Seasonal Apex

January 12, 2009

Carrie Newcomer

San Carlos Institute

Seasonal Apex

Lyn & Bob

January is the height of the season in Key West, both in terms of the amount of people here, but also a cultural pinnacle in that there is an incredible selection of activities and functions that it impossible to be able to attend them all. Just how much fun can one have? Kathy & I give it a decent effort though as we navigate the full calendar, trying to select things that interest us and that we will enjoy.





Haven, Ashley, Elena, Holly, Craig & Kathy

There is probably nothing that we enjoy more than live music and we were fortunate to be able to attend the second performance in the new Old Town/ New Folk music series by Bloomington, Indiana based singer/songwriter Carrie Newcomer. Despite my Hoosier heritage, I was not that familiar with Carrie, but the show was amazing. Her clear voice, wonderful crafted lyrics and terrific sense of humor made for a fantastic night. I have included a brief video of Carrie performing so that you can get a sense of her style, though you really need to see her in person for a true appreciation.



We got a chance to meet Carrie & her husband later at one of the parties for the Key West Literary Seminar and they were both as charming and interesting in person as she was during her performance. We are hopeful that we will get a chance to see her performs again sometime soon. Kudos to everyone involved in the wonderful music series at the Studios, we can’t wait for the next show.

Martha, Kathy, Celia & Ashley

Speaking of the Key West Literary Seminar, this year marks the 27th annual celebration of the written word here in Key West. The seminar theme this year is Historical Fiction and the Search for Truth. Once again, there are two weekend sessions that sandwich a week of workshops by many of the best writers in America. I have been an attendee of the seminar for 14 years and will be again this year (for session 2), but I have also accepted the position of Volunteer Coordinator for the seminar.





My friend Bob Muens, has officially moved to Washington DC and this will be his final year as Volunteer coordinator. He graciously offered to help train me during the initial seminar and so I have been busy in this new role working with Bob and all of the wonderful volunteers he has assembled for the seminar.



The seminar is held in the beautiful and historic San Carlos Institute on Duval Street. This building is a cultural Mecca to anyone of Cuban ancestry due to its significance in Cuban history. It was at the San Carlos that Jose Marti united the Cuban exile community in 1892 to start the campaign for Cuba’s independence.



Finally, in addition to all the events surrounding the seminar, in one of those surreal only in Key West sort of experiences, Kathy & I attended a viewing party for the appearance of our friends Jim & Joanna Cooper in the ABC TV program, “Wife Swap.” The episode aired last month in most of the country, but was pre-empted in South Florida for a Billy Graham crusade necessitating the special showing for their Key West friends.

Joanna & Andreas

The show involves mothers trading spots for two weeks with counterparts from some other, very different location. Joanna switched spots with a woman from Utah whose family’s primary function in life was “sweeping”, a lifestyle dominated by entering contests and sweepstakes.

Kathy, Jamie & Amy

Joanna & Shawnna

The Cooper family, Key West and the laid back lifestyle that many of us lead came off very well, especially in comparison to the sad, almost tragic existence of the other family. In addition to the many laughs the show provided, there were a few touching moments that transcended the manufactured nature of the show. Congrats to Jim & Joanna for making us look good- we are proud to know you guys.

Jim & Joanna

The Cooper mobile



ABC's Wife Swap

San Carlos Institute

Carrie Newcomer