Students

do well

on Test Day

WOODSTOCK— The Woodstock Academy recently completed its third year of the School Test Day program, which provides a College Board assessment to each student at no cost to students or families. Testing this year produced very positive results.

The SAT/PSAT changed in 2015-16, so The Academy has two years of data to compare all students’ individual growth through the SAT Suite of assessments: PSAT 8/9 for Freshman, PSAT for sophomores and juniors, and SAT for seniors. This October, The Academy added the new SAT Essay for seniors and an SAT-practice essay for grades 9-11 that is scored by Academy teachers using the College Board’s anchor papers and rubrics.

The benefits of the testing program include:

* Yearly data on each student in specific areas including reading, writing, analysis in social studies, analysis in science, algebra, advanced math, and statistics; 

* The ability to use the data to make programmatic and curricular adjustments to meet students’ needs; and

* Preparation for the state assessment (The SAT replaced the Smarter Balanced Assessment for grade 11 in 2016)

The Academy’s students scored above the state average in all areas at all grade levels. Seniors were 60 points above the state on the SAT. On average, Academy students gained between 58 and 68 points since last year (Grade 10: 58 points, Grade 11: 68 points, Grade 12: 59 points).

“Our School Test Day has been a positive experience here at The Academy,” said Dr. Michael Harten, Academic Dean. “Students, families, and faculty all see the many opportunities it provides—opportunities for practice, opportunities for useful assessment data to measure growth over time, and opportunities to start thinking about post-high school plans. The School Test Day will continue to provide data to help us improve our academic program and will continue to open doors for our students after graduation.”

 

 

Girls’ Wrap-up

Action aplenty

as teams look 

toward holiday

tourneys

By Ron P. Coderre

The holiday tournaments are this week so most of the local girls’ teams packed in as many games as possible prior to the dismissal of school.

Tourtellotte, which will play in the Clipper Classic with Killingly and Putnam, enjoyed a perfect week, winning both games they were engaged in.  Putnam, the host of the Classic, and Woodstock Academy went 1-1 on the week.

The remaining three teams, Plainfield, Killingly and Ellis Tech suffered through winless weeks.

Tourtellotte Flexes Muscle vs.

 ECC & CSC Foes

Tourtellotte picked up a pair of victories, beating teams from the Eastern Connecticut Conference and the Constitution State Conference.  The Lady Tigers opened with a big win over CSC opponent Ellis Tech 59-31.  Three players were in double figures for Tourtellotte, paced by Emily Vincent with 18 points.  She was joined in double digits by Lauren Ramos (10 points) and Skylar Wesolowski (13).  Breana Bentley was the top scorer for Ellis Tech with a dozen markers.

Vincent once again rose to the occasion posting a double-double, scoring 19 points and corralling 10 rebounds, in a 50-36 victory over Wheeler.  The Lady Tigers jumped out to an early lead and never looked back.  Ashley Morin chipped in 11 points for the 2-1 overall and 1-1 ECC Lady Tigers.

In its other contest, Ellis Tech lost to Vinal Tech 43-32.  Kalista Lovely posted 11 points for the Golden Eagles in the loss.  Ellis Tech is 1-3 on the season and 1-2 in the CSC East.

Putnam stepped out of the area for a game against Granby and was beaten by 20 points, 46-26.  Alyssa Espinosa was the lone bright spot for the Lady Clippers with a dozen markers.  Coach Mandy Hogan’s ladies responded from the loss to Granby by taking their revenge out on the Academy of the Holy Family 57-12.  Espinosa with 11 points and Maria Fredette with 10 points were the top point producers for the 2-1 overall and 2-0 in the CSC East Lady Clippers.

Woodstock Academy put together a great team effort in beating Killingly 53-42.  Six Lady Centaurs got into the scorebook as the team used a strong first half, 29-12 at intermission, in coasting to the win.  Jamie Woods was the main sparkplug  for Woodstock with a phenomenal 27-point performance.  MacKenzie Cayer chipped in 14 for the Acads.  Ally Conde had 10 points for Killingly.

The Redgals were beaten in their next game 53-27 by Stonington as they were unable to generate any sustained offense.  Killingly is 2-2 on the season and 1-2 in the ECC Div. II.

Woodstock also fell in its next game, losing to a god Bacon Academy team 55-36.  Ari Koivisto had 12 points in the losing effort.  The Lady Centaurs are 2-2 and 1-2 in the ECC.

Plainfield, off to a 0-4 start and 0-3 in the ECC, was stymied twice, losing 48-46 to archrival Griswold and 60-40 to Windham.  Chloe LaPierre was the top gun for the Lady Panthers with 15 points in the game against Griswold.  Izzy Newbury with 10 points was the lone double digit producer in the loss to Windham.

