phs pg 1 6-16-22
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caption, page 1:
Diploma Time
PHS Principal Heather Taylor hands salutatorian Autumn Allard her diploma at commencement June 9. More photos on page 4. Photo courtesy of Portraits by Nan.
captions, page 4:
Clockwise from top left:
From left: Celenia Lopez, Trinity Bonet Shepard and Isabella "Izzy" Toni-Campion show off their motarboard artistry.
Halie Reidy
Arabella Canova
Isabella "Izzy" Toni-Campion
Right: Principal Heather Taylor and valedictorian Amayah Chavez. Photo by Portraits by Nan.
Graduates included members of the Putnam Fire Dept. Hunter Belanger, left, and Zachary Belleville. Photo by Portraits by Nan.
By Linda Lemmon
Town Crier Editor
PUTNAM — Almost without exception, every speaker at the 145th Commencement for Putnam High School June 9, 2022, carried two common threads — mutual support and resilience.
School Superintendent Daniel Sullivan III likened the last 13 years of schooling to a very large chapter in their book of life. And the last two years were the toughest with the challenges of the pandemic. But they persevered. “Remember, you are the lead character in your book,” he said. “Think on what the goals are. What might stand in the way of those goals? What are your flaws? What morals will guide your character? What values are important to you?”
Jill Zangerl, chair of the Board of Education, called the students the “class of resilience.” Autumn Allard, the salutatorian challenged her classmates saying “We WILL make a difference.”
Valedictorian Amayah Chavez, her voice catching at times, said “Look in the mirror and tell yourself ‘You got this’.” She added, “As we leave, make your voices heard.”
Principal Heather Taylor told the graduates she was impressed with the class even before she met them. The first day of school the seniors had their first day for a “senior activity.” Taylor said the seniors were getting up before 10 and the heat index was over 100 degrees, but they hosted a Senior Sunset that included decorating cars, sweet treats and working with each other. She said, “Not only were you not held back by the pandemic, you made up for lost time” with a long list of community service and activities.
“My hope. No, my expectation is that you never underestimate your potential. Go for it. Take risks. Reach beyond your comfort level.”
The special award winners include:
Educator of the Year: Shea Ogle
Student of the Year: Amayah Chavez
Citizen of the Year:Jennifer Lehto
There were 57 graduates, with 56 in the procession.
Graduates:
Valedictorian – Amayah Chavez
Salutatorian – Autumn Allard
Savannah Rose Marie Acquarulo, Saige Albino, Autumn R. Allard (HH), Jamiel A. Andujar, Makenna G. Barnett (H), Karson Bates (H), Hunter Belanger, Zachary M. Belleville (HH), Reagan Elizabeth Boledovic (HH, NHS), Trinity Grace Bonet Shepard (HH), Johnathen Robert Brouillette (HH), Arabella Lillian Canova, Carissa C. Charron (HH), Amayah Chavez (HH, NHS), Nicholas J. Cunha, David James DePari, Samantha M. Eddy (HH), Tyler Cole Fullerton (HH, NHS), Ethan J. Gardner (H), Olivia Jade Hassett-Mellen (HH, NHS), Ariana Rose Hernandez (H).
Also, Emre Karadeniz, Cody Michael Keene, Avory Kelly, Amelia Labbe-Fahy (HH), Olivia Labbe-Fahy (H), Abby LaBonte, Lexie Star Latendresse (H), James John Lazarou (HH), Celenia Leanne Lopez (HH), Darien L. Mercier, Karon J. Moore Salcedo, Kayla Ann Morrison (HH, NHS), Benjamin Cole Northup (HH, NHS), Stephanie Olivia Olecki (HH), Valentina Onesyvieng, Avery Ryan Pedersen (HH), Brett P. Perkins, Nunzio K. Puzo, Amber Lynn Rape (H), Halie Morgan Reidy (HH), Jack Thomas Rindge (HH, NHS), Michael Thomas Roach Jr., Malik Jeyandre Roberts, Ethan M. Rodriguez (H),Xander Cole Ruggeri, Ewa Krystyna Seku?a (HH, NHS).
Also, Dominic Sheldon (H), Destiney M. Simas (HH), Adam J. Tomkins (HH), Isabella Isolena Toni-Campion, Jaidyn N. Tremblay (H), Hunter J. Vanasse (HH), Connor Michael Vassar (HH, NHS), Deyvon M. White, Janessa Wolfe (H), William Wolfe.
