Choo-Choo I sure do love to watch a train roll on by!

Driving home the other night, I passed under a railroad bridge in Danielson, CT.

AND... a train was chugging along the bridge.

I slowed down and started to count the cars just like I did when I was a little kid, along with my brother on top of the Davisville (RI) bridge.

Do you ever grow out of loving choo-choo trains?

Apparently not, since there is so much history surrounding them, and also so many museums dedicated to them, just like the Eastern Connecticut Railroad Museum.

 

There are a bunch of The Last Green Valley's Walktobers focusing on the topic of the rails and railroads, too.

Relive your childhood days by revisiting the railroad tracks!

I am a Putnamaniac that loves watching a train chug by!

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Bored? There is no excuse! Come to NECT and you will go-go-go!

Bored?

Seriously?

If you don't live in Northeast CT, then maybe I could understand your dilemma, but if you live in or near NECT, get your butts out!

Most of these events are FREE or cost next to nothing for a lot of fun.

The crazy thing is that this is my wedding anniversary weekend, and we will be leaving NECT and The Last Green Valley to celebrate the place of our marriage. It is beautiful where we are going, and it does hold a special meaning to us, but... BUT - we should have gotten married in February so we wouldn't miss out on all this local fun.

Choose from:
*Courthouse Bar & Grille New England Acoustic Music Festival on Saturday Sept 27
*Positively Pomfret Day on Saturday Sept 27
*Putnam Congregational Church - Swedish Meatball Supper on Saturday Sept. 27
*Killingly Grange to host Farm To Table Turkey Dinner on Saturday Sept 27
*Thompson Community Day on Sunday Sept 28
*“Over the Hill” in a tethered hot air balloon at Fort Hill Farms in Thompson on Sunday Sept 28

Oh, there is more, but I fear carpal tunnel syndrome will inflict me if I continue on.

The point is, there is a lot to do! Get out! Have fun!

I am a Putnamaniac that is never bored, and neither should you!

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Up, up and away ~ in a tethered hot air balloon to see 3 states from above ~ for only $10!

Bargain of the century!!!

A hot air balloon ride ~tethered, but none the less, you will go up and see great sights, and if you are a bit apprehensive about busting loose in the air, this is a great way to sample the adventure.

Price = $10.

WHAT? $10!!! Most people I know spend that on fast food drive through beverage outlets every week.

So, here is the deal:  

Have you ever wanted to experience a hot air balloon ride? You can this Sunday, September 28, 2014 from 4-6pm at Fort Hill Farms for only $10 (to benefit The Last Green Valley). The tethered balloon will float above the CT-RI-MA tri-state area with magnificent aerial views! A dream event for only $10 and a bit of your time will become a priceless memory! Come early to assure your Up, Up and Away!!!

Enjoy views of Fort Hill Farms, 260 Quaddick Rd, Thompson CT as you rise up in the tethered balloon! Experience this on Sunday, September 28, 2014 from 4-6pm for an amazing price of $10 (benefiting The Last Green Valley). This is a 2014 Walktober event #5 in The Last Green Valley's Walktober brochure - scroll to page 26 to find this particular event. (I am repeating this info before and after the photo because... well.... WOW)!

WOW!!! Not that this is not enough fun, there is also a corn maze and The Farmer's Cow ice cream at Fort Hill Farms.

Get there and go Up. Up, and Away!

I am a Putnamaniac that can't believe you can ride a hot air balloon for just $10 this Sunday, September 28, 2014! 

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Putnam Lions are bike riding - and you can join their event! Details included in today's blog!

Do you like to bike?

Do you like local organizations that give back over and over again?

Do you like lions?

Well, there is a perfect event for you coming up on October 5, 2014!

The Putnam Lions Club is putting together this great event, and since I know tons of folks love to find a new biking event, here you go!

Sign up now and support a great local organization, the Putnam Lions.

You can "like" their facebook page here and keep up to date with this event and all of their other goings on.

I am a Putnamaniac that loves to spread the news of the Putnam Lions and their community events!

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Do you BEAN?

Here in Northeast CT we do BEAN!

We have a lot of bean options, other than those tasty treats growing in our gardens or that we can purchase at the local Farmer's Markets.

