By Ron P. Coderre
In the heyday of newspapers, some 50 to 60 years ago, Putnam and surrounding towns had the luxury, if you will, of having four true journalistic writers or reporters, depending on one’s interpretation.
There was Lou Edman, a syndicated columnist, who took freedom of the press to its highest degree.
Writing at one time or another for the Norwich Bulletin and Hartford Courant was Charlie LaFreniere, who was known to sit at the keyboard following a few libations. LaFreniere would always close a column with his familiar tagline, “Have another martini, Jeannie,” a toast to his wife.
The Worcester Telegram & Gazette, with a Putnam office first on Livery St. and later on Bundy St., boasted of Brown University grad Bernie Dupont and his Along The Border column, which took no prisoners and held everyone hostage.
Then there was a neophyte “cub” reporter who joined the terrible trio making it into a fearsome foursome. That young reporter was Don Bond, who quickly learned the nefarious skills of his older counterparts. The foursome was known to gather together frequently over a cool one and discuss matters they deemed important, mostly local politics. They either became the best friend or the bane of the existence of local politicians.
On Thursday, June 27, the man that many affectionately referred to as “Bondo” died at Rhode Island Hospital where he was transported following his collapse into unconsciousness while covering a meeting in Sterling. Still working as a freelancer for the Norwich Bulletin, the last of the “old fashion” reporting quartet was gone, leaving a void that will probably never be recaptured in the annals of newspapers in Putnam and northeastern Connecticut.
Upon hearing of Bond’s death memories of the past flashed back through my mind. More personal memories than I ever realized. For five decades as I soon came to understand, Don Bond and I had crossed paths and worked together or been friends more often than I ever imagined.
When Bond was a young reporter I was a young and aspiring politician, sitting on the Putnam City Council. Meeting in the town hall, we became acquainted to the point where I was always comfortable stopping by the Norwich Bulletin office in Putnam to “shoot the breeze.” Although we were friends, he was never averse, in his subtle barbed ways, of chastising me and my Democratic cohorts in the press. We often chided him, when he was taking our photographs, whether he had film in the camera or not.
Despite our sometimes differences, he thought highly enough of me as a person that he asked my assistance in coaching the Putnam American Legion baseball team from 1971 through 1974. It was also Bond who convinced me to write my column, Ramblings, Points and Comments, for the Journal Transcript, where he was editor among his many other duties. The column temporarily became On The Line.
I guess he thought enough of my friendship to ask me to be his “best man” when he got married for the second of his three nuptials. This duty that I performed for him, which is known only to the few who attended, was often discussed whenever we met for years on end.
As I moved on to a career as the Vice President for Development and Public Relations at Day Kimball Hospital, it was “Bondo” who was the life of the party at our annual DKH Press Nite. Many an evening we closed various establishments talking politics, sports or whatever, often with the other members of his quartet.
He was a stalwart in the effort to maintain the strength of the Tommy Toy Fund, which he was instrumental in originating. When he wanted to boost the Tommy Toy Fund presence in northeastern Connecticut, just a few years ago, he once again turned to his longtime friend. I couldn’t say no to “Bondo” although with his salty language he encouraged me with expletives that can’t be mentioned here.
So it is with these personal memories that I bid farewell to a friend I never realized I had so much contact with until I sat to write this piece. He made me proud when he rescued the Killingly-Brooklyn Springtime Festival and when he was also honored by the Northeastern Connecticut Chamber of Commerce with the George Racine Humanitarian Award. Although there was cajoling with the Tommy Toy Fund, it’s an experience I’m pleased I agreed to do for my friend.
Donald K. Bond Sr., a man who graced this earth for 70 plus years is gone. The stories of his journalistic expertise will be embellished as the years pass, however many a young reporter who studied under him will be able to say, “Bondo taught me to do it the correct way.”
Newspaper reporting will never be the same in Putnam and surrounding communities without Don Bond, ace reporter.
Memorial contributions in his memory can be mailed to Don Bond Memorial Fund, c/o CorePlus Credit Union, 202 Salem Turnpike, Norwich, CT 06360.
