Show off your RED outfit and work at a healthy heart every day ~ Wear Red tomorrow!

Friday, February 1, 2013 is National Wear Red Day.

What is it all about?

Basically it is to bring attention to Heart Health, specifically Women's Heart Health.

You can learn more here, about this #1 killer. I am sure you also know both women and men affected by it.

Some facts from the website:
Since the first National Wear Red Day 10 years ago, tremendous strides have been made in the fight against heart disease in women, including:

*21% fewer women dying from heart disease
*23% more women aware that it's their No. 1 health threat

So, don't only wear something RED tomorrow, but take care of your heart every single day.

After all, without our heart pumping, we are not pumping.

I am a Putnamaniac that wants everyone to WEAR RED tomorrow and work on having a healthy heart EVERY DAY!

Putnamaniac Activity Calendar ~ including Wear Red Day!

Flat tire on a back road...no problem in NECT!

Driving to work on the back roads of Northeast CT sure can be gorgeous, in all seasons.

Scenery along Routes 169, 97, 244 is always a knock out.

It is a bad place for a breakdown of any sort, though, since roads are skinny, without much wiggle room, and they are indeed "less traveled".

Yesterday morning, I saw an unfortunate gentleman traveler pulled over with a flat tire.

Behind him was parked a cable guy, who was out of his cable truck, bending over, lending a helping hand to the flat tired gentleman.

I think that is just awesome! I am sure cable guy was on his way to a job assignment of some sort, but he still took the time to stop and help. Most excellent. That is how people are around NECT.

I hope you are as fortunate to live in such a place, where these random acts of kindness are not out of the norm.

I am a Putnamaniac that loves how helpful people are in NECT!

Putnamaniac Activity Calendar

Rock on fellow air drummer in your car!

Rt 6, in my faithful ford focus...

...at a redlight...

...listening to double shot Tuesday on 94 HJY on the way home from work...

...playing MAD air drums to Nirvana's Lithium, because, duh.... I love Dave Grohl. 
 

A car pulls up in the outside lane, and he is simultaneously air drumming, too. 

Our smiles are exchanged...I'm probably old enough to be his mother! 

He gives me the peace sign, the light turns green, and we are off.

Next up is Ozzy/Black Sabbath... and just let me say, I may gain a year each May, but I ain't getting old!

I AM IRONWOMAN! Right Ozzy??? 

I am a Putnamaniac that loves playing air drums in my car, and apparently I am not the only one!

Putnamaniac Activity Calendar

Putnam Spirits can really lift your spirits!

Putnam Spirits is a nice little local business, located on Kennedy Drive in the Price Chopper Plaza.

The folks there are helpful in helping you find what you are looking for.

Plus, they join in community fun, like the Great Pumpkin Fest Putnam hosts every October.

Yup, this is the boss, dressed as a pumpkin with a rainbow wig, handing out samples last October!

If you are looking for a gift or hosting a party, Putnam Spirits is the place to go for help.

I am a Putnamaniac that gets some good spirits at Putnam Spirits!

Putnamaniac Activity Calendar

Was that Edward the cat's great-great-great grandcat?

When I was a little kid, my dad came home with a little kitten tucked into his coat.

This morning I saw a cat sauntering through a yard, and it had to be a descendant.

My brother fell into instant love with that cat, and Edward became a part of the family.

Looking back, I realize even then I was not so much a "pet person". The cat was ok, but I have never been entwined with a pet.

My brother surely was, though. Skee & Edward were buddies from the start.

Of course, it was not always an easy relationship. Skee would call Edward from the back door. "Edward, here kitty, kitty, kitty".... When Edward did not immediately appear, little Skee would begin the fretting... "My kitty ran away...oh my kitty ran away". Then we would get the electric can opener, plug it in near the door, rev it up, and Edward would come a'running, just knowing a gooey can of cat food was awaiting him.  This scene was repeated over and over and over again!

If you are a pet person, and are in need or want of a kitty, check out PAWS. They can help you. Maybe someday your child will tell the story of when you came home with their best friend tucked in your coat.

You can also like PAWS on facebook.

I am a Putnamaniac that loves the bonds people of all ages have with their pets!

Putnamaniac Activity Calendar

Our community is all about unity ~ including U and I

Northeast CT is jaw droppingly awesome.

This morning over $16,000 was raised between 6am and 9am for the victims of the Prospect Street Fire.

