I truly love being surrounded by people. Especially seeing people just out enjoying themselves, out celebrating and having fun. I love being the one to greet people as they come into B-52s and I have been here since they opened in March of 2019.
I am a Christian woman with a strong faith in God. After 43 years of marriage; raising 5 kids and being able to travel the country together with my hubby on the back of his Harley everywhere – I found myself single again. And without my faith, my new life would have been more difficult. But with my faith, family and friends at Mercy Road Church, my new path was easier. I’m very blessed.
Q: Please tell us a little bit about your family.
I have been blessed with 5 children – whom are all grown now! Two of my children are married and I also have 5 grandkids whom I just adore! My grandchildren are between 3 and 13 years old. I love watching the kids grow up and I love being a grandma and just enjoy all the time I get with them. I am lucky that we all live relatively close; all are within an hour of each other – this makes it easier for all of us to get together more frequently. With my children, I had the first 2 just thirteen months apart in my 20s and we thought we were done! And then 13 years later, we had the 3 younger girls, so it was like starting over But I love it and believe this is what has kept me young!
Q: Please tell us about your current, past, or future career. What do you love most about what you do?
In my younger days, one of my first jobs was as a cashier at the local grocery story. Then as I was raising my two young children, I waitressed and served tables at several restaurants for 12 years, and even was a night manager at one for a few years. Later, I joined the corporate world and worked in the cable industry for 31 years! During those 31 years I spent at the cable company, I was fortunate to have held various roles and grow a career – over the years I held many titles within the customer service area, I was a data analyst, an office manager and more. When the company finally merged, I knew it was time to retire and exit the corporate world. That is when I decided to get back into the hospitality industry and started hosting.
Q: What are a couple of your favorite restaurants in our community?
Well of course B-52 Lakeville is at the top of my list! 😊 I do love all their burgers – they are soooo good. And the Philly Steak Sandwich is another one of my favorites. B-52s also just launched some new menu items a few weeks ago featuring some new burgers, salads and entrees – The Chuck Roast Sandwich is great! And on the weekends, I like B-52s ‘Mother of all Bloodys’. It’s basically a whole meal in itself! I also can’t wait for the B-52s owners new restaurant to open in downtown Lakeville – The Better Half – that will great and just something different that this area needs. I do have to say that Teresa’s is a close second as one of my top restaurants as I love Mexican food and their margarita’s! When I’m in the mood for Chinese, I think Lakeville Chinese by I-35 and Kenwood Trail has great Chinese.
Q: How long have you lived or worked in our community?
I have lived in Lakeville for over 30 years and have been in the same house for 27 of those years! I have seen a lot of changes in the area over the years. It was a great place to raise a family and I still enjoy it.
Q: Who is the most interesting person you’ve met here in our community?
Well, I actually haven’t met him but I would love to meet Stickman! I just want to hear his story. He seems like a great good guy.
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be and why?
I was fortunate to travel to Jerusalem last year. As we were flying over Hungary and Bulgaria, I thought about where my father was from: Timisoara, Romania. I have his birth certificate from there and I actually have his papers he received when he and his father went through Ellis Island! Anyways, I do think it would be really neat to travel to where he was from and learn more about the culture there.
Q: What is one of your favorite movies? TV shows?
My all time favorite movie is Somewhere in Time starring Christopher Reeves and Jane Seymour. It was filmed in Mackinac Island, MI and it’s just so beautiful. It’s definitely a chick-flick / love story, but I just really love it. I’m just an old romantic at heart – I think most of us women are!
Q: What advice would you give to people?
Always be kind as you never know what someone is going through. Life can be tough these days and everyone can use a little more kindness. I love the song Humble and Kind by Tim McGraw.
Q: What is something on your bucket list?
I would love to take a hot air balloon ride! I would also love to travel to Alaska … I have a spoon rack that is in the shape of United States and I have collected spoons wherever I go. I have not been up to Alaska yet.
