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Banner Carrying
Members of Troop 21, of Putnam, get ready to carry the banner in front of Parade Marshall Dr. Louise Berry’s car at the Holiday Dazzle Light Parade. Left to right: Troop 21 Senior Patrol Leader Richard L. LaBonte Jr., Scout James Lazarou, Scoutmaster Peter A. Lombardo and Scout Damien-Michael Jacques. Photo by John D. Ryan.
PUTNAM — Most people are busy around Thanksgiving time. Troop 21 is no exception. Soon after their turkey was fully digested Nov. 27, several members of the Putnam Boy Scout troop carried the banner in front of Parade Marshall Dr. Louise Berry’s car, during the 15th annual Holiday Dazzle Light Parade.
Berry was the superintendent of schools in Brooklyn from 1983 until her recent retirement. The lifelong educator said she was happy to be escorted by Troop 21.
“I’ve seen so many great young people,” she said, moments before the parade began. “These young men compare very favorably. I’m so glad they’re here tonight.”
Carrying the banner in the parade was the follow-up to Troop 21’s latest service project, when the Scouts helped to serve turkey dinners to 44 clients of Putnam’s John Dempsey Center, when they volunteered at the Albert J. Breault VFW Post 1523 on Providence Street the Saturday before Thanksgiving. Troop 21 has waited tables at the annual event for more than 15 years.
Dempsey Center Thanksgiving Dinner Chairman Charles L. Mahoney, of Putnam, looks forward to seeing Troop 21 every year. “We need the Scouts there to help us,” Mahoney said. “They’re a godsend. They make it much easier for the VFW to serve our guests and perform our community service.”
Chartered to St. Mary Church of the Visitation in Putnam, Troop 21 Scoutmaster Peter A. Lombardo, of Putnam, said the parade and the dinner was part of the troop’s busy schedule. It all started with an August fishing trip, followed by a hike up Mt. Monadnock in New Hampshire and a recent, hands-on science and technology program for Scouts, held at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy in New London.
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Riding
Six-year-old Jasmine on Skippy with her mother Nikole Ruddy on the Fall foliage Ride sponsored by the Pomfret Horse and Trail Association. Photos by Jim Abbott.
Riders raise money
POMFRET — On a bright October day, 113 riders from three states enjoyed local trails at the Fall Foliage Ride sponsored by the Pomfret Horse and Trail Association. It was the largest participation in the ride’s eight-year history.
Proceeds from the ride support local trails and open space through donations to the Wyndham Land Trust, the Abington 4 H Camp, The Last Green Valley, and the Audubon Society. “Pomfret has become a destination riding area,” Jackson said. “Pomfret Horse and Trail sponsors two rides every year, and Tyrone Farm offers many more, including the Pomfret Hunter Pace which drew over 200 riders this fall in the pouring rain. People love riding here because of the beautiful country.”
The trail covered 11 miles of fields, woods, and dirt roads thanks to the generosity of many Pomfret landowners. A short loop of 6 miles was also available.
“We are so grateful to the landowners who give us access for this ride,” said Sue Jackson, ride secretary. “The landowners preserve the scenic nature of Pomfret, and the footing on their trails provides some of the best riding in the area.”
Horse trailers, horses, and riders of all ages filled a large green field surrounded by orange and red foliage on a large tract of land in the northeastern part of Pomfret. It was a family-friendly day with participants ranging from 6 years old to 73. The youngest rider, 6-year-old Jasmine, was a fourth-generation rider. Her great grandfather served in the last mounted unit of the Calvary in WWII. She rode her pinto pony Skippy on a lead line from her mother’s horse.
Riders commented that it was a fun, stress free, well-organized event. Patty McElligott, from Millbury, Mass., thanked the landowners “who shared their piece of paradise with us. It could not have been any better and the obviously hard work put in by all of the organizers and sponsors is sincerely appreciated.”
Megan Ellis, from Salem, said, “Everything was wonderful. The parking was great, even for a newbie trailer driver.”
The trails were well marked, and the length of the ride was just right, said other riders.
New Missals
Recently, at the beginning of the new liturgical year, Rev. Cosmas Archibong, right, the Roman Catholic chaplain at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Hospital in W. Haven, accepts a donation of new missals from Assembly 114 Fourth Degree Knight of Columbus David J. Meunier, of Killingly. The Right Rev. Monsignor Jean C. Mathieu Fourth Degree Assembly 114, based in Putnam, donated the three dozen books to the hospital’s chapel. Photo by John D. Ryan.
Wed. Nov. 30
Library Program
POMFRET --- The Friends of Pomfret Public Library will present “Wildlife and Connecticut’s Changing Landscape” presented by Paul Colburn, DEEP MWC, at 7 p.m. at the Pomfret Historical Society’s Old Towne House. 860-928-3475
Art Exhibit
POMFRET --- The Connecticut Audubon Society at Pomfret Center will present Wildlife Artist David C. Stumpo exhibit and sale through Christmas. 860-928-4948.
Fri. Dec. 2
‘A Christmas Carol’
PUTNAM --- The Bradley Playhouse on Rt. 44 will present “A Christmas Carol” at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 2, 3, 9, 10, 16 and 17 and at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 4, 11 and 19. $19 for adults and $15 for seniors and students. There will also be a mitten tree for contributions. 860-928-7887.
Sat. Dec. 3
Nature Program
POMFRET --- The Connecticut Audubon Society at Pomfret Center will present “Introductory Wildlife Tracing the Monitoring Hike” from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Bafflin Sanctuary. Registration required: 860-928-4948.