Tragically the residents of those apartments lost everything they had, including the lives of two little girls, aged 9 months and 3 years old.

We are not a big community, nor are we the filthy rich.

But in spite of these stats, or maybe because of these stats, this community never fails to come to the aid of their friends and neighbors. Everyone chips in whatever they can when there is a need, and clearly it adds up. We all make a difference.

  Members of the Putnam Police and Fire Departments, shown standing by at WINY during today's fund drive! Photo courtesy of WINY Radio's Facebook page

I have never been a part of such a community before, and I do not think there are a lot of other places like this on earth.

I am grateful to have found my home and such a loving and outstanding community here.

Although I joke about wanting to live on Gilligan's Island, I would not trade Northeast CT for anything else on this earth.

 I am a Putnamaniac that loves the unity in our community ~ most definitely including U and I! 

Putnamaniac Activity Calendar

 

Queen me, checking in from Home Sweet Castle!

Yes, I feel like a Queen most days.

I own a beautiful home, which really makes me feel extra Queenly.

It took the first 37 years of my life for me to get into a position to buy my first home. I'd wanted my own home since I was about 10... I worked my butt off and had the luck to acquire an awesome job for many years. This made my step towards Queenliness attainable. My first castle was an awesome old colonial, with a detached garage, in Cranston, RI.

Before then I'd rented a lot of apartments.... most of them not the nicest of places.... many of them did not have very responsible landlords... That is what apartments are a lot of times. Being on a tight budget doesn't help. So many things are out of your control as a renter ~ Important things like peace of mind and safety.

I am not trying to brag that I have a great home that I love, nor make anyone feel bad if they are still in the renter stage. I am letting you know that we have all been there as renters, living in places not so stellar. Keep working, making good decisions and your time of royalty will come.

In the meantime, you can empower yourself as a renter.

If there are no smoke detectors supplied, buy one, and put it in your bedroom. (If you know a renter that needs one, buy them one).

If  you don't have renter's insurance call my friend, Lori Kerttula at Allstate in Plainfield. 860-564-3383  I was shocked at how inexpensive renter's insurance was when I needed it. It certainly can't replace the material things you may lose in a fire, but at least you will be able to replace things. Renter's insurance is DIRT cheap. (If you know a renter without renter's insurance, buy it for them. It is a priceless gift).

Someday, when your stars are aligned, you will be ready to set your self up in royal style in your own home, where things are under your control, but until then, be as safe as possible

I am a Putnamaniac that is the Queen of her Castle!

Putnamaniac Activity Calendar

My neighbor's Red, White & Blue high flying flag brightens up a cold winter day!

Spring, summer, and fall are so much more fun (for me, at least).

Long, bright, sunny, hot days. The hotter and longer the better!

That clearly leaves me battling through the dark, cold, short winter days. Not that I want to wish my life away, but I do finding myself doing the internal countdown until another winter is in the rear view mirror on my life's journey.

Trying to make it as enjoyable as possible, I keep moving, with eyes and ears searching constantly for a desperately needed uplift.

Last week I was treated to bluebirds outside my office window. Most excellent.

Lots of Green Lights were spotted since The Last Green Valley's Green Light campaign began.

But almost every day I am treated with my neighbor's flag flying proudly. She is dedicated to put it out on all days when the weather cooperates. I love driving out of the neighborhood and seeing it waving goodbye to me. I love seeing waving me in if I arrive home before dark. It is a big pick me up, and it is beautiful!

(Note, that I also have a flag, shown here last summer, but don't put it out a lot during the winter months. Since most nights I don't get home till way after dark, I don't think it is right to leave it out there so long in the dark).

Do you look forward to or look for things like this in the winter? I hope so!

I am a Putnamaniac that loves her neighbor's flag waving to me as I come and go, especially in the winter months!

Putnamaniac Activity Calendar

Check your smoke detectors & check in with your friends and neighbors ~ ASAP

Putnamania is supposed to be about finding something positive every day to focus on.

That was a tremendously difficult thing to do today with the tragic fire that took place overnight and into this morning. (See the story in the Norwich Bulletin).

