Occupation: I am a retired ob-gyn physician. My practice was in New Orleans, La. Actually, I grew up in Livonia, La. Then I went the Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, then I went to LSU medical school in New Orleans, and then I came to New Y
Occupation: I am a retired ob-gyn physician. My practice was in New Orleans, La. Actually, I grew up in Livonia, La. Then I went the Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, then I went to LSU medical school in New Orleans, and then I came to New York City during the service when I was stationed on Staten Island.
How Long In Newtown: While I was in New York City, I learned to love the northeast. And I was ready to get away from the hot and humid summers down south. My wife is from Easton, and she has relatives in this area. We moved to Butterfield Road, Newtown, in June of 2000.
Biggest Change You Have Seen In Town: I have been impressed by the political atmosphere here. There is a real exchange of ideas, which is impressive for a small town. Also, I like the fact that the guys and the ladies who serve in town government are accessible.
Family: My wife, Terri, does a lot of volunteer work at St Rose Church. She is a nurse midwife. Our son, Neil, 11, is at the Reed Intermediate School. Heâs a skateboarder and he loves it. We just discovered the skate park in Bethel and itâs wonderful. Very good setup and well-run and safe.
Pets: We have a puppy named Zack. Heâs a German shepherd and husky mix, really big already.
Hobbies: I spend most of my time on photography, which I began during the early 1980s. A lot of my photographs are taken in Yellowstone Park, Wyo., where there is a unique combination of landscape and wildlife. I go in the late fall and winter, when there arenât so many people. The animals are in the best shape in the fall.
Another huge hobby is LSU football. This year they won the 2003 National Championship, and I went to the Sugar Bowl to watch it happen. I have season tickets. College football isnât so big in the northeast, but itâs a way of life down south.
Favorite Book: I enjoy reading Nelson DeMille, and I like history, including books about Napoleon.
Organizations: We belong to St Rose Church, and I am president of the Flagpole Photographers Club. Weâre having an open house this weekend at the Booth Library. Itâs our Annual Spring Show, Saturday from noon to 5 pm, and Sunday from noon to 4 pm. It will be downstairs in the public meeting room and I hope people will stop by. A lot of local photographers will be showing their work.
Most Vivid Recent Memory: I guess you could say it was 9/11/01 when I was actually in New Orleans talking to my sister on the phone. She told me about the plane crashing into the World Trade Center building, and I immediately thought about Staten Island where I had worked for so many years. I thought about all the people I had known in New York City, and went to a local shelter to volunteer my services as a physician. I was impressed that there were already 8,000 other physicians on the list. It was incredible how much support there was during the disaster, and how people all pulled together.
Favorite Vacation Spot: Besides Yellowstone, I like the Canadian Rockies and Alaska. Also, we like to go into New York City every two weeks or so.
Personal Philosophy: Now I try to enjoy every day and not worry too much about the future. You have got to do that because there is so much uncertainty in the worldââ 9/11 really put that into focus. One more thought, if I had college to do over again, I think I might not rush through those years quite so much. Take more time to study history and literature, and things like that. I was so focused on being a doctor that I didnât want to take time for anything else.