Roundup
Putnam Science Academy beats an old nemesis
#11 New Hampton was one of just two teams to beat Putnam Science Academy last year. But, that was last year. This year the #2 ranked Mustangs beat New Hampton 92-80 at the NEBL tipoff showcase. Jordan Skyers led the Mustangs with 20 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 steals. Adama Tambedou (6 rebounds) and Jalen Taggart (5 rebounds) each scored 14 points apiece for PSA who moved to 9-0 on the season. Favour Egbuna added 12 points and 10 rebounds and Kamai Samuels also had 12 points and 4 rebounds in the win. Brayson Green filled the stat sheet with 10 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists and 3 steals and David Gaymon chipped in 8 points and 6 assists as the Mustangs winning streak moves to 42 straight games.
This time last year the PSA Men’s prep basketball team came up empty in Boston at the NEBL Tipoff. This time this year they flipped the script coming away with two wins over the weekend. The Mustangs beat CATS Academy, 100-81. Favour Egbuna had a monster game with 21 points and 13 rebounds and 2 steals. Jordan Skyers had a game high with 27 points, 4 rebounds and 3 assists. Jalen Taggart went 6 for 6 from the free throw line to finish with 18 points and 2 rebounds. Kamai Samuels had 17 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 steals and David Gaymon had 8 points, 11 assists and 5 steals. Brayson Green chipped in 3 points, 7 rebounds and 2 blocks. The Mustangs move to 10-0 on the season and extended their winning streak to 43 games.
By Ben Heacox
The PSA Men’s basketball team won a top 10 matchup against #9 Hargrave Military Academy in the National Prep Showcase. Jalen Taggart led the Mustangs with 18 points, 5 rebounds, 2 steals and 2 assists. Adama Tambedou had 17 points and 6 rebounds and Jordan Skyers contributed 14 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists and a steal in the win. Brayson Green added 11 points, 7 rebounds and 2 blocks and Favour Egbuna had another double-double with 10 points and 13 rebounds. Egbuna dished out two assists and also had a steal. Kamai Samuels chipped in 5 points, 7 rebounds and 8 assists. The #2 team in the country is back on the court today at 12:30 against Massanutten Military Academy. The Mustangs are currently 11-0 on the season, extending their winning streak to 44 games.
The PSA Men’s elite basketball team was down by 20 heading into the locker at halftime. An incredible second half followed, coming away with a massive 87-80 vs Mount St. Charles, who is considered to be one of the best teams in NEPSAC AA. Vadim Brezillion was the best player on the floor scoring 38 points, while going up against two Division I guards. Brezillion added 6 rebounds and 6 assists to go with his game high scoring output. Amayas Hall-Chiari had 15 points and 4 rebounds. Ethan Graham had 14 points, 7 rebounds and 3 assists in the win. Ethan Mvundura went for 9 points and 2 assists. Martin Poliuchovic had 5 points, Max Pires went for 4 points and 7 rebounds. Sterling Manigault had 2 points to go along with 5 rebounds. Head Coach Aaron Lorenzo said this does wonders for the team’s confidence level going forward. “It sets the bar that this team is supposed to be competing at the top of the double AA at NEPSAC. We come in down 20 at halftime, rally at the half, we know what we can do,” Lorenzo said. Through the early going of the season the team talked about how good they could be. This game proves just how good the team can be. “We’ve been practicing for a couple weeks, we’re talking about how good we can be, now’s the time to prove it, we went out there and did that,” he added. Execution was an instrumental part in manufacturing the comeback and ultimately the victory. Coach Lorenzo also cited his team’s ability to finish at the rim as another key factor in the enormous win. “We played as a team, nobody was selfish, we were moving the ball. Whatever we had to do we did. We did the dirty work.” The little things went a long way for the Mustangs (2-1) in a big way in closing this one out.
By Ben Heacox
KJ Cyr was the leading scorer with 15 points in the PSA’s Men’s varsity basketball win over Hoosac, 77-52. Cyr also had 4 steals and 3 assists. Chris Maplanka added 12 points and 6 steals in the win to help the Mustangs move to 2-0 on the season. Elias Garcia Quesada had 10 points with 2 assists and 2 steals and Daniel Lewandowski was a monster on the glass with 11 rebounds to go along with his 4 points for PSA. Angel Seintuier was the stat sheet filler of the game with 3 points, 9 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 blocks.
The PSA Men’s Elite basketball team stayed right where they wanted- in the win column. The Mustangs defeated Franklin Pierce in a high-scoring matchup, 108-91 at home on Tuesday afternoon. Ethan Mvundura scored 24 points, dished out 4 assists and had 2 rebounds in the win. Amyas Hall-Chiari had 13 points and 4 rebounds and Vadim Brezillion went for 18 points, 3 assists and 3 rebounds.
