Dr. Julius ‘Dr. Grey’ Gryckiewicz
BARRE, Vt. — Dr. Julius “Jules” Gryckiewicz of Putnam passed away peacefully at the age of 94 Feb. 22, 2025, at Woodridge Rehabilitation and Nursing Center in Barre, surrounded by his family.
Born in New Britain, on April 12, 1930, Jules was the middle of five children of Joseph Gryckiewicz and Helen (Kasinski) Gryckiewicz who immigrated from Poland shortly before his birth. After graduating from high school, Jules joined the Franciscan Friars of the Atonement and was the first of the friars ordained in the Eastern Rite, giving his first Mass at the tomb of St. Peter in Rome.
Jules pursued his education, earning a bachelor’s degree from St. Pius X Seminary in Saranac Lake, N.Y., and a master’s degree from Fairfield University. While in Saranac Lake, he met his future wife, Donna, for whom he later left the priesthood.
He became a professor of education at the University of Vermont, earning a master’s degree in education there and ultimately a PhD from UConn, where his research explored the constitutionality of state aid to non-public schools.
A longtime resident of Putnam, Jules moved there to be close to his ailing father.
He worked for many years in the Putnam Public Schools as an administrator and guidance counselor, where he was known to most by his professional name, “Dr. Grey.”
Jules was an accomplished pianist who enjoyed performing the works of Chopin. He was also a professional photographer who ran his own studio.
His other hobbies included hiking, studying philosophy, theology, and history, and playing chess.
Recently, Jules and Donna moved to Stowe, Vt., to live with their son Jonathan, daughter-in-law Jennifer, and grandson Andrew.
Jules is preceded in death by his brother Joseph Gryckiewicz and sister Cecelia MacLean. He leaves his wife Donna Gryckiewicz; sisters Helen Balint and Leonore Johnson; sons Jonathan Gryckiewicz and Damon Bizuka; and grandson Andrew Gryckiewicz.
Remembrances will be private per his wishes.
Donations: Putnam High School Scholarship Fund, c/o Putnam High School, 152 Woodstock Ave., Putnam, CT 06260. Pruneau-Polli Funeral Home, 58 Summer St., Barre. Those wishing to express online condolences may do so at www.pruneaupollifuneralhome.com.
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Wed. March 12
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.
Fund-raiser
PUTNAM --- The Black Dog Bar and Grille on Park Road is hosting a Dining for a Cause fund-raiser event to help Paws Cat Shelter from 3 to 9 p.m. Fifteen percent of the food and beverage sales will be donated when you present a coupon for either dine in or take out. Coupons are available at Petco in Dayville, Paws Cat Shelter on School St., from noon to 3 p.m. March 8 or request by email at
Thur. March 13
Art Reception
PUTNAM --- A closing reception will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Municipal Complex. The exhibit, “Art Guild Inspirations,“ currently on view in the Corridor Gallery, closes March 30. The exhibit features a variety of mediums and styles from 21 Art Guild Northeast artists. The exhibit and reception are free and open to the public. www.PutnamCtArtsCouncil.com.
Sat. March 15
Library Program
PUTNAM --- The Putnam Public Library will present “Introduction to Tai Chi Chuan” from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Movement participation is optional. (Wear loose, comfortable clothes and flat, soft-soled shoes. Registration required: 860-963-6826. Registration limited to 25 adult participants.
Baked Potato Fund-raiser
PUTNAM --- Scout Troop 21 will present a Baked Potato Buffet fund-raiser from 5 to 7 p.m. in the St. Mary Church Hall. $10 donation.
Sun. March 16
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.
Camp Tour
POMFRET --- Visit the Windham-Tolland 4-H Camp Open HHHouse from 1 to 3 p.m. Meet the director & other camp staff, take a camp tour, registration materials available. 860-974-3379.
