Past Issues of the Putnam Town Crier
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By Ron P. Coderre
At the star of the 2013 Zone VI American Legion season in early June the TriTown Sr. and Jr. teams were aiming for spots in the Connecticut postseason tournament. Although both teams went down to the wire, scrapping all the way, they fell shy of their preseason goal.
The Sr. unit, which finished its 27-game schedule with a respectable 8-19 record, concluded its season by winning its final three-game set with victories over Ledyard-Pawcatuck. Proving that its pitching was equal others in the Zone, the Towners posted a pair of shutouts in the final three contests.
The Jr. Team, needing to win all three of its games against the Ledyard-Pawcatuck Jr. team to move into postseason play was able to pick up only one victory in the final three-game set. Unfortunately for the team they had the opportunity but miscues led to their ultimate downfall. They concluded the season with a 6-10 log.
Sr. Team Rolls Through Final Set
Playing what was probably its most consistent baseball of the entire summer, the TriTown Sr. Team started the final week with strong pitching and bats blazing. Behind the serves of lanky right hander Garrett Ponte the Towners put it all together with a 10-0 drubbing of Ledyard-Pawcatuck. Ponte was the star on the hill, limiting L-P to only one hit while striking out 10 opposing batters. At the bat he contributed three doubles in helping himself to the victory.
The following evening the game started as though the L-P team would provide TriTown with the mirror image of its previous night’s win. The visiting L-P team, thanks to some shoddy play behind TriTown pitcher Ty Anderson, jumped out to a 7-0 first inning lead.
The Towners bounced back with two runs of their own in the bottom of the first frame and five more runs in the second inning to knot the score at seven all. In the third inning the Towners went ahead 8-7 and appeared in control after scoring one more run in the sixth inning.
L-P rallied for two runs in the seventh inning before young Jim Cutler came on in relief to quell the rally. Moving to extra innings, Coach Paul Faucher called on his closer, Tim Cutler, Jim’s older brother, who closed the door on L-P giving TriTown a hard fought, much deserved 10-9 victory. The victory went to Jim Cutler in relief.
Ben Brissette led the hitting parade for the Towners with a double and a triple, which produced two runs batted in. Sean Falvey also had a double. J.P. Bergeron, who has come on strongly as the season progressed, was credited with a pair of hits and two RBIs including the go-ahead run with a suicide squeeze in the sixth inning. Tim Cutler and Mike Thienel also had two hits and two RBIs apiece.
In the closing contest of the season, the Towners settled in behind the pitching of ace Mike Thienel as he threw a complete game 5-0 shutout at L-P. In going the route, Thienel limited his opponents to four hits, while striking out five. Josh Malboeuf had two hits and Ben Guimont doubled in the winning cause.
The three victories secured a seventh place finish in Zone VI for TriTown.
Jr. Towners Squander Opportunity
In a week where victories were of the utmost importance for the TriTown Jr. Team, they were unable to capitalize on opportunities and squandered the chance of playing in the State postseason tourney as they dropped two of three games to Ledyard-Pawcatuck.
The week started well as the Jr. squad opened with a 1-0 shutout behind a gutsy pitching performance by Ryan Gadoury. Laboring through a complete game performance in the heat, Gadoury yielded only three hits while striking out six opposing hitters.
The TriTown 11-hit offensive attack was led by Nick Foucault who had three hits and Evan Tremblay and Jared Carignan who had two hits apiece.
In the second game of the set, the Towners let victory slip through their fingers as an error in the seventh inning opened the door for two unearned runs by L-P and paved the way to the 8-6 victory. In the bottom half of the final frame the Jr. Team lost all heart and the game going down 1-2-3.
With one more chance for the State Tournament in their grasp the Towners let a complete game effort by Nick Foucault go to waste as miscues and walks allowed L-P to score three unearned runs in a 3-0 win. The two final victories for L-P raised their record to 8-8, while TriTown closed out the season at 6-10.
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Wed. July 24
Rug Exhibit
DUDLEY --- The Pearl K. McGown Teacher's Workshop will present a rug exhibition from noon to 7 p.m. at the Nichols College Auditorium. Free.
Fun Runs
W. THOMPSON --- The West Thompson Dam Fun Run starts on May 15 and runs through Sept. 18. The runs, which start at 6:15 p.m., are held on Wednesdays at the West Thompson Dam Entrance on Ravenelle Road. Distance is 3.1 and 1.44 miles. The Fun Run or walk is free and is open to everyone. Free T-shirt once three events are completed. mayer.robert @sbcglobal.net.
