Only three players remember what the inaugural campaign for the Woodstock Academy boys’ prep basketball team was like.
Tre Mitchell, Danny Dade and Skylar Kooyenga are the lone holdovers from the Gold and Blue squads last year.
They will be among the 31 who will be introduced at 7:30 p.m. Sunday at The Woodstock Academy’s second annual Moonlight Madness at the Alumni Fieldhouse on the school’s North Campus.
The public is invited and there is no charge for admission.
In addition to introductions, there will also be a dunking exhibition and an intrasquad game.
The Gold finished ranked third in the nation last year after falling in the National Prep Semifinals to end with a 35-5 record.
The Gold squad, sight unseen, will begin with the same lofty ranking this season.
The Blue team finished with a 22-11and won the Power 5 Conference championship.
“You have to establish a culture with the new kids every year, but the more holdovers you have, certainly helps. We have only three this year so it’s difficult for them to influence the entire pack but we have a great coaching staff, everybody here gets the culture, so it’s more the coaches who inject it and the returning players echo it,” said Woodstock Academy prep coach Tony Bergeron.
That coaching staff remains largely intact with one addition.
Former UConn player, Jonathan Mandeldove, joins the Centaurs staff.
Mandeldove went to Hargrave Military Academy prior to his three years of playing for the Huskies so he understands the prep circuit. He also coached at Cheshire Academy last year and he just happens to stand 7-foot-1.
“He’s tremendous with the big guys,” Bergeron said. “He still looks down at all our 6-9’s and 6-10’s. He brings such energy and an unbelievable wealth of knowledge.”
Bergeron likes a couple aspects of his new roster.
The depth, which helped the Centaurs often last year, returns.
Bergeron thinks his team is three deep at every position.
It means there is plenty of competition from the interior even before the Centaurs begin playing actual opponents which will not take place until Nov. 3.
The roster will, once again, have to be split into two squads.
“It’s a war every day in practice and you are talking about, by the assessment of the college coaches, 20-plus scholarship level players in the gym,” Bergeron said.
Those college coaches have been descending upon Woodstock Academy in big numbers. On the first night of practice, 41 came, 40 of those were from Division I schools. That number has since risen to over 160 college coach visits.
Bergeron also likes his size.
“We’re much bigger, more lengthy and much more athletic,” he said.
Mitchell returns after being a candidate for the Gatorade Player of the Year in Connecticut last year.
Mitchell came in at 260 pounds last year, he’s down to 235 this season. His body fat is down from 33 percent to 16 and his vertical leap is up to 34 inches.
“He’s unbelievably improved and he’s learning how to lead. His voice is starting to come out,” Bergeron said.
Currently, Mitchell is being looked at by about eight Atlantic Coast Conference schools as well as UConn.
Tre Anderson, a 6-foot-7 wing, is being looked at  by Big East, American Conference and ACC schools as a shooting guard with length.
Six-foot point guard Noah Fernandes verbally committed last week to Wichita State.
“He’s special, a terrific guard,” Bergeron said.
Bergeron said the stock of 6-foot-9 Ody Oguama continues to rise. He came to Woodstock as a relative unknown, but has showed well in practice and already has a handful of Atlantic-10 offers.
Mikal Gjerde, a 6-foot-6 player from Norway, plays an American-style game and already has six Division I offers.
Bergeron added it’s hard to say whether or not this team can be better than last year since its only September and things like chemistry have yet to be found.
But building chemistry is something Bergeron considers himself pretty good at since he has learned from the best through the various camps and functions that he has attended and the friendships that he covets.
“The thing I’m best at is plagiarism. I’ve been able to steal from the greats and kind of make things my own. You learn. This is year 19 for me and if you’re not getting a little better at things, you might want to take up golf,” Bergeron said with a laugh.
It’s going to be difficult to parcel out who will play for which team.
It’s why Bergeron is trying to mirror the schedules of the two teams. The two teams will play in the same events and have almost an equal amount of games. He feels he has, at least, 22 players who could make the Gold squad, meaning the Blue team will also be very competitive.
“We probably have more talent and a larger cast of characters than we did last September. But with that being said, it’s hard to measure the toughness and grit of last year’s team and last year’s team just loved each other. You couldn’t divide them for anything. That bar is set very high for this year’s team,” he said.
2018-19 Woodstock Academy Prep Basketball Roster
Trey Anderson                    6-7                       San Diego, CA.
Peter Bergeron                    5-6                              Woodstock
Siddiq Canty                       6-1                            Tampa, Fla.
Matt Cross                          6-7                            Beverly, Mass.
Danny Dade                        5-10                    Springfield, Mass.
Ronnie DeGray                   6-6                            Parker, CO.
Jahden Erold                       6-2                       Dorchester, Mass.         
Noah Fernandes                  6-0                      Rochester, Mass.
Dyson Frank                       6-7                              Sandy, Utah
Mikal Gjerde                      6-6                      Haugesund, Norway
Guillem Gonzalez              6-3                          Alicante, Spain
Darweshi Hunter                6-4                       Springdale, OH.
Ahmad Jeffries                   6-2                        Burlington, N.C.
Isaiah Jones                        6-3                         El Dorado, CA.
Darion Jordan-Thomas       6-7                        Brockton, Mass.
Skylar Kooyenga                6-10                           Gurnee, Ill.
John Korte                          6-5                     Watertown, Mass.
Kruno Macner                    6-3                            Zagreb, Croatia
Carson Meier                     6-4                          Shawnee, OK.
Tre Mitchell                       6-9                              Woodstock
Ty Mosley                          6-5                           Chicago, Ill.
Ody Oguama                      6-9                       Knightdale, N.C.
Jeff Planutis                       6-5                          Hazleton, Pa.
Stefanos Psarras                 6-3                            Athens, Greece
Romar Reid                        6-1                       Mt. Vernon, N.Y.
Jeremy Robinson                6-4                             Garner, N.C.
Preston Santos                    6-5                              Providence
Kaleb Thornton                  6-0                     Bolingbrook, Ill.
Jacob Toppin                      6-6                    Ossining, N.Y.
T.J. Weeks                          6-3                          Warwick, R.I.
Tre Williams                       6-7                   Reynoldsburg, OH
Marc Allard
Sports Information Director
The Woodstock Academy

