caption, page 8:
Leaders
Woodstock Academy seniors, from left: Annarose Avery, Aurissa Boardman and Lizzy Lovrien will lead the Centaurs. Adam Bottone photo.
Centaurs look
forward to
fresh start
The Paula Hernandez era ended in 2019. Eight more seniors graduated from the 2020 version of the Woodstock Academy volleyball team.
Only a few seniors remain who remember the state championship matches that the Centaurs played oh not so long ago.
It’s a chance to start over.
“Our team is young. It’s not about winning. I want to help build a good foundation for the teams still to come,” said senior outside hitter Aurissa Boardman.
Boardman is one of just three seniors on the 2021 squad, joined by Lizzy Lovrien and Annarose Avery.
“Our goal is to establish a new culture that is centered on hard work through discipline, I think if they can work hard every day and become more disciplined, the skills will come and the wins will come. They just have to be patient and work through it,” said coach Adam Bottone.
Bottone does have two great building blocks.
Like a guard/center combination in basketball, the Centaurs have an outside hitter/setter combination this season.
Boardman had 87 kills in the 8-3 season a year ago, most coming from the outside.
Avery had 68 assists from the setter spot which she shared with Tabby Bezanson.
Boardman played for Husky volleyball over the summer and also took in training sessions with one of the Husky coaches who worked with her on passing from the back row.
She and Avery have been playing together for the last four years.
In addition, Lovrien has been a defensive specialist for the Centaurs for the last three years.
Junior Leila MacKinnon added 10 kills a year ago.
Outside of those players, varsity experience is hard to come by.
“The core of what we have is so young that I expect to take some lumps this year. That’s OK. It’s part of the growing process,” Bottone said.
Another source of optimism comes from the athleticism on the team.
Sophomore Reegan Reynolds and junior Bella Sorrentino are standouts in other sports for the Centaurs.
The Woodstock Academy coach also has kept three freshmen on the varsity roster.
Cassidy Chabot, Liliana Bottone and Sophie Gronski have all showed promise early.
The Centaurs will play a “normal” schedule which means two games each against Norwich Free Academy, E. Lyme and Fitch as well as matches against some of the other better ECC teams.
In addition, Woodstock Academy is scheduled to play Darien, one of the better Class LL programs in the state, as well as Coventry, Newtown and Conard.
“The state says we have to do what we have to do. A lot of the research says that kids are breathing in a lot of carbon dioxide with masks on. Last year, we were just happy to play. Now, we’re the only (fall) sport that still has to wear masks and we will just have to be aware of it. I’m not a fan of it,” Bottone said.
He is hoping that teams will be allowed an extra time out and will also get a mask break. “It’s difficult especially when your mask gets sweaty and it’s hard to breathe. At least, we get to play,” Boardman said with a shrug.
Marc Allard
Director of Sports Information
The Woodstock Academy
Volleyball schedule: Thursday, Sept. 9: at Killingly, 5 p.m.; Friday, Sept. 10: at Darien, 4; Wednesday, Sept. 15: vs. Waterford, 5:30; Friday, Sept. 17: at Lyman, 5:30; Monday, Sept. 20: at Plainfield, 5:30; Wednesday, Sept. 22: vs. Coventry, 5:30; Thursday, Sept. 23: vs. E. Lyme, 5:30; Monday, Sept. 27: at Fitch, 5:30; Wednesday, Sept. 29: vs. NFA, 5:30; Friday, Oct. 1: vs. Ledyard, 5:30; Monday, Oct. 4: at Griswold, 5:30; Wednesday, Oct. 6: vs. Killingly, 5:30; Friday, Oct. 8: vs. Conard, 6; Monday, Oct. 11: vs. Lyman, 1:30; Wednesday, Oct. 13: at E. Lyme, 5:30; Friday, Oct. 15: vs. Fitch, 5:30; Monday, Oct. 18: at NFA, 5:30; Wednesday, Oct. 20: vs. SMSA, 5:30; Friday, Oct. 22: at Newtown, 5:30; Wednesday, Oct. 29: vs. Griswold, 5:30.
