Plans gearing up for 250th celebration
By Caitlyn Kelleher Journal Reporter

Melody Gallant is ready to get the rest of the community involved in planning the 250th Anniversary Celebration, an occasion that has her excited after growing up looking at the pictures of her great-grandparents and grandparents at the 200th anniversary.

"I have such good feelings about what fun it must be to get the whole town involved," Gallant said.

Gallant is putting her skills as the town treasure to work as the anniversary committee's treasure while planning efforts ramp up.

The committee is setting up planning subcommittees and is incorporate new events between Dec. 31, 2008 and October 2009.

"It's all a build-up to the incorporation date," she said.

Gallant hopes the same spirit will prevail for the 250th anniversary as it did for the 200th (she noted one of the "events" 50 years ago was to have all the men in town grow beards, but there's no plan to re-create that activity).

The committee also wants people involved in organizing the events.

Forms can be picked up and dropped off at Town Hall so people can indicate what they want to be involved with.

"It will come fast. I know now it seems so far away," said Gallant.

The committee is looking for people to serve on subcommittees to help with the parade, fundraising, souvenirs, publicity, the kickoff event on New Year's Eve, a golf tournament and the Fourth of July Family Day.

The Westminster 250th Anniversary Committee includes Bob Cudak, Sam Albert, Preston Baker, Lorraine Emerson, Bill Wintturi, Brenton MacAloney, Richard Ahlin and Melinda Estelle.

"We are really trying to nail down the dates," Gallant said. "The Historical Society is going to be doing a calendar (for 2009) that has all of the events."

Anyone interested can send a letter to the 250th Anniversary Committee, 11 South St., Westminster, MA 01473 or e-mail them at 250committee@westminster-ma.gov.