Ocean Reef News - Ocean Reef Club Ocean Reef Club

November 15, 2024 Posted in: All, Announcements, Fitness Center, Salon and Spa, Shopping New in ORC Wellness & Self-Care With the summer spent refreshing existing spaces, building new ones, and implementing new offerings, the Club is excited to welcome you to the 2024-2025 season. The last couple editions of the Ocean Reef Press covered a laundry list of enhancements the Club completed over the summer months, including the new Spirits Bar and Hammock Halfway House (both of which you can read about in the November 8 edition). This week highlights a couple more of the exciting amenities being introduced – the new Spa Boutique and Cold Plunge Pool. At the Fitness Center When Members asked for a cold plunge, the Member Fitness Center answered! Located on the Member Fitness Pool deck, the Cold Plunge Pool, which can be used after a heavy workout or even on rest days, offers plenty of health benefits, such as reducing muscle soreness and inflammation, releasing endorphins and hormones, and constricting and dilating blood vessels. Due to high Member demand and these great benefits, the Cold Plunge will prove an invaluable addition to the already vast array of Member Fitness Center offerings. Looking to give it a try? The new one-person occupancy Cold Plunge can be used for... Read More »

All the Tea on F&B November 11, 2024 Posted in: All, Announcements, Club News, Dining All the Tea on F&B by Felicia M. Koretsky Warning: This story should not be read on an empty stomach. The good news, though, is by the end of this article, you’ll have discovered plenty of new ways to subside your growling belly. Here’s the fresh tea on all things F&B for the 2024-2025 season: New Venues: • Hammock Halfway House: Think of it as Toski’s little sister. The new Hammock Halfway House at the end of the 9th hole offers Hammock Course golfers some tasty options. Now open, the smaller-sized menu features grab-and-go turkey, roast beef, Italian, and ham and Swiss sandwiches, hot dogs, chicken, grilled chicken Caesar salad, tuna, and roto salads. Sodas, beer, coffee, water, and Reef Cups are on tap. Expect light snacks and the usual extras (bug spray, sunblock, and headache remedies). • The Spirits Bar: A beautiful and intimate new Spirits Bar opens next to Port O’Call, in the former home of the Dive Shop, in mid-November. This modern cozy locale will give Members another indoor/ outdoor option for gathering in the Fishing Village with the Spirits Bar delivering classic, trendy and tiki cocktails. The brainchild of Director of Beverage & Wine Operations, Sean... Read More »

Kicking Off Season with Member-Associate Tournaments November 1, 2024 Posted in: All, Announcements, Club Events, Club News, Tennis and Games Kicking Off Season with Member-Associate Tournaments by Hannah Fleckenstein, Head Tennis Professional It’s November 1 and season is officially here! While we’ve enjoyed a fun summer at the Tennis & Games Center, our team is so excited to welcome you home with a few of our most unique events that we look forward to every year – the Member-Associate Tournaments. Last week, we hosted the first with the 9th Annual Member-Associate Tennis Tournament. Sign-ups filled up fast for Members and Associates alike with 42 total players (and a waitlist almost half as long!), with each Member being paired with an Associate. Each year this tournament is exciting, but in the days leading up to the tournament this year, we saw historical clinic attendance from both Members and Associates (we host Associate clinics in the evenings three days a week) as they fine-tuned their skills for the big event. Among the participating Associates were some familiar faces seen in our Member Fitness, Recreation, Maintenance, Port O’Call and Culinary departments. Others may be less familiar, hailing from departments such as Setup, Communications and Accounting. These Member-Associate tournaments provide the unique opportunity for Members to interact with Associates they may otherwise have never... Read More »

Fire Prevention Week at The Academy October 28, 2024 Posted in: All, Club News, The Academy at Ocean Reef Fire Prevention Week at The Academy by Jerome Murphy, Head of School The Academy at Ocean Reef was delighted to host John Flynn, Fire-Rescue Chief, and his team of firefighter paramedics at The Academy Friday, October 11, as part of Fire Prevention Week. Our Toddler and Pre-K classes were delighted to meet Sparky and have a story on fire prevention read to them. While that was going on, a team of fire medics met with our Kindergarten-5th graders to review essential tips and guidance related to fire safety. The fire medics reviewed with Academy students the importance of when to call 911, when to drop and roll, when to yell, “I am here”, and the importance of knowing their address if and when they call 911. Blake Acree, Pre-K, getting help from Sparky to put out a fire. To conclude the fire medics’ visit, all of our students, Toddler through 8th grade, had the opportunity to spray the firehose at a set target! Suffice to say, everyone hit the designated target and showed that we have some up and coming fire medics in our community. On behalf of all of us at The Academy, we are so grateful to have... Read More »

Capital Projects Update October 14, 2024 Posted in: All, Club News Capital Projects Update Associate Village & Airport Terminal As summer draws to a close and anticipation builds for the upcoming season, the Club is excited to share significant progress on the two major capital projects that began only four months ago. After a summer spent building the foundations for the new Airport terminal and Associate Village building, the structures of these facilities are beginning to take shape. What follows is a closer look at the milestones achieved and what’s on the horizon for these two important Club projects. Associate Village Construction on the Associate Village project began May 1, 2024 with the demolition of the existing Associate housing building. Since then, a storm drainage system has been installed and foundation piles have been completed. The project is successfully out of the ground, with the construction team now laying the first floor. This month, the project reached its first milestone – installation of the first floor planks. The construction team is now focused on building upwards to the second floor, with plans to pour the concrete for the first floor in two weeks – another significant achievement on the timeline. With the project tracking on time, it’s expected that the outer... Read More »

Fun, Funny & Fascinating Moments June 14, 2024 Posted in: All, Stories Fun, Funny & Fascinating Moments Only at Ocean Reef Ocean Reef Club’s well-known descriptor “A Unique Way of Life,” is often equated to the array of amenities, offerings and experiences that generations of families enjoy. It can also be related to the unusual, special and sometimes even quirky moments that take place. We took a look at some of the ORP stories from the past few months that illustrate ORC’s uniqueness. Cracking the Coconut Case Not many, if any, articles in the Ocean Reef Press begin with “We opened up the Ocean Reef Cold Case file…”. However, if you glanced at the collection of hand-painted coconuts in the photo and read the caption, “Not Cracking: Anonymous artists began leaving theme-changing painted coconuts around The Reef during Covid to bring cheer during uncertainty. Four years later, they are still popular,” you would soon realize all was still safe at ORC. Felicia Koretsky wrote in the March 29 edition, “Exactly four years ago, when Covid-19 changed the course of the world as we knew it, an anonymous artist(s) began leaving coconuts painted with colorful faces all around The Reef. These happy nuts popped up in trees, on house patios, public walkways, in... Read More »

An Unforgettable Reef Summer Ahead May 24, 2024 Posted in: All, Club Events, For The Kids, Recreation An Unforgettable Reef Summer Ahead It’s here! Another anticipated summer on The Reef with an extraordinary lineup of beloved traditions, new and exciting experiences, and endless summer fun for all. Whether it’s watching fireworks on the beach, playing into your competitive side through fishing, golf and tennis tournaments, or exploring the summer’s many dining delights, every Member has their favorite summer tradition at The Reef just a golf cart ride away. Sprinkled into the mix of long-standing traditions, the Club continues to introduce newer and equally as exciting happenings along the way… like Dive-In Movies. That’s right, they’re back! And with the major capital projects of last summer complete, you can look forward to playing the Dolphin and the Hammock golf courses and bringing your boat down to dock in the Marina. Plus, ORC’s Summer Camp program is as robust as ever and the holiday weekends have even more fun on the schedule. With so much awaiting at your Club this summer, our Summer Happenings brochure will act as your ultimate guide so you don’t miss a moment. In the meantime, here’s a reminder of just a few of the ways to enjoy an Ocean Reef Club summer. On... Read More »

2024 Spirit of Ocean Reef Recipient April 26, 2024 Posted in: All, Announcements, Club News, Member News, Members Berman Exemplifies Genuine Commitment to Community Service at Ocean Reef 2024 Spirit of Ocean Reef Recipient By Annie Miles When ORC Chairman Charlie Johnston announced the 2024 Spirit of Ocean Reef winner, he stated that “no recipient has been more deserving” than Michael Berman. An Equity Member since 1994, Berman embraced involvement in Reef community immediately and wholeheartedly and has never looked back. Michael, and wife Angie, first spent time here as part of an auto “Dealer 20” group (think YPO for car dealers) and Berman noted that he found The Reef and its Members motivational and inspirational from the start. “I cannot imagine another place on earth with the mass of intelligence, talent and humble wealth as there is in our membership.” He found mentors in Tom Davidson and Alan Goldstein and witnessed their endless commitment to the Club and its Members. He also came across a book “What Happy People Know,” by psychologist Dan Baker, and adopted its mantra for himself: “You can never be truly happy unless you commit to serving and helping others.” He says Davidson and Goldstein showed him how to “connect the dots” of his passion for service with involvement at ORC. Chairman... Read More »

Summer Camp for All April 11, 2024 Posted in: All, Club Events, Summer Camps Summer Camp for All By Jody Steele The Ocean Reef Club Summer Camp schedule runs for eleven weeks beginning June 3rd and finishes on August 16th. There are a huge variety of camps for ages 5-17 and three camps offered for adults—really something for all interests. Camps do fill up, so it might be a good time to check your calendar to see what camps would work for your family. Outdoor Sports Many of the outdoor offerings concentrate on sports such as tennis, pickleball, golf, and basketball for all skill levels and abilities. The experienced coaches guide beginners through the process of developing basic techniques and teach the more advanced players to compete in a friendly environment at Ocean Reef Club’s outstanding facilities. Sportsmanship, teamwork, and fun are common goals for each camp. Christopher Nelson, Director of Recreation, recently shared that the Field & Fitness Camp is another great way to train for any sport with challenging workouts and games offered. Creative Indoor Camps Maybe there is a budding artist, chef, or actor in the family? If so, the Rising Star Theatre Camp is all set for aspiring performers who are talented in acting, singing, and dancing. This camp always... Read More »

Unexpected Insights at O7FA April 4, 2024 Posted in: Airport, All, Club Events Unexpected Insights at O7FA By Susan Bohan Recently, I sat down with Airport Director Erika Torres to talk about the annual Aviation Day coming up. While I learned all about the fun activities and interesting speakers that will grace the Ocean Reef Airport tarmac on April 6 (see below for more details), I gained even more than I expected, realizing just how much there is to learn about the history of our Airport! Airport History In 1956 the original Airport was located on what is now the back 9 of Card Sound Golf Club. The 1960s is when the growth of private aviation here at Ocean Reef really began. The first terminal in 1968 was a tiki hut and there was a commuter plane to Miami. The original airstrip was 2,000-feet long and now is 4,556-feet long and 70-feet wide. There was an Airport staff of four in 2008 and now there is a team of 12. The Airport Team has tripled in size! Interesting Facts & Figures: Over 102 different types of aircraft are serviced every year, from helicopters to jets, prop planes and more. 52% of all aircraft that fly into Ocean Reef are privately owned and operated.... Read More »

Good News for Florida Bay March 27, 2024 Posted in: All, Conservation, Environment Robust State and Federal Funding for Everglades Restoration is Good News for Florida Bay By Tom Davidson and Bill Nutt In a recent issue of Ocean Reef Press, we shared a summary of The Everglades Foundation’s recent presentation at the Cultural Center. The overriding message was that Everglades restoration benefits our 21stcenturyeconomy and guides us toward a more resilient and sustainable future. Restoring the flow of water through the Everglades and into Florida Bay benefits our fishing industry, water-based recreation and real estate, and protects us from natural hazards. The last few weeks brought more good news for Everglades restoration, and therefore, for Florida Bay. President Biden on March 11 announced his budget request to Congress of $444 million in funding for Everglades restoration in Fiscal Year 2025. In our last article, we noted the vital importance of the Everglades Agricultural Area (EAA) Reservoir, and this budget request is critical to ensure that construction of the reservoir stays on track for completion in 2030. Once complete, the reservoir will store, clean, and send lake water south to the Everglades and Florida Bay, reduce harmful discharges to coastal communities, replenish the Biscayne Aquifer, and fortify Florida’s already strong clean water economy.... Read More »

Bigger, Better, Bolder – Food & Wine Weekend March 22, 2024 Posted in: All, Club Events, Food and Beverage Bigger, Better, Bolder Food & Wine Weekend The countdown is on to Food & Wine Weekend 2024 – we’re now just three weeks away from the four-day culinary extravaganza. You know this year will be new and different, with the addition of these three exciting events: Thursday’s Burger Bash on Buccaneer, Friday’s Cincoro & Cigars Under the Stars, and Saturday’s Farm to Table Expo. You’ve heard about it, but what is the Farm to Table Expo? We’re here to explain! Saturday’s refreshed format will spice things up, shifting away from the traditional schedule that saw multiple cooking and spirit demonstrations, to this year featuring four unique stations, each entirely different from the next. Attendees will experience a masterful Cooking Demonstration by acclaimed Chef Norman Van Aken (read more about him in the March 15 edition of the Ocean Reef Press). Food & Wine favorites David Ortiz and Jackie Gwidt (coupled with Stephanie Southgate) will return to host their popular mixology and wine demonstrations respectively. And rounding out the afternoon will be the brand new station – the Farm to Table Expo. Carysfort Kitchen Chef de Cuisine Betania Salles, the mastermind behind this new exhibition, carefully selected four of her most... Read More »

Ocean Reef’s Innovative Water Management March 18, 2024 Posted in: All, Conservation, Environment, ORCA Ocean Reef’s Innovative Water Management Ocean Reef stands as a model of sustainable living and responsible water management. The Ocean Reef Community Association (ORCA) plays a pivotal role in overseeing its crucial water sources, ensuring the well-being of both The Reef’s residents and the Florida Keys ecosystem. Behind the scenes, the North Key Largo Utility Corporation (NKLUC) delivers essential irrigation and wastewater services to the Ocean Reef and Angler’s Club communities. NKLUC is a not-for-profit organization managed by ORCA, providing a seamless integration of water services for the community. “The dedicated team at NKLUC effectively manages both the State-regulated Advanced Wastewater Treatment Plant (AWWTP) and the Reverse Osmosis (RO) irrigation water plant, which is vital to maintaining the golf courses and landscaping,” says Jeff Oeltjen, P.E., ORCA’s Vice President of Public Works and Utilities. At the heart of Ocean Reef’s water sustainability lies the Reverse Osmosis (RO) water treatment plant. Using brackish groundwater from several wells over 1,000 feet deep as a feed, reverse osmosis is a sophisticated filtration method. Pressure is applied to force water through a very small pore semipermeable membrane, so that contaminants, dissolved salts, and minerals are effectively filtered out. The concentrate with the contaminants is... Read More »

39th Annual Reef Cup Underway March 15, 2024 Posted in: All, Club Events, Fishing, Traditions 39th Annual Reef Cup Underway Warbird Holds Lead After Day Two The 2024 Reef Cup Invitational Sailfish Tournament has begun with anglers taking to the waters in search of the elusive sailfish. The first two days of fishing saw a total of 65 sailfish – 46 on kite and 19 on outrigger. Here are the standings as of Day Two. Day One John Swift of Huntress had the first release of the tournament at 9:20 a.m., followed just one minute later by Eric Yonke on Trips + 1 with his first of two releases. The final release of the day went to Ed Dunn on Irish Twin at 4:05 p.m. As for Top Angler, Warbird’s Mike Bondurant had the most catch and releases of the day with four on kite totaling 400 points, but Yonke’s two catches on outrigger brought him to 400 points as well (200 per sailfish caught on outrigger), placing him in the top spot for the day with time of release being the differentiator in scoring. Still, Day One saw Roger Ward’s Warbird in the top spot with 600 points. Day Two Day Two saw its first catch and release of the day on outrigger by... Read More »

And a Great Time Was Had by All … February 12, 2024 Posted in: All, Club Events, Community News, Cultural Center, Philanthropy, Traditions And a Great Time Was Had by All … By Sarah A. Cart What a fun All Charities Weekend (ACW) that was! It began with a huge crowd turning out Friday evening for the Silent Auction preview. The Carysfort Ballroom dazzled thanks to Silent Auction chairs Lori and Brad Young and their committee. Members found a broad selection of beautifully illuminated items available for bid, from wines and spirits, to electronics, artwork, and jewelry. While considering all the possibilities and noting “wish list” items, those who came had the opportunity to taste and vote on the Members Choice wines for next season as well as sip and compare four select bourbons while catching up with friends and neighbors. Brad and Lori Young, 2024 Silent Auction Chairs and next year’s All Charities Weekend Co-Chairs. And the lobby was abuzz, too, with larger items on display from a Club Car golf cart to a pair of electric bikes, two stand-up paddleboards, and a gold Vespa, as members took advantage of opportunities to talk with representatives from several of All Charities’ Preferred Partners. Come Saturday morning: Thanks to the sunshine, the next day lots of people took the opportunity to check out the... Read More »

Academy Students Practice for Model UN February 7, 2024 Posted in: All, Community News, The Academy at Ocean Reef Academy Students Practice for Model UN By Valerie Gabriel, Academy at Ocean Reef 8th Grade Last Saturday, January 27th, Academy at Ocean Reef 6th-grade students went to Miami Dade Model United Nations Delegate Preparation practice at the University of Miami. These young diplomats had the opportunity to enhance their public speaking and negotiation skills as they debated the topic of restrictions on social media and screentime for young people. Academy sixth-grade students participated in Model United Nations Delegate Prep at University of Miami. Every year, the Academy middle school students act as delegates in a Model UN conference. Taking part in last week’s practice helped our students prepare to reach resolutions on global issues at the real Model UN conference in March. “I found public speaking challenging… but after encouragement from my friends I went up and spoke!” said Kai Howell. The sixth graders learned complex phrases like a “moderated caucus”, a formal debate that allows for a flow and exchange of various ideas. During the practice session, everyone was striving to get a resolution passed. Each person was assigned a role as a stakeholder in a community. Some people were governors, some were CEOs and others were students or... Read More »

Kicking Off The Season at The Tennis & Games Center October 31, 2023 Posted in: All, Club Events, Club News, Tennis and Games Kicking Off The Season at The Tennis & Games Center By Justin Romero, Director of Racquet Sports Welcome back, Members! We all know that Ocean Reef Club is unique in every way. At the Tennis & Games Center, we’re excited to kick this season off with a couple of unique events that we look forward to every year. These special occasions are none other than the “Massociate” Tournaments, a clever fusion of “Member” and “Associate”. This year, both Tennis and Pickleball Member-Associate tournaments boast participation from over 40 players, with each Member being paired with an Associate. Among the participating Associates are some familiar faces seen in our Recreation, Banquets, and Maintenance departments. Others may be less familiar, hailing from departments such as Payroll, Set-Up and Communications. These Member-Associate tournaments provide the unique opportunity for Members to interact with Associates they may otherwise have never met. The 2023 Member-Associate Tennis Tournament, the 8th annual event, took place on Monday, October 23, where 21 Members and 21 Club Associates came together to face off for year-long bragging rights. Play began with teams playing a round-robin format in their respective flights, striving to win as many games as possible. The top-performing teams... Read More »

Climbing Mountains & Swimming Oceans October 4, 2023 Posted in: All, Community News, Fitness Center, Health and Nutrition, Member Stories Climbing Mountains & Swimming Oceans By Luis Bracamonte, Director of Fitness & Wellness For many of our Members, summer may be a time to slow down, relax, visit their homes away from Ocean Reef, but for our most fitness-inclined Members, some of whom are pictured here and listed below, their summers have been about training, taking on physical challenges and new adventures. Fitness has many dimensions; at the highest level, it can test our physical and mental limits. Regardless of fitness level, those who dare to embark on these adventures come out with a more profound knowledge of who they are and what they are capable of. It is cliché to say that life is about the journey, not the destination. When we set a goal that pushes our physical and mental limits, it is about both. Congratulations to all our Members whose dedication and passion for self-improvement and personal growth led them to complete amazing feats this summer. The game only ends when we stop playing. We must take action and pursue goals with profound rewards to unleash our potential. Sue Shuldman, Bonny Gothier and Joannie Rich on top of Whistler mountain as 29029 Everesting finishers. About the Events:... Read More »

Memberabilia: Aren’t we Lucky! August 15, 2023 Posted in: All, Member Stories, Memberabilia Memberabilia Aren’t we Lucky! On the 75th Anniversary of the Founding of Ocean Reef Club – A look at How far We’ve Come…. Seventy-five years ago, Morris Baker, a Minneapolis developer on a quest for a fishing camp, found a primitive site in the Florida Keys…. His wife promptly pronounced that the location was “the end of the earth.” But Morris was intrigued by the natural beauty of the place – the crocodiles, the mangroves, and the coral rock. Instead of a fishing camp, he dreamed of a club with “some villas on the ocean, a 9-hole golf course and maybe a little airstrip.” Flash forward to 2023…. Even a visionary like Morris Baker would have had difficulty imagining the extent to which his dream has come true. The Ocean Reef Club is “unique” – a word used, often and accurately, to describe its awesome facilities and activities. In this 75th year of the Club’s existence, the membership has perceptibly come to appreciate, more than ever, what a privilege it is to live here. Aren’t we lucky! has become a mantra of Ocean Reef Members. Here is my personal summary of the things that make Ocean Reef Club unique and... Read More »

“The Edge of the World” August 8, 2023 Posted in: All, Member Stories “The Edge of the World” By Mike Love, Member since 2004 On February 15, my oldest son and I journeyed to Argentina in search of the fabled Sea-run Brown Trout. After an overnight in Buenos Aires (8 1/2 hr. flight) it was on to Ushuaia (another 3 1/2 hr. flight) to the very tip of Argentina called Tierra del Fuego, “The Land of Fire”. This area was named by Magellan, because when his group of ships sailed close to the coastline, the local Indians, some of which were cannibals, would light fires all along the coast. Some were for warmth in their huts, since most wore no clothing, but Magellan felt many were also signals of approaching danger. Tierra del Fuego is part of an area of Argentina called Patagonia. This area was also named by Magellan for a group of local Indians they encountered. These were a giant tribe, known to be as tall as 10 feet. Magellan named them the Patagones, which translated to Big Feet, because some of these giants wore animal skins around their feet which made them look enormous. They eventually turned to the Spanish translation of Patagonia. Magellan had a firsthand encounter with these... Read More »

The MGA Takes Ireland August 7, 2023 Posted in: All, Club News, Community News, Golf The MGA Takes Ireland By Michael Leone, Director of Golf In the last three years, the MGA trips have checked off some of the top courses all over the globe. These trips have taken the group as far west as Pebble Beach and as far east as Royal Liverpool, the host of the 2023 Open Championship. This year, we took our group of adventurous golfers to southern Ireland. The group consisted of myself, Ben Claus, Briggs Forelli, Doug Totura, Rick Chambers, Andy Timmerman, Joey Rivera, Don Bermant, Benny Scott, Joe Holl, Joe Hertzman, Michael Watson, Phil Russel, Peter Shea and Jay Guarch. A close second to the group of people was the resume of courses we were able to play. We started the trip off with Old Head Golf Links. The group was a bit nervous about the overall experience of the day, as on the bus ride to the course, the fog was so thick we could not see more than 30 yards in front of the bus. Luck was on our side though, after we played the first 4 holes in thick fog, the temperature rose and the fog lifted so we were able to see all the... Read More »

Summer Orchids August 4, 2023 Posted in: All, Environment Summer Orchids by Jody Steele Whether you leave The Reef in the summer or stay to enjoy those tropical breezes in the warmer months, your orchids that have given you so much joy during the Season need a well deserved break. Michael Coronado, Vice President of R. F. Orchids, shared some tips on keeping orchids healthy and ready to bloom later in the year so you can marvel at their beauty once again. They just need your TLC. Humidity & the Rains As you know, the rainy months are approaching and so is higher humidity. Although orchids love humidity, the summer rains can be too much of a good thing. Michael recommends that orchids tied on trees should have their misters turned off as the regular rains should be enough to keep the orchids irrigated. Orchids under cover or on porches should continue to be watered once or twice a week. Also, watering should be done (when possible) earlier in the morning. It is important to check your orchid plants for appropriate moisture and then stay on a watering schedule. Fresh Air Orchids need a bit of a breeze— so spending some time to check out the placement of your... Read More »

Reminder: Reentry Sticker Vehicle Windshield Decal August 3, 2023 Posted in: All, Community News, Public Safety Reminder: Reentry Sticker Vehicle Windshield Decals are available for Monroe County Residents By Kristen Livengood, Monroe County Public Information Officer Hurricane season is here. Monroe County residents are reminded to pick up one reentry sticker for each registered vehicle by providing proof of residency at a Monroe County Tax Collector’s office. Proof of residency includes a Florida Driver’s License or a property bill with a local address, and vehicle registration. For homeowners with a vehicle registered outside of Monroe County, bring your local property tax bill with the out-of-county vehicle registration. A decal is not required for reentry, proof of residency can be provided at the checkpoint; however, stickers make reentry easier if checkpoints are required to ensure safe reentry into the Florida Keys following a destructive storm. The sticker is color-coded for zone-by-zone reentry. Monroe County reentry stickers are barcoded to verify authenticity. Upper Keys residents including Ocean Reef have a purple decal. Where to Get Reentry Stickers Residents from Ocean Reef: Stickers are available at the Monroe County Tax Collector’s office from 8 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. Monday through Friday. Stickers are also available at Ocean Reef Public Safety, 110 Anchor Dr., Key Largo. Tax Collector Locations: •... Read More »

Seeing Recreation Red July 17, 2023 Posted in: All, Club Events, Member Stories, Recreation Seeing Recreation Red By Felicia M. Koretsky Member Since 2010 Pursuing a master’s degree, managing a real estate business, competing twice-a-week in Mahjong and Pickleball, being the president of The Academy’s PTO, taking Grandma to doctor appointments, handling a dog, two cats, a snake, a gerbil, a spider, fish, and four children under the age of 11 has Amanda Asman seeing red. Recreation Red. “I use Recreation for everything,” said Asman, who along with husband Carl, moved to ORC full-time during Covid. Her parents, Beverly and Brian Platner, and grandmother, Judi Walker, also have places on The Reef. “They are so responsive and responsible. I don’t have to stress.” Asman has hired Recreation staff to plan all the details of her kids’ annual birthday parties, to be greeters at a school fundraiser, organize sports activities, consult with on reptile care, and scout entertainment for her father’s 70th birthday party. Pairing khakis with recognizably red polos are the nearly 20 full-time and seasonal employees who make up the Ocean Reef Recreation Department. With trends shifting in the hospitality industry toward customizable experiences, the Recreation team offers a sizable menu of 100+ add-on options, expanding the team’s services beyond pool activities, camp... Read More »

Memberabilia July 14, 2023 Posted in: All, Cultural Center, Member Stories, Memberabilia MEMBERABILIA: Spotlight on Ocean Reef Members The Irrepressible Barbara Olcott A mainstay of the Cultural Center at Ocean Reef I have never met anyone with as much energy as Barbara Olcott. This petite blonde, who might possibly be mistaken for a teenager, has been a leader and an influential force at Ocean Reef for nearly four decades. She has served on the Board of the Ocean Reef Club and on numerous committees. And for 19 years Barbara has been the guiding light of the Entertainment Committee at the Cultural Center. (For the last five she was chairman.) This year she took on the additional task of co-chair of the 2023 All Charities Auction and Gala, the premiere event on the OR calendar. Barbara and her husband Emery discovered Ocean Reef in the early 80’s. Without giving it a second thought, they quickly settled into a “much too small” condo in The Landings with their brood of five young children. (The melded family included His: two boys and a girl. Hers: one boy. Theirs: a baby boy). For most people being a mom to a family of seven would be exhausting, but Barbara Olcott did it all and still had energy... Read More »

All Smiles: Rene Agenord & Sam Joseph June 28, 2023 Posted in: All, Associate Spotlight All Smiles: Rene Agenord & Sam Joseph By Susan Bohan We at The Reef are very fortunate to have so many Associates support our envious lifestyle. Two of the best workers according to many Members are Sam Joseph and Rene Agenord, from Ocean Reef Solid Waste, who are the smiling gentlemen who pick up your trash on the assigned days or make a special trip if you need it. According to their Director, Israel Salgado, “Sam who has been here 18 years and Rene for over 25, have one of the hardest jobs here. They work from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. regardless of holidays and no matter the weather. Their positivity is contagious.” Israel recalled when he joined the group in 2008, Sam and Rene were already in place. He bragged that he has never had to worry that the job would be done any way but properly and in a timely manner. He has even tried to do each of their routes himself and has yet been able to complete it within their time frame! Both Sam and Rene are originally from Haiti. Each has family here but say they take responsibility for those who remain in Haiti.... Read More »

Love is in the Air June 16, 2023 Posted in: All, Historical, Tennis and Games Love is in the Air by Mike Smith In those early days of Ocean Reef Club’s operations, Morris Baker recognized the need for guests to be able to do things other than fishing. In 1955, he built a single tennis court and probably never realized the approaching tennis craze. That court was placed directly across Ocean Reef Drive from the concrete block Villa Cay homes also being constructed. In 1966, Juan Weiss, five-time National Tennis Champion in Cuba, was hired as the first Director of Tennis. Soon, two more courts were added with a tennis pavilion. In 1969 after the Bakers sold out to a firm headed by Harper Sibley, Bob Ecuyer, a highly-rated tennis pro from New Orleans, joined Weiss and became Director of Tennis in 1972. Over the next several years, more courts were added, all in the central core area, bringing the total to fifteen. But still, court time remained a premium causing the Club to limit play to one hour at a time. In 1974, a group of homeowners led by the late Dick Garbisch approached Sibley asking to purchase some land to form their own club in the same way the group from Card Sound... Read More »

In Search of The Vampire (Fish) June 12, 2023 Posted in: All, Fishing, Stories In Search of The Vampire (Fish) By Mike Love On October 20th, Dr. Riley Love, Guthrie Allen, Gary “The Brain” Narramore and myself, traveled to Columbia, South America, for a multispecies trip with a special focus on the payara, also known as the Vampire fish. It is aptly named for its two very large teeth on its lower jaw that actually extends through the top of its head when its mouth is closed. Clearly illustrating why it is named the Vampire fish. After an overnight in Bogata, our charter flight the next morning took us to San Jose Del Guaviare. We were met by representatives of Fish Columbia, who were the outfitters. This area has only been recently developed because of warring locals trying to control the drug trade but has been cleaned up by the Columbian Army (we hoped!). The Fish Columbia reps took us from the grass airfield to the loading area in the towns, and we packed into a small boat for our five-hour journey downstream. As night fell and we got closer to our camp, we could see lights ahead perched on top of a thirty-foot embankment. After a quick bite and a shot of rum,... Read More »

Ocean Reef Club Forges 2nd Partnership With Coral Restoration Foundation May 23, 2023 Posted in: All, Community News, Conservation, Environment Ocean Reef Club Forges 2nd Partnership With Coral Restoration Foundation It has been eight years since Ocean Reef Club entered into its first partnership with the Coral Restoration Foundation™ (CRF™) to help rebuild the corals and reefs that play such an important role in life at Ocean Reef and in the Florida Keys. Today, the Club is proud to announce it has committed to another five-year partnership with CRF to continue the support of coral reef restoration. The Coral Restoration Foundation, founded in 2007, is a Key Largo-based nonprofit created to develop offshore coral nurseries and restoration strategies for critically endangered coral reefs. What began as a local effort, has grown into a globally recognized organization. CRF has been successfully growing and transplanting corals for more than a decade throughout the Keys and beyond, supporting international restoration efforts. The restoration process involves growing staghorn, elkhorn and boulder corals for about a year in an underwater nursery until they are large enough to be out planted on a reef. Ocean Reef Club’s relationship with Coral Restoration Foundation first began in 2013 through an innovative program in which Members could “adopt a coral” and watch it grow for a year in one... Read More »

By Land, Sea and… Air May 17, 2023 Posted in: All, Historical By Land, Sea and… Air By Mike Smith Officially opened for business in 1951, Ocean Reef Club was off and running. The Club was accessible by land and many drove down from southern Florida. Access was also gained by water as many yachts found their way south from the Florida coast. But Morris Baker, always thinking ahead, wanted access by air. He envisioned members from the north, such as himself being able to jump in a plane and land at Ocean Reef, spend a few days and go home. He thought an airport would be crown jewel of the Club’s attributes. The original plan was to build a 2,000 foot runway adjacent to Barracuda Lane. (Remember, the Barracuda Golf Course, now known as Card Sound was not yet constructed.) The exact orientation of the runway has its own unique story. At that time, different proposals were being offered on how best the Keys could be accessed by land. One of the proposals was a highway from Key Biscayne to Key Largo that would pass over Elliot Key and directly through Ocean Reef. Baker saw such a highway as potentially very disruptive to his plans for further development as it would... Read More »

He Named His Vision Ocean Reef May 5, 2023 Posted in: All, Historical He Named His Vision Ocean Reef In 1942, the property that would become Ocean Reef Club was known as the Dispatch Creek Fishing Camp boasting four ramshackle cabins, several docks and a small harbor. The site was only accessible via the water or a dirt road (now County Road 905) that led from US 1 in Key Largo to the fishing camp. There would have been nothing glamorous about this fishing camp, nothing to presage its future as an upscale private club. “Ocean Reef began because my father (Morris Baker) wanted a fishing camp in the Keys,” Roger Baker explained. “He heard from Uncle Allen, who lived in Homestead, that the Key Largo Anglers Club was on the market, but he thought the price was too high so they kept looking until they heard about a fishing camp over on the ocean side. That year, 1945, they made an offer and sight unseen acquired something less than 40 acres.” The owners of the 7 ½-acre fishing camp within those 40 acres were a group of Miami businessmen including brothers John and James Knight whose family owned the Miami Herald. In a 1960 interview, Alice E. Baker, Morris Baker’s widow, shared... Read More »

What IS That Building? May 5, 2023 Posted in: All, Food and Beverage What IS That Building? If you are taking your golf cart in for service, sitting on the Airport runway, or even visiting Waste Management, you might have noticed a large, light green building with some delivery trucks in the driveway. It is sometimes referred to as “Reef Central,” but is really the Ocean Reef Commissary that consists of three warehouses and much more. The Bake Shop, all those yummy desserts, and the Banquet Kitchens all reside in this nondescript building, too—but, that is another story! You would not believe that this building, tucked away behind the Airport for 24 years, is such an important part of Ocean Reef Club and thus all of our lives. So what is inside those walls? Dan Taylor, Director of Purchasing, met me outside of Reef Central and then we cautiously went in to see one of the warehouse areas that consists of enormous shelves of goods, five coolers (huge refrigerators), two freezers, and especially designed storage spaces for wine, produce, china, cooking supplies, and everything our restaurants need on a daily basis. It is impressive to see the large quantity of supplies stacked almost to the ceiling and that is just the first floor!... Read More »

Everyone’s a VIP Thanks to Member Guest Services May 3, 2023 Posted in: All Everyone’s a VIP Thanks to Member Guest Services By Sarah A. Cart “Think of Member Guest Services as ‘the artist formerly known as Concierge,’” says Kyle Landers of the department he oversees as director of Member Events & Services. The reference is a heartfelt tribute to Ellie Parker, who retired from her position as Club Concierge five years ago. Kyle explains that Member Guest Services (MGS) “is an all encompassing one-stop shop” to assist Members and guests with “all things Ocean Reef Club.” The team strives to deliver exemplary service, handling everything from answering general questions of what can be found where to helping with everyday specifics. The result? “When you call us, you receive VIP treatment.” Small celebrations, big moments: It makes sense that MGS orchestrates and oversees all the Club’s “traditional” Membership events and dining reservations (confused by the online system? They’re happy to walk you through it). But over the past couple years, they have also quietly expanded their offerings to include coordinating small gatherings for 10 people or less – think: dinner for two, a proposal, an engagement party, a baby reveal – arranging everything from location and décor through execution. “The concept was soft launched... Read More »

2022 In Review January 2, 2023 Posted in: All, Club Events, Traditions 2022 In Review As we close out another year and prepare for all the New Year promises to bring, we took a sentimental look down memory lane at some of the Ocean Reef Press headlines that best represent 2022 – a year of togetherness, a return to tradition, and continued innovation. Member Events Goes the Extra Mile (1/7/22) – The first front page headline of 2022 acknowledged the Club’s Member Events Team for an extraordinary holiday season. Fittingly, in a matter of days, we’ll be thanking them all over again for doing the same this year – “entertaining literally hundreds of Ocean Reef Club Members at a variety of special venues for all ages”. But this excellence is something the Member Events Team maintained throughout the entirety of the year, as they looked to bring back traditional favorites like Street Fairs, while also adding more events to the schedule than ever before. “Huge thanks to the team for their diligence, creativity and endless energy,” wrote Jody Steele. It’s no wonder why they won Team of the Year for 2022 Loving Our New Home (1/14/22) – The new Clubhouse, which opened Christmas week 2021, stands out as a major milestone of... Read More »

26th Annual Vintage Weekend December 12, 2022 Posted in: All, Club Events, Community News, Member Stories, Traditions 26th Annual Vintage Weekend Giving ‘Em What They Want “They did it right. They did it better than right.” This quote, said by one spectator but felt by all at Weekend’s end, embodies the sentiment of all Vintage Weekend attendees. After 26 years, the Vintage Weekend Committee, made up of Vicki Goldstein, Lenny Sikora, Bill Parfet and Bill Johnston, still manages to introduce something new and different every year, while upholding the tradition everyone celebrates. Looking back at Vintage Weekend’s roots is a testament to how far it has really come since it debuted in 1994 thanks to the vision of Vicki and Alan Goldstein. Without their vision, this wonderful tradition would not be one of the most anticipated events on Ocean Reef’s calendar. The story goes that the Goldsteins happened upon a classic yacht show years ago in Southwest Harbor. “It dawned on us that people who lavish so much passion on boats want to have a place to show them when they get done,” said Goldstein. “It turns out the same goes for cars and planes. So that’s where it all began. It started small, but you can see what it’s turned into.” The first Vintage Weekend exhibited... Read More »

November Town Hall December 1, 2022 Posted in: All, Club News November Town Hall Ocean Reef Club Chairman Ray Larkin opened the first Town Hall Meeting of the new season Friday, November 18 with a nod to the historic anniversary year. “I am thrilled to say on behalf of our Board, how honored and privileged we are to be your Board of Directors during our 75th anniversary of Ocean Reef’s founding and the 30th anniversary of Member ownership,” said Larkin. “It’s a true honor. Alan Goldstein, Tom Davidson and Dick Farmer, beginning in 1992, had the foresight to look at Ocean Reef and say, we should turn this into a private club. Fast forward 30 years, Ocean Reef is the finest private club in the United States, if not the world. So thank you for your vision, thank you for your persistence.” Before moving on to the business portion of the meeting, Larkin went through the agenda, reiterating the commitment to no construction this season, while noting that there is focus on the Club’s master plan and the projects being considered for the next 3-5 years, including Associate housing and The Spa expansion. He also shared that the Club will leave no stone unturned in the effort toward improving the Equity... Read More »

Summer is Happening on The Reef May 31, 2022 Posted in: All, Club Events, Summer Camps Summer is Happening on The Reef Another Reef summer full of Club traditions awaits, and our Summer Happenings brochure is here to help you plan your adventures so you don’t miss a thing. Whether it’s watching fireworks on the beach, playing into your competitive side through fishing, golf and tennis tournaments, or exploring the summer’s many dining delights, every Member has their favorite summer tradition at The Reef just a golf cart ride away. Sprinkled into the mix of long-standing traditions, the Club continues to introduce newer and equally as exciting happenings along the way. These are the Parties in the Park, expanded Equity Member Get-Togethers, bingo nights, even the return of a Fishing Village Street Fair. With the return to a “normal” summer to look forward to, the next several months at The Reef will look like anything but those of the last two years. The vibrant offerings are ready for the taking for any member of the family and any and all interests. Look out for an email from your Club today with a link to the Summer Happenings brochure online, and stay tuned for your printed copy to arrive in the mail in the coming days. In... Read More »

It’s Not Goodbye, It’s See You Later May 12, 2022 Posted in: All, Associate Spotlight, Recreation It’s Not Goodbye, It’s See You Later By Holly Houser, Ocean Reef Press Manager Saturday, April 23, the Club celebrated the unparalleled career of ORC Tennis himself, Jim Morton, as he takes the step into semi-retirement this summer. The celebration was filled with many of his fans sharing anecdotes and toasting the man that helped elevate Ocean Reef tennis to what it is today. There were even a few tears. For 35 years, Jim has taught Ocean Reef Member families, their guests and Associates to play and love the game of tennis. His passion, commitment and innovative programming helped to create not only a vibrant facility in the Tennis & Games Center, but a boasting tennis culture Reef-wide. What’s the best way to recognize three and a half decades of commitment, service, laughs, learning, smiles, leadership, the list goes on? Through recounts of his career by a few of Jim’s biggest supporters. Several themes emerged during these talks, with all agreeing – Jim has created an unbelievably welcoming culture of tennis that he’s also cultivated in his employees, and still goes out on court every day with the same positive energy and vivacious nature as his first day on ORC... Read More »

Spirit of Ocean Reef April 27, 2022 Posted in: All, Associate Spotlight, Club News Spirit of Ocean Reef By Holly Houser, Ocean Reef Press Manager Eight years ago, the Spirit of Ocean Reef award was introduced, and with it, “a tradition that would remain tradition forever.” ORC Chairman Ray Larkin, said at the Annual Meeting, “Year after year, recipients are selected because they’ve gone above and beyond in their contribution to our Club and community. These annual recipients have each made very special and out of the ordinary contributions that the Club will remember forever. This year’s award especially is going to get me a little choked up.” Past winners have implemented new programs to The Reef, been extraordinarily dedicated to community organizations, enriched the lives of Members through writing and the arts, and altruistically supported foundations in the surrounding Keys community – but the 2022 winners are especially unique in terms of their service to the Club. Their contributions are seen and felt Club-wide on a daily basisbut this year’s honorees took that service to new heights on Sunday, March 6 when a boat carrying 356 Haitian migrants (the second Ocean Reef landing of the year) ran aground just off Buccaneer Island. “On this day, hundreds of Haitians, tired, worn out, were trying... Read More »

Food & Wine Festival 2022 April 15, 2022 Posted in: All, Club Events, Traditions Get Ready to be Wowed Food & Wine Festival 2022 By Holly Houser, Ocean Reef Press Manager It’s back! And it will be nothing short of spectacular. The Food & Wine Festival began in 2014 at the hands of Sr. Director Culinary Operations Philippe Reynaud and Director of Beverage & Wine Operations Sean Carroll. Now 8 years later, this dynamic duo is still at the helm of creating one the season’s most anticipated weekends. When asked what excites Sean most about the approaching weekend, April 22-24, he said, “Mostly, the fact that, after two years of not holding the event due to Covid, we are back and even better. This is easily one of my favorite weekends, not only because it marks the end of a great season, but because this year, the Club’s culinary and beverage teams really get to come together to showcase their expertise, presenting something outstanding for the Members.” In previous years, the weekend featured invited chefs from around the country. The structure of this year’s event makes it all the more special. Food & Wine 2022 will see our own Ocean Reef Chefs at the forefront, as they prepare all culinary aspects of the weekend... Read More »

ORCAT’s Annual Catwalk Fashion Show April 13, 2022 Posted in: All, Community News, Stories ORCAT’s Annual Catwalk Fashion Show Breaks Fundraising Records in Style Ruby Kubac walks the runway with her pup. ORCAT’s Catwalk Fashion Show and Luncheon came roaring back this year to a sold-out crowd and a record breaking fundraising effort as feather, pearl, and fringe-clad attendees enjoyed shopping and a fashion show courtesy of a new partner, Neiman Marcus Coral Gables. The Great Catsby theme carried seamlessly from room to room in Town Hall, the atmosphere convivial as attendees sipped champagne and mingled with fellow partygoers perusing decadent jewels and the latest in designer fashion. This year’s program, led by MC Paul Bishop and ORCAT Chairwoman Luisa Bryan, was moving and heartfelt. The Penny W. Stamps Award was presented to Yolanda Berkowitz by ORCAT board members Alex Lovett-Woodsum, previous recipient of the award, and Annie Stamps, Penny’s daughter, in recognition of her significant contributions to animal welfare in South Florida. Berkowitz founded Friends of Miami Animals in 2016 with the mission to save and improve the lives of homeless pets and help low-income qualified pet owners. She has increased access to spay/neuter and veterinary care in Miami-Dade county, organized countless airlifts for at-risk animals, and personally rescued numerous at-risk dogs. A... Read More »

Lovin’ the Lagoon April 5, 2022 Posted in: All, Environment Lovin’ the Lagoon by Jody Steele The Recreation Team helps Johnny and Bobby Laughton into a kayak. If you were here last summer, you saw the first of the two-phase Buccaneer Island Lagoon project in process. The fence around the Lagoon lent a mystery to the rejuvenation as huge trucks traveled in and out while interesting noises were heard as the heavy work continued. In a short time the Lagoon was magically transformed into an enhanced and beautified space. An expanded beach, extensive landscaping, more parking for golf carts, and a shallower Lagoon became an upgraded destination. Carly Laughton plays on the beach while her brothers enjoy the watersports. For All Ages Mike Neves, Buccaneer Island’s enthusiastic Pool Service Manager, is thrilled with the updated areas and he recently shared how many more Members are flocking to the Lagoon since the opening in October. He pointed out the new Lagoon dock filled with kayaks and paddleboards that are being well used by the older kids. More seating on the revived beach is often near capacity. And the zero entry shoreline has become a favorite place for younger children to take their bags of sand toys. I can agree that it... Read More »

Here Comes a Grand Summer! March 18, 2022 Posted in: All, Club Events, Club News, Summer Camps Here Comes a Grand Summer! by Jody Steele Summer is just around the corner and our “Unique Summer Camps” at Ocean Reef Club are open for registration on Monday, March 21. Our nationally recognized and award winning Recreation Team is ready to greet the children and grandchildren of Ocean Reef Club Members to 23 different camps. Ten weeks of fun-filled activities begin on June 6th and run through August 12th. Camps are provided for kids 5-17 with age-appropriate activities for all. To add to the family excitement, three adult camps are on the schedule. So it is time to look at your summer calendar and check out the Camp Brochure online to find the perfect camp schedule for summertime fun. The Camps Adding to the return of the very popular traditional camps such as Reef Club Kids, Nature Exploration, ORC Golf Camp, Tennis Camp, Rising Star Camp, Reef Discovery, Scuba Dive Camp, Sailing, Safe Boating Camps, and Chef Camps are some NEW camp opportunities. Brain Teaser Camp will create projects in science, technology and engineering along with a full list of outdoor activities for ages 7-11. Equestrian Camp has been such a hit that it now will be offered for... Read More »

Passionate Catering March 14, 2022 Posted in: All, Dining Passionate Catering by Terry Baxter The stars are continuing to drop down from the sky to populate our kitchens. I recently sat down with Chef Catalin Munteanu, our new Executive Banquet Chef. It was an inspiring visit. A month or two ago, I reported on Catalin’s trial-by-fire audition – preparing a multi course dinner in the Ocean Room kitchen under the appraising eyes of all the Ocean Reef Chefs. The pressure was higher than any television cooking challenge I have watched. I would have been unnerved, but Catalin never showed any sign of tension. Today I learned his secret: he starts every day with ten minutes in an ice bath. He says it calms him and releases any negative thoughts. He says, “Cooking is me infusing you with my energy. No good food comes from negative people.” Fortunately for us, Catalin got the job. Catalin was born in a picturesque mountain town, Brasov Transylvania, a part of Romania. His home was 18 miles from Vlad the Impaler’s castle (now a tourist attraction as “Dracula’s Castle”). Catalin chuckles, “We lived so close, I may even have inherited some blood from Vlad.” I asked him if he does shish kabobs, but he... Read More »

The Essence of Tradition March 4, 2022 Posted in: All, Club Events, Traditions The Essence of Tradition Celebrating Bag Room Open & Reef Cup It’s no secret that at the core of Ocean Reef Club is a deep history, rich with tradition. For almost 75 years, generations upon generations have taken part in these traditions that intrinsically make Ocean Reef a family club. A quick scan through the Club calendar will highlight innumerable annual celebrations, many of which have been ongoing for decades. The 49th annual Member-Guest Tennis Tournament, the 25th annual Vintage Weekend, the 49th annual Member-Guest Golf Tournament, and the 28th annual Harvest Moon Extravaganza, to name a few. Over the next week, Members will celebrate perhaps two of The Reef’s most treasured traditions – the 46th annual Bag Room Open and the 37th annual Reef Cup Invitational Sailfish Tournament. 46th Bag Room Open Begins Friday What began as a way for Ocean Reef’s golf professionals to name the best professional on The Reef, has grown immensely to become one of the most meaningful and followed golf events on the Club calendar. In fact, Dan Fabian, the first official Bag Room Champion, remembered seeing only 20 to 30 carts during his final match of the 1977 inaugural tournament. Golf Chair Jodi... Read More »