Wed. March 19
Book Swap - Launch
PUTNAM --- The Relay for Life will kick off a Book Swap and Relay Reads Launch from 6 to 7 p.m. at their meeting at the Putnam Board of Education office left side of PHS). Donate a new children or young adult book to be read at the CT Children's Medical Center or bring a recent read to swap—gift wrapped with 3 clues about the book inside on the wrapping. (Yankee Gift Swap style). Design a custom bookmark to take home. Attendees also receive our 2025 Turning the Tide Against Cancer Relay Bookmark.
Thur. March 20
Probate Program
PUTNAM --- The Putnam Council on Aging will present a Free Senior Forum featuring Probate Judge Gabrielle Labonte at 5:30 p.m. at the Municipal Complex, conference room 112.
Fri. March 21
Pomfret Historical Program
POMFRET --- The Pomfret Historical Society will present “A Fireside Chat: Revolutionary Abington” at 7 p.m. at the Vanilla Bean.
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. Admission at the door will be $30, only 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. For info:
Wed. April 2
Gardening Program
PUTNAM --- The Putnam Public Library will present “Rain Gardening” from 5:30 to 7 p.m.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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Yottivong honored at Westview
DAYVILLE — Larda Yottivong was awarded with the January 2025 Employee of the Month honors for Westview. She is a server in the Dietary Department of Country Living at Westview Commons. She and the serving team prepare the hospitable atmosphere in Westview Commons’ Great Room by setting and resetting the room for dining hours; making additional arrangements throughout the day for special celebrations or occasions.
Prior to working with Country Living at Westview Commons, she worked as a server in the dietary department of another residential facility. A strong sense of family binds her family together. Her mother and step-father are the owners of “Emerald Buddha Thai Hot Pot & African Cuisine,” a restaurant in Danielson where she has worked alongside her older sister. Larda’s innate human compassion, family values, and employment experience are an asset in accommodating the catered independent and assisted living at Westview Commons. She started working at Westview Commons in June 2024.
Some of Larda’s preferred pastimes include reading, walking, kayaking, and yoga. She looks to turn pages in her favorite mystery and crime-solving novels whenever the moment presents. The Mansfield Hollow Dam and the area around Storrs are some of her favorite places to explore on walks. Finding natural settings to be endlessly interesting, she is beginning to kayak on local, calm waters and she savors the serenity of those moments.
Academically astute, she graduated from Eastern Connecticut State University with a bachelor’s degree in psychological sciences; concentrating in developmental psychology. She is confident in the pluralistic potential of her education, and sees how it can overlap into a lot of different vocations. She likes looking, listening, and learning from a wide range of professional experiences to stimulate her knowledge and abilities. She applies much of what she has studied to her approach at Westview Commons. “I am full of gratitude in receiving this award! It feels amazing to work for an employer who notices and acknowledges our hard work.” She added: “Kindness and compassion have always been my priorities and I am happy to see it has an impact. Thank you to Westview and those who advocated for me to attain this achievement.
