Two jobs, Mrs. Deegan and hiking

Photo: Sharon Bouchard

Cheryl Barker

OXFORD – With two jobs keeping her busy Cheryl Barker has little time for anything else, but when vacations come about you’ll find her hiking the back trails of Northern Maine.

All work and little time to play does not make Barker a dull woman. Both of her jobs allow her a lot of interaction with customers and she enjoys the contact and the conversations. She recently took some time out of her hectic pace to share a little about herself.

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

A: I was born in Sanford, Maine in September of 1971. We moved to Norway when I was an infant. We moved to Oxford after my younger sister was born and I have lived basically in Oxford most of my life.

Q: Do you have many siblings?

A: I have two sisters, one two years older and the other is five years younger than me.

Q: What did your parents do?

A: For many years my parents worked at Robinson’s Woolen Mill until they closed the doors. Now my dad works at Maine Wood Treaters and my mom works at the Bridgton hospital.

Q: What was it like growing up?

A: Growing up was pretty good. I had a lot of fun with all the neighborhood kids.

Q: Where did you go to school?

A: I went to school in the Oxford Hills District. By the time I graduated in June, 1989, I already had a nine-month-old son. I then went to a two-year college. I had another son while attending college. In May, 1991, I graduated with an Associates’ Degree in Accounting.

Q: Did you get into mischief or play pranks?

A: I didn’t play pranks on people when I was growing up. I was a quiet, shy kid.

Q: What have you had for jobs?

A: I had a lot of babysitting jobs as a teenager. My first real job was when I was 16 as a cashier at Ames Department Store. I have worked in a few convenience stores and at Robinson’s Woolen Mill. For the past 13 years I have worked at the Norway Laundry as the Office Manager and at the Oxford Wal-Mart for the last six years as a Customer Service Manager.

Q: Anyone ever said you look like someone famous?

A: No one has ever said that I do.

Q: Did you do much traveling?

A: When I was a kid we traveled around Maine and Canada camping. With school we went to Washington, D.C. once for a school trip. My sons and their families and I like to go north to Baxter State Park to camp and hike and go white water rafting.

Q: Which place was the most fascinating and why?

A: It would be hard to pick just one place but here goes, it would be going to Baxter State Park hiking. It doesn’t matter what trail we pick, it’s usually a rough one, but we all have a blast out in nature with the wonderful views around us.

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

A: I would have to say my teacher, Mrs. Deegan back in fourth grade. Up till then I didn’t like to read, she taught me how to read so that I got it. Now, whenever I have a few minutes to relax I have a book in my hands reading.

Q: Do you collect anything or have a hobby?

A: I collect candles. And my hobby toward the holidays is to make homemade chocolate candies. I make mints, cherries, peanut butter cups, caramels and needhams.

Q: Organizations?

A: I don’t have time to join any.

Q: What is the last book you read?

A: I like to read Harlequin Romance books, so it would be one of those.

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

A: I would say my Pepsi. I don’t drink coffee so that’s my caffeine.

Q: What are your children’s names and how old are they?

A: My oldest, Brenden is going on 24 and my youngest, Charles is 22.

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

A: Thinking back on the trips we have taken as a family brings back very fond memories.

Photo:

Cheryl Baker age 7