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North Canaan Elementary School students applaud as the flag reaches the peak of a new 35-foot flagpole.
“Red symbolizes valor and bravery. White: purity and innocence. And blue: vigilance, perseverance, and justice,” NCES Principal Alicia Roy said as the student body looked on.
Scouts from Troop 22 presented a 5-foot by 8-foot flag (donated by scout Luca Bascetta) to be raised in traditional fashion.
Scout Master Walter Deane and the scouts from Troop 22 raise the flag at the Robert D. Pierce memorial.Riley Klein
As the flag slowly climbed the 35-foot pole, “Taps” played on bugle courtesy of the scouts. Hands covered hearts for the Pledge of Allegiance once the flag reached its pinnacle.
The new multi-tiered, metal pole was placed atop the base of the Robert D. Pierce Memorial. John and Lisa Jacquier of Jacquier Welding & Steel donated the pole and complete the installation free of charge.
“It’s for the town,” John said. “Just a little something to give back.”
At the site of the memorial once stood a cedar flagpole. The cedar pole fell some 20 years ago and the memorial for Pierce, a renowned civil servant in North Canaan who died in 1948, had been left without a flag for two decades.
First Selectman Brian Ohler presented the Jacquiers with a special recognition plaque to thank them for the donation.
“North Canaan is such a patriotic town. We love our flag, we love our country, and we have some amazing friends in this town,” Ohler said.
Scouts carried out the flag ceremony in traditional fashion.Riley Klein
The Sharon Playhouse honors Bobbie Olsen at its annual Spotlight Gala.
Tricia DeSario, Molly Model, and Michelle Lemon performed at the Sharon Playhouse Spotlight Gala live show.Justin Boccitto
The musical tribute opened — and true theater fans will know what follows — none other than a “Company,” the title song from Stephen Sondheim’s 1970 musical that begins with the chant of “Bobby, Bobby, Bobby, Bobby!” With lyrics adapted/parodied by Michael Kevin Baldwin’s husband a Playhouse performer Will Nash Broyles, The Bobbie Olsen tribute medley was sung by “Bobbie’s Angels” a group of six made up of Ricky Oliver, Michael Siktberg, Jeff Raab, Tricia DeSario, Molly Model, and Michelle Lemon. The Angels also performed Broyles-penned versions of songs from “Kiss Me Kate” and “Rent.”
“We wanted to honor Bobbie by recreating numbers or creating new numbers from titles that had been on the main stage when she was president of the board,” Andress said.
The evening also included stand-out performances from talents like Danny Drewes, who will return to the mainstage this summer after last year’s “Something Rotten!” to star in “Rock of Ages” and “The Prom,” as well as Julia Murney (“Wicked” on Broadway and the U.S. national tour), a powerhouse vocalist who will take the director’s chair for “You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown” and two-time Tony Award and four-time Drama Desk Award nominee Kate Baldwin who will also star in “The Prom.”
As Andress described the upcoming summer at The Playhouse “It’s a season of joy.”
The Playhouse’s creative team, Carl Andress, Michael Kevin Baldwin, and Rod Christensen paid tribute to gala honoree Bobbie Olsen.Justin Boccitto
