Academy pg 9 11-5-15
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By Ron P. Coderre
This week’s RPC shoutout is sent along to Eric Quinn of Gerardi Insurance. Quinn is an active supporter of youth sports in the greater Putnam region. He’s an avid follower of the Woodstock Academy football team.
The Woodstock Academy girls’ soccer team along with coach Dennis Snelling and assistant Jennifer Bruneau traveled to Hartford for the YMCA Celebrates Champions event on Thursday, October 22. The program featured five-time U.S. Soccer Player of the Year Mia Hamm. The team was able to attend the program thanks to the generosity of an anonymous donor.
Hamm, the mother of 8-year-old twin sons and another 3-year-old boy, regaled the audience of more than 500 in attendance at the Connecticut Convention Center with stories ranging from her youth through her Gold Medal Olympic success. The head coach of the U.S. Women’s National Team Tony DiCicco served as the moderator, leading Hamm through the interview process.
Hamm related stories about growing up in a caring military family that included an adopted brother. When asked who the biggest inspiration in her life was, she answered her brother Garrett, who died from complications related to Aplastic Anemia, a bone marrow disease. She’s established the Mia Hamm Foundation in his memory.
“Garrett was strong, brave and courageous throughout his battle with his disease. He battled to the end and always maintained a great sense of humor. He was such an inspiration to me and my family,” said Hamm.
The woman named the “Most Marketable Female Athlete” by Street & Smith was named to the soccer National team at the age of 15. She was a three-time All American at the University of North Carolina and a member f the 1996 U.S. Olympic Gold Medal team. She told the audience that hearing the National Anthem at the 1996 Olympics was one of the biggest moments in her life. The humble Hamm closed by stating, “I was just a player on the best team in the world.”
Members of the Centaur team on hand for the evening included Makara Sorel, Kathryn McLaughlin, Regan Stuyniski, Jessica Semancik, Ciri Miller, Ivy Gelhaus, Ashleigh Angle, Serenity Bottieri, Colette Cloutier, Heather Converse, Emily Lengyel, Irene Askitis, Deana Guilani, Broklynn Saracina, Caroline Schad, Kennedy Davignon, Kiara Ballou, Teagan Lynch and Olivia Perry.
Also on hand representing the Hale YMCA Youth and Family Center were Betty Hale, Paul Kelly, Laurence and Helen Hale, Marc and Grant Cerrone, and Jim and Brooke Zahansky. Tony Gronski, executive director of the YM CA Camp Woodstock, assisted with program arrangements.
Maple St. Madness
Putnam Science Academy will unveil its 2015-2016 basketball team on Saturday, November 14 in a program scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. The one-hour action-packed program will feature a 3-point shooting contest, dunk contest, face painting for kids, performance by a surprise dance team, music by DJ Drew and special contests for those in attendance. The highlight of the program will feature the introduction of the latest edition of the PSA Mustangs including UConn bound Captain Mamadou Diarra. As part of the evening Diarra will sign his National Letter of Intent, officially becoming a UConn Husky.
According to Director of Athletics and basketball coach Tom Espinosa, the honored guest of the evening will be newly appointed Headmaster Don Cushing. Cushing, who is the former principal of Bartlett High School in Webster, was a star basketball player at Worcester State University.
The evening filled with fun activities, contests and giveaways is open to the public. There is no admission fee.
Another Broken Record
at Killingly
Killingly High School’s super stick handler Alyssa Rainey now stands alone in field hockey career and season scoring at the school. In the last regular season game, a 6-0 victory over Waterford, Rainey tallied a pair of goals, giving her 30 on the season. Her performance helped her surpass former record holder Gina Allen who had the mark with 28.
Two weeks earlier, Rainey surpassed Allen’s career goal mark when she recorded goal number 49 of her career. As the Redgals prepare for the Eastern Connecticut Conference postseason tournament and the CIAC championships, they close the regular season at 11-3-2 and 10-2-2 in the ECC.
