SOUTH WATERFORD -- After what seemed like another beautiful day had ended at the 'Wam and all the players had left, ghostlike sobs could be heard from the empty field.
Happier Days: Bench hangs with friends & family
"I'm just so tired of all of it," a weeping Judy Bench exclaimed. "I used to look forward to Sundays when everyone would come and hang out with me. Now it's just me...and Hank, of course."
Bench, in her 40th year of supporting players at the 'Wam waivered between sadness and anger.
"Look at LaBossier. He moved a mile a way. Does he come to visit? Hardly ever. And you know what get's me the most? They won't talk to me all morning except when they need something: 'was he over the line?' they ask, or 'was Easton's count too fast?' I'm sick of it."
Getting some brief attention: Game Over
Hank Burns, Bench's only companion for the last month agreed, but sounded a more defeated rather than angry note: "It's a sign of the desperation of old age when you feel married to a bench. I spent four years in college sitting on her distant cousin [Fred Bench of Amherst] but at least then there were a bunch of us. Now, I just find myself running out of things to say to her. We just sit here...in silence..."
Asked what she expects this week, Bench got angrier. "Expect? That's what's been killing me -- somehow I expect things will be different. I just need to face reality: I'm not needed and can't wait for Bobby to take me in for the winter!"
After a long pause, hardly moving in the warm mid-day sun, Bench sounded a more wistful tone: "But, I do hope to see everyone again. Please let them know that I'm really not that angry. I just want things to be the way they were..."
Bench, along with others, hopes to see you Sunday.
Brewster Burns, red-hot for 2012, came into Sunday having thrown numerous TD passes with no interceptions. All that changed Sunday when Burns finally met his match and had to throw against himself.
The showdown was set up when Steve LaBossiere and Ted Tibbets picked teams and announced to Burns,"The teams are fine, but we have no place for you."
When it was clear that the only solution was for Burns to throw for both sides, he found himself in a situation facing an opponent he couldn't beat.
"The guy's unbelievable," a frustrated Burns said after the game. "I mean, he's just so precise with his throws. I felt like I couldn't keep up with him. Every time I tried to match him, I forced it too much and make a bad throw. I just don't see any way he can be beat."
After the game, a triumphant Burns (and winner of the Square Toe Award) said that it was nice to finally match up against someone who was good as him. Burns was gracious in victory: "Hey, the guy's all class. He made some really nice throws out there. I kind of feel like I was lucky to win."
The defeated Burns was having none of it. "Look," he said, "the guy's just flat out better than me -- I have no answers. You'll have to find somebody else to face him next week."
As the presidential election approaches, immigration reform once again becomes a focus of attention. Republicans espouse the need for stronger border enforcement and the use of biometric data to track foreign travelers. Democrats support controversial measures like "The Dream Act" which allows citizenship for children born of illegal immigrants.
While immigration reform is a hot issue on the national stage, its importance in Maine is slight -- until last Sunday.
On a day that welcomed back older veterans like Matt Corbett and youngsters Eli and Atticus Soehren, as well as newcomer Jesse (soon to have a last name and the only person to where a plaid shirt since Peter Morse), the usual carefree atmosphere of 'Wam was shattered by the announcement that Australian Sam Iggulden won Square Toe honors:
During the week a group of 'Wam veterans convened a secret meeting and allowed reporters to attend only under the condition that no names be released.
"Look, it's bad enough they're taking our jobs -- now they have to take our Square Toe award?" said one 'Wam veteran. "I mean, c'mon, we call what we wear on our feet 'cleats,' and he calls them 'boots.'
Another veteran added, "His accent is cool and everything, but we work hard every single week and he shows up for the first time and gets the award? It's not right."
Jay Burns, who selected Iggulden, and who refused to attend the mid-week meeting, commented that maybe the problem isn't with Iggulden: "I'm not pointing fingers, but the guy spent half the day laying himself out for receptions and interceptions. Maybe if the others guys weren't taking plays off, they'd be considered."
When asked to comment on Burns' accusations, spokesman for the disgruntled veterans questioned Burns' motives. "The supreme court is about to strike down affirmative action, Romney's going to get elected and shut down the borders, and, besides, Burns works at that liberal fantasy-land Bates College. What's he trying to do? Turn this game upside down?"
When asked for comment, Iggulden took the high road. "Hey, I couldn't even get off the couch when I got home. I was so sore Monday morning that I had to pull my underwear up with coat-hangers. I think my effort stands for itself."
Last Week's Participants:
The battle resumes in the rain Sunday -- see you there.