 

Snow Eater

Fog rolls in over the snow on a brook in E. Putnam. Linda Lemmon photo.

 

Raymond L. Morin,

WWII vet

DANIELSON — Raymond L. Morin, 89, of Danielson died Dec. 14, 2016, at Davis Place in Danielson. He was the husband of Rita (LaFlamme) Morin for 70 years. 

He was born Oct. 19, 1927, in Killingly, son of the late Israel and Laura (Chenail) Morin. Ray was a longtime resident of Killingly. He was a veteran of WWII serving with the U.S. Navy on the USS Macon, a light destroyer. 

He owned and operated Morin’s Atlantic Gas Station in Dayville for more than 10 years. Ray was a 50-year member of the Pomfret Rod and Gun Club and enjoyed the outdoor sports of hunting and fishing. He was an avid fan of horse racing and the Patriots. 

Besides his wife Rita he leaves his children, Richard Morin (Elizabeth) of Pomfret Center, Kevin Morin of Dayville, Gail Morin of Dayville; eight grandchildren, five great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by a brother Rene Morin.

A Mass of Christian Burial was Dec. 20 at St. James Church, Danielson, with burial with military honors in Holy Cross Cemetery. Donations: Hospice of NE CT, 320 Pomfret St., Putnam, CT 06260. Gagnon and Costello Funeral Home, 33 Reynolds St., Danielson. 

 

Randall D. Wiedner,

Army vet

PUTNAM —  Randall D. Wiedner, 56, of Union St., died Dec. 10, 2016, in Day Kimball Hospital. Born in 1960 in St. Louis, he was the son of the late Margret Wiedner and Earl Wiedner.

Randy was a 1978 graduate of the Jennings High School in Jennings, Kan., and was a peacetime U.S. Army veteran.  He worked at U.S. Button for the past 10 years as a press mechanic in the pre-form department, previously working as a pipefitter and welder.

He was known as the class clown and loved being the center of attention making everyone laugh. Randall was a “Jack of all trades and a master of none” and pleasured in having a beer with friends.

He leaves his son Thomas Wiedner of Lake Orion, Mich. ; his daughter Ashley Loewen of Waterford, Mich; brother of Chris Wiedner of Illinois; three grandchildren Samantha Wiedner, Thomas Wiedner II, and Emma Lee Wiedner.

The Funeral was private. Gilman & Valade Funeral Homes and Crematory, Putnam.

 

Carol E. Walberg

WOODSTOCK — Carol E. (Shooter) Walberg, 76, of Woodstock, died Dec. 12, 2016, at home.

Her husband, Donald Walberg, died in 2013.  She leaves one son, Donald R. Walberg of Pomfret; three daughters, Jill Duggan of Canton, Mass., Judy Walberg and her husband Dan French of Woodstock, Kristen Walberg of Charlton, one brother, Dennis Shooter of Columbia; one sister, Katherine Shooter of Woodstock; nine grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.  She was predeceased by a brother, Thomas Shooter and a sister, Diane Anderson.

She was born in Williamsport, Penn., daughter of the late Charles and G. Marie (Beiter) Shooter and lived in Woodstock most of her life.  She was the Woodstock tax assessor for 25 years, retiring in 2002.  

The Funeral was private.  Donations: Charity of the donor’s choice.  Shaw-Majercik Funeral Home, Webster.  

 

Randall Thomson Ash

TOLLAND/PUTNAM — Randall “Randy” Thomson Ash, 73, died Dec. 11, 2016, at Hartford Hospital after a lengthy and courageous battle with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.  

Randy was born April 16, 1943, into a Navy family in Riverdale,  Md.,the third child and second son to Chief Petty Officer Robert Kenyon Ash, USN and Eleanor Charlotte (Ritchie), whose families were long-time residents of this area.  

During his earlier years, Randy’s military family lived in Maryland; Oahu, Hawaii; Maine; Virginia; and Puerto Rico before returning home to Connecticut in 1954.  He attended many schools before his father returned the family to his hometown of Putnam.  In 1961, Randy graduated from Putnam High School, 12th in his class of 91.  Randy then attended Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, located In Troy, N.Y., with the aspiration of becoming an architect.  He also attended UConn.

In 1962, Randy married the love of his life, Shirley Adams, his long-time school sweetheart.  They were blessed with two wonderful children, Donna Lee, and Craig Randall.  For the next 23 years, Randy enthusiastically pursued a career at the principal employer in Putnam, the Belding Heminway Corticelli Company.  In 1986, he began a 25-year career being self-employed with American Light Industries in affiliation The Sandstrom Carbide Company of Warwick, R.I., as a machinist.  

