Good Luck PADDLERS!

Transcription

Good Luck PADDLERS!

52nd annual
Supplement to the
River Rat Review
Tuesday, April 7, 2015
36 Pages
A moment frozen in time.
6
56525 10951
5
Additional copies
Crossing the finish line, Sunday Pro Am Race - 2007
75¢ each
Page 2A ATHOL DAILY NEWS River Rat Review, Tuesday, April 7, 2015
Lefever, Schlimmer win 51st Rat Race
Table Of Contents
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13A
14A
15A
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51st annual River Rat Race
5th annual Big Cheese 5K
Pete Strong & His Cannon
Race Director Dave Flint
Region’s Best Water Spots
Big Cheese Certification
First River Rat Race
Northfield Dive Team
2014 Sunday Pro Race
Soucie/Forand Memorial Award
River Rat History 1985-1990
River Rat Pictures
Big Cheese 5K Award Winners
Pro Race Award Winners
River Rat Pictures
River Rat Pictures
River Rat Pictures
River Rat Pictures
River Rat Pictures
NECKRA Racing Schedule
Top 50 Finishers
River Rat Winners
River Rat Romp
Local Paddler Pictures
Rat Bytes
Big Cheese Recipients
By JOSH TALBOT
ADN Sports Editor
good all around. It doesn’t
get better than this. You
come across the finish line
number one and get those
cheers and it feels great.
That’s what you train for.”
It was a bittersweet win
for Ben who found his way
to victory lane without his
brother.
“We had been doing it
for so long, we figured we’d
switch it up a little bit and
try to learn something,” said
ORANGE — Cast aside
after their former partners
joined together as a super
team, Trevor Lefever and
Ben Schlimmer staked their
Rat Race Page 12A
claim as the premier paddling duo by surging past
their old boat mates and
into victory lane at the 51st
annual River Rat Race on
Saturday.
After starting at post-104,
the winners quickly caught
the lead pack and found
former partners Matt Rudnitksy and Mike Schlimmer
up front. Once they caught
up, the duo elected to go for
broke.
“When we got next to
them, it was like ‘let’s go
and see what they can hold
on to,’” said Lefever.
The
Rudnitsky/Schlimmer boat couldn’t keep up
and the winners overcame
a 58-boat difference in postposition to earn the victory.
“It feels great,” said Lefever, who won the race with
Rudnitsky in 2012. “We
meshed pretty good early WINNERS — Ben Schlimmer, left, and Trevor Lefever took first place at the
in the race and we took off. 51st annual canoe race along the Millers River. Presenting the award is race
Three times in the Rat Race organizer Dave Flint, right.
Photo by Jared Robinson
and a two-time winner. Pret-
Haynes, Anderson run to Big Cheese victory
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ty good odds, right?”
For Ben, it was his first
River Rat win after finishing second with his brother
a year ago.
“It always feels good to
win,” said Ben. “We got
first, they got second. So it’s
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ATHOL — The fifth annual Big Cheese 5K Road
Race was held ahead of the
River Rat Promenade on
Saturday morning.
A total of 497 runners
and walkers participated.
The event is held to raise
funds to benefit the North
Quabbin Food-a-thon and
the Franklin County Home
Care Corporation’s Meals
on Wheels program. This
year, a total of $5,200 was
raised. In addition, donations of non-perishable food
items were accepted during
the race registration period
held Saturday at the town
hall.
The overall top finisher
was Jerod Hayes, 25, of Hallowell, Maine, with a time
of 17:51. The overall top female runner was Jessica An-
derson, 28, of Winchendon,
with a time of 19:25.
“Jessica Anderson is the
woman’s defending champion, winning last year’s race
in 20.23. This year’s time,
19:25, is a course record,”
said Heather Brissette, who
co-organizes the race with
Susan Black Allen.
Brissette noted the men’s
course record, 16:20, is held
by the 2013 men’s winner
Paul Noone of Worcester.
Hayes’ time is the second
fastest and Arthur Besse,
of Templeton, the winner of
2012’s race, has third fastest
time with 17:53.
“The women’s second
fastest time is held by Julia
Monfreda of Leicester, with
20:21, set in 2011. Third fastest female time is Stephanie
Hard with 21:21, a time set
in 2013,” added Brissette.
The overall top walker for
the third year in a row was
The top three finishers in
Randall Gray, of Athol.
each age group were:
The race results were reMale, up to 14
corded by 3C Race Produc1) Owen MacPhee, 14,
tions LLC and Yankee TimBig Cheese Page 13
ing of Merrimack, N.H.
River Rat Pancake Breakfast
Saturday, April 11th, 7-11 a.m.
Athol Congregational Church
1225 Chestnut St., Uptown Athol
Tickets:
Adults $6 Children 10 & Under $2
Pancakes, Real Maple
Syrup, Sausages,
Juice, Coffee or Tea
Proceeds benefit the Athol Memorial Hospital Auxiliary
and Spirit in Motion Relay for Life Team.
ATHOL DAILY NEWS River Rat Review, Tuesday, April 7, 2015 Page 3A
Pete and his cannon still
going ‘Strong’ at age 87
BY CRAIG RILEY
ADN Staff Reporter
ATHOL — If there’s one
thing that can be said about
Pete Strong of Athol, it’s
that there is absolutely no
doubt that he lives up to his
name. At 87 years-old he
can still spin quite a yarn, is
tough as nails and is still going —wait for it — strong.
Strong, who for nearly
the past 40 years has gained
local fame as the man who
launches the annual River
Rat Race by firing off his
cannon to signal its start,
will be on hand to set off
yet another big boom to get
things rolling on Saturday
afternoon.
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As is the case every year,
Strong is looking forward
to race day, but this year
he is a bit concerned about
the conditions, as are many
in the area. He’s confident
though, that when all is said
and done, things will go off
without a hitch.
“Well I was down there
at Cass Meadow yesterday looking at all the damn
snow, drove down to the big
field in the back, and there’s
so much snow that it might
be tough getting down there
this year,” said Strong. “Besides that, the water is so
high and there’s going to be
a lot of run off, and with the
warmer weather coming, it’s
going to start melting like
crazy. But they do a hell
of a job up there holding it
back at the dam. They hold
it back there, and they hold
it back in South Royalston
too. Even with that, though,
it can get pretty high sometimes.”
Strong has been kicking
off the race since the late
1970’s, when he stopped
commuting to Worcester for
work and opened up a shoe
store in town, allowing him
more time to get involved
in the local scene, and the
race.
“I didn’t do it when the
canoe race first started, I
was working out of town.
I was a cobbler, worked in
a shoe factory all my life. I
worked in Worcester for a
big company down there,
a few years later I opened
up my own business here in
Athol, Uptown Shoe. I had
a good business too, a great
following, great customers.
I think my first year shooting it off was 1977; I’m not
sure if it was ‘77 or ‘78, but I
think it was ‘77, the first year
I started selling shoes.”
Strong also said that the
storied tradition of the cannon has a direct connection
to the Daily News.
“I had a guy come in there
who used to work for the
Daily News, John Michal-
ski, recalled Strong. “They
called him the ‘Polish Pigeon’ and sometimes they
called him the ‘Mushroom
Man’. He was great for
mushrooms. Oh boy did he
know his mushrooms,” said
Strong. “Anyway, he came in
one day and said why don’t
you use that cannon of yours
to start off the race? And
that’s how it all got started.”
Strong of course thought
it was a great idea, and
now close 40 years later,
there are a lot of folks who
couldn’t agree more.
“They used to start it off
with a shotgun, but you
couldn’t hear that,” said
Strong. The race got so big,
350 or more canoes, and the
ones up the other end, half a
mile up the river, only knew
that it had started because
everybody started hollering.
When I shoot that cannon
off, believe me, they hear
it.”
The cannon, painted black
and supported by a wheeled
wooden base, is about two
and a half feet long and
weighs 95 pounds. When
strong fires the cannon on
race day, it does not fire a
projectile but it’s not quite
shooting blanks, either.
“It’s black powder, and I
jam paper bags into the end.
It blows ‘em all to hell,” said
Strong.
Strong remembers buying
the cannon, but doesn’t recall how much he paid for it
or exactly when he made the
Cannon Page 21A
STILL GOING STRONG — Pete Strong, 87, of Athol, has been firing off
his cannon to signal the start of The River Rat Race since the late 1970’s. He
will be front and center again when he puts the flame to the fuse at 1 p.m. on
Saturday.
Photo by Craig Riley
Official rules of the River Rat Race
Here is list of the official
3. Recreation class canoes can be added to the canoe!!
rules of the 52nd River Rat must be production made
4. Life jackets must be
Spectacular canoe race:
canoe that weighs a mini- worn as designed during all
1. Canoes must be of a mum of 50 lbs. No weights
Rules Page 35A
conventional type open construction design with no coverings from front to rear and
in good shape. No sculls,
kayaks or Olympic type racing canoes are allowed. Canoes cannot be over 18 feet
in length!
2. Front and rear of canoe must be higher than
the middle. Canoes shall
be .14375X length, which
shall equal the minimum
width 4” above the keel at
the canoe’s maximum width.
Canoes must not be over 18
feet in length. Center depth
shall not be less than 11.5”.
No canoes over 18 feet in
length will be allowed.
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(978) 249-3477
OPEN
MONDAY THRU FRIDAY 8 A.M. TO 5:00 P.M.
SATURDAY 8 A.M. TO NOON
25 years and counting: A conversation
with River Rat Race Director Dave Flint
By DEBORRAH PORTER
Editor, Athol Daily News
LOGGING ENTRIES — River Rat Race Director David Flint logging River Rat
Race registrations at the Athol Daily News.
A guide to the region’s best water spots
By LINDSEY PERKINS
ADN Staff Reporter
AREA — In the River
Rat spirit, but not quite
ready to join the race? In
the race, but hoping to use
the ol’ canoe or kayak more
than once this weekend?
Well you’re in just the right
region for scenic, serene
boating; state forests and secluded lakes abound in western Massachusetts, offering
hiking, camping, beaches
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and fishing in addition to a
nice place to paddle.
Some offer cross-country
skiing, too, but hopefully no
one will be able to do that
this weekend.
• Dunn Pond, 289 Pearl
St., Gardner — A 20-acre
pond, just a mile off Route
140. This state park began
on land donated by John A.
Dunn, a Gardner furniture
maker, at the turn of the
20th century, expanding to
its current 120 acres. Amenities include a playground,
a picnic area, a beach, visitor center, trails, and several
fishing piers (two of which
are wheelchair accessible).
The pond is stocked yearly
with trout and bass. A lifeguard won’t be on duty until
June. Contact: 978-632-7897
• Lake Dennison, 1366
Water Page 23A
Come In After The Race & Relax
DINE WITH RACERS & FANS
TAKE OUT OR DELIVERY
ORANGE — David Flint
owns chest waders older
than some of the paddlers
in the annual River Rat
Canoe Race. And after 25
years at the helm of the
legendary Athol to Orange mad splash, he knows
when to strap them on, even
though the Millers River is
a lot cleaner now than it was
when the races began.
Flint was 15 years old
when he and his buddy
Mark Wallace took the
“plunge” and paddled in
the 1974 fray. The pair drew
the 29th position in a field
of 286 entries. “Some guys
would have killed for that
position,” he said, “but we
didn’t care.” They raced in
an old 16-foot, bright green
open-gunwale “White” canoe that Flint’s grandfather
had been given in lieu of
money owed to him.
Flint and his sisters Dianna Dugas (an avid River
Rat racer) and Kathy Senior
had played in the canoe as
children. The siblings had
it professionally restored
to its former glory by boat
builder Kevin Martin in Epping, N.H. in 2014. Dave
and Dianna took it out for
a spin on the Millers River
the past June.
Flint and Wallace finished the race in the 229th
spot. “We tipped over three
times. This guy’s mother
made us ride in the back of
the car, we smelled so bad,”
he said.
That year, brothers Ralph
and Larry Barnes crossed
the finish line in 45.6 minutes, six canoe lengths
Wishes Good Luck!
To All Paddlers
★ BEER & WINE SERVED
ahead of Chris Soucie and
Bill Gelinas for the win. The
entry fee was $10 and there
were very few rules. Today,
the entry fee is $42 per canoe, but the prize money is
considerable, and there are
several rules in place.
“I feel like such a hypocrite because we changed
the rules about 10 years
ago stating you can’t race if
you’re under age 18 unless
you’re with a parent or legal
guardian. My biggest fear
is two 14-year-olds tipping
over at the start and not
coming up.” Flint attributes
the rules to minimal injuries
since the early 1990s.
“We’ve never had anybody get seriously hurt. A
few cuts, people getting hit
with a paddle, a few stitches
here and there, but never
anything serious,” he said.
The race was an experience of a lifetime, and a
memory to be cherished. “I
never dreamed that someday I would be the guy putting on the race — taking
Ted Crumb’s place,” said
Flint, shaking his head.
Gravelly-voiced
Ted
Crumb, a likable curmudgeon, was race commissioner for the first 26 years. He
and his board of directors
took the event from a field
of 11 rag-tag barroom braggarts, and built it up over
the years to a respectable
contest that draws hundreds
of racers — amateur and
Flint Page 20A
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Today in the canoe racing
circles, the River Rat Race
is considered the “Super
Bowl” of the racing circuit.
“It’s like car racing’s Daytona 500 — it’s the Super
Bowl of racing. We just
have it first instead of last,”
said Flint, “The canoeists
consider this one of the
most prestigious races and
as far as I know there isn’t
anywhere else that uses the
Le Mans-type start. It’s very
difficult on the judges at the
end, but that’s the beauty
of it.” Some of the more
competitive racers belong
to NECKRA (New England
Canoe and Kayak Racing
Association) and use the
Rat Race as a tune-up.
Retaining the Le Mans
start, where all canoes start
at once, was one of Crumb’s
conditions before handing
over the reigns to Flint.
In 1990 Flint read an
Athol Daily News article
that gave him pause. “It
said the crew putting on
the race didn’t want to do it
anymore and there was going to be a meeting about
it.” Flint attended the early
morning meeting, convened
by Chamber of Commerce
members and the River Rat
Committee. He remembers
Dave Caldwell and Janet
Mann being in attendance.
He recalls Caldwell had
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Big Cheese road course now
USA Track & Field certified
By BRIAN GELINAS
ADN Staff Reporter
ATHOL — Competitive
runners and walkers take
note, the course for the annual Big Cheese 5K Road
Race and Walk, being held
on Saturday, April 11, at
9:30 a.m., is now USA Track
& Field-certified.
Certification was received
earlier this month.
Event
co-organizer
Heather Brissette explained
recently what certification
means for the race and participants going forward, noting that, “According to USA
Track & Field, ‘for any road
running performance to be
accepted as a record or be
nationally ranked, it must be
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run on a USATF-certified
course.
