Past Issues of the Putnam Town Crier

 
 
Late Summer Splendor
A Queen Anne's Lace flower reaches for the sky. Summer is fleeting. More photos on page 6. Linda Lemmon photo.
 
 
 
Fey finishes
on top at Mt. Washington
By Ron P. Coderre
If you’ve ever pedaled a bicycle up Hospital Hill in Putnam you know what an excruciating task that can be.  Now picture that climb, in the middle of March say, with the temperature around zero and the wind howling at 40 miles per hour.  Sounds pretty daunting, doesn’t it?
On Aug. 16 more than 500 bicyclists attempted the climb up Mount Washington in New Hampshire under similar conditions.  Now think of this, the Mount Washington Auto Road Bicycle Hill Climb is 7.6 miles and rises more than 4,600 vertical feet with a grade that averages nearly 12 per cent.  Makes Hospital Hill seem like an ant hill in comparison.
Putnam’s Martin Fey, who’s now 60 years old, accomplished this remarkable feat in a time of one hour, 17 minutes and 16 seconds.  By the time he reached the top of the mount named after the Father of our country, George Washington, the thermometer was near freezing and the winds were slightly more than 40 miles per hour.  Fey was the 91st rider in the huge contingent to cross the finish line.  
The most amazing part of Fey’s journey was that he covered the distance at the rate of 5.9 miles per hour, which placed him as the Number One finisher in the 60 to 64 age group.  Quite an accomplishment for a married man with a 2-year-old son and fulltime employment.  His winning time was nearly a full four minutes faster than his nearest competitor.
“Winning my division was a complete surprise because I thought I was real slow.  This race is for the serious bicyclist and competitors come to this event from across the country and around the world.  Considering the conditions I’d have to think that everyone’s times were a bit off from previous years when the conditions were more ideal,” said Fey who was greeted at the top by his wife Delia and his son Mark.
Once the cyclists begin the climb to the top they can’t stop because there isn’t anyone along the way.  Arguably this is the toughest climb in the country, making Fey’s accomplishment even more remarkable.
“By the time I finished my hands were frozen and I was close to hypothermic.  Seeing my wife and son was a pleasant sight to behold.  It was great to have my family’s support,” said Fey.
In preparing for this race, which was his third on a bicycle, he’s run it 11 times, Fey trains by taking what he describes as “hard rides.”  Although he can’t simulate Mount Washington, he does ride some of the biggest hills in the region including Mount Wachusett in Massachusetts.  Another factor in the training is that at nearly 5,000 feet the Mount Washington air is very thin, depleting a person’s oxygen supply quickly.
Fey has modified his bicycle, a “Specialized Tarmac,” that has 20 speeds and is equipped with gears adaptable for climbing mountains.
As for next year, Fey’s response was, “I’ll be going back.  I have a reason now that I’ve won my age division.  I guess I have to defend my crown,” he concluded after taking a deep breath.
Pedal Pushers: Northeastern Connecticut was well represented in the Hill Climb as approximately 20 bicycling enthusiasts represented our area…Martin Fey’s 91st place finish ranked him fourth overall among the locals…The area’s top finisher was Tim Ahearn, 39, of Woodstock.  He finished sixth overall, less than three minutes behind the winner.  Ahearn’s time was a remarkable 55:48 and good for third place in his age division…Elizabeth Bove, 43, of Woodstock was the top local female.  She finished 183rd overall and second in the 40 to 44 female age division in a time of 1:26:12…Elizabeth’s husband, Dan Bove finished right behind Fey in 94th place with a time of 1:17:32…The popular Dennis Kelly of Kelly’s Tire in Putnam placed 113th in a time of 1:19:44.  He was 9th in the 55 to 59 bracket…Mark Luzio of Brooklyn finished 7th in the same age bracket.  His time 1:16:43…Anson Ross, 23, of Plainfield finished 50th overall in 1:12:39…Another Brooklyn resident, 38-year-old Gary Gluck posted a time of 1:20:38 and finished121st overall…Michael St. Lawrence of Thompson had a good run, finishing in 1:23:06…Former Putnam resident 56-year-old Bill Provost, who currently lives in Groton, Mass., posted a time of 1:25:38…Doug Couture and Chuck Couture (Remember him from Bill’s Bread and Breakfast?) of Woodstock were very competitive.  Doug, 40, finished in 1:27:42 and Chuck crossed in 1:32:49…Paul Humphreys of Brooklyn had a time of 1:31:30, while Jeff Arends also of Brooklyn came in at 1:37:04…Cary Bentley, 34, of Woodstock finished in 1:39:28.  Does he train at Body By Design?...Another Brooklynite, Ryan Zach had a time of 1:40:06…Mark Dupuis represented Danielson and finished in 1:45:55, while another Danielson resident Kevin Mahan posted a 2:09:30…Dr. Kevin Reagan, who recently ran in the Deary Memorial Road Race, got on his bike and made it to the top of the mount in 2:32:05.  And there were quite a few bicyclist still trailing behind him…Congratulations to all the men and women from the Northeastern Corner of Connecticut for representing us so valiantly.
 
