Brad R. Riley
DAYVILLE — Brad R. Riley, 28, of Dayville, died unexpectedly Sept. 4, 2018, in Putnam. He was born July 12, 1990, in Putnam, son of Fred Riley and Jill Erickson.
He graduated from the Masonry Program at H.H. Ellis Technical School in 2008. He had worked for Staples for many years and had just recently started working at Frito Lay. Brad enjoyed playing pool and played with several pool leagues. He enjoyed sports, especially the Boston Red Sox.
Brad was proud of his stay and all his accomplishments at the Hotchkiss House beginning May 22, 2016 in Torrington.
He leaves his father Fred Riley of Dayville; mother Jill Erickson of Danielson; his sisters Heidi Thompson (Timothy) and their daughter Grace of Plainfield, Molly Pelletier (Tom) of Moosup; his twin brother Chad Riley of Dayville; his grandmother Betsy Erickson; his lifelong best friend Dijon Benton; uncles Jeff Erickson (Debbie) and their children Johnny Mullen and Christine Bahosh, Russell Riley (Natalie) and their son Kevin; his cat Moe. He was predeceased by his grandparents, Richard and Linda Riley, and Herb Erickson, his uncle Jay Erickson and a cousin Bryan Erickson.
A Memorial Service will be at 2:30 p.m. Sept. 23 at the Eastford Baptist Church, 133 Union Road, Eastford. Burial will be private. Donations: McCall Foundation, 58 High St., Torrington, CT  06790. Smith and Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam.

Mark L. Baker
N. GROSVENORDALE — Mark Lee Baker 51, of Riverside Drive died Sept. 7, 2018, at home after a long illness.  
Born in 1967, he was the son of Linda (Baker) Gauthier and her husband Allen and the late Richard Ballanceau.  
Mark lived most of his life in (Fabyan) Thompson.  He attended Tourtellotte Memorial High School and worked for Webco Chemicals in Dudley, Rinker Materials in Moosup, Pallflex in Putnam, and was a partner in First Rate Chemical in Webster.  Mark enjoyed watching Jeopardy and the Boston Red Sox.  He also collected sports memorabilia and die cast cars.
In addition to his mother and step father, he leaves his sisters, Melinda Kominski (Scott) of Stafford Springs, Valerie Mayze of N. Grosvenordale, Annette Parker and her partner Mike of Colchester, Margaret Morrissette (Matthew) of Danielson, Heather Gauthier-Bourgeois (Scott) of N. Grosvenordale; nieces and nephews ,Amanda, Monique, Jeffrey, Brandon, Codey, Zacheriah, Elizabeth, Alexandria, Charlotte, Julianna, and Levi; his great-niece Skye; great-nephew Robert III; aunts; uncles; and cousins. He was predeceased by his father, Richard Ballanceau; his paternal grandparents, May Hetu and her husband Arthur, and Lloyd Baker; and his aunts and uncles, Margaret McCroby, Barry Baker and Rodney Baker.
Visitation is from 6 to 8 p.m. Sept. 13 in Valade Funeral Home and Crematory, 23 Main St., N. Grosvenordale.  Burial will be private.  Donations: “Hetu/Baker Memorial Scholarship Fund,” c/o Hometown Bank, 835 Riverside Dr., N. Grosvenordale, CT 06255.

