Wed. March 20
Trust Meeting
POMFRET CENTER --- A Special Membership Meeting of the Wyndham Land Trust will e held at 7 p.m. at the Connecticut Audubon Society of Pomfret center on Day Road. Members are encouraged to attend to vote on updates to the Bylaws and Articles of Incorporation. The annual stewards meeting will follow immediately after the vote. Those interested in the Trust are welcome to attend.

Stories of Recovery
DANIELSON --- Quinebaug Valley Community College will present “Stories of Recovery,” a panel discussion about the opioid epidemic, at 9 a.m. in the Robert E. Miller auditorium. 860-932-4089.

Exhibit
N. GROSVENORDALE ---  The Friends of the Thompson Public Library will present Art @ the Library, “Portrait of an Artist” by Steve Veilleux through March 28.  www.thompsonpubliclibrary.org

Thur. March 21
Fund-raiser
PUTNAM --- Dining for a Cause will take place from 5 to 9 p.m. at The Crossing on Main Street to benefit PAWS Cat Shelter.

Women’s History
DANIELSON --- Quinebaug Valley Community College will present a Women’s History Month event, “Pushing Past ‘NO’ Overcoming Obstacles on the Path to Success” at 12:30 in the Robert E. Miller Auditorium. Sponsored by the QVCC Cultural Programming Committee and the office of the President.

Sat. March 23
Fund-raiser Dinner
PUTNAM --- PHSAAA and PASS will present a Chicken Parmesan Dinner from 4:30 to 6:30 at the K of C Hall on Providence Street. $10 at the Putnam Recreation Department.  Takeout recommended. Benefits the PHS athletic banquet and activities for Putnam After School Service.

Fund-raiser
PUTNAM --- The Real Wives of Windham County will hold its Annual Prom Dress Sale Fund-raiser from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Putnam High School Gymnasium. Gently worn prom dress for $20 cash. Shoes, jewelry and accessories will be available for sale. Benefits prom dress drive and tuxedo rentals.

Food Drive
PUTNAM --- There will be a food drive for the Daily Bread Food Pantry from 9 a.m. to noon at the Cargill Council 64 Knights of Columbus Hall on Providence Street. Non-perishable food items and tax-deductible monetary donations accepted. Easter Bunny will be there. You can also mail a check to: Interfaith Human Services of Putnam. P. O. Box 281, Putnam, CT 06260. 860-928-7241.

Sun. March 24
Service
BROOKLYN --- A Christian Healing Service, formerly held at St. Philip’s Church in Putnam, will be held at 2 p.m. at Trinity Episcopal Church on Rt. 6. 860-774-9352. All welcome.

Nature Program
HAMPTON --- The Connecticut Audubon Society of Pomfret will present “Trail Wood Non-Fiction Book Club” from 2 to 4 p.m. at Trail Wood on Kenyon Road. Free for CAS members; $5 for nonmembers.  860-928-4948.

Mon. March 25
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. March 28
Nature Program
HAMPTON --- The Connecticut Audubon Society of Pomfret will present “Trail Wood Artists In-Residence Exhibit and Panel Discussion” at 5:30 p.m. at the Yale University Kroon Hall. Free to the public. Ctaudubon.org/trail-wood-home.

Trivia Fund-raiser
PUTNAM --- The Putnam Lions Club will hold a trivia challenge at 7 p.m. at Crossings Restaurant. The charity benefitting will be the PHS Wall of Fame.

Fund-raiser
PUTNAM --- The DKH Cruisin’ for Cancer Care Guest Bartender Night will be held at 5 p.m. at the Black Dog Bar & Grille. Benefits the Northeast CT Cancer Fund of DKH. Daykimball.org.

Lyme Program
EASTFORD --- The Eastford Senior Citizens are hosting a Learn-at-Lunch program at 11 a.m. at the Eastford Town Office Building’s Lower Level. Speaker Linda J. Colangelo, Education and Communications Coordinator for the Northeast District Department of Health will discuss “Lyme Disease Prevention, other Tick-Bourne & Mosquito-Bourne Illnesses & Rabies Prevention.” $7 & includes lunch. RSVP before March 25: 860-538-8868.

Immigrant Program
DANIELSON --- Quinebaug Valley Community College will present “Voices from the Immigrant Rights Movement” at 10:30 a.m. in the Robert E. Miller Auditorium. Sponsored by the QVCC Cultural Programming Committee.

Sat. March 30
Benefit Concert
KILLINGLY --- Broadway Live Productions will present “Voices in Concert” with the New England Jazz Ensemble at 2 and 7:30 p.m. at the Killingly High School theatre. It benefits the KHS Music and Drama programs and the QVCC Foundation. Mybroadwaylive.com

Fund-raiser Concert
WOODSTOCK --- The sixth annual benefit tribute concert dedicated to the memory of folk legend Pete Seeger is at 7:30 p.m. at the First Congregational Church of Woodstock on Rt. 169. $10. Benefits the Community Kitchen at The First Congregational Church.

Yankee Pot Roast
QUINEBAUG --- St. Stephen Church, Rts. 131 and 197, will present a Yankee Pot Roast and drawing. Meal is from 5 to 7 p.m. and the drawing follows. Takeout. $10 for adults and $6 for kids 12 and younger. 508-789-9874.

