Not too long ago, I had an opportunity to get rather ‘up close and personal’ with HUNDREDS of strangers from all over the world.
NO, I was not temporarily posted on border control at the airport!  Rather, I was just a volunteer at a Rotary International Convention and my assignment (for four straight hours!) was to take photos at a rather landmark spot in the convention hall.
This assignment was actually a simple task: take a photo of the next person or group in the queue.  
Gone are the days where I would, as the photographer, have my own camera at the ready.  Today, we use our cell phones for photos and if we can’t take our own photos with extended arms or sticks, we simply ask someone else to.
In the relatively minuscule amount of time cell phones have been a Thing for humanity, they have had a profound impact; forever changing not only the way we communicate but the way in which we connect with others.  
Walk down a street or corridor ANYWHERE in the world where there are lots of people and notice how many of them are looking down.  It’s A LOT.  People are, to put it matter-of-factly, attached to their cell phone and if I am being completely honest, I am no exception.  Our cell phones hold our most intimate and personal data history.   It is quite interesting, then, that our most coveted possession is so freely handed off to a stranger just so we can capture a digital memory.  On this particular day and time, I was that stranger.  
Most of the phones I received were already in the photo mode, with the white button visible and waiting to be ever so slightly pressed upon my perfect positioning of the subjects.  Some, however, were not.  Some phones were still tucked away in bags, needing immediate retrieval lest this action hold up the waiting people even longer.  Some phones locked up after what seemed like five seconds of idle activity.  Some phones were tiny or not set up for the proper photo setting and so I took a video or wide angle shot.  Some phones were in abundance.  These were the ones that made me giggle the most because in today's’ world of INSTANT sharing, it is not necessary for a group that consists of a husband, wife, daughter and son to hand over FOUR cameras to take the same picture.  But they did.
Even though the manner in which the people freely handed over their phones was somewhat careless, I was quite careful with these prized possessions.  I did not smudge my finger prints all over their screens.  I did not drop any — although I almost did but I caught it just before it landed on the floor.  I also did my best to try and take a beautiful and personal picture for each and every person or group, trying hard not to cut out or off any “parts”.
I also noticed that once I was holding their cell phone, we immediately connected and shared an instant familiarity, so much so that they listened to my direction in where and how they should pose for their picture.  
As my long shift was winding down, it became clear that not only was I bonding with the posing strangers, I was bonding with my fellow volunteers, and it was soon decided that we needed a commemorative photo of the experience.  As we gathered as a group in front of the landmark we had been so carefully photographing, I promptly removed my own cell phone, tucked neatly in my back pocket, and quite carelessly, handed it to the Chosen Stranger.  Say Cheese!
Kathy Naumann, possessor of NATURALLY curly hair and the understanding that you can’t control everything!

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Thur Aug. 9
Lecture
POMFRET CENTER --- A free lecture, "Voting & The Art of Women's Suffrage," featuring Tamara Harris, will be held at 5:30 p.m. at the Pomfret Senior Center on Rt. 44. Sponsored by Quiet Corner Shouts. 860-377-1456.

Fri Aug. 10
'Music Man'
PUTNAM --- The Bradley Playhouse will present “The Music Man” at 7:30 p.m. Aug. 10, 11, 17 and 18 and at 2 p.m. Aug. 12 and 19.  $21 and $24.  860-928-7887.

Sat. Aug. 11
Race/Walk
PUTNAM --- Day Kimball Healthcare’s annual Walk & Race for the NECT Cancer Fund will begin at 6:30 a.m. at the Black Dog Bar and Grille on Park Road. To register for the event visit www.daykimball.org/CancerFundRun or call the Day Kimball Healthcare Development Office at (860) 928-7141.

River Fire
PUTNAM --- The Town of Putnam will present River Fire at Rotary Park from 8 to 9:30 p.m.

Concert
PUTNAM --- Eric Genius, inspirational pianist will entertain from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at Rotary Park. Bring blankets or lawn chairs.

'Music Man'
PUTNAM --- The Bradley Playhouse will present “The Music Man” at 7:30 p.m. Aug. 11, 17 and 18 and at 2 p.m. Aug. 12 and 19.  $21 and $24.  860-928-7887.

