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Success

Basketball clinics held at Woodstock Academy this summer surpassed goals. Courtesy photo.

 

Performance

Maurice “Moe” Coderre of Putnam performed the National Anthem at the Pawtucket Red Sox game in front of a crowd of more than 7,000 fans.  Coderre is an Air Force veteran and a member of the Mayotte-Viens American Legion Post #13. Courtesy photo.

 

 

By Ron P. Coderre

This week’s RPC column is dedicated to Putnam native Jim Guillot.  As a young man Guillot was a rugged lineman for the Putnam Clippers.  Today he spends his time at his two businesses, Jim’s Auto Upholstery and The Crossings Restaurant.  When he’s not working he enjoys slapping the golf ball around the links.

A number of years ago when the tape recorder failed to play the National Anthem at a Putnam High School basketball game, public address announcer Maurice “Moe” Coderre encouraged the audience to sing the anthem with him.  To his surprise, he was the lone voice in the gymnasium singing.  Little did he realize at the time that this rendition would be the start of what’s turned out to be an avocation for the U.S. Air Force veteran.

On Tuesday evening at McCoy Stadium, the home of the AAA Pawtucket Red Sox, Coderre stood at home plate in front of 7,569 fans and belted out a perfect rendition of the National Anthem, one of the most difficult songs to perform.  Coderre hit every note as his voice reverberated off the façade of the 69-year old baseball stadium.  After singing the final note he received a resounding ovation, followed by numerous handshakes from fans as he wound his way back to his seat behind home plate.

A large number of family and friends on hands sat anxiously awaiting his appearance on the field.  On hands to wish him the best was his proud wife Pamela, along with his son Derek and granddaughter Laura, as well as his son Lance, who was in attendance with his wife Lisa and children Emily, Owen and Remy. 

Coderre’s brother Mike “The Mailman” Coderre and his sister Diane Bates along with Paul Aldrich, Pat Tonnesen and Paul Cyr were also on hand.  Also in the audience were Coderre’s nephews Dave and Chris Coderre and grandniece Amelia Coderre.

Spotted in the crowd, seated along the third base line were two of northeastern Connecticut’s most avid baseball fans, Dick Tremblay and Pete Marcoux of Thompson.  The pair are regulars at PawSox games, taking in more than 25 games each season.

The PawSox, who are struggling in last place in the six-team International League North Division, sent the fans home happy with a 6-1 victory over the Syracuse Chiefs.  Syracuse is managed by good friend and Waterford native Billy Gardner.  As a young man, Gardner played high school and American Legion baseball throughout Eastern Connecticut.  He later played at Mitchell College and enjoyed a brief stint as a player in the minor leagues.  He also had a stint as a basketball referee on the Eastern Board of Approved Officials.

NEJrPGA Tour Crowns 

Local Champ

When we wrote about Woodstock’s Daniel Harrington last week, he was headed to the New England PGA Junior Player of the Year championship at Thomson Country Club in North Reading, Mass.  On Thursday, Aug. 13 he was one of 10 players competing for the New England Section title.

Thomson, which is long and narrow with very few flat lies and tricky greens, was considered one of the most challenging courses the junior players faced this season.  The 16-year old Harrington played the front nine in a respectable 41, which he considered “decent.”  Knowing he was in the hunt he bore down over the back nine posting a 39 to finish at an even 80 for 18 holes.  The score turned out to be the lowest in the field earning Harrington New England Junior PGA ‘Player of the Year’ and Summer Tour Champion honors.

Killingly Grad Earns Scholarship

Some years ago a young man by the name of Chris Potvin died in a tragic accident on his way to classes at St. Bernard High School.  At that time his dad Wayne Potvin vowed to help other high school students get to college by creating the Christopher Potvin Scholarship in memory of his son who loved baseball.

Through the scholarship hundreds of students from Eastern Connecticut have received financial assistance thanks to the money garnered through the Chris Potvin Memorial Baseball Tournament.  This year Owen Guillot, who graduated from Killingly High School in June, was the lone northeastern Connecticut scholar to receive a scholarship.

Boy Scouts Hit the Links

Northeastern Connecticut is known for its many charitable golf tournaments that assist with worthwhile causes.  On Sunday, Sept. 20 Boy Scout Troop 25 of Putnam is holding a tournament at Raceway Golf Club in Thompson to fund their trip to Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico.

According to Troop 25 leaders, foursome entry fee is a reasonable $500 and includes golf with cart and a prime rib dinner.  Sponsorship opportunities are available at a variety of levels.  Major sponsorship, which includes a foursome, is priced at $1000, while Gold is $500, Silver $300 and Bronze $100.  Non-golfers are encouraged to attend the prime rib dinner for $40.

Anyone interested in more information or registering a foursome should call 860 245-1322 or e-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. 

Basketball Clinics Surpass 

Attendance Goals

Tom Espinosa reports that his “drills & skills” and “shooting” clinics held at Woodstock Academy in July and August were well attended as 40 young players, ages 7 to 17 participated in each session.    

Assisting Espinosa with the weekend clinics were Putnam Science Academy assistant coaches Josh Scraba and Travis Godley, Worcester State University women’s basketball players Ashley Espinosa and Brianna Hackett and Putnam Science Academy senior to be Saul Phiri.

Coast Guard Connection

Dr. Daniel George, a Board Certified Orthopedic surgeon who specializes in spinal medicine and surgery, recently joined the staff at The Center for Bone & Joint Care on Kennedy Drive in Putnam.  Dr. George is a graduate of Cornell University with medical internships and residency at Brown University and Rhode Island Hospital, the University of Vermont and Penn State University and Hershey Medical Center.

Dr. George comes to northeastern Connecticut from his previous practice in northwestern Connecticut.  His new location puts him closer to New London, where his brother Bill George is the football coach at the United States Coast Guard Academy.  Bill George has been the coach of the Bears, who play in the Northeast Football Conference, since 1999.

Farewell to an Avid Baseball 

Fan and Army Vet

I remember the first time I met Leo Lefevre.  It was at Bill’s Bread and Breakfast.  Lafevre, wearing a Philadelphia Phillies baseball jacket approached me and started talking sports.  He was knowledgeable and well versed in football, baseball, boxing or whatever sport that came up in conversation.

He liked the Phillies, even though he was a Red Sox fan, because he rooted for local product Alan LeBoeuf who was a member of the Phillies system.  Our meeting place eventually shifted to Zip’s Diner in Dayville but the conversations with Lefevre were always spirited and enjoyable.

Our relationship was probably one of the best accidental friendships I’ve ever developed.  I was saddened to read of his death but in reading his obituary I realized that Leo Lefevre was not only an avid sportsman but he was a great American and U.S. Army veteran.  I’ll miss our bantering,  whenever we’d meet but each time I enter either restaurant I’ll give thanks I was a friend of Leo Lefevre.  God speed, Leo.

RPC’s Closing Thought For The Day: Be reliable, faithful, and finish what you start.

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