Past Issues of the Putnam Town Crier
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By Ron P. Coderre
This week’s RPC shoutout is sent along to Don Benoit of Putnam. A former manager in the Putnam Little League system, Benoit spent many years in Corrections for the State of Connecticut. Today he enjoys relaxing with family and rooting for the Boston Red Sox.
If you think you’ve seen some familiar faces from the college coaching fraternity around Putnam these days, you’re not hallucinating. In recent weeks a number of big time college coaches have descended on the Putnam Science Academy campus during a period that the NCAA allows coaches to recruit and speak with prep school athletes. The attraction, the Mustangs senior basketball standout Hamidou Diallo.
Diallo, who led Putnam Science Academy in scoring last season, is entering his senior year and will be preparing to make his college decision in the next five to nine months. Colleges have been eyeing Diallo since his sophomore year when the Queens, N.Y., product emerged on the hardwood scene on the 18 Maple St. campus.
Among the visitors to make an appearance in Putnam, the most prominent was Duke University associate head coach and former Blue Devil standout Jeff Capel. The Mike Krzyzewski assistant spent a couple hours speaking with Diallo prior to retiring to a private room where they spoke via video hookup directly with Krzyzewski. Following a brief conversation, coach K offered Diallo an opportunity to attend Duke and play for the Blue Devils.
The next week among the many Division I coaches on campus was John Calipari of the University of Kentucky. Calipari, like the Duke coaches, spent a good deal of time speaking with Diallo. Impressed with the young man, coach Cal made Diallo an offer to join the Wildcats for the 2017 season. It’s projected that in the 2017 school year, Calipari and the Wildcats may have as many as eight or nine scholarships available.
When asked how Diallo was handling all the attention, Putnam Science Academy basketball coach Tom Espinosa responded, “Hamidou is very excited about his college prospects but he’s handling the attention in a mature fashion. He knows he’s been under the spotlight for more than a year so he’s learned how to handle the pressure.”
In a recent Nike EYBL tournament in Brooklyn, N.Y., which Espinosa attended, he said, “Hamidou played extremely well. His ball handling, passing and shooting skills were as sharp as I’ve ever seen them. He definitely was impressive in front of the many Division I coaches who were on hand.”
According to Espinosa ,nationally known coaches were everywhere in Brooklyn. Among those on hand were Jim Boeheim of Syracuse University, John Thompson of Georgetown, Roy Williams of North Carolina, Mike Brey of Notre Dame and Bobby Hurley, who was recently hired by Arizona State University.
Diallo is expected to take some time and weigh his offers. According to Espinosa, Diallo has been working diligently in the classroom this year in preparation for his SATs. He may be ready to announce his college intention as early as September or as late as February 2017. In addition to Diallo, his teammates Jaheam Cornwall and Tyreek Perkins have been drawing major college attention and were being scouted by a number of mid-major colleges.
First Ace of 2016…
Hungry golfers have been rushing the season despite the weather that’s been up and down of late. Mike Sosik, owner of Harrisville Golf Course, reports that play has been very brisk in the early season.
On Friday, March 25 Sosik reported the first hole-in-one of the young season. The man on the club was Anthony Ritacco who aced the par 4, 7th hole that was playing 300 yards. According to Sosik, Ritacco took his career shot in stride. There are many months of golf ahead in 2016, but like the first baby of the New Year, Ritacco can boast of the first ace of the 2016 season in northeastern Connecticut.
Boston Marathon Success…
A local runner who resides in Plainfield made northeastern Connecticut proud with his recent finish in the Boston Marathon. Making his sixth straight appearance in Boston, Michael Stadolnik, who is a familiar participant in many of the local races including the Deary Memorial and the O’Putnam, finished 155th in the field of more than 30,000 entrants. He posted a time of 2:42:02 over the 26-mile 365-yard course that runs from Hopkinton to Boston. He was less than 30 minutes behind the winner Lemi Berhanu Hayle of Ethiopia.
Stadolnik, who walked between 8 and 10 miles the day before the marathon, runs for the Mohegan Striders Running Club. The 1992 North Haven High School graduate is prepping for his next marathon, which is the Vermont City Marathon in Burlington in May.
Included in the field were a number of northeastern Connecticut residents. Among the finishers were Elizabeth Edwards, Thompson (3:10:33); Robert Duval, Plainfield (3:28:38); Vance Carter, Danielson (3:28:43); Rachel Frenkil, Pomfret (3:31:42); Harry Lepp, Danielson (3:56:33); David Lusignan, Woodstock (4:10:56); Sharon Geyer, Pomfret (4:17:10); Ryan Lefler, N. Grosvenordale (4:44:21); David Pietrowski, Woodstock (4:50:54); and Erin Baron, Putnam (5:16:42).
