By Ron P. Coderre

This week’s RPC shoutout is sent along to Dr. Frederick Barks of Putnam.  An avid sports fan, Barks is active in the Putnam Business Association and is involved with one of the area’s semi-pro football teams.  Dr. Barks celebrated a birthday on October 17.

When it comes to professional baseball most area fans root for the Boston Red Sox.  There is also a fairly large contingent of New York Yankee rooters in our area but when it comes to the other New York team, the National League East Division New York Metropolitans, known as the Mets, one has to look closely to uncover any fans.

One individual, orthopedic surgeon Dr. Biren Chokshi, is a true “blue and orange rooter.”  And for good reason.  I guess some might even call the affable Chokshi a Mets fanatic.  In his younger days, prior to arriving in northeastern Connecticut with the Center for Bone and Joint Care, Chokshi was a member of the Mets medical staff.

As an orthopedist who specializes in arms and shoulders, he can regale listeners and friends with stories of his days with the Mets and working with the pitching staff.  It’s been 15 years since the Mets have been in the World Series so Chokshi’s taken his share of ribbing during that time when the discussion is about his favorite New York team.

Currently, Chokshi is enjoying the moment.  He’s capable of giving you a complete run down on every Mets player on the 40-man roster.  This year he’s taken in a number of the team’s home and road games.  It’s a sure bet that he’ll be at one World Series contest minimally.  When not in Citi Field he’ll most likely be glued to a television set.  Who can blame him?

The Amazins’ as their former manager, the legendary Casey Stengel baptized them, are amazing this year.  The question is can they win at least four games of the seven game set?  Good luck Biren, don’t lose your hair during these tense few days ahead.  You gotta believe.  By the way if you’re looking for another Mets fan contact Putnam Atty. Steve Adams.  

Soccer Stars Shining

Woodstock Academy has always been known as a soccer school.  That fact couldn’t be more evident than now thanks to the play of two of its former female stars who continue to shine on the college level.

Emily Becher continues her torrid scoring pace at Eastern Connecticut State University.  The sophomore standout played an instrumental role in the Lady Warriors 4-0 shutout of Southern Maine University.  The Academy alum scored her team-leading 11th goal of the season as ECSU raised its overall record to 11-3-1 and its Little East Conference log to a perfect 6-0.

In a follow-up 3-0 victory over Fitchburg State University, Becher upped her team leading goals to 13 as she posted two more goals.  The win was the fourth straight in the latest winning streak for the ECSU ladies.

In Tulsa, Okla., another former Centaur Andrea Plucenik scored the first of UConn’s two goals as the Lady Huskies edged Tulsa University 2-1 in overtime.  It was Plucenik’s fourth goal of the season for the 15th ranked UConn.  Thanks in large part to Plucenik, UConn is 14-2 on the season and 6-1 in the American Athletic Conference.

Early Risers

On Thursday morning October 15 coach Tom Espinosa of Putnam Science Academy played reveille early for the members of his basketball team.  The occasion, the Mustang Mile a tradition Espinosa started a few years ago.

The 6:30 a.m. run took place at the St. Marie/Greenhalgh Sports Complex and signaled the official tipoff of the 2015-2016 hoop season for the Mustangs.  All 18 players participated in the event, although Espinosa noted that the coaches did not participate in the run but were on hand for moral support only.

The first player to finish the 5,280-feet run was Texas post grad student Danny Salamah.  The slick ball handling guard completed the four laps around the oval in a time of 5:36.  He was 17 seconds behind the record of 5:19 set last season by Aaron Robinson of Maryland who is currently a member of the Quinnipiac University Bobcats.  In 2013 the winner was big man Jalen Terry who hailed from Alaska. 

Get Well Wishes

Putnam resident Peter Aucoin is one of northeastern Connecticut’s best liked individuals. The friendly Aucoin is always ready with a smile and a bon mot for everyone he meets.  Recently he had his friends worried and saying a few prayers for his return to good health.

While helping his wife Betty around the house recently, Aucoin experienced chest tightness and called for an ambulance.  Following a medical review of his situation he was whisked off to UMass Memorial in Worcester where he was diagnosed with a coronary blockage.

Fortunately for the popular Aucoin the doctors took care of his situation immediately and he was home in a couple of days.  Thanks to great medical care and immediate response by EMTs, everybody’s friend Pete Aucoin is back walking Sports Avenue.  

While he’s attending cardiac rehab he’d appreciate hearing from his friends.  Send him a get well card at 405 Liberty Highway, Putnam 06260.  RPC sends along his best, Peter.

The Eyes Of Texas Are Upon You

Putnam Police Chief Rick Hayes recently completed something that was on his “bucket list’ when he traveled to Dallas, Texas, for the National Football League game between the Dallas Cowboys and the New England Patriots.  Although the seats he occupied were in the 4th tier, Hayes noted the experience of seeing a game at Cowboy Stadium was like nothing in sports he’s experienced previously.  The icing on the cake was that the trip home was very pleasant thanks to the Patriots victory.  

While in Texas, Hayes and his travelling companions, son-in-law Chris Stewart and nephew Tyler Kaylor were guests of former Putnam resident Jason Dawley.  Dawley, who lives in Fort Worth, is a police officer in that community.  He’s the son of Tim and Wendy Dawley and the grandson of Rollie and Alma Johnson.

Déjà vu All Over Again

In the years from 1953 through 1956 Putnam High School football enjoyed great success under legendary coach Jim Greenhalgh.  A prime mover on Greenhalgh’s teams was swivel hip runner Phil DeSantis.  The shifty DeSantis was a triple threat as a runner, receiver and punter.

After high school DeSantis went on to a starry career at UConn where he played for three seasons before being sidelined by an injury that ended his football career.  DeSantis who was a three-sport athlete moved to Newburgh, N.Y., after college to join the family construction business.

According to the Newburgh Times Herald-Record, there appears to be a Phil DeSantis throwback looming in Newburgh.  In an early season game for Marlboro High School the Iron Dukes dominated John S. Burke Catholic 55-7 thanks to a sophomore quarterback named Phil DeSantis.  In the big win young DeSantis runs of 17, 14 and 4 yards in the first half and topped off his day’s work with an 86-yard scoring dash down the left sideline in the second half.  He finished the day with 163 yards on only eight carries.

Young Phil DeSantis is the grandson of Phil DeSantis and the former Jackie Delhaie DeSantis, who was valedictorian of the Putnam High School Class of 1959.

Tripping To The College 

Football National Shrine

A group of Putnam football fans took a trip to South Bend, Ind., for the college game between Notre Dame University and the University of Southern California on Saturday, October 17.  Among the Putnamites on hand were Moe and Pam Coderre, Ed Devlin and Yours Truly and my wife Donna.  In addition to enjoying two glorious days on the campus, the trip home was pleasant thanks to a big Irish victory over the Trojans.

The group was part of the Notre Dame Club of Central Massachusetts and Assumption College Alumni Association outing.  Prior to the game the group met the parents of Notre Dame Football coach Brian Kelly at a private reception.  Coach Kelly is a graduate of Assumption College where he served as football captain in his junior and senior years.

RPC’s Closing Thought For The Day: Blessed are the flexible, for they shall never be bent out of shape.

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