I
started small. I created a blog (an online “diary” of sorts). Then I embarked
upon big dreams, and I became a contributing writer for a local magazine. But
perseverance is what has landeded me this coveted column in the News Tribune! A weekly columnist! I am
over-the-moon with excitement! Finally, my passion for writing has become
“real.”
As we
embark on this adventure together, allow me to briefly introduce myself to you.
You will quickly realize that my life truly is an“open book,” as I am often
guilty of “oversharing” my personal life...
I am a
dynamic figure, the wife of an incredibly “tolerant”husband and the mother of
three energetic boys! I am super strict about basic politeness: “please,”
“thank you,” “you are welcome,” and “excuse me” are not only required, they are
expected. I am sleep deprived, mostly because I stay up late watching recorded,
guilty pleasures such as “Young & the Restless,” “90210,” and “Real Housewives
of New Jersey.” I was born and raised in Jefferson City. I left Cole County
only for my freshman year of college and traveled a mere thirty minutes to the
small town of Fulton to attend William Woods. My parents will tell you, “We
paid for William Woods, but Betsy attended Westminster,” which is a good
explanation as to why I returned home after my freshman year and enrolled at
Lincoln University on my own dime (isn’t it amazing that when you pay for your
own education, “partying” becomes less important and making the deans list is
totally doable, all the while creating a fury within your parents who are
wondering why their hard-earned money was wasted on my personal appearance and
entertainment.)
My
roots in Jefferson City run deep. My family includes influential personalities
such as my great-grandfather, Colonel E.I. “Mike” Hockaday, who began his long
and successful career with the Missouri State Highway Patrol in 1937. In 1965
he was named superintendent of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, serving in
that position until January 1973.
The
Czarlinskys, my maternal grandparents, who owned and operated a clothing store
downtown here in Jefferson City that held a history of over 75 years. I have
years of memories created in the merchandise/fashion world from running the
cash register to hand making bows for Christmas packages.
My
grandfather, Lee C. Fine, whom I never had the privilege of meeting, as he
passed away in 1966, eight years before my birth. He served as the Director of
Missouri State Parks and has been honored by name at the Lee C. Fine Memorial
Airport in Kaiser, Missouri.
I have
tales to tell of birthday parties at the Governors Mansion, a guest of Billy
Teasdale, son of Governor “Walkin’ Joe Teasdale.” I have shared a meal with
Arnold Schwarzenegger, a claim made possible because my biological father was
president of the school board during the Schwarzenegger school fitness tour and
Arnold came to Jefferson City’s East elementary.
I plan
to contribute to the News Tribune a
unique voice -a smart, humorous, compassionate and practical column. I plan to
combine local insight and life experiences with research and personal
perspective. I’ll write about things that interest me and may throw in some
social commentary...sometimes an event begs to be laughed at, and I simply
can’t help myself! I hope that you will be my guest and attend the celebration
of the lives of those of us who are fortunate enough to live here in Jefferson
City. My goal is to make the ordinary seem extraordinary by the way the story
is told.
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