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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... 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... 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... 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... 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... 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... 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... 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... 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... Read More »
The Mother Lode Has Landed February 7, 2022 Posted in: All, Food and Beverage The Mother Lode Has Landed by Sean Carroll, Director of Beverage As stated in my previous article – “More to come as we anxiously await the arrival of the next barrel” – I was not lying. We recently received not one, but four Ocean Reef Club barrel selections. There are some old time favorites... 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... 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... Read More »
The Countdown is On December 17, 2021 Posted in: All, Club Events, Traditions The Countdown is On Club Holiday Traditions are Back Over the past month, as the Club welcomed back events that were canceled or modified last year due to the pandemic, a theme of returning to tradition has emerged. But with the holidays approaching, you may be wondering, will this be the same Super Bingo, the... 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... 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... 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... 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... 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... 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... 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... 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... 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... 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... 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... 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... 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... 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... 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... 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... Read More »
Continuing the Club’s Covid Practices October 11, 2021 Posted in: All, Announcements, Club News, Health and Nutrition, Members, Public Safety Continuing the Club’s Covid Practices Over the past year and a half, safeguarding the community for Members, guests and Associates has been the Club’s number one priority. We feel fortunate that since the onset of the pandemic, the Club has not seen any significant surge in positive cases. When the pandemic first began, the Club’s... 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... 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... 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... Read More »
Back to School at Ocean Reef September 6, 2021 Posted in: All, Announcements, Club News, For The Kids, The Academy at Ocean Reef Back to School at Ocean Reef: Academy Welcomes Students to Campus By Jody Steele The Academy at Ocean Reef is ready to open on September 7th for on-campus classes for all students. All faculty, parents and children will continue to follow and promote the Covid Safety Plan that was implemented and followed last school year.... 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... 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... 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... 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... 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... 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... 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... 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... 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... 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... 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... 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... Read More »
Caring for Our Courses May 24, 2021 Posted in: All, Golf Caring for Our Courses By Holly Houser, Ocean Reef Press Manager Ocean Reef’s regularly scheduled summer aeration began May 3, and if you’ve wondered over the past few days why the Dolphin Course has been closed, this is the reason why! Like years past, the Club’s two golf courses will alternately close through mid-October so... 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... 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... 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... 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... Read More »
‘The Times, They Are A Changing’ May 5, 2021 Posted in: All, Chapel ‘The Times, They Are A Changing’ By Rev. Dr. Bob Henley For those of us who grew up in the sixties, the music of Bob Dylan provided the soundtrack for our lives. In 1964, the year I graduated from high school, Dylan’s anthem, “The Times, They Are A-Changin’,” was released. The simplicity of his guitar... 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... 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... 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... 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... 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... 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... 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... 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... 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... Read More »
Club Covid-19 Protocol Update April 2, 2021 Posted in: All, Announcements, Club News Club Covid-19 Protocol Update As of Thursday, April 1, amendments approved by the Ocean Reef Club Board of Directors to the Club’s Covid-19 protocols were enacted. Having closely monitored the decreasing Monroe County Covid-19 case numbers, and with the vaccine more widely available, the Board agreed that moderate changes could be implemented while still maintaining... 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... 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... 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.... 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,... 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... 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... 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.... Read More »
Welcoming Chef Annie Copps to Carysfort Kitchen March 15, 2021 Posted in: All, Club Events, Dining Welcoming Chef Annie Copps to Carysfort Kitchen By Holly Houser, Ocean Reef Press Manager On Thursday, March 18, Guest Chef Annie Copps will share her take on a lightfare Mediterranean spread for Members attending her cooking class at the Carysfort Kitchen. A Boston-based chef, cooking instructor and food activist, Copps has spent the past 30... 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... 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... 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... 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,... 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... 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... Read More »
