NEWINGTON — Irene Quintal Torsiello, 85, of Newington and wife of Anthony Torsiello, died peacefully Sept. 3, 2022, into God’s loving embrace after a long illness, during which her husband cared for her with tremendous grace, patience and love.
Irene was the daughter of the late Edgar and Alice (Mandler) Quintal. Born in Fitchburg, Mass., she grew up in Putnam.
After working with a local insurance agency, Irene moved to the “big city” (Hartford!) in the late ‘60s where she began a long distinguished career in personal lines underwriting at The Hartford, culminating as the first woman Senior Underwriting Supervisor in The Hartford’s history.
An avid singer, Irene was a member of The Sweet Adelines, Mountain Laurel Chapter. It was through The Sweet Adelines that she met the love of her life (and his), Tony. Irene and Tony, a widower, married in 1974 and Irene, in addition to being a loving wife, enthusiastically assumed the role of loving mother to Tony’s (somewhat well-behaved) three teenage children.
Irene and Tony’s love for each other was clearly evident to all who knew them: whether it was seeing the loving gaze they continuously had for each other or the endless matching outfits they unabashedly wore everywhere.
A woman of strong Christian faith, Irene (along with Tony) was an extraordinarily active parishioner of the Church of the Holy Spirit in Newington.
In addition to her husband of 48 years, she leaves sons Anthony (Pamela) and Kevin (Kim); grandchildren, Michael, Marissa, Brian, Jay and Rachel; nieces and nephews. Besides her parents, she was predeceased by her daughter Linda and three siblings: Theresa, Pauline and Robert.
The Mass of Christian Burial was Sept. 8 at the Church of the Holy Spirit with burial in West Meadow Cemetery, Newington. Donations: St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105. Duksa Family Funeral Homes, Newington.
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Thur. Sept. 29
Roast Pork Dinner
WOODSTOCK --- The Senexet Grange on Rt. 169 will present a Roast Pork Dinner, eat in or take out, from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Reservations suggested but not required. 860-974-1053.
Nature Program
POMFRET --- The Connecticut Audubon Society at Pomfret Center on Day Street will present “Gellert Preserve Bird Walk at 8 a.m. on the Wyndham Land Trust preserve. $10 for CAS members; $20 for nonmembers. Register: 960-928-4948.
Fri. Sept. 30
Movie in the Park
PUTNAM --- Halloween Movie in the Park, Rotary Park at 6:30 p.m. (dusk). Rain date Oct. 14. discoverputnam.com
Popcorn Sales
PUTNAM --- Boy Scouts from Troop 25 will be selling popcorn from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and from 4 to 8 p.m. Sept. 30 at Tractor Supply Co. The Annual Scout Popcorn Sale helps defray the costs of uniforms, handbooks, summer camp and other activities for the Scouts. For info or to request that a Scout salesman comes to your door contact Corina Torrey at 860-880-0185.
Dinner/History
POMFRET --- First Congregational Church of Pomfret will host a meal and special presentation starting a 6 p.m. at the church. The program is from the Old Sturbridge Village, “A World to Win: Women Missionaries from New England,” a full-costume by Rachel Hollenbeck and Rachel Middaugh. The preceding meal will feature dishes from early 19th century recipes. Free but, to help ensure that the proper amount of food is prepared, sign up by sending an e-mail to
Sat. Oct. 1
Community Day
THOMPSON --- The 18th annual Thompson Community Day will be held from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Riverside Park. Rain date Oct. 8. 860-923-9440
Art Exhibit
DANIELSON --- “Trajectory Intersection”, an exhibit featuring the photography of Wilson Hurst and Hunter Neal at QVCC’s Spirol Gallery, will run for all of October. Gallery open M-F 9am-9pm except holidays. There will be a reception from 5 to 7 p.m. Oct. 11. Light refreshments will be served.
Camp Day
WOODSTOCK --- The Windham-Tolland 4-H Camp Day will be held from 2 to 6:30 p.m. at Buck’s Soft Serve on Kenyonville Road. Bake sale, ice cream eating contests, dunk the director and Buck’s famous soft serve ice cream treats. Portion of sales goes to support the Windham Tolland 4-H Camp Dam Restoration Fund.
Art Exhibit/Sale
POMFRET --- The Connecticut Audubon Society at Pomfret Center, Day Road, will present “Nature’s Colors – Art by Judy Doyle” exhibition and sale through Nov. 10. Opening reception is from 1 to 3 p.m. Oct. 8. Free.
Sun. Oct. 2
Nature Program
POMFRET --- The Connecticut Audubon Society at Pomfret Center on Day Street will present a “Bird Banding Demonstration” at 8 a.m. $10 for CAS members; $20 for nonmembers. Register: 960-928-4948.
Nature Program
POMFRET --- The Connecticut Audubon Society at Pomfret Center on Day Street will present “All About Opossums: Backyard Wildlife Winter Survival from 2 to 3 p.m. Meet Ferncroft’s educational ambassadors (non-releasable opossums) and take a photo with them. Registration recommended. 860-928-4948. $5 CAS members; $10 non-members.
Tues. Oct. 4
Senior Fair
PUTNAM --- The Putnam Commission on Aging will hold its fifth Annual Senior Information & Health Fair from 9 to 11 a.m. at the Putnam Municipal Complex. For info: Linda French, 860-963-6800, ext. 140.
Wed. Oct. 5
Nature Program
POMFRET --- The Connecticut Audubon Society at Pomfret Center will present ”Bull Hill Bird Walk” at 8 a.m. $10 CAS members; $20 nonmembers. Register: 860-928-4948.
