See The Gold in Everyday

 I received so much great feedback on my last column. My focus was on the many great places and activities in Northeast Connecticut, and this second version will focus on the people who make it special. 

Several years ago, one of Northeast Connecticut's finest citizens, Ron Coderre, wrote a column that everyone loved to read (thanks, RPC). At the end of the year, he always mentioned many great local people who have given much to our area. This article will be my version.

Thank you to all the great people who make Northeast Connecticut a special place to live. I know I cannot mention all the deserving citizens, but I will do my best. 

First, family -- my wife, our children, and grandchildren, who we are blessed to have in our lives, my sister Jean, my brother-in-law Dave, and my nephew Alex Stratton. I want to thank the people who influenced me throughout my life: my generous and loving parents, and the many martial arts teachers who always held me to a higher standard. 

Gary and Karen Osbrey, who have dedicated their lives to improving our towns, have a genuine love for people and the ever-popular morning show with the illustrious John Mahon. The decades of students and members of Mike Bogdanski’s Martial Arts and Midtown Fitness, who still often mention how much they miss my old gym. Mayor Barney Seney and all he has done for Putnam (and for me personally); Putnam Town Administrator Elaine Sistare; the ever-vigilant Putnam Police Department, especially Captain Justin Lussier, a very special person to me. Michelle Lott for her senior lunches; Barbara Chubbuck for just being the very best person; Beth Markowski Roop for her contribution to the duck race. The stalwart local leadership of Maureen Nicholson, Joe Bellavance, Ed Grandelski, and Nick Donohue, who put in the time, heart, and work selflessly for residents, retired rec director Willie Bousquet, a Putnam legend, and Jimmy Callaghan, who has risen to fill these big shoes. 

Great community groups like the Chamber (Elle and Nancy) and the PBA (President Kate Cerrone), and their dedicated members who drive Northeast Connecticut energy like a racecar. 

Professor Gary Powell for his friendship and compassion, Peter Vitale for his leadership, Joe Carvalho for his vision, Arthur Fairthorne for his quiet and dedicated mentorship, and Dr. Jeff Gordon for his passion for NE. CT., Dr. Deb Campbell, for her emergency department heroism at DKH.

Mike Green, whose dad used to be Putnam’s police chief, a dedicated martial artist now fighting a serious health battle, Jeremy Goulet -- Black Belt, former Marine, and MP for your indomitable spirit and dedicated support, 

Amy Brunette and Dick Loomis and their passion for business, Dick Salvas highlighting all classic cars, Danny Goyette for getting us deals on vehicles, Sam Markely who sold me my ninja Corvette over 45 years ago, Putnam’s restaurant of the year owners Sheila and James Frost (by the way, James is my first Black Belt, starting karate at age 11)—excellent breakfasts at the Painted Baker with Monique and Jamie, Jimmy and Deb St. Jean, Tracie, Kathy, and Jen at Chase Graphics. Nicole and Julie for your artistry at the Complex, Tonya Brock, and your dedication to the Bradley Playhouse. Linda Colangelo and Laura Croscetti for too many good deeds to mention, Tim Daley, DJ, for keeping us dancing. Insurance King Matt Desaulnier, computer guru Eric Gould, the benevolent and generous Tom Borner, Dave Vitale, former restaurateur and now clean-up man, Linda Lemmon, and her Putnam Town Crier, who shows us how a small town newspaper gets built, and Mike and Krupa, who believed in Putnam enough to make Montana Nights, and now Bounce X, The Larsons, and their Sprucedale Gardens Nursery for green thumbs, and for Logee’s and their legendary greenhouses.

Great people who have passed: former Mayor and State rep Danny Rovero, Don Brown, former vice president of the frozen food aisle at Stop and Shop, Laura Gubernat, one of the greatest moms, Karissa Choquette, who went through Black Belt testing while wearing a chemo port; Laurie Champany, the most formidable cancer fighter ever; and Master Griz, who was a dedicated student and instructor right to the end. 

Valley Spring greats President Kathleen Demers, Waldo, and my buddy Danny Moulton. Moe Coderre for his warm and genuine personality. Joe Carlone, Sr., for friendship and foot switches.

Veterans Fred Ruhlemann and Bruce Hay, for their dedication to veterans and their generous food share; Rob Challinor and Hans Lowell, for keeping the veteran spirit alive at the Putnam V.F.W.

Kristen and Zak from Wonderland Comics, who provide me with my monthly Superman comics; Trent Pappas and his Quiet Corner TV project; and Robin Deary Fillmore for the most extraordinary gymnastics center in the state.

