By Ron P. Coderre
On his way through Putnam for his annual Christmas run Jolly Ole St. Nick deposited the following presents under the Putnam Town Crier Sports Christmas tree.
To the good people of Newtown, the prayers of the people of Putnam.  And condolences, as your families and community move on following the tragedy which beset you, our state, our country and our world.
A hoodie for former Putnam Chief of Police Ed Perron, thanks to his good friend Bob Jacques.
A resolution to the Eastern Connecticut Conference scheduling disparity to Plainfield Athletic Director Jan Voland and the ECC scheduling committee.
A full-service YMCA for Betty Hale and the wonderful people of northeastern Connecticut.
Another successful Celebrity Bartender event for veterans Mike Vassar and Barney Seney of American Legion Post #13.
A national prep hoops championship for coach Tom Espinosa and his Putnam Science Academy Mustangs.
Another Jay Watkins for Sean Saucier, football coach at Hyde-Woodstock.
Election into the Woodstock Academy Athletic Hall of Fame, for former Centaur scoring machine Bruce Johnson.
A healthy 2013 for a trio of great sports, Tom Auclair, Jim Calhoun and Peter Deary.
An electrifying basketball team for Putnam Clipper coach Shawn Deary.
A 5K victory for the Rev. David Choquette, pastor of St. Mary and Most Holy Trinity Church.
A winning season for coach Paul Faucher and the Tri-Town American Legion baseball program.  And while you’re at it, Santa, how about a winning season for his wife, Carla Faucher, also, who coaches the Tourtellotte girls’ basketball team.
Election into the Assumption College Athletic Hall of Fame for former Greyhound standout receiver Eric Mauer.  And many more CIAC championship football games for Eric’s dad, super ref Gordie Mauer.
A shot at the PGA Q-School and entry into the web.com Tour for Thompson resident and Quinnatisset Country Club golfer Matt Smith.
A University of Notre Dame National Championship for local Domers, Marc and Kate Cerrone, Dave Coderre, Chris Charon, Jim Weigel and two of the Irish’s most loyal fans, Ed Devlin and Pete “The Straw” Marcoux.
Continued success on the soccer pitch for Marianapolis coach Eric Gustafson and his Golden Knights.
Some winning teams to play on the “new” turf field in Woodstock for the Academy athletic teams.  And continued hoop dreams and success for basketball coach Greg Smith and his Centaurs.
A golf reunion for two legends of the game, John MacCormac and Ed Hamill.
An increase in membership and play at Vineyard Valley Golf Club and Woodstock Golf Course for golf pro Eric Sarette.
Some overflow crowds at Thompson Speedway for owner Don Hoenig and more than four rounds of golf on the links for the former National Amateur champion.
Congratulations for college women’s basketball referee Pam Lomerson and her husband Sam on the birth of their daughter Abigail.
A column or two from our good friend and former Putnam Town Crier sports writer Doc Cody.
Another successful golf tournament for the people who put them on, Monique Wolanin at Quinebaug Valley Community College, Marc Archambault and Doug Porter of the Putnam Rotary Club and Sam Markley of St. James.
The “Silver Tongue” Award for the man who broadcasts high school football, basketball and baseball non-stop, WINY Radio Sports Director John Wilbur.
For Quinnipiac University hoopsters Ike Azotam and Ousame Drame, continued solid play on the court as you make Marianapolis and northeastern Connecticut proud.  Ditto for Shane Gibson at Sacred Heart University.
For former UConn standout Shannon Saunders, a chance to shine once more with some of the former Huskies who helped make women’s basketball popular in the Nutmeg state and our country.
For Putnam Town Crier owner and publisher Linda Lemmon continued success with the newspaper, which provides our community with a very special brand of news.
The good fortune of the “golf gods” for Quinnatisset Country Club’s Mike Pizzetti and Connecticut National’s Jim West.
A return visit to Putnam and a northeast Conference championship for Central Connecticut State University women’s basketball coach Beryl Piper, Glenn Senecal and all the Lady Blue Devils.
A long season of golf in 2013 for Harrisville’s Mike Sosik and his most loyal golfer Rick Carnahan.
A Merry Christmas and a Happy Holiday Season to the faithful readers of RPC and The PTC.

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