Coach Garceau is national finalist

WOODSTOCK — The National High School Athletic Coaches Association named Richard Garceau, Woodstock Academy golf coach and social studies teacher, as a finalist for the National High School Athletic Coaches Association national coach of the year in the sport of golf. 

Eight finalists from across the nation will be honored during The National Coach of the Year Awards Banquet which will take place at the National High School Athletic Coaches Association’s national convention at the Embassy Suites in East Peoria, Ill., in June. The highlight of the banquet will be the naming of the NHSACA national coach of the year in nineteen recognized sports categories. Garceau will also have the opportunity to present a mini-session on his area of expertise at the convention.

Coach Garceau was selected for this national honor by the Connecticut high school coaches’ association. This selection was based on longevity, service to high school athletics, honors, championship years, and winning percentage. The nominees and finalists are evaluated by experts in the field of coaching using sport-specific rubrics to assign points in each category. The National High School Athletic Coaches Association is the oldest coaches’ association in the nation formed by coaches, for coaches, and has been recognizing national coaches of the year since 1978. 

Garceau said he was “really very surprised at being the Connecticut Nominee for National High School Coach of the Year, let alone one of 8 national finalists.”  He credits “The Woodstock Academy coaches from all sports that patiently answered questions when I was a new coach.” Garceau began coaching golf at The Woodstock Academy in 2004, the same year he began teaching social studies at the school. Since 2004 he has proven himself to be a dedicated member of the school community. Associate Headmaster at The Woodstock Academy, Holly Singleton, noted that Garceau was “very deserving of the NHSACA’s recognition given his commitment to both students and the sport.” 

Aaron Patterson, athletic director at The Woodstock Academy, said he was “thrilled that one of our own, Rich Garceau, is in this elite group of nationally recognized golf coaches.” Patterson cited Garceau’s dedication noting that Garceau “takes this responsibility very seriously, often attending week long seminars to better himself as a coach” and, as a result, “his years of training has not only benefitted him, but also the student-athletes he has coached over the years. His coaching goes far beyond the wins and losses. He has truly made a positive impact in the young people he has had the privilege of coaching.”

“Of course the young men who have played golf at Woodstock Academy during my time coaching are really the reason for my receiving any recognition,” Garceau explained. “Their hard work, commitment and dedication to Woodstock Academy golf has propelled this program to the respected stature it has achieved.  I am just fortunate to be along with all of those people.”

 

Y camp

named for

Doug Cutler

PUTNAM --- Hale YMCA announced that it will offer Summer  Day Camp and School Vacation Club programs for children entering grades kindergarten through fifth grade. Registration is now open for Camp Cutler, named in honor of Douglas Cutler.

Douglas Cutler (1952-2016) was instrumental in the development of the Regional Technology Park and the Hale YMCA Youth & Family Center. A longtime Woodstock resident and Putnam Town administrator for 18 years, Cutler was passionate about his community, youth development and hiking. He was integral in coordinating with the Hale YMCA Board of Directors, local and state officials, builders and utility services to ensure the project was completed in a timely fashion. 

To honor his tremendous contribution, the YMCA’s flagship Summer Day Camp has been named Camp Cutler.  

“Doug knew that the Y, as the first business in the Technology Park, deserved his attention in order to insure a successful town project,” said board member Lyn Smith.  “James Morton, former president and CEO of the YMCA of Greater Hartford, acknowledged him at the groundbreaking ceremony and likened him to the Wizard of Oz, the man behind the curtain, orchestrating the project without a lot of recognition. Doug was in a position to engage the right people to get the job done.  And that he did.” 

Cutler was also deeply committed to youth in the community. His leadership of the Putnam PRIDE antidrug coalition was largely responsible for obtaining federal grants to fund the program and its’ activities for nine years. “The success of Putnam PRIDE is a direct result of Doug’s hard work,” said Board Member and Deputy Police Chief Lee Konicki. “This, combined with the unmitigated success of the Hale YMCA and its expanding youth programs, lays testament to Doug’s dedication to the youth and families of Putnam and all of northeastern Connecticut.” Cutler died shortly after the Y opened in October 2016.

At Camp Cutler children entering kindergarten through 5th grade will participate in a variety of activities, ranging from swim lessons, nature activities, arts and crafts, structured sports activities, group games, expanded learning opportunities, and much more. Camp will run when school lets out in June, and the last week of camp is Aug. 21 through 25. Additionally, Vacation Club child care will be offered April 10 through 14. 

 

 

Winter Sunset

The setting sun cat a red-gold glow on the treetops at this field on Angell Road. More photos on page 6. Linda Lemmon photo.