Flat Stanley

March 6, 2009







Flat Stanley



For the past few weeks, we have had a very special visitor all the way from Annapolis, Maryland. His name is Flat Stanley. Flat Stanley was sent by our friend Dylan Tobin with an assignment to meet us and to go with us to explore the place where we live, before returning to Dylan’s school to report on all the things that he saw while visiting the Florida Keys.



Kathy & I had a great time taking Flat Stanley around town as well as up the Keys to join us in all sorts of fun things that we did. In addition to preparing a nice photo album to document his trip, Kathy & I decided to post a blog about Flat Stanley’s visit that Dylan, his teachers, and his classmates and their families could see.

The Bat Tower



We did all sorts of fun things with Flat Stanley. Kathy took him along with the class that she teaches at the Preschool on a field trip where he got to play with many of the students in her class. Later we all went to an art show at an Art Gallery called the Stone Soup Gallery. All the art being displayed was made by prisoners who are in jail in hopes that by making artwork, they will stop doing the bad things that sent them to jail.





We also visited the Key West Cemetery, where all the coffins are above ground because Key West is an island that is right at sea level. There are many beautiful statues there. They also took me out to a birthday party for their friend Jasmine at a place called the Conch Republic Seafood Company. Key West is sometimes called the Conch Republic and the people who live here are called “Conchs” which is pronounced Konks. A Conch is a type of snail that lives in the ocean.

Me with Jasmine & Kathy



Key West Cemetery

There is so much to do in Key West, which in the Southernmost City in the continental United States. It is very far south and is almost always warm and sunny. It never snows here. Key West is an island and there is only one road that goes over many bridges on its way here. One day, we drove up the road to see the beautiful beach at Bahia Honda State Park and to visit the National Key Deer Wildlife Refuge where we saw Alligators and Key Deer.

Me with Alligator







Key West is a nice place with many nice people who have a motto of “One Human Family” which means that every person is the same and we should all get along. People in Key West try to live following that rule. Dylan and his family used to live here and the people in Key West miss them very much. Dylan’s family runs a business that takes people out sailing on the Chesapeake Bay in Annapolis. There is a link below if you want to go sailing.



Geiger Key Marina

Flat Stanley had a great time, but has gone back to report to Dylan and his class. Hopefully he can come back soon and bring Dylan and his family with him.



Chesapeake Sailing Tours

Key West Preschool Kid’s Art Show

March 1, 2009



Key West Preschool Teachers, Deb Morris, Betsy Ford, Kathy Kilroy, Tiffany Pellcier, Alison Heyman, Sharelle Whittle & Jodie Stewart

Kathy & Betsy

Georgia & Jasmine

Key West Preschool Kid’s Art Show



Each year, the Preschool where Kathy works hosts their annual Kid’s Art Show which features artwork created by the students, aged 1-5 years. The show is open to the public and the teachers, staff , parents and students work for weeks in advance creating artwork which is displayed and offered for sale (at very, very reasonable prices).







Alison

The event has grown from a simple event, mostly for parents to purchase their children’s artwork into a much larger and nicer community event that is open to the general public and was packed this year as many people came out to check out the art.
The kid’s art is not the only draw, there is also a great silent auction featuring art donated by many local artists as well as a delicious array of food prepared by the parents, which quite honestly was so good that it didn’t last long. There was even some musical entertainment this year as singer Josh Lowe performed for those in attendance.





Annette & Susan

The Wilcox family

Ruth & Harry

Kathy worked hard in advance of the Show helping distribute invitations and flyers, helping her class prepare artwork as well as gathering silent auction items from our artist friends. Thanks so much to all who donated items and to all who came out to see the kids artwork as well as all the staff, parents, grandparents and students who participated in making this the best art show yet.

Local Artists Deb Goldman & Rebecca Bennett

Tara & Tiffany

Srea & Steve

The terrible economy has been having a terrible impact on the Preschool, just as it has on all of us. They have been having an especially difficult time selling raffle tickets for their annual fundraiser this year. Tickets are $10 each and the prizes will be awarded at the Spring Fair which is being held this year on March 14th at the Preschool at 2610 Flagler. There are a bunch of great prizes, with two grand prizes of $2,500 cash to be awarded. If anyone is interested in helping the Preschool out by purchasing a raffle ticket, please call me at 305-797-0363 or e-mail me at michaelblades@yahoo.com

Josh Lowe

Hilary & Kathleen



Kathy & Martha

Finally, I need to ask my friends a favor. My mother, Marta Blades has been nominated for the Reader's Choice Award for Met Home Magazine and she needs help in getting on-line votes to win. If you have a couple of free seconds, visit the link below and vote for Marta's house (second from the bottom). Thanks!!

Vote for Marta Here