WOODSTOCK — When Pentatonix, the Grammy Award-winning pop group, came to Mohegan Sun Dec. 9 and 10, The Woodstock Academy Hill Singers will be there too. The Academy’s a cappella choir took the stage before the Pentatonix show to perform classic holiday carols.
“This is definitely the biggest live audience,” said Amy Ranta, choral director and fine arts department chair at The Woodstock Academy. “We’ve sung on TV before, but never a live audience like this before.” Members include: Jack Adase, Alex Antunes, Asa Bazinet, Luke Bourque, Lucas Couture, Abigail Dustin, Emma Green, Ava Hassell, Cecelia Hawkins, Emily King, Steven Madenjian, Aidan McCarthy, Ciri Miller, Samantha Orlowski, Zachary Paige, Sophia Pontbriand, Meg Ritzau, Samantha Sheldon, and Corey Stanley.
The 20 Hill Singers performed carols outside of the arena before the show and then took the stage.
“We were so in shock” said Sophia Pontbriand, a Hill Singer and junior from Woodstock. “This is a huge deal for this generation of Hill Singers, but also for future Hill Singers,” said Pontbriand.
“The Hill Singers have had a number of opportunities to exhibit their talent, but this feels like the super bowl of performances. I’m really happy for the students,” said associate head of school Holly Singleton.
The Hill Singers were ecstatic at their afternoon rehearsal. “It’s crazy to think that this small group of people from Woodstock will get to do this,” said Emily King, a Hill Singer and junior from Brooklyn.

No Menus --- Happy Holidays!

Wed. Dec. 20
Art Exhibit
THOMPSON --- The Friends of the Thompson Public Library will present Art @ the Library’s Thompson Winter Student Art Showcase (Thompson Public School students) through Dec. 22. A reception will be held from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m.

Nature Store
POMFRET --- The Connecticut Audubon Society at Pomfret Center will hold its annual Holiday Nature Store from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays and Saturday and from noon to 4 p.m. on Sundays through Dec. 22 at the Grassland Bird Conservation Center on Day Road. 860-928-4948.

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.

Library Display
PUTNAM --- The Putnam Public Library will present a Petrified Wood display through Dec. 30. Free.

Thur. Dec. 21
Winter Solstice
POMFRET --- The Wyndham Land Trust at Lyon Preserve will present a Winter Solstice Gathering from 3 to 5 p.m. at Lyon Preserve, Wright’s Crossing Road. Light refreshments will be served, including marshmallows to roast on the fire!

Tea and Tales
N. WOODSTOCK --- The North Woodstock Library on Rt. 169 will present “Tea and Tales” at 3 p.m. Tea, nibbles and hear a story. Free.

Mon. Dec. 24
Children’s Service
CHEPACHET ---  The Chepachet Baptist Church will hold a special service for kids at 10 a.m. at the church on Rt. 44. Titled "Will Kids Ever Know What Christmas Really Is?" the service will feature video, songs, and a Christmas Story Panorama. Family members of all ages are welcome.  Snacks follow.  Chepachetbaptist.org .

Mon. Dec. 25
Merry Christmas!

Thur. Dec. 28
Nature Program
POMFRET --- The Connecticut Audubon Society at Pomfret Center will present a monthly bird walk at 1 p.m. starting at the Grassland Bird Conservation Center on Day Road. $5 for CAS members; $10 for nonmembers. 860-928-4948.

Blood Drive
DAYVILLE --- The American Red Cross will hold a blood drive from 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. at the Dayville Fire Company on Hartford Pike. 1-800-RED CROSS.

Fri. Dec. 29
Blood Drive
N. GROSVENORDALE --- The American Red Cross will hold a blood drive from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Thompson Community Center on Riverside Drive. 1-800-RED CROSS.

Blood Drive
PUTNAM ---The American Red Cross will hold a blood drive from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Day Kimball Hospital on Pomfret Street. 1-800-RED CROSS.

Sat. Dec. 30
Nature Program
POMFRET --- The Connecticut Audubon Society at Pomfret Center will present an Owl Walk at 7 p.m. starting at the Grassland Bird Conservation Center on Day Road. $5 for CAS members; $10 for nonmembers. 860-928-4948.

Blood Drive
PUTNAM --- The American Red Cross will hold a blood drive from 8 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. and from 12:45 to 6 p.m. at Day Kimball Hospital. 1-800-RED CROSS.

Mon. Jan. 1, 2018
Happy New Year!

Mon. Jan. 8
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

Garden Club
S. WOODSTOCK --- The Quiet Corner Garden Club will present “How to Grow Microgreens” at 7 p.m. at the S. Woodstock Baptist Church. Nonmembers are asked to make a $5 donation to attend this program.  www.quietcornergardenclub.org

Nature Program
POMFRET --- The Connecticut Audubon Society at Pomfret Center will present "Breeding Bird Atlas Project - Introduction" at 7 p.m. at the Grassland Bird Conservation Center on Day Road. Free. 860-928-4948. Snow date Jan. 9.


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