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Visiting
Denise H. Rohan, the first female commander in the 99-year history of American Legion, stands on the WWI Veterans Memorial Bridge in Putnam. She visited the greater Putnam area last week. Courtesy photo.
Denise H. Rohan, the first female commander in the 99-year history of American Legion, met hundreds of Legionnaires and veterans during her recent visit to the greater Putnam area. Courtesy photo.
The theme of her year as commander is “Family First,” emphasizing unity throughout the organization.
Following a visit and tour of the Nautilus Memorial in Groton Oct. 16, Rohan spent Oct. 17 the American Legion 4th District, which encompasses most of northeastern Connecticut. She began her day with a visit to the Veterans Coffeehouse in Danielson, where she was enthusiastically greeted by more than 50 veterans.
“When you served your country the military was your family. You always knew that someone had your back. It’s incumbent on our American Legion family to care for the families of our veterans who are now deployed. The American Legion is poised and ready to assist those individuals,” said Rohan.
She then traveled with her entourage, which included Department of Connecticut Adjutant Harry “Butch” Hansen, National Executive Committeeman Joe Jackson and Alternate Bob Murray, Sgt.-at-Arms Dennis Beauregard, her aide Michael Rohan and 4th District Commander Perry Caldwell, to WINY Radio in Putnam. She was met at the station by a contingent of Legionnaires, which included members of the Post #13 Color Guard.
In Putnam she was greeted by Post #13 Commander Ronald P. Coderre. Prior to entering the station, where she was on the Talk Show with host Gary “O”, she and those in attendance saluted the “colors” while Putnam resident Linda Colangelo sang the National Anthem. At the start of the Talk Show, Putnam Mayor Tony Falzarano presented the National Commander with a proclamation from the Town of Putnam. Commander Rohan was then escorted on a guided tour of downtown Putnam where she witnessed the flags on the WWI Veterans Memorial Bridge and the “Hometown Hero” banners on display throughout the community. Prior to the tour, the group paused for photos on the bridge while Colangelo provided a special version of God Bless the USA.
“Commander Rohan was very impressed by the work that Post #13 is doing in Putnam. Her tour of the community and the area reassured her that the American Legion in the 4th District is living up to her theme of ‘Family First’,” said Post #13 Commander Coderre.
The next stop was a tour of the Putnam Ash Landfill. Shen then drove by Post #111 in Woodstock, Woodstock Academy and the historic “Pink House.” She stopped at the Town Hall to pay tribute to the monument memorializing the Connecticut men and women who have given their lives in defense of our country since the 9/11 terrorist attack.
Commander Rohan then headed to a luncheon at Post #67 in Thompson with a stop along the way at the West Thompson Dam where she was met by town historian Joseph Lindley and Catherine St. Andre. She was welcomed to Post #67 by Commander Robert Lebeau and Thompson First Selectman Ken Beausoleil.
In the evening she was the guest of Post #26 of Stafford Springs for a light dinner. She concluded her visit Oct. 18 at a formal dinner at Post #91 in Moosup, where she was warmly received by 120 Legionnaires.
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Unsung Heroes
CorePlus Credit Union recently held its eighth Unsung Heroes recognition event on WINY 1350 AM Radio’s Morning show. Left to right: Meg Martellotta, Retail Operations Manager; Ray Currier, Chief Operations Officer; Elizabeth Zachow, Community Relations Manager; Susan Dombrowski, Director of Marketing; LB Adamick, Putnam Branch Manager; Nicholas Fortson, President and CEO; Gary Osbrey, owner, WINY Radio. Courtesy photo.
PUTNAM — CorePlus Credit Union recently held its eighth “Unsung Heroes Recognition” event on WINY 1350AM Radio’s Morning Show with host “Gary O”.
This popular event has members of the listening audience call in to name an ‘unsung hero’ in their community or someone who may have had a special impact on their life so that that person might receive recognition as an “Unsung Hero”.
For every call received, CorePlus then donated $25 towards a local charity of the caller’s choice, in the hero’s name.
Calls came into the station from 7 to 9 a.m. and were answered by members of the CorePlus team; Putnam Service Manager LisaBeth Adamick, Retail Operations Manager Meg Martellotta, Putnam Member Service Representative Jodi O’Neil and Director of Marketing, Susan Dombrowski.
One-hundred thirty six callers named their unsung heroes, and $3,400 was donated to dozens of local non-profit and charitable organizations.
