Interact Club is everywhere
PUTNAM — Winter doesn’t slow the Putnam Rotary Club’s Interact Club.
Jan 25, June Ferraro and Sofia Thurber, co-presidents of the Interact Club, gave a beautiful speech at the MLK luncheon at the Living Faith United Methodist church in Putnam. They spoke about how Martin Luther King Jr.’s dream is still relevant today. They explained how the Rotary’s 4 way test and MLK’s dream blend together perfectly (speech follows at the end of the story on Wed. night on our website and on our FB page).
Feb. 1, the Interact Club assisted the Quinebaug Valley Rotaract Club with its Trivia Night fund-raiser. Interact Club members helped with check in, sold raffle tickets, served dinner and were table runners. The Rotaract Club made $7,100 toward its scholarship fund.
Feb. 8, Interactors carved a huge block of ice at the Putnam Fire & Ice event in hopes of receiving donations for their International project, The Heifer Fund. The club’s goal is to purchase some animals through the Heifer Fund for families in underdeveloped countries to serve as a sustainable food source.
The Interact Club meets at 6:30 p.m. the second and fourth Tuesday at the Putnam Library from September through May. For more information contact Rotarian Roberta Rocchetti at 860-933-8603 or
The Speech:
“In the Interact Club the Rotary’s Four Way Test partially reiterates what MLK professed in this portion of the speech, “I still have a dream, a dream deeply rooted in the American dream - one day this nation will rise up and live up to its creed, We hold these truths to be self evident: that all men are created equal. I have a dream...”
The Four-Way Test is a set of guidelines created by the Rotary Club to help members make good, ethical decisions. It asks four simple questions:
1. Is it the truth?
2. Is it fair to all concerned?
3. Will it build goodwill and better friendships?
4. Will it be beneficial to all concerned?
Within each of these four questions, Martin Luther King Jr’s. actions echo what these questions profess.
Is it the truth? MLK stood for truth in all things, particularly when it came to exposing the realities of racial injustice. He fought for truth in society’s recognition of human rights and dignity for all people, regardless of race.
Is it fair to all concerned? MLK’s core message was one of fairness, seeking justice for African Americans and all marginalized groups. His advocacy for civil rights was rooted in the belief that everyone deserves equal rights and opportunities, regardless of background.
Will it build goodwill and better friendships? MLK believed in nonviolence and sought to build bridges between communities through mutual respect and understanding. His peaceful demonstrations and calls for love over hate aimed to strengthen relationships and build a more harmonious society.
Will it be beneficial to all concerned? Dr. King envisioned a world where the actions taken would benefit everyone, not just certain groups. His dream was of a society where freedom, justice, and equality could be enjoyed by all people.
These four questions are designed to help to make sure that the members of this organization make decisions that are fair, ethical, and beneficial to all involved. The test emphasizes honesty, fairness, and a commitment to building strong, positive relationships, and it is widely used within the organization to promote integrity and service. It’s often seen as a reflection of the values of Rotary in both personal and professional conduct. The quality and equity of the work we do is reflected in the four way test.”
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captions:
At Trivia Night, from left: Calleigh Levesque, Dylan Axtell, Kaelyn Tremblay, Gianna Brinson, Pavanny Phav, Isabell McGlynn, Sam Hachigian
From left: Calleigh Levesque, Roberta Rocchetti, Dylan Axtell, Pavanny Phav, June Ferraro at Fire & Ice.
Business Briefs
Library grants
JEWETT CITY — The Jewett City Savings Bank Foundation, announced the granting of $12,300 to a local library and youth services organizations. Including: $2,000 apiece to two youth services organizations — Hale YMCA Youth & Family Center in Putnam to assist in funding the Race4Chase youth triathlon program and Northeast Opportunities for Wellness, Inc. in Putnam to fund the Strong Like a Girl Empowerment Group; two $1,000 grants and a grant of $1,800 for the purchase of a Demco Cover One book repair machine; $2,500 to United Services, Inc. of Dayville to fund classes on human trafficking in local schools;. And $1,000 to the Griswold Middle School PTO to help finish a playground; $1,000 to the Girl Scouts of Connecticut, Inc., for financial assistance for registration fees and program support to girls in eastern Connecticut.
