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Paula Pepper Salky

Age: 43

Occupation: Sales, Judith Ripka Jewelry

Place of birth: Memphis, Tenn.

Q. When did you move to Routt County and what brought you here?

A. July 2005. My cousin, Ronnie (Queenie) Iken, moved here and we visited. Need I say more?

Q. What's the biggest risk you've taken recently?

A. Giving it all up to move here.

Q. Has a book ever changed your life? What was it and why?

A. One of the "Sweet Potato Queens" books. This book captures the essence of Southern women and the hilarious antics that come along with our lives as women, mother, daughter, girlfriend and wife. I learned not to take things too seriously and live life to its fullest.

Q. What's the best piece of advice you've ever been given?

A. Be particular.

Q. What three things would you want people to know about you?

A. I have an interesting family background. I'm a G.R.I.T.S. (girl raised in the South) by a Mexican/Russian/Jewish mother raised in Mexico City and a father of Russian/Jewish descent born and raised in Orono, Maine. My family is very important to me - I have two beautiful daughters and an amazing husband. I have a background in musical theatre and love to sing and dance.

Q. What did you want to be when you grew up?

A. A cowgirl. Unfortunately, the way I said it - it sounded like call girl.

Q. If you could invite any four people to dinner, who would they be and what would you talk about?

A. My best girlfriends from Memphis, Mary and Susan. They are the funniest women in the world, and I would need my inhaler and a box of Kleenex because I would laugh all night long. My husband - he'll make his famous steak. And Bono from U2, because I love him!

Q. Do you collect anything?

A. Memories

Q. In the Meatloaf song, "I would do anything for love, but I won't do that," what is that?

A. Take no for an answer.

Q. What was your first job?

A. Going to work with my father. He had a furniture store in the worst part of Memphis. It was very colorful and interesting. I learned a lot about sales, people and doing nice things for others.

Q. Do you have any phobias?

A. Tornadoes and armored trucks.

Q. Who is your favorite superhero? Why?

A. I fell in love with Christoper Reeve's Superman, but identify with Wonder Woman. She's a tough woman under a soft, sweet façade.

Q. Do you have a tattoo? If so, what of and why did you choose it?

A. No. Although I have thought of getting a little chili pepper. My maiden name is Pepper.

Q. If you could go back in time, to what event or time period would you go?

A. I love the Hollywood and Broadway musicals. I would love to have danced with Fred Astaire and Gene Kelly, and carried the performing lead during that time on Broadway and the big screen.

Q. What is your favorite thing to do in Routt County?

A. Sit on my back deck with friends and take it all in. The scenery is absolutely beautiful. I love to watch the Alpen Glow on the mountain and the beautiful sunsets.

Favorites

Book: "Sweet Potato Queens Guide to Life and Love" by Jill Conner Browne

Song: "Let's Stay Together" by Al Green and anything from the heart and soul of Memphis music.

Color: The golden color of the Aspen trees and the royal blue sky in the fall.

Food: Mexican and Italian food

Sport to watch: Football, Roll Tide!

Vacation spot: Isla Mujeres, Mexico and the Redneck Riviera, Alabama and Florida Gulf Coast.

Recreational activity: walking around Steamboat.

Movie: "The Shawshank Redemption" or "It's a Wonderful Life"

Magazine: Vanity Fair and Sunset, the Rocky Mountain edition

Do you know someone interesting who you would like to see profiled? Call Brent Boyer at 871-4233 or e-mail him at bboyer@steamboatpilot.com