Cabbages and Kings" with Jack Redlnond the WINDSOR LOCKS JOURNAL, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 1976
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VOLUI·lE FOUR Russell T. Mattesen, Coach Diane Runde, Ice Skater Ronald F . Storms , Lal'Jyer St. Patrickts Day- 1976 .~ Robert Creech, Sr., "Oakie Huskogee" , Herber.t' P. Stearns" BOHler "Hello Dolly", TIevieHs Joyc'e Uojtas, Politician' Jack Harshman, Baseball Leo and Carolyn Bravakis, Teachers r/largaret L. Colli, Nother Pa.~ll and Hi ta Roy, Football First Year of Column Po.lish Airline at Bradley "Cabbages and Kings" With Jack Redlnond THE WINDSOR LOCKS JOURNAL, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 1976 "Cabbages and I(ings" operated by Russ and Phil Scott, also of Windsor Locks. When Russ came to Windsor Locks in 1955 he and his wife, the Jack Redm.ond former Eleanor Gilman, had been married for three years. The childhood sweethearts met in the junior high school in Stafford Springs when. they both were drummers in the school band. Russ and Eleanor have five children. Maureen 23, recently married to John Lisotto; Russell 20, Gary 18, Sharon 14, and Memories of the 1965 World Thomas 12. Rusty and Gary Championship ~re always pleas played Little League, major and ant for the Mattesens and senior, and both boys were on the O'Connors of Windsor Locks. State Championship teams under Both Russ and Bob·agreed on soccer coach Dan Sullivan. different sessions of the •• great Prior to his coaching duties in kids and their desire" when local circles Russ made a notable speaking of the little boys from record as a player on the baseball town at Williamsport eleven paths of the Farmington Valley years ago. Some folks, new to League with the Windsor Locks town, may think the World team. Softball and basketball had Champs of '65 is over-empha its share of his time. Russ sized, either written or discus remembers some of the players sed, it was a great event. The he performed with ... BiII Reilly, boys, . parents and coaches all John Flanders, Russ Jubrey, remember, and rightfully so. Pete Tenero, Joe Fitzpatrick, Through the years, Russ has Carmen Guido, John Lusa, Rod coached some fine players. It Greene, Tony Romano of Enfield RUSS MA1TESEN would be impractical to list them and many others. Perennial Coach all here, however, in the pitching The Windsor Locks Parks The scene is Pesci Park, end of the game he spoke of Departr:n,e~t ,~as ha~ . ~i&l talents middle of July, and stepping out Roche, Boardman, Farr, Shapiro the past ten years 'as a soccer' of the dugout is a tall, and Wezowicz. The hitting of big coach and basketball supervisor. good-looking individual, familiar Dale Misiek, the great fielding of Just to keep things even up, Russ to all the Windsor Locks sport Sheerer and Tersavich, and the has been connected with the fans, (especially Little League agility of Bob Creech in the Hartford Chapter of the Con followers) Russ Mattesen, the crucial game with, Danvers necticut Baseball Umpire Associ perennial coaen or manager of leading to the championship ation. He has worn the black suit the local all-stars. ' game. Russ said he, "enjoyed of the umpire at many American Russ has been an all sports the whole episode" at William Legion contests and some local fellow since his childhood days in sport and feels the boys will high school games. The Central Stafford Springs. The Little appreciate the winning more now Connecticut Chapter of' Soccer League program is an extension as they grow older. Referees has had his name on the of his life as a baseball and Before Mr. Mattesen could live roster for years. This ApriJ will basketball star for the east of the those moments of history over find Russ and Lou LaTorra in river town. He was born in again a few vital statistics had to charge of the sixth grade Rockville, the Mattesens moved be recorded. Russ played basket basketball team in the home 'and to the Springs town and Russ was ball and baseball for his four home series with the Rockville, off to school and a Jifetime of years at Stafford Springs High Maryland team. It's an annual sports. School. One year he was on the event for the young court stars of For the past twelve baseball football team but baseball and town and the southern town. seasons Russ has shared his the court were hjs real claim to In 1966, the Veterans of talents with the boys of town on fame in the little town. In 1950 Foreign Wars in town honored how to bat, throw and most of Russ was selected for the Russ as the "Sportsman of the all ... win. Russ said his idol in the All-State basketball team (Class Year. " sports world is not a diamond C). He