Bicycle recycle

day May 3

WOODSTOCK — All towns are welcome to the Bicycle Recycle Day from 9 a.m. to noon May 3 at the parking lot next to the First Congregational Church on Rt. 169.

Any bicycle is a good bicycle, reclaim-reuse: Drop off your Racing Bicycle, Mountain Bmx, Cruiser, kids, old/new, three-wheeler, etc. 

The aim is to keep bicycles from being destroyed when they can be reused. Too many bicycles get thrown away or end up at the transfer station in the scrap metal pile. 

There is no cost to drop off your old or new  bicycle, your bicycle will be fixed and reused again. 

If you are not able to drop it off, call 508-277-7513 for pickup.

 

 

Marguerite H. Ducat

DAYVILLE —  Marguerite Helen Ducat, 92, of Ware Road died on April 15, 2014, at Westview Healthcare.  She was the wife of the late Albert G Ducat who died on March 25, 2004.  They were married at St James Church in Danielson on July 11, 1942.            

Mrs. Ducat was born Aug. 2, 1921, in Killingly, daughter of the late Luc and Clara (Boulais) Poitras.  She attended St. James School, graduating from Killingly High School in 1939.  

She worked at Majestic in Moosup during wartime. She was a member of the Danielson Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary for 49 years.  She was a communicant of St. James Church.  She worked at the first of the St. James Bazaars in the chowder and clamcake booth, and at the Rectory cooking, cleaning, and sewing Baptismal bibs.  She was a member of the Daughters of Isabella.  Her strong faith was an asset to her longevity.  

She leaves eight sons:  James F. (Laurel), Paul E. (Donna), Bernard E. (Maureen), David A. (Lori), Joseph N. (Pamela), Marc R. (Mary), Peter S. (Laurie), Timothy A. (Colleen); six daughters:  Olive M. (Jack) Arters, Jane A. Plante, Denise M. (Angelo) DeGray, Michele E. Cyr (fiancé John Masse), Valerie J. (Dennis) Bowen and Phyllis C. (Glenn) Juber. She also leaves behind two sisters, Henriette Monahan of Nevada and Estelle (Joseph) LaPlante of Maine; 35 grandchildren, 49 great-grandchildren, three great-great-grandchildren; brother and sister in-laws.  She was predeceased by three brothers, Camille, Armand and Bernard Poitras and two sisters, Lorraine Sugalski and Claire Veilleux.  

The Mass of Christian Burial was April 22 at St. James Church in Danielson, with burial at Holy Cross Cemetery.  Donations: Danielson Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary, c/o Sandy Hicks, 28 Seagrave St., Danielson, CT  06239; or “Save Our St. James School”, 120 Water St., Danielson, CT 06239. Gagnon and Costello Funeral Home, 33 Reynolds St., Danielson.

 

Sophie C. Kowalski

WOODSTOCK — Sophie C. Kowalski, 98, formerly of Woodstock, died April 10, 2014, in San Antonio, Texas. She was the wife of the late Rudolph W. Kowalski Sr. 

She was born Aug. 6, 191,5 in Putnam, daughter of the late John and Anna Chrzan. Sophie had made her home in Woodstock most of her life, she attended the Putnam Community Church, a graduate of Woodstock Academy. She was employed for more than 30 years at Pratt and Whitney, 20 years at Hartford Hospital working in the computer room. 

She was predeceased by her son Rudolph “Rudy” Kowalski Jr. Sophie leaves several grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews. 

A Memorial Service will be at 2 p.m. April 23 at Smith & Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam, with burial in Quasset Cemetery, Woodstock.

 

Robin L. Joly

THOMPSON — Robin L. Joly, 52, of Church Street, died April 14, 2014, at St. Vincent Hospital in Worcester.  She was the wife of William J. Joly.  Robin, affectionately known as “Pumkin”, was born Dec. 4, 1961, in Putnam, daughter of Jean (Latour) Poirier and the late Robert Poirier. 

Robin worked as a CNA at the Westview Nursing Home for the last six years. She had made her home in the area all her life, a communicant of St. Mary Church of the Visitation in Putnam. Robin previously owned and operated an antique shop in Putnam known as the “Antique Corner,” she had a great passion for collecting antiques all her life. She enjoyed caring for her flowers beds, cooking, baking and crocheting. 

She leaves her husband William of 19 years; her mother; her children, Josh Greene (Kelly) of Pomfret, Ashley Hendrickson (Eric) of Brooklyn, Vanessa Martel (Brian) of Putnam; grandchildren Lydia; Gracie Mae and Amelia; brothers Robert Poirier of Thompson; Michael Poirier of Putnam; Joseph Poirier of Putnam; her former mother-in-law Sharon Plouff of South Carolina.

The Mass of Christian Burial was April 22 at St. Mary Church of the Visitation, Putnam. Donations: Thompson Dog Pound, Attn. Animal Control, PO Box 899, N. Grosvenordale CT 06255. Smith & Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam.

 

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By Ron P. Coderre

This week’s RPC sporty shoutout is sent along to Woodstock resident Atty. Bill Loftus.  A community minded individual, Loftus is involved in assisting with youth leagues in Woodstock.  He also finds time to serve as a basketball official on the high school level, an avocation that runs in the Loftus family.

Following a dismal initial season at the helm of the Connecticut Sun for coach Anne Donovan it appears that the WNBA franchise has taken a leap of faith and gone out on the limb to bring the most rabid women’s basketball fans in the country an exciting program and hopefully a winner.  The firing of coach Mike Thibault, who was popular with the players, in favor of Donovan stirred up a hornet’s nest last season.

