By Ron P. Coderre

The news coming out of the basketball office of Putnam Science Academy gets more impressive and surprising with each recruit the Mustangs will put on the hardwood for the upcoming 2015-2016 season.

The latest recruit to indicate he’ll become a Mustang in September is Sedee Keita from Philadelphia.  The 6-foot, 10-inch, 225-pound big man is transferring to Putnam Science Academy from 22-Feet Academy in South Carolina.  He’ll be a senior at PSA.

Keita enjoyed a great season last year at 22-Feet Academy averaging 14 points and nine rebounds per game to go with three blocks per contest for Coach Ryan Schmidt.

“Sedee is a true big man and fills our need to control the block on both offense and defense.  He has all the tools to be a very special player for years to come at all levels,” said Mustangs basketball coach Tom Espinosa.

Although still a young man Keita has received feelers and offers from more than 35 NCAA Division I schools.  Among his suitors are Syracuse, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Georgia, Memphis, Louisiana State University, Clemson, Mississippi State, Auburn, UNLV, Villanova, Penn State, Tennessee, Providence College and University of South Carolina.

 

 

 

Winners

 Dennis Kelly from Woodstock (and Kelly Tire in Putnam) won his age group in the recent Mount Washington Auto Road Bicycle Hill Climb.  He completed the 7.6 mile uphill course in just under 1 hour 19 minutes (1:18.39). Tim Ahern, also from Woodstock, finished fourth overall with a time of 56 minutes and 59 seconds.  Other northeastern Connecticut riders included Anson Ross (Plainfield) with a time of 1:13.31, Doug Couture (Woodstock) 1.23:55, Dan Bove (Woodstock) 1.26:38, Chuck Couture (Woodstock) 1.36:02, Cary Bentley (Woodstock) 1.32:57, Paul Humhpreys (Brooklyn) 1:38.26, Bill Lecuyer (Woodstock) 1.39:02, and Doug Porter (Woodstock) 1.54.09.   Anson Ross was the youngest rider from the area at 24 and Doug Porter was the oldest at 61.  Courtesy photo.

 

 

PUTNAM — St. Mary Parish “Circle of Fun” began as a short term event to assist St. Mary School 44 years ago and evolved into a piece of Putnam history.  With the closure of the school in 2010, the “Circle of Fun’’ continues its tradition of family fun and proceeds assist St. Mary Parish.   This year the Circle will be held Sept. 18, 19 and 20 on the grounds of St. Mary Church on Providence Street.

In addition to standard fair foods, the “Circle of Fun” is famous for its Sunday Chicken Bar-B-Q.  This unusual spelling is part of the tradition but the chicken dinner speaks for itself.   Each year approximately 200 volunteers, some not members of St. Mary Parish, are responsible for the success of the fair.  Many volunteers have been a part of this event for more than 20 years or longer.  This year the entertainment includes a live broadcast by WINY radio with Gary O.  Music will be provided by White Rose Confession, The Great Garage Band, One Shot Deal, Phoenix Pyre, demonstrations by Quest Martial Arts and Danielson Martial Arts Academy.   Fairgoers can enjoy all the activities listed along with a bake sale, basket drawings and much more.  The weekend will culminate with drawing of winners for the big prizes.  Tickets will be sold on the grounds all weekend.

Event chairs are Anne and Michael Carraher.