Big Bird Lands in Putnam by OLIVIA RICHMAN of Sesame Street and Its on Board Immediately
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PUTNAM VILLAGER Vol. XI, No. 34 Complimentary Friday, June 23, 2017 (860) 928-1818/e-mail: [email protected] Big Bird lands in Putnam BY OLIVIA RICHMAN of Sesame Street and its on board immediately. NEWS STAFF WRITER characters, it’s Spinney He trusted Spinney. He who really brought Big knew that Spinney was PUTNAM — Big Bird Bird to life and made him Big Bird. left his nest on Sesame who he is today. When Henson first Street to visit downtown According to Spinney, hired Spinney in 1969 Putnam on Sunday, June Henson’s idea of Big Bird there was only one other 4. A favorite destination was a “big, dumb yokel.” puppeteer on the show. for Carroll Spinney and In fact, he was significant- At the time, Spinney had his wife Deb, Spinney ly less intelligent than the been working on a show was excited to have his children watching the in Salt Lake City that infamous Big Bird art show, he said. blended animation and on display at the Arts & “He didn’t have much puppets. Spinney recalled Framing – Sochor Art of a brain,” said Spinney. that while one scene Gallery and celebrate “But we’re teaching chil- worked and received a their 44th anniversary at dren. We’re trying to big applause, the rest of 85 Main. teach them about colors, the show went terribly Spinney has been the shapes... I felt Big Bird wrong. voice and puppeteer shouldn’t be this way. He “I was packing my van for Big Bird since 1969. should be someone who and Jim came up to me Passionate about his can learn. He should be and said, ‘I liked what you role, Spinney is still Big like the children watch- were trying to do.’ He said Bird to this day. And it’s ing the show. I made his he’d been looking for a no wonder: Despite Jim voice higher, lighter . It puppeteer...” Henson being the creator worked very well.” Olivia Richman photos Turn To SPINNEY page A9 Of course, Henson was Carroll Spinney and his wife Deb were happy to celebrate their 44th anniversary in downtown Putnam. “We love downtown Putnam,” said the iconic Big Bird actor and puppeteer. Woodstock Academy completes purchase of Hyde campus Michaela’s Garden at Killingly Library Courtesy photo A temporary banner hangs at the new South Campus of Woodstock Academy, formerly the Hyde School campus. BY OLIVIA RICHMAN million purchase of the Woodstock Middle School NEWS STAFF WRITER Hyde School on June 15, will be used for addition- expanding their campus al classrooms, dormito- Olivia Richman photo WOODSTOCK — by 127 acres. The former ries and a 1,000-seat cul- Agricultural Commission, Killingly Community Garden and Mother Nature’s Garden member Woodstock Academy offi- Hyde School campus Chris Shaw, Alyson Williams and Mother Nature’s Garden member and town employee Pat Turn To CAMPUS page A10 cially closed on the $14.25 buildings across from the Monahan helped plant the Four O’Clocks outside of the library. BY OLIVIA RICHMAN together every spring,” spread the gardens NEWS STAFF WRITER said Petit Family throughout the eastern Foundation volunteer Connecticut communi- DANIELSON — The Lynn Strand, who vis- ties without help from the community came togeth- ited the library to help local organizations that er on Saturday, June plant the flowers. “They make it happen. One of 17, to plant flowers are her favorites. William those groups is Mother outside the Killingly asked his brother-in-law Nature’s Garden, a grass- Library for Michaela’s to salvage some plants — roots organization that Garden, a program start- whatever they could — started in Killingly with ed by the Petit Family and now we use the orig- the goal to promote polli- Foundation in memory inal seeds and plants that nators and small wildlife. of Michaela Petit. After came from their home for When they were asked mother Jennifer Lynn this project.” to help out with the plant- Hawke-Petit and her two The outpouring sup- ing of the Four O’ Clocks, daughters – Hayley and port that the foundation Chair Ginny Chase said Michaela – were sense- has received from the Mother Nature’s Garden lessly murdered, father community has over- was excited to be a part of William A. Petit, Jr. whelmed Strand and such a meaningful proj- asked that his family’s other volunteers. ect. Four O’ Clocks are memory be honored by “It’s amazing. It’s truly also great for pollinators, making the world a better spectacular. It’s a won- she noted. place to live. derful way to remem- “I founded this group ber Michaela. We have Charlie Lentz photo One of the ways has to help the environment, been to spread Four O’ many gardens around especially the pollinators. Clocks all across the state, Connecticut and every They are our future,” DKH 5K IN PUTNAM both in honor of Michaela year we try to continue to said