By Ron P. Coderre
This week’s RPC sporty shout out is sent along to 1959 Putnam High School grad Sam Alvord.  One of the original “boys of summer” in the Putnam Little League when it was formed in 1951, Alvord was the catcher on the championship Yankee teams.  He celebrates another candle on the cake on Saturday, September 28.
The Putnam Dog Park has been getting its share of publicity lately.  When completed it will be yet another plus for the community of Putnam and will afford dog owners and “man’s best friend” a place to romp along the Quinebaug River.
The Putnam Lions Club has been the moving force behind securing the funding for the Park.  In an effort to reach its financial goal the Lions in cooperation with the Putnam Recreation Department is sponsoring a Glo-Ball Golf Tournament on Saturday, September 28 at Harrisville Golf Course in an attempt to scrape up some more funds while having fun.  The nine-hole event is scheduled to tee off at 7 p.m. sharp with registration beginning at 6 p.m.  Organizers are hoping for a full moon to help those who may be barking at the luna as they attempt to follow the flight of their glo-ball.
Get this – the cost is only $120 for a four-person team and includes glo-balls, hot dogs, chips and lemonade.  The top five teams will walk away with prizes, which include such unique items as a complimentary team brick at the park, restaurant gift certificates, apparel and rounds of golf.
“We thought we’d try something that was fun yet enjoyably competitive.  We’re hoping to fill up the field so that we can manage a meaningful gift toward the completion of the dog park as well as some added amenities for the puppies that will enjoy the surroundings when it’s completed,” said Lion organizer Stu Neal.
Neal, a dog lover in his own right with five canines in his household, has been a moving force behind the project.  The 1962 Putnam High School grad, who starred in football and baseball for the Clippers, has been toiling vigorously on the project since its inception.
“I’m so excited about this tournament, I’ve taken the SOS pads to my golf clubs and I’m slowly removing the rust so I can be prepared for this fun evening.  I hope to see as many dog lovers, who also enjoy golf turnout to make this evening a huge success,” concluded Neal.
Individuals wishing more information or wanting to register should contact Neal at 860 377-1103 or by e-mail at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..  They may also contact Recreation Director Willie Bousquet at 860 963-6811.  Lion David Pietrowsky is also assisting with the details.  Checks should be made payable to Putnam Dog Park and mailed to 126 Church St., Putnam, CT 06260.
Gymnastics Team
Garners Award…
Woodstock Academy recently received word that its State Champion gymnastics team was honored by being awarded the CIAC Best Sports Team Award for the recently concluded 2012-2013 school year.  This recognition is one of the most prestigious awards any team in Connecticut can receive.
The Centaur gymnasts captured the Eastern Connecticut Conference, State Class M and Open titles last year.  Under the direction of coach Robin Deary-Fillmore and assistant coach Gene Michael Deary the Centaurs were near perfect last season as they worked their way to the titles.
Some of the members of last season’s championship squad included Shaila Segal, Bree Hussong, Jackie and Nicki Deary, Courtney Osborn and Emily Lipka.  Many of these ladies will be returning this season in an attempt to secure more championship hardware for Woodstock Academy.
Old Pros Gather
at Inn at Woodstock Hill…
Two former area greats were recently reunited at the Inn at Woodstock Hill on Friday, September 13.  Although it was Friday the 13th, it turned out to be a lucky day for former Tourtellotte Memorial High School basketball standout Jim “Chico” Panu as he ran into an old friend and Massachusetts great Fran Kasheta.
Kasheta, who was one of New England’s all-time great pitchers, made it all the way to Triple A with the San Francisco Giants in an era when there weren’t as many teams in the Major League as there are today.  He later coached baseball for five seasons for the Marianapolis Golden Knights.  Today he and his wife enjoy spending time with their grandchildren, traveling and relaxing at dinner over the fine cuisine of The Inn at Woodstock Hill.
The gregarious Panu spent quality minutes with Kasheta reminiscing of the days of yore and wondering why youth is wasted on the young.  Panu was also able to circulate through the tables greeting many other former athletes who were enjoying dinner.  Among those present were Jim Kroll, Phil Leveille, Dave Johnson, Moe Coderre, Gerry Tetreault and Pete Vanghel.
Great Britain Native
Coaching PSA Soccer…
A new face has joined the coaching ranks at Putnam Science Academy with the appointment by Head-of-School Emrullah Durmaz of Owen Quantick as the Mustangs junior varsity and thirds soccer coach.  Quantick, who hails originally from Bridgwater, England, also teaches chemistry at the school.   He’s a graduate of Nottingham Trent University with a degree in chemistry and biology and has a teaching degree from Lauthborough University and a master’s from Canterbury Christ Church University.  
Quantick is pleased that 38 young men came out for the soccer program, although he notes, “they are very positive and well behaved and they like to play but training is another matter.”  He and his wife Caron Quantick, a biology teacher at PSA, reside in Norwich with their two-year old daughter Margaret.
From The Annals Of Putnam Sports History…
October 1898: Putnam High School defeated Woodstock Academy in football 32-0 on Tatem’s Field.  Putnam was later defeated by Southbridge 27-0.  (Information contributed by Willie Zamagni)
RPC’s Closing Thought For The Day: Failure is never fatal and success in never final.

