Cal pg 8 11-24-21
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Wed. Nov. 24
Art Exhibit
POMFRET --- The Connecticut Audubon Society Center at Pomfret on Day Road is presenting an exhibit and sale of “Nature’s Canvas: Photography by Nancy L. Barrett” through the end of November. 860-928-4948.
Art Exhibit
THOMPSON --- The Friends of the Thompson Public Library will present in its Art @ the Library and & Display Case “Textile Art Show” through Dec. 27. 860-923-9779.
Holiday Nature Store
POMFRET --- The Connecticut Audubon Society Center at Pomfret on Day Road will hold its annual Holiday Nature Store from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. through Dec. 23. 860-928-4948.
Thur. Nov. 25
Happy Thanksgiving!
Fri. Nov. 26
Artists’ Open Studios
PUTNAM --- The Artists’ Open Studios of Northeast CT will be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nov. 26, 27, 28 and Dec. 4 and 5. www.aosct.org.
Walktober Redux
EASTFORD --- The Last Green Valley Natchaug Trail OptOutside Hike will begin at 9 a.m. on the Natchaug Trail. 3+ miles. Moderate to difficult hike. RSVP required: 860-774-3300.
Coats for Kids
BROOKLYN --- The Knights of Columbus will hold Coats for Kids from 9 a.m. to noon at the Brooklyn Recreation Department. Free, new coats for kids from 3-17.
Sat. Nov. 27
Tree Jubilee
PUTNAM --- The Bradley Playhouse will be presenting its Tree Jubilee and Wreath Extravaganza from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Nov. 27 and Nov. 28. Free. Families will have a chance to win and take home a decorated tree or wreath and take photos with Santa. Nonperishable food donations are welcomed. www.TheBradleyPlayhouse.org.
Bluegrass Concert
DAYVILLE -- The Killingly Grange, P of H #112, 801 Hartford Turnpike, will present The Nick Anderson and Shady Creek Band at 7 p.m. Doors open at 6. Refreshments available. $12 at the door. The Bear Minimum is also scheduled to perform. 860-70503643.
Hiking
THOMPSON --- TLGV & NOW will present a Hiking 101 Acorn Adventure from 10 a.m. to noon for ages 4-9 (younger children welcome) and at 1 p.m. for kids 10 and older. Sponsored by Centreville Bank. Free. Register: www.NOWinMotion.org/Events or call: 860-774-3300.
Sun. Nov. 28
Dazzle Light Parade
PUTNAM --- Northeastern Connecticut's 20th annual Holiday Dazzle Light Parade will kick off at 5 p.m. from Grove Street and wind through downtown, ending at the new Putnam Municipal Complex. Rain date is Dec. 5. 860-928-1350.
Sun Spotting
GRISWOLD --- The Last Green Valley will present Night Sky Rangers Geoff and Kim at 1 p.m. at Hopeville State Park to do some sun spotting.
Mon. Nov. 29
Blood Drive
PUTNAM --- The American Red Cross will hold a blood drive from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Cargill Council 64. 1-800-RED CROSS.
Thur. Dec. 2
Book Signing
POMFRET --- Pam Lefferts, co-founder of Ferncroft Wildlife Rescue and newly minted children’s author, will sign her book From Pouch to Couch: Why Lavender the Opossum Lives in a House at 1 p.m. at the Connecticut Audubon Society Center at Pomfret on Day Road. No charge to attend the book signing.
Fri. Dec. 3
Blood Drive
DAYVILLE --- The American Red Cross will hold a blood drive from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and from 1 to 5 p.m. at the Dayville Fire Company. 1-800-RED CROSS.
‘White Christmas’
PUTNAM --- The Bradley Playhouse on Front Street will present “Irving Berlin’s White Christmas, The Musical” at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 3, 4, 10, 11, 17 and 18 and at 2 p.m. Dec. 5, 12 and 19. $25 for adults; $22 for seniors and students. 860-9287887. COVID policy described at www.thebradleyplayhouse.org.
Sat. Dec. 4
Food Drive
POMFRET --- The food drive for TEEG at the Pomfret Community Center, for the upcoming holiday season, will be looking for: Stuffing, butter, celery, gravy, vegetables, potatoes, and onions and also cake mixes, bread mixes, pie filling and crust mixes.
