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PSA’s Varsity team earned some time away from the gym this past weekend. Four games in five days will do it you, which is what the Mustangs’ schedule had them facing.
It started well with a pair of wins – 57-39 Monday and 76-68 Wednesday – before they got worn down at the end of the stretch in a pair of losses – 78-51 on Thursday and 61-51 Friday.
“We struggled a little bit in the Thursday game,” coach Andrew Robinson said, “but I like how we’re playing. The guys get after it and they’ve been getting better.”
Julien Ville had a team-high 16 points and Martyn Poliuchovic added 13 and six rebounds as PSA cruised to the win Monday. Vlad Vetrov had eight points and 11 rebounds for PSA (9-9), which jumped out to a 15-0 lead and never looked back.
Amyas Hall-Chiari led the way Thursday against Wilbraham & Monson, scoring a career-high 30 points. Shane Sebastian-Smalls finished with 14 points and seven rebounds, while Poliuchovic added 12 and seven. Ilan Da Silva-Alp chipped in with 12 points on four 3-pointers.
Ville was back at it Thursday, dropping 20 points in the loss to Redemption. Friday against Fessenden, Hall-Chiari had 14 points, Sebastian-Smalls added 12, and Poliuchovic finished with 11 points.
The Elite team won a pair of games on the weekend, knocking off Immaculate Heart (110-88) Saturday and Newman School (87-69) Sunday. The Mustangs (15-5) got something from just about everybody throughout. Jalen Claude had 25 against Immaculate Heart, while DJ Germann, Sebastian Fermin, and Octavius Wheeler had 14 points apiece, and Javelle Epps and Carter Mungin both finished with 12 points.
Sunday, it was Wheeler scoring a team-leading 21, while Mungin got 20 points, and Epps finished with 19. PSA’s girl’s team split its two games. Kate Lipatova made four 3-pointers on her way to 14 points, but it was her 18 rebounds that led the way for PSA to get the 60-44 win over Busche Academy Thursday. Carlota Lopez was dynamic again as well, finishing with 22 points, 10 rebounds, and seven assists, while Alicia Jimenez added nine points in the win. Saturday, PSA (9-15) couldn’t hold on to a late lead and fell 50-49 to St. Luke’s, snapping its three-game winning streak.
Stephen Nalbandian
Sports Information Director, Putnam Science Academy

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History talk set
PUTNAM — The Aspinock Historical Society will present a special talk on Putnam native Henry Breault at 10:30 a.m. March 9 at the Municipal Complex.
It will be presented by Ryan C Walker Navy Veteran PhD. candidate at the University of Portsmouth.
Breault received the Medal of Honor on March 8, 1924. He saved his shipmate, Lawrence T. Brown during a collision between the USS O-5 submarine and United Fruit Company’s Abangarez on Oct. 28, 1923. The O-5 was in disabled submarine status for over 30 hours while the Panama Canal Zone community moved earth and water to save him. After the rescue, Brown said Breault’s selfless decision to close a hatch saved his life. Breault continued to serve in the USN until his death on Dec. 5, 1941.

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John W. Barnes, WWII veteran
CHEPACHET — John W. Barnes, 96, a lifelong Chepachet resident, died Feb. 2, 2024. He was the husband of the late Irene M. (Winsor) Barnes. Born in Chepachet, he was a son of the late Fred A. and Clara U. (Peckham) Barnes.
Mr. Barnes was the founder in 1966 of J.B. Concrete Products, now a third-generation company. He served his country in the US Navy during WWII. He was a longtime member of the Thornton Beagle Club, Foster, and past member of the Blackstone Valley Beagle Club, Victory Sportsman Club and the Eastern CT Beagle Club. He was a lifetime member of the Narragansett Saltwater Fishing Club and a longtime avid snowmobiler.
He was the father of John W. Barnes (Heather) of Putnam, Sandra J. Barnes of Chepachet, Patricia I. Barnes of Brooklyn, Polly S. Barnes of Chepachet and the late Peter C. C. Barnes, Christopher S. Barnes and Tracey J. Barnes. He was the brother of the late David Barnes, Edgar Barnes, Raymond Barnes, Robert Barnes, Nancy Vaughn, Helen Galichant, Donald Barnes and James Barnes. Mr. Barnes is also survived by eight grandchildren, five great-grandchildren and his three Beagles (Buddy, Samantha and Dillon).
His funeral will be at 10 a.m. Feb. 9 in the Tucker-Quinn Funeral Chapel, 643 Putnam Pike, Greenville, R.I. Burial with military honors will be at Acotes Hill Cemetery, Chepachet. Visitation is from 5 to 8 p.m. Feb. 8. Donations: Friends of Animals in Need (animalsinneedri.com) and The National MS Society.

