caption:

 

Kylie Thuotte sings. Eric Brown carves a bear holding a fish. Linda Lemmon photos

 

 

 

Particle Accelerator

raises $7,000,

draws record crowd

PUTNAM — The 8th Annual Particle Accelerator: A Day of Music and Hope held June 7 raised a record-tying $7,000 for United Services and was attended by record crowds.

The free, all-day music festival featured 21 bands playing music of all genres and for all ages. The concert began at noon and continued until after 11 p.m. More than 600 people attended throughout the day.

Performers included: White Rose Confession, Santa Mamba, Lllama Tsunami, Kala Farnham, Adam Trudel, Frank Pace and the All Stars, Dragonfly Diversion, Synergy, The Papa Joe Show, Jason Bleau, Shane Hall, The Grey Curtain and more.

“We are grateful to event organizers Jack and Grace Young and Eric and Sandy Gould, who work with United Services throughout the year to make Particle Accelerator happen,” said honorary event chair and United Services President/CEO Diane L. Manning. “This year we saw a record amount of people come out for the music and the efforts to raise awareness that mental health and suicide are serious public health issues that can affect anyone.”

The annual benefit concert has two main goals. The first is to raise funds and awareness to support United Services, Inc., one of Connecticut’s most comprehensive private, nonprofit behavioral health centers, providing mental and behavioral health education, prevention, treatment and social services to the children, adults and families of northeastern Connecticut since 1964.

The second goal is to provide information and support for depression and suicide prevention, while promoting music and civic engagement as a healthy alternative to drug and alcohol abuse among young adults.

In addition to the music, the event also featured resources on local mental health services from United Services, the Norwich Vet Center and the Windham County chapter for the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). Representatives from the transsexual support group, Transitioning and Loving Life (TaLL) as well as SeizeTheFacts.com and Preventing Teen Tragedy also provided information and resources at the event.

Particle Accelerator’s Wall of Angels, a moving tribute to friends and family members lost the suicide, honored more than 180 people this year with photos on the wall and the lighting of luminaria at dusk.

The festival is held in memory of local musician Jack Young Jr. and organized by local residents, business owners, musicians and artists.

Funds raised will sponsor Mental Health First Aid Training, a public education initiative that helps the public identify people in the midst of a mental health crisis more readily and get them the resources and professional help they need before they harm themselves or others.

Since 2007, the Particle Accelerator concerts have raised more than $32,000 for local mental health services.

 

 

Smith appears 

'Taylor-made' 

for PSA

By Ron P. Coderre

The Putnam Science Academy basketball program completed its roster for the 2014-2015-season with the signing of Canadian point guard Taylor Smith.  The Burnaby South Secondary School in British Columbia graduate scales in a 6-feet and 180 pounds.

As a senior he led Burnaby to a third-place finish in the, Lower Mainland Championships and fifth place in the BC High School Provincial 4A Championships, averaging 14.3 points, 6.8 assist and 5.2 rebounds per game.  As a junior he led the team in scoring with 19.8 points per game.

“Taylor Smith rounds out our roster for next season.  He’s a complete player who does a multitude of things on the court on offense and defense.  His biggest asset is his adaptability to the other players and the game situation,” said coach Tom Espinosa.

Smith was one of only five players in British Columbia to Receive a Telus Scholarship at the BC Provincial 4A Tournament and was the recipient of the Quinn Keast Award and Scholarship as the Telus Classic ‘Most Complete Player.’  He won the Terry Fox Award at the Legal Beagle Tournament and was a first team all star selection at numerous tournaments.

Scouting reports describe Smith as a natural point guard with a pass first mentality who makes those around him better players.  He’s comfortable shooting the ball on the move, off the dribble and in transition.  He rarely turns the ball over, leading his team with only 1.1 turnovers per game as a senior.  He’s a determined, tough and skilled defender. “We’re looking forward to bringing Taylor to Putnam along with our other recruits.  He appears to be a young man who blends in well and creates positive chemistry in a team.  He should be an exciting element of next year’s team,” said Espinosa. Smith joins guards Kaelan Ives and Tim Quashi, 6-5 twin brothers Andrew and Aaron Robinson, and big men Brendan Wagner and Vincent Eze.  The Mustangs are also returning 6-8 Mamadou Dhiarra from last year’s 29-5 team that ranked 5th  in the U.S.  in the final prep poll.

 

 

 

Baseball/Softball Wrap-up

Plainfield

reaches CIAC

semifinals

By Ron P. Coderre

Plainfield was the lone northeastern Connecticut baseball team to emerge victorious in the CIAC Tournament, as the Panthers won First and Second Round games and then pulled off a nailbiter in the Quarterfinals.  Coach Jason Chaviaras’ team played Tuesday in a semifinal game against Haddam Killingworth, a winner over East Catholic in a Quarterfinal contest.

Putnam, Ellis tech and Woodstock Academy were all eliminated in the opening round of tournament competition.

The results on the softball side of the ledger weren’t much more encouraging.  Putnam, Killingly and Plainfield all dropped opening round contests, while Ellis tech the only local team to advance was eliminated in the Second Round.

Plainfield on Another Hot Streak

After losing the Championship game of the Eastern Connecticut Conference tournament, the Plainfield Panthers went on another run in their quest for the Connecticut Class M title.  Due to their 22-3 record and #2 seed in the Class M bracket, the Panthers were fortunate to play all three tournament games on their home turf.

