Wed. March 5
Art Exhibit
PUTNAM --- The Putnam Arts Council presents Art Guild Inspirations, works by the members of the Art Guild Northeast in the Corridor Gallery in the Municipal Complex through March.
Presentation/Exhibit
POMFRET --- The Edwin Way Teale Artist-in-Residence Program--- Trail Wood Reflections exhibit at the Connecticut Audubon Society at Pomfret on Day Road will run through March 8. 860-928-4948.
Photo Exhibit
THOMPSON --- The Thompson Public Library will present “Focus on Thompson: Third Annual Community Photo Display” in the display case through the month of March.
Sat. March 8
Art Heist
PUTNAM --- The Putnam Arts Council will host an Art heist from 5 to 8 p.m. in the Montgomery Ward building downtown. Tickets limited. Putnamctartscouncil.com.
Day of Prayer
DANIELSON --- The Danielson United Methodist Church, 9 Spring St., will be holding a World Day of Prayer service written by Christian Women of the Cook Islands. The program starts with an ethnic luncheon at noon, followed by the service of scripture and song around the theme, "I Made You Wonderful".
Fund-raiser Pork Dinner
THOMPSON --- The Thompson Lions Club will hold a Roast Pork Dinner from 5 to 7 p.m. at the American Legion Post 67 on Thompson Hill Road. $15 per meal. Tickets available at the door or from any Thompson Lions Club member. Benefits the Thompson Lions Club.
Sun. March 9
Exhibit
WOODSTOCK --- The Center for Woodstock History is presenting a photo exhibit, "Woodstock Through the Camera's Eye in Post-Civil War America," from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Sundays. Check for updates: 860-928-1035.
Tues. March 11
Green Team Film
POMFRET --- Pomfret Green Team film, “Breaking Boundaries – The Science of Our Planet,” will be presented at 6:30 p.m. at the Connecticut Audubon Society of Pomfret. Registration requested but not required. Free admission. Free popcorn. 860-928-4948.
Wed. March 12
Fund-raiser
PUTNAM --- The Black Dog Bar and Grille on Park Road is hosting a Dining for a Cause fund-raiser event to help Paws Cat Shelter from 3 to 9 p.m. Fifteen percent of the food and beverage sales will be donated when you present a coupon for either dine in or take out. Coupons are available at Petco in Dayville, Paws Cat Shelter on School St., from noon to 3 p.m. March 8 or request by email at
Thur. March 13
Art Reception
PUTNAM --- A closing reception will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Municipal Complex. The exhibit, “Art Guild Inspirations,“ currently on view in the Corridor Gallery, closed March 30. The exhibit features a variety of mediums and styles from 21 Art Guild Northeast artists. The exhibit and reception are free and open to the public. www.PutnamCtArtsCouncil.com.
Sat. March 15
Library Program
PUTNAM --- The Putnam Public Library will present “Introduction to Tai Chi Chuan” from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Movement participation is optional. (Wear loose, comfortable clothes and flat, soft-soled shoes. Registration required: 860-963-6826. Registration limited to 25 adult participants.
Sun. March 16
Camp Tour
POMFRET --- Visit the Windham-Tolland 4-H Camp Open HHHouse from 1 to 3 p.m. Meet the director & other camp staff, take a camp tour, registration materials available. 860-974-3379.
Thur. March 20
Probate Program
PUTNAM --- The Putnam Council on Aging will present a Free Senior Forum featuring Probate Judge Gabrielle Labonte at 5:30 p.m. at the Municipal Complex, conference room 112.
Fri. March 28
Fund-raiser Concert
POMFRET --- Canadian roots and folk musician, James Keelaghan, will perform at 7 p.m. at The Connecticut Audubon Society Center at Pomfret on Day Road. Tickets are $25. Registration required: 860-928-4948. Admission at the door will be $30, only if seating remains available.
Sat. March 29
Poets at Large
POMFRET --- Poets at Large will begin its year from 7 to 9 p.m. March 29 at The Vanilla Bean Café. Dates for the events at the Vanilla Bean are March 29, April 26 and May 31. The event is also held from 2 to 4 p.m. at Roseland Park June 15 and Sept. 7. Admission for the Vanilla Bean events is $15 and park events are free. The events are sponsored in part by Linemaster Switch, Charter Oak FCU and WHZ Financial Advisors. Sign up:
Sat. April 5
Garden Symposium
DANIELSON --- The Quiet Corner Garden Club will host “Growing Gardeners 2025”, a Symposium from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at QVCC. It includes vendors, informative exhibits, farmers, more. Box lunch is available for an additional charge. Info/tickets: www.quietcornergardenclub.com.
Sat. June 21
Fine Arts Fest
PUTNAM --- The Putnam Arts Council will present its annual Fine Arts & Crafts Festival June 21 and 22 at the Municipal Complex front yard.
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Colangelo honored
“The Danielson Veterans Coffeehouse presented Linda Colangelo with the George W. Brown Community Champion Award. Linda is a longtime supporter of Veterans and has supported the Coffeehouse since its beginning days. She has worked tirelessly in support of our annual Veterans Stand Down at QVCC. Linda recruited many of the healthcare vendors who have provided the free health screening at the event. In 2019 she received the Community Americanism Award from the American Legion. She is a featured Vocalist at Veterans Day events throughout the region.” By F. Ruhlemann.
