Past Issues of the Putnam Town Crier



By Ron Coderre
This week’s RPC sporty shout out is sent along to Bernie Gilbert.  The man behind the success of the Putnam Lions Club Volleyball Challenge celebrates another candle on the cake on Aug. 11.  Enjoy your day, Bernie.

Remember Dayshon “Scoochie’ Smith, the former Putnam Science Academy standout?  For two years he made headlines as the first player at PSA to score 1000 points.  In September he’ll be a freshman at the University of Dayton and a member of coach Archie Miller’s Flyers basketball team.
Despite the fact that Smith hasn’t officially set a sneaker on the Dayton Arena basketball hardwood, he continues to make the news.  The University recently announced that the 6-foot, two-inch silky smooth guard is ranked in the top 125 recruits nationally.  The Bronx native is ranked 106 by Rivals.  ESPN also ranks Smith as the fifth best player out of the state of New York for the class of 2013.
After the prep school season officially ended, Smith was invited to play in the Jordan Brand Regional All Star game, which was held at the new Barclays Center in Brooklyn, N.Y.  He impressed the thousands of fans and scouts on hand by recording a double-double of 11 points, 11 assists and six rebounds in his team’s 114-102 loss.  He was the first UD player since 2013 to be accorded the honor of being selected for the game.
Smith, named the No. 1 recruit out of the state of Connecticut for 2013 by New England Recruiting Report, averaged 17.2 points and 6.1 assists as a junior at Putnam Science Academy.  Last year his numbers were 18.8 points, 7.3 assists and 3.6 rebounds per game while leading the Mustangs to a 22-8 record and the Northeast Prep Championship where he was named the tournament Most Valuable Player.
The University of Dayton, which counts former National Basketball Association star John Paxson and Norwich Free Academy grad Marc Jones among its basketball alumni, plays in the competitive Atlantic-10 Conference.

Connecticut Open A Tough
Test of Golf Skills…
The three-day Connecticut Open played at Torrington Country Club proved to be a challenge for the amateurs and professionals who qualified for the event that was held July 29, 30 and 31.  Among the entries was Thompson resident and Quinnatisset Country Club member Matt Smith.
The opening round of the event saw Smith on fire, recording a three under par 69, putting him two strokes off the lead of 67 posted by eventual champion Jeff Curl and Eric Steger.  On day two Smith ran into difficulty and posted a plus six, 78 but still managed to move on to the third and final round where he recorded a one over par 73.  For the tournament he finished at 4-over 220, which tied him for 27th place.
Update on Academy Hoopsters…
Woodstock Academy Class L State Championship basketball coach Greg Smith reports that three of his former players who graduated in June will be moving on to the college level in the fall.  Ian Converse, who was the mainstay of the Centaurs run to the title, is headed to Worcester Polytechnic Institute, where he will play for the NCAA Division III Engineers.  The 6-5 Converse should fit nicely into the WPI basketball scene.
Burly Sullivan Gardner, who proved to be a stalwart off the boards throughout the 2012-2013-campaign, is headed to Western Connecticut State University.  Gardner is a rugged rebounder who scores off the carom, something that Division III schools like WCSU feel is important to its success.
The third member of the trio is long range bomber Tristan Welch who is headed to the University of Maine in Orono on an academic scholarship.  He’s been in touch with the coaching staff in Maine and will attempt to make the Black Bear team as a walk-on.

Good Job, Ump…
Anyone who umpires Little League doesn’t do it to get rich.  Those men (and women) who volunteer their time without pay do it for the love of the game and as a service to the youngsters who play the game.
An RPC ‘tip of the sports fedora” is sent along to Woodstock resident Kevin Rothwell who this summer has officiated 51 games and counting.  The Tourtellotte Memorial High School graduate says that he started umpiring when he was at a game and there was no one available to call the balls and strikes.  One thing led to another and now it’s one of his annual volunteer activities.  His prowess as an arbiter has spread, as Rothwell has been working all star games throughout Eastern Connecticut.

