By Ron P. Coderre

This week’s RPC sports shoutout is sent along to Tom Harney.  A physical therapist who provides excellent care to his patients, Harney also finds time to assist with many community agencies helping those in need.  In his spare time, Harney enjoys hitting long drives on the inviting golf courses in our area.

Doug Cutler was a man who is best be described as flying under the radar.  Although his name was often in the news, primarily due to his position as Putnam town administrator, Cutler preferred to be that person doing good deeds with little if any publicity.

On Monday, October 3, as the word of his death gradually spread throughout northeastern Connecticut and beyond, the realization hit many that Cutler was definitely a man who deserved more recognition and credit for the many good deeds and assists that he provided to wide ranging organizations in our area.

I had the pleasure of working with Cutler on numerous occasions in the 18 years he served the Putnam community.  Most recently we collaborated on the remembrance program recognizing the 15th anniversary of the events of September 11, 2001.  Together we worked and reworked the program until we felt it accurately was a representation of that tragic day.  Although I was out of the country on that day, Cutler in his quiet but efficient fashion, saw to it that the program ran smoothly and without a hitch. 

Cutler was also most supportive of any activity involving veterans.  Whether it was Memorial Day, Wreaths Across America or a special event involving veterans, it was a certainty that he would do all in his power to take care of all the details.  During these activities, he was primarily on the sidelines while others stood at the podium in the spotlight.

Involved in a public service career as a professional for 42 years, Cutler was very concerned about the youngsters who would become the future leaders of our community, state and country.  A graduate of American University in Washington, D.C., Cutler saw to it that graduating students of the Woodstock Middle School were personally escorted to the nation’s capital.  It was with pride that he assured that the trip would be a memorable learning experience for each youngster.

The mention of the word pride, conjures thoughts of Putnam P.R.I.D.E. an organization that he nurtured from its onset until the time of his death.  Along with many involved citizens Cutler developed the program to the point where it became recognized regionally for its work in the prevention of addiction.  His name will be synonymous with P.R.I.D.E. for years to come.

Although not known as an athlete, Cutler enjoyed hiking and skiing but it was once again on the sidelines that he shined.  He coached Little League and soccer in his home community of Woodstock.  He was proud of his alma mater’s basketball program and supported it as well as the Chelsea Football club.  When his sons Tim and James played for the TriTown American Legion Baseball Program Cutler and his wife Charlene were avid supporters of the program.  His support stretched beyond the stands as he became the team’s photographer and served as a general manager.  His love of baseball also came out when he spoke of his beloved Boston Red Sox.

One of Cutler’s biggest community achievements was assisting the Steering Committee of the Hale YMCA Youth and Family Center through the months and years of governmental red tape necessary to see the project to completion.  He shepherded the project through all the stumbling blocks until they became the stepping stones of the magnificent facility that sits off of Kennedy Drive.  This was another sign of his ability to navigate difficult situations with little fanfare and always on an even keel.

Among his more public positions, Cutler served as the first selectman of Woodstock and most recently as the president of the Woodstock Lions Club.  He was an invaluable assistant to Senator Lowell Weicker for more than a decade.

All of these deeds constitute the fabric that made Doug Cutler one of the most accomplished individuals to ever grace the communities of northeastern Connecticut.  From the date of his birth and death, 1952-2016, the dash between the numbers speaks volumes of the works in the life of public service that is Douglas Munro Cutler.

Rest in peace, good and faithful servant.

Hoop Action Heating up on Maple Street…

Next Up Recruiting, the service that keeps basketball junkies up to date on the prep schools through social media, recently released its preseason ranking for the upcoming 2016-2017 hoop season.

In the initial poll coach Tom Espinosa’s Putnam Science Academy Mustangs are ranked 3rd nationally.  The two schools ahead of PSA are #1 Hargrave Military Academy of Virginia and #2  Northfield Mount Hermon of Massachusetts.

Many of the teams in the Top Ten are familiar opponents of the Mustangs, teams they’ve played in the past and some who will be on the schedule this season.  Fourth and fifth places belong to teams from New Hampshire.   Brewster Academy is fourth and New Hampton School is fifth.  Vermont Academy, St. Thomas More of Oakdale, South Kent, IMG Academy of Florida and Massachusetts Military Academy comprise the teams ranked six through ten.

If the Mustangs are to maintain their ranking they’ll have to get strong performances from the likes of Hamidou Diallo, Jaheam Cornwall and Eric Ayala as well as many of the newcomers who are currently on the Maple Street campus.

Local fans will have an opportunity to preview the 2016-2017-edition of the Mustangs on Saturday, November 5 at 6 p.m. in the PSA bandbox gym.  The team will hold its annual Mustang Madness and delight their faithful with a dunk contest, three-point shooting competition and a number of other specialty contests.  Kids in attendance will be eligible for giveaways, face painting and games with DJ Drew.  Mark the date for an exciting evening of basketball highlights.

Connecticut PGA Pro Championship…

The Connecticut Professional Golf Association conducted its Championship last week at Bull’s Bridge Golf Club in South Kent.  The par 72 layout measured 6,743 yards for the final day of play for the two-day event.

The northeastern Connecticut region was represented by former Killingly High School golfer Jantzen Vargas who plays out of Lake of Isles at Foxwood.  Vargas represented himself well firing a two-day total 73-75-148, nine strokes off the winning pace.  He finished seventh overall in the field of 45 professional golfers. 

Adam Rainaud of Black Hall Club, who’s been one of Connecticut’s hottest golfers this summer, captured the crown with a score of 139 on rounds of 69 and 70.  He beat second-place finisher Ian Marshall of Watertown by the comfortable margin of three strokes.

High School Gridiron Stats…

Most high school teams, with the exception of Plainfield and Woodstock Academy, enjoyed an off week from the gridiron last week.  After four games, quarterbacks Jared Bouten of Woodstock Academy and Kyle Derosier of Killingly have the most touchdown tosses.  Bouten has seven and Derosier six.

Bouten also has six rushing touchdowns as does his teammate runningback Kameron Janice.  Bret Long of Killingly is the area’s top receiver with three touchdowns by receiving.

RPC’s Closing Thought For The Day: Why is the third hand on the watch called the second hand?

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