We’ll admit: though Keys Weekly is tasked with reporting the news in the Keys every week, we’ve got a problem. No matter how many individuals appear in the pages of each edition of our papers, 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 introduce our Neighbor of the Week feature, dedicated to celebrating a community member with each issue. Our second Neighbor of the Week is a helping hand for those who might get a little lost while looking for car parts.
MATT COLLINS
Jack of all trades, NAPA Auto Parts
How did you come to Marathon and start working at NAPA? I originally came down in 2003 when I was a commercial diver. I started working at Dolphin Research Center, then worked for boat rental companies for seven or eight years. I came here about six years ago when it was time to get out of the sun.
What song always gets you on the dance floor? Let’s go with any Grateful Dead song.
What is your dream vacation? Fiji
What is the last book you read or TV show you binged? “Chernobyl” was the last one I binge watched, and “Naked and Afraid.” They just had their finale on Sunday, and they had all the shows before that on.
What would you do if you won the lottery? I’d buy a cabin in the woods, and maybe help some relatives out.
What’s one thing that is always on a menu, but you will never try? Anything with broccoli in it, I’m not gonna try.
What’s one thing most people never knew about you? Probably the fact that I was a commercial diver. I’m a pretty open guy.
What’s the coolest car you ever got to drive? Probably my own ’79 Camaro Z28.
Two truths and a lie: I once wrecked my car into a dump truck going 75 miles an hour, I once ran out of air at 100 feet, and I went to Australia to get married to someone I met on the Internet. (Editor’s note: check back next week to find out Matt’s lie. And if you guessed that Maria, last week’s Neighbor of the Week, makes AND drinks great coffee, you guessed right.)
What’s the best advice you’ve ever received or given (or, is there a piece of advice you think is overrated or wrong?) “Don’t believe everything you hear.” That’s probably the best advice I’ve been given, and I pass it on.
