American Legion Post #13 Preparing for 3rd Annual Golf Tourney
PUTNAM — On the heels of two successful golf tournaments, the Mayotte-Viens American Legion Post #13 of Putnam is moving forward with its 3rd annual golf tournament Sept. 23 at Connecticut National Golf Club.
According to Past Commander Ronald P. Coderre, who is serving as the tournament chairman for the third consecutive year, the committee is fully engaged and looking forward to another successful event. Working with Coderre are Post Commander Alan Joslin and his wife Jo-Anne, Post members Eric Quinn, Charlie Leach, Victor Kratz, Brian Maynard, Roger Franklin, Chas MacKenzie, Michael Vassar, Barbara Smith and Sons of American Legion Sr. Vice Commander Earl Rosebrooks.
“We’ve made great progress over the summer in preparation for the tournament. We’re now putting the final touches on preparations because we want this tournament to be a class act for all the golfers involved,” said Coderre.
The goal of the tournament is to raise $20,000 in support of Post activities and Legion programs. Post #13 has been recognized by the American Legion Department of Connecticut as one of the top Posts in the State. Post #13 is a leader in Americanism programs, participation in Boys State and American Legion baseball.
The Post also provides two scholarships annually, each of $1000. A scholarship is awarded to a graduating senior from Putnam High School or a graduating senior who is a resident of Putnam. The second scholarship is presented to a veteran at Quinebaug Valley Community College.
The tournament also supports the flags on the Veterans Memorial Bridge on Pomfret Street and the “Banner Project” honoring living veterans who served during WWII, the Korean Conflict and the Vietnam war. The banners will once again grace the streets of Putnam from Labor Day to Veterans Day.
“The Post has increased its presence in the community in the last decade. We’re very proud of the two scholarships we present and especially that we can assist a veteran. The proceeds of the golf tournament enable us to continue our community outreach,” said Post Commander Alan Joslin.
In 2019 Post #13 and the National American Legion will be celebrating the 100th anniversary of the organization. Plans are currently underway statewide and locally to recognize the significance of the programs American Legion provides to veterans, their families and the community.
The tournament entry fee is $125 per golfer or $500 per foursome. Tee time is scheduled for 1 p.m. Sept. 23 with registration starting at 11:30 a.m. Golfers will be treated to hot dogs from noon to 1 p.m. Registration fee includes 18 holes of golf with cart, entry into the closest-to-the-pin contest and a gourmet dinner and awards ceremony following play.
Awards are presented to the top three finishers and to the top co-ed team. The winning team also gets the honor of capturing the traveling championship trophy, which remains in its possession until the start of the following tournament.
bankHometown of Putnam is the tournament sponsor for the second year in a row. According to Coderre, Major Sponsorships are available for $1000 and include a complimentary foursome, signs and recognition at the course and in the tournament program. Tee sponsorships are also available at $100.
Anyone interested in more information regarding the American Legion and the tournament should contact Coderre at 860.942.7243.
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Football Conditioning
Blake Kollbeck goes through drills on the first day of football conditioning for The Woodstock Academy Aug. 13 at the South Campus turf field. Head football coach Sean Saucier talks about team rules on the first day of conditioning for the Centaurs as new assistant, former Putnam High head coach Joe Humphrey, looks on. Photos by Marc Allard.
WOODSTOCK – The summer is rapidly coming to a close.
That reminder was thrust upon those who plan to play football at The Woodstock Academy this fall Aug. 13.
It was the first official conditioning workout for the Centaurs on the South Campus and it took place in an unusual environment.
Generally, student-athletes and coaches alike are dealing with the heat and humidity of a summer evening.
Aug. 13, it resembled an October day with a steady rain falling.
“I think it’s OK,” said second-year Woodstock Academy coach Sean Saucier. “We have a nice surface to practice on. I’m not too worried about it.”
The Academy features two turf fields which makes muddy conditions or even indoor workouts a thing of the past.
Most probably welcomed the cloudy, even cool, conditions in August. Conditioning week in high school football is affectionately known as “Hell Week.”
That’s because the focus is not on football, but rather, getting in shape to play football.
