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YMCA Event
Jim and Pat Calhoun pose with Thomas Borner, right, of Putnam Bank. The bank hosted a Regional YMCA event last week. Photo courtesy of Justine Gendreau of Just Shoot Me Photography.
Special to the Putnam Town Crier
“We will get this done,” said Thomas A. Borner, president and CEO of Putnam Bank.
An atmosphere of excitement and confidence was pervasive as approximately 100 corporate and financial friends and supporters of the Regional Community YMCA gathered and listened as speaker after speaker delivered words of encouragement regarding the proposed project.
Honorary Chairpersons of the $2.5 million campaign, Jim and Pat Calhoun along with General Chairman Dr. Garfield “Woodie” Danenhower and Vice Chairman Paul Kelly were on hand meeting and greeting guests as they arrived in the lobby of Putnam Bank.
“The YMCA is about family. It’s a place where people can gather, meet and enjoy healthy life styles” said Honorary Chairperson Pat Calhoun. “This Y will happen because of the philanthropy of the people of northeastern Connecticut.”
Picking up on the words of his wife, former UConn men’s basketball coach Jim Calhoun said, “The Y was an integral part of Pat’s and my life as kids growing up in the Boston area. Many of my former players were helped along the way in life because of the Y. And the communities in our area are no different. The kids and people we see in our area every day will benefit from this YMCA.”
The Regional Community YMCA, a 49,000-square foot facility will be built on land off Kennedy Drive in Putnam that was donated by Wheelabrator-Putnam. The facility will have an eight-lane competitive pool, a warm water pool, a gymnasium, teen center and an exercise area. Currently an 18-member Board of Advisors, consisting of people from throughout the region is working in concert with the YMCA of Greater Hartford to finalize plans and ideas for the facility.
In remarks opening the program, Putnam Bank's Borner, who also serves as the Y Chairman for the Corporate and Financial Division, set the tone for the evening.
“As a young man my family and I used the Y in Norwalk where I was raised. Early on in the campaign my wife and I along with Putnam Bank made our commitment to this project because we realize how important these programs are to the health of our community,” said Borner.
“I urge all businesses and individuals to consider a pledge to the campaign. It’s our opportunity as leaders to leave a legacy for future generations. We will get this done,” promised Borner.
The cost of the overall project is $13 million. Thanks to a $3 million pledge from the Newell D. Hale Foundation, a grant from the state and the support of the YMCA of Greater Hartford a total of $11.5 million has been raised. Part of the total includes business and individual gifts of $2.250 million, which are part of a $2.5 million community campaign.
“We’re quickly approaching our community goal and I urge the local citizens to consider supporting this important Northeastern Connecticut project. We anticipate the day, in the near future, when we will put a shovel in the ground,” said James O’S Morton, president and CEO of the YMCA of Greater Hartford. Putnam Mayor Richard “Pete” Place and YMCA of Greater Hartford Chairman of the Board, Gary Wolff echoed the sentiments and words of the other speakers. “This was probably the most successful event of the campaign. It’s a sign that the people and businesses of the area are truly behind this effort,” said Kelly.
Then
This is the former Powhattan Cotton Mill around the turn of the last century. Putnam Town Crier file photos.
& Now
Eventually the mill became Belding. This photo was taken in 2008.
Greetings. What to do with all of those leftover hard-boiled eggs? Egg salad is an obvious option, but if you haven’t already made deviled eggs for the Easter feast, you may wish to try one of the different variations below.
Deviled Eggs
5 hard-boiled eggs, cut in half lengthwise
Remove yolks to a dinner plate, and mash them with a fork. Transfer mashed yolks to a small bowl, reserving egg white halves on a serving plate.
Combine mashed yolk with 1 – 2 tablespoons mayonnaise. (Use sour cream in Variation 4.)
Variation 1: Mix in 1 teaspoon sesame tahini, ½ - 1 teaspoon curry powder, and a dash of Tabasco sauce. Refill egg whites and sprinkle with black pepper.
Variation 2: Mix in a dash of Worcestershire sauce, 2 tablespoons very finely minced celery, and 1 teaspoon very finely minced shallot. Refill egg whites and sprinkle with smoked paprika and a little parsley.
Variation 3: Mix in ¼ cup finely chopped cooked crisp bacon and ½ teaspoon Dijon mustard. Refill egg whites and top with finely grated Gruyere cheese. If desired, place on tray in toaster oven to melt cheese.
Variation 4: Substitute 1 tablespoon sour cream for mayonnaise. Mix in 2 tablespoons mashed avocado, ½ teaspoon finely minced or pressed fresh garlic and ½ teaspoon lime juice. Refill egg whites and top each with a little salsa.
Variation 5: Mix in ¼ cup finely minced ham, 1 - 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard, and 2 tablespoons finely shredded Monterey Jack cheese. Refill egg whites and sprinkle lightly with black pepper or ground caraway seeds.
Variation 6: Mix in 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard, 1 teaspoon lemon juice, and ½ teaspoon herbes de Provence. Refill egg whites, and top each egg with the tip of a small cooked asparagus spear – about a 1½-inch length.
It's Official
When the sap buckets caress the maple trees, spring is around the corner. More photos on page 6. Linda Lemmon photo.