Turn to the trees for more choices! “Trees on Woodstock Hill” offers a tour of the 100-year-old Palmer Arboretum at 10 a.m. April 23. View the special trees growing on Woodstock Hill as the arboretum is being restored by hearty volunteers. This tour will repeat on April 23, May 13, June 3 and June 17; see how changes blossom as these weeks pass. Head into the woods for “Forest & Farm, LLC Woodland Tour” later the same day at 1 p.m. Forest management for wildlife habitat is the topic on this Mansfield property. Hull Forest Products, the land owner and ECLFA/Wolf Den Land Trust team up to highlight this good work in the woods.
Scamper, run, jog, stroll, skip or walk as you take part in the “4th Annual WT4H Camper Scamper,” a 5K road race, including a 1-miler for the kiddos. This fun run happens 10 a.m. April 22 and you can sign up online at www.4hcampct.org. Fees are $20 for adults, and $10 for the kids.
Seek salamanders! Turn over logs at Wyndham Land Trust’s Lyon Preserve on Wright’s Crossing Rd. in Pomfret at 1 p.m. April 22.
Start by digging into the dirt with these soil and gardening choices on April 22. The Town of Mansfield’s “Build Your Own Rain Barrel & Pre-Order Sale” happens at the Mansfield Library from 10 to 11:30 a.m.; save money and learn how to make your own rain barrel. Pre-register and pre-order barrels with Virginia Walton at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 860-429-3333.
Dudley is holding its first ever “Dudley Dirt Day” from 10 a.m. to noon April 22 at the Dudley Grange. The grange and the Dudley Conservation Land Trust are offering this presentation on how to maintain healthy soil, as well as free on-site soil tests, so bring a small sample with you. The Friends of Goodwin Forest present “Soil Science” from 10 .m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Goodwin Conservation Center in Hampton. Pre-register to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .
to learn about the world beneath our feet and how use and management of our soil will shape the future. Goodwin is also offering “Creating a Medicinal Herb Garden” from 2 to 3:30 p.m. with a practicing herbalist and master gardener, sharing design, plant sources and healing traditions.
Preston residents are welcome to take advantage of the “Amos Lake Association’s 2017 Soil Testing Day.” Head to www.preston.org for instructions, and return your soil sample on April 22nd from 10 am – 3 pm to the transfer station or Flemings Feed. Testing before applying fertilizers will result in healthier lawns and gardens plus a cleaner lake and watershed. Close out the week’s soil-concentrated programs on Thursday, April 27th from 7 – 8 pm with “No-Till Gardening” at the Mansfield Public Library. Free and open to all local community members, pre-register to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 860-429-3333 and secure a seat to learn how to nourish the soil without disturbing it.
History, beauty and antiques combine for more exploration! “The Three Bridges of Downtown Willimantic – and More” happens at 10:30 a.m. April 22. Meet in the Jillson Square parking lot to view the historic photos in the bank nearby, and then explore the Victorian Footbridge, Frog Bridge and Bridge of Flowers. This is a long-time Walktober offering, so take the chance to see it in a new season. “Creamery Brook’s Old Iron Tractor Plow Day” tills up fun at 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 23. Take a stroll past the BIG bison to the fields. All shapes and sizes of tractors and plows will be on display and at work plowing the field. Breakfast and lunch bison sandwiches will be available for purchase and the bison-themed store will be open.
“TLGV Ranger Marcy’s Acorn Adventure” visits Lake Siog on Pond Bridge Rd. in Holland at 1 p.m. April 23 to see salamanders. Both are family-friendly events, with plenty of safe parking and room to let little legs roam and explore!
Water runs through some programs this week, too! “Stones, Ponds & Dams” is led by popular UConn Professor Thorson with Joshua’s Trust in Mansfield at 2 p.m. April 22 at 2 pm and is good for school-age kids and up. Opacum Land Trust and Hitchcock Free Academy invite you to Dingle Dell in Brimfield for “Perspectives: Land, Streams & Photos” at 5 p.m. Join the photo shoot with a nature photographer to help you zoom in as the evening light arrives. Paddle or cheer at the “Sturbridge Lions All American River Race” on April 23, with 9 a.m. registration time and 11 a.m. start for paddlers. This timed race covers over 6 miles of the Quinebaug River, ending at the Westfield Dam Recreation Area with food, entertainment, and strategic viewing of the rapids.
