In January, Wendy Bury was named the founding executive director of the Southeastern Connecticut Cultural Coalition, the Designated Regional Service Organization of the Connecticut Office of The Arts. The coalition was founded to advocate regional identity and economic development through the promotion of arts, culture and heritage. 

She was also the founding executive director of the La Grua Center and is a past president of the Stonington Borough Merchants Association. Bury also served on the Stonington Economic Development Commission for five years.

She holds a bachelor's degree from Colgate University and a master's in art history from Case Western Reserve University. Bury lives in Stonington and has three children.

Say you have a modern-day high school locker. Whose picture would be hanging in it?

My kids!

What's your favorite sandwich?

I love a good sammie, and there are many to choose from, but the BLT Panini-style from the Yellow House in Stonington Borough or the Smoked Turkey & Swiss from Mystic Market are two of my favorites.

What's the best place in Southeastern Connecticut for a first date?

Well, since my oldest son is going to be dating soon, I would say, right here in my living room with a Netflix movie (and in plain sight of me).

You're locked in a museum for a night, which one would it be?

I would love to have an overnight in all of the awesome museums here in southeastern CT! Beyond the area: The Frick in NYC! Outside of private homes, being able to have an up-close, quiet and intimate experience with art is a challenge. So I would spend all night in a museum practically hugging the paintings, sculptures and antiques.

What's your favorite word in a language other than English?

"Allora." Italian meaning so, then, right then, well now. Close second is "mira, " Spanish meaning look as in "Mira, I can't choose just one word."

What's a movie you like, but can't convince others to like?

"Farinelli." Wikipedia describes it as "a 1994 biographical film about the life and career of the 18th-century Italian opera singer Carlo Broschi, known as Farinelli, considered the greatest castrato singer of all time." Not one for the guys, but it is visually stunning and the story is fascinating.

Who played at your first live concert?

Cheap Trick - live at Six Flags over Georgia.

Sorry to have to tell you this, but an asteroid is going to wipe all humanity next week. So, what's your last meal and who is coming to dinner?

My kids, my family and closest friends. I am sure there will be people who won't believe the hype about the end of the world, and since I don't cook, I would hope one of them owns a nearby restaurant!

What movie, television show, or theatrical production best describes life living in Southeastern Connecticut?

Depends on the day. One day it could be like "Mystic Pizza". The next could be like "Holiday Inn" or "The Perfect Storm" or "Dumb & Dumber".

Name an item you can't live without:

My iPhone. From reminding me where I need to be to getting me there on time, and killing time in between.

Item you should live without and keep meaning to get rid of:

Old magazines.

You're a DJ at club. What's the night's last song?

"Last Dance" by Donna Summer of course.

What's the last television show you binge-watched?

"House of Cards" It is the only show I have ever binge-watched; it's that good.

If you present-day you could give advice to younger you, what would it be?

Steve Jobs said, "You can't connect the dots looking forward, you can only connect them looking back." So, I would tell myself to stop trying to control the future.

Last book you couldn't put down:

The growing pile of unread books on my bedside tables demonstrates that I can't seem to pick one up lately.

What's a word you can never spell correctly on the first try:

liaison

Coffee or tea?

In the morning, coffee. In the afternoon and evening, tea.

Saturday night or Sunday morning?

Sunday morning.

Soduku or Crossword?

Soduku.

Anagrams or palindromes?

I just had to Google palindromes, so definitely anagrams.

What is your pet peeve?

Shopping carts left in parking spaces in the grocery store parking lot and not returned to the cart shed, where they should be.

What historical event in Southeastern Connecticut would you like to have witnessed?

Hurricane of 1938.

What is your favorite place in Connecticut to recharge and/or find serenity?

Stonington Point/DuBois Beach no matter what time of year.

Who alive today do you most admire?

Without volunteers, our region could not function. I am in a constant state of amazement of the community and nonprofit leaders working and volunteering here in southeastern Connecticut. From the arts, cultural and heritage sector to the social service and education sectors, we are so fortunate to have some of the smartest, hardest-working people doing great work here to benefit the whole region.