Q: Please tell us a little bit about your family.
My husband and I joined our families in 2001. Together we have six children ranging in ages from 27-17. We have fun together, and try to make that happen during holidays and special occasions.

Q: Please tell us about your current, past, or future career. What do you love most about what you do?
I taught at Beal City Elementary directly after graduating from Central Michigan University in 1995. I taught 3rd and 4th grades for 7 years there, and then moved north. When I moved to Traverse City I made the decision to stay home with our then five children, all under the age of 10. Our youngest daughter was born in 2003, adding one more to our family. When she was in school full time I was fortunate to work in her school on a part time basis, then as a long term sub, and then eventually was back to full time at Central Grade School. I love being back in the classroom, and hadn’t realized how much I had missed it! The past year has definitely presented challenges, but the students and our staff make it worthwhile. I love teaching first grade- it is an amazing year of growth!

Q: What are a couple of your favorite restaurants in our community?
My husband and I enjoy going out to eat on the weekends, and there are so many great places to choose from in our town. We love Poppycock for a “fancier” night out and West End Tavern for a more casual evening. But Red Ginger, Amical, Blue Tractor and Jolly Pumpkin are all amazing! The Dish is my favorite lunch spot by far. Their tomato soup is just simply the best.

Q: How long have you lived or worked in our community? What brought you to Grand Traverse County?
My husband and I have lived here 19 years, with our family. He works out of town, drives to his business, Silver Leaf Sawmill in Elmira, while I have worked for TCAPS for about 11-12 years in various capacities. Prior to that I was in the Mt Pleasant area and we moved here when we married and thought it would be a great place to blend our families.

Q: Who is the most interesting person you’ve met here in our community?
This is tough…. I have met so many people that I admire- doctors, dentists, teachers, nurses, coaches and parents through years of soccer, amazing people from the biking community that my husband has biked with …but Colleen Smith is someone who I admire, and am thankful for meeting. She was our children’s principal at Glenn Loomis when we first started school here and then for our younger ones at Willow Hill. She gave me an opportunity to get back into the classroom, and I appreciate that very much. She is always so energetic, positive, caring and professional.

Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be and why?
If travel was not as it is today, with restrictions, I would love to go to Greece. It is the most picturesque place, and seems like it would be an amazing trip. There are many places on my travel bucket list, and I can’t wait until things open up again.

Q: What is one of your favorite movies? TV shows?
I have liked watching Virgin River on Netflix- excited for the next season. I like Million Little Things, Big Sky and Yellowstone.

Q: What advice would you give to people who want to visit our community?
I would say it is a great place to visit for a low key, casual family vacation. If you like beaches, hiking, biking, and outdoor activities, summertime is the time to come! I would encourage them to explore nearby areas as well, Suttons Bay, Leland, Glen Arbor and definitely the sand dunes.

Q: What is something on your bucket list?
Travel more is definitely on my bucket list– seeing more sights, even within the US. I have only spent a little time out west, visiting my brother, so a more extensive vacation with all the sights is on my bucket list!

Q: What current or former local business makes you feel the most nostalgic about our community?
Trips to the Dairy Lodge bring back memories when our kids were younger. There’s just something about ice cream on a summer’s day…

Q: If you could choose anyone today with whom would you love to have lunch? Why? And where locally would you all meet for this lunch?*
I would love to meet my mom for lunch- she passed when I was young, but I know she would love a lunch date at Amical.

Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique about our community?
The uniqueness of our bays is something that never gets old– driving along the bay, walking along the shore, boating on East Bay, watching the Blue Angels over West Bay… there is just a beauty to this area’s water that is unique and my absolute favorite part of living here.

Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 to 10 years?
In 5 to 10 years I will be closing in on retirement and then that travel bucket list will become a reality.

Q: (Even for friends or family), what is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
I am an early AM reader– I like get up at 5:30 and read for a good hour before getting ready for work. That quiet time with my book and my coffee is my favorite of the day.

Q: What is the most beautiful place you have ever been?
We spent a week in Antigua and it was amazing! I also love the Bahamas and Riviera Maya, Mexico– but locally, the sand dunes from Lake Michigan by boat are stunning.

Q: Favorite month? Favorite holiday? and the best single day on the calendar?
My favorite month would probably be July– the weather, the summer schedule, the sunshine! …but the best single day on the calendar I would say is February 29, which is my birthday – when it is a Leap Year, it is an extra special birthday and I love that!

Q: Who inspires you to be better?
My husband inspires me daily, to be better, to give things my all. He works so hard, puts in long days, yet always is happy to come home, up for a walk or to head to a soccer game, or do anything that needed to be done around the house. He gives 100% which inspires me to do the same.

Q: What is your favorite season in Northern Michigan? And what is your favorite activity to do in those seasons?
I love summer. East Bay on the boat, heading to Petobego or Haserot is one of my favorite days– when we hit Jolly Pumpkin on the way home, it is complete.

Q: Finally, what 3 words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME?
Family, Friends and Fun