PUTNAM — Michelle (Auger) Cruz, age 56, went home to her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on March 30, 2023, at Harrington Care in Colchester after succumbing to illness.
She was born in 1967 in Webster. Michelle grew up in Putnam and was part of the Putnam High School graduating class of 1985. Over the course of her life, Michelle worked in several fields, including many years as a server, a construction worker and a security guard for United Technologies at the Gold Building in Hartford.
To know Michelle was to know her passion for gardening and how she expressed her love of nature and appreciation for the beauty in life by tending to her flowers and watching the birds at their feeders. Michelle loved cooking new and creative meals, including fresh meals every day for her dog Coco. During the rest of her free time, Michelle was an avid reader and absolutely loved doting on her precious Coco.
She leaves her husband, Luis Cruz of Putnam; her mother, Gayle (Kryger) Auger and her father, Ernest Auger, both of Putnam; a brother, Bob Auger of Danielson; two nieces, Kayla Auger of Putnam and Kristin Auger of Danielson.
A Memorial Service will be at 11 a.m. April 22 in the Tri-State Baptist Church, 386 Quinebaug Road, N. Grosvenordale. Gilman-Valade Funeral Homes & Crematory, 104 Church Street, Putnam.
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Ferguson
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art gallery
PUTNAM — The Putnam Arts Council will present an art show featuring the works of 95-year-old artist Gerald (Jerry) Ferguson will be on display at The Corridor Gallery at the Putnam Municipal Complex through June 30.
The show, titled “A 70-year Retrospective: The Works of Jerry Ferguson,” is a visual journey through his long, varied career. Mediums will include oil painting, watercolor and pastel.
Jerry says he is “inspired by nature, the scenery around him, his family and humanity.”
Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., in 1928, his favorite hobby as a child and teenager was drawing and studying art along with his younger brother and sister. He attended Brooklyn Technical High School, and later graduated from Cooper Union in 1953. He began his first job as an illustrator for Science and Technology magazine. He was also employed as an Art Director for the books division of Reader’s Digest in New York City.
Jerry and Helen moved to Putnam 17 years ago where he has enjoyed painting landscapes, still life and portraits, as well as some abstract interpretations. Photography is another of his passions as it can be spontaneous, capturing a moment in time. He has found oil painting to be fulfilling because of all the colors he achieved. He enjoys watercolor because of their simplicity, but stresses you need to be committed to your color scheme, as it is more difficult to modify your choices compared to oils. As he grew older, he worked in pastels, as it is very direct and versatile.
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Wed. April 5
Art Exhibit
THOMPSON --- Thompson Public Library’s Art @ the Library will present the 19th Annual Thompson Community Art Show, “Resilient by Nature,” on the gallery walls and in the display case through April 27. Reception from 6 to 7:30 p.m. April 5. 860-923-9779.
Art
PUTNAM --- “A 70-year Retrospective: The Works of Jerry Ferguson” will appear in the Corridor Gallery at Putnam Municipal Complex through June 30. It features the works of Gerald (Jerry) Ferguson. Free.
Fri. April 7
Food Drive
PUTNAM --- A Good Friday Food Drive for Daily Bread Food Pantry will be held from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. at WINY Radio. Nonperishable food items and monetary donations all welcome. Sponsored by the Putnam Elks, the Putnam Lions and the Putnam Rotary Club.
Sat. April 8
Easter Egg Hunt
WOODSTOCK --- 30th Annual Easter Egg Hunt will be held at 1 p.m. at Roseland Cottage. Open to all. Rain date April 8. Bring a nonperishable food item for the local food bank. Also, the Peeps Diorama Contest will be held for grades pre-K through Grade 4. Include name and grade on your entry.
Sun. April 9
Happy Easter!
Easter Breakfast
PUTNAM --- The VFW Post and Aux 1523 will host a free Easter Breakfast from 8:30 to 11 a.m. at the post on Providence Street . An Easter Egg Hunt starts at 11:30. Ages: 2-5; 6-8 and 9-12. Bring your own basket. All welcome.
Sat. April 15
Clothing Giveaway
PUTNAM--- IHSP-NU 2 U Clothing Closet will hold a clothing giveaway from 9 a.m. to noon in the Fellowship Hall of the Living Faith United Methodist Church. Free clothing, all ages, winter and summer. Bring your own bags. All welcome. Not accepting clothing donations at this event.
Thur. April 20
Poetry
WEBSTER --- Poets at Large will feature, from 6 to 8 p.m., spoken word/poetry readings at The Rose Room Café on East Main Street. Featured readers will be Woodstock resident Karen Warinsky, Massachusetts Beat Poet Laureate (2021-2023) Tommy Twilite, and Worcester poet/funny man Joe Fusco Jr. Free to the public (ages 14 and up). Intermission and an open mic after. Anyone wishing to participate in the open mic should email
Sat. April 22
Rabies Clinic
DANIELSON --- Pet Pals Northeast is holding a low-cost rabies clinic from 2 to 3:30 p.m. at the Quinebaug Valley Veterinary Hospital on Rt. 12. $15 cash. Preregistration and appointment is required. No walk-ins. 860-317-1720.
Wed. April 26
NAMI Meeting
MANSFIELD CENTER --- The Windham County Affiliate of the Connecticut National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) annual meeting will start at 6 with a special presentation following the business meeting at United Services Mansfield office. The presenter is Lynne Weeks, grant coordinator of the School Based Health Centers in Windham. This meeting is free and open to the public. Per CDC guidelines, masks are required inside this facility.
