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 Melissa Hager who works at Irie Island Eats and says her family is the center of her heart. She’s played violin and piano all her life, and her love of music defines her.
MELISSA HAGER
Irie Island Eats
How long have you been in the Keys and what brought you here? We’ve lived in the Keys on and off for 15 years.
What is your favorite thing about living in the Keys? I love living in the Keys so much. The local community, 30-something bridges between me and North America, ocean and birds, tropical trees – I could go on and on.
What’s your hype song and your sad song? There are levels of happiness and sadness. I probably have a song for every level. I’m pretty obsessed with music. I love all music old and brand new! My favorites change all the time.
What is your favorite Keys meal? That would have to be hogfish, conch fritters, lionfish sushi or fresh lobster wrapped in bacon and garlic on the grill. Or anything at Irie Island Eats of course.
If you could be any character from a TV or movie, who would it be and why? Definitely someone with the power to fly. Maybe Spider-Man?
If you’re having a rough day, what’s the best way to cheer you up? Chocolate and a good song that hits just right (it’s all about the levels).
What’s your favorite smell? What’s your most hated smell? I love the smell of almost any flower and also chocolate chip cookies baking. I hate the smell of burnt food.
What’s your go-to excuse when you don’t want to leave the house? “We’ve just got too much going on. The kids need me.” (This is usually true.)
What’s a talent you don’t put on your résumé because it sounds fake? I can milk a cow like I was born to be a dairy maid.
If you had a time machine, would you travel to the future or to the past and why? I would maybe go back to the days when everyone had a family cow. Or go back to meet a distant relative or future family.
What was your most fun job? I was the pasta maker for a pasta shop way back and it was seriously my most fun job.
Know someone who would be a good “Neighbor of the Week?” Email keysweeklyjen@gmail.com.