Susan L Beausoleil
PUTNAM — Susan (Crabtree) Beausoleil, 74, of Maynard St, Putnam, died Jan. 30, 2024, at home surrounded by her family. She was the wife of Gerard ‘Jerry’ Beausoleil for 52 years. Born Feb. 12, 1949, in Putnam, she was the daughter of Irene A. (Niles) Crabtree and the late Walter R. Crabtree Sr.
Susan worked as a third-grade schoolteacher for many years. She also held the position of Sterile Supply Technician at Day Kimball Hospital and was a Connecticut certified driver Ed. instructor.
She leaves her son, Gregory Beausoleil (Lauren) of Putnam; two daughters, Andrea Devlin (Sean) of Putnam, Melissa Beausoleil of Ellington; two brothers, Walter R. Crabtree Jr. (Denise) of Dayville, Peter Crabtree (Sue) of Liberty, Va; three sisters, Gail Daigle (Gil) of Oak Harbor, Wash., Betty Delhaie (Richard) of Darien, Ga., Joan Carter (Vance) of Danielson; four grandchildren, Brady Devlin, Nicholas Devlin, Greyden Beausoleil and Kailer Beausoleil; .
A Memorial Mass was Feb. 3 at St. Mary Church of the Visitation, Putnam, with burial at St. Mary Cemetery in Putnam. Donations: The charity of your choice. Gilman and Valade Funeral Homes and Crematory, 104 Church St. Putnam.

Whitby K. Ellsworth
PUTNAM — Whitby K. (Kimbell) Ellsworth, 90, of Fox Road, former owner and operator of National Chromium Co., in Putnam, passed away on Jan. 24, 2024, at the solar home that he designed more than 40 years ago. He was the loving husband of Joanna Rodensky.
Born in 1933 in New York City, N.Y., he was the son of the late Francis “Pete” Ellsworth and Jim (Kimbell) Loeser.
A graduate of Collegiate School in New York City, he attended Cornell University.  He was an inveterate adventurer, who motorcycled, sailed, and then drove (with a succession of trailers, lovingly known as ‘the Donkey’) around the country. He was particularly partial to the Southwestern U.S., where he often traveled with Joanna and, for too short a time, their beloved Golden Retriever Humphry. During those trips, he further developed his expertise as a photographer, a passion that he pursued throughout the years, always seeking to learn about ever-changing techniques. So too he was a passionate silversmith and woodworker. Even in his last days, he could be found in his overstocked workshop, finishing up projects and welcoming many people (his implicit motto was “Come one, come all!”) into his space. Ever curious, he was committed to remaining current and maintaining an open-mindedness that created meaningful and diverse social connections.
He was an indefatigable mentor, in particular to his close friend and later neighbor Arthur Fairthorne, who worked for Whitby for a short time before purchasing National Auto Dealers Service, Inc. from Whitby.
He took great care of his family and extended family, ready to drop everything to work on any problem. Known far and wide as a big tipper, enthusiastic wine-buyer, and over-explainer, Whitby manifested a sensitivity to the world around him and those in it. His large circle of friends and loving family attest to the difference he made in the world.
Whitby leaves his wife, Joanna Rodensky; his son Campbell Ellsworth (Natalia Bard) of Cambridge, Mass.; Joanna’s children, Michael Rodensky of San Jose, Calif., and Lisa Rodensky of Newton, Mass.; brother Charles MacDonald; his grandchildren, Paris Ellsworth, Jonah Ellsworth, Ida Ellsworth, Whitby Ellsworth, Adam Ross, Alyson Ross, Emma Rodensky, Sam Timbers, Ben Timbers and his cherished caretaker Lucy MacWilliams. He was predeceased by his son, Alan Ross, and his brothers, George MacDonald, and Albert MacDonald.
A celebration of life in Whitby’s honor will be held at a later date.  Gilman and Valade Funeral Homes and Crematory, 104 Church St., Putnam.

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Wed.  Feb. 7
Quilt Exhibit
PUTNAM --- An exhibit by Laura Salo, “The Year Through Quilts,” runs through March 30 at the Corridor Gallery in the Municipal Complex. The show is sponsored by the Putnam Arts Council. For hours and more information please visit PutnamCtArtsCouncil.com.

Exhibit
POMFRET --- The Edwin Way Teale Artists-in-Residence Program’s “Trail Wood Reflections” exhibit, written and visual works inspired by residencies during the summer of 2023, will run through March 2 at the Connecticut Audubon Society Center at Pomfret on Day Road. 860-928-4948.

Art Exhibit
THOMPSON --- The Friends of the Library at the Thompson Public Library will present, as part of its Art @ the Library and Display Case series, “Hippie at HeArt,” artwork by Wendy Hicks through Feb. 28. A reception will be held from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Feb. 12. 860-923-9779

Sat.  Feb. 10
Fire and Ice
PUTNAM --- The Putnam Business Association and the Town of Putnam will present Fire and Ice starting at noon around downtown.

