On pg 9 1-30-14
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By Ron P. Coderre
This week’s RPC sporty shout out is sent along to two good sports Stu and Merriam Boldry of Woodstock. The couple has long been supporters of Woodstock Academy sports and other youth leagues. Enjoy this week’s RPC column.
In August 2013 former East Lyme baseball standout John McDonald received the call he had often dreamed of when he learned he was traded from the Philadelphia Phillies to the Boston Red Sox. He spent the month of September primarily in the BoSox dugout and ready to take the field in the event of an injury to any of the infielders. Although not on the postseason roster, McDonald traveled with the team during the playoffs and World Series as insurance in the event of injury.
He was also happy because he had finally landed close to home. McDonald and his wife Maura and their two children Jacqueline and Anthony live just outside of Boston. For the first time in his career McDonald was able to sleep in his own bed and have time with his children. He even took his family on the “duck boat” ride that celebrated the World Series victory. A couple weeks ago that all changed very suddenly once again.
McDonald, who was a free agent hoping to be re-signed by the Red Sox, recently accepted a deal with the Los Angeles Angels. Anxious to remain as an active player as long as possible, the 39-year old utility infielder signed a minor league contract with the Halos. He’ll report to the Angels big league spring training camp. If he makes the team, he would earn $850,000 plus incentives. But it will be on the other side of the country 3000 miles from his wife and kids.
A graduate of Providence College, McDonald has been a baseball journeyman, playing for a number of teams since he made it to the Majors in 1999 with the Cleveland Indians, the team that drafted him in the 12th round in 1996. After spending time behind Indians shortstop Omar Visquel, he was traded to the Toronto Blue Jays.
He spent six years in Toronto with the exception of a couple months with the Detroit Tigers in 2005. The former UConn-Avery Point star then was traded to the Arizona Diamondbacks where he settled in for two years. Last season became an unreal journey where he spent varying amounts of time with four additional teams.
His first stop was in Bradenton, Fla., where he was traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates. Before he had a chance to get acclimated he was on his way for a reunion with the Indians, who then turned around and traded him to the Philadelphia Phillies. He spent most of the summer in the City of Brotherly Love before being shipped off to Boston.
Known as one of the best defensive infielders in baseball, McDonald has a .235 batting average with 28 career home runs and 205 runs batted in during his 15-year career.
The affable McDonald is also recognized as an astute teacher of young players. Last season he spent considerable time tutoring Xander Bogaerts, the Red Sox shortstop of the future. It’s not a given but when his playing days are over it’s a good bet that he’ll end up coaching at some level of professional baseball. Whatever McDonald’s fate in baseball he has a large rooting section, from his family and friends in Eastern Connecticut and even his former teammates who wish him nothing but the best.
High School Hockey Catching On
Three years ago a group of parents and friends of Woodstock Academy advocated for a hockey team for the Centaur student-athletes. After two years of growing pains, that included low numbers and growth of the program, Woodstock Academy hockey has attained varsity status this season.
The team has been very competitive, posting a 3-3 record in the early goings of the season. Much of the success goes to the young men who are skating for the Centaurs but kudos also goes out to the devoted coaching staff. The head coach is Mike Starr and he’s assisted by Sean Farrell and Spencer Severs. The trio brings a wealth of time on skates of their own as well as coaching experience on the youth league level to the program. The team is hoping to continue to get support from the Griffin Youth Hockey League as its feeder system.
The Stars Are Shining
Putnam Science Academy had a successful trip to Boston recently, where the Mustangs defeated the #1 team in the country, Northfield-Mount Hermon in the BALLAS TV Invitational Tournament. Two of the Mustangs were selected to the all-tournament team. Dalique Mingo was a first team selection, while 6-foot, 7-inches Jordan Butler received second team honors.
Catching Up With The College Scene
College basketball is primarily about the players. It’s an opportunity for RPC to highlight local players who are making an impact on the college level. RPC has also taken the time to highlight coaches, as we did with Putnam resident and Central Connecticut State University assistant Glenn Senecal a few weeks back. This week we begin by highlighting another aspect of the game, officiating.
