Date: Fri 25-Sep-1998

Publication: Bee

Author: DOTTIE

Quick Words:

snapshot-Evelyn-Watts

Full Text:

SNAPSHOT: Evelyn Watts

Occupation: I am a homemaker, wife, mother, grandmother, and volunteer, and I

work part time in the office of the Newtown Manufacturing Company.

How Long Lived in Town: I grew up in Sandy Hook. I'm proud to be a Hooker. I

went through all the Newtown schools. My parents came here as summer residents

and moved up permanently.

Biggest Change in Town: I would say the growth. When I grew up here, there

were dirt roads and party lines. It was not unusual not to have electricity or

telephone. It was more of a farming community. I don't blame people for moving

to Newtown. It's a wonderful town. It has a nice location, nice people. The

town has a big heart. It's a wonderful place to raise a family.

Family: My husband, Bill, and I will be celebrating our 38th anniversary in

October. I have a son, Bill Jr. He and his wife, Judy, have three children,

Kyle, 4, Megan, 3, Melissa, 10 months. They live in Sandy Hook. They bought my

parents' house on Osborne Hill Road Extension. My daughter, Heidi Ansari, and

her husband Shadhrd have two children, Jacob, 6, and Daniel, 3. My son, Eric

and his wife, Michelle, live in Hinesburg, Vt., near Burlington. They are

adopting a Rumanian baby. They have invited me to join them when they go over

to pick her up. Her name is Gabriella, and she was born in March. We are all

crossing our fingers that there are no glitches.

Pets: I have a dog, Bogart, who we call Bogie. He is a collie mix. We are his

fourth owner. We inherited him from our son, Eric, who found him. Our dog had

died, and I hated coming home to an empty house. We also have a cat. He landed

on our doorstep 14 years ago as a kitten, and we kept him. He is named Morgan

for the house we live in, which was known as Morgan's Four Corners Farm. We've

had a lot of animals through the years, such as chickens, ducks and sheep. We

had the wool from the sheep sent up to Maine and had blankets made from it.

Hobbies: I used to do a lot of crafts and sewing, but I don't anymore. I love

the outdoors. I love to ski, I love to hike. I also love planting, both

vegetables and flowers, inside and outside.

Books: I like to read, but I don't have time. We receive two newspapers, The

Newtown Bee, the Sunday New York Times and numerous magazines. We listen to

books on tape on trips to Vermont. It makes the drive go faster. The library

has a wonderful selection to choose from. My favorite authors are Dick

Francis, Dorothy Gilman, Elliot Roosevelt, Zane Gray and Louis Lamour.

Organizations: I am a member of the Newtown Village Cemetery Association,

Hattertown Historic District Commission, Business and Professional Women,

Winterset Ski Club, Croesus Investment Club and Newtown Forest Association. I

belong to the Newtown Congregational Church and am a member of its women's

Fellowship. I am part of the group that supplies and delivers meals to church

members who are ill or need help. The Newtown Forest Association has 1,000

acres in town that always will stay open. It is the oldest land trust in

Connecticut. The land is available to the public for passive recreation.

Travel: My husband and I like to try different places. We also like to camp.

When we collect enough air miles, we go on a trip. Last year we went to

Alaska. I just loved it. New England is one of my favorite areas.

Philosophy: My philosophy is live by the golden rule, help other people and

give something back to the community.