Mike “The Eraser” Cass, Springfield developer Evan Plotkin and art professor John Simpson are teaming up to literally paint the town. Cass is a city employee charged with removing graffiti from city buildings. The three will speak at our Club's luncheon on Friday April 24th.
Through the work of Cass and Plotkin, Simpson’s works adorn Court Square in the center of Springfield. The larger-than-life portraits of larger-than-life people are painted on the plywood used to board up a vacant hotel on Court Square. The plan is to continue the trend, reclaiming the facades of vacant buildings with new public arts projects throughout Springfield.
The three have formed a group,City Mosaic, to promote public art in the city. These three lemonade makers are turning trash into treasure, reclaiming eyesores and turning them into points of interest. What a positive, visionary, reimagining of Springfield. The plan is to take down Simpson’s collection of portraits and auction them in order to fuel the arts program. However, Simpson’s “exhibit” is worth viewing on Court Square for its effect as a whole as well as for the artistry in each portrait.
Join us on Friday to hear about this interesting, community-enriching project from the people who are making it happen.
Springfield Rotarian Sujing Yang and Hampden County Sheriff Michael Ashe will receive Paul Harris Fellow Awards at the 100th Anniversary Celebration of Service of the Rotary Club of Springfield on May 20th at the Colony Club in downtown Springfield. The Paul Harris Award is the highest honor local Rotary Clubs bestow on local Rotarians or community leaders who embody the Rotary mission of "Service Above Self." A $1,000 gift in each of their names has been made to the Rotary Foundation, supporting international and domestic humanitarian Rotary efforts.
Our Club will also award ten $1,000 grants to small local charities and three Rotary Youth Leadership (RYLA) scholarships to an all-day Rotary leadership training for you people set fot Springfield College in June of this year. Approximately 150 Rotarians and community leaders are expected to attend the cocktail and hors d'ouevres event to be held from 5:30 to 7:30 PM. Tickets are $50 and proceeds will benefit future Rotary Service grants and work in the community.
NOTE: You may purchase tickets at any regular Friday luncheon meeting of our Club, or online with credit card or check payment (click on the "100th Anniversary" icon above on this web page.)
Our community lost a true humanitarian leader and one of its most beloved citizens yesterday, with the passing of York Mayo of Wilbraham. York and Bob Perry, president of the Board of Habitat for Humanity, were the local honorees at our 2014 Service Above Self Luncheon this past December.
We are so glad that the Rotary Club of Springfield and the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame
had the opportunity to stage such a public "thank you" for this wonderful man and all he has accomplished.
After a successful career in sales and marketing with Lenox Saw, he launched a second volunteer career heading up our local branch of Habitat, and held interim posts leading two other local nonprofits.
York lived his faith joyfully through his actions, which inspired others to follow in his large footsteps. He will be dearly missed, not only by his family and friends, but by the thousands of people he helped and inspired over the course of his life.
Rick Lee, President
Rotary Club of Springfield
The Wilbraham Funeral Home is handling the arrangements for York Mayo:
Visitation hours will be held on Saturday, April 25, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., at the Wilbraham Funeral Home, 2551 Boston Rd., Wilbraham. The funeral service will take place on Monday, April 27, at 10 a.m., at St. Cecilia’s Church, 42 Main St., Wilbraham. A private burial for family members only will take place at the Adams Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in York’s name may be made to Christ the King Lutheran Church, 758 Main St., Wilbraham, MA 01095.
District Governor Michael Roy has chosen the theme Light Up Rotary, Shine on District 7890. The conference will be held in our District so all members can easily attend and share in the celebration of another great year in Rotary. So, please join us at the Hartford Marriott on Friday, April 24th and Saturday, April 25th. Springfield Rotary Incoming President Jack Toner, incoming 1st Vice-President Laurie Rosner and incoming 2nd Vice-President Lamont Clemons will be among those in attendance.
The District has an exciting program planned. In addition to the program, they will also share Saturday with Interact students and advisors, as well as RYLA. We promise that you will experience a great mingling of ideas, fun and fellowship.
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