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TUESDAY, JUNE 27, 2017 TUESDAY, MONDAY,JUNE JULY 27, 10, 2017 2017
Tuesdays on the Trail By AMY PORTER Correspondent WESTFIELD – The Friends of the Columbia Greenway Rail Trail have announced “Tuesdays on the Trail,” a casual bike ride that will take place on Tuesdays during July and August. Beginning this Tuesday, July 11, riders should meet at 6 p.m. at the Main Street trail ramp (located at the Stop & Shop parking lot) for a ride to Shaker Farms and return. The ride
takes about one hour. Or, riders may join the group at 6 p.m. and turn back at any time. “We’re trying to attract people who have never been on the trail,” said Alice Flyte of the Friends of the Columbia Greenway Rail Trail. Flyte said that this would be a good introduction to the trail, to help get new people used to riding on it. She said the ride is scheduled for 6 p.m. so people can join the group after work.
Flyte has also created an event for Tuesdays on the Trail on the Friends of the Columbia Greenway Rail Trail, Inc. Facebook page. For more information, call 413-454-7822. Friends of the Columbia Greenway Rail Trail Inc. (FOCGRT), an outgrowth of the downtown Westfield visioning and strategic planning sessions, exists to create pathways to a bicycle and pedestrian friendly Westfield.
Columbia Greenway Rail Trail.
(Submitted by Friends of the Columbia
Greenway Rail Trail)
Chamber of Commerce 40th Pancake Breakfast
The control tower and a plane hangar at Barnes. (Photo by Dan Desrochers)
International Air Show is fast approaching By DAN DESROCHERS Correspondent WESTFIELD—As the International Air Show comes to Westfield’s Barnes Municipal Airport a little over a month from now, promoters continue to give more insight into what will be in the air and on the ground during the two day event. The International Air Show will be in Westfield Aug. 12 and 13, and will feature many different acts for spectators to enjoy. According to Lt. Col. Eric Armentrout, director of operations at the 131st Fighter Squadron on
Barnes Air Reserve Base and air show director, this year’s air show will include a history of aviation in America, as well as increased spectator interactivity and even pyrotechnics. “Big focus of this show is the historical angle,” Armentrout said. “There are a lot of important key anniversaries being celebrated in 2017.” According to Armentrout, these anniversaries include the 100-year anniversary of US pilots first flying in battle, when they flew during World War I, as well as the 75th anniversaries of the Doolittle Raid in Tokyo, which
was the first offensive against Japan in World War II, and the Battle of Midway, a key naval battle between US in Japan also during World War II. Armentrout said that a number of displays and planes will be on hand to honor these events, including several different war planes, or “war birds,” as he called them. “People do turn out, they come out to see these historical planes fly,” Armentrout said. “So we built a lineup that is very, very heavy with these See International Air Show, Page 3
By NICK LOMBARDI intern WSU ’18 The Greater Westfield Chamber of Commerce has announced that it will be holding their fortieth anniversary Pancake Breakfast celebration this Thursday from 7:00 – 11:00 a.m. The pancake breakfast has been a tradition in the city, bringing the community together for generations. Festivities will include music, face painting, bingo, a live broadcast from WSKB 89.5 FM and more. The event will be held at South Middle School, located on 30 W Silver St. in Westfield. For many years the event was held on Park Square Green but was forced to move after renovations to the green started several years ago. The change in venue has been viewed as an improvement by the staff and has remained at the school. One key benefit of this location is, if it rains the event can be moved indoors to the school’s cafeteria. Additionally, the school’s parking lot has made it easy for attendance to grow, and in doing so strengthening the community by bringing members of businesses, families, and city government together. Thanks to the partnerships the Chamber has made, over 300 children will be fed for free. With 100 kids from the YMCA, 50 from the Boys & Girls Club, and the combined effort of 3 local summer camps. It should be an exciting day for everyone, with over 1,200 guests expected to attend. Along with the breakfast, there will also be 25 vendor tables at the event. You can find ticket info and more at www.westfieldbiz.org