Art Exhibit
POMFRET --- The Connecticut Audubon Society at Pomfret Center will present "Barns, Birds, and Local Landscapes," oil paintings by Jane Collins and Karen DePersia, through July 31 at the Audubon Center on Day Road. 928-4948.
Sat. July 27
Free Movie
THOMPSON --- The Thompson Recreation is showing a free Movie in the Park “Oz, the Great and Powerful" around 8:15 p.m. at the Thompson Library/Community Center or by the flagpole within Riverside Park. Free. Bring blanket and lawn chairs. Snacks available for purchase. 860-923-9440.
Storytelling
N. GROSVENORDALE --- Native American Storytelling With Phillip “Firewalker” Pollier will be held from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at Phelp's Pond on Main Street. Free. All welcome. www.thompsonrec.org
Fri. Aug. 2
First Friday
PUTNAM --- The Putnam Business Association will present First Friday throughout downtown Putnam.
'Anything Goes'
PUTNAM --- The Bradley Playhouse will present "Anything Goes" at 7:30 p.m. Aug. 2, 3, 9, 10, 16 and 17 and at 2 p.m. Aug. 4, 11 and 18 at the playhouse on Front Street. $21 for adults; $18 for seniors and students. 928-7887 or www.thebradleyplayhouse.org
Magic Show
N. GROSVENORDALE --- Mr. Magic will be presented at 1 p.m. at the Thompson Lion’s Club Bandstand, Riverside Park. Bring your own lawn chair, blankets. Free. www.thompsonrec.org
Concert
N. GROSVENORDALE --- Black & White will present a free concert at 7 p.m. at the Thompson Lion’s Club Bandstand, Riverside Park. Bring your own lawn chair, blankets.www.thompsonrec.org
Sat. Aug. 3
Concert on Lawn
WAUREGAN --- The Central Assembly of God on Putnam Road will present a concert on the church lawn, starting at 5:30. Bring cooler for dinner, blanket or chair and bug spray. All welcome.
Flea Market
OXFORD, Mass. --- The Oxford Community Flea market will be held from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Aug. 3 and Sept. 7 on the lawn of the First congregational Church of Oxford. Participants wanted. 508-987-2211.
Storytelling
N. GROSVENORDALE --- Native American Storytelling With Phillip “Firewalker” Pollier will be held from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at Phelp's Pond on Main Street. Free. All welcome. www.thompsonrec.org
Fri. Aug. 9
Concert
N. GROSVENORDALE --- Outta the Blue will present a free concert at 7 p.m. at the Thompson Lion’s Club Bandstand, Riverside Park. Bring your own lawn chair, blankets.www.thompsonrec.org
Sat. Aug. 10
Deary Race
PUTNAM --- The annual Deary Memorial 5K Race/Walk will be held this morning, starting from JD Cooper's.
Storytelling
N. GROSVENORDALE --- Native American Storytelling With Phillip “Firewalker” Pollier will be held from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at Phelp's Pond on Main Street. Free. All welcome. www.thompsonrec.org
Lemonade Fund-raiser
PUTNAM --- The third annual Alex's Lemonade Stand will be up and running at Rotary Park Aug. 10. Thus far $2,819 has been raised locally. www.alexslemonade.org/mypage/113552
River Fire
PUTNAM --- The town of Putnam will present a concert with the Little Big Band followed by River Fire at Rotary Park. No rain date.
Sun. Aug. 11
Car Cruise Frappes
PUTNAM --- The Congregational Church of Putnam, downtown, will hold a Putnam Car Cruise/Frappes on the Lawn starting at 11:30 a.m. until gone. $5. Benefits community charities.
Rubber Duckie
PUTNAM --- The Arc Quinebaug Valley will host its 16th Annual Arc Rubber Duckie Race fund-raiser at 1:30 at Rotary Park. The race is in conjunction with the annual car show. The day includes children’s games, food, a moonbounce and other activities. 7,000 rubber ducks are available. Rain date Aug. 18. 774-2827.
Sat. Aug. 17
Backpack-Movie
WAUREGAN --- The Central Assembly of God on Putnam Road will present a school backpack giveaway and a movie on the church lawn. Backpack distribution is at 7:30 and the movie is at 8. Bring cooler for dinner, blanket or chair and bug spray. All welcome.