H = Honors – Cumulative average of 85% and above; HH = High Honors – Cumulative average of 90% and above; (NHS) = National Honor Society
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lamontagne pg 1 6-16-22
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Roundup
LaMontagne,
Myslenski
head for
Nationals
The track season is still not over for a pair of Woodstock Academy athletes. Senior Keenan LaMontagne and junior Magdalena Myslenski will pack their bags this week and travel to Eugene, Ore., to compete in the National High School Track and Field championships.
Lamontagne earned the trip at the Middletown Invitational earlier in the season when he threw the discus 175-feet, 8-inches.
He will be leaving June 16 to compete in Nationals June 18. It’s the same day that his class is graduating. But going to Nationals was a goal he has had since freshman year and the commencement will take a back seat.
“It’s going to be fun,” LaMontagne said. “Everybody graduates high school, not everyone goes to Eugene, Ore. to compete in track. I just want to do well and have fun, hopefully (get a personal best). The top guy there throws 210-feet. That will be a lot of fun just to watch him throw.”
He won’t be going alone. Myslenski also qualified for the Nationals in discus early last week at the State Open track championship with a throw of 113-feet, 6-inches.
“I’m going,” she said with glee. “I just booked the flight and I will be there. It will be weird without my Mom but I will be with coach (track assistant Gerry Lamontagne) and I’m really excited for it.”
Myslenski said it’s something she never envisioned happening. “Absolutely not,” she said.
Myslenski’s best in the discus a year ago was 104 feet.
She placed second in Class MM on June 1 and fifth in the State Open championship five days later.
“I was fourth in MM and 14th in the Open last year so it was definitely a step up. Placing in the top six was unbelievable. I was seeded 10th, didn’t expect a fifth-place finish, but I’m so grateful. It was another year with a phenomenal coach. (Gerry LaMontagne) went to Dartmouth for football and track and he has made such a great impact on my career. I, honestly, don’t know if I would be throwing 100-feet plus without him,” Myslenski said.
Gerry LaMontagne was recently named Assistant Coach of the Year at Woodstock Academy.
Myslenski credited not only coach LaMontagne, but his son, Keenan, for her advancement.
“I watch his emotion and how he has progressed and how he was throwing last year to being a Division-I (college) commit (Keenan LaMontagne will throw for Bucknell University) now and that’s something I can look up to and something I can look forward to, hopefully, in the future,” Myslenski said.
The two also competed last weekend in the New England Track and Field championship at a very familiar place for them, Willow Brook Park in New Britain, the same site that hosted the State Open earlier in the week and the Class MM before that.
LaMontagne was seeded fifth going into the discus at the New England’s and placed fourth with a throw of 169-11.
Myslenski was seeded 15th but fell just short of the top 10, placing 11th with a personal best throw of 115-6.
She was just a foot away from qualifying for the finals of the event.
“For these last two (New England’s and Nationals), I’m not expecting top six or top 10. I just want to see how well I can do compared to these girls and see if I can use what I know and my technique to get a new personal record, and who knows, maybe break the school record,” Myslenski said.
She is not far off that mark. The Woodstock Academy school record is approximately 123 feet.
Myslenski qualified for the New England’s with her finish at the State Open earlier in the week.
“She made a big jump to get up there. We were just shooting for a top-10 and we figured if she got a 110-feet plus throw, she would have a chance to do that. She got a personal best, bumped her up to fifth, and exceeded her goals and expectations. It surprised me as well,” said girls’ track coach Josh Welch.
Keenan LaMontagne finished second in the State Open with a throw of 165-6.
The winner, Gary Moore Jr. of Hillhouse High in New Haven threw for 187-10.
“I was like, ‘Come on’,” LaMontagne said with a shake of his head. “It’s a lot of fun to watch him throw.”
Moore is pretty formidable. “He has five state records. He swept all the throwing events (at the State Open) which has never been done in state history before. He’s not that good,” LaMontagne jokingly said.
There was another significant event at the State Open championship last week. Senior Ian Hoffman may not have placed but did break his own school record in the 800-meter with a 1-minute, 59.9 second finish.
“The thing I kept egging him toward was that he broke the school record but he was still over two minutes. That’s not as exciting as a 1:59 on the (Woodstock Academy track record) board. We didn’t have many workouts between the Class meet and State Open so he had to go out there and have a great race. He did,” said Welch, who had held the 800-meter record at the school prior to Hoffman.
Boys’ track coach Peter Lusa said there was a reason behind the improvement. “It was nice for him to focus on one event because he has always done three events every meet. It’s like he had to stage between the 800, the pole vault and the 4x800. It was nice for him to have the luxury of just the one event to prepare for and I think we saw some of the result,” Lusa said.
