caption:
To Perform
The Grow Your Own Band. Sitting, left to right: Mike and Beth Silvia. Standing: Isaiah, Simon, Jacob and Elizabeth Silvia. Courtesy photo.
THOMPSON — Grow Your Own Band. It’s good advice. It’s also the name of one of the acts performing at The Conncert, Broadway Live’s latest production benefiting The Hale YMCA Youth and Family Center.
The members of this troupe are the Silvia family, and they are delighted to be joining the efforts of this fund-raising endeavor April 7 and 8 at the Center for the Arts at Woodstock Academy.
Tickets are available at the Hale YMCA or online at www.theconncert.com .
You’ll see “family” as a theme woven throughout this celebration. It is something important to the beneficiary (the YMCA) and it is something important to the benefactors (sponsors and performers).
The Silvia family exemplifies the excitement for both. This ensemble features Mike and Beth Silvia on vocals, banjo, and parenthood.
Ranging between ages 18 and 28, daughter Elizabeth and sons Isaiah, Jacob, and Simon play multiple instruments including guitar, bass, drums, and piano.
As a collective group they work around a wide array of musical genres, and they do this with a variety of different family arrangements.
When they play together as a six-piece ensemble, they really find their groove.
Their set list for the upcoming show includes: Elizabeth remixing a Britney Spears song for guitar, Beth’s rendition of “Find Your Grail” from the Broadway smash Spamalot, and a full-family, full-orchestra jam covering “Uptown Funk” by Mark Ronson and Bruno Mars.
The last number described as their “take-down-the-house” song.
James Doran Kellaway, executive producer for The Conncert, said he first learned of the Silvia family talents when he and Beth worked together on a production of Spamalot. He said: “I heard Beth’s powerful vocals before, and she showcased classic talent. I just had no idea that musical skill is shared as strongly as love in her family.” The Silvia family’s excitement for this benefit concert comes from genuine appreciation for the YMCA organization. In addition to their four children listed above, Mike and Beth have three adopted children. Although everybody is much older and mature now, they can recall times when various YMCAs in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut provided hubs of activity for a growing group. Beth remembers it warmly. “We used to go 3 times a week,” she said. “With 7 kids there’s not a lot you can always do as a family. The kids could swim, we would use the open gym, grab a meal together—we could do things all together, or we could do separate activities comfortably. I’m thrilled to be doing this event for the Y because we raised our family there. The YMCA is family.”
E. WOODSTOCK — The East Woodstock Congregational Church (EWCC) is planning to restore the four original monumental Tuscan order columns that are an important architectural detail of this beautiful New England Congregational Church.
The church is now requesting the community’s help to restore the aging columns. With everyone’s help, the church will stand ready to serve the community for another 180-plus years. Please consider donating to help an important historic institution and landmark in our community. Donations may be made out to EWCC-Column Restoration project, EWCC, P.O. Box 156, East Woodstock, CT 06244.
More information can be found on the church website, www.eastwoodstockchurch.org
The church is planning a presentation, “From Meeting House to Church: The Evolution of Early New England Religious Structures,” by Myron Stachiw at noon March 11 at the church on Woodstock Avenue. Stachiw is East Woodstock resident and the project’s Historic and Architectural Research consultant. This presentation will provide insights into the process of transformation of form and design from the 18th century meeting house to the 19th century church in the larger American context and the more local and regional context, with a special focus on the East Woodstock Congregational Church and the strategies and methods employed in the research and analysis of the church building and its columns.
The Meeting House was dedicated in 1834 following the design and form of meeting houses being built in the south-central Massachusetts and northeastern Connecticut region during the 1820s and 1830s. The staved Tuscan columns (similar to the construction of a wooden barrel) have weathered the last 184 years (including the 1938 hurricane), but they have suffered some deterioration and undergone several phases of minor repair over the years.
The columns are in need of repair and restoration to their original form to ensure that the surviving original materials will endure the next 184 years.
The EWCC has been collaborating with the CT Trust for Historic Preservation and the CT State Historic Preservation Office, first receiving a matching grant from the Trust, completed in 2015, to study the condition of the columns and to make recommendations for their repair. In 2017 the EWCC received a matching grant from the CT Historic Preservation Office Historic Restoration Fund to complete the necessary repairs and restoration of the columns. Work on the columns is scheduled for this summer.
Wed. Feb. 14
Happy Valentine's Day!
Exhibit
POMFRET --- The Connecticut Audubon Society at Pomfret Center will present "Trail Wood Reflections: Writer & Artist In-Residence Exhibit" through Feb. 25 at the Grassland Bird Conservation Center on Day Road. 860-928-4948.
Exhibit
N. GROSVENORDALE --- The Friends of the Library will present Art @ the Library, “Watercolors by Adolph Rutkin” from Feb. 1 through Feb. 28 at the Thompson Public Library. The opening reception will be from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Feb. 1. www.thompsonpubliclibrary.org
Art Exhibit
PUTNAM --- "Motion and Gesture," an exhibit of Pomfret School student artwork, will be on view through Feb. 25 at the Pomfret Galley (off campus) at 134 Main St. (Bosworth Block Building - second floor).