Louise Champney
POMFRET CENTER —  Mrs. Louise (Roy) Champney, 97, of Deerfield Rd., formerly of Woodstock, died Sept. 1, 2018, in Day Kimball Hospital.  Born in 1920 in South Troy, Vt., she was the daughter of the late Philip and Marie Louise (Roy) Roy.
On Sept. 12, 1940, Louise married the love of her life, Harold Champney who died in 1999.
Louise worked as a first cook for Annhurst College, retiring after 20 years of service.  She served as president of the Woodstock Elementary School PTA.  She enjoyed cooking and playing Scrabble.  Louise lived in Seely Brown Village for the last 10 years.
No matter how ill Louise was, she would come alive when her great grandbabies would visit their “Mem” or “Weez,” as some called her.
She leaves her children, Ronald Champney (Mary Ann) of E. Woodstock, Dennis Champney (Beth) of Holland, Mass., and Fran Champney (Larry Bates) of Windham; her grandchildren, Megan, Kelly, Ryan, Nicole, Matthew, Benjamin, Lindsey, Sara and Josh; her great-grandchildren, Jemma, Callie, Conor, Noah and Chloe; her sisters, Rita Cutler of Pomfret, Yvonne Hart of Danielson, and Rosemarie Poulin of Plainfield.  In addition to her husband, Louise was predeceased by a daughter, Georgette Anne Champney in 1949.
The Funeral Mass of Christian Burial was Sept. 8 in Most Holy Trinity Church, Pomfret, with burial in St. Mary Cemetery.  Donations: American Cancer Society; the American Heart Association; or to the Alzheimer’s Association.  

Edna D. Cusson
DANIELSON — Edna D. Cusson “Gram”, 90, of Danielson died Aug. 27, 2018, at home.
She was born June 3, 1928.
She was an avid Bingo player, enjoyed listening to Polka Spotlight every Monday night and was active in many of the social events at Maple Courts. 
She leaves two sisters , Rita Lavola and Ella Willard; two brothers Joe Carrier and Francis Carrier; her son Oliver J. Cusson Jr.; her daughter Lousia D. Warrender; six grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews.  She was predeceased by her husband Oliver J. Cusson; son Ronald P. Cusson, and great-granddaughter Amber F Jodoin.
The family will be having a small gathering. Donations:   https://www.gofundme.com/memorial-fund-for-edna-cusson. Smith and Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam.

Bruce Bodreau,
National Guard vet
QUINEBAUG — Bruce Bodreau, 77, of Quinebaug died Sept. 3, 2018 at UMass Memorial after an illness.
Bruce was born  in Southbridge, son of the late Alexander W and  Irene W (Neulieb) Bodreau.
Bruce lived all his life in Quinebaug was a member of National Guard and Army reserves. He was a member of the QVFD, serving as deputy chief and treasurer for the department, retiring after 39 years of service.
He worked as traffic manager for Greeting Card Co  in Webster, oil delivery man for Kenyon Oil in Fayban. In his retirement he had a  lawn mowing business and was  the sexton at St. Stephen’s Church in Quinebaug .He was a fan of UConn ladies basketball and the Celtics, Patriots and Red Sox. He enjoyed word search puzzles and an avid reader  .Bruce was proud to be the first recipient of cord blood transplant at performed at UMass.
He leaves his wife of 56 years Patricia Menard Bodreau , one daughter: Justine (William) Gendreau; one son: Steven T. Bodreau, all of Quinebaug; one sister: Doris Julian of Thompson; seven grandchildren. He was predeceased by his son, Scott A Bodreau.
A Memorial Mass was Sept. 8 at St. Stephen’s Church, Quinebaug, with burial with military honors  in St. Joseph Cemetery, N. Grosvenordale . Donations: Quinebaug Vol. Fire Dept. PO box 144 Quinebaug CT 06262. Bartel Funeral Home, Dudley.

Artelle Curtis
DAYVILLE — Artelle E. (Young) Curtis, 60, died Sept. 9, 2018, at the Day Kimball Hospital, Putnam.
She was born in Putnam, daughter of Henry D. Young and the late Elisabeth (White) Young Bishop and lived in Dayville for the past 1 years prior to that living in Ashford.  She enjoyed crafts, especially making Christmas decorations with greenery from the woods.  She was a wonderful cook.
She leaves her companion of 13 years, Thomas Mottes of Dayville; her son Justin R. Curtis and his companion Debra Boulet of Eastford; two daughters, Amanda S. Curtis of Danielson and Letitia A. Curtis of Dayville; 15 grandchildren; three brothers, Timothy Young (Wendy), Douglas Young (Donna), Curtis Young (Kathy), all of Woodstock; two sisters Ivy Blanchette (Donald) of New Jersey and Alison Meyers (Tom) of Maine; her father Henry D. Young of Woodstock.
Donations: St. Jude Children’s Hospital. Shaw-Majercik Funeral Home, Webster.

