captions, clockwise from top left:

Faith, Amelia and Mary Kate, CITs

The Hale Y team with helpers

Preparing to swim

Post-race smiles

CIT Faith with Hale team after she applied their ankle clips



PUTNAM — The weather was beautiful Aug. 11 as 16 athletes from Hale YMCA competed in the youth triathlon at Fort Adams State Park in Newport, R.I.
The triathlon was the culmination of a free, six-week, half-day triathlon training camp.  Race 4 Chase began on July 1 and was held from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. each day at the Hale YMCA.  (Participants did not need to be members of the YMCA, and those without a bicycle were provided with one – along with a helmet.)
The triathlon camp was named for Chase Michael Anthony Kowalski – who passed away in the Newtown tragedy. Chase enjoyed participating in triathlons.  So, his family started a foundation in his name, which has resulted in hundreds of kids being introduced to the sport of triathlon, over the past eleven years.
At the Newport Race 4 Chase Triathlon, more than 150 athletes ages 6-12 from YMCAs across southeastern New England gathered for the race.  Athletes from Hale YMCA awoke at 5 a.m. and their parents and caregivers ensured that they arrived in Newport at 7.
The triathlon began with opening ceremonies, and then the youngest athletes, age 6 & 7, hit the water for their swim. After their swim, they ran up the beach to the bike transition area where they were met by several Counselors-In-Training (CITs), and former Hale YMCA Race 4 Chase triathletes, Mary Kate, Faith, and Amelia who helped the athletes:  dry off their feet; get their socks over still somewhat wet feet; get their shoes on; put on their shirt; and, of course, secure their helmet.  The CITs job was much easier as the older athletes began finishing their swims and coming to the transition area.  One of the CITs asked a 10-year-old, Maverick if he needed help drying his feet.    In what seemed like one motion, he threw on his sneakers and secured his helmet.  As he pedaled away, Maverick called back, “no time.  I’ll dry them after the run.”
After the swim, the athletes completed a rather hilly 3k bike ride to Fort Adams.  Once at the fort, the athletes then ran into the 200-year-old fort (which still has original cannons on display - very cool).  Following their 1.5k run, all athletes enjoyed several slices of watermelon, provided by Hale YMCA Aquatics Director, Tarin McKinnon.  As a side note, parents and caregivers reported that they had no trouble getting their kids to bed that night.
Submitted by Brian Reilly, Hale YMCA coach

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Mary Madeline (Cunha) Welch
PUTNAM — Mary Madeline (Cunha) Welch, 93, formerly of North St., Putnam, beloved wife of the late Robert T. Welch, died Aug. 19, 2024, at Westview Healthcare. Born on Oct. 12, 1930, in Phoenix City, Ala., she was the daughter of the late Ulysses “Frank” and Ferol (Smith) Cunha.
Madeline was a very active and accomplished woman––she was the vice president of the accounting department at Loos & Co., a Sunday school teacher at St. Mary’s, and a longtime volunteer at the Daily Bread food pantry in Putnam and PAWS Cat Shelter. Above all, she cherished the quality time she spent with her family and friends, whom she loved to host for holidays and delicious Sunday night dinners. Madeline enjoyed singing, playing the piano, sewing, baking, and her daily walks. She will be remembered for her joyful personality, infectious laugh (which often became a contagious laughing spell), and eagerness to put others first. Throughout her life, she was infinitely kind, loving, and grateful for all that God had provided.
Her family was the center of her world, and she was the center of theirs. She leaves her children, James Welch (Angelia), and Kathleen Rawson (Allan), all of Putnam; her grandchildren, Jeffrey Rawson (Jessica), K.J. Rawson (Stephanie), Kristina Welch, and Peter Welch (Carley); her great-grandchildren, Beau, Blake, Grace, Maya, Finley, Elliot, Ashton, Shawn, Mason, and Sadie; nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her brothers Dick, Frank, John, Kirby, and Philip Cunha, and her sisters Margaret Bibek, Frances Carroll, Agnes Howard, and Julia Mahon.
Visitation is from 9 to 10:30 a.m. Aug. 31 at the Gilman Funeral Home (104 Church St., Putnam), followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. in St. Mary Church of the Visitation (218 Providence St., Putnam). Burial will follow in St. Mary Cemetery. Donations; PAWS Cat Shelter (74 School St., Putnam, CT 06260).

Donald ‘Brush’ Fuller
WEST END, N.C. — Donald “Brush” Fuller of West End, N.C., died, Aug. 10, 2024, peacefully at home.
He was born Aug. 17, 1943, in Toronto to Margaret and Thomas Lorne Fuller.
Don attended the University of Toronto, Osgood Hall, and practiced criminal and family law in the Toronto area.
He leaves his wife of 35 years, Nancy Austin; children, Andrew (Mandi) and Shannon Fuller; siblings Brian (Joanne) Fuller and Lorraine (Max) Pomfrey. He was predeceased by siblings, Doug (Dianne), Bob (Barb) and (Bruce) Mary.
Brush was a music lover, voracious reader, and accomplished hockey player and golfer. He was a lifelong Maple Leafs and Blue Jays fan and hated the Montreal Canadians!
A Celebration of Life will be held in Toronto in the spring.
Online condolences may be left at www.bolesfuneral home.com
Services entrusted to Boles Funeral Home of Seven Lakes.
 

