Greetings. I love baked pasta recipes. This one is a main course, and all you need for supper. While the pasta bakes, I usually have time to clean up the sauté pan and prep bowls, leaving me with nothing to do but enjoy a relaxing, hearty meal!

Baked Penne and Ham
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 minced shallot
1 clove garlic
½ pound sliced mushrooms
½ cup white wine
1 cup chopped tomatoes
2 cups diced ham
2 tablespoons salt
½ pound penne
4 ounces cream cheese
4 ounces fresh mozzarella, diced in ¼-inch cubes
½ cup shredded Fontina
½ cup shredded Parmesan or Romano, divided
1 cup half and half
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon dried basil
½ teaspoon black pepper
In a 12-inch skillet, heat tablespoons olive oil over medium heat. Saute shallot, garlic, and mushrooms until moisture from mushrooms has evaporated, about 10 minutes. Raise heat to medium high and add white wine. Allow liquid to reduce, about 2-3 minutes. Add chopped tomatoes and ham. Remove from heat, and set aside.
Preheat oven to 450 degrees F. Butter a 9X13 baking pan. Set aside.
Bring 2 quarts of water to a boil. Add salt. Add pasta. Cook until slightly less done than al dente, about 7 minutes.
In a large bowl, combine cream cheese, mozzarella, Fontina, ¼ cup Parmesan, half and half, Dijon mustard, dried basil, and black pepper.
Drain pasta, and immediately add hot pasta to cheese mixture. Add the mushroom and ham mixture, and fold in gently.
Transfer to prepared baking pan. Sprinkle on remaining Parmesan.
Bake in bottom third of oven for 15 minutes. Allow to stand for a few minutes before serving. Serves 6.

Celebrated
Recently sixth  graders from Pomfret Community School celebrated El Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead. This is a uniquely Indo-Hispanic holiday that celebrates family and honors the deceased. Pictured with their winning ofrenda are Katie MacAlister, Jaden Rosselli, Will Schad, and Stephanie Roy. Also pictured is guest judge Eder Olivas, a native of Chihuahua, México. Photo courtesy of Jessica Werstler.

Wed. Jan. 8
Art Exhibit
POMFRET --- The Connecticut Audubon Society at Pomfret will present Landscape Paintings en Plein Air by Muriel Miller through Jan. 30 at the Grassland Bird Conservation Center on Day Road. 928-4948.

Fri. Jan. 10
'Little Mermaid'
PUTNAM --- The Complex Performing Arts Centre (Theatre for Kids ... by Kids) on Front Street will present "The Little Mermaid" at 7 p.m. Jan. 10, 11, 17 and 18 and at 2 p.m. Jan. 12. 963-7170.

History Program
CANTERBURY --- The Canterbury Historical Society will present Thomas A. Fatone with "The Signs of Connecticut" following its 7 p.m. business session in the Community Room in the Town Hall. Refreshments follow. Free. All welcome.

Sat. Jan. 11
Free Throw
PUTNAM --- The Elks National Hoop Shoot Free-Throw Contest will be held at 9 a.m. at the Putnam Middle School Gym. Hosted by Putnam Elks Lodge 574. Free to boys and girls who will be between the ages of 8-13 on April 1, 2014. Open to local youth. For information call Putnam Recreation Dept. at 963-6811.

Sun. Jan. 12
'Little Mermaid'
PUTNAM --- The Complex Performing Arts Centre (Theatre for Kids ... by Kids) on Front Street will present "Ballerina Princess Tea Party" at 12:30 p.m. Jan. 12 and at 5:30 p.m. Jan. 17.  963-7170.

Tues. Jan. 14
Crafts
THOMPSON --- The Thompson Recreation department will present a senior citizen craft event, Air Freshener  Doll, from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Bring scissors. Free for Thompson Seniors; $50 for non-resident seniors. Preregister by Jan. 11: 860-923-9440

Wed. Jan. 15
Ice Cream Social
N. GROSVENORDALE --- The Thompson Recreation department will present an ice cream social for senior citizens at 12:15. Free. Open to residents and nonresidents age 60 or older. Preregister: 860-923-9440

Thur. Jan. 16
Bird Walk
POMFRET --- The Connecticut Audubon at Pomfret Center will host a bird walk at 1 p.m. starting at the Grassland Bird Conservation Center on Day Road. $5 for members; $10 for nonmembers. 860-928-4948.

