Occupation: I’ve been a hairdresser for 29 years. I worked at Ricci’s for 20 years and started there as a nail technician before becoming a hairdresser. I went to school at Americo Academy of Beauty in Danbury. I’m a people person, and I love getting to talk with my clients, so I say I’m a hairdresser/therapist. I’ve always been in the service business — I worked pumping gas; at Robin’s Deli; at the Blue Colony Diner; and at Pizza Palace.

Family: I have three children. My daughter, Karissa Peters, is the manager at Newtown Savings Bank. She is married to Dave and has two children: Cameron, who is 8 years old, and Kelsey, who is 5 years old. My son, Christopher Bergeron, lives in Connecticut and has a 6-year-old son, Jace. My youngest son, Harrison Farah, graduated from Newtown High School in June and is going to Naugatuck Valley Community College.

Pets: We have a cat, who thinks he’s a dog, named Tony. He’s hysterical.

How long have you lived in Newtown? I have lived in Newtown since I was 3 years old, so 53 years. My family has almost always lived in the Borough, and my mom and sister still live in Newtown, too. My mom has lived in my great-grandfather’s house, at the corner of Elizabeth and Queen, since I was 3. My stepfather remodeled it. My sister lives on West Street, and I’m on Route 302. We’re very close. It’s great.

What do you like to do in your free time? I just took up pickleball. I was a tennis player for about eight years and took up skiing when I was 48. We took a trip to Switzerland to go skiing, and I tore my meniscus on the second day, second run. Tennis and skiing are over for me, but I love playing pickleball at Sandy Hook School.

Do you have a favorite book? I’ve had a book club for 25 years. For our ten-year/100th book, we went to Cancun, and during Christmas, we do our favorite things, like Oprah. My favorite book is She’s Come Undone, followed by The Book Thief.

What is your favorite travel destination? Turks and Caicos. I loved it there. I also just went to Hong Kong. It was an awesome trip.

What is the best part about Newtown? I love Newtown. I’d have to say the people are the best part. I have so many friends that I grew up here with that I’m still close to.

Who has been the greatest influence in your life? My great-grandfather, Darwin Grant Smith. He was with us every single day of my life. He came to our house every day. He’s been gone now 21 years. He was always ahead of his time — in the ‘70s, he said how one day cash was going to be obsolete and everything was going to be done using plastic; he was a recycler and did composting; he was a gardener; he was an inventor for Singer Sewing Machine for 50 years. He was amazing.

If you could spend the day with one person, who would you choose? I’d want to hang out and talk with Oprah Winfrey.

Who is your favorite musical artist? I love Elton John.

Do you have a favorite TV show? The Real Housewives — of any county.

What is your favorite food? Ice cream. I love Friendly’s peanut butter explosion.

What is the greatest piece of advice you have ever been given? Be comfortable in your own skin. Also, you really have to love yourself before you can love anyone else.

What is something you cannot live without? Poland Springs water. When we go on vacations, I always bring it with me.