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Janine Daigle
PUTNAM — Janine Daigle, 91, died Dec. 14, 2020. She was a mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend. She brought light and love to everyplace that she entered.
She was born on Dec. 11, 1929, in New Brunswick, Canada. She married the love of her life, Gerald Daigle, in September of 1951. He died in 2018. They celebrated over 66 years of marriage and built a life and family together. Janine was a devoted wife and mother first and foremost. The role of Memere and Grand-Memere was one that she cherished. She was a skilled seamstress and will be remembered for her coveted “Pee Shoes” slippers. Prior to raising her family, Janine was a teacher and remained a devoted member of the Catholic Church.
She leaves her children, Gerald (Ginnie) Daigle of Pomfret, Janot (Dianne) Daigle of Florida, Lise Goulet of Putnam, and Jacques Daigle of Florida; grandchildren: Melanie, Heather, Elizabeth, Ashley, Bobby and Jerrilynn and nine great-grandchildren; siblings Louis-Guy Desjardins, Rosanne Desjardins. She was predeceased by her parents, several siblings, son-in-law Bob and daughter-in-law Louise.
Dearest Mom and Memere,
Your hugs meant the world,
Nobody held me so tight,
or made me feel so right.
No one’s eyes shined so bright with Love
As my Mom and Memere, who is now high above.
A Memorial Mass will be at 10 a.m. Sept. 15 in St. James Church, 12 Franklin St., Danielson, 06239. Donations: St. James Church. Gilman Funeral Home and Crematory, 104 Church St., Putnam.
Daniel David Hirst II,
Army vet
Daniel David Hirst II 64, also known as “Dan The Man,” has taken his last adventure. He gained his wings Aug. 25, 2021, in Hartford Hospital.
With a smile, he fought for a few years with health complications.
He was a good kind man born May 4, 1957, at Long Beach Hospital in San Francisco.
He was the only child of Daniel David Hirst of California and Joyce Youngest of Wisconsin.
He was proud to have served his country and is a retired Army veteran.
He worked and lived in the town of Putnam for many years.
His love for travel and music was passed down to his children.
He enjoyed fishing with his buddies, hunting in Maine with his lifelong friend Dicky Collins and enjoyed spending time with his cat Squeaky Squeaks.
His favorite things included family cookouts, holiday gatherings and going to concerts.
He leaves his children, Daniel and Tisha Hirst; grandchildren and friends he considered family. He was also a father figure to many including Shannon, Tom and Holly.
The family will hold a Celebration of Life at noon Sept. 19 in Woodstock. All are welcome and encouraged to light a candle for “Dan The Man” in his passing. 860-457-6289.
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Ongoing
Vaccine Clinic
BROOKLYN --- The Northeast District Department of Health will offer COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesdays and Wednesdays at the NDDH Office, 69 S. Main St. Pfizer (for ages 12+), two dose series; and Johnson & Johnson (ages 18+) one dose. Walk-ins welcome. Free.
COVID Tests
DANIELSON --- SEMA4 COVID-19 testing services are held from 3 to 7 p.m. Fridays and from 8 a.m. to noon Saturdays at Quinebaug Valley Community College.
Fri. Sept. 8
Art Exhibit
THOMPSON --- The Friends of the Thompson Public Library’s Art @ the Library series will present artwork by Kate Gilman-Alexander through Sept. 30. Also in the Display Case for September: “Constitution Week” by Ida Ransom. www.thompsonpubliclibrary.org
Fri. Sept. 10
Golf Classic
PUTNAM --- Day Kimball Healthcare will hold its Day Kimball Hospital Centreville Bank Golf Classic starting at 7:45 a.m. and 1 p.m. at Connecticut National Golf Club. Benefit: Day Kimball Hospital. More Info:daykimball.org/golfclassic
Sat. Sept. 11
Craft Fair
POMFRET CENTER --- The Windham-Tolland 4-H Camp Dam Aid Craft Fair and Family Fun Event will be held from 1 to 6 p.m. at the camp on Taft Pond Road. Food, music, crafts, camp activities: kayaking, canoeing, catch and release fishing ($10/30 minutes). Free camp tours. Vendors wanted, contact
River Fire
PUTNAM --- A concert by Juice Box will be held at 6 p.m. at Rotary Park, to be followed by River Fire about 8 p.m. Free. The event celebrates the 125th anniversary of the Putnam Police Department and includes a special tribute to the 20th of 9-11.
