Car wash raises money for Heifer International
PUTNAM — Rain forced the postponement of the Putnam Rotary Interact Club Interact Club’s fund-raiser car wash but they tried again on a sunny May 3 and pulled in $492.
The Rotary’s Rotaract Club helped wash cars to raise the money for the Interact Club’s international project. Rotarian Interact Club advisor Roberta Rocchetti said: “This year the Interact club is working with Heifer International to support families in underdeveloped countries to obtain a sustainable food source.”
The car wash donations will be combined with the $330 the club previously raised, giving the club $822 to purchase a heifer and other animals.
Rocchetti said: I was amazed at the turnout and generosity of all that came to the car wash. Last week was a wash out and thankfully Putnam High Principal Heather Taylor and Executive Assistant Putnam Public Schools, Sheila Partlow, worked quickly to make the change happen.”
Rocchetti thanked Rotaract members; Jillian Smick, Matthew Gardiner and Michael Jean and Interact volunteers: Aidan Jeon, Sujong Lee, Lily Beausoleil, Mikayla Bessette, Callum Lusignan and Anthony Beaudreault from Woodstock Academy. She also thanked: Devi Patel-Gandhi, Henrietta Hayes, Emma Martineau from Marianapolis; Paige Perry from Putnam High and Sofia Thurber and June Ferraro (co-presidents of Interact) from Tourtellotte Memorial High School. She said she and Rotarian Woody Durst assisted.
Last year the Interact Club’s International Project was raising $1,000 to buy a Solar Suitcase kit. They put it together, it was tested and then sent to a school in Kenya to give them power.
For more information about the Putnam Rotary Interact club contact Roberta Rocchetti 860-933-8603 or
caption:
From left: Jillian Smick, Matthew Rybacki, Woody Durst, Emma Martineau, Devi Patel-Gandhi, Henrietta Hayes, June Ferraro, Sofia Thurber, Mikayla Bessette, Lily Beausoleil, Anthony Beaudreault, Callum Lusignan. Missing from the Photo, Matthew Gardiner, Michael Jean, Paige Perry, Aidan Jeon and Sujong Lee
Wed. May 7
Art Exhibit
PUTNAM --- The Putnam CT Arts Council will present “An Abstract Fantasy: An Artist’s Journey of Self Discovery,” featuring the art of Tabitha “Purrmage” Cummings, through June in the Corridor Gallery inside the Municipal Complex.
Alzheimer’s Program
PUTNAM --- The Putnam and Pomfret public libraries will present a program on “Communicating Effectively & Responding to Dementia Related Behaviors” at 6 p.m. at the Putnam Public Library. RSVP required: 860-963-6826. It is an education program in the Alzheimer’s Association’s Empowered Caregiver initiative aimed at teaching caregivers how to navigate the responsibilities of caring for someone living with dementia.
Performance
WOODSTOCK --- The Three Cs is presenting the musical performance, ”Ada Twist Scientist & Friends” for local students at noon at the Loos Center for the Arts. Preregistration required: thethreecs.org.
Acoustic Music
HAMPTON --- The CT Audubon Society at Trail Wood on Kenyon Road will host a group of acoustic music lovers to play popular songs written when the Teales lived at Trail Wood, 1959-1993. Space is limited to 10 participants. Registration required:
Art Exhibit
THOMPSON --- The Friends of the Thompson Public Library will present “Thompson Public Schools Art Showcase” for the month of May. A reception will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. May 12.
Thur. May 8
Five Plays
POMFRET --- The Pomfret School Theater will present “The Pomfret Playwrights Festival 5by5,” five new plays by five Pomfret playwrights (Ridley Pearson ’71, Reme Jacquet ’26, Madeline Hutchins ’74, Sydney Dubitsky ’20, and Isabelle Makatura ’26) at 7 p.m. May 8 and May 9 in the Hard Auditorium. Free. Open to the public. www.pomfretct.org.
Tree Pests and Pathogens
POMFRET --- CT Audubon Society Center at Pomfret on Day Road will present “Tree Pests and Pathogens” at 6:30 p.m. DEEP service forester Frank Cervo will discuss some of the most significant insects, fungi, and diseases which can plague your favorite trees and forests. Presented in collaboration with ECFLA. Registration requested; 860-928-4948. Free CAS and ECFLA members; $5 non-members.
Fri. May 9
Forest Bird Walk
POMFRET --- CT Audubon Society Center at Pomfret will present “Freidman’s Forest Bird Walk” at 8 a.m. in this Joshua’s Trust preserve in Ashford. Registration required: 860-928-4948. $20 members; $30 non-members.
Sun. May 11
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.
Sat. May 17
Bulky Waste Day
POMFRET --- The town of Putnam will hold a Bulky Waste Day from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the POMFRET Transfer Station. Open to all Putnam residents with proper ID. Must be able to unload your vehicle yourself.
Super Hero Saturday
PUTNAM --- The Putnam Business Association and the Town of Putnam will present Super Hero Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. downtown.
Tues. May 20
Musical Performance
WOODSTOCK --- The Three Cs is presenting the musical performance, “Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus” for local students at 10 a.m. and at noon at the Loos Center for the Arts. Preregistration required: thethreecs.org.