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Wed. Sept. 12
Exhibit
The Spirol Gallery at Quinebaug Valley Community College will present Art Meets Engineering through Sept. 30. The opening reception is from 5 to 8 p.m. Sept. 13.

Photo Exhibit
POMFRET --- The Connecticut Audubon Society at Pomfret will present “Nature’s Inspiration,” a photography exhibit by Aaron Bourque and Deborah Eccleston, through the end of October at the Grassland Bird Conservation Center on Day Road. 860-928-4948.

Blood Drive
PUTNAM --- The American Red Cross will hold a blood drive from 8:30 a.m. to 1:45 p.m. at the YMCA off Kennedy Drive. 1-800-RED CROSS.

Fri Sept. 14
Blood Drive
WOODSTOCK --- The American Red Cross will hold a blood drive from noon to 5 p.m. at the S. Woodstock Baptist Church on Roseland Park Road, 1-800 RED CROSS.

History Program
CANTERBURY --- The Canterbury Historical Society will present Jill Fritzsche with ‘The Fun of Collecting --- What’s Your Passion?” following the 7 p.m. business session at the Community Room of the Canterbury Town Hall. Free. All welcome.

Sat. Sept. 15
Nature Program
POMFRET --- The Connecticut Audubon Society at Pomfret will present Bird Banding at 9 a.m. starting at the Grassland Bird Conservation Center on Day Road. $5 for CAS members; $10 or nonmembers. 860-928-4948.

Bottle/Can Drive
KILLINGLY --- Pet Pals Northeast, a local animal welfare organization, will be collecting redeemable bottles and cans to help homeless and needy animals from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sept. 15 at the Killingly Town Garage on Rt. 12. Dry cat food needed, Purina brands preferred. Cash donations always welcome. 860-317-1720.

Benefit Races
EASTFORD --- The Eastford Recreation Commission and The Marilyn T. Krom Foundation are sponsoring two races to benefit three families in Eastford’s 5k and Kids Fun Run, starting at 10 a.m. at the Eastford Town Office Building. One of the families that will benefit is the Lincoln Budd family. Budd is in renal failure and needs a kidney. His best chance for a match is from a person with type B or type O blood. But even if you don’t have one of those blood types, you can ask about paired kidney donation. To register, go to runsignup.com. For info call 860-933-8012.
 
Hike for Hope
DAYVILLE --- Hike for Hope fund-raiser, sponsored by Christopher Heights, will be held starting at 8 a.m. at Owen Bell Park. Funds go to NECT Cancer Fund at DKH. 860-428-0934.

Comedy
PUTNAM --- The Bradley Playhouse on Front Street will present “New England Comedy All Stars” at 7:30 p.m. $22. Suggested audience 18 and older. 860-928-7887.

Sun. Sept. 16
Fund-raiser Race
DAYVILLE --- The 7th annual NOW Road Race and Walk will be held at Alexander's Lake. It is a fund-raiser for NOW. For registration and more information go to: www.nowinmotion.org

Nature Program
HAMPTON --- The Connecticut Audubon Society at Pomfret will present Fall Guided Poetry Walk at 2 p.m. at the Trail Wood on Kenyon Road. Bring binoculars and wear drab colored clothing. Meet in parking lot. Free for CAS members; $5 or nonmembers. 860-928-4948.

Healing Service
PUTNAM --- A Christian Healing Service will be held at 2 p.m. at St. Philip’s Church on Grove Street. Prayer teams will be available to pray with individuals for physical, emotional and spiritual healing. 860-928-3510.