Sterling Manigualt added 10 points and 7 rebounds and Stanislaw Nowakowsi chipped in 8 points as Putnam Science moves to 3-1 on the season.
The PSA Men’s Varsity basketball team suffered their first loss of the season against Fisher College, 87-82. Elias Garcia Quesada had a spectacular game leading the Mustangs in scoring with 29 points and 3 rebounds. KJ Cyr also went over the 20-point mark with 25 points, 5 rebounds and 6 assists. Chris Maplanka filled the stat sheet with 12 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists and a block and Daniel Lewandowski contributed 9 points and 8 rebounds in the loss. Drake Alvarez chipped in 7 points and 8 rebounds as PSA Varsity fell to 2-1 on the season. But they got right back in the win column beating St. Thomas More 70-54. Elias Garcia Quesada had a big game with 26 points to lead the Mustangs in scoring and also had 6 rebounds, 5 assists and 3 steals. KJ Cyr had 18 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists and a steal in the win. Chris Maplanka electrified the crowd with a one-handed slam while scoring 7 points and grabbing 12 rebounds. Kenzo Wright added 9 points and Daniel Lewandowski chipped in 6 points and 10 rebounds to bring the Mustangs to a 3-1 record on the season.
Women’s Basketball
The PSA Women’s prep basketball team faced off against the #1 team in Canada and lost . Valentina Vrcan led the Mustangs with 8 points, 4 assists and a steal and Fatima Diouf also added 8 points and had 3 steals and 2 assists in the loss. Adut Tour chipped in with 7 points and 5 rebounds as the PSA fell to 0-2 on the season.
The Lady Mustangs’ Valentina Vrcan was the leading scorer with 14 points as the Mustangs fell short against Niagara Prep 83-59 in Canada. Vrcan added 3 assists, 2 steals, 2 rebounds to fill out the stat sheet. Fatima Diouf contributed 12 points, 3 assists, 2 steals and a block. Ryanna Roman had a strong game with 8 points, 5 steals, 3 assists and 3 rebounds. The Mustangs are now 0-3 on the season.
The PSA Varsity girls won their season opener on the road at St. Thomas More, 45-43. Aroa Caudrq Alvarez led the Lady Mustangs with 15 points, 5 steals and 4 rebounds. Sofia Konkova added 11 points (4 for 6 fg) and 6 rebounds and Nika Milosavljevic chipped in 4 blocks in the win.
The Lady Mustangs took on a strong Tabor Academy team but lost 61-58. PSA battled the entire game as the lead went back and forth.Paolla Kanoute led PSA with 23 points, 8 rebounds and 5 steals. Fatima Diouf had a great game with 15 points, 6 rebounds, 3 steals, 2 assists and 2 blocks. Varvara Utina added 10 points and 3 rebounds and Valentina Vrcan chipped in with 9 points, 5 assists, 3 rebounds and 2 steals. Putnam Science falls to 0-4 on the season.
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Mariella Eugenie Paquin
NEWBURYPORT, Mass./Delray Beach, Fla. — Mariella E. (Goulet) Paquin, 98, of Highland Lane, Delray Beach, and Plum Island, Newburyport died Nov. 17, 2025, at Vitas Healthcare. She was the beloved wife of the late Aime A. Paquin. Born in 1926 in Notre Dame, P. Q. Canada, she was the daughter of the late Alfonse and Alma (Boucher) Goulet.
Mrs. Paquin worked for many years at Linemaster Switch as a switch technician while raising her family in Putnam. Mariella enjoyed painting, pottery, ceramics, building puzzles, and playing Bingo and cards. She fully enjoyed life; her family and friends and loved sharing her stories and giving a warm hug.
She leaves her children, Cindy Killoran (Robert) of Mechanicsburg, Penn., Mark Paquin (Cindy) of Putnam, and Kathleen Barrett (William) of Delray Beach; siblings, Willie Goulet of Sturbridge, Mass., and Gladys Trahan of Arizona; 10 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews. Mariella was predeceased by her stepdaughter, Sylvia Bardin and her siblings, Marie, Muriel, Lorenza, Maryanne, Bert, Tony, Conrad, Morris, Paul, and Romeo.
The Funeral Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 a.m. Dc. 6 in St. Mary Church of the Visitation, 218 Providence St., Putnam, with burial in St. Mary Cemetery. Gilman and Valade Funeral Homes and Crematory, 104 Church St., Putnam.
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Wed. Nov. 26
Art Exhibit
DANIELSON --- Thompson artists Ann C. Rosebrooks and Donna O'Scolaigh Lange will be showing paintings and mixed media collage work through Dec. 1 at the Heirloom Food Company on North Main Street.
