Thursday, October 30, 2014

Trick or Treating in downtown Putnam! What a sight, and you can join in!

Most years I have to miss this fun time in Putnam:

PUTNAM’S ANNUAL TRICK OR TREATING
DOWNTOWN PUTNAM
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 31ST
5-7 P.M.
BUSINESSES FROM JADE GARDEN TO UNION SQUARE 
WILL BE PASSING OUT CANDY!


But.... this year I get to go! I can't wait.  The sight of the entire length of sidewalks - both sides of the street - lined with kids of all ages, and many parents all dressed up, laughing and trick or treating together is quite a sight! Even the adult volunteers and street crossing guards are dressed up. 

If you have nothing to do tomorrow afternoon, anytime between 5-7 p.m., head to downtown Putnam for some great views. It will bring back memories and create many new ones for you, too!

I am a Putnamaniac that can't wait for Trick or Treating night in downtown Putnam!

Tuesday, October 28, 2014

No-vember is Yes-vember as The Bradley Playhouse welcomes in Blackstone Valley Bluegrass Band!

Usually I say NO to November, but this year I am saying YES-vember!

Check out these details from emails I receive from the Bradley Playhouse, keeping me up to date.
 (I never miss a thing going on at the Bradley)!

The Blackstone Valley Bluegrass Band
Listen to their music at www.blackstonevalleybluegrass.com
Featuring:
Dave Dick on banjo, Bob Dick on guitar,
Dan Nowlan on mandolin, and Ken Taylor on upright bass.
Come check them out to hear some great bluegrass music, smooth harmonies,
fast but tasteful pickin’, and most importantly, to have a great time!
Sat., November 1, 2014 • 7:30pm
Ticket Prices: $16.00/$10.00 For Season Ticket Holders
General Admission
Order your tickets online at www.thebradleyplayhouse.org
Charge by phone: 860-928-7887. Or visit the box office.
Tickets  available at the door.
 I am a Putnamaniac that will be feeling upbeat and tapping my feet to the quick and fun beat of Blackstone Valley Bluegrass!

Putnamania (and a-Luring Jewels) on facebook

Putnamaniac Activity Calendar

Saturday, October 25, 2014

Find yourself in Putnam and fall in love with life!

I was never much of a stay up late type of person...

It seems that I now have reverted back and turned into that toddler that tries to stay awake as long as I can, even though my eyes are blinking and my head is nodding.

Why?????

Simply because I live in such an awesome place that I fear missing out on something fun!

Seriously.

 Find yourself - your "true self", to borrow a phrase of a friend. A place where you can be you. This amazingness and self awakening seems to happen when you like your life, yourself, where you live, and who you see every day. These people are similar to you, yet independent and unique. They are wonderful! They talk - and listen, smile, work hard, and have fun.They do not take life for granted. They overcome fears and bad times.

I would think they put something in the water here in Putnam, but alas, Putnam's water has a bad reputation... so it just must be that great of a place! It is!

Here are some vital websites you will need if you need to learn more about, visit more, and maybe move to the best place to fall in love with life:
The Last Green Valley
Discover Putnam
WINY Radio
Johnston & Associates Real Estate

I am a Putnamaniac that found a great love in life in Putnam!






Wednesday, October 22, 2014

Comedy Night at the Bradley Playhouse this Saturday, October 25th!

We had the laugh a minute chance to see the New England Comedy All Stars the last time they were at the Bradley Playhouse, and it was GREAT!

The comedy night is back, with a different variety of chucklicious performers this time, so you know you won't be hearing the same old jokes.

Here are the great details, provided to me in an email from the Bradley (you can sign up for them, too, so you don't miss out on a thing):
The Theatre of Northeastern Connecticut at the Bradley Playhouse is proud to present An Evening with the NEW ENGLAND COMEDY ALL STARS #2
 


Back by popular demand for one night only,                    Saturday, October  25th at 7:30 PM
All seats $16.00 General Admission   
Suggested Audience 18 & Older
 
Starring
Scott Higgin’s family based observational comedy is fresh but familiar to all.
PJ Thibodeau will give you an entertaining look at life from a simple man’s point of view.
Pete Costello is a classic Boston comedian. He has the ability to bring humor to any situation.
Dave Rattigan’s comedy has been featured on XM Sirius Satellite Radio, Slacker Radio, Nickmom.com and more.
 
Order your tickets on line at www.thebradleyplayhouse.org  charge by phone:860-928-7887 or visit the box office. Tickets available at the door. (season tickets and flex passes are not valid for this production.

We will absolutely be there, rolling in the aisles! We hope to see you rolling on the floor, too!

I am a Putnamaniac that loves a good comedy show!


