October News from The Spirit

Celebrating Springfield's Biggest, Best and Brightest

Here we go! From now until January 5^th, we will be going full speed. This month, we will orchestrate the swearing in of Springfield Police Commissioner Cheryl Clapprood. We will mail the City of Bright Nights Ball invitations and collect auction items. We will mail Bright Nights Loyalty Cards, collect advertisements from sponsors and finalize marketing plans. We will solicit volunteers for the Parade of the Big Balloons and the Bright Nights 5K Road Race.

It is a lot, but the four of us are up for the challenge knowing the Spirit of Springfield Board and the community are behind us all the way.

- Judy Matt

President

From Acting Commissioner to Police Commissioner

On Tuesday, October 8^th, Acting Commissioner Cheryl Clapprood will become Springfield's first female Police Commissioner. She will take the Oath of Office at 11am in Springfield Symphony Hall. She will be pinned by her nephew, Sergeant Brian Clapprood of the Massachusetts State Police.

The Spirit of Springfield is honored to assist in the ceremony which will include greetings from Mayor Domenic Sarno, and members of the law enforcement community. Sergeant Joel Soto, U. S. Air Force, who Commissioner Clapprood mentored since he was seven years old when he was a member of the Springfield Bears baseball team, will offer a personal reflection.

The public is invited to attend the event and show their support for Springfield's new Police Commissioner, Cheryl Clapprood.

City of Bright Nights Ball Preparations

The invitations for the City of Bright Nights Ball have become keepsakes. They capture the theme and elegance of the event, but this year it will only be further enticement to attend the nearly sold out event. Rebecca Coderre, RC Creative, truly captured the essence of Bright Nights and brought it back to the invitation to the first gala which was created and hand assembled by Design & Advertising Associates in 2015.

During the last two months, we have asked "how has Bright Nights affected Springfield and the surrounding communities," "do you remember your first visit," and "how would you describe Bright Nights to a family who has come from out of the area?" The response we got from U. S. Congressman Richard Neal, Mayor Domenic Sarno, Major General Gary Keefe, The Adjutant General for the Massachusetts National Guard, Roger Crandall, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer for MassMutual, Patrick Sullivan, Executive Director of Springfield Department of Parks, Buildings and Recreation Management, and Spirit of Springfield President Judy Matt, have been unique. Congressman Neal reflected on the significance of the lights. Mayor Sarno said it reminded him of putting out the holiday lights with his grandfather. There were mentions of family time and its importance.

All will be interwoven into a video produced by Chris Teebo Films that will be presented at the City of Bright Nights Ball, sponsored by MassMutual, on November 9^th at MGM Springfield.

First City of Bright Nights Ball Invitation - 1996

Bright Nights 5K Road Race SOLD OUT

It took five minutes for 250 runners to register for the Bright Nights 5K Road Race. These were the enthusiasts who stood poised and ready to hit the submit button at 12am on Monday, September 16.

By 6am, there were a steady flow of people grabbing the last of the bidb numbers and the chance to run by and through the magnificent lighting displays on Tuesday, December 2^nd (Rain Date: December 3^rd).

This year's fun run is sponsored by Baystate Health and Health New England with additional support from Freedom Credit Union, Peter Pan Bus Lines and Springfield College.

Bright Nights Ball Live & Silent Auctions

Proceeds from the City of Bright Nights Ball are used to support the Spirit of Springfield's mission to bring the community together in celebration. Guests can offer their support by bidding on great live auction items, and everyone can bid on the myriad of silent auction items.

The live auction will include lunch with U. S. Congressman Richard Neal in the Members-Only Dining Room. MassMutual's Roger Crandall donated five tickets to a 2020 New York Yankees vs Boston Red Sox Game in Yankee Stadium with access to the Jim Beam Suite. MGM Springfield is sharing all 22 seats in their box for a 2020 Boston Red Sox game and King Ward is providing the Transportation. Mercedes-Benz of Springfield has given four tickets to the Mercedes-Benz Suite for the 2020 U. S. Open Tennis Championship. It includes an open bar and first-class buffet and overnight accommodations have been donated by the Tower Square Hotel.

