250th celebration - anything but quiet
By Linda Lemmon
Town Crier Editor
The Quiet Corner America 250 planning group is anything but quiet.
In fact, it’s guaranteed to be loud Oct. 11 and 12 with the Battle of Fairholm Farm. Several re-enactment regiments, playing American “rebels,” the British Red Coats and French troops, are set to go at the Fairholm Farm, 80 Chandler School Road in Woodstock. Drills, artillery demonstrations, fife and drum demonstrations, children’s programs and demonstrations, 18th-century medical tent demonstration and George Washington are just some of the events backed into two days.
The battles will be held at 2 p.m. Oct. 11 and at 1:30 p.m. on Oct. 12.
The Quiet Corner America 250 group includes planners from Putnam, Woodstock, Thompson and Brooklyn and they are planning everything from battles to veteran monuments to films, library programs, children’s activities, programs, school contests, and a multitude of fund-raising events. Every corner of the Quiet Corner is being included including historical societies, schools, granges, recreation departments, veterans groups and more.
The battle, planned by the Thompson committee, has been in the works for a while, according to Amy St. Onge, Thompson’s first selectman. She said the total cost of the Battle of Fairholm Farm is almost $6,500.
Coming up in Putnam is the CT250 Roast Beef Dinner/Band on Nov. 22 at the VFW. One fund-raiser on the horizon is a trivia night/spaghetti supper. It will be held Jan. 15. Committee member Jim Bradley said the America 250th Trivia Night at the VFW will start with a $15 ($25/couple) spaghetti dinner at 5 p.m. followed by a trivia competition ($10 per team). Committee members last week were brainstorming trivia categories such as the American Revolution, America Through Music, Putnam History, Lost Industry and more. The list will be tweaked.
The VFW is also planning a May guest bartender event to help raise funds for the Quill and Scroll granite monument set for unveiling in the Veterans Park July 4.
Other Putnam events
Oct 25, from 12:30 to 2 p.m. at the library: Exclusive Preview of the PBS - Ken Burns “The American Revolution;” February: America 250th ice sculpture at the Fire and Ice Festival; March: “Women in the American Revolution: Putting the ‘Her’ in Heroics”; April: “The Sons of Liberty in Windham County”; May: General Israel Putnam costumed interpreter at the Putnam Public Library; June: Community Celebration at the Cady Copp Cottage and Field.
In Thompson
January: Revolutionary War themed mystery dinner; April “Red Coat Retreat Run” 5K; May: Community Concert & Maker’s Fair; July: Possible July 3 fireworks, community parade and BBQ on July 4.
In Woodstock
July: Roseland Tea and Vintage Baseball Game; November: Veterans Quilt Raffle. Also: Declaration of Independence re-dedication at Jamboree; Roseland Cottage Revolutionary Tea; American History Documentaries shown at local business and collecting stories from residents of Woodstock.
In Brooklyn
Running a logo design contest; looking at hosting a possible re-enactment (details TBD); July 4: Large event at the Brooklyn fairgrounds, and many reading programs and a patriotic dance.
Committee members also discussed having a collective float for the 250th for the Holiday Dazzle Light Parade.
Check Woodstock Celebrates 250 on Facebook. It is currently the clearinghouse for events.
Donations are welcome: Make your check out to the Town of Woodstock, Town of Putnam, Town of Brooklyn or the Town of Thompson and mail to the town halls.
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