THOMPSON — Russ Dowd, the Voice of Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park (TSMP) for over 30 years, has announced his retirement. Dowd, a resident of Woodstock, has spent some 46 years behind a microphone.

Dowd has been a familiar part of the Thompson landscape most of his life. He first raced go karts on the old Thompson ¼ mile oval and then raced NASCAR Modified cars until 1980. Shortly thereafter, Thompson’s race director, the late Bill Slater convinced Dowd to join Rich Bonneau in the announcer’s booth at Thompson. He then went on to announce at tracks up and down the east coast including 13 years at the Stafford Motor Speedway. He also worked at The New London – Waterford Speedbowl, Westboro Speedway, Riverside Park Speedway, Pocono and many more but he always considered Thompson to be home.

“For nearly four decades, Russ’ voice has boomed over our PA,” recalled TSMP General Manager, Josh Vanada.  “He’s become synonymous with the character of our facility, and our presentation has been, in large part, his. We will certainly miss him, and all the contributions that he has made over his accomplished career. We wish to express our sincere gratitude for his dedicated service, attention to detail, and his deep care and concern for Thompson’s best interest. Thank you, Russ, and congratulations!

Dowd began his broadcasting career in his teen years when he announced Go Kart races at Woodstock Fair. He went on to develop his skills and got his first radio job in 1969 while serving in the U.S. Army in Washington, D.C.  After leaving the military, Dowd returned home and went to work at WESO & WQVR radio in Southbridge. He was soon named news director and then operations manager. He spent the next 27 years running those stations.   

“I leave the announcer’s booth with very mixed emotions,” Dowd said.  “Thompson Speedway has been a huge part of my life. Not only have I worked the announcer’s booth, but have served as the Track’s General Manager and its Director of Operations. Thompson is in my blood. However, there comes a time when things must change and I feel that that time has come. I can’t begin to thank Don Hoenig and his family enough for all of these wonderful years. I also wish to thank virtually everyone I have had the privilege to work with over the years. It has been a very special experience and I feel fortunate to have been able to be a part of this historic speedway.”  In 2014, Dowd was named the Best Short Track Announcer by voters on the Speed51.com web site.

“I certainly will miss being on the PA system on race days. I’ll miss the fun that we have had over the years in the booth and will miss the camaraderie that exists with a great group of people who work and have worked in race control. I have had a chance to work with some of the very best announcers in the business and I was able to learn from each one of them,” said Dowd.  I have been very fortunate to have been in the booth for every race held at Thompson since I became an announcer and have had the pleasure of doing play by play of all 130 NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour races that have been run at Thompson along with Tour races at both Stafford and Waterford, Riverside Park and elsewhere”.

Dowd’s retirement does not mean that he will disappear from the Thompson scene. He will continue to provide assistance to his administrative successor to make for a smooth transition.  Fans can also expect to see him on some race days and he might even make an occasional guest appearance on the track’s PA system.

 

 

By Ron P. Coderre

This week’s RPC column is dedicated to Putnam Fire Chief Bob Campbell.  A dedicated public servant, Campbell is proud of his community of Putnam and his team of firefighters.  He’s always working to improve the department.  In a few days Campbell will blow out another candle on the cake.  Wish him a Happy Birthday.

The Marianapolis Board of Trustees meeting on Monday, January 11 had more people in attendance than normal.  The reason?  The Board took a few minutes prior to its quarterly meeting to honor and salute the 2015 Lady Knights varsity soccer team.

Escorted into the room by Head of School Joseph Hanrahan along with faculty member David DiCicco and Director of Athletics Eric Gustavson, the team was accompanied by its head coach Esad Darman.  Following generous words and accolades on the recent season by Gustavson, the team’s members introduced themselves to the members of the Board.

This season’s squad, which produced a record of 17-4-3, lost a heartbreaker in the semifinals of the NEPSAC Championships to a very good St. Luke’s team.  Along the way the young ladies brought honor and pride to the school, not only for their outstanding record of wins but also for the way they handled themselves on the pitch.  They were proud in victory and humble in defeat but most of all they displayed great sportsmanship, whether in victory or defeat.

