Then
This was a dedication event at Rotary Park in 1976. The Town Hall is behind the raised concrete stand. Putnam Town Crier photos.
& Now
The concrete platform is long gone and Rotary Park was recently reopened after renovations funded by the Putnam Rotary Club, the town and donations, plus work by the Department of Public Works and more. The renovations were unveiled during the al Fresco event July 15.
PLAINFIELD — Hundreds of motorcycle riders came together recently and raised $2,500 for United Services Domestic Violence Program at the 5th Annual Big Five Charity Ride at the Plainfield VFW.
The Big Five, established in 2012, is committed to giving back to the local community by organizing an annual motorcycle ride to benefit local domestic violence programs.
Big Five Charity Ride Organizer April Wojcik said this year’s fund-raising total nearly doubled last year’s event.
United Services’ Domestic Violence Program provides the only domestic violence shelters and services in northeastern Connecticut and offers a wide array of services designed to respond to the needs of victims and their children throughout their journey to become free of abuse. In Connecticut, 41,446 victims were served by domestic violence relief programs in 2015.
“We are grateful to The Big Five Charity Ride and everyone who came out to enjoy a great day,” said Diane L. Manning, United Services president/CEO. “United Services works every day to end domestic violence and it is gratifying to see so many people stepping up to help raise awareness for this important issue.”
Sophisticated Lady
Kelley Lennon entertained the crowd during the al Fresco event July 15 at the newly renovated Rotary Park in Putnam. More photos on page 6. Linda Lemmon photo.
Holiday
lighting
upgrade
kicks off
PUTNAM — An upgrade of the downtown’s holiday lighting, “Light Up Putnam” will begin this year.
Willie Bousquet, the town’s Recreation director, said: “The Town of Putnam is committed to responsibly investing in its future and in collaboration with the Putnam Business Association’s Beautification Committee, announces an upgrade on the downtown holiday lighting.”
“Light Up Putnam” begins with Phase 1: a lighting up of Main Street. An LED skyline will cross Main Street on both sides; in Union Square and on the Montgomery Ward side, paired with fresh new holiday banners. Phase 2 will brighten even more sections of downtown, including Rotary Park, replacing the more than 15-year-old Holiday Lights is long overdue and … COSTLY,” he said.
“Light Up Putnam” is holding its kickoff fund-raiser at 6 p.m. Aug. 12 in Rotary Park during the Wooden Horse concert beginning at 6 and River Fire to follow at 8 p.m. Mrs. Claus, along with many elves and live reindeer will be there to spread warm Holiday Cheer and to collect donations to “Light Up Putnam.”
Donations: can be made using a debit or credit card or with a check (made payable to Town of Putnam with “Light Up Putnam” in the memo) or cash. Mail to Putnam Town Hall, 126 Church St., Putnam, CT 06260. All donations are welcome!
Sponsorship opportunities include: $250 and up- your name or business will appear in all print advertising for “Light Up Putnam”; $500 and up—— plus your name or business will also be mentioned on all radio advertising; $1,000 and up- … PLUS—you will get to ride on the fire truck when “Santa Comes to Town” on Nov. 24 and pull the switch for the Inaugural Lighting on Main Street.
LED lights offer many benefits such as: Longer life which means fewer resources needed or wasted; Reduction in energy consumption; LED lights neither contain nor emit toxic ingredients.