Past Issues of the Putnam Town Crier


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Battle
Senior Joel Koleszar (front) and classmate Charlie Caggiano battle Fitch and Windham and each other in the Senior Day race for the Centaurs. Photo by Marc Allard.

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Far left: Senior Julia Coyle reaches for the first-place card. Junior Christian Menounos kicks to the finish line as he placed first overall in 16 minutes, 41 seconds against Fitch and Windham. Photos by Marc Allard.



There was a moment when Woodstock Academy boys’ cross-country coach Josh Welch thought his hopes for a win over Fitch were going to be dashed.
The Centaurs’ fifth runner, Sam Greene, fell ill and had to drop from the race Tuesday.
“I didn’t anticipate winning without him so it’s solid that we did. I’m happy to see it,” Welch said after his Centaurs overcame that adversity and downed both Fitch, 26-30, and Windham 16-43.
It was special for the team because it came in its only home meet of the season and, for that reason, it was also Senior Day for the Centaurs.
“The team did great and it was the last time the seniors will be running here. They had a great race and it’s a nice tradition where we’re doing senior posters. It’s an exciting day here for our only home meet,” said junior Christian Menounos.
Menounos finished first in 16 minutes, 41 seconds but he also accomplished another task.
“I wanted to pace Colton (Sallum) for two miles at his pace and in the last mile, separate myself a little bit and go for the win. It was more of a workout day for us,” the junior said.
Sallum didn’t fall too far off the pace as he finished second in 17:27.
The Falcons (4-3, 0-2 ECC Div. I) did sneak a pair of runners, Ryan Denning and Julien Silva, in at third and fourth overall before Woodstock senior Joel Koleszar came home in fifth.
“This was a pretty good race for me. I just wanted to go out there and beat my teammate, Charlie Caggiano, and I pulled it out but it was a close, fun race,” Koleszar said. “This is a trickier course than normal but I was happy that the girls ran first and the sun went down so we got to run in the shade.”
The temperature was a balmy 78 degrees at the start of the girls’ race and may have cooled a bit by the time the boys got on the course.
Caggiano was right behind Koleszar, finishing just 21 seconds off his teammate’s pace, to place seventh overall.
“They’re both great kids,” Welch said of Koleszar and Caggiano. “Charlie has turned into a solid leader. Having worked with him for a couple of years, it wasn’t immediately obvious that he had leadership potential but he has found a great voice and Joel as well. He’s not so much a vocal leader but more of a by example guy.”
It’s something that Koleszar is going to miss.
“I love the team and the sport,” the senior said. “Even though I’m not the fastest, the two juniors are faster, I like the community and going out there and giving it my best.”
The key to the race turned out to be freshman Bronson Eddy who stepped up to finish 12th overall and helped the Centaurs (5-1, 1-1) clinch the two victories.
“It was a little warm, not ideal conditions, but it was nice for a Tuesday dual meet. I like the course, it’s challenging, there is a lot of tall grass and your feet sink making it tough to run in. There is a decent amount of hills. It’s not true cross-country like trail-wise but it’s a good course for our area,” Menounos said.
It just takes a little time to set up.
Since it was the only race of the season at Pomfret, Welch was out on Sunday for about five hours setting things up. He went back out on Monday morning to shore up any loose ends.
“It’s a solid course with a variety of terrain. I miss some of the hills of being at the (Woodstock) Fairgrounds but this is a good spot and it came together pretty well,” Welch said.
Menounos Finishes 2nd
The boys’ cross-country team was supposed to compete in the Wickham Park Invitational in Manchester Saturday but it was cancelled for rain predictions. So coach Josh Welch encouraged junior Christian Menounos to travel to Devens, Mass. to compete in the Bay State Invitational.
Menounos was happy he did as he finished second in the Varsity A race.
Menounos crossed the line in 15 minutes, 58 seconds, second to Devin Moreau of Greater Lowell Tech who finished in 15:32.
Menounos’ time, however, was the fifth fastest time recorded in the three races which totaled some 350 runners.
Girls’ Cross-country
Cross-country runner Julia Coyle finally got to run on the Centaurs’ home course at the Pomfret Recreation Complex.
It was the first and only home meet of the season, making it the final home meet in the career of the senior.
Which made a first-place finish for Coyle all the more important.
“This meet was a tough one but it was definitely rewarding. We did a great job. I’m so proud of our team. It was awesome,” Coyle said.
The Centaurs easily held off Fitch, 20-37, and Windham, 15-50.
In fact, there was little to count at the finish line as Coyle placed first in 23 minutes, 26 seconds.
She was followed across the line by sophomore Olivia Tracy (24:46) and junior Kira Greene (25:18).
The 1-2-3 finish is an automatic win in cross-country.
“That (a win) is definitely the priority and we got it right away,” Coyle said with a smile.
She wasn’t the only one smiling.
“I’m so happy for Julia to come with a ‘W’ on Senior Day. She took it from the very beginning and never looked back. She had a mission to win and she accomplished it. It’s something she can look back on and say, ‘I won my Senior Day race’” said coach Joe Banas.
The top three runners for Woodstock stayed together for a bit but Coyle separated herself about halfway through the race.
“In every race, we start off in a pack and it’s good to get that energy out there and find your place in the race. Once you get about a mile and a half in, you find your pace and place and know what you’re headed for,” Coyle said.
The senior battled through what was a warm day for October.
“It’s a little warm, a little more humid than what we have raced in recently. That was a change and everybody is definitely feeling it but we still did great,” Coyle said.
Both Tracy and Greene made it across the finish line but both were clearly affected by the conditions.
“They might have been better off if they had not gone out with (Coyle) in the early stages and then having Avery (Schaefer) coming in was great too because she is the future,” Banas said.
Schaefer, only a freshman, finished fourth overall, Julia Tellier was ninth for the Centaurs who improved to 4-2 overall and 1-1 in Division I of the Eastern Connecticut Conference.
The Centaurs were supposed to run in the Wickham Park Invitational Saturday but that meet was cancelled due to rain.
Marc Allard
Director of Sports Information
The Woodstock Academy

