The World According To Suzi is here for me to share my songs, poems and stories. I'll also be sharing food and drink recipes, links and calendars of live music and other happenings in and around the Florida Keys, along with reviews on local restaurants, and tips on things to do. In Suzi's World there is always music, so I'll also be sharing play lists and my recommendations on music-new and old. So, please take a look around, click the links, leave a comment and let me know what you think, share your thoughts and give me a glimpse into your world!

Welcome To Suzi's World

Tuesday, February 23, 2021

Keys Life Magazine

 









I am thrilled to be part of the Keys Life Family!  

Keys Life Magazine is distributed between Florida City and Mile Marker 38, in Bahia Honda. In total, we distribute 26,000 magazines every month through 62 magazine racks located at and around high traffic locations.

We are the only publication in the Keys that mails a copy of the magazine to every Home, Business, and PO Box between Ocean Reef and Long Key. This means your ad is put directly in the hands of each consumer every month.

We also promote your ad on our Facebook page twice per month at no charge, Keys Life Magazine’s social media post receive over 600,000 online views every month.

In total, Keys Life Magazine will get your ad in front of more than 626,000 people every month – for much less expense than other publications.

There is no other marketing tool in the Keys that will get your ad in front of more potential customers.

We are also a FULL SERVICE DESIGN & PRINT AGENCY! Graphic art and printing services from business cards to apparel, direct mail services, social media management and so much more.

Check out our website at www.keyslifemagazine.com.

Wednesday, November 27, 2019

Monday, June 24, 2019

My Keys Weekly Newspapers Article







Suzi Youngberg is too sweet. Sweet like the blackberries she remembers picking with her grandmother when she was little growing up in rural Georgia. She later had a lucrative career in corporate sales and spent a lot of time on the road even after moving to the Keys in 1997. That was until her husband, Scott, was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer that meant six months of treatment in Boston.
“We were looking at bankruptcy,” she said. “This town really came together and helped us raise money.” But it still wasn’t enough. That’s when Suzi made the phone call to the American Cancer Society. “It’s a number I give to anyone who has the ‘C’ word in their life.” (1-800-227-2345)
From there, the two of them moved into American Cancer Society’s Hope Lodge in Boston. “It’s basically like the Ronald McDonald House for adults,” she said. “It was the most healing, peaceful experience of my life, and I vowed at that moment I would spend the rest of my life raising money for American Cancer Society.”
Once Scott was cleared and the two were back in the Keys, she quit her traveling job and set her roots into the community. As a member of Upper Keys BPW, “I’ve met more people and made more friends in the last two years than I did the first 18 years we lived down here,” she said.
That’s when she saw something on Facebook about the upcoming Relay for Life walk. She and Scott asked what they could do to help out. Fast forward a few years, and Suzi is now the society’s Community Development Manager for the Florida Keys. “We were just given so much help, we felt the need to give back,” she said.
Her typical day now consists of committee meetings, chamber meetings, recruiting teams, and seeking sponsorships for Making Strides walk, Relay for Life, and the Diamond Gala. “All the traveling I did before, traveling up and down the Keys is nothing,” she said.
So, we wanted to know about Suzi, who also is currently nominated for Woman of the Year. The winner will be announced at the Upper Keys BPW political forum on Oct. 17 at Whale Harbor in Islamorada.
How did you end up with American Cancer Society? I was tired of traveling after spending 20 years living in a hotel room — and knowing I might lose my husband, I knew I needed more together time with him and at home in my community.
One fun fact about you? I love my cat SugarBear like my child. He rescued us back in 2013. He walks on a leash, travels everywhere with us, including Colorado a few summers ago. People around our community know the big white cat on a leash … he even goes to Bill’s Liquor and a few other bars.
What’s the most rewarding project you’ve worked on? I love raising money for the American Cancer Society. I believe strongly in the mission.
What does success look like? Being happy with what I have and where I am in life.
Proudest achievement? When I first started dating my husband, I gave him a “love poem” that a few days later turned into a song. It was such a thrill! We have since written several songs together, and my younger brother who is also a musician and I have also collaborated on a song. We have a “Caribbean Soul” and when I have time, I write on Suzi’s World (suzisworld.com).
Dream meal: you are sitting at a diner counter eating … who walks in and sits next to you, what are you ordering? My favorite meal is bread, cheese and wine. And I can make conversation with anyone who happens to sit down next to me.
Favorite Keysy thing to do? I love being out on the water. I miss spending the night out and waking up on the Florida Bay.
What would your superpower be? Always wished I could fly.
Best piece of advice you ever received? Be happy.
What is your nerdiest passion? I’m a sci-fi nerd — “Star Trek,”“Star Wars,” even a little “Dr. Who.”
What was your first thought this morning? I have to get these questions answered for Kristen. And, I have an event in four days, YIKES!
Favorite guilty pleasure? When I traveled for a living, I was in different towns every night, and Outback was one of my favorite dinner spots because it felt familiar.When I am in Key West and have extra time, I often go in the Outback for their seared tuna; people look at me funny when I say I went to Key West and got tuna from Outback.
If you won the lottery, what’s the first thing you do/buy? Take care of my parents! My mom has Parkinson’s and Daddy is her caretaker, so I would love to have lots of money to put them in a fabulous place to have her taken care of and let him travel and enjoy himself.
If you could change the world, what would you do? More love, less hate. I wish people would be kinder and think about their words and actions and how the effect others. Yes, it’s a cliché, but I always wish for world peace.
What did you want to be when you grew up? A writer. The great American novel is on my bucket list.
We heard you can sell anything; what’s the craziest thing you sold? Anyone need size 15 men’s pink Converse?
Finish these sentences…
Scott, my husband, would describe me as … Loving, quirky, messy, and, lately, very distracted. He is very patient when I have an event looming and get a little crazy!
My autobiography would be titled… “The World According to Suzi.”
I live by the motto … Money isn’t everything, find happiness and be nice.
Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk will take place in Key West on Saturday, Oct. 13* at Key West Amphitheater; with registration at 8 a.m., teams can still sign up. This year’s theme is “Younite” and she hopes to unite the Keys by having bigger all-inclusive events. (*NOTE-2019 Walks: October 12 in Key West, October 20 in Key Largo, and October 26 in Marathon.)
Last question: What’s a “Booby” drink?
Gilberts donates the proceeds from all the pink frozen “booby” drinks to American Cancer Society. (The Key Largo Bridge Bra Walk will be at Gilbert's Resort on October 20!)
(This was written by Kristen Livengood, and published in The Keys Weekly Newspapers on October 12, 2018.  Thanks to the Weekly for the great write up and for all their support of American Cancer Society in the Keys!)

