By Ron P. Coderre

It’s crunch time for the high school girls’ basketball teams as they position themselves for the CIAC Tournament.  

Tourtellotte with a 10-3 log is the only team that’s qualified to date.  Plainfield with seven victories needs one more win in its final six games to qualify.  That appears to almost be a certainty for the Lady Panthers.  Putnam and Woodstock, each with six wins, appear to be in a precarious position as both require two victories.  Putnam has seven games to accomplish the feat, while Woodstock must do it in six games.

Ellis Tech at 0-13 is out of contention, while Killingly at 3-11 needs a miracle to make the tourney list.

Marianapolis V1 and Pomfret, much like their male counterparts, appear to be in contention for league postseason play.  Hyde-Woodstock and Marianapolis V2 are struggling for wins.

Tourtellotte Reaches 10 Wins with Victory over St. Bernard

Tourtellotte, playing without head coach Carla Faucher, gave assistant coach Dawn Poirier her first high school coaching victory with a stunning 35-32 win over St. Bernard in Uncasville.  Trailing 25-20 entering the final quarter, the Lady Tigers rose to the occasion, outscoring the hosts 15-9 in the final eight minutes to secure the victory.  Assistant coach Poirier is 1-0 in her career and Tourtellotte is 10-3 on the season and 4-0 atop the Eastern Connecticut Conference Small Division.

Point guard Abby Poirier was the lone Lady Tiger in double figures but she received support from Allie Ablondi (8 points), Deanna Lazzarra (6) and Jess Dodd (6).  Earlier in the week Tourtellotte rolled over Ellis Tech 52-22 as Maegan Roy had 14points in leading the way to victory over the Lady Eagles.

In its other games, Ellis Tech lost to Norwich Tech 45-17 and to Parish Hill 45-13.  

Plainfield scored 49 points in each of its games last week, one resulted in victory while the other a loss.  The Lady Panthers opened with a 49-28 win over Woodstock Academy as Adrienne Lorange’s 15 points quelled the Lady Centaurs.  Against a good Bacon Academy team, a fourth quarter offensive drought doomed Plainfield as it went down 59-49.  Madeline Lorange had 14 points for the Lady Panthers in the losing effort.

Woodstock, striving to make the CIAC Tournament pulled off a 52-47 rewarding win over Killingly.  The victory puts the Acads at 6-8 on the year.  Colleen Topliff with 16 points and ‘long range bomber’ Rebecca Messier with 15 markers were the top gunners for coach Willie Bousquet.  Meagan Bianchi and Megan Vertefuille each had a dozen for the Redgals.  In its other game of the week, Killingly lost to Fitch 43-38 to fall to 3-11 on the season.

Putnam struggled on offense as it posted a 1-2 week.  The Lady Clippers lost to Bartlett High School 29-17 and MLC 21-16.  Holy Family Academy fell behind Putnam 14-6 in the first period of that contest and never scored another point, as the Lady Clippers won 45-6 to raise their record to 6-7 overall and 5-2 in the Constitution State Conference –East.  

Pomfret and Marianapolis V1 Pick up Key Wins

The Marianapolis V! team raised its record to 9-7 with a satisfying 53-35 win over Cheshire Academy on the road.  Caroline Soucy, who is emerging as an offensive threat for Marianapolis was the Lady Knights high scorer with 19 points.  Rachel Aho recorded a double-double with 12 points and 15 rebounds.  The MPS V2 unit fell to 2-6 when it was dropped 51-19 by Miss Hall’s School.

Pomfret School went on the road to Suffield Academy and came home with a 48-41 win to go to 7-4 on the season.  Juliette Lawless was the top gun for the Lady Griffs with 22 points, while Deja Ross added 15.

Hyde-Woodstock lost to the Williams School 27-24 despite a10-point effort by Dossou Ndiaye.

 

 

 

By Ron P. Coderre

 This week’s RPC column is dedicated to Thompson resident Cosmo Quercia.  A little known fact about the affable Quercia is that he was a vaunted running back during his high school days at Norwich Free Academy and went on to play college football at Central Connecticut State University.  Today Quercia and his trusty camera can often be found at local sporting events taking photos of current day athletes, as he’s turned photography into his new passion in retirement.

