It has been a long and trying nine months for Josh Rivera. The New Jersey native was a big recruit for PSA’s prep basketball team last summer, and things were looking up for him heading into the first live period of summer basketball.
But it was during his first game then, in early July, that he suffered a knee injury that kept him out of action the rest of the summer and into PSA’s preseason, which put him behind the 8-ball with the Mustangs as well.
But things have been looking up for Rivera of late.
After PSA won its third national championship in mid-March, Rivera returned home and focused on his game and his health.
And last week, he announced that he was accepting a scholarship offer to play next year at Lafayette College in Easton, Penn.
“Making that decision was a relief,” Rivera said. “After my first injury, and then this past season, everything has been rough. It felt like everything was going downhill to be honest. So for me to get this opportunity is a real blessing, and I made sure to take it. And I’m going to make sure to make the most of it.”
Rivera averaged 6.2 points and 3.6 rebounds for PSA but never really got untracked. He said he didn’t really feel healthy until the knee brace came off in January, and he had a good two-week stretch of basketball then, culminating in a 17-point, 5-rebound game against Canterbury.
“But that’s the game I hurt my ankle,” he said. “And after that, the pain was just lingering throughout the rest of the season. It was really hard. Lot of ups and downs. Lot of time in my room talking to people, just trying to keep my head up. That definitely took a toll on my confidence. It was a rough time, it really was.”
Rivera played the next five games with the ankle injury, but struggled, then sat out the next seven games. When he got back on the floor, he never got back to form. But he said there were positives to come out of the experience.
“It opened my eyes to things outside of basketball for sure,” he said. “I thought about backup plans. And I wrote about that on my college applications too. I’m really good with numbers, so I’ve always thought about accounting or something in the finance field, maybe major in Economics.”
And that piece of it was a big piece of what led him to Lafayette.
“It’s in the Patriot League and I know I can get an excellent education there,” he said.
As for the basketball piece, Rivera’s body – when healthy – is ready for the college game. He’s built like a linebacker or defensive end, packing 220 pounds onto his 6-foot-7 frame. He’s physical and can get to his spot in the post or get to the rim from the wing. He’s expanding his range on his jumper.
He has a relationship with head coach Mike Jordan, who was hired in late March, dating back a few years when Jordan was an assistant at Drexel and recruited Rivera there. Rivera also actually took an unofficial visit to Lafayette a few years ago when the previous coaching staff was recruiting him.
“I toured the campus, and I really liked it,” he said. “It’s in a nice town, the campus is quiet, they’ve got a football team. It was cool.
“Now, Coach Jordan, he thinks I can make an impact with the team and help them win games. And I really think I can too. My confidence is definitely back. I’m ready to go.”
By Stephen Nalbandian
Sports Information Director
Putnam Science Academy
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caption, page 7:
100th Point
Woodstock senior Jonah Libby displays the ball he used to score his 100th career point in a 20-2 Woodstock Academy win over Rockville/Coventry/Stafford. Photo by Marc Allard.
captions, page 8:
Looking
Woodstock Academy senior Everett Michalski (25) looks for an opening against the Valley Regional defense in a 9-8 Woodstock Academy victory last week. Photos by Marc Allard.
Near the Net
Woodstock Academy attack Jared Nielsen operates near the net in a 9-8 win over Valley Regional last week.
Woodstock Academy coach Jason Tata knew senior Jonah Libby needed just five points to reach 100 for his high school career.
That was the easy part. Keeping track of how many Libby had in the game? Much more difficult.
Tata wanted to do so to make sure that he got the ball that Libby hit his milestone with.
“Of course, I got it,” Tata said. The second time that was. Tata asked for the ball prematurely on Libby’s fourth point of the game.
He did get the ball that counted. It came on a Libby goal with 3 minutes, 38 seconds left in the first half of a 20-2 win over Rockville-Coventry-Stafford April 21.
“It’s a lot,” Libby said. “Definitely not something I was expecting to get since I didn’t play any varsity as a freshman (and missed his sophomore season due to the pandemic). Getting it in two years was definitely a milestone for me.”
Libby finished with 53 points as a junior. He now has 48 in his senior campaign.
“I couldn’t do it without a lot of kids on the team like (Jacob) Jurnovoy, Jared (Neilsen), (Zach) Gessner. They are all part of this. We’re a team. We all go to practice and work for this and it’s helping me rely on other people on the team,” Libby said.