Sun. Sept. 12
Savor the Flavor
PUTNAM --- 'Savor the Flavor - Apples' will be held from noon to 2 p.m. around the restaurants of Putnam. Wristbands for Savor the Flavor are $5 and the Empty Bowls Project fund-raiser will offer 200 bowls handcrafted by the community of potters and Sawmill Pottery for $20. Both will begin on Canal Street. Benefits Daily Bread. www.discoverputnam.com.
Wed. Sept. 15
Family Dinners
POMFRET --- The Windham-Tolland 4-H Camp Family Dinners will be available for takeout from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. Take out Lasagna (meat or no meat). Order by 5 p.m. Sept. 13. Prepay. 860-974-1122.
Fri. Sept. 17
Circle of Fun
PUTNAM --- The St. Mary Church Circle of Fun will be held Sept. 17, 18 and 19.
Sat. Sept. 18
Book Sale
THOMPSON --- The Friends of the Thompson Public Library will hold a book sale from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Pet Food Drive
KILLINGLY --- Pet Pals Northeast, a local animal welfare organization, will be collecting cat and dog food, dry or canned (Purina brands preferred) from 10 a.m. to noon at the Killingly Library on Westcott Road. Cash donations always welcome. 860-317-1720.
Sun. Sept. 19
Popcorn Fund-raiser
PUTNAM --- Boy Scouts of America Troop 25 will hold a popcorn fund-raiser from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Tractor Supply on Rt. 44.
Sun. Sept. 26
Poetry Series
WOODSTOCK --- Four free poetry readings will be held at Roseland Park’s outdoor amphitheater. This series will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. These readings are for people ages 14 and up. Wine will be served. Folding chairs or camp chairs are recommended. Besides featured readers there will be an open mic segment at each event as time allows.
Sat. Oct. 2
Community Day
THOMPSON --- The Town of Thompson will present its 17th annual Community Day. Vendors sought: 860-923-9440.
Food Drive
POMFRET --- The Pomfret Proprietors will be hosting a monthly collection of non-perishables, the first Saturday of each month, from 9 to 11 a.m. at the Pomfret Senior Center. Looking for items such as: Granola bars, breakfast bars, cereal, pasta, soup, crackers, chips, tuna fish, juice, canned vegetables, (shampoo, soap, razors, wipes, diapers for all ages, Kleenex, toilet paper and laundry supplies. Also looking for volunteers and organizations to help. VisitPomfret.com
Sun. Oct. 3
Canines for Cancer Care
BROOKLYN --- Day Kimball Healthcare will hold Canines for Cancer Care at 11 a.m. at the Brooklyn Fairgrounds. Benefit: Northeast CT Cancer Fund of DKH. More Info:daykimball.org/canines
Sat. Nov. 6
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
Fri. Nov. 26
Artists’ Open Studios
PUTNAM --- The Artists’ Open Studios of Northeast CT will be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nov. 26, 27, 28 and Dec. 4 and 5. www.aosct.org.
Sun. Dec. 5
Hospice Tree
Day Kimball Healthcare will present Hospice Tree of Life Ceremonies at 5 p.m. at locations around northeastern Connecticut. Benefit: Hospice & Palliative Care of NE CT. More Info:daykimball.org/treeoflife
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caption:
Field Hockey Leaders
Six seniors, back from left: Sofia Murray, Eliza Simpson, Elaina Borski and front, from left: Tegan Perry, Julia Powell and Donela Perzichino, will lead the Woodstock Academy field hockey program this season. Marc Allard photo.
