Memories:

I am also grateful for my 18 years in Clear Lake where we never locked our home or cars and where my father was informed of my whereabouts before I even returned from a forbidden motorcycle ride. Good memories include living across the street from grandparents, first snow falls, walking home for lunch from Sunset View Elementary and stopping by Merry Powell's after school to read Archie comics and eat potato chips, moonlit winter walks in a fresh snowfall, ice skating on Clear Lake, helping myself to bags of candy from Young's Variety candy counter, July Fourth parades and carnivals, Bible school with Dr. Krebs, teen dances at the Surf Ballroom, sailing and skiing, Red Cross swimming lessons at City Beach, ice cold mugs of root beer from the drive-in behind the Surf (what was it called?), wonderful aromas from the Clear Lake Bakery and its orange donuts, cherry cokes at the Corner Drug Store, hikes around the lake, picnics at Farmers' Beach, exploring the Island, coffee breaks with Daddy and my grandmother at the Lake Café, sweet Iowa summer breezes, rich black dirt, and flat green fields.

Favorite song from the 60's for background music: California Girls and Little Deuce Coupe by The Beach Boys

Marital Status / Partner's Name / Children: Steve and I have been married 38 years and have two children, Andy and Betsy, who have gifted us with three grandsons.

Working / Retired? Activities you enjoy: With the exception of short-term or part-time stints as a middle school or elementary school guidance counselor, I was a stay-at-home mom. I returned to the work force full-time as director of children's ministries and then director of spiritual formation for a Methodist church in Tallahassee where I oversaw children's, small group, and prayer ministries. I retired in 2007 and now spend my days gardening, playing with grandchildren, and volunteering with Tallahassee Healing Prayer Ministries. Husband Steve is a retired engineer who recently began a second career as a legislative analyst for the Florida Legislature.