Debra Greene Carabina
WOODSTOCK — Debra Greene Carabina, 70, died peacefully Nov. 30, 2025.
Born on June 18, 1955, in Putnam, Debra was the youngest child of Doris and Leslie Greene. Debra spent all of her life in the Quiet Corner that she loved so much.
Debra spent the majority of her life working as a dedicated elementary teacher in Killingly at Killingly Memorial School. Over 30 years, Debra touched so many lives and made a lasting impression on all her students from such a small age. Whether it was kindergarten or second grade, Debra’s students always remembered her teachings for years to come.
After retiring, Debra began volunteering in her local community. She spent time reading to children at the Gertrude Chandler Warner Boxcar Children Museum in Putnam. Her newest obsession was volunteering with the Woman’s Board of Day Kimball Hospital in Putnam in the Hospital Gift Shop. She was often their best customer, bringing home new decor every week for her family and friends.
In her spare time, Debra enjoyed shopping with friends, going to concerts and plays, reading, and collecting sea shells on the beach.
Throughout her life, Debra had such a love for animals, especially her Goldendoodle, Albus, and her Persian, Galileo, who will miss her dearly.
She leaves her husband of 45 years, George Carabina; her daughter Meghan and her husband Don Curtis, her son Antonio and his fiancée Josh Hoffman, two brothers Richard and Colin Green and their wives Joan and Linda, respectively; sister Joyce Sears, sister-in-law Rita Carabina; a special nephew Matthew Carabina; a longtime special friend Karin Tourtellotte; nieces, nephews, and cousins.
The Funeral Service was Dec. 8 at St Constantine and Helen, Webster, with burial at West Thompson Cemetery. Donations: St. Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Gilman and Valade Funeral Homes and Crematory, 104 Church St., Putnam.
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Wed. Dec. 10
Nature Store
POMFRET CENTER --- Audubon Society Holiday Nature Store is open from noon to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Sundays at the center on Day Road. Locally produced maple syrup; coloring, activity, and sticker books; stuffed animals; nature-themed and other jewelry; jigsaw puzzles; field and hiking guides; CAS caps and memberships; handmade evergreen sprays; and many donated items. Looking for a Peruvian gourd carving, a Native American silver cuff bracelet, and much more.
Art Exhibit
THOMPSON --- The Friends of the Thompson Library will present its sixth annual Community Textile Show for the month of December.
Stuff-A-Cruiser
PUTNAM --- The Putnam Police Department will be holding its 2025 Putnam Police Stuff-a-Cruiser Challenge from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the WINY radio parking lot. New/unwrapped toys and or monetary donations are welcome! Benefits the Putnam Family Resource Center.
Fri. Dec. 12
Bradley’s ‘Ebenezer’
PUTNAM --- The Bradley Playhouse will present “A Christmas Carol Musical Ebenezer’ at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 12, 13, 19 and 20 and at 2 p.m. Dec. 14 and 21. $30 for adults; $27 for seniors, students, veterans and first responders. Official tickets at: TheBradleyPlayhouse.org/shows; Our box office: 860-928-7887 or in person at 30 Front St.; Our direct, affiliated link:ci.ovationtix.com/36038/production/1232669
Sat. Dec. 13
Holiday Cookie Sale
BROOKLYN --- Our Lady of LaSalette Church is holding its Annual Cookie Sale (sold by the pound) and Basket Raffle from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the church basement. Come early to get the best selection.
Sun. Dec. 14
Candlelight/Music
POMFRET --- Pomfret School will present its annual Candlelight and Music event from 7 to 8 p.m. in the Clark Memorial Chapel. Doors open at 6:30. Refreshments follow. Free.
Mon. Dec. 15
Book Signing
PUTNAM --- A book signing and conversation for “The Flood of 1955” with author Ronald P. Coderre will be held at 4 p.m. at the Aspinock Historical Society of Putnam at the Putnam Municipal Complex. Book sales benefit the Aspinock Historical Society.
Meditation
THOMPSON ---The Quiet Corner Mindful Meditation group will meet from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Thompson Public Library. Free. Beginners welcome, no meditation experience necessary.