Celebrating a Decade at the Dog Park February 18, 2022 Posted in: All, Club Events, Community News, ORCA, Stories Celebrating a Decade at the Dog Park By Holly Houser, Ocean Reef Press Manager It’s no secret Ocean Reef loves its dogs – a point made evident by our annual Blessing of the Animals celebration, frequent Yappy Hour events, and the Dog Park at Ocean Reef. Remaining a staple in the lives of many Members and their dogs for 13 years, the Dog Park at Ocean Reef was finally able to celebrate its 10-year anniversary last week (yes, it was three years in the making. Thanks Covid!). What became especially evident at the celebration was this – the Dog Park is as important for the Members who frequent it as it is for their pets. In fact, it may be the happiest place on The Reef, where broad smiles and tail wags abound. “Before the Park’s creation, our dogs were the only part of our family that didn’t have a place of their own at Ocean Reef,” explained Stacy Schmetterer, who was the first Co-Chair of the Dog Park Board along with Lin Brown. “Having the Dog Park makes life at Ocean Reef complete for dog owners.” That explains why so many Members and their pooches came out to the... Read More »

Everglades Advocate to Share Insights into Everglades Restoration February 3, 2022 Posted in: All, Club Events, Conservation, Environment Renowned Nature Photographer, Everglades Advocate to Share Insights into Everglades Restoration Growing up as a boy in Gainesville, Mac Stone developed a passion for photography while exploring Florida’s springs, swamps and hammocks. Today, the National Geographic photographer and member of The Everglades Foundation Board of Directors has turned his lens on one of the greatest challenges of our time: restoration of America’s Everglades. Stone presented his stunning photographs of the one-of-a-kind ecosystem and its inhabitants during an hour-long presentation – “The Everglades Through the Lens of Mac Stone” – on Wednesday, February 2, at the Cultural Center at Ocean Reef. Joined by The Everglades Foundation CEO Eric Eikenberg, who provided updates and insights into the momentum the foundation has built for Everglades restoration, which impacts the drinking water for 9 million South Floridians, our economy, climate change, wildlife, and our quality of life. Stone’s camera has carried him to far-flung remote and imperiled areas, but he continually returns to the Everglades to help connect people to the largest environmental restoration project in the world. “My job as a photographer is to remind the world of the natural treasure we are responsible for stewarding and protecting,” Stone said. “Fortunately, one of... Read More »

Something Old… Something New December 27, 2021 Posted in: All, Dining Something Old… Something New by Sean Carroll, Director of Beverage As the holiday season is upon us, so is a new barrel of bourbon the Club purchased this summer. It was day two in Louisville and our palates were in prime condition from the previous day’s barrel selections. For most that would not be the case, but for your ORC Food & Beverage team we are pros, or so we think. Erwin Pals (VP of Food & Beverage), Chris Patterson (Executive Director of Food & Beverage) and I headed right down the street from our hotel to Whiskey Row and the Old Forester Distillery, one of only three distilleries in Downtown Louisville. Most distilleries are about an hour trip outside of Louisville, so we did not have time to “nurse” the previous day’s festivities. We had to get right to business. This distillery is state of the art, however due to a fire that broke out in 2015, its opening was delayed until 2018. The distillery is a culmination of a nearly 150-year legacy that began in 1870 when George Garvin Brown, a young pharmaceutical sales rep, changed the spirits industry forever when he sealed whisky in a glass bottle.... Read More »

Proposed Actions Affecting Our Environment December 17, 2021 Posted in: All, Community News, Environment Proposed Actions Affecting Our Environment – Why You Should Care! By Bill Nutt Director, Everglades Protection Alliance and The Everglades Foundation Some of you will recall that over twenty years ago Miami-Dade County and a group of developers proposed that the Air Force permit civilian commercial operations at Homestead Air Reserve Base (“HARB”). Ocean Reef members joined with local and national environmental groups to oppose commercial operations at HARB because of the environmental damage such operations would cause to Biscayne Bay and the Everglades. After years of study and litigation, the Department of Defense issued a Record of Decision in January 2001 prohibiting any civilian commercial operations at HARB and instructed Miami-Dade County to consider the environment surrounding HARB when approving any relaxation of zoning regulations in this area. Some members of the Miami-Dade Board of Commissioners, however, never gave up the concept of using HARB as a commercial air facility and recently proposed two initiatives that would create significant environmental issues in direct conflict with the January 2001 Record of Decision. In October 2020, the Miami-Dade Board of Commissioners approved a resolution directing the Mayor to enter into negotiations with the Air Force to secure a Joint Use Agreement... Read More »

Beyond the Two Visit Rule November 12, 2021 Posted in: All Beyond the Two Visit Rule by Jody Steele We all know how marvelous it is to have our friends and extended family visit Ocean Reef Club. As there are plenty of activities for all ages available during every month of the year, it is obvious that many want to come back for more and experience the joy of our “unique way of life”. Two Visits However, the “two visit rule” limits guest visits to two times in a period of five years with a maximum visit of 14 days each visit. This does not include Members’ children, 23 years and younger, or accompanied house guests visiting while you are in residence. What Next? So what do you do when a dear friend or family member wants to return and they have had two visits within the five-year period? It is probably then best to share that Ocean Reef Club is a private club with amazing membership opportunities and lots of benefits. A simple explanation noting the privilege of having one’s own membership card and access to all Club amenities, discounts on Ocean Reef Club lodging rentals, dining, and preferred rates for golf, dockage, and cart rental are all perks worth... Read More »

Vintage Weekend Returns for Silver Anniversary November 12, 2021 Posted in: All, Announcements, Club News, Traditions Vintage Weekend Returns for Silver Anniversary December 2-5, 2021 Vintage Weekend has truly become one of the most anticipated weekends celebrated annually at Ocean Reef Club, and with good reason. What began in 1994 has continued to bring yacht, aviation and automobile enthusiasts together for a quarter of a century. Over its 25 years in existence, Vintage Weekend has expanded from a way to showcase antique yachts, to an acclaimed weekend exhibiting 20+ yachts, 50 automobiles and 20 aircraft this year alone. Credit for starting this uniquely special tradition belongs to Vicki and Alan Goldstein, who brought the idea to Ocean Reef years ago after experiencing a classic yacht show in Maine. With the eventual involvement of car collectors Bill Parfet, Bill Raithel and Ron Elenbaas, as well as Denny Moore, Airport Manager at the time, and aviator Lenny Sikora, the rest is history. Like many other Member-favorite traditions, Vintage Weekend was sorely missed last year due to the Coronavirus. But that only makes this year’s anniversary that much more special. “Vintage Weekend, one of the most unique to Ocean Reef events we host, is the definition of tradition at Ocean Reef Club,” said Goldstein. “Seeing the grand return of... Read More »

Jump On In: The Lagoon is Open November 10, 2021 Posted in: All, Announcements, Club News Jump On In The Lagoon is Open & Phase I is Complete The first of the two-phase Buccaneer Island Lagoon renourishment project has come to an end and the rejuvenated look and feel is already drawing Members in. Through this summer’s enhancement project, the Lagoon was transformed, recreating the desirable swimming and lounging experience of when it was first created in 1952. Over the past three months, the 69-year-old Lagoon underwent extensive beautification, and the results are refreshing. Phase I of this project, which commenced in early August, saw the removal of years of accumulated silt and organic matter through a process called “sweep diking”. Fresh, new sand was then added to make for a clearer, shallower and more recreation-friendly Lagoon experience. During this initial stage of renourishment, the overall size of the Lagoon was also reduced slightly, allowing for expanded beach and lounging space, increased landscaping, additional cart parking, and improved accessibility to Buccaneer Island. “The progress that has been made in the first phase of Lagoon beautification and renourishment is invigorating, and we are thrilled to see Members already enjoying the refreshed area during its first week reopened,” said Mic O’Keeffe, Vice President of Sports & Amenities. “We... Read More »

Memberabilia: I’m Now a Halfback November 10, 2021 Posted in: All, Memberabilia Memberabilia: I’m Now a Halfback by Joan Birsh Lots of painted memories. Here – a country church and view of Grandfather Mountain. No, I haven’t been recruited by the Miami Dolphins. What I have done is rent a lovely house for the summer months in Linville, North Carolina. Unofficially, transplanted northerners who winter in Florida and then migrate to NC in June are known as “halfbacks” because we are halfway back to our origins – e.g., Michigan, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Nebraska. This is the first time in my life that I have lived in the mountains and I signed up for this house in Linville last January “sight unseen”.My new summer residence did not disappoint. It turned out to be an attractive one-and-a-half story rustic chalet, located in Linville Ridge, a gated residential community that encompasses a members-only club with a beautiful golf course; tennis, pickleball and croquet courts; a gym and pool, and three restaurants. Imagine Ocean Reef Club about 10 degrees cooler and 4,000 feet higher, with tree-covered mountains instead of an ocean. (As it turned out, unbeknownst to me, a number of OR Members discovered Linville before I did. Some are longtime homeowners.) Living in someone else’s house... Read More »

Golf Course Renovation Project Wraps Up November 5, 2021 Posted in: All, Announcements, Golf Golf Course Renovation Project Wraps Up by Eric Bennett, Director of Agronomy What a great summer it has been at Ocean Reef Club. The Golf Course Maintenance Team has been hard at work improving many areas, building a few new ones and completing our summer maintenance programs. We have focused on providing a new feel to the Dolphin Course, along with preparing the Hammock to be in excellent condition. A Fresh Feel to a Member-Favorite Course The new Clubhouse is going to be spectacular, so we wanted to provide some equally spectacular views of the Dolphin Course as well. Therefore, we completely renovated hole number nine, the putting green, the short game practice area, along with re-grassing number seven. Number nine became much shorter but remains just as challenging as we pushed the green to the water’s edge on the front and left side. The new putting green was raised three and a half feet to deal with the ever-present king tides. It was also constructed with practice in mind, providing a flatter surface allowing you to train not just on speed but alignment as well. The short game area increased in size approximately 7,000 square feet. We built... Read More »

Delighted Ocean Reef Yacht Club Members Cruise to Portland, Maine November 5, 2021 Posted in: All, Clubs within the Club, Member Stories Delighted Ocean Reef Yacht Club Members Cruise to Portland, Maine by Jim Leenhouts A table of delighted, apron clad, lobster-bake cruisers with claws in the air await their opportunity to savor their own locally caught lobsters at a famous Portland Harbor island feast. In any other newspaper as dedicated to their readers’ activities and interests as the Ocean Reef Press, headlining and reporting a four-day local yacht club’s cruising event to a marine destination some 1800 miles away would create humorous disbelief. If it’s a well-known chore to fly that distance with golf clubs, consider that cruising 1800 miles in an average, small yacht that weighs well in excess of 10 tons, would require six days to comfortably carry four people that distance and would still have to return home after the four day event via the same route. Nevertheless, it happened in perfect fashion. Members, but not all, flew in from all over the United States to Portland, Maine; a few came by yachts. 160 delighted members attended. The annual series of Fall cruises began when newlyelected, Commodore Steve and Joan Techet initiated, in 2006, the first “Fall Cruise” where members “cruised” to New York City. The popular, so... Read More »

A Good Investment November 4, 2021 Posted in: All, Community News, Philanthropy A Good Investment By Richard Weinstein, President and COO, Ocean Reef Community Foundation This article is not about financial savvy. It is however, about high interest, return on investment and income. These are the three things that the Ocean Reef Community Foundation’s All Charities Weekend are really all about. Our hope is, if you aren’t already, that you’ll get involved and experience all three. High Interest No, we aren’t talking about the “fruit of money,” but we are talking about passion, or more specifically, a personal high level of interest to make a difference for those around you and those in need. For some, this level of interest has been described as a “calling” and they are compelled to give, seeking nothing in return. But we already know, the returns are many. Return on Investment Giving doesn’t just “feel good.” You can visibly see the benefits of getting involved in All Charities Weekend. Whether you donate an unforgettable experience for the live auction, an interesting item for the silent auction, a priceless bottle of wine, or your valuable time as a volunteer, you will see results of your efforts, your return on investment, through our local recipient partners – The... Read More »

Homecoming November 4, 2021 Posted in: All, Member Stories Homecoming by Terry Baxter Winston waddled off the plane and took in a deep breath of sea air. His tongue rolled out, his ears went up, and his tail wagged. Even Winston knew: Home! Fair Patricia thinks home is New Hampshire where we have lived for twenty-five years. Of course, she loves it and has nested. But we actually spend more time at Ocean Reef than New Hampshire, and, if home is where the heart is, then Ocean Reef is home for me. Every Ocean Reef Homecoming brings a flood of memories and an overload of welcome new sights to assimilate – friendly faces that I cant wait to see (both staff and Members), and construction projects that were only partly along when we departed in the spring, but now ready for their debut. Starved after a long day of travel and lugging baggage, and not sure what was open, we dashed off to the Burgee Bar. The menu was extensive, the servings were enormous, and the beer was cold. Island time settled in. The next morning we went to the beautifully renovated Ocean Room to catch Craig Horowitz’s last day as manager after twenty-seven years. We felt lucky to... Read More »

How’s the Weather Down There? November 3, 2021 Posted in: Airport, All How’s the Weather Down There? New Automated Weather Observing System Operational at Airport As one of the Club’s most unique amenities, upholding the safety of the Ocean Reef Airport is of great importance. That is why the Club is excited that last month, the Ocean Reef Airport completed the final stage in a long-awaited safety initiative. After achieving a series of local, state and federal agency approvals, the Ocean Reef Club Airport is now home to a FAA-certified Automated Weather Observing System (AWOS). Implementation of this new system imparts a major boost to Airport safety by providing pilots with continuous, minute-by-minute snapshots of current weather conditions at the Ocean Reef Club Airport, known to aviation enthusiasts by its Airport Identifier, 07FA. Prior to installation of the AWOS, pilots had to rely on the weather report from the Miami Executive Airport, located 40 miles north of Ocean Reef Club and therefore, unable to guarantee an accurate picture of weather at 07FA. The AWOS installation was the final component of a years-long Airport safety enhancement project that took flight in 2019, and included other improvements like visibility, drainage, runway lighting and more. Now, following the recent FAA endorsement, which confirmed... Read More »

6th Annual Member Associate Tennis Tournament November 3, 2021 Posted in: All, Tennis and Games, Traditions 6th Annual Member Associate Tennis Tournament By Jim Morton, Director of Tennis Champions Nabo Madzingo and Bebe Hofmann with Finalists Sandra Fish and Jesus Gonzalez. For decades, the Tennis & Games Center has been the home of many beloved traditions, like the Member- Guest Tennis Tournament celebrating 49 years this February, and the Harvest Moon Extravaganza, which celebrated 27 years yesterday, October 28. But one tournament in particular has proven that a tradition doesn’t have to be long, for it to be meaningful. This special tournament is the Member-Associate Tennis Tournament, which on Tuesday, October 26, celebrated its sixth wonderful year of bringing Ocean Reef Members and Associates together to enjoy the sport they love. A newer tradition, the Member-Associate Tournament has been wholeheartedly embraced by Members and Associates alike over its six years in existence. What began as a way for the Tennis playing Members to show Club Associates how much they are appreciated, has since formed a synergy that fosters camaraderie between both groups of players unique to our Club. From Banquets and Purchasing, to Tennis Maintenance and Member Fitness Center, Associate Champions have hailed from diverse areas of the Club. This year’s tournament boasted the most departmental... Read More »

Increasing Power in Your Strokes October 29, 2021 Posted in: All, Tennis and Games Increasing Power in Your Strokes “Tennis Tip” by Jaspal Mahal, Tennis Professional With the Grand Slam season coming to an end at the US Open a few weeks ago, most tennis fans saw the young finalists Emma Raducanu and Leylah Fernandez play an amazing match. Some of the most common comments I’ve heard around the Tennis & Games Center have been, how can two teenage girls generate so much power in their strokes? The average speed for forehand strokes among male tennis professionals is between 71 and 83 MPH, while the women come in between 70-79 MPH. While most of us are a long way off from achieving this level of performance consistently, we can learn the basics of power generation and implement them in our own game. Groundstrokes The most common mistake among players trying to increase groundstroke speed is being too close to the point of contact. When you get too close to the ball, all of the levers in your arm that would normally work to transfer power into the ball get disconnected. Think of your joints as checkpoints: the power generated by your trunk and legs travel down your shoulder, into your elbow, into your wrist,... Read More »

From the Gym to Every Day Life October 29, 2021 Posted in: All, Health and Nutrition From the Gym to Every Day Life “Fitness Focus” by Luis Bracamonte, Director of Fitness & Wellness Fitness training can develop and increase strength, speed, power, agility, balance, stamina and more. The exercises we choose in our program can lead to improvements in aesthetics, function and performance. Therefore, the time we spend in the gym transfers to enhancements in multiple aspects of physical life including every day activities such as lifting objects around the house and sports like golf, tennis and pickleball. To ensure that your time in the gym is as effective and efficient as possible in relation to what you want to accomplish, we recommend the following: 1. Evaluate and assess basic movement patterns to detect any areas that need correction before increasing complexity, load or intensity. There is a popular saying in the fitness industry: first move well, then move often. 2. Choose exercises that are going to give you the best ROI for the specific goal that you want to accomplish. While improving overall athleticism is always a good thing, different sports have different qualities and if you’re training for sports performance, then your fitness training should reflect those specifics. 3. Simplify your program by spending... Read More »

Cool to be Kind October 27, 2021 Posted in: All, The Academy at Ocean Reef Cool to be Kind By Jerome Murphy Head of School The Academy at Ocean Reef Middle school students at work. Following the wonderful opening weeks of school at The Academy at Ocean Reef that brought much joy to our children and parents’ faces, we now look forward to engaging and developing our students’ minds, bodies and hearts during the school year ahead. As we continue to develop strong future moral leaders at The Academy, we recognize the importance of teaching good citizenship and promoting kindness in the development of our students’ character. To that end, we are excited to engage Academy students in a character education program that will be based, in large part, on a set of seven common values we hold dear at The Academy. Courage, Commitment, Compassion, Honesty, Respect, Kindness, and Leadership With the help of The Academy’s new School Counselor, Meghan Ryan, and the collaboration of our Academy staff, we are poised to devote a month of study to each value over the course of the school year. Starting in October, Academy students will be introduced each month to learning about one of the seven values. During that time students will engage in a variety of... Read More »

Best Friends Forever? October 27, 2021 Posted in: All, For The Kids Best Friends Forever? By Holly Houser, Ocean Reef Press Manager The Nature Center’s newest inhabitants – Arlo and Vida the American alligators (left) and Hero the American crocodile. Earlier this year, the Nature Center at Ocean Reef became one of the few places to house baby alligators and crocodiles together in captivity. However, just like with every nest, there comes a time when the babies grow up. In this case, once the trio reached about two feet it was time for them to be returned to the Everglades Outpost. Lucky for us, our Nature Center Naturalist, Jeanette Rivera, anticipated the departure and planned for two more alligators and one crocodile to come to the Nature Center. The new alligator babies are Arlo and Vida, and the crocodile is named Hero. While at a glance, alligators and crocodiles may seem very similar, they are two different species entirely. In fact, the Everglades is the only place in the world where alligators and American crocodiles cohabitate. This is because the Everglades have areas of brackish water where freshwater and saltwater meet. Although crocodiles are primarily saltwater creatures and alligators primarily freshwater, both can survive in brackish water. “Although we live near alligators... Read More »

Authentic Italian Flair October 12, 2021 Posted in: All, Announcements, Associate Spotlight, Dining, Food and Beverage, Members Authentic Italian Flair By Jody Steele As a young boy, Chef Andrea Rodella knew what he wanted to be when he grew up. He credits his beloved grandparents, who were outstanding chefs, to helping him develop his passion for cooking. During these early years, Andrea made the commitment to attend “The Italian Culinary Institute” in Mantova, Italy for high school. After graduation, Chef Andrea began his career as a sous chef and then evolved into an executive chef at award-winning restaurants in Italy…a few with Michelin stars! The Big Move Moving to California, Chef Andrea became a sought-out chef who was proficient in Italian, Continental, and Fusion cuisine. Opening restaurants, training staff, developing menus, and leading a culinary team became his forte. Now with over 20 years’ experience in cooking and kitchen management, Chef Andrea Rodella has marvelously come to Ocean Reef Club. Gianni Ristorante Diners will be thrilled to welcome Chef Andrea to Gianni as Chef de Cuisine this season. Arriving in July, he cooked with Chef Betania, who has now become the Chef de Cuisine at Carysfort Kitchen. Over the summer, we definitely savored and enjoyed Chef Andrea’s delicious specials. A Vision Chef Andrea shared that his style... Read More »

Member Generosity Funds Earthquake Recovery in Haiti October 8, 2021 Posted in: All, Announcements, Club News, Environment, Member News, Philanthropy Member Generosity Funds Earthquake Recovery in Haiti by Yurianna Mikolay, Executive Director Ocean Reef Community Foundation About six weeks have passed since the Foundation partnered with Ocean Reef Club to respond to the 7.2 magnitude earthquake in southwestern Haiti on August 14th. The Foundation’s Haiti Disaster Relief Fund, which was originally created in the wake of the 2010 massive earthquake and assisted again after Hurricane Matthew in 2016, was immediately reactivated. As was done after those disasters, the Club quickly sent an appeal to the Membership to donate on behalf of the more than 120 Haitian-American employees with family in the affected region. Thanks to the community’s swift and generous response, within a week of the message going out we were able to wire our first grants, about half the $140,000+ received, in a timely and efficient emergency response. The Foundation’s extensive experience and relationships with numerous partners, established through working on disaster relief in Haiti for more than a decade, also played an important role in our ability to act fast. While expeditious, decisions are based on consultations with numerous experts and are mindful of the specifics of Haiti’s already tenuous state, further complicated this time by the pandemic.... Read More »

Aquarium Tradition Grows in New Lobby October 5, 2021 Posted in: All, Club News, Community News, Member News, Traditions Aquarium Tradition Grows in New Lobby You might recall reading about the new Ocean Room aquariums in the May 7 edition of the Ocean Reef Press, or if you’ve been here at Ocean Reef, you may have even seen them in person already. At approximately 400 gallons each, these aquariums were built into the newly-renovated Inn Lobby, Reef Lounge and Ocean Roo space, and they represent two differing marine habitats – the Atlantic reef and the Pacific reef. With both aquariums boasting colorful fish, and the Pacific themed aquarium already fitted with a few young, growing corals, it became time to introduce the Atlantic corals to their new habitat. As of last week, the Atlantic aquarium is now home to one staghorn and three boulder star corals. These local, endangered species of coral were harvested directly from a Coral Restoration Foundation nursery on the morning of Monday, September 27, and by 1 p.m. that afternoon, were being transplanted into The Ocean Room Atlantic aquarium. A Dual Purpose The Ocean Room aquariums, while providing obvious beauty to the space, also represent an educational opportunity for Members and their children. The aquariums will give observers a living comparison of the corals and... Read More »

College of the Florida Keys Opens in Key Largo September 30, 2021 Posted in: All, Announcements, Community News College of the Florida Keys Opens in Key Largo Ocean Reef Support Recognized Back to school in Key Largo just got busier with classes starting last week at the College of the Florida Keys (CFK) new Upper Keys Center located at the Keys gateway, MM 106, bayside. CFK gave a heartfelt thank you to Friends at Ocean Reef Club, the Ocean Reef Community Foundation, The U.S. Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration, and many more who helped make this big idea become a reality at the Center’s grand opening Thursday, August 5. Sharing his gratitude, CFK President Dr. Jonathan Gueverra said, “Thank you for your support, your indulgence, your willingness to dream, to trust, to contribute financially, to take a major leap for the betterment of our community, and for every person who will benefit by what happens within these walls over the years.” He added, “This is only the beginning, but it is a beginning that represents hope and opportunity that results in social and economic mobility for our entire upper Keys community.” The well-attended event featured many local community leaders excited about the wide range of programming certain to benefit the Upper Keys community – specifically law enforcement... Read More »

Remembering Richard T. Farmer: An Ocean Reef Club Founding Father September 6, 2021 Posted in: All, Community News, Member News Remembering Richard T. Farmer: An Ocean Reef Club Founding Father Earlier this month the Ocean Reef Club lost one of its great leaders, Richard “Dick” Farmer. He was the Club’s third Chairman and was inducted into the Ocean Reef Hall of Fame in 2018. He deeply believed the Club was a place for many generations of family to come and enjoy being together. That conviction showed in all that he contributed to the governance of the Club and beyond. Alan Goldstein, also a Hall of Fame recipient and Ocean Reef Club’s second Chairman remembered: “Dick was a strong proponent of, and reinforced Ocean Reef being a family club because first and foremost, Dick was a family man.” As a key player during the Member buyout of the Club, Mr. Farmer advised the Acquisition Committee, playing a critical role behind the scenes of the 1993 sale of the Club to our members from the Developer Owner American Financial Corporation. It is said that when the proposition of the Member purchase of the Club seemed to reach a stalemate, Mr. Farmer’s assurance to the Developer/Ownership group that “these guys are for real”, propelled the deal to the finish line and laid the... Read More »

A Gem For Carysfort Kitchen August 27, 2021 Posted in: All, Announcements, Associate Spotlight, Club News, Dining, Food and Beverage A Gem For Carysfort Kitchen Chef Betania Salles has moved from Gianni Ristorante to become the Chef de Cuisine of Carysfort Kitchen. After opening Gianni in December of 2014, Chef Betania has led Members through an elegant experience of authentic Italian fare for almost seven years. Betania is proud to leave Gianni in the capable hands of Chef Andrea Rodella. Chef Andrea comes to Ocean Reef with an impressive culinary background and he hails from Northern Italy. These two wonderful chefs have been working together at Gianni during the transition. We recently had a memorable dinner at Gianni and had the pleasure of savoring Chef Andrea’s flair for Italian cooking. It is always a joy to meet with Chef Betania. Her creative spirit and zest for cuisine and life in general is captivating. She comes from a family of chefs and restaurant owners from all over the world. Betania credits her mother for creating this talented family where each child learned to cook when they turned eight years old. Now they all cook together. Chef Betania is excited to direct the Cooking School along with the Season’s Specialty Dinners. Her years of experience will bring a new diversity to the... Read More »

Focus on Golf Cart Safety August 16, 2021 Posted in: All, Community News, Members, Public Safety Focus on Golf Cart Safety One of the treasured traditions of Ocean Reef is the golf cart lifestyle. In describing so many of The Reef’s conveniences, the most frequently heard line is, “just a golf cart ride away.” But golf carts can be dangerous and serious accidents have occurred. Additionally, with the increase in carts on Ocean Reef roads (see 2020 Census graphic on page 4), there also needs to be an increased focus on safety. Here are key Driver Responsibilities as posted on every cart in the Club’s fleet: No Alcohol Driving while impaired and open container of alcohol laws are strictly enforced. Obey All traffic signs and rules of the road. No road carts are allowed on golf courses. Avoid Quick sharp turns, quick sudden starts and stops, overloading passenger carts. Passengers do fall out. Use Seat Belts Passengers must be seated with children seat belted. Children are not permitted in laps nor “steering” the cart. Deaths Have resulted from unsafe driving practices. Damage Lessee is responsible for any and all damage, regardless of how or by whom damage resulted. Permits & Licenses A family member of Club Members who is at least ten may take the written... Read More »

Update on Capital Projects August 12, 2021 Posted in: All, Announcements, Club News, Dining, Golf Update on Capital Projects Lagoon Re-nourishment Project Announced Last summer, the Club embarked on three major projects; the Associate Parking Garage, Ocean Room/Lobby and the Golf Clubhouse. With the Associate Garage completed this past December, a marked improvement in parking was immediately noticed throughout the Club in key areas like The Spa & Fitness Center and the Fishing Village. Four hundred spaces were created and a transportation shuttle was engaged to take Associates to and from their place of work. Not only was parking throughout the Club easier to find, but the shuttle also helped reduce the amount of associate vehicles and golf carts driving around. Tradition Returns The Ocean Room/Lobby project, which was initiated to extend the useful life of the building, is nearly complete and will offer Members a completely redesigned and renovated Lobby, Reef Lounge and Ocean Room. Upon entry, the history and beauty of Ocean Reef will be evident in the carefully selected photography and artwork throughout the new building. The Reef Lounge has been completely renovated, complete with a beautiful bar and expanded seating with views overlooking Buccaneer Island. The Lounge will open on Holidays and special weekends starting late August. At the same time,... Read More »

Learning, Growing, & Creating in the Kitchen August 11, 2021 Posted in: All, Food and Beverage Learning, Growing, & Creating in the Kitchen By Holly Houser, Ocean Reef Press Manager “A great cook knows that no matter what level they reach in their skill, there is always more to learn.” That’s what Vice President of Food & Beverage Erwin Pals told the Ocean Reef Press after his Culinary Team participated in a private Carysfort Kitchen class led by master charcuterie artist Brian Polcyn. Classes like these are prevalent among Associates over the summer months, with this one particularly noteworthy because of the renowned instructor. Education and training is a hallmark of the Club Associate experience as many embrace the opportunity to expand their knowledge and grow in their crafts. It is through these trainings that Ocean Reef’s 12 sous chefs, representing each kitchen at The Reef, were able to spend two days with Chef Brian Polcyn as he shared his 35+ years of knowledge in charcuterie and butchery. “We know how special and inspiring it can be to introduce our chefs to industry masters like Chef Brian,” said Pals, who said this experience also served as a thank you to the chefs for a job well done over the past year. “What came out of this... Read More »

Summer Camps a Great Success August 11, 2021 Posted in: All, Summer Camps, Tennis and Games Summer Camps a Great Success Whether with families or friends, this summer has been filled with good times at the Tennis & Games Center. From camps and clinics to lessons and great games, the tennis and pickleball courts have been full of laughter, learning, and competition for players of all ages. While most Members take advantage of the many kids’ camps that we offer over the summer, the addition of adult camps has taken the Tennis & Games Center to another level! Summer Camps, Adult Style This summer, we had three adult camps that were very well received, as parents have begun to appreciate the joys of summer camps “adult style” at Ocean Reef! Kicking off the adult camps was the popular Moms Only Tennis Camp, which was our best-attended camp despite some challenges with rainy weather. Following was the Adult Pickleball Camp, run by Head of Racquets Sports Justin Romero and I as we put 14 players through a comprehensive training to advance their skills in this fast growing sport. We wrapped up the adult camps with a Mixed Doubles Tennis Camp that turned out to be less mixed and more doubles as the camp was predominantly filled with... Read More »

A Celebration of Associate Milestones July 12, 2021 Posted in: All, Associate Spotlight A Celebration of Associate Milestones By Holly Houser, Ocean Reef Press Manager Honoring the commitment of longtime Ocean Reef Associates is a wonderful annual Club tradition, and all the more important given the difficult times experienced over this past year. That is why last month, Ocean Reef Club hosted Service Awards celebrations for every Associate that met a milestone year in 2020 and 2021. The Service Awards acknowledges and thanks those Associates who have spent year after dedicated year at The Reef. “You are what makes Ocean Reef different from other clubs,” Ocean Reef Club Chairman Ray Larkin said as he addressed Associates at the Service Awards luncheon. “No club in the world has this kind of dependability. I speak for all of our Membership when I say we appreciate and recognize your commitment. Your loyalty is palpable.” This loyalty was on full display at the two Service Awards ceremonies lead by ORC President Alex Tonarelli – the first held at Town Hall Waterside for the 114 Associates reaching five and 10-year milestones, and the second, a luncheon and ceremony in Town Hall for the 71 honorees celebrating 15 years plus. “Having the opportunity to honor our dedicated Associates, especially... Read More »

Summer Eats for ALL July 7, 2021 Posted in: All, Dining Summer Eats for ALL by Jody Steele So there really is no need to cook unless you get inspired to do so! After an active summer day on the water or a game of tennis, or perhaps a few hours of lazing around reading a summer novel—the kitchen can be avoided at any time of the day. Choices for dining abound at The Reef during these warm summer months. Erwin Pals, Vice President of Food and Beverage, explained that after an exciting and successful season of new and traditional venues, the choices continue to be ample and impressive. From early morning to late in the evening, he is sure there is something enticing for any discerning diner. So for the first meal of the day, we tend to favor a light breakfast, but enjoy a cart ride to pick up a complimentary coffee at Town Hall, plus the music is a fabulous way to start the day. However, Reef Treats opens at 7 a.m. for a casual breakfast with a multitude of interesting drinks. Then there is a spectacular view and more formal breakfast to be savored at Gianni, also beginning at 7 a.m. Lunch is served in a number... Read More »

New Lego Camp is a Creative Success July 1, 2021 Posted in: All, Summer Camps New Lego Camp is a Creative Success by Mary Brady Taking a peek into Town Hall, about twenty children were quiet and immersed in their tasks of creating fabulous unique creations with Legos. It was amazing to see each table of three to four children ages 5-10 working on individual projects with such concentration and imagination. The lighting was dim with soft music playing in order to generate an environment for concentration and imagination. As I strolled from table to table, each child proudly showed me a variety of items such as houses, cars, planes, people, rocket ships, burger joints, pets, dolphins, etc. As Recreation Events Supervisor Derek Jones explained to me, each day is a new project and new theme. The children are given the Legos and shown a picture on the box and then left to their own devices to create whatever their imagination can dream up. The children are not restricted in using their creative juices to create a multiplicity of things. They learn to work together and individually. There is a large table in the center of the room that supports the new community the children create and add to each day. For the youngsters with... Read More »

School is Out! June 25, 2021 Posted in: All, The Academy at Ocean Reef School is Out! by Jody Steele The Academy at Ocean Reef just completed the 2020-2021 school year with three separate Closing Ceremonies earlier this month. Jerome Murphy, Head of School, remarked that after 171 school days, it was appropriate to reflect and celebrate all of the accomplishments of the students, the staff, and the parents during a most challenging and unusual time. He shared his deep appreciation for the school community and their patience, understanding, and heartfelt trust. Working together as a team, The Academy was able to successfully deliver an in-person educational program for most of the year with dedicated perseverance. As Mr. Murphy referenced during Closing Ceremonies, “Our staff’s commitment to the care and development of their children transcended the risks and sacrifices associated with the 2020-2021 school year.” Concentrating on the joy of learning at the June festivities, The Academy Administration and Staff marveled at the newfound independence of the Toddler group, the development of basic skills in the Pre K 3 and Pre K 4 year classrooms, and the foundation of academics mastered in the Kindergarten and First Grade. Special reference to the camaraderie and building of character traits in the Second and Third Grade classrooms... Read More »

Ocean Reef Club Helps Keep Wounded Service Members & Their Families Together June 11, 2021 Posted in: All, Club News, Members Ocean Reef Club Helps Keep Wounded Service Members & their Families Together In April, Ocean Reef Club Members hosted a group of wounded, ill and injured service members and their families at the Club for a 4-day family retreat hosted by the Yellow Ribbon Fund (YRF). The retreat consisted of much needed respite, family- and team-building exercises, lifeskill development, and wellness activities. The array of activities that The Reef offered gave the family members therapeutic tools to promote future physical and emotional well-being. “The Members at The Reef made us feel right at home. Everyone we interacted with was very warm and welcoming to our family and no one judged us on appearance or disability.” Thanks to the generosity of many, these families were able to put the stress of their everyday lives aside and took part in a fishing excursion, kayak tour, daily yoga, a visit to the everglades, a swim with the dolphins, a cooking class, and spa treatments. This was a once-in- a-lifetime opportunity for these families, and they were so grateful for the experience. The family members all connected internally, and the service members and caregivers could connect with others for peer-to-peer support. “I loved being... Read More »

Oh! What a Team! June 1, 2021 Posted in: All, Dining Oh! What a Team! By Jody Steele It was definitely a “home run” for Food and Beverage this most unusual Season at the Reef. Erwin Pals, Vice President of F & B shared how his team continually took on unforeseen challenges with enthusiasm and flexibility. Restrictions required for health and safety never stood in the way of evolving concepts and creative solutions. Erwin Pals said “the F & B team was always motivated and resourceful in presenting an assortment of dining opportunities for all Ocean Reef Members”. Looking back at what this department accomplished is truly something to celebrate. Al Fresco Dining… As social distancing became a new way of life, the Food & Beverage team smartly added new Tiki Huts at the Raw Bar and Reef Hut along with additional seating. Palm Court Nights on the Main Channel became a delightful destination for dinner on starry nights with a delectable Mediterranean inspired menu. Then we must give a tribute to Town Hall Waterside that captivated Members with its rustic décor, mesmerizing mural, twinkly lights, and cargo kitchens with ever changing menus. Toski’s at the Turn, the Beach Grill, and our famous Flying Burgee gave us more outdoor eateries. What... Read More »

How Does Your Garden Grow? May 19, 2021 Posted in: All, Technology How Does Your Garden Grow? “Dot.calm” by Jane Silverman Arriving through the Ocean Reef gate, you will find on the left seven cherry blossom trees from the entrance to the fountains. At least I think they are cherry blossom trees, and for argument’s sake (and for the sake of this story) let’s all agree that they are cherry blossom trees. Every day when I pass these beautiful, pink-blossomed trees, I am reminded of a time when I lived in the mountains in New York State. Spring had sprung and our hilltop neighborhood was turning from grays to greens; the trees were alive again with song and our cherished cherry blossom tree was in full bloom. One sunny May morning I awoke to find the tree glittering in the sunlight. The night’s sudden freeze had encased the tree and dipped each of its blossoms in a crystal-clear veneer of ice. Miraculously, the pink blossoms were as pink as they could be and each frozen flower spangled and sparkled. I think about this bejeweled tree and nature’s magic every Spring. Turn Over a New Leaf: The #1 gardening app in the country is the Garden Answers plant identification app www.gardenanswers.com. I downloaded... Read More »

A Year at The Academy May 17, 2021 Posted in: All, The Academy at Ocean Reef A Year at The Academy By Jody Steele Featured above: Isabelle Rogers, Second Grader, and Charlotte Rogers, Toddler Class. As the school year wraps up, it is heartening to know that The Academy at Ocean Reef has had an extraordinary year. The enrollment of students expanded for a number of reasons. Children of Member grandparents and parents were suddenly without a traditional in-person school environment and Zoom became a new way of life in many homes. Applicant for admission began to rise early in the Spring of 2020 as families discovered that an accredited school with a strong academic curriculum and after school sports program was an option. Planning for all… Jerome Murphy, Head of School, along with his capable faculty and staff, shifted into an active team ready to welcome new students and families for the 2020-2021 Season at The Reef. A well thought out back-to-school plan was designed and included numerous safety protocols and precautions intended to help sustain a yearlong appropriate educational program for all students. A new toddler program serving children aged 2-3 was added to meet the needs of incoming families. Class enrollment was intentionally limited across all grade levels, leading to waiting lists in... Read More »

An Ocean Room Tradition Reborn May 10, 2021 Posted in: All, Historical, Stories An Ocean Room Tradition Reborn Featured above: Jeff Turner, President of Reef Aquaria Design, and Member Diane Hill review various corals, fish and live rock that are reserved for the new aquariums at Ocean Reef. Construction on the newly-renovated Ocean Room is nearing its final stages and is scheduled to be completed next month. With the foundation and structure finalized, the interior is starting to take shape. Harper’s Bar at Reef Lounge is constructed, complete with a beautiful view overlooking Buccaneer Island, painting is underway, furniture has arrived, light fixtures are secured, and the artwork has been selected! The aquariums, another aspect of the indoor décor and one that is a long-standing Ocean Room tradition, have also recently been installed. Members will remember the aquarium that for many years, marked the entrance to the former Ocean Room and was visible from the dining room as well as the Reef Lounge. The newly-renovated Ocean Room will now feature not one, but two of these aquariums. At approximately 400 gallons each, the aquariums will represent two differing marine habitats – the Atlantic reef and the Pacific reef. As are most things at Ocean Reef, the idea for these two tanks spawned out... Read More »

Skin Cancer Awareness Month May 6, 2021 Posted in: All, Salon and Spa Skin Cancer Awareness Month “Spa Notes” by Jillian Barron, The Spa Director May is skin cancer awareness month, and skin cancer prevention requires a wellrounded approach for the best possible protection. Florida sun is no joke and can quickly age your skin, but even worse than aging, it can cause damage underneath the skin that can lead to skin cancer. To ensure you are getting the utmost protection from the broadest spectrum of UV rays possible, you must know which sunscreens protect from which rays, and which offer the best protection. We have the top-of-the-line UV defense in The Spa with some of the best physical and chemical sunscreens you can buy. Come by and ask for a free sunscreen consultation so we can help you choose the right protection for you. For a higher boost of protection, pair your sunscreen with a topical daily antioxidant, which helps to break down free radicals that form with UV exposure and can lead to DNA mutation of cells underneath the skin. These antioxidants are antiaging, and also help to stimulate collagen and act as an antiinflammatory. They are “liquid gold”! Here are a few other tips for staying safe from... Read More »

Summer Vacation for Your Orchids May 4, 2021 Posted in: All, Environment Summer Vacation for Your Orchids by Jody Steele Whether you leave The Reef in the summer or stay to enjoy those tropical breezes in the warmer months, your orchids that have given you so much joy during the Season need a well-deserved break. Michael Coronado, Vice President of R. F. Orchids, shared some tips on keeping orchids healthy and ready to bloom later in the year so you can marvel at their beauty once again. They just need your TLC. Humidity and the Rains As you know, the rainy months are approaching and so is higher humidity. Although orchids love humidity, the summer rains can be too much of a good thing. Michael recommends that orchids tied on trees should have their misters turned off as the regular rains should be enough to keep the orchids irrigated. Orchids under cover or on porches should continue to be watered once or twice a week. Also, watering should be done (when possible) earlier in the morning. It is important to check your orchid plants for appropriate moisture and then stay on a watering schedule. Fresh Air Orchids need a bit of a breeze— so spending some time to check out the placement... Read More »

That Strange – Sounding Thing! May 3, 2021 Posted in: All, Environment That Strange-Sounding Thing! “Nature Notes” by Nancy Zakon Several of you may have heard strange sounds, perhaps from the woods, or on the golf course…(endless possibilities) and wondered what they were. Hearing this sound also in my yard, I questioned avian enthusiast Harold Brewer if it were not a bird sound? “No,” he said, “it sounds like a Tokay gecko.” What’s that? Well, it’s like the cute little creature you’ve seen for ages on TV’s Geico insurance commercials – always smiling, a British accented green lizard with big eyes. Found naturally in India and Southeast Asia, geckos can be found in warm climates throughout the world, and have immigrated to Florida, yes as ever, through local pet stores. They are very cute! In the wild, they are hard to find. Geckos are party animals, preferring mostly night-time activities, having developed much better vision than ours (they can drive at night!). But they have no eyelids per se. Nope, they use their tongues to lick their eyes for cleaning and moisture. If interviewed for the Press, our Tokay gecko would say, “Other than my night vision, I have special pads on my feet so I can cling vertically – indefinitely. Being... Read More »

Making A Difference: Jodi Betz April 30, 2021 Posted in: All, Member Stories Making A Difference: Jodi Betz by Gertrude Mann In this community, there are many fascinating people, coming from so many different places, with a myriad of interests and lifestyles, and together this creates the fabric of our Ocean Reef. All it takes is a little initiative to find the activities and events that are right for you. But to make this special place a reality year after year, it takes all of us as individuals. Individuals with ideas. Individuals willing to volunteer and put in their own time and energy. Over the past 20 years, I have used this column as a way to shine a small spotlight on individuals Making a Difference. It doesn’t take a huge effort to be impactful… but it does take a team, of professionals and community members, to make this place so unique. For this column, which is probably my last of the season, I sat down with Jodi Betz, the current Chair of the Golf Committee. She and her husband Michael are longtime Members and have been an integral part of our community for many years. As individuals and together, they have quietly devoted their lives here to improving the experience for us... Read More »

Here Comes Summer! April 23, 2021 Posted in: All, Announcements, Club Events, Club News, For The Kids, Recreation Here Comes Summer! by Jody Steele The “Unique Summer Camps” at Ocean Reef Club will include 24 different types of camps with three camps exclusively for the “big kids”, otherwise known as adults. The weekly line-up begins on June 7th and finishes up on August 13th. Each camp is offered at least for one week with Reef Club Kids scheduled every week during the summer session. And what fun it is! There is really something for all interests, age 5-17, along with the joy of being with friends and family at Ocean Reef. The New and the Old… The directors of the “Discover One, Discover All” camp program, Kyle Lynch, Recreation Manager, and Chris Nelson, Assistant Director of Recreation, are masters at creating outstanding summer adventures for Ocean Reef “kids”. Along with the traditional popular camps that have been part of the program at The Reef for many years, they always like to add a few more. This year there will be a NEW Mixed Doubles Adult Tennis Camp, a Tournament Tough Tennis Camp, a Tween Pickleball Camp for advancing skills, and a LEGO Camp for those cool kids that want to build engineering marvels. Only in the Keys…... Read More »

SEAL of Approval April 16, 2021 Posted in: All, Club Events, Technology SEAL of Approval “Dot.calm” by Jane Silverman It was a freezing morning. In London. Which means it was summer. I was tucked in bed in my Mayfair home and questioning myself, “could I? would I?” join a North Pole expedition with a well-known female explorer and friend? I plotted the sponsorship opportunities for my participation and the charity it would benefit; I imagined the fitness training and steely resolve I would need to prepare. All the while, I was getting up the gumption to throw off my warm covers in the icy air, tiptoe down five flights of stairs and get a cup of coffee; but I couldn’t get out of bed, it was too darn cold. That’s when I realized one of the many fatal flaws in my plan. A lightbulb moment. I hate the cold! I would never-ever be a North Pole explorer. I could never “get comfortable with being uncomfortable” as the Navy SEALs say… I just don’t have what it takes. The Only Easy Day Was Yesterday: I so admire the willpower, determination, stamina, and patriotism of our Navy SEALs – the country’s Special Warfare combat force for Sea, Air, and Land. The approximate 2500 active... Read More »

The Happy Hawkers April 12, 2021 Posted in: All, Environment, Member Stories The Happy Hawkers by Harold Brewer Featured Above: A Scissor-tailed Flycatcher. Think about how difficult it is to reach out and catch a mosquito or fly in your hand. Now imagine you are flying at the speed of one of our golf carts in pursuit of an airborne mosquito in clear sky on a windy day. A tiny transparent insect that you spotted from yards away. Now imagine grabbing it in mid-air with a tiny pair of tweezers located between your eyes. Not an easy task. Hawking is a term used to describe the feeding technique of a bird that is flying out from a perch, snatching something from the air, then returning to the same perch or another perch close by. The flycatchers are hawking pros. They can spot insects as small as gnats and mosquitos from yards away. Tiny little things that are virtually invisible to the human eye. The flycatchers are immediately noticeable as they fly out, flutter around erratically in pursuit of their prey then quickly return to their perch to look for the next opportunity. Flycatchers are represented around the world by more than 400 species of small to medium sized birds with amazing abilities.... Read More »

Replicate the Plate: Carysfort Kitchen Guest Chef Shares a Favorite Recipe April 9, 2021 Posted in: All, Club Events, Dining Replicate the Plate: Carysfort Kitchen Guest Chef Shares a Favorite Recipe One cooking class remains before wrapping up this season’s Carysfort Kitchen lineup! In anticipation of his class, “Globally Local,” on Monday, April 12, Guest Chef Clay Conley shares one of his favorite recipes with Ocean Reef Members. Give it a try the next time you’re craving a Carysfort Kitchen-worthy meal. The Culinary Rise of Chef Conley Chef Clay Conley began his career when he was 13 years old and has been working his way through kitchens ever since – from dish washer, to culinary director, to executive chef at Mandarin Oriental, and now a James Beard-nominated chef witha mini-culinary empire in Palm Beach County. Conley gained much of his early experience in his 20’s when he moved to Boston to work for celebrity chef Todd English, overseeing 18 restaurants around the world. This same world travel is what inspires the full-flavored dishes Conley is known for today. A four-time semi-finalist for a James Beard Award as a “Best Chef in America,” Conley’s first restaurant, called Buccan, opened in 2011 and continues to be one of Palm Beach’s toughest reservations. He has since followed the success of Buccan with his... Read More »

Incoming! April 7, 2021 Posted in: All, Technology Incoming! “Dot.calm” by Jane Silverman It’s hard to remember a time when we didn’t Google or Zoom or “Like.” The reality of our collective new normal with telehealth, family zoom calls, online yoga and peloton classes, weddings and funerals would have sounded far-fetched not so long ago. After a year in lockdown (including social distancing for three months in an RV), my smartphone has become genuinely indispensable. I rely on it for just about everything in “the internet of things”: online banking, cooking, driving, shopping, food delivery, photos, social media, office apps, music, movie watching, book reading, news, games, and more. 5G Whiz A fast reliable wifi connection was the glue connecting us all during the dark days of 2020. Now more than ever we need 5G — touted as one of the most important advances in the history of mankind. Really. Imagine the 3G wifi speed as a small babbling brook, the 4G as the Mississippi River, and 5G wifi speed as the Gulf Stream powering the entire Globe. The amount of information and options for communicating and connecting with the world and industry is limitless. If this means I can download a Netflix show quicker, then I am... Read More »

How We Got Here pt. 11 April 5, 2021 Posted in: All, Historical, Stories How We Got Here by Mike Smith It was mid-September, 1695, hurricane season in Jamaica, when a 60-gun battleship, H.M.S. Winchester departed for England. As she rode the gulf stream current to the north, a severe storm blew her off course and on a very dark stormy night, she was impaled by coral off the up-per keys. Seventy-five years later, the H.M.S. Carrysford, a 118-foot, 28-gun British frigate met a similar fate as she plied her way north through heavy seas. In 1824, Congress decided to do something about being able to warn sailors and they allocated $20,000 for a lightship to be securely moored in such a way as to warn ships off the reef. The ship, named Caesar, was a 220 ton two-masted schooner. Lanterns attached to each of the masts were designed to be seen from 12 miles. Unfortunately, the Caesar, as she was sailing from New York, encountered heavy seas and was grounded somewhere near Key Biscayne. The crew abandoned her, however, a salvage team re-floated her and made repairs. Finally, the Caesar, under the control of Captain John Whalton, was moored on its station. The concept of a “lightship” did not work well, however, as... Read More »

