Traveler Spring 2005.indd

ANTIQUES & MORE
PUTNAM TRAVELER
ISSUE NO. 6 • NORTHEASTERN, CONNECTICUT
DOWNTOWN MAP INSIDE • APR.-JUN. 2005
For An Afternoon, A Day, Or A Weekend...
Come And Enjoy Northeastern Connecticut!
While the daffodils are in bloom…
discover the natural beauty, history and culture of our area.
T
he Quiet Corner is full of activity in Spring.
Visit one of the many local greenhouses and
begin planning your spring plantings, rent
a canoe or kayak to explore one of the area’s many
small rivers while taking in the scenic beauty and
fresh air, discover some of our “little known places” featured in this issue and shop ‘till you drop’
in the ‘antiques district’ of downtown Putnam.
Spend a weekend in the country, enjoy fine dining,
live theatre, a few days of fresh air and outdoor
entertainment and return home with some unique
souvenirs including a piece of hand-crafted art by a
local artist, jars of fresh New England maple syrup
and a few plants or shrubs that will adorn your
garden all year long.
INSIDE: The Putnam Traveler’s Trip
Planner…an itinerary with suggestions of where
to stay, dine and be entertained…The Story of An
Antiques Mall and a review of some of their antique
dealers…’Little Known Places’ waiting to be discovered in the Quiet Corner…’Hold Your Horses’…
local stables offer residents of the northeast corner a
chance to experience the joy of riding horses…
’Yoga for the Mind, Body & Spirit’…find out why
local yogis chose to practice at the Glow Studio in
Putnam…This year, Connecticut Magazine Readers
awarded The Courthouse Bar
& Grille ‘Best Steak’…’Best
American’…and ‘Best Bar’ in
Windham County…and the
Calendar of Events for April,
May and June…including
Sesquicentennial Celebrations Events for Putnam…
ALSO INSIDE: The fifty-year history of
Shaw, Inc…Shaw’s provides one-stop shopping for
office supplies, stationary, art supplies and ‘personal
service’…Normand Chartier…a noted Brooklyn
Artist is picked for national honor…tips for
renovating your home...the John Dempsey Ball…
and so much more…
TOM MENARD
Tom Menard, a local folk-style painter,
has been commissioned by the town
of Putnam to paint a legacy painting
for their 150th anniversary. The painting will be 3 1/2’ by 4 1/2’ and will be
divided into four sections with three of
the panels showing different views of
the town in present times and a fourth
panel devoted to the history of
Putnam. Tom is currently working
on the piece in Willimantic where he
works for Camp Horizons in an Art
Studio with autistic artist Kerri Quirk.
Tom is a self-taught artist and has
been painting since 1968. His work
has been termed “community art”
by local writer Linda Colangelo, and
appears on the wine label for Taylor
Brooke Winery in Woodstock and on
the debit card for Putnam Savings
Bank. For more information visit:
www.tommenard.com
Painting of Putnam, CT (2002) by Tom Menard
Map of Downtown Putnam • Arts • Entertainment • Lodging • Dining • Shopping & Area Businesses
THE PUTNAM TRAVELER
is Designed and Published by:
Global Design & Publishing
Putnam, Connecticut
860-963-0414
SUPPORTED BY:
The Town of Putnam
Antiques Marketplace
Putnam Merchants Association
Northeastern Connecticut is Forty-Five Minutes from Casinos, Hartford, & Providence
Twenty Minutes from Worcester • One Hour from Boston • Three Hours from New York City
PUTNAM TRAVELER: 16,000 Copies Mailed & Distributed to Visitors and Area Businesses throughout CT, MA & RI
9,000 Copies Mailed to All Residents of Putnam, Woodstock & Pomfret Connecticut
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PUTNAM, CT
06260
Story of an Antiques Mall
THE ANTIQUES MARKETPLACE
Since 1991, Putnam has been home
to The Antiques Marketplace, one of the
largest antiques malls in New England,
with over 200 exhibiting dealers filling
over 300 showcases and booths. Many
readers of the Putnam Traveler may not
be familiar with how a mall like the
Antiques Marketplace works, and the
many interesting things and people
behind a business like this. The purpose
of this article is to acquaint you with
antiques malls and some of the facts
about the Antiques Marketplace.
A
ntiques malls are often referred to as group
shops, since the goods sold there are owned by
different dealers who rent booth or showcase space.