Hoffman said the original goal was to break Welch’s record, but he always wanted to break the two-minute barrier.
His previous best was just 11 hundredths shy of that.
“It was so close when I broke it the first time. It’s like a sneeze and you’re over the line. It felt really good. I was close to that two-minute mark again but I was under it,” Hoffman said. “It was a tough race. We went out a lot faster than what I’m used to. I wasn’t sure I would be able to keep it up but I hung in there and was happy with the result.”
There were several other Woodstock competitors at the State Open.
Senior Linsey Arends placed 18th in the 800-meter even though she was less than four seconds from the top 10.
Welch was hopeful the 4x800m relay team would make New England’s but a dropped baton and a fall pushed the quartet back to 19th.
The Centaurs girls’ team will lose some strong athletes in Arends, Hailey McDonald and Leah Castle.
But Welch feels he has a strong nucleus coming back.
On the boys’ side, Lusa said he was overall happy with the season.
“A lot of us who have done this for a long time, were like, ‘Good, let’s get back to normal.’ The kids weren’t there yet. They are great kids, but the whole regimen of training and being ready. We’re coming off of two years of doing nothing for some kids. It constantly nipped at our heels,” Lusa said.
The Centaurs will lose LaMontagne and Hoffman as well as River and Scout Favreau, Thai Le, Silas Strandson, Seamus Lippy and Chase Young.
“I had like 13 juniors and I think there will be a few more one-hit wonders. Kids who don’t go out for baseball or lacrosse. There are a good chunk of sophomores who will be juniors and our freshmen were pretty strong. We had some throwers among the freshmen, some distance runners and a sprinter,” Lusa said.
Boys’ Golf: Finishes 9th
For the second week in a row, boys’ golf coach Rich Garceau came back from a golf tournament with a large smile on his face.
The Centaurs followed up their second-place performance in the ECC championship tournament with a ninth-place finish in the CIAC Div. I championship.
Garceau said he judges performance by two factors. The Centaurs excelled in both.
The first is to do better than the team is seeded. Woodstock was the last seeded team, No. 15, in the tournament. It climbed six spots to break into the top 10.
The second factor is how well they did against fellow ECC opponents. The Centaurs finished with a 343, 15 strokes better than NFA and 25 better than Fitch. E. Lyme also qualified but did not post a team score.
What has been the key to the late season success? A little practice does make perfect sometimes.
“We had a couple of days where we were able to just go to Quinnatisset (Country Club) and just practice. We weren’t worried about scores. I keep a lot of statistics as to how the kids are doing out of the sand traps, putting, driving and I have a big, old spreadsheet that I might be a little obsessive about but when we practice, we can pinpoint some areas to work on,” Garceau said.
Two weeks prior to the two tournaments, the Centaurs had time to work on certain skills.
Garceau said one key in the state match was the team’s bunker play. It had been struggling with that aspect of the game.
“I saw a lot of good sand shots which probably saved us quite a few shots and, at the end of the day, probably several positions in the standings,” Garceau said.
The course wasn’t exactly set up for an easy day either.
Although the tournament was playing from the white tees, on all but two holes – a couple of par 3’s – the whites and black tees (the low-handicap tees) were in the same spot.
“I create a video and post it for the guys to watch as kind of a walk through for the course and give them the yardage..etc. All of my yardages were completely off,” Garceau said with a shake of his head.
Senior Kyle Brennan had the best day, shooting a seven-over par 78 which tied him for 12th overall.
Garceau said the team, as a whole, wasn’t exactly feeling any pressure because of its seeding. Brennan was feeling even less.
When Garceau caught up with him on the course, Brennan simply pointed to one of his playing partners. “He told me that ‘He plays hockey, I love that guy. We’re having so much fun talking about hockey.’ I just told him, if he keeps playing well, he can talk hockey all he likes,” Garceau said with a laugh.
Junior Davis Simpson was second on the team, four strokes behind Brennan and tied for 24th with an 82.
Simpson will likely be the team’s No. 1 player next year as both Brennan and Chris Thibault, who finished with a 90, graduate.
“Sometimes Davis puts a lot of pressure on himself. He’s a high achiever whether it’s in the classroom, on the golf course or on the ski slopes, he wants to perform at the highest level and, sometimes, he puts more on himself than he needs to and those are the days that he will struggle,” Garceau said. “If he can control the emotion, realize golf is a game of consistency and confidence and stay focused in the moment- he will be a very solid golfer not just for us but in the league overall.”
Freshman Logan Rawson and sophomore Donnie Sousa both got valuable experience by playing in the championship tournament.