Get Well Wishes…
A recent visitor to the hospital was Leonel “Lee” Konicki, Sr. of Putnam, who underwent reconstructive knee surgery.  Word has it that the surgery was successful and rehab is progressing ahead of schedule.  RPC sends along get well wishes and hopes to see Konicki back walking Sports Ave. soon.  Konicki Sr. is the father of Putnam Police Department Deputy Chief Lee Konicki.
From The Annals of Putnam Sports History…
June 11, 1915: Putnam High School defeated Bartlett High School of Webster 2-0.  Arthur Blackmore pitched Putnam’s first no-hit, no-run game.  (Information provided by Willie Zamagni)
RPC’s Closing Thought For The Day: “Challenges make life interesting, however, overcoming them is what makes life meaningful.”  Mark Twain


WOODSTOCK — The fourth quarter honor roll for Woodstock M idle School includes:
Grade 6
High Honors: Owen Borski, Heather Converse, Jack Hovestadt, Nathan John, David Marshall, Emily Menard, Samantha Orlowski, Nathan Price, Mariangela Ruggeri, Rebekah Wesler, Hannah Wotton
Honors: Renee Auger, Grace Borski, Kathleen Boshka, Dominic Bove, Adam Bradley, Killian Braegelmann, Summer Chaponis, Rachel Durand, Caleb Feen, Madeline Gronski, Hailey Jaques, Parker Kalafus, Emma Kelleher, Liam McDermott, Amanda Nowak, Patrick Perry, Eric Preston,
Recognition: Chase Anderson, Harmony Barna, Benedict Becker, Damian Bonneau-Nichols, Olivia Burrell, Spencer Collins, Seth Correia, Ivy Gelhaus, Jenna Gormley, Hanna Guillory, Ethan Holcomb, Lauren Hovestadt, Spencer Kalafus, Nicole Katinas, Blake Kollbeck, Ryan Latour, William Loftus, Justin MacCormack, Jarod Martin, Leah McFarlin, Samatha Mowry, Sarah Naveed, Luke Norman, Samuel Plummer, Sophia Pontbriand, Nicole Robichaud, Adam Sanderson, Mason Scott, Sean Seabold, Codi Staveski, Derek Thompson
Grade 7
High Honors: Brendan Chapuis, Eleonora Chervenkova, Denali Johns, Eden Law, Ciri Miller, Kiara Monahan, Samantha Sheldon, Ian Sohan, Janel Syriac
Honors: Julia Bibeault, Abigail Brousseau, Caitlin Cannon, Christopher Cheney, Jake Farrell, Heidi Lotter, Jared MacDonald, Jacob Mainhart, Lillian Mandeville, Hannah Matsas, Lindsey O’Dea, Leah Randolph, Hannah Reynolds, Jillian Savoie, Hailey Schofield, Sophia Stoll, Benjamin Thibodeau, Hannah Walley, Ethan Werstler
Recognition: Haley Armstrong, Madison Bazinet, Ryan Bonin, Jordan Couture, Mya Deshaw, Ashley Hemphill, Cameron Lotter, Evan O’Sullivan, Olivia Perry, Jake Racicot, Joshua Resnick, Naomi Rivard, Maeve Stevenson, Cheyenne Zinnkosko
Grade 8
High Honors: Frances Adams, Christopher Claprood, Emily Faist, Rebecca Feldman, Maya Fraga, Julie He, Patrick Houlihan, Shealyn Kelley, Jacob LaFiandra, Linnea Listro, Laura Looby, Coleen Solitro, Jordyn Staveski, Sarah Uwazany
Honors: Jason Brule, Hunter Garceau, Roxanne Garceau, Emily Hebert, Grace Jocson, Jack Kelley, Kylie Kusnarowis, Sylvia Lawrence, William Liscomb, Steven Lotter, Christian Mayotte, Madison Palmerino, Claudia Plummer, David Redfield, Mikayla Roush, Joseph Thompson, Cassidy Thorpe, Jordyn Woodland
Recognition: Allison Brady, Michael Cheney, Devin Leroy, Ellie McReynolds, Justin Shippee, Jesse Viteri.



