Study pg 9 4-5-12
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By Ron P. Coderre
A sporty hello today to Putnam octogenarian Richard “Dick” Turcotte. A U.S. Navy veteran of WWII, Turcotte still enjoys time on the golf course with his senior buddies. He plays at Woodstock Golf Course at Roseland. Say hello to him when your carts pass.
Quinebaug Valley Community College is primed to host its 2012 Visions in Leadership program April 11 featuring Travis Roy. The program, which was instituted a few years ago, is the college’s way of providing speakers who inspire and motivate through their life experiences.
Roy is a former Boston University Terrier hockey player and the author of the book, 11 Seconds, A Story of Tragedy, Courage, and Triumph. He’s scheduled to appear in the Robert E. Miller Auditorium. The program is sponsored by the QVCC Foundation, The Center for Bone & Joint Care and Tri-State Rehab & Sports Center.
Roy, who was on a hockey scholarship to BU, skated on the ice in his first official college game on Oct. 20, 1995, in front of a large contingent of family and friends. Eleven seconds after the puck was dropped, he found himself lying face down on the ice, following a check. Unable to move or feel a thing, he knew within seconds he was paralyzed and that the life he knew as an active individual and athlete had changed forever.
His parents came to the same understanding an hour later when the ER doctors explained the extent of Travis’ injuries. It was at that time they found out he would be a quadriplegic for the remainder of his life.
In the 16 years since the accident Roy has demonstrated unbelievable courage and overcome many challenges. A little less than a year after the accident he returned to the Boston University campus to continue his studies. Four years later he graduated with a degree in communications.
As part of his courageous journey and in an attempt to give back, Roy founded the Travis Roy Foundation, which has raised more than $3 million to improve the lives of spinal cord injury survivors and fund medical research.
Grandson Visits Rotary Club President…
Putnam Rotary Club President Cindy Dunne introduced a very special guest at the club’s meeting March 27. Joining the organization for its weekly luncheon was Dunne’s grandson Aaron Swenson, who was accompanied by his mother Adrienne Swenson from Waltham, Mass. Young Swenson is a sophomore at Middlesex School in Concord where his is an honor student and three-sport athlete. Aaron is the quarterback on the Middlesex football team, point guard on the basketball team and shortstop on the baseball team. The school is a member of the Independent School League Council. This past winter Swenson received Honorable Mention recognition for his performance in basketball. He also made the All-Tournament team for the prestigious Thomas Huckin – Paul Rouse Basketball Tournament.
Swenson has inherited his athletic genes from his mother, who is a 1988 graduate of Marianapolis Prep School, where she was a member of the women’s basketball team. His dad, Dan Swenson is a low-handicap golfer.
Phaiah Walking for Wendy’s Place…
Jim Phaiah is known locally for the many walks he’s taken to raise money for various charitable causes, but especially for programs relating to child abuse prevention. On April 28 and April 29 Phaiah will once again embark on another fund-raising walk.
The purpose of the walk is in support of Wendy’s Place and to promote the Stewards of Children, Darkness to Light Prevention Program. The walk is scheduled for Davis Park in Danielson and will commence at 6 p.m. and conclude the following day at noon. It’s an 18-hour, 28-mile trek, which is scheduled intentionally to promote Darkness to Light.
Phaiah is dedicating his walk to his former high school friend, the late Thomas Deary III and all victims of abuse and neglect. The walk will begin with words by Gene Michael Deary, brother of Tom Deary. Others who are scheduled to speak include Christine Collins, director of Wendy’s Place, family life coordinator Kerry Fair, and John Goodman, president of the Exchange Club of Northeast CT.
The walk is open to the public and Phaiah is encouraging others to join him for any portion of the 18-hour journey. His goal is to raise $10,000 through pledges he’ll receive and pledges received by other walkers. His foundation Jimmy’s Kids Foundation has pledged the first $500 toward the goal. Anyone interested in more information or pledge sheets is urged to call Phaiah at 860 774-1720 or e-mail, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or by contacting Collins at 860 963-6599 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Checks may be mailed directly to Wendy’s Place, 320 Pomfret St., Putnam, CT 06260 noting “JIM’s Walk.”
RIP Ken Brumfield ...
It was with surprise and sadness that RPC was informed of the death of all around good guy and longtime friend Ken Brumfield of Central Village.
We became acquainted with Brumfield in the fledgling years of the Quinebaug Valley Junior Conference. As a seventh grader playing basketball for St. Mary’s School in the QVJC Tournament at the then sparkling new Killingly Memorial School, we first encountered Brumfield. He was a player for St. James School of Danielson.
Prior to a game, while sitting in the stands, this young man came and sat with me and friends from St. Mary’s. Even as a curly-haired innocent junior high student, Brumfield displayed a sense of humor that had me and my teammates rolling in the aisles. That was the beginning of a relationship that would go on for a lifetime.
We would encounter each other in basketball and baseball throughout high school, he for Killingly and me at Putnam. As we went our separate ways to the military and college there were a few years where we didn’t connect. But soon we were together again when I would engage him as a stand-up comedian to entertain folks at events I was involved in. He retained the same excellent sense of humor and delivery that he possessed as a young man. And folks would roll in the aisles at his jokes and miss-speaks.
Always one to give back to his community, we met often on the sidelines of Plainfield High School football games, where he worked as a volunteer on the “chain gang” for the Panthers and I worked reporting games. After that it was hit and miss but fate always seemed to make sure we’d enjoy chance meetings on numerous occasions.
Brumfield died on March 26 at the too-young age of 70. The father of two adult children, he lost his wife in August of 2011 and I surmise he lost some of his own will to go on alone. Though he’s gone, he’ll always have a special place in my mind. And he’ll always be the friendly guy, with the funny joke and great delivery that could bring a smile to anyone on any occasion. God bless, Ken Brumfield.
RPC’s Closing Thought For The Day: “Since every death diminishes us a little, we grieve – not so much for death as for ourselves.” Lynn Caine.