Note: some times have been recently adjusted due to memorial services for Milly Ellis (past PHS board member) and Claire Oglesby. All events are free, though contributions are accepted; donations are suggested for Pierce’s Hall events.
Saturday, August 22
10am-2pm–Putney Historical Society open for visitors.
Historic Building Tours:
12 noon-Putney Town Hall. Led by Stuart Strothman, PHS president. Historic site of town meetings and innumerable events, the building dates to 1872; it has served as post office, Sheriff’s office, and more. See the vault and the newly painted entry!
12:30pm–Putney Community Center. Led by Wendy Raymond, recent BUHS graduate and director of many Community Center programs. Originally built as a Baptist Church in 1884, the Community Center is celebrating the 125th anniversary of its building.
3pm–Putney General Store. Led by Lyssa Papazian, PHS board member and General Store project manager. Dating to the 1790s, this is the oldest continuously running general merchandise store in Vermont–and the first opening to the public since the May 2008 fire.
3:30pm–Putney Federated/United Church of Putney. Led by Tim Ragle, PHS vice president, with extensive experience in building restoration. Built in 1841, the church has been a fixture of Putney history, with a congregation dating to 1772.
4pm–PHS Annual Meeting. At United Church of Putney. Open to the public. Member vote on whether to accept church as a gift at approximately 4:30pm, followed by popular Putney Place Project Powerpoint developed by Claire Dacey, showing connections between geography and history of Putney. Refreshments.
7:30 pm–At Pierce’s Hall. Acclaimed local singer/songwriter Lisa McCormick, with Bourbon Shuffle (Mike Auerback, Mark Baker, Sue Caviola, Janet Goldstein and Gene Kuch) opening. Doors open at 7. Refreshments.
Lisa McCormick lights up the room with a lively performance of spicy upbeat originals on acoustic guitar with soaring vocals. Her seasoned ease on stage and sharp sense of humor complement her finely tuned songwriting, with influences ranging from spicy Bossa Nova, to Contemporary Folk/Pop. McCormick lived in the house next to Pierce’s Hall years ago, and launched her musical career from the upstairs apartment.
Also a music instructor, Lisa McCormick’s first student was another Pierce’s Hall neighbor, Sue Caviola. Caviola has gone on to form a band called Bourbon Shuffle, an acoustic ensemble playing eclectic acoustic Americana music. The band includes banjo, fiddle, guitar, and upright bass.
Sunday, August 23
5:30 pm–Tavern Concert Series on the green, featuring Simba
Simba is southern Vermont’s premier worldbeat dance band. Started in 1989, its eight members work throughout the New England area as soloists, accompanying other artists and doing recording work.
The members include: Dan DeWalt – steel pan, trombone, piano, accordion; Wim Auer – bass; Johnny Yuma – vocals, drums, percussion; Bob Stabach – tenor sax, flute; Steve Sonntag – trumpet, flugelhorn; Charlie Schneeweis – vocals, trumpet, flugelhorn, valve trombone; Derrik Jordan – vocals, guitar, percussion, congas, keyboard, violin; Steve Leicach – talking drum, percussion, congas, djembe, balafon.
6pm–Tour of Putney General Store. Open to public.
Other upcoming Pierce’s Hall events:
Saturday, August 29: Peter Amidon calls a family-friendly contra dance.
Friday, September 4:“Black Jack Crossing” with Coretta (evening: time to be announced)
Saturday, Sept. 12: “Friends of Don” at 7 pm.
Saturday, Sept. 19: 8pm. Jon Farnham, Jody Graves and friends.
Saturday, Sept. 26: Andy Davis calls a family-friendly dance .
Cheers to all,
The Putney Historical Society