honored pg 5 9-12-24
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Honored
WICHITA, Kan. — Ronald N DeGray of Woodstock was named to the Wichita State University’s Dean’s Honor Roll for spring 2024.
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cal pg 6 9-12-24
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Wed. Sept. 11
Art Exhibit
PUTNAM --- “The Five Senses of Women” exhibit will run through Sept. 30 at the Corridor Gallery at the Putnam Municipal Complex. Free. It features a variety of medias and techniques from five local artists: Lisa Andrews, Kathy Guertin, Carolyn Nadeau, Laura Moorehead, and Karen Reid. 1. www.PutnamCtArtsCouncil.com for gallery hours and more information.
Art Exhibit
THOMPSON --- The Friends of the Library will hold one of its Art @ the Library series, “Landscape Journeys by Al Mathes” at the Thompson Public Library through September. In the Display Case: Constitution Week by Ida Ransom.
Sat. Sept. 14
Fashion Program
PUTNAM --- The Putnam Public Library will present ‘Fashions of Gilded Age” from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Free. Register: 860-963-6826.
Sun. Sept. 15
Poets
WOODSTOCK --- State Poet Laureate Antoinette Brim-Bell returns for a second year to read in the Poets at Large Roseland Park series. This free poetry/spoken word event to be held from 2 to 4 p.m. in the barn at Roseland Park. Featured with Brim-Bell will be Massachusetts Beat Poet Laureate Linda Bratcher Wlodyka and Christopher Reilley, former poet of Dedham, Mass. Sign up for open mic at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Five- minute limit as time allows. Recommended for ages 14 and up.
Tues. Sept. 17
KBIC Meeting
KILLINGLY/BROOKLYN --- Killingly-Brooklyn Interfaith Council meeting for all faith communities and spiritually-minded individuals at 1 p.m. at the Danielson United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall, 9 Spring St., Danielson (behind Key Bank).
Thur. Sept. 19
Peace Day
PUTNAM --- The Greater Putnam Interfaith Council invites local residents to a Peace Day Celebration at 6 p.m. at the Daughters of the Holy Spirit offices, 508B Pomfret St. The event will feature music, readings, prayers and information.
Sun. Sept. 22
Art in Park
WOODSTOCK --- The 10th Annual Art in the Park will be from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Roseland Park.
Mon. Sept. 30
Explore Harp
PUTNAM --- The Putnam Public Library will present “Exploring the Harp” for kids 6-12 at 4:30. Limit. Registration required: 860-963-6826.
Sat. Oct. 5
'Cozy Pumpkin'
POMFRET --- The Pomfret Recreation Department will host “Make Your Own Hand Knit Cozy Pumpkin at 10 a.m. at the Pomfret Community Center. Learn the basic of arm knitting and make your own cozy pumpkin(s). $45 per pumpkin. All supplies are included! Limited spots available. Sign up now on Facebook at Sovanny’s Comfort Boutique.
Wed. Oct. 16
Movie Night
PUTNAM --- The Friends of the Putnam Public Library will present Movie Night (a Disney remake of a classic haunted house PG-13 comedy) from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the library. Free. Only covered drinks allow.
Sat. Oct. 19
Great Pumpkin Fest
PUTNAM --- The Town of Putnam and the Putnam Business Association will present the Great Pumpkin Festival from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. This community celebration of fall features The Great Pumpkin, craft and art vendors, live music, activities for the kids, and more.
Rec to Treat
POMFRET --- The Pomfret Recreation Department will host Rec or Treat at 4 p.m. Trunk or Treating with PCS PTO, hayride, crafts, bonfire and movie. Food and drink will be available for purchase. www.pomfretct.gov/recreation.
Fri. Oct. 25
Murder Mystery
POMFRET --- Murder Mystery Dinner at Grill 37. Cocktail hour starts at 6 followed by the show and buffet dinner. Dressing up is strongly encouraged. The theme will be Death of a Gangster! www.pomfretct.gov/recreation.
Sat. Oct. 26
Trick or Treat
PUTNAM --- The town of Putnam and the Putnam Business Association will present the Downtown Trick or Treat from 2 to 3:30 p.m. on Main Street. From Riverfront Commons to Union Square, participating merchants and local groups pass out treats.
