Awarded
scholarships
WATERFORD — Several local students were awarded college scholarships from the Charter Oak Federal Credit Union.
A total of 45 scholarships totaling $90,000 were awarded. The scholarship is for $2,000.
Local scholarship winners include: Brandon Griffin, Pomfret School; Kayla Anderson, Putnam High School; Bryce DonFrancisco, H.H. Ellis Technical High School; and Lauren Semancik, The Woodstock Academy.
Other winners include:  Ryan Konon, Bacon Academy; Zachary Aquino, East Lyme High School; Daven Roberts, East Lyme High School; Lucy Driscoll, Ella T. Grasso Technical High School; Caitlyn Shetland, Griswold High School; Allia Izzarelli, Griswold High School; Melanie Straub, Killingly High School; Emily Watling, Killingly High School; Marissa Archer, Ledyard High School; Mikayla Fors, Ledyard High School; Madison Murphy, Lyman Memorial High School; Noah Rumm, Lyme-Old Lyme High School; Hannah Casey, Marine Science Magnet High School; Emma Giurleo, Montville High School; Rachel Liang, Montville High School; Mackenzie Ullrich, Montville High School; Taylin Santiago, New London High School; Nathaniel Crary, Norwich Free Academy; Liliana Lorenzo Concepcion, Norwich Free Academy; Justin Relaz, Norwich Technical High School; Katelyn Benito, Parish Hill High School; Emily Moran, Plainfield High School; Megan Clabby, Robert E. Fitch High School; John Marcolina, Robert E. Fitch High School; Cole Potts, Saint Bernard High School; Connor Naslund, Stonington High School; Emma Sabbadini, Stonington High School; Travis Gladstone, Waterford High School; Julia Karlberg, Waterford High School; Sophia Kasem-Beg, Waterford High School; and Valerie Knowles, Wheeler High School.

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Wed. June 26
Nature Program
POMFRET --- The Connecticut Audubon Society at Pomfret Center will present “Bull Hill Bird Watch/Hike at 8 a.m. at Bull Hill Forest Preserve.  $5 for CAS; $10 for nonmembers. 860-928-4948.

Photo Exhibit
POMFRET --- The Connecticut Audubon Society at Pomfret Center will present “Birds of Connecticut Photography Exhibit” through the end of July at the Grassland Bird Conservation Center on Day Road. 860-928-4948.

Thur. June 27
Nature Program
HAMPTON --- The Connecticut Audubon Society at Pomfret Center will present a Trail Wood Bird Walk at 8 a.m. at Trail Wood on Kenyon Road.  $5 for CAS; $10 for nonmembers. 860-928-4948.

Tour
PUTNAM --- A tour of the American Lithuanian Cultural Archives museum on Mary Crest Drive will take place from 1 to 3 p.m. For info: 978-692-4625.

Trivia Fund-raiser
PUTNAM --- The Putnam Lions Club will hold a Trivia Challenge at 7 p.m. at the Crossing Restaurant. Benefits the Women and Girls Fund.

Fri. June 28
Nature Program
HAMPTON --- The Connecticut Audubon Society at Pomfret Center will present Frog and Toad Calls from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at Trail Wood on Kenyon Road.  Free for CAS; $5 for nonmembers. 860-928-4948.

Museum Tour
PUTNAM --- The American Lithuanian Cultural Archives, 37 Mary Crest Dr., will offer a tour from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Sat. June 29
‘Michael Jackson Experience’
PUTNAM --- The Bradley Playhouse will present a special musical event, Joby Rogers The Ultimate UMX Michael Jackson Experience’ at 7:30 p.m. at the Bradley. $32 for main floor and $29 for balcony. www.thebradleyplayhouse.org.

Fund-raiser
EASTFORD --- The Windham Tolland 4-H Camp will hold a fund-raiser at Frog Rock Rest Stop on Rt. 44. Vendors wanted. Go to Frog Rock’s FB page.

Swedish Meatball Supper
PUTNAM --- The Congregational Church of Putnam will hold a Swedish Meatball Supper in memory of Shannon Labonte from 5 to 7 p.m. $12 for adults; $5 for kids 6-12. Takeout available.  Book sale, drawing. Info/reservations: 860-928-4293.