Special  farmer's
market Aug. 10
PUTNAM —  The Putnam Saturday Farmers’ Market (PSFM) is holding a special presentation Aug. 10 at the Putnam Riverview Marketplace on Kennedy Drive. The Market’s regular farmers will also be there to sell an increasing variety of summer produce.
The presentation will feature Helen Schmidt, a volunteer who has dedicated time to analyzing the cost effectiveness of purchasing produce at a local market instead of a large, chain supermarket. She has prepared information for public viewing and will be there to answer any questions.
Schmidt’s work has focused on the comparison of the quality and cost of locally grown produce compared to the produce for sale at large supermarkets. She has also analyzed the benefits of buying from local farmers, some of which are supporting local businesses, helping the environment, and a higher standard of quality in the produce.
The week of Aug. 4 through 10 is also National Farmers’ Market week. The Aug. 10 market will be celebrating this event with presentations and informative sessions to promote farmers’ markets within communities.
 



Marie M. Sherman
POMFRET CENTER — Marie M. Sherman, 58, of Pomfret Center, died July 28, 2013, at home, after a battle with cancer. She was the wife of Charles F. Franklin. They were married Dec. 23, 1990. She was born July 11, 1955, in Putnam, daughter of the late Arthur A. and Bertha (Brousseau) Goulet.
She was a 1973 graduate of Putnam High School. Marie was the office manager and a corporate officer of the Putnam Farmers Co-Op.  She started working at the Co-Op as a sales clerk in 1981. In her teens she worked in the kitchen at the Matulaitis Nursing Home, and later with her father at Colt’s Plastic in N. Grosvenordale and in the mid 1970s at the American Optical, working in Putnam and Southbridge.
Marie and her husband Charles operated the Sherman/Franklin Corriedale Farm in Pomfret Center. In 1999 they were “Corriedale Breeders of the Year”. Marie won several awards at other competitions including the Ohio State Fair, The Big E, West Springfield, International Livestock Exposition, Louisville, KY.
Marie was the Sheep Superintendent at the Woodstock Fair for over 25 years. Marie had a great sense of humor and would go out of her way to help someone.  
In addition to her husband Charles, she leaves her daughter Jennifer Lynn Sherman of Putnam; brother Ronald A. Goulet (Lorraine) of Putnam, stepson Andrew William Franklin (Donna) of Ashford; brother-in-law Roger C. Franklin of Putnam, her best friends Marjorie, Karen, Yvonne, Chantel, Connie, Vickie and Jay. She was predeceased by a sister, Theresa Goulet.
A Memorial Service will be at 3 p.m. Aug. 10 at the Congregational Church of Putnam, 175 Main Street, Putnam. Donations: Congregational Church of Putnam, PO Box 463, Putnam, CT 06260; or if one wishes they may bring cut flowers from their garden in a bottle. Smith & Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam.

Tammy L. Balamut
DANIELSON — Tammy Balamut, 42, of Mechanic Street, died July 30, 2013, in Day Kimball Hospital.  She was the wife of Danny Cashdollar Sr.  Born in 1971 in Hartford, she was the daughter of the late Debra Carlson.
Mrs. Balamut worked as a homemaker.
In addition to her husband, he leaves her son, Danny Cashdollar Jr., and her brother, Matthew Ginn of Wisconsin. She was predeceased by sister, Angelina Carlson.
The funeral was private. Donations: American Cancer Society, I-91 Tech Ctr., 825 Brook Street, Rocky Hill, CT 06067. Gilman Funeral Home, 104 Church St., Putnam.