The team entered 2015 with high expectations for a great season because of the nucleus of returning players and an influx of talented freshmen.  The expectations appeared justified when the team swept the opening jamboree at Bancroft School.  The young booters displayed a “refuse to quit” attitude as they began their march through SENE competition. 

Along the way they produced victories over such prestigious programs as Providence Country Day, Worcester Academy, Lincoln School, Ethel Walker School, MacDuffie School and archrival Wheeler School.

They rolled through the SENE Tournament with a 6-0 shutout over St. Andrew’s School and a gut wrenching 2-1 squeaker over Wheeler School.  In the NEPSAC postseason event they got past a rugged Greens Farm Academy 2-1 before meeting their eventual downfall against St. Luke’s School.

In the semis, the game was tied 1-1 after regulation.  After two grueling overtime periods the contest remained knotted 1-1.  The eventual verdict came when they were edged during a shootout.  Despite the loss, the team gave its fans a ride through the season that will be remembered for years to come.

Marianapolis Board Chairman Dan Atwood offered the team words of congratulations and thanks for a “job well done” representing the school.  Board member Keith O’Hara, a member of the athletics subcommittee, echoed Atwood’s sentiments.  He presented each young lady with a Marianapolis pennant, noting “display this with pride, whether you’re a senior moving on to college or a returning Marianapolis student.”

Head coach Darman, who had a long and illustrious soccer career as a professional player and coach, offered his words of appraisal on the team along with congratulatory remarks.  Darman was assisted this season by assistant coach Kellie Ryan, who brought a strong background in premier soccer to the program.

Woodstock Gymnasts Rolling… 

Led by the one-two punch of Paige Stuyniski and Grace Logan, the Woodstock Academy Centaur gymnastic team rolled to a tri-meet victory, beating Killingly and Windham.  The results - Woodstock 139.15 – Killingly 99.4 – Windham 38.6.

Stuyniski captured all-around honors with a score of 35.4 followed by Logan, 34.5 and Maddie Grube, 32.5.  The Centaur’s Ali Crescimanno was the winner in the vault, while Stuyniski won the bars and Logan captured the honors in the beam and floor competition.

Keeping up with the Collegians…

Ian Converse, who led Woodstock Academy to a CIAC Class L championship two years ago, is coming into his own on the collegiate level at Worcester Polytechnic Institute.  In a recent win over archrival MIT, WPI prevailed 70-62 thanks to a double-double by the 6-foot, 5-inch Converse.  In posting his third double-double of the season, Converse had 19 points and 14 rebounds.  It was his sixth game this season in double figures.  He’s averaging 10.1 points and 6.7 rebounds a game for coach Chris Bartley.

Converse, who averaged just six minutes a game in his previous two seasons, has earned a starting role for the Engineers.  He’s helped lead WPI to a 12-2 record on the season and a 2-0 start in the NEWMAC.  The Engineers are ranked 12th in the Division III standings.

In the win over MIT (9-3, 1-1) Converse was spectacular, hitting on 8 of 10 from the field with a pair of three-pointers.  He scored 13 of his 19 points in the second half.

Across town at Worcester State University, former Putnam Science Academy big man Paul Brooks continues to dominate the paint for the Lancers.  In a 94-83 loss to Salem State, the 6-9 Brooks posted a double-double with 14 points and 13 rebounds for the 9-6 overall Lancers.  WSU is 1-1 in the MASCAC.

At Quinnipiac University another PSA Mustang, 6-8 Chaise Daniels is back on the hardwood for coach Tom Moore after battling knee problems.  In an 88-74 loss to Monmouth Daniels had six points in limited action.  

Two other former Tom Espinosa protégés, twins Aaron and Andrew Robinson were held scoreless by Monmouth.  The twins, who are freshmen, are coming along slowly for coach Moore and the Bobcats who are struggling at 5-9 on the season. 

