Episodes

  • Old Town Manor: Doctors, Gardens, Cisterns, and Ghost Stories in Key West

    Old Town Manor: Doctors, Gardens, Cisterns, and Ghost Stories in Key West
    Nov 14 2026
    Old Town Manor: Doctors, Gardens, Cisterns, and Ghost Stories in Key West Host Michele explores the history and lore of Old Town Manor, a bed and breakfast at 511 Eaton Street in Key West, which she and her husband have stayed at. Built shortly after the Great Fire of 1886 by businessman Samuel Otis Johnson as a Greek Revival home that also supported a grocery and butcher shop, it later became the residence and medical practice of Dr. William Richard Warren, whose porch served as a waiting room and main-floor rooms hosted exams and minor procedures. Michele highlights Warren's wife, Genevieve "Miss Gen," who created an ornamental garden by shipping soil from the Florida Panhandle and relied on rainwater collection, including a three-story cistern identified as the tallest in the Florida Keys, before the 1942 freshwater pipeline arrived. The episode also covers renovations, the home's later use as a boarding house, reported ghost sightings, and surviving original features. 00:00 Secrets of 511 Eaton 01:36 Old Town Manor Intro 02:25 Great Fire of 1886 03:12 Johnson Builds the House 04:20 Doctor Warren Moves In 04:50 Porch Waiting Room 06:04 Meet Miss Gen 07:03 Soil Shipped In 08:19 Key West Water Problem 09:12 Tallest Cistern Explained 10:30 Piano Across the Street 11:13 Renovations and Value 11:54 Ghost Stories and Lore 13:08 Host Stay Experience 14:39 Why This Place Matters 15:37 Wrap Up and Call In What do a butcher shop, a doctor's office, a three-story water tank and a potentially haunted bed and breakfast have in common? They all share the same Key West address. In this episode of Fun in Key West, we're stepping inside Old Town Manor at 511 Eaton Street to uncover the fascinating history behind Historic Marker #68. From its beginnings in 1886 to the physician who treated patients inside the house, we'll discover the ingenuity of early island residents, meet the woman who imported soil to create her dream garden and explore a few ghost stories that have become part of the property's folklore. Plus, I'm sharing a little about our own experience staying at this beautiful historic inn. In this episode: 🌴 Key West's Great Fire of 1886 🩺 The doctor who used his front porch as a waiting room 🌺 Miss Gen and her extraordinary tropical garden 💧 The story behind the three-story freshwater cistern 🎹 A piano that reportedly found a new home across the street 👻 The guests who may never have checked out 🏡 Our experience staying at Old Town Manor Explore more: Read about our stay at Old Town Manor: https://funinkeywest.com/old-town-manor/ Visit Old Town Manor: https://oldtownmanor.com/ Discover more about the island: https://funinkeywest.com/ Have you ever stayed in a historic Key West property? I'd love to hear about your experience!
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    16 mins
  • Key West Legs: Getting Your Body Ready for a Walking Vacation with Dr. Stephen Cabebe

