HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-03-26-TCC-minTOWN CELEBRATIONS COMMITTEE
Virtual Meeting MINUTES
March 26, 2025
Members Present (12 members; no vacancy): Glen Bassett, co-chair; Linda Dixon; Yifang Gong; Dave
Grabel; Mary Hutton; Cerise Jalelian; Lorain Marquis; Geetha Padaki, co-chair; Sandy Podgorski; Sue
Stering. Absent: Sondra Lucente; Karen Tyler, Veterans Liaison.
Honorary: Robert Tracey. Quorum: 7Fu11 Members.
Subcommittee Members Present (15 members, 4 vacancies): Sudha Balasuryan, Bonnie Karshbaum,
Gresh Lattimore, Jamie Lee, Ashley Rooney, Pam Winters, Hong Xie. Absent: Steve Cole, Mirela
Vaso, Perla Walling-Sotolong, Huma Wasim.
Guests: None.
7:02 PM: Geetha called the meeting to order, then passed meeting to Glen.
7:05 PM: Minutes of March 5, March 12, and March 19 approved with changes.
Patriots' Day (April 19) / Glen:
- l lam Rededication of the Battle Green with participation of the Army Band and the Army's
Golden Knights Parachute Team. Unfortunately, most TCC members will be at their Parade posts
and unable to attend.
Patriots' Day Parade: Dave became co -host of Meeting:
- Many more Volunteers needed for all positions! There will be a Volunteer Training Session on
Saturday, April 5 from 3-4pm at Kelty Hall, St Brigid's Church. Members are encouraged to solicit
friends to attend this gathering and be part of this historic Parade.
- Registration is mandatory for all Parade participants. Sign -in stations will be located at Pleasant
Street near the Waldorf School in East Lexington and at the Shell station at the juncture of Mass
Ave and Maple Street. Vehicle IDs / Glen will also be required and are the responsibility of TCC
with John Carroll. Even drivers and their guests need IDs at Pleasant Street check-in. Will
probably use Jotform application on iPads. Vehicles which cannot idle may not be allowed; too
complicated to remove them if they break down. Dave has ordered a second tent for protection of
registration tables.
- Number of Army marching units still to be determined. Pam is still working with the Army
National Guard about which aircraft will perform the flyover.
- Two of the 5 dancing groups have decided to march in the Parade. They will not be allowed to
stop the Parade to perform any routines. Jamie is overseeing these groups. Sue reports that
LexMedia will be photographing all the groups.
- Sponsors / Lorain: We have 69 Sponsors this year, 63 of whom have paid. TCC has raised $57,000
in contrast to last year's $28,000. We also have a $10,000 donation. 57 Banners will be needed and
114 Ambassadors to carry them.
- Three carts will be allotted to the Ambassadors / Yifang and Hong. They are expected to register
about 12:30 pm, find their banners at the Fire Station at Locust Ave / Mass Ave juncture, then find
their Units in the Parade.
- Bus Parking / Cerise: She will be meeting with Police Captain Mazerall, who is dealing with many
complications including Veterans in wheel chairs.
- Signage / Sudha & Bonnie: It takes LexGraphics 3 days to print a banner.
- Float Judging / Linda: Usually there are 6 to 7 floats in the Parade. Wilson Farms and Best Buddies
will not have floats this year. Judging will take place in the staging area at 12:30 pm.
- Horses: We are requesting that they be driven to Seasons Four. Their trucks should then be ready
to leave by 1:30 pm, so they can drive to the High School via Marrett Rd to Waltham Street and
onto Worthen Road.
Lex250 / Cerise: The Awards Ceremony will take place at Cary Hall at 7 pm on Thursday, April 17,
with the High School Band to preform beforehand. A picnic open to all will be held on Monday,
April 21, at Hastings Park from 11 am to 2:30 pm. The Lexington Minutemen will be present.
Other Business: None
8:33 PM: Meeting Adjourned.
NEXT MEETING: April 3, 2025.
Respectfully submitted,
Gresh Lattimore, Secretary