WOODSTOCK — The musical “Les Misérables” comes to life when Broadway Live Productions and THOMASDORAN and company take center stage at Hyde School Cultural Center Aug. 1, 2 and 3, to benefit Day Kimball Healthcare, Quinebaug Valley Community College and The Bradley .

“Les Misérables” will be presented at 8 p.m. Aug. 1 and 2 and at 2 p.m. Aug. 2 and 3 at the Hyde School Cultural Center. Tickets are now on sale.   www.lesmisatthehyde.com.

More than 116 aspiring performers auditioned for “Les Misérables” on May 3 and 4, resulting in a cast of 60 from the local and tri-state area.

“We are all very pleased to bring this epic production to the stage,” said Executive Producer David T. Panteleakos. How truly proud we are to assemble this diverse cast with 60 performers from our local area and from out of the area including Cape Cod, Providence, Worcester, Norwich, Griswold and Willimantic.” James D. Kellaway, executive producer, added, “Though it is set in a time gone by, “Les Misérables” conveys an emotive quality that contemporary audiences will connect with. All of us can relate to the quest for peace and tranquility amidst a world of tumult and change. We are all immensely excited to see our talented cast and crew bring this to life in 2014".

The following actors and actresses were chosen for some of the following roles:

John K. McElroy II (Smithfield, R.I.) as Jean Valjean; Ray Churchill (Griswold) as Javert, Elaine Crane (Rutland Mass.) as Fantine; Kaitlyn Ekstrom (Spencer Mass.) as Cosette; Isabella Sorrentino (Plainfield) as Little Cosette; Amanda Vantine (Jewett City) as Eponine; Katarina Bromkamp (Griswold) as Young Eponine; Hayden Stearns (Windham) as Marius; Greg Brock (Pomfret Center) as Thenardier; and Angela Foley (Putnam) as Madame Thenardier.

In addition to Executive Producers Panteleakos and Kellaway and Producer Laura Crosetti, the Les Misérables production team includes: Director Carl Mercier, Assistant Director Carole Hayes, Associate Producer Molly Kellaway, Choreographer Keri Danner, Vocal Director Diane Pollard, Music Director Bob Sloat, Stage Managers Christie Deary and Marie Mongeau; and Costumer Caroline Sloat.

“Rehearsals have begun, and the power of this cast is really remarkable, said Crosetti. “This will be a spectacular production with fabulous music; elaborate sets and costuming that will thrill our audiences. You won’t want to miss this show!”

 

 

 

NORWICH — Nicholas K. Fortson, who was recently appointed as the new president and CEO of CorePlus Federal Credit Union, plans to visit all nine of the CorePlus branches. He will be at the Putnam Walmart Supercenter branch from 1 to 3 p.m. June 27 and at the Brooklyn Walmart Supercenter branch from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. June 27. Refreshments will be served.

Fortson replaces long time CorePlus leader Warren P. Scholl, who recently retired from a 36-year credit union career. 

Robert Trinque, board of directors chairman, said, “CorePlus is excited to promote Nicholas to the role of president and CEO, and we know that with his experience, Nick will continue the growth and development of the credit union, while continuing to serve our members.”

Fortson has been with the credit union for five years, having joined CorePlus in May 2009 as chief financial officer. He holds a bachelor’s in business administration from Valparaiso University in Indiana, and is a Certified Public Accountant.  Originally from Buffalo, N.Y., he has served in comptroller, vice president, CFO and Board of Director roles for banks and financial and realty management institutions in Detroit and Ann Arbor, Mich., as well as in South Africa.  

Fortson is actively involved in the Eastern Connecticut community and is a board member for Habitat for Humanity, Waterford Country School, and the MLK Scholarship Trust Fund. He has also participated locally in the Community Foundation Norwich Youth Grant Committee, TVCCA Volunteer Tax Assistant Program, and is a member of the Norwich Sunrise Rotary.

He and his wife, Attorney Peggy Bridges Fortson, have three adult children, and live in Norwich.  

CorePlus Federal Credit Union, founded in 1936, currently has nine full service branches locally in Norwich, Taftville, Groton, East Lyme, Waterford, Plainfield and the recently opened Putnam and Brooklyn Walmart Supercenter branch offices. In addition to these branch locations, CorePlus Federal Credit Union operates the “Loan Zone” consumer lending center in Norwich.  

 

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Wed. June 11

Golf Tourney

THOMPSON --- The Northeastern Connecticut Chamber of Commerce 26th annual Golf Invitational will begin with an 11 a.m. shotgun start at Quinnatisset Country Club.  Contact the chamber for more information.

 

Fun Run

W. THOMPSON --- The West Thompson Dam Fun Run has started and will run through Sept. 17 on Wednesdays starting at the West Thompson Dam entrance on Ravenelle Road. Starts at 6:15 p.m. Distance is 3.1 and 1.44 miles. Fun Run or walk is free and open to all. For info: mayer.robert @sbcglobal.net. 

 

Fri. June 13

History Program

CANTERBURY --- Canterbury Historical Society will present James Littlefield’s portrayal of fictional slave catcher Coswell Tims around 7:30 p.m. at the Canterbury town Hall community Room. Free. All welcome.

