WOODSTOCK VALLEY — Broadway Live Productions returns to the big stage at the Center for the Arts at The Woodstock Academy April 7 and 8 for a special concert to benefit the Hale YMCA Youth and Family Center called “The Conncert”.
Tickets are now available at the Hale YMCA in Putnam or online at www.theconnecticutconcert.com .
The top corporate sponsors for “The Conncert” production include Gerardi Insurance, Jewett City Savings Bank, Lord Thompson Manor, Putnam Bank, Rectory School, Thomasdoran and Company, Westview Health Care Center, WINY Radio and The Woodstock Academy.
More than 30 local and regional vocalists backed up by a 16-piece orchestra and band will perform songs from Broadway, Classical, Jazz, Rock, Pop, Big Band and more. All music is arranged by Walter Gwardyak from the Hartford Symphony and New England Jazz, Keri Danner is the director and Marc Poitras is the music director.
The Conncert will be led by Mistress and Masters of Ceremony Amanda Kelly, Marc Cerrone and Ronald Coderre, respectively. The performers slated to appear include: Andre Bessette, Donna Bessette, Yvie Bessette, Jonathan Carpentier, Hannah Chubbuck, Tim Deary, Mackenzie Deary, Val Hauptman, James Doran Kellaway, Molly Kellaway, Donna LaHaie, Adam Landry, Paul Lucenti, Patrick McCarthy, Alex Mercier, Carl Mercier, Elena Mercier, Lilly Mercier, David T. Panteleakos, Brenda Pontbriand, Sophia Pontbriand, Rachel Pontbriand, Mike Silvia, Beth Silvia, Izaiah Silvia, Elizabeth Silvia, Simon Silvia, Ted Reynolds and Brooke Zahansky. The production team is rounded out by Christie Deary, Stage Manager, Adam Bumpus, Web Designer, Christine Zadora, Producer and James D. Kellaway, Video Director and Writer.
This is now the 6th philanthropic production that Broadway Live has produced at the 1,000-seat Woodstock theater since 2005. Other productions included Encore…2005, Broadway Live…2008 - Helping Hands, Divas Live in 2011, Follow The Red Dress Divas in 2012 and Les Misérables in 2014.
Broadway Live Productions was created in 2000 by David T. Panteleakos as a company to produce live performances to benefit national and local 501 (c) (3) non-profit organizations like The American Cancer Society, Habitat for Humanity, Doctors Without Borders, The Bradley Playhouse, Day Kimball Hospital, Day Kimball Deary Fund, QVCC Foundation, HealthQuest, The Arc, Daily Bread, TEEG and Eastern Connecticut Performing Arts Association. The production company has generated more than $700,000 in ticket sales and sponsorships, with all net proceeds from their performances benefitting many worthy non-profit causes.
Wed. Jan. 17
Library Program
POMFRET --- The Pomfret Library Friends will present “Intro to Online Genealogy: Google” at 3 p.m. at the library. Registration encouraged. 860-928-3475.
Art Exhibit
POMFRET --- The Connecticut Audubon Society at Pomfret Center will present its Winter Art Show featuring local artists from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays and Saturday and from noon to 4 p.m. on Sundays through mid-January at the Grassland Bird Conservation Center on Day Road. 860-928-4948.
Art Exhibit
THOMPSON --- The Friends of the Thompson Public Library will present Art @ the Library’s “As I See It: Multimedia Works” by Kate Gilman-Alexander through Jan. 27. There will be a reception from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Jan. 8. www.thompsonpubliclibrary.org
Thur. Jan. 18
Nature Program
POMFRET --- The Connecticut Audubon Society at Pomfret Center will present "Bird Walk at 1 p.m. at the Grassland Bird Conservation Center on Day Road. $5 for CAS members; $10 for nonmembers. 860-928-4948.
Fri. Jan. 19
Fish and Steak
N. GROSVENORDALE --- The Knights of Columbus Council 2087 on Riverside Drive will hold a steak and fish dinner from noon to 8 p.m. Prices vary. 860-923-2967
‘Almost Maine’
PUTNAM --- The Bradley Playhouse will present “Almost Maine” by John Cariani at 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. through Feb. 4. $20 and $16. 860-928-7887.
Sat. Jan. 20
Nature Program
POMFRET --- The Connecticut Audubon Society at Pomfret Center will present "Owl Walk" at 7 p.m. at the Grassland Bird Conservation Center on Day Road. Depends on weather. $5 for CAS members; $10 for nonmembers. 860-928-4948.
Acorn Adventure
WOODSTOCK --- The Last Green Valley’s Acorn Adventure: Eagle Eyes, will be held from 1 to 2:30 p.m. at Roseland Park. Children and their families are invited to join The Last Green Valley’s Chief Ranger Bill Reid and Ranger J.P. Babineau to experience just how big a bald eagle’s wings are, how huge their eyes are compared to the size of their heads and other fun facts. Bring binoculars or a spotting scope if you have them. Sponsored by Putnam Savings Bank.
