Wed.  Aug. 10
Art Exhibit
THOMPSON --- The Friends of the Thompson Public Library will present, as part of its Art @ the Library series, “Women of the Northeast Celebrate Thompson, through Aug. 30.  It includes artwork by three local artists, members of the Northeastern CT Art Guild Board of Directors: Elaine Turner, Pam Lee, and Angela Kasper. In the Display Case: Quiet Corner Garden Club: Growing with the Community.

Back-to-School Drive
PUTNAM --- Putnam EMS is running its annual Back-to-School Drive through Aug. 12. Drop off: back packs, pencils, pens, red pens, paper, notebooks, binders, folders, rulers, scissors, glue, glue sticks, pencil sharpeners, crayons, colored pencils and markers at the EMS station on Church Street. 860-928-6996.

Fri.  Aug. 12
‘Cinderella’
PUTNAM --- The Bradley Playhouse will present Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella at 7:30 p.m. Aug. 12, 13, 19 and 20 and at 2 p.m. Aug. 14 and 21. $36 for adults; $23 for seniors, students, veterans and first responders.  See  www.
thebradleyplayhouse.org  for info, tickets and specials, including the “Royal Package.”

Sat.  Aug. 13
History Program
POMFRET --- The Pomfret Historical Society will present “The Historic Mills of Pomfret” by Dick Symonds at 10 a.m. at the Pomfret Community & Senior Center on Rt. 44. Free. More info on the town’s website.

Concert & River Fire
PUTNAM --- The Town of Putnam will present Tournadeau Jazz & Blues in concert starting at 2:30 with River Fire following at 8:30 p.m. at Rotary Park. Bring a chair. FREE.

Fri.  Aug. 19
Twilight Concert
WOODSTOCK --- The Woodstock Recreation Commission and Historic New England will present, as part  of its annual Twilight Concert series, Beck N’ Call from 7 to 8:30 (rain date:  Aug. 26) at Roseland Cottage. Free. 860-928-4074.

Sun.  Aug. 21
Car Cruise
PUTNAM --- The Main Street Car Cruise will happen from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. around downtown Putnam and Rotary Park.

Pluck-A-Duck
PUTNAM --- Pluck-A-Duck Extravaganza will be held at the Hale YMCA pond from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. There will be games for kids, face painting, create-a-card for veterans and seniors and more in the Kid Zone.

Sat.  Sept. 10
Historical Program
POMFRET --- The Pomfret Historical Society will present “Common Sense: TLGV Town Commons and Greens” by Bill Reid at 10 a.m. at the Pomfret Community & Senior Center on Rt. 44. Free. More info on the town’s website.

Sun.  Sept. 11
Fund-raiser Jazz
WINDHAM --- The Windham Free Library presenting Jazz in the Garden from 3 to 6 p.m. Music, food, drinks, auction. $60 presale/$65 at event. Benefits the library. https://thewindhamfreelibrary.org/jazz/

Fri.  Sept. 16
Circle of Fun
PUTNAM --- St. Mary Church, Putnam will be holding its 50th Circle of Fun Sept. 16, 17, 18. The 49th was delayed by the pandemic. There will be free entertainment, great food, beverages, games and rides, as always.

Sun.  Sept. 18
Lap the Lake
DAYVILLE --- The 10th annual NOW ~Lap the Lake~ Road Race & Walk fund-raiser. It’s a scenic 5K run and walk along private roads surrounding Alexander’s Lake. There is also a kids run. For info, to register or to be a sponsor, go to: nowinmotion.org.

Sat.  Sept. 24
Wee Walk
WOODSTOCK --- The Wyndham Land Trust’s family-friendly Wee Wander Walk, “Leaves and Mushrooms at Rapoport Preserve” will be held from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Dress appropriately and bring your camera. www.wyndhamlandtrust.org

Sun.  Sept. 25
Car Cruise
BROOKLYN --- The Brooklyn Business Association and the Tri-Staet Cruisers will present the Brooklyn Car Cruise 2022 from noon to 4 p.m. at the Brookyn Walmart. Benefits the Hole in the Wall Gang Camp.

