Annual Rotary Fishing Derby - 2013

PUTNAM — The fish might not have been biting but nearly 150 youngsters had a wonderful time in Rotary Park the Putnam Rotary Club’s annual Noe Poulin Fishing Derby April 21.

Some fish were pulled in, though. Llizabeth Beauregard, 4, won largest fish caught in the under 5 years old catagory with a 4.9 oz brown trout; Charles Beauregard, 6, won for the most fish caught and the largest for 6-9 year olds with a 6.7 oz and an 8.4 oz brook trouts; Taylor Knupp, 12, won largest fish for 10-12 year olds with a 7 oz.
brook trout; Andre Bessette, 10, won for most unique fish with a crayfish.

Some 144 kids took part. Last year’s rainy fishing derby had only 70 participants. This year’s breakdown of attendees: 5 and younger = 42 children; 6-9 year olds = 47; 10-12 year olds = 37; 13-15 year olds = 18.

Putnam Rotary Club Collects Food for Daily Bread

The Putnam Rotary Club, during its  monthly campaign in January, collected a dozen jars of peanut butter, three to four dozen cans of tuna and cash, which it donated to Daily Bread. David Dunham, left, IHSP treasurer, receives the donations from Paul Pikora, Putnam Rotary Club president. Daily Bread was running low on tuna and peanut butter and asked for those items. Courtesy photo.

Christmas Giving - Rotary Style

The Putnam Rotary Club filled gift request for local agencies serving northeastern Connecticut at its annual gift exchange. Left to right: Putnam Rotary Club President Paul Pikora; Jenn Plaza, Junior Review Board coordinator for the Thompson Ecumenical Empowerment Group (TEEG); Rotarian Richard Naumann, aka “Santa”; Donna Grant, executive director of TEEG; Putnam Rotarian Jeff Rawson, gift organizer; and Patty Bryant, director of the Putnam Family Resource Center. Courtesy photo

PUTNAM, CT --- Again this year, the Putnam Rotary Club’s annual gift exchange was focused on the true meaning of the holiday instead of gag gifts. Putnam Rotarians never miss an opportunity to serve the community.

Years ago, recognizing the overwhelming need in the northeastern Connecticut community it serves, Putnam Rotarians decided to fill gift requests for the agencies serving those less fortunate.

Putnam Rotary President Paul Pikora said this is the third year the Rotarians have stepped up with gifts for others at holiday time. “The hard work and support of Putnam Rotarians all year long is immense,” Pikora said.

This year, each Rotarian received a gift bag. On the tag was the name of an agency and a suggested gift. Putnam Rotarians filled those gift bags and then some, culminating with “Santa” dropping by the gift exchange meeting and thanking the Putnam Rotarian “elves” for their generosity.

Some 80 to 90 gifts were distributed to the Thompson Ecumenical Empowerment Group (TEEG) and the Putnam Family Resource Center, according to Rotarian organizer Jeff Rawson.

Donna Grant, executive director of TEEG, thanked the Putnam Rotarians for their holiday gifts and their year-long support of TEEG. She said many last-minute requests were made to TEEG. “I think some families thought they could do it, but saw at the last minute that, no, they could not.”

Patty Bryant, director of the Putnam Family Resource Center, also thanked the Putnam Rotary “elves.” She called the support from the Putnam Rotary and the community at large “mind-boggling.”

TEEG and the resource center are just a few of the many northeastern Connecticut organizations supported by the Putnam Rotary all year long.

Pikora, when taking the reins of president last summer, decided that the Putnam Rotary Club could do more. Each month Putnam Rotarians bring in items and monetary donations for a group that is in need. It might be boxes of pasta for the Daily Bread community kitchen one month or school items to fill backpacks for students in need at the Putnam Family Resource Center.

Whatever the need, the Putnam Rotary Club is there. Throughout the year, the club raises more than $60,000 and turns most of it back out to the community it serves. From American Legion baseball to the Bradley Playhouse to Habitat for Humanity to Scouts to Scholarships, the list is very long, indeed.

Putnam Rotary’s “elves” work all year long, serving northeastern Connecticut

Pasta Donation to Daily Bread

Ann Kathi Peterson of Daily Bread and Putnam Rotary President Paul Pikora and some of the donations from the Putnam Rotary Club. Courtesy photo.
 
In the spirit of giving that runs the whole year through, the Putnam Rotary Club recently brought three dozen jars of spaghetti sauce, pasta and $200 in cash to the Daily Bread Pantry.
Ann Kathi Peterson, Interfaith Human Services of Putnam's secretary and Community Resource/Volunteer coordinator, received the donations from the Putnam Rotary Club's President Paul Pikora.

Pikora, who became president of the club last summer, decided that each month, with so many local groups in need, to ask Rotarians to donate was needed and deliver those donations to those in need each month.  Pikora said that local organizations in need are welcome to call him at 928-0811. "We are open to other organizations that need help," he said.

Putnam Rotary Club Welcomes New Member

At Tuesday's meeting, Chris Vaillencourt became the newest member of the Putnam Rotary Club.  Chris was proposed for membership by Rotarian Richard Naumann.  Chris works for Gerardi Insurance Services.  Welcome Chris!

Putnam Rotary Club Makes Donation to Project Northeast.

Sister Eleanor Baldoni, left, and Putnam Rotary Club President Paul Pikora. Courtesy photo.
 
In its year long commitment to help organizations throughout northeast Connecticut, the Putnam Rotary Club recently donated more than 25 gallon and half-gallon jugs of apple and other juices, plus $10, to Project Northeast.
 

