<p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Campfires made of cardboard were set up on each set of desks around the room and on the carpet, recorder and drum music played softly, a screensaver on the whiteboard was of far off mountains, a Native American Indian man seated next to a campfire and tipi. As the students in Michelle Marzziotti and Danielle Recine’s fourth grade English Language Arts classes entered the room, there was audible excitement.&nbsp;</span></p><p><br></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">The room had been transformed for their Writer’s Celebration.</span></p><p><br></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">“We are here to celebrate the end of our non-fiction writing unit and you,” said Marzziotti, “let’s snap-clap for you.”</span></p><p><br></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">The sound of forty students snapping was like the Native American rainstick they had just learned about.</span></p><p><br></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Some students had written essays on Native American survival and culture; others had written about housing and foods; and others still on Native American games. No matter what the topic, the artwork for the essays was colorful and detailed: braids, lacrosse sticks, jewelry, dreamscapes, three sisters gardening, longhouses, corn, bears, bows and arrows, fishes and fires.</span></p><p><br></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">“We had to read articles and books on our subject, come up with a main idea, write a rough draft, make edits and then a final draft. We had to include three details, a glossary, a conclusion and push your thinking ideas,” explained Olivia S who wrote her essay on games, “did you know Native American lacrosse balls were made of deerskin?”</span></p><p><br></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">“Push your thinking ideas are ideas that inspire students to think about the subject on a deeper level and more personally,” said Marzziotti.</span></p><p><br></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Students shared their essays and artwork with their seatmates.&nbsp;</span></p><p><br></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">“Have you ever wondered how the Iroquois people fished? They used hooks, spears and cages. I didn’t realize they used torches at night from their canoes. The light attracted fish and the fish would get caught up in the nets,” explained Milan De La Rosa.</span></p><p><br></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Students then wrote compliment cards addressed to one of their seatmates, making sure to capitalize the first letter of each sentence, and including three specific sentences about that person's story.</span></p><p><br></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">One example read: Dear Ben, I liked your story because it had a great lead and was easy to understand. I learned a lot about the Native American Indian snake game.&nbsp;</span></p><p><br></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">As a reward, at the end of the presentations Recine and Marziotti passed out cornbread and apple juice. “You all did a great job writing and sharing,” said Recine, “let’s eat!”</span></p>

<p>Putnam Community Action Partnership (CAP), a local not-for-profit organization dedicated to</p><p>providing services to Putnam County’s low-income community members, is excited to announce</p><p>the expansion of its soup kitchen program during the winter months. Starting December 1st, the</p><p>soup kitchen will now be open on Fridays, in addition to Tuesdays, Wednesdays &amp; Thursdays</p><p>from 12:00 – 1:00 pm at the First Baptist Church. through the month of April.</p><p><br></p><p>This expansion is made possible by the generous support of the Southeast Rotary Club, whose</p><p>contribution allows Putnam CAP to enhance its capacity and reach even more individuals in</p><p>need. The added day of service will help provide hundreds of additional meals to the local</p><p>community, ensuring that no one has to go without a warm meal.</p><p><br></p><p>"We are deeply grateful for the Southeast Rotary Club’s commitment to fighting hunger and</p><p>supporting our mission," said Marisa O’Leary, Director of Putnam CAP. "This partnership</p><p>allows us to significantly increase our impact and provide much-needed relief to those who need</p><p>it most. We believe that everyone deserves access to healthy, nutritious food, and this expansion</p><p>is a critical step in achieving that goal."</p><p><br></p><p>Since its founding, Putnam CAP has been dedicated to addressing hunger in the community,</p><p>offering free meals to individuals and families, no questions asked. The soup kitchen serves</p><p>approximately 300 meals each week, and with the added day, the organization anticipates an</p><p>additional 100 meals will be served weekly.</p><p><br></p><p>The Southeast Rotary Club, known for its community-oriented initiatives, is a valued supporter</p><p>of local programs that make a tangible difference in people's lives. Their partnership with</p><p>Putnam CAP will help ensure that the community’s most vulnerable are not overlooked.</p><p><br></p><p>“The Southeast Rotary Club is proud to support the work of Putnam CAP and help extend its</p><p>reach to even more individuals who are struggling to make ends meet,” said Barbara Evans,</p><p>President of Southeast Rotary Club. “This initiative reflects our commitment to serving those in</p><p>need and making a positive impact in our community.”</p><p><br></p><p>For more information about Putnam CAP and how you can get involved, please visit <a href="http://www.putanmcap.org" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">www.putanmcap.org</a> or call (845) 278-8021.</p>

<p>It’s not too late to support Putnam CAP’s holiday programs! Please consider donating today!</p><p><br></p><p>Please help us to ensure that every family, regardless of socio-economic status, enjoys the holiday season!&nbsp;</p><p><br></p><p>HOW YOU CAN HELP&nbsp;</p><p><br></p><p>THANKSGIVING</p><p>We are accepting donations of turkeys and $25 gift cards to local grocery stores&nbsp;</p><p><a href="https://interland3.donorperfect.net/weblink/weblink.aspx?name=E186719&amp;id=1" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">CLICK HERE TO MAKE A MONETARY&nbsp;DONATION&nbsp;&nbsp;</a></p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><span style="color: rgb(5, 5, 5);">HOLIDAY TOYS&nbsp;</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(5, 5, 5);">Donate $50 gift cards to stores such as Kohl's, Walmart &amp; Amazon so that parents can purchase holiday toys&nbsp;</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(5, 5, 5);">HOLIDAY TOY GIFT CARDS WILL BE DISTRIBUTED WITH THANKSGIVING FOOD&nbsp;</span></p><p><br></p><p><span style="color: rgb(5, 5, 5);">ALL DONATIONS ARE NEEDED BY NOVEMBER 15, 2024&nbsp;</span></p><p><br></p>