“It’s not exactly fun, but, it’s needed,” said Woodstock Academy senior captain Blake Kollbeck, an offensive lineman and linebacker. “It’s just running, a lot of running.”
Fortunately most took part in the strength and conditioning workouts that the Academy provided over the summer.
“We did tons of work. We had weight classes and then we came out here (to the football field) and conditioned afterwards. We’ve been working out all summer to make this week easier,” Kollbeck said.
Saucier said it’s not only about getting players in shape physically, but also about getting them mentally ready.
“It’s just bringing the energy and trying to set the tone for what practice is like and what we’re going to do out on the field this year. A lot of energy, but a lot of teaching and just trying to get the kids going,” Saucier said.
There are quite a few joining Kollbeck this week.
Saucier said some 60 student-athletes signed up for football and the majority of those took part in conditioning Aug. 13, a few were still dealing with issues regarding school physicals and the like.
That number represented about a dozen more than last year.
“It takes a little longer to hand out equipment but that’s a good thing,” Saucier said with a laugh.
Kollbeck said it’s probably the biggest squad he has seen in his four years of playing football for the Centaurs.
There are some changes.
Saucier’s staff has a new addition in former Putnam High head coach Joe Humphrey who coached Saucier in high school. Dan Palmer, Jeff Higgins and Chris Corey will also be on staff.
“We have a great group of guys. We lost a couple of coaches from last year for different reasons, but this is a great group and I think the kids are going to love them and they will help us move forward,” Saucier said.
The Centaurs finished 4-6 last season when they played an independent schedule.
That will be the case again this season.
The Centaurs have only one Eastern Connecticut Conference opponent, Windham.
The Academy only lost four players from last season to graduation; Kameron Janice, Tyler Stuba, Seth Benoit and Jacob Straub graduated.
Janice, who will be playing for UMass-Dartmouth this fall, is a big hole to fill. The running back rushed for 2,270 yards and 29 touchdowns.
“The way I look at it is, we’re building,” Saucier said.
“Obviously, losing a kid like (Janice) is going to have an impact, but that’s kind of how high school football works. They graduate and people have to step up. I think there a couple of sophomores who got a lot of experience last year that are coming into their junior year and can contribute,” Saucier said.
The Academy coach said it feels like he just blinked and another football season is already upon him.
He’s been coaching the sport for the last 16 years.
“There are not too many jobs you can have that can give you the feeling that you get doing this. Whether it’s a little nervous, a little anxious, excited. I get to go run around 60 teenagers, it’s kind of cool to do when you are 43-years-old,” Saucier said.
Marc Allard
Sports Information Director
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George L. Gallerani,
WWII vet
WOODSTOCK — George Lincoln Gallerani, 92, husband of the late Ruth M. (Duda) Gallerani, died July 25, 2018.
Born Feb. 12, 1926, in Springfield, Mass., he was the son of the late George James and Mary (Clo) Gallerani.
Raised in W. Springfield, his family owned Clo Market, where he learned lifelong business skills in his early years instilling a strong work ethic which he passed to his children. A graduate of Cathedral High School, Springfield, Mass., Class of 1943, George was proud to serve in the Navy during WWII, earning several medals including the Secretary of Navy Commendation Medal for meritorious service.
George graduated with a bachelor’s in industrial engineering from UMass following his naval service.
George began his career with General Electric with the Manufacturing Training Program as a manufacturing engineer in Bridgeport. He quickly rose through operations and executive leadership positions at GE taking him to Appliance Park in Louisville, Ky.
He was given an honorary commission as a Kentucky Colonel by the governor of Kentucky. George later went to Cole Steel/Litton Industries in York, Penn., and then, recognizing his devotion to be closer to his mother and family when his father passed, continued his career with Warner-Lambert/American Optical Corporation in Southbridge.
He was a colorful and dynamic leader who motivated with a keen mind, common sense and a direct manner not to be forgotten. With a cigar in hand, George saw what others missed, corrected the problem, often finding unique solutions. George was a consummate learner with more than 3,000 books in his library. He was an astute Abraham Lincoln and Civil War historian; George was born on Lincoln’s birthday, and given the name George Lincoln. An avid and skilled woodsman, skilled chainsaw operator, woodworker and gardener, George was happiest outside or in his woodworking ‘barn’. His furniture and woodworking will be a legacy for his family. He enjoyed making model airplanes creating wonderful replicas with a great eye for color and design. George and Ruth loved going to auctions and collecting and refinishing antiques. He was adventurous and with family traveled the U.S. seeing national parks and historical sites and continued to travel with Ruth well into their retirement.
