Wed. Oct. 22
Art Exhibit
THOMPSON --- The Friends of the Thompson Public Library will present “Structured Impressions” by Lisa Davidson, Susan Graceck and Sally Rogers through the month of October. The display case will have “Crochet and Knitted Toys” by Jeanne Carita.
Fri. Oct. 24
Fund-raiser
PUTNAM --- The Knights of Columbus on Providence Street is hosting a Steak Dinner Fund-raiser to benefit Paws Cat Shelter from 6 to 7 p.m. eat in or take out. Tickets: $30 available Knights of Columbus, Paws Cat Shelter, 74 School St.; and Joseph Jewelers, 153 School St. 860-315-1228.
Nature Program
POMFRET --- The Connecticut Audubon Society at Pomfret Center will present “Saw-whet Owl Banding Demonstration” at 7 p.m. $20 for members; $30 for nonmembers. Bring your camera. Registration required: 860-928-4948.
Sat. Oct. 25
Fund-raiser Spaghetti
PUTNAM --- Cub Scout Pack 21 of Putnam will host its fall spaghetti dinner from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Albert J. Breault VFW Post 1523 on Providence Street. Take out or eat in. $10 for adults and kids 12 and younger eat for free. There will also be a bake sale and raffles. Advance tickets: VFW Post and at Joseph’s Jewelers on School Street or 860-928-5873 (leave a message) Benefits Putnam Cub Scout Pack 21 Activity Fund to help the Cub Scouts grow.
Trick or Treat
PUTNAM --- The Town of Putnam will present its annual downtown Putnam Trick or Treat from 2 to 3:30 p.m.
Special Presentation
PUTNAM --- The Putnam Public Library will present an exclusive at 12:30 p.m. in Room 109 of the Municipal Complex: Ken Burns’ “The American Revolution.” A post-viewing discussion follows. No registration required. Info: Nicole Flagg Nichols, Adult Services Librarian,
Poetry
POMFRET --- Poets at Large will present the Poet Laureate of Bristol at 7 p.m. the Vanilla Bean Café. $15 admission which includes a raffle.
Fund-raiser
PUTNAM --- Paws Cat Shelter is holding a raffle basket Purr-looza from noon to 5 p.m. at the Knights of Columbus on Providence Street. $20 for 25 tickets or $5 for 6 tickets. Preview from 6 to 7 p.m. during steak dinner. Tickets: 860-315-1228.
Sun. Oct. 26
Nature Program
POMFRET --- The Connecticut Audubon Society at Pomfret Center will present an opossum program from Ferncroft Wildlife Rescue at 1 p.m. $5 for CAS members; $10 for nonmembers. Free for kids aged 10 or younger. Register recommended: 860-928-4948.
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. Oct. 28
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.
Fri. Oct. 31
Nature Program
POMFRET --- The Connecticut Audubon Society at Pomfret Center will present “Saw-whet Owl Banding Demonstration” at 7 p.m. $20 for members; $30 for nonmembers. Bring your camera. Registration required: 860-928-4948.
Sat. Nov. 1
Boot/Sock Drive
PUTNAM --- Senexet Grange is holding its Community Boot Drive from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Municipal Complex. They are looking for new or gently used warm boots and new socks. Monetary donations welcome also. Make checks out to TEEG. Benefits TEEG.
Bottle, Can Drive
PUTNAM --- Putnam - Paws Cat Shelter is holding a Can and Bottle Drive from noon to 3 p.m. at the shelter, 74 School St. Please separate 2-liter bottles. Pet food and donations are always welcome. 860-315-1228.
Cocoa for Coats
PUTNAM --- The Putnam Family Resource Center will be holding its annual Cocoa for Coats from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Putnam Farmers Market off Kennedy Drive. Bring a new coat/jacket or a monetary donation (Checks made out to Putnam Resource Center with Cocoa For Coats in the memo). Free cocoa and free coffee. Matching donations for the first $200.
Harvest Festival
CANTERBURY --- The Finnish American Heritage Society will present its Finnish Harvest Festival from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Finnish American Heritage Society. 76 North Canterbury Road. Agricultural and cultural games, crafts, traditional harvest customs. Family-friendly. Child supervision required. Free.
Sun. Nov. 2
Bark Harvest
KILLINGLY --- The Killingly Business Association will present Bark Harvest from noon to 4 p.m. at the former St. Joseph’s Church. It will feature activities for pets and people. Event-goers will have the opportunity to vote for their favorite dog photos to be included in a 2026 Bark Harvest Studio calendar. Those interested in entering their dog or otherwise can schedule a photo shoot with Charlene’s Portrait Studio. The $40 fee will be donated to local animal shelters and future Pawsitively Killingly initiatives. killinglyba.org/BarkHarvest.
