Date: Fri 26-Mar-1999

Publication: Bee

Author: DOTTIE

Quick Words:

Snapshot-Caroline-Stokes

Full Text:

SNAPSHOT: CAROLINE STOKES

Occupation: I am retired, but work at Hollandia Nursery during the spring,

planting. I taught third graders for 12 years at Hawley School and was a

substitute teacher before that. I enjoyed it. It was a wonderful period in my

life. I have a degree from Winthrop College in South Carolina and a master's

in social work from New York University.

How Long in Newtown: We came to town in 1946 when we were just married. We

rented for a year and a half in Riverside, then bought our house. We've been

in this house for 50 years. Newtown is a wonderful community. I believe in

cultivating a community spirit. I see a lot of good volunteer work here, and I

hope new people will volunteer.

Biggest Change Seen in Town: Everybody sees the growth. But it's the people

who make this town. I would rather be positive, that the town is growing, and

that the people who come here want the town to grow in an orderly way. What we

miss the most are the town meetings. They helped develop community spirit.

Family: Bob and I have been married for 52 years. We have two daughters. Nancy

and her husband, Bill, live near Atlantic City and have two children. Bonnie

and her husband, John, live in Charlotte, N.C.

Pets: We have two Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, Jewel and Heather. They were

rescue dogs.

Hobbies: I am the volunteer collections curator at the C.H. Booth Library. I

enjoy it. I love gardening and do needlepoint. I help out at the library

mending books. My fingers are always busy. My avocation is genealogy. I have

completed my family tree with over 400 names. My cousin and I searched what

our mothers had done, and I have searched and completed my father's family. I

found I am a descendant of several founders of Connecticut towns. It's a

fascinating hobby and enriching.

Favorite books and authors: I read about three books a week, mostly

biographies. One of my favorite authors is Irving Stone.

Organizations: I am a member of the Mayflower Society, Colonial Dames of the

17th century, and the Connecticut Society of Genealogists. I helped form and

am a member of the League of Women Voters. I am a founder and member of the

Garden Club of Newtown. I am a former member of the Board of Directors of the

C.H. Booth Library. I was active for 25 years in Christian education at the

Congregational Church. I am on the Board of Trustees of the Meeting House.

Most vivid memory about Newtown: Raising a family here. I have great praise

for the schools. Also, Bob and I were named marshals of the Labor Day parade a

few years ago. It was a great moment, to see the thousands of people who

participated.

Favorite Vacation Spot: I love to travel. We just returned from a trip to

Costa Rica and the Mayan ruins in Guatemala. We have been to many European

countries, but England is my favorite. We have been there 15 times and been

back to the original home of my ancestor.

Philosophy: Sharing God's blessings and following the Golden Rule. Life is

sharing.