Date: Fri 20-Aug-1999

Publication: Bee

Author: DOTTIE

Quick Words:

snapshot-Cathy-Amaral-Freitas

Full Text:

SNAPSHOT: CATHY AMARAL-FREITAS

Occupation: I am the office manager/general manager of Amaral Motors. I have a

bachelor of arts in art from Providence College in Rhode Island.

How Long in Newtown: I have lived here my entire lifetime except for a small

amount of time my husband and I lived in Florida.

Biggest Change Seen in Town: Besides the housing explosion, I used to be able

to go to the old Post Office and know everyone there. It'd take me a long time

to leave because of talking to everyone. Now I go around anywhere, and I don't

know anyone. I also notice that folks that are my parents' age are gradually

moving away.

Family: My husband John and I have been married for eight years. We have two

children, Joshua, 6, and Samantha, 4.

Pets: We have a 105-pound lab named "Bones."

Hobbies: My hobbies are art, such as drawing and painting, and I also

especially like needlecraft embroideries, such as cross stitch and

needlepoint. I do my own designs. I love it.

Favorite Books and Authors: I just finished reading the new John Grisham book,

The Testament , and am about to finish She's Come Undone by Wally Lamb. It is

a very good book. You have to keep looking at the jacket to remind yourself it

was written by a man and not a woman. From his perspective, coming from a man,

it's pretty neat.

Favorite TV Show: I rarely get time to watch TV.

Organizations: I'm not involved in any right now. I'm too busy being a mom and

working. I will probably be attending PTO meetings this year.

Most Vivid Memory Of Newtown: My most vivid memory is of something we don't

have any more, the Summer Block Party at the Queen Street Shopping Center. Of

course, also the parades and the fireworks. We lived next to the town park and

always had a big Fourth of July party with as many people as we could have at

the house.

Favorite Vacation Spot: For the last five years, we have gone to St Augustine,

Fla. in May or June. My husband went to school there. We stay in a condo unit

with a pool and beach. That's all we need. It's a quaint town. This year we

took the kids to the fort. The kids loved it.

Personal Philosophy: It's something my husband told me long ago. Notice

something new every day.