Teacher of the Quarter" for Glynn Archer School, and honored along with other teachers at a recent Key West Chamber of Commerce meeting. I would like to thank the chamber and its members for the gracious gifts and luncheon we were provided.

I realize, with the economic state we are in, the sacrifice most of the business must make to be able to award these items to the teachers. While we do not teach for the recognition or the money, it is especially rewarding when someone outside of our work environment notices.

Terri Sims

Key West

Highway designation took much hard work

Kudos to all who worked on bringing the coveted All-American Road designation to our own U.S. 1. The process took more than a year of planning and work.

Praise to Judy Hull (Florida Keys Scenic Corridor president), Jane Tallman (Scenic Highway coordinator) and Cristina Lindley (FDEP's Florida Keys Overseas Heritage Trail) for their vision.

Kudos to: Monroe County Planning and Environmental Resources, Patty Ivey and Craig James (Florida DOT), Mike Palozzi (PBS&J), Jackie Harder (Key Largo Chamber of Commerce) and Andy Newman (TDC). Carol Miller, FKSCA treasurer, put her heart and soul into the vision.

With beautiful vistas and unique history and the potential for recreation at nearly every turn, photography, bicycling, hiking and low-impact exploration of nearby waterways, we can look forward to funding opportunities that this designation offers.

GLEE looks forward to seeing its impact on ecotourism and local economy and our Keys identity.

Karen Beal

GLEE

Key Largo

Words of praise for his veterinarian brother

Key West may not be earth's equivalent to "heaven on earth," but it is certainly ahead of whatever is in second place. The Keys have long been a haven for writers and artists and many other multitalented individuals. I would like to introduce another category to the above list. The Marathon animal hospital ... is the home of one of this nation's foremost veterinarians, with accolades far too numerous to list here. His dedication to his profession is unequaled. His reputation as a veterinarian makes him a sought-after member of his chosen field -- and, I may add, makes him a really special brother, who is having a birthday on the 28th of this month.

Give him a call and tell him Duke sent you.

Duke Mader

Hudson

Many helped make festival events success

Old Island Restoration Foundation Inc. would like to thank those who helped make Fantasy Fest events so successful. We would like to thank Robby Triblo for the "haunted house" decorating; Woody Cornell for the wonderful table and garden lights; Valerie for creating the beautiful floral table settings; Steve and Dodee Black, Lynn and Brewster, Lee and Pat Cummings, Mitzi, Woody, Dotty, Michel and Bill for keeping up with the crowd at the beverage booths; Croissants de France for the wonderful food buffet; John Wilkins, Steve Torrence, Matthew Dowling and Alvarez for their assistance; and staff members Sue Huffaker and Rick Anderson for pulling all the details together.

OIRF looks forward to continue its mission of preserving Key West with grants and sponsorships which is made possible by the generous support of the community. We are now planning for the 50th annual House and Gardens Tour and other events. ...

Anthony Minore

Cudjoe Key

Health care industry is killing Americans

If it is not single-payer, it is not reform -- we do not need a health insurance industry! Let's let them die like they have done to millions of Americans. The Nazis did not kill as many people as the American health insurance companies have.

Anthony Bartleson

Marathon