By Ron P. Coderre

This week’s RPC shoutout is sent along to Cheryl Ann Carignan who serves as the “team mother” for the TriTown American Legion baseball program.  In addition to her duties as wife and mother, Carignan is a Service Rep at Cargill Chevrolet, yet she finds time to devote to the TriTown team, caring for the small details that contribute to the team’s success.  

We often hear the question today, “what’s wrong with young people?”  The story that will unfold in the next few paragraphs will answer that question and give readers an idea about “what’s right with young people today.”

This is a true human interest story.  If it doesn’t arouse some emotion in you, then it’s probably time to take a good look at yourself in the mirror.

The story begins at Ben Desaulnier Field at Owen Bell Park in Dayville.  The field, which is in arguably the best overall condition that it’s been in since it was built, is where the Danielson American Legion team plays its games.  The Danielson and TriTown Legion teams have an intense rivalry on the field.  Off the field the young men have developed some long lasting friendships.

The Ben Desaulnier Field is named in memory of Ben Desaulnier, the son of Ed and Mary Lou Desaulnier, who was killed in a tragic automobile accident at a time in his life when he was preparing to enter his freshman year at Holy Cross College.  Ben Desaulnier was a very good baseball player but more importantly he was an upstanding young man of character.  His passing affected people young and old throughout northeastern Connecticut.

Fast forward to today where a young man by the name of Ben Desaulnier the namesake of his late uncle, plays for Danielson.  Off the field he’s developed a friendship with Nicholas Foucault, a TriTown player of strong character and good sportsmanship.

Recent vandalism at Ben Desaulnier Field destroyed a tribute to the memorabilia honoring the memory of Ben Desaulnier.  As the recent season ending series between TriTown and Danielson was about to get underway, Foucault and his teammates were made aware of the damage caused by the vandals.

Nicholas Foucault, on his own with the permission of his coach and father John Foucault, assembled his teammates and asked if they’d be interested in donating funds to assist with restoring the damage.  The unanimous answer was “yes.”  The players and coaches took up a collection and made a presentation to Ed and Mary Lou Desaulnier and Matt Desaulnier, brother of the late Ben Desaulnier.  Needless to say the presentation was an emotional moment for the Desaulniers and everyone involved.

Nicholas Foucault’s action was infectious.  When word reached the TriTown Executive Committee, its members added to the collection taken by the players and coaches.  So I ask, “What’s wrong with young people today?”  The answer is yours to make but it’s obvious that the friendship developed on the baseball diamond leads to the conclusion that in this case and probably others like this around the country demonstrates that there are still some great young people in this great country of ours.

An Ace To Remember…

When my wife, Donna and I play golf she often asks, “Honey, how come you never put my name in your column when I play good golf?”  My answer of course is, “I don’t want the readers to think I play favorites.”  But I must tell the story of my wife’s latest golf escapade.

On July 13 my wife and brother-in-law Rick Carnahan were playing a league make-up match at Harrisville Golf Course in Woodstock.  On the par-3, 115-yard, 9th-hole Donna reached for her trusty King Cobra 7-wood.  Assessing the hole, which she knew sloped to the left, she fired her shot just right of the hole and watched intently as the Pinnacle 1 golf ball rolled toward the hole.

“I thought, wow that ball might be close to the hole.  Maybe I’ll have a chance for a birdie,” as she describes what she was witnessing.  “As it got closer to the hole we watched the ball disappear for a hole-in-one.”

The shot caused such excitement that my brother-in-law’s right knee gave out, dropping him to the ground.  He was taken to the Day Kimball Hospital Emergency Department, where he was diagnosed with a torn meniscus.  Meanwhile, my wife was left to treat the players who were left at the course to an ice cold beer.

“I still can’t get over the thrill of getting a hole-in-one,” she said.

Rehabbing at Matulaitis…

Putnam resident Bob LeClair is probably best known around town as the Boston Celtics #1 fan.  In fact, LeClair’s red Cadillac bears the license plate, Celt 86.  Also years ago Boston Magazine cited LeClair in an article among New England’s Boston Celtics most ardent fans.

