WESTFIELD—In front of a crowd of about 100 concertgoers at Amelia Park last night, a local woman was honored for her contributions to a local landmark.
Barbara Braem-Jensen was honored by the Amelia Park Board of Directors during Musical Moments, an event she created, following her retirement from her position this year. She has served on the Board of Directors as secretary since the creation of both the board and Amelia Park by Albert Ferst in 2000.
“It’s her leadership we followed all these years,” Board Member Doug LaPlante said. “It’s a quality about her—she can be forceful, but also gentle.”
The Amelia Park time capsule, set to open in 2050.
At one point during the ceremony, Braem-Jensen even showed that forceful nature, taking the microphone from LaPlante and saying, “I was the token chick,” which received a bout of hearty laughter.
But Braem-Jensen’s legacy, according to the Board of Directors, went beyond her forceful and gentle nature. To those around Braem-Jensen, her legacy was about dedication to her community.
“She is forever trying to do the best for the community,” Sue Figy, Board Member, said.
Figy said that she first met “Barb” at the Boys and Girls Club in Westfield 25 years ago, when they both were doing work for the community.
“She has been here since the beginning,” Figy said.
For Braem-Jensen though, her shining moment appears to be the Musical Moments at Amelia Park every year.
Since 2000, she has spearheaded the program, having bands come to play every Tuesday through the summer. And it didn’t matter the weather.
“If it was raining out, they would just have the concert inside the [ice rink],” Carole Appleton, Executive Director of Amelia Park, said. “So people could hear great music and watch hockey.”
Braem-Jensen said that she has taken great pride in the concert series, but recognizes that its success has rested upon the bands that play—for free.
Former and current Board of Directors members posing with Barbara Braem-Jensen. From left to right: Harry Rock, Russ Kanzinger, Doug LaPlante, Braem-Jensen, Sue Figy, Dean Rankin, Rick Sullivan, Tom Daly, Sharon Czarnecki, James Adams.
“The pay they get is the applause they get,” Braem-Jensen said.
She believes the concerts bring the community together, providing free and wholesome entertainment for everyone of all ages, in a beautiful and floral park, complete with well-manicured lawns and fresh flowers all around it.
But according to Braem-Jensen, this all would have never happened without Al Ferst.
The complete listing of remaining Musical Moments concerts, along with musical descriptions, are as follows (all concerts begin at 6:30 p.m., unless otherwise noted, and all are free to the public):
June 21: Pintoniak Brothers (easy listening)
June 28: Diversion Band (classic rock)
July 5: Music by Duane Carlson (50s to today)
July 12: Agawam Melody Band (30s and 40s favorites)
July 19: Ritchie Mitnick and Sound of Music Singers (favorites)
July 26: Old Country Road (vintage and bluegrass)
Aug. 2: Charlie Galvin Band (soft rock)
Aug. 9: Dan Kane and Friends (Broadway)
Aug. 16 (6 p.m.): Russell Mountain Gang (bluegrass)
Aug. 23 (6 p.m.): Cory and the Knightsmen Band (favorites)
