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Melissa Vigen-Tweedy enjoys traveling
Melissa Vigen-Tweedy is a funeral director at the Vigen Memorial Home in Kahoka, Mo., and Keokuk.
She is a licensed funeral director and embalmer in Iowa, Illinois and Missouri. She lives in Kahoka, with her husband Doug Tweedy and their two boys.
Vigen-Tweedy graduated from Keokuk High School in 1994 and received her associate degree from Southeastern Community College and her mortuary science degree from Carl Sandburg College in Galesburg, Ill.
She enjoys spending time with her family and friends, watching her sons in their sporting events and helping and doing things for the community.
What food are you most famous for? I wouldn't say I was famous for this but the family comes running when I make it. Crockpot pot roast - no carrots included. I have never liked cooked carrots so I won't put those in. I love the idea of putting all the food in the crockpot before I leave for work and dinner is ready when I get home. I enjoy experimenting, finding a new recipe and putting it together. It usually never turns out like the picture though.
What kind of music do you enjoy? I enjoy most music and have a deep respect for all types of music. I usually listen to rock or hip-hop. I try to stay away from country music because that can get depressing as if my job isn't depressing enough.
What are your hobbies? I enjoy spending time with my family. They are the most important thing in my life. So whatever they are doing I'm doing the same thing. But if you consider shopping a hobby?!?!
Do you have a favorite pet (present or past)? Irish Setter named “Candy.” She was our family pet when I was growing up. When she had puppies I would go hide in her doghouse with all of them and fall asleep.
Where would you go if you won a trip anywhere in the world and why? Anywhere there is a beach, sun, food, drinks and no phones. I would enjoy going somewhere where I didn't have a care in the world and could do whatever whenever I wanted.
What has been life's most rewarding experience for you? My most rewarding life experience would be the birth of my two boys and my job. Most people can't believe that I work in a funeral home and they get grossed out. This job is actually the most rewarding job I could ever ask for.
How many children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren do you have? I have two boys, Brent, who is 8 and is a third grader at Blackhawk Elementary School, and Ryan who is 3.
What book are you currently reading? “Nineteen Minutes” by Jodi Picoult.
What is your least favorite food? Cooked carrots. I won't even eat yams because they look like cooked carrots.
What is your favorite food? I love taco pizza, and the spicier the better.
What makes a perfect summer day and how would you spend it if you could, anyway you wanted? Being in a boat watching the kids floating in the river or lake and having a cookout at the sandbar with tons of friends.
Have a favorite sport to do or watch? I love to watch my son play baseball or any sport that my boys are involved in.
Favorite childhood, teen and adult book? My favorite childhood book is “Where the Sidewalk Ends.” Mrs. Jenkins, my fourth grade teacher, read that book in school so I made my parents buy me the book because I liked it so much. Adult book would be “My Sister's Keeper” by Jodi Picoult or any of her books.
Most memorable moment? The day I got married. It was a perfect Friday evening on the porch of my parent's home overlooking the river. Just close family and a handful of friends. No stress of a big wedding and didn't spend a lot of money. I liked the simplicity of it.
What do you do for fun? I like to go four wheeling, traveling, shopping, try to find interesting and new things on the Internet and hanging out with fun people.
What do you like most about yourself? I love being left handed. I'm always in my right mind.
As a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up? I didn't want to grow up. What I really wanted to do was be the president of the United States and be the first lady president. My parents always said I could be whatever I wanted.
What do you collect? I love Willow Tree Angels, frogs and sunflowers.
Where would you live if you had a choice? Right where I am now. I love Kahoka. The people are so friendly, and they always have something going on. I just wish the weather was spring and fall all year long.
What is your favorite TV show and actor/actress? This is a toss up ... “Grey's Anatomy” and “Nip/Tuck.” My favorite actor is Jim Carey because he always makes me laugh.
If you could have dinner with any three people (living or dead) who would they be? I would like to meet the mother of my husband, Joan Tweedy. She passed away when my husband was young, and have my two boys there so they can meet her also. I've always heard she was an amazing woman.
What was your favorite subject in school? I didn't do really well in anatomy and physiology until I got to college but it is the most interesting class. Just learning about how the body works and how many organs that all fit in the human body. It is mind blowing.