“I’m really happy with how the guys came together,” Garceau said. “I pretty much knew it was going to be a dogfight with NFA and East Lyme and we didn’t end up at the top of our division but we were competitive. Nobody walked all over us. We played strong and held our heads up. We worked hard and in the last two tournaments, we proved we were the best team in our division. I think the guys can take a lot of pride in that. I know I do.”
Marc Allard
Director of Sports Information
The Woodstock Academy
captions:
Competitors
Senior Keenan LaMontagne, left, and junior Magdalena Myslenski were happy after their performances at the State Open Track and Field Championships. LaMontagne finished second in boys’ discus while Myslenski finished fifth in girls’ discus and qualified for both the New England and National Championship meets with a throw of 113-feet, 6-inches. Josh Welch photo.
‘Chipped’ Ball
Senior Chris Thibault proudly shows off the ball he had just chipped in on the seventh hole of the CIAC Div. I state championship. Rich Garceau photo.
Blasts Out
Senior Kyle Brennan blasts out of a bunker during the CIAC Div. I state championship. Brennan finished tied for 12th in the final competition of the season. Rich Garceau photo.
Tees Off
Junior Davis Simpson tees off on the opening hole for the Centaurs, the 10th, of the CIAC Div. I golf state championship. Simpson finished tied for 24th. Rich Garceau photo.
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particle pg 1 6-16-22
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caption, page 1:
Looking
An attendee at the Particle Accelerator music fest June 11 looks at the 300-plus names and photos on the Wall of Angels. More photos on page 8. Linda Lemmon photo.
captions, page 8:
Above: Cousins enjoying the music, from left: Addyson Larkin, 13; Teagan Chatelle, 9; and Matthew Thornton, 3, all of Danielson. Left: Guitarist/vocalist from Victim or Victor.
June 11 Putnam’s Rotary Park was filled with live music and local residents and families enjoying the gorgeous day and the free family event, Particle Accelerator: A Day of Music and Hope.
Particle Accelerator is an annual benefit concert that raises awareness for suicide and depression and funds for United Services. Saturday marked the 16th annual concert and raised just over $11,000 for local community behavioral health services.
The free, all day music festival featured 14 bands playing music of all genres and for all ages. The concert began at noon and continued until 9 p.m.
“Particle Accelerator 16 was fabulous. Old friends, new friends, more hugs and just love everywhere,” said event co-founder Grace Young. “It was wonderful, and it always is. I’m overwhelmed by the love and support of family and friends new and old.”
The festival started in 2007 by family and friends of Putnam resident Jack Young Jr., who died by suicide on his 27th birthday that year. Event organizers include Grace and Jack Young Sr. and Eric and Sandy Gould, all of Putnam.
The annual benefit concert has two main goals, organizers said. The first is to raise funds and awareness to support United Services, Inc., the community behavioral health center serving 21 towns in northeastern Connecticut, including Putnam, since 1964.
“United Services continues to see dramatic increases in the number of individuals reaching out for help,” said United Services President/CEO Diane L. Manning. “Particle Accelerator is an opportunity to come together and support each other and talk about the importance of access to mental health services, and we are grateful to everyone who makes it happen.”
Performers Saturday included: Kala Farnham, Llama Tsunami, The Papa Joe Show, Fleet and more.
The second event goal is to provide information and support for depression and suicide prevention, while promoting music and civic engagement as a healthy alternative to drug and alcohol abuse among young adults.
Saturday brought large crowds to the park, where residents could also learn about local mental health and other social service resources from United Services, the Windham County chapter for the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), the Norwich Vet Center and Northeast Opportunities for Wellness (NOW), who also set up an obstacle course for kids to enjoy at the event.
Particle Accelerator’s Wall of Angels, a moving tribute to friends and family members lost to suicide, honored 331 people this year with photos on the wall and the lighting of luminaria at dusk.
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legals pg 2 6-16-22
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Legal Notice
Town of Putnam
NOTICE OF PUBLIC
HEARING
June 21, 2022
The Board of Selectmen will hold a Public Hearing at the Town of Putnam Municipal Complex, 200 School Street, Conference Room # 109, Putnam, CT, on Monday, June 21, 2022, @ 6:00 in the evening for the following purpose:
To hear public comment regarding:
1. Proposed Ordinance regarding the procedure for disposition of surplus real estate.
2. Proposed Ordinance regarding Building Permits with respect to real property for which real property taxes and/or water and sewer charges are delinquent.
