DAN ALLIE
Westfield has been blessed with many great residents, who care deeply and give back much to their community, both publicly and privately. My wife Theresa and I moved to Westfield from Holyoke many years ago, in large part, due to the many wonderful people from Westfield we had met about the time we got married, when I first became involved with Steve Pierce’s run for governor and then US Congress.
In September, we will celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary. Love you, Sweetie.
We have lost a few treasured individuals this year. Folks, who I was blessed to have met or known, and people who touched many lives with their generosity, character, vision and personality.
They were ordinary people who did extraordinary things.
Deanna (Dee) Clark – Wife, mother, and one of the strongest, most generous, supportive and creative women I have known.
Walter Zarichak – WWII veteran, devoted friend to veterans and the Holyoke Soldiers Home.
Rollie Jacobs – Longtime sports broadcaster, who inspired me with a simple statement, “Let our voices be heard.”
Jim Curran – His home was a museum of a man who lived an amazing life.
American has always been a nation of associations. Groups and individuals, that formed organizations to meet the needs and challenges of their times, and to improve their community and its culture.
This month, I would like to honor the women of Westfield. They are our mothers, grandmothers and wives who are the heart of our homes, community and give us all of our veterans. My wife and middle daughter Marie love singing and theater. So it was only natural, that Theresa would become involved with the Westfield Theater Group, sponsored by the Westfield Woman’s Club.
Founded in 1914, the Westfield Woman’s Club has broadened and strengthened the moral, social, and intellectual life of its members and the community. It offers many opportunities to volunteer and serve the community. It sponsors two Blood Mobiles. They cook and deliver meals at the Community Table, and bring cookies to veterans at the Leeds Hospital, as well as visiting veterans.
They volunteer in the Westfield Public Schools, Noble Hospital, Westfield Athenaeum, Stanley Park and Dewey House. They are friends to Grandmother’s Garden, the Cancer House of Hope, Carson Center, Westfield On Weekends, Westfield State University, the Boys & Girls Club and Battered Woman’s Shelter. They collect toys for children and their families at Christmas, and offer six scholarships to local students.
They collect and deliver paper products, canned and packaged food to the Food Pantry. The Criminal Act Mystery Group is a community outreach program.
On Friday, September 19, 2014, the Westfield Woman’s Club is celebrating their 100th Anniversary with an evening of dinner, dancing and celebration at East Mountain Country Club.
Cocktails will begin at 6:00 p.m. Dinner will be served at 7:00. Entertainment by Corey and the Knightsmen.
Tickets are $40.00 per person. To purchase tickets you may mail your check to:
Westfield Woman’s Club
C/o Josie Herrick
70 Pineridge Drive
Westfield MA 01085
Call Josie Herrick, 413-568-0876 for more information.
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this column are those of the author and not the staff, editor, or publisher of this publication.
