Putnam couple’s art featured
at Municipal Complex Gallery
PUTNAM — An Art Show Reception featuring the works of Annie and Dave Joly of Putnam will be held from 1 to 2:30 p.m. June 4 the Putnam Municipal Complex. Guests will be treated to light refreshments. The event is sponsored by the Putnam Arts Council. The Joly exhibit will be on display until June 30. Hours are 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursdays; 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Fridays and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturdays.
Works include illustrations, photography, paintings, and animations. Guests will have a chance to meet the artists and learn about the wide variety of mediums they enjoy.
Dave Joly summed up their excitement for the show: “This show has been a great way for Annie and me to look back over years of work, with each piece reminding us of the different life stages we’ve been through together. As with most things practiced over a long time, it’s easy to lose sight of where you started and how far you’ve come. So it’s good to pause once in a while, see where you’ve been, and perhaps get a sense of where you’re headed. As illustrators, we’re both interested in storytelling, and looking over all this work gives us a sense of the story of our lives together.”
Annie and Dave Joly have been partners in both art and life for 37 years, making Putnam their home since 1987.
Annie, an artist, educator, illustrator and a passionate believer in the power of creative expression for everyone, is originally from Great Neck, N.Y., and a graduate of the Rhode Island School of Design. As an illustrator, she has created work for clients nationwide and has illustrated 13children’s books. As an educator, Annie was the Illustration Department Chair at both the University of Hartford and the Art Institute of Boston, as well as the Visual Arts Coordinator at Quinebaug Valley Community College in Danielson. She is currently an adjunct faculty member at QVCC where she teaches fine art, illustration and computer graphics.
Her personal works are a mix of dreams, experiences and subconscious icons. She describes her creative process as both a journey and meditative practice, similar to poetry or dance.
Dave, an illustrator and animator, grew up in Danielson. After graduating from the Art Institute of Boston he began his career as a games animator at Atari in Sunnyvale, Calif., in the early 1980s. A few years later he moved on to become a freelance illustrator and animator, working for magazine, advertising and educational clients nationwide. Along the way he has pursued interests in photography and filmmaking, most recently during an artist residency at Trail Woods, the Connecticut Audubon Society property in Hampton. He has also taught drawing, 2D & 3D graphics and animation as an adjunct faculty member at QVCC since 1990. He feels fortunate that their work over so many years remains their avocation as well, and that it’s still exciting to create something new.
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Honors All Around
Amanda DeMaire, left, and her sister Kayla DeMaire of Pomfret Center graduated with 4.0 GPAs and were tapped to be the Grand Student Marshal. Courtesy photo.
POMFRET — Amanda DeMaire and Kayla DeMaire of Pomfret Center not only graduated with master’s degrees May 14, 2022, they were asked to lead the procession as the Grand Student Marshals for the 2022 graduation ceremony at Eastern Connecticut State University.
The sisters, daughters of Kevin and Cindy DeMaire, received master’s in early childhood education and certification in pre-K through K special education (they are both certified to teach Pre-k through 3rd grade).
Former graduates of Woodstock Academy, they each had a grade point average of 4.0.
They were both asked to lead the procession as the Grand Student Marshals for the 2022 graduating ceremony. This is the first time that Eastern has had sisters be the Grand Student Marshals at a graduating ceremony.
Amanda and Kayla said they made lifelong friendships with other aspiring teachers and are so grateful to have gone through this educational journey with them.
Mother Cindy DeMaire said, “Many people mistake Amanda and Kayla as twins due to their close relationship. Although they are not twins, they are inseparable and truly one of a kind and remarkable ladies.”
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‘Blithe Spirit’ opening June 3
PUTNAM — The Theatre of Northeastern Connecticut at the Bradley Playhouse will present Noel Coward’s comedy “Blithe Spirit”, which opens June 3and runs for three weekends.