Mon. Sept. 17
Exercise Group
WOODSTOCK --- The Woodstock Senior Exercise Group will meet from 9 to 10 a.m. every Monday and Wednesday in the Woodstock Town Hall large meeting room on the lower. Minimum fee. Local seniors welcome. Please check the town website www.woodstockCT.gov for current schedule or call 860-928-6595.

Tues. Sept. 18
Red Sox History
POMFRET --- Sportswriter Mike Shalin will present images from his book “The Hometown Team: 4 Decades of Boston Red Sox Photography,” at 7 p.m. at Old Town House, Town House Rd. Sponsored by Pomfret Public Library, pomfretlibrary.org.

Wed. Sept. 19
Golf Tourney
DANIELSON --- The 26th QVCC Foundation Golf Tournament at CT National Golf Course will be held today. . To sponsor or register your team call 860-932-4063.  No event day registrations. Benefits local students at QVCC.

Fund-raiser Dining
DAYVILLE --- Dining for a Cause will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. at Pub99 in Killingly Common to benefit PAWS Cat Shelter. Pub99. Drawings planned --- get your drawing flyer will be posted on PAWS FB page or at Paws Cat Shelter, on Rt. 171, Woodstock.

Thur. Sept. 20
Nature Program
HAMPTON --- The Connecticut Audubon Society at Pomfret will present Bird Walk at 8 a.m. at the Trail Wood on Kenyon Road. Bring binoculars and wear drab colored clothing. Meet in parking lot. $5 for CAS members; $10 or nonmembers. 860-928-4948.

Blood Drive
PUTNAM --- The American Red Cross will hold a blood drive from 1 to 6 p.m. at Matulaitis Rehab & Skilled Center. 1-800-RED CROSS.

Sat. Sept. 22
Positively Pomfret
POMFRET --- Positively Pomfret Day will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Recreation Park on Rt. 97. Vendors sought: Visit www.pomfretct.gov/recreation for a form.

Nature Program
POMFRET --- The Connecticut Audubon Society at Pomfret will present Bird Banding at 9 a.m. starting at the Grassland Bird Conservation Center on Day Road. $5 for CAS members; $10 or nonmembers. 860-928-4948.

Sun. Sept. 23
Day of Peace
PUTNAM --- The Greater Putnam Interfaith Council (GPIC) will be holding its annual International Day of Peace event at 2 p.m.  at the Daughters of the Holy Spirit Auditorium on Church Street. Entrance is in the rear of the building.  The "traveling"  Peace Pole will be present. Address by Pastor Charles F. Seivard of the Emanuel Lutheran Church in N. Grosvenordale.  All welcome. 860- 455-8144.

Thur. Sept. 27
Trivia Challenge
PUTNAM --- The Putnam Lions Club will hold a fund-raiser Trivia Challenge at 7 p.m. at the Crossings Restaurant downtown. It benefits Homeless of NE CT.

Sat. Sept. 29
Nature Program
POMFRET --- The Connecticut Audubon Society at Pomfret will present Bird Banding at 9 a.m. starting at the Grassland Bird Conservation Center on Day Road. $5 for CAS members; $10 or nonmembers. 860-928-4948.

Book Sale
MANSFIELD --- The Friend of the Mansfield Library will hold a book sale from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 29 and from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sept. 30 at the Mansfield Public Library on Rt. 89. 

Sun. Sept. 30
Nature Program
POMFRET --- The Connecticut Audubon Society at Pomfret will present Bull Hill Bird Walk at 8 a.m. starting at the Grassland Bird Conservation Center on Day Road. $5 for CAS members; $10 or nonmembers. 860-928-4948.

Antique Appraisal
CANTERBURY --- The Federated Church of Christ in Brooklyn on Rt. 169 is sponsoring an Antique Appraisal Fair from 2 to 5 p.m. Appraisers will appraise up to three items for $5 apiece.  Equipment will be on hand to identify metal content in jewelry without harming the piece.

Fri. Oct. 5
First Fridays
PUTNAM --- The Putnam Business Association will present First Fridays --- Scandinavian-American Heritage from 6 to 9 p.m. around downtown Putnam.

