I am a transplanted Southerner from Georgia and have lived in Westminster for 26 years. I’m very fortunate to have solid relationships and friendships that enrich my life. I love art, music, food, and new experiences.
Q: Please tell us a little bit about your family. Include your pets too!
I have two adult children; Amber is a librarian with the Enoch Pratt system in Baltimore and Grant works at Carroll Lutheran Village. He and his lovely fiancée live in Westminster too. My partner Damian practices law here in town, and we enjoy life together.
Q: Please tell us about your current, past, or future career. What do you love most about what you do?
I’m the development officer at Target Community & Educational Services, Inc., a nonprofit serving people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. My role includes fundraising, event planning, grant writing, and communication, among other things. I feel fortunate to work at a place I love with awesome people who put others first every day. My training and education are in hospitality management and event planning. I got started in hotels and catering sales and really enjoy sinking my teeth into planning an event with a lot of moving parts. One of my favorite things is attending community events and appreciating all the work that goes into them.
Q: What is one of your favorite quotes or lines in a song and why does it resonate with you?
“Keep calm and carry on” is a mantra I’ve held onto my whole adult life, and it has served me well. I love the Brits with their dignity, grit, and sense of humor. Calm people have a very intense emotional life; they have just learned to manage it. Keeping things in perspective and thinking about how it could always be worse got me through some tough chapters of my life.
Q: What advice would you give to people?
Take a deep breath. Remember that we are all here for a short time, so just live your life as authentically and peacefully as you can.
Q: What are a couple of your favorite places or events in our community?
I love walking the Wakefield Valley Trail, watching the Fourth of July fireworks at the Carroll County Farm Museum, and enjoying meals at our fantastic independently owned local restaurants.
Q: What advice would you give to people living in Westminster or looking to move to Westminster?
Westminster is perfectly located. We have a beautiful country setting with proximity to Baltimore, DC, Philadelphia, and New York. I grew up in small towns and couldn’t get out fast enough, and here I am full circle. Everything is easy here.
Q: What 3 words come to mind when you think of Westminster?
Westie’s the bestie. This is a phrase I coined and submitted to our wonderful mayor for consideration as our town slogan.
Q: What are some of your favorite hobbies or pastimes?
I am really into yoga. It’s the centerpiece of my spiritual and physical health. I love to read and take full advantage of our award-winning library and Exploration Commons. I like to cook and bake. I enjoy live music and have seen a lot of my favorite artists in concert. I’m on the board of the Carroll County Arts Council and encourage everyone to check out all we have to offer. I was forty when I went abroad for the first time and have now been to 11 countries and 39 U.S. states. Next week, I’m finally going to Iceland and hope to see the Northern Lights!
Q: What would you rate a 10 out of 10?
The honey and lavender old-fashioned at Covalent Spirits, the sweet potato biscuits at JeannieBird Baking Company, and anything at Lost Lion.
Q: What is one of your proudest accomplishments?
Being a good parent. I really don’t want to mess that up.
Q: What is one thing on your bucket list?
I always wanted to be in a musical. Maybe it’s not too late.
Q: What would you buy/do if you won the lottery?
I would buy homes for my two children. It’s a pretty big lift in these times for millennials and Gen Z.
Q: What is something even your family and friends may not know about you?
If you don’t text me back, I think you’re dead and start pacing. So please don’t “ghost” me!
Q: What has been a challenge you have had to overcome? (life, school, work, family, health, etc)
Seeing my children navigate the loss of their dad was, and is, heartbreaking. Being their only parent means I really want to keep it together and stay here as long as possible.
Q: Who has been a hero in your life?
I have great parents. They gave me wings and are always proud of me.
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 in Westminster would you meet for this lunch?
Definitely Ina Garten, the Barefoot Contessa. She is one of my idols, and I love her voice as much as her cooking. It’s very soothing. We would have lunch on the patio at Paradiso.
Q: How can our readers and I know if someone we come in contact with is a good connection for you or a good person for you to meet? Please include your website link if you have one!
Check out my wonderful employer: targetcommunity.org
Q: Who is an interesting person in our community that you’ve met and deserves to be included in The Faces of Westminster MD project?
Coleen Kramer-Beal of Velnoskey Wealth Management.
