Past Issues of the Putnam Town Crier

 
 
Horace W. Sellers III
WOODSTOCK —  Horace W. Sellers III, 81, of Converse Rd., died June 22, 2015, at home.  Born in 1933 in New London, he was the son of the late Charles Coleman Sellers and Helen Earle (Gilbert) Sellers.
Mr. Sellers graduated from Phillips Andover Academy and went on to Bucknell University to earn a bachelor’s degree in music with a minor in organ.  He holds a master’s degree in elementary education from Eastern Connecticut State University and taught music in Glastonbury schools for several years. He was the minister of music at St. Mary Church in Norwich.  He enjoyed repairing and restoring Bellows Style organs.  
He was a member of the American Guild of Organists, the Organ Historical Society, The New London Guild of Organists, Society of the Cincinnati, and the Connecticut Landmarks Society.  
He leaves his caregiver and partner, Daniel M. Piotrowski of Woodstock; his sister, Susan (Pendelton) Sellers of E. Woodstock; and his nephew Paul Charles Sellers of Sydney, Australia.  Horace is a direct descendant of Charles Willson Peale on his paternal side and Samuel Huntington on his maternal side.
The Mass of Christian Burial was June 27 in St. Mary Church, Norwich, with burial in Holy Cross Cemetery, Danielson. Donations: St. Anthony Chapel Fund or to  the Organ Fund at St. Mary Church in Norwich, CT.  Gilman and Valade Funeral Homes.
 
Eleanor Pepin
PUTNAM — Eleanor J. (Fifield) Pepin, 78, died June 23, 2015.  She was the wife of the late Richard E. Pepin who died in 2014. 
She was born in Putnam, daughter of the late, Harry and Lydia (Benson) Fifield and lived in the Thompson and Putnam area all her life. 
She was a member of the Yankee Yesteryear Car Club.  She loved going to flea markets.  
She leaves 2 daughters, Noreen England (Rick) and Caroline Gardiner (Paul) of Putnam; three brothers Paul of New Hampshire, Franklin of Florida and Kendall Fifield of Connecticut; a sister Liz Desrosier; seven grandchildren.
Graveside services were June 26 at Grove Street Cemetery, Putnam. Donations: Putnam Baptist Church, Church Street, Putnam, CT 06260. Shaw-Majercik, Webster.
 
Charles H. Campbell,
Navy vet
THOMPSON — Charles H. Campbell, 76, of Greene Lane, died suddenly June 21, 2015, at home. He was the husband of Stella (Parent) Campbell. They were married Feb. 11, 1961, at Our Lady of LaSallette Church in Brooklyn.  
He was born Oct. 9, 1939, in Cambridge, Mass., son of the late John and Mary (Murphy) Campbell. He was a 1957 graduate of Putnam High School. Charles retired from Film-X in Dayville, he had also worked at Windham Container and Putnam Hertzl. 
He served in the U.S. Navy from 1957 to 1960. His hobbies included boating, watching the New England Patriots, NASCAR, spending time outdoors at the lake and enjoying a cold beer with his family and friends. 
He leaves in addition to his wife Stella, his son, Thomas Campbell (Donna) of Thompson; grandchildren, Allyson Vandi, Lauren Ramos, Michaella Vandi; his sisters Ann LaPointe of Thompson, Gloria Comtois of Danielson; Gail McClellan of Waterbury; his dog “Buddy”. He was predeceased by his siblings Robert Campbell Sr., Paul Campbell Sr. and Lorraine Fafard. 
Donations: Hospice of NE CT, PO Box 632, Putnam, CT 06260. Smith and Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam.
 
Eva C. Dinsdale
PUTNAM — Eva C. Dinsdale, 91, of Putnam, died June 21, 2015, at the Brookside Nursing Home in Webster. She was the wife of the late Kenneth Dinsdale. He died in 1987.  
She was born Dec. 5, 1923, in Putnam, daughter of the late Charles and Jennie (Henry) Broughton.
She had made her home in Putnam most of her life and was a graduate of Woodstock Academy.  Eva was bookkeeper for many years for her husband’s business, Dinsdale Plumbing and Heating in Putnam.
She was a member of the Thompson Senior Citizens and volunteered for many years. She took great pride working in her flower gardens.
She leaves her grandchildren: Chad Normandin of Danielson; Kristen Normandin of Putnam; her great grandchildren Paige Audet and Henry Grandelski, both of Putnam, Colin Normandin of Danielson. She was predeceased by her daughter Pamela Dinsdale in 2003.
A graveside service will be held at 10 a.m. July 9 in Grove Street Cemetery, Putnam. Smith and Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam.
 
