Briefly
New CEO
WATERFORD — Charter Oak Federal Credit Union’s Board of Directors announced that Craig Knell has been appointed as the organization’s new president and CEO. He will succeed Brian Orenstein, who is retiring following 21 years. With over a decade of distinguished experience in banking, financial management, and regulatory oversight, Knell brings a powerful combination of strategic vision, operational insight, and a people-centric leadership philosophy to the role. A U.S. Navy veteran, Knell has built a career defined by integrity, service, and results. Prior to this appointment, he served as COO and CFO at Nutmeg State FCU in Rocky Hill, where he played a pivotal role in driving membership growth, improving financial performance, and spearheading technology and efficiency initiatives across the organization.
Donations
WATERFORD — Charter Oak Federal Credit Union is donating $100,000 in emergency food assistance to eastern Connecticut’s food pantries and food centers to help boost food supplies to those in need during the holiday season. For the fourth year in a row, 20 food pantries will receive $5,000 this November for much-needed food supplies at food centers and food pantries. Those organizations receiving donations in Windham County include: Access Community Action Agency; Covenant Soup Kitchen in Willimantic; Friends of Assisi Food Pantry in Danielson; Interfaith Human Services of Putnam-Daily Bread; Project Pin, Inc. in Moosup; St. Mary’s Church Food Pantry in Jewett City; Saint Vincent De Paul Place in Norwich; TEEG Community Market in N. Grosvenordale.
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Pomfret Public Library
The addition is dried in the windows and doors are installed. And the “library” moved back into the original section while construction continues in the addition. Inside the addition the room’s stud walls are going up. Linda Lemmon photos.
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Holiday Food Share set
PUTNAM — The Danielson Veterans Coffeehouse will be holding a special drive-through Food Share for Thanksgiving. It will begin around noon Thursday, Nov. 20 at the Farmers Market Pavilion off Kennedy Drive. The Putnam Police Department asks that no one line up before 11:30 a.m.
Organizer Bruce Hay said they anticipate they will have about 300 frozen turkeys. He added the coffeehouse has purchased boxes of stuffing. They hope to have canned vegetables, too.
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Appointed
DUDLEY — Julia Revellese of Dayville is one of 15 students appointed by Nichols College President Bill Pieczynski to the 2025-2026 Nichols Senior Advisory Council. This group of accomplished seniors will meet with the President and members of the President’s Counsel monthly and act as an advisory group as the College plans for the future.
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