LeClair held Celtics season’s tickets for 14 consecutive years.  He was noted for inviting many area professional basketball junkies to games as his guest.  When he first purchased the tickets, he did so at the amazing price of $4 a ducat.  After 14 seasons the price had risen to $20 per ticket.  Imagine what those tickets must go for today.

The 1954 Putnam High School graduate, who still enjoys all sports, most recently incurred a medical setback, which sent him for a rehab stint to Matulaitis Nursing Home, where he’s currently comfortably resting in Room B-18.  He’d love to see his friends and is encouraging visitors and cards to wish him well.

Once one of Putnam’s best City League basketball players LeClair is remembered for his ability to beat bigger opponents under the hoop with some fancy moves.  He loves recollecting stories of those days and his memory for names and details is simply amazing.

Drop LeClair a line at Matulaitis Nursing Home, 10 Thurber Road, Putnam, CT 06260 or better yet, if you are unable to visit, call him at 860.963.9081.  Get well soon, Bob.  RPC is in your corner.   

National Sports Figure Dies…

It was with heavy heart that northeastern Connecticut received the news of the death of Woodstock resident and Putnam business man Arthur “Chuck” Etchells.  He died on peacefully on July 6.  He was 61.

Etchells in his younger days was a nationally renowned member of the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA), where he was a champion in the Funny Car Division.  During his racing career he captured 13 NHRA Funny Car titles and was often highlighted on television on ESPN.  In fact, he made Funny Car history by becoming the first driver in that category to post a record four-second elapsed time.

Etchells, who in later life enjoyed golfing and fishing as well as trips to Key West, Fla. was often spotted around town.  He was a personable individual who was always willing to assist local organizations.  He often donated autographed driving suits or other Funny Car related items to local sports auctions.  Although RPC and Etchells weren’t close friends, we often met by chance at local eating establishments.  The last time was approximately one month prior to his passing, a moment I’ll cherish.

Visitors to Putnam…

Recent visitors to our fair community of Putnam were former Plainfield High School noted girls’ basketball coach Jim Cotter and his wife Ellen.  The Cotters were in town because they “enjoy the ambience and dining of Putnam.”

In his coaching days, Cotter led the Lady Panthers and their star player Cathy Bochain to numerous Quinebaug Valley Conference titles and to CIAC Tournaments.  Cotter also coached baseball and softball at Plainfield in addition to his teaching duties.

The Cotters now live in Melbourne, Fla., where they are enjoying retirement.  He does admit that coaching and teaching remain in his blood and he substitutes and assists with coaching in a school near his home.  The Cotters’ son, Sean, is the varsity softball coach at NCAA Division II Florida Institute of Technology.

LaFrancois Redux…

Former Boston Red Sox catcher and Jewett City native Roger LaFrancois and his Single-A St. Louis Cardinals team, the State College Spikes were recently in Norwich for a three-game series.  LaFrancois’ presence helped to draw good crowds to Dodd Stadium.

On July 13 the Spikes played an 11 a.m. get-away game against the Norwich Tigers.  RPC traveled to Norwich with former Putnam resident John Sherman Sr. and Woodstock 

resident Everett Shepard.  It was a homecoming sort of event with many old standbys in the audience.

Spotted in the crowd were LaFrancois’ mother Lee and his good friends Jewett City Savings Bank President Kevin Merchant and his wife Lori and former UConn baseball coach Andy Baylock.  Plainfield resident, Vernon Gray, who hosts three Norwich Tiger players, took time to chat with LaFrancois as did Dodd Stadium grounds keeper Ryan LeFler of Thompson.  Radio personality from East Lyme Bill Donovan also stopped by to say hello.

Prior to the start of the Tuesday night game, LaFrancois arranged for NBA referees and former Board 8 officials Matt Boland and Josh Tiven to throw out the first pitch.  More than 25 Board 8 officials were on hand as guests of LaFrancois.

The atmosphere was like the old days, when LaFrancois was a player.

RPC’s Closing Thought For The Day: “Courage doesn’t always roar.  Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, I will try again tomorrow.”  Mary Anne Radmacher

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