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.

Sat. Nov. 5
Dueling Pianos
PUTNAM --- Day Kimball Healthcare will present Dueling Pianos Presented By Foxwoods Resort Casino at 7 p.m. at Connecticut National Golf Club. Benefit: Day Kimball Healthcare At Home. More Info: daykimball.org/pianos.

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.

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Loos & Co.
donates to
Access agency
POMFRET — Loos & Co., Inc. presented a $500 check to Access Community Action Agency recently.
Access provides resources to individuals across Windham and Tolland counties who struggle to secure consistent meals, safe housing, and reliable employment.
With demand for these services increasing, Access relies on contributions from community partners like Loos & Company to help stock their mobile food van and on-site pantries in Willimantic and Danielson.
The organization operates “shopper’s pantries” that allow families to choose their own goods based on need and preference.
The selection includes both non-perishable and perishable items such as meat and produce, in addition to sanitary products, soap, and diapers.
“Monetary donations are great because they allow us to fill gaps in our needs,” said Kathleen Krider, senior director – Community Engagement and Resource Management.
This money is often used to procure items such as detergent, cleaning supplies, and other goods not covered by programs like WIC or SNAP.
Krider added, “when companies donate, it means we get to form partnerships, which creates exposure in the community. The more people know about our services, the more people we can help.”
Each month, Loos gifts $500 to a different local organization. Access is now the fifth pantry across eastern Connecticut to receive one of their donations.
“We don’t just want to send a check in the mail. We always like to come out and meet the people who run these facilities,” said Anne Nichols, marketing coordinator for Loos & Company.
She added, “This gives us the opportunity to ask questions, see the operation in action, and learn how we can make a lasting impact.”
Donations are always needed at 1315 Main St., Willimantic, and 231 Broad St., Danielson. More information is available about Access Community Action Agency at accessagency.org.

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captions:

Welcome
Left: Jarrod Hanshaw cut the ribbon with a giant pair of scissors. Lower left: PBA President Gary Osbrey presented owners with a PBA plaque. From left: Owners  Sylvie Hanshaw and Jarrod Hanshaw, Osbrey, Putnam Mayor Barney Seney and Economic and Community Development Executive Director Delpha Very. Linda Lemmon photos.




By Linda Lemmon
Town Crier Editor
PUTNAM — Maybe it was some kind of icy reverse inspiration for the Hanshaw family. Walking through Fire and Ice in February, the idea came to them “You know what this downtown needs? Gelato.”
The revitalized downtown they saw had everything from places to shop to a toy store, to restaurants, breweries and much more, said Putnam Economic and Community Development Executive Director Delpha Very at the Aug. 5 ribbon cutting at Main St Gelato.
“Jarrod and Sylvie Henshaw saw what Main Street had to offer and wanted to continue the vibe.”
Jarrod Henshaw said he saw the vibrant Main Street area, the foot traffic and the building on Pomfret Street and “this should be ice cream. I can figure it out.” He said he’d been waiting to get into food. He had no experience in it (he sold petroleum equipment) but trained with an Italian gelato expert in Florida.
They opened July 1 and they’re offering sorbetto, gelato and more from noon to 10 p.m. seven days a week. They offer sugar-free, dairy free and gluten free options. Jarrod said he pays attention to what the customers say and adjusts the business accordingly.
And it’s a family and friends affair with Jarrod and his wife Sylvie being joined by children Deidrea and Sebastian and friend Taylor Morales.
And come wintertime, Jarrod said, they intend to keep this going with hot chocolate. They’re already “wired for” espresso and he said he’s interested in getting into crepes.
Putnam Mayor Barney Seney said “You’ve brought something to the community we haven’t had. This is what makes us go.”
Gary Osbrey, president of the Putnam Business Association, said he loves small businesses. “This is a great addition to our town.”
Sylvie Hanshaw said “It’s not been done before. We wanted to do it.”

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