Past Issues of the Putnam Town Crier
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A. ‘Tony’ Cotillo Jr.,
Vietnam war vet
WOODSTOCK — Antonio “Tony” Cotillo, Jr., 76, died Aug. 22, 2018, in Providence after a sudden injury Aug. 20, his 76th birthday.
Tony worked at Horton Furniture in Dudley and at Lavoie Toyota. During his retirement he was employed by Pratt Trucking in Webster.
Tony was a Vietnam veteran and carried that burden daily. He was a man who simply loved people and was always ready to offer help to anyone in need.
He leaves his wife of 43 years Cynthia (Adams) Cotillo of Woodstock, CT; his sister Loretta Muzekari of Philadelphia, PA; his son Antonio Cotillo, III and his wife Sherry of Houston, TX; his daughter Annette O’Neil of Florida; his brother in law Jeff Adams of FL; his step daughter Angie Trahan and her husband Robert of LA; his stepson Stephen Woodard and his wife Christine of LA; his adopted son in spirit Noah Elliott of Thompson, CT and also a very special friend Leon Parrott. Tony leaves four children, thirteen grandchildren and six great grandchildren.
Donations: Favorite veterans organization; or a group of their choice. Smith and Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam.
Stephen C. Dahl,
Vietnam war vet
THOMPSON — Stephen C. Dahl, 75, of East Thompson Rd., died Aug. 22, 2018, at Day Kimball Hospital. He was the husband of the late Margaret “Margie” (O’Connell) Dahl. Born in 1943 in Hartford, he was the son of the late Carl and Muriel (Miner) Dahl.
After high school, Stephen joined the U.S. Navy and served during the Vietnam war. He was then employed as a Union Laborer for Local Union # 230. Stephen loved Thompson Motor Speedway and was proud of his time as a race flagger.
He leaves his son, Jeffrey Dahl (Kathy) of Woodstock; his daughter, Deana Pajak (Joseph) of Woodstock; two brothers, Peter Dahl of North Carolina, and Robert Dahl of Maine; sister, Diane (Dahl) Thayer of Massachusetts; and four grandchildren, Carson, Avery, Nicholas and Olivia.
Visitation was Aug. 27 in Gilman Funeral Home and Crematory, 104 Church St., Putnam. Donations: Gerda’s Equine Rescue Inc., P.O. Box 1352, West Townshend, VT. 05359; or to American Legion Connecticut Post #67, P.O. Box 909, N. Grosvenordale, CT. 06255.
David A. Hosmer,
Coast Guard vet
WOODSTOCK VALLEY — Longtime resident David A. Hosmer, 77, died Aug. 1, 2018, at home after a long illness.
He is the son of Charles Clifton Hosmer and Marion A. (Stahl) Hosmer of Worcester.
David was a graduate of South High School in Worcester and earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting at Elon College in North Carolina in 1964. After college he enlisted in the Coast Guard and was commissioned with the rank of ensign as an officer, in January, 1965. He then served nine years of active duty at sea in the North Atlantic, and thereafter 11 years in the Coast Guard reserve, retiring with the rank of commander. As Operations Officer for the Coast Guard patrol of the 1974 America’s Cup Races off Newport, R.I., he personally rescued news photographer from a submerged helicopter which had crashed on the race course. For this heroic act, David received the Coast Guard Silver Lifesaving Medal.
Dave was an avid and well known vintage SAAB collector.
After his Coast Guard active duty, David operated a Tuff-Kote Dinol business in New London. At the same time, Dave began his devotion to life as a volunteer, both as firefighter and as a key member of Woodstock Valley’s Board of Finance. He spent 22 years in the Quinebaug Volunteer Fire Department and recently the Bungay Fire Brigade issued a citation honoring David for his distinguished service of 20 years. The Board of Finance also cited David for 20 years of continuous leadership and dedication to fiscal management to the town and its citizens from 1998-2018. He was a member of other town committees including Highway Building Committee, Opens Space Land Acquisition, Benzene Coordinating Committee, and the Republican Town Committee. David was also honored by Connecticut’s General Assembly for his many years of volunteer service to the town of Woodstock.
