Today's Bridgeport City Face is Donna Byrd. Meet her below and learn why she loves her hometown.

 

How long have you lived in Bridgeport? If not a lifelong resident, tell me what brought you here.

 

As a child, I grew up just outside of Bridgeport but attended school in Bridgeport, so I’ve always considered myself to be from Bridgeport.  My husband and I actually moved to Bridgeport in 2000.   

 

Tell me about your family. I married my high school sweetheart, Scott Byrd. We will celebrate our 40^th anniversary next May. Together, we have 2 children. Our daughter Amanda lives in Washington, DC with her fiancé Jonathan. They are planning to be married on October 2. Our son Christopher and his wife Erica live in Bridgeport. They recently became parents with the birth of their first child Liam Christopher. 

 

What about pets? We do not currently have any pets but we love our 3 grand-dogs Winston, Fitz and Izzy and 2 grand-kitties Rocky and Leo. 

 

Where do you work and what do you do there? I have worked at the James & Law Company for 23 years in the textbook depository, which supplies education materials to the 55 school districts in WV. 

 

What are your hobbies/favorite past times? I love to bake, especially cookies. In our spare time, my husband and I enjoy traveling. Some of our favorite places include just about anywhere in the Caribbean, the Smoky Mountains, and exploring the many wine country regions in our country. I also love to attend WVU football games and have been season ticket holders for over 20 years.  

 

Favorite Bridgeport spot? I have many good memories at the Bridgeport football field. I still remember my time in the marching band and especially loved the years our children cheered and played football there.

 

What do you like about Bridgeport … why is this a good place to live?  To me, Bridgeport is a wonderful, close-knit community and the perfect place to raise a family.  No matter how much Bridgeport has grown it retains that small town feel that I love.         

 

One – or more – of your favorite memories of something that took place in Bridgeport ... One of my favorite memories of Bridgeport is the annual Light-Up Night in downtown. Seeing so many of our friends and neighbors out and about, celebrating my favorite time of the year, is just magical to me and I look forward to it every year.  We often say it’s our very own Hallmark moment.         

 

What is your favorite WV spot outside of Bridgeport?  Outside of Bridgeport my favorite spot in WV would have to be Mountaineer Field in Morgantown.  We have the best memories of tailgating in the Blue Lot.  During the years when our children were students at WVU on any given Saturday we would feed close to 50 kids and the memories we have of those times are priceless.   

 

How about your favorite place outside of WV? Outside of WV, I would have to say my favorite place would be Jamaica.  My husband and I have vacationed there multiple times.  I love the white sand beaches and the crystal clear blue water there.  The Jamaican people are such fun people to be around and make a trip there so much fun. 

 

What are some of your favorite things? I treasure time spent with family.  To me, there is nothing better than sitting around the dinner table with those you love.  I love preparing big family meals, especially around the holidays.

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Food/restaurant? My favorite restaurant was Provence Market and was very sad when the fire happened.  I love the new Hart Kitchen that replaced it.  I also like all things Italian and love living in an area with so many great choices. 

 

Favorite color? My favorite color is blue.

 

Music genre/artist? I love all types of music but as a child of the 70’s & 80’s Classic Rock is what I listen to the most.  I also enjoy listening to jazz music. 

 

Interesting fact about you and/or something you would like to add…  My husband and I became grandparents 2 months ago with the birth of our grandson Liam.  Spending time with him has brought so much pleasure and joy to us.