PSA team takes national crown
Putnam Science Academy’s esports team kept the receipts.
After falling in the championship game of last year’s High School Esports League national tournament, the Mustangs were crowned HSEL national champions earlier this month. Playing Rocket League, PSA made its way to the final by knocking off its first four opponents with sweeps of the best-of-five sets.
In the final, PSA – featuring a lineup of Gavin Lo Vasco, Carson Sward, Kohen Yates, Jonathan Galdamez, and substitute Ryan Staite – faced old foe Westwood High School, which beat the Mustangs at their most recent LAN event, the Nutmeg State Esports Games.
The teams split the first four games, setting up a winner-take-all fifth game, which PSA won in convincing fashion to win the title at the event held in Kansas City, Mo.
“I am beyond proud,” coach Devon Nedoroscik said. “The students played their hearts out, and not only secured the championship title and collegiate scholarships, but the team realized how serious they want to take this career in their lives.”
Each team member took home nearly $1,500 in college scholarships (plus a pair of $750 sunglasses from event sponsor Oakley) for the win.
That was all on top of the winnings from earlier that week, when PSA placed second in another national tournament (this time the PlayVS Cup) and earned $3,000 in scholarship money.
Stephen Nalbandian
Sports Information Director
Putnam Science Academy

Winners
From left: R. Jonathan Galdamez, Kohen Yates, Gavin Lo Vasco, Carson Sward, coach Devon Nedoroscik.

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From patriotism to awards

By Linda Lemmon
Town Crier Editor
PUTNAM — The pendulum swung from patriotism to awards at the Mayotte-Viens Post 13 American Legion induction of officers and awards dinner last week.
Commander Michael Rocchetti recounted the busy year the post had. “We had a big year, in addition to the patriotic observances,” he said. With pride, he noted the post’s annual golf tournament this past year raised $10,000 which went to the refurbishment project at the Veterans Park. “That’s a big thing and WE’RE NOT DONE YET.” The upcoming golf tournament will also bring donations for the Veterans Park.
This year, he said, the post awarded $6,000 in scholarships. “It’s the first time we’ve done that,” he said, “giving out four more than last year.” he said. Scholarships went to: from Putnam High School: Aysaiah Chavez, Lily Goyette, Brady Devlin, Robert Dion, Pedro Ortiz and Connor Vassar of QVCC.
Rocchetti said: “We doubled our contribution to the Tri-Town American Legion Baseball Team. We donated $10,000 to the Veterans Memorial Park Project – but there’s more to come. We’re sending two Putnam High School students to Boys State and Girls State – Justin Vukas and Whitney Pynn. And we recently recognized four PHS graduating seniors who will be going into the U.S. military: Colin Martin and Moses Ryder, USMC, and Travis Fredette and Lucas Carita U.S. Army National Guard.
Master of Ceremonies, past Post #13 Commander Brian Maynard expressed his gratitude to the members and the local community for their vital support – “which makes possible our many programs which benefit the local community.” “All of the proceeds from our upcoming golf tournament will be donated to the Town of Putnam for the completion of upgrades to the Veterans Park – so please support our golf tournament – which will be held on Monday September 16th at the Putnam National Golf Course.”
Rocchetti said: “On a low note, we transferred eight departed comrades from Post #13 to the Post Everlasting, including: Carl Eisen, Albert Cormier, Bernard Auger, Anthony Amodeo, Alan Sheldon, Robert Guillot, Raymond Williams and David Kelly. I can’t remember when we have lost so many comrades in one year – and we lost our last two remaining WWII veterans – Carl Eisen and Ray Williams.”
On the upside awards were numerous. The American Legion Bronze Service Medals were presented to Maynard, Charles MacKenzie, and Ed Morissette for their work on the successful 2023 golf tournament.
“We usually present an award to our Legionnaire of the Year, and this year it is awarded to our past Post Commander Michael Vassar – but Mike had another important commitment so he wasn’t able to attend tonight,” Rocchetti said “But rest assured, we will present it to him when he gets back. Mike is a very high-performing individual and his service to our Post and our community reflects great credit upon himself and the American Legion. We are real proud of him.”
The Post #13 officers for the 2024-2025 program year will include Post Commander Michael Rocchetti, Senior Vice Commander Christopher Steinbrick, Junior Vice Commander Tina Lajoie, Finance Officer Charles MacKenzie, Adjutant Michael Rocchetti, Chaplain Pierre Desilets, and Sergeant-at-Arms Frank Tremont. They were sworn in by officers and dignitaries from the American Legion’s NE CT District #4 including: Commander Frank Poirier, Adjutant Jeff DeClerk, and Historian Joe McIlraith.
Firefighter of the Year Award
Zach Belleville received the Mayotte-Viens Post 13American Legion Firefighter of the Year Award at the post’s induction and awards night June 20.
In his short time as a member of the Putnam Fire Department Zach Belleville “gives 110 percent,” according to Fire Chief Bob Campbell’s nomination letter to the legion.
He said Belleville, “is always helping when needed from washing hoses to training members in the department. He is at almost any function we ask of him.”
Campbell added: “Zachary started with the Putnam Fire Department on January 1 2022. Zach has helped our department in many ways in the short time he has been in the department. Zach is always right there to help in any way. He is FireFighter 1 certified which takes about 250 hours of training. He is Q Licensed to drive fire trucks and recently completed a Train the Trainer class on Blood Borne Pathogens. Zach was promoted to Lieutenant of Hose Company #2 on May 1 2023.”
Calling Belleville “the most respectful young man I know,” Campbell added: “He doesn’t need to be asked to get something done whether it’s at the station or on the trucks or at a fire scene. Zach is an excellent firefighter with a very bright future as a firefighter, which is his dream. I nominate Zachary Belleville because he is a dedicated and hard-working member of the Putnam Fire Department., and the chief officers couldn’t be more proud of the firefighter he has become.”
Police Officer of the Year Award
Putnam Police Officer Roy Hicks received the Mayotte-Viens Post 13 American Legion’s Officer of the Year award at the post’s induction and awards night June 20.
Police Chief Christopher D. Ferace said the three-year department veteran was nominated by two supervisors and a co-worker
Ferace, in his nomination of Hicks, said, “Officer Hicks brings a dedicated and compassionate work ethic with him every time he walks through the door at the Police Department. His enthusiasm for police work is infectious in the workplace and his desire to learn and improve every day is exemplified by his passion for this profession.”
That passion carries over into Hicks’ embrace of the department’s Community Policing Philosophy,” Ferace said. In fact, Hicks “excels at it. For example, it is not uncommon for him to purchase a meal for a homeless person or work extended hours in a criminal investigation to apprehend the responsible party.”
He added, “It is with great pleasure to announce Officer Roy Hicks as our Officer of the Year.”

