Bernard ‘Bud’ R. Graham
N. GROSVENORDALE — Bernard R. Graham, 73, of Carriage Sq., died Nov. 5, 2024, at home. Born in 1951 in Putnam, he was the son of the late Raymond F. and Doris (Bernard) Graham.
Mr. Graham worked as a programmer for Data General and EMC for over 25 years after which he was a dealer for Mohegan Sun Casino. He enjoyed classic cars.
Bernard was a member of the National Honor Society at Marianapolis and a member of Alpha Epsilon Phi at the University of Miami.
He leaves his sisters, Karen Graham-Hardell and Rae Ann Deslauriers, both of Bradenton, Fla., and his trusty companion, Gizmo. He was predeceased by his brother, Robert Graham
A private graveside service was held at St. Joseph Garden of Peace Cemetery in Webster. Valade Funeral Home & Crematory, 23 Main St., N. Grosvenordale.
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Wed. Nov. 13
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.
Art Show
POMFRET --- From Nov. 13 to Jan. 8 the Abington Social Library on Rt. 97 will host its first annual Community Art Show. The art show, titled “Gallery 1793,” can be viewed during library hours: 3 to 6 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Thursday and from 10 a.m. to noon Saturdays. Opening reception with light refreshments from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Nov. 20. https://theabingtonsociallibrary.org/
Photography Exhibit
POMFRET --- The Connecticut Audubon Society at Pomfret will present “Wetland Birds Steven Rosendahl Photography Exhibition through Dec. 24. Free admission.
Photo Exhibit
POMFRET --- The Connecticut Audubon Society at Pomfret will present “Bird Walks and More” Amy Porter Photography Exhibition through Dec. 31. Free admission.
Thur. Nov. 14
'George Washington'
POMFRET --- Pomfret School Theater will present "George Washington Slept Here" at 7 p.m. Nov. 14 and 15 in the Hard Auditorium. Free. Open to the public. 860-963-5230.
Sat. Nov. 16
Library Program
PUTNAM --- The Putnam Public Library and Peace Islands Institute Connecticut will present “Coffee Tasting,” (Turkish coffee) from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Registration limited: 860-963-6826.
History Program
POMFRET --- The Pomfret Historical Society will present “New London: A Microcosm of American History” which includes: Slavery, The Real West Indies Trade and the Struggle for Freedom and Civil Rights 1637 starting with a Meet and Greet and Pomfret Historical Society updates with refreshments at 1:30 at the Pomfret Community Center. All welcome. Suggested donation: $5. For info: 860-465-7228.
Sun. Nov. 17
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.
Breakfast Fund-raiser
MOOSUP --- Mason Lodge #113 is hosting an all-you-can-eat breakfast to support Paws Cat Shelter on from 8 to 11 a.m. at 69 Prospect St. $10 per person includes full menu of breakfast foods and beverages. For info: 860-315-1228.
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. 23
Holiday Sale
ABINGTON --- The Abington Congregational Church on Hampton Road (Rt. 97) will hold a Holiday Craft & Bake Sale from 8 a.m. to noon.
Thur. Nov. 28
Happy Thanksgiving!
Fri. Nov. 29
Nature Store
POMFRET --- The Connecticut Audubon Society Center at Pomfret will hold its annual Holiday Nature Store starting Nov. 29 at the center on Day Road.
Santa's Coming
PUTNAM --- Santa Lights Up Putnam will be held at 4 p.m. in front of Jewett City Savings Bank in the Riverfront Commons. Free refreshments. Brought to you by Putnam Recreation Department, WINY Radio, Jewett City Savings Bank and the Putnam Fire Department.
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.
Sun. Dec. 1
Concert
CHEPACHET --- The Chepachet Baptist Church’s Music at the Meeting House will present the “Holy is the Night: Christmas Carols from Southern Europe” at 2:30 p.m. in the church on Rt. 44. Refreshments follow. Free however a freewill offering will be taken. www.chepachetbaptist.org.
Dazzle Light Parade
PUTNAM --- The 23rd annual Holiday Dazzle Light Parade will step off at 5 p.m. from Grove Street. Rain date: Dec. 8. Presented by WINY Radio, the Town of Putnam and Green Valley Crossing. 860-963-6811.
Sat. Dec. 14
Breakfast with Santa
PUTNAM --- The Danielson Veterans Coffeehouse will sponsor a Breakfast with Santa from 9 to 11 a.m. at the Putnam Municipal Complex on School Street.
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caption:
Putnam Rotary Club volunteers installed musical instruments at the new Mary Fisher Elementary School playground. From left: Richard Naumann, Jonathan Tremblay, Karen Osbrey, Charlie Puffer, Emily Barnes, Joe Adiletta and club President Doug Porter. Linda Lemmon photo.
The Mission is Music
By Linda Lemmon
Town Crier Editor
THOMPSON — The Putnam Rotary Club is more than halfway through its “musical mission” — bringing the gift of creating music to its five service area towns.
Rotarian Karen Osbrey, grant writer and program leader, said volunteers from the club Nov. 11 installed outdoor musical instruments in the playground just completed at the Mary Fisher Elementary School in Thompson.
It’s the third of five installations. When the Putnam Rotary Club was celebrating its 100th anniversary, one of the goals was to plant a musical garden in each of its five service area towns: Putnam, Woodstock, Eastford, Pomfret and Thompson.
The first set of outdoor musical instruments was installed on the River Trail in Putnam. Last year, the club members installed musical instruments in the playground at the Pomfret Community School.
Nov. 11 club volunteers dug holes and installed a xylophone-type instrument and some metal bongos at the recently completed school playground.
The instruments are funded by a Rotary District grant. She said the club received a $2,500 through a Rotary Foundation District 7890 Grant and the club pledged another $2,000.
One of the reasons the club put the Thompson playground next in line was that it was “shovel ready,” she said. The school district and the Mary Fisher Elementary School PTO had been working on plans for a couple years. Osbrey met with the principal, the school superintendent and the playground committee.
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Pomfret Horse and Trail trick or treat ride
Sunny, warm weather made the Pomfret Horse and Trail Fall ride a scenic 7 miles at Tyrone Farm near the end of October. The trails were in terrific shape thanks to the excellent clearing, mowing, and marking by Tyrone Farm. Buckets of Halloween candy and apples were tied on trees. Horses and riders could trick or treat along the trail while enjoying several hundred acres of woods and fields with cross-country jumps.
Gina Labbe, co-ride secretary, said, “Maintaining the trails and fields is a tremendous amount of work. We are indebted to Tyrone Farm for allowing us to enjoy the magnificent scenery once again. Tyrone Farm owners, Bill and Diane MacLaren, made sure we had everything we needed from road signs to extension cords for the potluck chili. They have supported the horse community and the rural atmosphere in Pomfret for decades.”
First place was the riding team of Jane Gurzenda, Emily Beaudry, Haylee Boudreau, and Regan Fontaine dressed as witches. Second place was tied with Anna Tromza dressed as Mrs. Claus, and Sarah Gornbein and Michelle Lewis as characters from The Wizard of
Pomfret Horse and Trail Association is a non-profit dedicated to promoting safe horsemanship and open space preservation. Annual donations are made to the Wyndham Land Trust, the Audubon Society, and the Abington 4 H Camp. For more information, go to: www.pomfrethorseandtrail.com
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