Spotted At Fenway Park…
Putnam Deputy Chief of Police Lee Konicki recently took in a Red Sox and Toronto game at Fenway with his close friends Bob Beaudry and Dick Loomis. Konicki notes that a number of Putnam Middle School students were on the field with Wally the Green Monster during a pregame ceremony. One of the students was Emily St. Martin, daughter of Michael and Amy Beth St. Martin.
Also spotted in the crowd was a large contingent of fans from northeastern Connecticut. Among the crowd were St. Joseph’s School principal Sharon Briere and Putnam High School women’s basketball coach Mandy Hogan. Also among the large throng was David Vincent of Troop D Danielson, Stacey Oles, Vicki and Ryan Ericson and their son Brandy. Everyone left Boston a little disappointed as the Red Sox were beaten by the Blue Jays.
RPC’s Closing Thought For The Day: Don’t forget Mother’s Day on Sunday, May 8. Happy Mother’s Day from RPC to all the mothers in our reading audience.
(If you have news worthy sports information email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.)
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By Ron P. Coderre
Going to Disney World can be entertaining and eye-opening but coming back to northeastern Connecticut means back to reality. Woodstock and Plainfield came back from the Sunshine State with mixed results. The Lady Centaurs had a strong return engagement while Plainfield returned to a big loss before turning things around.
Ellis Tech not known for its women’s sports programs enjoyed success with two wins. Putnam was 1-1 on the week with Tourtellotte experiencing a minor slump but coming back with a big win. Killingly was 1-1 for the week.
In the preps, Marianapolis was 1-1 with its win coming over archrival Pomfret School.
Ellis Tech Enjoying Banner Season
The Ellis Tech Lady Golden Eagles saw their bats come to life as the team enjoyed two five-inning victories, winning by huge margins. Riding the strong arm of pitcher Kristen Light the team raised its record to 8-3 and 3-2 in the Constitution State Conference.
The Lady Eagles opened with a “mercy rule” 22-2 win over Academy of the Holy Family as Light and Sophie Dipanni each drove in two runs. The team extended its winning streak to six straight with another slugfest victory, 20-2 over Windham tech. Light had a home run and Sydney Tetreault had two triples in the runaway victory.
Stepping out of the CSC, Ellis Tech got some of its own medicine when they were shutout 17-0 by Tourtellotte in a five-inning affair. Abby Poirier provided the fire power for winning pitcher Amanda Bogoslofski. Tourtellotte is 7-3 overall and 1-1 in the ECC Small.
Woodstock got serious and rolled over Montville 15-1 behind the tosses of Angela Caponi who struck out 11 opposing batters. Naomi Rivard was 3-for-4 with four RBI and Rylee Hehir added a pair of doubles as the Lady Centaurs raised their record to 6-4.
Plainfield returned from Florida only to be greeted by a Wheeler team that beat the Lady Panthers 8-1. The team rebounded with a 9-6 win over Eastern Connecticut Conference Small Division opponent Tourtellotte. Knotted at 5-5 in the sixth inning, Kacee Hirst slammed a bases clearing triple for the difference in the game. Kat Devolve contributed three hits and three runs for the winners, who are 4-6 overall and 2-1 in the ECC Small.
Putnam opened the week with a 7-2 win over Windham Tech as Mackenzie Livingston went the distance for the win. Lindsay Roberts, Julia Loomis and Aliceya Labonte were the hitting stars for the Lady Clippers. In a key CSC – East matchup against Norwich Tech, Putnam took the pipe, losing 17-2. A 10-run third inning uprising by the Lady Techsters spelled defeat for Putnam, which is 6-4 on the season and 4-2 in the conference.
Killingly was shutout by Stonington 17-0. The Redgals rebounded with a solid 5-3 win over Norwich Tech as Ashley Veillette went the distance for the victory. Cara Mayhew contributed two RBI for the winners. The Redgals are 5-4 on the season and 1-2 in the ECC Medium.
Marianapolis entertained northeastern Connecticut rival Pomfret School and was not a nice host, beating the Lady Griffs 18-3. Jordan Desaulnier making her first start of the season was the winning pitcher. She also was 2-for-3 at the bat. She had offensive support from Meg Tarantino who was also 2-for-3. The loss dropped Pomfret to 1-4 on the year.
On the road at Westminster School, the Lady Knights were defeated 9-3. They’re 4-5 on the season.
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Yoga
Matulaitis in Putnam recently began its monthly Chair Yoga Program. Instructor Joanne LaLiberte leads residents in chair yoga. Courtesy photo.
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Paul E. Cote,
Korean war vet
BROOKLYN — Paul E. Cote, 84, of Brooklyn, died April 21, 2016, in Putnam.
