Longtime Princeton resident and PAC member Julia “Julie” McCutchan will receive a special tribute award as the 2014 Patron of the Arts. The award will be presented at PAC’s annual Gala event Feb. 15.

Julie became a member of PAC in 1996 when her son Ron McCutchan was on the organization’s founding board of directors. She attended many PAC events during the next three years while her son filled the position of program director there. After three years, in 1998, the original founding members of the board found that their term was up, as stated in the bylaws of the corporation. Then-president Deb Young approached Julie to find out if she would be interested in taking over the vacant position of treasurer. After careful consideration and wary interest, Julie consented to “help out,” and has been helping out ever since.

Up until 2013, Julie remained on the PAC board, working with commitment and determination to see things through. She has served in various capacities from president to treasurer, and when there was no one willing to fill a vacant presidency, she would find someone or do it herself. The president’s position in a volunteer organization means countless hours in not only presiding over the or-ganization, but also making sure the building and grounds are taken care of.

Julie has held the title of gardener, grant writer, newsletter editor, fundraiser, groundskeeper, sign changer, baker, host-ess, usher, and “on call” at all hours to let people into the building when needed.

The Prairie Arts Council board of directors is extremely grateful to Julia McCutchan. For this we would like to award her with a special tribute as PAC’s Patron of the Arts.