PSA pg 9 2-28-13
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caption:
Driving
PSA's Jonte Rutty drives to the hoop in recent contest against Notre Dame Prep. Courtesy photo.
By Ron P. Coderre
Putnam Science Academy post graduate basketball standout Jonte Rutty verbally committed to playing basketball for Georgian Court University in Lakewood, N.J. The announcement was made on the PSA basketball twitter account Feb. 19.
Rutty, who came to PSA from Newburgh Free Academy in New York where he helped his team to the 2011 Section 9 Class AA championship, has been an impact player on the 2012-2013 Mustangs team which recently completed a 22-8 season by capturing the 2013 Northeast Prep Basketball Tournament.
“Jonte is a pure shooter who can spark a team because he’s capable of putting points on the board in a hurry,” said PSA coach Tom Espinosa.
This season, Rutty was the team’s third leading scorer averaging 11 points a game, while corralling four rebounds per contest. His biggest asset was his ability to score beyond the three-point arc, where he led the area with 76 treys.
In moving on to Georgian Court University, Rutty will become part of an historic team at the New Jersey school. The 2013-2014 Lions of Coach Enrico Mastroianni will be the first male basketball team in the history of the school, which is going co-educational after a long history as an all-female Catholic university. The Lions will compete in the NCAA on the Division II level in the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference.
“I’m very happy for Jonte, as he’s been a great teammate on the team all season. One of the main reasons he came to our school was to get more visibility as a player and to avail himself of the opportunity to play at the next level,” said Espinosa.
The 6-foot, 5-inch Rutty should add versatility to the Georgian Court frontcourt as he’s capable of handling all three ‘big man’ positions. He offers mismatch potential as well as his innate ability to knock down the long range three.
Rutty is the second PSA player this year to accept a college scholarship, joining Dayshon Smith who earlier committed to coach Archie Miller and the University of Dayton Flyers. Rutty is also the second member of his family to play college basketball, following in the footsteps of his older brother Justin, a 2011 graduate of Quinnipiac University where he starred for coach Tom Moore’s Bobcats.
Woodstock pg 9 2-28-13
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Woodstock
Academy
roundup
Woodstock — In Woodstock Academy action last week:
Indoor Track
Molly Gibeault competed at the Indoor Track State Open Championships and took 4th place with a record setting jump. Molly Gibeault surpassed her own school record in the pole vault with an impressive vault of 10 feet which was good enough to put her in 4th place in the state. Her 4th place finish would have put her in New England’s if pole vault was offered at the New England Championships, but because it is not her indoor track high school career ended at the State Open meet, but Molly goes out on top as the Woodstock Academy record holder in indoor track pole vault.
The gymnastics team won the state championship for the third consecutive season.
Gymnastics
The had a score of 142.95 which did not only give them their third consecutive State Title, but it was also the top score of the day for all the teams in the state regardless of division. If the Lady Centaurs are able to keep the top spot at Friday’s State Open Meet then they will be State Open Champions for the second consecutive year. M
Meet results:
Woodstock Academy started on the vault posting a team score of 34.975
Mary Incera 8.225; Jourdan Fulchino 8.3; Allison Rich 8.375; Nickie Deary 8.2; Bree Hussong 9.25; Courtney Osborn 9.05. Top 4 scores = 34.975
Bars: 37.1 team score: Emily Lipka 8.425; Bree Hussong 8.35; Nickie Deary 9.2; Courtney Osborn 9.5; Shaila Segal 9.575; Jackie Deary 8.825; Top 4 scores = 37.1.
Beam: team score of 35.75; Jourdan Fulchino 8.75; Nickie Deary 9.025; Emily Lipka 8.6; Courtney Osborn 8.0; Jackie Deary 8.5; Bree Hussong 9.375; Top 4 scores = 35.75
Floor 35.125 team score: Jourdan Fulchino 8.6; Emily Lipka 8.75; Allison Rich 8.35; Nickie Deary 8.75; Bree Hussong 9.025; Courtney Osborn 8.6; Top 4 scores = 35.125
Cheerleading
The cheerleading team won the ECC Championships while posting the top score for all division teams.
Some highlights: ALL STARS: Kyleigh Caron, Marial Baker. Honorable Mention: Molly Matheau, Elizabeth Hoyt, Kayla Slayton. Sportsmanship Award: Jenna Clinton
Boys’ Basketball
The team won big in the ECC Quarterfinals, with beating Stonington 84 to 64.
The boys’ basketball team improved their record to 19-2 and they took one step closer to the goal of winning the ECC Tournament Championship. The team was firing on all cylinders on their way to a 84 to 64 win over the # 7 seeded Stonington Bears. Tristan Welch was named WINY player of the game with a monster performance. Welch finished with 22 points including four 3 point shots. Chris Lowry also had four 3 pointers today finishing with 16 points and an amazing 13 assists. Ian Converse showed again why he one of the best players in the state with 22 points. Trent Peters had 10 points going a perfect 10 for 10 from the charity stripe.