On The Heal
Putnam High School soccer player Saige Morin is healing following an unfortunate incident in a game against New London in which she broke her leg. Morin, who is a junior, was one of the Clippers offensive weapons from her striker position prior to her misfortune. Send her some words of encouragement c/o Putnam High School, 152 Woodstock Ave., Putnam 06260.
Veteran Runner Working With Young Harriers
Putnam’s Scott Deslongchamps is recognized as one of the area’s premier long distance runners but a little known fact is the size of Deslongchamps heart. Whenever possible he does the little things to help others with little or no recognition. An example of his generosity was the year he ran the Deary Memorial Road Race course throughout the night to raise extra funds for the cause.
Most recently Deslongchamps has been mentoring twin brothers Luke and Dillon Lopriore, the former Ellis Tech track and cross country standouts. In a recent race the student surpassed the master when Luke Lopriore finished first and Deslongchamps second at the Worcester 5K run at Worcester State University. Lopriore is currently training for the Turkey Trot that is run at the site of the West Thompson Dam. His goal is to cross the finish line ahead of the rest of the field.
While at Ellis Tech the Lopriore twins were four-year honor students. Luke also captured the Connecticut State title in the masonry skills challenge.
Becher Watch
Former Woodstock Academy female soccer standout Emily Becher continues to impress with her scoring for the Eastern Connecticut State University Lady Warriors. Becher’s latest feat was a two goal, one assist performance in a 7-1 win over Rhode Island College. Her effort helped ECSU clinch its sixth Little East Conference title in 16 seasons.
Her latest performance helped the sophomore continue her climb in the Eastern Connecticut State University Top 10 career scoring parade. The Lady Warriors are 12-3-1 and 6-0 in the Little East as they prepare for tourney action.
Gridiron Stats
It doesn’t seem possible but the high school football season is in its ninth week of competition as the teams roll toward Thanksgiving Day. Killingly’s Austin Caffrey is the area’s dominant player as he’s racked up 1,180 yards and 14 touchdowns in six games for the 5-1 Redmen. His teammate quarterback Kyle Desrosier leads the area with seven touchdown passes. Chuck Innes of the Quinebaug Valley Pride is second in that category with five TD tosses. Derosier’s favorite target Vasileios Politis is the leader in touchdown receptions with five. He’s trailed by Saige Louis of the Pride with four.
A special tip of the sports fedora to Killingly coach Chad Neal who has his team in the top spot in the Class M State rankings. Should the Redmen continue their fine play, they will enter the postseason for the first time in many moons.
RPC’s Closing Thought For The Day: Be reliable, faithful and finish what you start.
(If you have news worthy sports information email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.)
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Putnam pg 9 11-5-15
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By Ron P. Coderre
The word about the quality of the Putnam Science Academy basketball program continues to spread throughout Connecticut, the Northeast and the country. The results, more and more young men with a desire to play college basketball are either inquiring or showing up on coach Tom Espinosa’s doorstep.
As things were settling in for the 2015-2016-edition of the Mustangs, Espinosa received a surprise on Oct. 5 in the person of Kevin Jamal “KJ” Smith from Hamden. Smith and his parents Jack and June Smith have been watching their son play basketball since the very tender age of 5. Throughout his years his talents have grown in his favorite sport. Consequently, the 6-foot, 3-inch guard has decided to come to Putnam Science Academy as a member of the class of 2017.
Smith, a multi-sport athlete, is transferring from Hill Regional Career Magnet High School in New Haven. As a player at Career, Smith has excelled under the leadership of coaches G.J. Wright and Larry Kelly. During his three years at Career, Smith has grown steadily as a player becoming one of his team’s top hoopsters.
Career plays a schedule, which perennially faces the top schools in Connecticut such as Amity, Fairfield Prep, Wilbur Cross, Hill House, Naugatuck, Daniel Hand and Notre Dame.
