Former PSA

Mustang 

signs NBA

Development 

League pact

By Ron P. Coderre

Hidden away in small print in the Transaction announcements on the agate page of the Sports Section of newspapers recently was an announcement that was missed by most or had little if any significance to others.  To the administration and basketball staff at Putnam Science Academy it was big news.

Under the section titled NBA Development League in small print, was the announcement that former PSA Mustang Ta’Quan “Tootie” Zimmerman had been acquired by the Idaho Stampede of the NBA Development League.  The Stampede is an affiliate of the Utah Jazz of the NBA.

Zimmerman’s road to Idaho and the NBA Development League is akin to NASA’s space shuttle attempts.  There have been numerous highlights and successes along the way but the determined Zimmerman has also encountered some aborted stops and detours also on his trip.  The road blocks have never been a deterrent to “Tootie” as his goal has always been and still is today, to play in the National Basketball Association.

“It is my dream to become a professional basketball player.  Now that dream has come true, and I am one step closer to the NBA.  That is my ultimate dream.  One dream down, one more to go,” Zimmerman told Sports Columnist Joe Palladino of Waterbury.

Zimmerman’s basketball journey started at Holy Cross High School in Waterbury before winding its way to northeastern Connecticut and the Putnam Science Academy campus on Maple Street.  While a member of the Mustangs, Zimmerman wasted little time in establishing himself as one of the programs premier players.

During the 2009-2010 season he set single season and single game marks that will take some time before they’re erased from the record books.  He’s the second leading scorer in the program’s history with 585 points, which also stands as the most points scored in a single season.  He’s also the single season scoring average leader with 26.6 point per game.  

In addition, “Tootie” is the single game record holder in three-point field goals with nine against St. Andrew’s on January 22, 2010, and assists with 13 against St. Thomas More on December 14, 2009.

“As a player Ta’Quan was one of our first big time players.  He still ranks in our Top 5 players ever to come through the program.  He’s probably the best pure shooter we have ever had here,” said Putnam Science Academy coach Tom Espinosa.

Most recently Zimmerman played collegiately with Thompson Rivers University in Kamloops, British Columbia, Canada, where he averaged 19.3 points per game and was named a Canada West first team all star.  

Following his year in Putnam he went to Long Island University where his career was side tracked by left knee surgery.  He then moved on to Southeastern Community College in Iowa, until the program was shut down.  A stop at Monroe Community College in Rochester, N.Y., was next prior to ending up in Canada.  At that point he entered the NBA draft as the longest of long shots.

Undrafted he returned to Waterbury where he’s been working out at the YMCA with a friend, Randy Brooks and his cousin and NBA veteran Ryan Gomes.  His workouts were always with the goal in mind of “getting the call to the pros.”

“I couldn’t be happier for Ta’Quan.  He’s not only a Top 5 player but a Top 5 person.  He should be an inspiration to others because he’s a hard working young man,” noted Espinosa.

In Idaho Zimmerman is playing for Stampede coach Dean Cooper, who told him to “be ready to go.”  

Ta’Quan Zimmerman is a shining example of a goal-oriented individual who worked hard to achieve a dream.  Where ever the dream takes him, he can say he gave it his best shot.  The dream may lead him to Utah.

“The Stampede needed a guard.  I was on their radar.  I just want to thank God.  This is a blessing,” Zimmerman told Palladino.

 

 

Winter sunset at the pond at Rectory School. Linda Lemmon photo.

 

 

Fire &

Ice Fest

is set

PUTNAM — Although northeastern Connecticut is known for chilly temperatures during the winter, things will be heating up Feb. 14.

Sponsored by the Putnam Business Association, the Fire & Ice Festival will return to the downtown streets. The public is invited to attend this festive winter event, complete with ice sculptures, horse & carriage rides, luminaria, fire torches, live music and more.

The Fire & Ice Festival is a collaborative effort between the Putnam Business Association, local merchants and community volunteers. With its humble beginning as an event created to give people in the Quiet Corner something to do during the quieter winter months and a way to bolster traffic for the downtown businesses, the Fire & Ice Festival has grown into a signature event for Putnam. 

The 2014 event included more than 20 ice sculptures, live ice carving demonstrations by both professional carvers and amateur artists streets lined with glowing luminaria and restaurants featuring Valentine’s Day-themed specials with collectible Fire & Ice glassware. 

From 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Feb. 14 there will be family-friendly activities, including family carriage rides from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., fun photo boards, and ice carving throughout the Main Street area. A new addition to the festival for 2015 will be a chocolate contest, hosted at The Empty Spaces Project Gallery at 114 Main St. Creations by chefs, students, and novices will be on display throughout the day. As the sun goes down, luminaria will fill downtown Putnam with an ambient glow. Fire torches will help light the way and romantic carriage rides will set the mood from 5 to 9 p.m. There will also be fire dancing performances.

Over the upcoming weeks and months, be on the lookout for more information on carriage ticket sales, restaurant specials, and radio contest on WINY 1350 AM to win a romantic evening for two lucky sweethearts. Dark and milk chocolate bars will also be on sale throughout Putnam while supplies last, with prizes tucked into select candy bar wrappers.  To learn more about Fire & Ice and other Putnam Business Association events, visit www.discoverputnam.com.