To get all the Spring Outdoor choices and clean-up opportunities, visit www.thelastgreenvalley.org or TLGV’s Facebook page. New adventures are being added all the time.
By Ryan Rumrill
Town Crier Sportswriter
The Tigers came to play against the Lady Clippers as Tourtellotte got a lot out of Emily Vincent and Lauren Ramos who both roped in four RBIs apiece in the five-inning shortened game against Putnam. The final score was Tourtellotte 17, Putnam 2. Thompson had Amanada Bogoslofski in the circle who went out and threw a complete game and struck out seven batters and Thompson moved to 4-2 on the year. Putnam scored two runs which both came off the bat from Rebecca Lopez, and Putnam moves to 1-5 on the campaign.
Woodstock 9
Bacon Academy 3
In a battle between the Centaurs and Bacon Academy, Woodstock Hannah Burgess had herself a day as she finished the day going 3-for-5 and also brought in a run and scored a run herself as the Centaurs moved past Bacon 9-3 to pick up the W.
Waterford 9
Killingly 3
Waterford and Killingly faced off against each other and were in a close game where Chloe McCue stepped up in hit a base clearing triple in the fourth inning to open up the gap, finishing the day going 3 for 5 with two runs scored for the Lancers who have been rolling to their fourth win in a row. Waterford also got help from Ciana Chiappone who had two RBIs and Lili Stoddard who finished the game with three hits and scored a run, Lancers are now 4-1. For Killingly, Ashley Veillette hit a triple for the Redgals and drove in a run, moving their record to 2-2 on the year.
Plainfield 14
Tourtellotte 3
The Panthers faced off against the Tigers where the game was in the hands of Kacee Hirst for Plainfield. She threw a complete game against Thompson, striking out nine batters, but also had three hits and drove in four runs for the Panthers. Plainfield thanked Cadie Mecteau for her two hits and her two RBIs, as they move to 2-1 on the season. For Tourtellotte, Amanda Bogoslofski struck out five batters for the Tigers, who fall to 2-2
Killingly 13
Putnam 0
Killingly ace Ashley Veillette went out in the circle and was dominate from the very beginning as she only allowed one hit and struckout a total of 12 batters through five innings. Putnam came into the game and were struggling to find the strikezone as Killingly earned four walks and some pass balls allowed Killingly to put some runs on the board early. There were a total of 14 walks from the Putnam pitchers. Morgan Foucault came in to pitch for the Clippers where she managed to find the strikezone, but Redgals were still able to score more runs. Ashley Veillette, besides pitching a near perfect game, also had two hits at the plate, driving in two runs, and also scored twice. Redgals are now 2-1 on the year.
St. Bernard 14
Tourtellotte 7
St. Bernard looked to ace Sophie Nelson to take on the Tigers, and she did just that as she went out and pitched a complete game with 10 strikeouts. On offense, she went for two doubles and drove in three RBIs. Emily Nelson hit a three-run double for the Saints who won their first game of the season and now 1-1 on the year. Tourtellotte had a hot bat from Lauren Ramos who had three hits for the Tigers and drove in two runs, as the Tigers fall to 2-1.
Shepherd Hill (Mass) 15
Woodstock 6
The Centaurs squared off against Shepherd Hill in a nonconference game but came up shorthanded in the loss. Mackenzie Stewart provided the Centaurs with some hope when she blasted a three-run homerun for Woodstock, who is now 2-2 on the season.
Worcester Academy 5
Marianapolis 3
The Golden Knights took on Worcester Academy in their home opener and got great contributions from Jordan Frye who had three hits and Olivia Gould had a two-run double that gave the Knights a spark, but fell by two to Worcester. Marianapolis is now 1-1 on the year.
caption:
Signing
Saoirse Power-Cassidy, center, with Sports Information Director Laurel Brown, left, and Athletic Director and girls’ varsity basketball coach Lauren Moore. Courtesy photo.
THOMPSON — Post-graduate Saoirse Power-Cassidy of Dublin, Ireland, signed her National Letter of Intent to play basketball for Division I UMass Lowell on a full scholarship.
