December 30, 2011

Dear Fellow Animal Lovers,

            Greetings. My name is Lisa Andrade and I am a former kennel worker at the Putnam Humane Society in Carmel, NY, and the author of several books. Like many of you, I have a dream… a BIG dream. A dream to help others in need. My sole purpose in life is dedicating myself to providing tender loving care to the animals at PHS and to seek assistance for the old, run-down, dilapidated shelter located on Old Route 6.

            In 2004 I wrote a letter to my Congressman describing the terrible living conditions at the humane society for our beloved, furry friends and how the weathered building had literally been falling apart, inside and out. A few months later I was amazed to open my mailbox and see that my letter had been forwarded by my Congressman to the Department of State. And in that mailbox was a grant in the amount of $5,000 bearing my name alongside the Putnam Humane Society’s name. It felt like I had hit the lottery for our animals. That money was used to transform the linen room into a much needed medical room. The grant could not have come in at a better time.

            On September 13, 2009, I was honored with the title of being named “Hometown Hero” by a local radio station for my devotion and commitment to the animals at the shelter. It is an honor I take very seriously and one that I will never take for granted. I have also written several books in which I dedicated a full page solely to the Putnam Humane Society with hopes that kind-hearted people would inquire about giving donations of time, money or cat/dog toys. And at each book-signing I hold, I set up a hand-painted toy box personally decorated with love & Swarovski crystals so that people may drop off a dog bone or a toy for the cats and dogs at the shelter. It is such a rewarding feeling to be doing something more for the humane society.

            As I’ve said before, I have a dream… a BIG DREAM, like many of you. My dream coincides with a motto which comes from a well-known wedding planner on television, David Tutera, in which he reminds each of the brides, “DREAM BIG. AND THEN DREAM BIGGER.” And boy, do I have BIG dreams for our beloved animals at the shelter with your help!!

            Fast forward to December 2011. The shelter still stands at the same location in even worse shape as it was back in 2004. The old, weathered building has really taken a beating, especially this past year from the remnants of an earthquake, and not just one, but two major hurricanes which took down many trees and caused irreversible damage to the already worn-out shelter. Our beloved cats and dogs deserve better than this.

            I took great pride in working at a job that was so personal and rewarding in which allowed me to connect with the most precious gifts of creation and which also allowed me to be the best I can be…compassionate, caring, kind, loving…and most of all, grateful for having the most wonderful job for ten years, working with the most wonderful creatures. What an incredible milestone to have achieved and surpassed.

            I have a dream, and you have a dream. My dream is to secure an even BIGGER grant for the ever-so-deserving Putnam Humane Society residents. David Tutera envisions a dream… and then makes his come true, please help me make my dreams come true for the PHS animals. Not only do I stand by David’s dreams and motto, but I also stand by the Putnam Humane Society’s motto which states: “Kindness, Justice & Mercy to All Living Creatures.”

            Please be my David Tutera of Putnam and/or Westchester County, NY. All I ask for is assistance in helping my dreams (BIG DREAMS) come true for the residents at the Putnam Humane Society in Carmel, NY.

                                                “Help Us To Help Them”

Thank you for allowing me to be heard by being the voice of all our dogs & cats housed at PHS. Please help me spread the word about our wonderful organization.

Sincerely,

Lisa M. Andrade

P.S. Putnam Humane Society always has been, still is, and  always will be a “no-kill” shelter.

*** All Donations are TAX-DEDUCTIBLE. www.puthumane.org ***

Welcome to the Putnam County Humane Society.

We are open 10am – 4pm seven days a week.

We take in and care for animals lost or found,

we are a Humane Society, not just a pound.

We have dozens of dogs and felines to own,

they’re waiting for you to come and take them home.

Kittens are brought in to us without their mother,

people find them in boxes with no food, nuzzling each other.

Dogs are found tied up outside to our front gate,

we take them in and feed them with no moment to waste.

