Honoring Dorothy and George Witwer

Dorothy and George Witwer

Community Heroes

In Paradise for Good – Sept. 21, 2015 and January 20, 2022

 

Dorothy and George Witwer lived most of their lives in Kendallville, Indiana, where George was publisher and principal owner of KPC Media Group, the media company with the largest reach in northeast Indiana. They were extremely involved in the community and George was named Kendallville Citizen of the Year and received the Charlie Biggs Commitment to Community Lifetime Achievement Award. For the last 30 years of their lives, Dorothy and George spent a considerable amount of time in Key West. They were both active volunteers with Reef Relief, an organization focused on saving coral reefs through research, education, and political action, and Samuel's House, a nonprofit organization for homeless and/or battered women and children.

 

The Witwers generously created three permanent funds to benefit the Florida Keys. Started in 2007, the George and Dorothy Lee Witwer Endowment for Reef Relief and the George and Dorothy Lee Witwer Endowment for Samuel's House support annual grants to those organizations in perpetuity. An additional endowment funded by George’s retirement account provides annual operating support for the Community Foundation of the Florida Keys.

 

Thank you, Dorothy and George, for Leaving a Legacy in Key West and the Florida Keys.

Honoring Charles Newman and Jane Dawkins

Charles Newman and Jane Dawkins

Community Heroes

In Paradise for Good - January 24, 2019 and August 4, 2022

 

Jane Dawkins was born on May 28, 1945 in Palestine, grew up in England, and immigrated to the U.S. in early adulthood. A lifelong animal lover and a vegetarian way before you could find tofu at Publix, in her early adult life she worked at Occidental Petroleum, RCA Victor, Windows on the World in the World Trade Center in New York City and started her own business “Proper Puddings” selling traditional English Christmas puddings that were lauded as “excellent” by Marion Burros of the New York Times. She first came to Key West in the 70’s, fell in love, and decided she would one day live here. Jane was a serious opera buff, an avid gardener, and an accomplished visual artist across a variety of media.

 

Chuck Newman was born on March 5, 1946 in Queens, New York. He was a dyed -in-the-wool hippie who attended Woodstock, hitchhiked across the country several times, and also loved fine food and wine. He put himself through college in psychology at CUNY and CW Post on Long Island and had a 40+ year career at the New York Office of People with Developmental Disabilities, helping his clients to gain greater independence and be treated with dignity. He taught himself how to build and fix computer hardware and software, running a successful IT business called “Beta Projections.”

 

In the early 90’s Chuck and Jane met in upstate New York and fell in love, living for several years together in the Hudson Valley. In the early 2000’s Chuck took early retirement and he and Jane pursued their dream of living in Key West, settling into their first home on Petronia Street. Jane blossomed into an artistic force. writing five books: two continuations of Jane Austen’s novel Pride and Prejudice, two regency-era romances and a “Romance for Grown -ups” called If You’re Ever in Key West. She worked as a visual artist in ceramics, mosaic, sculpture, jewelry, knitwear and exhibited around town, at the Studios of Key West, and at the FKSPCA shelter. Jane joined the FKSPCA board in 2007 and served as president from 2009 to 2019. She carried the organization through the capital campaign to build the new shelter and was instrumental in the success of its life-saving mission. Meanwhile, Chuck was Jane’s entrepreneurial half, helping place her books, get her signings, and encouraging her to show her art and use her voice on behalf of the shelter. The spine of his last several years was his work as Assistant Publisher at the e-book publishing company, “Absolutely Amazing E-Books” with Shirrel Rhodes and Albert Kelley.

 

Chuck passed away after a long battle with COPD and after 18 years on the island he loved on January 24, 2019. He was a lover of Hawaiian shirts, wearing Birkenstocks to formal functions, and calling it like he saw it. During the pandemic years, Jane developed a taste for cards, holding her own in many a canasta game and always collecting the queens, and was a founding member of the activist group, Reimagining Key West. She lived her life with wit, elegance, style, eloquence, and a fierce ethic of care. After a battle with cancer, she passed away on August 4, 2022.

 

Chuck and Jane decided to fund an endowment at the Community Foundation of the Florida Keys through their estate, benefiting the Florida Keys SPCA. They wanted to make an enduring contribution back to this island, and the FKSPCA, both of which they loved so much.

 

Thank you, Jane and Chuck, for Leaving a Legacy in Key West and the Florida Keys.


Honoring Jean Barnett Stearns

Jean Barnett Stearns

Community Hero

In Paradise for Good – March 23, 2022

 

Jean Barnett Stearns lived to be 99 years old and spent the majority of her life as a Key West resident, having lived here since the early 1960s.

 

Born in 1922, Jean grew up in White Hall, Illinois, and earned a Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign in 1945. Along with her husband, noted jazz historian Marshall Stearns, Jean co-authored the book “Jazz Dance: The Story of American Vernacular Dance.”

 

Through her estate, Jean supported family and friends, along with multiple charitable organizations. In the Florida Keys she funded affordable housing and health care, hospice services, and the Community Foundation of the Florida Keys.

 

Thank you, Jean, for Leaving a Legacy in Key West and the Florida Keys.

