The Camden Central School District, Camden Elementary School, and the family of Eileen ‘Grinny’ Wolcott cordially invite you to a special dedication ceremony on Friday, October 24th. Community members, staff, students, and local media are welcome to be on hand as a sculpture of “Patrick The Dog” is formally welcomed to its new home at the school’s main entrance. The ceremony begins at 10:30 AM. All are welcome.
Patrick was a friendly Irish setter who was a fixture around the Village of Camden in the 1970s. He was a common sight playing with children in the schoolyard, and was notable for his omnipresent passion for people. Much like the people he loved unconditionally, Patrick also harbored an extensive enjoyment of ice cream.
Donated by her loving grandchildren, a sculpture depicting Patrick stands as a monument to Camden’s beloved four-legged friend of yesteryear. It serves as a gift to a school so important in many of their lives, and as a tribute to the person that loved him most of all, Mrs. Eileen Wolcott. Wolcott was one of the most illustrious residents of not just Camden - but all of Oneida County.
A 1942 graduate of Camden High School, Wolcott dedicated her life to making her community better - time and time again. She did so with a sharp wit, a commitment to service, and a level of drive and ambition that was ahead of her time. She married Willie Wolcott and the couple raised seven children in the Village of Camden - all of whom attended Camden Elementary and graduated from Camden High School.
A woman of many distinct talents, Wolcott had a passion for language, reading, and writing. That passion shone through for all to see during her career with the Rome Daily Sentinel during the 1960s and 1970s. She was a reporter, photographer, and columnist all in one, criss-crossing the Camden area to cover anything and everything readers might find interesting. Her celebrated column “Among Friends” brought readers an illuminating slice of life as a woman living in Western Oneida County. She also instilled that interest in language in each of her children. Her son, Michael, carries on Eileen’s literary legacy today from his Arizona home, where he writes as a columnist for multiple publications including Camden’s own Queen Central News.
Following that chapter of life - one that contained many words, she set her sights on serving older adults in ways that brought generations together. She began working for the Rome Family YMCA, where she launched an adult daycare center in Camden. She was later promoted to Senior Programs Director where she oversaw additional adult daycare centers in Rome, Oneida, and Sylvan Beach. She also created the STAR (Seniors, Tots, Activities, and Relationships) intergenerational community-building program, which drew on the strengths of young and old alike working toward common goals.
In recognition of her work with older adults, then-Oneida County Executive Ray Meier declared May 16, 1995 as “Eileen Wolcott Day” in the county as part of “Older Americans Month”. Her work didn’t stop there, as she later formed the “Ages Together” program to further her mission by uniting school students with older adults for a range of service activities. Eileen passed away in 2022 at the amazing age of 98 - a near century of contributions that is not to be soon forgotten in Camden.
The artist of “Patrick The Dog”, Mr. Bill Wolff, is one of Wolcott’s nine grandchildren. A 1990 graduate of Camden High School, Wolff has gone on to become a globally renowned sculptor across mediums including wood and metal. He was a Monbukahakusho scholar at the Tokyo National National University of Fine Arts and Music, taught 3D design at the Rochester Institute of Technology, and is currently an Associate Professor of Sculpture at Salisbury University in Maryland, where he serves as Art Department chair. He personally spent approximately 180 hours making the family’s vision a reality between modeling, casting, assembly, finishing, and delivery, with an additional 10 hours of work outsourced for plaster scanning and printing in the early stages. The statue was installed with the assistance of DNC Landscaping, which donated labor to make improvements around the sculpture.
What They’re Saying
“Eileen was a pillar of this community for so long, and we’re proud to work with her grandchildren to honor her legacy in this way. Patrick has already become a welcome sight greeting our students and staff each day, just as he brought happiness to all years ago.” - CES Principal Amanda Mitchell
"Much like Patrick, Grinny was a familiar and friendly face around town. I'm sure many will remember her passion for community and the joy she took in bringing people together,” - Shannon Wolcott, Granddaughter
"My grandmother loved trying to connect different generations. A memory of her that can be passed through generations, while also looking over her longtime home just made sense to me,” - Shawn Wolff, Grandson
"Grinny was an inspiring force of an individual that drew our family, and the community she loved, together around her. The lifelong efforts for both deserve celebration and recognition,” - Jeremiah Wolcott, Grandson
"Grinny was a community builder by nature and a role model to many. Patrick watching over the schoolyard perfectly embodies the love, care, and leadership she gave to this community,” - Sarah Westbrook, Granddaughter