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Fri.  Oct. 13
‘The Addams Family’
PUTNAM --- The Bradley Playhouse will present “The Addams Family” at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 13, 14 and 21 and at 2 p.m. Oct. 15 and 22. $27 for adults and $24 for seniors, students, veterans and first responders. www.thebradleyplayhouse.org  or 860-928-7887.

Sat.  Oct. 14
Black Bear Program
POMFRET ---The Connecticut Audubon Society Center at Pomfret on Day Road will present “Black Bears in the Quiet Corner” from 2 to 3:30 p.m. $5 for members; $10 for nonmembers. No charge for children 12 and younger. 860-928-4948.

Candy Wanted
Donate candy to the Windham-Tolland 4-H Camp’s trick or treat trail fund-raiser from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at WINY Radio. The teens will be hosting the trick or treat trail at the Fall Extravaganza. Proceeds from the trail will go to the dam repair fund.

Sun.  Oct. 15
‘The Addams Family’
PUTNAM --- The Bradley Playhouse will present “The Addams Family” at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 21 and at 2 p.m. Oct.  15 and 22. $27 for adults and $24 for seniors, students, veterans and first responders. www.thebradleyplayhouse.org  or 860-928-7887.

Thur.  Oct. 19
Scouts Open House
N. GROSVENORDALE --- Scout Troops 25 and 66 will hold an open house from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at Scout Hall, 108 Mountain Hill Road. Scouts BSA is a year-round program for boys and girls in fifth grade through high school (ages 11-17). Info: Corina Torrey, Scoutmaster, 860-245-1322; This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Sat.  Oct. 21
Rabies Clinic
DANIELSON --- Pet Pals Northeast is holding a low cost rabies clinic from 2 to 3 p.m. at the Quinebaug Valley Veterinary Hospital on Rt. 12, the Danielson/Plainfield town line. $15 cash per animal. Preregistration and appointment required. No walk-ins. This is the last clinic of the year. 860-317-1720.

