Occupation: I am a full-time mother. My husband is director of marketing research for Allied Domecq, in Westport. They are a wine and spirits company.

How Long In Newtown: My family moved here from New Jersey 21 years ago when I was 10. I graduated from Newtown High School with the Class of 1989, and then I attended the University of Connecticut, where I majored in psychology and English. My husband was in the University of Connecticut Class of 1990.

My parents, Ken and Sharon Bowman, still live in Newtown. My mom has worked in the Assessor’s Office for 20 years.

 

Biggest Change You Have Seen In Town: Besides development, I think I’ve noticed that people are more into local politics now, at least more than they used to be. Local issues seem to be more controversial, such as what might happen at Fairfield Hills and what is going on in the schools. The tone of the debate has changed. I would say it’s almost inflammatory.

 In previous times, it seemed the town almost ran itself.

Family: My husband Steven and I have been married nine years. We have two daughters, Amanda, 5, a kindergartner at Middle Gate School, and Rachel, 3, who is in the 3-year-old program at Trinity Day School.

I go into my older daughter’s classroom two-and-a-half hours, twice a month, to help out. There are 25 kids in the class and they really appreciate the mothers that help. The aide is always so busy. We do little things, like helping children with their cutting, taking them to the bathroom, helping them with their projects, that sort of thing.

 

Hobbies: I like cooking and trying new recipes. I try to cook healthy food that still has lots of flavor. I also like working out. I spend 30 minutes a day on the treadmill and the Nordic track.

 

Pets: We have “Sam” the cat –– an outside calico “mutt.”

 

Favorite TV Show, Movie, Book: My favorite books are the Outlander Series by Diana Gabaldon. They are about a woman from the time 1942, who is a nurse in WWII, is married, and is honeymooning in Scotland. She touches the old stones and somehow travels back in time to the 1700s where she falls in love with a Highlander. The books are historically quite accurate, and you have to read them in order to appreciate them. But they’re long –– about 800 to 1,000 pages each.

I also like anything by J.K. Rowling.

Organizations: I am secretary for Women Involved In Newtown (WIN); a Sunday School teacher at Trinity Episcopal Church going on my third year now; I am house captain for the Holiday House Tour, which means coordinating the tour guides and decorations for one house –– mine will be 68 Main Street; I also coordinate the Silent Auction Fundraiser for Trinity Day School.

 

Most Vivid Memory About Newtown: I remember when there were fireworks in Dickinson Park for July 4. They were huge and you could see them from all over town.

I’ve been to the Labor Day Parade for 21 years in a row. The two times I’ve marched, with WIN and with Middle Gate School, it has rained!

Personal Philosophy: It is very simple –– to help others. I believe you have to start with taking care of yourself, then your family and friends, and keep on going from there.