..
 

caption:

Mixing
Troop 21 Patrol Leader Brendin Adams mixed pancake batter for the other Scouts’ breakfast, when the troop camped out on the grounds during the Circle of Fun at St. Mary Church of the Visitation. Photo: John D. Ryan


PUTNAM — Sleep in a tent for a couple of nights, dump out a few trash barrels, cook breakfast, do some calisthenics, collect some merit badges and ride a few carnival rides – that sums up Troop 21’s weekend at St. Mary’s annual “Circle of Fun.”
Boy Scout Troop 21 has been chartered to, and meeting at, St. Mary Church of the Visitation on Providence Street since its founding in 1995. So every September, the Scouts contribute to the parish’s annual “Circle of Fun” fund-raising carnival by picking up the trash.
“We want to give back to the people that sponsor us,” said Scoutmaster Peter Lombardo. “The church supports us and gives us a place to meet and keep our stuff all year, so we want our Scouts to help the church when they can. Besides, we like camping out here, right in the neighborhood. The kids have a good time.”
Although Troop 21 is chartered by St. Mary’s, Scouts do not have to be Catholic or be members of the church.
“We’re open to any boy 11 to 17,” Lombardo said. “Also, boys with special needs are welcome and Troop 21 does not turn away any boy for financial reasons. “
The weekend wasn’t all trash barrels and carnival rides, however. The troop also took part in the Tenderfoot Fitness Program, which includes sit-ups, push-ups, the sit-reach for flexibility and a mile run. The Scouts started working on the program in May.
“I wanted the guys to see that they could do this,” said Assistant Scoutmaster Casey Dundon, who ran the mile with the Scouts. “We’re trying to teach them to get into shape now, so they can stay that way for life.”
Because “a Scout is Reverent,” the weekend also included attendance at Mass, in uniform. This was done with the parent’s permission. “We respect every parent’s right to guide their son’s religious education as they see fit. Most of our boys aren’t Catholic,” Lombardo said.
The “Circle of Fun” was also a chance for Troop 21 families to get together and publicly recognize their Scouts for their merit badges, awards and other accomplishments, so Saturday evening was set aside for the presentation ceremonies.
“The guys did great,” Lombardo said. “Every Troop 21 Scout earned at least one merit badge at July’s week of summer camp.”
After attending Camp Mattatuck in Plymouth in July, Troop 21 hiked the Air Line Trail in August, visiting the marker where Connecticut, Massachusetts and Rhode Island come together. Now that the “Circle of Fun” is over, the Scouts are preparing for a Scout camporee next month at J. N. Webster Scout Reservation in Ashford. This will be followed by a wilderness camping trip, another hike, a Providence Bruins game, a winter camping trip, a food drive for local needy people, a weekend at an archery range, and finishing the troop’s annual program next June with its annual fishing trip.
 Troop 21’s Scoutmaster noted that a Boy Scout troop’s operations are run by the boys, with the adults guiding and teaching them as needed, overseeing transportation and making sure everyone is healthy and safe.
For information about joining Troop 21, call Scoutmaster Lombardo at (860) 963-0171 and leave a message or send an email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..


