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I am not a fan of contradictory statements and actions. For example, someone may say that they don’t like red, while they are wearing a red sweater. Another person may complain that they are not getting promoted at work, while pretending to be sick and taking the day off. It’s not that I think it’s wrong to not like red or to feign sickness for a day off from work, but I am, for better or worse, a literal person and I find these types of contradictory statements/actions, simply stated, confusing.
I completely acknowledge that there can be complexities and context behind these contradictory statements/actions that I do not fully understand… But, if someone says they don’t like red and then they are wearing something red, I become really confused in trying to figure out these complexities.
Perhaps, (I think) they don’t like candy apple red but they like barn red (the color of their sweater)? Or, (I think) maybe they meant to say orange and red just popped out of their mouth? I think that there must be some sort of explanation that I am not fully understanding because it makes no sense to say you don’t like red WHILE wearing a red sweater.
After watching all six parts of the recent Netflix series on the “Royals” who left the Royal family, I was left with this same type of contradictory statement/action confusion. (I think) the point of the series was to justify the actions of leaving the Royal family, but I cannot say that, after finally dragging through to the last episode that (I think) was the point. This is because (I think) I understood the messaging to be something like we wanted the press to leave us alone and they wouldn’t and so we left. That was the statement (I think?) but the action was completely contradictory as they were publicly talking about and showing their private life, inclusive of the pet/personal names they call one another. Huh? I was confused and kept trying to figure it out thinking that surely Episode 4 or 5 would help with my confusion to the contradictory statements of BASHING the press and action of accepting $100 million to expose their personal life TO the press.
And when Episode 6 only further substantiated my confusion, I was left to consider that, perhaps, I was misinterpreting what I thought was their reason for leaving the family and I should keep trying to figure it out … And that’s when it hit me! I realized that they didn’t leave the Royal family because the press wouldn’t leave them alone. Rather, they left the Royal family because they didn’t like that the press said mean things about them, and that the Royal family didn’t then fix it for them (I think?) Because you can’t SAY you don’t like red when you are WEARING red! In my mind, it’s as simple as that.
Contradiction! Contradiction!
Kathy Naumann, possessor of NATURALLY curly hair and the understanding that you can’t control everything!

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Putnam Area Foundation
awards $43.500 in 2022
Thomas A. Borner, president of the Putnam Area Foundation, said that awards totaling more than $43,500 were awarded during 2022 to a variety of local organizations. Among the recipients were the Northeast Placement Services, The Arc Eastern Connecticut, Woodstock Agricultural Society, Day Kimball Hospital, Jolly John’s Keep on Trucking Cancer Fund, Quiet Corner Cares, The Hale YMCA, The Last Green Valley, The Aspinock Historical Society, The Town of Putnam (funding various events and activities, many in partnership with the Putnam Business Association), The Daily Bread, TEEG, Danielson Veterans Coffeehouse, Northeast Opportunities for Wellness, American Legion Post 13 and NE Connecticut Cancer Crusaders.
“The Foundation is pleased to aid in the support of these local organizations that provide both needed support services to the community and otherwise serve to improve the quality of life in the greater Putnam area. We are fortunate to live in such a beautiful part of the world and in a remarkably giving community” said Borner.
In addition, he announced the re-election of Charles H. Puffer and Paul M. Kelly to the board. Also elected to the board, as a director, was Kyle F. Borner of Pomfret Center. The Foundation, originally organized in 1999, has a mission in supporting northeastern Connecticut philanthropic organizations. The charitable organization operates under the IRS Section 501 (c) (3), and provides support for not-for-profit groups, institutions, schools and other organizations operating in the community. Borner added the independent Foundation targets its areas of investing in Putnam-area communities which relate to education, health and human services, art, cultural and youth programs. Grant applications and requests are considered on a rolling basis and may be obtained by contacting Thomas A. Borner, P.O. Box 166 Putnam, Connecticut 06260.

