Occupation: I retired from Head ‘O Meadow School, where I was a third grade teacher. I received my bachelor of science and master’s degrees from Western Connecticut State University.  

How Long in Newtown: I moved to Newtown in 1962. After living in Bridgeport for nine months, we purchased our present house here. I was born and raised in Brooklyn, N.Y.

Biggest Change Seen in Town: Traffic.

Family: My husband, Art, and I will be celebrating our 40th anniversary this year. We have two daughters. Linda and her husband, Rob, have two daughters, Catelyn, 10, and Megan, 9. Sandra works for Boehringer Ingelheim.

Pets: I have my neighbor’s pets. When I need a pet fix, I go across to their sheltie, Heather. I also have a grand-dog, Shadow, a black lab, who loves me.

Hobbies: Tennis, sailing on Candlewood, and cooking. There are many. I’m very busy.

Favorite Books and Authors: I read in spurts, especially in the winter. I enjoy John Grisham’s books.

Favorite TV Show: West Wing and cooking shows, such as those of Julia Child and Jacque Peppin. When I got married, I didn’t know how to cook. Julia Child taught me how to cook, to even make bread. She taught her audience not to be afraid of the dough.

Organizations: I am a member of the Commission on Aging and the Outreach Committee at Trinity Church. I also participate in a tele-a-friend campaign to convince women to have mammograms. I also belong to RSVP and am a member of the Candlewood Yacht Club.

Most Vivid Memory of Newtown: The Labor Day parade and our beautiful flagpole. Also, the fireworks. We would sit at the golf course to watch them. When Sandra was little, she called them “noisy lights.”

Favorite Vacation Spot: British Virgin Islands. In 1998, we went to Poland for three and a half weeks, where we taught conversational English to children. I found that very rewarding. They didn’t know English and I didn’t know Polish, but we managed to communicate.

Personal Philosophy: I have a lot of strong faith. I am a cancer survivor, and am very grateful for all the support I’ve received through my family, my church, the senior center, colleagues, and neighbors. I’m very optimistic. I truly believe it was another thing that helped me. I also always believe in looking for the good in people.

 SNAPSHOT

WITH PHOTOGRAPH

LENORE NIEDZIELSKI