“‘In addition, the certification program is very
important to the average
road racer, as well as those
with exceptional speed.
Most runners like to compare performances run on
different courses, and such
comparisons are difficult if
the course distances are not
reliable. No one can truly
establish a personal best if
the course distance is not
accurate.’”
Brissette added, “Locally,
the fact that we are at a point
where we are offering a road
race with a certified course
with chip timing is very cool.
We have grown steadily over
the last five years and, with
a field of 500 participants,
we are right where we want
to be. We are working hard
to keep the race small-town
while offering participants
the bells and whistles of the
bigger races.”
Of the Big Cheese participants, Brissette noted that
the majority are “out for the
sociability of the event and
to get in a good workout
while they are it, but there
are some runners who are
competitive and will appreciate the fact that the course
is a true 3.1 miles. Between
the course being certified
and the addition of a chip
timing system, the runners
and walkers will have no
doubts what their actual 5K
times are. When they PR,
they will know it’s a true improvement.”
There is a base fee of
$150 and a rate $20 per mile
to have a course certified.
The total cost for the Big
Cheese course was about
$250. “This fee includes a
detailed map of the race and
all related USATF fees,” explained Brissette.
The process to certify the
Big Cheese course took several hours, said Brissette.
It involved the use of a
bicycle with a counter attached to the wheel to measure the course. Initially,
said Brissette, a steel tape
measure was used to determine a 1,000-foot calibration course on a straight section of roadway to establish
the number of counts per
mile and per 5K. The calibration course was then ridden four times and an average count per 1,000 feet was
used as a working constant.
The next step was to ride
the actual 5K course twice
to determine the start and/
or finish lines and all the
mile splits. “They finished
by riding the calibration
course again and, if the
working constant changed,
they would make any necessary adjustments to the
course,” said Brissette.
Asked if certification will
restrict the ability to alter
the race course in the future, if desired, Brissette
said, “Based upon the positive feedback we receive
about the course, we have
no intention of changing the
route. If for some unforeseen reason the route were
to change, the course would
have to be re-certified.”
The course this year, and
going forward, will be the
same as the last five and will
include a run around Silver Lake Park and a run up
the hill on Exchange Street,
which Brissette refers to
as “Athol’s own version of
Heartbreak Hill,” referencing a stretch of the Boston
Marathon course.
A different course, which
did not include those two
locations, was used for the
THEY’RE OFF — Runners get under way at the fifth annual Big Cheese 5K
Road Race held ahead of the River Rat Promenade in Athol.
Photo by Brian Gelinas
Soucie/Forand win inaugural race
On March 23, 1964, the
Monday after the first River
Rat Spectacular, the Daily
News published its report
on the sports page under
the headline ‘Soucie-Forand
Win River Rat Spectacular’
and the sub-heading ‘Canoe
Race Enlivened by Spills.’
The full text of the article
follows:
of off-beat excitement that
drew them doesn’t matter;
they didn’t have to wait long
for action.
As starter Cecil Young
consulted his timepiece several minutes prior to starting time, 1 p.m., 11 canoes
approached the starting
line, with safety patrol boats
of the Athol-Orange Coast
Guard Auxiliary hovering in
the wings to lend assistance
if required.
It was required almost
immediately. The colorfully
clad canoeists — someone
commented it looked like an
First Race Page 24A
By BARNEY CUMMINGS
Working in unison, mile
after mile, bend after bend,
Sonny Soucie and Art Forand won the River Rat
Spectacular on Millers River Saturday, paddling their
canoe from Main Street
bridge to Orange in 48.75
minutes. Dave Adams and
Donat Boudreau finished
second with Eugene Castine
and Jim Truehart third.
Fair skies prevailed and a
surprising turnout of several
thousand spectators lined
the bridges and riverbanks
in Athol and Orange to view
the proceedings. Whether
it was curiosity or the tug
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Northfield Dive Team prepared
to plunge into the Mighty Millers
By JARED ROBINSON
ADN Staff Reporter
ATHOL — Let’s face it,
if you are a regular river
rat then you have probably
taken a splash in the mighty
Millers River at some point,
possibly on multiple occasions. There are some that
say that if you reach the finish line dry then you are not
doing it right. For most who
take the plunge, it’s a quick
back into the canoe and, after the blood returns to their
extremities, they continue
on their merry way towards
Orange. For those that need
a little help though, there’s
the Northfield Dive Rescue
Team ready to assist, as they
have been for the last 26
years.
DIVE TEAM — Members of the Northfield Dive Team prepare for a Sunday The annual race from
morning practice dip in the Millers River, in Erving, in preparation for the an- Athol to Orange is the
nual River Rat Race. Left to right — Al Wilbur, Steve Willard, Cathy Burniske, team’s favorite event every
year and train specifically
Amanda Dunnell, Brian Seaman, Rachel Weisbrod and Kevin Scarborough.
Photo by Jared Robinson for the event by meeting on
the weekends leading up
to the race along a length
of the Millers in the Farley
Flats area of Erving where
the rapids are particularly
rough, and in groups pilot
their way through the waters on boogie boards. This
past Sunday a group of dive
team volunteers met, and
with snow still lining the riverbank, took to the 38-degree water. As divers took
to the water the remaining
teammates stood on the
shoreline with throw bags
ready should assistance be
needed. Despite the cold
water, it was all smiles as
the divers climbed back out
of the water, some opting
to make a second trip despite freezing fingers which
they warmed by putting
their hands inside the vests
of their teammates on the
drive back to the start.
This isn’t the first year
that ice along the river edge
has been a concern of the
dive team. Team leader Bill
Ryan can remember years
in the past where patches
of ice along the river edge
had to be broken so team
members could gain access
to the river. It is Ryan’s
hope though that the ice will
continue its steady melting
leading up to race day as
to not be an issue, not that
adapting to the cold is an issue for the group.
In the first quarter-century of the rat race the Athol
Frogmen handled safety
along the river, however
they disbanded in the late
1980s. For one year area
Boy Scouts volunteered by
throwing floating bags to
people stranded in the river.
Then in 1989 the Northfield
Dive Team came on the
scene.
While the dive team started as an offshoot of the
Northfield fire department,
they are now a separate autonomous group made up of
30 volunteers from all over
Franklin County. “We are
made up of all walks of life,
both men and women” Ryan
said. “We have firefighters, paramedics, biologists
and construction workers.”
Though they kept the town
name of Northfield, they are
not directly affiliated with
any municipality.
Anyone can join the dive
team, and they are always
looking for more volunteers. you don’t even have
to be experienced as the
team always needs twice as
many volunteers as are in
the water to be working the
shore line during any search
and rescue event. The only
requirement to be a member is you have to provide
and be responsible for your
own equipment, whether
that’s an exposure (wet
or dry) suit, or a self contained breathing apparatus
(SCBA).
For all the good they do,
the dive team receives no
municipal or state funding,
the only funding the group
raises comes from a lobster
bake fundraiser held at the
end of July each year, and
the funds from it go only to
covering the group’s operating costs, with any additional going towards equipment.
Often times the public steps
up to help too. Early last
year the team received the
Divers Page 16A
CELEBRATING OUR 37th ANNIVERSARY
Serving The Community Since 1978
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May we all safely enjoy the
festivities of the day!
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MAKING THE TURN — The lead boats make the turn during the Sunday Pro Race last April. Paddling, left to right, are Adam Gelinas, Matt Rudnitsky, Shane
MacDowell and Trevor Lefever.
Photo By Josh Talbot
Rudnitsky, Lefever pull away in Sunday Pro Race
By JOSH TALBOT
ADN Sports Editor
ORANGE — After splitting up for Saturday’s River
Rat Race, Trevor Lefever
and Matt Rudnitsky were
back in the saddle together
en route to their second
consecutive Pro Race victory on Sunday.
The winning tandem
seemed to have a comfortable lead going upstream
as they made the turn in
Athol and headed back to
Orange.
“We had the power going
upstream in the shallow water,” said Rudnitsky. “It was
quite easy to get away.”
By the time they made
the buoy turn in Orange,
Adam Gelinas and Shane
MacDowell were side-byside.
“Just a lack of training
A No Excuses approach to life safety
for us,” said Lefever. “We
haven’t been in the boat
together this year. We were
trying to save a little bit for
the end.”
Gelinas and MacDowell
won last year’s River Rat
Race, but drew post-217 on
Saturday and never had a
chance. With an even playing field on Sunday, they
showed their strength in
chasing down the lead boat.
“A nice even start, that’s
always nice,” joked Gelinas.
“It was nice to be ahead of
the waves rather than chewing them at the back.”
After trailing by 50 yards
after making the turn in
Athol, MacDowell said they
tracked down the lead boat
out of determination.
“We got backed up and
never gave up,” said MacDowell. “We turned it into
a workout and tried to grind
them down. We eventually
caught up to them and tried
to beat them. They had a
little more than we did.”
The two boats made the
turn in Orange very cautiously and seemed to be
enjoying a friendly conversation amongst one another
as they made the pivot.
“We didn’t want to tip in
for sure,” said Lefever. “It’s
really not a smart thing to
tip when there’s only two
boats out there in front.”
After the two lead boats
made the turn, Rudnitsky
and Lefever began to take
control again as they headed for the buoy behind
Anne’s Dairy Drive-In.
“We had the idea of trying to get away and we
got away right before the
buoy,” said Rudnitsky. “We
didn’t have the best turn
so we ended up having to
sprint anyways.”
Gloria Wesley and Bob
Rapant paddled to a third
place finish. Brent Lyesiuk and John Berry were
impressive while finishing fourth. Ben and Mike
Pro Race Page 14A
Good Luck To The Paddlers
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Chasing down the Soucie-Forand Memorial Award
By BRIAN GELINAS
ADN Staff Reporter
ATHOL — For some River Rat Race participants,
it is a goal probably more
sought after than a race day
victory itself. It is the Sonny
Soucie-Art Forand Memorial Award trophy given to
the team which passes the
most canoes on their way
from Athol to the finish line
in Orange.
The trophy’s namesakes
are two of the founding
participants of the original
dash down the Millers River
which began in 1964 as a
simple bar room bet and has
grown over the years into
the annual right of spring it
has come to be known. Or as
Athol’s Administrative Assistant Heather Brissette put
it recently when speaking of
Rat Weekend, “Athol’s own
version of Mardis Gras.”
The race and the accompanying weekend festivities,
which have also grown over
the years to include a carnival, parade and the “Big
Cheese 5K Road Race and
Walk,” have given rise to
many tall tales and local legends, some true and some
not so much. One such tale
— and a true one! — was
told recently by Betty Soucie, Athol resident and the
wife of the late Sonny Soucie.
Betty said her husband,
Erwin “Sonny” Soucie and
teammate Art Forand won
the first-ever race and competed again the next year.
Things did not go so well the
second time around when,
Betty said, the pair paddled
into a strong headwind, with
Art sitting in the front and
a heavier Sonny bringing up
the rear. “Art went up and
right over Sonny,” she said.
The two ended up in the
river, with Sonny making it
back to shore. Once on land,
Sonny was informed by Art
that Art couldn’t swim.
Sonny went river-bound a
second time in response to
his partner’s call for help,
said Betty, and pulled his
friend to shore. In the process, Art lost his false teeth
and $50. “Sonny told him, ‘I
told you to hang on to your
teeth and don’t put money
in your pocket,’” said Betty,
laughing.
The following year, with
Art declining to run down
the river a third time, Soucie
joined up with Donat Boudreau, said Betty. The pair
raced several more times in
subsequent years.
Sonny was not the only
Soucie to paddle in the contest and over the years the
race was at times a family affair, with Sonny and Betty’s
son Chris taking part with
various partners and competing against his father.
Betty has also presented the
winners with the Soucie-Forand Memorial Award many
times over the years.
Continuing to reminisce
about the family connection, Betty recalled how, in
1986, after several years of
being in race retirement, her
husband joined their granddaughter, Michelle Young
(now Michelle Edson), to
take part in the race. Young,
the daughter of Jim and
Cheryl Young of Orange,
was a senior in high school
at the time.
The April 1986 race day
edition of the Athol Daily
News, in an article written
by Barney Cummings, made
note of the grandfather-
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MOST CANOES PASSED — Mary and Theresa Schlimmer took first place for
the women’s division and won the Soucie/Forand Award for most canoes passed
with 235 in 2014. The duo began at position 261 and took 25th place overall. The
winners are flanked by Athol Lions President Teri Lacoy and Rat Race Director
David Flint.
granddaughter’s pairing. It
read, in part: “Among those
testing their paddling prowess [will be] Sonny Soucie,
one half of the winning duo
(with the late Art Forand) of
the first Spectacular back in
1964.
“Old (don’t call me old!)
Soucie, after an absence of
several years, will be back on
the river with his grandchild,
Michelle Young, daughter
of Jim Young, who, to recall
a bit of Spectacular lore,
is the son of Evie Young,
Queen of the Rat Pack way
back when.”
A total of 353 teams participated in the 1986 race,
with Sonny and his granddaughter drawing a post
position of 236. Betty can’t
readily recall how the pair
fared with regard to their
finishing position.
Michelle also wasn’t sure
of how she and her grandfather finished. “I do not
recall exactly how we finished,” she said. “I know we
passed over 50 canoes and
for some reason 183 rings a
bell, but I can’t be sure.”
Michelle also offered this
recollection of preparing
for the race: “The best part
of paddling with Papa was
the evenings that we would
practice. The river was so
quiet and peaceful and he
was a very good teacher. He
had a lot of patience and
wanted to make sure that I
knew to follow his instructions that he would shout
Award Page 16A
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River Rat History: A look at the past 30 years
Here’s a recap of River
Rat events going back to
1985:
1985
In 1985, there were 342
canoes registered by the
noon Thursday registration
deadline. Twenty canoes less
than the year before.
The weather called for
possible showers with temperatures around 60 degrees.
Former
champions,
Charles Whitmore of Oxford, and Jim Lafortune of
Auburn (both age 31) captured the title. They finished
a dozen lengths ahead of the
team of Bob MacDowell of
Chicopee and Peter Heed
of Keene, NH., in what was
the most spread-out finish
in the races history. They
earned $500 top money
prize, shooting off from
the 22nd shove-off position
and pushing out front just
100 yards from the starting
bridge. They held the lead
to the end, finishing in 36
minutes, 16 seconds. Bob
Zaveral and Jeff Shultis of
New York who started at
84th placed third.
1986
The Spectacular drew at
least 8,000 spectators along
the five-mile serpentine
course. They lined the riverside with cheers and perched
in trees and on rooftops.
Peter Heed of Keene,
NH, and Paul Olney of
Westernville, NY won by
power paddling the route
in 35 minutes, 41 seconds.
They grabbed the lead
above the Daniel Shays
Highway Bridge just before
the half way point. It was the
second-fastest winning time.
Second place finishers Bob
Zaveral and Jeff Shultis of
New York, finished second
about 20 boat lengths behind the winners.