Edward Hajdun
DANIELSON — Edward Hajdun, 92, formerly of Danielson and residing at the Brookdale Senior Living Center in Glastonbury, died June 23, 2015.  
He was born on June 18, 1923, in Kozol, Poland, the son of Anthony and Catherine Hajdun. 
During WWII, which was his teenage years, Ed was commandeered by the German Military to work as a laborer on various farms throughout Germany.  At the end of the war many Polish refugees including Ed were relocated to a Displaced Person Camp (DP) in Weildflecken, Germany.  It was there where he met the love of his life Stasia Grotek.  They were married in the camp on Jan. 31, 1946.  Stasia died April 1, 2006. 
In 1949, Ed and his family immigrated to the U.S. from Germany and made their home in Danielson.  Ed worked as a machine operator at Rogers Corp, retiring in 1985. He was also employed at Royal Metal in Plainfield and Pulaski’s Café in Danielson and was a communicant of St. James Church in Danielson.  Ed and his wife were heavily involved in the National Polish Society throughout the state and the national office in Chicago. He was a member of the Polish Clubs in Danielson and Willimantic and the Danielson Elks where he also served as a cook and bartender. He loved dancing, playing cards, and caring for his yard.  Ed and Stasia especially enjoyed the relationships they built during the war and at their stay in the DP Camp.  These relationships continued throughout the years as the group gathered routinely and traveled throughout the U.S. and various other countries.
He leaves his son Michael Hajdun (Cheryl) of Colchester; his daughter Krystyna O’Connell of Goodyear, Ariz.; his brother Stanley Hajdun of Poland; grandchildren, Kevin O’Connell of Brooklyn, Jeffrey O’Connell of Danielson, Mathew Hajdun currently teaching at the international school in Brazil; great- grandchildren, Drew O’Connell of Brooklyn, Natalie O’Connell of Woodstock. He was predeceased by two sisters and two brothers.
The Mass of Christian Burial was June 29 at St. James Church, Danielson, with burial in Holy Cross Cemetery, Danielson. Donations: St. James School Association, 120 Water St., Danielson, CT 06239. Gagnon and Costello Funeral Home, 33 Reynolds St., Danielson.
 
John K. Welch Jr.
PLAINFIELD —  John K. Welch Jr., 19, of Dougherty Ave., died June 22, 2015, in UMass Memorial Medical Center.  Born in 1995 in Putnam, he was the son of John K. Welch Sr. and Christine Georgio.
John was a student.  He loved his beads, never leaving home without them.  He enjoyed visiting Cape Cod.
In addition to his parents, he leaves his sisters, Carol Whitman of Woodstock, Toni Whitman of Pomfret, and Francesca Welch of Plainfield; and his maternal grandfather, Anthony Georgio of Woodstock.  Gilman Funeral Home, 104 Church St., Putnam.
 
Charlene Chahanovich
PLAINFIELD — Charlene M. Chahanovich, 84, of Plainfield and formerly of Woodstock, died June 22, 2015, at Villa Maria Nursing Home in Plainfield after a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease. 
She was born May 31, 1931, in Northfield, Vt., on daughter of the late Charles A. and Helen (DuBois) Bernier. She was the wife of the late Stanley J. Chahanovich who died in 1982. 
She leaves her children, David Chahanovich (Lisa) of Plainfield, Diane Burgess of Danielson and Stephen Chahanovich (Tina) of E. Killingly; grandchildren, Christopher, Jon, Annie, Jason, Scott, Cameron and Connor and great-grandchildren, Caden, Elsie, Hailey and Emma. 
The Funeral was private.  Tillinghast Funeral Home, Danielson.
 
