Grant
The Muddy Brook Fire Department received a $1,000 grant from Spectrum recently. The funding will support safety and equipment upgrades for local responders. Courtesy photo.

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PSA graduation 
PUTNAM — Putnam Science Academy celebrated its 24th graduation ceremony May 16, marking one of the largest and most memorable graduating classes in school history. Ninety-three students received their diplomas — making it one of the biggest graduating classes in PSA history.
The ceremony featured keynote speaker Eric Kapitulik, a motivational speaker from Thompson,  who captivated the audience with a message of leadership, perseverance, and personal growth.
The welcome speech was delivered by Martyn Poliuchovic, who came to the U.S.after the war in Ukraine began four and a half years ago.  Valedictorian Ethan Graham spoke about the importance of stepping outside of one’s comfort zone in order to achieve success. Salutatorian Cecile Lufungula focused her remarks on gratitude, thanking everyone who supported her throughout her educational journey.
Graduates: Adama Tambedou, Aderwyn Figueroa Rondon, Adria Hurtado, Adut Tour, Alejandro Batista, Alvin Rosario, Amadou Samba Diallo, Andres Jurado, Anthony Mejia, Brayden Gelinas, Brayson Green, Byron Stevens, Caio Da Silva, Cecile Lufungula, Cristian Nin-Reynoso, Chiara Marco, Christian Maplanka, Christopher Promades, Claudio Martinez, Daniel Lewandowski, David Gaymon, Dereck Nunez, Diego Dilone, Dylan Avant, Egbuna Favour, Elliot Abreu, Erix “Erica” Chen, Ethan Gilvert, Ethan Graham, Fernando Domingues, Fernando Souza , Fernando Torralba Perez, Francisco Laureano Mendez, Hayden Dorsey, Israel “Izzy” Mansaray, Jacob Mondo, Jacqueline Koki, Jalen Taggart, Jamell Hatchett, Janvier Diaz, Jayson Serrano,  João Lavandoski, João Massette, Jose Manon, Jordan Skyers, Joseph Adebayo, Justin DeJesus, Kamai Samuels, Kelvin Valdez, Kendy “KJ” St. Cyr, Kieran Sullivan, Layla Woodward,  Liam DaSilva, Loyiso Mangcu, Luis Melo, Lwandle Ncube, Maikel Soriano, Manoela Silva, Maria Eduarda Guedes, Maria Giulia Carvalho, Martyn Poliuchovic, Mateus Furio, Matheus Teodoro, Maximo Sanchez Sano, Maximus Pires, Michael Therrien, Miles Bickel, Molka Mares, Nikolas Neo Larrucea Wiegandt, Nolan Rodman, Omar Rodriguez, Owen Crowley, Paola Diouma, Paolla Uwase, Parish Edmond, Pedro Bitencourt, Pedro Seade, Petar Vukcevic, Ronald Florian-Moreta, Schuy Fillis, Sedar Sene, Shenghao “Jason” Gao, Shiloh Reyes, Tyler Wallace, Tzu-Yu “Jasmine” Feng, Vadim Brezillon, Valentina Vrcan, Vega Larru, Wenqi “CiCi” Zhao,  Wyatt Polletta, Yash Sukhwani Lalwani, Yeongha Ricky Yoon, Zhiyi “Dolores” Luo.

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‘Miles’ of food for miles of need
By Linda Lemmon
Town Crier Editor
PUTNAM — Probably a record-breaker —337 cars came through the Danielson Veterans Coffeehouse Food Share.
Walmart’s Remember the Fallen truck came for the first time and may come often in the future. The truck, driven by veteran Art Harrington, arrived the day before and Coffeehouse Vice President and Food Share organizer extraordinaire, Bruce Hay, had extra volunteers come early in the morning to help unload. 
Hay said there were 82 volunteers and it ran like a military clock — in spite of one of the food delivery trucks being late and the long long line of those needing food.
Hay estimated that each car received probably $300 worth of food. Fresh fruit, frozen food, water, fresh vegetables, and more and … this month the Food Share runneth over with onions and bread. But that was OK. What food was went to Brooklyn Cares, the Putnam Elks and other organizations that help those in need. 

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