Face time with Beverly Szymanski

Hinckley resident Beverly Szymanski, 68, was helping out at the Calvary Episcopal Church plant sale in Batavia when she answered nine questions for the Kane County Chronicle’s Brenda Schory.

Where did you grow up? I used to live in Batavia, but I grew up in Akron, Ohio.

Pets? A shih tzu named Sugar. And she's not spoiled.

Who would play you in the movie of your life? Susan Sarandon.

First job? Baby-sitting.

As a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up? I wanted to be a nurse, and that is what I became.

A book you'd recommend? "The Help" by Kathryn Stockett, and the movie.

Favorite charity? DeKalb County Hospice.

Favorite local restaurant? Panera Bread in Batavia.

What is an interesting factoid about yourself? I saved my sister's life with the Heimlich maneuver when she was choking on a piece of steak. We were at a steak barbecue a few years ago in Ohio. My sister had just had open heart surgery, and I was afraid to do it too vigorously, but I did not have a choice. She was choking, and she walked away and I went over by her and I just did it.