Local writer pens his account of the Flood of 1955
Putnam native Ronald P. Coderre recently released a booklet he’s written about his experiences and memories of The Flood of 1955.
“August 19, 1955 is one of the most significant days in the 170-year history of the community of Putnam. For those old enough to remember, it’s the day the town was taken by surprise and devastated by the flooding waters of the Quinebaug and French rivers,” said Coderre.
“The oral history of that day and those that followed is becoming more distant every year. For that reason and others, I felt it was important to put the memories I have, as a 14-year-old boy at the time, in print. It’s 70 years since that fateful day and worth remembering,” said Coderre, author of the booklet.
Proceeds of sales for the booklet, which is on sale for $25, will go to the Putnam Aspinock Historical Society. Copies can be purchased at the Aspinock Historical Society in the Municipal Complex.
“A publication on this subject is long overdue. We’re so pleased to support Coderre’s work because we feel it’s extremely important to the history of Putnam. We encourage people to share the news with relatives who may have moved from Putnam and would be interested in this booklet,” said John Miller, president of the Putnam Aspinock Historical Society.
Coderre, a veteran of the U.S. Air Force (1959-1965) and 1959 graduate of Putnam High School, has been writing locally for more than 40 years.
He is remembered for his sports column Ramblings, Points and Comments which ran for many years in The Norwich Bulletin and The Putnam Town Crier & Northeast Ledger. It was also published in the former Windham County Observer and The Journal Transcript in Danielson.
In 2019, Coderre wrote the 100-year history of the Mayotte – Viens American Legion Post #13 and followed in 2021 with the 125-year history of the Putnam Police Department.
He’s also been the person behind the pen since 2007 of the semi-annual publication The Community Beat, the newsletter of the Putnam Police Department.
“Writing my memories of the 1955 Flood is something I’ve thought of doing for many years but never got serious about sitting down and actually following through. In many ways this venture turned out to be more labor intensive than originally envisioned. However, it was very rewarding,” he said.
Coderre is a 1969 graduate of Assumption University where he earned a bachelor’s degree in political science and a master’s degree and Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies in rehabilitation counseling in 1972.
He served as Vice President of Philanthropy, Marketing and Public Relations at Day Kimball Hospital for 26 years.
He’s also served the community in numerous governmental positions, including the former Putnam City Council and Board of Education. His civic leadership capacities include the Northeastern Connecticut Chamber of Commerce, The Putnam Little League, the Putnam Business Association, The American Legion and the Putnam Rotary Club.
He lives in Putnam with his wife Donna.
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It’s not magic *
From a forgotten strip of land to a quiet park
By Linda Lemmon
Town Crier Editor
PUTNAM — No surprise, art will figure prominently in the future Union Square Courtyard park.
Some years in the planning phase and months in the “tweaking” phase, the town is now working on an Urban Green & Community Garden grant proposal from the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP).
The estimate is roughly $500,000.
The town is planning the courtyard in two phases — the construction in phase 1 and then the all-important in the second phase.
In CHA’s conceptual plans phase one includes a nice fence surrounding, a quiet sitting area, picnic tables and “picnic nooks” benches, low-maintenance plantings and more. The second phase involves a fountain or sculpture in the center and a metal archway over the stairs that head down to Front Street under the railroad trestle.
A fountain or a sculpture would make a focal point, said Putnam Economic and Community Development Director Maryann Chinatti.
The tiny parcel, .08 acres, was donated by the owner of the Sawdust Coffeehouse and Dessert Bar II. It sits between the former Chickering and the Gertrude Chandler Warner Box Car Children Museum, off the Union Square parking lot. That transfer took more than a year.
Then more than one conceptual design was done after the town asked for a “more welcoming” design.
The Putnam Arts Council may become involved in the project as they are working on some public art projects.
Chinatti said the deadline for the grant is Dec. 17. She already has a letter of support from the Putnam Business Association and is working on gathering other letters of support to accompany the grant request. She hopes to hear back on her proposal by March 2026.
The original plans were conceived during Delpha Very’s tenure as economic development director.
“This is going to be such a great, inviting space,” she said. “It’s going to be awesome. It’s going to be beautiful.”
