Linda Lemond

About Linda:

She and her husband, Michael, live in Portage and have two daughters: Melissa (Iain) and Amanda (Steve), and a grandson, Hayden.

Bachelor's degree in education and English with a minor in art from Valparaiso University.

Retired in 2004 from Portage Township Schools with 15 years of service.

Member of St. Peter Lutheran Church in Portage.

Accomplishments: Linda Lemond is driven by her love for music and her faith. She sings with Ethel Wells, Barb White and Bonnie Ringering as Joyful Noise. The group enjoys a lot of a cappella, also Southern gospel and patriotic music. Most of their work is in the fall, leading up to the Christmas season, and in the spring. "Music is really a huge part of my life," she said. Not too long ago, Lemond started writing music. She has written 60 songs, including a Christmas cantata together with Allan Evett, assistant music director at the church. They are working on six songs now and have presented some to the assembly with the praise team. The song, "I Believe," a musical version of the Apostle Creed, is now played once a month at worship. Another original song, "Dressed in His Vest," was included in this year's fifth annual Gospel Singing Celebration co-hosted with The Rudds. Lemond serves her church as music director, helping the minister plan for services and arranging for musicians to

play when needed. She has been the church historian for 30 years and just finished a stint as Sunday school superintendent. Lemond writes a newspaper column, has finished a novel and a memoir, and is now working on a nonfiction book.

Why I minister to others: "When God gives you a gift there's a joy and a responsibility to use it. It burns within, you have to share it. You have to let it out, and what we do is so much fun."

What I read: "I try to do a Bible reading every day and our minister has introduced us to really good contemporary authors."

Advice: Lemond quoted Judy Collins: "They say God never gives you more than you can handle, but I say God always gives you more than you can handle. You're not supposed to handle it, God is."

What inspires me: "All the wonders of God's creation and our pastor, P. Frederick Hoover. He's been a real blessing to our church."

People might be surprised to know: "The weird things I write in my fiction."

- SUE BERO, Times Correspondent

To nominate someone for this feature, e-mail slbero@hotmail.com