Dorothy Porter
WOODSTOCK — Dorothy Elizabeth (Sweeney) Porter was welcomed home by our Good Lord on Sept. 21, 2013.  
Dorothy was born May 23, 1926, in Kingston, N.Y.. After graduating from Kingston High School, she earned her R.N. and bachelor’s degree from Fordham University. While raising her family, Dorothy worked at St. Raphael’s Hospital, at nursing homes and on private duty assignments along the Connecticut shoreline.  She moved with her family to the Quiet Corner in 1965.  
Always an avid reader, Dorothy shared this interest with many people when she served as the West Woodstock librarian for nearly 20 years.  She prided herself on knowing her patrons’ special interests and would often greet them with the latest books by their favorite authors.   
Dorothy also loved gardening, bird watching and taking pictures.  She seemed blessed with a green thumb.  Her favorite flowers were pink geraniums and night blooming cereus.  When bluebirds arrived in the spring, she joyfully announced it to her whole family. Dorothy always carried her camera and lots of family pictures wherever she went.  
Dorothy’s pride and joy was her family.  She will be missed and forever loved by her five children and their spouses: Mary-Ellen and Samuel Porter-Price of Canterbury, Clyde and Barbara Porter of Dayville, Douglas and Gail Porter of East Woodstock, Eric and Debra Porter of West Woodstock, and Jane and Michael Wolak of South Windsor; her nine grandsons and four granddaughters-in-law Jonathan and Brynn, Justin and Priscilla, Adam and Kate,  Craig, Seth and Jessica,  David, Andrew, Steven and Matthew and her two great grandchildren Keegan and Kenzie; brother-in-law Jerry Levine of Syosset, N.Y., and his family.   She was predeceased by her parents Dorothy and James Sweeney, her siblings Donald Sweeney and Jeanne Levine, her husband Herbert F. Porter Jr. and her two dear friends Annie Abel and Vicky Maroon Owen.
Visitation is from 5 to 8 p.m. Sept. 27 in the Gilman Funeral Home, 104 Church St. Putnam. Burial will be private in Barlow Cemetery, W. Woodstock. Donations: West Woodstock Library, 5 Bungay Hill Connector, Woodstock, CT 06281.

Spencer Bowen
EASTFORD — Spencer Leavitt Bowen went peacefully home to be with the Lord on Sept. 17, 2013. He was a life long resident of Eastford.
Spencer was an honest and trusted business man running/working in the family business, Bowen’s Garage in Eastford, for more than 75 years. He worked everyday until Sept. 2008 when he retired at the age of 83. He was a long time member of Eastford Baptist Church, where he served as Deacon, head usher and bell ringer for many years. He was a member of the Gideon’s Northeast Camp for over 35 years. He loved handing out New Testaments to people he met especially children and college kids. His hobbies were his family whom he prayed for daily. He was also an avid collector of toy cars.
He leaves his wife of 67 years Arline (Marvin) Bowen; his children Nancy and Carl Norman of Woodstock, Marjorie and Steve Krug of Catonsville, Md., Stephen and Diana Bowen of Eastford; his grandchildren, Jason and Melissa Norman of Elizabethtown, Penn.,, Michael and Jenn Norman of Eastford,  Joanna and Rich Fitte of Woodstock, Alexandra Krug of Ashville, N.C., Rebekah and Ryan Ciliax of Catonsville, Jonathan and Carriel Bowen of Eastford and seven great-grand children; his sister Betsy Erickson. He was predeceased by his sister Nancy Ann, and his brothers, Charles and Russell.
The Memorial Service was Sept. 23 at Eastford Baptist Church, 133 Union Road, Eastford. Donations: Eastford Baptist Missions or the Gideon’s Northeast Camp.

George L. Landry,
WWII vet
THOMPSON — George Leon Landry, 77, of Terrace Drive died Sept. 22, 2013 at home after a battle with lung cancer.
He was the husband of more than 56 years of Grace (Harrington) Landry.  
Born in 1936 and baptized in Lowell, Mass., he was the son of the late George H. and Jeannette (Lanseigne) Landry.
 At the age of 19, George completed his engineering degree at Lowell Technology Institute, and later received an MBA from the University of Rhode Island.
After being commissioned by way of the Officers Candidate program at Newport, RI, George reported for duty to Norfolk, VA as an Ensign in the U.S. Navy. His service included tours of duty aboard the flagship USS Mount McKinley in the Mediterranean and the Eastern Atlantic. After completing his service as a Lieutenant J. G.
George and Grace settled with their young family in Thompson where George applied his engineering education and naval background to a career in textiles. He served as Assistant Plant Manager at Belding Heminway and took a career position with J.P. Stevens & Company in the U.S. and Canada
He leaves his wife Grace (Harrington) Landry; his children David Landry (Maureen) of Putnam, Martina Rutkovsky (Michael) of Brookfield, Vt., John Landry (Joan) of Downers Grove, Ill., and Matthew Landry of N. Kingston; grandchildren Bridget, Caitlin, Sean, Meghan, and John Thomas.
The Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11 a.m. Sept. 28 in St. Joseph Church, N. Grosvenordale. Donations: St. Jude Children’s Hospital, P.O. Box 1000, Dept. 142, Memphis, TN, 38101-9908. Valade Funeral Home, 23 Main St., N. Grosvenordale.

