Softball Wrap-up

Heading to

Disney World

By Ron P. Coderre

Although the Woodstock Academy softball team is headed to Disney World during the school spring break, the team remained focused during a week in which it played four games.  The team posted a 3-1 week against a variety of competition.

The team and coaches Jay Gerum and Brad Favreau have worked hard to 

raise the $20,000 necessary to make the trip to Orlando, Fla.  While in the Sunshine State the team will play Piqua, Ohio and Chariho, Rhode Island high schools before taking in the sights and sounds of Disney and vicinity.

Two teams that are surprising in the early season are Ellis Tech and Killingly High School each posted 2-1 marks last week.  The two are enjoying unaccustomed success.  Putnam had a 1-1 week, while Tourtellotte was 1-2 and Plainfield 2-1.  Marianapolis suffered through winless week.

Lady Centaurs Proving 

They’re for Real

When Woodstock softball coaches Jay Gerum and Brad Favreau took over the reins of the team they promised to build a competitive program.  That promise is becoming a reality as the team is 4-2 overall and 1-2 in the Eastern Connecticut Conference – Large Division prior to departing for a Florida spring trip.  

The Acads opened the week with a 9-3 victory over a competitive Killingly team.  Rylee Hehir, headed to NCAA Division II Seton Hill in September, led the way to the win with her bat and arm.  She pitched a complete game and had two hits and scored two runs, while Jordyn Staveski also had a pair of hits.

Behind the complete game tosses of Angela Caponi the Lady Centaurs shutout Ledyard 9-0.  She struck out 11 Colonels in the win.  Courtney Trahan was 2-for-4 with two RBI to pace the offense.  

Later in the week, Hehir pitched Woodstock to a 4-2 hard earned victory over Tourtellotte.  She allowed only one hit while striking out 14 Lady Tigers.  In the only game the Centaurs lost, they were edged by ECC – Large Division leader Norwich Free Academy 3-0.

Killingly turned things around after being beaten by Woodstock, picking up a pair of victories.  The Redgals took nine innings to get by Montville 4-3 in a big win.  Ashley Viellette scored the winning run after opening up the bottom of the ninth with a booming triple.  Viellette was also the winning pitcher, going all nine innings.  

After going nine innings against Montville, Killingly took the measure of Windham 19-4 in a game called after five innings by the “mercy rule.”  Madison Weaver was the hitting star for Killingly, which is 3-1 overall and 1-0 in the ECC – Medium.

Ellis Tech pulled off a rarity, beating Putnam 10-6 behind Sydney Tetreault who had three hits and three RBI for the Golden Eagles.   Kristin Light was the complete game winner.  Ellis Tech then took a surprising 13-12 loss at the hands of Grasso Tech.  In a five inning contest shortened by the “mercy rule” the Golden Eagles flew past Prince Tech 22-3, raising their record 2-1 overall and 1-1 in the CSC-East.

Following its loss to Ellis Tech, Putnam rebounded with a “mercy rule” 17-0 win over Academy of the Holy Family.  Mackenzie Livingston was the hero, tossing a no-hitter at Holy Family.  Along the way she had the unusual distinction of striking out all 15 Holy Name batters.  She was a one-person show, driving in six runs with the bat.  Julia Loomis and Rebecca Lopez got into the fun with three hits apiece.  Putnam is 2-2 overall and 1-1 in the CSC-East.

Plainfield had an up and down week.  The Lady Panthers beat New London 19-5 as Madison Kelley was 4-for-5 and three RBI.  Kat Devolve chipped in three hits and Kayla Rojas added a pair of doubles for the winners.  Later Plainfield was crushed by Norwich Free Academy 18-0 in a five-inning “mercy rule” game.  The Lady Panthers took out their revenge on St. Bernard, shutting down the Saints’ bats 17-0 in a “mercy rule” game as freshman Kacee Hirst tossed a no-hitter.  The young hurler also went 4-for-4 at the bat to pace the offense.  Plainfield is 3-2 on the season.

Tourtellotte, after losing a close game to Woodstock was demolished by Montville 17-2.  Against East Windsor the Lady Tigers found their bats, producing a 14-3 win.  The Lady Tigers, who are 2-2 on the season, scored 14 straight runs to start the game.  The hitting stars for Tourtellotte were Carinne Sosnowski, Crystal Daly, Lauren Ramos and Olivia Padula.  

Marianapolis dropped to 0-2 on the year when it was edged by Kingswood-Oxford School 12-11.

