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FontQ: How long have you lived in Greenwich?
A: Since 1967, in this house.
Q: How do you think Greenwich has changed over the years?
A: Everything has changed around me -- the landscape, geographically, as well as the people.
Q: Are you married?
A: Divorced.
Q: Do you have any children? Grandchildren?
A: I have a son in Seattle, and my daughter lives in Spokane; she's married, with two children.
Q: Are you retired?
A: Yes.
Q: What did you do full time?
A: I didn't work full time before or after I got married. I worked part time at The New York Times as a photo researcher for the Sunday Magazine section. I worked as a guide at the United Nations. I worked at the Whitney Museum when it was in Stamford. I got a certificate at the New School in New York. Later in life, I became an ESL (English as a Second Language) teacher, for more than 10 years. I've subbed as an ESL teacher at Greenwich Continuing Education.
Q: What was the most important thing you learned from your work?
A: Everything you do in life affects everything else. Everything I did led me to be an ESL teacher.
Q: What was a significant memory or defining moment in your childhood?
A: I lost my parents to the Holocaust. I came to this country from Holland at the age of 8, speaking no English. I lived with my uncle and aunt in New York City. I am still in touch with the children of the people who saved my life. My story has been written in a book in the Greenwich Library -- "And Life has Changed Forever: Holocaust Childhoods Remembered."
Q: What are your main hobbies and interests?
A: I like to garden, to work outdoors. I love nature and flowers. I like to read and go to artsy movies. I like to travel. I like to knit. I go to a knitting group. I enjoy the book group at the Cos Cob Library. I'm on the board of the library now. I've volunteered there for ages. I still do my shelf reading (adopt-a-shelf) there.
Q: Do you have a favorite sport?
A: I like walking, and I do aerobics swimming at the YWCA.
Q: Do you have a favorite book? What is a recent one you enjoyed?
A: "A Tale of Two Cities."
Q: Do you have a favorite work of art?
A: I guess Impressionists and the Fauves. I like a lot of different kinds of art.
Q: What music do you listen to, and what is a favorite piece of music?
A: I like classical music and Brazilian music.
Q: If you could tell the president of the United States one thing, what would it be?
A: I hope you win.
Q: What achievements in your life are you most proud of?
A: Getting the 2010-2011 Volunteer of the Year Award at the Cos Cob Library. And my children.
Q: If you had a magic wand, what would you wish for?
A: That I could see my grandchildren more often.
Q: What, if anything, are you deeply concerned about?
A: Issues to do with guns -- how little oversight there is. Conservation and nature and how many people are shortsighted about taking care of nature.
Q: Best piece of advice to give to the younger generation?
A: Take care of what you cherish.
Q: What brings you your greatest joy?
A: I'm a typical grandmother -- watching my grandchildren grow and become people.
Q: What are you looking forward to?
A: Seeing them. I haven't seen them since last December. And I would like to see Vienna, Budapest and Prague. I'd like to go to South America, Australia, Alaska --you name it!
asemmes@bcnnew.com
