Date: Fri 26-Sep-1997

Publication: Bee

Author: DOTTIE

Quick Words:

snapshot-Megan-Heithaus

Full Text:

SNAPSHOT FOR 9/26/97: MEGAN HEITHAUS

Occupation: For almost two years, I have been a volunteer docent for the

Newtown Historical Society working at the Matthew Curtiss House on 44 Main

Street. I am also a sixth grader at Newtown Middle School.

Family: My mother and father are John and Susan Heithaus and my 7«-year-old

brother is named Kevin. My mother made both my Colonial dresses.

How long in Newtown: I'm 11‹ years old. Our house is on Jeremiah Road and we

moved here from Texas six years ago.

Biggest change: When I'm at the Curtiss House, I like to remind people that

even 200 years ago, they had change. You can see it in the houses and the

clothes.

For example, Colonial women wore dresses that looked like those worn by

British women but they modified them to fit their rural life, so they could

move around and do their housework better. Like making shorter hems and

leaving off the lace on the bottom.

Hobbies: I love reading mysteries, classics and anything to do with history.

Agatha Christie is my favorite mystery writer because I can't always figure

out who did it until the end.

There is a problem with Agatha Christie though, because she doesn't always

tell you things that turn out to be important. That the window was actually

open when the murder was committed, for instance.

Pets: We had a dog named Cocomo, a beagle mix, who died a year ago at age 15.

Now my brother has a hermit crab named Bennett. I'd rather not say anything

more about that crab.

Personal philosophy: We need to be more self-sufficient. We depend so much

upon cars and electricity instead of horses and candles. In the old days,

people depended upon themselves and each other more.

Also, in Colonial times, if you lived on the frontier, you might not see

another family for years. Or you might have to ride 50 miles to get to your

nearest neighbor.

You needed to be very independent to live that way.