Hometown Person

Full name:  Jeanne Early Wentzell.
I have lived in:  Many places, including Austin, College Station, Temple, San Antonio, San Augustine and Lone Star in Texas; Biloxi Miss., Sembach AB Germany, Salt Lake City, Utah and Goldsboro NC.  However, I grew up near Avinger and that is where I live now.
Family:  I am married to Robert Wentzell Jr., and between us we have eight children and 12 grandchildren.               
Pets:  A half-size half yellow Labrador retriever named Cookie.
Occupation:  Retired RN.
One of the best things about my job is:  The best part of my job was listening to my patients.
My ideal vacation is:  A driving trip to places I am interested in, seeing the sights, stopping when it’s convenient, and eating out at restaurants or cafes typical of the area visited.
My hero is:  Florence Nightingale because she made a difference in the lives of people she tended and established the principles of nursing for the future of the world.
My favorite TV show is:  Perry Mason reruns.
My favorite healthy snack is:  Celery stuffed with pimento cheese or cream cheese.
A cause I most believe in is:  Basic human rights, especially that of personal choice.
If I could change one thing about East Texas, it would be:  The high temperature would be 95 or less.
The person who has influenced my life most is:  My father, Frank Donald Early, who was conscientious in taking care of his family, his job, his property and his community.  He did this consistently and without fanfare.
The scariest thing that ever happened to me was:  Something that happened a long time ago when my son, Bryan, was 6.  We were driving home to East Texas for my grandfather’s funeral.  It was late at night with almost no traffic on the interstate in Utah in the winter and my son was asleep.  Someone (a lone male) in another car drove up beside me, tried to force me off the road, and no matter how fast I drove, there was no help.  Coming into a city, I went from the fast lane across three lanes, slamming on the brakes and going off at that exit, eluding the other driver.  (This was before the days of cell phones).
If I had to do it all over again, I’d:  Go to law school when I graduated from college, regardless of the cost.
The most exciting or dangerous thing I’ve ever done was:  Flying in a helicopter from Germany to England and going eye-to-eye with the White Cliffs of Dover.
If I won a trip to anywhere, I would go to:  The southern half of Western Europe; I’ve been to the northern half.
I would have liked to participate in the historical event of:  The presidential inauguration of John F. Kennedy—that was when I was 12 years old.
Two words that describe me are:  Friendly and kind.
Included on my bucket list are:  A trip to Alaska—the only state I have not visited.
I wish I had the courage to:  Be able to do public speaking and remain calm.