Mustang Mile kicks off
another basketball season
The Putnam Science Academy basketball season is officially underway for the four-time National Champions. After five weeks of preseason workouts the PSA boys’ prep basketball team started official practice recently after running the 12th annual Mustang Mile.
Adama Tambedou won the mile race, finishing at 5:20. Coming in second place was Sam Osayi at 5:30 and coming in third was Lazarus Mason at 5:47.
“This was the 12th year we have kicked off the season doing this,” coach Tom Espinosa said.” “If it works, don’t change it. We have been very successful over the last 12 years so we are going to continue doing this. I can’t wait to get in the gym this afternoon and start working towards being the best team possible.” Sotirios Nafpliotis holds the Mustang Mile record with 5:14, which he set in 2022.


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Marian Decker Macgregor
VIRGINIA BEACH, Vir. — Marian Decker Macgregor died Sept. 30, 2024, just shy of her 99th birthday in Virginia Beach. Known for her feisty and independent spirit, she sported a quick wit and a great sense of humor. She delighted in opportunities to pull off a clever prank. She enjoyed sharing newspaper clippings with her family and found virtue in good manners and fine penmanship. She took pride in being a great grammarian. Marian loved art, music, birds, and beautiful flowers.
Marian was born Oct. 19, 1925, in Colwick, N.J. Her father, Henry Bristol Decker, was a prominent physician and esteemed professor at Thomas Jefferson Medical School. Her mother, Bertha Blanche Fleming Decker, was a nurse who served in Le Mans, France, during WWI. Marian studied English and Dramatic Arts at Douglass College and upon graduation, worked at N.W. Ayer & Sons Advertising Company in Philadelphia on the DeBeers “Diamonds Are Forever” campaign.
In 1948, Marian married Warren Terrill Reeb, who served with the U.S. Air Corps in the European Theatre of WWII. She raised her three children in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., and was active there on the boards of the Children’s Theatre, the Community Concert Association, and the Junior League. Marian found love for a second time in Woodstock, marrying Franklin Hooper Macgregor in 1979.
Marian’s tenure as a tutor at the Rectory School in Pomfret gave her great pleasure. In recognition of her long and dedicated service, she was awarded the school’s prestigious Kellog Grant. She retired at age 83, and for many years thereafter, enjoyed hearing from students whose lives she had positively impacted.
She leaves her children, Terry Reeb, Jane Short, and Molly Nissman; stepchildren, Isabel Cabel, Rob Roy Macgregor, Harriet Stephens, and Louise Rounds; grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and two special sons-in-law, Win Short and Harry Lehman.
A memorial service was Oct. 10 at the First Congregational Church, Woodstock, with a separate gathering for sharing memories Oct. 19 in Virginia Beach. www.hdoliver.com. Donations: the First Congregational Church of Woodstock (www.firstchurchwoodstock.org); or the Virginia Symphony Orchestra (www.virginiasymphony. Local arrangements by Gilman Funeral Home & Crematory, 104 Church St., Putnam,

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Wed.  Oct. 16
Movie Night
PUTNAM --- The Friends of the Putnam Public Library will present Movie Night (a Disney remake of a classic haunted house PG-13 comedy) from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the library. Free. Only covered drinks allow.

Art Exhibit
PUTNAM --- The Putnam CT Arts Council presents “Reflections of Past and Present – the Art of Jonathan Fritz” art exhibit through December in the Corridor Gallery in the Putnam Municipal Complex. A reception will be held from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Oct. 24.

Sat.  Oct. 19
Great Pumpkin Fest
PUTNAM --- The Town of Putnam and the Putnam Business Association will present the Great Pumpkin Festival from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. This community celebration of fall features The Great Pumpkin, craft and art vendors, live music, activities for the kids, and more.

Rec to Treat
POMFRET --- The Pomfret Recreation Department will host Rec or Treat at 4 p.m.  Trunk or Treating with PCS PTO, hayride, crafts, bonfire and movie. Food and drink will be available for purchase. www.pomfretct.gov/recreation.

Fall Extravaganza
POMFRET --- The Fall Extravaganza at the Windham-Tolland 4-H Camp will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. Trick or Treat Trail, $5 per trick-or-treater, ages 2 and up. Games and food. Buck’s Ice Cream for sale. Wear your costumes! Benefits the Health Center Renovation.

Roseland Arts Fest
WOODSTOCK --- Roseland Cottage will hold its 42nd Fine Arts and Crafts Festival from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 19  and Oct. 20. Admission for adults is $5. Parking is free. Rain or shine. 860-928-4074 or 617-994-5924.

Burial Grounds
POMFRET --- The Pomfret Historical Society will present, at 10 a.m. “Old Abington Burial Ground Tour and Workshop,” with  CT Gravestone Expert, Ruth Shapleigh Brown, and historian Donna Dufresne in a preservation workshop at Pomfret’s Revolutionary War Cemetery.  Limit 20 – 25 people. No dogs. Pre-register:  860-465-7228. Rain date: 1 p.m. Oct. 20.

