PUTNAM — March 21 nearly 45 children gathered in the gymnasium of the Hale YMCA to participate in a clinic focused on basketball skill building and training. Hosted by Northeast Opportunities for Wellness, Inc. (NOW), Putnam Science Academy, and the Hale YMCA, the clinic invited children ages 6 – 9 to work with Putnam Science Academy basketball coaches, teaching a variety of skills.
NOW and Putnam Science Academy have teamed up to host multiple basketball clinics for local youth in the past and the Hale YMCA came into the clinics this year.
NOW Executive Director Tayler Shea said: “We are so thankful to both the Putnam Science Academy coaches and the Hale YMCA staff for helping to make this clinic so successful! It was great to see the children having fun, running around together, and building confidence while learning new skills. These children were able to learn from some of the best coaches in the region and had a blast doing so. We have had a long partnership with Putnam Science Academy coach Tom Espinosa, who is always quick to volunteer his coaches and players to participate in NOW clinics. We are thrilled to continue hosting a variety of youth sports clinics with the Hale YMCA in the coming months.”
Throughout the year, NOW hosts a series of free youth sports & wellness clinics around the region. On March 28, NOW, PSA, and the Hale YMCA will host a basketball clinic for children ages 10 – 12, followed by ages 13 – 17 on April 11. More clinics are planned for the spring and summer months. The NOW website has all current events listed.
Registration is currently available online for the April 11 Basketball Clinic. For more information on NOW or to sign up for the upcoming clinics, visit: www.nowinmotion.org.
NOW is a non-profit human services organization focused on youth wellness. NOW provides children the opportunity to participate in area wellness activities and athletics programs, offering scholarships to the community’s youth with up to 95% of the cost being subsidized by NOW. The organizations mission is to provide ALL children, regardless of financial resources, equal opportunities to achieve & maintain youth wellness, beginning at an early age.
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Commits
Abby St. Martin, basketball star at Putnam High School, committed to Worcester State University last weekend. She pictured with her mom and dad, Amybeth and Michael St. Martin. Courtesy photo.
PUTNAM — Abby St. Martin, one of Putnam High School’s most decorated athletes, announced this past weekend that she will continue her basketball career next season at Worcester State University.
“I am always putting in 100 to try to improve my game, for myself and for my team,” St. Martin said. “I have had a positive attitude and always think on the bright side even when times get challenging.
“I can’t wait to see what this next chapter holds. I’m looking forward to playing Division III basketball, working with coach (Karen) Tessmer, her staff, and meeting new teammates.”
Worcester State’s 2020-21 season was cancelled. St. Martin’s senior year at Putnam, however, was not. She averaged a double-double in helping the Clippers to the No. 2 seed in the ECC North Tournament, and finished her career with 836 career points and 700 career rebounds. Among her biggest games this season, St. Martin had 17 points and 10 rebounds in a win over Griswold; 16 and 16 in a loss to Killingly; 23 points and 13 boards in a win over Woodstock Academy; and 18 and 10 in a win over Plainfield.
St. Martin, who is very active in Girl Scouts, the Putnam Leo Club, and the Putnam Interact Club, also excels in the classroom. She is a member of the National Honor Society and is ranked sixth in her graduating class. Named as one the ECC’s Scholar Athletes, St. Martin plans to pursue a nursing degree at Worcester State.
“Being a senior during a pandemic has been challenging,” she said. “In order to make informed decisions about my future, it is essential that I continue to educate myself with all the possibilities in the health care field.”
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Honored
POMFRET — Caroline Labbe of Pomfret Center, from the Class of 2020 at Pomfret School, was named to the spring 2020 honors list at Pomfret School.
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Arthur R. Murphy,
Navy vet
N. GROSVENORDALE — Arthur R. Murphy, 92, of Buckley Hill Rd, died March 28, 2021, at Davis Place. He was the husband of the late Gertrude (Brodeur) Murphy. Born in 1928 in Putnam, he was the son of the late Peter and Anita (Faucher) Murphy. Arthur was a veteran of the U.S. Navy serving from 1950 - 1958 and then continued to serve his country by enlisting in the Air Force Reserves. He served on the honor guard for Princess Grace Kelly and Prince Rainier III of Monaco.
Arthur was employed by the State of Connecticut, first working for the Department of Corrections for 30 years and then becoming a manager of the facilities waste treatment facility.
He was a very community-orientated man, becoming a member of the Community Fire Department, American Legion and the Valley Springs Rod and Gun Club. He was a lifetime member of the Thompson Little League. Arthur loved baseball and followed the Yankees and New York Giants; yard work and he was a known historian for the Town of Thompson.
He leaves his son, Brian Murphy of N. Grosvenordale; stepdaughter, Tracy Johnston of Massachusetts; sister, Dorothy McCormac of Putnam; and three grandchildren, Kyla, Lexi and Kaden. He was predeceased by his two sisters, Jeannette Murphy and Cecille Murphy, and a brother, George Murphy.
Visitation is from 10 a.m. to noon March 31 in Valade Funeral Home and Crematory, 23 Main St., N. Grosvenordale, followed by a service in the funeral home at noon. Burial follows in East Thompson Cemetery.
Theodore C. Sprague,
Vietnam war vet
WILLINGTON — Theodore C. Sprague, 72, of Willington, died March 23, 2021. He was born in Hartford to Normand W. and Ada B. (Carlson) Sprague.
Ted was an avid skier and fisherman. He spent his winters on the ski slopes and his summers pursuing striped bass. Although he didn’t talk much about his time in the Navy, he served two tours in Vietnam and was awarded several commendations including a Bronze Star. He was concerned about the humane treatment of animals and supported many organizations involved in animal rescue.
He leaves his brother Barry; his nieces Colleen Smith and Elizabeth Antunovic; cousins and close friends. Ted was predeceased by his parents, Normand and Ada Sprague. The burial was March 29 in Fairview Cemetery, W. Hartford. Donations: the ASPCA. Potter Funeral Home, Willimantic.
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