Tuesday, October 21, 2014

Turtle Tuesday celebrates our little friend, Ms. Box Turtle!

Since I already did a little research on the Box Turtle for work, I figured since we all love turtles, why not use this info for today's Putnamania blog.


I mean, who doesn't love a turtle?

But, did you know all these fun facts?
Meet the Box Turtle, who are on their way to hibernate now. Box Turtles will emerge again sometime next April.
*Males have red eyes, Females have brown eyes
*They are home bodies and generally live their entire life in a small area, averaging over about 2 acres
*Box Turtles can live from 50 up to even 100 years!
*Once hatched, Box turtles are on their own and fend for themselves
*Boxes are the only CT turtles that can withdraw completely into their shell & close themselves in, like being folded up safely into a box. It takes 4-5 years for their shell system to develop & allow them to do this, therefore young Box Turtles live in more danger than their older family and friends.
*As omnivores, Box Turtles eat worms, slugs, insects, frogs, toads, small snakes, grasses, berries, fungi and more.
*Don't disturb turtles, since they love to live in and enjoy The Last Green Valley


You can get more facts on the Box Turtle, as well as other CT turtles by checking out the CT DEEP website here. 

I am a Putnamaniac that loves the Box Turtle residing here with me in CT!



Sunday, October 19, 2014

Baby, baby falling in love with fall in New England!

Fall - oh fall.

You are so beautiful and so unpredictable.

The warmth of your sun shines on us, and then your cold breezes shiver us.

Colors explode into bright arrangements of art.


Days grow far too short, far too quickly.

And we fall in love with you, fall. Going outside and becoming alive all over again.

This song, Fallin' in Love by Hamilton, Joe Frank and Reynolds, came to my head recently when I was outside, this fall, and thinking how much I love falling in love with fall. Do you remember this blast from the past?

I am a Putnamaniac that falls in love with fall in New England every year!









Thursday, October 16, 2014

Remembering days gone by were trying and scary, too, but we persevere!

There is no denying that time on this earth can be scary.

When we are living in the moments, like now with the Ebola news, ISIS terror threats and more... it is really eye opening. We may start to think we are living in the most terrible of times.

Do we forget about bubonic plaque, the many wars and stories of prison camps, the unbelievable day of 9/11/2001? They are easily shuffled to the back shelf of our minds, since they are in the past.

The reason I am thinking a bit more somberly than usual in this blog is due to the fact that I just finished a very compelling book that I randomly pulled out of the stacks in my library, the Putnam Town Library a week or so ago.

The Train of Small Mercies, by David Rowell brings us back to another tumultuous time in our past.


Robert Kennedy has just been shot and killed. That tragedy followed on the footsteps of JFK's death as well as Dr. Martin Luther King's.

Imagine the uncertainly?

Here are a few passages from this book that really stood out to me. They represent the different world it was not even approximately 50 some years ago:

"This right here is Robert Kennedy's America, these are working folks. And he got shot because some people were afraid of what he might do. What he would do. Same with his brother, same as Reverend King. And seems like that's how it is now in this country - take down the man who wants to help the people who need it the most. Makes you wonder how we supposed to go forward. Someone answer me that. How we supposed to keep electing leaders to lead this country if they're just going to get killed every time?" 

and

"He wanted to stay as far away from Vietnam as possible, and he wanted to go his whole life and never again be called nigger, to never have any man - white or black - put his hands on him".

So, yes - I agree that we are living in scary times today, but I believe so long as there have been people, there have been scary times.

We each can make a difference. We must keep trying to be our best selves ever, no matter what. There is always a high road, and there is always a low road. You make the choice.

I am a Putnamaniac that knows we can make the right choices and persevere!


 

Tuesday, October 14, 2014

Tiny insects carry large interest!

Can you imagine being so small - like the size of an ant or a bee and yet having so much focus on you?

Tiny insects do seem to have a large focus on them!

Take a look at this video, made for kids, of all ages about insects' sounds on youtube. 

Today I saw 3 young adults standing in fascination and shooting lots of photos with their camera/phones along the Quinebaug River Trail in Killingly.

As I approached, I slowed to see what captured their attention on the fence post.

The gal smiled widely and exclaimed "It is a praying mantis"!

I know how she feels. We had this mantis living in our window boxes for quite some time this summer.


Enjoy the autumn concert that the insects are now belting out loudly every night! The insect night songs will soon quiet for the winter months.

Also enjoy a song, Cockroach Cacophony by Aztec Two Step, one of my favorite groups from days of not so long ago it seems.

I am a Putnamaniac that loves the large impact of tiny insects!



Sunday, October 12, 2014

A bi-weekly clean up call to action for Putnamaniacs!

