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PAGE 6 A Turley Publication • www.turley.com I Thursday, May 10, 2012
Bussel presents
research on
wartime history
- NORTH BROOKFIELD-
By Jennifer Robert
Reporter
While not the fi rst time residents of North Brookfi
eld have had the opportunity to hear Jim and
Sam Bussel speak on their Civil War research,
the evening presentation drew quite a crowd. After speaking
last year to a standing room only crowd, the Bussel’s
were allowed use of the auditorium at the North Brookfi
eld Elementary School this past Friday night so that
townspeople could attend in comfort.
Bussel and Bussel are Civil War buffs, who have traveled
to Gettysburg for some research, and amidst period
photographs and old maps Jim was proud to have recent
pictures of monuments that he has himself visited. While
the subject of Civil War history is something that many
people have a great interest in, this presentation was particularly
engaging as Bussel shared some of the specifi c
interest points of the role that North Brookfi eld residents
played in the War. The town’s 200th committee felt that
it would be appropriate to have Bussel present his local
war knowledge as part of the activities in recognition and
celebration of honoring the 200th birthday of the town of
North Brookfi eld.
Some highlight of the night specifi c to local culture
included stories of The Battle of Roanoke, Feb. 8, 1862,
involving six men from North Brookfi eld, and among
them was Nathaniel Foster, who was the fi rst North
Brookfi eld resident shot in the war. Also during this
time, John Gilmore perished, being the fi rst soldier
from town to become a casualty. His body was returned
home for burial, and over 1,000 people were in attendance
for his funeral.
Later on, in August of 1862, Moses Porter Snell was
sent into war. Dr. Thomas Snell, his grandfather, was a
long-time congregational church minister in town. Another
man with deep ties to the community was Henry Bliss,
who was a 23-year-old young man who had married for a
year and a half, and deployed four days after the birth of
his son. Bliss went on to be a casualty of war, and his son
grew up without ever having known his father. At Antietam
Battlefi eld, North Brookfi eld, boys were attached to
the 15th company, and it was here that Bliss, along with
another local soldier Joseph Fretts, was killed.
A third North Brookfi eld native, Charles Perry, became
severely injured and perished 10 days later due to
complications of those injuries. Despite the casualities,
men from North Brookfi eld continued to enlist and offer
their able bodies to the cause. About 31 men from North
Brookfi eld enlisted for a nine month tour with Company
F, in the “fi shhook”, as it was called. The Ohian company
also had the service of one North Brookfi eld man,
Robert Beecher, who moved to North Brookfi eld when
he was 17 and therefore not placed in company with his
fellow townsmen. Beecher was the nephew of Harriet
Beecher Stower, and his father became a preacher in
town for many years to come.
The change in venue from the last presentation
worked out nicely, as folks were able to enjoy this dynamic
presentation in comfort. Board of Selectman
Chair Mary Walter later commented on the presentation,
saying that it was truly “history come alive, and
was just really wonderful!” There are hopes that the duo
will re-present this piece of local history in the fall for
those who did not have the opportunity to attend.
ESCAPE TO THE COAST OF MAINE
Cozy one bedroom waterfront cottage overlooking
Five Islands Harbor in Georgetown, Maine.
• Walk to town wharf for
lobster and ice cream
• Reid State Park's beautiful
beaches are a short
five minute drive
• Prime summer weeks
available
Call 207-371-2184 for more information
A FIRST BUT NOT THE LAST
WRITE-IN I FROM PAGE 5
Clear Creek problem.
The other two contested races were for the Assessor’s
Offi ce, a one-year seat and a three-year seat. Incumbent
Philip Peirce won the three-year seat with
215 votes, a slim victory over political newcomer Angela
Belanger who got 188 votes. Steven Galkowski
received 24 votes. Holly Chisholm won the one-year
seat with 195 votes, also a slight victory over incumbent
Marlaine Burbank, who received 189 votes.
Peirce’s win makes him one of the oldest candidates
ever to win an election in town, at age 76. Barbara
Wilson, age 79, won her uncontested three-year Elementary
School Committee seat with 332 votes, also
making her one of the oldest candidates ever to win an
election.
For the uncontested races, Nicholas Thomo won
the three-year Board of Selectmen seat with 328 votes;
William Frangiamore won the one-year Moderator seat
with 310 votes; Barbara Wilson won the three-year Elementary
School Committee seat with 332 votes; James
Cooke won the three-year Regional School Committee
seat with 329 votes; Roger Charpentier Jr. won the
three-year Water Commissioner seat with 366 votes;
Daniel Leahy won the three-year Board of Health seat
with 332 votes; Joseph Gadbois won the fi ve-year Housing
Authority seat with 312 votes; Arthur Jay won the
three-year Cemetery Commissioner seat with 357 votes;
and both Matthew Bansfi eld and Carol Plumb won
the two, three-year Trustee for Merrick Public Library
seats, with 306 and 301 votes, respectively.
Out if 2,025 registered voters, 438 turned out for
the election.
Fiddle Center
FIDDLES, MANDOLINS,
GUITARS, BANJOS, DOBROS
Lots of Lesson Times
Available In
Piano, Drum, Guitar,
Fiddle, Mandolin,
Flute & Banjo
300 Main Street, Route 9, East Brookfield
508-867-6600 • www.fiddlecenter.com
SAND & GRAVEL CO
Washed & Double Washed
Crushed Stone (all sizes)
Washed Sand • Stone Dust
Natural Round Landscaping Stone
Screened Loam • Crushed Gravel
PLANT LOCATION
TURLEY PUBLICATIONS COURTESY PHOTO
WEST BROOKFIELD - Our Lady of The Sacred Heart Parish hosted its First Communion class on April 29. Students included: Top Row: Dyan Clark, Sophie
Law, Father David Galonek, Elias Berthel, Christy Toppin (Teacher), Michael Greenwich.
Front Row: Tina Fitzgerald (Rel. Ed. Director), Luke Pakseresht, Angelina Ovitt, Olivia Toppin, Alyssa Abbe, Adrianna Balducci, Alex Bridges.
North Brookfi eld Savings Bank partners on blood drives
NORTH BROOKFIELD – North Brookfi eld
Savings Bank is partnering with Baystate Medical
Center to sponsor a series of June blood drives at their
branches.
Belchertown
Friday, June 1, 12 p.m. – 6 p.m.
4 Daniel Shays Highway, 413-323-8416
West Brookfi eld
Saturday, June 9, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
128 West Main Street, 508-867-5821
Palmer
Friday, June 15, 12 p.m. – 6 p.m.
1051 Thorndike Street, 413-283-4008
North Brookfi eld
Friday, June 22, 12 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
9 Gilbert Street, 508-867-0701
All blood donations will be taken inside the Bay-
state Bloodmobile located in the parking lot of each
branch location. Those wishing to donate can make appointments
by contacting their local North Brookfi eld
Savings Bank branch or Cheryl McGrath of Baystate
Health at 413-794-4600.
Blood is perishable and there is always a need for
donors of all blood types. To participate, blood donors
must be at least 17 years old (16 years old with parental
consent), weigh at least 110 pounds and in general
good health. “Every three seconds, someone in the
United States needs blood,” noted Donna Boulanger,
president and CEO of North Brookfi eld Savings Bank.
“We hope that these four blood drives will help save
lives in our community and beyond.”
Eligible donors will receive a beach towel and be
entered in a Baystate Health Blood Donor Program
drawing to win Six Flags tickets. One winner will be
chosen every week during the month of June.
All
Lessons
$16.00/
Half Hour
53 Brooks Pond Rd., North Brookfield, MA
u ] 508.867.0400 t w