Holiday Fair
POMFRET --- The St. Nicholas Fair will be held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Christ Church in Pomfret. The snow date is Dec. 11. There is also an online silent auction.
Sun. Dec. 5
Lunch With Santa
POMFRET --- The Windham-Tolland 4-H Camp will host Lunch With Santa from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the camp on Taft Pond Road. Pasta bar, make holiday crafts, cookies, S’mores and more. Photos with Santa. $8 for kids up to age 8. $12 for kids 9 and older for lunch. Photo is $8. Tickets: 860-974-3379, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or at the door.
Mon. Dec. 6
Blood Drive
POMFRET CENTER --- The American Red Cross will hold a blood drive from 1 to 6 p.m. at the First Congregational Church of Pomfret.
Wed. Dec. 15
Blood Drive
PUTNAM --- The American Red Cross will hold a blood drive from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and from 1 to 6 p.m. at Putnam Elks Club. 1-800-RED CROSS.
Sat. Dec. 18
Holiday Cookies
BROOKLYN --- Our Lady of LaSalette Church on Rt. 6 will sell Holiday Cookies by the pound from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the church basement. Choose the cookies you want. Also a basket raffle. COVID compliant.
Sat. Dec. 25
Merry Christmas!
Tues. Dec. 28
Bird Watch
POMFRET --- The Connecticut Audubon Society Center at Pomfret on Day Road will hold a Winter Bird Walk starting at 1 p.m. Register: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. $10 CAS members; $20 nonmembers.
Thur. Dec. 30
Nightingale Hike
POMFRET --- The Connecticut Audubon Society Center at Pomfret on Day Road will present “Hike Nightingale Forest South” at 9 a.m. at the Wyndham Land Trust. Register: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. $5 CAS members; $10 nonmembers. 960-928-4948.
Sat. Jan. 1, 2022
Happy New Year!
Sat. Feb. 19
Wee Walk
THOMPSON --- The Wyndham Land Trust’s family-friendly Wee Wander Walk, “Animal Tracking at the Robins Preserve” will be held from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Dress appropriately and bring your camera. www.wyndhamlandtrust.org.
Sat. May 7
Wee Walk
POMFRET --- The Wyndham Land Trust’s family-friendly Wee Wander Walk, “Salamander Search at the 3 B’s” will be held from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Dress appropriately and bring your camera. www.wyndhamlandtrust.org
Sat. Aug. 6
Wee Walk
POMFRET --- The Wyndham Land Trust’s family-friendly Wee Wander Walk, “Bats at Lyon Preserve” will be held from 7 to 8 p.m. Dress appropriately and bring your camera. www.wyndhamlandtrust.org
Sat. Oct. 1
Wee Walk
WOODSTOCK --- The Wyndham Land Trust’s family-friendly Wee Wander Walk, “Leaves and Mushrooms at Rapoport Preserve” will be held from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Dress appropriately and bring your camera. www.wyndhamlandtrust.org
Sat. Nov. 5, 2022
Dueling Pianos
PUTNAM --- Day Kimball Healthcare will present Dueling Pianos Presented By Foxwoods Resort Casino at 7 p.m. at Connecticut National Golf Club. Benefit: Day Kimball Healthcare At Home. More Info:daykimball.org/pianos
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Obits pg 8 11-24-21
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Grace L. Marcy
PUTNAM — Grace L. (Letters) Marcy, 94, of Charles St., formerly of Woodstock, died Nov. 17, 2021, at Matulaitis Nursing Home.
She is the wife of Donald Marcy who died on May 5, 2005.
Born in 1927, Putnam, she was the daughter of the late Frank H. and Tempest (Smith) Letters.
Mrs. Marcy worked as an operator for the Bell Telephone Company for many years.
Grace was a member of the Congregational Church of Putnam.
She loved to play the organ, sing, read, work in her garden, knitting and loved her special cockatoo, Charlie Brown.
