cal pg 8 10-19-23
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Wed. Oct. 18
Art Show
PUTNAM --- “AFTERLIFE: Reimagining 18th Century Grave Carvings” by Laura Tedeschi will be presented at The Corridor Gallery in the Putnam Municipal Complex. On display until Dec. 31. Reception is 1 to 3 p.m. Oct. 28. All welcome. Sponsored by the Putnam Arts Council.
Thur. Oct. 19
Scouts Open House
N. GROSVENORDALE --- Scout Troops 25 and 66 will hold an open house from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at Scout Hall, 108 Mountain Hill Road. Scouts BSA is a year-round program for boys and girls in fifth grade through high school (ages 11-17). Info: 860-245-1322.
Sat. Oct. 21
Rabies Clinic
DANIELSON --- Pet Pals Northeast is holding a low cost rabies clinic from 2 to 3 p.m. at the Quinebaug Valley Veterinary Hospital on Rt. 12, the Danielson/Plainfield town line. $15 cash per animal. Preregistration and appointment required. No walk-ins. This is the last clinic of the year. 860-317-1720.
‘The Addams Family’
PUTNAM --- The Bradley Playhouse will present “The Addams Family” at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 21 and at 2 p.m. Oct. 22. $27 for adults and $24 for seniors, students, veterans and first responders. www.thebradleyplayhouse.org or 860-928-7887.
Sat. Oct. 21
Healing Service
BROOKLYN --- A healing service will be held at 2 p.m. at Trinity Episcopal Church on Providence Road. The service will include individual and group healing prayer, acoustic music and Holy Eucharist. All welcome. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Sun. Oct. 22
Concert
POMFRET --- Connecticut State Troubadour Kala Farnam, plus Sally Rogers and Phil Rosenthal, Kate Callahan and Hugh Blumenfeld will present a concert at 4 p.m. at Tyrone Farm Barn. Sponsored by the Pomfret Historical Society and Tyrone Farm. $25. K—12 have complimentary admission passes. Tickets: pomfret-historical-society.org.
Wed. Oct. 25
Robotics Meeting
PUTNAM --- The Scavenger Robotics team is looking for new members. Informational meeting will be held at 6 p.m. at Putnam High in Room 9-05. The team, hosted by PHS, is a high school age robotics team that participates in the FIRST Robotics Competition. Students work together to design and build a robot to compete with other schools’ teams. Seeking any high school age students who are interested in computer graphics and design, metal working, or STEM. No previous experience is necessary! Participants in FIRST robotics become eligible to apply to college scholarships. Any students from Putnam, Thompson, Woodstock or Killingly welcome. Questions: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Sat. Oct. 28
Trick or Treat
PUTNAM --- The Halloween Trick or Treat will be held from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Runs from Jade Garden Restaurant and Riverfront Commons shopping plaza to Union Square. Must be accompanied by an adult. Sponsored by: Putnam merchants, Town of Putnam, WINY Radio, Putnam Parks and Recreation and the Putnam Police Department.
Creepy Cabaret
PUTNAM --- The Bradley Playhouse will present “The Creepy Cabaret” with The Catnip Junkies swing band at 7:30 p.m. Vaudeville meets The Big Easy – for the whole family. $20. Thebradleyplayhouse.org.
Fri. Nov. 3
‘Mind Candy’
PUTNAM --- The Putnam Rotary Club and the Bradley Playhouse will present “Mind Candy: A Night of Mind Reading & Magic” at 7:30 p.m. Wayne Hoffman, mentalist and illusionist. For info, tickets: www.TheBradleyPlayhouse.org/MindCandy.
Sat. Nov. 4
Boot Drive
WOODSTOCK --- The Woodstock Democratic Town Committee will hold its fourth annual Winter Boot Drive from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Woodstock Trading Post (formerly Sweet Evalina’s). Bring new, unwrapped winter boots in children’s sizes for either gender and in original packaging. Benefits TEEG. Bring cash donations or mail a check, payable to TEEG to: WDTC, attn — Children’s Winter Boot Drive, P.O. Box 813, Woodstock, CT 06281.
