Abdou Yadd commits to Sacred Heart
For Abdou Yadd, the decision to commit to Sacred Heart University was about more than just basketball—it was about trust.
“I would like to say they have my best interest, and I trust the coaches,” Yadd said. “That was really important to me when making my decision.”
Yadd, who came to Putnam Science Academy from Senegal, has grown both on and off the court during his time in the U.S. One of the biggest challenges he faced was adjusting to a new culture and language while being away from his family.
“It was leaving my family and learning a new culture and the language,” he said.
Despite the transition, Yadd’s game has improved significantly. He credits PSA for helping him become a more complete player.
“I was more relaxed, shooting the ball better, and playing better defense,” Yadd said.
His development was on full display in the National Prep Championship against St. Thomas More, where he delivered in crucial moments. Yadd scored big baskets down the stretch, helping PSA secure a 79-72 victory and its 5th National Prep Championship. His defensive presence and ability to stretch the floor gave the Mustangs a major boost in the title game.
He also acknowledges the people who have guided him throughout his journey, particularly his uncle and father, whose advice continues to push him forward.
“They taught me to always keep going no matter what — never let anybody make you feel that you are not good enough.”
Looking ahead to his time at Sacred Heart, Yadd is focused on both his athletic and academic future.
“My goal is to be the best version of myself and get my degree,” he said.
With his strong mindset and continued development, Yadd is set to make an impact at the next level.
Rebecca Townes
Sports Information Director
Putnam Science Academy

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Michael Robert Auger
PUTNAM — Michael Robert Auger, 67, died March 15, 2025, at home surrounded by his family. He was the beloved husband of late Elaine (Cutler) Auger.
Born in Putnam, he was the son of Carol (Sherman) Auger and the late Edgar Auger.
Michael was retired but spent many years as a forklift operator and motorcycle mechanic.
Since retiring, Michael spent the majority of his time with his grandchildren, riding dirt bikes, going to the races and car shows. He spent many winter trips up in Maine snowmobiling with friends.
He leaves his mother Carol (Sherman) Auger of Putnam; a son Kristopher Auger (Nancy), their sons Jaxon and Logan of Colorado Springs, Colo.; his daughters Heather Auger, and her daughter Olivia Bellanceau of Putnam; Marie Auger, and her sons Riley and Declan Cote of Woodstock; and siblings, Rebecca Tellier (Bruce) of Thompson, and Diane Auger of Danielson; and many friends.
Visitation was March 23 in the Gilman Funeral Home, 104 Church St. Putnam.

Linda Brook Baxter
Linda loved and lived life! An inspiration to everyone around her, enjoying many interests, her encouragement and generosity towards all. Her beautiful smile always made your day better. A proud self -taught artist, she was born Dec. 13, 1939, the daughter of Helen and Joe Brook, and sister of Deborah.
Linda Brook Baxter died in her sleep at the age of 85 Feb. 20, 2025.
Staying on her farm in Harmony, R.I., she was always as busy as a bee. She loved to sing, watch the birds and take care of the horses, sheep and chickens. In her early career years she worked at the Shepard Company in downtown Providence, traveling each week into New York City as a buyer for the department store. On the farm she further dedicated herself as a Folk Artist, forming her business of decorative painting, “Country Art from the Farm”. She sold to Sturbridge Village Yankee Workshop as well as at the many art and craft fairs of New England. 
She later worked for Crabtree & Evelyn in Woodstock. She moved to Woodstock after retiring and added bookbinding to her talents, restoring and selling rare books.
Always adventurous in life she raced her MG TD on ice ponds with the club, rode dressage horses in Germany, and went on to play championship doubles tennis with her friend “Betty Bee”. Many memories! A wonderful singer since Sunday School, she sang every day and loved to dance! Spending time with her pony Cheyenne and dog Bette Davis was her joy.
She leaves her son Lee, his wife Lynne, grandchildren-Landon, Lydia, Olivia  and daughter Brook; and dear friends Cheryl, Sally, Carol, Thelma and Roger; cousins Wayne and Sue; and her friends at Davis Place, Shelby, Karen, MaryAnn, Ellen and all the wonderful and caring staff.
Linda will be so missed, so smile as we look toward heaven and hear her say...
“What a beautiful day-Look how blue the sky is!