The largest malls can have as many as 300 or so dealers. Dealers are generally not required to work in the
shops, only to maintain the space they rent, and it is
the job of the shop to sell the dealer’s merchandise,
to collect and disburse the proceeds and the sales tax,
and to advertise, staff, and maintain the facility. In
return, dealers pay a monthly rent and in some cases
a percentage of their sales to the store. Different malls
have different rules about what kinds of merchandise
can be exhibited.
Because dealers who exhibit in a mall only have
to come in as needed to maintain their space and the
cost of operating the mall is spread over many dealers,
it is both inexpensive and undemanding on one’s time
Diane Higgins (Booth 75) has been a full-time dealer for the
past 20 years and does approximately 25 antique shows a year
from Florida to Maine. She has been with the Marketplace since
the doors opened in November 1991.
to become a mall dealer compared to operating a store
and paying for rent, heat, electric, advertising, insurance, and sales help. Rents at The Antiques Marketplace range from $20 for shelf space in the mezzanine
up to $500 for a large booth on the main floor. Many
exhibitors are not full-time antique dealers. Some are
retired people who collected antiques for years and
who now buy and sell as much for recreation as for
the opportunity to make a profit. Many dealers are
people who have a nine-to-five job, and they buy and
sell in their spare time to help pay for their collections.
Some dealers are “show” dealers who use the mall as
a home base to have a permanent presence when they
are not doing antiques shows. Many dealers rent space
at a variety of malls spread over a wide area.
Some dealers are specialists who have a very extensive knowledge of a narrow area of the market; for
example, some may only buy and sell cast-iron toys
while others may specialize in vintage clothing or
jewelry. When dealing with a specialist, a buyer can
usually learn a lot, because that dealer may have spent
decades studying that specific field. Other dealers are
generalists who buy and sell a wide variety of objects
of different styles and periods and maintain broad
market knowledge.
Large malls like the Antiques Marketplace offer
a wide variety of spaces for rent. The most valuable
space is on street level, and consists mostly of showcases (each one rented by an individual dealer), and
partly of booths, where larger items such as furniture,
rugs, large lamps and pictures may be displayed. The
most expensive things in the store tend to be on this
level. The second level consists mostly of booths and
Jerry Cohen (Booth 01) has been a full-time dealer specializing
in Mission Oak furniture for the past 25 years. He purchased the
Bugbee Building (home of the Marketplace) fifteen years ago
and exhibits over 1,500 square feet of Stickley furniture spread
over five large booths.
The Mansion
at Bald Hill
6 rooms with private bath. TV’s, high speed internet
service and full breakfast. Spa packages, box lunch
service and afternoon wine and cheese hour.
Corporate meetings and retreats.

29 Plaine Hill Road, Woodstock, CT 06260
www.mansionatbaldhill.com
860-974-3456
2
PUTNAM TRAVELER • ANTIQUES & MORE
BRITAIN
Presenting Original Works of Art by Nationally
Celebrated Artist & Children’s Book Illustrator
with Beverly
NORMAND
CHARTIER
A Tea & Garden Tour of
Devon, Cornwall, & London
For Sale at Historic “Friendship Valley Inn”
S
Pat Dailey (Booth 85) always has a great selection of holiday
collectibles, mid-20th century furniture and accessories, and
country antiques. As a full time mom and employee at the
Marketplace, she still finds time to maintain two well-stocked
booths filled with attractive and reasonably priced merchandise.
only a few showcases. More moderately priced items
including many collectibles are sold on this level. The
Antiques Marketplace also has a mezzanine above the
second floor and a basement area. Both these areas are
considered the “bargain” areas of the store, and have a
lot of second-hand type items that may only be 30-50
years old, with prices starting around a dollar. In total,
the Antiques Marketplace has 22,000 square feet of
space to house all the dealer exhibits.
Most of the items sold at The Antiques Marketplace and other malls are priced about the same as or
less than comparable new items. Estate jewelry and
silver are an especially good buy, with most prices
well below new. Of course, antiques can be expensive,
but these are usually the things that are very old and
rare, or that are much more popular than their general
availability. In a mall like the Antiques Marketplace,
the vast majority of items sold range from $10 to $100.