Some local folks have organized a few drives in order to help out these victims:

From WINY Radio's Facebook page: 

1)  Donations for the victims of the Prospect Street Fire in Putnam are being accepted at Chace Building Supply 90 Route 171 in Woodstock.
Hours are Monday-Friday 7a-5p and Saturday 8a-2p. Please bring items to the Contractors Desk where they have set up space for donations.
If entering address in your GPS please use 90 Somers Turnpike.

2) PLEA FOR HELP: I've been working the phone this morning with Tom Borner and Lynn Bourque from Putnam Bank. We are establishing a fund to assist the families affected by the tragic fire in Putnam this morning. Although names, number of families, etc. have not yet been released, it's evident that assistance will be needed. So, let's get this thing going NOW! THE PROSPECT STREET FIRE FUND has been established at Putnam Bank. Drop off donations now at any office of Putnam Bank or right here at WINY, 45 Pomfret Street, Putnam. Make checks payable to PROSPECT STREET FIRE FUND, c/o PUTNAM BANK. Thank you for your kindness and compassion. ~garyo~

In the meantime, please test your own smoke detector. 
Check on your neighbor's smoke detector. 
Call your friends and family and make sure they test theirs. 

If you do not have a smoke detector or know someone who does not have one, buy one and put it up with them. 

If you can't afford one, call me, text me, email me, message me. I will get you at least one right away. 

It may not solve all future problems, but it can't hurt.  

I am a Putnamaniac that wants everyone to check their smoke detectors this very minute, or get one if you don't have one, or let me know that you need one!

Putnamaniac Activity Calendar

Hot Chocolate Hike at the West Thompson Dam!

This coming Sunday, January 27th is the first ever Putnamaniac event.

We will be taking a winter hot chocolate hike at the West Thompson Dam.

Meet at 1pm at the parking lot that overlooks the dam and the picnic table area on West Thompson Road.  Map here. Stay as long as you have time for.

Bring your camera, friends, family, kids, neighbors, dogs ~ whomever you want to bring ~ and a jug of hot chocolate. We'll take a walk to see what we can see!!

It is a beautiful place and there is plenty of space to walk and talk! Here is a shot of a hike I took with friends last winter.

Take advantage of lovely Northeast CT and a chance to get out, have some fun, and maybe meet some new friendly folks!

See you Sunday!

I am a Putnamaniac that will be walking and talking on the Hot Chocolate Hike at the West Thompson Dam!

See all the fun stuff to do on the Putnamaniac Activity Calendar

Winter walks with babies in carriages!

Out for a nice Sunday morning walk around Putnamania with my friend this morning, we passed a mom, a carriage, and two toddlers. I love to see this!

A little girl, dressed in pink, looking happy.

A little boy with an animal hat on, looking not so happy. In fact he was pretty miserable based on his wailing!

Not that I am old (ha ha ha), but it reminds me of when I was a kid...

We were booted outside in almost all weather, and we loved it. You had to drag us in at the end of the day. Food and baths could always be put off for more playing. We played war, cowboys, school, house, baseball, football, went sledding, ice skating, built forts...

When we were too young to go out on our own, our mothers bundled us up and rolled us along.

Here is a great picture of my sister, when she was about 8 months old, taken on the railroad track bridge on Devil's Foot Road. On the back of the picture in my mom's cute handwriting it says "Suzy Feb. 1969". The side of the picture shows it was developed in April 1969, but of course this was back in the days of film and developing!

My how times have changed. Check out the vintage carriage, too!

I am a Putnamaniac that loves to see babies out on winter walks in their carriages!

Putnamaniac Activity Calendar

 

Boy Scouts are the definition of tough! Check this out!

This picture and accompanying story appeared on WINY Radio's facebook page this morning.

"This is NOT a forced march: Members of Boy Scout Troop 25 march down Grove Street in Putnam this morning on their annual January over-night camp out. They will march to East Putnam and set up camp - no tents, no heat - just shelter they make themselves. The is a long standing tradition for the local Boy Scouts. Think about them tonight when you're grabbing that extra blanket! -garyo-"

Weather.com is showing temps hovering around freezing tonight, feeling like 23 or so with the wind chill. Luckily no precipitation is forecast. 

These guys are tough and dedicated! They will have great stories to tell and memories for a life time!

It sure makes me glad that I am a girl, and although I thought earning my sewing badge in Girl Scouts was complete torture, I clearly got off easy compared to these Boy Scouts!  

I am a Putnamaniac that is impressed with these dedicated Boy Scouts.

