Veterans Park: Honoring every single one
By Linda Lemmon
Town Crier Editor
PUTNAM — With heart and soul and dedication the Veterans Park, dedicated Nov. 9, shone as an example a community working tirelessly to honor veterans.
Robert Challinor, chair of the town’s Veterans Advisory Committee (VAC) and the town’s veterans agent, thanked all the community and organization members for their hard work through the years.
Mayor Barney Seney said the process was not easy. He recalled looking at the “park” from the old Town Hall, maybe seven years ago, and saying “this is not acceptable.” The work to transform the park began.
Students from the electrical and masonry departments at Ellis Tech installed the new walkways, lighting and the pavers in the Court of Honor.
Challinor said since last year 650 pavers with the names of veterans from the town’s cemeteries have been installed. Plus 604 pavers for those vets at St. Mary’s Cemetery arrived last week and will be installed. That will bring the total number of pavers to 3,762. And there is space for more. “As long as there are veterans, we will have space for them in this park.”
The park touches the heart. Challinor said not a day or weekend goes by that he does not see people in the park. “A lot of the families have used this as a place to come together and gather and remember their loved ones that are no longer here and to meet up with the ones that are here coming home from active duty.”
Marcel Morissette, exalted ruler of the Putnam Elks Lodge 594, said, “Never forget so long as there are veterans.”
Challinor said the Elks, in addition to the VAC, the American Legion Post 13, the VFW Post 1523, Ellis Tech and so many other groups have been vital to the blossoming of the park. He noted that 20 years from now a lot of the Ellis Tech students would have children and some of them may serve in the military. “They’re going to be able to look back with pride and say that I was a part of that project.”
Challinor recalled the “trench warfare” going on with the mud growing deep and “we didn’t know if we were going to have the project completed.” And a year ago, during hurricane season, the weather threatened to cause an order of pavers to arrive late. But it all worked out.
Saying he was humbled, Challinor said there are pavers honoring veterans from 43 state and three foreign countries. “Our project has reached far beyond Putnam.”
State Senator Mae Flexer read a prayer written by her father, a veteran and a pastor.
Seney said “This is a great attribute to the town and we’re not finished.” When the Revolutionary War monument goes in next year, he said “I don’t think there’s another town or state in our country that will be able to say that ”We have accounted for every veteran.”
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Restoring dignity: It takes a village & a church ministry
By Linda Lemmon
Town Crier Editor
PUTNAM — Ordinarily “It takes a village” might seem like a tired, worn-out phrase but not at the Living Faith Methodist Church on Grove Street.
The congregation’s Critical Needs Ministry has been compassionately helping those in need for 30 years and they show no sign of being “tired.”
Church member Louise Dumas said: “It’s important for the church to identify the needs of the community where the church is so the church can develop ministries that address the various needs of the community. This is what happens at Living Faith United Methodist Church in Putnam. The church’s Critical Needs Ministry was established over 30 years ago to address the lack of household items individuals and families moving from homeless or domestic violence shelters experienced when they were able to find housing for themselves and their families.
Pastor Ross Johnson said those leaving a shelter might have nothing but some clothing in a black trash bag. Finding a place and then furnishings and all the touches that make it “home” might seem insurmountable.
But the church’s Critical Needs Ministry jumps right in, turning an empty apartment into a home with everything from furniture to linens to household items and more. The church collects everything it can and stores it in barn space donated to the church.
Community member Sheila Partlow said: “As a community member, I volunteered to help organize the barn because I believe in supporting local efforts that directly assist our neighbors in times of need; ensuring resources are accessible and efficiently managed for those with critical needs. Simultaneously, as a church member, I see this as a practical way to live out our shared values of service and stewardship, directly contributing to a ministry that embodies compassion in action. Organizing the furniture and household items ensures that donations are put to their best use, maximizing our ability to provide dignity and stability to families facing hardship.”
Dumas said: “The expression ‘it takes a village’ applies to Living Faith United Methodist Church Critical Needs Ministry. It takes the people who would rather see their used household items be of use to someone else rather than ending up being disposed of at their town’s next bulky waste collection. It takes volunteers from the church to collect those items, make sure they are in good condition, making repairs as necessary, and laundering all the towels and bedding so the people receiving these items feel cared for and valued. All the donated items have to be organized, stored until needed, and delivered. A lot of people in the church willingly donate their time and services in order to make the Critical Needs Ministry the gift to the community it was designed to be.
She added: “I choose to be part of this ministry because it is a much needed ministry in our area, and it is something I can do to help others in our community. I may not be able to pick up and deliver furniture, but I can launder towels and bedding, packaging them into complete sets to fit every bed size, from crib to king. It takes a village…”
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Pomfret School opens art gallery
POMFRET — Pomfret School has opened The Gallery at Jahn Reading Room, a new on-campus exhibition space, and invites members of the public to attend a gallery opening reception at 6 p.m. Nov. 13.
Featured will be visiting modern and contemporary artist Seaver Leslie ’65 in an exhibition called Mnemosyne: A Sixty-Year Review. The show will feature Leslie’s work alongside pieces by his former roommates — architect Buzz Yudell ’65 and sculptor Bill Whipple ’65. While a student at Pomfret, Leslie painted an award-winning portrait of his roommate and Pomfret’s first African American graduate, John Irick ’65. This week Leslie will paint a new piece featuring Irick as students observe and create their own interpretations.
The Gallery will also exhibit Observations, a showcase of new works by Pomfret students. Both shows will remain on display through December 2025.
“Having a dedicated gallery on campus gives students the chance to see their work in a professional context,” said JP Jacquet, Pomfret’s current Artist-in-Residence and gallerist. “It bridges the gap between learning and sharing — between creating and curating art.”
The Gallery was made possible through a $25,000 grant from the Edwin S. Webster Foundation. Renovations funded by the Webster Foundation include flexible lighting and portable display walls, transforming the room into a dynamic space for both student and professional exhibits.
The public is welcome. Contact Gallerist JP Jacquet at
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Qualified self-starter wanted for Town of Pomfret Highway Department. Must hold Class B CDL license/valid medical card and have a background in operating heavy equipment.
Position includes, but is not limited to, assignments on all municipal road work including road grading, snowplowing, landscaping, building maintenance, and any other duties as needed and assigned. Five years of driving/equipment operation experience is preferred. Must be available to work nights and weekends as needed, able to lift up to 100 pounds, possess mechanical aptitude in heavy equipment repair, pass a DOT physical and drug screen, and consent to random drug/alcohol testing as required by the DOT. Salary dependent upon qualifications and experience. Attractive benefit package.
Interested persons should forward resume/application and three references to the Selectman’s Office, 5 Haven Road, Pomfret Center, CT 06259 on or before November 24, 2025. Application form available at www.pomfretct.gov/first-selectmans-office . EEO/AA
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