Popcorn Sales
PUTNAM --- Scout Troops 25 & 66 will be selling popcorn from noon to 9 p.m. during the Fire & Ice Fest in downtown Putnam.

Bake, Tag Sale
POMFRET --- The Abington Congregational Church on Hampton Road will hold a winter bake and tag sale from 8 a.m. to noon. Snow date Feb. 17.

Thur.  Feb. 15
Program
THOMPSON --- The Thompson Public Library and the Thompson Historical Society will present “The Great Awakening & How it Changed the Thompson Religious Landscape: Congregational, Methodist and Baptist Church History” from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Presented by Joe Iamartino.

'Into the Woods'
POMFRET --- The Pomfret School Theater will present "Into the Woods" at 7 p.m. Feb. 15, 16 and 17 in the Hard Auditorium. Free. All welcome. pomfret.org.

Sun.  Feb. 18
Open House
POMFRET --- The Windham-Tolland 4-H Camp Open HHHouse, Taft Pond Road, will be held from 1 to 3 p.m. Meet staff, camp tour, registration materials available. Early bird discounts end Feb 29.

Thur.  Feb. 22
Bird Walk
PLAINFIELD --- The Connecticut Audubon Society at Pomfret Center will present a Plainfield Fish Hatchery Bird Walk at 9 a.m. $10 for CAS members; $20 for nonmembers. Register: 860-928-4948.

Sat.  Feb. 24
Owl Walk
POMFRET --- The Connecticut Audubon Society at Pomfret Center will present an owl walk at 7 p.m. $10 for CAS members; $20 for nonmembers. Register: 860-928-4948.

Baked Potato
PUTNAM --- Boy Scout Troop 21 will hold a Baked Potato Buffet fund-raiser from 5 to 7 p.m. in the St. Mary of the Visitation Hall. $10 per person.

Poets at Large
POMFRET --- Poets at Large will host a spoken word and poetry performance from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Vanilla Bean Café. $10 admission. For info or to sign up to take part: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Sun.  Feb. 25
Fund-raiser Dinner
PUTNAM --- Putnam - Paws Cat Shelter is hosting a pasta dinner fund-raiser from 5 to 6:30 at Knights of Columbus on Providence Street. Eat in or take out. Tickets are $15 each and are available at the Paws Cat Shelter in Woodstock, Knights of Columbus in Putnam and Joseph Jewelers in Putnam. 860-315-1228.

Sat.  March 2
Prayer Service
DANIELSON --- The Danielson United Methodist Church, 9 Spring St., will be holding a World Day of Prayer service written by Christian Women of Palestine. The program starts with a Palestinian luncheon at noon, followed by the service of scripture and song around the theme, "Bear with one another in love". 860-779-2018.

Sat.  March 9
Breault Program
PUTNAM --- The Aspinock Historical Society will present a special talk on Putnam native Henry Breault at 10:30 a.m. at the Municipal Complex. Presented by Ryan C Walker Navy Veteran Ph.D. candidate at the University of Portsmouth. Breault received the Medal of Honor on March 8, 1924. He saved his shipmate, Lawrence T. Brown during a collision between the USS O-5 and United Fruit Company's Abangarez on Oct. 28, 1923. The O-5 was in a disabled submarine status for over 30 hours while the Panama Canal Zone community moved earth and water to save him. After the rescue, Brown reported that Breault's selfless decision to close a hatch saved his life. Breault continued to serve in the USN until his death on Dec. 5, 1941.

Sun.  March 10
Fund-raiser Dinner
PUTNAM --- Chrome N’ Steel Veteran Riders will hold a roast beef dinner from 5 to 10 p.m. at the Putnam Elks. Dinner at 6. Benefits CNS Fund-raisers. 860-942-0061.

Sat.  March 23
Easter Bunny
PUTNAM --- The Putnam Parks and Recreation Department will present “Greet the Easter Bunny” at 10 a.m. at the Municipal Complex. Recommended for ages 10 and younger. Photos, free chocolate bunnies and the Putnam Little League will offer an Easter Egg Hunt on the lawn (inside in case of inclement weather) for a minimum $3 donation. All proceeds benefit the Putnam Little League.

Sat.  April 20
International Day
PUTNAM --- The Putnam Business Association will present International Day.

Sat.  May 18
Fairy Fest
PUTNAM --- The Putnam Business Association will present a Fairy and Magic Fest.

Sat.  June 22
Arts Fest
PUTNAM --- The Putnam Fine Arts and Crafts Festival will be held June 22 and 23 at the Municipal Complex.

Sun.  Aug. 11
Pluck a Duck
PUTNAM --- The Putnam Business Association will present Pluck a Duck Aug. 11 and 12.

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