I am a retired community journalist now working as a fitness professional at the Mukwonago YMCA. For 20 years I captured life in and around Mukwonago in photos and through reporting. Almost every event in the area that happened, I attended.
Q: Please tell us a little bit about your family.
My family consists of my husband, three grown children, their spouses or significant others, five grandchildren and a sixth on the way.
Q: Please tell us about your current, past, or future career. What do you love most about what you do?
Currently I work as a personal trainer, group exercise instructor and group exercise coordinator at the Mukwonago YMCA. I love helping people stay strong, regain strength, discover more about themselves and push past obstacles that hinder their progress. As a journalist, I loved being a vital part of the community. Now as a fitness professional, I love helping the people in the community live to the best of their abilities.
Q: What are a couple of your favorite restaurants in our community?
David Alan Alan Smokehouse is our absolute favorite. Sideliners in North Prairie is another favorite.
Q: How long have you lived or worked in our community?
We have lived in the community for 29 years. I have worked in the community for 24 years.
Q: Who is the most interesting person you’ve met here in our community?
As a journalist, I met and interviewed many interesting people. At the YMCA, I’ve met even more interesting people, so it’s hard to pick just one person. One person that stands out over the years though is Cindy Eggleston, director of the Mukwonago Food Pantry.
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be and why?
Eugene, Oregon to visit my son and his fiance.
Q: What is one of your favorite movies? TV shows?
I don’t watch TV but loved the series Manifest on Netflix.
Q: What advice would you give to people?
Be kind. Be thoughtful. What you say, what you do or don’t do, affects other people in ways we may never realize.
Q: What is something on your bucket list?
To learn how to swim (one of my weaknesses) but mostly to survive melanoma and live a long healthy life.
Q: What is your go to band when you can’t decide what to listen to?
My go to music is Christian music because it calms and uplifts me. I love all the bands.
Q: What current or former local business makes you the most nostalgic about our community?
The Mukwonago Chief. People still tell me they miss the Chief. I have the sign from outside our office hanging in our garage.
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?
Brene Brown. I’d love to have lunch with her at Espresso Love Coffee because we could sit and talk for a long time.
Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique about our community?
I love our local businesses and support them as often as possible.
Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 to 10 years?
Alive and enjoying my family.
Q: (Even for friends or family), what is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
Many people in the community know me from my years of community journalism. What some people might now know is that my cancer diagnosis led me to my new career in fitness. If I hadn’t been diagnosed with metastatic melanoma, I wouldn’t be working in fitness at the YMCA. It was through my diagnosis, treatment and healing that I discovered fitness as a very fulfilling career.
Q: What is the most beautiful place you have ever been?
Eugene, Oregon
Q: Favorite month? favorite holiday? and best single day on the calendar?
My favorite month is the one filled with the most dragonflies. My favorite holiday is Thanksgiving because it is pure and wholesome and not commercialized. The best single day on the calendar for me is April 19. Every year I pass that date, is another year I have beat melanoma.
Q: What would you rate a 10 out of 10?
ProHealth Care Cancer Center. Their cancer team is topnotch.
Q: Who inspires you to be better?
My children and grandchildren and every client or Y member who looks up to me.
Q: What is one or two of your favorite smells?
I love the smell of laundry dried outside on the wash line and the smell of fall.
Q: Finally, what 3 words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME?
Laughter. Love. Acceptance.
