April News from The Spirit

Celebrating Springfield's Biggest, Best and Brightest

At last, the warmer weather has arrived. The Bright Nights displays have all been safely put away. Now, it is time to tend to the details of the World's Largest Pancake Breakfast, Spirit of Springfield Golf Classic and Star Spangled Springfield.

It is events like these that make Springfield a great place to live, work and visit. We hope you will join us!

- Judy Matt

President

Gearing Up for Golf Classic

The Spirit of Springfield Golf Committee is gearing up for the annual tournament on Friday, June 7^th at Franconia Golf Course. It is a great way for golfers, and even non-golfers, to support the Spirit of Springfield.

The tournament is a scramble so teams can rely on the skills of each player to achieve the lowest score. There are mulligans in case a shot did not go as planned and strings to stretch the putt. There are prizes for closest to the pin, longest drive and to just get a ball on the green.

All players get a souvenir item, lunch, dinner under the new pavilion, and leave knowing they helped the Spirit of Springfield celebrate Springfield's biggest best and brightest. To register, visit spiritofspringfield.org.

Spirit of Springfield Golf Committee will be looking for your support and participation. The members include Chris Russell, Springfield Business Improvement District, Mark Arigoni, Milone & MacBroom, Anthony Cignoli, A.L. Cignoli Company, Tony Gleason, Gleason Johndrow Landscaping, Ryan Hess, New Valley Bank & Trust, John Hesslein, Western Mass News, Brian Keller, Comcast Spotlight, Peter Lappin, Paul Marcelina, Falcon Management, Gregory Superneau, Springfield Department of Public Works, and Susan Walsh.

Participate in the Pancake Breakfast

Be a part of the flapjack feast! On Saturday, May 11^th, Main Street in Downtown Springfield will host the World's Largest Pancake Breakfast, a celebration of Springfield's founding on May 16, 1636, sponsored by MGM Springfield.

The Spirit of Springfield is looking for volunteers to provide entertainment and community service or civic organizations to serve beverages and sell tickets. There are also opportunities for businesses to showcase their products and services as an exhibitor.

If you are interested in registering or learning more, email [email protected] or visit spiritofspringfield.org.

September 11th Monument Nearing Completion

For months, the team at Salmon Studios in Florence, Massachusetts, has been hard at work to complete Springfield's September 11^th Monument. They have spent months creating a giant curved piece of bronze. It is more than 9 feet tall by 12 feet. Once it was created and polished to perfection, they began the arduous task of engraving 498 names.

Upon close review, visitors will discover two of the same names, Michael Francis Lynch. Both were with the New York Fire Department. One was stationed on Engine 40 and the other on Ladder 4. There is also a paw print in honor of K-9 Sirius, a yellow Labrador who was a member of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Police Department.

The monument is scheduled to be dedicated in Riverfront Park in June.

Follow the progress on Facebook!

Bright Nights Memories

Remember that special night you drove through Bright Nights? We want you to share that memory as we celebrate Bright Nights at Forest Park's 25 ^th season with a commemorative book.

Here are some memories we have received:

Being born and raised in Springfield , I never miss a Bright Nights! Every year we go for my birthday December 4th , my family and I! I figured why not celebrate and bring my dog on her birthday for the 2018 season and she loved it!!! Stella's first bright nights. She's a black lab/ husky mix and I'm her dog mom! - Christina from Springfield

I wouldn't say I have a favorite memory of Bright Nights. What I would say is I love making memories at Bright Nights. Bright Nights was established the year after my father had passed away he was such a child at Christmas time so now I make memories with my children at Bright Nights and I get to relive the memories of my father while going through. It is the most wonderful time to me to pass on how wonderful their grandfather was while enjoying all of the lights that he would have enjoyed. The past couple years I have purchased the season pass so we can go through many of times each time being a new experience. The joy the love and the meaning of Christmas is exactly what Bright Nights brings to us. - Debra from Springfield

Please submit your memory with photos, videos or drawings to brightnights.org/memories. Your submission may get published

Congratulations to John Sjoberg

John Sjoberg, Spirit of Springfield Vice Chair, was recently awarded the Sister Caritas Award by Trinity Health of New England/Mercy Medical Center.

John has provided governance and philanthropic support to Mercy Hospital for almost 25 years. He first served as the Chairman of the Gift of Light Committee in 1993. He has since served as Chairman of the Foundation Board, Chairman of the Board of Trustees for Mercy Medical Center and the former Sisters of Providence Health System, and Vice Chairman of the Board of Trustees for Trinity Health of New England.

Spirit of Springfield is pleased to have John's support, guidance and wisdom as an officer of the organization.

BREAKING NEWS

215

^th Army Band of the Massachusetts Army National Guard will be back in Springfield Symphony Hall on Sunday, December 8th

for their annual holiday concert.

In This Issue

Gear Up for Golf Classic

Participate in the Pancake Breakfast

September 11th Monument Nearing Completion

Bright Nights Memories

Congratulations John Sjoberg

Breaking News!

Guest Column - Roger Crandall, MassMutual

Bright Nights Ball Tickets

Guest Column

Roger Crandall

Chairman, President & CEO,

MassMutual

If you look around Springfield, there's no denying we're in the midst of a renaissance - from thriving startups to the bustling colleges to the energy and fervor generated by the completion of projects like MGM Springfield and Union Station.

All of this points to a simple fact: Springfield is on the rise. We all know that, but the rest of the world needs to know, too. And that's where the Spirit of Springfield plays an important role. To capitalize on the newfound enthusiasm in our city, the organization continues to celebrate and promote all of the good things happening in our region.

MassMutual is proud of our 168-year-old Springfield roots, as well as our commitment to help build a thriving, inclusive community where we can all flourish. Along with our own growth and expansion in the city, we continue to lend our support to organizations like the Spirit of Springfield, whether it's through sponsoring Star Spangled Springfield, Bright Nights at Forest Park, or personally for me, serving as Co-Chair of the Bright Nights Ball this November.

From our perspective, it's a wise investment, as these events only add to the tremendous civic pride and vitality of Springfield. At MassMutual, we look forward to doing our part in the city's revitalization, and helping to spread the word on what we already know - the City of Homes has an incredible amount to offer.

RESERVE TICKETS NOW!

CITY OF BRIGHT NIGHTS BALL

CO-CHAIRS

Congressman Richard Neal

and

Roger Crandall

MassMutual

Saturday,

November 9

MGM Springfield

300 TICKETS ALREADY RESERVED!

EMAIL:
[email protected]

Dates for 2019

World's Largest Pancake Breakfast

Saturday, May 11th

8am to 11am

Main Street