Shirley E. McKusick,
Air Force vet
PUTNAM — Shirley E. McKusick, 78, formerly of Sabin Street, died Sept. 11, 2013, in Regency Heights of Danielson.  She was the wife of the late Elwood McKusick.  Born in 1935 in Putnam, she was the daughter of the late Raymond and Irene (Hakey) Evans.
Shirley worked at the Memorial Hospital in Worcester, as the coordinator of outpatient registration and clinics, UMass Medical Center as the director of patient accounts, and at the University of Virginia Hospital as the director of patient financial services.  She also worked for Day Kimball Hospital.  She was also briefly enlisted in the USAF during the time of the Korean conflict.
Shirley had an effervescent personality.   She loved to go dancing, which is how she met the love of her life, “Mac” McKusick.  Together they enjoyed hunting and fishing in Maine, as well as their many travels, including a cross-country trip, eventually retiring to Florida until Mac’s death in 2000 when Shirley returned to Putnam.  Over the years previous to that, Shirley skillfully decorated and furnished the several homes that Mac, a skilled craftsman, either built from scratch or renovated.
Shirley also spent several summers camping at seasonal RV resorts in Connecticut and Westerly, R.I., with her son, Greg and his family and extended family.  After returning to Putnam, Shirley was especially close to her daughter, Cindy, who she lost just this past May, and her husband Jimmy and their children, James and Rebecca.
She leaves three sons; Greg Glass of Portland, Gary Glass of S. Gardner, Mass.,, and Martin McKusick (Colleen) of W. Brookfield, Mass.; son-in-law James Stafford of Woodstock, stepdaughter Janice Braun of Lake Park, Fla.; stepson Roger McKusick (Joyce) of Cromwell; 10 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her daughter Cindy Stafford, brother, Ernest Evans, and sister, Nancy Palozie; daughter-in-law Nancy Glass, and son-in-law Art Braun. The graveside service was Sept. 20 in Grove Hill Cemetery, Rockville. Gilman Funeral Home, 104 Church St., Putnam.

Rose Millette
DUDLEY — Rose A. (Grasso) Millette, 93, of  Dresser Hill Rd., died Sept. 16, 2013, in Southbridge Rehabilitation, Southbridge after a long illness. Her husband of 67 years, Alexander Millette, died in 2010. Rose  was born in Framingham, Mass., the daughter of the late John and  Jenny (Viglioni) Grasso. Rose was a member of St. Stephen’s Parish. She leaves two sons: John Millette of Dudley, George Millette (Patricia)  of Dudley with whom she lived; three daughters: Rose Monteiro (Tony) of Worcester, Alice LeBouef (Willie) of Warren, Mass., Annie Salmon (Tony) of Warren; four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. A Memorial Mass will be at noon Sept. 28 at St. Stephens Church, corner Of routes 197 and 131, Quinebaug. Donations: Southbridge Rehabilitation & Healthcare, 84 Chapin St., Southbridge, MA 01550, Att.4th floor. Bartel Funeral Home & Chapel, Dudley.

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The pie-eating contest in last year's Positively Pomfret Day. This year's event is Sept. 28. Courtesy photo.



POMFRET —  Positively Pomfret Day, Sept. 28, will delight young and old alike. It will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Pomfret Recreation Park on Rt. 97. It’s free.
 While the Town of Pomfret is winding down the Pomfret 300 celebrations, folks will be out in force for this annual event.
New additions this year include a free souvenir photo booth sponsored by Pomfret 300,  a men’s skillet toss (in addition to the women’s), the  ‘Baby Crawl’ contest with Dr. Marc Cerrone, and demonstrations by 17th Century Artisans. Pomfret 300 Committee will be selling the new “Pomfret Thorough the Years” book, T-shirts, hats, commemorative post cards, daffodil bulbs, and the CD of PCS kids - “Sing a Song of Pomfret.” We-Lik-It Ice Cream’s  commemorative ‘Patriotic Pomfret” ice cream will be scooped and served free by the Democratic Town Committee members to go along with the 300th Birthday Cake.  
The inflatable rides will be a big draw again this year along with the ever popular “Cash Cube.”  The Fire Department volunteers will be there with the emergency / fire response vehicles.  Opening ceremonies will begin at 10 am with the release of Doves by Pomfret resident  Norm Boutin.  Pomfret Community School kids will then entertain by singing  songs they wrote celebrating  the Town’s Tercentennial.  The Yankee Dogs will provide music throughout the day.  There will be food vendors, craft vendors, a chocolate cream pie eating contest, trivia contest,  and karate demonstrations. The Life Flight helicopter will be on site (unless called away) for those who want to have a closer look.  
Pomfret Recreation Director Barbara Gagnon works tirelessly to make PPD a signature Pomfret event.