Dollar General

coming to

Thompson

N. GROSVENORDALE — Dollar General announces it is currently under construction on a new store at 706 Riverside Drive in N. Grosvenordale, with an anticipated grand opening celebration scheduled for summer 2016.  

The store will employ approximately six to 10 employees, depending on the individual needs of the store.  Anyone interested in joining one of America’s fastest-growing retailers may apply online at www.dollargeneral.com/careers.  With over 12,000 retail locations and 114,000 employees throughout the country, Dollar General offers its employees opportunities to start and/or grow their care

Dollar General stores offer convenience and value to customers by providing a focused selection of national name brands and private brands of food, housewares, seasonal items, cleaning supplies, basic apparel and health/beauty products. The store’s layout is designed to make shopping simple for customers.  Seasonal products are displayed in the center of the store, departments are easily recognizable with visible signage and coolers are conveniently located at the front of the store.

“Meeting our customers’ needs is our top priority when choosing store locations,” said Dan Nieser, Dollar General’s senior vice president of real estate and store development. “We know convenience is a major factor in our customers’ shopping decisions as we generally serve customers within a 3-5 mile radius, or 10 minute drive.  This new location is a great fit for Dollar General.”

Dollar General gives its customers more than everyday low prices on basic merchandise as part of its mission of Serving Others.  Dollar General is deeply involved in the communities it serves and is an ardent supporter of literacy and education through the Dollar General Literacy Foundation, which awards approximately $12 million each year to nonprofit organizations, schools and libraries within a 20-mile radius of a Dollar General store or distribution center to support adult, family, summer and youth literacy programs.

At the cash register of every Dollar General store, customers interested in learning how to read, speak English or get their General Education Diploma (GED) can pick up a brochure with a postage-paid reply card that can be mailed in for a referral to a local organization that offers free literacy services. Since its inception in 1993, the Dollar General Literacy Foundation has awarded more than $100 million in grants to nonprofit organizations, helping nearly six million individuals take their first steps toward literacy or continued education. For more information about the Dollar General Literacy Foundation and its grant programs, visit www.dgliteracy.com.

 

By Ron P. Coderre

This week’s RPC column is dedicated to Brian Murphy.  The former Tourtellotte Memorial High School and Eastern Connecticut State University pitching standout played professionally in the New York Yankees organization.  Now retired from an administrative career in corrections, Murphy spends his time working on baseball skills with area youngsters and staying in condition at the Hale YMCA.

The Woodstock Academy gymnastic juggernaut continues to roll along with its latest coup taking place at New Milford High School where the Centaurs put another notch in their belt, winning the CIAC State Open.  This was the fifth straight State Open title for Woodstock and the first under coach Kasey Fillmore.  The previous four titles were won with Kasey’s mom, Robin Deary-Fillmore at the helm.

The Centaurs were not to be denied at the Open as they rolled past the opposition amassing a team score of 147.3.  The closest any other team could come was Greenwich with a score of 140.4.  As they had done the previous week in winning the Class S crown, the Academy was led by the trio of juniors Paige Stuyniski and Grace Logan and freshman Lydia Taft.

The competitive Stuyniski captured the All-Around with a score of 38.425.  Logan finished third with a score of 37.6 and Taft was fifth at 36.625.  In posting the best All-Around score, Stuyniski won the bars (9.7) and the beam (9.725).  She was third in the vault (9.475) and floor (9.525).

Logan took a pair of first also, winning the vault (9.65) and the floor (9.75) and was second on the bars (9.65).  Taft the amazing frosh was second on the beam (9.375) fourth on the floor (9.35) and fifth in the vault (9.1) and all-around (36.625).

Woodstock also received strong supporting performance from Madelyn Grube in the vault, the bars, the beam and the floor, while Allison Crescimanno performed well on the bars and the beam.  Jourdan Fulcino also represented the Centaurs on the floor.  The remaining member of the Open Championship team is Abby Vaida.

The Fillmore-coached Acads now head to Dracut High School in Massachusetts where they hope to recapture the New England championship.  Last year the Centaurs missed winning the title by a mere .125 of a point to Barnstable High School.

