Redemption
center
now open
PUTNAM — The Arc Quinebaug Valley opened its new business, The Arc Redemption Center. Based at 96 Front St.. It is licensed through the CT Department of Environmental and Energy Protection and offers the community a convenient location to redeem their bottles and cans that carry the CT 5 cent deposit mark. The mission of the business is to provide individuals with life-affecting disabilities a meaningful “real work for real pay” opportunity and a chance to increase their skills toward greater independence.
The Redemption Center accepts glass, plastic and can containers from beverages such as beer, soda and water. “We can accept all brands from any grocery or liquor store which makes redeeming so much easier for customers,” said Linda Lamoureux, chief business development officer for The Arc. It’s quick in and quick out customer service. Customers walk in with their bags and staff conveniently count out their returns and pay back the deposit. There is no need to stand at a machine feeding your bottles and cans in one at a time.
The Redemption Center also accepts donations of bottles and cans from the community. “Proceeds from these donations help to cover the operating costs of the business including the salary of the workers,” said Susan Desrosiers, executive director. “We are proud to help our community prevent litter, promote recycling and reduce waste while providing this excellent opportunity for those we support,” she added.
This opportunity has grown out of the redemption project which The Arc has been operating for two years.
Woodstock public schools
Monday: Hamburgers, baked beans, fruit. Tuesday: Cheese ravioli, peas, fruit. Wednesday: Chicken Caesar salad, fruit. Thursday: Ziti, meatsauce, cucumber cups, fruit. Friday: Pizza, carrot sticks, fruit.
Pomfret Community
Monday: Chicken nuggets, mashed potatoes, corn, pineapple cups. Tuesday: Hamburgers, baked beans, pears. Wednesday: Meatballs, ziti, green beans, celery cups with dip. Fruit, cookies. Thursday: Pizza, broccoli, apples. Friday: Deli turkey on rolls, fruit, frozen dessert.
Putnam Elementary/Middle
Monday: Country chicken drummies, gravy, mashed potatoes, carrots. Tuesday - Wolf Meal: Beef urgers, sherbet. Wednesday: Chicken and broccoli Alfredo over wheat penne. Thursday: Macaroni and cheese, broccoli. Friday: Putnam Special Pizza, spinach salad with tomatoes and cucumber.
Putnam High
Monday: Clippers Burgers, cole slaw, sherbet. Tuesday: Baked tilapia, rice pilaf, carrots. Wednesday: Honey BBQ chicken sandwiches, carrots, baked beans. Thursday: General Tso chicken, vegetable fried rice, broccoli. Pizza, salad with grape tomatoes.
Fund-raiser
Master Mike Bogdanski and Master Kristin Duethorn of Quest Martial Arts in Putnam is cooperating with The Putnam Parent-Teacher Organization to raise funds. Fifty percent of each introductory program sold will be donated to the Putnam Elementary School PTO. This fund-raiser will run until Nov. 1. For more information contact the Masters at 860-928-9218.
W. Thompson
dam celebrates
50th
anniversary
THOMPSON — The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New England District, the communities of North Grosvenordale, Thompson and Putnam, along with several other agencies and groups will observe the 50th anniversary of the construction of the West Thompson Lake project in a ceremony on Oct. 3 at the Overlook Picnic Shelter.
“This project is a great example of applied engineering and science successfully mitigating flood risk and damage, and adding immeasurable value to the region,” said District Engineer Col. Christopher Barron, commander of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New England District, headquartered in Concord, Mass. “This dam has protected downstream citizens in Connecticut for 50 years. It has proven to be a very successful investment of time and money, preventing more than $56.4 million in flood damages since its construction.”
Construction of the dam at West Thompson Lake, on the Quinebaug River in Thompson, was begun in August 1963 and completed in October 1965. Cost of the project was $7 million.
A ceremony to observe the 50th anniversary of the completion of the flood risk management dam will start at 10 a.m. Oct. 3 at the West Thompson Lake Overlook Picnic Shelter, located at 162 West Thompson Road.
The Corps’ New England District Color Guard will open the ceremony at 10 a.m. There will be guided tours of the dam for visitors, historical displays, children’s activities and much more. Activities will run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The West Thompson Lake project provides flood risk management to residential, commercial, and industrial property in the city of Putnam and downstream communities on the Quinebaug River. Operating in conjunction with other Corps-constructed dams in the Thames River Basin, the project also helps reduce flood risk to many downstream communities in Connecticut, including Danielson, Plainfield and Norwich.
The project consists of an earth-fill dam with stone slope protection 2,550-feet-long and 70-feet-high. The lake can store 8.34 billion gallons of water for flood control purposes. Picnicking, hiking, boating, fishing, camping, and hunting are enjoyed by more than 96,300 visitors annually visiting West Thompson. The Corps manages 2,059 acres of land and water at West Thompson Lake stretching six miles from Putnam to the Massachusetts border. Three picnic shelters are popular for outdoor weddings, family reunions and other group functions. West Thompson Lake Campground offers 24 campsites (11 basic sites, 11 premium sites with electrical and water hookups, and two lean-to shelters) in a quiet, wooded environment.
For up-to-date information, call the West Thompson Lake Park Office at (860) 923-2982 or visit the lakes’ web site at www.nae.usace.army.mil/Missions/Recreation/WestThompsonLake.aspx.