Community film
POMFRET — The Winter 2026 free Community Film Series in Pomfret will present “Ocean” with David Attleborough at 6:30 p.m. Jan. 27 at the Connecticut Audubon Center on Day Road.
“Ocean” takes viewers on a breathtaking journey showing there is nowhere more vital for our survival, more full of life, wonder, or surprise, than the ocean.
The Pomfret Green Team, in collaboration with Connecticut Audubon Society, Center at Pomfret, will host four environmentally thought-provoking films during the winter months. These films will be screened (with closed captions) at 6:30 p.m. on a Tuesday evening in January, February, and March at the Audubon Center, 218 Day Rd, Pomfret.
A brief community dialogue will follow each film and of course there will be popcorn! The film series will be integrated into the CT Audubon’s Tuesday Evening Winter Series of other lectures and presentations.
Next in the Series: Outgrow the System (2/17), Food Inc. 2 (3/3), and The Little Things That Run the World (3/24).
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Wed. Jan. 7
Art Exhibit
THOMPSON --- The Friends of the Thompson Public Library will present “Change Comes in Layers” by Wendy Forbes for the month of January. A reception will be held at 6 p.m. Jan. 8. In the Display Case: Theresa Walsh.
Photo Exhibit
WOODSTOCK --- The Center for Woodstock History is presenting a photo exhibit, "Woodstock Through the Camera's Eye in Post-Civil War America." Please call for more info: 860-928-1035.
Art Show
PUTNAM --- The Putnam Public Library is hosting its third annual Tiny Art Show and is looking for artists to take part. The show involves free form art by teens, adults and seniors. The theme is “Remembering the Revolution” in honor of next year’s 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Call or stop by to register and pick up the 3x3” canvas and the materials. Completed artwork is due by Jan. 31 and the exhibit in the library starts Feb. 2. 860-963-6826.
Tues. Jan. 13
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.
Mon. Jan. 19
MLK Jr. Program
PUTNAM --- The Living Faith UMC on Grove Street will present a Martin Luther King Jr. Lunch. The 11 a.m. program includes Rev. Tom Lank and music by Sally Rogers and G. Leslie Sweetnam. Lunch is at noon. $10 at the door.
Tues. Jan. 27
Community Film
POMFRET --- The Winter 2026 free Community Film Series in Pomfret will present “Ocean” with David Attleborough at 6:30 p.m. Jan. 27 at the Connecticut Audubon Center on Day Road. Next in the Series, starting at 6:30 are: Outgrow the System (2/17), Food Inc. 2 (3/3), and The Little Things That Run the World (3/24).
Fri. Jan. 30
Schwartz Lecture
POMFRET --- Pomfret School will present its Schwartz Public Lecture from 7 to 8 p.m. in the Hard Auditorium. Kobie Boykins, NASA engineer, is the speaker. Free and open to the public. Registration required: pomfret.org/schwartz.
Thur. Feb. 19
Fund-raiser
PUTNAM --- A Celebrity Bartender fund-raiser will begin at 5:30 p.m. at Montana Nights Axe Throwing. It will benefit IHSP.
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Snow didn’t dampen Interact accomplishments
PUTNAM — Jan. 5 the Putnam Rotary Club and its Interact Club celebrated another successful Salvation Army kettle bell-ringing fund-raiser with prizes and pizza.
The annual fund-raiser began Nov. 28 and 29 and ran every Saturday and Sunday until Christmas. Bell-ringers collected $10,926 in the kettles and then the Newell D. Hale Foundation donated $2,000 for a total of $12,926, according to Rotarian Roberta Rocchetti, Interact advisor. In its long history the Interactors have raised close to a quarter of a million dollars.
Rocchetti spoke for Kathi Peterson, director of the Putnam Salvation Army office, noting the club’s efforts “supported her work in helping the needy with rent and heat assistance, shelter and so much more.” Ninety percent of the money raised stays in the northeastern corner.
There’s just a “bit” of competition in the fund-raiser each year.
This year the third-place winner for the most bell ringing hours was Kaylee Bundy a senior from Woodstock Academy with 10 hours; second went to Calleigh Levesque, a junior from Tourtellotte Memorial High School with 15 hours; and the first-place winners Paige Perry and Gabriell Cerasiello, seniors from Putnam High each with a record-breaking 40 hours.
Putnam High senior Leah Benzie will deliver the certificate to the school for the most bell ringing hours, 124. Woodstock Academy was second with 88 hours; Tourtellotte had 69 hours; Marianapolis, 18 hours and UConn had 15 hours.
Rotary Club President Kathy Kirk gave the blessing and the pizza was from Henry’s Diner.
Rocchetti thanked everyone and invited students to attend the next Interact meeting at 6:30 p.m. Jan. 13 at the Putnam Public Library. The club will be discussing the theme for its ice sculpture at Fire and Ice. For more information about the Interact Club contact Roberta Rocchetti 860-933-8603 or
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captions:
Kathy Kirk, left, and Roberta Rocchetti, right, with, from left: Leigh Benzie, Calleigh Levesque, and Gabriell Cerasiello. Courtesy photos.
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Putnam Public Library awarded children’s book project grant - with extra added
PUTNAM — The Putnam Public Library won a grant for $400 from the Pilcrow Foundation’s Children’s Book Project, which was matched by the Friends of the Putnam Public Library for $200, providing the library with 33 brand new children’s books worth approximately $600.
Additionally the library was selected for two sponsor grants through the Pilcrow Foundation for 39 additional titles, bringing the grant total to 72 new children’s books worth over $1,300 in retail value. Children’s Librarian Tina Aubin said she is very pleased by the quality of the books, and the children have been excited to take out the new offerings.
The first additional sponsor grant, provided by Hal Berenson and Laura Ackerman of Colorado added 21 math and science books valued at $401.55 to the collection. The second, from Drs. Bill Strawbridge and Meg Wallhagen of California contributed 18 health and wellness titles worth $299.66. Combined with the original grant these generous contributions ensure that young learners in Putnam will have access to recently published, high-quality materials on a wide variety of topics.
“This grant helps the library to continue to offer a new, current collection of quality children’s books to our community. We are grateful to the Pilcrow Foundation and their sponsors as well as the Friends of the Putnam Public Library”, said Priscilla Colwell, director of the Putnam Public Library. The Friends of the Library played a vital role in securing the grant by providing the $200 match. These funds were raised through their annual membership dues and book sales.
“The Friends of the Putnam Public Library are very thankful for the Children’s Book Project Grant from the Pilcrow Foundation. This grant has allowed the library to enhance our children’s collection with more than 72 books.” said Patricia Daviau, [resident of the Friends of the Putnam Public Library.
The Friends of the Putnam Public Library is a volunteer 501(c)3 nonprofit group that supports the library through fund-raising and advocacy to enhance programs and collections for the community. Those interested in joining or supporting the Friends can learn more by visiting the Putnam Public Library’s website.
For more information about the Pilcrow Foundation and its mission to support rural libraries visit www.pilcrowfoundation.org
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