Miss New York State visits Putnam today

KENT- Marizza Delgado, the first Filipina-American crowned as Miss New York State, will be in Kent today to cut a red ribbon that rededicates the Whipple-Feeley Putnam County Veterans Memorial Chapel located at the county’s Veterans Memorial Park on Gipsy Trail Road.

On a cold November morning 14 years ago, philanthropist George Whipple beamed with pride. A dozen members of the rank and file of labor unions from throughout the region placed a 5,000-pound handmade church steeple on the rebuilt historic Red Mills Baptist Church, located at the upper park.

Whipple described the occasion as “power of the community.”

The church built in 1832 was demolished in 1999 and placed in storage by Whipple. It was reconstructed at the entrance to the park thanks to Whipple’s generosity and to members of the Putnam Joint Veterans Council.

The multi-denominational chapel which is open to the general public is the first of its kind in New York State and one of only a handful across the United States.

The event which begins at 12-noon will recognize the efforts of veterans Karl Rohde, the county’s Director of the Office of Veterans Affairs, a Vietnam vet and Silver Star recipient, along with Peter Allegretta, Ed Cooke, Erik Aguirre and the late Denis Castelli for their contributions to Putnam County.