I have lived in Hinsdale for most of my adult life. I am very family oriented and feel that Hinsdale was a wonderful place to raise my family. I enjoy cooking, gardening, reading, traveling, attending museums, the theater and the symphony, playing the piano, and spending time at our lake house in Michigan. I am never bored! I love horses and German shepherd dogs, and I have raised many amazing German shepherds over the years! I currently have a beautiful one-year old, long-haired shepherd named Dolly. I come from a big, loving Italian family and we make everything from scratch: pasta and ravioli, Italian sausage, cannoli, wine, spaghetti sauce, cuccidati, and much more! My specialty homemade dessert is my French pastry cake with fresh whip cream and strawberries. It is incredible!
Q: Please tell us a little bit about your family.
I have two grown sons, Robert who is 34 and George who is 33. George has been married to his beautiful wife, Paula, for almost four years. I am lucky because both of my sons live in Hinsdale, so I am able to see them and spend time with them often!
Q: Please tell us about your current, past, or future career. What do you love most about what you do?
I own my own business and am celebrating my 20th year in private practice as an Educational/Learning Specialist. I specialize in working with children and adolescents with various learning disabilities such as dyslexia, language processing, math, written language, ADHD, executive functioning, Nonverbal LD, Autism Spectrum, and Gifted/Enrichment. I truly enjoy my work as I adore all my students and gain tremendous satisfaction from watching my students develop the skills they need to overcome their learning challenges, gain self-confidence, and reach their potential.
Q: What are a couple of your favorite restaurants in our community?
My favorite restaurants in Hinsdale include Vistro, Jade Dragon, Wild Ginger, and Yia Yias Pancake House.
Q: How long have you lived or worked in our community?
I have lived in Hinsdale since 1985. My first home was the “Zook” castle house with a 2-story spiderweb window, and a 52-foot tower with gave us a gorgeous view for miles around. I opened my private practice in Hinsdale in 2002 and am already celebrating my 20th anniversary!
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be and why?
I have always wanted to travel to Sicily to meet my ancestors on my father’s side. I also want to visit the towns in Italy from my ancestors on my mother’s side. I enjoy researching my family tree and learning about the lives of my ancestors who came before me.
Q: What is one of your favorite movies? TV shows?
Some of my favorite movies include Immortal Beloved, The Red Violin, Il Postino, and Life is Beautiful.
Q: What advice would you give to people?
My advice is to believe in yourself, work hard, be kind to others, and be happy and grateful for the life you have.
Q: What is something on your bucket list?
I hope to visit the birthplaces of my ancestors who immigrated from Italy.
Q: What is your go to band when you can’t decide what to listen to?
I like Elton John, Billy Joel, and most classic rock.
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?
I would love to have lunch with the comedian Sebastian Maniscalco. I think everything he says and does is so funny and true. I would definitely meet him at an Italian restaurant in the area!
Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique about our community?
I love the family owned businesses in our community such as Jade Dragon, Kramers Grocery store and Toni’s Bakery.
Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 to 10 years?
I hope to continue to run my private practice and serve our community’s families and children who are faced with learning and educational challenges. I also hope to be a grandmother.
Q: (Even for friends or family), what is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
Most people don’t know that I was accidentally locked in a 12th century monastery in Spain because I got separated from our tour group and they left without me!.
Q: What is the most beautiful place you have ever been?
Positano, Italy
Q: Favorite month? favorite holiday? and best single day on the calendar?
I love the month of December, and I absolutely love Christmas. I love the Christmas lights, the time together with family, the fun holiday festivities, and all the homemade holiday foods we make together.
Q: What would you rate a 10 out of 10?
Spending a summer day on the beach in Michigan with my family, followed by a big family dinner, going out for ice cream, and then watching the sunset over Lake Michigan.
Q: Who inspires you to be better?
I am continually inspired by my parents as they set the example and taught me the values that are most important in life.
Q: What is one or two of your favorite smells?
I love the smell of roses and home baked bread
Q: Finally, what 3 words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME?
Family, happiness, and love.
