Andrew Morawski (l), who’s energetic in Key West neighborhood fundraisers, enjoys an evening out at Truman Little White Home with buddies (l to r): George Fernandez, chef Warren Leamard, Sue Burke and spouse Jaylin (heart) at a gala for nonprofit Habitat for Humanity. (Picture courtesy of Andrew Morawski)
Like many Key West residents, Andrew Morawski started his profession in hospitality, working as operations supervisor at Rick’s Key West leisure advanced and managing Roostica restaurant on Inventory Island. And like many southernmost island metropolis {couples}, Morawski and spouse Jaylin met by a mutual bartender good friend. Jaylin labored seasonally at Smokin’ Tuna Saloon as a server hailing from the Toledo, Ohio space.
However in contrast to lots of immediately’s Keys hospitality executives, Morawski’s household heritage is deeply rooted — going again practically a century with enterprise ties to Key West.
Morawski directs Key West’s landmark Hemingway Residence and Museum, one of many Keys’ prime sights that’s particularly in style amongst guests in the course of the annual Hemingway Days pageant, slated Wednesday, July 23 to Sunday, July 27.
Morawski (l), attired because the ‘Poetic PussyCat’ in homage to his function as Ernest Hemingway Residence & Museum’s director, participated within the 2023 Miss Island Queen contest benefiting nonprofit Samuel’s Home, amusing good friend Terry Cranney, a bartender on the Tree Bar at Rick’s Key West. (Picture courtesy of Andrew Morawski)
“I began as a tour information and I’ve completed every thing from the bottom up, a misplaced artwork,” Morawski stated. An avid golfer, he’s additionally labored at personal golf and nation golf equipment in North Carolina.
Possession of the Hemingway Residence & Museum — each a Nationwide Historic Landmark and a Literary Landmark of America — has been in Morawski’s household since Hemingway’s dying in 1961. The Spanish colonial property — famed all through the world — is situated at 907 Whitehead St. Inbuilt 1851, the home later fell into disrepair and was bought for $8,000 by spouse Pauline’s uncle as a marriage reward for the couple.
Morawski’s maternal great-aunt Bernice Dixon lived on the dwelling for a number of years within the early Sixties. She bought it for $80,000 in a silent public sale after Hemingway’s dying.
In 1964, Dixon opened it as a museum, charging $1 admission for adults. At the moment, year-round admission to the landmark attraction is free to locals.
Household time (l to r): Spouse Jaylin, daughter Emersyn, son Miles and Morawski steadily spend time collectively in all elements of island residing. (Picture courtesy of Andrew Morawski)
Dixon had first moved to the Keys in 1937 with husband Ralph, a bridge engineer, and opened The Beachcomber Jewellery Retailer, frequented by Pauline and Ernest, on Duval Avenue.
Morawski’s plans for the Hemingway Residence within the close to future embody increasing alternatives for incentive, personal and academic occasions; internet hosting occasions to boost cash to assist the neighborhood, persevering with to function as a marriage venue; implementing upgrades and enhancing customer experiences by use of Hemingway’s favourite music.
Morawski directs a workers of about 40, together with a number of “cat-takers” in command of herding practically 60 resident felines, about half of that are polydactyl or six-toed. A ship’s captain gave Hemingway a white six-toed cat named Snow White, and immediately most of the Hemingway Residence’s polydactyl felines are her descendants.
Hemingway, who beloved cats, thought of the polydactyl creatures to be good luck. The additional toe allowed shipboard cats to simply catch stowaway mice and rats. The writer as soon as wrote in a letter that he taught a kitty to drink whiskey and milk.
Spouse Jaylin and Morawski take part in fundraisers to profit nonprofits equivalent to Wesley Home in Key West. (Picture courtesy of Andrew Morawski)
“Hemingway named cats after well-known people,” Morawski stated. “My favourite is a cat that’s black and white named Holly Golightly, who’s two years outdated.”
The writer was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1954 “for his mastery of the artwork of narrative … and for the affect that he has exerted on modern fashion,” based on the JFK Library.
Hemingway wrote “To Have and Have Not” — set in Despair-era Key West and the writer’s solely novel set in the US — whereas residing at his Key West dwelling in the course of the Thirties.
Morawski, in the meantime, hopes to get Hemingway novels again onto accepted Florida Division of Schooling studying lists. Hemingway’s “For Whom the Bell Tolls” and others are amongst banned books in Florida public faculties, based on PEN America.
For a number of years, Morawski has served as president of the Key West Sights Affiliation’s board of administrators. A task, he says, that’s allowed him to offer again.
“I’ve made the affiliation extra of a community-driven group,” he stated.
He’s additionally applied quarterly “combine and mingle” after-hours occasions with half of ticket gross sales earmarked towards native non-profits. “We’re giving members a means to assist the neighborhood,” he stated.
Morawski, as president of the Key West Sights Affiliation, presents a verify to Kelly Norman for the nonprofit Michelle’s Basis, giving pupil scholarships. Partial gross sales from FKAA’s Trip Move profit native nonprofits. (Picture courtesy of Andrew Morawski)
Morawski grew up on Cudjoe Key and in Tampa, and graduated from Florida State College in 2014, incomes a B.A. in hospitality administration.
Within the Keys, Morawski and Jaylin are elevating daughter Emersyn, 5, and son Miles, 4, as Conchs, recognized domestically as native residents (so named after the hardy and resilient marine mollusk) born in Key West. “With 90 years of household historical past in Key West, my youngsters are the primary to be born and raised on the island,” Morawski stated.
His motto: “Life is extra enjoyable when considered a scavenger hunt versus a shock occasion.”
The place he dines: Massive Cheezees Pub and Grub, La Trattoria and First Flight Island Restaurant & Brewery in Key West.
The place he explores: Historic locations equivalent to The Hemingway Residence & Museum and The Butterfly Conservatory in Key West and sandbars all through Monroe County.
How he relaxes: With household, at dwelling or on an journey.