Performances are at 7:30 p.m. June 3, 4, 10, 11, 17 and 18 and at 2 p.m. June 5, 12 and 18. There are two performances on June 18, at 2 p.m. and at 7:30 p.m. There is no performance on June 19. Tickets are $22 for adults and $18 for seniors, students, veterans and first responders. . All seats are reserved. Reservations: major credit card online at www.thebradleyplayhouse.org or by calling 860-928-7887 or at the door or office.
TNECT veteran Nicholas Magrey directs Blithe Spirit, with Hannah Viens serving as stage manager. Chris Erath stars as cantankerous novelist Charles Condomine. His wives, living and dead, are Barbara Schreier as Ruth and Sarah Oschmann as Elvira. The medium, Madame Arcati, is played by Marion (Sunnny) Kirkham-Barbour. The cast is completed by Jim Douglas as Dr. Bradman, Jane Ellis as Mrs. Bradman with Sheila Harrington-Hughes as the alternant for Mrs. Bradman, and Tara Golson appears as the maid, Edith.
Due to the recentupsurge of COVID cases in Eastern CT, face masks remain optional but it is strongly recommended for all audience members to wear a face mask. We are no longer checking for proof of vaccinations or test results. These policies are based on current information and are subject to change.
For more detailed information, please view our full COVID Policy on our website or contact us at 860-928-7887.
In Blithe Spirit, novelist Charles Condomine invites the medium, Madame Arcati, to dinner and to conduct a séance, hoping to get material for his next book. The scheme backfires when he becomes haunted by the ghost of his first wife, Elvira, who attempts to disrupt his second marriage to Ruth.
Blithe Spirit was written by Noel Coward, who also wrote Private Lives, Present Laughter and Design for Living. The English playwright, composer, director, actor and singer is one of the drollest writers the stage has ever produced. He is known for his ability to write intelligent, verbose, and witty characters.
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Memorial Day parade, program set
PUTNAM — The town’s Memorial Day observance will take place starting with a parade stepping off from Grove Street at 10 a.m. and ending with a memorial program at Rotary Park. In case of inclement weather, notification will be on WINY 1350 AM the morning of the parade.
The parade will feature a lineup of marchers which will include town officials, a National Guard Unit, local veteran’s groups, VFW and American Legion Poppy queens, several civic and fraternal organizations and youth groups.
The 2022 American Legion and VFW Poppy Queen is Putnam High School senior Amayah Chavez. Patriotic music will be provided by local bands. The parade marshal will be Air Force Lieutenant Colonel, Michael Therrien, a Desert Storm veteran who served four years in Iraq at Balad Air Force Base.
To accommodate older and disabled veterans who wish to be in the parade, transportation will be available by calling parade Chairman Buster Corey at (860) 382-6711.
Following the parade, a speaking ceremony will take place in Rotary Park. The keynote address will be given by Vietnam veteran Richard Tremblay, U.S. Marine Corps.
The program will be led by Master of Ceremonies Lieutenant Commander U.S. Navy (retired) Roy Simmons. The VFW chaplain Tod Smith will be announcing the remembrance of deceased soldiers in the State of Connecticut during duty in 2021.
Following the ceremony, the VFW and American Legion will host a free picnic in Rotary Park. Refreshments include hot dogs, chips, and drinks for as long as they last. Chips are provided by Frito-Lay, Dayville.
Earlier in the week, local Veterans will place American flags at the graves of veterans interred in the St. Mary, Grove Street, Nancy Drive, Munyan Road, and Rt. 21 cemeteries. The flags will remain until Veterans Day in November.
The traditional wreath laying and military tributes at Putnam cemeteries, bridges and monuments will be conducted by a National Guard firing squad plus officers and color guards from the American Legion and VFW starting at 10 a.m. Sunday, May 29. The Putnam Police Department is providing security and escort services for all Memorial Day observance activities.
Any questions, please contact Buster Corey at (860) 382-6711.
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