Mon. July 1
Exercise Group
WOODSTOCK --- The Woodstock Senior Exercise Group will meet from 9 to 10 a.m. every Monday and Wednesday in the Woodstock Town Hall large meeting room on the lower. Minimum fee. Local seniors welcome. Please check the town website www.woodstockCT.gov for current schedule or call 860-928-6595.

Thur. July 4
Happy Birthday, USA!

Fri. July 5
First Fridays
PUTNAM --- The Putnam Business Association’s First Fridays will be held from 5 to 9 p.m. around downtown Putnam. This month’s theme is “American Theme Parks and Animation”

Sat. July 6
Fireworks
PUTNAM --- The Town of Putnam's free fireworks event will begin at 4 at Rotary Park with a concert by the East Woodstock Cornet Band from 4 to 5:30 p.m. The Big Blue Thang will entertain at 7:15 and fireworks begin at 9:15 p.m./dusk. Rain date July 7. Bring lawn chairs.

Thur. July 11
Nature Program
POMFRET --- The Connecticut Audubon Society of Pomfret Center will present “Evening Bird Walk” at 6 p.m. starting at the Grassland Bird Conservation Center on Day Road. $5 for CAS members; $10 for nonmembers. 860-928-4948.

Fri. July 12
Fund-raiser
PUTNAM --- The 35th Annual DKH Putnam Bank Golf Classic will start at 7:45 a.m. and 1 p.m. at Connecticut National Golf Club. $150 pp or $600 non-sponsor team entry fee. daykimball.org.

Sat. July 13
River Fire
PUTNAM --- The River Fire event will begin around dusk in the Quinebaug River off Rotary Park. Free.

Sun. July 14
Tag Sale
PUTNAM --- B'nai Shalom will hold its annual tag sale from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the synagogue on Church Street. Donations accepted.  Call 860-315-5181 to arrange drop off.

Nature Program
HAMPTON --- The Connecticut Audubon Society of Pomfret Center will present “Haiku & Contemplation” from 3 to 5 p.m. at Trail Wood on Kenyon Road. $5 for CAS members; $10 for nonmembers. 860-928-4948.

Thur. July 18
Outdoor Concert
POMFRET – A concert, “Woodstock: 50 Years Later” will be presented at 6:30 p.m. at the Pomfret Public Library. Free.  860-928-3475.

Murder Mystery
POMFRET --- The New Roxbury Land Trust is hosting an interactive Mafia Murders Mystery Dinner at 6 p.m. at Tyrone Farm on Tyrone Road, Pomfret. Costumes encouraged. $50 pp. Make payable to: The New Roxbury Land Trust, 248 Woodstock Road, Woodstock, Ct. 06281. 860-928-2669.

Sun. July 21
Nature Program
HAMPTON --- The Connecticut Audubon Society of Pomfret Center will present “Summer Writing Workshop” from 2 to 4 p.m. at Trail Wood on Kenyon Road. $10 for CAS members; $20 for nonmembers. Register required: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Tues. July 23
Nature Program
HAMPTON --- The Connecticut Audubon Society of Pomfret Center will present “Trail Wood Bird Walk” at 8 a.m. at Trail Wood on Kenyon Road. $5 for CAS members; $10 for nonmembers. 860-928-4948.

Wed. July 24
Rug Exhibition
STURBRIDGE --- The Pearl K. McGown Northern Teachers’ Workshop will hold a rug exhibition from noon to 7 p.m. at the Publick House and event center on Main Street. Free.

Thur. July 25
Museum Tour
PUTNAM --- The American Lithuanian Cultural Archives, 37 Mary Crest Dr., will offer a tour from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Tues. July 30
Outdoor Concert
POMFRET--- A concert, “Straight-Up Jazz Trio,” will be presented at 6:30 p.m. at the Pomfret Public Library. Free. 860-928-3475.

Thur. Aug 1
Fund-raiser
PUTNAM --- The DKH Scoops Night will be held at 6 p.m. at Deary Brothers Mike’s Stand.  Benefits the Northeast CT Cancer Fund of DKH. Daykimball.org.

