Irrespective of what number of people seem within the pages of every version of Keys Weekly, there are all the time so many extra of our group members who need to be acknowledged. In an effort to shine a highlight on extra of the unimaginable people who stay and work in these islands, Keys Weekly is proud to current our Neighbor of the Week function, devoted to celebrating a group member with every challenge.
Our neighbor of the week is Megan Hughes. By day she works full-time on the Florida Keys Aqueduct Authority – 20 years this month. By evening, and most weekends, she runs a cat nonprofit referred to as Forgotten Felines the place she wrangles colony cats and raises cash to feed lots of of them. She additionally received “Greatest Volunteer” within the Better of Marathon awards again in 2022 and 2024.
MEGAN HUGHES
FKAA/Forgotten Felines
How lengthy have you ever been within the Keys and what introduced you right here? I’ve lived within the Keys on and off my complete life, however I moved again for good at 17 after graduating highschool in North Carolina. My grandparents moved right here within the Forties and truly began the previous Vacation Inn in Marathon. It’s in my blood, and I wouldn’t wish to be anyplace else.
What do you do for enjoyable within the Keys and why do you like residing right here? Truthfully, I work rather a lot. Between my full-time job and operating a nonprofit, free time is a luxurious. However after I do get a break, I spend it with my children and shut mates. We’re both out on the water absorbing the fantastic thing about the Keys or lounging by the pool (shout-out to my two superb mates with a yard oasis).
When you had been a cat, what breed of cat would you be and why? A colony cat, after all. Resilient, resourceful and community-minded, identical to me.
What’s one track that makes you rise up and dance? All of them. I really like to bounce! Ask anybody who’s seen me out. My favourite is “Love Man” by Otis Redding.
What was the final present you gave somebody? Live performance tickets.
What recommendation would you give to your earlier boss in the event you might? Do not forget that life is brief, and none of us are assured tomorrow. If one thing occurred to you, you’d get replaced virtually instantly, so don’t neglect to deal with folks with respect whereas they’re right here.
Describe your most weird life expertise so far. At some point I used to be simply out trapping cats to assist with native efforts, and the following factor I knew, I used to be operating a full-blown nonprofit. It’s positively not one thing I noticed coming, however I wouldn’t commerce it for something.
When you had a time machine, would you journey to the previous or the longer term? Why? Oh, I’d completely return in time to trace down the one human who thought letting their cat roam unaltered was a good suggestion.
What’s one challenge that has effects on the folks of Marathon that you want to mounted straight away? The unchecked progress of trip leases and luxurious developments is pushing locals out of Marathon. We have to prioritize the individuals who really stay, work and provides again right here, not simply these passing by means of for revenue.
What’s one factor folks don’t find out about you? I’m obsessive about “Household Man” and quote it far more than I in all probability ought to.
Know somebody that may be “Neighbor of the Week?”
E-mail keysweeklyjen@gmail.com.