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Conch Color Sees Good News Everywhere!

Editorial by: Tom Oosterhoudt

In this week’s Conch Color, it is my pleasure to give rave reviews to both the Key West Pops Orchestra’s “My Fair Lady” and to the Waterfront Playhouse’s eye-popping presentation of “No Child”. Even in the most trying economic times, the arts are excelling beyond belief. While the Pops’ production of “My Fair Lady” was sold out, the Waterfront may face a little more of a challenge with the cutting edge production of “No Child”. The show features Florida’s most acclaimed actress today, Lela Elam, who has won Carbonell Awards for her work, and rave reviews from all of South Florida’s theater critics for her stunning performance in “No Child”. I urge everyone who wants to see first class theater performed by Florida’s top rated actress not to miss this absolutely riveting theatrical masterpiece. Lela will make you laugh and cry in her tour de force performance.

It was also great to see so many come out for Anne McKee’s annual art auction at East Martello. The place was packed and every piece sold. The fundraiser uses its proceeds to help struggling artists and founder Anne McKee is a saint for starting such a generous annual event. And somehow the thought of our more accomplished artists donating their work to benefit the Key’s young novice artists, just seems like such a wonderful thing. Key West is a very giving community and congrats to Anne and her staff for another successful year.

There was great news in Bahama Village as the Bethel Church on Truman Avenue was finally renovated and formally reopened after being devastated by Hurricane Wilma a few years ago. Congrats to Pastor Forbes for overseeing the total renovation and to Commissioner Clayton Lopez for helping the church find the money to rebuild. The church looks beautiful and has even gone high tech with Power Point screens and built in TV screens as well.

I was also impressed with Rev. Randy Becker’s poignant remarks on behalf of the local Interfaith Ministerial Alliance, stressing that when one church rises from the ashes, all the churches should feel comfort in the accomplishment. Randy represents the ecumenical spirit so well. Thank you, Rev. Becker!

Over 80 “Unsung Heroes” were honored by the Community Foundation at Beachside last Friday. It was a treat to see such a worthy legion of volunteers honored by so many wonderful local non-profits. These volunteers actually make so many of these amazing organizations possible and the Keys are blessed with so many great folks who give their valuable time to these valuable causes.

I want to congratulate Conch Color’s close friend, Diane Gibson, who was sworn in as the new President of the Key West Chamber of Commerce this past weekend. Diane, we love you.

It was fun to help another great community participant, my good friend Carolyn Sullivan, celebrate her 50th birthday at the BottleCap. Carolyn and her hubby, Carmelo, have helped literally dozens of local charities, school groups, and arts organizations raise money with their weekly Happy Hour on Friday, which has become a popular tradition. Carolyn and Carmelo are both wonderful people and Conch Color is proud to have them as friends.

Finally, it’s always a wonderful sight to see the annual Sailboat Regatta as the sails fill the horizon across the ocean in Key West. Once again, we thank coordinator Peter Craig for helping us keep red sails in our sunsets.

Tom Oosterhoudt
Editor & Publisher

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