Bradley hosting 1st regional
performing arts mixer
PUTNAM — The Theatre of Northeastern Connecticut at The Bradley Playhouse, that stalwart cultural cornerstone on Front Street, will soon throw open its century-old doors to welcome a gathering quite unlike any the Quiet Corner has seen before. From 6:30 to 8 p.m. Oct. 9 theatre educators, directors, choreographers, designers, and arts leaders from across northeastern Connecticut, and the bordering Rhode Island, and Massachusetts communities, will converge for the inaugural Quiet Corner Performing Arts Mixer.
The evening is envisioned as more than a mere meet-and-greet. It is a deliberate effort to weave together the vibrant but often scattered threads of the region’s performing arts tapestry — to give those who nurture young talent a shared table, and perhaps, a shared vision.
The Quiet Corner has long punched above its weight in artistic vitality. Local schools all mount productions that rival collegiate work in their ambition and polish, while quietly turning out skilled performers and technical designers ready to leap from classroom to cue sheet. And threading through it all are the community theaters — the Theatre of Northeastern Connecticut at the Bradley Playhouse, The Little Theatre on Broad Street, the Complex Performing Arts Center, and sister stages just over the borders of Rhode Island and Massachusetts — offering the invaluable alchemy of turning student potential into professional possibility.
“Community theaters can be just the springboard needed for students who fall in love with the arts at school,” said Rebecca Theriaque of The Bradley Playhouse. “It’s so important for local theatres to work closely with schools of all kinds—high schools, colleges, and even middle schools—because it gives students the chance to broaden their theatre experience. By opening doors to mentorship, technical training, and real productions, we can inspire the next generation of artists and strengthen the arts community throughout the Quiet Corner.”
Those attending will be invited to share a glimpse of their upcoming seasons or programs. Light refreshments will be served; casual attire is welcome; and business cards or contact information are strongly encouraged.
The evening is open to directors, choreographers, educators, designers, technicians, and arts-focused administrators from throughout the region who care deeply about cultivating the next generation of storytellers and stagecraft artisans. Any community groups or interested educators are more than welcome to RSVP with Amy at the box office of the Bradley at 860-928-7887.
RSVP here: https://forms.gle/LRCso7adzQQJZX2e6
This mixer is designed to: Strengthen connections between local schools, community theatres, and arts organizations; showcase opportunities for students and volunteers; discuss future collaboration, training, and mentorship pathways; celebrate the power of the arts in the region. It’s for all theatre educators, directors, and performing arts professionals from across the Quiet Corner of Connecticut, Rhode Island and Massachusetts.
.
Aspinock Memories
Putnam celebrates the end of WWII
By Bill Pearsall,
Putnam Municipal Historian
On Dec. 7, 1941, the United States entered WWII after Pearl Harbor was bombed in a surprise attack by the Japanese Air Force. In a national announcement, President Roosevelt signed a Declaration of War on Dec. 8, 1941. The Axis powers of Germany, Japan and Italy were named as enemies of the allies. The war raged on for four years.
On Aug. 6, 1945, a bomb named “Little Boy” was dropped on Hiroshima. On Aug. 9, 1945, a bomb named “Fat Man” was dropped on Nagasaki. On Aug. 14, 1945, in a news conference, President Harry S. Truman announced the unconditional surrender of Japan, ending WWII. “This is a great day,” said Truman, speaking into a microphone which was not functioning to well. “This day we have been looking for since December 7, 1941.”
In a decree recommended by President Truman and Governor Baldwin of Connecticut, a two-day standstill of industry and business was issued so that towns across the country could celebrate the end of the war.
On Wednesday, Aug. 15, 1945, The Windham County Observer headline said, “Putnam Celebrates Ending of War.” The article says that there will be a public dance tonight in Union Square and adjoining central streets sponsored by the Merchants Committee of the Putnam Chamber of Commerce. The dance will begin early and if enthusiasm of the participants and onlookers warrants, it will continue until late or even early morning hours. There will be plenty of music by the pick of regional Terpsichorean musicians with an amplifying system distributing the swing and swoon, olden waltz, two step, and square dance strains. The article goes on to describe that “Old Glory” is flying everywhere, on business blocks, factories, public residences and public buildings. Never has there been such a spontaneous and general display of the national emblem.
The article goes on to say that all personnel of the Danielson State Police Barracks would be on duty, but there are no augmented patrols. Lt. Victor J. Clarke, Barracks Skipper, said he believed the people are in no mood to be otherwise than law-abiding. If no outright rowdyism or hazard to person and property develop, there would be no police interference. Pent-up enthusiasm would be allowed to escape to the hearts content of all participants. There will also be services in thanksgiving for total victory to be held in churches in the city tonight and tomorrow.
Celebrations on these two days occurred across the nation. The Daily News describes the celebrations in NYC in an article on Aug. 15, 1945, as: “You want a rough idea of what it was like, take New Year’s Eve at Times Square, an old-time mining camp on pay night, Brooklyn the day the Dodgers last copped the pennant, and throw them all together. A thunderclap of shouting and horn-blowing seconds after the flash that the Japs had surrendered. Time Square, half an hour after the flash, was jampacked with an estimated 500,00 persons, every one of them a little mad. There wasn’t a male, from 6 to 60, without a smudge of lipstick on his face.”
It was a great time of celebration for Putnam and the entire country.
Aspinock Memories graces the pages of the Putnam Town Crier to keep Putnam’s history alive.
.
caption, page 2:
This is Union Square in celebration of the town's anniversary in 1955. The celebration for the end of WWII might have looked very similar.
Fall Doodles
Was Mother Nature bored? She's started doodling on the pumpkins. And then it was fall ... Linda Lemmon photo.
.
Music is saving lives
By Linda Lemmon
Town Crier Editor
Particle Accelerator – an instrumental song written by Jack Young Jr. Beautiful music that is helping to save lives.
Grace Young’s son left the song, and more, as a legacy when he committed suicide in 2007.
The 19th annual Particle Accelerator concert, held Sept. 13, raises funds to support United Services’ efforts to provide adult social and behavioral health needs and to provide information and support for depression and suicide prevention, while promoting music and civic engagement as a healthy alternative to drug and alcohol abuse among young adults.
Young said generally the concert raises about $10,000 for United Services each year. She estimated that some $150,000 has been raised through the years.
Particle Accelerator organizers said: “The event is run by a group of local residents, business owners and musicians who donate their time, money and talent in order to bring suicide and depression awareness to the forefront. Particle Accelerator began 2007 in response to the suicide of local youth and musician Jack Young Jr.; aka The Legendary Jack Young Jr. When Jack Young Jr. told his family of his depression, they tried to get him help. But because Jack had no health insurance, he was turned away by local mental health clinics. Feeling hopeless, Jack Young Jr. died by suicide on his 27th birthday, May 8, 2007. It wasn’t until after young Jack’s death that his parents Grace Young and Jack Young Sr. discovered that United Services provided mental healthcare regardless of insurance status. Determined that no more parents should lose their son due to a lack of information, Jack Young Jr’s family and friends created Particle Accelerator to honor Jack’s memory, spread awareness of suicide and depression, and raise funds to help United Services in all that they do for the community.”
Young said the legacy continues, starting in earnest this year, as grandson Micah Young is becoming more involved. He is the legacy, the next generation that Jack Young Jr. will save lives through.
.
captions, page 4:
From left: Grace and Jim Young, Micah Young, Emmalyn Soullier.
United Services took part. From left: Diane Manning, president and CEO; Cherie Poirier and Julia Resener.