Fri. Oct. 7
‘Clue: On Stage’
PUTNAM --- The Bradley Playhouse will present “Clue: On Stage” at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 7, 8, 14, 15, 21 and 22 and at 2 p.m. Oct. 9, 16 and 23. Tickets are $22 for adults and $18 for seniors, students, veterans and first responders. Reservations: www.thebradleyplayhouse.org or 860-928-7887.
Sat. Oct. 8
Historical Program
POMFRET --- The Pomfret Historical Society will present Connecticut State Historian Walter Woodward at 10 a.m. at the Pomfret Community & Senior Center on Rt. 44. Free. More info on the town’s website.
Writers Series
PUTNAM --- The Putnam Library Author Series continues this fall with events in October and November at the Putnam Public Library. From 1 to 2:30 p.m. Oct. 8 Pomfret Poets Laureate Christine Kalafus and Nancy Weiss will switch it up and read from their prose work (memoir and other nonfiction writing). From 1 to 2:30 p.m. Nov. 5 debut novelist Susanne Davis, from northeast Connecticut, will be the Author Series’ featured reader. The Putnam Library Author Series will continue in April and May, 2023. Open to all.
Nature Program
POMFRET --- The Connecticut Audubon Society at Pomfret Center will present “Screech Owl Night Hike” at 7 p.m. in the sanctuary. $10 CAS members; $20 nonmembers. Register: 860-928-4948.
Sun. Oct. 9
Kiss Goat
POMFRET --- The Pomfret Lions Club presents KISS-A-GOAT Day at 1 p.m. at Lapsley Orchards. Vote for the Candidate(s) (victim) of your choice as many times as you like. $1.
Concert
PASCOAG --- Grace Note Farm and the Blackstone Valley Tourism Council will present the Music at the Farm concert at 2 p.m. at the Grace Note Farm on Jackson Schoolhouse Road. $30. 401-567-0354.
Sat. Oct. 15
Craft Fair
WOODSTOCK --- The First Congregational Church of Woodstock on Rt. 169 will hold a craft fair from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 15 and from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 16. 40+ vendors. Luncheon available Oct. 15.
Arts and Crafts
WOODSTOCK --- The 40th annual Roseland Cottage Fine Arts & Crafts Festival will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 15 and Oct. 16.
Fri. Oct. 21
Teen Weekend
POMFRET --- The Windham-Tolland 4-H Camp on Taft Pond Road will hold Teen Weekend from 5:30 p.m. Oct. 21 until 9 a.m. Oct. 23. For teens 13 – 17. Bring your own pumpkin to carve. $50. Pre-registration by Oct. 17. 860-974-1122.
Sat. Oct. 22
Troubadours Concert
POMFRET --- The Pomfret Historical Society and Tyrone Farm are presenting a unique performance of Five Connecticut State Troubadours at 4 p.m. Oct. 22 in the Tyrone Farm Barn. Seating is limited. Tickets and complimentary youth passes are available on the Pomfret Historical Society website, pomfret-historical-society.org, and at the Vanilla Bean, Grill 37, Pomfret Wine and Spirits, and Watercure Distillery. Benefits historic buildings and archives preservation and programs of the Pomfret Historical Society.
Wed. Oct. 26
Author’s Night
PUTNAM --- The Woman’s Board of Day Kimball Hospital will present Author’s Night at 6 p.m. at Tyrone Farm in Pomfret. $35. Reservations required:
Thur. Oct. 27
Pumpkin Decorating
WOODSTOCK --- The Senexet Grange will host a Community Pumpkin Decorating contest from 3:30 to 7 p.m. at the grange on Rt. 169. $1 entry fee and first place wins cash prize. Go to Senexet Grange’s FB page for more info. There are three categories: Up to grade 4, Grades 5-8 and high school and adult.
Sat. Nov. 12
Historical Program
POMFRET --- The Pomfret Historical Society will present “The Last Green Valley Notables & Notorious” by Bill Reid, TLGV chief ranger, at 10 a.m. at the Pomfret Community & Senior Center on Rt. 44. Free. More info on the town’s website.
Yuletide Festival
PUTNAM --- The Daughters of Isabella Yuletide Festival will be held from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the St Mary Church Hall. 860-928-5014.
Dueling Pianos
THOMPSON --- Foxwoods Resort Casino will present Dueling Pianos at 7 p.m. at the Raceway Restaurant & Banquet Hall. Benefits Day Kimball Healthcare At Home. daykimball.org/pianos.
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The Ashford Senior Center hosted Probate Judge Leah Schad at an outreach program about the services provided by the Northeast Probate Court Sept. 14. The program was also held Sept. 21 in Pomfret.
Schad has been visiting local groups to present information about the probate process and the services provided by the Court to the local community.
The outreach programs stem from finding a way for the court to give residents assistance navigating the probate process. During COVID that was not possible so the outreach program was born. Schad and Chief Clerk Mary Ann Champney travel to local senior centers, town halls, libraries and community groups to bring that service back to people struggling with life events who need the help of the probate court.
The next outreach program is at 1 p.m. Oct. 5 at the Putnam Municipal Complex. If you are a member of a group that would like to schedule an event, please call 860-928-4844.
The probate court helps families who have lost a loved one settle their estates, appoints conservators when a family member is no longer able to care for themselves, and appoints guardians to protect the intellectually disabled and handles matters involving children in need. The Northeast Probate District covers the towns of Ashford, Brooklyn, Eastford, Pomfret, Putnam, Thompson and Woodstock.
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Donation
Members of the Daughters of Isabella chapter 543 Putnam presented a check for $1,391.67 to Pietr Nijssen development director of Caring Families. From left: Loraine Belleville, Janet Watson, Pieter Nijssen, and Maureen Desilets.
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