John Grunow and The Ocean Reef Community Association

As the owner of a vacation rental company in the Ocean Reef neighborhood of Key Largo, Florida, John Grunow enjoys contributing to the area that enables his livelihood. One organization he supports is The Ocean Reef Community Association.

Founded in 1959, The Ocean Reef Community Association (ORCA) operates under the auspices of residents who strive to uphold the mission of increasing the standard of living in the Ocean Reef area by maintaining localassets. ORCA manages a number of community-oriented programs and services, including the Public Safety Department. This group staffs offices with personnel trained to perform EMS, security operations, and firefighting. Officers have access to ambulances, fire engines, patrol cars, and patrol boats. The department also oversees golf cart usage, establishing and enforcing regulations to ensure safety.

ORCA also maintains ORCAT, a nonprofit that monitors Ocean Reef’s feral cat community. At one point, Ocean Reef had 2,000 cats within the island’s 4 square miles. Since the introduction of ORCAT and the Trap-Neuter-Release program, the population has been curtailed dramatically. ORCAT also provides a home for some cats at the Grayvik Animal Care Center, which encourages visitors. Additionally, ORCA supports the Ocean Reef Political Action Committee, an organization established to endorse political candidates knowledgeable about issues important to ORCA’s members.

Another critical component of ORCA is the North Key LargoUtility Corp., which manages the sewer system attached to the homes in Ocean Reef, as well as the Ocean Reef Reverse Osmosis Plant that converts salt water into fresh water. Learn more about ORCA by visiting www.orcareef.com.

About John Grunow: Manager of Reef Rentals LLC, John Grunow oversees this vacation property management and rental company. He helps tourists connect with their ideal properties and offers varying levels of service for those who wish to maintain their second homes year-round. To reach the firm, call 305-367-4280 or visit www.reefrentals.com.

Main Features of the Ocean Reef Cultural Center

Opened in January 2001, the Ocean Reef Cultural Center serves as an all-inclusive hub for entertainment and events. Prior to its establishment, residents in the Ocean Reef community, which is situated on the northern tip of Key Largo, Florida, were forced to travel dozens of miles for a viable performance venue. Since 2001 to date, more than 500 donors have contributed to the construction of the facility and its subsequent activities. While the first performances were predominantly drawn from local talent, the Cultural Center has grown into a leading venue in the region, attracting acts like Tony Bennett, Liza Minnelli, The Ten Tenors, The Temptations, and The Capitol Steps. The theater seats 300 and plays host to a variety of events. Here are some of the main attractions at the Ocean Reef Cultural Center.

Live Shows: The offering of live shows at the Cultural Center has continued to expand since its inception, with more than two dozen shows each winter season. In addition to these in-person performances, the Center also hosts Live in HD events in conjunction with performances by the Metropolitan Opera. Up-to-date scheduling and ticket information can be found online at OceanReefCulturalCenter.com.

Movies: Throughout the year, the Cultural Center shows popular movies currently at the box office. The theater offers seven screenings during the week throughout the winter season, with a reduced schedule during the summer months. Each Sunday evening is buffet night, where patrons can enjoy a delicious four-course meal during the film.

Library: Residents and visitors are welcome to utilize the extensive onsite library, which includes more than 15,000 titles, as well as computer and internet services. In addition to books, the library boasts a large collection of magazines, DVDs, and children’s books.

Museum: Housed in the Cultural Center, the 900-square-foot interactive museum chronicles the history of Ocean Reef. The museum is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. every day of the week.

About the author: John Grunow served as a founding member of the Ocean Reef Cultural Center and has been a dedicated component of the Ocean Reef community since 1990. In addition to his contributions at the Cultural Center, Grunow also acted as a founding member of the local Medical Center and participates in a multitude of committees and boards within the community.

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