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.
Bethel CT Jobs: The Fountain Group; Pronto Environmental; Napoli Indoor KIA and more. Find out who's hiring on our Patch Jobs Board!
Danbury's Hancock Hall was honored at the 10th Annual 'Business Supports the Arts' breakfast.
Brookfield Craft Center Executive Director was honored at the 10th Annual 'Business Supports the Arts' breakfast.
The Bethel Economic Development Office was honored at the 10th Annual 'Business Supports the Arts' breakfast.
The Ridgefield architectural firm Doyle Coffin Architecture was honored at the 10th Annual 'Business Supports the Arts' breakfast.
A woman who was driving under the influence in Brookfield was arrested after she nearly hit a police cruiser head on. BREAKING
A member of the "Latin Kings" was sentenced to 30 years in prison for shooting and killing a man in the head on I-84 in Danbury.
Sandy Hook dad Mark Barden speaks on the "‘Newtown" documentary and Sandy Hook truther Alex Jones. BREAKING
Fairfield County Bank, with locations in Ridgefield, Redding, Wilton, Bethel, Danbury, Newtown, recently hosted two cyber security seminars
A 9-year-old African-American Monroe girl was benched from a soccer game for wearing "dangerous" beads in her hair. BREAKING
Officer Kevin J. Seeley joined the Brookfield Police Department in 1977 and faithfully served the citizens of Brookfield for nearly 36 years
A Danbury man who was struck and killed while riding his bicycle has died.
In a real-life scene out of the classic film "Paper Moon," a modern-day scammer pulled a fast one on Ridgefield retailers. BREAKING
Mrs. Shilstone was a Danbury teacher, member of the League of Women Voters, the Redding Ethics Committee and Danbury Children First.
Mrs. Shilstone was a member of the League of Women Voters, the Redding Ethics Committee and Danbury Children First.
Stephen M. Corona, 53, a Danbury native, was a computer programmer with List Services of Bethel.
Stephen M. Corona, 53, a Danbury native, was a computer programmer with List Services of Bethel.
A kitchen fire that got out of hand prompted a response from Monroe and area fire companies. BREAKING
The soldier told police that he took video of himself having sex with the 14-year-old Danbury teen he met at the mall on his phone.
Sandy Hook mom and advocate for common sense gun solutions says it's a 'punch in the gut' that Congress has done nothing to prevent tragedy.