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I absolutely and unequivocally love to organize. And I know plenty of other people who also love to organize. They always find just the right place for shoes that are freely kicked off in a mudroom. Cereals are emptied from boxes and placed in large clear containers. Cooking spices are visually arranged with labels facing out so that cooks can easily grab what they need. Clothing is always folded neatly and tucked away in the appropriate drawer.
But this type of organization applies to things. I do not share a similar organization fervor for things. Rather, the type of organizing I love to do is for processes and people.
For many people, organizing an event or a new home build (for example) can feel overwhelming. And it’s not overwhelming because they are unclear about what the order or timeline is of the event or new house build. Most people understand that the floor and walls need to be built before the roof can be added. Rather, it becomes overwhelming because wiring needs to be done before the walls are complete and the floors are finished. Choices for kitchen cabinetry need to be made long before the installation date so that workers are kept busy and construction progress continues. Additionally, there are permitting deadlines and financial payments to organize. If you pay for the entire house construction at the beginning, it may be unlikely that you have a completed house in the end. Not that I am a general contractor, but for me, these are the processes that I love to organize. Primarily because I find that most processes are centered around people.
To be clear, I do not like to organize people because I like to boss them around out of a need to feel in-charge. Rather, I like to organize people simply because I enjoy trying to make an experience or a process more… enjoyable. Several years ago, I was volunteering at an event wherein hundreds (and hundreds) of people showed up early. The organizers were not prepared for the early arrivals and considered that they would not accommodate them, allowing the masses to gather in groups scattered everywhere. I noticed the people becoming angry and decided to unleash my organizational skills. Soon, I was yelling instructions about where the people should gather and within a few minutes, I had managed to enlist the help of the other volunteers so that we could advise the growing crowd, how and where to form a line. And within a few more minutes, the people were standing in a long and windy stream that allowed for the process of checking-in, to then commence. After all, my history of event organization has left me with the full understanding that people don’t just arrive for an event when the event is ready to begin. Rather, they arrive at the time when they are ready to begin the event! Better to be…
Prepared. Prepared
Kathy Naumann, possessor of NATURALLY curly hair and the understanding that you can’t control everything!

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caption, page 5:

Honored
More than 100 Korea-era and Vietnam-era veterans were honored March 25. U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal and Connecticut Department of Veterans Affairs Commission Roland Welch and Mayor Barney Seney are at the front. More photos on Wed. night on our FB page: Putnam Town Crier & Northeast Ledger. Linda Lemmon photo.