He was born April 20, 1932, in Killingly, son of the late Joseph and Rose (Gelineau) Cote. Paul married Beatrice Brunelle in 1954 and she died in 1974. Paul later married Marie V. LeVasseur in 1981.
Paul was a communicant of Our Lady of La Salette Church in Brooklyn. He was a U.S. Marine and fought in the Korean War. Paul was honorable discharged on April 13, 1954. He worked for Clark Transportation, as a mechanic on the buses of The Brooklyn School system.
He leaves his wife Marie Cote of Brooklyn; son Gary Cote (Susan) of Rogers; his brothers George Cote of Quakertown, Penn., and Robert Cote of Verona, Va.; his sisters, Jeannette Etre of Worcester and Dorothy Bomster of Sterling; step daughter Kathleen Barry; step grandson and two step great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his brothers Lucien Cote and Joseph Cote, his sisters Bernadette Cote and Louise Pechie, a step granddaughter Lisa.
A Mass of Christian Burial was April 26 at Our Lady of La Salette Church, burial with military honors in Holy Cross Cemetery, Danielson. Donations: American Cancer Society. Gagnon and Costello Funeral Home, 33 Reynolds St. Danielson.
Joseph M. Crawford,
Korean war vet
POMFRET — Joseph M. Crawford, 87, of Pomfret, died April 24, 2016, at home.
Born April 25, 1928 in Brooklyn, N.Y., he was the son of the late Theodore and Edith (Taylor) Crawford. A former resident of Stamford and New Canaan, he retired to Pomfret in 1990.
He was a Korean war Army veteran, serving as master sergeant, 169th Regiment, honorably discharged in 1953; member of Putnam VFW #1523; American Legion Post 13. Past Chief and 20 year member of the Order of Scottish Clans, he was also active in Congregational Church of New Canaan. Joe was active in New Canaan Pack #31 and served as B.S. Troop #70’s Asst. Scoutmaster and District Commissioner for Powahay and Nipmuck. A gifted carpenter, he was President of Joseph M. Crawford, Inc.; Treasurer New Canaan Home Builders.
He leaves his wife, Eleanor (Olsen); his children, Heather Crawford (Eric Alletzhauser) of Madison, J. Myron Crawford (Janet) of Cheshire, Deborah Crawford of Woodstock; grandchildren, Warren C. Johnson, Emily C. Alletzhauser and Lucy K. Alletzhauser.
Memorial Service will be at 11:30 p.m. May 14 at Christ Church, 521 Pomfret St., Pomfret. Donations: Hospice of NE CT, PO Box 632, Putnam, CT 06260. Smith and Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam.
Kathleen L. Gerardi
DAYVILLE & Jupiter, Fla. — Kathleen Louise (Rice) Gerardi, 73, died peacefully April 2, 2016, in Jupiter.
Born on May 19, 1942, in Buffalo, N.Y., she was the daughter of the late Herbert C. and Ethel A. Rice. She leaves her husband of 54 years, Michael J. Gerardi, of Dayville and Jupiter.
Kathy grew up in Stamford and then moved to Willimantic where she graduated from E.O. Smith High School in Storrs. She worked as a secretary for the family-owned Nutmeg Broadcasting Co., and at radio stations WILI in Willimantic and WINY in Putnam, where she met the love of her life, “Mike G.” They were married on July 4, 1961.
Not only was Kathy the model homemaker and compassionate mother, she was a strong partner with Mike as they purchased WINY and operated the Gerardi Broadcasting Corp. in Putnam. Her deep faith in God gave her an interior life that brought joy to all that she did. She served her family and friends with humility and love. Kathy enjoyed reading, Bible studies, quilting, sewing, digging in the garden, and creating in the kitchen. She was an active member of the Catholic parishes of St. Peter in Jupiter and St. Joseph in Dayville. Her eyes were always open to the beauty of nature and to the value of every precious person she met.
In addition to her husband Mike, she leaves her children, Michele Fall (Michael) of Suffield, Mark Gerardi (Suzanne) of Nantucket, Mass., and Amy Reutter (Brook) of Tulsa, Okla.; her brothers, Michael Rice (Carol) of Mansfield, and Colin Rice (Loretta) of Lebanon; her sisters, Sheryl Leone (Tony) of Southington, Corrine Bock (Larry) of Vernon, and Robin Rice-Nardi (Jack) of Mansfield Center; nine grandchildren, Jessica, Nathan and Sarah Fall, Evan, Sophie and Hannah Gerardi, and Jordan, Kara and Emily Reutter; and many brother and sister-in-laws.
A Mass of Christian Burial was April 30 in St. Mary Church of the Visitation, Putnam. Donations: St. Mary Church of the Visitation, 218 Providence St., Putnam, CT 06260; or St. Joseph Church, P.O. Box 487, Dayville, CT 06241 . Gilman and Valade Funeral Homes.