Tata said: “If you look at 100 points in two seasons, that’s nothing to laugh about. It is a legitimate stat line and some crazy numbers and he has plenty of lacrosse to play. Let’s see how high we can get those point totals.”
Libby admits he would love to score 100 points this season alone.
But he also wants to see the Centaurs get into the state tournament and the win helped them climb closer.
Woodstock is now 6-3 and is now on a three-game win streak.
“Especially coming off tough games last week against East Lyme and Fitch where we weren’t able to come away with wins. Playing E.O. Smith, Valley Regional and (Rockville), was a nice little break from those tough (ECC) teams,” Libby said.
The Centaurs got a bump from some other players in the win over Rockville. Will Basiliere had a hat trick in the first quarter and a half and finished with four goals as did Neilsen.
Gessner had three goals and Libby finished with two goals and four assists.
Earlier in the week, the Centaurs survived a tough match with Valley Regional especially when the sun, blocked by clouds most of the game, decided to make a late-game appearance.
It was something that was welcomed by most especially those watching from the stands as the match was buffeted by chilly breezes and the occasional sleet pellets mixing in with rain showers.
Unfortunately, the sun came out with the Centaurs protecting the eastern goal.
It was not a welcome occurrence for Centaur senior goalie Tyler Green. “I couldn’t see. The sun came out. It scared me a little bit,” the senior said.
The Centaurs escaped with a 9-8 win.
Libby scored his third and final goal of the game with 1 minute, 2 seconds to play to give the Centaurs a 9-6 lead.
But the match was hardly over, thanks in part, to the sun and its late afternoon angle.
Valley Regional (2-4) got a goal from Leif Duval with 48 seconds to play. Cooper Strecker followed 24 seconds later with his fourth goal of the match to cut the deficit to one.
“As soon as I saw it peeking out, I knew (Green) was going to get blinded. That’s all I was worried about. I was telling the guys to just shut (Valley Regional) off, do not let them get a clean shot. I wanted contested shots all over the place because I knew they were going to launch balls at Ty,” Tata said.
The Warriors had done that much of the match. Green was up to the task. In just his second appearance in goal, Green made 19 saves. “I like it in the net. The boys listen to me. Feels good,” Green said.
Green was given his first chance in goal the Saturday before against E.O. Smith when Jon Pokorny fell ill.
“I woke up at 8 a.m., my Dad (assistant coach Chris Green) called me and told me that I was going to be in net and I was like, ‘Oh wow, this is new to me.’, Green said.
He had played goal once before in a practice in club lacrosse.
But he probably shouldn’t get too comfortable. “He’s playing really well and, to be honest, we went with the hot hand. We’re definitely going to pull him back to the defense, that’s his specialty, but he played well (in goal),” Tata said.
Valley Regional consistently threatened the Centaurs but never could take the lead.
The Warriors tied the match at 1 and 3, but never could take a lead.
“That’s something about this team, it’s really resilient. They don’t let a quick string of goals get them down. It’s just, ‘Let’s go bury another one,’” Tata said.
It was also a balanced scoring attack with Libby getting three goals and two assists; Jurnovoy added a pair of tallies and Neilsen had a goal and two assists. Everett Michalski, Basiliere and Gessner had the other goals.
“I think it’s going to be a thing of the season- it can’t be one guy. It’s next guy up, whoever gets the opportunity. Everett started the scoring for us. If you look at the roster, you’re not going to think that Everett is a big goal scorer, but he got the job done and put one in the back of the net,” Tata said.
Marc Allard
Director of Sports Information
The Woodstock Academy
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PUTNAM — Florence Parker was born in Putnam on July 10, 1934, the only child of George and Rose (Plouffe) Ostiguy.
She attended St. Mary’s Parochial School and graduated from Putnam Catholic Academy in 1952.
Florence worked as an accountant for the Putnam accounting firm of Ryan and Solomon until her marriage.
In 1957 Florence became engaged to Richard A. Parker, who shares her birthdate, and they married a year later on June 7, 1958. She was the proud mother of three daughters and proud Memere of four grandchildren.
