Westfield

Memorial Day Weekend is considered by many to be the un-official start to summer, but let’s not forget why we have this day.

They fell, but o’er their glorious grave
Floats free the banner of the cause they died to save.
~Francis Marion Crawford

I attended my daughter’s Memorial Day presentation at her elementary
school yesterday and was impressed and moved to see the wide range of
Veterans who attended as special guests. There were gentlemen from the
Korean War right on through to an airman who has just returned from
Afghanistan. In the speeches that were given they wanted the children
to know that it warmed their hearts to see them grow up in the best
country in the world and to know that they had a part in keeping our
country free from tyranny.

As my 11 year old daughter’s voice rang out singing “The Star-Spangled
Banner” I hoped that the passion and emotion she and her classmates were feeling in the
song was resounding with every child, parent and teacher in that small
auditorium. So many families over the entire course of the United
States of America have given of themselves so that we may live in
freedom and enjoy our friends and family as summer begins.

Principal Kane offered a moving and powerful speech reminding young and old alike how blessed
we are to live in America and at what cost we keep our freedoms. Mrs. McMahon, the chorus director, and
Dr. Burns, band director, led the children in a wonderful performance.

Here is a video from the Memorial Day Presentation at Highland School in Westfield, MA :

With this blessing in your heart and a prayer of gratitude on your
lips, may you and your loved ones have a fabulous Memorial Day Weekend!

Lesley

Last weekend Morriss and I visited Westfield’s newest asset, Westfield River Brewing Company.

Located at 79 Mainline Drive in Westfield, MA, Westfield River Brewing Company offers tastings and tours on the first and third Friday and Saturday of each month. The brewery is casual and comfortable with several custom brews on tap to taste including their signature Black Squirrel Ale.

As a local business person, I love meeting other people who love to live and work in Western Massachusetts and I especially like this segment from their website:

Westfield River Brewing Company, located in Westfield, Mass., was officially founded by a group of long time Massachusetts’ residents in the spring of 2012. We have chosen to live, work, and raise our families here in this beautiful state. We have also built our brewery here so that we can share our passion for quality, fresh beer with the people we call our family, friends, and neighbors.

The owner, Sergio Bonavita, is a convivial guy who gave a very interesting and education tour of their small operation. He was kind enough to let me interview him…I hope after you watch our video you make your way to one of the many restaurants and package stores that are supporting this great new local business!