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 Lisa Rodriguez, who manages the Marathon and Islamorada branches of the Marathon Mermaid charter company. She also owns Slamtime Charters, and has recently started selling her homemade cookies. In her spare time she enjoys being on the water fishing, then relaxing at the sandbar with her family and friends.
LISA RODRIGUEZ
Marathon Mermaid
How long have you been in the Keys and what brought you here? I’ve lived in the Keys for 22 years. My family moved us here from Massachusetts my freshman year of high school. I fell in love with the weather and the community. You couldn’t pay me to leave!
If there was one chore/regular task you could have taken away from you forever, what would it be? Cooking dinner! I love cooking when I’m in the mood, but when it’s a daily chore it sucks the fun out.
What is the most ridiculous question you’ve ever gotten asked while at work? “Do the islands float?”
What’s the best advice you’ve ever received or given? Learn to say no. You can’t always please everyone and sometimes you need to say no to protect your own peace. Still working on this.
If stranded on a deserted island, or doing one of those “Naked & Afraid” survival shows, what food would you miss the most? Probably a cheeseburger.
What’s your favorite smell and your most hated smell? My favorite is fresh baked cookies! A smell I don’t really like is old fishing boots. If you know, you know.
What’s the most embarrassing moment of your life? My first waitressing job. My table of foreigners asked for bitters for their beers (in a strong accent). I heard “butter.” Confused, but thinking maybe it’s a thing they do in their country, I brought them out some butter for their beers. They had the best laugh and I was mortified.
What’s your go-to excuse when you don’t want to leave the house? Sorry, I’m too busy with work! It’s always true anyway.
If you were an ice cream flavor, what kind of flavor would you be and why? Salted caramel. Sweet but direct, like me. A classic, but never boring.
What’s a secret about you that people might be surprised to learn? My husband Pablo and I got married after only knowing each other for maybe five months. Most people would call that crazy, but when you know, you know. 15 years later and we’re still best friends and love each other fiercely.
Know someone who would be a good “Neighbor of the Week?” Email keysweeklyjen@gmail.com.
