Ellington Senior Center Volunteer Spotlight: Patricia “Miss Pat” Stoughton

For the past 16 years, the Ellington Senior Center has been graced by the presence of many volunteers.

This month we highlight the talents of Patricia Stoughton, fondly known as “Miss Pat.” An active member and leader of several organizations, many have seen Miss Pat as the face of Ellington during the “Winterfest” Celebrations. We would like to share a couple of special areas Miss Pat has been involved with extensively at the Senior Center since its inception in 1997 including Musical Insights and the Memories and Creative Writing.

A program called “Musical Insights” was suggested in 2003. This wonderful program is held in the evenings on the second and fourth Monday from 6-8 p.m. at the Senior Center. Musical Insights is a diversified program which includes classical, operatic, ballet operetta and contemporary music. Also, there is occasion when Musical Insights participants do field trips to live performances in Simsbury and Hartford. In addition to listening to various genres of music, this is a learning experience as volunteers’ present oral history on certain forms of music and biographies.

Pat explains, “I am very proud of this group and their endeavors and especially when their programs have a special meaning for them.”

Also, she shares, “This program brings forth the major thrust of my musical training and has broadened my musical horizons with others of the same learnings.”

In addition to Musical Insights, Miss Pat has also hosted the Memories and Creative Writing Group since 2004. 

“The group is quite diversified in their writing and it serves as a wonderful springboard for poetry, storytelling and vocal comments and invites conversation.” 

This program is open to everyone regardless of writing experience. To date, Memories and Creative Writing has published three booklets available for purchase at the Senior Center. Presently, the group is preparing a shorter edition of writings to be published in 2014.

“This group is another example of bringing together a great gathering of talents. So much talent and social interchange is the outcome.”

Memories and Creative Writing meets at the Senior Center the third Thursday of each month from 1 – 2:30 p.m. In addition, annually an evening reading and sharing is presented to the public at Hall Memorial Library.

Miss Pat has participated in fundraisers for the Senior Center, such as Fashion Shows, special programs, publicity, the Ellington Singers and other special community events. You name it, she’s done it! 

Miss Pat thanks the many people who continue to work with her and continue to support her. 

We thank YOU Miss Pat!