Frances E. Briere
KILLINGLY — Frances E. Briere, 77, of Killingly, died April 22, 2016. She was the wife of the late Donald Briere Sr.
Fran was born on Sept. 7, 1938, in Attawaugan, daughter of the late Elmer and Julia (Ludlow) Marsh.
Fran has resided in Danielson her entire life, where she raised her five children and cared for her grandchildren when they were young. Fran enjoyed playing solitaire, word searches, cooking for her family, visiting the casinos and had a great love for her two cats.
She leaves her sons; Donald Briere Jr. (Laurel) of Connecticut, Ronald Briere (Ann) of North Carolina and Robert Briere of Connecticut, David Briere of Rhode Island; her daughter Gail Salvas and her significant other Glen of Connecticut; grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
A Chapel Service was April 25 at Holy Cross Cemetery, Danielson. Donations: American Diabetes Association, 306 Industrial Park Road, Suite 105, Middletown, CT 06457. Gagnon and Costello Funeral Home, 33 Reynolds St. Danielson.
Eleanor E. Brown
DAYVILLE — Eleanor E. (Miner) Brown, 95, a 75-year-resident of Alexander’s Lake, and the first lady of Dog Hill, died on April 26, 2016.
Eleanor (known to her friends as Edith, Edie, Bird and Ella) was born on Nov. 1, 1920, in Pomfret. She was the last remaining sibling of 12 children born to Walter and Mabel (Lanning) Miner. Eleanor was married for 46 years to the late James Caffrey Brown. She was a communicant of St. Joseph Church, Dayville. She always had a great smile.
Eleanor leaves two children, Colleen Hannifan of Boca Raton, Fla., and Kevin J. Brown (Cheryl) of Willington; five grandchildren, James T. Hannifan (Jennifer), Kathleen M. Hannifan, both of Boca Raton, Ethan J. Brown and his partner Jennifer Brooks of Portland, Org.., Jason A. Brown (Jessie), of Canton and Colin J. Brown, of Willington; sister-in-law, Helen Miner. She was predeceased by son-in-law, John T. Hannifan, and great grandson, J.P. DeLisle.
A Mass of Christian Burial was April 29 at St. Joseph Church, Dayville, with burial in St. Joseph Cemetery. Donations: KB Ambulance Corps, P.O. Box 209, Killingly, CT 06239. Gagnon and Costello Funeral Home, 33 Reynolds St., Danielson.
Thelma ‘Penny” Geer
PUTNAM — Thelma “Penny” Geer, 92, of Putnam, died peacefully April 28, 2016, at the Matulaitis Nursing Home in Putnam, after a brief illness. She was the wife of the late Edward Royce Geer. He died in 1972.
She was born Aug 13, 1923, in Springfield, Mass., daughter of the late Harold and Annie Palmer.
Penny devoted her life to taking care of people. She will be remembered for her strong will and her heart of gold. She leaves her two daughters, Judith Page of E. Hartford; Vicki Favreau (Mark) of N. Grosvenordale; many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her sons Robert “Skip” Geer, David Geer and Kenny Geer.
The Funeral Service was May 1 at Smith and Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam, with burial in Abington Cemetery, Pomfret. Donations: Matulaitis Nursing Home, 10 Thurber Road, Putnam, CT 06260.
Patricia Meyers
THOMPSON — Patricia J. (Landry) Meyers, 60, died April 18, 2016, at UMass Memorial Healthcare Center, Worcester. She was the wife of the late Howard Meyers, who died in 1987. She was born in Norwich, daughter of Carol and the late Paul Landry and lived in the area all her life. Patricia worked in health care. She enjoyed playing pitch and pool and belonged to the APA. She leaves a son, Joshua Meyer (Lenka) of Thompson; a daughter, Kelly Meyer of Thompson; three brothers, Albert and John Landry of Thompson, Matthew Landry of Virginia; a sister, April Landry of Thompson; four grandchildren and one great-grandson; her mother Carol (Mount) Landry.
A Celebration of Life will be held at 1 p.m. May 7 at Valley Springs Sportsmen Club, Thompson. Donations: American Cancer Society, 30 Speen St., Framingham, MA 01701. Shaw-Majercik Funeral Home, Webster.
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Head of School
POMFRET — The following local students at Pomfret School earned Head of School Scholar: Alexander Chon-Kang of Pomfret Center, class of 2019; Evan Cunningham of Pomfret, class of 2017; David Marshall of Woodstock, class of 2019.
Highest honors
EXETER, N.H. — Phillips Exeter Academy announced that Taeyoung Park, grade 10, of Pomfret Center, earned Highest Honors for the winter 2016 term.