Occupation: I am a health insurance/life insurance broker with HIQS Group (Health Insurance Quote Service, Inc) in Bethel, Conn., for over 20 years. We are just wrapping up this year’s Open Enrollment season. I also lead Medicare seminars and Social Security maximization seminars.

Family: I have been married to my wonderful husband, Ernie Tartaglia, for 29 years. We have two daughters, Nicolette, 25, and Johanna, 19.

Pets: We have two kitties that we adopted around three years ago from DAWS in Bethel. They are “Halloween kitties” – one black [cat], Shadow, and one orange tabby, Blaze.

How long have you lived in Newtown? We moved to Newtown in 1996, when Nicolette was about 13 months old, so I guess we’ve been here nearly 25 years. We love Newtown.

What do you like to do in your free time? I’ve been studying Middle Eastern dance (belly dance) since 2004. I perform with a couple of small dance troupes (or used to, before COVID), and currently teach a beginners belly dance fitness class through Newtown Continuing Education — on Zoom right now, but in person at Newtown High School in the future. I also am an avid amateur photographer. I use up most of the storage on my phone with photographs — nature, mostly (from walks in my neighborhood or at my dad’s farm in Easton).

What is your favorite book? In recent years, I have loved the Outlander series of books by Diana Gabaldon; I have also always loved The Mists of Avalon, by Marion Zimmer Bradley, a retelling of the King Arthur legends from women’s points of view.

What is your favorite travel destination? Every summer my family and I attend Falcon Ridge Folk Festival in Hillsdale, N.Y. It is our favorite time, hands down, with music, dancing, food, friends, and community.

What is the best part about Newtown? We love the rural feel of Newtown. That’s what originally attracted us to the town. We live in southwestern Newtown, home of the “Frost on the Pumpkin” Hunter Pace (NBLA) and Cherry Grove Farm.

Who or what has been the greatest influence in your life? My parents Prudy and Fred Candee, of Easton, and growing up on a farm (Candee Farm). I gratefully still spend a lot of time at the farm, assisting my dad, along with my siblings, following his stroke two years ago.

If you could spend the day with one person, who would you choose and why? I would choose my mom, for sure. She passed away nearly 20 years ago, and I still miss her. My mom was an amazing role model — loved by many, tireless in her community activities, and steadfast in her commitment to home and family. If we could spend the day together now, I would love her wisdom, even if we don’t agree, and would love to share my life as it is now with her.

Who is your favorite musical artist? Joni Mitchell, always and forever. I love most genres of music: folk, rock, blues, jazz, classical/orchestral, and of course Middle Eastern.

What is the greatest piece of advice you have ever been given? Love yourself, trust yourself, be yourself.

What is something you cannot live without? I cannot live without the arts: music, photography, dance, theatre. I don’t think I can live without chocolate. Or books. Or laughter… or NPR (National Public Radio).

What is your proudest accomplishment? Half a lifetime ago, I would have said it was earning my Actor’s Equity card. Now, I would say that my proudest accomplishment is being a mom. I am very proud of both of my daughters, and learn so much from them, as I parent them, and discover who they are, as well.

What is your favorite food? I am known for my guacamole. I have a secret recipe. My friends affectionately call it “green with envy” guacamole — so good, you wish you had the recipe!

What is your favorite TV show or movie? So many over the years; one of my favorite movies is Being There. For TV shows, lately, I’ve been loving The Queen’s Gambit and Breaking Bad on Netflix.