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Survivor’s Meal to hundreds of purple- The latter was the team name of shirted special guests, who gathered under Barbara Lammert, who set up shop at one the big top for recognition and special end of a soggy McMahon Field last Friday, attention. June 14, to walk faithfully, frequently, and At 6 p.m. Friday, things got underway throughout the night “for the cause.” with opening remarks from Lou DeMauro, The 16th Annual Relay for Life of the who set forth the ACS goal of “making this Greater Southbridge Area enjoyed sunny the last century” for cancer, and State Rep. Friday and Saturday weather (although Peter Durant, offering words of encour- portions of the track and field were still agement, comfort, and hope. A Police spongy from Thursday night’s hard rain) Department Honor Guard was on hand for and spirits buoyed by the camaraderie the singing of the National Anthem by that comes from friends and neighbors Daniel Briere, followed by lighting of the united for a purpose. “Eternal Flame” by Pauline Lusignan and That purpose, of course, was to work Lorraine McNamara. and walk together, to raise funds for the Doves were released, and then, to kick American Cancer Society and its efforts to off the Survivor Celebration Lap, those in find cures for cancer and to alleviate the purple shirts walked slowly but steadfast- suffering of those battling one of its many ly around the oval to the generous – and forms. tear-generating – applause and support of “Life is a Treasure” was this year’s others lining the track. theme, brought to life by those who were The first official tally listed the fundrais- Believin’ in Steven or taking things One ing at more than $105,000, with each subse- Day at a Time. quent count registering higher than last But those at the field weren’t dwelling on year’s same-time-period totals. The All- the negative. Instead, they were engaged Mark Ashton photos Team Banner Lap revealed a number of new teams, along with the stalwart faith- in uplifting, even joyous, labors, honoring The 16th Annual Relay for Life of the Greater Southbridge Area took place Friday and Saturday, June ful. As dusk settled over the city, it was and remembering those lost to the struggle 14 and 15, at McMahon Field. but celebrating survivors and – as the time for the poignant lighting of the Relay motto affirms – making more birth- Luminaria and the Candle Lap, accom- days. organize and energize the annual Relay. in town, and its members provided both plished to the accompaniment of bag- Three co-chairs of the event – Lou But as essential to the cause as were comfort and support for many of the walk- pipers presenting “Amazing Grace” and DeMauro, Rick Stearns, and Ray Fournier their efforts, it was the arrival of teams ers – including survivors in whose lives then music to walk to. – were quick to praise the efforts of a score and team members, survivors and care- they’ve already played truly life-saving On one side of the field, the word of local committee members, working tire- givers, first-timers and 16-year veterans, roles. “We’ve lost family and close friends “HOPE” was illuminated electrically. On lessly,many for months, behind the scenes that energized the residents of this small to cancer,” said one team member. In the other side, candlelit luminaria spelled – and typically on the front lines – to tent city into a community of committed effect, they’re working to put themselves – out the word “CURE” on the aluminum volunteers. someday – out of business. grandstands. Hundreds of commemora- They were there for the same and differ- There were Happy Campers Against tive luminaria lined the track and filled ent reasons, frequently at the invitation of Cancer, a healthy contingent of veteran rows of shelves and makeshift bleachers, a loved one or friend, eager to help, sup- Hedgehogs and Jolly Jesters, daughters honoring beloved pepes and memeres, port, donate to, or volunteer for an effort manning booths for their moms, sisters, moms and dads, brothers and sisters, and both joyous and reverential. and brothers, elaborate campsites and way-too-young classmates lost to the dis- SUMMER VACATION Betty Morgan was there from Brimfield humble pop-up tents, all sheltering walk- ease or still battling bravely. CLASSES START as captain of the Bizzee Beez. On her team ers and workers, adding comfort as well as Quiet time officially began at 10 p.m., July 8th and 29th were family and friends, former day-care dollars to the cause. with a Pajama Lap and a more somber customers who’ve lost moms and dads to “Bob, my husband, died nine years ago,” 9am-3:30pm group of marchers, many of whom pon- cancer, or those walking to celebrate “my said Pauline Lusignan of the aforemen- dered the presence of loved ones “walk- Sturbridge • Barre • Spencer aunt, who’s a lung cancer survivor,” or tioned Jesters. “I got started, and I couldn’t ing” with them along the trail. The next even for “Sue, a former member of the give it up!” Her team had dozens of raffle morning found the track still alive with team who lost the fight.” items – “everything donated” – and 3,000 team members. “I walked until 2 a.m. and Meanwhile, Barb Lammert of tickets to sell toward the total fundraising then got up at 5:30,” said Terry Moriarty of Southbridge performed as a one-woman effort. the Fighting Irish Team. She and her team “just for a cheer,” but also because The Knutty Knights were back, along mother are both cancer survivors and she’s been a part of the local Relay for 15 of with the Gateway Drama Dearies, the Relay regulars. its 16 years. “There are just too many peo- Fighting Irish, F Troop, and other stead- There were as many reasons for being ple I know (affected by cancer),” she said. fast teams of volunteers. But also on hand there as there were participants. “I love “I walk all night – I’m a night walker.” were a handful of first-year entries or rel- getting here on Friday to see people start The Cancer Center at Harrington atively new teams, including one from setting up,” said former Relay co-chair and Hospital has had a team (of Caring Dexter-Russell. “We’ve been trying to year-long volunteer and advocate for the Crusaders) at the develop a wellness program at work,” said event Ron Ravenelle. “This is something Relay for three Dexter-Russell team organizer John you’ve just got to see from beginning to years – since the Looney. “We’ve lost several employees (to end.” Coincidentally, this year’s event fell opening of that unit cancer), and personally I lost a niece seven on his birthday. “That’s what we’re about,” he reiterated. “Making birthdays.” This year’ event, in fact, featured the combined efforts of dozens of teams, hun- dreds of walkers with thousands of sto- ries, all working to raise a couple hundred thousand dollars toward the eradication of cancer and its ravages on humanity. Ray Fournier, meanwhile, was rushing around to keep things running smoothly and on schedule – with Saturday morning GAMES 5KWALK/RUN/PUSH ETHNICFOODS wake-up, the Conga Lap, periodic tally counts, the “Best Awards” ceremonies, the announcement of raffle winners, and, eventually, the beginnings of the big take- down. Told to “slow down” and take a INTERNATIONAL breath, Fournier declined the suggestion. “If I slow down, I’ll stop,” he said. “And I’ll never get started again.” Festival 2013 The final tally at the field was $187,462, but that’s never the final tally, said Ravenelle and Stearns two days later while RAFFLES collecting “Penny War” donations at a Gray skies early Friday turned to blue and sunny by mid morning. local school. Pledges and donations contin- ue to come in for days, even weeks, from Saturday, June 22 those inspired by the Relay and touched by its spirit of giving. By late Saturday, the city was gone, all 10AM-11PM A wise man once said… evidence (save, perhaps, a dumpster or two) removed from the field. Gone were the On the grounds of Notre Dame Church steadfast striders, the senior strollers, and (Blessed John Paul II Parish) “A man who stops the puddle-loving plodders. But it was never about the speed, or even about the 446 Main Street ~ Southbridge advertising to save money is number of laps taken. It was all about 508-765-3701 endurance, perseverance, and finding (Rain or Shine) hope in the fight. like a man who stops a clock There was certainly great strength in INTERNATIONAL CUISINE the numbers involved, but no less appreci- BEVERAGES to save time.” ated was Barb Lammert’s faithful-in- French, Canadian, Albanian, every-footstep proudly persevering Power Columbian, Dominican – Henry Ford of One.