TwentyTen

January 4, 2010







TwentyTen

With the plethora of entertainment options available to spend the dawning of a new decade here in Key West, what fantastical choice did Kathy & I make? We once again opted to forsake the masses downtown and join friends at two wonderful New Year’s Eve parties to ring in the New Year among friends instead of the drunken throngs that head downtown for the various events.



Graf, Jim, Sharon,
Beth & Eileen



We started the evening at the beautiful home of our friends Jim & Fiona Smith. The weather was perfect as the beautiful full moon, a rare Blue Moon- being the second full moon of December, illuminated the perfectly calm and warm South Florida night. There was a beautiful spread of food and plenty of champagne and other delightful drinks to enjoy.



Eileen,Kathy, Graf, Fiona & Dani



Mindy & Craig

It was just about a perfect way to spend the last few hours of 2009. We are fortunate to have some of the most amazing friends and thankfully they like to throw amazing parties so we get to enjoy the benefits on a regular basis. Often, as was the case on this evening, there are many options available and we have a difficult time trying to fit them all in. We ended up leaving Jim & Fiona’s and heading downtown to another party to cap off the night. This one was actually a combo affair that was hosted by our friends Nancy & Mark (who host an annual NYE party) at the home of some other friends, Ashley & Arlo.

Trevor & Nadene

Rhett, Melissa, Sean, Kathy & Greg



This combo party included friends of both couples and made for one monster bash that was packed with revelers celebrating the New Year. We were there as the clock struck midnight and for a good deal of time afterwards, though we came nowhere close to closing the party down, which I hear was well into the wee hours of the first day of twentyten.



Haven & Elena

Tom

All in all, it was another superb night, shared with some of our best friends who also happen to be among the coolest people on our island Community. Thanks so much to Jim, Fiona, Nan, Mark, Ashley & Arlo and to all the people who make living and partying in Key West such a joy. Happy New Year to one and all!!

Tom, Anja & Rudi

Breanne & David

5th Annual Key West Dachshund Walk

01/01/10







5th Annual Key West Dachshund Walk

Dachshund Parade on New Years Eve in Key West
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The end of the year in Key West is a crowded and festive time. The streets are packed with tourists who head down to enjoy what has been rated as one of the top five New Year’s Eve celebrations in the United States, just behind Times Square, Las Vegas and New Orleans. There is a ton of interesting stuff to do as the clock strikes midnight, whether you prefer the classic lowering of the conch shell atop Sloppy Joes’s, the lowering of the Wench at Schooner Wharf bar, being live on CNN worldwide at the lowering of Drag Queen Sushi in a giant shoe at the 801 bar or the newest option, the Ocean Key House Pier performance by Key West Burlesque.

Esme



Dan & Ruth

One of the coolest, most eclectic events is held New Year’s Eve day at noon, the annual Key West Dachshund Walk. This is the fifth year for the popular family-oriented celebration of the wiener dog. Organized by our friends Ruth Reiter & Dan Metzler, the event has grown into a must see event that is popular with locals and tourists alike. This year the official count was 156 dachshunds. It sure seemed like a lot more. There is no question that there were a ton more people both viewing and participating than in any past year as the parade of wiener dogs stretched more than two blocks long and crowds lined the sidewalk to watch.







Ruth & Dan have asked me to photograph the event since its inception and it is a joy to do, though my presence hardly seems necessary as there is now a large media presence and this year the event made it out over the AP wire again, gaining nationwide coverage.









The dachshund owners, both local and visitors, are a fun-loving bunch and an attitude of fun permeates the entire event. My favorite part is the organized chaos that ensues when the annual “group photo” is attempted. Trying to get all those dogs and their owners organized is a hoot. Afterwards, the short walk over to Duval and down one block before returning to the start at Whitehead and Fleming Streets.







It was a great event and once again set the stage for another fun-filled New Year’s Eve in Key West. Thanks especially to Ruth & Dan, who I know had bittersweet feelings about this year’s walk as their beloved Dachshund Schumann, who was the inspiration for the event, had passed away this year. The event served as a fitting memorial and a great way to honor the love they had for their wonderful pet.

Nancy 3 Hoffman

Todd & Ruth