Frederick E. Wojick, Korean war veteran
N. GROSVENORDALE — Frederick Edward Wojick, 96, of North Grosvenordale, died Dec. 29, 2024. He was the husband of Rachel (Dery) Wojick for 75 years. 
Born in North Grosvenordale, he was the son of the late Joseph Wojick and Anna (Pyzik) Wojick.
Mr. Wojick served in the Army during the Korean war. After his time in service, he taught drafting and architecture at Harvard H. Ellis Technical School in Danielson. He retired in 1979. He also worked 17 years for the Town of Thompson as a commission member and Building Official. He then served another 18 years for the Town of Putnam in the planning, zoning and wetlands department, finally retiring in 2018.
Frederick was a member of the State Board of Education as well as a member of the St. Joseph Church.
He leaves his wife, Rachel; several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his sister Mary and her husband, Lawrence Leboeuf; sister Stella and her husband, Richard S. Feige; and his nephew Richard W. Feige.
The Service was Jan. 3, 2025, in the Valade Funeral Home and Crematory, 23 Main St., N. Grosvenordale, with burial in St. Joseph Cemetery. Donations: Community Fire Company of North Grosvenordale, P.O. Box 874, North Grosvenordale, CT 06255.

.

Wed.  Jan. 29
Art Exhibit
PUTNAM --- The Putnam Arts Council presents Art Guild Inspirations, works by the members of the Art Guild Northeast in the Corridor Gallery in the Municipal Complex through March.

Sat.  Feb. 1
Indoor Yard Sale
PUTNAM --- Paws Cat Shelter, 74 School St., is having an Indoor Yard Sale from noon to 3 p.m. to 3 p.m. New and used items, handcrafts will be available. Adoptable cats will be available for viewing. Benefits the shelter. Info, to make a tax deductible donation: 860-315-1228.

Art Exhibit
THOMPSON --- The Thompson Public Library’s Arts @ the Library will present “Journeys’ by Wendy Forbes through the month of February. A reception will be held from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Feb.  10. Display case: Pottery Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow by Christine Tanson.

Tues.  Feb. 4
Trash Discussion
POMFRET --- The Pomfret Green Team will hold a “Let’s Talk Trash” discussion at 7 p.m. at the Pomfret Community School cafeteria. They invite the curious, the interested, the concerned, and each one of you who produces approximately 6 pounds of trash every single day (and that’s every single one of us!) to discover where it goes, how much it costs, and begin planning for a better future.

Tues.  Feb. 11
‘Green’ Film
POMFRET --- The Pomfret Green Team will present the film, “Common Ground,” at 6:30 p.m. at the Connecticut Audubon Society of Pomfret. Common Ground presents an urgent message about the poisonous practices within American food systems. Registration requested but not required. Free popcorn. Free admission. 860-928-4948. 

Sat.  Feb. 15
Black History Program
PUTNAM --- The Putnam Public Library will present, at 12:30 p.m., “The Remarkable Women of the Six Triple Eight,” the only all-black, all-female unit to be sent overseas in WWII. Presented by Melodye Whatley. Snow date Feb. 22.

Camp Games
POMFRET --- The Windham-Tolland 4-H Camp is having a “Camper Game Day” for boys and girls, ages 6-12, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.  Food, games, crafts, more. Bring appropriate clothes to be outdoors.  $25 per child. Register by Feb. 10: 860-974-3379.

Sun.  Feb. 16
Open House
POMFRET --- The Windham-Tolland 4-H Camp Open HHHouse will be held from 1 to 3 p.m. Registration materials available. Early bird discounts end Feb 29.

Sat.  Feb. 22
Nature Program
POMFRET --- The Connecticut Audubon Society at Pomfret on Day Road will present an Owl Walk at 7 p.m. $10 for CAS members; $20 for nonmembers. Register: 860-928-4948. 

Sauna Program
CANTERBURY --- The Finnish American Heritage Society of Canterbury will present “A Sauna Journey” at 1 p.m. in the Finnish Hall, 76 N. Canterbury Road. Free. Open to the public. 

Tues.  Feb. 25
‘Lights Out’
POMFRET --- “Light Pollution and its Impacts on Our Green Spaces” will be presented at 6:30 p.m. at the Connecticut Audubon Society of Pomfret. Lecture by Craig Repasz, chair and co-founder of Lights Out. Registration requested but not required. Free admission. 860-928-4948. 

Mon.  March 10
Probate Program
PUTNAM --- The Putnam Council on Aging will present a Free Senior Forum featuring Probate Judge Gabrielle Labonte at 5:30 p.m. at the Municipal Complex, conference room 109.

Tues.  March 11
Green Team Film
POMFRET --- Pomfret Green Team film, “Breaking Boundaries – The Science of Our Planet,” will be presented at 6:30 p.m. at the Connecticut Audubon Society of Pomfret. Registration requested but not required. Free admission. Free popcorn. 860-928-4948. 

.

Putnam’s Interact Club the top bell ringers in the state
By Linda Lemmon
Town Crier Editor
PUTNAM — The Putnam Rotary Club’s Interact Club, ringing bells through the bitter cold, raised more than $13,000 this year for the Salvation Army. The Interactors received high praise and awards Jan. 24. 
The Salvation Army’s Debbie White, director of Social Services for Connecticut and Rhode Island, said the first kettle campaign might have been considered successful in 1891 “but not as successful as you — you are the top money-raising group in the whole state.”
Over the last 27 years, according to Rotarian and Interact advisor Roberta Rocchetti, the Interact members have raised more than $250,000 for this region.
All the funds raised stay local, helping the Putnam office of the Salvation Army. Kathi Peterson said she appreciates the young people who “make my ability to assist families who are struggling much easier.”
June Ferraro, co-president of the Interact Club, thanked all the volunteers who helped raise the money.
Woodstock Academy took home the award for the school that worked the most hours.
The volunteer breakdown included: One student from Pomfret School (2 hours); three students from Marianapolis (9 hours); three students from UConn (9 hours); 16 students from Putnam High School (126.5 hours); 27 students from Tourtellotte Memorial High School (129 hours) and 44 students from Woodstock Academy (181.5 hours).
In the fierce competition for the individual that volunteered the most hours and gets to take home the traveling bell-ringer trophy: First-place went to Gabriell Cerasiello of Putnam High who worked 32 hours. In second was Paige Perry of Putnam High with 19 hours and in third was Ella Carota, also of Putnam High, who worked 18 hours.

.

captions: 

Gabriell Cerasiello, center, the top bell ringer, holds the coveted Ring a Ding trophy. Left: Doug Porter, Rotary Club president. Right: Rotarian and Interact Advisor Roberta Rocchetti. Linda Lemmon photo.

Kaelyn Tremblay , center, represented Woodstock Academy, the top school with 181.5 volunteer hours. Linda Lemmon photo.

The Putnam Rotary Club's Interact Club at awards event. Salvation Army officials said the group was the top money raising organization in the state. Photo by Doug Porter.

..