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By Ron P. Coderre
This week’s RPC sporty shout-out goes to the mother/son team of Michelle and Connor Vassar of Putnam. Mom celebrated her birthday on Jan. 27, while Connor turned nine “big ones” on Jan. 30.
The fact that the New England Patriots disappointed so many of their loyal fans and local season ticket holders when they went down without even seemingly putting up a struggle against the Baltimore Ravens in the AFC Championship Game dampened the spirits and enthusiasm in the Quiet Corner for Super Bowl XLVII. It also took some steam out of the anticipated economic boost that would have occurred in local restaurants and sports bars had our dear Pats been able to put two complete halves together.
The loss by the Pats certainly made my wife ecstatic as it precluded her from having to host friends for a Super Bowl party in RPC’s Man Cave. Oh well you can’t win them all.
This column is being written prior to knowing the outcome of the XLVII game, which is being played in New Orleans. I’m going out on the limb and predicting the outcome. The final score from RPC’s crystal ball – San Francisco 27 – Baltimore 24.
That being boldly stated I must confess that some of my reasoning for this prediction is based on emotion and sentimentality, not an in depth analysis of the players and statistics of both teams. Even though Baltimore hails from the East coast, I find it necessary to root for the team from the “Left” coast simply because the Ravens feature #52 (I refuse to put his name in the column) at the middle linebacker position. It boggles my mind how members of the “Fourth Estate” continue to adulate, venerate and put this guy on a pedestal. Don’t they remember that night in Atlanta? Or the fact that he has fathered a number of children from a number of different women? Is this the type of model we want our young people emulating?
It’s time that America’s sports writers and television talking heads wake up and get away from the “Kardashian mentality” that is so prevalent in our sports world today. Why do we idolize and lionize these pro athletes who make the headlines daily for the many indiscretions that they get away with? If the “average Joe” pulled off half the stunts that these “stars of the tube” do, “average Joe” would find himself behind bars.
I can’t say for certain that Colin Kaepernick, Frank Gore or any or all of the 49ers are “Mr. Clean” but the image they project makes them candidates to have a halo around their heads compared to #52, who by the way proclaims he’s found God. The 49ers on the other hand might possibly have God on their side, and they aren’t even aware of it.
Tucked away in her office on the third floor, close to heaven, of the Daughters of the Holy Spirit Mother House on Church St. in Putnam is Sister Mary Anne Bisaillon. Retired from active service, Sister Mary Anne meticulously carries out her duties every day in the order’s petty cash department, dedicating her life to God as she has her entire life.
When she was active, Sister Mary Anne served as a teacher and later as principal of St. Paul of the Ship Wreck School in San Francisco. During her many years in education she developed numerous friendships and admirers, all while becoming an ardent San Francisco 49ers fan, something she brought back East when she retired in Putnam. Her office is adorned with photos and memorabilia of the Niners that she’s accumulated over the years she served in California. She wears her 49ers watch each day and lately she’s been wearing the beads on her 49ers Rosary thin praying for her favorite team.
Therefore, I’ve reached the logical conclusion that Sister Mary Anne is definitely closer to God than #52. So factoring in the spiritual aspect of my decision I’ve concluded the San Francisco 49ers will emerge from Super Bowl XLVII as the victors.
Notre Dame Emerges
Victorious…
Despite still licking its wounds from the pounding Notre Dame took in the BCS Championship game against Alabama, the Irish proved once again that they are able to rise from the throes of defeat quickly. In the recent Quinebaug Valley Community College annual spelling bee held in Putnam at the Lodge of Elks, a quartet of Fightin’ Irish grads were able to “shake down the thunder from the sky” and withstood the challenge of approximately 20 other contenders to capture the 2013 title.
The winning team was composed of Captain Dr. Marc Cerrone, Dr. Chris Charron, Rhona Free and the ever popular and omnipresent and irrepressible Jim Weigel. They bested second-place finishers Pomfret School. The host QVCC faculty and staff team finished third. “Cheer, cheer for Old Notre Dame.”
Searching for
Whistle Blowers…
Dave Vitale, chairman of the Eastern Connecticut Soccer Officials Association, sends along word that the group is looking for individuals interested in becoming certified soccer officials. Prospective high school soccer officials are invited to attend a meeting scheduled for Griswold High School at 7 p.m. Feb. 14 in Room 4118. If you are able to remember all those numbers please attend. If you forget the numbers and want further information, contact the effervescent Vitale at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or by the Alexander Graham Bell method by calling 860 428-4768.
Headed to the Districts…
Congratulations to the Putnam Lodge of Elks Hoop Shoot winners. The victors in the boys’ category were Dylan Beams (8-9); Ezaviar Key (10-11); and Aiden Ciquera (12-13). The female winners were Alex Hutchins in the 8-9 age group and Kayleigh Lyons in the 10-11 category.
Supporting A Former
Teammate…
Spotted in the crowd at the Assumption College women’s basketball game Feb. 2 was former Putnam resident Laurie St. Jean-Sevigny. A former standout basketball player and captain at Providence College, St. Jean-Sevigny was at the game between the Lady Hounds and Merrimack with other teammates to root for their former teammate Kerry Phayre, who is in her 17th season as the head coach of the Assumption College women’s team. Phayre and her team didn’t disappoint her friends by racing past the visiting Warriors 86-62, raising their record to 14-5.