About 80% of the people who shop at The
Antiques Marketplace are from Connecticut, Massachusetts, or Rhode Island, and have come to Putnam
for a day trip; but almost every weekend you will see
one or two families from Europe who sought us out
on their vacation, and many other people from a wide
variety of states across America. Because Putnam is a
small town with an abundance of antiques shops in a
beautiful, rural part of Connecticut, it has become a
popular destination for antique lovers from every corner of the United States and farther. Even for people
who do not have any interest in collecting, there is a
lot of history to be seen in the stores here and they are
a fascinating place to visit to see the variety of items
produced in America over the last 250 years.
(See dealers highlighted on page 6)
Mike and Betty Ponak (Case 18) are a retired couple who
share a love of antiques. They specialize in unusual miniature
antiques, tools, and Oreientalia. They have two showcases plus
two booths to show the variety of their wares.
mall Group Tours to the UK is the creation of
Friendship Valley innkeeper, Beverly Yates, who
has a passion for all things British and finds great pleasure in sharing it with fellow travelers.
The tour begins with a delightful day out to
Devon’s Rosemoor Gardens followed by afternoon tea
in the most charming fishing village of Clovelly.
Rt. 169, Brooklyn, CT 06234
Thursdays 3-5pm & Saturdays 2-4pm, or by appointment
860-779-1104 or 860-779-9696 • www.friendshipvalleyinn.com
- MARY KAY MONTAGUE -
CREATIVE
STITCHERY
Uniquely handcrafted
Easter bunnies, dolls
teddybears, quilts & crafts
The summer tour beckons all you garden and
tea lovers to the “west country” of Devon and
Cornwall on June 5 – 12. Devon and
Cornwall are defined by tiny country lanes,
thatch roofed cottages, and diverse
beautiful gardens.
NEW CHILDREN’S SECTION!
Christening Gowns • Baby Quilts
Wall Hangings • Baby Gifts
The following day is dedicated to two of Cornwall’s most famous gardens. The Eden Project consists of two conservatories shaped like giant bubbles
called “biomes” with thousands of plants from the
tropical rainforest and warm Mediterranean climates.
The Lost Gardens of Heligan is considered to be the
largest garden restoration project in Europe, created
mainly in the 19th century, but deserted and neglected
for years during the two World Wars.
Lanhydrock and Cothele offer a view of grand
manor houses and their formal gardens. Lanhydrock,
dubbed the finest house in Cornwall, is set in a wooded parkland of 450 acres and encircled by a garden.
From the west country, a scenic train ride back
into London sets the stage for two great days in the
city. The changing of the guard at Buckingham
Palace, a tour and tea luncheon at Kensington Palace,
a boat ride down the River Thames to Kew Gardens,
and an evening at the theatre are among the highlights.
Small Group Tours to the UK are limited to ten
participants and include first class train travel, and
personally sought out intimate hotels and B&B’s.
For more information or to discuss custom tours,
contact Beverly Yates at 860 -779 -9696 or email
through the website at www.friendshipvalleyinn.com
You may also pick up a brochure at Mrs. Bridge’s
Pantry in Putnam. (This is a paid advertorial)
Holiday Gifts for All Seasons!
7 Canal Street, Putnam, CT • 860-928-7194
[email protected]
STORE HOURS: WED.-SAT. 10-5, SUN 1-5
ESTATE JEWELRY
FINE ART • ANTIQUES
BUYING & SELLING
860-963-7252
MARK EDMUNDS
ANTIQUES &
JEWELRY COURT
(Just up the hill from the Bradley Playhouse)
82 FRONT STREET
PUTNAM, CT. RT 44
Antique Flooring ◆
Vintage Building Materials ◆
◆ Custom Tables ◆
◆
◆
www.oldwoodworkshop.com
Giving old wood new life...
THOMAS CAMPBELL
193 Hampton Road, Pomfret Center, CT 06259
860-974-3622
“Open by chance or appointment”
PUTNAM TRAVELER • ANTIQUES & MORE
3
OH, HOLD YOUR HORSES!
by Nancy Pritchard Weiss
If you’ve ever dreamed of cantering across an open meadow
on a beautiful chestnut Morgan horse, it is easy to enjoy at least some
measure of that reality in the Quiet Corner.
T
he area and virtually all of Connecticut are horse friendly with an
average estimate of 47,410 animals in
the state according to a recent study by
Department of Animal Science faculty
member, Jenifer Nadeau and Department of Agricultural and Resource
Economics’ Farhed Shah at UConn’s
College of Agriculture and Natural
Resources. They analyzed the industry and found that women own 88%
of the horses with an average length of
ownership of 17.5 years, far exceeding
the life span of many marriages! The
academic study focuses only facts and
figurers, but it is clear that relationships with horses are extra special.
