The Agawam St. Patrick's Committee has named Timothy "Tim" McGrew as its 2012 parade marshall. He will lead the Agawam contingent in the Holyoke St. Patrick's Parade in March. Sue Willis was chosen for the Anne Sullivan award and Mary Ann Zicolella is the recipient of the Citizenship Award.
Timothy "Tim" McGrew has served for a number of years on the board of directors and has served as chairman of the Bylaws Committee. He’s also served as a member of the Float Committee.
“Tim is a quiet gentleman, but he’s always there when you need him,” said Rita Moore, past Agawam Parade Committee president, parade marshal and current chair of the Awards Committee.
McGrew, who is a program administrator for Northeast Utilities, is married and has two grown children. He and his wife are “foster parents” for Fidelco guide dogs for the blind.
The Anne Sullivan Award, given annually to an individual who shows the dedication to the committee that teacher Anne Sullivan gave to Helen Keller, will go to Susan Wills. Wills has served the committee as secretary, a member of the board of directors and a member of both the Colleen and Float committees.
Susan has been active with Agawam’s Parade Committee since 2006, when her daughter,
Megan, was named Agawam’s colleen.
This year’s Citizenship Award, given annually to an Agawam resident who has given back to the community, goes to Mary Ann Zicolella.
Mary Ann Zicolella, who owns Salon Tres Chic, has spent the last four years battling leukemia. After a stem cell transplant, she was confined to her home, with no visitors, for one year. She is currently in remission. She is married and has four children.
Just recently, the salon’s team walked for Rays of Hope supporting breast cancer research causes, as it has for the past five years. Mary Ann and her staff have also participated in fund-raisers to benefit the Jimmy Fund, the Muscular Dystrophy Association and Wigs for Kids. The salon provides all colleen contestants with hair services and makeup for their pageant.
Northampton
The Northampton St. Patrick’s Association is pleased to announce its Marshal for 2012: Jim Durfer. He will be leading the Northampton contingent in the Holyoke St. Patrick’s Parade on March 18th.
Our Brennan Award winner this year is Bill “RED” Quimet who was our St. Pat...rick and has served the association faithfully for many years.
Our Corned Beef Dinner and Awards Night to honor both of these gentlemen will be held on Saturday, March 3, 2012 at the SEAS Hall. Tickets now available at ST. Elizabeth's Parish Office of contact ceilidoc@aol.com. Tickets are expected to go fast!!
South Hadley
By Jackie Reardon
South Hadley Irish Night will be Sat. March 10,2012 at the K of C on Rte. 33 in Chicopee. The event starts with a social hour at 5:30p, dinner @ 7pm.
The ticket cost is $40.00 each which is also the entry into the grand prize drawing of a trip to Ireland for 2. For tickets or information, please call Jacki Reardon at 413-536-7732.
Monday, December 5, 2012
St. Patrick's Parade Committee announced the committee's award winners and Parade Marshall at John Boyle O'Reilly Club.
Parade Marshall winner is Daniel E. Warwick, left, Tom Sullivan, President of the Committee is at right.
SPRINGFIELD - Two sisters, the mayor of Springfield, a long-time Springfield St. Patrick’s Parade Committee member and a deputy superintendent of the Springfield schools were honored with awards by the St. Patrick’s Committee.
Daniel E. Warwick was named the Springfield Parade Marshall at the John Boyle O’Reilly Club Sunday.
“The Parade Marshall is someone who has distinguished themselves in their chosen profession and contributed to the Irish community,” said Thomas Sullivan, president of the committee. “Dan is very proud of his Irish Heritage and we thought he would make a great marshall.”
“My parents always instilled in me a fierce Irish pride. I am so thankful for this award,” said Warwick, who has been with the Springfield School Department for 35 years.
Claire O’Brien was awarded the Paul G. Caron award for giving more than 30 years of service to the committee. Claire served on the Marshall’s Reception Committee, co-chaired the Colleen Ball and Award Ceremony and established the American International College Springfield Parade Committee Colleen Scholarship Program.
“I am so honored. I like to organize and I like to help when I can,” O’Brien said.