The big coffee chains serve their purpose and offer options, but to Northeast CT and all those who know and love to visit the area, we BEAN in other types of places.

• The Vanilla Bean Cafe, in Pomfret 
  
• Ben's Beans, in Putnam
  
• Victoria Station Cafe, in Putnam 
  

Of course these places are all much more than just the BEAN.

Be sure to check them out. Once visited, they will be revisited, time and time and time again.

I am a Putnamaniac that gets a lot of BEANS for her beans in Northeast CT!

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Hey - I forgot to say I LOVE YOU today!

Today a dear 92 year old man was laid to rest. He was truly the dearest of men. The kind that authors choose as their leading hero character types.

In my life I was lucky enough to share some of his days, and that of his children, their spouses, their children, and then their children.

Kind, tender and sincere words were spoken, bringing back memories of a life.

As I hugged and then talked with some of these friends that I have had for more than half of my life, an extended family of sorts, I was feeling just so thankful for all of the people in my life ~ those that stood before me and those that encompass so many other aspects of my life.

Then I got in my car and drove off to the next task, wishing we could all dawdle and talk and tell stories forever.

Suddenly, driving along on the most beautiful September day ever, while passing from RI into CT, it dawned on me that I did not tell any of them that I love them.

What the heck was I thinking, or better yet, not thinking?

My friends, put down your phones, your ipads, your notes, your "to do" lists every now and then and just say "I love you" or "Thank you" or "You really made a difference in my life".... Just say it!

I am a Putnamaniac that forgot to say I LOVE YOU today... never let that happen again!

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Celebrating Agriculture in The Last Green Valley - this Saturday at the Woodstock, CT Fairgrounds!

One of the best things about where I live here in Northeast CT is that there is still much that is green, whether because of forests or farms.

This Saturday, September 19th, 2014, we will celebrate the farming and agriculture at the aptly named FREE event, Celebrating Agriculture!

Admission and parking are FREE as noted above, and there is a lot of family fun to be had.

The Celebrating Ag website lists such fun things as:

• Agricultural Displays 
• Events & Demonstrations
• Egg Activities 
• Forestry Fair & Competition
• Old & New Farm Equipment
• Scavenger Hunt
• Entertainment
• Food & Farm Products
• Hay Rides & Farm Tour
• Children's Activities
• Horses, Cows and More!
• People Mover

There will be foods available for purchase, of course, and who would want to miss out on all the locally grown favorites, like Ekonk Hill Farm Turkey Sandwiches?

Click here to get a full list of events.

Remember that this event is rain or shine, because after all, we love the outdoors no matter what here in The Last Green Valley!

I am a Putnamaniac that will be Celebrating Agriculture in The Last Green Valley's information booth this Saturday! 

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Pasta Paydays and the likes, for your Food Bank!

Here is what I'm thinking, and why.

Just one night a month I volunteer with my hubby and group of awesome Putnamaniac friends at the Daily Bread Food Bank right here in Putnam.

Tonight the pasta shelves were pretty bare, although it was nice to see lots of fresh produce.

I started thinking and thought wouldn't it be great if a few local companies, with a handful or more employees, started something like "Pasta Paydays".

Each payday, they could each chip in some pasta, and then deliver to the Daily Bread or their local food bank.

Recently I heard of a local company here in Putnam (I think it is US Button, but I'm not 100% sure ~ they do a ton of fundraising for Daily Bread) that does Tuna Tuesdays. Another no brainer! Bring in a can of tuna on Tuesday when you can, and when you have enough, run it over to your local food bank.

What do you think? Do you have the gumption to get something simple like this started where you work? A little from a lot can go a long way!

I am a Putnamaniac that thinks Pasta Paydays and Tuna Tuesdays, and more, are GREAT!

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The library and books have always been my passport ~ to where ever they take me!

Since we were little kids, we've gone to the library. 

Starting out by being pushed there in a stroller, to holding hands to cross the street with our mom, to independently riding our bikes, still strolling the racks to this very day in order to discover yet another world, some mind blowing history, or a new character, the library is ever a great place. You can take any book (or dvd and more now a days) home to enjoy! Libraries even help you set goals, since there is always a return date ~ an easy way to keep your good reading habits on track!