Double Bill: Disney’s Newsies with Ice Cream By MARK G. AUERBACH and BENJAMIN JACEK Correspondents Summer’s a great time to introduce young people to live theatre, because the fare is often lighter, the atmosphere is less formal, and there’s no school the next morning. I decided to invite Benjamin Jacek, a high school age pal of mine, who had only seen one professional theatre production–The Radio City Music Hall Christmas Spectacular–for some musical theatre and ice cream. The combination of the Connecticut Repertory Theatre’s production of Disney’s Newsies and ice cream at the UConn Dairy Bar seemed like the perfect double bill. It was. Here are our thoughts. The Connecticut Repertory Theatre’s Nutmeg Summer Series ends its first season under the helm of Broadway’s Terrence Mann with a production of Disney’s Newsies, the recent Broadway musical hit, which has been touring the country to rave reviews and standing ovations. With a Tony Award-winning score by Alan Menken and Jack Feldman, and book by Harvey Fierstein, Newsies, set in 1899 New York City, tells the story of the famous Newsboy Strike. Originally a movie directed by Kenny Ortega, Newsies was
The Company in Disney’s Newsies. (Photo by Gerry Goodstein)
like “Santa Fe” and “Watch What Happens”. As always, the CRT production elements are great, particularly Fan Zhang’s costumes, and Michael Vincent Skinner’s superlative sound, which balanced the orchestra and the singers. There are some delightful performances from Jim Schubin as Jack Kelly, leader of the Newsies; Tina Fabrique as the entertainer Medda Larkin; and Paige Smith as Katherine Plumber. The ensemble of Newsies executes d’Amboise’s choreography in a way that makes it look effortless, even though the dance numbers offer challenges. Ben had studied the newspaper strike in school. “I think they told the story very convincingly. The character of “Jack” spoke to me because he was in charge and everyone respected him. Also, he was the leader of the strike and I found that really cool. I found the scene where the world is trying to break up the strike very exciting, and I really liked the production number when they were getting the press printing” Ben’s bottom line made me glad that he accompanied us to the theatre. “I would highly recommend Newsies to my friends, and I would like to see another live theatre perforThe Newsies lift Jack Kelly (Jim Schubin) in Disney’s mance”. As for me, I found this production of Newsies to be more Newsies. (Photo by Gerry Goodstein) nuanced than that of the national tour, and Christopher adapted for the stage in 2011, and opened a limited run on d’Amboise’s choreography was a highlight of my recent theBroadway. The show became an overnight hit, and enjoyed a atre-going. —— successful run and subsequent national tour. Young Westfield, The Connecticut Repertory Theatre presents Disney’s MA actor Josh Burrage was seen in that tour. The CRT production of Newsies has brisk direction and Newsies. Music by Alan Menken. Lyrics by Jack Feldman. high-stepping choreography by Christopher d’Amboise, and Book by Harvey Fierstein. Directed and choreographed by the ensemble of athletic young dancers turn almost every Christopher d’Amboise.. Music direction by NDavid Williams. move into a combination of balletic leaps, thunderous taps, Scenic design by Tim Brown. Costume design by Fan Zhang. and some of the most sizzling dance seen on an area stage Lighting design by Michael Chybowski. Sound design by since An American in Paris played Hartford last year. The big Michael Vincent Skinner..Conducted by Tom McDonough. production numbers, “Seize The Day” and “King of New Associate choreographer Kelly Crandall d’Amboise. Through July 16. Harriet S. Jorgensen Theatre. University of York” are simply fantastic. ConductorTom McDoough and the small pit band, under Connecticut at Storrs, CT. 860-486-2113 or www.crt.uconn. the direction of NDavid Williams, brought out the best of edu.. Alan Menken’s score, not only in the big numbers, but in the See Ice Cream, Page 3 dance arrangements, and some of the more evocative tunes