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Woodstock Academy
honor rolls listed
WOODSTOCK — The Woodstock Academy quarter 2 honor roll includes:
Seniors
High Honors: Juliet Allard, Ajani Banton, Brandon Baron, Addison Beausoleil, Lillian Beausoleil, Kaitlyn Becker, Mikayla Bessette, Nathan Billings, Madison Bloom, Lucas Boynton, Madisen Braunstein, Emma Brody, Katelyn Bruce, Abigail Budd, Ryder Chaput, Samuel Clark, Chi Dam, Filippo De Giorgi, Bella DiGregorio, Abigail Elliott, Jayden Fuller, Ela Gadoury, Olivia Gadue, Alyssa Gilbert, Ava Golden, Kira Greene, Adyson Grether, Avery Hardacker, Meadow Harnois, Thomas Johnson, Enoch Joseph, Emily Jurnovoy, Muhammad Kiani, Leo Larkin, Celine Leffingwell, Kevin Lewis, Chyanne Machamer, Audrey MacPherson, Marie Mairson, Emma Manis, Olivia Martocci, Margaret McHugh, Alvaro Medrano Lopez, Sophia Milardo, Xandar Miller, Dorisabel Mojica, Shaun Mugagga, Thao Nguyen Nguyen, Kaya Nichols, Bailey Nordman, Brady O’Brien, Kelsey Pabon, Jiwoong Park, Lysette Parmentier, Tomas Pejkov, Alice Pham, Grace Pokorny, Erik Proctor, Katherine Ritzau, Freya Robbie, Elizabeth Roberts, Maya Rodriguez, Colton Sallum, Ava Salsich, Sophia Sarkis, Austin Sebastian, Isabella Selmecki, Juliana Stacy, Kevin Thomson, Evelyn Young, Daniela Zeka Grossocordone
Honors: David Abbamonte, Diogo Andrade, Ayden Angel-Ouimette, Brayden Bardan, Gunnar Basak, John Bennett, Om Brown, William Bushey, Maria Castaneda Banderas, Tyler Chamberlin, Jiahao Chen, Thomas Coleman, Abigail Converse, Emilia Costa, Emma Costa, Leah Costa, Jacqueline Dearborn, Gabriel DiPierdomenico, Richard Duncan, Jonathan Eddy, Brady Ericson, Kaitlyn Erskine, Julian Escobar, Samantha Espeseth, Francisco Filho, Chandler Folkerts, Ella Gilchrist, Gavin Gluck, Madison Goetz, Tanner Graham, Sophie Gronski, Madeline Jezierski, Kason Kelly, Cassidy Ladd, Eli Laffert, Dominic LaFleur, Destiny LaMarre, Lilliana Latour-Gervais, Isabella Lefebvre, Matthew Letourneau, Margaret Marshall, Gianna Materas, Isabella Mawson, Emily Mayne, Christian Menounos, Ryley Morin, Nhu Nguyen, Ty Nichols, Raiden Olsen, Diana Petrova, Andy Pham, Logan Rawson, Macy Rawson, Cameron Robida, Jack Shea, Dylan Shinkiewicz, Nina Silva, Olivia Smith, Mia Sorrentino, Eli Susi, Brock Swabby, Olivia Tappenden, Lauren Thomas, Mariia Ursal, Chauntel Vandal, Autumn Wade, Gwendolyn White, Haley Whitehouse, Jack Wiggin, Jillian Wiggin, Seonung Yu
Recognition: Ashley Abrams, Liliana Bottone, Benjamin Cross, Shauna Daka, Luke Davis, Xahvi DeRoza, Kyle Grist, Matthew Hernandez, Abigale Houle, Christian Ireland, Jacob Jordan, Max Lim, Georgia Lukachie, Timothy Mozzi, Lydia Orlowski, Amir Sanchez, Kristina Sirrine, Emily Smock, Michael Susi, Khang Tran, William Wasko, Arthur Witek.
Juniors
High Honors: Bree Antaya, Benjamin Arters, Aidan Botelho, Kaylee Bundy, Jack Buyers, Vaughn Buzak, Allison Camara, Ryan Chabot, Isabel D’Alleva-Bochain, Gianna DiCola-Keddy, Abby Ditzel, Clara Dowdle, Emma Eaton, Ruben Fernandez, Sara Forcier, Lilly Frechette, David Genay, Lilah Jafar-DeCesare, Aidan Jeon, Emma Long, Sara Macri, Eli Manning, Mykola Marchenko, Katelyn McArthur, Ivar McDonald, Adrian Mendez Robledo, Camden Mercer, Avery Nielsen, Aidan O’Connor, Nicolas Ochoa, Eric Oller Sales, Diya Patel, Gabriella Payne, Lucas Quercia, Kyrialis Rivera Cabrera, Baylee Rosinski, Emma Rustichelli, Kaylee Saucier, Ivan Serrano Vinas, Siyuan Shen, Marit Sjogren, Olivia Tracy, Aidan Tyler, Nicolae Velicico, Sadie Wood.
