This "Keys Voices" section was created to allow you to "meet" some personalities of the Florida Keys & Key West and learn, through their stories and comments, about their lives, work, passions and reasons for loving the island chain.

Here you'll find profiles of charterboat captains, artists, chefs and restaurateurs, animal rescuers, musicians and writers, historians, treasure seekers and many others.

The insights of these creative, quirky, independent people offer a window into the environment and culture that make the Florida Keys unique. Each month an individual is featured in our free, e-newsletter called 'Keys Traveler.'

Explore the profiles here, listen to their subjects' "Keys voices" and discover the beauty, history and easygoing lifestyle of the Florida Keys.

Animal Advocates

Marine Mammal Connection Fuels Lingenfelser's Dedication Two decades ago Robert Lingenfelser changed his life, inspired by an emotionally charged stint in the Keys volunteering for marine mammal rescue efforts. To meet the man whose marine mammal connection became a career, click here (November 2009).

Mandy Rodriguez — A Mellow Fellow The guiding spirit behind Marathon's Dolphin Research Center, Armando "Mandy" Rodriguez, calls his work with dolphins a blessing and a gift. To meet this dedicated dolphin advocate, click here (September 2009).

Laura Quinn — Providing Pelicans and Friends A Save Haven Laura Quinn is the quintessential "bird lady," a name she earned over the years since founding the Florida Keys Wild Bird Center in Tavernier. Find out how her unique facility took flight by clicking here (March 2009).

Gayle Tippett — Treasured Chihuahua Cohorts Gayle's diminutive dogs preside over Strike Zone Charters, a leading dive and snorkel operator on Big Pine, and are likely to become the Lower Keys' pint-sized mascots. Click here to see the engaging little critters (February 2009).

Making A Dolphin Connection With Cheryl Messenger Cheryl Messenger's work at Dolphin Connection at Hawks Cay Resort includes nurturing and caring for pregnant dolphin, monitoring the growth of their calves via monthly ultrasounds, celebrating as they give birth and watching the calves thrive and grow. Click here to discover her "dolphin connection" (October 2008).

Richie Moretti — Sea Turtle Champion From working on Volkswagens to rehabilitating and releasing injured sea turtles, Richie Moretti has led a diverse and challenging life. To meet the Keys' turtle champion, click here (June 2008).

Mary Stella — Dedicated to Dolphins Given her lifelong love of dolphins and familiarity with the Florida Keys, Mary Stella is a natural to serve as media relations coordinator at Dolphin Research Center on Grassy Key in the middle Florida Keys. To "meet" this outgoing woman who delights in dolphins, click here (September 2007).

Authors & Wordsmiths

Corcoran's Tantalizing Tales ... And Tacos For Tennessee He peddled tacos from a three-wheeled bicycle when he first moved to Key West — and Tom Corcoran has never forgotten the irreverent, weird, magical island he discovered from that vantage point. Find out how he became Key West's master mystery writer by clicking here (May 2009).

Lorian Hemingway — Key West Heart The granddaughter of legendary writer and former Key West resident Ernest Hemingway, author Lorian Hemingway fell in love with the Florida Keys in the late 1960s. Learn more about the director of an internationally recognized short story competition based in Key West by clicking here here (September 2009).

Adventurers Beneath The Sea

Amy Slate — Diving Into Her Dream Entering her 31st year in the scuba diving business, Amy Slate has not lost an ounce of her undeniable enthusiasm for diving, ocean preservation or the Key Largo community she has called home since the 70s. To meet this dedicated diver and resort owner, click here (August 2009).

Pam Timmerman — From Key Lime Pies To Celebrity 'Bubble Watchers' Why would 80 Key lime pies be stashed in the freezer at a dive center? Just ask Pam Timmerman, co-owner, with her husband Tom, of Florida Keys Dive Center in Islamorada. Solve the mystery and meet Timmerman by clicking here (August 2008).

Ken Nedimyer — Staghorn Coral's Best Friend At the age of 13, under aquamarine water in a flurry of bubbles where the only noises were his own breathing and the pounding of his heart, Ken Nedimyer fell in love. Click here to discover why the lifelong diving enthusiast has become staghorn coral's best friend (May 2008).

Spencer Slate — Underwater With Psycho And Friends Spencer Slate has been cultivating marine relationships for 30 year, and has developed a passion for extraordinary "friends." Click here to learn more about his Creature Feature dives (October 2008).

Adventurers Above The Sea

Flying With Key West's Fred Cabanas When the fancy maneuvers of an aerobatics instructor caught Fred Cabanas' eye, that set the course for his future career. Click here to meet the Keys' aerobatics adventurer (December 2008).

