caption:
Winner
The American Legion District #4 Oratorical Program winner Lucas Johnson, center, surrounded by American Legion representatives and family. From left: District #4 Commander Antonio “Tony” Rendon, Ellis Tech teacher Drew Mizak, Program Chairman Charles Crowley and Johnson with his parents. Courtesy photo.
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Participants, seated, from left: Connor Sebastian of Plainfield, Guinevere Weiker of Putnam High School, Owen Bland of The Woodstock Academy and contest winner Lucas Johnson of Ellis Tech. American Legion representatives standing, from left: Past District #4 Commander Ronald P. Coderre; Charles Crowley of Post #21, contest chairman; District #4 Commander Antonio “Tony” Rendon; contest moderator Everett G. Shepard III; and Department of Connecticut Commander Jeffrey DeClerck.
Lucas Johnson, a Griswold resident and Harvard H. Ellis Technical School student, who represented Post #21 of Danielson, won the recent American Legion District #4 High School Oratorical Scholarship Program’s ‘A Constitutional Speech Contest’.
Johnson, a senior studying electrical, was presented a $150 award. He now moves on to the Department of Connecticut competition scheduled for March 5 at the State Police Academy in Meriden, where he will compete with the six other District winners. The winner of the Department competition advances to the National contest in Indianapolis in April.
Each contestant delivered an oration on a topic of their choosing, between and eight and 10 minutes long, on an aspect of the U.S. Constitution. Following the initial presentation each contestant was asked to speak for three to five minutes on an assigned topic of the Constitution.
Johnson’s speech was titled, “Is Our Constitution Living or Dead?” Johnson, who won this contest in 2020 prior to the pandemic, impressed the panel of judges with his knowledge of the topic and his poise and speaking skills.
“District #4 is proud to have Lucas represent our area once again in the Department contest. He’s a fine young man who possesses maturity beyond his years. He’s a solid citizen with a great future,” said Charles Crowley, contest chairman and commander of Post #21.
Owen Bland, a junior at The Woodstock Academy, was the runner-up and received a $100 award. The other participants, Guinevere Weiker a junior at Putnam High School, and Connor Sebastian a senior at Plainfield High School, who each received a $75 award.
“All of the participants represented themselves and their schools very well with their presentations. They all demonstrated a great knowledge of the Constitution,” said Crowley.
Assisting Crowley was Everett G. Shepard III, Past Department commander and Past Department adjutant, who served as the program moderator. The panel of judges included Nelson King of Danielson, Susan Hatfield of Pomfret, Joseph McIlrath of Somers, Scott Pempek of Putnam and
Jennifer Hegedus of Danielson. District #4 Commander Antonio “Tony” Rendon and Department of Connecticut Commander Jeffrey DeClerck presented congratulatory remarks and were on hand for the award’s presentation. The top three finishers in the National Contest will be awarded college scholarships.
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Sadly, the white oak will not see another spring. Looking like a triceratops, the inside of the trunk is rotted away.
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Sometimes the color is in the bark.
Bark imitating a topographical map
The Gingko tree's trunk looks braided.
DAYVILLE — Fred Inman, RN was named the January 2022 Employee of the Month for Country Living at Westview Commons. As Westview Commons’ Assistant Nursing Supervisor, he is an integral member of the team aiding the accommodations and abilities provided to residents through assisted living care. As one of the primary registered nurses on Westview Commons’ staff, he helps those in need to make plans for their wellness and directly assists them with their activities of daily living.
He grew up in Glocester, served in the U.S. Air Force. After that he earned an associate’s degree in criminal justice. He worked as a security guard, then in a hotel accounting department, becoming assistant controller. He then became certified nursing assistant, then a registered nurse.
He is the father to his son Fred Inman V and daughter Briana, is a devoted Boston Bruins fan, an avid golfer and enjoys traveling.
Executive Vice President David T. Panteleakos said: “Fred continues his lifelong devotion to care for seniors with great enthusiasm here at Westview Commons, and we greatly appreciate knowing that our residents benefit from his knowledge and experience. Fred is especially detailed when discussing and developing the protocol for Westview Commons’ assisted living services agency with our team of caregivers.”
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NOW starting
playgroup
Northeast Opportunities for Wellness, Inc. is starting a new Preschool Power Hour Playgroup program in partnership with the Putnam Public Library.
This is a weekly playgroup starting in March. There are two separate groups: from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. Tuesdays or from 10 to 11 a.m. Thursdays. Registration is limited and required. Go to: www.NOWinMotion.org/events.
This program was designed as a playgroup to pair senior citizens with toddler age children to cultivate meaningful bonds. The seniors for this program have been carefully selected, background checked, and will be paired with a toddler. Evidence has shown the significant impact on wellbeing when seniors and toddlers are paired together in a prosocial, educational, and purposeful environment.
Each playgroup will start with seniors and toddlers reading a fun and educational story selected by the Putnam Public Library staff. Following the story NOW staff will work on movement skills, basic fundamentals of sports, fitness games, fine and gross motor skills, and agility. The staff will use a combination of obstacle course equipment, arts and crafts, sports, sensory play, critical thinking games, and more.
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