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Medal Winner
Woodstock Academy senior Keenan LaMontagne sports his fourth-place medal earned in the shotput at the CIAC State Open indoor track championship Feb. 19. LaMontagne finished fourth to qualify for the New England championship on March 5. Photo courtesy of Gerry LaMontagne.
Woodstock senior Keenan LaMontagne knew if he could finish in the top six in the shotput at the Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference State Open Indoor Track championship, he would qualify for the New England championships.
That dream came true for LaMontagne Feb. 19 as LaMontagne tossed the shotput 47-feet, 4 1/2 – inches to finish fourth overall.
“Qualifying for New Englands was a huge goal of mine,” LaMontagne said.
“The New Englands (outdoor track championship) wasn’t hosted last (spring) so I never got the opportunity to go for the discus. You just can’t beat the atmosphere of a big meet like that.”
It didn’t start all that well for LaMontagne.
He fouled on the first of his six attempts, but it got better.
His second attempt went 47-2.
“That throw definitely gave me the confidence to start going for better. Once you hit a nice mark like that, you can start cranking your throws,” LaMontagne said.
His next three throws were 44-2 ¼, 45-3 ¼ and 43-10. He saved the best for last.
“It’s always exciting to get an athlete to the All-New England level. Keenan has worked very hard all season to become more consistent and is doing a great job in these high-pressure situations,” said coach Josh Welch.
The New England championships will be held at 10:30 a.m. March 5 in Boston.
LaMontagne almost had someone to make the trek north with him.
Junior Bella Sorrentino competed in the girls’ shotput at the State Open Feb. 19 and finished seventh with a 32-10 ¼ effort. She was 7 ¾ inches behind St. Bernard’s Lindsey Reilly who finished sixth.
“Bella is also showing tremendous improvement and I don’t think we’ve seen the best of them yet,” Welch said.
The credit for that, according to Welch, goes to Keenan’s father, Gerry, who is also Woodstock’s throwing coach.
Marc Allard
Director of Sports Information
The Woodstock Academy
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PUTNAM — Ms. Ida Markowitz, 98, of East Putnam, died Feb. 17, 2022, in her home of 75 years.
She was born in 1923, in Killingly, the daughter of the late Nixon Tubman, and Eva (Caouette) Tubman.
Her husband, Peter J Markowitz, also passed away Feb. 17, 22 years ago. He preceded Ida in death, as well as her son Michael Markowitz, and daughter Joyce Eber.
She leaves her children, Paul Markowitz, Merrie Chartier, Max Markowitz; 13 grandchildren, 23 great-grandchildren, and 4 great-great-grandchildren.
Ida graduated from Killingly High School in 1941 and was married to Peter J Markowitz on Feb 7, 1942.
In 1947 Ida and her late husband Peter purchased their home in East Putnam where they ran a successful chicken farming business for 50 years. During those years Ida forged strong relationships with her neighbors, and employed, and mentored many young people from the local area. Ida was a leader in the 4-H community where she enjoyed spending time with and giving back to the young people of the community. Ida was kind to everyone and welcomed all, she always opened her home and table to anyone in need. Ida is remembered by those who knew her well as never having a cross word to say, and never criticizing anyone, she was such an exception.
Ida had many friends, and was a part of the Putnam Homemakers Club, whose name later changed to The Mantup In-Betweeners, beginning in the 1950s. The ladies club members learned to cook, upholster, and refinish secondhand furniture, metal engraving, painting, and played cards and games. The ladies would send two of their members to the extension center to learn how to complete the projects, and those ladies would then bring the information back to the club for everyone to learn how to complete the projects. They met once a week, and after each session they had a luncheon which was always at one of the members’ homes and the other members provided the lunch. If they were a part of the club, they were a member/friend for life.
Ida and her best friend, Alice Smith, travelled to New York City on the Secretary bus twice a year to see a Broadway play. They had many adventures together, Ida was described as the worst driver, but the best navigator.
Visitation was Feb. 20 in Gilman Funeral Home, 104 Church St, Putnam. Donations: Community Kitchen, 53 Grove St., Putnam, CT 06260.
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Honored
JERSEY CITY, N.J. — Four local students earned an Award of Excellence at Western Governors University: Lindsay Hyland of Canterbury, College of Health Professions; Killian Easton of Moosup, Teachers College; Brittany Eber of Pomfret Center, Teachers College; and Carly Edgerton of Thompson, Teachers College.
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Wed. Feb. 23
Dinner on Dime
THOMPSON --- TEEG’s Focus on Family will present “Dinner on a Dime” from 5 to 7 p.m. at TEEG. Open to all families with kids. Child care provided. Reservations required: 860-923-3458.
Art Exhibit
THOMPSON --- The Thompson Public Library’s Art @ the Library series will present “Vivid Creatures: A Colorful Animal Study” paintings by Jacqueline Keough and in the display case, “Amateur Radio,” a collection by Robert Garceau. Both are on view through Feb. 28. 860-923-9779.
Sat. Feb. 26
Clothing Giveaway
PUTNAM --- The IHSP – NU 2 U Clothing Closet will hold a clothing giveaway from 9 a.m. to noon at the Living Faith United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall off Bradley Street. Free for all ages. All welcome. Bring your own bag. No clothing donations accepted at the giveaway.
