Business of the Year award winner: It’s a family, really
By Linda Lemmon
Town Crier Editor
PUTNAM — The second annual Business of the Year award was given to The Courthouse Bar and Grille — and all its staff, aka “The CBG crew.”
Business owners, Sheila and James Frost, in accepting the award, said they could not have done it without their exceptional crew. Sheila Frost then proceeded to list all of them by name.
James Frost said it will be 28 years go, this February that they signed the lease for the Courthouse. “It’s been such a rewarding experience for all these years,” he said. He counted the many customers/staff/etc. as friends. “The number of people we’ve met, that we have worked with, the friendships made, the ‘family really’ that we’ve all become has been tremendous,” he added. 
He said, “The downtown has evolved into something I don’t think many of us would have ever anticipated.”
In his remarks, Mayor Barney Seney said “The Courthouse is a staple of our community, what our community became because of businesses like the Courthouse that took a chance, came to Putnam and said it’s a great town and we want to be part of it.”
This is the second year for the award — the brainchild of Economic and Community Development Director Mary Ann Chinatti. Shortly after she arrived in Putnam she saw the need for the recognition for small businesses. She said: “This is important because the businesses that are here are here for the long term and they deserve to be recognized. It just boggled my mind when I got here that this wasn’t done in Putnam so it needed to be done. They need to be recognized.”
In addition, because it was also Small Business Saturday, Chinatti had made the rounds the day before and distributed 260 Putnam shopping bags to local shops and restaurants. They each contained a special, beautiful surprise — a custom Putnam ornament. 
Some of the staff recognized by the Frosts include: Madi Wilcox, Jon Andrews, Cam Heath, Steve Olecki, Saeng Phongsa, Courtney Bremer, Erica Frost, Caroline Frost, Julia Beausoleil, Kaylin Kochinskas, and Tyler Fish. Several of them have been with the Courthouse from the beginning or nearly the beginning. 

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captions:

From left: Mayor Barney Seney, Caroline Frost, Sheila Frost, James Frost, Erica Frost and Economic and Community Development Director Mary Ann Chinatti. 

Sheila and James Frost with the award and the 'CBG crew' behind them. Expanded photo array Wed. night on our FB page. Linda Lemmon photos.

Linda E. Warren
WOODSTOCK (formerly of Charlton) — Linda (Buxton) Warren, 78, passed away on Nov. 20, 2025 after a brave battle with cancer. Born in 1947 in Marlborough, Mass., she was the daughter of the late Myron Buxton Jr. and Martha (Moore) Perkins.
Linda grew up in a small house on Robin Hill Road in Marlborough where she was the oldest of seven children. She took the “oldest” role very seriously and cherished each and every one of her siblings, calling them often, whether they were near or far. Family was always a priority to her. Another role she cherished was being a mother, always putting her children first. 
She had a unique and special relationship with each of her children. She was truly and will always be the “matriarch” of her family. She also enjoyed reading the newspaper and magazines, crocheting, grocery shopping, and cooking: “Even the birds were fat at Mimi’s house!”
She leaves her children, Wendy Warren-Cudworth of Woodstock, James Warren of Sturbridge, Mass., and Michael Warren of Hudson, Fla.; her siblings, Paulette DiPersio (Bob) of Zephyr Hills, Fla., Dwight Buxton (Karen) of Middletown Springs, Vt.; Barbara Kozlowski of Spencer, Mass., and Kevin Buxton of Southbridge, Mass.; grandchildren, Samantha Cudworth, Shawna Cudworth, Christian Cudworth, Mackenzie Warren, Emma Warren, Austin Branham, Michael Warren, Rochelle Warren; her great-granddaughter, Ari Deliz; her longtime friend, John Elliott Sr.; nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, and her favorite furry companions, Daisy Duke, Bailey and the late Lilly Elliott. She was predeceased by her brother, Gary Buxton, and her sister, Carol Dunn.
A graveside service was Nov. 29 at Westridge Cemetery in Charlton. Donations: an animal shelter of your choice. Gilman Funeral Home & Crematory, 104 Church St, Putnam.

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Wed.  Dec. 3
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. 

Scam Alert
PUTNAM ---Detective Donna Brown of the Putnam Police Department will be presenting “Fraud & Scam Awareness” at 5:30 p.m. .in the Putnam Public Library. Free. 

Art Exhibit
THOMPSON --- The Friends of the Thompson Library will present its sixth annual Community Textile Show for the month of December. Reception: 6 p.m. Dec. 9.

Stumpo Retrospective
POMFRET --- The Connecticut Audubon Society at Pomfret on Day Road will present Pomfret works by the late watercolor artist, David C. Stumpo through January. Hours: noon to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday.

Gallery Open
POMFRET --- The Pomfret School's new art gallery, The Gallery at Jahn Reading Room, will feature  artist Seaver Leslie’s “Mnemosyne: A Sixty-Year Review” and “Observations,” a showcase of new works by Pomfret students, through the month of December. For info call JP Jacquet at 860-208-8521.

Fri.  Dec. 5
Bradley’s ‘Ebenezer’
PUTNAM --- The Bradley Playhouse will present “A Christmas Carol Musical Ebenezer’ at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 5, 6, 12, 13, 19 and 20 and at 2 p.m. Dec. 7, 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. 6
Pet Bazaar
PUTNAM --- Paws Cat Shelter is hosting a Holiday Bazaar from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Putnam High School cafeteria, 152 Woodstock Ave. 860-315-1228.

Holiday Art & Crafts
WOODSTOCK --- The East Woodstock Congregational Church will hold its annual Holiday Art/Craft Show from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the church. More than 20 vendors.

Victorian Fair
POMFRET --- The Christ Church’s annual Saint Nicholas Victorian Fair will be held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the church on Rt. 169. (rain date Dec. 13). 860-315-7780.

Sun.  Dec. 7
Dazzle Light Parade
PUTNAM --- The 24th annual Holiday Dazzle Light Parade will kick off at 5 p.m. from Grove Street and wind its way through downtown Putnam.  This light-filled holiday extravaganza is sponsored by WINY Radio, the Town of Putnam and Green Valley Crossing.

Lunch with Santa
POMFRET --- The Windham-Tolland 4-H Camp on Taft Pond Road will hold Lunch with Santa from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Prices vary. Call 860-974-3379. No reservations needed. 

Christmas Concert
CHEPACHET --- The Chepachet Baptist Church on Rt. 44 will hold its Christmas Concert at 2:30 p.m. Free but a freewill offering would be welcome. Refreshments follow. www.chepachetbaptist.org

Tues.  Dec. 9
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.

Coats Available
PUTNAM --- Free, new, warm winter coat for kids toddler through teen  from 3 to 8 p.m. at the Knights of Columbus Hall on Providence Street. There will also be free, used winter coats in good condition available for men and women. Free - no obligation. 860-928-5873 (do not text).

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.

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 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..  

Thur.  Dec. 25
Merry Christmas!

Sun.  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 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..  

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