CONCH REPUBLIC PILOT DIES
William Gordon died yesterday. He was flying a World War II vintage P-41 at a New York City air show. his plane crashed into the Hudson river.
Gordon was 56.
Gordon was no stranger to Key West. Earlier this year, he participated in the Naval Air Show at Boca Chica. He also flew a bi-plane on behalf of the Conch Republic Air Force in the Conch Republic Days Bloody Battle recently.
He was no stranger to Key West. In recent years, he has visited many times. Friends indicate it was his intention to permanently reside here at some point.
May he rest in peace.
Sloppy Joe’s grand opening date recently passed. I forgot to mention it. I refer not to the four years Sloppy Joe’s was located at what is now Captain Tony’s on Green Street. Rather to the corner of Duval and Green opening on May 5, 1937.
The grand opening was at 9:30 in the evening. Free dancing. First time I was aware dancing was a pay event in Key West then or now.
Sloppy Joe’s has remained open 79 years. The most popular bar in Key West. It provides a unique Key West flavor. It will be in the same place doing the same business 79 years from now.
Screwy afternoon yesterday. Lunched at 5 Guys. No food at home. Intended to grocery shop after lunch.
5 Guys’ parking lot empty. Not one car. It was 1 pm. Thought the place was closed. Not so. I walked in. The employees all standing around doing nothing. Not a customer present.
I placed my order and waited. Continued to wait. Was taking forever to get fed. And I was the only one present!
The problem appeared to be everything had been closed down to some extent. The cooking area had to be heated. Fresh French fries had to be made.
Finally, my number was called. 84. I looked at the employee who yelled out my number. I had a strange look on my face. He suddenly understood and bust out laughing. I did, also. I was the only customer in the place. Sitting right in front of where he was.
Then to Publix. Parking lot half full. Where were the other shoppers on the saturday afternoon of Memorial Day Weekend?
I went inside. Very few customers.
I asked the gent behind the cold cuts counter where were all the people. He said they had come in droves in the morning. It had been quiet since.
Spent a couple of hours researching this week’s KONK Life column. Four different subjects. None turned me on. None I thought would be of interest to readers.
Here it is sunday morning and I still do not have a topic. Bad!!! My column has to be to the Publisher by 5.
Dinner time! Wanted to try something different. Did. Ended up at the Half Shell Raw Bar. Last time there, 15 years ago..
Enjoyed! A dozen fresh oysters and a crab stuffed Florida lobster. To die for!
Today is Bob Hope’s birth day. He died at age 100 in 2003. A great American. Interestingly, he was born in England.
Enjoy your holiday!
CONCH REPUBLIC PILOT DIES was originally published on Key West Lou