Some of their stories are sad, some are just cold,

and the rest of their stories we will never know.

But one thing you can be 100% sure of,

is that all of these creatures want and need to be loved.

We honor and live up to our motto which features:

“Kindness, Justice and Mercy to All Living Creatures.”

By: Lisa M. Andrade

CONTACT:     Marge Schneider
OFFICE:   (845) 230-4773

Applications are now available for the 24th Annual Putnam Hospital Center Reservoir Classic, sponsored by the Carmel-Kent Lions Club, which will be held on Sunday, September 25th.  Sanctioned by the Westchester Road Runners, it will start and finish at Putnam Hospital Center on Stoneleigh Avenue in Carmel; the race route will run along the scenic Croton Falls Reservoir.

Check-in will be held from 8:00 until 9:15 am.  At 9:00 am, the PHC Reservoir Classic will kick off with a 2-mile fun run/walk, followed by the 5-mile road race at 9:45 am; the awards ceremony will begin at 11:00 am. Please CLICK HERE for application.

Commemorative T-shirts and race packages will be given to the first 200 registrants.  The PHC Reservoir Classic is designed to promote health and fitness, to benefit Putnam Hospital Center and to provide a forum in which heart and/or physically challenged individuals (with physician’s consent) can participate as well.

Applications are available by contacting Putnam Hospital Center at 845-279-5711, Ext. 3583, by going online to www.carmelkentlions.org, or the day of event.

# # #  Click here to see more … ###

Please join the Putnam County Government, Town of Carmel, NYC DEP, area businesses and residents in celebrating the official opening of the Lake Gleneida Walking Trail on Tuesday, May 24 (rain date May 25) at 10:00am.

After short opening remarks, all are invited to enjoy a walk along the unpaved trail (map is attached).

This is the first designated walking trail approved by our good partners at NYC Environmental Protection.

Walking trails have been linked to many important social benefits, e.g., community health benefits, community partnerships and economic improvements.

Parking will be along Rte. 301 & Fowler Avenues or behind the Historic Putnam County Courthouse.

Please let us know if you will be attending by calling Walt Thompson at 845-808-1390 ext. 43155

Paws for a Cause is a joint effort between Westchester K-9 and Margaret Rizzuto Photography to help support the Putnam Humane Society (PHS).

The Putnam Humane Society (PHS) cares for hundreds of animals each year.  Participating in this event is a fun and easy way for you to help make a difference at the Putnam Humane Society while getting professional portraits of your pet.  Participants should call Margaret Rizzuto Photography at 845 621-3183 to schedule their pet’s mini session.  Sessions and a 5×7 gift print are complimentary with donations.  Scheduling in advance is encouraged.

For more information or to schedule your session, please visit, www.westchesterk-9.com/pawsforacause or phone the studio at 845 621-3183.  Raffle prizes sponsored in part by Groomingdale’s, Bella Moda Hair Salon, Herban Essentials and more!

The Putnam Human Society is a non-profit organization serving Putnam County, and relies on donations from businesses and individuals to help support their programs.  The mission of the PHS is to promote responsible and compassionate care for animals.

Saturday, June 4, 2011 from 10 am – 3 pm.  This event happens Rain or Shine.

Putnam County Veterans Memorial Park in Carmel, New York.

FREE to the first 100 Youth ages 8 – 14.  All participants will receive a: FREE Rod, Reel, Tackle Kit, 2011 Fishing Directory & a Hat. Participants from previous 4-H Fishing Clinics are not eligible to participate.

Co-sponsored by Cornell Cooperative Extension of Putnam County and the Oasis Sportsmen’s Club with support from the Jack Stewart Jr. Memorial Fund.

