'Funny, sweet’ The Prom coming July 25
PUTNAM — The Theatre of Northeastern Connecticut at the Bradley Playhouse will present its summer musical, the joyously funny and sweet blockbuster “The Prom” July 25 for three weekends.
Performances are at 7:30 p.m. July 25, 26 and Aug. 1, 2, 7 and 8 and at 2 p.m. July 27, Aug. 3 and Aug. 9. To accommodate the Putnam Car Cruise on Aug. 10, shows for the final weekend are at 7:30 p.m. Aug. 7 and 8 and at 2 p.m. Aug. 9. Tickets are $30 for adults and $27 for seniors, students, veterans and first responders.
All seats are reserved. Reservations may be made with a major credit card online at www.thebradleyplayhouse.org or by calling 860-928-7887. Tickets may be purchased at the theater box office, either before the performance, or at the door if available. 
The TNECT production of The Prom is directed by John K. McElroy ll with music direction by Brittany Dyer, choreography by Kat MacInnes and is stage managed by Brian McElroy. 
Arden Allen plays Emma Nolan, the girl who just wants to take her girlfriend, Alyssa Greene, played by Leilany Ventura, to the prom. The Broadway actors whose hilarious attempts at assistance shake-up a small town are played by Melanie Kane as Dee Dee Allen, Christopher Currier as Barry Glickman, Dan Pickar as Trent Oliver, Hannah Van Meter as Angie Dickenson. Anthony Francis DeRos plays the beleaguered Sheldon Saperstein, a press agent. The small-town inhabitants whose eyes are opened to love, and acceptance include Principal Tom Hawkins, played by Jack Ferdman and Alyssa’s mother, Mrs. Greene, played by Amy Stoelzel. Angelina Manfredi, Sophia McClay, Massimo Papa, and Nathan Conrow portray students at the high school and head a large ensemble of singing, dancing students and townspeople.  
The Prom, book and lyrics by Chad Beguelin, book by Bob Martin, and music by Matthew Sklar, is based on an original concept by  Jack Viertel. The Prom is a heartfelt, high-energy musical comedy that celebrates love, acceptance, and the fight for equality. It is suitable for  most audiences, but we offer the following content advisories: Themes of LGBTQ+ identity and discrimination are handled with humor and compassion but may be sensitive for some viewers. Mild Language: Includes occasional use of mild profanity and suggestive humor. 

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Top: Cast members of  work with choreographer Kat MacInnes. Left, from left: Leilany Ventura as Alyssa Greene, Arden Allen as Emma Nolan. Above: Photos by John K. McElroy II, director.

Putnam Cooling Centers open Tuesday through Friday
PUTNAM — From  Scott E. Belleville, Putnam Emergency Management Director: In accordance with Governor Lamont’s Extreme Hot Weather Protocol, the Putnam Municipal Complex will be open as a cooling center:
Putnam Public Library: Tuesday,  July 15 – Noon to 8:00PM; Wednesday, July 16 – 10:00AM to 8:00PM; Thursday, July 17 – 10:00AM to 8:00PM; Friday, July 18 – 10:00AM to 5:00PM
Municipal Complex Room 113: Tuesday, July 15 – Noon to 4:30PM; Wednesday, July 16 – 8:30AM to 4:30PM; Thursday, July 17 – 8:00AM to 6:00PM; Friday, July 18 – 8:00AM to 1:00PM
For those who are in need overnight shelters, please call 211.

