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Baseball is a sport of failure. Even the greatest to ever play the game only succeeded about 30 percent of the time.
“It’s a hard sport,” Putnam Science Academy outfielder Angell Garcia said, “and there was a point last year, around this time, that I didn’t think I wanted to play anymore. I had gotten injured twice in the span of a month, and it was like a complete failure to me.”
And then there are days like last Thursday, when Garcia and four of his PSA teammates were celebrated for having recently committed to continue playing the game in college.
“It’s pretty crazy to think about,” Garcia said. “From not being sure if I should keep playing to now being good enough at it to play in college…it’s just a dream.”
Garcia will play next year at Dominican University in New York and was joined by fellow commits Matt Blachuta (Eastern Connecticut State), Robbie Natale (Central Connecticut State), Anthony Mena (Assumption), and Baltazar “Junior” Mesa (Albertus Magnus).
“I remember playing Farm Ball (the level after T-Ball) growing up in East Windsor, on some fields behind the elementary school,” Blachuta said, “and they had the ball set up on the tee and I was just hitting the ball a lot further than everyone else. Baseball is what I was good at initially, and I’ve grown up wanting to be a baseball player.
“It hasn’t officially paid off yet because I haven’t started playing college ball, but I am definitely one step closer.”
One step at a time is how Natale approaches things. He’s come a long way since hitting his first home run and hugging his dad as he rounded third base when he was 8. It has taken him a few years to really understand the mental side of things, which has helped him continue moving forward in pursuit of his goals.
“I’m learning about the little details, how every single day there are little things you can do to get better from the time you wake up to the time you go to bed,” he said. “I think once you figure that out, you can really unlock your success.”
Mena battled through trials and tribulations that may have thwarted others, never losing the belief that he could have this success and be in this position.
“I’ve been to some other events where kids have signed their National Letters of Intent, and I’m not taking anything away from those guys because they absolutely deserved it, but I remember always thinking, ‘That should be me up there,’” he said. “Thankfully, a couple years later, I was on that stage with my family and my teammates and their families all here.
“I fell in love with this game at a very young age, from one of the very first times I picked up a bat and a ball. People think it’s a boring game, but I disagree. I think it’s the greatest game on the planet, and I thank God that He gave me the talent to play it.”
Mesa, from the Dominican Republic, took a bit of an unorthodox journey to Putnam, but did so with the goal of going to college.
“Coming from D.R., this isn’t usually the way you go,” he said. “You usually either go pro there or you stop playing baseball. But this was the way I wanted to do it when I decided to come to school here in the U.S. It was a big sacrifice for me, being away from family (Mesa’s mother flew in the night before to be at the ceremony), different language, all kinds of things. Being able to go to the next level and keep my dream alive for the next four years, and get my college degree, it really means a lot to me. It’s a special day.”
Stephen Nalbandian
Sports Information Director
Putnam Science Academy

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Wed.  March 6
Quilt Exhibit
PUTNAM --- An exhibit by Laura Salo, “The Year Through Quilts,” runs through March 30 at the Corridor Gallery in the Municipal Complex. The show is sponsored by the Putnam Arts Council. PutnamCtArtsCouncil.com.

Art Exhibit
THOMPSON --- The Friends of the Thompson Public Library’s Art @ the Library and display case will feature “Focus on Thompson: A Photographic Exhibition” through March 27.

Floral Design
POMFRET --- A Floral Design Night at Windham-Tolland 4-H Camp, Taft Pond Rd, will be presented from 6:30 to 8 p.m. $70. You get a beautiful floral centerpiece to take home, snacks. Benefits the Dam Repair Fund.  Preregistration:  860-974-1122.

Sat.  March 9
Breault Program
PUTNAM --- The Aspinock Historical Society will present a special talk on Putnam native Henry Breault at 10:30 a.m. at the Municipal Complex. Presented by Ryan C Walker Navy Veteran Ph.D. candidate at the University of Portsmouth. Breault received the Medal of Honor in 1924. He saved his shipmate, Lawrence T. Brown during a collision between the USS O-5 and United Fruit Company's Abangarez on Oct. 28, 1923. The O-5 was in a disabled submarine status for over 30 hours while the Panama Canal Zone community moved earth and water to save him. After the rescue, Brown said Breault's selfless decision to close a hatch saved his life. Breault continued to serve in the USN until his death on Dec. 5, 1941.

