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Hockey Action
Woodstock Academy's Will Smith and Tyler Huhtanan fight for the loose puck. Courtesy photo.
POMFRET — Feb. 8 the Woodstock Academy Ice Hockey team found out yet again that you can’t win hockey games sitting in the penalty box. It’s something the young Centaurs have struggled with all year and other teams are finding ways to exploit that tendency.
The result was a loss in a crucial game against the Taconic Braves from Pittsfield, Mass., by a score of 3-2. Taking advantage of the Centaurs’ inability to stay out of the penalty box with one power play goal and two goals with a two-man advantage Taconic recorded only their third victory of the season.
Looking to improve their record to 5 and 5 Woodstock quickly took a 1-0 lead behind a Jon-Luc Cournoyer slap shot. Woodstock then suffered a barrage of penalties, 8 in the second period alone allowing Taconic the opportunity to score two second-period power play goals. Woodstock would fight back and even the score 2-2 with Nathan DeLuca taking a pass from Jordan Lamothe late in the third period. However Woodstock took three more penalties and allowed another power play goal that put Taconic up for good 3-2. Woodstock pulled their goalie with 1:38 left and desperately tried to even the score but had difficulty maintaining possession to sustain or get any kind of shot off. The Centaurs are now 4 and 6 with 5 games remaining three against the Division leaders.
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AMENDED
LEGAL NOTICE
Town of Putnam
Water Pollution
Control Authority
WATER/SEWER
COLLECTIONS
The January 2014 billing of water and / or sewer collections for the Town of Putnam WPCA is due and payable on January 1, 2014 through February 18, 2014.
Payments made after February 18, 2014 will be subject to an Interest charge of 3% (1.5% per month) or $2.00 minimum whichever is higher, according to Connecticut State Statute SEC. 12-146.
Mail must be postmarked no later than February 18, 2014 to avoid interest charges.
OFFICE HOURS:
Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Jan. 22, 2014
Feb. 13, 2014
Legal Notice
Town of Putnam
Zoning Board
of Appeals
The Town of Putnam Zoning Board of Appeals will hold a meeting on February 18, 2014 at 7:00 P.M. at the Town Hall located at 126 Church Street, Putnam, CT. A public hearing will be held on the following:
Appeal # 2013-006: Scott Barylski/Blue Skies Enterprises — Appeal from the Decision from the Zoning Enforcement Officer to store and sell ammunition. Property located at 176 Church Street, Town Assessor’s Map 011-135,.Zoned C-1.
Joseph Nash,
Chairman
Feb. 6, 2014
Feb. 13, 2014
By Ron P. Coderre
Much like water, which seeks its own level, or cream that rises to the top, the high school girls’ hoop season is heading to the wire and the local teams are making their beds so to speak when it comes to postseason tournament play. Most teams have about three games remaining on the regular season schedule and those who are ‘in’ and those who are ‘out’ know who they are with the exception of Putnam High School, which remains on the tourney cusp.
The “ins” includes Tourtellotte and Plainfield. Numbered among the “outs” are Woodstock Academy, Killingly and Ellis Tech. The Lady Clippers must capture one more victory in their final four games to qualify for the postseason.
In the prep ranks, the Marianapolis I unit and Pomfret School continue to play winning basketball, while Hyde-Woodstock and the Marianapolis II team are struggling at best.
Lady Clippers Enjoy Successful Week
The Putnam High School Lady Clippers came within a mere two points of enjoying a perfect week, as they captured a pair of wins after falling to Classical Magnet 38-36 on a last second shot.
After falling behind 23-16 at intermission the Lady Clippers behind Cynthia Briere’s 13 points and Makenzie Kaylor’s 10 markers made a valiant second-half comeback outscoring Classical 20-15 only to lose on a Nika Orsaris floater at the buzzer.
The determined charges of coach Mandi Hogan came back with victories over Parish Hill (43-32) and Grasso Tech (45-22) to raise their record to 7-9 and 5-3 in the CSC – East. Kaylor with 18 points was the top gun in the Lady Clippers arsenal in the win over Parish Hill, as she received support from Briere, who added 14 points. Briere led the way in the win over the Techsters with 14 points.
Tourtellotte and Plainfield, who have already qualified for postseason play, were 1-1 on the week. The Lady Tigers were dropped 37-27 by St. Bernard but bounced back with a 59-42 win over Wheeler to go to 12-5 on the season and 5-3 in the ECC Small Division.
The offense never got into gear against the Saints as the Lady Tigers were unable to post a quarter in double figures in the loss. Three players were in double figures in the win over Wheeler, led by sophomore Abby Poirier (15 points) and Ali Ablondi and Jess Dodd with 14 points apiece.
