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caption, page 7:
The girls’ lacrosse team has a new head coach in Jeremiah Huntt (right ph oto) who will receive plenty of help from seniors, from left: Lindsay Nuttall, Lennon Favreau and Rori Mackenzie. Photos by Marc Allard.
Huntt to guide
Centaurs girls’
lacrosse team
Jeremiah Huntt has assisted with the volleyball team and the girls’ basketball team this school year at Woodstock Academy. Now, he gets to be in charge of his own program.
Huntt replaces Mikayla Jones as head coach of the Centaurs girls’ lacrosse team this spring.
“It’s a challenge and I look forward to challenges. I worked in athletics in college and worked a ton of lacrosse games and I always admired the sport and the people who play. It’s different than a bunch of other sports.,” Huntt said.
Whenever a new coach comes in, there is a little adjustment period, both on the coach and the player’s sides.
“He’s good, I’m excited to work with him and, hopefully, we will have a really good season with him,” said senior defensive player Lindsay Nuttall.
That may be a help for the coach, as well, as this is his first stint as a lacrosse head coach.
“He’s learning and trying really hard,” Favreau added. “He’s watching videos and is really trying to apply lacrosse to how he coaches. I think it’s really important that he makes an effort to learn the game because it is complicated and is difficult to understand at times.”
There is certainly no dearth of players.
Huntt had over 50 athletes come to tryouts for the girls’ lacrosse team.
But, while there may be familiarity with the coach, the game is another question especially considering its bevy of rules.
“A lot of the girls who try out, it are their first time touching a stick. They have never watched it, never saw a game. There are a ton of rules so we have to go over what you can and cannot do. A lot of people can pick up habits of playing the wrong way so we will have to break those habits and teach the technique, but I think after the first few weeks, we will have everything down and will be rolling,” Huntt said.
Huntt was a contributor to those numbers as he scoured the hallways, looking for athletes who may not have committed to a spring sport.
He brought in freshmen like Sydney Anderson, Vivian Bibeau, Gabby Brown, Kaylee Saucier and Avery Crescimanno.
“I was excited to get girls like that on the roster who have a competitive mindset, are fast, athletic and can pick up the sport well. If you can outrun someone, you’re going to be in a good position. We have a lot of speed and, hopefully, our seniors that are on defense are going to bring that up, too,” Huntt said.
Huntt is a firm believer that defense wins games, especially in girls’ lacrosse.
He will have experience in the back with seniors Rori Mackenzie, Bryn Miller, and Nuttall leading the way with junior Ava Hovestadt, and freshmen like Anderson and Bibeau coming in to play in front of sophomore goalie Abby Houle. Senior Lily Blair will also help both defensively and offensively.
“We definitely have to play well defensively, to keep the ball from going into the goal especially since the majority of the people we lost (to graduation) were offensive players,” Nuttall said.
Favreau will lead the midfield crew along with fellow seniors Joanna Lin and Gabby Couture. Senior Keynila Hochard, juniors Caroline Harris and Sophia Petrella and sophomores Haley Whitehouse, Kaelyn Tremblay and Abby Converse will all split time between midfield and attack.
Senior Hadley Grether, junior Piper Sabrowski, sophomores Abby Elliott, Maggie Marshall and freshmen Saucier and Crescimanno will be up front.
The Centaurs did lose their top two scorers, Stella Brin (31 points) and Shannon Gagnon (30), from last year’s 4-12 team.
Harris is the top returning scorer as she put the ball in the net 13 times last season. Favreau and Couture had three goals each while Whitehouse and Sabrowski had a pair.
“From what I’ve seen in tryouts, the seniors are ready to go out there, be aggressive and score. I’ve seen some good stuff in shoot arounds,” Huntt said.
A strength will be the team’s leadership which Huntt has relied on early.
“I think the leadership will be awesome,” Huntt said. “Taking over this program and now knowing a whole lot about lacrosse, I’ve been able to go to Lennon and to Lindsay and figure out what we’re doing and what the game plan will look like.”
Huntt said he’s buoyed a bit by the fact that both teams he has already been associated with this season, volleyball and basketball, went from not qualifying for the state tournament a year ago to making it this season and he hopes he will go three-for -three with the lacrosse team making it this spring after missing out a year ago.
“The goal is to get past 4-12, going .500 would be great, making States will be even better. I want to set a feasible bar where they can come into practice and measure themselves as to where we want to get to instead of just ‘Let’s get through the season.’ Anything is possible,” Huntt said.
Woodstock opens its season on the road at 11 April 1 at NFA.
Marc Allard
Director of Sports Information
The Woodstock Academy
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Wed. March 29
Art Exhibit
THOMPSON --- The Friends of the Thompson Public Library’s Art at the Library and Display Case series will present “Focus on Thompson: A Photography Exhibit” through March. www.thompsonpubliclibrary.org.
