Celebs - RPC pg 9 5-3-12
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- Category: Past Issues
By Ron P. Coderre
Today’s sporty hello goes out to Brenda Senecal of Putnam. A nurse at Day Kimball Hospital, Brenda stays in shape by running and exercising. She also keeps busy following her son, Andrew and her husband, Glenn around in their various athletic pursuits.
A moderate-sized crowd didn’t deter from the enthusiasm of the first Putnam High School Alumni Athletic Association “Celebrity Bartending Night” to raise money in preparation of the organization’s upcoming annual Awards Banquet, scheduled for June. The crowd at the Cargill Council Knights of Columbus hall featured many former Clipper standout athletes, coaches, parents and friends of PHS athletics.
The evening tapped off at 6 p.m. with the trio of Carrie Blackmar being joined by Putnam PTO moms Jaimee Toutant and Caroline Gardner. With the assistance of K of C bartender Tim Bly, the ladies did an outstanding job of serving libations. Their efforts garnered a total of exactly $100 in tips.
The first shift was followed as one might expect by the second shift, which featured former Clipper cheerleader Leia Faucher, ex-Putnam three-sport standout and former Assumption College gridiron sensation Eric Mauer and yours truly, RPC. With Leia’s charm, Eric’s presence and my help we raised a record $272 in one quick hour.
The 8 p.m. shift featured Putnam boys’ basketball coach Shawn Deary, Clipper softball coach Rick Konieczny and Putnam Rec Director and Clippers girls’ basketball coach Willie Bousquet, who also had a stellar stint behind the bar. The evening closed out with the foursome of former Clipper hoopsters Josh Scraba and Sharon Briere along with Bethany Lee and Joe Dicolella.
The crowd was entertained by the music of DJ Denny Deary, while they munched on a tempting variety of snacks and pizza.
“This was a great idea. I can’t believe how quickly my shift flew by. The people in attendance were so generous and it’s all for a great cause, the Putnam athletes,” said Leia Faucher following her exhausting hour on the tap.
According to Bousquet and Denise Roireau, who was serving as treasurer and photographer for the evening, close to $1000 was realized in support of the PHSAAA.
Urging Everyone to Run, Walk, Jog…
Jimi Gothreau, the eternal runner, the man who just eats drinks and encourages everyone to run to stay in shape released his annual notice regarding the 2012 Summer Series of “Fun Runs.” Gothreau and friends are encouraging people of all ages to join them at the West Thompson or West Thompson Lake, as it’s referred to post-Flood of ’55, each Wednesday at 6:15 p.m. sharp throughout the summer. The program begins May 23 and continues through Sept. 19.
According to Gothreau, there are two accurately wheel-measured courses to choose from to participate. The 1.44-mile and 3.1-mile options give everyone the opportunity to walk, jog, run, or race the scenic, rolling, “traffic-free” loop on the west side of the lake. He notes that individuals ages 4 through 91 have participated since the event was started a few years back.
“Challenge your mom, dad, brothers, sisters, kids, friends and your neighbors to get out to West Thompson and enjoy the fun. Anyone can start off easy by walking or jogging and see how things go as they gain strength, speed and confidence week by week,” said Gothreau.
These no-pressure events are also a way to meet new friends in the Quiet Corner. Anyone who completes three or more runs over the course of the summer will earn their very own “Dam Fun Runs” T-shirt. And it’s at the price everyone appreciates, FREE!
Gothreau notes that participants should park and meet at the yellow gate at the “Ravenelle Road parking lot. The starting line is just a short walking distance from the parking lot.
Former Lady Husky Speaks to Rotary…
Shannon Saunders, the former UConn Lady Husky who currently operates a professional massage therapy service in Putnam, was the guest speaker at the Putnam Rotary Club April 24 at J D Cooper’s Restaurant.
Saunders, who was a member of coach Geno Auriemema’s early teams, was part of the first Lady Huskies contingent to make it to the NCAA Final Four. Following her graduation from the University in 1992, Saunders pursued work in her field of study, which was sociology. She later enrolled at the Connecticut Center for Massage Therapy in Newington and became a licensed and certified massage therapist. Her program is called WEMA Therapies. WEMA translated means goodness or wellness in Swahili.
The program is geared toward working with people who are active, whether or not they consider themselves to be athletes. The goals are to ease post-exercise soreness, reduce chronic tension or pain, increase flexibility and help restore mobility and to increase general body awareness. As an independent contractor, she works out of Midtown Fitness Center on Railroad Street in Putnam.
RPC’s Closing Thought For The Day: Be thankful for robust health to make life and work a joy abundant enough to pass on to others.