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.
Next: Recycling
By Linda Lemmon
Town Crier Editor
PUTNAM — And now on to recyclables for phase two of the conversion to the new Casella Waste trash/recycle program.
The program began May 1 and there were only a couple glitches — mainly with the migration of those eligible residents who used to have their trash picked up on Fridays. Marc Morgan, Casella’s strategic account manager – Municipal Services, said the trash pickups used to be Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Fridays. With the new program, Casella moved to Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, necessitating moving those who used to have their trash picked up on Fridays moved to Wednesday or Thursday. That leaves Friday for holiday/bad weather “catchups” rather than the former Saturday.
However there was still a “hiccup” in the management of the app which mistakenly told some “Friday folks” they were moved to Thursday when it was in fact Wednesday. They didn’t get their trash out.
This week Casella is adding the recycle portion of the program. Recycling will be picked up every other week.
What belongs in the 95-gallon recycle bin (do not bag recyclables): Cardboard (broken down into 2 feet, max), boxboard, junk mail, periodicals and office paper (paper bags, envelopes, catalogs). Also, plastic bottles, jugs, tubs and lids including empty kitchen, laundry and bath containers and clamshells. Also aluminum and steel cans, foil and empty food and beverage cans. And finally, glass bottles and jars (empty food and beverage bottles and jars). All containers should be clean and dry.
What’s not accepted? No items 2 inches or smaller, plastic bags, bagged recyclables, clothing/textiles, tanglers (hangers), scrap metal items, batteries, medical waste, food waste/liquids, electronics, hazardous materials or explosives, plastic wrap, films or tarps, wood, waste, or tires, disposal items, waxy boated paper items, ceramics or baking glass.
For recycling tips and resources, visit casella.com/RecycleBetter.
The trash cart and the recycle cart on a flat surface at least 3 feet apart, with the front facing the road. For the arm to swing the cart to the top of the truck there should be 10 to 12 feet of clearance from tree branches, etc. Morgan said many people put the trash cart on one side of the driveway and the recycle cart on the other side of the driveway. The carts should be clear of snow, landscaping, mail boxes and utility poles.
If you have any questions for Casella the phone number for service is 860-423-4527.
What About Bulky Waste?
The town’s Bulky Waste Collection will be May 18 at the Putnam Armory; and Aug. 17and Oct. 26 at the Putnam Middle School. No charge — you just need to show residency. Highway Superintendent Travis Sirrine had said in January the town is looking into a transfer station that would take all waste except household garbage, but that’s sometime, perhaps, in the future.
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Flags Installed
The American Legion Post 13 is lined up on the Pomfret Street bridge after the Town of Putnam Parks and Rec Department installed the American flag and the military flags. The flags stay in place until late October. Legion Commander Michael Rocchetti said the flags are replaced every other year. The legion budgets $600-$700 to replace the flags. The flags were replaced this year. From left: The legion’s Chas MacKenzie, Eric Quinn, Steve Raheb, Pat Kelly, Brian Maynard and Commander Rocchetti. Linda Lemmon photo
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Nora Miller of Eastford. More photos on page 6 and an expanded photo array on Wed. night on our FB page: Putnam Town Crier & Northeast Ledger. Linda Lemmon photo.
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Working on the mural
The Catfish Junk-ies
‘Be proud' echoed throughout the day
By Linda Lemmon
Town Crier Editor
PUTNAM — “It’s all about joy and justice,” said Rev. Ross Johnson, pastor of the Living Faith United Methodist Church.
The Quiet Corner Pride event May 4 was a runaway success celebrating the queer (academic term) community. It was full of music, vendors, awareness groups and more in Rotary Park.
More than 2,000 people celebrated the queer community. ”In those hours in that park they could be themselves for a time,” Johnson said.
Johnson, who moved here almost two years ago, had seen pride events in Massachusetts and Virginia and he asked, about a year ago, if it had been done here. The answer was no, it had not. Former Economic Development Director Carly DeLuca helped, then the Putnam Arts Council and then the Parks and Recreation Department. Johnson said planning started in earnest last fall and the help from Parks and Recreation Director Willie Bousquet was immeasurable. He also tipped his hat to WINY Radio’s Gary Osbrey. Johnson and Bousquet were co-chairs and the committee included Putnam High School students, TEEG, some business owners and a few local churches.
Bousquet said there were five art “districts,” 26 awareness groups and 14 vendors.
It was put together with hard work and love. Johnson said he found out that Putnam is the first town in the state to celebrate PRIDE. “What makes it beautiful is that it was accomplished without sponsors; just the town.” He called it a celebration of all things love.
Speaker Rev. Kevin Downer, pastor of the First Congregational Church of Woodstock, said he grew up in Putnam. Johnson recounted that Downer said when he was a kid “I never thought this day would come.” Johnson said Downer’s words, “be proud” and embracing and celebrating queer echoed throughout the day.
The day started with a brunch at The Stomping Ground and ended with an after-hours celebration at Bear Hands Brewing Company.
Johnson said Mayor Barney Seney walked up to him and said “We’re doing this next year.” Johnson said he’d love to see it happen next year. “This exceeded my expectations by far.”
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