caption, page 7
Bet Zimmerman Smith and Patrick Smith are working hard to protect the rural character of Woodstock. The Rocky Hill Refuge is dedicated to Bet’s late husband, Doug Zimmerman. The open pasture will be maintained for agricultural use.
Woodstock
farmland
saved from
development
WOODSTOCK — Woodstock residents Bet Zimmerman Smith and Patrick Smith recently donated a 58-acre property to the Wyndham Land Trust. The land, now called the Rocky Hill Refuge, sits on the highest point of Rocky Hill Road in Woodstock and is a combination of agricultural field and forest. A 12-lot subdivision had been approved on the lot some years ago, but Bet and Patrick were able to buy the land and convert the subdivision back into open space that will be protected into perpetuity by the land trust.
Zimmerman believes converting this property from residential use will save Woodstock taxpayers money in the long run: “Scores of empirical studies indicate that, instead of leading to a reduction in property taxes, residential development results in increased property taxes. Homeowners need community services like roads, police, and schools, and the costs keep rising.
“We will have reserved life use of the property—a great concept that enables us to continue to work the land during our lifetimes. Plus, the federal tax deduction for giving land to a non-profit organization like the Wyndham Land Trust offers an impressive bonus. It’s a win-win situation, and I would encourage other property owners who want to protect their land to speak with the land trust.
“The property used to be part of a turkey farm and still contains a scenic meadow over rich farm soils. We want to support local agriculture, so the meadow will continue to be leased to a local dairy farmer. Haying it provides food for local cows and maintains the area as grassland habitat.”
Other members of the Woodstock community expressed their gratitude for the time and expense that Zimmerman and Smith expended on the project. “On behalf on the town Open Space Committee I want to thank Bet and Patrick for their gift,” said committee member Jeff Stefanik. “It is this type of long-range thinking that is helping preserve Woodstock as the kind of place where people want to live and raise a family. Dedicating land to agricultural use helps maintain our strong farming business structure. Once we lose that connection with farming, it’s gone forever.”
“Some people don’t understand why Patrick and I would make an investment like this,” Zimmerman added. “As Jane Goodall once said: ‘You cannot get through a single day without having an impact on the world around you. What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make.’
“After our time is done, the land trust will maintain the refuge as open space forever. Patrick and I consider ourselves fortunate to have been able to preserve this land for current and future generations of people, plants, and animals.”
An old logging road running through the property provides a peaceful walk on level ground. Dogs must be kept on a leash to avoid disturbing the wildlife. A dedication ceremony in honor of Bet’s late husband, Doug, will be held on the property in the spring of 2017.
The Wyndham Land Trust now preserves 2195 acres in more than 50 preserves across 10 towns in northeastern Connecticut.
Glorious
The Congregational church on Thompson Common is graced with autumn leaves. More photos on page 6. Linda Lemmon photo.
Football Wrap-up
Killingly &
Plainfield
score big
victories
By Ron P. Coderre
In a week where all high school and prep school football teams were in action with the exception of the Woodstock Academy Centaurs, the Killingly Redmen and Plainfield Panthers came off their bye weeks with a vengeance.
Killingly rolled past the Montville Indians in a clash of Eastern Connecticut Conference teams. Plainfield traveled to Rhode Island for an out of conference contest with Central Falls High School and came home with a big 28-point victory.
The winless Quinebaug Valley Pride traveled across the state to Bridgeport only to be steamrolled by Bullard Havens.
The preps, Pomfret School and Hyde School-Woodstock, both played over the weekend. Hyde was beaten on the road, while Pomfret won in front of the home crowd.
Killingly Puts it Altogether
Against Montville
Killingly used a strong defensive effort in creating Montville turnovers, allowing its offensive unit to pile up six touchdowns in a 46-20 victory over the Indians. The Redmen had four interceptions, three by sophomore cornerback Luke Desaulnier and one by Zack Burgess.
Following Burgesses first quarter interception, the Killingly offense took over scoring two first period and two second quarter touchdowns to take a 28-6 halftime lead to the locker room. Zach Caffrey tallied the initial two Redmen scores with touchdown runs of 5 and 37 yards. Caffrey enjoyed a fine evening on the gridiron, piling up 58 yards on only eight carries.
Killingly’s premier runningback Spencer Lockwood accounted for the first score of the second quarter when he broke loose on a 73-yard TD scamper. Lockwood had another banner evening, running for 238 yards on 30 carries. His performance put him over the 1000-yard plateau after only five games. Unofficially the junior has now amassed 1,025 yards through the first half of the season.
