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Helping Hands
Rectory Headmaster Fred Williams, and Scott Greene, director of Individualized Instruction Program (IIP), led students in cleaning a barn at a nearby farm for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service. Courtesy photo.
POMFRET — On Martin Luther King Jr. Day the middle school students and faculty at The Rectory School devoted the time for reflection and action based on Dr. King’s message to serve others.
At Assembly two students, Sebega and Qing Qing each shared personal stories of service projects they participated in during the summer. Afterwards, 200 students were involved in a variety of activities on campus and in the area. Organized by parent, Anne Guevremont and Headmaster Fred Williams, the volunteer offerings included playing basketball with sailors visiting from the Groton Naval base, playing board games and reading poetry to people in retirement facilities, performing instrumental music at nursing homes, collecting canned goods for the homeless, clearing horse trails, and cleaning barns. It was a day to give back by working willingly for the benefit of others.
Rectory’s guest speaker in the afternoon session was Grace Akallo who talked about her experiences as a child abducted at the age of 15 in Uganda, Africa. Akallo, author of Girl Soldier, shared her courageous story about her escape from her abductors in the (LRA) Lord’s Resistance Army of Joseph Kony, who severely mistreated her along with many other children. She spoke of the destruction that Kony has brought to Uganda and the power that one person has to stop the violence by telling her story. Akallo is founder and executive director of United Africans for Women and Children Rights whose mission is to raise awareness of the need to safeguard the rights of vulnerable women and children subject to abuse and neglect.
Donation
The Putnam Rotary Club, during its monthly campaign in January, collected a dozen jars of peanut butter, three to four dozen cans of tuna and cash, which it donated to Daily Bread. David Dunham, left, IHSP treasurer, receives the donations from Paul Pikora, Putnam Rotary Club president. Daily Bread was running low on tuna and peanut butter and asked for those items. Linda Lemmon photo.
Bead challenge
to raise funds
PUTNAM — The Flying Carpet Studio is hosting a Valentine Bead Challenge and Auction to benefit the Northeast Cultural Alliance. Twelve local Artists signed on to create a piece of art to donate to the auction. Artists as far away as Bethel and as diverse as photographer, sculptor and fiber artist, are creating a Valentine-themed piece.
Each artist was given an identical bag of beads, charms and findings with the only rule being that they use 75 percent of what is in the bag in their submission. The entries will be displayed in the Flying Carpet Studios Window starting Feb 1.
The public is invited to come in to the Flying Carpet Studio and vote for which piece should win $100 gift certificate for the first place $50 and $25 for second and third place.
Voting is from Feb. 2 to 8. Winners will be announced and then the Silent Auction will begin Feb 8 through 10.
The mission of the Northeast Cultural Alliance is to develop the regional arts and cultural community, to inspire its audience and to enhance the economic vitality. Servicing the artistic and cultural community in the Quiet Corner, it is the goal of the NCA to provide attention to the individual to make a difference for ALL.
A Reception for the artists and patrons is planned for 4 p.m. Feb. 10.
School safety
forum Jan. 31
PUTNAM — The Putnam Board of Education is sponsoring a community forum concerning school security at 7 p.m. Jan. 31 in the Putnam Middle School Auditorium.
The School Superintendent William Hull will discuss planned security upgrades and answer any questions the public has concerning security. All Putnam residents are welcome to attend.