Sat. Oct. 6
Community Day
N. GROSVENORDALE --- The 15th Annual Thompson Community Day will be held from noon to 4 p.m. at Riverside Park. 860-923-9440.

Book, Bake Sale
CANTERBURY --- The Friends of the Canterbury Public Library will hold a book sale and a bake sale from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sale opens at 8:30 a.m. for members. Memberships available at the door, at the Canterbury Library, or at: http://canterburylibrary.org/

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WOODSTOCK— The Woodstock Academy field hockey team finished fourth in the Eastern Connecticut Conference last season.
The Centaurs would like to take more than just a step up this season.
“I would love to take three steps up, that would be fine by me,” coach Lauren Gagnon said with a laugh. “We’re just looking to improve every year and we’ve done it. They’re here, working hard every day and spreading the love of the sport to dozens of other kids.”
Indeed, the numbers were, once again, very good.
Some 54 student-athletes turned out for the program including the first two international students that Gagnon has had come out.
“I don’t think either has played, but it’s a nice cultural experience for the kids,” Gagnon said.
With the numbers comes the natural competition.
In practice, the Centaurs split into four teams.
That doesn’t happen in a varsity game and everyone wants to play.
“Team cohesion can be a struggle for us because we have so many players who are fighting hard for their positions. It’s tough to be battling for your spot all the time, but love your neighbor. It’s not that they don’t love each other; it’s just tough to get a solid midfield line going for a long time when you have so many kids changing in and out. Or when you have 12 kids who can rotate into the four forward line spots. It’s a good problem to have,” Gagnon said.
Senior Hannah Wotton said there is also only one ball.
“We have to learn to communicate better. That’s always something you have to work on when you have new players in new positions. It’s definitely tough when everyone comes together and all go at the ball at the same time,” Wotton said.
The Centaurs didn’t lose all that much offense from a year ago.
While many players are interchangeable, some are slated to be playing up front. Seniors Hannah Chubbuck, Emma Strandson and Sam Mowry, junior Lily Brin and sophomores Eliza Dutson and Rachel Canedy are the returning forwards.
Dutson moves up from the back.
“She is going to be very helpful shooting and scoring more goals this year,” Wotton said.
Avery Jones returns as a junior midfielder who is a fine distributor.
She also clearly loves the sport as her summer was spent on the field.
“She played Futures – the Team USA development program – and learned a lot from that. She went to the UMass camp and did some clinic stuff with the Woodstock Field Hockey Association. She is looking strong and she has a shiny new stick,” Gagnon said.
Brin, Wotton and Abigail Kruger will also be in the midfield.
The Centaurs did lose Haley Armstrong from the mid and both Wanjiru Gatheru and Hannah Reynolds from the defense to graduation.
“I know it looks like we’re not in great shape defensively, but we come back with some really strong, key players. Last year, I was able to start two freshmen in any game and feel comfortable (Dutson has been bumped to forward). I know Sydney Cournoyer would love to be up on the forward line and tossing in goals for us, but she’s a workhorse in the back field and comes with a lot of experience. She will power the defense,” Gagnon said.
The Centaurs also have goalies Olivia Stanikmas and Rachel Roberts, both of whom took in some camps this summer, back in the cage.
Newcomers to the varsity will include juniors Paige Kasacek, Anya Farutin, Tessa Houlihan and Madelyn Lecuyer; sophomores Megan Preston and Alex Vaida and freshmen Hannah Clark, Eliza Simpson and Brigid McNearney.
The Centaurs made both the ECC and state tournaments a year ago and finished 7-10-1.
“We really thought it was one or two key games that if we had won, we could have gone into the ECC championship by not being matched up with Stonington in the first round. We did really well in the first half of that game (versus Stonington). Ideally, we want to make the (league championship), that’s a definite possibility, and it’s what we’re striving for,” Gagnon said.
Marc Allard
Sports Information Director
The Woodstock Academy

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