Litter can be a problem. The solution.....

Starting Sunday, October 19, 2014, every other week at 8 am, "Putnamania ~ Team Move it or Lose it" are going to meet for a quick clean up of the Providence Street area near Turtle's Tacos.



There is a public parking lot available to park in, across the street from Turtle's. There are 2 levels of parking, so park in either the upper or lower lot.

Please come to these clean ups as often as you can, and be sure to bring a friend or family member or two... or more.

This will not take much of your time - just an hour every other week. You will still be able to enjoy your day afterwards, perhaps more so, since you will feel so good about yourself and what you are doing to be a part of the solution.

Plus, we will have FUN and enjoy a ton of laughs! We will make the best out of our hour clean up time together every other week.

Note that Rick, the owner of Turtle's Tacos has been cleaning up the area around his restaurant for some time now, with the help of his employees. He just gets so disgusted with the area around his business looking so unsightly, he took it upon himself. As a proud resident of Putnam, I think it is only fair to chip in and help keep our town clean, and this little bi-weekly clean up will help.

Please come and help me! Starting Sunday, October 19th, meet me there. I will have bags, you should bring your own gloves!

I am a Putnamaniac with the call to action - bi-weekly Sunday morning cleans ups!





Saturday, October 11, 2014

Connecticut Eastern Railroad Museum is the best kept secret in Willimantic!

I must admit that I have a secret love affair going on with Willimantic, CT.

In spite of some of its troubles, it has many charms.

There are great places to eat, some great views to see, arts and theater, and a lot of history, including museums.

Tucked off to the side, and in an out of the way location, beside the Willimantic River and the Railroad rails, lies the Connecticut Eastern Railroad Museum.

The official address is 55 Bridge Street, which is right off Main Street. There is a building there when you pull up, but do not be fooled. That is not the Railroad Museum. Follow the cinder road that runs to the right of the big old building you pull up to and that also runs beside the railroad tracks. There are little signs along this short cinder road pointing you to the Museum.

Your interest will be piqued as you get closer. You will see things like:


At the entrance, the welcome and fee sign are a great surprise. $5 for adults, $1 for children! WHAT! Such a deal for a family!


As you start to see more variety of old engines, cabooses, cars, buildings, you are also provided with information on all of them ~ where they came from, how they got there, etc., etc.

Fascinating as all you see outside, there is also a Roundhouse and a Turntable, that works! The Roadhouse is full of more trains, all undergoing various stages of renovation, or awaiting their turn. They each have a story, too!

Today was my first visit to this place today, thanks to The Last Green Valley's Walktober offering, sponsored and led by Connecticut Eastern Railroad Museum volunteers. You can imagine it takes a lot of effort and all sorts of knowledge to make a place like this keep chugging along.

The purpose of this blog should now be obvious.
*Visit the museum, and visit it often. (They are open on Saturdays and Sundays from May - October). 
*Secondly, if you have any sort of affection for railroads, trains, history, or any combination of them, think of becoming a member or a "friend" to offer your support.
*Thirdly,  think about volunteering. You could sell tickets! You could keep their website up to date! You could renovate an old dining car! You could mow their grass! You could give tours! The possibilities for volunteering are endless if you find something you love. It is then an act of love, and not a sacrifice at all.

Find your passion and interest and then offer yourself and your skills to a group in need. Volunteering is very rewarding, and don't forget ~ visiting the CT Eastern Railroad Museum is a downright blast!

I am a Putnamaniac that loves to find new (and very inexpensive) fun things to do!


Wednesday, October 8, 2014

A bike, a spaniel, a path, and lots of squirrels! YIKES!

An awesome reason to get outside and walk or run or bike is because of the sights you will see.

Smiling faces.

Happy kids.

Leaves - coming or going, depending on the season.

Birds.

Flowers.

Turtles.


Rainbows.

And sometimes a bicycler, with a leashed dog they are trying to walk as they peddle - a spaniel of some sort, energetic and chasers by nature - on a walking path in the woods loaded with squirrels.

This afternoon on the Quinebaug River Trail in Killingly, a lady had her hands full as her spaniel was all over the place with the multitude of squirrels running this way and that. As the squirrels ran, so did Sir Spaniel. It was like watching an old fashioned pin ball game! I think the peddler did not get one peddle in, but Sir Spaniel had a lot of fun!


Ahhh- for all the huffing and puffing I did in that quick 4 mile jaunty jog, watching that scene made it all worthwhile! Get out and enjoy it!

I am a Putnamaniac that is easily entertained by getting out and enjoying what I see!






Tuesday, October 7, 2014

Frankenstein! Playing now at the Bradley Theater in Putnam !

