I'm a dental hygienist; I work for Dr Cono at Brookview Dental in Newtown. I have been here for six years, almost seven. Originally, I was in a nursing program and was very young and was not as good with people being sick or dying, so I switched after a while to dental hygiene. I went to dental assisting school, and I loved it. My dad really encouraged me to go on and become a dental hygienist.Occupation:

Family: I live in Milford with my husband, Frank. My mom and sister live in North Carolina, but that whole side of my family is originally from Ohio. My husband's side of the family all live in New Haven. My husband always lived in New Haven, except for when he was in the service. My stepson lives in Brooklyn.

Pets: Elliott and Nathanial are the resident kitties. Both are 14; they were littermates. I got them after my cat, Nelson, who I had for 15 years, had passed away. I went to the Stratford Animal Shelter on their pet adoption day just to look and had a cat carrier in my car. They picked me. I couldn't bear to separate them and went home with both. They're so good natured.

What do you like to do in your free time? I like to read, knit, go to the gym, cook, and bake. This summer, I have been baking cobblers, because there are so many berries around and they're easy. That's been the hit of the summer.

Do you have a favorite book? The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch. It was a book that changed my life. He was very inspiring.

Do you have a favorite travel destination? We went to Alaska on a cruise two years ago in June. I would really love to go back and do the rail. Also, my dream is to go to all 50 states with my husband. We have a long way to go. Each of us have been to about 20 states, but 11 of them together. We have a map where we put push pins where we each have gone. Hopefully, one day we will have all of our push pins in.

What is the best thing about Newtown? The people. I love when I go to the front to get my patient and they all know each other. And the flagpole, of course.

Who has been the greatest influence in your life? My husband. We were together a long time before we got married, and we were friends for many years. He has taught me what is important to worry about. I get stressed out about pretty much anything, and he keeps me grounded. He gets me.

If you could spend the day with anyone, who would you choose? Michelle Obama. I don't consider myself the most political person, but I always like to see the woman behind the man. It would be on a day where she was going on Air Force One.

What is your guilty pleasure? I have many, but how I spend my whole summer is: I go home from work, do whatever I have to do, pour myself a beverage of some sort, then I sit out on my deck and read or knit. I'm always a little sad when the summer in over.

What is your favorite TV show? Mad Men. Once I finally decided to watch it, I couldn't stop. I'm always late for the party with TV shows. I loved seeing the clothes, because that's what it looked like when I was born. My favorite character was Roger because he had the best lines; Don because he was the best looking; and Betty because she had the best clothes.