Happy Mother’s Day

A Mother’s

Day story for

all ages 

By Ron P. Coderre

In 1950 Walt “Moose” Dropo, a Plainfield High School and UConn graduate, was a rookie with the Boston Red Sox.  He was on his way to what would turn out to be one of the greatest rookie seasons in the history of baseball, batting .344, driving in a league leading 144 runs and slamming 34 home runs.  He was named the American League Rookie of the Year and selected as a member of the AL All Star team.

The following story was passed on to me verbally around 1964 by Dropo’s late brother George and his friend the late Gerry “Hooker” Carroll.

A Mother’s Day Present 1950

Walter Dropo was born to Savo and Mary Dropo, a couple of Serbian decent.  He was the middle of three athletically gifted sons, older brother Milton and younger brother George.  The Dropo family was typical of families residing in Moosup when Walt was growing up.  That would change when Walter graduated from the University of Connecticut in 1947 and moved on to play for the Boston Red Sox.

In 1949 Walter had a brief stint with the Red Sox but was sent back to the minors as he failed to live up to team expectations.  The year 1950 would be much different.  As Mother’s Day loomed on the horizon that season, Dropo was one of the hottest hitters in baseball.

The Saturday prior to Mother’s Day the 26-year-old Dropo called his mother in Moosup to wish her a Happy Mother’s Day and tell her that tickets would be available for her, her son George and his friend Gerry Carroll to attend the scheduled Red Sox Mother’s Day doubleheader at Fenway Park.

Just prior to hanging up the phone, Mary Dropo in her broken English said, “Walter hit a home run for momma tomorrow.”  

“I’ll try momma,” replied Walter.

As Sunday and Mother’s Day dawned, George Dropo and his friend Gerry Carroll piled into the automobile with Mrs. Dropo for the long ride to Boston, in the days prior to I-395 and the Mass Pike.

The trio arrived in Boston very close to game time, parked the car and headed to the Fenway Park “Will Call” window.  Much to George Dropo’s surprise there was confusion over the ticket arrangements and while the situation was being investigated the game got underway.

While Mrs. Dropo, George and Gerry Carroll waited patiently on the ticket concourse for someone to attend to the confusion, aloud roar went up from inside Fenway Park.  At that same moment an attendant came by announcing, “Dropo just hit a home run for Boston.”

Upon hearing the news, Mrs. Dropo began to cry.  When asked by the attendant why she was crying she said, “That’s my boy who hit the home run.  He promised me he’d hit a home run for me on Mother’s Day.”

Almost immediately upon hear the sobbing Mrs. Dropo, the Red Sox ticket department swung into action, escorting the trio to front row seats in the vicinity of the Boston dugout.

Between games, as was the custom at the time, the players came out in front of the dugout to loosen up their arms prior to the start of the second game.  Big Walter Dropo ambled over to his mother, seated in the front row, to wish her “Happy Mother’s Day.”

She informed her son of the unfortunate incident with the ticket confusion and how she had missed his home run.  In typical motherly fashion she once again said, “Walter hit a home run for momma.” 

“I’ll try momma,” was his response once again.

As the second game progressed Dropo came to bat midway through the game and sure enough he connected for another round tripper, bringing a big smile and tears of joy to “momma’s” eyes.  Her Mother’s Day wish had been granted.

Following the game the quartet dined in Boston and momma and her escorts headed back to Moosup with the best Mother’s Day present she could ever have imagined.  Her son, the Boston Red Sox slugging first baseman had presented her with a home run on this very special Mother’s Day 1950.

Walter Dropo went on to have a 13-year Major League career, playing for the Boston Red Sox, Detroit Tigers, Chicago White Sox, Cincinnati Reds and Baltimore Orioles.  He concluded his career at age 38 with a lifetime .270 batting average, 152 home runs, 1113 hits and 704 runs batted in.  He still holds the Major league record of 12 hits in 12 consecutive times at-bat.  Dropo died on December 17, 2010 at the age of 87.

 

 

PUTNAM --- The Putnam Business Association, the Town of Putnam and The Last Green Valley teamed up for another Putnam Beautification Day on April 30. A $500 grant from TGV helped with expenses and 140 volunteers took part.

Five municipal dump trucks were filled with trash.

A few years ago nip bottles were identified as a specific trash issue.  Each year nip bottles are separated from the other trash and counted.  This year, 1,167 nip bottles were collected.   This year’s trophy winner for the most nips collected went to Team PHS (Putnam High School). 

