Bank assets

surpass

$1.4B

EASTHAMPTON, Mass. — bankESB held its quarterly Director’s meeting Jan. 20 and Matthew S. Sosik, president and CEO of bankESB, reported that the bank’s total assets surpassed $1.4 billion at the end 2015.

Gil Ehmke, executive vice president and CFO, reported the bank’s assets were up $373 million from a year ago, an increase of 35.7 percent. “Much of the growth this past year was driven by our mid-year acquisition of Citizens National Bank in Connecticut,” he added.

Ehmke added, “Total loans increased $210 million over the last quarter.” Total loans now stand at just over $983 million."

He also said the bank’s deposit growth was over $361 million, up 42 percent from a year ago. “bankESB continues to be one of the most profitable and successful banks in the State.” Ehmke added.

Sosik said, “2015 was a true milestone for bankESB.  In addition to exceeding all of our goals for asset growth and earnings, we also once again donated over $350,000 to local charities and community organizations.  At the same time, we were able to successfully close on the acquisition of Citizens National Bank and announce a second merger with Hometown Bank out of central Massachusetts, which is scheduled to close in early 2016.  

 2015 was just a great year and was the result of a lot of hard work and dedication from our Board and staff.”

 

PUTNAM — Entries for the poster contest for the First Fridays event this summer are due by March 1.

All work must be submitted full color and fit into a 16x20-inch poster frame portrait orientation or will be disqualified. Bring art to Chase Graphics, 124 School St. Putnam; attn.: Jennifer Beckett. 

The First Fridays Committee is excited to take visitors to six iconic cities, exploring art, architecture, music, and cuisine along the way. 

Below are the descriptions of each city; artists interested in participating in the 2016 poster contest are invited to use the below descriptions to inspire their work. 

The piece that embodies the “artistic road trip” theme and most effectively captures the cities described will be chosen as the winner. 

May 6 – NEW YORK - The Big Apple – New York is arguably the world’s most recognizable city with distinct architecture and a reputation for producing iconic art. From the lights of Broadway to the gritty streets and alleys of the Bronx, all the way to the galleries and coffee shops of Greenwich Village, New York has created art with a global impact.

June 3 – CHICAGO - The Windy City – Chicago is steeped in history and culture with deep roots in blues and jazz music. The city is also known for its improvisational theatre movement, with many comedians and actors graduating from the Steppenwolf and Second City stages. 

With culinary creations like the Chicago Deep Dish Pizza and Chicago-Style Hot Dogs, this city is known for big flavor, sights, and sounds.

July 1 – BOSTON - Beantown and the Cradle of Liberty - this favorite New England city is known as much for sports as for arts and culture, with the Green Monster of Fenway Park and the hallowed halls of Harvard prompting the same national respect. 

Rock bands like Aerosmith, J. Geils Band, and Boston have all made their start here. 

Aug. 5 – SEATTLE – Emerald City - this seaport city became the epicenter for the grunge explosion of the early 1990s, making its flannel-wearing, coffee-drinking residents emblems of a musical and cultural movement. However - poetry, independent music, fine & experimental art, and cuisine all have worked to shape Seattle’s culture. From Pike Place Market to the Space Needle and beyond, this city has a personality all its own.

Sept. 2 – NASHVILLE – Music City, USA -  Nashville has long been the center of the country music scene with classic artists like Johnny Cash and modern musicians like Jack White, playing such venues as the Bluebird Café and the Grand Old Opry. Added to this rich history of music, Nashville’s food, including Hot Chicken and Meat & Three, contribute to the flavor of the city. 

Oct. 7 – NEW ORLEANS – The Big Easy - With its blend of French, Spanish, and Creole cuisine, music, and language, New Orleans is a uniquely cultural American city. 

Famous landmarks like the French Quarter draw countless tourists each year to experience the blues, jazz, food, and annual events that have made the city legendary. Playing on the voodoo culture of New Orleans, the First Fridays Zombie Fashion Show will return this month, drawing crowds from across the region.

 

 

Woodstock public schools

Monday: Chicken patties on buns, fruit. Tuesday: Pizza, carrot sticks, fruit. Wednesday: Chicken tenders, wax beans, fruit. Thursday: American Chop Suey, black beans, fruit. Friday: Ham steaks, broccoli, fruit.

Pomfret Community

Monday: Mozzarella sticks, dipping sauce, peas, fruit. Tuesday: Beef tacos, beans, fruit cups. Wednesday: Hot dogs, veggie cups, fruit, cookies. Thursday: Calzones, veggie cups, fruit. Friday: Chicken patties on buns, frozen treat. 