Fri. Aug 2
‘Shrek the Musical’
PUTNAM --- The Bradley Playhouse will present “Shrek the Musical” through Aug. 18. www.thebradleyplayhouse.org.

First Fridays
PUTNAM --- The Putnam Business Association’s First Fridays will be held from 5 to 9 p.m. around downtown Putnam. This month’s theme is “Happy 50th Anniversary, Woodstock!”.

Thur. Aug. 8
Outdoor Concert
POMFRET --- A Concert will be presented by Claudia Schmidt (who has traversed North America and Europe) at 6:30 p.m. at the Pomfret Public Library. Free. She will present her original songs exploring the folk, blues and jazz idioms. 860-928-3475.

Fri. Aug. 9
River Fire
PUTNAM --- The River Fire event will begin around dusk in the Quinebaug River off Rotary Park. Free.

Sat. Aug. 10
Fund-raiser
PUTNAM --- The NE CT Cancer fund Walk and Race will be held at 8 a.m. at The Black Dog Bar and Grille. $35 pp. Daykimball.org.

Sat. Aug. 17
Fund-raiser
PUTNAM --- The DKH 9th Annual “Give it a TRI” Triathlon will be held at 8 a.m. at Moosup Pond, Moosup. Daykimball.org.

Fri. Aug. 23
‘Forever Plaid’
PUTNAM --- The Bradley Playhouse will present “Forever Plaid” at 7:30 p.m. Aug. 23 and Aug. 24 and at 2 p.m. Aug. 25. $24. www.thebradleyplayhouse.org.

Thur. Aug. 29
Museum Tour
PUTNAM --- The American Lithuanian Cultural Archives, 37 Mary Crest Dr., will offer a tour from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

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I would like to say that I only recently started pressing the snooze button on my alarm clock, but the truth of it is, I have always been a snoozer.  I shared a room with my sister growing up and we both used to snooze, at alternating times, even.  She had to get up earlier than I did so she would set her alarm, hit her snooze button three or four times, which, almost always, started mixing with my alarm going off, wherein, I would promptly hit my snooze button.
Back then, our alarms played the radio.  We both listened to different radio stations.  This resulted in various genres of blasting music emanating from our bedroom, which then, often resulted in our Mother barging into the room and barking at us to “Get Up!  You are going to miss the bus!”
As I got older and entered the adult world of full-time employment, I began setting my alarm 30 to 40 minutes earlier than I needed to actually get out of bed, just so I could snooze.  I’m not sure why I think snoozing allows me to get more sleep, or stay in bed longer, but I can admit, that after decades of snoozing, I am now so used to it, that it is actually how I like to start the waking up process…
If life allowed me to wake up naturally, on my own, every day, I would not be a snoozer, but life is somewhat structured and employment or appointments have schedules, and so, I find myself gradually easing myself into my day.  I’m not sure if I actually go back to sleep in the nine minutes I have between snoozes, but I do know that the additional time makes me feel like I am squeezing out a teeny tiny little nap before I start my day.  And if I can eek in one nap, why not try for three or four?  
Lately, however, I have noticed that I have started using the snooze button, not as an opportunity to get more sleep, but rather, as an opportunity to catch-up on some of my daily communications and scheduling.  I find myself hitting the snooze button and rather than returning my phone to its charging cradle, I pick it up and start going through text messages or emails I might have missed.  Or I open my calendar and see what my schedule looks like for the day or what the weather is going to be.  I check to see if I scheduled a reminder or if I actually pressed the ‘snooze’ button and not the ‘off’ button.
Sometimes, I just roll over and start wondering whether or not I should just get up and see how close I can cut it until I beat the next alarm, shutting it off, before it starts blaring again.  I am aware that my snoozing habit can sometimes drive my husband crazy, but then again, he has become a snoozer himself, most likely coming from the viewpoint of “can’t beat her; join her!”
Yawn…Yawn…

Kathy Naumann, possessor of NATURALLY curly hair and the understanding that you can’t control everything!


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