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Eric Preston has been the starting catcher for most of the season for the Woodstock Academy baseball team.
Lately, he’s been a strong No. 2 starter on the mound for the Centaurs.
The junior allowed only one hit and struck out 12 May 26 at the Bentley Athletic Complex to lead the No. 31 Centaurs to a 7-1 victory over 34th-seeded Harding of Bridgeport in a Class L state tournament qualifying round game.
The win sent the Centaurs into a first-round game against second-seeded North Haven on Tuesday in a game that ended too late for this edition.
Several members of the baseball team remember the last trip a Centaurs team made to North Haven. The boys’ basketball team was handed a 91-53 loss by North Haven in a Division III first-round game this past winter.
“Eric is a competitor,” Woodstock Academy coach Brian Murphy said of Preston’s winning effort May 26. “Whether you want him to catch or play shortstop or pitch – he’s a pistol. He will do whatever he needs to do for the team and players like that are very special. They want to win. They are team players and will contribute in any way they can.”
The only hit off Preston came in the second inning, but he was able to strike out the side to end any threat.
The only run came in the fifth when Preston walked the lead-off batter and, two outs later, two consecutive errors allowed the run to score.
“He had a great game against a pretty scrappy team, they were decent. They were solid in the field. We caught a couple of breaks with a couple of dropped third strikes and that was the game,” Murphy said.
The Centaurs (10-12) put the game away in the fourth when they sent nine batters to the plate and scored four times.
Luke Mathewson led off with a single and advanced on a ground out. Jake Black drew a walk and Zach Ellsworth broke the ice with an RBI single.
Harding should have been out of the inning much sooner as, after a walk to Doug Newton, losing pitcher Howard Stultz, struck out the next three batters.
But the last two saw the third strike dropped which resulted in two more runs for the Centaurs.
Woodstock added another run in the fifth and two more in the sixth to give Preston some breathing room.
Cam Lotter was the only player with more than one hit for the Centaurs, he finished with a pair of singles.
“I hope it’s a confidence boost. I told the kids to take it one game at a time- it’s a new season. Have some fun and leave it all on the field. At the end of the day, when you leave it all on the field, there is a good chance that something good will happen,” Murphy said.
The Centaurs didn’t fare so well in the play-in game for the Eastern Connecticut Conference tournament.
The Academy was the No. 13 seed and had to travel to fourth-seeded Plainfield May 22. The Panthers prevailed, 6-2.
“We had some chances early in the game and could not convert,” Murphy said. “There were a few balls that fell in for them that should have been caught, but weren’t. That was the game. Give (Plainfield) credit. They came back, did a nice job and scrapped, but we were right there with them.”
Woodstock took the 1-0 lead in the top of the second when Mathewson singled and later scored on a single by Newton, but the Centaurs left the bases loaded.
Plainfield tied the game in the bottom of the second only to see the Centaurs regain the lead in the top of the third when Preston hit his first homer of the season.
The Panthers again answered with a run in the bottom of the inning, went ahead in the fifth and sealed the win with a three-run sixth inning.
“It was a good experience, but you don’t want to just get there, you want to win. We had a lot of young kids with us that got their feet wet. I told them they have to give themselves permission to play ball and be on the field with good teams and they will be a better team. They have given me the effort all year though,” Murphy said.
Later in the week, it was announced that Mathewson was named an ECC Division II first-team All-Star while Preston received honorable mention honors.
“They both deserve it,” Murphy said. “Luke has been a grinder on the mound all year as the go-to guy and had an incredible number of hits (at the plate), I think he was second in the league in hits. He had a phenomenal season and deserved (the award).”
Marc Allard
Sports Information Director