History Program
PLAINFIELD --- The Aspinock Historical Society’s Bill Pearsall will give a presentation about WWII Candy Bomber at 7 p.m. at the Plainfield Community Center, Rt. 12.
Thur. March 30
Bartender Fund-raiser
PUTNAM --- The DKH Cruisin’ for Cancer Care Guest Bartender Night will be held at 5 p.m. at Marley's Pub at Black Dog Bar & Grille. Admission is free. All cash tips will be donated to the NECT Cancer Fund of DKH. 860- 928-7141.
Trivia Night
PUTNAM --- The Putnam Lions will hold a Trivia Night at 7 p.m. at the Crossings Restaurant to benefit Paws Cat Shelter.
Fri. March 31
Community Meal
PUTNAM --- The Living Faith United Methodist Church Community Meal will be held downstairs at the church on Grove Street. Doors open at 11 a.m. and the meal is at noon. In-house dining offered and takeout available.
Food Drive
PUTNAM --- A Good Friday Food Drive for Daily Bread Food Pantry will be held from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. at WINY Radio. Nonperishable food items and monetary donations all welcome. Sponsored by the Putnam Elks, the Putnam Lions and the Putnam Rotary Club.
Sat. April 1
Country Antiques
DANIELSON --- The Ellis Tech Parent Faculty Organization will present the 29th Country Antiques from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at HH Ellis Technical High School on Upper Maple Street. $10. Early buyers admitted at 9 a.m. for $20. 60-plus dealers from New England and beyond. www.countryantiquesshow.com
Potato Fund-raiser
PUTNAM --- Boy Scout Troop- 21 will hold its Annual Baked Potato Buffet from 5 to 7 p.m. at the St. Mary’s Church Hall. $5 donation. Eat in or takeout. Funds go toward funding the troop’s trip to a national Scout camporee in October. 860-428-9761.
Sun. April 2
Egg-stravaganza
POMFRET --- The Christ Church on Rt. 169 will hold an Egg-stravaganza at 11:30 a.m. featuring the Easter Bunny, several age-appropriate rounds of egg hunts, a bounce house, and lots of fun. The festivities begin following the 10 a.m. Palm Sunday church service; refreshments will be served while the first egg hunt is set up. Additional parking across the street.
Tues. April 4
Art Show
THOMPSON --- The 19th Annual Thompson CT Community Art Show, Resilient by Nature, will open at the Thompson Public Library and run through April 29. To register to take part, go to: www.thompsonrec.org. An opening reception will be held from 6 to 7:30 p.m. April 4.
Sun. April 9
Easter Breakfast
PUTNAM --- The VFW Post and Aux 1523 will host a free Easter Breakfast from 8:30 to 11 a.m. at the post on Providence Street . An Easter Egg Hunt starts at 11:30. Ages: 2-5; 6-8 and 9-12. Bring your own basket. All welcome.
Sat. April 15
Clothing Giveaway
PUTNAM--- IHSP-NU 2 U Clothing Closet will hold a clothing giveaway from 9 a.m. to noon in the Fellowship Hall of the Living Faith United Methodist Church. Free clothing, all ages, winter and summer. Bring your own bags. All welcome. Not accepting clothing donations at this event.
Sat. April 22
Rabies Clinic
DANIELSON --- Pet Pals Northeast is holding a low-cost rabies clinic from 2 to 3:30 p.m. at the Quinebaug Valley Veterinary Hospital on Rt. 12. $15 cash. Pre-registration and appointment is required. No walk-ins. 860-317-1720.
Thur. April 27
Poetry Celebration
DANIELSON --- Quinebaug Valley Community College will hold its 16th Annual Julius Sokenu Poetry Prize Celebration at 6 p.m. in Robert E. Miller Auditorium. Free and all welcome. It includes readings by award-winning student poets and guest speaker and poet Edgar Kunz. Sandwiches, hors d'oeuvres, desserts, and beverages will be provided.
Sat. April 29
Beautification Day
PUTNAM --- The Putnam Business Association, with help from town departments, will hold its annual Beautification Day at Rotary Park. Gather at 8:30 a.m. to receive cleaning assignments. 11 to noon for volunteer appreciation lunch at the park. For info on volunteering or to RSVP: 860-963-6800, ext. 200. Trophies awarded. Rain date: May 6. Funded in part by The Last Green Valley and the Town of Putnam.
Fund-raiser Concert
POMFRET --- Minnesota folk singer, Peter Mayer, returns at 7 p.m. to The Connecticut Audubon Society Center at Pomfret, 218 Day Road. $25 for CAS members; $30 for non-members. Registration is required as seating is limited: ctaudubon.org/pomfret-programs or call 860-928-4948.