Wed.  Aug. 28
Art Exhibit
PUTNAM --- “The Five Senses of Women” exhibit will run through Sept. 30 at the Corridor Gallery at the Putnam Municipal Complex. Free. It features a variety of medias and techniques from five local artists: Lisa Andrews, Kathy Guertin, Carolyn Nadeau, Laura Moorehead, and Karen Reid. 1. www.PutnamCtArtsCouncil.com for gallery hours and more information.

Fri.  Aug. 30
Bingo Fund-Raiser
PUTNAM --- Relay For Life Bingo Night to benefit American Cancer Society will be held in the Putnam High School BOE Conference Room. Doors open at 5:45 p.m. Games begin at 6:15 p.m. $10 per card. Refreshments available. All welcome. RSVP:  https://bit.ly/RFLBingo.

Sat.  Aug. 31
‘Stuff a Firetruck’
PUTNAM --- The Putnam Fire Department and the East Putnam Fire Department will both be collecting school supplies from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Most needed: Paper towels, tissues, Expo Fine Point Tip markers (blue/black), cardstock, markers, crayons, hand sanitizers, disinfectant wipes, baby wipes, Ziploc bags (all sizes) and number 2 pencils.

Wed.  Sept. 4
Art Exhibit
THOMPSON --- The Friends of the Library will hold one of its Art @ the Library series, “Landscape Journeys by Al Mathes”  at the Thompson Public Library through September. In the Display Case: Constitution Week by Ida Ransom. Reception is from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Sept. 9.

Sat.  Sept. 7
Fall Festival
POMFRET ---  The Pomfret Recreation Department will hold a Fall Festival from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Pomfret Recreation Park. Music by the Great Garage Band Reunion. Apple pie contest, kids’ pie eating contest, sack races and more. www.pomfretct.gov/recreation.

'The Lorax'
PUTNAM --- The Relay for Life of Northeastern Connecticut will present Rotary Park Movie Night – A Night Under the Stars with the movie, “The Lorax”, at 7:15 p.m. Free. For a complete experience, a concession and a T-shirt package are available for a $15 donation. Benefits the American Cancer Society.

Sun.  Sept. 8
Savor the Flavor
PUTNAM --- Savor the Flavor fund-raiser will be held from noon to 2 p.m. Wristbands are $20 with 20 participating restaurants. This year the Flavor is honey. Benefits Daily Bread. www.discoverputnam.com

Tues.  Sept. 17
KBIC Meeting
KILLINGLY/BROOKLYN --- Killingly-Brooklyn Interfaith Council meeting for all faith communities and spiritually-minded individuals at 1 p.m. at the Danielson United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall, 9 Spring St., Danielson (behind Key Bank).

Sun.  Sept. 22
Art in Park
WOODSTOCK --- The 10th Annual Art in the Park will be from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Roseland Park.

Sat.  Oct. 5
'Cozy Pumpkin'
POMFRET --- The Pomfret Recreation Department will host “Make Your Own Hand Knit Cozy Pumpkin at 10 a.m. at the Pomfret Community Center. Learn the basic of arm knitting and make your own cozy pumpkin(s). $45 per pumpkin. All supplies are included! Limited spots available. Sign up now on Facebook at Sovanny’s Comfort Boutique. Find the event and register!

Sat.  Oct. 19
Great Pumpkin Fest
PUTNAM --- The Town of Putnam and the Putnam Business Association will present the Great Pumpkin Festival from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. This community celebration of fall features The Great Pumpkin, craft and art vendors, live music, activities for the kids, and more.

Rec to Treat
POMFRET --- The Pomfret Recreation Department will host Rec or Treat at 4 p.m.  Trunk or Treating with PCS PTO, hayride, crafts, bonfire and movie. Food and drink will be available for purchase. www.pomfretct.gov/recreation.

Fri.  Oct. 25
Murder Mystery
POMFRET --- Murder Mystery Dinner at Grill 37.  Cocktail hour starts at 6 followed by the show and buffet dinner. Dressing up is strongly encouraged. The theme will be Death of a Gangster! www.pomfretct.gov/recreation.

Sat.  Oct. 26
Trick or Treat
PUTNAM --- The town of Putnam and the Putnam Business Association will present the Downtown Trick or Treat from 2 to 3:30 p.m. on Main Street. From Riverfront Commons to Union Square, participating merchants and local groups pass out treats.

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.

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