biology pg 7 10-10-24
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Biology excursion
WILLIMANTIC --- In late May, eight students from the Department of Biology at Eastern Connecticut State University went on a 12-day tropical excursion in Costa Rica. The trip, led by biology Professors Brett Mattingly and Matthew Graham, guided students through the ecosystem’s natural history and ecology. Among the students was Kassidy Stewart of Putnam, a senior who majors in biology. Students analyzed the various tropical habitats and the interactivity of their diverse flora and fauna. Through their fieldwork in the rainforest ecosystems, students also delved into Costa Rica’s agricultural practices, sustainability methods and environmental preservation methods.
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Sheep pg 7 10-10-24
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caption:
Before and after. Photos by Stacey Jimenez.
This herd is
helping
By Linda Lemmon
Town Crier Editor
POMFRET — Sometimes the old ways are the perfect solution to modern day problems.
The Abington Congregational Church owns the old cemetery, home to Revolutionary War heroes and many more. But the church doesn’t have the financial or human resources to maintain it, according to the Pomfret Historical Society’s Donna Dufresne.
And the society is sponsoring a workshop/program there Oct. 19.
They got creative.
Enter the “old” solution — sheep.
“We did some creative fund-raising and raised money to hire Stacey Jimenez to bring her sheep to the yard,” she said. Jimenez said using sheep to “mow” is an old solution but it’s often used in modern times. Jimenez, from Easy Acres Gnomestead, raises Gulf Coast native sheep and sells wool and wool creations.
First Selectman Maureen Nicholson said Jimenez has a memorandum of understanding to do the work. “She has permission from the congregational church,” she said.
Dufresne called the sheep “a flock of a different kind.”
This is not the first time this old solution is at work again. And this may be the restart of bigger things locally for the sheep.
“We used to have goats at the Dennis Cemetery on Murdock Road,” she said. The neighbors brought the sheep over but the sheep wouldn’t keep working unless the neighbor’s children stayed with them.
The town has 11 abandoned cemeteries. There are three active cemeteries: Abington, South Pomfret and North Pomfret but those are run by associations. "We'll see how this goes in Abington and we'll talk about it," Nicholson said.
The tour and workshop at the old cemetery Oct. 19 will include the re-setting of the John Morse gravestone which was returned to Pomfret last fall. The stone had disappeared decades ago and was found in Killingly. The workshop with Ruth Shapleigh Brown and Dufresne will include a demonstration of re-setting colonial and early American slate stones, cleaning lichen from stones, and the history of some of the 61 Revolutionary War soldiers buried there.
The program is free. There is a limit of 20 to 25 people. Pre-register by calling 860-465-7228.
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cal pg 8 10-10-24
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Wed. Oct. 9
Candy Needed
POMFRET --- Windham-Tolland 4-H Camp teens will be hosting the Fall Extravaganza Fund-raiser, which includes trick or treating. Proceeds from this event go towards repairing the Health Office. Please consider donating a bag of candy: WINY Radio, Sunshine Shop, W-T 4-H Camp. Needed before Oct. 19.
Art Exhibit
THOMPSON --- The Friends of the Thompson Public Library will present Kevin Olson’s “Finding Beauty in the Abstract” at the library through October.
Wed. Oct. 16
Movie Night
PUTNAM --- The Friends of the Putnam Public Library will present Movie Night (a Disney remake of a classic haunted house PG-13 comedy) from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the library. Free. Only covered drinks allow.
Sat. Oct. 19
Great Pumpkin Fest
PUTNAM --- The Town of Putnam and the Putnam Business Association will present the Great Pumpkin Festival from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. This community celebration of fall features The Great Pumpkin, craft and art vendors, live music, activities for the kids, and more.
Rec to Treat
POMFRET --- The Pomfret Recreation Department will host Rec or Treat at 4 p.m. Trunk or Treating with PCS PTO, hayride, crafts, bonfire and movie. Food and drink will be available for purchase. www.pomfretct.gov/recreation.
Fall Extravaganza
POMFRET --- The Fall Extravaganza at the Windham-Tolland 4-H Camp will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. Trick or Treat Trail, $5 per trick-or-treater, ages 2 and up. S’mores and Hot Chocolate, Donut Eating Contest, and Games are free to all. Buck’s Ice Cream for sale. Wear your costumes! Benefits the Health Center Renovation.
Roseland Arts Fest
WOODSTOCK --- Roseland Cottage will hold its 42nd Fine Arts and Crafts Festival from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 19 and Oct. 20. Admission for adults is $5. Historic New England members and children under 112 admitted. Parking is free. Rain or shine. 860-928-4074.
Burial Grounds
POMFRET --- The Pomfret Historical Society will present, at 10 a.m. “Old Abington Burial Ground tour and workshop,” with CT Gravestone Expert, Ruth Shapleigh Brown, and historian Donna Dufresne in a preservation workshop at Pomfret’s Revolutionary War Cemetery. Limit 20 – 25 people. No dogs please. Pre-register: 860-465-7228. Rain date: 1 p.m. Oct. 20.
