Party for Putnam Polk’S Hometown Hero to Residents He’S More Than a Politician by JEFF ROSLOW [email protected]
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ARIVA: APARTMENTS: THE Check out what’s for rent. WINTER HAVEN SUN See section inside. An Edition of the Sun Wednesday, May 17, 2017 www.winterhavensun.com TAKE ONE, IT’S FREE! Party for Putnam Polk’s hometown hero To residents he’s more than a politician By JEFF ROSLOW [email protected] The press release came out at 3:37 p.m. Wednesday with the Republican Party of Florida congratulating Adam Putnam’s bid for governor. Between Davidson and Main Street in Bartow it was no surprise when hundreds gathered for the party for a Republican who is a hometown hero. Wesley Rowe shows Adam Putnam a picture Wednesday, May His clean reputation 10, on his cell phone. He also got the opportunity to thank and his aggressive style Putnam in person for helping him with military benefits he was have not only earned him supposed to get but was having a hard time securing. “He got respect in the state and the ball rolling and I wanted to personally thank him,” he said. U.S. capitols, but in Polk County where they know the kids.” than usual selecting Mr. this is the way he has Cooper became the and Miss Bartow High always been. principal at Bartow School, an annual award He showed that at the Junior High School when where two students are Florida Grown Hometown Putnam was in the eighth ambassadors for the BBQ Wednesday at the grade and he remembers school. Polk County History meeting him the first day. “The judges were Center. “I remember when I having a tough time “Together we can really became principal at the making a decision and make great things hap- junior high, he came the auditorium was filled. pen, as our principal used up to me and shook my The students were done to say on that intercom hand,” Cooper said. “He with their performances every single day. Thank said if there’s anyway he and we were waiting for you for imprinting that can help he’s willing to the judges. They were on my mind and imprint- do that. It was warm and getting restless. ing that in my heart,” genuine. Imagine a 13 or “Adam and I were in Putnam, 42, said when he 14-year-old doing that?” a corner (offstage) and I addressed the crowd. Cooper, the junior high said ‘I hope (the judges) Ernie Cooper, who principal from 1988-1990 hurry up.’ Adam said he’d PHOTO BY STEVE STEINER made that statement and the high school go talk to the crowd. I twice a day to middle principal from 1990-1996, said ‘what are you going Adam Putnam gestures to the audience of supporters and well-wishers as he officially declares said Putnam was a born to talk about?’ He said himself a candidate for governor for the state of Florida. For more photos from the Florida school then high school students, said he realizes leader and frequently ‘I’ll just talk to them.’ Grove Hometown BBQ, see our web sites at www.winterhavensun.com and www.polkcoun- what that has meant to stepped out of his way to He stepped out on the tydemocrat.com his students. help other people. stage and started talking “I see former students all He remembered when to them about BHS and the time and they’ll look Putnam helped in an as- what Mr and Miss Bartow Polk’s native kicks off campaign in his at his home at me ask if I’m still saying sembly in the high school High School meant. He make great things happen. auditorium when the said the people who en- By STEVE STEINER It’s an encouragement for judges took a little longer tered should be honored for the local boy who has Bartow native, his three and that all the students @SCMGINC.COM SSTEINER made a name for himself children being the sixth are winners. He was very throughout the country as this is where Putnam willing to take a risk and I BARTOW – Adam at the Florida Grown still makes his home. was comfortable and con- Putnam formally Hometown BBQ where Musical entertainment fident he could do it.” announced he is attendees were treated was provided by a string That kind of familiar- running for governor to lunch in the 90-degree trio composed of Brian ity with Putnam makes Wednesday, May 10, in heat. Sutherland on guitar, him strong in his home his hometown. As with any political Josh Dampier on fiddle, county. And even people He made his dec- rally, the overall mood and Zach Rogers on who didn’t know him laration before his was festive and in small acoustic bass. when he was growing up, hometown crowd in measure resembled “We’re the Brian felt