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Marie Jeanne Bell
PLAINFIELD — Marie Jeanne (Fournier) Bell, 81, of Tarbox Road, died June 26, 2022, peacefully at home in her sleep. She was the wife of Vonnie Leo Bell Jr. for a blissful 58 years. Born in Valley Falls, R.I., she was the daughter of the late Aimé and Marie (Collins) Fournier.
Known by her childhood name “Jeanne” to her family, she was known as “Marie” at work.
Jeanne brought up nine children, and fiercely protected and supported her family. Her children could do no wrong in her eyes. She was the grandmother/mémé of 21 grandchildren, who she doted over and loved to see and spend time with.
She was a lifelong Catholic who raised her children in the Catholic faith. She had a special appreciation of the Blessed Mother, and prayed for the intercession of many saints, especially St. Anthony (finder of lost things), St. Jude (of hopeless cases), St. Gerard (of expectant mothers), and St. Christopher (of travelers), and she would turn to the Memorare prayer in times of trouble.
Marie drove a school bus for about 20 years for the Killingly Bus Garage, mostly driving special needs children. She had a strong work ethic, taking many shifts that others turned down, including driving sports teams on the weekends.
Previously, she had worked at Sales Knitting in Virginia, and she did other types of factory work before her marriage.
After marrying Vonnie, she was a Navy wife for 20 years, and traveled to several states including California, Virginia, South Carolina, and Connecticut. She loved New England and traveling to various states, and always enjoyed U.S. historical sites.  She especially liked to shop and buy souvenirs and T-shirts for her large family, and to find her favorite clam cakes and chowder. She also enjoyed sharing and displaying all holiday decorations. While in the last year of her life, she was not able to travel as much as she would have liked, but she spent many years visiting all parts of the country, including the several states her children call home.
Marie Jeanne prioritized her family above everything else, and enjoyed talking to and seeing immediate and extended family members. Her whole life she gardened, planting all types of flowers, plants, and vegetables. She especially loved tomatoes and would often bring home sprigs of plants to grow in her yard.
She leaves nine children, Stephen Bell (Gigi), Veronica Sible (Joseph), Kenneth Bell (Ann), James Bell (Kim), Cheryl Goodyear (Chris), Patricia Ball (John), Lorraine Kindel (Frank), Elaine Sistare (Lance), and Thomas Bell (Brandy); 21 grandchildren: Zachary Bell, Joseph Sible, Elizabeth Sible, Christina Sible, Michael Sible, Jessica Boardman, Grace Bell, Andrew Bell, Noah Bell, Matthew Bell, Corey Goodyear, Ryan Goodyear, Katelynn Goodyear, John Ball, Cassidy Ball, Sydney Ball, Joel Kindel, Luke Kindel, Scarlett Sistare, Weston Bell, and Remy Bell; a brother, Joseph Fournier; a sister, Annette Camacho; nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her daughter-in-law Amy Bell (Steve) and five siblings (Claire Charbonneau, Dorothy Decatur, Edward Fournier, Armand Fournier and Henry Fournier).
A Funeral Mass was July 1 at All Hallows Church in Moosup. Dougherty Brothers Funeral Home of Plainfield.

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Jamboree:

top left: Giana Feroce

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First Fridays:

Speaking of firsts, Marlowe Wood, 3, of Pomfret, left,  tried her first cotton candy. On page 1 are two characters from the Bradley Playhouse's upcoming production of "Cinderella." Bottom left: The petting zoo was very popular. Below: Lily van den Berg, 3, made some sand art at the Berkshire Hathaway booth in Union Square.

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Art Exhibit
THOMPSON --- The Friends of the Thompson Public Library will present, as part of its Art @ the Library series, “Reassembled,” artwork by Tianna Mercier through July 28 and, in the display case: “Thompson Public Library Children's Summer Programs.  860-923-9779.

Back-to-School Drive
PUTNAM --- Putnam EMS is running its annual Back-to-School Drive through Aug. 12. Drop off: back packs, pencils, pens, red pens, paper, notebooks, binders, folders, rulers, scissors, glue, glue sticks, pencil sharpeners, crayons, colored pencils and markers at the EMS station on Church Street. 860-928-6996.

Sat.  July 9
Fireworks Extravaganza
PUTNAM --- The Town of Putnam will present music and more, followed by fireworks at Rotary Park. Music starts at 4 p.m. There will be inflatables for the kids ($5 wrist band) and the fireworks go off at 9. Rain date July 10

Freedom Fest
PUTNAM --- The Albert J. Breault VFW Post 1523 will hold a Family Freedom Festival from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the post, 207 Providence St.

Sun.  July 10
Touch a Truck
WOODSTOCK --- The Town of Woodstock will present Touch A Trust from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Roseland Park. Free food, too and rumor has it there may also be a hayride.

Wed.  July 13
Twilight Concert
WOODSTOCK ---  The Woodstock Recreation Dept. and the Northeast CT Arts Council will present a free Twilight Lawn Concert at 6:30 p.m. at Roseland Cottage. Bring the kids, bring a picnic or visit Latin Flavors food truck on site. Family concert with Sally Rogers.

