Logging and milling has begun on the post and beam frame of the future Putney General Store. In an empty lot off of Route 5 in Putney, volunteer mill operator Mark Bowen is busy sawing large oak and pine logs donated by Putney land-owners that will become the frame of the new store to be built by the Putney Historical Society.
The Historical Society is closing in on its fund raising goal to rebuild the Putney General Store which was destroyed by fire in May of 2008 and again this past November. Leader Distribution Systems and Pepsi Cola, as part of the national Pepsi Refresh Project, have responded to the fund raising effort by contributing a $10,000 grant in support of Putney’s volunteer effort to raise the frame of the store. John Leader, CEO of Leader Distribution Systems, said, “We are thrilled to be able to join the amazing outpouring of support for this undertaking from so many people in the greater Putney community. Rebuilding the Putney store completely meets the Pepsi Refresh Project goal of making neighborhoods across the country better places to live.”
This donation is a boost for the Thomas Thompson Trust two-for-one challenge grant that will provide $20,000 toward the rebuilding effort if the Historical Society raises $40,000.
While the Putney Historical Society has more money to raise, and is still looking for someone to operate the store once it has been built, members are busy planning a community festival for early summer to celebrate the raising of the timber frame. In the meantime, Mark Bowen and others will keep cutting in preparation for that event.
Source: Putney Historical Society. 4.7.2010