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Raymond W. Daigle,
WWII vet
PUTNAM — Raymond Wilfred Daigle, 89, was born Sept. 28, 1928, in Putnam to parents Wilfred and Rose Daigle.
He died May 24, 2018, at Matulaitis Nursing Home.
He was predeceased by his wife of 52 years, Jeanne “Jill” Anne Daigle (Deamer) of London, England.
Raymond joined the U.S. Army/Air Force in 1946 and worked as a cryptographic teletype operator handling highly classified information. He met his wife in 1951 while stationed in London and their adventures together began. His first child was born in London, his 2nd and 3rd in California, his 4th, 5th, and 6th in France, his 7th in Colorado, and his 8th in the Philippines.  He retired from the military in 1966 and drove his whole family from Shepard Air Force Base, in Texas, in a VW bus to settle in his hometown of Putnam, a story he often told with great pride and joy. Then, his 9th child was born on Westover Air Force Base in Massachusetts.
He continued working, spending four years as a hardware store manager, eight years as a tree cutter, and finished his career with 13 years at Electric Boat as a shipfitter building nuclear submarines.
He retired in 1991. He loved to play golf and was very social with people from all walks of life. Ray would always look for the best in people. He would help people in any way he could, making them a meal on the holidays, giving them a ride to the bank or advice on how to fix things. He had faith in God.
Raymond is predeceased by his daughter Janice LaRose (Daigle). He leaves his sons and daughters Susan Brousseau (Daigle) and her husband Richard, Katherine Blake (Daigle), John Daigle (Pam), Michael Daigle (Meagan), Robert Daigle (Debbie), Linda Petricola (Daigle) and her husband Dennis, Tony Daigle (Julie), Brian Daigle (Wendy); his sons in-law Buzz, husband of Janice, and Kevin Blake; grandchildren Jeremy, Michelle, Chris, Monica, Kody, Kevin, Haley, Nick, Sasha, Hilary, Dillon, Mathew, Megan, Kayla, Anthony, Eliza, and Wyatt,  nine great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.
Visitation is from 10 to 11:30 a.m. June 2 at Smith and Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at noon in St. Mary Church of the Visitation. Burial with military honors in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Putnam. Donations:  Matulaitis Nursing Home, Events Dept., 10 Thurber Road, Putnam, CT 06260.

Linda A. Bellerive
PUTNAM — Linda A. Bellerive, 68, of Putnam died May 22, 2018, in Putnam. The wife of the late Edward A. Bellerive Jr., they were married April 26, 1969, at St. Mary Church in Putnam.
Linda loved to crochet, play video games, her trips to the casinos with her mother and friend Marie.
She leaves her children Edward A. Bellerive III (Rosemary) of Dudley,  Heidi Ann Dehenaut (Max) of Putnam, Kristina Bellerive of Putnam; grandchildren Jonathan Peterson, Caleb Champany, Alundra Hooper, Alex Bellerive; great-granddaughter Aria; nieces and nephews.
A graveside service will be at 10:30 a.m. June 1 at St. Mary Cemetery in Putnam. Donations: PAWS Cat Shelter, PO Box 31, S. Woodstock, CT 06267. Smith & Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam.

Edward B. Bielik
PUTNAM —  Edward B. Bielik, 76, formerly of Laconia Ave., died May 24, 2018, in Matulaitis Nursing Home.  He was the husband of the late Gloria (Crotty) Bielik.  Born in 1941 in Dudley, he was the son of the late John M. and Mary (Pavuk) Bielik.
Mr. Bielik worked at Anchor Glass as a purchasing agent for many years.
Edward will be laid to rest next to his wife Gloria in Grove Street Cemetery at a later date.  Gilman Funeral Home and Crematory, 104 Church St., Putnam.

Dora E. LaFlamme
PUTNAM —  Dora E. (Briere) LaFlamme, 85, of David Circle formerly of Lady Lake, Fla., died May 21, 2018, at Day Kimball Hospital.  She was the wife of 50 years to the late Richard LaFlamme.  Born in 1933 in Putnam, she was the daughter of the late Amedee and Lea (Therique) Briere.
Mrs. LaFlamme worked for 24 years as a dietary cook at Day Kimball Hospital after which she moved to Florida.
She enjoyed playing bingo, her cat “Baby,” and watching her grandsons play football and basketball at Putnam High School. She was well known to be seen cheering them on with her trusty cow bell.
She leaves two sons, Wayne LaFlamme (Audrey) of Putnam and Steven LaFlamme of Florida; a sister, Irene Russ of Hawaii; five grandchildren, Eric, Curtis, Luke, Kyle, and Chad LaFlamme; six great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by a son, Gary LaFlamme, and her five brothers.
Dora will be laid to rest at a later date next to her husband Richard at the Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell, Fla. Gilman Funeral Home and Crematory, 104 Church St., Putnam.

