Joann Bush (Labonte)
KILLINGLY — Joann Bush (Labonte) died peacefully in the early morning March 2, 2023 at The Davis Place in Killingly.
She was born March 23, 1949. She spent her early years after having children as a stay-at-home mom before entering the food service industry, where she remained for more than 25 years. She retired in 2010.
She was predeceased by her sisters Patricia, Barbara, and her husband of 44 years, Louis Bush Sr. She leaves four children; Rose Bush of Brooklyn, Louis Bush Jr. of Thompson, and Karen and Steven Bush of Putnam; six grandchildren; Corey Cyr of Killingly, Ryan Dauphinais and Jaimie Parker of Putnam, Jasmine, Skye Marie, and Steven Garceau Jr. of Worcester; and two great-grandchildren.
Close family and friends will hold a private celebration of life in the springtime with the blooming flowers.
Norman A. Hall
THOMPSON — Norman A. Hall, 72, of Thompson, died Feb.28, 2023, from medical complications from a recent surgery. He was born in 1950 in Putnam, the son of the late Norman S. Hall and Anne Theresa (Baker) Hall.
Norman attended the Putnam school system and graduated from Ellis Technical Vocational School with a certificate in the masonry trade. Norman owned and operated his own masonry business for more than 40 years. He was a highly skilled and talented mason who built hundreds of fireplaces and chimneys in the surrounding towns. He also owned and operated a chimney sweep business for nearly 30 years, cleaning thousands of chimneys in his career.
Norman loved taking trips to Cape Cod with his family every year and also enjoyed taking his sons fishing when they were younger. After Norman retired from the masonry business, he lived for a few years with his sister in Florida. He loved going to flea markets to find humming birds and bull-dogs to add to his collection. He had a deep love for all animals and passed that along to his children.
He leaves his ex-wife, JoAnn Hall of Thompson; his two sons, Brandon Hall and Noel Hall, both of Thompson; brother Spencer Hall (Linda) of Putnam; sister Karen Hall and Tom Gee of Eastford; and a very close family friend, Jamie Boucher of Thompson, with whom Norman resided after returning from Florida a few years ago. Norman was predeceased by his brother Paul Hall.
Funeral arrangements are private. Gilman & Valade Funeral Homes & Crematory, 104 Church St. Putnam.
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Wed. March 8
Art Exhibit
WILLIMANTIC --- Eastern Connecticut State University's Art Gallery is debuting its first exhibit of the semester, "Chinatown Chronicles," in collaboration with Eastern's 2023 NEA Big Read book selection, Charles Yu's "Interior Chinatown” through March 9. Reception set for 4 to 7 p.m. March 3.
Art Exhibit
THOMPSON --- The Friends of the Thompson Public Library’s Art at the Library and Display Case series will present “Focus on Thompson: A Photography Exhibit” through March. www.thompsonpubliclibrary.org.
Art Exhibit
POMFRET --- The Connecticut Audubon Society of Pomfret at the Grassland Bird Conservation Center on Day Road will present “Trail Wood Reflections,” an Edwin Way Teale Artists & Writers In-Residence 10th Anniversary Exhibition through March 18. 860-928-4948.
Sat. March 11
Food Drive
PUTNAM --- A food drive for Daily Bread Food Pantry will be held from 9 a.m. to noon at the Cargill Council 64 Knights of Columbus Hall on Providence Street. Non-perishable food items and tax-deductible monetary donations. You can also mail a check to Interfaith Human Services of Putnam, P.O. Box 281, Putnam, CT 06260. 860-928-7241.
Sun. March 12
Concert
PASCOAG --- Grace Note Farm and the Blackstone Valley Tourism Council will present season six 2023 Music at the Farm concert at 2 p.m. at the farm on Jackson Schoolhouse Road. $30. www.gracenotefarmweb.com.
Thur. March 16
Grief Support Group
PUTNAM --- Grief Share will hold a Christ-centered 13-week seminar and support group Thursdays from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. through June 8, at the Living Faith United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall on Grove Street. RSVP: 860-928-9705. $20 registration fee.
Sat. March 18
Comedy Fund-raiser
PUTNAM --- The Putnam Elks Lodge 574 is hosting a Scott Higgins All Star Comedy Show. For tickets or info: 860-457-8446.