Carey Williams of Trapalanda Stables on Perrin
Road, West Woodstock can attest to the strength of
the human bond to horses. For more than 50 years
he, his wife, Rae and daughter, Anita have been
boarding, training and sponsoring horse shows at
their facility, which includes a stable and indoor and
outdoor riding rings. Williams focuses on the basics
of riding and can make a difficult sport sound easy.
“A good rider must stay in the middle of the horse.
Control your legs, your seat and hands and you can
master the science of riding,” he said.
The Williams family are interested primarily
in Thoroughbreds and enjoy helping riders move
to more competitive levels. They travel frequently
to horse shows and competitions
and know nearly everyone in the
business. Carey Williams is quick
to share his love of horses and his
dedication to the field, which after
more than five decades seems as
fresh and interesting to him as if he
had started but recently.
A newer name in the
business is Tyrone Farm, located
on Tyrone Rd. in Pomfret. Bill
McLaren, whose late mother,
Elizabeth “Zibbs” Love was a
devoted animal lover, has transformed the 18th century estate in to
a venue for stylish events, including weddings and parties and for a
series of horse competitions. Under the direction of
Equestrian Events Coordinator, Pam Bouchard, who
also happens to the be President of the Woodstock
Horse Council, Tyrone Farm will host three Judged
Pleasure Rides, two Riding- and -Jumping-in-theOpen Clinics, one Ride for the Cure , the Northeast
Hunter Trials, a qualifying event for the Tamworth
Hunt Club, which will also offer an introductory
fox hunting course. The annual Hunter Pace, scheduled this year for October 8, is a highlight across the
region for horse lovers.
Anyone interested in more information on
events at Tyrone Farm is urged to visit the website at: www.TyroneFarm.com or to e-mail Pam
Norwich Radiology Group P.C.
MRI Center
39 Kennedy Drive, Putnam, CT 06260 • Daniel Gilmartin M.D. / Ajay I. Dalal M.D.
Bouchard at [email protected].
Children in northeastern Ct. often have their
first chance at competition through the 4-H horse
program. Every year the 4-H program offers an exciting horse show at the Brooklyn Fairgrounds and a
lively camp experience at the Windham-Tolland 4-H
Camp on Taft Pond Rd. in Pomfret. Campers bring
their horse or ponies to spend a week or two getting instruction in the proper care of their animals as
well as happy days riding on miles of wooded trails
under the guidance of adult and college- age leaders.
Parents interested in enrolling children in the summer camps are urged to contact 4-H educator Dave
Colberg at 774-9600.
Children and adults can enjoy indoor riding
and instruction at Woodstock Acres Riding Stables
on Rocky Hill Road, Woodstock, where owner
Barbara Johnson has focused for the past fifteen
years on Hunt Seat riding. Hi Acres on Lyon Hill
Road, Woodstock, also has instruction, boarding and
shows. John Bennett of Putnam, past president of
the CT Morgan Horse Association, trains horses as
well as riders at his facility on Pierce Rd.
Throughout the summer and fall there are many
horse shows, country fairs and competitions for
horse lovers to attend. During the academic year
the nearby University of Connecticut in Storrs offers
polo matches at the Horsebarn Hill Arena at 2:00
nearly every Sunday through the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources Department of Animal
Science. A check of the website at www.uconn.edu
will provide up-to-date information.
Fascination with horses seems embedded in the DNA of many. Their
beauty, strength and unique relationship with humans is celebrated across the Quiet
Corner in backyard rings and elegant competitions. One needs only to choose an area of
equine interest and then find the best fit from a
number of options. Horses and horsemanship
are just a canter away.
quite simply...
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il Piccolo Ristorante
MRI Appointments Call: 860-928-1166
Fax: 860-928-1162
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& Ristorante Romanza’s
MRI–Putnam
• State-of-the-art MRI
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• Private office setting
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outside view
• Prompt courteous service
• Easy access from I-395
• Ample parking
•
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Same day service
Evening appointments
Registered technologists
Board certified
radiologists on site
• All major medical
insurances accepted
Norwich Radiolgy Group P.C. Main Office:
12 Case Street • Norwich, CT 06360 • 860-889-2049
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Ultrasound
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Dexa Scan
Nuclear Scan
Cardiac Echo
Routine Radiography
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its best.
