Occupation: After doing computer mainframe programming for 24 years, Lyme disease cut that career short. Luckily, I had kept playing guitar since the age of 14, after three years of lessons. Now I teach traditional folk guitar, reading music, basic theory, and fingerpicking styles. I also play Celtic, colonial, and contra music for schools, private and public events, and dances. My wife is a country dance caller, and she uses our band, The Reel Thing, for live music. Two of us have been playing together for ten years. Our keyboard player, colonial, and international dance caller Fran Hendrickson, joined us this year. I earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology at Franklin College, Ind., in 1971. I also do part time work at Health Insurance Quote Service in Bethel.

How Long in Newtown: We have lived here for 11 years and in the Southbury/Woodbury area since 1980. I grew up in Darien.

Biggest Change You Have Seen in Town: The traffic seems to be getting heavier every year, but the alternate access past Fairfield Hills seems to help. Having the Fairfield Hills property will be a good thing for the town, I think. It’s a pretty spot and great for jogging, walking, and bicycling.

Family: My wife Patricia and I will be married 13 years this June 9. I know from past experience not to forget that date. However, my birthday is on June 8, and I am trying to forget that. Occasionally, I forget them both. We have a 9-year-old son, Alexander, who won’t let me forget his birthday, ever.

Pets: I am master and slave to an 11-year-old Brittany Spaniel, Abbey. We have two guinea pigs, Lovely and Primrose, and have numerous fish — too hard to count since they keep darting around.   

Hobbies: Singing, playing, and listening to most kinds of music. Motorcycling, kayaking, skiing, camping, and sleeping when it rains.

Favorite Books and Authors: Secrets of the Night Sky and Cosmic Adventures by Bob Berman, and Rocket Boys, also known as October Sky, by Homer Hickam.

Favorite TV Show: Everwood, Smallville, Judging Amy, and Enterprise.

Organizations: Newtown Choral Society, Newtown Lyme Disease Task Force, assistant den leader and assistant cubmaster for Newtown Cub Scout Pack 70, and Appalachian Mountain Club.

Most Vivid Memory About Newtown: Having a volunteer give a firehouse tour for my son’s fifth birthday party, and having a car actually stop for me while on the crosswalk in front of the town hall.

Favorite Vacation Spot: A secluded affordable cabin in Orleans, Cape Cod, right next to a freshwater lake, five minutes to the ocean, ten minutes to the bay. The number to call for renting is in my safe deposit box.

Personal Philosophy: Be courteous, kind, honest, and loving. Be useful. Have music in my heart and children who smile in their sleep. Peace.

SNAPSHOT

WITH PHOTOGRAPH

BILL CAMPBELL