What’s New at the Farmers Market March 31, 2021 Posted in: All, Club News, Dining, Shopping What’s New at the Farmers Market By Gertrude Mann Something new for our Market: We have two expert sushi chefs ready to provide you with your every desire. They will produce poke bowls, sashimi, tuna towers, or any sushi creation you request. Salmon, scallops, yellowtail or tuna are all fresh, local choices. The daily menu board will tempt your palate – let the experts go to work to custom make your next lunch or dinner. A wonderful addition to our Market is a new fresh bread provider with a variety to suit every taste. Focaccia, ciabatta, sourdough and delicious individual empanadas stuffed with beef, chicken or vegetables await you. The empanadas are pre-cooked and can be eaten as purchased, but pop them in the oven and they are divine. Their focaccia is replete with basil, garlic and red pepper. Come check them out! Finally, come visit In a Pickle, the brainchild of James and Erica, a couple who love to take any product and use their special pickling brine to turn it into a delectable treat. Their new company is only a year old but has attracted fans and found tremendous success at regional markets with their assortment of pickled... Read More »

How We Got Here pt. 10 March 30, 2021 Posted in: All, Historical, Stories How We Got Here by Mike Smith A brisk breeze threatened to blow off the hats of Joe McDonald and Frank Stoneman as they snipped the ribbon on the 2,800 foot Card Sound bridge opening the first road access to the Keys from the South Florida mainland. It was January 25, 1928. The bridge was made of wood and employed a mechanical section in the middle that swung to the side to allow for boat traffic. Stoneman, the first editor of the Miami Herald, whose daughter was Marjory Stoneman Douglas, and McDonald, who was Henry Flagler’s right hand man, were original members of the Miami Club, a group of businessmen whose purpose was to promote Miami as a business location and also as a tourist destination. The bridge would give access to fertile fishing and recreational areas and further the desirability of living in South Florida. (Effectively, they were a modern Chamber of Commerce). Prior to this bridge, automotive access was primarily by ferry. This bridge was not the first attempt, however, because the original bridge was started in 1920 and when it was very nearly completed in 1926, a major hurricane called ‘The Great Miami Hurricane’ seriously damaged the... Read More »

Dine On the Patio with Guest Chef Aaron Brooks March 26, 2021 Posted in: All, Club Events, Dining Dine On the Patio with Guest Chef Aaron Brooks By Holly Houser, Ocean Reef Press Manager Chef Aaron Brooks, a quite familiar face at the Carysfort Kitchen, has spent the last 20 years cooking around the world with Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, incorporating the culture and cuisine of each locale into his expertly-crafted dishes. Brooks’ culinary journey has taken him from his native Australia through Vancouver and Boston, landing him in Miami where he’s dazzled critics and diners for the past 10 years as Executive Chef at EDGE Steak & Bar. Brooks’ commitment to quality plays an integral role in positioning EDGE at the forefront of Miami’s culinary scene by providing premium selections of grain-fed, grass-fed, dry-aged and wagyu beef, paired with farm-to-table ingredients. He lives by his motto, “Food has to be seasonal and relevant to where you are.” Members may remember Brooks as for the last three years, he has taken the traditional cooking school “classroom” outside to the Carysfort Hall Patio to give students an outdoor grilling experience that is far from your typical backyard BBQ. Separating himself from what’s expected of traditional American steakhouse, Brooks’ approach is what he calls “steakhouse light” – beautifully prepared... Read More »

Enjoy the Flight: Aviation Day is Cleared for Takeoff March 24, 2021 Posted in: Airport, All, Announcements, Club Events Enjoy the Flight: Aviation Day is Cleared for Takeoff By Holly Houser, Ocean Reef Press Manager The third annual Aviation Day on Friday & Saturday, March 26 & 27 has a great new lineup of activities for all ages to enjoy in-person at the Ocean Reef Airport and from the comfort of home. “Each year, Aviation Day gives our Airport Team the opportunity to share our passion for aeronautics with the Ocean Reef community,” said Ryan Doty, Airport Operations Manager. “This year in particular, we are exceptionally delighted to introduce attendees to some new and compelling attractions that are sure to excite whether you’re new to the aviation world or a longtime enthusiast.” The major highlight of Aviation Day 2021 is that of three intriguing guest speakers who will host live virtual presentations via Zoom – Richard McSpadden, a familiar face at Aviation Day, Frank Boring (don’t let the name fool you, he’s anything but!) and Ret. Colonel Rich Graham. Richard McSpadden & the USAF Thunderbirds Richard McSpadden will kick off Aviation Day with his 6 p.m. virtual presentation on Friday, March 26. The Executive Director of the AOPA Air Safety Institute and former Commander and Flight Leader of the... Read More »

How We Got Here pt. 9 March 24, 2021 Posted in: All, Historical, Stories How We Got Here by Mike Smith The portion of the Course that was deeded to the Club in the late 1990’s. We previously talked about the Harbor Club and the agreement between the Club and Driscoll Properties. One provision of that agreement was that there would only be one Harbor Course pro shop and the Club had just constructed a new clubhouse which would house a pro shop for both the Harbor and Dolphin courses. Driscoll wanted the pro shop in the harbor Club building because it would draw more attention to the Harbor course area thus improving lot sales. Brad Dressler, representing Driscoll, wrote a letter to the Club outlining the essence of the problem. At that time (late 1990’s), the average price for a Harbor Course lot was $100,000 and Driscoll was concerned that as the price of ORC memberships escalated, lot sales would grind to a halt because of the high acquisition cost. As usual, cooler heads did prevail and a complicated agreement was struck as both sides tried to do what was best for the future of Ocean Reef Club. Bob Morgan who was Club Chairman at the time worked with Mr. Dressler and others... Read More »

Reef Club Kids Open For Fun March 22, 2021 Posted in: All, Announcements, Club Events, For The Kids, Recreation Reef Club Kids Open For Fun By Gertrude Mann After months of careful planning and experiencing a truly unique year, Reef Club Kids is open for a spring season of safety and fun. I recently talked to two self-described “Big Kids,” Assistant Director of Recreation Chris Nelson and Recreation Manager Kyle Lynch, to learn more about their efforts. This dynamic duo so impressed me with their enthusiastic approach to working with children, I asked them to explain the Reef Club Kids program to the Ocean Reef community. Preparing the Program Chris said, “We want Members and their guests to trust us with their kids. We are flexible and our program is constantly evolving. We have very high standards, and we are pleased that our camps and programs have been able to operate safely since last summer under these new guidelines.” Both managers spoke about anticipating increased numbers of Members and their families during the spring holiday weeks. “There has been an exponential growth in our Club activities because people want a safe environment,” said Chris. “There is a large demand for programming because parents want their children to be outside having fun, especially after all the online schooling.” Kyle added,... Read More »

Wonderful, Wonderful Waterside March 17, 2021 Posted in: All, Club News, Food and Beverage Wonderful, Wonderful Waterside by Jody Steele As if this could not get better, Town Hall Waterside has done it again. This casual outdoor eatery under an open tent or outside under the stars is just perfect for families and friends. Great social distancing and a huge variety of cuisine creates such a fun dining experience. Now the menu has been updated and there are additional tasty options to try on those nights you just want to take the easy road. Last Friday, with two young grandkids in tow, we headed out on their favorite mode of transportation to the “big tent with the lights”. The trick is to find the table, order a pizza for the kiddos, and grab two glasses of wine for the grandparents all in one swoop. Mission accomplished and with a table near the cornhole boards, we were all set. The kids even tried a few beanbag tosses and felt pretty proud of themselves. The kitchens have now expanded their choices and we were eager to try the new fare. We were not disappointed. The REEFusion was our first stop and we ordered the duck steamed buns, the pork belly buns, and the vegetable fried rice.... Read More »

How We Got Here pt. 8 March 15, 2021 Posted in: All, Historical, Stories How We Got Here by Mike Smith Sewage Treatment Plant in the early 1980’s. Back in 1980 a lot of things were happening at the Ocean Reef Club. Russ Post became President and at the same time an agreement was struck in which Carl Lindner through American Financial Company would acquire the Club. Prior to this, the Club had constructed a reverse osmosis water production facility and a state of the art sewage treatment plant near the airport. One bright sunny day, representatives from the Environmental Protection Agency came to the front gate asking for access to the sewage treatment and osmosis plants. Accompanying the EPA agents was an ex-employee who used to work at the Club and helped construct the two plants. Knowing exactly where to go they dug into the earth near the sewage treatment plant and found a valve that when opened dumped untreated sewage into the brine line of the R-O plant (the brine line was used to pipe the high salinity water that was a by-product of osmosis back into the ocean). The EPA had been created in the early 1970’s and possibly needed a big case and they believed the valve was illegal and... Read More »

Friends of Pennekamp Completes First Major Project March 10, 2021 Posted in: All, Community News, Conservation, Environment Friends of Pennekamp Completes First Major Project By Holly Houser, Ocean Reef Press Manager Featured above: The Friends of John Pennekamp organization installs 18 new mooring balls in Pennekamp Park. Last year, Ocean Reef Club partnered with the Ocean Reef Community Association, Ocean Reef Conservation Association and the Rod & Gun Club to help fund muchneeded environmental efforts of Friends of John Pennekamp and Dagny Johnson Key Largo Hammock Botanical State Park, a newly-formed 501c3 citizen’s support organization (CSO).This past week, the first of the CSO’s major projects has been completed. When the four Reef organizations learned last year that Pennekamp needed assistance funding the replacement of several mooring balls that were lost during Hurricane Irma, they offered the CSO a grant covering the total cost of replacing the balls, as well as the installation of an additional seven in Pennekamp Park. With the project now at completion, 18 individual mooring balls have been installed in an effort to minimize threats to coral reefs by the use of anchors. Boaters in these areas of Pennekamp Park can tie directly to these balls instead of dropping anchor and causing harm to the delicate coral reefs. Jack Salisbury, Chairman of the Ocean... Read More »

How We Got Here pt. 7 March 8, 2021 Posted in: All, Historical, Stories How We Got Here by Mike Smith The Harbor Club as photographed in the late 1980’s. As previously mentioned, back in the early ’70’s, the Club entered into an agreement with Driscoll Properties and a small group of Club members known as the ‘Fearless Five’ to acquire land outside our then existing front gate for the purpose of building another golf course which would be named Harbor Course. This agreement outlined certain conditions specifically between the Club and Driscoll Properties that included the sale of lots and the construction of a clubhouse. At that time, the Club’s property extended south up to hole #5 on the Hammock Course including lots on Dispatch Creek Dr. South Harbor Drive, Dilly Tree, North Bridge and Caloosa Road. Hole #5 and everything south belonged to Driscoll. The agreement provided that the Club act as the seller of these lots receiving sales commissions and controlling memberships which provided much needed revenue. At the same time, the Club would sell its own lots on properties between #5 and the front gate. All of these lots’ value would be significantly increased by the construction of the golf course. Note: As a point of reference, Ocean Reef was... Read More »

A Friendly Battle of ORC Chefs March 5, 2021 Posted in: All, Club Events, Food and Beverage A Friendly Battle of ORC Chefs By Holly Houser, Ocean Reef Press Manager “In this corner, we have Chef Eric Andreu, Islander Sushi Chef de Cuisine, and in this corner…” This is how Beverage Director Sean Carroll introduced the “competitors” from last week’s Battle of the Chefs Specialty Dinner. A night that centered around competition, was also brimming with immense teamwork as six Ocean Reef chefs worked together to produce a six-course meal for one of the largest Specialty Dinners this season has seen thus far. Lead by Carroll and Chef Shelby Confer, Members were served small-plate meals expertly paired with unique beverages. Participating chefs included Eric Andreu (Islander Sushi Chef de Cuisine), Kareem Anguin (Islander Chef de Cuisine), Jevon Smith (Town Hall Waterside Sous Chef), Philippe Reynaud (Senior Director of Culinary), Shelby Confer (CH Prime Chef de Cuisine), and Santiago Puga (Executive Pasty Chef). Each was given the opportunity to create a dish of their choosing that showcased the individuality of their Reef kitchens. “We really wanted to elevate Members’ senses during this dinner by giving them the opportunity to experience delicacies they don’t often indulge in at The Reef,” explained Carroll. “The cuisine was not that of what... Read More »

How We Got Here pt. 6 March 1, 2021 Posted in: All, Historical, Stories How We Got Here by Mike Smith As previously mentioned, back in the late 1960’s, the development of Ocean Reef Club was envisioned by Harper Sibley to be in four phases. Phase I was the Harbor Course area, Phase II was the development of what is now the Fisherman’s Cove area and Phase IV was the Snapper Point single family area. View of the Sunrise Cay Bridge during construction, 1976. Phase III was all about the development of multi-family housing in an area of scrub land then called Angelfish Key and now called Sunrise Cay. The original county and state approved plan permitted construction of 650 housing units plus a long bridge to permit access. The bridge would extend nearly one half mile and span Pumpkin Creek, Little Pumpkin Creek and dense mangroves. The bridge was to be built above the level of the mangroves and had to provide thirty feet of clearance over Pumpkin Creek to allow for boat traffic underneath. The permit also stipulated that encroachment into the mangroves could not exceed 18 inches from each side of the bridge. Many thought this requirement would be impossible to meet which may have been why the permit was originally... Read More »

Bag Room Open Beginnings: Stories Behind a Cherished Tradition February 26, 2021 Posted in: All, Golf, Historical, Stories, Traditions Bag Room Open Beginnings Stories Behind a Cherished Tradition In a week’s time, the 45th annual Bag Room Open will begin. As with any longstanding tradition, the oral history has been passed down through the years and the stories behind the Open’s humble beginnings are those of legend. With the help of ORC Golf Chair Jodi Betz, the Ocean Reef Press has compiled the stories of several longtime golf-playing Members and Ocean Reef golf professionals. While a few details differed from person to person, the meaning behind the tournament never wavered in support of the golf professionals of Ocean Reef Club and Card Sound Golf Club. A view of the Ocean Reef Golf Shop back in the day. Jack Nicklaus (center) pictured at the 1982 Bag Room Open. Stu Parr (right) celebrates his 1978 Bag Room victory against Joe Butler. Looking back to the mid-tolate 70’s, the Bag Room Open’s beginnings stemmed from golf professionals who were hungry to answer the question, “Who is the best golf professional on The Reef?” Members who overheard this lively argument, encouraged the young professionals to settle it in a competition, but it wasn’t until Ocean Reef homeowners Ed Aborn and Chick Harbert... Read More »

How We Got Here pt. 5 February 22, 2021 Posted in: All, Historical, Stories How We Got Here by Mike Smith In the early ’70’s the Club felt a second golf course was a must. The Dolphin Course was frequently crowded and prime tee times in the mornings were difficult to get. As a second course was well under construction on land near the airport and named the Barracuda Course, a small group of members hoping to have their own private golf course asked the Club if they could purchase the Dolphin Course and make it private. They offered $2,000,000 with the proviso that Ocean Reef build a club house for $150,000. While this offer was entertained by the Club, residents who owned houses bordering Dolphin objected because they didn’t want their course sold to a private group. That idea was dropped. The same group began to discuss the purchase of the Barracuda Course which was nearing completion. However, the Club, while sympathetic to the new group desires, declined the offer because they thought the Club needed thirty-six holes based on their plans of future growth and development. This same group of members then began to think of acquiring property adjacent to the then southern boundary of Ocean Reef, for the purpose of constructing... Read More »

Best Friends Forever? February 17, 2021 Posted in: All, Club News, Environment, For The Kids Best Friends Forever? By Holly Houser, Ocean Reef Press Manager This past week, the Nature Center at Ocean Reef became one of the few places to house baby alligators and crocodiles together in captivity, according to Jeanette Rivera, Ocean Reef Naturalist. Jeanette has been nurturing two baby alligators, named Dorian and Larry Bird, in the Nature Center’s pond enclosure for the past year and a half, bringing in the new crocodile just last Monday. “Although we live near alligators at The Reef, the American crocodile is our primary resident,” explained Rivera. “It will be an important educational opportunity for the kids who come through the Nature Center to see the differences between a baby crocodile and alligator first hand.” Adding, “I’m also excited to examine how well the two species coexist in captivity. I’m hoping they’ll become best friends!” While at a glance, alligators and crocodiles may seem very similar, they are two different species entirely. In fact, the Everglades is the only place in the world where alligators and American crocodiles cohabitate. This is because the Everglades have areas of brackish water where freshwater and saltwater meet. Although crocodiles are primarily saltwater creatures and alligators primarily freshwater, both can... Read More »

How We Got Here Pt. 4 February 15, 2021 Posted in: All, Historical, Stories How We Got Here by Mike Smith In the early 1970’s, the Florida State legislature began contemplating new rules and regulations that would severely impair the planned development of the Ocean Reef land. All four future phases would be impacted. As previously noted, these phases included: Phase I, Harbor Course and Dispatch Creek; Phase 2, an area northwest of the airstrip; Phase 3, Angelfish Cay (later changed to Sunrise); and Phase 4, Snapper Point. If and when this legislation passed, the future of Ocean Reef as we now know it would be in great peril. However, Harper Sibley had a few big guns in his arsenal and decided to try an end run. At the time, Richard Millhouse Nixon was president and he would frequently visit his close friend and Ocean Reef Member, Bebe Rebozo. Several trips to Washington were made to meet with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the U.S Corps of Engineers. With the help of Mr. Nixon, his Chief of Staff H.R. Haldeman and Congressman Dante Fascell, all four permits were granted signifying approval of the ORC master plan vested by the State Land Planning Agency, Monroe County and the U.S Corps of Engineers (among... Read More »

Who’s Who at the Market February 15, 2021 Posted in: All, Food and Beverage Who’s Who at the Market by Gertrude Mann Welcome George Lorenzo to the Ocean Reef Farmers’ Market. George and his Lomelo’s Meat Market stand will be at the Market every Thursday with his distinctive Wagyu meat and seafood. Located in the Miami Pinecrest area, Lomelo’s was started out of George’s quest for exceptional meat to cook at home during the pandemic. His discovery of Wagyu beef, a term that literally means Japanese cow, but refers to how the cow is raised in a luxe environment, led to his new venture. George explains, “Wagyu breed is better than standard Choice or Prime cuts. The lineage comes from Japan, but my sources are from Japan, Australia and domestic Wagyu breeders. For example, a fillet, which is a very tender cut does not have a lot of natural flavor. A Wagyu fillet, however, is both tender and amazingly juicy and delicious because of all the fat marbling. It is more akin to the flavor profile of a ribeye. The cows are massaged daily, intertwining the fat with the meat and fed a special diet so the meat melts in your mouth.” Wagyu cows eat grass for the first 75% of their lives and... Read More »

Be a Bidder February 12, 2021 Posted in: All, Club Events, Club News, Philanthropy Be a Bidder By Sarah A. Cart Did you find it? THE catalog? Inserted in today’s Ocean Reef Press? Click here to view the All Charities Catalog That means it’s time – get out your Post-It notes and Hi-Liters. While the photos and write-ups throughout are wonderful, however, remember that next weekend you can see most of these items in person here on The Reef. So if you haven’t already, contact the All Charities office to reserve your time slot to visit the ingeniously socially-distanced display of Auction items at Town Hall between 4 to 9 p.m. Friday, Feb. 19. Come taste the wine and vote on the Members Choice selections to appear on the Club’s menus for the 2021-2022 season. And if Friday doesn’t work, or if you’re curious to see something again, you can visit Town Hall between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. Saturday. As a bonus, Lester Lampert Jewellers will be at Town Hall throughout the weekend with 20 percent of all sales donated back to All Charities. Not here on The Reef? You can still bid from anywhere you have access to WiFi. Not yet registered for a bid number? No problem. Visit bidORC.org and follow... Read More »

Local Arts, Crafts & Fashion February 11, 2021 Posted in: All, Club Events, Club News, Shopping Local Arts, Crafts & Fashion By Holly Houser, Ocean Reef Press Manager You may be surprised to learn just how many talented artists and craftsmen we have within Ocean Reef and the surrounding community. These local artisans showcase their best works at Ocean Reef each February during the Art & Fashion Walk. This year’s group of 10 artists and vendors include several with intimate ties to Ocean Reef Club. Alexandra Jones, Mixed Media Alexandra Jones holds a special place in her heart for Ocean Reef. Since a young age, she’s been visiting her grandfather, Bob Jones, a Member and former commodore of Key Largo Anglers Club and she hopes to become a Junior Legacy Member herself. A mixed media artist, oil, resin, acrylic and watercolor are amongst her mediums. Jones’ art style communicates her love for the ocean and nature, and she strives to express the ambience of Ocean Reef and Key Largo Anglers Club through her work. Stephen Wood, Oil Painting Stephen Wood began painting in oils at age 15 and has since grown into a celebrated landscape and portrait painter. His commissioned portraits remain in high demand and he’s even painted a mural for the Armed Forces that’s... Read More »

How We Got Here Pt. 3 February 8, 2021 Posted in: All, Historical, Stories How We Got Here by Mike Smith As previously mentioned, when in the 1870’s, the young U.S. Government surveyor, Marcelous Williams, tramped through the croc and mosquito invested area at the mouth of Dispatch Creek, he drew a survey line across the front of the creek. It was this survey line that would play a major role in the future development of the Ocean Reef Club. Essentially, the line designated the waterway as non-navigable, limiting future Federal and State jurisdictions. Fast forward to the late 1960’s. Harper Sibley, a home builder and developer of Miami’s Jockey Club acquired the ORC property from Seaboard Properties with an aim to expand Morris Baker’s vision of the Club. Along with Morris Burk, a design and planner, a development plan was formed and had four phases. Phase I became the upland area of an extended Dispatch Creek called Harbor Course South, now known as the Hammock area. Phase II was a single-family development area northwest of the airstrip and was connected to Pumpkin Creek by a barge canal. Phase III was the most ambitious: a bridge to Angelfish Key (now known as Sunrise Cay) which planned for 650 multi-family units, a number later reduced... Read More »

Captivating Garden Tours February 8, 2021 Posted in: All, Environment, ORCA Captivating Garden Tours by Jody Steele Looking for a special outdoor activity at The Reef? As you drive by the Water Garden or Greenberg Park, you might get a fleeting glance of tropical splendor or a brief view of a remarkable vista. Designed by Raymond Jungles, award winning Landscape Architect, both gardens are splendid examples of an innovative and timeless connection with nature. The goal is “to entice participation and soothe the psyche”; certainly needed during these challenging times. In order to really appreciate the expanse and variety of the plantings at the Water Garden and Greenberg Park, it is important to experience these gardens up close with an expert. Corine Ferre, Landscape Designer, Horticulturist, and Arborist with Brightview Landscaping is presently available to give some socially distanced garden tours. She is an outstanding guide that will point out native and nonnative species, explain why they were chosen for the gardens, and answer all your questions. Both are walking tours that run close to an hour, so it is important for participants to wear comfortable shoes, sun hats, and apply sunscreen beforehand. Masks are also required. It really is a light and beautiful stroll where you will learn more about... Read More »

Reef Cup 2021: Mixing Business with Pleasure February 5, 2021 Posted in: All, Club Events, Club News, Traditions Mixing Business with Pleasure: Team Business Wins their First Reef Cup For Mike Rich, the Reef Cup Invitational Sailfish Tournament is as much about friendship and camaraderie as it is sailfishing, so winning the 36th annual tournament with his crew of friends by his side was a true thrill. After three decades of fishing the Reef Cup Tournament without scoring the big win, Rich and his Business crew were elated to see their dedication lead to the coveted championship. “While I was aboard Anthracite for their 1992 Reef Cup win, my crew and I have been fishing on Business for many years without finishing in first place,” said Rich. “As a team, we’ve been waiting for this win for a long time and it’s gratifying to be able to call ourselves 2021 Reef Cup Champions.” Rich credits his great crew – Dave Johnson, Ralph Lopez, Scott Parker, Calvin Stoudt, Captain Dave Goddard, and Mate CJ Janiszewski – for their success this year, and said he’s especially excited for his captain, Goddard, who’s been fishing the Reef Cup with him for more than 22 years. Business Takes an Early Lead Twenty-eight teams, just over half of the 51-boat fleet, braved the... Read More »

Day-Tripping Adventures February 2, 2021 Posted in: All, Technology Day-Tripping Adventures “Dot.calm” by Jane Silverman As a former year-rounder and Member for nearly 45+ years, I have frequently taken day-trips from Ocean Reef to explore the environs beyond our hallowed gates. After years of heading south to sightsee in the Keys, Mike and I donned our winter coats and headed north to discover new frontiers beyond the Florida Turnpike. Homestead Bound: With the trusty Tripadvisor www.tripadvisor.com and Visit Florida www.visitflorida.com apps to guide us, we started with quick trips to Homestead to visit the Coral Castle coralcastle.com, stopping for tea and scones at the charming historic village Cauley Square cauleysquare.com, and something a wee bit stronger at Schnebly’s Winery and Brewery in the Redlands schneblywinery.com. Just around the corner is the beautiful Thai Wat Buddharangsi Buddhist Temple with welcoming gardens, resident monks, and golden spires (who knew!?) www.thaitemplemiami.com. With our dogs along for the ride, we dined in the garden at the charming White Lion Café www.whitelioncafe.com. My Miami: Having found our way back home successfully, we next bravely ventured forth to Miami’s 1920s era Deering Estate deeringestate.org, the stunning Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden and its Chihuly sculptures fairchildgarden.org, the Vizcaya Museum and Gardens in Coconut Grove vizcaya.org, the... Read More »

Reef Eats Debut With Brand New Kitchen February 1, 2021 Posted in: All, Announcements, Club News, Dining Reef Eats Debut With Brand New Kitchen by Terry Baxter You could hear the excitement and pride in Chef Philippe’s voice as he showed me around the just-completed Ocean Room kitchen. “We have gone from the oldest kitchen at Ocean Reef to the newest,” he said. “We have slain a dinosaur.” Chef Shelby, who has worked in every kitchen at Ocean Reef, was equally enthusiastic. “It’s one hundred percent better,” she said. “We now have an open, functioning kitchen with the back line built for production. With versatile new equipment, the menus can be more versatile.” The new Combi ovens cook with dry heat or steam, or both. The Sous Vide water oven cooks with precisely temperature controlled circulating hot water, while the vacuum-sealed steak or chicken retain all their moisture and nutrients. To finish, the steak is seared on the grill, and the chicken is crisped in the Combi oven. Not only does the new kitchen make food prep more streamlined, it is more energy efficient with LED lighting and a huge, variable speed exhaust hood that adjusts automatically to the heat level. The kitchen had its test drive on Monday night when Reef Eats, the new replacement for... Read More »

How We Got Here Pt. 2 February 1, 2021 Posted in: All, Historical, Stories How We Got Here by Mike Smith In 1850, the U.S. Government enacted the Swamp and Overflowed Lands Act. Primarily aimed at the development of South Florida’s Everglades and swampy areas, the act transferred nearly 200 million Federal acres to the state of Florida. In return, the state of Florida agreed to drain certain high lands and turn it into productive, agricultural use. Surveyors were employed to map areas which included North Key Largo. In 1872, braving crocodiles and mosquitoes, Marcelous Williams surveyed the area where Ocean Reef is now located. His somewhat arbitrary decision to place the survey boundary across the mouth of Dispatch Creek instead of along the waterway itself would eventually play a critical role in our OR development. This line established the presumption that Dispatch Creek was nonnavigable and would therefore limit the future jurisdiction of various permitting agencies that might have stopped or impeded development. His notes on this area which also included Snapper Point gave rise to the later argument that the land was upland (land above mean high water). As a result, the state took action and aerial photos as early as 1928 show large tracts of North Key Largo as farmland growing... Read More »

Gotta Have Gadgets! January 27, 2021 Posted in: All, Technology Gotta Have Gadgets! “Dot.calm” by Jane Silverman As a prophesier, visionary and entrepreneur, Thomas Edison would have been enthralled by the annual Consumer Electronics Show digital.ces.tech/home, which is known as a proving ground for envelopepushing technologies and must-have items we never knew we needed. As a self-proclaimed “gadget geek,” here are a few of my favorites: An Aye for an Eye: This could be the most exciting vision aid since Ben Franklin invented bifocals: Voy’s Tunable Glasses voyglasses.com can be quickly adjusted from -5D to +2D vision so wearers can finetune the same glasses for reading or driving. Each of the lenses is controlled by a small dial at the top of the frame tweaking the placement of two polycarbonate plates which slide across each other to adjust the lens’ strength. Cool! The Bee’s Knees: The Italian company Beeing www.beeing.it/en turns a honeydo list into a sweet pastime. Their B-BOX is a small beehive that works with a sensor to monitor the bees’ health and environment, separating an extra honeycomb from the bees so you can harvest the honey without a beekeeper’s suit. It is the first-ever beehive designed for the home. Lip-shtick: Mrs. Mina Edison would have been delighted... Read More »

Reef Cup Looks Different in Its 36th Year January 26, 2021 Posted in: All, Club Events, Traditions Reef Cup Looks Different in Its 36th Year The Reef Cup Invitational Sailfish Tournament has become The Reef’s most anticipated fishing tournament of the season, and is traditionally characteristic of large social gatherings and fun, competitive sailfishing. With safety at the forefront of planning this year’s tournament, changes have been made, but the competition will be as fierce as ever kicking off Wednesday, January 27 through Saturday, January 30. The Reef Cup tradition began in 1986 when 24 participants squared off for three days of serious sailfishing and nightly celebration. Thirty-six years later, the tournament is capped at a 60-boat fleet and has been held every year, rain or shine, since the inaugural tournament. “The Reef Cup Invitational Sailfish Tournament is amongst the oldest time-honored events we host here at the Club,” said Reef Cup Committee member Ken Reda. “While the Coronavirus threw some curveballs into its planning, the Reef Cup Committee and Member Events Team felt compelled to keep the tradition going as best we could without compromising the health and safety of everyone involved.” Adding, “The tournament is first and foremost a fishing event and thankfully, the act of sailfishing precludes itself from large crowds.” To that end,... Read More »

Service with a Smile January 21, 2021 Posted in: All, Member Stories Service with a Smile by Jody Steele A long time ago, I remember going with my Dad to the “gas station” to get fuel, new tires, an oil change, or even to collect those “free” glasses when you “filled her up”. It was an adventure with a friendly touch. We knew everyone at the station. Little did I know, that 60+ years later, I would be living in a neighborhood that still offered the same service, only without the free glassware. Israel Salgado, Director of the Service Station at Ocean Reef, Cart Sales and Repair, and Waste Management shared that the crew is able to work on a wide variety of vehicles including antique cars, smart cars, mini mokes, and your regular family car. Audie Benjamin, Master Certified and Senior Mechanic has been at the Station for over 20 years and has a wealth of knowledge and experience. Joel Gabriel and Jorge Espinosa round out the mechanic team. The Convenience Instead of driving to your car dealer, the Service Station will pick up your vehicle and return it to you. As they are open on Monday-Friday from 8:00 AM-6:00 PM and Saturday from 9:00 AM-3:00 PM during Season with slightly... Read More »

Celebrating ORC Pets: Blessing of the Animals January 13, 2021 Posted in: All, Club Events, Traditions Celebrating ORC Pets Blessing of the Animals By Holly Houser, Ocean Reef Press Manager The 2020 Census gave further proof to something already known about many Ocean Reef Members – they love their pets! Reporting 560 dogs at Ocean Reef, up from 387 in 2010, these lucky pups are treated as members of the family, spending many a day at the Dog Park and being chauffeured on golf carts. The Reef loves to celebrate their pets and this is no better evidenced than the annual Blessing of the Animals. The history dates back to the 2011 inaugural Pets, Portraits & Pina Coladas, which eventually morphed into the familiar Blessing event. The story of how everyone’s favorite pet party transitioned to what it is today follows, as told by Teresa Holmes who was instrumental in making it happen: “In 2013, I took Rochester to Pets, Portraits & Pina Coladas in the Fishing Village and it was fun; however my takeaway was that we could do even more with this idea. I was Chairing the Social Committee at the time and I began to think about how we might evolve the event for our two-legged and four-legged Members. Sitting next to Bob... Read More »

Falk Family Windfall January 13, 2021 Posted in: All, Members, Stories Falk Family Windfall Fifty years ago, an Ocean Reef homeowner started an invitation-only New Year’s Day party featuring the world’s worst champagne and the world’s greatest hot dogs. Guests could put $10 in a pot and guess the Dow Jones closing average at the end of the following New Year. The party – still invitation only- has grown and so has the pot. This year, there were 220 or so guesses and thus $2200 in the pot. At the Market open on Thursday, Dec. 31st, there were 20 or so guesses close to the market close of 30,400 on Dec. 30th. The market dropped 100 points early in the day but then rebounded. Believing erroneously that the market closed early that day, the winner at 1:30 was 11 year old Dexter Falk, son of Christian Falk and grandson of Vic and Linda Falk with a guess of 30,472, a guess more than 92 points closer to the close than any of the other 200 guesses. His grandparents were notified and they promptly called Dexter who, needless to say, was one pretty happy kid. Unfortunately for all concerned the Market had not closed at 1:30 and promptly shot up 100 points... Read More »

All In The Family January 11, 2021 Posted in: All, Shopping, Stories All In The Family by Gertrude Mann Jerry Sanchez, aka Jerry is Here, and his wife Natalia have been serving Ocean Reef customers with their fresh fruits and vegetables for 19 years. Long before we had a bountiful Farmer’s Market, the couple would set up their produce laden covered table in front of the old Gardners Market and then in the Plaza Parking lot. Members expressed such satisfaction with the Sanchez’s produce that the word quickly spread throughout our community… “Jerry is Here.” When Jerry and Natalia started their own family, the couple brought the babies to the Reef on market days and slid them under the covered tables, caring for them as they conducted their business. As the children grew older, they continued to help their parents with the family’s tenacre farm on Krome Avenue. The business grew as did their relationship with Ocean Reef. Members loved the couple, their commitment to service and their farm fresh products. When Gemma Matthews, ORC Manager of our new and expanded Farmer’s Market, began her initial planning, she knew that Jerry and Natalia would be a solid anchor and could suggest other purveyors to satisfy and supply members with a variety of... Read More »

Shedding Light on Ocean Reef January 11, 2021 Posted in: All, Club Events Shedding Light on Ocean Reef Each New Year’s Eve and July 4th, Members gather on Buccaneer Island, look out over the Atlantic Ocean and enjoy a Fireworks Display that seems to be shot off the dark horizon. Yet, depending on the light from the moon, one might just be able to catch a glimpse of the two small barges that deliver this celebration year after year, actually more years than this team of pyrotechnics can remember. For the New Year’s Eve shows, the team of five spends the day loading the barges. By 7:45p.m., they are ready to head out the Main Channel to set up for the 8:30p.m. show. They stop just outside the first channel marker where they position themselves to launch the two fantastic displays enjoyed each year. Asking the team what worries them the most prior to a show, rain and wind tied for the top spot. Rain for the July 4th Show, and wind more typical for this time of year. (They also cautioned against jinxing them with either!) Mike Uffenorde, who has been leading the Ocean Reef show for at least 15 years, said that with rain, they can work through it is just... Read More »

Bucknell Tennis Brings Two Legacy Members Together January 8, 2021 Posted in: All, Stories, Tennis and Games Bucknell Tennis Brings Two Legacy Members Together By Holly Houser, Ocean Reef Press Manager Two Legacy Members who recently met at Ocean Reef have one very exciting thing in common – next fall, they will both attend Bucknell University as members of the university’s Division One tennis team. Whitney King and Chloe Zilkha have spent their entire lives coming to Ocean Reef with their families, but met only recently when Director of Tennis Jim Morton introduced them at the Tennis & Games Center. “Over the years of playing with Whitney and Chloe when they visit Ocean Reef, I’ve had the pleasure of watching them grow into the great tennis players they now are,” said Morton. “I’m proud to see them fulfilling their dreams and representing Ocean Reef while doing so.” Whitney, daughter of Amy and Keith King, begins her freshman year at Bucknell this fall where she will join Chloe on the tennis team. Whitney has been playing tennis since she was old enough to hold a racquet and says it was always a given that she would play the sport. Her parents both played in college and her dad even asked her mom to marry him on their high... Read More »

Good Riddance! December 30, 2020 Posted in: All, Technology Good Riddance! “Dot.calm” by Jane Silverman As we close the door on the second decade of the second millennium, we can only hope for brighter days in 2021. While it is difficult to fathom the numbers of lives lost and families and businesses impacted, we can do our best to support each other and celebrate the end of 2020! It occurs to me that perhaps this chapter in American history will serve as a reset button, pausing the trajectory of our modern fastpaced, often self-centered culture to create a more thoughtful, kinder, and gentler nation with a greater appreciation for family and the role healthcare, essential workers, and most especially teachers, play in the fabric of our lives. This year, technology became our best friend breaking up often solitary days. While we were missing in-person experiences with family and friends, Zoom calls brought us closer; but we also had free cooking classes on YouTube www.youtube.com, online movies we found on the JustWatch app streaming guide www.justwatch.com, sports on Yahoo Sports www.sports.yahoo.com (with cheering soundtracks added for the missing fans), virtual Town Halls, Bingo, Art Classes, and more – all which helped to bring the world into our homes. Counting Down…... Read More »

Xmas in MMXX December 23, 2020 Posted in: All, Technology Xmas in MMXX “Dot.calm” by Jane Silverman X marks the spot. As an abecedarian (Ay-Bee-See- Darian or one who studies the alphabet), X is a remarkable letter with more meaning than most any other in the alphabet. In algebra, it is an “unknown” or “variable” (x + y) or as a symbol of multiplication (a x b). In Roman numerals, we all know it’s the number 10 and it is also used outside of the math world as in X-rays, X-files, rated-X, and Generation X. During the Middle Ages, the use of X as a symbol of a kiss was common during a time when few people could write; documents were sealed with an embossed Christian cross in lead or wax and kissed as an oath of fealty. But why the X in Xmas? The X comes from the Greek letter X (pronounced khh) in Χριστός (Xristos) which became Christ in English. The shorthanded X according to www.Dictionary.com, dates back to the first Roman Emperor to convert to Christianity, Constantine the Great. Constantine used the first two letters to create a Christogram for a military banner using the X and P (pronounced as an “Cr” in the Greek alphabet).... Read More »

It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas December 16, 2020 Posted in: All, Technology It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas “Dot.calm” by Jane Silverman Are you ready? Tis finally the season. Way too soon. I am woefully unprepared: holiday cards are unordered, gifts are still on the list, the decorations are in boxes and I am still recovering from Thanksgiving. Yet, magic is in the air… and Ocean Reef is glittering with red-bowed wreaths, bedazzled trees, and poinsettias abound (which you might like to know, was a plant popular with the Aztecs and brought from Mexico by John Roberts Poinsett, the first US Ambassador to Mexico; celebrate National Poinsettia Day on December 12!). We Wish You a Merry Christmas Did you know that this week marks the 177th year since the very first Christmas card was sent? It was Christmas 1843 in Victorian England when Sir Henry Cole (founder of one of my favorite museums, the Victoria and Albert in London) realized he just had too many friends. While writing letters was always considered a fine art, the advent of the British postal system’s ‘penny post’ meant that anyone and everyone could reliably send a letter anywhere in the UK. Sir Cole, an original A-lister, was inundated with Christmas letters and came... Read More »

The Festival of Trees Returns December 14, 2020 Posted in: All, Club Events, Traditions The Festival of Trees Returns By Holly Houser, Ocean Reef Press Manager The third annual Festival of Trees has returned to spread some encouraging holiday cheer throughout The Reef. Located in six prominent Club locations, each expertly designed tree holds special ORC significance. For many years, the Club displayed beautifully decorated Christmas trees around the holidays, but three years ago, Barbara Hajim, as Chairman of the House & Grounds Committee, introduced a new idea that she adapted from her northern club. Mrs. Hajim and the Committee decided to combine some of our traditional trees and expand, creating a tour unique to Ocean Reef for Members to enjoy. Each tree has its own story: Angel Giving Tree Ocean Reef Business Center This tree represents the generosity of our Members and is decorated in gifts that have been donated to children in need. You are able to donate gifts to the Membership Giving Tree, which is located in the Membership Office, between now and December 21. If you have any questions, please contact Membership at 305-367-5921. The Orchid Tree Carysfort Hall Foyer World-renowned orchid growers, Robert Fuchs and Michael Coronado, created this spectacular masterpiece for Ocean Reef Club Members, decorated with more... Read More »

Mo Cuisle Carries on Grand Masters Legacy December 11, 2020 Posted in: All, Club Events, Fishing, Golf Mo Cuisle Carries on Grand Masters Legacy: Copeland Family Wins 20th Anniversary Tournament Pictured above: Grand Masters Golf & Fishing Tournament Champions Team Mo Cuisle, from left to right, Russell Post, Tom Copeland, Mike Jones and Bud Copeland. This year’s Grand Masters Golf & Fishing Tournament, held December 4 & 5, was special for many reasons. The tournament celebrated its 20th anniversary, and of the 15 teams that competed in the battle of two of The Reef’s most popular pastimes, a more appropriate team could not have won. Team Mo Cuisle’s Bud and Tom Copeland, sons of tournament co-founder Darryl Copeland Sr., won the tournament together for the first time, along with teammates Mike Jones and Russell Post. “My father, Darryl Copeland Sr., and his friend, Bill Gow, started the tournament together 20 years ago,” said Bud Copeland. “The two-some often played golf and went fishing together and after a while, they decided to combine the two sports into a fun tournament for fellow Members who enjoyed competing in the same pastimes.” The inaugural Grand Masters tournament was held in December of 2000 and the late Darryl Copeland Sr. and Bill Gow served as the tournament’s first Chairmen. The format... Read More »

The Voices of Ocean Reef December 9, 2020 Posted in: All, Stories The Voices of Ocean Reef By Jody Steele “It is my pleasure to connect you…” How many times do you smile when you hear the beautiful voices of the Ocean Reef operators? Our PBX (Public Broadcasting Exchange) is staffed by three outstanding professionals that monitor three stations and at least half a million phone calls a year. The supervisor extraordinaire, Patricia Louissaint, has been with us since 2017. Her motto is “to hear and feel our warmth over the phone” as a standard operating procedure. Operators identify themselves and thank you for calling! In this age of computer voices and endless pushing of numbers to connect, where else can you get this kind and sincere attention? As Patricia encourages the team to “put their personality in it” they all go through a lengthy training process. Operators are also trained to handle the sensitive calls of a Member in need. Patricia collects important data on occupancy, business meetings, sets up conference lines, and makes special arrangements for hurricane evacuations. The PBX department is a valuable part of our “unique way of life”. How has it changed? So there used to be a cardboard box for messages, operators were at long tables,... Read More »

Al Fresco at The Reef December 2, 2020 Posted in: All, Dining Al Fresco at The Reef by Jody Steele Dining al fresco at The Reef has always been a special way to enjoy our tropical evenings. To expand our al fresco choices and offer safer social distancing opportunities, we now have two more restaurants for dining under the stars. Last weekend, we tried both and were thoroughly impressed. Bill and Carolyn Chaney with the staff on opening night of the new Town Hall Waterside. Town Hall Waterside is an outdoor eatery with a “market style” theme. It is casual, attractive, and immediately grabs you with the strings of lights and its rustic décor. Repurposed cargo containers surround the perimeter and their kitchens offer six choices of cuisine: Tacos, Wood Fired Pizza, BBQ, Poke Bowl, Buns & Buns (burgers, dogs, lobster rolls) and a Dessert Station. We strolled around (wearing masks) to check out each menu, ordered a drink from the bar in the center of the pavilion and chose our dinner from two different spots. Finding a socially distanced table amongst the beautiful planters and placing our order numbers in a visible place, we just relaxed and enjoyed the artsy scene and the music. Our meals were delivered promptly and were... Read More »

How We Got Here November 30, 2020 Posted in: All, Historical, Stories How We Got Here by Mike Smith The Ocean Reef Historical Society and Museum have asked for a series of articles concerning various points of interest in our Club’s history with the goal of presenting the origins and stories of how our complex Club came to be and evolved. This series will strive to explain our history before and after we became private. We will explore how the Sunrise bridge was built and by whom. How the Hammock Course came to be. How Snapper Point appeared one summer when it wasn’t there the previous. How the Club made do in the early days without a water plant or well. But what better way to start than to explore the origin of our Historical Society and the evolution of our museum. Back in the ’50’s and ’60’s, the Club had little rental houses located near the gas dock called ‘yachtels’. They were rented to guests coming into Ocean Reef by boat for overnight accommodations. As the hotel gained popularity, these ‘yachtels’ were moved to the staff housing area and in 2000, Monroe County designated one of them (Yachtel C-2) as a historical and cultural landmark. The Club then donated the yachtel... Read More »

Wynn’s Keeps Shopping Safe November 27, 2020 Posted in: All, Food and Beverage Wynn’s Keeps Shopping Safe Since its Ocean Reef doors opened in the fall of 2014, Wynn’s has only grown more and more popular. Wynn’s provides so much more than just groceries, from shelves stocked with basics to gourmet to fresh produce, meats and custom sandwiches, making it a hub of activity for the entire Community. As the pandemic continues and we approach the holidays, the ability to social distance and stay safe is even more paramount for Wynn’s shoppers. We spoke with Jim Sapp, Wynn’s Manager, about safeguards the Wynn’s team has applied to ensure the safety of all of their customers and employees. Grocery Pickup & Delivery Did you know you can get your groceries delivered to your home without stepping foot inside the store? In fact, you can get just about anything delivered, from bakery items to premade lunches to hot meals and more. Wynn’s will do the shopping for you, bring it to you in your car or golf cart, or for a minimal added charge, will have it delivered to your home or dock. To place your order, email wynnsreeforders@yahoo.com with what you’d like, with as much detail as possible. As an example, prefer your orange... Read More »

Sushi to the Stars November 25, 2020 Posted in: All, Food and Beverage Sushi to the Stars By Terry Baxter In a tradition stretching back decades, a past Masters Tournament champion hosts the annual Champions Dinner for all the past winners, a green jacket affair on the Tuesday before the tournament begins. On his first time as host in 1998, twenty one year old Tiger Woods served cheeseburgers, fries, and milk shakes. This year, as once again reigning champion, Woods’ tastes have matured. He wanted to include sushi and knew he needed the skills of top-notch talent to pull it off. Woods enlisted Jim James, the Food and Beverage Director for the Augusta National Golf Club (glorious home of the Masters), to find the best way to bring sushi to this year’s tournament. James knew we had first-rate sushi at Ocean Reef. He asked his friend Giovanni Melis to show him our new sushi bar in the Islander. As soon as James tried Sushi Chef Eric Andreu’s Melanie Roll, he knew he had found the lead item for Tiger Woods’ Champions Dinner. Augusta National invited Eric to come up for a tasting presentation. Afterwards, the Club’s senior staff asked Eric if he would serve his creations for the Champions Dinner, but also help... Read More »

Welcome Back, Farmer’s Market November 20, 2020 Posted in: All, Announcements, Club Events, Food and Beverage Welcome Back, Farmer’s Market by Gertrude Mann To Market, To Market For food fresh and tasty Check us out, walk around, No need to be hasty. Please note: All purveyors ALWAYS wear masks. We asked them to remove them for a “happy to be back” smile. There is ample room in the new locale, 121 Marina Parking Lot with several new offerings. Gema and her delicious fresh mozzarella cheese with varieties such as burrata and Nata, is eager to offer samples. She features pesto, roasted tomatoes and onions, and wants us to know that the cheese is from a family business based in Coral Gables. Yari is back for the third season bringing his famous mineral soaps and lotions from Jordan and the Dead Sea. He is enthusiastic about the salt scrub for the body and the face. My neighbor, Ina Broeman, popped over to Yari’s booth to say she’s used the body scrub for years and it is marvelous. Come for a free healing hand scrub and ask about the new products added by popular demand, an eye cream and both a night and day cream. Mason of Mediterranean Delights shows us his products, falafel, baba ganoush, basil and... Read More »

Dreams Come True at Port O’Call November 20, 2020 Posted in: All, Club News, Food and Beverage Dreams Come True at Port O’Call by Micah Winecoff, Port O’Call Manager It’s hard to believe it was 2014 when Beverage Director Sean Carroll trained me to take the helm of Port O’Call. At that time, a wine and spirits shop with a wine bar was simply a concept. As the shop became busier over the years and we appropriated Wyatt Hosmer from the Recreation Department to join the team, the three of us continued to daydream about expanding from the 200 square feet space that we occupied. I don’t think we’ll ever forget the day Club President Alex Tonarelli told us a larger space in the Fishing Village could become available. We were speechless as we realized our dreams of expanding the shop were coming true. After what has been a unique summer for us all, it is with great pleasure that we introduce your new and improved Port O’Call Wine & Spirits, located in the former Leggiadro space overlooking the Marina. First & Foremost With the expansion, Port O’Call remains first and foremost a retail wine and spirits shop. Over the past 6 years I’ve loved learning your preferences and providing necessary variety, ensuring your house is well... Read More »