On Saturday, Jan. 18 Danielson resident Charlie Lee was a member of a three-man crew that refereed the NCAA Division III contest between host Nichols College and Wentworth Institute of Boston. Nichols extended its winning streak to seven games with a big win over Wentworth. Lee and the crew had a very smooth afternoon and left the Bison Field House feeling good about their performance.
In Hamden former Marianapolis standouts Ike Azotam and Ousmane Drame continue to lead the way for the 11-6, 6-2 MAAC Bobcats of coach Tom Moore. Drame, a junior, recently enjoyed a career night as he tallied 15 points but bigger than his offensive performance was the fact that he posted a career-high 21 rebounds and seven blocked shots in a victory over Monmouth College. In an 85-71 win over Niagara University both players posted a double-double. Azotam had 14 points and 14 rebounds, while Drame added 14 points and 10 rebounds.
From The Annals Of Putnam Sports History
January 1911: The Putnam High School hockey team was defeated at Pomfret School 15-3. (Information contributed by Willie Zamagni)
RPC’s Closing Thought For The Day: Why do you press harder on a remote control when you know the battery is dead?
(If you have sports items worthy of publication please e-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.)
Centaurs pg 11 1-30-14
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WALLINGFORD — After a humiliating 9-2 loss to Division leader E.O. Smith last week, the Woodstock Academy boys ice hockey team made the long trip to Choate - Rosemary Hall to play Sheehan High School.
Woodstock knew they had a chance to beat the Titans as they had even records against similar opponents. The game was a thriller with both teams playing hard until the conclusion of regulation saw the game tied 2-2. With 3:38 left to play tied 2 -2 in overtime the referee called Will Smith for hooking. Sheehan wasted no time with the man advantage recording the winning goal just seconds later.
For those of us at the game the call was questionable, a brief second of contact that never altered the skater’s stride. Overall Woodstock was penalized 11 times compared to 2 times for Sheehan as both teams played the same brand of hockey. Woodstock couldn’t seem to get a call all night as they constantly fought off penalty after penalty without allowing Sheehan to score. However all three Sheehan goals were scored during power plays. Twice the defense killed off two- man advantages by Sheehan. The defense was outstanding but none so much as Baylee Johns who stopped an incredible 41 shots.
Woodstock first goal was scored by Zach Burnham assisted by Nathan DeLuca. The game remained 2 - 1 until Will Liscomb, again assisted by Nathan DeLuca, tied it up 2-2 late in the third to send the game into overtime. Overtime started with Sheehan in the power play which WA yet again killed off. It was back and forth for four minutes with neither side gaining an advantage until WA was penalized again on the hooking call which eventually led to Sheehan’s winning goal. Woodstock is now 3-5 on the season. The Centaurs will host NFA at 6 p.m. Jan. 30 at Jahn Rink in Pomfret.
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Legals pg 11 1-30-14
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Legal Notice
Town of Pomfret
Notice is hereby given that a certified copy of the audit of the Pomfret Fire District for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2013, prepared by Daniel R. Santos, CPA, LLC, 179B Hartford Pike, Dayville, Connecticut 06241, was filed in the Office of the Town Clerk of Pomfret on January 21, 2014. In compliance with the requirements of section 7-394 of the Connecticut Statutes, said audit is on file for public inspection in said office at Five Haven Road, Pomfret Center, Connecticut.
Dated at Pomfret, Connecticut
This 21ST day of January, 2014
Cheryl A. Grist,
Town Clerk of Pomfret
Jan. 29, 2014
Legal Notice
Tax Collector’s
Office
Town & Fire
District of
Pomfret
Legal Notice is hereby given to the taxpayers of the Town and Fire District of Pomfret that the Supplemental Motor Vehicle and Second Installment of Real Estate and Personal Property tax bills on the Grand List of October 1, 2012 are DUE AND PAYABLE January 1, 2014. The last day to pay without penalty is February 3, 2014. Interest will be charged at 18 percent annually (1.5. percent per month) on all delinquent payments postmarked February 4, 2014 or later.