Plainfield ace Mike Esposito took the mound in the First round game and stifled Plainville on four hits as his mates banged out 10 hits in an easy 10-1 victory.  Esposito, the April ECC Athlete of the Month, also had a triple to pace the Panther offense.

The Second Round game was a struggle but like all good teams, Plainfield managed to eke out a victory.  The Panthers rode the strong arm of Jason Federer to a 3-2 win over #15 Granby.  The winning Panther run came in the home half of the seventh inning when catcher Jason Biesadecki coaxed a bases-loaded walk of losing hurler Nick Hartman to force in the winning run.  

Despite committing five errors, which is unusual for this Plainfield team, Federer was cool under fire.  He limited Granby to only four hits.  Federer helped his cause with a double as did centerfielder Steve Jankowski, who also had a two bagger.

The Panthers who are beginning to give their loyal fans gray hair, waited until late in the game again as they pulled the Quarterfinal contest out of the fire 6-5 in an eight-inning affair with Suffield.  Esposito (8-1) was the winning pitcher.

Jankowski, who seems to have the knack of being in key situations and delivering, was the hero.  His opposite field base hit into a sun-drenched rightfield scored pinch runner Kevin Roode with the game winning tally.  Earlier in the game Jankowski contributed an RBI triple that temporarily put the Panthers in the lead 4-3.  In addition to battling his way to victory on the mound, Esposito contributed two doubles to the winning cause.

Plainfield had a number of heroes in the win.  In addition to Esposito and Jankowski (3-4 and three RBIS), Ryan Pambuku, more recognized for his basketball prowess, contributed a key single and catcher Biesadecki and shortstop Garet Griffin turned in stellar performances.  The win was truly a team effort. 

Trinity Catholic travelled all the way to Putnam from Stamford for a First Round game and made the trip pleasurable with a 10-1 trouncing of the Clippers.  Nick Foucault endured the loss as the Clippers could only muster two hits.  Putnam concludes its season at 12-9 but with a seven-game losing skid.

Woodstock Academy’s fate wasn’t much better than Putnam, as the Centaurs were white washed by Pomperaug 13-0.  Will Bourgeois suffered the loss on the hill for the Acads who conclude the season at 10-11.  Ellis Tech was shutout by Haddam Killingworth 10-0.  The Eagles finish the season at 12-9.

Win Column Eludes local Softball Teams in CIAC Tournament

Ellis Tech and Putnam hooked up in a tight CIAC First Round game with the Lady Techsters emerging victorious 5-3.  The Eagles scored single runs in the second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth innings to salt away the win.  Sheriden Murphy of Ellis Tech outdueled Putnam’s Mackenzie Livingston for the win.  Miranda Baublitz with a double and Murphy who helped her cause with a triple were the hitting stars for Ellis Tech.  Putnam concludes its season at 11-9.

The Eagles then faced #3 Coventry in the Second Round and were shutout 15-0 as they could only muster two hits.  Ellis Tech finishes its season at 11-8.

Plainfield was eliminated by Oxford 12-0 on a one-hitter by Ashley Guillette.  The Lady Panthers close the book on 2014 with an 8-13 record.  

Killingly and pitcher Taylor Duchesneau lost a heartbreaker to Platt Tech 2-1.  The Techsters scored the winning run in the bottom half of the seventh inning.  Mikayla Pasco had a triple for Killingly, which ended its season at 8-13.

RPC’s Super Standings – Baseball: Plainfield 23-3; Putnam 12-9; Ellis Tech 12-9; Woodstock Academy 10-11; Marianapolis 9-7; Tourtellotte 6-13; Killingly 5-15; Pomfret School 4-2; Putnam Science Academy 1-6.

RPC’s Super Standings – Softball: Marianapolis 11-2; Ellis Tech 11-8; Putnam 11-9; Killingly 8-13; Plainfield 8-13; Pomfret School 7-4; Tourtellotte 7-12; Woodstock Academy 2-18.

 

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The following charges were listed in the Putnam Police Department logs.  The people charged are innocent until proven guilty in court. The Town Crier will publish dispositions of cases at the request of the accused. The dispositions must be accompanied by the proper documentation. The Putnam Police Department confidential Tip Line is 963-0000.

May 23

Raymond Kasper, 51, Ridewood Road, Glastonbury; operating unregistered motor vehicle.

Holly Lewis, 24, Laurel Hill Road, Woodstock; failure to wear seatbelt.

Jesse Ricketts, 30, Seward Street, Putnam; failure to wear seatbelt.

May 25

Mark Elwell, 53, Reynolds Road, Glocester, R.I.; possession of marijuana.

Samantha Reiss, 25, Cemetery Road, Plainfield; speeding.

David Anderson, 47, Letter Street, Putnam; failure to wear seatbelt.

Andrew Greenwich, 47, Hugenot Street, Oxford, Mass.; failure to wear seatbelt.

May 26

Christopher Brownlee, 29, Monroe Street, Norwich; operating unregistered motor vehicle, operating without insurance, failure to drive right.

May 27

Zachary Perry, 20, Norwich Road, Plainfield; failure to wear seatbelt.

June 1

Stephanie Troy, 31, Woodstock Hill Drive, Woodstock; illegal use of cell phone.

Furkan Ekinci, 18, Laconia Court, Putnam; disorderly conduct, third-degree criminal mischief, interfering with a police officer, interfering with an emergency call.

Lawrence Campos, 22, Sabin Street, Putnam; first-degree criminal mischief.

 

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