Limit is 100 participants – so sign up today

For more information and to download the registration form, click here

The May 15 performance will focus on music by Scandinavian composers, and is scheduled to include, “The Rustle of Spring” by Sinding, “Finlandia” by Sibelius, “Festive Overture” by Alfven, “A Winter’s Tale” by Lars-Erik Larson, “Norwegian Rhapsody” by Svendson, and Grieg’s “Symphonic Dances Op. 64″.

Watch the video and sign up for our free Things to Do Guide e-newsletter so you don’t miss another community event.

Regristration fee is $10 per dog or $15 for a family of dogs.  People admission and parking are free.  Rain date is September 26, 2010.  There will be several dog contests such as longest hair, sloppiest kisser, softest coat, cutest puppy, mid-aged wonders, pet tricks, and more.  Over 200 raffle pizes will be given away.  There will also be an animal blessing, dog demonstrations, live music, and many vendors offering discounts. 

All proceeds benefit the Putnam Humane Society.  Bring a chair or blanket and enjoy a nice day with your dog friends.

Watch last year’s video and see what the doggie excitment is all about

Chili cooks, professionals and amateurs, are invited to enter the competition. The professional and amateur classes will be judged separately. Contest entry information is available at www.carmelrotarychili.info

For those who love to eat chili, this event will provide an affordable afternoon of chili tasting, fun, and entertainment. For the non- chili lovers, hot dogs will be served.

Enjoy an afternoon of live music provided by the Acme Acoustical Band in the relaxing setting of Camp Herrlich. Eddie Covelli, the Carmel Rotary Club’s Chili Cookoff Chairman said, “The proceeds from this event will help support the Carmel Rotary Club’s charitable giving to community organizations and projects in Putnam County.”

Tickets for the event are $8 per adult, advance purchase; $10 per adult at the door; $5 per child under age 15; and $25 for a family up to 5 people.

Advance ticket purchase information is available at www.carmelrotarychili.info or call Rose at 845-225-5114.

Event submitted by the Carmel Rotary.

In the Tour de Putnam, cyclists have the opportunity to choose a route length to suit their own riding ability. Clearly marked and color coded 15, 30, 50, 75 or 100 mile routes take riders through breathtaking Putnam County countryside whose scenic roads weave and wind and are bordered by history itself. Mountain bikers will have their own woodland loop awaiting them as well. 

The SAG supported event will open for registration at 7:30 with staggered starting times beginning at 8. Pre-registration is $25; same day registration is $30. For an on-line registration form visit: http://www.visitputnam.org/. Registration includes a t-shirt, picnic lunch and entertainment by a Dixieland band.

Ride Info:
- Full SAG support
- Clearly marked, color coded routes
- Easy to follow cue sheets
- Bike mechanics courtesy of Bikeway (845) 621-2800
- Route sweeps
- Medical support
- Complimentary massages
- Access from the Southeast Station, on Metro-North’s “Harlem Line”
call 1-800-METRO-INFO
- Free Shuttle service from the Southeast Station with (reservations only),
call 800-470-4854 or 845-225-0381

Times
Check in and same day registration 7:30 to 9:00 am.
Food and water stations are open from 8:30 – 3:00 pm

Ride Start time
- 100 miles, 8 to 9 am
- 75 miles,  8 to 9 am
- 50 miles,  8:30 to 9:30 am
- 30 miles,  8:30 to 9:30 am
- 15 miles,  9:00 to 10:00 am

- Mountain Bike loops   9:30 am

Fees
Pre-registration $25.00
Same day registration $30.00

Registration includes t-shirt, picnic lunch, and Dixieland band. No children under 12. No bike trailers or child seats.

Free shuttle service from the Southeast Metro-North Train Station will be available but entrants are reminded to make reservations for the shuttle by calling: (800) 470-4854 or (845) 225-0381.

So strap the bikes onto the car or load them onto a Metro-North train but don’t miss a fabulous ride through Putnam County – where the country begins.

Resource: Marty Collins, The Putnam County Times;  http://www.visitputnam.org/

Photo credit: Tony Mazzariello