Longtime friends reminisce reading new book

by Ron Johnston

Gene Benoit reads as Roger Pimm listens.

“I don’t think he would mind if I mention that he has some vision issues,” Gene says.

Two longtime, retired friends, that’s what Gene and Rog are. The former lives on the east side of Rochester while the latter resides west of the city.

Occasionally, laughter fills the room at Rog’s house on Chili-Riga Road. Riga Center is located in a rural setting just south of the village of Churchville.

Rog, the son of Joe and Lola Pimm, has been at the Riga home for nearly his entire life. He gives a lot of credit to his parents for his upbringing.

“I talk to so many people,” Rog says, “who tell me how terrible their childhood was. We were all blessed the way we were raised.”

Gene is reading the recently-published One-Game Wonder in “installments,” he says. The book is about a record-breaking

Churchville-Chili basketball game and includes tales of the school and community in the 1960s.

“We love it,” Gene says, “a lovingly told, great journey down memory lane.”

Gene pauses.

“I’m really missing our old gang today as a result of reading and talking,” he adds. “Any ears burning?”

Gene and Rog are 1966 graduates of Churchville-Chili Senior High. After receiving their diplomas, Gene continued his education at nearby SUNY Brockport while Rog attended Roberts Wesleyan in North Chili.

Gene went on to marry, raise a family, and teach history to middle-schoolers for 39 years. Rog was a real estate agent for many years and remained an eligible bachelor.

Gene tries to visit Rog as often as possible. “We watch lots of sports together and do the lunch or late breakfast thing,” Gene says.

While Rog lives alone, he never lacks for company. He has his dogs, and he’ll sometimes dine with people like cousin Jerry Spotts, who resides in nearby LeRoy.

Rog also worships at the First Congregational Church of Riga, a short drive and walk from his home.

Not surprisingly, Rog hangs on to Gene’s every word of the book, especially the chapter on Riga Center.

“We always had something to do,” Rog says, “and someone to do it with. It was a gift that we should always appreciate.”

Gene agrees and adds, “Fifty more pages. It’ll be sad to finish it.”

But...wait a minute. Maybe not.

“Why don’t you read it again, Gene,” Rog says.

Ron Johnston is the author of One-Game Wonder and a retired newspaper sports editor/writer.