Wed. April 6
Algae-control Workshop
WOODSTOCK --- The Eastern Connecticut Conservation District, in partnership with the Woodstock Conservation Commission, is hosting a workshop focused on methods to control algae in lakes, from 7 to 9 p.m. at Woodstock Academy Commons. Free. Snow date: April 7. Preregistration required: 860-928-4948.
Pet Loss Support Group
DAYVILLE --- NECCOG Animal Services, 125 Putnam Pike, will present a Pet Loss Support Group at 6 p.m. Free. No fee/reservations are required, and you are free to attend as often as necessary throughout your grief process. 860-774-1253.
Art Exhibit
POMFRET --- Ann C. Rosebrooks and Donna O’Scolaigh Lange will exhibit their work at the Vanilla Bean Café through the month of April.
Art Exhibit
THOMPSON --- The Art @ the Library will present the 13th Annual Thompson Community Art Show through April 29 at the Thompson Public Library. Supported by the Friends of the Library. www.thompsonpubliclibrary.org
Photo Exhibit
POMFRET --- The Connecticut Audubon Society at Pomfret at Grassland Bird Conservation Center on Day Road will present “Focus on Nature: Nature Photography Contest Exhibit” through April 30. 860-928-4948.
Thur. April 7
Travel Presentation
POMFRET --- The Pomfret Public Library will present “Travels in Patagonia: A presentation by Ann and Walter Hinchman,” at 7 p.m. at the library. Free. 860-928-3475.
Fri. April 8
Avenue Q
PUTNAM --- The Bradley Playhouse will present “ Avenue Q” at 7:30 p.m. April 8, 9, 15, 16, 22 and 23 and at 2 p.m. April 10, 17, 24. $23 and $20. 860-928-7887.
History Program
CANTERBURY --- The Canterbury Historical Society will present a program by Horizon Wings (Threatened and Endangered” live raptor program following the 7 p.m. business session at the Town Hall. All welcome. Free. Details at www.canterburyhistorical.org,
Sat. April 9
Chicken Dinner
POMFRET --- A Chicken Cordon Bleu Dinner benefiting ACS Relay For Life will be held at 5:30 p.m. at Pomfret Community School. Adults, $20; $10 for kids 10 and younger; kids under 4 admitted free. 860-974-1202 or 860-974-2405.860-974-2856.
Spaghetti Supper
QUINEBAUG --- The St. Stephen’s parish spaghetti supper and basket drawing will e held from 5 to 7 p.m. in the parish center. $10 for adults; $5 for kids 12 and younger.
Pet Can Drive
DAYVILLE --- Pet Pals Northeast, a local animal welfare organization, will be collecting redeemable bottles and cans to help homeless and needy animals from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at St. Joseph Church on Rt. 101. Dry cat food urgently needed, Purina brands preferred. Cash donations always welcome. 860-317-1720.
Swedish Meatballs
N. GROSVENORDALE --- The Emanuel Lutheran Church on Main Street will present an authentic Swedish Meatball Supper from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. served family style. Takeout available. $10 for adults; $5 for kids under 12.
Concert
DANIELSON --- The Westfield Church Annual Coffee House on Main Street will be held from 6:30 to 10 p.m. Refreshments for sale. $6 suggested donation. WestfieldUCC.org
Sun. April 10
Outdoor Program
HOLLAND, Mass. --- TLGV Ranger Marcy’s Acorn Adventure, “Salamander Story Walk,” with the Holland Library Team will be from 1 to 2:30 p.m. starting at Lake Siog Pass Trail Head, 20 Pond Bridge Rd. Walk, read, search for squirmy salamanders! Snacks, too! Questions? This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Nature Program
HAMPTON --- The Connecticut Audubon Society at Pomfret will present “Second Sunday Walk” at 2 p.m. at Trail Wood on Kenyon Road. Free to members; $5 for nonmembers. 860-928-4948.
Fund-raiser Breakfast
WOODSTOCK --- The Woodstock Academy Relay For Life team will hold its 3rd Annual Pancake Breakfast from 8 to 11 a.m. in the Woodstock Academy Dining Commons. $8 per person; free admission for children 3 and under. Tickets can be purchased at the door or on The Woodstock Academy’s website.
Tues. April 12
Blood Drive
PUTNAM --- The American Red Cross will hold a blood drive from noon to 5:15 p.m. at Matulaitis Rehab & Skilled Care on Thurber Road. Call 1-800-RED CROSS.
Exercise Group
WOODSTOCK --- The Woodstock Senior Exercise Group will meet from 9 to 10 a.m. every Tuesday in the Woodstock Town Hall lower level meeting room. Free for all Woodstock senior citizens 60 and older. 860-974-1050.