Rather than kowtowing to the demands of players the Sun took a bold stand and moved some of the old standard bearers of the past for the youth movement.  The move which has some risk is one that appears will put the Sun in a good place in the future or maybe sooner.

The initial foray into the future came with the drafting of Stanford All-American 6-foot, 4 inch Chiney Ogwumike, a player who by all reports has a positive attitude, a high basketball IQ and a plethora of talent.  Ogwumike was the first pick of the entire draft.

Three selections later, the number four pick overall, the Sun corralled another gem in the person of 6-2 Alyssa Thomas of Maryland.  Another energetic player, Thomas will bring much needed spirit and enthusiasm to the Sun.  Anyone who watched the Women’s NCAA Tournament had to fall in love with Thomas and the style of play she and the Terrapins brought to the court.

In the 11th pick overall the Sun made another surprising choice in grabbing Duke’s Chelsea Gray, who despite being out with an injury could prove to be a missing part to the puzzle in the 2015 season.  The final pick was DeNesha Stallworth of Kentucky, another dynamo.

In a cathartic move, the Sun allowed Kara Lawson, ESPN personality, to hit the road to Washington to rejoin Thibault.  It seems that though she has a TV home in Bristol, Lawson and Donovan didn’t see eye-to-eye.  The biggest move of the bloodletting was the departure of Tina Charles to the New York Liberty.  Charles who was the WNBA MVP two years ago was also another malcontent because of the Thibault situation.  In return for Charles the Sun received the draft rights to the previously mentioned Thomas and Kelsey Bone, who by all reports is a player.  Add the reacquisition of former Sun, veteran Katie Douglas to the mix and basketball this summer at the Mohegan Sun Arena should be exciting. 

A prediction by RPC, watch out for the Sun.  This group could come together faster than predicted by the experts.

It was great to see the UConn duo of Stephanie Dolson and Bria Hartley go in the 6th and 7th picks.  Dolson went to Thibault and the Washington Mystics, while Hartley was the choice of Seattle, who then traded her to Washington to be reunited with Dolson.  One has to be extremely pleased for these two wonderful young women who for four years brought thousands of thrills to UConn Husky loyal rooters.

The Notre Dame pair of Kayla McBride and Natalie Achonwa made Fighting Irish fans happy by being selected in the 3rd and 9th rounds.  McBride to San Antonio and Achonwa to Phoenix.  Baylor’s Odyssey Sims went to Tulsa, where she’ll join former Notre Dame great Skylar Diggins.

In what could prove to be as exciting as hitting a big slot machine jackpot it appears that the Connecticut Sun put enough money into the slot to produce a winner at Mohegan Sun Arena.

Old Friends Reunited

The Woodstock Academy softball team is in good hands this season as two old friends have joined together to coach the Centaurs.  Jay Gerum, who formerly coached the Academy soccer team, is the new head coach and he’s assisted by former Centaur assistant basketball coach Brad Favreau.

The combination of Gerum and Favreau bring a wealth of diamond knowledge to the young ladies on the softball squad.  Both individuals are former three-sport athletes at Woodstock, with appreciable experience in baseball.  The duo has experienced winning as both players and coaches and will instill a positive attitude in the players under their guidance.  

Get Out the Fishing Gear

Local youngsters should mark their calendars for May 10, which is the 2014 date of the Putnam Rotary Club Noe Poulin Memorial Fishing Derby.  The Derby will run from 8 a.m. to noon and will take place on the banks of the Quinebaug River between the Bridge St. Bridge and Cargill Falls.  Registration is scheduled to begin at 7a.m. at the bandstand at Rotary Park.

As usual prizes will be awarded to young male and female anglers in a variety of categories and in age groupings.  All participants will receive food and drink, compliments of the Putnam Rotary Club according to Derby organizer Willie Bousquet.  Assisting Bousquet are Gerry Cotnoir, Paul Pikora, President Brad Favreau and Rande Chmura.

Chirping About Master’s in Augusta

Former Putnam resident Mark R. Russell, Marianapolis Prep graduate and member of his alma mater’s Board of Trustees, was one of the fortunate individuals to spend time at the Master’s Tournament in Augusta, Ga.  Although Russell was not present for the final day in which Bubba Watson was crowned the 2014 champion, he did attend the practice round on Tuesday and the Par 3 Tournament on Wednesday of Master’s week.

Russell notes that he enjoys those two days because it affords him the luxury of getting up close to the golfers, while providing the opportunity to take in the beauty and scenery of the course.  He’s been fortunate to attend approximately 25 Master’s Tournaments and has had a remarkable string of attending 32 consecutive U.S. Open Tournaments.

Husky National Champion

An individual with family ties to the northeastern Connecticut area was an integral part of the success of the UConn Women’s National Championship team.  Lauren Sheldon, a graduate of E. O. Smith High School and student at the university, served as the team’s student trainer.  She was with the team all season and especially at the Final Four.

Thanks to her connection to Geno Auriemma’s champions she was part of the championship parade in Hartford on Sunday, April 13.  Sheldon, the daughter of Scott Sheldon, was also awarded a team championship ring and is the proud owner of a piece of the net, which was cut from the rim in Memphis, Tenn., following UConn’s title win over Notre Dame.  She’s the daughter of Scott Sheldon.

RPC’s Closing thought For the Day: Learn to listen – opportunity sometimes knocks very softly.

(If you have sports items worthy of publication please e-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.)

 

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Recognized

WORCESTER --- Amber Young of North Grosvenordale, was recognized as a member of the Alpha Lambda Delta First Year Honor Society. Young is working toward a bachelor of science, exercise science, health & fitness concentration