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Meeting

Northeastern Connecticut foursome meets members of the Mohegan Sun women’s professional basketball team.  Pictured (l to r) Bob Bernier, Father John O’Neill, Alex Bentley, Chiney Ogwumike, Mary Lou Desaulnier, Jasmine Thomas, Ed Desaulnier and Morgan Tuck. Courtesy photo.

 

 

 

 

By Ron P. Coderre

This week’s RPC shoutout is sent along to Putnam resident Gerry Tetreault.  A Putnam native and former resident of North Fort Myers, Fla., Tetreault has returned to northeastern Connecticut.  She recently blew out another candle on the cake but she’s not divulging how many candles she extinguished.

Shock waves rumbled across the Putnam community last weekend as the news of the death of Normand “Norm” Auger spread throughout the town of 9,600.  Auger, who for 17 years walked the streets of Putnam as a mail carrier, was well known and loved by all who met him.  And along the way that number can’t be measured.

As a young man, Auger was a standout baseball player in the Putnam Little League.  Following his days in the Little League he carried his passion for the National Pastime and talent to the diamond as a member of the Putnam High School Clippers.  Auger was a natural baseball talent whose dream was to play professional baseball.  It was a dream that he never quite fulfilled because upon graduation he joined the United States Air Force.

Instead, when he returned home he remained on the sidelines rooting for his younger brother, Bob, who eventually signed a professional baseball contract.  Norm was never envious of his brother and was his biggest fan. 

In an emotional moment in July at the TriTown American Legion Baseball banquet, Bob Auger stood at the podium accepting his induction plaque into the organization’s Hall of Fame and applauded his brother.

“I accept this award but dedicate it to my older brother Norm.  He was a great player who helped to make me into the player I became.  If it wasn’t for the sacrifices he made, I never would have achieved the heights I did,” said Bob Auger about his brother.

A St. Louis Cardinals scout once told me that when he was scouting Bob Auger as a pitcher and a hitter, they worked him out at Murphy Park in Putnam.  As Bob Auger was banging the baseball around the park, a young man was shagging the fly balls and firing them back to the infield.  “This kid had a Major League arm,” the scout told me many years ago.  He was talking about Norm Auger.

The relationship and mutual admiration between the brothers continued to grow as the years went on.  They often played in golf tournaments together, taking home the winning trophy on many an occasion.  But that was Norm.  He was always there to support others.

A United States Air Force Vietnam era veteran, Auger was married for 19 years to his wife, Jo Ann a professional singer and entertainer.  Wherever and whenever Jo Ann was performing, Norm was by her side watching in admiration.

The mailman of yesterday is an American institution that’s disappeared from our Norman Rockwell society.  But in years to come, when people remember the mailman who always had a kind word and friendly hello, they will remember Normand Auger. 

Fan of The Year…

A couple weeks ago, four avid fans of the WNBA Mohegan Sun women’s professional basketball team enjoyed a special night out thanks to a Danielson resident who was honored as the team’s ‘Fan of the Year.’

Ed Desaulnier, who has been a Sun’s season ticket holder for years, was selected as the 2016 ‘Fan of the Year.’  In recognition of the honor he and three of his guests enjoyed an evening of dining at Tuscany’s with four members of the Sun’s team compliments of the organization.  

Desaulnier’s entourage included his lovely wife, Mary Lou, his best friend Bob Bernier and the pastor of St. James Church Father John O’Neill.  The quartet had the pleasure of dining with another quartet composed of Chiney Ogwumike, Jasmine Thomas, Alex Bentley and Morgan Tuck of the Sun women’s basketball team.  Ogwumike is a Stanford University All American, Thomas went to Duke University, Bentley graduated from Penn State and of course Tuck was an All American at UConn.

According to all reports, dinner was outstanding and the company was marvelous and entertaining.  Father O’Neill dressed with his Roman collar was immediately recognized as a priest by Ogwumike, who attends Our Lady of Lourdes church in Gales Ferry.  She promised to attend Mass at St. James at a future date.  It’s a sure bet that when she shows up Father O’Neill will have some very special words for those in attendance about the guest in the congregation.

A Sad Farewell…

The Hale YMCA Youth and Family Center has only been officially opened since Feb. 29 but in that brief period of time the staff have had a major impact on the more than 6,000 members who workout, swim or attend programs there.

One of the staff in the Fitness Area was Woodstock Academy graduate Katie Halpern, who has a degree in physical fitness.  She’s a graduate of Quinnipiac University and holds a master’s degree from Northeastern University.  One of the most popular instructors and attendants, Halpern’s pleasant smile was always a welcoming sight for those coming in to workout.

Halpern recently left the employment of the Y to take an upgraded position in Westbrook, working as a trainer and with the students in the school system.  Her departure was quiet but her absence is huge.  RPC sends along best wishes for success.

Visitors in Town…

Two former residents of Putnam returned to the area to visit with family and friends.  Michael “Mickey” Fall and his wife, the former Michelle Gerardi, spent the weekend enjoying the beautiful weather and catching up with acquaintances.  They were spotted out to dinner with Michelle’s dad, Mike Gerardi the former owner of WINY Radio, as well as with her uncle and aunt Bob and Mary Gerardi.  They also visited with Mickey’s mom, Joyce Fall.

Michelle Gerardi-Fall was a former Intensive Care Unit nurse at Day Kimball Hospital.  She’s currently employed at Connecticut Children’s Medical Center.  Mickey Fall was a standout athlete at Putnam High School where he starred in basketball and baseball.  He’s currently “semi-retired” from his physical therapy business.  He’s now hoping to find more time to hit the links.

One More Tourney 

Before School Opens…

Putnam Science Academy is preparing to open for its second year under the leadership of Dr. Tieqiang Ding on September 6.  According to Dr. Ding, the school expects 36 students for the opening bell, 25 which are members of the basketball program.

The leading member of coach Tom Espinosa’s Mustangs, Hamidou Diallo of Queens, N.Y., is preparing to showcase his talents in front of his hometown folks before returning to the Maple Street campus for his final year.

Diallo, who’s enjoyed a great summer on the court playing for the New York Rens, was selected to play in Under Amour’s 11th Annual Elite 24 Basketball Showcase.  The game was played on the iconic outdoor stadium on Pier 2 of the Brooklyn Bridge Park on Saturday, August 20.  The stadium court overlooks the majestic lower Manhattan skyline and is in the shadow of the Statue of Liberty.

Among Diallo’s other achievements this summer he was a member of USA Basketball’s U 18 gold medal winning team.  On Saturday he played in front of National Basketball Association scouts representing all 30 of the league’s teams.  On Friday evening, Diallo who played with “Team Drive” against “Team Clutch,” participated in the three-point shootout and dunk contest.  He was considered among the favorites in the dunk competition.

The game was televised live on ESPNU.

RPC’s Closing Thought For The Day: “We are all faced with a series of great opportunities brilliantly disguised as impossible situations.”  Charles Swindoll

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