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Auction Award
Putnam Business Association President Jeff Rawson, right, and auction chairman Ronald P. Coderre, back, presented an MVP plaque to Joe Voccio for all his help on the auction. Courtesy photo.
PBA auction
financial success
Special to the Putnam Town Crier
PUTNAM — Despite a sparse turnout of approximately 70 people, the “Progressive Putnam” Sports Memorabilia & Arts Auction, held recently at J.D. Cooper’s, was a financial success. According to Jeff Rawson, PBA president, and Ron Coderre, auction organizer, the event netted the association $4000.
“We were hoping to draw more people but those in attendance were enthusiastic in their bidding. We’re grateful to those who attended. The money will be used as part of our effort to market Putnam as a destination for visitors, diners and those who enjoy the arts,” said Rawson.
Auctioneer Gene Michael Deary and MC Josh Walsh of ESPN teamed up on stage to form a dynamic duo. The pair played off each other with their knowledge of sports, while providing an entertaining format for those in attendance.
The auction provided a variety of items from virtually every sport from baseball, football, basketball and hockey to golf, tennis and motor sports. There were also pieces of art with framing provided by artists Tom Menard and Carroll “Big Bird” Spinney and Sherri Sochor, owner of Arts & Framing in Putnam.
The Menard and Spinney pieces drew spirited bidding action, as did three packages provided by former Boston Red Sox catcher and current St. Louis Cardinals minor league hitting instructor Roger LaFrancois.
LaFrancois provided and authentic Cardinals warm-up jacket and cap with a Major League bat, which drew considerable action as did his personal package of a catcher’s mitt he used while playing for Boston, a Major League bat and ball and a LaFrancois Topps
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