For all the details on the live auction items and a peak at the silent auction items, visit spiritofspringfield.org. If you have something to donate, contact amy@spiritofspringfield.org.

Bright Nights Season Pass

Calling all Bright Nights Superfans! For the fourth year, Bright Nights at Forest Park is offering a seasons pass to see the lights. For just $65, a vehicle and all of its passengers can travel through Bright Nights as often as they like, which can be as many as 38 nights and as many times a night as you would like.

This year's Bright Nights Season Pass comes with discounts to the Springfield Thunderbirds, Springfield Museums, the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, Uno Pizzeria & Grill, MGM Springfield, all the perks that come with a Bright Nights Loyalty Card and more.

Buy yours today at brightnights.org.

September 11th Remembrance in Riverfront Park

For the first time, Springfield held its annual September 11^th Remembrance Ceremony in Riverfront Park alongside the September 11^th Monument. The speakers, Mayor Domenic Sarno, Colonel Peter Green, Commander of the 104^th Fighter Wing at Barnes Air National Guard Base, Springfield Fire Commissioner B. J. Calvi, Acting Springfield Police Commissioner Cheryl Clapprood, and Peter Pickering, Regional Director for American Medical Response, shared their remembrances of the attacks on September 11, 2001.

The most moving part of the program was the rollout of emergency vehicles, tolling of the fire bell, laying of the wreath which was followed by a rifle salute and taps.

Balloon Wranglers Wanted

The Cat in the Hat has it on his calendar to return to Springfield on November 29 ^th at 11am for the Parade of the Big Balloons, sponsored by Tower Square. He will fill up with helium and float down Main Street with a few of his inflatable friends.

To guide him down Main Street, he needs some assistance from balloon wranglers who will hold the ropes, maneuver him around trees, lamp poles and street lights. Wranglers need to arrive earlier than parade-goers, but the rewards of seeing the smiling faces along the route are well worth the 9am roll call.

Congratulations Bill Pepin!

In recognition of his talents and his commitment to his craft, Bill Pepin, former Vice President & General Manager for WWLP-22News and the Spirit of Springfield's first Chairman of the Board, was inducted into the Massachusetts Broadcasters Hall of Fame.

It was said that, "The Class of 2019 embodies the very best in broadcasting." Bill was one of eight inductees.

BREAKING NEWS

Reservations are now being accepted for Bright Nights wagon and carriage rides, and Supper with Santa. These are great ways to extend the Bright

Nights experience. The wagon holds as many as 16 people and the carriage accommodates four passengers.

Supper with Santa is a magical dining experience at the Barney Carriage House. Every table is set with one additional seat for the man in the big red suit.

To learn more, visit brightnights.org.

In This Issue

From Acting Commissioner to Police Commissioner

City of Bright Nights Ball Preparations

Bright Nights 5K Road Race SOLD OUT

Bright Nights Ball Live & Silent Auctions

Bright Nights Season Pass

September 11th Remembrance in Riverfront Park

Balloon Wranglers Wanted

Breaking News

Guest Column - Commissioner Cheryl Clapprood

Bright Nights Loyalty Card

GUEST COLUMN

Commissioner Cheryl Clapprood,

Springfield Police Department

In my forty plus years at the Springfield Police Department (I like to say I started when I was ten), I had thought I'd seen everything. 2019 has definitely given me a new perspective.

I'm honored in the confidence Mayor Sarno has shown in me and his continued support by appointing me as the permanent Commissioner of the Springfield Police Department.

When I was named Acting Commissioner in February, Mayor Sarno told me to say what I had to say, and do what I had to do. I began to initiate changes and programs I believed in.

There's a misperception that police officers are supposed to be perfect, but the truth is we are human. We train and practice and study but sometimes, no matter how hard we try, we cannot prepare for the crisis that comes in a second. We put our lives on the line every day to protect our community and I believe in the programs and changes I started as Acting Commissioner will help make us safer and restore public trust. I am trying to enlighten the community to the tremendous work our women and men in blue do every day.

Please join me on Tuesday October 8th at 11am for the ceremonial swearing in at Springfield Symphony Hall. The event is open to the public.

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Dates for 2019

City of Bright Nights Ball

Saturday, November 9th

6:30pm to 12am

MGM Springfield