Local 'Rasslers' Make 

Great Showing…

An Ellis Tech wrestler achieved a first in the history of the school and he did it in his initial appearance in the New England Wrestling championships.  The Golden Eagles junior Baltazar Gonzalez won the 126-pound title when he pinned Dylan Disano of Bishop Hendricken High School of Warwick.  The championships were held at Providence Career and Technical Center.

Gonzalez was leading Disano 8-3 in the finals prior to pinning him after four minutes and 18 seconds in the match.  He won his quarterfinal match 15-5 and won the semifinals by pinning his opponent.

Two Killingly matmen, Austin Caffrey and Josh Angel, represented the Redmen well as Caffrey finished second in the 182-pound class and Angel finished fourth in the 285-pound class.  Both wrestlers were important members of Killingly’s championship football team.

From The Where Are

They Now Files… 

A recent visitor to northeastern Connecticut was former Killingly High School and Danielson American Legion pitcher Marc Lucier.  As a young man he was a mound standout for the Redmen and for coach Ralph Brennan’s Legion team.  Lucier is currently a Florida resident where he works at a casino in the Tampa Bay area. 

Icemen in CIAC Action…

Woodstock Academy bounced back after losing a 3-1 heart breaker to Suffield-Granby-Windsor Locks in the Nutmeg Conference title game by beating Sheehan in a CIAC Division III contest.  The Centaurs are seeded #2 in Division III.

In the Nutmeg Conference championship game, Woodstock goalie Cal Wilcox made 44 saves.  The Centaurs only goal was scored by Zack Burnham on an assist from Ryan Black.

Breaking Up Is Hard To Do…

The day after losing in the National Prep School Championships at Albertus Magnus to St. Thomas More by a single point 77-76 the Putnam Science Academy Mustangs held an emotional team get together at Jade Garden Restaurant in Putnam.  Still stinging from the defeat, the team members joined with the school administration, coaching staff and a few faithful followers in putting some salve on the sting of the devastating loss. 

Headmaster Don Cushing offered words of encouragement by relating some personal experiences he’d encountered during his coaching career.  An emotional Dr. Tieqiang Ding, school president expressed his love and thanks to the players and coaches for the recognition they’ve brought to PSA.  His words were interrupted by his own moments of composure as he told the players how much he “loved and appreciated them.”

Prior to taking the floor, coach Tom Espinosa needed time to compose his emotions as he expressed just how much each player meant to the success of the program and to him personally.  Espinosa gave special thanks to his departing postgraduate players and those who’ll be graduating in May.

The group also heard words of encouragement from school psychologist Ken Chauvin and from Putnam resident Maurice “Moe” Coderre.  Coderre was the team’s timekeeper for home games and performed the National Anthem at all games on the Maple Street campus.  Also on hand were assistant headmaster Owen Quantick and college counselor Albert Cormier.

Raceway Season 

Approaching Quickly…

Racing fans should mark their calendars for the weekend of Friday, Saturday and Sunday, April 8, 9 and 10.  The Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park is gearing up for the highly anticipated 42nd Icebreaker, featuring the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour.

The Icebreaker weekend opens with practice on Friday.  Qualifying races will commence on Saturday at 2:30 p.m.  Sunday kicks off with a fan appreciation party on the track with racing action beginning at 12:25 p.m.

Anyone wishing more information on ticket pre-sales, camping reservations or other specifics on the weekend events should visit www.thompsonspeedway.com/event-tickets or call the Speedway office 860 923-2280, according to Theresa Condit, director of Marketing.

RPC’s Closing Thought For The Day: Happy St. Patrick’s Day to our faithful readers and a special St. Patrick’s Day birthday wish to my grandchildren David and Gabrielle who turn 16 on St. Paddy’s Day.

(If you have news worthy sports information email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.)

 

..

 

 

 

J. ‘Larry’ Blanchette,

WWII vet

Joseph (Larry) Blanchette, died March 9, 2016, at Davis Place.  He finally wore out. Larry leaves his wife, Aline (Johnson) Blanchette, also of Davis Place. He was born in 1924.

After his retirement from Electric Boat, Larry worked as a crossing guard for Putnam Elementary School. Larry’s passion was his music. He attended countless jazz festivals and enjoyed listening to his reel-to-reel and record collections. Larry was also helping his daughter Fran research the Blanchette genealogy and was excited to have recently reconnected with a long lost cousin.

