PUTNAM — Representatives from Putnam High School’s Students Against Destructive Decisions and Putnam PRIDE are headed to the Washington, D.C., area to join approximately 3,000 substance abuse prevention specialists and advocates from throughout the country.
They're heading for CADCA’s (Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America’s) 28th Annual National Leadership Forum.
“We are so excited to be able to spend several days with other similar organizations from across the country, learning and honing our prevention skills so our community can be a better place, one that doesn’t suffer from the harms of drug and alcohol abuse,” said Lisa Sousa Mooney, school social worker and SADD advisor at Putnam High School. “We plan to come back reenergized with new strategies under our belt to tackle drug use in Putnam.”
CADCA’s Forum will cover a wide range of topics – everything from how to prevent prescription drug abuse and the abuse of synthetic drugs and marijuana to how to create tobacco-free environments and develop policies to reduce underage drinking.
The PRIDE coalition has recently impacted the community by working hard to raise awareness and getting businesses involved in supporting our Anti-drug and alcohol efforts in the community.
The coalition representatives will hear from several leaders including Acting Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy Richard Baum and Dr. Bertha Madras, Harvard Medical School, who will both bring their expertise and insights to share.  Putnam High School SADD students and PRIDE members will also meet with U.S. representatives and senators at the Forum’s Capitol Hill Day event on Feb. 7.

Putnam High School SADD students and advisors are hoping to advocate for more funding to support drug and alcohol treatment facilities to rehabilitate addicts instead of putting them in prison.  Sadly, the northeast corner doesn’t have enough treatment centers to assist this major social problem’s that face our youth and adult population.
Some of the coalition’s youth members will participate in CADCA’s Youth Leadership training events to help them become strong community leaders. Scott Davaigian, Jasper Coomey, Aidan Bernier, Natalie Ionkin, Jewelia England, Kayla Anderson and Brenna Fowler are all super excited to attend CADCA and the Capital Hill in Washington.
 

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Collected
Members of the Putnam Regional Interact Club gathered winter clothing for TEEG. At left is Samantha Gisleson, secretary; and Kate LeBlanc, president, right. Courtesy photo.

In November 2017 the Interact Club collected hats, gloves, mittens and scarfs to donate to TEEG. 
They collected more than eight large bags full of items for the families of northeastern Connecticut.
In December 2017 the Interact Club organized and volunteered their time along with students from Woodstock Academy, Killingly High School, Marianapolis, Putnam High School and Ellis Tech by bell ringing for the Salvation Army’s Kettle Drive.
Their efforts help raise over $6,700. 
Look for the Interact table in front of bankHometown at the Fire and Ice festival Feb. 10. 
The group will be carving an ice sculpture and they will have bake goods for sale. 
The Putnam Regional Interact Club meets at 7 p.m. the second and fourth Tuesdays at the YMCA September through May. Students from the local schools are welcome. For more information: contact Roberta Rocchetti Interact advisor,  at  860 933 8603 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Wed. Feb. 7
Exhibit
POMFRET --- The Connecticut Audubon Society at Pomfret Center will present "Trail Wood Reflections: Writer & Artist In-Residence Exhibit" through Feb. 25 at the Grassland Bird Conservation Center on Day Road.  860-928-4948.
 
Exhibit
N. GROSVENORDALE --- The Friends of the Library will present Art @ the Library, “Watercolors by Adolph Rutkin” from Feb. 1 through Feb. 28 at the Thompson Public Library. The opening reception will be from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Feb. 1. www.thompsonpubliclibrary.org

Art Exhibit
PUTNAM --- "Motion and Gesture," an exhibit of Pomfret School student artwork, will be on view through Feb. 25 at the Pomfret Galley (off campus) at 134 Main St. (Bosworth Block Building - second floor).

