Bee Balm

Bee Balm, a flower you'd think was designed by Dr. Seuss, is a magnet for butterflies and hummingbirds --- and bees! Linda Lemmon photo.

 

PSA signs

Texas guard

By Ron P. Coderre

As July turns to August and schools prepare for opening their doors to students, Putnam Science Academy, which has yet to consummate the sale to seal the opening of school, the basketball program has signed another recruit.  Confident of the September 8 projected opening of school, coach Tom Espinosa has lassoed a Texan as his final recruit for the 2015-2016 season.

Danny Salamah, an all-around guard, has indicated he’ll be on the Maple St. Campus in September.  Salamah, who hails from Garland, Texas, recently completed his senior season.  He was a four-year basketball player, who started on the Garland varsity for three seasons.  He comes to the 06260 zip code as a highly regarded recruit who brings versatility to the hardwood.  He was a First Team All District selection his final two seasons with Garland High School.

Salamah, who captained the Garland basketball team during his junior and senior seasons, averaged 14 points and four rebounds per game as a senior.  He also dished out three assists per contest, while playing for coach Randy Love, a former six-year National Football League player with the St. Louis Rams. 

Espinosa’s stable of Mustangs appears complete as Salamah is the 13th recruit to indicate he’ll be attending Putnam Science Academy in September.  The Mustangs will be attempting to get to the National Prep School Championships for the third successive season.

 

First

Friday:

Swing into

the '60s

PUTNAM — The first half of the 2015 First Fridays season has taken patrons on an artistic journey through the early twentieth century, celebrating three distinct periods: Art Nouveau, The Jazz Age, and WWII & The Arts. With August marking the middle of the 2015 season, the next stop on the journey through this century of art is Pop Art of the 1960s. From 6 to 9 p.m. on Aug. 7, the public is invited to celebrate the art and music of this revolutionary decade. 

August’s event will see over two-dozen art vendors on both Main Street and in Union Square in downtown Putnam. Combined with art vendors, gallery openings, boutique shopping, and al fresco dining, visitors will also enjoy live music provided by two local bands. Channeling the folk artists of the 1960s, Red No. 5 is a female quartet that blends self-arranged interpretations of folk and indie music; look for their harmonious sounds on Main Street throughout the evening. Headlining the August event, The Great Garage Band  Reunion will be rocking Union Square, echoing such ‘60s rock icons as Janis Joplin and Blood, Sweat & Tears. Don’t miss this ensemble of vocals, brass, drums and guitars – a local favorite in northeastern Connecticut.

For the last two years, the First Fridays committee has held a poster contest for local artists to submit artwork with the chance of becoming the cover art for the season’s program. For the 2015 festival, mixed media artist Clara Costabile Inman, submitted the winning artwork. Her work, along with all of the submissions for the 2015 season will be part of a silent auction, with proceeds going back to the First Fridays committee to assist with planning for upcoming events. Patrons are invited to view the creations of local artists, on display inside the Empty Spaces Project Gallery, 114 Main St.

Popular culture defined the art created during the 1960s – from Andy Warhol’s obsession with iconic American images, Roy Lichtenstein’s comic book inspired paintings, and even the colorful tie-dyed patterns of psychedelic art during the Summer of Love. In keeping with the pop art of the period, the Community Arts projects for the August event will allow participants of all ages to create such groovy items as tie-dyed bandanas, peace signs, and pet rocks. More family fun can be found with The Amazing Taylors –a family of performers who specialize in theater and puppetry. The Amazing Taylors will feature costume interaction and crafts at their booth. Like all First Fridays event this season, visitors are encouraged to come dressed up in styles matching the decade of the month. From go-go boots to tie dye, August’s event should be a groovy night of style, art, and music.

 From Warhol to Woodstock, Aug. 7 will be a journey back to the swinging sixties. All are welcome to this free, award-winning outdoor art festival! For more information on August’s event, as well as the months ahead, visit: www.discoverputnam.com. 

 

 

The following charges were listed in the Putnam Police Department logs.  The people charged are innocent until proven guilty in court. The Town Crier will publish dispositions of cases at the request of the accused. The dispositions must be accompanied by the proper documentation. The Putnam Police Department confidential Tip Line is 963-0000.

July 21

Michael Sandos, 61, Marshall Street, Putnam; disorderly conduct, assault on emergency personnel, criminal attempt at assault, interfering with an officer.

July 23

Carlton Ouellet, 68, Sabin Street, Putnam; second-degree threatening, second-degree breach of peace.