The Wait is Over – RCK & Nature Center Open Nov. 20 November 18, 2020 Posted in: All, Club Events, Recreation The Wait is Over – RCK & Nature Center Open Nov. 20 By Holly Houser, Ocean Reef Press Manager The moment Reef kids (and probably their parents too) have been waiting for is finally here – Reef Club Kids and the Nature Center are scheduled to reopen this month! After closing to the Coronavirus in March, RCK and the Nature Center are to open their doors on Friday, November 20 with some new guidelines in place. The Recreation Team is excited to welcome kids back into the facilities, but providing the safest environment possible is a priority. To ensure the health and safety of all Club Members and Associates, the Recreation Team is implementing new policies and procedures to keep everything safe and sanitized. Associates, children and parents are asked to wear masks at all times, while both inside and outside. All indoor and outdoor touchpoints will be sanitized before and after use. All food will be individually prepared and packaged and Associates will wear gloves whenever handling it. See below for policies specific to Reef Club Kids and the Nature Center. Reef Club Kids At this time, walk-ins are not allowed in Reef Club Kids and you must preregister... Read More »

Ocean Reef Donations Help Fund Baptist Hospital Helipad November 17, 2020 Posted in: All, Club News, Community News, ORCA, Philanthropy Ocean Reef Donations Help Fund Baptist Hospital Helipad Baptist Hospital Rooftop Helipad is a significant breakthrough for Ocean Reef Club urgent care; providing access to world-class cardiac and stroke care, when minutes can mean the difference between life and death. In the recent past, when it was necessary or warranted to airlift patients from Ocean Reef for medical emergencies, the patients would often be diverted by the Dade County airlift service to other facilities that had rooftop helipads because they could be directly transferred from the helicopter to the treatment area. When Baptist Hospital’s Emergency Department was expanded, the existing helipad already located on the campus was too far from the new building. Baptist Health and Ocean Reef have a long-standing, special and close relationship. One of the important elements of the relationship is that Baptist Health oversees our own ORCA-run EMS services. Baptist Health and Ocean Reef recognized the need to have a rooftop landing facility at Baptist Hospital and embarked on a four-year joint project to fund and build it. That way, our community would have access to the best in healthcare at Miami Cardiac & Vascular Institute, and Miami Neuroscience Institute. Miami Cardiac & Vascular Institute is... Read More »

A “Third Wave of Coffee” at The Reef November 16, 2020 Posted in: All, Club News, Food and Beverage A “Third Wave of Coffee” at The Reef By Jody Steele Looking back to another era when coffee came in a can from the grocery store or even powdered in an instant, the “first wave of coffee” was pretty similar from cup to cup. A “second wave” began in the 1960’s when countries began to compete for the best flavors and popularity. A variety of coffee beverages emerged and we all became quite particular about our own personal “cup of Joe”. The Culinary Team is pleased to announce that Ocean Reef is now part of the “third wave” of specialty coffee, distinct coffee beans, and crafted beverages. Coffee Panels Ocean Reef Club Leadership along with Food and Beverage participated in a number of blind tastings to choose a new coffee with high quality beans from farms, not countries and where flavor is consistently pure and exceptional. Due to the fact that now coffee has become an artisanal food, similar to wine, the team commitment was to find the best in the third wave industry coffee trade. The Choice: La Colombe The overwhelming choice was La Colombe, founded as a business created “to make the world better through coffee”. The owners... Read More »

Equity Welcome Back Week – A New Way to Celebrate November 13, 2020 Posted in: All, Club Events, Club News, Traditions Equity Welcome Back Week A New Way to Celebrate By Holly Houser, Ocean Reef Press Manager Since its onset, the Equity Welcome Back Party – The Gathering has marked the beginning of a new season at Ocean Reef. This year, the Coronavirus posed a challenge for the way we traditionally recognize this annual welcome-home event. As a large reception with food, drink and more than 600 Members in attendance, the usual format is far from compliant with social distancing. In response, the Club found a way to keep the Welcome Back Party’s spirit alive, while ensuring Members can remain safe and socially distant. Before we talk about what this year’s festivities entail, let’s go back to where the tradition first began. Back to the Beginning When it made its debut in November 1993, the Equity Welcome Back Party was known as “The Gathering!” Chaired by the Social Committee, the inaugural Gathering was the Club’s first big social event of the new era of Member ownership, followed only by “The Celebration!” – an end-of-season parade and party honoring the Member Buyout. The Gathering quickly became the unofficial kickoff to the winter season and a way to welcome Members home and increase... Read More »

Sitting on the Ocean Reef Channel November 13, 2020 Posted in: All, Club News, Food and Beverage Sitting on the Ocean Reef Channel by Jody Steele The Raw Bar is now open seven days a week from 11 AM-9 PM. Relaxing on the Ocean Reef Channel and watching the world go by with a delectable drink in hand and a crab cake on your plate is one of those better moments. Seating anyone? Barry Reed, Manager extraordinaire for 33 years shares that the expanded Raw Bar now has more seats than ever before. The new Tiki Hut with ceiling fans and televisions allows for social distancing with a view. To get up close and personal, the “dockside” seating at tables for two is almost “in” the channel. Traditionalists can sit inside the screened in space. Or a seat at the bar is a big favorite. Menu highlights All the popular items have returned with steamed shrimp, the bowls of chowder, the Mahi sandwich, and daily specials. New choices include a cracked conch salad and a gluten-free harvest vegetable salad. The Maine lobster Thursday dinner with soup, corn on the cob, baked potato, and Key Lime Pie will start on November 19th with reservations a must. Stone crab is now in season and available with the delicious mustard... Read More »

To Recycle, or Not to Recycle November 11, 2020 Posted in: All, Environment To Recycle, or Not to Recycle By Holly Houser, Ocean Reef Press Manager One of the top questions received by the Ocean Reef Press and our Solid Waste Team is what can and cannot be recycled. That is why we decided to rerun this interview with Ocean Reef Solid Waste Director Israel Salgado as a reminder for the season. We’ll start with the general question, what can and can’t you recycle? Israel Salgado: Ocean Reef follows the recycling guidelines for Monroe County. Anything with the recycling symbol can be recycled, but there are some rules that go along with it. The main rule being that recycled items cannot be soiled. Meaning if they can’t be rinsed out, they can’t go in the recycling bin. For example, a can of beans must be rinsed out before it can be recycled, and a pizza box can’t be recycled in its entirety because of the grease that seeps into the cardboard. If the top of the box is clean though, it can be ripped off and recycled. We’ve heard reports of people putting clothing and shoes in their recycling bins. Is that allowed? IS: No, retired clothing and shoes should not go in... Read More »

Meet Your 2020-21 Golf Team November 10, 2020 Posted in: All, Club News, Golf Meet Your 2020-21 Golf Team The 2020-2021 season is an exciting one for the ORC Golf Team, and not just due to the anticipation of the new Clubhouse in the next year. This season has proved to be an opportunity for many on the Golf Team to take an exciting next step in their career at Ocean Reef. Mike Leone, who was recently promoted to ORC Director of Golf, says the golf program at The Reef is designed to prepare its associates for the next position, whether it be at Ocean Reef or another club. “I started my career at Ocean Reef in outside service,” said Leone. “I was promoted inside and worked my way up positions to my current role as Director of Golf. That is exactly what the program is meant to do. It helps golfers increase their responsibility each season with the goal of getting up to Head Pro, Director and more. You never know when it could be your shot. We are always readying our associates for a new role in preparation for when someone moves on in their career.” The current make-up of Leone’s team includes a new Outside Operations Manager, Cody Hamrock, who has... Read More »

A Spirited Week at The Academy November 6, 2020 Posted in: All, The Academy at Ocean Reef A Spirited Week at The Academy by Jody Steele The joy of being back in school has continued to build at The Academy of Ocean Reef as evidenced by the recent annual Spirit Week which was a huge success for all. Students, faculty, and returning Head of School, Jerome Murphy, celebrated with a creative dress down theme. Beginning with a Pajama Day on Monday, followed by a Rainbow Day, Dress Like Your Parent Day, a Wacky Tacky Day, and ending with a Costume Day, all students and staff had a great time coming to school dressed in unique fashion each day. Spirit Week culminated on Friday with a Halloween parade that saw over 70 children proceed in single file throughout the campus area dressed in their favorite Halloween costume. Public Safety officials were on hand to ensure everyone’s safety, and the big red fire truck was present, much to the excitement of the children! The enrollment at The Academy has grown from past years as Ocean Reef families seek out a healthy environment, filled with social engagement and a challenging curriculum for their children’s education. As Jerome Murphy states, however, “we are being extremely mindful of the successful protocols we... Read More »

Something to “Wine” About November 2, 2020 Posted in: All, Community News Something to “Wine” About by Sarah A. Cart Boy, is it easy to find things to “wine” about in 2020! With everything going on in the world today it’s easy to feel down and out. Here at All Charities, however, we’re flipping the script to focus on how to help our local charity partners on and off The Reef. If you’ve been involved with All Charities in the past, you know how good it feels to focus on giving, especially in anxious times. Wondering how you can help? How about packing up those special bottles sitting in your wine cellar and shipping them to Ocean Reef where they will make a difference by benefitting local charities at the All Charities Auction Weekend scheduled for February 19 and 20, 2021? As you know, rare and vintage bottles of wine and spirits donated by our generous Members are big headliners at the annual auction. Once again, the wine category of the Silent Auction this past February broke records, and sales passed the $100,000 mark for the first time ever. The star garnering the highest winning bid was a lot of one of the most revered first growths of the Bordeaux region of France,... Read More »

Four Legged Life Coaches October 28, 2020 Posted in: All, Member Stories Four Legged Life Coaches by Mary Brady Man’s best friends, domesticated since prehistoric times, traveling companions for explorers and artists, thinkers and walkers and equally happy curled up by the fire and bounding through the great outdoors — dogs and cats matter to us because we love them. They become an integral part of our lives as well as our hearts. Let’s dispense with the wellworn clichés concerning dogs and cats and their masters, seeing them not as submissive pets, but rather as unexpected life coaches, ready to teach us the elusive recipes for contentment and joy. Both canines and felines have faced their fate in life with a certain detachment that is not easy for humans to understand. Unlike other animals in a similar situation, they have not become hardened, nor have they let themselves die a little inside. On the contrary, they seem to have softened. During this COVID pandemic, we can understand this miracle, the miracle of the joy of cats and dogs as thinkers — thinkers who may perhaps know the true secret of their own humanity. What follows are four examples in the lives of four remarkable animals that have served as an inspiration to... Read More »

It’s Time to Vote- ORPAC Recommendations October 19, 2020 Posted in: All, ORCA It’s Time to Vote: Consider These ORPAC Recommendations For more than 30 years, the Ocean Reef Political Action Committee (ORPAC) has been focused on local races and candidates that are supportive to our Ocean Reef Community needs. Party is always less important than the candidate. ORPAC has researched the General Election races and amendments that affect this community and interviewed numerous candidates over the last several months. Please find the recommendations below: Monroe County Commissioner District 1: Craig Cates (R) Monroe County Commissioner District 3: Heather Carruthers (D) Incumbent Monroe County Commissioner District 5: Michael Forster (R) State Attorney Circuit 16: Dennis Ward (R) Incumbent Amendment 1: Citizen Requirement for Voting Initiative – Support Amendment 2: $15 Minimum Wage Initiative – Oppose Amendment 3: Top-Two Open Primaries for State Offices Initiative – Oppose Amendment 4: Require Constitutional Amendments to be Passed Twice Initiative – Oppose Amendment 5: Extend “Save our Homes” Portability Period – Support Amendment 6: Homestead Property Tax Discount for Spouses of Deceased Veterans Amendment: – Support For additional information on the Amendments, please visit: https://dos.elections.myflorida.com/initiatives/ It is most important that every registered voter vote in the General Election. ORPAC, with your help, has made great strides in... Read More »

Mike Leone Named New ORC Director of Golf October 16, 2020 Posted in: All, Associate Spotlight, Golf Mike Leone Named New ORC Director of Golf By Holly Houser, Ocean Reef Press Manager The Club is excited to congratulate Mike Leone in his new role as ORC Director of Golf. Mike Leone has been a part of the Ocean Reef Club Golf Operations Team for the past seven years. He began in Outside Golf Operations in 2013, moved to Assistant Golf Professional the following year, and held the position of Head Golf Professional for the past three years. Prior to his time spent at Ocean Reef, Mike gained additional expertise working at other top facilities around the country, including Huntington Crescent Club, Congressional Country Club and Jim McLean Golf School at Doral. You may be surprised to hear that Mike’s first love was not for golf, but for the game of baseball. Growing up in Boynton Beach, FL, he was a part of multiple all-star and traveling baseball teams playing against the best young athletes in Florida. “I started playing golf one summer when I was 12 years old because my dad played a lot on the weekends and I wanted to spend more time with him,” said Leone. “I met other local kids that were interested in... Read More »

Summer Reunion October 12, 2020 Posted in: All, Member Stories Summer Reunion Legacy Members, who have a family history of enjoying the Club, are often the most enthusiastic rooters for everything ORC. Legacy Member Kerry Shannon, the daughter of longtime Equity Member Connie McAllister, has been coming to Ocean Reef since she was a little girl. Later she came with her own children for all the important holidays. Kerry was surprised how many of the friends she made at Ocean Reef, lived near her home in Far Hills, NJ. “I actually met one woman, who lived right across the street from me.” This group of Legacy and Equity Members of ORC soon discovered a lot of shared interests – golf, pickleball, fishing, the Chapel. “And, of course,” said Kerry, “Everton and Reef Cups.” So early this summer, when all of her OR/NJ buddies had returned to their respective New Jersey lives, Kerry Shannon decided it was time for a reunion. Not given to half measures, Kerry planned a patio lunch for nine, including her mother, and proceeded to decorate her garden and home in Far Hills, NJ with Ocean Reef burgees and pillows. There were also OR glasses, napkins and nautical table arrangements. “I even imported a Key Lime Dockside... Read More »

Memberabilia: Showing the Colors… October 12, 2020 Posted in: All, Shopping Memberabilia Showing the Colors… by Joan Birsh Isn’t it nice in this increasingly difficult world, there is one thing we can all cheer for? I’m talking about Ocean Reef Club. I believe, if we took a vote on “your favorite place,” Ocean Reef would win by a landslide – even in those states like MI, NC, MA and NJ, where Members have beautiful summer homes. (Note: my summer home is in Cape May, NJ but in this year of the virus, Arthur and I “stayed put” in FL. So I now feel more qualified than ever to say – “my vote goes to Ocean Reef”.) BURGEE SHOP Renewed & Relocated Like me, many Members (some pictured here) are proud to “show the colors.” And lucky us, the Burgee Shop has now conveniently settled into the old Orvis location just across the hall from Reef Treats. This new space is perfect for the large array of attractive merchandise – hats, shirts, scarves, jackets, swim trunks, etc. – that will mark you boldly or discretely as a Member of Ocean Reef Club. And there is something for the whole family, including onesies adorned with a small burgee. (Yes, good news, there is... Read More »

The Academy is Back to School! October 9, 2020 Posted in: All, The Academy at Ocean Reef The Academy is Back to School! by Jody Steele After months of planning and due diligence, The Academy at Ocean Reef opened for “face to face” instruction on Tuesday, September 8. Jerome Murphy, Head of School, consulted with the Florida Council of Independent Schools, the Medical Center at Ocean Reef, and over 100 other administrators in the State of Florida to develop protocols to implement a Safety Action Plan. The 3 W’s Academy students and families have embraced the 3 W’s: Wear Masks, Wash Hands, and Watch Your Distance to ensure community safety. All students were required to “stay in place” in the two week period before school began or delay their start date. Proper social distancing is practiced daily, cleaning and disinfecting of all surfaces is ongoing, temperatures are taken, and foot traffic patterns are clearly marked. Visitors and parents (except for the youngest children) are restricted from entering the campus. Plan B The dedicated faculty, staff, and Jerome Murphy spent countless hours assembling a plan to be able to safely return to an “in person learning format” that all missed so dearly. However, life is full of surprises we do not plan for as was certainly proven in... Read More »

Have You Spotted this Croc on the Golf Course? September 28, 2020 Posted in: All, Environment, Golf Have You Spotted this Croc on the Golf Course? By Holly Houser, Ocean Reef Club Editorial Assistant If you’re an avid golfer, you likely have noticed the crocodile with the “white cube” attached to his body that has attracted curious glances from Members and Golf Staff recently. This particular crocodile has been known to hang out by holes #16 and #17 of the Hammock Course and holes #4 and #5 of the Dolphin Course. After speaking with the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) as well as a local conservation biologist, we’ve confirmed that our resident crocodile has been fitted with a GPS tracker to aid in state research. Joe Wasilweski, a local wildlife expert in charge of managing crocodiles at the Turkey Point nuclear power plant, says that tagging crocodiles with these transmitters is an important way to monitor the native American crocodile species that was once declared endangered. In 1975, the American crocodile was edging toward extinction in South Florida, but by 2007, their numbers increased enough to elevate their conservation status to threatened. “The state has several crocodiles out now with satellite transmitters,” said Wasilweski. “What we’re trying to do is follow the crocodiles around to... Read More »

Get the Buzz! September 21, 2020 Posted in: All, Conservation, Environment Get the Buzz! by Jody Steele Living in a sub-tropical climate has its benefits and its drawbacks. So along with amazing sunsets, a profusion of flowering foliage, and a mild Winter weather there are a few annoying critters around. It appears there are about 4000 species of mosquitoes with 100 types being a problem. In Monroe County, three of these buzzers can be a nuisance and even cause health problems. The good news is the Florida Keys Mosquito Control District has us covered, but they need our support. Watch Out For The three most common mosquitoes in our area are the Black Salt Marsh, the Aedes aegypti, and the Southern House Mosquito. The Salt Marsh is the biter that comes in with wind from the Everglades and is the most bothersome at Ocean Reef. The Aedes aegypti has recently been the source of an outbreak of Dengue Fever in Key Largo. Lastly, the brown Southern House mosquito is most active between dusk to dawn. Our Control System The Mosquito Control District utilizes three methods to protect us from these pests. Source Reduction goes after the breeding areas with inspectors looking for any standing water in pots, trashcans, or other containers.... Read More »

The Story Behind the Buccaneer Island Bird Statues September 18, 2020 Posted in: All, Member Stories, Members, Stories The Story Behind the Buccaneer Island Bird Statues In the June 26, 2020 edition, the Ocean Reef Press featured an article titled “Stories Behind Ocean Reef Sculptures” where we asked Members to contact us with the history behind the bird statues on Buccaneer Island. Vicki Combs took this request a step further. Combined with her previous knowledge of the statues, Mrs. Combs reached out to the sculptor himself to share the following story with the Ocean Reef community. As a constant Art League participant, I’ve had the privilege through the years of learning about much of the artwork and sculpture around The Reef. My husband’s family has enjoyed ORC for generations and our children, as many who grew up coming here, have been photographed with these whimsical bird bronzes for years. The story begins with the late Herb and Patty Matthews, former Ocean Reef Members and artists in their own right. I met Patty Matthews in a Gregory Johnson sculpting class and eventually met Herb Matthews at the Art League and through various golf functions. Both were full of personality and brought big life to everything they touched. They also brought Walter Palmer, Key West artist and sculptor, to their... Read More »

Generations of Diving September 9, 2020 Posted in: All, Environment, Stories Generations of Diving by Holly Houser, Ocean Reef Press Editorial Assistant When the Coronavirus derailed summer plans, Alice and Trig Horton’s grandchildren, like many others around the country, wondered how they were going to spend their summer. With camps, jobs and internships canceled, Alice and her two daughters, Legacy Members Laura Virkle and Ashley Freedman, decided it was a great time to fulfill something they had talked about doing for years – getting their children dive certified. They called The Dive Shop at Ocean Reef and scheduled a private dive certification course for the five grandchildren, all ranging in age from 10 to 17. “Trig and I did this same thing with our own children when they were in high school,” said Alice. “We scheduled a private certification course in an indoor pool and then took the whole family to Grand Cayman for the certification dive. That’s how my daughters had the idea to inquire about doing a private class with The Dive Shop. It’s been years now since any of the adults have gone diving so we are way past the point of being able to go without doing a refresher course. But my grandchildren’s course was so successful,... Read More »

ORC Member Tyler Strafaci – U.S. Amateur Golf Champion September 3, 2020 Posted in: Club News, Community News, Member News, Member Stories, Members by Joan Birsh It’s a safe bet that on August 16 at 7 p.m., Ocean Reef Club Members (many of them at their summer homes all over the country) were tuned into the Golf Channel for the finals of the U.S. Amateur at Bandon Dunes, OR. These TV viewers had a special interest in this brilliant seesaw match. They were hoping against hope that their 23-year-old fellow OR Member Tyler Strafaci would defeat Ollie Osborne and become Golf’s 2020 U.S. Amateur Champion. Tyler, a Georgia Tech senior, played all 36 tension-filled holes in the final match with skill, smarts and composure. (More composure than many of his OR fans, some of whom had to resort to nail biting, breath holding, and the infusion of a double scotch whiskey.) In the end everybody won. Especially Tyler, who earned a place on the Walker Cup team and an invitation to the prodigious Masters Tournament in Augusta… He also got to take home the Havemeyer trophy. Golf for Tyler Strafaci was generational. In 1935 at age 19 his grandfather, Frank Strafaci Sr. won the U.S. Amateur Public Links, followed by other amateur championships in the 1930’s through the mid-50’s. He captured the North... Read More »

Scott Kirkwood Sits in on PGA Tour Radio Show August 27, 2020 Posted in: All, Golf “Just the Fax” Scott Kirkwood Sits in on PGA Tour Radio Show By Holly Houser, Ocean Reef Press Editorial Assistant On Monday, July 6, our own ORC Director of Golf Scott Kirkwood sat down with PGA Tour Professional Brad Faxon in the Academy of Golf for Brad’s XM PGA Tour radio show “Just the Fax”. Throughout the one-hour broadcast, the pair spoke about all things golf, including the impressive golf program at Ocean Reef, the evolution of the game itself, and about PGA Tour Pro Bryson DeChambeau, who Faxon interviewed in the same segment. Beginning his broadcast, Faxon introduced his listeners to the Academy of Golf and Driving Range: “We’re broadcasting from the Academy of Golf at Ocean Reef. I’m in their teaching center sitting where they do putter fitting and they’ve got the SAM Putt Lab, which is incredible technology. They’ve got holes cut where you can practice putting, they’ve got this cool Jim McLean ball that tells you if you got a true roll, and the coolest Scotty Cameron putter wall with putters everywhere… But what I like most about the Range are those little nets you can chip and pitch to. I’ll tell you what, I would... Read More »

Summer Daze August 25, 2020 Posted in: All, Technology, Virtual Summer Daze “Dot.calm” by Jane Silverman This is our first summer in the Keys and, can I say, that nobody told me about ALL THE RAIN. And the thunder. And the lightening. Then there’s the heat. And the mosquitos. And the threat of hurricanes. But yet, somehow none of it matters when you wake up in paradise. As we all learn to navigate a new-normal and quarantining, I find myself without any more closets to clean or drawers to organize. My days seem to be filled with Zoom calls, social media, shopping online (why are there NO disinfecting wipes??) and as much fresh air as the dogs and I can stand. Photastic: Between my Facebooking (my page and all the cooking, high school, and RV groups), TikTok-ing (note: people over 40 should be banned from doing dance videos), Tweeting and Instagramming, I spend an awful lot of time taking photographs with my phone. I especially like the portrait option on the iPhone camera which blurs the background and sharpens the subject, allowing for lighting changes from Natural to Studio to B&W. I also dabble with some amazing photo apps that are fun and easy to use, putting the “pop” into... Read More »

Dive In August 21, 2020 Posted in: All, Community News, Conservation, Environment Dive In by Jody Steele Some of the best entertainment anywhere is about a six mile cruise out of the main channel at Ocean Reef Club. Carysfort Reef is a magnificent four mile long reef of amazing coral, shallow waters, and a multitude of fish that you definitely should visit. Summer is a great time to venture out on the reef. The water is comfortably warm and the sun glistens to give good visibility for snorkeling or scuba diving. It is also an opportunity to see the incredible coral restoration up close. A Bit of History Carysfort Lighthouse was constructed in 1852 after many ships were wrecked on the reef. Major General George G. Meade was the civil engineer that led the construction of several lighthouses on the coast, including Carysfort. He is also known as the Union leader that defeated General Robert E. Lee at the Battle of Gettysburg in the American Civil War. The Lighthouse was first outfitted with 18 lamps set in reflectors, but just three years later a Fresnel lens was installed. Bob Broton, member, diver, and photographer shared that two large tanks were used in the early days to store whale oil for fuel. Bob... Read More »

Carysfort Reef Five Years Later August 3, 2020 Posted in: All, Community News, Conservation, Environment Carysfort Reef Five Years Later By Richard Weinstein, Senior Vice President Membership “It’s just so close to Ocean Reef” states our captain as he eases back the throttles and settles next to the anchor buoy at Carysfort Reef. That Captain is Ken Dewey, Ocean Reef Equity Member, who has offered to take me out along with one of the Coral Restoration Foundation™ Board Members, Patti Gross and her husband David to photograph the reef along with some of the latest coral plantings. Once secured to the buoy Patti provides a brief synopsis of our dive plan and what we can expect to see. “This is the location where CRF™ started their ecosystem level coral restoration model. Originally we would transplant clusters of staghorn coral in groups of 10. But now we are blanketing larger areas of the reef with much bigger clusters of at least 50 corals. We are also returning more species, not just staghorn, but also elkhorn and two species of boulder coral.” It was in 2015 that the Ocean Reef Club and the Ocean Reef Conservation Association began a partnership with the Coral Restoration Foundation™ (CRF™) with a goal to plant 20,000 corals on Carysfort Reef. It... Read More »

Lobstering Rules to Remember July 23, 2020 Posted in: All, Club Events, Conservation, Environment Lobstering Rules to Remember By Holly Houser, Ocean Reef Press Editorial Assistant With Lobstermania and Mini Season quickly approaching (July 29 & 30), and the Regular Spiny Lobster Season beginning on Thursday, August 6, now is the time to familiarize yourself with the rules. Gear Before you set out on your lobstering adventure, make sure to check you have the proper gear on board. In addition to the required boating safety equipment, you are required to have and use a measuring device at all times. Also, anyone participating in the season must have both a recreational saltwater fishing license and a spiny lobster permit. Safety is first priority, so don’t forget that a diver down flag must be prominently displayed when divers or snorkelers are in the water. While there’s gear that’s required, there is also gear that’s prohibited. When harvesting lobster, you may not use a spear or any other device that could puncture or crush the lobster’s shell or flesh. Harvesting Lobsters Knowing how to properly measure lobsters is of great importance when participating in this sport. Once a lobster is caught, it must be measured in the water and have a carapace larger than three inches to be... Read More »

The Iconic Water Tower July 20, 2020 Posted in: All, Historical The Iconic Water Tower by Holly Houser, Ocean Reef Press Editorial Assistant The distinctive tower located by the Inn is a well-recognized symbol of Ocean Reef, and while today it is a silhouette Members are quite familiar with, at the Club’s humble beginning its purpose was that of an actual water tower – to pressurize water for distribution throughout the community. In 1945, when founder and developer Morris Baker purchased what would eventually develop into Ocean Reef Club, access to water and the lack of potable water were significant issues. The following is an excerpt from the Ocean Reef history book “On The Reef” describing how Baker solved the problem and created an Ocean Reef icon. “…The Bakers came up with a workable, if time-consuming, solution. The water tower, which today is a picturesque landmark, was built almost immediately to store both rainwater and the water trucked in daily from Key Largo. Two army trucks were driven six or eight times a day to the intersection of US 1 and what is today CR 905 where they tapped the main waterline, which the United States Navy had installed. This was the only fresh water on Key Largo.” Over the ensuing... Read More »

Stories Behind Ocean Reef Sculptures July 15, 2020 Posted in: All, Community News, Environment Stories Behind Ocean Reef Sculptures By Holly Houser, Ocean Reef Press Editorial Assistant The Florida Keys environment is one of the things that makes Ocean Reef so unique, and for many Members, it is one of the primary reasons they come to the Club. Because life at Ocean Reef is tied so closely with nature, some of the creatures that share this fragile environment with us are memorialized throughout the Club. Dolphin Statue – Bridge to Buccaneer Island The dolphin statue, located just beyond the bridge to Buccaneer Island, was donated by the Ocean Reef Property Owners Association in 1995 as a way to acknowledge the dolphins that lived and performed at Ocean Reef more than 50 years ago. Caesar and Angel became the first two dolphins to perform shows in the saltwater inlet below the bridge and did so for 29 years. Cary, Jinx, Molly, Lady, Theresa, Bogie and Bacall would follow before the Marine Mammal Protection Act was passed and the Club chose to cease dolphin shows. The statue’s plaque reads, “Remembering our friends: the dolphins.” Dolphins are one of the most delightful animals to see in the wild and we’re lucky to have ample opportunity to... Read More »

The Academy at Ocean Reef Celebrates July 13, 2020 Posted in: All, Announcements, Community News, For The Kids, The Academy at Ocean Reef The Academy at Ocean Reef Celebrates By Jody Steele Closing up a most unusual school year, an eighth grade graduation and awards ceremony was held live on June 3rd at The Academy, accompanied by pre-recorded student choral ensembles. With limited attendance and social distancing, students and faculty were honored and appreciated for their achievements during the 2019-2020 school year. Celebrating all students, from Pre-Kindergarten through Middle School was accomplished by a welcome from Jerome Murphy, Head of School who just arrived this school year. He certainly did not envision that his role would encompass months of distance learning and a ‘new normal” in educational leadership. Kudos to him for meeting the challenge and congratulations to the faculty for their commitment and dedication to the students. The 2019-2020 Awards were presented as follows: Dr. Why Award (named after Jim Leenhouts) This is given to the student who consistently demonstrates curiosity and never stops asking why and how can we figure this out? Awarded to: Jackson Hill (Grade 1) Perseverance Award This award is given to the student who demonstrates initiative and perseverance in attaining goals while improving the life of others. Awarded to: Anna Fritter (Grade 6) Scholar Athlete Given to... Read More »

Capital Projects Progress July 1, 2020 Posted in: All, Announcements, Club News, Member News, Members Capital Projects Progress The commencement of all three major capital projects, the Ocean Room/Lobby and Clubhouse renovations and construction of an Associate Parking Garage, highlight the bright future for Ocean Reef Club. Contract Awarded for Ocean Room/Lobby Renovation Following a competitive bid process, Woolems was awarded the renovation contract at a negotiated fixed price. Demolition work has been completed and over the next four weeks, procurement, repairs to the structural elements of the building and interior framing will be well underway. HBA, the design firm that brought the Islander back to life after Hurricane Irma, will be handling the interior design. The Ocean Room, Reef Lounge/Harper’s Bar and the entire Lobby area is being redesigned with a fresh coastal look that will preserve and enhance the history of one of Ocean Reef Club’s oldest buildings. In the meantime, all Front Desk operations, Bellstand and Transportation have been relocated to Carysfort Hall. The Gift Shop remains in its original location next to the Inn Lobby and is open daily from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Clubhouse Renovation Update The temporary Golf Shop and Cart Barn are in place and the Golf team has been welcoming Members to their new spaces. It... Read More »

Virtual Deliciousness June 29, 2020 Posted in: All, Dining, Food and Beverage, Virtual Virtual Deliciousness By Jody Steele Reflecting on the last few months of social distancing at Ocean Reef Club, a few memorable “silver linings” emerged. The Virtual Happy Hour with Sean Carroll, Director of Beverage & Wine Operations, and the Virtual Cooking Classes with four of Ocean Reef’s talented chefs are events we looked forward to as the weeks flipped by. Longing for entertainment and missing family and friends, my husband and I discovered more than just some new recipes. Virtual Cocktails On to the Ocean Reef website on Tuesdays at 5:00 p.m., we headed in to “Happy Hour” with Sean Carroll who skillfully demonstrated how to concoct the Club’s most popular cocktails. Showing how important it is to use a jigger and measure with care made it all look easy. So we followed Sean’s lead and then pretended we were at the Beach Bar drinking our very own Lagoon Lemonade. All ingredients were available at Port O’Call or Wynn’s so we were prepared. Of course, then we had to order Sean’s nifty lemon/lime squeezer to complete our set of bar tools. Sean shared that Members from afar joined the Happy Hour and commented that they almost felt they were at... Read More »

The Dive Shop Reboots Reef Cleanup Program June 12, 2020 Posted in: All, Community News, Conservation, Environment, Marina and Boating The Dive Shop Reboots Reef Cleanup Program By Holly Houser, Ocean Reef Press Editorial Assistant The Dive Shop is open and excited to welcome Members back out to enjoy, appreciate and support the environment, after closing their doors in March due to the Coronavirus. One program they are eager to continue with the community is the Dive Against Debris Cleanups. Two years ago, The Dive Shop at Ocean Reef joined Goal: Clean Seas Florida Keys – a program that encourages divers to remove marine debris from the ocean and report data to the Project Aware Dive Against Debris Program and National Marine Sanctuary Foundation (NMSF). After receiving a grant from the NMSF to aid in the cleanup and restoration efforts, The Dive Shop began conducting monthly trips to collect waste in the waters surrounding Ocean Reef. Since their first trip in August 2018, more than 4,000 pounds of marine debris has been collected from reefs located in the Club’s own backyard, like Turtle Rocks and Carysfort. “While we have worked hard to collect thousands of pounds of harmful waste over the past couple years, there is still so much more to be done,” said Jesus Gudino, The Dive Shop’s longtime... Read More »

Summer Adventures in the Redlands June 10, 2020 Posted in: All, Community News, Environment, Members, Recreation Summer Adventures in the Redlands By Jody Steele Looking for a journey nearby this summer? The Redland area is just a short drive away up Card Sound Road. This historic area was first settled in 1898 by pioneers homesteading the land and remains today as a large farming community. Named for its iron rich red clay that covers limestone, the Redlands were challenging for the early settlers who used steam tractors and even dynamite to prepare the land for planting. After Henry Flagler’s East Coast Railway arrived in 1905, the farmers were able to send their produce throughout the country. And now, over 100 years later, we can still venture to this rich farming destination. Depending on your interest, there are a number of fascinating sites to visit in the Redlands, but all should culminate with a stop at “Robert is Here”, an open air produce market featuring local and tropical fruits that began in 1959 when Robert Moehling was six years old. No trip is complete without one of their delicious tropical fruit shakes. (19200 SW 344th Street, 305-246-1592) Our own R.F. Orchids is another worthy destination. In 1912, the property was purchased and now Robert Fuchs, the president,... Read More »

CABIN FEVER June 8, 2020 Posted in: All, Club News, Community News, Members, Shopping CABIN FEVER Joan the Shopper finds gifts for Father’s Day (June 21) in some newly opened Ocean Reef stores By Joan Birsh Isn’t it lovely that at Ocean Reef you can now don a mask, hop in your cart and go shopping. Any excuse will do, and Father’s Day is a good one. If your own father is in Heaven, there is your children’s father (my sons invariably need help in finding a gift and I’m happy to oblige). And if your children are themselves fathers, then the grandsons often seek your advice (the girls never do). So here are a few suggestions for Father’s Day gifts that can be found in some of the newly opened OR shops. Gift Shop … If you think of the Gift Shop as just a place to buy knick knacks, you are wrong. The store carries an interesting selection of clothes for women, children and men. Example: The men’s swim trunks are exceptional. They are made of a lightweight, quickdry fabric and always sport an appropriate design like the sailfish (shown here)… Cigars and Ocean Reef wine are also contenders for a Father’s Day wrap, as is the new line of men’s polo... Read More »

Capital Projects Underway June 5, 2020 Posted in: All, Announcements, Club Events, Club News Capital Projects Underway By Holly Houser, Ocean Reef Press Editorial Assistant As facilities begin to slowly reopen, life at Ocean Reef is showing signs of normalcy. Construction on the Club’s major 2020-2021 projects – the Associate Parking Garage, Ocean Room renovation and Clubhouse renovation – are well underway and Members have exciting developments to look forward to at The Reef over the next several months. The Club has created a communications plan to keep Members informed throughout the duration of these major renovations. By now, you have likely had the chance to review the Club’s Capital Projects brochure that was mailed to all Members at the end of April, containing details on these projects. In a few weeks, Members will also receive the first of a monthly digital newsletter that will contain new photos, progress news and other announcements. Similar reports will continue to be published in the Ocean Reef Press and the Club’s website will be regularly updated with photos. “While our focus over the past few months has been the safety and welfare of the Community (and will continue to be), the ability to commence these projects, as scheduled, provides a sense of stability and progress,” said Ocean... Read More »

Islander Reopens with Improvements June 4, 2020 Posted in: All, Announcements, Club Events, Club News, Dining, Food and Beverage Can You Hear Me Now? Islander Reopens with Improvements By Holly Houser, Ocean Reef Press Editorial Assistant The Islander opened its doors to seated dining on Monday, May 18, and those who have since enjoyed dinner out may have noticed a new improvement to the noise level. Among other updates, the Islander has a newly-installed acoustic ceiling, meant to decrease noise and improve the Member dining experience. Enhancements to the Islander and Gianni Ristorante were originally slated as part of this summer’s Capital Projects plan, but the Coronavirus provided some extra unexpected time to work on them. The Club took advantage of this opportunity to make some renovations in time for Members, who are staying at Ocean Reef longer than usual this season, to enjoy before heading to their northern clubs. “We were pleased to be able to do something good for The Club during a difficult situation,” said ORC President Alex Tonarelli. “Having the restaurants closed and many Members extending their season at The Reef a bit longer due to the Coronavirus, we wanted to take the opportunity to do some enhancements during a time that wouldn’t disrupt the experience for Members.” Members have remarked on the level of... Read More »

Market News & Views June 1, 2020 Posted in: All, Club Events, Club News, Community News, Member Stories, Members Market News & Views By Gertrude Mann The Cheese Lover Good news for all cheese aficionados! The Market hosts a new purveyor – The Cheese Lover. Rosa Perez is the owner, and her business sells only in the Keys. The variety of cheese is amazing. She carries 42-54 special cheeses in season and offers a sampling of many of them. There are several choices of cheddar, a favorite is a cheddar with balsamic. There are pecorino with truffles. Gouda with truffles and a Red Cow Parmesan. Rosa explains that this parmesan comes from a brown cow in Parma and has a wonderful taste. Beside these unusual offerings, she carries your favorite varieties. She emphasizes her reasonable prices for superb cheese. Be sure to visit this interesting vendor. She will talk cheese with you and quickly guide you to a selection you’ll like. Tell Rosa you read about her in the Reef Press. Mediterranean Delight Mediterranean Delight has a new and welcome offering. Jari (pronounced Yari) is happy to bring breads from a specialty baker in Montreal. He says they are organic and vegan and the assortment has something for every taste. If you enjoy a good piece of bread, try... Read More »

A Mother’s Day Whodunit May 27, 2020 Posted in: All, Community News, Member Stories, Members, Stories A Mother’s Day Whodunit By Terry Baxter Jane Silverman gave me a jolt when she posted on Facebook that an anonymous gal sent her an orchid on Mother’s Day with a note saying “All You Need Is Love.” Sweet. Sweet and mysterious. I called Jane and asked her how she knew it was an anonymous woman. Jane said, “After checking with my relatives and unearthing no confessions, Mike was beginning to theorize a secret admirer. So I called R.F. Orchids and coerced them into telling me about the anonymous woman who sent more than a hundred orchids to Mothers across Ocean Reef. How nice. I wish I could thank her.” I must say my investigative reporter juices started flowing. Just as with Sherlock Holmes and Hercule Poirot, the game was afoot. How to find the benefactor? I consulted my Mystery Solving Handbook, which advised 1. Look for a pattern. So I painstakingly assemble a list of recipient’s name, and cross-referenced them to ORC Groups – Questers, Anglers, Bonefish Bonnies, Racquet Club, Yacht Club, and Card Sound. No pattern emerged. The women were members of an array of groups. What did they have in common? They were each lovely, kind, and... Read More »

Start Reading Now May 13, 2020 Posted in: All, Clubs within the Club, Community News, Cultural Center Start Reading Now For Next Season’s Campus at the Cultural Center It seems like everybody is talking about sharing good books to read, and it looks like this is going to be the summer for really getting to it, so the Campus at the Cultural Center has a few suggestions to add to your reading pile. Our new program, Dining with the Presidents, was a sell-out success this season, and those attending who had read A J Baime’s “The Accidental President” enjoyed his talk the most. Get a jump on next year’s speakers by reading some of their award-winning books on US Presidents, recent and past: Candice Millard’s “Destiny of the Republic: A Tale of Madness, Medicine and the Murder of a President” is a best-seller that not only won prizes from historians, but also won the Edgar award for Best Fact Crime. It looks at the assassination of James A Garfield, whose time in office was so short (four months) that it can hardly be judged, but brilliantly conveys the diverse personalities of the President, and the assassin and the doctor, who were equally responsible for Garfield’s death. Medical treatment in 1881 was still ignorant of the cause of... Read More »

CABIN FEVER May 12, 2020 Posted in: All, Member Stories, Memberabilia, Members CABIN FEVER By Joan Birsh I’m a confessed doodler. Armed with a pencil and paper, I’ve been able to transform coronavirus days of “nothing to do” into a time of joyful artistic activity. I became a serious doodler, when from 2009 to 2014 I served on the Board of ORCA (Ocean Reef Community Association). I survived the meetings on sewage treatment, road repair, county taxes, etc. by doodling, which protected me from terminal boredom and also kept me alert to everything that was being discussed. (There’s scientific proof that doodling makes you more attentive.) At the end of my ORCA term I had accumulated a hoard of little penciled drawings in notebooks and on odd slips of paper. Then one day it occurred to me that I could paint or color my doodles. One of the first of my “Doctored Doodles” focused on an imaginary cat head that I created at the 2008 Annual Meeting, chaired by the then ORC Director Ron Elenbaas. I sent the painted doodle to him and his genuine appreciation encouraged me to go on playing with my doodles, sending them as gift cards, birthday greetings, post cards. When did I decide to paint 4 pairs... Read More »

Going the Distance May 11, 2020 Posted in: All, Community News, For The Kids, Stories, The Academy at Ocean Reef, Virtual Going the Distance By Jody Steele The Academy at Ocean Reef is well in to Distance Learning at all grade levels from PreKindergarten through Eighth Grade. Jerome Murphy, Head of School, explained how the students began on March 24th and will most likely finish the school year on this platform due to the closing of all Florida schools. Faculty met with Jerome Murphy and together planned the switch from the traditional classroom to the Google/Zoom program over their Spring Break. They were happy they had the time to review their curriculum and examine goals and objectives for this new type of learning environment for the students. It was quite an accomplishment for the school team to develop this alternative form of educating each child in such a short time. The Schedule Focusing on reading, writing, and mathematics seemed to be the best approach from an academic point of view. However, to enhance the program, they sprinkled in a bit of art, music, technology, and even physical education. Considering the attention span of the different age groups, class times were shortened and a number of breaks were added to the school day. Older children have a bit longer day and everyone... Read More »

The Hummingbird I Held in My Hand May 8, 2020 Posted in: All, Environment, Member Stories, Stories The Hummingbird I Held in My Hand By Jim Leenhouts While I’ve had falcons on my arms and parrots on my fingers, I would wager few individuals have held any live bird cupped in their hands, let alone a Hummingbird. The experience for me is still a wonderful vivid memory of one of nature’s most tiny, colorful and brave birds that can remain motionless in flight and then quickly dart seemingly in any direction at will. My home in Michigan is practically a tree house on its lakeside face. A heavily wooded, steep bank drops some 40 feet to the water from my lakeside porch. Tall, white, paper birch, evergreen cedars, poplars (aspens) and locust trunks can almost be touched and leaves on the branches provide overhanging cover for the porch from the summer sun. I am resting from lunch on my porch. I didn’t see it coming and it was beyond my ear before I knew I had been “hummed”. Three or four times a year this had happened and I suspect it’s the male warning me not to come closer to his and his mate’s little practically invisible saucer nest – the size of a silver dollar so... Read More »

Market News and Views May 6, 2020 Posted in: All, Club Events, Dining, Food and Beverage, Members, Shopping Market News and Views By Gertrude Mann Elizabeth, Empress of R.F’s orchids at the Farmer’s Market, knows everything about her bower of flowers, but she wonders about all of the customers at the Market. What do they like? What other offerings would enhance the Market? She asked me. I asked around. Here are the comments. Ring around the Market for rosy thoughts and suggestions. “I particularly enjoy the Italian food and the fresh fruit and vegetables.” – Susie Misini “I wish the dog treats seller would come back, or someone like her.” – Jerry Fitzgerald “I love that Ocean Reef is selling beef. Chicken. And seafood…mostly the seafood. Maybe our retailers in Fishing Village could be offered space to sell their inventory. Wish the bakery would bring more bread and less pastry. They always run out of bread early. Love the introduction of tamales. How about some Mexican food?” – Joan Flippin “I love the pasta man. He makes me three cheese lasagna. And I get extra marinara and meatballs. Delicious quiches, excellent cheeses, rack of lamb was wonderful. So great to have the Market.” – Mary Brady “The sage butter sauce on the homemade linguini at the pasta guy... Read More »

A Virtual Roast May 4, 2020 Posted in: All, Club Events, Dining, Food and Beverage, Health and Nutrition, Members A Virtual Roast By Jody Steele As I am sure you have noticed, Ocean Reef Club has gone virtual in a big way. Another step in our unique way of life, Members can now can play trivia, bingo, entertain children, take a spa tutorial, learn how to make a beverage like a pro, engage in a fitness routine, and participate in a cooking class without forsaking appropriate social distancing rules. All of this can be accomplished while staying home. Although I have tried most of these new entertainment opportunities, I was fascinated by the newly offered cooking classes. Shelby Confer, CH Prime Chef de Cuisine, explained how this idea came from the Farmer’s Market sale of meat and fish from CH Prime. As Members purchased these exceptional products, they kept asking the best way to prepare them. So Chef Shelby, who led our Cooking School for over three years, began emailing and handing out recipes which then morphed into virtual demo cooking classes. Andrea Van Willigan, Executive Chef, who has experience in designing meals with ingredients all ready to go added her expertise. Together these talented chefs created the virtual cooking program. #1-The Box Although just watching the class is... Read More »

Neighbors Helping Neighbors May 1, 2020 Posted in: All, Announcements, Club News, Clubs within the Club, Community News, Conservation, Environment, Fishing, Marina and Boating, ORCA, Philanthropy Neighbors Helping Neighbors Ocean Reef presents grant to Friends of John Pennekamp By Holly Houser, Ocean Reef Press Editorial Assistant Last month, Ocean Reef Club, Ocean Reef Community Association, Ocean Reef Conservation Association, and the Rod & Gun Club presented Friends of John Pennekamp, a newly-formed citizen’s support organization (CSO), with an $81,000 grant to replace vital mooring balls in the Pennekamp Park waters. Established in January, Friends of John Pennekamp is a non-profit 501c3 with the mission to raise funds in support of necessary environmental projects for John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park and Dagny Johnson Key Largo Hammock Botanical State Park. The organization is made up entirely of volunteers and includes Ocean Reef Members Jack Salisbury and John Davidson, both Friends of John Pennekamp board members. “Once we got the CSO up and running, Paul Rice – the manager of John Pennekamp State Park – prioritized the replacement of the mooring balls that were lost during Hurricane Irma as the number one project to be addressed,” explained Salisbury, who is Chairman of the Ocean Reef Conservation Association and a Rod & Gun Club board member. “In response, the four Reef organizations discussed the project and decided they would... Read More »

CABIN FEVER: SWEET STREAMS April 30, 2020 Posted in: All, Member Stories, Memberabilia, Recreation, Technology, Virtual CABIN FEVER SWEET STREAMS by Joan Birsh Streaming films and TV shows represents an invaluable distraction. But what to watch… I like lists. Not long lists (e.g. The 100 Most Popular Movies Ever). But short lists, like the one that follows, with just a few entries in a bunch of categories. NOTE: My comments in italics include a few facts I found of interest. Just for the Fun of It Three movies that you have probably seen before. But which make you laugh every time. Groundhog Day… Bill Murray is brilliant as the smarmy weatherman who relives the same day over and over again. NETFLIX This is one of the movies that families and friends have chosen to watch together/apart during the coronavirus quarantine. Tootsie… Dustin Hoffman plays a struggling New York actor, who in order to win a part reinvents himself as a tough middle-aged actress. NETFLIX Dustin Hoffman suggested the title of Tootsie. This was the name his mother gave her dog, and reportedly also her son. Caddyshack… You know the plot – An exclusive golf course with a brash new member and a dancing gopher. NETFLIX Caddyshack was inspired by the Indian Hill Country Club in the... Read More »

The Joy of Orchids April 27, 2020 Posted in: All, Club Events, Environment, Members The Joy of Orchids by Jody Steele A golf cart ride around Ocean Reef is a journey of beauty to behold. Our subtropical climate is perfect for orchids to thrive. These magnificent plants in a multitude of colors dwell in trees, in pots on patios or porches, and even on the ground. They can be moved to your dining table or will be happy to hang elegantly near your favorite reading nook. Michael Coronado, Vice President of R. F. Orchids shares his expertise and enthusiasm for this delightful plant and advises orchid aficionados of how to properly treat orchids. His knowledgeable recommendations have saved many an orchid plant from an overly helpful owner. However, Michael is confident that any of us can grow orchids with just a little training. It is always a pleasure to chat with him and hear his words of wisdom. Host trees Orchid roots need to attach to a tree with rough bark, not smooth bark as Michael states because orchids must grab on as they grow. It is also best to choose a tree that can filter the sunshine. Selecting the right spot to place an orchid is key, because you want to have it... Read More »