Headed to the Keystone State…

The St. Louis Cardinals recently announced minor league assignments for managers and coaches for the upcoming season.  Former Red Sox catcher Roger LaFrancois of Jewett City will return for another season at State College, Penn.  He’ll once again serve as the hitting coach for the Spikes, who’ll be managed by Johnny Rodriguez for his second stint with the New York – Penn entry.  Darwin Marrero also returns as the team’s pitching coach.  C.J. Beatty joins the coaching staff after a seven-year playing career.

Local Stats…

High school and prep basketball stat leaders are beginning to fall into place as the girls approach the mid-point of the season and the boys have passed the quarter mark of the season.  The leaders of the hockey scoring parade belong to Woodstock Academy as they are the only high school with a hockey team.

Ryan Black with 12 goals and nine assists for 21 points heads the icemen’s scoring list.  Nathan DeLuca with 10 goals trails Black in that category, while Deluca with seven assists to go with his goal tally has 18 points.  Zack Burnham with eight assists is second in that category.

Julie Jordan of Plainfield is the area’s scoring leader with 119 points for a 14.9 points per game average.  Her teammates Zoe Beaver and Madeline Lorange are tied for the lead in the 3-point category with 15 apiece.

Putnam’s Dino Porcic with 96 points in five games stands atop the leader board with a 19.2 ppg. average.  He’s followed by Plainfield’s Liam Jacobs (19.0) and 114 points and Trent Raymond of Ellis Tech (18.3) and 128 points.

The top female prep player in points per game is Pomfret’s Alyzae Davis (16.5) followed by Hyde- Woodstock’s Dairy Rojas (14.5).  Davis’ teammates Olivia Batastini and Deja Ross   are next, tied at 12.2 points per game.  Batastini is the top three-point producer with 25, followed by a pair from Marianapolis.  Lady Knights Nicole Anderson and Caroline Soucy each have a dozen treys.

Pomfret’s high scoring duo of Cam Winston (16.3) and Christian Wilson (14.6) lead the men’s prep scoring race.  They are followed by the Putnam Science Academy trio of Hamidou Diallo (13.3), Saul Phiri and Mamadou Diarra each at 12.9.  Phiri is the top three-point producer with the astronomical number of 47 followed by Joe Del Ricci of Marianapolis with 29 and Collin Sawyer of Putnam Science Academy with 18.

RPC’s Closing Thought For The Day: Success is a habit and winning is a habit – unfortunately, so is losing.

(If you have news worthy sports information email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.)

 

..

 

 

Legal Notice

Town of Putnam

WPCA

WATER/SEWER

COLLECTIONS

The January 2016 billing of water and / or sewer collections for the Town of Putnam WPCA is due and payable on February 1, 2016.

Payments made after February 1, 2016 will be subject to an Interest charge of 3% (1.5% per month) or $2.00 minimum whichever is higher, according to Connecticut State Statute SEC.  12-146.

Mail must be postmarked no later than February 1, 2016, to avoid interest charges. 

OFFICE HOURS:

Monday through Wednesday, 8:30AM – 4:30 PM

Thursday 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Friday 8:00 AM – 1:00 PM

         

       Dec. 24, 2015

       Dec. 31, 2015

       Jan. 21, 2016

 

Legal Notice

Town of Putnam

A certified list of 17 Republican party-endorsed candidates for the town of Putnam for election as members of the town Committee At-Large is on file in my office at  126 Church St. Putnam, Connecticut, and copies are available for public distribution.  The number of Town Committee Members to be elected, under party rules, is 25.

A Primary will be held March 1, 2016, if 7 candidacies (which is at least 25% of the number of town committee members to be elected by such party in the municipality) are filed in accordance with §§9-382 to 9-450, inclusive, of the General Statutes, by persons other than party-endorsed candidates, not later than 4:00 p.m. of January 27, 2016, provided the number of such candidacies plus the number of endorsed candidates, exceeds the number of town committee members to be elected. (If the number of opposing candidacies filed is reduced to less than such 25%, no primary will be held.)

