‘Touring’ Exhibit

WOODSTOCK --- Historic New England’s new exhibit “Touring New England, 1820 – 1970” opens today and runs through Oct. 15 at  Roseland Cottage, in the Carriage Barn. It explores why the region’s natural and built environments have been tourist destinations for centuries. The exhibit touches on the distinct characteristics of each New England state: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont.  Free.

 

Art Exhibit

DANIELSON --- The QVCC Spirol Art Gallery series will present Keith Mueller’s “Working on Wings to Fly” through Oct. 7. 860-932-4160.

 

Thur. Oct. 1

Blood Drive

WATERFORD --- Charter Oak Federal Credit Union will be hosting a blood drive on from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at its Branch & Headquarters in Waterford at 1055 Hartford Turnpike. The public is invited. Donors must be at least 17 years of age, weigh at least 110 pounds, and be in good overall health. Eligible donors are able to donate blood every two months. 1-800-REDCROSS.

 

Evaluation

POMFRET CENTER --- On Thursday, October 1, 2015 at 6:30 pm, Debra Gag,  artist and teacher, will evaluate NE Art Guild members' art works at 6:30 p.m. at the Audubon Center on Day Road. Each member can bring in 2-3 pieces and she will discuss what she sees.   http://nectartguild.blogspot.com/ or call 860-928-4948

 

Fri. Oct. 2

Yard Sale

PLAINFIELD --- The First Congregational Church of Plainfield will hold a yard sale from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m .Oct. 2 and Oct. 3

 

Art Exhibit

POMFRET --- The Connecticut Audubon Society at Pomfret will present an art-poetry exhibit, “Water Rising: Poetry and Art,” through Oct. 29. The launch is from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Oct. 2. 860-928-4948.

 

First Fridays

PUTNAM --- First Fridays, with a Digital Age theme, will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. around downtown Putnam. 

 

Art Show

THOMPSON --- The Quinebaug Valley Photography Club will hold an Art @ the Library exhibit through Oct. 30 at the Thompson Public Library. The reception is from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Oct. 5. www.thompsonpubliclibrary.org. 

 

Sat. Oct. 3

Arts and Crafts

CANTERBURY --- The Finnish American Heritage Society will host the annual FACES at FAHS fine art and craft exhibition and sale from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Finn hall on Rt. 169. Lunch available.

 

Swedish Supper

N. GROSVENORDALE --- The Emanuel Lutheran Church on Main Street will present its authentic Swedish Meatball Supper, served family style, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. $10 for adults; $5 for kids. Tickets available at door. Takeout available.

 

Arts and Crafts

CANTERBURY --- The 5th annual FACES at FAHS- Fine Art/Craft Exhibit/Sale will be held from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Finnish Hall on Rt. 169. Refreshments available. Free admission, handicapped accessible. 860-974-2760.

 

‘Repair Café’

WILLIMANTIC --- The Access Community Action Agency is holding its fifth Repair Café, a free event during which volunteer “fixers” are available to help both fix items and to teach repair skills free of charge except for the cost of replacement parts. It’s held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the First Congregational Church’s Arnold Auditorium on Valley Street.

 

Band Concert

WOODSTOCK --- The Friends of the East Woodstock Common are sponsoring a Band Concert by the East Woodstock Cornet Band from 6 to 8 p.m. at the E. Woodstock Congregational Church sanctuary. The concert will raise funds for much needed bandstand repairs. Refreshments. Donations will be accepted. 860-928-2434

 

Animal Blessing

BROOKLYN --- The Killingly-Brooklyn Interfaith Council's annual Blessing of the Animals, will be held at 3 p.m. at the Trinity Episcopal Church on Providence Road (Rt. 6) Bring pet, photo, or remembrance.

 

Race/Walk

POMFRET --- The 8th Annual Abolish Breast Cancer 5k Race/Walk to benefit Dana-Farber Cancer Institute breast cancer research will be held at the Pomfret Recreation Park on Rt. 97. Registration at 7:30 a.m. Race at 9 and walkers start at 9:01. www.abc5kct.com.

 

Auction

QUINEBAUG --- The 12th Annual Auction, sponsored by VFW Auxiliary to the Thompson Memorial Post 10088, will begin at 5 p.m. with food and preview and the auction at 6. Benefits veterans and community programs.

