As part of a Natchaug River Healthy Watershed Implementation Planning Project, the Eastern Connecticut Conservation District is hosting a free online workshop focused on riparian buffers. Land use in these strips of land along stream corridors, lakes and wetland complexes have a major influence on stream and lake health, as well as overall habitat quality.
It will be held from 6:30 to 8 p.m. April 28. To register, email
Dr. Juliana Barrett of CT Sea Grant will give the first presentation titled Riparian Buffers and their Importance in Connecticut. Riparian buffers play a critical role in protecting our wetlands and waterways. The presentation will include the characteristics of riparian buffers, the services they provide and the ecosystem services provided by different-sized riparian buffers.
Patrick Smith and Bet Zimmerman Smith will follow Dr. Barrett’s presentation and share wildlife camera video clips from their 30-acre private nature preserve, The Fen, located along Muddy Brook in Woodstock. Their amusing presentation will support the significance of these strips of land as important wildlife corridors as you watch a diversity of animals, from bobcats to wood ducks, featured in their presentation. Who should attend this workshop? The Natchaug regional watershed includes the towns of Ashford, Eastford, Chaplin, Mansfield, Union, Willington, Windham and Woodstock. Volunteer land use regulatory officials, conservation commission members, planners, wetland officials, builders, and landowners with river or lake frontage, or people who are interested in how the ecosystem they live in works. This will be a family friendly event, so invite the clan to watch with you. The Natchaug Watershed Healthy Watershed Implementation Plan project is funded in part by a US EPA Clean Water Act § 319 non-point source pollution grant through the CT DEEP.
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PUTNAM — In an effort to assist high school senior basketball players whose recruitment has been affected by the coronavirus pandemic, Putnam Science Academy’s athletic department will offer partial scholarships of $26,100 to any unsigned senior – boy or girl – from New England, New York and New Jersey.
Because the pandemic has altered or completely shut down the regular recruiting window in the spring and summer, many basketball players who will not have the opportunity to play in front of college coaches could be looking at their careers being cut short upon high school graduation.
Putnam Science Academy – which has placed more than 100 players into men’s college programs since 2010 (including more than 50 into Division I alone), and more than 20 into women’s college programs in just the last three years – presents the perfect vehicle for student-athletes to keep playing and get the exposure they are missing this recruiting season in order to take that next step to the college level.
“I couldn’t imagine going through this during my senior season,” said PSA Athletic Director and men’s prep basketball coach Tom Espinosa. “I feel terribly for all of these student-athletes, and we would love to give as many kids as possible a great experience during a postgrad year that could really open up a lot of doors for them.”
Putnam Science Academy currently has three boys’ and two girls’ basketball teams. The Mustangs’ top team, won a share of the national prep championship this season, its second title in three years. The girls’ prep team, coached by Devin Hill, has finished in third place at the national tournament the last two seasons. The other three teams posted a combined .647 winning percentage.
The partial scholarships are for domestic boarding students who successfully complete the school’s standard admissions process. More information on tuition and applying can be found at the school’s website, putnamscienceacademy.org. Please contact Espinosa at
Stephen Nalbandian
Sports Information Director
Putnam Science Academy
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It will certainly be an environment filled with familiar faces for Ronnie DeGray.
The Woodstock Academy Gold prep basketball player recently announced that he has committed to play for the University of Massachusetts.
The 6-foot, 7-inch DeGray, a native of Parker, Colo., joins seven other former Woodstock Academy teammates on the roster for the Minutemen.
“In this climate, it’s a great choice and a safe choice,” said Woodstock Academy coach Jacque Rivera. “The NCAA has barred any (official) visits until May 31. (DeGray) wanted to pick a place where he could play right away and I don’t think they have anyone like him. People say Dyondre (former Centaurs teammate Dominguez), but they played alongside each other all year. I think he picked a place that is a good level for him. It’s a place of comfort. Ronnie is a relationship-based kid and I think it’s a great spot for him.”
DeGray played for the Centaurs for the past two seasons.
He was the only returning player from last year’s Gold team and helped the Centaurs to a 29-8 record and a National Prep Championship tournament berth.
DeGray played alongside Tre Mitchell, T.J. Weeks and Preston Santos, all members of the Minutemen, two years ago.
Noah Fernandes, also a part of the Gold program two years ago, recently transferred from Wichita State to UMass.
Dibaji Walker, who played on Woodstock Academy’s first-year prep team, is also a member of the Minutemen.
Dominguez, a member of this year’s Gold team, previously announced he had committed to play for UMass at the end of the basketball season. Before he came to the Centaurs, Cairo McCrory had already committed to play for UMass.
One of the UMass assistant coaches is former Woodstock Academy prep basketball head coach Tony Bergeron.
“I think, on the surface, it’s funny but I also think it’s pretty cool because it’s something that has never been done,” Rivera said. “You look back and you never see this many kids from the same (prep) program go to the same (college). I think it will become something great at the end. It’s a benefit for the kids. They are in a safe place and will do something special. When they do, it will be even cooler. I think Woodstock Academy will have played a significant role in that.”
Rivera also announced that another member of this year’s Centaurs Blue team, Walter DeFritas (Brooklyn, N.Y.), has committed to play Division II basketball for the University of New Haven.
“He was a kid who came in unnoticed, unrecognized, and played his part. He gave the team good minutes when he could and played multiple positions,” Rivera said. “He’s a super kid, a good academic kid and I think it’s a good place for him. It’s close to New York.”
Another member of the Blue team, guard Hakan West, who hails from Boston, will play Division III basketball for Keene State College in New Hampshire.
“It’s a great school and he got a great package to go there,” Rivera said.
Marc Allard
Director of Sports Information
The Woodstock Academy
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Virtual
adventures
The Arc Eastern Connecticut web now offers a variety of games, activities, health/fitness sessions, virtual tours, and other fun, educational and engaging diversions for individuals and families social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic. Web surfers can access the page at www.thearcect.org and clicking on “Activities 4 U” to live stream exercise classes, tour national parks, listen to lectures, explore art museums, and more.
Kathleen Stauffer, The Arc Eastern Connecticut’s CEO, said, “We are happy to share our activity platform not only with the people we serve, but also with a larger community that has been so generous with us through the years.”
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