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New director fitting in at The Gathering Place

MILTON — Paula Schutt says she spent most of her first year at The Gathering Place learning the ropes.

If that's true, it will be amazing to see how much she does with some experience under her belt.

A quick glance at the senior center's monthly newsletter, "Gather 'Round," shows the new life Schutt has brought to the building at 715 Campus St., Milton.

She and her staff and volunteers have started new activities such as a Positive Attitude Club, Wii video game tournaments and a monthly "Guy's Morning Out" with maintenance worker Jim Slowey.

Last week, the center went wireless and became the sixth senior center in the state to install a "My Senior Center" computer system to track member visits and activities.

"She's got so many good ideas, it's just wonderful," said Kathleen Passer, Milton, a board member and volunteer.

Passer and other volunteers rave about Schutt's energy, enthusiasm and friendliness.

Phyllis Bingham, Milton, has seen several directors come and go in her nine years as a volunteer, including three directors in the four years before Schutt arrived. She loves Schutt's willingness to try new things and include everyone.

"Everybody's happy campers now," Bingham said. "She gives people the feeling that they're welcome."

Schutt, Janesville, said she's happy, too.

"It really is a fun place to be," she said. "I call it my second home."

One of her favorite activities from the past year was the center's first murder mystery dinner theater in November, she said. She hopes to make it an annual fundraiser.

Schutt wants to bring other arts to The Gathering Place, too. She's started a monthly "Sunday with the Arts" series starting with a concert from local band Southwind at 1:30 p.m. Sunday.

She has plenty of other ideas for the coming year, including bringing a hair stylist to the center once or twice a month and installing "Marion's Tea Room" on the porch, named after the center's founder, Marion Allen.

Schutt's efforts have gotten out the word about The Gathering Place, Passer said.

"She promotes us in the community, which is what we need—some exposure to let people know we're here," Passer said.

IF YOU GO

What: "Sunday with the Arts" Southwind concert. The first Sunday with the Arts installment will feature a local bluegrass, folk and country band.

When: 1:30 p.m. Sunday

Where: The Gathering Place, 715 Campus St., Milton.

Cost: $5

To learn more: For more information about Sunday with the Arts or other Gathering Place activities, call (608) 868-3500.