attended A.I.C. on a EPILOG star or court wonder but the only baseball and basketball scholar· Russell T. Mattesen has been a real coach in football ... Vince ship. After college he secured a sportsman all of his young and Lombardi. And every sport bug position with Air Kaman. For a adult life. He believes, "the knows Mr. Lombardi's phil few years he performed on the people of Windsor Locks are osophy .... • 'winning . is every diamond and court for the interested in all sports and make thing.;' Our. local WiJJiamsport Bloomfield firm. In 1956 he themselves active as specta expert feels "a well disciplined joined the Hamilton Standard tors. " Men like Russ have put team of boys makes a winning Division and participated in the town on the sport map of team," and Russ has the record softball and basketball traveling Connecticut and the world. This 'to prov~ the point. The il1l~sta~ a1l over New England on the Gary Cooper-type individual is a teams he has been associated division teams. After fourteen credit to the sporting fraternity of with since 1963 have won 55 and years in the aircraft business players, coaches and officials. oilly on the losing side ten Russ departed for· private busi times. After the big 1965 victory ness in the sports equipment his clubs won state titles in 1966 line. The Mattesen Sport Shop, and 1972. He has shared duties Inc. is located in \ Windsor and is with Bob O'Connor and Lou LaTorra. THE WINDSOR LOCKS JOURNAL. THURSDA Y. FEBRUARY 26. 1976 When not skating, gomg to school a'nd homework, and now "Cabbages and Kings" the play, Diana enjoys square dancing and some sewing when time permits. Her schedule in Jack RedInond school is arranged so that she can skate every day in South Windsor or West Hartford and save' the nights for the play. The "Hello, Dolly" musical comedy production is her first attempt at a singing and acting role. The little blonde lovely, who resembles a very young Carol Channing, should find no trouble converting from the ice to the Two .of Diana's, close. friends, stage. The ice-dancing routines Judi Genovesi of Verno'n a~d are a part of show business and Kent Weigle of West Hartford with all her past success the role won second place in the National is in good hands, even without Gold Dance competition at the the, skates~ Beside Diana, the Broadmoor Resort in Colorado principal parts will be performed Springs. The win earned them a by Bill Burstzyn, Rich Broome, place on the 1976 U.S. Olympic Jan Briere, Mike Thibodeau and team and a trip to Innsbruck, Carla Deschaine. The cast has Austria. The young pair worked been practicing three times. a under the guidance of Hugh week. Save the two weekends 'of Seaman, the coach of the Charter April for a big show in town.· Oak Skating Club. Diana and Diana was given her baptism Ken are also under the tutorage on the at:! of skating at the tender of Mr. Seaman at the Hartford age of four. Instead of being Club. The olympic pair are not thrown in the water, like most only friends of Diana but she kids, her parents figured she was admires them as students of the a future Peggy Fleming and tried art of ice dancing. the ice and it worked. The young Diana remarked, '·1 admlrel skater has traveled to Delaware people close to me because I can and California at different times relate more on a personal basis. I for sessions of practice and have, of course, heard of the competition. Sonja Henies and Peggy Fleming Miss Runde has found time to but really do not know them keep up with her subjects and is a DIANA RUNDE OF WINDSOR LOCKS AND KEN SIMLER OF personally like Judi and Kent." member of the National Honor SOUTH WINDSOR Miss Runde was asked if she Society. The Windsor Locks was contemplating, after high native, who lives near another school, pursuing a career on the famous citizen of our town, Gov. "HELLO, DIANA" ice circuit with the Ice Follies or Ella Grasso on Woodland Street Petite Diane Runde, Windsor Capades? "No, I would rather was honored recently asa Locks' own ice skating star, will turn professional and' teach member of "Who's Who in leave the ice for a short period for ice-dancing." She said the hectic American High School Stu the lead in "Hello, Dolly." The life or traveling from city to city dents." The square dancing of senior class play, with Diana in on one week stands did not the floor and not on ice is taken the role Carol Channing made appeal to her. The popcorn, rather seri9usly as she is a famous on Broadway, will be feathers and sequins, and th~ charter member or the "Windsor presented the first two weekends smell of the cold arenas were not Locks Undecided Squares." I of April on the high school stage.