    Key West Legs: Getting Your Body Ready for a Walking Vacation with Dr. Stephen Cabebe
    Nov 13 2026
    Key West Legs: Getting Your Body Ready for a Walking Vacation with Dr. Stephen Cabebe On the Fun in Key West podcast, host Michele interviews Dr. Stephen Cabebe, a physical therapist and founder of Fit for the Magic, about preparing your body for walking-heavy vacations like Key West and Disney. Cabebe shares how he underestimated Disney World after being used to Disneyland, leading to fatigue, back and foot pain, and even falling asleep on the Carousel of Progress, which motivated him to create training strategies, a book, and coaching. They discuss gradually increasing steps (ideally starting 2–3 months out, but even a month helps), building strength in feet/calves/hips, balance work for activities like biking and water sports, pacing days with rest breaks, sleep routines for recovery, hydration and electrolytes (especially with heat, humidity, and alcohol), and choosing/breaking in comfortable shoes. Listeners are directed to funinkeywest.com/keywestlegs and fitforthemagic.com, and Kebebi's book, "Disney Ready: Your Pain-Free Park Survival Guide." 00:00 Vacation Reality Check 00:18 Podcast Welcome Setup 03:20 Disney Burnout Origin 04:47 Fit for the Magic Mission 05:54 Key West Walking Demands 07:11 From Music to Physical Therapy 08:19 Steps Heat Humidity Factors 13:01 Build a Walking Plan 14:58 Treadmill vs Outdoor Training 17:16 Why Walking Causes Back Pain 18:22 Recover Overnight Sleep Routine 22:07 Pacing Your Vacation Days 24:40 Florida Heat Hydration Electrolytes 28:06 Choosing Shoes That Work 31:44 Shoes That Save Feet 32:55 Why Train Legs Hips 34:12 Heel Raise Self Test 35:10 Up Down Chair Strength 36:38 Quick Prep Before Trip 38:09 Soreness Or Injury 39:47 Consultation What To Expect 41:15 Disney Ready Book 43:04 Key West Walking Reality 47:27 Pacing Rest Breaks 50:15 Rapid Fire Travel Picks 52:33 Motivation Treadmill Videos 54:20 Bucket List And Lessons 55:43 Where To Find Steven 57:12 Final Wrap And Resources 🌴 Links & Resources Mentioned in This Episode 🦵 FREE Key West Legs Guide Get your body ready for your next Key West adventure! Dr. Stephen Cabebe created this free guide exclusively for the Fun in Key West community, featuring simple exercises to help build strength, balance, and walking endurance. 👉 https://funinkeywest.com/Key-West-Legs 💪 Connect with Dr. Stephen Cabebe | Fit for the Magic Website: https://www.fitforthemagic.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fit.forthemagic/ Book a Travel Prep Discovery Call: https://fitforthemagic.com/travelprep/ Podcast: Happily Ever Active — https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/happily-ever-active/id1795580818 📚 Stephen's Book: Disney Ready: Your Pain-Free Park Survival Guide Learn how to prepare your body for long days of walking, recover between adventures, and enjoy your Disney vacation without feeling completely exhausted. 👉 https://link.amazon/B095wGSEe As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. 🎙️ Watch the Full Fun in Key West Interview Catch my conversation with Stephen on YouTube! 👉 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K9y7kWddMUE 🌴 More from Fun in Key West Read the full article: https://funinkeywest.com/walking-in-key-west/ Explore Key West travel tips, history, food, and hidden gems: https://funinkeywest.com/ Follow Fun in Key West on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/funinkeywest/ Whether you're planning your first Key West vacation or your fifteenth, a little preparation can help you enjoy every step of your island adventure!
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    59 mins
  • You Two Scare Me: Key West Ghost Hunts, Spirit Boxes, and Spirits With Spirits