Meet the Author
PUTNAM --- The Putnam Public Library will present “Meet the Author: Nathaniel Philbrick” at 1 p.m. in Community Room 112/113 at the Municipal Complex.
Sat. Nov. 11
Dueling Pianos
THOMPSON --- The DKH Dueling Pianos fund-raiser will be held at 6 p.m. at the Raceway Restaurant and Banquet Hall. Benefits Day Kimball Healthcare At Home services of HomeCare, HomeMakers, and Hospice & Palliative Care of Northeastern Connecticut. Food, drawings and more. Tickets $45, must be purchased in advance. daykimball.org/pianos.
Yuletide Festival
PUTNAM --- The Daughters of Isabella will be held from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at St. Mary Church Hall. Vendors sought. 413-612-8358.
Thur. Nov. 16
‘The American Soldier’
WOODSTOCK --- The Putnam Area Foundation and the Performing Arts of Northeast Connecticut will present “The American Soldier” at 7 p.m. at the Loos Center for the Arts. Two free tickets for veterans and active service members. For info, tickets: TheLoos.org.
Thanksgiving Dinner Signup
PUTNAM --- The Putnam Lodge of Elks’ free Thanksgiving Dinner will be held from noon to 2 p.m. Nov. 23. It’s for families and members of the community who are less fortunate, plus community elders, veterans or anyone who would otherwise spend Thanksgiving Day alone. Delivery can be arranged. For info and to arrange delivery, call between 3 and 8 p.m. seven days: 860-928-3901. Must RSVP by Nov. 16.
Thur. Nov. 23
Thanksgiving
PUTNAM --- The Putnam Lodge of Elks will hold its annual Free Thanksgiving Dinner from noon to 2 p.m.
Sun. Nov. 26
Dazzle Parade
PUTNAM --- The 22nd annual Holiday Dazzle Light Parade will step off from Grove Street at 5 p.m. and go through downtown Putnam. Rain date: Dec. 3. Presented by WINY radio, the Town of Putnam and Green Valley Crossing.
Wed. Nov. 29
Support Presentation
KILLINGLY --- “Lunch and Learn at The Library Meeting You Where You Are will present “Supporting People with Serious & Terminal Illness” from noon to 1:30 p.m. at the Killingly Library. RSVP by Nov. 27 to: Laura Kroll, RN, BSN. 860-576-4930.
Sun. Dec. 3
Tree of Life
The DKH 34th Annual Hospice Tree of Life Ceremonies will be held at 5 p.m. in 11 towns throughout northeastern Connecticut. The purchase of memorial lights on each community's Tree of Life benefits Hospice & Palliative Care of Northeastern Connecticut. For info: daykimball.org/treeoflife.
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obit pg 8 10-19-23
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Michael H. ‘Mike’ Ellsworth
Michael Hamilton Ellsworth (Mike) died Oct. 7, 2023, at William W. Backus Hospital in Norwich.
He was born Feb. 25, 1940, in Brooklyn, New York, the second of four children of Stanley Fessenden and Anna Adelaide Frost Ellsworth.
His sister Mary (Hans Dietrich) lives in Denver, Colo. He was predeceased by his brother, Peter (Marjorie) and his sister Anne (Myron Marshaus).
Mike attended Brooklyn Friends School and the Brooklyn Polytechnic High School during the academic year, but he spent summers in West Woodstock, where he grew to love the rural environment.
Later Mike headed off to Amherst College, choosing to become an English major. Early in his freshman year, he met Mary Ellen Tressel on a blind date. When some upper-class women asked, “I wonder who has the tall, dark, handsome one?” usually shy Mary Ellen quickly said, “I do!” Mike and Mary Ellen married on Sept. 15, 1962; they recently celebrated their 61st wedding anniversary.
After college Mike decided to pursue a career in medicine. He took premedical courses at New York University and completed medical school at the State University of New York (SUNY) Downstate Medical Center in Brooklyn, New York.