Fri. May 5
Fund-raiser
WOODSTOCK --- DKH will hold a Cinco de Mayo Beef & Wine Tasting at 6 p.m. at Mansion at Bald Hill. Tastings, entertainment, drawings, food. Benefits the NECT Cancer Fund of Day Kimball Healthcare. 45 and must be purchased in advance. daykimball.org/tasting.
Sat. May 6
Maker Fair
THOMPSON --- The Thompson Maker Fair will be held from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Riverside Park.
BBQ
WOODSTOCK --- The Bungay Fire Brigade will host its spring 2023 Chicken BBQ from 4 to 6 p.m. www.bungay.com.
Fri. May 12
Ballroom Bash
PUTNAM --- The Bradley Playhouse will hold a Big Band Ballroom Bash benefit concert and dance lessons from 7 to 10 p.m. Flamingo Big Band and Kelly & Paul Wybieracki dance instructors.
Sat. June 17
Art Festival
PUTNAM --- The Putnam Arts Council (PAC) will be hosting the Putnam Fine Arts and Crafts Festival from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. June 17 and June 18 at the Municipal Complex. It includes all the arts plus live music. Rain or shine. Free.
Sun.. July 9
Touch-A-Truck
WOODSTOCK --- The Bungay Fire Brigade will host Touch-A-Truck from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Roseland Park.
Sun. Aug. 27
Cruise Fund-raiser
THOMPSON --- DKH will hold its Cruise, BBQ & Brew - Motorcycle & Car Cruise at 10 a.m. at the Thompson Speedway and The Black Dog Bar & Grille in Putnam. Benefits the NECT Cancer Fund of Day Kimball Healthcare. $35 registration. daykimball.org/cruising.
Fri. Sept. 8
Golf Classic
PUTNAM --- The Day Kimball Hospital Centreville Bank Golf Classic will set off at 7:45 a.m. and 1 p.m. at Connecticut National Country Club. For info: daykimball.org/golfclassic.
Sat. Sept. 30
BBQ
WOODSTOCK --- The Bungay Fire Brigade will host its fall 2023 Chicken BBQ from 4 to 6 p.m. www.bungay.com.
Sat. Nov. 11
Dueling Pianos
THOMPSON --- The DKH Dueling Pianos fund-raiser will be held at 6 p.m. at the Raceway Restaurant and Banquet Hall. Benefits Day Kimball Healthcare At Home services of HomeCare, HomeMakers, and Hospice & Palliative Care of Northeastern Connecticut. Food, drawings and more. Tickets $45, must be purchased in advance. daykimball.org/pianos.
Sun. Dec. 3
Tree of Life
The DKH 34th Annual Hospice Tree of Life Ceremonies will be held at 5 p.m. in 11 towns throughout northeastern Connecticut. The purchase of memorial lights on each community's Tree of Life benefits Hospice & Palliative Care of Northeastern Connecticut. For info: daykimball.org/treeoflife.
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captions:
MVPs: Above left: Brody Belanger of Windham Tech (blue) and Mikey Monroe of Parish Hill with Jonathan Tremblay, chair of the Rotary basketball committee. Above right: Putnam Clipper Emily St. Martin (blue) and Hailey Johnson of PSA.
Playing in front of a sparse crowd of family, friends, fellow students and Putnam Rotary Club members, the high school senior basketball boys and girls put on an offensive barrage never witnessed in the history of the Putnam Rotary Club Ray Brousseau Memorial Senior All Star game.
Due to a low turnout of female players the teams were combined with men and women on both squads. A combined total of 214 points was scored. with the winning Green team coached by Donte Adams and Denzel Washington of The Woodstock Academy edging the Blue squad coached by Neil Bernier and Lee Blanchette of Tourtellotte Memorial High School. The final score was 108-106 in a game that went down to the wire for the evenly matched teams.
The contest was close throughout with the Blue team on top 57-53 at halftime. The game winning basket by the Green squad was scored by Putnam’s Alonzo Henries on a tip in with less than two seconds on the clock. The winners were paced by team Most Valuable Player Mikey Monroe of Parish Hill who finished with 29 points, nine rebounds and seven assists on the night. Henries totaled 13 points for the winners. Hailey Johnson of Putnam Science Academy was the women’s MVP for the winners
The losing Blue team was led by hot shooting Brody Belanger of Windham Tech, who poured in 49 points with an amazing demonstration of three-point bombs, explosive dunks and slashing moves to the hoop. He was selected as the Blue team MVP. Putnam Clipper Emily St. Martin was the women’s MVP for the Blue squad.
Dylan Johnson of Tourtellotte Memorial High School and Carter Tosetti of Woodstock each walked away $50 richer thanks to CorePlus Credit Union, which sponsored the halftime shootout. The duo of Johnson and Tosetti made shots from the foul line, top of the key and half court to earn the $50 reward.