Heed said the winning
formula was simple; they
drew post position 68 in the
358-canoe pack, and got a
clean start. After passing
under the starting bridge,
they fell in behind the early
frontrunners brothers Nick
Lyesiuk of Orange and
Gene Lyesiuk of Athol and
drafted their wake for a
while. The Lyesiuks won the
race 13 years before. Carl
Fisher of Athol and Jim
Beotes of Orange came in
24th, but were disqualified
because their canoe measured a half foot longer than
the 18-foot limit.
1987
The final 50 yeards made
the difference to New Yorkers Bob Zaveral and Bob
Bennett, who won the 24th
race with a record time of 34
minutes, 55 seconds, beating
second place winners Glen
Lydon and Tom Warren by
a whisker. In 1977 they set
a record at 35 minutes and
31 seconds, which had stood
until this race.
The first women over the
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line were Betty Bennett and
Roberta Shapiro, of New
York.
Peter Heed and Bob MacDowell placed seventh, despite a starting position of
268.
The mixed division winners were Bill and Dot Fisk,
Audrey Stevens and Paul
Runnels and Steve Talbot
and Gail Harty.
Dennis Carey and Kris
Collins took the LyesiukCanning award for the team
with the youngest combined
age(40). The Art Forand
Award went to Jim Lafortune and Charles Whitmore,
who passed 328 canoes.
1988
A field of 390 canoes participated. Bob Zaveral and
new paddling partner Bob
MacDowell, both of New
York, breezed past the finish buoys in 35 minutes, 8
seconds, a good 10 lengths
ahead of Peter Heed of
Keene and Gus Sebring of
North Reading.
The massive start was
smoother than in recent
years. Only two or three canoes topped into the 40-degree water. A few others got
hung up in the bushes and
tree limbs. No injuries were
reported. Trica Heed and
Jane Sebring won the women’s division, having drawn
the 228th position.
1989
Bob Zaveral and Bob
MacDowell emerged as easy
winners again, edging out
400 other canoes. They finished in 38 minutes, 17 seconds, slow for the race series, yet 25 lengths ahead of
Mike Bates and Frank Stasz.
Among the local favorites were brothers Gene
and Nick Lyesiuk who had
drawn No. 6 post position,
and came in seventh.
1990
Working their way up
from the number 282 post
position, Steve Galib and
Bob Rapant of Pittsfield
paddled their way to victory
in a tight three-way finish.
The winning time was 37
minutes, 23 seconds, which
was two minutes 28 seconds
short of the course record.
There were 350 entries.
Two of the canoes finishing in the top 10, second and
seventh place, were disqualified because the boats were
too narrow.
The winners edged by
Dan and Tom Fisk by a half
length; the Fisks were later
disqualified. Brent Lyesiuk
and Paul Facteau were inches behind the Fisk brothers,
and wound up in second
place.
Third place went to Bob
Wisse and Jeff Shultis, both
of New York.
First in the womens division were Roberta Shapiro
and Jan Whitaker of New
York.
The race was filled with
a number of tip overs; one
occurred 15 minutes before
the race even started. Steve
Nault and Ron Cutler, in
number 119 went over as
they were parking. The18foot Starcraft was towed
back toward the starting
line, a stuffed bear perched
upright in the center seat
the lone passenger.
That day, spectator Dave
Flint remarked he recalled
days when the Millers River
was so foul such a spill could
mean a date with a tetanus
hypodermic for the hapless
victims.
Flint also remembered a
time about 15 years before,
the only time he ever raced,
when he and his partner
drew 29th position. “Some
guys would have killed for
tha position,” he said, “we
didn’t care. I guess we must
have wound up in 229th.
We tipped over three times.
This guy’s mother made us
ride in the back of the car,
we smelled so bad.”
The police department
in Orange requested 11 police officers to cover public
safety during the race, and
not four as recommended
by the race committee. The
History page 12A
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Ben. “It seemed to work
out.”
While it worked for the
victors, their former partners know they let one slip
away after starting at post46.
“Being in the top 100 is
a pretty good thing and it
doesn’t happen every year,”
said Rudnitsky. “We found
out we drew 46 and we were
Rat Race from Page 2
thinking we were golden and
this was our race to lose.”
The second place boat
was slowed after Rudnitsky
broke a foot brace midway through the race. That
helped the winners pull
away on the final sprint.
“It’s great for them, especially Ben,” sad Rudnitsky.
“It would have been nice to
be there in the sprint, but
we lacked a little bit. They
caught us quick, so we knew
they were going to be tough
to beat.”
For Mike, he was happy to
see his brother’s hard work
rewarded.
“He’s been training a lot
more this year and he deserves it,” said Mike. “We
knew it was going to be a
close race and it was going
to be how we played it out.
They played it out better
than we did.”
The foursome paddles
together frequently and the
second place finishers will
be looking for revenge later
this season.
“It’s an ongoing rivalry,” said Rudnitsky. “They
got the better of us today.
Hopefully layer this year we
will get them back.”
The duo of Peter Heed
and Paul Facteau finished
third after drawing post-6.
The race for fourth and fifth
SECOND PLACE — Mike Schlimmer, left, and Matt was a tight one between
Rudnitsky had to settle for second as their former Nick Lyesiuk/Bob Rapant
partners beat them to the finish a year ago.
Rat Race Page 31A
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CLOSE RACE — It was father versus son near the finish of the 51st annual River Rat Race in Orange as Nick Lyesiuk, with partner Bob Rapant, left, battled
hard against his son Brent Lyesiuk and his partner John Berry to take fourth
and fifth place respectively.
History
cost for 10 officers and one
supervisor would be $1,100.
1991
Paul Facteau of Easthampton and Brent Lyesiuk
of Orange edged Jeff Shultis and Bob Wisse of New
York to win the race in 37
minutes, 53 seconds. It was
the tightest race in the history of the race, with the
margin of victory less than
five inches as the two lead
canoes swept over the finish line bow to bow. There
were seven judges watching
from both sides of the river
and all seven agreed Lyesiuk-Facteau’s one last lunge
put them over the top. They
were the youngest winners,
19 and 23, ever.
In third place were Peter
Frizell Jr of Vermont and
Bob Morris of Maine.
Bob Rapant, in the winning canoe a year ago, paddled with Roberta Shapiro
to capture the mixed division title, and finishing 18th
overall from the 295 post
position.
An estimated 10,000
watchers gathered along the
banks of the Millers River.
1992
The Athol Lions Club
expressed a strong interest
in sponsoring the Athol to
Orange canoe race after the
River Rat Spectacular Inc.,
announced they would no
longer sponsor the event.
The River Rat Spectacular
inc announced the dissolution of the organization,
from Page 9A
citing rising costs of traffic
control, police protection,
insurance fees and a reluctance to raise entry fees to
finance costs as the primary
reasons for ending their
sponsorship.
David Flint said the Athol
Lions Club could supply $1
million liability insurance
for the event through the
national Lions organization,
but would have to be the
sole sponsors of the event.
Dave Caldwell, owner of
Traverse Street Café, initiated the campaign to save
the race. He organized
meetings between the Lions
members and members of
the River Rat Spectacular
Inc, including “Big Cheese”
Ted Crumb.
Details such as how the
race was timed, costs of police protection, cost of the
Promenade, who to contact
to find participants in the
Promenade, where to contract the frogmen who have
provided safety at the race
and other particulars.
NORTH
Flint would check costs of
police protection, the total
of the prize money taken
out of entry fees and costs
of the trophies. He said, “I
need to sit down with some
of the past promoters and
ask some questions. But I
intend to see this thing goes
off. The River Rat Race, to
me, is the social event of the
season. We’re not going to
let it slip away.”
Flint intended to ask the
Chamber of Commerce to
History Page 14A
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Big Cheese from Page 2
Royalston, 21:29;
2) Edward Bennington,
13, Athol, 22:32;
3) Josh Moran, 12, Rutland, 22:33.
Female, up to 14
1) Lena Carr, 14, Northfield, 25:08;
2) Shelby Mailloux, 12,
Athol, 26:31;
3) Samantha Rowe, 14,
Orange, 26:47.
Male, 15 to 19
1) Michael Hartjens, 19,
Orange, 20:01;
2) Jamie Posk, 18, Athol,
20:35;
3) Kevin Chauvette, 19,
Athol, 20:55.
Female, 15 to 19
FIRST PLACE — Jerod Hayes, of Hallowell, Maine,
was top overall runner in the fifth annual Big Cheese
5K Road Race. He took first place with a time of
17:51.
“The Best By Far”
Made
In
The
U.S.A
TOP FEMALE RUNNER
— Jessica Anderson, of
Winchendon, was the top
female runner in the fifth
annual Big Cheese 5K
Road Race. She recorded
a course record time for
female runners of 19:25.
1) Amber Meehan, 18,
Orange, 21:31;
2) Lindsey Hamlett, 16,
Athol, 23:19;
3) Mary White, 17, Royalston, 23:56.
Male, 20 to 29
1) Jerod Hayes, 25, Hallowell, Maine, 17:51;
2) Christopher Frattaro,
29, Athol, 18:35;
3) Brian Vaidulas, 24,
Athol, 19:39.
Female, 20 to 29
1) Jessica Anderson, 28,
Winchendon, 19:25;
2) Jenny Richard, 26,
Wendell, 21:34;
3) Deanna Deacon, 26,
Athol, 22:29.
Male, 30 to 39
1) Nick Martinelli, 35,
Athol, 19:12;
2) Keith Mildren, 33,
Turners Falls, 19:13;
3) Ben Cole, 35, Orange,
19:38.
Female, 30 to 39
1) Claire Russo, 30, Richmond, Va., 22:44;
2) Katherine Reeves, 34,
Athol, 23:00;
3) Jessica Galvin, 36,
Athol, 23:22.
Male, 40 to 49
1) John Stillman, 40, Templeton, 19:39;
2) Arthur Besse, 41, Templeton, 20:22;
3) David White, 43, Orange, 20:51.
Female, 40 to 49
1) Elizabeth Bond, 40,
Phillipston, 21:30;
2) Becky Divoll, 41, Royalston, 24:10;
3) Sarah Cyhowski, 40,
Erving, 25.45.
Male, 50 to 59
1) John Kelley, 51, Orange, 19:31;
2) Steven Boutwell, 54,
Southampton, 20:46;
3) Mark Johnson, 55, Paxton, 21:34.
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Female, 50 to 59
1) Evie Thompson, 59,
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Gardner, 27:28.
Male, 60 to 69
1) Joseph Sumner, 61,
Royalston, 21:30;
2) Marty Smith, 60, Athol,
24:58;
3) Tom Kiely, 64, Athol,
25:37.
Female, 60 to 69
1) Deborah Plotkin, 60,
Athol, 27:44;
2) Bette Ann Richard, 65,
Wendell, 31:41;
3) Kathryn Brault, 60,
Athol, 34:29.
Male, 70 to 99
1) Lee Cunningham, 78,
Templeton, 29:24;
2) Roy Lake, 75, Athol,
51:07;
3) Larry Musante, 71,
Athol, 54:08.
Female, 70 to 99
1) Claire Butler, 75,
Athol, 39:51;
2) Joyce Sawyer, 72, Orange, 46:07;
3) Joan Kelley, 70, Old
Lyme, Conn., 51:06.
The top three runners in
each category received a
block of Smith’s Country
gouda, cheddar or havarti
cheese. The overall top male
and female runners also received a Big Cheese trophy.
Prizes were donated by
Smith’s Country Cheese of
Winchendon, Trail Head of
Orange, WJDF 97.3 FM of
Orange, and Road ID.
Other sponsors included
Pete’s Tire Barns, Hannaford’s, Athol Hospital/
Heywood Healthcare Family, The Blind Pig, Witty’s
Funeral Home, Butler’s
Paint & Decorating, Cornerstone Insurance Company, Law Offices of Mark
A. Goldstein, Orange Oil
Company Inc., Regal Storage Centers, Workers’ Credit Union, Hometown Bank,
and Law Office of Lynnette
M. Goodnow.
River Rat Eve
Fri. April 10, 8-1
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Sat. April 11
8:00 AM Bloody Mary Bar
Before you go to the Race
or stay and watch it
on our 6 - 51” Screen TV’s
APA Pool League, Keno & Darts
11 Exchange Street, Athol • 978-249-4900
Schlimmer were a surprisingly distant fifth.
Pro Race
1 — Trevor Lefever and
Matt Rudnitsky
2 — Adam Gelinas and
Shane MacDowell
3 — Gloria Wesley and
Bob Rapant
4 — Brent Lyesiuk and
John Berry
Race from Page 7
5 — Ben Schlimmer and
Mike Schlimmer
6 — Tom Ellsworth and
Tom Keefe
7 — Roger Henry and
Joe Schlimmer
8 — Peter Heed and Michael Fairchild
9 — Joe Shaw and Jack
Morse
10 — Dale Persons and
Pro
Dennis Carey
11 — Al Shaver and
Cathy Grimes
12 — Gary Yain and Phil
Millspaugh
13 — Nick Lyesiuk and
Chuck Baxter
14 — Matt King and Karen Pleasant
15 — Gary Aprea and
David Vandare
Pro Women’s
1 — Emma Ross and Sarah Lessard
2 — Mary Schlimmer and
Theresa Schlimmer
3 — Pam Fitzgerald and
Vicki Cummings
4 — Kristen Warner and
Sandy Harris
5 — Priscilla Reinertren
and Pam Browning
6 — Dianna Dugas and
Valerie Hamlett
Amateur
1 — Brianna Fitzgerald
and Jeff Defeo
C-1
1 — Stephen Miller
2 — Bob Allen
3 — Bill Ellsworth
4 — Dave Dugas
PRO WINNERS — Matt Rudnitsky, left, and Trevor
5 — Tim Garland
Lefever paddled to victory in the 2014 Pro Race.
Youth Adult
1 — Cameron Whaland
and Jerry Whaland
2 — Joe Bullock and Katrina Bullock
Kayak-Short
1 — Dave Maclean
2 — Katie Thiem
3 — Arhum Ishtiaq
4 — Carole Normandin
Kayak-Long
1 — Ted VanDusen
2 — John Messinger
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STRONG SHOWING — Brent Lyesiuk, left, and partner John Berry were impressive while paddling to a fourth place finish in the Sunday Pro Race last year.
History
sponsor the parade, a portion of the extravaganza that
has become popular with the
spectators. He planned to
find a couple large sponsors
to donate trophies and prize
money. “I’m sure we could
do this for under $10,000,”
he said.
Another benefit of Lions sponsorship, Flint said,
is that any profit from the
race will be channeled back
into the community through
Lions charities and community projects.
