Books for Babies program inspires
POMFRET — For more than two decades, a small but meaningful community program has helped welcome the youngest residents of the Quiet Corner into the world with a gift that can last a lifetime—a book.
New books can be donated at the Pomfret Town Hall.
The Books for Babies program, led by longtime volunteer Judy Swayze and supported by Carrie Wolfe, recreation director for the Town of Pomfret, continues its mission of encouraging reading and family connection from the very first days of a child’s life.
The program’s roots go back many years when it was originally started by Dr. Valentine and Mrs. Valentine, who created the initiative as a way to foster early literacy in the community. Eventually, Judy Swayze took over the program alongside her husband, Larry Swayze. After Larry’s passing, Judy continued the program on her own, determined to keep its tradition alive for local families.
Today, Judy has been involved in the program for more than 20 years.
Throughout that time, Wolfe has also played an important role in supporting the effort. Wolfe first assisted Judy while serving as director of the Abington Social Library and continued after becoming full-time recreation director.
Through Books for Babies, donated books are delivered to the Day Kimball Hospital Birthing Center, where nurses distribute them to newborn babies and their siblings. The simple gesture helps families begin building home libraries and encourages parents to read with their children from the very beginning.
Wolfe said recreation can take many forms, and reading is one of the most important. “Recreation isn’t just about sports or outdoor activities,” she said. “Reading is another wonderful way to engage the mind, spark imagination, and bring families together.”
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Friday: No school.
Putnam Elementary/Middle
Monday: Mozzarella sticks, marinara, noodles, peas, fruit. Tuesday - Wolf Meal: Beef burger with cheese, sherbet. Wednesday: Popcorn chicken potato bowl, fruit. Thursday: "Wild Mike's" cheese bites, marinara, broccoli, Easter treat, fruit.
Putnam High
Steak and cheese grinders or spicy chicken sandwich. Tuesday: Macaroni and cheese pork or chicken or bacon cheeseburgers. Wednesday: General Tso's chicken or chicken Caesar wraps. Thursday: Spaghetti and meatballs or "Wild Mike's" cheese bites.
Woodstock Public Schools
Every day: Fruit. Monday - elementary: Chicken patties on buns. Middle - Fish sandwich, cole slaw. Tuesday: Bosco sticks, marinara. Wednesday: Chicken nuggets, brown rice, corn. Thursday: Penne pasta, meatsauce, green beans.
Pomfret Community
Monday: Mac and cheese, green beans. Tuesday: Chicken tenders with waffles, cinnamon sweet potato fries. Wednesday: French toast sticks, turkey sausage, hash browns. Thursday: Chicken Caesar salad.
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Interact Club hard at work
PUTNAM — March is a busy month for the Putnam Rotary Club’s Interact Club. They created St. Patrick Day cards for the elderly shut-ins in Putnam. Then they helped the Quinebaug Valley Regional Rotaract Club at its Trivia night fund-raiser. The Interact members served pizzas and subs and were table runners during the trivia game.
The Interact Club is excited to attend the District 7890 Interact conference in Holyoke, Mass., March 28. There, they will present a slide show of all their community service projects and events.
For more information about the Interact Club contact Roberta Rocchetti at 860-933-8603 or
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caption:
St. Patrick Day Cards: From left: Calleigh Levesque, Alyssa Daniels, Paige Perry, Gabriel Cerasiello, Mable Perreault.
Rotaract Trivia Night: From left: Matthew Rybacki, Sam Hachigian, Paige Perry, Gabriel Cerasiello, Calleigh Levesque.
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Legal Notice
Town of Pomfret
Planning and Zoning
Commission
At the March 18, 2026, meeting of the Pomfret Planning & Zoning Commission, the following legal action(s) were taken:
Michael Raymond, 186 Babbitt Hill Road, 26-1Z as submitted in accordance with the included architectural drawings and site plan by Archer Surveying signed on 12/22/2025. APPROVED.
26-1 TA of Andrew Rzeznikiewicz, care of William R. Sweeney, Esq. requesting a Text Amendment to add new Section 5.2.22, with an effective date of April 15, 2026, Special Events in the Pomfret Street Residential District, Subject to specific eligibility requirements and controls. APPROVED
Dated at Pomfret,
Connecticut
March 19, 2026
Sarah Healey,
Assistant Land Use Clerk
Planning & Zoning Commission
March 25, 2026
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Town of Putnam
Planning & Zoning Commission
Legal Notice
The Town of Putnam Planning and Zoning Commission held a hybrid meeting on March 18, 2026, at 7:00 P. M. in Room 201 at the Putnam Municipal Complex, located at 200 School Street, Putnam, CT with APPROVAL granted on each of the following:
Docket # 2026-03 Luke and Ashley Walker request for approval of a 3-lot subdivision consisting of 31.42 acres. Property is located at 44 Blood Road, Town Assessors Map 35, Lot 21, Zoned AG-2.
Docket # 2026-04 Town of Putnam - Brian Lynch, WPCA Superintendent, requests a Zoning Permit and Special Permit of Exception pursuant to Section 605 (B) (3) of the Town of Putnam Zoning Regulations to allow construction of a gravity thickener within the Regulatory Floodway at the Water Pollution Control Facility (WPCF). Property is located at 4 Kennedy Drive, Town Assessors Map 37, Lot 81, Zoned WWTF.
Patricia Hedenberg, Chairperson
March 26, 2026
Town of Putnam
Planning & Zoning Commission
Legal Notice
The Town of Putnam Planning and Zoning Commission held a hybrid meeting on March 18, 2026, at 7:00 P. M. in Room 201 at the Putnam Municipal Complex, located at 200 School Street, Putnam, CT with APPROVAL granted on each of the following:
Docket # 2026-03 Luke and Ashley Walker request for approval of a 3-lot subdivision consisting of 31.42 acres. Property is located at 44 Blood Road, Town Assessors Map 35, Lot 21, Zoned AG-2.
Docket # 2026-04 Town of Putnam - Brian Lynch, WPCA Superintendent, requests a Zoning Permit and Special Permit of Exception pursuant to Section 605 (B) (3) of the Town of Putnam Zoning Regulations to allow construction of a gravity thickener within the Regulatory Floodway at the Water Pollution Control Facility (WPCF). Property is located at 4 Kennedy Drive, Town Assessors Map 37, Lot 81, Zoned WWTF.
Patricia Hedenberg, Chairperson
March 26, 2026
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