Florence became a certified public accountant and operated a tax consulting and preparation business until ill health forced her to stop in 2022. In addition, Florence and her husband Richard owned and operated the Parker Memorials and Stone Co., located on Grove Street in Putnam.
She was a member of the Daughters of Isabella, Zonta, League of Catholic Women and a past recipient of the Athena Award. She enjoyed gardening, playing cards, and spending quality time visiting with her family and friends.
She leaves Richard A Parker, her husband of nearly 64 years; her daughters Roxanne Metayer (Michael) of Windham, Maine, Nadine Landau of Danbury, and Kathryn Parker of Putnam; grandchildren Veronica Pound (Stephen), Matthew Landau, Keith Metayer (with his fiancée Kayla Lafond), and Luke Metayer.
Visitation is 5 to 7 p.m. April 28 in the Gilman Funeral Home & Crematory, 104 Church St., Putnam. The funeral will assemble at the funeral home at 9 a.m. April 29, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. in S. Mary Church of the Visitation, 218 Providence St., Putnam. Burial follows in St. Mary Cemetery.
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Wed. April 27
Coyote Program
PUTNAM --- The Putnam Public Library will present a program, “Coyotes in Connecticut” at 6:30 p.m. Call 860-963-6826 to register.
Art Exhibit
THOMPSON --- The Friends of the Thompson Public Library, as part of their Art at the Library series, will present the“ 18th Annual Thompson Community Art Show: Springing Back” through April 29. 860-923-9779.
Auction Donations
POMFRET --- The 68th annual Windham County 4-H Auction & Tag Sale will be taking, through May 4, donations for the auction & tag sale on May 6 and 7. 860-974-3379.
Probate Outreach
POMFRET --- The Northeast Probate Court Community Outreach Event will take place from 12:30 to 2 p.m. at the Pomfret Senior Center on Mashamoquet Road. The court staff will help with court matters, help find and fill out forms, provide information on local resources and answer questions about the probate system in CT. Free. All welcome.
Thur. April 28
Auditions
PUTNAM --- The Bradley Playhouse will be holding auditions from 7 to 9 p.m. April 28 and from 1 to 3 p.m. April 30 for Cinderella. www.TheBradleyPlayhouse.org/Auditions.
Fri. April 29
Spring Social
POMFRET --- The Pomfret Recreation Department will hold a Spring Social from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Pomfret Community School. It’s for PCS boys and girls in grades 3, 4 and 5. Parents must sign in and sign out when they drop off and pick up their children in the hallway outside of the cafeteria. Snacks and drinks will be available for $1 or less.
'Young Frankenstein'
PUTNAM --- The Bradley Playhouse will present The Mel Brooks Musical "Young Frankenstein" at 7: 30 p.m. April 29, April 30 and May 7 and at 2 p.m. May 1 and May 7. www.TheBradleyPlayhouse.org.
Sat. April 30
Beautification Day
PUTNAM --- The Putnam Business Association will be sponsoring its annual Beautification Day starting at Rotary Park. Rain date is May 1. Volunteer groups/community support needed. Sign up: 860-963-6834. Teams gather at Rotary Park at 8:30 a.m. to receive cleaning assignments and then from 11 a.m. to noon there is a volunteer appreciation lunch back at the park. Funded in part by The Last Green Valley and the Town of Putnam.
Nature Program
POMFRET --- The Connecticut Audubon Society at Pomfret at the Grassland Bird Conservation Center on Day Road will present “Virginia Rail Bird Walk” at 6 p.m. $10 for members; $20 for nonmembers. Register:
Sun. May 1
Concert
CHEPACHET --- The 32-year-old Music at the Meeting House series will re-open (after the pandemic hiatus) with Randall Steere performing in a special organ concert titled, “A Virtual Organ Tour Through History” at 2:30 p.m. at the Chepachet Baptist Church on Rt. 44. This concert will be the first of several planned 200th anniversary celebrations for the Chepachet Meeting House and the Chepachet Baptist Church. Unless required by the state, there will be no COVID restrictions on attendance, but masks will be available for the unvaccinated to wear. The concert is open to the public without charge; a free will offering will be taken. Refreshments planned to follow. chepachetbaptist.org.
Fri. May 6
First Fridays
PUTNAM --- This year the Putnam Business Association’s First Fridays returns to its roots --- celebrating the arts. Artists, vendors, performances and more will fill Main Street in downtown Putnam from 5 to 9 p.m. www.discoverputnam.com.