Saturday, February 2, 2019

Mile 0 Fest Key West 2019







How lucky am I to live in paradise and get to experience my favorite Red Dirt Americana Music from Texas and Oklahoma right here in my islands?  Very lucky, indeed.  I was fortunate enough to hook up with someone from the festival's promotion company last year for the very first Mile 0 Fest Key West in  2018. I helped her with some advertising and ticket giveaways, scored some free passes, and made a friend! Even though they completely sold out and didn't really need any advertising or ticket giveaways this year, she still took care of me with a couple of free passes and access to the media tent. It was such a nice treat for Scott and me!  Sadly, we couldn't attend all 4 days, but we definitely made the most of the 2 days we were there and packed in as much music (and rum) as possible!

CONTINUE READING AND LISTENING


Saturday, January 19, 2019

Upper Keys BPW Connection Newsletter



One of the "hats" that I wear is publishing the Upper Keys BPW newsletter.  I recently added a new blog format.  Check it out here:  UPPER KEYS BPW CONNECTION NEWSLETTER


Saturday, May 19, 2018

Perfect Patchwork

























This is me! All the love, all the people and all the places, all the good and all the bad, and, of course, all the music! I'm a quilt; pieces of it all stitched together to form the perfect patchwork that is me.

Saturday, May 5, 2018

I work for the American Cancer Society!














I am pleased, tickled, proud and excited to announce that I now work for the American Cancer Society.  When I made the decision to stop traveling for a living back in 2015, it was a big jump. I left a great job, making good money and security.  It was all to be able to stay home, spend more time with Scott, and become more a part of my community.  I made a decision at that time that money wasn't everything, and luckily Scott agreed!  We tightened our belts, cut back, stayed home more (not really a sacrifice since that was part of the whole decision to begin with!) and let life change.  I have kept a tie to the corporate life in the form of a consultant, but it doesn't require travel and provides a little additional income, but other than that, I have been searching.

I tried my own company, with Suzi's Promoplans, a franchise of my father-in-law's business in Tennessee. (see promoplans.com.)  But, promotional products are a very saturated market in the Keys, and I found it very hard to get more than small "one off" orders.  When the local radio stations offered me a job selling advertising about that same time, I took the plunge.  I was successful as a radio advertising salesperson, and it gave me a chance to be out in the community meeting people. But, something happened that I hadn't expected... I discovered that I love being on the radio!

Thanks to the country station program manager, Doug Hitchcock, I was given a shift as DJ for a 6 hour Classic Country Sunday Night show.  That was so much fun!  I got to pick all the music, and do the voice tracks for the whole show, every week.  It was awesome.  I also sold a live one hour talk radio show at 3 different locations, and co-hosted it with the lovely Kim Chesher. The Treasure Chest Radio Show was so much fun to create and co-host for so long.  If the show happened to be sold today, I could probably be coerced into co-hosting.... hint, hint...

Since my husband Scott went through cancer treatment back in 2014, I have been volunteering for the American Cancer Society, including being the lead of the local Relay for Life for 2 years. When the position was offered to be ACS staff, as Community Development Manager for the Florida Keys, I was thrilled to be considered! To be able to work my passion was a dream come true.

 



My duties include the Relay for Life, Making Strides Against Breast Cancer and the Diamond Gala Events of the Florida Keys.  Making contacts, recruiting volunteers and sponsors, working with venues and planning events are all part of my job description.  How perfect, right!?!  The ACS seems to be a good place to work; invested in the health and well being of their employees as well as the all important mission.  

If you have questions about the American Cancer Society, it's mission, how the ACS can help you, or want more information on events in the Keys, contact me!  
305-393-6830
suzi.youngberg@cancer.org
www.cancer.org



Monday, January 8, 2018

In The Spotlight: I'm With Her
















Okay, this was my political status once, but this post is not about politics. It's about a new band that I just found and I have to share it with you. You know that finding new music is one of my greatest joys in life. I'm thrilled to have stumbled across this trio today. Actually, I'm a little surprised they weren't already on my radar; they have apparently been making music together since 2014. 

With Sara Watkins playing fiddle, Sarah Jarosz on mandolin and Aoife O'donovan playing guitar or even piano, and their voices blending and complimenting each other perfectly... they are a joy to the ears.




The three first performed together as an impromptu collaboration at the Telluride Bluegrass Festival in 2014. In 2015 they began to play together more and more at music festivals, and then they began writing together.  They recently announced their first album, titled "See You Around," is due out in February... CLICK TO READ MORE