No matter how many individuals appear in the pages of each edition of Keys Weekly, there are always so many more of our community members who deserve to be recognized. In an effort to shine a spotlight on more of the incredible individuals who live and work in these islands, Keys Weekly is proud to present our Neighbor of the Week feature, dedicated to celebrating a community member with each issue.
Our neighbor of the week is Juan Carlos (JC) Mora. When he isn’t volunteering for the many organizations in Marathon, he loves to dance, which is why he got his Zumba instructor/choreographer certification 13 years ago. He loves the Marathon community and enjoys volunteering any time he gets a chance.
How long have you been in the Keys and what brought you here? I’ve been in the Keys for 20 years.
What is your favorite thing about living in the Keys? The different views every day and the people.
What’s a local business you couldn’t live without? All the restaurants, because I don’t like to cook.
Which living person do you most admire? RuPaul!
What is your greatest extravagance? Travel and luxury shoes.
What’s a talent you wish you had? Definitely singing – I would love to be able to sing!
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? My hair.
What is your most marked characteristic? My outgoing personality.
Who is one of your real-life heroes? My grandfather.
What is your idea of perfect happiness? To be able to eat and sleep any time I want.
If you could be any animal, what would you be and why? A bird, so I can fly any time I want to.
What’s a habit you’d love to break? I would love to be more consistent and disciplined.
What is your greatest regret? Not having a chance to say goodbye to my grandfather before he passed.
What’s something you’re really proud of? The person I have become.
What is your most treasured possession? I’m going to say my three nieces (I don’t say this to a lot of people).
What do you most value in your friends? Loyalty.
What’s a simple pleasure that brings you joy? Food. I can eat all day like a pig.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received? To always be myself and not change for anyone.
What’s a secret about you that people might be surprised to learn? I am a very reserved person. I don’t open up very easily to people.
What are your favorite & least favorite smells? Cinnamon is my favorite and I don’t like the smell of peppermint.
What was in the last Amazon package that arrived? A two-pack of rectangle closet organizers.
What’s one of your all-time favorite quotes? “Dance to express, not to impress.”
Know someone who would be a good “Neighbor of the Week?” Email keysweeklyjen@gmail.com.