 
 
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At Fenway
Remy and Owen Coderre had their photo taken with Boston Police Officer Steve Horgan at Fenway recently. Courtesy photo.
 
 
 
 
By Ron P. Coderre
This week’s RPC sporty shoutout is sent along to Woodstock constable and Putnam auxiliary policeman Stew Morse.  Despite having the difficult job of controlling crowds and traffic at big events or in downtown Putnam, Morse does it courteously and with a smile.  His friendly manner makes visitors and strangers feel welcome.
The Tourtellotte Memorial High School Athletic Hall of Fame, since its inception has honored former players and coaches and also some of its great teams.  On June 14 the Hall digressed from its usual format by honoring three former players who are the only trio to have the achievement that brought them the recent notoriety.
Nick Angelo ‘51, Tasi Vriga ’51 and the late Joe Augustinski ’52 were honored as the only basketball players in the long and storied history of the Tigers to have played on three State Championship teams.  The trio was part of the coach Jim Canty teams of 1949, 1950 and 1951 State title squads.  During those three years Angelo, Vriga and Augustinski were part of teams that posted a cumulative record of an incredible 70-5 log.  
The Hall research committee also discovered that these three hoopsters are the only players not only in North Grosvenordale but in all of Eastern Connecticut to have participated on three State Championship teams.
Big Doings In Boston
A few weeks ago Red Sox Nation was rocked when General Manager Ben Cherington made sweeping changes to the BoSox roster by unloading the likes of John Lester, John Lackey, Jake Peavy, Stephen Drew, Mike Carp, A.J. Peirczynski and Andrew Miller.  The big doings had Red Sox fans talking, something they’re still doing weeks later.  
A local family had other big doings in Boston on Wednesday, June 30 at the Red Sox versus Toronto Blue Jays game at Fenway Park.  Prior to the game Moe Coderre and his wife Pam along with their son Lance and his wife Lisa and their children, Emily, Owen and Remy not only saw the game but enjoyed a very special experience just before the start of the game.
Lance and Lisa Coderre and their family live in Waterford where they’ve become friends of Liz Sutman, who is the sister of Blue Jays pitching coach Pete Walker.  She arranged for the family to meet and chat with Walker out by the Toronto bullpen before the game.  As a bonus, the family was also introduced to Blue Jays coaches Sal Butera and former Red Sox ace relief pitcher Bob “Steamer” Stanley.
Remy and Owen also had their photo taken with Boston Police Officer Steve Horgan, who became famous during the 2013 World Series for the photo with his arms raised on a David Ortiz home run that sent the Cardinals’ outfielder head over heels into the bullpen.
The Old Guy Can Still Hit The Golf Ball
When people speak about the best golfers in northeastern Connecticut a name that surfaces all the time is Matt Smith.  What many forget is that the younger Smith learned his game from his dad Dale Smith. 
The elder Smith is still a very active golfer and recently proved he’s still got game.  Dale Smith, playing with his long time partner Jay Kunkel, competed in the Pleasant Valley Country Club Member-Guest Invitational over the weekend of August 9.
Smith and Kunkel proved that they are still the twosome to beat as they finished on top in the Master’s Division with a +7.   Smith and Kunkel have been playing together for years and have come out on top in some prestigious tournaments at Quinnatisset Country Club and Greenhill Golf Club in Worcester.  Whatever the competition the duo is a certainty to be in the mix for the top spot.
Familiar Face Behind The Bar
Patrons at J.D. Cooper’s Sports Bar may see a familiar face behind the bar serving food and libations.  The attractive young lady who fills the bill is a former Putnam High School standout athlete,
Michelle Gaimari, a 2008 PHS grad who attended Community College of Rhode Island, is a former ace of the Clippers softball pitching staff and the backbone of the Putnam volleyball team.  During her four years on the Woodstock Avenue campus, Gaimari earned varsity letters in both sports every year.
Today, Gaimari serves as the coach of the Clippers varsity volleyball program, a position she’s held for five years.  In addition to her work at Cooper’s, Gaimari is planning to re-enter the world of academia as she contemplates a return to college.
A Familiar Name Goes to the American Legion World Series
Sports fans that followed the action in the recent American Legion Connecticut State Tournament and the Northeast Regional Tournament were most likely puzzled and perplexed by the name of one of the teams.  That particular team went by the unusual moniker RCP (not to be mistaken with RPC).  RCP is the acronym for Rocky Hill, Cromwell and Portland.
RCP proved that the name isn’t what makes a great team.  Despite losing the Connecticut Legion Tournament to Cheshire, RCP qualified for the Northeast Regional event by virtue of its second place finish in the Nutmeg State tourney.  In moving on to the World Series in Shelby, North Carolina, RCP beat Milford, Mass., 5-4 on a walk off single in the bottom of the 9th inning.
RCP is coached by a name that should be familiar to Putnam area sports fans.  Jay Hickey, the former Brown University football and baseball standout guided his young team to the World Series despite beating some very long odds.  Hickey, an outstanding baseball mind, of course is one of the major reasons RCP sees itself traveling to the Carolinas.   
Hickey is the brother of former St. Mary School principal Phyllis Hickey.  As a college athlete he once graced the St. Mary’s Sports Banquet many years ago as the guest speaker.  The Hickey family is very athletic.  Jay Hickey’s brother Charley Hickey is the varsity baseball coach at Central Connecticut State University.  He previously served as the baseball coach at Providence College prior to the Friars disbanding their diamond program a few years back.
I’ll bet that all this material jogged some cobwebs in your brain or gave you information you never knew.  
RPC’s Closing Thought For The Day: Energy is contagious.  Ignore the elevator and use the stairs.
(If you have news worthy sports information email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.)
 