Sun.  July 17
Poetry Reading
WOODSTOCK --- Another in this year’s summer spoken word/poetry readings at Roseland Park will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. at Roseland Park. The event will be in the outdoor amphitheater or the Pavilion in case of extreme weather. Chairs recommended.

Sat.  July 23
‘Other’ Disposal
PUTNAM --- The Town of Putnam will hold its bulky waste, scrap metal, appliances, mattresses, electronics disposal and recycling event from 8:30 a.m. to noon at the Putnam Middle School. Putnam residents only. Bring driver’s license or other proof of residency. Sticker requirements still apply. You may bring: Furniture, large appliances, plumbing fixtures, mattresses, TVs, computers, monitors, printers, VCRs, microwaves, old stereos, computer parts, scrap metal and miscellaneous electronics.

Sat.  July 30
Twilight Concert
WOODSTOCK --- The Woodstock Recreation Commission and Historic New England will present, as part  of its annual Twilight Concert series, Dynamite Rhythm from 7 to 8:30 (rain date:  Aug. 12) at Roseland Cottage. Free. 860-928-4074.

Golf Tourney
PUTNAM --- The American Legion Post 13 will hold a golf tournament starting at 8:30 a.m. at Connecticut National Golf Course. For info: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Fri.  Aug. 5
First Fridays
PUTNAM --- This year the Putnam Business Association’s First Fridays returns to its roots --- celebrating the arts. Artists, vendors, performances and more will fill Main Street in downtown Putnam from 5 to 9 p.m. www.discoverputnam.com.

Sat.  Aug. 6
Wee Walk
POMFRET --- The Wyndham Land Trust’s family-friendly Wee Wander Walk, “Bats at Lyon Preserve” will be held from 7 to 8 p.m. Dress appropriately and bring your camera. www.wyndhamlandtrust.org

Sat.  Aug. 13
History Program
POMFRET --- The Pomfret Historical Society will present “The Historic Mills of Pomfret” by Dick Symonds at 10 a.m. at the Pomfret Community & Senior Center on Rt. 44. Free. More info on the town’s website.

Fri.  Aug. 19
Twilight Concert
WOODSTOCK --- The Woodstock Recreation Commission and Historic New England will present, as part  of its annual Twilight Concert series, Beck N’ Call from 7 to 8:30 (rain date:  Aug. 26) at Roseland Cottage. Free. 860-928-4074.

Sat.  Sept. 10
Historical Program
POMFRET --- The Pomfret Historical Society will present “Common Sense: TLGV Town Commons and Greens” by Bill Reid at 10 a.m. at the Pomfret Community & Senior Center on Rt. 44. Free. More info on the town’s website.

Fri.  Sept. 16
Circle of Fun
PUTNAM --- St. Mary Church, Putnam will be holding its 50th Circle of Fun Sept. 16, 17, 18. The 49th was delayed by the pandemic. There will be free entertainment, great food, beverages, games and rides, as always.

Sun.  Sept. 18
Lap the Lake
DAYVILLE --- The 10th annual NOW ~Lap the Lake~ Road Race & Walk fund-raiser. It’s a scenic 5K run and walk along private roads surrounding Alexander’s Lake. There is also a kids run. For info, to register or to be a sponsor, go to: nowinmotion.org

Sat.  Oct. 1
Wee Walk
WOODSTOCK --- The Wyndham Land Trust’s family-friendly Wee Wander Walk, “Leaves and Mushrooms at Rapoport Preserve” will be held from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Dress appropriately and bring your camera. www.wyndhamlandtrust.org

Sat.  Oct. 8
Historical Program
POMFRET --- The Pomfret Historical Society will present Connecticut State Historian Walter Woodward at 10 a.m. at the Pomfret Community & Senior Center on Rt. 44. Free. More info on the town’s website.

Sat. Nov. 5
Dueling Pianos
PUTNAM --- Day Kimball Healthcare will present Dueling Pianos Presented By Foxwoods Resort Casino at 7 p.m. at Connecticut National Golf Club. Benefit: Day Kimball Healthcare At Home. More Info: daykimball.org/pianos.

Sat. Nov. 12
Historical Program
POMFRET --- The Pomfret Historical Society will present “The Last Green Valley Notables & Notorious” by Bill Reid, TLGV chief ranger, at 10 a.m. at the Pomfret Community & Senior Center on Rt. 44. Free. More info on the town’s website.

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Putnam Rotary Club Begins a New Year
At the Putnam Rotary Club’s 99th induction ceremony June 28 the president's gavel was passed from J. Scott Pempek to Missy Meyers. Meyers, center, holding the banner, said her plans for the upcoming year include more community outreach and volunteerism, targeted efforts around housing insecurity and plans for the club’s 100th anniversary. The officers for the 2022-2023 Rotary year include: President - Missy Meyers; President Elect – Amanda Kelly; Vice President – Elizabeth Williams; Secretary – Kathy Kirk; Treasurer – Frederick Chmura. Sergeants-at-arms include: Jonathan Tremblay, Jonathan Sturdevant, Chris Vaillencourt and Jake Dykeman. The Board of Directors includes: Immediate Past President – J. Scott Pempek; Steve Adams; Jennifer Ricci; Crystal Simonson and Kristen Willis. Photo courtesy of Laura Crosetti.

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