Pauline Lucille Audette
N. GROSVENORDALE — Pauline Audette, 80, of N. Grosvenordale, died in her sleep Jan. 26, 2025, at home. Born in Putnam, she was the daughter of the late Archie Billings and Exilda (Robitaille) Mathieu.
Pauline had a strong, independent spirit that kept her active and working until she retired in 2022. She spent many years working for Sanitary Dash in Thompson and for Centreville Bank in Putnam, even carrying out her duties through the pandemic when most businesses had shut down or gone remote.
Keeping the body and mind active was very important to Pauline. When she wasn’t busy with her duties at work, she enjoyed the comfort of a good book and was known as an avid reader. Her favorite pastime was talking on the phone to friends and family.
She leaves two sons, James Audette of N. Grosvenordale and Jeffrey Audette (Laurie) Audette and grandson Joseph of Sterling; granddaughter Kaitlin Dulin (Evan) of North Carolina; two great-grandsons Gentry and Nolan; nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her sister, Shirley Craig. She will be dearly missed by her lifelong friend Juanita Cristina of Putnam.
Visitation is from 4 to 7 p.m. Feb. 7 in the Gilman Funeral Home, 104 Church St., Putnam. Burial will be private.
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Wed. Feb. 5
Art Exhibit
PUTNAM --- The Putnam Arts Council presents Art Guild Inspirations, works by the members of the Art Guild Northeast in the Corridor Gallery in the Municipal Complex through March.
Art Exhibit
THOMPSON --- The Thompson Public Library’s Arts @ the Library will present “Journeys’ by Wendy Forbes through the month of February. A reception will be held from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Feb. 10. Display case: Pottery Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow by Christine Tanson.
Sun. Feb. 9
Presentation/Exhibit
POMFRET --- The Edwin Way Teale Artist-in-Residence Program--- Trail Wood Reflections exhibit will begin with readings and presentations by the artists at 3 at the Connecticut Audubon Society at Pomfret on Day Road. The exhibit runs through March 8. 860-928-4948.
Tues. Feb. 11
‘Green’ Film
POMFRET --- The Pomfret Green Team will present the film, “Common Ground,” at 6:30 p.m. at the Connecticut Audubon Society of Pomfret. Common Ground presents an urgent message about the poisonous practices within American food systems. Registration requested but not required. Free popcorn. Free admission. 860-928-4948.
Fri. Feb. 14
Happy Valentine's Day!
Sat. Feb. 15
Black History Program
PUTNAM --- The Putnam Public Library will present, at 12:30 p.m., “The Remarkable Women of the Six Triple Eight,” the only all-black, all-female unit to be sent overseas in WWII. Presented by Melodye Whatley. Snow date Feb. 22.
Camp Games
POMFRET --- The Windham-Tolland 4-H Camp is having a “Camper Game Day” for boys and girls, ages 6-12, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Food, games, crafts, more. Bring appropriate clothes to be outdoors. $25 per child. Register by Feb. 10: 860-974-3379.
Sun. Feb. 16
Open House
POMFRET --- The Windham-Tolland 4-H Camp Open HHHouse will be held from 1 to 3 p.m. Registration materials available. Early bird discounts end Feb 29.
Black History Presentation
POMFRET --- Dr. Jennifer Rycenga will present a program “Schooling the Nation. The Legacy of Prudence Crandall’s Black Students” at 4 p.m. at the parson Lodge at Pomfret School. It is sponsored by The Last Green Valley, the Windham/Willimantic NAACP Gary Ralls Youth Branch, the Prudence Crandall Museum, the Pomfret Historical Society, The Christ Church in Pomfret and Pomfret School. For info/rsvp:
Thur. Feb. 20
Blood Drive
PUTNAM --- The American Red Cross will host a blood drive from 9 to 3:30 in the Municipal Complex, Conference room 109. To sign up, go to ctblood.org/drives and use sponsor code C114.
Sat. Feb. 22
Nature Program
POMFRET --- The Connecticut Audubon Society at Pomfret on Day Road will present an Owl Walk at 7 p.m. $10 for CAS members; $20 for nonmembers. Register: 860-928-4948.
Sauna Program
CANTERBURY --- The Finnish American Heritage Society of Canterbury will present “A Sauna Journey” at 1 p.m. in the Finnish Hall, 76 N. Canterbury Road. Free. Open to the public.
Tues. Feb. 25
‘Lights Out’
POMFRET --- “Light Pollution and its Impacts on Our Green Spaces” will be presented at 6:30 p.m. at the Connecticut Audubon Society of Pomfret. Lecture by Craig Repasz, chair and co-founder of Lights Out. Registration requested but not required. Free admission. 860-928-4948.
