Wed. Jan. 22

Art Exhibit

THOMPSON --- The Friends of the Thompson Public Library’s Art @ the Library will present “Thompson Congregational Church—The Spirit Endures” through Jan. 30. 860-923-9779.

 

Thur. Jan. 23

Society Meeting

POMFRET --- The Pomfret Historical Society will meet at 7 p.m. in the Old Pomfret Town House, 17 Town House Road. Those interested in becoming a member and others are welcome. 860-460-6689.

 

Trivia fund-raiser

PUTNAM --- The Putnam Lions will hold a Trivia Night at 7 p.m. at the Crossings on Union Square. Benefits the Day Kimball Woman’s Board.

 

Fri. Jan. 24

Fish Fry

N. GROSVENORDALE --- The Knights of Columbus 2087 on Riverside Drive will hold a fish fry from 5 to 7 p.m. Takeout available. Prices vary. 860-923-2967.

 

Eagle Program

BROOKLYN --- The Last Green Valley will present “Eagles with Horizon Wings” at 1:15 p.m. at Creamery Brook Village. Limited space. Register at: 860-779-8700.

 

Public Lecture

POMFRET --- The Schwartz Public Lecture by Steven Johnson will be presented from 7 to 8 p.m. at the Hard Auditorium at Pomfret School. Free. Open to all. RSVP required: www.pomfret.org/lecture.967.

 

Boeing Boeing

PUTNAM --- The Bradley Playhouse on Front Street will present “Boeing Boeing at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 24, 25, 31 and Feb. 1 and at 2 p.m. Jan. 26 and Feb. 2. $21 for adults; $17 for seniors and students. 860-928-7887.

 

Sat. Jan. 25

Acorn Adventure

WOODSTOCK --- The Last Green Valley will present Acorn Adventure – Bald Eagles and Big Nests at 10 a.m. at Roseland Park. Bring binoculars or a spotting scope if you have them. Toward the end of the adventure Horizon Wings of Ashford will join us with some special guests.  Free to families thanks to the generous sponsorship of Putnam Bank.

 

Ham, Bean Supper

E. WOODSTOCK --- The East Woodstock Congregational Church’s fund-raiser Ham & Bean Supper will be from 5 to 7 p.m. $10 for adults; kids 10 and younger eat free. Tickets available at the door or by calling 860-928-2731. Takeout available.

 

Fund-raiser Concert

POMFRET --- Howie Bursen, John Bailey, Martin Grosswendt and Bennett Hammond return to the Vanilla Bean Café at 7:30 p.m. for their 28th performing to benefit Access’s Northeast Connecticut Food Pantries. $20. Last year the concert raised more than $1,000. 860-412-1600.

 

Boeing Boeing

PUTNAM --- The Bradley Playhouse on Front Street will present “Boeing Boeing at 7:30 p.m. Jan.  25, 31 and Feb. 1 and at 2 p.m. Jan. 26 and Feb. 2. $21 for adults; $17 for seniors and students. 860-928-7887.

 

Sun. Jan. 26

Concert

DANIELSON --- The Killingly-Brooklyn Interfaith Council is sponsoring a concert and sing-a-long by Dulcimea, a local dulcimer group, at 2 p.m. at the Danielson United Methodist Church on Spring Street. A free will offering will benefit KBIC's homeless fund.  Snow date is Feb. 9. 860-928-0308.

 

Boeing Boeing

PUTNAM --- The Bradley Playhouse on Front Street will present “Boeing Boeing at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 24, 25, 31 and Feb. 1 and at 2 p.m. Jan. 26 and Feb. 2. $21 for adults; $17 for seniors and students. 860-928-7887.

 

Healing Service

BROOKLYN ---A Christian Healing Service will be held at 2 p.m. at Trinity Episcopal Church on Providence Road. Prayer teams will be available to pray with individuals for physical, emotional and spiritual healing. The service will include praise and worship music at a celebration of the Eucharist. All welcome. 860-774-9352.