Art Fund-raiser
PUTNAM --- The Putnam Arts Council will be hosting a unique fund-raiser called “Art Heist” with doors opening at 5 p.m. at 112 Main St. Tickets are $50 each and one ticket allows the ticket holder to "steal" one piece of artwork off the walls.  Starting at 6 p.m. the first ticket called will have their choice of any piece donated.  The second ticket called can steal from what was not "stolen", and so on. Benefits arts council programs, scholarships and grants. For info and tickets: www.putnamctartscouncil.com/art-heist

Nature Program
POMFRET --- The Connecticut Audubon Society at Pomfret will present Paul Colburn, a CT DEEP master wildlife conservationist at 2 p.m. with “Wildlife in Connecticut’s Changing Landscape.” $5 CAS members; $10 nonmembers. No reservation required. 860-928-4948.

Sun.  March 10
Fund-raiser Dinner
PUTNAM --- Chrome N’ Steel Veteran Riders will hold a roast beef dinner from 5 to 10 p.m. at the Putnam Elks. Dinner at 6. Benefits CNS Fund-raisers. 860-942-0061.

Thur.  March 14
Basketball Shoot-Out
PUTNAM --- The Putnam Rotary Club’s Ray Brousseau 2024 All Star Senior Basketball Shootout will be held at the Putnam High gym. The women’s game starts at 5:30 and the men’s game starts at 7. Door and shoot-out prizes. $3 for adults; $1 for students and seniors.

Grief Support
PUTNAM --- A grief support group will be held from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Thursdays starting March 14 and running through June 13 at the Living Faith United Methodist Church conference room at the church, 53 Grove St. RSVP 860-576-0801. Donations accepted.

Sat.  March 16
‘Earth Check-up’
PUTNAM --- The Putnam Public Library will present “Earth 2024. Save it & Save Ourselves” from 1 to 2:30 p.m. March 16. The presenter Ken Wolslegel, environmental scientist, said a check-up, in the form of an original 65-minute multimedia presentation. Free. , For more information, see: earth21stcentury.com.

Nature Program
POMFRET --- The Connecticut Audubon Society at Pomfret will present “Nature Sketchbook Journaling” from 1 to 4 p.m. at the center on Day Road. $15 members; $25 nonmembers. Reservation: 860-928-4948.

Mon.  March 18
Film
POMFRET --- The Connecticut Audubon Society at Pomfret will present “Kiss the Round” --- part of the Pomfret Green Team’s Community Film Series, at 6:30 p.m. Free. 928-4948.

Sat.  March 23
Easter Bunny
PUTNAM --- The Putnam Parks and Recreation Dept. will present “Greet the Easter Bunny” at 10 a.m. at the Municipal Complex.  Photos, free chocolate bunnies and the Putnam Little League will offer an Easter Egg Hunt for a minimum $3 donation. All proceeds benefit the Putnam Little League.

Sun.  March 24
Open House
POMFRET --- The Windham-Tolland 4-H Camp Open HHHouse, Taft Pond Rd. will be held from 1 to 3 p.m. Meet the director & other camp staff, take a camp tour, registration materials available. 860-974-3379.

Sat.  April 20
International Day
PUTNAM --- The Putnam Business Association will present International Day.

Nature Program
POMFRET --- The Connecticut Audubon Society at Pomfret will present “Bats: Winged Wonders” at 2 p.m. at the center on Day Road. $5 members; $10 nonmembers. 860-928-4948.

Poet Laureate
PUTNAM --- The Putnam Public Library will present CT State Poet Laureate Antoinette Brim-Bell from 1 to 2:30 p.m.

Fun Run
POMFRET --- Windham-Tolland 4-H Camp Camper Scamper 5K Race/Walk and One Mile Kid Run.  Kids Race at 9:30; adult race at 10; walkers after runners. Last Mile Race Management.  Register by March 31 to receive discount and free T-shirt.  Adults $30/kids $10.  Preregister: www.4hcampct.org. Benefits the Jim Logee Campership Fund.

Sat.  April 27
Nature Program
POMFRET --- The Connecticut Audubon Society at Pomfret will present “Long Pond Bird Walk” at 8 a.m. at the Wyndham Land Trust preserve in Thompson. $10 members; $20 nonmembers. Register by email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. 860-928-4948.

Fri.  May 4
Beekeeping Buzz
PUTNAM --- The Putnam Public Library will present David Pietrowski with “The Beekeeping Buzz” from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Registration required.

Sat.  May 5
Pride Day
PUTNAM --- The Town of Putnam, Putnam Parks and Recreation will present the Quiet Corner Pride Festival from noon to 4 p.m. at Rotary Park. Vendors sought.www.quietcornerpride.com.

Sat.  May 18
Fairy Fest
PUTNAM --- The Putnam Business Association will present a Fairy and Magic Fest.

