caption, page 2:

Peeling paint on the bandstand will soon be a thing of the past. Linda Lemmon photo.

Rotary
Park
revamps
coming —
slowly
By Linda Lemmon
Town Crier Editor
PUTNAM — Changes are coming for Rotary Park, especially the bandstand, but it’s taking some time.
The town had hoped the replacement of the ailing shingle roof on the bandstand would have begun at the beginning of the summer. However, according to Parks and Recreation Department Director Willie Bousquet, the contractor, Commercial Roofing, is still waiting some materials. The metal roof will cost $65,000 and won’t have to be replaced for “a long, long time,” Bousquet said.
The current roof is about 20 years old and is definitely showing its age.
Once that’s done, repainting the bandstand is on tap, perhaps by sometime in August. It will be the same colors.
In addition, some fencing and screening will be going up around the most visible sides of the PortaJohns. The Putnam Rotary Club is paying for half the cost of the project. A black chain link fence will go around three sides and then a vinyl screen will be attached to that. A sign touting all the events for the park will be attached to the screen that faces Kennedy Drive.

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Art Always Evolves
Emida Roller, muralist, added more to the mural that graces the outside wall of Bear Hands Brewing Company in downtown Putnam. She was working during First Fridays. Bears inhabit much of the mural and she was painting in some greenery as well. More photos on page 4. Linda Lemmon photo.

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caption:

Surprised Honoree
Monique Wolanin gives Putnam Rotarian Marc Archambault a hug as she comes up to receive her Paul Harris Fellow award, Rotary's highest honor. Photo courtesy of Laura Crosetti.



Wolanin
honored with
Paul Harris
By Linda Lemmon
Town Crier Editor
PUTNAM — The Putnam Rotary Club recently bestowed its highest honor, A Paul Harris Fellow Award, on Monique Wolanin.
Wolanin, a 15-year veteran as director of Institutional Advancement at Quinebaug Valley Community College has “raised funds so that the residents of northeastern Connecticut are provided the opportunity to attend QVCC regardless of income.  In doing this, Monique has provided a tremendous service to this community and has truly exemplified the Rotary motto of Service Above Self,” said Rotarian Marc Archambault, who nominated her for the award.
He added: “She has been remarkably effective at her work, leading the Foundation as it has grown from an organization with $1.5 million in assets to one with $6 million. The number and amount of scholarships and institutional support for residents on northeastern Connecticut has grown six-fold in that time. Monique has developed innovative friend-raising and fund-raising ideas like the Visions in Leadership program, QVCC Spelling Bee, Donuts for Donations, QVCC Golf Tournament, and her ultimate brainchild, the Tackle the Trail Race which has grown not only in distance, but in popularity and participation. Monique does all of this with one goal in mind – Transforming lives for the people of northeastern Connecticut.”
Archambault said Wolanin “has a tremendous work ethic. She is intelligent, she is an enthusiastic leader, she is feisty and she has unmatched grit and determination.” He added Wolanin has “been the face of QVCC in the community.”
“She has done all this while confronting head-on a very scary health situation. She has done it with grit and determination, and with remarkable passion and enthusiasm. Her love for our community is evident and her drive to change lives is truly a part of who she is.”

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