Sun. Aug. 12
Duck Race
PUTNAM --- The Arc QV Duck Race will be held today at Rotary Park. www.qvarc.org.

Car Cruise
PUTNAM --- The Main Street Car Cruise will be held from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. around downtown Putnam.

'Music Man'
PUTNAM --- The Bradley Playhouse will present “The Music Man” at 7:30 p.m. Aug.  17 and 18 and at 2 p.m. Aug. 12 and 19.  $21 and $24.  860-928-7887.

Mon. Aug. 13
Exercise Group
WOODSTOCK --- The Woodstock Senior Exercise Group will meet from 9 to 10 a.m. every Monday and Wednesday in the Woodstock Town Hall large meeting room on the lower. Minimum fee. Local seniors welcome. Please check the town website www.woodstockCT.gov for current schedule or call 860-928-6595.

Thur. Aug. 16
3rd Thursday
WILLIMANTIC --- Willimantic’s 3rd Thursday Street Fest will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. on Main Street. Free parking, free admittance (donations accepted), free, live entertainment!

Sat. Aug. 18
Book Sale
WOODSTOCK --- A Book and Tag Sale will be held from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the PAWS shelter at 240 Rt. 171. Benefits: PAWS Cat Shelter. This day PAWS will also be participating in “NBC Clear the Shelters” with adoption hours open until 5 p.m.

Bottle Drive
CANTERBURY --- Pet Pals Northeast, a local animal welfare organization, will be collecting redeemable bottles and cans to help homeless and needy animals from noon to 3:30 p.m. at Canterbury Cones on Rt. 169. Dry cat food needed, Purina brands preferred. Cash donations always welcome. 860-317-1720.

Sun. Aug. 19
Fund-raiser Golf
PUTNAM --- The Ovarian Cancer Research fund-raiser golf tournament will be held at Connecticut National Golf Course. Registration is from 11:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m.; 1 p.m. shotgun start and dinner is at 6:15. The event is in honor of Cynthia Johnson. Entry cutoff is Aug. 1. Benefits Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and the Jimmy Fund. 508-612-2946.

Prayer Service
PUTNAM --- Christian Healing Service will be held at 2 p.m. at St. Philip’s Church on Grove Street. Prayer teams will be available. Includes praise and worship music at a celebration of the Eucharist. 860-928-3510.

Sat. Aug. 25
Triathlon
PLAINFIELD --- The eighth annual “Give It a Tri” Triathlon, co-sponsored by Day Kimball Healthcare and Hale YMCA, will begin at 8 a.m. at Moosup Pond. To sign up for the fund-raiser relay, go to: daykimball.org/triathlon

Nature Program
POMFRET --- The Connecticut Audubon Society at Pomfret Center will present “Nature Sketchbook Journaling” from 9 a.m. to noon at the Grassland Bird Conservation Center on Day Road. $10 for CAS members; $20 for nonmembers. To register and for list of materials, call: 860-928-4948.

Thur. Aug. 30
Nature Program
POMFRET --- The Connecticut Audubon Society at Pomfret Center will host an “Evening Nighthawk Watch & Bird Walk” at 6 p.m. starting from the Grassland Bird Conservation Center on Day Road. $5 for CAS members; $10 for nonmembers. 860-928-4948.

Sun. Sept. 2
Fund-raiser Sunflowers
POMFRET --- Sunflowers for Kids will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Lapsley Orchard on Rt. 169 on the Brooklyn/Pomfret line. This free event features hay rides (starting at noon), PYO apples, face painting and balloon animals. Sales of sunflowers and wildflowers, including pick you own, will benefit United Services Children and Family Programs. 860-774-2020.

Fri. Sept. 7
First Fridays
PUTNAM --- The Putnam Business Association will present First Fridays --- Native American Heritage from 6 to 9 p.m. around downtown Putnam.

Sat. Sept. 8
River Fire
PUTNAM --- River Fire will take place from 7:30 to 9 p.m. at Rotary Park. Free.

Concert
PUTNAM --- Wooden Horse will play in concert from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at Rotary Park. Free. Bring blanket or lawn chair.

Open-Air Market
CANTERBURY --- The annual Open Air Market will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Finn Hall on Rt. 169. Vendors wanted. Call: 860-608-7877.

