Putnam - RPC pg 9 4-19-12
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- Category: Past Issues
caption, page 10:
Inducted
Kim Belliveau (l), the newest inductee into the Connecticut Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame, with her high school coach Pam Childs (center) who presented the induction speech and Laurie St. Jean, her high school teammate. All three women are members of the Hall of Fame. Courtesy photo.
By Ron P. Coderre
Today’s sporty hello goes out to Bob and Cecil Monahan of Thompson. The Monahan are true sports fans who follow the fortunes of former local athletes, especially baseball players in the professional ranks.
Last year was the fourth year that I had the honor of being chairman of the annual Putnam Rotary Club Golf tournament. After establishing and running the very successful Day Kimball Golf Tournament for more than 20 years, I made a decision that more than a quarter century of organizing golf tournaments was enough for one man.
Much to my surprise, and it really was a surprise, the members of the Rotary Club made an announcement just prior to the start of the event, announcing that the Rotary Club tourney would forever be known as the Ronald P. Coderre Putnam Rotary Club Golf Tournament. This is an honor that I accept with all humility.
In order to maintain the success of the event, this year’s Co-chairmen Doug Porter and Marc Archambault have announced that the tournament is June 1 at Connecticut National Golf Club. The scramble event is scheduled for a 9 a.m. shotgun start. The cost for individual players is $125.
The tournament has netted more than $25,000 for each of the past four years and Porter and Archambault are looking forward to another successful day on the links. The majority of the proceeds go toward the more than $10,000 that the club disburses every year in the form of scholarships to local high school seniors.
The success of the tournament is based on the support of sponsors. This year’s tournament is offering Tournament sponsorships at the $2500 level. There are also Cart and Food sponsorships available at $2000 each, while Tent and Major Sponsorships are $1000 each. All of those levels include a foursome entry with the sponsorship. A Gold sponsorship is available at $500, which includes two tournament entrants. Tee Sponsorships can be secured for $100. The tournament features the usual amenities, golf and cart, registration gift; free drawing, closest to the pin contests, hole-in-one with an automobile sponsored by Putnam Ford, hot dogs at the turn and hors d’oeuvres following play. Cash prizes are awarded to the top three teams in the gross and net categories.
“We’re very proud of our tournament because of the many causes it supports. We are also proud of the fact that the participants are treated to a ‘red carpet’ day from the time they arrive at the course until they depart the premises,” said Cindy Dunne Rotary Club president. Archambault and Porter are working with Rotarians Peter Benoit, Jeff Rawson, Dick Loomis, Doug Valentine, Jay Byrnes, Elizabeth Buzalski and Linda Lemmon in preparing for the June 1 tournament.
“The tournament has become an area favorite. We’re looking forward to entertaining another full field of golfers again this year,” said Archambault and Porter.
Large Contingent at Induction…
It’s official, former Putnam resident and current Californian Kim Belliveau is now a member of the Connecticut Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame, following her induction on Wednesday, April 11 at the Cascade Banquet Facility in Hamden.
Belliveau was not alone at the induction as a large contingent of family and friends joined her on this memorable occasion in her life. Family members on hand included her mother, Carol Belliveau, sisters Nancy Belliveau and Sandra McNally and brother Scott Belliveau and his wife Sharon. Other guests on hand were Stu and Lesley Neal, Cindy Morse, Mary Franklin-Jackubowski, Cathy Bochain, Dawn Clark, Karen and Tyler Fontaine, Tammy LaCoille, Jan Allen, Sandra Racine, Kimbra Turley and Heather Lafleur. There were also a number of friends from California on hand.
Also in the audience was Putnam resident and Central Connecticut State University assistant women’s basketball coach Glenn Senecal. He was there in support of inductee Beryl Piper, the head coach of the Blue Devils women’s program.
Dick Loomis on Television…
While watching the Boston Red Sox beat up on the Tampa Rays on Saturday, April 14, a familiar figure kept popping up on my high definition TV screen every time the cameras focused on a left-handed batter.
It soon became clear that the figure was none other than Dick Loomis, noted Putnam real estate mogul. Loomis was on hand as the guest of his daughter Kelly Alves. I immediately got on the phone and called Loomis on his cell to give him the news of his instant notoriety. He responded with a big thank you and further informed me he would now make a Loomis Real Estate sign for folks tuning in to see. The amazing Loomis is always one to take advantage of any opportunity that presents itself.
Docker’s Passing Noted…
We close on a sad note. Jim Docker, a former Norwich Bulletin newsman and editor, died in New Hampshire last week at the age of 64. Prior to moving to the Granite State, Docker lived in Cape Coral, Florida where he was active in youth and community affairs. As a young reporter, Docker was a familiar site around Putnam when he served as the then bureau chief.
We got to know Docker prior to his days in the press when he was a graduate student at the former Assumption Prep School in Worcester. Standing around 6’3” he was a formidable presence, who was soon recruited to play on the Monks basketball team. He later moved on to Assumption College where he earned a bachelor’s degree in 1971.
When he showed up in Putnam as a Bulletin reporter, we once again struck up our friendship, which carried on through the years. We’ll always remember his ability to dig for a story and get the facts straight. But most of all we’ll remember his huge grin.
Jim Docker is gone but his friendship, smile and forth right reporting style will always be remembered.
RPC’s Closing Thought For The Day: If you are going to climb, you have to grab the branches not the blossoms.