caption:
Helin Yoztyurk, right, and Justin Johnson, far right. Photos by Tom Netzer.
Putnam Science girls’ team comes oh so close
In a season of ups and downs, Putnam Science Academy’s girls’ basketball was oh so close to one of those “ups” Wednesday night but just couldn’t close the deal.
Helin Yoztyurk scored 16 points in her final home game but PSA came up just short – 52-50 to Busche Academy – despite a furious second-half rally.
Carlota Lopez had 15 points, five rebounds, four steals, and three assists for the Mustangs, who trailed 28-14 early in the third quarter. A brief but tense exchange of words between coaches energized PSA and its home crowd and fueled a comeback that saw the Mustangs force overtime by scoring 18 points in the fourth quarter alone. PSA trailed by as many as eight in the fourth but kept turning turnovers into points, including Alba Granell’s one-of-two free throws in the final seconds of regulation to force overtime.
PSA had the ball with a chance to tie or win at the end of overtime but Yoztyurk’s 3-pointer was partially blocked and Kate Lipatova, who recovered the loose ball, couldn’t get a good look off. Tati Bell and a Busche player fought for the rebound as time expired.
“Thought we had it,” coach Greg Canzater said. “I really wish we could’ve gotten that one for the girls and the fans.”
Bell had a big second half and finished with five points and 10 rebounds while Lipatova was held scoreless but grabbed 12 boards for PSA (11-17).
Before the game, PSA honored Yoztyurk, Lopez, Alicia Jimenez (five points, five steals), and Carmen Plata (four points, four rebounds) as part of its Senior Night festivities. PSA also dropped a 63-54 decision at St. Andrew’s Saturday.
PSA’s Prep boys’ team went 2-1 for the week.
Fallou Gueye, Justin Johnson, and Mousa Loum put up big numbers in the second half Tuesday as PSA erased a nine-point halftime deficit for a 91-84 win at Commonwealth Academy
Gueye scored nine of his 16 points, grabbed five of his seven rebounds, and handed out four of his six assists after halftime, while Johnson had nine of his 11 points, eight of his 10 rebounds, and both of his steals in the second half.
Loum’s second half included nine points (he finished with 12 total), nine rebounds (11 total), and three blocked shots (four total).
PSA beat Our Savior Lutheran’s postgrad team 96-81 Thursday as Ben Ahmed became PSA’s all-time leading rebounder by finishing with 11 boards to go with 16 points for his 17th double-double of the season.
Imahri Wooten added 16 points and four rebounds, Grant Randall had eight points, six rebounds, and three blocks, and Justin Johnson finished with 10 points and six rebounds.
Sunday, it was Ahmed (24 points, 16 rebounds) and Johnson (16 points, nine rebounds) again leading the way, but PSA struggled from behind the 3-point line, finishing just 3-of-17, in a 74-71 loss at Bridgeport Prep. Cris McElveen added 10 points and five rebounds for PSA (27-11), which had its 10-game winning streak snapped.
The Varsity team got 19 points from Amyas Hall-Chiari and 12 from Shane Sebastian-Smalls in a 67-56 loss Monday, then got 78-56 win over Busche behind Julien Ville, who led a balanced attack with 13 points, six rebounds, seven assists, and seven steals.
The game’s best moment came in the final minutes, when Eric Ruan drilled a 3-pointer for his first basket of the season, setting off a wild celebration in the gym.
Friday, Hall-Chiari scored 24 points but it wasn’t enough in a loss to Capital Prep.
The Elite team had a tough week, losing three of its four games. Sebastian Fermin scored 24 points while Ty Hansen and DJ Germann both had 14 to lead PSA to an 84-79 win at Springfield Commonwealth Tuesday.
Carter Mungin had 15 points, 12 rebounds, seven assists, and a pair of blocks, and Javelle Epps finished with a season-high 30 points in a 10-point loss to Our Savior Lutheran Wednesday; Jalen Claude had 20 points Thursday but the Mustangs had a hard time scoring, particularly in the second half, in an 84-79 loss; and Mungin had 25 points Saturday and Fermin added 18, but it wasn’t enough for PSA (19-10), which lost to Winchendon.
Stephen Nalbandian
Sports Information Director
Putnam Science Academy
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Lynn A. Champoux
BROOKLYN — Lynn A. Champoux, 60, of Tatnic Hill Rd., died Feb. 20, 2024, at home. She was the life partner of Robert Fitzgerald.
Born in 1963 in Putnam, she was the daughter of Evelyn M. (Krawczyk) Champoux of Thompson and the late Roger J. Champoux Sr.
