Occupation: I am marketing and community relations manager at Ashlar of Newtown and Lockwood Lodge. This is a new position that marries what Hilda DeLucia, the former community resources manager at Ashlar was doing, with a similar job at Lockwood Lodge. This means there is one voice speaking for the entire campus. There are many facets to this job, from marketing and public education about the services we offer, to community liaison, organization of volunteers, and management of the coffee shop, gift shop, and peddler cart programs.

I attended Southern Connecticut State College where my major was actually journalism. But I have had many other jobs that have all contributed to my experience in marketing.

How Long In Newtown: Though I grew up in New Milford, I feel very connected to this community since my mother worked her entire career in Newtown. She was with Union Camp that became Allied Container located off Exit 10 past the diner. I spent several summers before I went to college working in the Allied Container office, and then I worked for the competition at Curtis Packaging in Sandy Hook.

What Has Not Changed: Newtown has always been a very pristine New England town. I can remember the battle over whether a McDonald’s would be allowed to come here. People have worked hard to maintain the integrity of the heart of the town, and to keep out the larger, unattractive businesses. At the same time, I love the quality of the small local businesses, such as the restaurants, the drug store, the hardware store, and the ice cream shop.

Family: My mother Phyllis Vhay —now Phyllis Baskett — is retired now. She was a single mom and worked three jobs to raise us. That gave me a terrific work ethic. It seems like I always had a job doing something ever since I was 9 or 10 years old. My sister Sue Stumpf and her husband Earl live in Bridgewater. They have three daughters, Kaitlin, 3, and the twins, Elena and Anika.

Hobbies: I love crafts and once owned a gift shop in Westville, New Haven, where I rented space to other crafters. I like to make jewelry and I collect coins. When I look at the old money, I like thinking and wondering about what sort of persons once carried it. I guess I am sort of a nostalgia freak. I like old things that show how people used to live.

Pets: I feel like such a cliché, being a single gal with a cat. His name is Spike and he’s 15 years old, and he’s always been there for me.

Favorite Books and TV Shows: I love all kinds of books. Old cookbooks fascinate me because they are like snapshots of history. I look at the old pictures of Betty Crocker, and I am amused by the illustrations of a man standing at the outside cooker and a woman in pearls and an apron in the kitchen. Things seemed simpler then. I like biographies, and I must have about 1,000 books all packed away in boxes.

As for TV, I miss Sex and The City because it sort of spoke to me. I could relate. I don’t like the reality TV of today. I think it’s a copout because there’s no creative writing involved like there was in Seinfeld. Now, I’m always watching C-Span-2 and I’m glued to National Public Radio.

Organizations: I am a member of the Newtown Chamber of Commerce.

Most Vivid Memory About Newtown: I have very happy memories of sitting with my mother one-on-one at the Blue Colony Diner, having a cup of hot chocolate. She worked so hard that we didn’t have a lot of quality time like that together, so this was really special for me. That hot chocolate sure tasted wonderful.

Favorite Vacation Spot: Since I love history, I always want to go anywhere in Europe. My next destination is Amalfi on the coast of Italy, and Naples to see the ruins at Pompeii where Mount Vesuvius erupted.

Personal Philosophy: I am very based in spirituality and I believe in the Golden Rule. Working at Ashlar and in the Masonicare system is such a perfect fit for me. I feel grateful for what I have in life, and that I can be of service to others. The residents touch me. If I can do any little thing to help someone, I feel very good about that.

Laura Vhay