Bradley’s movies return—because a community wouldn’t quit
By Rebecca Theriaque
What looks like magic on a Friday night is nothing of the sort. In the Quiet Corner, civic magic is made, not found. An all?volunteer membership did the steady work that never shows up on a poster—replacing projection and sound equipment, tuning the room, refreshing the concessions area, training operators and securing the rights for each title—on a timetable that skirts set builds, rehearsals and tech weekends.
If you missed the first two films, the rumor on Main Street was accurate. “E.T.” and “Psycho” reopened Movie Nights at the Bradley Playhouse and drew hundreds. Tickets are $8 at the door, lines formed early and the booth hum returned. If you weren’t there, consider this your nudge. Seats go fast. “The smell of salty popcorn fills the hallway and that’s the way it should be!” said Jim, The Theatre’s head Popcorn Chef.
“Bringing back movies honors what patrons remember and expands what we can offer to help ensure the Bradley’s long?term viability,” theater Vice President Cindy Beckman said. “We’ve heard these memories for years. Now we can make new ones.”
The price tag for the restart was about $50,000 and arrived the old?fashioned way: Grit and gifts, in?kind contributions and hours upon hours of good old-fashioned work. The lobby sponsor wall recounts that help, and the posted donor roll records the names. The lesson is plain enough for any town that loves its institutions: good things are hauled into place by neighbors and friends.
The downtown community also remembers its own history. About 10 years ago, a volunteer crew ran a successful movie program here. The tools are newer, the impulse the same—use the building between productions, broaden access and give families one more reason to come downtown.
The Bradley itself is part of the point. Opened in 1901, the theater has worn several names over time, including the Putnam Opera House and the Imperial Theatre. Films ran here into the 1980s before the community reclaimed the stage for more performing arts. The screen’s return does not change that story; it rounds it out.
Two holiday matinees mark the next chapter. On Christmas Eve, the Bradley will screen “The Muppet Christmas Carol” at 2 p.m., a cheerful prelude to evening traditions and a bit of downtown Christmas magic. On New Year’s Day, Jan. 1, 2026, “Back to the Future” arrives at 2 p.m., a tidy reset for the calendar. Both are only $8 at the door. I would plan to arrive a few minutes early for the best seat and a warm bag of popcorn.
Dinner?and?a?movie is part of the design. Park once, eat local, then stroll under the marquee. The Courthouse Bar & Grille and 85 Main anchor the block, with an array of eateries along Main Street open before and after the feature. Courthouse general manager and events coordinator Sheila Frost put it this way: “The Courthouse is thrilled to have the addition of movies playing at the Bradley Playhouse. The beautiful theatre is a gem in our downtown and featuring old movies truly highlights Discover Putnam’s ‘Vintage Appeal, Modern Appeal’ tagline.” She notes Courthouse will open New Year’s Day at 11:30 a.m. and will close early on Christmas Eve—kitchen at 2 p.m., bar at 3 p.m.—so lunch before the matinee is a sensible plan.
Practical notes follow. Dates and updates will post at thebradleyplayhouse.org and on the theater’s social channels. Volunteers are always welcome; projection and concessions do not run themselves, and training is provided. If you prefer to help from the checkbook, the office will receipt in?kind gifts and donations that keep a 124-year-old building warm, working and welcoming.
None of this is nostalgia for nostalgia’s sake. A steady film slate strengthens the Playhouse between stage productions, gives downtown restaurants reliable traffic and offers families a nearby choice that does not require a long drive. The first nights proved the appetite is here. The holiday matinees will show, again, how a small town holds the screen and the stage at once.
Missed “E.T.” and “Psycho”? You have another chance. Choose a downtown snack, bring a friend and make an afternoon of it. The lights will dim, the room will exhale and the old building will do what it does best—hold us while we look in the same direction.
Photos by Rebecca Theriaque
The following charges were listed in the Putnam Police Department logs. The people charged are innocent until proven guilty in court. The Town Crier will publish dispositions of cases at the request of the accused. The dispositions must be accompanied by the proper documentation. The Putnam Police Department confidential Tip Line is 860-963-0000.
Nov. 3
Melissa Ann Jacobson, 46, Woodstock Avenue, Woodstock; interfering with officer/resisting, second-degree failure to appear – pending charges.
Nov. 5
Omar Mercedes, 24, Maple Street, Webster; disorderly conduct.
Nov. 6
Alexandria Gina-Marie Grenier, 23, Ames Street, Providence; interfere with officer/resisting, assault public safety/EMT/transt/hlth, disorderly conduct, violation of protective order.
.
PSA unveils 2025 national prep champ banner
PUTNAM — #2 ranked Putnam Science Academy unveiled the 2025 National Prep Basketball Championship banner in front of an absolutely packed house. The Mustangs jumped out early and never turned back, winning big 111-58 over Premier Prep. That moved them to 5-0 on the season. Jordan Skyers led the Mustangs with 24 points, including his 1,000th point of his career in front of a standing room only crowd! Skyers scored the magic number in the first half; he shot it well all night going 9 for 14 from the field. Jalen Taggart had 20 points and 6 rebounds and Brayson Green had 8 points and 10 rebounds in his first game back from injury. David Gaymon (8 rebounds & 5 steals) and Adama Tambedou (9 rebounds & 5 assists) each scored 16 points apiece. Kamai Samuels had a great all around game scoring 8 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists and 4 steals in the win.