Petition forms, instructions and information concerning the procedure for filing opposing candidacies, may be obtained from Robert Swenson, Republican Registrar of Voters,  126 Church St. Putnam, CT 06260

 

Sara J. Seney

Municipal Clerk of Putnam

 

Jan. 21, 2016

 

Legal Notice

Town of Eastford

A certified list of 11 Democratic party-endorsed candidates for the Town of Eastford for election as Members of the Town Committee At-Large is on file in my office at 16 Westford Road, Eastford ,Connecticut and copies are available for public distribution.  The number of Town Committee Members to be elected, under party rules, is 15.

A Primary will be held March 1, 2016, if 4 candidacies (which is at least 25% of the number of town committee members to be elected by such party in the municipality) are filed in accordance with § 9-382 to 9-450, inclusive, of the General Statutes, by persons other than party-endorsed candidates, not later than 4:00 pm of February 1, 2012, provided the number of such candidacies plus the number of endorsed candidates, exceeds the number of town committee members to be elected.( If the number of opposing candidacies filed is reduced to less than such 25%, no primary will be held.)  Petition forms, instructions and information concerning the procedure for filing opposing candidacies, may be obtained from:        Democratic Registrar of Voters,        16 Westford, Road, Eastford, CT  06242

      

Melissa M. Vincent,

 Municipal Clerk of Eastford CT

      

 Jan. 21, 2016

      

Legal Notice

Town of Eastford

A certified list of 15 Republican part-endorsed candidates for the Town of Eastford for election as Members of the Town committee At-Large is on file in my office at 16 Westford Road, Eastford ,Connecticut and copies are available for public distribution.  The number of Town Committee Members to be elected, under party rules, is 15.

A Primary will be held March 1, 2016, if 4 candidacies (which is at least 25% of the number of town committee members to be elected by such party in the municipality) are filed in accordance with § 9-382 to 9-450, inclusive, of the General Statutes, by persons other than party-endorsed candidates, not later than 4:00 pm of February 1, 2012, provided the number of such candidacies plus the number of endorsed candidates, exceeds the number of town committee members to be elected.( If the number of opposing candidacies filed is reduced to less than such 25%, no primary will be held.)  Petition forms, instructions and information concerning the procedure for filing opposing candidacies, may be obtained from:  Republican Registrar of Voters, 16 Westford Road, Eastford, CT  06242

 

Melissa M. Vincent,

Municipal Clerk of Eastford CT

 

Jan. 21, 2016

 

Legal Notice

Town of Putnam

A certified list of 34 Democratic party-endorsed candidates for the town of Putnam for election as Members of the Town Committee At-Large is on file in my office at  126 Church St. Putnam, Connecticut, and copies are available for public distribution.  The number of Town Committee Members to be elected, under party rules, is 35.

A Primary will be held March 1, 2016, if 9 candidacies (which is at least 25% of the number of town committee members to be elected by such party in the municipality) are filed in accordance with §§9-382 to 9-450,inclusive, of the General Statutes, by persons other than party-endorsed candidates, not later than 4:00 p.m. of January 27, 2016, provided the number of such candidacies plus the number of endorsed candidates, exceeds the number of town committee members to be elected.  (If the number of opposing candidacies filed is reduced to less than such 25%, no primary will be held.)

Petition forms, instructions and information concerning the procedure for filing opposing candidacies, may be obtained from Patricia Fondelheit, Democratic  Registrar of Voters, 126 Church St. Putnam, CT 06260. 