During the past decade Brad Favreau’s name has been associated with real estate sales.  The Woodstock resident has realized success because of his outgoing personality and ability to create relationships.  To the surprise of many, in early January Favreau announced a career move from real estate to baseball.

Although the move may seem foreign to some, it’s not too farfetched for Favreau, who is returning to a career he enjoyed out of college.  Although baseball seems like it’s home run away from what he was doing, it’s not.  He’s assuming the full-time position of director of Business Development for the Connecticut Tigers, “selling baseball.”

Favreau’s new position allows him the opportunity to promote Tigers baseball and the many other uses that have made Dodd Stadium a venue that has also served high school, college and American Legion Baseball as well as being used by community organizations.  He’ll also serve as a pseudo ambassador in continuing to strengthening relations with surrounding communities.  When he graduated from college he previously worked at Dodd Stadium for the Norwich Navigators, so his new position should be comfortable to him.

Despite enjoying success in real estate Favreau appears very comfortable in the realm of sports and baseball.  A 1988 graduate of Woodstock Academy where he starred in basketball, baseball and soccer, Favreau played one season of college basketball at Becker College in Worcester.  He’s a 1993 graduate of Keene State University with a degree in sports management and a master’s degree from UConn.

Favreau also serves as assistant softball coach at Woodstock Academy, which he’ll continue to do.  He has extensive coaching experience in softball, basketball and soccer, having previously worked at Griswold and Ellis Tech.  He and his wife Amy, an administrator at Woodstock Academy, live in Woodstock with their three children, Guerin (11), Lennon (9) and Campbell (6).

Baseball Coaches Convention A Success

The Mohegan Sun World Baseball Coaches convention, which attracted more than 1000 baseball and softball coaches from around the country and the world, is officially in the record books.  According to organizers Pete and Andy Walker and Roger LaFrancois, the convention in its 11th year was another success.  Among the speakers were current Major League players Eric Campbell of the Mets, Nick Ahmed of the Houston Astros and Dominic Leone of the Seattle Mariners.  Former Big League players Bruce Hurst, Bob Tewksbury  and Jack Morris were featured presenters along with Boston Red Sox bench coach Torey Lovullo.

TriTown American Legion Baseball coaches John Foucault and Mike Carignan were among the many attendees on hand to take in the wide variety of programs that were offered.

N. Grosvenordale Demolition Derby

On a humorous but serious note, Cumberland Farms on Route 12 in North Grosvenordale had an unexpected intruder Jan. 17.  The well known Stan Lesniewski, a former Eastern Board umpire and Thompson Youth coach, hit the wrong pedal as he approached the store for his Saturday morning coffee and newspaper.  The mistake resulted in Lesniewski’s vehicle going through the plate glass and ending up with the front end of the vehicle in the store and the rear end in the parking lot.

Fortunately neither Lesniewski nor anyone in the store was injured.  He was able to finish his business after a brief investigation by State Police determined it was purely accidental.  Although it was no laughing matter at the time, Lesniewski, as you might imagine, has received his fair share of heckling from his friends, including RPC, since the incident. 

PSA #3 in Latest Prep Rankings

The latest Next Up Recruits Post Graduate Prep School National standings that were recently released has the Putnam Science Academy Mustangs of coach Tom Espinosa occupying the #3 spot in the nation.  Brewster Academy and Notre Dame Prep of Fitchburg, Mass., two future PSA opponents are ranked #1 and #2 respectively.

Elev8 Prep of Florida is #4 followed by Hargrave Academy and Northfield Mt. Hermon, two teams the Mustangs have beaten.  St. Thomas More of Oakdale, a team that PSA lost to by one point, is #7 followed by IMG Academy of Florida, a team the Mustangs have beaten.  South Kent School is #9 and Fork Union, another PSA victim, round out the Top 10.

Sporting a 19-2 record, Putnam Science Academy appears poised for its second trip to the National Prep Championships scheduled for sometime around March 10.  There’s still plenty of basketball to be played before the Mustangs reach that point of the season.

New York Football Giants

 Connected To Putnam

The New York Football Giants looking to rebound from a down season have made some adjustments to coach Tom Coughlin’s coaching staff.  News last week out of the Big Apple indicated the Giants were bringing back Steve Spagnuolo as the team’s defensive coordinator.

Spagnuolo, who is 55, most recently was a defensive assistant with the Baltimore Ravens.  During his 34-year coaching career, Spagnuolo had a stint as the head coach of the St. Louis Rams.

