Everyone Loves A Parade

Today, Falls Village was at its best. Like a Norman Rockwell painting come to life, the town came together to observe Memorial Day as a unified community of diverse talents and shared interests. Dressed in their crisp dress uniforms, the Volunteer Fire Department and Ladies Auxiliary brought great dignity to what may be the world's shortest parade. The handsome antique fire trucks were a reminder of the department's distinguished history and how important it is for all of us to support their fundraising efforts as they modernize their equipment and facilities. The Kellogg School band in bright red T-shirts never looked or sounded better. First Selectwoman Pat Mechare made sure the ceremony on the Town Green focused on the memory of veterans from Falls Village while also honoring living residents--specifically Alice Sorenson (Volunteer of the Year) and Hazel McGuire (Community Service Award)--who make outstanding contributions to the commonweal. For the second year in a row, Joshua Stone led the Village Voices, the community chorus, in a heartwarming and unique rendition of "America, The Beautiful." After the official observance, which concluded with Brandon Carlson playing taps, everyone walked up Main Street for refreshments donated by local businesses and served up by the new Falls Village Community and Cultural Center's great friends, Bob and Loek Neimeth. There were cookies from Sweet William's, blondies from Mountainside, fresh fruit from Camp Isabella Freedman, coffee from Toymaker's Cafe and wraps from the Country Bistro in Salisbury. Town Clerk Mary Palmer recruited Peter Felske to roam the crowd selling FVCT bumper stickers to benefit the Falls Village Children's Theater and he did a brisk business. Before everyone was allowed to tour the historic former church, there was a moving speech by the venerable Bishop Wismar who has lived in Falls Village for more than 80 years and is as enthusiastic as anyone about breathing life back into Main Street and the role that the FVCT is playing in keeping the town a vibrant, family-friendly place. Jillian Cannon, who played Dorothy in the FVCT's inaugural production of "The Wizard of Oz" last year, sang "Somewhere, Over the Rainbow,' accompanied by her father, Vance, which brought tears to more than a few eyes. And then the cast of this year's FVCT production, "Cinderella," reprised the show's finale, "It's Possible!" which is quickly becoming the unofficial Falls Village anthem.
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