THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, September 29, 1996 TAG: 9609270214
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 03 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: 20 QUESTIONS
SOURCE: Susie Stoughton
LENGTH: 74 lines
Though she's never fought a fire, Martha H. Wheeler says firefighting is in her blood.
She spends her days at Suffolk's fire headquarters on Market Street, but the only fire uniform she's ever worn was in the city's recent United Way softball tournament.
The department needed three women for the co-ed tournament, and Wheeler - executive secretary to Chief Mark Outlaw - agreed to play.
``I felt like I was a handicap before they started,'' said Wheeler, a Suffolk native and graduate of Forest Glen High School. ``I hit the ball every time. I just got out every time. But I never struck out.''
She played catcher, and the team rolled into first place.
On the field or in the office, she's smiling, friendly and helpful. She considers the firefighters like family and says working with them is a pleasure because they are so dedicated to their jobs.
Wheeler, 42, is secretary to the Fire Commission and the Fire Department Auxiliary. Besides keeping all the office paperwork straight, answering the phone and helping walk-in customers, she coordinates the department's United Way campaign. This year, she and Linda Keeling - the police chief's secretary - helped organize a silent auction for the city's United Way kick-off.
On the United Way's annual Day of Caring, she helped a team of city workers from various departments put together two swing sets for the Children's Center in Franklin.
``The best thing about that day was learning to use a gas-powered augur,'' she said.
She also enjoyed getting to know other city employees, most of whom were practically strangers before that day.
Fondest childhood memory: Playing on my grandparents' farm every Sunday afternoon.
Marital status/children: Happily married for 24 years to my high school sweetheart, Sammy. One daughter, Kelly Ann, a junior at East Carolina University.
Pets: Ike, our 10-year-old Labrador.
First job/worst job: First - I worked at the Forest Glen High School bus garage after school. Worst - I worked one summer at Champs, a fast-food restaurant.
If you had a choice, what other job would you choose? None. I really love working with the family of employees at the Fire Department and co-workers at City Hall.
What's your favorite hangout? Eastern Shore. Camping.
Favorite night out on the town: Ruby Tuesday and a movie with my husband.
Favorite food/drink: Any kind of seafood, especially crabs/Coffee - a must in the mornings, and iced tea.
Favorite movies/TV show: ``The Thorn Birds''/``Mad About You.''
Book you wish everyone would read: The Bible.
Ideal vacation: A repeat of this year's vacation to Cancun, Mexico.
I can't resist: Lab puppies.
Few people know that I: love to go crabbing.
Most embarrassing moment: Missing the one ball I should have caught in the United Way Softball Tournament.
If you won the lottery, what would you do/buy? No need to fantasize about this. Never bought a ticket.
What is the best advice you've been given and by whom? Never say, ``I can't.'' My best friend.
What's the best thing about yourself? That I genuinely care about others and their feelings.
If you could trade places with anyone in the world, who would you be and why? A younger me so I could live my life over exactly the same but cherish each moment.
What achievements are you most proud of? My daughter and my marriage.
Something you wish to say but haven't: When life gets you down, take time to look up. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by JOHN H. SHEALLY II by CNB