Charter pg 3 1-9-14
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GROTON — Charter Oak Federal Credit Union ended its fourth quarter by making numerous donations to local non-profits, totaling $16,000. These donations were in addition to $48,000 disbursed earlier in the fourth quarter.
Recipients included: Friends of Assisi Food Pantry; Covenant Soup Kitchen; The New London Community Meal Center, Inc.; St. Vincent de Paul Place; Mystic Area Shelter and Hospitality; Gemma E. Moran United Way/Labor Food Center; Care & Share of East Lyme, Inc.; and the New London Homeless Hospitality Center.
Each recipient received an unsolicited $2,000 donation.
“The winter months can impose numerous challenges for food pantries and shelters, and as a community-based credit union, we feel it’s our responsibility and pleasure to support these organizations,” said Brian A. Orenstein, Charter Oak’s CEO.
Charter Oak’s Community Giving Program has awarded approximately $800,000 to local non-profits in New London and Windham counties since its inception in 2009. Funding priorities include education and training; health programs; human services; housing; community development and revitalization; and the arts. In addition, Charter Oak often sponsors and participates in various community events including Celebrate East Lyme, Groton City Day, and Positively Pomfret.
Honored pg 3 1-9-14
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Honored
PUTNAM — Lisa French, sleep coordinator, has been named employee of the month for December at Day Kimball Healthcare (DKH).
French joined DKH in 1992 in the respiratory department and began working second and third shifts in the sleep center in 1999 when the department was started. In her position as sleep coordinator, she is responsible for managing the day-to-day operations of the sleep center and performing sleep studies. French’s other duties include managing staffing, statistics and policies, and educating the community about sleep.
French is a certified respiratory therapist, a registered polysomnographic technologist, and a registered sleep technologist. A three-time cancer survivor, she was honored with the American Cancer Society’s 2013 “Sandra L. Labaree New England Volunteer Values Award.” French is a life-long resident of northeast Connecticut and currently lives in Pomfret with her husband Dwight and daughter Kaitlyn.
New pg 3 1-9-14
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PUTNAM — The Putnam Board of Education announced that they and the Putnam Education Association have finalized contract negotiations for the teachers’ contract covering the years 2014-2017.
Once again, the two groups used Interest Based Bargaining for negotiating the contract.
Interest Based Bargaining is a type of negotiation which is different than traditional labor negotiations.
In Interest Based Bargaining, each side presents a number of issues to discuss, brainstorm and collaborate to find solutions.
This contract resulted in total salary increases of 3.0 percent in the 2014/15 school year and 2.75 percent for both the 2015/16 and 2016/17 school years.
The total salary pool over the life of the contract will be 8.5 percent. This 8.5 percent increase is just under the state average for three-year teacher contracts negotiated this year.
In addition, the teachers have agreed to change the way their health insurance will be funded.
All teachers will now be required to have a Health Savings Account.
This change has potential savings for the Board of Education over the long term. The Board and teachers’ union also agreed to some minor contract language changes.
The contract was filed with the Town Clerk.
Michael Morrill said, “Interest Based Bargaining has allowed us to work together collaboratively with the teachers to find solutions to issues in a non-confrontational manner. We were happy to be able to collaborate with the teachers along with the Board of Finance during this negotiation. IBB helped the Board and teachers to settle under the state average of 8.84 percent along with restructuring health insurance plans. Any savings that we realize will help us maintain the positive momentum that we have experienced in the last few years.”
Calendar pg 4 1-9-14
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Wed. Jan. 8
Art Exhibit
POMFRET --- The Connecticut Audubon Society at Pomfret will present Landscape Paintings en Plein Air by Muriel Miller through Jan. 30 at the Grassland Bird Conservation Center on Day Road. 928-4948.
Fri. Jan. 10
'Little Mermaid'
PUTNAM --- The Complex Performing Arts Centre (Theatre for Kids ... by Kids) on Front Street will present "The Little Mermaid" at 7 p.m. Jan. 10, 11, 17 and 18 and at 2 p.m. Jan. 12. 963-7170.
History Program
CANTERBURY --- The Canterbury Historical Society will present Thomas A. Fatone with "The Signs of Connecticut" following its 7 p.m. business session in the Community Room in the Town Hall. Refreshments follow. Free. All welcome.
Sat. Jan. 11
Free Throw
PUTNAM --- The Elks National Hoop Shoot Free-Throw Contest will be held at 9 a.m. at the Putnam Middle School Gym. Hosted by Putnam Elks Lodge 574. Free to boys and girls who will be between the ages of 8-13 on April 1, 2014. Open to local youth. For information call Putnam Recreation Dept. at 963-6811.
Sun. Jan. 12
'Little Mermaid'
PUTNAM --- The Complex Performing Arts Centre (Theatre for Kids ... by Kids) on Front Street will present "Ballerina Princess Tea Party" at 12:30 p.m. Jan. 12 and at 5:30 p.m. Jan. 17. 963-7170.