David Caldwell later reported that he set up two
benefit games with the
Boston Bruins (oldtim-
We at the Pizza Factory
want to say THANK YOU
to all of our customers for
your continued support!!
ers) at the Wallace Civic
Center in Fitchburg. They
would give 20 percent of
the gate recipts. The center has2,500 seats and it
was estimated the recipts
would total $9,000-$10,000.
Entry fees would bring in
additional revenue.
In January, the Athol Selectmen voted unanimously
to give a conditional approval to plans for the 29th River
Rat Race. Race committee
spokesmen David Caldwell
and David Flint said the
Athol-Orange Lions Club
will pay the $1,000 tab for
liability insurance to cover
spectators. Other support
was sought for insurance for
racers and support staff.
The benefit hockey game
was set for March 29 to defray some of the cost. The
Famous Faces Celebrity
Hockey team at the Wallace
Civic Center. Tickets were
$10 apiece.
The Chamber organized
the parade. The E.H. Phillips Post American Legion
donated their hall for a telephone solicitation of tickets
to make calls to residents.
Entry forms were made
available to canoe teams,
who could drop them off
at the Athol Daily News or
Flint’s Garage.
The Athol Lions Club had
an officially sanctioned River Rat Race T-shirt designed
for sale in local businesses.
Proceeds will help offset the
costs of expenses.
The race is a “go” and the
time of the parade is officially changed from 9 a.m. to
10:30 to align the time more
with the police shifts to save
costs. David Flint, co-chairman said acting police chief
John Lions suggested cut-
History Page 15A
French King Restaurant
At the Scenic French King
Bridge, Rt. 2, Erving, MA
River Rat Week Special!
Wed. April 8th – Sun. April 13th
Mention you saw this Ad and get a
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Sun.-Thurs. 11-10, Fri.-Sat. 11-11
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from Page 12A
SECOND PLACE — Shane MacDowell, left, and
Adam Gelinas finished second in the 2014 Pro Race.
For Reservations or Information 413-423-3328 – 978-852-7466
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Past River Rat Queens
2014
2013
2012
2011
2010
2009
2008
2007
2006
2005
2004
2003
2002
2001
2000
1999
1998
1997
1996
1995
1994
Mary Schlimmer-Theresa Schlimmer
Pam Fitzgerald-Vicki Cummings
Ellen Ellsworth-Christina Wilson
Kate Ellis-Susie Morris
Chris Schmidt-Susie Morris
Lori Rosebloom-Susie Morris
Jennifer Caldwell-Christina Wilson
Lori Martin-Karen Levitt
Abby Kingman-Lisa Salvini
Chris Schmidt-Sue Frechette
Roberta Shapiro-Jan Whitaker
Athol Spirits
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Good Luck Paddlers
History
ting one of the two four hour
shifts usually hired river rat
day. Lions said adequate
coverage could be had by
hiring officers for one shift
10 a.m. to 2 p.m. the cut will
save $1,700.
Winners of the race were
Bob Rapant of New York
and Carl Normadin of New
York, who passed 113 canoes enroute to complete
the course in 36 minutes
34 seconds. They outraced
the duo of John Casale of
Southampton and Frank
Stasz of Westhampton, who
drew the number one position. There were five or
six canoes close together
throughout the race.
In third place were Brent
Lyesiuk and Paul Facteau.
1993
This year, the Race was
changed from the first Saturday in April to the third
Saturday, primarily due to
safety concerns. Both the
Athol and Orange police
chiefs felt the race should
have been canceled the year
before because of ice on the
river. The water temperature on the day of the race
was 31 degrees. Two weeks
later it had gone up 15 degrees. It was thought that
holding the race later would
improve chances of having
good weather.
Bob Rapant and Carl
Normadin were runaway,
repeat winners after drawing the number 6 post position. They stayed 40 seconds
ahead of the rest of the pack
to cross the finish line in
34 minutes and 31 seconds.
Taking the number two spot
were Peter Heed and Peter
Fritzell, who drew number
125. IN third were brothers
James and John Berry of Petersham, who moved up 10
spots from their number 13
start.
Several thousand spectators were treated to one of
the finest River Rat Parades
ever with 11 divisions and
over 70 entries. During the
parade, Barney Cummings
was presented the first Ted
Crumb award from the Lions Club for his efforts over
the years helping make the
River Rat parade and race a
success.
This year, a pro-amateur
round trip race was added
on Sunday, a distance of
about 9.5 miles.
Flint assured the racers
that the regular race would
not change, “but we were
asked by the real pros, who
come year after year and
win, for a special professional race on Sunday because many of them stay
here the whole weekend
anyway.” Many are top
notch racers whose names
are known around the country.
1994
The team of Bob Zaveral
and Bob McDowell, start-
from Page 14A
ing in fourth post position,
easily won the race and set
a new record of 33:43. It was
the third race the New York
duo have won.
The Millers River Cup, a
brainstorm of David Dugas
of Orange, debuts on Sunday. Six-man relay teams
will paddle from the highway barn to Molly’s Drive
In and back. It will coincide
with the Pro-Am Race.
1995
Bob Zaveral of New York
and Serge Corbin of Canada
won the race in 36:42 on a
river that was two feet lower
than the previous year. It
was Zaveral’s eighth win
and the first for Corbin,
who is recognized as one of
the top racing canoeists in
North America.
Corbin entered the race
three years before but a bad
post position and a canoe
full of water cost him and
his partner Steve Galib the
race.
The race went right down
to the paddle stroke as the
team of Robert MacDowell
and Bruce Barton of Michigan tried to pass them as
snow flurries gave an unseasonable twist to the day.
They ended up in second
History Page 17A
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Athol • Auburn • Leominster • Oxford • S. Lancaster • Sturbridge • Webster
Award
from Page 8A
from the back of the canoe.
“He explained to me
how the most difficult part
of the race was going to be
the beginning when all the
canoes merge together and
he was adamant that he
just wanted me to hold my
paddle across my lap and
let him steer us through the
chaos. He had promised
my mother that he would
not allow the canoe to tip
and he planned on keeping
that promise!”
Of taking part in the race
itself, Michelle recalled:
“Once we got out of the
pack, I started to feel very
competitive and wanted to
make him proud, so I paddled as hard as I could and
he was so funny in the back
saying, ‘Well, where is this
coming from?’ I knew he
could sense my determination and he started barking
his orders. ‘1-2-3-SWITCH,
1-2-3-SWITCH,
DIGDIG-DIG’ he would say,
and we just glided down
that river!
“Hearing all the people
cheering us on all the way
down was also very exciting. At the end I remember
how proud Papa looked
when we got out of that canoe all sweaty and stinking
of river water; it was one of
the best days of my childhood!”
More Trophy History
The Soucie-Forand Memorial Award originally
began as the Art Forand
Memorial Award sometime after Forand’s passing, and was for many
years sponsored by Soucie
Construction Company, of
which Sonny was an owner.
Following the company going out of business, Betty
and Sonny continued to
sponsor the trophy, which
became the Soucie-Forand
Memorial Award upon
72 Unity Street • Turners Falls, MA Sonny’s passing in 1999.
MA Reg.
(413) 863-9541 #105137 Betty continues the annual
sponsorship of the award.
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JUST ADD COLD WATER — Northfield Dive Team volunteers (left to right) Amanda Dunnell, Brian Seaman, Al Wilbur and Steve Willard work their way down the frigid Millers River recently in Erving as they
prepare for the annual River Rate Race on Saturday, April 11.
Divers
generous donation of four
full-face SCBA masks with
on-board communication
and an additional communication unit for the shore,
purchased with the help
of many area donors and a
good turnout at the annual
lobster bake.
Since the team was founded in 1985 underwater communication was handled via
a rope that team members
would tug to get the attention of others. With the new
face masks communication
under water is now much
easier, and this year’s race
is the second time that they
will be used to keep canoeists safe.
During the race the dive
team sets up crew members
in various strategic places
along the river, including
at the start under the South
Main Street bridge, behind
the Morton Meadows apartments, at the railroad trestle
off South Athol Road, at
the Daniel Shays Highway
bridge and at the race finish. They also make use of
an inflatable boat to weave
through the pack to rescue those in need. As the
race progresses each group
in the back cycles forward
along the race route until
the entire team is present at
the finish line to assist with
getting everyone out of the
river in an orderly fashion.
If at some point a paddler should find himself in
the water, Ryan advises the
first thing to re-member is
don’t panic. The water is
traditionally around 40 degrees Fahrenheit and can be
a shock to the system when
you first fall in. Once you
get over the initial shock of
the water temperature, the
next goal should be to get to
shore safely. As far as your
canoe and paddles, Ryan reminds that everything is replaceable. “Your canoe and
paddles will be recovered.
Take care of yourself first.”
It’s no secret that many
from Page 6A
racers like to imbibe a few
alcoholic drinks before
starting the race, and while
race officials frown on the
idea, the members of the
dive team have become accustomed to spotting those
who may have had a few too
many shots of the ol’ liquid
courage and make a note to
keep an eye on them.
So if you do go in the
drink, and you find you start
to sink. Don’t panic because
a member of the Northfield
Dive Rescue Team will be
right there to help keep you
afloat.
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Good Luck Paddlers
History
place. In third were John
Casale and Kip Robideau.
Tom Payne and Dave Dorsey won the Art Forand Memorial Award.
The prize budget this year
was $3,765. There were 282
canoes entered.
The Athol Area United
Way started a River Duck
Race, held two hours before the main event. People
“adopt” a duck for a fee and
receive a certificate that
corresponds to a numbered
duck floating on the river.
The first to cross the finish
line receives $1,000.
1996
Peter Heed of New
Hampshire and Paul Facteau of Virginia won the
race in 35:07. They overtook
Nick Lyesiuk and Frank
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from Page 15A
Staz, leaders from the start
on the final bend of the
home straightaway.
Lyesiuk and Staz were in
the lead under the railroad
trestle on South Athol Road,
and maintained their slight
advantage when they passed
under the Daniel Shays
Highway Bridge. Lyesiuk
said one mistake cost them
the victory - “We swung too
wide on the last turn and
gor out into the wind.” The
eventual winners Taking
third place were Brent Lyesiuk and Bill Thorp.
Roberta Shapiro and Jan
Whitaker repeated as “Rat
Queens” winning the $100
first prize for the fourth
consecutive year.
1997
Rain and sleet marred this
year’s running of the River
Rat Race. Bob Zaveral and
Serge Corbin, starting from
the number 75 position,
blasted through the pack
to steal the lead from Nick
Lyesiuk and Frank Staz less
than a mile below South
Main Street bridge and win
the race in 35:45.
Grabbing third place were
James Carey and Peter Peltokangas.
Capturing the powder
puff division were Roberta
Shapiro and Jan Whitaker,
repeating as Rat Queens for
the fifth year in a row.
The U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers from Tully Lake
and Birch Hill Dam said
controlled releases of water will be made to provide
adequate river flows for the
race.
1998
River Rat Race Committee Chairman Dave Flint
announced the race would
be moved up a week earlier
so as not to conflict with the
Westfield canoe race, which
also draws racers from all
parts of New England.
Flint’s committee and the
Westfield committee got together and decided to hold
the races on different weekends and to help promote
each other’s race. Unlike
previous years, the Millers River Cup and Pro-Am
races would not be held because of the Easter holiday.
It was no surprise when
two-time race winner Peter Heed and Joe Shaw
clinched first place after
having drawing a post position of 74. The winning
time was 37:47, the slowest
in eight years. Dave Dugas
and Gary Gleason, both of
Athol and hometown heroes, began at the number 2
position and finished in that
position. Bob Zaveral and
Bob MacDowell finished
in third (from post position
58).
Nick Lyesiuk was the
grand marshal of the River
History Page 21A
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Flint
from Page 4A
Crumb
explained,
“There was hardly anyLyle and he said if you’re
willing to do it, I’ll give one in the place,” said “That’s where we fire
you a hand,” said Flint, Flint, “I didn’t say any- that gawd damned (Pete
Strong’s) cannon and they
all go at once!”
“However much work you think it is
Flint replied, “Yup, ok,
— it’s ten times that!”
-Ted Crumb no problem.”
Crumb went on about
the strict 18-foot rule. No
“We had no idea what it thing, and Ted kept look- canoes over 18 feet were
involved. I didn’t know the ing over at me out the cor- allowed. All professional
difference between a rac- ner of his eye. After about racing canoes measure 18
ing canoe, a regular canoe a half hour he looks over at feet 6 inches, and those
or canvas — I didn’t un- me and says in his gravelly weren’t allowed.
Flint said, “In fact, back
derstand any of that. We voice, ‘I know why you’re
just wanted to keep it go- here and the answer’s in the 1980s, the top of the
line canoe was a Sawyer
NO!’”
ing.”
canoe, but they were all 18’
With Smith on board,
6” inch canoes. What the
Flint knew the next thing
racers were doing was buyhe had to do was get Tom
ing these canoes and cutLozier on his committee.
ting six inches out of the
“We grew up together, and
middle and gluing them
I knew that wasn’t going to
back together. The Sawbe a problem,” said Flint,
yer canoe company found
“There were two keys to
about all these canoes getdoing this — Tom Lozier
ting cut up and they actuwas one, who, without
ally came out with with a
batting an eye he said ‘no
second canoe. It was the
problem.’” Lozier is the
same design, only 18 feet
only member of the Race
long, and we nicknamed it
Committee who has been
the Rat Boat. The compadoing it longer than Flint,
he says, “because he was Ted Crumb served as ny made that canoe espeinvolved with the safety River Rat Race Commis- cially for our race because
Rte. 2, Main St.
so many people were cutpart of the old commit- sioner from 1964-1990.
ting up their canoes. The
tee.”
Erving, MA
original canoe was called
Flint
said,
“Ted,
I
haven’t
The
second
key?
Flint
413-422-1218
had to get to Ted Crumb. said anything yet.” “I know the Cruiser, and the other
All Meals Are
“I knew who he was, and he why you’re here,” was the was the Champ, but everyone called them the Rat
knew who I was because his reply.
Homemade at
Flint explained that the Boats.”
sister and my mother were
Affordable Prices very good friends.” Gath- Lions Club was willing Crumb and Flint disServing Breakfast & ering his nerve, Flint fer- to take over the race, but cussed a few other things,
reted him out at Traverse wanted Crumb and his and he invited Flint up to
Lunch Daily
Street about 11 a.m. one committee to hold their his apartment over MosHours: Mon.- Sat. 6-3 morning, pulled up a stool hand through the first year. kovitz’s clothing store on
“We won’t ask you for Main Street. “Every square
at the bar next to Crumb
Sundays 7-3
anything more,” implored inch of wall had a poster or
and ordered a soda.
Flint. “No ...we’re done, “ something to do with the
River Rat Race. It meant
said Crumb.
Dave again stressed the so much to him. So for him
Lions were willing to do it to give that up — the race
but needed to know how to — was an awful lot.”
Flint said it took a lot
go about it.
