Biographies

Biographies

Mrs. Novak	Dr. Novak	Gretchen Novak	Mrs. Barry
Mrs. Novak riding Tangwyllt Dawna Lisa, Welsh Cob		Mrs. Claudia Novak Job: Systems Administrator/ Title 1 Teacher/Trainer, Nashua School District, Nashua, NH. I work with teachers and students on how to use technology in the classroom. Background: In college, I majored in History and Library Science. My mother and father bred, showed and owned many horses. I have been working with computers since 1971. In 1976, I went to French cooking school and I love to cook. I have been breeding Welsh ponies and Cobs since 1977. Since 1992, I have traveled with my husband to Australia, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Austria, Switzerland and the Netherlands. I am an avid gardener. Likes: Computers, gardening, horses, cooking, history, traveling and reading. Special Interests: I currently have two Welsh ponies and three Welsh Cobs at my farm. I love to study and design gardens. I love to write. Every year I add to my garden journal. I also like to write about my Welsh Ponies and Cobs. I love to travel and go to new places. Overview: I am looking forward to returning to some of my favorite places in United Kingdom. It will an unique experience sharing this trip with three of my favorite people in the World. I just hope everything goes smoothly and NO one misses an airline connection! It will be fun to spend some time with my Welsh Cob e-mail friends in the Wales some that I have never met before. I am hoping to see some new places in both Scotland and Wales.
Dr. Leslie Novak Job: Research Scientist, MIT Lincoln Laboratory, Lexington, MA I evaluate how well radar works. Background: I graduated from college with a major in Electrical Engineering. I obtained my Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from University of California/Los Angeles in 1971. I have worked at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Lincoln Laboratory in Lexington, MA since 1977. I have been an adjunct professor at Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Worcester, MA since 1973 teaching classes in higher mathematics and engineering. Because of my job, I must travel regularly throughout the United States and the world presenting research papers and teaching classes. My research has aided in developing navigational systems for missiles. Special Interests: I play the clarinet, tenor saxophone and alto saxophone. I studied music with Lenny Tristrano, a famous blind American jazz musician. Likes: Gardening (growing vegetables), jazz music, World War II history and writing papers on radar. Overview: I am looking forward to returning to Scotland.
Gretchen and Katie, a Welsh Corgi		Ms. Gretchen Novak Job: I work for a law office in Tewksbury, MA. My office acts as the billing agent for numerous hospitals, specializing in motor vehicle accidents and workman’s compensation insurance claims and collection. Background: I graduated from Seton Hall University with a major in Criminal Justice. My mother has been breeding Welsh Ponies and Cobs since 1977, which I have been riding and competing since I was 18 months old. Since 1992, I have traveled to the United Kingdom, France, Switzerland, Germany, Austria, the Netherlands and Mexico. Likes: Horses, art, fashion, interior design, traveling, reading, and tennis. Special Interests: I love riding and showing horses. I love traveling and being introduced to new people, their land, culture, and customs. I played the clarinet, enjoy music, and love dancing. I like to stay in shape by exercising regularly. Overview: I am grateful for the opportunity to travel to Wales again and thrilled to share the experience with my mother and aunt. I am intrigued by international studies and look forward to enriching my understanding of global perspectives.
Mrs. Cynthia Barry Job: Co owner of East Boothbay Marina, East Boothbay, ME Background: I moved to Maine with my family in 1976 and helped re-establish the family boat business. I have been to the United Kingdom twice before. Once I went with my mother and last year, I went with my youngest daughter. Likes: Painting, embroidery, reading, horses, gardening, traveling and the ocean. Special Interests: I have had horses most of my life. I enjoy doing fine hand crafts and in particular, crewel embroidery. I love visiting museums and seeing antique pieces of embroidery that I receive great inspiration from. Overview: I am looking forward to returning to Scotland and excited about visiting Wales for the first time. I am sure that it is going to great fun.