Sun. Feb. 27
Fund-raiser Pasta
PUTNAM --- A Pasta Dinner take-out fund-raiser will be held from 5 to 6:30 p.m. at the Knights of Columbus on Providence Street. Benefits Paws Cat Shelter. $15. Tickets available at Paws in Woodstock.
Photography Program
POMFRET --- The Pomfret Historical Society's rescheduled program on Antique Photography by Hunter Neal will be held at 2 p.m. at the Pomfret Community Center.
Mon. Feb. 28
‘Green’ Film
POMFRET --- The Pomfret Green Team will present “The Nature Makers” at 7 p.m. plus a dialogue following. To sign up go to: https://www.pomfretct.gov/green-team/pages/winter-film-series and click on the Zoom Meeting registration link. Co-sponsors include the Pomfret Library and the Connecticut Audubon Center at Pomfret.
Sat. March 5
‘Potato’ Fund-raiser
PUTNAM --- A baked potato buffet will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. in the downstairs hall of St. Mary’s Church. $5 per person for a baked potato, with seven toppings to choose from, plus dessert and coffee or tea. Eat in or take out. Benefits Boy Scout Troop 21 2022 summer camp fund. 860-928-7241.
Thur. March 10
Poetry at QVCC
DANIELSON --- QVCC will present the spring 2022 installment of the Waiting for Yoko Series: “Celebrating Women’s History with Poet Rhonda M. Ward” from 6 to 9 p.m. March 10 in the SPIROL Gallery on QVCC’s main campus. An open mic. Free. All welcome. Light snacks and refreshments available. Face masks required. 860-932-4054.
Sat. March 12
Italian Dinner
WOODSTOCK --- An Italian Dinner --- takeout only --- will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. at the First Congregational Church. $12 or $10 to bake at home. 860-928-7405.
Sun. March 13
History Program
POMFRET --- The Pomfret Historical Society will present “The Windham Textile Mill” with Bev York at 10 a.m. at the Pomfret Community & Senior Center on Rt. 44. Free. More info on the town’s website.
Forest Hike
POMFRET --- The Connecticut Audubon Society at Pomfret will hold a “Nightingale Forest North Hike” at 9 a.m. $10 for CAS members; $20 for nonmembers. Email to register:
Nature Program
POMFRET --- The Connecticut Audubon Society of Pomfret will present the opening reception of “Trail Wood Reflections’ - an Edwin Way Teale Artists & Writers In-Residence Exhibition” from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Grassland Bird Conservation center on Day Road. The exhibit runs through April 23. Free. 860-928-4948.
Hike
HAMPTON --- The Connecticut Audubon Society will present “Second Sunday Walk “ at 10 a.m. at Trail Wood, Kenyon Road. Heavy precipitation or high winds will cancel. Free for CAS members; $5 non-members. 860-9284948.
Fri. March 25
‘Beauty and the Beast’
THOMPSON --- The Thompson Public Schools will present Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast” at 7 p.m. March 25 and March 26 and at 2 p.m. March 27 in the Thompson Public School Auditorium. $10 for adults; TPS students/seniors, $5; and kids younger than 3, free. 860-923-9581.
Sat. March 26
Forest Hike
POMFRET --- The Connecticut Audubon Society at Pomfret will hold a “Nightingale Forest North Hike” at 9 a.m. $10 for CAS members; $20 for nonmembers. Email to register:
Mon. March 28
‘Green’ Film
POMFRET --- The Pomfret Green Team will present “2040” at 7 p.m. plus a dialogue following. To sign up go to: https://www.pomfretct.gov/green-team/pages/winter-film-series and click on the Zoom Meeting registration link. Co-sponsors include the Pomfret Library and the Connecticut Audubon Center at Pomfret.
Tues. March 29
Hike
POMFRET --- The Connecticut Audubon Society at Pomfret will hold a “Bull Hill Hike” at 9 a.m. at Bull Hill. $10 for CAS members; $20 for nonmembers. Email to register:
Sat. April 9
History Program
POMFRET --- The Pomfret Historical Society will present “Connecticut History Explorations” with Walter Woodward at 10 a.m. at the Pomfret Community & Senior Center on Rt. 44. Free. More info on the town’s website.
Easter Egg Hunt
POMFRET --- The Pomfret Recreation Department will hold an Easter Egg Hunt at 11 a.m. for Pomfret boys and girls ages 1 to 10 at the Wolf Den State Park. The rain date is April 16. Bring your camera to get a photo of your child with the Easter Bunny. 860-974-1423.
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.
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
Sat. May 14
History Program
POMFRET --- The Pomfret Historical Society will present “The Last Green Valley Notables & Notorious” with Bill Reid at 10 a.m. at the Pomfret Community & Senior Center on Rt. 44. Free. More info on the town’s website.
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.
Sat. June 11
History Program
POMFRET --- The Pomfret Historical Society will present “Connecticut’s 29th Colored Regiment” with Donna Dufresne at the Pomfret Community & Senior Center on Rt. 44. Free. More info on the town’s website.
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” with Dick Symonds 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. 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
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