Date: Fri 06-Jun-1997

Publication: Bee

Author: ANDREA

Quick Words:

Snapshot-Amy-Mangold

Full Text:

SNAPSHOT: AMY MANGOLD

Occupation: My biggest occupation is being "mom" - that's the most fun. I

teach gymnastics part-time at Dance, Etc, I supervise at the teen center - The

Garage - and part-time I do childcare at my home. I was recreation supervisor

for Parks and Recreation, and someday would like to do that again.

How long in Newtown: I've lived here since I was born, since 1965. I spent

four years in New Haven at Southern Connecticut, but I came home on the

weekends. I love Newtown.

Family: When I think of "family," I think of everyone - my husband's family,

my family. My husband [was one of] seven children, I'm [one of] five. We spend

a lot of time with both our families. My husband, Bill, and I have been

married for nine years. Our children are Andrew, 5«, Shaun, 3, and this baby

is due the 25th.

Pets: Yes, we have a large amount of cats - eight cats right now. And we have

a lot of interesting creatures collected from nature: turtles, chameleon, wood

spider, and hermit crabs.

Organizations: I belong to Newtown Jaycees. I do a lot of volunteering for my

son's school, Hawley School...It's so nice to spend a lot of time being

involved with schools. I'm a member of the National Parks and Recreation

Association.

Hobbies: That's shifting now because of my present condition. We play a lot of

volleyball. My husband and I played doubles beach volleyball; now, with the

children, we joined the town league. I love to ski - water and snow ski, and I

love to ride my bicycle. Now that I'm expecting, my hobbies are gardening and

completing our home. We're putting in shrubs and landscaping because our home

is new. My husband designed our home and built it. My father and I took an

adult ed computer course together, and my mother and I took floral design

course together. Those are newer hobbies.

Biggest change in Newtown: There are quite a few; it's hard to pinpoint just

one. I'm disappointed the Indian mascot has changed; it's always been part of

the school. Fairfield Hills closing. It's nice to know the town is using that

beautiful property. And the projects: the building, renovations, sewers - it

will be nice when it's done. I'm happy to see the Hawley Manor being rebuilt.

View of Newtown: I love Newtown. Even though everyone's making comments about

the work going on and all the development - there's a lot of controversy - I

still think it has its hometown roots. I love that my children are in the same

elementary school that I went to. I run into so many teachers and [former]

school mates. I love the town and the close community feeling that it has.

It's so nice to see it really hasn't changed much [in that respect].

Personal philosophy: I think it's important to spend as much time as I can

with my children - they grow so quickly - and my family. Everything is so

structured these days and we get so busy. I like to sit back and enjoy life's

pleasures. Also: Treat others like you'd like them to treat you. I'm always

saying that to the children.