Holiday Art Show/Sale
E. WOODSTOCK --- The East Woodstock Congregational Church will present its annual Holiday Art Show and Sale from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Coffee, tea, refreshments.
Concert
WOODSTOCK --- Handel’s Messiah will be presented by the CCNC at 7 p.m. Dec. 3 and at 3 p.m. Dec. 4 at the at Woodstock Evangelical Covenant Church on Child Hill Road. $150 for adults; $5 for children. Available from Pomfret Wine and Spirits; CCNC: 860-821-0082.
Holiday Fair
BROOKLYN --- The Federated Church Brooklyn Center will hold its Sugar Plum Fair from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Nature Program
POMFRET --- The Connecticut Audubon Society at Pomfret Center will present its Introductory Winter Tracking Hike from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Grassland Bird Conservation Center on Day Road. $25 for CAS members; $35 for nonmembers. 860-928-4948.
Holly Fair
W. WOODSTOCK --- The Church of the Good Shepherd will hold its Holly Fair from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the church on Bradford Corner Road.
St. Nicholas Fair
POMFRET --- The Christ Church on Rt. 169 will present its annual St. Nicholas Victorian Fair from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Lunch is served from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Snow date is Dec. 10. Benefits several local outreach programs.
Sun. Dec. 4
Open House
POMFRET --- The Windham-Tolland 4-H Camp Open House will be held from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Taft Pond road. Free. Lunch with Santa is from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Tickets are $6 for kids up to 8; $10 for those 9 and older. Photo with Santa is $8.
Fair/Open House
WOODSTOCK --- The PAWS Cat and Kitten Shelter Holiday Fair and Open House Shelter tours, holiday items and crafts for sale, adoption discounts, ‘Reading to Cats’ and more! From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at PAWS Cat and Kitten Shelter: 244 Rt. 171. 860-336-7129.
Mon. Dec. 5
Garden Club
WOODSTOCK --- The Quiet Corner Garden Club will present Julie Ignacio for a presentation on handcrafted goat’s milk soaps at 7 p.m. at its meeting at the South Woodstock Baptist Church meeting room. All welcome.
Tues. Dec. 6
Exercise Group
WOODSTOCK --- The Woodstock Senior Exercise Group will meet from 9 to 10 a.m. every Tuesday in the Woodstock Town Hall lower level meeting room. Free for all Woodstock senior citizens 60 and older. 860-974-1050
Tai Chi
POMFRET --- The Pomfret Senior Center on Mashamoquet Road will offer Tai Chi from 10:30 to 11:15 a.m. Open to all area seniors. Free but donations welcomed. 860-928-7459
Planning Meeting
POMFRET --- The Pomfret Senior Center will hold a Senior Center Activity Planning Meeting on Mashamoquet Road at 12:30 p.m. Open to all area seniors. 860-928-7459
Meeting
PUTNAM --- The Putnam Commission on Aging will meet at 6 p.m. at Ella Grasso Apartments on Ballou Street.
Fall Prevention
PUTNAM --- The Putnam Commission on Aging, with the NDDH, will present a Fall Prevention 101 and Screening Clinic from 1 to 3:30 p.m. at St. Mary Church Hall. And a free postural hypotension blood pressure screening will be held from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Free.
Thur. Dec. 8
Putnam Seniors
PUTNAM --- The Putnam Senior Citizens Group meets at 2 p.m. the second and fourth Thursday of the month at the Putnam VFW. 860-928-0688.
Library Program
POMFRET --- The Friends of the Pomfret Public Library will present “All is Not Forgotten” book reading by author Wendy Walker at 7 p.m. at the library. 860-928-3475.
Presentation
POMFRET --- The Pomfret Senior Center on Mashamoquet Road will present Jen Watkins from the Northeast CT Transit District. Open to all area seniors. 860-928-7459.
Blood Drive
WOODSTOCK --- The American Red Cross will hold a blood drive from 1 to 6 p.m. at the Town Hall. Call 1-800-RED CROSS.
Fri. Dec. 9
Caroling
PUTNAM --- The Putnam Business Association will host the Woodstock Academy Hill Singers caroling through downtown Putnam from 6 to 7:30 p.m.
Holiday Potluck
CANTERBURY --- The Canterbury Historical Society Holiday Potluck Supper will be held at 6 p.m. at the Town Hall Community Room. Free. All welcome. Bring along a potluck contribution of any type of food to share.www.canterburyhistorical.org/.
Sat. Dec. 10
Nature Program
HAMPTON --- The Connecticut Audubon Society at Pomfret Center will present a Nature Sketchbook Journaling from 9 a.m. to noon at Trail Wood on Kenyon Road. $10 for CAS members; $20 for nonmembers. 860-928-4948.
Love Feast
BROOKLYN --- The Federated Church of Christ will host the Moravian Love Feast at 7 p.m. Sacred music, prayers, candlelight and the sharing of a simple meal of bread and a warm drink. All welcome.
Card & Tag Making
EASTFORD --- The Eastford Public Library will hold a Holiday Card & Tag making program from 10 a.m. to noon for ages 5-plus including adults. Registration not necessary.
Sun. Dec. 11
Acorn Adventure
STORRS --- TLGV Ranger Marcy’s Acorn Adventure “UConn’s Horsebarn Hill Holiday,” will be held from 1 to 2:30 p.m. at 3636 Horsebarn Hill Rd. Ext. (meet at UConn Dairy Barn). Follow the Animal Trail! Snacks, stickers, fresh air fun. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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