Spagnuolo was born in Northbridge, Mass., and spent his youth in Grafton.  He played college football at Springfield College.  His parents Robert and Angie Spagnuolo are Putnam residents.

News on the College Front

There’s a familiar face on the bench at Nichols College basketball in Dudley, R.J. Evans, the former Norwich Free Academy great, who scored more than 1000 points at Holy Cross and had a successful post graduate season at UConn, now has a role with the Nichols College Bison.  Evans is an assistant coach for the 11-4 Bison, who are a perfect 8-0 in the Commonwealth Coast Conference.

Paul Brooks, the 6-foot, 9-inch former Putnam Science Academy center, continues to shine at Worcester State University despite the Lancers dismal 3-13 record.  In a recent loss to Bridgewater State, Brooks turned in a stellar performance scoring 22 points on an 11-13 effort, while also collecting 14 rebounds.

At Quinnipiac University, ex-Marianapolis big man Ousmane Drame continues to impress.  Drame registered another double-double with 12 points and a season-high 19 rebounds in a 73-59 win over Manhattan.  The 11-5 Bobcats of coach Tom Moore also received a double figure performance from former PSA center Chaise Daniels.  The 6-8 freshman had a career high 11 points on a 5-for-8 shooting night.

RPC’s Closing thought For The Day: Look for something wonderful to happen to you and it will happen.

(If you have news worthy sports information email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.)

 

 

Herbert Kummings,

WWII vet

DAYVILLE —  Herbert A. Kummings, 86, of Putnam Rd., formerly of Florida, died Jan. 24, 2015.  He was the husband of the late Joyce (Aubuchon) Kummings, Irene (Corbett) Kummings, and Helen (Gile) Kummings.  

Born in 1928 in Holyoke, Mass., he was the son of the late Andrew and Isabella (Gasching) Kummings.

Mr. Kummings was a proud veteran of WWII serving for two terms with the U.S. Navy aboard the USS Waldron, USS W. Keith, USS Grand Canyon, and the USS Arcadia.

He worked for many years as a mechanical engineer at the Hartford Civic Center. He enjoyed tennis, working on his computer, and was an avid ballroom dancer. 

Herbert leaves two sons David Kummings of Bradington, Fla., and Kirk Kummings of W. Springfield, Mass.; two daughters Karen McGlynn of Dayville and Kyle Kohlrush of Westfield, Mass. ; three sisters; seven grandchildren Douglas, Lindsey, Jeffery, Kristen, Christopher, Alyssa, and Bethanie,; 10 great-grandchildren; and his faithful pet tiger cat Libby. He was predeceased by a son Douglas Kummings; and two daughters Gail Kummings and Lynn Schweitzer. 

Visitation is from 9 to 11 a.m. Jan. 31 in Gilman Funeral Home, 104 Church St., Putnam, followed by a funeral service in the funeral home at 11. Donations: St. Jude Children’s Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105. 

 

Richard P. Bertrand

PUTNAM —  Richard P. Bertrand, 64, of Bibeault St., died Jan. 22, 2015, in Day Kimball Hospital.  He was the husband of the late Maureen (Parker) Bertrand.  Born in 1950 in Putnam, he was the son of the late Richard and Cecile (Hamel) Bertrand.

Mr. Bertrand worked as an auto body technician for Precision Collision.  He was a car enthusiast and enjoyed fishing.

He leaves his sons, Scott Bertrand and his fiancé Tina Erskine from Thompson, and Arron Bertrand of Fredericksburg, Mo.; his daughter, Shannon Harris (Richard) of Dayville; his sisters, Dorothy Therrien-Kulaga of Thompson, and Sharon Berube of Danielson; his grandchildren, Michael, Austin, Juliette, Devon, and Davon.  

Gilman Funeral Home, 104 Church St., Putnam.

 

Lucille J. Lalumiere

PUTNAM — Lucille J. Lalumiere, 85, of Putnam, formerly of Danielson, died Jan. 18, 2015, at Matulaitis Nursing Home. Lucille was the wife of Gerard R. Lalumiere who died Oct. 8, 1994.