What was your first job? My first job was at Subway in Keokuk as a sandwich artist. I started working there the first day it opened.
What was/is your favorite style/piece of clothing? When I am at home relaxing I love to have on athletic shorts and my gray “Army” T-shirt, but when I'm at work my favorite outfit is my black sleeveless dress especially if it is hot out.
Best word(s) of advice you've received? Eat dessert first.
Favorite movie of all time? I have to say all of the National Lampoon “Vacation” movies. Every time they are on TV, I have to watch them.
What is your favorite ethnic food? Any Mexican or Chinese food.
How did you meet your spouse (if married)? I actually met my husband when I was working at Subway. He came in with a bunch of his friends and I was cracking jokes with one of his friends and he was the one who couldn't stop laughing. After that he kept coming in to eat. I figured he just liked the sandwiches.
Person you admire most and why? I have to say I admire my dad, Marcus, the most. He is, in my opinion, the greatest guy ever. After college and after his apprenticeship he took a gamble and bought a funeral home miles away from his family, not knowing a soul, to make a living for his own family. Thirty years later he's still running the same funeral home never knowing his daughter would be following in his footsteps.
If you had a motto, what would it be? Life is way too short, do what you want when you want because tomorrow may never come.
What is your most memorable and/or embarrassing food experience? On Thanksgiving one year I told my dad I would make him a chocolate pie. So when I was trying to get everything in the car, I dropped his pie in the driveway. When I got to his house, I gave him a fork and told him ‘if you want your pie it is in the driveway.'
What is your favorite recipe? Spritz cookies.
Ingredients:
1 lb. butter
2 cups sugar
1 egg
4 1/2 cups flour
1 t. vanilla
1/4 t. salt
Directions:
Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
Cream together butter and sugar until smooth.
Beat in egg and vanilla.
Combine salt and flour and mix into creamed mixture.
Fill cookie press and press on to an ungreased cookie sheet.
Bake for 10 minutes or until lightly brown.
Remove from cookie sheet and cool.
- - -
People who would like to be included in an upcoming Accent Page feature should contact the paper by mail at the Daily Gate City, P.O. Box 430, Keokuk, IA 52632; by phone at 524-8300, ext. 106, or by fax at 524-4363.
Candidates are asked to complete a short questionnaire with their favorite recipe and have their picture taken to accompany the article.
She is a licensed funeral director and embalmer in Iowa, Illinois and Missouri. She lives in Kahoka, with her husband Doug Tweedy and their two boys.
Vigen-Tweedy graduated from Keokuk High School in 1994 and received her associate degree from Southeastern Community College and her mortuary science degree from Carl Sandburg College in Galesburg, Ill.
She enjoys spending time with her family and friends, watching her sons in their sporting events and helping and doing things for the community.
What food are you most famous for? I wouldn't say I was famous for this but the family comes running when I make it. Crockpot pot roast - no carrots included. I have never liked cooked carrots so I won't put those in. I love the idea of putting all the food in the crockpot before I leave for work and dinner is ready when I get home. I enjoy experimenting, finding a new recipe and putting it together. It usually never turns out like the picture though.
What kind of music do you enjoy? I enjoy most music and have a deep respect for all types of music. I usually listen to rock or hip-hop. I try to stay away from country music because that can get depressing as if my job isn't depressing enough.
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Do you have a favorite pet (present or past)? Irish Setter named “Candy.” She was our family pet when I was growing up. When she had puppies I would go hide in her doghouse with all of them and fall asleep.
Where would you go if you won a trip anywhere in the world and why? Anywhere there is a beach, sun, food, drinks and no phones. I would enjoy going somewhere where I didn't have a care in the world and could do whatever whenever I wanted.
What has been life's most rewarding experience for you? My most rewarding life experience would be the birth of my two boys and my job. Most people can't believe that I work in a funeral home and they get grossed out. This job is actually the most rewarding job I could ever ask for.
How many children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren do you have? I have two boys, Brent, who is 8 and is a third grader at Blackhawk Elementary School, and Ryan who is 3.
What book are you currently reading? “Nineteen Minutes” by Jodi Picoult.
What is your least favorite food? Cooked carrots. I won't even eat yams because they look like cooked carrots.
What is your favorite food? I love taco pizza, and the spicier the better.
