Occupation: I'm retired. I was in advertising for almost 30 years. I was an ad executive for Young and Rubicam in the city, a strategic planner. I looked to identify insights within new consumer segments and spark new ad campaigns.
Occupation: Iâm retired. I was in advertising for almost 30 years. I was an ad executive for Young and Rubicam in the city, a strategic planner. I looked to identify insights within new consumer segments and spark new ad campaigns.
Family: Iâm married to Bob Santilli, a psychotherapist in private practice in Stamford. We have a son, Alex, who is 23. Heâs a producer and recording engineer and weâre in a business venture with him. Weâre building a recording studio with him in Philadelphia, which we hope will be the next Brooklyn for young musicians. Alex will run the studio.
Pets: We have two dogs. Tiger is our elderly gentleman. We think heâs a Belgian shepherd mix. Heâs always been perfect in every way. And then thereâs Charlie, our second dog, a little over a year old. I adopted him from a woman on the beach⦠in Aruba⦠when he was 6 weeks old, and I smuggled him into the timeshare. I had to buy him a ticket on American Airlines to bring him home. He was just a little brown fluff ball. Interestingly, both Tiger and Charlie were originally found abandoned on golf courses. I thought Charlie would be a pocketbook dog. Heâs about 50 pounds now, and when we had his DNA tested, it turns out he is a Belgian shepherd mix, too. Heâs a juvenile delinquent, though. Heâll pick pockets, he tried to bury my cellphone, and heâs pulled dollar bills out of a girlfriendâs purse!
How long have you lived in Newtown? Weâve been in Newtown for 17 years.
What do you like to do in your free time? Iâm a volunteer with Friends of C.H. Booth Library, the group that puts on the big book sale at RIS each year â this year, July 14 to 18. I also help out in The Little Book Store in the library, where you can buy almost-new books at bargain prices. Iâm always reading a book. I love to explore nature trails with my dogs, and Iâm a little bit of an amateur bird watcher. I like to travel when I can, too.
Do you have a favorite book? Two books that really resonated for me were Beloved, by Toni Morrison, and American Pastoral, by Philip Roth. Beloved is kind of a devastating story, but so beautifully written. Both of these books dealt with the kinds of things that can only adequately be revealed in fiction. Both are standouts, to me.
Do you have a favorite travel destination? Iâve been to Italy more than anywhere, but I loved traveling in Thailand. I would love to go back to that part of the world to explore.
What is the best thing about Newtown? I love the beautiful open spaces, and that there are a few farms remaining. That makes me feel at home. I grew up on a farm in Pennsylvania. Newtown now has some great restaurants, and Iâve enjoyed getting to know more people, now that Iâve quit working. For me, maintaining a connection to nature is important, and I feel like I can do that here.
Who has been the greatest influence in your life? My mother, of course. She influenced my love of reading. She was articulate and interesting and had a great sense of humor. Also, my mentor in my career, Stephie Kugelman. She demonstrated you could be a success in the corporate world without sacrificing your femininity or humanity.
Do you have a personal philosophy? Love of nature is really my touchstone, and I value most a sense of humor. Mark Twain said something to the effect of âHumor is manâs greatest gift,â and I couldnât agree more.
Do you have a guilty pleasure? I love dark chocolate, but I have no guilt about it. I probably watch too many of those series on AMC and Showtime!