Other awards:

Most Unusual Item Found (perfectly sundried fish in Union Square)… Beckett Family of Putnam

Most Spirited Volunteer …Nate Sudol

Most Collected …Team Young Marines

Youngest Volunteer Antonio St. Jean of the Young Marines

 

Wed. May 5

Art Exhibit

N. GROSVENORDALE --- The Friends of the Thompson Public Library will present Art @ the Library, “Reflections From a Lifetime” by Magdalene Jourdan through May 25. Reception is from 6:30 to 8 p.m. May 5. 860-923-9779

 

Thur. May 5

Prayer Day

The National Day of Prayer will be held at 6 p.m. at the Gazebo across from Town Hall in Thompson; at noon at Rotary Park in Putnam; at 6:30 p.m. on the common in front of Woodstock Academy and at 6 a.m. at 59 Bradley Road in Pomfret.

 

Story Hour

N. WOODSTOCK --- The North Woodstock Library will present story time and coloring fun at 10 a.m. on Thursdays. 860-928-2629.

 

Fri. May 6

First Friday

PUTNAM --- The Putnam Business Association will present First Friday New York City throughout downtown Putnam from 6 to 9 p.m. 

 

Kids' Fair

PUTNAM --- The Congregational Church of Putnam downtown will present “Fun on the Lawn: A Kids' Fair” from 5 to 8 p.m. as part of the downtown Putnam First Fridays celebration. Free. 928-4205.

 

Book Sale

PUTNAM --- The Congregational Church of Putnam downtown will present a Book Sale from 5 to 7 p.m. May 6 and from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. May 7. Proceeds shared with community charities.  928-4205.

 

Tag Sale

POMFRET --- The 62nd Annual Windham County 4-H Tag sale will be held from noon to 6 p.m. May 6 and from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. May 7. The auction is at 6 p.m.

 

Fish Dinner

N. GROSVENORDALE --- The Knights of Columbus Council 2087 on Riverside Drive will hold a fish dinner from noon to 8 p.m. Prices vary. 860-923-2967 

 

Sat. May 7

Book Sale

W. WOODSTOCK--- The West Woodstock Library on Bungay Hill Connector will hold a book sale from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. and is seeking donations for the sale. Hard cover and paperback books gladly accepted! Looking for non fiction, fiction, gardening, cooking, children, vintage and  collectible books. (No Reader’s Digest condensed books, text books, encyclopedias or magazines.) Book donations accepted until noon on May 5. Call for more info or to get address for monetary donations:  860 974-0376.

 

Tag Sale

POMFRET --- The 10th annual Town Wide Tag Sale fund-raiser,  sponsored by the Pomfret Proprietors, will be held starting at 7 a.m. Town Wide Tag Sale maps are sold for $1 at Pomfret Community School and Christ Church.

 

Book Sale

POMFRET --- The Friends of Pomfret public Library will hold a Used Book & Tag Sale from 7 a.m. to noon at the Pomfret Community School. There’ a $5 bag sale from 11 a.m. to noon.

 

Rummage Sale

POMFRET --- The Christ Church Colossal Rummage Sale will be held from 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Benefits the youth group “Journey to Adulthood” Summer Pilgrimage.

 

Tag Sale

POMFRET --- The Pomfret Senior Center on Rt. 44 will hold a tag sale to benefit the Pomfret Food Pantry at the Community/Senior Center.

 

Meeting

CANTERBURY --- Friends of the Prudence Crandall Museum, Inc. invite the public to attend its 2016 Annual Meeting at 10 a.m. at the Prudence Crandall Museum, routes 14 and 169. Guest speaker will be State Representative for the 47th General Assembly District, Doug Dubitsky. All welcome.

 

Forest Hike

TOLLAND --- The Last Green Valley will present Tobiasson Forest Hike at 10 a.m. on Noah Lane on the Coventry line. Joshua’s Trust stewards will lead the hike. Heavy rain cancels. Leashed dogs welcome. 860-774-3300.

 

Tag/Tack Sale

POMFRET --- The Pomfret Horse & Trail Association will  hold a tag and tack sale at 233 Pomfret St. to sponsor a camper to attend the 4-H horse camp and also benefit the Wyndham Land Trust.

 

Bake/More Sale

BROOKLYN --- The Federated Church of Christ, Routes 6 and 169, will hold a Mother’s Day Plant, Bake and Yard Sale from 9 a.m. to noon.

 

Guided Tour

WOODSTOCK --- A guided tour of Woodstock’s historic Palmer Arboretum will be held at 2 p.m. Tour will provide a little history, a little tree and shrub knowledge and a discussion of the work completed and future plans to restore Woodstock’s 100 year old park. Arboretum is at 523 Route 169 on The Hill in Woodstock, behind the Woodstock Historical Society headquarters.