 

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Receiving

Lion Joyce Fall, left,  and gives a Putnam Lions Club donation to Kathi Peterson of the Interfaith Services. Courtesy photo.

 

PUTNAM --- April 15, the Putnam Lions and Putnam Leos, local organizations, charities and Lion’s charities celebrated the Putnam Lion’s Annual Night of Giving and more than $19,000 was given out.  

The Night of Giving is the culmination of a year of hard work and fund-raising events.  It is at this special event that the Putnam Lions and Leos give back to the community all the funds they have raised throughout the course of the year.  The $19,000-plus given out this year brings the Putnam Lion’s year-long donations to $21,890.

The organizations and charities have the chance to share what the donations go towards and how they have affected others lives.  For example, Kathi Peterson of Interfaith 

Services highlighted the Diaper Bank, explaining that they were now the only Diaper Bank for the entire Windham County.  In addition, the food bank has served 225 families and donations for the homeless were recently used to help improve lives.

Sarah Mortensen of NOW explained how NOW was providing healthy alternatives to playing video games all day.  The programs in nutrition, the introduction to various sports and the scholarships for youth to participate in sports all help to combat childhood obesity and to provide lifelong skills contributing to a healthy lifestyle.  

Some of the stories were as uplifting as Judith Gehrig of Community Cafe explaining how they’ve served over 11,000 meals and provided as many connections.  Some of the stories didn’t leave a dry eye, such as Annette Martel who spoke of her son as she accepted a donation from the Leos towards the Sunshine Kids.   Other people spoke of the triumph of the spirit and the help from their service dogs.  Kent Phyfe of Vet Dogs, Wendy Debaros of Fidelco and Ailene Akers of CRIS radio were all in attendance with their service dogs who are critical to helping their owners regain independence and confidence.

In all, 47 organizations attended the event.  They ranged from the Arc Quinebaug Valley, to the local schools’ groups, to Day Kimball Hospital organizations, to Lions’ charities.  The funds will cover everything from sporting endeavors to service dogs to help with health and eyesight to arts and entertainment.  

 

 

 

Joseph Pellecchia,

WWII vet

MELBOURNE, Fla. — Joseph John Pellecchia, 92, of Melbourne, formerly of Danielson, died April 8, 2016, in Roan Mountain, Tenn.

Joseph was the husband of the late Martha (Luty) Pellecchia. She died in 2007. He was born Dec. 19, 1923, in Plainville, son of Pasquali and Ginina (Ferraro) Pellecchia.

 Joseph was a communicant of St. James Church, Danielson. He owned and operated DSM Mechanical in Danielson for more than 40 years, retiring in 2006. He was a graduate of the Wilcox Technical School in Meriden as a sheet metal tech. 

Joseph was a veteran of WWII serving with the U.S. Navy on the USS Corbesier. He received an honorable discharge Nov. 15, 1945. He had made his home on Geer Road in Danielson most of his life, where he and wife operated a dairy farm that they enjoyed for many years. He liked fishing and spending time boating. In 2011 he relocated to Melbourne. 

He leaves his children, Joseph Pellecchia Jr. (Joanne) of Trumbull, Nancy Maciag (Peter) of Rockledge, Fla., Rosanne Bessenaire (Raymond) of Melbourne, Audrey Giambattista (Alan) of Killingly, Thomas Pellecchia of Rockledge, Fla., Martha Hickernell (dusty) of Fleetwood, N.C.; grandchildren: Joseph, III, Jonathan, Jennifer, Eric, Sarah, Brian, Kimberly, Aaron, Alicia, Amy, Andrew, Anthony, Andrea, Alexis, Jody, Morgan, Brandon, Dustin and Shelby; great-grandchildren: Jake, Norah, Jackson, Carter, Jacen, Cambell, Logan and Evelyan; daughter-in-law Sandy Pellecchia of Brooklyn; sister Carmella Matarazzo of Southington; sisters-in-law Shirley Pellecchia of Vernon and Linda Valancies of Melbourne. He was predeceased by children, Marjorie Iloff; Anthony Pellecchia, brothers and sisters, Rafael, Angie, Emma, Anna, Florence, Nazaire, Nunzio, and Albert.

The Mass of Christian Burial was April 15 in St. James Church, Danielson, with burial with military honors in Holy Cross Cemetery, Danielson. Gagnon and Costello Funeral Home, 33 Reynolds St., Danielson.