Prep Team
WARWICK, R.I. — Kamai Samuels continues his hot start with 26 points, 7 assists, 6 steals and 4 rebounds leading the Mustangs to a 105-89 win over a tough Bridgeport Prep team. Jalen Taggart had 23 points, 4 rebounds and 3 steals and Jordan Skyers had 17 points, 3 rebounds and 2 assists for PSA. Adama Tambedou added 15 points, 14 rebounds, 3 assists and 3 blocks and Favour Egbuna also had 15 points and added 11 rebounds as the Mustangs moved to 4-0 on the season. David Gaymon chipped in 5 points, 6 rebounds, 5 steals and 3 assists.
PUTNAM — There are few instances throughout life where one questions reality. Kamai Samuels provided one of those moments in Putnam Science Academy’s 132-81 win over Busche Academy. Samuels defied the laws of gravity — and reality for that matter — elevating for a thunderous one-hand slam over a Busche Academy defender in front of another packed PSA gymnasium. Samuels poured in 18 points, 10 assists, 5 rebounds and 2 steals. The game-high scorer was Jalen Taggart who had 31 points and added 4 assists in the win. The newest member of the 1,000th point club Jordan Skyers contributed 18 points, 2 assists and 2 steals in the win for PSA (6-0). Favour Egbuna added 16 points, 10 rebounds and 2 assists as PSA’s win streak reaches 39 games.
Elite Boys
PUTNAM — The Putnam Science Academy Elite Boys’ team started the season off with a big 85-79 home league win over Commonwealth Academy. Vadim Brezillion scored 25 points, 7 assists and 2 steals to lead the Mustangs. Ethan Mvundura added 16 points and 3 assists and Sterling Manigault chipped in 7 points, 12 rebounds and 3 blocks in the win. Ethan Graham (5 rebounds) and Michael Therrien (Pomfret) each scored 11 points apiece for PSA (1-0).
Women’s Soccer
GRANBY, Mass. — In an incredibly kind gesture by the MacDuffie School seniors on the Putnam Science Academy women’s soccer got their recognition on the same day MacDuffie School celebrated theirs.
Gabriela Orlandi scored the first goal of the game to get the goals going early and often. She added her second shortly after. Manoela Silva put the ball in the back of the net for her own goal. Luana Mendes had a great game of her own as she had one goal to go with three assists in the game. Maria Giulia was next in line for goal scorer has she planted on in the back of the net. Valentina scored as well before a strong performance in goal in the second half, with saves to her credit. Nina, Livia normally defending the goal flipped the script, scoring one of her own, Dora, Ana and Luana Antoniazzi each had one goal in the game. Duda Guedes was stout in goal as well. Not usually her position she stood strong with three saves of her own. Many of the goal scorers in the game were their first goals of the season while playing different positions throughout the game. Valentina and Duda Guedes looked like natural goalkeepers in their time in goal. A great game played by all. The Mustangs moved to 10-2-2 on the season.
By Ben Heacox
Men’s Prep
WOODSTOCK — The Putnam Science Academy men’s prep soccer traveled to face the #1 team in the country, Woodstock Academy. A hard fought game though they could not come away with the victory, falling 2-0. Niko Wiegandt had a great game in goal, collecting 10 saves.
.
caption:
Left: The 2025 National Championship banner is hoisted in the PSA gym. Above: Jordan Skyers and family on the occasion of Skyers scoring his 1,000th career point.
.
John J. LaRoche
DAYVILLE — John J. LaRoche, 71, of Country Acres Park, died Oct. 30, 2025, after a long battle with lung cancer. He was the husband of Amy Vaillancourt for many years. Born Oct. 5, 1954, in Putnam, he was the son of the late Laurent Richard LaRoche and the late Anne R. Hayes.
In John’s early years he grew up on the family farm in Thompson raising cows, sheep, ducks, chickens and any wild animal that came along. In his late teens the travel bug set in, he began the journey by hitchhiking across the country. He went west and hit every state with the occasional phone call for bail money. When he returned home, he began a career of many his favorite being a welder at EB.
Around that time the kids started to arrive, first Shannon, then Sheila, and then his mini me Little Joey. This journey took him out to Montana and Oklahoma where he resided for many years until the travel bug hit again this time he ended up in Florida. In his later years he decided he wanted to come back home and settle into the northeast to begin his final adventure.
This is when he meets his wife Amy, and he settled into life the entire time rescuing and rehabilitating many abandoned baby deer that he would encounter. He was lovingly referred to as the deer whisperer. John had a love for all things Harley related; he owned many bikes and loved nothing but riding as the wind blew through his hair. He was also an avid collector of many parts and always on the hunt for more. He could probably build a whole bike with all the parts hanging around. John was a man with a heart of gold and if he had the part you were looking for, or something you needed he would gladly give it up.
He leaves his wife, Amy Vaillancourt; two daughters, Shannon LaRoche, Sheila LaRoche; two sisters, Peggy LaRoche, Jo LaRoche; stepdaughter, Heidi Vaillancourt; stepson, Noah Vaillancourt; 12 grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews. And his loyal companion Loki and mother-in-law Barbara Vaillancourt. John is predeceased by son, Joey LaRoche; brother, Brian LaRoche; and his father and mother-in-law, Arsene Vaillancourt.
Visitation was Nov. 7 at the Gilman Funeral Home and Crematory, 104 Church St., Putnam.
.