Ocean Reef Cats – A History Through Today April 24, 2020 Posted in: All, Community News, Environment, Historical, Members, ORCA Ocean Reef Cats – A History Through Today By Holly Houser, Ocean Reef Press Editorial Assistant Imagine driving through the Front Gate or even down your own street and seeing 80+ feral cats roaming around. That was the reality at Ocean Reef a few decades ago before a small group of Members, led by the late Alan Litman, took action to form ORCAT. ORCAT’s mission was to reduce the feral cat population utilizing the method of trapping, neutering and releasing, also known as TNR. John Storm, current board member and former ORCAT President following Alan, remembers Ocean Reef had a significant rodent problem in its early years. Cats were introduced to help control the infestation, but within a few years, as the rat population went down, the cat population went up. “Alan was very animal conscious and didn’t like seeing a couple thousand feral cats running around Ocean Reef,” explained John. “He started trapping and fixing them himself, taking them to the Upper Keys Veterinary Hospital in Islamorada, but the cats were all over the place and Alan decided to do something about it.” In 1995, with the cooperation of the community, ORCA and the Club, Alan continued the TNR... Read More »

Comfort Food Works April 23, 2020 Posted in: All, Dining, Food and Beverage Comfort Food Works By Jody Steele We certainly all need a bit of comfort during these challenging times. In 1966, the Palm Beach Post reported, “adults, when under stress, often turn to comfort food that could be associated with the security of childhood,” definitely a sentimental thought that has worked for many. Evidently, comfort foods do not have a lasting effect, but the brain does process it as an emotional reward. Despite the fact that most comfort foods have high calorie contents, this short-lived result might be worth it in small doses. So let’s go for it. Where in the world? Comfort food varies all over the world and even in the United States. We can look back to those simpler times as a child and the memories related to the delicious recipes our mothers and grandmothers made for us. However, these comfort foods are quite different regionally and also can go back to our ancestry. I realized that eggs with soldiers, a favorite breakfast my grandmother made me consisting of a soft-boiled egg and narrowly cut toast, is a comfort food from England. There are many others I savor from my English heritage. Chef P’s Memories Talking about comfort... Read More »

A Dog’s Life April 22, 2020 Posted in: All, Member Stories, Members, Stories A Dog’s Life By Terry Baxter During my home confinement, I gained twelve pounds – overnight! No, it is not the home cooking, I am the same svelte, dashing figure that I have always been. It’s that we welcomed a new little puppy to our family. And in the process, we’ve become the latest cliché. This week’s Wall Street Journal’s headline read, “Households stock up on puppies.” Uncontaminated, unconditional love is in demand everywhere. The story asks, “what do you do when you have to postpone your wedding and cancel the honeymoon?” Why, of course, you buy a puppy. Popular new puppy names are reportedly Fauci, Dr Birx, and Tina (short for quarantine). Ours is “Winston.” Litters are being sold out. Social distancers longing for companionship. Luckily, we were a little ahead of the curve. We decided to get a small dog last summer, and Pat started searching in earnest after the holidays. She brought home our little ball of white fur almost two months ago. I found an online video of a well-trained dog chasing Frisbees, shaking hands, heeling, dancing, and listening to his parent. I made Winston watch it — he was unimpressed. What do I know? I... Read More »

Watching the Sun Set April 20, 2020 Posted in: All, Environment, Member Stories, Members Watching the Sun Set by Didi Streit My husband, Chris Streit, is the Commodore of the Ocean Reef Yacht Club for the 2019-2020 season. We happily were able to have most of our events before the Virus changed all of our lives. However, from day one of “social distancing” at our Club, we have remarked numerous times to each other of how incredibly fortunate we are to be here. The guidance from our leaders at ORC and ORCA and the pro-active management of our Club has been so helpful and informative to say the very least. We all realize the privileges we have on a daily or weekly basis: Open air fruit and veggie market; Wynn’s which now, with the help of our dedicated Bell Stand staff, delivers to our doors; Ocean Reef restaurants offering take out at our whim; church services via YouTube; watching sunsets from Greenberg Park; biking; swimming; golf; walking; Pak Mail where I only need to write my Member number on a piece of paper taped to my box and drop it off; The Medical Center; our own Public Safety and our Front Gate; and so much more. We are not feeling sorry for ourselves but... Read More »

2020 Annual Meeting April 17, 2020 Posted in: All, Announcements, Club News 2020 Annual Meeting In order to follow social distancing practices, the 28th Ocean Reef Club Annual Meeting was held on Thursday, April 16, 2020 via live video stream with no Ocean Reef Club Members present. Mr. Manzo opened by saying, “I’m joined here at a very lonely Town Hall with Ray Larkin, Board Vice Chairman and Alex Tonarelli, Club President.” The format of the meeting was also different as Ocean Reef Club Chairman Bob Manzo announced that this year’s meeting would break from the customary celebrations of Club champions, Member and Associate awards and a detailed recap of Club events. He noted that these recognitions would be done at the November Town Hall, and in upcoming editions of the Ocean Reef Press. The agenda consisted of six items; welfare of Members and the community, Board actions in light of Coronavirus situation, major capital projects, Club enhancements over the past season, membership status and new Board Directors and retiring Directors. Topics Covered Important topics were covered beginning with the State of the Club (Members and Associates) and the actions taken by th Club’s Board and leadership to lessen the financial impact on the Club from the Virus. This was followed by... Read More »

Associate Spotlight: C Koconis April 16, 2020 Posted in: All, Associate Spotlight Associate Spotlight: C Koconis by Sarah A. Cart C (short for “Cynthia”) Koconis has been a familiar and beloved face at The Spa at Ocean Reef ever since being hired as its first massage therapist. But this was not her first career. A native of Green Bay, WI, C was raised by a single mom, an ER nurse. Her Great Aunt Laura lived with them and taught C to cook and gave her massages. In turn, C would massage her mom’s feet (“So you see, I came to it early.”) Each summer, C headed to another aunt and uncle’s farm to work and play and learn (“even how to make sausage”). “I was an odd kid,” dissecting frogs with tools her mom brought home from work and reading her mom’s nursing books rather than teen magazines. By age 16, C was completing high school courses at UWGB (“It was just easier for everybody …”) and soon “became a hippie.” She headed to Maui to study marine biology at the University of Hawaii, earning money to get through school by managing an Italian restaurant owned by Hollywood producer Shep Gordon and frequented by the rich and famous. But she wasn’t ready... Read More »

Cautionary Reminders April 16, 2020 Posted in: All Cautionary Reminders More and more Members are out and about throughout the day – pedestrians, cyclists, dog walkers and so many just carting around. Here are a few simple reminders so that everyone can enjoy the outdoors safely. WALKERS Those walking should do so FACING TRAFFIC. Please use the walking paths where available and the cart lanes as designated. BIKERS Bicycles must travel on the RIGHT SIDE of the road and use the cart lanes where available. They must also have reflectors when riding at night. GOLF CARTS Cart traffic is restricted to cart paths or designated car lanes where available. In the absence of a path or lane, carts are required to travel on the extreme right side of the road. Fast carts (reaching speeds of 25mph or higher) should be driven on the roadways. DOGS Dogs are getting more and more walks as the house full of humans want to get out for some fresh air. Remember, dogs MUST BE LEASHED when beyond their owner’s property. The Dog Park remains open for off-leash enjoyment. With more walks, there is more waste. Please pick up after your pet and deposit accordingly. NOISE Remember, there are more residents enjoying their... Read More »

My Social Dire-y April 15, 2020 Posted in: All, Technology My Social Dire-y “Dot.calm” by Jane Silverman This week I threw the ball for our dogs approximately 1115 times; we (and when I say “we” I mean our 16-year-old) built a huge bookcase and two large shelf units and packed 10 boxes of books for Goodwill (to be delivered at a later date). Meanwhile, I planted potatoes, baby banana trees, and papaya seeds, made a TikTok video, started playing the piano every day, and had an origami lesson (thanks to said 16-yearold). On Zoom, I met with three sets of family, celebrated a friend’s birthday, attended a virtual “dressy” (from the waist up) cocktail party, had a doctor’ appointment, and ran an online trivia contest with 18 friends. Who knew self-quarantining would be so hectic? Zoomers For years, all we ever needed for free videocalls was Skype (up to 50 people at one time) and Facetime (up to 32). But now, Zoom zoom.com has become the go-to app for weaving together our life stories during this tricky time. It’s free to use for up to 40 minutes with up to 100 people. As a frequent “Zoomer,” here are some tips for a successful Zoom call: Safety First: For your weekly... Read More »

An Icon Continues to Please April 14, 2020 Posted in: All, Dining, Member News An Icon Continues to Please by Jody Steele The Raw Bar has been at Ocean Reef for quite a long time. The original structure was located near the Nature Center in the 70’s, but then was moved to its present location. It was a small structure that included a screened in area and an outdoor spot with six tables where everyone ordered from a counter. Barry Reed, handson Director/Manager/Cook, remembers it well. He has been at the Raw Bar for an amazing 30 years and vividly recalls Hurricane Andrew completely demolishing the structure followed by a great rebuild. Since then this comfortable screened in space has become a gathering place for Members. The Team Barry is extremely proud of his team. Most of the staff has been at the Raw Bar for at least 10 years, with some at the 15 and 20 year mark. Barry considers the team a family where everyone pitches in on a daily basis. It is interesting to note that each member of the team is capable of doing everything that needs to be done at the Raw Bar to serve customers. So the support system is really a fine-tuned machine. Although the Raw Bar... Read More »

Cabin Fever April 13, 2020 Posted in: All, Member Stories Cabin Fever Advice for Addicted Shoppers from Joan the Shopper by Joan Birsh I’ve always perceived SHOPPING as a game. Sort of like Monopoly, only with credit cards as markers. And up until early March the real-live Ocean Reef Shopping Game offered wonderful places to land – major retail stores in Fishing Village like Lilly, J. McLaughlin, Vineyard Vines, Orvis. And a host of smaller boutiques in the Fishing Village and scattered around The Reef (e.g. The Burgee Shop, the Tennis and Golf Shops, Dockside Living, Spa and many more). Then we drew that nasty card called Coronavirus that read “Go directly to your house and stay there.” But for dedicated shoppers closed stores and house arrest does not mean the Game is over. The secret is this: Make everything a fun shopping experience – whether it is choosing a new sundress from the Lilly catalogue or ordering a box of Cheerios from Wynn’s. Below are a few tips on the new rules. CATALOGUE SHOPPING Three of my favorite Fishing Village stores are closed but their catalogues are easily available. (If you haven’t gotten one in the mail, all the new merchandise is on the store’s internet site.) Lilly Pulitzer... Read More »

Annual Meeting April 13, 2020 Posted in: All, Announcements, Club News Annual Meeting Via Live Video Thursday, April 16 at 10:00 a.m. As required by the Club’s By-Laws, we will hold this year’s Annual Meeting as scheduled at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, April 16th. It will NOT be in person but rather streamed live on the Club’s website: oceanreef.com/AnnualMeeting. For detailed instructions on how to access see below. Please note that given the seriousness of the situation, this year’s meeting will break from the prior format and should not take more than 45 minutes. It is strongly recommended that you log in to hear about critical topics directly from your Board. There will be a detailed update on areas of utmost importance to the Club: Finances, major Capital Projects (Associate Parking Garage, Ocean Room building renovation, Golf Clubhouse renovation, Lagoon upgrades), Timelines and Status of Corona Impact. The formal portion of the meeting will also take place live on the website and should you choose to deliver your Proxy vote in person (not recommended!), you may go to the Cultural Center on Thursday, April 16 beginning at 10:00 a.m. and prior to the close of voting at approximately 10:30 a.m. LuAnn Lowen will be in attendance to provide a new Proxy... Read More »

Zoom, Zoom… April 10, 2020 Posted in: All, Club Events, Virtual Zoom, Zoom Virtual Easter Events & More by Holly Houser, Ocean Reef Editorial Assistant Zoom Bingo In this time of social distancing, Members are trying to find new and creative ways to have fun and fill their time at home. To help you do that, the Club is introducing complimentary Virtual Bingo to be played at 7 p.m. Friday, April 10 and Friday, April 17. How will this work? Over the past few weeks, Zoom has become a staple for many as a way to connect socially with friends and family that can’t be visited in person. During Virtual Bingo, participants will go to Zoom and enter the meeting ID: 496-208-092. Once you’ve joined, the meeting host, Member Events Manager Kyle Landers, will be there to go over the rules and Bingo will commence! The host will read off a letter and a number and those participating from home will fill out their Bingo cards. When someone gets Bingo, they will use Zoom’s “raise hand” feature, read off their numbers, and collect their prize. How do I get my Bingo cards? Getting your Bingo cards is simple! There will be three rounds of Bingo, each with a different corresponding Bingo... Read More »

Creativity Continued April 10, 2020 Posted in: All, Clubs within the Club, Members Creativity Continued by Susan Bohan We all have a lot of free time here lately and it is fun to see how Members are using it to further their artistic endeavors. Katherine Fritter has a friend who used bottle tops for an art project so she thought she would give it a try. “It was fun, but time consuming. And, you have to stand way back to see what it is! I am just glad I had some time to play around with it. I have all these things I have wanted to try… I am terrible at realistic painting… that is what I want to learn next year!” Nice to see some whimsy right now. Lora Blaha has taken what she has learned in class to create shell mirrors. “We are expecting our first grandbaby May 1 and our daughter is getting married at the end of June. So, I have plenty of good reasons for some new frames in our Ocean Reef home. Passing the time away.” Suzanne Kitchings has used her free time for a different kind of project. “I resurrected a knitted silk leaf lace shawl I began several years ago then abandoned – mostly because... Read More »

Associate Spotlight: Gemma Matthews April 9, 2020 Posted in: All, Associate Spotlight Associate Spotlight: Gemma Matthews by Gertrude Mann Gemma Matthews, born and raised in the UK, is a talented and creative Associate. She has been serving our community for over 20 years. Gemma’s portfolio of responsibility includes all stores in the Fishing Village, overseeing the boat storage for MarineMax involving all contracts and paperwork for 500 boats, plus being in charge of all holiday décor, interior plants and orchid contracts, all tenants at the Business Center and the Farmers Market. How does she fit it all in? She laughs and says 24/7, but we know she finds time for her husband and children at home in Key Largo. Her efforts to assemble our Farmers Market have given all of us a terrific venue for shopping. The Market remains open Monday, Thursday and Saturday from 11-4 but with rigid restrictions. In the time of Corona, gloves are distributed and spacing of purveyors and shoppers is enforced. Gemma recalls how it all started. She says, “I’ve known Jerry, the wonderful produce man, for years. He was my anchor and he led me to our crew of sellers. We were careful to choose those who fit the best criteria to serve Ocean Reef customers.... Read More »

Self Care April 8, 2020 Posted in: All, Medical Center Self Care – More Important Than Ever As we all struggle to adapt to this “new normal” it becomes more important than ever to touch base with how we are emotionally handling the COVID-19 turmoil that is affecting our daily lives. The usual professional advice of exercise, getting enough sleep, and healthy eating is obvious but does bear repeating. But, what else is needed and what can we do to stay emotionally well? By nature, humans are social creatures and distancing is not an easy adaptation. Feelings of isolation, fear and anxiety can play havoc with our emotions. One thought that is a comfort: Everyone is affected by this – we are all dealing with a situation that is foreign to us. We are all struggling to balance our everyday lives – “the new normal.” What can I do? Take a break from the hyperbolic media coverage. When you do check in use credible sources such as the CDC or your local state agencies. Obsessive news consumption can be detrimental to mental health. – It’s a good time to revisit your hobbies or take up a new one. – Reach out to friends and family. Today we have the benefit... Read More »

Cabin Fever April 6, 2020 Posted in: All, Member Stories Cabin Fever by Joan Birsh Social Distancing… A day in the life of an Ocean Reef Member – Me! Some people have told me they are surviving being house bound by adhering to a strict schedule. Not in my household, which consists of my husband Arthur and me. With so little on the calendar, we are in charge of the clock, instead of the other way around. Time for me has suddenly become irrelevant. I might go to bed anywhere from 10 to 3 and wake up from 3 to 10. If I get sleepy during the day (a usual occurrence) I take a nap, wherever, whenever. My routine on waking up is to read the New York Times on my iPad. Fortunately for me the Times includes a digital Mini Crossword Puzzle. I now almost always succeed in finishing the puzzle in 20 minutes max. That little message that says “Congratulations” manages to somewhat mitigate the Times coverage of all the current depressing news. Arthur and I now have breakfast outside by our pool. Something we never had time for when I had to get to my Zumba class at the Fitness Center. No television news, just Alexa playing... Read More »

Finding Creative Inspiration at Home April 3, 2020 Posted in: All, Clubs within the Club Finding Creative Inspiration at Home by Susan Bohan Anyone who partakes in the Art League classes certainly feels their absence. The camaraderie, inspiration and creative enjoyment are only part of what it means to many Members. So when last week’s issue of the Ocean Reef Press asked Members to let us know if they were continuing their art projects, we were so pleased to see drawings, paintings, crafts and more filling in the long, mostly solitary, hours. The first entry was from Joan Hession who decided that cleaning and organizing got old fast and instead delved into her pile of photos taken around The Reef to choose a scene to draw. “Not wanting to get out my oils and turpentine, I dug out 2 boxes of oil pastels. I had to see how they would work for this project. Oil pastels are pretty tricky if you’re used to painting with oils or acrylics. To succeed in blending colors, I needed more than the tips of my fingers so I ended up searching through the house for implements that would help me apply and blend colors. I collected Q-tips, felt floor protector pads, a letter opener, some blending sticks, colored pencils... Read More »

The Sun Will Come Out April 2, 2020 Posted in: All, Member Stories, Stories The Sun Will Come Out By Terry Baxter I am sitting on my lovely patio at 121 Marina practicing my social distancing. I have been washing my hands, first advocated by Ignaz Semmelweis in 19th century Vienna (I am not making this up, Google it). I also try not to touch my face, but as Dave Barry said, “Let’s face it folks, this is not humanly possible.” I have passed 14 days since my last airline flight (a two-day trip to Jacksonville for an outside board meeting) with a sigh of relief. And I seemed to have survived the incubation period since my last big social gathering, the fabulous Commodore’s Weekend celebration at the Anglers Club (thank you Frank and Karen McKee). But for now it is isolation. It reminds me a little bit of the two weeks 35 years ago we were trapped in the Exumas by rampaging fronts and high winds. We huddled with three dozen other cruising boats anchored in Georgetown Harbor with little opportunity to interact. One morning a ferocious squall swept through the mooring. Rather than hunker down, all the boaters rushed on deck to spread tarps and funnels to direct the deluge into nearly... Read More »

Being Social April 1, 2020 Posted in: All, Technology Being Social “Dot.calm” by Jane Silverman If you are not on social media then you are missing out on a world of compassion as millions connect and share how they are coping with lockdowns, shortages, and loneliness with optimism and laughter. With more than 100 million Americans under orders to stay home, the internet is playing a larger-than-life role in all of our lives as are sites including Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Pinterest, and TikTok. Hashtag Help! The internet is filled with lock down hashtags like the #stayathomechallenge to see how sports stars and fans keep busy at home or #MuseumsfromHome and #MuseumMomentOfZen providing an art interlude from some of the world’s top museums; #TogetherAtHome is a concert series on YouTube with Coldplay, Ziggy Marley and others, while #StarsintheHouse features Broadway stars; Golf.com’s #playingthrough features celebrity sports stars like @StephCurry or @RafaelNadal playing golf in their homes; actor Sir Patrick Stewart @sirpatstew is reading a calming sonnet each day on Twitter to soothe all of our nerves and on Facebook, foodies like me joined the Kitchen Quarantine group to share recipes and stories of coping. See Me Hear Me Sunday was the first of presumably many weekly video chats with... Read More »

Ocean Reef Dining Prevails March 31, 2020 Posted in: All, Dining, Member News Ocean Reef Dining Prevails by Jody Steele We can always count on our Culinary Team to come to the rescue. We are extremely lucky they now are providing Private Dining, delivery, and take-out to Members throughout the day. Dennis Courtney, Director of Outlets-Food and Beverage, shared some of the changes and services available right now. The evolution of planning and preparedness started weeks ago and this has resulted in an advanced and efficient system ready to provide an enormous variety of meals to Members. What is available? Check out the menus at oceanreef.com/diningoptions. How to order… If you prefer the personal touch, phone numbers are listed on the menus for each restaurant, but another option is to go to oceanreef.com/diningoptions and follow the easy steps. Our Commissary Dennis reassured me that trucks are arriving daily with food for The Reef. There has been no interruption in our supply chain. Just to keep it interesting for Members, some changes have been made already. Dennis shared that more family-style meals have been added this week. The popular Reef Hut lasagna, the Burgee Bar French Dip for four with sides, and Gianni’s family style pastas are just a few options, leftovers anyone? Delivery... Read More »

Cabin Fever March 30, 2020 Posted in: All, Member News, Recreation Cabin Fever by Joan Birsh In last week’s edition of the Ocean Reef Press I used the feature Gotta Question to ask Ocean Reef Members, isolated by Coronavirus, to tell me what they are doing to combat Cabin Fever. Many of the answers I received were prefaced with the mantra “I can’t stop living.” And, indeed they have not. Our Ocean Reef Members are proving to be an inventive and resilient group who are finding amusing diversions and satisfying projects in their homes; ways to stay in touch with friends and family (albeit 6 feet apart); and, best of all, a joyful rediscovery of the beauty of their surroundings. For all of us, this unsettling time serves as a reminder of how lucky we are to be living at Ocean Reef. GOLF CART SOCIETY Your cart is your new Club House. Want to have lunch with your two besties? Here is the Coronavirus plan. You take separate carts, grab a sandwich at the Farmers’ Market or Wynn’s and find a shady spot. Position your carts in a circle the requisite distance apart (6 feet) and pretend you are at Palm Court. A similar plan works for cocktail hour. Margie Smith... Read More »

Happy Anniversary Dog Park at Ocean Reef March 27, 2020 Posted in: All, Members, ORCA, Stories Happy Anniversary Dog Park at Ocean Reef by Holly Houser, Ocean Reef Press Editorial Assistant It’s no secret, Ocean Reef loves its dogs, which is made evident by our annual Blessing of the Animals celebration, monthly Yappy Hours in season, and most importantly, the Dog Park at Ocean Reef. In the midst of all going on with the coronavirus is something to look forward to – the Dog Park at Ocean Reef has hit a milestone and will celebrate its 10-year anniversary this fall. In honor of the anniversary, the Ocean Reef Press sat down at the Dog Park with a few Members who were instrumental in its creation and one thing was especially evident – the Dog Park is as important for the Members who frequent it as it is for their dogs. Before the Park’s creation, Members didn’t have a dedicated space to run their dogs off-leash. “At the time, our dogs were the only part of our family that didn’t have a place of their own at Ocean Reef,” explained Stacy Schmetterer, who was the first Co-Chair of the Dog Park Board along with Lin Brown. “We really felt there was need for a safe place to... Read More »

Nobody Tells Me How To Vote… March 26, 2020 Posted in: All, Member News, ORCA Nobody Tells Me How To Vote… Except maybe ORPAC by Joan Birsh Voting is a private thing, that’s why they have curtains around voting booths. I’m always sure whom I want to be elected President. The same goes for my congressman and U.S. senator. But like many of the newly-registered Florida voters wintering at Ocean Reef, I haven’t a clue who should be a Monroe County Commissioner or a School Board member or in charge of Mosquito Control. A month prior to every election I receive the list of candidates recommended by ORPAC (Ocean Reef Political Action Committee). I follow it religiously. I’m not alone. In the 2016 election, we had a very large turnout and I’ll bet the majority of the OR voters also heeded ORPAC’s advice. How does ORPAC work? In the interest of becoming an informed citizen, I decided to seek a few answers from the three people most involved in the current operation of ORPAC – Chip Iglesias, ORCA’s President (ORCA manages ORPAC) Alan Goldstein, longtime ORPAC Chairman Teresa Holmes, the newly appointed Vice Chairman Together these three dedicated individuals and their committee represent the Ocean Reef community and the Club in most governmental issues. What... Read More »

The Burgee Bar Team March 25, 2020 Posted in: All, Dining, Food and Beverage The Burgee Bar Team by Jody Steele Both Cody Evesque, Chef de Cuisine, and Sergey Berkebile, Sous Chef of the Burgee Bar, arrived at Ocean Reef Club about seven years ago. They definitely have found their home at the Burgee Bar. Their enthusiasm for their capable team and the camaraderie they have established has helped to make Burgee Bar the place to be. Chef Cody hails from South Carolina where he started working in food service at age 14, moved on to restaurant and kitchen management, and after honing his skills in a variety of types of cuisine, he came to The Reef. He is proud to share that his staff makes almost everything served at the Burgee Bar, except desserts. Almost two years ago, Chef Cody expanded the “kitchen” by adding an outdoor smoker for brisket, ribs, chicken and a huge favorite – prime rib on Tuesdays. As our new restaurant take-out process becomes part of our routine, Chef Cody will keep the popular smoker working to provide BBQ ribs, pulled pork, and prime rib for your dining pleasure. Sergey first came to The Reef as part of his internship in culinary school. He grew up working in the... Read More »

Taking it Day by Day March 24, 2020 Posted in: All, Technology Taking it Day by Day “Dot.calm” by Jane Silverman Since the start of the New Year, we had an earthquake (in Florida for goodness sake!), changed the clocks forward, leaped a day, had a Friday the 13th and Mercury went into Retrograde (whatever that means). And then there is COVID-19. There is no doubt that this is a confusing and uncertain time for all of us… a character-building moment (or so I tell my teens) to “stay calm and carry-on.” With our schedule-bending array of sports, classes, lectures, films, and cultural events on hold, let’s all take this moment to reach out (but don’t touch!) family and friends and use this time to turn inward for calm and enrichment. The experts say creating an indoor-daily routine and creating structure helps you “wake-up with a sense of ownership, order, and organization in life.” 8am: Go For a Walk The free Charity Miles award winning app charitymiles.org uses GPS to track the distance you run, bike or walk, then steps in to donate up to .25¢ per mile to your charity of choice. Your morning ritual can go a long way to changing the world and helping charities hit hard by the... Read More »

To Recycle, Or Not to Recycle March 18, 2020 Posted in: All, Environment To Recycle, Or Not to Recycle By Holly Houser, Ocean Reef Press Editorial Assistant The Garden Group recently invited Ocean Reef Solid Waste Manager Israel Salgado to give a recycling presentation at their “Talk Trash” meeting. Israel shared the important questions asked by the group and his answers: We’ll start with the general question, what can and can’t you recycle? Israel Salgado: Ocean Reef follows the recycling guidelines for Monroe County. Anything with the recycling symbol can be recycled, but there are some rules that go along with it. The main rule being that recycled items cannot be soiled. Meaning if they can’t be rinsed out, they can’t go in the recycling bin. For example, a can of beans must be rinsed out before it can be recycled, and a pizza box can’t be recycled in its entirety because of the grease that seeps into the cardboard. If the top of the box is clean though, it can be ripped off and recycled. For a full list of recyclable and nonrecyclable items, see the graphic below. With the popularity of online shopping, what should Members do with their cardboard boxes? IS: The number of cardboard boxes we see has drastically... Read More »

Life List March 17, 2020 Posted in: All, Member News, Stories Life List by Harold Brewer Serious birders keep a record of the various species that they have seen. The record can be as simple as checkmarks on the pages of a bird guide. Or the record can be detailed accounts of birds seen, locations, numbers and behavior, along with any variety of details depending on the individual interests and skills of the observer. My early lists, starting back when I was a youngster, were checkmarks and turned down page corners in my old Peterson Guides. I still have a few of those, dating back into my teens. Today the most popular way to keep a bird list is by using eBird. In 2002, a joint effort by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and the National Audubon Society launched what has become in less than 20 years, the largest citizen science biodiversityrelated project in history. An astonishing collaboration of partners, expert bird scientists and hundreds of thousands of bird watching users have joined together to build an online, easily-accessible database that is growing by over 100 million bird sightings from around the globe each year. Birders who have accumulated long life lists, lists of different species they have observed over the... Read More »

Eco-Fair Educates on Unique Environment March 16, 2020 Posted in: All, Club Events, Conservation, Environment Nature Center’s Eco-Fair Educates on Unique Environment by Holly Houser, Ocean Reef Press Editorial Assistant Last Saturday, March 7, the Nature Center sponsored the second annual Eco-Fair on Buccaneer Island. The Fair, spearheaded by ORC Naturalist Jeanette Rivera, was designed to educate Members of all ages about the unique environment – an important part of life at Ocean Reef. Eco-Fair attendees interacted with owls, held several species of starfish and sea urchins, and were given wildflower seeds to plant and attract butterflies. But the most significant part of the day was the educational takeaway. Several local organizations set up exhibits, including the Coral Restoration Foundation (CRF), Island Dolphin Care, Everglades Outpost, Biscayne and Everglades National Parks, The Dive Shop, and more. “The Eco-Fair is centered around education in a fun and interactive way,” explained Rivera, who said planning a fair of this kind is a dream she’s had for a while. “Members and their children leave Buccaneer Island with the knowledge of how they can make a difference in our environment. The Nature Center is very proud to provide our Members with this opportunity.” While the Eco-Fair is a once-a-year event, the Nature Center offers similar experiences on a regular... Read More »

Meet the Food & Wine Festival Chefs March 13, 2020 Posted in: All, Announcements, Club Events, Food and Beverage Meet the Food & Wine Festival Chefs by Holly Houser, Ocean Reef Press Editorial Assistant Will you be at the 7th Annual Food & Wine Festival this year? If not, you’re missing out on a delicious celebration of all things culinary, from delectable dining to equally enticing wine and spirits and the opportunity to meet several acclaimed chefs. Last week, we introduced Paula DaSilva – Carysfort Kitchen veteran and executive chef of The Ritz-Carlton, Fort Lauderdale. This week, we’d like to introduce you to the remaining lineup of culinary connoisseurs, Cindy Hutson and Lorena Garcia. Chef Cindy Hutson Cindy Hutson, executive chef/owner of Cindy Hutson Cuisine, began her professional culinary career in 1994 when she opened Norma’s on the Beach, touted as “the best Caribbean restaurant in South Florida.” Since then, Cindy and her life partner Delius Shirley have built a culinary empire, opening more than eight award winning concepts, including the 20-year-old Ortanique on Coral Gables’ Miracle Mile and four-year-old Zest in downtown Miami. Hutson has been recognized by USA Today, Esquire, Bon Appetit, Eater, and many more, and is also the celebrity chef/culinary ambassador for the Miami Cancer Institute. Her culinary style is culturally diverse and seasonally driven,... Read More »

Something for Every Sailor March 13, 2020 Posted in: All, Clubs within the Club Promoting Sailing at Ocean Reef Something for Every Sailor by Jim Leenhouts Sailors and boaters know and agree, Ocean Reef Club has a blessed location… Facing an unfavorable breeze direction, Pam Wroclawski, a happy, smiling, erstwhile sailor, captures the efforts, well known to local sailors, of husband Greg helping paddle to complete their return into Baker Harbor after a fine, educational sail in Card Sound. For winter-weary, relief-seekers from freezing cold fronts: The extreme south-easterly location of Ocean Reef has provided the best protection from cold fronts in the United States. For resident sailboat racers: Ocean Reef Club has long had the well-organized, popular Card Sound Sailing Club dedicated to weekly racing the well-known, New England favorite, classic, youth and multigenerational teaching boat, the Herreshoff Bullseye. Racers compete in protected Gulf Stream warmed waters each week from November to April. Races are practically professionally managed. The Club hosts the US Bullseye Nationals once each five years that are popular with northern clubs. The Sailing Club also has a racing clinic program and operates and maintains the only property at Ocean Reef dedicated to the sailboat racers with a club-private boat harbor and meeting place. This weekly community newspaper dedicates at... Read More »

Making a Difference March 11, 2020 Posted in: All, Members Making a Difference by Gertrude Mann Michael (Mike) Berman first came through the ORC gate with a YPO group for car dealers. He was impressed with the beautiful terrain and leisure pace. It was all so different from the crowds and commercialism he’d seen around Miami and Ft. Lauderdale. He remembers thinking this was the real Florida he’d always imagined. Mike and Angie became Social Members, looked for property, and, on their third visit, bought a house. This was 27 years ago. Since then they’ve found activities that enhance their stay here. Angie is a devoted golfer. Mike likes to fish, golf, is an avid reader of fiction and when called on, helps orchestrate and promote community events. The first foray into leadership was when the couple agreed to chair a Triple Golf Classic. It was a success and they had fun. Over time, Mike joined the Membership and Marketing committees and Advisory Board. He values the mentors who helped him see how important it is for Members to lend their time and skills to keep ORC activities exciting and meaningful. Mike’s next challenge was to take over the wine component of the All Charities auction. The All Charities initiative... Read More »

Everglades Restoration Update March 11, 2020 Posted in: All, Announcements, Environment Everglades Restoration Update On February 18, Everglades Foundation CEO Eric Eikenberg and Senior Scientist Steve Davis gave their annual public presentation to Ocean Reef to provide an update on the progress being made in restoration. Highlights included: 1. 2.5 miles of Tamiami Trail bridge construction to allow more water to run from north Tamiami south into Everglades Park is completed. 2. New reservoir south of the lake fully designated and awaiting permits. 3. State government has committed 250 million/year and the Federal Government has agreed to match their funds to start construction of the reservoir. 4. Government restoration funds for the next five years have been generally agreed to but will require annual appropriation. As a special treat, National Geographic photographer and renowned lecturers Mac Stone and Carlton Ward wowed a full house at the Cultural Center with their amazing photographs and video adventures in the Everglades in pursuit of the rare ghost orchid. Mac and Carlton received a standing ovation at the end of their presentation. This event was sponsored by the Ocean Reef Cultural Center and the Ocean Reef Conservation Association.

American Entrepreneur March 9, 2020 Posted in: All, Member News, Memberabilia American Entrepreneur by Joan Birsch On Feb. 21, Ocean Reef Member Tom Murdough was inducted into the prestigious Toy Industry Hall of Fame Prologue: When my sons were 2 and 4 they shared (not always amicably) their first car. It was a bright red and yellow foot to floor Cozy Coupe designed and manufactured by Little Tikes, a company founded by Tom Murdough. My children and grandchildren (one shown here), like many of yours, contributed to Cozy Coupe’s reputation as “Best- Selling Car in America.” American Entrepreneur Just a week before his induction into the Toy Industry Hall of Fame, I interviewed Tom Murdough. We met at the beautiful house he and his wife Joy built at Ocean Reef over two decades ago. Secretly I suspected he might be a “big boss type”– cool, abrupt and somewhat inaccessible. Instead I found Tom Murdough open, interesting, self-effacing. The epitome of the word “genial.” He is a fit 81-year-old, who has almost fully recovered from the stroke he suffered two years ago. The “almost” is the loss of some of the athleticism he enjoyed most of his life. He was a high school tennis star in his hometown of Evanston, Illinois; on... Read More »

Wonders of the Water Garden March 9, 2020 Posted in: All, Stories Wonders of the Water Garden by Terry Baxter, Member Since 2002 Sometimes there actually are silver linings. In 1993, Hurricane Andrew devastated Ocean Reef. But amid the chaos and debris, the seeds of Ocean Reef as we know it were nurtured by the herculean effort of our leading citizens. They negotiated a buyout of the Club, raised the money to close the deal, established a membership structure, adopted bylaws, and put a new management system into place – all the while directing the repair of the massive hurricane damage. It is almost impossible to imagine the obstacles that were overcome as we enjoy our beautiful Club today. A small sliver of the Andrew silver lining was brought home to me recently when we showed some visiting friends around The Reef and they made us stop at the Water Garden. In the year following Andrew, ORCA devoted considerable effort to restoring and upgrading our Ocean Reef landscape. One of the additions, championed by Alan and Vicki Goldstein, was the Water Garden that welcomes us home each year (replacing huge – and obsolete – satellite dishes). The Water Garden is an attractive reflecting pool with decorative fountains, but the “garden” part initially... Read More »

Ocean Reef Club 2020 Census Comes to a Close March 6, 2020 Posted in: All, Announcements Ocean Reef Club 2020 Census Comes to a Close First and most importantly, a big thank you to all our Members that completed the Census. We are pleased to announce that we received a higher overall participation rate for the Census versus 2015. This enables the research company to extrapolate the answers from all Members with the same high level of confidence that we had in both 2015 and 2010. For those that completed the entire Census questionnaire, your complimentary drink coupon (one per Membership) is ready for pick up in the Membership Office. Also, we have notified our sweepstakes winners via email and the prize instructions were detailed in that email. This included awarding our top prizes, two tickets for next month’s Food and Wine Festival, that went to an Equity Member, and our Grand Prize, two tickets to December’s Vintage Weekend, won by a Sr. Legacy Member. Overall, we had prizes that included dinner at Gianni and Islander and lunch at Palm Court and the Raw Bar, along with a number of Ice Cream coupons that were awarded with Social, Legacy and Equity Members all winning a share of the awards. For a complete list of winners please... Read More »

Food & Wine Chef Lineup Announced March 6, 2020 Posted in: All, Announcements, Club Events, Food and Beverage Food & Wine Chef Lineup Announced 7th Annual Food & Wine Festival April 24 – 26 The Food & Wine Festival’s delectable cuisine and luscious libations will be on your plate and in your glass before you know it. We’ve finalized our expert chef lineup and for the first time in its seven-year history, Food & Wine will see an all-female roster. After an engaging performance at last year’s Festival, Paula DaSilva is the first of these culinarians we welcome back. Though Emeril Lagasse was last year’s headliner, Paula was definitely a star of the show – and she is not a new name to Ocean Reef. Paula has been doing Cooking School Classes at Carysfort Kitchen for several years and has always been a Member favorite. A love for cooking that began as a child has propelled Paula to celebrity chef stardom. After beginning her professional culinary career at 3030 Ocean at the Harbor Beach Marriot, finishing runner-up on season five of FOX’s Hell’s Kitchen with Gordon Ramsay, becoming executive chef of 1500 Degrees in South Beach, and more, DaSilva has climbed her way up to The Ritz-Carlton, Fort Lauderdale. As executive chef, she oversees all culinary operations, including... Read More »

Fresh Ideas From Chef Betania March 4, 2020 Posted in: All, Associate Spotlight Fresh Ideas From Chef Betania by Terry Baxter, Member Since 2002 The pasta ladies of Bari, Italy, set up their tables as the sun rises. They line up on the cobblestone street in front of their homes, telling stories, singing, and forming handmade fresh pasta. Th scene encapsulates the spirit of Italian food. The nonnas (grannies) of via del’Arco Basso in the southern coastal town of Bari have become a tourist attraction, drawing crowds from the cruise ships. The Lonely Planet has named Bari one of the top ten Italian destinations. Chef Betania, the Chef de Cuisine of Gianni Ristorante, brings some of that Italian magic to our Ocean Reef Fishing Village every day in the form of fresh pasta. We may not have a granny, but Jose is our version — Jose opens the Gianni kitchen at 7:30 each morning. He is happy working by himself, turning out endless trays of fresh handmade pasta. “It’s like therapy,” he says. Betania and Jose worked together at the Biltmore years ago, and she recently recruited him to join her at Ocean Reef. By mid-morning they are both dusted with flour from producing ravioli, tagliatelle, gnocchi, or whatever fresh pasta is featured... Read More »

ORCA Announces Appointment of VP/Director of Public Safety March 4, 2020 Posted in: All, Announcements, Associate Spotlight, ORCA ORCA Announces Appointment of VP/Director of Public Safety Published in TORN, February 20, 2020 On March 20, Patrick McIntosh will end his interim service as VP/Director of Public Safety to be with family in his home state of California. To fill his shoes, ORCA welcomes Juan J. Perez. Patrick’s contributions have left an indelible mark on our Public Safety Department and the Ocean Reef community. Each day his commitment to excellence demonstrates his strong leadership and service to others. On behalf of the community, ORCA thanks Patrick and his wife, Kimberly. To further the work started by Patrick, ORCA President Chip Iglesias said, “I am proud to announce the appointment of Juan J. Perez to Vice-President/ Director of Public Safety commencing March 2. There will be a transition period with both Patrick and Juan overlapping to ensure a seamless leadership change.” Juan has dedicated his entire professional life to law enforcement. In 1990, he began his career as a police officer with the Miami-Dade Police Department rising through the ranks to the top. In 2016, he was appointed to lead the agency as Director, the highest level position in the department. As Director, Mr. Perez embraced and instilled the values of... Read More »

Keep ‘Em Wet! March 2, 2020 Posted in: All, Club Events, Clubs within the Club “Keep ‘Em Wet!” Wendy Brainard, Rod & Gun Club Communications With the great fishing and fishing tournaments in full gear, comes a reminder for best practices. Sailfish, Tarpon, Bonefish and Permit need to stay wet so they can survive after being released. In the photo below, Rod and Gun board member Jack Salisbury shows the proper release of a Permit caught here in our waters. Catch and Release only works if the fish are spared from coming out of the water. Sailfish, a favorite sport fish, should never come out of the water for a photo! Bonefish and Tarpon Trust have the following recommendations for catch and release. Best practices include: Always use barbless hooks. When fishing with bait, use circle hooks. Minimize handling all fish; slime and scales can be easily damaged and removed with excessive handling, thereby greatly increasing risks of infection. If a bonefish loses equilibrium after you land it, revive it until it can swim upright, then shorten the fight time on future fish. More on proper catch and release can be found at bonefishtarpontrust.org.

Club Earns Three-Palm Designation March 2, 2020 Posted in: All, Announcements, Club Events, Environment Club Earns Three-Palm Designation Holly Houser, Ocean Reef Press Editorial Assistant Last month, the Florida Green Lodging Program recognized Ocean Reef Club as an environmental leader, awarding the Inn for a second time with a Three Palm rating as a tribute to its proficient environmental efforts. The Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s Florida Green Lodging Program recognizes lodging facilities that make a commitment to conserving and protecting Florida’s natural resources. They’ve implemented a tiered Palm status where lodging properties with more green practices are awarded a higher number of Palms. Factors considered include conserving more water and energy, minimizing waste, improving air quality and practicing pollution prevention. Ocean Reef received its first Three Palm designation in 2017, up from a One Palm designation the year before, for implementing initiatives including separating Inn room trash and recyclable items, contributing used linen and terry to homeless shelters and other charitable organizations, reusing keys and key packets that are in good condition, and encouraging guests to use the ORC website rather than paper items. They also reprogrammed all golf carts to have energy efficient charging and began offering newspapers per request rather than delivering them automatically to all occupied Inn rooms. This certification... Read More »

Boutique D’Reef -It’s Your 30th Birthday! February 28, 2020 Posted in: All, Club Events, Shopping Boutique D’Reef -It’s Your 30th Birthday! This year marks a 30-year milestone for Boutique D’Reef and the popular event is still going strong. Come and shop until you drop from March 3-5, 2020 at Town Hall, where favorite returning and new vendors will showcase a beautiful selection of clothes, shoes, linens, jewelry, leather goods and more. How did all this start? Boutique D’Reef was the creation of original Founders Adelaide Skoglund, Denny Morgan and the late Mary Zick. Their vision was to create an event that was fun, elegant and more importantly- a way to contribute funds to the Medical Center. A percentage of all vendors’ sales are donated back to the Medical Center and over the past 29 years those donations from Boutique D’Reef are now over an incredible two million dollars. One of the original Founders, Denny Morgan states, “I know we never expected that we’d still be working on it 30 years later! We were young when we started! We also would never have expected it to be such a success! Little did we know how ‘shopping starved’ we were here!” 30 years ago the fledgling Boutique D’Reef would set up shop each year in any available... Read More »

Look Before You Leap February 28, 2020 Posted in: All, Technology Look Before You Leap “Dot.calm” by Jane Silverman, Member Since 2012 This year is going to be longer than usual (and not just because of the long slow slog of this election season). It’s a leap year: a quirky quadrennial event meant to confuse people born on February 29 — and the rest of us. Hint: you know it’s a leap year if the Summer Olympic Games and US presidential election are taking place. During non-leap years, friends and family of “Leaplings” can’t even list their birthdays on the calendar (since there is no February 29…); These leap-year-babies become one year older on the day before their actual birthday which means people born on February 29 or on March 1 should both celebrate their big day on February 28. Confused yet? I wonder if people ever marry on Leap Year? Imagine the repercussions of missing 3 out of 4 wedding anniversaries! It’s Not Just About Time Make yourself a Leap Year cocktail (2 oz. gin, ½ oz. Grand Marnier, ½ oz. sweet vermouth and ¼ oz. lemon juice) — which was invented at the bar at London’s Savoy Hotel on February 29, 1928 — and visit one of my favorite... Read More »

Welcoming Chef Church February 26, 2020 Posted in: All, Club Events, Club News, Dining Welcome Chef Church to Cooking Class Lineup “From the Pantry” by Carole Kotkin, Carysfort Kitchen Manager The winner of “Chopped” 2018 season, Johnny Church, heard his call to the culinary arts while working at his mother’s restaurant in Flint, Michigan at the tender age of 12. Chef Church’s rapid ascent in the culinary industry began in Las Vegas, where Wine Spectator magazine named him one of the city’s “Rising Chefs.” He now has his own culinary consulting firm and is about to open a new restaurant. He most recently was Corporate Executive Chef for Golden Entertainment, Inc. where he oversaw th company’s restaurant program at its eight casinos and the nearly 60 taverns operated in Nevada by PT’s Entertainment Group. Chef Michelle Bernstein had to cancel her class and dinner due to an unforeseen date conflict. Thanks to Executive Chef Andrea Van Willigan, her friend, Chef Johnny Church, has graciously accepted our invitation to step in and teach Destination: Las Vegas Interactive Class at Carysfort Kitchen on Tuesday, March 10 and a Vine to Table Dinner the same night. Before his position at Golden Entertainment, he helped oversee operations at several Vegas establishments, including Turnberry Place; Charlie Palmer’s Aureole... Read More »

Two Hats, One Mission February 26, 2020 Posted in: All, Associate Spotlight Two Hats, One Mission by Gertrude Mann, Member Since 1974 Keith Young explains that his enthusiasm for his work as CEO of the Medical Center at Ocean Reef and Foundation and as a volunteer Chairman of the Board of New Hope, a men’s treatment center in Homestead, is the same. He says, “This is who I am. I’ve always been in the business of helping people. I look for opportunities where I can make a difference.” Medical Discovery Keith’s fascination with science and medicine began early. He remembers a biology teacher in Houston recognizing his interest and arranging for him to view an open-heart operation at the Texas Heart Institute. “I was 12 years old,” he says. “My teachers and Scout leaders helped me. I thought about architectural design and engineering. I wanted to keep learning. After high school graduation, I joined the military and had 12 years of experience with all aspects of medicine and health management. I came out with a college degree in bio chemistry and knew this would be my life’s work.” He credits the military with adding direction to his growing resolve and drive. Baptist Hospital used his skills in building new services from the... Read More »

2020 Ocean Reef Census Closes Wednesday February 24, 2020 Posted in: All, Announcements, Club News 2020 Ocean Reef Census Closes Wednesday: Satisfaction Survey vs. Census Haven’t Started? Start. Haven’t Finished? Finish. Only a few days remain as we approach the Census closing date of Wednesday, February 26. So far we have had a terrific response from our Membership but there are two things we are still missing. The first is… you. If you have not already filled out your Ocean Reef Club Census we really do need to hear from you. The more responses we have, the more accurate our results become. That in turn provides the best information for the Club’s Board of Directors and Management teams to plan for the future. The second is for those that started their Census Survey that have not finished to go back and complete the survey. This is critical because the more complete responses we have the more accurate our information is across all different Member types. This also helps in understanding differences within a Membership category, for example do longtime Members love the Raw Bar as much as newer Members? Answer in 2010…yes. Answer for 2020…we will only know if more of you that started the Census, go back and finish your survey. You can pick... Read More »

An Emergensea Exit February 24, 2020 Posted in: All, Stories, Technology Emergensea Exit “Dot.calm” by Jane Silverman, Member Since 2012 “Mayday, mayday.” I held tight to the VHF handset and breathlessly repeated “Mayday, mayday… this is the vessel Magic Moments, a 73’ white motor yacht on fire with two adults and two dogs aboard preparing to abandon ship. Our coordinates are…” It seemed like an ordinary day as we traveled at a leisurely 10kts under a gray bruised sky from Miami Beach back to Ocean Reef. Hurricane Dorian was spinning ever closer towards the Florida Coast and all the Miami area marinas were in evacuation mode. As we cruised, we could see other boats also heading south towards calmer seas. Sometimes we all have a moment in time that is frozen like a photograph in our minds. For me, it was when our engines shut down and I slowly turned from the helm on the bridge to see a large dark black wall of choking smoke looming over my shoulder. “This is not a drill” flashed through my mind as I grabbed my PFD and quickly slipped our two Portuguese Water Dogs’ life vests over their heads and attached their leashes. Mike was in the pilot house investigating the scent of... Read More »

