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Honored

Five local veterans were awarded the CT Veterans Wartime Service Medals Feb. 8.  Left to right: Veterans Agent Garry Brown, David Bettencourt (SP4 U.S. Army), Dayville; Pomfret First Selectman Craig Baldwin; Douglas Hopkins (HM3 U.S. Navy), Pomfret; Bronac Stachura (LCpl U.S. Marine Corp), Danielson; Francis Vertefeuille (Sgt U.S. Marine Corp), Brooklyn and Richard Long (TSGT U.S. Air Force), Pomfret. Courtesy photo.

 

 

 

By Linda Lemmon

Town Crier Editor

It started with a free pancake breakfast and ended with five veterans receiving recognition from the state of Connecticut.

Garry Brown, the Pomfret veterans agent, planned to attend the Boy Scouts' and Girls Scouts' free pancake breakfast for veterans around Veterans Day last November.  Brown intended to talk with veterans during the breakfast to find local veterans who had not received the Connecticut Veterans Wartime Service Medal.

The medal was instituted by state legislators around 2005, Brown said. The last time the state had honored veterans was 1920, he added. 

Brown happened to run into Pomfret First Selectman Craig Baldwin who told him that if veterans who deserved the award were found, he'd offer the Pomfret Town Hall for the ceremony.

Brown found five veterans and last week the five were awarded the medal at the Pomfret Town Hall.

All seemed appreciative of the recognition, Brown said. Brown added that, in his opinion about the honors, "it has  been a while."

Brown said he will continue "by chance" to seek out veterans who deserve the medal. "It's important."

 

Girls' Wrap up 

Centaurs look

strong for 

state berth

By Ryan Rumrill

Town Crier Sportwriter

The Woodstock Centaurs took home their 12th win of the season and they look strong with the CIAC States right around the corner. They moved to a 12-7 record. Feb. 11 Woodstock beat Bristol Central 56-22. The Centaurs had 10 players get into the scoring column and were led by Olivia Perry who finished the game with 11 points, while Jamie Woods scored 10 points, Heather Converse totaled seven points, Ari Koivisto and Katie Papp had six points, Madison Brennan had four points, and four players finished with three points to move the Woodstock Centaurs to their 12th win of the season, making them 12-7 in their campaign and looking strong with the CIAC States right around the corner. 

Feb. 8

Marianapolis 66

Pomfret 54

Olivia Summiel recorded a double double as she posted the 16 points and 16 rebounds stat line to add to the 16 points that was scored by Jordan Frye in the game. Sophia Widmeyer scored 12 points for MPS, and Nicole Anderson scored 11 points and the Golden Knights extend their win streak to five games, now 11-7 on the season. Abby Stone scored a game-high 17 points while Deja Ross posted 14 points and grabbed six rebounds for Pomfret, Ali Narracci scored nine points, and Corrine McPadden finished with seven points, and the Griffins move to .500 on the year at 7-7. 

Putnam 50

Grasso Tech 13

The Clippers won their fourth straight game as they were paced by Ashley Burke who finished the game with 10 points Both Alyssa Espinosa and Maria Fredette scored eight points each. Molly McKeon and Kayleigh Lyons each scored seven points as Putnam moves to 11-6, 9-2. Grasso Tech was led by Lindsey Murray and Morgan McNeil who each had five points apiece. 

Bacon Academy 53

Woodstock Academy 47

The Bobcats were charged by Kellie Nudd who totaled 18 points, while Molly Kelly scored 12 points. Jill Reynolds added nine points to lift Bacon Academy over the Centaurs to win their third straight. They move to 13-5, 7-2. Heather Converse scored a team-high 15 points, while Jamie Woods and Ari Koivisto each scored 10 points, and Mackenzie Cayer scored eight points. The Centaurs fall to 11-7, 4-5 on the season. 

Lyman 68

Tourtellotte 28

The Tigers faced off against Lyman Memorial who came into the game ready to go as they were led by Katy Konow. She finished the game with 26 points and Sophia Anderson finished with 10 points and Nikki Bibeau scored eight of her own. Tourtellotte was run by Katey Kwasniewski and Becky Torres who each finished with seven points, while Skyla Wesolowski and Ashley Morin, each finished with five points. 

New London 67

Killingly 28

The Killingly Redgals faced off against the Whalers and New London started the game out the gate with the early lead. They kept the pressure on and controlled the pace of the game as Jada Lucus leads all players with 19 points and dished out six assists. India Pagan scored 18 points, grabbed 12 rebounds and rejected three shots. Spencer Roman added 10 points, and Rosalee Nicholson had eight points and eight takeaways to pace the Whalers to their 18th win on the year 18-1. Killingly was led by Reagan Morin with 10 points, Trinity Angel with seven points, and Morgan LeSage with five points as the Redgals remain one game out of their CIAC state tournament berth at 7-12. 