Wed. May 21
‘Revolutionary’ Program
PUTNAM --- The Putnam Public Library and the Aspinock Historical society are sponsoring a Connecticut Museum of Culture and History program, “Tories, Spies and Traitors: Divided Loyalty in Revolutionary Connecticut (1775),” at 6 p.m. at the library. In addition, Aspinock Historical Society’s annual meeting will be held as a public open house of the upstairs museum exhibits with information and refreshments from 4 to 5:45 p.m., just before the Tories program. 860-963-6826.
Sat. May 24
Rabies Clinic
DANIELSON --- Pet Pals Northeast will hold a low-cost rabies clinic from 2 to 3 p.m. at the Quinebaug Valley Veterinary Hospital on Rt. 12. $15 cash per animal. Pre-registration and appointment required: 860-317-1720. No walkins.
Sat. May 31
Pomfret Historical Program
POMFRET --- The Pomfret Historical Society will present “Colonial Fiber Arts Workshop with Stacey Beck” from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Old Town House. Pre-register.
Book Presentation
PUTNAM --- The Putnam Public Library will present “Hiking the Ruins of Southern New England” discussion and book signing from 12:30 to 2 p.m. by retired state archeologist Nicholas Bellantoni.
Sun. June 8
Paddle 4 Hope
BROOKLYN --- The annual Paddle 5 Hope fund-raiser, which benefits Neighbors Against Cancer, will be held at Riverside Park. Registration opens at 8:30 a.m. and the launch is at 10. There is no registration fee but we ask that you please make a donation. PFD required for all participants. All non-motorized watercraft welcome. For info: 860-974-1202.
Sat. June 14
Concert-Fundraiser
POMFRET --- The Pomfret Historical Society will present a concert/fund-raiser, “Washington’s Favorite, The Nation’s Guest: Songs of Lafayette’s Time In America” with Rick Spencer and Dawn Indermuehle at the Old Town House). Refreshments at 6; concert at 7. $25.
Sat. June 21
Fine Arts Fest
PUTNAM --- The Putnam Arts Council will present its annual Fine Arts & Crafts Festival June 21 and 22 at the Municipal Complex front yard.
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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Marc ‘Skip’ Bates
BROOKLYN —Marc “Skip” Bates, 69, of Brooklyn, CT passed away peacefully at home on May 3, 2025, surrounded by family.
Born on Aug. 1, 1955, Skip was a proud graduate of Putnam High School, Class of 1973, and went on to earn his degree from American International College in Springfield, Mass., in 1977. During his college years, he worked at Sunnyside Farms alongside Peter Deary and the Deary family —an experience he treasured.
Skip dedicated more than 40 years of his professional life to Colt’s Plastic Company, Inc. in Dayville, where his work ethic and loyalty left a lasting mark. In retirement, Skip worked at Country Living at Westview Commons, where he found great joy in providing transportation to residents for various errands and outings.
Beyond his career, Skip was deeply involved in his community and in the organizations he loved. He was a lifetime member and treasurer of the Pomfret Rod and Gun Club, a devoted Chaplain for the Christian Motorcycle Association, and served as President of the Northeast Connecticut Human Resources Association.
Of his many passions, Skip was most at home cruising the hills of northeastern Connecticut with Tori on the back and his friends by his side. He was also a licensed pilot, a skilled skeet shooter, and an avid gun collector.
Skip is predeceased by his parents, Bob and Ruth Bates. He leaves his wife, Victoria “Tori” Bates; his brothers Michael (Denise) Bates and Alan (Janet) Bates; five children, Brittany (Chris) Yule, Ryan Bates, Glenn (Wendy) Bates from his first marriage to Erica Bates and Ross (Katie) Adams, and Lindsey (Dylan) Weigand from his marriage to Tori. He also leaves 13 grandchildren to whom he was lovingly and affectionately known as Poppy Skip; plus nieces, nephews, family members and great friends.
The Funeral Service will be at 11 a.m. May 10 at the Congregational Church of Putnam, 175 Main St., Putnam. Donations: The Cancer Center at UMass Memorial Health - Harrington, 55 Sayles St., Southbridge, MA 01550; Hospice & Palliative Care of Northeastern Connecticut, 415 Riverside Drive, Suite 3, North Grosvenordale, CT 06255; or the Congregational Church of Putnam Faith Fellowship, P.O. Box 463, Putnam, CT 06260.
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Contributions recognized
Charitable contributions come back to serve local community
PUTNAM — Rotarian Marc Archambault was recently recognized for his continuing financial contributions to Rotary International’s charitable efforts.
His contributions support various Rotary Foundation programs, including the Annual Programs Fund, PolioPlus, and Humanitarian Grants.
At a recent ceremony Club President Doug Porter, presented Archambault with his latest Paul Harris Pin.
Archambault is just one of the club members who have contributed to Rotary International this Rotary year. Various members of the Putnam Rotary Club have donated more than $9,000 to Rotary International this year, Porter said. These contributions support local and International efforts of Rotary. With support from Rotary International and Rotary District 7890, the Putnam Rotary Club has donated grant money to TEEG to help with its community garden, including a new fence, and installed outdoor musical instruments at the Thompson School Complex.
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Contributor
Rotarian Marc Archambault, left, and Putnam Rotary Club President Doug Porter. Linda Lemmon photo.