obit pg 6 4-11-24
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Dale E. Wilson
N. GROSVENORDALE — Dale E. (Kelley) Wilson, 82, of Denis Drive, died April 6, 2024, at home. Born in 1942 in Webster, she was the daughter of the late John Kelley and Eileen (George) Kokocinski.
Mrs. Wilson worked for many years at United Services in Plainfield as a case worker.
Dale enjoyed being outdoors tending to her beautiful gardens.
She leaves her husband, Henry B. Wilson; her daughters, Amy Wilson of Alexandria, Vir. and Caterina Gianelli of Topsfield, Mass.; her sisters, Carol Racicot of Thompson and Susan Horan of Rhode Island; grandchildren, Erik Larson, Meahgan Shiffrin, Zoe Atienza, and Xavier Atienza, and her great-grandchild, Alana Gianelli. She was predeceased by her daughters, Tracy Wilson and Kelly Anne Wilson.
Funeral services are private.
Valade Funeral Home and Crematory, 23 Main St., N. Grosvenordale.
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new pg 7 4-11-24
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Left: Matt Blachuta celebrates earlier in the season after hitting a home run. Right: Pitcher Jacob Hines. Photos by Celine Hines.
New England weather a frustration for team
It comes with the territory when playing an outdoor sport in New England, but the weather really did a number on Putnam Science Academy’s baseball team last week.
Four games on the schedule, not one of them was played. Wednesday’s game at Brunswick was rained out. Saturday’s doubleheader at Winchendon was cancelled because of snow and cold temperatures. And Monday’s game at Post University, while not weather-related was nonetheless canceled as the team was boarding the buses to make the ride to Waterbury.
“It’s definitely frustrating having the weather get the best of all four of our games,” pitcher Jacob Hines said. “It’s most especially irritating after coming off a weekend winning both our games and our bats were starting to get hot (a doubleheader sweep of Bridgton Academy on March 30 in which PSA scored 23 runs) and it can really affect the momentum of our hitting.
“However, we took this week for team bonding and training even harder to prepare for a big week against two Top-10 teams (at Winchendon Monday and at Salisbury Tuesday) and then we have our home opener at Dodd Thursday. So our pitchers are all available for this week’s schedule and then the following week is a big week as well.”
Outfielder Matt Blachuta echoed those sentiments and wanted to focus on the positives.
“It’s frustrating to go a whole week without a game but we are going into the new week with confidence considering the games (against Bridgton) went very well in every aspect.
“Also New England can be very unpredictable. I’ve lived here my whole life so you get used to it. Last week we got snow, this week it’s going to be in the 60s. It’s unpredictable but I think we are ready for a big upcoming week.”
Stephen Nalbandian
Sports Information Director
Putnam Science Academy
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runners pg 7 4-11-24
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The boys’ track team will rely on the running talents of, from left: Christian Menounos, Colton Sallum and Charlie Caggiano. Photo by Marc Allard/Woodstock Academy.
Boys’ Track Preview
Runners to provide strength for Woodstock boys’ track
Last year, it was Jared Eaton and his ability in the throws - the shotput, discus and javelin that helped Woodstock Academy score in boys’ track.
Eaton, unfortunately, has graduated.
The Centaurs, this season, will rely on their middle and distance runners.
“Our cross-country program is getting better and better and with that, the 800m, mile and two-mile just comes along with it in outdoor track,” said senior Charlie Caggiano.
Unlike the girls, the Centaurs boys are likely not chasing ECC and state titles.
The team does have individual talent but not the multiple-point scorers like Eaton and Carter Saracina were a year ago.
“Improvement is what we have to look for. We didn’t win any dual meets last year. We lost all of our big scorers from last year except Christian (Menounos) and Colton (Sallum). The goal this year is to try and teach the kids what it is to work and how the work pays off at the end of the season and we want to build a little enthusiasm,” coach Gerry LaMontagne said.
Fortunately, the team is very young.
Only six seniors, Caggiano (mid-distance), Austin Adams (throws), Logan Casteen (sprints), Gavin Grant (multi-events), Chris Kirkconnell (multi) and Joel Koleszar (distance) are out for the team.
