fall pg 1 12-9-21
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Fall sports
season comes
to a close
Woodstock Academy athletes were recognized for their achievements last week at the Fall Sports Night.
Honored were:
ECC Sportsmanship Awards: Field Hockey – Elena Borski; Boys’ Soccer- Colin Manuilow; Girls’ Soccer- Haley Whitehouse; Volleyball – Elizabeth Lovrien; Football – River Favreau; Boys’ cross-country – Vincente Bastura; Girls’ cross-country – Sydney Lord.
ECC Scholar-Athlete Awards: Field Hockey – Sofia Murray; Boys’ Soccer- Zach Roethlein; Girls’ Soccer – Adeline Smith; Volleyball- Leila MacKinnon; Football – Keenan LaMontagne; Boys’ cross-country – Seamus Lippy; Girls’ cross-country – Leah Castle.
All-Star Awards: Class MM All-State girls’ cross-country, ECC 1st team Division I All-Star – Linsey Arends; Class L First team CHSCA All-State girls’ soccer, ECC Division I All-Star – Grace Gelhaus; ECC Div. II football Player of the Year and Div. II All-Star – Ethan Davis; ECC Div. II boys’ soccer All-Star – Noah Page; ECC Div. II football All-Star – Everett Michalski; ECC Div. II football All-Star – Carter Saracina; ECC Div. II football All-Star – Jackson Goetz; ECC Div. II football All-Star – Huck Flanagan; ECC Division II football All-Star – Evan Roy; ECC Div. II football All-Star – Silas Strandson; ECC Div. II football All-Star – Wyatt Thienel; ECC Div. I volleyball All-Star – Aurissa Boardman; ECC Div. I boys’ cross-country All-Star – Ian Hoffman; ECC Div. I girls’ cross-country All-Star – Julia Coyle; ECC Div. II football honorable mention – Braiden Saucier; ECC Div. I girls’ soccer honorable mention – Macy Rawson; ECC Div. I girls’ soccer honorable mention – Kayla Leite; ECC Div. I girls’ cross-country honorable mention – Carah Bruce; ECC Div. I girls’ cross-country honorable mention – Lauren Brule; ECC Div. I girls’ cross-country honorable mention – Leah Castle; ECC Div. II boys’ soccer honorable mention – Manuel Vidal; ECC Div. I boys’ cross-country honorable mention – Vincente Bastura; ECC Div. I boys’ cross-country honorable mention – Christian Menounos.
Coach’s Awards:
Boys’ Soccer - Varsity: Brian Jameson, Lukas Krupp; JV: Calvin Field;
Freshman: Aiden Brailsford
Girls’ Soccer - Varsity: Magdalena Myslenski, Maya Orbegozo; JV: Taylor Lamothe
Unified Soccer - Player: Christopher Kirkconnell; Partner: Sydney Schuler
Football - Varsity: John Pokorny, John Armstrong; JV: David Bunning
Field Hockey - Varsity: Abby Converse, Ava Basak; JV: Elizabeth Roberts
Volleyball - Varsity: Annarose Avery, Morgan Bonin; JV: Emma Kerr; Freshman: Madeline Jezierski
Cheerleading - Varsity: Cristina Martin, Lauren Thomas.
Girls’ cross-country - Varsity: Linsey Arends, Leah Castle; JV: Kira Greene
Boys’ cross-country - Varsity: Ian Hoffman, Thai Le; JV: Colton Sallum.
Marc Allard
Director of Sports Information
The Woodstock Academy
Honored
Woodstock Academy ECC Scholar-Athlete Award winners were honored last week. Photos by Trent Peters/ The Woodstock Academy.
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Yes pg 1 12-9-21
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caption, page 1:
Resting Between Visits
Clay Birdsall, Santa's representative, takes a break between visits with children eager to tell him what they'd like for Christmas. He'll be back at Kazantzis Real Estate from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dec. 11 and Dec. 18 and then it's back to the North Pole. More photos on page 4. Linda Lemmon photo.
captions, page 4, from top:
Abigail Swinson, 3, of Danielson is thrilled.