..
 

Mildred L. Bell,
WWII vet
WOODSTOCK — Mildred L. Bell, 99, formerly of Woodstock and Webster, died Sept. 21, 2018 in Westview Healthcare Center. She was the wife of the late Rufus H. Bell who died in 1976. Born in 1919 in Southbridge, she was the daughter of the late William and Rozilda (Benoit) LaCroix.
She graduated from Southbridge High School. She was a World War II Coast Guard Veteran serving as a switchboard operator. Mildred went on to work for American Optical retiring in 1980. She loved to sew and was an amateur artist.
She leaves four sons, Michael Bell (MaryAnn) of Dudley, Jeffrey Bell (Carol) of Woodstock, Dana Bell of Framingham, Mass., and James Bell (Debbie) of Webster; her brother, Ernest LaCroix of Southbridge; her sister, Gladys Carrier of California; seven grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.  She was predeceased by her siblings, George LaCroix, Claude Arnold, Jeannette (LaCroix) Ladyka, Leona (LaCroix) Gaudette, and Pearle (LaCroix) LaFleche.
The funeral was private. Gilman Funeral Home & Crematory, 104 Church St., Putnam.

Ronald R. Morin,
U.S. Army vet
PUTNAM —  Ronald R. Morin, 65, of River Road, died Sept. 19, 2018, at home. 
Born in 1952 in Putnam, he was the son of the late Jean Gabriel and Therese E (Bernier) Morin.
Mr. Morin enlisted and was honorably discharged from the U.S. Army.  He worked as a self-employed contractor.
He liked to tinker with just about anything and was a “Jack of all Trades.”  He enjoyed hunting, riding his motorcycle, and was a member of the Putnam Elks.
He leaves his children, Sarah Morin of Myerstown, Penn., Jessica Mutnansky (Michael) of N. Chelmsford, Mass., Mark J. Morin (Melissa) of Putnam,  and Matthew Morin (Laura) of Rutland, Vt.; his brothers, Jim Morin of Texas, Jerry Morin of Chatham, Mass., and John Morin of Plainfield; his sisters, Doris Craven of Plainfield, Betty Birkhofer of Pachaug,  and Jackie Willard of Danielson; grandchildren, Jack and Celia Morin, Carter and Bennett Mutnansky, and Hunter Morin.
A Celebration of Life was Sept. 21 in Gilman Funeral Home and Crematory, 104 Church St., Putnam.

Thomas Slye Sr.,
Air Force vet
ABINGTON — Thomas C. Slye Sr. of Abington died Sept. 13, 2018, at his home.
He was born Oct. 14, 1934, in Putnam, son of the late Frank and Phoebe (Franklin) Slye.
He was the husband for 63 years of Ruth (Jarett) Slye. She died Oct. 2, 2014.
Thomas served with the U.S. Air Force. He worked for Pratt and Whitney as a jet engine tester until his retirement.
Thomas was a firefighter with the Pomfret Fire Department. He loved camping, traveling and hunting.
He leaves his daughter Donna Leplat (Marc Sr.); his son Thomas C. Slye Jr.; his grandsons Marc Leplat Jr. (Sandra), Michael Leplat; his great-granddaughter Alexis Leplat; his brothers Frank Slye and Jim Slye.
A graveside service was Sept. 22 in Abington Cemetery with military honors. Smith & Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam.