Bringing “Autentico” Italian to ORC February 21, 2020 Posted in: All, Club Events, Dining Culinary Luminary Brings “Autentico” Italian to ORC by Dennis Courtney, Director of Outlets The Food & Beverage Team is excited to welcome Rolando Beramendi to Ocean Reef Club. Beramendi is on a mission to keep the centuries-old culinary traditions of Italian cuisine alive and authentic. Born in Argentina, Beramendi graduated from University of California with a degree in economics. On a trip to the Italian Alps, friends asked if he would help them find U.S. distributors for their food products. Rolando approached numerous importers who told him the products were too expensive, unusual and esoteric, but Beramendi was convinced there was a market for such items. In his early 20s, he founded Manicaretti Italian Food Importers (Manicaretti is Italian for “little delicacies”). His intuition paid off as the demand for specialty, small, local, and regionally authentic food was about to explode. “In the late ‘80s, the world was very different,” Beramendi said. “Californians were still eating iceberg lettuce in salads. Arugula wasn’t really available, except maybe in very small bundles on the rack where fresh herbs were sold. Kale wasn’t anywhere on the radar.” Word spread about Rolando’s import business and his reputation began to grow country-wide. Beramendi soon became... Read More »

Easter Preparations February 21, 2020 Posted in: All, Club Events, Club News Recreation Team Prepping for Easter By Holly Houser, Ocean Reef Press Editorial Assistant Easter at The Reef is jam-packed with events and delicious dining opportunities at every turn. Perfecting all that goes into this week requires months of advanced planning. “Easter Weekend is very busy for the Recreation Team,” says Assistant Director of Recreation Chris Nelson. “We have some awesome events that lead into Easter consisting of Safe Boating Day on April 9th, the Petting Zoo on April 10th, and the Bunny Hop 5K & 10K on April 11th. All events take weeks to months to plan and organize; we enjoy putting our soul into these events for Members’ enjoyment.” No Room for Procrastination With 24,000 Easter eggs and hundreds of Easter baskets shelled out each year, the Team starts well in advance to ensure a high standard of execution. The physical creation of Easter Baskets begins about two months before Easter day, which is Sunday, April 12 this year. However, the prep and purchasing of goodies starts long before that. The Team determines the style and themes for the baskets, taking into consideration the current year’s pop culture and trends. They also accommodate for all age groups, from toddlers... Read More »

Bourbon Bonanza February 19, 2020 Posted in: All, Food and Beverage, Member News Bourbon Bonanza by Terry Baxter, Member Since 2002 Woodford Reserve. It was the first. Your Ocean Reef beverage team chose Woodford Reserve as their first foray into a private bottling of Ocean Reef spirits. It was an inspired choice: the oldest distillery site in Kentucky, the only Bourbon producer that owns its own cooperage to ensure the proper char and American oak barrels essential to Bourbon production, and a premium whiskey flowing from authentic copper pot stills. It is hard to believe that it was five years ago that we first enjoyed a Woodward Reserve Ocean Reef private label blended by our own team of tasters, guided by Woodford’s Master Distiller. Last week we arrived at the Ocean Reef Cooking School to find tables graced with four more vintages of Ocean Reef selections, each blended anew from a wide choice of barrels, each distinctive and memorable in its own way. Sean Carroll was again our knowledgeable Emcee. He had personally participated in each of the private label tasting sessions. “I know the brand intimately,” Sean said, “I drink Woodford every day – don’t tell my bosses.” It will be our secret, Sean. As usual for the Cooking School Spirit Dinners,... Read More »

Fat Tuesday is Coming February 19, 2020 Posted in: All, Club Events, Club News Fat Tuesday is Coming, Join the Procession! By Holly Houser, Ocean Reef Press Editorial Assistant The 6th annual Fat Tuesday Celebration is set for Tuesday, February 25 and you’re invited to join the procession! All you’ll need is a cart and a theme – it’s that simple. So grab your Mardi Gras masks and a friend or two and start planning! Each year, the Fat Tuesday procession, which departs from the Town Hall Parking Lot at 5:30 p.m. en route to The Field at Four Corners, sees a variety of themed floats. Some groups decorate their cart in Mardi Gras colors, while others come up with elaborate themes. Some begin planning a year in advance and others just a week. The takeaway is, everyone is encouraged to participate in the 2020 Fat Tuesday parade and participation can be as involved as desired. Below, read about some former Fat Tuesday parade winners. Maybe they’ll spark your creativity! 2019 People’s Choice Winners – Bonefish Bonnies The Bonefish Bonnies turned 20 last year. In honor of this anniversary, they celebrated with a “Happy Birthday” themed Fat Tuesday float. The Bonnies had a blast as, with a large inflatable birthday cake strapped atop the... Read More »

A Gift from Brazil February 17, 2020 Posted in: All, Club News, Dining A Gift from Brazil by Jody Steele, Member Since 2005 Arriving in Miami in 2001 for just a visit, Chef Betania Salles took over the kitchen at an Indian restaurant one evening. The chef was ill and the customers were at the door. The evening was a hit and the owner convinced Betania to stay for five years. So began “the gift from Brazil”. This young woman already had an illustrious career, beginning her culinary studies at 16, traveling extensively to explore cooking styles, and suddenly she owned and managed four restaurants in Brazil. Beginning a new life in Florida was not what she planned, but Betania is convinced it was meant to be. As the years skipped by, Chef Betania became a Chef de Cuisine of an authentic Italian restaurant at the Biltmore Hotel in Coral Gables. Her reputation was definitely known throughout the “foodie” world of South Florida. This is where our own Giovanni Melis discovered her. It took over a year, but who can say no to Giovanni? Betania arrived at Ocean Reef Club and became the Chef de Cuisine of the Islander. A Restaurant is Born The dream was for an upscale and modern styled Italian... Read More »

Carysfort 2020 February 17, 2020 Posted in: All, Club News, Environment Carysfort 2020: Restoring an Icon, Inspiring the World When the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary surveyed 14 acres of Carysfort Reef, they found only 18 living colonies of coral. By 2019, only two of the 18 wild colonies documented still survived. Over the last 40 years, Carysfort Reef lost 97% of its once dominant, reef-building corals and it became clear that without any intervention, this loss would continue until there were no live corals remaining. In 2016, Ocean Reef Club began a five-year collaboration with the Coral Restoration Foundation™ with a goal to bring one of the world’s most iconic reefs back to life. This unique partnership set a goal to plant over 30,000 corals on Carysfort Reef. The astounding success and survival rate of these corals is now paving the way for large-scale reef restoration and providing hope for coral reefs around the world. The Club worked closely with the Coral Restoration Foundation and set specific and measurable goals: •Make an ecologically significant difference to coral coverage at Carysfort Reef with over 30,000 coral outplantings •Expand the Coral Tree Nursery at Carysfort to 100 coral growing trees •Make Carysfort Reef a global example of reef restoration though research studies... Read More »

An Ocean Reef Love Story February 14, 2020 Posted in: All, Member News, Stories An Ocean Reef LOVE STORY… by Joan Birsh, Member Since 1997 After they experienced the heartbreaking loss of a spouse of many decades, neither Sandy Rule nor Kevin Crowe ever expected to find true love again…. Then three years ago they discovered each other. First Date… After much urging by his tennis partners at the Racquet Club, the day finally came when Kevin said, “OK, I’m ready. I’ll call her.” Although both Sandy Rule and Kevin Crowe had been Ocean Reef Members for decades, surprisingly they had never met. This was going to be an honest to- goodness “blind date.” They arranged to rendezvous for dinner at Gianni’s. Sandy declined Kevin’s offer to pick her up and chose instead to come in her own car. He was relieved. Secretly both were thinking “quick getaway”. As it turned out, the dinner stretched into a six hour revelation of all the life experiences, interests, ambitions and goals that they shared. Though they grew up many miles apart (Sandy in Texas, Kevin in New York and Philadelphia) the number of things they had in common had all the markings of a “meant-to be” list. 1. Both had lost spouses 3 years before. 2.... Read More »

Love Stories in 100 Words February 14, 2020 Posted in: All, Stories Love Stories in 100 Words My Valentine – First Meeting She first appeared in net stockings Garbed from head to toe in black My life change was truly shocking I’ve never yet looked back Since then my gorgeous Valentine Brings boundless love to my heart My soul she fully does entwine I ache whenever we’re apart Chasing joy is our constant quest As is caring for each other’s needs. Certain that we are truly blessed Proving our love with words and deeds My Darling Girl is beyond measure Myriad talents for all to see How can it be that it’s my pleasure She chooses to spend her time with me? -Arthur Birsh Expensive Putt In 1988, we visited Ocean Reef. On entering, mesmerized by the magic of this island, we found a nice home on the golf course. While playing golf, my husband said, “If you make this putt, I’ll put a bid on the house.” I made the putt, offer made, 9 months later accepted. My husband told the agent, “If you put this deal together, I can give it to Mary for a Valentine’s present, and I will never have to... Read More »

Spend the Day in the Fishing Village at Art & Fashion Walk February 12, 2020 Posted in: All, Club Events, Club News Spend the Day in the Fishing Village at Art & Fashion Walk by Holly Houser, Ocean Reef Press Editorial Assistant In its seventh year, the Art & Fashion Walk has grown to be a day full of fun and exciting deals and unique artistic finds. What began as the Art Walk has morphed into the Art & Fashion Walk showcasing local Keys arts and crafts, as well as merchandise from your favorite stores on The Reef. On Saturday, February 15, you’ll begin your Art & Fashion Walk stroll at the entrance to the Fishing Village. As you make your way from The Burgee Shop to the Raw Bar (where the Fashion Walk will take place), you’ll have the opportunity to browse booths featuring arts and crafts created by talented artists here in the Keys. Items on display range from beautiful pieces of artwork from local artists (sponsored by Reef Gallery), to wood art, nautical jewelry, furniture, décor and more. Some of our Reef stores, including The Dive Shop, The Dress Code and MarineMax, will have booths set up featuring retail promotions and items on display as well. Additionally, there will be trunk shows by Dena Lyons (10 a.m. to... Read More »

The Place to be by Far is Harper’s Bar February 12, 2020 Posted in: All, Associate Spotlight The Place to be by Far is Harper’s Bar by Mary Brady At only 30 years old, our beloved Harper’s Bar Bartender/Mixologist, Luke Jones, is a treasure. He has been at Harper’s for the last three years, replacing Andy McCutchen. He credits Andy for teaching him the “tricks of the trade,” and showing him the ropes. Getting Started Luke started out at Gianni’s, but before that, he did night club bartending in Miami and also in Key Largo. He did mostly wine bartending at Gianni’s and learned a lot in that role. Inspired by Master Mixologist David Ortiz and with encouragement from Club management, Luke moved to Harper’s Bar at the Reef Lounge and found his niche. He explained to me that every mixologist is a bartender, but not every bartender is a mixologist. Luke is a master mixologist. Luke told me, “I haven’t worked in eight years because that is how much I love my job.” His favorite thing is not just the work, but the people. He says, “I have a servant’s heart and love taking care of people. It is a gift, not necessarily a talent.” I disagree, as he surely has talent. He is poetry in... Read More »

Watershed February 10, 2020 Posted in: All, Member News Watershed By Terry Baxter, Member Since 2002 Nearly 15 years ago, I wrote my first column for the Ocean Reef Press. I offered my perspective as a Social Member arriving for the first time in the Marina and being welcomed into the Ocean Reef fraternity by an amazing group of liveaboards on H Dock: Blair and Libby MacAulay, Geof and Mary Bloom, Gary and Marilyn List, Stanley and Karen Hubbard, Gary and Judy Ball, and Marshall and Stevie Wishnack, among others. We spent our first several Ocean Reef years in this happy enclave. Then, as many before us, one by one we transitioned into homes and condos and became part of the broader community, always retaining a soft spot for boats, each other, and H Dock. Ocean Reef became the highlight of our 40 years of boating. We joined the Ocean Reef Yacht Club and gained a hundred new friends. We cruised the Keys, the Bahamas, the Caribbean, and the Atlantic seaboard all the way to Maine. Three, ever larger sailboats, followed by three more, even larger powerboats, have played a central role in our lives. What a great time it has been. We had (more than)... Read More »

Hate Iguanas? February 10, 2020 Posted in: All, Member News I Hate Iguanas! by Joan Birsh, Member Since 1997 I hope I am not offending any iguana lovers but I feel so strongly about those green monsters, who periodically destroy my landscaping, that I sometimes pray for a cold snap like we’ve just experienced. Iguanas are an “invasive” species (in every sense of the word) and in 40 degrees and below they fall from the trees where they roost and land on the ground seemingly dead. It is a Florida phenomenon, important enough for the National Weather Service in Miami to have issued this unusual forecast on Jan. 21 – “Falling Iguanas Possible Tonight.” And sure enough the next morning there were iguanas on the ground, gray and stiff and looking dead as a doornail. And yet by afternoon, when the temperature went up to 60, they had rejuvenated and were back taking nourishment (flowers, bushes, decorative hedges)! How to evict an iguana It’s obvious that we can’t count on Mother Nature to rid us of the Iguana Plague. How can we make them go away? First, I called ORCA and was told that they use Rodney Irwin, Nonnative Invasive Reptile Specialist, to remove iguanas from ORCA property, but this... Read More »

Welcome to Our Changing Menus February 7, 2020 Posted in: All, Club News, Dining Welcome to Our Changing Menus By Jody Steele, Member Since 2005 At the end of the season, the chefs begin a detailed review of all of the menus at Ocean Reef Club. Executive Chef Andrea Van Willigan shared this is a collaborative effort that takes months to complete. Our 11 Chefs de Cuisine research food trends and travel to culinary shows, seek feedback from Members, review important data, and provide the expertise needed to create outstanding menus to dazzle us all. Each recipe and menu is carefully analyzed with the goal to retain the classics we all enjoy, while developing new distinctive dining choices. These selected recipes go through a comprehensive series of assessments by the culinary team before tasting appraisals are held. All summer, the menus are evaluated until final selection is completed to kick off the year. Chef Andrea explained another objective is to utilize the ingredients that are readily available in South Florida. A “farm to table” and “water to table” approach is considered when making menu decisions. Nearby purveyors provide a variety of seafood directly from the dock, and local farms deliver produce to Ocean Reef right after being harvested. These local businesses work months ahead... Read More »

Honor Code Development February 7, 2020 Posted in: All, Club News, The Academy at Ocean Reef Honor Code Development By Jody Steele, Member Since 2005 As part of their approach to implementing character education, The Academy at Ocean Reef is currently developing their own Honor Code based on the following values: honesty, compassion, courage, commitment, respect, leadership, kindness, and being your best. Following several collaborative discussions with faculty and PTO members, the initiative was kicked off with an assembly led by Jerome Murphy, Head of School and the faculty. The students are presently meeting in small groups with their teachers to discuss each value. Their dynamic conversations are helping each student develop greater understanding of each value and how it relates to their lives. As The Academy explores character education and the development of their own Honor Code, we commend them for their dedication to this task and look forward to hearing more about its final form.

Welcome Erwin Pals February 5, 2020 Posted in: All, Associate Spotlight, Club News Welcome Erwin Pals Vice President, Food & Beverage As announced last week at the Town Hall Meeting, Giovanni Melis, Vice President, will be retiring at the end of February. Fortunately, Giovanni agreed to stay for the month so that the incoming Vice President of Food & Beverage, Erwin Pals, could spend a few weeks with him getting to know the Club’s Food & Beverage operation together. Erwin obtained his Bachelor’s Degree in Hotel Management in Europe, and then moved to the United States in pursuit of a career in hospitality. He joined The Ritz-Carlton, Atlanta as Food and Beverage Manager and was a part of the team responsible for obtaining the AAA -5 Diamond Award in 2004, for In Room Dining and the Ritz’s Atlanta Grill. Erwin next took on the role as Executive Steward at The Ritz-Carlton, Naples, Beach Resort, a flagship property for Ritz where he would continue to increase his responsibilities and accomplishments over the next 17 years. For the past 10 years, in his role as Director of Food and Beverage overseeing both the Ritz Naples Beach and Golf properties, Erwin was responsible for 11 restaurants and a world-class banquet operation. He also played an intricate... Read More »

Have it Your Way… at ORC February 5, 2020 Posted in: All, Dining, Member News Have it Your Way… at ORC by Gertrude Mann, Member Since 1974 For the past 40+ years, I’ve been eating at Reef restaurants with abandon. I never thought about ingredients other than what sounded appealing. However, this past holiday season, I looked at Ocean Reef menus with different eyes. My new grandson, Brendan, has recently been diagnosed with Celiac disease, which means he can never have any product with a speck of gluten in it (think all wheat-based products). As I watched him navigate meals in our restaurants, I decided I needed more information for myself and our community. I sat down with Dennis Courtney, Director of Outlets, and Chef Philippe Reynaud, Chef/Senior Director of Culinary, to learn about how our Club accommodates Members’ special dietary needs. Dennis and Chef Philippe explained that the Club is available to consult with any Member’s special requests. In recent years, this focus on our expanding health-driven culinary choices has grown. “We are more aware of our bodies,” Chef explains. “Changing diets became a way of life for many of our Members. We fully embrace all dietary needs and requests and we deal with it every day.” The Club views this challenge as falling... Read More »

Connections Made Easy at ORC February 3, 2020 Posted in: All, Member News Connections Made Easy at ORC by Susan Bohan, Member Since 2007 The other day while volunteering at the Library, I met a Member who has recently published his first novel, “Campusland,” and given a copy to the Collection. Reading the inside jacket, a few things were obvious. First, St. Martin’s Press was the Publisher so this is not just a lightweight vanity project. And second, Scott Johnston is a very funny guy whose quick wit and banter made it obvious that it is a book I want to read. Then the “Six Degrees of Separation” moment happened. The inside book jacket listed that his home was in Bedford, New York where my older daughter lives. The “name game” was the next step when we discovered that he knew her and had even recently played Paddleball with my son-in-law. Next, he asked my last name only to discover that he used to work with my husband, Paul, at Salomon Brothers years ago. I often ask people I meet here what brought them to The Reef and the answers are as varied as the Members themselves. Scott Johnston and his wife first came here on vacation in 2000 at the urging of... Read More »

One Last Barrel… February 3, 2020 Posted in: All, Club News, Food and Beverage One Last Barrel… by Sean Carroll, Director of Beverage & Wine Operations Day number three and one last stop to the Heaven Hill distillery. My pallet was feeling a little fatigued after stops at Maker’s Mark, Buffalo Trace and Woodford Reserve the previous two days, but I was on a mission to find the best Elijah Craig Single Barrel I could. This was a first, as we have never sourced a barrel from Elijah Craig. With a rich history, Elijah Craig has been crafting bourbon for over 200 years using local corn and grains and the limestone-rich Kentucky spring water. Elijah Craig is credited with being the first distiller to age his whiskey in charred oak barrels. No one really knows the true story as to how this happened, but it is easy to understand why he continued to develop the process and changed Bourbon making forever. Upon arrival, all you see are very large Rickhouses (a storage place for whiskey barrels during the aging process) all over the Bardstown rolling hills. These Rickhouses are filled with an inventory in excess of 1,600,000 barrels. Ranging from Bourbon brands like Elijah Craig, Evan Williams, Henry McKenna and Old Fitzgerald, just to... Read More »

The Football World Series? January 31, 2020 Posted in: All, Club News, Technology The Football World Series? “Dot.calm” by Jane Silverman. Member Since 2012 It’s that time of year again – the house is stocked with guacamole and chips and the blender is ready to go. The menu is set and the friends invited to watch the 54th Super Bowl (even though the Giants aren’t playing in it…). While I will do my best to root for one of the two teams I have no interest in, truthfully, I am in it to watch the Super Bowl commercials and the Halftime Show, and eat large quantities of Pigs in a Blanket and Publix’ non breaded baked chicken wings (which you can have delivered to your Ocean Reef home by using instacart.com or shipt.com with all your shopping handpicked and delivered direct from the store). As someone who has never attended a football game, I am delighted that I will finally get my Sundays and Mondays (and did I mention Thursdays?) back (and Mike!) with the end of the football season thankfully just days away. Spot-on If you want to get a head start on your Super Bowl commercial viewing pleasure, visit superbowl-ads.com, which is an online archive of Super Bowl commercials up to... Read More »

The Sails Are In January 31, 2020 Posted in: All, Club News, Fishing The Sails Are In: Buckalot Team Wins 35th Annual Reef Cup By Holly Houser, Ocean Reef Press Editorial Assistant If you’ve participated in Reef Cup over the years, Buckalot is a name you’ve likely heardmany times. Mike Levy and his crew, this year fishing on the boat Sweet Release, is the winning-most team Reef Cup has seen over its 35-year history. Since its debut with the Levy Family in 1987, Buckalot has recorded four total championships. Mr. Levy credits his “great crews, great captains and great mates” with his wins saying, “They tend to make us anglers look good.” Levy says this year’s tournament was extra special for a number of reasons. Mr. Levy was just 19 years old when he fished in his first Reef Cup and he hasn’t missed a tournament since. But this year he sold Buckalot, which meant finding a new way to participate. Benson Ford, owner of Sweet Release, kindly offered his boat to Levy and his crew to fish the tournament. This was a special moment as just five years ago, Sweet Release and Buckalot fought for first and second place, with Sweet Release, captained by Levy’s longtime friend Chris White, coming out on... Read More »

Tequila Dinner January 27, 2020 Posted in: All, Food and Beverage, Members Tequila Dinner by Terry Baxter, Member Since 2002 At the recent Town Hall meeting, our Club’s board presented their principal goals, first among them to enhance the Member experience. They properly recognized this goal is only possible through the amazing efforts of our Club Associates. Fortunately for wine and spirit enthusiasts, Sean Carroll has been at the forefront of delivering the result. Sean transformed the early Port O’Call wine tastings into real events (and Micah Winecoff has professionally honored the tradition). The massively popular Vine to Table dinners, where Sean is the jovial emcee, bring together great chefs and distinguished vintners to create stunning presentations for Members. Sean’s impressive connections in the wine industry make special bottles a highlight of these events. More recently, a cascade of special bottlings, from Bourbon to rum, to tequila – private barrels crafted by our Ocean Reef team and unique to our Club – have enhanced our drinking experience (and shopping options). The Spirit Dinners have showcased our Ocean Reef private labels along with outstanding menus from our Cooking School chefs. Last week was devoted to tequila, a delightful combination of education, spirit tasting, and fine dining. While visiting the Herradura distillery to create... Read More »

January Town Hall, Honoring Giovanni Melis January 27, 2020 Posted in: All, Announcements, Club News January Town Hall Honoring Giovanni Melis It wasn’t all good news for Ocean Reef Club Members. Senior Vice President of Food & Beverage, Giovanni Melis, announced that he would be retiring February 28 after 15 years serving Ocean Reef Club. In his tenure at the Club, Giovanni has re-concepted every Club restaurant from Toski’s and Reef Treats to CH Prime and his namesake, Gianni. Under his direction, offerings like the Vine to Table Dinners, Starlight Dinner Buffets, and Family BBQ’s have grown immensely. Beyond all the facilities and numbers however, Giovanni’s legacy will be the people. Nearly all of the current F&B Managers were hired by Giovanni and he has mentored, promoted and inspired every Associate he has come in contact with. Both Members and Associates alike are family, and it was evident with the announcement at Town Hall, that the family will miss him immensely. With the Club’s fiscal year now closed, and the Holidays wrapped up, the January Town Hall meeting provided Members with a plethora of positive news. The Club enjoyed a strong financial year in 2019, and an active Holiday season full of families and fun. State of the Club Ocean Reef Club Chairman Bob Manzo... Read More »

Farmers’ Market News January 27, 2020 Posted in: All, Dining All You Can Nuts by Gertrude Mann, Member Since 1974 It’s worth a trip to Monday and Thursday marvelous Farmers’ Market to view the selection of dried fruits and nuts at Salvadore’s All You Can Nuts collection from all over the world. There are dozens of colorful fruits that you won’t find in other specialty markets. Among them are strips of orange peel, chunks of dried cantaloupe, jumbo dried peaches, spicy tamarind from Columbia and Venezuela, dates from Israel, jumbo figs from Greece, pineapple and kiwi strips and more. The selection of nuts, both salted and unsalted, is just as impressive. The temptation to buy comes after you’ve sampled your heart’s desire, a gracious offer by Salvadore. Grass Fed Pet Treats Grass Fed Pet Treats is another winner for our Market. Purveyor Dale has several free-range treats for man’s best friend and pet kitten. They include chicken, carrot, liver and mussel treats, all natural with no genetically altered ingredients. She features bully sticks that your pet will love. Dale’s stand holds a sign – My Kids Have Paws – and her dedication to your pet’s health is found in her products. She supplies raw pet food to Navy Seals’... Read More »

Changing Tides January 27, 2020 Posted in: All, Club News, Fishing Changing Tides Fishing Regulations Change as of the New Year By Holly Houser, Ocean Reef Press Editorial Assistant At Ocean Reef, you can catch prize-worthy fish any time of the year, but not all fish are fair game year-round and with the New Year came new fishing regulations. With fishing a popular pastime among locals and visitors, the heavily fished areas of the Upper Keys tend to contain smaller fish and fewer species than areas with less activity. Some fish species have seen overfishing and population decreases over the years. In order to maintain healthy and prosperous fish populations, the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) made changes to some regulations that went into effect January 1, 2020. Some of those Atlantic rule changes are detailed below. EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 2020 Grouper Several grouper species (gag, black, red, yellow mouth, yellowfin, scamp, red hind, rock hind, coney and graysby) closed January 1 to recreational and commercial harvest in state waters (extending to three nautical miles) off the Atlantic and Monroe County. The grouper season will reopen on May 1. A similar closure will also occur in Atlantic federal waters. Blackfin Tuna The recreational bag limit for black fin tuna... Read More »

Associate Spotlight: Courtney Graves January 27, 2020 Posted in: All, Associate Spotlight Associate Spotlight: Courtney Graves by Susan Bohan, Member Since 2007 We all know how lucky we at The Reef are to have such capable Associates help us enjoy our world here. But what some do in their free time makes us marvel even more about how fortunate we truly are to have someone of such character, warmth and giving here with us. Courtney Graves has been an Associate at The Spa since October 2011. First working at the Desk then gradually time opened-up where she could use her education as an Aesthetician (Facial Specialist) full time on Saturday and Sundays. As she says, “It is important to accommodate Members so this schedule allows me to improve a client’s skin and maximize the results on their schedule.” This new arrangement has allowed her to fulfill another personal goal. She always felt an emotional calling to help others but it was a radio message regarding the “Glory House of Miami” that attracted her to the faith-based organization which rescues women who have been abused and exploited through sex trafficking. She has found that the listening she has cultivated through her work here is vital in her new role. “Gaining a... Read More »

Introducing the 2020 ORC Nominating Committee January 27, 2020 Posted in: All, Announcements, Club News Introducing the 2020 ORC Nominating Committee The Ocean Reef Club Nominating Committee is an autonomous committee charged with selecting the annual slate of candidates for the Club’s Board of Directors. The goal of the Nominating Committee is to provide the best leadership possible. Working together, the committee members carefully consider a variety of factors in their selection process; including leadership, past participation in Ocean Reef committees, use of the Club, financial acumen, known to various membership constituents and most importantly, whether they have the time, energy and a real commitment to serve on behalf of the Membership. Members of the 2020 Ocean Reef Club Nominating Committee are Committee Chairman Teresa Holmes (Immediate Past Chairman of the Board), Bob Manzo, Current Board Chairman, and Ray Larkin, Vice Chairman, along with Members at large Lisa Desmond, Matt Fritter and Bill Rowley. Lisa Desmond Lisa and her husband David first visited Ocean Reef in 2013 and loved the Club so much that they joined it that same weekend. Throughout the year, they divide their time among Ocean Reef, their home in Miami Beach, and travel, which Lisa loves because she grew up overseas, primarily in Asia. She is a graduate of Southern Methodist... Read More »

From Abe to Babe January 21, 2020 Posted in: All, Historical, Members From Abe to Babe Member Connects History and Ancestry By Mike Smith, Member Since 1983 Our own Jack Dunn from Baltimore, an Ocean Reef Member since 2004, enjoys reading about history and is a great trivia competitor. He also has a fascinating ancestry which connects two famous, very disconnected Americans: Babe Ruth and Abe Lincoln. Jack Dunn’s great grandfather was also Jack Dunn – owner of the then minor league team, the Baltimore Orioles. In 1914, a young player by the name of Herman Ruth, then 19, drew Dunn’s attention because of his pitching and Dunn hired him. The law at that time required Ruth have a legal guardian sign his baseball contract in order for him to play professionally. Dunn became that guardian and teammates called Ruth “Dunn’s new babe.” The moniker stuck and from then on Ruth’s nickname was ‘Babe Ruth’. Ruth was with the Orioles for only a year before he was called to play for the Boston Red Sox. Even more interesting, a man named Cipriano Ferrandini, Jack’s (present day Jack) great, great grandfather. Ferrandini immigrated to the United States from Corsica and established himself as a barber and hairdresser in the basement of... Read More »

Master Artists En Plein Air January 21, 2020 Posted in: All, Clubs within the Club Master Artists En Plein Air by Susan Bohan, Member Since 2007 Perhaps over the last few days you have noticed the 20 Master Artists around the Club capturing our special surroundings. “The unveiling and opportunity to interact with some of the finest artists of the Plein Air tradition has become one of the most popular events at Ocean Reef,” said Sherri Harris, Art League Executive Director. One artist who is here for the first time is Catherine Hillis, who taught a watercolor class at the Art League earlier this week. During her class, she concentrated on how to create atmosphere with each of her students. A world-renowned artist, she was excited to get out and search those special Reef locations for her debut on Thursday as Mary Biddinger described the innumerable possibilities. Hosted by Ocean Reef Club Sotheby’s International Realty, “the collection of work that is created in such a short time reflects the raw talent of these artists,” adds President of Ocean Reef Club Sotheby’s International Realty Russell Post who continually encourages and supports this event. The exhibit continues through Friday, January 24. Don’t miss it!

2020 Census is Now Underway January 16, 2020 Posted in: All, Club News 2020 Census is Now Underway It’s simple…Do this, get that. Study hard and do well on the test, take a lesson with a pro and improve your game. This week it’s even easier… fill out your 2020 Ocean Reef Club Census and get a complimentary cocktail, then enter our sweepstakes for some fun and exciting prizes. Everyone that completes the Census will receive one complimentary drink coupon (just be sure to select “register for the sweepstakes” when you have completed the Census) and that will also enter you in our drawing. The Ocean Reef Club Census launched on January 8th and the market research company that administers the Census reported over 50 responses within our first two hours. This is your chance to stand up and be counted as we are counting on you. Our top prizes for the drawing include two tickets for Vintage Weekend with a room and golf cart use, two tickets to the Ocean Reef Food and Wine Festival. There are many other prizes like ice cream coupons at Reef Treats, gift cards for use in any Club outlet and even a complimentary rental cart during Easter week. Completing the Census takes approximately 25 minutes but... Read More »

Out of this World January 16, 2020 Posted in: All, Technology Out of this World “Dot.calm” by Jane Silverman, Member Since 2012 With the start of a new year (and a big birthday approaching), I thought it was about time to update my bucket list… I opened the Bucket List Maker app on my phone (doesn’t everyone have one?) to add a few and happily check-off a few more. The phrase “Bucket List” may have been made famous by the 2007 film of the same name starring Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman, but it has been around for centuries; it has a sly reference to death by hanging and the executioner literally kicking the bucket out from under the feet of his “hangee”. Contrary to this moribund image, in my mind, it’s a joyful opportunity to crystallize all my dreams and aspirations into a manageable magical want-to-do list. There is something about seeing them in writing that makes doing them seem tangible and possible. My Wish List My ever-growing list has an array of doable dreams including learning Mahjong and seeing the Pyramids, the Grand Canyon and the Hermitage in Russia; the Bucket List Maker app has a “done” button to check off items I have accomplished like walking on the... Read More »

Wow! What a Team! January 13, 2020 Posted in: All, Associate Spotlight, Club News, Dining Wow! What a Team! By Jody Steele, Member Since 2005 As we were all welcoming family and friends for the holidays, our Banquet Team was getting dining opportunities ready to help us celebrate in style. Executive Banquet Chef Andrew Ames, Executive Pastry Chef Santiago Puga, and Garde- Manger (cold pantry) Chef Jackie Pena lead the teams for the preparation of all catered events on The Reef, plus Reef food specialties for many of our restaurants. The excitement begins to build before Thanksgiving, goes on to Vintage Weekend, and then continues into the two festive holiday weeks beginning on December 24th through January 1st. Chef Ames credits a talented and dedicated team that works beautifully together, some for many years at The Reef, to create memorable dining events for Members to enjoy. If you attended the Festival on the Green, a Street Fair, the Gingerbread Tea, stopped at the Food Truck, or attended a Starlight Dinner, to just name a few, you reaped the benefits of these chefs and their cooks. Some arrive at 3 a.m. to prepare such traditional dishes as the Reef soups, including the famous clam or conch chowder, while others appear a bit later and make the... Read More »

Walking is Man’s Best Medicine January 13, 2020 Posted in: All, Health and Nutrition, Members, Stories “Walking is Man’s best medicine” – Hippocrates By Mary Brady, Member Since 1989 Long-time Members Art and Joan Ruffing have taken this prescription for the past 30 plus years, and it seems to work quite well for them. Married 58 years, they have two grown sons, two grandchildren, and one new great-grand baby whose mom is a marathoner. Joan smiles as she says, “My grandson’s wife walked during her pregnancy. This great grandchild will probably be a fitness person as well. Yeah! My daughter-in-law started walking a few years ago and she is hooked on it as well. It is great when the family comes because she walks with us and it is a great time to catch up.” When the Ruffings bought their little piece of paradise at the Angler’s Club in the early 1990’s, they embarked on a ritual of walking each and every day. Obviously fit and strong, they love their routine. According to Joan, “An early morning walk in the beauty of nature with fabulous weather and seeing the sunrise is good for the soul.” Art agrees and says, “Walking in Savannah (our other home) is lovely, but it can get buggy and cold. Here the... Read More »

A Solution for Resolutions January 13, 2020 Posted in: All, Technology A Solution for Resolutions by Jane Silverman, Member Since 2012 Thinking back on New Year’s Eves past, I am happy to say I have been resolute in at least some of my resolutions. My lack of annual stick-to-it-ness, however, is chronic. While I did empty not one, but three storage units in 2019 (resolution #1), the rest of my well-intended resolutions were for naught. Mark your calendar: January 17 is Ditch New Year’s Resolution Day because after all, “resolutions are meant to be broken” (their words not mine). According to U.S. News & World Report, 80 percent of New Year’s resolutions fail by February. This does not bode well for Jane 2020, and I might add, statistically speaking, almost all of you. THIS year will be different – or will it? Perhaps 2020s’ resolutions will stick with a little help from these friendly apps: From Day One For years, I have been meaning to write a journal chronicling our life, travels and adventures, like visiting the astonishing tomb in China of Emperor Qin Shi Huang and his buried Army of 8,000 terra cotta warriors; voyaging to Cuba on our boat and the warm welcoming people we met there; the heartwarming birth of new members... Read More »

Ocean Reef Club to Launch 2020 Census January 8, 2020 Posted in: All, Club News Ocean Reef Club to Launch 2020 Census Stand up and be counted, what does that really mean? It was 10 years ago that Ocean Reef Club first set out to understand more about how Members discovered and subsequently used their Club. The 2010 Census asked how they viewed many of the amenities in relation to that use and perhaps more importantly, their real estate investment. Also asking what Members thought about key issues, where they would go if Ocean Reef didn’t exist, how they viewed their future at the Club, and most powerful, was Ocean Reef truly a Unique Way of Life. Through that process, the Board of Directors received the data and information that led to significant enhancements in programs, offerings and capital projects. The 2010 and subsequent 2015 Census played a major role in affirming the need and future use of the Member Fitness Center and Lap Pool. It was also the impetus for changes and improvements to Buccaneer Island and a renewed and reinvented Legacy Membership program. Just as critical, the Board and Management learned what to leave untouched, most notably the Raw Bar. All of this was possible because more than 2,000 Member families completed their... Read More »

New Year, New Offerings January 6, 2020 Posted in: All, Club News, Traditions New Year, New Offerings By Holly Houser, Ocean Reef Press Editorial Assitant Ocean Reef Club and its Members highly value tradition, so every new season is an opportunity to balance beloved traditional events with brand new and exciting happenings. Celebrate year 2020 with the following new and renewed Reef offerings. RECREATION REFRESH Nature Center & Reef Rec Room: The Reef Rec Room has upgraded gaming stations with larger TVs, couches, more bar TV’s, LED lighting and a kid’s movie corner. The entrance to Reef Club Kids features a new window overlooking the Nature Center, which boasts all new reptile, guinea pig and bird enclosures and a new farm-style sink. Glass Bottom Kayaks: New to Recreation’s repertoire, these kayaks increase the magnificence of their Guided Eco Kayak Tours. Stop by the Pool Desk to try one out. Additional Peloton Bikes: The Member Fitness Center’s Peloton bikes are such a hit, they added two more. A ride on these fitness-centric bikes must be reserved ahead of time at the Fitness Front Desk. Marina Aerator Installation: The new aerator increases water flow in the Marina preventing seaweed buildup and promoting healthy waterways and ecosystems. Medical Spa Packages: Partnering with the Medical Center, The... Read More »

The Academy Shines January 6, 2020 Posted in: All, Club News, The Academy at Ocean Reef The Academy Shines By Jody Steele, Member Since 2005 Almost six months ago, Jerome Murphy became the Head of School at The Academy at Ocean Reef. His extraordinary leadership and enthusiasm has made the Academy “sparkle” with new initiatives, while retaining its educational excellence. Character education is becoming a central theme at the Academy with emphasis on creating good citizens with outstanding values. The faculty intertwines lessons into the curriculum that focus on such ethics as commitment, compassion, tolerance, and respect. Developing critical thinking skills and instilling moral leadership qualities help promote good decision making and inspire Academy students to be the best they can be. Technology is also an integral part of the Academy’s everyday learning. Jerome Murphy strongly believes that “digital citizenship” needs to be taught as a responsible trait. All of the students at the Academy have access to a digital device that is suitable for their age level. The higher grades are involved in a 3-D printing program that strengthens their creative skills and deductive reasoning. Community involvement is another initiative at the Academy. Working with our Public Safety Department, the Chamber of Commerce, and Island Dolphin Care is another worthwhile goal of expanding student... Read More »

Dorian Brings out the Best January 3, 2020 Posted in: All, Club News, Members Dorian Brings out the Best By Sarah A. Cart, Member Since 2007 In September 2019, Hurricane Dorian devastated the Abacos, but in this season of miracles, people keep sharing the best of themselves to assist the Bahamians who lost so much. Over the past three months, several dozen Ocean Reef Members and friends have generously donated nearly three tons of goods, leaving Chuck Hartz amazed and humbled. “They continue to call and respond” as the situation and needs evolve from week to week. Hartz has traveled to and from the Abacos with his wife Joy and their children for decades. “I love the people. The Abacos have become a second home.” About 15 years ago, he began transporting extra “stuff” whenever he crossed the Gulf Stream aboard the 63-foot Hartz Desire or his Intrepid Hartz Delight or flew over in his small plane. So in Dorian’s wake, delivering desperately needed supplies “was a natural thing. But I’m just the messenger – the people of Ocean Reef are the heroes: They’ve come through again and again. Their hearts are wonderful; they see a need and they fill it, and at most, all they ask is to see an occasional photo of... Read More »

Riding High for All Charities January 2, 2020 Posted in: All, Club News, Traditions Riding High for All Charities By Sarah A. Cart, Member Since 2007 with Holly Houser, Ocean Reef Press Editorial Assitant In addition to utterly spectacular performances at Vintage Weekend, for the past couple years the Aeroshell Aerobatic Team has provided one of the most exhilarating packages to be auctioned off over All Charities Weekend (ACW, February 7 and 8 this season) thanks to Equity Members Wendy and Robert Stallings. As the founder of Titan Aviation Fuels (supplier for the Ocean Reef Airport), Rob has known the Aeroshell pilots for years thanks to their relationship with Shell. He and Wendy have watched them perform many times at other air shows and three years ago decided to bring them to Ocean Reef as a thank you to the community. The Stallings partner with fellow Member Lenny Sikora to ensure the logistics work smoothly each year. Even highly experienced pilots like Walter Orth, one of the founders of the Wings Over Miami Air Museum and a Vintage Weekend participant, never get jaded about opportunities to watch the Aeroshell squad. “I’ve seen these guys perform probably a hundred times and I get excited every time. They are gentlemen and about as good as it... Read More »

Community Celebrates the Opening of the Hank and Corinne Greenberg Park December 31, 2019 Posted in: All, Club News, Environment Community Celebrates the Opening of the Hank and Corinne Greenberg Park Nearly two years to the day that Bill Nutt, Chairman of the Board of the Ocean Reef Community Foundation, announced the generous donation of two large bay front lots, the Hank and Corinne Greenberg Park officially opened. A ribbon cutting was held on Monday, December 23 with the Greenbergs and their family present so that the community could express their appreciation. Long-time Equity Members Hank and Corinne Greenberg donated the property, totaling nearly two acres of real estate, to the Foundation for the purpose of creating a park to provide open views of Card Sound for Ocean Reef residents. The donation of these two lots at the end of Country Club Road, adjacent to Cannon Point, represented the single largest donation ever received by the Foundation. When making their donation, Mr. and Mrs. Greenberg asked the Foundation to use these lots to preserve open space in perpetuity through the creation of a park available to the Ocean Reef community. Through the Foundation, ORCA was charged with landscaping and now administering the Park. Tom Davidson, Sr., Vice President of the Foundation, who was instrumental in coordinating the logistics of the... Read More »

2020 Census December 30, 2019 Posted in: All, Club News 2020 Census What We Learned from our Past Club Census By Richard Weinstein, Senior Vice President of Membership Next month we will embark on the Club’s third Census of all Members. This important information has helped guide Club Management and the Board of Directors in determining where to invest for capital projects and what experiences, services and offerings are most important to the majority of Members. But we also learn so much more. The Census questions are divided into five main areas seeking to answer the following questions: 1. Who we are and how is that changing 2. How do Members use the Club 3. Specific thoughts regarding topical key issues 4. The future of the Club 5. Information for other organizations within the Club (ORCA, Medical Center, Foundation etc.) We have already capitalized on what was revealed for each of these areas in our past Census. For example, in the very first section we learned that there were many more Legacy eligible children than we had as Legacy Members. This understanding led to the creation of a more robust Legacy program and we saw the introduction of our Jr. and Sr. Legacy categories or membership. From the time we... Read More »

Putting The “Private” In Private Dining December 30, 2019 Posted in: All, Club News, Dining Putting The “Private” In Private Dining By Terry Baxter, Member Since 2002 What to do? You haven’t put on your makeup all day. You have washed your hair, returned phone calls, and worked hard on your email chores, party planning, newspaper catch-up, and even a chapter of that book you have been panning to read for two months. How did it get to be dinnertime? If you are lucky enough to be Fair Patricia, you ask your starving husband to bring home takeout from almost any of your favorite Ocean Reef venues. But even a partner as gallant as the author of this column would sometimes like to enjoy the evening news without running errands instead. The perfect solution is right at hand, yet we rarely think of it. If we were staying at the Inn, room service would be an obvious option. Well, Private Dining is room service for all the residents of Ocean Reef, just a phone call away (305-367-5898). My friend Bill Wyer suggested this story after he and wife Bardee decided to branch out from pizza to explore the Private Dining menu. The menu ranges from simple (pizza, chowder, and salads) to elegant (grass fed... Read More »

Needlepoint Heirloom Complete December 30, 2019 Posted in: All, Club News Needlepoint Heirloom Complete by Susan Bohan, Member Since 2007 If you venture into the ground floor of the Art League on Tuesdays around 3pm, you will find a wonderful group of Members busily working on their current needlepoint canvases. The Stitch and Bi*** have been active for well over 20 years exchanging ideas and techniques while having a great time doing it. But it is their group effort to benefit the 2020 All Charities that is remarkable. Linda Kaplan, Claudia Langworthy, Mary Leighow, Jessie Mitchell, Betsy Osborne, Sandy Post (missing from photo) and Marcia Ryon each completed a panel of flowers made into a one-of-a-kind rug and coordinating pillow. They even needlepointed the green panels used to frame each piece as it was formed into this masterpiece. Each of the seven hand-painted canvases was culled from the collection of artist/professor/musician Eileen Willison whose husband David gave 150 to 200 of them to his sister, Mary Leighow after Eileen’s passing. Most of the collection concentrated on her love of orchids which she grew with great success. “She never considered herself an artist,” remarked David. But when you see the finished work, you will wholeheartedly disagree! When asked how the idea... Read More »

Preparing for the Holidays December 30, 2019 Posted in: All, Club Events, Club News, Traditions Preparing for the Holidays Get Ready for Week One By Holly Houser Where else can you see Santa on the beach, receive a Christmas Eve visit from an elf, win big in a Super Bingo game, and so much more all in a week’s span? Only at Ocean Reef, that’s for sure! So we want to be certain you have these events on your schedule: For the Family Bring the whole family to The Point to meet the Grinch and Cindy Lou Who for the annual Grinch’s Shore Party Saturday, December 21 from 5 to 7 p.m. While there, you will get a special visit from the Caroling Boat as it takes an oceanside cruise around The Reef. Then on Monday, December 23, you’re invited to experience a Live Nativity Story Reenactment at 10:30 a.m., followed by a Petting Zoo at 11:30 a.m., both in the Chapel Parking Lot. After enjoying Christmas with family and friends, take your chance in winning big at Super Bingo with prizes such as a stuffed Yeti cooler, Nintendo Switch, and a paddleboard. Begins at 7 p.m. in Town Hall on Thursday, December 26. The fun doesn’t end there. Learn to fly like circus performers... Read More »

Summer Travels December 30, 2019 Posted in: All, Club News, Food and Beverage Summer Travels By Sean Carroll, Director of Beverage Operations California…Kentucky…Mexico…What an amazing experience it was this summer to travel to Mexico and visit the Herradura Tequila Distillery. Ocean Reef was given the opportunity to hand-select our first ever Herradura Reposado Tequila Barrel. With the rising sales in the Tequila category coupled with the success of all the Ocean Reef Private Label wine & spirits, this was a no brainer (not to mention I will never turn down some good tequila). Casa Herradura Located in the town of Amatitan, Jalisco, Mexico sits the Herradura Distillery. Founded in 1870, this is a truly special place. You travel down old cobblestone roads until you reach the Distillery’s front gate. Upon arrival, “armed” security guards greet our driver and after a brief discussion, we are granted entry. Our first sights are the small casitas where many of the workers live. Then we travel through another gate where we stumble upon Casa Herradura, the house that the family still owns and regularly visits. We were quickly greeted by Jose who comes from a family of Jimadors (farmers who harvest Agave plants), and walked down to a nice breakfast. Wondering if they serve tequila at breakfast?... Read More »

Treat Yourself to Some Truffles December 30, 2019 Posted in: All, Club News, Dining Treat Yourself to Some Truffles By Terry Baxter, Member Since 2002 Would you pay extra for what looks like a lumpy potato, but actually is the fruiting body of a subterranean ascomycete fungus? Well, millions of food fans do, and thanks to Chef Betania of Gianni, you can give it a go. She has a rare supply of black truffles from Perigord, and the more prized white truffles from Alba. Gourmands call them the “diamonds of the kitchen” and “fairy apples.” The season for white truffles is shorter (sometimes only weeks) but for me the earthy, umami taste is a moment that lasts all year. Gianni’s new menu of everyday specials has at least one dish perfect for truffles – this week was Cacio & Peppe: thin spaghetti pasta, pecorino Romano, black peppercorn, fresh Alba white truffle or Burgundy black truffle. Chef Betania hopes to have a special truffle dish every week through December and January. Cognoscenti recommend simple dishes of pasta with butter sauce to fully appreciate white truffles (another favorite pairing is scrambled eggs with black truffles, but not at Gianni). My dinner partners Gary and Marilyn List observed proper tradition with buttered spaghetti generously covered with grated... Read More »

Governor DeSantis Visits Ocean Reef December 18, 2019 Posted in: All, Club News Governor DeSantis, at the invitation of the Everglades Foundation, Bonefish Tarpon Trust, and Ocean Reef Conservation Association, addressed a large group of Ocean Reef residents at Ocean Reef Town Hall. His remarks were complimented by a presentation from Eric Eikenberg CEO of Everglades Foundation who detailed the significant environmental and everglades restoration achievements of the DeSantis administration. Through the Governor’s leadership, the State of Florida has committed $2.5 billion over the next four years earmarked specifically for Everglades restoration and related water projects.

