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15 Minutes

JOAN MOORE

Resides: Marshalltown

Hometown: Waterloo

FAMILY LIFE

Family: My husband Jim Moore is an attorney. We’ve been married 53 years. He’s my best friend, and I hope we get to spend many more years together. Our daughter Julie lives with her husband Jeff, son Alex, and daughter Jessie in Allentown, Pa. Our son John lives with his wife Barbara and son Justin in Clayton, N.J.

Pets: I love dogs, especially Shelties, but we no longer have a dog because we travel to see our kids and grandkids.

Hobbies and interests: I enjoy studying, mostly nutrition and technology books, articles, and websites. Staying physically active is an important part of good health, so on most days I include walking and other workout activities. I’m also working on re-learning the Russian language. I enjoy scrap-booking and card-making.

WORK

Occupation: I’m a retired teacher. I taught junior high in Des Moines three years, followed by 32 years at Marshalltown High School.

What that means: I taught math all 35 years, and two of those years I also taught Russian.

Best part of job: I loved helping my students discover math is something they were capable of learning. It was fun to see their confidence increase as their skills developed.

FAVORITES

Movies: “Die Hard” has been a long-time favorite. I like most action movies, especially those with a bit of humor added.

Foods: My lifestyle is plant-based whole foods – fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts, and seeds. The food is delicious, and I’m totally convinced this is the healthiest way to live.

Sports: I’m a big fan of college wrestling (Iowa State) and Olympic wrestling. I’ve been on the board of Cyclone Wrestling Club 18 years. Since our grandson Alex is a rugby player at Kutztown University, we’ve become rugby fans. I also like to wake-board when our family goes boating.

COMMUNITY

Best part of living here: Marshalltown is a community that has changed significantly during the 49 years we’ve lived here. I liked it when we arrived, and I like it now. The size, location, and people make Marshalltown a great place to live. Our neighborhood is friendly and caring.

Most influential people: When I was growing up, my parents encouraged me to follow my interests – math, science, and sports were for girls as well as for boys. Jim’s parents were my second set of parents. It was great to have four loving and supportive parents.

Local involvement: I like to help my community by serving as a member of Marshalltown Police Citizen Volunteers. Marshalltown is fortunate to have a dedicated and talented police department. I also participate in volunteer activities at First United Methodist Church.

Advice: Love your family, participate in your community, work hard, and choose to be happy!

15 Minutes

FELICIA PEREZ

Resides: Marshalltown

Hometown: I grew up in Le Grand and Marshalltown.

FAMILY LIFE

Family: My family means the world to me. My loving is husband Rodolfo Perez Jr. We have four children; Alejandro, 15, Emiliana, 12, Enrique, 8, and Xania, 3. We have a very tight knit family, and love to gather for birthdays, holidays, or simply to talk.

Hobbies and interests: My family heritage is important to me. I have been “hooked” discovering where my ancestors originated, who they were, and what they did. My German family made a genealogy book dating back to 1500. I also love to cook, read, go fishing, camping and just spending time with my husband and kids watching scary movies.

WORK

Occupation: I am currently a program director for REM Iowa. I graduated with a Bachelor of Applied Sciences degree in Human Service/Criminal Justice, and my ultimate goal is to be a probation officer. However, I love my career helping people with intellectual disabilities. This includes individuals with Down syndrome, autism, brain injuries, and behavior disorders.

What that means: My uncle, Rodney Ritter, motivated me to work with people with intellectual disabilities. He was born with Down syndrome, but one can only identify that by his appearance. He has taught me so much about being respectful to others, to love life everyday, even if it is what we perceive as a bad day, and always trying your hardest, even if one does not like what one is currently doing, but knowing that with practice it will become easier. Having time and patience to understand things he did in his life has made me believe we were born for a reason. He also taught me that yes, he is different in the eyes of society, but he is unique in my eyes. Unique that he didn’t view himself different. He was my uncle, a brother, a son … he made a room open up with laughter when he walked in with his silly jokes and simply appreciating everyone and everything. It is hard to teach a person to be “unique” but once they have that skill, the world is at their fingertips.

Best part of job: The best part is watching others live their life to the fullest, everyday. There are difficult days, as with any occupation. However when one works with individuals with intellectual disabilities, every day is rewarding, even when one is stressed. A simple hug or “thank you,” or the smile on their face lets me know that I am making a difference. That is all I want … to have an affect on one person … to change their life forever, for the better.

FAVORITES

Foods: I love food, who doesn’t? The best is homemade. Top favorites would be tamales, steak tacos, meatloaf, lasagna, pasole and grilled steak and potatoes.

Movies: I love watching scary movies every Friday night with my kids and husband, curled up on the couch with our popcorn and M&M’s. “Shawshank Redemption,” “Flowers in the Attic,” “Taken,” “Fifty Shades of Grey,” “Silence of the Lambs,” “The Conjuring,” “Monster, Inc.” and “Alvin and the Chipmunks” are favorites.

Sports: My favorite sport used to be volleyball, since I played it in high school. However, soccer has become my favorite to watch since my kids are involved. My son is currently on the high school junior varsity soccer team. I never miss a game and love how at a young age, these kids are able to work together, and lift each other’s spirit up. Win or lose, they are a team.

COMMUNITY

Best part of living here: Marshalltown has been supportive throughout my life. It is not too small and not too big. It is a community where we pull together to get things done.

