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The Christmas Spirit Rules in the Keys

Editorial by: Tom Oosterhoudt

“So this is Christmas”, to quote the John Lennon song, and there’s nothing like the Christmas spirit in the Florida Keys. I am writing this on Monday night, following an amazing day of surprises. My old friend Louie had called me late this afternoon, knowing that I was on deadline, but insisting that I drop everything for a moment and rush down to the “Just For Kids” Art Center, next to the Bahama Village Music School, in Bahama Village. I was over my head in work to produce this week’s issue but, at his insistence, I stopped for a moment and drove down there. I remembered vaguely that another old friend, Mike Donovan, told me that he was up to something with the “Just For Kids” group for the holidays.

As I reached the end of Petronia Street in the heart of Bahama Village, I could hardly believe my eyes. Hundreds of youngsters were everywhere, and Santa Claus was holding court with a block long line waiting. But there, inside the art center, I could see piles of new toys. After seeing Santa, these beautiful kids of all colors were allowed to pick any toy that they wanted...with hundreds to choose from. I saw knee high tots, smiling from ear to ear.

Kay Miller informed me that over 850 local children would receive really cool new toys thanks to the concerted efforts of the “Just For Kids” volunteers.

I have seen Mike Donavan involved in some unique community projects over the years but this one takes the cake. Seeing is believing, and along with hundreds of little children today, I can embrace believing in Santa Claus again. Thank you Mike, “Just For Kids” founder Paula Ciavolino, and all the “Just For Kids” volunteers who made this amazing miracle happen.

My amazing day continued when I got home and realized that I was supposed to join Governor Charlie Crist for a dinner at the Beachside that my next door neighbor of many years, Robert Spottswood, was hosting at the fabulous Tavern N Town. I thought that it was very special, being able to enjoy the company of the Governor at a holiday meal here in the Keys. Charlie has made some really good friends here in the Keys like our host, Robert Spottswood, and Monroe County Commissioner Mario Di Gennaro. In these trying times, the Keys have been very fortunate to have such close links to the Governor of our state.

And I feel very fortunate to have become friends with the Governor myself. I was impressed when Charlie and his staff took the time to thank me for the “generous” coverage we have given him in Conch Color over the past few years. I think this was at least the fourth occasion that I have had the pleasure of meeting with him and covering his events. He is such a nice guy and, frankly, I feel he’s very down to earth and easy to talk to. I had to laugh tonight following the dinner as I drove home realizing that I was chatting away with the Governor tonight and we were both calling each other by first names. And to top it all off, the Governor said that he would consider it an honor to do an interview with me for Conch Color sometime. So this will certainly be something to look forward to in 2010.

I am proud to tell all of our Keys readers “Merry Christmas and happy holidays” on behalf of Florida Governor, Charlie Crist. How cool is that?

Tom Oosterhoudt
Editor & Publisher

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