Alanna Mulira, 9; Jalynn Gorman, 9; Santa; and Ethan Mulira, 4, who asked Santa to come along with him for the rest of the day. More
Women from Albany, N.Y., who were on a holiday scavenger hunt in New England, checked off two items: Photo with Santa and a photo of a Christmas sweater (on helper Elf Denise Moore).
By Linda Lemmon
Town Crier Editor
NORTH POLE (by way of Putnam) — First-time Santa incarnation Clay Birdsall is all about Christmas.
What helps him represent Old St. Nick? “I’m still a believer. I still have the spirit,” he said. “I’ve already been watching Christmas movies,” he added.
Case in point: His whole day was made by one believer in particular, Ethan Mulira, 4, of Douglas, Mass. Ethan FLEW across the floor at Kazantzis Real Estate and velcroed himself to Santa’s leg, squealing. Nearly knocked Santa over. And he wouldn’t let go. In fact, he asked Santa if Santa would stay with him all day. “Come with me,” he said.
Santa couldn’t but he said later, “Ethan made the day, right there.”
Santa’s rep said he hasn’t let go of what Christmas is all about. “It’s more for the getting together, for family,” he said. “It may be a cold December out there, but it’s a very warm holiday.”
When he’s not transformed into Kris Kringle, Birdsall is a photographer (Clay Alan Photography) and one of his customers is Jennifer Lehto at Kazantzis. “I take photos for her listings and she was running out of options,” he said. “She called and said ‘You want to be Santa?’ and of course I said yes.” Dec. 4 was his first Santa experience. He’ll be back at Kazantzis from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dec. 11 and Dec. 18.
Asked what his message is for kids he said “be good and help your parents.” He said the workshop has been very busy this year but one of the tough parts was — COVID‘s curse is everywhere, apparently — “especially waiting for materials.”
Denise Moore, an agent at Kazantzis, was one helpful Elf for Santa. A former preschool teacher, she had an educational gift for the kids: they each got to pick out a book. She said the books were from her “stash” left over from teaching.
And the young at heart dropped in, too. A group of women from Albany, N.Y., were on a New England holiday scavenger hunt and one of the items was a photo with Santa. They knocked that off their list and also a photo with a Christmas sweater, courtesy of Moore. Then they were off again on the hunt, still looking for a “leading man wearing flannel.”
Santa said they weren’t the only visitors from far-flung places. Visitors also came from Martha’s Vineyard. Santa is one popular guy.
Some Santa reps are very serious. Birdsall said the choices for his “uniform” ran the gambit. “I saw some Santa suits in the $3,000 range. He said one hair set, with separate whiskers, hair, eyebrows and moustache, plus the glue for it, was in the $500 range.
Looking out the storefront Santa saw that the children were smiling — just the children. Not a single adult. Stress trumps the holidays. “They, too, need to believe.”
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KHS pg 1 12-9-21
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caption:
Private William Webb, a Civil War soldier, performed by Kevin Johnson
By Donna Dufresne
Tenth graders in Killingly High School and the Arts at the Capitol Theater Magnet School (ACT) in Willimantic are taking part in a year-long study of the soldiers from the CT 29th Colored Regiment in the Civil War through a grant funded by The Last Green Valley.
The program, Out of the Shadows: Shedding Light on the CT 29th Colored Regiment, was designed by education specialist and historian Donna Dufresne. During the year-long enrichment program, students will learn to read and interpret primary sources as they research the local 29th Regiment soldiers of Nipmuc and African descent. Students will try to locate the places where the veterans of the 29th Colored Regiment lived, worked, and prayed, and place memorial markers at their gravesites.
The program was kicked off with a retreat at the Windham-Tolland 4-H Camp in Pomfret where students from both schools met and participated in collaborative team-building activities. The intent was for the students, who come from different learning communities, to get to know each other. Heather Logee, director of the 4-H Center, led the outdoor challenge activities.
One highlight of the student retreat was the dramatic interpretation of Private William Webb, a Civil War soldier in the CT. 29th Colored Regiment, performed by Kevin Johnson from the CT. State Library. Appearing in his Civil War Uniform, “Private Webb” captured the attention of the audience of teens and faculty as he told stories of the battles and the daily life of a soldier of African descent. He emphasized that he was fighting for the ideal of freedom and the hope of gaining citizen rights. After the performance, Johnson explained that he had found William Webb in the archives of the State Library, and pieced his story together based on primary sources such as military records, birth and marriage records, and other documents.