“‘However much work to get the original comyou think it is — it’s ten mittee to help them that
times that!’ he said, and he year, “But they figured it
would keep the race going
was right,” said Flint.
The men talked long — Dona Boudreau, Jeanie
into the afternoon, Flint Cox, Ted — they all came
matching Crumb shot for and helped us out that
Ramp Truck & Wrecker
shot. “He kept saying no. year.”
In 1991, the Lions’
Finally, he turns and says,
CALL (978) 544-3835
“Would you keep the Le first year of running the
race, 367 canoes entered.
Mans-type start?”
Flint was befuddled, “We’ve never had that
Specializing in Toyotas
he had no idea what the many since. We usually av24/7
commissioner was talking
Towing Service 48 KING ST., ORANGE
about.
RICHARD NOEL OWNER OPEN MON.-FRI. 8-5, SAT. 8-12
Flint Page 29A
booked a hockey match at
the Wallace Civic Center
to try to raise money to put
on the race. Flint listened
to the people discuss ways
to keep the race going, but
it sounded to him like interest was sinking fast. The
Race Committee wanted
out.
“I spoke up and said, this
is something the Athol Lions Club might consider
doing,” he noted the club
had the insurance and the
manpower to cover it. Later, he pitched the idea to
the Club’s board of directors and Lion Lyle Smith.
The club ultimately agreed
to take it on if Flint would
run it.
“I talked about it with
24
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History
Rat Promenade and the recipient of the Ted Crumb
Big Cheese Award.
1999
There are 294 canoes entered in this race. In an upset, Ryan Lyesiuk and Bob
Rapant (post position 46)
teamed up to win the race in
35:46, defeating his brother
Brent Lyesiuk and Dan
Fisk, who drew post position 30 ϖSerge Corbin and
nine-time Spectacular win-
from Page 17A
ner Bob Zaveral closed hard
from post 213 to take third
place. Lisa Salvini and Abby
Kingman won the girls class.
They started from post 136
and crossed the finish line in
30th position.
2000
Paddling duo Peter Heed
and Paul Facteau drew post
position number 2 and as
expected they powered to
a victory in a time of 35:33,
in an easy 200-yard victory
over Bob Zaveral and Al
Shaver. In third place were
Tom and Ken Ostrowski. It
was the fourth Rat crown
for Heed, and the third victory for Facteau. There were
298 canoes in the race.
The girls field was full of
superstars but the Queen’s
race turned into a showdown between three entries:
Lori Martin and Karen Lev-
History Page 22A
PACKS A PUNCH — While it is only about two-and-a-half feet long and weighs
95 pounds, Pete Strong’s cannon packs quite a punch, and can be heard far and
wide when it’s fired off to signify the start of the River Rat Race. Strong will light
the fuse for the 52nd annual race at 1 p.m. Saturday.
Photo by Craig Riley
purchase.
“I’ve had it for 40 or 50
years, bought it at flea market up in Northfield, I have
no idea what I paid for it,
can’t remember. It was a
long time ago and I’m getting dumber by the day,”
laughed Strong. “I never
fired it in Massachusetts
until I started doing the canoe race. I own a place up
in New Hampshire on a lake
up there, and back when I
first got it we made some big
bangs on the fourth of July.
Of course on the fourth
there was more than one
explosion going on on that
Cannon from Page 3A
lake, you could hear them
up and down the shore all
night.”
As far as when and where
the cannon was manufactured, strong isn’t exactly
sure, but said that it probably hasn’t been around as
long as he has.
“I think, this is my
thought, that it is a replica
of something bigger, on a
smaller scale. It’s not an ancient one, it’s fairly modern.
I would say it was made in
our day, you know. My best
guess is that it’s 60, maybe
70 years old.”
As far as transporting the
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cannon to where it has to go,
that has changed a bit in the
past several years.
“I used to be able to pick it
up and throw it in my truck,
but I can’t do it anymore. I
can pick it up, but can’t get
it up on the tailgate,” said
Strong. “Right now I’m going to tell you how old I am.
I’m 87 years, four months,
three weeks, and two days.
Do yourself a favor and
don’t get old!”
Strong maintains a fantastic sense of humor as he
creeps toward the 90 year
mark. He, like most who
stick around so long, has
had his share of health problems, including heart issues,
aneurisms, cataracts and
cancer. “I’ve been through
everything as far as health
is concerned. Had ‘em all.
They tell me I died two or
three times. I’m beating
all the odds, I can sure see
that.”
Strong has no shortage of
helpers to make sure it gets
to where it has to go on race
day, however. A group of
friends dubbed the “Coffee
Club” by Strong’s son, Kris,
drop by Pete’s place every
morning for coffee and conversation and are always
more than willing to lend
Strong a hand.
“I got guys that come up
here every morning — every
morning — at 5:30. We got a
big pot of coffee and that’s
it,” said Strong. “We’ve been
Cannon to Page 34A
Good Luck
River Rats!
Workers’ is a proud supporter of the
52nd Annual River Rat Race.
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History
itt who beat out defending
champs Abby Kingman and
Lisa Salvini. Bettie Bennett
and Cathy Grimes placed
third.
Bill Rogers II and ringer
Lori Rosebloom, who’s the
sister of Al Shaver, teamed
up to win the mixed division
title.
2001
After battling neck and
neck along the river, Robert
Zaveral and Al Shaver Jr.,
edged past Dennis Carey of
Orange and Dale Persons of
New York, crossing the finish line only inches ahead
with a mighty push. ZaveralShaver drew the number 39
spot. Carey-Persons started
at number 4. Winning time
was 36:50. Third place was
won by Peter Heed and Paul
Facteau, who had started in
the 227th position.
Environmental
Police
Officer Anthony Brighenti
received the Big Cheese
Award.
2002
An all local team, Brent
Lyesiuk of Orange and John
Berry of Petersham coasted
to a 25-yard win in a time of
36:50 after starting in position 111. It was the second
victory for Lyesiuk, who
won with Paul Facteau in
1991. Lyesiuk-Berry team
caught leaders Tom and Ken
Ostrowski about a mile into
the race. They battled it out
until the local team took the
lead for good at the halfway
mark.
Second place winners
were Peter Heed and Paul
Facteau, with the Ostrowskis taking home the bronze.
Ten-time winner Bob Zaveral and partner Cory Dubois placed fourth.
In the battle of the pencil
pushers, Orange Administrator Assistant Rick Kwiatkowski and Orange Selecetman Steve Adam bested
Athol Town Manager Peter
Jankowski and computer
programmer Mark Holden.
The winners received a pizza party in this race within a
race.
2003
Joe Shaw of Worthington and Ken Ostrowski of
Cheshire came from post
position 40 to win the race
in a time of 36:32. Hot on
their heels were local favorites Dennis Carey and Dale
Parsons (17th post position)
who led the field under the
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from Page 21A
South Main Street Bridge.
Carey-Parsons came in second place, and Dave Dugas
and Gary Gleason earned
third place.
The eventual winners
shadowed
Carey-Persons
most of the way. Carey said,
“It’s a big time curse. We
sprinted one hundred yards
too soon. They had a little
more in the tank, late in the
race.”
In the girls division, New
Hampshire native Susan
Morris and Southampton’s
Chris Schmidt defended
their crown.
The annual Big Cheese
Award was presented to
long time River Rat Race
Committee member Tom
Lozier. The award was presented by fellow committee
members Dave Flint, Lee
Chauvette, Lyle Smith and
Mark Brennan.
2004
Brent Lyesiuk of Orange
and John Berry of Petersham won their second race in
a three-year span in a time
of 38:20, cruising to a 200yard victory.
Lyesiuk said, “It would
have been a battle with
(Bob) Zaveral.” Zaveral
had drawn the number 43
position Friday night at the
town hall, but a hernia operation forced him to back
out, sending partner Al
Shaver Jr. to the back of the
pack with replacement Jeff
Shultis.
There was a battle for second place. Four time winner
Peter Heed and Paul Facteau nipped the mixed team of
Jennifer Caldwell and Randy Martin by half a canoe.
Carey-Persons
finished
10th, despite starting at the
239th spot.
Lori Rosebloom and Sue
Morris came from post 251
to win the girl’s division
crown.
2005
Randy Martin and Dana
Henry came from post position 99 to win the race in a
time of 35 minutes four seconds.
Friendly Towner Dennis
Carey and Dale Persons had
to settle for second once
again as they crossed the
wire 500 yards behind the
top team, and pulling up in
third were, Bob Zaveral and
Al Shaver.
“How long did it take Dale
Earnhardt to win at Daytona? I think we were just
meant to be second,” joked
Carey, who drew post position 40, and had thoughts of
finally breaking the curse.
John Berry and Brent Lyesiuk won the Forand/Soucie Memorial award for more
canoes passed from post position 298. They finished in
ninth place.
2006
After finishing second
in three of the last five Rat
Races, Dennis Carey of
Orange and Empire Stater
Dale Persons took the Rat
crown in 39:01. Nick Lyesiuk and Doug Howard were
a distant second, followed
by Jeff Shultis and Bill Rogers.
The winners became
heavy favorites after drawing post position number
one. Dave Flint had found a
penny heads up at his garage
and instantly got two calls at
his garage and sold two cars.
He gave the lucky coin to
Care just before the drawing. The top three teams led
History Page 23A
Sterling Silver Canoe Charm
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15 CENTRAL ST.,
WINCHENDON, MA
(978) 297-3536
ORANGE, MA - New Athol Road, Route 2A
(978) 544-8211
Hours: Mon.-Fri. 7 am-5 pm
Sat. 8 am-4 pm
Sun. 9 am-2 pm
History
Main St., Winchendon —
The Lake Dennison Recreation Area, although managed by Otter River State
Park staff, is part of the
Army Corps of Engineers
Birch Hill Flood Control
Project. Only non-motorized boating is allowed.
The entrance is located on
Route 202 (from Route 2,
take exit 20 to Baldwinville
Road to 202). Contact 978939-8962 or 978-297-1609
• Tully Lake, Route 32,
Royalston — A 200-acre
lake with a paved parking
lot and boat ramp, campground and 18-hole disc golf
course, Tully Lake is dotted
with numerous little islands,
and boaters can continue up
the Tully River which feeds
it. It’s owned by the Army
Corps of Engineers and
managed by the Trustees of
the Reservations. Contact:
978-249-4957 (in season),
978-840-4446 ext 1921 (off
season), or tullylakecampground@ttor.org
• Laurel Lake, 122 Long
Pond Rd., Warwick —
Water from Page 4A
Named for the abundance
of mountain laurel in Erving State Park (which includes land in Erving, Warwick and Orange), Laurel
Lake is about a mile long
with a beach, seasonal
campground, picnic area,
and trails that offer views of
Mt. Monadnock. The lake
is home to trout, bass, perch
and pickerel. There are
even trails for horseback
riding. To reach the lake,
take Moss Brook Road off
Route 2A, then turn left
onto Long Pond Road.
Contact: 978-544-3939
• Ruggles Pond, 392
Montague Rd., Wendell —
This 10-acre pond is the
main day-use area of the
enormous Wendell State
Forest (over 7,000 acres,
purchased in the 1920s), but
boating is also available on
Wickett Pond. From Route
2A, take Wendell Depot
Road to Wendell Center,
turn right onto Montague
Road, and the day-use entrance will be on the right
after 3.6 miles. Picnic areas,
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978-249-4785
ATHOL, MA
a pavilion and a ball field
are all sited near Ruggles
Pond. Contact: 413-6593797 or wendell.forest@
state.ma.us
• Barton Cove, Route 2,
Gill — Though not a lake,
just a little nook on the Connecticut River, Barton Cove
features a Mass DCR public
access (paved) boat ramp,
just east of the bridge to
Turners Falls. Motorboats,
canoes and fishing boats
are all allowed, and the water is tested for safety every
Thursday between June
and October by volunteers
with the Connecticut River
Watershed Council — as of
September 2014, the cove
was clean for boating and
swimming. A big draw here
is the bald eagle nesting site
on Barton Island, equipped
with an “eagle cam.” Contact: 413-781-6045, 413-7722020, or connecticutriver.us
• And, of course, canoeing, kayaking and standup paddleboarding are all
available at the Riverfront
Boathouse at the Riverfront
Park, West River Street,
Orange. But since their
boat ramp is on the Millers River, just make sure
you go after the Rat Race.
The boathouse, operated by
Peak Expeditions, is also a
great source of information,
instruction and equipment
rentals.
All Massachusetts State
Forests charge a fee for
parking between Memorial
Day and Labor Day.
the field under the bridge including Carey-Persons, Jeff
Shultis-Bill Riers and Andy
Soltysik and Matt King.
Shane MacDowell and Matt
Rudnitsky took fourth.
The team of two time winners Brent Lyesiuk and John
Berry had the best showing of all, as they started in
299th and wound up in sixth
place.
Sue Morris and Kate “Ellis won the fifth straight girls
title.
2007
Brent Lyesiuk of Orange
and John Berry of Petersham took first place for the
third time in a race dominated by snow and rain. It
was almost a photo finish
as the pair battled for the
win against Dennis Carey
of Orange and Dale Persons of New York (second)
and Matt Rudnitsky of New
York and Shane MacDowell
of Peru pulling up third.
The 15th annual Ted
Crumb Big Cheese Award
was presented to the Athol
and Orange Police departments.
2008
Athol natives Jason Litchenberger and Jason Gauthier, who pulled post position
21, cruised to an easy victory
in a time of 34:45. Matt and
Andy Rudnitsky wound up
second and Tom Ellsworth
and John Kazimierczyk
were third. Despite having
the lucky penny, defending
champ Dennis Carey and
Dale Persons drew post 240
and finished ninth.
This was the year local favorite, retired town accountant Chuck “Porky” Baker
suffered a heart attack
about a mile into the race.
It was the race number 42
for Baker, who was paddling
with Howie Bean of Wolfeboro, NH for the tenth time.
Mary Hamilton and Ed
Euvrard won the top Mixed
category. The Forand/Soucie Memorial award went
to Nick Lyesiuk and Doug
Howard. The James Canning Award (parent/child)
went to Ken and Ryan
Goodwin.
2009
A sinking economy caused
a decline in sponsorship for
from Page 22A
this year’s race, which went
on despite the loss and an
increase in the cost of police
coverage.
There were 276 canoes
entered and Ryan Lyesiuk
of Gardner and Matt Rudnitsky of New York emerged
victorious.
With a mile to go, the duo
paddled past last year’s winner Jason Lichtenberger
and Jason Gauthier and
never looked back. Their
winning time was 34:59.
Tom Ellsworth of Orange
and John Kazimierczyk of
New Hampshire were second and Jason Lichtenberger and Jason Gauthier were
third. Nick Lyesiuk and
Doug Howard were a close
fourth.