The game was a total community effort with the referees from Board #35 donating their services. The refs were led by Bill Monaco. Working with him were Matt Phillips, former UConn woman’s player Shannon Saunders and David Coderre. The scoring and time keeping were done by Fred Hutchins and Maurice “Moe” Coderre, who also led those in attendance by performing the National Anthem.
Sponsors of the game included The Woodstock Academy, CorePlus Credit Union, Centreville Bank, WINY Radio, Benpe Consulting and Archambault Insurance Associates. Game participation mementos, presented to all players, and the MVP Awards were sponsored by the Byrnes Agency of Dayville and Norwich.
Rotarian Jonathan Tremblay was the chairperson of the organizing committee. Working with Tremblay were H. Douglas Porter, Dick Loomis, Ron Coderre, Jon Sturdevant, Club President Missy Meyers, Deb Hoft, John Miller, Woody Durst and Richard Naumann.
“The Putnam Rotary Club is pleased to sponsor this annual game featuring the senior boys and girls all stars. It’s part of our commitment to the young people of our communities. We’re looking forward to next year. Congratulations to these players for putting on one heck of a show for those in attendance,” said chairman Tremblay.
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Centaurs softball
pitchers, catchers
get jump start
It was an early start to the high school softball season this year.
The CIAC allowed teams to do the same as baseball teams do, begin workouts for pitchers and catchers a week before the rest of the team and a week before every other spring sport was allowed to begin.
“One hundred percent,” Woodstock senior pitcher Lexi Thompson said when asked if the rule change was beneficial. “
The other good news for Thompson is that she may not be the only one in the circle for the Centaurs this season.
She was just about that last season as she recorded all but two of the team’s decisions in an 11-11 season and finished by pitching almost 120 innings.
That may change a bit. Sophomores Kaya Nichols and Grace DelSanto may take some of the pressure off. The Centaurs should be strong as a whole.
Woodstock lost only two seniors, Jenna Bankowski and Madison Nichols, from last season.
It means seven of the top eight hitters will return to the lineup this season.
Junior Delaney Anderson, who led the team with a .431 batting average, returns to play first base and in the outfield.
Her classmate, Sarah McArthur (.385) returns at shortstop with senior Maddie Martinez (.380) back behind the plate.
Thompson hit .360 and led the team with 23 runs batted in and will likely see some time in the infield as well as in the circle this season.
Liz Morgis (.339, 20 RBIs) is also back to play first and second base; Ainsley Morse (.333) will see time at the infield corners and Savannah Schley, who came to varsity in the second half of last season and finished with a .308 average, will see more time this season at third and as a designated player.
Mia Pannone, Emily Goodell, Avery Collin and Maddie Bloom will all see time in the outfield while Aubrey Rumrill and Avery Hardacker will spell Martinez behind the plate.
Gerum believes the Centaurs will be competitive in the always tough ECC.
Having the battery of Thompson and Martinez back is also a huge bonus, even if this is their last year.
Martinez is coming off a gymnastics season which saw her incur a couple of typical injuries from that sport. She is looking forward to the break of playing a different sport.
The lack of snow and little, if any, permafrost underneath meant the Centaurs got out to practice on their home field at the Bentley Athletic Complex this past week.
The Centaurs are looking to open the season on that field as they are scheduled to host St. Bernard at noon April 1.
Marc Allard
Director of Sports Information
The Woodstock Academy
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By Linda Lemmon
Town Crier Editor
PUTNAM — Nothing is signed but there is some solid interest in a cannabis store in Putnam Plaza on Rt. 44.
Mark D’Addabbo of Putnam Plaza LLC (MarkV Development of West Hartford) recently received approval from the town’s Zoning Commission for the retail sale of cannabis. The store would be at 97 Providence Pike, between Big Gary’s Discount Liquors and Tractor Supply.
Between the two stores there is about 8,000 square feet and it’s dividable. Typically, he said, those types of (cannabis) stores are 3,000 to 4,000 square feet.
“Now that we have the town’s blessing I’ll be working on getting a commitment,” said D’Addabbo.
D’Addabbo said the area in general is on the upswing. There’s a lot of visibility, the traffic count is high, a car dealership is planned for across the street and a Burger King opened recently.
The gauntlet for a potential cannabis retailer is tough. They have to get a license from the state and that process is very complicated. D’Addabbo said is a “significant” investment for a license. Security for the store would be high, there is no eating or smoking of the product onsite; cameras are to be installed all over.
Eighteen to 20 percent of the price of the product is taxes: The state sales tax of 6.35 percent, a 10 to 15 percent tax based on the potency of the product and 3 percent to the town.
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