April News from the Spirit

Celebrating Springfield's Biggest, Best and Brightest!

The snow has melted and the spring flowers have started peeking out. These are all good signs that warmer and brighter days are ahead.

As much as we would like to say the World’s Largest Pancake Breakfast is just around the corner, we know it is best to postpone the annual flapjack feast until a later date in the year. When that time is right, we will be more than ready to roll out the tables and chairs, and sit down at Springfield’s breakfast table and enjoy each other’s company.

Until then, please continue to be safe, wear a mask, practice social distancing, and get vaccinated.

-- Judy Matt

President

World's Largest Pancake Breakfast Postponed

The World’s Largest Pancake Breakfast was a sure sign that spring had arrived. It was the first outdoor festival of the season, and it has been celebrating the founding of Springfield in 1636.

This year, like last year, the Spirit of Springfield will be waiting for the approval of state and local officials to present large-scale outdoor events. When that time comes, donors will be asked for everything from pancakes to plates, and maybe a few extra surprises. The volunteers will be called upon to roll up their sleeves and don their aprons.

It will be a breakfast like no other!

Getting Ready for Golf

Springfield’s two municipal golf courses are getting upgrades, repairs, and refreshed before the first ball is teed off. For that reason, the Spirit of Springfield has had to postpone its tournament from Friday, June 5th to Friday, July 16th.

Registrations have already been received for a fun day on the course with lunch, appetizers, golf games, silent auction, and a chance to see local mayors compete in a friendly putting competition. Golfers will leave with a souvenir golf shirt and a gift card for a Springfield restaurant.

To reserve your foursome, be a tee sponsor, or show your support for the Spirit of Springfield as a Community Spirit Sponsor, visit spiritofspringfield.org.

Bright Nights Survey Results

To learn more about Bright Nights at Forest Park’s visitors and their experience during the 2020 season, we invited 30,092 online ticket purchasers to take a survey. Of those, 7,717 opened the email, and 1,173 people responded to it.

We learned 58% were local residents and 42% were from out of the area. Most, 61%, were from Massachusetts, and 34% were from Connecticut. There were also visitors from the other New England states, New York, and New Jersey. Some even traveled from Kentucky, Florida, Texas, Michigan, and Washington.

Due to COVID-19, some that had traditionally gone to a restaurant did not. Some visited other attractions as a part of their evening, and most are looking forward to returning in 2021.

The favorite display was Seuss Land, which is filled with many iconic Dr. Seuss characters. Other favorites were the MGM Springfield roaring lion, the Everett Barney Mansion, and all the toys in Toy Land.

Many are interested in enjoying additional activities as a part of their Bright Nights experience in the future. These include horse-drawn wagon and carriage rides, photographs with Santa, amusement rides and more. Some even offered great suggestions that are being explored.

Thank you to everyone who took the time to respond to the survey.

Bright Nights Supper with Santa

Plans for Supper with Santa are underway. Two dates, Sunday, December 5th and Sunday, December 12th, have been reserved at the Barney Carriage House in Forest Park. The dates have also been put on Santa’s calendar, and he has confirmed his availability.

Santa will share some one-on-one time with each child and pose for photographs. The dinner will be kid-friendly. Reservations made by November 5, 2021, will receive a complimentary admission ticket to Bright Nights at Forest Park.

To learn more, visit brightnights.org.

Bright Nights Mask Sale

Step out in style with a Bright Nights at Forest Park face mask. For the month of April, they will be available through this newsletter link for 50% off ($4 each), and free shipping. The face covers are available in adult and children’s sizes.

The Center for Disease Control (CDC) recommends masks continue to be worn in public settings, at events and gatherings. In public settings, they are mandated. The goal is to protect yourself and others.

If you have questions about the masks, contact the Spirit of Springfield at 413-733-3800 or staff@spiritofspringfield.org.

Chris Teebo GoFundMe

Spirit of Springfield’s March newsletter was dedicated to Chris Thibault’s memory. The responses we received were tremendous. There was a great outpouring of support for his wife, Missy, and their children.

The GoFundMe campaign raised $54,480 for Chris’ family to move forward during a very difficult and uncertain time. The fundraising page is still accepting donations, and Missy is relaunching Chris Teebo Films as Mrs. Chris Teebo Films.

Daisy Matt

She was a companion, office comfort dog, and a loyal friend to all who knew her. Daisy Matt often appeared with Spirit of Springfield President Judy Matt on television, at events, and around the office. She loved visiting Bright Nights at Forest Park to visit the staff and greet visitors at the gift shop.

Daisy went over the rainbow bridge earlier this week to be with Chipper, Molly, Grettyl, and Apache. She will be missed by all, but most especially by Judy.

In this Issue

• World's Largest Pancake Breakfast Postponed

• Getting Ready for Golf

• Bright Nights Survey Results

• Bright Nights Supper with Santa

• Bright Nights Masks

• Chris Teebo GoFundMe

• Daisy Matt

• Guest Column -

Patrick Pickering, American Medical Response

• Bright Nights Season Pass

Guest Column

Patrick Pickering

Regional Director

American Medical Response, Massachusetts

I would like to start by thanking Spirit of Springfield, Judy and her staff for the continued service and support to the City of Springfield and the surrounding communities through these trying times! American Medical Response (AMR) is incredibly proud to be serving as the City of Springfield’s 911 ambulance provider and to work with Mayor Sarno, Health Commissioner Caulton-Harris and Governor Charlie Baker to provide “Stop the Spread” free daily testing to battle the coronavirus. In conjunction with the City of Springfield, Mayor Sarno and Health Commissioner Caulton-Harris, AMR supported the pop up vaccination sites to help Springfield’s hardest hit neighborhoods.

As we continue to navigate this unprecedented public health crisis, AMR Paramedics, EMTs, Dispatchers and support personnel have given us plenty to be proud of! Over the past year our Springfield team has continued to respond through the pandemic to over 45,000 medical emergency 911 calls in the City of Springfield. While this is a chosen profession and not for the light of heart these folks responded even while the science of COVID and the precautions and disinfecting procedures were being researched and developed. In addition to the day-to-day response to emergency calls the Springfield AMR Team continues to test daily and has tested over 170,000 citizens at the Eastfield Mall and throughout Springfield since August of last year.

In service to the City of Springfield, we are honored to have the trust and the relationships that have resulted with the residents, civic and business leaders. Thank you to Mayor Sarno, Commissioner Caulton-Harris, Spirit of Springfield, Baystate Health, MGM Springfield and the Springfield business community for your endless support.

While things have started to return to normal the pandemic isn’t over yet. We must stay vigilant to take precautions, get tested and vaccinated to fight COVID-19. Please wear a mask, maintain social distancing, and listen to our public health officials as we move towards better days and a COVID free country.