Recollecting his years of volunteerism before his death, Dave said: “I always enjoyed helping other people. And my volunteer service on several fronts gave me the opportunity to give back to the community I loved, and was very fulfilling. And there was the extra pleasure I had from working with the many other volunteers toward common goals in our community.”
He leaves his wife of 53 years Judith M. (Tainter) Hosmer; sons Stanley D. Hosmer of Worcester and Thomas J. Hosmer of Putnam; his sister Dorothy A. Resnick of Haddonfield, N.J.; brother Richard B. Hosmer of Melrose, N.Y.
A graveside service will be at 11:30 a.m. Sept. 28 at Hope Cemetery, 119 Webster St, Worcester. Donations: Bungay Fire Brigade, 1256 RT 171 West Woodstock, CT 06281. Smith & Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam.
R. Elaine Emerson
DAYVILLE — R. Elaine (Manemann) Emerson, 94, formerly of Seely-Brown Village in Pomfret and Stonington died Aug. 27, 2018, in Westview Nursing Home.
Elaine was born in 1923 in Willimantic, daughter of the late Edward and Marguerite (Jones) Manemann. She was predeceased by her former husband, the late William C. Emerson Sr. and an infant daughter Leslie Emerson.
Elaine was a graduate of Windham High School. She was employed as a desk clerk for Flagship Hotel and Suites and worked for Monsanto and American Velvet Company as an inspector. She was also employed by Pratt and Whitney as a foreman secretary. She enjoyed reading, traveling and going on bus trips.
She leaves two sons, William C. Emerson Jr. (Maryann) of Dudley and Mark Emerson (Cindy) of Norman, Okla.; her daughter, Lynn (Emerson) Gorbski; seven grandchildren, Kelly, Katy, David, Courtney, Kyle, Heather and Ryan; and three great-grandchildren, Brady, Cooper and Juniper. She was predeceased by her brother, Edward Manemann and her sister Lorna (Manemann) McDonald.
Services are private. Gilman Funeral Home & Crematory 104 Church St., Putnam.
Francis Mackie Jr.
DANIELSON — Francis R. Mackie Jr. 75, of Danielson, died Aug. 8, 2018, at Hartford Hospital. Born on Sept. 10, 1942, in Putnam, son of the late Francis and Yvonne (Broulard) Mackie Sr.
Francis was a jack of all trades, he loved dancing and singing karaoke and he was a DJ for 10 years.
He was also a member of the American Legion Post 91 Moosup
He leaves his children Ronald Kneeland (Betsy) of Danielson, Michael Mackie (Yesenia) of Bakersfield, CA, Lori Larocque of Connecticut, Gail Stanley of Virginia, Robin Rojas of Florida, Donnajo Harris of Florida, Janell Aguilar of Florida, siblings Mary Brown, Ellie Bransfield, Joseph Butts, stepson Donald “Buzz” Page Jr., close friend Sandra Racine, many grandchildren and nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by a son Francis R. Mackie, III, sisters Carol Collins, Constance Collins, Shirley Miller and Rose Barbara Mackie.
A Celebration of life will be held at 3 p.m. Sept. 8 at the VFW of Danielson, Mechanic Street, Danielson.
Gagnon and Costello Funeral Home, 33 Reynolds St., Danielson.
Irene Cote
DANIELSON — Irene M. (Lamontagne) Cote, 77, died Aug. 21, 2018.
She was born in Southbridge, daughter of the late Armand Lamontagne and Rita (Denno) Lamontagne and lived in Danielson for the past 10 years, prior to that living in Melbourne, Fla. Irene enjoyed crocheting and crafts.