Make all checks payable to Pomfret Tax Collector and mail to: Pomfret Tax Collector, 5 Haven Road, Pomfret Center, CT 06259. If a receipt is desired, please enclose a stamped, self-addressed envelope. For more information or to pay online, go to www.pomfretct.gov.
January Tax Office Hours are: Monday, Tuesday and Thursday 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Wednesday 8:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Pamela S. Lewerenz,
CCMC
Tax Collector
Dec. 26, 2013
Jan. 3, 2014
Jan. 29, 2014
Legal Notice
Town of Putnam
Putnam Special
Services
COLLECTOR
OF REVENUE
(860) 963-6806
The second installment of taxes, due to the Town of Putnam and Special Service District on the Grand List of October 1, 2012,2 is due and payable on January 1, 2014, through February 3, 2014.
Payments made after February 3, 2014, will be subject to an interest charge of 3% (1½% per month) or $2.00 minimum per Town and $2.00 minimum per Special Service District (where applicable), whichever is higher, according to Connecticut State Statute, SEC. 12-146.
Mail must be postmarked no later than February 3, 2014 to avoid interest charges. Current bills may be paid online at www.putnamct.us
Supplemental Motor Vehicle bills will be due in full during January. Supplemental Motor Vehicle bills are for vehicles registered between October 2, 2012 and July 31, 2013.
If anyone is having financial problems, please contact our office anytime. We will be glad to work with you on a payment arrangement.
Have a happy and healthy holiday season.
Office hours: 8:30 am – 4:30 pm
Monday through Friday
For your convenience, the Tax Office is always open during the lunch hour
Dec. 26, 2013
Jan. 2, 2014
Jan. 29, 2014
Notice of Application
This is to give notice that I,
BRIAN KEITH LINCOLN
PO BOX 652
10 OXFORD AVE.
WEBSTER, MA 01570-0652
have filed an application placarded 01/14/2014 with the Department of Consumer Protection for a RESTAURANT LIQUOR PERMIT for the sale of alcoholic liquor on the premises at
235 A KENNEDY DR
PUTNAM CT 06260-1628
The business will be owned by: PALMIERIS PIZZA LLC
Entertainment will consist of: Disc Jockeys Exotic Dancers Acoustics (Not Amplified)
Objections must be filed by: 02/25/2014
BRIAN KEITH LINCOLN
Jan. 22, 2014
Jan. 29, 2014
Marianapolis pg 11 1-30-14
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By Ron P. Coderre
Marianapolis Prep, under coach Andrew Vitale, enjoyed its best week of the season racking up three consecutive wins before dropping a heartbreaker to Tilton School. Putnam Science Academy, the area’s hottest team, continued its winning ways picking up a pair of victories and raising its record to a gaudy 17-2. Pomfret School, Hyde-Woodstock and Marianapolis II combined for a 1-5 week.
Woodstock Academy bounced back from its out-of-state loss to Putnam Vocational by taking out its revenge on an outmanned Montville team. The Centaurs have now accomplished their first goal of the season – qualifying for the State Tournament. Plainfield went one-and-one for the week, while Tourtellotte, Putnam and Killingly suffered through a winless week.
Golden Knights Moving
in Right Direction
Marianapolis opened its week on the road at Hyde-Woodstock playing one of its best defensive efforts of the season. The Golden Knights picked up an easy 55-30 win over the lethargic Wolfpack, who scored only 10 points in the first 16 minutes of play. Devin Springfield (12 points) and Travis Descoteaux (11) were the leading scorers for the winners. Kenny Grant with a sub-par 12 point performance was the lone double figure scorer for Hyde.
The Knights then traveled to Boston where they took the measure of Milton Academy 58-50 behind a double-double by Bobby Ahearn who had 15 points and 13 boards. Eric Long added 13 for the winners. MPS picked up another road win, beating Wilbraham & Monson 56-48 behind the play of Ahearn and Eric Murdock Jr. who tallied 13 points apiece.