Irish Dancing
PUTNAM --- For St. Patrick’s Day an Irish Dance Performance, will be held from 12:15 to 1 p.m. in the Municipal Complex Community Room.
Fri. March 24
Community Meal
PUTNAM --- The Living Faith United Methodist Church Community Meal will be held downstairs at the church on Grove Street. Doors open at 11 a.m. and the meal is at noon. in-house dining offered and takeout available.
Fri. March 31
Community Meal
PUTNAM --- The Living Faith United Methodist Church Community Meal will be held downstairs at the church on Grove Street. Doors open at 11 a.m. and the meal is at noon. In-house dining offered and takeout available.
Sat. April 1
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 non-perishable 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.
Tues. April 4
Art Show
THOMPSON --- The 19th Annual Thompson CT Community Art Show, Resilient by Nature, will open at the Thompson Public Library and run through April 29. To register to take part, go to: www.thompsonrec.org. An opening reception will be held from 6 to 7:30 p.m. April 4.
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.
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.
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.
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VFW to hold patriotic art contest
PUTNAM — The VFW Auxiliary Post 1523 will hold a grade school art contest, Illustrating America” for students in grades K-8. There are three divisions: K-2, 3-5 and 6-8. Winners will be notified via the email address provided on the winners’ entry form. The patriotic artwork must be completed during the current school year and the application must include a parent or guardian signature. Entries must be at the VFW Post by March 31.
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JEWETT CITY — The Jewett City Savings Bank Foundation has awarded 39 grants amounting to $36,850 to emergency services providers.
“Day after day, emergency services providers put their lives on the line and work hard to ensure our safety. The Jewett City Savings Bank Foundation is committed to providing financial support to these departments and companies within our communities,” said Michael Alberts, president of Jewett City Savings Bank Foundation.
Special Projects
A total of $11,750 was distributed to 7 emergency services providers to assist with the funding of special projects. Recipients of $2,000 grants were the Atwood Hose Fire Company in Wauregan to assist with the purchase of a thermal imaging camera; and the Sterling Volunteer Fire Company, Inc. for the purchase of a drone. $1,500 grants were awarded to West Thompson Fire Department for the purchase of an automated external defibrillator and CPR equipment; and Plainfield Fire District to purchase tablet devices for use on emergency vehicles.
The Jewett City Fire Department was awarded two grants — a $1,500 grant to purchase LED box lights for a new engine tanker fire truck plus a $1,250 grant in recognition of Jewett City Savings Bank’s previous Chairman of the Board, Louis J. Demicco Jr. Grants in the amount of $1,000 were awarded to Oneco Fire Company to assist with the purchase of an all-terrain vehicle; and Danielson Fire Department to replace ropes and equipment used for technical rescues.
Grants in the amounts of $500 to $700 were awarded to: American Legion Ambulance in Moosup; Central Village Fire Company; Danielson Fire Department; East Putnam Fire Department; Lisbon Ambulance Service; Pawcatuck Fire Department: Poquetanuck Fire Department EMS in Preston; Preston City Volunteer Fire Department; Putnam Fire Department and EMS Ambulance Service; South Killingly Fire Department; Voluntown Volunteer Company No. 1 Inc.; West Thompson Fire Department; Westerly Fire Department; and Woodstock Volunteer Fire Association.
The Foundation also awarded grants totaling $25,100 for annual support in 2022. A grant of $1,100 was awarded to the Canterbury Volunteer Fire Department & Ambulance. In addition, the following departments/companies received $1,000 annual grants: Attawaugan Fire Department; Atwood Hose Fire Company in Wauregan; Dayville Fire Company; East Brooklyn Fire Department; East Killingly Fire Department; Griswold Volunteer Fire Company; Jewett City Fire Department; Killingly/Brooklyn Ambulance Corp; Lisbon Volunteer Fire Department; Moosup Fire Department; Mortlake Fire Co. & Ambulance Service in Brooklyn; Oneco Fire Company; Plainfield Fire Company No.1, Inc.; Sterling Volunteer Fire Company, Inc.; and Williamsville Fire Engine Company in Rogers.
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