Past Issues of the Putnam Town Crier
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Darryl Simmons. Photo by Thomas Netzer
It was a busy week of hoops at Putnam Science Academy, with all five basketball teams seeing plenty of action.
The Prep boys’ team, ranked third in the country, went undefeated across four games, including an impressive 73-58 win over the NBA Global Academy on Tuesday.
Darryl Simmons led a balanced offensive attack that night with 11 points and six rebounds, while Ben Ahmed had 10 points and nine rebounds. Six other Mustangs scored at least six points in the win. Oswin Erhunmwunse had seven points, including a dunk over a 7-foot-3 defender, and four blocks.
“I thought the guys played hard,” said coach Tom Espinosa. “Defensively, I thought we were pretty good. We only gave up 58 points. That’s a good number.”
Simmons led the way again Thursday night, posting 11 points, six rebounds, and five assists in a 69-54 win over Mt. Zion Academy. Ahmed recorded his sixth double-double of the season, finishing with 11 points and 11 rebounds, while Erhunmwunse scored a team-leading 14 points. The Mustangs then spent the weekend in Springfield, Mass., for a Power 5 conference showcase. Blake Barkley had 15 points and seven rebounds in a 94-75 win over Bridgeport Prep Saturday. Baye Ndongo played real well as he continues to get comfortable after joining the team in mid-January. He finished with 11 points, eight boards and a pair of blocks, then followed up Sunday with 17 points in an 85-64 victory over Redemption Christian, PSA’s ninth victory in a row.
Simmons had 10 more points in that game and remains on pace to score 1,000 career points. Mouhamed Dioubate is also on pace to join that exclusive club (currently only three Mustangs have hit that mark), and he also has a chance to become PSA’s career and single-season rebound record holder.
Varsity Boys’ Team
The Varsity boys’ team had a packed schedule as well, playing five games in five days, with wins in three of them. The highlight was Wednesday’s 57-53 overtime win at Wilbraham & Monson, keyed by Nick Sokol’s 3-pointer at the end of regulation to force OT. Michael Olorunsola had a team-high 15 points for PSA, which also got 12 points from Max Shepel. Sokol and Erick Aponte both had nine points in the win.
A day earlier, they beat Plainfield High’s freshmen team 62-26 behind 11 points apiece from Hugo Bolumar and Victor DeLeon, and 10 each for Shane Sebastian-Smalls and Mario Espinoza.
Shepel had 19 points and 15 rebounds in Thursday’s 69-60 loss to Get Better Academy, a team out of the Czech Republic.
“We played well,” said coach Nick Schmidt. “We executed well offensively and rebounded well for being outsized. We competed hard and I was proud of them for that.
The Mustangs also lost Friday, 55-36 at Fessenden, before rebounding Saturday with a 51-23 victory at St. Andrew’s. DeLeon led the way with 10 points in that one.
Elite Boys’ Team
The week started well for the Elite boys’ team, grabbing a 75-51 win over Rectory on Monday. Pop Wadang had 10 points and seven rebounds, while Thierry Lokrou finished with a team-high 15 points for the Mustangs. But they lost a tough back-and forth game Wednesday to Winchendon, 91-85, in which Lokrou scored 29, Jalen Claude had 17 points, Travis Upchurch 15, and Yhali Steinhauer 10 for the Mustangs, who had their seven-game winning streak snapped. The week ended with a 71-67 loss at New York Military Academy Saturday, despite 24 points from Claude.
Prep Girls’ Team
It was a tough week on the girls’ side as well, as the Prep team – playing without its top two scorers Ines Goryanova and Janeya Grant – fell 65-47 to Life Center (N.J.). Genevive Wedemeyer had 13 points, Brianna Mead had 10, and KC Cedano finished with four points and 13 rebounds for the Mustangs.
The Select girls team dressed just seven Saturday for its game at NYMA and came up just short in a 56-53 overtime loss. Mead had 17 points in that one, Hailey Johnson had a season-high 12 points, Keyani Jackson added 11, and Zuzanna Komor added 10 for the Mustangs.