Sun. Sept. 9
Savor the Flavor
PUTNAM --- Savor the Flavor – Food Festival “Bacon” will take place today. Music by Chicago Total Access from noon to 3 p.m.

Sun. Sept. 16
Fund-raiser Race
DAYVILLE --- The 7th annual NOW Road Race and Walk will be held at Alexander's Lake. It is a fund-raiser for NOW. For registration and more information go to: www.nowinmotion.org

Wed. Sept. 19
Golf Tourney
DANIELSON --- The 26th QVCC Foundation Golf Tournament at CT National Golf Course will be held today. . To sponsor or register your team call 860-932-4063.  No event day registrations. Benefits local students at QVCC.

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Logan Nicholas Sapp
PUTNAM — Logan Nicholas Sapp, the 6-year-old son of Darrel and Kristin R. (Joseph) Sapp of Pomfret Center, died unexpectedly July 31, 2018, at the Day Kimball Hospital.  Logan would have been entering the second grade at the Pomfret Community School in September.
He lived most of his life in Oxford, Mass., until moving in October of last year.  Logan enjoyed drawing, reading, LEGOS, horses, going on adventures, and especially loved Harry Potter and wanted to be a “Real Magician” when he grew up.
In addition to his parents, he leaves his twin sister, Madison; brothers, Connor and Riley; maternal grandmother, Sharon A. (Bosse) Joseph of Fairhaven;  paternal grandparents, George and Donna (Carlson) Rohrig of Lakeland, Fla.;  maternal great-grandmother, Rita E. Joseph of Fairhaven;  paternal great-grandparents, Raymond and Gladys Carlson of Birch Run, Mich.;  aunts and uncles, Macy F. Joseph IV (Vanessa), Bethany Joseph and Brittney Sapp; cousins and great aunts and uncles.  He was predeceased by his grandfather Macy F. Joseph III.
Visitation was Aug. 7 in the Fairhaven Funeral Home, Fairhaven.  Cremation to follow and interment in the family lot at Riverside Cemetery in Fairhaven will be at a later date.  

Ernest E. Chisler,
Air Force vet
E. KILLINGLY — Ernest E. Chisler, 85, of E. Killingly, died July 21, 2018, at home. He was born March 10, 1933, in Morgantown, W.Va., son of the late Orval and Geraldine (Sneed) Chisler. He was the husband of Carole Coutu-Chisler.
Ernest served with the U.S. Air Force in the 3610th Motor Vehicle Squadron for more than 10 years stationed in Harlingen, Texas, and Japan and Guam. He was awarded with the National Defense Service Medal and the Good Conduct Medal.
Ernest was a lifelong member of the E. Killingly VFW. He enjoyed deep sea fishing trips, liked to hunt in his earlier years and loved the ocean. He was an avid sports fan his teams where the New York Yankees and the Buffalo Bills.  Ernest worked for Anchor Glass Container for 30 years as an upkeep mechanic on the hot end and for almost 20 years worked at Walmart as the door greeter.
He leaves his wife Carole Coutu-Chisler; his sons Ernest E. Chisler, Jessie Chisler and Gary Chisler; his daughter Carol Chisler; his stepchildren Michelle Coutu, Jeremy Coutu and wife Dayle Hyatt-Coutu, Sarah Coutu, Brenda and Michael; grandchildren and great-grandchildren; brothers Clarence, Junior and Roger; his sister Dolores.
Visitation is from 11 a.m. to noon Aug. 11 at Gagnon and Costello Funeral Home, 33 Reynolds St., Danielson. A Funeral Service will follow at noon at the funeral home with military honors.

Pauline P. Baker
N. GROSVENORDALE — Pauline P. Baker, 77, of Riverside Dr., died July 31, 2018, at home.  Born in 1941 in Worcester, she was the daughter of the late Harry and Rena (Barton) Baker.
Ms. Baker worked as a machinist for Sanitary Dash.
She enjoyed watching baseball, especially her beloved Atlanta Braves. She also enjoyed watching the Gameshow Network. She was especially fond of her “baby sister” Kay.
She leaves her brother, Russell Baker of Southington; her sisters, Kay (Larry) Sargent of New York, and Debbi Carliell of Massachusetts; and her friend who was fondly known as “the daughter she never had,” Lynn M. Bernier of Putnam; nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her brother, Al Baker.
A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. Gilman Funeral Home and Crematory, 104 Church St, Putnam.

