Sandra Natowich:  

Added note, June 13, 2010: My dear Art crossed the finish line for the last time on May 10, 2010. He was one of the bravest people I have ever known. He was diagnosed with cancer on December 29, 2010. He fought it with all that he had--while maintaining an incredibly positive attitude. Sandee As with everyone, a lot of water has gone over the dam with me as well. Tho my first marriage was a disaster, I survived it. I left the country and worked in the hotel/restaurant field in management (in a man's world) with a specialty in food and beverage and enjoyed a successful career. My present husband, who was a family friend, looked me up and we renewed acquaintances, to the point that he proposed. I took a year off to come back to the States to see if we had something or not. 43 years later, we are still together. Unfortunately, his illness has terribly spoiled our happiness, but we know we still have each other, no matter what. When I returned to the States, I went to work for Lawton and Co. Jewelers, and began an apprenticeship on my own time with the goldsmith and jewelry designer there, as well as learning the art of engraving. I became the manager, designer/jeweler/colored stone specialist for a local jewelry shop and worked in the business for 17 years. During that time, I met a lot of young couples from the Space Center who were getting engaged, had no family here and needed help with arrangements. And...food. Catering was not in vogue in the area yet, so I was able to prepare their food since large batch cooking was very familiar to me. Eventually, after recovering from a serious illness, I decided that I wanted to go back into business again and opened a full service party business which we still own today. "Jus' Clownin' Around" is our company name and I can see a few eye-rolls at that, from those who knew me from school days. We specialize in large event custom and thematic decorating, conferences, conventions, etc. and I'm a licensed event planner and coordinator. A few years after we opened our business, I decided it was time to bring the food component in--by then I had been cooking for folks and their events for years--I read about personal chefs on the west coast and decided that Brevard needed it's first real personal chef--me! That part of the business is called "The Personal Chef"(what else!) and I have been cooking for the greatest custo...Expand for more