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Preparations for Bright Nights at Forest Park's 20th season are well underway. The Spirit of Springfield has more celebrating to do this year. In December, we will be 25 years old.

For a retrospective on the Spirit of Springfield's first 25 years, I have been going through thousands of photographs to select several hundred perfect ones. I might have even seen you in one or two of them.

Judy Matt 
President
 
Springfield Remembers


On Thursday, September 11, at 10AM, the Spirit of Springfield with the Springfield Fire and Police Departments will host the 13th annual September 11th Remembrance Ceremony at the Raymond Sullivan Safety Complex, 1212 Carew Street.

We are honored to have CBS3-Springfield's Cherise LeClerc serve as the mistress of ceremonies introducing participants that will include Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno, Fire Commissioner Joseph Conant, Police Commissioner John Barbieri, American Medical Response Massachusetts General Manager David Pelletier and Colonel James Keefe, Wing Commander for the 140th Fighter Group at Barnes Air National Guard Base.

Springfield Ride to Remember
Goes for a Spin

 

Thanks to everyone who joined 180 Fit Gym and the Spirit of Springfield for a spin at the plaza of 1350 Main Street on August 28. It was a benefit for the Springfield Ride to Remember.

With the support of hundreds and the energy from seasoned and novice spinners, the event raised nearly $5,000 for the September 20 law enforcement ride from Springfield to the Fallen Officers Memorial in Boston.





"Events like this shine the public spotlight on the Massachusetts Fallen Officer Memorial located at the State House. It is why we do the Ride-to-Remember. It is why we do these fundraisers. The support we get from the public builds moral in the police department. It shows all officers that wear the badge that the citizens are behind us and care. It makes me proud to wear blue," said Springfield Police Sergeant John Delaney, Springfield Ride to Remember Founder and Director.

 

Some of the celebrity spinners included Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno, Westfield Mayor Daniel Knapik, West Springfield Mayor Edward Sullivan, Senator Gale Candaras, City Councilors Tim Rooke and Michael Fenton, Springfield Police Commissioner John Barbieri, ROCK 102's John O'Brien and Dr. Ronald Gross, Baystate Health's Chief of the Division of Trauma and Acute Care Surgery.

 

 
Bright Nights Ball Menu Sure to Wow    
   

With a group of seasoned palettes, the menu for the City of Bright Nights Ball has been chosen. Chef Chris Walls with his Sous Chefs Matt Wells and Dennis Henry out did themselves with unique presentations and savory selections.


There were shrimp skewered with a dropper filled with vodka cocktail sauce, jade dumplings and gorgonzola-stuffed beef wrapped in bacon. Those are just some of the hors d'oeuvres. Guests will be served a scrumptious appetizer followed by a winter green salad and then the main course-filet of beef, seared statler chicken, seared halibut or curried vegetable tian.

For the complete menu, visit spirit of springfield.org.  
Promote Product or Service to Bright Nights Ball Guests


More than 100 hundred fantastic certificates, products and services have been donated to the City of Bright Night Ball's live and silent auction. Everything from a tropical seven-night stay in Antigua to a $100 gift card from Red Rose Pizzeria. Some of the items are listed on spiritofspringfield.org.


If you have something you would like to donate, contact [email protected]. It will be seen by the 400 guests attending the November 15 gala at the Sheraton Springfield.  
Love and Support for the 104th
Fighter Wing


 

Our hearts, prayers and support go out to the family of Lieutenant Colonel Morris "Moose" Fontenot, Jr. and his family at the 104th Fighter Wing at Barnes Air National Guard Base. The tragic loss is felt throughout the community.

 

The 104th Fighter Wing has always been a strong supporter of the Spirit of Springfield providing flyovers for Star Spangled Springfield and volunteers for the Tower Square Parade of the Big Balloons.

 

We are grateful for what they do for our community and our country.

The Spirit of Springfield is a private, non-profit corporation
which produces high-quality,
large-scale events in the city of Springfield.
Our mission is to promote community events and
encourage civic pride.

 
Celebrating the city's biggest, best and brightest   
In This Issue
Springfield Remembers
Springfield Ride to Remember Goes for a Spin
Bright Nights Ball Menu Sure to Wow
Promote Product or Serve to Bright Nights Ball Guests
Love and Support for the 104th Fighter Wing

Guest Corner 

David Pelletier,

General Manager Massachusetts, East Region

 

American Medical Response, Springfield's 911 Emergency Medical Science (EMS) provider, is proud to participate in the annual September 11th Remembrance Ceremony, a collaboration of the Spirit of Springfield and the City of Springfield. As the leader of a talented group of EMS caregivers, I am honored to stand shoulder to shoulder with City and Government leaders and fellow First Responder professionals. The support of the community is overwhelming and humbling.

The ceremony is a somber yet uplifting event as we pay tribute to those who were lost on that day. Our brothers and sisters in Fire, Police, EMS, and Military service shall not be forgotten. They paid the ultimate sacrifice, doing what they lived to do.

It also affords the opportunity to remember the innocent civilian lives that were lost. They simply reported to work. Never knowing they would fall victim to such a brutal attack.

AMR is proud of its service to the City. I am thankful for the team of EMT's, Paramedics, Communications Center staff, and support staff. They, not unlike New York Fire and Police Departments, stand ready to respond regardless of the circumstances. They are responsible for providing outstanding service, patient care, and safe transportation to all visitors and residents of Springfield. They truly make a difference caring for people in need.    


Share!  
Tell us an antidote or fond memory or send us a photo from your experience at a Spirit of Springfield event. We might just include it in the Spirit of Springfield's 25th anniversary retrospective.
 

2014 Calendar of Events!   

September 11th Remembrance Ceremony
Thursday,
September 11
10 am
Raymond Sullivan
Safety Complex 

City of Bright Nights Ball

Saturday,
November 15
6:30 pm to 12 midnight
Sheraton Springfield 

Bright Nights at Forest Park
November 26 -
January 4
Closed December 1 & 2
Forest Park


Tower Square Parade of Big Balloons
Friday, November 28
11 am
Main Street
 

Bright Nights 5K Road Race
Monday, December 1
6:30 pm
Forest Park
 

 
215th Army Band Holiday Concert
Sunday, December 7
2:00 pm
Springfield Symphony Hall
 
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