Lasagna Dinner
BROOKLYN --- The Federated Church of Christ at routes 6 and 169 will hold a take-out lasagna dinner from 4:30 to 6 p.m. (or until it’s gone). $10.

Sun. March 31
Nature Program
POMFRET --- The Connecticut Audubon Society of Pomfret will present “Bears in Connecticut” from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Grassland Bird Conservation Center on Day Road. Free for CAS members; $5 for nonmembers.  860-928-4948.

Sat. April 6
Finnish Breakfast
CANTERBURY --- Finnish American Heritage Society Annual pancake breakfast will be held from 8 to 11 a.m. at the Finnish Hall, Rt. 169. $8 adults; kids 3-10 $5, under 3 free. 860-546-6671.

Intro to Fly Tying
POMFRET --- The Pomfret Public Library will present a Fly Tying Open House from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the library. pomfretlibrary.org.

Spring Fair
ASHFORD --- The Ashford Senior center will hold a spring fair from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the center on Tremko Lane. Bake sale and lunch available for purchase. Crafters sought --- call. 860-428-6502.

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caption:

The Rotary Volunteerism Expo got help from committee members, Rotary clubs and other volunteers. Linda Lemmon photo.



PUTNAM --- Volunteerism is the lifeblood of small communities, so naturally the first annual "At Your Service:  A Volunteerism Expo" was a resounding success .
Melissa Bonsall, chairman of the Putnam Rotary Club's expo committee, was very pleased with the expo March 16: “This event far exceeded our expectations for participation. We had no idea how many organizations would be represented, or how many visitors would come seeking volunteer opportunities. We are thrilled with the success! Almost all of the vendors said they had at least a few folks sign up for actual volunteer work, and some even had as many as 40-50 people commit to help their organization! This is a shining example of the generosity in northeastern CT, and the desire to give and take care of others.” She said she would definitely like to make this an annual event.
Fifty organizations in need of volunteers connected with more than 200 residents looking for an outlet for volunteering.
The Putnam Rotary Club collaborated with the Plainfield Rotary Club and the Killingly-Brooklyn Rotary Club so the expo attracted vendors and potential volunteers from all  of northeastern Connecticut.
Marcy Dawley, a Putnam Rotarian and a representative from the Wyndham Land Trust, put it succinctly "The place was packed."
Russ Downer, president of the Woodstock Valley Fire Association said, "We were not sure what to expect being the first time out, but wow, what a success! We were able to reach out to a number of people through this event."
Julie McDonald, from the Real Wives of Windham County, said, "W met a lot of organizations we can now partner with, but we also connected with a lot of people who wanted to sign up with us!"
Cindy Jordan from Habitat for Humanity of Eastern Connecticut said in an email to Bonsall: "This event was absolutely wonderful. I appreciate the clear signage and information provided. It was amazing to see 200 community members come to give back to their community. Please let me know if you plan more events like this."
Vendors who signed up include ACCESS Agency, American Legion Post 13, American Red Cross, Aspinock Historical Society of Putnam, Boy Scout Troop 21 (Putnam), Bradley Playhouse, Captain Joel Cook Society - Children of American Revolution, Celebrating Agriculture, Danielson Fire Dept. Daughters of American Revolution, Day Kimball Healthcare, E. Putnam Fire Dept. Girl Scouts of CT, Habitat for Humanity, Hale YMCA, Hay Burr Equine Rescue & Sanctuary, Interfaith Human Services of Putnam, Killingly Historical and Genealogical Society, Killingly Recreation Dept. Killingly Spring Fest, Masonicare, NECT Chamber of Commerce, Northeast CT Women & Girls Fund, Northeast Dist. Dept. of Health, Northeast Opportunities for Wellness, Northeast Placement Services, PAWS Cat Shelter, Plainfield Pack 111 Scouts, Putnam Business Association, Putnam Leo Club, Putnam, Killingly-Brooklyn, Plainfield Rotary clubs, Quiet Corner NEMBA, QV Regional Rotaract Club, Real Housewives of Windham, Relay For Life NECT, Roseland Cottage, St. Joseph's School, TEEG, Thompson Together, Tourtellotte Memorial High Alumni Assoc.. Tri-Valley Inc., TVCC/RSVP, Venture Crew 90, Westview Health Care Center  Windham County 4-H Foundation, Woodstock Volunteer Fire Association, Wyndham Land Trust, Young Antelers, Young Marines.
Visitor Barbara Clarke said, "I went and loved it! So many opportunities!"
Bonsall, a Putnam Rotarian and chief operating officer at Generations Family Health Center, came up with the idea while pondering the work that Rotary does and thought, "Beyond what we all do, how can we inspire the Rotary's motto, 'Service Above self'." She thought a volunteerism expo was the answer.
Others involved include Putnam Rotarians, staff from Putnam High School, Justin Dumas and Rocky Wagner from the Plainfield Rotary Club, Loni Wright from the Killingly-Brooklyn Rotary Club. Students in the Gay Straight Alliance Club provided refreshments as a fund-raiser for their club.
Committee members included: Bonsall, Pam Brown, Rachael Johnston, Karen Osbrey, Betti Kuszaj, Elizabeth Buzalski, Anne Miller, Kristen Willis and Delpha Very.
Bonsall said: "And yes, we will definitely host the event again next year, as this was a huge success!"

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Reflections
The old Morse Mill is reflected in the Quinebaug River in Putnam. More photos on page 6. Linda Lemmon photo.