Alan Joel Tucker, Army/National Guard vet
THOMPSON — Alan Joel Tucker, formerly of Thompson, died March 21, 2025, at the age of 92. He was born on May 14, 1932, in Norwich, son of the late Ruth and Howard Tucker.
Alan lived most of his life in Thompson. He was a small business owner in the ‘70s and worked in electronics most of his career.
Alan was a long-time sports enthusiast and was involved in the Thompson Little League in the 1960s and ‘70s.
He had many interests throughout the years including archery, RC flying, golf, fishing and riding his motorcycle. Alan had phenomenal artistic abilities across many media.
However, his real accomplishment was as a watercolor artist.
His superb work remains on the walls of friends and family.
Alan was patriotic and very proud of his military service. He left high school to enlist in the Army in 1948.
His National Guard unit was federalized in 1950 and sent to Germany where he served as part of the 169th infantry, 43rd division.
Alan was a platoon sergeant, SFC when he completed duty.
Alan was predeceased by his former wife, Gladys Tucker; and his brother John “Jack” Tucker. He leaves his son, Greg (Carol (Bilinski) Tucker; four nieces including goddaughter, Lynn Almquist of Brooklyn.
A Graveside Memorial Service was March 28 at the East Thompson Cemetery in Thompson.
Gilman Funeral Home, 104 Church St., Putnam.
Wed. April 2
Art Exhibit
THOMPSON --- The Friends of the Thompson Public Library will present its Second Annual Quiet Corner Community Art show through April. A reception will be held from 6 to 7:30 .m. April 7.
Rain Garden Program
PUTNAM --- The Town of Putnam Land Use Department is promoting a Rain Garden Program from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the Putnam Public Library. To be presented by Maura Robie, natural resource specialist at Eastern CT Conservation District. Free.
Fri. April 4
PHS – 'Clue'
PUTNAM --- The Putnam High School drama club will present “Clue, the High School Edition” at 6:30 p.m. April 4 and April 5 in the Black Box Theatre at PHS. $15 tickets at PHS or through PHSClue.ludus.com.
Sat. April 5
Garden Symposium
DANIELSON --- The Quiet Corner Garden Club will host “Growing Gardeners 2025”, a Symposium from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at QVCC. It includes vendors, informative exhibits, farmers and more. Giveaways and door prizes. Box lunch is available for an additional charge. Info/tickets: www.quietcornergardenclub.com.
Fund-raiser Shopping
PUTNAM --- Paws Cat Shelter on School Street will hold a shopping day from noon to 3 p.m. Bitsy's Boutique Shop has new and used items along with handcrafts. Adoptable cats will be available for viewing. All proceeds to help the shelter. For more info or to make a monetary donation: 860-315-1228.
Sun. April 6
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.
Wed. April 9
Book Signing/Sales
PUTNAM --- The American Legion Post 13 will hold a fund-raiser book signing/sales at 6:30 in Room 201 at the Municipal Complex. The book is part of the Hometown Heroes of the Quiet Corner series --- Civil War Edition 2025, Vol. 1 written by Legion Post Commander Michael Rocchetti. Benefits legion programs.
Life Savers Drive
PUTNAM --- The Relay for Life Savers Drive is collecting gently used clothes, shoes, handbags, and linens from 3 to 6 p.m. at Putnam High School. Please put all items in white 13-gallon trash bags. (No stained or ripped items please)
Sat. April 12
Greet Easter Bunny
PUTNAM --- The Putnam Recreation Department will present "Greet the Easter Bunny" at 10 a.m. at the Putnam Middle School. Recommended for ages 10 and younger.
Spring/Bake Sale
POMFRET --- The Abington Church will hold a Spring Tag & Bake Sale from 8 a.m. to noon at the church on Hampton Road (Rt. 97).
Egg Hunt
WOODSTOCK --- Roseland Cottage will present its annual Egg Hunt and Diorama Contest starting at 1 p.m. Rain date is April 19.
Sun. April 13
Breakfast/Photos
PUTNAM --- The Relay for Life Pancake Breakfast and Photos with the Easter Bunny will be held from 10 a.m. to noon at the Knights of Columbus Hall on Providence Street. $7 for adults; $4 for children. Photos with Easter Bunny: $5 for 1, 2 for $8, 3 for $10.
Wed. April 16
Maritime Program
PUTNAM --- The Putnam Public Library will present “The Global Maritime Industry” from 6 to 7:30 p.m. April 16 and April 23.
Auction Collections
POMFRET --- From April 16 through April 30 donations will be accepted for the 71st annual Windham County 4-H Auction & Tag Sale (May 2 and 3) from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mon., Weds, Fri and Sat and from 9 a.m. .to 7 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Antiques and gently used household goods, furniture, toys, electronics, tools, books, lunch decorative items, etc. will be welcomed during those hours. We do not accept donations of clothing, textbooks, magazines or encyclopedias. For further donation assistance, call: 860-974-3379.
Sat. April 19
Open House
POMFRET --- The Windham-Tolland 4-H Camp Open HHHouse will be held from 1 to 4 p.m. 326 Taft Pond Rd, Pomfret, CT. Meet the director and other camp staff; take a camp tour, registration materials available. 860-974-3379.
Wed. April 23
Maritime Program
PUTNAM --- The Putnam Public Library will present “The Global Maritime Industry” from 6 to 7:30 p.m.