Meatball Supper
KILLINGLY --- The Westfield Church on Main Street will hold a Swedish Meatball Supper from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. $12 for adults; $8 for kids 10 and younger. Eat in or takeout.
Library Program
EASTFORD --- The Eastford Public Library will present “ Sharon Yang, Author of Letter from a Dead Man and Bait & Switch” at 11 a.m.
‘Almost Maine’
PUTNAM --- The Bradley Playhouse will present “Almost Maine” by John Cariani at 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. Jan. 19 through Feb. 4. $20 and $16. 860-928-7887.
Sun. Jan. 21
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. Reception from 2 to 4 p.m. Jan. 21. 860-928-4948.
‘Almost Maine’
PUTNAM --- The Bradley Playhouse will present “Almost Maine” by John Cariani at 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. Jan. 19 through Feb. 4. $20 and $16. 860-928-7887.
Mon. Jan. 22
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.
Film Series
POMFRET --- The Connecticut Audubon Society at Pomfret Center and the Town of Pomfret's Green Team will present "Tapped 2009" at 6:30 p.m. at the Grassland Bird Conservation Center on Day Road. Free. 860-928-4948. Snow date Jan. 23.
Library Program
POMFRET --- The Pomfret Library Friends will present “Robert Frost Lunch with Avery Tillinghast & Pomfret Library Friends” at noon at the library. Registration encouraged. 860-928-3475.
Tues. Jan. 23
History Program
DANIELSON --- Bill Pearsall, will present a program, “The Great Putnam Bank Robbery” about 8:15 a.m. at the Veterans Coffeehouse on Broad Street.
Wed. Jan. 24
Farm Protection Program
ASHFORD --- Protecting Family Farms and Forest will be presented from 7 to 9 p.m. at Knowlton Memorial Hall, 25 Pompey Hollow Road. TLGV is partnering with Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection (DEEP), Connecticut Farmland Trust, MassConn, and the Ashford and Willington Conservation Commissions for this workshop to help landowners determine whether they want to ensure some or all of their land remains open space permanently. Free.
Fri. Jan. 26
Fish Dinner
N. GROSVENORDALE --- The Knights of Columbus Council 2087 on Riverside Drive will hold a Friday fish fry from noon to 8 p.m. Prices vary. 860-923-2967
‘Almost Maine’
PUTNAM --- The Bradley Playhouse will present “Almost Maine” by John Cariani at 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. Jan. 19 through Feb. 4. $20 and $16. 860-928-7887.
Sat. Jan. 27
Nature Program
POMFRET --- The Connecticut Audubon Society at Pomfret Center will present "Nature Sketchbook Journaling" from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Grassland Bird Conservation Center on Day Road. CAS members, $10; nonmembers, $20. Call to register: 860-928-4948.
‘Almost Maine’
PUTNAM --- The Bradley Playhouse will present “Almost Maine” by John Cariani at 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. Jan. 19 through Feb. 4. $20 and $16. 860-928-7887.
Ham and Beans
E. WOODSTOCK --- The East Woodstock Congregational Church’s homemade Ham & Bean Supper will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. at the church. $10 per adult; kids 10 and younger admitted free. Take out available. Tickets in church office, or 860-928-2731 or email:
Sun. Jan. 28
‘Almost Maine’
PUTNAM --- The Bradley Playhouse will present “Almost Maine” by John Cariani at 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. Jan. 19 through Feb. 4. $20 and $16. 860-928-7887.
Mon. Jan. 29
Library Program
POMFRET --- The Pomfret Library Friends will present “Women’s Self-Defense with Kristin Duethorn” at 6 p.m. at the Pomfret Historical Society’s Old Towne House. Registration required. 860-928-3475.
Fri. Feb. 2
‘Almost Maine’
PUTNAM --- The Bradley Playhouse will present “Almost Maine” by John Cariani at 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. Jan. 19 through Feb. 4. $20 and $16. 860-928-7887.
‘Duck Day’
EASTFORD --- At 7:30 a.m. the “Duck Day ALTERNATIVE to Groundhog Day” will happen at the Ivy Glenn Memorial on Rt. 198. Scramble the Duck has successfully predicted six weeks of weather for the past four years. Come see if he is accurate again. Scramble also predicts sports outcomes. Assisting Scramble will be three Torcellini brothers: Micah, Isaac and Benjamin. To predict the weather, Scramble emerges from a model of the Ivy Glenn building and proceeds down a red carpet where he will tell us whether the next six weeks will bring more cold or more warmth. The boys wear top hats and formal dress in honor of the occasion.
Sat. Feb. 3
Run/Walk
POMFRET CENTER --- The 4th Annual February Freeze 5k Run/Walk family-friendly race will start at 1 p.m. at Parsons Lodge, Pomfret School, on Rt. 169. Snow date: Feb. 4. $25 per runner. Benefits the eighth grade Pomfret Community School Washington, D.C. trip. Register: lightboxreg.com/february_freeze_2018.
