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!

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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!

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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!

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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! 

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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! 

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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! 

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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!

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