She leaves two daughters, Cynthia R. Hagipanagiotou (George) of Danielson, Kathleen Desbre of Brooklyn; four sons; Joseph and Bill Cote, both of Danielson Robert Cote (Felicia) of Palm Bay, Fla., and Johnny Cote of South Carolina; 15 grandchildren and several great-grandchildren. Donations: American Lung Association. Services and burial will be announced at a later date. Shaw-Majercik Funeral Home, Webster.
June Duclos
DANIELSON — June P. (Zmitrukiewicz) Duclos, 64, of Isabella’s Place, died Aug. 19, 2018, after a short illness. Born in Putnam, June was the youngest daughter of the late Joseph A. and Louise R. (Ierardi) Zmitrukiewicz. She leaves her daughters, Betsey M. Kuhn of Brooklyn, and Lori A. Werkheiser (Robert) of Norwich; grandchildren: Hayley Jade Kuhn, Aiden Joseph Werkheiser and Brooke Elizabeth Werkheiser; brother John A. Zmitrukiewicz; sister Anne M. Batchelor (Marshall); aunt Eleanor (Zmitrukiewicz) Stewart of Scarborough, Maine.
A Celebration of Life will be held from 1 to 6 p.m. Oct. 14 at The Valley Springs Sportsman’s Club, N. Grosvenordale. Donations: Rose Monahan Hospice House 10 Judith Rd, Worcester, MA 01602. Shaw-Majercik Funeral Home, Webster.
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caption:
3 States
Members of Putnam’s Boy Scout Troop 21 hiked part of the Air Line State Park Trail in Thompson, ending up at the Tri-State Marker where Connecticut, Massachusetts and Rhode Island come together. Scouts Brendin Adams, left, and Raihden Albino, along with Troop 21 volunteer Richard Watson, stood next to the marker. Photo: Peter A. Lombardo
Scouts hike
Air Line
Trail
THOMPSON — Most people don’t visit three states in one day. Recently however, members of Putnam’s Boy Scout Troop 21 visited three states in a matter of seconds, when they hiked through Thompson to the Tri-State Marker, at the northern end of the Air Line State Park Trail.
“It’s great to get outside in the fresh air and get some exercise,” said Troop 21 Scoutmaster Peter A. Lombardo, of Putnam. “We hiked over five miles. Troop 21 usually gets out for a hike, a camping trip, a service project or some other Scouting activity once a month and in August we wanted to take a hike up to the Tri-State Marker.”
The Air Line State Park Trail stretches 50 miles, starting in E. Hampton and heading northeast through a dozen towns, including Hampton, Pomfret and Putnam. It ends in Thompson at the marker where Connecticut, Massachusetts and Rhode Island come together. There are actually two markers: The three states erected a small granite obelisk in 1883, but that turned out not to be in the right spot. Later, the federal government put a small metal disk embedded in concrete in the ground about 50 feet away, exactly on the border. For information about joining the Scouts, call 860- 963-0171
Operated by the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, the trail includes a section of the bed of a former railroad line that ran from New York to Boston. Started in 1873, freight and passenger service declined sharply after the disastrous 1955 flood destroyed parts of the line. It was finally put out of business in the 1960s by competition from the region’s new interstate highway system. Graded and built for trains, the trail is nearly straight and flat in many places.
“It’s a great day out,” Lombardo said. “It’s an easy hike and it’s very pretty.”
The Air Line Trail hike comes on the heels of Troop 21 spending a fun week at Camp Mattatuck in Plymouth in July.
Holding its meetings at St. Mary’s Church on Providence Street, Troop 21 is open to any boy aged 11 to 17. They do not have to be Catholic or be members of the church. Also, boys with special needs are welcome and Troop 21 does not turn away any boy for financial reasons.