Memories pg 10 2-28-13
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caption:
Coach Scraba
The St Mary’s School Junior High basketball team circa 1954 with coach Stan Scraba. Front, left to right: Leonard Bonneville, Paul Bellerose, Paul LeClair, Ron Coderre. Back: Paul MacCormac, Bob Gosselin, Peter Phaneuf. Courtesy photo.
By Ron P. Coderre
The e-mail from Susan Johnston entitled “Stan the Man,” which was sent with the news of her dad, Stan Scraba’s death set off a series of memories about the man who for well more than a half century positively affected the lives of hundreds and possibly thousands of individuals.
My last contact with Stan Scraba was about one month ago when he called to say hello and to just catch up on news in general. His calls and hand written notes, since he began spending winters in Florida, were something I always looked forward to receiving because they always left me with the feeling that life was good because of people like Stan Scraba.
I first met Stan Scraba when I was a junior high school student at St. Mary’s School and he was our team’s basketball coach. His impact on my life was immediate. A man of character, coach Scraba instilled values into the lives of every young man he ever coached.
The memories of those St. Mary’s day include squeezing seven players into his car to travel to away games because that was the only transportation available to us. And season ending spaghetti dinners at his home, so tastily prepared by his wife of 60 years, Joan, was anxiously looked forward to by all the players.
Our paths crossed again when I was a student at Putnam High School, where Mr. Scraba was a business teacher and assistant football coach. Thanks to his typing class, I and many people my age are able to sit at the key board today and tap the keys without looking at the letters. And the memories of his feisty presence alongside his friend coach Greenhalgh on the Clipper sideline will live on indelibly forever.
It seems that over the years whenever someone with knowledge, enthusiasm and a positive attitude was required to assist with a project we turned to Stan Scraba. This occurred when our friend Benny Auger announced his candidacy for State Representative. As campaign manager for Auger I called on Stan Scraba for sessions in speech writing and presentation, debate preparation and anything else necessary to put together a winning campaign for our aspiring politician.
Our paths continued to pass and zigzag for years and every time we’d meet he was the same Stan Scraba, the coach, the teacher, the mentor, the adviser and the friend. In recent years we enjoyed the opportunity of sharing the speaking podium for the 2011 Putnam Memorial Day festivities. Brigadier General Scraba (U.S. Army ret.) was the featured speaker whom I had the honor of introducing as the event’s Master of Ceremony.
And for the past three year’s Stan Scraba was an integral part of the committee that raised approximately $50,000 for the Coach Jim Greenhalgh Memorial Scholarship.
A solid and devoted Christian man, Stan Scraba was a confidante to many. He was first and foremost a dedicated husband to Joan; a loving father to his two daughters, Susan and Paula and his four sons, Tom (who died tragically in an automobile accident), Mark, Christopher and Sean; a caring grandfather to his ten grandchildren; a coach to hundreds of athletes; a teacher to thousands of students; a General to his many troops; and a friend to everyone who ever met Stan Scraba.
Life will undoubtedly go on although “Stan the Man” Scraba is no longer with us but rest assured there are many who will continue to turn to him in times of need and when his sage advice is required. He may not be physically with us any longer but his presence and aura will always be in our memory.
Calendar pg 4 2-28-13
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Wed. Feb. 27
Lecture
THOMPSON --- Thompson Recreation, The Last Green Valley, Thompson Conservation Commission and Thompson Together, Inc. will present a lecture/presentation by the Last Green Valley Rangers, "Notable & Notorious," at 10:30 a.m. Free. Reserve space by calling 923-9440.
Quilt Display
POMFRET --- The Connecticut Audubon Society at Pomfret will present the Pomfret 300th Anniversary Quilt Display through Feb. 28 at the new Audubon Grassland Bird Conservation Center on Day Road. Info at www.ctaudubon.org. 928-4948.
Art Exhibit
DAYVILLE --- An art exhibit featuring artist members of the Northeastern CT Art Guild will be held through Feb. 28 at the Sunshine Shop on Upper Maple Street. All welcome.
Fri. March 1
Teen Week
POMFRET --- The Windham Tolland 4-H Camp on Taft Road will hold a Winter Teen Weekend from 5 p.m. March 1 until 10 a.m. March 3. Food, games, sledding, leadership skills and lots of fun for teens 13 – 18. $50. Preregistration required: 974-3379 .
Dance-a-Thon
WOODSTOCK --- Woodstock Academy will be hosting its Second Annual Dance-A-Thon to raise money for two oncology patients at Day Kimball Hospital from 5 p.m. to midnight. Open to the community from 5 to 9 p.m. Admission is $5 for adults, $3 for children under 12, and free to anyone under the age of 3.