Since the retreat and performance, students have been learning how to analyze and interpret primary documents, photographs, and pictures. Recently, they were given the transcript of a letter written by a soldier from the 29th regiment. Joseph O. Cross’s letter to his “dear wife” lacks punctuation but is full of descriptive detail, including the long marches, and Rebel attacks. He describes one gruesome battle where his company was ordered to crouch behind a bank. From there, he witnessed men who were shot in the face, eyes, and arms being carried off the field passing his station. He also sends his wife a cotton boll instructing her to plant it in the early spring in a box (hot house) to protect it from frost. He describes his first feed of black-eyed peas from a bean “7 inches long”. He is sending his wife the little money he has left from his last monthly pay and laments that they have not been paid for a while. From the letter, students were able to derive the character traits of Joseph Cross, and a snapshot of his familial networks and community in Connecticut.
While reading primary sources, students learned about text evidence and reading between the lines to make inferences about individual characters and historical events. After analyzing the letter of Joseph O Cross, students examined drawings and paintings of some of the battles and places mentioned in the letter to build context. They also examined photographs of the 29th Colored Regiment.
Students will begin to identify, and write about local 29th Colored Regiment soldiers with the help of their teachers, (Joe Lewerk and Dale Maxwell), Donna Dufresne, and local historians.
Eventually, they will share what they learned through multi-media presentations and help to shed some light on the CT. 29th Colored Regiment through a wider lens of the Civil War.
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Calendar pg 2 12-9-21
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Wed. Dec. 8
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. Dec. 9
Wildlife Presentation
WOODSTOCK --- The New Roxbury Land Trust will present “Wildlife and Connecticut’s Changing Landscape” at 6:30 p.m. via Zoom with Richard L. Taylor Jr., a Master Wildlife Conservationist, who will discuss the history of Connecticut's landscape from colonial times to the present and will highlight the impact on wildlife. Register and meeting link: tinyurl.com/wafxtu6w.
Fri. Dec. 10
‘White Christmas’
PUTNAM --- The Bradley Playhouse on Front Street will present “Irving Berlin’s White Christmas, The Musical” at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 10, 11, 17 and 18 and at 2 p.m. Dec. 12 and 19. $25 for adults; $22 for seniors and students. 860-9287887. COVID policy described at www.thebradleyplayhouse.org.
Sat. Dec. 11
Pet Food Donations
DANIELSON --- Pet Pals Northeast will be collecting pet food at its annual holiday pet food drive from 10 a.m. to noon at the Killingly Library. Dry and canned cat food most needed. Purina brands preferred. Cash donations welcome. 860-317-1720.
Santa!
PUTNAM --- Kids, Santa will be at his Workshop at Kazantzis Real Estate / Lehto Design Build on Main Street from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dec. 11 and 18. This is one of the Putnam Business Association’s Light Up Putnam events.
Winter Festival
WOODSTOCK --- The Woodstock Recreation Department will present the 2nd Annual Woodstock Winter Festival from noon to 4 p.m. There’s a craft corner at the Senexet Grange and the day kicks off with the Christmas Run at 9 a.m. at Roseland Park. Plus much more. For the map and more info, go to: woodstockct.gov/recreation-department/pages/events
Sun. Dec. 12
Concert
PASCOAG --- The Grace Note Farm on Jackson Schoolhouse Road and the Blackstone Valley Tourism Council will present Music at the Farm “Holiday Time Again” with selections from Traviata at 2 p.m. Tickets $30. 401-567-0354.
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.
Fri. Dec. 17
Caroling
PUTNAM --- The Putnam Business Association’s Light Up the Season will present the Woodstock Academy Hill Singers from 6 to 8 p.m. in downtown Putnam.
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.
Wreaths Across America
PUTNAM --- The American Legion Post 13 and the VFW Post 1523 will present Wreaths Across America at noon at the Veterans Park. Rain location: Farmers’ Market Pavilion.
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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