By Shawn Bates
The Lady Clippers pulled off the trifecta this week winning all three match ups against Griswold, Wheeler and Grasso Tech.
The Clippers become the first team in the northeast corner to achieve a state tournament berth with a record of 9-1, with two games left at the mid-season turn. Putnam would start off the week at home against Griswold with a 50-40 victory.
Ashley Burke and Victoria Dias each netted 12 points and Kayleigh Lyons, 11.
Next up Jan. 10 the ladies would travel to North Stonington to face the Wheeler Lyons where the Lady Clippers would edge them out in a close one, 36 to 28 road win for their eighth of the season. Ashley Burke again would be in the double digits netting 12 for the Clippers.
And for the final game of the week the Clippers headed to Grasso Tech where Putnam would put on a clinic and defeat Tech with a 66-7 win.
This ended the week with a record of 9-1 and they earned a CIAC Tournament berth.
Boys
The Clippers split their two games this week after almost a week off due to snow. They first squared off against an old ECC foe in Griswold and would fall behind in the 1st quarter, unable to catch up for a 64-35 loss on the road.
The second game of the week would have the boys on the long trek down to Groton to face Grasso Tech. Clipper Sebastian Ramos came out shooting. Ramos dropped 9 of his 18 points in the first quarter to give the Clippers a 21-17 lead.
Putnam would not look back and outscored Grasso in the second 30 to 6 by pressing all of the quarter to go into half time 51-23 lead. The 2nd half would be much of the same for Putnam which defeated Tech 82-50. Putnam had three players in double digits. Colby Livingston lead all with 19 points followed by Sebastian Ramos with 18 and Tyion Harris with 15.
Putnam, almost in the middle of its schedule, is 5-3 with 12 games remaining. The Clippers are in decent shape for a State Tournament berth if they get to the magic number of eight wins.
Putnam Middle School
The Wolf Pack (3-1) hosted two games and got two wins in Putnam last  week. In the first game Parish Hill came to town and outscored 56-25. Putnam would apply a half court press and would force multiple turnovers to jump out to a 25 to 3  first-quarter lead with Karson Bates leading the charge with 10 out of his tea- high 13 point in the  1st quarter .  Putnam Coach Coderre would take advantage of the mismatch and would use his entire bench reserves. And 12 out of 13 would record points in the book.
For the second game of the week the Wolf Pack hosted the first-place Eastford Squad Jan. 11. Putnam would fall behind in the first 8 to 6 in the quarter but would bounce back to gain the lead going into half time, 26 to 12. That came with help from Alonzo Henries’ six points, Karson Bates’ 6 points and Cooper Livingston’s five points — each to outscore Eastford in the second quarter 20 to 4.
In the second half of the game Karson Bates would take advantage of every hole he could find in the Eastford defense to net 22 of his team-high 28 points in the second half to give Putnam the 58-39 victory.  Alonzo Henries scored 10 points for the top scorers for the Wolf Pack.

Bill Wright,
Air Force vet
E. WOODSTOCK — Bill Wright, 83, of E. Woodstock, died Jan. 14, 2018. He was the husband of Jan (Christensen) Wright. They were married Aug. 4, 1961.
Born Dec. 25, 1934, in Manchester, son of Clinton Ruffis and Susie (Suhie) Wright.
Bill was employed with the U.S. Post office for 37 years, retiring as a postmaster. He also worked for Stop and Shop in Putnam for 20 years. He was a member of Christ Church in Pomfret.
He served in the U.S. Air Force during peacetime for four years. He was a sports fan, enjoyed camping. Bill was a part owner of Travelers Woods of New England Campground, an NCT member, serving as secretary, and past Master of the Putnam Lodge of Masons No. 46 AM & FM. 
He leaves his wife Jan; children, William J. Wright Jr. (Louise) of Pawcatuck, Kim Nadeau (Bill) of Wynantskill, N.Y.; six grandchildren, Nicole, Ashlynn, Stacia, Joshua, Thomas and Jonathan; two great-grandchildren, Mackenzie and Colton. He was predeceased by his son Michael Wright, Aug. 8, 2000.
Visitation is from 6 to 8 p.m. Jan. 19 at Smith and Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam. The Funeral Service will be at 11 a.m. Jan. 20 at Christ Church, Pomfret. Donations: Shriners Hospital for Crippled Children or Shriners Hospital Burn Center, c/o Travelers Woods of New England, PO Box 88, Bernardston, MA 01337.