Q: What is your go to band when you can’t decide what to listen to?
I love all types of music but two favorites are Country or smooth jazz. I’m a huge Luke Bryan fan but I also like some old country guys too such as Willie and Waylon. All my kids have such different music tastes ranging from hip-hop, electronic to country – so I find myself listening to it all. So I guess, I really like all music as I see it as a background of your life and brings you memories. Music can liven up your mood and lift your spirits. I also listen to a lot of Christian music – and when in the car, I also have KTIS, Twin Cities Christian Radio channel on.
Q: What current or former local business makes you the most nostalgic about our community?
I loved Ben Franklin’s and Erickson’s Drug when they were here … which ironically is now where B-52s is! But I remember my kids walking up to Ben Franklin’s to get their crafts and items to make homecoming pants! These two places were a staple in downtown Lakeville for so long. I love that B-52’s honors Erickson’s by having the mural as you walk into the restaurant.
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?
Well, I already mentioned Stickman earlier so I’ll stick with that! I would love to hear his story – I’m sure it’s so interesting! We would either go to B-52’s or Teresa’s. I’d let him choose between one of those two places. Otherwise, if Richard Gere is available, he could come get me in his Lear jet and I’d fly with him anywhere he’d like! I’m a huge ‘Pretty woman’ fan too! Lol!
Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique about our community?
Overall, I love all the green space – I love the parks, bike paths etc. I love that Lakeville has been able to grow into a relatively big city but has been able to maintain that small town feel. But if there’s one thing that I truly love about Lakeville is Pan O Prog! I love this time in the summer as it’s just one big family reunion. There’s such a sense of community during this time with all the various celebrations. The planning committee also just does a fantastic job! It’s just so great. I love it.
Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 to 10 years?
Oh, this is a tough one for me but I still would like to travel – I always planned to have a small RV so I could just take off and drive to see the rest of the country. I like seeing the backroads of places which a RV would provide me. Maybe I’ll still do this.
Q: (Even for friends or family), what is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
Hmmm… I was the Girl Scout “cookie mom” for some years. I have been to Jerusalem. I Have traveled to most of the 50 states. But I think what surprises people the most is when I share that I used to be a bikers wife! I don’t necessarily like to drive the bikes – however I love riding on them and just being able to see everything from the back of the bike. Yep, that’s right, I used to be a ‘biker chick’! I had my permit and tried to learn, but never got my License. I decided I liked it better just being able to ride on the back and enjoy it! I do miss that!
Q: What is the most beautiful place you have ever been?
Hawaii is definitely the most beautiful place that I’ve been. The scenery, the ocean, the mountains, the people … oh, I could go on and on about the beauty, it’s just all around gorgeous. We mostly stayed on the Big Island, Honolulu and went up Diamond Head, toured Pearl Harbor and also went to Maui. If you haven’t been to Pearl Harbor, you should. It’s definitely eerie but to be able to see and feel what type of sacrifices were made for our country is very moving.
Q: Favorite month? favorite holiday? and best single day on the calendar?
Easy: CHRISTMAS hands down. Christmas is also very close to my birthday. I tend to go all out for decorating as it just puts me at ease. Last year I had some medical issues and had to stay home a lot so I decided to keep my Christmas décor well into February/March; which my kids made fun of me but it just brings me so much joy!
Q: What would you rate a 10 out of 10?
The Bible. Someone once shared the acronym of The Bible and that has always stuck with me: Basic Instruction Before Leaving Earth
Q: Who inspires you to be better?
My family and kids. I try to be a good example for them. I really try to follow my faith and be like Christ. The older I get; I realize how important this is. We only have one life so make it count! You just appreciate your life so much more this way.
Q: What is one or two of your favorite smells?
Pine aka Christmas tree scent and Lilies of the Valley or Lilacs in the spring
Q: Finally, what 3 words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME?
A Safe Haven
