plan pg 1 2-29-24
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Plan for vet
park done
PUTNAM — Plans for the renovation of the Veterans Memorial Park show a complete reworking of the walkways, lighting, flagpole area, space for new monuments honoring veterans and more.
The proposed site plan from the town’s Land Use Department shows straightened walkways, space for future monuments, lighting for each monument and a reworking of the American flag area.
Already done is the 6-foot white vinyl fence along the parking lot of the Congregational B’nai Shalom parking lot. A ramp there will allow wheelchair access from the parking lot. The emblems of the six branches of the U.S. military would be placed on the fence.
According to the site plan, walking from the east, there would be the tree from the Daughters of the American Revolution dedicated to General Washington (the original one in town died). Then there would be memorials to the town’s WWI veterans, then a public platform for ceremonies (in front of the white fence), then the memorial dedicated to the town’s WWII veterans, Following that would be the Korea, Vietnam and Beirut monuments before starting the circle around the flagpole area. Then there would be monuments to the town’s Desert Storm and OIF/OEF veterans.
All monuments would have their own dedicated lighting for dim environment viewing.
The approach to the flag pole from the south would be a straight paved walkway for ceremonial access to the flags, and the entire flagpole, inside of the paved walkway, would be paved with bricks purchased by residents dedicated to the honorable remembrance of a veteran’s service, regardless of their living status or location status. That fund-raiser continues. Contact the Town Hall for more information.
The flagpole might be a “T” shaped pole (called a Yardarm pole), distinguishing it from other flagpoles in town, as these styles are usually on military bases and associated with veterans. The flags would have their own dedicated lighting.
At the intersection of Church and Bridge streets there will be a V-shaped park sign so from any direction there is no doubt it is the Veterans Memorial Park.
Members of the town’s Veterans Advisory Committee last fall garnered a coveted assignment of Harvard H. Ellis Tech students to begin work this spring. The students taking part are from the masonry and electrical departments.
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psa pg 1 2-29-24
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PSA’s Ahmed
breaks record
for rebounds
Last March, when Mouhamed Dioubate spoke about becoming PSA’s all-time leading rebounder, he said he was going to enjoy it but also that he wouldn’t have the mark for long.
“Ben’s going to get it next year,” he said. “It’s cool now but Ben’s going to get it and go way past it.”
Dioubate’s foretelling came to fruition Thursday night, when Ben Ahmed grabbed his 11th rebound of the night and 677th of his career, moving him one ahead of Dioubate and into PSA’s record books.
“I wasn’t thinking about it until I saw the email that said I had a few rebounds to go to get the record,” Ahmed said. “But I talked to Moh about it last year too and I told him, ‘As soon as you leave, I’m breaking everything.’
“I learned so much from Moh, honestly. He was patient; he didn’t try to force things. He worked hard to get better every day and he taught me to do the same thing.”
Ahmed, a member of the Class of 2026, needed just 79 games to set the mark; Dioubate played 93 games in his career. Ahmed’s size certainly helps, as at 6-foot, 9-inches and 240 pounds he can just bull his way to the ball. But there is more.
“Every day, we work with coach Nick (Schmidt) and he knows a lot about basketball,” he said. “He’s such a good coach, so I just listen to him and what he tells me and try to use it in practice to get better in the games.
“And it’s hunger too. I know I have to bring something on the floor just to get minutes, so I just try to rebound the ball every time.”
Ahmed has a strong chance to set other marks as well before this season ends. He is 60 points shy of becoming the fifth player in school history to score 1,000 in his career, he needs 84 more points to break the single-season scoring record of 651 held by Hami Diallo, and he needs only 50 more rebounds to break Rundell Mauge’s single-season record of 408.
PSA has one more regular season game, then at least two and as many as six postseason games. Ahmed averages 15.4 points and 9.7 rebounds this season.
“Ben has been a star since the first day he stepped on the campus of Putnam Science,” coach Tom Espinosa said. “I can’t believe the impact he’s had on the program since Day One. The future looks pretty scary for Big Ben.”
Stephen Nalbandian
Sports Information Director
Putnam Science Academy
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roseland pg 1 2-29-24
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Roseland Legacy Campaign
moves toward goal
About 150 years ago, Henry Chandler Bowen, with help from the community, built a park around Roseland Lake. It was dedicated July 4, 1876, with President Ulysses S. Grant, the first of four U.S. presidents to come to Roseland Park, in attendance.
Over the years the park and the adjoining golf course, which opened in 1896, provided hours of recreation and outdoor exercise to a wide surrounding area. But over the years, time and ‘Mother Nature’ have taken a toll on the facilities and grounds.
