POMFRET — Rectory School opened its new academic addition with a ribbon-cutting and grand-opening ceremony Jan. 23. Students, faculty, administrators, board members, alumni, and community members joined the celebration to open the new 10,000 square-foot academic building, housing the Hale Elementary Wing for grades K-3 and the Smith Learning Center, which includes 17 tutoring rooms for Rectory’s signature Individualized Instruction Program.
Headmaster Fred Williams welcomed the gathering by reflecting on the anticipation Rectory’s students displayed throughout the year-long construction process. “I am awed by the pride and excitement the kids have expressed as we occupy this building for the first time today.” Williams continued by quoting former Governor General of Canada Adrienne Clarkson by saying, “Each of us is carving a stone, erecting a column, or cutting a piece of stained glass in the construction of something much bigger than ourselves.” Williams added, “The opening of these new spaces furthers the mission started nearly 100 years ago by Rectory’s founders, Frank and Mabel Bigelow, and allows us to more effectively continue our important work - the education of young people.”
Rectory’s Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Laurence Hale P’16, ‘19, ‘21, spoke about what makes Rectory such a special community, referencing the school’s website. “At Rectory, we build foundations for life …this new building represents an investment in both the structural and academic foundations that Rectory students can build upon.” He went on to highlight the unique Individualized Instruction Program (IIP), “At Rectory, we teach with an individualized approach, something which lead us to invest in a Rectory education for our three children. They have each benefited greatly and grown academically from the one-on-one tutoring and mentorship of the School’s legendary faculty through participation in IIP.”
Rectory’s Director of the Elementary School, Maria Carpenter, who Fred Williams referred to as “the mother of Rectory’s Elementary School,” expressed her appreciation to everyone who helped make the new academic addition possible. “I have always felt that our elementary experience was exceptional in design, even when we were scattered about this wonderful campus. We have been waiting, since we opened Rectory’s kindergarten in 2004, to have a space where children and teachers could connect and collaborate in one space… and that dream is becoming a reality today.”
Freddy Nagle, Rectory’s director of Development, graciously thanked donors who supported this project, “Because of you, Rectory is able to provide an education that goes above and beyond, in state-of-the-art facilities like the one we are celebrating today, that creates a hands-on learning environment, guided by our outstanding faculty. Because of you, Rectory has the foundation and tools necessary to meet students’ needs and interests, while empowering our students to ask questions, explore new ideas, and connect multiple subject areas so they can begin to understand how their studies apply to the world that awaits them.”
The following donors, who were in attendance at the celebration, were recognized: Betty Hale, for her generous support of the Elementary School Wing; Melissa, Jim, Blake, Brooke, and Brody Zahansky, for their generous support for the fourth-grade classroom; Robert S. Perkin ‘62, for his generous support of a tutoring space given in honor of John B. Bigelow, James Barber, and C. Stanford Murray; Fred and Marcia Williams, for their generous support of a tutoring space given in honor Nancy Nielsen Williams; Karl Norton, Susan Roarabaugh, John Everett, and Kevin Tubridy for their hard work and dedication to this project, a tutoring space was named in honor of Karl Norton Architects and New England Design; For their hard work and dedication to this project we would like to recognize John Darigan and Lupachino and Salvatore General Contractors.
Rectory is planning several open houses in the coming months, including a reception prior to a public Parent Technology Night, featuring a free showing of “Screenagers: Growing Up in the Digital Age” on February 28. For more information, please contact the Admissions Office at 860-928-1328 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .
Remember snow?
Back this week. The pink bike in front of the Victoria Station Cafe was coated with snow during the last snowstorm. More photos on page 6. Linda Lemmon photo.
PUTNAM — In just under a month, downtown Putnam will host the largest single ice-block competition in the U.S. — the Fire & Ice Festival. Feb.11 the public is invited to visit this community event, boasting more than three dozen ice carvings, 240 luminarias, fire-dancing performances, and a chocolate sculpting and molding contest.
2017 will see the return of the Fire & Ice Chocolate Contest. Back for a third year in a row, the contest will include sculpting, molding, and dessert decorating categories and will allow chefs, students, and novices to show off their talents. Submissions are still being accepted, with the application available on www.discoverputnam.com. There will be three categories: Professional, Student, and Beginner. All entrants will be judged based on originality, design, degree of difficulty, and quality of work. Frank Cameron, president of Les Amis Escoffier Society, and chairman of the Board of Connecticut Chefs, will serve as lead judge along with Rita Rivera, communications manager of Mystic Country. Continuing the theme of using chocolate as an artistic medium, artist Taylor Martin will be working on a chocolate painting throughout the festival, with visitors encouraged to watch her as she creates an original work of art.
