WOODSTOCK — Family Related Effective Solutions for Humanity (FRESH), Woodstock Academy’s student-run nonprofit, recently donated several thousand dollars to local organizations for summer camperships.
FRESH works toward poverty relief and awareness in the Quiet Corner area. Additionally, they run a mentoring program that operates in local middle schools. “Community service and an investment in our community is a key component of The Woodstock Academy mission,” Headmaster Chris Sandford said. “We are fortunate to have students who take this mission to heart and work to make a difference in their communities. Each year the students involved in FRESH exceed their fund-raising goal, which allows them to extend their reach to more organizations and help even more children participate in unique opportunities. They do incredible work and make our Academy community very proud.”
FRESH held several fund-raisers, including their Annual Spaghetti Dinner and 3 vs. 3 Basketball Tournament, to meet their goal of $10,000. The students’ hard work resulted in a total of $12,000 this year, all of which will be used to help youth from the surrounding communities attend summer camps. “I love FRESH’s philosophy and the work these students are doing,” Sarah Heminway, director of Connecticut Audubon’s Center at Pomfret, shared. “They’re able to see the difference they are making in their community. It is empowering and will lead to a lifelong practice of community service; we need more club’s like FRESH! The funds the Connecticut Audubon received will get kids away from computer screens and out in the woods.”
FRESH donated camperships ranging from $2,000 to $3,500 to TEEG, Camp Nahaco, the Connecticut Audubon, and Brooklyn Parks and Recreation. “In a year of several budget cuts, we are extremely grateful to be able to give many kids the opportunity to enjoy a summer outside,” said Jenn Strong, Food System supervisor for TEEG. “We wouldn’t be able to give as much as we will this year without this donation.”
Fishing Derby
The Putnam Rotary Club’s annual Noe Poulin Fishing Derby saw 29 kids registered and much fun. According to Christopher Vaillencourt, chairman of the fishing derby committee, the winner for the biggest fish was 5-year-old Codie Baillargeon who caught a 2.2-pound trout. The winner for the smallest fish was 5-year-old Violet Nowakowski, who caught a .20-pound sunfish. Most fish caught was a tie between 5-year-old Mason Putnam and 10-year-old Tyler Drater. They each caught two fish.
Special to the Putnam Town Crier
The Putnam Rotary Club is preparing for its annual Ronald P. Coderre Golf Tournament, which is scheduled for June 3 at Connecticut National Golf Club. The tournament held annually for the past 32 years is the primary fund-raising event for the club that dates back to its inception in 1923.
In 2011 the Putnam Rotary Club renamed its tournament The Ronald P. Coderre Golf Tournament in honor of Coderre, who’s been a member of the club since 1982. A past president and three-time Paul Harris recipient, Coderre served as tournament chairman and elevated the quality and proceeds that the tourney enjoys today to its current level.
“Ron has been an instrumental member of our Club for decades and has contributed so much to the success of our organization,” said Delpha Very, president.
Organizers anticipate a full field of golfers although Chairman Shawn McNerney indicates that a couple of foursome openings remain. Tee time is set for 9 a.m. for the scramble-style shotgun start event. Registration runs from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. with the closing ceremony and awards presentation scheduled immediately following play.
The registration entry fee is a reasonable $150 per golfer. The tourney, which is a “red carpet event,” according to McNerney, includes 18 holes of golf with cart, awards, great food on the course and following play and refreshments throughout the day. A staple of the tournament is the “golf poker” game with a $500 prize for the best hand.
Numerous sponsorship opportunities for organizations or corporations ranging from Tournament Sponsor at $2500 to Tee Sponsor at $125 are available. The following sponsorships are offered – Cart Sponsor and Food Sponsor $2000; Tent Sponsor $1250; and Major Sponsor $1000, which all include a foursome and signs throughout the course. A special Gold sponsor is available and includes two tournament participants.
All golfers are registered for the ‘free prize drawing’ that offers more than 50 prizes. An automobile generously donated by Putnam Rotarian Rick Place and Putnam Ford will be presented to the first golfer to record a hole-in-one on the par-3, 4th hole. All par-3 holes will feature a closest-to-the pin contest.
“Our goal is to make this tournament the best and golfer friendliest tournament in the area. From registration to the final award we want everyone who participates to walk away satisfied. Working with the Connecticut National staff assures the success of the day,” said McNerney.
The motto of the Putnam Rotary Club is “Service Above Self.” The tournament, which raises more than $30,000, assists the club in providing more than $14,000 in scholarships to local high school students who are entering college. It also supports charitable giving to approximately 25 local non-profits as part of the $50,000 in donations the club provides annually.
Anyone interested in more information on sponsorships or in registering a foursome should contact McNerney by telephone at 860.753.4506 or at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .
Working with McNerney on the organizing committee are Peter Benoit, Aileen Witkowski, Doug Porter, President Very, Charles Puffer and Marc Archambault.
Honored
EASTON, Mass. — Pomfret Center native Kathryn R. Lusa, a member of the Class of 2017, was recently inducted into Stonehill College’s Lambda Epsilon Sigma Honor Society. Lusa is a Arts Administration major.
Inducted
WILLIMANTIC — On April 19, Eastern Connecticut State University inducted select students into the Delta Omega chapter of Delta Mu Delta, the national honor society for business administration and related disciplines: Evan Backus ’17 of Pomfret Center, major is Business Administration; Connor Fagan ’16 of Putnam, major is Business Administration; Sean Haythe ’16 of Danielson, major is Finance; Gabrielle Reynolds ’17 of Dayville, Economics and Finance.
Inducted
WILLIMANTIC — Medina Hosaini, ’17 of Dayville was inducted into Eastern Connecticut State University’s Eta Omega chapter of the Beta Beta Beta National Biological Honor Society.
Inducted
WILLIMANTIC — Eastern Connecticut State University’s chapter of the international honor society for English, Sigma Tau Delta, recently welcomed new members: Jessica Forst ’16 of Pomfret Center, who majors in English; Sean Gilmartin ’16 of Eastford, who majors in English; Cherie Green ’16 of Putnam, who majors in English; Kelly Huhtanen ’16 of Pomfret Center, who majors in Elementary Education.