Exhibit
WOODSTOCK --- The Center for Woodstock History is presenting a photo exhibit, "Woodstock Through the Camera's Eye in Post-Civil War America." Please call for more info: 860-928-1035.
Stumpo Retrospective
POMFRET --- The Connecticut Audubon Society at Pomfret on Day Road will present Pomfret works by the late watercolor artist, David C. Stumpo through January. No admission fee to attend the reception or view the exhibition. Hours: noon to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday.
Gallery Open
POMFRET --- The Pomfret School announced the opening of an art gallery, The Gallery at Jahn Reading Room, a new on-campus exhibition space. Alum and contemporary artist Seaver Leslie’s “Mnemosyne: A Sixty-Year Review” and “Observations,” a showcase of new works by Pomfret students, will run through the month of December. Guests should enter through the South Entrance and park in the Main House Lot, which is the second right-hand turn on Paradise Road. Call: JP Jacquet at: 860-208-8521.
Thur. Nov. 27
Happy Thanksgiving!
Fri. Nov. 28
Warm Coats
PLAINFIELD --- Bring your child to get a free, new, warm winter coat between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. at St. John’s Church, 15 Railroad Ave., off Rt. 12. The area’s Knights of Columbus and Danielson Elks Lodge 1706 will be giving away new winter coats for boys and girls, in toddler’s, children’s and teen sizes. They will also have free, used winter coats in good condition available for men and women. Free to anyone in need, with no obligation. For info: 860-928-5873 - do not text.
Santa's Coming!
PUTNAM --- Santa will arrive with the Putnam Fire Department at 4 p.m. at the Riverfront Commons to Light Up Putnam. Karen O will have hot chocolate and a treat and there will be Face Painting - by Emily. Come one, come all.
Sat. Nov. 29
Preview Film
PUTNAM --- The Putnam Public Library will present excerpts of Ken Burns’ “The American Revolution” from 12:30 to 1:45 p.m. in Room 109 in the Municipal Complex.
‘Caturday'
PUTNAM --- Paws Cat Shelter will be open from noon until 3 p.m. at 74 School St. for Small Business "Caturday". T-shirts, sweatshirts, assorted crafts and Paws items PLUS cats to visit. Pet food and monetary donations are greatly appreciated. 860-315-1228.
Concert
PUTNAM --- The Congregational Church of Putnam, downtown, will present “We Need a Little Christmas” concert with Ted Reynolds at 7 p.m. Tickets are $20.
Church Bazaar
CHEPACHET --- St. Eugene Church will hold its annual Christmas Bazaar from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Includes bake sale, crafts, food, fun, music, penny social, raffle baskets, special raffles, straw game, white elephant and more! 401- 568-5102.
Sun. Nov. 30
Dazzle Light Parade
PUTNAM --- The 24th annual Holiday Dazzle Light Parade will kick off at 5 p.m. from Grove Street and wind its way through downtown Putnam. This light-filled holiday extravaganza is sponsored by WINY Radio, the Town of Putnam and Green Valley Crossing.
Mon. Dec. 1
Art Exhibit
THOMPSON --- The Friends of the Thompson Library will present its sixth annual Community Textile Show for the month of December. A reception will be held at 6 p.m. Dec. 9.
Tues. Dec. 2
Al-Anon Meeting
POMFRET --- Al-Anon will meet at noon on Tuesdays at the Christ Church, 527 Pomfret St. Please use the lower level door, near the flagpole. All welcome.
Wed. Dec. 3
Scam Alert
PUTNAM ---Detective Donna Brown of the Putnam Police Department will be presenting “Fraud & Scam Awareness” at 5:30 p.m. .in the Putnam Public Library. Free. All welcome.
Fri. Dec. 5
Bradley’s ‘Ebenezer’
PUTNAM --- The Bradley Playhouse will present “A Christmas Carol Musical Ebenezer’ at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 5, 6, 12, 13, 19 and 20 and at 2 p.m. Dec. 7, 14 and 21. $30 for adults; $27 for seniors, students, veterans and first responders. Official tickets at: TheBradleyPlayhouse.org/shows; Our box office: 860-928-7887 or in person at 30 Front St.; Our direct, affiliated link:ci.ovationtix.com/36038/production/1232669
Sat. Dec. 6
Pet Bazaar
PUTNAM --- Paws Cat Shelter is hosting a Holiday Bazaar from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Putnam High School cafeteria, 152 Woodstock Ave. More than 25 vendors with crafts, gifts, raffle baskets, baked goods and more. 860-315-1228.