Esther G. Foskett
WOODSTOCK — Esther G. Foskett, 99, died Aug. 1, 2018.
Esther Green Foskett was born Sept. 16, 1918, to Daniel and Bettie Green of Pomfret.
Esther married Harold Foskett, June 26, 1940. They made their home in Woodstock where Esther lived for 78 years.
Esther was the oldest living member of the E. Woodstock Congregational Church, having served as the president of the Ladies Benevolent Society until 2017. She loved the church and was a faithful servant. Esther was a founding member of the Woodstock Historical Society. She had served as secretary for the N. Woodstock Library and the Center Cemetery Assoc.
Esther’s greatest joy was being outside working in her gardens, tending her plants, floral arranging and putting by the fruit of her labor. She enjoyed homemaking, baking and making her famous donuts and apple pie. She was awarded, “Best Cook in Town” in 2012, in a featured article of Yankee Magazine for her birthday cake recipe.
Esther was a plein air artist having completed many oil landscapes and seascapes. She was also a great photographer.
She leaves her children, Harold D. Foskett Jr. (Cynthia) and Virginia A. Sears (Christopher) also of Woodstock; her grandchildren, Valerie Gifford of Maine, Alison Powell of Oklahoma and David Brennan, a grand son-in-law, of Connecticut; four great-grandchildren; step grandchildren, Kelly Conley and Tim Sears and their children. Sharon Harmon, Craig Kallgren, Duane Kallgren, John Kallgren, Carl (Russ) Kallgren and their children. Esther was predeceased in 1991 by her husband, Harold, and by her granddaughter Carolyn Brennan in 2012; three brothers and two sisters.
A graveside service will be at 10:30 a.m. Aug. 11 at the Center Cemetery, Woodstock. There will be a gathering of Esther’s family and friends at her home following the service. Donations: Muddy Brook Fire Dept., E. Woodstock, CT; or Hospice & Palliative Care of NE CT. Smith & Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam.

S. Robidoux (Mackowiak)
PUTNAM — Susan Alyce Robidoux (Mackowiak), 60, of Putnam, died July 31, 2018, at home.
Born on April 23, 1958, in Webster, she was the daughter of Millicent Mackowiak (Record) and the late John Mackowiak Jr.
Susan attended Dudley Public Schools and graduated from Shepherd Hill Regional High School, where she excelled at sports and won many awards. She had a passion for sports, especially anything her sons participated in and loved to volunteer with those organizations. She was often the loudest voice at the field. She cherished volunteering with the Emblem Club and recently served as secretary/treasurer. She also loved baking for family and friends.
She leaves her mother Millicent Mackowiak; her sons Scott Robidoux (Laura) and Brian Robidoux; a honorary son Jacob Mackowiak (Danielle); her ex-husband Norman Robidoux; her brother Michael Mackowiak; her sisters Debra O’Leary, Judy Daigle (Joey) and Jean Mackowiak and her fiancé Mark Robbins; nieces and nephews Jason O’Leary, Jeremy O’Leary, Kelly Kuzdzal, Stacia Mackowiak, Joshua Mackowiak (Jessica), Trinnity Robbins, Karissa Lyon and her fiancé John Herlihy; grandchildren Jayden, Riley, Sarah and Sadie.
The Mass of Christian Burial was Aug. 4 at St. Mary Church of the Visitation, Putnam, with burial in St. Mary Cemetery, Putnam. Smith and Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam.