Karen Thurman — Key West Firecracker Karen Thurman's hospitality career and hospitable nature have led her into some unusual situations. For example, she has costumed herself as an oversized conch shell to greet attendees at trade shows and appear on the Weather Channel. She's also a pyrotechnics expert. Meet the intriguing Thurman by clicking here (March 2008).

Keys Historic & Natural Heritage

Irving Eyster — Preserving Keys History Archeologist Irving Reade Eyster, now age 90, tells the stories of old Florida, the Keys and Key West. His lectures and artifacts remain the most sought-after material chronicling Florida Keys history, and the makings for a much-anticipated museum in Islamorada. Click here to share his story (January 2009).

Love of Nature Inspired A Thriving Career For Bill Keogh Bill Keogh took a childhood love of the outdoors and turned it into a career. Today, he's the owner of Big Pine Kayak Adventure in the Lower Keys — as well as a respected photographer and author. Click here to discover the natural world of Bill Keogh (November 2007).

Jerry Wilkinson — Bringing History Alive Jerry Wilkinson's passion is to uncover as much history as possible in the Florida Keys. Learn why Wilkinson has become one of the area's expert historians by clicking here (November 2006).

Lodging, From Laid-Back To Lux'

Diane Schmidt — Hotelier at Heart Diane Schmidt's tenure as general manager of the Westin Key West Resort has been filled with memorable moments — like hosting a live broadcast of NBC's top-rated "Today Show" on the property. To meet the gracious GM, click here.

Patti Stanley — The Native Connection Patti Stanley, owner of Island Villa Properties, has provided locations for the film Red Dragon and reality show Platinum Weddings. Meet her by clicking here (July 2008).

Dave Taylor — The Guiding Spirit of Cypress House The snow drove Dave Taylor out of Illinois and brought him to Florida in 1993 because "the wind chill at Chicago O'Hare Airport was 60 below and it was 72 degrees in the Florida Keys," said Taylor, the engagingly friendly innkeeper at Key West's Cypress House. To discover more about Taylor, and the legendary happy hour he hosts at Cypress House, click here (August 2007).

Harriet Stokes — Classic Island Memories Harriet Stokes, only the third owner of Largo Lodge since it opened in Key Largo in the late 1940s, remembers the sleepy years of the Florida Keys. Share her remarkable memories, and learn about her determination to retain the property's Old Florida atmosphere, by clicking here (January 2007). Editor's Note: Unfortunately, Harriet Stokes passed away at her home Sept. 27, 2009. Her legacy lives on at Largo Lodge.

Dixie Brown — Island Ambassador Harold "Dixie" Brown's winning demeanor and smile have been a fixture in the Florida Keys since the late 1980s. Formerly at Islamorada's Cheeca Lodge, the friendly bellman now greets guests and effortlessly assists them with any needs or problems at the Key Largo Grande. Click here to meet this "island ambassador" (October 2007).

Tropical Tunes

Bobby Nesbitt — All the World's a Stage He has performed for audiences around Europe, starred at a famed San Francisco venue and been the first American singer/pianist to play in the American Bar of London's Savoy Hotel. Nevertheless, Key West keeps calling Bobby Nesbitt home. To meet the acclaimed pianist and entertainer, click here.

Howard Livingston — Keys Tropical Troubador When Howard Livingston and Mile Marker 24 step onstage to perform their trademark tropical rock, they bring along an unusual "instrument": a 1952 Johnson 5.5-horsepower outboard motor used to blend margaritas for the audience. Click here to learn what inspires Livingston's musical mindset (November 2008).

Fishing's Finest

Rick Berry — Keys Rodmaker a "Reel" Hit With Anglers Rick Berry, a longtime Keys resident who owns Key Largo Rods, has designed more than 2,500 fishing rods and is regarded as an innovator in his field. To meet the designer with a passion for angling, click here.

Sandy Moret — On The Fly Sandy Moret has been fly fishing almost all his life, and the passion and drive he brings to teaching and advancing the sport is unequaled. To get to know Moret, the owner of Islamorada's Florida Keys Outfitters, click here (July 2009).

Chris Robinson — Bartending to Bonefishing Before Chris Robinson became a Lower Keys fishing guide, he co-owned the All-Breeds Hot Dog Pound, tended bar for 18 years at the renowned Louie's Backyard and shared adventures with Jimmy Buffett and "gonzo journalist" Hunter Thompson. For a glimpse of his world, click here (September 2008).

