250th anniversary: Towns create a patriotic synergy
By Linda Lemmon
Town Crier Editor
Because the gravity of the event — the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence and America next year — and the fact that most Quiet Corner towns were feeling “stuck” in their planning, a regional meeting was called last week.
This is no time for the Quiet Corner to be as quiet as the Swamp Fox. Representatives from Brooklyn, Putnam, Woodstock and Thompson and a contingent of veterans talked about their plans and how they could help each other. 
All the separate events and all the separate towns joined together will create a very patriotic synergy. They are all enlisting schools, libraries, veterans, towns, and historical societies.
Thompson took the lead with a Battle of Fairholm Farm reenactment planned for Columbus Day weekend on some 100 acres in northeastern Connecticut. “George Washington” will make an appearance. Depending on the availability of funds, he will be on a horse or not on a horse, according to Thompson First Selectman Amy St. Onge. She said so far six regiments are signed up.
“We all work together and share each other’s events.”
James Callahan, Putnam’s Parks and Recreation director, said “Let’s see what everybody’s doing so we’re all on the same page and we can see any overlap or where one hand might help the other because we’re all in the same area.”
Around the meeting table, participants were talking about community parades, mystery dinners, fireworks, seminars and presentations, a 5k run (Red Coat Retreat Run), Liberty Tree plantings, a Roseland Cottage Colonial Tea, a patriotic quilt to be raffled, Israel Putnam reenactor, a large version of the Declaration of Independence that people can sign, the revival of a July 3 garden party tea in Woodstock, and vintage baseball.
Callahan said for the Fire & Ice event in February the town is going to go to the schools and have a contest to do a logo for Putnam’s American 250. The winning design will go to the ice sculptor so it can be carved into ice.
Putnam is also planning two special events: A possible program at Putnam’s Cady Copp Cottage and, according to Veterans Advisory Committee member Jim Bradley, a quill and scroll granite monument to be dedicated in Veterans Park. 
… and fund-raisers of all sorts, naturally.
Gloria Marion, who headed the meeting, said “we wanted to meet with everybody to kind of get a feel for what all the towns (were planning).” She added “This gave me a sense of what the other towns are doing and I don’t feel so alone anymore.” Let’s promote each other.
Amy Monohan, who is spearheading Woodstock's efforts, has set up a "clearinghouse" of sorts for the Quiet Corner's 250th events at: Woodstock Celebrates 250.
“This is a celebration within scenic northeast,” St. Onge said.

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The regional 250th anniversary committee got together last week. Linda Lemmon photo.