 

Sara J. Seney,

Municipal Clerk of Putnam CT

 

Jan. 21, 2016

 

Legal  Notice

Town of Putnam

Zoning Board 

of Appeals

The Town of Putnam Zoning Board of Appeals held a meeting on January 13, 2016, at 7:00 P.M. at the Town Hall located at 126 Church Street, Putnam, CT.  The following action was taken:

Appeal # 2015-002: Toutant Hydro Power Inc. — Request for a variance to each of the following:  Section 210.E.8 from the required distance to a residential dwelling in a residential district of 200 feet to 70 feet.   Section 210.F from the required minimum lot frontage of 200 feet to 92.33 feet. Section 210.F required minimum side yard setback of 50 feet to 15.93 feet.   Property located at 137 Providence Street, Assessor’s Map 007, Lot 275, Zoned Industrial. APPROVED

Appeal # 2015-003: Toutant Hydro Power Inc. — Request for a Certificate of Approval of Location for a DMV Repairers License.  Property located at 137 Providence Street, Assessor’s Map 007, Lot 275, Zoned Industrial.  APPROVED

Appeal # 2015-004:  Russell Realty LLC — Request for a variance to each of the following:  Section 210.E.8  from the required distance from a road intersection of 200 feet to 40 feet. Section 210.E.8 required distance to a residential dwelling in a residential district of 200 feet to 130 feet. Section 210.F from the required 1 acre to .9 acre. Section 210.F required minimum front yard setback of 75 feet to 13 feet. Section 210.F required minimum side yard setback of 50 feet to 9.8 feet.  Section 210.F required rear yard setback of 40 feet to 9.8 feet. Property located at 626-8 School Street, Town Assessor’s Map 026, Lot 050, Zoned Highway Commercial.  APPROVED

Appeal # 2015-005: Lance W. Metzger — Request for a Certificate of Approval of Location for an existing Motorcycle, RV Sales and Repair Facility.  Property located at 626-8 School Street, Town Assessor’s Map 026, Lot 050, Zoned Highway Commercial.     APPROVED WITH THE CONDITION THAT THERE ARE TO BE NO RV SALES.  APPROVAL WAS GRANTED FOR A MOTORCYCLE, ATV SALES AND REPAIR FACILITY ONLY.

Joseph Nash, 

Chairman

 

Jan. 21, 2016

 

..

 

 

By Ron P. Coderre

Putnam Science Academy ranked #4 in the nation squared off in the championship game of the Founders Classic against #1 St. Thomas More in a game played in Oakdale on the Saints campus.  It’s probably the first time that two teams ranked so highly have ever played in the regular season in an Eastern Connecticut venue.  Unfortunately the Mustangs fell just short in their quest for victory

Prior to the title game that Mustangs won a pair of games and were on a six game winning streak.  Pomfret School, Hyde-Woodstock and Marianapolis were all active during the week.  Pomfret won a couple of games and Hyde won its only contest.  Marianapolis fell in an overtime game and also lost to Cheshire Academy.

The Plainfield Panthers enjoyed a banner week, beating two of their closest rivals, Killingly and Griswold.  Putnam , Woodstock Academy and Tourtellotte each picked up victories during the week, while Ellis Tech continues winless, dropping its only game of the week.  Killingly was also winless during the week, dropping its two contests.

Foul Troubles Plague Mustangs 

in Loss to Saints

In a game of prep titans St. Thomas More came out on top of Putnam Science Academy 86-75 in the title game of the Founders Classic.  The game was much closer than the final score might indicate as the Scientists were only down by two at intermission 45-43.

The second half was marred by six technical fouls, as the foul plagued Mustangs lost their two best players via that route.  Hamidou Diallo and UConn-bound Mamadou Diarra both sat out good portions of the game due to foul trouble and eventual disqualification by the five-foul route.

Playing in front of a jam packed crowd in the tiny and noisy St. Thomas More gym, the Mustangs gave it their all before falling.  They were led in the scoring department by Diallo and Saul Phiri, each with nineteen points.  Eric Ayala was also in double figures with 11 points, while Diarra finished well below his average with only six points. 

Prior to facing off against the Saints, PSA beat Cushing Academy in a road test 71-67.  The teams were knotted 30-30 at intermission and the Mustangs led by Tyere Marshall’s prodigious 17 point performance were able to secure the win.  Diallo (14) and Phiri (12) were also instrumental in the win. 