*Editor’s note: Some tend to think these projects appear by magic. Behind the scenes are volunteers and dedicated town employees who worked relentlessly to make this “magic” happen. It’s not magic.
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By Linda Lemmon
Town Crier Editor
PUTNAM — It might be easy to miss, but work on the manufactured buildings, the Putnam EMS’s new home, is started.
Elaine Sistare, town administrator, said the prep work on the area between the old EMS building and the Putnam Fire Department building has started — in the form of markings on the pavement. In addition, some utilities work will be done shortly while the two manufactured buildings are on order.
She hopes that the project will be finished by Christmas.
The HUD-certified contractor is Nutt Construction. The site work will include some minor demolition and then excavation will begin. Home Nation will supply the two modular units and Sistare had said earlier that they need five to 10 weeks of lead time so she’s hoping they “will be in before the harsh winter.” Lead time is also needed for furniture and fixtures.
The concrete foundation and building supports will need 28 days of curing time. Nutt Construction said they’d prefer to have the units delivered and put into place when the concrete is ready. They do not want the units delivered to the site and then moved later onto the foundation. The two buildings would be craned into place and then joined together.
The 1,200 square foot combined building would contain three bedrooms, a kitchen area and a shower area. It would measure 27 feet wide and 44 feet long.
She said one of the bedrooms would be turned into an office. There would be nice clean modern space for sleeping, showers, cooking, a conference space and bathrooms.
Parking and access will be reworked.
The ad hoc committee OK’d using $88,000 in ARPA funds for furniture, fixtures and a new generator. Also available is $260,000 in Local Capital Improvement Program funding.
The emergency vehicles would stay in the current building. That building was built in 1960 and saw a modest upgrade in 2000. But it does not meet regulation. The crews do not have a good place to “decontaminate” after returning from a call. The shower in the current building is being used for storage, Sistare said.
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From Music to Momentum: Accelerating Hope
Particle Accelerator honors lives lost to suicide, builds awareness through music and community
PUTNAM — Every year, the Young family gathers the community to celebrate the life of their son, Jack Young, Jr., through the Particle Accelerator Music Fest. Jack was a gifted musician who played in numerous bands, was a storyteller and artist. After losing him to suicide, his family and friends chose to honor his memory in a way that reflects both his love of music and their commitment to helping others.
Sept. 13 was one of those beautiful days.
The name Particle Accelerator carries a powerful meaning. In science, a particle accelerator propels tiny particles to extraordinary speeds, unleashing energy that reveals hidden truths about the universe. What begins small becomes a force of discovery and light.
That is exactly what the Particle Accelerator Music Fest represents. Everyone who attends—whether to listen, play music, volunteer, or simply be present—is like a particle. Alone, each of us may feel small, but when we come together, our collective energy accelerates into something transformative:
- Raising awareness about suicide and mental health.
- Building connections that replace isolation with community.
- Creating hope that fuels healing and resilience.
This is why the festival has become more than a concert. It is a movement—a living tribute that transforms loss into light and silence into conversation.
As the festival’s message declares: “From Music to Momentum: Accelerating Hope.” Through music, remembrance, and unity, the Particle Accelerator Music Fest shines brightly—not only as a memorial to Jack’s life, but as an accelerator of awareness, compassion, and hope for all.
Thank You to Our Sponsors: We gratefully acknowledge the generosity of our sponsors, who make the Particle Accelerator Music Fest possible:
- Showcase Sponsor: United Lens Company
- Premier Sponsor: United Lens Company
- Gold Sponsors: bankHometown; Deary’s Gymnastic Supply; Charter Oak, Federal Credit Union; Byrnes Agency, Inc.; Jewett City Savings Bank; Unitarian Universalist Society; NAMI Windham County; Daniel R. Santos, CPA,
- Silver Sponsor: Quest Martial Arts
- Bronze Sponsors: Mohegan Sun; Sarantopoulos & Sarantopoulos, LLC; Gilman & Valade Funeral Homes & Crematory; SPIROL International; Bill’s Bedding and Furniture; Rawson Materials; 85 Main; Baker’s Dozen; Gerardi Insurance Services, Inc.; The Courthouse Bar and Grille; Knights of Columbus, Cargill Council No. 64; Deary’s Stand; Sawdust Coffee House.
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