Project Northeast's Associate Director Sister Eleanor Baldoni, had asked for juice as the project's shelves were nearly empty of juice. The director is Father Richard Archambault and Project Northeast has been serving the less fortunate in northeast Connecticut since 1978.
Sister Eleanor said the agency helps about 100 people a month. The agency, based in the hall at St. Mary of the Visitation Church in Putnam, accepts donations. Call 928-4078.
 

Pikora began his Rotary presidency at the end of June, pledging to help organizations each month. The club members bring in whatever the organizations ask for and Pikora delivers the donations, including monetary donations, each month

District Governor Rau Visits Putnam Rotary Club

By Ron P. Coderre

The Putnam Rotary Club received District Governor Eileen Rau at its weekly meeting on Tuesday, August 7 at J.D. Cooper’s Restaurant in Putnam.

Rau assumed her position as District Governor of Rotary District 7890 on July 1 and has begun annual visits to each club in the District.  A member of the Rotary Club of West Hartford since 1997, Rau has been active on numerous committees in her club and in the District prior to beginning her stint as District Governor.

“I want to carry out the mission of Rotary International and our President Sakuji Tanaka during my year as District Governor.  Our motto this year is ‘Peace Through Service’ and I’m encouraging all clubs and members to be more active in volunteering in their communities,” said Rau

 

Putnam Rotary Club Holds Induction Night - June 20, 2012

Tuesday, Jan 31st  luncheon meeting was hosted by Putnam Science Academy.  80% of our membership attended the luncheon and with all the conversations going on everyone seemed to be having a great time.  Our luncheon was a very tasty Turkish cuisine   Eric Gould especially liked the concept of mixing meatballs with home fry potatoes and the members at my table had quite a discussion about puree eggplant.  Highlight change of the day was the mix up of tables, didn't see too many regulars sitting together.  We all know it is good to change our luncheon seating arrangements and mingle with other members.  Paul Duhammel, Dean of Students, Omer Seven, student head honcho of the Robotics Team, along with other students made us all feel welcomed.  They were great host.  After lunch it was business as usual, short business meeting, entertainment by Sergent at arms Bob Fournier and money man Keith with fine and happy dollar collection.  Then our spelling word of the day which the chosen lucky person and table misspelled.  After our entertainment, Omer Seven gave an updated talk on the robotics program and a little demonstration of the progress they have made on their robot.  After the demo we split into groups and were given a tour of the school by students.  A lot of work has been done to the school, especially the new auditorium.  Their next challenge is putting the library together.

As Omer Seven announced at the meeting on Saturday, Feb. 11th they are hosting "Battle in the Quiet Corner", at 1 pm at the school.  Teams from all around New England will be there holding live competitions.  Included in the program are engineering and programming workshops, live competitions and fun activities.  You and your families are invited and the students encourage you to bring your children and grandchildren to experience the activities.

I thank all the members for attending the luncheon and connecting with Putnam Science Academy.  Cindy

The red kettles and cheerful teenagers have become a familiar sight in Putnam.  For the past 19 years,  members of the Putnam Regional Interact Club, their siblings, friends and schoolmates brave the cold and spend hours ringing, singing and dancing (sometimes just to keep warm) to raise money for the Salvation Army.  Despite the economy, this was a record breaking year with 253 students from 13 area schools volunteering 1063 hours to raise $18,062.03.  From Thanksgiving to Christmas Eve, volunteers spend every Saturday (and some school vacation days) ringing the bell for the Salvation Army in front of Sears Essentials, Stop and Shop, Wal Mart, Price Chopper and Putnam Supermarket. 

Marianapolis Prep won the “Ring-a-Ding Challenge” with 60 volunteers providing 317 hours, thus stealing the coveted trophy from last year’s winners.   Putnam Science Academy, the 2010 Ring-a Ding champs, came in second with 258 hours and Woodstock Academy was third with 239 hours.  Top bell ringers were Caroline Kenney, Jamie Barrette, Anna Werge and Seth Aubin for the high school division and Alexandra Lamontagne, Abby Poirier and Rebecca Pempek for the middle school division.  Volunteers celebrated with pizza and high fives. 

Friday night, the Northeastern Connecticut Chamber of Commerce held their annual awards ceremony.  Putnam Rotarian Dick Loomis served as master of ceremonies for the event at the Thompson Speedway Restaurant. 

Jay Sinha, another Putnam Rotarian, received the Past President's Award in recognition of his service as the Chamber's President for 2011. 

Karen and Gary Osbrey were awarded the Business Person of the Year Award for their community service.  Karen and Gary own and operate WINY radio, the AM radio station serving Northeastern Connecticut.  Both Karen and Gary are very active in the Putnam Rotary Club and the Rotary District. 

Betti Kuszaj was recognized for her 30 years of service as the Executive Director of the Northeastern Connecticut Chamber of Commerce.  

All five Rotarians demonstrated the Rotary motto in action, "Service Above Self".  Well done Putnam Rotarians! 

Rachael Johnston, Paul Pikora, Steve Adams and Club President Cindy Dunne did a great job at the QVCC annual Spelling Bee.  The team made it to the fifth round and finished 7th out of 16 teams.  The Spelling Bee raised over $13,000 for the Quinebaug Valley Community College.  A fun night was had by all. 

The "Save  the Date"  postcards have been sent. 

Remember Friday, June 1, 2012 is the second annual Ronald P. Coderre Rotary Golf Tournament.  The tournament was named in Ron's honor last year to recognize all the work he has done for the Putnam Rotary Club.  He helped the Club bring the annual golf fundraiser to the prominence that it now enjoys, the Club's latest fundraiser.  Last year raising over $25,000 to support Rotary's scholarship program and other charitable activities.  

The Golf committee will hold its first meeting on Tuesday, January 31 at 8 am at the offices of Archambault Insurance Associates (Stone Building).