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caption:

Signing
Eric Preston, left, and Audrey Poehler sign their National Letters of Intent to play for, respectively, Assumption College and Post University last week on the South Campus of Woodstock Academy. Photo by Marc Allard.



Two members of The Woodstock Academy athletic community were congratulated Dec. 4 for successfully making the next step in their athletic careers.
Senior Audrey Poehler recently announced that she had signed a National Letter of Intent to play women’s soccer for Division II Post University in Waterbury.
Classmate Eric Preston will also continue his playing days at a Division II school. Preston will head north to play baseball for Assumption College in Worcester.
Poehler never played soccer for the Centaurs.
She chose instead to play for the South-Central Premiere program which is based in North Branford. The goalkeeper also received some private tutoring.
“It’s interesting, a different path,” Poehler said.
Poehler played for South-Central program for the past three seasons. She started reaching out to college coaches two years ago and began to receive interest. She said she was “excited” when the offer came from a Division II school.
“I could have played high school soccer, but I thought it would be more of an advantage to get private goalie training all year,” Poehler said.
She had begun her career as a forward for the Northeast Premiere program but didn’t think she was making much progress. When the keeper left, Poehler seized the opportunity.
“I started to go to goalie training, really liked it, and went to a higher level from there,” Poehler said.
She added she was attracted to Post University, not only for the soccer, but also because the Waterbury school has a good Homeland Security program.
“I’ve always known Audrey to be a very hard worker as a student, super-diligent in class, a subtle but real superstar in the academic world so when I found out that she had this great athletic accomplishment, it didn’t surprise me,” said Woodstock Academy associate Head of School Holly Singleton.
Preston said it was a nice relief to have his destination planned out well before the baseball season begins.
“I can relax and just do what I have to do,” Preston said. “For 17 years now, I’ve been wanting to play college baseball and working toward it. It’s a huge load off my shoulders.”
The Assumption College choice was not all that difficult for Preston.
He has been working with the Greyhounds’ pitching coach, Aaron Kaska, since Kaska coached Preston’s 12-U team.
“I’ve been working with him for the last five years and I’ve also been playing with one of their players so I know it’s a good atmosphere and the right fit,” Preston said.
Preston, a catcher for the Centaurs, will likely remain in that position in Worcester although Preston knows the Greyhounds like their athletes to be ready for other positions if necessary.
“Catcher is definitely a hard-working position and I accept any challenge that comes with it,” Preston said. “Division II is quality baseball. There is a little difference between it and Division I, but sometimes, the competition level is the same.”
Preston will be a health science major with a focus on physical therapy.
“I watched him play in Little League and I knew he would be something special. Not only is he a great baseball player, he is also a great leader, one of our co-captains and more importantly, a great young man. He’s got good morals, good values and a good work ethic – a tremendous kid,” said Woodstock Academy baseball coach Brian Murphy.
For now, Preston can focus on the high school baseball season this spring.
He hit .303 with one homer, two doubles, four triples, two stolen bases and 11 runs batted in for the Centaurs last year.
He also posted a 3-2 record on the mound with 30 strikeouts.
“We would like to win the Eastern Connecticut Conference championship and compete in the state tournament,” Preston said.
Marc Allard
Sports Information Director
The Woodstock Academy

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PUTNAM — Day Kimball Healthcare’s (DKH) Warmth & Wellness Holiday Drive is back. For a second year, DKH will be collecting personal care items, hats, gloves, blankets and more for those in need across northeastern Connecticut.
DKH invites its staff and the community to drop off donations at Day Kimball Hospital’s Main Entrance (Entrance A), Visitors Entrance (Entrance D), or the Plainfield Healthcare Center Lobby through Jan. 4. Donations will then be distributed to those in need through TEEG, Interfaith Human Services’ food pantry, the DKH Family Advocacy Center and DKH’s own outpatient and employee services.
The Warmth and Wellness Drive is seeking donations of the following items:
First aid items; toothbrushes, toothpaste and mouthwash; shampoo; bar soap, body wash, facecloths and hand towels; hand sanitizer and wet wipes; toilet paper and feminine products; hand warmers and foot powder; laundry detergent; new blankets, throws or sleeping bags; new bed pillows and pillowcases; new socks and pajamas for both children and adults; and new mittens, hats and scarves for both children and adults.
For info call 860-928-7141.

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Art Exhibit
POMFRET CENTER --- The Connecticut Audubon Center at Pomfret Center will present House & Garden; Field & Farm – art by Roxanne Steed through December at the Grassland Bird Conservation Center on Day Road. Free. 860-928-4948.

Art Exhibit
THOMPSON --- The Friends of the Thompson Public Library will present, as part of its Art @ the Library series “Beauty in Bloom” by Jonathan Fritz through Dec. 28.