Putnamaniac Activity Calendar

Basketball memories or perhaps just good old hoop dreams?

Driving home tonight I was enjoying the WINY Radio broadcast of the Killingly High School Red Gals basketball game.

It was a special game for the Red Gals, since they were celebrating their winning State Championship team's 25th anniversary and honoring the players from that past, great team.

Photo courtesy of WINY's Facebook page

It brought back my memories of being a part of the NK Skipperettes basketball team, way back when. Although my senior team did not win the RI State Championships, we did ok, and the younger girls on our team did indeed win that championship just a couple of years later. 

If you have ever been a part of a close knit team and shared that sort of friendship & camaraderie, you will have those same sort of fond memories. There is nothing else on earth like it. 

My luck has run deep, as I have been a part of quite a few very good "teams" over my years.

Have you been lucky, and what sort of "team" memories do you love to recall? Are you still part of a great "team"?

If you have not ever been a part of such a close team, whether it be sports, a club, an organization, or with your coworkers... you are missing out. 

Fear not! It is never too late. 

Join in deeper in something that you are just on the fringe of...Join in something you want to try, but never have. 

Sometimes a group just clicks. If you are in that group, you will hear the click, and will then know exactly what I am talking about.

I am a Putnamaniac that loves the great teams I have been a part of!

Putnamaniac Activity Calendar

Sorel's Garage ranks #1 Top Notch in this Putnamaniac's book!

In a life that I like filled with NO drama, some drama inevitably falls.

Last night, driving home along dark and vacant Rt 6, from Andover, my car battery slowly died.

I shut off the radio, heat, defroster...barely used the wipers, which were much needed in all that muck at the time. They wiped more slowly each time I dared use them. The lights grew dimmer and dimmer with each mile.

As I rolled into Brooklyn at close to 6:30, I dared to hope that someone was still hanging around in Sorel's Garage (88 Hartford Rd/Rt 6, 860-774-4514), since I was coming upon it.

Glory be, there were lots of folks hanging ~ and still working! All so helpful! 'Twas not only my faithful Focus' battery that succumbed, but the alternator as well. They literally took their last breaths as I stood there.

Today they are working on my faithful wheels, and the prognosis is that they should have her back as good as new by noon! Talk about a quick turn around! When I marveled at this, Ron responded "Well, we wanted to get you rolling again. We know people need their cars". WOW!

Now two great things came of this unwelcomed drama.
1) I would recommend Sorel's Garage and their staff to anyone! (I feel a bit guilty about giving work to someone other than my well loved Putnam Ford, but sometimes, when you are in a fix, you find the miracle you need).
2) I am learning to ask for help when I need it! This is a tragically difficult thing for me to do, but last night I called my dear & true friend for a ride home from Sorel's (since I realized I would never be able to walk home to Putnam without being run over ~ repeatedly) AND today I asked my neighbor for a ride back to Sorel's to pick it up.

Miracles never cease, and apparently you are never too old to learn something new.

I am a Putnamaniac that thinks Sorel's Garage is the TOPS!

Putnamaniac Activity Calendar

A good night back in Putnamania...

Driving home from work, I saw some green lights lit up, which was cool. It is the first day of The Last Green Valley's Green Lights!

Then I got gas for UNDER $3.00 per gallon, with my Price Chopper savings of over .70 per gallon!! That's right, shop at Price Chopper and get money off on gas. Such a deal.

After that, the Putnam Library was my next stop, where I randomly stumbled upon Rosemary's Baby by Ira Levin. As a kid, I tried watching the movie, but was too afraid. So, please wish me luck with the book. Do you choose scary stuff sometimes, too? Like you just can't resist, right?

Finally, I pulled into my driveway, and my green lights, for the above mentioned Green Lights, were also warmly glowing! What a welcome home.

I hope you had a good evening, too!

I am a Putnamaniac that enjoyed quite a nice night once I got back in Putnamania!

Putnamaniac Activity Calendar

Run into friends everywhere you go in NECT!

As a kid it was pure torture to have to go anywhere with my mother.

We'd run into people we knew, and would be standing there talking for what seemed like an eternity.

All my siblings tell the same story, so I know it was not just my imagination.

Since I have made Northeast CT my home, I now have discovered that I enjoy running into friends. I literally see someone awesome everywhere I go!

