Curtis Leach, who teaches music at Anderson Grove Elementary in Bellevue, chose favorite objects that reflect aspects of his life and, epecially, family. Born in Minneapolis, Leach, 59, grew up in Excelsior, Minn., and earned a degree in theater and music from St. Cloud State. He moved to Bellevue in 1990, where he is active as a volunteer, board president and actor at the Bellevue Little Theatre. He was just cast as Ben Franklin in BLT's musical "1776." He has two daughters and one grandchild. His favorites:

>> 1. A painting.

"I was in the Navy, stationed in Japan, and I met an artist married to a serviceman. The painting was on their wall, and I'd stare at it. She said it would sell for $500, which I couldn't afford. Two weeks later she said, 'I'll give you the painting for $50.' She did private commissions for people like (ballet star) Rudolf Nureyev.