Centaurs hopeful state
title is in their future
After making a Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference (CIAC) Div. II state championship game the year before and falling just short, 2-1 in overtime to North Haven, the Woodstock Academy boys’ hockey team has one goal in mind: Bring home a Division II state title in 2024.
To that end coach Mark Smolak scheduled a majority of CIAC Div. I teams. The Centaurs finished 23-2 last season.
The Centaurs return their top line of Noah Sampson (21 goals, 37 assists), Sousa (29, 28) and Maxx Corradi (43, 23).
The Centaurs will be without Jacob Jurnovoy (6, 14), Max Larkin (9, 15) and the physicality of Andrew Newton up front.
Senior Jared Nielsen (5, 7) and junior Jayden Fuller (10, 11) will back up that front line with senior Troy Daviau.
The Centaurs also have freshman newcomer Cameron Perrault who will pair with Brady O’Brien and Keegan Covello.
Three defenseman and two goalies have departed, so the offense may have to be a bit more conscious of what is going on in the defensive end.
Freshman Brady Hebert will be the starting goalie for the first 10 games until junior Devlin Mansolf, a transfer from Burrillville (R.I.) High School, is eligible. Alex Gessner and Sam Lescault will be the senior defensemen with freshmen Landon Murdock and Kieran Shepherd being added to the mix.
The team will have to come together quickly. In the first three weeks, they have seven games scheduled including the highly competitive Mt. St. Charles tournament.
“That’s a lot. Three weeks into the season, we’re going to have half of our schedule completed,” Smolak said. “We’re going to get the bulk of our schedule out of the way, going to review the films, determine where we can do better and drill in practice because we will have plenty of practice time toward the end (of the season)," the coach added. Woodstock will not play its first home game at the Jahn Ice Rink until Jan. 2.
Marc Allard
Director of Sports Information
The Woodstock Academy
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Wed. Dec. 13
Art Exhibit
THOMPSON --- The Thompson Public Library Friends of the Library will present, through their Art @ the Library series, the fourth annual Textile Artists Community Show through Dec. 26. 860-923-9779.
Nature Store
POMFRET --- The Connecticut Audubon Society at Pomfret will hold its annual Holiday Nature Store Tuesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. through Dec. 22. Gifts for all ages. Items include birdfeeders, bluebird and wood duck nest boxes, gardening gifts, games, jigsaw puzzles, field guides, freshly cut Christmas trees, winter decorations, evergreen sprays, beautiful jewelry, David Stumpo's watercolor art, David Bird's "Becorn" prints, and more.
Fri. Dec. 15
‘A Christmas Story’
PUTNAM --- The Bradley Playhouse on Front Street will present “A Christmas Story” at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 15 and 16 and at 2 p.m. Dec. 17. $23 for adults; $20 for seniors, students, veterans and first responders. www.thebradleyplayhouse.org or 860-928-7887.
Sat. Dec. 16
Cookie Sale
BROOKLYN --- Our Lady of LaSalette Church on Rt. 6 will hold its annual Holiday Cookies Sold by the Pound and basket drawing from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the church basement.
Sun. Dec. 17
Christmas Pageant
POMFRET --- The Christ Church’s annual Christmas Pageant will be at 10 a.m. at the Rectory School’s Tang Center.
Tues. Dec. 19
Book Launch
WOODSTOCK --- 58 Publishing House will launch “Because I Had to … A Collection of Columns” --- the book --- from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Inn at Woodstock Hill. Refreshments served. A selection of columns you read first in the Putnam Town Crier & Northeast Ledger, written by local author Kathy Naumann, are now compiled in book form.
Group Gathering
PUTNAM --- A social gathering for young adults, aged 18 and up with disabilities will be held from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Murphy Park Building. Family friends and caregivers welcome. Feel free to bring snacks, drinks and games to share. RSVP:
Thur. Dec. 21
Winter Solstice
POMFRET --- The Wyndham Land Trust will host a Winter Solstice event from 3 to 5 p.m. in the Duck Marsh Preserve. A fire pit will help everybody keep warm. Parking is available along Holmes Road, between Modock Road and Wrights Crossing Road.
Thur. Dec. 28
Camp Game Day
POMFRET --- The Windham-Tolland 4-H Camp is offering a Camper Game Day from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. for kids ages 6-12. Games, food and fun during the holiday vacation week. $20 includes lunch and snacks. Outdoor gear required. Preregister by 12-22. 860-974-1122.
Sat. Feb. 10
Fire and Ice
PUTNAM --- The Putnam Business Association and the Town of Putnam will present Fire and Ice around downtown.
Sat. April 20
International Day
PUTNAM --- The Putnam Business Association will present International Day.
Sat. May 18
Fairy Fest
PUTNAM --- The Putnam Business Association will present a Fairy and Magic Fest.
Sun. Aug. 11
Pluck a Duck
PUTNAM --- The Putnam Business Association will present Pluck a Duck Aug. 11 and 12.
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‘Thanksgiving Listen’
The Great Thanksgiving Listen encourages people to create an oral history by recording an interview with an elder, mentor, friend, or someone they admire. Sixth graders at Pomfret Community School planned interview questions and met over Zoom or in person to honor a significant elder. They practiced active listening skills and planned which questions would be best. Story/photo courtesy of Mrs. Hulme, sixth grade teacher.
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Donation
The Putnam Rotary Club collected games for those served by two organizations, TEEG and the Putnam Family Resource Center. From left: Rotary President Amanda Kelly, Liz Perry from TEEG, Shannon Haney of the Putnam Family Resource Center, Chelsea French from TEEG and committee chair Rachael Johnston. Linda Lemmon photo.
Rotary donates
games galore
A holiday tradition, the Putnam Rotary Club recently collected games for those served by TEEG and the Putnam Family Resource Center.
“We collected about 55 games split between both organizations,” according to Rotarian Rachael Johnston.
She added: “It was especially needed this year due to the pipe burst in the Putnam school causing extensive damage to their collection of toys/games/books/puzzles for this year’s holiday distribution.”
TEEG and the Putnam Family Resource Center representatives said their organizations saw the number of families they serve continue to rise. The combined number of those being served exceeds 500. In addition, those two organizations are the only two in the area that serve children up to age 18. Many serve up to age 12.
The organizations’ representatives said there is a need for gifts for the children in that 12-18 age range. Gift cards are especially appreciated.
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