David P. Mahon,
Air Force vet
BROOKLYN — David Paul Mahon, 78, of Brooklyn, died Dec. 19, 2017, at home. He was the husband of Cecile (Chabot) Mahon. They just celebrated their 55th wedding anniversary. He had three children Paul, Marie and David.
He was born on Aug. 29, 1939, in Danielson, son of the late John “Jack” and Alice (Gebo) Mahon of Danielson.
David was a veteran of the U.S. Air Force and retried from The Connecticut State Police in 1989 and The US Postal Carrier in 2014. He loved to golf and was an avid Boston Red Sox and New England Patriots fan.  
He leaves his daughter Marie Williams (Joel) of Middleton, Mass.; his son David Mahon and Melissa Choquette of Danielson; his sister and brother in-law Jackie and Ron Battista of Brooklyn; his brother Ed Mahon (Nancy) of Las Vegas; his sister Shirley Gauthier of Dayville. David was predeceased by his son Paul Mahon; brothers Richard, Daniel and James.
Donations: St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital and NECCOG Animal Shelter. A graveside service will be held at a later date. Gagnon and Costello Funeral Home, 33 Reynolds St., Danielson.

Muriel R. Baillargeon
PUTNAM — Muriel R. (Therrien) Baillargeon, 72, of Van Den Noort St., died Jan. 10, 2018, in Day Kimball Hospital.  Born in 1945 in Woonsocket, she was the daughter of the late Fulgance and Florence (Roberge) Therrien.
Mrs. Baillargeon worked at several local day care centers. She enjoyed volunteering at Community Kitchen. Muriel was fondly known as “The Yard Sale Queen,” the biggest flirt, and her family was her primary hobby.  
Muriel leaves two sons Joe Baillargeon (Debbie) of Pascoag, and Jeff Baillargeon (Kathy) of Woodstock; a daughter Joann Wadsworth (Ron) of Putnam; a sister Estelle Royer of Plainfield and Port St. Lucie, Fla.; six grandchildren Kayla Andrews, Nicole Baillargeon, Brittany Benson, Josh Baillargeon, Briana Baillargeon, and Mariah Baillargeon; and seven great-grandchildren.
The Mass of Christian Burial was Jan. 16 in St. Mary Church of the Visitation, Putnam, with burial in St. Mary Cemetery. Gilman Funeral Home & Crematory, 104 Church St., Putnam.

Helen M. Bandlow
PUTNAM — Helen M. Bandlow (Hopkins) (Forrest), 82, of Putnam, died Jan. 4, 2018. 
Helen was born March 4, 1935, in New London. She lived in Putnam, after she married and started her family. Then moved to Dudley where she raised her family.
She retired from Steven’s Linen Company in Dudley. She enjoyed making crafts and sewing.
She leaves her son Jeffrey Hopkins and daughter-in-law Sandra; her son Henry Hopkins and daughter-in-law Sheryl; eight grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren; two sisters, Ruth McElroy and Shirley Neihouse; two brothers, Robert Forrest and Ronald Forrest. She was predeceased by her husband Robert Bandlow; her brothers Richard Forrest, Ralph Forrest; her sister Audrey Hryzen also by her daughters Joan Andrejewski, Susan Rushford, Carol Hopkins and Judith Hopkins.
Smith and Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam.

