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caption:
Gabrielle Baker and Rotary Fishing Derby Chair Doug Porter. More photos on page 4 and an expanded array of photos Wed. night on the paper's FB page: Putnam Town Crier & Northeast Ledger. Linda Lemmon photo.
captions, page 4:
Riley Fortin won several prizes. At left is Rotary Fishing Derby Chair Doug Porter.
Rylee Hachey won the "Most Unique" prize for the sun turtle he caught.
Andrew Gamache, asleep, won the Largest Fish award from the Baker family. At left is Rotarian Doug Porter with Gabrielle Baker.
Farrah Robinson won for the largest fish and the drawing in the 10-12 age group.
bottom left: Alex Wilcox won the drawing in the Under 5 division.
bottom right: Clayton Pike won in the 13-15 division.
By Linda Lemmon
Town Crier Editor
The Putnam Rotary Club Noe Poulin Fishing Derby was special all around.
The May 11 derby celebrated its 50th year.
And two special awards were given to two of the youngsters in honor of a man who had longed to be a professional bass fisherman.
Derby Chair Doug Porter said the family of the late Andrew Baker and his daughter Elizabeth Baker asked Barbara Kenyon, co-owner and operator of New England Awards in South Woodstock about making two plaques honoring the pair. They were killed in an accident Nov. 7, 2022. Kenyon created the plaques and then connected Porter with Gabrielle Baker’s mother, Tammy Mihm.
The 2024 Andrew Shane and Elizabeth Largest Bass Caught Award, says: “Andrew Shane Baker was an avid fisherman with dreams of one day being a Bass Master Pro and having his own line of lures. He had plans to open his own bait and tackle shop.
“A resident of Dayville, CT who grew up in Danielson, Andrew was a loving and devoted husband and soon to be father who was excited for the day he could teach his daughter, Elizabeth Emilee, how to fish and bring her to the derby.
"Both Andrew and Elizabeth tragically lost their lives in an automobile accident on November 7, 2022. This award is presented in their memory.”
The two beautiful plaques were presented at the end of the derby.
Gabrielle Baker, still struggling with the effects of the accident, beamed as she presented the two plaques. The largest bass plaque went to Andrew Gamache and the other, for the most fish caught, went to Riley Fortin.
Winners included:
Under 5: Largest Fish, a tie between Andrew Gamache and Landon Peltier. The drawing winner was Alex Wilcox.
6-9: Largest Fish (7-inch catfish), Riley Fortin. Drawing winner was Rydee Johnson.
10-12: Largest Fish (10-inch rainbow), Farrah Robinson. She also won the drawing.
13-15: Largest Fish (9-inch perch), Clayton Pike. Drawing winner: Dylan Warren.
Award for Most Fish Caught: Riley Fortin (4)
Award for Most Unique: Ryler Hachey (a sun turtle).
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