We are all on the same page, too... friendly and efficient! You get a nice smile, a nice visit, a quick update, and you are on your way! Sweet deal!

I hope you enjoy the same visits when you are out and about in your community!

I am a Putnamaniac that loves running into friends everywhere in the Quiet Corner!

Putnamaniac Activity Calendar

Stuck Duck...quacktastrophy!

We have got something foul going on in Putnam, at Cargill Falls.

There is a duck. Stuck.

It is down in this little pool, and can't get back out.

It seems like he may be the smartest duck ever. There is a big fuss being made over this quacker, and people are coming from far and wide to feed him!

So, get your bread, grain, corn ~ or whatever, and stop at Cargill Falls and feed this superstar!

I am a Putnamaniac that thinks the "stuck duck" is one smart quacker! 

Check out the Putnamaniac Activity Calendar

Looking for eagles and finding much more in the bargain!

I woke up this morning all excited to go looking for eagles. This one was spotted recently off Route 44 on the Putnam/Pomfret line, not far from where we'd be searching, along the Quinebaug River.

(photo courtesy of Karyn DiBonaventura, Longmeadow Automotive)

It was a dark, gloomy, drizzly, foggy morning.

Not ideal for someone with four-eyes, none of them up to par!

Add a baseball cap on top of that to keep the drizzle off my glasses and my chances of seeing slim down even further.

Luckily, I had some astute and keen eyed co-volunteers! They spotted, pointed, and finally, I saw!!!

And yes, we saw an eagle.. a young one. That was the goal, to record eagle sightings. EXCITING!

However, there was an additional and surprise bonus that came of this outing.

Somehow, I managed to meet a couple of great souls! It seems that I am quite lucky in knowing so many great people already, so how on earth can I continue my luck in finding more?

It pays to get out and do new things, since you are often surprised by something you never expected to find at all.

Give it a try!  Give anything new a try. Great surprises are always right around the corner!

I am a Putnamaniac that loves having the best luck in finding great souls & new comrades ~ That is winning the lottery in life! 

Looking for fun? See the Putnamaniac Activity Calendar here

Pause for PAWS

PAWS, Pound Animals Worth Saving, is a pretty astonishing group.

I mean, there are stray cats EVERYWHERE. Talk about multiplying like rabbits. They should have made that expression "multiplying like felines".

My coworker & his fine girlfriend have recently taken in a stray that was showing up at their doorstep and begging sweetly for a warm home.

So, if you are looking for a cat, they are not hard to find. It seems everyone either has or knows someone that is looking to match a cat with a home.

That is why PAWS is astonishing in their undertakings as being not only a responsible cat shelter, but in their efforts to ensure all the cats are up to date health wise AND placing them all in homes. This seems an almost insurmountable task and close to saintly.

PAWS is based at Windy Acres Florist on Rt 171 in Woodstock. They have and always need more volunteers and donations- so contact them if you love cats and want to help.
Kathy at Windy Acres at 860-928-0554

Also contact them if you need a little fur ball in your life, or if you know of anyone that is lookingfor some of the same. PAWS guarantees you a nice healthy cat, some cat companionship, and fun!

I am a Putnamaniac that pauses to think how amazing PAWS is!

Putnamaniac Activity Calendar

Green Lights in the Last Green Valley really brightens things up!

Do you have your Green Lights ready to go?

What a great idea to brighten up what can be a somewhat glummish time of year!

Sponsored by The Last Green Valley, Green Lights is a free, fun way for businesses to get some attention, and for home owners to join in a little showing off of our Last Green Valley!

There are even Green Light Kits available for only $20.00.

I also have a few spare strands of green lights that I can lend out before I need them for the upcoming fair/festival season.

Get your green lights glowing! It is a blast to drive and see them throughout The Last Green Valley during January, February and March!

 I am a Putnamaniac that will have her green lights glowing very soon!

 Putnamaniac Activity Calendar, including the Green Lights!

If you live in Putnam, enjoy a FREE day at Old Sturbridge Village this Saturday & Sunday!

Hey Putnamaniacs!

Looking for something to do with the family and friends this Saturday or Sunday, January 12 & 13th, 2013?

Well, Old Sturbridge Village is offering Putnam residents FREE admission on both days! The regular price for adults is $24, so that is a big savings!

Go ahead, allow yourself some FREE fun!!! Take advantage of all the local FREE offerings you can. It can only help your outlook on life, and your pocketbook will not groan!

