caption, page 8:
Marc Ballart will serve as the Woodstock Academy prep soccer team’s captain this season. Photo by Marc Allard.
Prep soccer
returns for 2nd
Centaur year
Last year was an experiment. For a first time, Woodstock Academy fielded a boys’ prep soccer program.
It was a first not only for the school but also the new head coach. Joe Cherackal had been coaching soccer at Wesleyan University, working with, generally, American collegiate soccer athletes.
It’s a diverse group again this season. The primary language spoken on the field is Spanish as the majority of players are from Spain this season. There is also one from Mexico, two from Canada, a German goalie and a player from the Dominican Republic.
But, on the field, it can be difficult. Especially when it comes to building chemistry.
The Centaurs also have several players back for a second season including Marc Ballart who is the team’s sole captain right now. Also returning are Jordi Sanabra, Pol Saiz, Jesus de la Torre and Brian Manon.
The Centaurs started their schedule Sept. 8 with a 6-0 win over Pomfret School.
Rodrigo Minguela Martin, Saiz, Ballart, Danyil Uchytel, and Javier Menendez all scored and the Griffins helped a bit with an own goal. Martin dished out two assists and Menendez added one.
The Centaurs have 21 matches on the schedule currently and will likely play 23 prior to the Thanksgiving break.
But the big matches are not against a particular opponent or a specific result but rather how the team performs when the college coaches are in attendance.
Sept. 11 at Northfield-Mt. Hermon where the Centaurs played Milton School, 16 college coaches including two from the Atlantic Coast Conference, two from Patriot League schools and five more from smaller schools in New England were expected to be on hand.
Marc Allard
Director of Sports Information
The Woodstock Academy
Schedule: Thurs., Sept. 8: At Pomfret; Sun. Sept. 11: vs. Milton at NMH, 10:30 a.m.; Sat., Sept. 17: vs. Western Reserve at Westtown, Penn., 3 p.m.; Sun., Sept. 18: vs. Seton Hall Prep at Downington, Penn., 1:45; Wed., Sept. 21: at Northfield-Mt. Hermon , 3:30; Sat., Sept. 24: vs. RMPUS (Montreal) at Afrims, N.Y.,TBA; Sun., Sept. 25: vs. Western Reserve at Afrims, N.Y., TBA; Tues., Sept. 27: vs. St. Thomas More, 4; Thurs., Sept. 29: at Putnam Science Academy, TBA; Sun, Sept. 2: vs. Hoosac School, 3; Fri., Oct. 7: at South Kent School Tournament, 2; Sat., Sept. 8: at South Kent School Tournament, TBA; Thurs., Oct. 13: vs. Pathfinder Club, 3:30; Sat., Oct. 15: at Hoosac School (Hoosac, N.Y.), 3; Wed., Oct. 19: vs. Putnam Science Academy, 3:30; Sat., Oct. 22: at St. Thomas More, 1; Wed., Oct. 26: at Pathfinder Club (Pathfinder, N.Y.), 5:30; Sat., Nov. 5: League Semifinals, TBA; Sat., Nov. 12: League Championship, TBA; Mon., Nov. 14: at Post Univ. JV. TBA; Mon., Nov. 21: at Post Univ. JV, TBA; Nov. 25-27: EDP Showcase at Tuckahoe Turf Farms (N.J.), TBA.
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ROSEBURG, Ore. — Jonathan Peckham Tilley, 82, formerly of Mansfield and Putnam, died Aug. 28, 2022 died of Parkinson’s disease in Roseburg, Oregon.
Jon was born Nov. 1, 1939, the son of the late Dr. Winthrop and Emily Tilley. Jon was predeceased by his brother, Peter, who died in 1957.
Jon attended Mansfield Elementary and Middle schools and Windham High School. In 1956, Jon joined the Mansfield Voluntary Fire Company and was a life-time member. Subsequently, he joined the Marines and was honorably discharged.
Jon worked for the CT Department of Corrections in Tolland, New Haven and Brooklyn. He worked as a herdsman for several dairy farms throughout the U.S. He also worked for Curtiss Company of Cary Illinois.
Singing, dancing, and playing guitar, banjo, and mandolin were shared with family, friends, and any person who happened to join in.
Jon’s significant other was Julia Yarbrough for approximately 10 years; his childhood friends include Barry Burnham, Johnny Clark, and Brad Humes. (They have many fond memories of Jon and have stories to share); Jon’s daughters are Kathy Tilley of Washington, Bonnie Tilley of Georgia, and Chrissy David of Oregon; stepchildren are Donna Perkins, Ginny Eaton, Frank Sandberg, Skip Sandberg, and Cindy Sandberg. He was predeceased by his stepson Richard Sandberg.