In the first round of the Founders Classic the Mustangs hit the century mark with a 100-78 win over Maine powerhouse Bridgton Academy.  PSA jumped out to a 59-37 first half lead and never looked back, as coach Tom Espinosa enjoyed the luxury of playing everyone on the squad and resting his starters.  Diallo led five players in double figures and 11 players who made the scorebook with 25 big points.  The other double figure scorers were Phiri (13), Marshall (10), Diarra (15) and Tyreek Perkins (14).  

The determined Mustangs faced Commonwealth Academy in a Sunday afternoon matinee.  They rebounded nicely, beating the hosts 89-76 behind a 30-point output by Diallo.  Diarra added 16 and Perkins 18 for the Mustangs who are 17-2 on the season.

Hyde-Woodstock led by a huge 34-point performance by Eamonn Joyce raised its record to 6-4 with a 59-49 win over Worcester Academy.  Pomfret School rode the coattails of Vince Conn (16) and Gerald Blount (12) in beating St. Thomas More 58-33.  The Golden Griffins are 8-3 on the season.  The Griffs continued their winning ways with a big 70-34 win over an outmatched Kingswood-Oxford as Cam Winston was the game-high scorer with 24 points.  Christian Wilson chipped in 13 points and eight rebounds and Blount added a dozen to the winning cause.

Marianapolis went to overtime before falling to Millbrook School 63-57.  Joe Del Ricci, who hit the basket that forced overtime, had 14 points to pace the Golden Knights, while Dominique Senat added 13.  In a Sunday matinee the Knights fell at home 72-49 to Cheshire Academy.  Del Ricci had 16 and Audric Sandoval 14 in the loss.  Marianapolis is 3-11 on the season.

Plainfield Enjoys Satisfying Week

Veteran Plainfield coach Bob Arremony enjoyed a week that brought a smile to his face as his Panthers beat rivals Killingly 58-51 and Griswold 77-64.  Liam Jacobs, Plainfield’s 6-foot, 5-inch versatile performer had a big 21-point performance in the win over the Redmen.  Jeff Nicolosi with a dozen markers contributed heavily to the offense, which jumped out to a 19-4 first period advantage that Killingly was unable to overcome.  Brendan Turner had 21 and Ben Desaulnier had 10 for 3-5 overall and 1-3 in the Eastern Connecticut Conference Medium Division Killingly.

The Panthers used a 17-0 third period run in rolling past Griswold.  Jacobs with 21 points led four players in double figures.  Eli Malboeuf with 16 points, many from inside, Dylan Horn (10) and Nicolosi with (11) also were in double digits for 6-3 overall and 2-1 in the ECC Medium Division Panthers.

In its other game, Killingly lost to Lyman Memorial 64-54.  Turner with 18 was the lone Redman in double figures for coach Jimbo Crabtree.

Tourtellotte was busy, playing three games over a seven-day span.  The Tigers of coach Neil Bernier came out of the fray with one victory.  The North Grosvenordale entry opened the week with a big 59-50 win over former Quinebaug Valley Conference rival Putnam.  Evan Ware with 20 points was the big gun for Tourtellotte.  Putnam was led by Brevon Harmon’s 14 points.

The Tigers then dropped a pair 49-30 to Woodstock and 63-42 to Montville.  Nick Short with 13 points led nine Centaurs in the scoring parade in undoing the Tigers.  Against Montville, the Tigers were unable to get anyone in double figures for the second game in a row.

Woodstock’s other game was a 49-29 loss to Norwich Free Academy.  The Centaurs are 4-3 overall and 0-2 in the ECC Large Division.

In its only other game of the week, Putnam went to double overtime in beating visiting Windham Tech 69-65.  Sophomore Dan Porcic was immense with 29 points to pace the Clippers.  Harmon and Marcus Lewis were invaluable as each chipped in 11 markers for the 6-3 on the season and 2-1 in the Constitution State Conference East Division Clippers. Ellis Tech fell to 0-8 on the year and 0-3 in the CSC East when they were beaten 61-34 by Norwich Tech.  Trent Raymond was the lone bright spot for the Golden Eagles with 15 points.

 

..