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- Category: Past Issues
By Ron P. Coderre
The events of the past week, which occurred in Newtown, a mere 90 miles from our dear town of Putnam, have given us all food for thought and reflection about the world we live in every day. Out of respect for the 20 youngsters, their principal and school psychologist and others who lost their lives in this senseless atrocity we’re doing away with our usual RPC sporty shout out this week. Rather, we offer our thoughts and prayers in their memory and our condolences to their parents, families, friends, loved ones, emergency personnel and first responders.
Free Football Clinic…
Quiet Corner Football, which is recently affiliated with Northeast Opportunities for Wellness, is announcing a free football clinic scheduled Jan. 13. The clinic will take place at the Tourtellotte Memorial High School gymnasium from noon to 4 p.m. Everyone, ages 5 to 14 is welcome regardless of ability. Participants must wear sneakers and are urged to have their own water bottle.
This is the second such clinic put on by Quiet Corner Football. The initial clinic last year drew 97 youngsters from throughout Windham County. The clinic features offensive and defensive sessions 30 to 40 minutes in duration, nutrition sessions, competitive flag games at the end of the clinic and some passing and punting sessions for younger attendees.
This year’s program will be staffed by local coaches and trainers including, Chad Neal of Killingly, Henry Large of Pomfret, Jesse Pimental of Woodstock Academy and possibly Will Fleeton of Rectory, Joe Arsemelly of Quinebaug Pride and Pat Smith of Plainfield. Dr. Jeffrey Manning and athletic trainer Mike Taylor of Day Kimball Hospital have been added to this year’s staff. They’ll provide information regarding fitness and injury treatment and prevention.
To register or to learn more about other offerings call 860 928-3404 or visit the website www.NOWinMotion.org. Anyone who preregisters for the clinic will receive a free T-shirt, according to program publicist Ed Higgins.
Wonderings and Wanderings…
Just thinking out loud while waiting for the National Hockey League to settle its strike. And wondering if Santa Claus will really come down that small chimney flue into my dirty fireplace this Christmas.
* Just wondering if the plural of mouse is mice and the plural of louse is lice, why isn’t the plural of house hice?
* Just wondering why 30 minutes on the treadmill seems so long, while 30 minutes standing in a long airport line when you’re late for your flight seems to pass so quickly.
* Just wondering why the post office makes it so difficult to mail something to Pomfret by confusing things with two zip codes. Can anyone clearly explain the boundary lines for zip codes 06258 and 06259? Or for that matter where the numerous Thompson zip codes begin and end.
* Just wondering if new Killingly basketball coach Jim Crabtree will be able to transfer what he used to teach as hard nose defense at Putnam to the members of his Killingly Redmen?
* Just wondering if Kevin Youkilis, now of the New York Yankees, will return to Fenway Park this summer and inflict punishment on his former teammates?
* Just wondering why we continue to elect and re-elect individuals who are leading us off the “fiscal cliff?”
Honoring Two Oft-Forgotten
Female Athletic Legends…
The Tourtellotte Memorial High School Athletic Hall of Fame inducted a pair of long past athletic heroines in the Class of 2012. Included in the group were Rose Patterson of the Class of 1941, tabbed as the “first great female athlete” in the school and Agnes Gahagan, “the base on which female athletics was built at TMHS.” Patterson’s bio is very impressive. She was a four-year member of the Lady Tigers basketball and field hockey programs. During her tenure on the hardwood, which was her primary sport, she held all the scoring and points per game average records. Patterson led her team to a 1938 championship and a 12-0 undefeated record. Following graduation she continued to play on a semi-professional level.
Gahagan was a longtime teacher and coach, serving from 1935 through 1967. She coached Patterson and the undefeated 1938 team. She also served as field hockey and cheerleading coach in addition to caring for her duties as the women’s physical education teacher.
RPC’s Closing Thought For The Day: “Gratitude is the fairest blossom which springs from the soul.” Henry Ward Beecher.