Upper Keys Rotary Club

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Upper Keys Rotary Club The Rotary Club of the Upper Keys is part of a global network of 1.4M+ Rotarians.

We serve our local community through service projects, scholarships, and our annual Gigantic Nautical Market.

Another great Tuesday with the Upper Keys Rotary Club! 💙💛We had a special reason to celebrate today as longtime Rotarian...
09/29/2026

Another great Tuesday with the Upper Keys Rotary Club! 💙💛

We had a special reason to celebrate today as longtime Rotarian Joe Miklas was recognized with his third Paul Harris Fellow award! 👏 Joe’s commitment to Rotary and Service Above Self continues to set an incredible example for our club. Congratulations, Joe!

Our guest speaker was Tom Matthews, Program Coordinator with MyFWC Florida Fish and Wildlife, who gave us a fascinating look at one of the Florida Keys most familiar residents: the Florida spiny lobster! 🦞

Tom shared some interesting insights into spiny lobster populations, where the lobsters we catch here in the Keys actually originate, and more about the species and its role in our local waters. Safe to say, we all learned something new about an animal that is such a big part of life here in the Keys!

A little celebration, a little education, and another great Tuesday spent together at Rotary!

“For the kids!” 💙💛Yesterday’s meeting was a great reminder of just how much those words mean to the Upper Keys Rotary Cl...
09/23/2026

“For the kids!” 💙💛

Yesterday’s meeting was a great reminder of just how much those words mean to the Upper Keys Rotary Club.

We welcomed Chuck Licis from Take Stock In Children - Monroe County as our guest speaker, who shared an update on the program and the incredible impact it continues to have on students throughout Monroe County.

The numbers speak for themselves: 100% of Take Stock students in Monroe County earn their high school diploma, 99% enroll in college, and 69% earn a college degree or certificate.

We’re especially proud of the role the Upper Keys Rotary Club has played in that impact. Our club made its first gift to Take Stock in Children in 2002, began supporting Named Scholars in 2011, and provided another $50,000 in scholarship support in 2026.

Altogether, Upper Keys Rotary has now contributed an incredible $750,000 to Take Stock in Children over the years. 🎓

Chuck also shared an update on our 17 Upper Keys Rotary Named Scholars since 2013, including graduates who have earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees and several more currently pursuing their degrees.

Investing in education has long been one of the biggest ways our club gives back to the Upper Keys, and seeing what those investments turn into makes us even prouder to keep doing what we do.

Why do we do it? For the kids! 💙💛

Lots to talk about at today’s Upper Keys Rotary Club meeting! 💙💛We had plenty of Newsmakers keeping things lively this w...
09/08/2026

Lots to talk about at today’s Upper Keys Rotary Club meeting! 💙💛

We had plenty of Newsmakers keeping things lively this week before hearing from our guest speakers, fellow Rotarian Lorie LaLonde and Jamie Niedbalski with Save Alligator Lighthouse.

Lorie and Jamie shared an update on the ongoing effort to preserve and restore one of the Upper Keys most recognizable landmarks. Alligator Reef Lighthouse has stood offshore of Islamorada for more than 150 years, and saving it is about more than preserving a structure. It’s about protecting a piece of our history, our identity and a landmark that generations of Keys families have grown up with.

🏊 This weekend is the annual Annual Swim for Alligator Light! Swimmers will take on the open-water challenge out to the lighthouse and back, bringing our community together while raising awareness for its preservation.

🥂 And coming up November 14, Save Alligator Lighthouse will host “Reignite the Light: A Night for the Light” at Founders Park. The annual gala supports the restoration effort with an evening dedicated to ensuring this iconic piece of the Upper Keys continues to stand for generations to come.

We’re proud to have members like Lorie working to protect the places that make the Florida Keys so special, and we’re always happy to shine a little extra light on a great community cause.

Learn more about the restoration, the swim and ways to support Save Alligator Lighthouse at SaveAlligatorLighthouse⁠.org

More often than not, you’ll hear someone at an Upper Keys Rotary Club meeting ask, “Why do we do what we do?” The answer...
09/02/2026

More often than not, you’ll hear someone at an Upper Keys Rotary Club meeting ask, “Why do we do what we do?” The answer always comes back loud and clear: “FOR THE KIDS!”

