Occupation: I’m a stay-at-home mom and community volunteer. I previously sold real estate and did public relations for three years. I have a bachelor’s degree in communications from Virginia Tech.

How Long in Newtown: I moved here with my parents in 1976 when I was a junior in high school. I graduated from Newtown High School in 1978. My husband and I moved back to Newtown in 1984 from Virginia.

Biggest Change Seen in Town: More traffic lights. Also, as a member of Newtown Bridle Lands Association, there is less tolerance of horses going where they’ve gone for years.

Family: My husband, Brian, and I have been married for 16 years. We have two children: Sean, 6, and Trevor, 3.

Pets: We have a nine-month-old border terrier named Luke.

Hobbies: Horseback riding has been my lifetime sport. I also taught riding. I’ve been on sabbatical since the children. When the kids are older, I’ll start riding again. Before children, I also enjoyed water skiing, scuba diving and snow skiing. I want to learn to play golf. Volunteering keeps me busy. The kids are my main focus right now.

Favorite Books and Authors: I love to read, but the problem is when I read a book everything around me stops. It’s hard to do when you have kids. I recently read the book I Know This Much Is True by Wally Lamb, a University of Connecticut professor. I liked his style. He has very good character development. I also enjoy books by John Irving.

Favorite TV Show: I don’t watch too much TV. If we do watch it, we watch the Discovery, Learning, and History channels. We turned it off once for two years.

Organizations: I’m co-chairing this year’s Holiday Festival, which will be held on Sunday, December 5. I’m a member of the boards of directors of the Family Counseling Center and the Newtown Bridle Lands Association.

Most Vivid Memory Of Newtown: Labor Day parades. I don’t think we’ve missed one. I’ve ridden in it and been a spectator. It’s more fun to watch. If you’re in it, you miss most of the parade. The fireworks at Dickinson Park on the fourth of July. Also, when Lloyd’s Lumber burned down. We could see it from our street. We saw a huge orange glow.

Favorite Vacation Spot: The outer banks of North Carolina. We’ve been down there five summers. We rent a house for a week with another family in an area that only rents to families. It’s just houses and the beach. It’s perfect for kids.

Personal Philosophy: If I’ve made a positive difference in someone’s life, then I’ve been a success.