Catherine ‘Cat’ Botelho
DANIELSON — Catherine “Cat” Botelho, 48, of Danielson, died suddenly Jan. 5, 2018, at home.
She was the wife of Scott Botelho — they shared 13 years of marriage. Cathy was born Sept. 25, 1969, in Putnam, daughter of Dorothy Watson of Danielson and Philip Watson of Pomfret.
After adopting her two beautiful children she retired from retail management and became fully devoted to her new role as a mom with endless accomplishments. As the MATRIARCH she was the mom of everything and everyone. Nothing she loved more than going to the White Mountains for family vacations and spending time with her mom at the YMCA.
She leaves, in addition to her husband Scott, her mother and father; her children Briana Botelho, Aidan Botelho; her sister Jennifer DeVillez (Christopher), her brother Michael Watson and sister-in-law Myra Watson; her stepdaughter Kayla Botelho; grandson Markie; her mother-in-law Natalie Botelho; nieces and nephews.
The Funeral Service was Jan. 13 in the Living Faith United Methodist Church, Putnam, with burial in Westfield Cemetery, Danielson. Donations: NECCOG Animal Rescue, 105 Putnam Pike, Dayville, CT 06241. Smith and Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam.

Jacob Oliver Bowen
Jacob Oliver Bowen, born May 3, 1995, died Jan. 3, 2018, in a motor vehicle accident. 
He leaves his loving parents Richard and Amy Bowen; his little brother and hero Caleb; his loving, supportive grandmothers Claire Williams ”Ama” and Deb Williams.
A hardworking, honest, kind-hearted, humorous young man who always wore a contagious smile.  He touched the lives of all who met and knew him.  A self-employed logger of Red Fern Logging, joined by his Redbone Coonhound, Annie.  An over the top work ethic rare to most but natural to Jacob.
A Celebration of Jacob’s Life was Jan. 14 at Old Sturbridge Village, Sturbridge. Smith & Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam.

Dolores ‘Lucy’ Manis
PUTNAM — Dolores “Lucy” Manis, 73, of Putnam, died Jan. 4, 2018, at home.
Dolores was born on June 4, 1944, in Putnam to Raymond and Merina (Landry) LeMoine. She grew up in Putnam and attended Putnam schools.
Dolores married the love of her life, Lee Roy Manis Oct. 4, 1991, in Florence, Ariz. They enjoyed many years of happiness.  Lee died May 10, 2013.  Shortly after his passing, Dolores moved to Virginia to be closer to her sister.  In 2016, Dolores moved back home to Connecticut and was reunited with old friends and family.
Dolores enjoyed going for car rides and listening to music, playing Bingo, spending time with her family and friends, and visiting Deary Bros. Stand every summer.
Dolores leaves two sisters; Claire Timmerman (Thomas), and Janice Laperle (Ronald); four children; Deanna Dufault, Charles Bernier, Michael Reenstra and Jeff Reenstra; six grandchildren; Thomas Geer, Stephanie Geer, Zachary Reenstra, Shane Reenstra, Shawn Reenstra, and Addison Brook Eager; one great-grandchild; Ethan Almodovar. Smith and Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam.

Kathleen Miller
DAYVILLE — Kathleen (Wimmer) Miller, 69, of Dayville, died Jan. 4, 2018.  She was born on Sept. 22, 1948, in Bronx, N.Y., daughter of the late Alfred Wimmer and Rita (Cruthers) Wolfburg.
Kathleen was employed for many years at Glass Container in Dayville and retired from Plainfield Greyhound Park in Plainfield.
She leaves her sisters Patricia Langlois, Janet Lamirand, Barbara Davis and Cynthia Wolfburg; brothers Michael Wimmer and Arthur Wolfburg Jr. and Richard Wimmer who predeceased her; nieces and nephews. 
Gagnon and Costello Funeral Home, 33 Reynolds St., Danielson.

Simone R. Ouellette
PUTNAM —  Simone (Brodeur) Ouellette, 97, formerly of Myers St., died on Jan. 8, 2018, at Matulaitis Nursing Home.
Born in 1920 in Putnam, she was the daughter of the late Ovila and Alexina (Demers) Brodeur.
She was a communicant of St. Mary Church of the Visitation.
Simone was a homemaker while her children were young and then was a receptionist at Day Kimball Hospital Pediatric Center for many years until her retirement.
She was kind and giving, always putting her family’s needs before her own as well as helping her many friends and neighbors along the way. She had a love for children and all animals.
She leaves her daughter, Michelle Szarkowicz (Steve) of Putnam; her son, Paul Ouellette (Kathe) of Norwich; her grandchildren, Erica Ducharme (Kevin), Joel Szarkowicz (Corrine King), Heather Ouellette (Zach Yaroschuk), and Justin Szarkowicz (Jennifer McGunigal); and her great grandchildren, Oliver and Camden.  She was predeceased by her sister, the late Gisele Brodeur.
Simone was a former member of the Daughters of Isabella, Ladies of Ste. Anne and the League of Catholic Women. 
The Mass of Christian Burial was Jan. 13 in St. Mary Church of the Visitation, Putnam, with burial in the spring at St. Mary Cemetery. Donations: St. Jude Children’s Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105-3678; or to St. Mary Church of the Visitation, 218 Providence St., Putnam, CT 06260.  Gilman Funeral Home, 104 Church St., Putnam.