Plainfield started the week on a high note, besting Montville 55-49 only to be disappointed, losing 66-58 to Stonington. Adrienne Lorange with a big 21-point offensive showing led the Lady Panthers over Montville. She was joined in double digits by Alicia Cournoyer (10) and her sister Madeline Lorange who also chipped in 10 points. Julie Jordan was the lone Plainfield performer in double figures with 10 points in the loss to Stonington. Plainfield is 9-8 overall and 2-6 in the ECC Medium Division.
Woodstock dropped to 2-16 and 0-9 in the ECC Large Division as they were beaten 53-18 by East Lyme and 46-39 by Fitch. The young “Bousqueteers” of coach Willie Bousquet showed a glimmer of hope against Fitch as Taylor Littell and Becky Messier both posted 16 points in the losing cause.
Killingly (1-15 and 0-8 ECC Medium) was on the losing end of games against Stonington (56-43) and Waterford (56-35). Meagan Bianchi with 23 and 10 respectively continued as the Redgals top offensive performer. Ellis Tech plods along on it woeful season losing to Holy Family 51-16 and Parish Hill 49-8. The Lady Techsters are 0-14 and 0-7 in the CSC – East.
Light Schedule for Preps
Marianapolis I advanced its record to 13-4 overall and 12-3 in the NEPSAC – A with a pair of convincing victories. The Lady Knights opened with a 57-40 win over Lincoln School with sophomore Madison Springfield providing the fire power on a 16-point performance. She also had nine boards in the win.
In a walk in the park, coach Lauren Moore’s team destroyed Miss Porter School 82-30. Rachel Aho with 27 points led the way offensively. Caroline Soucy chipped in 17 points and Jill Bodreau 13 as the Lady Knights allowed the bench to see plenty of playing time.
Pomfret School went to 12-3 on the season with an overtime 71-59 victory against Williston Academy. Four Golden Griffin players accounted for 69 of the team’s 71 points. High flying Alyzae Davis was the top scorer with 25 points, followed by Juliette Lawless (20), Rebecca Erosa (13) and Mary Redmond (11).
Hyde-Woodstock mirrored the stock market last week, dropping two games to dip to 4-9 on the year. The Wolfpack was beaten by Wheeler School 45-23 and Southfield Academy 50-34. Janicha Diaz with 12 and 20 points respectively was the Hyde high point producer.
Scoring Leaders: Meagan Bianchi – Killingly – 15.4; Janicha Diaz – Hyde-Woodstock – 15.0; Alyzae Davis – Pomfret School – 14.9; Ali Ablondi – Tourtellotte – 13.7; Juliette Lawless – Pomfret School – 13.3.
Three-Point Leaders: Mary Redmond – Pomfret School – 28; Ali Ablondi – Tourtellotte – 27; Adrienne Lorange – Plainfield – 21.
RPC’s Super Standings: Marianapolis I – 13-4; Pomfret School – 12-3; Tourtellotte – 12-5; Plainfield – 9-8; Putnam – 7-9; Hyde-Woodstock – 4-9; Marianapolis II – 3-8; Woodstock Academy – 2-16; Killingly – 1-15; Ellis Tech – 0-14.
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Visiting
Sam and Cathy Markley with the UConn Lady Huskies. Mariah Jefferson, Sam’s favorite Husky is standing to his right. Courtesy photo.
By Ron P. Coderre
This week’s RPC sporty shout out is sent along to one of Putnam High School’s finest graduates, Michael Artiaco. Today Artiaco spends the majority of his time at J. D. Cooper’s Restaurant where he is the head chef. On February 11 “Artie,” as he’s referred to by his close friends, blew out another candle on the cake.
Around the Marianapolis Prep campus he’s respectfully referred to as “G” by the administration, faculty, students and athletes. Eric Gustavson has earned the right to be known by a single letter for the outstanding career he’s had on Thompson Hill as a teacher, coach and athletic administrator.
In January Gustavson’s notoriety spread to the statewide level as he received long overdue recognition for his hard work and dedication to Marianapolis athletes and in particular to those who play soccer.
In a ceremony held at the Aqua Turf Club in Southington Gustavson was honored when he received the Connecticut Soccer Coaches Association most prestigious award, being named the Prep Coach of the Year. This season, Gustavson’s 32nd as the Marianapolis soccer coach, he led the Golden Knights to a 19-5-2 record and a 9-0-1 log in the SENE. His team captured the SENE championship and was accorded the honor of hosting a playoff contest in the New England Prep School Athletic Council (NEPSAC) for the first time in approximately 10 years.