Italian cuisine...
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il Piccolo Ristorante
1450 Atwood Avenue in Johnston, RI
401-421-9843
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Ristorante Romanza
312 Wickendon Street in Providence, RI
401-421-5544
Providing 35 Years of quality radiology needs in a private office setting–
Windham & New London County.
4
PUTNAM TRAVELER • ANTIQUES & MORE
B.Y.O.B
“ OPEN ING
S TATEMENT S”
at the Court House
Bar & Grille
James Frost, a life-long resident of
Northeastern Connecticut, is well
known in Putnam. At the age of sixteen,
he spent several years working for the
Deary Family as a cook and manager
for Mike’s Stand. He later moved on to
become manager and bartender at a local
pub and soon realized that he wanted
more…so he and his business partner,
Michael Deary, Sr. began researching
business opportunities for sale in
Putnam. Frost was not necessarily
looking to run a restaurant,
he simply wanted to own his
own business and he wanted
one that he was familiar with,
a true entrepreneur.
I
n 1998, Frost’s dream became a
reality, when the doors of the new
Courthouse Bar & Grille opened for
business. Located at 121 Main Street, in
the former Putnam Courthouse building…the theme for the restaurant was
a no-brainer. It took six months to gut
and renovate the restaurant. The interior was well thought out, with ‘jury
box’ seating, on the left as you enter
through the large copper-plated front door, a black
and white checkered floor, plenty of warm wood, the
original tin ceiling, eclectic lighting and courthouse
memorabilia everywhere. The tone was set–it was
the perfect spot for couples, families and friends to
gather for a great meal.
Most impressive, however, is the menu. Frost,
with help from his sister Susan, a former attorney,
put together a huge menu consisting of headers
like “Opening Statements”, “Big House Burgers”,
“Wrap Sheets”, “Mob Hits’, “Bailiff’s Beef”, “Illegal
Seafood”, “Closing Arguments” and more. It’s fun
to read and full of variety.
Now, with seven years under his belt, Frost
can safely say, the time he and his wife Sheila spent
working out the details and the long hours he has
spent doing everything from cooking to cleaning,
have definitely paid off. Credit is due also to head
chef, Robert Desrosiers and his assistant Jamie
Beauchene, who have turned out hundreds-of-thousands of delicious meals since the opening. There is
nothing not to like at the Courthouse. You would
be hard-pressed to find a Putnam resident, or visitor
ELIAS CHILD HOUSE
Bed & Breakfast
for that matter, who has not had a meal at the Courthouse.
The Courthouse Bar & Grille is open for lunch
and dinner seven days a week. There is a huge bar,
usually lined with locals ‘after work hours’, three
dining areas with seating for 150 people and they are
full to capacity almost every Friday and Saturday
night! The most popular items on the menu, says
Frost, are the Montreal Sirloin and Seafood Alfredo.
Connecticut Magazine Readers named the Courthouse Bar & Grille “Best Steak”, “Best American”
and “Best Bar” in Windham County in 2005. Not
bad for a small town entrepreneur who simply had a
dream and ran with it.
Purveyors of
Fine Wine,
Beer & Spirits

Serving Northeastern CT for Over Fifty Years!
640 Pomfret Street/Route 169
Pomfret, CT 06258 • 860-928-2946
Putnam’s former Courthouse was built in 1889. The
“Courthouse Block,” held court
upstairs amongst professional
offices including Superintendent of Schools, James W. Frost
(Frost’s grandfather). Downstairs housed many different
stores throughout the years including a soda fountain shoppe,
First National Grocery and
Smith and Walker Paint Store.
The new Courthouse was built
on Church Street in 1956.
Sample Menu Items:
THE COURTHOUSE BURGER
Basted with bbq sauce and topped with
smoked ham, crispy bacon and Swiss cheese…$8.29
JAILHOUSE CHICKEN
Grilled chicken breast topped with Chain Gang
Chili, Cheddar Jack cheese, and scallions.
