First Person (Pat Hodge)

Town: Princeton.

Family: Mother, Betty; brothers, Mike and Tom; sisters, Cheryl and Kami.

Occupation: Cross country and track coach at Princeton High School; amateur genealogist.

What was your first job: Paper boy.

What is your favorite movie: "A New Leaf" with Walter Matthau and Elaine May. A very witty comedy from 1971 written and directed by Elaine May. Walter Matthau in a more sophisticated role than usual.

What is your favorite book: "Watership Down" by Richard Adams. From 1972, it's a story of a warren of rabbits driven from their home by a construction project and their quest for a new home.

If you met a genie who granted you one wish, what would you wish for: If the genie wouldn't grant me the wish to give me as many wishes as I wanted, I'd wish that all people would learn to treat others as they wish to be treated.

What's the hardest thing you've ever done: Physically — making it all the way around Lake Geneva in Wisconsin when I wasn't in shape. My feet were killing me so much I almost pressed charges against them. Emotionally — making it through my freshman year in college. It was tough. A lot of things didn't go right, but I survived, and the rest of my college years were much better.

Where do you most want to travel, but have never been: England. About half of my ancestors came from there, and I've been a big fan of the Beatles since the age of 5, when I'd dance on my bed listening to "I Want to Hold Your Hand" instead of taking my afternoon nap.

What is one thing you're truly passionate about: Reading books of all kinds — fiction, history, biography, theology, etc. History, genealogy and coaching are right up there too, as passions.

What is your favorite area restaurant, and what do you like to order there: No particular favorite restaurant. Chicken quesadillas and tortellinis are among my favorite foods.

What is something you like about your hometown: That it's a part of my family history. My mom's side of the family has been in and around Princeton and Bureau County since the late 1840s. It was a great place to grow up with interesting places and memorable people. And our desire to preserve our history is something I like, too.

Is there anything you would change about your hometown: Just to see both business districts thriving again. We have a lot we can offer.