In addition to his wife, Larry leaves his two daughters, Anne (Jim) Milliard of Dayville, Fran (Donn) Pittman of Mt.. Pleasant, S.C.; two granddaughters, Carolyn (Richard) Blackmar of Putnam and Catherine (Robert) Bazinet of Pomfret; four great-grandchildren, Asa, Morgan, Lauren and Iris. He was even interviewed by two of the great-grandchildren as part of a WWII school presentation. 

Larry was a proud WWII veteran.  In 2011, he was able to take part in an Honor Flight to the WWII Memorial in Washington, D.C., with his granddaughter Carrie. If you would like to honor Larry’s memory, please consider doing something nice for the veterans. Smith and Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam.

 

Richard Lemieux,

Korean war vet

DAYVILLE — Richard J. (Dick) Lemieux, 85 of Dayville, died March 2, 2016, at UMass Medical Center in Worcester, after a short illness. He was the husband of Pauline (LeBlanc) Lemieux. They were married Nov. 19, 1955. 

He was born Jan. 21, 1931, in Berlin, N.H., son of the late Arthur and Laura (Morin) Lemieux. Richard was a machinist and mechanic. He worked at Electric Boat and various machine shops. After retiring in 1987, he kept busy repairing lawn mowers and other small equipment. He loved to tinker. 

He was a veteran of the Korean war serving with the U.S. Army.  He made his home in New Hampshire for many years, moving to Connecticut in 1965.

He leaves in addition to his wife Pauline, five children: Helene Bazinet (David), Laura Sirois (Leo), Doris Denis and her fiancé Jeff, Richard Lemieux (Christine), and Arthur, his partner Debbie; eight grandchildren: Sarah, Christine, Amanda, Leo, Kimmie, Charles, Richard and Christopher; 16 great-grandchildren: Reese, Reagan, Jaden, Andrew, Gael, Calah, Maris, Liliana, Natalia, Timothy, Ashley, Jasmine, Oscar, Tara, Alec and Mark; brother: Thomas Lemieux of New Hampshire; sisters: Lorraine Amero of New Hampshire and Pauline Roller of Florida. He was predeceased by two brothers: Armand Lemieux and Edward Lemieux and two sisters: Priscilla Bouchard and Jeannette Legere. 

A Memorial Mass will be at 11 a.m. April 8 in St. Joseph Church, 350 Hartford Pike, Dayville, followed by military honors. Donations: St. Joseph Church, PO Box 487, Dayville, CT 06241. Gagnon and Costello Funeral Home, 33 Reynolds St., Danielson.

 

Simonne Gagne

SPRING HILL, Fla./WOODSTOCK — Simonne Morissette Gagne died Jan. 26, 2016 in Florida.  

She was born on Feb. 28, 1939, in Pomfret to the late Gerard and Marie Louise (Provost) Morissette. She married the late Lawrence R. Gagne on Sept. 2, 1957, and lived in Woodstock, Charleston, R.I., and in Spring Hill.  She worked at the Woodstock Public Schools, Marriott at Data General in Woodstock, and then after moving to Rhode Island,  was an office supervisor for health care services.   

She loved the ocean and enjoyed boating and fishing with her late husband and family.  Sim loved to play piano and enjoyed playing shuffleboard, cards and biking with many friends in her park. She also loved to travel.

She leaves two sons, Mark Gagne of Exeter, R.I., and Raymond Gagne (Kelly) of Woodstock; grandsons Kyle and Cody Gagne, and Paul and Keith Brousseau; brothers, Denis (Delores) Morissette of Pomfret, Gilbert (Fran) Morissette of Spring Hill, Leo (Susan) Morissette of Woodstock; a sister, Muriel (Joe) Mrakovich of Pomfret; close friend Loren Peterson of Sparta, Mich.  She was predeceased by her brother, Robert in 1991.

A celebration of life will be held at 11 a.m. June 4 at The Most Holy Trinity Church in Pomfret. Donations: American Cancer Society or Most Holy Trinity Church in Pomfret.