Putnam Elementary/Middle

Monday: Cheese lasagna rollups, corn. Tuesday: Orange popcorn chicken bites, broccoli. Wednesday---  Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss (Book Giveaway): Green Eggs and Ham, Fox in Sox hash browns, Cat in the Hat strawberry parfait. Thursday: Hot dogs, cole slaw. Friday - half day: Stuffed-crust pizza. 

Putnam High

Monday: BBQ chicken quesadilla, corn.  Tuesday: Clipper burgers, sherbet. Wednesday: Stuffed potato bowls. Thursday: Lasagna, roasted vegetables. Friday - half day: Pizza, cucumber and tomato salad.

 

Wed. Feb. 24

Art Exhibit

POMFRET --- The Connecticut Audubon Society at Pomfret Center will present a Prose and Art Exhibit through March 30 at the center on Day Road. 928-4948.

 

Thur. Feb. 25

Movie

POMFRET --- The Pomfret Senior Center will present a movie, “Coal Miner’s Daughter” at 12:30 at the center on Mashamoquet Road. Open to all local seniors. 928-7459.

 

Fri. Feb. 26

‘night , Mother

PUTNAM --- The Bradley Playhouse will present “ ‘ night, Mother” at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 26 and 7 and at 2 p.m. Feb. 28. $19 and $15. 860-928-7887.

 

Sat. Feb. 27

Winter Tag Sale

PUTNAM --- The Congregational Church of Putnam downtown will present a  Winter Tag Sale from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Donations of sellable items accepted. Proceeds shared with community charities. 928- 4205

 

Tourtellotte Museum

N. GROSVENORDALE --- TLGV Member Tour & Program at the Tourtellotte Museum will be held from 1 to 3 p.m. at Tourtellotte Memorial High School on Riverside Drive. Also tour the Ramsdell Railroad Collection, an extensive archive or railroad photographs and memorabilia. Donations are encouraged to help defray the cost of opening up the building on a weekend and for the refreshments. RSVP required to 860-774-3300 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

 

Winter Concert

WILLIMANTIC --- The Willimantic Orchestra, a community based orchestra, will present its free Winter Concert: "Songs and Dances" at 7:30 p.m. in the Concert Hall of the Fine Arts Instructional Center on the ECSU campus. Free but donations are welcomed and are tax deductible.  860.429.0865

 

Boy Scout Recruitment

PUTNAM --- Boy Scout Troop 25 in Putnam will hold a recruiting day from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.  at the Putnam Public Library in the Community Room. Scouts will show what they do from camping to Native American Presentations. 

 

Grange Event

DAYVILLE --- The Killingly Grange No. 112 on Rt. 101 and Dog Hill Road, Dayville, will present a breakfast from 8:30 to 11 a.m. (donation $6); A Boy Scout Troop 43 spaghetti dinner from 5 to 8 p.m. (donation $8) and a bluegrass show --- doors open at 6, show from 7 to 10 p.m. (donation $12) 

 

Sun. Feb. 28

Stew and Story

HAMPTON --- The Connecticut Audubon Society at Pomfret Center will present “Stroll, Story, Stew and Song” at Trail Wood on Kenyon Road. 928-4948.

 

Concert

WILLIMANTIC --- The New American Mandolin Ensemble will perform at 4 p.m. at The Bread Box on Valley Street. $12.  Benefits Covenant Soup Kitchen & Emergency Food Pantry.  860-429-4220.

 

Mon. Feb. 29

Blood Drive

DANIELSON --- The American Red Cross will hold a blood drive from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at QVCC on Upper Maple Street. Call 1-800-RED-CROSS for an appointment or more info.

 

Blood Drive

PUTNAM --- The American Red Cross will hold a blood drive from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Day Kimball Hospital Call 1-800-RED-CROSS for an appointment or more info.

 

Lecture

DANIELSON --- “Race, Class, Gender, and the American Justice System: A Personal Journey with Bonnie Foreshaw and Andy Thibault” will launch the first event in the Conversations at QV: Identity and Race speaker series. Sponsored by the QVCC Cultural Programming Committee and the Office of the President, Foreshaw and Thibault will speak at 9 a.m. in QVCC’s Willimantic Center on Main Street, and at 12:30 p.m. in Room 105 at the Danielson campus. Free. All welcome.

