Date: Fri 04-Sep-1998

Publication: Bee

Author: DOTTIE

Quick Words:

snapshot-Barbara-Gates

Full Text:

SNAPSHOT: Barbara Gates

Occupation: I am not really retired, I would say I am involved in the

community. I do a lot of volunteer work. I was an educator and taught early

childhood education for Syracuse University.

Biggest Change in Town: We moved here 25 years ago from Syracuse. I would say

the biggest change is probably the influx of people. There is not much change

in the area I'm in. We still have a country atmosphere. The Methodist Church

is growing so we have to go to church early to get a seat. That growth is very

rewarding.

Family: I am very proud of my family, my husband, Tom, and four children. My

husband is quote unquote retired. He's a partner with Elinco Precision Motors

and Generators in Norwalk. My son Jim lives in Chestnut Hill, N.Y. and works

as a finish carpenter. He and his wife Lotus have a son, Kris, 14. My daughter

Pam Capozzola and her husband Lou live in West Hampton Beach, Long Island,

N.Y. and have a son, Taj, 16, and a daughter, Eva, 12. Pam is a commercial and

fine arts artist. My daughter Kathy Ferris and her husband Robert live in

Bogota, N.J. They have two children, Anna, 8, and Katie, 5. She is vice

president of Cicatelli Associates Inc. My daughter, Donna King, and her

husband, Jeff, live in Denali National Park, Alaska. They have three children,

Cali, 14, Tessa, 12, and Ellen, 8. She is an Alaskan wildlife artist.

Hobbies: My hobbies include gardening, sewing, knitting and reading. Reading

should be number one. I also play golf in Watertown with other women. I do a

lot of volunteer work. I repair books at the library. I am the representative

of the Methodist Church to Church Women United, which meets once a month with

representatives from each church. I find it very rewarding. I am a member of

the board of the Newtown Housing for the Elderly Inc., Nunnewauk. Faith Pantry

in Sandy Hook, which is sponsored by all the churches, occupies a lot of my

time. I am one of the shoppers for food. The Pantry makes short-term

contributions to those in need.

Books: My favorite author is Clive Cussler. His books are about Dirk Pitt, an

agent for the National Underwater and Marine Agency (NUMA), who searches for

lost shipwrecks. They are suspense books. Some of his books include Sahara,

Shock Wave, and Pacific Caper. NUMA is his agency. I also like Dick Francis'

mysteries about horses.

Travel: We go to Alaska once a year to see my daughter and her family. During

my husband's career with General Electric we did some traveling. Ireland was

one place he did a lot of traveling to. He hopes to take me to Ireland

someday.

Philosophy: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. I taught this

to my children, and my children do very well with this. I do try, but

sometimes it's very hard to live up to.