Thur. Nov. 21
History Program
THOMPSON ---The Thompson Historical Society and the Thompson Public Library will present “Lafayette Story and Thompson Lore About the Man of Two Countries” at 6 p.m. at the library. Free.
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obit pg 6 9-12-24
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James Henry Bartolomei Jr.
BROOKLYN — James Henry Bartolomei Jr., 74, of Brooklyn, died Aug. 25, 2024.
Born in Putnam, to Claire Robitaille (1929–2018) and James Bartolomei Sr. (1924–1976), Jim grew up on Vandale Street with his parents and six siblings. He attended St. Mary’s Church and Catholic school before heading to Putnam High School. After high school, he graduated from UConn with a bachelor’s in mathematics and a minor in intramural basketball, and later earned a master’s in teaching from ECSU.
Jim began working for the button factory in Putnam before starting his 30-plus year career at Putnam High School as a beloved mathematics teacher. While teaching, he also became a well-respected coach. He will be remembered for coaching girls’ soccer, boys’ basketball, and boys’ golf.
Jim retired from Putnam High School in 2013 but remained engaged in coaching.
Jim’s favorite job, however, was helping to raise his children, James Henry III and Lesley. He worked hard to provide for them, traveling to see them wherever they were —whether in D.C., Boston, New Hampshire, Maine, California, or their new homes in Madison, and Little Rock.
Jim met his wife Donna at the Willimantic Country Club in 1997. They fell in love and married in May 1998, and he became the stepfather to her three children. They bought a house in Lisbon and were involved in every moment of their children’s upbringing. Later, they moved to their home in Brooklyn, where Jim and Donna welcomed their dog and Jim’s best friend, Pedey (or Pedroia, like the former second baseman of the Boston Red Sox).
Jim loved the beach, with York Beach, Maine, being his favorite. He brought his children there each year, creating many cherished memories with them and his entire family.
Jim had many hobbies, particularly those involving a ball. His most profound love was golf; you could find him on the golf course all summer. Did you know he had three holes in one? He tied with Donna! Jim made many friends through golfing, some of whom joined him on golfing adventures. However, he could also be found on the basketball court, tennis court, or riding a bicycle.
He also loved to travel with friends. Notable places they traveled to include Ireland, Florida, New Hampshire, Maine, Alaska, Vermont, and Hawaii. He also went on a 41-day cross-country trip in 2001, during which Lesley and Jimmy flew out to California to join him for a few weeks. Jim and Donna also visited 15 major league baseball parks and many drives to Arkansas, among other destinations.
Jim was an avid reader who loved Dean Koontz, Nelson DeMille novels and many more. He enjoyed watching Star Trek, The Three Stooges, and Jeopardy. His musical tastes included Bob Dylan, Cream, Elvis Costello, Bruce Springsteen, The Beatles, and more. He was a die-hard New England sports fan, rooting for his Red Sox, Patriots, Celtics, and, most of all, his UConn Huskies.
Jim was known for assigning nicknames to his friends that would stick with them for a lifetime. He was quick-witted, with colorful New England sarcasm, grounded by his laid-back, go-with-the-flow attitude. He never shied away from sharing his opinions on current affairs and politics.
He leaves his wife of 26 years, Donna Bartolomei; his son, James Henry Bartolomei III (Suzanne), along with grandchildren Lily Grace and James Henry IV of Little Rock; his daughter, Lesley Young (Doug), along with grandchildren Alexa and Drew of Madison; stepchildren Laura Laidley (Larry), of Jewett City, Justin Loura (Jenn) of Columbia, and Kayla Simpson (Steve), of Marlborough; his dog, Pedey; siblings John A. Bartolomei (Pamela), Jeffrey F. Bartolomei (Laura Burke), Jay R. Bartolomei (Karen), Jo-Ann B. Dean; Joyce D. Adams and Dr. Jill M. Espelin; nieces and nephews.
