‘Rumors’ opened at the Bradley on Jan. 30
Need a reason to lose the blahs, get out of your house, and laugh and enjoy yourself? Escape the New England winter doldrums and hurry to Putnam to see the Theatre of Northeastern Connecticut at the Bradley Playhouse’s production of Neil Simon’s “Rumors.” This hilarious comedy is just what you need. The curtain goes up on Jan. 30.
Performances are at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 30, 31 and Feb. 6, 7 and at 2 p.m. Feb. 1, 8. Tickets are $28 for adults and $25 for seniors, students, veterans and first responders (including fees). The show runs for just two weekends. Reservations with a major credit card online at www.thebradleyplayhouse.org or by calling 860-928-7887. Tickets may be purchased at the theater box office, either before the performance, or at the door if available. 
The TNECT production of Rumors is directed by Debra Leigh Wysocki. The party goers include Dave Ring and A. Foley as Ken and Chris Gorman, Nicholas Magrey and Shannon McLoud as Lenny and Claire Ganz, Preston Arnold and Joan Stewart as Ernie and Cookie Cusack, and Mark Smolak and Laura O’Brien as Glenn and Cassie Cooper. Joshua Eves appears as Officer Welch and Laurie Neal is Officer Pudney.
The play opens with a crisis: Ken and Chris arrive for their friends’ 10th anniversary party and discover their host has accidentally shot himself in the ear, his wife is missing, and the kitchen staff is gone. As the rest of the guests arrive, they must navigate a series of misunderstandings and rumors leading to comedic chaos. With fast-paced dialogue, witty repartee, and situational comedy, Rumors explores themes of friendship, marriage, and the absurdity of social conventions. The play is noted for clever use of misunderstandings and the comedic potential of rumors. It is considered to be a classic example of farce in modern theater. 
Rumors was written by Neil Simon and is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel French, Inc. www.concordtheatricals.com
Neil Simon (1927-2018) wrote more than 30 plays including Barefoot in the Park and The Odd Couple and won three Tonys and a Golden Globe Award. He also wrote for early TV including Sid Caesar’s Your Show of Shows. Rumors was Simon’s first farce and quite a change from his usual work. He said he wanted it to be an “elegant farce”, so he set the cast in evening clothes. Rumors opened on Broadway in 1988 and Christine Baranski, playing Chris Gorman, won the Tony for Best Performance by Featured Actress. The cast also included Ken Howard, Joyce Van Patten, and Jessica Walter.

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captions: 
Above:  Preston Arnold (Ernie Cusack) and Joan Stewart (Cookie Cusack). Center: Dave Ring (Ken Gorman) and A. Foley (Chris Gorman). Right: Joshua Eves (Officer Welch) and Laurie Neal (Officer Pudney). Photos by Jeanne Foley.

Donation
The Putnam Rotary Club recently donated $1,000 to the Danielson Veterans Coffeehouse. From left: Kathy Kirk, Rotary club president; and Fred Ruhlemann, president of the coffeehouse. Courtesy photo.