Lorraine Bergeron
N. GROSVENORDALE — Lorraine M. A. (Barrette) Bergeron, 85, died Jan. 11, 2018, at Davis Place, Danielson.
She was born in Putnam, daughter of the late Alfred Barrette and Doris (Poirier) Barrette and lived in N. Grosvenordale all her life. 
She was retired from the State of Connecticut, working at the Dempsey Center. 
She enjoyed Bingo, cards, reading and the casino.
She leaves a daughter Rhonda Bergeron McDonald of N. Grosvenordale, who was her caregiver and with whom she made her home; a son Rudy A Bergeron (Sheri) of Webster; grandchildren and great-grandchildren; two sisters, Rachel Nedzweckas of Dudley and Beatrice Navarro of Pompano Beach, Fla. She was predeceased by two sons Raymond and Richard Bergeron; two brothers Pete and Raymond Barrette; two sisters, Claire and Rita.
A Funeral Mass was Jan. 18 in St. Joseph Basilica, Webster.
Donations: The Fund for St. Joseph School, c/o Beth Boudreau, 47 Whitcomb St., Webster, MA 01570 Shaw-Majercik Funeral Home, Webster.

Duane A. Drown,
Korean war vet
WEBSTER — Duane A. Drown, 86, died Jan. 11, 2018, at home.
He was the husband of the late Glorina (Tootsie) M. (Beaudry) Drown who died in 2010. 
He was born in Lyndon, Vt., son of the late Roy J. Drown and Edith J. (LaPointe) Drown and lived here for more than 50 years, prior to that living in Athol, Mass. 
He was a foundry working most of his life, working at Standard Foundry in Worcester.
He was a U.S. Army veteran during the Korean war.
Duane enjoyed cooking, baking and candy making.
He leaves two sons, William T. Drown of Kentucky, Scott Drown of Webster; a daughter, Jennifer Taylor (Randy) of Putnam; two grandchildren, Connor and Autumn Taylor. He was predeceased by two brothers, Roy and Howard Drown.
Burial with military honors was Jan. 17 Mt. Zion Cemetery, Webster. Shaw-Majercik Funeral Home, Webster.
 

WOODSTOCK — Harriet Tubman, and the inspiring story of the Underground Railroad, come to life when The Three C’s presents Theatreworks USA from New York  with their production of “Freedom Train” at 10 a.m. March 28 at the Center for the Arts at Woodstock Academy, Rt. 169.
Tickets are $4 per person for groups of 10 or more, and $6 per person for under 10. For info email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..  Study guides are available.
Harriet Tubman was born a slave, but when she was 25 she made her perilous escape from a Maryland plantation, leaving her family behind.  Pursued by dogs and relentless slave catchers, she followed an escape route laid out by Quakers – secret hiding places in churches, barns, cellars and homes.
The escape route Harriet followed soon became known as the Underground Railroad, and she quickly became one of its most celebrated “conductors”.   Up creek beds, through swamps, over hills in the dark of night, on 19 secret trips Harriet Tubman guided more than 300 slaves, including her aged parents, to freedom.  “I never  run my train off the track” she said, “and I never lost a passenger”.
“Freedom Train” tells the thrilling story of Harriet Tubman, the Moses of her people, in a fascinating series of highly theatrical scenes that use dance, dialogue, and music of the period.  It is the story of self-sacrifice, dedication and survival, laced with warmth and a sense of humor that celebrates the human spirit – a universal story for all.