Sat.  June 8
Singers/Songwriters of ‘70s
PUTNAM --- The Putnam Public Library will present Jim Lenn with “The Ovation Guitar & Singers/Songwriters of the ‘70s” from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Registration required.

Sat.  June 22
Arts Fest
PUTNAM --- The Putnam Fine Arts and Crafts Festival will be held June 22 and 23 at the Municipal Complex.

Sat.  July 6
Fireworks
PUTNAM --- Fireworks will be held around the Putnam Rotary Park. Rain date is July 13.

Sun.  Aug. 11
Pluck a Duck
PUTNAM --- The Putnam Business Association will present Pluck a Duck Aug. 11 and 12.

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Roland H. Lajoie, WWII veteran
THOMPSON — Roland (Pete) Lajoie, 98, died Feb. 28, 2024, at Westview Nursing Home.
 He was born in Putnam to the late Exeas and Alice (Bellerose) Lajoie on Oct. 2, 1925.
Pete worked in the town mill and then on to Superior Bakery, Deran Candy, and retired from EB.
He and his wife enjoyed 27 years of retirement in Florida.
Pete served in the U.S. Navy during WWII. He was the last surviving veteran for the Town of Thompson and was honored at the Veteran’s Day celebration in November. He was presented with a special plaque.
He was also honored at St. James School at its veteran celebration and made the front page of the Sunday newspaper. Pete was a lifelong member of over 70 years with the American Legion.
Pete was a communicant of St. Joseph’s in N. Grosvenordale where he served as an altar server many years ago.
Pete leaves behind his daughter Jackie Lajoie of Thompson; his three grandsons, Robert J. Lajoie “RJ” of Mentor, Ohio; Ryan and Amanda Lajoie of West Thompson; Jeffrey and Danielle Lajoie of Boston; his great-grandson Rhett Lajoie and great-granddaughter Willa Rose Lajoie; brother Paul Lajoie of Quinebaug; nieces and nephews.
Pete was predeceased by his parents; his wife Lillian of 72 years; his two sons Michael and Robert; his siblings: Eugene (Jim), Phillip, Norman, and Gerard Lajoie; Theresa Beauregard. Lorraine Breault, Claire Bosse, Louise Robbins, Margaret Piekarczyk, and Rachel Gibson.
Visitation is from 10 to 11:30 a.m. March 9 in the Valade Funeral Home and Crematory, 23 Main St., N. Grosvenordale, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at noon in St. Joseph Church, 18 Main St., N. Grosvenordale. Burial will follow in St. Joseph Cemetery.
Donations: St. Joseph Food Pantry, P.O. Box 665, Putnam, CT 06260.

Alma T. Johnson
PUTNAM — Alma T. Johnson, 92, of Ray Street, died Feb. 25, 2024, at her home. She was the wife of Rolland A. Johnson for nearly 72 years. Born March 22, 1931, in Putnam, she was the daughter of the late Paul Edgar Lucier and Noelia M. (Gibeault) Lucier.
Alma began her working career as an historian in the medical records department of Day Kimball Hospital. She also worked for Dr. Saul Ahola in both his Putnam and Dayville offices in the Medical Center of NE CT as a transcriptionist for many years. Alma enjoyed needlework, knitting, gardening and especially spending time with her family. She was a member of the League of Catholic Women and the Daughters of Isabella.
In addition to her husband, Rolland A. Johnson of Putnam, she leaves her sons, Michael Johnson of Eastford, Christopher Johnson (Debi) of Eastford, Brian Johnson of Putnam and Gary Johnson (Karen) of Uncasville; her daughter Wendy Dawley (Tim) of Putnam; 10 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her sister Jeanne Lucier.
A Mass of Christian Burial was March 2 at St. Mary Church of the Visitation, Putnam. Donations: Hospice of Northeast Connecticut, P.O. Box 632, Putnam, CT 06260. Gilman and Valade Funeral Homes and Crematory, 104 Church St., Putnam.

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One potato,
two potato . . .
PUTNAM — Many hungry folks came to St. Mary’s Church Hall Feb. 24 for Boy Scout Troop 21’s annual baked potato buffet, an event that was a continuation of the troop’s goal of fund-raising to cover the costs for summer camp, in addition to a community service showing.  The Scouts volunteer and schedule themselves for these events.  Troop 21 will soon be assisting the Cub Scouts with their Pinewood Derby. Their 2024 calendar includes camping adventures, hikes, more community service events, hockey games, regional camporees, and skill-building sessions for advancement of rank,“ said Chris Jodoin, Scoutmaster.
The troop is looking for members. It’s open to any boy, 11 to 17. For info about joining, volunteering or supporting, follow the troop on their Facebook page, BSA Troop 21 Putnam, CT, or call 860-428-9761.

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