Directions to Old Sturbridge Village.

And you can "like" them on Facebook.

I am a Putnamaniac that thinks it is great that we can all have a FREE visit to Old Sturbridge Village this weekend!



Check out other fun stuff on the Putnamaniac Activity Calendar

Inspiration to be a loser!

Today Northeast CT's Biggest Loser contest began, thanks to Midtown Fitness.

I signed up bright and early... #4 on the list.

Inspiration smacked me in the face right off the bat!

There was a gal that came in after me that said she'd lost 40 lbs since doing this contest last year, and she wants to lose the remaining 30 lbs. She can do it! She was pumped! Inspirational!

There was a Follow the Fifty model of heart health on one of the cardio machines, like it was nothing. I'm willing to bet that when she and all the other Follow the Fifty models started their journey towards better heart health last year, it was not quite so easy. Inspirational!

One of the best Putnamaniacs on earth soon after showed up with most of her coworkers to sign up for the contest. My friend is looking to ensure her heart and health are as good as they can be in order to enjoy her family for many, many, many years to come. I am sure these coworkers will inspire each other during the work day. Inspirational!

So find your inspiration and keep at it. Like Journey sings...

Don't stop believin'  ~Hold on to the feelin' 

Do it for your children, your grandchildren, your hubby, your dog. Do it for yourself!

Check out a live version of the song on youtube.

You can "Like" Midtown Fitness on Facebook here.

I am a Putnamaniac that is inspired to be a loser!

See the Putnamaniac Activity Calendar here for some fun stuff

Eagle Survey Saturday!

This Saturday, January 12, 2013 is the Mid Winter Eagle Survey.

We are going to take a survey and ask as many eagles as we can find how they like living or visiting The Last Green Valley.

Hello Handsome ~ Come here often?

Well, not exactly... but volunteers throughout The Last Green Valley are going to gather information for the CT DEEP.

I will be on the Putnam Quinebaug River team, and I am pretty excited, because...
In fact I know a few friends that have spotted eagles in this very location rather recently.
In fact, our team leader has spotted them on the Quinebaug twice in the last few days.
In fact, one of the volunteers on our team has also spotted them from her yard, just up the hill from the Quinebaug.

Imagine being able to spot a magnificent creature like this, when not so long ago, extinction was their next step.

Here are some simple facts about bald eagles.

Wish me luck! And if you are interested in such fun things, consider becoming a member and volunteer ranger for The Last Green Valley! It is where we live, and love to have fun! 

I am a Putnamaniac that can't wait to do some surveying of eagles this Saturday!

Find the eagle survey & other fun on the Activity Calendar

Pre-parishoner politeness!

Bright and early this morning I planned my attack on the Price Chopper in order to fill my bare naked cupboards.

It had snowed just a bit of snow dust all over the place, and the sander had just sprinkled sand all over that. A bit sloppy, but not enough to get worked up over by a long shot.

A car pulled right up to the door in order to drop off their significant other.... "Geez" I thought. "How lazy can you get??".

However, once the wife, a woman of the elderly variety, dressed in nice shoes, a nice church going outfit, a nice coat, and nice gloves exited the car, I rethought my thoughts.

Now my brain was thinking "Geez, what a nice hubby to drop her off at the door so she doesn't get her Sunday go to church outfit all messy".

Chivalry is not dead in Putnam!

I am a Putnamaniac that loves the polite people in Putnam!

Check out the Putnamaniac Calendar here ~ Green Lights start soon!

Guess who now has a fancy Blue Belt??? Thanks to Quest Martial Arts!

Have you ever been to a karate graduation?

Well, I never had been! Until tonight... when my 7 year old friend, Seth, graduated from orange to blue dragon, along with a ton of other kids moving into many other colored belts. It was AWESOME!

  Seth with Mr. "B" after graduation. Good bye orange belt... Hello Blue!

 

Quest Martial Arts in Putnam does a fabulous job with all these energy filled rascals, lassoing that energy into exercise, discipline, self value, respect for others, and so much more. The martial arts classes are for all ages, so be sure to check them out if you are interested.

The graduation started with the smallest kids, and I was impressed. Then the next level showed off their demonstrations, and I was impressed. As the kids got bigger and the demonstrations more difficult, the more impressed I was!