The Golden Knights couldn’t take advantage of home cooking as they lost to perennial power Tilton School 62-48 in front of the home crowd. Ahearn was once again the top scorer with 20 markers, while Eric Long chipped in 10 points for Marianapolis which appears headed in the right direction with a 7-6 record.
The Putnam Science Academy offensive machine continued to roll, picking up an 84-71 victory over Redemption Christian Academy and an 87-65 win over McDuffie School. Balanced scoring was the key to both victories. In the Redemption win five players reached double figures, led by Anthony “Bull” Durham with 21 points. Other double digit scorers were Danny “Up tempo” Upchurch (11), Dalique Mingo and Chaise Daniels with 12 apiece and Jordan “Man Mountain” Butler 11. Upchurch with 24 points was tremendous in the win over McDuffie, while Durham and Daniels had 10 each and Mingo produced 18 for the winners.
Pomfret School lost a pair when it was beaten by Loomis Chaffee 70-54 and Suffield Academy 52-50. The losses dropped the Griffins below .500 at 5-6. Pomfret blew a big 14-point lead in its loss to Loomis Chaffee despite 17 points from Cam Winston and 14 apiece from Jeff Iyalekhue and Isaiah Henderson.
A valiant second half offensive effort fell short against Suffield as the Griffs lost by a mere two points. Winston and Iyalekhue with 15 points each were the lone double-digit scorers for Pomfret. The Griffs righted the ship with a 63-48 win over Canterbury School in the Hall of Fame Classic. Winston (20) and Iyalekhue (16 & 12 rebounds) were once again Pomfret’s top guns as it leveled its record at 6-6. Marianapolis II fell to 7-4 with losses to Oxford Academy (50-49) and Worcester Academy (59-55).
Woodstock Qualifies
for State Tourney Play
After almost a week away from the hardwood, Woodstock Academy traveled to Montville and opened up the offensive flood gates on poor Montville, beating the Indians 91-65. The Centaurs took a 35-14 first period lead and followed that up with 28 points in the second quarter to go off at intermission comfortably ahead 63-27. Big Adam Converse had his best offensive varsity performance as he poured 25 points through the nets. Long-range bomber Trent Peters and Will Bourgeois chipped in with 12 points apiece for the 10-2 Acads of coach Greg Smith.
Plainfield and Killingly got entangled in a donnybrook before the contest was finally settled with the Panthers emerging with a 51-48 home victory. High scoring Ryan Pambuku led the Panthers with 15 points as his first two points of the evening gave him 1000 in his high school career. Corey Anderson added 14 points for the winners while Will Robinson had 10. Austin Taylor (16), Nick Hewitt (10) and James Saritelli (12) were in double figures for Killingly.
Plainfield let a halftime lead slip through its fingers as it was beaten 66-54 by Bacon Academy, dropping the Panthers to 5-6 overall and 3-1 in the ECC Medium Division. Pambuku was the scoring leader for Plainfield with 22 points.
Killingly, which was a decided underdog to NFA, gave the Wildcats a scare before succumbing 52-45. Saritelli (20) and Hewitt (18) combined for 38 of the Redmen’s 45 points. Killingly is 6-5 overall and 2-2 in the ECC Medium Division.
Tourtellotte was beaten 70-63 despite a herculean 29-point performance by Kaevon Safford and 10 points from Shawn Houle. The Tigers are struggling at 5-6 on the season and 1-3 in the ECC Small Division. Despite 16 point performances from the trio of Steve Dakai, Jordan Tetreault and Jacob Guertin, Putnam fell to 2-8 on the year as they lost to visiting Goodwin Tech 69-59 in a CSC confrontation.
Scoring Leaders: Ryan Pambuku – Plainfield - 22.3; Kaevon Safford – Tourtellotte – 21.1; Anthony Durham – Putnam Science Academy – 18.9; Kenny Grant – Hyde-Woodstock – 17.9; Nick Hewitt – Killingly – 15.6.
Three-point Leaders: Mike Jezierski – Tourtellotte – 38; Jalen Terry – Putnam Science Academy – 30; Kyle Menard – Putnam Science Academy – 28.
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