Stephen Nalbandian
Sports Information Director
Putnam Science Academy
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PUTNAM — Bob, 65, of Putnam died Jan. 31, 2023, surrounded by loved ones at Day Kimball Hospital after an extensive battle with health problems.
Bob was born Aug. 14, 1957, in Rutland, Vt., to Howard and Sylvia Lawrence. Bob is predeceased by his parents; daughter, Amy; son Curtis; and brother, Steve.
He leaves his wife Brenda of 28 years; six children, Robert Lawrence (Jess), John Franklin, Jennifer St.Denis (John), Scott Lawrence (Brittany), Stephanie Brousseau, Sara Robillard (Brian); 10 grandchildren; five siblings, Larry Lawrence (Judy), William Lawrence, Sheila Saltis (John), Sharron Lawrence, Sandra Jarvis (Ron).
In Bob’s life, he graduated from Killingly High School and he had joined the U.S. Navy. He worked at Frito Lay for 18 years before retiring.
He was a loving, devoted husband, father and pepe who loved spending time with his family. He was a hard-working Man who loved playing pranks and joking around. Any chance he was able he loved taking rides on his motorcycle. He also loved watching football and yelling at the TV. He was a huge fan of Cher and had a chance to see her live. He also enjoyed making up his own songs about everyday life.
Celebration of life to be announced via social media or personal contact. Funeral will be private, to be held at his family plot in Rutland.
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Honored
Gary Osbrey, right, received the first annual George Brown Community Champion Award from the Danielson Veterans Coffeehouse. Coffeehouse president Fred Ruhlemann, left, stands with Pam Brown. Linda Lemmon photo.
By Linda Lemmon
Town Crier Editor
PUTNAM — “George Brown never complained. He never even thought about saying no,” said Danielson Veterans Coffeehouse president Fred Ruhlemann.
Brown, who died last year, was a “solid rock of his community,” he added.
Honoring that community champion, the first annual George W. Brown Community Champion Award went to Gary Osbrey.
Each Tuesday, veterans from the northeast corner, Massachusetts and Rhode Island meet, for breakfast, camaraderie, useful program and expert veteran advice at the Putnam Elks Lodge.
The lodge members, including the chefs, volunteer their time to create a welcoming place for veterans.
The breakfast was sponsored by Linemaster Switch and Mark Provost of M Provost Landscaping.
Table flowers came from the Sunshine Shop and the Arc Eastern Connecticut donated the pastries.
Jan. 31 was special in that it honored Brown and Osbrey. Ruhlemann recounted Brown’s service — to his community as an ER nurse, as a volunteer firefighter (and fire chief) and as a veteran as Brown served in Vietnam. Ruhlemann said, “George had a great love of his family, friends, country, church and community.”
In giving the award to Osbrey, Brown’s wife, Pam Brown, said “George is smiling down right now.”
Osbrey told the 80-plus veterans, “Losing George reminds me how fickle life can be” and so he urged the audience “If you love someone, tell them.”
He recalled their close friendship and said he remembered having a beer with Brown. And two days later George was gone. “He was the most incredible man of character I’ve seen in my life,” Osbrey said.
Osbrey and Brown worked together on many, many community projects including the Food Share during the height of COVID-19. He recalled one hot day when the food delivery truck was six hours late. Brown was the smart one; he found a nice shade tree and took a nap. When the truck arrived he was up and at ‘em.
Ruhlemann said in August the veterans coffeehouse will put out a suggestion box for a month for suggestions on the second annual winner of this heart-felt award.
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Wed. Feb. 8
Outdoor Program
POMFRET --- Ragged Hill Woods “Snow/Igloos” outdoor program at 10 a.m. and at 4:30 p.m. at Windham Tolland 4-H Camp, Taft Pond Road for children from PK – Grade 8. $20 per child. Register: 860-974-1122.
Art Exhibit
DANIELSON --- An art exhibit by John Ros will be held in the QVCC Spirol Gallery to Feb. 23.
