GROTON — Michael Ballirano, branch manager of the Montville and Niantic branches of Charter Oak Federal Credit Union, has been named the new chairman of the Montville Division of the Chamber of Commerce of Eastern Connecticut.
Ballirano, who has been with Charter Oak since 2011, is an active member of the regional chamber and is a member of its Leadership Program Class of 2015. He is also active with the Montville
Rotary organization and the Thames Network BNI chapter, which meets weekly in New London.
“I congratulate Michael on stepping up to lead the Montville Division of the chamber,” said Brian
A. Orenstein, Charter Oak’s CEO. “We encourage all of our employees to be active in their local communities and business organizations, and Michael has done a great job getting involved since joining Charter Oak,” said Orenstein.
Charter Oak has 13 branches in New London and Windham counties, including branches in Putnam and Dayville, and assets of $789 million as of Dec. 31, 2013. This year, Charter Oak is celebrating its 75th year in business.
Then
This is the front door of 88 Main Street in January, 2009. Putnam Town Crier file photos
& Then
This is the same doorway in January 2014
& Now
This is what the doorway looks like this month. The more formal door is coming soon.
'Celebrity'
bartenders raise
$2,000+
PUTNAM — Feb. 20, the Interfaith Human Services of Putnam - Diaper Bank of NECT welcomed celebrity bartenders back to Winners at J.D. Cooper’s to host their second annual Celebrity Bartender Night fund-raiser — bringing in $2,225.
Local non-profit volunteers, service agency employees, bankers, doctors, elected officials and friends formed bartending teams to offer “drinks for diapers,” – tips going to the diaper bank, a growing agency that currently provides more than 100,000 diapers to hundreds of children in the Quiet Corner.
DKH Delivers broke last year’s record of $976 – a feat they accomplished with the help of a $650 donation from the Putnam Lions Club – by raising $1,083, this year with the help of a $700 donation from the Putnam Lions.
Local businesses donated gift cards, baskets, weekend getaways and more to help benefit the fund-raiser. With the addition of $920 in Bottle Board (raffle ticket) funds, this year’s event for the Diaper Bank of NECT raised more than $3,100.
Having access to a reliable supply of diapers can present an economic challenge for many families. Diapers are not covered by food stamps (SNAP), WIC or other usual means of assistance. While often recommended as a less expensive and greener alternative, many childcare facilities will not accept youngsters in cloth diapers.
Donations to the diaper bank or to the food pantry can be made online:www.nectinterfaith.org
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Snowed-in Gate
This small old gate to a tiny cemetery in Pomfret is up to his hinges in snow. Linda Lemmon photo.