He was an active communicant of St. Mary Church of the Visitation in Putnam and Saint Rita’s in Santa Rosa Beach, Fla. He loved the beach at their Santa Rosa Beach home and spent long hours walking the beach each day with Ruth. His dry humor, storytelling, his wry smile and being a natural teaser amused all and no one could help but be powerfully impacted by them.
He leaves Ruth, his wife for more than 58 years; their six children, sons Michael (Sharon (Goodwin)) Gallerani of W. Simsbury, James (Virginia (Ambrose)) of St. Augustine, Fla., and Fairfield, daughter Laura Perednia (Don) of N. Granby, daughter Carol Otto (Bill) of Lake Tomahawk, Wisc., son Paul (Mary (Walker)) of Woodstock, and daughter Beth DiPilato (Nick) of W. Boylston, Mass.; 21 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren; his brother, Father Philip Gallerani of Orlando, Fla., cousins.
Donations: Hospice and Palliative Care of Northeast Connecticut, 320 Pomfret St., Putnam, CT 06260. Gilman & Valade Funeral Home, 104 Church St., Putnam. A private memorial service will be held at a later date.
Robert Lancaster Sr.,
Vietnam war vet
THOMPSON — Robert W. Lancaster Sr., 74, of Thompson Rd., died Aug. 8, 2018, at UMass Memorial Hospital. He was the husband of the late Margaret “Peg” (Costello) Lancaster. Born in 1944 in Waterbury, he was the son of the late Robert M. and Mary (Taggett) Lancaster.
Robert was a proud U.S. Air Force veteran serving during the Vietnam war. He was honorably discharged on May 28, 1970.
Mr. Lancaster worked for many years for Food Enterprises in Canton, Mass., as a salesman.
Bob enjoyed boating, hunting, fishing, traveling with his wife, and socializing with the new friends that he met after his wife’s passing.
He leaves his children, Robert W. Lancaster Jr. (Sandra) of Thompson and Lori L. Baca (James) of Webster; a brother, William “Bill” Lancaster (Marjorie) of Avon; five grandchildren Robert W. Lancaster III, Evan M. Lancaster, Nolan B. Lancaster, Kaitlin M. Baca, and Meghan A. Baca.
The Funeral Service is at 11 a.m. Aug. 15 at Gilman Funeral Home and Crematory, 104 Church St., Putnam, with burial in E. Thompson Cemetery. Donations: American Stroke Association, 7272 Greenville Ave., Dallas, TX 75231.
Jane (Higgins) Conti
WOODSTOCK — Jane (Higgins) Conti, 63, of Harrisville Rd., died unexpectedly Aug. 7, 2018. She was the wife of the late Anthony Conti Jr.
Born in 1954 in Worcester, she was the daughter of the late Walter and Rita (Cyr) Higgins.
Jane was a wonderfully talented fabric Artist who enjoyed quilting. She belonged to the Golden Bees and the Interfaith Stitchers. Jane was also a volunteer who prided herself in helping the local homeless veterans. She volunteered at the P.A.W.S. cat shelter, where she was, “saving the world one cat at a time.” In addition to her passion for creating art and volunteering, Jane also enjoyed traveling with her husband and attending the theatre.
She leaves her daughter, Elena Pratt (Ted); stepbrother, Christopher Conti (Kimberly); six brothers, Walter, Gary, Elliott, Peter, Ronald and Alan Higgins; three sisters, Judy Leforte, Maryanne Higgins, Margaret (Peggy) Counihan; and two grandsons Charlie and Cooper Conti.
Visitation is from 3 to 5 p.m. Aug. 18 in Gilman Funeral Home and Crematory, 104 Church St., Putnam. Donations: P.A.W.S., P.O. Box 248 Eastford, CT. 06242.
