caption:
Ribbon Cutting
The Country Living at Westview Commons, independent and assisted living facility, opened Sept. 14. From left, front row: Donna Copeland, executive director CLAWC and NE Chamber president; Herbert Czermak, CLAWC owner; David T. Panteleakos, CLAWC owner; and Donna LaHaie, CLAWC director of Financial Services. Second row: Ann-Marie Aubrey, Killingly town planner; Mary Calorio, Killingly town manager; and Jill St. Clair, Killingly Economic Development coordinator. Third row: Betti Kuszaj, executive director of the NE CT Chamber; Lynn Weaver, treasurer of the NE CT Chamber and VP of Farm Credit East; Shawn Johnston, VP of NE CT Chamber and Doug Porter, trustee of NE CT Chamber and owner of Woodstock Building Associates. Courtesy photo.
DAYVILLE — After 20 years of planning and the last 18 months of construction, Country Living at Westview Commons, a new 75 unit independent and assisted living facility on Ware Road, opened its doors Sept. 14.
To celebrate the opening, a ribbon cutting ceremony was held at the facility with local town officials and members of the Northeast Connecticut Chamber of Commerce.
The $19,500,000 project touts a 115,000 sq. ft. state-of-the-art two story building including a lower level indoor parking garage, a large two-story great room for dining and entertainment, café.
There is also an Irish pub, movie theater, family gathering center, library, outdoor gazebo with walking trails, gardens and a large exterior water feature at the entrance.
“We greatly appreciate all of the support we have received for this significant investment in our community,” said David T. Panteleakos, executive vice president and one of the owners of Westview Commons.
“Dating back to 1999, we began the quest for establishing this type of housing and services for the retired citizens in our region.
"Through the years, we have been so impressed by our local town officials for their assistance with navigating and guidance in establishing such a significant property in our local area.
"Also, working with Provost & Rovero, Inc. and Engineered Construction International, Inc. out of Plainfield, for our architectural/engineering designs and construction management services made all the difference for us. Their expertise and coordination with local contractors was perfectly executed; and they delivered the building ahead of schedule.
"Additionally, working with Michael Alberts, vice president and senior commercial loan officer at Jewett City Savings Bank for the financing of this significant investment in our local area could not have been any smoother.
"Lastly, we are truly grateful to our neighbors for being so patient with the many disruptions and inconveniences that go along with a construction project of this magnitude.”
Residents officially began moving into Westview Commons Sept. 14. For more info: www.westviewcommons.com or call (860) 428-2230.
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Getting Ready
The Woodstock Academy volleyball players work out in the gym getting ready for a season that begins on Oct. 1. Photo by Marc Allard.
Volleyball preview
No pressure
on Centaurs
The Woodstock Academy girls’ volleyball team has had plenty of excitement over the last three seasons.
The Centaurs have been a part of the Class L final four in each of the last three seasons, finishing as runners-up in 2017 and ’18 and falling in the state semifinals last season.
It has left those still with the program with some fond memories. “I was lucky enough to be a part of a varsity team that went to the state finals two years, those were my proud moments,” said Centaurs senior middle hitter Sierra Bedard. “This year, it’s a lot different.”
Like all fall athletic programs, there is no state tournament this season due to the pandemic. There is also no league or divisional titles to play for.
The desire to win an ECC and state title this season even without Connecticut Gatorade Player of the Year, Paula Hernandez who graduated, was certainly going to be high.
The Centaurs won’t have to worry about that. They will play 12 matches this fall. That’s it.
Most consider it a blessing to even be allowed to play as the sport is considered a medium-to-high risk by the state Department of Health when it comes to the transmission of the virus. One city in the state, New Haven, will not allow its schools to participate this season.
It may give the program a moment to step back and breathe.
Hernandez was such a dominant force (500 kills, 622 digs, 230 service points, 66 aces last season) that it was going to be near impossible to replace her.
“We’re going to lose that all-around player who was the best on the team in everything and that’s OK. We have a number of defensive specialists who can step in and pass and play defense for some of the hitters who may struggle a bit and take something off their plate. The effects are going to be felt less because of the circumstances of COVID,” said coach Adam Bottone.
The biggest circumstance is the schedule limitations. Perennial powers like RHAM, E. Lyme, Fitch, Greenwich, NFA, and Lyman are not on the agenda.
Instead, Woodstock Academy will be playing a heavily regional schedule with only matches against New London, Griswold and Norwich Tech briefly taking the Centaurs out of Windham County.
