Osbrey pg 1 12-24-14
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PUTNAM — Putnam Arts Council President Karen Osbrey has been appointed to the Connecticut Arts Council.
Osbrey, who co-owns WINY in Putnam, will succeed member Betty Hale, following her resignation.
Outgoing Senate President Don Williams made the appointment, noting his confidence that Osbrey’s “experience and knowledge will be of great value to the [Connecticut Arts Council].”
“I’ve known Karen for over 30 years, and she is just amazing,” Williams said. “[Osbrey] knows and cares about northeastern Connecticut so much. One of my goals has always been to make sure that our part of the state is well represented on the statewide boards and commissions. She will bring great expertise and knowledge of our area, and will stand up for our area on the Arts Council.”
Osbrey is a past president of the Putnam Business Association, sits on the Board of Directors for the Interfaith Human Services of Putnam, is the adviser to the Putnam Interact Youth Club, treasurer and past president of the QVCC Foundation and she co-chairs the Patient Advisory Council at Day Kimball Healthcare. She is also a noted arts and education advocate in the region.
The 13 members of the Connecticut Arts Council are tasked with “supporting the arts and establishing and managing a non-profit foundation” according to the State Offices of Culture and Tourism.
Osbrey has been a driving force behind – and promoter of – the successful Putnam First Friday program, Putnam RiverFires and other events.
Osbrey’s term is effective immediately, and runs through Sept. 30 of 2016.
Aerial pg 1 12-24-14
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Delicate
One of the many handmade straw ornaments on the tree at Matulaitis. More photos on page 6. Linda Lemmon photo.
By Linda Lemmon
Town Crier Editor
PUTNAM --- Wispy snowflakes floated down onto the residents' tree at Matulaitis. In the time it takes to walk up to the artificial tree, you'd expect those snowflakes to melt.
But they don't. Rather the Christmas tree is adorned with delicate straw ornaments, made by hand by Lithuanian nuns long ago.
Wendy Bither, activity director, said she's been working at Matulaitis for about 20 years and the ornaments were there when she arrived. She suspects the ornaments have been on the Christmas tree for the 40 years the facility has stood in Putnam.
Bither said the tree is erected two weeks before Christmas and remains for two weeks after Christmas.
Two types of straw ornaments grace the tree: those that are glued and those which are strung together.
She said because the delicate straw might be crimped by scissors, the nuns used a clever three-sided box with slits in it that hold the straw firmly while razors are used to cut the designs.
When the season is done, she said, the ornaments are carefully put away in large boxes with dowels inside. The ornaments are hung on the dowels for the off-season.
Bither said the residents do the decorating. Sister Bernadette is the Superior, Bither said.
Then and Now pg 2 12-24-14
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Then
This is the SNET building in 1913. It was in what is now the parking lot of Charlie Bravo's on Grove Street in Putnam.
& Now
This is the current spot.
& Now
And this is where the current phone company building is, on Main Street in Putnam.
Bonuses pg 3 12-24-14
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Bonuses given
WATERFORD — Charter Oak Federal Credit Union awarded over $393,000 in annual $100 cash bonuses to its Gold Rewards members in December, which is a new record for the credit union’s member-appreciation program.
In total, Charter Oak has paid out more than $1.6 million in annual cash bonuses over the past five years to Gold Rewards members. In addition, the credit union has rebated $391,177 in ATM fees, bringing the total payout in annual cash bonuses and rebates to more than $2 million since the program was created in 2010.
“This year’s record Gold Rewards payout is a reflection of our financial strength and the increasing popularity of this program,” said Brian A. Orenstein, Charter Oak’s CEO.
Since Gold Rewards began, Charter Oak has seen steady growth in the number of members who qualify for its benefits, along with increases in the size of the annual cash payouts. “We’re proud to be the only financial institution in eastern Connecticut to pay out $100 annual bonuses – and we’ve done it for five consecutive years now,” said Orenstein.