Take part in search
for superintendent
PUTNAM — A Putnam Superintendent search process is underway and parents, the community and town officials are invited to take part in a focus group session at 7 p.m. March 20 in the Putnam Board of Education Office, large conference room at Putnam High.
The Putnam School District has engaged the New England School Development Council (NESDEC) to assist them in the search process for a new superintendent of schools.
An integral part of the process involves parent and community participation in focus groups.
The groups are designed to obtain participant input about the attributes, experience and knowledge that the new superintendent should possess.
The groups also provide an opportunity for participants to identify immediate tasks which the new superintendent should address.
This important focus group will last approximately 1 – 1 ½ hours.
If you are unable to attend this session and would like to contribute to the process, you may complete a focus group survey.
To access the survey please go the Putnam School District website, https://www.putnam.k12.ct.us/.
This survey will become active on March 15 and stay open through March 21.
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Whenever you see a long line of people, naturally, you think that there must be something exciting or interesting happening on the other end! After all, people wouldn’t queue-up for something dull or painful (with the exception being, of course, at the DMV).
People wait in long lines for all sorts of reasons: to see a concert or a show, to run in a popular marathon, to visit an exceptional attraction or, simply, to board an airplane. Even though we feel somewhat annoyed with the wait in the line, we react positively to there being a line. Imagine that you lined up to board a plane and there were only 10 people in front of you. You would start to reconsider getting on the plane, silently asking yourself if the plane was really safe since nobody else seemed to want to fly on it. Likewise, if you found yourself in an extremely SHORT line after paying $100 for a ticket to see a show, you’d automatically think you overpaid for something no one else wanted to see.
Not long ago, I purchased an upgraded entrance ticket, at a very popular tourist attraction, which included a “Tower Tour.” This particular building had several tall spires and I was excited to think, at our scheduled time, we were going to have the opportunity to go up to the top of one of these towers and witness some amazing views over an amazing city.
I wondered if there would be secret catwalks and hidden nooks that only the Tower Tour participants would be allowed to visit. Although, I did not enjoy waiting 40 minutes in the slow-moving line, the number of people in the line certainly validated, in my mind, my excitement for the tour and the extra ticket expense.
Finally, it was our turn to get into the tiny elevator and head up, wherein the elevator operator quickly informed us that when we got out, we would walk over to the tower viewing platform and when we were ready to come down, we would go down 400 steps. “Okay.” She finished this bold statement with a period rather than a question mark. I didn’t think too much of it since I figured that our descent would be a leisurely one; stopping at all of the viewing platforms and admiring the tower’s incredible architecture along the way.
The “viewing platform” was a teeny tiny alcove with two small windows with bars over them facing just one side of the city. I snapped a quick photo and moved aside to let the next person see, thinking that after a few steps down, we would come to the next viewing platform. I was wrong and we soon discovered that the only other activity on the Tower Tour was the actual Descent, via 400 tiny stone steps wrapping around the tiniest, steepest, spiral staircase I had ever seen. There was also no stopping on our way down for two reasons: gripping the handrail tightly was a necessity and the steady stream of tourists going down was unforgiving.
By the time we got to the bottom, my legs were shaking and sore. Had we really just paid an extra $50 to wait in a long line to take a small elevator ride to the top and walk down 400 steps? I thought about trying to inform everyone who was waiting in the Tower Tour line that it was not worth it! But then again, in order to gain access to them, I would have needed to purchase another ticket.
RIPOFF! RIPOFF!
Kathy Naumann, possessor of NATURALLY curly hair and the understanding that you can’t control everything!
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Wed. March 13
Blood Drive
PUTNAM --- The American Red Cross will hold a blood drive from 1 to 6 p.m. at the Putnam Elks Club on Edmond Street. 1-800-RED CROSS.
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
Fri. March 15
Irish Night
WOODSTOCK --- The United Services 18th Annual Irish Night will be held at 6 p.m. at The Mansion at Bald Hill in Woodstock. Fund-raiser for United Services. $40 each or $350 for a table of 10 and available until March 8 by visiting unitedservicesct.org/events/irish-night.
Sat. March 16
At Your Service
PUTNAM --- The Rotary clubs of Putnam, Killingly-Brooklyn and Plainfield will present “At Your Service. A Volunteerism Expo” from 9 a.m. to noon at Putnam High School. More than 100 volunteer opportunities. Snow date March 23. Free. For more info:
Mon. March 18
Film
POMFRET --- The Connecticut Audubon Society of Pomfret and the Town of Pomfret Green Team will present “No Impact Man” (2009) at 6:30 p.m. at the Grassland Bird Conservation Center on Day Road. Snow date March 19. Free. 860-928-4948.
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.
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.
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
Comedy
PUTNAM --- The Bradley Playhouse will present “New England Comedy All Stars” at 7:30 p.m. March 23, June 1, Sept. 14 and Nov. 16. $24. www.thebradleyplayhouse.org
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.
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.
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.
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 in Woodstock.
Yankee Pot Roast
QUINEBAUG --- St. Stephen Church, junction of routes `131 and 197, will present a Yankee Pot Roast and drawing. Meal is 5 to 7 p.m. 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. $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, Route 169. $8 adults; kids 3-10 $5, under 3 free. 860-546-6671.
Thur. April 11
Notable & Notorious Luncheon
EASTFORD --- The Eastford Senior Citizens will host a learn-at-lunch program at 11 a.m. at Eastford Town Office Building’s Lower Level. About 11:30 AM, Chief Ranger Bill Reid will present “Notable & Notorious: Historically Interesting People from The Last Green Valley.” $7, & includes lunch. RSVP by noon April 8. 860-538-8868.
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Calling all artists!
The Putnam Business Association’s First Fridays Committee and the Putnam Arts Council are looking for original artwork to grace the 2019 First Fridays poster.
The work would be inspired by the First Fridays’ theme this year: American Sports, American Music, American Theme Parks & Animation, Happy 50th Anniversary Woodstock, Celebrating ComCon and Steam Punk.
The winning piece will be reproduced as the cover of the First Fridays program which is distributed throughout northeast Connecticut and beyond. The winner will be awarded at $250 cash prize and will be a featured artist, complete with a bio in the program.
All work must be submitted in full color and fit into a 16x20 poster frame portrait orientation or it will be disqualified. The deadline is March 30.
Visit DiscoverPutnam.com for an entry form. Entries can be dropped off at WINY Radio station where they will be on display until judging time.
For more information, contact Karen at 860-928-1350.
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