She leaves her brother, Ralph Letters of Michigan; her sister-in-law Barbara Paige of Woodstock; her nephews William Halford Letters of Vermont, Frank Gardner Letters of Utah, David Brandon Letter of Michigan; niece Patti Noren of Woodstock and nephew Jeffrey Paige, also Scott and Pam Redfield and Christine Hart Matte; great-grand nieces and nephews.
The Funeral Service will be at 10:30 a.m. Dec. 4 in the Congregational Church of Putnam, 175 Main St., with burial in Grove Street Cemetery.
Donations: Congregational Church of Putnam, P.O. Box 463, Putnam, CT 06260. Gilman Funeral Home & Crematory, 104 Church St., Putnam.
Nancy S. Morrison
E. HARTFORD — Nancy S. Morrison died Nov. 9, 2021, at Hartford Hospital.
She was born April 22, 1926, in Oak Park, Ill., to George Sutherland and Hazel (Morganweck) Sutherland.
Nancy attended Washington College in Maryland and graduated from Eastern Connecticut State College with a degree in teaching.
She married Dr. John E. Morrison in 1947 until his death in 1980. Nancy and John lived in Vienna, Austria, for several years and lived in Norwich for 30 years before Nancy moved to Pomfret in 1985.
Nancy worked as a teacher in Norwich and a tutor at the Rectory School in Pomfret.
She was an avid reader, a gifted and creative artist.
She enjoyed teaching art to her fellow residents at the Seely Brown Retirement Community.
In 2014, the art room at Seely Brown Village was dedicated to her. She enjoyed birding, gardening, and sewing.
Nancy was an active member of Christ Episcopal Church.
The Mass for her will be held at 11 a.m. Dec. 3 at Christ Episcopal Church in Pomfret, with a private burial to follow.
Donations: Rectory School, 528 Pomfret St., Pomfret, CT 06258 (rectoryschool.org/giving/donation-form). Gilman and Valade Funeral Homes and Crematory, 104 Church St. Putnam.
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Pomfret pg 9 11-24-21
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Pomfret
competes in
quarterfinals
POMFRET — The Pomfret School boys’ varsity team lost to Brooks School Nov. 17, 0-3 in the NEPSAC Class B Quarterfinals
Pomfret saves came from: Austin Kendig 7, Javier Alonso 5
Patrick Burke said: “Credit to Brooks for playing a fast, physical, skillful, and persistent game today. We knew Brooks would play with intensity and force, and they were able to do so throughout the entire 90 minutes today. While we prepared for that intensity, it was hard to duplicate in practice, and their drive caught us a bit on our heels today. We had strong moments in goal, in defense, and in attack, but Brooks was just able to put more of them together than us today.
Brooks challenged the backline but Eumir Rodrgiuez, Ryan Cho, Gerald Gao, Henry Cattell, and goalkeeper Austin Kendig stayed focused. Lawrence Viola and Cole Castro pitched in with timely track backs, while Grant Maurer and Caleb White worked to win second balls after clearances. After Austin blocked a penalty kick, Declan Chapman earned a free kick but it went just wide. Fred Coulibaly troubled Brooks’ backline throughout the first half, and the half was pretty back and forth.
Burke said: “Brooks would threaten with direct balls, we would win them, and then strive to play through Fred, Declan, and Dylan Tran. Dylan gave us great minutes in the middle, while Nate Watson and Kaya Horvath were vital on the flanks. Unfortunately, a turnover in our own half allowed a cross from Brooks to make it to our backpost where their #17 was able to take a touch and fire into the side netting. Down 1-0 we continued to fight as Nate, Grant, Declan, and Fred pushed forward. Lawrence gave us some quality clearances in the back, while Dylan almost snuck in a corner into the near post. At the half the score was 1-0 in favor of Brooks.”
He said Javier blocked another penalty kick and the Griffins defense continued to play solidly. Nick Ferrucci gave Pomfret some speed on the right flank while Lawrence almost snuck in multiple times on through balls from Declan and Fred. Brooks continued to be threatening on set pieces and diagonal passes and they would get their second on a corner kick. Javier made two good initial saves, but chaos ensued in the box and Brooks was able to finish it over the line. Brooks would get a third on a nice long shot from distance in the game’s final minutes.