Sat. March 2
'Bowl' Fund-raiser
PUTNAM --- Sawmill Pottery and the Congregational Church of Putnam on Main Street will present "Empty Bowls Project: Benefit for Daily Broad Food Pantry" from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. and from 6 to 7 p.m. in the church's dining room. Bowl and dinner $15. Reservations/tickets required: 928-4405.
Spaghetti Dinner
N. GROSVENORDALE --- Putnam Ford will hold its 15th annual Spaghetti Dinner and Dance at the Knights of Columbus Hall on Riverside Drive. Cocktails are at 6; dinner at 7. $20 per person. Benefits Relay For Life of Northeastern Connecticut. 860-928-2731.
Baked Potato Dinner
PUTNAM --- Boy Scout Troop 21 is having a Baked Potato Dinner from 5 to 7 p.m. at St. Mary's Church Hall. $5 for potato with all of the fixings plus dessert. Dine in or take out. Call 963-8930 for tickets or tickets at the door.
Sun. March 3
Concert
WILLIMANTIC --- The Willimantic Orchestra, a community based orchestra, will present a free concert featuring Jeanne Pocius on trumpet, at 3 p.m. in Shafer Auditorium on the campus of ECSU. Donations accepted. 860-429-0865.
Mon. March 4
Garden Club
WOODSTOCK --- The Woodstock Garden Club will meet at 7 p.m. at the South Woodstock Baptist Church on Roseland Park Road. The speaker is Louise Wisnewski from Red Goose Farm and Gardens, Coventry, discussing The Moonlight Garden." Public and new members invited. Refreshments.
Tues. March 5
Senior Luncheon
POMFRET --- The Pomfret Seniors Association will have a brown bag luncheon meeting at noon at the Pomfret Senior Center on Mashamoquet Road. All seniors welcome.
Thur. March 7
Art Guild
POMFRET --- The Northeastern CT Art Guild will resume its monthly meetings at 6:30 p.m. at the Audubon Center on Day Road. Agenda includes: election of officers and board of directors, as well as a discussion of exhibit and workshop planning, and more.
Camp Forum
PUTNAM --- The CTFSN Summer Camps Presentation will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. at the John Dempsey Regional Center on Rt. 44. Summer camps for children and young adults with disabilities and special health care needs. 860-481-9663.
Sat. March 9
Comedy Night
N. GROSVENORDALE --- The Woodstock Academy Grid iron and Hat Trick committees are hosting their annual Comedy Night fund-raiser from 7 p.m. to midnight at the K of C Hall on Rt. 12. $35.
Sun. March 10
Heavens Declare
S. WOODSTOCK --- The South Woodstock Baptist Church on Roseland Park Road will host "The Heavens Declare," a program about astronomy with Josh Lake, at 6:30 p.m. Refreshments follow. Free.
Tues. March 12
Dining for Cause
KILLINGLY --- Woodstock Academy's Project Graduation 2013 is hosting "Dining for a Cause" at Ninety-Nine (99) Restaurant in Killingly Crossing from 5 to 9 p.m. If you bring a voucher (available at www.woodstockacademy.org) 99 Restaurant will donate 15% of your check to Project Graduation.
Sat. March 16
Conference
POMFRET --- The First Congregational Church of Pomfret will present six sessions of Free Answers in Genesis Conference March 16 and March 17. Speaker is James Gardner. To register go to: fccpomfret.org or email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Pancake Breakfast
POMFRET --- Girl Scout Troop 65049 will hold a pancake breakfast from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the CT Audubon Society on Day Road, during the Easter Egg Hunt. $5. Tickets at door or email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Winter Tag Sale
PUTNAM --- The Congregational Church of Putnam will hold a winter tag sale from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the church dining room, downtown.
Health Fair
DANIELSON --- The Danielson Martial Arts Academy & Quiet Korner Health and Wellness are co/sponsoring a Free Health Fair from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Some vendors include: The new Regional Community YMCA, Rising Moon, Day Kimball / reflexology and massage therapy Brooklyn & Killingly parks and rec and Key Gyms. 779-0699.
Wed. March 20
History Forum
EASTFORD --- "The Old Connecticut Path" presentation by Jason Newton, a direct descendent of Thomas Hooker, will be held at 7 p.m. in the Eastford Town Office Building. 974-1618.
Fri. March 22
Bingo Night
WOODSTOCK --- Linemaster Corporation will hold its annual Bingo Night at Foxwoods Resort and Casino. Doors open at 4 and bingo begins at 6:30 p.m. Portion of each ticket goes to Relay For Life of Northeastern Connecticut. $15. 860-450-9158.