Paul I. Lee,
WWII vet
WOODSTOCK — Paul Irving Lee, 94, of Woodstock, died Sept. 14, 2018. He was the widower of Louise Lee (nee Stevens), to whom he was happily married for 64 years.
Paul was born in 1924 in Newton, Mass., to Hope Christina Lee (nee Jacobson) and Leopold Louis Lee. His childhood was spent in Watertown, Mass., where he graduated from Watertown High School. He subsequently graduated from Harvard College, Class of 1946, with a bachelor’s in chemistry. Grandson of a Civil War veteran and son of a WWI veteran, he served in the U.S. Army as a 2nd lieutenant during WWII.  In 1951 he and Louise moved to Stratford. He worked for the next 35 years at Raybestos-Manhattan, Inc., retiring as national chief sales engineer.
During the years in Stratford when Paul and Louise were raising their three children, Paul played a leading role in civic and church affairs, serving variously as moderator, head of the Board of Deacons, and head of the Nominating and Search Committees at the First Congregational Church; Scoutmaster of Boy Scout Troop 172; member of the First Ecclesiastical Society; president of the Harvard Club of Southern Connecticut; and many other activities. 
In 1987 Paul and Louise moved to Woodstock, where Paul continued to pursue a broad range of interests. He was an active member of the First Congregational Church of Woodstock, the Audubon Society, and the Romeos. He and Louise travelled the world widely until recent years, visiting every continent other than Antarctica, often on birding expeditions and frequently with their dear friends Jim and Ella McCullough. Above all else Paul was a fervent follower of Harvard athletics, especially football and women’s and men’s ice hockey. At the time of his death Paul had seen more Harvard-Yale football games than any other living person.
Paul was a true renaissance man. He was an expert birder, made honey and lip balm from his own beehives, wove Nantucket Baskets and crafted Shaker boxes, climbed all 46 mountains in New Hampshire over 4,000 feet high, went on fossil digs in Montana and China, and raised and preserved cranberries. In raising his children he set the absolute highest ethical and moral standards. His family and everyone who came in contact with Paul knew he was a force of nature.
He leaves his son Jeff Lee and his partner Karen Outerson of Norwalk, his daughter Jeanne Landin (Rev. Kenneth Landin) of Franklin, Mass.; and his son the Rev. Dr. Jonathan Lee (Rev. Bridget Fidler) of Hartford; grandchildren Jonathan Lee, Andrew Lee, Katie Grenon, Marta Finewood, Samuel Dean-Lee, and Skyler Dean-Lee; great-grandchildren Nova Grenon, Quinn Finewood, and Kaiya Finewood.
A Memorial Service will be held at 1 p.m. Oct. 27 at the First Congregational Church of Woodstock, with a reception to follow. Donations: Paul and Louise Lee Education Endowment Fund at the Connecticut Audubon Society in Pomfret (P.O. Box 11, Pomfret, CT  06259); or the Paul and Louise Lee Memorial Fund at the First Congregational Church of Woodstock (543 Route 169, Woodstock CT 06281). Smith & Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam.

Brian Gleason
PUTNAM —  Brian Gleason, 45, died Sept. 13, 2018. Born Oct. 25, 1972, in Putnam, he was the son of Lawrence Gleason Jr. of Staunton, Va., and Mary Jane (Harvey) Gleason of Putnam. Brian was a graduate of Putnam High School and was a member of the Putnam Baptist Church.
Brian was a man of many talents. He owned his own roofing company in his early years and worked for other construction companies as well.
He had every tool to prove it until he found his real passion driving truck after he graduated NETTS. He loved the freedom of the open road and traveling the coasts. He loved seeing new places while getting paid. Brian loved to tell stories of being a kid and running dirt bikes and trikes with his friends and he always swore he would someday have another Tecate.
Brian had a love for music and will be fondly remembered as the “funny music fanatic.” Brian knew everything there was to know about “Hair Bands”. He was an avid concert goer with his best friend, John Hollingworth. Brian played the drums and was able to show off his skills at his 40th birthday party. There wasn’t a movie that Brian hasn’t seen or even bought for his collection. He loved good food and researching new restaurants to experience but nothing compared to pizza at Pizza King. Brian’s greatest accomplishment was his son Josh.
He loved to laugh.
He leaves his parents, his son, Josh Gleason and fiancé Katie Sartori of Plainfield; a brother, Aaron Gleason of Putnam; two grandchildren, Holden and Ivyana Gleason, both of Plainfield, the light of his life, Amber; aunts, uncles and cousins; the mother of his son, Krista Preble whom he had remained close. Brian was predeceased by his grandparents, Edith and Ralph Patterson and Louise and Lawrence Gleason Sr.
A celebration of life will be planned at a later date. Gilman Funeral Home & Crematory, 104 Church St., Putnam.

