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 Lynn Kirby who is a volunteer at St Columba’s Nearly New Furniture Store. She loves working with the fantastic team, decorating the store and meeting people from all over the Florida Keys. She also sings in the choir and is a part of the Celtic Festival Team. She helps with the Bingo and Marathon Monopoly events at the Church. She enjoys playing Trivia at Dockside on Wednesday evenings and playing Bunco at the Marathon Theater. Her favorite thing to do is go on adventures with her husband in their RV.
How long have you been in the Keys and what brought you here?
My husband and I have been bringing our family to Marathon since 1993. We bought our home in 2012 knowing we would retire in the Keys and in May of 2018 we moved here full time. No snow and no freezing temperatures sold me on the Keys!
What is your favorite thing about living in the Keys?
I have heard people say there is nothing to do except fish and drink, but there is so much to do here. The weather is fantastic, we have a great community theater, lots of clubs and events to participate in, and the food is fantastic.
What’s one of the strangest things you’ve sold in the store?
There is a lot that surprises me, but the accordion was very unique. A customer drove down from Orlando to purchase it. She purchased it for her father in Columbia who leads the music at his Church.
What’s the weirdest or funniest app on your phone that no one would expect you to have?
My phone apps are pretty boring. I am a bad speller and am grateful for spellcheck, but to improve my language skills I have Wordscape on my phone. I play it a lot when we are driving.
If you weren’t volunteering what would you be doing?
I have volunteered in the churches I attended since I was very young. Starting with being in Jr Choir and an Acolyte, to running a Thanksgiving dinner at my church in Baltimore City for 8 years. I can’t imagine a time when I wouldn’t be volunteering.
What’s one small thing you would never want to live without?
My chocolate and my baking station in my kitchen! We always keep peppermint patties in the freezer, and I love to bake. I make a fresh batch of ice cream each week (chocolate is my favorite). At Christmas I bake 15+ kinds of cookies, 6 dozen of each, and give them away.
If you could have lunch with anybody, dead or alive, who would it be and what would you eat?
I would enjoy a traditional crab feast with my friends. There is nothing like steamed crabs, corn on the cob and cold drinks on a nice summer day.
If you’re having a rough day, what’s the best way to cheer you up?
Chocolate and HGTV!
If you could shop for free at any store, which one would you pick?
It wouldn’t be a store, it would be an event. I love the thrill of the hunt, so I would go back to Brimfield Flea Market in Massachusetts or do the World’s Longest Yard Sale (450 miles) again.
If you had to give a TED Talk on a totally random topic, what would it be?
Praying for your enemy. It is the hardest thing to do, but it is also liberating. I was in a bank robbery in 2003. I did not give the man that held a gun to my head the power to take who I was and make me fearful. I prayed for him that night, I prayed for the police, and I asked God to take all nightmares away from me. I never had a moment of fear, he was arrested and received 25 years. It is a message people need to hear.
What do you believe is the most critical need in the Florida Keys?
This is a tough question. My first thought was better access to medical care and doctors. My second thought was the lack of drug treatment and recovery care in the Keys. Both require residents to travel to Miami for anything more than basic care.
What’s a secret about you that people might be surprised to learn?
I really don’t have any secrets. Some people may be surprised to know I started throwing myself a birthday party every year once I turned 60. I make the food and my birthday cake then invite friends over to celebrate. Life is short, so we should celebrate every year we are given!
Know someone that would be a good “neighbor of the week”?
Email: keysweeklyjen@gmail.com
