Meet Elsa.

Meet Elsa.  She’s our summer intern this year for the Summer Writing Camp and we think she’s the perfect fit!  So, if you’ve registered your 4th-8th grader for summer camp this year, meet their instructor.

EGuentherPhoto

Elsa Guenther, Creative Writing Specialist

This fall, Elsa Guenther (Wheaton, Illinois) enters her final year at DePaul University majoring in English, Creative Writing with a Minor in Theatre Studies and Psychology.  She’s been on the Dean’s List all quarters in attendance and in 2010 she was accepted through audition as 1 of 40 actors for The Theatre School at DePaul.

During her time at DePaul, Elsa was a Chicago Mentor, a teaching position that introduces Freshman to college life and the city of Chicago.  But her studies have taken her beyond Chicago.  Last winter she studied Travel Writing, Religion and Politics while she lived with a host family in Morocco.  But one of her most rewarding experiences came this spring semester in the National Outdoor Leadership School in New Zealand.  A small group of students and 2 instructors backpacked off-trail, sea kayaked, and sailed; all while taking classes with assignments and exams in ecology, first aid and leadership.  Elsa admits it was “physically, mentally and emotionally challenging.” Elsa has published poetry, judged speech tournaments and enjoys camping and yoga.  We’re excited to have Elsa join TT Patton.

Octopus ImageSummer writing camps are for students grades 4th – 8th.  This year we’ve included Cursive Writing and  Calligraphy.  Register today!

Civility is comforting during difficult times.

April was a difficult month.  My husband’s dad The Honorable Jesse M. Patton, Sr., passed away on the 16th just 10 days before the 16th anniversary of his mom’s passing.  I didn’t notice these ironic details when the day arrived, but they encourage me hold my husband a little closer each day.condolence notesI appreciate this journey we will all take some day, but death is still a difficult discussion for most.  Maybe that’s why I am so humbled by the outpouring of cards and notes we’ve received as an expression of support for our sorrows.

So yes, we have lots of thank you notes to write for so many forms of condolences from friends, family and my wonderful clients.  But it’s so comforting to know that civility still reigns and people turn to old-fashioned hugs, flowers, food, notes, phone calls and now email and text messages to show they care during difficult times.  Thank You Note JpJesse and I will miss Senior, as I affectionately called him.  But we’re blessed to have you all here to help ease the pain.  Thank you for your kindness; civility is comforting, especially during difficult times.

A few words create thousands of pictures

Are you still wondering what’s on the other side of this big camera? They say a picture is worth a thousand words.  Well, I think a few words can create thousands of pictures.  I worked with a pretty cool film director Randy Young of TAP Productions to pull together this short segment for TT Patton.  He started with only a few words…

RandyFilming

Have you made a difference
Spread some joy
Had a thought
Been personal
Have you cared enough for someone to say
thank you
or
I love you
Have you written lately?

TT Patton, Barrington

Continue reading