Chad and I attended both high school and college in Ohio, which is where we are originally from

He is the General Manager for SunBelt Furniture Xpress, and has been in the transportation industry for over 30 years. I am the CFM (Chief Financial Manager) for the Clark Family. I ensure we stay connected and organized when we are together.

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Chad and I met in high school in Canton, OH, as we worked at the same place. We stayed connected throughout our college years, even though we attended different colleges and got married in 1993. We moved about 7 times in our first 14 years of marriage, around the Midwest, while Chad moved up into different positions at the transportation company where he worked. In April, 1998, we had our first son, Connor. Then in January 2000, we had Noah, and finally in May 2002, our Logan came along. We also have our German Shepherd, Lucy, whom I wrote about last month.

When our children were grown and out of the house, Chad was offered a great opportunity at a company located in the south, so we decided to expand our horizons. Chad became the General Manager for SunBelt Xpress, requiring a move to Hickory in Sept. 2024 from Crown Point, IN, which is part of the Chicagoland area where we had lived for 18 years.

Our favorite vacation spots are anywhere with a beach and the ocean. We have a condo in West Palm Beach where our oldest son lives, so we go there often. Also, we love to visit our kids whenever we can, especially for fun occasions. We live to travel, in general, to explore places neither of us has ever been.

Locally, we enjoy date nights at new and interesting places and restaurants. Being new to the area, we always ask others where they like to go/what they like to do, then we make a list and try all the options out ourselves. We also enjoy date nights driving around in our 2006 yellow Corvette convertible. This area has many winding roads, unlike the flat land in Indiana.

Backstreets is a favorite along with Sandbar Marina Bar and Grill. For special occasions, we enjoy Cafe Rule. We haven't been here long enough to have favorite spots just yet, but we are exploring.

We have 3 boys. Connor is a commercial diver in West Palm Beach, FL, who loves being outdoors. He has a cat named Gypsy who acts more like a dog than a cat. Noah is a Quality Engineer for Kennametal and lives in Harrisonburg, VA, with his wife Megan. They are both Purdue University graduates and have been married 3-1/2 years. They recently bought a house and added a new puppy to the family named Mackey.

Logan is pursuing his PhD in Chemistry and Chemistry Education at Indiana University in Indianapolis. He is an ultra-marathon and trail runner in his spare time. He also loves to backpack and hike in the mountains.

Last year, Chad surprised me by building the Little Library so I could share my lifelong love of books with the community. It’s on the corner of 1st Street Dr NW and 43rd Avenue Dr NW.

I have always loved to read, ever since I was a little girl. I believe reading is like exercising your brain. It stretches your imagination, sparks ideas, builds vocabulary, and encourages thought. When my children were little, even as babies,  I would sit and read to them. It was time well spent, with my children cuddling next to me as we read together.

The Moore’s Ferry Little Library offers a variety of books for different ages and interests, with selections rotated every couple of weeks. I am also part of a book club, and I believe everyone should have their own library card and access to books.

In our busy reality, taking the time to sit down and read can help us refocus, relax, and rejuvenate. Plus, reading, or even reading to someone, is a free activity everyone can enjoy.

If you can’t make it to the public library, feel free to stop by the Moore’s Ferry Little Library. Take a book, leave a book, or simply discover something new, but most of all, Chad and I hope you’ll take the time to read.