Randy was noted for being a man of principle and passion.  He worked tirelessly and was driven by purpose while maintaining focus on both immediate and long-term objectives.

While in his early years he saw far-flung and exotic places, Randy spent the last 62 years of his life in the serene and beautiful “Quiet Corner” of northeastern Connecticut.  He loved the area and the community. 

Randy’s fascination with military planes, ships and submarines began during his youth and continued throughout his life.  Randy was also an avid Red Sox Fan and enjoyed Formula 1 Racing. 

He leaves his wife of 54 years, Shirley, and their two children: Donna Brown (Roger) and and Craig Ash (Jenifer) and their daughter Sophia Nora; three siblings: Nancy M. Ash (Dr. Joseph H. Burke) of Bluffton, S.C., and Colonel Robert K. Ash Jr. (Linda) of San Antonio, and Jon Jeffrey Ash (Sue) of Warwick.

Final arrangements are being made by the immediate family and will be private. 

 

Ernest A. Bousquet Jr.

PUTNAM — Ernest A. Bousquet Jr., 79, died Dec. 15, 2016, in Webster Manor Nursing Home.  He was the husband of Judith (Reynolds) Bousquet.  Born in 1937 in Putnam, he was the son of the late Ernest A. Bousquet Sr. and Mary (Kenyon) Bousquet.

Mr. Bousquet worked in the research laboratory at American Optical for 38 years.  

In addition to his wife Judy, he leaves his son, Robert Bousquet of Putnam; his daughter, Mary Cotnoir (Paul) of Putnam; and his grandchildren, Joseph Cotnoir, and Daniel Cotnoir. 

Services are private. Donations: Notre Dame Center, 555 Plantation St., Worcester, MA 01605. Gilman and Valade Funeral Homes and Crematory.

 

Lillian H. Blanchette

BOSCAWEN. N.H. — Lillian H. (Buchholz) Blanchette, 89, died Dec. 17, 2016, at Concord Hospital. She was the wife of the late Robert J. Blanchette.

Lillian was born in 1926 in New Britain, the daughter of the late Wilhelm “William” Buchholz and Olga (Liedtke) Buchholz and was the youngest of seven children. She lived there for 70 years until she moved to Boscawen in 1998.  She was a member of St. Matthews Lutheran Church in New Britain.  

She leaves three children and their families, Dennis Blanchette (Janet) of Thompson and their three children, Daniel Blanchette (Lisa) of Pomfret, Ellen Blanchette and her fiancé Anna of Salem, Mass., and Alison Blanchette and her partner Justin of Manchester; Denise McMahon (Kevin) and their three children Erin, Colleen, and Jennifer all of Boscawen; Daniel Blanchette and fiancé Stephanie of Westminster, Colo., and his son Marshall of Northglenn, Colo.; her sister-in-law, Irene Buchholz of Irvington, Vir. She is predeceased by five brothers and one sister. 

A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Dec. 22 in the Gilman Funeral Home, 104 Church St., Putnam. Burial will take place at a later date.  Donations: Pope Memorial S.P.C.A., 94 Silk Farm Rd. Concord, NH 03301.  

 

Bernice P. Brown

POMFRET CENTER — Bernice (Grabiak) Brown, AKA “Ma Brown,” 77, of 400 Deerfield Rd., died Dec. 13, 2016.  She was the wife of the late Lewis James Brown Sr. and a companion of the late Clarence V. Vitalis. 

Born in 1939 in Harrisburg, Penn., she was the daughter of the late Walter and Mary (Yaukauskas) Grabiak.

Mrs. Brown attended Vandergrift High School and was a homemaker who was very proud of her children and grandchildren.  She enjoyed playing bingo, crocheting, bird watching, painting, watching wrestling and auto racing. She was also a lifetime member of the Woodstock Fair. 

She leaves her daughters, Christine Papuga (Christopher) of Sterling, Lisa Dyer (Christopher) of Pomfret Center, and Angela Frechette of Danielson; her brother, Walter Grabiak (Nancy) of Leesburg, Fla.; her sisters, Ruth Roberto of Vandergrift, Penn., Dorothy Humes of Wauregan, and Josephine League of Danielson; her grandchildren, Ayden Papuga, Shaun and Liam Dyer, Keith and Austin Frechette, and Michael Rosario; her great-grandchildren, Owen and Logan Dyer. She was predeceased by her son, Lewis James Brown Jr.; her daughter the late Josephine Brown; her brothers, Frank Grabiak and Joseph Grabiak; her sisters, Mary Ann Zigus Zemba and Clarita Grabiak. 

