Director's Annual Message

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" colspan=2 height=90 BGCOLOR="#990000" TEXT="#F7F7FF"> <div> <FONT SIZE="6" COLOR="#FFFFCC" FACE="Bookman Old Style" ><B>Litchfield Community Center</B></FONT><FONT SIZE="6" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Bookman Old Style" ><B> </B></FONT><FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><B>   </B></FONT><B>  |     </B><A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Litchfield Community Center"><U><B>home</B></U></A></div> <div> <B>421 Bantam Rd., Litchfield, CT 06759</B></div> <div> <B> Phone 860-567-8302 - Fax 860-567-0328</B></div> <bR> <bR> <div> </div> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" width=210 BGCOLOR="#FFCC66" TEXT="#080000" background="060d2b03.jpg"> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id15.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Calendar"><U><B>Calendar</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id2.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Upcoming Events"><U><B>Upcoming Events</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id38.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Musical Performances"><U><B>Musical Performances</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id12.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Teen Center"><U><B>Teen Center</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id4.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Movies"><U><B>Movies</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id8.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Facility Use Request Form"><U><B>Facility Use Request Form</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id61.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Directors Annual Message"><U><B>Board of Directors & Staff</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id11.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Photo Album"><U><B>Photo Album</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id6.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="About Us"><U><B>About Us</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id9.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Contact"><U><B>Contact</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id10.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Directions"><U><B>Directions</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id13.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Links"><U><B>Links</B></U></A></div> </td> <td valign="top" height=390 BGCOLOR="#CC6600" TEXT="#080000"> <div> <I>Director's Annual Message</I></div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <TABLE BORDER="5" CELLPADDING="10" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="770" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ALL" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" BGCOLOR=#FFFFCC > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 1406 WIDTH="736"><bR> <div>  <A NAME="executive_director_s_annual_message"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Bookman Old Style" >Executive Director's Annual Message</FONT></div> <bR> <div> <I>“Do good and good will follow”</I></div> <bR> <div> Greetings all!   I am writing this message to you while just beyond the walls of my office nearly 300 high school students are gathered, dancing the night away at their holiday semi-formal.  Oh the resounding joy!  I have an urge to sneak out and join them.</div> <bR> <div> Evenings such as this capture the essence of our Community Center.  The activities and programs offered in this space are bountiful and enjoyed by so many everyday.  I truly enjoy the flow of people and the wonderful interactions we share as you immerse yourself in the various offerings of our “chock full” calendar of classes and activities.  It is also remarkable that the Community Center is a venue for so many of life's milestones.  I feel it is such a privilege to share in the experience as families and friends make plans to celebrate and honor their loved ones with wedding receptions, baby showers, academic ceremonies, reunions, birthday parties, anniversaries, retirement events, holiday celebrations and memorial services.  Over the past seven years the surroundings of the Center have become laced with many treasured moments and exceptional memories.  It is an honor for our organization to open the building for such significant gatherings.</div> <bR> <div> I am also grateful for the occasion of joining with other individuals, non-profit organizations, local groups and businesses to bring programs and activities of the highest quality and uniqueness to you. Creating community and collaboration are synonymous with one another. Such ventures benefit and enrich us by affording everyone involved the chance to accentuate our common missions, share resources, broaden our vision, reach a broader audience and most importantly, strengthen the vitality of our community.</div> <bR> <div> The accomplishments of the past seven years have certainly set a path for our continuing success.  This is due in large part to the diligent and dedicated work of the staff, board of directors, volunteers, program instructors and facilitators who contribute so much on a daily basis.  It is the commitment of time, energy and the dynamic personal virtues put forth by these individuals that make the Community Center the extraordinary place it is.</div> <bR> <div> And then there is you.  The Community Center continues to thrive as a result of your enthusiasm and inspiration, individuals of all ages, who partake in the Community Center's activities.  Your energy and eagerness nourishes our mission and the core values of our organization. Without a doubt none of this could be done with out the tremendous generosity of many donors who have contributed to our annual community campaign.  This is further complimented by local businesses and restaurants that make significant donations to our special events and fundraisers.  I am also grateful to the various organizations and Community Foundations that have provided grants for implementing programs and purchasing equipment. With sincere appreciation I must also acknowledge the continuing financial support received from the Seherr-Thoss Foundation and Seherr-Thoss Charitable Trust. </div> <bR> <div> It is exciting to note that in an effort to demonstrate one of our Core Values, the Community Center has become a facility that is increasingly eco-friendly.  Our organization has made a commitment to be more environmentally conscious with the preferred use of low toxicity and Green Seal certified cleaning products. We have also installed low energy lighting fixtures and light bulbs. Our shelves are being stocked with biodegradable and post consumer content paper products for both maintenance and stationery needs. And a concerted effort is being made by all users to recycle and reduce wastefulness.  We continue to learn ways to be more conscious consumers and will strive to be as sensitive as possible to the environment and our patrons.  It is my hope that we can also be a model to others striving to implement sustainable living practices in their own life.</div> <bR> <div> Everyday I am reminded of the cherished gift provided to us all by Sunny Seherr-Thoss.  As folks pause and remember, it is wonderful to continue to hear from others the special memories and thoughts they have about this treasured soul.  Despite the physical absence of Sunny, she remains close to many hearts and continues to be a guiding compass. The pulse of this incredible facility and our organization's intentions certainly reflect this.</div> <bR> <div> My door is open and I welcome your thoughts, ideas and concerns.  This is your Community Center.  We all have a role, we all can make a difference and I am confident that we will continue to do good together.</div> <bR> <div> Come & enjoy.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Berta Andrulis</div> <div> Executive Director</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> </tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>