Message from the Mayor: Spring Thing, BOE, HEF, Memorial Day, FNL, and more
Posted on: May 10, 2016 - 2:30am
Fellow Residents;
Mother’s Day passed, and a weekend where we welcomed the sun, which had gone astray. Quite a few things on the horizon, so this will be a quick jog through the long list.
Spring Thing
Next Sunday, May 15th, we have the return of the Spring Thing, a Hastings tradition resurrected after a hiatus of a few years. A mid-day event which closes Warburton Avenue from noon to 5PM, it includes many bands, a Museum of Interesting Things, food and merchandise stands, a Fire Department cook-out, a mini-Makers Fair display, with students showing off their work, and other festivities. Details here destinationhastings.org (The Board of Trustees will have a table there too, so drop on by and say hello.) You can also enjoy a breakfast at the Community Center to support the local Cub Scout troop from 9AM to 12PM – more information here
School Board Election
The following Tuesday, May 17th, we have the School Board election, a choice among four candidates for the two open slots on the School Board. Elections are held at High School gymnasium. Go here for information about the challengers and here for information about the incumbents .
HEF Benefit
On Saturday, May 21st, the Hastings Educational Foundation is holding its annual fundraiser that benefits projects for the school system. It’s a “Rhythm and Brews” themed evening on May 21st at the Captain Lawrence Brewing Company. For more information, go here. These events are always fun. And benefit a good cause.
Memorial Day Parade
If you are considering what to do for Memorial Day weekend, there’s really only one choice. Hastings throws a classic Memorial Day Parade, with fire engines, marching bands, convertibles and actual heroes serving our country marching as well. Once again, this year our Memorial Day parade will be graced by a contingent of Marines, Navy and Coast guard personnel marching in our parade, and we will be hosting a command officer (admiral or general) who will join us on the reviewing stand. Join us on Sunday, May 29th, at 2PM. The parade starts at Reynolds Field and comes straight down Main and right on Warburton. It will be a classic. This is why you live in a small town – warm, intimate, and the real thing.
FNL and Music Tour
We have a Friday Night Live coming up on June 3rd, with a Beatles tribute band and a roller derby team demonstration (yes, you read that right). And, finally, a heads-up: on June 4th, a return of last year’s RiverArts Music Tour, where scores of performers will sing and play from 12-8pm at locations throughout the Rivertowns, with a closing party at Purpl at 8pm. More info and call to musicians is up now at RiverArts.org
Art
And, if you haven’t done so, it is so very much worth your time to walk through the Municipal Building to see the latest exhibit hosted by the Hastings Arts Commission called “Drawing on Language”. Three of the artists featured in this evocative, thought-provoking and sophisticated exhibit will provide a meet-the-artist moment on June 4th (coinciding with the start of the summer Farmer’s Market), more details to follow. The exhibit is up until June 23rd, so while you have time, don’t miss it.
Mosquitos
The County is mounting an effort to suppress mosquito breeding areas, and you can help. Mosquitos breed in standing water, which can accumulate anywhere on your property. Empty containers, clogged gutters, and just about any vessel left outside unattended can become a breeding ground for mosquitos. In an age of Zika and other mosquito-borne pathogens, it’s the least we can do.
Changes
Finally, changes are afoot downtown. The Foodtown takes a little longer to open than expected, now looking at June. The closed Prime is likely to change hands soon, exciting details there. The bridge fence is done. The “Clockwork” record store has moved into larger digs on Main. A couple of store (Village Balloon and Flower) and restaurant (Taiim) have changed hands and are sporting new offerings. And, boy, have they made progress on Reynolds Field, taking shape right before our eyes.
Sincerely,