Woodstock Academy field hockey coach Lauren Gagnon might need to look at her roster a bit more often early on this season. There are a lot of new faces and names to learn.
The Centaurs lost a dozen players from last year’s team. They also played most of the minutes for the team which finished third in the ECC with a 6-4 record.
It’s the most Gagnon has ever lost from one season to the next.
That’s not the only adjustment. School is back to full-time, in-person learning and that has presented an additional challenge early both on and off the field.
“The kids were struggling to just sit there in class for 84 minutes- even with a walk break in the middle - to stay awake. Some of them have been waking up at noon and staying up until 3 a.m. doing whatever and they have fallen out of a lot of good habits,” Gagnon said.
Senior Elaina Borski said: “It was weird going back to school (for the first full day last Tuesday) and then coming to practice. Hopefully, after a week, it will feel normal,” Borski said. Borski is the only returning player who even scored a goal last season.
Offense will have to be a point of emphasis as the Centaurs lost players like Olivia Ott (7 goals), Rachel Canedy (5 goals, 3 assists) and Eliza Dutson (4 goals, 2 assists). Dutson is playing field hockey at Worcester Polytechnic Institute and Canedy will be playing lacrosse at Emmanuel College. “Eliza and Rachel had a nose for the goal, knew how to score and were driven by that. I think that is something that we will struggle with this year,” Gagnon said.
The coach is hopeful that Caroline Harris, who had played defense as a freshman last year, will be able to step up to the front to provide some firepower.
Grace Pokorny, who played on the Woodstock Academy ice hockey team when she was in middle school, is now a freshman and Gagnon is hoping her stick skills also translate to field hockey. “In field hockey, so many goals are garbage goals that result from little scrums in front of the goal. About 80 percent of the goals come off rebounds. They are not your traditional big hit shots,” Gagnon said. “If we could get more people playing field hockey, ice hockey and lacrosse, which also translates well, I would be very happy.”
Borski thinks the new players, who she feels have great potential; mean a good chance for growth for the program. For Borski, personally, it’s another year of possible change.
She has played forward, low and midfield in her first three years. “Maybe she will have me playing forward, but it could also be mid,” Borski said.
While the offense is a question mark, Gagnon is not concerned about the cage.
Junior keeper Ava Basak returns after working behind Kaily Lachapelle for the past two years.
“Ava is a beast. We always have strong goaltenders, it’s something near and dear to my heart and they’re crazy,” Gagnon said. Gagnon feels she has several strong defensive-minded players who she can station in front of Basak.
There are only six seniors this season; Borski, Sophia Murray, Eliza Simpson, Teegan Perry, Julia Powell and Donela Perzichino.
“The big focus is getting this team back to the love for the game, it’s why we play and coach. It’s one of the most fun sports in the world. We had a lull last year. Only three freshmen came out and a lot of that I think was due to the anxiety of COVID. A lot were nervous, in general, about being out in public and not being in school was also difficult. We just want to get them out there healthy and happy,” Gagnon said.
Marc Allard
Director of Sports Information
The Woodstock Academy
Field Hockey schedule: Saturday, Sept. 11: at E. Catholic, 11 a.m.; Tuesday, Sept. 14: vs. Stonington, 4 p.m.; Thursday, Sept. 16: vs. Waterford, 4; Tuesday, Sept. 21: at Killingly, 3; Thursday, Sept. 23: vs. NFA, 4; Tuesday, Sept. 28: at E. Lyme, 6:30 p.m.; Friday, Oct. 5: vs. Fitch, 4; Thursday, Oct. 7: at Stonington, 6:30; Saturday, Oct. 9: vs. Valley Regional, 11; Tuesday, Oct. 12: at Waterford, 3:45; Thursday, Oct. 14: vs. Killingly, 3:45; Saturday, Oct. 16: vs. Enfield, 11; Tuesday., Oct. 19: at NFA, 7; Thursday, Oct. 21: vs. E. Lyme, 4; Saturday, Oct. 23: vs. Wethersfield, 11; Saturday, Oct. 30: at Fitch, noon.
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