August News from the Spirit of Springfield

Celebrating Springfield's Biggest, Best and Brightest!

Thank you to everyone who joined us and supported our efforts to make July 4th a Star Spangled Springfield. We had a great evening in Riverfront Park with music, an unexpected flyover, and an incredible display of fireworks in a safe and friendly environment thanks to all the public safety officers.

Thank you to MassMutual for continuing to support the Independence Day festivities as well as the City of Bright Nights Ball and Bright Nights at Forest Park.

-- Judy Matt

President

Star Spangled for July 4th Festivities

Riverfront Park, and the areas around the park and the Memorial Bridge, were filled with families and friends on July 4^th. They were there to celebrate our country’s independence with family-friendly activities, music by Union Jack sponsored by TD Bank, and a dazzling display of fireworks.

They enjoyed face painting, balloon animals, hamburgers and hot dogs from Elegant Affairs, and ice cream from Batch.

The Springfield Police Department, supported by other departments on both sides of the Connecticut River, the Springfield Fire Department, Springfield Department of Public Works, Springfield Park Department, Amtrak Police, Massachusetts State Police, Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency, and American Medical Response (AMR), maintained a safe environment for all.

Check out all the photos from the 2022 Star Spangled Springfield festivities.

Western New England University Students Meet Max’s Family

While on an annual trip to Italy, Western New England University (WNE) Professor Brenda Garton-Sjoberg gave her students a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity by introducing them to Olena Stasiuk. She is the wife of Max Stasiuk, a Ukrainian artist who illustrated “Little Frog and the Bright Lights” for the Spirit of Springfield. Olena, with her two children and aunt, are refugees in Italy while Max is required to stay in Ukraine.

Mackenzie Douglas, of Agawam, was one of 17 WNE students on the Sorrento Study Abroad trip that was in the class who heard the family’s story being torn apart by Russia’s invasion. "The experience was eye-opening. Being able to meet with a family who has been through what we see on the news every day and hearing their story is heartbreaking.” Douglas continued, “Meeting with the Ukrainian family makes me truly appreciate everything I have at home.”

Professor Dennis Kolodziejski said their escape and current plight was emotional for us all to hear. “In the middle of all of the beauty and wonder that is Sorrento, the contrast with the reality of the pain and anguish that is the Ukrainian invasion was riveting. The Sorrento Study Abroad experience was made even more remarkable, more meaningful, by the visit of the Stasiuk family to our classroom.”

Spirit of Springfield Board Chair John Sjoberg presented Olena and her family with gifts from the Spirit of Springfield and the book that Max had illustrated for Bright Nights at Forest Park.

WWLP-22News, The Republican, and MassLive have shared this experience, and have helped to generate additional sales of the “Little Frog and the Bright Lights” with all proceeds going to Max, his family, and the extended family members he is trying to support.

Books can be purchased and donations can be made online.

Tasters Approve City of Bright Nights Ball Menu

A panel of expert judges sampled the menu for the 2022 City of Bright Nights Ball. Tasters included Spirit of Springfield Board Chair John Sjoberg, Patrick Leonardo, Erica Bishop, and Adetayo Olatinwo from American Medical Response (AMR), as well as Susan Walsh, Sheila Mulholland, and Jason Alves, Chris Smigel, MGM Springfield Executive Director of Hospitality and members of the MGM Springfield catering team.

MGM Springfield President Chris Kelley stopped by to be sure the panel was pleased with the menu prepared by the culinary team. The team was led by Executive Chef Omar Echeverria Santos with Banquet Chef George Norwood, and Rachel Leah Kraez, Head Baker.

After the panel offered their suggestions and changes, the hors d’ourves, dinners and dessert were selected. For the entrees, they selected black truffle crusted beef tenderloin, seared Faroe Island salmon, and seared chickpea mini cakes.

For the complete entre descriptions, visit spiritofspringfield.org.

City of Bright Nights Ball Early Reservations

Reserve your tickets today for the 2022 City of Bright Nights Ball. Join Springfield area business, political and community leaders for the black-tie gala at MGM Springfield on Saturday, November 12^th from 6:30pm to midnight.

The evening includes a gourmet dinner, dancing to Groove Authority, live and silent auctions, and 50/50 Raffle. It is to support the Spirit of Springfield’s efforts to bring the community together in celebration. It has earned the reputation of being “Springfield’s social event of the year.”

Sponsored by American Medical Response (AMR) and many Golden Circle Sponsors, this year’s theme is love. The invitation is filled with famous love letters. Tickets are $700 per couple. Tables for ten guests are $3,500.

To purchase tickets, reserve a table for 10 guests, or learn how to become a Golden Circle Sponsor, contact amy@spiritofspringfield.org.

City of Bright Nights Ball Auctions

The Spirit of Springfield is looking for items large and small for the City of Bright Nights Ball live and silent auctions. Trips, tickets, jewelry, gift certificates, gift baskets, music and sports memorabilia are just some of the items that will be included in the auction, and that the Spirit of Springfield is hoping to have donated.

It is a great way to showcase a business or clean out a closet. A special friend to the Spirit of Springfield has donated an ounce of silver and an ounce of gold.

Learn more by how you can donate, by contacting amy@spiritofspringfield.org .

The President's Own U. S. Marine Band

As a part of their Northeast Tour, The President’s Own United States Marine Band is returning to Springfield Symphony Hall on Sunday, October 16th at 3pm for a free performance. They will fill the hall with sounds of Sousa and so many other great composers.

The last time they performed in Springfield Symphony Hall was in 2017 to a packed house.

Watch for sponsor and ticket information coming soon.

In this Issue

Star Spangled for

July 4th Festivities

Western New England University Students Meet Max's Family

Tasters Approve City of Bright Nights Ball Menu

City of Bright Nights Ball Early Reservations

City of Bright Nights Ball Auction

The President's Own

U. S. Marine Band

Guest Column

Brenda Garton-Sjoberg

Western New England University

Bright Nights Season Pass

Guest Column

Brenda Garton-Sjoberg

Professor, Western New England University

It was an honor for me and my husband, Chair of the Spirit of Springfield John Sjoberg, and 17 college students to meet the Stasiuk family in Italy. They are victims of the war in Ukraine.

I am the director of Western New England University’s Sorrento Study Abroad Program. In addition to classroom lectures, our students enjoyed activities to immerse themselves into the Italian culture with visits to olive oil and lemon farms, Naples, Pompeii, and Capri, along the Amalfi Coast. The most memorable, however, was a talk by Olena Stasiuk. Her husband, Max, is the illustrator for “Little Frog and the Bright Lights,” the children’s book produced by Spirit of Springfield.

Olena, her 17-year-old daughter, 12-year-old son, and her aunt, were forced to leave Ukraine and relocated to Italy while Max remains behind to support the resistance.

When hearing of the hardship the illustrator’s family was having, it was decided book sale proceeds would go to help the Stasiuks. After learning they escaped near Rome, Judy Matt and I began planning for Olena to share their story with students and John presented them with gifts on behalf of the Spirit of Springfield.

It was a powerful moment to meet them and for students to hear the horrific realities of this tragic war. Student Kaleigh Watts said, “Hearing from her was life-changing. Here we were studying abroad, enjoying all the culture of Italy with happy moments; then to meet this family dealing with such hardship was something I’ll never forget.”

This was my 5th trip teaching at the Sant’Anna Institute and by far the most meaningful. I am proud of the Spirit of Springfield and the positive impact it has on our region and for sharing its bright light around the world.