Ellen
Ellsworth
and
Christina Wilson won the
Women’s Division; Gloria
Wesley and Gary Aprea won
the Mixed Division and Michael Schlimmer and Ben
Schlimmer won the Men’s
Recreation Division.Don
and Drew Stebbins (youth
age 13) won the Janes Canning Memorial Award.
2010
Tradition continues as
Matt and Andy Rudnitsky
capture the 47th River Rat
Race, emerging from post
132 to cross the finish line in
37 minutes and 10 seconds.
The duo had some work to
do to catch up to heavy favorites Brent Lyesiuk and
John Berry and Susan Morris and Bob Rapant.
entered.
The first annual “Big
Cheese 5K” race/walk was
started. It was announced
by race co-director Heather
Brissette that all proceeds
would benefot the Food-aThon to help area families
in need.
2011
registered in this year’s running, and New Yorkers took
the top two trophies.
History Page 30A
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Sat., April 11th
6:00 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
Orders To Go
978-544-6821
Christina’s Restaurant
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20 French King Hwy., Erving
413-422-1161 • 413-422-1158
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We also carry
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Hours: Tues.-Thurs. 4-9 p.m.,
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Closed Monday
First Race from Page 5A
invasion of Comanches —
had no sooner come to the
starting rope than Ronnie
Akey and Ken Shackett, On
The Rail’s favorites, were
suddenly walking on river
bottom instead of paddling.
As their canoe was taken
in tow, and they made their
way safely out of the water,
another pair, Cliff Parcher
and Kenny Young, went bottom- side up.
Parcher came up, eyes
blinking and grabbed the
starting rope. Young attached himself to the Bill
Gillis canoe, but Gillis, fearful of suffering the same
fate, admonished his erstwhile fishing buddy to “Get
away from my canoe!” It
appeared for a moment that
Big Bill might use his paddle
to beat water-logged Kenny
off but reason prevailed.
Young soon found he could
touch bottom and both he
and Parcher left the water
and the race.
A chase downstream rescued the Young canoe and
his hat, but lost in the confusion was one loafer, size 10
D.
While
pandemonium
reigned and the safety patrol
boats prowled closer, keeping a sharp eye for further
trouble, starter King Cecil
prepared to give the starting
call. At precisely one o’clock,
Cecil boomed “Go!” and
away went nine canoes to
be followed shortly by Akey
and Shackett, who refused
to give up, and late starters,
Brian Rowe and Dick Fountain who overslept, or something. Soucie and Forand,
digging furiously, got away
on top and they were never
headed, gliding under Daniel Shays Highway bridge
where another huge gathering shouted encouragement,
a minute in front of Adams
and Boudreau, with Castine
and Truehart another 45
seconds and a lot of water
behind.
When they hit the long
straight-away in the vicinity
of the Ranch they were still
one-two-three, and it was
apparent that was the way
they would finish barring an
accident.
No misfortune did develop and the top trio came
winging to the finish line at
Hachey’s Landing as the
cheers of hundreds rang in
their ears.
Threatening to break into
the money was the duo of
John Pianka and Gordon
Bachelder while the darkhorse entry of Bill Gillis
(“Just Call me James”) and
Al Wessell decked out as
one of the Beatles, failed to
Good Luck Rats!
make a serious challenge.
Other canoeists in the
race were Ed Gleba and
Burrell Pepperdine, Charles
and John Batutis, Terry Floran and Guy Howard, and
last but far from least the
two prime organizers of the
extravaganza, Ted Crumb
and Merritt Cleveland.
State, Athol and Orange
police handled traffic on Rt.
2, South Athol road, where
cars were sometimes bumper to bumper following
progress of the race, and in
both Athol and Orange.
In an accompanying article, Cummings wrote this
commentary headlined ‘In
the Wake Down Millers River’:
“From a little acorn the
giant oak tree grew.” Who
would have believed there
were so many people interested in Saturday’s canoe
race down Millers? Thanks
to pilot Pud Woodard and
the Gillis-Young launch,
Yours Truly was offered a
ringside seat to the action.
The pre-start activities of the
paddlers were not staged, a
chagrined Cliff Parcher can
attest to that, but they did
add color and who can deny
they didn’t follow the race
down-stream wondering if
another pair or two wouldn’t
spill over? All along the
course it was the same, at
every open spot, five, 10
many times more persons,
on both banks, shouting encouragement, poking fun as
the canoes swept by. They
were hanging out of trees,
they were hanging off the
railroad trestle, and at one
point just below the Ranch,
six non-human spectators
poked their noses up in the
air and grunted. No fooling, six big white hogs were
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at the water’s edge peering
out over the river. When
they saw the canoe bearing
derby-topped Bill Gillis and
Beatle-wigged Al Wessell
come into view, they snorted
and ran off into the bushes.
An “A” for effort to Ron
Akey and Ken Shackett who
despite a thorough soaking
and late start, gave it a big
try. And another “A” for effort to Young and Parcher.
They didn’t have to come
around and view the finish,
all the while trying to explain to the repeated question, “What happened?”
But what good is life without
a laugh as long as it is good
clean fun? Clean did I say?
Well maybe not quite in this
case but both men assured
me they didn’t open their
mouths when they went under just before starting time.
One of the few times either
has ever been speechless, a
wag commented.
For Art Forand, who was
in the bow of the winning
canoe, “One of the biggest
days in my life,” his own
words. As he put it, “No one
figures Sonny had a chance
with me in there with him.”
Dick Fountain and Brian
Rowe were left waiting at
the church, proof next year
that when King Cecil says
starting time is 1 p.m., he
means 1 p.m.
To all who assisted in
many ways, and there were
many, a tip of the hat for a
fine exhibition, something
this area could do with a lot
more of. Also proof positive
that Millers River offers unlimited potential in the field
of recreation. It was a joint
effort by the race promoters, the Coast Guard Auxiliary and those who made
possible awards to the win-
Lynn Brooks,
REALTOR®
Office (978) 249-8131, Ext. 17,
Cell (508) 335-3861
lbrooks@godinrealestate.com
Buying? Selling? Downsizing?
Family Expanding? Moving
to a retirement community?
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ners: Piragis Boats, Louis
Foglia, Al Hachey, the Summit Lunch, Girardi Distributors.
Also to the men who did
the preparations and clean
up after the banquet that
followed river action. Personally, a big thanks to statistician John Emery and
pilot Pud Woodward. Coast
Guard Auxiliary Flotilla
members who assisted during the race were: George
Lake, Walter
Ambrose, Arthur MacLean, Donald Higgins
and Orville Bissett. Others
manning boats were auxiliary trainee Edward Starrett
and non-members Harold
Dresser and Roy Trenoweth.
Boats were supplied by
Lake, Bissett and Dresser.
Try a ride down the Millers
sometime. Then think how
often you and hundreds of
others might repeat your
trip if a clean-up operation
is undertaken.
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447 MAIN ST., ATHOL (978) 249-7535
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Thurs. 8:30am-6:00pm, Sat. 8:30am-4:00pm • Closed Sunday
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Tintagels Gate
505 Main Street, Athol, MA • 978-830-4611
After the Race Follow the Pack Upstream to...
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NECKRA Racing: 2015 points schedule
April 12
River Rat Race
Pro/Am (flatwater)
10:00 AM Millers River
Orange, MA
Distances: 12 mi, 15 mi
www.riverratrace.com
Willimantic River
Downriver Race
Class I & II downriver
noon Willimantic River
Heron Cove Park, Tolland,
CT
Distance: 8 mi
An 8-Mile Race on Class I
& II Rapids on the Willimantic River from Tolland to Eagleville, CT. Race end is at the
Eagleville Dam on Route 275
in Eagleville.
April 18
Westfield Whitewater
Races - Novice
Downriver
Westfield River
State DPW Yard, Huntington, MA
Distance: 8 mi
www.westfieldriverraces.
com
April 26
Sturbridge All American
River Race (downriver)
11:00 AM Quinebaug River
Sturbridge, MA
Distance: 6 mi
This is a timed race of
over six miles, starting one
craft each minute. The first
craft leaves Turners Field at
11:01AM and heads for the
finish line at Westville Dam
Recreational Area in South-
bridge.
www.angelfire.com/ma3/
sturbridgelions/events.html
April 26
33nd Annual Run of the
Charles (flatwater)
Charles River
Dedham, MA to Allston,
MA
Distances: 26 mi, 19 mi, 9
mi, 6 mi, 24 mi relay
The Run of the Charles
draws an average of 1,400 racers and thousands of spectators each year.
Races include:
26-Mile Professional Marathon, $5,000 in cash prizes
24-Mile Corporate Relay
24-Mile
Non-Corporate
Relay - government, women,
mixed and open classes
19-Mile Races
9-Mile Races
6-Mile Races
Paddleboard divisions
www.crwa.org/rotc/rotc.
html
May 2
Upper Ashuelot Canoe &
Kayak Race (flatwater)
11:00 AM Ashuelot River
Keene, NH
May 2 Scantic Spring
Splash (downriver)
11:30 AM Scantic River
Somersville to Hazardville,
CT
Distances: 5 mi, 2.5 mi
www.scanticspringsplash.
org
May 3
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Otter Brook Canoe & Kayak
Race (Class III downriver)
10:00 AM Otter Brook
Branch Rd, Roxbury, NH
Distance: 5 mi
A 5 mile Class III race
course from the base of the
dam to the RT 12 bridge just
south of Keene, NH. Otter Brook is a narrow twisty
stream with lots of rocks to
maneuver around. Helmets
required for all classes.
Lower Ashuelot
River Race (flatwater)
11:00 AM Ashuelot River
Winchester, NH
The race will start just
downstream of the Coombs
Covered Bridge, 971 Old
Westport Rd., Winchester,
NH and will finish at the Sims
property, 77 Back Ashuelot
Rd, off of route 10, in Winchester, NH.
New in 2015, there will be
a hot meal available after the
race. It’s included in the entry
fee of $15.
May 9
Boateater Challenge
noon Farmington River
Burlington, CT
Distance: 5.5 mi
5.5 miles on the Farmington River. Several miles of
quickwater and class II rapids,
some flatwater, a ledgy descent containing the infamous
BOATEATER rapid, and a
sprint for the finish.
May 17
Quinnipiac
Downriver Classic
11:00 AM Quinnipiac River
Southington, CT
www.qrwa.org
May 17
Mystic River Herring
Run (flatwater)
11:00 AM Mystic River
Somerville, MA
Distances: 12 mi, 9 mi, 3 mi
Run, Walk and Paddle for
the Fish
3, 9 and 12 mile paddling
races on the Mystic River.
Optional 5K road race prior to paddle
www.mysticriver.org
June 6
Wild Goose
Chase (flatwater)
11:00 AM Housatonic Riv-
er
Lenox, MA
A technical, narrow, suck
water, shallow water and
somewhat deep water race
out and back on the Housatonic River.
June 13
9th Annual Nashua
11:00 AM Nashua River
Groton, MA
www.nashuariverrace.com
June 13
Fife Dam to Shunpike
Race (downriver)
1:00 PM Deerfield River
Fife Dam to Shunpike Canoe/Kayak Race
OR Picnic area to Shunpike
Yes, 2 separate races in one
day!! But you can only run 1.
Class I, II & III Downriver
depending on which option
you choose.
June 21
31st Annual NE Canoe-Orienteering Championships
10:00 AM - 12:30 PM Holderness, NH
Open to canoes and kayaks,
all NECKRA classes.
Courses: Short, Medium,
and Long
Fastest boat on the long
course is the New England
Champion
June 27
Charlemont Downriver
Race (Class I & II)
1:45 PM Deerfield River
Charlemont, MA
A six mile race on Class I
and II water on the Deerfield
River in Charlemont.
Awards will be at Warfield
House
June 28
The Meltdown 2015
10:00 AM Connecticut
River
Northfield, MA
Riverview Picnic Area
99 Millers Falls Rd
Northfield, MA
July 4
4th of July Contoocook
11:00 AM Contoocook
River
Contoocook, NH
Distance: 5 mi
July 12
Deerfield Riverfest
Wildwater Race (Class IV)
noon Deerfield River
Deerfield Dryway
This is a class IV downriver race on starting from the
Monroe Bridge put in to the
bottom of the Labyrinth Rapid on the Deerfield Dryway.
Part of the Lozer Cup Race
Series.
Connecticut C1/K1
Championships (flatwater)
River
Windsor, CT
Distances: 7 mi, 3.5 mi
7-mile loop course with
some shallow water and moderate current. Great for spectators!
July 15
Holyoke Rows
Boathouse Challenge
6:30 PM Connecticut River
Holyoke, MA
Distances: 10K, 4K
www.holyokerows.org
August 1 New England
Championships (flatwater)
River
618 River Road, Westmoreland, NH
Distance: 12 mi
August 8
Connecticut River
Challenge (flatwater)
River
Bissell Bridge Boat Launch,
Windsor, CT
Distance: 9 mi
August 29
Bridge Race (flatwater)
River
Springfield, MA
September TBA
Dragon Slayer
(Class IV downriver)
noon Deerfield Dryway
Monroe Bridge put-in
Exact race date will be announced when the water release has been scheduled.
Class IV mass start downriver race from the Monroe
Bridge put in to the bottom of
Labyrinth Rapid on the Deerfield Dryway. The Deerfield
Dryway is Class III and IV
whitewater so be familiar and
practice the course before the
race. There will be some safety on the course but all racers
are responsible for their own
safety and should be proficient in self rescue in difficult
class IV rapids.
September 13
6th Annual Great
Stone Dam Classic
11:00 AM Merrimack River
Abe Bashara Boathouse,
Lawrence, MA
Distances: 8.6 mi, 3.5 mi,
1K youth
Three great races: All boat
classes and paddlers welcome!!
8.6-mile, two-loop Racing
course!
3.5-mile
Recreational
course!
