Grange, granddaughter and gardening

Photo: Sharon Bouchard

Sheri Coore

Photo:

Sheri Coore at 4

NORWAY- When not behind the cash register at Circle K, Sheri Coore of Norway likes to spend her time with her children and granddaughter Bella. When time and weather allows, you’ll find Coore in her small vegetable garden pulling weeds and enjoying the great outdoors.

Q: Where were you born and where were you brought up?

A: I was born in Norway at Stephens Memorial Hospital and brought up in Harrison.

Q: Do you have many siblings?

A: I have two sisters and one brother.

Q: What did your parents do?

A: Both my mother, Joyce Batcheler and father, Junior Batcheler worked in the shoe factories. My mother had to retire due to medical reasons, but my father continued to work in the shoe industry.

Q: What was it like growing up?

A: It was a lot of fun. My aunt and uncle and cousins lived next door so there were always plenty of kids around. My father and uncle would load as many as eight of us in the car and take us swimming during the summer. We did a lot of family things. I think that’s why family is so important to me.

Q: Where did you go to school?

A: Right here at Oxford Hills Comprehensive High School, only it was just Oxford Hills High School back then.

Q: Did you get into mischief or play pranks?

A: Not really. All of us kids knew better.

Q: What have you done for jobs?

A: I’ve been a waitress, a cashier, a stock person, a pharmacy tech and back to being a cashier.

Q: What did you do for work when you got married?

A: That was during my waitress period and I worked at Shaner’s, but I think it was still Goodwin’s then.

Q: When and how did you meet your spouse?

A: Tom and I worked together at Shaner’s (Goodwin’s) and that was how we met, fell in love and got married.

Q: Has anyone ever said you look like someone famous?

A: No.

Q: Do you do much traveling?

A: No. My husband and I took the kids to Florida once, but that’s about the extent of my travel experience.

Q: What was the most fascinating and why?

A: That would be Florida where we went to Universal Studios, the Wild Kingdom and Busch Gardens. Because it was so exciting for the kids and so different from Maine, it was a great time for all of us.

Q: Did anyone influence you to the point of changing your direction in life?

A: Not really. My parents were great role models and taught all of us kids strong work ethics. My mother died when I was 16, but she was a strong influence on me.

Q: Do you collect anything or have a hobby?

A: I guess you could say my garden is my hobby. I even like to weed.

Q: Organizations?

A: I was in Grange when I was a kid, but now I don’t have time to be in anything.

Q: What was the last book you read?

A: I don’t remember the title, but it was by Danielle Steele.

Q: What subject do you wish you knew more about?

A: Computers!

Q: Do you have any children?

A: Yes, I have 3; Tyanna, 29, Lacey, 22 and TJ, 20, and fortunately they all live fairly close so I get to see them a lot.

Q: What is the one thing you could not give up?

A: I couldn’t be without my kids or my 2-year-old granddaughter. They are everything to me.

Q; What is the one thing you would happily do over again?

A: Get married and have kids.

Q: What is the best memory this interview brought back?

A: Thoughts of having my Mom around. She died when I was 16, so thinking back to when she was alive brings back great memories. Remembering the swimming trips too, which I haven’t thought about in years.

Q: Last day on earth, what would you do and with who?

A: I would just want a happy day with all my family with me.

Q: If one person could walk in right now, who do you wish to see?

A: That would be my Mom. I really miss her and I would love to be able to show her pictures of my kids and Bella.

Q: Any regrets?

A: I wish I had gone to college.

Q: What scares you the most?

A: Dying and not being able to see my kids.

Q: Any hidden talents?

A: Not really hidden. I’m a good cook and my family loves my cooking.

Q: Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

A: Right here where I am now, but hopefully with more grandchildren.