<p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;">Recently nominated for </span><strong style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;"><em>Best Jazz Club of the Hudson Valley</em></strong><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;">, </span><a href="https://www.unclecheef.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;">Uncle Cheef</a><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;"> and live music promoters, </span><a href="https://hearitthere.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;">HearItThere.com</a><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;"> are honored to present Holly McCreary on Thursday, December 5, 2024 with two sets of original music at 7:30 &amp; 9 PM.</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;">Holley McCreary is an independent singer songwriter whose roots stem from the deep south. Growing up in Florida and Alabama, she was heavily influenced by both gospel music and Muscle Shoals sound.</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;">Hear It There Founder, and live music enthusiast, Elisa Zuckerberg is continually on the lookout for new music. Holley’s powerful vocals and excellent songwriting talents always wow audiences. Imagine Bonnie Raitt, Susan Tedeschi and Bobby Gentry all rolled up in one charismatic performer. Uncle Cheef is the perfect place to see and hear Holley show off her extraordinary artistry and entertain a new crowd of fans.&nbsp;</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;">The music, food and service at Uncle Cheef are all top notch. While there is no cover for the Thursday evening’s performance, advance reservations via the </span><a href="https://unclecheef.turntabletickets.com/shows/4207/?date=2024-09-26" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;">online Turntable System</a><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;"> are encouraged. Hear It There Presents has been gaining recognition for presenting a unique and enjoyable evening of local artists. Shows have been selling out (particularly the first set) and reserved seating is strongly recommended. No matter where you're seated, you'll have the best seats in the house because Uncle Cheef has literally thought of everything, including swivel chairs! If you’ve never used Turntable, there will be a one-time set up process which automates the check out procedure for settling your bill the night of the show.</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;">Navigation settings for Uncle Cheef are, 988 NY-22, Unit C, Brewster, NY 10509. Located 56 miles north of New York City in the Village of Brewster, the lounge is Hudson Valley’s number one home to exciting live music curated by Tonight Show musician and five-time Grammy award winning saxophonist, </span><a href="https://ianhendricksonsmith.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;">Ian Hendrickson-Smith</a><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;"> (aka Uncle Cheef.)</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;">Hear It There promotes original songwriters at Uncle Cheef and is a web-based resource. Offering an accompanying weekly newsletter, HiT reaches over 2,900 subscribers</span><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 255); background-color: transparent;">.</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;"> The platform is FREE of charge. Musicians and live music venues are welcome to upload graphics, text and links to seamlessly promote their upcoming live music events! For additional information contact (914) 236-4572 or email </span><a href="mailto:info@hearitthere.com." rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;">info@hearitthere.com.</a></p><p><br></p>

<p>It's Election Day and it’s important to be prepared to cast your vote smoothly and confidently. Whether you're voting for the first time or returning to the polls, knowing where to go, what to bring, and what to do if something goes wrong can help ensure your voice is heard. Here’s a quick guide to help you navigate the process and make your vote count.</p><p><strong>Find Your Polling Location</strong></p><p>Polling places can change, so it’s important to double-check where you need to vote. Visit <a href="http://www.VOTE411.org" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">www.VOTE411.org</a> or contact your local elections office for the correct polling location for your county, city, or state.</p><p><strong>Bring Identification</strong></p><p>Some states may require you to show ID at the polls. To avoid delays, bring a valid photo ID, such as your driver’s license. In some areas, documents like a current utility bill, paycheck, or other official papers that display your name and address may also be accepted.</p><p><strong>What If Your Name Isn’t On the List?</strong></p><p>Don’t worry if you registered to vote but your name is not on the voter roll. Poll workers are there to assist you, and you should be offered a provisional ballot or directed to the correct polling location to ensure your vote is counted.</p><p><strong>Ask for Help if You Need It</strong></p><p>Poll workers are available to guide you through the voting process, whether that’s explaining how to use the voting machine or assisting with a provisional ballot. Be sure to look for posted instructions and voter rights information at the polling station. If you experience any issues, don't hesitate to ask for help or file a complaint.</p><p><strong>Stay in Line and Cast Your Vote</strong></p><p>Lines may be long, but it’s worth the wait. Stay in line and make sure you vote—it’s important! The outcome of this election could have a lasting impact on your community and country.</p><p><strong>If You Encounter Problems on Election Day, Call:</strong></p><ul><li>1-866-MYVOTE1</li><li>1-866-OUR-VOTE</li><li>1-888-VE-Y-VOTA</li></ul><p>For more information, visit <a href="http://www.lwv.org" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">www.lwv.org</a>.</p>

<p>Join Judy Marano and Lois Schwartz at Books for Humanity&nbsp;67 Central Ave, Ossining, NY 10562&nbsp;on Monday, Dec. 2 at 6:30. We will discuss the mind, the body, and the spirit using the written word and essential oils. Come grab a gift or two for the holidays and browse the bookstore for unique finds.&nbsp;</p><p><br></p><p>So I've Been Thinking is a series of stories about everyday life experiences. Although we are individuals, at the core of our being, we share the same pride in our families, traditions passed from generation to generation, and the ups and downs of life. There is an unseen web that connects each of us. While reading, you might find the corners of your mouth begin to rise; perhaps a laugh will slip through, or a tear will slide down your cheek."</p>