“You’ve Never Seen this Before” December 16, 2019 Posted in: All, Club News, Traditions “You’ve Never Seen this Before” Vintage Weekend 2019 By Holly Houser, Ocean Reef Press Editorial Assistant “You’ve never seen this before.” If you were at the Concours d’Elegance, this is a quote you heard quite a bit from Vintage Weekend Committee member Ron Elenbaas, but it’s also a great tagline for the weekend as a whole. Most people can’t say they’ve experienced such a spectacular showing of rare automobiles, expertly restored yachts, and air shows featuring the best of the best aerobatic pilots all in one day! Another perfect example of “only at Ocean Reef.” The 24th Annual Vintage Weekend featured one of the most amazing automobile collections to date, an illustrious showing of elegant yachts, and not one, but two spectacular air shows. The Vintage Weekend Committee, Vicki Goldstein, Lenny Sikora and Ron Elenbaas, felt this year boasted the strongest field ever, with numerous unique, special and one-of-a-kind showings of classic conveyances. Each year, an overarching theme emerges by the conclusion of the weekend. Past years have revealed – great things come in threes, it’s a family affair, and of course, the year of singing in the rain. This year’s most prominent theme? Let’s hear it for the girls!... Read More »

From Grimwade to Musto December 13, 2019 Posted in: All, Club News, Stories From Grimwade to Musto George Grimwade is a 22-year-old senior offensive lineman on the Bulldogs football team at Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama. When George was in fifth grade, his mom, Michelle, married Michael Musto. She became, Mrs. Musto and George became his stepson. Keep reading for the significance of her new last name, and this Ocean Reef family’s love, acceptance and football. From the very beginning, George and Michael bonded, especially over football. George had not had a father figure in his life so having his stepfather to guide him and share his passion was truly a blessing. Fast forward to now, Michael is simply known as George’s dad, no “step” necessary, and George wanted to make a grand gesture to show his father just how much he meant to him. “I decided to change my last name because my stepdad – which sounds weird calling him my stepdad because he’s always been dad to me – he doesn’t have anyone to carry on his last name,” said George in a video to his father that has now gone viral. “He raised me ever since I was in second grade. I feel like I owe it to him to... Read More »

Making a Difference: Kevin Fish December 13, 2019 Posted in: All, Tennis and Games Making a Difference Kevin Fish By Gertrude Mann, Member Since 1974 One of the busiest places on The Reef these days is the Tennis & Games Center. Just pass by any morning. You’ll probably see golf carts, cars and scooters filling the parking spaces, and lots of activity inside on the courts. Tennis Committee Chairman Kevin Fish is enthusiastic about what’s going on with games and lessons for all. He talks about his job as newly appointed Chairman and why he and his wife Sandra can spend three hours every day happily playing tennis. He says, “Jimmy Morton and his staff are phenomenal. We’ve played at many tennis centers in our travels. None can compare with what we have here. I didn’t play a lot of tennis while growing up. My interests were football and baseball, but now tennis is both a passion and a pleasure. We took a lesson from Jimmy in 2013 and knew we’d found our new home. We rented for a while and then bought our house on Cinnamon Bark. We spend the season here but take our boat to Nantucket and Newport for sport fishing in the summer. I learned how to fish from my father, the... Read More »

Building Memories December 13, 2019 Posted in: All, Golf, Recreation, Salon and Spa, Shopping, Tennis and Games Building Memories By Jody Steele, Member Since 2005 As the holidays approach, it can be challenging to search the internet or even worse, venture in to the stores for the perfect gift for your child or grandchildren. Over the years, I have found that gifting “unique” experiences can be more memorable than opening a package. And actually, it is easier and readily available right here at Ocean Reef Club. So for all those children that have been exceptionally good all year, there are many choices to choose from – without Santa’s help. An array of water activities can be reserved at the Pool Desk (305-367-7797) or Concierge (305-367-6516). Choices include Eco Kayak tours to the mangroves and bird rookeries, Crystal Kayaks that have clear bottoms to view underwater life, sailing lessons, or learning how to use a Stand Up Paddleboard or Peddle Board. The Clubhouse (305-367-5912) is the place to call to arrange an individual lesson for your future golf pro. Junior Clinics are scheduled for 9 a.m. during the holidays, but arrangements can also be made to fit your family schedule. Bicycle tours are great exercise and can be a lovely family gift. Bikes can be rented at Cart... Read More »

Academy Provides Gifts for Disadvantaged Children December 13, 2019 Posted in: All, Club News, The Academy at Ocean Reef Academy Provides Gifts for Disadvantaged Children On November 14, The Academy at Ocean Reef’s Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) President, Kat Fritter, hosted her annual Samaritan’s Purse Gift Box Charity. Otherwise known as Operation Christmas Child, the event brought students, parents, teachers, and friends of The Academy together to donate and pack up hundreds of boxes of gifts for underprivileged children all around the world. Gifts, arranged by age and gender, included: crayons, toys, hats, t-shirts, sunglasses, toothbrushes, bandanas, art supplies, playing cards, and books. These gifts were then packed in boxes, each marked for ages 2-4, 5-9, or 10-14 for boys and girls alike. Working together, The Academy community packed close to 300 boxes that have since been sent worldwide to children in need. As Head of School Jerome Murphy reflected afterwards, “It was a wonderful community building event that helped reinforce our commitment to instilling and modeling good values in the day to day lives of our children. The practice of giving back and helping those who are less fortunate was on full display, and we feel blessed to have had the opportunity to brighten the lives of so many disadvantaged children.”

Backstage at Vintage Weekend December 13, 2019 Posted in: All, Club News, Traditions BACKSTAGE at VINTAGE WEEKEND Credit for this unique Ocean Reef tradition belongs to the unstinting efforts of three remarkable Members By Joan Birsh, Member Since 1997 The continuing 24-year success of the annual Ocean Reef Vintage Weekend, with its parade of antique automobiles, astonishing air shows, and collection of classic yachts, is the result of the initiative and hard work of three OR Members, each of whom has responsibility for one aspect of the exhibits: Vicki Goldstein (boats); Ron Elenbaas (cars); Lenny Sikora (planes). What follows are short takes on interviews I had with each of them about their personal connection to Vintage Weekend. VICKI GOLDSTEIN and boats An Ohio girl, Vicki’s first experience with boats came in her early 20’s when she embarked on a five-year sailing trip around the world with her first husband. When the trip ended, Vicki continued to be involved with boats – she wrote about them in sailing magazines, sold them at a yacht brokerage, and when she married Alan Goldstein, she raced with him for 30 years in their restored 1907 sailboat sailing out of Winter Harbor, Maine. It was at Southwest Harbor that Vicki visited a classic yacht show that was her... Read More »

CH Prime, In With the New, In With the Old December 13, 2019 Posted in: All, Dining At CH Prime, In With the New, In With the Old By Terry Baxter, Member Since 2002 I hope you read last week’s article by Mary Brady introducing Shelby Confer as the new Chef de Cuisine at CH Prime. This week was a seminal moment as nightly service began at CH Prime. I first noticed Chef Shelby five or six years ago when she led her team to win the cook off competition at the Associates’ end-of-season celebration. I have enjoyed her talents over the ensuing years at the Cooking School and the specialty dinners featuring Scotch, Bourbon, and innovative menus to match. Then, she sealed the deal with her offering of pierogies at this year’s “Gathering” (more in a moment). A showstopper. Chef Philippe Reynaud, our Senior Director of Culinary Operations, calls her “a shooting star,” and I agree. As I sat down opening night, I was delighted to find those delicious pierogies on the all-new CH Prime menu. Pierogies are savory dumplings typically boiled, then sautéed in butter. Originally peasant fare native to Central and Eastern Europe, they have become cultural icons and considered national dishes. At the Pierogi Festival in Krakow, Poland, 30,000 are consumed... Read More »

A Special Welcome from Town Hall December 13, 2019 Posted in: All, Club News Town Hall Special Welcome The November Town Hall is a formal opportunity to welcome Equity Members back and share updates past, present and future. This particular meeting also included a special welcome to both the Club’s new President, Alex Tonarelli and ORCA’s new President, Chip Iglesias. Mr. Tonarelli started as President of Ocean Reef Club in August after a long tenure as Managing Director, with Loews Hotels. Also, Alex and his wife Sara and son Luca have been Social members of the Club for 12 years. As Mr. Manzo, Chairman of the Ocean Reef Club Board of Directors, shared, both of these experiences prepared him for taking on the role as Ocean Reef Club President. Mr. Iglesias, also from South Florida, started his career as a firefighter/paramedic, with a 33-year career in public service including CEO for the Village of Key Biscayne. He assumed the role of ORCA President on November 4, 2019. Club Updates Summer improvements to the Club, additions to programming and events were shared by Mr. Tonarelli. Prior to starting at Ocean Reef, he toured “comparable clubs” in Florida only to reveal what many know, “this is truly a unique and special place and there are not... Read More »

Soaring to Vintage Weekend December 13, 2019 Posted in: All, Club Events, Traditions Soaring to Vintage Weekend December 5 – 8 By Holly Houser, Ocean Reef Press Editorial Assistant The 24th annual Vintage Weekend is almost here, and this year promises to be the most outstanding yet. Yes, we say this every year, but it’s true! The Vintage Weekend Committee continues to outdo themselves time and time again. Vintage Weekend at Ocean Reef is a special occurrence, as we’re one of the few destinations in the world that can showcase all three modes of transportation – land, air and sea – and this year’s exhibits total almost 100 classic automobiles, yachts and aircrafts in attendance. Along with beautifully restored vintage conveyances, this unparalleled weekend also features exciting celebrations, breathtaking airshows, and several other distinctive events that don’t require a ticket: No Ticket Necessary! THURSDAY, DECEMBER 5 “The Return of Avocette” The weekend begins with “The Return of Avocette” at Carysfort Hall at 4 p.m. William Morong, Ocean Reef Member and Certified Professional Yacht Broker Founder and CEO, and Bill Prince, President Bill Prince Yacht Design Inc., will present Yachting Solution’s signature Resto-Mod approach in the restored 1930’s-era Avocette III, the oldest-known Huckins Fairform Flyer in existence. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 6 Viewing of the Road... Read More »

Primed December 13, 2019 Posted in: All, Associate Spotlight, Dining Primed By Mary Brady, Member Since 1989 Chef Shelby Confer is likely a name you know well if you’ve ever been to the Cooking School. Prior to running the Cooking School at Carysfort Kitchen for the past three years, Shelby spent several rotating in every kitchen on The Reef, sushi bar included. But a choice Shelby made many years ago could have easily led her in a different direction. The middle daughter of three, Shelby was born in Waynesboro, PA and spent much of her time playing musical instruments. She had a love of flute and was set to pursue a degree in music until a gut feeling told her this was not to be her career path. At the lastminute she decided on culinary school and has never looked back. “I have a passion for the savory side of cooking,” said Shelby. “I feel that cooking and sharing delicious meals helps bring people together, creating a bond between family and friends alike.” Shelby graduated from Indiana University of Pennsylvania (UPI), where she studied culinary arts, and, eight years ago, was recruited by Chef Philippe Reynaud, Senior Director Culinary Operations, to work at Ocean Reef Club. Shelby worked, (and we all... Read More »

Annual Community Thanksgiving Celebration December 13, 2019 Posted in: All, Club Events, Traditions Annual Community Thanksgiving Celebration Guest Speaker – JT Mestdagh Best-Selling Author of “Untether” By Rev. Bob Henley The Club’s first Community Thanksgiving Celebration was held in November 2017, following Hurricane Irma. It was an important moment for the entire Ocean Reef Community – Associates, Club Members and community members – to gather and recognize the protection we experienced and the blessings we shared. The gathering was co-sponsored by both the Club and the Chapel at Ocean Reef. Our annual Community Thanksgiving Celebration this year will be on Tuesday, November 26, at 3 p.m. in the Carysfort Hall foyer. The service is for all Associates, Club Members and guests alike. Our guest speaker this year will be JT Mestdagh. JT is a young entrepreneur and inspirational speaker based in Grosse Pointe, MI. A graduate of High Point University in North Carolina, Mestdagh is also an experienced mountaineer, extreme skier, boater, hunter, and adventurer who has made it his life mission to encourage people to untether from natural or self-imposed limitations and live full, passionate lives. Born with life-threatening VATER/VACTERL syndrome and extreme dyslexia and short-term memory loss, Mestdagh established the JT Mestdagh Foundation to bring encouragement, joy, and laughter to people... Read More »

All in the Family December 13, 2019 Posted in: All, Technology All in the Family By Jane Silverman, Member Since 2012 When I think of my Great Uncle Charlie running away from his NY home in 1887, I can only imagine the travels and travails he faced. He was just 13 at the time (so the family legend goes…) and had just immigrated to the US from Prussia. He followed a road of adventure towards the Wild West and spent the next 20 some odd years on the left side of the Mississippi. I learned he fell in love in Utah with Maude Pratt (granddaughter of Parley Pratt, one of the original Mormon founders in the Quorum of the 12 Apostles) and married her in Sweetwater, WY in 1901 when he was 27 and she was 20. They settled down in Kemmerer, WY where he managed the Kemmerer Hotel and later owned a saloon; he was befriended by JC Penney (whose first store, the Golden Rule, was at the time a big success). Seek & You Shall Find All of these dates and facts came alive for me from my research in the astounding Family Search Library and its app created by the Mormon LDS church at familysearch.org. It is the world’s largest... Read More »

Ocean Reef Airport Ready for Takeoff December 13, 2019 Posted in: Airport, All, Club News Ocean Reef Airport Ready for Takeoff Airport Grand Reopening By Holly Houser Ocean Reef Press Editorial Assitant The finishing touches have been made to the Ocean Reef Airport renovations, and ahead of schedule at that! Members gathered Sunday, November 10 on the newly paved and raised tarmac to celebrate the improvements and those who made them possible. Alex Tonarelli, Ocean Reef Club President, opened the celebration, stating the Airport has come a long way since 1956 as a 2,000-foot grass strip – now approximately a 4,500-foot runway with a 50-foot wide burgee! “In the time I’ve been here, I’ve seen how important this Airport is and how significantly it contributes to the unique way of life here at Ocean Reef Club,” said Alex. “This summer, I had the opportunity to tour some of the nicest clubs in Florida and came back from that day with one thought – there’s many beautiful clubs, but not one of them has an airport like we have here today.” Bob Manzo, ORC Chairman of the Board, said “Maintaining the Airport in first-class condition while improving Member experience and safety parameters was paramount for this project.” He detailed the number of important changes, which included... Read More »

The Tasting Light is ON at Port O’Call December 13, 2019 Posted in: All, Club News, Dining The Tasting Light is ON at Port O’Call By Terry Baxter, Member Since 2002 One of the nicest perks of being at Ocean Reef is the season-long complimentary wine tastings on the Port O’Call Patio. The events are arranged and hosted by our certified Advanced Sommelier, Micah Winecoff. Like many Ocean Reef associates, Micah uses part of his summer enhancing his skills for the benefit of our unabashedly wine-loving Members. This year, he toured Napa and Sonoma wine country with a team of Ocean Reef culinary staff (tough duty). Then Micah continued on his own time to the South of France to study the wines of Provence (Languedoc and Roussillon) and came away with a love for “a beautiful part of the world.” A glutton for punishment, Micah went on to Catalonia, Spain to work the harvest at the Raventos Winery. He brought home a rich appreciation for the different grapes, aromas, and tastes of these regions. That appreciation was all on display for our Members last week at Port O’Call’s “World of Value” tasting. Micah charms his wine suppliers into presenting bottles of special value and regional distinction, and they didn’t fail us – 30 plus selections from diverse locations –... Read More »

Ocean Reef Military Assistance Fund Makes Final Gifts December 13, 2019 Posted in: All, Club News Ocean Reef Military Assitance Fund Makes Final Gifts In 2007, Al Mast and Leonard Wood both had sons serving in the military in the Middle East as a result of 9/11 and the war on terror, which continues to this day. They knew Ocean Reef to be a patriotic community and hoped it would support an effort to raise money for those veterans who were returning from combat duty with unmet needs due to severe injuries. Ocean Reef, as it has done time and again, rose to the occasion and numerous donations were received. They had extensive deliberations and decided to use the funds to serve those most in need — soldiers who had suffered traumatic injuries whose many needs were going unmet. Over the years, they found a number of ways to support these veterans. Funds were provided for specialized wheelchairs, specialized vehicles, and user-friendly custom homes. It’s been a fun and exciting 10+ years for Al and Leonard in both raising funds and figuring out how to help those most in need. However, they now feel this journey winding down, believing it time to make the final gifts and wind up operations on a high note. For the... Read More »

Introducing: Avocado Pit Straws December 13, 2019 Posted in: All, Dining Introducing: Avocado Pit Straws Dennis Courtney, Director of Outlets The national movement toward eliminating plastic straws began a few years ago, however it impacted coastal communities such as the Florida Keys the greatest. Responding to the call to respect our environment and preserve the Club for generations to enjoy, your Food and Beverage team was tasked with seeking an alternative to the plastic straw. Initially Members were encouraged to think twice about using a plastic straw, then a cornstarch-based straw was offered, followed with the notorious paper straw. Armed with the best intentions, we quickly discovered that straw alternatives were not perfect replacements. This summer we made it a priority to evaluate other options and find an ideal solution for our Members. We found the best plastic alternative straw on the market, and are proud to present our avocado pit straws. Many Members have already commented on the noticeable improvement in quality to the new straws and have been surprised to discover they are made from renewable and sustainable resources. These new straws are made from agro-waste (avocado pits and a dash of lime to be exact). Using agro-waste to make straws significantly reduces carbon footprint. They are 100% naturally... Read More »

Memerabilia December 13, 2019 Posted in: All, Memberabilia MEMBERABILIA Did You Know… that Marlene and John Boll’s grandson, JT Mestdagh, is the author of Untether, a memoir that is a bestseller at Amazon Books. by Joan Birsh, Member Since 1997 I met JT Mestdagh last year when he was at Ocean Reef visiting his grandparents Marlene and John Boll. He appeared to be an attractive, well mannered, outgoing 23-year-old. His cheerful demeanor made me question what could possibly have inspired such a young person to write a deeply personal and highly praised memoir. Then one afternoon not long ago, I picked up my previously purchased copy of Untether. Admittedly, I planned to skim it, but instead I read, and in some cases reread, every word of the 323-page paperback. The saga of Untether is presented entirely in JT’s own words and his description of his birth defects and the medical procedures to correct them is unsparing. Shortly after delivery, the doctor informed JT’s parents that their newborn son had to have an immediate operation on his esophagus, which was non-existent and food could not go into his stomach. Also required was another complicated surgical procedure for a condition called anal atresia, which required rerouting the colon so body... Read More »

Tour the Gardens December 13, 2019 Posted in: All, Environment Tour the Gardens By Jody Steele, Member Since 2005 Last year, near the end of the season, we were treated to Palm Tours guided by Corine Ferre, Landscape Designer, Horticulturist and Arborist. This season, Corine will lead different garden tours at three separate locations on The Reef. All are walking tours that will run about an hour, so it is important that participants wear comfortable shoes, sun hats and sunscreen. Brochures will be provided and you will definitely want to take photos. As you are gazing at a variety of specialty palms, new water lilies in the water garden pond, and the view of Card Sound from Greenberg Park, you won’t be missing the snow flurries and freezing temps you left behind. And you get a light workout with friends! Palm Tour Wednesday, December 18 9 a.m. * Meet at the Inn Lobby (NEW) Water Garden Tour Wednesday, December 18 10 a.m. * Meet at the Water Garden and park carts on the cart path behind the pond (NEW) Greenberg Park Garden Tour Wednesday, December 18 11 a.m. * Meet at the Greenberg Park Garden entrance Additional dates for tours will be offered in 2020.

Ocean Reef Airport Then & Now December 13, 2019 Posted in: Airport, All Ocean Reef Airport Then & Now by Holly Houser, Ocean Reef Press Editorial Assistant The luxury of arriving by land, air or sea is a characteristic unique to Ocean Reef Club, and as one of the only clubs with their own private airport, 07FA (Ocean Reef Club Airport) is a very special part of the Club’s narrative. The history of the Airport dates back to the late 40s, early 50s. According to the Ocean Reef history book “On The Reef,” written by Dick Farmer and Shirley Shipley, initial conversations about building an airstrip began when original Ocean Reef founder Morris Baker purchased what was then known as the Dispatch Creek Fishing Camp. At the time, traveling to Ocean Reef was difficult as a 1944 fire destroyed the Card Sound draw bridge. One had to drive to Key Largo on US1 and then head back north on a dirt road (905) in order to get to The Reef. By the mid-1950s, the bridge was rebuilt, the Ocean Reef boat channels dredged and deepened, and all main roads to Ocean Reef paved. The only manner of transportation not accounted for was air. Construction on the first airstrip, which was a 2,000 ft.... Read More »

“Counting” on You December 13, 2019 Posted in: All, Club News, Traditions “Counting” on You By Richard Weinstein Senior Vice President, Membership Numbers, they often provide certainty, enable us to confirm and sometimes even delight. Some are constant and never change like Newton’s Gravitational Constant 9.8 m/s², you are likely very familiar with this every time you fall down on the pickleball court. Others are just plan irrational like Euler’s e=2.71828…a never-ending decimal that cannot be displayed as a fraction. And just for fun, some are not even real numbers like the imaginary i= as there are no two same numbers that can be multiplied together where the result is a negative number. At Ocean Reef Club we have numbers that are just as important, especially to those that are assigned one. We are talking about our Social Members in Waiting who have their number on the waitlist. Each position is assigned in order (a very rational approach) and they are provided with their current position on the Waitlist. The very next Social Member that completes their application and all the required background checks and interviews will be assigned the waitlist position of 272. Of our current 2350 Social Members (our own Ocean Reef Constant), which is the defined “sweet spot” to balance... Read More »

Cart Rentals Saves the Day December 13, 2019 Posted in: All, Associate Spotlight Saved the Day By Jody Steele, Member Since 2005 As all grandparents know, we have to be great planners so our family events are almost perfect. However, the reality is all sorts of pieces can fall apart in a minute so we have to be ready to go to “Plan B” or in this case to Ocean Reef for help. Our bevy of five grandchildren were all set for the annual Trick or Treating last weekend on their decorated golf carts. Off we went in a flurry, and then the dreaded call….”Mom, we have a flat tire that is actually split” and of course, they have three year old Cinderella on board. What do we do? On to the Bell Stand we traveled, and a bit panicked asked if they knew of any golf carts available. Immediately, with an encouraging word—they sent us to Cart Rental where we filled out a form and rented a golf cart for a few hours—all in a flash! Cinderella and her parents arrived in two minutes by car and on they all journeyed forward in their new pumpkin coach. The grandparents just sighed in disbelief that with ready assistance nearby, everyone was back on... Read More »

Seeds of Life Were Planted at 07FA, Ocean Reef Airport December 13, 2019 Posted in: Airport, All, Stories Seeds of Life Were Planted at 07FA, Ocean Reef Airport By Chip Matthews, Member Since 2003 He was 10 years old, it was late December and he was as eager as a young boy about to go pick up his Red Rider BB Gun. His grandfather was taking too much time and he wanted to leave, like yesterday. As he hopped into the passenger side of his grandfather’s old green golf cart, he thought, next time, it would be he who was driving. As the wind flowed through his hair, Man Man, as they called him, began to tell him a story of when he was trying to make the football team. He explained that his name was not called of those who made the team, but Man Man (Herb Matthews), would not accept “no” for an answer and showed up for practice the next day, the next and the next. Man Man eventually became a starter on the football team. So, Man Man said, if you want something bad enough, persevere until you get what you want. They pulled into the parking lot of the security office to take the golf cart driving test. He was old enough, but... Read More »

Serving the 30,000th Can of “The Point” December 13, 2019 Posted in: All, Dining 30,000th Can of “The Point” Served by Dennis Courtney, Director of Outlets Poised on The Reef’s own little peninsula with Atlantic waters on three sides is a place fondly known as The Point. It is a sanctuary for members to gather, to strengthen the bonds of friendship, to appreciate the bounty of nature, and to welcome returning anglers home again. To remind you of all the memories and moments here, we have crafted “The Point Session Ale “exclusively to embody all that we treasure about this very special place. Less than two years ago, your Food & Beverage Team launched “The Point Session Ale”, a craft beer made exclusively for Ocean Reef Club. Partnering with Tampa Bay Brewing Company (who continues adding medals to their collection from the Great American Beer Fest), we ensured this beer boasted excellent quality, consistency and exclusivity. Since its launch in November 2017, more than 30,000 cans of “The Point Session Ale” have been consumed. Members enjoy this poolside, on the golf course, or boating and have made it synonymous with the Club and Keys lifestyle. Members have found this hoppy American wheat ale to be very approachable in style. It is aromatic with tropical... Read More »

An Award for the Record Books December 13, 2019 Posted in: All, Associate Spotlight, Golf An Award for the Record Books It’s time to add another plaque to the Golf Shop walls! Earlier this month, Ocean Reef’s First Assistant Golf Professional Evan Jones was presented 2019’s South Florida PGA Southern Chapter Assistant Golf Professional of the Year award. This award recognizes a PGA member for their overall performance as an assistant professional, leadership ability, willingness to attend and participate in chapter and section meetings, elections and tournaments, promotion of the game of golf through teaching, and positive representation of the PGA of America. Evan, who has been nominated four times for the award, takes an active role not only at Ocean Reef, but also with the PGA Southern Chapter and South Florida Sector. Along with Director of Golf Scott Kirkwood and Head Professional Mike Leone, he attends all meetings, plays in many tournaments, and participates in SFPGA elections – all of which happen several times a year. The South Florida Sector is the largest in the country, so Evan was up against plenty of competition to be named the Southern Chapter award winner. “We’re very proud of Evan,” said Scott. “With hundreds of assistant professionals in our chapter, this truly is an amazing award for... Read More »

Out of Africa October 28, 2019 Posted in: All, Environment, Stories Everybody knows what a cow plop is…right? By association, an elephant plop is just a plop from a different species. And much bigger. We’re talking about 50 pounds a plop! In Kenya, they call it elephant dung and it has a wide variety of uses such as making paper. Also, when dried and burned, the smoke cures severe headaches and will chase mosquitoes away. In Thailand, they feed elephants coffee beans, which are harvested after passing through the elephants and sold for as much as $500 per pound because of its distinctive taste. The Maasai use it to make their little houses which gives new nuance to the term ‘outhouse’. Back in 2011, while traveling in Kenya, the Markel’s, who were with the Deutsch’s and Jeannie Schiavone, found a new and interesting by-product of elephant dung. In the Kenyan arid climate, the Doum Palm grows and flourishes. These palms produce a large seed that has a thick skin that is difficult to break; however, when an elephant digests it, the seed comes out with a crack in it. Only then will the seed grow into a Doum Palm. Steve Markel thought that if he could obtain a few of these ‘processed’ seeds, he... Read More »

Associate Spotlight: Gregg Van Dyke October 28, 2019 Posted in: All, Associate Spotlight, Tennis and Games When we first interviewed Gregg Van Dyke four years ago, he shared his high hopes and plans for the Card & Games Room, then existing only on blueprints. He had just been hired as its director. Now, the beautiful space on the second floor of the Tennis & Games Center fills daily with Members who enjoy games of Bridge, Canasta, Mah Jongg and Poker. In that long ago interview, Gregg said, “Give me three years and we’ll build this into a successful venture.” Bingo! Gregg credits the Membership for helping him reach stated goals. He says, “Our players are the ones who deserve credit. I am here to organize and guide them. Playing cards is a great way to meet new people in what I call friendly competition. We have a good time. Bridge is still the drawing card, but Canasta is a close second.” Volunteer teachers, Mary Zwirn and Claudia Langworthy, were thrilled with the response to their session on playing special Canasta hands. Claudia says, “We decked the hall with 52 Canasta players. All were eager to learn, and Gregg kept us happy and focused with ORC cookies, snacks, coffee, water, and an espresso machine.” Both Mary and Claudia devote countless... Read More »

After School-Like Nowhere Else October 28, 2019 Posted in: All, For The Kids, The Academy at Ocean Reef The students at The Academy at Ocean Reef have an afternoon sports and activities program that is quite distinctive. At 3:30 p.m., the school mini-bus picks up students from K-8th grade for their afternoon adventures at The Reef. After a full day of a challenging curriculum, the group is ready to roll. A full schedule including tennis, chess club, Pickleball, running club, and golf keep the students out and about enjoying The Reef on a daily basis. Remi Helms, fourth grade “seasonal” student from Pennsylvania, calls The Academy her “summer/winter school”. Preston Carroll, a fifth grade year round student, is sure his golf and Pickleball games have really improved this year, and Kiki Brainard, soon to graduate from eighth grade and head to Deerfield Academy, is looking forward to playing tennis in high school. So along with developing strong academics, these students and others are thrilled they have the opportunity to strengthen their skills in sports right here at The Reef. A special after school program will be added to the schedule after the upcoming Spring Break. Sure to be a popular choice for many students, The Academy is pleased to start a “swim team” at our new pool at the... Read More »

A Bountiful Harvest October 28, 2019 Posted in: All, Club News, Food and Beverage, Health and Nutrition, Stories A short, but delicious journey. Although we sit beautifully on the Atlantic Ocean and Card Sound, we are also perched on the edge of a rich farmland, about 25 miles from our Front Gate. This unique location enables our culinary department to enrich our palate with freshly harvested produce. It is like having our “own ORC farm.” The relationship the local farmers have with our chefs is a year round conversation that begins before the seeds are planted. Chef Philippe Reynaud, Senior Director of Culinary Operations, shared that he meets with the farmers in August to discuss items that the Ocean Reef chefs would like for their menus. These seeds become the harvested produce that is delivered to our restaurants. The chefs have the opportunity to review a daily list of “vegetables, herbs, and tropical bounty” to utilize the best seasonal produce for Members. Paradise Organic Farms, V & B Farms, and Michael Borek Farms are all locally outsourced farms that provide produce that is often delivered to our Commissary within hours after being harvested. The flavor of this fresh produce is superior. So everyone benefits—the farmers are happy to sell their crops and the Ocean Reef community... Read More »

Associate Spotlight: Genie Matherne October 28, 2019 Posted in: All, Announcements, Associate Spotlight, Club News, Stories Genie Matherne Genie Matherne, ORC’s highly accredited trainer and coach of water activities, could teach the genie of Arabian folklore a thing or two. Our Genie brings magic to the new Fitness Pool every day with a roster of 14 classes, therapy sessions in the water and swim lessons for all ages. Our Genie is eager to grant the wishes of all Members who want to feel stronger and healthier with energizing sessions in the water. She says, “There are so many opportunities for us with this long-awaited fabulous new pool. We will have aqua bikes, treadmills, trampolines and underwater bar bells like the ones being used at Marine training bases across the country. Our classes range from challenging Aqua Cardio Blast to gentle Silver Splash. We have Pilates classes and Wet Barre in the pool, while serious swimmers can enjoy swimming laps with no interruptions. We hope everyone will pick up a schedule of all activities at the Fitness Center, make some choices, and join us in the water. Many of your favorite trainers on land will be coaching in the pool.” Genie fell in love with Ocean Reef 25 years ago when she introduced her Miami Company, Aqua... Read More »

Coral Restoration Foundation Rebuilds Carysfort Reef October 28, 2019 Posted in: All, Club News, Conservation, Environment, Marina and Boating, Stories Protecting Our Reefs According to the 2015 Census, the Florida Keys location was a top reason why Members chose Ocean Reef Club (following only friends and family and the activities as reasons #1 and #2). Therefore, preserving our natural resources and beautiful environment for future generations is of paramount importance. That is why five years ago the Club, Ocean Reef Conservation Association, and the Coral Restoration Foundation (CRF) partnered to replenish Carysfort Reef. What is the Coral Restoration Foundation? Founded in 2007, CRF is a Key Largo-based nonprofit created to develop offshore coral nurseries and restoration strategies for critically endangered coral reefs. What began as a local effort, spearheaded by CRF founder and president Ken Nedimeyer, has grown into a globally recognized organization. CRF has been successfully growing and transplanting corals for more than a decade throughout the Keys, the Caribbean and South America. The restoration process involves growing staghorn and elkhorn corals for about a year in an underwater nursery until they are large enough to be outplanted on a reef. Rebuilding Carysfort Reef In December 2013, the Club and Ocean Reef Conservation Association became CRF’s first community donor and two years later, together established a five-year... Read More »

Made from Scratch October 28, 2019 Posted in: All, Dining, Food and Beverage, Health and Nutrition, Stories We all remember the beloved family recipes that were “made from scratch.” And the time it took to do so. Of course, these were the best memories—the spaghetti sauce that took hours on the stove to the lemon cake that had few ingredients that somehow just meshed to create deliciousness. Everyone has their own special list and even today recreate these recipes in their own kitchens. The chefs at Ocean Reef are dedicated to “make from scratch” memories for us all to add to our favorites. Using fresh ingredients and creative cooking skills, they make an enormous amount of our dishes in the restaurant kitchens. After chatting with Chef Philippe Reynaud, Senior Director of Culinary Operations, I became amazed at what happens behind the scenes and thought this was worth sharing a short sampling with Members. Gianni Ristorante: All pizza toppings, Bolognese, salad dressings, stuffed pasta and some flat, pizza dough, and sauces. Burgee Bar: Daily soups, dressings, aioli, sauces, salads, and pizza. Islander, Palm Court: Lobster bisque, all sushi, sauces, guacamole, salsa, fish dip, roast pork, black beans, chili vinaigrette, and daily soups. Clubhouse Prime/19th Hole: Salad dressings, cocktail sauce, Parker House rolls, steak rub, daily soups,... Read More »

Here Comes Summer! October 28, 2019 Posted in: All, For The Kids, Recreation, Summer Camps “Unique Summer Camps” are just around the corner. Your children and grandchildren have plenty of camps to choose from and there are even a few camps for adults. It all begins on June 4 and camps close on August 10 so there are lots of weeks ahead to join the fun. Reef Discovery (ages 8-14) is returning for its 13th season with favorite activities such as air tubing, parasailing, and snorkeling. Added to the schedule is a campfire and games for the whole family and a new “escape room” challenge for the campers. Reef Adventure (ages 7-12) is always a popular camp and this summer it will include Lego building, chess, smartphone scavenger hunts, a cardboard boat regatta, and an archery course. The Nike Peak Performance Swim Camp (8-18) is a brand new camp! It will be held at the Member Fitness Center and will be designed for swimmers that are novice, intermediate, or elite. Coaches will provide individual and group instruction and campers can register for day or overnight camp. Ocean Reef summer campers return year after year and make lifelong friends. They can choose a camp that offers an enormous range of activities or they can concentrate on developing... Read More »

We have a lot to look forward to… October 28, 2019 Posted in: All, Club News We all know how much Ocean Reef Club loves to celebrate anniversaries. We saw it with the fabulous turnout for our Historic Celebration Weekend in April, commemorating 70 years as a Club and 25 years of Member ownership. Fantastic memories… But as I drove through the front gate this week, I couldn’t help but think of another kind of milestone in our Club’s history – the one-year anniversary of Hurricane Irma – making landfall at Ocean Reef September 10, 2017. Historic. Devastating for so many. One of the most powerful storms ever seen in the Atlantic. I think it’s fair to say that it affected nearly every person in Florida in some fashion. What’s most deserving of our recognition as we approach this one-year anniversary is recalling the wonderful way Club and ORCA Management and Associates rolled up their sleeves and tackled the monumental job of putting our community and Club back together. The progress made within just six weeks was startling. Massive amounts of debris had been cleared, the flag was raised at The Point, Buccaneer Island reopened, and we even hosted a special golf tournament in honor of the newly opened Hammock Course. Associates and Members alike embodied a spirit... Read More »

Renewed Hope for Coral Reefs Around the World October 28, 2019 Posted in: All, Conservation, Environment The first global conference addressing coral reef restoration and intervention science took place last week featuring over 550 leading scientists and experts from nearly 40 countries. This groundbreaking symposium, Reef Futures, tackled the challenges facing the planet’s coral reefs by sharing solutions, new research, experimental techniques, and promoting collaboration between global leaders in the field. Reef Futures was presented by the Coral Restoration Consortium, the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and Australia’s Reef Restoration and Adaptation Program (RRAP), and hosted by Coral Restoration Foundation™ and Ocean Reef Club. Despite the scale of the response required to address the emergency facing the planet’s coral reefs, the atmosphere at Reef Futures 2018 was undeniably optimistic. Though 50 percent of the world’s coral reefs have been lost in the last 30 years, the attendees at this pioneering Symposium represent a highly-motivated community taking tangible action on the front line of the crisis. “Reef Futures took place right next to Key Largo’s famous Carysfort Reef – an iconic example of a reef in crisis. But, Coral Restoration Foundation is demonstrating that Carysfort Reef could soon become an iconic example of a reef restored, thanks to significant commitments from organizations like Ocean Reef Club... Read More »

Cooking School Family-Style October 28, 2019 Posted in: All, Dining, Food and Beverage, For The Kids Did you know you can set up private Cooking School classes for your friends and family? Last Christmas, the Barnhill family did just that. Cooking With Three Generations In celebration of the children and grandchildren visiting for Christmas break, the Barnhills came up with an event the entire family would enjoy. The Barnhills, the first family to have one of these personalized events, set up a private family cooking class with Carysfort Kitchen’s Chef de Cuisine Shelby Confer. Shelby provided the family with several menu choices and the children chose Asian. During the class, they made Rainbow Vegetable Spring Rolls, Ginger Chicken Dumplings, Shrimp Stir Fry and Dessert Sushi. “It was truly a delightful family event and Shelby is wonderful with young and adults alike,” said Janet Barnhill. “The class was private, educational and fun! The kids talked about it as their favorite part of Christmas vacation. It’s hard to compete with Santa, but apparently Shelby and crew did just that.” Booking a Private Cooking Class These private Cooking School classes are smaller and more intimate events designed for a group of family or friends. A variety of cuisines are available – Mexican, Italian, French, American, Asian, Tropical (Key Largo Classics) – and... Read More »

Academy Ocean Guardians October 28, 2019 Posted in: All, For The Kids, Stories, The Academy at Ocean Reef The Academy at Ocean Reef was officially recognized as the first NOAA Ocean Guardian School in Florida in September, on the second day of the new school year. The Academy earned a letter of recognition and a school banner after completing a number of projects to protect the ocean in 2017-18 as participants in the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration program. The school faced challenges completing the Ocean Guardian projects – but the process helped Academy students, staff and parents deepen their understanding of how rewarding it is to protect natural resources. The Academy partnered with Ocean Reef Club Recreation Department and Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary staff to plan three Ocean Guardian projects: a Coastal Cleanup, Mangrove Restoration and Zero Waste Week. Students, staff and parents were excited about kayaking along the shoreline for the Coastal Cleanup on September 16, 2017. Then Hurricane Irma hit. The Academy was closed for nearly three weeks. When the students returned, a little shell-shocked, a coastal cleanup was out of the question. The shoreline was ravaged by the storm and too dangerous for kayaking. So Principal Christina Simonds, parents and school custodian Eladio Quintero helped students plant a butterfly garden. The garden was an instant success:... Read More »

Chairman’s Corner October 28, 2019 Posted in: All, Club News Just before the holidays, as I was thinking about what I would write as we say goodbye to 2018 and welcome in the New Year, I had no idea it would be radiating through the eyes of a twelve year old. The twelve year old is our Goddaughter, Maria Fernanda, who came to visit us from San Miguel de Allende, Mexico. This is her first trip to the United States and we were honored that her parents entrusted us with this responsibility. It goes without saying that Ocean Reef Club at the holidays may be the most fabulous place that a child (or adult for that matter!) could visit in all of the US. And, in her words, “you have everything here in this beautiful place!” It’s the Holiday Season We kicked off her stay with our toes in the sand at the Concerts on the Beach. The following morning she found herself with a group of juniors in the middle of a golf clinic. Then came her first bowl of Clam Chowder from the Raw Bar… she loved it so much that this became a daily ritual. That afternoon we attended the Muttville Show at the Cultural Center for... Read More »

Mid Season Town Hall October 28, 2019 Posted in: All, Announcements, Club News Club Welcomes New President Chairman Teresa Holmes opened the January Town Hall meeting acknowledging the energy and buzz in the room, “It’s an exciting day, I can feel it in the air, the Members, the Associates, it’s a momentous day for Ocean Reef Club because of our special guests, our new Club President Serge Rivera and his family.” Before inviting Serge to the podium, Holmes first thanked the Search Committee for their efforts and also thanked the Club’s Senior Vice Presidents, management and staff for “stepping up and pitching in without hesitation.” Preceded by just three long-term Presidents in the Club’s 26-year Member-owned history, Holmes reiterated that Serge has a phenomenal 30-plus year, successful track record in the hospitality world, well-versed in providing first-class owner and guest services and experiences. Also noting his understanding of what it means to live in a private club—and what it takes to be a private club. This coupled with his keen financial acumen, vast experience with capital projects, and the fact that he’s a Florida native who loves the water, it is sure to be a winning combination. Teresa said, “We believe we made the right choice for Ocean Reef. The timing was serendipitous. We... Read More »

Linda Mar Wins in First Reef Cup Appearance October 28, 2019 Posted in: All, Club Events, Fishing, Stories The Reef Cup Invitational Sailfish Tournament has grown exponentially since its inception in 1986. This year’s competition was no exception as the total attendants reached almost 600 – the largest number to-date. In its 34th year, the tournament is now capped at 60 participating boats and has maintained a healthy waitlist for many years. After waiting eagerly for several years to move off the waitlist, Joseph Cloutier and team Linda Mar made their Reef Cup debut this year, coming out on top as the 2019 Tournament Champions. Anyone’s Tournament With a poor forecast over the course of the tournament, the Linda Mar team, which included anglers Cloutier, Scott Karl, Scott Seffer and Terry Neubaum, Captain Justin Hooper and mate Sean Albury, chose to take Day One as their Lay Day in hopes the weather would improve over the days following. 40 other teams agreed, taking Day One as their Lay Day. Charles Tallardy and his Finish Line team would win the day with 300 points. While the weather did not improve much, Linda Mar ran the leaderboard on Day Two with a sail caught at 10:24 a.m. and another at 1:07 p.m. While Day Three and Four proved to be more tough for Linda Mar with... Read More »

The Ocean Reef Press Comes of Age October 28, 2019 Posted in: All, Stories During the 1980’s, Ocean Reef Member John Hartman wrote a whimsical gossip column (sometimes authored by his golden retriever, Boris) in the Key West Free Press. In January 1990, this morphed into the first Ocean Reef stand-alone insert, a single page loose flysheet enclosure in the Free Press. Over the next decade-and-a-half, our Ocean Reef Press grew into an independent publication of its own. The publisher in Key West sold ads, kept the profits, and delivered our papers for free. But the content was written outside, and the quality of the paper and printing was poor. Vicki Goldstein started an Editorial Advisory Board (EAB) to help improve the content, photography and make the paper more representative of ORC. They met every week on Friday mornings and reviewed the paper. It improved as much as could be expected with the aging presses and long distance relationship. So with some prompting, the Club decided to take more control. Arthur Birsh, the distinguished publisher of PLAYBILL, was the prime mover in the transformation. After analyzing the ad revenue and printing costs, Arthur advised Richard Weinstein (over a three-hour lunch) that Ocean Reef should self-publish. Finding the right printer was a challenge because our... Read More »

Associate Spotlight: Zac Tranten October 28, 2019 Posted in: All, Associate Spotlight, Club News, Food and Beverage “Tell me a beer style you enjoy and I’ll guide you to an exciting new drink experience!” Zac Tranten, manager of the Burgee Bar, revels in the Burgee’s wide and wonderful collection featuring craft beers from small breweries all over the country. Zac says, “The small breweries produce excellent beer in limited numbers. My pleasure is to offer local products, unique in taste, that Members might never find anywhere out of Florida. One, in particular, is brewed especially for us at Ocean Reef. Tampa Bay Brewing Company has created a delicious beer called The Point. It’s served in our restaurants. Do yourself a favor and ask for it!” Energetic Zac thrives on the nightly Burgee action. He says, “Our chef, Antoine Armani, and I meet weekly to come up with great dining choices. He runs the kitchen, but we know that our success depends on total satisfaction for our guests. We plan to have more of our popular beer dinners next season. One new idea is to have a Beer Wine Showdown, both libations to be offered with each course. It’ll be interesting to see which is more popular in our casual dining atmosphere although many diners are used to... Read More »

To Recycle, Or Not to Recycle October 28, 2019 Posted in: All, Environment The Ocean Reef Press has heard many questions about recycling, so we reached out to Solid Waste Manager Israel Salgado for the answers. Ocean Reef Club’s Solid Waste team is responsible for both garbage collection and recycling pick up. Ocean Reef Press (ORP): We’ll start with the general question, what can and can’t you recycle? Israel Salgado (IS): Ocean Reef follows the recycling guidelines for Monroe County. Anything with the recycling symbol can be recycled, but there are some rules that go along with it. The main rule being that recycled items cannot be soiled. Meaning if they can’t be rinsed out, they can’t go in the recycling bin. For example, a can of beans must be rinsed out before it can be recycled, and a pizza box can’t be recycled in its entirety because of the grease that seeps into the cardboard. If the top of the box is clean though, it can be ripped off and recycled. For a full list of recyclable and non-recyclable items, click here. ORP: You mentioned cardboard, which brings us to our next most-asked question. With the popularity of online shopping, what should Members do with their cardboard boxes? IS: The number of cardboard boxes we see... Read More »

Exclusive Ocean Reef Club Partners With Environmental Groups To Restore Coral Off Key Largo October 28, 2019 Posted in: All, Conservation, Environment While there are no shortage of stories explaining the rapid decline of fragile coral ecosystems around the world, something truly inspiring is happening off the coast of Key Largo. Thanks to an innovative partnership launched in 2013 between the non-profit Coral Restoration Foundation (CRF), the Ocean Reef Conservation Association, and the private Key Largo community of Ocean Reef Club (as well as the tireless efforts of volunteers and several environmental groups) progress is being made toward restoring Carysfort Reef, just off the coast of Key Largo. Like many coral reefs in the Florida Keys and around the world, Carysfort Reef experienced a decline in coral cover of more than 90 percent since the 1970s. This included a drastic decline in two of the region’s most important corals: the staghorn and the elkhorn coral. As coral reefs are vital ecosystems made up of coral colonies and a wide variety of sea life, visionary conservationist Ken Nedimyer founded CRF in Key Largo in 2007 as a way to bring life back critically endangered coral reefs (i.e. “rainforests of the sea”) in the Florida Keys. What began as a passionate local effort to develop offshore nurseries and restoration strategies, has grown into a globally recognized organization that... Read More »

Wet Foot, Dry Foot October 28, 2019 Posted in: All, Marina and Boating, Stories Many of us who have landed and loved at Ocean Reef first arrived by boat. Remember the opening impressions: piloting your vessel southbound in the Hawk Channel, passing mysterious mangrove keys and cays until a glint of something distinct draws the captain’s eye to a landed outpost that appears wholly settled yet salient to the sea. Channel markers arise like watery standing stones, leading across the shoal, past The Point of No Return, alongside an impossible fantasy of sunbathers bathing, diners dining, and many are waving at us, enough to distract the master mariner’s steady helm. The boat’s idling progress becomes a narrow navigation now near the Dock House and on to the great basin of great white yachts. Channel 09 directs us to a slip. Just find it among the alphabet docks and all will be fine until the dock crew outfitted like admirals and handling lines like longshoremen make you feel under dressed, under skilled and overtaken by the elegance of it all. Although fitted out for the spattered sea, we are little prepared for the destination: the improbable salutations and manifold seductions all around. Several seasons living aboard in this harbor of service and security is enriched... Read More »

The Balance of Nature October 28, 2019 Posted in: All, Environment To look at the peaceful beauty of Sunrise Cay, you would never know there was concerted contest between man and beast. Some areas of The Reef struggle with iguanas, some with raccoons, but on Sunrise Cay, the assault seems to be aerial. The ibis to be exact. Fran and Joe Murphy have a beautiful open patio and pool area, which is irresistible to the ibis. Joe says, “Sometimes there will be 30 of them lined up on the colonnade, or when they get thirsty they’ll take a dip in the pool.” To say they create a mess is an understatement. “All of our neighbors have the same problem,” Fran said. “The hand-painted fish tiles we have in the pool also attract pelicans.” Thus began a multi-year battle of wills. The Murphy’s tried a swooping eagle kite that flapped around a 25-foot pole. It worked for a couple of weeks, then the ibis got used to it. (The eagle also twisted around the pole and broke off several times.) Next, like many of their friends, they strung fish line in the top of the colonnade. “The birds just flew over it or under it,” Fran reported. They added more fish line... Read More »

Soup is Good for the Soul October 28, 2019 Posted in: All, Associate Spotlight, Dining Our souls are definitely nourished at Ocean Reef as last year we consumed over 5,500 gallons of delectable soups. The all-time favorite is the Clam Chowder with the Conch Chowder close behind. Along with our classic soups, the variety of choices is quite lengthy with a few served only at a particular restaurant. You most likely do not know that Chef Chuck Corbin is the master of our soup recipes. While we are all tucked in our beds, Chef Chuck arrives at 1 a.m. to the Commissary five nights a week and, with staff, creates most of our soup and stocks. By 9 a.m., these gallons of deliciousness are ready to be delivered to the restaurants around The Reef. Along with our classic soup, the variety of soup offered depends on products from our South Florida purveyors. Just like any creative cook, Chef Chuck utilizes the best ingredients that are available. Homestead tomatoes are headed for a tomato bisque, freshly caught fish becomes a seafood gumbo, and all that local corn is ready for corn chowder. These “soups of the day” are some of the most popular items on our menus. Another soup guru is our own Chef Sue Grymala... Read More »

