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Islamorada Philanthropists Ken and Dee Meeks Gift $1 Million
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Foundation Executive Director Jill Miranda Baker, Ken and Dee Meeks, and Foundation President Rich Russell, celebrate the unveiling of the new sign on the exterior of the building, which houses the Keys History & Discovery Center.
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Long-time Islamorada residents and community supporters, Ken and Dee Meeks, have donated $1 million to the Florida Keys History and Discovery Foundation, a 501(c)(3), not-for-profit organization, which operates the Keys History & Discovery Center in Islamorada.
Their previous support to the museum includes underwriting the cost of the permanent exhibit about Indian Key, which includes a model of the island circa 1840, artifacts from the island and a kiosk detailing its unique history, as well as sponsoring a traveling exhibit.
"We are elated and honored by their generosity," said Foundation Board President Rich Russell. "Ken and Dee have been major difference makers for four decades in our community. If not for Ken and his bank loans, many local businesses would not have been started. His work boosted Islamorada's economy in the mid-1970s and continued though the Keys beyond his retirement nearly 20 years ago. Their donation is making a world of difference to the future of the Keys History & Discovery Center."
The donation is being recognized at the Discovery Center's entrance with a sign stating, Keys History & Discovery Center Proudly Presented By Ken and Dee Meeks. The building sign created in Meeks' honor was unveiled on Saturday, May 13, Ken's 90th birthday, before more than 120 guests, including museum members, supporters, and Upper Keys Rotarians. Ken Meeks has been a member of the Rotary Club since 1977 and served as president in 1979. He was named an honorary member in 2015 and continues to attend weekly meetings. Ken and Dee Meek's donation also will be memorialized on the Discovery Center's forthcoming road sign. To further honor the donation, a bust of Ken Meeks and his portrait from the former The Island Bank will be housed in the main lobby along with a monitor sharing the Meeks' personal stories.
"Preserving and sharing the history of the Upper Keys is very important to our community," said Ken Meeks. "I am pleased and honored to be able to support the efforts of the Key History & Discovery Center. They've come a long way in three short years and it is Dee and mine's desire that this museum grows and lasts for decades to come."
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Highway Signage With Visibility Becoming a Reality
After much effort with the Islamorada Village Council and Village Staff, approval has been granted to install a highway sign at the entrance of the Islander property, on which the Keys History & Discovery Center is located. So far, $25,000 has been donated for sign and building permit fees, as well as the design and creation. An additional $3,000 will allow for the installation, which is expected late summer. If you would like to contribute to this specific project, please click on this link,
http://www.keysdiscovery.com/product/donations
to make a donation, or call 305-922-2237.
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Jerry Wilkinson Research Library Nearing Completion
Due to a successful fundraising campaign to build-out the Jerry Wilkinson Research Library earning $32,080 and
a grant award from Monroe County Tourist Development Council that will reimburse up to $10,000 once the project is complete, the Research Library is slated to open by the end of June.
Jerry Wilkinson is the foremost surviving Upper Keys historian who also serves as an emeritus member on the Foundation's Board of Directors. Wilkinson agreed to leave his vast collection, one that he has acquired throughout decades of research, which includes photos, transcripts, artifacts, maps and more. In addition, we have been gifted with these additional collections:
- The Reporter Newspaper: More than 100 bound copies of the newspapers from the mid-1970s to 2010.
- Author Willie Drye: Manuscript and associated research for the book, Storm of the Century.
- Author Thomas Knowles: Digital files and research materials for the book, Category 5.
- The late Upper Keys Historian Jim Clupper: Boxes and boxes of research, particularly related to prehistoric Indians in the Keys.
We are creating a place where interested parties will be able to dig deeper into the rich history of these islands, a place that will allow us to acquire the kind of resources enabling it to become the preeminent source when researching the history of the Upper Keys. It will house newspaper articles, books, magazines, photographs and maps regarding topics pertinent to the Florida Keys with a special emphasis on documents pertaining to the Upper Keys.
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Planning a 'Night at the Museum'; Will You Help?
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Who will play Henry M. Flagler? |
Mark your calendar now for a unique night to experience the museum coming alive during a 'Night at the Museum" on Friday, Nov. 10. Work has begun to plan a signature fundraising and fun-filled event for Keys History & Discovery Center, which will incorporate a cocktail reception, a plated dinner, silent and live actions, and dessert in the museum where historical figures are expected to come to life!
The Signature Event Committee, currently comprised of Board members, volunteers and museum members, is looking for additional hard-workers to help in making this event come to life. We are looking for sponsors, decorators, table hosts, silent and live auction gatherers, and more. If you are interested in learning more, please contact
info@keysdiscovery.com
or call 305-922-2237.
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Keys History & Discovery Center Presents...
A successful lecture season came to an end on May 10 with Author Willie Drye sharing stories of survival by Bernard Russell and others during the 1935 Great Labor Day. The lecture series starts again in October with a return visit from Robert the Doll. Mark your calendar for these upcoming lectures.
Thursday, Oct. 26
Haunted History: Robert the Doll Returns (just in time for Halloween)
Wednesday, Nov. 16
Florida is a Land Remembered with Rick Smith Jr.
Wednesday, Nov. 29
History of Biscayne Bay with authors Jim Kushlan and Kirsten Hines
Wednesday, Dec. 13
Oh Florida! How America's Weirdest State Influences the Rest of the Country with Author and Reporter Craig Pittman.
Doors to the Discovery Center open at 5 p.m., to allow guests to see current exhibits. Presentations begin at 6 p.m. Members of the Discovery Center are free. Cost for non-members is $25, which includes admission and light appetizers. A cash bar in available. Reservations are strongly suggested and can be made via e-mail at info@keysdiscovery.com or by calling 305-922-2237.
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New Members Join Foundation Board of Directors
Frank Derfler, a 20-year resident of Islamorada, and Joe Catarineau, a Miami native living on Plantation Key, have joined the Board of Directors of the Florida Keys History and Discovery Foundation. The not-for-profit organization formed in 2013 to develop and operate the Florida Keys History & Discovery Center.
Derfler is a career U.S. Air Force officer who retired in 1987 in the active duty grade of Lieutenant Colonel. He spent decades in information technology and network publishing, writing hundreds of articles and columns, and serving as an expert speaking across the country. He worked for
PC Magazine
as a senior editor and served as vice president of Ziff Davis Media.
In addition to his magazine publications, Derfler has written 22 published books on networks and information systems acquisition, as well as two novels. A long-time member of the Rotary Club of the Upper Keys, he currently serves as president of the organization. Derfler also is a Board member with the Florida Keys Wild Bird Center. He and his wife Marlene live in Islamorada.
Catarineau, a local CPA and attorney, attended Georgia Southern University where he earned a BBA in accounting with honors and went on to earn the CPA designation. After a stint in Georgia, he moved back to Miami to work for a public accounting firm and to attend University of Miami School of Law. He earned his JD in 2001, again with honors. After practicing as a tax attorney in Miami, he relocated to Tavernier to open, Catarineau & Catarineau, LLC, a tax and accounting firm with his brother, as well as his own law practice, Joe A. Catarineau, P.A., where he practices estate planning, probate and tax law. He lives with his wife and three daughters in Tavernier.
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Florida Keys History and Discovery Foundation, which operates Keys History & Discovery Center, is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization. The Board of Directors is comprised of members of the community who serve voluntarily.
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