Most influential persons: I am deeply indebted to my family, without them I would not have the support needed. This includes my grandmother, who taught me at a young age to cook everything from scratch. My high school history teacher, Mr. Peterson, who inspired me and David Sanchez, my mentor. To everyone who has shaped my life, I will always be deeply indebted.

Local involvement: I plan to help Special Olympics in the future.

15 Minutes

KYLE POSPISIL

Hometown: Creighton, Neb.

Reside: Le Grand

FAMILY LIFE

Family: My dad, Jerry, owns a bowling alley in Creighton, and my mom, Diane, works as a medical aid at a nursing home in Verdigre, Neb. Brittani, my 14-year old sister, is in the 8th grade. I have been dating Ellie Tielke, a Norfolk, Neb. native, for three years.

Pets: None currently, but while growing up in Creighton, we had cats and a pot bellied pig named Wilma.

Hobbies and interests: I love to bowl, golf, and play slow-pitch softball.

WORK

Occupation: Funeral director at Anderson Funeral Homes in Marshalltown, Conrad and Gladbrook.

What that means: I assist families in the planning of a meaningful service of remembrance for their loved ones. Additionally, I assist families and others with funeral service pre-arrangement.

Best part of job: Knowing that everyday I go to work, I am helping families through one of the most difficult times in their lives.

FAVORITES

Movies: “Shawshank Redemption”, directed by Frank Darabont, and “Forest Gump”, directed by Robert Zemeckis.

Foods: Nachos and pizza

Sports: Baseball and bowling

COMMUNITY

Best part of living here: Marshalltown is a quiet community and everyone I have met is extremely friendly.

Most influential people: My parents, and several high school teachers who molded me into the person I am today.

Local involvement: I recently donated blood. While I do not belong to any organizations yet, I have enjoyed the “Business After Hours” sponsored by the Marshalltown Area Chamber of Commerce, and look forward to becoming more involved.

Advice: Do not be afraid to take a chance, mistakes build the most character.

15 Minutes

DAVE GRAY

Resides: State Center

Hometown: Marshalltown

FAMILY LIFE

Family: Spouse is Jackie, with sons Skyler, 26, and Walker, 20.

Hobbies and interests: Music. I am active with two bands – The Marshall County Hangmen and The Electric Hillbillies. The Hillbillies are the Hangmen minus a bass player. The Hangmen has just released “Southbound Road” our second CD. Individually, I make 20-25 appearances per month at Central Iowa nursing homes, where I play country western and music from the 50s and 60s. Another interest is playing at church services, where I play old time gospel songs, like ” Do Lord,” “Will the Circle be Unbroken” and “I’ll Fly Away.” Writing is a second hobby – a way to “purge.” If there is a subject matter I want to approach, sometimes a melody comes out. But if I am just typing … some pretty interesting things are written. Someone challenged me to write a song about potatoes – and I wrote a song about them. Once, a guy gave me the phrase “Texas Tommy,” so I included it in a song on the Hangmen’s first CD, “On the Way to Heaven or Hell.” I always wanted to use that phrase in a song. The same guy gave me “last pale sunset,” so I used it another recording. I revel in challenges – it is how I grow as a writer. Cooking, especially barbecuing, is another passion.

WORK

Occupation: Shop floor inspector at Emerson Process Management/Fisher Controls in Marshalltown. I check parts to make sure they are within tolerances.

Tenure: 14 years.

Best part of work or occupation: In music, the look on the faces of nursing home residents when the show is over … and when they shake your hand and say “thank you for coming out.” They could have stayed in their rooms and watched television, or spent time working on a puzzle. Sometimes I am the only “visitor” they have seen consistently. I try to be their friend. When I leave, I want them to have a smile on their face, joy in their heart, and look forward to me coming again. At Emerson, I like that I am not stuck in one spot. I have the opportunity to go to different machines and inspect. I am especially careful about inspecting parts used in nuclear power plants. When inspecting those, I pretend my family lives by the facility where the part will be used, so, I do not want my family to suffer the consequences of a nuclear facility accident caused by a failing valve I inspected. I want people to understand I care.

FAVORITES

Books: Autobiographies and biographies, especially by musicians Jerry Lee Lewis, George Jones, Buck Owens, Willie Nelson, Keith Richards, Peter Townsend and Neil Young. I read much more since I started writing, it is inspirational. It is fuel for the fire, so to speak.

Foods: I love barbecue, Mexican and southern-style food. While living In Alabama, I gained 15 pounds from eating a lot of barbecue. I especially like collard greens and grits. However, my mother’s pork chops and pork chop gravy is my favorite meal. When I go to my mom’s place, I constantly overeat. I am not afraid to try new foods.

Movies: I like comic book-based movies, with a lot of action, featuring subjects from D.C. or Marvel publications. I like humorous films or scenes. I like to laugh and I like to make others laugh. A personal goal is to make someone laugh heartily everyday.

COMMUNITY

Most influential person: Personally, it is the most inspirational writer – Ray Wylie Hubbard – author of “Up Against the Wall You Redneck Mothers,” made popular by Jerry Jeff Walker. I like Hubbard’s style – dirty, “rootsy” and grungy.

Local involvement: Playing at churches. If God give me the gift or talent of music, it is not meant for me to sit at home and play in front of a computer.

Starting at $4.38/week.

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