Honors: Sofia Aguilar Del Olmo, Rania Almashharawi, Nicole Alonso, Noemia Amaral, Aiden Bachand, Anthony Beaudreault, Vivian Bibeau, Ngoc Bui, Nathaniel Couture, Edward Cygnarowicz, Avery Danis, Scarlet Delaney, Alexa Delmonaco, Danielle Demers, Greysen Dery, Jackson Dorez, Amelia Duquette, Harrison Durand, Jackson Durand, Kiley Elliott, Campbell Favreau, Philip Feanny Aleman, Jialiang Fu, Avery Gallagher, Ekin Gokcimen, Maura Hart, Maddox Houston, Julia Kerr, Danylo Kyryliuk, Elizabeth Ladzinski, Andrew Landreville, Kenzie Le, Philip Le, Ivan Lin, Alexander Linkin, Kuanzhi Ma, Colin MacNeil, Spencer Mayo, Lilyanne Mercier, Miranda Miller, Lillian Morgis, Giulia Musumeci, Emma Nagel, Han Nguyen, Alec Nunes, Rafael Paez Requena, Thatcher Paterson, Ozzie Pearman, Kloe Pike, Emma Quinney, Hanyi Ran, Nathan Rauls, Emma Raymond, Carlos Rodriguez Camacho, Ellary Sampson, Quantiwah Sangasy, Ella Simoes, Caleb Simoneau, Cameron Simpson, Kayla St. Louis, Abigael Stevens, Jamie-Dean Stewart, Collin Teal, Abby Thayer, Luke Thompson, Emma Weitknecht, Thatcher Wood, Wynter Worth, Daniel Yang, Ryan Yang
Recognition: Kyle Bain, Gabriel Bard, Logan DelFarno, Rayne DelFarno, Audrey DeYoung, Olivia DiGregorio, Haoran Dong, Emma Forcier, Henry Forrest, Kaydence Foster, Collin Gaudette, Kaylyn Hall, Simal Ilhan, Kris Latour, Madison LaVallee, Payton Leite, Grace Lescault, Eden Lusignan, Eva Lusignan, Abraham McGregor, Liliana Moran, Emily Mumford, Vayda Payne, Connor Racine, Jocelynn Sirrine, Mykhailo Smoliar, David Sumner, Finnley Syphers, Helen Telford, Michael Wolchesky, Ahmet Zobali
Sophomores
High Honors: Nova Almquist, Tess Anderson, Adriana Benavides Rodriguez, Izabella Bernstein, Brayden Bottone, Drew Bundy, Jiayue Chen, Ronan Curran, Kady Danner, Rhea DeSota, Kathryn Dobosz, Bronson Eddy, Ethan Haynes, Bohdan Hnat, Shih Yong Jung, Tymofii Kholod, Matthew Kruger, Elina Makarenko, Maria Martinez Adiego, Kennedy McCooey, Alexander Milardo, Caylee Morrison, Landon Murdock, Evony N’Chonon, Tyler Odorski, Jessica Palmerino, Damien Redman, Tre Sotomayor, Isabelle Tedisky, Zachary Thibeault, Kaitlyn Thiffeault, Heath White, Qucheng Wu, Grette Zheng
Honors: Braden Andersen, Scott Bartley, Maggie Beams, Ava Beauchemin-King, Olivia Beaulieu, Sydney Betty, Isabella Billings, Pathy Boriboun, Jayliana Camacho, Caroline Costa, Lyla Cowles, Fabian Crespo, Brayden De Oliveira, Matthew Dearborn, Eve Dziengeleski, Claire Ellsworth, Ivan Fernandez, Laia Garcia Miralles, Gage Gawron, Anthony Genna, Julia Gomez-Alvado Moreno, Avery Grant, Brayden Graves, Samuel Greene, Brady Hebert, Cora Hefner, Gabriel Hull, Nathan Jezierski, Matthew Johndrow, Maria Jordanoglou, Maxwell Kopp, Xavier LaFleur, Kealyn Lamarche, Yuanzhong Li, Mackenzie Malboeuf, Kelsey McNeil, Abby Neeland, Lara Ozgoz, Luca Passinha Braz, Tatum Perez, Elena Petrella, Weiyuan Qin, Jake Quattlebaum, Riley Quinn-Perkins, Blake Robida, Derek Emiliano Rodriguez Arenas, Aiden Sanchez, Avery Schaefer, Marharita Svyshch, Alfredo Tiffon, Chloe Vogt, Gia Bao Vu, Owen Williamson, Cayden Worth
