chillax pg 1 9-7-23
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PUTNAM — Cannabis retailer Chillax is soon set to open its doors in the Tractor Supply shopping center on Rt. 44.
The green light for adult-use cannabis operations came through Zoning Commission March. This paved the way for Chillax to finalize a lease agreement for space exceeding 3,500 square feet within the shopping center. According to sources, the store will be open later this year.
The strategic decision to establish the store in this specific location was determined by a number of key factors. Notably, the center boasts impressive repeat customer figures which are bolstered by the existing tenancy and its convenient proximity to I-395. This advantageous location promises a steady stream of potential customers from a wide geographic area. The site also has strong street visibility and signage.
Chillax has already secured multiple licenses from the state’s cannabis lottery process. It will share the center with long-term tenants Big Gary’s Discount Liquors and Tractor Supply.
Mark C. D’Addabbo of MACK V Development represented the landlord.
According to sources, “Chillax’s presence in the Tractor Supply shopping center marks a significant development in the local retail landscape. The confluence of favorable factors, including strategic location, robust visibility, and strong, national retail neighbors including CVS, Burger King, Stop & Shop, amongst others, bodes well for Chillax’s prospects in serving the community while contributing to the vibrant commercial atmosphere of the area.”
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mural pg 1 9-7-23
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This mural was unveiled last week. Artist Dot Burnworth is at right. Courtesy photo.
PUTNAM — RiseUP for Arts unveiled its latest public art project at the Putnam Elementary (PES) Open House Aug. 29, the evening before the start of school.
The piece is a playful, colorful large scale clay mural depicting an elephant teetering on a ladder, spraying the earth with a rainbow engraved with the words “kindness, happiness, community, generosity, compassion, and friendship.” The center of the mural reads: “Together we can create a beautiful world.”
The mural was conceived as a community-based public art project, which means it was an artist-led initiative in which members of the community (in this case, PES students) had the opportunity for hands-on participation. Lead artist, Dot Burnworth, said: “This process of community involvement allows participants to express the shared values of their collective group while fostering a sense of pride and ownership over the space. It is perfect for school settings — especially for kids who are not especially invested in their education. It helps them feel a sense of belonging at school.”
Burnworth came up with the mural design by sifting through the kids’ drawings and comments, pulling together repeating images and themes. She said, “The elephant climbing the ladder represents overcoming adversity in order to reach one’s goals. The rainbow represents the ideas the students want to share with the world.”
Creation of the mural began in February when Burnworth and fellow artist Heather Viveiros of Sawmill Pottery spent six weeks as resident artists at the elementary school. During that month and a half, the students learned about the importance of public art, brainstormed ideas for the mural and got lots of time to work with the clay, creating border tiles as well as land and water tiles that were mosaicked into a three-dimensional Earth.
After their residency at the school, Burnworth and Viveiros returned to their studio to create, glaze and fire the large pieces of the mural in their kilns. Installation took the entire month of August, finishing just in time for an unveiling at the school open house. The kids were thrilled.
Student Leah Gonsalves’s face lit up when she saw the mural on the wall. “I can’t believe I helped make this!” she said. This was just what the artists were hoping to hear. Viveiros said, “The look of pride and amazement on all the kids’ faces as they looked up at the mural was the most gratifying conclusion to the whole process.”
The project was sponsored through a partnership between Putnam Public Schools and RiseUP for Arts, a statewide public art and youth mentoring organization. Funding was received from The Last Green Valley, Weiss, Hale and Zahansky, Centreville Bank, and CT Office of the Arts.
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South pg 1 9-7-23
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At the end of September, the South Woodstock Post Office will be closed permanently. The box customers will see their boxes moved to the main Woodstock Post Office, along with their South Woodstock zip code.
By Linda Lemmon
Town Crier Editor
SOUTH WOODSTOCK — The South Woodstock U.S. Post Office will be closing permanently Sept. 30.
According to customers, the owner of the property, Northeast Placement Services (NEPS), recently notified the post office that the lease for the office would not be renewed. No reason was given.
NEPS Executive Director Timothy Kettle, who notified the post office staff, could not be reached for comment.
A for-lease space next to Java Jive was suggested as an alternative, but the U.S. Post Office officials said no.
Those who have rented a box at the South Woodstock Post Office (there are no carriers, only post office boxes there) will have their box number AND zip code transferred to the main post office across from the Woodstock Trading Post (formerly Sweet Evalina’s).
Because the South Woodstock zip code will still be used, there will be no “duplicate” post office box numbers.
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menus pg 2 9-7-23
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Putnam Elementary/Middle
Everyday: Fruit. Monday: French toast sticks, scrambled eggs, hash browns. Tuesday: Hot dogs or corn dogs, baked beans, sun chips. Wednesday: Cheese-filled twisted bread, marinara sauce, pasta, broccoli. Thursday: Chicken tenders. Friday: Pizza, salad.
Putnam High
Monday: Chicken burritos power bowls or spicy chicken sandwiches. Tuesday: Meatball spaghetti dinner or bacon cheese burgers. Wednesday: Chicken tenders or chicken Caesar wraps. Thursday: Pasta Bolognese or "Wild Mike's" cheese bites. Friday: French bread pizza or buffalo popcorn chicken basket.
Woodstock public schools
Everyday: Fruit. Monday: Hamburgers, carrot sticks, ranch dip. Tuesday: Waffles, breakfast sausages. Wednesday: Chicken tenders, dipping sauces, mashed potatoes, wax beans. Thursday: Beef and bean burritos. Friday: Pizza, salad.
Pomfret Community
Everyday: Fresh fruits and veggies. Meatball & cheese wraps, Sunbutter & jelly. Monday: Lasagna roll ups. Tuesday: Rodeo burgers. Wednesday: Soft chicken tacos, corn, refried beans. Thursday: BBQ chicken, brown rice, carrots. Friday: Pizza, salad.
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