PUTNAM — In last week’s Putnam Men’s Summer League the standings are: 1. UNFRIENDED 4-0; 2. Windham Wine and Spirits 3-0; 3. Dawgs and Company 3-1; 4. The Lobstah Crew 2-1; 5. Prep School Benchwarmers 2-2; 6. The Dream Team 1-2; 7. CG Real Estate 1-3; 8. Blackout 0-3; 8. MONsters 0-3.
Top 10 Scorers: 1. Joey Saponaro- 19.25 (CG Real Estate); 2. Alvin Durrette- 18.25 (UNFRIENDED) ; 3. Luke Gildea- 16.5 (Windham Wine and Spirits); 4. Brandon Kress- 15.25 (Dawgs and Company); 5. Dan Vasbinder- 14.75 (UNFRIENDED); 6. Suthod Young- 13.75 (Prep School Benchwarmers); 7. AJ Joyner- 13.5 (Windham Wine and Spirits); 8. Jordan Coty- 12.5 (UNFRIENDED); 8. Chris Pinsoault- 12.5 (The Dream Team); 10. Bryan Mugges- 11.25 (Dwags and Company).
June 27 AJ Joyner scored a league-high 31 points to lead his team Windham Wine and Spirits to a commanding 80 to 42 victory over MONsters. Joyner had an incredible slam dunk in the second half and looked unstoppable. In addition, teammate Luke Gildea had 26 points and scored an amazing buzzer-beater at the end of the first from half court. Following Windham Wine and Spirits game, Alvin Durrette lead his team to a close victory in a very physical game scoring a game-high 26 points to remain the league’s second-leading scorer behind Joey Saponaro of CG Real Estate. Fellow teammates Jordan Coty and Dan Vasbinder had a stellar game helping the team to a 69-62 victory over Dawgs and Company. Next Thursday July 4 there will be no games because of the holiday.
caption:
Winners
The winners of the Congregational Church Steve Bousquet Golf Tournament included: Bob and Brian Hastings, Todd Cantwell and Mike Daley. They won with a score of 62.Courtesy photo.
By Ron P. Coderre
PUTNAM — The Congregational Church of Putnam hosted its 13th annual golf tournament at the Raceway Golf Course recently and as usual there were winners on the course but thanks to the efforts of Co-chairmen Roger Franklin and Charlie Leach, there was a trio of students who were also winners.
The tourney, renamed last year as the Putnam Congregational Church – Steve Bousquet Memorial Golf Tournament, present three scholarships as part of the mission of the church. The winners of the Steve Bousquet Memorial Scholarships for 2013 were Leslie Prunier and Krystina Lewis of Putnam High School and Brittany Bertorelli of Killingly High School. The students were on hand at the awards ceremony following play on the links to receive their scholarships.
On the course, the winners with a 10 under par score of 62 was the foursome of Bob and Brian Hastings, Todd Cantwell and Mike Daley. The winners walked to the podium with a two-stroke margin over their nearest competitors.
Second place went to the team of Steve and Mark Gileau, Clay Sweet and Jay Young. The show place went to Roger Franklin, Matt and Duke Parziale and Neil Bernier. The second- and third-place finish was determined by matching cards as the two foursomes posted identical cards of 64.
Monique Pirangeli cleaned house in the women’s special contests, winning the putting and long drive competition. Mike Lussier was the men’s long drive champion. Closest to the pin winners were Matt Parziale, 4th hole (11’10”); Sam Broome, 9th hole (8’2”); Neil Bernier, 14th hole (6’2”); and Mike Daley, 17th hole (1’4”). Par 3 Challenge winners were Jeff Pyko (4th hole); Tim St. Onge (9th hole); Justin Olsen (14th hole); and Mark Gileau (17th hole).
“We’re very pleased with the turnout of golfers and appreciative of the generosity of our sponsors. Their support makes out event a success each year. We’re making plans for next year already,” said Co-chairman Franklin.
The 14th annual tournament is scheduled for June 24, 2014.
By Ron P. Coderre
This week’s RPC sporty shout out is sent along to Brad Favreau, the newly inducted president of the Putnam Rotary Club. In his glory days at Woodstock Academy Favreau was a three-sport standout. Today he confines his athletic endeavors to following the fortunes of his children.
The Eastern Connecticut Conference Athlete of the Month award, sponsored by the Byrnes Agency of Dayville, Norwich and Woodstock, for the months of May and June is Woodstock Academy’s outdoor track standout Jake Almquist. The recently graduated senior is headed to UConn on a track scholarship in September.