    You Two Scare Me: Key West Ghost Hunts, Spirit Boxes, and Spirits With Spirits
    Nov 8 2026
    You Two Scare Me: Key West Ghost Hunts, Spirit Boxes, and Spirits With Spirits On the Fun in Key West podcast, Michele interviews Andi and Feliz—best friends, teachers, and hosts of the You Two Scare Me podcast—about paranormal investigating and their Key West ghost-tour events. They share recent scares at the Key West Theatre, including a spirit box saying "Harold" matching a guest's real name, and later messages like "Stop," "Problem," and "Get out," prompting them to leave. They recount meeting on the first day at a new school, taking 10 years to start the podcast due to moves and raising children, and realizing it was growing when strangers emailed stories and recognized them at a convention. They discuss investigations at the Crescent Hotel and the Artist House, a planned overnight at West Virginia State Penitentiary, and their Spirits With Spirits tour (The Saint and La Concha) with a listener discount code FunInKW10. 00:00 Harold on the Spirit Box 00:43 Podcast Welcome and Guests 03:08 Key West Theatre Scare Stories 05:49 How They Met and Clicked 07:29 Why the Podcast Took 10 Years 08:41 When the Show Took Off 09:50 Listener Stories Segment 11:29 Andi Wild Adventures 14:09 West Virginia Penitentiary Plans 16:39 Unexplained Investigations Elsewhere 18:20 Artist House Investigation 19:20 Teaching Skills and Performing Arts 20:36 Spirits With Spirits Tour 22:32 How Often Tours Run 23:12 Favorite Key West Ghost Tours 24:51 Why Key West Haunted 25:46 Where To See Ghosts 27:10 Firehouse Spirit Box 28:15 Sensitivity And Skepticism 29:25 Podcast Wins And Friends 31:13 Big Dreams And Travel 32:53 Upcoming Episode Teasers 35:39 Research Rabbit Holes 37:18 Rapid Fire Food Picks 40:30 Top Things To Do 42:33 Where To Listen Next 👻 Links & Resources Mentioned in This Episode 🎙️ Meet Andi & Feliz | You Two Scare Me Podcast Listen to their paranormal stories, explore their investigations, and find information about upcoming Spirits With Spirits events. https://youtwoscaremepodcast.com 👻 Explore Key West Ghost Tours Want to experience the haunted side of Key West yourself? I've gathered some of my favorite ghost tours and paranormal adventures in one place. https://funinkeywest.com/GhostTour 🌴 Read the Full Fun in Key West Interview & Stories Dive deeper into our conversation, including the spirit box encounters at the Key West Theatre, the haunted firehouse, and more. https://funinkeywest.com/you-two-scare-me-podcast/ 📺 Watch Our Full Conversation on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EziBXASoc1Q 🌴 More from Fun in Key West Discover island history, interesting places, local businesses, and more stories from the Florida Keys. https://funinkeywest.com
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    46 mins
  • From Snowshoe to the Keys: Jamie of The Underwater Gardener on Coral Farming, Collecting, and Reef Restoration

    From Snowshoe to the Keys: Jamie of The Underwater Gardener on Coral Farming, Collecting, and Reef Restoration
    Nov 1 2026
    From Snowshoe to the Keys: Jamie of The Underwater Gardener on Coral Farming, Collecting, and Reef Restoration In this Fun in Key West podcast episode, host Michele interviews Jamie Edelman, owner of The Underwater Gardener, about his path from running a landscape design business and earning a Master Naturalist certification to working at Snowshoe, West Virginia, and ultimately moving to the Florida Keys. Jamie describes his scuba background, collecting experience, and how he built a retail aquarium store and coral-farming operation, including indoor systems, a shop-based coral farm, and an outdoor coral farm at his home using canal water and sunlight. He explains sustainable aquaculture and fragging, what marine life he can legally collect (fish, anemones, gorgonians, etc.), and his goal to educate visitors about reef decline—especially loss of foundational elkhorn and staghorn corals—while highlighting major coral restoration efforts in the Keys and ways people can help. 00:00 Reef Then and Now 00:42 Podcast Welcome 03:17 From Landscapes to Naturalist 05:32 Finding Snowshoe 09:32 Life on the Mountain 13:28 Back to Florida Keys 16:22 Building Underwater Gardener 23:39 What Is a Coral Farm 25:46 Ponds and Coral Farm 26:19 Collecting and Fragging 28:17 Shipping and Store Name 29:08 Visiting the Shop 30:38 Education and Reef Tours 31:13 Reef Decline and Restoration 34:30 How to Support Restoration 36:51 In-Store Tanks and Travel Tips 38:33 Sponsor Break and Mission 40:11 Rapid Fire Key West Picks 43:30 How to Find the Store 44:56 Hours and Final Wrap 🌊 Explore More from This Episode https://funinkeywest.com/the-underwater-gardener-key-west/ 🐠 Visit The Underwater Gardener Discover Jamie's Key West aquarium shop, beautiful coral, and fascinating marine life. https://theunderwatergardener.com ⛵ Get Out on the Water in Key West This episode is sponsored by Fun in Key West Water Adventures! Explore snorkeling excursions, sunset sails, glass-bottom boat tours, and more. https://funinkeywest.com/water 🪸 Learn About Coral Reef Restoration Discover how NOAA and its partners are working to restore the Florida Keys coral reefs. https://floridakeys.noaa.gov/restoration/coral-reef.html 📹 Watch the Coral City Camera Take a peek beneath the surface with the live underwater camera Jamie mentioned. https://www.coralcitycamera.com/
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    48 mins
  • Jedwin Smith on Mel Fisher, the Atocha, and Writing "Fatal Treasure"