Joy (Duhamel) Lizotte
PUTNAM — Joy (Duhamel) Lizotte, 88, of Senexet Road, Putnam, died, March 14, 2025. She was the wife of the late Richard Lizotte. Born in Southbridge, Mass., she was the daughter of the late Charles and Harriet (Godaire) Duhamel.
Joy worked as a trust officer at local banks for many years. Joy was the town treasurer for several years. She was a member of the Daughters of Isabella, and the Aspinock Historical Society of Putnam, where she served as the treasurer. Joy was dedicated to her church, St. Mary’s, where she was their bookkeeper, ran the religious store, and was very involved in the Circle of Fun.
She enjoyed traveling and going on vacation with her late husband, Richard. They participated in various bowling leagues over the years, and they were small business owners as well. Joy loved crafts and had her own local craft store. She also enjoyed crossword puzzles and knitting. For many years Joy knitted hats for newborns. Everyone who knew Joy knew she was an animal lover, especially cats and dogs.
She leaves her sister, Patricia Fields of Waynesburg, Ky.; sister-in-law, Lorraine Morin (Robert) of Putnam; nieces Cathy L Carew (Richard) of Millbury, Mass., Karen M White (Robert) of Putnam, Donna Morin of Putnam, Velvet Anne (John Aubin) of Stanford, Ky., Lori Lynn Bailey (Jerry) of Stanford; nephews, Charles Dewey (Donna) of Conway, Ky., David Morin (Michelle) of Killingly; great-niece, Kassia Mucci (John) of Tewksbury, Mass.; 13 great-nieces and nephews; and 16 great-great nieces and nephews.
The Funeral Mass was March 21 in St. Mary Church of the Visitation with burial in St. Mary Cemetery. Gilman Funeral Home and Crematory, 104 Church St., Putnam.

Wed.  March 26
Art Exhibit
PUTNAM --- The Putnam Arts Council presents Art Guild Inspirations, works by the members of the Art Guild Northeast in the Corridor Gallery in the Municipal Complex through March.

Photo Exhibit
THOMPSON --- The Thompson Public Library will present “Focus on Thompson: Third Annual Community  Photo Display” in the display case through the month of March.

Thur.  March 27
Fund-raiser Bingo
PUTNAM --- Relay for Life Bingo will be held from 6 to 7 p.m. at the Board of Education room at PHS. $5 a card $15 for 4 cards. 

Fri.  March 28
Fund-raiser Concert
POMFRET --- Canadian roots and folk musician, James Keelaghan, will perform at 7 p.m. at The Connecticut Audubon Society Center at Pomfret on Day Road. Tickets are $25. Registration required: 860-928-4948. $30 at the door if seating remains available.

Sat.  March 29
Poets at Large
POMFRET --- Poets at Large will begin its year from 7 to 9 p.m. March 29 at The Vanilla Bean Café. Dates for the events at the Vanilla Bean are March 29, April 26 and May 31. The event is also held from 2 to 4 p.m. at Roseland Park June 15 and Sept. 7. Admission for the Vanilla Bean events is $15 and park events are free. The events are sponsored in part by Linemaster Switch, Charter Oak FCU and WHZ Financial Advisors.  All Poets at Large events are ADA compliant. Contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to sign up for the open mic.  5-minute max as time allows.

Sun.  March 30
Exhibit
WOODSTOCK --- The Center for Woodstock History is presenting a photo exhibit, "Woodstock Through the Camera's Eye in Post-Civil War America," from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Sundays. Check for updates: 860-928-1035. 

Wed.  April 2
Rain Garden Program
PUTNAM --- The Town of Putnam Land Use Department is promoting a Rain Garden Program from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the Putnam Public Library. To be presented by Maura Robie. Free.

Fri.  April 4
PHS – 'Clue'
PUTNAM --- The Putnam High School drama club will present “Clue, the High School Edition” at 6:30 p.m. April 4 and April 5 in the Black Box Theatre at PHS. $15 tickets at PHS or through PHSClue.ludus.com.

Sat.  April 5
Garden Symposium
DANIELSON --- The Quiet Corner Garden Club will host “Growing Gardeners 2025”, a Symposium from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at QVCC. It includes vendors, informative exhibits, farmers and more. Giveaways and door prizes. Box lunch is available for an additional charge. Info/tickets: www.quietcornergardenclub.com.

