Know Your Neighbors: Gretchen Geirnaeirt
, Teacher’s assistant/secretary

Gretchen Geirnaeirt, 32, of Milledgeville, is a prekindergarten teaching assistant and substitute secretary with Sterling Unit 5 school district. She is the daughter of Greg and Janice Geirnaeirt of Milledgeville, and has two brothers, Terry Geirnaeirt, 42, of Jacksonville, and Kyle Geirnaeirt, 35, of Washington, a sister, Amy Kumlein, 38, of Roscoe, five nieces and two nephews.

On-the-job lesson: You never know what they’re (kids) going to say.

Alma mater: I graduated in 1996 from Milledgeville High School, and in 1998 from Sauk Valley Community College with an associate degree in education.

Oughta be a law: People wouldn’t talk on cell phones while driving.

Hearts: Camping, “Seinfeld” and “Medium.”

Haunts: My friend, Brandi VanDyke’s house in Milledgeville.

Heroes: My parents. They’re somebody I can look up to.

First job: I worked at the Dairy Joint in Milledgeville, as a clerk, and I served food. I was 15. I liked the people.

First car: A Chrysler E-class. I was 18.

Read this: “Just Take My Heart,” by Mary Higgins Clark.

People say I look like: My aunt, Shelly Wilson.

Phobia: Spiders.

Guilty pleasure: Ice cream.

I’d like to meet: My great-grandparents on both sides of my family.

In the dictionary next to: Energetic.

Trading places: I’d like to be somebody rich.

Trading spaces: I’d like to visit Europe.

Best thing about Milledgeville: It’s a small town.

Shout out to: My family.

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.