Burgess recorded Killingly’s other second quarter score when he was on the end of a 29-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Kyle Derosier. It was the first of two Derosier touchdown tosses in the game. He also connected with Jeff Ward in the third stanza on a 36-yard aerial score. On the evening Derosier finished 6-of-15 and 108 yards through the air. Burgess was Killingly’s leading receiver with three catches for 54 yards.
The remainder of the Killingly scoring came on a Desaulnier 21-yard field goal and a Tyler Cournoyer 5-yard run.
The Redmen of coach Chad Neal are 4-1 on the season as they prepare for a Friday evening 6:30 p.m. encounter under the bright lights of Killingly against the visiting Windham Whippets. The Whips enter the contest sporting a 3-1 log following a huge 47-13 win over Griswold in which they amassed more than 500 yards of offense.
Trip to Ocean State Worthwhile for Plainfield
Plainfield ventured over the border into Rhode Island for a contest against Central Falls High School and returned to the Nutmeg State with a convincing 40-12 victory. The Panthers jumped out to a 20-0 halftime lead and never looked back as they were in control throughout the 48 minutes of action.
Cam Gonzales had a pair of touchdowns on runs of three and 30 yards to pace the victory. Devin McGale also produced two touchdowns, one on the ground and one through the air. McGale rushed for a 25-yard score and was on the end of a 20-yard TD pass from quarterback Marcus Robinson.
Backup quarterback Chris Peasley scored on a two-yard sneak and Kyle Holt ran over from 7 yards to close out the Plainfield scoring.
The win puts Plainfield at 3-2 on the season. The team travels to Colchester on Saturday for a noon showdown with Bacon Academy.
QVP Run Over by Bullard Havens
The young and outmanned Quinebaug Valley Pride traveled to Bridgeport for a noon showdown with Bullard Havens and was dominated by the hosts 42-0. The lone highlight for the Pride was the performance of runningback Will McGlyn who had 102 yards on 20 carries.
The loss drops QVP to 0-5 on the year. On Friday the Pride entertains another formidable opponent Thames River in a 6 p.m. encounter under the arcs.
Pomfret Shutouts NY Visitors
Pomfret School raised its 2016 record to 2-1 with a one-sided 48-0 shutout of visiting Millbrook School of New York. This was the second time this season that the two schools have faced off on the gridiron. Millbrook is one of the four teams in the 8-man league.
Pomfret was led by the trio of Owen McDevitt, Beny Huckaby and Thos Kuffour in the 8-on-8 football game. McDevitt had two touchdowns, one on a 42-yard interception. Overall he tallied 80 yards on six carries. Huckaby excited the crowd with a punt return of 53 yards for a score, while Kuffour scored on an 8-yard run.
Hyde Drops to 2-2 with Loss to Pingree
Hyde School-Woodstock, in its final year of existence on its beautiful Woodstock campus ,is having a difficult time picking up football victories. The Wolfpack was on the road in Hamilton, Mass., where it was beaten 20-7 by The Pingree School.
The hosts jumped out to a 20-0 early lead and were never threatened by Hyde. Ian Ricketts tallied the only Hyde score on a 17-yard run. Jordan Knight was a workhorse for coach Sean Saucier, carrying the pigskin 19 times and amassing 121 yards.
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Football Wrap-up
Soggy
weekend
doesn’t alter
gridiron
action
By Ron P. Coderre
The weather man was somewhat of a pain in the backside for local high school and prep school football action last weekend. But like the proverbial mailman, the games went on despite the somewhat rainy, chilly, soggy conditions.
The Killingly Redmen, following a disappointing outcome in their game against New London last week, rebounded in convincing fashion against the Griswold Wolverines. Griswold came in on a high after a strong offensive victory over North Branford the previous week. The Redmen easily disposed of Griswold 48-12. Killingly improved its record to 3-1 with the win.
The young Quinebaug Valley Pride continued its downward spiral losing at home to Capital Prep/Achievement First 48-6. The loss drops coach Joe Asermelly’s team to 0-4 on the season.
Woodstock Academy did something it hasn’t done in many years, winning its second game of the year. The Centaurs elated the home crowd by beating visiting CREC Co-op. The win levels Woodstock’s record at 2-2.