Each caller was asked to explain why the person named was their hero and then each hero was recognized “on the air” by Nicholas Fortson, president and CEO of CorePlus Credit Union; Ray Currier, Chief Operations Officer; Community Relations Manager Elizabeth Zachow; and WINY host Gary Osbrey.
In addition to the names of the heroes, listeners also were told the caller’s name and why the hero was being recognized.
All of the stories were truly from the heart, and provided genuine recognition of the many unsung heroes in our community, including veterans, cancer survivors, hospice, senior center and food pantry organizers, religious leaders and family members, to name a few.
Through the “Unsung Hero Recognition” campaign, CorePlus has donated $27,075 to local charities over the past eight years, honoring over 1,000 local heroes.
Then
This is the Eagle Hose Company No. 2 in front of Smith Street Fire Station around 1900. After a series of devastating fires in the 1870s, Lucius H. Fuller organized a "city" fire district. In 1876 two stations were built, one on Union Square (burned 1966) and one on the west side of the Bridge Street bridge. Around 1896 a new firehouse was built on Smith Street. Members of Hose Company #2 included: Joseph A. Gagne, Philias Cloutier, Alexandre Gilman, Joseph Daigle, Joseph Page, Henry LaFlamme, Joseph Duseault, Omer Boudage, Frank Dumas, Joseph LaChance, Godfois Chaput, Alfred Dumas, Alfred Bibeault, Moses Parisseau, Eugene Paradis, Clovis Paradis, Narcisse Auger and George Benoit. Putnam Town Crier file photos.
& Now
The firehouse was almost opposite the former Smith Street School and then the Johnston Apartments, now a community garden.
Get into the Halloween spirit with Walktober. There are ghoulish events for every age with many different levels of fright factor.
Walktober is in its 27th year and is a program of The Last Green Valley, Inc. (TLGV), the non-profit charged with promoting and advocating for the national heritage corridor’s unique resources.
“The Last Green Valley is filled with some of the best ghost stories you’ll ever hear,” said Lois Bruinooge, executive director of TLGV. “Walktober and Halloween were made for each other. But, if ghost stories are not what you’re looking for, there are still plenty of family-friendly Halloween themed events.”
There are more than 30 Walktober adventures happening now thru Oct. 31. To see a full listing of Walktober events visit www.lastgreenvalley.org and be sure to check the web site for any cancellations or updates.
Here is a sampling of Halloween-inspired Walktober adventures:
Walktober: Downtown Putnam Trick or Treat Night, Oct. 27, 5-7 p.m. Union Square, Main St. to Jade Garden, Kennedy Dr., Putnam
Business employees from Union Square to Jade Garden dress up and will be passing out candy at this family-friendly event. Enjoy costumes galore in this parade-like atmosphere of family fun! Parents are encouraged to dress up, too.
Walktober: Killingly Outdoor Movie Night - Hocus Pocus, Oct. 27, 6-7:30 p.m., Westfield Church, 210 Main St., Killingly, CT. 860-779-5390. For the first time, Killingly Parks & Rec and Westfield Congregational Church have teamed up to bring the community a free outdoor movie. Grab your chair and blankets. Please bring a non-perishable food item to donate. Keep up to date with all KPRD events on www.facebook.com/Killinglyrecreation.
Walktober: Spooky Stories and Tricky Treat Scavenger Hunt, Oct. 26, 5:30-6:30 p.m., Killingly Public Library, 25 Wescott Rd., Killingly, CT. 860-779-5383. Pre-registration required online at www.killinglypl.org or call 860-779-5383. This free fun event is aimed at children ages 4 to 8.
Walktober: Scarecrow Kingdom and Trick or Treat on Main Street, Oct. 28, 1-3:30 p.m., Davis Park, Main St., Danielson, CT. 860-779-5390. Bring down your old clothes and help us build a Scare Crow Kingdom at Davis Park. Check out a live jack-o-lantern carving. Killingly Public Library will also be at the park, visit them for a book giveaway. Killingly Business Association will also be hosting their annual Trick or Treat on Main Street that same day for children 12 and younger from 2 - 3:30 pm. Visit the Main Street merchants & other Killingly businesses after you’ve scared all those crows in the park away!
Walktober: Griswold Haunted Nature Trail, Oct. 1-31, Griswold School Campus, 267 Slater Ave., Griswold, CT. Park in Elementary School lot across from trailhead. 860-376-7640. The Nature Trail is open to the public during school days after 3 pm, and on weekends from sunrise to sunset. Start at the information sign at the trailhead, across from the Elementary School. This is a self-guided hidden object game. Follow the Orange Blaze Trail around the Nature Trail. Look into the woods for a hidden objects, but be sure to stay on the trail. You should be able to see lots from the trail - look on both sides - look up - look down! Don’t remove it from the trail! Please leave it for the next family to find.