Exhibit
THOMPSON --- The Friends of the Thompson Public Library will present, as part of its Art @ the Library series, “Stories in Paint” by Ann C. Rosebrooks. In the display case will be: Celebrating 120 Years: The People of the Library, both through Feb. 27. 860-923-9779.
Art Exhibit
POMFRET --- The Connecticut Audubon Society of Pomfret at the Grassland Bird Conservation Center on Day Road will present “Trail Wood Reflections,” an Edwin Way Teale Artists & Writers In-Residence 10th Anniversary Exhibition through March 18. Snow date March 18. 860-928-4948.
Sat. Feb. 11
Cornhole Tourney
THOMPSON --- The Woodstock Lions Club will hold a fund-raiser Cornhole Tournament at the Raceway (inside). Registration is at 11 and the round-robin starts at noon. For info: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Chili Cookoff
POMFRET --- The youth of Christ Church Pomfret are bringing back their popular Chili Cook Off fund-raiser from 6 to 8 p.m. at the church on Rt. 169. Voting in three categories. Tickets at door: $10 for adults and $5 for kids under 12. Benefits youth ministry at the church.
Tag, Bake Sale
ABINGTON ---The Abington Congregational Church will hold a tag, craft & bake sale from 8 a.m. to noon at the church on Hampton Road. Snow date is Feb. 18.
Fire & Ice
PUTNAM --- The Town of Putnam and the Putnam Business Association will present Fire & Ice from noon to 9 p.m. around downtown. The cake competition will be held from noon to 5 p.m. inside the Congregational Church of Putnam. The event includes ice carvings, interactive ice carvings, fire pits, torches, entertainers, vendors, inflatable igloo and, new this year, a bonfire.
Sun. Feb. 12
Concert
PASCOAG --- Grace Note Farm and the Blackstone Valley Tourism Council will present, as part of the Music at the Farm series, “Ah, the Birds” concert at 2 p.m. at the Grace Note Farm on Jackson Schoolhouse Road. $30. 4010567-0354.
Thur. Feb. 16
History Program
THOMPSON --- The Thompson Public Library and the Thompson Historical Society will present “Old Turnpikes of Northeast Connecticut” at 6 p.m. at the library.
‘Mean Girls’
POMFRET --- The Pomfret School Theatre will present “Mean Girls High School Version” at 7 p.m. Feb. 16, 17 and 18 in the Hard Auditorium. All welcome. Free.
Sat. Feb. 18
Bird Program
POMFRET --- The Wyndham Land Trust will present “Restoration of Bird Populations: Woodcock a Case Study” at 2 p.m. at the Connecticut Audubon Society of Pomfret.
Camp Fun
POMFRET --- The Windham-Tolland 4-H Camp will hold Camper Game Day from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. for boys and girls, ages 6-12. Bring appropriate clothes to be outdoors. $20 per child. 860-974-3379 to register by Feb 12.
Sun. Feb. 19
Open House
POMFRET --- The Tolland 4-H Camp Open House will be held from 1 to 3 p.m. Tours, registration available.
Wed. Feb. 22
Outdoor Program
POMFRET --- Ragged Hill Woods “Basket Weaving” outdoor program at 10 a.m. and at 4:30 p.m. at Windham Tolland 4-H Camp, Taft Pond Road for children from PK – Grade 8. $20 per child. Register: 860-974-1122.
Wed. April 5
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.
Sat. May 6
Maker Fair
THOMPSON --- The Thompson Maker Fair will be held from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Riverside Park.
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Honored
Nick Arsenault, center, a member of Mayotte-Viens American Legion Post #13, Putnam, was honored Jan. 29 with a surprise party at the Painted Baker Restaurant in Putnam prior to his military deployment. Warrant Officer Arsenault is a helicopter pilot with C Company 3-142nd AVN out of Windsor Locks. He’s deploying to Fort Hood, Texas, for training before embarking for the Middle East. Friends and family provided the sendoff at the Painted Baker owned by his mother Monique Maldonado. With Arsenault is: Al Cormier, left, a Post #13 member and Vietnam veteran; and U.S. Air Force veteran Ron Coderre Past Post #13 and District #4 Commander. Courtesy photo.
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