Past Issues of the Putnam Town Crier
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Roseland Legacy Campaign
moves toward goal
About 150 years ago, Henry Chandler Bowen, with help from the community, built a park around Roseland Lake. It was dedicated July 4, 1876, with President Ulysses S. Grant, the first of four U.S. presidents to come to Roseland Park, in attendance.
Over the years the park and the adjoining golf course, which opened in 1896, provided hours of recreation and outdoor exercise to a wide surrounding area. But over the years, time and ‘Mother Nature’ have taken a toll on the facilities and grounds.
The Board of Trustees, with the goal of restoring the park and golf course to its past grandeur, began “150 Years and Beyond,” its Legacy Campaign. Launched in October 2023, the Legacy Campaign goal is $500,000 or more in its initial phase, and thus far — thanks to the generosity of the community — more than 80 percent of the goal has been realized.
“We have a true trifecta of beauty in the lake, the park and the golf course. We are fortunate to enjoy these facilities. Most communities would love to have what the people of our area have enjoyed for the past 150 years,” said John Rauh, chairman of the Roseland Park and Golf Course Legacy Campaign.
Rauh said the original financial projections indicated the need for $2 to $3 million to satisfactorily bring the park and golf course to its original state. Park architect and former Woodstock resident Wilson Martin has drawn up plans for paving and redesign of the current roadways.
A new main entrance is planned, which will offer immediate views of the lake and the beauty of the park. Updates to the barn and boathouse, including indoor facilities are in the plans. Construction of an equipment storage facility, which will extend the life of park and golf course maintenance machinery, is also in the plans. In addition, playground improvements include new equipment and restoration of grassy areas for the safety of youngsters.
Rauh said improvements may start in late spring or early summer.
“The plan is to work closely with the Woodstock Little League which has been located on the grounds of the park for 65 years. Along with the baseball fields, improvements to the golf course to benefit the more than 9,000 rounds played there during the summer months have already been initiated,” said Rauh.
Rauh, along with Vice Chairman Dr. Jonathan Gradie and Honorary Chairman Paul Kelly, have worked closely with the leadership team of Trustee President Martha Beckwith, Patrick O’Brien, Jeff Bond, Anthony Listro, Lynn Converse, Pam Brown and Board Historian Marc Cotnoir.
The Legacy Campaign is designed to allow donors three years to fulfill pledges or their intent to participate, giving individuals, corporations, organizations and financial institutions an opportunity to make significant gifts. Recognition opportunities honoring donors or memorializing loved ones are part of the pledge process, according to Rauh.
“This is a major undertaking by the Board and the first time we’ve ever embarked on such a venture. If we are to maintain the beauty and utility of this land and operate it as a private location, the support of the community is vitally necessary,” he added.
Youngsters from around the region and as far away as Griswold enjoyed the “Kids Golf Camp” during last season. The camp and other educational programs are being planned for the upcoming season at the golf course and at Roseland Park. These programs are available in part because of the effort of The Legacy Campaign, aimed at raising $500,000 in Phase I.
Work has begun on improvements to the Roseland Park and Golf Course as part of The Legacy Campaign. Trees are selectively being removed along overgrown fairways, which will improve golfing conditions and allow for much needed sunlight to the course.
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PSA’s Ahmed
breaks record
for rebounds
Last March, when Mouhamed Dioubate spoke about becoming PSA’s all-time leading rebounder, he said he was going to enjoy it but also that he wouldn’t have the mark for long.
“Ben’s going to get it next year,” he said. “It’s cool now but Ben’s going to get it and go way past it.”
Dioubate’s foretelling came to fruition Thursday night, when Ben Ahmed grabbed his 11th rebound of the night and 677th of his career, moving him one ahead of Dioubate and into PSA’s record books.
“I wasn’t thinking about it until I saw the email that said I had a few rebounds to go to get the record,” Ahmed said. “But I talked to Moh about it last year too and I told him, ‘As soon as you leave, I’m breaking everything.’
“I learned so much from Moh, honestly. He was patient; he didn’t try to force things. He worked hard to get better every day and he taught me to do the same thing.”
Ahmed, a member of the Class of 2026, needed just 79 games to set the mark; Dioubate played 93 games in his career. Ahmed’s size certainly helps, as at 6-foot, 9-inches and 240 pounds he can just bull his way to the ball. But there is more.
“Every day, we work with coach Nick (Schmidt) and he knows a lot about basketball,” he said. “He’s such a good coach, so I just listen to him and what he tells me and try to use it in practice to get better in the games.
“And it’s hunger too. I know I have to bring something on the floor just to get minutes, so I just try to rebound the ball every time.”
Ahmed has a strong chance to set other marks as well before this season ends. He is 60 points shy of becoming the fifth player in school history to score 1,000 in his career, he needs 84 more points to break the single-season scoring record of 651 held by Hami Diallo, and he needs only 50 more rebounds to break Rundell Mauge’s single-season record of 408.