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Audubon programs set
McKibben talk, documentary film screenings, book discussions
POMFRET — The Connecticut Audubon Society’s Center at Pomfret will once again offer its popular Tuesday Winter Series every Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. from Jan. 27 through March 24. All events in the series are free, with registration requested for planning purposes and to receive a Zoom link.
Sarah Heminway, the director of the Center, said, “We have a great lineup of programs, including a talk by author and environmentalist Bill McKibben on Feb. 3 via Zoom either at the Center or at home.” 
The following week, the Connecticut Audubon Society monthly book club will discuss McKibben’s latest book, Here Comes the Sun: A Last Chance for the Climate and a Fresh Chance for Civilization. Book discussions are Zoom only from home.
The Tuesday Winter Series includes four environmentally thought-provoking films hosted at the Center by the Pomfret Green Team. Each screening will be followed by a discussion of its topics. The Team will provide free popcorn.
To view the entire schedule of the Tuesday Winter Series programming and register, go to  ctaudubon.org/pomfret-programs-events.
McKibben: Author Talk - Feb. 3 3 at 6:30 
Acclaimed environmentalist Bill McKibben will speak on his call to harness the power of the sun. Energy from the sun and wind is suddenly the cheapest power on the planet and growing faster than any energy source in history. If we can keep accelerating the pace, we have a chance. Bill’s new book Here Comes the Sun will be available at cost at the Center. Join us at the Center for this Zoom presentation or enjoy it from home. Online Registration - https://ctaudubon.org/2026/01/tuesday-winter-series-bill/
Here Comes the Sun - CT Audubon Book Club - Feb. 10 at 6:30 p.m.
From Bill McKibben, a call to rewrite our scientific, economic, and political future by harnessing the power of the sun. Here Comes the Sun: A Last Chance for the Climate and a Fresh Chance for Civilization is the story of the sudden spike in power from the sun and wind and the fight of the fossil fuel industry and its politicians to hold this new power at bay. He shows how solar power offers a chance to reorder the world on saner and more humane grounds. You can’t hoard solar energy or hold it in reserves—it’s available to all. Join us via Zoom from home only. Online Registration - https://ctaudubon.org/2025/11/february-book-club/
Outgrow the System - Feb. 17 at 6:30 p.m.
Meet the new economic perspectives that have the potential to change the world by genuinely managing our resources. Outgrow the System is hosted by The Pomfret Green Team, in collaboration with the CT Audubon Society. A moderated discussion follows the screening. Join us at the Center or via Zoom from home. Online Registration - https://ctaudubon.org/2026/01/tuesday-winter-series-outgrow/
Creating  Erie Canal — Feb. 24 at 6:30 p.m.
This documentary, produced by Tom Garber to celebrate the bicentennial of the opening of the canal (1825), tells the captivating story of upstate New York pioneers who designed and built the world’s longest hand dug canal. It also relates the story of the loss of Haudenosaunee Native American culture. Tom will be available for questions following the screening. Join us at the Center or via Zoom from home. Online Registration - https://ctaudubon.org/2026/01/tuesday-winter-series-erie/
Food, Inc. 2 — March 3 at 6:30 p.m.
Food, Inc. 2 explores the issues arising from corporate consolidation in the American food and agriculture industry hosted by The Pomfret Green Team, in collaboration with the CT Audubon Society. Discussion follows with farmers and moderators Adam and Courtney Squires. Join us at the Center or via Zoom from home. Online Registration - https://ctaudubon.org/2026/01/tuesday-winter-series-food/
The Feather Detective - CT Audubon
 Book Club - March 10 at 6:30 p.m.
In The Feather Detective: Mystery, Mayhem, and the Magnificent Life of Roxie Laybourne. Chris Sweeney tells the fascinating and remarkable true story of the world’s first forensic ornithologist – Roxie Laybourne. Join us via Zoom from home only. Online Registration - https://ctaudubon.org/2025/09/march-book-club/
The Plight of Our Birds: A Call to Action
 — March 17 at 6:30 p.m.
Learn about the Connecticut Bird Atlas and the overall plight of birds in North America. The atlas is the result of four years of field work by almost 1,000 volunteer birders. The goal was to map all species of birds that occur in the state. Learn what the data reveals about Connecticut’s birds. Dr Min Huang and Craig Repasz will outline key findings and show us how we can work collectively to reverse the population decline of our cherished birds. Online Registration - https://ctaudubon.org/2026/01/winter-series-plight/
The Little Things that Run the World —
 March 24 at 6:30  p.m.
The film introduces viewers to a diverse group of scientists, nature lovers, gardeners, farmers, and general bug enthusiasts in exploring the importance of flying insects amid rapid declines in their numbers. They hold ecosystems together. Hosted by The Pomfret Green Team, in collaboration with the CT Audubon Society. Discussion follows. Join us at the Center. Zoom not available. Online Registration - https://ctaudubon.org/2026/01/winter-series-little/

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