1st Putnam History Makers
award winners announced
PUTNAM — The Aspinock Historical Society board members, discussing how to honor those who have positively affected Putnam beyond, created the Putnam History Makers award.
The inaugural Putnam History Makers 2024 honorees, Tom Borner and Fred Hedenberg, will be honored Dec. 5 at the Putnam Elks. Doors open at 5 and tickets (no fee) are limited and are available at the Putnam Recreation Office or by calling the Rec Department at 860-963-6811.
The criteria are: “Resident or non-resident of Putnam, living or deceased, who made or is still making honorable and positive direct or indirect major impact through works, deeds and service in Putnam and/or globally with ties to Putnam, whether done in the spotlight or quietly behind the scenes.”
Two recipients will be chosen each year and will shine on the PHM wall in the Municipal Complex, upper hallway at the entrance to the AHS.
The committee said: “Tom Borner embodies a man who works quietly behind many scenes.
Self-driven, focused and intent on giving back since early in his life, Tom’s career as an attorney (a Partner with The Northeast Law Center) and long tenure as CEO of Putnam Bank has touched many lives. His involvement with the Putnam Business Association (PBA), Hale & Greater Hartford YMCA, Putnam Area Foundation, Community Foundation of Eastern CT, Make a Wish CT, Day Kimball Hospital, and Habitat for Humanity are just the tip of Tom’s caring sense of community and family. His love for his community is rivaled only by the love for his family as a devoted father and grandfather to Kalin, Kyle, Adam, Griffin, and Avery.
“Fred Hedenberg left a legacy when he passed from this life in July 2024. From his early years serving in World War II with the Navy, to his newspaper and radio time (including WINY Radio talk-show host), involvement with Hospice of Northeast CT, Red Cross, NDDH, Cub Scouts, and as a Putnam selectman, Fred was a good-deed-doer, looking beyond himself. While serving as president of the AHS, Fred began renovation plans for Cady-Copp Cottage and established the Gertrude C. Warner Boxcar Children’s Museum, visited by people from all over the world. Fred is an example of making history one deed at a time.”
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