Sat. Feb. 10
Potato Fund-raiser
PUTNAM --- Boy Scout Troop 21 will hold a baked potato buffet fund-raiser from 5 to 7 p.m. in the downstairs hall of St. Mary Church on Providence Street. $5 for potato, toppings and dessert, coffee or tea. Eat in or take out.  The Easter Bunny will be there! 860-928-7241.

Uniform Drive
PUTNAM --- The Scouts from Boy Scout Troop 21 need uniforms. If you have all or part of any used Boy Scout uniforms in good condition, please bring it to St. Mary Church basement,  from 5 to 7 p.m. 860-928-7241.

Nature Program
POMFRET --- The Connecticut Audubon Society of Pomfret Center will present “Cold Weather Survival: Fire Building 101” from 10 a.m. to noon at the Grassland Bird Conservation Center on Day Road. $3 for CAS members; $7 no members. 860-928-4948.

Fire & Ice
PUTNAM --- The Fire and Ice Valentine's event will be held from noon to 10 p.m. in downtown Putnam.

Sledding Day
CANTERBURY --- The Finnish American Heritage Society's Laskiainen /sledding day will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Finnish Hall on N. Canterbury Rd. Includes lunch. $2. Event will be held regardless of snow.

Library Program
EASTFORD --- The Eastford Public Library will hold a Valentine Story and Craft for children ages 3 plus at 10:30 a.m. Register your child by Feb. 3,  860-974-0125 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Nature Program
MANSFIELD --- The Last Green Valley is hosting a winter hike from 10 a.m. to noon at , Mansfield Hollow State Park, Bassetts Bridge Road. Free. Rain or snow cancels. Registration required:   860-774-3300.

Sun. Feb. 11
Nature Program
POMFRET --- The Connecticut Audubon Society of Pomfret Center will present “inter Nature Writing Workshop” from at 2 p.m. at the Grassland Bird Conservation Center on Day Road. $10 for CAS members; $20 nonmembers. 860-928-4948.

Mon. Feb. 12
Exercise Group
WOODSTOCK --- The Woodstock Senior Exercise Group will meet from 9 to 10 a.m. every Monday and Wednesday in the Woodstock Town Hall lower level meeting room. Minimum fee. Local seniors welcome.  860-315-5175.

Sat. Feb. 17
Camper Game Day
POMFRET --- The Windham Tolland 4-H Camp on Taft Pond road will present Beat the Winter Blues Camper Game Day from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.  It’s for boys and girls, ages 6-12.  Lunch and snack provided with games, crafts and more. Bring outdoor gear and a sled if there is snow on the ground. $15/child. Register by Feb. 9. 860-974-3379.

Nature Program
POMFRET --- The Connecticut Audubon Society of Pomfret Center will hold a winter tracking hike from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at a location to be announced. $50 CAS members; $60 nonmembers. Registration required. 860-928-4948.

Acorn Adventure
POMFRET --- The Last Green Valley’s Acorn Adventure: Bobcat Tracks and More with Wyndham Land Trust will be held at 10 a.m. at Lyon Preserve, off Rt. 101. Free, thanks to sponsorship of Putnam Bank.

Roast Pork Supper
DANIELSON --- The Westfield Church on Main Street will hold a Roast Pork supper from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. $12 for adults; $8 for kids 10 and younger. Takeout available.  WestfieldUCC.org

Nature Program
POMFRET --- The Connecticut Audubon Society of Pomfret Center will present “Owl Walk” at 7 p.m. at the Grassland Bird Conservation Center on Day Road. $5 for CAS members; $10 nonmembers. 860-928-4948.

Thur. Feb. 22
Trivia Challenge
PUTNAM --- The Putnam Lions Club will present a fund-raiser Trivia Challenge at 7 p.m. at the Crossings Restaurant. Free. Benefits diabetes education.

Fri. Feb. 23
'Footloose'
POMFRET --- Pomfret School will present "Footloose," the winter musical at 7 p.m. Feb. 23 and 24 and at 2 p.m. Feb. 25 at the Hard Auditorium.

