HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026-03-04-TCC-min
TOWN CELEBRATIONS COMMITTEE
Minutes of Meeting
March 4, 2026 by Zoom Teleconference
Full Committee Members Present (Q=7):
David Grabel and Sudha Balasuryan, Co-Chairs; Linda Dixon, Mary Hutton, Cerise Jalelian,
Sondra Lucente, Lorain Marquis, Sandy Podgorski, Ashley Rooney, Sue Stering
Absent: Geetha Padaki
Subcommittee Members Present:
Brianna Bennett-Karshbaum, Bonnie Karshbaum, Bill Keim, Jamie Lee, Sharon Spaulding,
Pam Winters, Hong Xie, Elsie Xu
Absent: Seema Badaya, Simon Rubenstein
Guests: Sam Ang, new prospective member; Terry Samaras and Jon Asgeirsson from
LexMedia.
Introduction of Guests
Chair Dave Grabel opened the meeting, recited the Zoom introduction, and declared a
quorum to be present. He introduced Sam Ang, who has signed up to join the Celebrations
ras
and Jon Asgeirsson from LexMedia.
Business
Three new candidates have applied for committee membership.
Pam Winters has been recommended to the Select Board to
on the full committee.
Patriots’ Day Parade
Approval of Units Requesting Fees
Cerise Jalelian presented a list ofnearly 40 units,,who
have requested a fee. With the help of Sondra, Mary, and others, some key units have
agreed to a lower fee. This brings the total projected cash outlay to $79,875, which is within
our $80,000 target. O
attendance yet. Should they drop out, their $7000 fee,which has been set aside,would
provide a nice cushion for us. The itemized list of units is attached to these minutes. Cerise
requested a motion to approve these units and their stated fees as printed on the attached
list. The motion passed unanimously.
Approval of Additional No-Fee Units
Grace Chapel, Kolex, Wagon Wheel and LexFun missed the registration deadline but will be
admitted as longtime parade participants. These four units were approved at no fee.
Parade Lineup Meeting: Cerise will host a Parade lineup meeting on Sunday, March 8 at
her home on 7 Lois Lane at 12:30 p.m. A second meeting will follow on Sunday, March 22.
VIP Reenactment Credentials: Cerise has ordered 390 credentials for honored
dignitaries. The remaining 110 will be distributed among committee members.
Parade Volunteers: Bonnie and Mary will manage the parade volunteers. Last year’s group
have been invited to sign up again. Sue will make follow-up calls.
Selection of Parade Grand Marshal
n individual or
couple
of the Committee was to select an individual or couple. After considering nominees Bill
Dailey, Jim Shaw, Suzie Barry, Eric and Jerry Michelson, and Leslie and Colin Masson, the
Committee selected Leslie and Colin Masson. Ashley Rooney described the Massons as
“silent benefactors who made otherwise impossible events possible.” Chair Dave will
extend the invitation to the Massons.
LexMedia Update – Terry Samaras
Executive Director Florence Del Santo has stepped down from her position after 17 years of
service, and Terry has been named as her replacement, moving up from Executive
Producer. Terry received congratulations all around and assurances that TCC and
LexMedia will continue their strong working relationship. LexMedia will do aggressive event
the parade route in front of Cary Library.
Next Stakeholders Meeting: is scheduled for Tuesday, March 10. Conventures
representative Turner Schooling will attend.
Awards Ceremony Schedule:Evening of Friday, April 17: 6:45--8:00
Awards Ceremony; 8:00 Arch Ceremony; 9:00 greet Paul Revere at Hancock Clarke House.
Cerise urged all members to post their volunteer
service hours at lex250.org/vo250 and receive credit for the tireless work put in by so many
TCC members.
Parade Ambassadors
Linda reported that the Parade Ambassador Registration Form is on the website and
registrations are now being received. Print media promotions have appeared in the
Lexington Times, the Link for Lexington, and the Sage, along with social media posts, and
more are scheduled for the Lexington Observer and CAAL newsletter. Personal emails and
other organizations.
Change of April 1 Meeting Date: Because Passover will be celebrated on Wednesday, April
1, Dave suggests that our regular weekly meeting be held that week on Tuesday, March 31.
The committee voted by roll call vote to adjourn the meeting at 8:15 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Linda Dixon, Committee Member