I am a New Yorker by birth and Wisconsinite by choice. Born, raised, and educated in Brooklyn; I moved to Wisconsin in 1993 and have called Mukwonago home since 1995. I attended Pace University in New York, majoring in Marketing and Business Administration. Once our children started kindergarten, I became an active volunteer in the schools – in the classroom, as PTO/PAG president, and as a leader of the grassroots efforts to pass needed referendums in our district. I served as a member of various MASD planning and search committees and am proud to have given back to a school district that gave so much to our children. I enjoy reading, traveling, photography, and spending time with my family. Our family is avid Brewers and Badger fans and can usually be found in our regular seats during baseball and college football seasons. Go, Brewers and On, Wisconsin!
My hard working, tough as nails, tender hearted husband, David, and I raised our 23-year-old twins in Mukwonago. Andrew and Alyssa are products of the excellent Mukwonago schools and were heavily involved in sports and other community activities. Both graduates of the University of Wisconsin – Madison, Andrew is a Biomedical Engineer and Alyssa is completing her graduate studies in Social Work while working as Substance Use Counselor. Andrew currently lives in Middleton and Alyssa is thriving in the heart of Chicago. David is transitioning to a well deserved retirement.
Q: Please tell us about your current, past, or future career. What do you love most about what you do?
I've been fortunate to have a varied and rewarding career; first as a Human Resources executive, then as a stay-at-home mom (my dream job!!!) where I volunteered many hours in service to our school district, and now as an Administrative Assistant at Park View Middle School. Working in the school district has afforded me the opportunity to meet many students and families that I now call friends. I regularly tell people that I have the best job in the world – Middle schoolers are amazing: funny, creative, brutally honest, and truly lovable. Supporting the student centered staff at Rolling Hills and Park View has been an honor. I encourage anyone who needs to be inspired to spend a few moments with the staff at any of the Mukwonago schools. They give the best of themselves each and every day and our students are the beneficiaries.
Q: What are a couple of your favorite restaurants in our community?
You can't beat coffee and conversation at Espresso Love. It's my go-to place for meeting friends. For an underappreciated, but best-in-town burger head to Sandy's Miller Time Tap. Maybe it's the ambience, but those burgers are the top notch!
Q: How long have you lived or worked in our community?
I proudly became a Mukwonago resident in 1995 and have worked in the Mukwonago Schools since 2011. My unpaid volunteer role began in 2003 when my children started kindergarten.
Q: Who is the most interesting person you've met here in our community?
If you equate interesting with kind, I would say it is Mark Doome, the former principal at PVMS and current director of the MHS SOAR program. Mark is THE kindest, most compassionate, giving human being I have ever met. During my recent illness, he was a tremendous support to my family. The world would be a much better place if more people were like Mark Doome.
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be and why?
I love tropical vacations – sun, sand, and ocean waves are my thing. During my recent illness, my husband promised me a trip to Hawaii, so that's at the top of my list right now.
Q: What is one of your favorite movies? TV shows?
Saturday Night Fever and Goodfellas are two movies I could watch on repeat. (Brooklyn girl here!) I love seeing my old neighborhood on Saturday Night Fever and yes, I am old enough to have watched the movie being filmed. When I turn on the TV, it is usually to watch sports. I am an MLB.tv addict and am counting the days until baseball season starts.
Q: What advice would you give to people?
Earlier this year, I had a near fatal bout with COVID. Spending 64 days in three hospitals gave me lots of time to reflect. I learned that life is short, precious, and unpredictable; so live while you can, love with your whole heart, chase your dreams, and give back at every opportunity.
Q: What is something on your bucket list?
That Hawaii trip is at the top of the list. Not only is it a place I've long dreamed of visiting, but it will be a celebration of survival.
Q: What is your go to band when you can't decide what to listen to?
I am old school and have eclectic taste. I love the Kinks, Billy Joel, U2, and Harry Styles.
Q: What current or former local business makes you the most nostalgic about our community?
I miss the days of McAdams Pick 'n Save and Miller Pharmacy. Seeing Mr. McAdams in the cereal aisle and getting greeted by name at Miller Pharmacy were symbolic of the small town feel that made me fall in love with Mukwonago.
Q: If you could choose anyone that is alive today and not a relative; with whom would you love to have lunch? Why? And where locally would y'all meet for this lunch?
That's easy. This baseball junkie would love to have lunch with Bob Uecker. I would take him to Espresso Love because we could stay forever and he would enjoy holding court in such a local treasure.
Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique about our community?
The Mukwonago Schools are the gem of our community. Perfect, no, but students are loved, nurtured, and educated; and that's something pretty special.
Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 to 10 years?
I hope to be traveling and enjoying time with my family, including eventual grandchildren.
Q: (Even for friends or family), what is something interesting that most people don't know about you?
My desire to volunteer at my children's school stems from seeing my mom do the same at St. Athanasius when I was a student there. I thought it was so cool to see my mom at school. I'm not sure my children felt the same way. 😉
Q: What is the most beautiful place you have ever been?
Barcelona, Spain during my daughter's study abroad semester. There was something about the architecture, cleanliness, and walkability of the city.
Q: Favorite month? favorite holiday? and best single day on the calendar?
My favorite month is summer. Can we call that a month? Summer seems to only be a month long in Wisconsin. Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday – I love everything about it, including a refrigerator full of leftovers. The absolute best day on the calendar is June 2nd. That's the day I became a mom.
Q: What would you rate a 10 out of 10?
Spending time with my family.
Q: Who inspires you to be better?
My children inspire me. They are both doing important work and making a positive difference. I want to be better for and because of them. I am also inspired by my dad who passed away when I was 13. I hope he would be proud of the person I've become.
Q: What is one or two of your favorite smells?
Cinnamon and cloves. They smell like home.
Q: Finally, what 3 words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME?
Family, security, love.