The hike was all part of Troop 21’s monthly schedule through next June. Among other activities, in September, Lombardo said the Scouts will pitch their tents and help out on-site at the annual weekend “Circle of Fun” carnival at St. Mary’s, followed by a rifle-shooting weekend, a wilderness camping trip, a snowshoe hike, a winter camping trip, a food drive for local needy people, a weekend at an archery range, camping with the National Guard, and the troop’s annual fishing trip.
Troop 21’s Scoutmaster noted that a Boy Scout troop’s operations are run by the boys, with the adults guiding and teaching them as needed, overseeing transportation and making sure everyone is healthy and safe.
“Our Scouts made up this year’s schedule and are responsible for planning and carrying out what they’ll be doing,” Lombardo said. “They decide what they want to do; they raise their own money to do it. Scouting builds self-reliance, responsibility and character that way. We’re very proud of our guys.”
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Thur. Aug. 30
Nature Program
POMFRET --- The Connecticut Audubon Society at Pomfret Center will host an “Evening Nighthawk Watch & Bird Walk” at 6 p.m. starting from the Grassland Bird Conservation Center on Day Road. $5 for CAS members; $10 for nonmembers. 860-928-4948.
Photo Exhibit
POMFRET --- The Connecticut Audubon Society at Pomfret will present “Nature’s Inspiration,” a photography exhibit by Aaron Bourque and Deborah Eccleston, through the end of October at the Grassland Bird Conservation Center on Day Road. 860-928-4948.
Trivia Fund-raiser
PUTNAM --- The Putnam Lions Club will host a trivia challenge at 7 p.m. at the Crossings Restaurant. Benefits Bradley Playhouse.
Fri. Aug. 31
Blood Drive
DANIELSON --- The American Red Cross will hold a blood drive from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Killingly Public Library. 1-800-RED CROSS.
Woodstock Fair
WOODSTOCK --- The Woodstock Fair starts today and runs through Monday, Labor Day.
Sun. Sept. 2
Fund-raiser Sunflowers
POMFRET --- Sunflowers for Kids will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Lapsley Orchard on Rt. 169 on the Brooklyn/Pomfret line. This free event features hay rides (starting at noon), PYO apples, face painting and balloon animals. Sales of sunflowers and wildflowers, including pick you own, will benefit United Services Children and Family Programs. 860-774-2020.
Fri. Sept. 7
First Fridays
PUTNAM --- The Putnam Business Association will present First Fridays --- Native American Heritage from 6 to 9 p.m. around downtown Putnam.
Sat. Sept. 8
River Fire
PUTNAM --- River Fire will take place from 7:30 to 9 p.m. at Rotary Park. Free.
Concert
PUTNAM --- Wooden Horse will play in concert from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at Rotary Park. Free. Bring blanket or lawn chair.
Nature Program
POMFRET --- The Connecticut Audubon Society at Pomfret will present Bird Banding at 9 a.m. starting at the Grassland Bird Conservation Center on Day Road. $5 for CAS members; $10 or nonmembers. 860-928-4948.
TEEG Fund-raiser
THOMPSON --- TEEG’s 7th annual Wheels for Meals Ride to Feed Kids will be held starting at the TEEG building on Thatcher Road. There are 15-, 35- and 60-mile rides and a new 1-mile donation walk starting at 10 a.m. $40 registration fee. 860-923-3458.
Open-Air Market
CANTERBURY --- The annual Open Air Market will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Finn Hall on Rt. 169. Vendors wanted. Call: 860-608-7877.
Tori Market
CANTERBURY --- The Finnish American Heritage Society will hold its annual Tori Market from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the society building on N. Canterbury Road. Free. Handicapped accessible. 860-546-6671
Sun. Sept. 9
Savor the Flavor
PUTNAM --- Savor the Flavor – Food Festival “Bacon” will take place today. Music by Chicago Total Access from noon to 3 p.m.
