May 17, 2013 - Stonebridge Press and Villager Newspapers

16 • Friday, May 17, 2013
WOODSTOCK VILLAGER
QUIET CORNER ROUND-UP
Pomfret Recreation Department:
Upcoming Events
• Interactive Hoop Dancing (hula hoop)
Classes — Thursdays, May 6 to June 13 at
the Pomfret Recreation Park from 6 to 7 p.m.
• Co-ed Volleyball — Thursdays starting at
6:30 p.m. in the Pomfret Recreation Park,
May 21 to Aug. 20.
• Women’s Tennis Program — Mondays,
June 24 to July 15, at the Rectory School
Tennis Courts from 6:30 to 8 p.m.
• Men’s Over 30 Summer Basketball
Program — Mondays from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at
the Rec. Park courts, June 24 – Aug. 19.
• Youth Tennis Lessons: Ages 3-6
(Munchkins), Ages 6-12 (Level 2) and ages 9-
14 (Level 3), Thursdays, July 11 to Aug. 1.
• Hooked on Fishing Derby at the Pomfret
Rod and Gun Club for boys and girls ages 5-
15 on June 2, at 8:30 a.m. Picnic Lunch, goodie
bags, lots of $25 tagged fish to be found,
free contests, lots of prizes in each age
group. Rain date is June 15.
• Two Summer Youth Basketball programs
— Boys in grades 1-9 play on Tuesday,
Wednesday and Thursday nights, July 9 to
July 25 (different time slots) at the PCS
Gym. Girls in grades 1-9 play on Tuesday,
Wednesday and Thursday nights, July 30 to
Aug. 15 (different time slots) at the PCS
Gym.
• Lego Camp — Two sessions: Ages 5 to 7
from 9 a.m. to noon and Ages 8-10 from 1 to 4
p.m. July 15-19. PCS Cafeteria.
TRIPS
• Fuller Gardens and Strawbery Banke
Museum — June 20. Enjoy both of these
sites along with a coach bus tour of the N.H.
Seacoast. $59 per person.
• Boston Duck Tour — Saturday, June 29.
Lunch Included. Explore historic Boston
aboard the unique ducks. Coach Bus. $82 per
person. More information with the registration
forms are available on the town website
at: www.pomfretct.org, or call the Pomfret
Recreation Department at 860-974-
1423.HEAD:
Local banks kicking off
‘Community Banking Month’
On-the-Go!
in the Quiet Corner
By Sarah
With Memorial Day weekend coming
up next weekend, summer will have
its unofficial kick-off. Summer heat
means less clothing, which can be stressful
for those of us not in the best shape. If
you are hoping to fit into your summer
clothing more comfortably, here are some
great options for looking good and feeling
great!
This summer, why not learn karate?
Quest Martial Arts in Putnam is offering
eight weeks of unlimited classes for
$199. Whether you are interested in
classes for kids, teens or adults,
Masters Mike Bogdanski and Kristin
Duethorn teach a variety of skills like
board breaking, kicks, as well as ninja
and adrenaline training, at all levels.
For more information, see Quest Martial
Arts in all four Villagers!
On May 10 th , Strong Body/Strong
Mind yoga studio celebrated its grand
opening in downtown Putnam. With
classes seven days a week, Strong
Body/Strong Mind offers students the
time to stretch and strengthen the body
while helping the mind focus. Classes
are available at walk-in rates or by
package rates. For a more detailed class
schedule and pricing, see Strong
Body/Strong Mind on the Putnam Page
in the Putnam, Thompson and
Woodstock Villagers!
If you are considering hiring a personal
trainer to help you realize your
goals, Quiet Korner Health & Wellness
offers a certified personal trainer with
ACE certification, specializing in personal
exercise programming. From
weight loss management, pre & post
rehab training, to exercise training for
seniors, Quiet Korner Health &
Wellness is here to help! See them on
this week’s Community Page!
Since 1974, Danielson Martial Arts
Academy has been dedicated to educating
the community, with students varying
in age from 6 to 76. A part of the
International Cheezic Tang Soo Do
Federation, Danielson Martial Arts
Academy offers a large staff of certified
instructors, including seven Master
Belts. The Academy also offers programs
in Combat Hapkido and Tai Chi
Qigong. For more information, see
Danielson Martial Arts Academy on the
Community Page in all four Villagers!
Now is the time to get in shape for
summer! Challenge yourself and see the
great results!
Sarah Mortensen
sarah@villagernewspapers.com
860-928-1818
PUTNAM — The Independent
Community Bankers of America (ICBA)
and Putnam Bank are kicking off ICBA
Community Banking Month by encouraging
small business owners and consumers
to bank locally with a community bank.