Fall Extravaganza
POMFRET --- The Fall Extravaganza will be held from 1:30 to 3:30 at the Windham-Tolland 4-H Camp on Taft Pond Road. The Trick or Treat Trail is $5 per trick-or-treater, ages 2 and up.  S’mores and hot chocolate, photo booth, donut eating contest, games, food items available for purchase. Wear your costumes.  Proceeds go to the Dam Restoration Fund.

Author Series
PUTNAM --- The Putnam Library Author Series will host author Leila Philip from 1 to 2:30 p.m. at the library. She is the author of the recent, nationally acclaimed “Beaverland: How One Weird Rodent Made America.” Much of Philip’s field research on the beaver was done in Connecticut's Quiet Corner. Her presentation will be followed by an open Q&A and book signing.

Sun.  Oct. 22
Concert
POMFRET --- Connecticut State Troubadour Kala Farnam, plus Sally Rogers and Phil Rosenthal, Kate Callahan and Hugh Blumenfeld will present a concert at 4 p.m. at Tyrone Farm Barn. The Walktober event is sponsored by the Pomfret Historical Society and Tyrone Farm. Advance ticket purchase is recommended due to limited seating. $25. K—12 have complimentary admission passes. Tickets: pomfret-historical-society.org or at the Vanilla Bean, Grill 37, Watercure Distillery, or Metro Bistro in Southbridge.

Wed.  Oct. 25
Robotics Meeting
PUTNAM --- The Scavenger Robotics team is looking for new members and an informational meeting will be held at 6 p.m. at Putnam High in Room 9-05. The team, hosted by Putnam High School, is a high school age robotics team that participates in the FIRST Robotics Competition. The team is looking for any high school age students who are interested in computer graphics and design, metal working, or STEM. No previous experience is necessary! In addition to learning how to solve problems and work with tools, participants in FIRST robotics become eligible to apply to college scholarships. Any students from Putnam, Thompson, Woodstock or Killingly are welcome. Questions: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Sat.  Oct. 28
Trick or Treat
PUTNAM --- The Halloween Trick or Treat will be held from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Runs from Jade Garden Restaurant and Riverfront Commons shopping plaza to Union Square. Must be accompanied by an adult.  Sponsored by: Putnam merchants, Town of Putnam, WINY Radio, Putnam Parks and Recreation and the Putnam Police Dept.

Creepy Cabaret
PUTNAM --- The Bradley Playhouse will present “The Creepy Cabaret” with The Catnip Junkies swing band at 7:30 p.m. Vaudeville meets The Big Easy – for the whole family. $20. Thebradleyplayhouse.org.

Fri.  Nov. 3
‘Mind Candy’
PUTNAM --- The Putnam Rotary Club and the Bradley Playhouse will present “Mind Candy: A Night of Mind Reading & Magic” at 7:30 p.m. Wayne Hoffman, mentalist and illusionist. Information and  tickets: www.TheBradleyPlayhouse.org/MindCandy.

Sat.  Nov. 4
Boot Drive
WOODSTOCK --- The Woodstock Democratic Town Committee will hold its fourth annual Winter Boot Drive from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Woodstock Trading Post. Bring new, unwrapped winter boots in children’s sizes in original packaging. Benefits TEEG. Bring cash donations or mail a check, payable to TEEG to: WDTC, attn — Children’s Winter Boot Drive, P.O. Box 813, Woodstock, CT  06281.  

Meet the Author
PUTNAM --- The Putnam Public Library will present “Meet the Author: Nathaniel Philbrick” at 1 p.m. in Community Room 112/113 at the Municipal Complex.

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.

Yuletide Festival
PUTNAM --- The Daughters of Isabella will be held from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at St. Mary Church Hall. Vendors sought. 413-612-8358.

