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SNAPSHOT

BEVERLY RICCI

Occupation: I'm a senior aide [at the Senior Center]. I've been in this job

for about four weeks. I am craft coordinator - assemble kits for the seniors

to do, help them with crafts, and help in any way that I can. I was kitchen

site manager here for 8« years before this.

Family: I have family - my three children - in Waterbury, Stratford, and

Derby.

When did you live in Newtown: I was in Sandy Hook for 17 years. I moved eight

years ago.

Biggest change in town: I guess you'd have to say the biggest change is Sandy

Hook - what they've done with the bridge, moving the post office, and, of

course, the government - the people who run the place. They offer a lot more

for parents - the free clinic for children of low-income people, Harvest - I

think it's just wonderful.

Hobbies: You name it! Horseback riding, camping, crafts, doll making. I like

to "do." I've learned a lot at the center - I never knew how to sew, and I

learned to sew. I also had the music up till two years ago - country music. I

had a band for 25 years, have done a recording, and been to Nashville. Because

of finances I've never been able to push it to get there. My main love in life

is music - I love to sing. Gardening, too, - that is my niche. Flowers and

veggies. Every year I live to make a new garden - I love to see things grow.

Favorite music: I like all kinds of music, except rap - that's the most

nonsense I've ever seen in my life!

Pets: I have a cat - she's all white except for a gold crown, so I called her

Queenie - and two horses. They're Arabians. We take them camping with us in

the woods for two weeks each summer in Otter Creek, N.Y. We sit around a

bonfire at night and sing. You meet all kinds of people. There's no phone, no

television, no electricity - I love it.

Do you like to read: If it's good comedy, I read. I'd rather do crafts and

listen to the television.

Favorite place outdoors in Newtown: Dickinson Park. I enjoy it there.

Favorite food: Everything. Lobster. Seafood. I "see food" and I eat it! ... I

love to make people laugh. It's something I come by naturally ... My father

used to say I was the clown in the family.

Personal Philosophy: Just try to take it one day at a time. I'm me - this is

it folks. Take it or leave it. I try to be nice to everybody, especially the

seniors because I'm going to be there sometime soon.