scouts pg 4 12-21-23
- Details
- Category: Current Issue
Scouts help Wreaths Across America & more
PUTNAM — As part of the National Wreaths Across America Day Dec. 16, Scouts of Troop 21, in conjunction with Wreaths Across America, placed fresh wreaths on the graves of many soldiers at the Old Abington Burying Ground in Pomfret.
The burial ground contains the graves of at least 60 American Revolutionary soldiers, Civil War soldiers and several from the War of 1812. The group, Rediscovering History, is doing restoration work in the Old Abington Cemetery and many other cemeteries all across Connecticut. The staff from the group schooled the Scouts on the preservation process of old headstones as well as entire cemeteries.
“This event was a continuation of the troop’s goal of community service. They have been seen at St. Mary’s Church Yuletide Festival setting up tables and chairs for the Daughters of Isabella on Nov. 11, the Putnam Supermarket ringing the bells for the Salvation Army on Nov. 24 and 25, in the Holiday Dazzle Light parade on November 26, the Hale YMCA craft fair assisting vendors on Dec. 2, and serving hot chocolate and cookies to the participants of the Tree of Life lighting ceremony on Dec. 3. The scouts volunteer themselves and schedule these events into their busy activity agendas. Troop 21’s calendar for 2024 will include several camping adventures, hikes, more community service events, hockey games, regional camporees, and skill-building sessions for advancement of rank,“ said Chris Jodoin, Scoutmaster.
For their most recent fundraiser, the scouts could be found this fall on Sunday mornings to early afternoons at Runnings, with piles of popcorn. The participating scouts earned a portion of the proceeds to fund their summer camp fee, as well as their next adventure, a winter Klondike Derby, where hundreds of scouts from all over Connecticut will meet up at JN Webster in Ashford for three days of fun, activities, competitions, and fellowship. Keep an eye out for additional events the Scouts will participate in this year, like their annual Baked Potato Buffet Feb. 24.
For more information about joining, volunteering or supporting, follow the troop on their Facebook page, BSA Troop 21 Putnam, CT, or call 860-428-9761.
.
watchwords pg 4 12-21-23
- Details
- Category: Current Issue
captions: Above: Putnam's Wreaths Across America. Below: The color guard returns after a wreath is tossed in the Quinebaug. Bugler Tyler Eddy, right, then played "Taps." Linda Lemmon photos.
PUTNAM — At high-noon Dec 16, at Putnam’s Veterans Memorial Park, a strange and wonderful calm seemed to descend upon the otherwise frantic hustle and bustle that you’d expect near a busy intersection on a mid-December weekend.
A ceremony was taking place, replete with a sharply dressed, spit-polished, military-type honor guard of flag bearers and riflemen, a podium with dignitaries and honored guests, and an audience of about 50 men and women in solemn silence.
In fact all across America similar scenes were taking place at war memorials – where wreaths were being placed to honor veterans - past and present.
“The watchwords for the Wreaths Across America Observance are: Remember, Honor, and Teach”. We remember the sacrifices made by our veterans, we honor their legacy, and we teach our younger generations the value of freedom,” said master of ceremonies, American Legion Post 13 Commander Michael Rocchetti.
“We lucked out. The sun was shining, the sky was clear and blue, the winds were calm, and the temperature was moderate. It was a great day for this ceremony,” he said.
Participants included: the American Legion Post #13, the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #1523, the Putnam Elks #574 Veterans Committee, the Danielson Veterans Coffeehouse, and the Town of Putnam. Honored guests included local state Representative Rick Hayes and Putnam Selectman Michael Paquin. Speakers included Rocchetti, VFW Post 1523 Commander Hans Lowell, and Alan Joslin for the Danielson Veterans Coffeehouse. The National Anthem was sung by Emily Lajoie, and taps was played on the bugle by Tyler Eddy. The honor guard consisted of Michael Vassar, Chas Mackenzie, Curt Prochowski, Frank Tremont, Russ Waters, and members of VFW Post #1523. The invocation and benediction was given by Janet Muscara.
Lowell reminded those attending that this ceremony, in a season of celebration, is a celebration of past and active service members — especially those on active duty who are unable to celebrate.
The wreath layers included: Tina Lajoie, William Schmidt, Donald St. Onge, Moe Auger, Thomas Lajoie, Patrick Kelly, Alan Joslin, and David Lavoie.
In addition to the wreaths on stands at the Veterans Memorial Park, a wreath was thrown into the Quinebaug River and wreaths were also placed, later, on bridge memorials and at cemeteries.
Commander Rocchetti also had words of praise for the Town of Putnam: “The Parks & Recreation Director Willie Bousquet and his assistant Marcy Dawley did a lot of work behind the scenes to make this happen – and I am very grateful for their support. Also Gene Palazzo did a fantastic job setting up the ceremonial site – with chairs, a podium, and a sound system. How lucky we are to live in such a wonderful community!”
History of the Wreaths Across America: https://www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/About/OurMission
.
Winners pg 4 12-21-23
- Details
- Category: Current Issue
The winners
PUTNAM — Daily Bread’s “Squashy” helped deliver good news, holiday wishes and the 2023 Squash Hunger trophies.
The 2023 Mac n Cheese Winner was Jewett City Savings Bank.
The 2023 Soup Challenge Winner was Unicorr/Nutmeg Container.
The 2023 Pasta Winner was Christ Episcopal Church.
The 2023 Canned Tuna/Chicken Winner was Archambault Insurance Associates.
This year, Daily Bread collected a total 12,194 items and this will keep the shelves stocked for a very long time.
.
Another pg 5 12-21-23
- Details
- Category: Current Issue
caption:
From left: Kaylee Borders, Paige Perry, Gabriell Cerasiello
Another successful
bell-ringing day
PUTNAM — The Putnam Rotary Club’s Interact Club had another successful bell ringing day Dec. 16, pulling in more than $2,000.
That brings the total for this year’s effort to more than $10,000, according to Interact Club Advisor Roberta Rocchetti.
And there’s one more opportunity for folks to boost that total as the bell-ringing will have one final push from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 23 at Putnam Supermarket, Stop & Shop, Price Chopper and the Putnam Walmart.
“The weather has been on our side!” said Rocchetti.
She thanked the student volunteers: from Putnam High School - Keivon Robinson, Jay Patel, Paige Perry, Gabriell Cerasiello, Kaylee Borders, Delta Wagner, and Danny Boriboun; The Woodstock Academy students — Abby Houle, Grace Pokorny, Maya Rodriguez, Jared Nielsen, Cade Jones, Ryan Rivera and Gianna Keddy; the Tourtellotte Memorial High School students — Mackenzie Lewis, Angel Sherpa and Noah Russell. She also thanked Jacob Russell from Killingly Intermediate, Tom Russell from Thompson, Claudia Ursin from Ashford, Leo Rocchetti from Stafford Springs and Rotarians Barry Shead, Amanda Kelly, Richard Naumann, Woody Durst, and Mike Rocchetti.
..