Patricia A. Haven
DAYVILLE — Patricia A. (LaBonte) Haven, 73, of North Rd, died Sept. 23, 2018, in Davis Place.  She was the wife of Herbert Haven.  Born in 1944 in Rockville, she was the daughter of the late Theodore and Freeda (Jannino) LaBonte.
Patricia was employed for many years as a packager at the Danielson Curtain factory. She loved having coffee with her sister and going to the local casinos.
In addition to her husband, she leaves two sons, Roland Savoie of Woodstock and David Savoie of Brooklyn; her sister Joanne Bush of Killingly; two grandsons, Gavin and Trevor Savoie.
Funeral arrangements are private. Gilman Funeral Home and Crematory, 104 Church St., Putnam. 

Anna E. Lariviere
Anna E. (McNeill) Lariviere, 77, of Goose Creek, S.C. died Sept. 20, 2018, at home.
Anna’s life began on July 8, 1941, to Neil and Anna (Yurkow) McNeill in Brooklyn, N.Y. In 1957, she met Joseph R. Lariviere Sr. and was wed three years later on Jan. 22, 1960, at Blessed Sacrament Church in Brooklyn. Celebrating 58 years of marriage, the couple demonstrated the ideal life of love and devotion. Being a Navy wife, the couple moved around but eventually settled in South Carolina to raise their family.
She worked for many years as a clerk at the Naval Exchange. She was a very talented woman, creating beautiful paintings, crochets, and cross-stitches. She was a remarkable cook and enjoyed preparing meals for her loved ones. She dedicated her time to her community as a leader of the Girl Scouts organization and would coach and umpire for the Men-Riv sports league.
One of her favorite sayings was: “Love My Family” followed by an embracing hug.
In addition to her husband, she leaves her daughter, Leslie Hutcherson of Hodgenville, Ky.; her brother, Neil (Marie) McNeill of Valley Stream, N.Y.; and her grandchildren, Brittany Stone and Chelsea Stone of Bardstown, Ky. She was predeceased by her son, Joseph R. Lariviere Jr., and her daughters, Anna Elizabeth Lariviere and Lisa Anne Lariviere.
A Mass of Christian Burial was Sept. 25 in St. Joseph Church, N. Grosvenordale, with burial in St. Joseph Cemetery. Valade Funeral Home and Crematory, 23 Main St., N. Grosvenordale.

Katherine M. Wolf
WOODSTOCK — Katherine M. Wolf died Sept. 4, 2018, at Westview Health Care Center. 
Born Katherine Marie Greene in 1934 in Providence, she was the daughter of Harry and Helvi Greene.
She graduated AISC in 1956; MS ECSU in 1973.
She was a Woodstock resident for 47 years. She was an elementary school teacher more than 40 years, beginning Springfield, Mass., and ending in Thompson.
She leaves two sons, Rev. David B. Wolf (Martha) of Silver Spring, Md., and Karl Wolf (Ellen) of Queens, N.Y.; seven grandchildren.  She was predeceased by Paul, husband of 53 years, and son Jamie. 
A celebration of Katie’s life will be held at 11 a.m. Oct. 6 at the First Congregational Church, Woodstock. Donations: Special Olympics of CT, 2666 State St., Suite 1, Hamden, CT 06517-2232; or Westview Residents’ Recreation Fund, PO Box 248, Dayville, CT 06241. Smith & Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam.

Kandy Riley
PLAINFIELD — Kandy R. (Ford) Riley, 57, died Sept .14, 2018, at home.
She was born in Annapolis, Md., daughter of the late Louis and Marie Ford, and lived in Plainfield since 2009 prior that living in N. Grosvenordale.  Kandy enjoyed crafts painting.
She leaves her husband of 10 years, Shawn M. Riley; son Thomas Riley of Canada; a brother Billie Ford of Maryland.
There was a Celebration of Life in Maryland. Donations: Cancer research. Shaw-Majercik Funeral Home, Webster.

..