Introduction

A deceptively worded referendum has robbed Juniper Key, Florida of its age-old livelihood – commercial fishing. The town divides, as some cling to the uncertain hope offered by shadowy real estate developers while others demand help from government bureaucrats who have no real plan and little imagination.

As hope fades, the ghost of a long-dead community icon visits Stan “Smiley” Randolph, editor of the town newspaper, insisting that the locals must embrace the teachings of two unorthodox marine biologists and the concept of environmental preservation – the very people and ideas blamed for destroying the town’s way of life!

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Excerpt

Page 94: Smiley, the protagonist, convinces Polly that whatever the future holds, it will include him living in Juniper Key.

“Look at this picture,” he said directing Polly’s attention to the faded, brown image. “Do you know where this was taken?”

“Smiley, I don’t know. It looks like… oh… Cleveland… or some place like that, I guess,” Polly answered impatiently, wishing Smiley would come to the point.

“Yeah, it sure does! All those billowing smokestacks, locomotives, ships being loaded and unloaded, but it’s not Cleveland, it’s Juniper Key!” he said as he removed his hand from the lower right corner of the photo where he had been concealing the caption: Morton Lumber Co., Mill No. 4 – Juniper Key, Fla., 1890.

“The mill stood where the Juniper Cove Resort is today,” Smiley said, then began to page forward, searching for another particular photo.

“Okay, just one more. Here it is. Look at this one,” Smiley said pointing to a sepia portrait of a stern, but handsome man with a broad mustache, bow tie, and Fedora hat.

“That’s Neville Harris,” he added resolutely, “Haw Harris’ grandfather!”

“Great!” Polly said sarcastically. “He’s very handsome. Now, why have you dragged me out in the middle of the night to look at old pictures, Smiley?”

“To make a point about our little town,” Smiley answered emphatically. “Juniper Key hasn’t always been a fishing village. A century ago it was a booming, factory town! Neville Harris didn’t come here to be a humble fisherman. He was a mill supervisor for Morton Lumber Company. He managed their mill and eight hundred workers!”

Polly leaned against an adjacent display case, still uncertain of the supposed point Smiley was trying to make. Undeterred by her blatant disdain for his little history lesson, he spoke directly to the matter.

“You see, Polly, Juniper Key became a fishing town to survive, when the virgin cypress ran out and the mills closed. My point is, people like Neville didn’t leave Juniper Key when the mill jobs evaporated. They stayed and became fishermen, because they chose to live and raise their families here, on this little island… this magical place!” view abbreviated excerpt only...

Discussion Questions

Discussion Questions from the author:

- The relative isolation of Juniper Key proves to be a hindrance to establishing a replacement industry. Discuss Key’s physical and intellectual isolation.
- Which 3 characters represent Juniper Key’s past?
- Which character best represents Juniper Key’s future?
- What values, or false values, are represented by the Flying Fish Investment Group?
- Discuss the irony of the title, Flying Fish.

Weblinks

»	Author Vern Hobbs' web site
»	Publisher Info

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