In the preps, Hyde-Woodstock picked up its second win of the season, making the long trek to Holderness, N.H., worthwhile. Pomfret School, playing in the newly created 8-man football league, travelled to New York and came back with a victory. It was the Golden Griffins first game in the new league, first game of the season and first win of the year.
Killingly Back on Winning Track
Killingly jumped out to an early lead on Eastern Connecticut Conference Division III foe Griswold but saw the advantage dissipate before getting their act together and running off with a 48-12 victory.
The Redmen opened the scoring parade when Kelsey Rhines bolted over from 2 yards out. Rhines would score again later in the contest in the second period on a 35-yard scamper. Overall he had 44 yards on four carries in the game.
Killingly’s second score came from its defense when Jeff Ward scooped up a Griswold fumble and raced to paydirt putting his team on top 13-0. Griswold than struck back for a pair of scores on the complacent Killingly defense.
Spencer Lockwood then reignited the offense when he ran in from 3 yards out for a TD to close out the first half scoring. Lockwood had another banner evening on the ground, racing for 149 yards on 23 carries. Lockwood now has 787 yards from scrimmage in four games. The Redmen went off at halftime ahead 27-12.
The second half belonged to the Killingly team as the defense and offense went to work in earnest. The D held the Wolverines scoreless over the final 24 minutes of play.
On offense Zach Caffrey had a pair of second half scores on runs of 18 and one yards. Bret Long was the other Redman to score as he tallied on a 30-yard aerial connection from quarterback Kyle Derosier.
The win puts the Redmen at 3-1 on the season and 1-0 in the ECC Division III. The Redmen enjoy a week off in the schedule before resuming action on Friday, Oct. 14 at home against Montville in a 6:30 p.m. game.
Pride Offense Remains in Hiding
Capital Prep/Achievement First rolled into Putnam on Friday night and steamrolled the Pride in front of a small crowd of hardy fans. The Preppers opened the contest scoring 28 points in the initial stanza. They continued the surge, tallying 20 more markers in the second period. Capital Prep/Achievement First went into the locker room at intermission with an insurmountable 48-0 lead.
The second half witnessed the visitors using many of their substitutes against the young tri-op team. The final 24 minutes were scoreless until late in the contest when William McGlynn broke over from 14 yards out for the 0-4 Pride. The Pride is off this weekend. They play again on Saturday, Oct. 15 at Bullard Havens in a noon showdown.
Centaurs Win at Home
Woodstock Academy rallied in front of the home folks for a stunning 32-26 win over visiting CREC Co-op. The Centaurs were led by runningback Cameron Janice who ran for 116 yards on 18 totes of the pigskin. Two of his carries resulted in touchdowns.
Devin LeRoy electrified the crowd with an 88-yard kickoff return as part of a Woodstock 16-0 run of unanswered points. Quarterback Jared Bouten was 8-16-41 and also ran in for a score. The Acads converted 3-of-4 two point conversions, which proved instrumental in the victory.
The victory gives coach Darryl Daleen’s charges a 2-2 record on the season as they move through their independent schedule. The Centaurs entertain Woonsocket (RI) High School on Saturday, Oct. 8 in a 3 p.m. contest.
Hyde-Woodstock Slips by Holderness
The Hyde-/Woodstock Wolfpack of coach Sean Saucier slipped past Holderness School 17-14 in a game played in New Hampshire. The winning score came on a dramatic 22-yard field goal by Jakob Robinson with a mere 10 seconds remaining in the contest.
The Wolfpack’s two other scores came on an Ian Ricketts two-yard touchdown run and a 66-yard pass-run connection from quarterback Jake Vasapoli to Aaron Petion. Jordan Knight had a key interception late in the game to seal the win. Knight had 89 yards on offense on 23 carries, while Ricketts finished with 30 yards on eight attempts.
The Wolfpack move to 2-0 on the season with the victory.
Pomfret Eight Wins First Game
Pomfret sojourned to Millbrook, N.Y., for an eight-man contest, the first in its long football history. The Golden Griffins returned to Connecticut with a satisfying 42-8 victory.
Thos Kuffour was the show for Pomfret, scoring four touchdowns in a tremendous one-man show. Kuffour tallied on runs of 8, 2, and 33 yards in addition to scoring on a kickoff return of 75 yards. The stellar runningback posted 125 yards on 11 carries for his day’s work.
Owen McDevitt, who ran for 56 yards on six carries, added touchdowns of 5 and 3 yards for the 1-0 Griffs.
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