Prior to Marianapolis, Power-Cassidy played for the u18 Irish National Team.
This past season, the point guard averaged 8 points per game, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, 4 steals and had a 44 percent shooting average from the 3-point range making her the leading 3-point scorer.
Power-Cassidy has been playing basketball since she was 6.
It was always her dream to attend college and play basketball in the U.S. On choosing UMass Lowell, she said, “I decided to commit to UMass Lowell because they had my course of study and basketball-wise it’s an up and coming team with a lot of potential. Under the coaching staff and alongside the players there I’m really looking forward to getting started next season and making a splash in the basketball universe.” She will be studying chemical engineering at UMass.
UMass Lowell is a Division I school competing in the America East Conference, located in Lowell, Mass.
Claire Main
PUTNAM — Claire (Labossiere) Main, 82, of Putnam died April 12, 2017, at Matulaitis Nursing Home in Putnam. She was born Jan. 15, 1935, in Putnam, daughter of the late Gerald and Alida (Jette) Labossiere.
She was the wife of the late George Main. He died in 2005.
Claire was a steam press operator for Laurion Cleaners in Putnam. She enjoyed trips to Foxwoods, traveling and loved to read. Claire was a member of the Putnam Travelers and enjoyed the local trips with them.
She leaves her daughters Susan Lucier (Keith) of Jacksonville, Fla., Sandra Main of Putnam, Laura Williams (John) of Putnam, brother Gerard Labossiere; grandchildren Kathryn Burke (Andrew), Keith Lucier, Amy Murphy (Chris), Jonathan Williams, Kyle Senick, Matthew Senick, Kendrick Dexter, Zachary Dexter (Olivia); great-grandchildren Jacob and Kyleigh Murphy, Ryker, Haven and Lexi Burke. She was predeceased by her sister Phyllis Rogers.
Visitation is from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. April 22 at the Smith and Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam, followed by a Funeral Service at noon at St. Mary Church of the Visitation, Putnam. Burial at a later date in Elm Grove Cemetery, Mystic. Donations: Alzheimer’s Association Connecticut Chapter, 200 Executive Blvd., Suite 4B, Southington, CT 06489.
Joanne Walsh
BERLIN, N.H. — Joanne (Hickey) Walsh, 84, of Berlin, died April 14, 2017, at home. She was born on Jan. 18, 1933, to the late Mark J. Hickey and Cecile (Routhier) Hickey.
She worked at the telephone company out of high school. She enjoyed singing and performed at the logging camps, and with the St. Anne Church Choir where she met her husband, William Walsh. The couple married and moved to Putnam, where they raised their 13 children. She was a communicant of St. Mary Church in Putnam, and St. Anne Church in Berlin.
Family includes her nine sons, Kevin Walsh (Sharon) of N. Grosvenordale, Gregory Walsh (Deninse) of Danielson, Christopher Walsh and partner Maritsa of Danielson, Bernard Walsh (Penny) of Montague, Mass., Matthew Walsh of Moosup, Martin Walsh (Linda) of Putnam, David Walsh of Worcester, Thomas Walsh (Angie) of Evans Mills, N.Y., and Benjamin Walsh and partner Rachel of Sharon, Mass.; four daughters Maura Mills (Patrick) of Moore, S.C., Monica Bouchey (Joseph) of Chester, Va., Jenny Sullivan (Kevin) of Duncan, S.C. and Brigid Saucier (Raymond) of Berlin; one sister Martha Campbell of Oakdale, Calif.; 29 grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren; nieces, nephews and cousins. She was predeceased by her husband William Walsh and three brothers, Mark, Paul and Herbert Hickey.
A Mass of Christian Burial was April 18 at St. Anne Church of Good Shepherd Parish. Interment was in the Calvary Cemetery. The Bryant Funeral Home.
Marie Gilberte
Denyse Balthazar
PUTNAM — Marie Gilberte Denyse Balthazar aka Gil Marie Balthazar completed her earthly journey April 14, 2017, at Matulaitis Nursing Home. Marie Gilberte was born in Sheldon Springs, Vt., to Arthur Joseph Balthazar and Noella Adrienne Fontaine Balthazar on March 12, 1934, the youngest of four.