Mrs. Champoux worked for many years in the janitorial department of Putnam Plastics. Lynn enjoyed bird watching in her backyard.
She leaves her life partner, Robert Fitzgerald; her son, John Pepin Jr; her mother, Evelyn Champoux; and her siblings, Roger Champoux Jr., and Donna Russell. She was predeceased by her father, Roger Champoux Sr. The Graveside Service was Feb. 26 in W. Thompson Cemetery. Gilman Funeral Home and Crematory, 104 Church St., Putnam.
Anne M. Sirrine
PLAINFIELD — Anne May Sirrine, 69, died Feb. 11, 2024, at Backus Hospital in Norwich. She lived all her life in Pomfret.
Anne was born in 1954 in Putnam, daughter of the late Herbert and Lucille (Lariviere) Sirrine. She made many many friends being a housekeeper, dog sitter and babysitter. She enjoyed horses, her dogs, feeding the birds and going to Whist and Penny socials. She loved to bake and always gifted her goods to everyone.
She enjoyed her flowers and put them in the fair and loved the ocean and going to Maine.
She leaves her cousins, who loved her very much, and special friends. She said “animals are the best friends on earth”.
A remembrance will be private at a later date. Gilman-Valade Funeral Homes and Crematory, 104 Church St., Putnam.
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Wed. Feb. 28
Quilt Exhibit
PUTNAM --- An exhibit by Laura Salo, “The Year Through Quilts,” runs through March 30 at the Corridor Gallery in the Municipal Complex. The show is sponsored by the Putnam Arts Council. PutnamCtArtsCouncil.com.
Exhibit
POMFRET --- The Edwin Way Teale Artists-in-Residence Program’s “Trail Wood Reflections” exhibit, written and visual works inspired by residencies during the summer of 2023, will run through March 2 at the Connecticut Audubon Society Center at Pomfret on Day Road. 860-928-4948.
Art Exhibit
THOMPSON --- The Friends of the Library at the Thompson Public Library will present, as part of its Art @ the Library and Display Case series, “Hippie at HeArt,” artwork by Wendy Hicks through Feb. 28. 860-923-9779.
Fri. March 1
‘Little Women’
PUTNAM --- The Theatre of Northeastern Connecticut at the Bradley Playhouse will present Little Women at 7:30 p.m. March 1, 2 and at 2 p.m. March 3. Tickets are $23 for adults and $20 for seniors, students, veterans and first responders. Reservations: www.thebradleyplayhouse.org; 860-928-7887.
Sat. March 2
Prayer Service
DANIELSON --- The Danielson United Methodist Church, 9 Spring St., will be holding a World Day of Prayer service written by Christian Women of Palestine. The program starts with a Palestinian luncheon at noon, followed by the service of scripture and song around the theme, "Bear with one another in love".
Food Drive
PUTNAM --- The Knights of Columbus and Boy Scout Troop 21 will hold a food drive from 9 a.m. to noon at the K of C on Providence Street and Putnam Supermarket. Benefits Daily Bread. Nonperishables welcomed. Also welcome: cash or checks.
Wed. March 6
Floral Design
POMFRET --- A Floral Design Night at Windham-Tolland 4-H Camp, Taft Pond Rd, will be presented from 6:30 to 8 p.m. $70. You get a beautiful floral centerpiece to take home, snacks. Benefits the Dam Repair Fund. Preregistration: 860-974-1122.
Sat. March 9
Breault Program
PUTNAM --- The Aspinock Historical Society will present a special talk on Putnam native Henry Breault at 10:30 a.m. at the Municipal Complex. Presented by Ryan C Walker Navy Veteran Ph.D. candidate at the University of Portsmouth. Breault received the Medal of Honor on March 8, 1924. He saved his shipmate, Lawrence T. Brown during a collision between the USS O-5 and United Fruit Company's Abangarez on Oct. 28, 1923. The O-5 was in a disabled submarine status for over 30 hours while the Panama Canal Zone community moved earth and water to save him. After the rescue, Brown reported that Breault's selfless decision to close a hatch saved his life.
Art Fund-raiser
PUTNAM --- The Putnam Arts Council will host “Art Heist.” Doors open at 5 p.m. at 112 Main St. Tickets are $50 each and one ticket allows the ticket holder to "steal" one piece of artwork off the walls. Starting at 6 p.m. the first ticket called will have their choice of any piece donated. The second ticket called can steal from what was not "stolen", and so on. Benefits arts council programs, scholarship,grants. www.putnamctartscouncil.com/art-heist
Sun. March 10
Fund-raiser Dinner
PUTNAM --- Chrome N’ Steel Veteran Riders will hold a roast beef dinner from 5 to 10 p.m. at the Putnam Elks. Dinner at 6. Benefits CNS Fund-raisers. 860-942-0061.