Thur. April 27
Poetry Celebration
DANIELSON --- Quinebaug Valley Community College will hold its 16th Annual Julius Sokenu Poetry Prize Celebration at 6 p.m. in Robert E. Miller Auditorium. Free and all welcome. It includes readings by award-winning student poets and guest speaker and poet Edgar Kunz. Sandwiches, hors d'oeuvres, desserts, and beverages will be provided.
Sat. April 29
Beautification Day
PUTNAM --- The Putnam Business Association, with help from town departments, will hold its annual Beautification Day at Rotary Park. Gather at 8:30 a.m. to receive cleaning assignments. 11 to noon for volunteer appreciation lunch at the park. For info on volunteering or to RSVP: 860-963-6800, ext. 200. Trophies awarded. Rain date: May 6. Funded in part by The Last Green Valley and the Town of Putnam.
Fund-raiser Concert
POMFRET --- Minnesota folk singer, Peter Mayer, returns at 7 p.m. to The Connecticut Audubon Society Center at Pomfret, 218 Day Road. $25 for CAS members; $30 for non-members. Registration required: ctaudubon.org/pomfret-programs.
Fri. May 5
Fund-raiser
WOODSTOCK --- DKH will hold a Cinco de Mayo Beef & Wine Tasting at 6 p.m. at Mansion at Bald Hill. Tastings, entertainment, drawings, food. Benefits the NECT Cancer Fund of Day Kimball Healthcare. $45. Purchase in advance. daykimball.org/tasting.
Sat. May 6
Maker Fair
THOMPSON --- The Thompson Maker Fair will be held from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Riverside Park.
BBQ
WOODSTOCK --- The Bungay Fire Brigade will host its spring 2023 Chicken BBQ from 4 to 6 p.m. www.bungay.com.
Fri. May 12
Ballroom Bash
PUTNAM --- The Bradley Playhouse will hold a Big Band Ballroom Bash benefit concert and dance lessons from 7 to 10 p.m. Flamingo Big Band and Kelly & Paul Wybieracki dance instructors.
Sun. June 4
Fishing Derby
POMFRET --- The Pomfret Recreation Department's 23rd annual Fishing Derby will begin at 8 a.m. at the Pomfret Rod & Gun Club. For boys and girls ages 5-15. $5. Register at www.pomfretct.gov/recreation.
Sat. June 17
Art Festival
PUTNAM --- The Putnam Arts Council (PAC) will be hosting the Putnam Fine Arts and Crafts Festival from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. June 17 and June 18 at the Municipal Complex. It includes all the arts plus live music. Rain or shine. Free.
Sun.. July 9
Touch-A-Truck
WOODSTOCK --- The Bungay Fire Brigade will host Touch-A-Truck from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Roseland Park.
Sun. Aug. 27
Cruise Fund-raiser
THOMPSON --- DKH will hold its Cruise, BBQ & Brew - Motorcycle & Car Cruise at 10 a.m. at the Thompson Speedway and The Black Dog Bar & Grille in Putnam. Benefits the NECT Cancer Fund of Day Kimball Healthcare. $35 registration. daykimball.org/cruising.
Fri. Sept. 8
Golf Classic
PUTNAM --- The Day Kimball Hospital Centreville Bank Golf Classic will set off at 7:45 a.m. and 1 p.m. at Connecticut National Country Club. For info: daykimball.org/golfclassic.
Sat. Sept. 30
BBQ
WOODSTOCK --- The Bungay Fire Brigade will host its fall 2023 Chicken BBQ from 4 to 6 p.m. www.bungay.com.
Sat. Nov. 11
Dueling Pianos
THOMPSON --- The DKH Dueling Pianos fund-raiser will be held at 6 p.m. at the Raceway Restaurant and Banquet Hall. Benefits Day Kimball Healthcare At Home services of HomeCare, HomeMakers, and Hospice & Palliative Care of Northeastern Connecticut. Food, drawings and more. Tickets $45, must be purchased in advance. daykimball.org/pianos.
Sun. Dec. 3
Tree of Life
The DKH 34th Annual Hospice Tree of Life Ceremonies will be held at 5 p.m. in 11 towns throughout northeastern Connecticut. The purchase of memorial lights on each community's Tree of Life benefits Hospice & Palliative Care of Northeastern Connecticut. For info: daykimball.org/treeoflife.
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Pomfret hosts town-wide tag sale on May 6
POMFRET — The Pomfret Proprietors Association’s 17th Annual Town Wide Tag Sale starts at 7 a.m. May 6. More than 50 locations throughout town offer sales and many benefit local organizations and charities.
Purchase a printed map for $2 starting at 7 a.m. at Pomfret Community School or Christ Church Pomfret. Popular fund-raisers include The Friends of Pomfret Public Library used book sale at the Old Pomfret Townhouse; The 4-H Camp with an indoor/outdoor sale from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 5 and 6; The Pomfret Horse & Trail Association members gather in the equestrian parking lot at Tyrone Farm for their sale. Please consider supporting TEEG by dropping off nonperishables at the Pomfret Community Center from 9 to 11 a.m. on the first Saturday of the month. For more info, contact Martha Emilio at 860-974-1583 or
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