Tues. Jan. 14
Crafts
THOMPSON --- The Thompson Recreation department will present a senior citizen craft event, Air Freshener Doll, from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Bring scissors. Free for Thompson Seniors; $50 for non-resident seniors. Preregister by Jan. 11: 860-923-9440
Wed. Jan. 15
Ice Cream Social
N. GROSVENORDALE --- The Thompson Recreation department will present an ice cream social for senior citizens at 12:15. Free. Open to residents and nonresidents age 60 or older. Preregister: 860-923-9440
Thur. Jan. 16
Bird Walk
POMFRET --- The Connecticut Audubon at Pomfret Center will host a bird walk at 1 p.m. starting at the Grassland Bird Conservation Center on Day Road. $5 for members; $10 for nonmembers. 860-928-4948.
Fri. Jan. 17
Teen Weekend
POMFRET --- The Windham-Tolland 4-H Camp on Taft Pond Road will hold a Winter Teen Weekend from 5:30 p.m. Friday until 9 a.m. Sunday. $50. Preregister by Jan. 13: 860-974-3379.
Author Talk
WOODSTOCK --- The Author Series will present a talk and signing by Patrick Mckenna Lynch Smith, author of “Leaving the Life: A True Story of Love, Loss and Gratitude” at 6 p.m. at the Woodstock Academy, Bracken Memorial Library, 57 Academy Road. Free. All welcome.
Awards Gala
THOMPSON --- The Northeastern Connecticut Chamber of Commerce will hold its 2014 Annual Dinner and Awards Gala starting with cocktails at 5:30 at the Thompson Raceway Restaurant. RSVP by Jan. 9. $100 per couple/ $50 per person. Reservations required.
Sat. Jan. 18
Bonfire
N. GROSVENORDALE ---The Holiday Bonfire and Fuel for Fire will begin at 5:30 p.m. at the Community Center and at Phelp’s Pond on Main Street. Music followed by bonfire, ice skating on the pond (bring skates) with food, dancing and music. Inclement weather: Jan. 19. 860-923-9440.
Owl Walk
POMFRET --- The Connecticut Audubon at Pomfret Center will host an Owl Walk at 5 p.m. starting at the Grassland Bird Conservation Center on Day Road. $5 for members; $10 for nonmembers. Will be cancelled if inclement weather. 860-928-4948.
Sat. Jan. 25
Ham, Bean Supper
E. WOODSTOCK --- The East Woodstock Congregational Church will hold a ham and bean supper from 5 to 7 p.m. $10 for adults; kids 10 and younger admitted free. Tickets at church office or call 928-2731. Takeout available.
Soup Dinner
S. WOODSTOCK --- Putnam Lodge #46 will be having a public Soup Dinner from 5 to 7 p.m. $7 includes a choice of six different homemade soups along with bread and drinks. Pay at the door.
Flea Market
OXFORD, Mass. --- The First Congregational Church on Main Street will hold an Indoor Community Flea Market from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Vendors accepted - call 508-987-2211.
Sun. Jan. 26
Concert
POMFRET --- Rectory School will present Music at Rectory School Benefit Concert from 2 to 4 p.m. in the P.Y. & Kinmay Tang Performing Arts Center. $15. 860-963-7640.
Tues. Feb. 4
Open House
POMFRET --- Rectory School will host an admission open house from 9 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.
Fri. Feb. 7
'Member of Wedding"
PUTNAM --- The Complex Performing Arts Centre on Front Street will present "The Member of the Wedding" at 8 p.m. Feb. 7, 8, 14 and 15. 963-7170.
Fri. Feb. 21
'Odd Couple'
PUTNAM --- The Bradley Playhouse will present "The Odd Couple - Female Version" at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 21, 22, 28, and March 1 and 8 and at 2 p.m. Feb. 23, March 2 and 9. Tickets: 860-928-7887.
Sun. March 2
Train Show
CHESHIRE --- The Cheshire High School Band Parents Association will present a train show from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the school on Rt. 10. $6 for adults; under 10 admitted free. 203-265-7527.
Sat. March 22
Flea Market
OXFORD, Mass. --- The First Congregational Church on Main Street will hold an Indoor Community Flea Market from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Vendors accepted - call 508-987-2211.
Fri. April 4
Performance
WOODSTOCK --- The Three C's will present the classic "Laura Ingalls Wilder," produced by ArtsPower, at 10 a.m. and noon at the Hyde Cultural Center for students. Tickets, for groups of 10 or more, are only $3. For information call the Box Office at 860-928-2946 or at www.thethreecs.org.
Sat. May 10
'Madam Butterfly'
WOODSTOCK --- Performing Arts of Northeast Connecticut will present "Madam Butterfly" performed by CT Lyric Opera at 7:30 p.m. at the Hyde Cultural Center. $20 general admission; $20 reserved seating online. www.performingartsnect.org. 860-928-2946.
Fri. May 23
Performance
WOODSTOCK --- The Three C's will present "Junie B. Jones," produced by Theatreworks USA, at 10 a.m. and noon at the Hyde Cultural Center for students. Tickets, for groups of 10 or more, are only $3. For information call the Box Office at 860-928-2946 or at www.thethreecs.org.