Aug. 12, 2004, 11:33PM
Key West finds storm a reason to party
By ALAN GOMEZ
Palm Beach Post
KEY WEST, FLA. - Mayor Jimmy Weekley tried his best to keep his rambunctious citizens focused on the possible dangers of Hurricane Charley, partly by ordering all bars closed by 10 p.m. Thursday.
But the grizzled veterans of the Florida Keys responded to his order with what can only be called a Keys attitude.
Many laughed out loud at the order and one man, who asked not to be identified, quipped "The front door may be closed, but every bar has a back door, doesn't it?"
The city's restaurant and bar association even received an anonymous fax from a bar owner who said his fine establishment is a haven for all those living on boats or in shoddy housing, so he won't close down.
"This is just another reason to party," said Lenn Verreau, a Key West boat captain.
To be sure, residents in and around Key West took their precautions.
They nailed plywood onto their houses and businesses, tied up their boats and pulled them out of the water.
But even when stocking up their groceries, they showed what they consider to be the essentials in such trying times — many grocery lists consisted of canned food, water, batteries and beer.
Tommy Hersey spent Thursday afternoon tying up his two 75-foot shrimp boats in a marina just outside of Key West.
But before explaining how he planned to survive the storm with his friends and family on board the Lady Susan, he bragged about the hurricane party that was sure to follow.
Then again, "If we don't make it, then there won't be a party."
But it may have been Tom Muskuna who summed things up best.
When asked to explain the mood of Key West residents as they prepare for what could be a Category 3 hurricane with its destructive winds well over 100 mph, the biker apparel shop owner smiled and replied: "I'm in a good mood."
chron.com |
