By Ron P. Coderre

This week’s RPC column is dedicated to former Putnam High School standout athlete Rob Wagner.  Today Wagner spends his spare time on the golf course, when not on the job at Natchaug Hospital where he’s employed as a mental health worker.

The golf tournament season is in full swing and the golf committee for the Gardner Johnson Memorial Golf Tournament is hard at work finalizing plans for the tourney, which is now in its 28th year.  In memory of the late Mr. Johnson, who devoted uncounted hours on behalf of individuals with developmental disabilities, the tourney benefits programs at the Arc Quinebaug Valley.  The Arc has been serving the 15 towns in Windham County for more than 60 years.

Once again this year the tournament will be held at Foster Country Club in Rhode Island.  The tourney is scheduled for Friday, July 10 with the scramble event scheduled for a shotgun start at 9 a.m.  

The cost per golfer is $125 and includes 18 holes of golf with cart, continental breakfast during registration, the famous Foster-foot long hot dogs at the turn, registration gift and a steak dinner following play prior to the awards program.  The tournament is once again headed by Chairman Gene Michael Deary.

“We’re looking forward to great tournament again this year.  Our committee has gone all out to ensure that every golfer will have an enjoyable day.  This is one of our major fund-raisers of the year and provides much needed support for programs and those individuals who are the core of our mission,” said Deary.

Sponsorship opportunities are available ranging from Tournament Sponsor at $3000 to tee sponsors at $125.  Platinum sponsorship is available at $2000, Diamond ($1500), Gold ($1000), Silver ($750) and Bronze ($500).  The top four sponsorship levels also include foursomes as well as recognition in all advertising.

Anyone interested in registering to play or seeking more information should contact Crystal Simonson or Sandi Reimann at 860 774-2827.  Checks may be mailed to The Arc Quinebaug Valley, Inc., 687 Cook Hill Road, Danielson, CT 06239.

Working with Deary on the Golf Committee are Jeff Rawson, Kristine Durocher, Eric Quinn, Earl Rosebrooks, Pam Brown, David Stuyniski, Julie Ann Dupont, Susan Desrosiers, Simonson, Linda Lamoureux and Reimann. 

Killingly Redman Shines 

in All Star Game

Last week in RPC we noted that Killingly High School football player Michael Elsey was selected to play in the Super - 100 All Star Game at Rentschler Field in East Hartford.  Elsey was the first Killingly player to play in this prestigious contest.

Elsey was a key component of the Nutmeg team, helping the Nutmeggers to a 44-22 victory over the Constitution team.  Playing on the defensive unit as a cornerback, Elsey was solid.  He had an interception, which was called back when a lineman was penalized for roughing the quarterback.  Elsey came home with the “Coaches Award” for his effort in leading his defensive unit.

Cooperstown Hall of Fame 

Performer???

Tom Borner, president and CEO of Putnam Bank, isn’t recognized in northeastern Connecticut as one of the area’s more prominent athletes.  Recently Borner had something to crow about regarding an athletic event he was involved in.

This year the Connecticut Community Banks annual get together was held in Cooperstown, N.Y., the home of the Baseball Hall of Fame.  Borner and his colleagues engaged in a softball game on the hallowed grounds of Abner Doubleday Field in Cooperstown.  The icing on the cake for the bankers is their host was former New York Yankee great Rich “Goose” Gossage.

Gossage pitched in the Major Leagues from 1972 to 1994, primarily with the Yankees but also for a short while with the San Diego Padres.  He finished with a 124-107 record, 310 saves and 1502 strikeouts.  In 2008 he was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame.  The nine-time all star selection was noted for his Fu Manchu facial hair.  According to Borner the Fu Manchu still adorns Gossage’s chin area.  By all reports Gossage is a very eloquent speaker and very friendly individual.

Good Bye To Two Good Friends

In our area of the State when we lose an individual who is a valuable asset to the community it’s a feeling that is difficult to overcome.  Last week northeastern Connecticut buried not one but two outstanding men who for years had a tremendous record of community service.

On Thursday, June 25 at the Westfield Congregational Church a large gathering of family and friends of Ron Robinson gathered to say a final farewell to a man who was always there to help those in need.

Robinson was an executive with Rogers Corporation for many years but his service to the communities of northeastern Connecticut more than filled his hours away from the office and desk.  Name it and Robinson was first in line when it came to volunteering.  He was the backbone of the Exchange Club of Northeastern Connecticut, a member of the Board of United Services, chairman of the Board of the Westcott-Wilcox Home, a Habitat for Humanity volunteer and a member of the Day Kimball Hospital Development Committee to name a few of the organizations he was instrumental in assisting.  It will be many years before someone of Robinson’s caliber comes along.

On Friday, June 26 an overflow gathering assembled at Grille 37 in Pomfret to celebrate the life of Ashford resident and Putnam businessman Donald King.  A graduate of UConn, King was taken from his family and friends much too early in life by the dreaded cancer.

King was remembered by long time friends as a man with a great sense of humor who loved life.  He enjoyed hunting, fishing, golfing and hiking with friends and family.  But when he wasn’t relaxing he was serving.  King was a member of the Putnam Rotary Club, a director of Citizens National Bank and the Northeastern Connecticut Chamber of Commerce.

In recent years the Putnam area community was only beginning to realize what a public servant King was, until his untimely death took him from us.  In Robinson, the greater Northeastern Connecticut community had a person who gave his all for many years.  King and Robinson two men whose value of their lives and service will never be able to be truly measured in all that they brought to their fellow man.  Never doing things for recognition but serving humbly.

RPC’s Closing Thought For The Day: Be faithful and prompt about thanking people for gifts, gestures and acts of kindness.

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