Sat. March 1
Bulky Waste Collection
The Town of Putnam will hold a bulky waste/scrap metal/appliance/mattress/electronics collect from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the POMFRET Transfer Station on Nora Lane (off 101). For Putnam residents only – bring driver’s license or other proof of residency. You must unload yourself – bring your own labor.
Sat. March 9
Prayer Day
DANIELSON --- The Danielson United Methodist Church on Spring Street will hold a World Day of Prayer service written by Christian Women of the Cook Islands starting with an ethnic luncheon at noon, and then the service of scripture and song around the theme, "I Made You Wonderful.” All welcome.
Mon. March 10
Probate Program
PUTNAM --- The Putnam Council on Aging will present a Free Senior Forum featuring Probate Judge Gabrielle Labonte at 5:30 p.m. at the Municipal Complex, conference room 109.
Tues. March 11
Green Team Film
POMFRET --- Pomfret Green Team film, “Breaking Boundaries – The Science of Our Planet,” will be presented at 6:30 p.m. at the Connecticut Audubon Society of Pomfret. Registration requested but not required. Free admission. Free popcorn. 860-928-4948.
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New business: ‘Spendor in the glass’
By Linda Lemmon
Town Crier Editor
PUTNAM — The house’s loss is the town of Putnam’s gain. Justin Alvord loves collecting glass. A lot! The collection needed more space so Alvord opened The Glass Hole inside the Montgomery Ward building downtown.
The town and the Northeastern Connecticut Chamber of Commerce welcomed the new business Feb. 1. Different types of glass, including uranium glass which glows green under black lights, are all for sale.
Mayor Barney Seney noted at the ribbon cutting that small businesses are part of the heart of the town. State Senator Mae Flexer also welcomed Alvord with a citation of congratulations from the Connecticut General Assembly. She thanked him for bringing vibrancy and creativity to Putnam. Beth Markowski-Roop added a welcome from the Northeastern Connecticut Chamber of Commerce.
Alvord lived in Putnam for 34 years and recently moved to Killingly. He’s collected glass for 10 years. The glass needed a new home. He was coming through Putnam and noticed the empty space inside the Montgomery Ward building, contacted the owner and opened his shop.
His favorite glass is uranium glass which glows green under a UV light. He said sometimes strong sunlight will make it glow. “It just amazes me how it glows.”
He said The Glass Hole is a play on words.
Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Fridays.
Bowen’s dream being revitalized
Fund-raising continues, more improvements coming
WOODSTOCK — Buoyed by the response to The Legacy Campaign “150 Years and Beyond,” the Board of Trustees of Roseland Park & Golf Course announced plans to move forward with the next phase of its fund-raising effort aimed at the restoration and revitalization of the Property.
Last year the board and the Capital Campaign committee pursued its goal of $1million.
Martha Beckwith, board president said: “Thanks to the support of numerous individuals the initial phase of the campaign realized more than $900,000, which allowed the Board to move forward with many of the improvements as part of our strategic plan.”
The first step was the establishment of a new Main Entrance, the redesign and paving of roadways and development of walking paths for the safety of not only pedestrians but also runners, roller bladers, wheelchairs and bicycles. The newly designed roadway provides easier access to the Little League area and community garden.
Across Roseland Park Road, at one of the oldest golf courses in Connecticut and the U.S., significant improvements were made to the driving range. The number of tee bays was increased from six to 16 and the length of the range was expanded beyond 300 yards. On the course, the fairways were widened, a new bridge was built on the second hole, the greens restored and the stream was cleaned of debris.
The next phase will include removing overhead electric lines and poles and transferring power through recently installed underground conduits. A second coating of asphalt will be laid in the spring and the areas where roadways have been permanently removed will be landscaped with lawns and new plantings.
“These improvements and plans are all part of a concerted effort and hard work of the Board and Campaign Committee. This has been a true team effort, which I’m certain if (founder) Mr. (Henry) Bowen were still around, he would be very proud to witness,” said Campaign Chairman John Rauh.
In 2026 Roseland Park will celebrate 150 years of Henry Chandler Bowen’s dream. Opened on the 100th Anniversary of the United States of America, plans are underway to revitalize his dream and wake up the reveries of citizens who remember the Park of their youth.
For more information about Roseland Park, its history or planned events, please go to the Roseland Park website at www.roselandpark.org.
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caption:
Left: Laying conduits that will provide underground electricity. Right: First coating of asphalt to the redesigned and safer roadways. Courtesy photos.
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