Associate Spotlight: Paola Knapp February 24, 2021 Posted in: All, Associate Spotlight Associate Spotlight: Paola Knapp by Gertrude Mann Ocean Reef is a community of people with fascinating life stories. This is true for Members and Associates alike. I sat down with Paola Knapp, a young woman who teaches yoga at the Member Fitness Center, to learn about her years of international travel in search of self-awareness... 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... 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... 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,... 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... 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... 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... Read More »
Wonder Women: The Musical February 10, 2021 Posted in: All, Member Stories, Members Wonder Women: The Musical by Joan Birsh I’ve been toying with the idea of a musical about accomplished women at Ocean Reef. I am calling it Wonder Women: The Musical. (I know many of you can come up with a better title, but this is the best I can do.) Beyond the title, what interests... 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... 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... 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... 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... 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... 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... Read More »
ORC January Town Hall January 29, 2021 Posted in: All, Club News ORC January Town Hall “This year is a little bit different” With the American flag as the backdrop, Vice Chairman Ray Larkin opened the meeting, “Normally, we start these things with a salute to those who serve us, acknowledging our Veterans and Public Safety officers. However, this year it is a little bit different. The... 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... 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... 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.... 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,... 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... 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... 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... 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... Read More »
Capital Projects Update January 7, 2021 Posted in: All, Announcements, Club News Capital Projects Update Many exciting projects that began this summer are now open and being enjoyed by the Membership. Expanding and enhancing dining areas to supplement seating lost by the construction projects and self-imposed COVID capacity limits were a priority, along with providing enhanced services and amenities. As a part of these efforts, while also... Read More » MEMBERABILIA: Thank You Ocean Reef! January 4, 2021 Posted in: All, Stories MEMBERABILIA Thank You Ocean Reef! by Joan Birsh January 1, 2021 – a personal letter of thanks to Ocean Reef for making my life interesting and rewarding in so many ways… Dear Ocean Reef, Thanks for Keeping Me Safe… I’ve been more appreciative of this “safe keeping” since the onslaught of Covid19, when my husband... 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... 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... Read More »
Traditional Events, Reinvented December 21, 2020 Posted in: All, Club Events, Traditions Traditional Events, Reinvented This year, the Coronavirus is challenging the way we typically celebrate the holidays with our loved ones at The Reef, but the Club has responded to this challenge in creative and imaginative ways to ensure the joyful holiday spirit remains alive and well this season at Ocean Reef. Club Management along with... 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... 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... 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... 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... Read More »
Take a Deep Breath – Ocean Reef’s Air is Clean December 7, 2020 Posted in: All, Club News, Health and Nutrition Take a Deep Breath – Ocean Reef’s Air is Clean By Holly Houser, Ocean Reef Press Manager Safety is at the forefront of everyone’s minds these days, and the Club is taking steps to ensure our Members can safely enjoy The Reef’s amenities and feel comfortable doing so. To that end, Ocean Reef has invested... 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... Read More »
Academy Values November 30, 2020 Posted in: All, The Academy at Ocean Reef, Traditions Academy Values By Ozzy McGee Grade 5, The Academy at Ocean Reef The Academy at Ocean Reef is hard at work ensuring that everybody follows the three W’s; Wash your hands, Watch your distance, and Wear a mask. The staff and teachers are hard at work making sure everybody is safe while learning many new... 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... 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.... Read More » COVID Dominates Town Hall Discussion November 27, 2020 Posted in: All, Club News, Community News COVID Dominates Town Hall Discussion With a full agenda containing key topics from Coronavirus safety and progress of Capital Projects to Financial Results, new Dining Venues, the 2020 Census results and Homestead Air Reserve Base, Ocean Reef Club Chairman Bob Manzo dedicated his November 20th opening remarks and the majority of his presentation to addressing... 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,... Read More » Virtual Thanksgiving November 23, 2020 Posted in: All, Chapel, Club News Virtual Thanksgiving By Rev. Dr. Bob Henley As with most everything since mid-March, Thanksgiving will also be different this year. Depending upon where you live, many are being encouraged, if not instructed, to forego gathering for a Thanksgiving celebration. COVID-19 strikes again! As we celebrate Thanksgiving this season, it is important to be reminded of... 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... 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... 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... Read More »
Memberabilia – The Extraordinary ORC Equity Members November 18, 2020 Posted in: All, Club News, Member News Memberabilia – The Extraordinary ORC Equity Members by Joan Birsh In the nearly 15 years I’ve been writing for the Ocean Reef Press I’ve covered the “doings” of a whole lot of my fellow ORC Equity Members. Most of us are in residence at OR from November until after Easter when we exit Key Largo... 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... 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... 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.... 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... Read More »
