Vol. X, No. 17 Complimentary Friday, January 23, 2015 (860) 928-1818/e-mail: [email protected] THIS WEEK’S QUOTE He’s got “Reason should direct the voice and appetite obey.” HARRINGTON BRINGING EXCITEMENT FROM BEHIND Cicero THE MICROPHONE BY CHARLIE LENTZ VILLAGER SPORTS EDITOR INSIDE WOODSTOCK — Charlie Harrington A8 — OPINION Courtesy photos remembers those child- B1-5 — SPORTS The guardrails are removed as machines make their way into the wooded area near the hood trips he took to Interstate 395 on ramp on Kennedy Drive to begin clearing the way for Putnam’s new tech- Fenway Park with his B3 — LEGALS nology park bridge. father and four older B6 — REAL ESTATE brothers. He can still see Carl Yastrzemski striding B6-8— OBITS to the plate. He also still B10-12 — CLASSIFIEDS Putnam paves way for hears Sherm Feller — the public address announc- er for the Red Sox for 26 years — ushering the LOCAL tech park bridge faithful into Fenway. “Ladies and gentleman, boys and girls, welcome YEARS OF PLANNING to Fenway Park,” said Charlie Lentz photo Harrington, in his best Charlie Harrington serves as Feller impression. “He COME TO FRUITION the public address announcer was brilliant. He was the for Woodstock Academy bas- best. As far as an announc- ketball games. AS CLEARING BEGINS er goes, he was the inspi- rational voice.” BY JASON BLEAU land to be used as the Harrington said. “And the NEWS STAFF WRITER Harrington emulates home of one of the park’s parents have been unbe- Feller every time he PUTNAM — Things flagship entries — a lievably supportive. They grabs the microphone are moving fast for Regional YMCA. love to have their kids at Woodstock Academy Putnam’s Regional Putnam Mayor Tony spotlighted. I make the and announces the start- Technology Park and Falzarano and Town effort to include the visit- ing lineups for Centaurs bridge, as yet another Administrator Doug ing teams too. I want them ‘Caught in the Net’ boys and girls basketball stepping stone has been Cutler rushed to the loca- all to feel like superstars.” games. Like any good coming to Bradley crossed off the to-do list, tion of the future bridge Harrington grew up in on Kennedy Drive just announcer, he takes Playhouse with work finally begin- Putnam Mayor Tony Falzarano Franklin, Mass. It was ning on the bridge lead- before the Interstate requests. always a special treat to 395 on ramp on Jan. 13 stands with Ben Tully, of “The kids love it. Page A3 ing to the Technology Tully Construction, as clear- make the 45-minute drive Park only a few weeks to experience the work They come up with their to Boston with his father first hand. Cutler said ing begins for the Regional nicknames, not me, and after a land agreement Technology Park Bridge to LEARNING they offer them to me,” was signed to turn over Please Read PUTNAM, page A11 go over the Quinebaug River. Please Read HARRINGTON, page A11 Putnam fire claims Painting the town red life of woman ANDREWS BRINGS ART TO THE MASSES AT ARTIQUE GROVE STREET HOME OSV seeing DESTROYED IN BLAZE partnership with high school BY JASON BLEAU Savaria was transported NEWS STAFF WRITER pay off to Day Kimball Hospital PUTNAM — Putnam for smoke inhalation, Page A6 fire officials respond- as was Castle, who was ed to an early morning later released. blaze on Grove Street Perron said that while FINANCIAL FOCUS on Monday, Jan. 19, that investigators know the claimed the life of an origin of the fire, they do PAGE A9 elderly woman and sent not have a precise cause another resident of the determined at this time. THE POttING SHED home to the hospital. “That is still under Putnam Fire Marshal investigation,” Perron PAGE A10 Norm Perron was one of said. “I’m working with the first in the scene at the state fire marshal 274 Grove St., and credit- and it’s a bit intensive, ed Putnam Police Officer because we have a fatal[- Brian Castle as the first ity]. We are not going to person on the scene fol- release any actual deter- Charlie Lentz photo lowing the initial call just minations until we have Lisa Andrews, center, owner of Artique, with her daughter, Sarah, right, and Alyssa Clark, after 5 a.m. who saved all the answers. We have left. the life of a 59-year-old a lot of questions.” resident named Richard At this time Perron BY CHARLIE LENTZ ing an arm and a leg? painting. She supplies Savaria. However said it appears it may VILLAGER STAFF WRITER Lisa Andrews, artist the easel, canvas and Visit our website with despite the best efforts simply be an accidental PUTNAM — You’re and owner of Artique, paint. You bring the your smart phone or tablet of Castle and