Over the coming weekends, Downtown Putnam will see the return of Holiday Strolls, bringing fun and festivity to the holiday shopping season. Each weekend will feature themed weekend activities in the various shops and boutiques of Putnam. Events are family-friendly and interactive, giving shoppers options for their seasonal shopping.
Starting the weekend of Nov. 30 to Dec. 2, the holiday strolls will kick off with “Gingerbread Weekend.” Downtown Putnam is once again decorating Main Street with Art Installations. Follow the trail to see more than 40 Gingerbread House creations. Gingerbread Trail Maps will be available at The Flying Carpet Studio, Victoria Station Cafe, Putnam Visitors Center, and other Main Street shops and restaurants by Dec. 1.
From Dec. 7 to 9, the public is encouraged to head to Downtown Putnam decked out in your ugliest Holiday attire. “Ugly Holiday Sweater Weekend” is back, with all ages invited to wear your ugliest Holiday Sweater for a great time. Have your picture taken in our “Ugly Sweater” Photo Booth, win special prizes in the shops and restaurants. Enjoy “Ugly Sweater” Sales, Drink and Dining Specials, and so much more.
Next up from Dec. 14 to 16 is “Stocking Stuffer Weekend.” Once again, Putnam is having a “Stocking Stuffer” Party downtown. Get all your Christmas Stocking Stuffer shopping done while having a great time. Special stocking stuffers available at the downtown shops and restaurants. Plus you could win a “Giant Stocking” worth over $200 in downtown Putnam Gift Certificates. Individual shops and restaurant stockings will be raffled off as well.
Finally, for those last-minute shoppers, Dec. 21 to 23 will be “Procrastination Weekend” in Downtown Putnam. Gift wrapping available in various shops and in the Atrium of the Montgomery Ward Building to benefit Red Cord Ministries. Gift cards, gift baskets and last-minute gift ideas abound! Enjoy Light Up Putnam holiday lights and relax with delicious food and beverage in one of our many award-winning eateries.
Joining the festivities from the beginning is a brigade of handmade Nutcrackers. Each 7-foot tall, hand-crafted Nutcracker will grace the streets and businesses and offer holiday excitement to customers enjoying Putnam as their shopping and dining destination.
Two Nutcrackers appeared last year at Victoria Station Café and were a delightful hit with folks of all ages; creating focal points and a photo opportunity. These two originals, featuring red and blue uniforms respectively, are currently at Bradley Playhouse and Skeeter’s Toybox and are awaiting their new counterparts’ arrivals.
The Nutcracker Brigade is creating a Trail to encourage people to view them, along with Gingerbread Houses, in Downtown Putnam as the fairies rest for the winter.
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WOODSTOCK — Roseland Park is in the midst of a renaissance and is seeking donations to help with that renaissance.
The lakeside park is operated by the Trustees of the Bowen Family Trust, independent of any town, state or government support. Over the past decade, the Trustees have endeavored to return this 300-acre local gem to its previous luster. In 2014 Rick and Dawna Harless were hired to manage the property and help raise funds to ensure its survival for future generations. A major challenge has arisen. The 2017-2018 gypsy moth invasion of the Quiet Corner devastated a number of large trees at Roseland Park. These dead and dying trees now pose a safety hazard to park visitors, in addition to looking unsightly.
Before this happened, the couple focused on fixing up the grounds and saving the historic barn onsite. The restored and renovated barn is now available for receptions, corporate events, and educational venues. Rentals of the barn and other facilities generate some of the funds needed for the daily operation, upkeep, equipment upgrades and capital improvements. In 2018, for the first time this century, the Park was headed towards a positive cash flow.
Unfortunately, Mother Nature was lying in wait to dash this hard work. Now, all the money raised in 2018 will have to be spent to remove the moth-damaged trees. In addition, in order to keep the park looking inviting, new trees will need to be planted. These trees will be selected for their resistance to pests, growth rate, and aesthetics.
Anyone interested in maintaining and preserving the Park for everyone’s enjoyment is invited to help the Park deal with this new challenge. The Trustees have established an official GoFundMe page at https://www.gofundme.com/roseland-park-renaissance and a Facebook Fundraiser at https://www.facebook.com/donate/2244184919188060
where the public can make donations towards removal and replacement of the trees.
One hundred percent of funds collected will be used for the tree project. If donations exceed the cost of that project, remaining funds will be used to replace the leaking roof on the beach house.
Checks can be made payable to Trustees of Roseland Park, and mailed to 205 Roseland Park Road, Woodstock CT 06281. Since the park is a 501(c)3 organization, all donations are tax deductible as allowed by state and federal law.
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PUTNAM — The Putnam Board of Education has been notified, for the eighth consecutive year, that they have earned the CABE Board of Distinction Award, Level II.
The members of the Putnam Board of Education were presented the prestigious CABE Board of Distinction Award, Level II for the 2018/19 school year.
In order to be selected for this distinguished leadership award, the Putnam Board of Education had to exceed the high standards set by Connecticut Association of Boards of Education in at least 20 criteria in five different categories. The level II status denotes the highest level of distinction for Boards of Education in Connecticut.
Putnam Board of Education is only one of eight Boards of Education in Connecticut to receive this honor. The categories used to rate Boards of Education for this award include: Board Leadership/Student Achievement, Board Member Professional Development, Policy, Community Relations and Related Organizational Leadership.
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Putnam Science 83
Post University HS 71
PUTNAM — Alpha Diallo and Jaiden Rivera led the Mustangs to their 4th consecutive win of the season with 18 points each while Justin Rodriguez kept up his stellar play with 16 points for PSA. The Mustangs are 4-0 and will compete in the Zero Gravity Prep Classic this weekend at St. Andrews School.
Last week the Putnam Science Academy Mustangs began the 2018-2019 season ranked #2 in the country and moved to #1 after last weekend’s National Prep Showcase. The #2 ranking followed a National Prep Championship run that saw the school bring home its first prep title last year, according to Prep Circuit.
In the Showcase PSA went 2-0 defeated #4 Sunrise Christian Academy (85-82) and #10 Montverde (78-68), extending the Mustangs’ winning streak to 30 games dating back to last season.
Brewster, the previous #1, fell to 0-2 and #10 in the rankings after tough losses to Mt Zion and Link Year Prep.
Woodstock Academy Gold moves up to #2 followed by Scotland Campus Red, New Hampton and Hargrave Military to round out the new top 5.
Joshua Sanchas
Sports Information Director
Putnam Science Academy
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