By Linda Lemmon

Town Crier Editor

PUTNAM --- And suddenly the forlorn patch of dirt became the base for a beautiful sign for Rotary Park.

More than a year in the making, the Putnam Recreation Department and the Putnam Department of Public Works last week installed the sign for Rotary Park, replete with gold accents and classic styling.

The Putnam Rotary Club and the town funded the installation of an irrigation system, heavy duty grass seeding, sign work, benches, Free Little Libraries (with Boy Scout Troop 25 Eagle Scout Michael DiColella), stamped concrete work, electrical work, work on the bell, tree and garden work and more.  The Rotary clock was donated by an anonymous Rotarian, according to past Rotary president Marc Archambault.  

Putnam Recreation Director Willie Bousquet said the sign, measuring 47 inches by 72 inches, was created by Graphics Unlimited in Pomfret and was installed near the edge of Kennedy Drive, closer to the parking lot than the former sign was. He said it will be illuminated and can be seen from both sides. Bousquet, the town's Recreation Commission and Rotarian Jennifer Beckett worked on the sign and its design. 

Delpha M. Very, director of the Putnam Economic & Community Development, is past president of the Putnam Rotary Club and the project started under her presidency two years ago. She said:  "I have always felt that Rotary Park is a keystone of Putnam… a place where people gather to reconnect, a community spotlight for the arts and as well as having the most aesthetic views in town. Rotary Park should be shared in perpetuity and the Rotary Club of Putnam feels an obligation to be a caretaker. I am proud of our members to take this journey with me as past president and I can only thank the community at large for supporting our fund-raisers to make this journey possible."

Last spring Past Rotary President Archambault said: "The club was very interested in funding a project which would have a significant, visible and long-lasting impact for Putnam and our surrounding communities.  Putnam’s Rotary Park is a focal point in the community and draws so many people from all over northeastern Connecticut.  We feel that the projects we’re helping to fund will enhance the usefulness and beauty of the park. The businesses and individuals of our communities are always so supportive of Rotary’s fund-raising efforts, and we’re happy to be able to use those funds to provide something which will be of lasting benefit to the community. The clock, along with the beautiful new sign, benches, picnic tables and Free Little Libraries will help to enhance the look and functionality of the park.  The enhanced grass surface will really make events more enjoyable for all."