A witness burial will be private at the Roseburg National Cemetery in Roseburg.
Donations: American Parkinson’s Association, 1450 Chapel St., New Haven, CT 06511; or to The Mansfield Fire Department, 4 South Eagleville Road, Storrs, Mansfield, CT 06268.
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caption:
Cross Country Captains
Woodstock Academy seniors Joel Koleszar, left, and Vincente Bastura will serve as captains for the boys’ cross-country. Marc Allard photo.
Preview
Strong five could
lead Centaurs
to better season
Comfortable. That’s the feeling Woodstock Academy boys’ cross-country coach Peter Lusa uses to describe his emotions heading into the 2022 season.
The Centaurs did lose their top runner from a year ago, Ian Hoffman — who finished sixth in the ECC championship and 16th in Class MM — to graduation.
But he has some athletes returning. “I’m happy with the core five that we have and a couple of the other kids that we have backing them up,” Lusa said.
It wasn’t like that at the beginning of the season.
The Centaurs had only a handful of runners come out but that number has blossomed to about a dozen.
Lusa does have a couple of potential frontrunners in senior Vincente Bastura and sophomore Christian Menounos.
Bastura finished 14th in the ECC championship race in 18 minutes, 40 seconds and was 24th in Class MM.
He, however, is feeling the push from Menounos. “Definitely from Christian, but it’s nice not to be alone,” Bastura said.
The senior said he did a lot more mileage over the summer but the work he did last winter and spring may prove to be even more beneficial --- shorter events in the indoor and outdoor track seasons.
Menounos finished 20th in 19:06 at the ECC and was 40th in MM.
Behind those two will be sophomore Colton Sallum, junior Charlie Caggiano and senior Joel Koleszar although Lusa would like to see those three challenge the top two.
“Here’s the nice thing, between Joel, Colton and Charlie, they will trade off, they will be tight. When the three come through, I think they will do so together. The first two open the door and then those three close the door and that could be OK in some cases. I don’t know what everyone else has,” Lusa said.
The Centaurs finished at the .500 mark, 6-6, last season but were just 1-5 in the Division I of the ECC. They beat Fitch in the ECC championship meet.
“I would love to be .500 in Division I and beat two of the other teams; I don’t know if we can beat all three of them. It will take a combination of our guys running really well and some teams having people who don’t,” Lusa said.
Another concern is the ever-present COVID threat. The Centaurs had two runners out last week due to the virus.
Schedule: Tues., Sept. 13: with Griswold at Waterford, 4:15 p.m.; Tues., Sept. 20: with Ledyard, Tourtellotte at E. Lyme, 4; Sat., Sept. 24: at Ocean State Invitational, TBA; Tues., Oct. 4: with Windham at Fitch, 4:30; Sat., Oct. 8: at Wickham Park Invitational, TBA; Tues., Oct. 11: vs. NFA, 3:45; Thurs., Oct. 20: at ECC Championship at Norwich Golf Club, 1.
Marc Allard
Director of Sports Information
The Woodstock Academy
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Wed. Sept. 14
Art Exhibit Program
THOMPSON -- The Friends of the Thompson Public Library will present another in its Art @ the Library, “The Nature of Things II” through Sept. 29. It includes photography by Janet L. McDonald and poetry by Karen Warinsky. Reception from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Sept. 15. In the Display Case for September: “Star-Spangled Banner” by Ida Ransom. 860.923.9779
Fri. Sept. 16
Circle of Fun
PUTNAM --- St. Mary Church, Putnam will be holding its 50th Circle of Fun Sept. 16, 17, 18. The 49th was delayed by the pandemic. There will be free entertainment, great food, beverages, games and rides, as always.
Circle Taking Part
PUTNAM --- The Daughters of Isabella is taking part in the upcoming Circle of Fun at St. Mary’s Church Sept. 16, 17 and 18. They will have a large basket raffle, bake sale, tag sale and more.
Sat. Sept. 17
Cat/Dog Food Collection
KILLINGLY --- Pet Pals Northeast will be collecting cat and dog food, dry or canned, Purina brands preferred, to help homeless and needy animals in our communities from 10 a.m. to noon at the Killingly Library. Cash donations always welcome. 860-317-1720.
