Wilmette resident Leslie Manzara was out walking her 6-year-old German Shepherd, Axel, in Gillson Park on Sept. 20 when she stopped to talk about dream vacation locations, where to dine in Wilmette, and more.
Q: Tell us a little bit about Axel.
A: We’ve had him since he was nine weeks old. He’s a confident dog. He’s calm and a bit aloof; he’s not like a Lab, who’s automatically friendly to everyone.
Q: If you couldn’t live in the Chicago area, where would you like to live?
A: I’ve lived here in Wilmette about 27 years. I don’t know … If I were to choose someplace else at this stage of my life, I’d like someplace a little more temperate in climate. I like the changing seasons, but when it gets extreme, I’m not fond of it. I’d also like a place where there’s a lot of space where I could train my dog.
Q: What would be your dream vacation location?
A: I’d have to say the Mediterranean. I’ve been to Spain, but I’d like to go to Greece and Italy.
Q: When do you bring out your fall clothes?
A: I don’t have a set date where I wear certain things. I wear what the weather dictates and I like having something on hand for whatever that requires. Not too long ago, it was in the 50s, and now it’s much warmer.
Q: Do you have a cause or charity you’d like people to be aware of?
A: I would say that mental health awareness is important. One good organization is NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness. (www.nami.org/)
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Q: If you could travel in time, would you go to the future or the past?
A: I would say the past for sure – I’m not too hopeful about the future! So probably I’d go to Italy at some time during the Renaissance, to see the art.
Q: Finally, can you recommend a restaurant that you enjoy frequenting?
A: I think I’ll plug Wilmette. I like going to Napolita (Pizzeria, 1126 Central Ave.) It’s a really good place to eat. It’s fun, and the food’s very good.
– Kathy Routliffe, Pioneer Press
Twitter: @pioneer_kathy
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