Consistently dedicated Villager letter writers, Dr. Lee Wesler and Lisa Arends. Our local historians: Bill and Terri Pearsall, John Miller, Jeanne Benoit, and Queen of the Boxcar Museum, Pat Hedenberg.

And a special thanks to Brendan Berube and Villager newspapers!

There are so many great people to mention, and I am sorry for leaving you out. 

Hoping everyone can live their dream in 2026. I plan to!

Mike Bogdanski

Mike is a martial arts Grandmaster, anti-bully activist, and newly elected Selectman

Youth is Wasted on the Young: A Second Look at the "Do-Over."

Now that I am (mostly) retired, I finally have the space to look back on where I've been and consider where I'm going. In conversations with friends, I often hear the same "retro" refrains: "If I could do it over again," "If I knew then what I know now," or "I didn't realize how good I had it."

If you've found yourself echoing these thoughts, you aren't alone. It is easy to look back and spot the wrong turns we have made in life. Let's revisit those questions with the benefit of the wisdom and knowledge we've earned.

"If I could do it all over again..."

It is human nature to look back and spot the wrong turns. However, I hope that if there were better choices to be made, you have already begun correcting your course. If not, start today. I live by the mantra: "The best time to start was yesterday; the next best time is right now."

"If I knew then what I know now..."

Forgive your younger self. Really, it's ok. At that time in your life, you simply didn't have the "software" to process the information you have today. Chances are, you likely heard good advice back then, but you lacked the maturity, time, or confidence to act on it. As Oprah Winfrey wisely said: "If I knew then what I know now, I would never have wasted even a single minute doubting my path." Your path led you to this realization; that is a victory in itself.

"I had it good, but I didn't appreciate it."

In my years of teaching, I often said, " Maturity is the day you learn to walk around the puddle rather than through it. Of course, when looking back, we would have picked different jobs, saved more money, or exercised more. But the secret to happiness is to appreciate what you have right now.

There are people in this world who envy the exact life you are living today. In past years, we compared ourselves to the neighbors; today's youth compare themselves to a global "highlight reel" on social media. It makes me realize that "appreciating what you have" is actually much harder today than it was forty years ago.

As I mentioned in last month's article, "Look for the gold in your day." You can always find one thing daily to be grateful for and maintain an "attitude of gratitude."

The Teacher Appears

We often wish we could go back and teach our younger selves to persevere, to sacrifice for the long term, and to have the courage to try new things. But there is a hurdle: the old saying, "When the student is ready, the teacher will appear." Science tells us the human brain isn't fully developed until age twenty-five—and as many of us know, that's especially true for young men! Our younger selves might not have been ready or willing to listen.

Passing the Torch

While you cannot travel back in time to mentor your teenage self, you can share your "O.P.E." (Other People's Experience) with your children, grandchildren, and peers. Having the opportunity to mentor many over the years, I reflected on what advice could be helpful. One of the best things I ever learned personally was to ask people who are more intelligent than I am for advice. I have gotten counsel from elderly veterans to multi-millionaires and everything in between. I believe successful people are usually happy to share their map if you are willing to ask for directions.

As the saying goes: "Wisdom is the reward you get for a lifetime of listening when you'd have preferred to talk."

My Remedies for the "If Onlys"

The tragedy of life is often that we get old too soon and wise too late. But it's never too late to change your self-imposed narrative.

1. Seek Wisdom, Not Do-Overs: Don't wish for a "do-over"; make today a "do-it."

2. Keep Growing: Commit to developing mentally, physically, and emotionally, regardless of your age. I once received a desk plaque from a student: "Success is a journey, not a destination." This woman was a black belt at age 53. When she moved to Florida, she started karate at a new school and was asked to wear a white belt again. She was dismayed to think her previous hard work was for naught. With her previous experience, she accelerated through the program and got a second black belt at age 56 (enjoy the journey).

3. Find the Spark: Perhaps the goal isn't to be a teen again, but to bring "teenage" wonder and energy into our adult lives. Let's take a step forward every day. If you could sit down with your 17-year-old self for coffee today, what's the one thing you'd tell them? 

We often spend our later years wishing for a "back to the future moment," but what if the real goal isn't to be young again—it's to bring youthful inspiration into seeking the wisdom we have now.

My monthly tip- Success is getting what you want. Happiness is wanting what you get.

Mike is A martial arts Grandmaster and anti-bully activist