 

B. 'Bernice' Ravenelle

N. GROSVENORDALE — Bronislawa Bernice (Karpenski) Ravenelle, 89, of Ravenelle Rd, died March 10, 2016, in UMass University Hospital.  She was the wife of Normand Ravenelle for 67 years.  Born in 1926 in Putnam, she was the daughter of the late Peter and Helen (Ambrosevicz) Karpenski.

Mrs. Ravenelle worked for American Optical and Cluett Peabody.  She enjoyed bingo, cooking, and playing cards. Bernice was a communicant of St. Joseph Church.

In addition to her husband, she leaves her daughters, Linda Joyal (Tom) of Ashford, Theresa Goulet (Tom) of Killingly, Margaret Auger (Tom) of Putnam, Rachel Sposato of Killingly, and Jane Sciaraffa (Michael) of Auburn, Mass.; grandchildren, Stephanie Sciaraffa of Auburn, Anthony Sciaraffa of Oxford, Troy Sposato of Canterbury, Jared Goulet of Killingly, Danielle Heersink of Woodstock, David Auger of Manchester, and Kathryn Young of Charlestown, Mass.; great-grandchildren Alexa Heersink, Rowan Heersink, and Cierra Heersink; and her former son-in-law Dennis Sposato. She was predeceased by her brothers, William Karpenski, and Joseph Karpenski; sisters, Anna Szarkowicz, Jenny Bodnar, Theresa Beaudet, and Helen Richards. 

The Mass of Christian Burial was March 14 in St. Joseph Church, N. Grosvenordale, with burial in St. Joseph Cemetery.  Valade Funeral Home, 23 Main St., N. Grosvenordale.

 

Anais L. Salvas

PUTNAM — Anais (Lemoine) Salvas, 74, of Church St., died March 12, 2016, at home, after a battle with cancer. She was the wife of Richard A. Salvas for 56 years.  

Born July 6, 1941, in Putnam, she was the daughter of the late Leo and Florida (Raymond) Lemoine.

Anais worked for Day Kimball Hospital for 40 years and was proudly awarded ”Employee of the Month” in 2009. She loved reading. Along with her husband Richard, they were the founding members of the Tri-State Cruisers where together they helped organize several antique car events and fund-raisers.  At these events, she was known as the “50/50 lady” that helped to raise an amazing $135,000 for the Hole in the Wall Gang Camp.

In addition to her husband, she leaves a son, Todd Salvas of Putnam; daughters, Darleen Salvas of Putnam, and Tammy Benoit (Mark) of Thompson; her sisters, Leona Espinosa (William) of Brooklyn, Dorothy Trama (Peter) of Putnam, and Jean Greene of Grosvenordale; her grandchildren, Justin Salvas, Krista Sincyr, Jada Thomas, Glenn Benoit, Dylan Benoit, and Benjamin Benoit; and her great-grandchildren, Kylee Salvas, Hunter Salvas, Ryder Benoit, Lillian Benoit, Owen Benoit, Levi Benoit, and Alexis Sinyc. She is predeceased by her son, Brian Salvas; her brothers, Arthur Lemoine and Leo Lemoine; her sisters, Alice Pastana and Diane Orlowski and her daughter-in-law Doreen Salvas.

Visitation is from 6 to 8 p.m. March 18 in Gilman Funeral Home, 104 Church St., Putnam.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m. March 19 in St. Mary Church of the Visitation, Putnam, with burial in St. Mary Cemetery. Donations: The Hole in the Wall Gang Fund, 555 Long Wharf Dr., New Haven, CT 06511; or to Cruisin’ for Cancer, c/o DKH, P.O. Box 632, Putnam, CT 06260.  

 

Margaret Anderson,

U.S. Marine vet

QUINEBAUG — Margaret M. Anderson, 82, died March 8, 2016, at Westview Health Care Center, Dayville, after an illness.

She was born in Putnam and was raised in the Thompson area, the daughter of Emil and Mary L. (Coman) Anderson. 

She lived in Quinebaug for many years. She graduated from Woodstock Academy.

Ms. Anderson served her country as a U.S. Marine and then worked at various local textile and shoe factories including Danco Inc. in Putnam. 

She was a member of St. Stephen’s Church. She enjoyed traveling, camping and crafts.