PSA has one more regular season game, then at least two and as many as six postseason games. Ahmed averages 15.4 points and 9.7 rebounds this season.
“Ben has been a star since the first day he stepped on the campus of Putnam Science,” coach Tom Espinosa said. “I can’t believe the impact he’s had on the program since Day One. The future looks pretty scary for Big Ben.”
Stephen Nalbandian
Sports Information Director
Putnam Science Academy
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Air Line Trail Stroll
Ambling along the Air Line Trail starting from the Pomfret Town Hall. More photos on page 4. Expanded photo array on Wednesday night on our FB page: Putnam Town Crier & Northeast Ledger. Linda Lemmon photo.
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Plan for vet
park done
PUTNAM — Plans for the renovation of the Veterans Memorial Park show a complete reworking of the walkways, lighting, flagpole area, space for new monuments honoring veterans and more.
The proposed site plan from the town’s Land Use Department shows straightened walkways, space for future monuments, lighting for each monument and a reworking of the American flag area.
Already done is the 6-foot white vinyl fence along the parking lot of the Congregational B’nai Shalom parking lot. A ramp there will allow wheelchair access from the parking lot. The emblems of the six branches of the U.S. military would be placed on the fence.
According to the site plan, walking from the east, there would be the tree from the Daughters of the American Revolution dedicated to General Washington (the original one in town died). Then there would be memorials to the town’s WWI veterans, then a public platform for ceremonies (in front of the white fence), then the memorial dedicated to the town’s WWII veterans, Following that would be the Korea, Vietnam and Beirut monuments before starting the circle around the flagpole area. Then there would be monuments to the town’s Desert Storm and OIF/OEF veterans.
All monuments would have their own dedicated lighting for dim environment viewing.
The approach to the flag pole from the south would be a straight paved walkway for ceremonial access to the flags, and the entire flagpole, inside of the paved walkway, would be paved with bricks purchased by residents dedicated to the honorable remembrance of a veteran’s service, regardless of their living status or location status. That fund-raiser continues. Contact the Town Hall for more information.
The flagpole might be a “T” shaped pole (called a Yardarm pole), distinguishing it from other flagpoles in town, as these styles are usually on military bases and associated with veterans. The flags would have their own dedicated lighting.
At the intersection of Church and Bridge streets there will be a V-shaped park sign so from any direction there is no doubt it is the Veterans Memorial Park.
Members of the town’s Veterans Advisory Committee last fall garnered a coveted assignment of Harvard H. Ellis Tech students to begin work this spring. The students taking part are from the masonry and electrical departments.
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Roundup
Centaurs
finish 3rd at
Class S state
championship
It has not been a typical gymnastics season for the Woodstock Academy girls.
But all is well that ends well. Such was the case on Saturday.
The Centaurs revived some of their past magic and posted a third-place finish in the Class S state championship at Jonathan Law High School in Milford.
“The girls are beyond happy,” said coach Kasey Tocchio. “We just wanted to go and do as well as we could and we did that.”
The Centaurs finished with a 133.175 total which put them just behind first-place Daniel Hand of Madison (140.275) and Killingly (138.0).
The key for the Woodstock resurgence was the return of Olivia Aleman.
The junior, who has not competed due to injury since the first meet of the season, had been working out at Deary’s Gymnastics in Danielson for the past week prior to the state championship.
“We’ve been adding things over time and she just did amazing. She just wanted to do this for her team and I’m so proud and happy that she was able to do it for herself,” Tocchio said.
Individual results only count toward the team score, there is no individual all-around medalist in the state championship competition but had there been, Aleman would have won it.
She finished first in the individual scores in the floor (9.525) and bars (9.425) competitions, was second in vault (9.2) and was fourth best in beam (8.850) after an uncharacteristic fall.
“Right back to Olivia standards,” Tocchio said with a laugh.
Allie Boyd finished with an 8.7 on the beam and an 8.350 in the floor competition; Livia Gerum had an 8.3 in vault and an 8.150 on beam and Emma Long added an 8.650 in vault.
“We had some amazing beam and floor performances, they just really held it together as a team,” Tocchio said. “Emma did a new vault so her score in that improved tremendously. Even before Olivia came back, this team has held its own. We beat Stonington twice before heading into this meet so we knew we could do it. The kids have stepped up enough and adding Olivia was just a bonus for everyone.”
The third-place finish did make up a bit for the fourth-place finish in the ECC championship two weeks before which ended the Centaurs’ 13-year reign atop the conference.
“This group is beyond deserving of this. I was tickled to death for them. It was our hope to try and do that and to come back from ECC’s is something really special,” Tocchio said.
Aleman, who came into the season as the defending ECC champion, was still not ready to compete when the league championship was held two weeks before.