Sat. Feb. 17
Camper Game Day
POMFRET --- The Windham Tolland 4-H Camp on Taft Pond road will present Beat the Winter Blues Camper Game Day from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. It’s for boys and girls, ages 6-12. Lunch and snack provided with games, crafts and more. Bring outdoor gear and a sled if there is snow on the ground. $15/child. Register by Feb. 9. 860-974-3379.
Nature Program
POMFRET --- The Connecticut Audubon Society of Pomfret Center will hold a winter tracking hike from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at a location to be announced. $50 CAS members; $60 nonmembers. Registration required. 860-928-4948.
Acorn Adventure
POMFRET --- The Last Green Valley’s Acorn Adventure: Bobcat Tracks and More with Wyndham Land Trust will be held at 10 a.m. at Lyon Preserve, off Rt. 101. Free, thanks to sponsorship of Putnam Bank.
Roast Pork Supper
DANIELSON --- The Westfield Church on Main Street will hold a Roast Pork supper from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. $12 for adults; $8 for kids 10 and younger. Takeout available. WestfieldUCC.org
Nature Program
POMFRET --- The Connecticut Audubon Society of Pomfret Center will present “Owl Walk” at 7 p.m. at the Grassland Bird Conservation Center on Day Road. $5 for CAS members; $10 nonmembers. 860-928-4948.
Sun. Feb. 18
Healing Service
PUTNAM --- A Christian Healing Service will be held at 2 p.m. at St. Philip’s Church. Prayer teams will be available to pray with individuals for physical, emotional and spiritual healing. Includes praise and worship music and a celebration of the Eucharist. 860-928-3510.
Mon. Feb. 19
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 lower level meeting room. Minimum fee. Local seniors welcome. 860-315-5175.
Thur. Feb. 22
Trivia Challenge
PUTNAM --- The Putnam Lions Club will present a fund-raiser Trivia Challenge at 7 p.m. at the Crossings Restaurant. Free. Benefits diabetes education.
Fri. Feb. 23
'Footloose'
POMFRET --- Pomfret School will present "Footloose," the winter musical at 7 p.m. Feb. 23 and 24 and at 2 p.m. Feb. 25 at the Hard Auditorium.
Sat. Feb. 24
Nature Program
POMFRET --- The Connecticut Audubon Society of Pomfret Center will present “Nature Sketchbook Journaling” from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Grassland Bird Conservation Center on Day Road. $10 for CAS members; $20 nonmembers. 860-928-4948.
Empty Bowls
POMFRET --- Pomfret School will present Empty Bowls, a soup tasting to benefit local food banks, at 5 p.m. at the Main House.
Sun. Feb. 25
Nature Program
POMFRET --- The Connecticut Audubon Society of Pomfret Center will kick off “Trail Wood Reflections: Writer & Artist In-Residence Exhibit” with a closing reception and readings at the center from 2 to 4 p.m. Free. 860-928-4948.
Wedding Expo
THOMPSON --- The WINY Wedding Expo 2018 will be held at the Raceway Restaurant. Doors open at noon. Free admission. Register in advance by calling 860-928-1350.
Mon. Feb. 26
Film Series
POMFRET --- The Connecticut Audubon Society of Pomfret Center and the town of Pomfret Green Team will present “Generation Zapped” at 6:30 p.m. (snow date: Feb. 27) at the Grassland Bird Conservation Center on Day Road. $5. 860-928-4948.
Blood Drive
DANIELSON --- The American Red Cross will hold a blood drive from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Quinebaug Valley Community College on Upper Maple Street. 1-800-RED-CROSS.
Tues. Feb. 27
Blood Drive
DANIELSON --- The American Red Cross will hold a blood drive from 1 to 6 p.m. at Westfield Congregational Church on Main Street. 1-800-RED CROSS.
Wed. Feb. 28
Blood Drive
BROOKLYN --- The American Red Cross will hold a blood drive from 1:30 to 6 p.m. at Brooklyn Middle School on Gorman Road. 1-800-RED-CROSS.
Blood Drive
PUTNAM --- The American Red Cross will hold a blood drive from 1 to 6 p.m. at the Putnam Elks Club on Edmond Street. 1-800-RED CROSS.
Fri. March 2
Teen Weekend
POMFRET --- The Windham Tolland 4-H camp on Taft Pond Road will hold its Spring Teen Weekend March 2 through 4. For teens 13 – 18. $50. Preregistration required by Feb. 23. Call 860-974-3379 to register or email:
Sat. March 3
Prayer
DANIELSON --- World Day of Prayer, highlighting Suriname's history and cultural diversity; will be held at the United Methodist Church of Danielson; Suriname Luncheon at noon; service to follow. Sponsored by the Killingly-Brooklyn Interfaith Council.