Thur.  Nov. 16
‘The American Soldier’
WOODSTOCK --- The Putnam Area Foundation and the Performing Arts of Northeast Connecticut will present “The American Soldier” at 7 p.m. at the Loos Center for the Arts.  Two free tickets for veterans and active service members. For info, tickets: TheLoos.org.

Thanksgiving Dinner Signup
PUTNAM --- The Putnam Lodge of Elks’ free Thanksgiving Dinner will be held from noon to 2 p.m. Nov. 23. It’s for families and members of the community who are less fortunate, plus community elders, veterans or anyone who would otherwise spend Thanksgiving Day alone. Delivery can be arranged. For info and to arrange delivery, call between 3 and 8 p.m. seven days: 860-928-3901. Must RSVP by Nov. 16.

Thur.  Nov. 23
Thanksgiving
PUTNAM --- The Putnam Lodge of Elks will hold its annual Free Thanksgiving Dinner from noon to 2 p.m.

Sun.  Nov. 26
Dazzle Parade
PUTNAM --- The 22nd annual Holiday Dazzle Light Parade will step off from Grove Street at 5 p.m. and go through downtown Putnam. Rain date: Dec. 3. Presented by WINY radio, the Town of Putnam and Green Valley Crossing.

Wed.  Nov. 29
Support Presentation
KILLINGLY --- “Lunch and Learn at The Library  Meeting You Where You Are will present “Supporting People with Serious & Terminal Illness” from noon to 1:30 p.m. at the Killingly Library. RSVP by Nov. 27 to: Laura Kroll, RN, BSN. 860-576-4930.

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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One Fine Fall Sunday

Clockwise from top left:

From left: Anthony Mancini, 10, Patrick Mancini, 4, and Thomas Mancini, 8, selling lemonade and more.

The Rev. Jane Emma Newall handles the Blessing of the Animals at Paws Cat Shelter in Woodstock. Kelly the dog is owned by Martha Anger.

From left: Zombie  Fashion Show judge and PBA President Tom Borner, Kathy Borner and Kyle Borner. In front: Griffin and  Adam Borner.

The Zombie Fashion Show drew 60 entries --- a record!

Leah Demello, 2, helps Dad Kyle pick out a pumpkin at Lapsley Orchard in Pomfret.
 



George Stanley Shaw, U.S. Army veteran
George Stanley Shaw, beloved husband of Marion Born Shaw, passed peacefully on Oct. 4, 2023 under the care of his children and Day Kimball Hospice. Stan, as he was known to friends, recently celebrated his 96th birthday.
He was born Sept. 10, 1927 and was a lifelong resident of Putnam. He was a student of Gertrude Chandler Warner, graduate of The Rectory School and Putnam Technical School. Stan excelled at all sports.
Enlisting in the U.S. Army in 1946 serving with the 11th Airborne Division in Sappora, Japan, Stan returned from service and attended the New York State Institute of Applied Arts and Sciences to train as an optician.  His occupation as an optician later transitioned into the retail store in Putnam known as Shaw Stationers.
Stan served the community of Putnam as a member of The Citizen’s National Bank Board of Directors and an original and establishing member of Putnam Lions Club. As his business grew, Stan would always say his success was “a reflection of the support of friends, customers, and his employees.”
Stan was a lifelong member of the Putnam Methodist Church serving on many boards and committees. He was a member of the Quinebaug Masonic Lodge #106 and served as Worshipful Master several times. As a member of the Shriners, he transported families in need to the Shriner’s New England Children’s Hospital.
Stan was always looking for adventure. He enjoyed sailing, skiing, and camping with his children.  Over the years he and Marion owned travel trailers and enjoyed many cross-country trips with family and friends. They also traveled to Europe several times. Lifelong friendships evolved from his traveling experiences. Stanley loved life.  Despite some physical set-backs, Stan always had a willingness to help others and serve his family and community.  He will be best remembered for his kind and charitable nature, his spontaneous smile, his love of family and friends, and his unequaled zest for life and adventure.
He leaves his beloved wife, Marion Born Shaw; his children: Meredith Konesni and her husband Alfred (deceased), Kevin Shaw and his wife Linda,  Susan Shaw and her husband Robert Taibbi, and Stephanie Jarmolowicz and her husband Gregory; nine grandchildren: Courtney Sanders (Dallas), Kerensa Delcid (Ever), Sarah Bentley (Cary), Jared  Shaw, Adam Shaw (Jaime), Gabriel Klein, Freya Klein (Bosko Blagojevic’), Justin Jarmolowicz (Sarah), Brenton Jarmolowicz and Miranda Pingitore (Anthony); and 13 great-grandchildren: Mia Sanders, Georgia Delcid, Morgan and Peyton Bentley,  Harmony Shaw, Addison and Riley Shaw, Simone and Camille Klein, and Luka Blagojevic’, Evan Jarmolowicz, and Jase and Aria Pingitore. Stanley is the son of G. Stanley Shaw Sr. and Florence Gilbert Shaw and the beloved brother of Martha Shepard, and Patricia Hall (deceased).
A Memorial Service will be held at 2 p.m. Nov. 5 at the Living Faith United Methodist Church, 53 Grove St., Putnam. Donations: Living Faith United Methodist Church. Smith & Walker Funeral Homes, Putnam.

