By Ron P. Coderre

This week’s RPC column is dedicated to Dr. Robert E. Miller, the former and first president of Quinebaug Valley Community College.  Always the consummate professional, Dr. Miller is an ardent sports fan.  Today, he and his lovely wife Sylvia are enjoying family and down time in retirement.

Following eight glorious days in Aruba, where the sun shines brightly from early morn until the beautiful sunsets of the evening, it was difficult to make the initial return to the reality of northeastern Connecticut in March.  From the sparkling white beaches and crystal clear ocean waters to the never ending white snows of Putnam, white is the only commonality between the two locations.  In shorts and bathing attire in 80-plus degree temperatures to rushing from the terminal to the automobile in 20 degree windy weather can certainly make one long for and desire to return to Aruba.

Promoted as “One Happy Island,” the marketing people who developed the theme for Aruba couldn’t have been more on target.  Sitting pretty in the Caribbean, Aruba quickly makes one forget about the snow, wind and chilly temperatures of home.

Mitch Albom, the noted sports writer and author, has written a number of intriguing books one that is titled “The Five People You Meet in Heaven.”  Although Putnam was only a distant thought, while vacationing in Aruba, here’s my version of “The Seven People You Meet in Aruba.”

While at breakfast the first day on the island we ran into an individual who resembled Putnam Police Chief Rich Hayes.  Spotting the gentleman on the beach he even sported the Chief’s signature cigar.  If that wasn’t enough, a few days later we ran into a gentleman at lunch who easily could have been a clone of former Putnam Police Chief Ed Perron.  Maybe Aruba is where police chiefs go to get away?

Speaking of clones at dinner we watched a gentleman speaking to his friends who easily could have been Putnam Atty. Nick Longo.  From the physical resemblances to his mannerisms we thought we were at Main St. Grille observing Longo with friends.

And then there was Scott Pempek.  The resemblance was striking including Pempek’s ever-present smile or grin.  One morning while on our daily 5-mile walk the resort shuttle whizzed by being driven by someone who could have passed as Kevin DeRoth, the affable clerk at Cumberland Farms in Putnam.

Finally, the guy jogging on the beach could have been Phil Durand, while the gentleman we sat next to at the bar we swore was Bill Morrone.

All these resemblances prove one thing, no matter how far you travel from Putnam, you always meet someone you know.  That proved equally true with our two favorite Aruban persons serving libations, Curtis Thomson and Robertico Kelly.  Their friendly smiles and demeanors certainly made strangers feel welcome and part of the great family that is Aruba.

 

Things Missed While Sunning 

on the Beach

Of course, being an individual who enjoys sports and the success of local teams, we missed some events while we were away that certainly deserve recognition.

Congratulations to the Pomfret Lady Griffins who emerged as the NEPSAC Class B champions with their 65-45 upset victory over #1 seed Tilton Academy.

Two teams that didn’t quite achieve the goals they were shooting for but did the area proud were the Putnam Science Academy Basketball Mustangs and the Woodstock Academy gymnastics team.  

The Mustangs were beaten in the play-in round of the National Prep Championship 81-73 by Hargrave Military Academy.  Coach Tom Espinosa and his layers deserve recognition for a great season and making the Putnam community proud.

The Woodstock Academy gymnasts came within an eyelash of bringing home a New England Championship.  Congratulations to coach Robin Deary-Fillmore and her gritty group of gymnasts for once again making everyone in our area proud of their accomplishments.  RPC extends a warm debt of gratitude to Deary-Fillmore as she retires from coaching.  You’ve developed many gymnasts, not only as athletes but also as people of character.

And a tip of the sports fedora to gymnast Paige Stuyniski, who captured the individual all-around honors at the New England championships.

Young Men on the Rise

Former Tourtellotte Memorial High School athletic standout Drew Faucher is establishing himself on the baseball diamond in Avon.  Faucher, who graduated from Tourtellotte in 2009 and received his bachelor’s (2013) and master’s (2014) from UConn, recently assumed a position as an assistant coach with the Avon American Legion Baseball Program.

Faucher, who is currently a 6th grade teacher at Westwood Upper Elementary School in Farmington, is a former Tourtellotte and TriTown Amercian Legion star on the diamond.  Faucher, who lives in West Hartford, is the son of Paul and Carla Faucher of Thompson.

Word recently received at the Putnam Town Crier sports desk is that former Pomfret School baseball star Dan Gagnon is having a great spring with Lasell College of Newton, Mass.  Gagnon was just named the GNAC “player of the week” for his performance with Lasell while on a southern trip in Fort Meyers, Fla.

RPC’s Closing Thought For The Day: It’s fun to go on vacation.  But it’s always great to come home.

(If you have news worthy sports information email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.)

 

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