Herbert W. Howe
S. WOODSTOCK — Herbert W. Howe, 82, of S. Woodstock died, Aug. 8, 2018, at Day Kimball Hospital in Putnam. He was born Aug. 3, 1936, in Eastford.
He was the husband of Marie (Marrier) Howe. They married Jan. 29, 1956, in Woodstock. His foster mother was the late Alma Johnson.
Herbert was a carpenter and worked with many construction companies. He enjoyed watching NASCAR and football. He had a passion for woodworking and made Adirondack furniture and such.
Herbert leaves his wife Marie Howe; sons Brian Howe (Laura) of Norwich, Steve Howe (Rhonda) of Central Village, Jim Howe of S. Woodstock; grandchildren Kristina Fusari (Nick), Keesen Howe, Angelica Howe, Andrew Howe (Becky); two great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his son Bobby Howe.
Visitation is from 4 to 6 p.m. Aug. 22 at Smith and Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam. A Funeral Service will follow at 6 at the Funeral Home.
Francis R. Mackie Jr.
DANIELSON — Francis R. Mackie Jr. 75, of Danielson, formerly of Texas and Florida, died Aug. 8, 2018, at Hartford Hospital.
Born on Sept. 10, 1942, in Putnam, he was the son of the late Francis and Yvonne (Broulard) Mackie Sr.
He leaves his children Ronald Kneeland (Betsy), Michael Mackie (Yesenia), Lori Larocque, Gail Stanley, Robin Rojas, Donnajo Harris, Janell Aguilar; siblings Mary Brown, Ellie Bransfield, Joseph Butts; stepson Donald “Buzz” Page Jr.; close friend Sandra Racine; grandchildren; nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by a son Francis; sisters Carol, Constance, Shirley and Rose.
A Celebration of life will be held at a later date. Gagnon and Costello Funeral Home, 33 Reynolds St., Danielson.
Marion M. Wood
DAYVILLE — Marion M. (Crump) Wood, 78, died July 31, 2018, at Davis Place, Danielson.
She was born in Ogdensburg, N.Y., daughter of the late Erie Belmont Crump and Melva (Mouthorp) Crump and lived in Killingly area for the past 40 years, prior to that living in upstate New York. She was a CNA working in home healthcare. She enjoyed reading, music, dance, bingo, gardening and animals.
She leaves her companion, Thomas Andrews of Dayville; two sons, Erie Jack Wood (Marnie) of Heuvelton, N.Y., Alvin Wood (Susan) of Killingly; four daughters; Susan Sawyer (Jerome) of Hermon, N.Y., Melva O’Neill of Brooklyn, Donna Gaudreau (James) of Rogers, and Marion H. Chapman of W. Warwick, R.I.; 15 grandchildren, 25 great-grandchildren and eight great-great-grandchildren; a brother, Erie Junior Crump of New York. She was predeceased by a son, Gerald Wood and his wife Peggy and the three children; brother John Crump.
A Celebration of Life was Aug. 11 at the VFW in Brooklyn. Donations: CT Humane Society, 701 Russell Rd., Newington, CT 06111. Shaw-Majercik Funeral Home, Webster.
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The land trust accreditation program recognizes land conservation organizations that meet national quality standards for protecting important natural places and working lands forever. Wyndham Land Trust, Inc. is applying for accreditation. A public comment period is now open.
The Land Trust Accreditation Commission invites public input and accepts signed, written comments on pending applications. Comments must relate to how Wyndham Land Trust, Inc. complies with national quality standards. These standards address the ethical and technical operation of a land trust. For the full list of standards see http://www.landtrustaccreditation.org/help-and-resources/indicator-practices.
To learn more about the accreditation program and to submit a comment, visit www.landtrustaccreditation.org, or email your comment to
Comments on Wyndham Land Trust’s application will be most useful by Oct. 28.
The Land Trust Accreditation Commission, an independent program of the Land Trust Alliance, conducts an extensive review of each applicant’s policies and programs. Achieving accreditation is a mark of distinction, showing that a land trust implements financial best practices for nonprofits. It sends a message to landowners and supporters, and is a catalyst for improvement, which results in faster, better, stronger conservation. This will be instrumental to the mission of the Wyndham Land Trust, which is to conserve and steward the natural resources of Windham County.
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