2013-Annual Report - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

TOWN OF LEXINGTON Anniversary i it'd continued from previous page Town Mock Town Meeting at the Cary Memorial Build- ing. His Majesty's 10th Regiment interrupted the proceed- ings and ordered students to disperse. Deb Mauger, Chair of the Board of Selectmen, explained that Lexington had long ago overthrown the King of England and that we are free to govern ourselves. Students debated several Warrant Articles, and voted unanimously in support of Article 34, a resolution that the 300th Anniversary Memorial Clock should be dedicated on Saturday May 25th, rain or shine. Incorporation Day —Bell Ringing on the Green March 31, 2013 was marked by 300 seconds of commu- nity bell ringing beginning at 17:13 (5:13 p.m.). This event was generously sponsored by the Beverly and Peter Kel- ley Family. Institutions joined in the bell ringing, but the first bell to chime was the Old Belfry Bell. After it struck three times, individuals on the Green began ringing their bells along with various church bells. Some covered their ears, and others grinned the entire time. This event was suggested by Sue Rockwell and organized by the Event Team and PR Team. A special touch was the distribution of small souvenir bells provided by the 300th Committee. The bells were tied with blue "We Are Lexington" ribbons and more than 700 were distributed in March. Golden Tricorn Scavenger Hunt In the weeks following Incorporation Day, Cristina Burwell organized a second scavenger hunt. This one involved hid- ing unique golden tricorn hats in shops and town buildings across town. Many artists participated and created themed hats that were funny, beautiful, entertaining and surprising. Some hats lit up, others were covered with small ducks or dogs. The lucky winners who found Golden Tricorn hats were invited to join in the Patriots' Day as part of the 300th Anniversary Committee's marching contingent. Patriots' Day The 2013 Patriots' Day parade highlighted the 300th An- niversary theme: "We Are Lexington— Celebrating 300 Years." Suzie Barry, Chair of the Town Celebrations Com- mittee, honored many Lexingtonians by creating a Grand Marshall contingent with more than 50 Grand Marshalls. This group headed the parade on a float designed by Wil- son Farms. Other special elements of the parade included the Lexington Youth Commission's float "Farms, Family, Freedom." The float incorporated a giant replica of the town -seal made from hundreds of hand -made tissue -pa- per flowers. The 300th Anniversary Committee organized a marching unit for the third year in a row. This year, the contingent began with a "We Are Lexington' banner. A group of volunteers followed, dressed in Old -Time base- ball uniforms replicating those worn in a photograph from the Edwin B. Worthen Collection at Cary Memorial Li- brary. Another group of volunteers pushed the 300th An- niversary's People's Time Capsule along the route while handing out official 300th Anniversary baseball and Time Capsule trading cards. Another 300th addition to the pa- rade was the group of people who had won Golden Tri- corn hats in the weeks between Incorporation Day and Patriots' Day. A final banner announced other upcoming events, including the Clock Dedication Ceremony. Memorial Day Weekend The formal town- sponsored events drew to a grand finale with another series of events. On Saturday, May 25th, the en- tire town was invited to the Clock Dedication &Time Cap- sule Ceremony. On Sunday everyone was invited to cheer on the teams playing Old -Time Baseball. On Monday the Town Celebrations Committee hosted the traditional Memorial Day Parade, and in the evening people were invited to the 300th Anniversary Concert: Sounds of Lexington. Clock Dedication & Time Capsule Ceremony More than 200 people joined the festivities at Emery Park when the 300th Clock was unveiled. The 300th Clock was a gift to the community from the Lions Club of Lexing- ton and the Rotary Club of Lexington. Eric Carlson was instrumental in designing the clock and overseeing the manufacture and delivery process. The ceremony was co- chaired by Sandy Kahn, Tanya Morrisett and Jessie Stei- gerwald. Their clock team numbered about twelve people and included: Cristina Burwell, Carin Casey, Fawn Dare, Kirsten Hede - Brierley, Marie Hill, Polly Kienle, Leslie Masson, Cheryl Meadow, Betsy Sarles, Corinne Steiger - wald, Martha Wood, Judy Zola. Each woman helped, ei- ther fashioning the souvenir ribbons for the clock buttons, distributing the sing -along sheets, or greeting and seating special dignitaries. A small delay with the granite base added excitement to the clock's installation. People went to sleep Friday night without a clock in sight. Early Saturday morning a bright blue tarp appeared, wrapped in bright 300th banners an- nouncing the clock's arrival. Though the weather was dis- mal, the ceremony lifted people's spirits. Special guests included former Selectmen, and the former Town Clerk. Gifts were presented to the town, including a special gift for the Time Capsule given by Mayor Jean -Yves Senant, Mayor of Antony France, who was visiting with a group of Antony residents. Stanley Abkowitz formally presented the town with two titanium time capsules. The festive cer- emony included two sing -along songs which the event's 11