Scavenger Hunt
PUTNAM --- Northeast Opportunities for Wellness Inc. (NOW) and the Hale YMCA Youth and Family Center will hold a Family Scavenger Hunt from 4:30 to 6 p.m. Sign in at 4:30 at the Hale YMCA and use your clue kit on Main Street in Putnam to find all the hidden destinations. Return your answer key at the NOW booth at First Friday on Main Street for a trophy. Register: www.NOWinMotion.org/events.
4-H Auction
POMFRET --- The 68th annual Windham County 4-H Auction & Tag Sale will be from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 6 and 7.
Sat. May 7
Wee Walk
POMFRET --- The Wyndham Land Trust’s family-friendly Wee Wander Walk, “Salamander Search at the 3 B’s” will be held from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Dress appropriately and bring your camera. www.wyndhamlandtrust.org
Tag Sale
POMFRET --- The 16th annual Pomfret Town-Wide Tag Sale will run from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. and start the Pomfret Community School.
Yard/Bake Sale
ABINGTON --- The Abington Congregational Church and the Abington Social Library are teaming up for a yard sale, book sale and bake sale on May 7. Donations sought. If you have a lot to donate, call Lois Platt at 520-840-7253 to arrange drop off at the Tracy House (the building next to the library).
Sun. May 8
Concert
PASCOAG --- The Grace Note Farm and the Blackstone Valley Tourism Council will present Music at the Farm, a Mother's Day Concert, at 2 p.m. $30. www.gracenotefarmweb.com.
Thur. May 12
Warmup
PUTNAM --- A Tackle the Trail Stretch & Mobility for Runners will be held from 5 to 6 p.m. starting at Hale YMCA by Monique Wolanin, Tackle the Trail race director, for a warmup for the TTT event in October. All welcome.
Sat. May 14
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.
Fishing Derby
PUTNAM --- The Putnam Rotary Club’s Noe Poulin Fishing Derby will be held at Rotary Park from 9 a.m. to noon. Registration is at 8 a.m. Age groups: 5 and under; 6 to 9; 10-12 and 13-15. Prizes for biggest fish, smallest fish, most unique fish and most fish caught.
Cornhole Tournament
DANIELSON --- The Killingly-Brooklyn Rotary, in conjunction with the Killingly Springfest, will hold its First annual Cornhole Tournament in the parking lot of Danielson Lodge of Elks on Center Street. Registration is at 10 a.m. and the fund-raiser tourney starts at noon.
Walk for Women
KILLINGLY --- During the Killingly Springfest, a Walk for Women will be held from 8:30 to 10 a.m. starting at Davis Park, Danielson. Honor women past and present with a refreshing walk around downtown. Recognize your loved ones with a special ceremony at the footbridge. Benefits the Woman’s Board at Day Kimball Hospital.
Fri. May 20
Book/Bake Sale
BROOKLYN --- Our Lady of LaSalette Church will hold a book and bake saele from 5 to 8 p.m. May 20 and from 9 a.m. to May 21 in the church basement, Rt. 6, near the Rt. 169 intersection.
Fri. May 27
Golf Tourney
PUTNAM --- The Putnam Rotary Club’s Ronald P. Coderre Golf Tournament will be held at the Connecticut National Golf Club.
Sat. May 28
Cornhole Tournament
POMFRET --- The Pomfret Recreation Department will hold a cornhole tournament at noon at the Pomfret Recreation Park. Rain date is June 4. Double elimination style - team consists of two members. Every team is guaranteed to play at least 2 games. Min. of 12 teams needed to run the tournament; max. of 28 teams allowed. Bracket postings will be pulled out of a hat prior to the start of the event. We will provide the cornhole boards and bags. The fee is $30 per team. Prizes. Visit pomfretct.gov/recreation for the registration form.
Mon. May 30
Memorial Day Race
WOODSTOCK --- Woodstock Recreation’s 40th Annual Memorial Day 10K. It will start at 9 a.m. from the Woodstock Academy Fieldhouse Gymnasium. Race day registration from 7:30 to 8:45 a.m. at the Fieldhouse Gymnasium. To register or for info: https://runsignup.com/Race/CT/Woodstock/WoodstockMemorialDay10K. A portion of proceeds will be donated to the Woodstock Fuel Assistance Program. 860-928-6595 x333.
