”Perhaps the best Yuletide decoration is being wreathed in smiles”

December 22, 2010

”Perhaps the best Yuletide decoration is being wreathed in smiles”

Elena & Kathy



Tom

This simple quotation, author unknown, is an apt description for one of our favorite Key West holiday traditions, the annual Christmas Bicycle Lights Tour. This tour is not the “official tour” that started only recently and is a pale imitation if not in scope, then in spirit of the roguish nature of the tour that a group of our friends have been taking each December for some years.

Kathy



Scott, Elena & Michael

I attempted to determine the origin of the annual event, but the details are somewhat shady as are many of the participants. It appears that the bike tour idea originated with our friend Bill Rowan many years back. It has been taken up again after a brief hiatus and revitalized by our friends Nancy & Mark, who host the start of the tour at their home.



Robert Albury

Arlo, Elena, Scott, Wendy & Kathy

It has grown in the few years we have attended and seems to get better each year. One difference between our tour and the “official” version is that adult libations are encouraged along our route (in a safe and responsible manner), also we tend to take over streets and stop traffic along our route. To keep things from getting out of hand, it helps of course to have high ranking members of the Key West Police along, not to keep order necessarily but as participants.

Nancy & Mark

This year’s crowd was down a little, I think the chill in the air may have been a factor, but we were just as enthusiastic as ever and we wound our way through Old Town into New Town and back. Our house was one of the few pauses that were made in the otherwise breakneck pace that Bicycle Tom led us on.





Cookie, Daisy & Angela



We made a couple of other stops at homes that welcomed in our mob and at a party at the Café restaurant where Clara Dara was hosting a holiday fashion show and party. The tour continued on to the final stop at Tony Falcone’s house, but we never made it to the end, getting caught up at the café.

Jenny & Ashley

Natalia, Mark, Jolly, Haven & Gretchen

Scott & Kathy

We did however make our annual stop at the home of our neighbor’s Dan & Ann who hosted their annual Christmas party the same evening. This year they roasted an entire pig to go along with the massive amount of food and beverages at the party, which is located just across the street and thus easy to get home from.

Ann & Dan



Also this week, we were thrilled to attend the second in the Old Town/ New Folk series at the Studios of Key West. This one had special meaning to Kathy & I because Will Kimbrough was our recommendation to Jay at the studios and we were thrilled that he was brought in for a show. Kathy & I are big fans, having seen him a number of times and he certainly did not disappoint.

Michael, Kathy & Will

Will Kimbrough

His first set was scheduled to last 45 minutes and when he finally looked up and took a break an hour and a half had flown by and Will had delivered a set that was at times blisteringly good and just as often hauntingly beautiful. He is a true talent and if you are not familiar with his music- go check him out on youtube. He is a true troubadour who can play just about any variety of music and he is also a wickedly good guitarist. It was a real joy.





After the amazing performance, as he often does, Jay invited the entire crowd over to his festive holiday decorated home for an after-party. This one started a little later than usual since the show lasted so long, but no one seemed to mind. It was the perfect capper on a fantastic evening. Thanks so much to Jay and everyone at the Studios of Key West.



Kris, Kathy, Will & Martha

Chillin’

December 17, 2010



The Kenna family



Hannah & Jeremy

Chillin’

This week certainly has felt like the holiday season in the Keys as the temperature has plummeted into record breaking chilly weather and the wind has made it seem even colder. One day early this week set a record for cold that had not been broken in 125 years as the temperature dropped into the low 40s. Now this might not seem that cold, but when the seasonal average is in the mid 70s, it is cold indeed.





It has been appropriate for the Christmas season as we have had to bundle up to head out to the many holiday activities that keep us busy this time of year. This week has been no exception as we have had a variety pack of holiday treats.





Since Kathy has been working at the Key West Preschool Co-op during the past eight years, we have each year joined the parents, students and staff on their annual Conch Tour Train ride to check out the holiday lights. This year was easily the coldest of all the annual trips. It was cute to see all the children all bundled up and wearing winter coats and adorable hats and such. The actual ride itself wasn’t as cold as we had feared. The narrow streets and close quarters of the island did a great job of blocking the wind.







The Christmas lights were as good as ever, especially the new town area, where it gets downright competitive. Our house was indeed on the tour and we more than held our own as far as the amount and scope of lights.





Our next holiday stop was at the first annual Christmas party at our favorite new island hang-out, The Porch. The bar hosted a great holiday party complete with Santa, musical entertainment by the wonderful Blessed Community Gospel Choir and a gift collection of Toys for needy children in the community.





It was a wonderful night, the chill in the air was warmed by a delicious spiced wine that the Porch offered for everyone. Having the gospel choir was a wonderful addition as well. The choir made up of the best singers from four community churches, sang amazing versions of Christmas classics and then divided up the many toys to distribute to needy children, there was a huge stack to choose from and there will be many a happy kid come Christmas thanks to the Porch.



Kim & David

Kathy, Scott & Wendy

I also attended one additional fun annual holiday event, the SPCA’s annual Christmas party at the Key West Dog Park. This year is the first time I went without India, who is just getting too old to party with Santa. But I still like to support the SPCA and the various pet friendly businesses that are there. There did not seem to be quite the crowd of pets in attendance, but all seemed to be enjoying the day and it is always fun to go to the dog park.