The committee also awarded sisters Ann and Mary Shea, of Springfield, with the John and Agnes Burke Award. The award is presented annually in honor of the Burkes’ for their lifelong commitment and support of their Irish heritage.
Ann Shea immigrated from Dingle, County Kerry, Ireland in 1948, her sister
Mary followed in 1957. Both are members of the Ladies Auxiliary and the Hungry Hill Senior Center. “They are both strong supporters of any event being held in the Irish and Springfield communities,” said Mollie Bresnahan, a member of the committee. The sisters accepted the award with a quick thank you.
The Appreciation Award was given to Springfield Mayor Domenic J. Sarno for his service to the committee. “I was really surprised, honored and humbled when I found out I was being honored with this award,” Sarno said. “The Irish community has been an integral part of the positive growth of the city and I am honored to march in the parade in 2012.”
Sullivan said the awards acknowledge people who are often behind the scenes helping out. “It’s important for us as a committee to honor and recognized people who help out and are a big part of our success,” Sullivan said.
WARE
In conjunction with Ware's 250th Anniversary, a contingent of participants will become a part of the 60th Annual Holyoke St. Patrick's Day Parade. At this writing, Ware's Board of Selectmen and various veterans groups plan to attend.
Working diligently behind the scenes will be at least five members of Ware's 250th Parade Committee. Key members of Holyoke's Parade Committee will pair with Ware 250th Parade Committee members for 'walkin' the walk and talkin' the talk'.
What an honor and privilege.
Westfield chooses colleen for 2011
From left, Lindsay C. Dodge, 17, Amy E. Hewins, 18, Lauren D. Mayhew, 17, Rebecka M. Hills-McGarry, 17, and Hilary L. Brady, 18,
WESTFIELD - Lauren D. Mayhew, a 17-year-old senior at Westfield High School, was selected Friday night as the Sons of Erin colleen and, along with her court, will represent the city in the Holyoke
St. Patrick's Parade on March 20.
In addition to Mayhew as colleen, members of the court were also named and include Hilary L. Brady, 18, Lindsay C. Dodge, 17, and Amy E. Hewins, 18, all of Westfield, as well as Rebecka M. Hills-McGarry, 17, of Southwick.
The Sons of Erin 30th Annual Colleen Ball was held at Chez Josef in Agawam where three judges selected the five winners from a contestant pool of 25 girls.
During the festive evening, an annual tradition that marked a 30-year milestone Friday night, the Westfield parade contingent's marshal selection was also made, as well as the Sons of Erin Irish man and woman of the year.
Former Westfield Mayor Richard K. Sullivan Jr., state energy and environmental secretary, will head the city's parade contingent as marshal, a title that he said is "an honor and humbling."
"It's an honor to represent Westfield and lead the best band in the parade," he said, referring to the Westfield High School band.
Sullivan also said he is proud "to follow in the footsteps" of his father, Richard K. Sullivan Sr., and his brother, Brian, both of whom also served as parade marshals in 2001 and 2006, respectively.
Named Irishman of the Year was Ed Tymeson, while Maryalyce Morrissey was selected as Irishwoman of the Year.
West Springfield
The 28th Annual Colleen Pageant was held on Saturday, January 23, 2011 at West Springfield Middle School. Gerald Healy, the Parade Committee Founder, 1995 Marshall and 2011 60th Anniversary Holyoke's St. Patrick's Day Parade Marshall was the Master of Ceremonies. Fifteen young women were contestants for the honor of being selected as the Colleen and Court for West Springfield.
The finalists were Kasie Margaret Chapin, Marina Rose O'Toole, Jennifer Lauren Powers, Shealene Marie Ross, and Sara Bethany Stewart.
Congratulations to Sara Stewart! Sara is West Springfield's 2011 Irish Colleen.
The grand colleen and her court will ride on West Springfield's float in the 60th Holyoke St. Patrick's Parade on March 20.
The grand colleen will be awarded a $250 scholarship, a $2,500 trip to Ireland or the use of the money for education, and gifts from area businesses. Irish-knit sweaters are given to the grand colleen and the members of her court, as well.