‘Almost Maine’
PUTNAM --- The Bradley Playhouse will present “Almost Maine” by John Cariani at 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. Jan. 19 through Feb. 4. $20 and $16. 860-928-7887.
Sun. Feb. 4
‘Almost Maine’
PUTNAM --- The Bradley Playhouse will present “Almost Maine” by John Cariani at 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. Jan. 19 through Feb. 4. $20 and $16. 860-928-7887.
Open House
POMFRET --- The Windham-Tolland 4-H Camp Open House will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. at the camp on Taft Pond Road. Tour, registration materials available. Early bird discounts available through Feb. 28.
Mon. Feb. 5
Garden Club
S. WOODSTOCK --- The Quiet Corner Garden Club will present “How to Grow Microgreens” at 7 p.m. at the South Woodstock Baptist Church. Free to club members; a $5 donatio for non-members. www.quietcornergardenclub.org.
Sat. Feb. 10
Potato Fund-raiser
PUTNAM --- Boy Scout Troop 21 will hold a baked potato buffet fund-raiser from 5 to 7 p.m. in the downstairs hall of St. Mary Church on Providence Street. $5 for potato, toppings and dessert, coffee or tea. Eat in or take out. The Easter Bunny will be there! 860-928-7241.
Uniform Drive
PUTNAM --- The Scouts from Boy Scout Troop 21 need uniforms. If you have all or part of any used Boy Scout uniforms in good condition, please bring it to St. Mary Church basement, from 5 to 7 p.m. 860-928-7241.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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Donations
The Wireless Zone of Putnam donated recently to the Northeast Opportunities for Wellness, Inc. Left to right: Putnam Wireless Zone Putnam Assistant Store Manager Patrick Lynch, Putnam Wireless Zone Store Manager Josh Paul, and NOW President Allan Rawson. Courtesy photo.
PUTNAM — Jan. 9 the Wireless Zone of Putnam presented Northeast Opportunities for Wellness, Inc. (NOW) with a donation of $266.66. The funds were generated from sales of Wireless Zone brand PopSockets at the Putnam store over the fall and winter months.
Wireless Zone Putnam store manager Josh Paul and assistant store manager Patrick Lynch were on hand to present the check to NOW president Allan Rawson. Paul said, “Wireless Zone is happy to be able to raise money for a great, local organization that is dedicated to providing fitness and wellness opportunities to children in the community.”
This is not the first time Wireless Zone has provided support to NOW; in the fall of 2016 the Putnam, Killingly, and N. Windham stores teamed up to donate $610 to NOW in response to money that had been stolen from a NOW fund-raising event. As well, the Putnam Wireless Zone has donated various auction items and baskets used at NOW events.
NOW Executive Director Sarah Wolfburg expressed her appreciation for the continued support from Wireless Zone, “As a non-profit, the support we receive from the community is truly valued. It is encouraging to see businesses like the Putnam Wireless Zone donating funds, goods, and sharing their success with us.”
Northeast Opportunities for Wellness, is a non-profit human services organization focused on youth wellness.
POMFRET — Pomfret School will present Junot Díaz as the 2018 Schwartz Visiting Fellow. He is the author of the critically acclaimed Drown; The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao, which won the 2008 Pulitzer Prize and the National Book Critics Circle Award; and This Is How You Lose Her, a New York Times bestseller and National Book Award finalist.
Díaz is scheduled to visit the Pomfret campus Jan. 25 and 26. During his two-day stay, he is expected to share his unique perspective on literature and the craft of writing with students, faculty, and the community.
At 7 p.m. on Jan. 26 Díaz will deliver a community lecture in Hard Auditorium on the Pomfret campus. This event is free and open to the public, but an RSVP is required. To reserve a seat, visit www.pomfret.org/diaz.
“We are very excited to have someone of his stature and writing talent visit Pomfret,” said Librarian David Ring, who is coordinating the visit. “It is a wonderful opportunity for students and faculty alike.”
Junot Díaz was born in the Dominican Republic and raised in New Jersey. Díaz is the recipient of a MacArthur “Genius” Fellowship, PEN/Malamud Award, Dayton Literary Peace Prize, Guggenheim Fellowship, and PEN/O. Henry Award. A graduate of Rutgers College, Díaz is currently the fiction editor at Boston Review and the Rudge and Nancy Allen Professor of Writing at MIT. Since 1989, world renowned experts have visited Pomfret School under the Schwartz Visiting Fellow Program. This speaker series is the result of the vision and generosity of Michael Schwartz ’66 and Eric Schwartz ’69. Past fellows include playwright Cheryl West, marine archaeologist Robert Ballard, author Frank McCourt, and historian David McCullough, & others.