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Pluck-a-Duck event is bigger, better than ever
PUTNAM — Quack Quack! The Putnam Business Association’s Pluck-A-Duck Raffle Event is taking from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Aug. 10 and at noon Aug. 11 because one day simply isn’t enough for this unique fund-raising event. 
The PBA Pluck-A-Duck Raffle Event joins forces with the Town of Putnam’s Main Street Car Cruise on Aug. 10, and offer its colossal Kids Corner in Rotary Park, with free family fun. There will be Xen’s Critters Petting Zoo, Bounce Houses, Balloons By Bella, Art by Simone Face Ppainting, the Breezeline Photo Booth, Arts & Crafts Tent, Popcorn Station, games, vendors and exhibitors with fun activities and giveaways. The popular Wonderful Waddle treasure hunt returns this year, where young attendees will visit various activities and exhibitors to have their form stamped. Completed forms are turned into the Putnam Business Association’s Kids Corner tent, where one lucky winner will be randomly selected to receive a backpack filled with school supplies along with a BMX Kink Curb Bicycle from Putnam Cyclery, valued at $450. The Wonderful Waddle forms will be available for download on the Putnam Business Association and Discover Putnam Facebook pages and day-of-event at the Wall Of Wishes display.
There will also be a Fun Run - partnering with Northeast Opportunities for Wellness (NOW), children can participate in this 1-mile Fun Run, beginning at 10 a.m. from the Hale YMCA Youth & Family Center. It’s possible with support from Breezeline, Centreville Bank, Christopher Heights of Webster MA and Day Kimball Health. Registration is available at www.nowinmotion.org
There is a Creamery Brook Village Wall Of Wishes, and a donation will be made to Make-A-Wish Connecticut, in support of creating life changing wishes for children with critical illnesses. The Wall Of Wishes was designed and created with the assistance of Putnam Science Academy’s Director of Visual Arts, Sarah Stoll, and PSA art students. The Celebrity Dunk Tank will feature local celebs like attorney Kate Cerrone of The Northeast Law Center; Rob Challinor of VFW Auxiliary Post 1523; and 13 local business owners and professionals. Online donations can also be made in support of the celebrities thru Aug. 9 at https://www.discoverputnam.com/pbarubberduckrace
Thousands of rubber ducks will be released at noon Aug. 11. Prizes include; an 8000 Watt Generac Generator With Electric Start ($1400 value) donated by P.B. Generators and top cash prize of a $500 VISA Gift Card, sponsored by Byrnes Agency. WINY Radio and the PBA’s FB pages will have a live broadcast, powered by Jewett City Savings Bank. The first 2 viewers responding to WINY Radio or the PBA’s Facebook pages correctly identifying the total number of ducks floating in the pond will win a $75 gift card to ANYA restaurant, courtesy of Arboreal Solutions. 
And just when you think it’s over, the final 15 ducks waddling out of the pond will be selected for our “Last Lucky Duck” prizes, sponsored by Davis Place, D.B.C. Solutions, Elemental Plans LLC, J.B. Concrete Products and Putnam Spirits. Plus, one lucky business sponsor will be awarded the Corporate Duck raffle prize of a $750 VISA Gift Card and their name engraved on the Corporate Duck Trophy. 
The 2025 Pluck-A-Duck Raffle Event is a powerful fund-raising platform for the PBA’s events. 
The event also supports 32 non-profit organizations and schools: Access Emergency Shelter/Access Community Action Agency, Anchors of Hope, Bags of Hope CT, Brooklyn Schools PTO, Cub Scouts Pack 43, Danielson Veterans Coffee Hours, Hale YMCA Youth & Family Center, NAMI Windham County NWC, Natchaug River Young Marines, Northeastern CT Insurance Professionals, Northeastern CT Arts Guild, Northeastern CT Relay For Life, Northeast Opportunities for Wellness, Nutmeg Acres Wildlife, Opportunity Works CT Inc., PAWS Cat Shelter, PCS Class of 2025/PCS Class 2025 8th Grade Trip, Putnam Arts Council, Putnam Lodge of Elks #574, Putnam Rotary Club, Quiet Corner NEMBA, Quiet Corner Veterans Support Coalition, Quinebaug Valley Senior Citizen Center, St. James Parochial School, Saint Joseph’s Living Center, Thames Valley Council for Community Action Meals-On-Wheels Program, Theatre of Northeastern CT, The Arc Eastern Connecticut, The Sunshine Kids Charity,  Tourtellotte Memorial High School, United Services and VFW Auxiliary Post 1523.  Last year the non-profits and schools raised more than $12,000 with their portion of their duck sales.
For more information go to: www.discoverputnam.com/pbarubberduckrace
Sponsors: Berkshire Bank, Breezeline, McGee Toyota of Putnam, Northeastern Appraisals, Renewal By Anderson of Southern New England, Runnings, The Day, The Sunshine Shop, Tom and Cathy Borner, Xfinity, JT’s Appliance, Creamery Brook Village, and WIN Waste Innovations.

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Beth Markowski Roop and Don Roop are just about everywhere selling ducks! Linda Lemmon photo.