 

Roland Bourget

WOODSTOCK —  Roland Bourget, 67, of Route 197 formerly of Woonsocket, died April 9, 2016, in Massachusetts General Hospital. Born Jan. 24, 1949, in Woonsocket, he was the son of the late Celina (Couture) Bourget.

Roland worked for TriMark as a truck driver for many years.  He enjoyed riding his motorcycle and playing with his grandchildren.

He leaves his lifelong companion, Constance Bourget; their two sons, Seth Bourget (Sara) of Woodstock, and Joel Bourget of Woodstock; his brother, Raymond Bourget of Woonsocket; his sister, Lorraine LaPlante of N. Smithfield, R.I.; and his four grandchildren, Mason, Cole, Reagan and Violet.

Visitation was April 14 in Gilman Funeral Home & Crematory, 104 Church St., Putnam, with private burial.

 

Rayna Desrosiers

PUTNAM —  Rayna Star Desrosiers, 16, died April 13, 2016, at Rhode Island Hospital in Providence.  She was born in 2000 in Rockville to Ray P. and Crystal (Wright) Desrosiers of Putnam.

Rayna was an extraordinary girl who lived an exuberant life. She had idiosyncrasies that not only made her who she was, but also made you reflect on your own character. Known for her whimsical personality, it wasn’t unusual to see Rayna dance to Taylor Swift’s music or find humor at ridiculous jokes. Her simplicity was praised not by materials, but by her joy, to dance, paint and play with dolls. She was passionate for Italy and romance movies and visiting the beach, because there were no bugs. She made many smile, left many wonderful memories and touched many lives. 

Besides her parents she leaves her younger brother: Austin Desrosiers; grandparents: Clayton and Shirley Wright, and William Rivera and Carol “Susan” Desrosiers; great-grandmother: Ruth Nik; her auntie Julie Wright-Maddan (Antonio), auntie Angela Eckenroth (Matt), uncle Jeremy Desrosiers, auntie Bridgette Guzman, auntie Cassandra White and her cat Jinx.  She is predeceased by her great-grandparents Frank Nik, Eleanor and Norman Wright.

Visitation is from 3 to 8 p.m. April 21 in the Gilman Funeral Home, 104 Church St., Putnam. A gathering will begin in the funeral home at 10 a.m. April 22 followed by a service in the funeral home at 11. Burial to follow in St. Mary Cemetery.  Donations: The Tomorrow Fund, 593 Eddy Street, Providence, RI 02903. 

 

Karen J. Budney

DANIELSON — Karen J. (Aldrich) Budney, 61, of Cook Hill Rd., died April 14, 2016, in Hartford Hospital.  She was the wife of Brian D. Budney.  Born in 1954 in Putnam, she was the daughter of the late Charles E. Aldrich and Pauline A. (Hart) Aldrich Weaver.

Mrs. Budney worked for many years as an accountant at the former City Beverage.

She leaves by her husband and a sister Melody Louiselle of Putnam. 

A graveside service was April 16 in St. Joseph Cemetery in Dayville. Gilman Funeral Home, 104 Church St., Putnam.

 

Sam V. Dauphinais 

PUTNAM — Sam Vincent Dauphinais, 23, died unexpectedly April 12, 2016, at home.

Sam was born Jan. 31, 1993, in Putnam, — on Super Bowl Sunday. He was employed at Kochek Co., Inc., in Putnam. He was an avid Green Bay Packers fan, and was fortunate enough to watch his favorite player, Bret Favre have his number retired at Lambeau Field, in Green Bay, together with his childhood and life-long friend, Brandon Winter. 

Sam loved razzing his dad about football, as his father is a huge NE Patriots fan. Aside from football, Sammy liked the Boston Red Sox & Celtics. He enjoyed the outdoors, from the mountains to his shared love of the ocean with his mom, Lisa, and any related activities; his favorite among those, was playing Frisbee golf with his brother Josh, and cousins Shane Davis of Pomfret and Jesse Davis of Dayville and his buddy Steve McMillan, of Dayville and many more. 

As much as Sam enjoyed sports and outdoor activities, what he treasured most, was time spent with his 2-year-old son Oliver, and his grandfather/best friend “Bob” Robert Leclair of Putnam. 

Though Sam’s physical heart may have needed some medical assistance, it needed no help in the outpouring of love. Sam’s legacy will live on through his gift of organ donation. 