1k Youth and Jr./Sr. races
after the 8.6- and 3.5-mile
races
September 20
Connecticut River
Paddle Battle (flatwater)
River
Herrick’s Cove, Rockingham, VT
Distances: 7.5 mi, 2 mi
www.ctrpaddlebattle.com
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(978) 270-3241
(978) 575-1403
2014: The Top 50
Place
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
Postion
104
46
6
11
4
55
52M
217
92M
21
127
67
193
131
64M
16
189
176
194A
253
164
165M
27
132M
232
261G
91
239M
23
203M
206M
74
65
241M
245G
17A
166M
268
230
171
231M
218C
257
71YA
103
126A
233C
62
109
151M
Name
Trevor Lefever and Ben Schlimmer
Matt Rudnitsky and Mike Schlimmer
Peter Heed and Paul Facteau
Nick Lyesiuk and Bob Rapant
John Berry and Brent Lyesiuk
Dennis Carey and Dale Persons
Emma Ross and Jack Morse
Adam Gelinas and Shane MacDowell
Al Shaver and Cathy Grimes
Dan Smith and Steve Drew
Jason Lichenberger and Jason Gauthier
Charley Brackeet and Chuck Baxter
Jeff Shultis and Larry Harrison
Zachary Thiem and Phil Stevens
Jeff Defeo and Sarah Lessard
Dave Dugas and Gary Gleason
Paul Dyka and Del Cummings
Roger Henry and Joe Schlimmer
Seth Miller and Stephen Miller
Joe Shaw and Ed Euvvard
Tom Ellsworth and Betty Ross
Dave Dorsey and Kris Dorsey
James Roberts and John Casale
Ken Goodwin and Sandra Superchi
Kevin Boss and Dave Vandoupe
Mary Schlimmer and Theresa Schlimmer
Will Stevens and Noodle Campbell
Matt King and Karen Pleasant
Jeff Teece and Jerry Whaland
Gary Aprea and Gloria Wesley
Bill Ellsworth and Ellen Ellsworth
Beill MacDonald and Tom Carey
Patrick Cormier and Joe Cormier
Michael Fairchild and Sandy Harris
Pam Fitzgerald and Vicki Cummings
Francis Schlimmer and Bruce Codington
Tom Warner and Kristen Warner
Matt Payne and Nate Payne
Dan Stimson and Keith Mildren
Allen Ross and Bruce Duquette
Bonnie Sumner and Joe Sumner
Bob Allen and Dick Ulbridge
Robert D’amagnac and Dan Gaskill
Ken Fish and Colin Fish
Raymond Lepage and Tim Croughwell
Roland Jean and Roger Ballard III
Pete Olson and Ed Halpin Jr.
Don Gazerro and Brian Gogan
Nathan Garland and Tim Garland
Laura Crosby and Lloyd Sanderson
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Flint
erage around 300 or just under,” said Flint.
Operations and rules were
tweaked over the years. A
lottery drawing of post positions is conducted at the
Town Hall Friday night prior to the race. (And though
Tom Lozier has retired as
fire chief, he remains on the
committee and will be in
attendance Friday night as
usual for the drawing). Life
jackets and safety lines are
required, and the first 45 canoes (in the money bracket)
are jigged (measured) for
length, depth and height,
when they come out of the
water at the finish line. Canoes must be propelled by
single blade paddles only.
No portages allowed. No
weights allowed. No switching partners. All canoes are
lined up in order of their position number on the river’s
edge.
In the days before computers and cell phones, entry forms were mailed to
previous racers. When that
got expensive, they switched
to postcards. “As soon as
the internet came around
we started our riverratrace.
com website and you can
download an entry form and
official rules,” said Flint.
When the water begins to
from Page 20A
break and the entries start
to flow in, he sets up camp
at the Daily News to process
the entries and starts his list.
The names are printed in
the Daily News as they come
in and the post positions list
appears in Saturday’s paper.
Flint reports that many
paddlers return year after
year. “It’s amazing how you
get to know all these names
- I see them come in and I
know right off where they
live, who they’ll paddle with
- I’ve been doing it for 25
years,” he said.
He also says it hasn’t felt
like 25 years. He just keeps
it going.”
“That’s how it all came
about. Ted was fantastic,”
said Flint. In 1993, the
committee started up the
“Ted Crumb Big Cheese
Award,” given to a business
or individual that has greatly
helped with the River Rat
Race.
Flint recalls, “We ran it
by Ted, and his reaction was
‘Well for ****** sakes I’m
not even dead yet!” Flint
laughed and said, “Ted - I
didn’t say it was a memorial
award!”
Crumb agreed, “Alright
then, go ahead and do it.”
Flint said every year they
kept Crumb involved in the
decision-making
process.
“It is a memorial award
now,” he said, “I got to be
real good friends with Ted.
He was a good guy.” Crumb
died about six years ago.
The first Ted Crumb Big
Cheese Award was presented to Girardi Distributors, which has supported
the race from its inception.
“Buddy Girardi has been
good to us over the years
- Girardi’s has been fantastic,” said Flint, “they are our
number 1 sponsor.” He has
been approached over the
years from other breweries
who wanted to get involved
in sponsorship. “I turned
them down flat,” said Flint,
“We will never take any other kind of alcohol-related
sponsor out of respect for
Girardi’s.”
He said the same goes for
the banks. “Athol Savings
Bank is our No. 2 sponsor.
Our sponsorship is $300,
but every year they give us
$1,000. One year they gave
us $2,000.”
He added, “The Athol
Daily News is right up there,
too. You’re very gracious to
allow all the entry forms to
be mailed here and allow
me to come in and do the
list. Last week the girls were
pulling their hair out with
people coming in and with
questions over the phone.”
The Sunday ProAm races
were added about 20 years
ago. “The whole point was
to keep the people who
came from out of town here,
staying in the motels, eating
in the restaurants, buying
gas and food from the convenience stores.
Flint and crew (Tom
Lozier, Frank Fortin, Jim
and Jeannette McIntosh
and Kathy Chaisson), have
streamlined the process,
which begins in September
with talks with the Army
Corps of Engineers about
the water releases, lining
up insurance and taking
out an ad in the NECKRA
magazine. After New Year’s
things heat up and Girardi’s
makes the posters, official
race t-shirts and sweatshirts,
Flint goes to the towns of
Athol and Orange for local
permits and he also applies
for a permit from the state
environmental board to
hold the boating event.
“It doesn’t seem like 25
years. I don’t mind doing it.
I was one who didn’t want to
see it go by the wayside. We
have had some great times
over the years,” said Flint.
He paused then added, “but
if you ask me the day before
the race — I might have a
different answer.”
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History
The duo of Marc Gillespie and Matt Rudnitsky
sprinted past fellow New
Yorkers Mike Bachman
and Al Shaver Jr. on the
final straightaway to capture the win. The winners
started from post 132, the
exact post Rudnitsky won
from last year with his uncle, Andy. Third place was
won by Tom Ellsworth and
Marc Lessard.
Winning the award for
passing the most canoes
were Barre duo Ryan
Goodwin and Ken Goodwin (post 264) who passed
238 canoes.
Rudnitsky said after
pulling a decent number, the pair picked their
from Page 23A
way through the pack and
once they got about a mile,
could see the leaders. It
took 10 minutes for them
to get into the top five.
Gillespie said, “When you
catch someone from that
far back, you know you’re
probably faster than they
are.”
After finishing second
The Official
Radio Station
of the
2015
Running of the
RIVER RAT RACE
The WJDF RAT PATROL covers
the entire race from start to finish.
Hear the Live Streaming @ www.wjdf.com
Check Out The Official River Rat Website At
www.riverratrace.com
in the women’s division in
each of the last three years,
the tandem of Pam Fitzgerald and Vicki Cummings
captured the women’s division, placing 37th and
edging last year’s winners
Christina Wilson and Ellen
Ellsworth.
2012
Matt Rudnitsky won his
fourth consecutive River
Rat Crown and it wasn’t
even close. Rudnitsky and
partner Trevor Lefebvre
(who drew post 48) jumped
out front early and never
looked back. The second
place team of Adam Gelinas and Andy Hall was
more than 25 boat lengths
behind.
2013
This year’s weekend
event marks the 50th anniversary of the race which
grew from a barroom bet in
1964, featured a “pre-race”
a reenactment of the original rivalry. Girardi Distributors, a major sponsor of
the annual race, also sponsored the reenactment and
the winning team received
a case of beer.
Competing in the race
were David Bachelder and
David Maroni, brothers
Charles and John Batutis
74 and 76 years old, who
competed in the first race,
paddling in their original
canoe.
Bill Ellsworth received
the Ted Crumb Big Cheese
Award.
Adam Gelinas and Shane
MacDowell (boat #38)
pulled away from the pack
to take home their first
Rat crowns, winning in a
time of 36:45. Gelinas was
a runner-up in last year’s
race. In second place were
Mike Schlimmer and Ben
Schlimmer; and in third
were John Berry and Brent
Lyesiuk Matt Rudnitsky
and Trevor Lefever were
in fourth place and Dennis
Carey and Dale Persons
rounded out the top five.
The day’s events were
rounded out with a fireworks display presented
by Atlas Fireworks, in Orange, similar to the Starry
Starry Night display.
River Rat Winners
YEAR
1964
1965
1966
1967
1968
1969
1970
1971
1972
1973
1974
1975
1976
1977
1978
1979
1980
1981
1982
1983
1984
1985
1986
1987
1988
1989
1990
1991
1992
1993
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
WINNERS
Sonny Soucie, Art Forand
Bill Ellsworth, John Ellsworth
Bobby Parker, Walt Poirier
Bobby Parker, Walt Poirier
Nick Lyesiuk, Gene Lyesiuk
Ralph Barnes, Larry Barnes
Henry Ikonen, Dave Bates
Ralph Douglas, Dave Armstrong
Bob Zaveral, Bob Bennet
Tom Warren, Ron Shepard
Al Camp, Bob Bennet
Bob Zaveral, Jeff Shultis
Al Camp, Bob Bennet
Jim LaFortune, Charlie Whitmore
Bob Zaveral, Jeff Shultis
Jim LaFortune, Charlie Whitmore
Paul Olney, Peter Heed
Bob Zaveral, Bob Bennet
Bob Zaveral, Bob MacDowell
Steve Galib, Bob Rapant
Brent Lyesiuk, Paul Facteau
Bob Rapant, Carl Normandin
Bob Rapant, Carl Normandin
Bob Zaveral, Serge Corbin
Peter Heed, Paul Facteau
Bob Zaveral, Serge Corbin
Peter Heed, Joe Shaw
Ryan Lyesiuk, Bob Rapant
Peter Heed, Paul Facteau
Bob Zaveral, Al Shaver Jr.
Brent Lyesiuk, John Berry
Joe Shaw, Ken Ostrowski
Dana Henry, Randy Martin
Dennis Carey, Dale Persons
Jason Lichtenberger, Jason Gauthier
Ryan Lyesiuk, Matt Rudnitsky
Matt Rudnitsky, Andy Rudnitsky
Matt Rudnitsky, Marc Gillespie
Matt Rudnitsky, Trevor Lefever
Adam Gelinas, Shane MacDowell
Ben Schlimmer, Trevor Lefever
Certification
from Page 5A
inaugural event in 2010. In ration, Cornerstone Insur- will be presented in front of
addition to the course being ance, Law Office of Mark the town hall, weather percertified this year, it is also Goldstein, Law Office of mitting.
the first time the chip timing Lynette Goodnow, HomeIn the event of inclement
system will be used.
town Bank, Regal Storage weather, the awards will be
Regarding chip timing, Centers and Uptown Pack- handed out in Memorial
Brissette said previously the age Store at the $100 Ched- Hall at the town hall. “But
professionals with 3C Race dar Level.
there will be NO rain!” BrisProductions and Yankee
Brissette also acknowl- sette predicted.
Timing of Merrimack, N.H., edged Smith’s Country
For more information and
who time the race, encour- Cheese, Hannaford Super- to register, log onto http://
aged organizers to utilize market, WJDF and Road www.bigcheese5k.com. In
the technology “to keep the ID for their donations of addition to online registrarace professional and, more products and services.
tion, hard copy forms can be
importantly, the runners
Since its inception, the downloaded off the site or
happy.”
event has raised thousands picked up at the Athol Area
This year also represents of dollars to aid the North YMCA. The cost is $20.
the first time the Athol Area Quabbin Food-a-thon and
Same-day
registration
YMCA is a sponsoring part- the area Meals on Wheels will also be available at the
ner of the Big Cheese.
program. The motto, as al- town hall, at 584 Main St.,
Other sponsors include: ways, is: “We run for food on April 11. Participants
Kessler Investments, L.S. and fun!”
are asked to bring a nonStarrett Co., Pete’s Tire
Also, as in past years, par- perishable food item to doBarns Inc., and Whipps Inc. ticipants are encouraged to nate when checking in on
MIXED WINNERS — Emma Ross, left, and Jack Morse captured the mixed at the $500 Brie Level; Or- wear costumes (the sillier, that day. Check-in is from
division for the third consecutive year in 2014.
ange Oil Co., Prescott Oil, the better). Prizes will be 8 to 9 a.m. The race follows
Photo By Josh Talbot Witty’s Funeral Home and given out to the fastest male promptly at 9:30, kicking
Workers’ Credit Union at and female runners and off just ahead of the annual
the $250 Gouda Level; and walkers by age division and River Rat Promenade.
Rat Race from page 12A
Butler’s Painting & Deco- for best costumes. Awards
and Brent Lyesiuk/John
“It’s natural to be com- boat, it felt like another
Berry. In the end, it was petitive even though it is opportunity lost as they
70-year-old Nick that edged your own son,” said Nick. couldn’t take advantage of
his son at the finish.
“We got a couple of breaks the No. 4 post three years
“I figured I had Bob as and we caught the right after failing to win from the
my motor and I could be wave at the right time and No. 1 spot.
up there with my kid,” said nosed them out.”
“It’s disappointing, but
Nick. “That’s what it was all
Rapant, one of the pre- when you look to see where
460-464 Main St., Athol, MA
about.”
mier paddlers in the coun- everyone else is (postBrent said the difference try, was honored to have ed) and we’re all under
was a matter of inches.
Nick in his boat.
the bridge quick, it really
“Once we got behind the
“Just paddling with Nick, doesn’t make a difference,”
lead three boats, we stuck to me, was an honor,” said said Berry. “This sport retogether,” said Brent. “It Rapant. “He’s an icon in quires time and unfortuwas inches. It doesn’t mat- this race and he’s one of the nately we just don’t have the
ter. You want to be first.”
guys that make this such a time to dedicate to make us
Nick credited luck for his wonderful event.”
that competitive.”
narrow victory over his son.
For the Berry/Lyesiuk
Jack Morse and Emma
Ross captured the mixed
division for the third consecutive year. Mary Schlimmer and Theresa Schlimmer paddled from post-261
to win the women’s division. They also earned the
Forand/Soucie
Memorial
32 Brown Street, Athol, MA
Award for the most boats
passed (235).
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Romp comes to an end with drunken fight
EDITOR’S NOTE: Most
Old Time River Rats will
still be able to remember
the annual party at the
Orange Armory, The River
Rat Romp, that climaxed
the River Rat parade and
Race for 17 years. The annual bash was discontinued
after 1980 due to a situation
that nearly turned into a
full scale riot. Since its loss,
the annual Athol to Orange
dash has been a good deal
more orderly and much quieter. The story below is the
original 1980 Athol Daily
News article describing the
events of that April night.
ORANGE — Scrub the
River Rat Romp, climactic
feature of River Rat Day
for the past 17 years.
Rowdies who engaged in
Olde Time New England
Seafood Company
We Will Be Open
River Rat Day For
Lunch & Dinner.
Good Luck
To All
The
Paddlers!
Take Out Service Available
2294 Main St., Athol, (978) 249-5373
Hours: Tues., Wed. 11 a.m. - 8 p.m.
Thurs. - Sat. 11 a.m. - 9 p.m.
