Occupation: I am a physician and biologist. I practice general internal medicine in Brewster, N.Y., with the Mount Kisco Medical Group. I have been in practice since 1992, and I really enjoy it. I love the science of it, and I love the humanity of it.

Family: I am married to Donna, and we have three children, Faith, Paul, and Adam. My parents, Paul and Maxine, also live in Newtown. My sisters, Laura and Linda, live in neighboring towns.

Pets: We have two cats, Chrysanthemum and Rosie.

How long have you lived in Newtown? We moved to Newtown in 1999.

What do you like to do in your free time? I have many interests. I have been rock and ice climbing most of my life, and continue to do so. I run, bike, and hike. I enjoy running road and trail races and triathalons. I love nature and weave a naturalists’ perspective into all of my outdoor adventures. I love to teach and work with community youth groups, like the Boy and Girl Scouts, the Explorers, and the Venture Crews in town. I speak every year to the medical career club at Newtown High School and in the science classes. I love gardening, too. We have a decent-sized organic vegetable garden, and we grow flowers, too. I enjoy art, particularly the expression of oneself in that art. Donna and I are currently the event organizers, along with Jennifer Johnston from the Newtown Cultural Arts Commission, for the Newtown Arts Festival, which will take place September 15 and 16, at Fairfield Hills. I’m still looking for volunteers, if anyone wants to contact me at pgm727@aol.com.

Do you have a favorite book? Cosmos, by Carl Sagan. When I read it, when I was about 15, it inspired me to learn much more about the universe and our place in it. It was sort of one of those mind-blowing, eye-opening things. It made me keep reading new things.

Do you have a favorite vacation destination? Donna and I travel to Maine, near Bangor, every year. We love the tranquility of the cottage on the lake.

What is the best thing about Newtown? The people. Newtowners are a wonderful, interesting bunch. Differences can be passionate but respectful, and the compromises we reach create a much greater good. Our community is rich in history, but also inspiring and creative.

Who has been the greatest influence in your life? My Grandpa Gerhard. Every time Grandpa visited, he brought his chessboard. Under his arm was an old wooden box held closed with a thick rubber band, because the latch was broken. In the box were the worn chess pieces that we played with. Every time Grandpa came to visit we played chess, and talked about life and philosophy.

Do you have a personal philosophy? I believe that contentment in life is dependent on finding a balance of mind, body, and soul. I also believe that the process of finding that balance is as fulfilling as the reward of achieving it.

Do you have a guilty pleasure? Not     yet.