Barbara Richmond is often the first person that tennis players entering the Centennial Park and Recreation Complex tennis club see when they walk through the doors. She was happy Oct. 28 to talk about her cats, her love of Halloween and her unbreakable faith in the Cubs.
Do you have any pets?
I have two cats, a male and a female. They’re married – I have pictures of them on the couch, hugging each other. The girl is Regan, and the boy is Leo.
What’s the best part of your job?
My customers! I’ve been here 30 years and I love them. When I’m not here, I wonder how they’re doing.
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The end of daylight saving time is coming up this weekend. What do you plan to do with your extra hour?
You know, I don’t pay attention to time. I’m one of those people that when I’m tired, I just lie down and go to sleep, so that hour has never been a big thing for me.
With that sensible attitude, maybe you can answer this question without tears: were you surprised, saddened or confused by the Cubs’ postseason collapse?
I was sad about that but I was proud of how far they got. And I have high hopes that next year they’ll be wicked good. When people say, “Maybe next year” about the Cubs, some people don’t believe. I think we’re going to do it next year!
Do you have any cause or charity that you’d like people to be aware of?
Animals; just animals. When I retire, I’m spending all my time helping animals. If I hit that billion-dollar lottery, I’m buying a 100-acre ranch and they’ll never have to stay in cages again.
With so much energy, we have to ask: coffee fan, tea drinker or soda lover?
Coffee … I take a shower in the morning and go downstairs and it’s got to be coffee time or nothing else happens.
Are you giving out treats for Halloween or dressing up yourself to hand out tricks?
I love Halloween. It’s my favorite holiday! My 64-year-old cousin and I are dressing up and going out. I collect feather masks, so I’ll probably dress up in something dark and use one of the masks.
So, are you afraid of any ghosts, ghouls or other monsters?
No. Dead or alive, no; male or female, no. Of course, if I saw one, I’d probably have a heart attack.
– Kathy Routliffe, Pioneer Press
Shout Out is a weekly feature in which we get to know and introduce our readers to their fellow community members and local visitors throughout suburban Chicago. Check out more online at ChicagoTribune.com/ShoutOut.