“I think this was so good for her to get out there and have one last hurrah. She can’t compete in the State Open because she doesn’t have enough scores this season. I think she needed this for herself and I cannot wait for her senior year,” Tocchio said.
The state championship meet was also the final competition for the team, as a whole, as it did not qualify for the State Open.
Gerum will compete as an individual in the beam and vault competitions.
But there is plenty of hope for the future.
“Everybody is coming back and we know we have two freshmen coming in, too. I’m hoping it will be a very good, productive year,” Tocchio said.
Hockey
Taking it all in with a smile. It was Senior Day on Saturday for the boys’ hockey team.
And Centaurs boys’ hockey coach Mark Smolak was happy with the group he saw gathered on the ice and not only for their accomplishments with the stick in their hands.
“It’s not even about the team aspect, it’s about watching their growth as individuals and humans during their time here in this program and making sure they are leaving behind a good legacy. Each one care about that. They are dedicated to our team, our school, our community, They are better people today than when I met them four years ago, that’s all I care about,” Smolak said.
The boys’ hockey coach saw eight of his players; Alex Gessner, Noah Sampson, Troy Daviau, Thomas Blevins, Donny Sousa, Jared Nielsen, Sam Lescault, and Ryan Wallace recognized prior to the contest.
“It was very special. I have been a part of this organization for four years, it means a lot especially with my family here. I wanted to perform for them, it was Senior Day, the last game of the (regular) season and it’s States time now,” Sampson said. “I’m going to miss the coaches, the boys, the fans, everything about this rink. These have been my boys since Day 1. I remember my freshman year, skating at Norwich because of COVID, the times were rough. We only played six games but we all fought through it together and here we are now.”
Sampson and his teammates didn’t waste any time when it came to performing Saturday.
The Centaurs came out quick and posted an 8-1 win over Notre Dame-Fairfield.
The win meant the Centaurs finished the regular season with a 10-10 record and second-ranked in CIAC Div. II.
Sampson came out on the ice flying, the team captain getting the puck on a breakaway just 42 seconds into the contest and sending it past Lancer goalie Brandon Bayusik to give the Centaurs the early lead.
Woodstock failed to capitalize on a 5-on-3 power play moments later and incurred a penalty of its own just moments after Notre Dame-Fairfield successfully killed off its two penalties.
The saying all year has been the Centaurs are better short-handed than on the power play and it proved out again as Sampson got another breakaway opportunity and flipped a back hand into the net for the 2-0 lead just 4:37 into the game.
“I was talking to him after the second goal and I told him, ‘There were like four straight games where you had 8-10 breakaways and didn’t cash in on any of them.’” Smolak said with a smile.
Sampson agreed, “I’ve been snake bitten all year so those breakaways helped a lot to get my confidence back for States.”
He and the Centaurs weren’t done yet. But they did have to endure a quiet period.
After the second Sampson goal, Notre Dame-Fairfield (3-16) settled down a bit and even took it to the Centaurs a little, outshooting them at one point in the second period, 16-3.
“One of the things that was causing us problems is that we started to run around a little bit. We had to get focused on our system again and be sure we were in the right position and, even though they had a lot of shots, I don’t remember any key scoring opportunities from the middle of the house which is what we’re focused on,” Smolak said.
All of the Lancer shots, however, were turned away by junior goalie Devlin Mansolf.
The Centaurs found the target again late in the second period when Keegan Covello scored his first goal of the season off a Gessner assist.
Junior Maxx Corradi then put home a power-play goal off a Wallace assist with five seconds to play.
Brady Lecuyer, Daviau, Corradi and Sampson all tallied in the third period for the Centaurs.
The Centaurs also played two other games last week.
They downed Burrillville, R.I. on the road, 4-1.
Sampson got one of his three hat tricks in the last week and a half in the win and Lecuyer also scored. Corradi had two assists in the game while Landon Murdock, Lescault and Gessner all added assists.
Woodstock also traveled to Simsbury where it fell short to the Div. I Trojans, 5-3.
The Centaurs opened a 2-1 first-period lead on goals by Corradi and Lecuyer but Simsbury responded with four unanswered goals between the second and third periods to end a three-game win streak for Woodstock.
Sousa had the final goal for the Centaurs with nine seconds left in the contest.
Sampson finished the regular season with 22 goals and 20 assists while Corradi added 19 goals and 18 assists and Sousa, who had to sit out Saturday due to concussion protocol, had 15 goals and 15 assists.
The Centaurs now get to sit until March 5 when they will host a state tournament first-round game.
If the season ended on Saturday, they would host Farmington Valley but teams still have games to play and the rankings could bounce around a bit.
“Knowing that we are the home team, it will be ‘let’s see who we are playing’ and we will have a week to prepare for that team whether that be on the ice or in video sessions, assessing our own game, assessing our competition, and just seeing where we’re at so we can put our best foot forward,” Smolak said.