Honoring "Ms. Betty" Radics

“Ms. Betty” Alice Elizabeth Radics

Community Hero

In Paradise for Good – December 4, 2022

 

Ms. Betty aka “The Cookie Lady” lived a gloriously animated Key West Conch life. She worked many years at the Pier House, beginning in the mid-1980s. Ms. Betty’s true call of duty in this life came from her work as a dietary aide at the Lower Keys Medical Center. Her passion for compassion shined and brightened the halls and every room in the facility. She loved helping co-workers and health care professionals and was supremely committed to the patients and their families. Her boundless energy focused on providing strength, encouragement, laughter, entertainment, and assistance — above and beyond the important fulfillment of the patients’ dietary needs. This judgeless angel never ever turned a blind eye to anyone in need — no matter their station nor circumstances. Her charity work was tireless and her fundraising extraordinary.

 

In her memory, Ms. Betty’s friends created the Ms. Betty Hospitality & Culinary Scholarship Fund at the Community Foundation of the Florida Keys. The scholarship is awarded annually to individuals desiring to study in the Hospitality or Culinary Management programs at the College of the Florida Keys, with a preference for individuals graduating from or previously graduated from Key West high school. Betty’s passion and commitment to exceptional service will live on through the students who receive her scholarships. Learn more at CFFK.org/msbetty.

 

Thank you, Ms. Betty, for Leaving a Legacy in Key West and the Florida Keys.

 

Honoring Richard "Rich" Simone

Rich Simone loved his island paradise and the local characters who befriended him. Key West Credits as Director and/or Designer: FOLLIES IN CONCERT, GUYS & DOLLS and JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAM COAT for the Key West Pops, NO CHILD, THE GRADUATE and DINNER WITH FRIENDS at the Waterfront Playhouse, SHOWTUNE, THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW and BATBOY: THE MUSICAL at the Red Barn, THE MOST HAPPY FELLA and SOUTH PACIFIC for Island Opera Theatre, . Richs award winning work was recognized on the mainland and included: POPCORN (Carbonell Nomination, Curtain Up Award/Best Scenic Design), THE GOAT (Carbonell Award, Curtain Up Award/Best Scenic Design), JAMES JOYCE’S THE DEAD (Carbonell Award/Best Scenic Design) at GableStage; CRIMES OF THE HEART (Curtain Up Nominations/Best Scenic Design/Best Director of a Play/Best Play, Carbonell Nominations/Best Director of a Play/Best Play), THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW (Curtain Up Awards/Best Ensemble/Best Supporting Actor in a Musical) and BLOOD BROTHERS (Carbonell Nominations/Best Director of a Musical/Best Musical, Curtain Up Awards/Best Director of a Musical/Best Musical), all at the Shores Performing Arts Theatre, which also received the Most Progressive and Innovative Theatre Award from the Curtain Up voters for 2003 during his tenure as Artistic Director. Rich was also named Best South Florida Scenic Designer of 2001 by the Miami New Times, but is most proud to have been named a finalist for the 2003 Artist Impact Award, presented by the Miami Children’s Cultural Coalition for his work in children’s theatre.

Honoring Bill Blue

The Bill Blue Story

Born in Aberdeen, North Carolina, and raised in Yorktown, Virginia, Bill Blue first picked up a guitar when he was in school in Richmond, Virginia. Playing along with records at first, Blue began to develop his unique slide guitar technique.

A chance meeting with Arthur (Big Boy) Crudup --who wrote Elvis Presley’s hit “That’s Alright Mama”-- ignited Bluel’s life-long passion for Blues music.

With the British music invasion of the 60’s and 70’s bringing R&B bands like The Rolling Stones to the USA, interest in Blues music grew and Arthur Crudup who’d been working as a farm hand, asked Blue to put together a live band.

Crudup and Blue toured the USA, most notably opening for Bonnie Raitt on her first American tour.

After Crudup died in 1974, Blue went out on his own and for a decade toured extensively, sharing the stage with BB King, ZZ Top, The Allman Brothers, Albert King, Johnny Winter,  and countless others at Blues festivals across the USA.

Blue made 2 LPs for the Feather label before signing with the prestigious Adelphi record label, one of the best blues labels in the US. Blue made 2 LP’s for Adelphi and the worldwide distribution the label offered gave him the chance to be heard around the world.

In the eighties, tired of the road, Blue stopped touring and moved to Key West.

He continued playing at the legendary Sloppy Joe’s with his band, The Nervous Guys, and  was the first musician to ever play at the famous Green Parrot, now known worldwide as an outstanding live music venue.

Armed with some great songs, his unique style of slide guitar playing, and a gravelly voice that had deepened with age, Blue went into the studio for two live rhythm track sessions with drummer Richard Crooks (a New York player whose credits included playing with Bob Dylan, Leonard Cohen, Dr.  John, and Paul Simon), Nashville guitarist Michael McAdam, London guitarist Matt Backer, Key West Drummer Mick Kilgos,and various other members of Blue’s live band.

The resulting LP, “Mojolation,” garnered stellar reviews, worldwide airplay, and reached No.1 on ReverbNation’s Blues chart and on the British Blues Broadcaster’s chart.

“Mojolation” was released on October 13th 2013 at a record release party at The Green Parrot. In honor of Bill’s new record, his charity work, his being the “elder statesman” of the Key West music scene, the City Of Key West declared October 13th to be Bill Blue Day in perpetuity.

A second album, “The King of Crazy Town,” was also released by Conch Town Records.