Paula LaFramboise
CANTERBURY — Paula Ann (Turkia) LaFramboise, 61, of Canterbury died May 18, 2018, after a short battle with cancer.
Paula was born Aug. 10, 1956, in Putnam, daughter of the late Allen William “Bill” and Rita Lucille (Antaya) Turkia.
Paula grew up in Brooklyn and  was a 1974 graduate of Killingly High School. Two years after graduating she married her high school sweetheart Wayne LaFramboise on May 15, 1976, at St. John Lutheran Church in Brooklyn. They lived in Danielson for a short time then headed to Canterbury to Wayne’s family property where she made her home for 41 years. Paula raised her children on their family farm at that time helping build her and her husband’s business, LaFramboise Sand and Stone. Paula co-owned and managed the business until retiring in 2008. After retiring Paula enjoyed her farmhouse and property, taking care of her family and pets, especially Olive, her precious poodle.
Paula started a new adventure in 2016 working at Walmart in Brooklyn, she devoted her heart and energy and took great pride in all she did at her job. She loved to be surrounded by people and shared her energy with everyone she encountered making a host of good friends.
She leaves her husband of 42 years, Wayne LaFramboise; sons Daniel LaFramboise and family of Canterbury, Duane LaFramboise (Trish) along with Nick and Phoebe which came into Paula’s life, immediately taking them in as her grandchildren as well as Nick’s friend Khrystina, brother Michael William Turkia his wife Sharon, nephews Joel “Joe Joe” Turkia of Brooklyn, Christian Baxter of Windham, one special niece Lee Ann “Lee Lee” Turkia Boxall (Andrew), grandnephews Kane and Jace Boxall, Richard (Ricki) Gagnon of Eastford; god mother Mai Tischofer of Lebanon. She was predeceased by her parents and grandmother Agnes Turkia.
Visitation is from 6 to 8 p.m. June 1 at Gagnon and Costello Funeral Home, 33 Reynolds St., Danielson. The funeral will be at 9:15 a.m. June 2 from the funeral home, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 a.m. at Our Lady of LaSalette Church, Brooklyn. Donations; Whiskers Animal Shelter, Inc., 342 Lathrop Road, Plainfield, CT 06374.

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caption:

Sorting
Seniors Will Schad, Anna Murphy, and Kathryn McLoughlin sorting food donations with advisor Sara Dziedzic in FRESH’s food pantry on The Woodstock Academy’s South Campus. Courtesy photo.




WOODSTOCK —  In 2010 a group of students, along with social studies teacher and department chair Sara Dziedzic, started Family Related Effective Solutions for Humanity (FRESH) to address concerns of poverty, homelessness, and food insecurity in the towns surrounding The Woodstock Academy. Eight years later the organization has developed into a sustainable non-profit assisting residents of northeastern Connecticut. FRESH’s newest initiative is the Caring Continues Food Pantry that feeds families and veterans in Woodstock. The program was born when Anne Miller, executive director of TEEG, approached both FRESH and Woodstock Evangelical Covenant Church about partnering to address food insecurity in Woodstock. The partnership was well timed because with the addition of the South Campus, FRESH was able to designate a room in the South Campus Student Center to collect and sort food donations for the food pantry.
Senior Anna Murphy, who has been a member of FRESH since her freshman year, said they knew there was food insecurity in the area, but the program quickly grew to a scale much larger than they had originally anticipated.  Dziedzic shared, “We originally thought that we would have 12 families, and we now have 60.”
Will Schad, a senior from Pomfret who has lead the Caring Continues initiative, said it “introduced me to the economic problems in this part of the state.” Schad added, “It’s taught us about organization.” Each week Schad works with Murphy to organize their peers and members of FRESH to unpack, sort, and deliver donations. Donations come from local churches, the WA community, and now, as the program has grown, a majority of the donations come from United Natural Foods Inc. and Daily Bread in Putnam. Members of WECC pack bags for each family weekly and the bags are delivered through Woodstock Public Schools.
 “The first year was a learning curve and about survival,” said Dziedzic. “I don’t think you realize how expensive it is until you have to buy it. Thankfully, Dave Magee [Associate Pastor at Woodstock Evangelical Covenant Church] worked hard at getting the United Natural Foods donation, and this, along with Daily Bread in Putnam, allowed us to maintain this program.”
Murphy has spent the past semester in an independent study with Dziedzic creating a plan to make Caring Continues sustainable. “Now we are looking at ways to improve distribution and how to best serve the families in need, but it was hard to get us here” said Dziedzic. “The easiest thing about this was The Academy support. FRESH students fully embraced this program” Dziedzic added.
In addition to Caring Continues FRESH organized a back to school supply drive for local middle schools and a sock and underwear drive to donate to TEEG to benefit the local homeless population.
As a student-run organization FRESH also aims to raise awareness among students about homelessness in Northeast Connecticut. FRESH has partnered with Connecticut Coalition to End Homelessness and earlier this year the group hosted a homelessness awareness movie night on South Campus.
At Halloween the group reverse did reverse trick-or-treating where they knocked on doors and delivered goodies.
FRESH also provides scholarships for local elementary and middle school students to attend area summer camps and programs. This year FRESH donated a total of $7,000 for camperships to CT Audubon in  Pomfret,  Capen Hill Nature Sanctuary, TEEG, Brooklyn Recreation Department, and the Hale YMCA Youth and Family Center.
Dziedzic shared that because of FRESH’s local focus, “the students [in FRESH] are able to see the impact that they have when they deliver camp scholarships or mentor students.”
In addition to goods donated by the community, FRESH’s efforts are supported by funds raised through a three-on-three basketball tournament, selling final exam care packages, and a spaghetti supper which this year raised about $5,000. 