Chase. “Three out of and to help pollinators grow those gardens. We every five bites of food PUTNAM — Runners round the first bend on Park Road near the start of the and the environment. hope to be all over the you eat is provided to you Day Kimball Healthcare Northeast Connecticut Cancer Fund 5K on Saturday, “Michaela and her state,” Strand said. by the pollinator. They’ve June 17. Coverage of the race begins in Villager Sports on page B-1. father would plant these But they couldn’t Turn To GARDEN page A10 A2 • Friday, June 23, 2017 VILLAGER NEWSPAPERS ANIMAL CARE EXPERTS Pomfret approves sewer use VETERINARY HOSPITAL agreement with Putnam 1387 THOMPSON RD • THOMPSON CT 06277• 860.935.0304 POMFRET — Pomfret’s million in loans from before ending at the Board of Selectmen the U.S. Department Putnam wastewater treat- ANIMALCAREEXPERTS.COM approved a sewer use of Agriculture to build ment plant. The agree- agreement with Putnam three pumping stations ment must be approved on June 19. Putnam will and a sewer line south by Putnam residents at accept any wastewater along Route 169 and town meeting. Putnam generated by the Pomfret Route 44. The two private will own the section of and Rectory schools and schools requested to hook line running through Loos & Co., once a $7.5 into Putnam’s municipal its borders. Pomfret WELCOMES million sewer line and system but they are not will be responsible for pump station project is eligible for federal grants maintaining the infra- finished. The construc- so the town is considered structure. Final permit DR. SAMANTHA ASIKAINEN tion of the sewer line the project’s adminis- approval from the state will hook in the two pri- trator. Pomfret School, Department of Energy TO OUR DEDICATED TEAM! vate schools and Loos to Rectory School, and Loos and Environmental Putnam’s municipal sys- & Co. will be responsible Protection is needed tem. for paying back the loan. before the project goes In 2015, Pomfret resi- The 37,000-foot sewer out to bid. dents accepted a $1 mil- line would run to the lion grant and a $6.5 Airline State Park Trail DR. ASIKAINEN IS A QUIET CORNER NATIVE WITH Danielson mill transforming to housing OVER 15 YEARS EXPERIENCE. SHE JOINS US IN OFFERING DANIELSON — A former Danielson in state funding for the project, while the THE QUALITY CARE YOUR PETS NEED AND YOU DESERVE! mill is on track to turn into an affordable town received an additional $2.02 million housing complex. The state Department of for the work on behalf of the group. Economic and Community Development The Institute, which is working in recently approved awarding a $600,000 partnership with United Services Inc., is grant toward remediation work at the responsible for funding the ongoing soil former Powdrell & Alexander Mill prop- remediation at the site once the $2 mil- erty on Maple Street. During the demoli- lion in town money runs out, as well as tion and excavation, workers uncovered for construction of the apartments. The large, concrete underground tanks con- new building is on track to be finished taining oil and other materials that must in approximately one year. Removal of be removed. the recently found underground tanks is The former mill, built in 1836, was pur- not expected to push back that timeline. chased in 2013 by The Mill at Killingly The complex will offer housing and sup- Apartments group, which consists of The portive services for 32 families through Women’s Institute Realty of Connecticut. United Services Inc. The Institute was awarded $10.5 million Nude rampage in Putnam antique store PUTNAM — Police police, responding offi- Morissette, 50, of 28 Battey Police Department offi- cers found glass on the St., “knocking over dis- cials said a 50-year-old sidewalk and damage to play cases and smashing Putnam man went on a multiple windows of the items inside the market- nude rampage inside a Antiques Marketplace at place.” Putnam antique store in 109 Main St. Police said Morissette was arrested the early morning hours they saw activity in the and charged with third-de- on Wednesday, June 14. building and Connecticut gree burglary and first-de- At 12:40 a.m., Putnam State Police arrived on gree criminal mischief. Police responded to the scene to assist. He was held on a $10,000 area of Front Street and According to police, bond and was scheduled Main Street following when they entered the to appear in Danielson reports of suspicious business, they saw a Superior Court on June 14. activity. According to completely naked Sean VILLAGER STAFF DIRECTORY NEWS STAFF EDITOR, CHARLIE LENTZ ILLAGER LMANAC X V A 860-928-1818 110 [email protected] AEDV RTISING STAFF BRenDA POntbRIanD AT CT AUDUBON OFC F I E HOURS: TSMO UB IT A LETTER ADveRTISIng RepResentatIve MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY 8:30am-4:30pm T O HE EDITOR: (860)928-1818, EXT.