Thur. March 14
Basketball Shoot-Out
PUTNAM --- The Putnam Rotary Club’s Ray Brousseau 2024 All Star Senior Basketball Shootout will be held at the Putnam High gym. The women’s game starts at 5:30; men’s at 7. Door and shoot-out prizes. $3 for adults; $1 for students and seniors.
Sat. March 23
Easter Bunny
PUTNAM --- The Putnam Parks and Recreation Department will present “Greet the Easter Bunny” at 10 a.m. at the Municipal Complex. Ages 10 and younger. Photos, free chocolate bunnies and the Putnam Little League will offer an Easter Egg Hunt for a minimum $3 donation. All proceeds benefit the Putnam Little League.
Sun. March 24
Open House
POMFRET --- The Windham-Tolland 4-H Camp Open HHHouse, Taft Pond Rd. will be held from 1 to 3 p.m. Meet the director & other camp staff, take a camp tour, registration materials available. 860-974-3379.
Sat. April 20
International Day
PUTNAM --- The Putnam Business Association will present International Day.
Poet Laureate
PUTNAM --- The Putnam Public Library will present CT State Poet Laureate Antoinette Brim-Bell from 1 to 2:30 p.m.
Fun Run
POMFRET --- Windham-Tolland 4-H Camp Camper Scamper 5K Race/Walk and One Mile Kid Run. Kids Race at 9:30; adult race at 10; walkers after runners. Last Mile Race Management. Register by March 31 to receive discount and free T-shirt. Adults $30/kids $10. Preregister: www.4hcampct.org. Benefits the Jim Logee Campership Fund.
Fri. May 4
Beekeeping Buzz
PUTNAM --- The Putnam Public Library will present David Pietrowski with “The Beekeeping Buzz” from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Registration required.
Sat. May 5
Pride Day
PUTNAM --- The Town of Putnam, Putnam Parks and Recreation will present the Quiet Corner Pride Festival from noon to 4 p.m. at Rotary Park. Vendors sought.www.quietcornerpride.com.
Sat. May 18
Fairy Fest
PUTNAM --- The Putnam Business Association will present a Fairy and Magic Fest.
Sat. June 8
Singers/Songwriters of ‘70s
PUTNAM --- The Putnam Public Library will present Jim Lenn with “The Ovation Guitar & Singers/Songwriters of the ‘70s” from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Registration required.
Sat. June 22
Arts Fest
PUTNAM --- The Putnam Fine Arts and Crafts Festival will be held June 22 and 23 at the Municipal Complex.
Sat. July 6
Fireworks
PUTNAM --- Fireworks will be held around the Putnam Rotary Park. Rain date is July 13.
Sun. Aug. 11
Pluck a Duck
PUTNAM --- The Putnam Business Association will present Pluck a Duck Aug. 11 and 12.
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captions, page 5:
The Sunshine Shop
From left: Betty Merow (former owner, Sunshine Shop_- Mark LaMountain, Jessica LaMountain, (owners, Sunshine Shop) Heather Logee(Camp Director), Elaine Nelson (Board Member), Sam Costello, Sandra Ahola (Board Member), Carolyn Nadeau
Eastford Building Supply, from left: Judy Buell (Foundation Board Member), Ray Bergeron, (owner, Eastford Building Supply), Heather Logee, Camp Director
caption, page 8:
Big Boys Toys
From left: Sandra Ahola, Elaine Nelson, (Foundation Board Members), Heather Logee, Camp Director, Dan Huff, Carolyn Huff (owners, Big Boys Toys).
Windham County 4-H Foundation
recognizes community partners
POMFRET — The Windham County 4-H Foundation recently recognized three community partners who have provided special support in the past year . This year’s Community Spirit Awards were given to Big Boys Toys (and the Huff family), Eastford Building Supply and The Sunshine Shop.
For the past few years Big Boy’s Toys has made especially generous donations to our auction. This fall they made a bonus donation of a brand new UTV to use at camp. Carolyn Huff is on the board and 4-H benefits from Huff “boy power” throughout the year at work day events.
Eastford Building Supply has been a Foundation business partner for many years. This past fall they generously donated all new windows towards the remodeling of Mesquite cabin, helping to make it viable to continue as an off-season rental.
The Sunshine Shop has supported fund-raisers with live plants and event sponsorships for more than 25 years under the ownership of Gene and Betty Merow. New owners Mark and Jessica LaMountain have continued that tradition and for the second year will be providing support for the floral night dam fund fund-raiser.
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