Kids never fail to amaze me! They are so full of personality, life, and are far smarter and more talented than we tend to give them credit for. A few minutes with a kid can change your entire outlook! Visit with them often.

I am a Putnamaniac that was very impressed with the students of Quest Martial Arts!

Putnamaniac Fun Filled Event Calendar ~ updated often!

Behind the scenes ~ how do they run a radio show?

Putnam is lucky enough to have our very own local radio station.

WINY Radio (1350 am or online at WINYRadio.com) rocks the house, on many levels.

I just turn on the radio; as the alarm clock to start my day, then into the kitchen for coffee, then in the car on the way to work, and then online at work. All I do is push a button, and I have it all! Simple!

However, I can't figure out how they do it!

How do they say just the right amount of stuff before a song begins. How do you know how much news to tell in the amount of time you have. How do you push the button so the weather comes on instead of a commercial. How do you choose which sports stories and scores to report, when there are so many choices locally and nationally?

What happens when unexpected/unbooked guests show up? My little best friend, 7 year old Seth, stops in at WINY lots of mornings, and DJ Gary O welcomes him warmly right into the show for a few alligator/dinosaur/fart jokes.

Who does all the work that goes on behind the scenes? How do they have enough hours in a day to line everything up?

Gary O, Karen O, Kerri, Kerensa 

(missing Johnny, Adam, Paul, Jason and a few other valuable WINY staff members)

I guess they do it because they are all hard workers and are very good at what they do, like most Northeast CT folks. Plus they are so fun and always focus on the positive without any of the usual media drama. And if you live in and around Putnam, you know them all! Pretty lucky for us!

Check them out, on your radio dial if you are local, or online if you are not local. Get to know them and love them like I do!

You can also "like" WINY Radio on facebook. Do it! You will never miss out on any fun stuff going on in Northeast CT ever again!

Then appreciate the hard work and planning that goes into all the things you enjoy every day!

I am a Putnamaniac that loves our local radio station!

Putnamaniac Activity Calendar

Biggest Losers = Biggest Winners!

If it takes a New Year or a good contest to kick start you into living a healthier overall lifestyle every single day for the rest of your life, then Amen to the New Year... or a great contest!

We are lucky on both counts in NECT ~ Of course it was just New Years Day, and there is the Northeast CT's Biggest Loser contest, put on by Midtown Fitness, quickly approaching. Weigh in day is January 8th.

It is for a great cause, too, besides inspiring folks into a healthier lifestyle, there are also prizes. The cost is just $20 to enter. Half of the entry fee will be divided between the winners and the other half will be donated to two local charities – T.E.E.G. of Thompson and Daily Bread of Putnam.

I always feel a heck of a lot better when I eat properly, and sticking with the Weight Watchers plan works nicely for me. It reminds me to eat, which I sometimes forget, and it gives me a challenge to see how much food I can actually eat for my allotted points!

The Special K marketing plan of "what will you gain when you lose" is also a nice focus.... they mention and focus on the things you will gain for yourself like Joy, Confidence, Passion, instead of focusing on just losing weight. Who doesn't want to feel better, live better, and love life?

Be sure to enter Northeast CT's Biggest Loser Contest at Midtown Fitness. If nothing else, you will pay attention to yourself for a moment or two!

 I am a Putnamaniac that loves big winners!

Check out more events around Putnamania here

Woodstock... Oh, by the time we get Stephen Stills to Woodstock, CT!

On this bright, sunny, chilly New Years Day, I went for a jog to Woodstock, CT.  Peaceful roads, cows along side... up to the Woodstock Fairgrounds and back.

Then I rocked out to some cSny... (crosby, STILLS, nash, young). Stills is capitalized because I love him to pieces!

Mind you, I would not have made a good hippie, with all that dirtiness, nakedness, and assorted drugs, but I think he is long past those days himself.

So I was thinking, don't you think Stephen Stills would totally love Woodstock, CT. He could move right in with me, since I am only a mile away from the Woodstock town line. Best of all, he could sing Woodstock to me every day! Listen to the song here (and picture him singing it to me after we got back from a jog through the back roads filled with agriculture and beauty)!

Time passes too quickly for us all, and whether young or old, I still love this guitar man, and I still love dreaming great dreams every day!

I am a Putnamaniac that loves Woodstock, the town in CT and the song! Rock on!

Check out the Putnamaniac fun filled calendar here