She was born July 3, 1929, in Putnam, daughter of Alfred J. and Eva (Laflamme) Beaupre. A devoted Catholic, she was a communicant of St. Mary Church of the Visitation in Putnam, and St. James Church in Danielson, and attended the Putnam Catholic Academy. Lucille had made her home in Danielson most of her life. She was a perfectionist at knitting and crocheting. She was known to many as Memere Lu. Her greatest love was her family, her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, they always came first in her life. 

She leaves her daughters Linda Hall of Putnam, Diane Oppert of Thompson; five grandchildren, six great-grandchildren, many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her sister Irene LaBelle.

The Mass of Christian Burial was Jan. 21 at St. Mary Church of the Visitation, with burial in Holy Cross Cemetery, Danielson. Donations: St. Mary Church of the Visitation.  Smith and Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam.

 

Gerald H. Tetreault,

WWII vet

PUTNAM — Gerald “Gerry” H. Tetreault, 89, of Putnam, died Jan. 16, 2015, at Mansfield Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation after a lengthy battle with Alzheimer’s disease. 

 He was born Nov. 25, 1925, son of Henry and Dora (Gadbois) Tetreault. 

He made his home in Putnam, and was a graduate of Putnam High School.  He was a veteran of WWII, serving with the U.S. Navy as Gunners Mate Third Class on the USS LST 601.  He was a member of the Putnam VFW.  He worked as a plumber, bridge builder and foreman for Brunalli Construction, a model maker at EB and Kaman Aircraft, ending his career at Shaw Stationers.  Gerry was always there to lend a willing hand and to help out in any way he could, quietly and in his own gentle way.  He guided and continued to teach life lessons to the very end.  

He leaves his daughter Janice Tetreault and son-in-law Brian Krystof and special nephew Alan Joslin (JoAnne); other nieces and nephews and their spouses. He was predeceased by his wife Elinor (Joslin) Tetreault, brother Paul, sister Phyllis, and stepfather Joacquim “Jack” Bicho. 

Graveside services will be at 11 a.m. April 25 in Grove Street Cemetery, Putnam.  There are no calling hours.  Donations: Alzheimer’s Association, 2075 Silas Deane Highway, Suite 100, Rocky Hill, Ct 06067; or the Day Kimball Hospital Chaplaincy Program, PO Box 632, Putnam, CT 06260.  Smith and Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam.

 

Rose Donais

PUTNAM — Rose (Salvas) Donais, 87, died Jan. 16, 2015, at Westview Nursing and Convalescent Center, Dayville.  

She was the wife of the late Roger Donais who died in 2005.  

She was born in St. Roberts Quebec and was the daughter of the late Joseph and Florida (Petrin) Salvas and but lived in Putnam most of her life. She loved swimming and swam with friends at the Southbridge YMCA Senior group. She loved her vegetable and flower gardening. She attended barber school in Hartford, becoming the first women barber in Windham County. She was a barber with her husband in Putnam where they owned and operated Roger’s Barber Shop.   

She leaves a daughter Diane D. Kipper of Putnam; a brother Paul Salvas; a sister Yvonne Paul, both of Quebec, Canada

She was buried in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Putnam. A Celebration of her Life will be held at 1 p.m. Jan. 31 at the Little River Acres Community Hall, 207 Sabin St. Donations: Regional Community YMCA, PO Box 188, Putnam, CT 06260. Shaw-Majercik Funeral Home, Webster.

 

Nancy Marschall

WESTER — Nancy J. (Lenz) Marschall, 80, died Jan. 20, 2015, at Lanessa Extended Care.

Nancy was born July 30, 1934, in Stamford, daughter to the late Richard and Dorothy (Rothacker) Lenz; just a few years after marrying her husband in 1957, she and Fred moved to Webster in 1960.  

Nancy came to befriend many people in the area, and became an active member of the community; she worked, for many years, as an insurance adjuster for NGM Insurance. 

She belonged to the Webster Fish & Game Club,  and served as a past president of the Webster Emblem Club; she also attended Putnam Baptist Church.  

She leaves her husband, Frederick Marschall III, with whom she enjoyed nearly 60 years of marriage; two daughters: Stacey L. Moran and Kellee J. Tella, both of Putnam; six grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her brother, Robert Lenz.  

The funeral was Jan. 24 with burial in  Mount Zion Cemetery, Webster.

Donations: Putnam Baptist Church, Church St. Putnam, CT. Shaw-Majercik Funeral Home, Webster.  

 

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