 

Fall Fest

PUTNAM --- A Family Fall Festival and Resource Fair will be held from 10 a.m. to noon at the Putnam Elementary School on Wicker Street. Rain or shine. Free activities and giveaways. 

 

Sun. Oct. 4

Bike Ride

PUTNAM --- The Putnam Lions' Fall Classic Bike Ride will begin at the Riverview Marketplace Pavilion/Putnam Lions Memorial Dog Park with registration from 8 to 9 a.m. The 30-mile ride starts at 9 and the 15-mile ride starts at 9:15. $30 registration fee, waived for those who collect $50 or more in pledges.  860-928-0363.  Forms on website:  www.e-clubhouse.org/sites/putnam

 

Open House

WOODSTOCK --- The  Muddy Brook Fire Department is having an open house from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the department at 93 Woodstock Road. There will be light refreshments, with lots of information and some giveaways. 

 

Crop Walk

KILLINGLY --- The Killingly-Brooklyn Interfaith Council's annual CROP Walk will begin with registration at 1 and the walk at 1:30 at the Killingly River Walk off Rt. 12 (across from Friendly Spirits). Pledge/sponsor sheets available by calling:860-564-7980."

 

Pumpkin Fest

PLAINFIELD --- The First Congregational Church of Plainfield on Norwich Road will hold a Pumpkin Festival from noon to 3 p.m.

 

Concert

WILLIMANTIC --- Folk/Roots musician Kerri Powers will perform at 4 p.m. at the Bread Box on Valley Street. $12. Benefits Covenant Soup Kitchen and Emergency Food Pantry.  www.breadboxfolk.org. 

 

Tues. Oct. 6

Senior Lunch

POMFRET --- The Pomfret Senior Association will be holding its anniversary luncheon starting at 11:30 a.m. at the Center on Mashamoquet  Road.  Free to association members; $12 for guests.  Please RSVP to Gail by Sept. 25, at 860-974-0426.

 

Exercise Group

WOODSTOCK --- The Woodstock Senior Exercise Group will meet from 9 to 10 a.m. every Tuesday in the Woodstock Town Hall lower level meeting room. Free for all Woodstock senior citizens 60 and older. 860-974-1050.

 

Wed. Oct. 7

Pet Loss Group

DAYVILLE --- NECCOG Animal Services on Putnam Pike will present a Pet Loss Support Group at 6 p.m. Free.  No fee/reservations are required, and you are free to attend as often as necessary throughout your grief process.  860-774-1253

 

Community Event

WOODSTOCK --- Woodstock Education Foundation and Jog with Judy will present a community event, “Rachel’s Challenge,” at 6:30 p.m. in the gym at the Middle School. All welcome.

 

Thur. Oct. 8

'Food' Event

PUTNAM --- Empty Spaces Project will present "Just Eat It: A food waste story," (where is your food going?) at 7 p.m. downtown. Reserve free seats at eventbrite.com. Suggested donation at door of $5 to benefit Daily Bread. 914-620-5144. 

 

Fri. Oct. 9

'Then ... None'

PUTNAM --- The Bradley Playhouse will present "And Then There Were None" at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 9, 10, 16, 17, 23 and 24 and at 2 p.m. Oct. 11, 18 and 25. $19 and $15. 860-928-7887.

 

Concert

POMFRET --- The Connecticut Audubon Society at Pomfret on Day Road will present a concert, Sharp’s Appalachian Harvest,” at 7:30. $15 in advance, $20 at door. 860-928-4948.

 

History Program

CANTERBURY --- The Canterbury Historical Society will present author Diana Perkins on “Mill Industrialization in the Northeast” following the 7 p.m. business session at the Community Room at the Town Hall. Free. All welcome. Refreshments.  http://canterburyhistorical.org/?event=october-regular-monthly-meeting-program.

