Paula Mahan
Colonie Town Supervisor
Town: Colonie
Hometown: Schenectady
What are you listening to these days?
I love Barbara Streisand. She’s been my favorite since I’ve been in junior high school. I really enjoy country music. I just love music, all kinds of music. I still love Motown.
Reading?
One of my favorites that I read not too long ago was “Olive Kitteridge.” I don’t have as much time as I’d like for free reading. One of my favorite books of all time is “To Kill a Mockingbird.” That was one of my eighth-grade books. I’ll pretty much read whatever I can get my hands on, spur of the moment. I have very little free time. I still enjoy, every day, reading the various newspapers.
Watching on TV?
I love HG TV and the Cooking Channel, because I love to cook. I watch CNN, try to keep up with the day’s events, but most of the time, when I actually settle down it’s pretty late in the evening.
What was the last movie you saw?
“St. Vincent.” That was not too long ago that I saw that on demand.
One person living or dead you would like to meet and why?
I would love to meet Barbara Streisand. I just loved her movies, as I said, when I was in junior high, high school. All her musicals. When she did a movie in Schenectady at Union College in the early 1970s, it’s called “The Way We Were.” I was an extra in that movie. That was a big thrill. She’s not only a singer she’s an actress, a writer, a director. I just think she’s done amazing things.
Describe your dream vacation.
It doesn’t take a lot. I love the beach. Just a dream vacation that is peaceful, relaxing, and just time to relax. I have the most fun when I go on vacation with my grandchildren.
What is your favorite hobby?
I’d have to say, probably turning on some of my favorite music and cooking.
Describe what your last meal would be.
It would be pasta with my mother’s homemade meatballs, antipasto and fresh Italian bread.
Favorite local memory?
I have a lot of great memories. But I would say my days teaching at Shaker Junior High School.
What three things would you bring with you to a desert island?
My family, something to cook with and probably a pad of paper so I could keep a journal.