Fund-raiser Spaghetti
PUTNAM --- Cub Scout Pack 21, of Putnam, will host its fall spaghetti and meatball dinner from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Albert J. Breault VFW Post 1523. Tickets are $10 for adults and children 12 and under eat for free. Take out or eat in. Bake sale and drawings. Tickets: VFW Post and at Joseph’s Jewelers  or by calling 860-928-5873. Please leave a message when you call. Benefit the Cub Scout Pack 21 2024 Summer Camp Fund.

Rabies Clinic
DANIELSON --- Pet Pals will hold a low-cost rabies clinic from 2 to 3 p.m. at the Quinebaug Valley Veterinary Hospital. Last one of the season. $15 cash. All dogs should be leashed and all cats in carriers. No walk-ins. 860-317-1720.

Sun.  Oct. 20
Photo 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 through December. Check for updates: 860-928-1035.

Wed.  Oct. 23
Musical Program
PUTNAM --- The Putnam Public Library and the Thompson Historical Society will present a musical program, “Ovation Guitars & the Singer/Songwriter Movement of the ‘70s” with Jim Lenn from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the library. Register: 860-963-6826.

Fri.  Oct. 25
Murder Mystery
POMFRET --- Murder Mystery Dinner at Grill 37.  Cocktail hour starts at 6 followed by the show and buffet dinner. Dressing up is strongly encouraged. The theme will be Death of a Gangster! www.pomfretct.gov/recreation.

Steak Dinner
PUTNAM --- Paws Cat Shelter will host a steak dinner fund-raiser from 6 to 7 p.m. at the Knights of Columbus on Providence Street. Eat in or take out. Benefits the Paws Cat Shelter. $30 per ticket. Tickets limited: Knights of Columbus, Paws Cat Shelter, 74 School St., Putnam and Joseph Jewelers, School Street, Putnam. 860-315-1228.

Sat.  Oct. 26
Trick or Treat
PUTNAM --- The Town of Putnam and the Putnam Business Association will present the Downtown Trick or Treat from 2 to 3:30 p.m. on Main Street. From Riverfront Commons to Union Square, participating merchants and local groups pass out treats.

Guided Walk
POMFRET --- The Wyndham Land Trust is presenting a guided walk at 1 p.m. Pirates and Privateers.  860-465-7228.

Fund-raiser
PUTNAM --- Paws Cat Shelter is holding a raffle basket purr-looza from noon to 5 p.m. at the Knights of Columbus. Lots of baskets. $20 for 25 tickets or $5 for 6 tickets. Purchase tickets ahead: 860-759-9984 or stop by the shelter at 74 School St. Winners must pick up their prize between 5 and 6 p.m. Oct. 26.  

‘Pirates and Privateers’
POMFRET --- The Pomfret Historical Society will present, at 1 p.m., “Pirates and Privateers in Pomfret – The Hidden Stories of Nightingale Woods From Joseph Nightingale to the Higginbothams and Randalls.” Two 4-mile hike options on Wyndham Land Trust. Limit 20 – 25 people. Pre-register: 860-465 7228. Rain date: 1 p.m. Oct. 27.

Sat.  Nov. 2
Guided Walk
The Wyndham Land Trust is presenting a guided walk at 10 a.m. on the Elmwood Hill Ranger as part of Walktober.  860-465-7228.

‘Them Bones’
BROOKLYN --- The Pomfret Historical Society will present, at 10 a.m., “Them Bones, Them Bones, Them Malbones: Tour of Old Trinity Church and the Burial Ground” built by Godfrey Malbone in 1771. History of the enslaved people who lived and worked his land from 1741 to 1779. A gravestone cleaning demonstration will follow for those interested in preserving colonial burial grounds and removing lichen. No dogs. Pre-register: 860-465-7228. Rain date: 1 p.m. Nov. 3.

Boot  Drive
WOODSTOCK --- The fifth annual Winter Boot Drive will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Woodstock Trading Post on Rt. 169. Boots, socks or monetary donations will go to TEEG.

Cocoa for Coats
PUTNAM --- The Putnam Family Resource Center will hold Cocoa for Coats fund-raiser from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Putnam Farmers Market Pavilion on Kennedy Drive. Free cocoa. For a $20 donation or a new coat, you will be entered in a drawing. Make checks payable to Putnam Family Resource Center (put Cocoa for Coats in the memo line).

Thur.  Nov. 21
History Program
THOMPSON ---The Thompson Historical Society and the Thompson Public Library will present “Lafayette Story and Thompson Lore About the Man of Two Countries” at 6 p.m. at the library. Free.

Sat.  Nov. 30
Craft Fair
ASHFORD --- The St. Philip the Apostle Church will hold its Christmas Craft Fair from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Crafts, bake sale and soup/sandwiches/pierogies available from the kitchen. Admission is free.

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