Steven L. Quinn
THOMPSON — Steven L. Quinn, 58, died June 24, 2015, at Harrington- Hubbard Hospital in Webster after being stricken ill at his home. Steven was born June 19, 1957, in Worcester, He is the son of the late Lawrence B. and the late Elizabeth (Dwyer) Quinn. 
Steven was a carpenter, for the past 17 years  employed by Local 218 GVW -Boston as  a union carpenter. He enjoyed riding his motorcycle with his sons, traveling with Paula  spending time with his family as he did last week celebrating his birthday and wedding anniversary.  He always enjoyed a good meal and time spent with his dog “Tia” who meant the world to him .
He leaves his wife of 36 years: Paula E. (Belanger) Quinn; two sons: Kris Quinn and Chad Quinn both of  Rocky Hill; one sister: Karen Lanzetta (Mark) of Ocala, Fla.; two brothers: John Quinn of Texas  and Thomas Quinn ( Maureen) of Woodstock.
His Funeral was June 27 at High Point Church, Thompson. Donations: A local charity  of your choice. Bartel Funeral Home & Chapel, Dudley.
 
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Work Progresses
Andy Quigley, Chamberlin Mill board member, discusses foundation work with Bill Foskett of Old World Stoneworks. Courtesy photo.
 
More cause to celebrate for Woodstock’s historic Chamberlin Mill
June has been a red letter month for Chamberlin Mill.  The first phase of its restoration is underway, with masons from Old World Stoneworks at work on foundation repairs.  Also, the Mill has received a second significant grant from Summer Hill Foundation to further its restoration efforts. 
This past week, Old World Stoneworks completed work on a large stone pier supporting a critical corner of  the Mill , the first element in their repair plan for the building’s foundation. Though generally solid, the foundation required repair in several places, and has been shored up by temporary wooden cribbing for several years, awaiting the current restoration.  Foundation repairs will be ongoing during the summer months. Funding for this first phase of the Mill’s restoration was provided last fall by a $23,000 grant from Summer Hill Foundation.
This month, Summer Hill Foundation awarded another grant to Chamberlin Mill, Inc., the non-profit corporation organized to preserve and revitalize the site as a historical and educational resource for the area.  This new $40,000 grant will be combined with funds raised by Friends of Chamberlin Mill and other sources to support timber framing and related restoration work, expected to begin by early 2016. 
Jean McClellan, president of Chamberlin Mill, Inc., said,  “With this new and very generous funding from Summer Hill, and with restoration work starting, we feel as if we are truly on our way. The years of preliminary studies, non-profit formation, and  architectural planning are coming together.  We can’t wait for the day when we will be able to welcome people to a restored site, to see its 19th-century circular saw in operation again, to explore remnants of its long water-driven history, and to witness the Mill’s 1928 Studebaker engine back in action running the saw as in its last decades of use following the so-called ‘Great Flood’ of 1936.”
The 1928 Studebaker engine, a unique part of the Chamberlin Mill story, is well on its way to undertaking its old role again, thanks to the support of Mystic Seaport and its team of dedicated engine repair volunteers.  The engine will be on display at the Mystic Seaport Antique Vehicle Show on Sept. 27, and at Chamberlin Mill’s Walktober event on Oct. 4.  
Chamberlin Mill closed up shop in the late 1960s, making it one of the last surviving mills of the water-driven era.  Its current structure dates to the late 1800s, though mill activity at the site dates to the 1700s.  Chamberlin’s  long history, ingenious adaptations to adversity and new technologies, and its rarity, make this mill a very special piece of history.  Not long ago almost every stream was dotted with mills, but today, while stone foundations remain in many locations, standing structures, especially of early sawmills, have all but disappeared.  There is only one other publicly accessible sawmill in Connecticut, a sash mill, in Ledyard.  There are none in Rhode Island. Chamberlin, with its unique story, is seen as an exceptionally important asset to preserve.  
Building committee and board member, Andy Quigley, said, “This is an irreplaceable resource for the area, and with all of the good will that has been directed to its preservation, we are making steady progress. I can’t wait to get the old saw running again.” 
Anyone interested in volunteering to help with the Chamberlin Mill restoration project, or in making a donation for this purpose is invited to contact Chamberlin Mill, Inc., P.O. Box 2, Woodstock, CT 06281 or to email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..  The website is www.chamberlinmill.org.
 
 
Donation
Former Senator Donald E. Williams Jr., center, donated $5,000 to the Regional Community YMCA project following a fund-raiser event. Courtesy photo.
 