Gil Marie professed her first vows in the Congregation of the Daughters of the Holy Spirit on April 9, 1959. Over the years Gil Marie (Sister Claire Terese, DHS) was involved several different ministries. She taught in Vermont, Massachusetts, and Canada; then she was chaplain in a regional school in Canada, this was followed by pastoral care among migrant farm workers in Maryland and Pennsylvania. Gil Marie went back to school to receive her LPN degree and work as private nurse at the Daughters of the Holy Spirit until she retired.
Gil Marie transferred from being a Daughter of the Holy Spirit to being a member of the Secular Branch of the Daughters of the Holy Spirit on June, 2003.
She leaves her oldest sister Mariette Morrow, who lives in Vermont. Her two brothers, Reale and Bernard predeceased Gil Marie.
A Funeral Mass was April 19 in the Daughter of the Holy Spirit Chapel with burial in Vermont. Cremation and Funeral Services by Gilman Funeral Home and Crematory, 104 Church St., Putnam.
Blanche Gosselin
BRISTOL — Blanche Gosselin, 86, of Bristol, died April 10, 2017, at The Pines of Bristol.
Blanche was born on Aug. 23, 1930, and was a daughter of the late Donat and Louise (Bolduc) Gosselin. She lived in Putnam for most of her life and had lived in Bristol for the past three years.
She was a school teacher for many years. She taught English in Vietnam and International Language in Maine. She was a published author, publishing most of her work in Christian Magazines. Blanche will be remembered for the tremendous amount of charity and volunteer work she did throughout her life.
She leaves a sister and brother-in-law: Jacqueline and Tony Sekorski, of Bristol; nieces, nephews and grandnieces and nephews. She was predeceased by a sister: Juliette Gosselin.
Funeral Services will be at 11 a.m. April 22 at the Funk Funeral Home, Bristol, with burial in St. Thomas Cemetery, Thomaston.
Roxanne Spaulding
NORWICH — Roxanne Spaulding, 56, of Old Canterbury Turnpike, died April 14, 2017, at home. Born in 1961 in Putnam, she was the daughter of Constance (Martin) Spaulding and the late Carroll Spaulding.
Roxanne last worked as a payroll coordinator for Common Sense Payroll.She loved the ocean and enjoyed Country and Blues music.
In addition to her mother, she leaves her daughter, Melissa Payne of Putnam; her sisters, Eileen Spaulding of Pueblo, Colo., and Jennifer Miller of New London; her granddaughter, Natalie Payne of Putnam; her niece and nephews, Abbey Rose Miller of New London; Jonathan, Christopher, and Aaron Vandermark and their families, all of Colorado. She was predeceased by her brother, Timothy Spaulding.
The Mass of Christian Burial is at 10 a.m. April 21 in St. Joseph Church, 18 Main St., N. Grosvenordale, CT. Gilman and Valade Funeral Homes, 104 Church St., Putnam.
Theresa Rice
N. GROSVENORDALE — Theresa M.C. (LaFleur) Rice, 87, of N. Grosvenordale, died April 12, 2017, at home.
She was born in N. Grosvenordale, daughter of the late Felix and Lyda LaFleur and lived in N. Grosvenordale all her life. She was a spinner at Cluett Peabody and she worked at Bates Shoe, and also Putnam Manufacturing. She enjoyed square dancing and spending Thursday evenings setting up and playing bingo. She leaves her husband of 65 years, James A. Rice Jr. of N. Grosvenordale; a son, James A. Rice III (Irene) of N. Grosvenordale; a daughter, Elaine Levesque and her companion Al Fougere of N. Grosvenordale; four grandchildren, Scott Rice(Jeanne), Allan Levesque (April), Kelly Jansing (Rob), Aimee Jalbert and her companion Mike; five great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her brothers, Armand, Leo, Wilfred, Alcide, Adelard and William LaFleur; by a sister, Adrienne Cardinal; and by a great-grandchild, Kauri Levesque. A Mass of Christian Burial was April 19 in St. Joseph Church, N. Grosvenordale, with burial in St. Joseph Cemetery. Donations: The Food Bank. Shaw-Majercik Funeral Home, Webster.
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