September is Rotary’s Basic Education & Literacy Month, and investing in our next generation is at the heart of what we do.

Through scholarships, mentorship, Interact Clubs, and support for local school programs, we help create opportunities for Upper Keys students to learn, lead, and build bright futures.

Each year, our club contributes more than $200,000 in scholarships to local students. It is an investment in their goals, their potential, and the future of our community. 💙💛

Education changes lives. Locally, it starts with opportunity.

Another great Tuesday with the Upper Keys Rotary Club!We were honored to welcome Monroe County School District Superinte...
09/01/2026

Another great Tuesday with the Upper Keys Rotary Club!

We were honored to welcome Monroe County School District Superintendent Ed Tierney as today’s guest speaker. He shared an honest and informative look at the accomplishments, challenges, and priorities shaping the future of our local schools.

We heard about progress across the district, including gains in English Language Arts, social studies, middle school acceleration, and college and career readiness, along with a 93% graduation rate. Superintendent Tierney also highlighted the scale of the work happening each day for more than 7,000 Monroe County students.

With September being Rotary’s Basic Education & Literacy Month, it was especially meaningful to hear how our district is working to strengthen opportunities for every student. The Upper Keys Rotary Club is proud to support our next generation through scholarships, mentorship, Interact, and school programs throughout the Upper Keys.

Thank you, Superintendent Tierney, for joining us and for your commitment to Monroe County’s students! 💙

Another great Tuesday with the Upper Keys Rotary Club! We kicked things off with a little Newsmakers fun. In honor of ou...
08/11/2026

Another great Tuesday with the Upper Keys Rotary Club!

We kicked things off with a little Newsmakers fun. In honor of our very own Terry Abel’s birthday, everyone had to put a dollar in if it WASN’T their birthday, and anyone wearing green had to pay up too. With Sheriff Ramsay joining us, there happened to be quite a few uniforms and quite a few dollars going in! 💵😂

Our guest speaker was Monroe County Sheriff Rick Ramsay, who gave us an update on what’s happening around the county. With school starting tomorrow, he reminded everyone to be extra mindful of increased traffic, school zones and students heading back to class. He also introduced several newly promoted officers who we’ll be seeing more of around the Upper Keys.

And finally, W***y had his shot at the pot after pulling the winning Lotto ticket, but the winning card is still hiding. 🃏 The jackpot lives to see another Tuesday!

Great information, plenty of laughs and a full room. Just the way we like our Rotary Tuesdays! 💙💛

08/05/2026

Mark your calendars for RYLA 2027 to be held in Islamorada, Florida Keys, February 5-7th!

08/05/2026

Send a message to learn more

Another great Tuesday at the Upper Keys Rotary Club!We were pleased to welcome John Allen from Monroe County Parks & Bea...
08/04/2026

Another great Tuesday at the Upper Keys Rotary Club!

We were pleased to welcome John Allen from Monroe County Parks & Beaches, who shared updates on improvements coming to our county parks, current recreation opportunities, and several newer programs available to our community, including Keys Kids Swim, which helps local kindergarteners learn this essential life skill.

Throughout the meeting, there were plenty of laughs as President Maria Jones and longtime member, Betty Brown arrived in matching pink stripes. More than one person joked that our very own “Candy Stripers” were ready for duty!

Thank you, John, for an informative presentation and for all that Monroe County Parks & Beaches does to create more opportunities for residents and visitors to enjoy the Florida Keys.

Every year during Mini Lobster Season, our local law enforcement officers spend long days on the water and on the roads ...
07/31/2026

Every year during Mini Lobster Season, our local law enforcement officers spend long days on the water and on the roads working to keep our community safe. One tradition we are always proud to support is helping make sure they’re well fed.

Yesterday, several Upper Keys Rotary Club members joined Chief Terry Abel and the Islamorada Fire Rescue team as they prepared and served meals to the officers working throughout the day. It’s a simple way to say thank you to the men and women who dedicate their time to protecting our community during one of the busiest weekends of the year.

Thank you to Chief Terry Abel and the entire Islamorada Fire Rescue team for inviting us to participate in this tradition year after year. We’re grateful to be part of it and honored to serve those who serve all of us.

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90154 Overseas Highway
Tavernier, FL
33070

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