She leaves a brother-in-law, Francis Szynaka; two nieces; two nephews; grandnieces and grandnephews. Her sister, Ruth A. Szynaka died Dec. 3, 2015

The Funeral Mass was March 14 in St. Stephen’s Church, with burial in St. Joseph’s Cemetery, N. Grosvenordale.  Scanlon Funeral Service, Webster.

 

Teresa M. Dumouchel

DUDLEY — Teresa M. (Collins) Dumouchel, 97, died March 12, 2016, in Webster Manor after a period of declining health. Her husband of 58 years, Treffle J. Dumouchel, died in 1998.

She was born in Webster, a daughter of Edward M. Collins, Sr. and Stasia (Moronczyk) Collins. She graduated from Bartlett High School. Mrs. Dumouchel first worked at the Worcester Paper Box Company in Webster for 18 years. She then was a wrapper in the deli and meat department at Hillside Park ‘N’ Shop in Webster for 20 years, retiring in 1980. She was a member of St. Louis Church. She served as a den mother many years ago. She was known for her expertise in craft work: hand sewing, crocheting and knitting.

She leaves a son, Richard T. Dumouchel Sr. (Janice) of Dudley; two grandchildren, Richard T. Dumouchel Jr. and his companion Lauren DiBonaventura of Dudley, and Monique L. Bennett (Les) of Dayville; a great-grandson, Cody Michael Bennett; two sisters, Joan “Betty” Dumouchel of Dudley and Stasia “Barbara” Menard of N. Grosvenordale. She was predeceased by three brothers, Francis “Sonny” Collins, William Collins and Edward Collins Jr.

The Funeral Mass was March 16 in St.Louis Church, with burial in Calvary Cemetery. Scanlon Funeral Service, Webster.

 

Thomas F. Hession, 

Korean war vet

DUDLEY —  Thomas F. Hession, 83, died March 7, 2016, in the TCU at Hubbard after an illness.

He was born in New Bedford, Mass., a son of Thomas and Helen (Hushon) Hession.  He moved to Connecticut as a young boy. He was an Army veteran of the Korean war.

Mr. Hession was a social studies teacher for 35 years, a job he truly loved.  He taught at Putnam Junior High School for 10 years then at his alma mater, Tourtellotte Memorial High School in Thompson, for 25 years. He retired in 1992.

Tom had a great sense of humor, always kidding around, always ready for a few laughs and jokes that always made his day.  He was an avid sports fan but his greatest loves were basketball and golf.  He loved jogging and did so for many years.  He was an enthusiastic traveler, traveling extensively with his wife during school vacations – always wanting to see more and more of the world.

He leaves his wife of 56 years, Helen (Moroz) Hession; two brothers, John Hession (Connie) of Thompson, and Bill Hession (Delores) of Southington;  two sisters, Mary, wife of Peter Bertschmann of Sherborn and Helen, wife of Bruce Howard of Long Boat Key, Fla.; brother-in-law Stanley Moroz (Agnes) of Dudley.

The Funeral Mass was March 10 in St. Andrew Bobola Church, Dudley, with burial in St. Joseph Garden of Peace, Webster.  Donations: Charity of the donor’s choice. Sitkowski & Malboeuf Funeral Home, Webster. 

 

John T. Siekierski

DUDLEY — John T. Siekierski, 61, died unexpectedly March 8, 2016, at home. John was born  in Webster, the son of the late Raymond and the late Santina J (DeNardis) Siekierski. 

He graduated from Tourtellotte Memorial  High School in Thompson and was active with the school band. He lived most his life in Dudley. He worked at Cranston Print Works, Webster Nursery and did local landscaping. Most recently he enjoyed helping the local elderly with their  shopping  needs and taking them to appointments. John loved animals and supported many local shelters. He loved rock music of the ‘70s and ‘80s . He was an accomplished artist in his many painting and his drawings. 

He leaves three brothers: Raymond Siekierski Jr. (Kate) of Rindge, N.H., Jim Siekierski  (Lynn) of N. Grosvenordale, and Jeff Siekierski (Kim) of Wilbraham, Mass.; four nephews Alex, Aaron, Bret and Justin Siekierski.

A Memorial service was March 15 at Bartel Funeral Home & Chapel, Dudley. Donations: Your local animal shelter. 

 

..