obit pg 6 9-19-24
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Harriet Hathaway Green Johnson
Harriet Hathaway Green Johnson, 98, passed away peacefully Aug. 18, 2024, surrounded by family and caregivers.
She was born May 26, 1926, in New York. She spent her childhood in Glen Head, Long Island, and enjoyed summers in Hackettstown, N.J., in a house that her father and grandfather helped build. She attended Northfield Mount Hermon for high school, Wilson College (Pennsylvania) for undergraduate studies, and Columbia University in New York for her masters in teaching. She was a lifelong teacher, both in and out of the classroom.
Harriet taught at The Grier School in Birmingham, Penn., from 1951 to 1953. In the summer of 1953 while at Harvard Summer School she met Burr Johnson. They married in March of 1954 at the Dingletown Church in Greenwich. They started married life in Port Chester, N.Y., then moved to The Choate School in Wallingford in 1957. Harriet taught English at Choate, and adult education for Wallingford.
She and Burr raised four children in her years there, and impacted the lives of numerous students. She also was director of Admissions at the Summer School Office before retiring in 1991. After retiring, she and Burr moved to Putnam where she was an active force in Self Help for the Hard of Hearing (SHHH). She and Burr enjoyed peaceful mornings on their back deck, tending to their immaculate gardens, exploring yard sales, and spoiling their cats. After years of declining hearing, she received a life-changing cochlear implant in 2004 so advocacy for hearing health was close to her heart. After Burr passed, she stayed in Putnam for two years then moved to The Hidenwood Assisted Living Community in Newport News, Vir., in September of 2013. She made new friends and lived there for the rest of her life. Her devoted personal caregivers kept her company, kept her safe, and looked after her every need in the final years of her life. Those who care for the elderly are truly angels on earth.
Left to carry on her memory are her children Burr Johnson Jr. (Kathleen Dahill) of Needham, Mass., David Johnson of Topanga, Calif., Rebecca Johnson Mahan (Sean Mahan) of Hampton, Vir., and Charles Johnson (Maria Andrade) of Everett, Mass.. “Meemah” also had seven grandchildren: Caroline and Katie Johnson, Emma and Laurel Selmo-Johnson, Connor and Kevin Mahan, and Xavier Andrade. She was predeceased by Arnold Burr Johnson, her husband of 57 years and her sister, Betty Jo Russo.
Donations: A no-kill animal shelter or animal rescue in your town to honor her lifelong love of animals.
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football pg 7 9-19-24
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The football team runs out on to the field at the Bentley Athletic Complex for a first time this season. Photos by Abby Ditzel/Woodstock Academy.
Football romps in season opener
The script could not have been written any better. The first play of the 2024 high school football season for the Woodstock Academy Centaurs featured their opponent, Bassick, winning the opening toss and electing to kick off.
Hindsight being 20/20, the Lions probably should have chosen to take the ball.
Quaderi Bacon’s kick was briefly bobbled by Centaur returner Gabe Luperon but he was able to control it at the 15-yard line and started up field.
“When I saw the ball fumble by me, I was like, ‘this play is done.’ But I took it and I saw this gap just open up, went straight through it and the rest is history,” Luperon said.
“Around the 30-yard line or something like that, I was like ‘Uh-oh, (a Bassick player) is coming after me’. Around the 5-yard line, he got me around the ankles but I was able to get in,” Luperon said.
The 85-yard touchdown return sparked a 35-point first quarter for the Centaurs who cruised to a 41-6 season-opening win over their Bridgeport-based opponent.
“That was exciting,” coach Sean Saucier said of the return. “I have high hopes for Gabe this year. He started it off in the right fashion and set the tone.”
The points just kept on coming in the first quarter whether the Centaurs had the ball or not.
Mistakes on Bassick’s part helped to contribute to the Woodstock success.
The Lions were forced to punt on their first possession and the snap went sailing over punter David De Los Santos’ head into the end zone where the Centaurs tackled him for the safety,
Woodstock took over following the free kick by Bassick at the Lions’ 45-yard line. Luperon, in his only carry of the day from scrimmage, broke through for 34 yards and a facemask moved the ball to the Bassick 7-yard line. Quarterback Sam Clark found an opening down the sideline for the touchdown.
Bassick fumbled on its next possession and it was picked up by Dylan Phillips who ran it in from 39 yards out for the score.
The Centaurs added another score after they forced another Bassick punt which was bobbled by the Centaurs. The ball ended up in the arms of Aiden Brailsford who went the 32 yards for the score.
