PHS to honor '86 
state champions
PUTNAM — Putnam High School invites the community to pack the gym and be part of a special night of basketball Jan. 14. 
The Putnam High School boys’ basketball team will host Somers in a home matchup tipping off at 7 p.m., but the excitement begins earlier at 6:30 with a ceremony honoring the 40-year anniversary of the 1986 Putnam boys’ basketball state championship team.
Fans are encouraged to arrive early to celebrate this historic championship, recognize the players and coaches who made history, and then stay to cheer on today’s Clippers as they continue the proud Putnam basketball tradition.

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Emma Guevremont
PUTNAM — Emma (Jennings) Guevremont, 76, of Breault Street, Putnam, passed away on Friday, Dec. 26, 2025. She was the loving wife of Leo Guevremont. 
Born April 4, 1949, in Welch, WV, she was the daughter of the late Frank and Opal (Bailey) Jennings.
Emma worked in quality control for Staples for many years. Prior to her time at Staples, she worked at Superior Bakery in North Grosvenordale and Gentex in Dudley.
When she was not working, Emma enjoyed traveling with her husband, Leo. Her favorite travel destination was Aruba. She also enjoyed the White Mountains of New Hampshire and visited many state parks. She also enjoyed trips to the casino.
She leaves her son, Leslie Bennett (Monique) of Dayville; two brothers, Richard and Garnet; two sisters, Liz and Vickie; six grandchildren, Andrew, Thomas, Sarah, Zachary, Gabrielle, Cody; one great-grandchild, Ameli; and two step-daughters, Monique and Danielle. She was predeceased by seven brothers, Frankie, Charles, Bill, Jackie, Bob, Lewis, Douglas; and three sisters, Sue, Idamae, and Peggy.
Gilman and Valade Funeral Homes and Crematory, 104 Church St., Putnam.

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Susan Shead
EASTFORD — Susan Shead, 70, of Eastford passed away after a brief illness Dec. 16, 2025, at Hartford Hospital surrounded by her family. She was the beloved wife of 46 years to Kevin J. Shead. He died in 2024. They were married May 6, 1978.
She was born Dec. 14, 1955, in Putnam, daughter of the late Joseph and Ena (Myette) LaRose.
She worked for more than 20 years as a librarian at the Eastford Public Library. She was very fond of the Eastford community. Susan had a passion for reading and loved traveling with her friends and family visiting Aruba, Alaska, Yellowstone, Florida, Hilton Head and often camping in Vermont. Her greatest joy was being a mother and grandmother.   
She leaves her children Jason Shead (Elizabeth) of Thompson, Heather Minka (Nicholas) of Holden, Mass.; four grandchildren Tyler, Lucas, Connor and Nora; brother-in-law Barry Shead (Brenda) of Woodstock; sister-in-law Audrey Carabeau (Garry) of Eastford; her lifelong best friend Mary Gilbert of Putnam; nieces and nephews including her caretaker Sarah Sanderson. 
A Memorial Service was Dec. 28 with burial in the spring at Grove Cemetery in Eastford. Donations: Eastford Independent Fire Co. #1, P.O. Box 333, Eastford, CT 06242.  Smith and Walker Funeral Home, Putnam.

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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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