Date: Fri 23-Jul-1999
Date: Fri 23-Jul-1999
Publication: Bee
Author: DOTTIE
Quick Words:
snapshot-Pat-Denlinger
Full Text:
SNAPSHOT: PAT DENLINGER
Occupation: I am a bookkeeper and paralegal, doing mostly title searching in
my husband's law office. I have a bachelor of arts degree from the University
of Connecticut in English and history and a certificate of paralegal from
Fairfield University.
How Long in Newtown: I have lived in Newtown for 31 years.
Biggest Change Seen in Town: I guess I'd have to say the growth. There has
also been a big change in hands-on volunteerism. I was in the League of Women
Voters (LWV) and the Jaycees, both of which have folded. We made wonderful
friends with the Jaycees. We are still spending New Year's Eve with the same
group of friends.
Family: My husband, Sutherland William, and I have been married for 38 years.
We met at Staples High School in Westport. We have four children, Carley, Jim,
Julie, and Diane, and six grandchildren, who I adore, Michael, Danny, Billy,
Matthew, Emily, and Julie. Carley and her husband, Harry Lee, have three boys;
Jim and his wife, Tracey, have one little girl; Julie and her husband, Dean
Raab, have a son and a daughter; and Diane is getting married in November.
Pets: We have a mutt named Stella and a cat named Odie.
Hobbies: Photography, golf, bowling, reading and volunteering, and spending
time with my grandchildren, of course. My volunteering was related to my
children when they were young, with the PTA, Girl Scouts, and Jaycees. I also
am involved in investment and book clubs, and was one of five women who worked
on the interior furnishings and designed the carpet for the library during the
recent addition. I like to work on things that I can look back on and see the
results. I served on the committee that began the Family Counseling Center. I
do believe in community service, and Newtown has been very good to us. The
kids got a great education here, and all of them have graduate degrees. My
husband has done well, and we have a lot of friends. I love it here.
Favorite Books and Authors: I have gotten to like non-fiction and recently
read A Civil Action by Jonathan Haar. It was really fascinating. I just loved
it. I heard him speak at a bar association meeting after I had read the book.
Favorite TV Show: A&E and Masterpiece Theater . I also like the 10 o'clock
lawyers and doctors shows.
Organizations: I have been a member of the Ladies Literary League for about 30
years. I am a member of the Fairfield Hills Ad Hoc Committee that is looking
into whether the town should consider buying it. I am also replacing Gordon
Williams as a member of the Board of Trustees of the library. I am a prior
member of the board. I am a member of Flagpole Photographers, Rock Ridge
Country Club, a bowling league, Money Madness Madams, an investment club, and
am in charge of the sale of bricks for the sidewalk at the library to raise
money. When I was in the LWV, I worked on various study committees, and served
on charter revision committees.
Most Vivid Memory of Newtown: With three other women, I ran the Summer
Festival and the parade for four years. Just running the parade, and riding
down in front of the parade and seeing everyone, it's wonderful. Being
involved all year in preparation, it was very satisfying to see it come off.
Now my grandchildren all want to come to it.
Favorite Vacation Spot: I've been to a lot of places, but I would have to say
my favorite vacation spot would be any new place, with golf courses or
history, and where I can take pictures. We had a wonderful trip to Africa, and
I visited my daughter several times when she lived in Germany. We also visited
Gordon Williams when he was teaching in England. I like to play golf because
the golf courses do wonderful things with the scenery.
Personal Philosophy: Trying to make the life of everyone around you better,
family and community. Trying to keep things happy. I feel strongly about
encouraging family to be close.