By Ron P. Coderre
Surrounded by friends and members of the Regional Community YMCA Campaign Cabinet, a smiling Donald E. Williams Jr., presented a check for more than $5,000 to the Y on behalf of the proceeds from a recent retirement party in his honor.
Williams, the former State 29th District Senator and Senate President Pro Tem, was honored in March by friends, colleagues and dignitaries following his 22 years of service in the Connecticut Senate, 10 as President Pro Tem.  Since the initiation of the Regional Community YMCA fund-raising campaign, Williams has served on the local organization’s Board of Advisors.
“I’ve been very close to this project since its inception.  I believe the YMCA will be an asset to our entire northeastern Connecticut region.  It will provide a much needed exercise and health alternative to families, children and seniors in our area,” said Williams.
The Regional Community YMCA, which is currently under construction off Kennedy Drive in Putnam on land donated to the community by Wheelabrator-Putnam, is a $14.6 million facility.  When completed, it will feature an eight-lane competitive pool, warm water pool, gymnasium, fitness area, teen center and child-watch area.
Williams was instrumental in securing a State grant of $3.745 million for the project, which is currently part of the more than $13.775 million the campaign has raised.  The impetus for the Y came initially from a $3 million gift from the Newell D. Hale Foundation and its trustees, Betty and Laurence Hale.  The YMCA of Greater Hartford Board of Trustees is committed to $4 million and community fund-raising has realized $2.775 million.
“When the committee was planning my retirement party they asked where I’d like to designate any surplus funds from the event.  As the Y project was dear to me I asked that it be put toward the fund-raising program.  I’m pleased we’re able to make this presentation.  And I thank the committee for all its hard work to make this gift a reality,” said Williams.
“The Y is a regional project and Don represented the region so well during his more than 20 years in office, we were pleased when he made the suggestion.  This Y will be a facility that all the people of the region will enjoy.  It’s a real tribute to what he’s stood for as a legislator,” said Cindy Dunne, chairperson of the Williams retirement committee.
The construction of the Regional Community YMCA is expected to be complete in 2016.  Fund-raising efforts are expected to reach the goal by the end of this summer.  Volunteers continue to canvas potential donors in an attempt to achieve the $2.85 million community goal.  Anyone interested in information regarding the project or wishing to make a pledge or donation, should call 860 928-6772.
“It’s great to see the project progressing on or ahead of schedule.  The bridge, which will serve as access to the YMCA and the regional industrial/technical park also appears to be moving along.  This gift from Senator Williams puts us closer to our goal and is an indication that people are thinking about the Y,” said Paul Kelly of Woodstock, campaign vice-chairman.
 
 
 
Summertime
Clockwise from top left: Bamboo at Rucki's in Pomfret. Water droplets on dianthus in Putnam. Graceful bridge in Pomfret.
 
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Ribbon Cutting
The Windham-Tolland 4-H Camp in Pomfret celebrated the completion of renovations to the Lodge building recently. Left to right:  Jane Rider, Louise Pempek, Heather Logee (camp director), Mike Alperts and Warren Scholl. Photo courtesy of Jim Goodwin.
 
POMFRET — A happy crowd of former campers, counselors, donors and 4-H Foundation members gathered recently at the Windham-Tolland 4-H Camp in Pomfret for a ribbon cutting  ceremony to celebrate the completion of the renovations to the  Lodge building.  
Jane Rider, Foundation president, welcomed all with remarks about the legacy of generosity that began with the original founding members and continued through the support of many to make the current lodge renovation dream a reality.  Other speakers included Warren Scholl, President of the Putnam Chamber of Commerce, and Representative Mike Alberts, who presented an official citation offering congratulations to the Windham Tolland 4-H Camp from the Connecticut General Assembly on the opening of the newly renovated lodge.   
Foundation member and major donor Louise Pempek spoke about the vision of the 12  original  foundation members, among them her father, Loid C. Cutler,  that built a camp in less than a year in 1954.  The new Loid C. Cutler Science classroom was dedicated to serve as a  base for hands-on environmental science studies in his memory, with all three of his daughters present, and represents a continuation of the legacy of the vision of the original founders.  The theme moved on to one of celebration as the ribbon was cut and everyone enjoyed tours of the lodge, food prepared by the camp cook in the wonderful new kitchen, and time to connect with old friends and meet this year’s camp staff.  
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