Mike and Mary Ellen then moved to Hartford, where Mike did an internship and a year of anesthesiology residency at the Hartford Hospital. Mike and Mary Ellen and their young son, Robert, moved to Havre de Grace, Md., next.
Here the couple’s son Michael Patrick was born, and Mike completed his commitment to the U.S. Navy at Bainbridge Naval Training Center. He attained the rank of lieutenant commander.
Mike returned to Connecticut, settling in Wethersfield to complete his residency in orthopedics at the UConn Medical Center, Farmington.
A move to Eastford followed, and Mike established Orthopedic Associates of Northeast Connecticut, with an office at 255 Pomfret Street from 1976 through 2017.
Mike, who brought total joint replacements to the area, loved his work and enjoyed serving his patients in his growing practice. Mike’s family also grew at this time, with the arrival of daughters Mary Elizabeth and Kathleen.
Mike had a great love of family, and relished time with his children: Robert (Ashlyn); Patrick (Laura); Liz (Andy Brownlee), and Kathleen (Vince Giandonato). Serving as Judge of Probate in Eastford for many years, he was privileged to marry all of his children. At each celebration after the ceremony, he was sure to do the “chicken dance” and the polka! Mike also thoroughly enjoyed his 11 grandchildren: Caileigh, Robert, Will, Charlie, Corinne, Mike, Jo, Jane, Hannah, Caela, and Ilaria.
For the last few years of Mike’s life, he battled Parkinson’s disease. He fought valiantly through the many challenges this presented. We are thankful for early diagnosis and treatment and the support community it opened for us.
Mike took pleasure in listening to Phantom of the Opera, Enya, and Neil Diamond. He liked comedies and Whodunnit books and shows. After the family’s first pound puppy, he grew to love dogs, including, maybe especially, the low-slung Beagle Basset, Walter.
Mike had many other interests, and he and Mary Ellen were lucky to travel to many parts of the world.
Still, nothing could beat the old houses and the stone walls and the trees that Mike enjoyed in our rural part of Connecticut. He loved to put on his overalls and to get on his tractor, “Big Momma,” to mow the fields.
He also enjoyed old cars and trucks. When Mike was 14, he landed a job washing the windows of Eastford’s Bowen’s Garage, earning $50—enough to buy the ’37 Ford truck he had his eye on.
Later he was able to afford a cream-colored ’54 Ford Sedan. He always kept both the ’37 and the ’54 in running condition.
Mike, though tall and slim, had a hearty appetite.
He loved plain, everyday foods like oatmeal, bread, fresh fruits. He loved a good game of Monopoly, Jeopardy, and Wheel of Fortune. Mike always said “Keep Smilin’!” We’re all trying.
Donations: Michael J. Fox Foundation (give.michaeljfox.org); Joshua’s Trust (joshuastrust.org/ways-to-give/); the Eastford Public Library (179 Eastford Rd, Eastford, CT 06242), or a charity of your choice. Details of a celebration of life to follow. Gilman and Valade Funeral Homes and Crematory, 104 Church St., Putnam.
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psa pg 9 10-19-23
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What a difference a year makes for Jacob Hines.
Last fall the then-PSA sophomore was dealing with an elbow injury that kept him out of the fall season and most winter workouts. He started throwing essentially when PSA opened its spring season in Myrtle Beach, and turned in a workman-like season as the team’s second-best starter.
Now healthy – and with a better understanding of how to stay that way – Hines is set to make a big leap in this, his junior season.
“There are no goals that Jacob can’t attain and there’s no one that he won’t compete with,” said Hines’s coach, Bob Hetu.
“Jacob is going to be counted on and be prominent. I think the depth of our pitching staff is going to help him too because the identity of our team is going to be the pitching.”
Hines finished last season with a 1.24 ERA over 33 1/3 innings, striking out 25 and allowing just one extra-base hit.
He followed up with a strong summer that included appearances in some higher-profile showcases, and had a solid first outing of the fall season.