Fri. June 3
First Fridays
PUTNAM --- This year the Putnam Business Association’s First Fridays returns to its roots --- celebrating the arts. Artists, vendors, performances and more will fill Main Street in downtown Putnam from 5 to 9 p.m. www.discoverputnam.com.
Sat. June 4
Farmers’ Market Opens!
PUTNAM --- Today the Putnam Saturday Farmers’ Market opens for the season and runs from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturdays through October at the Riverview Marketplace Pavilion on Kennedy Drive. www.putnamfarmersmarket.org.
Relay For Life
WOODSTOCK --- The American Cancer Society (ACS) Relay For Life of Northeastern CT fund-raising event will be held June 4 through June 5 at Roseland Park.
Fri. June 10
Twilight Concert
WOODSTOCK --- The Woodstock Recreation Commission and Historic New England will present, as part of its annual Twilight Concert series, The Little Big Band from 7 to 8:30 (rain date: June 24) at Roseland Cottage. Free. 860-928-4074.
Sat. June 11
Program
POMFRET --- The Pomfret Historical Society will present “Tour of Watercure Distillery in Pomfret” at 10 a.m. Free. More info on the town’s website.
Sat. June 18
Cornhole Classic
THOMPSON --- The Quinebaug Valley Regional Rotaract Club will present its Cornhole Classic from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Thompson Speedway. Benefits Rotaract Club and NEPS. $50 per team. Register at: www.Qvrrotaractclub.com
Sun. June 12
Fishing Derby
POMFRET --- The Pomfret Recreation Department will hold its 22nd annual fishing derby at the Pomfret Rod & Gun Club. Check-in starts at 8 and fishing is from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. followed by lunch and awards. Rain date June 18. Worms or night crawlers only. If you catch a trout or bass a member of the club must take your fish off the hook. Casting contest, too. $5 per child. www.pomfretct.gov/recreation.
Fri. July 1
First Fridays
PUTNAM --- This year the Putnam Business Association’s First Fridays returns to its roots --- celebrating the arts. Artists, vendors, performances and more will fill Main Street in downtown Putnam from 5 to 9 p.m. www.discoverputnam.com.
Fri. July 29
Twilight Concert
WOODSTOCK --- The Woodstock Recreation Commission and Historic New England will present, as part of its annual Twilight Concert series, Dynamite Rhythm from 7 to 8:30 (rain date: Aug. 12) at Roseland Cottage. Free. 860-928-4074.
Fri. Aug. 5
First Fridays
PUTNAM --- This year the Putnam Business Association’s First Fridays returns to its roots --- celebrating the arts. Artists, vendors, performances and more will fill Main Street in downtown Putnam from 5 to 9 p.m. www.discoverputnam.com.
Sat. Aug. 6
Wee Walk
POMFRET --- The Wyndham Land Trust’s family-friendly Wee Wander Walk, “Bats at Lyon Preserve” will be held from 7 to 8 p.m. Dress appropriately and bring your camera. www.wyndhamlandtrust.org
Sat. Aug. 13
History Program
POMFRET --- The Pomfret Historical Society will present “The Historic Mills of Pomfret” by Dick Symonds at 10 a.m. at the Pomfret Community & Senior Center on Rt. 44. Free. More info on the town’s website.
Fri. Aug. 19
Twilight Concert
WOODSTOCK --- The Woodstock Recreation Commission and Historic New England will present, as part of its annual Twilight Concert series, Beck N’ Call from 7 to 8:30 (rain date: Aug. 26) at Roseland Cottage. Free. 860-928-4074.
Sat. Sept. 10
Historical Program
POMFRET --- The Pomfret Historical Society will present “Common Sense: TLGV Town Commons and Greens” by Bill Reid at 10 a.m. at the Pomfret Community & Senior Center on Rt. 44. Free. More info on the town’s website.
Sat. Oct. 1
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
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. Nov. 5
Dueling Pianos
PUTNAM --- Day Kimball Healthcare will present Dueling Pianos Presented By Foxwoods Resort Casino at 7 p.m. at Connecticut National Golf Club. Benefit: Day Kimball Healthcare At Home. More Info: daykimball.org/pianos.
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.
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