Display
American Legion District #4 Commander Ronald P. Coderre and Post #21 – Danielson Commander Charles Crowley display letters of commendation received from National Commander Brett Reistad. The commendations, which were presented by Dept. Sr. Vice Commander Jeff DeClerck, were in recognition of the effort put in by Coderre and Crowley in revitalizing Post #21. Courtesy photo.
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Correction
The name of the new interim president and CEO for Day Kimball Healthcare is Joseph Adiletta. His name was misspelled in last week's story. Apologies.
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Wed. Sept. 18
Exhibit
POMFRET --- The Connecticut Audubon Society at Pomfret Center will present an exhibit, “Lost Knowledges, Vanishing Histories” by Jessica Porzuczek through September at the Grassland Bird Conservation Center on Day Road. Free. 860-928-4948.
Art Exhibit
POMFRET --- The Connecticut Audubon Society at Pomfret Center will present “Becorns: A Woodland World of Wonder” photo exhibit and sale by David Bird through Oct. 31 at the Grassland Bird Conservation Center on Day Road. 860-928-4948.
Thur. Sept. 19
Nature Program
HAMPTON --- The Connecticut Audubon Society at Pomfret Center will present “Bird Walk” at 8 a.m. at Trail Wood, Kenyon Road. $5 for members and $10 for nonmembers. 860-928-4948.
Fri. Sept. 20
Book/Bake Sale
BROOKLYN --- Our Lady of LaSalette Church on Rt. 6 will present a huge book and bake sale in the church basement. It’s from 5 to 8 p.m. Sept. 20 and from 9 a.m. to noon Sept. 21.
Sat. Sept. 21
Nature Program
POMFRET --- The Connecticut Audubon Society at Pomfret Center will present “Nature Sketch Book Journaling” from 9 a.m. to noon at the Grassland Bird Conservation Center on Day Road. $10 for members and $20 for nonmembers. Call 860-928-4948 for list of materials to bring.
Acorn Adventure
THOMPSON --- Acorn Adventure -- Into the Woods will run from 10 to 11:30 a.m. at the West Thompson Dam. A bit of hiking 101. 860-774-3300. Acorn Adventures are sponsored by Putnam Bank.
Forest Program
VOLUNTOWN --- The Friends of Pachaug Forest will present a program/statue unveiling from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. honoring the Civilian Conservation Corps which developed the state’s forests and parks systems. The forest is on Rt. 49. Go to Chapman Field. The statue will be unveiled at noon. Music, food.
Can Drive
KILLINGLY --- Pet Pals Northeast will be collecting redeemable bottles and cans to help homeless and needy animals from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Killingly Town Garage, Rt. 12. Dry cat food urgently needed, Purina brands preferred. Cash donations always welcome. 860-317-1720.
Sun. Sept. 22
Nature Program
HAMPTON --- The Connecticut Audubon Society at Pomfret Center will present “Non-fiction Book Club” from 2 to 4 p.m. at Trail Wood, Kenyon Road. Free. Donations accepted. 860-928-4948.
Mon. Sept. 23
Equinox Hike
UNION --- The Last Green Valley will present Autumnal Equinox Hike from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Bigelow Hollow State Park, Rt. 171. 6-mile hike. Bring trail lunch. Rain cancels. Open to 20 hikers. RSVP required: 860-774-3300.
Thur. Sept. 26
Museum Tour
PUTNAM --- The American Lithuanian Cultural Archives, 37 Mary Crest Dr., will offer a tour from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Fri. Sept. 27
Fund-raiser
PUTNAM --- The DKH Pumpkins & Pearls Auction and Cocktail Party will be held at 6 p.m. at Ballard Farm, Thompson. Benefits Day Kimball HomeCare, HomeMakers and Hospice & Palliative Care of NE CT. $45 pp. Daykimball.org.
