Know Your Neighbors: Susan
 Van Sickle, 
Loan 
originator

Susan Van Sickle, 40, of Dixon, is a bank mortgage loan originator with Fifth Third Bank’s Dixon and Sterling branches.

She lives in Dixon with her children, Cassandra Van Sickle, 9, Oscar Van Sickle, 8, Alex Van Sickle, 5, and twins Maggie and Carley Van Sickle, 3. Susan is the daughter of Roger and Noni Hicks of Warren.

On-the-job lesson: Everyone has different needs and desires. It's important to listen to people carefully, so you can best help them and understand them.

Alma mater: I graduated in 1986 from Warren High School. I went to Rock Valley College, Rockford, for my general education requirements and took some classes at Kishwaukee College.

Philosophy: Everything happens for a reason, and when one door closes, another opens. Adapting to changes in life only makes you stronger.

Hearts: I love to go out for lunch with friends and my family. I enjoy photography and working on the computer. I love "CSI," "NCIS" and "Law and Order."

Haunts: I really only hang out at baseball fields watching my kids play. I enjoy meeting other parents and watching the kids learn the sport.

Heroes: My parents, of course. They have always been there for me and taught me a lot about getting through life in good times and bad times.

First job: Besides lawn mowing and baby-sitting, J and H True Value Hardware in Warren, when I was 14. It was interesting to meet people and I learned a lot about fixing things.

First car: A Chevrolet Citation. I was 18.

Read this: I've really only been reading children's books to my young kids. Their favorites are "Are You My Mother," by P.D. Eastman and "The Cat in the Hat," by Dr. Seuss.

People say I look like: My mom.

Phobias: Spiders and bees.

Guilty pleasure: Brownie sundaes.

I'd like to meet: Billy Joel.

In the dictionary next to: Persevering, because I seldom give up.

Trading places: I'd like to be any child, to get a chance to remember what it's like to be a child. I'd play all day.

Trading spaces: I'd like to visit Mexico. I've never been there and I've heard it's awesome.

Best thing about Dixon: I have made wonderful friendships with a lot of very nice people.

Shout out: Hi to my wonderful children.

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.