Kathy Trauner Profile

I complained loudly about this assignment and I'm still nursing a hissy fit, but I guess it's silly to rail against the chance to remember how lucky you are.

I'm a native New Yorker (the Bronx, actually), and as a kid I remember wishing with all my heart for three things: a life in the mountains, a job in television, and 12 children. Two out of the three came true for me, and I'm willing to admit that the kid-count falling short might be a blessing in disguise.

I fell into my television dream by-no joke-annoying people in the 30 Rock lobby until someone hired me as an NBC page. That job was summer camp for grown-ups, but it led to years in TV news and documentaries, lots of corporate and non-profit video work, and a life-long love of journalism and story-telling.

I left TV after 28 years, then taught elementary school for five (rewarding but really hard, wow!) and now I have a new baby: Fly Away Home, my home décor and gift shop in Cottonwood Square. Who knew that shopping is what I was truly meant to do in this life! And, thanks to the Left Hand Valley Courier, I get to practice journalism and tell stories in a place that I truly love. All that, and only 9 kids short. Life is good!