Jackie Draper

When Jackie Draper moved into her home nineteen years ago, she and husband Darrell had a "hi-bye" relationship with the couple next door. When the couple welcomed Baby Taylor into their family, Jackie tied balloons to the door in celebration, and things took off from there.

"I eventually became the neighborhood Easter Bunny," said Jackie, who remembers sneaking out in the middle of the night to leave candy-laden baskets not only for little Taylor but for the children across the street, as well. Even though "Little" Taylor is now 17 and no longer believes in the mythical bunny, Jackie continues to enjoy a good relationship with the family next door, as well as many of her neighbors. "Everyone around here is very nice," she said.

Family:
Husband, Darrell, two sons and one daughter, eight grandchildren and two great-grandchildren

Her favorite/most interesting job?
Working as a collector for Dialchek (a bounced check recovery business). Jackie also worked as a paralegal and for several years, owned the batting cages across from the Dugout Sports Complex, Davenport. Now that she's retired, she hopes to spend this segment of her life peacefully.

If she could eat only one food, that would be ...
Mexican (She likes her own best.)

Her best meals?
Stuffed pork chops, cabbage and peppers, schnitzel, German potato pancakes with cinnamon and potato salad (THE most requested of all her specialties)

Famous person she'd like to meet:
Garth Brooks. In Jackie's words, "He can put his boots under my bed any day."

Hobbies/interests:
Listening to country music and "the oldies"; going on cruises (three to date); spending time with friends and family; and collecting antique cookbooks. (She has a 1934 congressional cookbook from Lloyd Thurson, a seven-term Republican U.S. Representative from southern Iowa.)

And bowling?
Jackie has spent most Friday nights bowling and just recently quit coaching junior bowling at Millertime Bowling. "I loved coaching; loved the kids. Even showing up every Saturday at 8 a.m."

What about "the car"?
It's a 1998 teal, Mitsubishi Spyder convertible. "She just turned 50,000 on Mother's Day," said Jackie, who celebrated by going out for a spin.