 

‘Taste’ Fund-raiser

WOODSTOCK --- The Northeast Opportunities for Wellness, Inc. (NOW) will be holding its 4th annual A Taste for NOW, A Taste for Life event from 6 to 10 p.m. at The Mansion at Bald Hill Banquet Center.  $60 per person :http://nowinmotion.org/wordpress/event-items/a-taste-for-now-a-taste-for-life-2015/

 

 

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The Last Green Valley, Inc. (TLGV) is kicking off the 25th year of Walktober with a cavalcade of spectacular activities in the National Heritage Corridor!  What started out as a “Walking Weekend” years ago has expanded to more than a month’s worth of adventures led by enthusiastic volunteers.  Most activities are free and many are family-friendly.  You can find it all in the Walktober brochure available by emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., calling 860-774-3300, downloading a PDF from the website www.thelastgreenvalley.org, or by picking one up at any town hall, library or information kiosk within the region.  

Take a look at a few of your opportunities for Walktober fun this week: 

Want to experience a bird’s-eye view of the brilliant fall colors? You can! Ascend lightly in a tethered hot-air balloon, thanks to ReMax, as you take in the “Views Above the Hill” at Fort Hill Farms in Thompson from 4 to 6 p.m. Sept. 27. The cost is $10 per person and all proceeds benefit TLGV.  Please note that this activity is wind and weather dependent. 

Learn what makes the The Last Green Valley National Heritage Corridor so unique at “Celebrating Agriculture” or “Positively Pomfret Day” or the upcoming “First Friday in Putnam” on Oct. 2.  

Croquet anyone? Play or watch a croquet tournament on the Norwichtown Green, in honor of the game that became popular in the Victorian era.  You can spend the entire last weekend of September exploring Norwich with a “Freedom Trail Ceremony,” guided walks featuring, “Radical Norwich – The Abolitionists,” and “A Jaunt Along the Heritage Walk,” plus the “4th Annual Norwich Grub Crawl.”  

Or head back out to the country for a tour of Lapsley Orchard on Sept. 27, then explore more history in Willimantic and Norwich with mid-week walks on Sept. 30, Oct. 1, and Oct. 2.    

Close out the first week of Walktober with “Vines, Wines & Pleasant Times at Taylor Brooke,” a tour and tasting with vineyard owner Linda Auger at Taylor Brooke Winery. And for those of you who love messing around in boats, paddle on the Quinebaug River with TLGV Chief Ranger Bill. 

All updates, additions and cancellations will be posted on the Walktober page on TLGV’s website and Facebook page, so please check them often.

The Last Green Valley is a National Heritage Corridor – the last stretch of dark night sky in the coastal sprawl between Boston and Washington, D.C.  The Last Green Valley, Inc. works for you in the National Heritage Corridor. We help you to care for it, enjoy it and pass it on.  

 

PUTNAM — The YMCA under construction in Putnam will be named the Hale YMCA Youth and Family Center. It will stand as a lasting tribute to Newell D. Hale, the Newell D. Hale Foundation and the Hale Family as generations of northeast corner families grow in a strong, healthy community, according to YMCA of Greater Hartford president and CEO Harold Sparrow.

Sparrow said there would be no YMCA in the quiet corner if not for the vision, generosity, and community spirit of Betty Hale and her son Laurence. Betty and Laurence are long time civic leaders, as was Mrs. Hale’s late husband Newell. Before Newell died in 2002, he credited a daily swim with maintaining his quality of life during his long illness, and after his passing, the Hale family set out to honor him by bringing a community pool to all residents of northeastern Connecticut.

“We are grateful—and honored—that the Hales made the YMCA of Greater Hartford a partner for their vision. As trustees of The Newell D. Hale foundation, Betty and Laurence planted the seed for what has grown to be so much more than a pool. They enlisted friends and local businesses to become ambassadors for the Y, to fundraise, to find the perfect site in Putnam, and create what will serve as a community center and state-of-the-art wellness center for people of all ages—with not one—but TWO swimming pools. 

“None of this would have been possible without Betty and Laurence Hale. That’s why it is only fitting that the new YMCA in Putnam bear the Hale name. I’m honored to announce that the Regional Community YMCA is officially becoming the Hale YMCA Youth and Family Center,” said Sparrow. 

“Newell would be thrilled that our family’s foundation took a leadership role to bring this wonderful facility to our friends and neighbors,” said Mrs. Hale.

“The New Hale YMCA Youth and Family Center will honor the mission of our family and our foundation—to improve the health and wellness of the people of Northeastern Connecticut,” added Mr. Hale.

