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Socks Galore
Kelsey Terranova with the 1,333 pairs of socks collected in honor of her adoption day. Courtesy photo.
By Linda Lemmon
Town Crier Editor
PUTNAM --- It seemed like such a small thing, but for foster parents and children, it's a big deal.
Kacey Terranova of Putnam, foster mother, remembers when a child would arrive at her home from the Department of Children and Families. They would come with some clothing "but they never had socks." Socks never seemed to make the trip. "Sounds small, but it is a big deal," Terranova said.
The Terranova family adopted one of the foster children in their care, Kelsey, now 3.
Terranova said Kelsey's adoption day is Feb. 26, 2016, and they decided that instead of giving her gifts on the anniversary day, they would collect socks for DCF in Willimantic.
They started last year, the one-year anniversary of Kelsey's adoption, and set a modest goal of 200 pairs of socks.
The family didn't collect 200. They collected 500-plus.
This year, the second year to celebrate Kelsey's adoption anniversary, the family set a goal of 500.
They collected 1,333 pairs of socks.
"We never imagined it would get as big as it did," she said.
The family made the donation to DCF in Willimantic March 6.
"We decided to give back to the kids in foster care," she said, and the family sure did. With something as small as socks.
Gymnasts
2nd in States
The Woodstock Academy gymnastics team knew it would be very difficult to keep its string of State Open championships going.
Greenwich came into Pomperaug High School in Southbury Saturday as the favorite and left with the title as it outscored the Centaurs, 143.525-138.425. Trumbull, the No. 2 seed, finished third.
The second-place finish ended the Centaurs string of six consecutive State Open titles.
But it didn’t leave them disappointed.
“Very happy and proud of the second place finish,” said coach Kasey Tocchio. “Coming in ranked third, we just wanted to have our best meet. Second place felt like a first to us.”
The second- place finish also meant the Centaurs will travel as a team as one of the two Connecticut representatives, along with Greenwich, to the New England championships. The Centaurs will compete at the Pinkerton Academy in Derry, N.H.
The Centaurs success in the State Open was, once again, the result of a team effort.
Ali Crescimanno led the Centaurs in the All-Around with a 35.025 while Jenna Davidson (34.825) finished 12th and Grace Gronski (34.225) tied for 13th.
The Centaurs haven’t had the luxury of a Paige Stuyniski or Grace Logan this season; gymnasts who would consistently score in the top five in competitions. It left the Centaurs little margin for error.
“This year has absolutely been a team effort, it takes all six of those girls having their best meet,” Tocchio said. “We are very strong as a whole and the girls have worked hard to push each other to be better. All six girls that competed made first team All-State this year which shows how strong they all are and how much we count on all of them.” Crescimanno had the highest individual finish, fourth on the bars with a 9.0.
Freshman Grace Gronski (9.225) placed fifth on the floor with Crescimanno in 13th (8.875) and Abby Vaida in 15th with an 8.825. “Grace has been working on the little details and it showed. Abby also did a beautiful routine as she has been a rock for us on floor this year,” Tocchio said.
Jenna Davidson was ninth on the beam for the Centaurs.
Marc Allard
Sports Information Director
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 963-0000.
Feb. 16
Jennifer Burgos, 25, Sunnyside Avenue, Putnam; failure to illuminate plate, possession of drug paraphernalia, failure to secure a child.
Marissa Burgos, 20, Sunnyside Avenue, Putnam; possession of marijuana (second offense), possession of drug paraphernalia.
Feb. 18
Zachary Sparadeo, 20, Kennedy Drive, Putnam; second-degree failure to appear.
Brian Johnson, 54, Ray Street, Putnam; operating with a suspended registration, operating without insurance.
Feb. 22
Douglas Hopkins, 33, Stone Road, Ellenberg Depot, N.Y.; disorderly conduct, third-degree assault, risk of injury to a minor.
Feb. 23
Nicole Whalen, 37, Lhomme Street, Danielson; disorderly conduct, second-degree criminal mischief.
KILLINGLY — A Killingly woman was arrested on drug charges after a traffic stop on Attawaugan Crossing.
Shannon Evans, 41, of 37 Country Club Road, was charged with possession of narcotics, possession of narcotics with intent to sell and failure to obey a stop sign.
Feb. 5 Troop D – Quality of Life Task Force Troopers stopped a vehicle on Attawaugan Crossing in Killingly for failure to obey a stop sign. Interviewing the driver troopers became suspicious that drugs may be in the car. After consent to search the vehicle troopers seized Suboxone and one plastic baggie containing approximately 10 grams of heroin.
Members of the Connecticut State Police are committed to combating drug activity in the “Quiet Corner” and anyone with information regarding the illegal sale of narcotics are encouraged to call the Troop D QLTF anonymous Tips Hotline at 860-779-4950 or message the QLTF Facebook page.