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captions, from left to right:
Left to right: Cynthia Dunne, Betty Hale, Ronald Coderre.
Scott Young and Lyn Smith
Joyce Duff, left, and Kathleen Murphy
By Ron P. Coderre
PUTNAM --- Three community members were awarded the Rotary Club's highest honor, the Paul Harris Fellowship award, at the Putnam Rotary Club's recent induction and awards night.
The Paul Harris designation is named in honor and memory of Paul Harris, a Chicago attorney, who founded Rotary International in 1905. The award is presented to individuals who demonstrate the qualities of fairness, truthfulness, goodwill and community service, while living the Rotary motto, “Service Above Self.” The 2012 recipients were Kathleen J. Murphy, Scott Young and Betty Hale.
Murphy’s award was presented by former Rotary President Joyce Duff, who cited the recipient’s work in her community as a former Judge of Probate and her involvement in the youth activities of her two sons. She was also commended for her effort in producing the Club’s weekly newsletter, “Cargill Falls Courier.”
Rotarian Evelyn Cole Smith presented former Rotarian Scott Young with his award. Smith noted Young’s involvement in his community of Woodstock and the fact that he was the product of one of the oldest farms in existence in Woodstock. He was also cited for his leadership in managing the Rotary food trailer activities and participation on other committees during the 10 years he was a Rotarian.
Ronald P. Coderre, a former Club president and Paul Harris Fellow, presented Hale with her award. He noted Hale’s more than 30 years of community involvement and charitable endeavors in supporting the arts and providing programs to more than 300,000 local school children through Performing Arts of Northeast Connecticut. She was also recognized as a major benefactor of Day Kimball Hospital, Quinebaug Valley Community College, The Arc of Quinebaug Valley and Christ Episcopal Church.
Coderre also noted her efforts in bringing the Regional Community YMCA to Northeastern Connecticut. In addition to her latest award, it was noted the Mrs. Hale was recently honored as the recipient of the prestigious John H. Filer Award presented by the Connecticut Council for Philanthropy.
The 2012 President’s Award was presented by outgoing president Cynthia J. Dunne to the Rev. Barbara Schreier for efforts with the Rotary Interact Club, which is organized for junior and senior high school aged students. Rev. Schreier has been instrumental in organizing the Interact Club’s “bell ringing” program on behalf of the Salvation Army at Christmas.
The Putnam Rotary Club celebrated another successful year in its 89-year history with the induction of 2012-2013 President Paul Pikora. Pikora, an insurance executive with Archambault Insurance Associates, succeeds Dunne. This year's officers include: Brad Favreau, president-elect; Rande Chmura, vice president; William Witkowski, secretary; and Peter Benoit, treasurer. Elected to the 2012-2013 Board of Directors were: Donald King, Jeffrey Rawson, Alan Bates, Rick Roy and Dunne.
unne.