Fri. Jan. 17
Teen Weekend
POMFRET --- The Windham-Tolland 4-H Camp on Taft Pond Road will hold a Winter Teen Weekend from 5:30 p.m. Friday until 9 a.m. Sunday. $50. Preregister by Jan. 13: 860-974-3379.

Author Talk
WOODSTOCK --- The Author Series will present a talk and signing by Patrick Mckenna Lynch Smith, author of “Leaving the Life: A True Story of Love, Loss and Gratitude” at 6 p.m. at the  Woodstock Academy, Bracken Memorial Library, 57 Academy Road. Free. All welcome.

Awards Gala
THOMPSON  --- The Northeastern Connecticut Chamber of Commerce will hold its 2014 Annual Dinner and Awards Gala starting with cocktails at 5:30 at the Thompson Raceway Restaurant. RSVP by Jan. 9. $100 per couple/ $50 per person. Reservations required.

Sat.  Jan. 18
Bonfire
N. GROSVENORDALE ---The Holiday Bonfire and Fuel for Fire will begin at 5:30 p.m. at the Community Center and at Phelp’s Pond on Main Street. Music followed by bonfire, ice skating on the pond (bring skates) with food, dancing and music. Inclement weather: Jan. 19. 860-923-9440.

Owl Walk
POMFRET --- The Connecticut Audubon at Pomfret Center will host an Owl Walk at 5 p.m. starting at the Grassland Bird Conservation Center on Day Road. $5 for members; $10 for nonmembers. Will be cancelled if inclement weather. 860-928-4948.

Sat. Jan. 25
Ham, Bean Supper
E. WOODSTOCK --- The East Woodstock Congregational Church will hold a ham and bean supper from 5 to 7 p.m. $10 for adults; kids 10 and younger admitted free. Tickets at church office or call 928-2731. Takeout available.

Soup Dinner
S. WOODSTOCK --- Putnam Lodge #46 will be having a public Soup Dinner from 5 to 7 p.m. $7 includes a choice of six different homemade soups along with bread and drinks.  Pay at the door.  

Flea Market
OXFORD, Mass. --- The First Congregational Church on Main Street will hold an Indoor Community Flea Market from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Vendors accepted - call 508-987-2211.

Sun. Jan. 26
Concert
POMFRET --- Rectory School will present Music at Rectory School Benefit Concert from 2 to 4 p.m. in the P.Y. & Kinmay Tang Performing Arts Center. $15. 860-963-7640.

Tues. Feb. 4
Open House
POMFRET --- Rectory School will host an admission open house from 9 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.

Fri. Feb. 7
'Member of Wedding"
PUTNAM --- The Complex Performing Arts Centre on Front Street will present "The Member of the Wedding" at 8 p.m. Feb. 7, 8, 14 and 15. 963-7170.

Fri. Feb. 21
'Odd Couple'
PUTNAM --- The Bradley Playhouse will present "The Odd Couple - Female Version" at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 21, 22, 28, and March 1 and 8 and at 2 p.m. Feb. 23, March 2 and 9. Tickets: 860-928-7887.

Sun. March 2
Train Show
CHESHIRE --- The Cheshire High School Band Parents Association will present a train show from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the school on Rt. 10. $6 for adults; under 10 admitted free. 203-265-7527.

Sat. March 22
Flea Market
OXFORD, Mass. --- The First Congregational Church on Main Street will hold an Indoor Community Flea Market from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Vendors accepted - call 508-987-2211.

Fri. April 4
Performance
WOODSTOCK --- The Three C's will present the classic "Laura Ingalls Wilder," produced by ArtsPower, at 10 a.m. and  noon at the Hyde Cultural Center for students. Tickets, for groups of 10 or more, are only $3. For information call the Box Office at 860-928-2946 or at www.thethreecs.org.

Sat. May 10
'Madam Butterfly'
WOODSTOCK --- Performing Arts of Northeast Connecticut will present "Madam Butterfly" performed by CT Lyric Opera at 7:30 p.m. at the Hyde Cultural Center. $20 general admission; $20 reserved seating online. www.performingartsnect.org.  860-928-2946.

Fri. May 23
Performance
WOODSTOCK --- The Three C's will present "Junie B. Jones," produced by Theatreworks USA, at 10 a.m. and  noon at the Hyde Cultural Center for students. Tickets, for groups of 10 or more, are only $3. For information call the Box Office at 860-928-2946 or at www.thethreecs.org.