Walktober: Witches in History & Fable Exhibition, Friday thru Sunday, Oct. 7 to Nov. 17, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., The Mill Museum, 411 Main St., Windham (Willimantic), CT. 860-456-2178. Hang out with some cool witches created by local artists, featuring the theme of “Witches in History & Fable.” Check the museum website for exact hours & fees.
Walktober: Air Line Lore Along the Lebanon & Columbia Line, Oct. 25, 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and Oct. 27. 2-3:30 p.m., Pine St., Lebanon, CT. Pine St. down to rail trail over the Lebanon town line to Leonard’s Bridge. 860-617-3308. No goosebumps, but hear about the Ghost Train, the line construction of 1912-1913, and CT railroad lore with rail historian Ray Axelrod on this nice section of the Air Line Trail.
Walktober: The Spirits of Downtown, Oct. 27, 6-7:30 p.m., Jillson Square, 533 Main St. (Rte. 66), Windham (Willimantic), CT. Walk starts at Jillson Square. 860-456-2178. Enjoy this moderate 1-mile brisk walk around downtown to hear the chilling stories of some of the abiding apparitions. Bring flashlights so you can see who may be tapping you on the shoulder! This year’s option: sample a Willimantic brewed libation, or “spirit” for a fee after the walk. $5 each.
Walktober: Antient Ghosts of Norwich, Oct. 27, 6:40 p.m., 7 p.m. and 7:20 p.m., Norwich, CT. Location will be provided to those who register in advance. 860-886-1776. Pre-registration requried, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . As dusk approaches, stroll through one of Norwich’s oldest graveyards and hear local ghostly legends. Admission: $5. Tours are limited to 90 participants (three tours with 30 people on each tour.
Walktober: Arrowhead Paranormal Public Investigation at Leffingwell, Oct. 27, check website for times, Leffingwell House Museum, 348 Washington St., Norwich, CT. 860-889-9440. Ghosts have been known to frequent this historic place. Attend the Arrowhead Paranormal Public Investigation at Leffingwell to see what you can learn in this hands on investigation. For more info: email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. & online: www.arrowheadinvestigations.net.
Walktober: Off-Kilter Tales of Norwichtown, Oct. 28, 10-11:30 a.m., Norwich Heritage & Regional Visitors’ Center, 69 East Town St., Norwich, CT. 860-886-1776. Join Zack Lamothe, author of “Connecticut Lore: Strange Off-Kilter & Full of Surprises,” for an exciting walk through his home neighborhood of Norwichtown discussing off-kilter stories of its history, hauntings and hidden surprises.
Walktober: Trick-or-Treating in Storrs Center & Annual Halloween Party/Trick-a-Trunk, Oct. 28, 3-6:30 p.m., Storrs Center-Dog Lane & Mansfield Community Ctr., 10 S. Eagleville Rd., Mansfield (Storrs), CT. 860-429-3015. Children are invited to wear costumes and trick-or-treat downtown Storrs from 4-5 pm. Many shops will have treats for children: look for “Trick or Treat” signs in the windows of participating businesses. Trick-or-Treating will be rain or shine. All children should be accompanied by an adult. At 5 pm, children and their adult(s) are encouraged to walk over to the Mansfield Community Center to continue the fun at the Annual Halloween Party and Trick-a-Trunk. Festivities at the Community Center are free and open to all ages and will continue until 6:30 pm.
Walktober: The Old Darn Man and Halloween Tales, Oct. 29, 1-2:30 p.m., Hampton Community Ctr., 179 Main St. (Rte. 97), Hampton, CT. 860-884-5162. Storyteller Sharon Lynch will regale us with the tale of the legendary Old Darn Man, wanderer and frequent visitor to the Bennett farm in Hampton, as well as the story of the origin of Connecticut’s state song, “Yankee Doodle.” In the spirit of the Halloween season, she will include a tale or two to put folks in the mood for that eerie night when things aren’t always as they seem. No dogs please.
Walktober: Monday Movie Night - CLUE!, Oct. 30, 5-7:30 p.m., Pearle L. Crawford Library, 40 Schofield Ave., Dudley, MA. 508-949-8021. Enjoy the movie, CLUE, with your family. Free popcorn will be provided!
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