Since I was a kid, the local community has been very important to me. I grew up and still live in Henry’s Bend, where my father owned a small business (Holt’s Refrigeration and AC) and I started working in the community at age 15.

I was a Salad Bar Girl at Colonial Restaurant and a Deli Clerk at the Super-Duper grocery store in Tionesta, and even had my own lawn care business and cleaned cottages at the age of 14.  I started working at Community Ambulance in 1992 and have been at CASA of Venango County since 2005.

When I hear people say, “You can’t be successful in Venango County,” I get very frustrated because I believe success is what you want it to be.

I also believe in being a part of your community. You don’t have to volunteer for everything, but you should volunteer some of your time. That is how I got involved with the Bluegrass Festival. Eleven years ago, I volunteered to handle the basket raffle, and now I am the chair. What a difference 11 years can make! My kids and husband volunteer with the festival, too. My time within the community is also dedicated to the Forest Area School District, where I recently became a member of the board of directors. Being a part of where you live is so important and can make you successful. Again, success is what you want it to be.

One of my favorite parts of living here is spending time at home by the beautiful Allegheny River. I believe Henry’s Bend is the perfect place to live. I spend time taking walks, visiting with neighbors, or relaxing on my porch with a good book.

My husband and I also love to go antique shopping. We like to go a couple times a month and find all kinds of hidden treasures. My husband also loves to fish, so Two Mile Run is the perfect place for us. He fishes, and I read or take pictures of the beautiful scenery. In addition to Two Mile Run, we also love exploring Panthers Caves and all of the bike trails in our area.

Not only is Venango County a great place for going on adventures and finding fun things to do, it’s also a strong, tightly knit community that comes through when you need it the most. I am a 27-year cancer survivor. I had all of my treatments here locally with the late Dr. Kirtland, and I wouldn’t change a thing.

I have lived in Venango County for more than 40 years years and I have a very full life here. The cost of living is low, it is a safe community, and we have a lot of music, art, and many other exciting things to experience. I married my wonderful husband at Second Presbyterian Church and raised two great kids, I beat cancer, I and I have a great career. Venango County is my home and I wouldn’t have it any other way.