Community Q&A 2/7/05

* Name: Leah Shrum

* Lives in: Jackson

* Family: Married almost 17 years to hubby, Loy E. "Beaver" Shrum (yes, that's the nickname his mom gave him when he was little); son, Andrew 14; and daughter, Ashlynne, 11.

* Job: Prevention specialist at Southeast Regional Support Center.

* What do you like most about the area? The size -- it has the qualities of both small town and city life.

* Favorite food: Tractor's fried pickles dipped in ranch dressing.

* Best advice: Keep an open mind and heart, and before judging someone put yourself in their shoes.

* Person you most admire: I will always admire my brother, Paul, who passed away over a year ago. I admire him for his big heart and love for others, as well as his strength and determination in overcoming so many adversities in his life.

* What would you do if you won the lottery? I would donate a significant portion to my church and childrens' school, donate to Mississippi Valley Therapeutic Horsemanship for an indoor arena, deposit more in my childrens' college funds, buy some land and build a house in the country, pay off bills, invest the rest and definitely quit work so I could ride my horses and volunteer more time with MVTH.

* Pet peeve: Negative attitudes.