Tom

Full Name: Thomas Joseph Nolan

Birthplace: Decatur, IL

Immediate Family: Two Bearded Collies: Lindy & Lexi 12 yrs old

Occupation: Broker Associate: Real Estate Nolan & Associates

When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up? Catholic Priest and Opera Singer.

Best way to spend a weekend night in Decatur: Entertain Guests at my home.

How has your life been different than what you had imagined? It’s always delightful: many fun challenges.

What are you proudest of in your life? The ability to make a difference in the lives of people around me.

How would you like to be remembered? Kind to others.

Best piece of advice anyone has ever given you: Smile and the world smiles with you.

Most important lesson learned: Be compassionate toward others: you never know what obstacles they face.

What movie do you never get tired of watching? BrokeBack Mountain

Favorite book of all time: Death of a Salesman

Favorite local restaurant: Bizou

Someone who is making a difference in Decatur: Pat Woertz. She really cares about Decatur and the people in it.

Valerie

Full Name: Valerie Wallace-Camp

Birthplace: Decatur, Illinois (DMH 1976)

Immediate Family: Husband-Neil Camp, Son-Noah Camp, Daughter-Maia Camp

Occupation: Professional Photographer/Graphic Designer ~ VWC Photography

When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up? An artist.

Best way to spend a weekend night in Decatur:
Dinner @ my favorite restaurant, Robbies, followed by martinis at Katz and then a gyro at The Lincoln Lounge (but all of that is if/when I am without children and that’s a rarity!)

How has your life been different than what you had imagined?
I never in a million years thought I would suddenly be saying to myself “I can do this and do it better!” and then 6 years later, be succeeding. I never ever saw myself as a photography business-owner and I especially never thought I could thrive at it. But I realized that success is where your passion and heart lie. My passion explodes when I hold a camera. I’ve been incredibly blessed.

What are you proudest of in your life? After losing 3 babies, I definitely know my proudest moment was when I first met both my children, especially Noah, my first born. We had given up on the thought of being biological parents so having Noah in our life was a true miracle. Going through what we did most definitely made us better people and parents. Since then we’ve realized that nothing is to be taken for granted. Ever. It was a wake-up call and has helped us become better people and has helped me become better at what I do.

How would you like to be remembered? As a selfless loving and caring person first. And as a creative photographer with a lot of passion second.

Most important lesson learned: Always back up your hard drive! (Because of a bad experience, I now have 3 back-up external hard drives!)

What movie do you never get tired of watching? Napoleon Dynamite or The Sound of Music (both extremely cheesy, I know, but well, it’s the truth.)

Favorite book of all time: The Bible

Favorite local restaurant: Robbies by a landslide!

Someone who is making a difference in Decatur: Heather Thompson -- who is a zookeeper at the Scovill Zoo and is currently the highest zookeeper on the totem pole with the most years behind her at the zoo. She’s had opportunities to leave and join other bigger zoos but she keeps on working hard here in Decatur. Her heart is definitely with her animals @ Scovill. I don’t think most people realize just how hard zookeepers work. They risk their lives every single day. It’s not always fun and games. One of her “areas” are the cheetahs, among many many others.

Any other information you would like to share:
website: www.vwcphotography.com,
blog: www.vwcphotography.typepad.com

Cerella

Full Name: Cerella Marie Di Mondo

Birthplace: Decatur, IL

Immediate Family: Married almost 4 years to John P. Di Mondo.
1 cat-Cecil & 1 dog-Russell.

Occupation: Homemaker

When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up? Well, my mom, grandma & great grandma were all nurses. Knowing how compassionate they all were, I always felt that I lacked that and never wanted to be a nurse. I did however ask my parents "If I worked at Dairy Queen would I get free ice cream?" They responded "Probably." and THAT was the moment that I realized what I wanted to do when I grew up. By the way, that dream never came true.

Best way to spend a weekend night in Decatur: Going to watch a movie at The Avon and afterwards picking up a lemon ice cream cone at Krekel's to take to Nelson Park/Lake Decatur.

How has your life been different than what you had imagined? I'm definitely more blessed than I ever imagined I would be.

What are you proudest of in your life? My entire family. They are all the absolute coolest people I know.

How would you like to be remembered? As someone who was always fair, honest, kind and put others at ease.

Best piece of advice anyone has ever given you: From my dad- "Lead, follow, or get out of the way!"

Most important lesson learned: Nothing feels better than forgiveness.

What movie do you never get tired of watching? Office Space

Favorite book of all time: Veronika Decides to Die by Paulo Coelho

Favorite local restaurant: La Gondola

Someone who is making a difference in Decatur: Sarah Butts (Owner of Bellasera) is always an avid supporter of local small businesses and just about anything else here in Decatur. Go Sarah!