Seabury Libby
PUTNAM — Seabury Libby, 81, of Putnam, died July 30, 2013, after a long illness. Born March 15, 1932, in Millinocket, Maine, he was the son of the late Manley and Stella (Leonard) Libby.
He graduated from LaGrange High School in LaGrange, Maine, and served in the U.S. Army before attending the University of Maine where he received his bachelor’s in business administration in 1958. He worked as a store manager for the W. T. Grant Company throughout Maine and Connecticut for 17 years before purchasing a grocery store on Grove Street in Putnam (Libby’s Supermarket), which he ran for 10 years.
Seabury had a lifelong love of business, politics and community service. He was a past president of the Putnam Rotary Club and former chairman of the Putnam Economic Development Commission. A man of discerning taste who enjoyed great passion and pride for his home and its surroundings, he continued to issue directives on lawn and home maintenance to family members in his final days.
Seabury leaves his wife of 54 years, Cynthia (Whitney) Libby; two daughters, Karen, Diane (Paul) Angelides; son Kevin; three grandchildren, Devon Libby, and James and Katherine Angelides.
The Funeral was Aug. 3, at Smith & Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., with burial with military honors in Grove Street Cemetery, Putnam. Donations: National Parkinson’s Foundation (www.parkinson.org) or Hospice of NE CT, PO Box 632, Putnam, CT 06260.

Linda B. Menard
N. GROSVENORDALE — Linda B. Menard, 66, of Morin Street died July 28, 2013 in her sleep after a brief illness.  She was the wife of Gerard “Jerry” Menard for 47 years.  Born in 1947 in Putnam, she was the daughter of the late Maurice and Theresa (Gravel) Duquette.
Mrs. Menard worked as a custodian for Tourtellotte Memorial High School.
Linda loved candlepin bowling, making many TV appearances.  She also loved playing horseshoes, going to the casino, camping, and playing bingo.  She was a member of the American Legion Ladies Auxiliary and the VFW Ladies Auxiliary.
In addition to her husband, she leaves her son, Christopher Menard (Elodie) of Brooklyn; her brother Maurice Duquette Jr. (Grace) of Escondido, Calif.; sisters, Lucy Raynsford of Danielson, Judy Lefevre (bob) of Danielson, Diane Morris (Ken) of Escondido, and Tammy Duquette of Rutland, Vt.; her three “adopted” grandchildren Emmalena, Bentley, and Skyelar.. She was predeceased by her sister Marlena Boucher.
The Mass of Christian Burial was Aug. 3 in St. Joseph Church, 18 Main St., N. Grosvenordale. Valade Funeral Home, 23 Main St., N. Grosvenordale.

Elaine L. Nadeau
DAYVILLE — Elaine L. Nadeau, 64, of Pineville Road, formerly of Putnam, died July 28, 2013, at home. She was born Jan. 2, 1949, in Putnam, daughter of the late Albert and Alice (Castonguay) Nadeau. She had made her home in Putnam most of her life, moving to Dayville a year ago.
She worked as an aide at the Matulaitis Nursing Home in Putnam for over 20 years. Elaine enjoyed spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren. Over the years she always found great pleasure in organizing family reunions and gatherings.
She leaves her children: Frederick Dawley III (Erin) of Charlotte, N.C., Laurie Bernier (John) of Dayville; her former husband Frederick Dawley Jr. of Charlotte; siblings Roger Nadeau of Niantic, Lillian Gibson of Killingly, Lauraine White of Westbrook, Ronald Nadeau of Oswego, N.Y., Jeannette Shaw of Killingly; grandchildren: Elizabeth, Joshua, Hannah, Connor. She was predeceased by two siblings, Alice Streich and Jean Paul Nadeau.
A Mass of Christian Burial was Aug. 2 in St. Mary Church of the Visitation, Putnam, with burial in St. Mary Cemetery, Putnam. Donations: Hospice of NE CT, PO Box 632, Putnam CT 06260. Smith & Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam.