Feb. 7

Woodstock Academy 64

Stonington 56

The Centaurs were led by Jamie Woods who finished the game with 24 points and controlled seven rebounds. Mackenzie Cayer had 13 points, Heather Converse finished with eight points, and Kali Dingui added six points and 10 rebounds to lead Woodstock over Stonington by 10 points. They’ve taken their fourth straight game and move to 11-6, 4-4. The Bears were led by Kate Hall who finished the game with 21 points, Cameron Dreher had 13 points, and Kate Johnson scored 12 points as Stonington move to 12-6. 6-4.

Waterford 74

Killingly 40

The Lancers were paced by Mia Brennan who sank eight three-pointers in her game-high 30-point performance and Julianna Bonilla also added 14 points for Waterford to lead the Lancers to their sixth straight victory (14-4, 8-1). Reagan Morin scored 11 points for the Redgals, Trinity Angel scored 10 points, while Kylee Mazzarella scored seven points and Morgan Harriott scored six points and move to 7-11, 1-8.  

 

..

 

 

Downtown

businesses

dosey do

By Linda Lemmon

Town Crier Editor

PUTNAM --- Like economic musical chairs, downtown Putnam will see big changes coming. The Complex for Performing Arts will move its classes and performance space across the street to the Art Deco Cargill Bank building. That was most recently home to Noma.

In addition Artique will also move across the street, joining the Complex in the Cargill Bank building.  Taking Artique's old space will be A&L Marketplace. It is currently in the Montgomery Ward building at the end of the Main Street block.

Lynthia Designs, also currently in the Montgomery Ward building, will move into the spot vacated by the Complex's first-floor theater space.

And last week Rick and Laurie Dwonczyk announced they had purchased the Antiques Marketplace on Main Street. Rick Dwonczyk said they bought both the business and the real estate.

Dwonczyk said they had purchased Jeremiah's Antiques business in 2014 and were looking for a permanent home for the antiques business.  Jerry Cohen, who recently celebrated 25 years at Antiques Marketplace, will stay on as a coin, jewelry and furniture dealer.

Dwonczyk said they will be keeping both shops running, making it the largest antiques business in New England. Antiques Marketplace and Jeremiah's combined total more than 25,000 square feet of merchandise.

The Moosup native said they are pleased with the prospects. "We've already added 10 new dealers."

Three challenges make the antiques business a "nimble" business. The recession in 2008 hit the business hard. "People spent money on fuel oil, electricity, groceries, not antiques," he said. 

The internet is another challenge. He said he used to sell Rumford (Maine) cookbooks on eBay and did quite well. "With the internet, antiques aren't as rare," he said.

The third challenge is the younger set. "Younger people collect different things," he said. 

"We're a little more progressive here. Always looking for new ideas."

In a press release Dwonczyk said downtown Putnam offers visitors a unique experience no one else offers.  There's more than 25,000 square feet of antiques, 10 restaurants, a playhouse and many small shops, all within a block of Antiques Marketplace.

Cohen started Antiques Marketplace in 1991 and sparked a revival of downtown Putnam. Empty storefronts soon became homes to other antiques businesses and more. 

 

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Signing

Front Row: Emily Sheridan, center, with sister Caitlin Sheridan and mother Mariellen Sheridan. Back row, left to right: Lauren Moore, Marianapolis Athletics Department; Esad Darman, Marianapolis girls’ varsity soccer head coach; Kellie Ryan, Marianapolis girls’ varsity soccer assistant coach; Eric Gustavson, Marianapolis Athletics Department and Ohio Wesleyan University Class of 1981. Courtesy photo.

 

 

Sheridan signs

to play at

Ohio Wesleyan

THOMPSON — Emily Sheridan ’17 of N. Smithfield, R.I., Feb. 1 signed to play soccer for Ohio Wesleyan University.  

Sheridan has been a member of the Marianapolis girls’ varsity soccer team since her freshman year, serving as captain this year. In addition, Sheridan is also a member of the girls’ varsity basketball team and the varsity lacrosse team, and serves as captain on both teams. During the 2016 soccer season, she had 31 goals and 17 assists, bringing her Marianapolis career stats to 100 goals and 55 assists.  

Sheridan has been playing soccer since she was four years old, typically in the forward or midfield position. She decided to attend OWU due to its strong soccer program and the team’s potential to win another national title. Sheridan said, “The team, coaches, admissions, and athletic staff were very welcoming and nice on my visit. I also loved OWU because it is the perfect size and it has numerous majors/minors that are of interest to me.” Right now, Sheridan is undecided on a major but has interest in education, sports management, and prelaw.

In addition to being a tri-captain this year, Sheridan has amassed numerous awards including 2015 SENEISSA: New England Player of the Year, 2015 Boston Globe All-Scholastic Team, 2015 and 2016 Norwich Bulletin Team, and was a member of three consecutive SENE championship teams (2014, 2015, 2016).