In addition, he leaves behind his mother Lisa Trottier of Putnam; his father Neil Vincent Dauphinais and Karen Bush of Putnam; his son Oliver Vincent Dauphinais and Oliver’s mother Jackie Chase of Danielson; his brothers Joshua Morse of Putnam, Ryan Dauphinais and Corey Cyr of Putnam; his grandmothers Leonie Dauphinais of Putnam and Elaine LaBarge (Kevin) of Southbridge; great-grandparents Jean and Robert Trottier of Whitinsville, Mass.; uncles Brian Murray of Cumberland, R.I., Oscar “Billy” Murray, of W. Newton, Mass., Mark Dauphinais of Greenfield, Mass., and Tony Dauphinais, of N. Hampton, Mass., and cousin “auntie” Jenny Szruba, of Putnam.

Visitation is from 10 a.m. to noon April 20 in Gilman Funeral Home, 104 Church St., Putnam followed by a service in the funeral home at 12:30. Interment to follow in  St. Mary Cemetery, Putnam and reception afterwards, at the Knights of Columbus on Providence Street.  Donations: Sam’s GoFundMe page, set up by his good friend Justin Mayo, at (link): https://www.gofundme.com/ujywc7zg (or at GoFundMe.com - under ‘Help with Sam’s Expenses’) Proceeds will be used to cover services expenses, and any remaining funds will be used to create a fund for Sam’s son Oliver. 

 

Kerry Ann Northridge

WOODSTOCK VALLEY — Kerry Ann (Gurl) Northridge, 52, died April 15, 2016, at home, after a brief illness. She leaves her husband James B. Northridge and daughter Emma, both of Woodstock Valley and her parents Francis R. and Margaret (Reboulet) Gurl of Hudson, Mass.

 She was born in 1963 in Melrose, Mass., and raised in Hudson. She attended local Catholic school, and graduated from Hudson Catholic High School in 1981. She attended Northeastern University and graduated from Babson College in 1985 with a bachelor’s degree in marketing. She earned her Jurist Doctorate degree from UConn School of Law in 1995. She worked for Liberty Mutual Insurance Company, and the law firm of Avis & McGrail. More recently she was a partner at Avis & Northridge. She prided herself on her knowledge of the law, and was always eager to share that knowledge with her colleagues and many friends of the Massachusetts Workers’ Compensation Bar.

She leaves three sisters: Peggy Gurl of Florida, Patty DeSantis (Keith) of Hudson, and Kathy Boutwell-Gibson (Ken Gibson) and their son Christopher Boutwell of Hudson. She was predeceased by her brother Fran.

A Mass of Christian Burial was April 20 in St. Mary Church of the Visitation with burial in St. Mary Cemetery. Donations: Charity of your choice. Valade Funeral Home, 23 Main St., N. Grosvenordale.

 

David Rhynhart

PUTNAM —  David Rhynhart, 64, of River Road, died unexpectedly April 11, 2016. Born in 1951 in Waterbury,  he was the son of the late Kenneth G. Rhynhart Sr. and Rose Marie (Neveu) Rhynhart.

Mr. Rhynhart worked as a self-employed carpenter.  He also worked for Joy’s Orchard for many years.  A self-taught musician, David enjoyed playing the guitar in several local bands.  He also enjoyed surfing.

He leaves his sister, Judith D. Rhynhart of Putnam; his brother Kenneth G. Rhynhart Jr. of Lowell, Vt.; 10 nieces and nephews, John Coderre, Deborah Yakis, Kurt Rhynhart, Geoffrey Coderre, Erich Rhynhart, Hans Rhynhart, Monique Sisson, Karl Rhynhart, Roxanne DeOliveira, and Nadine Gray.

A celebration of his life will be held at a later date.  Gilman Funeral Home & Crematory.

 

Daniel Dube

DUDLEY — Daniel Dube, 68, died April 11, 2016,  at the Rose Monahan Hospice Residence in Worcester after a battle with cancer.

Daniel was born  in Worcester, the son of the late Raymond A. and the late Josephine M. (Stearns) Dube.  

He graduated from Auburn High School and Quinsigamond Community College. He played hockey in high school and well into his 30s in company leagues. He lived some 20 years in Spencer and enjoyed coaching Little League in Spencer and Charlton for more than 15 years. 

He was a team leader with  Access TCA,  he retired in 2010. Daniel was a communicant of Sacred Heart Church.