    Jedwin Smith on Mel Fisher, the Atocha, and Writing "Fatal Treasure"
    Oct 23 2026
    Jedwin Smith on Mel Fisher, the Atocha, and Writing "Fatal Treasure" Host Michele from Fun in Key West interviews Jedwin Smith, author of the October book club pick Fatal Treasure, discussing Mel Fisher's long search for the Nuestra Señora de Atocha and the persistence behind "Today's the day." Smith recounts accidentally finding the Mel Fisher Treasure Museum during a storm, meeting Fisher the day Fisher went bankrupt, writing early newspaper stories that led his publisher to send him to Key West to join the salvage crew, and eventually diving on the site, including finding emeralds and running out of air before being rescued by Donnie Jonas. He describes the grueling work, major tragedies and deaths tied to the hunt, Fisher's Supreme Court victory, and how Key West changed after the discovery. Smith also outlines his other books, including Our Brother's Keeper about his brother's Vietnam death, and shares where to find his books and his email. 00:00 Welcome and Teaser 01:07 Key West Travel Tip 01:46 Meet the Author 03:20 Rainy Day Museum Visit 06:22 Mel Fisher Encounter 10:22 Press Backlash and Break 12:21 Joining the Salvage Crew 13:59 Atocha Discovery Rush 16:48 First Dive and Emeralds 22:06 Turning Stories Into Book 25:39 Tragedies Behind Treasure 28:11 Why Mel Never Quit 32:07 Royalty Clues and Court Win 33:59 Earning Kane's Trust 36:29 Key West First Impressions 37:54 Emeralds and Marriage Oops 41:19 Books Beyond Atocha 42:28 Finding Jeffs Story 45:14 Revenge to Reconciliation 50:32 Coin Necklace Origin 54:01 Rapid Fire Key West 55:57 Sharks and Barracudas 58:17 What Treasure Means Now 01:00:06 Where to Find the Books 01:02:35 Audience Q and Life Lessons 01:06:39 Final Thanks and Sign Off www.funinkeywest.com/conch 📚 Want to Read Fatal Treasure? If Mel Fisher, the Atocha, and the people behind the treasure hunt have caught your curiosity, you can grab a copy of Fatal Treasure on Amazon. A little Fun in Key West housekeeping: This is a paid affiliate link, which means I may earn a small commission if you purchase through it, at no additional cost to you. I only recommend things I genuinely enjoy, and this book certainly qualifies! Sign up for the book club here: https://funinkeywest.kit.com/114924dc7f More information at www.funinkeywest.com
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    1 hr and 9 mins
  • Key West in October: Weather, Water Activities, and What to Expect for Fantasy Fest

    Key West in October: Weather, Water Activities, and What to Expect for Fantasy Fest
    Oct 11 2026
    Key West in October: Weather, Water Activities, and What to Expect for Fantasy Fest Michele hosts the "Fun in Key West" live show focused on visiting Key West in October, explaining three distinct periods: before Fantasy Fest, during the 10-day Fantasy Fest (Oct 16–25, 2026), and the quieter days after. She covers typical October weather (mid-80s highs, mid-70s lows), warm water around 80–82°F, potential wind and passing storms, and the need for flexible travel plans and insurance due to hurricane season. She highlights water activities (snorkeling, sunset cruises, sandbar trips, kayaking, paddleboarding, glass-bottom boats) and notes sunshine doesn't mean calm seas. Events discussed include the Lower Keys Rotary Fall Festival, Burgers and Buffett Tunes, Reef Fest (Key Largo), Southernmost Half Marathon, Walk on White, and Fantasy Fest features like Goombay Festival, Artisan Market, Zombie Bike Ride, Pet Masquerade, street fair, Grand Parade, and Children's Day, stressing public nudity is illegal though body painting and revealing costumes occur in designated areas. 00:00 October in Key West 03:49 Weather and Hurricanes 07:13 Best Water Excursions 11:09 Before Fantasy Fest 12:04 Early October Events 14:54 Fantasy Fest Explained 16:45 Nudity and Family Tips 18:26 Fantasy Fest Highlights 24:03 First Timer Survival Guide 26:44 After Fantasy Fest 27:38 Shows and Cooking Classes 31:23 Markets and Weekly Fun 35:02 Rapid Fire October FAQs 37:42 Wrap Up and Trip Timing 39:22 Final Thanks and Sign Off www.funinkeywest.com/conch https://funinkeywest.com/key-west-in-october/
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    40 mins
  • Mikki Bennett on Writing the Florida Keys Romance Series