2 veterans honored
Feb. 11: “This morning the coffeehouse was honored to host a Quilts of Valor Presentation. Megan Shake brought members of her Quilts of Valor group and 2 veterans they wanted to present with Quilts. Megan gave a nice presentation on what the Quilts of Valor is all about and how it all got started. She presented 2 veterans, Claudia Ludwig and Richard Majercik with quilts. Members of their families were also present for the ceremony.” By F. Ruhlemann
Spirol donates $16,263 to cancer fund
PUTNAM — SPIROL International Corporation donated $16,263 to the Northeast Connecticut Cancer Fund of DKH. The donation, raised through SPIROL’s robust employee giving program, marks the sixth year of SPIROL's partnership with the DKH Foundation. SPIROL’s fund-raising team organized philanthropic initiatives to raise funds and designated its fiscal year 2024 employee-giving campaign to support the fund. SPIROL adds a $5,000 match.
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Ribbon Cutting
A Touch of Class opened on Woodstock Avenue, Putnam. From left: Kate Cerrone, PBA president; Antea Alexander, Lee Alexander, daughter Karma Alexander cutting the ribbon, family and friends. Linda Lemmon photo.
Big and bold - Touch of Class opens
By Linda Lemmon
Town Crier Editor
PUTNAM — Antea Alexander recalled: “When he first told me that he was leaving his finance job, I said, are you crazy?”.
Apparently not. With an entrepreneurial spirit and oodles of personality, Lee Alexander March 1 opened their second store, A Touch of Class, on Woodstock Avenue. The first store is in Milford, Mass.
The business offers special occasion and formal menswear, top to bottom. He said he intends to lease space to businesses that will help create a one-stop special occasion experience: Barber, photographer, florist, wedding planner — even dry cleaning. And that’s a 24-hour turnaround for the dry cleaning.
Antea said she was so proud of him. “You’re so creative and innovative. As everybody else said here, full of personality.”
Mayor Barney Seney, at the somewhat chilly ribbon cutting welcome, said Lee Alexander’s personality matches his. “I’ve never seen a business person come into our community with enthusiasm that Lee came in with. “
Kate Cerrone, president of the Putnam Business Association, said “We are gathered to celebrate not just a new storefront, but a vision, a passion and a commitment to excellence.” She complimented Lee Alexander’s “impressive 25 years in the industry.” After launching his store in Milford in 2023 “Lee has now chosen Putnam as the next chapter in his journey, bringing with him a dedication to style, quality and personalized service. A Touch of Class is more than just a place to find the perfect suit — it’s an experience that elevates how a gentleman presents himself for life’s most important moments.” She added: “We can’t wait to see A Touch of Class flourish here.
State Senator Mae Flexer and State Representative Chris Stewart also welcomed A Touch of Class. Stewart said “It’s so great to have a place to go get styled up and dressed up. I can’t wait for my two boys and me to have matching three-piece suits.”
Flexer called the celebration exciting and said that energy and excitement will reverberate with every single customer that walks through the doors. She and Stewart presented Alexander a citation from the Connecticut General Assembly.
Speaking before the ribbon cutting Alexander said “It’s been a long time coming. It’s all about the love.” He added, “We’re meant to be here.”
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PHS Wall of Honor recipients announced
PUTNAM — The Putnam High School Wall of Honor Committee has released the names of five individuals who will make up the Class of 2025.
The award honors PHS graduates or those who have provided service to the school through leadership in their chosen profession, high standards of citizenship and service to their community. Selection to the Wall of Honor also serves as a reminder to current students that a Putnam High School education can serve as a springboard to successful careers in one’s chosen field. The induction ceremony to honor these individuals will be held in the fall.
This is the eighth class of inductees and includes Stephen Faucher, Class of 1981; Ross Franklin, Class of 1983; Cynthia Morse, Class of 1979; Douglas Porter, Class of 1972; and James Greenhalgh for dedicated service to PHS.
Faucher spent 28 years with the Connecticut Department of Corrections, rising to the position of captain before being appointed statewide CERT Commander. Upon retirement, one of his community roles was to become heavily involved with the Putnam Lions Club where he has served as president numerous times.
Franklin is a renowned photojournalist whose works have been published across the globe. From his start with the Washington Times in 1987, his advancement to the Associated Press, and as a member of the White House Press Corp. he has received numerous photographic awards including; a first-prize award in the White House News Photographers Association presented by President Clinton and as a Pulitzer Prize runner-up in 2003.
Morse spent 37 years as a teacher and coach of both boys’ and girls’ sports at Killingly High School, but made the biggest difference when she established the Unified Sports Program at KHS to benefit those students with intellectual disabilities in athletic competition. For her efforts she was named Connecticut Field Hockey Coach of the year in 2008 and the CIAC Special Olympics United Sports Coach of the Year Award in 2021.
Porter, managing partner of Woodstock Building Associates, has quietly achieved multiple business and community awards over his 45-year career and has had a huge impact on northeastern Connecticut through his community involvement. The former Woodstock selectman is currently a member of the Northeastern Connecticut Chamber of Commerce and serving his second term as president of Putnam Rotary Club.
Greenhalgh becomes the second inductee to the Wall of Honor for service to the school. From the mid-1940s to the 1970s he was the physical education teacher and head coach of the football, basketball and baseball at PHS before becoming guidance counselor to complete his service to the school. The athletic complex off Wicker Street bears his name and a scholarship is presented annually.
To date, 35 individuals have been enshrined on the “Wall” which is located in a corridor adjacent to the gymnasium. All nominations remain on file for at least five years following submission.
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