Finish up regular season
It was the final tune up for the Woodstock Academy Prep 1 soccer team prior to the Prep Premier League playoffs in New Jersey next weekend.
The Centaurs finished the regular season with a 13-0-1 record with a 3-0 win over Putnam Science Academy.
While it was a victory by shutout and the Centaurs did put forth a dominant effort, not all were satisfied.
The Centaurs got off to a fast start as Harrison Vail, who had just missed a header for a goal moments earlier, set up to the left of Putnam Science keeper Gabe Sacconi on a corner. David Cho sent the ball over the top of the Mustangs’ defense and Vail was able to chip it in.
The Centaurs struck again 15 minutes later when Alec Pentikis saved the ball from going out over the end line, turned and sent the ball to Cho who scored from 20 yards out.
The only other tally for Woodstock came off an own goal from Putnam Science Academy with eight seconds to play.
The Centaurs will travel to Tilton Falls, N.J., for the PPL semifinals. They will be the top seed from the East Region.
“We’re looking forward to the opportunity,” said Woodstock Academy coach Owen Finberg. “It will be my first time there. I’m sure it will be very nice. Capelli has done a great job as our sponsor in terms of apparel and they have a lot of different initiatives and the complex they have is one of them.”
In addition to the Prep Premier League playoffs, there will be a variety of other teams on hand playing showcase matches. The Centaurs Prep 2 squad will be involved in a couple of those.
Following the match with Putnam Science Academy on Friday, the Centaurs honored their seniors. It was the first Senior Day event for Finberg and his staff. Jaiden Banton, Addison Bergin, Charlie Bragg, Francesco Colantuoni, Daniel Covelli, Jasper Cox, Da Costa, Ahir Dixon, Lucas De Pedro Sanchez, Calvin Field, Ignacio Hahn, David Lee, Sten Lehmann, Hendrix Mota, Pentikis, Vail, Daniel Valdes, and Alessandro Zannoni were all recognized for their achievements.
Prep 2 Team Falls
It’s never easy to beat a team three times in a season. The Prep 2 soccer team found out how difficult it was as it fell to Putnam Science Academy Sunday in the Global Education Sports Partners League championship match, 2-1.
The Mustangs went up 1-0 in the first half and held the advantage through halftime. The Centaurs tied the match on a goal by Matias Solano, his fourth of the season. But just a little over halfway through the second, PSA scored what proved to be the game winner. The Centaurs advanced with a 5-1 semifinal win over St. Thomas More Saturday.
Daniel Mesa Blazquez and Jorge Castellanos each had two goals while Jasper Cox had three assists. Xahvi DaRoza added a goal and Jack Buyers an assist for the Centaurs in the win. The Centaurs will finish up the fall season with a couple of showcase matches this weekend in New Jersey.
Marc Allard
Director of Sports Information
The Woodstock Academy
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WOODSTOCK — Michael A. Campbell “Peach” 58, of Woodstock died Nov. 8, 2023, at Day Kimball Hospital in Putnam. Born in Putnam on May 27, 1965, he was the son of the late Robert L. Sr. and Odena B. (Audette) Campbell.
Peach attended St. Mary School and was a graduate of Putnam High School. He was a communicant of St. Mary Church of the Visitation. Peach was an avid sports fan and loved all the Boston sports teams. He was a dispatcher and dispatch communications supervisor for the Putnam Police, Fire and Ambulance for 38 years. Peach was a member of the Knights of Columbus where he helped with benefits to raise money in the community.
He leaves his siblings Donna Young (Doug) of Woodstock, Bob L. Campbell Jr. of Putnam; aunt Sister Louise Audette; nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts and uncles.
He was predeceased by a sister Karen Paquette.
Visitation is from 9 to 10:30 a.m. Nov. 18 at Smith and Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam. A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11 a.m. at St. Mary Church of the Visitation, Putnam, with burial in St. Mary Cemetery.
Donations: Putnam Police Department, 189 Church St., Putnam, CT 06260; Knights of Columbus, 68 Providence S., Putnam, CT 06260; or Woodstock Volunteer Fire Association, 399 Route 169, Woodstock, CT 06281.
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Thur. Nov. 16
Thanksgiving Dinner Signup
PUTNAM --- The Putnam Lodge of Elks’ free Thanksgiving Dinner will be held from noon to 2 p.m. Nov. 23. Delivery can be arranged. For info and to arrange delivery, call between 3 and 8 p.m. seven days: 860-928-3901. Must RSVP by Nov. 16.
Sat. Nov. 18
Bake, Craft, Tag Sale
ABINGTON --- The Abington Congregational Church will hold a Bake, Craft and Tag Sale from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the church.
Turkey Distribution
PUTNAM --- The Danielson Veterans Coffeehouse will be distributing turkeys at 2 p.m. at the Putnam Farmers Market Pavilion. Do not start lining up until 1 p.m. There will be one turkey per car plus a bag of potatoes, stuffing and green beans. One turkey per car, no exceptions.
