Saying thank you --- with a hot dog
By Linda Lemmon
Town Crier Editor
PUTNAM — Helping hands were in evidence last week as the owner of the Joyful Eats hot dog cart offered lunch to the masonry students from Harvard H. Ellis Tech who are helping renovate the Veterans Memorial Park.
James Northbridge, owner of Joyful Eats Hot Dog Cart and Catering, invited the nearly dozen masonry students to come for lunch, free. Each student received two hot dogs done any way they liked and something to drink.
Some of the students’ boots were caked with concrete and all of them joked and kidded each other like family as they ate their hot dogs at the picnic table.
Elliott Hayden, director of the Masonry Department at Ellis, said the students appreciated the lunch.
Northbridge said his brother, a 20-year Army veteran, died in March and he felt he could honor his brother by feeding the students creating the Veterans Memorial Park.
Northbridge has had his hot dog cart in Simonzi Park for four years. He said he had been a job coach for the Center of Hope in Southbridge — until COVID-19 hit. He started the hot dog cart which is helping Putnam’s transition program.
The business donates to Hope for Tomorrow in Guatemala.
Hayden said the students partaking of the lunch were all seniors. This week the juniors will be working and the masonry project should be finished by the end of this week.
Electrical department students are also working at the park. They’ve laid wiring and will be putting in spotlights, lamp posts and more.

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Lunch for Students
Joyful Eats hot dog stand offered lunch to the Ellis Tech masonry students who are helping renovate the Veterans Memorial Park. Top: All the students, along with the director of the Masonry Department, Elliott Hayden (back, second from left). Middle: Stand owner James Northbridge, right, and some of his crew. Bottom: Masonry students getting off the bus, heading for lunch. More photos Wed. night on our FB page: Putnam Town Crier & Northeast Ledger. Linda Lemmon photos.