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- Category: Past Issues
By Doc Cody
The Courthouse Bar & Grille on Main St. in Putnam will be the host for the first Putnam Business Association “Sports Memorabilia & Arts Auction” set for 5:30 p.m. Nov. 8. The live auction featuring local and national items is scheduled to begin at 7. Admission is $5 at the door.
The Sports Memorabilia & Arts Auction will feature a live auction as well as a silent auction and raffle. Everyone in attendance will have an opportunity at winning a door prize being donated by a local business. The live auction will offer noted memorabilia from the world of baseball, basketball, football, golf, automobile racing and boxing.
A number of items of local interest will also be auctioned, such as art pieces from noted local artists, a restaurant dining package and a three hour morning disc jockey appearance on WINY Radio with local personality Gary O.
Tickets to UConn men’s and women’s basketball games and professional games will also be among the offerings. The committee is working on securing a number of celebrities and other special surprises for the evening.
“This should be a great evening for the Putnam Business Association. We want to give everyone in attendance a special evening, one filled with fun, entertainment and a variety of auction items. We’re encouraging members to invite friends from near and far, as we hope that this will be the first of many events of this nature in the future,” said Sheila Frost, owner of the Courthouse Bar & Grille and event co-chairperson.
Frost and her committee have been working for weeks in putting the evening program together. Assisting her are Putnam Business Association members Sherri Sochor of Arts and Framing, Roger Franklin of the Putnam Congregational Church and Dan Goyette of Putnam Ford & Mercury. Frost and her committee are grateful for the assistance they’re receiving from former Boston Red Sox catcher and current minor league coach of the St. Louis Cardinals Roger LaFrancois and also from ex-Pawtucket Red Sox bullpen catcher Joe “Yogi” Voccio of Brooklyn. John Wilbur, Sports Director at WINY Radio will serve as Master of Ceremonies for the evening.
Further information regarding specific items to be auctioned and celebrities who will be attending will be forth coming according to Frost. Anyone seeking more information should contact Frost at the Courthouse Restaurant or any member of the Putnam Business Association.
“I’m very pleased with the preparation that the committee has put into planning this event. We’re hoping for a big turnout to assist us in promoting the programs we have planned,” said Ronald P. Coderre, Putnam Business Association president.
The Putnam Business Association has been in existence for two years. During that time the organization has grown to more than 130 active members from throughout the Putnam business community. In its brief existence the group has promoted two community spring clean-up days, two Holiday Strolls, a number of Art strolls and the October Pumpkin Fest.
The Association has been instrumental in working closely with the town government, as well as working hand in hand with the Putnam Police Department in promoting a “Safe and Friendly Community” for citizens, visitors, shoppers and diners.
The Association is planning a number of promotional and marketing programs for the year 2011. The auction is an effort to raise funds in support of those ventures and the continuation of its current programs. “Our goal is to promote Putnam as a destination that is safe and friendly and to offer visitors a number of points of historic and scenic interests while they’re in town. Our group is excited about the positive changes taking place in our community. It’s our desire to spread the word about Putnam and encourage people to visit us year round,” said Christina Anderson, chairperson of the marketing committee.