ahoy pg 6 7-25-24
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Ahoy, Yacht Rock!
Waiting out a brief shower was worth it. The crowd rolled with the rain delay for the al Fresco Yacht Rock concert with Elle Jordyn-Sherman, John Price, Wayne Sinclair and Ron Giorgio performing with the 25-piece Putnam Festival Orchestra conducted by Scott Charrette. Sponsors included Centreville Bank, WIN Waste Innovations. Spicer Propane and Oil gave out 1,000 captains' hats. The season's first River Fire followed. The evening was resented by the Town of Putnam/Recreation Department and the Putnam Business Association. Thanks also to WINY Radio which provided the River Fire music., the Putnam Police Department and the Putnam Public Works Department.
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captions:
Mayor Barney Seney, right, presented Karen Osbrey with an award acknowledging all she does for Putnam. Her husband, Gary Osbrey, looks on.
A sea of captains' hats
Tarp ... and wait
obit pg 6 7-25-24
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PUTNAM – Frederick (Fred) Hedenberg, 98, civic pillar of Putnam’s political past, responded to a higher calling on July 2, 2024.
He was born Jan. 18, 1926, the son of the late Hilding and Lillian (Ronstrom) Hedenberg. Fred began his career in service as a shoe-shine boy in New Britain, making his first contribution to the family coffers. His second contribution was to his country, enlisting (at 17) in the Navy Air Command during WWII, stationed in Key West, Floa. There he was known for Hemingway fly-bys and pub spying as well as aircraft maintenance.
The ensuing GI Bill helped Fred further his education and brought him to Rhode Island as a newspaper “press man.” He went on to be a successful editor of the Wickford Standard newspaper. His “people” personality led him to a side-line career in radio as a talk show host for many Rhode Island stations and finally as host on the WINY Radio Talk Show. In addition, he ran a successful promotional products business in Putnam.
Fred’s interview with Elisabeth Kubler-Ross, motivated him to go on to chair the steering committee that established Hospice of Northeast CT and the CT Governors Volunteer Committee. He also worked with the American Red Cross, and received a citation from the town of Putnam for his service during hurricane Hugo providing disaster relief to South Carolina. He served as chair of the Republican Town Committee, board member of the Northeast District Department of Health, Justice of the Peace, actor at the Bradley Theater, Cub Scout leader and girls’ softball coach. The state of CT presented Fred with a citation for serving 20 years as a selectman for the town of Putnam.
While serving as president of the Aspinock Historical Society, Fred coordinated efforts for the renovation of the Cady-Copp Cottage and the establishment of the Gertrude C. Warner Boxcar Children’s Museum.
He will be missed by his wife, Patricia, as well as their son Matthew (Lisa) and daughter, Bethany (Jeffrey) Kreyssig; his son, Richard Hedenberg, (Kate) and grandsons, Kyle, Nathan, Ryan and Danny Kreyssig, granddaughter Amber Bigelow and her mother, Barbara. He was predeceased by his son David and sister Barbara Hedenberg.
Special thanks to Tina and Aaron Kerouack for their love and support during his final days and to Pete and Kathy Lewis for some great fishing trips on the Sound.
Relatives and friends are invited to a Celebration of Life at 10:30 a.m. Aug. 10 at the Living Faith United Methodist Church, 53 Grove St., Putnam. Donations: Aspinock Historical Society for preservation of Cady-Copp Cottage, 200 School St., Putnam, CT 06260; or to Hospice & Palliative Care of Northeast CT., 32 South Main St., Putnam, CT 06260. Gilman and Valade Funeral Homes and Crematory, 104 Church S., Putnam.
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veterans p 6 7-25-24
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Veterans Park brick
campaign going
well; monuments
coming soon
PUTNAM — The Town of Putnam Veterans Advisory Committee announced as of July 20 more than 700 personalized bricks have been placed in the Veterans Park honoring veterans.
Robert Challinor Jr., chairman of the Veterans Advisory Committee, said, “As we continue to promote the finish the brick campaign, you will continue to see small improvements over the next few weeks, as we are being told the granite stones should be arriving in the next 30 days.” The goal for veterans bricks is 2,000.
To date, he said, “several 8” x 8” bricks that honor the organizations on the Putnam VAC as well as our Brick Sponsors and those of our Project Partners, without whom this project would not have been feasible.”
He added, “Additionally, over the next few weeks, you will notice that some temporary structures will be changed out with their permanent fixtures. At this time, we are tentatively planning to hold the Dedication Ceremony on Nov. 10. Details will follow as we get closer to the date.
Challinor said “It is my honor as chairman to thank all those individuals and organizations that have purchased bricks for veterans or contributed with in-kind donations toward the improvements to the park.”
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local pg 7 7-25-24
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Local family donates to Northeast
Connecticut Cancer Fund of DKH
PUTNAM — The Northeast Connecticut Cancer Fund of DKH recently received a generous donation of $2,000 from the Solomon family in memory of their family member, Shannon Labonte. Shannon, who was honored as the 2018 NECT Cancer Fund Walk & Race Angel Ambassador, died from a rare form of cancer in 2018.
The Solomon family, along with their friends, have organized numerous fund-raisers, channeling their grief into meaningful action. These efforts have led to annual donations that support the NECT Cancer Fund of DKH, the Shannon Lee Labonte Scholarship Fund at Putnam High School, and other causes that were close to Shannon’s heart.
The NECT Cancer Fund of DKH, which relies heavily on the generosity and compassion of families like the Solomons, plays a critical role in providing financial assistance to residents of Northeast Connecticut who might otherwise struggle to afford necessary medical care.
This support is vital for patients undergoing cancer treatment, helping to alleviate some of the financial burdens associated with their care.
caption:
From left: Kristen Willis, director of Development, Day Kimball Healthcare; Zoe Labonte, Shannon’s daughter; Roberta Solomon, Shannon’s mother; Linda Pacheco, Shannon’s aunt; and Ann Russo, Shannon’s aunt; at the Deary Memorial Recognition Garden, across from DKH. The garden was created by members of the Deary family in 2007 to memorialize, honor, and recognize cancer survivors and loved ones lost to cancer.