1. Tell us a little about yourself...

I've lived in California since 1980, during that time I worked for Sutro & Co. for 26 years. I have 2 sons now in their 20s both of whom were raised going to games conventions. I'm a big believer in volunteer service. I've been active in Boy Scouts of America and currently am a district chairman in Mt. Diablo Silverado Council. I serve on the Friends of the American Canyon Library where I read to the kids every Wednesday 2:00 to 4:00. I am a member of the the Bay Area Storytellers and have told stories at the Harmony Festival, libraries and local schools.

2. What do you do at KublaCon?

I work in the Youth Gaming area.

3. How did you get involved with KublaCon and how long have you been here?

I attended game cons with my family for years but was not a player. I hung around the hotel managing the kids. In 1999 I was diagnosed with cancer. After the surgery I got sick and was not allowed to do anything or lift anything "heavier than a pencil". I got VERY crabby. My husband and kids finally convinced me to play Settlers of Catan. I became addicted to the game. We played so much that now the only time they will play Catan is on my birthday or Mother's Day.

In  2008 I came to KublaCon with my husband and grandson. My husband was running the Collectable Card Games so I was dropping my grandson off in the Youth Gaming room. The GM for the game he was signed up for was running late. I held an impromptu story telling. I guess Becky liked it as she asked if I would be part of the Youth Gaming crew. I said yes, so here I am.

4. What motivates you and what rewards to you get out of being involved with KublaCon?

The kids, the kids, the kids,  oh did I mention the kids? Young people get so much from the gaming experience.

5. What is your earliest gaming or game convention memory?

I grew up playing games. I have 5 siblings and we spent hours playing Monopoly, Life and my favorite Bop the Beetle.

6. What is your favorite gaming or game convention memory?

Wow tough question, I think it was when my son was 9 or so. Carl Brodt ran a game where he and his dad could play together. They played Tawg and Dawg, Dwarf brothers. My son was so excited. He and his dad had a great time. I think that was when I really started seeing how positive the gaming experience was for young people. Today the actual "face time" a parent spends with their child over the age of 11 averages 19 min. per day. Out of that time only 6 of those minutes is positive. Gaming can really make a difference.

7. What is your least favorite gaming or game convention memory?

We were at Manafest. We had booked early but arrived late and ended up  at the "alternate hotel" site from the actual convention. Since I was not gaming and still herding kids at the time it was really hard for me in fact I'd say I had less than no fun. I think I quit going for quite some time after that.

8. Give us a top 3 list of your favorite games and tell us your least favorite game.

Settlers of Catan – Cities and Knights; Settlers of Catan; Ticket To Ride
Chess, I stopped playing in 1979 when a guy threw the board at me after I beat him. Haven't played since.

9. Where do you currently play games and what do you play when you are there?

We have a games night at my house and I now go to lots of the cons. I play board games. Ticket to Ride being a current favorite. At he Cons I lay out a game and folks come and play. I've met some great people that way.

10. If you could tell all of the KublaCon attendees something, what would it be?

Open your mind, try something new, make a slew of new friends and have a great time.