Rudolph Tomasik,
WWII vet
S. WOODSTOCK —  Rudolph “Rudy” Tomasik, 89, of Route 169, died July 29, 2013, in UMass Memorial Hospital in Worcester. Born in Pawtucket, R.I., he was the only son of Polish immigrant weavers, the late John and Mary (Grzyb) Tomasik.
Rudy owned and operated Woodstock Airport for 60 years. His love of aviation began in grade school, when he won many first place prizes in model airplane contests. At 14 he was the gopher (go for) at the seaplane base in New Bedford, Mass., the year it was destroyed by the 1938 hurricane. He soloed at age 18, and logged over 5100 flight hours without an accident in his lifetime. Throughout his career as fixed base operator, Rudy trained hundreds of pilots, licensed many at his part 141 school, maintained and inspected airplanes as an A&P and FAA IA, ran a “jumpers” club for years, ran the Woodstock RC Flyers radio control club, and offered local citizens the chance to see the annual Woodstock “Fair from the Air” initially “for just a penny a pound.”  In his early years at the airport, Rudy worked multiple shifts as a weaver and maintained machinery in local mills throughout the area. Rudy cared for his mother, Mary, throughout her life, and Mary ran the 1950’s style “snack bar” until she died in 1987 at the age of 91.
Rudy was a WWII veteran and the only surviving member of his army unit. He held a war service appointment with the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA) at Langley Field, Va., where his work included tests on Howard Hughes’ Spruce Goose model. Later, Rudy hoped to join the Army Air Corp, but he was drafted and deployed during the Battle of the Bulge with Headquarters Company, 319th Infantry Regiment, 80th Division of Patton’s Third Army. As an Intelligence and Reconnaissance (I&R) scout, Rudy was commended two Silver Stars and one Bronze Star, and he assisted in liberation of the Buchenwald Nazi concentration camp at war’s end.
Rudy also joined the Civil Air Patrol during WW II and took part in many CAP squadrons in Virginia and his local area, including as squadron commander of the CAP at his airport during the 1955 hurricane. Rudy received the Charles Taylor Award from FAA for 50 years as an A&P (airframe and powerplant) mechanic in 2004, and the Wright Brothers Award for 50 years as a Master Pilot in 2006. He was a member of American Legion in Woodstock, and the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) in Putnam.
Rudy will be remembered for his passion for recreational aviation and radio control flying, his love of dancing, and DJ-ing at the VFW.  He inspired all he met through his strong, visible qualities of his vintage authenticity, generosity, honesty, integrity, exuberance and his self-deprecating sense of humor.
He leaves his daughter, Holly Markham (David); grandchildren Kayla and Landon; and many friends from his Woodstock Airport family.
A Graveside Service with military honors was Aug. 3 in Elmvale Cemetery, Woodstock. Gilman and Valade Funeral Homes.

Isabelle Anna
Zmuidzinas
ROCHESTER, N.Y. —  Isabelle Anna Zmuidzinas, 85,  died July 26, 2013.
Isabelle was an Actress and performed in U.S., Canada, and Lithuania. Strengthened and nurtured by a strong faith, she also had a passion for hikes, nature, flowers.
She leaves her son Dr. Simonas V. Zmuidzinas; daughter Dr. Antanina R. Zmuidzinas and her partner Michael J. Roam; sisters Ona Vaitkiene, Zita Savickaite (Sister Paule), Ceslovas Savickas, many relatives and friends in Lithuania and America. She was predeceased by her husband Vytautas, sister Liucija Babickiene, brother Kostas Savickas.
Her Funeral Mass was Aug. 1 at  Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Rochester. Her interment was Aug. 3 at Gates Of Heaven Cemetery at Immaculate Conception Convent in Putnam. Donations:  ICC, 600 Liberty Highway, Putnam CT 06260  for Marijampole Nursing Home or Camp Neringa Inc. Gilman Funeral Home, 104 Church St., Putnam.

Leonard Bonneville
MURRELLS INLET, S.C. — Leonard Norman Bonneville, 74, died July 26, 2013, at Georgetown Healthcare and Rehab.
Born on July 25, 1939, in Putnam, Len was a U.S. Navy veteran.  He retired from security management and was a lifetime member and two-time Commander of VFW Post 1720 in Willimantic.
He leaves his wife of 27 years and caregiver Priscilla Bonneville of Murrells Inlet; son Todd Bonneville (Linda) of Conway, S.C.; daughter Laurie Congdon (Tom) of Vera Beach, Fla.; five grandchildren, four great-grandchildren.
The services were private. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, if you would do something nice today for someone in Lenny’s memory. Gold Finch Funeral Home.