Burke said: “While today was not how we wanted our season to end, our team has a lot to be proud of. The 17 guys who stepped on the field today worked hard, while Anson Meerbergen, Van Horvath, Tareq Altayyar, Lyle Bernard, Ethan Forbes, and managers Alex Kang and Harry Lee supported their teammates throughout the match. We missed Devin Walcott’s presence in the middle of the field today, but know he was supporting us from afar.”
By Patrick Burke
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Thanksgiving pg 9 11-24-21
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There will be a lot of reunions on Thanksgiving Day at Killingly High School.
And they won’t only be in the stands.
The football game between Woodstock Academy and Killingly at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday will bring together people who haven’t seen each other in some time as it always does.
But that will also be true among the teams on the field as well.
The two schools share a common sending town, Brooklyn.
They also share a common program, Killingly-Brooklyn Youth football, and many players grew up playing with or against one another in that program.
“It’s kind of crazy,” said Woodstock Academy senior receiver/defensive back Jackson Goetz. “We’ve all grown up together and have known each other forever. Playing against each other (on Thanksgiving Day) is just crazy.”
And it’s not just any Thanksgiving Day game.
It’s the first Thanksgiving Day game for both teams since they met in 2017.
Killingly comes in with an 8-0 record and is the Eastern Connecticut Conference Division III champs.
It will not be the last game of the season for Killingly as it is guaranteed a Class M state playoff berth.
Woodstock Academy has equaled its most wins in a season in program history as it comes in with a 7-2 record.
For a first time ever, the Centaurs captured an ECC title as they are the Division II champs.
Woodstock Academy needs a win over Killingly, however, to even have a bit of a chance to qualify for the Class L state playoffs.
“I think you have two of the best teams in the ECC playing against one another,” said Killingly coach Chad Neal. “Fitch is the other one but you have the Division II and Division III champs going at it on Thanksgiving.”
Thanksgiving creates memories.
“The tradition of it, the routine of it, everything changes this week and a half. Practice times change. We were out there early on Saturday morning doing a dry run to be up early and being ready to play football at 10:30 in the morning. Everything changes, it’s unique, a lot of people remember playing on Thanksgiving, hopefully, (his team) will too,” said Woodstock Academy coach Sean Saucier.
Saucier played his high school ball for the Putnam Clippers.
“I do have special memories,” Saucier said of his Thanksgiving Day experiences. “We lost to Plainfield in my junior year and won our senior year to move on to the States. Thanksgiving, Putnam-Plainfield, was always a great rivalry.”
Neal is also a Putnam High grad and has those same fond memories of playing on the holiday.
”It’s nice to play on Thanksgiving morning with all that tradition, the night before; getting up early; the alumni at home; the big crowd, everything that goes into it. It’s special for the kids, whether you are going to the playoffs or not, it’s that special community game,” Neal said.
The Centaurs are a more balanced team than Killingly coming into the contest.
Woodstock Academy is led by senior quarterback Ethan Davis who also happens to hail from Brooklyn and also played in the Killingly-Brooklyn youth football program.
Davis has thrown for 1,356 yards and 17 touchdowns this season.
He has also rushed for 940 yards and 12 more scores.
“We use him as a running back and that’s where his athleticism and gifts really come out,” Saucier said. “His body has changed a lot since his sophomore season; he has put on a lot of muscle. He’s got bigger, stronger, faster and while he is a consistent passer, his threat as a running back has really evolved.”
As Ethan Davis goes, so do the Centaurs.
“He leads by example and he stays pretty humble and that is a special quality. It’s not really about him even though, a lot of times, it is about him. It’s not because he wants it that way, it’s more about what he accomplishes,” Saucier said.
For example, Davis’ performance in the lead up to the Thanksgiving game where he rushed for 262 yards and four touchdowns and threw for 170 yards and two other scores in a 42-8 win over Ledyard.
There have only been two hiccups.
A one-point loss to Norwich Free Academy at home and a six-point loss to East Lyme in a game in which the Centaurs were knocking on the door, inside the 5-yard line in the closing moments and could not punch it in.
“We should have won both of those, everyone knows we should have, but we can’t go back in time. We just have to move on and our season has been a good one. I hope we can make States if we win this game (versus Killingly),” said Davis.
