The Best of 2025 in Photos

January

The New Year began with a freeze. Scouts remained busy in January with their annual Rain Gutter Regatta event. Meanwhile, the Eastford Bulldogs basketball team concluded their tough season on Jan. 27 without a win. File photos

February

Community events picked up steam in February, as Scramble the Duck made his long-awaited return to predict an early spring on Feb. 2; Linnea Barlow and Abigail Budd enjoyed a sweet treat at the Congregational Church of Eastford’s 7th Annual Cupcake Wars on Feb. 15; and Kara Norman claimed her third straight Olympians Lego Derby title at Eastford Baptist Church on Feb. 22. File photos

March

Eastford Elementary School students celebrated Read Across America on March 4 by reading stories to Reading Education Assistant Dogs (READ). Meanwhile, Grove Cemetery Association hosted a spring clean-up at the cemetery on Wednesday, March 19. Over at Eastford Baptist Church, Chili Cookoff winners Sally Rempel, Dave Hustus, and Herm Barlow were crowned on March 23. File photos

April

In April, the Pomfret/Eastford Little League (PELL) hosted a cleanup at Bowen Memorial Field on April 19; Eastford Baptist Church and the Congregational Church of Eastford joined forces on April 6 to conduct a Roadside Cleanup Day; and the Recreation Commission hosted its annual Easter Egg Hunt on April 19, providing a fun morning of egg hunting fun for kids. File photos

May

In May, Sloane Volpe was one of many kids who enjoyed the Experience Eastford event on May 10. Meanwhile, Eastford held its annual Memorial Day Parade and Ceremony on Monday, May 26. At Experience Eastford, Katie Fontaine posed with her family after completing the Heart of Eastford 5K, her 100th completed race out of a planned 169 in Connecticut. File photos

June

In June, Eastford Elementary School sent off the Class of 2025 at its annual Graduation Ceremony on June 12. Earlier in the month, the class visited Washington D.C. for the school’s annual field trip, including a visit to Arlington National Cemetery and the gravesite of Joseph E. Phaneuf II, a Staff Sergeant in the U.S. Army from Eastford who was killed in Afghanistan in 2006. Earlier in the month, the Congregational Church of Eastford hosted a groundbreaking ceremony on June 1 for its new church location. File photos

July

In July, the Congregational Church of Eastford hosted its annual Frog Jump and Band Concert at Crystal Pond Park on July 12, which included the fan-favorite “Cake Walk.” Meanwhile, the Congregational Church of Eastford and Living Proof Church of Ashford held its annual Sports Camp at Eastford Elementary School July 21-25. Down the road, Eastford Baptist Church held its annual Vacation Bible School July 28-Aug. 1, which included an appearance by the dastardly “Grump.” File photos

August

In August, Eastford Elementary School welcomed students back to class on Aug. 27. Mila Vinal, pictured here with her dog, Lily, was excited for preschool. Meanwhile, Connor Buell, of Eastford, earned top prize at the Woodstock Fair’s Open Dairy Show Saturday, Aug. 30. File photos

September

In September, the Pomfret Eastford Little League (PELL) celebrated opening night of their annual Fall Ball season on Sept. 8. Meanwhile, on Sept. 13, the Connecticut Sons of the American Revolution hosted a Liberty Tree dedication in honor of the United States Constitution and the 250th anniversary of the United States. At right, Callum St. John races after the ball during the Bulldogs’ 9-2 loss against Pomfret on Tuesday, Sept. 30. File photos

October

In October, Buell’s Orchard held a pair of events that brought the community out to enjoy some family fun. Their annual Trunk or Treat event was held Oct. 26, featuring more than a dozen trunks for families to enjoy. Earlier in the month, the orchard held its annual Harvest Festival on Oct. 11. Meanwhile, the town hosted its annual Trunk or Treat on Halloween night, Oct. 31, at Eastford Elementary School, which brought out children and their families to enjoy a myriad of treats. File photos

November

In November, Eastford veterans, along with several other surrounding towns, were honored in a Veterans Day ceremony at E.O. Smith High School in Mansfield on Nov. 8. Meanwhile, on Nov. 4, Eastford held its Municipal Election, and several were sworn in during a brief ceremony on Nov. 17. Over at Eastford Elementary School, Georgia Barlow was selected as the winner of the PTO’s annual sign contest on Nov. 12. File photos

December

In December, the Eastford Bulldogs won their first Varsity basketball game in nearly three years with a 43-33 victory over Parish Hill on Dec. 8. Meanwhile, the Recreation Commission hosted its annual “Cookies & Cocoa with Santa” event on Dec. 6. On Dec. 7, Day Kimball Healthcare’s 36th Annual Hospice Tree of Life Ceremony was held at the Ivy Glenn Memorial, where Justin Loss lit the tree in honor of his grandmother, Helene, who died in December 2024. File photos