Sportsman’s Donor Club Challenge October 28, 2019 Posted in: All, Medical Center, Philanthropy, Stories Your donation can save up to three lives! The 8th Annual Blood Drive will be March 27 and 28 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Medical Center. The Club Challenge consists of 17 organizations and clubs within Ocean Reef Club and the Key Largo Angler’s Club. Each blood donor is asked to designate their gift of blood to one of these organizations. One organization with the most donated blood will be the winner of this year’s Club Challenge and will be recognized on the plaque proudly displayed at the Medical Center. Jay Holmes will be the Honorary Chair of the Sportsman Club Challenge for the second year in a row. Jay is past Chairman of the Medical Center and he began donating blood as an Eagle Scout while in high school. He is still an avid blood donor who has donated at least 15 gallons in the past 60 years! As a lifelong blood donor, Jay is encouraging YOU to donate blood for the Challenge and help others in their time of need. Why do we need to donate blood? As blood cannot be manufactured outside the body and has a limited shelf life, it is necessary that our blood... Read More »

Fat Tuesday – A Behind the Scenes Look October 28, 2019 Posted in: All, Club Events Every year, the Fat Tuesday Celebration produces some seriously spectacular decorated carts. From boats that drive on land to carts made into tennis courts, the creativity (and fun) never ends. This year’s winners each had a story to tell. Judges’ Choice – The Spa Stephanie Karl decided last year she wanted to work with The Spa to create a meaningful cart as a way to say thank you for how greatly they’ve always treated her and her family. This past summer, she heard the song “Scars To Your Beautiful” by Alessia Cara, sparking her idea for the cart theme. “The words to that song are very meaningful and I believe they are in line with what The Spa represents to so many of us here at The Reef,” said Stephanie. “When you go into The Spa, it’s more than getting a massage or getting your hair done – it’s how they make you feel. Everyone leaves there feeling beautiful both inside and out.” Spa associates took photos of Members who frequent The Spa and these were the focal point of the cart decor. Stephanie said some of the Members on the cart are fighting battles and “we wanted them to know... Read More »

Birth of Our Club October 28, 2019 Posted in: All, Club News, Historical, Stories In 1993, Members purchased Ocean Reef Club and on Tuesday, March 19, 2019, the Club’s “Founding Fathers” told the colorful, and often tenuous, manner in which it was done. Former Chairmen and Acquisition Committee members, Alan Goldstein and Tom Davidson, took Members back to the early 90’s with the story of the Buyout and the events surrounding the momentous occasion. Recognizing the importance of this event sponsored by the Ocean Reef Historical Society – the Club as we know it wouldn’t be what it is today without the events of history – the Membership showed up filling the Cultural Center to the brim with close to 500 people. The Theatre was packed, overflowing into the Foyer where more Members watched on a screen. There wasn’t an open parking spot in sight. Former Chairman Bob Schmetterer opened the presentation. He asked how many in the audience were here for the Buyout in 1993 and nearly 25% of the audience raised their hands. This is why, he said, it’s so important to tell the story – to ensure future generations of Members know the Club’s remarkable history. Schmetterer introduced Alan Goldstein and Tom Davidson who took the stage and immediately began a playful banter that would last throughout the entire presentation. Their passion for the Club and preserving it was overwhelming, and Members in the audience were... Read More »

Dear Reef Hut, October 28, 2019 Posted in: All, Dining, Food and Beverage Dear Reef Hut, My apologies because I’m about to blow your cover. I know you like to believe that you’re the best kept secret on The Reef, but there are plenty of us who come to your tucked away courtyard eating spot to know you really want to feed more of us. Lou Lou, your #1 Cook, calls the Reef Hut a Mom and Pop restaurant. If that means hearty food, speedy service, and convenient hours of operation, he has your number…which, by the way is 305-501-5530. What’s so great about your food is that it can be ordered on a whim and ready when the golf cart goes to pick it up. For sure, customers are welcome to take food home or have a picnic sitting outside on brightly painted chairs and benches with umbrellas to shade the sun and in the evening with strings of lights twinkling overhead. I had a heart to heart with Vilma, your organized manager whose hustle keeps things moving even in the busiest times. She loves her job and the Associates who work with her. She says, “There are eight of us. We’re a team. We know our jobs, but are ready to... Read More »

Memberabilia – Julie Walsh October 28, 2019 Posted in: All, Memberabilia Did You Know… that the cake for Julie Walsh’s 50th Birthday came from Buckingham Palace Julie grew up never expecting to hob nob with Royalty and her life to date is something of a Cinderella story. Julie was adopted as a baby by a loving working class couple, who lived in a small Council House in Portsmouth. She attended State Schools (our equivalent of Public Schools) and after graduation trained to be a chef. A failed early marriage left Julie with the daunting prospect of being a single mum, the sole supporter of her kids, a girl 2 and a boy 7. “I felt that going forward an education was essential, so I worked in a hotel and put myself through university.” Her degree in psychology and empathetic personality earned her a government job directing young people towards suitable employment. Enter Prince Charming – Paul Walsh, one of the UK’s most successful business men. As CEO of Diageo, Paul was credited with transforming a mediocre consumer goods company into a streamlined premium drinks business. Julie and Paul met in a pub and were immediately attracted to each other. Very quickly Julie learned that life with Paul would be dominated... Read More »

Carysfort Reef Has Gained 14,669 New Residents October 28, 2019 Posted in: All, Conservation, Environment, Philanthropy Historically, the reef surrounding Carysfort Lighthouse was so large and resplendent with elkhorn and staghorn corals, that in 1770 a 28-gun sixth-rate Frigate of the Royal Navy ran aground and gave the reef its namesake. Since that fateful day in 1770, Carysfort Reef has changed drastically. Human activity has resulted locally in poor water quality, and globally in increasingly warm and more acidic water, which, combined with other stressors, have caused a severe decline in coral cover throughout the Keys. But, thanks to the efforts of Coral Restoration Foundation™, supported by funding from the Ocean Reef Club, Carysfort Reef is making a herculean comeback. Flash forward to 2018: in this one year alone, the site has been repopulated with 4,346 staghorn and 2,715 elkhorn corals, corals which are healthy and thriving! Branching Out With the continued support of Ocean Reef Club, the Coral Restoration Foundation (CRF) is gearing up to outplant 8,500 more corals in 2019. By 2020, the Coral Restoration Foundation (CRF) aims to have outplanted a total of 30,000 corals at Carysfort Reef. These new outplants will feature the classic Coral Restoration Foundation corals – elkhorn and staghorn – but the organization will be adding two new players... Read More »

9 Frequently Asked Questions About the Ocean Reef Dress Code October 28, 2019 Posted in: All, Stories, Traditions Dear Joan the Shopper – 1. Q. Collared Golf Shirts seem to be a uniform at Ocean Reef. I’m a 40-year-old man with a 13-year-old son, when and where must we wear collared shirts? A. The Ocean Room requires a collared shirt at all times. After 5 p.m. all other OR dining venues (with the exception of the Burgee Bar and the Raw Bar) expect you to arrive “collared”. Long pants or walking length shorts should also be part of your uniform. This goes for your son as well as you since all dress code rules apply to children over 12… Collared shirts (tucked in) are also required at the OR practice range and golf courses. 2. Q. I have no objection to jackets and ties, I’m just confused about where I should wear them? A. The CH Prime restaurant in the Golf Clubhouse requires a jacket in season (November until Memorial Day). Recently the rule has been modified so that during the summer months, only a collared shirt is required at CH Prime… Jackets are suggested for the Grand Seafood Buffet and other special dinners in The Ocean Room… There is no rule that says you must ever wear... Read More »

The Ocean Reef Anchor October 28, 2019 Posted in: All, Historical Ocean Reef’s best-known intersection is where the two, busiest avenues, Ocean Reef Drive and Anchor Drive, cross – often described as the “four corners”. In any other community, it would be where “Main” and “State” meet. At one corner, essentially hidden by lush tropical plants, is a three-story multi-use building that does house a major national bank that is still hard to find even if you are in its parking lot at the corner. Two other corners sport golf greens and the last corner is simply a pretty green field often occupied by farmers. The four, ordinary “stop” signs get all the attention as this is where the locals play “chicken,” an automobile versus golf cart game that one loses when the surrounding corners are admired for more than a millisecond. Unviewed, but lucky for golf cart safety, amongst the greenery on one corner, as if an afterthought to hide the golf green behind it, is the “four corners” only real, community monument, The Ocean Reef Anchor, deserving attention but which also stands unidentified. Even this beautiful example of “Admiralty Anchors” forged centuries ago in England should suffice alone as a monument. That The Anchor served faithfully aboard the HMS... Read More »

Excitement is Building for 6th Annual Food & Wine Festival October 28, 2019 Posted in: All, Club Events, Food and Beverage “The Food & Wine Festival is one of our most favorite events on The Reef! You don’t even have to know anything about food or wine to have a great time.” That’s how Kathy Celentano, a Food & Wine regular, described the festival. This year will be Kathy and husband David’s fourth time attending, and every year they invite several friends and family members to make it extra special – “We love the event so much; we want everyone to experience it!” Kathy said she can’t pick a favorite event of the weekend, but she “absolutely loves” Friday night’s Food & Wine Experience – her group is always the first one to arrive and the last one to leave. “We’re at Carysfort Hall right at 7 p.m. when the doors open. We love the opportunity to walk around and try new things, meet new people, and talk to all of the food and drink vendors who have so much passion and knowledge for what they do.” This year, there’s even more to enjoy on Friday as the Welcome Luncheon on the Town Hall Lawn returns to the schedule. The Food As self-proclaimed foodies and drink enthusiasts, the Celentanos make sure not to miss... Read More »

Board Announcement on Vrbo and Online Rental Listing Sites October 28, 2019 Posted in: All, Announcements, Club News, Real Estate As announced at the 2019 Annual Meeting, the Club’s Board of Directors has made an important decision regarding rental listing sites. With the recommendation and support of the Membership Committee, they have unanimously agreed that any Ocean Reef Club or Anglers property that is listed on any public website for rent will not be eligible for guest cards. This decision did not require any change to our existing rules. The rules have always held that the privilege of guest access is up to the Board of Directors and may be withheld for any reason. For those that rent only to Social Members this has no impact, they do not need guest cards. However, if your home is listed on any of these sites for any reason, the residence will become ineligible for a guest card for anyone. Once removed, all guest privileges will be restored. Club offerings were designed for use by Members, their families and guests. By renting a property through Vrbo or similar website, that right to use the Club is being resold for the sole benefit of the homeowner, not the Club, and therefore not the membership at large. The Club spends weeks vetting new Members and... Read More »

Spirit of Ocean Reef Award October 28, 2019 Posted in: All, Club News, Stories Five years ago, then chairman Don Waite and the Board conceived the idea for an award recognizing Members who have gone above and beyond for our Club and community. That award, which does not recognize financial or governing contributions, but honors special and out of the ordinary contributions that significantly add to our Unique Way of Life, is the Spirit of Ocean Reef award. Since its conception, the Spirit of Ocean Reef has been awarded to 13 well-deserving Members, including John Altieri for his generous time, effort and dedication to the Chapel, George Lucas for bringing Ocean Reef world-class sailing events and championships, Herb Matthews for, among other things, making a prescription delivery service possible, Georgia Storm for her tireless and selfless work with the Library, Joan O’Leary for creating the concept of Member education programs, and Jim Leenhouts for 30 years of dedication to the Coast Guard Auxiliary and teaching and mentoring young people both on and off The Reef. Other award recipients include Gert Mann for her dedication to writing and teaching at The Academy and Art League, organization of the Jewish community, and her long-time commitment to performing, Ginger Knapp-Ringdahl for enriching the Ocean Reef community through the arts, Joan and Arthur Birsh for their integral role in bringing the self-creating and publishing of the Ocean Reef Press in house and... Read More »

Annual Meeting Welcomes New Chairman and Vice Chairman October 28, 2019 Posted in: All, Announcements, Club News Bob Manzo, Ocean Reef Club Chairman Bob Manzo was born and raised in New Jersey. Bob graduated from Rider University with a BS in accounting. He is a CPA and began his career at Arthur Andersen. He later founded a financial consulting firm specializing in financial and operational turnarounds, as well as a private equity firm where he currently serves as general partner. He also serves on a number of public and private company boards, including Visteon Corporation and Axion, Inc. Bob met his wife Cindy of 34 years while they were working together as accountants. They are blessed to have a 26-year-old daughter, Elizabeth, who works in New York City and is also a proud Legacy Member at Ocean Reef. Bob and Cindy were introduced to Ocean Reef 10 years ago by close friends, the Weilands and O’Connors. “It only took us a day or two to realize this was a community for us,” said Bob. “We quickly became Equity Members and have spent the last eight winter seasons at ‘The Reef.’” Shortly after Bob and Cindy became Members, Past Chairman Mike Sullivan, Don Waite, and Finance Chair Larry Brady asked Manzo to join the Finance Committee. He has also been a member of the Ocean Reef Board... Read More »

Moving You With Song – The Oceanaires October 28, 2019 Posted in: All, Stories You’ve likely seen them around The Reef, maybe singing at a Club restaurant or even at the Cultural Center. The Ocean Reef Oceanaires were started in 2011 by Sherley Newell. The Oceanaires is a small group of talented Members capable of four-part harmony (soprano, alto, tenor and bass), who gather to sing and perform songs from every era. When the group began, they were under the musical direction of Manny Schvartzman – courtesy of Debra Ginsberg who employed him for her musical shows. Their initial goal was to sing for small events or parties, and occasionally with other Ocean Reef musical talent at the Cultural Center. Now, they are under the direction of Anglers Club’s Annie Lebeaux, and working on a larger program named “Chorus Lines.” This program includes additional men and women who will together perform for the Cultural Center next season. They currently rehearse every Thursday at the Racquet Club, and will also rehearse on Mondays to prepare for next season’s performances. The Oceanaires have unique ways of getting their talents seen around The Reef. This past April Fool’s Day, diners at the Raw Bar, Burgee Bar and Gianni Ristorante had the pleasure of witnessing one of the Oceanaires “flash mobs.”... Read More »

ForgetMeNots Celebrate Founder John Altieri October 28, 2019 Posted in: All, Stories In January, the Ocean Reef Press article titled “Going Green in 2019” detailed the initiatives for the new year which included eco-friendly straws offered with drinks, discontinuing use of non-biodegradable Styrofoam products in Food & Beverage outlets and transitioning to plant-based cutlery, among other ongoing efforts. All of these are critical for conservation and future preservation but the Club also asked, what else can we do in the present? That’s when “Cleanliness First” was launched with two key initiatives. The first is a monthly Associate clean up, organized by the HR department, which provides bags and gloves for teams to go out and pick up trash in the Club’s common areas. Club clean-ups have long been a part of the Associate agenda, however by holding them with more frequency, the goal is to have fewer bags filled with each passing month. Second was the hiring of a part-time Associate to remove the debris that is collecting off Buccaneer Island and in the channel. The new Marine Steward heads out for his “shift” in a kayak and picks up the litter and trash that is collecting due to the accumulation of seaweed. Removing the seaweed, which has been especially heavy this... Read More »

Cleanliness First. Club’s Green Team Launches Two New Efforts October 28, 2019 Posted in: All, Associate Spotlight, Environment, Stories In January, the Ocean Reef Press article titled “Going Green in 2019” detailed the initiatives for the new year which included eco-friendly straws offered with drinks, discontinuing use of non-biodegradable Styrofoam products in Food & Beverage outlets and transitioning to plant-based cutlery, among other ongoing efforts. All of these are critical for conservation and future preservation but the Club also asked, what else can we do in the present? That’s when “Cleanliness First” was launched with two key initiatives. The first is a monthly Associate clean up, organized by the HR department, which provides bags and gloves for teams to go out and pick up trash in the Club’s common areas. Club clean-ups have long been a part of the Associate agenda, however by holding them with more frequency, the goal is to have fewer bags filled with each passing month. Second was the hiring of a part-time Associate to remove the debris that is collecting off Buccaneer Island and in the channel. The new Marine Steward heads out for his “shift” in a kayak and picks up the litter and trash that is collecting due to the accumulation of seaweed. Removing the seaweed, which has been especially heavy this... Read More »

The Keeper Column! Part One October 28, 2019 Posted in: All, Technology I love when people tell me they like to rip-out and save my columns for future reference. Paul Ferri suggested I write an end-of-season “keeper column” compiling highlights of my favorite apps and websites. Great idea! This Part 1 of 3 has apps and websites that I thought would come in handy for summer adventures. Customized Travel: Trusted Traveler program, Global Entry globalentry.gov is a must for international travel to quickly enter the US at 60+ airports using dedicated kiosks (and receive TSA Precheck clearance). Starting this summer, it will also allow access to ePassport gates in most EU countries and the UK. Returning to US waters from the Bahamas? Clear customs through the Customs & Border Patrol CBP ROAM app (cbp.gov) which allows pleasure boaters to report their arrival online and clear customs with a video chat with a CBP Officer. Also download their free Mobile Passport App allowing US and Canadian travelers to process US customs on your phone. World Travel: TripAdvisor app (tripadvisor.com) offers in-depth reviews with photos of hotels, restaurants and attractions. Viator Travel with an Insider app (viator.com) puts any city in the palm of your hand with private VIP experiences, tours and more. Lounge Buddy (loungebuddy.com) is an app that lets you view, book and access over 2000+ airport lounges at... Read More »

US Flag Protocol for Ocean Reef Club Members October 28, 2019 Posted in: All, Stories Displaying the American Flag is a common, proud sight as Members travel about The Reef. Homes, business owners and clubs often erect flag poles and fly US Flags to provide their homes and our community with an obvious sense that “Here we honor our country.” With that noble objective comes a sacred responsibility to observe the protocol associated with that intention. It’s the protocol of saying, “Good Morning to you” and the smile that you render when someone says, “Good Morning” to you. Failure to return the greeting and smile is a snub. Failure to follow flag protocol is considered akin. If you fly the US Flag, you must lower it at sunset and raise it again at 8 o’clock in the morning – a solemn protocol called “Colors”. You must also raise your flag completely and return it to “half mast” in periods of national mourning. These periods can only be proclaimed by State Governors or the US President and are often violated by clubs and local organizations, with good intentions, when a popular leader or member dies. Luckily for late risers, you may elect to properly illuminate your flag at night and fly it night and day. Be... Read More »

Secret Inner Sanctum October 28, 2019 Posted in: All, Associate Spotlight, Food and Beverage The work of an investigative reporter for the Ocean Reef Press is fraught with peril. Danger, suspense, and intrigue are steady companions; courage and persistence the only pathway to success. When the game is afoot, we are a small, lonely fraternity. Nevertheless, the most intrepid of us carry on despite the risk. We analyze whispers snatched from the wind. We cultivate sources we wouldn’t introduce to our mothers. We study clues that others overlook. Eventually, we discover the scent and follow it relentlessly. So now you know how I came to be slinking down a narrow, deserted corridor, deep in the silent bowels of Carysfort Hall. Ahead looms a sealed vault. What would lie within? I tingle with the same anticipation as the investigator who discovered King Tut’s tomb. The door silently swings open to reveal… Sean Carroll, surrounded by wine bottles and sporting a proud smile. Sean selected this undisclosed location to house his special cellar. He oversaw the installation of a climate control system and the tall rows of wine racks. Then he worked with our wine merchants to assemble a collection of age-worthy wines. They pitched him special offers and he achieved volume discounts, all to assure Members a... Read More »

The Iconic Mint Julep October 28, 2019 Posted in: All, Food and Beverage The Kentucky Derby took place on Saturday, May 4, and as an annual tradition in Louisville since 1875, has run every year since its inception (even throughout the Great Depression and both World Wars). The Kentucky Derby is a Thoroughbred horse race that is better known as “The Run for the Roses” due to a lush blanket of 554 roses draped on the winning horse. The race has also earned the moniker “The Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports” from the excitement and anticipation that builds up to its approximate duration. When one thinks of the derby, images of elaborate hats, fine outfits, lavish accessories, and certainly Mint Juleps comes to mind! When it comes to the Kentucky Derby, no beverage is more frequently associated or as iconic as the Mint Julep. Since 1938, Churchill Downs has promoted the Mint Julep in association with Kentucky Derby. Over the two-day period of the Kentucky Oaks and the Kentucky Derby, Churchill Downs serves nearly 120,000 Mint Juleps to attendees. Traditionally Mint Juleps are served in pewter cups, however today they are more commonly served in a Collins or a tall old-fashioned glass. The Mint Julep calls for four ingredients – fresh mint... Read More »

The Keeper Column! Part Two October 28, 2019 Posted in: All, Technology Last week was the first of three installments of Keeper Columns! – a compendium of my favorite apps and websites from my column this season. If you missed it (or any of my columns), visit Ocean Reef Press to read Dot.calm in issues going back as far as 2014. This Keeper Column! – Part Two is a handy list for summer fun, rainy days and retail therapy: Recipe for a Good Summer: The Big Oven Recipes & Meal Planner app bigoven.com puts summer meal plans and recipes at your fingertips with the added bonus of a recipe scan which lets you upload handwritten, typed or web-based recipes and keep them in its Recipe Box for safe keeping. Schooled in Fishing: The Fish Angler app fishangler.com lets you crowdsource where the fish are biting anywhere in the world, along with uploaded photos and exact longitude and latitude. It’s kinda cool. The Fishtrack app by Seakeeper and roffs.com offer cloud-free sea surface temperature (SST), chlorophyll imagery tides, moon phases, marine weather forecast overlay, bathymetry (whatever that is!), ocean currents, and sea surface height. Dog Days of Summer: This summer, let the kids work with you to train Rover: try the Puppr training app puppr.app or Dogo – Your Dog’s Favorite App – both with tons of tricks and step-by-step instructions –... Read More »

Flight Delay… Airport Enhancement Project October 28, 2019 Posted in: Airport, All, Announcements As communicated by Club Chairman Bob Manzo at the Annual Meeting earlier this month, Ocean Reef Club has an enhanced safety related project scheduled for the Airport. As described, this much needed project is being funded with $4 million in private Member contributions with the remaining $2 million funded by Ocean Reef Club and by insurance recoveries from Hurricane Irma. On May 13th, the Airport, known also to aviation enthusiasts by its Airport Identifier, 07FA, will close for the summer. Phase One of the Airport Improvement project will commence with the runway receiving a complete overhaul. The project is slated to be completed in mid- to late October and will include a number of safety-focused enhancements. Raised Asphalt: Portion of the runway and adjacent ramp areas will be elevated by as much as 2 feet, including the fuel ramp. Grooved Asphalt: To allow for runway to be used during wet conditions. Improved Drainage: A reengineered drainage system that will allow storm events to be managed efficiently. This will include the elimination of the existing retention pond, in exchange for use of injection wells. Installation of an Automated Weather Observing System (AWOS): To further aid pilots on arrival and departure.... Read More »

My Medical Alert Button Saved My Life October 28, 2019 Posted in: All, Health and Nutrition, Stories Last year I learned I had Achalasia—an abnormal functioning of the esophagus. I manage with taking small bites, chewing carefully, and drinking liquid while eating. I am consistent in wearing my Medical Alert necklace. In the past I was careless, often forgetting where I put it or how important it is to wear it. Early in the morning on April 1, I woke up and knew I was in trouble. I felt food stuck in my throat. I could not get it to move. I began to choke. For the first time ever I pushed the button on my necklace and said “help, help.” That is the last I remember until I woke up three days later at Homestead Hospital. Ocean Reef EMS had rescued me in response to the Medical Alert call for help. I wanted to share this story with all of you who, like me, may have become nonchalant about wearing the life saving call for help. If you have one, wear it. If you do not have one, consider the many choices and order one now. Coincidentally, the Lunch and Learn participants were just finishing seven weeks of study led by our wonderful facilitator Reverend Bob Henley.... Read More »

Star Gazing October 28, 2019 Posted in: All, Stories A glimpse at some of the 4-star attractions that the Ocean Reef Cultural Center has planned for 2020 I know many of you Ocean Reef Members have just arrived in Ohio, New York, Maine, Colorado or some other destination you call “back home”. You may not even be unpacked and here I am talking like a politician about 2020. Why? Because Barbara Olcott, the Cultural Center chairman, recently gave me a rundown on the attractions that she and John Hunt (CC President) and the Entertainment Committee (chaired by Linda Owens) have already lined up for next season. A few other attractions are expected but have not yet confirmed. I checked the list. Then I did a little homework on the internet so that, when I receive the catalogue in early fall, I’ll have a pretty good idea of most of the tickets I want to request. In case you are as curious as I was, here’s a summary of some of the attractions awaiting you next season at the Cultural Center. THE LINE-UP Il Divo (Jan. 4) is a quartet of male opera singers, who have successfully combined classical music with ballads, church music, folk and pop. I had not heard of them (though... Read More »

Residence Club Breaks Ground October 28, 2019 Posted in: All, Club News, Real Estate Ocean Reef Club Sotheby’s International Realty President, Russ Post, along with the Development Team, are proud to announce demolition of Golf Village is underway. Construction will start immediately after demolition. The Residence Club is comprised of three residential buildings boasting one, two and three bedroom condominium units. The state-of-the-art universal design is engineered for independent, active living for those 55+. The Developers envision residents living in their own elegant home with many of the services and amenities one expects in a luxury hotel. The 18,000 square foot Clubhouse will offer residents around the clock concierge service as well as a gym, lounge, golf simulator and café. This anticipated project is one that many have desired to have at Ocean Reef for decades. Post says, “Our Members have talked about the ability to extend their Ocean Reef time through this type of lifestyle as long as I can remember. The Residence Club satisfies a long-awaited need in the community and I am thrilled it is finally coming to fruition.” In the weeks and months to come, Post adds, “We will be updating you on both the progress and the many elements of Residence Club that make it so unique. We will host a... Read More »

The Keeper Column, Part Three October 28, 2019 Posted in: All, Technology This week is the last of three Keeper Columns! – a compendium of my favorite apps and websites from my Dot.calm column this season. If you missed the last two you can read them here. Column One, Column Two CARpe Diem Nothing says summer like driving a pastel-colored classic car with the top down. Ron Elenbaas suggests signing up for the bringatrailer.com daily email with live car auctions featuring some of the best bargains, the best dream cars, and the best rarities out there. Check out the websites for Ocean Reef Vintage Car Weekend regulars Mark Hyman from Hyman LTD in St. Louis, MO: hymanltd.com (click on “View Inventory” and be ready to be gobsmacked); Donnie Gould with rmsothebys.com; and Richard Gorman’s vantagemotorworks.com. What’s on Ron’s Phone? The Hammer Price app (hammerpricelive.com) rings you right into the real-time collector car auction action: track and compare car prices, follow your favorites, and preview auction lots. The Hagerty Insider app (hagerty.com) helps determine a car’s actual value and can search and explore auctions, and more. Hemmings Classic Cars for Sale, News & Vintage Photos (hemmings.com) lets you browse thousands of the best vintage cars for sale. Go for it! Photographs & Memories To create a memorable summer video, download the easy to use Animoto: Slideshow maker app (animoto.com/personal) and upload photos and videos from your... Read More »

The Spa Has you Covered October 28, 2019 Posted in: All, Salon and Spa Be sure to protect yourself from the sun with some of The Spa’s favorite sun protection products. And, don’t forget your eyes, lips, hair and scalp. Here are a few of our favorite products to help minimize damaging UV exposure this summer: For Your Hair & Scalp Phyto Mineral Sun Veil This sheer, invisible, light SPF for your hair offers intense UV protection. It protects hair and guards color from UV damage and environmental stresses with a lightweight, non-greasy mist. Coola Scalp & Hair Mist Your scalp and hair are vulnerable to sun damage every time you step outside. Protect these commonly overlooked areas with Coola Scalp & Hair Mist which is reef safe, water resistant to 80 minutes, and nourishes scalp and hair. For Your Lips Coola Mineral Liplux® Organic Lip Balm SPF 30 This hydrating lip balm adds a hint of subtle color while nourishing, hydrating and protecting lips so they look healthy, plump, and youthful. Jane Iredale LipDrink Lip Balm SPF 15 Hydrating protection that is reef safe and recommended by The Skin Cancer Foundation as an effective broad spectrum sunscreen. For Your Face Jane Iredale Powder Me SPF Dry Sunscreen Comes in Golden, Tanned, or Translucent,... Read More »

The Academy Announces New Head of School October 28, 2019 Posted in: All, Announcements, The Academy at Ocean Reef The Board of Trustees of The Academy at Ocean Reef is very honored to announce Jerome Murphy as the new Head of School beginning July 1, 2019. Upon the retirement announcement of current Head, Christina Simonds, the Board conducted a national search with the support of an executive search firm, considering more than 85 highly qualified educators across the country. After careful consideration, it became clear Mr. Murphy, with his significant experience, was the right person to guide The Academy into its next exciting era of growth. Mr. Murphy has an extensive background in education, teaching and administration and is coming from a 15-year tenure at the prestigious Stanwich School, a co-educational independent pre-K through 12 school in Greenwich, CT and widely known for their values-based curriculum sewn into an exceptional educational program. For the past eight years, Murphy was the Head of the Upper School at Stanwich (grades 6 to 12) where he developed the curriculum and educational programs. He was responsible for hiring and management of faculty, scheduling, academic guidance, athletics, service learning coordination, as well as establishing guidelines with the Dean of Students. He worked closely with the lower school Administrators and faculty in coordination with whole school academic program.... Read More »

Honoring Long-Serving Club Associates October 28, 2019 Posted in: All, Associate Spotlight This past May, Ocean Reef Club recognized longtime associates at the annual Service Awards Luncheon. Each year, associates who have worked at the Club for five years or more, are celebrated with a ceremony and lunch prepared by our own Culinary Team. Vice President of HR & Training Laura Ciampa hosted this year’s ceremony, awarding those associates who have hit a milestone year – 5, 10, 15 and so on – with certificates, personalized thank you letters, and special pins that indicate the milestone they’re celebrating. Remarkably, 401 ORC employees have been with the Club for at least five years for a combined total of 5,255 years. According to Forbes, 43% of millennials plan to quit their jobs within two years and only 28% plan to stay in their current role for more than five years. In sharp contrast, 90 Ocean Reef associates celebrated a milestone this year – 39 five-year associates, 13 10-year associates, 16 15-year associates, 13 20-year associates, seven 25-year associates, one 30-year associate and one 40-year associate. The Service Awards truly highlights how special Ocean Reef is because it creates a great work environment where employees want to stay for so many years. Janis Coburn has been... Read More »

Card Sound Road Safety Measures October 28, 2019 Posted in: All, Club News, ORCA, Public Safety Card Sound Road has been in the news for recent fatalities and crashes, headlines no one wants to read. ORCA’s Tim James, Vice President & Director of Public Safety, has wasted no time connecting with the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) to see what measures could be taken to help create a safer route for all who drive Card Sound Road, most of whom are travelling to and from Ocean Reef Club. In addition to increasing enforcement by both Ocean Reef Public Safety and the Sheriff’s Office, James reported that the following proactive initiatives for Card Sound Road and 905 have been proposed by MCSO: – Add a speed sign temporarily at the three way facing Card Sound Road/905. – Place a message sign just south of the Card Sound Bridge facing southbound traffic that states “Arrive Alive Drive Safely.” – During the weekdays when there are two Deputies at The Reef, put a Deputy on proactive patrol for educational purposes patrolling the three way and Card Sound Road/905. – Cut the foliage back from the speed sign by Card Sound Road (this is in process). In addition, Florida Highway Patrol has teamed up with Public Safety to instill “traffic calming” and... Read More »

New Faces and New Rentals October 28, 2019 Posted in: All, Club News, Stories Welcome to summertime at your Club! Your Vacation Rentals Team continues in full swing. The accommodations rental outlook for the summer season is strong. There have been many Equity Members inquiring about the Club’s Vacation Rentals Program during April and May. Ocean Reef Club Vacation Rentals is proud to boast 105 fellow Members’ condos and homes available through our program. Exciting Staff Moves Your Vacation Rentals team is made up of some outstanding staff members. We have some exciting announcements to share. Anna Lichvar, formerly of the Raw Bar, has been promoted to Vacation Rentals Operations Manager. Please give Anna a round of applause when you see her. Vacation Rentals and Lodging Operations are excited to have her 25+ years of Club knowledge, working in tandem with our Member owners in your Club’s Vacation Rentals program. As well, Kyle Armont, formerly Vacation Rentals Liaison Supervisor for 10+ years, has moved into the role of General Maintenance Engineer with your Club’s Engineering Department. Kyle’s focus in Engineering is our portfolio of Vacation Rentals accommodations, thus we are overjoyed he continues his work and support in the Lodging Operations arena of tasks. Further, Shannon Lucas, formerly Housekeeping Supervisor for Vacation Rentals Accommodations,... Read More »

Associate Spotlight: Andiela St. Victor October 28, 2019 Posted in: All, Associate Spotlight, Fitness Center, Members, Shopping Andiela St. Victor (Andi) dreamed of being an actress, but a conversation with her mother changed her thinking and led her to us. After Andi graduated from the Art Institute of Miami she focused her job search on theater, dance and fashion design without success. Six months later her mother said, “You better find a job. No one unemployed lives in my house, I heard that Ocean Reef Club is hiring.” Rosanna Beauvil has been happily employed in the Club’s housekeeping department for more than 20 years and knew her daughter’s creativity and many talents would be discovered here. Andi followed her mother’s advice. Her first assignment in 2012 was at the Fitness Center’s main desk where her bright smile and engaging personality endeared her to Members. She has since received two promotions. She still fills in at the busy desk when needed, but is also gym supervisor and the buyer for all exercise clothing. Luis Bracamonte, Director of Fitness and Wellness, says, “Andi is one of the most hardworking associates I have known. She takes on operational tasks with enthusiasm and assumes full responsibility. She has a strong desire to succeed.” Andi says, “I graduated from college in 2010... Read More »

Mini Chefs-In-The-Making October 28, 2019 Posted in: All, For The Kids, Summer Camps Fourteen adventurous souls were enrolled in the camp Chef for a Week June 10-14th. My 8-year-old grandson, Devon, was among them. As a young aspiring chef in the making, Devon was quite smitten with Chef Philippe when he met him in November for Turkey Carving, and for the second time at Easter Tea in April when Chef Philippe, upon hearing Devon had culinary aspirations, scooped him up to show him the Cooking School kitchen and suggested the summer cooking camp. Devon was hooked and endlessly reminded me about enrolling him in the camp in June. What a fabulous experience for the up and coming young chefs. Each day was a “trip to another country and culinary experience.” One day, the kids were “brought” to Mexico to try their hand at making beef empanadas with Aji Amarillo and salsa criolla, huevos rancheros and Tres Leches trifle for dessert. Another day, youngsters were taken to the actual kitchen at Gianni’s restaurant to make homemade pizza, potato gnocchi with brown butter sage sauce, and homemade gelato. Chef Eric from the Islander came to the Cooking School to teach students how to make sushi rolls. Children made a variety of sushi rolls on a... Read More »

Summer Projects Take Flight October 28, 2019 Posted in: All, Announcements, Club News The reopening of the Islander this past February put the era of Hurricane Irma reparations behind us. Now the Club is focusing its summer efforts on improving and maintaining the first-class condition of already existing structures and amenities. Of these projects includes enhancement of the Ocean Reef Airport, The Ocean Room, and the Town Hall Parking Lot. The Airport The Ocean Reef Airport is one of the Club’s most unique amenities and upholding its integrity and safety is of utmost importance. This summer’s project, which began in May, focuses on doing just that through a complete runway overhaul. The much-needed enhancements include improved airfield visibility, raised and grooved asphalt allowing for use during wet conditions, improved drainage through the use of injection wells, installation of an Automated Weather Observing System (AWOS), improved runway lighting, and removing obstacles that are located close to the edge of the runway. At press time, the old asphalt has been milled and regraded and additional limestone is being brought in to raise portions of the runway. Work has also begun on the drainage system enhancements. Mic O’Keeffe, Executive Director of Sports & Recreation, says the Airport project has “reached its cruising altitude and is scheduled... Read More »

Equity-Only Summer Happenings October 28, 2019 Posted in: All, Club Events Whether you’re here for the summer or just popping in, the Club has put together some special Equity Member-only events for you to look forward to. Equity Get Togethers These Get Togethers are for Equity Members only! All Equity are welcome to mix, mingle and enjoy themselves this summer at these new events. So grab an hors d’oeuvre, sip a drink and enjoy the following complimentary gatherings on Wednesdays: Wine Bingo August 14 at the Cooking School from 4 to 6 p.m. Rise & Shine: Espresso Break September 18 on the Sailfish Patio from 8 to 10 a.m. Tapas & Trivia October 16 at the Cooking School from 4 to 6 p.m. For other Equity Member specials, look out for On The Reef & In the Know – a bi-monthly Equity eblast detailing golf, tennis, fitness, spa, and other recreational promotions. To learn more about this summer’s Equity events, you can visit the Membership Office or call the Equity Only Line at 305-367-5971.

Endangered Coral Returned to the Florida Reef Tract October 28, 2019 Posted in: All, Conservation Coral Restoration Foundation™ has now outplanted a total of 100,000 critically endangered corals to the threatened Florida Reef Tract. Coral Restoration Foundation™ is at the forefront of the world’s coral restoration efforts. They invented the famous “Coral Tree”, now commonly used by groups around the world to grow large numbers of corals quickly and cost-effectively. This latest milestone is the result of a massive scaling up of Coral Restoration Foundation™ efforts: they outplanted more than 23,000 of these corals in 2018 alone, and, so far in 2019, they have returned more than 20,000 corals to the Florida Reef Tract. This work has been made possible through collaborations and community support – a significant number of these corals were outplanted by volunteers. A number of groups and agencies have also been pivotal to this effort, including NOAA, the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, Ocean Reef Club, the Coral Restoration Consortium, the TDC, and others. Coral Restoration Foundation™ has announced a huge milestone in the fight to restore and save the world’s third largest barrier reef: as of July 2019, they have officially returned 100,000 “reef ready” corals to the Florida Reef Tract. This huge achievement demonstrates the power of collaborative action to... Read More »

Lobster Rules October 28, 2019 Posted in: All, Fishing, Marina and Boating With Lobstermania and Mini Season quickly approaching (July 24 & 25), and the Regular Spiny Lobster Season beginning on Tuesday, August 6, now is the time to familiarize yourself with the rules. Gear Before you set out on your lobstering adventure, make sure to check you have the proper gear on board. In addition to the required boating safety equipment, you are required to have and use a measuring device at all times. Also, anyone participating in the season must have both a recreational saltwater fishing license and a spiny lobster permit. Safety is first priority, so don’t forget that a diver down flag must be prominently displayed when divers or snorkelers are in the water. While there’s gear that’s required, there is also gear that’s prohibited. When harvesting lobster, you may not use a spear or any other device that could puncture or crush the lobster’s shell or flesh. Harvesting Lobsters Knowing how to properly measure lobsters is of great importance when participating in this sport. Once a lobster is caught, it must be measured in the water and have a carapace larger than three inches to be legal sized. All undersized lobsters have to be released unharmed. An individual is... Read More »

Specialty Sunscreens Available at The Spa October 28, 2019 Posted in: All, Salon and Spa Sun protection is mostly thought of for the skin, but you also need to be sure to protect your eyes, lips, hair and scalp. We have had such an overwhelming response to these products that we wanted to make sure everyone was in the know. Here are some of our top picks to help minimize damaging UV exposure this summer: For Your Hair & Scalp Phyto Mineral Sun Veil This sheer, invisible, light SPF for your hair offers intense UV protection. Phytoplage protects hair and guards color from UV damage and environmental stresses with a luminous veil of shine from its lightweight, non-greasy mist. For Your Lips Coola Mineral Liplux® Organic Lip Balm SPF 30 This hydrating lip balm adds a hint of subtle color while protecting, nourishing and softening your lips. Organic Cupuaçu Butter and Mongongo Oil deliver an ultra-creamy texture that smooths and nourishes lips while keeping them hydrated so they look healthy, plump and youthful. Jane Iredale LipDrink Lip Balm SPF 15 Hydrating protection for your lips that will leave lips feeling moisturized, protected and refreshingly scented. For Your Face Jane Iredale Powder Me SPF Dry Sunscreen Comes in Golden, Tanned, or Translucent, this Broad Spectrum SPF... Read More »

Card Sound Road Safety Measures Continue October 28, 2019 Posted in: All, ORCA, Public Safety As reported in June, ORCA’s Tim James, Vice President & Director of Public Safety, is working closely with the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) to create a safer route for all who drive Card Sound Road. James says, “Based on the weekly statistics provided by the Sheriff’s Office on enforcement, traffic stops, written warnings and parking citations, the increased patrolling and visibility seems to be having a positive impact.” In addition, these initiatives for Card Sound Road and 905 have been implemented: – A temporary speed sign is located at the three way facing Card Sound Road/905. – A speed sign is located south of the Card Sound Bridge. – During the weekdays, a Deputy is on proactive patrol at the three way and Card Sound Road/905. – Foliage has been cut back from the speed sign by Card Sound Road. DriveSafely@oceanreef.com One, avoid driving at the peak times which MCSO says are early morning and 4 – 5:30 p.m. when so many of the workforce are on the road. Two, concerned community members can report unsafe drivers (as much information on the vehicle as possible is helpful) at drivesafely@oceanreef.com. This information is shared anonymously with Sonny Vasquez who works... Read More »

Congratulations to Club Tennis Director, Jim Morton October 28, 2019 Posted in: All, Tennis and Games On June 1st in West Palm Beach, Jim Morton, Ocean Reef Club Director of Tennis, won a top honor awarded by USPTA, the United States Professional Tennis Association. Jim’s award, Division Professional of the Year, recognized his excellence at their annual conference. The award honored him for his outstanding contribution to the game and his participation in the organization that oversees 14,000 tennis coaches in Florida. For 30 years, Jim has been teaching Ocean Reef Member families, guests, and associates to play and love the game. The Ocean Reef Communications Department made a wonderful video about his accomplishments at our Club. It was shown to over 300 people. Among the guests were Jim’s mentors throughout his career, past and current Club pros and Willie Cakans, Racquet Club Pro. Jim’s proud family was with him to experience the thrilling honor. Jim’s innovative programming at the Ocean Reef Tennis & Games Center has created a vibrant facility that keeps getting better and better. He has just returned from London after taking a group of Members to the Wimbledon games. Next year, he is planning to lead a group of Members to Rome for the Italian Open Tennis Tournament. He is interested in... Read More »

100,000 Corals Returned to the Florida Reef Tract October 28, 2019 Posted in: All, Conservation, Philanthropy Ocean Reef Club’s Commitment Critical to Reaching Milestone Coral Restoration Foundation™ has announced a huge milestone in the fight to restore and save the world’s third largest barrier reef: as of July 2019, they have officially returned 100,000 “reef ready” corals to the Florida Reef Tract. This huge achievement demonstrates the power of collaborative action to save and restore our coral reefs, but it is just the beginning. Coral Restoration Foundation is undertaking the largest coral restoration effort in the world. Since inventing the now-famous “Coral Tree”, they now operate Coral Tree nurseries capable of producing more than 44,000 genetically-diverse, “reef-ready” corals every year. Corals they have outplanted have been observed spawning in the wild – evidence that the animals are thriving in the wild, and that these methods really work. Restoration work of this scale has only been made possible as a result of an unprecedented, collaborative network of active stakeholders. On a daily basis, volunteers from Florida and beyond join the Coral Restoration Foundation team out on the water. R. Scott Winters, Coral Restoration Foundation CEO, said, “We have been engaging the local community with impactful events like Coralpalooza™, which mobilizes hundreds of divers on World Oceans Day every... Read More »

Annual Mid-year Letter October 28, 2019 Posted in: Airport, All, Announcements, Club News, Real Estate NEW PRESIDENT ANNOUNCEMENT Alex Tonarelli will be starting on August 26th as Ocean Reef Club’s next President. Alex, his wife Sara and their son Luca (a rising 6th grader) reside in Coral Gables, Florida and are all lifelong Floridians from Miami. Also of note, the Tonarelli’s are Ocean Reefers, having been Social Members for over 10 years. Alex is a very accomplished hospitality executive with over 25 years of experience in some of South Florida’s top hotels and resorts. The last 18 years have been with the iconic Loews Miami Beach Hotel. Alex held a variety of positions at Loews, most notably as Managing Director for the past eight years responsible for all hotel activities including executing multiple significant capital projects. Alex holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business and Master’s Degree in Hospitality Management from Florida International University, where he currently serves on their President’s Council. Creating a culture of partnership and giving back to the community has always been important to Alex wherever he has worked. Over the past 10 years, he has been extremely active in a number of key industry and community organizations including currently: Chairman of the Board of the Greater Miami and the Beaches Hotel Association Executive Board Member of... Read More »

Associate Spotlight: Sylvia Habben October 28, 2019 Posted in: All, Associate Spotlight Sylvia Habben’s sparkling personality echoes the bright colors she offers to Members and guests at The Spa. She is a skilled manicurist, meticulous in every step of the process. Sylvia says, “When I came to this country from Kenya 13 years ago, I worked at Cheeca Lodge using the experience I gained at the Nairobi Beauty Therapy School back home. I like the careful artistic work. It makes me happy to see customers leave satisfied and smiling.” Sylvia’s quiet approach to work leaves plenty of room for her flashes of spirit, easy conversation and smiles. Her talents are not limited to the Salon. Sylvia is a belly dancer who has offered lessons through the Fitness Center and private sessions for wedding parties here on The Reef. She is delighted when students move from embarrassed giggles to learning how to shimmy and dance to Egyptian music, Hip Hop and Motown. She says, “I studied the mechanics and history of belly dancing, and love to share what I learned with others. Belly dancing is an art form. When you learn to move one body part and keep every other part still, then you’re ready to put on a shimmering scarf with jiggling... Read More »

Pedal or Paddle? October 28, 2019 Posted in: All, For The Kids, Recreation You might want to take a look at “boarding” if you are ready to see The Reef from a different perspective. The vantage point of standing up and moving across the water provides a renewed appreciation for the unique life that is below and around us at Ocean Reef. Increased visibility at a slower pace enables boarders to glimpse coral, fish, and the occasional turtle that are easily missed when heading out on a typical boat. As a workout, SUP or Stand Up Paddleboards are a comfortable way to get in better shape. Burning calories is part of the fun and most paddlers find the experience relaxing after first building some basic balancing skills. Paddleboards are available for rental at the Buccaneer Island Pool Desk for daily use, for yoga classes, and during season for the popular lighted evening tours. Paddleboarding is an outdoor experience for a variety of ages and a great adventure for families to enjoy together. After just a few tips from a recreation specialist and a little practice, most users are successful either standing or kneeling. For a different experience, the Pedal Board is a new “toy” to try out at Ocean Reef. It is a... Read More »

Fire Prevention Week at The Academy October 28, 2019 Posted in: All, For The Kids, The Academy at Ocean Reef Fire Prevention Week at The Academy As part of The Academy at Ocean Reef’s ongoing commitment to ensuring a safe environment for the children and staff, The Academy was excited to welcome officers from the Public Safety Department during Fire Prevention Week. On Thursday, October 10, following an introduction from Head of School Jerome Murphy describing the important and various roles our Public Safety officers play in keeping all community members and visitors safe, the officers addressed the students about fire prevention and safety in the event of a fire. During the interactive presentation, students learned about the importance of fire alarms, smoke detectors, evacuation plans, and calling 911. After learning about all of the equipment worn by firefighters, students went outside and enjoyed the opportunity to sit inside the fire truck and see all of the instruments used by firemen during a fire. At the conclusion of the morning program, the Public Safety officers provided the students with gift bags filled with hats, pencils, rulers, and a coloring book related to fire safety to serve as a reminder of what they learned. Much to the delight of the children, the firemen turned on all of their sirens and horns... Read More »

Welcoming New & Returning Traditions October 28, 2019 Posted in: Clubs within the Club Welcoming New & Returning Traditions Our many celebrated traditions are what makes Ocean Reef first and foremost a club. These long-held traditions, some dating back to before the Member buyout, help to create the lasting memories Members and their families enjoy here year after year. Years ago, summers at The Reef were considered quiet, but now our summer has become a season unto itself, filled with Equity Get Togethers, world-class fishing, summer camps for all ages, and more. Although more Members are choosing to stay at The Reef year-round, we still deem our November traditions our “Welcome Back” events to mark the start of another great season to come. Forming New Traditions As the years go on, we see new traditions begin to form – like that of the Member-Associate Tennis Tournament. Now in its fourth year, the Member-Associate Tournament, held Tuesday, October 22, saw 20 Ocean Reef Members and 20 Club associates representing 11 departments come together for a day of friendly competition and camaraderie. The tournament was conceived by Members, with the idea of connecting with associates in an informal setting outside of their typical work environment. Director of Tennis, Jim Morton told participants, “There are very few... Read More »

Ocean Reefers to “the Rescue” October 21, 2019 Posted in: All, Stories Ocean Reef Members form a truly caring community. Both inside and outside the gates, Members make a difference to so many organizations year upon year. When disaster strikes, as witnessed after Hurricane Irma, the generosity is magnified. And most recently, after Dorian destroyed parts of the Bahamas, Members and Reef organizations immediately took action. One Member who felt an instant drive to help was Alex Woodsum. As a “rescue mom” herself, she knew the need would be great not just for the Bahamian residents, but for the animals that live on the island as well. The story began when Alex heard from a friend living in Abaco about a rescue shelter almost completely destroyed by the storm. The woman who ran the shelter was caring for close to 50 cats as best she could, but food, water and medicine was scarce. Alex knew she wanted to help and she contacted ORCAT, which graciously agreed to take in five cats, as well as the Humane Society in Miami, which said they could take 10. Alex found a pilot to fly her to Abaco to drop off supplies and retrieve 15 cats and three puppies. Once the goods on the plane were... Read More »