Memberabilia: There’ve been some changes made… November 11, 2020 Posted in: All, Club News, Food and Beverage Memberabilia: There’ve been some changes made… Ocean Reef Retail Shops Play Monopoly… Dear Returning Members (and those of you like Arthur and me, who spent all summer at Ocean Reef) – I’ll bet you are excited to toss your catalogues in a recycle bin, forget Amazon, Ebay, Etsy and go to your favorite real live... 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... 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... Read More » Club Operational Update November 10, 2020 Posted in: All, Club News Club Operational Update As Members return to The Reef, two notable topics are COVID safety protocols and the exciting Capital Projects. This month we will be providing additional updates via email, at the Advisory Council meeting on Thursday, November 19, and Town Hall on Friday, November 20. In the meantime, below are a few reminders... 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... 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... Read More »
Memberabilia Halloween… Past & Present October 29, 2020 Posted in: All, Club Events, Club News Memberabilia Halloween… Past & Present by Joan Birsh HALLOWEEN – PAST My favorite Halloween memory dates back to 1999. My husband Arthur and I had only recently moved to Ocean Reef. Lucky me, my 4-year-old granddaughter Stephanie came south for Halloween at Gram’s. It was a beautiful Florida evening. And Stephanie was over the moon... 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... Read More » So, Where’s the Church? October 27, 2020 Posted in: All, Chapel, Community News So, Where’s the Church? By Rev. Dr. Bob Henley Sometimes, even when you know what’s coming, it’s still a surprise. That was my experience, making a right hand turn onto Ocean Reef Drive at the four-way stop, and for the first time, seeing bare ground where the Chapel stood for almost fifty years. Embracing something... Read More »
The Reef Hut REDO October 23, 2020 Posted in: All, Club News, Dining The Reef Hut REDO By Jody Steele Head your golf cart over to the Reef Hut for a delicious lunch and an array of unique menu choices beginning on Monday, October 26 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. You can sit inside, out on the patio, or under the new tiki furnished with ceiling fans... Read More »
Club Operational Updates October 23, 2020 Posted in: All, Club News, Community News Club Operational Updates Earlier this month, a Club Operational Update was sent via email with a link to a comprehensive booklet detailing the Club’s various dining facilities and amenities; and outlining how they will operate this season in light of the continuing COVID pandemic. The Club’s Board of Directors and Management Team want to provide... 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... 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... Read More »
Construction Progresses on Big Three October 14, 2020 Posted in: All, Club News Construction Progresses on Big Three The Club’s three major projects (Associate Parking Garage, Ocean Room/Lobby and Clubhouse) continue in various stages of progress while smaller renovations and improvements near completion. The Associate Parking Garage is just over sixty days from completion. The precast structure is fully assembled and now the mechanical, electrical and plumbing are... 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... 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,... Read More »
Culinary Magic October 9, 2020 Posted in: All, Dining Culinary Magic By Jody Steele The Food & Beverage Team has been resourceful in assembling dining opportunities for the upcoming Season. Challenges of ongoing construction and attention to COVID restrictions have led to the creation of some imaginative solutions. It is all quite exciting and will present some new and established ways we can all... 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... 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... 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... 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... Read More »
Memberabilia: Top of your game… September 14, 2020 Posted in: All, Community News, Fitness Center, Golf, Member News, Member Stories, Memberabilia, Members, Stories MEMBERABILIA Top of your game… by Joan Birsh Championship Season Of course we are all excited about the young ORC Member Tyler Strafaci, the new US Amateur Champion, but, albeit on a less glorified level, three of Ocean Reef’s finest women golfers Christine Patton, Barbara Olcott, Linda Roberts (plus Barbara’s sister Jeannie Pearce) took top... 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,... 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... 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”.... 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... 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... Read More »
MEMBERABILIA: Coping with COVID August 10, 2020 Posted in: All, Member News, Member Stories, Memberabilia, Members, Stories MEMBERABILIA Coping with COVID By Joan Birsh ORC in the Time of the Virus This spring many Ocean Reef resident Members, who usually depart after Easter, chose to stay later. The “shut-down” of the Club offered a temporary safe option for avoiding the Corona crisis. Then, about the middle of June visions of neglected gardens... Read More »
Capital Projects Progress August 6, 2020 Posted in: All, Announcements, Club News, Community News, Member News Capital Projects Progress As all three major capital projects are now underway, a monthly digital newsletter, “Drawing Board”, was sent via email providing recent updates on the progress through videos, photography, timelines and FAQ’s. All of the information can also be found at oceanreef.com/CapitalProjects, which can be accessed at any time and includes a digital... 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... 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... 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... Read More »
Fishing Lore July 17, 2020 Posted in: All, Conservation, Environment, Fishing, Technology, Virtual Fishing Lore “Dot.calm” by Jane Silverman Like many of us at Ocean Reef, I have spent the better part of a lifetime fishing. We all have vivid memories: the fresh salty scent of sea air, bluer than blue sky, the sunlight glittering on the water, and the sudden pull on the line signaling, “fish on!”... 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... 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... Read More »
Joan the Shopper: EYE OPENERS July 7, 2020 Posted in: All, Community News, Shopping Joan the Shopper: EYE OPENERS Lilly Pulitzer Vineyard Vines By Joan Birsh For nearly a decade I’ve covered the extraordinary retail venues at our Ocean Reef Club in my weekly column called Joan the Shopper. But, alas, this year for many weeks, COVID closed down most of the shops in the Fishing Village, as well... 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... 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... Read More »
St. Peter’s Fleet Providing Both Jobs & Hunger Relief June 15, 2020 Posted in: All, Community News, Fishing, ORCF, Philanthropy St. Peter’s Fleet Providing Both Jobs & Hunger Relief by Yurianna Mikolay, Executive Director Ocean Reef Community Foundation From early on in our COVID-19 Relief Fund work two things were clear: with the Keys closed to the visitors that fuel the economy, unemployment was through the roof and nonprofits were overwhelmed and struggling to meet... 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... 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... 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... 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... 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... 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... 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... Read More »