Sun. Oct. 20
Native American Talk
POMFRET --- The Christ Church will present “NATIVE AMERICAN SPIRITUALITY” by David Eichelberg, Outreach Specialist for the Mohegan Tribe, at 3 p.m. in the church’s Great Hall. David Eichelberg, Outreach Specialist for the Mohegan Tribe, will explain the significance of the turtle and other aspects of Native American Spirituality. Door will open at 2:30 p.m. No reservations are required.
Fri. Oct. 25
Murder Mystery
POMFRET --- Murder Mystery Dinner at Grill 37. Cocktail hour starts at 6 followed by the show and buffet dinner. The theme will be Death of a Gangster! www.pomfretct.gov/recreation.
Sat. Oct. 26
Trick or Treat
PUTNAM --- The town of Putnam and PBA will present the Downtown Trick or Treat from 2 to 3:30 p.m. on Main Street. From Riverfront Commons to Union Square, participating merchants and local groups pass out treats.
‘Pirates and Privateers’
POMFRET --- The Pomfret Historical Society will present, at 1 p.m., “Pirates and Privateers in Pomfret – The Hidden Stories of Nightingale Woods From Joseph Nightingale to the Higginbothams and Randalls.” Limit 20 – 25 people. Pre-register: 860-465 7228. Rain date: 1 p.m. Oct. 27.
Wed. Oct. 23
Musical Program
PUTNAM --- The Putnam Public Library and the Thompson Historical Society will present a musical program, “Ovation Guitars & the Singer/Songwriter Movement of the ‘70s” with Jim Lenn from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the library. Register: 860-963-6826.
Sat. Nov. 2
Guided Walk
The Wyndham Land Trust is presenting a guided walk at 10 a.m. on the Elmwood Hill Ranger as part of Walktober. 860-465-7228.
‘Them Bones’
BROOKLYN --- The Pomfret Historical Society will present, at 10 a.m., “Them Bones, Them Bones, Them Malbones: Tour of Old Trinity Church and the Burial Ground” built by Godfrey Malbone in 1771. History of the enslaved people who lived and worked his land from 1741 to 1779. A gravestone cleaning demonstration will follow for those interested in preserving colonial burial grounds and removing lichen. No dogs. Pre-register: 860-465-7228. Rain date: 1 p.m. Nov. 3.
Boot Drive
WOODSTOCK --- The fifth annual Winter Boot Drive will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Woodstock Trading Post on Rt. 169. Boots, socks or monetary donations will go to TEEG.
Thur. Nov. 21
History Program
THOMPSON ---The Thompson Historical Society and the Thompson Public Library will present “Lafayette Story and Thompson Lore About the Man of Two Countries” at 6 p.m. at the library. Free.
Sat. Nov. 30
Craft Fair
ASHFORD --- The St. Philip the Apostle Church will hold its Christmas Craft Fair from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Crafts, bake sale and soup/sandwiches/pierogies available from the kitchen. Admission is free.
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obit pg 8 10-10-24
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Arlene Mae (Booz) Skarani
POMFRET CENTER — Arlene Mae (Booz) Skarani, 82, of Pomfret Center died, peacefully following a brief illness, on Sept. 24, 2024, at Day Kimball Hospital surrounded by her family.
Arlene was born in Bristol, Penn., daughter of the late Horace and Ida Mae (Reed) Booz. She received a degree in art from Pratt Institute in New York.
Upon completion of college, she packed up her horse, dog, and cat and moved to Los Angeles, where she worked for Litton Industries. Then moving back East, while selling art in New England, she met her husband, Chris. Arlene also worked for the Horsemen’s Yankee Pedlar magazine for many years as a graphic artist.
Arlene was an accomplished equestrian, having ridden horses all her life. She enjoyed many years of foxhunting and loved exploring trails near her home in Pomfret, on her beloved Tennessee Walking Horses. A passionate horsewoman, she was a founding member of the Pomfret Hunter Pace and a member of Tanheath Hunt Club and Pomfret Horse and Trail Association.
Arlene loved to travel and enjoyed many trips to Europe including several vacations on horseback. She was a talented artist, who could often be found painting in her home studio. Arlene will be remembered for her gourmet cooking and her wonderful dinner parties that brought together family and friends alike. Her hospitality, generosity and keen sense of humor were appreciated by all, including her son’s friends who enjoyed countless summers at the family’s beautiful home. Arlene’s greatest joy in life was her son, Mark, an accomplished airline pilot, whom she always spoke of with great pride and love.
Arlene was an active member of the local community since 1971. Her warm smile, sense of adventure and vibrant spirit will be sadly missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing her.
Arlene’s husband, Christy Skarani, predeceased her in 2011. She leaves her son, Christopher Mark Skarani (Jessica Lee Skarani), two grandchildren, Samantha Mae Skarani and Christopher Michael Skarani of Pomfret Center and Daytona Beach, FL. Arlene was predeceased by her brother, James H. Booz.
The funeral service and burial will be private. A Celebration of Life will be held on Oct. 20 at Tyrone Farm, Pomfret. Donations: Pomfret Horse and Trail Association, Inc. Daniel T. Morrill Funeral Home, Southbridge.
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