Turley Publications photo by Cristy Bertini

Seven-year-old Ryan Miro cools off in the fountain.

West Brookfield celebrates Fourth of July

Postcard, essay contest winners announced during festivities on the common.

By Cristy Bertini

Turley Publications Correspondent

WEST BROOKFIELD – The heat of the day didn’t deter local residents from attending the July 4^th events held on the West Brookfield common.

Dads played frisbee with their sons, young friends kicked a soccer ball around and small children found a way to cool off by playing in the fountain.

Bandstand Committee Chairman Sue LaBarge announced the semi and grand finalists of the Quaboag Plantation 350^th Anniversary postcard design contest and the winner of the ninth-grade essay contest. The postcard contest theme was “The favorite seasonal activity in your hometown”. Warren and West Brookfield children and teens in grades K-12, were invited to participate. The semi-finalists received a Quaboag Plantation 350^th commemorative coin, a special citation and their work displayed on the common during the festivities. In addition to the coin and citation, the grand finalists also had their work framed and displayed with a name plaque.

The semi-finalists announced from Warren Community Elementary School: Kindergartener Nicholas Bailey, first-grader Megan Courtney, fourth-grader Rachael Westberg, fourth-grader Breann Boulette and sixth-grader Nichole Dimo.

The semi-finalists announced from West Brookfield Elementary School: Kindergartener Ava Paradis, second-grader Sarah Delmonte, third-grader Katherine Richard, third-grader Jake Cromak and fifth-grader Jacob Giguere.

The grand finalists were: second-grader Brianna Hill, third-grader Emily Floury, fifth-grader Abigail Oppedisano, first-grader Abigail Giguere, fourth-grader Evona Bolaske and sixth-grader Joe Smichinski.

The essay topic- “In 1660, planter families first settled in the wilderness of the Quaboag Plantation (what is now the Brookfields, New Braintree and Warren). What makes this area special 350 years later?”

The winning essay was written by Emily Rock of West Brookfield. Emily was not available to accept her award, because she is on vacation with her family.

She will receive a $50 Barnes and Noble gift card, a Quaboag Plantation 350^th commemorative coin and her essay was displayed on the common during the festivities.

Emily’s winning essay, titled “The Quaboag Plantation- Something for Everyone”-

‘The Quaboag Plantation has been a special area for many people for the past 350 years and hopefully many more to come. There is always something interesting to do. There is a lovely man made lake in West Brookfield, where fun activities take place. For many years, the common in West Brookfield has held exciting music concerts. Throughout the Plantation, many great festivals take place, bringing crowds of people from all over the state. Thus, the Quaboag Plantation has evolved into a very special place since 1660, when the pioneers first settled here. The towns of the Quaboag Plantation aren’t that large, which creates a more home-like atmosphere for the citizens. Unlike large cities, the Plantation is very family-orientated and takes the community into consideration, making everyone happy. We try to help out all of the citizens in the town, by having food pantries like the Sharing Cupboard and a farmer’s market. The small towns enable parents to be connected with the school, knowing what is happening and to feel safe with their children in attendance. Citizens take pride in their community and history. Some of the buildings that were on the Plantation 350 years ago are still present. We can walk by the Indian cemetery to visit our deceased ancestors. Part of the Plantation is the town of West Brookfield. In this town, there is Lake Wickaboag, which is a flooded field controlled by a dam system. This lake hosts a unique array of outdoor activities. People fish, boat, water ski, tube, jet ski or sail on the lake during the spring, summer and fall. When winter rolls around, the lake freezes up and creates a whole new setting for people outdoors. The community rides snowmobiles and ATV’s all around it. Children ice skate and ice fish on it. This lake has been a host for many generations of families, bringing them together for their common love of water activities. On the southeast shore of the lake, there is a beautiful beach where folks play in the sand or just relax and work on their tan. Close to the beach, there is a playground and volleyball net where anyone can play and exercise. Lastly, kids have fun playing at the lake, instead of getting into mischief elsewhere. In the spring, the First Congregational Church of West Brookfield sponsors the Asparagus Festival and flea market on the common. People from all over the United States come to experience these unique gatherings. They aren’t very commercialized and are created more to gather friendly people than to make a great profit. At these gatherings, there is something for every type of person to buy. At the Asparagus Festival, individuals can find many different customs from kettle corn cookers, to Native Americans selling Indian merchandise. Finally, it only costs a small price to enjoy the diverse culture of the Plantation for a day. During the summer, when the kids are out of school, the common committee puts on a series of concerts on the common every Wednesday night. Local businesses sponsor the concerts. They have many different types of bands playing on the bandstand throughout the summer. Many genres of music are represented. Everything from jazz and polka to Jimmy Buffet and Elton John songs. On the Fourth of July, the concert is extra special, with a huge bonfire on the baseball diamond. It is ignited around 8 o’clock and burns all through the night. People of all ages gather on the common to listen to the great concerts and share stories with each other. In the morning, the hot coals from the bonfire are still smoldering. The Quaboag Plantation has come a long way from 1660, when the Planters first settled in the wilderness. The towns have greatly flourished, but still hold on to their ancestral roots. Many people who have come into the towns have created little businesses so there is something for everyone. Lake Wickaboag is the setting for people’s enjoyable free time. I don’t think anywhere in the world has the unique people and treasures that the flea market and Asparagus Festival attract each year. Each summer, West Brookfield hosts a series of unique concerts that excite every type of citizen. In conclusion, the Plantation is special. In this busy, industrialized world, the towns have found ways to have a great time, without the citizens having to pay a great expense.’

LaBarge then introduced Rick Larrimore and his Rod Stewart tribute band. Larrimore walked through the crowd as he sang, speaking to people in the audience and dancing with the children.

At dusk, with the festivities in full-swing, the West Brookfield Fire Department ignited the bonfire, especially to the delight of the children.

As Emily wrote in her essay, people from all ages gathered on the common to listen to the great concert, share stories with each other, and celebrate Independence Day.