Fund-raiser BBQ
PUTNAM --- The PAWS Cat Shelter fund-raiser chicken BBQ will be held from 5 to 6:30 p.m. at the Knights of Columbus on Providence Street. Drawings, bake sales. $10. Tickets available at the K of C in Putnam, Joseph’s Jewelers in Putnam or Danielson, and at PAWS Cat Shelter on Rt. 171 in Woodstock.
Mon. Sept. 10
Exercise Group
WOODSTOCK --- The Woodstock Senior Exercise Group will meet from 9 to 10 a.m. every Monday and Wednesday in the Woodstock Town Hall large meeting room on the lower. Minimum fee. Local seniors welcome. Please check the town website www.woodstockCT.gov for current schedule or call 860-928-6595.
Quilting Exhibit
THOMPSON --- The Friends of the Thompson Public Library’s Art @ the Library series will present Zen Quilting by Pat Ferguson through Sept. 26. Reception is from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Sept. 10. www.thompsonpubliclibrary.org
Tues. Sept. 11
Computer Class
THOMPSON --- The Thompson Public Library will present a free basic computer classes starting Sept. 11 from 2 to 3 p.m. Online at the Thompson Library class will be held from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Oct 1 and from 2 to 3 p.m. Oct. 2. Register at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Space limited.
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OXFORD, Mass. — Matthew S. Sosik, president and CEO of bankHometown, announced that Nancy S. Roberts has accepted the position as AVP and branch manager of the two Webster branches.
Prior to joining bankHometown, Roberts was the vice president, Business Development branch manager at Eastern Savings Bank. She worked previously at First Niagara Bank and People’s United Bank. She was born and raised in Queens, N.Y.
She moved to Connecticut and is an active member of her community. She has been involved with several non-profits and community groups such as the Danielson Rotary, American Cancer Society Relay for Life, and the Deary Memorial Cancer Fund Auction. She is currently vice president of the Board of Martin House, Inc., Thames River Community Service Inc., and serves on both finance and personnel committees.
In 2012, she was honored to participate in Follow the Fifty, a group formed of more than 180 women from northeastern Connecticut who vowed to participate in a year long journey to be community models of heart health as well as bring awareness of heart disease in women.
She is an avid scrap booker, a covenant member of the Green Valley Crossing, and lives in Danielson with her husband, Ron. She has two children, Mathew and Michael.
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Community cookbook
raising funds for ESL
DANIELSON — Flavors of QVCC, a community cookbook celebrating the varied culinary traditions of students, staff, and friends, has been published by Quinebaug Valley Community College and is now available for purchase.
Cookbook sales will benefit the QVCC Foundation English as a Second Language (ESL) Fund, providing scholarship assistance for limited-English-proficient learners who are working to complete courses in reading, writing and grammar. The ESL program at QVCC provides learners with the language skills needed to navigate and thrive in mainstream academic courses, all of which are taught in English.
The 300 recipes in the Flavors of QVCC cookbook share some of culinary traditions of Europe; Asia; Africa; North, South and Central America; the Caribbean, and the Middle East and U.S. regions. Also included are holiday favorites from several faith traditions; and, gluten-free and vegan options.
Cookbooks, with a suggested price of $20 ($15 each for 2 or more; $10 with a student ID) are available at: Zip’s Diner, Dayville; QVCC Library or Bookstore, Danielson; Jessica Tuesday’s and WINY, Putnam; For more information, call 860-932-4056.
Vieng Malingsamay, ESL program graduate and scholarship recipient, said: “I am so thankful for the scholarships I received. It is my goal in life to one day be successful enough to give back to other ESL students and allow them the same opportunities I’ve had.” Monique Wolanin, director of institutional advancement for the QVCC Foundation, said: “As I have learned from working with QVCC’s ESL students, they face many challenges in their educational journeys.
What inspires me is their tireless efforts to surmount these obstacles and then to go on to achieve great things both in and out of QVCC. Special thanks to Liberty Bank for their continued recognition and support of our students through the QVCC Foundation ESL Fund.”
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