By doing so, customers will make a hometown
investment they can be proud of
because community banks put local
deposits back to work right where it belongs
— in the community.
“Community banks help area families
achieve financial stability while also driving
small business lending in their communities
— all of which helps their local economy
and community to thrive,” said Bill
Loving, ICBA chairman and president and
CEO of Pendleton Community Bank in
Franklin, W.Va. “Throughout the month of
April, our goal is to celebrate the unique
role that community banks serve in our
nation’s economic system while helping to
educate consumers and small business owners
about the benefits of banking locally
with their community bank.”
By driving local economies and creating
local jobs, community banks are an integral
part of our nation’s financial system. With
nearly 5,000 members, representing more
than 24,000 locations nationwide and
employing 300,000 Americans, ICBA members
hold $1.3 trillion in assets, $1.1 trillion
in deposits, and $800 billion in loans to consumers,
small businesses and the agricultural
community. There are almost 7,000
community banks, including commercial
banks, thrifts, stock and mutual savings
institutions, with more than 50,000 locations
throughout the United States. Assets may
range from less than $10 million to $10 billion
or more. Community banks constitute
96.8 percent of all banks.
“We at Putnam Bank rely on the cooperative
relationship between the bank and our
local community, and that is why it is our
mission to be a leader among independent,
community banks by delivering responsive,
professional customer service paired with
high-quality, innovative products,” said
Thomas Borner, president and CEO of
Putnam Bank.
Courtesy photo
Lynn Bourque, senior vice president and branch
administrator of Putnam Bank, receives the
President’s Award on Tuesday, March 26 at the
Golden Eagle in Dayville.
Bourque earns Putnam Bank
President’s Award
DAYVILLE — On March 26, Putnam
Bank held its annual Award’s Banquet at
the Golden Eagle in Dayville.
Each year, Putnam Bank recognizes
employees for their outstanding efforts
and service by honoring them with a funfilled
evening of laughter and camaraderie.
ACT TAKES FIRST IN
STATEWIDE DMV
VIDEO CONTEST
Courtesy photo
WILLIMANTIC — After five years of
being a Top 10 finalist in the statewide
Department of Motor Vehicles’ teen safe
driving video contest, EASTCONN’s Arts
at the Capitol Theater (ACT) has earned
first place honors in this year’s DMV competition.
“I was shocked that we won,” said ACT
senior Kelsi Johansen, of Coventry, one of
the winning team members.
On Tuesday, April 2, highway safety
advocates joined state and other officials to
honor ACT students and teen videographers
from across Connecticut for their
work to promote safe driving during the
fifth annual DMV Teen Safe Driving Video
Contest, “From the Driver’s Seat to the
Director’s Chair.”
“I was happy to see how many people
and teens my own age are passionate about
promoting safe teen driving,” said ACT
videography student Kevin Kissane, a senior
from Willimantic.
The DMV’s annual contest invites
Connecticut’s high-school-age students to
create a 25-second public service video
warning against driving dangers that
affect teenagers’ safety behind the wheel.
The 2013 contest theme was “Teen Safe
Driving: Are You In?”
This year, 128 student-team videos,
involving a total of 478 students statewide,
were submitted by 32 Connecticut high
schools.
ACT’s winning video depicted an ACT
student rapping an original song, while
viewers watched dangerous situations
caused by distracted teen drivers.
ACT students who created the first place
DMV video included Johansen and
Kissane, as well as Tyler Mainville, of
Tolland, a junior; Dimitris Sfakios of
Willimantic, a junior; and Patrick Blair, of
Tolland, a junior. Sfakios, who raps in the
ACT video, wrote the original lyrics and
music. ACT is located in Willimantic and
is a public arts magnet high school, administered
by EASTCONN.
ACT students were thrilled to hear that
they’d won the top prize during the DMV
video awards ceremony, attended by about
QVCC STUDENTS VISIT CAPITOL
Courtesy photo
HARTFORD — State Sen. Tony Guglielmo (R-Stafford) recently visited with the
students from Quinebaug Valley Community College (QVCC) at the Legislative Office
Building in Hartford.
200 people and held at
the Travelers Claim
University facility in
Windsor. ACT students
jumped to their
feet when their first
place win was
announced. They
were invited to the
stage to receive
awards and an oversized
$5,000 check for
their school.
Reflecting later, ACT
students shared their
thoughts about the
win.
“This contest is a
great way for young artists like our ACT
student team to explore and refine our
video skills, while also providing a service
to the community,” said Blair.
Fellow ACT student Mainville added,
“Thanks to Travelers and the Connecticut
DMV, ACT can now purchase new film
equipment for its A/V department.”