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Wed. May 30
Library Program
POMFRET --- The Pomfret Public Library will present “Genealogy Workshop” at 3:30 p.m.

Artist Show
POMFRET --- The Northeast CT Art Guild is having an Artist's show through May 31 at the Vanilla Bean Café. Art is available for purchase. Free. All welcome during restaurant hours.  www.NECTAG.ORG

Art Exhibit
POMFRET --- The Connecticut Audubon at Pomfret Center will present “Focus on Birds: Featuring David Stumpo & Nancy Barrett” through May 31 at the Grassland Bird Conservation Center on Day Road. 860-928-4948.

Thur. May 31
Library Program
POMFRET --- The Pomfret Public Library will present “Writing Workshop: Love and Heartbreak” at 7 p.m. at the Old Town House. Register at pomfretlibrary.org.

Victorian Days
WILLIMANTIC --- Willimantic Victorian Days will be held May 31 through June 3. Music, history, tours. victorianwillimantic.org

Trivia Challenge
PUTNAM --- The Putnam Lions will sponsor a Trivia Challenge at 7 p.m. at the Crossings Restaurant. Benefits the Special Olympics.

Fri. June 1
Golf Tourney
PUTNAM --- The Putnam Rotary Club’s Ronald P. Coderre Golf Tournament will be held at Connecticut National Golf Club.

First Fridays
PUTNAM --- The Putnam Business Association will present First Fridays --- African American Heritage from 6 to 9 p.m. around downtown Putnam.

Paddle for Cure
BROOKLYN --- The eighth annual Paddle for a Cure will be begin at 10 a.m. at Riverside Park. Benefits facility and technology needs at the Cancer Center at Day Kimball Hospital. For info and pledge forms go to  daykimball.org/paddle .

Sat. June 2
Bull Hill Hike
WOODSTOCK --- The Last Green Valley’s Spring  Outdoors program and the Wyndham Land Trust will offer a free hike of the Bull Hill Forest Preserve from 10 a.m. to noon.  Bull Hill Road is located off Senexet Road. Drive respectfully & cautiously to the end of Bull Hill Rd, and park at the gate.

Library Celebration
N. WOODSTOCK --- The North WoodstockLibrary will celebrate 175 years from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. It was built in 1843 and was used as a schoolhouse until 1950. Did you attend the school? Share your memories and bring your old class photos and help them put names to the faces in their photos. Refreshments.

Open House
POMFRET --- The  Windham-Tolland 4-H Camp Open House will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. June 2 and 3 at the camp on Taft Pond Road. From 1:30 to 2 p.m. June 2 an informational Parent Panel will be held. www.4hcampct.org.

Greek Festival
DANIELSON ---  The Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church on Water Street will present a Greek Festival from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. June 2 and from noon to 6 p.m. on June 3. Free.

Yard Sale
DANIELSON --- The Westfield Church on Main Street will hold its annual yard sale from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., rain or shine. No early birds.

Library Celebration
N. WOODSTOCK --- The North Woodstock Library will celebrate 175 years from 11 am. To 3 p.m. at the library on Rt. 169. It is being held in collaboration with the Woodstock Historical Society and Elaine LaChapelle. There will be visual display from the buildings school days to the present as a library, old class photos, historical artifacts and share your memories and refreshments.

Fun Ride
HAMPTON --- The Quiet Corner Chapter of the New England Mountain Bike Association is holding its annual Goodwin/Natchaug Epic Fun Ride starting at 9 a.m. at Goodwin State Forest. Three loops offered. All welcome. Benefits  the purchase, build and installation of a new bridge within Goodwin State Forest. www.nemba.org/chapters/qcnemba.

Bottle Drive
KILLINGLY --- Pet Pals Northeast, a local animal welfare organization, will be collecting redeemable bottles and cans to help homeless and needy animals from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.  at the Killingly Town Garage on Rt. 12. Dry cat food needed, Purina brands preferred. Cash donations always welcome.  860-317-1720.

