All yearlong, we've beengetting to know the team a little bit better. Today, we take a look at 25 things you may not know about anchor Jean Mackin.
Jean’s favorite landmark in New Hampshire is… “Anywhere by the water. Ilove the Seacoast and the lakes. It's like an instant vacation,” said Jean.
PHOTO: ULocal
What is Jean’s most memorable story assignment? “I love covering major weather events, nor'easters, blizzards, floods, hurricanes, tornadoes. I'm mesmerized by the power of nature and often hang out in the Weather Center bothering our meteorologists with questions,” said Jean.
If Jean could interview anyone past or present it would be… “The list is soooo long - Mother Teresa, Benjamin Franklin, Einstein, Martin Luther King Jr., and I'd love more time to talk to my grandmothers and soak up their stories,” said Jean.
When Jean hears “New Hampshire” the first words that come to mind are... “Live Free Or Die! Love that motto! Also family, maple syrup, moose, lakes, ocean and home,” said Jean.
PHOTO: ULocal
If you took alook at Jean’s iPod you would find… “Train, Lady Gaga, Kings of Leon, Pitbull, JLo, Boston Pops, Les Miserable, and ALWAYS Billy Joel, Elton andJames Taylor. I just got to meet him in Nashua a few months ago.He hugged me when I told him he was on my iPod,” said Jean.
Jean’s favorite ice cream is... “Any flavor that starts with chocolate,” said Jean.
Jean’s favorite subject in school was “English literature and poetry. I loved Robert Frost before I ever lived in New Hampshire and can recite ‘Nothing Gold Can Stay,’” said Jean.
PHOTO: Wikipedia/ Craig Michaud
Jean’s first car was “the ginormous family Oldsmobile station wagon that my parents let me drive. It was pale yellow and not cool at all but I was thankful to have a car,” said Jean.
PHOTO: Wikipedia/ IFCAR
What is the one food Jean can’t live without? “It's a toss-up between cheese and...
PHOTO: Flickr Creative Commons/ julesjulesjules m
chocolate. And I'd like that with a Diet co*ke please,” said Jean.
PHOTO: Flickr Creative Commons/EuroMagic
Jean’s go-to pizza topping? “Doesn't matter. I've never met a pizza I didn't like,” said Jean.
PHOTO: Wikipedia/cyclonebill
Jean’s first job was babysitting. “I earned enough money to take a high school trip to Europe and see Paris with my own eyes,” said Jean.
PHOTO: Wikipedia/ movie poster
Jean’s favorite time of the year in New England is fall. “Bring on the pumpkins,” said Jean.
PHOTO: ULocal
Jean has several favorite sports teams. They include the Boston Red Sox, Patriots, Bruins and Celtics. She also likes UNH Hockey, the Monarchs and Fisher Cats. “I’m a big sports fan! I think the biggest sports fan in my house! So it was a thrill to cover the 2005 Super Bowl and talk to Tom Brady! I still feel a connection,” said Jean.
When Jean was little she wanted to grow up to be… “A ballerina, astronaut, bird watcher, to name a few, but I used to watch the news and imitate the news anchors,” said Jean.
Jean’s favorite non-news smartphone app is Word Feud. “I have a running battle with WMUR photographers,” said Jean.
PHOTO: Facebook
The first concert Jean ever went to was Peter Gabriel with her sisters.
PHOTO: Flickr Creative Commons/ roscoe57
Growing up, Jean had two gerbils named Chip and Dale.
PHOTO: Flickr Creative Commons/ Caza_No_7
The people that have been the biggest influence in Jean’s life are… “Absolutely my parents - wonderful, loving role models and my Mom is the biggest NEWSIE. She once kept me home from school to watch a presidential inauguration because she thought I'd learn more. Now I'm covering presidential primaries,” said Jean.
Jean’s all-time favorite TV shows are M*A*S*H*, Cheers, E.R., The Following and Homeland. She also loves reality shows including Survivor, Amazing Race and the Bachelor. “I admit, I love a break from reality by watching reality TV,” said Jean.
PHOTO: Wikipedia/ Show Logos
Jean’s favorite movies are “The Wizard of Oz,” “The Sound of Music,” “Shawshank Redemption,” “E.T.” and…“anything Steven Spielberg. I'm still haunted by JAWS and have to stop when I see it on TV,” said Jean.
PHOTO: Wikipedia/ PosterRevolution; Wikipedia/ movie poster, John Alvin
What does Jean like to do in her free time? “I like fun gym classes, from dance classes to putting on my boxing gloves for Body Combat. Watch out for my jab, cross, hook, and jump kick,” said Jean.
If there was a movie made about Jean’s life, which celebrity would play her? “Sounds fun. Can I give it a try? We'd have to come up with a good plot. Can I pick the leading men?” said Jean.
PHOTO: Wikipedia/ Linda Wada
If Jean could go anywhere in the world right now it would be… “Anywhere with palm trees and blue water or flannel pajamas and TV,” said Jean.
PHOTO: Wikipedia/ Patrick Verdier
When it comes to picking a favorite restaurant Jean said it is impossible to pick just one. “I love The Common Man and I'm happy as a clam at Clam Haven in Derry. Then I'll grab an ice cream cone at the Ice House in New Castle,” said Jean.
PHOTO: Facebook
One thing that you would be most surprised to know about Jean is that she has clown training. “For a story I once trained with the Ringling Bros. and Barnum and Bailey Circus clowns and went out with them right before the circus started to perform for the kids. I was so nervous. My trick was the lasso. I love my job,” said Jean.