CABIN FEVER May 25, 2020 Posted in: All, Club News, Community News, Memberabilia, Members, Recreation, Shopping CABIN FEVER By Joan Birsh I’m happy to report that many Ocean Reef stores are now open and others are expected to open soon – Joan the Shopper I admit it. I’ve missed shopping in real time in a real store. Buying a dress that you “might” like online at 11 p.m. is just not... 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... 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... 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... 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... Read More »
CABIN FEVER: “Cart-tails at 5pm” May 7, 2020 Posted in: All, Member Stories, Memberabilia, Recreation CABIN FEVER “Cart-tails at 5pm” And Other Diversions By Joan Birsh Words, Words, Words A couple of weeks ago my husband and I had a little contest to see which of us could come up with a word or phrase that best described some aspect of our present life at Ocean Reef. Arthur’s entry was... 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.... Read More »
Homeward Bound May 5, 2020 Posted in: All, Technology, Virtual Homeward Bound “Dot.calm” by Jane Silverman We know many of you plan to continue social distancing at your Ocean Reef home, but if you do intend to start heading north for the summer, be sure and pack these great websites and apps on your phones before hitting the highway. Hands-Free Travel While packing your bags,... 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... 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... 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... Read More »
Employee Spotlight: Officer Neal King April 29, 2020 Posted in: All, Associate Spotlight, Community News, ORCA, Public Safety Employee Spotlight: Officer Neal King By Gertrude Mann Officer Neal King, Ocean Reef’s Public Safety Coordinator, has been a paramedic for 40 years. Trained in his home state of Tennessee, he came to Ocean Reef 21 years ago and has served our community in his professional capacity and as a valued educator. He teaches many... Read More »
Lost in Thought April 28, 2020 Posted in: All, Member Stories, Technology, Virtual Lost in Thought “Dot.calm” by Jane Silverman Today, I am NOT thinking about COVID-19. I need a break from the daily anonymous numbers and shouting headlines, don’t you? Arianna Huffington’s Thrive Global working-from-home wellness site thriveglobal.com, recommends “moderating our negative news intake, staying connected with friends, family, and nature, prioritizing sleep, moving our bodies and meditating... 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... 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... 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... Read More »
Watch This Space April 23, 2020 Posted in: All, Environment, Member Stories, Members, Technology Watch This Space By Jane Silverman, “Dot.calm” A birthday cruise down the Nile to see the pyramids. A visit to our son in Utah. A family celebration in New York. Our 2020 holidays are on hold while we hunker-down and pray for the world to heal itself. As we pace the perimeters of our isolated... 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.... 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... 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... 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,... 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... 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... Read More »
Foundation Offers COVID-19 Relief Fund April 15, 2020 Posted in: All, Announcements, Community News, ORCF, Philanthropy Foundation Offers COVID-19 Relief Fund, Half Million Dollar Match by Yurianna Mikolay, Executive Director Ocean Reef Community Foundation Thanks to the generosity of an anonymous donor, the Ocean Reef Community Foundation has established a COVID-19 Relief Fund to aid our neighbors impacted by the pandemic in Monroe County, Homestead and Florida City. For each $100,000... 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... 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,... 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... 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... 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... 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... Read More »
#WeApplaudORC April 8, 2020 Posted in: All, Technology #WeApplaudORC “Dot.calm” by Jane Silverman It’s the cheer heard around the world. The sound is an awesome and heart-warming awakening. Every evening from Milan to Vancouver, New York to Paris to Madrid to Istanbul, people on lockdown are flinging open their windows, flickering their lights on and off, and banging pots and pans to give... 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... 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... 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... 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... 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... 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.... 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,... 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... 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... 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... 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... 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... 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... 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... 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... 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... 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... 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... Read More »
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... 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... 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... 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... 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... 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... 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... Read More »
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... 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... 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.... 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... 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... 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…... 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... 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... 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... 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... 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... 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... 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... 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... 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... 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... 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... 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... 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)... 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... 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... Read More »
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... 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... 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... 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... 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…).... 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... 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... 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... 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... 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... 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... 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... 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.... 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... Read More »
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... 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... 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... 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... 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),... 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... 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 &... 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... 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... 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,... 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,... 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,... 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 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... 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... 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... 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... 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... Read More »
“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... 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... 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... 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.... 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... Read More »
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... 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... 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... 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.... 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... 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... 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.... 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... 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... 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... 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... 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... 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... Read More »
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... 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... 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... 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... 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... 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... 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... 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... 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... 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... 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... 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... 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... 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... 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... 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... 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... 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... 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... 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... 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... 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... 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... 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... 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... 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... 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... 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... 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... 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... 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... 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... 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... 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,... 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... 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... 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... 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... 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,... 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... 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... 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... 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... 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:... 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... 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... 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... 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... 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... 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... 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... 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... 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... 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... 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... 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... 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... 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... 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... 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... 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... 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... Read More »
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.... 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... 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... 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... 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... 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... 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... 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... 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... 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... 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... 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... Read More »