Skip Bradeen — Busiest Charter Captain On The East Coast Captain Skip Bradeen arrived in the Florida Keys for a two-week vacation on Sept. 23, 1964, in a '64 Chevy Impala — the only new car he's ever owned — and never left. Meet this successful, energetic and charismatic captain, by clicking here (January 2008).

Robbie Reckwerdt — Something's Fishy In Islamorada Robbie's Marina is an institution in Islamorada. Visitors to the laid-back marina can watch and feed wild tarpon from the dock, embark on fascinating tours, rent a kayak, hire a fishing guide, rent a boat and much more. Find out more about Robbie Reckwerdt, the man who founded the Robbie's dynasty, by clicking here (July 2007).

Keys Cuisine & Restaurateurs

Jennifer Hammer Dishes Up Island Style At Snook's For Jennifer Hammer, owner of Snook's Bayside in Key Largo, the restaurant business is both a longstanding passion and a family affair. To meet the woman who dishes up "island style" at Snook's, click here (October 2009).

John Richmond — Piloting The Conch Flyer When John Richmond stopped piloting DC3s to take the helm of a Key West bar and restaurant, his workplace didn't change — he still plies his trade at Key West International Airport. Click here to "meet" the man behind the Conch Flyer (June 2009).

Keys Chefs Blend Island Flair Into Eclectic Gourmet Dishes Culinary artistry is the norm in the Florida Keys, and a select group of gourmet chefs lead the way with innovative cuisine created using fresh local ingredients and a unique flair. Learn their recipe for success by clicking here (February 2009).

Flavors of Key West Inspire Van Aken's Success In 1971, a young Norman Van Aken first tasted caramelized plantains in a little restaurant in Key West. Eating that simple meal was a transforming moment for Van Aken — now an internationally acclaimed chef whose trademark New World Cuisine is based around the vibrant flavors he found in the island city. Meet the chef by clicking here (December 2007).

Gary Graves — Stone Crab King Few people are aware that the stone crabs served at the famous Joe's Stone Crab restaurant in Miami are provided by a commercial fishing operation in the Florida Keys — Keys Fisheries in Marathon. And Gary Graves, owner of Keys Fisheries restaurant and manager of the fishing operation, has been with the business since it began 40 years ago. Click here to meet the Keys' king of crab (May 2007)

Bobby Mongelli — Envisioning Stock Island When Bobby Mongelli looks around the Hogfish Bar and Grill, he sees far more than the funky, quintessentially casual locals' emporium he created overlooking the water in Stock Island's Safe Harbor area. Click here to learn more (October 2006).

Artists & Thespians

Valerie Fecher — Viewing the Keys Through a Camera Lens Nature and the water play a large role in the work of Lower Keys photographer Valerie Fecher, so she often takes off in a kayak right from her property on Big Pine to seek compelling images. To meet the island-inspired shutterbug and longtime Keys resident, click here.

Stacie Krupa — Artist By Nature Islamorada artist Stacie Krupa, a native Floridian, did her time in the Northeast before discovering the lifestyle in the Keys suits her — and her art — far better. Discover that art, which depicts ocean life, animals and people, and incorporates iridescent colors layered with drips and sparkles, by clicking here (March 2007).

Loretta Geotis — Thriving in Theater Love brought Loretta Geotis to the Florida Keys and another passion led her to the Marathon Community Theatre. Click here to meet the woman who stars as general manager of the popular theater (April 2009).

Brian Gordon Sinclair — The Fascination of Being Ernest When Brian Gordon Sinclair looks in the mirror before going onstage, Ernest Hemingway looks back. That's because Sinclair, an award-winning Canadian actor and playwright, has spent the past several years researching, writing and performing one-man explorations into the life of the iconic author, presenting them each July at Key West's popular annual Hemingway Days celebration. Find out what motivates Sinclair by clicking here (June 2007).

Simply ... Unique

Bill Becker — Voice of the Keys For 30-some years Bill Becker, news director at Lower Keys-based U.S. 1 Radio 104.1 FM, has provided a soothing, authoritative presence that appeals to Florida Keys listeners. To meet the "voice of the Keys," click here.

Will Soto — Starring At Sunset He may be 60 years old, but Will Soto still walks a tightrope three evenings a week, juggling and bantering with crowds as the undisputed star of Key West's famed sunset celebration at Mallory Square. Click here to discover what motivates the remarkable Soto (April 2007).

Sushi — Dazzling Drag Diva For viewers of CNN's annual New Year's Eve program anchored by Anderson Cooper, "sushi" doesn't mean a tasty Japanese morsel served with spicy wasabi. Instead, it refers to a spicy Key West drag queen. Click here to find out more about the elegant and widely renowned Sushi (December 2006).