Thanks Long Overdue for Veterans

By Linda Lemmon
Town Crier Editor
PUTNAM — “We’ll never be able to thank you enough. You should have heard those words when you returned but you never did,” said Department of Veterans Affairs Commissioner Roland Welch. The program, titled: "Lt. Governor Susan Bysiewicz, Welch and Mayor Barney Seney Present the Putnam Korean-era and Vietnam-era Veterans Awards Ceremony" March 25, more than 100 local veterans were honored.
And one speaker after another thanked both era veterans for their service and sacrifice — long overdue.
Welch said he’s done about 32 of these ceremonies. He talked about how he “played war” when he was a child and listened to his Uncle Bob’s stories about his service in Korea. “I served because of my Uncle Bob and every one of you,” he said. “You were my mentors.” Welch went from private to general – no small feat, according to Seney.
Speaker U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal, too, said the 113 veterans honored there “not only served our country but served as role models.” He thanked the veterans for their service. “This is really an inspiring ceremony. I am honored to be here.”
Seney said as a Vietnam vet he saw “what it was like to lose people and what we saw when we got home.”
Both Welch and Blumenthal talked about all the services available and expanded services in the future. Welch said some 120,000 veterans have taken their own lives since 9-11. “This is unacceptable.”
The attending veterans (and families) were honored with a Certificate of Appreciation from the town of Putnam, an Official Statement of Recognition from Bysiewicz, and a Certificate of Special Recognition from Senator Blumenthal. Vietnam vets were also given a lapel pin by Welch. Putnam Economic and Community Development Director Mary Ann Chinatti helped organize the ceremony.
Those honored Vietnam/Korean War Veterans
William Anger, Vietnam, USAF, E-5, Staff Sgt.; Edward Artiaco, Vietnam, USN, E-5; Kenneth Asting, Vietnam, USAF, Sgt.; Maurice Auger, Vietnam, USAF, E-5; Stephen Banks, Vietnam, USN, GM-3; John Barrett, Vietnam, Army, SP5; Alfred Beland, Vietnam, USAF, E-1; Sergio Berti, Korea, Army, Posthumous - family received; Leo Blain, Vietnam, USMC, Lance Corp.; David Boudreau, Vietnam, USAF, E-4, Sgt.; Gene Brousseau, Vietnam, Army; Garry Brown, Vietnam, Army, E-5; Lawrence Christy, Vietnam, USAF, Sgt.; Robert Clemens, Vietnam, USMC, Lance Corp.; Michael Clements, Vietnam, Army, E-5, Sgt.; Maurice Coderre, Vietnam, USAF, E-4, Airman 1st Cl.; Michael Coderre, Vietnam, USAF, E-5, Staff Sgt.; Ronald Coderre, Vietnam, USAF, A2C; Paul Desautels, Vietnam, USAF; Dennis Donovan, Vietnam, USN, Radioman; Ernest Doucette, Korea and Vietnam, USN, CPO, Posthumous – family received; James Dowd, Vietnam, Army, Sgt., Posthumous – family received; Harvey Duffany Jr., Vietnam, Army, E-5 Sgt.; David Gilbert, Vietnam, USN, E-5; Leo Guedremont, Vietnam, USN, E-5; Albert Heath, Vietnam, Army, E-4; Roland Houle, Vietnam, Army, Posthumous - family received; James Jarboe, Vietnam, USMC, E-3; Alan Joslin, Vietnam, Army; Gordon Kellenberger, Vietnam, USN, E-4; Patrick Kelly, Vietnam, USAF, E-4; Victor Kratz, Vietnam, Army, E-5; Randall Law, Vietnam, USAF, Master Sgt.; Edward Lawrence, Vietnam, Army, E-4 Specialist; Marcel Lussier, Vietnam, USN, GM-2; Richard Malo, Vietnam, Army, E-4 Sgt.; Joseph Margnelli, Vietnam, USN, E-3; Russell Michaud, Vietnam, USMC, E-4; Christine Otten, Vietnam, Army, 1st Lt.; John Pitzschler, Vietnam, Army, E-4 Specialist; Peter Regas, Vietnam, USN, MM3; Joseph Rice Sr., Vietnam, CT Nat’l Guard, E-4; Arthur Rickey, Vietnam, USAF, E-5; Enzo Rossi, Vietnam, USAF; Norman B. Seney Jr., Vietnam, Army, E-4; Alan Sheldon, Vietnam, USAF, E-4, Posthumous - family received; David St. Hilaire, Vietnam, USAF, O-3 -Pilot, Captain; Steven Sullivan, Vietnam, Army, E-5; James Taylor, Vietnam, USN, E-6; Dennis Vanasse, Vietnam, USN, E-3; Kenneth Vassar, Vietnam, Army, E-4; Russell Waters, Vietnam, Army, E-4; James Welsh, Vietnam, USN, OM-2; Lawrence Wood, Vietnam, USN E-6; Paul Zamaites, Vietnam, USCG, E-4.

More photos at the link below
(from Lt. Gov Susan Bysiewiczs officee):

https://flickr.com/photos/lgsusanb/albums

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Toyota
dealership -
building
starts soon
By Linda Lemmon
Town Crier Editor
EAST PUTNAM — With the demo pretty much finished, can construction be far behind for the Toyota dealership?
No.
The owners of the 13-acre parcel on Rt. 44 are finishing their review of bids for construction, according to sources.
Construction should take about a year.
The intent is to move the Toyota dealership from its McGee home in Dudley to its new home in Putnam. A decision on the dealership property in Dudley has not firmed up yet.  discussed.
The dealership in Putnam will be state-of-the-art and will be a “mega store.” It’s anticipated that the new dealership will sell 300 vehicles a month.
Town officials and McGee officials could not be reached for comment.
In March 2022 Sean and Michael Putnam, LLC purchased the 12-acre parcel just east of the Putnam Parkade. The sale price was $1.335 million, according to town clerk records. In August 2022 Sean and Michael Putnam LLC purchased a 1.1 acre parcel adjacent to the 12-acre parcel for $725,000. The additional parcel would give the developers enough useable land for the dealership. The 12-acre property has a good deal of wetlands.
The demolition of the two houses at the front of the parcel was just completed. Following demolition, a building permit can then be pursued.
Officials  in the town’s building/zoning/land use department had said the developers have all their approvals from the town’s planning and zoning and inland wetlands commissions.

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Putnam Area Foundation:
$10k for veteran park rehab
PUTNAM — As an important and impactful supporter of projects, events and the people of the Putnam area, the Putnam Area Foundation (PAF) presented a donation of $10,000 to the Putnam Veteran’s Advisory Committee (VAC) for the rehabilitation and upgrades to Veteran’s Memorial Park.
       Work began last year, and much planning has been going on over the winter months. Spring comes fast — all assignments are in place, and teams of workers, students and volunteers are ready to go.
       Visitors can expect to enjoy new monuments, restored existing monuments, improved lighting, and flagpole, plus a “Court of Honor” featuring over 1000 bricks for local veterans.
       PAF’s donation will support not only a large quantity of bricks, it also helps support the other work lined up.
       Thomas Borner, president of the PAF, said, ”The Foundation is pleased to support the project honoring all those who have served this country in assuring our freedom in the greatest country to have ever existed.”
       For more info, go to www.putnamct.us/government/commissions/veterans-advisory-committee.

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