Briefly
$10,000 Donation
POMFRET — Westfield Bank recently donated $10,000 to Horizons Rectory School for Horizons’ mission to expand educational opportunities for under-resourced students in northeastern Connecticut. Horizons Rectory School is a tuition-free, six-week academic and enrichment summer program for students from under-resourced communities in northeastern Connecticut. Now in its second year, the program provides students with a joyful, high-quality learning experience that combines academics with arts, swimming, field trips, and social-emotional support. “Support from partners like Westfield Bank allows us to provide life-changing opportunities for students,” said Dave Farrell Director of Auxiliary Programs at Rectory School and Executive Director of Horizons Rectory School. “This gift not only helps fund critical programming but also sends a powerful message to our children: your community believes in you.”
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Paula Labonte Ruoppo
THOMPSON — Paula (Labonte) Ruoppo, 66, of Thompson, passed away peacefully July 21, 2025, at home. She was the loving wife of David Ruoppo. Born in Putnam, she was the daughter of Leo and Martha (Perrault) Labonte.
Paula was a devoted and multifaceted woman, known for her strong work ethic, creative talents and warm spirit. With a deep sense of care and a mind for detail, she dedicated her professional life to supporting others and keeping things running smoothly behind the scenes. She was the office manager for Senexet Computer Systems, as well as Expert Laser Services. She also found fulfilment in education, working as a teacher’s assistant at St. Andrews Elementary School in Charleston, S.C., where she touched the lives of many young students with her patience and kindness.
With talents extending far beyond the workplace, Paula had a remarkable gift for all things crafty. She was a skilled seamstress, had a knack for needlepoint and was so good at crochet; she could do it in her sleep. Her love of cooking and baking had everyone she loved, never short of a delicious meal or sweet treat. If she wasn’t in the kitchen whipping up a meal or canning her famous jellies and jams, you could catch her tending to her yard or working her magic with her power tools. Paula also was a Sunday School Teacher at Landmark Baptist Church and was a very good singer in two church choirs.
She leaves two sons, Wesley Isaac Ruoppo, Jack Leo Ruoppo; two sisters, Ruth Reyes of Piedmont, S,C., Brenda Balcunas of Thompson; brother, David Labonte of Franklin, Mass.; a granddaughter, Sydney Violet Ruoppo; two grandsons, Gabe Owen Ruoppo, Blake Williams Ruoppo, granddaughters, Flora Green Ruoppo, Katani Rose Ruoppo.
The Mass of Christian Burial was July 26 at Creation Church, Thompson, with burial in St. Mary Cemetery. Valade Funeral Home, 23 Main St., N. Grosvenordale.
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Putnam Main Street Car Cruise takes over town!
Car enthusiasts from all over are expected to pack Putnam for one of the biggest and most popular Car Cruises of the summer, The Putnam Main Street Car Cruise!
Aug. 10, registration for vehicles starts at 8 a.m., and it is free to register. The event runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Volunteers will be posted around town wearing bright safety vests handing out registration packets that include a Registration & Judging Card to display on your windshield for “Choice Trophy Winner” eligibility, map of the downtown and park area showing dining and our gracious sponsors, ATMs and other points of interest, a Dash Plaque featuring a classic vehicle, plus a raffle ticket to win a gift card at a local restaurant.
Custom Motorcycles, Custom Hot Rods, and Classic Cars will flood the downtown Putnam area and Rotary Park! Trophies will be awarded in many categories! Make sure to check out the 24k Gold Plated DeLorean in Rotary Park.
With the large number of crowds expected, several streets will be closed, including Kennedy Drive, Massicotte Circle, and Main Street.
Don’t miss the family-friendly “Pluck-A-Duck” Kids Corner in Rotary Park! Bounce Houses, Photo Booth, Arts & Crafts Tent, Xen’s Critters petting zoo, Balloons by Bella, Face Painting, and a Celebrity Dunk Tank are just a few quacktastic things for the kiddos to enjoy. Definitely take advantage of the last day to buy your “Pluck-A-Duck” tickets for just $5 each. Purchase your duck ticket in Rotary Park and look for the mobile duck cart as it travels through town. The list of prizes is huge! As in 125+ prizes!
Music provided by WINY Radio.
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Wed. Aug. 6
Photo Exhibit
PUTNAM --- An exhibit of photographs by Carmine Angeloni is now on view until September in the Corridor Gallery in the Putnam Municipal Complex. For more info: putnamCtArtsCouncil.com.
Art Exhibit
THOMPSON --- The Friends of the Thompson Public Library will present its August art exhibit, “Three Friends: Cathy Shires, Micky Welles & Xiaochong Song. Works by the Quiet Corner Garden Club in display case.