What makes a perfect summer day and how would you spend it if you could, anyway you wanted? Being in a boat watching the kids floating in the river or lake and having a cookout at the sandbar with tons of friends.
Have a favorite sport to do or watch? I love to watch my son play baseball or any sport that my boys are involved in.
Favorite childhood, teen and adult book? My favorite childhood book is “Where the Sidewalk Ends.” Mrs. Jenkins, my fourth grade teacher, read that book in school so I made my parents buy me the book because I liked it so much. Adult book would be “My Sister's Keeper” by Jodi Picoult or any of her books.
Most memorable moment? The day I got married. It was a perfect Friday evening on the porch of my parent's home overlooking the river. Just close family and a handful of friends. No stress of a big wedding and didn't spend a lot of money. I liked the simplicity of it.
What do you do for fun? I like to go four wheeling, traveling, shopping, try to find interesting and new things on the Internet and hanging out with fun people.
What do you like most about yourself? I love being left handed. I'm always in my right mind.
As a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up? I didn't want to grow up. What I really wanted to do was be the president of the United States and be the first lady president. My parents always said I could be whatever I wanted.
What do you collect? I love Willow Tree Angels, frogs and sunflowers.
Where would you live if you had a choice? Right where I am now. I love Kahoka. The people are so friendly, and they always have something going on. I just wish the weather was spring and fall all year long.
What is your favorite TV show and actor/actress? This is a toss up ... “Grey's Anatomy” and “Nip/Tuck.” My favorite actor is Jim Carey because he always makes me laugh.
If you could have dinner with any three people (living or dead) who would they be? I would like to meet the mother of my husband, Joan Tweedy. She passed away when my husband was young, and have my two boys there so they can meet her also. I've always heard she was an amazing woman.
What was your favorite subject in school? I didn't do really well in anatomy and physiology until I got to college but it is the most interesting class. Just learning about how the body works and how many organs that all fit in the human body. It is mind blowing.
What was your first job? My first job was at Subway in Keokuk as a sandwich artist. I started working there the first day it opened.
What was/is your favorite style/piece of clothing? When I am at home relaxing I love to have on athletic shorts and my gray “Army” T-shirt, but when I'm at work my favorite outfit is my black sleeveless dress especially if it is hot out.
Best word(s) of advice you've received? Eat dessert first.
Favorite movie of all time? I have to say all of the National Lampoon “Vacation” movies. Every time they are on TV, I have to watch them.
What is your favorite ethnic food? Any Mexican or Chinese food.
How did you meet your spouse (if married)? I actually met my husband when I was working at Subway. He came in with a bunch of his friends and I was cracking jokes with one of his friends and he was the one who couldn't stop laughing. After that he kept coming in to eat. I figured he just liked the sandwiches.
Person you admire most and why? I have to say I admire my dad, Marcus, the most. He is, in my opinion, the greatest guy ever. After college and after his apprenticeship he took a gamble and bought a funeral home miles away from his family, not knowing a soul, to make a living for his own family. Thirty years later he's still running the same funeral home never knowing his daughter would be following in his footsteps.
If you had a motto, what would it be? Life is way too short, do what you want when you want because tomorrow may never come.
What is your most memorable and/or embarrassing food experience? On Thanksgiving one year I told my dad I would make him a chocolate pie. So when I was trying to get everything in the car, I dropped his pie in the driveway. When I got to his house, I gave him a fork and told him ‘if you want your pie it is in the driveway.'
What is your favorite recipe? Spritz cookies.
Ingredients:
1 lb. butter
2 cups sugar
1 egg
4 1/2 cups flour
1 t. vanilla
1/4 t. salt
Directions:
Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
Cream together butter and sugar until smooth.
Beat in egg and vanilla.
Combine salt and flour and mix into creamed mixture.
Fill cookie press and press on to an ungreased cookie sheet.
Bake for 10 minutes or until lightly brown.
Remove from cookie sheet and cool.
- - -
People who would like to be included in an upcoming Accent Page feature should contact the paper by mail at the Daily Gate City, P.O. Box 430, Keokuk, IA 52632; by phone at 524-8300, ext. 106, or by fax at 524-4363.
Candidates are asked to complete a short questionnaire with their favorite recipe and have their picture taken to accompany the article.
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