Wed. Dec. 18
Art Exhibit
POMFRET --- The Connecticut Audubon Society at Pomfret Center will host a winter art show through the end of December at the Grassland Bird Conservation Center on Day Road. 860-928-4948.
Holiday Nature Store
POMFRET --- The Connecticut Audubon Society at Pomfret Center will host a Holiday Nature Store from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday and from noon to 4 p.m. Sundays through Dec. 20 at the Grassland Bird Conservation Center on Day Road. 860-928-4948.
Art Exhibit
THOMPSON --- The Friends of the Thompson Public Library’s Art @ the Library will present “Transitions” artwork by Anna Mancini through Dec. 28. 860-923-9779.
Thur. Dec. 19
Historical Society
POMFRET --- The Pomfret Historical Society will meet at 7 p.m. in the Old Pomfret Town House Town House Road. Those interested in becoming a member and others are invited to attend. 860-460-6689.
Fri. Dec. 20
Blood Drive
PUTNAM --- Day Kimball Healthcare will host a blood drive to benefit patients in need from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Robert H. Field Conference Center. Walk-ins are welcome, but appointments encouraged; 860- 928-6541 ext. 2532.
‘Miracle on 34th Street’
PUTNAM --- The Bradley Playhouse will present “Miracle on 34th Street” at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 20 and 21 and at 2 p.m. Dec. 22. www.thebradleyplayhouse.org.
Sat. Dec. 21
Winter Solstice
POMFRET --- The Wyndham Land Trust Inc. will present a Winter solstice event from 3 to 5 p.m. at Lyon Preserve. Light refreshments. The Lyon Preserve is on Wright’s Crossing Road, north of the intersection with 101—look for the gate and the land trust sign.
Nature Program
POMFRET --- The Connecticut Audubon Society at Pomfret Center will host an owl walk at 7 p.m. starting from the Grassland Bird Conservation Center on Day Road. $5 for CAS members; $10 for nonmembers. 860-928-4948.
Winter Solstice
HAMPTON --- The Connecticut Audubon Society at Pomfret Center will host a Winter Solstice Celebration from 6 to 9 p.m. at Trail Wood on Kenyon Road. Hot cider and chili by the fire. Potluck items welcome. Free. Register at ctaudubon.org/trail-wood-home.
Winter Solstice
W. THOMPSON --- The Last Green Valley will present “The Winter Solstice Starry Sky – A Family-Friendly Program” at 6 p.m. at the Overlook Shelter at the West Thompson Damn. Dress warmly. A family friendly event.
Sun. Dec. 22
Healing Service
BROOKLYN --- A Christian Healing Service will be held at 2 p.m. at Trinity Episcopal Church on Providence Road. Includes praise and worship music at a celebration of the Eucharist. All welcome. 860-774-9352.
Live Nativity
S. WOODSTOCK --- The South Woodstock Baptist Church will present a Live Nativity at 6 p.m. on the front lawn. It will include music, live animals with refreshments and fellowship following. All welcome.
Wed. Dec. 25
Merry Christmas!
Sun. Dec. 29
Wee Wander
WOODSTOCK --- The Wyndham Land Trust Inc. will present “Wee Wander Year End Roseland Romp” from 1 to 2:30 p.m. at Roseland Park.
Mon. Dec. 30
Blood Drive
DAYVILLE --- The American Red Cross will hold a blood drive from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Dayville Fire Company on Hartford Pike. 1-800-RED CROSS.
Wed. Jan. 1, 2020
Happy New Year!
Fri. Jan. 10
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.
Fri. Jan. 17
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.
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.
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Dedication
Putnam Lions President Amy Franklin dedicates a bench in Rotary Park for Long-time Lion Fran Gregoire. Courtesy photo.
PUTNAM — Dec. 14 members of the Putnam Lions Club, friends and family of Lion Fran Gregoire gathered in Rotary Park to honor his memory by dedicating a bench in his name. Fran Gregoire was a long-time Lion member and active volunteer within the Putnam community.He truly embodied the Lions’ motto of “We Serve”.
Gregoire joined the Putnam Lions in 1979 and was active in the club until he died away in 2017.
During his many years of service, he held many roles within the Lions, including that of District Governor. In addition to his dedication to the Lions he was also a board member and staunch supporter of the Putnam EMS.
His wife Sue, his daughter Rebecca and her long-time companion, Stephen Ross, as well as his granddaughter, Elizabeth Garner attended. Granddaughters Mellissa Garner and Aurora Paradis were unable to attend. Sue Gregoire expressed gratitude for the memoriam and said how proud Fran would be to have this honor. The bench is situated directly behind the Putnam Lion’s food truck location where Fran was known to sit when he was not working in it.
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Collecting
Pablo Diezhandino and Francisco Carcano from Putnam Science Academy help with the Putnam Rotary Interact Club’s Salvation Army Kettle campaign. Courtesy photo.
Fund-raising is
community effort
PUTNAM — The Putnam Rotary Interact Club was supported by the Creation Church of Thompson (CC), TEEG, Putnam Science Academy (PSA) and Northeast CT Women and Girls Fund (NECTW&GF) recently. Laura Moorehead from NECTW&GF said, “ I love supporting local charities and I love meeting people as I ring”.
Bellringers included: From CC: Karl and Kayla Hoffman and Bob and Deb Neundorf. From TEEG: Tom Bachand. From NECTW&GV: Laura Moorehead and Scott Moorehead. From PHS: Jacob Tremblay. From the Putnam Rotary Club: Roberta Rocchetti and Jonathan Tremblay. From the Woodstock Middle School: Taila and Kaelyn Tremblay, Reegan Reynolds. From Tourtellotte: Makayla Tackson and Katie Lamontagne. From PSA: Pablo Diezhandino, Francisco Carcano, Matheus Reis, Victor Reis, Patrick Cordero, Jamie Mendo, Luciana Guimaorales, and Tias Moto.
The Interact Club is also collecting winter hats and gloves. Bring donations to the collection box in the lobby of the Hale YMCA off Kennedy Drive.
Old Santa takes final flight
PUTNAM — For his 25th birthday Santa and his reindeer wished for one last holiday trip over Cargill Falls.
And his wish was granted. Wicked winter weather prevented the safe installation of the new Santa and his reindeer over the falls.
After a successful area-wide fund-raiser, the new Santa and his reindeer arrived Dec. 5. A new system to suspend him over the falls will be installed by IronCraft of Thompson. The new system will allow the town to send Santa over the falls using a drill, not brute strength.
Parks and Recreation Director Willie Bousquet said: “Due to the difficult weather that we have been experiencing since the beginning of December, it will not be possible to install the new suspension system. This system will be a new automated pulley that will include a tower set-up on the rocks and a new pole on the grass near the brick building that controls the Cargill Falls Dam.”
He added to keep the holiday tradition alive, the town’s Public Works Department installed the former Santa and reindeer Dec. 13. He said: “We look forward to 2020 and having our new display in place. For 2019, we have still kept the tradition alive.”
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