Served on a grilled bulky roll with lettuce,
tomato and red onion…$7.49
SEAFOOD ALFREDO
Shrimp, scallops, lobster meat, broccoli and
mushrooms tossed in creamy Alfredo sauce with
tri-color cheese tortellini…$18.99
MONTREAL SIRLOIN
New York strip sirloin rubbed with Montreal
seasonings, flame-broiled to your liking and
topeed with Blue cheese butter…
10-oz. $15.99 / 14-oz. $20.99
“Dumas Decorating”
Prides itself on...
Warehouse Outlet
Ceramic Plates, Platters, Mugs, Bowls, Tables
Gourmet foods featuring Coffee, Tea, Peanuts,
Chocolates, Jams
Replications of Ancient Irish Historical Carvings
Dog gifts such as Leashes, Dog Toys, Cookie Jars
Gift certificates
56 Babbitt Hill Road • Pomfret Center CT
860-974-3714 • www.majilly.com
COURT IS
NOW IN SESSION!
Enjoy our newly renovated, full-service
restaurant in smoke-free surroundings.
You be the judge of our unique court-style
menu and atmosphere!
Full menu including prime rib, filet mignon,
seafood, pasta, fish & chips, fajitas,
baby back ribs and fresh baked deserts.
Looking for the perfect gift for someone
special? Send them to court! Our "Court
Summons" Gift Cards are available
in any denomination.
Parents check out the Courthouse's Family
Friendly atmosphere featuring "Juvenile Hall"
kids meals starting at $2.99 including frozen
dessert and take home cup.
COMPETITIVE PRICING &
QUALITY INSTALLATION!
“Let our Excellent Workmanship
Compliment yours.”
Full Line Flooring Store
Celebrate Spring in colonial comfort.
Relax in a hammock or hike the forest on
our 47 + acres. Enjoy your antique filled
bed chamber and a full country breakfast.
50 Perrin Road,Woodstock, CT
860/974-9836
www.eliaschildhouse.com
Carpet • Ceramic • Woods • Vinyl
DUMAS
DECORATING CENTER
“The Flooring Network”
470 Riverside Drive (Rt. 12) • Grosvenordale, CT
923-9619
860-963-0074
LOCATED AT 121 MAIN STREET
JUST OFF RTE. 44 IN THE HEART OF
PUTNAM ANTIQUE DISTRICT.
Open daily for lunch and dinner!
PUTNAM TRAVELER • ANTIQUES & MORE
5
6
PUTNAM TRAVELER • ANTIQUES & MORE
PUTNAM TRAVELER’S L Weekend Trip Planner
FRIDAY AFTERNOON CHECK-IN LODGING:
Arrive at the Thurber House B&B (928-6776), the
former home of artist T.J. Thurber. This Colonial
house is situated on the village common on Route 21
(78 Liberty Way) in Putnam. Thurber House B&B
offers 2 bedrooms, private/shared baths, guest rooms
with fireplace, a full breakfast and is located within
minutes of Putnam’s ‘antique district.’
FRIDAY DINNER: For a casual dining experience,
choose Chance’s Restaurant & Lounge (963-9048),
located at 5 Heritage Road in Putnam, adjacent to
the King’s Inn. Chance’s is best known for their
seafood. But the menu offers a variety of choices
including steak, chicken and pasta. The dining
area is large with plenty of seating–yet the décor is
warm and inviting. After dinner, walk over to the
Moosehead Lounge for drinks and live local entertainment most Friday nights.
SATURDAY BREAKFAST: Guests who stay at the
Thurber House B&B are served a full breakfast with
an overnight stay. Or head over to Ty’s Café
(928-9939), located just outside of town at the intersection of Routes 44 and 21. Ty’s Café offers the
perfect atmosphere for breakfast and lunch. Every
booth is situated near a window. The round room,
surrounded by windows on three sides, is always
saturated with warm sunshine. The décor is clean
and fresh. You are guaranteed not to leave hungry
and the service is top notch!
SATURDAY MORNING: Take a mid-morning
stroll along Putnam’s two-mile River Trail along the
Quinebaug River on Kennedy Drive. Bring your
camera, if you’re lucky you might catch a glimpse of
the bald eagle that has been visiting the area recently.
The River Trail is a popular destination in the spring
for locals and visitors alike. From there, wander
through downtown Putnam to take a peak at the
unique antique and gift shops that line Main Street.
For local arts & crafts visit Our Creative Corner, on
the mezzanine level of the Montgomery Ward Building, Main Street (www.ourcreativecorner.com).