“Smith has the talent to become a dominant player. He is a kid who can score from three-point range and drive to the hoop. He’s also an excellent free throw shooter. We also like the fact that he’s very much of a team player,” said Espinosa of his newest recruit.
As Smith begins this new chapter in his life at Putnam Science Academy, he’s ready not only for the basketball court but also for the classroom. He’s excels academically in math, English and science. The family oriented young man is a determined and dedicated student and athlete.
Smith and the Putnam Science Academy Mustangs embark on a 38-game regular season schedule as an independent prep school on Nov. 17 when they entertain Spire Institute of Ohio in a 6:30 p.m. home contest.
American pg 10 11-5-15
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Special to the Town Crier
The Mayotte-Viens American Legion Post #13 of Putnam is once again remembering veterans with a Veterans Remembrance Program and Celebrity Bartender event at J.D. Cooper’s Restaurant on Veteran’s Day, Wednesday, November 11. According to Post Commander Ron Coderre, the program will honor two veterans who will be the special guests of honor.
Last year Post #13 honored WWII veterans Armand Jolly, a U.S. Navy veteran, and Robert Clemens, a U.S. Marine Corps vet, in a very moving and emotional ceremony.
Through the efforts of American Legion Post # 13 Commander Coderre and the members of the unit, Putnam area veterans will be celebrated at Celebrity Bartender Night. This is the fifth year that the Post has held the event. Last year the evening raised more than $4,000 in support of Post #13 youth activities, such as Boys State, State Police Youth Leadership Program, Americanism programs in local schools and the TriTown American Legion Baseball Program. The Post also supports the Home At Last Campaign for homeless veterans and last year initiated a scholarship for a local graduating high school senior.
“The evening is our way of thanking all veterans from northeastern Connecticut who’ve ever served our country. We’re also proud of the opportunity to pause and honor local veterans who, in a special way were part of our proud military heritage,” said Commander Coderre.
“The Celebrity Bartender portion of the evening allows us to raise funds for the youth activities associated with the American Legion programs. We’re thankful for the local and statewide celebrities who take timeout of their busy schedules to make this night a success,” he added.
The evening begins at 5 p.m. and concludes at 9. Former Boston Red Sox catcher Roger LaFrancois, WFSB Channel 3 news personality Kevin Hogan and other noted celebrities are scheduled to be on hand once again to greet and serve patrons. Also scheduled to take turns behind the bar are local radio personality Gary “O” of WINY Radio, Killingly Town Manager Sean Hendricks, Laura Crosetti, Jeff Bousquet, and former Commander Barney Seney. Other local personalities are expected to join in the evening’s festivities.
“Last year’s event was a huge success. We’re hoping that people will once again see the worthiness of the event and drop by to salute our honored veterans and other veterans who may be on hand.” said Coderre.
Prior to honoring the veterans, U.S. Air Force veteran Maurice “Moe” Coderre will offer a rendition of the National Anthem. Local celebrity and noted performer Linda Colangelo will close the evening’s festivities with the singing of God Bless America and a special tribute to the Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force and Coast Guard.
“J.D. Cooper’s is honored to host this event for the veterans. Having celebrities on hand will certainly add luster to the festivities. This is a special day and a special event. We’re hoping to have a good turnout in honor of the men and women who have served and defended our freedom,” said G. David Landry of J.D. Cooper’s Restaurant.
The program will also feature a drawing of more than 50 items and an auction that will include autographed sports memorabilia, tickets to college and professional games, golf packages and some other significant items. Working with Coderre on the organizing committee are Legionnaires, Donald Steinbrick, Marc Coderre, Barney Seney, Alan Joslin and Eric Quinn.
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Leaf pg 10 11-5-15
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Leaf collection
PUTNAM --- The town of Putnam will be collecting leaves throughout town. They started the last Monday in October and will continue until complete or until inclement weather interrupts the operation. For more information, call 860-963-6800, ext. 140.