Collecting Toys
PUTNAM --- The Danielson Veterans Coffeehouse will be collecting toys for the Marines Toys for Tots program from 10 a.m. to noon at the Putnam Elks Lodge 574. Please donate a new unwrapped toy. Last year the Toys for Tots program provided toys for 12,368 children in Windham County. Toys donated in Windham County stay in Windham County.
Thur. Nov. 23
Thanksgiving
PUTNAM --- The Putnam Lodge of Elks will hold its annual Free Thanksgiving Dinner from noon to 2 p.m.
Fri. Nov. 24
Santa Coming!
PUTNAM --- Santa Lights Up Putnam will be held at 4 p.m. in front of Jewett City Savings Bank in the Riverfront Commons. Sponsored by the Putnam Recreation Department, WINY Radio, Jewett City Savings Bank and the Putnam Fire Department.
Sat. Nov. 25
One-Day Sale
PUTNAM --- The Aspinock Historical Society will hold a one-day-only sale from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Municipal Complex.
Sun. Nov. 26
Dazzle Parade
PUTNAM --- The 22nd annual Holiday Dazzle Light Parade will step off from Grove Street at 5 p.m. and go through downtown Putnam. Rain date: Dec. 3. Presented by WINY radio, the Town of Putnam and Green Valley Crossing.
Tues. Nov. 28
Program
PUTNAM --- The Day Kimball Healthcare @ Home Hospice & Palliative Care Program manager will present “Meeting You Where You Are. Supporting People with Serious and Terminal Illnesses” from noon to 12:30 p.m. in the first floor Community Room at the Municipal Complex. All welcome.
Wed. Nov. 29
Support Presentation
KILLINGLY --- “Lunch and Learn at The Library Meeting You Where You Are will present “Supporting People with Serious & Terminal Illness” from noon to 1:30 p.m. at the Killingly Library. RSVP by Nov. 27 to: Laura Kroll, RN, BSN. 860-576-4930.
Sat. Dec. 2
Art/Craft Show
E. WOODSTOCK --- The East Woodstock Congregational Church will hold its annual Holiday Art/Craft Show from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Holiday Fair
POMFRET --- The annual Saint Nicholas Victorian Fair in Pomfret will be from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Dec. 2 (snow date: Dec. 9) at Christ Church in Pomfret. Besides the fund-raiser fair to support community outreach, there is also an online Silent Auction Nov. 18 – 29. Auction purchases should be picked up in person at the Fair on Dec. 2. The auction is accessible at www.biddingowl.com/ChristChurchPomfret. It goes live Nov. 18 at noon and closes at noon Nov. 29.
Sun. Dec. 3
Tree of Life
The DKH 34th Annual Hospice Tree of Life Ceremonies will be held at 5 p.m. in 11 towns throughout northeastern Connecticut. The purchase of memorial lights on each community's Tree of Life benefits Hospice & Palliative Care of Northeastern Connecticut. For info: daykimball.org/treeoflife.
Concert
CHEPACHET --- The Music at the Meeting House will present its Christmas Concert, “silent Night, Joyful Night: The Christmas Carols of Northern Europe” at 2:30 p.m. at the Chepachet Baptist Church on Rt. 44. Free. All welcome. Freewill offering will be taken. Refreshments. Chepachetbaptist.org
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captions:
Ryan Walsh with his fire department family.
Ryan Walsh with his family. Linda Lemmon photos.
Protecting the
community —
A noble
commitment
By Linda Lemmon
Town Crier Editor
PUTNAM — It was a solemn — and joyful event. A story of commitment — and families.
The swearing in of Ryan Walsh as deputy fire marshal was so much an ode to commitment and families that two more rows of chairs had to be put out. His “DPW family” was there. His Putnam Fire Department family was there. His wife and children were there. His parents were there. His bosses were there. Town officials were there. Yes, indeed, two more rows of chairs needed.
Walsh has served 18 years in the Putnam Fire Department, 13 years in the Air National Guard and six years as a maintainer for the town.
Each speaker keyed in on his commitment to the town. Putnam Mayor Barney Seney said “when you talk about someone who serves his community, you’re talking about Ryan. Everybody around him knows he’s a hard worker.”
Seney added, “You might have three jobs but you’re not leaving Putnam!”
Fire Marshal Scott Belleville also spoke of Walsh’s commitment. Walsh, for example, recently completed a program on Codes. A commitment as the state classes ran 11 weeks, eight hours a day. And that’s just one of many programs Walsh must take.
“Fire marshal. Protecting the community. This is what we do. This is why we do it,” Belleville said. “This is a huge commitment,” he added.
Belleville half joked that fire marshals walk into a building and immediately look up – checking for sprinklers, smoke detectors and more. “This is how we’re trained.” That keeps the community safe. It’s a serious, heavy mantle — fire prevention.
After Walsh was sworn in by Town Clerk Christine Bright he thanked his colleagues and his “families” for supporting him in his commitment to his community.
Belleville said, “What you are doing is noble.”
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