similarly. Bartow framed by a a street fair. Vendors Sutherland Trio,” said “He helped me after huge flag of the state of merchandised Putnam Dampier, following a I got out of the Marines Florida that hung from for Governor apparel, brief sound check and and was having prob- the portico of the Polk including tank tops, rehearsal. That comment lems with the Veteran’s County History Center, T-shirts and baseball brought about a re- Administration,” said which was the former caps. The steps leading sponse from Sutherland. Wesley Rowe, a Bartow Polk County Courthouse; into the museum on “I haven’t heard that in resident who had never and surrounded by Davidson Street not only years,” Sutherland said. met him. It was 2002 hundreds of supporters was draped by a flag “I mostly play solo.” when Putnam was and well-wishers, among that masked most of “Call us the Adam PHOTOS BY JEFF ROSLOW in the U.S. House of them numerous elected the entryway, but it was Putnam Touring Representatives. Rowe officials, as well as those filled with boxes of fresh- Campaign Band,” said The Hillmans went to the Polk County Museum Center Wednesday, May 10, for the Florida Grown Hometown BBQ. crowded the fence, and local representatives who ly picked oranges, the Rogers. when Putnam walked represent Polk County. business of the Putnam For those who wished, Jason Hillman, in the back, was a high school classmate with it after he spoke, Rowe And his hometown family who has lived in they could have their Adam Putnam. Also in the photo is his wife, Cortney, and his showed the politician crowd showed no short- Bartow for the last six faces painted, such as three children, Alyssa, Wyatt and Adelyn is hiding from either something on his cell age in their appreciation generations. Putnam the hot sun or the camera with the upside down sign. is the fifth generation PARTY | 19 HERO | 19 THE NEWS: Calendar 2 | Viewpoint 4 | Opinion 5 | Reaching more than INDEX | Community 6 | People 15 | Health 18 | School Briefs 20 | 41,400 readers every CALL US AT Police 24 | Home & Garden Inside week! 863.533.4183 Page 2 Wednesday, May 17, 2017 COMMUNITY CALENDAR Wednesday, May 17 Bartow Farmer’s Market, WELCOME TO YOUR Art Lab, 10:30 a.m.- 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Fort Blount noon, free. Polk Museum Park at the corner of Main COMMUNITY CALENDAR of Art, 800 E. Palmetto St., Wine and Nibbles Street and Broadway Lakeland, 863-688-7743, Avenue in downtown Want to see your event on this page? Call us at 863-533-4183 Lakeland. Bartow. or email [email protected]. Lake Alfred Historical Chat & Chew: Food for Museum, 11 a.m.-2 p.m., free. 210 N Seminole Ave., Life Cooking Class, 11 a.m.- Not So Live Gig 2, 8 p.m. 1 p.m., $25 for residents, $28 Lake Alfred. 863-287-3093 Public Hearing for the Polk Theatre, 121 S. or 863-224-2792. for non-residents. Rotary U.S. 98/John Singletary Florida Ave., Lakeland. Park, 350 6th St NE, Winter Bridge Project Development 863-682-7553. Haven. 863-291-5870. New Horizon Church and Environment study Community Event, noon- from west of Edgewood Friday Fest, 6-9 p.m. 4 p.m. New Horizon Hand-Made Cards, noon. Drive to east of the Fort Main Street, Bartow Grove House Visitor Center, Church, 400 Orchid Drive, Meade Recreation Area 863-519-0508. Haines City. 20160 U.S. Highway 27, Entrance., 5 p.m. Fort Lake Wales. 863-679-4110 Meade Mobile Home Park Polk Patriot’s Dinner, Baby Fair, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Activity Center, 1046 SE 2nd 6 p.m. VIP meet an d greet, Thursday, May 18 Heart of Florida Regional St., Fort Meade. 7 p.m. dinner. Sponsored by Medical Center, 40100 U.S. PHOTO BY JEFF ROSLOW Harrison School for the the Polk County Republican Hwy 27, Davenport. 866- Arts Jazz Concert, 7 p.m.. Tiger Bay Club, 11:30 a.m. Executive Committee. Lake 997-DOCS . Tanya Grant found a comfortable place to sit as she $12 adults, $10 students. $25 for non-members and Ashton Country Club, 4141 and Doug Zaler took a walk through downtown Winter Includes Alexander’s guests. Bartow Civic Center, Ashton Club Drive, Lake Armed Forces Day, Ragtime Band, The 2250 S Floral Ave., Bartow Wales. Haven Thursday, May 11, during Wine and Nibbles where musical selections at 1 and residents enjoyed wine, finger foods and visiting busi- Days of Wine and Roses, 3 p.m. Bok Tower Gardens, Refuse to Lose Anti-Crime nesses in downtown Winter Haven. The monthly event is Embraceable You. Harrison Saturday, May 20 1151 Tower Blvd., Lake School for the Arts Theatre Awareness March, 5 p.m.