Recognition: Samuel Anderson, Christian Bard, Sofia Benito, Madison Boyd, Owen Budd, Charlotte Caisse, Collin Charette, Kaylyn Converse, Elise Coyle, Miles Densmore, Lorelai Fish, Maylie Ganias, Avery Gregoire, Samantha Gumula, Christian Hart, Delilah Kesselman, Leah Kozerefski, Ayden Lamontagne, Anthony Nuccio, Rocco Pascale, Cameron Perreault, Drew Rhault, Brooke Roireau, Alexis Sansone, Julia Tellier, Leah Thibodeau.
Freshmen
High Honors: Carolina Ahearn, Rhys Asikainen, Grace Audet, Kaylanni Beaudry, Danika Beliveau, Scarlett Beliveau, Zoe Bibek, Jacob Bickoff, Jack Capobianco-Dildine, Brynn Choruzek, Madison Crevier, Georgia Cross, Colby Deary, Alexander DeCarli, Olivia Devolve, Melanie DiPippo, Charlotte Donovan, Nathaniel Drake, Olivia Durgin, Julien Farwell, Gabriel Flannery, Jax Golden, Sophia Groves, Eli Hamilton, Scarlett Hogarty, Daniel Jameson, Abigail Keser, Caitlin Kilcollum, Kaleb Langlois, Ethan Laoroyal, Abigail Manning, Kaitlyn McQuiston, Colbie O’Connor, Ella Petersen, Payton Plasse, Stella Puchalski, Patrick Raftery, Aaliyah Raymond, Addison Shaw, Harper Simoneau, Rainie Singleton, Nolan Smeltzer, Lily Smock, Kaitlyn Teal, Stanley Ten Eyck, Ian Thayer, Caroline Walen, Kennedy Xeller, Nevaeh Youssef
Honors: Drake Abdullovski, Gia Baldyga, Lily Buisch, Jason Burns, Ava Carlone, Thailia Collette, Ash Collige, Christopher Corneau, Kayleigh Cote, Ava Eaton, Caroline Ethier, Timothy Gardner, Aidan Hall, Aocheng Han, Jude Harrison, Abigail Hollenbeck, Zoe Laffert, Lilah Ledogar, Jeong Bin Lee, Kaylee Letourneau, Andrew MacNeil, Ethan MacNeil, Teagan Maloney, Makenzie McMahon, Lily Mioduszewski, Owen Murdock, Madison Parsons, Hattie Patenaude, Eli Petrarca, Colby Plouffe, Faith Sortwell, Ella Stone, Chenglin Tan, Evelyn Thayer, Elizabeth Thomas, Addison Tyler, Stevie Wilmot, Lauren Young, Muhammad Zameer
Recognition: Penrose Ayeyie, Juliette Bernier, Meadow Blain, Evan Boucher, Jimmy Carlone, Joelle Cassidy, Addison Casteen, Ava Clark, Samantha Cote, Keagan DeNolfo, Brody Dexter, William Ellsworth, Hannah Farrell, Jacob Gollop, Lucas Hecker, Lily Leite, Tristen Maloney, Oliver Moulton, Kristina Nieminen, Ajani Osborne, Ryael Riche, Kassidy Rosinski, Erin Russell, Dylan Syriac, Vanessa Tetreault, Zixuan Zhou.
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