Historic Siren Sounds Again
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Free by request to residents of East Brookfield, West Brookfield, North Brookfield, Brookfield, Leicester and Spencer SEND YOUR NEWS AND PICS TO [email protected] Friday, July 24, 2020 Rochedale Village Bell rings in salute to first responders Photo Courtesy The West Brookfield fire station siren is officially back in service. LEICESTER – Determined to chief – came up with the idea Several residents and offi- honor frontline workers and to ring the bell as a gesture of cials attended the first few bell COVID-19 victims, a retired thanks and remembrance. tolling ceremonies, including fire chief returned to his roots Each tolling of the bell rec- representatives of the Leicester and designed a unique project ognizes first responders and Select Board, police depart- that has seen immediate suc- frontline workers, includ- ment, fire department, and Historic siren cess. ing police, EMS, firefighters, EMS personnel. The widow Each Sunday evening in healthcare providers, grocery of Rutland Police Detective July, the Rochdale Village Bell store employees, and transpor- John Songy also attended, and has been rung at 6 p.m. The tation workers, among others. an opening prayer was read bell is located at the Rochdale These employees have all been by Ken Morse, of Greenville sounds again working throughout the pan- fire station on Stafford Street. Baptist Church. Jacob Menzigian, who served demic and risking their health A history of the bell was also on the fire department for 40 to keep the country operation- provided for guests. The final BY KEVIN FLANDERS Long before the days of years – four of them as the fire al. Turn To BELL page A7 STAFF WRITER cell phones and pagers, the siren was originally used in WEST BROOKFIELD – the 1940s for fire department When the fire station siren and ambulance calls. It also recently sounded for the first served as an air raid siren Evangelidis re-appointed time in decades, it evoked during World War II and the several nostalgic memories Cold War. for residents. Nearly 80 years later, the The idea to return the siren won’t simply be lim- siren to service was sparked ited to nostalgic purposes. to Massport board by residents who post- It will also be used to warn ed about it on the town’s residents of severe weather BY KEVIN FLANDERS and look forward to his contin- “Since 2015, it has been a Facebook page. Selectmen threats like tornadoes. The STAFF WRITER ued contributions as the agen- great privilege to serve on the then approached Fire Chief siren will be especially help- cy navigates challenges related Massport board,” Evangelidis Clayton Edwards with the ful to residents on the lake, REGION – Gov. Charlie to COVID-19 and beyond.” said. “I have enjoyed work- idea, and he fully supported selectmen said, and officials Baker announced last Officials recognize that the ing closely with the Massport bringing in an electrician to in surrounding towns have week the re-appointment of next few years will be espe- team and our fellow board see if the siren still worked. also been inspired by the Worcester County Sheriff cially challenging in terms of members during the course In a thrilling surprise, the project. Lewis Evangelidis to the sev- leadership and decision-mak- of our rapid growth, and now siren still operates as well “The feedback we received en-member Massachusetts ing. They are confident that during the challenges present- as it did twenty years ago on getting the siren work- Port Authority (Massport) Evangelidis is the right per- ed by COVID-19. I appreciate during its last use. Residents ing has been overwhelming Board of Directors. son to help lead the emergence Governor Baker reappointing were so excited by the news – so much so, that North Initially appointed to the from COVID-19. me to serve a new term, and I that officials decided to Brookfield, Brookfield, East Massport board in 2015, Sheriff “Massport continues to ben- look forward to my continued sound the siren nightly at Brookfield, and Ware are all Evangelidis was re-appoint- efit from the leadership of its responsibilities as its chair- 6:15 p.m. beginning to put their sirens ed to serve a new seven-year dedicated board and executive man.” “It’s one of those great in use,” said Selectman term. Evangelidis currently staff, and we thank Sheriff Massport officials cited things that I don’t think Daniel Bigda. serves as the chairman of the Evangelidis for serving anoth- strong leadership and prepa- anyone ever expected. It The siren is so popular Massport board, and state offi- er term as part of that team,” ration skills that Evangelidis brought back a lot of nostal- that many residents look cials have been thrilled by his said Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito. brings each day. He has gia and pride for residents,” forward to the 6:15 p.m. tone leadership. “We have appreciated Sheriff already helped the organiza- Chief Edwards told the New test, which lasts for approxi- “Sheriff Evangelidis has a Evangelidis bringing his per- tion push through several chal- Leader. “A lot of people have mately 10 seconds. The siren strong record as a leader in spective to the board over the lenges, although the COVID-19 told us about how they used can be heard several miles the public safety field, and has past five years, and we look response will no doubt present to hear it as a kid. People away. been a strong addition to the forward to his continued con- the greatest adversity yet. have even come down and “We’ve gotten reports of Massport board as a member tributions.” “We are fortunate to have a talked to us about it.” Turn To SIREN page A7 and its chair,” Baker said. “I Evangelidis is eager to con- dedicated public servant like am pleased to appoint him to tinue his work with Massport Turn To EVANGELIDIS page A7 serve a new term on the board over the next seven years. Treat yourself to a relaxing day at Magnolia Body Spa BY KEVIN FLANDERS been stuck at home these last tion to ensure that all guests STAFF WRITER several months, a relaxing spa are safe and comfortable in the treatment will help to relieve building. The cleaning staff SPENCER – Magnolia Body stress and promote wellness. regularly sanitizes each room, Spa recently opened its doors “Bodywork relieves the sore as well as common areas. on Mechanic Street, and resi- and tired muscles when you For Yan, who previous- dents are invited to schedule a stayed home for a long while,” ly owned a restaurant in relaxing treatment at the new read a statement on the spa’s Plymouth for five years, it business. website. “We utilize the moder- has been exciting to meet new Owner Hui Yan and her staff ate strengths on the body point customers. She told the New celebrated the grand opening during a trigger or pressure Leader that local patrons have of her business earlier this bodywork session.” been very welcoming. month. She also runs a spa In only a short time, the spa Presently, the spa can accom- in Auburn, and she is look- has already built up a base of modate about five customers in ing forward to meeting more thrilled customers. After arriv- the building at a time. Please guests from Spencer and the ing at her Mechanic Street loca- call ahead to schedule a treat- Brookfields. tion, Yan spent a few months ment. Located at 9-11 Mechanic remodeling the space and dec- The spa is open seven days St., the business offers profes- orating rooms. Each massage a week, from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. sional bodywork, deep tissue room features lighting and fur- For more information about massages, Swedish massages, Photo Kevin Flanders niture that are conducive to a the business, or if you would sports massages, relaxation relaxing experience. like to book a session, call 929- massages, and couples body- Hui Yan recently celebrated the grand opening of her business, Magnolia The business has also placed 277-1199. work. 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