Virginia Kane
WEBSTER — Virginia C. (Jezierski) Kane, 82, died July 20, 2013, at home.
She was the wife of the late James B. Kane, who died in 2011.  
She was born in Webster, daughter of the late Joseph and Patronella (Ryba) Jezierski and lived here all her life.  She was a secretary for many years at Cranston Print Works and was a member of the St. Anne’s Society at St. Joseph Basilica.  She enjoyed bowling and gardening.
She leaves her son, with whom she made her home, Michael J. Kane of Webster; a daughter, Judith Ann Fontaine of Charlton; a brother, Leon Jezierski (Pearl) of Thompson; a sister-in-law, Dorothy Jezierski of Schenectady, N.Y.  She was predeceased by her brother, Jerome Jezierski.
The Funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. July 24 at St. Joseph Basilica, Webster, with burial in St. Joseph Garden of Peace Cemetery.  Donations; St. Joseph School, Immediate Needs Fund. Shaw-Majercik Funeral Home, Webster.

Mary Chenard
DANIELSON — May M. (Briere) Chenard, 97, of Danielson, the daughter of the late Wilfred and Rose Alma (Robillard) Briere, died July 20, 2013, at Pierce Memorial Baptist Nursing & Rehabilitation Center, Brooklyn.  She was born April 3, 1916, in Rogers.
On May 23, 1938 she married Alexander Chenard at St. Joseph’s Church in Dayville. He died in 1985.
She retired from Belding Heminway in Putnam after 40-plus years of working.  May was a member of the Royal Travelers of Putnam for 30 years and enjoyed being a snowbird in Florida, spending her winters in St. Petersburg and Hallandale, Fla.
She leaves her son, Ronald Chenard (JoElaine) of Putnam; daughter, Norma Harrelle (Peter) of Danielson; 10 grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren; two foster sisters, Angie Bissonnette and Millie Adams. She was predeceased by her brothers, Wilfred Briere, Arthur Briere, Clarence Briere and her sister, Blanche Morse.
A Memorial Mass was Aug. 3 in St. James Church, with burial in Holy Cross Cemetery. Visitation is one hour prior to the Mass at the church. Donations: Pierce Care, 44 Canterbury Road, Brooklyn, CT 06234.  Shaw-Majercik Funeral Home, Webster.

Robert Yeagher Sr.,
WWII vet
POMFRET — Robert E. Yeagher Sr., 89, of Pomfret, died July 24, 2013, at Day Kimball Hospital in Putnam.
He was born in Patterson, N.J., son of the late William and Mary (Tierney) Yeagher and lived in N. Grosvenordale most of his life before moving to Pomfret two years ago.  He was a WWII, U.S. Marine Corps., 3rd Division veteran.  He was a retired computer programmer.  He enjoyed reading, bird watching and politics.
He leaves two sons, Robert E. Yeagher Jr. of Thompson and Brian Yeagher of Dudley; two daughters, Jean E. Walker of Webster, and Michelle F. Yeagher of Sterling; 12 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren.  He was predeceased by a son, Barry Yeagher and a brother, William Yeagher.
Services were held at Mount Zion Cemetery, Webster.  Shaw-Majercik Funeral Home, Webster.


Democrats
nominated
POMFRET — The Pomfret Democratic Town Committee recently nominated its slate of candidates for the November municipal elections:
First Selectman: Maureen A. Nicholson; Selectman: Barry T. Jessurun; Town Clerk: Cheryl A. Grist; Town Treasurer: Cheryl A. Grist; Board of Finance: Margaret B. Huoppi; Board of Education: Sara I. DiIorio; Board of Education: Christopher J. Rothlein; Board of Assessment Appeals: Raymond E. Wishart; Planning and Zoning Commission: Christopher M. Burke; Planning and Zoning Commission, Alternate: Theodore C. Tsanjoures.
Also: Zoning Board of Appeals: Richard W. Galante; Zoning Board of Appeals, Alternate: Debra Thompson; Constable: Harley J. Hill; Constable: Sarah L. Hamby; Constable: Daniel Bastura; Library Trustee: Sally Rogers; Library Trustee: Susan Black; Library Board: Linda B. Cyr.
In addition, the Pomfret Democratic Town Committee welcomed two new members: Sara I. DiIorio and Debra Thompson.

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