Then

This is the Studebaker engine that powered the Chamberlin mill when it was found years ago at the mill site. Putnam Town Crier file photos.

 

& Now

This is the restored engine today. It was displayed at the Celebrating Agriculture event at the Woodstock Fair last weekend.

 

1st Friday:

The Big 

Easy set

for Oct. 7

PUTNAM — After five exciting evenings exploring Art & The American City, the 2016 First Fridays season arrives at its final destination, New Orleans, aka The Big Easy. From 6 to 9 p.m. Oct. 7, downtown Putnam will celebrate this uniquely cultural city – from the infectious and danceable Zydeco music, to flavorful food, and moving artwork. The October event will also see the return of the First Fridays Zombie Fashion Show. All of this, combined with dozens of art vendors, gallery openings, and live performances will make it an evening to remember.

For the October event, the Community Arts table will feature a collective art project that was inspired by a New Orleans artist. In 2011, Candy Chang turned the side of an abandoned house in her neighborhood in New Orleans into a giant chalkboard and stenciled it with the sentence “Before I die I want to _______.”  The wall invited anyone walking by to pick up a piece of chalk, reflect on their lives, and share their personal aspirations in a public space. The wall quickly captured the hopes and wishes of hundreds of people and inspired cities across the globe to start their own walls. On Oct. 7, Putnam will launch its own wall, with the goal of bringing the community together.

Headlining the festival for October is Zydeco Connection. Bringing Louisiana zydeco music to New England since 2004, Zydeco Connection’s music is dominated by the button or piano accordion and a form of washboard called the rubboard. Their irresistible sounds and driving rhythms will fill Main Street with music and dancing throughout the evening. Over in Union Square, JP Beausoleil & Leo Charpentier of Original Jelly Roll Soul will bring a musical experience to the stage that is exciting, uplifting, danceable, and educational. Drawing from influences such as New Orleans Jazz, swing, jump, hard bop and Afro-Cuban, JP Beausoleil & Leo Charpentier will bring an infectious energy to Union Square.

The Zombie Fashion show returns to bring out legions of ghoulishly dressed participants. Zombie folklore is a fixture of the voodoo culture of New Orleans, with cultural beliefs and superstitions combining to create these reanimated corpses. With a nod to the zombies of New Orleans, all ages are invited to come out in their undead-best and register to walk in the First Fridays Zombie Fashion show. For 2016, the event will feature three categories: Youth, Group/Family, and Adult, with prizes awarded to the top three in each category. For those interested in registering, send a private message to facebook.com/discoverputnam, or head over to the Putnam Business Association booth at the festival before 7:15 p.m. the evening of the event. 

In addition to the fashion show, there will be a variety of performances throughout the evening. Visitors are encouraged to look for a demonstration by Quest Martial Arts, and a “Thrilling” performance by The Complex Performing Arts Centre. There will also be a monster make-up demonstration on Main Street prior to the start of the Zombie Fashion Show.

There will be about 40 art vendors lining Main Street and Union Square. There will also be a variety of gallery and studio openings during the evening. Patrons are encouraged to visit the downtown shops, galleries and eateries during the festival.

To learn more about the Oct. 7 event, visit www.discoverputnam.com.

 

Fall Begins

Acorns litter the ground at Nahaco on the Woodstock/Eastford border. Linda Lemmon photo.

 

Football Wrap-up

‘Friday Night

Lights’ go 

dim on local 

teams

By Ron P. Coderre

In what proved to be a dismal weekend for all four local high school gridiron teams, the “Friday Night Lights” went dark as Killingly, Quinebaug Pride, Plainfield and Woodstock Academy all went down in defeat.

Killingly, which was on a roll winning its first two games, was dropped in New London by the Whalers in a game that was dubbed by many as the early season game of the year.  If the Redmen have dreams of qualifying for the CIAC postseason they must regroup and put the New London game in their collective rear view mirror.  Killingly is 2-1.

Woodstock, which has been in some high scoring early season games, was on the road in Pittsfield, Mass.  The Centaurs proved that their offense was more than capable scoring 36 points but unfortunately the defense allowed 52 markers to Pittsfield.  After winning the season opener, the Centaurs are 1-2.

Plainfield is also 1-2 on the year after falling to Windham and The Quinebaug Pride is 0-3 in what could be a very long season after falling to Platt Tech in a game played on the campus of Ellis Tech in Danielson.

Whalers Sail Past Redmen

A pair of undefeated football teams, Killingly and New London met under the lights in New London to settle the early season debate regarding supremacy in the Eastern Connecticut Conference.  When all was said and done, the verdict was clear, at least for this point in the season, the New London Whalers proved to be the better team.

Killingly, which squandered some early opportunities, fell behind 14-0 at intermission.  Although the game still seemed in reach, the Redmen couldn’t muster the needed offense in the second half to pull out the victory.

The only Killingly score came in the third stanza when star running back Spencer Lockwood tallied on a 49-yard run to pull his team within 13 points 20-7.  That would be it offensively for coach Chad Neal’s charges for the evening.  Lockwood produced 153 yards on the ground on 37 carries for the Redmen.  Killingly quarterback Kyle Derosier was 5-15-53 with one interception in the contest.

Next week Killingly squares off against 1-2 Griswold in a 6:30 p.m. encounter in Jewett City.

Pride Remain in Search of First Win

The Quinebaug Valley Pride fell to 0-3 on the year as they were beaten by visiting Platt Tech 42-18.  The loss also drops The Pride to 0-2 in the Constitution State Conference.  

The highlight of the game for The Pride of coach Joe Asermelly was the play of quarterback Josh Dodd who completed 15 of 32 attempts in the air for 232 yards.  One of Dodd’s aerials resulted in a touchdown to Jamie Talbot.  Dodd also scored a touchdown on the ground.  The other Pride score was registered by Will McGlyn.

On Friday The Pride will attempt to break into the win column in a contest against Capital Achievement in a 6 p.m. contest at home.

Plainfield Whipped by Whippets

Plainfield fell behind early and never recovered as it was beaten by the Windham Whippets 25-6.  The Panthers inability to put the pigskin into paydirt was the true story of the game.  Plainfield’s lone score came on a Marcus Robinson to Devin McGale 13-yard touchdown hookup.  

Plainfield has the upcoming week off before resuming action on Oct. 7 when Thames River of the Constitution State Conference invades Panther Stadium.

Massachusetts Game is the Pitts for Woodstock

Woodstock Academy traveled west to Pittsfield, Mass., for an interstate contest.  The Centaurs offense, which has produced high scores this season, tallied 36 points but it wasn’t enough to pull off the win.  Pittsfield emerged victorious 52-36.

The Acads next game is a noon time showdown with CREC Co-op of the Constitution State Conference on the Centaurs home turf.

Hyde-Woodstock Opens Season with a Bang

Coach Sean Saucier and his Hyde-Woodstock Wolfpack opened the season in resounding fashion, beating Kent’s Hill 44-6.  Hyde got touchdowns from Marcus Greenridge, Teddy St. Louis and Jordan Knight.  Quarterback Jake Vasapolli had two touchdown tosses in the big victory.

 

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