But turnout, overall, was good. “We had a decent showing from the freshmen. We have some new people from the upper classes so we’re very happy with turnout,” LaMontagne said.
Menounos will be one of those the Centaurs will count on for points.
He captured the school record in the 800m last season.
“I just want to continue that, get more school records, lower my times and improve as much as I can,” Menounos said.
“I like the middle distance. It’s a faster race, is over quickly, and it’s true toughness. The 800m is the toughest race in track, I feel, and I like tough races.”
Menounos has been successful at longer lengths as well as he finished third in the ECC cross-country race and was a 1000-meter performer in indoor track.
“There is no question that the strength of the team is the middle distance,” LaMontagne said.
“Christian is the state 1000m champion indoors and is the returning ECC 800m champion and he’s looking faster this year than he did last year. Colton is going to be in a really good place as well in the 1600m and that’s the meat and potatoes of our team right there.”
Sallum doesn’t mind running a little longer.
“The 1600m is more strategic and it gives me more time to visualize myself in the race, think about where I am. If I’m boxed in and there are people around me and I have to figure out how to get by them, I have time to do that. That’s one of my strengths because I can calm myself down and think about where I am in the race,” Sallum said.
Caggiano will also be involved in the middle and distance events as he participates for a final outdoor track season in his high school career.
“I didn’t start too long ago so it has gone by really fast for me. I started cross-country in my junior year and did outdoor and indoor beginning as a sophomore but it just flew by. I’m so excited for this last season,” Caggiano said.
In sprints, junior Aidan Kane and sophomore Anthony Beaudreault will try and garner some points with Kane and Gabe Luperon-Flecha also doing jumps and Beaudreault working in hurdles for a first year.
Sophomore Eli Manning, who qualified for States in the shotput last year, will return as one of the top throwers for the Centaurs. Manning will also compete in discus and javelin and will try his hand in the decathlon.
“We’re trying to find our Juliet Allard who can do big things in multiple events and he may be someone who can do that in the future,” LaMontagne said of Manning.
Junior Aiden Brailsford is back into outdoor track and will be used in several different areas. LaMontagne is also hoping to see development from Cayson Barille-Castillo and Miles Densmore, both are freshmen throwers.
Gavin Grant will compete in pole vault and is approaching 10 feet, 6 inches which likely would qualify him for state competition.
The Centaurs took part in the Bloomfield Invitational last weekend and go to the Patriot Games in Coventry this weekend but the first dual meet at East Lyme will not take place until April 24.
“It’s the opposite of last year where we had to wait two months for our first meet and the kids were chomping at the bit. Overall, the schedule this year is better than last year. It would be better if we had more dual meets and if they were spread out a bit more. Dual meets are a much better place for young athletes to learn,” LaMontagne said.
Marc Allard
Director of Sports Information
The Woodstock Academy
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calling pg 8 4-11-24
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Calling all photographers
The Last Green Valley, Inc. (TLGV) is searching for photos capturing the unique spirit of the National Heritage Corridor. There will be two calendars this year – one featuring wildlife and the other highlighting beautiful views. That means up to 24 photos could be selected to appear in the 2025 TLGV Calendar. Photos must capture the heart and soul of the natural, historic and cultural resources of The Last Green Valley. Photos of people are welcomed, but must have the subject’s permission to publish.
Photos must be in color digital format, sized to 10” wide x 8” tall (landscape orientation), have a minimum resolution of 300 dpi and be accompanied by a completed contest form. Photos not meeting the criteria will be disqualified. There is a limit of three entries per person. Contest forms are available online at thelastgreenvalley.org. All submissions will become the property of TLGV. Submissions are due by email no later than 4 p.m. on June 3. Send to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., subject line “Calendar Photo Contest.” For more information, please call 860-774-3300 or send questions to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., subject “Calendar Photo Contest.”
The TLGV Calendar is printed in color on high quality paper and will be available through the TLGV online shop, with all proceeds supporting the programs and projects of the National Heritage Corridor. The name of the photographer, title of the image and location it was captured are printed with each image. The photographer who earns the cover will receive seven copies of the 2025 TLGV Calendar. All other winners will get three copies of the calendar.
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