“A successful season for us will be to go out there and continue to improve, regardless if we play two matches or all 12,” Bottone said. “To get through the season will be an accomplishment, but I’m also looking at developing the skills and knowing what we need to prepare for next year or years down the road so I want to see development in the younger players.”
Bottone and his seniors will not get to work with a lot of their younger teammates on the court in matches.
The Centaurs have eight seniors: Bedard, setter Tabitha Bezanson, defensive specialist Sara Cotillo Soria, opposite hitter Kiliegh Gagnon, outside hitter Gabby Garbutt, middle hitter Amelia Large, and defensive specialist Marissa Mayhew.
Teams will only be allowed 10 players on the varsity bench. In years past, Bottone would mix varsity and junior varsity players.
“Since I’ve been on varsity, one of my biggest goals is to get the younger girls feeling comfortable, even if they aren’t on varsity, with the family that we have,” Mayhew said. “This year makes that even more important. They will have a more normal season next year and we don’t want (the program) to slack off. We want to make sure that Woodstock Academy is still well-known as having a very good volleyball team.”
Others who will see varsity time include juniors Annarose Avery (setter), Aurissa Boardman (outside hitter) and Elizabeth Loverin (defensive specialist). Bottone will also try to work sophomores Leila MacKinnon (opposite/outside hitter) and Alexandra Thompson (defensive specialist) into matches.
One thing all will have to adjust to is wearing a mask. Not only on the sideline, but when playing.
Volleyball Schedule: Thurs., Oct. 1: at New London, 3:30 p.m.; Sat., Oct. 3: at Griswold, 12:30 p.m.; Wed., Oct. 7: vs. Killingly, 5:30 p.m.; Fri., Oct. 9: at Norwich Tech, 5:30 p.m.; Sat., Oct. 17: vs. Griswold, 11:30 a.m.; Weds., Oct. 21: at Killingly, 5:30 p.m.; Fri., Oct. 23: at Windham, 5:30 p.m.; Weds., Oct. 28: vs. Ellis Tech, 5:30 p.m.; Sat., Oct. 31: vs. Putnam, 11:30 a.m.; Tues., Nov. 3: vs. New London, 5:30 p.m.; Fri., Nov. 6: at Plainfield, 5:30 p.m.
Marc Allard
Director of Sports Information
The Woodstock Academy
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13-year-old in critical
condition after
bike-car collision
PUTNAM --- About 7:30 p.m. Sept. 8, the Putnam Police, Putnam EMS, and Putnam Fire Department were dispatched to the intersection of Woodstock Avenue and Van den Noort Street for the report of a motor vehicle accident involving a motor vehicle and bicyclist.
The preliminary on scene investigation determined a vehicle traveling on Woodstock Avenue and a bicycle being operated by a 13-year-old juvenile collided on Woodstock Avenue. The juvenile sustained significant injuries and was transported to Day Kimball Hospital and later transferred to UMass Medical Center for the treatment of potential life-threatening injuries. The operator of the vehicle was not injured.
The CT State Police Collision Analysis & Reconstruction Squad assisted with on-scene investigation. Woodstock Avenue was closed for several hours.
The accident investigation ongoing and no charges have been filed at this time. Anyone who may have witnessed the investigation is encouraged to contact Detective Bart Ramos at (860) 928-6565.
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The following charges were listed in the Putnam Police Department logs. The people charged are innocent until proven guilty in court. The Town Crier will publish dispositions of cases at the request of the accused. The dispositions must be accompanied by the proper documentation. The Putnam Police Department confidential Tip Line is 860-963-0000.
Aug. 31
Patricia Roberts, 58, Thayer Street, Putnam; creating a public disturbance.
Sept. 4
Daniel Taylor-Obrien, 24, Providence Street, Putnam; disorderly conduct.
Rachel Sanborn, 25, Providence Street, Putnam; disorderly conduct.
Steven Riendeau, 32, Putnam Pike, Dayville; creating a public disturbance.
Sept. 5
Herbert Rogers, 47, Lamothe Street, Putnam; evading responsibility.
Adam Hazzard, 54, homeless, Worcester; third-degree assault, disorderly conduct.
Sept. 10
Stephen Bennett, 46, Quebec Square, Brooklyn; third-degree criminal mischief.
Elizabeth Foss, 19, Pomfret Street, Putnam; violation of a protective order, disorderly conduct.
Sept. 11
Tyler Lane, 26, Sonny Lane, Thompson; creating a public disturbance.
Derek Brooks, 36, South Main Street, Putnam; creating a public disturbance.
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