Sat. Feb. 24
Nature Program
POMFRET --- The Connecticut Audubon Society of Pomfret Center will present “Nature Sketchbook Journaling” from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Grassland Bird Conservation Center on Day Road. $10 for CAS members; $20 nonmembers. 860-928-4948.

Empty Bowls
POMFRET --- Pomfret School will present Empty Bowls, a soup tasting to benefit local food banks, at 5 p.m. at the Main House.

Sun. Feb. 25
Nature Program
POMFRET --- The Connecticut Audubon Society of Pomfret Center will kick off  “Trail Wood Reflections: Writer & Artist In-Residence Exhibit” with a closing reception and readings at the center from 2 to 4 p.m. Free. 860-928-4948.

Mon. Feb. 26
Film Series
POMFRET --- The Connecticut Audubon Society of Pomfret Center and the town of Pomfret Green Team will present “Generation Zapped” at 6:30 p.m. (snow date: Feb. 27). at the Grassland Bird Conservation Center on Day Road. $5. 860-928-4948.

Blood Drive
DANIELSON --- The American Red Cross will hold a blood drive from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Quinebaug Valley Community College on Upper Maple Street. 1-800-RED-CROSS.

Tues. Feb. 27
Blood Drive
DANIELSON --- The American Red Cross will hold a blood drive from 1 to 6 p.m. at Westfield Congregational Church on Main Street. 1-800-RED CROSS.

Wed. Feb. 28
Blood Drive
BROOKLYN --- The American Red Cross will hold a blood drive from 1:30 to 6 p.m. at Brooklyn Middle School on Gorman Road. 1-800-RED-CROSS.

Blood Drive
PUTNAM --- The American Red Cross will hold a blood drive from 1 to 6 p.m. at the Putnam Elks Club on Edmond Street. 1-800-RED CROSS.

Sat. March. 10
Benefit Dinner
PUTNAM --- Putnam Ford Inc. will sponsor its 20th annual Spaghetti Dinner/Dance to benefit the American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life at the K of C on Rt. 12, N. Grosvenordale. Cocktails at 6; dinner at 7. $25 donation. Limited seating 860-928-2731.

Fri. March 16
‘Tucker’ Fund-raiser
WOODSTOCK --- The Woodstock Academy, in association with Putnam Bank, will present the Marshall Tucker Band in concert March 16 at the Center for the Arts. Cold Train opens for Marshall Tucker Band at 7. Doors open at 6:15 p.m. Benefits improvements to the Center. General admission, $35; Limited premium tickets for $100.  woodstockacademy.org/tickets.

Wed. March 28
‘Freedom Train’
WOODSTOCK --- Harriet Tubman, and the inspiring story of the Underground Railroad, come to life when The Three C’s presents Theatreworks USA from New York  with their production of “Freedom Train” at 10 a.m. at the Center for the Arts at Woodstock Academy, Rt. 169. Tickets are $4 per person for groups of 10 or more, and $6 per person for under 10. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. 

Sat. April 7
Production
WOODSTOCK VALLEY --- Broadway Live Productions will present "The Conncert" April 7 and 8 at the Center for the Arts at The Woodstock Academy. Benefits Hale YMCA Youth and Family Center. Tickets: at the Hale YMCA in Putnam or online at www.theconnecticutconcert.com.

Sat. April 14
Tag Sale
KILLINGLY --- A tag sale to benefit PAWS Cat Shelter will be held from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. inside the Community Room at the Killingly Library, rain/snow/or shine.

Fri. June 1
Golf Tourney
PUTNAM --- The Putnam Rotary Club’s Ronald P. Coderre Golf Tournament will be held at Connecticut National Golf Club.

Wed. June 5
Performance
WOODSTOCK --- The Community Cultural Committee d/b/a The Three C’s is adding a second performance of “Nugget and Fang” at noon  at the Center for the Arts at Woodstock Academy. $4 per person for groups of 10 or more, and $6 for individuals. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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