I admit it - once again !

This blog sometimes becomes my confessional (and I am neither catholic nor religiously affiliated)....

I have never read Mary Shelly's book, Frankenstein. And I read a lot.

Nor have I seen a movie or play.

My only reference to this whole affair is the Mel Brooks' classically funny movie, Young Frankenstein. 

So, thank goodness once again for the Bradley Playhouse in Putnam, CT.



From the Bradley's website:
Based on the novel by Mary Shelly, Frankenstein tells the story of Victor Frankenstein who creates a grotesque creature in an unorthodox scientific experiment.  Often considered one of the earliest examples of science fiction, it is one of the world’s most celebrated horror stories.

Frankenstein is now playing at the Bradley, Friday-Saturday-Sunday this weekend and next.

You can bet my jaw will be dropping in awe of the performers and performance.

You can also bet that I will be reading the book shortly thereafter.

Enjoy the season with local theater!

I am a Putnamaniac that loves local theater and how it always inspires me to enjoy all of the arts just a bit more! 




Monday, October 6, 2014

Who wants to join "Putnamania ~ Team Move it or Lose it"???

This fall time of year ~ not the middle of the day so much, but the early morning dark & cold moments, and the early evening closing in dark & cold moments can really cut into my outside time.

That = cutting into my jogging time.

So..... I always try to find some motivation to get me through it, and most importantly to keep me moving.

I'm going to start a team; "Putnamania ~ Team Move it or Lose it".



The idea is that we will attend local races when they are available, as a team, whether we individually choose to walk, jog, or even slog (slow jog), we will all be there together, and support each other as we prepare for each event, too. Biking is great, too, when the race allows. We have many great races in NECT that support many great causes.

When there is not a race on tap, we will all meet and move it along some local path or trail occasionally, too.

This should work to keep us all motivated! Right?

Who is with me?

Join "Putnamania ~ Team Move it or Lose it"!

All ages, abilities, and moving choices are welcomed.

We can only improve our own lives and all of those that we touch.

I will work on a logo and even find out about t-shirts, so everyone will be able to recognize "Putnamania ~ Team Move it or Lose it".

First up is the CNB Turkey Wobble/Trot on Sunday, November 9, 2014.


 I am a member of Putnamania ~ Team Move it or Lose it! 


Saturday, October 4, 2014

Witnessing a random act of kindness - what Putnamania is all about!

A few years ago this "Putnamania" blog started because I wanted to focus on something positive each and every day.

It really did the trick for me, and if it amused anyone else along the way, that is great, too!

Although I find that as my life and schedule have changed over the years, I don't always have time to sit and write a blog every day. Yet I still find something positive every day. Most days I find a plethora of positive and uplifting things. Isn't that nice!

Yesterday as I stood in line at the bank, in a local grocery store, I heard an older fellow trying to use his new debit card for a small purchase at the self serve register, and also trying to get a bit of cash back. Most of us are familiar with these contraptions, but this guy was not getting it. After attempting to enter his PIN number one too many times, he was frozen out. Embarrassment was clearly written all over him. He softly said "sorry" to the cashier trying to help him, and slunk away empty handed, without his little dinner, and feeling goodness knows how.

Then a sweet voice spoke up from the self serve register beside his; "Sir, I'll take care of that for you". No fan fare, no hoopla. Just someone being nice, kind, and considerate.

The gentleman turned and smiled an eternally grateful smile.

End of story, although I almost cried it was just so touching.

If you see someone that needs some sort of helping hand, sincerely, for goodness sake, reach out and help them. I know that common sense and good judgement are needed in some situations, but we all have those qualities, along with kindness, don't we. (That is not a question, that is a statement).

Keep your antennae up, and help where you can and where it will make a difference. It takes people to make a better world. We are all people and are responsible for being good ones.

I am a Putnamaniac that loves a good random act of kindness! 




Wednesday, October 1, 2014

Rotary Roses - it is that time of year! Order yours now to brighten up someone's day!

If you like to make someone's day or put a little sparkle in someone's eyes, you now have the chance!

The Putnam Rotary Club's annual rose sale is upon us.



For just $15 dollars, you can order a dozen roses, and bring them to a special someone ~ maybe your better half, your coworker, a friend, your neighbor, or maybe just leave them on a doorstep, ring the bell, and run!

Notice that the roses are coming from a local florist, Windy Acres in Woodstock

Call WINY Radio at 860-928-1350 or Rachael Johnston at Johnston and Associates at 860-923-3377 to order, or any other friendly Putnam Rotarian you may know and love.

What do you say?

Pay a little friendship, fun, and kindness forward.

You will feel great!

I am a Putnamaniac that loves Rotary Roses!