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 Libby Frazier-Soldano, who serves as the deputy utility director for the city of Marathon, a department where she has worked for the past 17 years. At home, Libby and her husband of 13 years share their life with two cats and a dog. Outside of work, the couple loves to travel as much as possible.
How long have you been in the Keys and what brought you here? I moved to the Keys in 2003 after years of coaxing from family who lived here. I packed up my Toyota Camry with all my belongings, loaded up my dog, and hit the road for paradise. Ironically, my family moved away just six months later, but I had no intention of turning back. I mean, have you looked around?
What is your favorite thing about living in the Keys? I love the sunsets, the people, and love to go fishing and be out on the boat.
What’s one thing that appears on many menus, but that you will never try? Steak tartare. I’m a big fan of eating local, but I prefer my dinner to meet a grill first. Fire was invented for a reason!
Does your family have a favorite song/movie/show to watch/listen/dance to together? Yes! “Lovely Day” by Bill Withers. It always keeps a smile on my face.
If stranded on a deserted island, or doing one of those Naked & Afraid survival shows, what food would you miss the most? Soup. Hands down. I could genuinely eat soup for breakfast, lunch and dinner every single day. Out on a deserted island, while everyone else is stressing over coconut milk and roasted bug larvae, I’d just be sitting there weeping over the total lack of a rich, warm broth.
If you could be any character from a TV or movie, who would it be and why? Dorothy from “The Wizard of Oz.” I want to fly in the tornado and wear those cool sparkly ruby slippers!
If you’re having a rough day, what’s the best way to cheer you up? Food. It’s always food. Some people need a long walk, a bath or a deep breath to reset, but my bad mood stands zero chance against a good meal. Feed me something delicious and my terrible day instantly turns around.
If you could shop for free at any store (doesn’t have to be clothing) which one would you pick? Publix or Skyline Chili. (I’m noticing a theme here!) Forget designer fashion or electronics. Hand me a blank check for groceries and chili cheese coneys, and I’ll be the happiest person in the Keys!
If you could make one law in Marathon, what would it be? That a liar’s pants would actually catch fire. Forget traffic rules or zoning ordinances. If we implemented spontaneous combustion for dishonesty, island life would get very interesting, very quickly.
Sweet or salty? Salty. I do have a reputation to uphold.
If you were an ice cream flavor what kind of flavor would you be and why? Chocolate peanut butter, because it’s hands-down the bomb diggity. Smooth, classic and always a crowd-pleaser — just like me! Life is simply too short for boring ice cream.
If you had a time machine, would you travel to the future or to the past? Definitely the past. I would spend more time with my parents. Call your mothers!
Know someone who would be a good “Neighbor of the Week?” Email keysweeklyjen@gmail.com.