 

'Frost/Nixon'

PUTNAM --- The Bradley Playhouse on Front Street will present "Frost/Nixon" at 7:30 p.m. June 13 and 14 and at 2 p.m. June 15. $17 and $14. 860-928-7887.

 

Sat. June 14

Tag Sale

WOODSTOCK --- Town of Woodstock and the Recreation Department will host their second annual Town-Wide Tag Sale today. All Woodstock residents, businesses and organizations are welcome to participate. Call 860-315-515 for info, to register.

 

Book Sale

PUTNAM --- The Putnam Public Library Friends of the Library Book Sale will be held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

 

Heritage Day

EASTFORD ---  Heritage Day will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Eastford Elementary School. Games, music, food, auctions, flag retirement ceremony. Activities throughout town include a craft fair, vintage car show, and open houses at the fire company, library, and local businesses. All welcome.

 

Rabies Clinic

DANIELSON --- Pet Pals Northeast, a local animal welfare organization, is holding a low cost rabies clinic from 2 to 3:30 p.m. at the Quinebaug Valley Veterinary Hospital on Rt. 12 (town line with Plainfield). No appointment necessary.  $12 cash per animal. All animals must be on a leash or in a secured carrier.  If available, bring prior proof of rabies vaccination. 860-317-1720.

 

Open House Day

CANTERBURY --- The Canterbury Historical Society will take part in the state's annual Open House Day from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Centre (Green) District Schoolhouse on the Canterbury Green. Exhibits, tag sale and more. Rain or shine. Free. All welcome.  www.canterburyhistorical.org

 

Open Farm

WOODSTOCK --- Woodstock-Connecticut Open House Day Farm tour will be from noon to 3 p.m. at Fairvue Farms on Rt. 171. Take a wagon ride to tour the dairy barn, learn all about what a cow eats in a day, visit the "milking parlor" where 40 cows at a time are milked and see the big tractors that work the land.  Complimentary ice cream and milk.

 

Sun. June 15

Breakfast

N. GROSVENORDALE --- The Knights of Columbus Council 2087 will hold a Father’s Day made-to-order breakfast from 7 to 11 a.m. at the hall on Riverside Drive. $8. 

 

Tues. June 17

Pomfret Seniors

POMFRET --- The Pomfret Senior Center on Rt. 44 will present TEEG Learn and Lunch from noon to 2 p.m. June 17 with “TEEG mentoring Program.” At 1:30 p.m. June 18 trivia with John Carter will be presented. Surrounding town seniors welcome to both.

 

Author

POMFRET --- One Book project. Quiet Corner Reads will present author Ann Hood, author of the book chosen for reading for 2014, “The Obituary Writer,” at 7 p.m. at Pomfret School. $15. www. quietcornerreads.org website.

 

Wed. June 18

Ice Cream Social

N. GROSVENORDALE --- Thompson Recreation and Merrimack Health will hold an ice cream social for senior citizens at 12:15 p.m. Free. Open to residents and non-residents age 60  and older. Preregister at 860-923-9440.

 

Fri. June 20

Yard Sale

PLAINFIELD --- The Plainfield Congregational Church will hold a yard sale from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. June 20 and from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. June 21.  

 

Sat. June 21

Jazz Fest

PUTNAM --- The second annual Putnam Food and Jazz Fest will be held at 6 p.m. at the Connecticut National Golf Course on Chase Road. $45. 860-576-5940.

 

Sun. June 22

Golf Tourney

PUTNAM --- The Congregational Church of Putnam on Main Street will hold its Steve Bousquet Memorial Golf Tournament/Congregational Church of Putnam's 12th Annual Golf Tournament at the Thompson Raceway Golf Course. $125 per person. 428-0050.

 

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PUTNAM— Day Kimball Healthcare (DKH) is receiving a $25,000 grant from Pink Aid to be used for the integrated system’s Breast Cancer Support Fund. 

“Our Breast Health Program is designed to focus on prevention through diagnosis and treatment, but not all women have the financial resources to access the healthcare services needed to combat this terrible disease.” said Trish Holland Caprera, RN, BSN, MBA, OCN, director, DKH Hematology/Oncology.  “Over a two-year period, 60 percent – or 262 patients – of our breast cancer discharges were residents of towns with the highest poverty, unemployment and uninsured levels. The Pink Aid grant will be a huge help, as we estimate that it will serve some 25 women needing financial assistance.”

Holland Caprera said the DKH Breast Cancer Support Fund was established to ease financial strains, decrease medical barriers and to facilitate patient care. It provides financial assistance for such things as transportation to treatment and counseling sessions, and the purchase of breast prostheses, bras, wigs, etc. 

 

The fund also supports guidance services, which include connecting women to healthcare providers and clinical screening services, and education offerings, which focus on good health practices, breast cancer prevention and early detection, healthy lifestyle choices and important breast cancer resources. 

For more information on the DKH Breast Cancer Support Fund Program, contact Abby Soriero-Durand, Hematology/Oncology Social Worker at (860) 963-6425 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or visit www.daykimball.org/cancercare.