captions, page 5:

Officers, from left: Commander Michael Rocchetti, Sr. Vice Commander Christopher Steinbrick, Jr. Vice Commander Tina Lajoie, Finance Officer Chas MacKenzie, Chaplain Pierre Desilets, Sgt. at Arms Frank Tremont. Not pictured: Service Officer Garry Brown.

Hicks with Rocchetti

Belleville with Rocchetti

Scholarship Winners: Aysaiah Chavez, right, Lily Goyette


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'A home for our families'
By Linda Lemmon
Town Crier Editor
PUTNAM — In 13 years Paws Cat Shelter has helped 15,000 cats, maybe more.
No wonder owner Fay Beriau had a catch in her voice at the ribbon cutting for the shelter’s new home. The non-profit moved from a small rented space in Woodstock to a spacious new home on School Street.
Mayor Barney Seney said Paws does important work. Cats know they have a place. Not a week goes by that the Town Hall doesn’t get a call about a stray cat. “This is a great facility for northeastern Connecticut,” he said. “I know they’d like to be out of business but, unfortunately, I don’t think that will happen in my lifetime.”
Elle Sherman, executive director of the Northeastern Connecticut Chamber of Commerce, also stressed the importance of the Paws mission. “This makes such a difference for our most vulnerable citizens – animals,” she said.
Putnam Business Association President Thomas Borner presented a plaque from the association and noted the shelter does important work.
PAWS (Pets Are Worth Saving) was started by Lydia Reed in 2011 in Lebanon and moved to Woodstock later. Beriau took over in 2017.
The shelter’s Julie Crouch said later with the help of more than 100 volunteers, hard work plus donations big and small the building was transformed in the last year. There’s a whole new ventilation system, heating and plumbing “that was done at cost,” she said. There are numerous separate rooms, each dedicated to a particular cat that especially touched their hearts. There’s a medical room and a room where cats can roam and many more. She said there are 23 doors and they put $130,000 into it creating the shelter. The nonprofit operates solely on donations and fund-raisers, she said. “We are creating this legacy,” Crouch said.
Crouch said there are 140 cats in the shelter now; however, there are a total of 480 cats under their care if you count fosters.
Before cutting the ribbon, Beriau said “Volunteers came in and made this a home for our families.”

caption, page 4:
Dignitaries and volunteers help cut the ribbon at the grand opening of the Paws Cat Shelter's new home. More photos on Wed. night on our FB page.

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