The Board of Trustees, with the goal of restoring the park and golf course to its past grandeur, began “150 Years and Beyond,” its Legacy Campaign. Launched in October 2023, the Legacy Campaign goal is $500,000 or more in its initial phase, and thus far — thanks to the generosity of the community — more than 80 percent of the goal has been realized.
“We have a true trifecta of beauty in the lake, the park and the golf course. We are fortunate to enjoy these facilities. Most communities would love to have what the people of our area have enjoyed for the past 150 years,” said John Rauh, chairman of the Roseland Park and Golf Course Legacy Campaign.
Rauh said the original financial projections indicated the need for $2 to $3 million to satisfactorily bring the park and golf course to its original state. Park architect and former Woodstock resident Wilson Martin has drawn up plans for paving and redesign of the current roadways.
A new main entrance is planned, which will offer immediate views of the lake and the beauty of the park. Updates to the barn and boathouse, including indoor facilities are in the plans. Construction of an equipment storage facility, which will extend the life of park and golf course maintenance machinery, is also in the plans. In addition, playground improvements include new equipment and restoration of grassy areas for the safety of youngsters.
Rauh said improvements may start in late spring or early summer.
“The plan is to work closely with the Woodstock Little League which has been located on the grounds of the park for 65 years. Along with the baseball fields, improvements to the golf course to benefit the more than 9,000 rounds played there during the summer months have already been initiated,” said Rauh.
Rauh, along with Vice Chairman Dr. Jonathan Gradie and Honorary Chairman Paul Kelly, have worked closely with the leadership team of Trustee President Martha Beckwith, Patrick O’Brien, Jeff Bond, Anthony Listro, Lynn Converse, Pam Brown and Board Historian Marc Cotnoir.
The Legacy Campaign is designed to allow donors three years to fulfill pledges or their intent to participate, giving individuals, corporations, organizations and financial institutions an opportunity to make significant gifts. Recognition opportunities honoring donors or memorializing loved ones are part of the pledge process, according to Rauh.
“This is a major undertaking by the Board and the first time we’ve ever embarked on such a venture. If we are to maintain the beauty and utility of this land and operate it as a private location, the support of the community is vitally necessary,” he added.
Youngsters from around the region and as far away as Griswold enjoyed the “Kids Golf Camp” during last season. The camp and other educational programs are being planned for the upcoming season at the golf course and at Roseland Park. These programs are available in part because of the effort of The Legacy Campaign, aimed at raising $500,000 in Phase I.
Work has begun on improvements to the Roseland Park and Golf Course as part of The Legacy Campaign. Trees are selectively being removed along overgrown fairways, which will improve golfing conditions and allow for much needed sunlight to the course.
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because pg 2 2-29-24
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Caring for plants can be tricky because, even though they may be genetically the same, just like people, no two plants are the same. I could have two of the same type of plant and, I will maintain, each one requires different care. One may be more sensitive to temperature, light or water. The other may be more sensitive to movement, growing well, at first, and then struggling to survive when repotted.
If I am being honest, plants (and their care) remain a bit of an enigma to me. But once I learn what works for each plant, I do my best to always try and get it right. As a result, I have become a bit of a plant whisperer…
I have had one house plant for nearly 15 years. The thing is nearly indestructible, yet, I am convinced, in the wrong hands, it will certainly perish. At one point I cut it all back and repotted it. In addition, I moved it to a different location. The plant didn’t mind being repotted, but it did not respond well to its new spot. I moved it back to the same room but placed it in a different spot. This was enough of a change for the plant. It likes a watering every 10 days or so and does not like to be fussed with, preferring, instead, to be ignored. It is growing again and feels happy and independent.
I have another plant that absolutely loves water. However, I have noticed that it prefers frequent watering in small amounts. If I give it too much water all at once, it seems to produce brittle leaves. Instead, I water it two or three times a week, making sure that I drizzle the water in a circle around the base of the plant. This keeps the leaves looking lush.
I also have the same plant in two different sizes and with two distinct personalities. One is quite small while the other is large. The large one likes light and a good soaking once a week. Plus, the large one doesn’t really care where it is or if it gets moved or bumped. The large one likes people and wants to be in a spot where the action is. Conversely, the small one prefers indirect light, quiet and only a small amount of water every 7-10 days. The large plant grows larger quickly while the small plant remains healthy but, quite small.
I have a relatively new plant. I am still discovering what it likes as it has not yet fully revealed itself. What I currently know is that the plant likes it cooler rather than warmer and needs good drainage because if I water it with anything more than a spoonful at a time, it dispels all the liquid. It’s a bit on the stubborn side and I am guessing that it will be hearty. But alas, like most caregivers, I am just the bystander, watering and nurturing the plants as they simply, Grow and Grow!
Kathy Naumann, possessor of NATURALLY curly hair and the understanding that you can’t control everything!
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