A Mass of Christian Burial was Dec. 17 in Most Holy Trinity Church, Pomfret. A second Mass of Christian Burial was Dec. 19 in St. James Catholic Church, Apollo, Penn., followed by burial in Riverview Cemetery, Apollo. Gilman Funeral Home & Crematory, 104 Church St., Putnam.  

 

 

Stephen R. League

WOODSTOCK — Stephen R. League died Dec. 6, 2016. 

He was born March 2, 1974 in New Kensington, Penn., to Josephine League of Danielson and Roger League of Richmond, Va. He was a wanderer at heart, never known to be in one spot for too long. He split his time later in life between Fort Lauderdale, Fla., and Woodstock.

Stephen enjoyed life to the fullest. Music, dance landscaping and traveling with his dog Portia are just a few of the many things he was known for. He was remembered for his kindness, ability to make you laugh, or just make you feel better no matter the situation. He was never afraid to be himself, no matter what anyone thought. He was one of a kind.

In addition to his mother, he he leaves his step-father Robert Blanchette of Danielson; his sister Maria Gandy-Winslow (Scott) of Brooklyn; his sister Diana Gandy of Fort Lauderdale; and his brother Joseph League (Melissa) of Canterbury; five nieces, two nephews, two great-nieces, and two great-nephews. 

The funeral was private. Gagnon and Costello Funeral Home, 33 Reynolds St., Danielson.

 

Allan R. Ambruson

PUTNAM — Allan R. Ambruson, 80, of Putnam, died Dec. 17, 2016, at home.

He was born in Worcester, son of the late Sven and Linnea (Pearson) Ambruson and lived in Worcester before moving to Putnam 16 years ago.  He was a retired healthcare worker, having worked many years at Worcester State Hospital.  He enjoyed going to the casino and baseball, especially the New York Yankees.

He leaves his companion of 16 years, Jeannette (Jason) Lepasio of Putnam; two step-daughters, Lorna Caprio of Woodstock and Lynnette Smith of Putnam; a brother, Lyndon Ambruson (Lisa) of Warren, Mass.; two sisters, Lois Charlebois (Paul) of Florida, Marcia Ciak and her companion Albert of Blackstone, Mass.

Visitation is from 1 to 3 p.m. Jan. 7 with a prayer service at 2:30, in the Shaw-Majercik Funeral Home, Webster.

 

Nancy L. McCauley

PUTNAM — Nancy L. McCauley, 54, of Putnam, died Nov. 24, 2016.

Nancy was born in Natick, Mass., and had previously lived in Webster and Thompson before moving to Putnam five years ago.  

She was a bartender at the Village Restaurant in Woodstock.  She had a love for animals, especially dogs and was an avid fan of NASCAR and the Boston Red Sox.

She leaves her companion, Joseph Ouellette and his daughters of Putnam; her mother, Nancy (Carter) Horniak and her step-father, Ed Horniak of Hillsboro, N.H.; her step-mother and best friend, Mary McCauley of Putnam; her daughter, Heather Skow of Springfield, Mass.; a brother, Robert E. McCauley III of Webster; three sisters, Tamara Battista (Paul) of Dudley, Brenda Lemire and her companion Paul Lemire of Webster. Robyn McCauley and her companion Robert Muzziolli of Webster; eight grandchildren. She was predeceased by her father, Robert E. McCauley II  in 1996 and by a daughter, Holly Albestki-Almquist in 2016.

A Celebration of Life will be held and announced at a later date.  

Donations: Any animal rescue shelter of the donor’s choice.  Shaw-Majercik Funeral Home, Webster.

 

Kathleen Snow

WOODSTOCK — Kathleen E. (Mooney) Snow, 69, of Woodstock, died Dec. 5, 2016, at Day Kimball Hospital in Putnam.

She was born in Putnam, daughter of the late Thomas and Emma (Mese) Mooney and lived in Putnam and Woodstock most of her life. 

 She was a Special Education teacher, working for the Woodstock School Department.

She leaves her husband of 49 years, Walter A. Snow of Woodstock; two sons, Scott T. Snow (Jean) of Dudley, Jason A. Snow of Woodstock; a daughter, Kelly M. Phar and her companion, Michael McIntosh of Pomfret; two brothers, Robert Mooney of Putnam and George Mooney of Thompson; one sister, Lillian Rondeau of Putnam; four grandchildren, Kieley, Nicholas, Trinity and Robert.  

The funeral was private. 

Donations: Woodstock Little League.  Shaw-Majercik Funeral Home, Webster.

 

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