Sun March 4
Prayer
DANIELSON --- The World Day of Prayer, "Am I Being Unfair to You?" highlighting economic justice and human rights issues of women in the Philippines; will be presented at United Methodist Church of Danielson; Philippine luncheon at noon, followed by service. Sponsored by the Killingly-Brooklyn Interfaith Council.
Sat. March 10
Benefit Dinner
PUTNAM --- Putnam Ford Inc. will sponsor its 20th annual Spaghetti Dinner/Dance to benefit the American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life at the K of C on Rt. 12, N. Grosvenordale. Cocktails at 6; dinner at 7. $25 donation. Limited seating 860-928-2731.
Comedy Fund-raiser
PUTNAM --- The Woodstock Academy Project Graduation will present Funny 4 Fund$.com at St. Mary’s Church. The doors open at 7 and the show starts at 8. Light snacks provided or bring your own. Beverages for sale. Drawings. $20. For tickets contact
Empty Bowl
PUTNAM --- Sawmill Pottery and the Congregational Church of Putnam will hold its Empty Bowl Supper fund-raiser for Interfaith Human Services of Putnam/Daily Bread. Two seatings: 4:45 and 6 p.m. $20. 860-928-4405.
Sun. March 11
Church Program
E. WOODSTOCK --- The East Woodstock Congregational Church will present a program, “From Meeting House to Church: The Evolution of Early New England Religious Structures,” by Myron Stachiw at noon. The church is planning to restore the four original monumental Tuscan order columns. Donations welcome: EWCC-Column Restoration project, EWCC, P.O. Box 156, East Woodstock, CT 06244. www.eastwoodstockchurch.org.
Fri. March 16
‘Tucker’ Fund-raiser
WOODSTOCK --- The Woodstock Academy, in association with Putnam Bank, will present the Marshall Tucker Band in concert March 16 at the Center for the Arts. Cold Train opens for Marshall Tucker Band at 7. Doors open at 6:15 p.m. Benefits improvements to the Center. General admission, $35; Limited premium tickets for $100. woodstockacademy.org/tickets.
Sun March 25
Palm Sunday Concert
PUTNAM --- The Congregational Church of Putnam will bhost the Palm Sunday Ecumenical Concert at 3 p.m. Local church choirs will take part.
Wed. March 28
‘Freedom Train’
WOODSTOCK --- Harriet Tubman, and the inspiring story of the Underground Railroad, come to life when The Three C’s presents Theatreworks USA from New York with their production of “Freedom Train” at 10 a.m. at the Center for the Arts at Woodstock Academy, Rt. 169. Tickets are $4 per person for groups of 10 or more, and $6 per person for under 10. For info email
Sat. April 7
Production
WOODSTOCK VALLEY --- Broadway Live Productions will present "The Conncert" April 7 and 8 at the Center for the Arts at The Woodstock Academy. Benefits Hale YMCA Youth and Family Center. Tickets: at the Hale YMCA in Putnam or online at www.theconnecticutconcert.com.
Sat. April 14
Tag Sale
KILLINGLY --- A tag sale to benefit PAWS Cat Shelter will be held from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. inside the Community Room at the Killingly Library, rain/snow/or shine.
Tag Sale
CANTERBURY --- The Canterbury Historical Society will host an Indoor Tag Sale from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Canterbury Town Community Room on Rt. 14. www.canterburyhistorical.org
Fri. May 18
Denim and Diamonds
PUTNAM --- The Northeastern Connecticut Chamber of Commerce will hold its annual Denim and Diamonds fund-raiser at the Connecticut National Golf Course. 860-774-8001.
Fri. June 1
Golf Tourney
PUTNAM --- The Putnam Rotary Club’s Ronald P. Coderre Golf Tournament will be held at Connecticut National Golf Club.
Wed. June 5
Performance
WOODSTOCK --- The Community Cultural Committee d/b/a The Three C’s is adding a second performance of “Nugget and Fang” June 5 at the Center for the Arts at Woodstock Academy on Rt. 169. The second show is at noon. The 10 a.m. show is sold out. Tickets are $4 per person for groups of 10 or more, and $6 for individuals.
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Honored by bank
PUTNAM — Billy Gallagher was named Putnam Bank’s Employee of the Month for January 2018. He has been with the bank since August 2016, and serves as Commercial Lending credit analyst.
Gallagher said, “I am extremely honored to be selected as Putnam Bank’s employee of the month and am very fortunate to be a part of the Commercial Lending Department. While I appreciate the individual recognition, this could easily be a team award.”
He volunteers his time coaching local youth sports organizations including Brooklyn Little League, New England AAU Baseball, and the Killingly Parks & Recreation Department Basketball League. He lives in Brooklyn with his wife Michelle and their two children, Jackson and Avery.
“Billy works efficiently and effectively in his underwriting position in the Commercial Credit Department. His work has helped to support the well managed growth in the commercial loan portfolio. Billy’s service to the department, the bank, and to the community is greatly appreciated.” said Thomas Borner, Putnam Bank president and CEO.