Caregivers Group
PUTNAM --- Saint Philip's Church on Grove Street will host a new support group for people providing care or support for a loved one or working in a care profession from 7 to 8:30 p.m. on Tuesdays. Meeting room is downstairs at rear of church on Pleasant St. Light refreshments and fellowship at 6:30 p.m. Free: 860-928-3510.
Septic Workshop
POMFRET --- The Eastern Connecticut Conservation District and Pomfret Conservation Commission are sponsoring a workshop at 7 p.m. at the Audubon Society Center on Day Road. The subject is septic system care and signs of septic system failure. Potential rebates for Pomfret property owners and financing options for replacing failed septic systems will also be reviewed.
Wed. April 13
Blood Drive
DANIELSON --- The American Red Cross will hold a blood drive from 1 to 6 p.m. at the Westfield Congregational Church on Main Street.
‘Friends’ Meeting
N. GROSVENORDALE --- The Friends of the Thompson Public Library's Annual Meeting will be at 6:30 p.m. in the Library Conference Room. The group's Annual Program will feature the Tourtellotte Memorial High School Modern Music Ensemble and Mary R. Fisher Elementary School's FORTESSA chorus in the Library Meeting Room at 7 p.m. Free. All welcome.
..
PUTNAM — Pamela Kane, certified medical assistant for Day Kimball Medical Group’s pediatric primary care practice, has been named employee of the month for March by Day Kimball Healthcare (DKH).
Kane joined Day Kimball Medical Group’s pediatric primary care team nearly four years ago, in the Plainfield practice. Today, she continues her work in pediatrics at the Putnam practice, located at Day Kimball Hospital. Kane also continues to provide support in Plainfield as needed.
Kane was born in France, where her father was stationed with the U.S. Army. Her family moved back to the U.S. when she was a baby, eventually settling in Norwich, when she was 6 years old. Kane currently lives in Moosup with her husband, Mark.
They have three children together, two grown and one deceased, as well as three grandchildren with another due in September.
Kane holds an associate’s degree in liberal arts and science from Three Rivers Community College and an associate’s degree in medical assisting from Quinebaug Valley Community College. She was a member of Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society.
She is a member of the American Association of Medical Assistants. In addition, Kane is very active in the community. She served for more than 11 years as a Girl Scout leader, and was a foster parent for more than 10 years, before beginning her career with DKH.
She is currently superintendent of her church’s Sunday School.
Arc and
supporters decry
budget cuts
DANIELSON — At a recent legislative meeting The Arc Quinebaug Valley voices were heard regarding the proposed state budget cuts to the Department of Developmental Services (DDS).
The Arc provides programs for individuals with intellectual, developmental and other life-affecting disabilities. Vocational, residential, recreation, education, day and retirement services offer opportunities for people with disabilities to reach their goals and be integral members of their community.
Legislators in attendance were State Representative Mike Alberts, State Representative Christine Randall and State Representative Daniel Rovero. Shannon Jacovino, Director of Advocacy & Public Policy at The Arc Connecticut was also present and spoke about the devastation the proposed budget cuts to DDS will bring to human service agencies in Connecticut, such as The Arc.
More than 60 people attended, from families, individuals served, Arc Board members, Arc staff and various members from the community. The stories shared were unforgettable, truly touching, and very powerful for not only the legislators to hear, but for everyone at the meeting. “It is moments such as this, where we all stand united, that make me extremely proud to be part of such an amazing agency and strong community, even more so than I already am. Together, our voices can be heard and we have the ability to make a difference.” said Susan M. Desrosiers, executive director of The Arc Quinebaug Valley.
Parents of individuals with disabilities in the community stood up and spoke directly to the legislators about their hardships with the already under-funded DDS system.
Tears were shed due to the fear and severity of these proposed budget cuts, but there was still a sense of hope in the air that the legislators could help stop these budget cuts from happening.
Representative Rovero stated, “We are on your side!” Five simple words that made all the difference in the world to everyone
that was present at the meeting. Representative Alberts and Representative Randall both agreed with Mr. Rovero. “I can feel the anxiety in the room, as well as the worry and concern you all have. It shouldn’t have to be that way and it is unfortunate that it is.” said Representative Randall.
The proposed budget cuts threatened $17 million in recession cuts to DDS as part of a plan to address a $79 million shortfall in the budget for fiscal year 2016. Legislators voted on an alternative to Governor Malloy’s plan on March 29th. The deficit mitigation plan resulted in a cut of $3,393,681 from the DDS budget.
Then
This is the new lower area of the Palmer Arboretum in Woodstock, taken last year when the arboretum kicked off its 100th birthday celebration. Putnam Town Crier file photos.
& Now
This is the same area with Woodstock Academy students and staffers doing a cleanup April 1.