News, Entertainment, Enlightenment
I just got back from the Springfield Fourth of July celebrations. I missed the parade but caught the party at Memorial Park. There was a fire juggler, a jazz band, pony rides and lots of friendly people and friendly dogs.
And it was great to see a lot of flags flying at homes on Springfield Road.
The folks from Greenbriar Lane and environs pledge to continue the fight to keep a Sun East Credit Union– and I suppose anything else new — from opening at the Springfield Square East Shopping Center at Woodland Avenue and Baltimore Pike in Springfield.
The big issue has become the parking lot, namely the one that Woodland Avenue has become.
The Springfield Planning Commission, June 4, recommended 4-3 (dissenting Melanie Cook, Beth Burkhart, and Jim Base) that the Board of Commissioners reject the plan. Sun East and the owners of the shopping center — the most visible stores of which are Target and Bed, Bath and Beyond — are not giving up, however.
The LaRouche supporter was again outside the Springfield P.O. this morning demanding the removal of Nancy Pelosi and blasting corporate bailouts.
For the first time, I saw someone actually sign his petition.
I was the honored guest of Kristina Donnelly-Brotzman at tonight’s commencement for Springfield High School’s Class of 2009 held on the football field.
The 255 graduates couldn’t have asked for better weather. The breeze was cool and the clouds never came through on their threat of rain.
Principal Christopher Fulco presented the class and described them as a force to be reckoned with, noting how they stood up to him regarding a ban on wearing flip-flops that he was allegedly considering.
Valedictorian David Smith included references to the Bible and the TV show Scrubs in his interesting speech. Salutatorian Ashley Kaminski attempted to follow Hemingway’s test of a six-word story by providing one for each year of her class. If I heard her right, the summation was “We wrote a story worth telling”. Third speaker Michael Morrison thoughts were intelligent and reflective.
Class officers Sarah Fleming, Timothy Gillen, Sarah Kelly and Michael O’Hanlon then gave a presentation, followed by remarks by school director Stanley Johnson, who noted how President Obama has inspired the class and filled them with hope.
Fortunately, 97 percent of the class is going on to college so they shouldn’t have to attempt to enter the workforce until the Palin administration and hence hang on to their illusions.
Christine Wells announced special scholarships and remarks were concluded by Superintendent James P. Capolupo with help from a young lady named Katy who is expected to be a member of SHS’s Class of 2022.
The diplomas were presented always to cheers unlike at another school that shares the zip code and despite a no-cheer warning in small type in the program. Afterwards, those attending were treated to refreshments including pizza, water ice and chicken fingers. And of course a fantastic fireworks show which was appeared to be equally enjoyed by many of the neighbors of the school.