Betsy Maxson, 46, volunteers at Happy Tails Animal Shelter, Sterling. She lives in Rock Falls with her husband, Bruce Maxson, 47, and their daughter, Audrey Maxson, 14. Betsy has two sisters, Ginny Brainerd, 56, of Sterling, and Christy Bittorf, 50, of Tucson, Ariz., a brother, Joe Bittorf, 52, of DeKalb, and one niece, five nephews, and one great-nephew.
Alma mater: I graduated in 1981 from Sterling High School.
Philosophy: The Golden Rule.
Oughta be a law: There'd be stronger animal spaying and neutering laws.
Hearts: Boating, going to movies, watching "The Amazing Race," "The Today Show" and "NBC Nightly News."
Darts: Traffic.
Haunts: Happy Tails and The Depot in Sterling.
Hero: Rosa Parks, for her work in civil rights.
First job: I taught swim lessons at the Duis Center during the summer. I was 15. I loved it.
First car: A Chrysler LeBaron. I was 22.
People say I look like: My dad's side of the family.
Phobias: Snakes.
Guilty pleasure: Watching "The Today Show" with a cup of coffee.
I'd like to meet: My great-grandfather, L.A. Bittorf [one of the founders of National Manufacturing.]
In the dictionary next to: Happy-go-lucky. I try to have a positive attitude.
Trading places: I'd like to be my daughter, Audrey. I wish I would've studied harder as a kid.
Trading spaces: I'd like to visit Ireland. It's beautiful.
Best thing about Rock Falls: Arthur's Garden Deli and Angelo's.
Shout out to: The Sterling High School Class of 1981 and my sister Ginny.
Do you know someone who ought to be featured in Know Your Neighbors? Write to Phil Hartman at phartman@svnmail.com or call 800-798-4085, ext. 524.
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