Goetz, one of Davis’ best friends, has also been his favorite target this season.
He has caught a team-high 46 passes for 520 yards and nine touchdowns.
“We’ve all grown together as the season has gone on. Me and Ethan grew up together so we have always had that relationship or bond with any sport we play,” Goetz said.
Carter Saracina (36 catches, 643 yards, seven touchdowns) has also been a Davis fave.
The Centaurs will need them and their defense to step up against Killingly.
Killingly tends to be a bit more one-dimensional, relying on its running game to produce the desired results.
That running game has delivered with senior Jack Sharpe, whom both Davis and Goetz grew up playing with in K-B youth football, leading the way with 1,018 yards and 19 touchdowns.
“It’s not going to be easy to tackle him and I’m not necessarily looking forward to that,” Goetz readily admits.
Sophomore Soren Reif is Sharpe’s sidekick in the backfield and has 819 yards and 11 touchdowns to his credit.
Killingly had a statement game of its own as it is coming off a 48-0 win over NFA.
In that contest, Killingly ran only 18 first-half plays compared to the Wildcats’ 57, but was ahead at halftime, 41-0.
The Killingly defense has also been stout.
It has not allowed more than 14 points in a game and has produced shutouts in its last three games.
But, this is Thanksgiving Day, and anything can happen.
Most of all, it’s just the joy of being able to step out on the field with, hopefully, thousands of onlookers for a true memorable experience.
“It will just be fun to play with (Killingly) on the same field. It’s going to be special. I’ve been waiting to play Killingly for three years. There will be a lot of people there. It’s just a different game,” Goetz said.
Prep Basketball
Gold falls in New Haven
The first two games against national opponents resulted in the first two losses of the season for the Centaurs Gold prep basketball team.
The Centaurs traveled to Albertus Magnus College in New Haven on both Friday and Saturday for the National Prep Showcase tournament.
The Centaurs lost on Friday afternoon to Hargrave Military Academy, 72-68, and followed that up on Saturday afternoon with a 66-56 loss to Mt. Zion Prep.
The Centaurs are now 5-2 on the season.
Woodstock Academy struggled from beyond the 3-point arc against Hargrave Military, making only 3 of their 16 attempts and also missed six free throws which hurt in a very closely-fought contest.
Hargrave, out of Chatham, Va., held only a 33-32 lead at the half.
Keenan Emmanuel did have the range for the Centaurs as he made 5-of-7 from the floor including a pair of 3-pointers and finished with a team-high 15 points.
Dominic Strothers didn’t take many shots, but the Woodstock, Va. native in his second year with the Centaurs, made 3-of-5 from the floor and finished with eight points.
Jayshane Woodard paced the Gold squad off the boards with 11 rebounds. Promise Opurum added eight caroms.
Hargrave Military had four players in double figures led by Madison Durr with 17 points while Leland Walker added 15.
Woodstock Academy again played tough against Mt. Zion, out of Maryland, in the first half Saturday.
The Centaurs held a 26-25 advantage, but were outscored 41-30 in the second half.
The big difference came from the free throw line.
Mt. Zion was 18-for-22 from the charity stripe in the second half and 23-for-30 for the game.
The Centaurs only went to the free throw line 11 times in the whole game.
Strothers again wielded the hot hand as he finished with a team-best 18 points, making 8-of-11 from the field.
Diovion Famakinde was the only other player in double figures for the Centaurs with 11 and added a team-high six rebounds.
R.J. Luis led Mt. Zion with 23 points, 11 came from the free throw line while Elijah Jones added 16.
The Centaurs now get a bit of a Thanksgiving Day break.
They are next scheduled to play on Wednesday, Dec. 1 at 6 p.m. at South Kent School.
Blue Prep basketball has mixed results
The Centaurs did well on the road, but ran into a tough opponent at the Alumni Fieldhouse Friday.
Northfield-Mt. Hermon visited the Centaurs and posted a 70-62 win to drop the Blue prep team to 3-4 on the season.
Things were much better last Wednesday on the road.
The Centaurs handed Hoosac School a 76-35 loss behind a 15-point effort from Logan Talbot.
Marc Allard
Director of Sports Information
The Woodstock Academy
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