This is a cool program going on now in the participating QCR (Quiet Corner Reads) libraries: 
Go grab a passport at a participating library and get it stamped this September! Take your passport to at least five libraries on the list to be eligible to win a $150 gift card for adults or a $100 gift card for children. Participating QCR libraries: Brooklyn, Canterbury, Killingly, Mansfield, Pomfret, Putnam and Scotland.

Visit the QCR Facebook page to keep up to date with this awesome program here. 

I am a Putnamaniac that is now going to stamp my passport and head off to the Land of Oz in my current read, Out of Oz!

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If I only had a brain, uninjured ~ something to never take for granted!

The expression "there but for the grace of God go I" is muttered a lot, but do you really appreciate what you have, or have not?

Our bodies, bones, organs, brains are precious for goodness sake!

And yet, within a blink of an eye, things can go awry.

Spiders can bite you, disease can sneak in, infections appear from nowhere, and accidents become unwelcome visitors without ever being expected by any of us.
 
Tomorrow in Putnam there is an event going on ~ for CT Brain Injury Support Network. It is a Walk/Roll/Paddle for Awareness, starting at 1pm.

Each of us has something near and dear to our hearts, whether it be cancer, diabetes, depression, injury, and the never ending list goes on...

This Brain Injury support group, too, has many people that have been affected. 

Be sure to support strongly and locally what it is that you believe in and what has affected you.

Lend additional support to those whose cause means just as much to them, whether in joining in an event, making a donation, or even just with a square look in the eye and a sincere wish for the best.

I am a Putnamaniac that believes in each of supporting each other and all of our causes, if only with a smile and a hug!

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I've grown attached to my pet praying mantis this summer!

Not being a big pet person, or even a pet fan, I am reluctant to admit I have grown attached to a wee creature this summer.

This praying mantis has been living in the window box outside my sunroom for over a month now. That is at least the amount of time I have seen my fine friend. Goodness knows how long it was there before I noticed!

Interestingly enough, there was another and smaller praying mantis living in a different basket for a few weeks, but alas he/she is long gone.... Do you think this pet mantis of mine, who has grown incredibly lately perhaps ate the other mantis? It could be! That is one of their behaviors! Read more about my little friend here.

I am a Putnamaniac that has grown attached to my little mantis friend this summer!

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Change your diapers - sometimes more easily said than done!

Being an older gal now, who never had children, I can still respect the cost of diapers.

Have you looked at them lately?

Diapers are something that babies and toddlers need, just like nourishment, sleep, love and guidance.

I'm not sure how some folks can keep up with the costs of raising a child - or children now a days.

In Putnam we are very lucky to have the IHSP (Interfaith Human Services), located in the Methodist Church on the corner of Grove Street and Bradley Street.

There is a food bank there, as well as a diaper bank. Started by a woman, Helen Ferland, who witnessed such a place down south, she thought we could really use the same sort of organization here in NECT. So, organize she did.

The Diaper Bank is wildly successful!

They are holding a "Jam the Van" Diaper Drive this Friday, September 5 at WINY Radio, and on Saturday, September 6 at the Putnam Farmer's Market.

Please step up and help if you can.

The way I see it, if you help when you can, you may receive help when you need it.

Kindness, generosity, a smile, some diapers. Pass it on!

I am a Putnamaniac that wants to make sure diapers can be changed! 

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Could you pickle your hubby? It is canning season!

As a volunteer Ranger for The Last Green Valley, I get to attend a lot of fun events.

Over the past few years, Putnam's First Fridays are one of the things I love to do!

As a proud representative of The Last Green Valley, this year I offered information during each month's First Friday, based on the month's celebration. September 2014 is dedicated to agriculture.

The information that I am offering each month comes from a great publication from The Last Green Valley ~ "Notables and Notorious". It has been a blast going through the pages of this book, and reading about all of the characters that have ties to The Last Green Valley throughout history, They are indeed notable, notorious and colorful!

To celebrate agriculture at First Friday, I chose Sarah Gray, who pickled her husband.

As odd as that sounds, it was a very brave and family minded thing she did...

Curious??

You can read all about Sarah Gray's story of pickling her husband here, and you can learn about The Last Green Valley here. You can also become a member of this great non-profit organization for what will probably be a surprisingly low annual fee! Check it out.

I am a Putnamaniac that would not like to pickle my husband ~ would you?

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