REBECCA PEPIN - My favorite characters growing up were Curious George and Harriet the Spy so I think I ended up in the perfect profession. As a reporter, I've been able to learn so much while covering stories that run the gamut - from Marine recruit training at Parris Island to a trip to the White House with USC Gamecock athletes. My TV career has taken me to upstate New York, a stint in Roswell, New Mexico (no, I didn't see any aliens!), the Palmetto State and now the Mountain Empire.
   Although I come to the Tri-Cities after living in Columbia, South Carolina for 5 years, I am no stranger to snow. I was born and raised in Canada, eh! Apparently I didn't mind the cold back then because I went to Queen's University in beautiful Kingston, Ontario; it's right on Lake Ontario and quite chilly during the very long winters. Grad school took me to Syracuse University in upstate New York and shortly after that I started my first job in Watertown - another snowy town...go figure!
   During my first couple of TV jobs, I worked as a one-man-band (reporter, photographer and editor all rolled into one!) and I've also worked as a producer.
   One of my most rewarding endeavors was writing a book about World War II veterans in the community in which I lived. It was while I was in Columbia that I put together "Honoring South Carolina's WWII Heroes of Flight" as a volunteer project for the Celebrate Freedom Foundation. I learned so much from that generation and I have incredible respect and admiration for those who serve. All proceeds of the book go to CFF. You can visit www.celebratefreedomfoundation.org to learn more.
   On a personal note, my husband Derek (a helicopter pilot for the VA State Police) and I love living here. We enjoy hiking and biking, so this area really feels like home to us. In our spare time, we try to explore as much as possible, scouting out different trails and checking out new places to eat.
   Well that's enough about me (if you've got some time to kill, there's more at www.rebeccapepin.com), now I'd like to hear from you. You can drop me a note at rpepin@foxtricities.com if you have any story ideas or if you just want to tell me about the wonderful things going on in your community.

See you at 10pm on Fox!

- Rebecca Pepin