SATURDAY LUNCH TIME: The Courthouse
Bar & Grille (963-0074), located at 121 Main Street
and featured in this issue of the Putnam Traveler, is
the best choice for lunch. The Courthouse offers
everything from salad and burgers to fresh seafood
and pasta. In 2005, Connecticut Magazine
Readers awarded The Courthouse Bar & Grille for
“Best Steak”, “Best American” and “Best Bar” in
Windham County.
SATURDAY AFTERNOON: Spring adventure
abounds in the Quiet Corner. Visit Ian MacRae,
owner of Cider Rides on Church Street in Putnam
(www.ciderrides.com), rent a canoe or kayak and
take a cruise down the river of your choice. Not
sure where to go? Just ask Ian. His expertise in
small crafts and local rivers will help you get on the
water in no time. If boating is not your thing…visit
the Connecticut Audubon Center, located on Route
169 in nearby Pomfret (www.ctaudubon.org). The
Audubon offers trails, information, maps and daily
walks along the 700-acre Connecticut Audubon BafBald Eagle Photographed
near Cargill Falls In
Putnam 2005
Inns and Backroads, Yankee Magazine and Yankee
Traveler. The Harvest Restaurant (www.harvestrestaurant.com), located on Route 44 in Pomfret, has
received awards from The Wine Spectator, The New
York Times, Connecticut Magazine, The Providence
Journal and more.
SATURDAY EVENING: Chances are, you did not
come to the Quiet Corner for the ‘night-life’, but
there are a few places in Putnam that we recommend
after dinner hours. The 100-year old Bradley Playhouse (www.bradelyplayhouse.org) features live
theatre most weekends. Or visit Victoria’s Station
Café (www.victoriastationcafe.com) for a coffee,
cappuccino or latte. Victoria’s Station is open ‘till 11
p.m. on Friday and Saturday nights.
SUNDAY BREAKFAST/BRUNCH: Enjoy a
full breakfast offered at the Lord Thompson Manor
or head over to Buster’s (923-2908), located at 274
Riverside Drive in Thompson. Buster’s is a local
favorite for breakfast, lunch and dinner. While you
are there, stroll the half-mile walk along the French
River at Riverside Park.
Nikkis Dog House, Putnam CT
Photo Courtesy of Bell Park Photo, Dayville, CT
flin Sanctuary. If you are in the mood for a pretty
drive, take a trip out to Mike Ran’s Sugar House
in Brooklyn featured in this issue of the Putnam
Traveler.
SATURDAY AFTERNOON CHECK-IN
LODGING: For upscale accommodations, check
into The Lord Thompson Manor (www.lordthompsonmanor.com) located on Route 200 in Thompson.
Formerly known as the Gladding Estate, the Manor
was built in 1917 as a summer home for Providence
mercantilist John Gladding. The Manor offers six
beautifully appointed guest rooms, four of which are
luxury suites, each with a warm and inviting fireplace, and private bath.
SUNDAY MORNING: While the daffodils are in
bloom, a visit to Thompson Common is a must. The
Common features historic homes and gorgeous architecture. Call the Thompson Historical Society for
more information (923-3200), or visit them at www.
thompsonhistorical.org For those of you who enjoy beautiful English-style gardens, visit Quintessential Gardens at Fort Hill Farms (www.forthillfarms.
com), located at 260 Quaddick Road in Thompson.
Browse through the farm’s 60 perennial display
ardens and visit the nursery. Fort Hill Farms is in
the process of creating a lavender labyrinth scheduled to open this year!
SUNDAY POST CHECKOUT: Spring is for
planting. Visit the wonderful nurseries and garden
centers scattered throughout our region and treat
yourself to a plant, tree or shrub for a lasting memory of your trip to the Quiet Corner. For a complete
list of garden centers and nurseries,
visit www.ctquietcorner.com.
Thank you for visiting the Quiet Corner, watch for
the Weekend Trip Planner in future issues of the
Putnam Traveler.
(All phone numbers are preceded by area code 860 unless
SATURDAY DINNER: Make your reservations at
one of the Quiet Corner’s two best restaurants, The
Inn at Woodstock Hill or The Harvest Restaurant.
The Inn at Woodstock Hill (www.woodstockhill.
net), located at 94 Plaine Hill Road in Woodstock,
has been featured in numerous publications including Country Inns, People Magazine, Country
otherwise noted)
PUTNAM TRAVELER • ANTIQUES & MORE
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