Sat. Sept. 28
Community Conversation
WOODSTOCK — The Quiet Corner subcommittee of the Windham/Willimantic NAACP Chapter will present “The Untold Story of Emmett Louis Till” at 2 p.m. at the First Congregational Church of Woodstock on Rt. 169. It’s part of a free film series. Movie and popcorn free. Discussion follows.
Clothing Giveaway
PUTNAM --- A clothing giveaway sponsored by IHSP-NU 2 U Clothing Closet will be held from 9 a.m. to noon at Living Faith United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall off Bradley Street. Free Warm winter clothing, coats, hats, scarves, etc. for all ages, plus summer clearance. Bring your own bags.
Sun. Sept. 29
Nature Program
POMFRET --- The Connecticut Audubon Society at Pomfret Center will present “Bull Hill Bird Walk” at 8 a.m. Meet at the Grassland Bird Conservation Center on Day Road. $7 for members and $2 for nonmembers. 860-928-4948.
Paddle
N. GROSVENORDALE --- The Last Green Valley will present French River Paddle from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. starting from the parking lot behind the K of C Hall. Bring your own canoe/kayak and pfd. Registration required: 508-523-3785.
Fri. Oct. 4
‘Deathtrap’
PUTNAM --- The Bradley Playhouse will present “Deathtrap” through Oct. 20. www.thebradleyplayhouse.org.
First Fridays
PUTNAM --- The Putnam Business Association’s First Fridays will be held from 5 to 9 p.m. around downtown Putnam. This month’s theme is “Steam Punk (A Retro Futurism Party).”
Sat. Oct. 5
Finnish ‘Tori’
CANTERBURY --- The Finnish American Heritage Society will hold its annual Tori from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., rain or shine, at the society building on N. Canterbury Road. Free. All welcome. 860-608-7877.
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Autumn is my favorite season. I love that the days are warm from the sun but the nights start to turn crisp and cool. I love that the trees, typically, become a canvas of color, reminding me that I am lucky enough to live in such a beautiful place. I love that gardens burst over with vegetables and flowers that are hearty, lasting far longer than the delicate Springtime fruits and buds. I love when the corn field is finally ready for harvest and the tractor hums along, outside my still open window, working from morning until after dark. I love to carve pumpkins and cook pumpkin seeds even though I get hardly a Trick-or Treater. I love to put big pots of mums on my porch step, often trying to predict which color mums will match the foliage around my house. I love the smell of my homemade applesauce simmering patiently on the stove. I love anticipating the holidays and getting a jump on my shopping. I love Fall nail polish colors, and I especially love (or at least when my girls were young), that school starts again!
Autumn in New England is a season of hard work and preparation. Although we are not the pioneers of the past, stocking our root cellars and fastening our window shutters in anticipation of winter’s long and hard freeze, we still make sure that we have our heating source stocked and serviced and a fair amount of food in the freezer, just in case. Blankets and bedspreads are freshened and sweaters come back to the forefront in our closets. Boots are checked for wear and tear and children are outfitted with winter gear that fits their growing frame. Gardens, once emptied, are made bare and clean for a long rest and jams and jellies are canned and tucked neatly away in the pantry for use on warm toasted breads on chilly mornings.
For me, Fall represents not only a true physical shift in the surrounding nature, but also in me. My spirit, slightly more care free and imaginative in the summer, becomes, like the root vegetables in my garden, heartier. I take stock of the work that has yet to be accomplished during the year, and I start to buckle down. I make more lists and, despite it getting darker earlier, I seem to stay up later. I make sure that I touch base with friends I haven’t seen in a while and plan a get-together.
I, also, like the busy chipmunks around me, eat more, opting to say yes to dessert or an appetizer or an extra glass of wine…or all of the above. I especially make sure, that when the leaves start to turn, my TV recording list is updated and ready to go in order not to miss any of the premiers of the new TV season…
Or maybe, Fall is just my favorite season simply because I get to use one of my most favorite words…
Leaf Peepers! Leaf Peepers!
Kathy Naumann, possessor of NATURALLY curly hair and the understanding that you can’t control everything!
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