In addition to the fan-favorite chocolate sculptures, the event will also continue the tradition of professional and amateur ice carvings, decorating the streets of downtown Putnam. Beginning at 11 a.m., there will be over a dozen pre-carved ice blocks on display as well as professional ice carving demonstrations. The creative spirit of northeastern Connecticut will be on display as professional and amateur artists carve more than 20 ice blocks, all sponsored by local businesses. Throughout the day, patrons can watch as 300-pound ice blocks are transformed into a variety of shapes and figures. At 11:30, there will be a professional ice carving demonstration by Ice Matters of Cheshire, sponsored by Cargill Chevrolet on the patio of 85 Main Restaurant. Other noteworthy displays include: a 5-foot Elsa from Disney’s Frozen, a 70-inch grandfather clock, an interactive sand and ice sculpture, and an ice luge.
Despite winter weather, there will be plenty of ways to keep warm with dinner and drink specials available at local restaurants. The festival also provides an opportunity for newcomers to discover the many shops and galleries of Putnam. Sure to please the sweet tooth of all ages, milk and dark chocolate Fire & Ice candy bars will be available for purchase, with prizes hidden under the wrappers of select bars. Visitors are also invited to stop by a photo booth located downtown; silly poses in front of the official Fire & Ice backdrop are encouraged.
Keeping things romantic, the Fire & Ice committee asks the public to send in wedding photos for a collaborative art project to be displayed at the festival. Photos ranging from romantic to funny, old and new, will be accepted. Some noteworthy photos the committee is hoping to receive will be the oldest, most recent, photos containing the most bridesmaids, and photos with the cutest flower girl & ring bearer. Those interested in participating are invited to scan and send photos to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , or drop off a photocopy of the photo at WINY Radio in Putnam. Photos will be incorporated into an art project and will not be returned.
As the sun goes down at the Fire & Ice Festival, 240 luminarias, sponsored by Gerardi Insurance Services, Inc., will fill downtown Putnam with an ambient glow. Fire torches will help light the way as Main Street transforms into a romantic setting for the perfect Valentine’s Day celebration. Adding to the spectacle of the festival, visitors will be wowed by fire dancing performances from Firefly Caravan from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., courtesy of sponsor, Byrnes Agency. Popping up between Firefly Caravan’s performances, visitors will also be treated to live performances of iconic scenes from favorite romantic films, courtesy of The Complex Performing & Creative Arts Centre.
The following charges were listed in the Putnam Police Department logs. The people charged are innocent until proven guilty in court. The Town Crier will publish dispositions of cases at the request of the accused. The dispositions must be accompanied by the proper documentation. The Putnam Police Department confidential Tip Line is 963-0000.
Jan. 12
William Peabody, 40, Van den Noort Street, Putnam; second-degree breach of peace.
Timothy Grant, 51, Van den Noort Street, Putnam; disorderly conduct.
Jan. 13
Kyle Dexter, 19, Battey Street, Putnam; breach of peace.
Jan. 14
Sylvia Sirrine, 64, Fox Hill Road, Pomfret; operating under the influence, failure to drive right.
Pedro Rodriquez, 27, School Street, Putnam; breach of peace, third-degree assault.
Jan. 16
Steven Gardner, 31, Van den Noort Street, Putnam; disorderly conduct.
Adamus Parker, 36, Franklin Street, Danielson; third-degree assault, disorderly conduct, criminal mischief.
Jan. 17
Chris Walsh, 48, Union Street, Norwich; sixth-degree larceny.
Jan. 18
Melinda Pratts, 32, Blueberry Lane, S. Windham; operating an unregistered motor vehicle.
Jan. 20
Charlotte Farrows, 35, Boys Avenue, Rogers; disorderly conduct, second-degree assault.
Jan. 21
Dale Farrows, 56, Boys Avenue, Rogers; disorderly conduct, third-degree assault.
Jan. 22
Daniel Kurtyka, 21, Sabin Street, Putnam; failure to obey traffic signal, operating motor vehicle without a license.
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