He leaves his wife of 49 year’s Nancy (Tebo) Dube , two sons: Daniel Dube Jr. of Putnam, and Matthew Dube of Spencer, Mass.; two daughters: Tammy-Lynn Chace of Orange, Mass., and Elizabeth Dube of Auburn, Mass.; one brother: Gerald Dube of Worcester; two sisters: Joan Morse of Ocala, Fla., and Dorothy Champagne of Auburn; grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by brothers Lawrence and Paul Dube and sister Lee Dube LaLiberti.

A Mass of Christian Burial was April 13 at Sacred Heart of Jesus Church, Webster, with burial in Sacred Heart of Jesus Cemetery. Donations:  Problem Pregnancy   495 Pleasant St. Worcester Ma 01609.  Bartel Funeral Home & Chapel, Dudley.

 

Dianne Mitchell

DUDLEY — Dianne E. (Ziemba) Mitchell of Cortis Rd, died April 13, 2016, at UMass in Worcester, after being stricken ill at home.

Born in Southbridge, she was the daughter of the late Stanley Ziemba and Gladys (Finlay) Ziemba, Dianne was predeceased by her brother Stanley “Stashu” Ziemba.

Living her life in Dudley, Dianne was often seen outside working in her garden. Racing up the road on her four wheeler - always a camera in tow, she captured everyone’s lives through the lens of her camera. She enjoyed playing cards at the K of C in N. Grosvenordale, venturing off to shop, or meeting friends for a quick lunch. She loved buying toys for Colton - as long as he let her play with them too. Seeing the UPS or FedEx truck pull into her driveway was also one of the highlights of her day. 

She leaves her husband of 50 years Dwight (Butch) Mitchell; her daughter Lonna Battles (Chris) of Arlington, Mass., along with one grandchild, Colton Battles.

A Celebration of her life was April 18 at Bartel Funeral Home and Chapel, Dudley. Donations: Tri-Valley Inc. online at www.trivalleyinc.org or to the MSPCA at www.mspca.org.  

 

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Watch for

'Fairy Doors'

at 1st Fridays

PUTNAM — The May 6 First Fridays event is less than a month away, and  a group of artists have come together to create a series of stealthy Street Art projects for the season of events. To give Putnam residents and visitors a preview of some of the pieces the group has planned for the festival, the Street Art committee has created a series of tiny “Fairy Doors” which 

give a sneak peak of the cities First Fridays will celebrate over the six months, including: New York City, Chicago, Boston, Seattle, Nashville, and New Orleans. Over the upcoming weeks, those visiting Putnam’s downtown area are encouraged to look for Putnam’s “Fairy Doors.”

Each of the 12 doors has a story, creatively linking the materials, colors, and objects of the miniature entryways with the cities they represent. The doors will be hidden in plain sight and the Street Art Crew has created checklists with images of each door, to assist visitors of all ages who wish to find all 12. Below is a sampling of the stories that accompany the doors, many of which combine poetry to whimsically describe the doors and the cities they embody:

Time of our Lives Door – New York City – “This door looks like it is as old as time. Look - it’s almost midnight. You know what happens at midnight every year? That’s right - the magical, glowing ball drops in Times Square in New York City. A fun, exciting sight that makes us all welcome in a brand new year. How fitting it is that it happens in a city known for welcoming many of our ancestors to this great country. Party on, NYC! Have the time of your life.”

“Chicago Bean There?” Door – Chicago – “My name is Birdella Bean but my friends call me Birdie on account that my head is always in the clouds!  I live at 13 ATT Plaza Millennium Park Chicago  although I’ll be calling downtown Putnam my home for a while.  I’ve brought my front door with me, I kinda love the way it reflects who I am; see what I did there? wink, wink, nudge, nudge.”

Wizard of Oz Door - Seattle – “Not to make a spectacle, But an Emerald door appeared, Maybe from a star it fell, Or from a city near? It really was a miracle what happened was just this, The wind began to switch - the door, to pitch and suddenly the magic started to unhitch. And you could guess just which, What City is remise That lost their Emerald door, behold! To a location such as this.”

Saloon Door - Nashville – “Howdy pardners. Listen carefully and you might here some whoopin’ and hollerin’ coming from behind this little door. That’s because in this special salon you can belly up to the bar for some marshmallow floats, gumdrop fizzles and candy drop dreamsicles. You might have seen this door in your favorite western or on a visit to Nashville, Tennessee. And, now, here it is in Putnam thanks to a magical pile of wood, a little glue and some special clay. So saddle up your unicorn and kick your western imagination into high-ho gear as you swing open these doors!”