CONCHCOLORf l o r i d a k e y s p h o t o g r a p h i c c h r o n i c l e(305) 294-7566 office (305) 292-9955 faXpUBlisher/editorTom oosTerhoudT ooster@conchcolor.comdirector of operationsLee hines (305) 849-3473 lee@conchcolor.comOFFICE ASSISTANT: Matt Kennard matt@conchcolor.comad salesKaren Lee hirsT (305) 304-7609 karen@conchcolor.comYLeana VuraL (305) 797-8888 yleana@aol.comsho LichTensTein (305) 797-6609 shotime@conchcolor.comraqueL crummiTT (305) 414-8949 raqUelc@jsapromos.comJeremY r. Thompson (305) 709-8102 mrnicegUy_53403@yahoo.comdaLe a. obracaY (305) 877-6908 daleo.1@hotmail.comAD SALES UPPER KEYSJanet Wood (305) 395-0241 – fldesignerjw@aol.comcreatiVe designdina coYLe, dina designs, int’l (305) 741-7272 dinadesigns@BellsoUth.netweB master: daVid a.cox (774) 772-8434 imonamac@me.comPROOFREADER: Maxine lopez-Keough314 simonton street key west fl 33040pUBlished weekly and distriBUted eVery friday from key west to key largo.copyright 2010. all rights reserVed.DEADLINE 5 p.m. Friday for advertising and community newsThe Positive VoiceTHE FLORIDA KEYS NEED A POSITIVE VOICE to counteract negativity promoted by other localpapers. Conch Color greatly appreciates positive comments about the community you live in. Ifyou love your community and have something positive to say about it, email ooster@bellsouth.net.There are so many great Samaritans in the Keys and wonderful things happen every day. It’s time togive a voice to those who have great comments to say about the Keys.ediTORIALLocal PhilanthropistMakes a Huge DifferenceFor ten years now, retired localdeveloper David Wolkowsky has beenquietly doing his part to stimulate localeducation by personally giving cashrewards to the local teachers who exceland prove themselves to be a cut abovethe rest.This year David personallypresented the top ten teachers at KeyWest High School, chosen by theirpeers, with checks for $5,000 each.He presented band director GaryHernandez, who was chosen the bestof the best, with a check for $25,000.Now if you do the math, that meansthat this year alone, David Wolkowskydonated $70,000 to our best teachersin order to inspire all teachers to tryharder, the ultimate result of whichwill be that our students get a bettereducation. A simple but brilliant actof kindness!David has led a rather lowkey resident life and does not liketo blow his own horn, even if hehas accomplished a lot in Key Westduring his lifetime. He is now 92.Many of you don’t know that Davidwas actually born in Key West. Hisgrandfather, Abraham Wolkowsky,moved to Key West in the late 1880’sand opened a fine clothing store onDuval Street. After attending theUniversity of Pennsylvania, he restoredbuildings in Philadelphia for a while,but returned to Key West in 1962after the death of his father, IsaacWolkowsky. The family had a fewproperties in Old Town and Daviddecided to retire to Key West at the ageof 40.It did not take long for Davidto get bored and he started buyingup property all over Old Town. Hisbiggest coup was buying the oldCuban Ferry Dock, choice waterfrontproperty near Mallory Square for$106,000 in 1963. He transformed thePorter Steamship Offices into Tony’sFish Mart after having it moved it tothe waterfront to sit on pilings. Thenin 1967 he built a motel around theeatery with 50 unique rooms that facedTOM OOSTERHOUDTeditor&publisherthe ocean. David named his resort“The Pier House”.Jimmy Buffet and BobMarley started their careers in thatmotel’s funky Chart Room bar.Buffet credited Wolkowsky as beingthe very first to hire him. The lateauthor Truman Capote was one of theearliest celebrities to spend winters atthe Pier House.Wolkowsy went on to buythe huge Kresge five-and-dime storebuilding that has housed Fast BuckFreddie’s, as well as Magaritaville,for many years. He put his exclusivepenthouse on the top of the building,where it still stands. He also boughtBallast Key, about 8 miles off ofKey West, and built a large houseand guest house on the island. Heentertained guests like TennesseeWilliams and Truman Capote outthere. Wolkowsky became famousfor serving hot dogs at his parties tofamous guests like Prime MinisterEdward Heath, various Rockefellers,and Vanderbilts. As the years wentby, David went on to restore dozensof homes around Key West, and builthis Sands nightclub where The ReachHotel now stands.In the year 2000, Davidcreated his Teacher Merit AwardsFund. Ten years later you will finda photo spread in this issue of ConchColor of David himself, at 92, passingout the checks at Key West HighSchool to the most hard workingand deserving teachers. By the way,David loves the positive mission ofConch Color and how it also rewardsteachers and students who excel. Welove it when he visits our offices. Heinspires us as much as we seem toinspire him.On behalf of Key West andall the local teachers that DavidWokowsky has rewarded andinspired, we thank him on being socivic-minded at 92. David certainlysets an example as a model citizen.Conch Color is proud to feature himin this week’s issue.conch color the florida keys 4 photographic chronicle
STONEDTHEAT THE IBIS BAY RESORTRemembering Carrie TrumboShe Personified Sons of Italy and Lions ClubCarrie V. Trumbo, President of the Sonsof Italy, Lodge 2436, for 10 years and VicePresident of the Lion’s Club, died on themorning after her 75th birthday followinga long illness. Carrie is survived by herclose friend, Patricia Major, MD, and hertwo dogs, Shadow and Wilma. A longtimeresident of Key West, Carrie heldmany positions, at one time managing theMermaid Lounge on Duval Street, Carrie’sAirport Lounge and the guest house, SweetCaroline. Carrie was a charter member ofthe Sons of Italy and worked tirelessly fortheir charities, nurturing the Lodge fromits fledgling beginnings to its present 75members. Under her leadership the Lodgedonated over $15,000 annually to variouscharitable causes. Craig <strong>Cates</strong> proclaimedFebruary 23, 2012 to be “Carrie V. TrumboDay” for her service to the Order and herextensive fundraising efforts. She will bedearly missed by all.A memorial service will be planned bythe Sons and Daughters of Italy, afterwhich- per her request- Carrie’s asheswill be scattered in the ocean.Barroso’sWelcomeBabyKristoferKristofer Barry Barrosowas born on May 18,2012 at 11:37am, weighingin at 7 pounds and5 ounces and measuring21 inches long.Ladies In Their Eighties Lunch at Square OnePhotos by Tom OosterhoudtThe Key West Ladies In Their Eighties lunch group had their final get together of the season. From left,Mary Ann Worth, Shirley Block, Jean Olsen, Vera Schiff, Anne McKee, and Nancy Robinson.conch color the florida keys 5 photographic chronicle
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