Fri. Aug. 7
‘The Prom’
PUTNAM --- The Theatre of Northeastern Connecticut at the Bradley Playhouse will present its summer musical, the joyously funny and sweet blockbuster “The Prom” starting July 25 and running for three weekends. Performances are at 7:30 p.m. Aug. 7 and 8 and at 2 p.m. Aug. 9. To accommodate the Putnam Car Cruise on Aug. 10, shows for the final weekend are at 7:30 p.m. Aug. 7 and 8 and at 2 p.m. Aug. 9. Tickets: $30 for adults; $27 for seniors, students, veterans and first responders. 860-928-7887. Sensitive material.
Sat. Aug. 9
Concert-River Fire
PUTNAM --- The Town of Putnam will present the CT Army National Guard 102d Army Band (Jazz Combo and Brass Band) at 4:30 in Rotary Park, followed by Ed Peabody & the Big Blue Thang from 6:30 to 8 p.m. and then River Fire follows at 8:30 with music provided by WINY Radio. This event is powered by Centreville Bank, Spicer Propane & Oil, and WIN Waste Innovations. Event partners include, in addition to WINY Radio, Spicer Propane and the Town of Putnam Public Works and Parks & Recreation departments. Free. Bring a lawn chair or blanket.
Sun. Aug. 10
Main Street Car Cruise
PUTNAM --- The Town of Putnam will present the annual Main Street Car Cruise around downtown and Rotary Park from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Free registration starts at 8 a.m.
Pluck-a-Duck
PUTNAM --- The Putnam Business Association's Pluck-a-Duck fund-raiser will be featured from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Rotary Park. They will offer their colossal Kids Corner that will include games and a dunk tank and much more. At noon the next day, Aug. 11, ducks will be plucked from the waters at a secret location. www.discoverputnam.com/pbarubberduckrace.
Exhibit
WOODSTOCK --- The Center for Woodstock History is presenting a photo exhibit, "Woodstock Through the Camera's Eye in Post-Civil War America," from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Sundays. Check for updates: 860-928-1035.
Tues. Aug. 12
Al-Anon Meeting
POMFRET --- Al-Anon will meet at noon on Tuesdays at the Christ Church, 527 Pomfret St. Please use the lower level door, near the flagpole. All welcome.
Sat. Aug. 16
Cruisin' fund-raiser
PUTNAM --- The 19th Annual Cruisin” For Chris Show to go poker run will begin at the Putnam Elks on Edmond Street with a 10 a.m. sign-in and 11 a.m. kickstands up. Festivities follow at 1 p.m. $25 per person, includes chicken dinner. Tickets available at the door.
Wed. Aug. 20
Author Visits
PUTNAM --- The Putnam Public Library and the Aspinock Historical Society will present Patricia Suprenant from 6 to 7 p.m. The author of “Behind the Scarlett Letter," she will speak and sign books.
Fri. Aug. 22
Learning Open House
DANIELSON --- Learning in Retirement (LIR -QV) will hold a Fall Open House at 1 p.m. at the Killingly Community Center on Broad Street. The LIR-QV will present Sheryl Faye as Sheryl Faye, as Katherine Hepburn: “From Hartford to Hollywood.” There will be a preview of fall courses, light refreshments. Free. Limited seating – first come, first served. No reservations required.
Sun. Aug. 31
Fund-raiser Concert
HAMPTON --- The Connecticut Audubon Society at Pomfret Center will present “Trail Wood...stock,” an Acoustic Music Festival, at 3 p.m. on the lawn. Bring your own chairs or blankets and a picnic. Cold drinks and snacks available for purchase. Donation: $10 pp. Still seeking few musicians who might like to perform a 15-20 minute set.
Flower Fund-raiser
POMFRET --- The United Services of Connecticut will host its annual sunflowers for Kids fund-raiser from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Lapsley Orchard.
Sat. Sept. 13
Fall Festival
POMFRET --- The Pomfret Recreation Department will host a Fall Festival at the Recreation Park. This is an old fashioned family fun day with a band, old-fashioned games, pie-eating contest, apple pie contest, food and more! This year the department is partnering with PCS PTO for a Harvest Hustle 5K & Kids Fun run. www.pomfretct.gov/recreation.
Particle Accelerator
PUTNAM --- Particle Accelerator music festival, a fund-raiser for suicide prevention education and services, will be held from noon to 9 p.m. in Rotary Park.
Sat. Sept. 20
Bike Fund-raiser
WOODSTOCK --- The Woodstock Academy Scholar-Athlete Society’s first Quiet Corner CT (QCCT) PMC Kids Ride" for children ages 2-10 will begin with check-in between 9 and 10 a.m. at Woodstock Academy's North Campus. The age/ability appropriate route is between 10 and 11. Post-ride celebration. 774 200 1754.
Sat. Sept. 27
Pomfret Historical Program
POMFRET --- The Pomfret Historical Society will present “Jordan Freeman: Black Revolutionary War Soldier” performed by Kevin Johnson of the CT State Library at 3 p.m. at the Old Town House.
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