other first fire, but investigators stumped for a first has a suggestion. Bring wine and a date — or device! responders, Savaria’s need answers to many date. Dinner and a a bottle of wine and your just bring yourself to Just scan the “QR code” 92-year-old mother, questions before they movie won’t do. How to imagination to her stu- below with your device and Dorothy Savaria, lost her impress without spend- dio for an evening of Please Read ARTIQUE, page A13 life in the blaze. Richard instantly be linked to our Please Read FIRE, page A13 website, www.villagernews- papers.com, where you can read the PDF versions of our newspapers! It’s as easy as that! Expert addresses earthquakes in Quiet Corner BY JASON BLEAU and parts of Brooklyn and earthquakes have yet to Plainfield officials held Plainfield Fire NEWS STAFF WRITER Danielson have caused cause significant dam- an informational meeting Selectman Paul Sweet It’s being called an quite a stir in the Quiet age, their frequency, with on Jan. 16, where they released a statement call- “enigma” and a turn of Corner and put northeast- 11 confirmed within a brought in the director of ing the event “unprece- events that has never hit ern Connecticut front and week’s time, many in the the Weston Observatory dented,” and Dr. Kafka northeastern Connecticut center on the national early morning, and the at Boston College, Dr. agreed, saying that he as before. stage for reasons many in strongest being a mag- Alan Kafka, to try and a scientist is amazed at The nearly a dozen the region would rather nitude 3.1 quake on Jan. provide some explanation the sudden increase in small earthquakes that avoid. 12, citizens’ concern has to ease the minds of local activity along the fault have rattled Plainfield While these small peaked — and as a result, citizens. Please Read EARTHQUAKES, page A13 A2 • Friday, January 23, 2015 VILLAGER NEWSPAPERS Getting Enough Exercise? Remembering Dowe’s, Camp Quinebaug and earthquakes We make it easy! Our friendly atmosphere eliminates “new exerciser” stress because we cater to people of all As we begin the New Year, I’d again a topic of conversation at the Killingly shapes and sizes. Your progress is at your own pace, like to try to jog your memories about Historical Center on Jan. 14. Both Lynn and you can leave the stereotypes at the door. people and places from bygone years. LaBerge and Doug Flannery remember H Memberships starting @ $25 month H SUPER friendly atmosphere When you drive or walk south on KILLIngLY having an earthquake that they felt in H 24-Hr. access available H Fit and Firm Fitness Class Main Street in Danielson, one of the Danielson sometime during the 1980’s. H Super clean locker rooms H Pound Cardio Jam Fitness Class first business blocks on the west side at 300 Lynn was on the couch in her home on H Personal Training H Senior Fitness Classes of the street bears the name “Dowe” East Franklin Street and felt it move. H Sauna H Beginner Workout Plans across the top. Now I’m sure old tim- Her sons had been upstairs “wrestling” 75 ers remember going in Dowe’s for a MARGARET and had been banging into the wall so at variety of items from newspapers, to WEAVER first she thought they were at it again. Railroad cards, to candy. Joan Kent said that Later that evening she learned that Street she and her cousin would go in for the there had been an earthquake. Doug latest movie magazines so they could lived on Cottage Street near the railroad PUTNAM Transcript 3/1/19167). read about their favorite actors and underpass in an apartment that had 860-928-9218 Please do share your memories about actresses, Joan’s favorite being Van been part of the old bowling alley and Dowe’s by emailing me or contacting www.midtown-fitness.com Johnson. Of course, that was when heard it. At first He thought the noise the Killingly Historical Center. Free Fitness Tools the Orpheum Theater was a popular was the sound of railroad cars being Over the holidays I received sev- gathering place. Gary Wrobel said that coupled together. How many of you also eral emails from Phil Monty, a June he would go there for his 45 records. remember those quakes? Back Pain? Norcross Webster Camp volunteer and “They had them for sale downstairs.” Pauline Hillmann called after read- chairman of the Heritage Center with Neck Pain? He added that they had a good selec- ing my Jan. 16 column and shared her a response to my query for additional Headache? tion of Sunday papers and also a good memory of the 1940 earthquake that I information about Camp Quinebaug, selection of magazines “that they didn’t had mentioned.