Serving Thompson since 2005 Complimentary to homes by requestFriday, August 2, 2019

Thompson Villager

Opinions are like brains. Everybody

has one.

Or do they?

BY KAREN BUTERAFOR THE VILLAGER

KILLINGLY — Killingly Parks and Recreation Department has spearheaded a series of concerts this sum-mer. One thing that can be said about local communities in the Northeast Corner is there is always an opportunity to get out and mingle. Most any week in any season contains multi-ple opportunities to enjoy free entertainment.

“The concerts have been going on for a very long time. A couple of years we had to go without them due to budget cuts. Sponsors stepped in and helped out,” said Tracy Mason, Director of Killingly Parks and Recreation Department. “The concerts are a good way for the community to get together on a nice summer evening. This

is something that folks wanted to do while being outside on a

Charlie Lentz photo

PUTNAM — David Kopas, from Thompson, brought his four dogs (Bruin, Lucky, Patches, and Biscuit) to Putnam Lions Memorial Dog Park on Monday afternoon, July 29.

BY KAREN BUTERAFOR THE VILLAGER

BROOKLYN — One of the crafters at last weekend’s Windham County 4-H Fair at the Brooklyn Fairgrounds was Michele Norman of the eponymous Michele Norman Art.

Norman, from Woodstock, always loved art and design and studied graphic design while in school. She started to paint as a hobby many years ago and at one point decid-ed to give her work away to friends and family as gifts. At that time she specialized in Swedish designs. Her friends told her it was so good that she should sell her art work. About five years ago she start-ed to do just that through Instagram. As the saying goes, “it’s a small world” and over 1,000 miles away in Minnesota lived a young lady named Hannah Kallgren who found Norman’s art work online.

“I came across the Swedish artwork on Etsy while scroll-ing and fell in love with it because I am Swedish,” said Kallgren. “I purchased some of her items.”

Then she found out Norman was a cousin. Kallgren moved back to Connecticut, where she was originally from. She went to a new church and joined the youth group,

becoming friends with Norman’s children, Ryan and Lydia. But she did not make the connection to the artist whose work she adored until one day she went to her house.

“Once I was in the house I noticed all of the paintings in the same style that my cousin painted in. I asked if Michele Norman was their mom and she was,” said Kallgren, who now lives in Ballouville.

Shortly afterward Kallgren became Norman’s right-hand person. Not only do they craft together, but Kallgren helps her cousin out with the busi-ness in many other ways as well.

Time went on and Norman’s daughter started to work on a farm. Since Norman has always loved farm-related decor, the next step for her was drawing farm animals and other farm items.

“I paint an original piece of art and then turn it to a print to keep the prices low,” said Norman. After making prints out of it she mounts it on a wooden board that can stand on any counter or surface. She also handpaints country designs and florals on plaques. She has added stick-ers to the mix that is made from drawings she designs on her I pad, and she also produc-es magnets which has become a popular item.

Karen Butera photo

Michele Norman, left, and cousin Hannah Kallgren.

SUNDAY DRIVER

Charlie Lentz photo

EASTFORD — Gary Arcand, from Danielson, drove his 1936 Graham to the “Rumble at the Rock” rat rod event at Frog Rock Rest Stop last Sunday, July 28. The event benefitted the Danielson Veterans Coffeehouse.

Windham County 4-H

Fair

Killingly concerts are music to the ears

Karen Butera photo

Brian Culpin and son, Lincoln, enjoy a concert at Davis Park in Danielson on July 25.Turn To CONCERT, page A4

Charlie Lentz photo

NORTH GROSVENORDALE — Keith Barnes and Melissa Amlaw (back), and in front, Sawyer Howard and Isabella Amlaw, attend the Tri-Town American Legion Post-Season Banquet last Friday, July 26, at American Legion Post 67.

AMERICAN LEGION BANQUET

GOING TO THE DOGS