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 Nikki Michaluk. She works at Aquarium Encounters as a biologist. She is passionate about the environment and loves being by the ocean. She enjoys hanging out with her cat and reading as well as staying active.
How long have you been in the Keys and what brought you here? I have been down here for two years now. I had come to the Keys a few times before deciding to move, and every time I came here I loved it more and more. One day I just decided I wanted a change and I made it happen.
What do you do for fun in the Keys and why do you love living here? I love being on the boat, whether that be just cruising around or fishing. Paddle boarding and reading at the beach are also some of my favorite things to do. I love living here because there’s so much to do around the water, the weather is perfect and it’s laid back and quiet. Life here just feels easy.
If you could do one thing every day for the rest of your life, what would you do? Probably read a really good book – the type of book you don’t want to put down.
If you could be one ocean animal, what would you be and why? I would say a spotted eagle ray because they are just beautiful. It’s so exciting to see them while walking the Old Seven Mile Bridge. They’re so graceful; I could watch them forever. They are very calm but also so spunky.
What is one food that is always in your refrigerator? Definitely pasta sauce, to go with the copious amounts of pasta I eat.
Why do you think no-see-ums exist? Because the universe needed something tiny, invisible and infuriating to remind us all that things in paradise always come with a catch.
What is something you can’t live without? Coffee! I’m a huge coffee drinker. I don’t go a day without it. Preferably iced lattes.
What is the best part of working at Aquarium Encounters? Working hands-on with the animals, 100%. Training and handling the nurse sharks is very rewarding and honestly is a privilege to be able to do.
What is the biggest environmental issue you feel the Keys are facing? I think it would have to be the rising water temperatures and the mass bleaching events that come with it. It’s detrimental to the marine ecosystem and we have unfortunately seen proof of it happening here locally.
What’s one thing people don’t know about you? When I was little I had a very bad fear of wasps, but rightfully so, because I was always the kid to get stung. I have been stung by wasps way more times than I can count.
Know someone who would be a good “Neighbor of the Week?”
Email keysweeklyjen@gmail.com.