Wed. Jan. 29

Art Exhibit

THOMPSON --- The Friends of the Thompson Public Library’s Art @ the Library will present “Thompson Congregational Church—The Spirit Endures” through Jan. 30. 860-923-9779.

Putnam to celebrate the 10th Annual Fire & Ice Festival on February 8th

 

PUTNAM --- In less than a month, the Putnam Business Association in partnership with the Town of Putnam will once again host the largest single ice block competition in New England --- the 10th Annual Fire & Ice Festival.

The public is invited to visit this community event from noon to 8 p.m., Feb. 8. The event boasts more than five dozen ice carvings, ice photo opportunities, a 30-foot inflatable igloo, character meet and greets, a stilt-walking fire princess, glowing fire torches, fire dancing performances, rose sales, a cake decorating contest, and more.

Ice carvings will decorate the streets of downtown Putnam with both pre-carved ice blocks and live demonstrations on display. Throughout the day, patrons can watch as 300-pound ice blocks are transformed into a variety of shapes and figures --- all of which are sponsored by local businesses and carved by dedicated artists.

From noon to 5 p.m. professional, amateur and group carvers will create their masterpieces. An awards ceremony is set for 6 p.m. at the Congregational Church of Putnam. If you are interested in entering the carving competition please register at: discoverputnam.com.

Ice Matters, a full service professional ice-carving company in Cheshire, will supply all the ice blocks. The live carving demonstrations, sponsored by Ketel One vodka and Putnam Ford, start at 1 p.m. Other not-to-be-missed carvings include: event inspired photo opportunities, the ever-famous sand art community sculpture, a Baby Yoda, a whimsical house, and more.

For 2020 adult patrons, Stoli Vodka will create an outside Ice Bar in front of The Courthouse Bar and Grille. Ketel One will sponsor a double-ice luge on the patio of 85 Main and Jack Daniels will feature Jack Fire on the Jack Daniels-inspired ice luge on the patio of Jessica Tuesdays.

Despite the icy February weather, there will be plenty of ways to keep warm, with dinner and drink specials available at local restaurants.

Back by popular demand will be a 30-foot inflatable ice igloo. Anna and Elsa will be available from 1 to 4 p.m. inside the igloo for a meet and greet, as well as a stilt-walking princess roving around, sponsored by Gerardi Insurance Services, for great unique family photo opportunities.

Newcomers are invited to discover the many shops and galleries of Putnam. The Congregational Church of Putnam will be a hot spot of activity, featuring roaring fire pits and free hot chocolate.

The church will also feature a special cake contest, with creations inspired by the tenth-year celebration.  Professional and novice bakers from around the area will be showing off their culinary masterpieces. All entrants will be judged based on originality, best flavor and artistic creation by specialty judges; there will also be a people’s choice award. Submissions are accepted. The application available on www.discoverputnam.com.

In keeping with the romantic feel of the day, roses, candy bars with special Discover Putnam prizes and commemorative wine glasses will also be available for purchase from 1 to 5 p.m. inside the church.

New this year is lover’s lane which is an arts and crafts alley presented by Putnam Public Schools, a hot air balloon photo opportunity and interactive ice corn hole games to add which will add further exciting pastimes throughout the day.

As the sun goes down at the Fire & Ice Festival, fire torches will fill downtown Putnam with an ambient glow. The ice sculpture masterpieces will be lit with color effects. Adding to the spectacle of the festival, visitors will be wowed by fire dancing performances from Sasha the Fire Gypsy. Courtesy of sponsor Byrnes Agency, performances will take place at 5, 6 and 7 p.m. Sasha combines choreography, theatrics, acrobatics, and dance with speed, difficulty, and excitement.

To learn more about Fire & Ice, or for more on how to participate, either as a carver, a volunteer, a cake contest participant, or as a visitor to this unique festival, visit www.discoverputnam.com.

Then

This is the first high school in Putnam arcound 1874. It is the Putnam Town Hall currently. Putnam Town Crier file photos.

 

& Now

This is the Town Hall today.