What an event we had on March 26th! Great attendance with more than 1,800 people in the hall and an incredible concert by the U. S. Air Force Concert Band of Washington, D.C. It was an honor to have such a prestigious orchestra perform in Springfield Symphony Hall while on their Northeast Tour.
This is just the start of our 34th season. The World’s Largest Pancake Breakfast and the Spirit of Springfield Golf Classic are next. Be sure to mark your calendars. I hope to see you there!
-- Judy Matt
President
|
Golfing for The Spirit
On Friday, June 2nd, golfers and non-golfers will be showing their support for the Spirit of Springfield by participating in the annual Golf Classic at Franconia Golf Course. They will enjoy the challenges of one of Springfield’s premier golf courses, lunch on the course, a gift certificate for one of Springfield’s fine restaurants, and a tournament souvenir.
Will Arment will officiate the Mayor's Putting Contest as the sponsor. Gleason Johndrow Landscaping will sponsor the $25,000 hole-in-one prize. This is just some of the fun that golfers will enjoy at the tournament.
In addition to golfers, the Spirit of Springfield is looking for sponsors and raffle donations.
|
Pancake Breakfast Donations
The Spirit of Springfield relies on the support of so many to present the World’s Largest Pancake Breakfast, from the volunteers to the entertainers, and to all the products and services that are donated.
Everything that is served at the annual pancake party is donated. Baystate Health donates the plates and utensils. Mansfield Paper provides additional paper products, and the Springfield Department of Public Works picks them all up. Smithfield Foods provides the bacon that is cooked by the Hampden County Sheriff’s Department, and warmed by the culinary team at MGM Springfield. Butter from Cabot Creamery Co-Operative tops all the pancakes. It is a scrumptious recipe for success!
It will all be plated up on Saturday, May 13th from 8am to 11am on Main Street from State Street to Bridge Street. There will be lots to do and see including sampling some of Dunkin’s tasty treats.
|
Pancake Breakfast Entertainment 🎶
There is lots to do and see at the World's Largest Pancake Breakfast. This includes entertainment provided by the SciTech Band, Youthful Expressions, Martin Luther King Charter School, and more.
|
U. S. Air Force Band Wow's Audience
It was a show stopper! From the first note of “Star-Spangled Banner” to the last of “A Salute to Our Troops,” the U. S. Air Force Concert Band dazzled the audience in Springfield Symphony Hall.
The show was opened by Rock 102’s Michael “Bax” Baxendale and Steve Nagle. They introduced Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno, Colonel David Halasi-Kun, Wing Commander for the 104th Fighter Wing, Spirit of Springfield President Judy Matt, and MGM Springfield President Chris Kelley who sponsored the free concert.
Greta Asgeirson, a native of Reading, Massachusetts, and the band’s principal harpist performed to the delight of many of her family members that were in the audience.
Thank you to the media partners who spread the word about the concert – Comcast, MassLive, The Republican, Rock 102, and Western Mass News, and Pride Convenience Stores, Springfield Business Improvement District, and NAI Plotkin who distributed the tickets.
See all the great photos of the March 26th concert.
|
Bright Nights 5K Road Race Registration
Mark your calendars and set your alarms! The registration for the Bright Nights 5K Road Race will open on Monday, September 18th at 12am.
The race sells out quickly for the 500 available spots. It is a challenging course with many hills. It is, however, run at 6:30pm when the lights are twinkling. The fun of the run keeps participants moving, and the lights keep them distracted from the difficulty.
Registration traditionally opens on the Monday following Labor Day. Because that falls on September 11th when the Spirit of Springfield is presenting Springfield’s September 11th Remembrance Ceremony, the date has been moved to the following Monday.
|
Welcome Mercedes Maskalik
The Spirit of Springfield is pleased to welcome Mercedes Maskalik to the Board of Directors. She currently serves as the Vice President for Marketing & External Affairs at Western New England University.
Within a year of arriving at Western New England University, she went from Assistance Vice President to Vice President. She came to the college from CUE, Inc., a membership and professional development non-profit organization as the Director of Marketing.
She will lend her vast marketing experience to the Spirit of Springfield. This will help the the organization expand its reach and audience participation. Her first assignment will be as a member of the City of Bright Nights Ball Committee.
|
World's Largest Pancake Breakfast Chair Announcement in April!
It is tradition for last year's World's Largest Pancake Breakfast Honorary Chair, who was MGM Springfield's President Chris Kelley, to announce this year's honoree.
Watch for the announcement on April 20th!
|
|
Golfing for The Spirit
World's Largest Pancake Breakfast Donations
U. S. Air Force Band
Wow's Audience
Bright Nights 5K
Road Race Registration
Welcome
Mercedes Maskalik
Guest Column
Anthony Gleason, II
Gleason Johndrow Landscaping
World's Largest Pancake Breakfast Exhibitor
|
Anthony Gleason II
President, The Gleason Johndrow Companies
Spring has sprung! The weather is changing and I could not be more excited for the Annual Spirit of Springfield Golf Classic slated for Friday, June 2nd at Franconia Golf Course.
The event includes awesome player's gifts, multiple contests and prizes including raffles, longest drive, closest to the line, closest to the pin and a coveted $25,000 hole-in-one prize sponsored by my company, Gleason Johndrow Landscaping.
I urge all of you to join us for a day of fun supporting a great organization who supports all of us and our community everyday. If that isn't reason enough; the event is the Friday after Memorial Day weekend. Prep your out of office away messages now! And turn your 4-day work week into a 3-day work week by contacting the Spirit of Springfield office today at (413) 733-3800 or nicole@spiritofspringfieldorg. Foursomes and sponsorships are still available!
Remember: "A tough day of golf is always better than a tough day at the office" I hope to see you all there!
|
2023
Saturday, May 13th
8am - 11am
Main Street
Sponsored by
MGM Springfield
Friday, June 2nd
9am Mayor's Cup
10am Shotgun Start
Franconia Golf Course
Sponsored by
Charlie Arment Trucking
Tuesday, July 4th
6pm - 10pm
Riverfront Park
Sponsored by MassMutual
Monday, September 11th
10am
Riverfront Park
Saturday, November 11th
6pm to 12 Midnight
MGM Springfield
November 22nd to January 1st
Closed November 27th - 28th
Forest Park
Monday, November 27th Rain Date: November 28th
Forest Park
December 3rd, 8th & 10th
Barney Carriage House
Forest Park
|
|