Storytelling
N. GROSVENORDALE --- Native American Storytelling With Phillip “Firewalker” Pollier will be held from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at Phelp's Pond on Main Street. Free. All welcome. www.thompsonrec.org
Sat. Aug. 24
Storytelling
N. GROSVENORDALE --- Native American Storytelling With Phillip “Firewalker” Pollier will be held from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at Phelp's Pond on Main Street. Free. All welcome. www.thompsonrec.org
Fri. Sept. 6
First Friday
PUTNAM --- The Putnam Business Association will present First Friday throughout downtown Putnam.
Sat. Sept. 7
River Fire
PUTNAM --- The town of Putnam will present Family Day and River Fire at Rotary Park. No rain date.
Sat. Sept. 14
Swedish Meatball Supper
PUTNAM --- The Congregational Church of Putnam, downtown, will present a Swedish Meatball Supper from 5 to 7 p.m. in the church dining room. Adults: $10; kids 12 and under $5. Benefits community charities. Takeout available. 928-4405.
Nature Art
POMFRET --- The Northeastern Connecticut Art Guild will present a nature-based art festival from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Bafflin Sanctuary. It benefits the Connecticut Audubon Society Center at Pomfret. Volunteers needed. 928-4948.
Sun. Sept. 15
Race/Walk
DAYVILLE --- The annual Northeast Opportunities for Wellness (NOW) 3.5ish Race/Walk will be held at 8 a.m. starting from the Byrnes Insurance Agency. www.nowinmotion.org.
Sun. Sept. 22
Peace Day
PUTNAM --- International Peace Day will be held at Rotary Park.
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Reval updates
PUTNAM — The revaluation data collectors are will be continuing their work in the town of Putnam now.
Inspection letters went out this week for the following streets:Cady Road, Chase Road, East Putnam Road (Southern part), Highland Drive, Hurry Hill Road, Industrial Park Road, Joslin Road, Kennedy Drive, Nancy Drive, Park Road
River Junction, River Road, Ross Hill Road, Sunset Avenue, Town Farm Road.
Tax Assessor Rande Chmura also reminds income-producing property owners who received Income and Expense forms that they should be completed and returned to the assessor’s office by Aug. 1
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Visitor
Senator Richard Blumenthal, right, admires the sand sculpture near Union Square in Putnam. He is joined by Attorney Thomas Borner, president and CEO of Putnam Bank; and Putnam Mayor Pete Place, center.
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By Ron P. Coderre
The 2013 TriTown Sr. and Jr. American Legion Baseball season ended on the field last week with the Sr. squad posting an 8-19 record and the Jr. unit finishing 6-10. The official closing of the season will take be July 26 with the Awards Banquet and steak dinner scheduled for A.L. Post #67 in Thompson. The featured speaker of the evening will be recently appointed Assumption College baseball coach Mike Rocco.
Rocco, who assumed his role at Assumption on June 19, has a solid baseball background as both a player and coach. Prior to accepting the Assumption position he coached for three seasons at Lesley University, where he turned the program around from a team with no victories to leading the Lynx to 13-17 record in his final season. In 2012 he was named the New England Collegiate Conference Coach of the Year. Rocco also had a stint as an assistant coach at Daniel Webster College in New Hampshire.
A native of Tewksbury, Mass., Rocco began his coaching career with the Billerica American Legion program, after having served for one season on the Lowell American Legion staff. He’s also worked as a coach in two collegiate summer leagues, this year with the Nashua Silver Knights of the Futures Collegiate Baseball League and in 2008 with the Keene Swamp Bats of the New England Collegiate Baseball League.
Rocco earned his bachelor’s in communications from Bryant University in 2007 and holds a master’s degree in athletic administration from Endicott College. While at Bryant, Rocco was a four-year starter as a first baseman. He completed his career as the program leader in games played with 204 and third in career hits with 221. In addition, he also holds the NCAA Division II career and single season records for putouts.
Interestingly he has the distinction of helping the Bulldogs reach the Division II College World Series during his freshman year, when he was also recognized as the Northeast-10 Freshman of the Year. As a sophomore, Rocco was a member of the Bryant basketball team that advanced to the Division II National Championship game.
The Awards Banquet will also feature the presentation of the Joe Lindley and Louis Bates Awards to Jr. team players and the Rene “Doc” Desaulniers Award, the Coach Tom Auclair Award and The Executive Committee Award to Sr. team players. The committee announced it will also unveil another award in honor of a local individual who has been instrumental to the TriTown program that evening.