 

History Program

KILLINGLY --- The Killingly Historical and Genealogical Society will be hosting a Civil War power point program presented by Buck Zaidel related to a book co-authored with Dione Longley titled "Heroes For All Time/ Connecticut Civil War Soldiers Tell Their Stories" at 1:30 p.m. at the Historical Center on Main Street. Free. All welcome.

 

Plant Sale

WOODSTOCK --- The Quiet Corner Garden Club will hold its annual plant sale, silent auction and art sale from 9 a.m. to noon at Roseland Cottage. Benefits the club’s scholarship fund and community service projects.

 

Tues. May 10

Exercise Group

WOODSTOCK --- The Woodstock Senior Exercise Group will meet from 9 to 10 a.m. every Tuesday in the Woodstock Town Hall lower level meeting room. Free for all Woodstock senior citizens 60 and older. 860-974-1050.

 

Caregivers Group

PUTNAM --- Saint Philip's Church on Grove Street will host a new support group for people providing care or support for a loved one or working in a care profession from 7 to 8:30 p.m. on Tuesdays.  Meeting room is downstairs at rear of church on Pleasant St. Light refreshments and fellowship at 6:30 p.m. Free: 860-928-3510.

 

Senior Program

POMFRET --- The Pomfret Senior Center on Rt. 44 will present a gardening discussion at 12:30 p.m. 928-7459.

 

Fri. May 13

History Program

CANTERBURY --- The Canterbury Historical Society will present “Discussing the Vitaphone Project and Preservation of Early American Films” following its 7 p.m. business session in the Community Room in Town Hall. Refreshments. Free. All welcome.  www.canterburyhistorical.org

 

Sat. May 14

Roast Beef Supper

N. GROSVENORDALE --- The Emanuel Lutheran Church on Mai Street will hold a roast beef supper from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the church. $12 for adults; $5 for kids under 12. Family style. Takeout available.

 

Rabies Clinic

CANTERBURY --- Pet Pals Northeast, a local animal welfare organization, will be holding a low cost rabies clinic from 1 to 2 p.m. at the Canterbury Fire Station on Rt. 14. Cost is $12 cash per animal. Bring prior certificate, if available, for three-year vaccination. Tags are not acceptable as proof of prior vaccination. All pets must be in a secure carrier or on a leash.  No appointment necessary.  860-317-1720.

 

Sun. May 15

Breakfast

N. GROSVENORDALE --- The Knights of Columbus Council 2087 on Riverside Drive will hold a breakfast from 7 to 11 a.m. $7. 860-923-2967.

 

Acorn Adventure

PLAINFIELD --- The TLGV Ranger Marcy’s Acorn Adventure Pond & Field Discoveries at the Fish Hatchery will be held from 1 to 2:30 p.m. at the QV State Hatchery, 141 Trout Hatchery Rd. Learn how trout are raised, where they go, walk to trails to the children’s pond. Bring fishing poles, barbless hooks & worms for family fishing fun. Free. All welcome. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

 

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caption:

 

Speaker

The Last Green Valley ranger Marcy Dawley spoke at the recent GPIC Earth Day event. Courtesy photo.

 

 

Earth Day

celebration

held April 17

PUTNAM - “We are the stewards of the earth” was the theme of a recent Earth Day celebration held April 17 at the Putnam Middle School. 

Pam Rosenlund of the sponsoring Greater Putnam Interfaith Council opened with a prayer thanking God for the blessings of the earth. 

GPIC members John Etheridge and Anthony Foronda played music, leading the audience in song.

Andy Rzeznikiewisicz spoke about programs at the Connecticut Audubon Society in Pomfret and Hampton. 

He also answered questions on birds and animals in the area, as well as on bird feeding. 

Larry Ouillette shared information gained from 30 years’ experience keeping bees. In his talk he stressed the importance of not spraying blooming trees and plants with pesticide as the bees bring it back to the hive. 

He also brought a video on the process along with beekeeping equipment and honey trays.

Last Green Valley ranger Marcy Dawley spoke about water pollution. She gave a demonstration of how water from homes and businesses runs off into our rivers and spoke about ways to be more environmentally responsible.

Sue and Cliff Moon talked with people about the Heifer project which provides animals to farmers in poor areas. Ashley Auger and Joe Salonia, energy consultants with Sunrun, discussed solar power options with residents.

Michelle Foronda and Cher Kapelner-Champ provided Earth Day children’s activities.

The next GPIC event will celebrate Peace Day in September.