By Ron P. Coderre

In the spirit of Christmas RPC is playing Santa Claus and filling the Yuletide tree with gifts for many of the area’s good sports.

A National Prep Championship for Putnam Science Academy basketball coach Tom Espinosa and his Mustangs.

Another successful golf tournament for Marc Archambault and the members of the Putnam Rotary Club.

A large turnout of football players and a few wins the coach Clay Killingsworth and the Woodstock Academy Centaurs.

Entry into the American Legion State Tournament and continued growth of the TriTown American Legion Baseball program for leaders Joe Lindley and Everett Shepard.

A well deserved and hard earned Florida retirement for former Tourtellotte baseball coach Tom Auclair and his faithful wife Jan.

A winning girls’ basketball team at Woodstock Academy for coach Willie Bousquet.

A YMCA under the Christmas tree at the home of Betty Hale.  And a place on the shovel at the ground breaking ceremony for outgoing Connecticut State Senator and Senate Pro Tem President Don Williams.

My annual wish for a Major League coaching job for Eastern Connecticut’s “good guy” Roger LaFrancois.

Relaxing summers for retiring TriTown American Legion baseball coach Paul Faucher, who’s vacating his seat in the dugout after 11 years at the helm.

How about another State Class L basketball championship for Woodstock Academy coach Greg Smith?

The same type of success as the President of the Putnam Business Association for Earl Rosebrooks as he enjoyed while a State Champion basketball player at Tourtellotte back when.

More miles to hike and mountains to climb for Jay Wade and John Dignam.

An opportunity to sing the National Anthem at Fenway Park for Putnam virtuoso Maurice “Moe” Coderre.

A varsity basketball coaching job on the high school or prep school level for Josh Scraba.  And many years of wedded bliss for him and his bride-to-be Gena Derosier.

A Florida golf vacation for Roger Franklin, Rick Carnahan, Doug Valentine and Rene Morin.

A computer program for Nelson “Buzz” King that automatically proclaims him the winner of his Maine golf sojourn, which he currently so meticulously tracks by hand.

A successful first season as the varsity basketball coach at Tourtellotte for Neil “Dapper Dan” Bernier.  And a front row seat at all the Tiger games for his parents, Mike and Elaine Bernier.

Naming of the Marianapolis soccer field in honor of legendary coach Eric Gustavson.

A return of a varsity football program at Boston University for Putnam’s Chuck Mahoney, who starred as a running back for the Terriers when he was a collegian.

How about a “last to first” finish for the Boston Red Sox and all their faithful fans, especially Ed and Matt Desaulnier?

A full slate of events on the Road Course at Thompson Speedway for Jonathan Hoenig.

How about some Putnam Clipper teams who can give their loyal fans something to cheer about?

Another successful 10-year run as chairman of the St. James Golf Shootout for Sam Markley and Father John O’Neill.

A winning football program for the Fightin’ Irish and local Notre Dame grads, Dr. Marc Cerrone, Jim Weigel, Dave Coderre, and Dr. Chris Charon.

A repeat of the 2014 football season with one exception, a victory over Griswold on Thanksgiving morning for Plainfield High School football coach Pat Smith.

For Eric Mauer, a return to the year 2000 when he was named an NCAA Div. II Mid-Major F football All-American and for his dad, Gordie Mauer endless more years as a high school football referee.

For college basketball referee Charlie Lee of Danielson, a full slate of NCAA Div. I games.

For local golfers Matt Smith and Cody Semmelrock, an opportunity to fulfill their lifelong dream of playing on the PGA Tour.

A rebirth of the Putnam High School Alumni Athletic Association under new President Peter Vitale.

And to all RPC loyal readers a very Merry Christmas.