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Town of Putnam
Zoning Board of Appeals
Legal Notice
The Town of Putnam Zoning Board of Appeals will hold a hybrid meeting on February 18, 2025, at 7:00 P. M. in Room 201 at the Putnam Municipal Complex, located at 200 School Street, Putnam, CT. The public hearing was continued from the December 17, 2024, meeting with requested modifications to the application as discussed with the Zoning Board of Appeals.
Appeal #2024-009 Douglas Porter-WBA request for variances for the front yard setback from the required 10’ down to 0, the side corner yard setback from 10’ down to 7’ and the rear yard setback from the required 20’ down to 7’ for a proposed addition to 16 Pomfret Street. Property located at 36 Canal Street, Town Assessors Map 15, Lot 93, Zoned PD and 16 Pomfret Street, Town Assessors Map 15, Lot 75, Zoned PD for the two properties to become one for the proposed addition at 16 Pomfret Street.
Joseph Nash, Chairperson
Meeting information will be available on the Town of Putnam website prior to the meeting.
Feb. 6, 2025
Feb. 13, 2025
Legal Notice
Town of Putnam
Land Use Department
The Town of Putnam Land Use Department invites residents to review and comment on our Stormwater Management Plan and the 2024 MS4 annual report as required by the CT Department of Energy and Environmental Protection DEEP General Permit for the discharge of stormwater from Separate Storm Sewer Systems. The Stormwater Management Plan may be found on the Town website at:
https://www.putnamct.us/departments/planning-and-land-use/stormwater
The 2024 MS4 Annual Report will be placed on the Town Website on February 15, for review and comment.
The Land Use Department encourages residents to join in working together to protect the integrity of stormwater by not dumping anything in the storm drains, properly disposing of pet waste, and by reducing the amount of fertilizer used on lawns. Visit the Town website for links on how you can make a difference with efforts to protect the environment. Citizens are encouraged to report illicit dumping by contacting the Land Use Agent at: 860-963-6800 ext 114.
Feb. 13, 2025
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PUTNAM — Putnam’s loss will be Providence’s gain.
The Hale YMCA Youth and Family Center’s executive director, Amanda Kelly, was named as the new chief operating officer of the Great Providence YMCA.
Kelly has been an always-smiling leader in the greater Putnam area, partnering with many local organizations to support those living in northeastern Connecticut.
She has been with the Hale Y for nine years. She was the Hale Y’s first executive director when it opened in December 2015.
Among her many accomplishments, with her team at the Hale Y, was growing membership to about 7,500 members, opening Camp Cutler which serves 75 to 100 campers per week and almost 400 individual children. She said she is proud of the countless community events and programs throughout the nine years the Hale Y has been open.
Kelly’s last day at the Hale YMCA is Feb. 13 and she will start her new job Feb. 24.
“Amanda’s passion for community-building and her proven track record of operational excellence make her the ideal choice to guide our branches and teams,” said Karen Santilli, CEO of the Greater Providence YMCA. “Her leadership and 20-plus years of experience with the YMCA family will undoubtedly elevate our efforts to deliver impactful programs and services to the communities we serve.”
Santilli said Kelly, during her tenure at the Hale Y, successfully opened a new facility, grew annual revenue to $2.8 million, and implemented innovative strategies to expand membership and donor engagement. Her career also includes key roles in program development, staff leadership, and community partnerships, making her uniquely equipped to lead GPYMCA operations.
“I am thrilled to be joining the Greater Providence YMCA as Chief Operating Officer,” said Kelly. “I began my Y career many years ago at the Kent County YMCA and this role feels like a homecoming. I am looking forward to working alongside such a passionate team to drive growth, foster inclusivity, and strengthen the programs and services that make a meaningful difference in the lives of so many in the communities we serve.”
“At the YMCA of Greater Hartford, our goal is to inspire and develop leaders who make a lasting impact within the Y and the communities we serve. Amanda Kelly’s leadership and community impact exemplifies that vision,” said Harold Sparrow, CEO, YMCA of Greater Hartford. “Amanda has been a pillar of the Hale YMCA and the Putnam community, leading with passion and dedication since opening its doors. We are incredibly proud of Amanda and know she will continue to do great things in her new role as COO at the Greater Providence YMCA. We wish her all the best in this exciting next chapter!”
As COO, Kelly will focus on ensuring operational excellence across GPYMCA branches, developing strategies for membership growth and retention, expanding program offerings, and fostering community partnerships. She will also play a critical role in mentoring branch leadership teams and enhancing overall organizational performance to meet the evolving needs of the community.
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