Sat. March 23
Roots Fund-raiser
WILLIMANTIC --- The Roots of Development CT Fund-raising team will hold a music event from 7 to 11 p.m. at the Willimantic Elks Club on Pleasant Street. Live music by flashback. Cash bar, bring your own snacks. $20.
Egg Hunt
POMFRET --- The Pomfret Recreation department will hold its annual Easter Egg Hunt for Pomfret boys and girls ages 1 - 10 will be held at 11 a.m. at the Wolf Den State Park. Rain date: March 30.
Tag Sale
ASHFORD --- The Ashford Senior Center Organization will hold its tag, sake and flower sale from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the center. Vendors wanted. $15. 487-5122.
Sun. March 24
Concert
PUTNAM --- The Congregational Church of Putnam will present a Palm Sunday Ecumenical Concert at 3 p.m. Reception follows.
Mon. April 8
‘Bach to Future’
WOODSTOCK --- The Performing Arts Northeast Connecticut will present a free children’s education program, “Bach to the Future” at 10:15 a.m. and noon at the Hyde Cultural Center. New Haven Symphony Orchestra. www.performingartnect.org
Sat. April 20
Spaghetti Supper
PUTNAM --- The Congregational Church of Putnam, downtown, will present Pastor Tom's Spaghetti Supper from 5 to 7 p.m. Adults: $10, Kids 12 and under: $5. Benefits community charities. Takeout available. 928-4405.
Mon. April 29
'Civil War'
WOODSTOCK --- The Three C's will present "Civil War," performed by TheatreworksUSA at 10 a.m. and noon at the Hyde Cultural Center on Rt. 169 for students. $3 for 10 or more; $6 individual. 928-2946.
Fri. May 3
Fun on Lawn
PUTNAM --- The Congregational Church of Putnam, downtown, will hold Fun on the Lawn: A Kids' Fair, from 5 to 8 p.m., as part of the first First Friday. Free. 928-4405.
Sat. May 11
Book Sale
PUTNAM --- The Congregational Church of Putnam, downtown, will present its annual book sale from 8 a.m. to noon in the church dining room. Benefits community charities. 928-4405.
Tues. May 14
‘Cinderella’
WOODSTOCK --- The Performing Arts Northeast Connecticut will present “Cinderella” at 10:15 a.m. and noon at the Hyde Cultural Center. Salt Marsh Opera Co. www.performingartnect.org
Sat. May 18
Relay For Life
WOODSTOCK --- Relay For Life of Northeastern Connecticut will be held May 18 and 19 at the Woodstock Fairgrounds.
Polish Supper
PUTNAM --- The Congregational Church of Putnam, downtown, will present its annual Polish Supper from 5 to 7 p.m. Adults: $10; Kids 12 and under: $5. Benefits community charities. Takeout available. 928-4405.
Mon. May 23
'Martha Speaks'
WOODSTOCK --- The Three C's will present "Martha Speaks," performed by TheatreworksUSA at 10 a.m. and noon at the Hyde Cultural Center on Rt. 169 for students. $3 for 10 or more; $6 individual. 928-2946.
Fri. May 31
Rotary Golf
PUTNAM --- The Putnam Rotary Club will present the Putnam Rotary Club Ronald P. Coderre Golf Tournament at the Connecticut National Golf Club.
Sat. June 8
Farm Tour
WOODSTOCK --- Connecticut Open House Day Farm Tour from 1 to 3 p.m. at Fairview Farm on Rt. 171. Take a wagon ride to tour the dairy barn, learn all about what a cow eats in a day, visit the “milking parlor” where 40 cows at a time are milked, and see the big tractors that work the land.
Fri. June 14
Golf Tourney
DANIELSON --- The Danielson Rotary's 20th Annual Golf Tournament will have a 1 p.m. shot gun start at the Connecticut National Golf Course in Putnam. For info/registration/sponsorships, call 923-0458.
Sun. June 23
Golf Tourney
PUTNAM --- The Steve Bousquet Memorial Golf Tournament/Congregational Church of Putnam’s 12th Annual Golf Tournament will begin at 11:45 a.m. at Thompson Raceway Golf Course. $125 per person. Information Charlie Leach 860-428-0050 or Roger Franklin 860-928-6615.
Sun. Aug. 11
Car Cruise Frappes
PUTNAM --- The Congregational Church of Putnam, downtown, will hold a Putnam Car Cruise/Frappes on the Lawn starting at 11:30 a.m. until gone. $5. Benefits community charities.
Sat. Sept. 14
Swedish Meatball Supper
PUTNAM --- The Congregational Church of Putnam, downtown, will present a Swedish Meatball Supper from 5 to 7 p.m. in the church dining room. Adults: $10; kids 12 and under $5. Benefits community charities. Takeout available. 928-4405.