Author Archives: papa.beaupre
#8 doing his thing during 2021-2022 season
Lessons learned from the 2021-2022 season
Your Sophomore year of ORHS varsity hockey had highs and lows and was a great learning experience. With 10 seniors onboard, Oyster River was one of the top teams all season, ranked #2 behind a talented St. Thomas squad. Your coach favored the first two lines, so they consistently got the vast majority of playing time. Sophomore and Freshman players only got the green light if and when a sizable lead had been built up. Otherwise, very infrequent action.
This strategy backfired on occasions when there just wasn’t any gas left in the tanks of first and second line players. The other issue I saw (or felt) as an observer (you know far better), was a growing sense of over-confidence among the veteran players. On many occasions, the first two lines didn’t hustle and play hard through all three periods. The vibe seemed to be “we’re awesome, we’ve got this,” vs. earning every single minute and never giving up, taking it game by game vs. looking ahead to face #1 St. Thomas in the State Championship.
On March 5, in the Quarterfinal round at the Whit, ORHS met #7 Merrimack, handily beating them 4-0. An optimistic start!
Next up was a March 9 semifinal round meeting vs. Portsmouth-Newmarket. The game was held in Concord at Everett Arena, site of many prior disappointments in ORHS varsity hockey history (ditto in your younger years). Your Dad said the place has legitimate bad voodoo, and he’s right. Unfortunately, this proved to be true once again, as the Clipper-Mules defeated ORHS 5-4, crushing expectations of a state championship. St. Thomas ended up winning the big prize 7-1 after defeating the Clipper-Mules.
It was a disappointing ending to a very promising season but you saw and learned a lot, improving your confidence along the way. I know you’ll always remember the lessons! Next season will be a whole new vibe – it’ll be your Junior year and you’ll move up to the lead position. When your team advances to the playoffs in your final two years, remember to take it one game at a time, keeping expectations in line, playing with determination and relentlessness every game. Proud of you Cam and can’t wait for the 2022-2-23 season!
Last regular season game an epic battle
Big game last night at UNH’s Whittemore Center rink with your #2 Oyster River Bobcats battling #1 St. Thomas. The winner would claim the regular season title and draw a bye in the upcoming NH Division 2 playoff tournament beginning March 4.
Our favorite player, OR Junior forward #8 Cam Beaupre and his talented teammates have steadily bonded and come together as a unified machine in a challenging rebuilding year following the loss of nine graduating seniors this past June. Amazing considering there are only three seniors!
The matchup was everything people were expecting except for the final ORHS outcome. With the Saints leading 3-2 and the clock winding down in the third period, Beyer’s second goal of the game was his biggest with 3:52 left in regulation. OR then followed with a goal (Beyer) that sent the game to overtime. Exciting, the Whit was all abuzz. Unfortunately, with 3:24 to play in overtime, STA found the back of the net and the Saints pulled out the 4-3 win. Dang!
St, Thomas Aquinas (13-4-1), the defending Division II state champions, will be the No. 1 seed in the upcoming tournament, while Oyster River (12-6) will be No. 2. A fantastic regular season for Oyster River, hold your heads up high!
congratulations on making the OR Varsity hockey team as a Sophomore – so proud of you!
Merry Christmas 2021!!
Lineup for your Sophomore year of Varsity hockey
Your first year of Varsity hockey features nine Seniors, five Juniors, four Sophomores -go #8! – and one Freshman.
I’m a published author! (the magic of ‘dream, plan & do)
I’ve wanted to write and publish a book for decades, always keeping the idea in the back of my mind. “Someday,” I’d tell myself, “when my life isn’t as busy.”
While years passed, I never stopped believing it would happen. My passion for writing – and the joy it has always brought me – was as strong as ever.
I remember the exact day and moment it became real. It was on Friday September 14, 2018, during a long Dover walk, on a still hot, late summer day. I was 64 years old; my birthday was exactly one week away.
”Go for it,” the little voice inside shouted out, ‘the time is now Andy. Make it happen.”
Energized, I put a plan in place. I spent the next nine months thinking about the angle of the book, researching ideas and brainstorming in person with people I knew in Boston, New York City, Naples, Florida and Washington, D.C.. The famous advice for authors – “Write what you know” – helped me zero-in on the angle: I’d write a business book about companies doing “emotional marketing” (head and heart branding). The idea still wasn’t crisp enough; I knew it was too vague. I couldn’t figure it out.
In May, Grammy and I went to France, recharging batteries in Paris and Normandy. In June I had shoulder rotator cuff and bicep surgery at Mass General Brigham; my recovery was long. I got caught up in the busyness of Fall and holidays but never stopped thinking about the best angle for my book; it was always in the back of my mind and I kept refining various ideas. I wanted to write a book that would inspire others, something meaningful.
When New Year’s 2020 dawned, I was refreshed, focused and energized. Something had happened over the last eight months: the book angle was now crystal clear. I’d write about lesser known – but successful – companies making the world a better place, deeply caring about their people, the planet and community. I’d make their stories come alive through the first person perspective of the inspiring founders, CEOs and sustainability leaders who made greater purpose happen. The book would inspire other businesses to make the world a better place, a noble mission indeed.
It was time to Do It.
I researched hundreds of potential candidates, narrowing down the list as the months passed. My first interview was in March 2020. One week later COVID-19 descended upon the United States as it spread across the globe. Everything shut down, communication was difficult, no one wanted to (or could) meet in person. It wasn’t easy getting people to answer emails and care about being in my book.
2020 was a nightmare, but I kept my dream alive, working hard, pushing through barriers, never giving up. I built relationships with companies I didn’t know (except for one, RedRiver in Claremont, NH). I switched to Zoom to conduct real-time video interviews with business executives. By the end of the year, I had written five stories.
2021 was better than 2020, but still challenging. I found five new companies with great stories and built relationships, eventually conducting interviews and writing their stories. By late August, I had written 10 stories (one dropped out).
During a complicated and extremely difficult time in my life, I found the focus and energy to get through the home stretch. With help from key people (Grammy; Amy Pattee Colvin, my editor; Fiona Wilson from UNH and the design company 100 Covers), I created a book cover, finished editing, secured “book blurb” quotes from people (for the back cover and Amazon page) and wrote six other book sections. There were endless readings and improvements. I secured approvals from each of the nine companies, the final step.
On November 9, 2021, on my son’s birthday, The Purposeful Nine was published on Amazon. I was proud of the final product. My dream had become reality.
Bruins game fun, just the two of us!
What a fun night together, just the two of us, at the Gah-den! Great seats (thanks Tarah & friend).
We visited the Pro Shop and you picked out some merch, then we got some chow. We had a blast, despite the 4-0 loss to the Calgary Flames. No worries, the B’s will get back on track!
Spending time with you is always a highlight of my life; this was no exception. We’ve never been at a loss on what to talk about – our conversations are natural, easy, always wide-ranging with plenty of laughs along the way.
Love you!
happy 16th birthday
Happy 16th birthday Cam!
You’re an amazing young man with the smarts, drive, personality, looks and talent to reach the highest pinnacle. An incredible future awaits you sir!
Congrats on all your achievements… we are so proud of you!
Every moment spent with you makes me smile, makes me happy, fills my life with hope and optimism. So gosh darn lucky to have you in my life.
Lots of love.