Fund-raiser Shopping
PUTNAM --- Paws Cat Shelter on School Street will hold a shopping day from noon to 3 p.m. Bitsy's Boutique Shop has new and used items along with handcrafts. Adoptable cats will be available for viewing. All proceeds to help the shelter. For more info or to make a monetary donation:  860-315-1228.

Wed.  April 9
Book Signing/Sales
PUTNAM --- The American Legion Post 13 will hold a fund-raiser book signing/sales at 6:30 in Room 201 at the Municipal Complex. The book is part of the Hometown Heroes of the Quiet Corner series --- Civil War Edition 2025, Vol. 1 written by Legion Post Commander Michael Rocchetti. Benefits legion programs.

Life Savers Drive
PUTNAM --- The Relay for Life Savers Drive is collecting gently used clothes, shoes, handbags, and linens from 3 to 6 p.m. at Putnam High School. Please put all items in white 13-gallon trash bags. (No stained or ripped items please)

Sat.  April 12
Greet Easter Bunny
PUTNAM --- The Putnam Recreation Department will present "Greet the Easter Bunny" at 10 a.m. at the Putnam Middle School. Recommended for ages 10 and younger. 

Sun.  April 13
Breakfast/Photos
PUTNAM --- The Relay for Life Pancake Breakfast and Photos with the Easter Bunny will be held from 10 a.m. to noon at the Knights of Columbus Hall on Providence Street. $7 for adults; $4 for children. Photos with Easter Bunny: $5 for 1, 2 for $8, 3 for $10.  There will be drawing baskets, too.

Wed.  April 16
Maritime Program
PUTNAM --- The Putnam Public Library will present “The Global Maritime Industry” from 6 to 7:30 p.m. April 16 and April 23.

Auction Collections
POMFRET --- From April 16 through April 30 donations will be accepted for the 71st  annual Windham County  4-H Auction & Tag Sale (May 2 and 3) from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mon., Weds, Fri and Sat and from  9 a.m. .to 7 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays.   Antiques and gently used household goods, furniture, toys, electronics, tools, books, lunch decorative items, etc. will be welcomed during those hours. We do not accept donations of clothing, textbooks, magazines or encyclopedias.  For further donation assistance, call: 860-974-3379.

Sat.  April 19
Open House
POMFRET --- The Windham-Tolland 4-H Camp Open HHHouse will be held from 1 to 4 p.m. 326 Taft Pond Rd, Pomfret, CT.  Meet the director and other camp staff; take a camp tour, registration materials available. 860-974-3379.  

Wed.  April 23
Maritime Program
PUTNAM --- The Putnam Public Library will present “The Global Maritime Industry” from 6 to 7:30 p.m.

Sat.  April 26
Pomfret Historical Program
POMFRET --- The Pomfret Historical Society will present “Fighting for Freedom: Pomfret’s Black Revolutionary War Soldiers” at 3 p.m. at the Old Town House. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Wed.  May 7
Alzheimer’s Program
PUTNAM --- The Putnam and Pomfret public libraries will present a program on “Communicating Effectively & Responding to Dementia Related Behaviors” at 6 p.m. at the Putnam Public Library. RSVP required: 860-963-6826. It is an education program in the Alzheimer’s Association’s Empowered Caregiver initiative aimed at teaching caregivers how to navigate the responsibilities of caring for someone living with dementia.

Sat.  May 31
Pomfret Historical Program
POMFRET --- The Pomfret Historical Society will present “Colonial Fiber Arts Workshop with Stacey Beck” from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Old Town House. Pre-register. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Sat.  June 14
Concert-Fundraiser
POMFRET --- The Pomfret Historical Society will present a concert/fund-raiser, “Washington’s Favorite, The Nation’s Guest: Songs of Lafayette’s Time In America” with Rick Spencer and Dawn Indermuehle at the Old Town House). Refreshments at 6; concert at 7. $25. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
 
Sat.  June 21
Fine Arts Fest
PUTNAM --- The Putnam Arts  Council will present its annual Fine Arts & Crafts Festival June 21 and 22 at the Municipal Complex front yard. 

Sat.  Sept. 27
Pomfret Historical Program
POMFRET --- The Pomfret Historical Society will present “Jordan Freeman: Black Revolutionary War Soldier” performed by Kevin Johnson of the CT State Library at 3 p.m. at the Old Town House. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

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