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By Ron P. Coderre
A sporty hello today to Citizens National Bank, Putnam office branch manager Josh Peach. Featuring his ever present smile, Peach is as comfortable behind the desk or volunteering for a worthy community cause as he is on the golf course, which just happens to be his favorite sport.
Nick Mainville of Brooklyn has been playing hockey since he was a very young skater in the Griffin Youth Hockey League. Since his early days on the ice in Pomfret and with the Griffin travelling teams, Mainville has maintained an insatiable appetite for the game. He moved on after high school, playing in adult leagues in Eastern Connecticut and central Massachusetts before taking hockey in a different direction.
To satisfy his hockey appetite once he realized the Boston Bruins weren’t coming calling, Mainville turned to another aspect of staying involved on the ice. He was approached by an individual who was refereeing one of his games and asked if he’d be interested in becoming a hockey official, which he answered positively.
Becoming a hockey official was more than just lacing up his skates, putting on a striped shirt and blowing a whistle, it meant becoming certified. Mainville first attended educational seminars to better acquaint himself with the nuances of officiating. The next step was taking and passing a test involving many of the knotty problems associated with hockey. The final phase was an on ice evaluation of his skating, position and personal demeanor between the blue lines.
Following this multi-step ordeal Mainville was accepted as a certified hockey official in Connecticut and the New England District. That was six years ago. Since then he’s been gradually climbing the ladder as he’s accepted more assignments involving tournaments for USA Hockey. Recently, Mainville spent four days officiating the 2012 Girls National Tier I USA Hockey Tournament in Marlboro, Mass. The games involved female hockey teams composed of players in the U-12 through U-19 Divisions. His goal is to begin officiating high school games in 2013 and then moving on to the college level in the future.
“There’s a great deal of pressure in officiating because all eyes are on you. Making accurate decisions is extremely important. No official wants to make a call that will determine the outcome of the game. The game is really for the skaters on the ice,” said Mainville.
The enthusiastic Mainville, who spends his working hours as a manager at Putnam Bank, may someday be spotted on television if he continues his rise through the hockey officiating maze.
High School Baseball On The Air…
John Wilbur, sports director for WINY Radio 1350, recently announced a 14-game spring baseball and softball schedule to be aired in the next two months. In announcing the schedule, Wilbur noted that well known local sports figure Scott Desrosiers will serve as the color commentator in the booth next to Wilbur as he brings the pay-by-play action to the listening audience.
Desrosiers is the varsity basketball coach at Killingly High School and has also served as the coach of the Danielson American Legion Baseball Program. He brings a vast knowledge of the game to the microphone, along with Wilbur who is a true baseball junkie.
Listening to the pair airing the recent Putnam versus Wilton baseball game, it became very obvious that they go together like spaghetti and meatballs. They not only can sense each other’s every word but they have the same old fashion baseball mentality. They tell it like it is which is refreshing.
Pick them up at 1350 on the dial in one of their future broadcasts.
Bob Gosselin Redux…
While watching a recent Putnam High School baseball game we witnessed a two hop ground ball fall off the third baseman’s glove for an E 5. It brought back memories of Bob Gosselin, who patrolled the hot corner for the Clippers during his four years at Putnam from the spring of 1955 through 1958. Not that Gosselin had many errors, quite the opposite.
Gosselin, who was built like a fireplug, was solid at third base. Despite playing in the ‘50s when the gloves weren’t what they are today, he stopped everything that came his way. With the glove or off his chest nothing got by “The Goose.” He also had the arm to go along with the position. His throws to first base or in turning the double play were always accurate and with some “mustard” on them.
Bobby Joe, as we called him, was also an excellent hitter. Moving from the leadoff spot in his freshman year, Gosselin became one of the Clippers' best power hitters through the years. When he wasn’t shining on the diamond, Gosselin was a star guard on the basketball team and a break-away halfback in football.
Golf Tournaments Begin…
Although the northeastern Connecticut weather hasn’t been exactly perfect for golf, it hasn’t stopped the organizers of local tournament from mailing out the information and registration information on what promises to be another season filled with charity golf tournaments.
The lid lifter of local golf tourneys for 2012 is the St. James Memorial Shootout, scheduled for Foster Country Club on May 30. Registration for the Sam Markley run spectacular is 9 a.m. with shotgun start ready to blast off at 10 a.m.
As usual Markley has put together a full day for the participants. The entry fee is only $100 per golfer and includes golf with cart, cash prizes, unbelievable raffle, skins game, lunch and dinner and special contests following play. There are also seven levels of sponsorship. The Platinum ($2000), Gold ($1000) and Major ($500) include a foursome and honored status. Platinum includes two foursomes. Cart sponsor is $300 as is Event sponsor, while Bronze sponsor are $200 and Tee sponsors are $100. All these sponsorships include signage on and around the course. Memorial Recognition of a friend or relative is available for either $50 or $100. Anyone making a memorial donation will receive a Novena of Masses to be remembered in the months of May, June and July.
This year’s tournament is the 15th and will honor St. James Pastor Father John O’Neill, who is celebrating the 50th anniversary of his ordination into the priesthood. He will be on hand with many of his disciples and playing in the foursome with his good friend Ed Desaulnier.
To register, contact Markley at 860 774-5167 or e-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Checks should be made out to “St. James” and mailed to Sam Markley, 102 Island Road, Dayville, CT 06241.
RPC’s Closing Thought For The Day: Announcement from a church bulletin – This afternoon there will be a meeting in the south and north ends of the church. Children will be baptized at both ends.