Sat. April 26
Pomfret Historical Program
POMFRET --- The Pomfret Historical Society will present “Fighting for Freedom: Pomfret’s Black Revolutionary War Soldiers” at 3 p.m. at the Old Town House.
Spaghetti Fund-raiser
PUTNAM --- Cub Scout Pack 21 of Putnam will host its spring spaghetti dinner from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Albert J. Breault VFW Post 1523 on Providence Street. $10.00 for adults; kids 12 and younger eat for free. Take-out or eat-in. Bake sale and drawings. Advance tickets at the VFW Post and at Joseph’s Jewelers on School Street or 860-928-5873 (leave message). Benefits the Scout Pack 21 Summer Camp Fund, to send our Cub Scouts to this year’s summer camp.
Beautification Day
PUTNAM --- The Town of Putnam, the PBA and Discover Putnam will hold Beautification Day starting with registration and clean up assignments at 8:30 a.m. in Rotary Park. From 11 to noon a volunteer appreciation lunch will be held in the park. Trophies given. Rain date May 3. Funded in part by The Last Green Valley. For questions, or to RSVP your team call 860-963-6800, ext. 140.
Low-Cost Rabies Clinic
DANIELSON --- Pet Pals will offer a low-cost rabies clinic from 2 to 3 p.m. at the Quinebaug Valley Veterinary Hospital. $10. Register: 860-317-1720. No walk-ins. Animals must be on a leash or in a carrier.
Edible Plants
PUTNAM --- The Putnam Public Library will present a free program, “Edible Wild Plants & Fungi of Spring,” from 1 to 2:30 p.m. at the library.
Car Wash Fund-raiser
PUTNAM --- The Putnam Rotary Club’s Interact Club will hold a car wash from 9 a.m. to noon at Putnam High.
Fri. May 2
Book/Bake Sale
BROOKLYN --- Our Lady of LaSalette Church on Rt. 6 will hold a book and bake sale from 5 to 8 p.m. May 2 and from 9 a.m. to noon May 3 in the church basement. Baked goods, too.
Wed. May 7
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.
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.
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.
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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'Waste' plastic will turn into a bench
POMFRET – Plastic waste was collected for recycling and because the town’s campaign was so successful, the town earned a much-needed park bench.
After six months of dedicated effort, the Pomfret Recreation Department has successfully collected more than 1,000 pounds of plastic waste for a recycling initiative aimed at supporting local environmental efforts. The campaign’s success is being celebrated as a testament to the growing awareness of plastic’s environmental impact and the importance of recycling, said Recreation Department Director Carrie Wolfe.
The initiative, which called on residents to donate their used plastic, has garnered an overwhelming response from across the Quiet Corner. Wolfe said. She and Beverly Champany, Recreation Commission Board member, said receiving contributions from all around the Quiet Corner area, illustrated how people are becoming increasingly conscious of their environmental footprint.
“It’s amazing to see how much plastic we truly use in our daily lives,” said Wolfe. “The response was incredible, and it’s clear that the community really cares about making a positive impact on our environment.”
As part of the initiative, the collected plastic will be used to create a much-needed park bench. The final design was selected by Wolfe and Champany who chose the color for the new addition. The bench is expected to be delivered soon, providing much-needed seating options for visitors to the Recreation Park.
“This is just the start,” Wolfe added. “The park definitely needs more seating, and we’re hopeful this project will inspire further efforts to improve the park and continue addressing issues like plastic waste.”
With the new bench soon to be installed, the Pomfret Recreation Department is excited to continue working together with the community to make their environment cleaner and more sustainable.
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caption:
First Selectman Maureen Nicholson, above, and Recreation board member Bev Champany.
Rotary giving goes on for weeks
By Linda Lemmon
Town Crier Editor
PUTNAM — The Putnam Rotary Club had so many donations to make that it went on for weeks. And still continues into April!
More than a dozen deserving organizations were invited to the Putnam Rotary Club meetings to receive donations to their organizations.
February and March donations were made to:
The Arc ECT, Community Café, Northeast Placement, American Red Cross, United Services, NOW, TEEG, the Pomfret-Eastford Little League, the Putnam Little League, Woodstock Little League, the Thompson Little League and Tri-Town American Legion baseball.
Putnam Rotary Club President Doug Porter said: “The Putnam Rotary Club donates to more than 40 organizations, including social services groups, youth-focused groups, community projects, international projects and our main focus, local scholarships. During these months the club is pleased to honor these groups at our weekly meetings.”
President Porter said he was honored to present checks to these groups — and there are more coming in April. He also thanked the club members who work to raise the money for these donations and the local community members who support the Rotary Club fund-raising efforts.
He added that the local community has been “very supportive” of the club’s two main fund-raising events, the Ronald P. Coderre Golf Tournament and the club’s 2/20 drawing.
“All the money from these events goes to support our donations and scholarships. Last year the club provided $32,500 in scholarships to local high school students. In addition the club provided almost $24,000 total for community projects, international projects, social service groups and youth groups,” he said.
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captions:
Service Organization group: Porter, Diane Manning (United Services), Carl Asikainen (TEEG), Tayler Shea (NOW), Tim Kettle (NEPS). Linda Lemmon photo.
Little League Group, from left: Everett Shepard (Tri Town), Josh Kinsella (Thompson), Eric Mauer (Woodstock), Putnam Rotary President Doug Porter, Christin Martin (Putnam), Jill Olsen (Pomfret-Eastford). Linda Lemmon photo.