Date: Fri 29-Jan-1999

Publication: Bee

Author: DOTTIE

Quick Words:

snapshot-Mary-Maki

Full Text:

SNAPSHOT: MARY E. MAKI

Occupation: Prior to our relocation to Connecticut, I was secretary to the

president of Ithaca College. I continue to work for Ithaca College in support

of Dr Whalen, who is now president emeritus.

How Long in Newtown: We moved here in July 1997. Except for two years when we

lived in Chicago, we have lived in the Ithaca, N.Y. area.

Biggest Change Seen in Town: I, too, am concerned about the rate of

development in Newtown, and the impact it has on the town's infrastructure. I

hope the town will continue to monitor the growth and to designate as much

"protected" land as possible. The Fairfield Hills property is of great concern

and hopefully whoever is chosen to develop this property will have the highest

integrity.

Family: My husband Ray and I have been married for 30 years. Our daughter,

Melissa, 26, just received her master's degree from Syracuse University and is

now working for the Addison County Counseling Center in Middlebury, Vt. Our

son, Brennen, 23, just graduated from Geneseo College and then spent four

months in Germany where he attended the Goethe Institut and passed the

national proficiency exam in German. He is working at Danbury Internal

Medicine while he saves and applies for law school.

Pets: We have a little black cat, Tesh.

Hobbies: I enjoy reading, walking, swimming, and gardening. I love working in

the perennial gardens around our home. I love exploring different areas of the

state with my husband, and trying out new restaurants.

Favorite books and authors:I love to read and lately have devoured mysteries.

My favorite authors are P.D. James, Mary Higgins Clark, Patricia Cornwell, and

Clive Cussler, to name a few.

Organizations: I am a "library person" and consequently joined the Friends of

the Library as soon as we moved here. I am now serving as vice

president/secretary of the Friends, and also as secretary of the St Rose

Women's Club. I enjoy helping with the Newtown oral history project. The

special memories that are being shared of life in Newtown at the beginning of

the century are fascinating and so very important to be recorded before they

are lost.

Philosophy: I think it is so important to give of your time and talents to the

community. Everyone has some kind of special gift or talent, and it should be

shared.