But the Gustavson story on the scenic sprawling Marianapolis campus is more than simply as a soccer coach, although in his tenure of coaching the teams on the pitch he’s won almost 350 games. Recognized at the school that was founded in 1923 as a dedicated educator, he’s a beloved history teacher that students often return to the school to thank for the impact he’s had on their lives.
He’s also doubled or tripled, if you would, as the school’s athletic director, a position that he finds time to do with great skill and a sense of humor.
For all he’s done at Marianapolis, Gustavson finally received his due when he won the statewide honor. Although he hasn’t done everything he’s done for recognition it did bring a smile to his face and a grateful “thank you.” Known around the campus as “G” maybe the letter should be extended to “Gee,” as one ponders how he manages to do all he does with perfection and professionalism.
R.I.P. “Shrubs”
The news of the death of Richard “Dickie” “Shrubs” Breton slowly made its way up the East Coast and as it reached Putnam it had a rippling effect on his many friends in Putnam and surrounding communities. “Shrubs” can best be described, for those who didn’t know him, as a character. One whom they threw the mold away when he was born to Albert and Bertha Breton from the Walnut St. section of Putnam. He was nicknamed “Shrubs” in reference to his physical stature, which was short and rotund.
Despite his lack of tallness, “Shrubs” was a very good athlete as a young man. One story that sticks in my mind about him occurred when he was in the Putnam Little League. As the youngest of five Breton children, his dad died when young “Dickie” was about 12 years old. His family insisted that he continue to play Little League prior to his dad’s funeral. And if memory serves me correctly, a young man mourning the death of his father led his team to victory that evening as he slammed a home run. A four bagger that had to be in honor of his father, I surmise.
Later in life Breton became known around New England as one of the region’s finest chef’s and restaurant entrepreneur’s. Following his culinary career he retired to the Naples, Fla., area. My last memory of “Shrubs” goes back to a Florida vacation many years ago where we dined together with his good friends from Putnam Peter and Joan LeClair. The thing that’s most memorable about that get together is the enjoyable evening with tons of laughs, because when you were with “Shrubs” life was always upbeat and fun filled.
“Shrubs,” you’ll always be remembered as the kid who hit the home run despite the heavy heart and the guy who was always fun to be around. God Speed, good friend.
Perfect Practice
Sam Markley of Danielson is one of northeastern Connecticut’s biggest UConn basketball fans, especially the Lady Husky hoops. Markley and his wife Cathy were honored for their faithful support of the program when they were invited to an open practice as part of the University’s Sports Marketing Partner Services.
The Markley’s were able to sit through the entire practice at Gampel Pavilion as they marveled at the way coach Geno Auriemma puts his young ladies through their paces. The most enjoyable part of the two-hour session came when Sam and Cathy were invited to have their photo taken with the Lady Huskies.
Sam’s comment, “Boy, these girls are tall.”
Honors for Centaur Nation
Two individuals from Woodstock Academy were recently notified of honors they received for their hard work and athletic prowess, one as a student/athlete and another as a coach.
Emily DeLuca, a member of the Centaur’s field hockey team, was honored as a High School National Academic Squad recipient as selected by the National Field Hockey Coaches Association. DeLuca was chosen based on her play on the field and her outstanding work in the classroom where she carries a GPA of 3.5 or better.
The other Centaur who received special recognition was golf coach Rich Garceau, who was named the 2013 Outstanding Coach of the Year for the Connecticut High School Coaches Association. Garceau, who has turned out championship teams and golfers who have gone on to play in college, will be honored on May 8 in a ceremony at the Aqua Turf Restaurant as the Connecticut Golf of the Year.
Back in Action
It’s great to see Eastford resident Phil Willis back walking Sports Avenue. Willis was sidelined with a serious medical condition, which he has recovered from following months of intense therapy. The popular Willis is one of northeastern Connecticut’s real “good guys.” For many years he was the backbone of youth soccer leagues in the area. Most recently he was the moving force in raising fund for the new basketball floor at Woodstock Academy. He’s also been instrumental in helping to move the Regional Community YMCA forward. It’s nice to see you back in action, Phil.
From The Annals Of Putnam Sports History
February 1906: Putnam High School basketball team defeated Phi Alpha Pi of Southbridge, 60-20. (Information contributed by Willie Zamagni)
RPC’s Closing Thought For The Day: Getting old is when you bend down to tie your shoe and you look around to see if anything else needs to be done while you are down there.
(If you have sports items worthy of publication please e-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. )
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