- Details
- Category: Current Issue
By Ron P. Coderre
This week’s RPC sporty shoutout goes to Richard Naumann of The Inn at Woodstock Hill. As a busy innkeeper he manages to find time to support various youth activities, especially through his involvement in the Putnam Rotary Club.
The unfortunate events of the past week in Boston remind us of the vulnerability we all face in today’s terroristic society. The Boston Marathon, the granddaddy of all marathons, held annually on Patriots Day, is intended to be a commemorative day of enjoyment, revelry and camaraderie in Beantown.
Thanks to the unfathomable act concocted by two Chechnyan brothers, the ultimate results are four people dead, more than 100 innocent individuals injured or maimed, and countless thousands mentally anguished by these thoughtless acts. But Boston, the cradle of American democracy, is a resilient city. Despite a more than 24-hour lockdown of the area, which meant hundreds of millions in economic losses to the city, the citizens of Boston and the businesses are proudly up and running.
Watching all of the events unfold, from the initial bombings, to the numerous reports by the police, FBI, ATF, the National Guard and other law enforcement personnel, to the live televised scenes leading to the apprehension of Suspect #2 was not what we really want to watch on the flat screen. However, be that as it may, kudos goes out to all the individuals involved in solving the case and apprehending the suspect in a timely fashion.
In bringing the events of the past week to a speedy conclusion, one has to be not only impressed but proud of the men and women who respond fearlessly to emergencies, protecting our cities and towns and our country from terrorist acts. Although it’s impossible to diffuse every terrorist attempt before a heinous act occurs it is comforting to know that these individuals have the resources to solve these types of events with alacrity.
Regardless of the fact that many people feel our government and our country has pimples and is not perfect, the way the Boston situation was handled should make everyone thankful to live in the greatest country on this globe, the United States of America.
It’s time that we, as Americans, should be proud to display our flag, not only when we’re under siege, but every day. We should be proud to join in the singing of our National Anthem, not only when a bomb explodes, but every time the anthem is played. We should be proud to say the Pledge of Allegiance whenever and wherever groups gather. We should be proud of “Old Glory” as our symbol of freedom.
Thank you Boston for rebounding from the horrific events of the past week. You are a model to us. And best wishes for a bigger and better Boston Marathon in 2014.
Signed, A Proud American.
Mayhew Knocking The Apple
Around the Park…
All indications according to the baseball results coming out of UCONN-Avery Point are that the Pointers are on their way to another Region 21 NJCAA Tournament. The men of coach Roger Bidwell boast an impressive 25-6 record following a 9-0 victory over Holyoke Community College April 19.
One of the reasons for the Avery Point success is the play of former Woodstock Academy standout Chris Mayhew. The rugged Mayhew, who some observers believe could be playing on the Division I level, has been a terror at the plate and instrumental in most of the victories.
In the win over Holyoke CC, Mayhew contributed a pair of doubles and two runs scored. In a doubleheader sweep of Mass Bay Community College, Mayhew had a homer and drove home three of his teammates.
In Charlestown, Mass., where the Pointers were victorious in a 14-5 mercy rule contest against Bunker Hill Community College, Mayhew had two hits including a three-run homer in the top of the seventh inning. On the day, he had a total of three hits, three RBIs and two runs scored. In capping off a great stretch of games, Mayhew had two hits, one an RBI single, and scored a run in Avery Point’s 2-0 win over a very good Community College of Rhode Island team.
Warm Weather Brings
Out The Walking Man…
In honor of Child Abuse Prevention Month, which concludes at the end of April, Brooklyn resident Jim Phaiah, dubbed “The Walking Man” by RPC, is preparing for a 16-mile trek for a charitable cause. The walk, scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. May 8, will take Phaiah from his home in Brooklyn to Walmart on Rt. 44 in Putnam.
The beneficiary of the walk is the Exchange Club of Northeast Connecticut, which is a 501©3 non-profit civic organization focused on the prevention of child abuse and domestic violence. In addition, Phaiah is dedicating this walk in loving memory of Tom Deary, III and Mary Patenaude.
Anyone interested in more information should contact Phaiah at 860 774-1720. Donations may be mailed directly to The Exchange Club of Northeast Connecticut, P.O. Box 133, Danielson, CT 06239-0133. Sponsorship opportunities are also available.