Travelers, one of the contest sponsors,
has donated $15,000 in prize money to the
top five winning videos. The four other
DMV video winners this year were:
Second Place, Daniel Hand High School in
Madison; and Third, Fourth and Fifth
Places, Hall High School in West Hartford.
Travelers also donated prizes and gifts to
the students and high schools of the Top 10
videos. Norwich Free Academy won the
DMV Teen Safe Driving Multi-Cultural
Award.
“This contest is a great opportunity for
our students to not only be creative, but
also to better understand the importance
of safe driving,” said ACT audio/visual
teacher Daniel Boisvert, who was acknowledged
during the DMV/Travelers ceremony
for his ongoing support of the DMV’s
annual contest.
“Students at ACT often make me proud,”
said ACT Principal Tracy Goodell-
Pelletier, “but tonight’s first-place win is
particularly special. The kids took the
feedback and constructive criticism of the
last four years and directed it into an
entirely new concept for this year’s DMV
video entry. I am so happy that their hard
work and perseverance was finally recognized.”
Gov. Dannel P. Malloy and state Attorney
General George Jepsen were among the 25
judges who chose winners in the 2013 DMV
contest. ACT is the only school in
This year, Thomas A. Borner, president
& CEO of Putnam Bank, reintroduced the
President’s Award. This award is given to
an employee who exemplifies unwavering
commitment and dedication to the bank
and community. Tom personally chose
Lynn Bourque, senior vice president and
branch administrator of Putnam Bank, to
receive this honor, because she possesses
all the qualities necessary to receive such
an honor. She takes great pride in all that
she does and goes way above and beyond
her responsibilities at the bank. Not only
are her efforts at the bank exemplary, she
dedicates much of her personal time to
helping others through her involvement in
many charitable organizations.
Tom stated, “Lynn spends countless
hours fulfilling the needs of the bank, and
she is instrumental to its success and
growth. She is always visible in the community
as a representative of the bank.
She serves on many organizations, and
she serves them well.”
As senior VP and branch administrator,
Lynn manages the operations of the
branch network to ensure that all branches
deliver the highest level of customer
service, maintain effective security procedures
and follow Bank and Regulatory
policies. In addition, she coordinates the
Business Development activities by calling
on new and prospective customers and
directs sales and services efforts throughout
the branches. She coordinates and
assists in fundamental areas of the bank
including marketing, training, and product
enhancement.
Lynn was delightfully surprised, and
she was overwhelmed with emotion.
When asked what this award meant to her,
she stated, “This is a monumental achievement
in my career. I feel fortunate to be
recognized by Tom and Putnam Bank for
my hard work and devotion to the bank
and local community. It is important for
me to focus my time and energy on local
agencies where I know I can make a positive,
direct impact on someone’s life. I am
thankful that Putnam Bank supports me
in these efforts.”
She is currently a member of the Day
Kimball Hospital Women’s Board, the
Treasurer of Habitat for Humanity of
Northeast CT, the Treasurer of the 3-C’s, a
corporator for Day Kimball Hospital &
United Services, 2012 Community
Division Leader for The Arc of Quinebaug
Capital Campaign, Board Member for The
Arc of Quinebaug and a member of the
Day Kimball Hospital Spiritual Care
Advisory Committee. In addition, she
spends time volunteering for Day Kimball
Hospital’s Deary Memorial Road Race, the
American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life,
and Daily Bread.
Connecticut to make the Top 10 each year
since the DMV contest began five years
ago.
Connecticut’s FOX61 Morning News
aired a story about the 2013 DMV contest,
featuring the ACT student winners and
Boisvert.
“This was a great learning experience
for everyone,” said ACT’s Sfakios. “Every
group’s video deserved recognition. I am
honored to have worked on the winning
ACT video.”
“We are proud of these top winning students
and proud of the nearly 500 students
who participated in the contest this year,
as each of them created an important safety
message while doing these videos,”
DMV Commissioner Melody A. Currey
said. She was among the dignitaries at the
DMV/Travelers video awards ceremony.
“Congratulations to all the students who
participated in this year’s contest.”
The DMV, Travelers and other safety
advocates plan to use the contest videos in
a variety of outreach programs, as well as
offer them to schools, businesses, government
agencies, advocacy groups and other
teen safe driving partners, according to a
DMV news release.
All five winning DMV videos can be
viewed on DMV’s YouTube site at:
http://www.youtube.com/teensafedriving12.
To learn more about the DMV contest,
visit the state Connecticut DMV Web site.
Or, call EASTCONN’s ACT arts magnet
high school Principal Tracy Goodell-
Pelletier at 860-465-5636, or reach her at
tpelletier@eastconn.org. Learn more
about Connecticut’s tougher teen driving
laws at http://ct.gov/teendriving/laws.