    Mikki Bennett on Writing the Florida Keys Romance Series
    Sep 26 2026
    Miki Bennett on Writing the Florida Keys Romance Series as Therapy and the Inspiration Behind Runaway to the Keys On the Fun in Key West podcast, Michele O'Connor interviews Charleston-based author and artist Miki Bennett, September book club pick author of Runaway to the Keys. Bennett explains she never planned to write until a doctor urged her to share her and her daughter's medical experiences; unable to write a memoir, she turned it into fiction, launching the Keys to Love series. She describes why the Florida Keys inspire her (Caribbean feel, clear water, relaxed, friendly culture) and how characters often earn their own books after she finishes each story; she wrote her first novel in 30 days and ultimately created five novels and two novellas. They discuss Skylar's theme of choosing your own path, her writing routine, travel's impact, her Camping in High Heels series, a brain injury that paused her writing, future books, favorite Keys spots, and where to find her online. 00:00 From Nonwriter to Fiction 00:40 Meet Miki Bennett 02:50 Why the Florida Keys 04:10 Water Island Vibes 05:18 African Queen Spotlight 06:04 Keys to Love Origin Story 08:50 Building a Book Series 09:44 Writing as Therapy 12:34 Skylar Choosing Her Path 14:55 Garrett and Love Themes 16:10 Real Keys in Fiction 17:28 Rapid Fire Favorites 19:40 Camping in High Heels 21:16 Key West Series Tease 21:33 Wild Travel Mishaps 23:06 Writing From Real Life 23:52 Art After Injury 25:30 Next Books In The Keys 26:25 How Travel Changes You 28:14 Family Vacation Planning 30:04 Keys Rapid Fire Favorites 33:51 Mallory Square Must Do 35:44 Mosaic Sea Turtle Brand 36:38 Where To Find Miki 37:47 Final Thanks And Wrap www.funinkeywest.com/africanqueen
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    42 mins
  • Key West's Old Coca-Cola Bottling Court and the Rumor of Rainwater Coke

    Key West's Old Coca-Cola Bottling Court and the Rumor of Rainwater Coke
    Sep 20 2026
    Historic Marker #65: Key West's Old Coca-Cola Bottling Court and the Rumor of Rainwater Coke Michele O'Connor explores Key West Historic Marker #65 at 103 Simonton Street, tracing one site's many lives and how they reflect Key West history. The original building was destroyed in the Great Fire of 1886, which burned about 12 hours, destroyed over 200 buildings across 50 acres, devastated the cigar industry, and may have been linked to tensions around the Cuban Independence Movement. A hardware store rose on the lot by 1892, followed by Jack and Rosa Williams' Jack's Saloon in 1914. In 1923 the building became a Coca-Cola bottling plant, with a local rumor that the Coke may have used cistern-collected rainwater, reflecting Key West's historic freshwater scarcity. The episode also notes reusable deposit glass bottles, the contour bottle, and how the 1938 Overseas Highway made local bottling unnecessary; later uses included offices, clothing stores, liquor distribution, and a key lime pie factory. 00:00 Key West Coke Legend 00:43 Welcome and Setup 02:15 Great Fire of 1886 03:42 Rebuilding and Hardware Era 04:49 Jacks Saloon Days 05:29 Coca Cola Arrives 07:16 Rainwater Cistern Rumor 08:32 Bottles Reuse and Design 09:54 Overseas Highway Changes 11:09 Many Lives of One Building 12:15 Marker Wrap Up and Question 12:58 Final Sign Off
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    13 mins