COLCHESTER — EAST HADDAM -- Visitors to the century-old mansion of William Gillette can expect to enjoy a generous touch of holiday spirit in the weeks ahead.
Volunteers at Gillette Castle State Park and other local organizations have bedecked the interior of the late actor’s eccentric home with yuletide lights and festive cheer and arranged for displays and events.
The decorated Castle is open for self-paced tours from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays from now through Dec. 19. Each day’s final tour starts at 4 p.m. Tickets are required to enter the castle, and may be obtained in limited quantities on the grounds or in advance. Visit reserveamerica.com for more information or to purchase tickets.
The park is open to visitors and visitors may stroll about the grounds during regular hours, 8 a.m. until sunset daily. The external decorations are expected to remain in place through Jan. 2, 2022.
One special highlight this year for ticket-holders is a collection of authentic vintage Christmas postcards, on loan from Scott and Shea Jezek of East Haddam. The exhibit may be seen on the Castle’s third floor during regular hours.
Jezek, who worked frequently at Gillette Castle during the 1970s, started the collection of professional framed cards more than a decade ago when he purchased a group of cards at a Vermont antique store. Such elaborate postcards were popular during the period 1906 to 1916, Jezek said.
In addition to providing the display inside the Castle, the park’s Visitors’ Center now is decorated with a life-sized Santa Claus figure loaned by Jezek.
Harold “Tyke” and Theodora “Teddie” Niver are expected to be on hand Sunday afternoons during the holiday season to greet and entertain visitors while portraying William and Helen Gillette. Visit www.gillettecastlefriends.org for more information.
EAST HAMPTON -- The East Hampton Senior Center, 105 Main St., is open. All participants are asked to register for a program before entering the Senior Center.
Visit myactivecenter.com, call 860-267-4426 or email seniorcenter@easthamptonct.gov for more information or to register for programs. Masks are required for all participants regardless of vaccination status.
The Community Renewal Team has reopened its doors for serving meals at the East Hampton Senior Community café. Meals are offered on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Call the Center to reserve your meal or sign up online through MyActiveCenter.com. The eligibility requirement is one must be age 60-plus.
Organizers ask that guests complete a registration form prior to signing up for a meal. Reservations for the next day’s meal must be made before 11 a.m. the day before. Masks are required when in the building with the exception of the meal program. Once you have your meal and are seated, you can take off your mask.
Other offerings include a quilting group, Mexican Train Dominoes, Bible Study, Bingo, Wii Bowling, Writing Our Lives to Open Our Hearts, Setback, a Textile Group, Game Day and yoga.
Family Tree will take place on Friday, Dec. 3, at 10:30 a.m. Learn about family history and start the journey of researching your own. The program is presented by Ken Doney and pre-registration is required.
Volunteer Shopping: The Senior Center has instituted a shopping program where a volunteer will shop for you. You can either call in your list to the Senior Center at 860-267-4426 or e-mail your list to Jewing@easthampton.gov. Your list must include your name, address, phone # and email if you have one, along with a complete shopping list. The shopper will call you before the drop off to let you know the cost of the groceries. You can write out a check for the amount, payable to the Town of East Hampton. The volunteer will drop off the groceries at your door and pick up the check in a pre-arranged designated spot. The volunteers are from the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) and other community members.
COLCHESTER-EAST HADDAM -- Presents for Paws is hosting its 14th annual holiday shelter drive on Saturday, Dec. 11, to collect items for local animal shelters.
There are two drop off locations: John Gagnon’s Pet Resort, 227 Upton Road, Colchester, from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m., and Shagbark Lumber, 21 Mt. Parnassus Rd, East Haddam, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Items needed are Purina dog food (wet/dry, unopened), cat/kitten food (wet/dry, any brand, unopened), cat/dog treats (no rawhide), and cat litter. Last year, Presents for Paws collected over 3,800 lbs of food and supplies and is hoping to set a new record. The drive is held rain or shine.
Those interested in donation who cannot attend the drive may visit www.presentsforpaws.org and view the wishlist and purchases will be delivered to them. Presents for Paws is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization located in East Haddam that distributes supplies to area shelters, rescues, and municipal pounds. Visit https://www.facebook.com/presentsforpaws501c or www.presentsforpaws.org for more information.
To the Editor: Conner Denecour of Boy Scout and Eagle Scout candidate from Troop 72 of Colchester would like to thank all the generous supporters for turning out in support of his fundraiser on Nov. 6.
The Scouts worked from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. to clean the cars of generous residents of Colchester and wish to thank them all for support of this project. We hope that we made your car cleaner through our efforts.
Donations that were collected will be used to rehabilitate the Colchester Giving Gardens building that is behind the Senior Center on Norwich Avenue. Future work days to start the improvements will begin soon. Thank you again for your supporting Boy Scouting in Colchester.