Holiday Art & Crafts
WOODSTOCK --- The East Woodstock Congregational Church will hold its annual Holiday Art/Craft Show from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the church. More than 20 vendors.
Victorian Fair
POMFRET --- The Christ Church’s annual Saint Nicholas Victorian Fair will be held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the church on Rt. 169. (rain date Dec. 13). The Online Silent Auction runs until Dec. 3. Last year, the Silent Auction raised over $10,000 to support community outreach. Auction link: new.biddingowl.com/christchurchpomfret closed at noon Dec. 3. Proceeds benefit programs including TEEG, the Access Agency, Day Kimball Hospital Hospice, Arc Eastern Connecticut, Habitat for Humanity, Community Kitchens of NECT, Daily Bread, St. Francis of Assisi Food Bank and more. 860-315-7780.
Sun. Dec. 7
Lunch with Santa
POMFRET --- The Windham-Tolland 4-H Camp on Taft Pond Road will hold Lunch with Santa from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. There’s lunch, photo with Santa, making crafts, cookies and more and a silent auction and raffle. $14 for 10 and older for lunch; $10 for kids 9 and younger; photo with Santa is $8. No reservations needed. 860-974-3379.
Christmas Concert
CHEPACHET --- The Chepachet Baptist Church on Rt. 44 will hold its Christmas Concert at 2:30 p.m. Free but a freewill offering would be welcome. Refreshments follow. www.chepachetbaptist.org
Sun. Dec. 14
Candlelight/Music
POMFRET --- Pomfret School will present its annual Candlelight and Music event from 7 to 8 p.m. in the Clark Memorial Chapel. Doors open at 6:30. Refreshments follow. Free.
Thur. Dec. 25
Merry Christmas!
Sun. Dec. 30
Camper Day
POMFRET --- The Windham Tolland 4-H Camp on Taft Pond Road will offer Camper Game Day from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. for children ages 6-12. Lunch, games and more. Outdoor gear required. $25/child, everyone welcome. Preregistration by Dec. 22: 860-974-1122.
Thur. Jan. 1, 2026
Happy New Year!
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‘Ebenezer’ opens Dec. 5
PUTNAM — The Theatre of Northeastern Connecticut at the Bradley Playhouse will present “A Christmas Carol Musical EBENEZER,” a new musical adaptation of the beloved Dickens classic starting Dec. 5 and running for three weekends.
The performances are at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 5, 6, 12, 13, 19 and 20 and at 2 p.m. Dec. 7, 14 and 21. Tickets are $30 for adults; $27 for seniors, students, veterans and first responders. Official tickets available at: TheBradleyPlayhouse.org/shows; Our box office: 860-928-7887 or in person at 30 Front St.; Our direct, affiliated link:ci.ovationtix.com/36038/production/1232669
All seats are reserved. Reservations may be made with a major credit card online at www.thebradleyplayhouse.org or by calling 860-928-7887.
The TNECT production of A Christmas Carol Musical EBENEZER is co-directed by Tonya Leigh Brock and Aidan Horrigan with music direction by Dr. E. Justin Simone. Choreography and stage management are by Brenna Griswold. Roy Simmons appears as Ebenezer Scrooge. The spirits who make an appearance on Christmas Eve are his dead partner, Jacob Marley, played by David Hopcroft, Christmas Past played by Kaiyah Menard, Christmas Present played by Mike Griswold, and Christmas Yet to Come. Christopher Currier is Bob Cratchit and Chase Greczkowski appears as Tiny Tim. The rest of the Cratchits are played by Faith Currier, Flynn Currier, Aurora Currier, and Casey Stoelzel who also plays Belle. (Yes, most of the Cratchit family is played by a real-life family) Ren Fontes appears as Scrooge’s nephew Fred.
The Bradley Playhouse website and box office are your only official sources for tickets. Purchasing from unauthorized sources, like 3rd party resellers, are not refundable.
A Christmas Carol Musical EBENEZER is adapted from Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol. Book is by Ian Desmond O’Connell. Music is by William Mearns and lyrics are by Rosemary Novellino-Mearns.
A Christmas Carol Musical EBENEZER is a fresh adaptation that breathes new life into the timeless narrative with joyful, vibrant music. The play remains true to Dickens, with spirits taking Ebenezer on a musical journey through his life. Along the way, you will meet all the wonderful characters you know and love to revisit during the holidays, that bring this story of hope and redemption to life. Please join us for this heartwarming celebration of the magic of the season.
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captions, page 7:
The Cratchits. Photos by Brenna Griswold.
Roy Simmons as Ebenezer Scrooge
caption, page 12:
Ren Fontes as Scrooge’s nephew Fred. Photo by Brenna Griswold.
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