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The following charges were listed in the Putnam Police Department logs.  The people charged are innocent until proven guilty in court. The Town Crier will publish dispositions of cases at the request of the accused. The dispositions must be accompanied by the proper documentation. The Putnam Police Department confidential Tip Line is 963-0000.
Aug. 14
Justin Leo, 27, Mechanic Street, Putnam; operating under suspension.
Jessica Garcia, 34, Providence Street, Putnam; operating under the influence, failure to drive right.
Joey Garcia, 26, Provicdence Street, Putnam; interfering with a police officer, disorderly conduct.
Aug. 16
Jake Desrochers, 19, Holmes Street, N. Grosvenordale; operating under the influence, improper turn, possession of marijuana.
Aug. 18
Suzanne Kreimes, 37, Powhattan Street, Putnam; second-degree breach of peace, third-degree criminal mischief.
 
 
Charles Holbrook,
WWII vet
PUTNAM — Charles H. “Charlie” Holbrook, 100, of Putnam died Aug. 12, 2014, at Westview Nursing Center in Dayville. Born on April 22, 1914, in Abington, son of Henry and Abbie (Marten) Holbrook. 
Charlie grew up in Abington and worked for Colts Firearms, American Optical and most recently Connecticut Tool. For many years he was a self employed builder contractor, He served on the Zoning Board of Appeals in Putnam for several years. Charlie was a lifetime member of the National Grange and the Putnam Lodge of Elks BPOE #574. 
Charlie was a veteran of WWII, serving in the U.S. Navy aboard the LST-357. Charlie loved woodworking, snowmobiling, traveling and volunteering at the St. Mary Circle of Fun. 
Charlie was predeceased by his wife Rita (Tetreault) Holbrook, son Richard Holbrook, brother, George Holbrook, sisters Mary and Catherine. He leaves a grandson Kevin Holbrook; nieces, Edna Kent of Rhode Island, Ruth Brewster of Florida, Marjorie and William Cashman of New Hampshire; a nephew John Holbrook of Florida; cousins, Roger and Cheryl Salvas of Woodstock. 
The Mass of Christian Burial was Aug. 16 at St. Mary Church of the Visitation, Putnam, with burial in St. Mary Cemetery with military honors. Donations: St. Mary Church of the Visitation, 218 Providence St. Putnam, CT 06260. Smith & Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam.
 
