City Faces in Different Places
By Julie Perine on November 24, 2019 from City Faces
This week's City Face fell in love with Bridgeport when she moved here in 2003 and attended her first Light Up Night with her little girls.
Meet Terri Kress:
How long have you lived in Bridgeport? If not a lifelong resident, tell me what brought you here.We moved to West Virginia in 1997 and to Bridgeport in 2003. We moved to Fairmont, WV after my husband, Ted, graduated from Optometry school at Ohio State and he joined a local practice. Once we had children and I chose to quit my graphic design job in Morgantown, it just made sense to bring our kids to live in the best city in West Virginia!
Are you married, have kids? Tell me about your family.I’ve been married to Ted Kress for 23 years and we have two daughters. MacKenzie is 19 and currently attends Ohio University, and Miranda, 17, is a senior at Bridgeport High School.
What about pets? One adorable, little dog named Sadie. She’s getting along in years and is going blind and deaf, but honestly couldn’t be more perfect.
Where do you work and what do you do there? I currently work at home helping women find solutions to problems with their beauty routine by selling 
Senegence makeup and skincare. I find so much fun and happiness in sharing something I love and helping people find things that can fix problems or annoyances in their daily life.
Senegence makeup and skincare. I find so much fun and happiness in sharing something I love and helping people find things that can fix problems or annoyances in their daily life.
What are your hobbies/favorite past times? I absolutely love dance and even though I am no longer coaching the high school danceline I still try to stay involved in dance culture and learn new things every day to keep my knowledge of dance sharp. I also enjoy skiing and finding ways to get outdoors and enjoy good weather while getting in a good workout.
Favorite Bridgeport spot? Deegan and Hinkle Lakes. I have always loved watching the seasons change there each year. It is so peaceful and beautiful.
What do you like about Bridgeport … why is this a good place to live? So many things!! The friendly and welcoming community can’t be beat. We were accepted the day we moved here and I don't think you find that everywhere. Also, the library is one of my favorite things about Bridgeport. It’s such a good resource in this small town! My girls and I went there almost every day when they were younger to find new books, work on homework, hang out between extracurriculars, etc. I can’t recommend it enough even in this digital age. I have to mention Almost Heaven Coffee Shop. That little spot will forever hold a very special place in my heart. Hanging out there after church on Sunday mornings is how we met many of our friends when we first moved here.
One – or more – of your favorite memories of something that took place in Bridgeport ... My most very favorite memory of Bridgeport, and one of the reasons I fell so deeply in love with this town, is the very first Light Up Night. It was a smaller event at the time making it more quiet and calm than what it is today. As my girls and I were walking down Main Street looking at the beautiful lights, greeting friends, and listening to music, it started snowing big, fluffy, gorgeous snowflakes. As they softly fell all around me, I was enchanted. It literally almost brought tears to my eyes. It felt like Mayberry. I never knew I could be so happy in a small town and will never forget that moment. I knew I was home.
What is your favorite WV spot outside of Bridgeport? Snowshoe is definitely my favorite WV spot outside Bridgeport. It’s another magical place. We just started skiing a few years ago, but we are hooked! Snowshoe is always a wonderful, fun, relaxing getaway every time we go up there whether it’s winter or summer.
How about your favorite place outside of WV? This is a tough one. It’s probably a tie between St. Augustine, Florida and Aruba. Both because we have made so many good memories with family and friends in those places and visiting there never gets old.
What are some of your favorite things? Food/restaurant? Favorite color? Music genre/artist? I’m sort of all over the place here. I love lots of things for different reasons. Any type - ALL types - of music, especially live music, can bring tears to my eyes so it’s hard for me to pick a favorite. Hip Hop, Jazz, Classical, Indie, Blues/R&B, etc, etc, etc. I love it all! I love all kinds of food, and my favorite restaurant is any one I’m currently at with friends and family laughing and sharing stories. I have favorite colors for different reasons, but most people know my favorite color for clothes is black. I probably wear too much black, but as a graphic designer I love tons of colors and color combinations for different applications. However, if you ask me what some of my favorite simple things in life are, they are a brand new pair of white socks, the scent of lavender, chocolate peanut better ice cream, and a perfectly ripe banana.
What is your best childhood memory? I grew up in Toledo, Ohio. At the end of my street was a fence that guarded the edge of a golf course. Winters in Toledo brought tons of snow and while Toledo is a very flat town, somehow this golf course had the best sledding hills. In my mind they were huge, but I was young and I’m guessing they weren’t nearly as big in real life as they are in my memories. We spent every weekend bundling up, jumping that fence, and sledding on those perfect hills. My sisters, friends, neighbors all giggling together as we flew down the hills trying to avoid "Dead Man’s Tree.” You can probably guess why it’s called that. When I think of my childhood, I think of those magical days filled with laughter and excitement.
Interesting fact about you and/or something you would like to add… Ladies, don’t forget to do your self breast exams AND get your regular mammograms. They are so, so important and it can save your life!
