Delicate

One of the many handmade straw ornaments on the tree at Matulaitis. More photos on page 6. Linda Lemmon photo.

 

By Linda Lemmon

Town Crier Editor

PUTNAM --- Wispy snowflakes floated down onto the residents' tree at Matulaitis.  In the time it takes to walk up to the artificial tree, you'd expect those snowflakes to melt.

But they don't. Rather the Christmas tree is adorned with delicate straw ornaments, made by hand by Lithuanian nuns long ago.

Wendy Bither, activity director, said she's been working at Matulaitis for about 20 years and the ornaments were there when she arrived. She suspects the ornaments have been on the Christmas tree for the 40 years the facility has stood in Putnam.

Bither said the tree is erected two weeks before Christmas and remains for two weeks after Christmas.

Two types of straw ornaments grace the tree: those that are glued and those which are strung together.

She said because the delicate straw might be crimped by scissors, the nuns used a clever three-sided box with slits in it that hold the straw firmly while razors are used to cut the designs.

When the season is done, she said, the ornaments are carefully put away in large boxes with dowels inside. The ornaments are hung on the dowels for the off-season.

Bither said the residents do the decorating. Sister Bernadette is the Superior, Bither said.

 

 

PUTNAM — Putnam Arts Council President Karen Osbrey has been appointed to the Connecticut Arts Council.

 Osbrey, who co-owns WINY in Putnam, will succeed member Betty Hale, following her resignation. 

 Outgoing Senate President Don Williams made the appointment, noting his confidence that Osbrey’s “experience and knowledge will be of great value to the [Connecticut Arts Council].”

 “I’ve known Karen for over 30 years, and she is just amazing,” Williams said.  “[Osbrey] knows and cares about northeastern Connecticut so much. One of my goals has always been to make sure that our part of the state is well represented on the statewide boards and commissions. She will bring great expertise and knowledge of our area, and will stand up for our area on the Arts Council.”

Osbrey is a past president of the Putnam Business Association, sits on the Board of Directors for the Interfaith Human Services of Putnam, is the adviser to the Putnam Interact Youth Club, treasurer and past president of the QVCC Foundation and she co-chairs the Patient Advisory Council at Day Kimball Healthcare.  She is also a noted arts and education advocate in the region.

 The 13 members of the Connecticut Arts Council are tasked with “supporting the arts and establishing and managing a non-profit foundation” according to the State Offices of Culture and Tourism.

 Osbrey has been a driving force behind – and promoter of – the successful Putnam First Friday program, Putnam RiverFires and other events.

 Osbrey’s term is effective immediately, and runs through Sept. 30 of 2016.

 

 

Boys’ Basketball Wrap-up

Preps enjoy 

success while

high school

flounders

By Ron P. Coderre

Boys’ high school basketball tipped off the 2014-2015 season in gloomy fashion as most local schools that hit the hardwood were unable to hit the win column.  Five high schools, Woodstock Academy, Killingly, Tourtellotte, Putnam and Plainfield combined for a first week record of 0-7.  Surprisingly the only high school to post a victory was Ellis Tech, which took the measure of Tourtellotte.

The preps schools, rushing toward the holiday break, were busy with Pomfret, Hyde-Woodstock and Putnam Science Academy posting a combined 6-3 log.  The PSA Mustangs continued their spectacular play, closing out the first half of their schedule with three victories.  The Scientists of coach Tom Espinosa go home for holiday break at 12-1 and ranked 5th in the nation.

Pomfret School picked up a pair of wins, while Hyde-School struggled at 1-3 for the week falling to 2-5 on the season.

Mustangs Running Wild

Putnam Science Academy concluded a three-game week with an impressive victory over a good Wilbraham & Monson Academy 77-68 in the St. Andrew’s Classic.  The victory was a complete team effort, as six players hit the scoring column with four in double figures.  Leading 40-37 at intermission the Mustangs put together a solid second half behind the play of point guard Kealen Ives who had 22 points, 10 assists and five rebounds to lead the way.  He was joined in double figures by Hamidou Diallo with 19 points.  Also in double digits and turning in impressive floor games were Mamadou Diarra with 12 points, 10 rebounds and five blocked shots and Josh Wallace with 11 points and five caroms.  The Robinson twins Andrew (7 points) and Aaron (6) rounded out the scoring.

Coach Espinosa’s charges started the week with a 64-45 win over Spire Institute of Ohio.  Diallo with 19 markers and Andrew Robinson with 18 were the team’s top point producers.  The victory was followed by a 64-54 win over Thetford Academy of Canada at the Western New England Basketball Hoopfest.  Wallace came off the bench and sparked the offense with 15 points.  Ives was also in double figures with a dozen points.

Pomfret School entertained its neighbor Hyde-Woodstock in a contest of two Rte. 169 schools.  The Griffins came away with a 66-58 win behind 24 Cam Winston points and 18 from Gerald Blount.  The Griffs traveled to West Hartford for the Paul Francis Kingswood-Oxford Tournament and turned away Rye Country Day 69-59 despite trailing by one point at intermission.  Winston was immense in victory with 32 points for the 3-2 Griffs.  

The Hyde-Woodstock Wolfpack then lost two consecutive games 71-61 to Salisbury School and 72-63 to Williston-North Hampton.  Damon Gomes posted 20 and 15-point performances in the losses.  The Wolfpack salvaged 7th place in the Bob Southall Classic with a 70-66 victory over Berkshire Academy.  Dexter Thompson with 24 points and Gomes with 17 were the high scorers for 2-5 Hyde-Woodstock.   

Ellis Tech Surprises Tourtellotte

Ellis Tech, which went 0-20 last season, opened the 2014-2015 season with a convincing 62-51 win over Tourtellotte.  The Techsters jumped out to 14-8 first period advantage and never looked back much to the delight of their faithful.  Marcus Lewis captured game-high honors with 19 points, followed by Pat Garrett (13) and Jay Hassett (10).  Tourtellotte then squared off against Lyman and could only muster 31 points as it fell 61-31 on the road to the Bulldogs.

Putnam opened its season looking like world beaters as the Clippers raced to an early 16-2 lead over visiting Wheeler and led 33-29 at halftime.  At the 5:37 mark of the third stanza, Wheeler took its first lead of the game 36-35 and raced to a 68-60 win over the befuddled Clippers.  Shawn Audette had 16 points to lead Putnam.

Woodstock Academy opened its season with a pair of heavyweight bouts and was staggered, losing to Norwich Free Academy 51-49 and to Springfield Cathedral 58-34 in the Basketball Tipoff at Western New England University.  

Plainfield opened at home to Waterford and fell 71-58 after trailing by one, 31-30 at halftime.  Steve Jankowski with 18 points was the Panthers leading scorer.  Killingly made the trek south to New London and was pounded by the Whalers 102-45.