Div. II just went through a shakeup as former top-seed East Haven had to forfeit 14 of its wins due to the use of an ineligible player. It dropped the co-op team down to No. 16 but it’s possible the Yellowjackets could move up to No. 15 making them the Centaurs first-round opponent.
“It doesn’t change anything. If they are the 1, 15 or 16 seed, if you’re going to win, you have to play the best and beat the best. We knew going into this that if we were going to win, we would have to go through them, we would have to get through Cheshire and any of those other teams in the top six. It doesn’t change anything except maybe the round we have to play them in. We’re not focused on that right now,” Smolak said.
Boys’ Basketball
It’s never easy for a team to be without its leading scorer especially at tournament time. Such was the case for the Woodstock Academy boys basketball team last week.
Junior center Brady Ericson had to watch from the sidelines as the Centaurs played in the ECC Div. 1 tournament.
Woodstock went in as the eighth-seed, meaning it had to participate in a play-in game against No. 9 Ledyard Wednesday.
Even without the 6-foot, 6-inch Ericson, who averaged 15.2 points, 8.2 rebounds and almost two blocks per game, the Centaurs were able to pull it together and posted a 47-38 win over the Colonels.
The reward was a game the night after, on the road in Uncasville against top-seeded St. Bernard.
There was to be no upset as the Saints cruised to a 74-39 win.
“It was a minor tweak. He came down in the Windham game and stepped on someone’s foot for a little ankle sprain.” coach Donte Adams said of Ericson’s absence. “It’s getting better day-by-day but the turnaround was kind of quick from Windham to the ECC tournament so we decided to see if we could compete without him and save him for States.”
The Centaurs (10-12) were able to do that. They rolled out to a 16-4 lead over the Colonels who finished the season with a 5-16 mark.
“I told these guys, even though (Ledyard) came back a bit, it’s really hard to win a playoff game no matter who you are playing against. Guys are going to come out and give you their best. I knew the guys were ready to play and I wasn’t worried about the offense, I knew we had to make some stops defensively,” Adams said.
Junior Garrett Bushey led the Centaurs with 13 points. Hunter Larson and Teddy Richardson both scored seven points in the win.
Unfortunately, the Saints were another animal.
“I just told the guys to show up on the bus and be ready to play. The best thing that we could do was to go out and give it our all and the guys really played hard. I would have loved to win but the goal is just to keep getting better,” Adams said.
The Saints led, 24-11, at the end of the first quarter and were up at the half, 42-20.
Ty Grudzien and Amyre Grey each finished with 15 points for the winners while Curtis Marshall added 12.
Bushey led Woodstock with nine points; Richardson added seven.
The Centaurs will next step on the floor in a competitive game on March 4 in a first-round CIAC Div. IV contest.
The seedings have not been officially released by the CIAC but if the rankings hold true, Woodstock will be the 26th-seed and will travel to Hartford to play No. 7 Weaver (16-4).
“I don’t really know too much about them. You can’t go by regular season record. In the playoffs, everyone is 0-0. What I can expect is that they will play hard. This is one-and-done. I expect that they will be gritty. I expect even more from my guys. We’ve won 10 games this season, no one can take that away, give yourselves a pat on the back but the job is not done. We have a chance to continue and do something special,” Adams said.
Adams said, once he knows that it is locked in with Weaver, he will start watching film and get to know their personnel.
“When you say ’Weaver’, quickness pops into my head. I don’t know if it is the name of the school or what but quickness is what I think of and we will have to keep them on their toes, change defenses, see if they can make the adjustments,” Adams said.
The nice thing for the Centaurs is the week and a half off to get the bumps, bruises and Ericson fixed.
“We’re going to work hard, give them a little break but there will be a quick turnaround. We’re not going to be sitting around and prepare for the last two days. You have to treat this like a whole new season with the mindset being, ‘I want to play in that last game, the championship game,’” Adams said.
Marc Allard
Director of Sports Information
The Woodstock Academy
Girls Gymnastics: The Woodstock Academy gymnastics team (from left to right) Emma Long, Rhea Desota, Livia Gerum, Olivia Aleman, Angelina Auger and Allie Boyd was all smiles after a third-place finish in the Class S state championship meet at Jonathan Law High School in Milford Saturday. Photo by Kasey Tocchio/Woodstock Academy.
Boys Hockey Senior Day: Eight members of the Woodstock Academy boys’ hockey team (from left to right) Ryan Wallace, Sam Lescault, Jared Neilsen, Donny Sousa, Thomas Blevins, Troy Daviau, Noah Sampson and Alex Gessner were recognized during Senior Day festivities at the Jahn Ice Rink at Pomfret School Saturday. Photo by Collin Singleton/Woodstock Academy.
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