Construction of the Hale YMCA Youth and Family Center is on schedule for a late winter 2016 opening, but is dependent upon timely completion of the Town of Putnam’s Regional Tech Park infrastructure.  The Y anticipates inviting the community for hard hat tours in early 2016.

The Hale YMCA Youth and Family center houses two swimming pools, which will be used for recreational and competitive swimming, as well as YMCA swimming and water safety instruction.

And as part of the YMCA’s commitment to fighting childhood obesity and encouraging the lifestyle choices that lead to healthy families, the facility will host a state-of-the-art health and wellness center, gymnasium, group exercise studio/multi-purpose room, and teen center.  Amazing kids and child watch rooms (babysitting while in the facility), will allow adults to access YMCA services while their children are cared for in a safe on-site environment.

The Hale YMCA Youth and Family Center will serve residents from the towns of Putnam, Killingly, Eastford, Thompson, Brooklyn, Pomfret, Woodstock and Plainfield.  

 

 

The new Hale YMCA Youth and Family Center is made possible by the collaboration of donors, volunteers, local leaders, fitness and health enthusiasts, the YMCA of Greater Hartford, and members of the community the new facility will serve. Among the many groups and organizations supporting Hale YMCA Youth and Family Center and its family-oriented wellness programming are the YMCA of Greater Hartford YMCA, the Town of Putnam, the Newell D. Hale Foundation, state agencies and private organizations and individuals Jim and Pat Calhoun, honorary co-chairs of the Hale YMCA Youth and Family Center Capital Campaign. Woody and Sylvia Danenhower are General Campaign chairs.

 

 

 

captions (Then and Now)

 

Then

Almost lost in brush and vines, the 1928 Studebaker engine and chassis section remained on the Chamberlin Mill site, where it had sat idle long after the Mill ceased operation in the late 1960s.  Courtesy photos.

 

& Now 

Operational again, the engine is returned to Woodstock.  During a celebration for supporters of the project,  Nate Rosebrooks explains details of the engine rebuilding to Brian Jones, CT State Archaeologist, as Sue Quigley and Bill Masopust look on.  

 

 

WOODSTOCK VALLEY — For almost a half century, the 1928 Studebaker straight-engine that saved the sawmill operation at Chamberlin Mill after the Great Flood of 1936 sat out in the elements, rusting.  But this past year, a remarkable transformation has taken place.  Mystic Seaport engine restoration volunteers, spearheaded by Thompson’s Nate Rosebrooks, took on the challenge of getting the engine running again. 

The engine will return to Chamberlin Mill on Old Turnpike Road at 2 p.m. Oct. 4 for a Walktober event, “Chamberlin Mill and its Neighborhood.” Once the Mill is fully restored, plans are to use the engine to run the Mill’s 1873 Lane # 1 circular saw, for public demonstrations. 

More information about Chamberlin Mill is available at  www.chamberlinmill.org.

With meticulous care and ingenuity, the volunteer engine restoration team under the watchful eye of  Scott Noseworthy Engine Curator and Volunteer Coordinator , completely dismantled and rebuilt the engine.

“I really did not think this possible,” said George French, a Chamberlin Mill board member, echoing thoughts expressed by many.  “But, I’m very glad I was proved wrong.” 

The Mystic Team, which has seen many boat engines badly corroded by sea water come back to life had confidence from the beginning.  From September to May, Nate and others spent at least two days each week working on the engine.  A New Hampshire car collector, Robert Valpey, came forward with a “parts car” that could be used for the project.  Financial assistance materialized from supporters of Chamberlin Mill and Mystic Seaport, including other volunteers who were  eager to see the work succeed, and from the National Studebaker Association. 

“Bringing this engine back to life was a remarkable achievement, “ said Jean McClellan, president of Chamberlin Mill, Inc., the non-profit responsible for revitalizing this 19th century sawmill.  “But, perhaps even more remarkable was the generosity shown by so many for the engine’s restoration, especially Nate Rosebrooks and the miracle team from Mystic Seaport.  For an established non-profit organization like the Seaport to support a fledgling non-profit in this way is quite something.  We are very, very grateful for this generosity.”