Occupation: I've done many things. I worked at the aircraft factory, AVCO, in Stratford. I was going to college at the same time, so that was a long day: 7 am to 3 pm, at school, then 3 pm to midnight at work. I was a teacher in Danbury for 27 wonderful years, teaching social studies and history at the high school. I taught in Fairfield and in Monroe before that. I had a great bunch of kids. I retired from teaching in 1993.

Family: I married Ingrid Otten in 1963. She was also a teacher. We met when we were both teaching in Monroe. I have a brother, Milton, in Trumbull, and a sister, Martha, in New York.

Pets: None, now. We had two dachshunds and many cats, and I had my horse, Sage, for 14 years.

How long have you lived in Newtown? We bought our house in Newtown in 1964, and we've been here ever since. I've always lived within 30 miles of here. I think I'm a Connecticut Yankee. I've lived in the state my whole life, except for three years in the military and two years in grad school at American University.

What do you like to do in your free time? I like to do nothing, best! I was a trail master for Newtown Bridle Lanes and rode in the parade for many years, and competed in the Hunter Pace quite successfully - only because my horse knew what he was doing. We've traveled a lot, in three categories: first, we rented a car and took a map and toured Europe; then we've exchanged houses with people in Europe; and the third has been cruising the Mediterranean. Right now, I'm into crossword puzzles. I do read, mainly detective and adventure-type stuff. I also drive for Newtown Meals On Wheels once a month,  and twice a month for FISH.

What are you currently reading? I'm reading Rain On The Dead by Jack Higgins. The "hero" is a strongman, hit man for the IRA, working now in London. It's fiction, a detective mystery story.

Do you have a favorite travel destination? I like Germany. My wife has relatives there, and we first visited in 1967. We went into East Germany in 1989. I can almost speak the language, and that makes it easier. In a sense, it's like going home, for us. Since 1968, we've gone to the US Virgin Islands for Christmas. Now, I think we'll plop down there for about two weeks sometime during the year. Maybe, maybe not!

What is the best thing about Newtown? I was in the horse community, which is a very nice group. The Newtown Bridle Lands group is one of the good things.

What has been the greatest influence in your life? Getting hired at Danbury High School was a very big deal. It was one of those schools you would like to send your kid to - all nationalities, all colors, all religions. It gives kids a chance for a more worldly, rounded education. It helped me to grow as a teacher, I would say.

If you could spend a day with anyone, who would you choose? I think I'd like to spend a day with my Irish ancestor who first came to America, sometime in the 1700s. I have a lot of questions. Why did you come? What was it like over there? What was it like here? Did the Revolutionary War affect him?

Do you have a guilty pleasure? I get a massage every two weeks. I just love it! I'm relaxed when I go there and more relaxed when I leave.