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By Linda Lemmon
Town Crier Editor
PUTNAM — She began her job in 2009. She retired Jan. 3, 2023.
And in between, she helped build Putnam — and northeast Connecticut.
Delpha Very began working for the town of Putnam, part time, in 2007 as a grants writer. When the town’s economic development director moved on to a job in Arkansas, she became Economic and Community Development director and Putnam Redevelopment Agency director.
She knows both sides having been, in Woodstock, a business owner and a former first selectman.
She said: “I have always been a true believer that ‘Economic Development has no borders’ and this has been an adage I use often. When any town welcomes any business into their community, their success overflows into neighboring towns through restaurants, retail, community engagement, events, night life activities, trail systems, and job creation.”
She added: “When trying recruit new business to our community, the first question they ask is ‘What incentives are you offering?’ and this is the opportunity to actually sell your community on its strengths, why they should seriously consider Putnam as their business home. More importantly, our mission is to assist and nurture the businesses we already have in our town in helping them sustain and grow where they are.”
She said her advice for small rural communities is “always have your eye on the prize and to make sure that we forever believe that ‘change is good’ in keeping up with the trends of change so we continue to be in the forefront of what is coming and be prepared for it.”
The new director is Carly DeLuca.
She’s been busy.
She counts as some of her accomplishments: “Infrastructure developments…Farmers Market Pavilion, Phase I and II additions to the River Trail, Regional YMCA, StoryWalk, Community Garden, Historic Mill Redevelopment, Downtown Revitalization and 88 Main St Façade, Parking and Buildout Studies, Design Guidelines Development, Wayfinding Implementation, Implementation of the 1st Blight Ordinance, Palo Property Environmental Clean-up, and all properties have been sold in the original Industrial Park.” She has been active in the development of the high tech park off Kennedy Drive.
Asked what her proudest accomplishment is she said The Lofts at Cargill Falls Mill.
And the biggest challenge? Hands down the repercussions from the pandemic. “The greatest challenge during my tenure has clearly been the repercussions of the pandemic: businesses lost revenue; loss of core staff or entire staffing; lack of childcare options; forced shuttering; home schooling challenges; lost wages, etc. Unfortunately, we are still feeling the aftermath of the pandemic and need to plan for the changes that are a result. Nationally, my profession is asking the same questions…specifically, how do we redesign our buildings and empty spaces left from vacancies of office space and closed businesses? What will be needed for the future? Will vehicular patterns change with more people working from home? Is it best for career advancement to be working from home, or in a more ‘think-tank’ environment?”
She said that Putnam will continue to thrive if it continues to attract and recruit all sectors of businesses such as high tech, targeted manufacturing, retail. Diversity is tops. “Keeping a diverse portfolio.”
In addition Putnam has a vigorous — and diversified — downtown. Where once there were antique stores side by side by side, then empty buildings side by side by side, now downtown is” blessed with the cross-section of shops in our small footprint” including a yarn shop, toy store, two adorable boutiques, a home décor shop, comic book store, restaurants, art gallery, antique stores, gelato, bakeries, brewery, a community theater, design business, bars, banks, performing arts, pottery shop, hair dressers, and even, near Union Square, a museum — the Gertrude C. Warner Box Car Museum housed in an old rail car.
“Our downtown area alive with small retail shops, restaurants, and live music venues will keep people interested in being here.” The Putnam Business Association and Putnam Recreation Department draw thousands of people all year long with events.
She added: “Our business community has been one of our greatest supporters in making Putnam a strong and giving community, and for that, we are forever grateful.”

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DKH Pianos
fund-raiser
nets $20,000+
PUTNAM — Day Kimball Healthcare’s (DKH) Dueling Pianos inaugural event Nov. 12 raised more than $20,000 to benefit DKH at Home’s in-home care programs which include HomeMakers, HomeCare, and Hospice & Palliative Care.
DKH was pleased to host this first-of-its-kind fundraising event, featuring Savage Pianos, a high-energy rock & roll dueling piano show. More than 225 guests attended and made song requests throughout the night, raising a total of $900 in tips for the event.
“Through the community’s generous support, we are able to continue providing high-quality care, compassionate care to our patients and families,” said Renee Smith, vice president, Post Acute Services, Day Kimball Healthcare
“We are so grateful for the overwhelming response from the community for this inaugural fundraising event,” said Kristen Willis, director of Development, Day Kimball Healthcare. Our crowd was 100 percent behind these efforts, and it showed all night long!”

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