|
3013 Report
<br />300th Anniversary i it'd confinuod from previous page
<br />Lexingtonians cheered through a multi -game afternoon as
<br />members of our Police Department, Fire Department, and
<br />Lexington Little League took to Center Field to play old -
<br />time baseball against the Essex Baseball Club. Modern rules
<br />did not apply during these games, but the universal rules of
<br />good sportsmanship, good company and great memories
<br />were in full force. To plan the event, co- chairs Colleen Smith
<br />and Allyson Huntington worked closely with their treasurer,
<br />Betsy Wilkinson, Sal Mirabella (who played for the Police
<br />Department), members of the Recreation Department, the
<br />Department of Public Works, and the Department of Pub-
<br />lic Facilities. In addition, the Essex Baseball Club provided
<br />education on the old -time rules and Rick DeAngelis and the
<br />Lexington Blue Sox supported the games.
<br />The first pitch was thrown by Dick Berardino, US Air
<br />Force Colonel Michael Amirault, and Representative Jay
<br />Kaufman. Many residents agreed that it was inspiring to
<br />see the Police and Fire Department teams and the Fire and
<br />Police Honor Guards volunteer their time to honor Lex-
<br />ington. Children were thrilled to see their Little League
<br />coaches take to the field in replica old -time uniforms. An
<br />antique plane flew over the game, adding another historic
<br />touch. LexMedia broadcast the game live and Selectman
<br />Hank Manz provided commentary. Many performed for
<br />the crowd, including Cathy Sukow, Random Chants, Merry
<br />Minstrals, SNAP Singers, Minute Men, 10th Regiment of
<br />Foot. A final treat was the recreation of the Belly Buster, a
<br />giant ice cream treat remembered by many who grew up in
<br />Lexington, brought back to life with Rancatore's ice cream.
<br />300th Anniversary Concert: Sounds of Lexington
<br />Imaginary radio station W- L -E -X's hosts Kenny Laxa-
<br />gue and Kirsten Hede - Brierley opened the evening pro-
<br />gram by interviewing the concert's chair, Susan Navia. She
<br />explained that the evening would include two world pre-
<br />mieres, four Lexington musical groups and many surprises.
<br />Woven through the musical features of the evening, the
<br />300th Anniversary Committee honored sponsors, volun-
<br />teers, Lexington staff, and Events Chairs who made the en-
<br />tire celebration a great success. Special gifts were presented
<br />to the Suzie Barry, Sue Rockwell, Carl Valente, and Donna
<br />Hooper. Event Chairs were awarded honorary 300th mini -
<br />banners in recognition of their work. These were presented
<br />by a volunteer playing the part of Maria Hastings Cary.
<br />Betsy Sarles was given special recognition, as were Leslie
<br />and Colin Masson. These three people were recognized as
<br />Presenting Patriot sponsors. The Mayor of Antony also re-
<br />of Revolution, a world premiere of Daniel P. Lutz's com-
<br />missioned work in celebration of the Lexington 300th An-
<br />niversary, dedicated to Donald J. Gillespie, Jr. The Master
<br />Singers of Lexington then performed America the Beauti-
<br />ful. This was followed by the Lexington Pops Chorus sing-
<br />ing The Battle Hymn of the Republic, accompanied by the
<br />Lexington Symphony. In Act II the audience heard Free-
<br />dom, Symphony No. 2 by John Tarrh. The Lexington Sym-
<br />phony Orchestra commissioned the piece expressly for the
<br />300th Anniversary.
<br />Volunteer Appreciation Event
<br />The Board of Selectmen joined the 300th Anniversary Com-
<br />mittee in thanking all volunteers at a June 2nd community
<br />dinner dance at Cary Memorial Building. Hundreds of vol-
<br />unteers came to share civic pride in having helped Lexing-
<br />ton mark the occasion of her tercentennial over a 9 -month
<br />period. Peter Kelley and Hank Manz paid special tribute
<br />to Sue Rockwell and the entire team of 300th volunteers.
<br />They presented all of the 300th Event Chairs with Lexing-
<br />ton 300th Anniversary flags. Sanjay Padaki took a group
<br />photograph to provide a book -end with the photograph he
<br />had taken at the 299th party over a year earlier.
<br />In the time between the 299th Volunteer Appreciation
<br />event and the 300th Volunteer Appreciation event, many
<br />wonderful memories were made. Friendships blossomed
<br />and the number of volunteers grew exponentially.
<br />Communications —The PR Team
<br />The PR Team's work was to convey information about
<br />events, volunteer opportunities, souvenirs and anything
<br />300th - related. The outreach effort ultimately included:
<br />"Did You Know?" bookmarks, Official 300th Trading Cards,
<br />event posters, town -wide postcards, print advertisements, a
<br />web -site, facebook page, Twitter feed, notices, fliers, lawn
<br />signs, street banners, t- shirts, pencils, lanyards, booster pins,
<br />event pins, and more.
<br />Cheryl Meadow served as webmaster beginning in October
<br />2012 and created a 300th world online, masterfully present-
<br />ing the full dimensions of the 300th on computer screens in
<br />homes and businesses across town. Carin Casey oversaw the
<br />Photo -of -the -Week which was printed in the Minuteman
<br />newspaper and on the website. These images portrayed our
<br />history and also documented preparation for the events, as
<br />well as the events. Casey's work was strongly supported by
<br />the Cary Library and their rich collection of images helped
<br />resident "see" the towns past. Her collection grew over time
<br />
|