Tues. Dec. 16
Book Signing
DAYVILLE --- Ronald P. Coderre will be doing a book signing at 3 p.m. at Westview Commons. Proceeds from the sale of the book, “The Flood of 1955,” will go to the Aspinock Historical Society. Booklets may be purchased directly at the Aspinock Historical Society of Putnam in the Municipal Complex on Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday until 2 p.m.; at the Putnam Public Library; The Thompson Historical Society Gift Shop on the Thompson Common or by calling 860-942-7243 or by email at
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.
Thur. Dec. 25
Merry Christmas!
Sun. Dec. 28
Open House
POMFRET --- The Windham-Tolland 4-H Camp will hold an open house from 2 to 4 p.m. www.4hcampct.org
Tues. Dec. 30
Camper Day
POMFRET --- The Windham Tolland 4-H Camp on Taft Pond Road will offer Camper Game Day from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. for children ages 6-12. Lunch, games and more. Outdoor gear required. $25/child, everyone welcome. Preregistration by Dec. 22: 860-974-1122.
Thur. Jan. 1, 2026
Happy New Year!
Thur. Jan. 29
Book Signing
N. GROSVENORDALE --- Ronald P. Coderre will be doing a book signing at 6 p.m. at the Thompson Community Center and Library. Proceeds from the sale of the book, “The Flood of 1955,” will go to the Aspinock Historical Society. Booklets may be purchased directly at the Aspinock Historical Society of Putnam in the Municipal Complex on Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday until 2 p.m.; at the Putnam Public Library; The Thompson Historical Society Gift Shop on the Thompson Common or by calling 860-942-7243 or by email at
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Rain no deterrence to Interact bell ringing
PUTNAM — A little snow or rain won’t stop the Putnam Rotary Club’s Interact Club and their friends from ringing for the Salvation Army.
The weather Dec 6 was cold with snow and rain showers but the donations kept pouring into the kettles with more than $2,000 in donations. Ninety percent of these donations stay right here in the northeast corner to help those in need.
Interact Club advisor Roberta Rocchetti thanked Calleigh Levesque, Estela Freitas, Billie Lewis, Matthew Rybacki, Joshua Tackson and Tyler Parkin from Tourtellotte Memorial High School. Also: Paige Perry, Gabby Cerasiello and Kaylee Borders from Putnam High School; Isabel D’Alleva-Bochain, Lilly Morgis, Ivan Lin, Vivian Bibeau, Kaylee Saucier, Elise Coyle, Isabelle Tedisky, Sam Greene, Gianna DiCola-Keddy and Melanie DiPippo from Woodstock Academy. She also thanked Rotaract members Kyle Derosier and Matthew Gardiner who assisted along with Rotarians, Charlie Puffer, Deb Hoft, Mike and Roberta Rocchetti and Marc Archambault.
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caption:
From left: Ivan Lin, Lilly Morgis,Isabel D’Alleva-Bochain
Pomfret School invites community to annual candlelight celebration
POMFRET — Pomfret School will once again host its cherished Candlelight celebration on from 7 to 8 p.m. Dec. 14 in Clark Memorial Chapel. This free annual tradition, open to the public, brings together students, families, neighbors, and friends for an uplifting evening of music, readings, and candle lighting in the spirit of peace and goodwill.
Doors will open at 6:30 p.m. Parking is available across the street from Clark Memorial Chapel, and light refreshments will be served afterward in Hard Auditorium. For those unable to attend in person, the event will be livestreamed at pomfret.org/live.
Candlelight has long been one of Pomfret’s most beloved gatherings, transforming the historic Clark Memorial Chapel into a sanctuary of warmth and reflection as the holiday season approaches. The program features performances by the Pomfret Festival Chorus & Orchestra, GriffTones, and Chamber Ensemble, alongside poems, passages, and messages of hope brought to life through student voices. Each year, the event explores themes of unity, compassion, and shared light — reminding attendees of the power we hold to brighten the world around us.
The evening culminates in the candle lighting ritual that gives the event its name. A single flame is shared from person to person until the Chapel glows with hundreds of flickering lights. The event concludes with communal singing that fills the space with shared voices, bringing the community together in reflection and celebration.
“Candlelight offers us a chance to pause, breathe, and reconnect with what matters,” said Director of Spiritual Life Bobby Fisher. “It is a celebration of our shared humanity, and an invitation to carry light into a world that needs it.”
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