Music
CHEPACHET --- The “Music at the Meeting House” at the Chepachet Baptist Church on Rt. 44 will present Country Wild Heart at 2:30 p.m. Public welcome for free, but a free will offering will be taken. Refreshments follow the concert. chepachetbaptist.org.
Sat. Nov. 9
Lantern Workshop
PUTNAM --- The Putnam Public Library will present “Korean Lotus Lantern Workshop” from 1 to 2:15 p.m. at the library. Presented by the Korean Spirit & Culture Promotion Project. Registration required: 960-963-6826.
Wed. Nov. 5
Book Talk
PUTNAM --- The Putnam Public Library will present Lisette Rimer, author, with “Back from Suicide: Before and After the Essential Patrick” at 6 p.m. at the library. Signed copies available – proceeds support the Patrick Wood Scholarship at Pomfret School. www.backfromsuicide.com
Thur. Nov. 6
Book Signing
PUTNAM --- A book signing and talk for “The Flood of 1955” by Ron Coderre will be held at 10:30 a.m. in the Aspinock Historical Society office in the Municipal Complex. Coffee and … provided. RSVP:
Tues. Nov. 11
Veterans Tribute
PUTNAM --- The Mayotte-Viens American Legion Post 13 will present its Guest Bartender Night and Veterans Tribute to Ron Coderre, Bruce Hay and Brian Maynard at 5:30 p.m. at Marley’s Pub. Tips and donations raised support American Legion Post 13 youth programs and veteran programs.
Wed. Nov. 12
Writing
PUTNAM --- The Putnam Public Library will present “From Fuzzy Idea to Finished Story: Crafting a Murder Mystery” by local author Sarah P. Blanchard from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the library. Author talk and book signing.
Sat. Nov. 22
250th Event
PUTNAM --- The Putnam CT250 250th Anniversary Celebration of the Declaration of Independence Kick Off will feature a roast beef dinner followed by a band at the Albert J. Breault VFW Post 1523. Dinner is from 5 to 7 and the band Jailbreak follows from 7 to 11 p.m. $20/pp or $40 per couple. Tickets at the Putnam Recreation Department.
.
At the Festival
Frankie Matos, 5 months, of Eastford, got a front row seat at the Roseland Fine Arts and Crafts festival. Linda Lemmon photo.
.
Scarecrows get better every year
PUTNAM — The judges had a tough time this year judging the entries in the Putnam Business Association’s Scarecrow Contest.
In its 16th year, the contest drew some scary/funny/thoughtful/creative entries from local businesses and schools.
Kelly Graves, in her second year as chair of the event, said a couple entries backed out at the last minute but leaving 37 entries at Rotary Park and seven in front of businesses.
Graves said: “I feel like everyone stepped it up this year. You can tell how much time and effort went into their scarecrows. I loved driving past the park when the scarecrows were going up as you could tell how much fun everyone was having. I know the judges had a hard time figuring out which ones should be the winners. I really hope everyone participates again next year!”
The winners:
1st place: NEPS (Northeast Placement Services)
2nd: Chace Building Supply
3rd: Sparrow Soaps
Best in Park Youth Group: PHS Stride
Best in Rotary Park: Physical Therapy and Sports Medicine Center.
Most Creative: Floral and Gifts of OWC
..
captions, page 4:
From left: Iron Horse (NEPS) and creator Ray (courtesy photo). Sparrow Soaps. Floral & Gifts of OWC. PHS Stride. The rest of the photos Wed. night on our FB page: Putnam Town Crier & Northeast Ledger. Linda Lemmon photos.
Sold-out scares: Nick’s Nightmare
And more terror coming
POMFRET — Terrifying clowns and a sold-out crowd made this year’s scary event a fright-filled triumph at the Pomfret Eastford Little League field. The New England Laborers Training Academy (NELTA) has put on these epic scares for 13 years and all proceeds are donated directly to Pomfret Eastford Little League. And, if you dare, drop by for a dose of terror Oct. 24 and 25.
Alicia MacLeod is head of the committee on the Little League side and Jay Sabitoni runs it for NELTA, doing set up, scares.
From haunted cornfield walkthroughs and live scare actors to eerie lighting, spooky soundscapes, and scream-worthy surprises, a haunted clown house experience packed with jump scares and special effects, the event offered a fully immersive experience that kept guests on edge — and coming back for more.
MacLeod said: “We were absolutely blown away by the turnout and the incredible energy from the crowd. Everyone came ready to be scared and I believe we delivered. We couldn’t be more grateful for the support. To see the number of people come together to celebrate the Halloween season was amazing — and we’re not done yet.”
So if you dare, Nick’s Nightmare will return Oct. 24 and 25. Ticket sales will start around 6 p.m. The event includes food trucks, games and plenty of scares.
..