A Celebration of Life will be held from 1 to 6 p.m. Nov. 16 at the Putnam Elks Lodge, 64 Edmond St., Putnam. Gilman and Valade Funeral Homes, 104 Church St., Putnam.
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academy pg 7 9-12-24
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caption:
From left: Despite being a bit under the weather, senior Leah Costa had a hat trick in a season-opening 4-0 win. Elise Coyle tries to get position on Stonington’s Eva Terwilliger (31). New coach Andrea Danforth talks to her team after its first win. Photos by Marc Allard/Woodstock Academy.
Academy's girls’ soccer gives new coach first win
The first match of the season can bring on the butterflies. Sometimes, not only for the players.
Such was the case for Andrea Danforth who made her debut on the sidelines as the head coach of her alma mater last Tuesday against Somers.
“I was very nervous coming into (the match) but we’ve been training really hard and putting a lot of emphasis on intensity and movement off the ball, finding feet, and they executed,” Danforth said.
The Centaurs captured the opener, 4-0, over the Spartans.
“I think coach has been the best help ever and she has been pushing us. We have got so much better in the past couple of weeks and throughout the summer as we’ve been practicing,” said senior Leah Costa. “I respect her 100 percent. Whatever I get from her, I know will help me. I know I’m getting better.”
Costa knocked in a trio of goals for the Centaurs to start them off on the right path.
Costa got an early goal and Bella Mawson made it a two-goal lead before the half.
The Somers keeper made an original save off a shot by Costa but as she was reaching to grab it, the ball popped forward and on to the foot of Rawson who delivered a strike to the center of the empty net.
Costa, who admitted to being a bit under the weather, finished things off with a pair of second-half tallies.
“I had a great ball from Macy (Rawson) and I played it from the corner. Then, there was a through ball, I think it was from Bella, and I just played it over the goalie with my left foot,” Costa said.
Costa will be a force up front for the Centaurs.
Her helper up front, fellow senior Juliet Allard, was at the match but she was running the clock rather than running on the field due to an injury.
She may be on the sidelines for a little while longer.
“She brings a similar value that Leah does with her speed and intensity. We want her to take it easy. We’re being conservative because long term, we want to see her healthy. We don’t want her to rush back and do something that could impact the rest of the season. We’re taking it one game at a time,” Danforth said.
Costa and Mawson proved in the opener that there is some chemistry there and Danforth believes there are others.
Junior Jaelyn Knox made a host of runs against the Spartans while freshman Kaitlyn Teal proved her worth in a scrimmage, getting the only goal.
In the middle of the field, junior Avery Danis found the pass consistently against Somers and Rawson at defensive center-midfield added a morale boost.
In the back, Freya Robbie is a strong senior and another freshman, Lily Mioduszewski, have found each other.
“They work well together, work off each other, and we have strong outside backs. One of our biggest problems is that we make sure we get everyone in (the match) because we have a lot of strength and it’s not often that a coach can say that,” Danforth said.
Junior Ellary Sampson and sophomore Reagan Scheck are battling for starting duties but it was Scheck in goal against Somers. She delivered the shutout as Sampson was also sidelined by an injury.
Thursday vs the Stonington Bears the defense not only pitched a shutout but also contributed to the scoring.
Senior Freya Robbie got the party started in a 3-0 win over the Bears with a 35-yard blast off a free kick that found the back of the net.
Her tally came with just under eight minutes left in the first half and gave the Centaurs a slim cushion going into the half.
The one-goal lead held for the first 20 minutes before Costa broke free.
The senior took a through ball from Isabella Selmecki and scored to give the Centaurs a little insurance.
Avery Danis put the finishing touches on the day with a goal from long distance for the defensive center-mid.
The Centaurs defense did the rest, posting its second straight shutout.
This time, it was Sampson who had healed enough to deliver the shutout in the net. The defensive line includes freshman Lily Mioduszewski who has seen lots of playing time early on.
“We’re very happy but one thing we talked about at practice was to be humble. Every game is a new game whether we have played them once, twice, doesn’t matter. We have to come in, ready to go, no preconceived notions ever. Every day is a new day- show up,” Danforth said.
Marc Allard
Director of Sports Information
The Woodstock Academy
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