Healthy Kids Day
PUTNAM --- The Hale YMCA Youth and Family Center is hosting its annual Healthy Kids Day from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. www.haleymca.org
Sun. Sept. 18
Lap the Lake
DAYVILLE --- The 10th annual NOW ~Lap the Lake~ Road Race & Walk fund-raiser. It’s a scenic 5K run and walk along private roads surrounding Alexander’s Lake. There is also a kids run. For info, to register or to be a sponsor, go to: nowinmotion.org
Walktober Bike Ride
POMFRET --- Quiet Corner NEMBA (New England Mountain Bike Association) will host its second annual Walktober Fun Ride on the new multi-use trail system at Pomfret Forest. All levels welcome to this annual fund-raiser. The ride starts at 9 a.m. A guided Beginner Ride will be available at 10. The cost is $10 for NEMBA members and $15 for non-members. To register for the event go to https://member.nemba.org/event-4937024. For info: TLGV.org.
Thur. Sept. 22
Closing Reception
PUTNAM --- A closing art show reception will be held from 7 to 8:30 p.m. for the “Dot Burnworth On The Wall” in the Corridor Gallery at Putnam Municipal Complex. It features the works of Dot Burnworth, owner of Sawmill Pottery in Putnam. This series from Dot’s creative mind and hands consists entirely of ceramic pieces to be hung on walls.
Author Series
WOODSTOCK --- The Bracken Memorial Library Author Series will present Martin Podskoch at 7 p.m. at the Palmer Memorial Hall. It’s free and open to all.
Sat. Sept. 24
Wee Walk
WOODSTOCK --- The Wyndham Land Trust’s family-friendly Wee Wander Walk, “Leaves and Mushrooms at Rapoport Preserve” will be held from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Dress appropriately and bring your camera. www.wyndhamlandtrust.org
Sun. Sept. 25
Car Cruise
BROOKLYN --- The Brooklyn Business Association and the Tri-State Cruisers will present the Brooklyn Car Cruise 2022 from noon to 4 p.m. at the Brooklyn Walmart. Benefits the Hole in the Wall Gang Camp.
Thur. Sept. 29
Roast Pork Dinner
WOODSTOCK --- The Senexet Grange on Rt. 169 will present a Roast Pork Dinner, eat in or take out, from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Reservations suggested but not required. 860-974-1053.
Fri. Sept. 30
Movie in the Park
PUTNAM --- Halloween Movie in the Park, Rotary Park at 6:30 p.m. (dusk). Rain date Oct. 14. discoverputnam.com
Sat. Oct. 1
Community Day
THOMPSON --- The 18th annual Thompson Community Day will be held from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Riverside Park. Rain date Oct. 8. 860-923-9440
Sat. Oct. 8
Historical Program
POMFRET --- The Pomfret Historical Society will present Connecticut State Historian Walter Woodward at 10 a.m. at the Pomfret Community & Senior Center on Rt. 44. Free. More info on the town’s website.
Sat. Oct. 22
Troubadours Concert
POMFRET --- The Pomfret Historical Society and Tyrone Farm are presenting a unique performance of Five Connecticut State Troubadours at 4 p.m. Oct. 22 in the Tyrone Farm Barn. Seating is limited. Tickets and complimentary youth passes are available on the Pomfret Historical Society website, pomfret-historical-society.org, and at the Vanilla Bean, Grill 37, Pomfret Wine and Spirits, and Watercure Distillery. Benefits historic buildings and archives preservation and programs of the Pomfret Historical Society.
Wed. Oct. 26
Author’s Night
PUTNAM --- The Woman’s Board of Day Kimball Hospital will present Author’s Night at 6 p.m. at Tyrone Farm in Pomfret. $35. Reservations required:
Thur. Oct. 27
Pumpkin Decorating
WOODSTOCK --- The Senexet Grange will host a Community Pumpkin Decorating contest from 3:30 to 7 p.m. at the grange on Rt. 169. $1 entry fee and first place wins cash prize. Go to Senexet Grange’s FB page for more info. There are three categories: Up to grade 4, Grades 5-8 and high school and adult.
Sat. Nov. 12
Historical Program
POMFRET --- The Pomfret Historical Society will present “The Last Green Valley Notables & Notorious” by Bill Reid, TLGV chief ranger, at 10 a.m. at the Pomfret Community & Senior Center on Rt. 44. Free. More info on the town’s website.
Dueling Pianos
THOMPSON --- Foxwoods Resort Casino will present Dueling Pianos at 7 p.m. at the Raceway Restaurant & Banquet Hall. Benefits Day Kimball Healthcare At Home. daykimball.org/pianos.
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