Kimberly L. Rideout
Published 6:26 pm Friday, December 5, 2008
Name: Kimberly L. Rideout
Age: 30
Occupation and title: Firefighter/EMT-E
Church affiliation: Christian
What’s the best part of your day? The best part of my day is when I have done all I need to do and get to do what I want to do.
If you could select another profession, what would you do? I would be a fire marshal.
Why do you choose to live in Franklin/Southampton/Isle of Wight County? I love living in the country.
If you had two weeks’ vacation and money were no object, how would you spend your time? I would spend time touring Europe with my family and friends.
Favorite food: Anything from Joe’s Pizza, Don Pancho’s or Leslie Pearce’s (secretary of Franklin Fire and Rescue) homemade cakes
Favorite weekend destination: The beach
Favorite college sports teams: Duke basketball and Radford University football now that they finally have a team
Favorite pro sports team: N.Y. Yankees
Favorite color: Blue
What’s the best life lesson you’ve learned, and who taught you? My grandmother Ruby March taught me that there are more important things in life than money, which include treating people well and doing what you can to help others in need. She is one of the kindest, most generous and loving women I know.
Favorite Bible verse: “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” Proverbs 4:23
What’s the best decision you’ve made in life? Leaving a career with the Virginia Judicial System and pursuing my dream of becoming a career firefighter/EMT
Which local charitable or non-profit organization do you wish more people would support? Franklin Fire & Rescue and the Trooper Hill Toy Drive
Tell us something about yourself that most people don’t know: I love antiques and Victorian houses.
What’s your hobby? Traveling to weddings
If you could re-live one day of your life, which would it be and why? I would re-live the first day I toured the Vatican in Rome. I was speechless and in awe of such beauty.
What gives you the blues? Not being able to help people in need
What’s the most Southern thing you’ve ever done? My dad, sister and I traveled to Memphis and toured Elvis Presley’s Graceland.
What’s your best childhood memory? One of my best childhood memories I have is of my sister, aunt and I being chased around my grandmother’s yard by geese.
Tell us one true thing: Life is short.
What frightens you most? Going into a house and hearing a smoke detector chirping because of a low battery or not seeing a smoke detector in the house at all
If you could live anywhere else in the world, where would it be and why? Ireland. The people there are friendly, and the country is beautiful.
Who’s your favorite ex-president? John F. Kennedy
If you could pass or change one law, what would it be? I would pass a law that requires everyone to learn basic first aid and CPR.
What last brought tears to your eyes? Capt. Bolton at the fire department cutting an onion while we were preparing dinner
If you could invite three guests — living or dead, from anytime in history — to dinner, who would they be? John F. Kennedy, Colin Powell and Mike Krzyzewski (Coach K from Duke)
What three objects would you take with you to a desert island? My computer with an Internet card and a solar-powered portable generator
What kind of music do you like, and who’s your favorite performer? I like all kinds of music. My favorite performer is Kenny Chesney.
Tell us about a good movie you’ve seen lately and why you liked it: I don’t watch many movies, but one I enjoyed was “The Bucket List.” It was funny, sad and inspiring.
Who’s a famous athlete or entertainer you admire? Coach K from Duke
What’s the last book you read? “I Hope They Serve Beer in Hell” by Tucker Max
To whom are you grateful and why? God, for all the blessings I’ve had and continue to have in my life