I'm a married mother of three awesome kids and a rescue dog named Sadie, a black lab mix. I grew up in Sandy Hook and currently live in Ridgefield.
I studied English Literature at Ellis College and Child Development at Post University and received my Head Teacher Certification in Early Childhood Education through the State of Connecticut in 2008.
From 2010-2012 I enjoyed working for Patch in various roles as a reporter, columnist, food critic and guest editor. I also helped launch 12 Patch sites in Fairfield County in early 2010.
During 2012-2013, I stopped working in order to serve as a volunteer to help my hometown of Sandy Hook heal after the tragic Sandy Hook School shootings on Dec. 14, 2012. I founded the Sandy Hook Arts Center for Kids (The SHACK) in Sandy Hook Center as a creative way for kids and families to heal through the power of the arts through free music and art programs. We were happy to have the Newtown Strong Therapy Dogs as regular visitors as well.
In January of 2014, Hearst Media Services honored me with the "Top 10 Most Fascinating People of 2013" award in the Greater Danbury Area for volunteer work I performed with Sandy Hook Arts Center for Kids. In June 2014, I went back to work and became a Regional Editor for eleven towns in Southwest Connecticut.
On February 4, 2015, World Cancer Day, life threw a huge curveball and I was diagnosed with "The Evil 'C' Word." During 2015 and most of 2016, I battled a "very rare, very aggressive" type of breast cancer with wit, sass, faith and lots of support from family and friends. After 4 surgeries, 16 weeks of dose dense "red devil" chemo, 30 rounds of radiation and tons of complications, I'm proud to say I'm now a survivor of Triple Negative Metaplastic Carcinoma and an advocate of self breast exams for early detection. Being diagnosed with breast cancer at the young age of 45 with no cancer in my family prompted me to start a #MyLeftBoob selfie campaign to raise awareness for early detection.
Read my story here:
http://patch.com/connecticut/bethel/breast-cancer-awareness-behind-pink-ribbons-personal-survival-story-0
In my free time I enjoy hiking, reading biographies, David Sedaris or Kurt Vonnegut books, singing and playing bass guitar in a cover band with my rockin' hubby of 22 years, who is the drummer.
A New Milford man says the Mayor has been trying to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars of Town money to renovate a 60-year-old school.
26-Year-Old Accused of Sexual Assault of 2 Elderly Female Patients; Boehringer Ingelheim Evacuated After Chemical Release.
24-Year-Old Arrested for Possession of Cannabis, Operating with Suspended License; Wilton Students Chant Racist Remarks to Danbury Students
Close to 40 Oxford residents, as well as hundreds more across the state, are without power Sunday night due to strong winds. BREAKING
Close 1,000 Wilton and CT residents are without power Sunday night due to strong winds.
Close 1,000 Redding, Weston and CT residents are without power Sunday night due to strong winds.
Close to 100 Newtown and hundreds more CT residents are without power Sunday night due to strong winds.
Close to 400 New Fairfield and hundreds more CT residents are without power Sunday night due to strong winds.
Eleven Monroe and hundreds more CT residents are without power Sunday night due to strong winds.
Brookfield and other CT residents are without power Sunday night due to strong winds.
Close to 100 Ridgefield residents, as well as hundreds more across the state, are without power Sunday night due to strong winds.
Driver without License Found Smoking Pot; Recap of Fall 2016 State Championships; Ridgefield Police Launch 'Click it or Ticket.'
The Danbury Police Department will be working over the holidays to make sure drivers and passengers are wearing their seat belts.
A chemical release was reported at Boehringer Ingelheim on the Danbury-Ridgefield line on Friday.
A chemical release was reported at Boehringer Ingelheim on the Danbury-Ridgefield line on Friday.
Two women are alleged to have been creating and filling fake prescriptions in the name of a child of one of the arrestees.
Two women are alleged to have been creating and filling fake prescriptions in the name of a child of one of the arrestees.
A candidate for the Ridgefield Board of Ed claims that a board member leaked questions and answers to her prior to her interview.
The Newtown Police Department is launching a seat belt safety campaign over the Thanksgiving holiday.
The Ridgefield Police Department will be working over the holidays to make sure drivers and passengers are wearing their seat belts.