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fisticuffs turned the annual
1980 party at the armory
into a brawl and the hall was
cleared shortly after 6 p.m.
by police.
When the disturbance
spilled over to the armory
parking lot and veterans
Park in the center of town,
police acting on orders from
selectmen, closed drinking
establishments and liquor
stores.
The trouble erupted after
the River Rat Spectacular
Inc. race committee, which
distributed trophies and
cash to winning contestants,
departed from the armory
where the party was in progress under the sponsorship
of the Orange American
Legion. An estimated 1,200
persons were in the building.
Before the night was over
an estimated 60 police officers from Athol, Orange,
Winchendon, Petersham,
New Salem, Wendell and
state police from Athol
and other barracks were involved.
Fire trucks were called in
for crowd control at the armory but were not used.
Peter Burdett, 875 North
Main St. was taken to Athol
Memorial Hospital at 5:35
p.m. with a cut hand after
he cut his hand on a beer
bottle at the armory, and
Ernest Briggs of Princton
was taken to Athol Memorial Hospital after he re-
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ceived a cut on the head
from a beer bottle.
The hospital reported
that five persons were treated for cuts and bruises during a time span of 5:40 to
8:30 p.m. but she said it was
not determined if these persons were treated as a result
of incidents in Orange.
Orange Police Sgt. William Golding explained that
“when we closed the armory
down, the crowd flooded
into the barrooms in town.’’
He said there was trouble
at Veteran’s Park, but that
most of the crowds had dispersed by 11:30 p.m.
Additional police were
called to the armory when
fighting broke out. Golding
said there were “initially 15
fights going on in the armory.’’
“We couldn’t even put a
man at each fight to control
it. People were hit with beer
mugs; they were hit with
beer bottles,’’ he said.
K-9 attack dogs were
brought in from Orange
and Athol departments and
Athol State Police. According to Golding, “They made
the difference, those three
dogs, in controlling the
crowds and getting them
moving.’’
Disturbances following
the annual “River Rat Canoe Race,’’ is apparently
nothing new to this small
town in Central Massachusetts, but officials said this
was the worst in the race’s
history.
“There have always been
problems but never to this
magnitude; we’ve never had
to close the place down before. We have in the past
had a large number of arrests but this is by far the
worst in the 17 years we’ve
had the race,’’ said officer
John Rowe.
In Athol, police chief
Robert H. Jillson advised
men at 8:12 to notify all bars
and package stores of the
situation in Orange, leaving
it up to the proprietors, and
bartenders to decide how to
deal with the situation.
With Jillson and three
other officers helping control the crowd in Orange,
officer Robert Bouchard
was on duty in town and
he described the situation as “tense for a while.’’
Bouchard said that at least
three bars, the Highland
Cafe, the Dery Bar, and Rotunda Lounge closed early,
while other drinking spots
controlled liquor consumption by limiting access at
their doors. Bouchard described the bar owners and
bartenders as “very cooperative.’’
He said the town was unusually crowded for a while,
pointing out that at 7 p.m.
traffic was backed up to the
South Main Street bridge
and parking facilities were
limited. After 11 p.m. however, it was “quieter than
a normal Saturday night,’’
desk officer Richard Truehart said this morning.
He said that “only two or
three’’ people were taken
into “protective custody’’
for detoxification, but he reported no weekend arrests.
Bouchard said that he
didn’t have to deal with any
disturbances in Athol, expressing his relief because
“I don’t know what I would
have done by myself with a
barful of drunks.’’
Sgt. Eugene DePratti, on
the desk Saturday night,
first received a call at 6:25
p.m. from the Orange Police Department for backup, with the log entry noting
that there was a “riot going
on.’’ At 7:50, the emergency
room at the Athol Memorial Hospital called DePratti requesting police assistance, and the log noted
that people arriving from
the Orange melee were “going wild’’ in the emergency
room, apparently “still in
a fighting mood,’’ as Truehart put it. Shorthanded,
DePratti notified the state
police to send help to the
hospital.
DePratti also had to deal
with a constantly ringing
telephone, as reports of the
disturbance on television
channels 7, 4 and 22 caused
relatives of local families to
call the police station to inquire about their kin. “We
need this like a hole in the
head,’’ DePratti noted in his
log.
Describing the scene in
Orange, Jillson said this
morning that he and Athol
officers William Guerrin,
Donald Sujdak, and Ronald Pratt, aided by the dog,
Fritz, helped clear the hall
and property. Jillson estimated that a thousand people had to be cleared from
the armory hall and property. He said that the dogs,
one from Athol, one from
Orange, and one from the
state police were “extremely helpful’’ in accomplishing
this goal. Jillson praised his
officers for “doing an excellent job, I thought, with no
unnecessary roughness.’’
The Athol police chief,
who said he has observed
the River Rat festivities
since their inception in
1964, said this morning that
he believes the post-race
drinking bash should be
eliminated. “I’m definitely
in favor of the parade and
the race,’’ he said, “but
other arrangements should
be made for passing out
the prizes without alcoholic
beverages.’’
Jillson said that “too
much alcohol’’ is the “basic
reason’’ behind the brawling that occurred. “The
party has created problems
every year, and each year it
seems to get a little bigger
and bring more problems,’’
he concluded.
Jillson noted that “the
majority were cooperative’’
in vacating the armory.
“Only a few resisted,’’ he
added. Controversy and all,
it still remains the top spring
attraction in the Mt. Grace
Region. A competition that
provides entertainment for
the entire family on a Saturday afternoon balloons,
hot dogs, and soda pop for
the kids, a brew for dad and
mom if she is so inclined.
A GOOD TIME — Partygoers enjoy themselves at
the old “River Rat Romp.”
GOOD LUCK RIVER RAT PADDLERS
Stop By For Our Great
Coffee & Muffins
Featuring Finnish Coffee
Bread From Our Bakery and
New England-Made Gifts
268 Baldwinville Rd., Templeton, MA • 978-939-8558
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Have A
Great Day!
52
nd
Ru
nn
ing
5
201
The Athol Daily News would like to extend our
sincere best wishes to everyone involved with
the River Rat Race including:
• Organizers
• Participants
• Sponsors
• Spectators
Please make a point of
visiting the advertisers in
this issue, that help make
its printing possible.
225 Exchange St., 978-249-3535 • Athol, MA
Email the Newsroom at newsroom@atholdailynews.com
Classified at classified@atholdailynews.com
Display Advertising at advertising@atholdailynews.com
“The North Quabbin Region’s Own Daily Newspaper Since 1934”
Cannon
doing it for about ten years,
sometimes I get six or seven
guys, at least three or four
every day. We just talk about
hunting, fishing, that kind of
thing. They’re all willing to
help out on race day.”
For anyone who might
wonder about the cannon’s
safety, rest assured that for
Strong and others involved
with the race, nothing is
more important.
“At one point two or three
years ago someone from the
state talked to Dave Flint
about checking it out, just to
make sure the cannon was
safe and make sure it wasn’t
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from Page 21A
cracked on the inside and all
rusted out or something,”
Strong said. “I gave him the
cannon, and they put it in
a solvent to take the black
paint off and X-rayed the
whole thing, and they took
a metallurgy (a test to determine the metals that make
up an object). Most cannons are made of cast iron,
but this one isn’t. It’s made
of steel and nickel, I’m told,
which is much stronger than
cast iron ever thought of being. So, they gave me the
O.K. that it was all right to
shoot, and Flint brought
it back with a clean bill of
health on it and a brand new
paint job. I never loaded it
up to what I would call full
capacity anyway with all the
people around.”
Flint, the race’s director,
said that he took the cannon to Krh Rolls in the Orange Industrial Park to have
it checked out, and then to
Quality Auto Body where it
was repainted. Both companies donated their time and
materials as a contribution
to the race.
“There’s always great
community support for the
race,” said Flint. “It’s a holiday weekend for Athol and
Orange, and a lot of people
pitch in to make it happen.”
As for the race itself, and
what it’s meant for him over
time, Strong reflected on
the changes to the event
over the years.
“It’s come a long way
since it started, when it was
a bunch of guys who raced
Kimball-Cooke, Inc.
Insurance
312 MAIN ST.
ATHOL
Tel. 978-249-3273
• Personal • Commercial • Auto
• Homeowners • Life
“Good Luck Paddlers!”
from Athol to Orange to
see who would have to buy
the beer,” laughed Strong.
“Now they’ve got people
coming from everywhere,
New York, Canada, Connecticut, New Jersey... they
come from all over for this
race. And the prizes are
pretty good you know. And
now they do a road race and
big parade and all that, too.”
Strong was honored in
1998 with the 7th annual
Ted Crumb Big Big Cheese
Award, which he proudly
displays on his living room
wall. The award is named
for the original River Rat
Race Commissioner, and is
given to a person or business
that goes above and beyond
in support of the race. He
was obviously proud, but BACK IN THE DAY — Pete Strong poses with his cannon many, many years ago.
very humble when talking
about it.
“I sure never expected
that,” said Strong. “It was
quite an honor.”
When asked about his
most vivid overall memory
of the race, Strong pointed
to a year that pre-dated the
cannon.
“Before that, there was a
guy, I don’t know his name,
but he used to climb up in a
tree to fire the shotgun. One
year, he just up and fell out
of the tree. He didn’t fire
the shotgun but everybody
that was waiting to get going in the canoes started
hollering like a bastard and
everyone just took off. What
a scene that was.”
Who knows what memories will be created this year,
but one thing’s for sure.
Strong will light the fuse and
the boom will ring through
the air signaling the start of
the 52nd annual race at 1 LEAD BOAT — Andy Soltysik, center, steers the lead boat across to finish line
p.m. Saturday.
while Tom Lozier, right, signals to the spotters during the 2014 race.
Rat Bytes
On the Friday morning prior to the River Rat Race,
members of the Athol Lions Club, River Rat Race Committee and other volunteers gather for a hearty breakfast at the White Cloud Restaurant on East River Street
in Orange. Owner Sharon Prue says the infestation of
River Rats is welcome, and that she is used to serving up
large amounts of food to hungry patrons.
———
Every racer who registers for the Rat Race receives an
official screen printed T-shirt. This year the shirts were
designed and printed by Checkers’ owner Julie Verock
on Main Street in Athol.
Greenfield, MA
1,000s of adult products
for every taste and budget.
Largest Selection in Western MA.
Gift Certificates Available
Hours: Mon-Thurs 10-9, Fri-Sat 10-10, Sun 12-7pm
Sexy & Stylish Lingerie (sizes small to 3X) • Dresses & Corsets • Shoes & Gifts • Toys & DVD’s
413-774-9800 • 18 Main St • Greenfield • www.AdamEveWMass.com
Ted Crumb Big
Cheese Award
recipients
BIG CHEESE AWARD — Buddy Girardi of Girardi
Distributors, Inc., left, was presented the annual Ted
Crumb Big Cheese Award by River Rat Race Director David Flint in 2014. Girardi has been a major
supporter of the River Rat Race since its inception
51 years ago.
CLOUATRE
MOTORS
405 EAST MAIN ST.
ORANGE, MA 01364
INC.
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www.orangecars.net
ATHOL —The “Ted
Crumb Big Cheese
Award” was established
in 19 9 3. Named after
River Rat Race Commissioner Ted Crumb,
who served from 19 64
to 1991, the award is bestowed on a business or
individual(s) in recognition of their outstanding
support for the race.
Recipients include:
1993
Girardi Distributors
1994
Athol Daily News
1995
Athol Fire Department
1996
Northfield Dive Team
1997
Orange, Royalston, New
Salem, Petersham fire
departments
1998
Pete Strong
1999
Nick Lyesiuk
2000
Dave Dugas
2001
Anthony Brighenti
2002
Mohawk AM Radio
2003
Tom Lozier
2004
Al Lyman
2005
Lester Legrand
2006
Ellsworth Family
2007
Athol and Orange police
departments
2008
Kevin Lacy and Dave
“Red Caldwell”
2009
Starr Cummings
2010
John Bartus
2011
Orange Highway
Department
2012
Athol Highway
Department
2013
Bill Ellsworth
2014
Buddy Girardi
from Page 3
reason you cannot attend,
you may pick up your starting number at the Athol
Daily News office before 11
a.m. on Saturday. No one
can pick up your starting
number without a permission note signed by you.
11. The race starts at 1:00
p.m. on the east bank of the
Millers River just upstream
from the South Main St.
Bridge in Athol on Saturday
April 11, 2015 and finishes
approx. 100 yards upstream
of the South Main St. Bridge
in Orange. The race has a
LeMans-type start with contestants in their canoes lined
up in order of their post position number on the rivers
edge. All canoes start at the
same time. Sounding of a
cannon starts the race. Assembly time starts at 11:30
a.m. The first 45 canoes finishing the race will be jigged
and measured for length
and width. A jigging receipt
will be given to you and you
must present this jigging
receipt to accept any prize
money or awards.
12. Trophies and cash
awards will be presented at
Rules
practice runs as well as during the race. No C/o2 vests
or belts allowed.
5. Canoes must have sufficient flotation and safety
lines. A 6’to 8’ safety line
must be attached to the
front and back of the canoe.
6. Canoes must be propelled by single blade paddles only. No motorized or
battery operated devices allowed.
7. No portages allowed.
Contestants must follow the
natural flow of the Millers
River.
8. The official judges reserve the right to make all
final decisions in regards to
any part of the race.
9. Anyone under the age
of 18 must have a parent or
guardian as their partner.
Only 2 persons allowed in
the canoe.
10. Post position drawings will be held at the Athol
Memorial Hall on Friday
April 10, 2015 at 7:30 p.m.
All contestants should be
present as you will find out
your starting position at this
drawing and receive final
race instructions. If for any
the finish line at 5 p.m. following the race. In addition
to regular dual first three
place trophies, there will be
a special dual for the first
three canvas and first three
aluminum canoes. Also,
first three all girl canoes,
first three men and women’s
mixed canoes and first 3 recreation canoes regardless
of what place they finished
overall. No smoking or alcoholic beverages allowed in
the hall.
13. The number of entries
determines cash awards.
Please include a self-addressed, stamped envelope
if you want confirmation
that you are signed up.
14. There are no refunds.
More information is available at www.riverratrace.
com or atholdailynews.com
No switching of partners
is allowed once positions are
drawn or you will be placed
at the back of the race.
NOTE: If you are placed
at the back, you will not be
eligible for the Soucie-Forand Trophy for most canoes
passed.
TM
With care and concern since 1910
ORANGE
158 SO. MAIN STREET
tel: 978-544-3160
Best of Luck in the
2015 River Rat Race
GIRARDI DISTRIBUTORS
Athol/Pittsfield, Massachusetts
ENJOY RESPONSIBLY
ANHEUSER-BUSCH, INC.
Please Don’t Drink And Drive

Good Luck PADDLERS!

Transcription

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