I want to publicly offer my thanks and appreciation to the town employees, volunteers, students, residents, and local businesses who joined forces to make Harvard’s Fourth of July celebrations a success. It has been a pleasure to meet, work with, and get to know so many wonderful people.
Let me start with Steve and Mary Ellen Miller. They have worked for many years to ensure the Fourth’s success, and still show up at committee meetings to offer their support, wisdom, and encouragement to new committee members, like me. This year’s lawn party—coordinated by them, complete with food and bands—will surely become an annual event.
Tom and Lori Daniells deserve a high-five for coordinating and selling hundreds of T-shirts so that we could enjoy fireworks. Those countless Saturdays at the dump lugging heavy boxes in all kinds of weather paid off. The fireworks were spectacular!
Committee member Joan Eleisel made sure the website happened and Valeska Ross helped navigate. Supplies to date for the Fourth of July have been donated by Carlson Orchards, Donelan’s, Roche Brothers, Shaker Hills Golf Club, Learning Express, and the Harvard Woman’s Club. Many thanks to our food vendors, the Ayer-Harvard-Shirley Rotary and the Harvard Lions Club, for keeping us fed!
I must mention the Department of Public Works crew, police, firefighters, ambulance squad, and our Board of Selectmen. You all deserve a thank-you and a handshake! Having so many groups come together to make it all work has been an inspiration.
Lastly, a special thank-you to the Harvard Press. The weekly informational stories about Harvard’s past and the countless press releases the Press printed for us have been greatly appreciated. Something tells me that it must have been as much fun putting together the “275 Edition” as it was to read!
Anyone wishing to join the committee for next year, please feel free to call. Listing and information are on the town of Harvard website.
Kathryn Farrell, Tahanto Trail
Chairwoman, Fourth of July Committee