Clark finished up the scoring and completed his only pass of the game with 4 minutes, 34 seconds left in the first quarter. He hit Luperon who came from the slot, cut it inside and found himself open for an 18-yard scoring pass.
“I was wide open and Sam just lofted it up to me and I caught it. It was a routine catch,” Luperon said.
It did, however, send the starting offense and defense to the sideline for the remainder of the game.
“It was good,” Luperon said of the early lead. “We were able to get some of the JV players some reps in and now, our minds are on Stonington next week.”
Mason Bourget (3 carries, 20 yards) scored the only other touchdown for the Centaurs in the second quarter on a 1-yard dive.
“It was what it was,” Saucier said. “We did what we needed to do. You try to balance. Unfortunately, these types of games do happen and you try to do the best you can to get your kids some experience and time but also try to be sportsmanlike about it.”
Freshman Caydem Herlihy took the majority of the snaps at quarterback and finished 2-for-2 passing for 28 yards.
“He’s been an iron man. He’s played four positions for us, quarterback, slot receiver, H-Back, he’s our emergency kicker,” Saucier said.
Keegan Brown, another freshman, was the team’s leading rusher with 35 yards in six carries.
The only concern- the Woodstock got little in the way of reps as they had only four offensive plays from scrimmage.
"There was a couple of times when I did want to fair catch the punt so we could run some offensive plays but it just kept bouncing our way,” Saucier said.
Marc Allard
Director of Sports Information
The Woodstock Academy
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psa pg 7 9-19-24
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Photo by Rebecca Townes
PSA boys’ soccer kicks off season after 1 week of prep
The Putnam Science Academy (PSA) boys’ soccer team is set to open its season under new head coach Chris Steele, who has had only a week to prepare his squad for competition. Despite the quick turnaround, Steele is eager to guide the team through what promises to be an exciting and challenging season.
“It can be challenging taking over a team so close to the season,” he said. “I am super excited for the opportunity to coach at PSA and be part of the winning tradition the school has.” Steele’s experience at both the club and college levels has given him confidence in his ability to adapt quickly to his new role. “I have never been shy and I plan things out, so with my club experience and my college coaching experience, the level of adjustment just seems natural.”
The team arrived on campus last Saturday, and with minimal time to prepare, they immediately jumped into action. Steele said, “The major challenge is getting everything organized and making sure we are on the same page.” Another significant challenge has been overcoming the language barrier, as the roster features players from all over the globe. “We have players from Brazil, Spain, England, South Africa, Malawi, Kenya, Zimbabwe...now we have to become one team with one clear message,” Steele added.
Despite these challenges, Steele remains optimistic. His primary focus is not only on the team’s performance on the field but also on their growth as individuals. “For me personally, it’s about watching them grow both in the classroom and on the pitch,” he said. “Of course, we are here to play a sport we all love, but it is important to me for them to be balanced.”
With players bringing diverse playing styles, the team has the potential to play a versatile brand of soccer. “There is a lot of talent on this team. We can play so many different styles and adjust on the fly. My main point to them was no matter my coaching style, I will never take away their creativity. I think it’s important to let them be who they are on the pitch.”
As the season begins, Steele’s main goal is to see if the team can blend their different cultures and styles into one cohesive unit. “The goal for me is to see if we can blend all the different countries into one,” he said. “My goals for them are to play a possession-style game and, when we have opportunities, to take them. I think we will be a solid, balanced team that can compete, and my goal is to help guide them.”
With the season opener just around the corner, the team’s preparation may have been brief, but their potential is immense. Steele’s excitement is palpable as he leads his new squad into what promises to be a memorable season.
Rebecca Townes
Sports Information Director
Putnam Science Academy
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putnam pg 7 9-19-24
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Putnam Science
football gears up
for second game
PUTNAM — The Putnam Science Academy Mustangs are eager to bounce back from a close loss in their first-ever football game. They plan Connecticut State’s JUCO team Sept. 21 in Meriden.
Quarterback Benjamin Roden, who connected with Jaydaun Coggins on a 65-yard touchdown pass in the previous game, will lead the offense. Running back Anthony Phillipo, who scored the Mustangs’ first touchdown in school history, will also be key in moving the ball. Josiah Joyner, fresh off securing the team’s first 2-point conversion, will provide additional offensive firepower.
Defensively, Johnny Patrick and Fazal Khan will look to anchor the team, while Xaiver Valentine, who made history with the Mustangs’ first interception, will be a player to watch in the secondary. On special teams, Miles Bryan, who turned heads with a punt block return last game, will look to make an impact once again.
Rebecca Townes
Sports Information Director
Putnam Science Academy
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