Legal Notice - Town of Putnam
Notice of Special Town Meeting
June 21, 2022
The Electors and Citizens qualified to vote in Special Town Meeting of the Town of Putnam, Connecticut, are hereby notified and warned that a Special Town Meeting of said Town will be held at the Putnam Municipal Complex, Conference Room 109, 200 School St. Putnam June 21, 2022, @ 6:30 PM for the following purposes:
1. To choose a moderator for said meeting.
2. To determine the wishes of those present and eligible to vote at town meetings of the Town of Putnam regarding a proposed ordinance regarding a procedure for disposition of surplus real estate. A copy of the proposed ordinance is on file in the office of the Mayor and Town Clerk and available for inspection during normal business hours.
3. To determine the wishes of those present and eligible to vote at town meetings of the Town of Putnam regarding a proposed ordinance regarding Building Permits with respect to real property when real property taxes and/or water and sewer charges are delinquent. A copy of the proposed ordinance is on file in the office of the Mayor and Town Clerk and available for inspection during normal business hours.
Dated at Putnam,
Connecticut,
this 6th day
of June 2022
Town of Putnam,
Its Board of Selectmen
Norman B. Seney,
Mayor
Roy S. Simmons,
Deputy Mayor
Rick Hayes,
Selectman
Gloria Marion,
Selectwoman
Michael Paquin,
Selectman
J. Scott Pempek,
Selectman
Jeffrey Rawson,
Selectman
ATTEST:
Sara J. Seney,
Town Clerk
June 9, 2022
June 16, 2022
Town of Putnam
Zoning Board
of Appeals
Legal Notice
The Town of Putnam Zoning Board of Appeals will hold a hybrid meeting on June 21, 2022, at 7:00 P.M. on the second floor, Room 201, of the Municipal Complex located at 200 School Street, Putnam, CT. A public hearing will be held on the following:
Appeal # 2022-001 Edward Murphy request for a 2-foot variance in accordance with Section 601 E.-13.c, of the Town of Putnam Zoning Regulations from the required 24 feet down to 22 feet for the parking aisle. Property located at 225 Kennedy Drive, Town Assessors Map 011, Lot 216, Zoned General Commercial (GC) (Former Library).
Joseph Nash,
Chairman
Meeting information will be available on the Town of Putnam website prior to the meeting.
June 9, 2022
June 16, 2022
Legal Notice
Town of Putnam
Notice of Special Town Meeting
June 21, 2022, and Adjourned
Referendum on June 28, 2022
The Electors and Citizens qualified to vote in town meetings of the Town of Putnam, Connecticut, are hereby notified and warned that a Special Town Meeting of said Town will be held at the Putnam Middle School Auditorium, 35 Wicker Street, Putnam, CT on Tuesday, June 21, 2022 at 7:30 PM for the following purposes:
1. To choose a moderator for said meeting.
2. To determine the wishes of those present and eligible to vote at town meetings of the Town of Putnam, the following question, “Shall the Town of Putnam appropriate $280,000 from the Ash Landfill account to cover the cost of the Putnam Police Department providing trained and armed security personnel, including one (1) school resource officer and three (3) security officers in the Putnam public schools?”
3. To determine the wishes of those present and eligible to vote at town meetings of the Town of Putnam, the following question, “Shall the Town of Putnam, assuming that Question #1 does not pass, appropriate $150,000 from the Ash Landfill account to cover the cost of the Putnam Police Department providing trained but unarmed school safety officers in the Putnam public schools?”
NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN, PURSUANT TO THE TOWN OF PUTNAM CHARTER CHAPTER 8, SECTION F, THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN SET ACTION AT THE TOWN MEETING ON ITEMS TWO-THREE WILL BE LIMITED TO REASONABLE DISCUSSION. THOSE WISHING TO APPROVE ITEMS SHALL VOTE YES ON THE MACHINE VOTE; THOSE OPPOSED, NO, SAID VOTE WILL BE HELD ON JUNE 28, 2022 AT THE FOLLOWING VOTING LOCATION.
DISTRICT 1 PUTNAM MUNICIPAL COMPLEX, ROOM 109; DISTRICT 2 PUTNAM MUNICIPAL COMPLEX, ROOM 112 BETWEEN THE HOURS OF 12:00 NOON AND 8:00 PM
Dated at Putnam, Connecticut
This ninth day of June, 2022
Town of Putnam, Its Board of Selectmen
Norman B. Seney, Mayor
Roy Simmons, Deputy Mayor
Rick Hayes
Gloria Marion
Michael Paquin
1. Scott Pempek
Jeffrey Rawson
Attest:
Deana Pajak,
Assistant Town Clerk
June 16, 2022
..