What do you do for the Visitors Center?

In addition to greeting and helping visitors or giving tours of the Reddick Mansion, I help staff a table at the Saturday morning Farmers' Market from May to October. I provide brochures and answer questions from visitors and local residents. Being there also gives me great access to the freshest fruits and vegetables and best baked goods in the area!

What brought you to Ottawa originally?

My husband and I moved to Ottawa in 1998 from the Minneapolis-St. Paul suburbs. Originally, we moved here because of a good job offer and to be closer to family. Now, we run our own business from our home.

What is your favorite thing about Ottawa?

I love being able to chat with the Mayor at the Farmers' Market on Saturday mornings, or visiting with my dentist as we walk out of church together on Sunday morning, or talking with the owner of the local bookstore while special-ordering a book for a gift. Ottawa has all the rewards and benefits of a small town with the advantages of Chicago just 1.5 hours away!

What famous Ottawa person would you like to meet?

Ottawa is the home of the first policewoman in the state of Illinois and the second in the country -- Viola Miller. If I could meet her, I would ask what she had to do to become a police officer in the early 1900s. I would like to know the details about her responsibilities on the police force and the challenges she faced both as a woman and as a police officer. I would also like to know how her career affected her personal life.

What do you enjoy most about working at the OVC?

Ottawa is a town full of activity, history, and beauty and I love being able to share this with others. We have a unique mural tour, a lovely riverwalk, a fascinating and diverse history, and great locally-owned shops and restaurants. I think of Ottawa as a hidden jewel and I enjoy being able to show our many facets to both visitors and locals.