G. ‘Jerry’ Lavigne
N. GROSVENORDALE —  Gerard “Jerry” Lavigne, 78, of Buckley Hill Rd., died Aug. 10, 2014, in Day Kimball Hospital.  He is the husband of Ruth (Klebart) Lavigne.  Born in 1936 in Putnam, he was the son of the late Helika and Clara (Madaga) Lavigne.
Mr. Lavigne worked as a plant engineer for Stanadyne in Windsor. 
In addition to his wife, he leaves his sons; Alan Lavigne of California, Douglas Lavigne (Bobbi) of Bristol, and Andrew Lavigne (Debra) of Chester; daughter, Susan Foster (Walter) of Waynesville, Mo.; grandchildren, Jason Foster, Deanna Pearson, Brooke and Lillian Lavigne; five great-grandchildren; and a brother, Edgar Lavigne (Louise) of Myrtle Beach, S.C. 
The Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11 a.m. Aug. 26, in St. Joseph Church, 18 Main St., N. Grosvenordale, with burial in St. Joseph Cemetery. Donations: DKH Oncology Dept. P.O. Box 632 Putnam, CT 06260 or a charity of your choice. Gilman and Valade Funeral Homes.
 
John ‘Jack’ Mona,
Army vet
WOODSTOCK — John E. “Jack” Mona, 85, died Aug. 10, 2014, in Matulaitis Nursing Home as a result of Parkinson’s disease. 
He leaves John Winstanley, his partner of 60 years. 
Jack was born Oct. 22, 1928, in Jackson Heights, Queens, New York, to the late Francis J. and Mary (Lenihan) Mona.
After graduating from Bishop Laughlin H.S. in Brooklyn, he held several jobs before serving in the Army. He was discharged as a sergeant in 1952. For 15 years he worked for Allied Chemical Corp in management and marketing.  
When Allied Chemical was dissolved, he was employed by Kittinger Furniture Company and Bernholz Architectural Associates.  
Formerly a resident of Brooklyn, NY, he retired to Woodstock in 1985 where he did volunteer work for Day Kimball Homemaker’s and the New Roxbury Land Trust. 
 An avid gardener and world traveler, he enjoyed life to its fullest.  Jack will be remembered by many for the annual “Thanksgiving in the Woods” celebration, a long standing Thanksgiving Day tradition among many families, at which he presided as host.  
He leaves nephews and nieces, Stephen, Gregory, Francis J. III Mona and Angela (Mona) Provisor. Also surviving are Robert F. William Mona and Regina (Mona) Casbon. He was predeceased by his brothers, Francis J. and Robert Mona. 
A Mass of Christian Burial was Aug. 15 in Most Holy Trinity Church, Pomfret, with burial in St. Mary Cemetery. Donations: New Roxbury Land Trust, P.O. Box 98 Woodstock, CT 06281. Gilman Funeral Home, 104 Church St., Putnam.
 
Michael Pimental Sr.
THOMPSON —  Michael J. Pimental Sr., 50, of New Road, died Aug. 12, 2014, in Day Kimball Hospital.  
He is the husband of Sandra (Lefevre) Pimental.  
Born in 1964 in Woonsocket, R.I., he is the son of the James B. Pimental and Alma Marie Hebert. 
Mr. Pimental worked as a facility foreman for Norton/Saint-Gobain. 
He also worked as a millwright mechanic and mechanical foreman for R.H. White Company.  
Michael coached WPTP football and was active in the Thompson community.  He was an avid Red Sox fan. He was always the life of the party. 
In addition to his wife, he leaves his twins, Michael J. Pimental Jr. and Stephanie E. Pimental of Thompson; siblings, James Pimental (Lisa) of Marlborough, Mass., Sheila Morin (George) of Charlton, Donald Pimental (Melissa) of Thompson, and Paul Pimental (Jennifer) of Thompson; father-in-law Leo Lefevre Sr. of Thompson, brother-in-laws, Leo Lefevre Jr. of Woodstock, Donald Lefevre of Sterling; sister-in-law, Karen Gervais of Plainfield.  
The Mass of Christian Burial was Aug. 18 in St. Mary Church. 
Donations: the Pimental Family, c/o Citizen’s National Bank, P.O. Box 6002 Putnam, CT 06260.  Gilman Funeral Home, 104 Church St., Putnam.
 
Florence Wheeler
N. BROOKFIELD, Mass. — Florence E (Bartlett) Wheeler, 91, of North Brookfield, died Aug. 13, 2014, at Overlook in Charlton. 
She was the wife of the late James Wheeler.  
She was born in Thompson, daughter of the late Edward A. and Flora (Peck) Bartlett and lived in North Brookfield prior to that living in West Brookfield.  
She worked for many years at Robinson Thread. 
She leaves three sisters, Theresa Moser of Shrewsbury, Viola of Amhurst and Doris Nelson of Charlton. 
Donations: MSPCA.  Shaw-Majercik Funeral Home, Webster.
 
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