Northborough – The Northborough Rotary Club has announced the selection of Patricia Cluff as the 2013 Applefest Grand Marshal.
When Pat and her husband, Bill, moved to Northborough 50 years ago, she could hardly have imagined being honored for her community service by being named Applefest Grand Marshal, she said.
“I was flabbergasted” she responded, when asked what she thought of the honor.
Pat was an at-home mom while she and Bill raised their three children. As her children grew and entered school, Pat became more involved in the community.
As the wife of a Northborough firefighter, Pat learned early on that many hands make light work.? She was active in the Fire Belles, an organization of wives of firefighters, who would make coffee and sandwiches for their husbands to support them as they performed their duties.? They also raised money for the department with suppers and bake sales.
As a physical education and health teacher before moving to Northborough, Pat continued to share her expertise by teaching exercise and volleyball classes through the Westborough YMCA, the Northborough Senior Center and adult education classes.
An active member of the Trinity Church, Pat has spent countless hours participating in “Call to Care” by providing support for those in the congregation who need a visit, a smile, a ride or someone to listen.? She played a key role in the Mistletoe Mart at Trinity, raising much needed funds to help the ministry. The success of this mart was one of the reasons the Friends of the Northborough Senior Center sought her out to help set up the Jewelry Cart at the Senior Center.
As a volunteer in the classroom, helping teachers with copying, collating, bulletin boards, acting as a class chaperone or Community Reader, Pat is known to be willing to help wherever needed.
Pat may be best known for her continued commitment to the children of Northborough through the “Board Game Buddies” program at Proctor School, started more than fifteen years ago.? This program allows grandparents and other older adults to interact with fifth graders once a month while playing Scrabble, chess, checkers, Bananagrams or any one of the board games available at the school.? This intergenerational exchange of ideas, thoughts and interests educates the students in ways that the “3 Rs” could never do.? The joy to the grandparent or older adult is immeasurable.
“I'se been very blessed; I have lived a happy life” says Pat.? “You have to find joy in whatever you do.”
As the Applefest Grand Marshal, Pat will be recognized for her invaluable service to the? town.? Please thank and congratulate her as she leads our 2013 Applefest Parade riding on the Fire Truck that sometime ago, her husband, Bill would have driven to a fire call.