Almquist concluded his high school track career with a flourish winning the high jump competition at the New England Championships with a jump of 6-feet, 9-inches. His attempts to break the existing Academy record of 6-feet, 10-inches, held by Joe Patrone, fell just short.
Earlier in the spring, Almquist led the Centaurs by finishing in first place in the high jump in every dual meet. In addition, he captured the Class MM meet with a jump of 6 feet, 4 inches and followed that up with a jump of 6-feet, 8 inches at the CIAC State Open meet, and good for a second-place finish. During the season he also finished first at the Bloomfield Invitational, Ledyard Relays, the Panther Invite and the ECC Championships, where he set a meet record.
At a dual meet versus New London Almquist pulled off a rare feat by winning all four events he participated in, pole vault, high jump, javelin and the 300-meter hurdles.
Almquist’s senior proved to be significant in his life, as in addition to his track exploits, he was a valuable member of the Woodstock Academy Centaurs Class L State Championship basketball team.
Proud Grounds Keepers…
An RPC Tip of the Sports Fedora to a pair of conscientious individuals who are proud of the work they do in making the playing fields for the TriTown American Legion Sr. and Jr. teams miniature replicas of Fenway Park.
The TriTown Sr. team, which plays its home games at Tourtellotte Memorial High School, has its field manicured by the inimitable Romeo “Mush” Blain. A long time member of the Thompson School System facilities crew, Blain has the infield and outfield grass cut to perfection. He also sees to the raking and watering of the base paths, making fielding of ground balls free of bad hops.
In Woodstock at the Bentley Athletic Complex, Director of Facilities Jason “Jay” Gerum, coordinates and oversees the work of his staff. He’s on site to assure every detail is cared for prior to the start of games. As Gerum said, “I want the players to have a great baseball experience. Part of that is playing on a well prepared field.”
At recent opening day ceremonies, the players, coaches and fans in attendance were treated to stirring and professional renditions of the National Anthem. The Sr. TriTown ceremony saw Putnam resident Melissa Dakai handle the honors. She also sang the National Anthem at Dodd Stadium on June 19 when TriTown entertained Jewett City. The Jr. Team opening ceremony anthem was done by the man who sings at every Putnam High School boys and girls basketball games. Maurice “Moe” Coderre handled the National Anthem flawlessly.
Local Runners Shine…
Two local runners represented northeastern Connecticut with pride June 22 in Worcester. Scott Deslongchamps, who is probably our area’s most durable long distance runner, won the Central Mass Striders 5K, which was held at Worcester State University.
Deslongchamps winning time was 19:15, a solid 12 seconds ahead of second place finisher Rich Auger of Worcester who was clocked at 19:27. Finishing in fourth place was Putnam’s ageless harrier, Alan Rondeau. He was clocked at 19:58. The former Putnam Clipper, who ran for legendary coach George W. St. Marie, is spotted almost every day, regardless of weather conditions, running the street of Putnam.
It’s a certainty the Deslongchamps and Rondeau will be participating in many other races before the snows fall concluding the season.
Happy Fourth of July…
RPC sends along 4th of July wishes to the faithful readers of The Putnam Town Crier and our Sports section. Remember the true meaning of the day, which is the celebration of our country’s declaration of independence in 1776. Our forefathers provided our country with a foundation that’s stood strong to this day. It’s our duty as Americans to continue the traditions that our country was built on.
From The Annals Of Putnam Sports History…
July 1906: Andems baseball team of North Grosvenordale defeated Dayville 20-9 before 300 fans. Time of game: 1-hour, 45-minutes. Games were nine innings. Andems lineup: J. Johnson SS, A. Johnson 3B, Coderre CF, Gadbois 1B, Smalley LF, Norton RF, Sunn 2B, Hickey C, Duffy P. Dayville lineup: Marlor 3B, Conklin 2B, Backer C, Franklin SS, Welch RF, Allen CF, Reynolds LF, Berthiaume 1B, James P.
RPC’s Closing thought For The Day: “Show me a guy who’s afraid to look bad, and I’ll show you a guy you can beat every time.” Lou Brock, Baseball Hall of Famer