Libby Pataki was keynote speaker at the Putnam Ball. Eric Gross If Putnam’s Bicentennial Ball was any indication, the remainder of 2012 will be truly special across Putnam County.

More than 300 people crowded into the Villa Barone in Mahopac Saturday evening for the official kick-off of the county’s 200th birthday celebration— a year that will feature a parade, street fair and fireworks display on June 9 and the opening of a 50-year-old time capsule on the actual birthday of the county, June 12, as well as the burying of a new time capsule to be opened 50 years from now.

County Executive MaryEllen Odell and former County Executive Paul Eldridge emceed the evening that featured remarks from New York’s former First Lady Libby Pataki, of Garrison.

Pataki described Putnam County as “heaven on earth. George and I love Putnam. Its geography and people are unique. Putnam is the place where our children grew up attending our schools. Now as adults they all want to return with their spouses and babies. Putnam is very sentimental for our entire family.”

Former County Executive Paul Eldridge and current County Executive MaryEllen Odell emceed the events Saturday evening. Eric Gross Pataki told the gathering that in 1812, “New York was characterized as a community consisting of people living in a sea of green. Today much of the world consists of tiny islands of green within a sea of people and concrete. But Putnam has survived and to quote our county’s motto—‘Where the Country Begins’— allows us to reside in one of the most special places on earth.”

Pataki described the Hudson River as “a creation of beauty that remains a site of wonder and awe. From the river to the mountains and reservoirs, Putnam affords people with a happy and affordable lifestyle.”

Pataki said that while Putnam’s geography was breathtaking it was the people of Putnam that made the county so special.

“While New York City is a great place to work, Putnam is a better place to raise a family.” she said.

Pataki called it refreshing that “we in Putnam put behind us the disappointments and failures of our county’s recent past by welcoming new leadership who truly understands that nothing positive can come about without the good, old-fashioned virtues of honesty, relentless hard work and fair mindedness.”

For photos of the event, see our image gallery HERE