By Ron P. Coderre

This week’s RPC sporty shoutout is sent along to North Grosvenordale native Charlie Archambault.  Most people don’t know or remember that Archambault was an outstanding athlete in his day.  He was drafted by the former St. Louis Browns of the American League and played one season in the minor leagues.  Archambault enjoyed another birthday on Sunday, Aug. 10.

Just prior to the turn of the century in the late ‘90s a young lady by the name of Candace Spinelli dominated the high school soccer scene not only in the area but throughout the state.  Spinelli, who graduated from Tourtellotte Memorial High School in 1999 earned varsity letters from her freshman year on through the culmination of her senior season.

Spinelli, playing in the former Quinebaug Valley Conference, was selected all-conference her four years on the high school pitch and was also selected Connecticut All State.  She was selected the Lady Tigers Most Valuable Player in 1997 and 1998.  In 1998 she was honored by being named the QVC Player of the Year.  The Hartford Courant also named Spinelli to the All-State Soccer Team throughout her four years in high school.

A two-sport athlete, the versatile Spinelli also played varsity basketball for four seasons.  She was a member of two teams that played in the CIAC postseason tournament.  As a senior she was honored as the winner of the Most Improved Player award.

An honor student, Spinelli moved on to a two- year stint as a member of the Eastern Connecticut State University soccer team.  As a sophomore she was named Little East All-Conference second team.  She moved on to Central Connecticut State University for her final two years of college and continued to star on the pitch.  At Division I CCSU she helped the team to a Northeast Conference Championship and a berth in the prestigious NCAA Tournament.  In her senior year she was honored as the NEC All-Conference First Team as a defender.

Beyond the high school and college level Spinelli played in the European Dana Cup competition in Sweden in 1996 and the Gothia Cup in Denmark.  From 1995 through 1997 she was member of the World Class team and the Eagle Elite team from 1998 through 2000.

Spinelli was honored for her achievements as a scholar/athlete on Saturday, June 14 when she was inducted into the TMHS Athletic Hall of Fame.

Take Me Out To The Ballgame

Despite the fact that our beloved Red Sox are mired in last place in the American League East Division, the local faithful continue to flock to venerable Fenway Park.  The 15 games or so, out of first place and just waiting to be mathematically eliminated factor doesn’t seem to discourage people from northeastern Connecticut from taking the 60 - plus mile (more than 120 miles round trip) trek to Beantown.

Doug Cutler, Putnam town administrator, along with his son James was on hand for a rare Red Sox win in the Toronto series.  The Cutlers were seated in the upper boxes along the third base side of “Friendly Fenway.”  It was their first experience watching the game from that perspective and they said, “Great seats and tremendous place to watch the game.”

The younger Cutler recently completed his career with the TriTown American Legion Baseball Program where he was a utility infielder and relief pitcher.  He’s headed to Quinebaug Valley Community College in September.  Dad Cutler, who is really a kid at heart when it comes to baseball, loved the trip to Fenway because he loves Red Sox baseball.

Putnam residents Dick and Kathy Raymond made their annual trek to Fenway recently.  The Raymonds attended a Yankee versus Red Sox game, which the Sox won 4-2.

Maybe the Cutlers and Raymonds should have gone to Boston more often this season.  It appears that the Red sox enjoy winning when they’re present.

Amateur Golf News

The 27th Connecticut Mid-Amateur Championship is scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday, August 19 and 20 at Hop Meadow Country Club in Simsbury.  There are a number of Eastern Connecticut golfers who’ll be on hand to represent our part of the state.  The Northeastern Connecticut Corner will be represented by Will Machnicki who plays out of Mohegan Sun Country Club at Pautipaug.  Machnicki, a Putnam resident, is a familiar face around local golf courses.  In real life he can be found in the kitchen at Someplace Special Restaurant where he is a chef. 

RPC’s Closing Thought For The Day: “In every person who comes near you look for what is good and strong.” John Ruskin.

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