Spring Program
EASTFORD --- The Last Green Valley will present a Nipmuck Trail Hike from 9 a.m. to noon at Barlow Mill Road and Boston Hollow Road. Hike limited to 20 people with limited parking at the trail head on Barlow Mill Road.  Rain cancels. Sign up: 860-774-3300.

Sun. June 3
Concert
CHEPACHET --- Music at the Meeting House will present "Springfest -- a Festival of German Music," at 2:30 p.m. at the Chepachet Meeting House, home to the Chepachet Baptist Church, on Rt. 44. All welcome. Free but a free will offering will be taken. Refreshments follow. chepachetbaptist.org.

Mon. June 4
Exercise Group
WOODSTOCK --- The Woodstock Senior Exercise Group will meet from 9 to 10 a.m. every Monday and Wednesday in the Woodstock Town Hall large meeting room on the lower. Minimum fee. Local seniors welcome. Please check the town website www.woodstockCT.gov for current schedule or call 860-928-6595.

Art Exhibit
THOMPSON --- The Friends of the Thompson Public Library will present Art @ the Library’s exhibit “The Nature of Things” through June 28. The exhibit includes photography by Janet McDonald and poems by Karen Warinsky. The opening reception is from 6:30 to 8 p.m. June 4.

Tues. June 5
Performance
WOODSTOCK --- The Community Cultural Committee d/b/a The Three C’s is adding a second performance of “Nugget and Fang” at noon June 5 at the Center for the Arts at Woodstock Academy on Rt. 169. Tickets are $4 per person for groups of 10 or more, and $6 for individuals. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Blood Drive
PUTNAM --- The American Red Cross will hold a blood drive from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the YMCA off Kennedy Drive. 1-800-RED CROSS.

Fri. June 8
History Program
CANTRBURY --- The Canterbury Historical Society will present Bruce Clouette with "Rochambeau's Army in Connecticut, 1780-1782" following the 7 p.m. business meeting at the Canterbury Town Hall. Free. All welcome. Refreshments follow.

Sat. June 9
Handbell Concert
PUTNAM --- The Congregational Church of Putnam on Main Street will present a Combined Handbell Concert: The Merrimack Ringers and the Shoreline Ringers, at 7 p.m. in the sanctuary. 860-928-4405.

Demonstration
CANTERBURY --- The Finnish American Heritage Society will present a traditional Finnish birch bark basketry group exhibit from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the society on Rt. 169. Free. All welcome. Handicapped accessible.

Stand Down
DANIELSON --- The Quinebaug Valley Community College will host its third annual Veterans’ Stand Down from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. It’s an annual event that serves veterans living in northeastern Connecticut. The Stand Down will also include a Fall Prevention Expo led by the Northeast District Department of Health. The expo includes free screenings for veterans. For more information call 860-932-4360.

Tues. June 12
Blood Drive
DANIELSON --- The American Red Cross will hold a blood drive from 11:15 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. at  Quinebaug Valley Community College. 1-800-RED CROSS.

Thur. June 14
Community Seminar
PUTNAM --- Green Valley Crossing church will be hosting a Suicide Awareness Seminar with Dr. Naomi Paget from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at GVC, 95 Front St.. This seminar is open to anyone who wishes to learn more about or has been impacted by suicide.  

Fri. June 15
Blood Drive
KILLINGLY --- The American Red Cross will hold a blood drive from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. in the Killingly Public Library. 1-800-RED CROSS.

Sat. June 16
Rug Show
WOODSTOCK --- ATHA Quiet Corner HOOK-IN, hosted by the ATHA Quiet Corner Chapter (ATHA is the Association of Traditional Rug Hooking Artists. $15; $5 vendor shopping only. Preregister by June 1. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Sun. June 17
Dad Breakfast
N. GROSVENORDALE --- The Knights of Columbus Council 2087 on Riverside Drive will hold a Father’s Day breakfast from 7 to 11 a.m. $7. Benefits Boy Scouts Troop 66. 860-923-2967.

Thur. June 21
Sharks Rock
POMFRET – Pomfret Public Library kicks off summer reading with Sharks Rock, a shark-themed family Magic Show with Steve Royce at 1 p.m.

Sun. June 24
Golf Tourney
PUTNAM --- The Steve Bousquet Memorial Golf Tournament/Congregational Church of Putnam’s 17th Annual Golf Tournament at the Thompson Raceway Golf Course at 11:45 a.m. $125 pp. 860-315-3269.

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