Boy Scout Troop 109 + Can Drive
Scouts of America make a promise to ‘Do a Good Turn Daily!’ Outdoor Scout Code encourages; be considerate in the outdoors, and be conservation minded. Westfield’s Boy Scout Troop 109 is a stellar example of local youth both, taking care of their community and our planet.
Throughout the year these boys enthusiastically offer their help and goodwill. From assisting annually with The Westfield Women’s Club Member Tea Party, offering manpower during the chilly Penguin Plunge Fundraiser to generously hosting Survivor Man for local Scouts at Camp Moses. This year Troop 109 put on a phenomenal Pancake Breakfast for Westfield’s 350th Celebration, helped The Westfield Athenaeum fundraising crew move books during their renovation and also worked together, clearing and cleaning up around beautiful Amelia Park.
Westfield’s Boy Scout Troop 109 takes one great, well deserved, high adventure trip each year and they earn every penny themselves with their annual Bottle & Can Drive. Shared experiences and lifetime memories include travel to The Grand Tetons, Yosemite, 100 mile canoe trips and joyfully attending National and World Scout Jamborees. Dave Flaherty, Troop 109 Committee Chair, City Councilor and former Troop 109 Scout Master offers, “The can drive started about 12 years ago. The first drive we collected about 1,200 cans and never thought we could top that, then in 2018 we collected over 60,000 cans! Our goal this year is to collect over 70,000. We also receive donations from local businesses that match one penny for every can collected. This year we would like to challenge other local businesses to do the penny match.”
This year’s 2020 Annual Bottle & Can Drive is Saturday, March 7th from 9:00AM - 2:00PM in the Super Phipp’s parking lot. Glass, aluminum, plastic soda and water bottles are all acceptable. Every nickel counts!
Mockingbird Lane Neighbors + Earth Day Cleanup
The neighbors and friends of Mockingbird Lane have been out in full force every Earth Day since 2011 when Kristin Halley first shared an idea that would blossom into a much anticipated annual event. The initial hope of building community around a good cause while teaching the kids respect for the environment continues to be a great success.
The spring cleaning team meets at the Halley home and heads down the hill and takes care of Paper Mill Road, from Union Street to Mockingbird Lane. Kristin shares, “The first year was our biggest collection. We filled up a pick-up truck with trash, tires, doors, cabinets, a sink, etc. It was kind of sad how much trash got dumped on this section of road. But it felt and looked really good when we were done. Now that we have been cleaning up the road annually, we remove about 10–14 bags.”
As April approaches, neighbors ask Kristin earnestly, if and when they will get together. She usually checks in with some of the kids who have been participating since 2011 on what date might work best for them, careful to avoid conflicts with sports, vacations or other activities. Happily Kristin tells, “Over the years, it’s been neat to hear the kids talking about how they will never litter and their disappointment in people throwing out trash. The Earth Day Clean-Up has really had an impact on these kids and instilled an appreciation and respect for our environment. It’s fun looking back at the pictures to see how much the kids have grown and to remember all who have participated as this amazing group has expanded and changed throughout the years."
Another honored tradition, and now the best time to happily reminisce and plan for future Earth Day Clean-Ups is the great pizza party afterward!
Tree City USA + 350th Commemorative Planting
Imagine the year is 2069 and the City of Westfield is enjoying a remarkable, 400th Year Celebration! There may be parades and picnics, gatherings on Park Square and as in years past great oaks will offer their shade, leaves and branches swaying gently in the breeze. Fortunately, Westfield has a long history of understanding the importance of trees.
In the early 1800’s several residents started a movement to plant trees, in 1859 the Park and Tree Committee was formed and elm trees began to line the main streets. In 2004, Westfield was recognized as a Tree City USA. To qualify each city or town must meet four national standards established by the Arbor Day Foundation and the National Association of State Foresters. In 2019, honoring 350 years of local history with future generations in mind, commemorative trees were planted across area elementary schools.
In 2019, the great task of planting the Sweet Gum and White Oak was orchestrated by: Westfield’s 350th Celebration Committee President Harry Rock, Tree Warden and Park and Recreation official Scott Hathaway and Westfield Technical Academy Horticulture Technology Program Instructor Nate Sperry and his class. Elementary school students have since become environmental stewards and have been tasked with watering and caring for the young saplings. Abner Gibbs School Principal Stacy Burgess adds, “ The students really enjoyed the process of planting and hearing about the significance of the tree. The tree planting was a beautiful way to continue the celebration of Westfield's history which many students were a part of!"
Superintendent of Schools, Stefan Czaporowski is truly appreciative, and has shared, “This is such a great learning opportunity for our students. It is our hope that 50 years from now, at the 400th celebration, that our students will come back to recognize their efforts.”