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Celebration
The Performing Arts of Northeast Connecticut recently celebrated its 50th anniversary. From left: Nancy Weiss, John Gray and Betty Hale. Courtesy photo.


BROOKLYN — The Performing Arts of NECT recently celebrated its 50th anniversary with almost 100 guests. The party was both a fund-raiser and a well-earned celebration for this volunteer-run, non-profit group, which has brought high quality, accessible and affordable professional performing arts to the children and adults of northeast Connecticut for half a century.  It was also a chance to honor important members’ contributions over the years.
Performing Arts Board Chair Melissa Zahansky led off a brief presentation that included Hospitality Committee Chair Susan Horn, followed by an entertaining history of the organization by local writer Nancy Weiss. Horn was pleasantly surprised that for the 50th anniversary they had come “full circle back to where our original founders frequently met to chart a course for our then fledgling organization, at a farm and restaurant known as the Golden Lamb.” She thanked the Hospitality Committee of Denise Archambault, Mary Collins, Karen DeLuca, Ann Hinchman, Eliza Kimball, Rachel Sarantopoulos, Lauren Wheaton, and emeritus member Shirley Mongillo.
Zahansky thanked guests for their “continued generosity and volunteerism,” noting this season will feature the largest and most diverse slate of genres Performing Arts has ever presented. “Opera was at the helm of the organization’s mission 50 years ago,” she said. “Since then we have added a plethora of community offerings and children’s programming.” In the last decade, Zahansky, a teacher at Rectory School, has witnessed the impact of Performing Arts on her students. She has been excited by expanded programming, including symphony and the Science of Sound program taught by local musician Sally Rogers, plus cosponsored programming with the Loos Center for the Arts in Woodstock. She welcomed some of the pioneers of Performing Arts, honored guests including Betty Hale, John Ostrout, and Nancy Weiss. “These are the people who worked tirelessly on a voluntary basis to make sure that the northeast corner wasn’t forgotten when it came to performing arts, and we’re so thankful.”
Nancy Weiss, past Board Chair and longtime supporter of Performing Arts, offered warm and humorous historical anecdotes. Weiss lauded late members Bob Miller and Bob Sloat and other impactful including Donald Froehlich and his sister, Linda, and Betty Hale.
“Everyone here has a memory of what being connected to this group means,” she added. “I hope you will share them and enjoy them. Performing Arts has been a remarkable success, first as an artistic endeavor, but even more as a community treasure.  It brought us all together for parties, friendships, reaching out to area children and supporting professional singers and musicians.  Best of all.  It goes on.  Here’s to another 50 years.”

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