Anna Pusczynski
BROOKLYN — Anna Pusczynski, 87, of Brooklyn, died Aug. 1, 2018, at UMass Medical Center in Worcester. She was born Dec. 16, 1930, in Munich, Germany. She was the daughter of the late Peter and Anna (Kressierer) Wagner. She was the wife of Donald Pusczynski. They married on Nov. 26, 1954.
In 1956 her family moved to Yuma, Ariz., they also lived in Kentucky, Michigan, France, Germany and finally South Carolina where Donald concluded his military career. In 1971 her family moved to Brooklyn.
She worked in the Brooklyn School cafeteria from 1975-1983. Anna was a Communicant of Our Lady of LaSalette Church in Brooklyn. From 1983-1989 she was Fr. Barry’s housekeeper. Anna loved reading, swimming and dancing. She was a Brownie leader when her daughter was young and she did a lot of volunteer work. She was an active member of the Hartford German Club and a life member of the Yankee Yesteryears Car Club.
She leaves her husband Donald Pusczynski of Brooklyn; her son Andrew Pusczynski (Janet) of Brooklyn; her daughter Linda Steele of Brooklyn; grandchildren Kyle, Brianna, Kaylyn and Nick; her very special friends Bruce and Denise Beaudoin. She was predeceased by a son Steven Peter Pusczynski
A Mass of Christian Burial was Aug. 6  in Our Lady of LaSalette Church, Brooklyn, with burial the State of Connecticut Veteran’s Cemetery, Middletown. Gagnon and Costello Funeral Home, 33 Reynolds St., Danielson.

Alice T. Hannon
QUINEBAUG — Alice T. (Brownell) Hannon, 94, died Aug. 5, 2018, at Life Care of Auburn.  She was the wife of the late William F. Hannon who died in 1979.  
She was born in Worcester, daughter of the late Lester R. Brownell and Katherine (Horlbogen) Brownell.  
She lived at Eddy Pond in Auburn. Prior to that she lived in Quinebaug for 40 years, and prior to that living in Dudley.   
She was an administrative secretary, working for Yankee Atomic Electric Co. in Framingham, Mass.  
She was a member of the First Congregational Church in Oxford and the United Church of Christ in Webster. Alice would be the first to give a helping hand and brought a smile to any activity or person she met.
She leaves a daughter, Lenore Gordon (John) of Scotland, UK; four granddaughters, Amy Muir of Scotland, UK, Alicia Galvan of Auburn, Jenna Allard of Woodstock, and Amanda Allard of Charlton; seven great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by a son and a daughter: Michael Hannon and Cheryl Allard and a brother and two sisters: George Brownell, Florence Nelson and Dorothy Dufresne.  
Donations: First Congregational Church of Oxford, 355 East Main St., Oxford, MA 01540.   Services will be held at 10 a.m. Sept. 8. Shaw-Majercik Funeral Home, Webster.

Ralph Patnaude II,
Marine vet
CANTERBURY — Ralph R. Patnaude II, 60, died Aug. 3, 2018, at home.
He was born in Chelsea, Mass., son of the late Ralph R. Patnaude and Loretta (Jason) Patnaude and lived in Killingly for a short time, living most of his life in Putnam.
He was a U.S. Marine Corp. veteran.  Ralph was a warehouse worker at Frito Lay Co., Dayville.
He was active with the Boy Scouts, enjoyed fishing, hunting and loved cooking.  
He leaves his companion Cynthia D. Phillips of Canterbury and with whom he made his home; a sister Lisa Garretta of Lisbon, and Laurie Patnaude of Woodstock. He was predeceased by his brother, Chris Patnaude.
Donations: American Cancer Society. Shaw-Majercik Funeral Home, Webster.

Marion Wood
DAYVILLE — Marion M. (Crump) Wood, 78, died July 31, 2018, at Davis Place, Danielson.
She was born in Ogdensburg, N.Y., daughter of the late Erie Belmont Crump and Melva (Mouthorp) Crump and lived in the Killingly area for the past 40 years, prior to that living in upstate New York. She was a CNA working in home healthcare.  She enjoyed reading, music, dance, bingo, gardening and animals.
She leaves her companion, Thomas Andrews of Dayville; two sons, Erie Jack Wood (Marnie) of Heuvelton, N.Y., Alvin Wood (Susan) of Killingly; four daughters; Susan Sawyer (Jerome) of Hermon, N.Y., Melva O’Neill of Brooklyn, Donna Gaudreau (James) of Rogers, and Marion H. Chapman of W. Warwick, R.I.; 15 grandchildren, 25 great-grandchildren and eight great-great-grandchildren; a brother Erie Junior Crump of New York. She was predeceased by a son, Gerald Wood and his wife Peggy and the three children and a brother John Crump.  
A Celebration of Life will be from 2 to 5 p.m. Aug. 11 at the VFW on Wauregan Rd., Brooklyn. Donations: CT Humane Society, 701 Russell Rd, Newington, CT 06111.  Shaw-Majercik Funeral Home, Webster.

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