“I feel like my workload has been a lot more and I’m preparing myself a lot more to make a big leap and be much better,” Hines said.
“I’m a smarter athlete and knowing my body more so I can stay healthy. I wasn’t really educated on the correlation between muscle strength and injury. I thought it was all mechanical. But I was weak.
“Last year was pretty stressful when I was out for six, seven months and I couldn’t throw. So all I really did was just learn about my body through physical therapy and doing research on the internet.”
Hines lives in the gym building muscle and endurance and has seen the impact in the summer and fall.
He said he recovers much faster now after throwing and can go deeper into games.
PSA has Hines joining last year’s ace Harry Roy, plus with CCSU-commit Ian Mihalopoulos returning from Tommy John surgery as well as newcomers Cody Heselton (Marist) and Ryan Ponte (CCSU), which will give them a chance to win every game, regardless of the gauntlet schedule the Mustangs are slated to play.
“Last fall it was our first time and we didn’t know what we were getting into in the spring season,” Hines said.
“I want to use this fall to go into the spring season being confident with our team. Winning games in the fall will be a big help for us.
“I want to be someone on the team who can be relied on, who makes a big impact, can win games. I want to be that guy, and I think I’m ready for it.”
Stephen Nalbandian
Sports Information Director
Putnam Science Academy
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viv pg 9 10-19-23
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Bernardo Vieira was doing what Bernardo Vieira does.
“He is a true striker,” PSA Prep soccer coach Ryan Dunnigan said. “He is always hunting the ball and trying to get on the end of things, chasing down every ball, positioning himself so that he can get onto the end of crosses.”
That was the case last Wednesday as Vieira, a senior from Brazil, came off the bench in the second half and within minutes put away a cross from teammate Renan Mafra to give PSA a two-goal lead in a game they would eventually defeat Hoosac 3-0.
“I saw Renan with the ball, and I know he can always find you on the pitch,” Vieira said, “so I made a move into the second post expecting that he would see me, and it worked.”
It was just Vieira’s second game back since suffering a broken wrist about a month ago in a game in Philadelphia. He played roughly 25 minutes in the first half of a 1-0 loss to South Kent the game before, but none in the second half as he was rounding himself back into game shape.
“He’s had a good mentality going forward since getting injured,” Dunnigan said. “He’s been patient, he’s been at everything, being responsible and still staying involved in team activities and events. And he hasn’t pushed me to get him on the field. He’s been waiting and understanding that he was going to need to take time to get back hit fitness and the reps and rhythm of the game.”
It may have looked that way to Dunnigan, but Vieira smiled and said it wasn’t that easy at all.
Sitting and watching was difficult for him, particularly as he watched his teammates struggle to finish scoring opportunity after scoring opportunity.
“It is hard to be patient,” he said. “You see you can do things the right way but you’re not doing them because either you’re not confident enough or things just aren’t going well.
“For me, I have always been a confident guy. I believe in God and know that I have a purpose here. Things weren’t going as I thought they were going to, I decided I would work hard and do better and rely on my trust in God that something good was coming.”
Dunnigan noticed a bit of a change in the week or so prior to the Hoosac game, seeing that Vieira seemed more motivated to prove that he was back and deserving of more minutes.
“Not starting is not easy for anyone but to then have an impact off the bench and earn minutes, to prove that he has a good mentality and has the right approach, he’s done that,” Dunnigan said. “He’s had a better work ethic since the start of the year and has grown over time. I think this goal, hopefully, will give him more confidence going forward in training and games.”
Marcos Chantada scored early in the first half against Hoosac to get PSA off to a fast start, then benefitted from an old goal late to sandwich Vieira’s tally.
“We’re very pleased,” said Lachie Quate, who played well along the back. “The tactics were different, we knew playing on our home pitch that we’d have to change things up, so being able to press and put pressure on the other team really played to our advantage. The ball will bounce if you try to slip it past them so we looked to go longer at times and not take as many risks, and it paid off.”
Stephen Nalbandian
Sports Information Director
Putnam Science Academy
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