Nature Store
POMFRET --- The Connecticut Audubon Society at Pomfret Center will hold its annual Holiday Nature Store through Dec. 21 at the Grassland Bird Conservation Center on Day Road. 860-928-4948.

Art Exhibit
POMFRET --- The Connecticut Audubon Society at Pomfret Center will present its winter art show and sale through Jan. 13 at the Grassland Bird Conservation Center on Day Road. 860-928-4948.

Thur. Dec. 13
Plaque Dedication
WOODSTOCK --- The Woodstock Open Space, Land Acquisition and Farmland Preservation Committee will dedicate a preservation plaque at 6:30 at the town Hall. All welcome. Refreshments. 860-928-6595, ext. 320.

Fri. Dec. 14
Nature Program
POMFRET --- The Connecticut Audubon Society at Pomfret Center will present Meteor Shower Watch and Hike at 7 p.m. starting from the Grassland Bird Conservation Center on Day Road. $5 for members; $10 for nonmembers. 860-928-4948.

‘Christmas Story’
PUTNAM --- The Bradley Playhouse on Front Street will present “A Christmas Story” at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 14 and 15 and at 2 p.m. Dec. 16. $20 for adults and $16 for seniors and students. 860-928-7887. Theater goers are urged to bring hats/gloves/mittens to put into the box under the tree.

Sat. Dec. 15
Cookie Sale
BROOKLYN --- Our Lady of LaSalette Church on Rt. 6 will hold its annual holiday cookies “sold by the pound” from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the basement.

Wreaths Across America
PUTNAM --- The Town of Putnam will take part in the Wreaths Across America at noon at the Veterans Memorial Park on Bridge Street.

Sun. Dec. 16
Free Concert
PUTNAM --- The Daughters of the Holy Spirit will sponsor a Tim Janis concert at 2 p.m. at the gymnatorium at 72 Church St. Free. All welcome.  860-928-0891, ext 148.

Mon. Dec. 17
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.

Fri. Dec. 21
Solstice Celebration
POMFRET --- The Wyndham Land Trust will present a solstice event from 3 to 5 p.m. at the Lyon Preserve (Wright’s Crossing Road north of intersection with Rt. 101. Light refreshments. All welcome.

Tues. Dec. 25
Merry Christmas!

Thurs. Dec. 27
Nature Program
POMFRET --- The Connecticut Audubon Society at Pomfret Center will present a Bird Walk at 1 p.m. starting from the Grassland Bird Conservation Center on Day Road. $5 for members; $10 for nonmembers. 860-928-4948.

Sat. Dec. 29
Wee Walk
THOMPSON --- The Wyndham Land Trust will present “Wee Wander: Ramble the Robbins Preserve to the Five Mile River” from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. at Robbins Preserve off Fred Davis Road. Bring your camera. Snacks and fresh air included. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Tues. Jan. 1, 2019
Happy New Year!

Ornament Illumination
PUTNAM --- The Town of Putnam and Putnam Business Association are illuminating the New Big Ornament at 4:30 p.m. at Rotary Park on Kennedy Drive. It will remain illuminated through the weekend of the Fire and Ice Festival on Feb. 9. All welcome. Bring a lawn chair.

Sat. Jan. 19
Benefit Concert
THOMPSON --- The Veterans Coffee House Benefit Concert will be held with cocktails starting at 6 p.m. at the Raceway Restaurant & Golf Club. The Real Wives of Windham County is hosting the event to raise money and awareness for the Veterans Coffee House in Danielson. The Gilman & Valade Funeral Homes & Crematory are the corporate gold sponsors. Cash bar and free light refreshments. $20 at: WINY, The Gilman Funeral Home, the Veterans Coffee House.

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PUTNAM — Pat Kovacik was named Putnam Bank’s Employee of the Month for November 2018. Kovacik has been with the bank since July 2001, and currently serves as Commercial Loan Closing Officer.
She said, “I am honored to be chosen as Putnam Bank’s November Employee of the Month.  It is a pleasure to be a part of the Commercial Loan Team.  Their support, and that of my fellow Putnam Bank employees, makes my job very gratifying.”
Kovacik participates in the Walk & Race for NECT Cancer Fund, the Putnam Bank Float Committee for the Putnam Holiday Dazzle Light Parade, and supports all bank community projects and fund-raising for local charities. She enjoys spending time with her grandson, family, and friends.
“Pat has done an outstanding job at Putnam Bank. She is a very important member of our commercial lending team as we continue to expand that area of our business. She is also a pleasure to work with,” said Thomas A. Borner, president and CEO of Putnam Bank.

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