Cleanup
More than 30 volunteers, including Boy Scouts and leaders from Troop 25 and members of Living Faith Methodist Church, donned gloves and filled trash bags during a recent Earth Day project.  Sponsored by the Greater Putnam Interfaith Council and the Town of Putnam, this year’s project involved cleaning up an area behind the Dunkin’ Donuts on Kennedy Drive. Town officials had proposed the site as they have plans to use the area to benefit the community after the cleanup. Participants removed a mattress, bureau, end table, couch, pans, tires, lots of empty nip bottles, a few needles, lots of plastic, candy and more. Courtesy photo.

Most Spirit
 Dr. and Mrs. Zdenekzak won the Most Spirited Award following the annual Putnam Beautification Day. The event is a partnership shared and funded by the Putnam Business Association, Town of Putnam and The Last Green Valley. More than 70 volunteers took part. A wrench, eye glasses, CB radio, tires, recliner, water bottles, a microwave, toys, beer bottles, cups and straws, cigarette butts, clothing, paper and lots of nips were collected.  Again this year, the PBA paid special attention to discarded nip bottles.  More than 1500 nips were collected and that information will be shared with local state officials.  Water bottles used to be a large concern but after the State instituted a 5 cent return, they became less of an issue.   Volunteers were also asked to identify any specific areas of concern.   Putnam Mayor Barney Seney led a team of volunteers who drove around town and collected large items such as furniture, tires, and appliances.  Other awards included:  Best Team — Putnam Science Academy;  Most Unique Item Found — Jessica Linkens;  Most Nips Collected — Natchaug River Young Marines.  Courtesy photo.
 

Honored
The 2018 Putnam Science Academy Mustangs were recently honored at a Board of Selectmen for their National championship run. The Mustangs  captured the school’s first National Championship. The Mustangs defeated Northfield Mount Hermon 74-66 in an overtime battle. The Mustangs earned the number one seed in the National Prep Championship after 24 straight regular season wins and a Great Atlantic Conference tournament crown. May 7 Putnam Mayor Barney Seney and the Board of Selectmen presented Head Coach Tom Espinosa and the entire team a plaque featuring highlights of the season. Courtesy photo.