 

Tues. March 1

Exercise Group

WOODSTOCK --- The Woodstock Senior Exercise Group will meet from 9 to 10 a.m. every Tuesday in the Woodstock Town Hall lower level meeting room. Free for all Woodstock senior citizens 60 and older. 860-974-1050

 

Caregivers Group

PUTNAM --- Saint Philip's Church on Grove Street will host a new support group for people providing care or support for a loved one or working in a care profession from 7 to 8:30 p.m. on Tuesdays.  Meeting room is downstairs at rear of church on Pleasant St. Light refreshments and fellowship at 6:30 p.m. Free: 860-928-3510

 

Wed. March 2

Pet Loss Support Group

DAYVILLE --- NECCOG Animal Services, 125 Putnam Pike, will present a Pet Loss Support Group at 6 p.m. Free.  No fee/reservations are required, and you are free to attend as often as necessary throughout your grief process.  860-774-1253.

 

Art

THOMPSON --- The Thompson Public Library will present Art @ the Library’s Pieceful Pleasures, by Laura Salo through March 30. Reception is from 6:30 to 8 p.m. March 2. Program supported by the Friends of the Thompson Public Library. 860-923-9779

 

Thur. March 3

Library Program

POMFRET --- The Pomfret Public Library will present “The Appalachian Trail: Sam Ducharme’s Thru-hike” at 7 p.m. at the Pomfret Historical Society’s Old Towne House.  860-928-3475

 

Fri. March 4

Inside Yard Sale

PLAINFIELD --- The First Congregational Church of Plainfield on Norwich Road will hold an inside yard sale from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. March 4 and from 9 a.m. to noon March 5. 

 

Blood Drive

DAYVILLE --- The American Red Cross will present a blood drive from 1 to 6 p.m. at Killingly Intermediate School on Upper Maple Street. For more information call 1-800-REDCROSS.

 

Sat. March 5

Comedy All Stars

PUTNAM --- The Bradley Playhouse will present Scott Higgins’ New England Comedy All Stars. $20. 860-928-7887.

 

Dinner Dance

N. GROSVENORDALE --- The Putnam Ford Inc. 18th annual Spaghetti Dinner/Dance to benefit the American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life starting at 6 p.m. at the K of C on Rt. 12. Dinner is at 7. $25 per person. 860-928-2731.

 

Prayer Day

DANIELSON --- World Day of Prayer, highlighting Cuban women's stories of intergenerational wisdom, traditions, and experiences of God's profound love and acceptance;  will be held with luncheon at 11:30 a.m. and service at noon at the United Methodist Church of Danielson.  Sponsored by the Killingly-Brooklyn Interfaith Council.

 

Sun. March 6

Grassland Lecture

POMFRET --- The Connecticut Audubon Society at Pomfret Center on Day Road will present “The Plight of the Grassland Bird” from 2 to 4 p.m. preceded by an optional guided walk at 1 p.m. $5 for members; $10 for nonmembers.928-4948.

 

Mon. March 7

Public Hearing

PUTNAM --- The Putnam Redevelopment Agency will be holding a Public Hearing on the 2016 Community Development Block Grant Application at 6 p.m. in the Putnam Board of Education meeting room – second floor of Town Hall on Church Street. 

 

Garden Program

S. WOODSTOCK --- The Quiet Corner Garden Club will present a demonstration by a representative from Garden Gate florist in Woodstock on arranging flowers and designing a terrarium garden at 6:45 p.m. at the South Woodstock Baptist Church on Roseland Park road. All welcome.

 

Thur. March 10

Fund-raiser

PUTNAM --- The IHSP Diaper Bank of NECT will  present the Fourth Annual Celebrity Bartender Night from, 5 to 9 p.m. at the Putnam Lodge of Elks. 

 

Fri. March 11

Basket Bash

WOODSTOCK --- The PTO of Woodstock will be hosting a basket bash from 6 to 7 p.m. at the Elementary School Gym. More than 50 baskets will be featured. Refreshments. Must be present to win. For info:   http://woodstockpto.org

 

 ‘Legally Blonde’

PUTNAM --- The Complex Performing and Creative Arts Centre will present “Legally Blonde Jr. the Musical” March 11, 12 and 13 at The Bradley Playhouse.  860-928-7887.

 

Sat. March 12

Blood Drive

PUTNAM --- The American Red Cross will present a blood drive from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at St. Mary Church on Providence St. For more information call 1-800-REDCROSS.

 

Sun. March 13

Rainforest Lecture

POMFRET --- The Connecticut Audubon Society at Pomfret Center on Day Road will present “Revenge of the Rainforest: Climate Change and Human Health” at 2 p.m. (preceded by an optional guided walk at 1 p.m.). 928-4948.

 

Thur. March 17

Irish Night Fund-raiser

CANTERBURY --- United Services will host 15th Annual Irish Night at Wrights Mill Farm in Canterbury. Irish Night tickets are $25 per person and can be purchased through March 10 by calling:  Dinner, music and auction. Benefits United Services Children and Family Programs.  860-774-2020 

 

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