Occupation: I am the office manager for Dr Ruxin and Dr Cohen in Sandy Hook, and I'm a volunteer firefighter and EMT with the Sandy Hook Volunteer Fire Department (SHVFD).
Occupation: I am the office manager for Dr Ruxin and Dr Cohen in Sandy Hook, and Iâm a volunteer firefighter and EMT with the Sandy Hook Volunteer Fire Department (SHVFD).
Family: I live with my boyfriend, John Jeltema, who is a lieutenant with the SHVFD, here in Sandy Hook. The rest of my immediate family also lives in Sandy Hook. My dad is the Fire Marshal and SHVFD Chief Bill Halstead. My mom, Barbara, is a secretary at Sandy Hook School, and I have a sister, Krista, and a brother, B.J.
Pets: I have a 14-year-old spoiled cat named Littles.
How long have you lived in Newtown? I have lived here my entire life. I started school at Sandy Hook School, went to Newtown Middle School, and graduated from Newtown High School in 1992. Iâve changed houses, but never left Sandy Hook.
What do you like to do in your free time? I like to cook, bake, read, and garden. I love to be outside. I spend a lot of time involved with the SHVFD. Iâm the secretary there, the EMS supervisor, and the Jr Corps advisor. That keeps me busy.
Do you have a favorite book? I enjoy books by James Patterson. Mostly, my sister and a girlfriend recommend books to me. Whatever they recommend, I read.
Do you have a favorite travel destination? Anywhere warm, like Florida, the Bahamas, or California. Iâm not a cold season person. Anywhere I can be outdoors in my flip-flops is my kind of place.
What is the biggest change you have seen in Newtown? I would have to say the traffic. Even in just the 18 years that Iâve had my license there is so much more traffic than there used to be.
What is the best thing about Newtown? Iâm kind of partial, but Iâd have to say our EMS volunteers. Newtown is pretty lucky to have the number of people volunteer in town that we do.
Do you have a hero? Probably my dad. He is one of the few people I know where both his career and his volunteer work are his passions. I donât know a lot of people who get to choose their jobs and love them, and I get to share this with him. Iâve learned a lot from him.
Do you have a personal philosophy? Enjoy each day. Life is short. Iâm pretty happy and just try to enjoy every day.
Do you have a guilty pleasure? Margaritas. I love them. Everyone knows that.