By Ron P. Coderre

This week’s RPC column is dedicated to Albert “Chic” Giovanni.  Once upon a time, Giovanni was a crafty left-handed pitcher for the Putnam Clippers.  Today Giovanni can be found at Quinnatisset Country Club plying his craft on the links as a lefty golfer or is it as a righty?

Although we’re in the middle of the baseball season some people have their minds on basketball.  Woodstock Academy in conjunction with NOW, Northeast Opportunities for Wellness, is preparing for summer basketball clinics that will be held at the Woodstock Academy Alumni Fieldhouse.

The clinics, which will focus on two different areas, will be run by highly successful prep school basketball coach Tom Espinosa.  The initial clinic is scheduled for Friday and Saturday, July 31 and Aug. 1 and will stress training on fundamental drills and skills.  The second clinic will be held on Friday and Saturday, Aug. 14 and 15 and will feature all aspects of shooting techniques.

Both clinics are open to boys and girls ages 7 to 18.  The Friday clinics are set to run from 5:30  to 8:30 p.m., with the Saturday sessions running from 9 a.m. to noon.  The cost per clinic is a reasonable $60 per camper.  As part of the fee each camper will receive a clinic T-shirt, and receive training on fundamentals of all areas of the game.  Individual stations will run in small groups and will include fun contests.

Coach Espinosa is one of the nation’s most noted prep school basketball coaches.  He’s served as the head coach of the Putnam Science Academy hoop program since its inception.  Most recently he’s taken his team to the National Prep School Championships the past two seasons.

Espinosa was a four-year varsity performer at Putnam High School, where he scored more than 1000 points.  He later starred at Worcester State University where he was the captain of the Lancers during his junior and senior seasons.  Many of his players have moved on to NCAA Division I colleges.  One of his current players Mamadou Diarra recently accepted a scholarship to UConn where he will play for coach Kevin Ollie beginning in 2016.

“We do our very best to make our camp experience fun for all participants.  Our goal is to develop a love of basketball in each youngster.  We strive to give each camper more confidence in themselves and improve their skill set when they leave our camp,” said Espinosa.

Space is limited in each camp and interested individuals are encouraged to sign up early.  Checks should be made payable to Woodstock Academy and mailed with payment to Woodstock Academy, Attn: Basketball Coach Tom Espinosa, 57 Academy Road, Woodstock, CT 06281.  For more information contact Espinosa at 860 933-0117.

Runners, Walkers and Bikers Prepare 

for Deary Event

In approximately one month the starters gun will signal the start of the Deary Memorial Race and Walk and Cathy’s Ride 2015” Cycling for Cancer Care.  The events are scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 8.

The Deary Memorial Race, which began in 1990, will start and end at J.D. Cooper’s Restaurant on Park Road in Putnam.  The race is scheduled for 9:05 a.m. and will be broadcast live on WINY Radio 1350 A.M.  The Kids Fun Run is set to go off at 9:15 a.m. as soon as the runners have exited the starting area.

The Fun Walk begins at 8 a.m. with walkers traversing the course in the opposite direction of the runners.  Individuals with other commitments may participate by signing up for the Early Bird Walk, which leaves J.D. Cooper’s at 6 a.m.

Since the initiation of the race more than $1 million has been raised to provide cancer services and support to individuals in the region who may not have the resources to obtain much needed medical care.  The program supports such services as mammograms, ultrasounds, surgical procedures, medications and education.  These services have been made available through the thousands of runners and walkers who have participated over the years and from the 2014 sponsors The Citizens National Bank, The Center For Bone and Joint Care and Putnam Bank.     

“Cathy’s Ride” has been in existence since 2009 and is open to cyclists of all levels.  Since its inception it has raised more than $90,000.  The cycling run will take off from The Golden Greek Restaurant on Rte. 12 in Dayville.  As part of the overall program a Recognition Garden is located on the grounds of J.D. Cooper’s Restaurant.  This memorial garden offers individuals an opportunity to remember those they love by purchasing a plant tag in memory, honor or recognition of someone they love.

Information on all events scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 8 may be obtained by contacting the Day Kimball Hospital Development Office, P.O. Box 632, Putnam 06260-0632 or by telephone 860 928-7141 or by e-mail Pam/Pat@This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. 

Killingly Gridder in Super-100 Game

Michael Elsey, who recently graduated from Killingly High School, was part of one of New England’s most prestigious football games.  Elsey, who was a four-year player at Killingly, participated in the Super-100 All Star game on Saturday, June 27 at Rentscheler Field in East Hartford.

Elsey was a member of the Nutmeg team, playing on the defensive unit as a cornerback.  He’s the first Killingly player to ever participate in this game.  He was an Eastern Connecticut Conference all star as a junior and received honorable mention recognition as a senior.

Elsey’s high school coach, Chad Neal worked the game as an assistant coach for the Nutmeg team.  He worked with the running backs during the practices at Sheehan High School in Wallingford in the weeks leading up to the game.

Is Kilimanjaro Next?

A Putnam couple spent Father’s Day differently than most others who were celebrating the occasion.  Michael and Roberta Rocchetti hiked Mount Monadnock  in Jaffrey, N.H., rather than enjoying the day in a more sedentary manner.  According to Roberta, the couple selected one of the more challenging trails for their climb up the mountain.

Roberta is the former Roberta Chicoine, a graduate of Putnam High School.  She’s the daughter of Bob and Jeannette Chicoine of Putnam.  Her husband is retired from the United States Air Force and is employed at UConn.

What’ on tap for Father’s Day 2016?

Familiar Face at Quinnatisset 

Country Club

The members at Quinnatisset Country Club are being greeted by a former Woodstock Academy grad who is employed at the Club for the summer months.  Greg Pike, a 2012 Woodstock grad, who starred on the Centaurs golf team is working for Mike Pizzetti in the Quinny pro shop.

Pike is currently a student at Husson University in Bangor, Maine, where he’s engaged in a six year program of study leading to a degree as a physical therapist.  The ambitious Pike finds time even with a heavy study load to play on the Husson golf team.  The Eagles are members of the North Atlantic Conference.

RPC’s Closing Thought For The Day: “Don’t worry about failures, worry about the chances you miss when you don’t even try.” Jack Canfield

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